Gam Zu LeTovah

כ"א בטבת תשס"ח
Grael 22

The seams which construct my Wisdom Casting Cloth tell more. The cloth inside-out initially (as shown in the graphic) consisted of a seamless folded side and 2 3/4 internally seamed sides, forming the Hebrew letter beit (ב). The small area left open at the top of the cloth (to turn the square outside-in) during the initial sewing represents the "foot also" (גם) behind the beit (in the opposite "dimension").

The material turned outside-in to complete the seam forms a mem-sofit (ם), thereby closing the "open side" of the beit seamlessly (see Shalshelet HaKabbalah) with a fold.

Taken together, my Wisdom Casting Cloth fully symbolizes "closing of the north side of the letter beit and it's transformation into a final closed mem", complete rectification of free will, unification of free will with Divine Will, and the arrival of messianic consciousness.

Forming the word בם, my Wisdom Casting Cloth "also" symbolizes the entire Torah, from the beginning (ב) of the Written Torah to the end (ם) of the Oral Torah.

With a gematria of 42 (בם), my Wisdom Casting Cloth "also" symbolizes the 42-letter Divine name known as Ana BeKoach.

The actions of turning the cloth "outside-in" and "inside-out" "also" symbolize nun hafucha.

Wisdom Casting Cloth

כ"א בטבת תשס"ח
Grael 22

Today is my Hebrew birthday. For my special day, beginning during the planetary hour of Saturn and completing during the planetary hour of Jupiter, with the waning (descending) gibbous moon 62% (ווים) full, I made my Wisdom Casting Cloth upon which I will make magic with my Ogham staves. When not in use, my staves will rest within the cloth, tied up like a bag with a 20" brown satin ribbon.

My own handmade cloth looks like the one shown. Of very soft brown suede, the seams are hand sewn, the symbols and lines drawn with dragon's blood ink, and the diagonals made using the straight edge of a broomstick.

An 18" by 36" rectangle was folded into an 18" by 18" square. The "square" turned inside out and completed of seams measured 16.75" by 17.5" for a total area of 293.125 square inches. The value of 293 is the gematria of בארץ, "in the land", and pertains to Keter-Malchut. The value of 125 is the gematria of יפלה, "differentiates", and pertains to the ability to distinguish between different states of reality.

The square of the cloth symbolizes the Middle World, ha'Emtsa.

The inner square (Midhe) is comprised of 7-7.2" lines and symbolizes focus or the powers of concentration, memory, recognition, and sensitivity to meaning.

The two superimposed X's (Cath) in the northern position symbolize friction or resistance (left pillar).

The western spiral curl (Fis) symbolizes enlightenment or expansion (right pillar).

The eastern grid (Blath) symbolizes harvest or synthesis (middle pillar).

The southern base to base triangles (Seis) symbolize balance or perfected will (keter-malchut).

More.

Garden Of Pomegranates

י"ד בטבת תשס"ח
Grael 15

New addition to my bookshelf - Garden Of Pomegranates: Skrying On The Tree Of Life by Israel Regardie

As described at Llewellyn's online bookstore - "When Israel Regardie wrote A Garden of Pomegranates in 1932, he designed it to be a simple yet comprehensive guidebook outlining the complex system of the Qabalah and providing a key to its symbolism. Since then it has achieved the status of a classic among texts on the Hermetic Qabalah. Now, Chic Cicero and Sandra Tabatha Cicero-Golden Dawn adepts and personal friends of the late Regardie-have made the book even more useful for today's occult students with full annotations, critical commentary and explanatory notes."

Mirror Magic

י"ד בטבת תשס"ח
Grael 15
Motzi Shabbat Yule

My 6" diameter, 1" deep concave, 1/4" thick skrying mirror is handblown, handrolled and double layered deep black glass fused with a clear glass layer over the top surface. The back surface is finished and the edges naturally softened by the kiln melt process.

A concave mirror is "where a parallel beam of light becomes a convergent beam, whose rays intersect in the focus of the mirror." (Wiki)

When in use, my black mirror rests upon an 8" X 8" square black skrying pillow.

When not in use, my mirror is wrapped with a 42" X 42" square dark navy Celtic paisley ("clearing") print pure silk scarf, placed upon the pillow, and contained within a 9.5" X 9.5" square, 4.5" deep, Tree of Life with Celtic knotwork wooden chest. The volume of the chest is 406.125 cubic inches. The value 406 is the gematria of בקדש, "in holiness", of האת, "the sign", of לשלום, "of peace", and of אתה, containing the mystery of all the permutations and cyclings of the letters of the Jewish-Hebrew aleph-beit. The value 125 is the gematria of החזקה, "the strong", of גבעים, "cups" and of יפלה, "differentiates". The value of 406 pertains to the Unity of Atzilut. The value of 125 pertains to the Creation Power of Beriyah. Taken together, the value of 406 + 125 = 531, which is the gematria of לאשר, meaning "of happiness", "of successful straightforward progression", "of the tree of blessing", and "of well trodden steps".

The underside of the chest's lid is engraved with my Jewish name in Hebrew letters and my Celtic name in Ogham letters. The inside bottom of the chest is engraved with all 48 (= יובל) letters of the Hebrew (including the otiot sofiot and the 4-shin) and Ogham alphabets.

The deep black layer of the mirror pertains to an integral fusion of Yetzirah (the universe of Formation) and the Divine Essence (Atzmut). The clear layer of the mirror pertains to the clarity of Malchut, itself integrally fused and supported by the Divine Essence revealed in the deep blackness of my Magic Mirror.

First, I chose the tools which spoke to me. Then, I explored the dimensional correspondences to discover meanings which reveal the deep Guiding Essence supporting my endeavors as a Jewitch.

Tiferet & Yesod: Feda Of Reunification

ה' בטבת תשס"ח
Grael 6

Pictured here are my Ogham staves handcrafted in the United Kingdom from the naturally fallen branch of an Alder tree. Pyrographed into each stave is an Ogham letter (fid, singular; feda, plural).

Alder wood is represented by the fid called fern, related to Welsh gwern (alder tree). The letter value of fern corresponds to "F", "V" and "vav".

Protection. The keyword corresponding to fern is protection. Word oghams related to fern pertain to shielding, guarding and sheltering.

Healing, Harmony & Peace. The Druids believed Alder-fern to link the male and female principles, to create balance, harmony (Tiferet) and peace (Yesod of Zer Anpin, corresponding to tzadi) between these two "opposite" forces. This particular meaning of fern-Alder also relates to the Hebrew letter vav and to the healing re-unification of Tiferet-Yesod through one letter, fern.

Truth & Illumination. Fern-Alder is also a letter of divination, opening doorways into the mystical Faery realm, mental prowess, illumination with truth and higher spirituality. Similarly, the letter vav contains the meanings of illumination (through aur yashar) and truth (through Yesod of Zer Anpin).

Thus, the Ogham letter fern is a synthesis of the Hebrew letters vav and tzadi. There is no "tz" sound among the 20 feda of the Ogham.

Condition Spell

ג' בטבת תשס"ח
Grael 4

There is a well-known idea in mystical-magical teachings that personal items and body fluids contain some of the psycho-magnetic energy of and can be used to work good or harm on the individual to whom they belong.

There is an easy solution to this seeming problem. Withdraw any personal energetic magnetism from everything that leaves, has left, or will leave one's possession in any way, place or time that comes into the possession of another with ill or harmful intent. In other words, cast the condition spell that one's energy becomes automatically withdrawn (through the kavanah of the condition spell) by default from one's lost, discarded or stolen items or body fluids.

In this way, a disposed kleenex, for example, is only a dirty kleenex in the hands of one's enemies, while at the same time, the keepsakes of one's family and friends remain potent connective devices.

Secret Of Shalhevet

א' בטבת תשס"ח
Grael 2

1 part midsummer's sabbat balefire ash
1 part shabbat incense ash
1 part fine gold sparkles
1 part dark amber resin
1 pinch Dead Sea salt (Israel)
1 pinch Flower of the Ocean (hand-harvested Celtic sea salt)

Living Magic

כ"ט בכסלו תשס"ח
Grael 1

New addition to my bookshelf - Living Magical Arts by R. J. Stewart

"Living Magical Arts is founded upon the author's practical experience of the Western Magical Traditions, and contains specific teachings from within a living and long established initiatory line of British, French, and Russian esoteric tradition. Living Magical Arts offers a new and clear approach to the philosophy and practice of magic for the 21st century, stripping away the accumulated nonsense found in many repetitive publications, and re-stating the art for contemporary use. This book offers a coherent illustrated set of magical techniques for individual or group use, leading to profound changes of consciousness and subtle energy. Magical arts are revealed as an enduring system of insight into human and universal consciousness, combining a practical spiritual psychology (long predating materialist psychology) with an effective method of relating to the physical world. Many of the obscure aspects of magical work are clarified, with insights into themes such as the origins of magical arts, working with subtle forces, partaking of esoteric traditions, liberating sexual energies, magical effects upon the world of nature, and the future potential and development of creative magic."

Wisdom In The Ogham Letters

כ"ט בכסלו תשס"ח
Grael 1

New addition to my bookshelf - Ogam: Weaving Word Wisdom by Erynn Rowan Laurie

"Ogam: Weaving Word Wisdom is a breakthrough in ogam divination and magical studies. Rather than working from the commonly known tree alphabet paradigm, Erynn Rowan Laurie takes us back to the roots of each letter's name, exploring its meanings in the context of Gaelic language and culture. Like the Norse runes, each letter is associated with an object or a concept -- "sulfur", "a bar of metal", "terror". These letters are deeply enmeshed in a web of meaning both cultural and spiritual, lending power and weight to their symbolism. With two decades of experience with the ogam and over thirty years of working with divination, Erynn offers insights into the many profound meanings hidden in the ogam letters and their lore. She explains each letter in context and shows how to expand the system in new and innovative ways while acknowledging and maintaining respect for ogam's traditional language and culture. In this book, you will find ways to use the ogam for divination, ideas on incorporating ogam into ritual, discussions of how ogam relates to Celtic Reconstructionist Paganism, and instructions for creating your own set of ogam feda or letters for your personal use."

Real Magic & Psychic Self-Defense

כ"ב בכסלו תשס"ח
Shamash 24

New additions to my bookshelf: Real Magic by Isaac Bonewits

"From poltergeists to the latest in parapsychological research, from tantra to tarot, you will investigate the laws, uses, history and manifestations of real magic. Bonewits brings magic out of the dark ages and into the computer age in a spellbinding investigation that will captivate believers and non-believers alike."

Psychic Self-Defense by Dion Fortune

After finding herself the subject of a powerful psychic attack, Dion Fortune wrote this detailed instruction manual for safeguarding yourself against paranormal malevolence. Fortune explores the elusive psychic element in mental illness and, more importantly, details the methods, motives, and physical aspects of psychic attack, and how to overcome this energy."

Ancient Wisdom Master Grimoire

י'ד בכסלו תשס"ח
Shamash 16

New addition to my bookshelf - Ancient Wisdom, The Master Grimoire by Pat Kirven Sawyer

"An excellent magickal herbal designed to help you learn about herbs and more. The Master Grimoire is the definitive magickal cookbook with thousands of recipes to keep cauldrons bubbling with delight. The is the definitive compendium of herbs, oils, and incenses for ritual ingredients, baths, tinctures, perfumes, sachets. Magickal applications include candle magick technique and annointing oil, powders, potions, floorwashes, talismans, charms and enchantments. A treasure trove from across time and across magickal paths including esoteric oral traditions and Mystery Schools. Remedies with origins as Druid, Enochian, Mayan, Gypsy, Santeria, Strega, Golden Dawn, Christian, Greek, Egyptian, Wiccan, Left Hand and more offer formulas for healing, hexing, manifestation, magnetism, banishing, protection, binding, love, sex, money, power, astral travel, divination, good fortune, legal matters, business, career, power, uncrossing, psychic vision and many more. Novelties, curios old and new. Secrets light and dark."

Year Of The Witch

י'ד בכסלו תשס"ח
Shamash 16

The first day of the 13 months on the witches' lunar year calendar occurs on the first new moon before Samhain. The 13th month - Alban Heruin - occurs every 2 to 3 years. The 13 months of the Witches' Year (with civil dates running through the year 2007-8) are:

Phasma Priscus (days of ancient spirits): 10/11-11/8
Shamash (days of the witch gods): 11/9-12/8
Grael (days of Earth Dragon): 12/9-1/7
Imbolgen (days of reclamation): 1/8-2/5
Keolwulf (days of the Old Ones): 2/6-3/6
Raven (days of air): 3/7-4/4
Annwyn (days of Avalon): 4/5-5/4
Mab (days of Faerie): 5/5-6/2
Alban Heruin (days of the Druid): 6/3-7/1
Faunus (days of Pan): 7/2-7/31
Lugnasadh (days of Lug): 8/1-8/29
Belz (days of fire): 8/30-9/27
Blodlessing (days of harvest rites): 9/28-10/27

Note: Like Jewish calendar "days", Witch calendar "days" begin at sundown.

Related entries:
Intercalating Time
Time Witchery
Akkadian Names Of The Jewish Months

UPDATE: Witch's Calendar For 2008 and 2009

Witch's Kabbalah

י'ג בכסלו תשס"ח

New addition to my bookshelf - The Temple Of High Witchcraft by Christopher Penczak.

"The Craft meets high magick in The Temple of High Witchcraft, the much-anticipated fourth volume in Christopher Penczak's award-winning series of Witchcraft teachings. Penczak invites Witches to continue their spiritual evolution by exploring the ceremonial arts. Learn how these two traditions intersect in history and modern magickal practice. Penczak introduces Qabalah and discusses each sphere of the Tree of Life, in addition to ritual, path-working, and other important concepts. In twelve lessons, you'll discover how to integrate these ideas and practices into your Craft. Following the traditional year and a day timeframe, this training program culminates with creating your own "reality map" of spiritual experience and truths."

It will be interesting to see how another person integrates kabbalah and witchcraft.

Time Witchery

י'ג בכסלו תשס"ח

My new Spiral Goddess athame is made of solid high quality Brittania pewter, with a double edged stainless steel blade. Athame hilt is a 3-dimensional archetypal goddess figure with the symbolic spiral on her belly. Hilt is heavy weight, highly polished pewter, & has a very comfortable feel when gripped.

Pewter in Hebrew is נתך. From the similarly spelled shoresh, נתך means to "dissolve and pour". With a gematria of 470, נתך has the same gematria as "time", עת.

Thus, my new athame is an instrument for dissolving, pouring out and directing the essence of time.

Intercalating Time

ח' בכסלו תשס"ח

Two new additions to my bookshelf: Understanding The Jewish Calendar by Rabbi Nathan Bushwick

"Understanding the Jewish Calendar presents the scientific and mathematical ideas of the Rishonim on the calendar in a clear and simply terminology and form for the modern reader. The principles are all explained step by step, and the calculations are worked out and explained so that they can be understood without previous background in the subject.

The book is divided into two parts. The first part deals with astronomy and serves as an introduction to the principles of the calendar. The second part explains the actual principles and calculations of the calendar."

Seasons Of The Witch Primer by Victoria David Danann

"Magick as Art, Skill and Craft. Companion guide to Seasons of the Witch calendars and planner systems. Victoria David Danann outlines the magickal system and philosophy that serves as foundation to the details of the witch's calendar. Reference section with alphabetical listing of power days, their meanings and explanations, suitable to keep in your planner. This primer serves as a guide to maximize the results of your castings. Includes answers to frequently asked questions, the list of power energies with explanations, tarot and color correspondences and a reference section."

Astrology In Jewish Thought

ח' בכסלו תשס"ח

New addition to my bookshelf: Above the Zodiac: Astrology In Jewish Thought by Rabbi Matityahu Glazerson

"Above the Zodiac: Astrology in Jewish Thought uncovers the profound connection between Jewish mysticism and classic astrology by citing the many references scattered throughout Jewish literature to the influence of the stars on human destiny. Rabbi Matityahu Glazerson gives a month-by-month rendering of Jewish astrology according to kabbalah, summarizing the complex system of elements in Jewish thought that correlates to each astrological sign."

Kabbalistic Crystal

ח' בכסלו תשס"ח

New addition to my bookshelf - Crystal Balls & Crystal Bowls: Tools For Ancient Scrying & Modern Seership by Ted Andrews

"In today's world of rapid change, we need every tool we can get to bring us back to a healthful center. Some of the most beneficial devices for this are the sphere and the bowl made of crystal. Popular author Ted Andrews divulges all the secrets of these entrancing instruments in Crystal Balls & Crystal Bowls.

These two tools are some of the most potent avenues to higher states of consciousness. Their use in healing, activating creativity, foretelling the future, and balancing the human energy system are timeless. Just look at a bit of what you will learn in Crystal Balls & Crystal Bowls:

Step-by-step guidelines for developing clairvoyance with the crystal ball

A variety of methods for crystal gazing

Ways to divine with water

Guidelines for enhancing crystal gazing with candles, fragrances, and flower and gem elixirs

Uses and effects of different types of crystal balls

Methods of healing with the crystal ball

Techniques to attune to spirit guides, angels, and devas

The use of sacred sound

Instruction on inducing altered states of consciousness and astral projection

Explorations of times: past, present, and future with the crystal ball

Qabalistic scrying rituals

Now, anyone can utilize crystal balls and crystal bowls in some of their most prized roles. Crystal Balls & Crystal Bowls takes these mighty instruments of divination out of the realm of the occult and places them in the hands of the people for personal empowerment.

No matter how you use these tools, for divination, meditation, healing, or discovering the secrets of sound, this book is a must."

Shewstone

ח' בכסלו תשס"ח

New addition to my bookshelf - Crystal Ball: Stones, Amulets and Talismans For Power, Protection And Prophecy by Sybil Ferguson

"Scrying, the art of divining by looking into an appropriate surface and receiving visions, has been used by healers, shamans, and witch doctors since ancient times. In Crystal Ball, Sibyl Ferguson offers a concise and accurate account of the history and art of using crystal balls, or "shewstones" as they were called in the bible, as tools to improve daily life. This revised and expanded edition includes additional guidance for care of crystals and gemstones as well as information on using them for healing and protection."

Real Energy

ח' בכסלו תשס"ח

New addition to my bookshelf - Real Energy: Systems, Spirits, And Substances to Heal, Change, And Grow by Phaedra and Isaac Bonewits

"Energy. Psi, prana, mana, chi, divine power, the tao, reiki, or "vibes," every system of magic and mysticism calls the energies that power its practices by different names. Whether questioning the power of prayer or a healing session with a Reiki master an underlying question exists of whether this energy is all the same or if they exist as distinctly different "wavelengths" of some universal power?

When New Agers, occultists, spiritual healers, metaphysicians, artists, and Neopagans talk about the "energies" they use, what do they actually mean? Now, for the first time, a single book discusses the vocabulary, magic, metaphysics, art, and science of energy from a multi-model, 21st century perspective.

Lessons included will cover: • Physical vocabulary of energy • Metaphysical vocabulary of energy • How the laws of magic affect energy • The Importance of Focus

Real Energy will then take these lessons to the next level giving you direction on how to understand and begin working with different energies. Half of the book is dedicated to showing you how to work with specific energies, including: the four elements, crystals, plants, animals, your own body, nature spirits, ancestors, and deities to accomplish your goals and enhance life experiences. Specific energy work practices are also covered, including: Reiki, The Huna System, working with "Pure" ESP and PK, Feng Shui, and the Tantra System.

With tips from scientists, artists, magicians, and spiritual teachers, Real Energy will give you a solid introduction to both the theory and practice of energy work."

Israeli Black String Chamsa

כ'ט בחשון תשס"ח

My "kabbalah" bracelet is from Israel, made of black leather, and comes with a chamsa charm. הּ