MOON Capricorn SUN Cancer

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I have been feeling quite out of my body of late so am taking the opportunity of this Moon to sink deeper into my flesh & honour this Earth-bound temple that I call home. This is the process I will undertake this evening as the Moon rises…

Create you sacred space in your own way.

Stand in a small circle of salt, feel your feet connected to the ground. Slowly raise your awareness up your body aligning & correcting your posture as you go. Once you have reached the top of your head, take some time to listen to your flesh… Are there any sensations that are calling to you? Where are they? Why are they? Move along these lines for as long as you can, taking note of the information stored in your body.

When you are ready, write your experience down in a journal or on a piece of paper. Then sit in the salt circle & ask your body how you can make its life more pleasant, what measures you can take to improve your physical wellbeing. If you have access to clay, inscribe it with a promise to your physical self of the steps you are willing to take to make these improvements. If you have no clay do the same steps but write on a piece of paper instead.

Give thanks & release you sacred space in your own way.

When the Sun rises tomorrow, bury the clay tablet along with the salt as close to your bedroom window as possible.

)O(

A Magickal Life: Herbal Basics

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Connecting to the Kingdom of Plants is essential in my work as they bring such a grounded & mystical energy to all that I do. The generosity of Plants is always captivating to me & in this course I hope to share some of my joy at working with them to all who attend.

A Magickal Life: Herbal Basics takes the seeker on a journey into the realm of plants with the intention of understanding their own unique connection to this realm & how they may be able to honour & share the bounty of the beings that dwell within it.

We will be crafting incense blends, annointing oils, fluid condensers & balms, as well as taking a close study of several plants with regards to their magickal properties. Safe practices will of course be discussed.

This course will be run during the month of August in four 3 hour long sessions in Melbourne, Australia. If you are interested or have any questions please email alison@thehedgewitchery.com

)O(

Winter Solstice

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The Winter Solstice festival is known as Yule in many circles, the root of this word in Old Norse means wheel & it represents the lowest point of the wheel of the year… when waning becomes waxing. This is the time when Mother Night encircles the Sun in her loving arms for the longest time during his cycle, & she returns him to us renewed & full of hope. As the Sun cycle waxes new, I will be spending 12 days in celebration of the returning light with candles lit, fires burning, feasting, story telling, baking & camping out in the living room with my children working dream incubation spells. Here are some ideas for your Winter Solstice celebrations…

Incense Blend…

I will be filling my home with this wonderful blend for the whole festival time to keep my spirit adrift & to open my heart & blood to the potential of this time.

Juniper berries

Frankincense resin

Damiana leaves

Dragon’s Blood resin

Cinnamon bark

 

Dream Incubation…

This is great to do with children to honour this time of year. We place mattresses in the living area so that all of our heads are angled to a central point & set up this spell in the middle.

As the Sun sets on the longest night, write or draw your wishes on a piece of paper. Fold it once, set it at the head of your bed & place a stone on top of it (we use smokey quartz or moonstone). In the center of these wishes place a bowl of sacred water (or water from a natural source, or filtered tap water at the very least) with lavender flowers in it.

Before you go to sleep, take turns whispering your wishes into the bowl of water & as you rise in the morning, discuss your dreams from the night before & how they may be clues for making your wishes come true.

After your Winter Solstice celebrations, return the water & lavender to nature, bury your wishes under a tree & carry your stones with you or keep them under your pillow.

 

And from the inspiring Michelle Duke-

Yule Log…

The longest night is a wonderful time to go deep within, to reflect, to enter the womb of creation. Seek out those parts of yourself that have been long forgotten, lost, unloved, & prepare to reawaken them from their slumber.

Gather together- Corn Husk, Cinnamon, Clove, Ginger, Nutmeg, Sandalwood, Frankincense, Orange rind

Fill the corn husk with the herbs & any other symbolic things that you would like to burn, for example written words or hair. Wrap twine around it to create a log shape. Toss the Yule Log into your Winter Solstice fire or burn as a smudge for your home.

)O(

MOON Sagittarius SUN Gemini

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This moontide is inspiring me to create a Follow My Bliss potion so this will be the central aspect of my Full Moon Rite. Thanks to Michelle Duke once again for you herb & essential oil contributions. I will perform this rite as the Moon rises full in Sagittarius on Friday the 13th of June (AEST).

In preparation for this rite, I will be soaking in a bath with the following salt mix- half a cup of red rock salts, 1 tablespoon of epsom salts, 6 drops of Jasmine essential oil, 3 drops of Bergamot essential oil & 3 drops of Ylang-ylang essential oil.

You will need…

a bowl of sacred water (preferably from a natural source or at the very least filtered & blessed)

a bowl of herbs (fresh or dried)- Nutmeg, Basil, Damiana, Patchouli, Dragon’s Blood, Rose Geranium & Mint

stones- a mixture of light & dark coloured stones

a small red candle

incense blend of mugwort & wormwood

The rite…

Gather all of the items along with some matches into the center of your space.

Create your sacred space in the way that you are most comfortable with.

Light the red candle & the incense. Sit holding the dark stones in your dominant hand & the light ones in the other. Let your mind clear of any external flirts & relax your physical self into your sitting position. Breath deep & slow… Allow yourself to dream up your most blissful moment, hold that feeling & send it into the stones that you are holding. Place the stones into the center & take the bowl of herbs, cradling them in your hands & resting them in your lap.

Gaze into the bowl of herbs & play out the story that will bring you the most bliss, be thorough, let the impossible become possible & unfold your perfect scenario. When you are done, bring the bowl to your nose & slowly breath in the aroma of the herbs contained within it, then whisper into the bowl…

Sacred herbs, your bodies mix

Come together in perfect bliss

Contained to play & dream & grow

Through your magick let bliss be known

Place the bowl of herbs back into the center & add more incense to your coal. Look deep into the bowl of water as you say…

Sacred water I see you

I ask for vision, pure & true

Let me see the life I crave

So perfect action can be made

Then, let your mind be empty & discover what is hidden there in the water, your active role to play in the fulfillment of your bliss.

Now take the herbs & pour them into the water & say…

Let this union be met with joy

And under this Moon you work deployed

And through my feet I set the change

Together weaving bliss into this life again

Give thanks & open your space in the way that you feel most comfortable with. Allow the candle to burn out on its own.

Take the bowl of water with the herbs in it outside to sit under the moon for the night & circle it with the stones.

In the morning, strain the water into a bottle… This is your Follow My Bliss potion. Store this bottle in the circle of stones.

Collect together the strained herbs, the candle stub & the incense dust & bury them or burn them within 7 days of your rite.

)O(

A Magickal Life: Ritual Foundations

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Take a gentle step towards making your life more magickal in this short course that reveals a simple yet effective way to move closer to manifesting your perfect world. We will begin with intent & slowly open to the expression of that intention as we build a ritual to energise it & release it out into all the Worlds.

No prior spiritual work is necessary but this course will benefit all levels of spiritual awareness. There will be four sessions held in Melbourne, Australia, from 2-5pm beginning on June 8th 2014.

For bookings or inquiries please contact me via alison@thehedgewitchery.com

)O(

MOON Gemini SUN Gemini

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I have been lucky enough to be inspired again by Michelle Duke & her magickal herb mixes to develop a Dark Moon Rite that will connect me more intimately with my Fae-self, harnessing the energy of Gemini to explore integration of opposing forces within myself & release me into a more natural & magickal state. The artwork in the photograph above is by Justin Balmain. I will be performing this rite on Wednesday night the 28th of May at the Witching Hour (AEST).

Gather into your sacred space the following dried herbs in 4 separate dishes…

Lavender & Sage

Bay & Dragon’s Blood

Skullcap & Thyme

Mugwort & Vervain

You will also need 4 incense coals in 4 heat proof dishes, a green candle in an appropriate holder & a cup of warm water with a teaspoon of Poppyseeds steeping in it. If you are unable to ingest Poppyseeds then substitute with a herbal tea of your choice. A journal or paper, & a pen will also be required.

Face East, light your incense coal & add the lavender & sage. Send out your prayers to the Keepers there & sit quietly in contemplation of Air… of your Mind… of your Thoughts… of your Memories… Search for any imbalance in this area & decide where you can support a more balanced Mental Body. Write these instructions down.

Face North, light your incense coal & add the bay & dragon’s blood. Send out your prayers to the Keepers there & sit quietly in contemplation of Fire… of your Spirit… of your Crafts… of your Desires… Search for any imbalance in this area & decide where you can support a more balanced Spiritual Body. Write these instructions down.

Face West, light your incense coal & add the skullcap & thyme. Send out your prayers to the Keepers there & sit quietly in contemplation of Water… of your Heart… of your Wellbeing… of your Cycles… Search for any imbalance in this area & decide where you can support a more balanced Emotional Body. Write these instructions down.

Face South, light your incense coal & add the mugwort & vervain. Send out your prayers to the Keepers there & sit quietly in contemplation of Earth… of your Body… of your Health… of your Possessions… Search for any imbalance in this area & decide where you can support a more balanced Physical Body. Write these instructions down.

Move to the center, light the candle, drink the poppyseed elixir & prepare for an internal journey…

Find yourself in a Forest, take in all that you see & become one with the space you are in. Search for tracks or signs that will lead you to the nearest Fae community. When you arrive, ask for permission to meet with someone, giving your own name. When you are together be guided by your Fae Self, be open to sharing intimate thoughts & feelings, especially the ones that came up during the beginning of this rite. Let this interaction be natural & organic. When you are ready, be sure to give thanks. Return & record your experience in your journal straight away.

Release your circle in the way that you feel most comfortable.

Snuff out the candle & relight at any time that you can revisit the words you wrote during this rite, checking in to see how you are progressing.

Toss the incense dust to the winds as soon as you can.

)O(

MOON Scorpio SUN Taurus

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On the night of the Scorpio Full Moon prepare yourself for this ceremony by clearing & quietening your self & your surrounds. When you are as close to stillness as you can be without being asleep, you are ready.

Create a sacred space & settle within it. Grind together herbs for an incense mix. Michelle Duke developed a blend especially for this Moon…

Wormwood

Nettle

Patchouli

Sage

Catnip

Lavender

Grind your mix widdershins (unwinding the Sun) & chant the following as you do-

Open All & push me through

I grind & hold to Spirit true

Send me deep to wounds unhealed

A balm this journey shall reveal

Repeat this chant 3 or 9 times, light your charcoal & add your mix.

Lay flat on the ground, close your eyes & breath in the smoke. Let your journey begin at the mouth of a cave with a small stream of water flowing into it. Light a torch from the bright, big Moon & walk into the cave. Explore as long & as deep as you can, keeping your attention attuned to your senses & honouring them in your explorations. When you are ready, return by way of giving thanks to the cave & Grandmother Moon.

Surface & add more of your mix to the charcoal. Write down your experience & how you wish to bring your findings out into the mundane world, with the intent of healing to your deepest self.

When the charcoal has gone out, bury it along with the ashes in the earth under the light of the Moon.

)O(

 

 

Cross Quarter Dreaming

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I woke on the floor in a small log cabin. There was a rough-spun blanket wrapped around me. The only sounds were distant bird calls & the gentle rush of leaves blowing in the wind. When I stood the blanket fell from me & I was met by the chill of the air & a wonderful sensation of being alone.

Going through the only door found me outside, surrounded by a long neglected garden full of brambling herb bushes & nibbled on fruits & vegetables still attached to their mother plants.

I sat on a wooden armchair with the blanket in the wild garden to watch & learn, to understand where & when I had woken. A thick scrub of trees wrapped around the cabin. The sun was low & to my left, slowly heading for the horizon… Sunset.

A clear & darkening sky revealed to me the heads of the Gemini Twins, close behind the Sun… Late Autumn.

As the darkness deepened I sat under dampening air that froze the tip of my nose & made my ears ache with cold. No Moon… All night I waited but I could not find her… Dark Moon.

I slept then, under the gentle heat of the Autumn Sun & dreamed of a campfire council of my ancestors. I sat mute & watched them tell stories & dance & throw bunches of herbs into the fire. When it was down to embers, some coal was removed & ground in a bowl made of wood, along with some small black berries. They slit the throat of a boar & added his blood to the ground coal to make a paste, which was used to anoint the palms & ears & eyelids of all who were present… Including me. That’s when they came, shadowy figures moving through the small gathering, embracing some people, whispering to others. I felt the cold grasp of a bony hand from one shadow & heard the quiet voice reveal to me what I am required to do for this next turn of the Sun Wheel. Then I woke again, in the wild garden, with the sun & moon setting…

Samhain.

Mabon Incense

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This lovely blend was developed last Full Moon during a session with one of my students. She was put on the spot & asked to come up with an incense blend for Mabon without any warning & within a reasonable amount of time. Later, as it was burning, I was called so quickly to journey that I lay down & had a most amazing experience! Burn this blend when you wish to make haste through the veil & journey with whatever you are seeking clarity for…. Mabon blessings to you all.

Jianne’s Mabon Incense Blend – Cinnamon, Clove, Eyebright, Blue Cornflower, Damiana, Frankincense, Dalia, Geranium, Comfrey Root, Orris Root & Dragon’s Blood.

)O(

The Festival of Light

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There is a brightness to the rays of Father Sun at this time, a warmth when He can break through the icy winds, a yearning from life towards His mighty pull. Today I saw the first Jasmine flower & the smell was a delicious promise of heady warm nights to come. Imbolc, Brigit, Oimealg, Candalmas… This festival of light is upon us.

As I prepare my rite for this turn of the Wheel, I am feeling the ominous sensation that comes before a life changing event… like I am stepping through into something new & exciting. Perhaps it is the intense build up that has been on offer since the mating of the Earth & Water trines, or it could just be the general theme for this Year of the Snake. Whatever the case, I am aware of how important this time is for me & so my recognition of this festival is to be deep & personal & transformative.

The Rite

Set your sacred space within you, become the circle from which you have called your guides & guards & ancestors to stand watch, your deity/s to hold, the elements to keep, & ask this bountiful land to permit you. Draw a picture of yourself & describe who you are in words on that same piece of paper. Find a large rock & place it on top of this paper, preferably on the ground. Turn your back & walk away from it with the awareness that for a short while you are not you but a potent Spirit new to this world.

Find a place that you can be close to nature, for example your garden or the local park. Take a very slow walk to & around this place, looking with these fresh eyes, indulging in the smells & colours & textures & tastes that surround you. Ask this awesome new land to show you who you are now & patiently wait for a response. When you have it, give thanks & leave an offering (or be sure to take one back at another time).

Make a slow journey back to where you began feeling the new you taking form around the Spirit you. When you return take another piece of paper & draw & describe yourself with words upon it. Look at the paper from before your journey & note the differences. Burn the old you & place the new you in a significant place in your home.

Release you circle & focus on the embodiment of your newness as your instincts change & your body adjusts.

)O(