1... Darken the room around you. Put the crystal ball on a dark surface that will not reflect any light that will distract you. Have a candle or other form of light shining into and illuminating the ball. The light source can be reflecting up inside the crystal ball stand or behind the crystal. It can also be shining from behind you into the crystal ball.
2... Sit comfortably with your spine straight. Keeping your spine straight enables you to channel all the energy that comes through your body when you do your readings. Ground yourself and calm your mind.
3... Clear the crystal before using it, use the Smudge method. Then charge it using this method:
Hold the crystal ball and rub it with both hands. Then set it back on it's stand while still maintain your focus. Next point a single-terminated quartz crystal or a crystal wand towards the ball at a distance where you most comfortably feel the two connect. When you feel or sense the subtle connection between the crystal and the ball, begin to circle the single-terminated crystal in a clockwise direction. Maintain the connection between the crystal and the ball. Soon you will feel the crystal ball pulsate. When you feel it pulsating strongly you can lay your single-terminated crystal or crystal wand down and begin the next step.
4... Diffuse your vision.
5. find a spot in the ball the interests you. Bring all your attention to that spot. Now look at it in more detail. Allow your intellectual mind to relax. Leave yourself open to any impressions. Don't have any preconceptions. Have no judgments. Remain relaxed, open and focused.
6... Now look at that area in still more detail. As you look at this area even more closely you may find yourself tensing. If so, take a deep breath and relax as you let it out. Continue to do this until you release the tension.
7... Continue to gaze into the particular area, seeing more and more detail. As you look at this minute detail the crystal ball seems to become larger. The more you lose your sense of yourself and are only conscious of the detail in the crystal space, the larger the ball seems to become. As you are looking, feel yourself opening as if you have no edges or boundaries. Allow yourself to lose your awareness of yourself and just be aware of the crystal ball.
8... Your eyes may or may not close at this point. If they feel like closing, let them close and continue to feel as if the crystal is around you. If your eyes remain open, still feel as if your inside the crystal. Whether your eyes are open or closed a point is reached where there is no difference between you and the crystal. There is only crystal and just what you are seeing. You are now in an altered state of consciousness or trance state.
9... You may at this point find yourself feeling compelled to do something. This may be to breathe in certain ways, move energy in a particular pattern in your body, or to work with the crystal in a different manner. Trust yourself and let this compulsion guide you. Your body may almost involuntarily assume different positions. Let it. You may find yourself making sounds. Feel free to allow this to happen. At the same time there is no necessity to force it to happen. Successful crystal ball reading doesn't depend on any of these occurrences.
10... Now either ask specific questions in your mind or use your will to guide you to a specific locations that you mentally view. If you haven't a specific question, mentally refer to your more general purpose in crystal reading at the time. Then let impressions come and go. Don't hang onto them but communicate them to another or out loud into a tape recorder. Let the impressions flow through you. Continue to communicate what you see until you have a feeling of being finished.
11... When you are through, remain with the crystal for a few minutes. Release any tension. You will feel a sensation of floating inside the crystal ball. Varied impressions may come and go. Just watch them pass. In this space are all possibilities, all assistance, all knowledge, and all wisdom.
12... Now, after enjoying this space for a while, slowly
begin to back out of the ball. Start to feel edges around yourself while
you continue to gaze. Have a feeling of backing up as you become more aware
of the edges around the ball. If you followed a certain route into the
ball, retrace it. Continue until you see the ball in front of you. Become
aware of the surface on which you sit. Be aware of your breathing. If your
eyes are open, let go of the diffused vision and bring it back to normal.
If your eyes are closed, slowly
open them. Now stretch and shake yourself a little until
you feel completely in your everyday consciousness.
13... Ground yourself. Next, clear your crystal ball,
the other single-terminated crystal or crystal wand, yourself, and the
room you
are in.
14... If you like, cover your ball with cloth or put it in a pouch. Store itin a special place.
Now you will feel no rain,
for each of you will be shelter for the other.
Now you will feel no cold,
for each of you will be warmth to the other.
Now there will be no loneliness,
for each of you will be companion to the other.
Now you are two persons,
but there are three lives before you:
his life, her life and your life together.
Go now to your dwelling place,
to enter into the days of your life together.
May beauty surround you both
in the journey ahead and through all the years
May happiness be your companion
to the place where the river meets the sun,
And may your days together
be good and long upon this earth.
Action Spread
Layout:
1
5
2
4
3
Deal: Numerically as shown
Reading:
Card 1: The question itself, important aspects
of the question
Card 2: Past Events
Card 3: How the querent has reacted to the matter
or character and strength which are more relevant to the matter.
Card 4: Environment
Card 5: Solution to the problem
Eliphas Levi Wheel Spread
Layout:
1
|
4---5---2
|
3
Deal: Numerically as shown
Reading:
Card 1: Present situation
Card 2: Waning influences. Obstacles already
overcome. Changes which have occured in the past.
Card 3: Hidden or unconscious influences
Card 4: Emerging influences.
Card 5: Synthesis. Draws together the other
four influences.
The Line Spread
Layout:
5 4
3 2 1
Deal: Right to left
Reading:
Cards 4 and 5 represent the future
Card 3 represents the present
Cards 1 and 2 represent the past.
Variation: A simple, and very commonly used, variation
of the five card spread works as follows: instead of placing two
cards on each side of the present card, place three or four, yielding a
seven or nine cards spread. The further you get from the center card,
the further into the past/future you are looking.
Copyright (c) 1988 by Phil Hansford. This article is is
licenced for free non-commercial distribution only.
----------------------------------------------------------
Although there are hundreds of kinds of divination, the principle ones are astrology, geomancy, the tarot, the I Ching, and direct psychic means (especially clairvoyance). True divination is more than a mechanical system, for it implies true psychic interpretation (receiving). Some form of divination is often used in magick ritual to communicate with the entity invoked.
Since divination operates through the mind,
it is affected and biased by the mind. Our attitudes and fears may
alter it.
Sometimes results are very detailed, and accurate
-- but not always. Often the future is plastic and changeable anyway,
and the
use of magick may alter the result. Thus divination
shows tendencies only, which may be helpful, but must not rule us.
DEVELOPING CLAIRVOYANCE
It is possible to improve your natural ability
with clairvoyance through practice. A good start might be to look
around you, then
close your eyes and try to picture your surroundings.
This is also good exercise for visualization. And visualization is
an essential
talent in magick. Open your eyes again and check
your accuracy. Then close your eyes and try it again. When you use
your physical eyes, look at everything like a child seeing it for
the first time. Let the vividness of color and form burn into you,
until
everything takes on a veritable glow. Try to capture
that glow when you close your eyes now and picture your surroundings.
It's
just a simple step to extend what you see with
your eyes closed into what you remember seeing in the next room,
or what you
*imagine* seeing in the next building, the next
city, even the other side of the world. Don't expect perfect results,
especially
at first. Just try to be even partly right. Another
exercise is to picture a clock face, and thereby tell the time clairvoyantly.
THE AURA
Under the right conditions, it is possible
to clairvoyantly observe a colored light around other people.
This is known as the
'aura'. Sometimes the aura is seen as multi-colored
emanations around the person, built up of various differently colored
layers
and zones. Although many occult dabblers
claim to be able to see the aura easily and under many varied conditions,
I seriously
doubt that they do. There are optical illusions
and qualities of sight which can sometimes trick one into thinking
he sees what he
does not see. In this area, the quality of sight
known as after image is especially pertinent. Do this: stare at any
solidly
colored bright object for a few moments. Very intense
red, green, or blue are especially good for this. Now look away at
a white
surface and you will see a phantom image of the
object in its complementary color (a red object will show green,
a blue one
orange, etc.). If the bright object is in
front of a light surface, you may observe a fringe of complementary
color around
the object after a few moments. This is all very
normal, and is used by some magical groups as an aid to visualization
sometimes
called 'flashing colors'. Some silly people will
stare at other people in the same way. And when they see the after
image of the
person's clothing, they think they are seeing his
aura. What is more, various meanings have been attributed to the
colors of the
aura. A psychic who can see the aura is supposed
to be able to determine that persons emotional state. Thus psychic
frauds can
have a marvelous time with auras. One deluded
psychic taught a class I attended in which he performed instant psychoanalysis
on the basis of the supposed aura. It was obvious that he was
actually observing after images from the students clothes!
This brings us to the chart of aura colors
on the next page. It is a general guide, based mostly on Theosophical
material.
Various groups may attribute different meanings
to the colors. The colors we show on the chart are emotional in nature;
useful if
you plan to create an artificial elemental or do
healing. Surrounding yourself with a particular color will tend to
produce
the specific psychological effect described in
the chart. That quality of color is useful in magick ritual.
COLORS OF THE AURA
[Ed. note: I disagree with a lot of these, but I
beplieve that auric colors are a very subjective thing. You
will see the color
that matches YOUR conception of a certain mood/feeling.
However these are a good start.]
BLACK
malice
dark gray
depression
pale gray
fear
BROWN
materialism
muddy gray
selfishness
dull rust
selfishness
RED
energy
bright red
anger and force
dirty red
passion and sensuality
dull red
selfish love
rose
unselfish love
ORANGE
pride
orange cloud
irritability
bright orange
noble indignation
YELLOW
intellect
yellow-green
low intellect
earthy yellow
selfish thought
lemon
high intellect
bright gold
logical thinking
brt. red-yel.
spiritual thought
GREEN
empathy
gray-green
deceit, jealously
greenish-brown
jealousy
emerald green
unselfish resourcefulness
foliage green
sympathy & empathy
brt. apple-grn
strong vitality
brt. turquoise
deep sympathy & compassion
BLUE
devotion (religious feeling)
gray-blue
fetishism
light blue
noble spiritual devotion
dark blue
religious feeling
brt. lilac-blu
lofty religious idealism
VIOLET
spiritual (psychic & spiritual) faculty
WHITE
purity/protection
THOUGHTFORMS AND SPIRITS
Whenever we concentrate our thoughts, we
draw psychic energy together. This is called a thoughtform.
Usually the energy
dissipates as soon as we break the concentration,
but it is possible to purposely concentrate energy in this way, producing
very strong thoughtforms. Such thoughtforms
are vortexes or centers of psychic energy. They can exist as
entities by
themselves, at least for a while. They are
basically inanimate, non-thinking forces. Talking to one is
about as logical as
talking to a chair. In this way, thoughtforms
are similar to elementals, ghosts, and spirits. All of these
psychic entities
consist of a psychic energy vortex which could
be described as a localized field or as a discontinuity of the physical
world.
Psychic entities respond to certain electrostatic
and magnetic fields, and to other energy vortexes. That is why they
respond to
magick ritual. Someday, we may accomplish the same
thing with electronic machines. Psychic entities are sometimes able
to affect
our thought processes.
Thoughtforms, elementals, and ghosts are
usually not very smart. If they display any intelligence at all,
it is limited. They are
the morons of the spirit world. Their behavior
is usually automatic, repetitive, robot-like (just like some people).
We see
that artificial elementals are little more than
astral robots. Spirits and deities are more intelligent and volitional.
DIRECTED ATTENTION
Your mind follows your attention. Wherever
you direct your attention, there will your thoughts go too. By directing
attention
to a specific place or purpose you *focus* mental
energy upon it.
For example: you're having lunch in a cafeteria
crowded with people. It is a large place, and everyone there is talking
at
once, so that the room is a constant jumble of
noise. You happen to notice a man accross the room; he reminds you
of someone. All
at once he drops his fork and you hear it hit the
table. But would you have noticed the sound of his fork if you had
not been
looking? No. Only by focusing your attention there
were you able to pick out that individual event and associated sound.
It is a dark night. You are walking and the
only light you have is from the flashlight you hold in your hand.
As you move the
flashlight around, the beam of light from it directs
your attention first one way then another. Now, the mind is something
like that flashlight in the dark. And by directed
attention, you point the mind to one place or another. As with that
flashlight
beam, you see where the mind is pointed; nothing
more. The rest is 'noise'. And so we could define mental noise as
anything not
focused upon. In another way, noise could be considered
as negative emotions, attitudes, and thoughts which make it more
difficult to direct the attention.
Your emotions follow your thoughts quite
easily. Your emotions are not YOU, but are rather reactions prompted
by your model and ego -- like a performance or an act, while the
real you watches. In a similar way, directing your attention toward
a specific
emotion will cause you to experience that emotion.
REVIEW QUESTIONS
1) What is the aura?
2) What is a thoughtform?
3) How can you develope clairvoyance?
BOOK LIST
Annie Bessant and Charles Leadbeater, Thought Forms.
W.E. Butler, How to Develop Clairvoyance.
J.H. Brennan, Astral Doorways.
Piero Ferrucci, What We May Be.
Kilner, The Human Aura.
Swami Panchadasi, The Human Aura.
A.E. Powell, The Etheric Double.
Harold Sherman, How to Make ESP Work for You.
========
Phil Hansford, 4/88 Mysteria (818) 353-8891 (modem)
P.O. Box 83 Tujunga, CA 91042
Acorns
These are placed near windows or hung from window
shade pulls to bring luck to a house. This custom originates
from the Vikings and Druids because of the strength of the oak tree
and its capacity to attract lightening.
Apples
These are attributed as having the power to bring
luck, long life, and knowledge. They are also used to treat
warts in folklore.
Twisting the apple stem or peeling the apple in
one strip is used to determine the initial of a unknown future spouse.
Effective also is following the old adage, "an apple a day keeps
the doctor away" and eating them regularly.
Basil
This attracts sympathy and positive attention when
carried while courting. It is also carried or displayed in
the home to bring luck and ward off bad spells.
Beans
These are supposed to contain the essence of life
and have the power to repel ghosts. They can be worn or eaten
for luck. Remember Mark Twain's "Tom Sawyer" dabbing bits of
his blood on a bean and burying the bean to get rid of his warts?
Chestnuts
Carry one in your pocket for luck or curing a headache
or backache or relieving chest pains.
Crossing Fingers
When you don't have a charm with you, crossing
your fingers averts bad luck. This custom dates back to early
Christians who were forced to worship in secret and who wished to
represent the Christian cross.
Daisies
Besides the well known "he loves me, he loves me
not" business, the gypsies say a girl can recover an absent lover
by sleeping with daisy roots under her pillow.
Four Leaf Clovers
Everyone knows about this good luck emblem.
It is particularly powerful if you find it yourself. Beware
because 5 leaf clovers
(also a possible find) are a very bad omen so don't
pick them! The four leaves represent, fame, wealth, good health and a faithful
lover. There isn't much anyone else could
want in life!
Garlic
Besides protection from vampires(?) this is an
effective charm against illness. It is actually one of nature's
antibiotics which
may explain this widespread belief. It is
also reported to give one courage if it is carried on your person.
Knocking on Wood
Touching wood acknowledges deity or the fates and
secures favour. It is customary to be careful about assumptions
about or taking for granted good things that come your way,
but if such words slip out and you touch wood you attract the attention
of good spirits rather than meddlesome demons. Best is to knock three
times, three being a number that is considered powerful.
Shells
These have been considered sacred objects for centuries.
They generally signify a safe return from a voyage.
Amulets
An amulet is considered any natural object that brings
luck, such as a rabbit's foot, 4-leaf clover, and gemstone etc.used in
a form of jewelry.Although, in modern times the word is synonymous with
talismans or charms, it's original meaning referred to things that occur
in nature rather than something man-made such as horseshoes or lucky coins
etc.
Charms
In modern usage, the word "charm" is frequently used
to describe an amulet or talisman. But originally, it was something that
brought good luck when combined with a gesture or a chant. Charms are also
thought to cure or prevent illness & afflictions.
Below you will find some various "good luck" items & symbols as well as their origins. I've tried to include some common ones as well as some not-so common ones.
Angels
Long thought the symbol of the invisible forces between
heaven & earth, angels are the most perfect of protectors & bringers
of good luck. Many believe that all of us have has our own personal guardian
angel to guide us towards luck & away from evil.
Baby's Hair
When a mother cuts a lock of her baby's hair & puts
it away for safekeeping, She is creating a lucky charm. From ancient times
all around the world, such mementos were meant to ensure a long, healthy
life as long as the lock of hair was kept in a safe place.
Crescents
Among the most powerful of all lucky symbols, the crescent
is especially lucky for children & their mothers. In ancient Egypt,
the crescent moon was the symbol of Isis, the mother of the gods. As it's
symbolism spread throughout the world, it eventually became the symbol
of paradise, especially when represented with a star.
Daisies
The luckiest of little girls is the one who finds the
daisy with the odd numbered petals thus ensuring the last will be an affirmation
of love when they ask "He loves me, He loves me not." Gypsies believe that
a girl can recover an absent lover by sleeping with daisy root under her
pillow.
Effigies
Practitioners of voodoo are said to be able to bring
bad luck in the form of pain to their enemies by creating images of them
so that when cut or struck will affect the real person in the same way.
This method of transmitting bad luck is common in many cultures. Native
Americans would draw a figure in the sand or ashes of the fire & poke
it with a sharp stick to bring pain to an enemy. In some cultures, these
images are also intended to bring good & fortune as well.
Fetishes
Similar to an amulet, a fetish is a natural object such
as an animal tooth or bone, intended to create a bond between the human
& supernatural world. The difference is that the fetish is believed
to be actually inhabited by spirits. In Africa they are called "Juju",
meaning "sacred object". A collection of these charms kept in little bags
came to be known as "gris gris", by uprooted African slaves. A slang term
for the "juju" of their ancestors. See more on this subject below....
Gris Gris'
A staple of Hoodoo/Voodoo practice & beliefs, Gris
Gris' are usually a collection of herbs, bits of bones, stones etc combined
in a flannel or cloth bag. The fabrics of the bags are usually made to
coincide with the wishes or desires hoped to be obtained by placing the
bag on their person or in the path of the "target". There are both good
& bad gris gris'.
Holly
Although it is one of the most enduring symbols of Christmas,
holly was the gift of good luck among the Romans celebrating their midwinter
festivals. The northern tribes, who eventually brought about Rome's downfall
draped holly over doorways as shelter for friendly woodland spirits who
could bring good luck to their houses. Sprigs of holly in the house at
Christmastime will bring you good luck. But... be careful not to bring
it indoors before Christmas Eve or your family will fall to squabbling.
(Bet you wondered why that happened. grin...) Also be sure to burn it on
12th night(January 5th) or the good luck will turn sour.
Ides Of March
Julius Caesar was warned "Beware the Ides of March".
It is a fact that was assassinated on that very day, roughly March 15th
in 44 B.C. For the average Roman, however, It was considered a lucky day.
Part of the celebration included wine to ensure good luck. It was thought
that for each glass of wine consumed by a person, a year was added to their
life.
Jade
Jade has long been thought to be lucky to gamblers &
others around the globe. Jade carved in the shape of bats or storks is
believed to ensure a long life in China. Ancient Peruvians used it to ward
off kidney problems while Early Europeans believed it a charm against eye
problems. Not everyone thought it lucky, however. Some astrologers claim
that the lovely green stone can actually bring bad luck to those born under
the sign of Sagittarius or Gemini.
Keys
Found keys are considered very lucky. Antique ones being
especially so. At the time of finding, it is traditional to say:
"The key to your heart lies on the ground.
The key to your heart has now been found.
I lock up your love with the heart of my own,
I'll guard it forever with the love I have shown."
As you say these words, think of the one you love & the two of you being together forever. Sleep with the key under your pillow for 9 nights & carrying it with you during the day. After the nine days it may then be put away in a safe place.
Lizards
In ancient times, lizards were thought to be a warning
that a poisonous snake was nearby, hence good luck. It is also thought
to preserve the wearers eyesight. Some people believe that if you kill
a lizard you will pay for it with failing vision. The lizard is also seen
as a protector to unborn children. If an expectant mother wears a lizard
charm she will give birth to a happy, healthy baby. Even better, if a live
lizard crosses her path, her child will live a long & prosperous life.
Malachite
Malachite has many different uses as a charm. Traditionally,
people wore malachite to ward off & see oncoming peril. It was believed
that the stone would spontaneously break into pieces at any sign of upcoming
peril. As "the salespersons stone", It is also thought to bring power,
protection, love & tranquility. If you are having difficulty sleeping,
try wearing a necklace with this stone to promote calmness & overall
relaxation in your hand as well as reinforcing sleep & peacefulness.
Placed in the cash register of a
business, it is thought to bring good luck & success.
One stone placed in each corner of an establishment will bring customers
in as well. Worn near your heart, it is thought to increase your capacity
to love as well as the ability of love to find you.
Numbers
It is thought that every number has a special significance
& according to ancient astrologers & numerologists, every person
has a lucky number. In general, odd numbers are thought to be luckier than
even ones. One simple way of finding your lucky number is by adding together
the day, month & year you were born and continue adding the sum of
the numbers until you are left with a single digit. Example: Birth date
is January 31st, 1993
1 + 31 + 1993 = 2025
2 + 2 + 5 = 9
so this persons lucky number is 9.
Opal
In the Far East, necklaces & charms containing Opal
stones are believed to make the wearer a truthful person. The stone is
also thought to convey the gift of prophecy & foresight, but only for
those pure of heart. According to the Chinese, if the power of an opal
is used for selfish purposes it will bring the worst kind of luck.
Pigs
Little pig figures are popular souvenirs among visitors
to Ireland, where they are thought to bring luck to the Irish. But folk
wisdom says that the charm must have a part missing so they are sold minus
an ear or a leg. Otherwise they don't qualify as a lucky charm.
Quartz
For thousands of years, the quartz crystal has been used
in rituals meant to bring about much needed rainfall by the Native Americans
& Aboriginals. This stone is said to have a strong connection with
water, and is also connected with protection & healing. Quartz also
symbolizes the spirit & intellectual powers unique to the human race.
Red Things
The Gypsies believe that finding anything red, a button,
some yarn etc., means you will be lucky in love. Whatever it is you may
find along the way, pick it up & carry it with you as a good luck amulet.
As you bend to pick it up, think of the one you love and recite
these words:
"Red is My Blood & Red is My Heart,
Lucky in Love; Never Keep Us Apart."
Stars
Any charm in the shape of a star is considered quite
lucky. It is an ancient belief that everyone has been assigned a special
star of destiny. Even today, many believe that we each have a star with
our name on it. It shines at our birth and goes dark at the instant of
our death. In between, it guides us through life & brings us luck.
One of the most common star charms is that of the pentacle, the
five-pointed star, which the ancients believed had the
power to trap the forces of evil, rendering them powerless.
Tattoo
The word "tattoo" apparently became part of the English
lesson in the late18th century when explorer Captain James Cook discovered
gashes made on the Polynesians bodies that they called "tatou". Even before
that, there was a long history of people marking their bodies to ward off
evil, signify status & bring good luck. In just about every case, the
practice grew from the belief that symbols painted on or cut into the flesh
would ward off evil & ensure good luck. Just as earrings and nose rings
etc were created as a means of protecting exposed opening in the body,
a scar or painted talisman on the neck or nose represented a more permanent
means of warding off evil spirits lurking in the air. Many Hindus believe
that you can't enter heaven without a tattoo. It is related to a belief
that soldiers wore tattoos to aid in identifying their bodies if they fell
in battle. Without identification they may not get a proper burial. And
that, they thought, would diminish their chances of entering heaven. This
is where the sailors of the western world got the idea to give themselves
individualized markings to help them be identified if they were washed
ashore after drowning.
Umbrella
Everyone probably has heard the saying that opening an
umbrella indoors will bring bad luck & that, in some countries, you
are testing fate by leaving one on a table. The bad luck attributed to
umbrellas may come from the concept of sympathetic magick. The idea that
imitating a force can create an opposite reaction. Therefore, opening an
umbrella indoors when the sun is shining will bring rain. A more superstitious
belief is that an pen umbrella in the house is a direct insult to the household
gods. Evidently, they may be offended by the suggestion that their protection
against the elements is not good enough. In India, where they were thought
to be invented, umbrellas were considered good luck even on sunny
days outdoors. It is venerated as one of the eight glorious emblems of
Buddha and was a symbol of royal power even before that time.
Dew:
Dew has been used in charms and spells for many centuries;
its mysterious origins (as something which appears even on a clear, dry
night, and disappears quickly in the morning) has made it a magical symbol.
It was used as a remedy for many ills, especially as a lotion for sore
eyes and for skin diseases and itches. Even into the nineteenth century
it was sometimes rubbed into sickly children to strengthen them, and was
also considered to heal gout and strengthen the sight (the latter property
being far greater if the dew was gathered from the leaves of fennel). Dew
gathered on May Day was considered to be the most potent, undoubtedly arising
from the connotations of fertility and love which were associated with
the Beltane festival. Washing in May dew, or rolling oneself in it, was
considered to protect against evil and bring good luck throughout the upcoming
year. A tale is told of two
witches in Scotland who were observed collecting May
dew with a hair-tether; the tether was taken from them and hung in a cow-byre,
and the cows thereafter gave enormous quantities of milk until the tether
was removed and burnt. In Europe, cattle were anointed with May dew on
May Day to protect them from overlooking, faeries and evil spells throughout
the year.
The most common use of dew, however, was in beauty charms and as a cosmetic. Throughout the centuries women have gone out early on May Day to bathe their faces in dew, a lovely old custom which was supposed to ensure both beauty and good luck for twelve months. If a girl gathered dew very early in any morning, and preferably from under an oak tree, and washed her face in it, she would be beautiful for the year to come. Dew Weather Lore: If a warm sunny day is followed by heavy dew, fine weather is likely the next day also.
Moon Lore and charms associated with the Moon
It is considered bad luck to point at the Moon, as it
shows a certain disrespect. Instead, when the new Moon is seen for the
first time it should be respectfully greeted with a bow or curtsey in its
direction, and if wearing a hat in the Moon's presence, it should be
doffed for a moment. Bowing three or nine times, wishing
during the process was also done. In fishing villages children would recite
a charm to keep their sailing fathers safe: 'I see the Moon and the Moon
seas me, God bless the sailors on the sea'.
It has always been customary to turn over silver in one's
pocket upon first seeing the new Moon, as this means there will be plenty
of money during the coming month, and many people still do this today for
luck. In some districts a special coin was carried and turned over three
times when the new Moon was seen. To be without any coins to turn over,
however, is unlucky.
The waxing and waning of the Moon has given rise to many
beliefs about the timing of events. It was formerly believed that animals
should not be slaughtered while the Moon was waning, as the meat would
shrink more during curing and cooking. Anything cut during the waning Moon
will not grow again, or will grow abnormally slowly, so corns were often
pared at this time, and hair, which was meant to stay short, would be cut.
A child born under a waning Moon was purported to be weak or unlucky all
its life and animals born during the Moon's wane would not thrive as well
as those born under the waxing Moon. Marriages celebrated under a waning
Moon were deemed to be unhappy and possibly barren, no doubt stemming from
the ancient connection between the Moon and fertility. On the other hand,
the waxing Moon was far more fortunate. Hair trimmed during the waxing
Moon will grow thick and lovely; eggs set under a hen then will not go
bad, and seeds planted during a waxing Moon will thrive. The
word 'lunacy' derives from the Moon, which was once believed
to cause madness. Sleeping in moonlight was once said to be dangerous because
it led to lunacy, blindness or some other serious disorder.Blowing on them
nine times at the full Moon could cure warts. Another wart remedy was to
catch the rays of the Moon in a metal bowl (preferably silver) and go through
the movements of 'washing' one's hands in the rays while saying:
'I wash my hands in this thy dish Oh man in the Moon,
do grant my
wish And come and take away this'.
Moon Weather Lore: When a misty ring circles the Moon,
it means rain to come. If the circle is large, it will rain very soon.
Several
concentric circles mean a long period of wet weather.In
winter months, a clear moon means frost is on the way. A bright clear yellow
moon rising in a cloudless sky means fine weather to come.
Rain
There was once a wide belief that cutting or burning ferns
brought rain, and in some districts this also applied to heather.
Other rain-bringing methods included sprinkling water
on stones whilst reciting a charm, or tossing a little flour into a spring
and
stirring with a hazel-rod. In mediaeval times images
of the saints were often dipped into water during a drought. Children's
charms to drive away rain are still common today, the most famous being
'Rain, rain, go away, come again another day'. A variant
on this charm offers to bribe the rain to go:
'Rain, rain, go away
Come again tomorrow day
When I brew and when I bake
I'll give you a little cake'.
Rainwater was believed to have healing properties when
it fell on particular days, especially Ascension Day, or rain that fell
at any
time during the month of June. The water must be collected
after falling directly from the sky; rain, which ran off leaves or off
the
roof, was useless. A Welsh belief was that babies bathed
in rainwater talked earlier than others, and that money washed in rainwater
would never be stolen.
Rain Weather Lore: Rain, which falls from a fairly clear
sky, is likely to continue falling in short bursts for some time. If it
rains
in the very early morning, the weather may clear up by
the afternoon - 'Rain before seven, shine by eleven'
Rainbow:
The rainbow has had many meanings in many cultures, the
main similarity being that it is always connected with deities. In the
Christian Bible the rainbow was set in the sky as God's
pledge that there would never again be a great flood. In Burma the rainbow
is a dangerous spirit; in India it is a bow from which divine arrows are
fired. In Norse mythology the rainbow is the bridge that Odin built from
Midgard, the home of men, to Asgard where the gods lived, and the souls
of the worthy dead passed along the rainbow. In ancient Rome the rainbow
was the many-colored robe of Isis, attendant to Juno. It is lucky to see
a rainbow, and to wish when it is first seen, but unlucky to point directly
at it, which will lead to bad luck or at least to the return of the rain.
In Ireland, anyone who found the place where the rainbow touches the ground
would find a pot of gold at its foot - something my brother and I tried
to do several times as children! A rainbow in the morning means further
rain during the day, but a rainbow appearing late in the day means the
rain is gone for the rest of that day. Small broken pieces of rainbow appearing
on a cloudy sky are sometimes called Weather-galls, and signify storms
and blustery weather.
Rainbow Weather Lore: If a rainbow fades very quickly, good weather is on the way. A rainbow generally means that the rainy period is about to end.
Stars
In many traditions and cultures stars are thought to be the souls of either unborn souls, or those who had passed away. In some cultures a shooting star foretells a birth, and is said to be the soul racing to animate the newborn baby, while in other places the shooting star foretells a death, or a soul released from purgatory. In some Native American traditions the Milky Way was considered a soul-road, where souls traveled on their journey after death, and that the brightest stars were campfires by which they rested on their travels.
It is unlucky to point at a star, or to try to count them.
However, making a wish on the first star of evening will ensure its
fulfillment, especially if the wisher repeats the old
rhyme:
'Star light, star bright
First star I see tonight
Wish I may, wish I might
Have the wish I wish tonight'.
A wish made while a shooting star is seen in the sky will be granted if it is made very quickly; an old French cure for pimples was to pass a cloth over them while a shooting star fell.
Star Weather Lore: If the stars look larger and brighter
than usual, and very flicker, rain or a storm may be on the way. If faint
stars
have disappeared and cannot be seen at all, the wind
is about to rise.
Storms:
Storms have usually been considered an omen of divine
wrath, and in most cultures a person struck and killed by lightning was
thought to have been directly struck down by a deity.
In ancient Rome a person killed this way was hastily buried without extensive
mourning rites, and it was also frowned upon to rebuild any home struck
by lightning. In Britain in past centuries, a storm was
usually considered the work of the devil; witches were
also often accused of raising storms and at witch trials accusations were
often made of deliberate attempts to damage property
or sink ships by raising a storm. Some wise-women and cunning-men sold
knotted threads to sailors which were supposed to have the power of the
wind bound into them; one knot would be untied to release a wind until
the sailor had as much as he needed. Some people still cover all
the mirrors in their house during a
thunderstorm; it used to also be believed that windows
and doors should be left open so that if the thunder got into the house,
it
could get out without having to damage anything. Comforting
superstition states that lightning never strikes twice in the same
place, but since many high buildings have been struck
repeatedly, it is also untrue. An old rhyme speaks of which tree
is least likely to attract a lightning strike, and therefore should be
sheltered under if caught outside during a storm:
'Beware of the oak, it draws the stroke,
Avoid the ash, it courts the flash,
Creep under a thorn, it will save you from harm'.
A winter thunderstorm was once thought to be an omen of death for a great man.
Storm Weather Lore:
'Thunder in spring rain will bring'.
Thunder in the evening often means several days of wet,
sultry
weather.
Sun
The sun has been worshipped as a symbol of life itself in many cultures since the dawn of humanity. The bonfires that our ancestors lit at Midsummer, Beltane and Samhain were intended as rituals to encourage and strengthen the sun on its journey throughout the year. In common with most other heavenly bodies and phenomena, it is unlucky to point at the sun, and in Hungary if a girl threw house dust from the broom towards the sun, it was said that she would never marry. It is a fortunate omen to be born at sunrise, and also considered to be lucky for a bride if sunlight surrounds her:
'Happy is the bride the sun shines on'.
Primitive peoples, who worried that the source of light, warmth and light was being devoured forever, feared an eclipse of the sun. From this arose the idea that an eclipse heralded a prominent death or a great disaster such as war, plague or famine. It was believed to be unlucky to view an eclipse directly (as well as bad for the sight).
Sun Weather Lore: When the sun appears hazy with a thin,
watery light, bad weather is on the way. However, if it looks like a large
bright ball as it rises, that day will be fair and warm.
A bank of heavy dark clouds at sunset indicates that the next day may be
stormy. A ring around the sun during rainy weather indicates
a period of sunny weather and clear skies to come. If the sun comes out
while it's raining, the showery weather will continue for a few more days.
A red sunrise means rain, but a red sunset means fine weather the next
day. Three old sayings:
'Red sky at night, shepherd's delight
Red sky at morning, shepherds take warning'
'If red the sun begins his race, be sure the rain will
fall apace,
If the sun goes pale to bed, 'twill rain tomorrow, it
is said'.
'Evening red and morning grey sets the traveler on his
way,
Evening grey and morning red brings the rain upon his
head'.
~author unknown
If you have trouble writing spells, try and think of them as a collection of symbols....so to create a spell, work out the symbols for the think you want, and then work out how to make them into a spell.
for example:
Colours.... How can you use the colours for that spell - try candle colours, colours for robes or clothing you might wear, colour for a herbal/charm bag. colour of bath crystals. colour of the ink you use on the spell etc.
Numbers.......Are there any numbers for that type of spell - These can be used for the amount of candles you use, the times you chant something, the number of lines in your chant, the number of times you walk/dance around the circle, the amount of time you burn a candle down for, the number of different herbs you will use, the time of the day you do the spell at etc.
Herbs......What herbs are good for that type of spell - if you are going to use herbs you can sprinkle them around the circle, use them in a ritual bath, make a herbal/charm bag, make incense, make an oil for anointing candles, make an ointment/salve/poultice from them, in some cases you can drink a herbal tea from them or add them to your wine, if you make your own spell candles you can add them to that etc.
Symbols..... Are there any symbols for your spell - Like Love hearts being symbolic of love. You could use these symbols on your altar, carve them into candles, add them to a charm bag (like 3 leaved clovers for luck), make the image(or item) into a talisman or amulet etc.
---that is just some... but hopefully it will give you some ideas.
As for the chant... that bit is harder unless you are poetic (which I am not)... so when I make up spells, I try and work out what it is I want to achieve.. and that's what I want to say. You can just say it, or you can come up with a rhyming way of saying it. Here are some ones for different spells I have written:
You can have each second line rhyme...ie:
"Athena, Aphrodite, Ishar, Isis!
Magickal Goddesses of love,
Please send to me a perfect partner
A gift from you above!"
You can have each line rhyme...ie:
"We were bound, now we're free,
The choice is ours, so Mote it be!"
You can have the first 2 rhyme, and the 2nd 2 rhyme etc.......ie:
"Element of Fire I ask of you,
Bring me balance through and through.
Stronger in you, I need to be,
Grant your power in to me!"
You can have each line rhyme with itself (I "borrowed" this):
"Strong as the wind is my will (I know it doesn't rhyme
- the others do)
Strong as the fire, is my desire
Strong as the sea, my will shall be
Strong as the earth, which gives it birth
So mote it be!"
You can have each line rhyme - which is much harder and
I can't think of anything to write as an example <g>
find your birthday, find your tree and then scroll down to see what it means.
Jan 01 to Jan 11...............Fir Tree
Jan 12 to Jan 24...............Elm Tree
Jan 25 to Feb 03...............Cypress Tree
Feb 04 to Feb 08...............Poplar Tree
Feb 09 to Feb 18...............Cedar Tree
Feb 19 to Feb 28...............Pine Tree
Mar 01 to Mar 10.............. Weeping Willow
Mar 11 to Mar 20...............Lime Tree
Mar 21..............................Oak Tree
Mar 22 to Mar 31...............Hazelnut Tree
Apr 01 to Apr 10...............Rowan Tree
Apr 11 to Apr 20...............Maple Tree
Apr 21 to Apr 30...............Walnut Tree
May 01 to May 14...............Poplar Tree
May 15 to May 24...............Chestnut Tree
May 25 to Jun 03...............Ash Tree
Jun 04 to Jun 13.............. Hornbeam Tree
Jun 14 to Jun 23.............. Fig Tree
Jun 24.........................Birch Tree
Jun 25 to Jul 04...............Apple Tree
Jul 05 to Jul 14...............Fir Tree
Jul 15 to Jul 25...............Elm Tree
Jul 26 to Aug 04...............Cypress Tree
Aug 05 to Aug 13...............Poplar Tree
Aug 14 to Aug 23...............Cedar Tree
Aug 24 to Sep 02...............Pine Tree
Sep 03 to Sep 12...............Weeping Willow
Sep 13 to Sep 22...............Lime Tree
Sep 23.........................Olive
Sept 24 to Oct 03..............Hazelnut Tree
Oct 04 to Oct 13...............Rowan Tree
Oct 14 to Oct 23...............Maple Tree
Oct 24 to Nov 11...............Walnut Tree
Nov 12 to Nov 21...............Chestnut Tree
Nov 22 to Dec 01...............Ash Tree
Dec 02 to Dec 11...............HornbeamTree
Dec 12 to Dec 21...............Fig Tree
Dec 22.........................Beech
Dec 23 to Dec 31.. ............Apple Tree
APPLE TREE (the Love) - of slight build, lots of charm, appeal, and attraction, pleasant aura, flirtatious, adventurous, sensitive, always in love, wants to love and be loved, faithful and tender partner, very generous, scientific talents, lives for today, a carefree philosopher with imagination.
ASH TREE (the Ambition) - uncommonly attractive, vivacious, impulsive, demanding, does not care for criticism, ambitious, intelligent,talented, likes to play with fate, can be egotistic, very reliable and trustworthy, faithful and prudent lover, sometimes brains rule over the heart, but takes partnership very seriously.
BEECH TREE (the Creative) - has good taste, concerned about its looks, materialistic, good organization of life and career, economical, good leader, takes no unnecessary risks, reasonable, splendid lifetime companion, keen on keeping fit (diets, sports, etc.)
BIRCH TREE (the inspiration) - vivacious, attractive, elegant, friendly, unpretentious, modest, does not like anything in excess, abhors the vulgar, loves life in nature and in calm, not very passionate, full of imagination, little ambition, creates a calm and content atmosphere.
CEDAR TREE (the Confidence) - of rare beauty, knows how to adapt, likes luxury, of good health, not in the least shy, tends to look down on others, self-confident, determined, impatient, likes to impress others, many talents, industrious, healthy optimism, waiting for the one true love, able to make quick decisions.
CHESTNUT TREE (the Honesty) - of unusual beauty, does not want to impress, well-developed sense of justice, vivacious, interested, a born diplomat, but irritates easily and sensitive in company, often due to a lack of self confidence, acts sometimes superior, feels not understood, loves only once, has difficulties in finding a partner.
CYPRESS TREE (the Faithfulness) - strong, muscular, adaptable, takes what life has to give, content, optimistic, craves money and acknowledgment, hates loneliness, passionate lover which cannot be satisfied, faithful, quick-tempered, unruly, pedantic, and careless.
ELM TREE (the Noble-mindedness) - pleasant shape, tasteful
clothes, modest demands, tends not to forgive mistakes, cheerful,
likes to lead but not to obey, honest and faithful partner,
likes making decisions for others, noble-minded, generous, good sense of
humor, practical.
FIG TREE (the Sensibility) - very strong, a bit self-willed,
independent, does not allow contradiction or arguments, loves life, its
family, children and animals, a bit of a social butterfly, good sense of
humor, likes idleness and laziness, of practical talent and
intelligence.
FIR TREE (the Mysterious) - extraordinary taste, dignity,
sophisticated, loves anything beautiful, moody, stubborn, tends to egoism
but cares for those close to them, rather modest, very ambitious, talented,
industrious, discontented lover, many friends, many
foes, very reliable.
HAZELNUT TREE (the Extraordinary) - charming, undemanding, very understanding, knows how to make an impression, active fighter for social cause, popular, moody, and capricious lover, honest, and tolerant partner, precise sense of judgment.
HORNBEAM TREE (the Good Taste) - of cool beauty, cares
for its looks and condition, good taste, is not egotistic, makes life as
comfortable as possible, leads a reasonable and disciplined life, looks
for kindness and acknowledgment in an emotional
partner, dreams of unusual lovers, is seldom happy with
its feelings, mistrusts most people, is never sure of its decisions, very
conscientious.
LIME TREE (the Doubter) - accepts what life dishes out in a composed way, hates fighting, stress, and labor, dislikes laziness and idleness, soft and relenting, makes sacrifices for friends, many talents but not tenacious enough to make many of them blossom, often very jealous but always loyal.
MAPLE TREE (Independence of Mind) - no ordinary person, full of imagination and originality, shy and reserved, ambitious, proud, self-confident, hungers for new experiences, sometimes nervous, has many complexities, good memory, learns easily, complicated love life, wants to impress.
OAK TREE (the Brave) - robust nature, courageous, strong, unrelenting, independent, sensible, does not like change, keeps its feet on the ground, person of action.
OLIVE TREE (the Wisdom) - loves sun, warmth and kind feelings,
reasonable, balanced, avoids aggression and violence, tolerant,
cheerful, calm, well-developed sense of justice, sensitive,
empathetic, free of jealousy, loves to read and the company of sophisticated
people.
PINE TREE (the Particular) - loves agreeable company, very robust, knows how to make life comfortable, very active, natural, good companion, but seldom friendly, falls easily in love but its passion burns out quickly, gives up easily, everything disappoints until it finds its ideal, trustworthy, practical.
POPLAR TREE (the Uncertainty) - looks very decorative,
not very self-confident, only courageous if necessary, needs goodwill and
pleasant surroundings, very choosy, often lonely, great animosity, artistic
nature, good organizer, tends to lean toward philosophy,
reliable in any situation, takes partnership serious.
ROWAN TREE (the Sensitivity) - full of charm, cheerful,
gifted without egotism, likes to draw attention, loves life, motion, unrest,
and even complications, is both dependent and independent, good taste,
artistic, passionate, emotional, good company, does not
forgive.
WALNUT TREE (the Passion) - unrelenting, strange and full
of contrasts, often egotistic, aggressive, noble, broad horizon, unexpected
reactions, spontaneous, unlimited ambition, no flexibility, difficult and
uncommon partner, not always liked but often
admired, ingenious strategist, very jealous and passionate,
no compromise.
WEEPING WILLOW (the Melancholy) - beautiful but full of
melancholy, attractive, very empathetic, loves anything beautiful and tasteful,
loves to travel, dreamer, restless, capricious, honest, can be influenced
but isn't easy to live with, demanding, good intuition, suffers in love
but finds sometimes an anchoring partner