Blue Moon Faerie Door

ל' כסלו תשס"ט
Grael 1

During recent workings with my shaman stones, I acquired a faerie door. To mark this shamanic acquisition, I purchased a material handcrafted faerie door - it's playfully gorgeous, has a key and a secret code! The key's tag is inscribed with magic faerie writing. Born during the year of a blue moon, this faerie door has a blue moon theme. So full of magic fun it is! I squeal with childish delight just looking at it.

Jewelled Palace Potion Bottle

י"ז כסלו תשס"ט
Shamash 18

For witchy potions brewed within the deep jewelled palace, my new potion bottle necklace.

With Healing Wings

ט"ז כסלו תשס"ט
Shamash 17

Two curious curios I have added to my magic cabinet for use in transformative and healing magical workings, with healing wings ... Malachi 3:20:

Snake skin ...



and faery wings.



The Wings Of The Sun - free unabridged online version

Divinatory Incense Box

טי כסלו תשס"ט
Shamash 10

This stunning Yin-Yang Celtic Knotwork box is the container I've chosen in which to store my handmade divinatory incense blends. It has a secret compartment in the lid. The content in the secret compartment is, well, secret.

Handcrafted Handrolled Divination Incense

כ"ה חשון תשס"ת
Phasma Priscus 27

"These handcrafted, hand rolled cones are made of Mugwort, Meadowsweet, Rose petals, Willow and Cedar, all enchanting, mysterious scents, renowned for their strong scrying powers. Pure oils have also been added to enhance the scent and strengthen the Divinatory properties of the incense."

Handmade Ogham Staves

ט'ו חשון תשס"ת
Phasma Priscus 15

Each of my new ogham staves is handmade by the artist from the wood of the tree that it represents (birch for birch, rowan on rowan etc.) and measures about 5 inches long. The wood comes from prunings gathered or collected from 43 acres of organically managed woodland in Kent. Ogham letters are pyrographed into the hand-sanded area of the stave.

Thirteen And One Propitious Times

י' חשון תשס"ת
Phasma Priscus 12

In addition to 4 traditional solar energies (sunrise, midday, sunset and midnight) used in magical practice, halachic times of practical kabbalah list 10 more daily "propitious times" for timing and powering spellwork. The thirteen and one propitious times (named in association with traditional kabbalistic "ritual time" for convenience and cross-referencing) can be calculated by zip code here and are:

alot hashachar (dawn)
earliest tallit & tefillin
netz hachamah (sunrise)

latest shema
zman tefillah
chatzot (midday)

minchah gedolah (earliest minchah)
minchah ketanah
plag haminchah

candlelighting
shekiah (sunset)
tzeit hakochavim (nightfall)
chatzot (midnight)
sha'ah zemanit (proportional hour)

Mystical Music For Samhain

The Witch's Garden by Abandoned Toys

Beautifully haunting, mysterious, elegant. Perfect enchantment for the New Year.

This is truly truly exquisite music. It sends shivers down your spine, the sounds are so beautiful.

Elegantly Dark Raised Altar Pentacle Of Mabon

כ"א אלול התשס"ח
Belz 23

Shown is a ritual item I have acquired in honor of Mabon.

The raised pentagram and leaf design stands out against a burnished black background, the golden highlights on both leaf and star standing out above the whole. Measuring 9" in diameter and 1/2" in thickness, this raised pentacle altar paten is exquisitely designed.

And elegantly dark. Perfect.

Finer Than Gold, The Torc Of Nobility

י"ד אלול התשס"ח
Belz 16

Finer than gold is my newest ritual treasure - a hand forged Celtic torc of woven steel. I've named my torc Myfanwy.

Myfanwy is a Welsh name meaning 'fine, rare one'. Composed of the prefix my (denoting affection) and the word manwy (meaning 'fine, rare'), the name can be pronounced either muh-van-oy or muh-van-wee.

The Celtic torc is a sign ornament worn by distinguished women of honor, those of noble lineage, gods and goddesses of brave distinction, and elite warriors of magnificent deeds. It is a sign of Divine Nobility. ת

The Celtic goddess Andred, a patron of Boudicca (Queen of the Iceni tribe), wears the Torc of Nobility (nishmata l'nishmata).

I've named mine Myfanwy.

Awesome Hand Forged Salt Spoon

י"ב אלול התשס"ח
Belz 14

My newest ritual treasure. This is a hand forged Salt Spoon based on a traditional Romano- Viking/Saxon style instrument used over one thousand years ago. The piece itself measures about 3 1/2" long and is made out of 1/4 " square mild steel with a reverse twist for the handle.

Witchy Gear For Samhain Fun

ז' אלול התשס"ח
Belz 9

Though it's early, I am already making plans. Samhain with my grandkids is going to be particularly special this year and integral to my initiation into Cronehood. My grandkids will share in my initiation as we share this special time together.

This year, I am going to take my grandkids out for Samhain trick-or-treating in a fashion they will particularly enjoy. I'm going to take them out in full witch regalia! Here are some of the items I've purchased for our unforgetable night of ghosties, ghoulies, goblins and gremlins galore! May they squeal with delight as Grandma takes them out in style!

My bag of sweet goodies. BTW - I am seeking 7 secret decoder rings - comment if you know where I can get some.



My witch's shoes.



My purple and black striped witch socks.



My black velvet cloak.



Our protection charm.



My witch's hat.



My besom.

Mabon / Autumn Equinox Incense

ל' אב התשס"ח
Belz 2

2 parts frankincense
1 part benzoin
1 part black walnut leaf
1 part blackberry leaf
1 part marigold
1 part myrrh
1 part juniper berries
1 part oak bark
1 part oakmoss
1 part rose buds
1 part white sandalwood
1/2 part pine resin
1/2 part pomegranate
1/4 part allspice
1/4 part clove
1/4 part nutmeg

drops of cinammon and vetiver oils as desired

Wheel Of The Faery Year

כ"ט אב התשס"ח
Belz 1

(hat-tip to Whispr)

WHEEL OF THE FAERY YEAR

March 15
Festival of river nymphs and water fairies, a dangerous day for swimming.

April 30/May 1 - Beltane/May Day
Fairies ride out from their hills to celebrate Beltaine on May Eve.

August 7
Fairy hills and dwellings are revealed on this day.

September 29
Doors open between our world and the fairy realm.

November 8
Another day when it is possible to catch a glimpse of fairyland.

November 11
Festival of the blackthorn fairies.

Honor Ancestors Incense

כ"ג אב התשס"ח
Lughnasadh 24

1 part Celtic resin blend
1 part Pomegranate seeds
1 part Turtle Island herb blend
1 part mistletoe
1 part wormwood
1 part juniper berries

Making Ritual Moon Water

כ"ג אב התשס"ח
Lughnasadh 24

Collect rainwater during a night rain into a silver bowl. Place the collected rainwater into a clay ritual jar, cork it, and bring it inside before dawn (such that the rainwater is not directly touched by light from the sun).

During the next full moon, at night, take outside and pour the previously collected rainwater back into the silver bowl to collect light from the rays of the full moon. After charging the water with light from the moon, place the moon water back into the clay ritual jar, cork it, and bring the jar of moon water inside before dawn.

Use for lunar rituals and to promote psychic awareness.

Full Moon Celebration Incense

ט"ו אב התשס"ח
Lughnasadh 16

3 parts white sandalwood
2 parts amber
1 part blackberry leaf
1 part orris root
1/2 part frankincense
1/2 part lotus
1/2 part marjoram
1/4 part sage
1/8 part saffron
1 rose bud
3 drops vanilla extract
1 drop blackberry wine
1 drop lilac oil

Answering Tisha B'Av With Purpose

ט' אב התשס"ח
Lughnasadh 10
Tisha B'Av

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

The Unified Power Of The Divine Feminine Lifeforce

To craft my casting cloth, an 18" by 36" rectangle of material was folded into an 18" by 18" square. Eighteen is the gematria of חי (chai, a word symbolic of the Divine Lifeforce).

Thirty-six is the gematria of בכוח (be'koach, meaning "with energy, power, strength, ability, resource, authority"). Thus, the three measurements of 18 and the one measurment of 36 symbolize the unified three-fold (Maiden, Mother and Crone) Power of the Divine Feminine Lifeforce.

From Within The Land

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 (ba'aretz, meaning "within the Land").

Responds

The value of 125 is the gematria of ענה (anah, meaning "to answer, reply, respond"). From the root ענה is also derived a word for 'fasting' (see Vayikra 16:29).

To Answer With Purpose Upon My Casting Cloth

The square of the cloth symbolizes the Middle World (also see my recent shabbat entry Endless Legion From The Elementary Sea, where I dreamt I was sitting in the middle of the stairs). The Middle in Hebrew is ha'emtza (האמצע).

The inner square (Midhe) symbolizes Focus, and 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 (ingathering).

The southern base to base triangles (Seis) symbolize balance (synthesis, the creation of purposeful meaning).

Shamanic Selenite Sphere

א' אב התשס"ח
Lughnasadh 2

My shamanic selenite sphere. Excellent for full moon esbat magic.

Selenite natural Iceland white satin spar (angel wings) 75mm sphere for shamanic spellcraft. Formed through the evaporation of salt water from ancient seas. Shamanic qualities:

- spiritual activation, alignment and balance
- communion with angelic consciousness, spirit guides, higher self
- calming, stabilizing, high vibration of emerging paradigm
- channels light energy
- links to the light body
- energetic frequency a crossroads between the spiritual and physical
- enhances telepathy
- brings clarity of mind
- neutralizes mercury poisoning

More on shamanic selenite.

Lughnasadh Blessings To All!

Sisterhood

Green Man, Guardian Of Earth Energies

כ"ז תמוז התשס"ח
Faunus 29

Alan Hefner describes the Green Man:

A legendary pagan deity who roams the woodlands of the British Isles and Europe. He usually is depicted as a horned man peering out of a mask of foliage, usually the sacred oak. He is known by other names such as "Green Jack, "Jack-in-the-Green" and "Green George." He represents spirits of trees, plants and foliage. It is believed he has rain making powers to foster livestock with lush meadows. He was frequently depicted in medieval art, including church decorations.

Green George, as he is usually called in spring Pagan rites, is represented by a young man dressed head to foot in greenery, who leads the festival procession. In various festivals, Green George, or an effigy of him, is dunked in a river or pond to ensure that there will be enough rain to make the meadows and pastures green. It is also believed by some the Green Man shares an affinity with the forest-dwelling fairies since green is the fairy color. In some locals of the British Isles the fairies are called "Greenies" and "Greencoaties." In the myth of "The Fairy Children," there appears two fairy children, a brother and a sister, who have green skin and claim to be of a race with green skin.

The Green Man is linked to nature sprites and corresponds to the horned god (for example - Cernunnos, Tammuz and Damuzi, Herne, Pan, and Osiris).

Calculating Planetary & Halachic Hours

כ"ו תמוז התשס"ח
Faunus 28

Note the methodological similarities between calculating Witchcraft's planetary hours and calculating Judaism's halachic hours. Both Witchcraft and Judaism use these time calculations to determine the best time to do ritual work.

CALCULATING PLANETARY HOURS

Source: Bewitching Ways

The planetary days are divided into 24 planetary hours with the first hour of the day beginning at sunrise and the last hour of the day ending at sunrise of the next planetary day. The period that extends from sunrise to sunset (daylight) is divided into 12 hours and the period extending from sunset to sunrise of the next day (nighttime) is also divided into 12 hours giving the 24 hours of the planetary day. However, the term Hour does not necessarily mean 60 minutes.

These influences can either help or dissolve your effort so it is important to calculate carefully.

Your planetary hours are specific to your exact location. In order to calculate your planetary hours, you will need to know the sunrise and sunset for your area. You can get this from your local newscast, newspaper or online.

Now comes the math.

1. Figure out how many minutes there will be between Sunrise and sunset

For example, say the sunrise is 6 a.m. and sunset is 8 p.m. There would be 840 minutes of daylight.

2. You then divide that number by 12 to get the number of minutes in each planetary hour of the day.

840/12= 70. So, each day planetary hour in our example would be 70 minutes long.

3. Divide your day hours into planetary hours using the minutes as your guide for increment

hour 1 in our example: 6-7:10 a.m.
Hour 2: 7:10-8:20 a.m. etc.

4. Repeat process for time between Sunset and Sunrise (for the next day) to figure out your night planetary hours.

CALCULATING HALACHIC HOURS

Source: Halachic Times (original source taken offline, info abstracted from earlier Craftwork Of A Jewitch entry, new source - from Ask Moses - What is 'Halachic Time' or a "Halachic Hour'?)

The normal calendar that we use divides a day into 24 equal hours. Normally, noon is approximately the midpoint between sunrise and sunset, and of course midnight is approximately the midpoint between sunset and sunrise. This is thrown off, of course, by daylight savings time and other minor factors.

The "Jewish day" (daytime part) divides the time between sunrise and sunset into 12 equal parts that are often called "halachic hours". Since on average, sunrise is around 6am and sunset is around 6pm, we can call sunrise "Halachic 6am" and sunset "Halachic 6pm". This will then make it easy to describe the 12 halachic hours of daylight.

The times for morning, afternoon, and evening prayers are based on the notion of the halachic day. Also, the times for the start and end of the Sabbath, fasts, etc.. all use the Halachic day, although in some cases fixed times are used. For example, candlelighting on Friday night is always 18 real minutes before sunset, not 18 halachic minutes.

Investing In The Craft

כ"ג תמוז התשס"ח
Faunus 25

Although I have only identified myself as a witch for a few years, I have been a practitioner of Jewish Kabbalah for nearly 15 years. Kabbalah is the Jewish mystical tradition, and is also the mystical system employed by many ceremonial magicians and members of the Golden Dawn. (Just for the record, I am neither a ceremonial magician nor a member of the Golden Dawn.)

I have had shamanic-mystical experiences since I was born, so I consider myself a natural witch-shaman. I was also born with and continue to have conscious memory of my preincarnate soul's journey into manifest existence - the memory has remained with me throughout my life. While all souls make the journey in some form, few remember it. I am one who remembers it. It is an ever-present link to other realms of consciousness and being.

Nevertheless that I consider myself a natural witch, in the course of my spiritual development, when I cognitively recognized myself to be a witch, I dedicated myself to the craft as a solitary, in active ritual recognition of my witchblood (as Veronica Cummer describes in her excellent book, Sorgitzak) .

Witchblood - I love the way the word sounds. It soothes my spirit. So primordial and true to reality, it is. Given the reality of witchblood in general, it makes sense to me that I personally draw from several spiritual traditions in my own practice. I am a tapestry of many peoples - Welsh, British, Irish, Germanic, Jewish and Native American (Anishnaabek and Tsalagi). The unique traditions of all these peoples are part of my heritage, part of my witchblood.

Significant to my dedication to the craft as a solitary witch, even though I had a small BOS already in use at the time, I purchased a custom made artisan handcrafted Book of Shadows. A huge expense for me at a time when cash was not plentiful, the purchase itself was sacred, and invested with my hopes and dreams for my future and continued development as a witch 'out of the broom closet' of my own consciousness.

My mystical journey over the decade and a half prior to coming out as a witch had been tumultuous, painful, full of rejection and replete with seriously harmful descrimination from both secular and religious communities of all kinds. My life was battered and scarred.

Within the milieu of a tattered life, after assimilating the practice of witchcraft for only a short time into my usual practices of the time, the practices of witchcraft quickly and effortlessly balanced out what had been missing in my mystical practice for years. It was upon this realization that witchcraft was vital to me spiritually, that I decided and acted to dedicate myself as a witch. Walking the path of a kabbalistic shamanic druidic witch is my bliss. All of these paths are in me, some more than others certainly, but all of them are part of me nevertheless. I am still blooming as a witch, as a kabbalist, as a mystic, as a druid, as a shaman, as a human being. Tomorrow I will be more than I am today. Witchcraft has brought my life into balance and given me steadfast joy. My Book of Shadows is a testament to that. Consequently, commissioning the craft of my Book of Shadows was a healing act for me as well as integral to my rite of dedication.

Shown above is a Book of Shadows similar to the one I commissioned in March of 2007 and received a few months after that. My BOS is like the one shown except my book is black as opposed to brown. When not in use, my BOS is stored in a special place under the permanent altar set up in my bedroom. The leather of my book is deeply and exquisitely wrinkled. The spine has five corded sashes with a pentacle set into the spine at the third cord. The end papers are marbled black. The inner aged parchment pages are huge - 11 by 14 inches! The edges of the 500 pages are particularly spectacular, hand-burned, like the book has been plucked from a fire. My book is a gorgeous piece of handcrafted artwork and I love it.

The End Of Its Measure

"כ"ב תמוז התשס"ח
Faunus 24

In follow-up to my previous post (Cutting & Clearing Negativity Spell), some spellwork notes:

The spell candle was stone charged with clear quartz crystal and lit during the planetary hour of Saturn (reish) with the third quarter moon 48% full.

Forty-eight centimeters equals a cubit.

When something approaches the end of its "measure," it is reduced to a single cubit. The Essence

The power of any negative energies over me has reached its end.

So mote it be.

אמן

Cutting & Clearing Negativity Spell

Lothlorien

"כ"ב תמוז התשס"ח
Faunus 24

The moon entered taurus (the bull) today, creating a powerful opportunity for spellcasting an end to the bull's negative energy.

Cutting & Clearing Incense

Using an olive wood mortar and pestle, during the third quarter moon 50% full and the planetary hour of Mars, I made the loose incense for this evening's shabbat witchery:

1 part broom
1 part chicory
1 part cinchona
1 part galangal
1 part milk thistle
1 part mullein
1 part nettle
1 part rue
1 part vetivert
1 part wahoo
1 part witch grass

Beeswax Pillar Candle Dressing Oil

3 drops rue
3 drops bergamot
3 drops myrrh
1 drop cinnamon bark
linseed carrier oil
small onxy gemstone

Creation Letter Inscriptions

zayin- yud (Excalibur, channel - chochmah to gevurah)
ruis (passing of old cycles, change and renewal, looking ahead)

Tarot Cards

Ace of Swords (action, great rising force, bringing about change, cutting through)
Wheel of Fortune (changes, turning events, progression, breakthrough)

Central Altar Gemstone

natural amber specimen (5th element - binds together earth, air, fire and water)

Lughnasadh Tarot Magic

Queen of Swords, from Seasons of the Witch Calendar

כ"א תמוז התשס"ח
Faunus 23

~ I conjure the means to match my strength ~

Spirit - Queen of Swords, upright over and behind altar, guarding altar. Print from Seasons of the Witch calendar. "Two feet firmly on the ground, in relaxed yet ready position. In the wrought iron doorway, prepared for the journey." [Tarot Magick, Kelly Danann]

Four Corners, cards from Llewellyn Tarot:

Earth - Justice (truth, justice, balance, deliberation, insight, honor, patience, right action)

Water - Queen of Swords (empowerment, courage, determination, revolutionary, pioneering)

Fire - Ace of Wands (inspired breakthrough, visionary, quick thinking, understanding, confidence, strength)

Air - Queen of Wands (warm intelligence, worthiness, talent, courage, steadfastness)

Related entry: Excalibur

Burning Resins In Small Areas

כ' תמוז התשס"ח
Faunus 22

A few tips for gently heating and burning resin incenses in small areas:

1. Use a tea light heated oil diffuser. The candle heats the reservoir holding the resins which then heats the incense within it to release their scent. Thick soapstone is a safer choice and is less likely to 'explode' (as thin porcelain diffusers might) with dry heating or if the reservoir goes dry if heating resins with water. It's a good idea to use a little water or unscented wax chips with the resins for gentler heating, especially if using a diffuser made of finer materials.

2. Use a ventilated votive holder fitted with a double-folded piece of metal screen. Place the resins on the screen lid, and a tea candle in the bottom of the holder.

3. If using charcoal, form a little bowl using aluminum foil. Place the foil bowl over the already lit charcoal and add your resins. The foil lowers the burn temperature, thereby burning the resins slower and more gently. Use tongs when dealing with charcoal.

4. Don't burn too much resin at once indoors, as resins tend to be very smokey - you don't want to set off the smoke alarm.

5. Japanese bamboo charcoal burns cleaner than black saltpetre charcoal.

Other tips are welcome.

Excalibur-Lughnasadh-Luchot Candle Dressing

כ' תמוז התשס"ח
Faunus 22

Zayin - Gemini - Sivan - first set of holy tablets (luchot) - Mercury (פ)

equal parts:

caraway
flax seeds
horehound
fennel
mulberry

Yud - Virgo - Elul - second set of holy tablets (luchot) - Mercury (פ)

equal parts:

mace
marjoram
peppermint
pomegranate seeds
rosemary

Essential oils - lavender, bergamot
Carrier oil - almond

Base ingredient - crushed blackberries or blackberry wine

Related entry: Kabbalah Of Excalibur

Magical Alphabets Free Font Downloads

ט"ז תמוז התשס"ח
Faunus 18

Free font downloads for various magical alphabets used in witchcraft.

Ancient (various types of runes, symbols and magical alphabets)

Aramaic

Barddas Runes

Cherokee

Etruscan

Hebrew

Hieroglyphs

Ogham

Runes

This page is subject to update with new material.

Poppet Joy

ט"ו תמוז התשס"ח
Faunus 17

I've started a new project for upcoming Lughnasadh, the sabbat which harvests the Divine power of the long arm (like in my dream earlier this month). I am handcrafting for myself a unique magic poppet.

In honor of Lughnasadh, today I purchased for my as yet unmade poppet, a kachina ("life-bringer") charm of Angwusnasomtaka, the crow mother spirit from Hopi mythological cosmology. Angwusnasomtaka is a wuya. Black crows are associated with transmutation of consciousness in Hopi, Celtic and Jewish mysticism.

I also purchased today the spanish moss base stuffing which will be charged later with other botanicals and charms as I choose them during the poppet's construction.

Earth-brown 100% linen fabric will form the structure of the poppet's body. I acquired the linen remnant over a year ago at a bargain price. I didn't have any reason to purchase it at the time, other than it 'soothed my spirit' to look at it. So, I bought the remnant and stored it away until 'for what' I bought it came to me. The linen remnant has now been called up from the past to be used in the crafting of my poppet.

I am going to give my poppet a little besom too!

Oh! I am so giddy with excitement and happiness as I plan my poppet's construction. My heart was dancing as I opened one of my treasure boxes to pull out the old remnant of linen. My poppet already brings me joy!

How To Make Your Own Poppet
Illustrated Instructions On How To Make A Poppet

Moon Square Mars Esbat Candle Dressing

י"ד תמוז התשס"ח
Faunus 16

A recipe for a candle dressing mixture for the Forest Dance full moon esbat candle. Into an almond carrier oil, add a pestle ground mixture of:

Moon:

2 parts passion flower (peace)
2 parts lotus (protection, lock-opening)
2 parts myrrh (lifts vibrations, healing)
2 parts white sandalwood (manifestation)

Mars:

1 part ginger root (success)

Elemental:

1 pomegranate seed (fire, essence of Divine emanation)

My candle dressing mixture for this year's Forest Dance full moon was prepared during the planetary hour of Venus (corresponding to the magical hebrew letter kaf, associated with the power to actualize potential) with the moon 100% full. The esbat candle itself was also charged with a clear quartz crystal and ritually inscribed with my spell using hebrew and ogham letters. My esbat candle was ignited during the planetary hour of Mercury, corresponding to the magical hebrew letter pei and associated with the communication of esoteric knowledge.

Full Moon In Capricorn

י"ד תמוז התשס"ח
Faunus 16

The Forest Dance full moon this month is in capricorn which corresponds to the magical hebrew creation letter ayin. Given this correspondence, this esbat is a good time to do a simple spell to receive physical sustenance and/or greater occult/spiritual understanding/insight into oneself or any situation in one's life.

As a solitary witch, among the incenses I'll be using in observance of this esbat is a new one for me called Forest Floor, a handcrafted softly woodsy scent.

Double Dose Of Havdalah Consciousness

י"ד תמוז התשס"ח
Faunus 16

My besom, handcrafted at Samhain.

A traditional witch's broom is called a besom. Sweet-smelling spices in traditional kabbalah are called besomim. There is an interesting connection between a witch's besom (ritual broomstick) and kabbalistic besomim (ritual spices, typically a mixture of cloves and myrtle although other fragrant spices and plants may be used).

The Hebrew word besomim (בשׂמים) is from the root בשׂם meaning to "cut up" [1] (where spices are cut from a whole plant). Ritually, besomim are spices used to separate between sacred time and mundane time. In other words, besomim are significantly associated with the liminal zone between and joining sacred and mundane time (times primarily for spiritual and physical pursuits, respectively).

Likewise with respect to liminality, in ancient Rome, midwives used special brooms to ritually "cut the ties between the world of the living and the realm of the dead after childbirth" [2]. Thus, the besom of traditional witchcraft is significantly associated with the liminal zone between and joining a time of embodied life and a time of spiritualized life.

These facts taken together suggest some common esoteric-occult-linguistic foundation for both the witch's besom and the kabbalist's besomim. The common foundation between the two ritual tools is connected to the ideas of "cutting", "liminality" and "unifying the physical and the spiritual".

Here is an interesting link describing how to construct a witch's besom.

Footnotes:

[1] Etymological Dictionary Of Biblical Hebrew, R' Matityahu Clark

[2] Solitary Witch, Silver Ravenwolf; and The Woman's Dictionary Of Symbols And Sacred Objects, B. Walker

Faceted Vintage Crystal Chandelier Pendant

ט' תמוז התשס"ח
Faunus 11

My newest magical tool - a large faceted vintage chandelier clear crystal salvaged from an old lamp. On a 27 1/2" vintage cable chain, the crystal measures just over 2" long.

Witchy Facts About Me

ג' תמוז התשס"ח
Faunus 5

A few witchy facts about me:

My Names: A Mystical-Magical Dance Of Dark & Light

1. My mystical Hebrew name - Liorah ("light to me", i.e. darkness)

2. My magical Craft name - Lleucu ("light")

Colorful Animal Totems / Spirit Guides / Mythic Totems

3. Mouse, Golden Kitten, Dragon, Buffalo, Lion, Spider, Fleas, Elephant, Meercat, Shark, Whale, Crocodile, Gorilla, Bees, Hornets, Piranha, Dog, Bear, Wild Horse, Snake, Black Jaguar, Red Birds, Peacock, Phoenix, Black Crow, Butterfly

Primary Dieties / Archetypes

4. Female - Cerridwen, Hekate, Rhiannon, Shechinah, Lilith, Laylah, Morrigan, Asherah, Anu, Asibikaashi, Yocheved, Batyah, Tzipporah, Kali Mah, Devorah, Aranrhod, Hulda, Brighid, Chanah, Batsheva, Tamar, Chavah, Awen, Freyja, Ertha, Ma'at, Elisheva, Rahab, Tiamat, Yiska, Isis, Nut, Dinah, Asnat, Serach

5. Male - Yitzchak, Tiw, Beli Mawr, Yaakov, Moses, Aaron, David, Solomon, Yisrael, Chaniel, Arawn, Lenpw, Yosef, Lugh, Dan, Benjamin, Samson, Set, Poseidon, Green Man, Pinchas, Eliyahu

Magical Alphabets I Use

6. Hebrew, Ogham, Bardic Runes

General Stuff

7. I am out of the broom closet. Thank Goddess.

8. I live magically, meditate and do ritual work regularly.

9. I was born remembering my pre-incarnate journey into incarnate existence. In Jewish kabbalah, such an experience of consciousness is discussed in the Talmud (Niddah 30b, for example).

10. Favorite Pagan holy day - Samhain; Favorite Jewish holy day - Yom Kippur

11. I divine using Hebrew letter cards, Welsh-mythology based tarot cards, Ogham staves, and an exquisite nearly 6" natural quartz crystal sphere. I also have smaller spheres of garnet, obsidian, amber, black marble, moonstone and wine jasper.

12. Special gemstones - witch's finger, natural amber specimen, aqua aura quartz, spirit quartz, jet

13. I am Capricorn using tropical placidus astrological reckoning. I am a Sagittarius using sidereal whole astrological reckoning. I have analyzed my sidereal whole natal chart and found it to be more accurate and particularly enlightening.

14. Favorite botanicals - amber, dragon's blood, copal, labdanum, pine, vervain, calendula, dandelion root, hawthorne, mugwort, oppononex, pomegranate, saffron, sandalwood, witch grass, juniper berry, aloeswood, woodruff, ginger root, heal all, jezebel root, flax seeds, gall nut, nettle, scullcap, rosehips, white willow, wormwood

15. Favorite oils - bergamot, cedarwood, sandalwood, mugwort, rue, spikenard, cinnamon bark

16. Favorite curios - premium Celtic sea salt, salt from the Dead Sea in Israel, garnet granules

17. Sacred places I would like to see - the Grand Canyon, Newgrange, Stonehenge, Temple Mount in Jerusalem, Pyramids of Egypt, Cave of Machpela

18. I have a collection of exotic herbal teas.

That's all I can think of right now.

Colorful Cauldron Of Creation And Transformation

ג' תמוז התשס"ח
Faunus 5

Tender Dance Of Dark And Light

ג' תמוז התשס"ח
Faunus 5

Meditation On Gratitude, Modah Ani

ג' תמוז התשס"ח
Faunus 5

Goddess Meditation

ג' תמוז התשס"ח
Faunus 5

Coven Space

ג' תמוז התשס"ח
Faunus 5

Visit Liorah Lleucu's CovenSpace. Witches in community.

Ancient Embrace, The Silver Tree

כ"ו סיון התשס"ח
Alban Heruin 27

The newest haunting addition to my mystical music collection. The Silver Tree by Lisa Gerrard

Editoral Review - "Few artists last long in the rarefied terrain occupied by singer Lisa Gerrard over the last quarter-century. She shares a passion with composers like Arvo Pärt in the unrelenting pursuit of the divine. In fact, Gerrard evokes Pärt a few times on The Silver Tree, her first non-collaborative solo release since The Mirror Pool in 1995. The Silver Tree is an album of ancient echoes, ghostly refrains, and hymns to the heavens. On "Abwoon," she intones the Lord's Prayer in Aramaic, orchestrating her own voice in choral harmonies that unfold beneath her like winds on waves. But "Spaceweaver" sends chills through the soul as Gerrard unlocks this peculiar nasal, back-of-the-throat snarl that she only adopts on such tracks, with a menacing blues groove that recalls "Meltdown" from her score to The Insider. You can hear much of Gerrard's soundtrack work mirrored here: "The Sea Whisperer" picks up at the spirit-affirming end of "Now We Are Free" from Gladiator. And I suspect that the 10-minute opus "Towards the Tower" might be her rejected overture for the film Constantine. With Ligeti-like voices, suspended glissando strings, and ominous percussion shifts, it certainly would work in the cinematic context of a supernatural thriller. The album has been available for half a year in Australia (worldwide via digital download), so as a bonus, the American release tacks on a bonus track, "Entry." Its thudding electronic drum loop and sketchy vocal makes for a disruptive exit. But until you get there, The Silver Tree is an embracing experience. Whether singing Aramaic, English, or that language of her imagination, Lisa Gerrard makes the most heavenly music heard on earth--and maybe beyond. --John Diliberto"

Secure Boundaries Of The Universe

כ"ה סיון התשס"ח
Alban Heruin 26

Almandine garnet granules are monocrystalline unbroken grains found in garnet schists (a type of metamorphic rock) and the newest curio added into my witch's cabinet.

"Garnets are most often found in the dodecahedral crystal habit, but are also commonly found in the trapezohedron habit. (Note: the word "trapezohedron" as used here and in most mineral texts refers to the shape called a Deltoidal icositetrahedron in solid geometry.)"

"A dodecahedron is any polyhedron with twelve faces, but usually a regular dodecahedron is meant: a Platonic solid composed of twelve regular pentagonal faces, with three meeting at each vertex. It has twenty (20) vertices and thirty (30) edges. Its dual polyhedron is the icosahedron. To the ancient Greeks, the dodecahedron was a symbol of the universe."

"A deltoidal icositetrahedron (or trapezoidal icositetrahedron) has 24 faces called deltoids or kites" and has been likened to a "window on all space and time."

"Two opposite vertices of a kite are equal." Like Keter-Malchut, balanced in equanimity. "Every convex kite has an inscribed circle; that is, there exists a circle that is tangent to all four sides. Therefore, every convex kite is a tangential quadrilateral. Additionally, if a convex kite is not a rhombus, there is another circle, outside the kite, tangent to all four lines through the kite's sides. For every concave kite there exist two circles tangent to the lines through all four sides: one is interior to the kite and touches the two sides opposite from the concave angle, while the other circle is exterior to the kite and touches the kite on the two edges incident to the concave angle."

12 Diagonal Faces of the Universe
24 Faces of Security = בטחה

Reference: Wikipedia

Involutionary Key To Evolutionary Transformation

י"ט סיון התשס"ח
Alban Heruin 20

A rare dark cobalt blue vintage Fenton carnival glass tumbler of outstanding iridescence in a butterfly and fern design is my most recently acquired ritual treasure.

The butterfly totem symbolizes conscious awareness while within the womb (Niddah 30b), sweet transmutation, soul evolution, clarity of comprehensive vision, and the dance of joy.

Fern is associated with Mercury (mastering magic, wisdom, knowledge, reason, curiosity, telepathy, intellectual progression, self-expression, communication, transmission of the spiritual to the physical, commerce), wards off negative energies and unnatural illness, and promotes the discovery of rare hidden treasure.

Cobalt salts color glass deep iridescent blue. Cobalt is a transition metal with magnetic properties, has an atomic number of 27, and is in group-9, period-4, d-block on the periodic table of elements. Most of the earth's cobalt is in its core. Cobalamine (Vitamin B12) "contributes to the formation of red blood cells and bone marrow, the metabolism of carbohydrates, fats and proteins and the production of genetic materials. It also assists nervous and cardiovascular mechanisms and plays a role in DNA synthesis. Deficiency of this vitamin may cause anaemia, exhaustion, irritation, depression, shortness of breath, difficulty walking, memory loss, mood swings, disorientation, dementia and constipation." Opposite deficiency, sufficient quantity of cobalamine supports healthy blood, vitality, mental health, respiratory efficiency, ease of mobility, memory recovery, mood stability, focus, clarity of mind and clear channels (tzinorot). D-block transition metals such as cobalt are "key elements in life and evolution."

Taken together, this ritual tumbler is a key tool for mastering the Craft, recovering Divine and Ancestral memory, actualizing evolutionary development of esoteric wisdom, achieving clarity of knowledge, acquiring an ability to communicate wisdom, maintaining equanimity, and revealing inner joy.

Heirloom Quality Cresting Moon Pentacle

כ'ח באייר תשס"ח
Mab 29

I've finally acquired the pentacle of my dreams. It's an exquisite 14K gold and heavy silver cresting moon pentacle with a beautiful Celtic weave border design, measuring 1 1/8" diameter with a thick 2.5 gram solid 14K gold pentacle inside the silver pendant. It's heirloom quality made to last lifetimes.

Shamanic Judaism, 2nd Video On Double Portions

כ'ז באייר תשס"ח
Mab 28

Oops? I posted the first shamanic Judaism video twice (a double portion) the first time (correct now). The second video (part 3) is now available for viewing here or here or here. Take another look ... and hear more of the story.

Shamanic Judaism

כ'ו באייר תשס"ח
Mab 27

Hat tip to Asherah's Place for posting links to two available YouTube (of three) videos featuring topics related to earth-based Shamanic Judaism. The teacher in the videos is Rabbi Gershon Winkler of the Walking Stick Foundation.

Part 2



Part 3



I want to make a drum like the one in the videos.

Ofra Haza - Daw Da Hiya

Wow. Hat-tip to lil_tike_oon.



Ofra Haza

Natural Olive Wood Mortar & Pestle

י'ט באייר תשס"ח
Mab 20

I have several stone and porcelain mortars and pestles, but I've recently purchased a natural olive wood set for grinding herbs. Unique and handcrafted from Tunisian olive wood, the mortar measures 5" W x 3.5" H x 1" Thick. Measurements for the pestle are: 7" L x 1.75" W.

Crocheted Natural Hemp Circlet

י'ט באייר תשס"ח
Mab 20

Handmade natural goddess jewelry. My circlet is hemp cord crocheted around a copper wire base. Then wrapped are bone, seed and wood beads that were strung on copper and gold wire. Complimenting the circlet, feminine energy spiral dance earrings feature snowflake obsidian. Obsidian is traditionally used to keep away negative energies and as a skrying surface.

Chaniel & The Mystic Moonstone Of Joy

ט'ז באייר תשס"ח
Mab 17

I received my mystical moonstone pendant today, which I picked up at the post office after work.

The ogham letter I drew out from among twenty feda this evening, under a glorious gibbous moon 99% full (חניאל), during the planetary hour of the moon, was gort - a fid of happiness and joy.

The attribute of joy, the inner dimension of Binah (Understanding), empowers my moonstone.

Four Winds From The Lips Of A Song

י'ב באייר תשס"ח
Mab 13

In kabbalistic shamanism, there is a wheel of 4 winds, where each wind is associated with a corresponding direction/quality [1]. They are:

mysterious NORTH wind of yhvh (illumination)
cleansing SOUTH wind of seeing yhvh (reflection)
shining EAST wind of balance and counsel (balance)
blending WEST wind of wisdom and understanding (healing)

In addition to these directions/qualities, are the lips (יהיה) of a Song (the primeval Breath which is the source of the 4 winds). They are:

wellspring UP
nurturing DOWN

Footnote:

[1] Magic Of The Ordinary, Recovering The Shamanic In Judaism by Gershon Winkler

מכתם לדת - Michtam L'Dat

י'ב באייר תשס"ח
Mab 13

מכתם לדת

I ritually stained the wood of my carved staff this evening with a red-ochre pigmented blend of botanicals, under the waxing gibbous moon 92% full, beginning during the planetary hour of Jupiter (ת) and finishing for the night during the planetary hour of the Sun (ד), drawing out from among twenty feda the ogham letter Saille (aravah) whose keyword is flow and whose corresponding mystical concepts [1] include:

female moon times
connecting with the Ancestors
knowledge of proper timing, tides of time

Additional associations [2, 3]:

liminal zones
witchcraft, magic and the feminine mysteries
divination, seership and prophecy
psychic perception and intuitive sensitivity
interweaving the revealed (itkafia) and the hidden (ithapcha)
water and mystic eloquence

lips
sukkot, joy
hoshanah rabbah
the temple in Yerushalayim


Footnotes:

[1] Ogam: Weaving Word Wisdom by Erynn Rowan Laurie

[2] Ogam: The Celtic Oracle Of The Trees by Paul Rhys Mountfort

[3] Inner Dimension, ערבה

Witchin' In The Wild Woods

ה' באייר תשס"ח
Mab 6

For magic in the wild woods, I've purchased a large 1920-1930's vintage Hawkeye basket by Burlington Basket Company for carrying ritual supplies. In excellent condition, without splits, cracks or damage, it is a wood woven basket, with hinged lid, painted metal handles, and an insert for separating items. It measures 12 3/4" tall, 20" tall to top of handles, and 14" wide handle to handle.

This is going to be a fun summer!

Staff Of Beauty Consecration Blend

ג' באייר תשס"ח
Mab 4

Preliminary list of botanicals to be used to make my staff consecration blend:

base oil (1)

sweet almond

drops of other oils (3)

bergamot
cedarwood
vanilla (absolute)

resins (6)

amber
black mayan copal
dragon's blood
galbanum
labdanum
sweet myrrh

herbs and botanicals (27)

aloeswood
balm of gilead
broom
burdock root
calamus root
calendula
damiana
dandelion
elder flowers
gall nut
ginger root
hawthorne
juniper berries
milk thistle
mugwort
nettle
passion flower
pomegranate seeds
saffron
sage
uva ursa
vervain
white sandalwood
white willow
witch grass
woodruff
wormwood

pigment (1)

red ochre

In addition to the clear natural crystal point that I've already used in crafting my staff, other stones I've chosen with which to empower it are:

amethyst natural point
herkimer diamond
jet
spirit quartz

Bardic Alphabet

ג' באייר תשס"ח
Mab 4

Colbren of the Bards alphabet.

Vowels



Consonants



Information Source: How To Make A Druid's Wand

Staff Of Beauty

ג' באייר תשס"ח
Mab 4

This past Sunday afternoon I found my witch's staff and de-barked it. Then after letting it rest for a few days, this evening I did my initial carvings. I am planning on filling up most of the surface with mystical and symbolic designs.

I have no idea what kind of wood the staff consists of, but it is a hard pale wood. When I decided this past weekend that the time was right to go look for the wood with which to craft my magic staff, I found it immediately, within 1 minute after exiting my car and entering the forest. My staff of beauty measures 58 inches long and is shaped like a tzadi sofit (the fifth of the final letters).

In between cycles of carving (and before sealing it with a protective varnish), I am going to treat the wood with a herb, resin and red ochre pigment mixture in a base of almond oil. I haven't decided on the exact recipe yet. Maybe tomorrow.

I've placed a small clear natural crystal point in one of the top ends of the staff. Other things may be added after the carving, (and initial) protective pigmenting treatments and varnishing are complete.

Channel Through The Sea

כ'ד בניסן תשס"ח
Annwyn 25

"Aqua Aura quartz are clear/cloudy crystals which have been enhanced with pure gold; the molecules of pure gold adhere to the natural electric charge which surrounds the quartz crystal, and are not removed by rubbing or by scraping. These crystal combine both the properties of quartz and the properties of gold to produce a very intense energy.

Aqua Aura Quartz can be used to soothe anger, cool feverishness, and release stress It is strongly connected to the element of water, and it is therefore a stone for enhancing one's access to the truth of the emotions and the portals of Spirit which are accessed through the emotions.

Aqua Aura Quartz can assist one in plumbing one's emotional depths and heights while retaining inner peace. It can also be an aid to those who wish to become conscious channels for spiritual wisdom, clearing and opening the pathways of inter dimensional communication.

Aqua Aura Quartz has a very high and intense vibration." - Sacred Mists on Aqua Aura Quartz

Earth Witch

כ'א בניסן תשס"ח
Annwyn 22

My dangerously divine earth witch skirt and gypsy belt.

The primary colors of the skirt are warm brown and cool grey.

So cool, it's hot.

Earth Fire Elegance

כ'א בניסן תשס"ח
Annwyn 22




Turning Time
With Earth Fire

My regally witchy earth fire skirt, with matching green Swarovski crystal earrings in a turn-of-the century design. Tasseled drawstring belt has tiny bells. Looks exquisite worn with a black top.

Glowing Stone

כ' בניסן תשס"ח
Annwyn 21

My glorious garnet (נפך) sphere.

Ceridwen Candle Dressing Oil

י'ד בניסן תשס"ח
Annwyn 15

Newest original recipe - Ceridwen Candle Dressing Oil

5 ml jajoba oil
salt-spoon full (approx. 1/8 tsp.) white willow, powdered
salt-spoon full (approx. 1/8 tsp.) white sandalwood, powdered
salt-spoon full (approx. 1/8 tsp.) blue vervain, crushed and ground
salt-spoon full (approx. 1/8 tsp.) hawthorne, powdered
pinch of calendula (marigold), small flower petals
6 coarse grains of Celtic Sea Salt
6 coarse grains of Dead Sea Salt from Israel
5 drops cedarwood oil
1 drop bergamot oil

Another Like Me

א' בניסן תשס"ח
Annwyn 2

I would really like to find like-minded women in my living environment to become friends with. Naturally an introverted hermit-type who resists social activities (primarily I think because most people have interests dissimilar to my own), I'm not quite sure how to go about finding women friends "like me" in this area. There must be other witches around, given that there was a Witch School in a nearby town (despite that the town ran all the witches out of town). Most of those witches belonged to a particular tradition of witchcraft, and I'm not of that tradition - I'm a Jewitch whose practice is rather eclectic generally, primarily kabbalistic, and neither monotheistic nor polytheistic in actuality despite my use of Divine Names and archetypal principles in my writings. The Divine is essentially indescribable and resists any pat little theistic categorization in my mind. Even so, it isn't any specific set of beliefs or way of relating to the Divine that I seek in friendship, but an attitude of witch-kinship, even if our practices and specific beliefs differ somewhat. I'd just like a friend with whom I could relate in person witch to witch, someone I could in reality talk and share a love of the craft with. Is this too much to ask?

Anyway, toward finding a real life witch-friend, I'm going to be developing a ritual-spell to find "another like me" and try to figure out how to go about opening up opportunities to find a witch-friend. I'm not looking for someone exactly like me as an individual, of course, that would be foolish. I am looking for another like-minded real witch who is serious about the spiritual development side as well as the ritual side of the craft. I've also added two new books to my library, in the event the spell works and we can form a coven of at least two.

Coven Craft by Amber K

"Covencraft is the most complete book on creating and maintaining a coven written to date, with solid advice on networking, group dynamics, the possibilities of incorporation, community service, open rituals, and so much more. The sheer amount of information in one book is staggering, but the truly amazing part is that all this information is indispensable. One would be hard-pressed to find something that Amber K has missed, but if there is something lacking, she has included enough contact information and reference material to answer any questions that may arise. If you are thinking of starting a coven, Covencraft will smooth the way and point out potential troubles before they can wreck your projects. If your coven is already established, you will wonder how you ever got along without Covencraft. --Brian Patterson"

Witch's Coven: Finding or Forming Your Own Circle by Edain McCoy

"Unlike some other religions, Witchcraft or Wicca does not proselytize or recruit. Most people learn about the Craft through books or friends. Now you can discover what it is like to be in a Witches' coven - the secrets, the methods, the joys - when you read The Witches' Coven by Edain McCoy.

Sometimes it's just necessary to have everything in front of you and, when it comes to joining, forming, or participating in a coven, The Witches' Coven has it all. This book is designed for three types of people:

Those who want to join a coven

The Witches' Coven reveals what it's like, what goes on, and what to expect. When you read this book you will be fully prepared to find a coven that fits your needs and apply for admission.

Those who want to form a coven

The Witches' Coven shows you just what it takes to start a coven and get it running. You'll learn about the practices and techniques necessary to have your coven grow.

Those who are part of a coven

Often, to make the coven experience even better, it is necessary to come up with fresh ideas for approaching things. The Witches' Coven shares methods for making your coven even better.

If you are interested in Witchcraft, this book is a must."

Related entry: Reyah - A Friend Like Me

Cauldron Of Essential Illumination

כ'ט באדר ב' תשס"ח
Annwyn 1

Shown is a cauldron similar to my bright and beautiful new copper cauldron. This awesome tool of illumination, made from a hammered copper cazo cauldron, is 15" (יה) wide and 6" (ו) tall. It has a vintage metal stand which has a candle burner (ה) in the bottom. יהוה

Copper correspondences.

Bare and insanely brilliant, shed of kelipot, through the astral sphere of the planet Venus, copper calls forth illumination (nogah, נגה) from the Name which forms it's dimensions and construct, and raises up the power to actualize spellwork potential through the Hebrew letter kaf (כ).

Copper has a double portion of Celtic Ogham letter correspondences. Through copper's first association with the fid (letter) ceirt, the cauldron creates a sheltering place which causes the retreat of negative influences, malevolent magic and harmful energies. Thus, that brewed within it is pure and holy.

Luis, the second fid associated with copper, brings forth brilliance from the darkness of the vessel and that contained within it, to call up the sacred flame of Divine Inspiration (hashra'ah, Inspiration of the Divine Feminine Presence - known in Jewish tradition as Shechinah, in Celtic-Welsh tradition as Ceridwen and in Celtic-Irish tradition as Brighid).

My copper cauldron is Divinely and Essentially witchy.