Tuesday, January 14, 2014

Spell to Rid a Room of Evil

Spell to Rid a Room of Evil 


Light a cinnamon incense stick in the center of the room and walk to the north east corner or wall. Say:

"Earth and air, purify to good, blow away evil."

Draw a pentagram of smoke and use the incense stick to stab through the center. Walk to the southeast corner of the room and say:

"Air and fire, blow away evil, burn away pain."

Repeat the pentagram and stab the center, then walk to the southwest part of the room. Say:

"Fire and water, burn away pain, wash away fear."

Repeat pentagram and stab. Walk to the northwest part of the room and say:

"Water and earth, wash away fear, bury all negativity, purify to good."

Repeat pentagram and stab. Walk to the center of the room.
Point incense stick to the sky and say:

"As Above..."

Now drop an ash from the incense and say: "So Below"

Monday, January 13, 2014

Tree Correspondence: Acacia

 Tree Correspondence: Acacia


Also known as: Cat's Claw
Zodiac: Aquarius, Leo
Celebration: Lughnasadh
Direction: East
Number: 5
Gods: Buddha, Osiris, Ra
Goddesses: Astarte, Diana, Ishtar
Solar System: Earth, Mercury, Sun
Element: Air
Energy: Yang
Issues, Intentions & Power: The after life, awareness, balance, blessings, calm, clairvoyance, consecrate/bless, death, divination, dream work, friend/ship, inspiration, jealousy, love (platonic), money, negativity, power (personal), problems, prophecy, prosperity, protection, psychic ability, purification, security, self-work, sex/uality, skills, spirituality, visions, wealth, wisdom.

Information from: Complete Book of Correspondences 

Wednesday, January 8, 2014

Imbolc

Imbolc
(February 1st or 2nd)


Also known as: Candlemas, Imbolg, Imbolgc brigantia, Lupercus, Festival of lights, Bear day, Brigids day and Disting.

A time for rebirth, renewal, refreshing, purification, cleaning out the old and preparing for the new, ' spring cleaning', preparing for spring, new hope, new growth and new beginnings.

Tuesday, January 7, 2014

White Candle Spell For Blessing

White Candle Spell For Blessing


Take a white candle -- either a plain one (offertory, pillar, or taper) or a figural one in the gender of the person you want to bless.

Carve the person's full name on the candle, then dress it with Blessing Oil or Holy Oil. For more power, you may place a name-paper of the person, or a photo, or some personal item of theirs (such as a bit of hair or a snippet of clothing) either under the candle or next to it. An easy way to do this is to place the paper or personal concerns under an overturned saucer and put the candle on top of the saucer.

Burn a portion of the candle every day for seven days, pinching it out between burnings (never blow out the candle). As you light it each day, say this

[Name], may you be blessed
May all good things come to you
May nothing whatsoever harm you
May your heart be light
May your travels be safe
May your health be good
May your mind be sound
May your friendships sustain you
May you be blessed in every way

If you have a special request for this person (such as that they get a good job, come home safely from a war, or whatever), just add it to the list.

Monday, January 6, 2014

Correspondences for Abundance

To Attract Abundance


Zodiac: Virgo

Moon Phase: Full, Waxing

Season: Autumn

Ogham: Ruis

Element: Earth

Colors: Gold, Green, Orange

Number: 8

Solar System: Jupiter

Full Moons: August, June

Day: Thursday

Rune: Feoh

Direction: North

Chakra: Sacral

Misc. Plants: Grain, Myrrh

Trees: Chestnut, Elder, Maple, Mesquite, Oak, Olive, Palm, Pine, Sycamore

Herb & Garden: Bluebell, Grape, Honeysuckle

Gemstones & Minerals: Agate, Apatite, Aventurine, Bloodstone, Chrysoberyl, Chrysoprase, Citrine, Dioptase, Jade, Malachite, Moss Agate, Peridot, Rhodochrosite, Quartz, Salt, Smoky Quartz, Tiger's eye, Topaz, Tourmaline, Zircon

From the Sea: Abalone, Clam, Cowry, Mussel, Oyster

Goddesses: Aine, Artio, Astarte, Bast, Ceres, Cerridwen, Coventina, Danu, Demeter, Epona, Fortuna, Frigg, Gaia, Ganga, Hestia, Holle, Inanna, Isis, Lakshmi, Maia, Rhea, Rhiannon, Sedna

Gods: Cernunnos, the Dagda, Enki, the Green Man, Hades, Jupiter, Pushan, Saturn, Vertimnus, Zeus

Animals: Buffalo/Bison, Cattle, Chipmunk, Goat, Horse, Pig, Rabbit, Reindeer, Sheep, Squirrel

Marine Life: Salmon

Birds: Chicken, Crane, Duck, Egret, Flamingo, Goose, Heron, Ibis, Kingfisher, Nighthawk, Osprey, Parrot, Peacock, Pelican, Sandpiper, Seagull, Turkey

Insects  Misc: Bee, Grasshopper, Moth

Reptiles: Crocodile, Frog, Turtle


Information from: Complete Book of Correspondences

Thursday, January 2, 2014

Winter Healing

Herbal Remedies for Winter Healing



It is that time of year where all you hear about is the newest virus spreading like wild fire. During the winter, your body is bombarded with these viruses.

This time of year is notorious for bringing with it countless colds and other viruses, but why is this?

The days are shorter and this can cause winter blues, or seasonal affected disorder. Light therapy and antidepressant herbs can help those that suffer from such disorders.

Cold winter temperatures and contrasting overheated offices and homes have been shown to lead to a spate of colds and flus.

Secondary bacterial infection can lead to sinusitis, bronchitis and pneumonia. It is vital during this time to keep your immune system well nourished.



The thing we need to remember this time of year is a balanced diet rich with the seasonal vegetables and fruit, along with regular exercise, is essential for keeping your body healthy.

Winter nourishment:
During the winter we burn lots of extra energy to help maintain body temperature. A regular, well-balanced meal helps you to keep warm and maintain vitality. It's natural for mammal to put on a little extra fat for insulation, you may have noticed this with you house pets.

 Keep your immune system in working order with seasonal fruits and vegetables. Spice them up by currying root vegetables or sir-frying cabbage. Ward off winter colds by adding onions or garlic to stews. Nutritious and warming stews are simple to prepare and provide well balanced nutrition, as well as warming you from the inside out.



Circulation boosters:
You might not feel like exercising on dark, winter days, but this can result in a sluggish circulation when coupled with cold weather.

Common symptoms are cold feet and hands, chilblains and lethargy. Rheumatic aches and pains can also be exacerbated by poor cirulation.

Stimulate cirulation with spices such as turmeric and cinnamon, or use herbs such as yarrow for circulation to the body's extremities. A massage with warming essential oils such as rosemary, black pepper or ginger promotes circulation and lymphatic drainage, giving relief from rheumatic aches.



Warding off winter colds:
Strengthen you body's immune system to make sure it is able to protect itself by boosting it's own defenses. Include citrus fruits to your daily diets to ensure high levels of vitamin C, the most important vitamin for fighting winter colds.

If you feel that you might be coming down with a cold, give your immune system a helpful short-term boost with echinacea, astragulus or ginger. You can also employ herbs and essential oils that have antiviral properties, such as St. John's Wort and licorice. Try a vapor rub made of tea tree oil and lavender to combat a sniffy nose.



Winter spiritual health:
Winter is often regarded as a gloomy time of year, when the landscape around you looks dead and dreary. There are ways to perk up your day, however.

Fight the winter blues by keeping you mind and body active. Make the most of any sunny weather and enjoy a walk along the frost or snow covered path or through a winter wonderland.

Winter is a time best used for reflection and spiritual renewal. During this quiet time of the year, learn to meditate or take time to revisit and assess your goals, values and relationships.

Brighten up the dark days of winter by celebrating winter festivals with friends and family, making sure to use lots of color.

Information Source: Enhancing Your Mind Body Spirit

Monday, April 22, 2013

Correspondences


 
 
It's our first Correspondence day!

Many people have asked me why do we need correspondences in our practice?

The answer I give is this...You don't NEED to use correspondences. No one ever NEEDS to use anything in their practice. Correspondences help us to focus our intent, will and energy on the goal we are working toward when casting.

It is used as a key to unlock the energy we wish to work with. Giving people something physical to work with to add us.

Some people just find it fun to work with such things, others find it tedious. It is never needed nor do you have to use what is listed in the spell.

That is another reason correspondences are useful. There are things out there that does much of the same thing so you can substitute what the spell calls for with something you might have on hand or better access to. So knowing what items you can use for healing could be very helpful when trying to work a spell or write your own.

So it is for this reason we have decided to dedicate a day to the MANY correspondences out there.

Enjoy :-)
 
 
 
 
 



Duck: Water energy, communication, abundance, community, helper of seers, fertility, affection, opportunities, can clearly see/deal with emotions, protection, comfort, support, transformation, connection with past lives, energy, marriage, and fidelity.
 
 





The specific hours of the day also have magical associations in many cultures. Following is a brief summary of some of these:

10 p.m. - Improving the rational mind, sensibility and clear mindedness.
 
 
 
 
                                                                                                picture by antifan-real.deviantart.com
 


Numbers Correspondeces

1. The Universe, singularity, the One, identity, independent, the source of All.
 
 
 
 
 


The April full moon is coming up so we thought today was a good day to share some of its correspondences.

The Growing Moon
The name April comes from the Greek Goddess Aphrodite, who is identified with the Roman Goddess Venus.

April is also called the Pink Moon. The Pink Moon was named after “moss pink” (Phlox subulata), a native flower to North America and one of the earliest widespread flowers of the spring.

Other names for the April full moon are the Sprouting Grass Moon, the Wind Moon and the Frog Moon. Among coastal tribes it was also known as the Fish Moon, because this was the time that the Shad fish swam upstream to spawn.
 
 
 
 
 
Moon in Taurus:
This is the best time to do magic for love, real estate, material acquisitions and money. Healing rituals for ailments of the throat, neck and ears also good to focus on during this time.
 
 

Q & A day

picture by markt3000.deviantart.com


Pagan Lingo of the day By Lady Destiny: Green Man -
Another name for the God of the woodlands. His appearance is that of a horned deity with leaves about his face.


Since we were out of the office for Q&A Friday we decided to do it today. 


Q: Do you light candle and pray for people especially a brother or sister of the craft???

A: Yes some of us do. There is nothing wrong with praying, in fact a spell is just another word for praying. Look at it this way...

Praying: You are talking to God. Thanking him for what you have and asking for the things you need, want, and desire. Expressing with words, emotions and sometimes actions to show him why and how much you want this.

Spells: You are talking to your deity. Thanking them/him/her for what you have and asking for things you need, want and desire. Expressing with words, items that will help you focus on that particular thing like a candle, emotions and sometimes actions to show why, how much you want this and to direct your will towards this goal.

Not much of a difference really when you look at it. Pagans just do a little more to help them focus and work for such requests.

So suggesting you light a candle and pray is a across the board okay way to approach sending good energy, thoughts and love to those you wish to help. 




This subject came up recently to us and we wanted to share with the rest of our readers.

Some one had a question about a card spread they did. Lady Destiny took on this topic because she has more experience in card reading and teaches people how to read.

She asked if the person was doing a self reading.

Reader: No one will read my cards, I was told that I have the answers to my own problems.

Lady Destiny: Okay first off who ever told you to read your own cards gave you very bad advice. I have been a card reader for 20 years and not once have I been able to read my own cards.

No one can and if they say they do and can then they are not good readers. Now the reason why this is said is because you can influence your reading. Your energy will influence the cards and your interpretation of the cards. You will see and pull only what you want to or expect to. It will never be an accurate reading. Which might be why you keep pulling the same cards.

You need someone to read your cards for you. In your case I would look into someone that works with an oracle deck. Let the message you need to hear come to you, not the answer to a question you may not need to be asking right now. I know that something is weighing very heavy on your mind right now, but that is not always what we need to be focusing on to progress positively through our life.

I hope this helps. Blessed be

Lady Destiny )O(



Q: As a Child I felt "different" ex. energy and things I saw (spirits) etc. but never said it to anyone. cause it was wrong/taboo. My thoughts turned into reality dreams as well. Is everyone like this or is there chooses (if you want to call it) few.

A: It is our belief that all are like this, but it is their choice to push that part of them aside or shut it off.

We are all born with amazing abilities but with what is seen as normal or socially acceptable we are all told as children it is wrong. Some of us get lucky and don't listen to those around us when they say it is wrong or we have parents that are understanding and don't ask you to turn these gifts off.

There is also a matter of people don't understand it so it has to be wrong. So yes we do think all are like that but not all stay like that and make a choice. We hope this helps answer your question.
 

Thursday, April 18, 2013

Lesson 1

It's Lesson day!

This means I take over Element of Magick for the day and teach you all I can about subjects in the craft I normally teach to the students I take on.

We are hoping to turn this into a something more then just me writing to you all a few lessons and hoping for the best. Like holding interactive online classes for at least an hour. So send us much "lets get this girl on the web so we can learn better" energy ;-)

First I am going to admit to you all I was a bit nervous when the EoM team approached me for a lesson day.

This is because I am a much better in person teacher. This teaching online with different interaction is new to me and I was nervous how people would take the idea, but to my pleasant shock you all seemed to be screaming you wanted lesson day. I thank you all so much for your kind out cry of my skills in this area.

I want you to know a little about how I work. I am an eclectic solitary practitioner, so all of my lessons will not be focused on one tradition but many.

I will take into the subject of each tradition at some time to help those of you looking to be in a tradition what they have to offer you.

This is not wicca 101, or neo-paganism 101. This will be a witchcraft course so a bit more diverse and open.

If you have questions that lean toward a tradition I am more then happy to answer them so don't think you can't ask what your tradition would say or do on the subject.

Okay now that we have that out in the open lets not keep you all much longer and get to learning!









Lesson 1: An Introduction to Witchcraft

Part 1

What is Witchcraft?

This is an important question to be asking, and the answers vary from witch to witch because we are all individuals and practice different and see witchcraft differently.

When I present this question to people, new to or in the craft all their lives I get a different answer every single time with very few similarities. It is about now I wish I could show you all my slide show on this lesson but that will be saved for later.

Simply put Witchcraft is an ancient nature-oriented religion. And that is the simplest term I have found across the board across all traditions.

Now lets touch on this just a bit more. Many witches honor the old gods, pre-Christian deities such as Isis, Thor, Athena, Apollo and Gaia. They many worship more then one, only one, just female deities, just male deities the possibilities are endless. There is no right or wrong (you will hear me say this a lot) to who you worship or how many you worship.

So here is my first study question for you...

What does the word Witch mean to you?

Here are some probing questions to help you find this answer...Close your eyes and ponder the meaning of this title. What did it mean to you as you grew through life?

What sort of images did this word invoke within you as you grew?
 
 


 
 
Lesson 1: An Introduction to Witchcraft

Part 2

What Witchcraft is not (this one is long so bare with me here)

Since we are looking at what Witchcraft is and means to you let's also look at what Witchcraft is not.

I have spent much of my life trying to rid people of misconceptions about what it means to be a witch. I do my best to try to separate the facts from the fiction, myths, vicious rumors, and misunderstandings. Mostly created by...you guessed it the media.

Now don't get me wrong I love media and entertainment. But when people believe the fiction to be truth that is when others can get hurt.

Sadly it is a social norm to demonize that which you do not understand or goes against the majority. Due to the fact that Christians are the majority we are in for a world of being misstereo-typed by the majority.

Here are some of the common misconceptions I run into and you may have as well.

1. Q: Do you worship Satan?

A: Satan is a part of the Christian and Muslim religions. Since pagans are neither Christian nor Muslim, Satan is not part of our deity structure at all.

We believe that each and every human being is completely responsible for his or her own actions. To us, evil is a choice, albeit a bad one, that a human might make, not an embodied entity to blame our actions upon.

If an individual chooses to do evil, most pagans believe they will be punished via the laws of karma or as a result of "cause and effect.". In other words, "What goes around usually comes around."

Many Witches believe in some form of reincarnation, that the results or karma of past deeds can follow a person from one life to the next. This may also help to explain why terrible things sometimes happen to wonderful people or why some people seem to have been born with certain skills and knowledge. It may also explain why some people seem to lead a 'charmed" life

2. Q: Are you a good Witch or a bad Witch?

A: When you ask if someone is a "good" Witch or a "bad" Witch, it is the same as asking someone if they are a "good" Presbyterian or a "bad" Presbyterian. Wiccan's adhere to the Rede, "An it harm none, do as ye will." How ever Druids and other pagan belief systems and traditions have their own ethical standards. There are good and bad people in every society and in every religion. When a person breaks the laws of society or the tenets of their religion, they are called to account for their actions. To judge a person as either "good" or "bad" based upon nothing more than their religious preference alone has a label, too. It is called bigotry

3. Q: So why do you use that "Satanic" symbol?

A: The pentagram, or five pointed star, is not Satanic. Pythagoras used it as a symbol of health and his followers wore them in order to recognize one another. In Medieval times, some Christian knights used the pentagram as their symbol. To modern Pagans the pentagram means many things; The five points correspond to the elements Air, Earth, Fire and Water with the top point corresponding to "Spirit". The pentagram in a circle may also represent a human with their legs and arms outstretched, surrounded by universal wisdom or the "Goddess" - humankind at one with the environment. Many Witches and other pagan practitioners do not wear the pentacle at all, but have other symbols of special meaning to them.

Some Satanists turn the symbol upside-down, which puts the elements of Fire and Earth at the top (Fire symbolizes willpower and passion and Earth, prosperity and earthly goods) and Spirit, spirituality, at the bottom. Satanists also turn the cross upside-down. This, in itself, does not make the cross or pentagram a Satanic symbol.

In some Pagan traditions, the reversed pentagram is a symbol of "second degree" status - one who has been elevated from "initiate". To members of these traditions, the reversed pentagram is considered highly positive and has no connection to Satanism. A symbol is simply an image or mark in itself. It is the mind and the beliefs of the beholder which attribute to it a particular meaning.

4. Q: Are Witchcraft or Wicca cults?

A: A cult by definition is a group of people who blindly follow one leader. As Witches and pagans tend to be free-thinkers, there is no one person that we consider to be THE leader. Thus we cannot be called a cult.

5. Q: Do you have ritual orgies?

A: These rumors come from our lack of taboos regarding sex. We have no rules which prohibit homosexuality, nudity or pre-marital sex. Sex as the generative force in nature is seen by most pagans as something utterly sacred. We feel that the physical act of love is to be approached with great respect and responsibility

6. Q: Aren't all Witches Women?

A: No. Witches can be either men or women. The term "Warlock" is never used to describe a male Witch as it is considered to be a religious slur. "Warlock" is an old Scottish word meaning "traitor" or "oath-breaker". Men and Women alike can be Witches.

7. Q: Why do all Witches wear black?

A: We all don't. Many Witches actually seem to favor green and/or purple. Black, however, is in many cultures a symbol of clergy. Priests, Ministers and Rabbis all favor black as the main color of their ritual garb.

Scientifically speaking, color is energy. The colors you see are the ones which are reflected and not the ones absorbed. Therefore, what appears to be white, which is the culmination of all colors in the light spectrum, is actually reflecting all colors and absorbing none. What appears to be black, is absorbing all colors and reflecting none. This is evident in the fact that when one is wearing white, one feels cooler - as the fabric is sending the heat energy outward, and when one wears black - the heat energy is absorbed in the cloth that one is wearing, making one feel warmer. Many Witches feel that wearing black attracts and holds more natural energy.

And I swear to this day I get this question...8. Q. Do Witches fly on brooms?

A: Really? We all wish but sadly no.

Brooms are sometimes still are ridden astride in ceremonies. In one such ceremony, people ran through the fields astride a broom to coax the grain to grow, or participants would leap over a broom, telling the grain to grow to the height of the highest leaping.

Uninformed observations of such ceremonies could lead to tales of flying on brooms. There is also a theory among some pagans today that the common herbs used during the rituals at the times this myth was born (not today) could have caused hallucinations so while jumping about with the broom one would think they were flying.

Study Question:

So why do you think so much negativity is associated with Witches and witchcraft?

Why is it you think people are so willing to believe such things toward witches?
 
 


 
 Lesson 1: An Introduction to Witchcraft

Part 3

What's what?

Many of you may have noticed the Pagan Lingo I post every day. They are words your will hear or see come up over and over again during your path. I think it is important to know what some of these words mean.

I have been studying for 17 years, and continue to study about such things. These definitions I post are what my studies have shown me each word means or what they have meant to me thought many experiences.

It would be a very long and boring class indeed if I where to just focus on the definitions of words, I know...I tried it and it failed. So what I found to work is to post them everyday so to not bore people with such an important subject.

So here is the study question I wish to present on this subject.

Offer up your own definitions to the lingo.

That right I want you to comment on the lingo I put up with how you feel, learned, see the lingo meaning to you.

Also right it down for you to keep. You never know when you are going to need or use those definitions.

10 years from now I would not have seen myself teaching the way I do now but I was challenged by a friend and teacher to write these things down. Keep a record of them. They may grow over time and you may find your younger self to be wrong but you need to start somewhere.

So I encourage and challenge you all as I would any student to please write these things down and share them. These questions I ask are to help you grow your personal path in witchcraft, not because I have a answer book and am going to mark you right or wrong. I am simply here to help guide you along a path and growth.
 
If you wish to see my Pagan Lingo of the day please visit and like the facebook Element of Magick page here...https://www.facebook.com/ElementOfMagick
 

Wednesday, April 17, 2013

Wheel of the year: Beltane






Wheel of the year

Once more I have been asked to share with you all a small intro for the sabbats. I admit it was a bit hard to put this briefly and not go on and on about the Sabbats.

I mean they write books on this subject alone! How can I write something to shortly introduce this to you all? Well it took me a while, and this is what I was able to put together.

The holidays that Pagans celebrate are typically called Sabbats. They are seasonal celebrations representing birth, death and rebirth. These celebrations are how we attune the physical human mind, body and spirit with the flow of natures' energy and the essence of the God/dess. It is a bonding moment for us to recognize the aspects of the season within ourselves.

There are eight Sabbats observed during the Pagan calendar. They are solar rituals marking the points of the sun's yearly cycle as well as of life and nature. Traditionally they are grouped into two categories: four Greater Sabbats and four Lesser Sabbats.

First we will go over the four Greater Sabbats or Cross Quarter ceremonies. These were associated with agriculture and the bearing cycles of animals in the beginning.

Imbolc - (February 2nd)

Beltane - (April 30th and May 1st)

Lughnasadh - (August 1st)

Samhain - (October 31st)


The four Lesser Sabbats or Quarter ceremonies contain the Solstices and Equinoxes representing the astronomical beginnings of the seasons. Their dates may vary by a day or two each year as they depend upon the sun’s entry into the zodiacal signs of: Aries (Spring), Cancer (Summer), Libra (Autumn) and Capricorn (Winter). The four Lesser Sabbats are:

Ostara - (March 21st)

Litha - (June 21st)

Mabon - (September 21st)

Yule - (December 21st)

You might find it helpful to make or start carrying a special calendar around with you to mark the moon phases and holidays for the year at first until you get the hang of what comes when. I have a friend that made such a calendar for this year. Here is the link where you can find this (it would not post here) https://www.facebook.com/groups/PaganChildrensGroup/478754902168061/

Please visit us later on for our Sabbat lesson I am putting together. There we will go into all of this in great detail. I am looking forward to it and I hope you are too.

Blessed be
Lady Destiny )O(
 
 
 


                                                                                                     Lady Destiny and her Husband



Symbols of Beltane:

The most popular symbol that pops into people's minds is handfasting. Many pagans dream of having a Beltane wedding due to what Beltane represents.

We are lucky because Lady Destiny just recently got married and put together her own handfasting, and she has been kind enough to share with us all what an handfasting can look like.

*note this handfasting is made for a blended family*

Cast a circle


Call the elements:

Guardians, Spirits, Elementals and Powers of the East and of Air, we ask your breezy, cleansing presence at our circle tonight. Join us in honoring the sacred union. (wraps the white ribbon around the hands of the bride and groom)

Guardians, Spirits, Elementals and Powers of the South and of Fire, we ask your fiery, transformative presence at our circle tonight. Join us in honoring the sacred union. (wraps the red ribbon around the bride and grooms hands)

Guardians, Spirits, Elementals and Powers of the West and of Water, we ask your flowing, ever-changing presence at our circle tonight. Join us in honoring the sacred union. (wraps the blue ribbon around the bride and grooms hands)

Guardians, Spirits, Elementals and Powers of the North and of Earth, we ask your sturdy, comforting presence at our circle tonight. Join us in honoring the sacred union. (wraps the green ribbon around the bride and grooms hands)

(Officiator ring bell three times) “Today we stand upon this holy Earth and in this sacred space to witness the rite of matrimony between (bride's name) and (groom's name). Just as we come together as family and friends, so we ask the Mother and Father to be present here within our circle. May the sacred union of this handfasting ceremony be filled with their holy presence.”

(Officiator takes the god/dess ribbon and wrap it around hands of bride and groom while saying) “In the name of the God is love declared and in the name of the Goddess in peace declared.”

(Officiator places the athame in the joined hands of the bride and groom) “With the athame of life in your hands do you both pledge yourselves one unto the other in the bonds of matrimony?

(Bride and Groom) We do.

(Officiator) “And do you vow to bring the light of love and joy to the union, and maintain these vows in freedom for as long as love shall last?”

(Bride and Groom) We do.

(Officiator) Then let there always be joy between you as you live together in Perfect Love and Perfect Trust.

(Officiator unbinds the cords and places them around the athames of the bride and groom) “In nature all things are circular. Night becomes day, day becomes night. The moon waxes and wanes, and waxes again. There is Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter, and then the Spring returns. Did you bring your rings to symbolize this?

Rings are brought forward.

(Officiator to Bride) “Place this ring on the finger of your chosen, and pledge your vows”

(Bride) “I give you this ring as a symbol of my love for you. Let it remind you always, as it circles your finger of my eternal love. You are my friend, my partner, my beloved and I marry you today. I give you my heart, my body, and my devotion through the years of my life, so long as love remains between us. “

(Officiator to Groom) “Place this ring on the finger of your chosen, and pledge your vows”

(Groom) “I give you this ring as a symbol of my love for you. Let it remind you always, as it circles your finger of my eternal love. You are my friend, my partner, my beloved and I marry you today. I give you my heart, my body, and my devotion through the years of my life, so long as love remains between us. “

(Officiator) (Bride’s name) and (Groom’s name), you have declared your love for each other. In your decision to spend the rest of your lives together you have accepted the responsibilities of parenthood towards each other's children from other important relationships. You have established a home where each child finds love, security and acceptance. As part of your love for each other, I now ask you to make your promises to them.

(Bride) [Children's names], I promise to love and support you
to be there for you
to listen to you and respect you
to cherish and guide you
to help you learn right from wrong
to be there when you need me
and to give you love and make you part of our new family

(Groom) [Children's names], I promise to love and support you
to be there for you
to listen to you and respect you
to cherish and guide you
to help you learn right from wrong
to be there when you need me
and to give you love and make you part of our new family

(Officiator) With these symbols of love and honor, you are bound to one another and may now seal your promise with a kiss.

Couple kiss

(Officiator) “Let those assembled here bear witness that (Bride’s name) and (Groom’s name) are joined in love. Before the Mother and Father; before the elements; before this assemblage of friends and family; I pronounce you husband and wife. Now you are wed; two made one. Jump the broomstick that you may start your new life with a clean sweep.”

Couple jump the broom placed on the ground before them.

(Officiator with open arms) “May the Mother and Father bless you and keep you both in their love. May they shower you with their bounty. The rite has ended. Depart in peace Elemental Kin, Mother and Father, our blessings take with thee, and thine upon us. The blessings given and blessings received, the circle is cleared. So say we all!”






 This card is from the steampunk tarot

Tarot Cards for Beltane: Wands specifically the 4 of Wands






Foods of Beltane: Oats -
The magickal form used is raw and cooked. Use only whole grain oats. You can prepare and eat oatmeal first thing in the morning to bring money and prosperity into your lives. Other magickal possibilities include oat cookies and oat bread.








Candle colors for Beltane Rituals:

Pale Yellow - This is to represent the Spring Flowers













  
                                                                                     Baskets Of Flowers Sunflower by Larisa Koshkina
 
Ideas and Activities for Beltane:

Make "May Day" baskets of flowers and leave on friends and family's doorsteps as a surprise gift.








Chants, Poems, Prayers & Songs of Beltane:

Bulb Planting Earth Chant
by Eileen

For all those spring planted bulbs like lilies, oxalis, glads, begonias and such:

"Breath of the stone is strange to me
i know it lives as i can't see
force of the earth is strong and free
sustenance and beauty be
born of the stars and sprang from the ground
Mother, Goddess all around
Wheel must turn as the seasons show
what lies dead shall surely grow."



Recipes for Beltane:

Oatcakes

1/2 cup Shortening
1 cup Oats or quick-cooking oats
1 cup All-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon Baking soda
1/4 teaspoon Salt
2 - 3 Tablespoons Cold Water

Cut shortening into next four ingredients until mixture resembles fine crumbs. Add water, 1 Tablespoon at a time, until it forms a stiff dough. Roll until 1/8 inch thick on lightly floured surface. Cut into 2 inch rounds or squares. Place on ungreased cookie sheet and bake at 375 until they just start to brown - 12 to 15 minutes. To griddle bake; bake on a hot griddle or frying-pan until the edges begin to curl. Turn over and cook the other side. Do not let the oatcakes brown; they should be a pale fawn color. Put on a wire rack to cool.