Author: A Solitary Pagan
Aromatherapy
As a way to control stress and uplift mood, aromatherapy is a terrific tool in your self-care arsenal. Spellcraft often pulls aromatherapy in as a secondary element; the primary use of oils and herbs is for their energies, of course. But it’s a pleasant bonus when your blends smell good as well. The scent is one of the strongest memory triggers. No wonder; despite its apparent intangibility, scent...
Oils and Incenses in Magick
Oils and Incenses in Magick. Oils and incenses, much like herbs, are highly versatile tools in magickal practice. One of the simplest ways to attract positive energy—for yourself, your loved ones, or those in need—is to burn oils and release their specific fragrances, allowing them to work naturally. You can select oils for a variety of intentions, such as health, happiness, love, success, prosper...
A Short list of Magickal Oils
Benzoin: Benzoin reduces tension, stress, and melts away tension, anger, resentment, emotional pain, and frustrations. Positively, benzoin increases self-confidence and attracts prosperity, both material and spiritual. It mixes well with rose, pine, and lavender. Bergamot: Bergamot soothes irritability and lifts depression or apathy, encouraging gentle but honest communication and the manifestatio...
Cockerels
Symbols of light and goodness, cocks have been favored birds of sacrifice to the gods. The cock is sacred and is associated with sun deities; it has the power to banish evil. The cock is a bird of omen, both of luck (in Wales) and death and evil (in Hungary). It is also a symbol of fertility and has been used in divination for centuries around the world. The cock is an embodiment of the corn-spiri...
Cats
Cats have been associated with the supernatural since ancient times. Cats are associated with either good or bad luck, healing or harm. In folklore, the cat is one of the favored animal companions of witches, sorcerers and fortune-tellers. Superstitions about cats abound. The cat was sacred to the ancient Egyptians, who associated it with the Moon and Bast, the goddess of marriage. It also w...
Riding the Dragon
Many Traditional Crafters have an interesting relationship with dragons. Some see them as archetypes, some as being similar to the Gods, and some see them as living mythical beasts, in a very literal way. It is certainly true that myths and legends involving dragons are central to many of the traditional cultures from which British Witchcraft derives. In Sumerian and Babylonian mythology we have T...
Animal Kinship
It has long been believed that humans have a kinship with animals, and that this kinship allows us to draw on their special qualities. When choosing an animal as a totem (a hereditary badge or emblem for a tribe or clan that serves as a personal sacred talisman), you call upon the power of the animal and are drawn into harmony with its strength and power. Totems appear in dreams and bring hea...
The Magick of Animals
The following animals all have magickal qualities that can be harnessed in times of need. Choose an animal to work with that best represents a personality characteristic you would like to develop or improve. Bear (introspection, stability, wisdom) The strength of the bear lies in its ability to enter into a state of hibernation. In this state it is able to digest the year’s experience. The bear ga...
Black Cat Protection Spell
This powerful ritual helps shield you from negativity, deflect psychic harm, and invite a change in fortune. You will need the following:A black cat-shaped candle, Black cat oil, made from patchouli and frankincense, And a mirror. Begin your ritual on a waxing moon night, as close to midnight as you can. Set the mirror on your altar or a small table, with the reflective side facing up. Anoint the ...
The Dragon in Magick
The dragon is a fantastic beast that appears in almost every mythological tradition throughout the world. Often depicted as a mix of several different creatures, it represents the four elements of life: air, fire, water, and earth. The dragon has the wings of a bird and is covered with the scales of a fish or snake. It is capable of breathing fire, and usually guards a horde of treasure deep withi...
Cats as Witches Familiars
The cat, especially the black cat, is a creature of witchcraft, in all popular belief. No artist’s conception of a witch’s cottage of the olden time could possibly be complete without Baudrons or Grimalkin, sleek and purring by the fire, watching with glowing eyes over all that takes place. The witch’s cat, however, did not have to be black in color. In Macbeth, it is a brindled cat that mews sign...
Hare
In folklore, a witch’s familiar or a witch metamorphosed in disguise. It is still bad luck in the British Isles for one’s path to be crossed by a hare. Witches were said to be able to change themselves into hares and other animals with magical charms such as the following from the British Isles: I shall go into a hare, With sorrow and such and muckle care, And I shall go in the Devil’s name. Ay, ’...