A Crafty Chick Update & A Quick Tip

I have been having a pretty nice week and just wanted to share it with you. In addition to a quick little Crafty Witch Tip. (Yes...I said quick!)

I have decided to make a bit of a change here on Crafty's Cup. I realize that I tend to write ALOT! I cannot help it, I am just a wordy kinda Gal. But I also realize that we live in busy times, and not everyone has the time to sit and read an entire chapter of my writing each time they stop by my blog. Now thankfully no one has said anything to me...because that might have hurt my sensitive bloggy feelings; but I also would hate for people to be missing out on some great content just because they can't bear to finish reading whatever it is that I have written!

So, in the interest of saving you from the neverending blog post...I have decided to try to cut them down a bit! If and when I have a longer type article to share; I will try to stretch it out over a few days. Let's see how everyone likes that, and if not...let me know and I will gladly go back to writing my epic saga blog posts! He he.

Okay! My week/day today. Well, to start with I have been making and enjoying some new tea blends; and to take advantage of this beautiful weather, I have been trying my hand at brewing sun tea. They have all been delicious, and I am going to keep coming up with new concoctions. So far this week I have made a:

Blueberry/Pommegranite White Tea
Chammomile/Mint Blend
Green Tea
Red Rasberry Leaf/Hibiscus Tea

As for my day today...after burning the candle at both ends last night, and only closing my eyes for a measly hour before getting the Kiddos off to school; I took my neighbor The Lovely Miss M out to run her weekly errands. (As I have a vehicle and she does not.) We started out at the local Swap Meet where she sells her handmade jewelry on the weekends. You will not believe all of the goodies that I scored for $33!

$1 > Royal Purple Velour Cape w/Hood (for Rituals & going to my Goddess Temple)
$4 > 9 (!) Books for me
$2 > 5 Workbooks for Home Schooling the Kids this Summer
$3 > 3 Potted Herb Plants- Rosemary, Sage & Cilantro
$2 > 1 Mancala Set w/ 34 Gemstones for the Children to play w/and add to their
growing Rock Collection (a bribe to keep them out of mine!) :)
$10 > A pretty Brown & White Sundress for me
$6 > 2 Packs of Chonies/ 1 for each Kid
$3 > 6 (!) Bags of Raw Wool for Needle Felting ( A new Craft Toy for me to try)
$3> Felting Needle & Needle Punch Sponge Base

Am I a Deal Maven or what!?!

And speaking of frugality...I have a super quick Crafty Witch Tip to share with you guys. I am sure that everyone has bought, at one time or another, those Glade candles that come in the glass cups, or another type of cup/jar candle, right? Well, many times when the candle is done burning, people have no clue what to do with the leftover jar, and they just toss it.

I use mine all over the house for various things. They make great little vases for short blossoms, cotton ball/ Q-tip holders in the bathroom and condiment cups on the dinner table. But...one of my favorite uses for them is on my Altar. When I prepare my Altar for a working, I use them (cleansed of course, and only for this purpose) for holding each of my spell ingredients. I use them to hold my individual herbs, gemstones, oils and other spell additions. They make a handy container, and are much prettier to look at than the original containers or loose herbs. I also use them as a container for spells/potions/mixtures that I need to leave out on my Altar for a period of time.

All you need to do is run the candle cup with the leftover wax under a hot faucet, and then gently dig out the softened wax with a butter knife. Or, you can also submerge them in boiling water, after it is taken off of the heat source.

Have a great evening...and a super Beltaine Weekend! After all...our Holidays are never celebrated for just one day! They always start the Eve of {tonight} and last for 3 days. Sometimes one week! Yup...we Pagans are the original party animals! He, he, he! Thank Goodness too; as I have a funeral to attend tomorrow morning. Afterwards I plan to honor my Nana by planting a new section of my Beltaine Garden that I started 3 years ago. {She taught me how to garden}. Then, I will have plenty of time to recoup and get myself in the celebratory frame of mind! The kids and I will be making our usual May Baskets to leave on our neighbors' doors; and then dancing and decorating our May Pole. (A smaller version for wee ones, as their little legs tend to tire easily!) Then we make our Green Man Masks, throw herbs on our 'Bon Fire', which is really our BBQ that I load wood onto after our BBQ Beltaine Feast; and bless our house with burning Sage bundles. I think that our Celtic Ancestors would be proud!

Bye All! Happy Beltaine & Have Fun!

Well Guys...I guess that wasn't all that short...but I am trying! You still love me anyways... Right?!? :)

In Memory Of My Nana...

Last weekend my beloved Nana passed thru the veil, to the Summerland. We will lay her body to rest on Friday Morning. She was an awesome spunky lady, who lived a fuller life than most of us half her age.

On April 1st she celebrated her 96th Birthday (!) in her home, with her family and friends. 2 weeks later, she passed away peacefully in her sleep...in her own bed...in the home she had lived in for over 70 years, and had raised her children in.

She was not my Nana by ties of blood, but we were tied instead through bonds of Love. She was a remarkable Lady who touched many lives, and will be missed by all who love her. I do not mourn her passing; instead, I celebrate her life. May we all be so blessed.

Rest Peacefully Nana. You are now free.

*May you live for a thousand years in the Land of Tir Na Nog.*

Taurus~ Correspondences, Art & A Poem To Share...

* TAURUS * Art & Poem By: Kagaya

Zeus, the lord of gods,

metamorphisized himself into the white bull,

is pasing through the wide ocean.

On his back is his beloved Europe,

a beautiful princess of Phoenicia.

The couple is heading for a far away land to honeymoon.

Europe is certain to be happy there,

wherefore the land is caled Europe.

***************************************************************************

This beautiful artwork and poetry comes to us, from an artist called Joh Kagaya. I came accross his lovely art, this weekend, while researching information for my Goddess Course. I spent a little time letting myself get sidetracked by his amazing art and poetry.

*

*Please remember that these correspondences often are different depending on which source or book that you check. I always try to go with ones that I have seen in many sources; AND more importantly, ones that correspond with my own common sense and vibrations.* If there is something that you feel works better for you, use it. Likewise, if you are allergic, or do not feel right using something...there are always numerous substitutions that can be made, using other items with the same purpose, and/or energy.

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*TAURUS*

Date > April 21 - May 21

Symbol/Animal > The Bull ; rules over cattle

Element > Earth

Quality > Fixed

Planetary Ruler > Venus

*

Character > Taurus is down to earth, quiet, affectionate, patient, stable, determined and practical; as well as stubborn,and resistant to change. Taurus is the sign of

property and money. Its natives often put a high regard on collecting possesions, and are known to cling to what is theirs. many times these people are good with money, and make good savers. These are often very sensual people who enjoy the pleasures of home and food. The dangers of this sign can be that in an underdeveloped Taurean, may often have a tendency to get involved in violent situations having to do with love or money. They often antagonize others and incite the passions of lovers because of their stubborness, and possesiveness.

*

Parts Of The Body > Neck and throat. Many Taureans have beautiful speaking and singing voices. However, they may also be vunerable to colds, laryngitis, sore throats, and thyroid problems. Working on your throat Chakra withmethods such as toning.

chanting, affirmations, and also color and crystal therapy can be quite helpful.

*

Colors > Pale Blue, Pink and Mauve. The clors of gentleness and refinement.

*

Gemstones > Emerald:Protects against infidelity and deceit; also ensures loyalty (as much as any stone can do any of these things! LOL!) It also is said to improve memory.

*

Flowes & Herbs > Violet, Poppy, Lilly of the Valley

Trees > Cypress, Apple, Hawthorne,

Metal > Copper

Day Of The Week > Friday (Ruled by Venus)

Special/Lucky Numbers > 4 and 6

*

Magickal and Ritual Purposes > The sign of Taurus is good for workings concerning material matters and security. Property, home, money and protection are all things to be working for right now. As are rituals asking for patience and caution, if the way ahead seems hazardous.

*

* A Big Happy Birthday All You Taureans! from Crafty's Cup *

Some Photos Of The Goddess Gaia To Share...

Hello Blog Buddies~



I wanted to say a really BIG THANK YOU to all of you wonderful folks who took the time yesterday to leave me such sweet and encouraging comments about my photo and my new adventure, in starting my Degree Program.



YOU GUYS ROCK!!!



We Bloggers truly are lucky to have such a fabulous community of support here. I feel truly blessed to have become a part of it!

I am a Lucky Lady indeed!

On another note now...

I have begun my first class, a 4 Part series of courses called: The Goddess Project. The first section is: The Goddess As Creator And Sustainer.

And wouldn't you know...that the first Goddess that I will be studying is one of my very favorites...The Greek Mother Goddess Gaea.

Some of my projects for the Gaea section will include writing and creating a recipe for Gaea Incense; writing and performing an invocation to Her; building, consecrating and photographing an altar to the Goddess Gaea, (complete of course with the proper historical correspondences and symbolism); a ritual written and performed by your truly; the writing and creation of a meal plan, complete with dinner, dessert and a Gaea cocktail; writing a final term paper on the goddess and my experience of Her; and a final project of creating a piece of art dedicated to Her. (Along with some other assignments of not so much fun proportion!)

So, being the good little blogger that I am...

I thought I would share some of this with you. I am not allowed to share any of the actual course material here, (Copyright and all.)...and boy is there some good stuff!

But, I am allowed to share any of my own writings and research that I do for these classes.

It is a bit of a shame that I hadn't already started the course last weekend, so that I could've shared this on Earth Day! Oh well. Now is as good of a time as any I suppose!

Anything with (Parenthesis) and an * in front, is my own commentary, and not part of the Myth.

THE LOVELY GREEK GODDESS GAEA (GAIA)

In the beginning, the Greeks said there was only formless chaos: light and dark, sea and land, blended into a shapeless pudding. Then chaos settled into form, and that form was the huge Gaea, The Deep Breasted One, The Earth. The Primordial Mother Creatrix concept. She existed before time began, for Time was one of Her children. In the timeless spans before creation, She existed to Herself, and Herself alone.

But, alas, Gaea desired love, and for this purpose She made Herself a son, Uranus, the Heaven, who arched over His Mother, and satisfied Her desire. *(MmmHmm; can someone say Oedipus?!?) Their mating released Gaea's creative force; and She began to produce innumerable creatures, both marvelous and monstrous. Uranus hated and envied Gaea's other children, so the Primordial Mother kept them hidden from His destructiveness.

Eventually however, Her dark and crowded womb grew too heavy to endure. So Gaea created a new element: gray adamant. And from it She fashioned a new tool, never known before in Her creation: a jagged tooth sickle. With this, Gaea armed Her offspring. Cronos, Her son, Time, took the weapon from His Mother's hand, and hid Himself.

Soon, Uranus came, drawing a dark sky-blanket over Himself as He approached to mount His Mother/Lover. Then, His brother, Chronos, sprang into action; grabbing Uranus' genitals and sawing them off with the jagged tooth sickle. Blood fell in a heavy rain upon the Earth Mother. So fertile that She was; that even the blood of the mutilated sky impregnated Her. From this, the Erinyes sprang up, so did Giants, as did the ash tree nymphs, the Maliae, humanity's ancestors.

This was the familiar creation story that the Greeks told to their children. Even after the Earth had been supplanted as the primary divinity by the invading Olympians, the Greeks worshipped Gaea's power with barley and honey cakes placed at sacred openings on Her surface. At such fissures too, gifted people would read and interpret the will of the Great Mother, For She was known through the ages as the "Primeval Prophet", who inspired the Oracles at Delphi, Dodona and elsewhere.

And it was to Gaea- even in the days when Zeus ruled the Pantheon- that the Greeks swore their most sacred oaths, thus recognizing Her theological sovereignty. Later, as many Goddesses do, She became known as Demeter, the great Greek Mother Grain Goddess, and in Rome was called Ceres; among many other lesser known Earth and grain Goddesses. One of the best early examples of ancient Gaea worship is the Venus of Willendorf.

*(Gaea also has become commonly known and veiwed as the macrocosmic symbol for the Earth. Gaea being the Earth, and all of it's parts including us, are seen as cells of Her body. The advent of science and physics has done much to back up this theory. In the 60's and 70's the term Gaea became known as a catch phrase for environmentally friendly lifestyles and dogmas. So, in esscnce, one could say that the archetype of Gaea is as alive and meaningful to us today, as it was for the ancient Greeks.)

The larger of the above passages, came from The Book Of Goddesses and Heroines; by Patricia Monoghan...a definite must have in the library of any Goddesss Worshiper.

*SOME OF GAEA'S CORRESPONDENCES ARE*

Colors> Green, Brown, Blue & other Colors found in Nature , and also Gray and Black

Gem Stones ,Crystals & Other Natural Totems> Quartz Crystals, Smokey Quartz,Haematite, Geodes, Green & Brown Stones such as Malachite, Adventurine, Jade, Green Jasper, Varegated Jasper, Moss Agate, Tiger's Eye, Brown Agates, Amber, Onyx, Jet, Obsidian, Lava Rocks,Lodestones, Magnets, River Stones, Fossils, Wood, Petrified Wood, Bone, Seed Pods. Turquoise, Lapiz Lazuli, Sodalite and Shells can also be used to represent the oceans and other bodies of water on the Earth.

Foods> Grains, Wheat, Barley, Honey, Maple Syrups, Peanuts & other Nut s & Nut Butters,

Days Of Worship> Earth Day & Arbor Day are modern festivals that serve to worship Gaea. JANUARY 24~ The Roman Festival of Sementivae; which is an agricultural sowing festival in honor of Ceres, whose Greek counterparts are Gaea, and later was known as Demeter, the Grain Mother. There were other Sementivae Festivals to honor Ceres (Gaea) on The Ides Of DECEMBER; and again on APRIL 15. (Which actually corresponds with our modern celebration of Earth day.) See! They ALL have acient Pagan roots! LOL!

Incences & Scents> Patchouli, Sandalwood, Clove, Frank & Myrrh, Musk and other Earthy and Grounding Scents; and also the sweet scents of Honeysuckle and Jasmine, to represent the sweet Honey Cakes that the ancients used to honor her; and also the flowering aspect of the Earth in bloom.

Flowers & Herbs> All Plants, Herbs, Flowers & Vegetation are sacred to Gaea; here are a few more...Moss, Aloe, Honeysuckle, Jasmine, Roses, Rosemary, Sages, Parsley, Alfalfa, Cloves, Cinnamon,

Rituals & Spell Purposes> Call on Gaea for issues surrounding Environmentalism and preservation of the Earth, also for Motherhood issues, and those surrounding, conception, fertility, pregnancy and birth, Helpful for Grounding and also for working with the Element of Earth, I also like to call on Gaea for rites and spells concerning Gardening. She is also a natural Goddess to use to explain the Mother Nature/Mother Earth/Mother Goddess concept to non-Pagans who may not be familliar with the concept of a Goddess. (But they ALL know who Mother Nature is! LOL)

Symbols & Tools> The Earth, The Mother Goddess, Caves, Mountains, Deep Ravines and Caverns, Snakes (especially the regeneration snake swallowing its tail called the Uroboros), Circles, Standing Stones, Mounds, Cauldrons, Shovels, Spades and other Earth working Tools, Salt, Soil,

A Crafty Chick Update~ A New Twist On My Path, and a New Avatar Photo To Share

Hello To Everyone Out There In the Blogosphere! Happy Friday!~
*
I wanted to put out a quick post with a couple of announcements. Nothing big...just stuff pertaining to my life.
*
First of all. I have put out a new Avatar Photo. Back in March when I started my blogs, I did not have any decent photos of me to use, so I used a beautiful on of one of my favorite Retro Models. (I only WISH I was that pretty!) I still love that photo, but have been wanting to change it to one of me. (I like to be authentic; it's kind of a thing with me).
*
So, I have been messing around trying to find one that I like enough to represent me. I think I have found one for now...but it could change if I find a better one! LOL! (And it looks better much smaller.) So, if you see this new photo floating around the Blogosphere...it is still me, Danae The Crafty Chick; just a new photo, that's all! And for any of you whodidn't already know what I look like...here I am!
***********************************************************************************
Okay, with that said, I want to move on to bigger and better things. First of all, I have a bit of news.
*
Now that I have all of my blogs up and rolling, with plenty of good material, you may notice me slowing down a bit. It is not because I am done blogging though...not at all! The reason is because I have taken on some new responsibilities in my personal and spiritual life.
*
I have always been a big time researcher and student of the various Metaphysical and Occult Sciences that interest me. I have also taken various classes from time to time to hone my skills.
*
However, I have recently decided to seriously pursue my Wiccan Degree Program, and after much searching, have finally found the right venue to do just that. I am VERY excited about it, because I have been wanting to pursue this for many, many years; and just never had the time to really devote what is necessary; and never found the right program to offer me the challenge that I seek. You know what they say...when the student is ready, and all. Anyways, I have entered a very rigorous program, with ALOT of research, assignments and other work involved. (I don't think I did this much work even when I was in college!) It also will include alot of Mentoring and teaching on my part.
*
Coincidentally, (or actually synchronisticly), my courses start on May 1st; and that is the 15 year anniversary of my first formal Dedication into the Wiccan Path. I perfomed it on Beltaine of 1994, at a powerful ritual with my fellow Craft Sisters and Brothers in Eugene Oregon. (The ritual, was aith them, the Dedication of course is a much more private ritual.) So this is a very meaningful new beginning for me as a student, and a powerful continuation of my cycle as a Witch and a follower of the Wiccan Religion. Just another Divine message that I am right where i am supposed to be! (I have always had secret hopes of finishing my Degrees and becoming a Wiccan Clergy member.) Priestess Danaya...or something like that! But I am getting waaaay ahead of myself!
*
I hesitated about mentioning anything about it here, because I tend to be a bit of a procrastinator; and I don't want to run around saying stuff about it, if I might not follow through and finish! However, I figure that no matter what, even if I don't complete the whole program, (and it takes a few years); I know that anything that I learn can only help propel me forward on my Path. And any accumulated knowledge is never wasted. Also, I really think that this will all help me with my writing, and my Spiritual Studies. (Maybe even improve my blog a bit too!) I am always searching for more and new ways of creating a living spirituality, and like the labels on my posts say...bringing my craftwork into my everyday life. I am sure that this will only strengthen that and add layers of richness into what I already do regularly!
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So, with all of that said, I want you all to know that any absences of posts do not mean that I do not still intend of publishing more of Crafty's Cup, or my other blogs. They mean that I am being a busy student, and learning, growing and deepening my spiritual commitment. And, anything that I am learning, (once I finish the assignments,projects and term papers), I will be sure to publish and share with you all here.
*
I hope that you will continue to check back here for any new developments, and interesting tidbits. I will continue to share my journey with you all of you. Plus, now tere is bound to be even more great information, recipes, spells and rituals to share with you! (And remember, you can always subscribe to this on the RSS Feed and your Google Reader, to get the new posts delivered right to you.)
*
Take Care. Have a nice weekend. And wish me luck on this new bend in my road!

EARTH DAY PROJECT 4 U!

Hey Everyone!

I reposted the Earth Day Reusable Grocery Bag Tutorial 2 posts down. (It is right below my rare Earth Day Soap Box Rant)
~enjoy

Earth Day ~ A Rant From Atop My Recycled Soap Box

WARNING~I am not my usual happy, cheerful self this morning. Read on at your own risk! (But don't worry, it's not all that bad.) :) It never lasts long.

Hello All~ HAPPY EARTH DAY!!!

I have always thought that it is quite funny/ironic that we devote an entire month to celebrating things like Black History, or Breast Cancer Awareness, (by the way; ALL important causes on their own) yet we only set aside one measly day to honor other Earth! What is wrong with this picture?!? And no wonder our Earth is in the state that She is. I have always thought that Earth Day should be EVERY DAY! (Yeah, I know it is a bit cliche.)

But, since it is not celebrated everyday, (for most people), they all try to stuff this type of stuff into one day. One day to show that we care about our Planet. One day to teach our kids how to be good stewards of our resources. One day to show that we are an aware species. One day to turn the tide of 200 years of industrialism. An impossible task for just one day.

This message takes a lifetime to live and to convey. It has taken several lifetimes to build ourselves up to this state of dis-ease; and it will take at least half that long before we can come to a place of healing. It will take an all out declaration that we the people will no longer tolerate nor subsidize the wholesale raping and pillaging of our most precious commodity...our home.

It will take people of all Nations to acknowledge that our world extends far beyond National borders; that we cannot justify exploiting and pillaging other countries, just because we do not consider them our own. The filth and pollution that we have wrought extends far beyond the so called borders, and in fact, far beyond the borders of this Planet.

Many of us Pagan Folk have been living Earth friendly lives for a long time now. This new "Green" message is nothing new for us. We are the Veges and the Vegans, the members of Peta and the Faux Fur Brigade. We are the people who volunteer our time to places like Food Not Bombs and planting community gardens. We are the ones who have been jumping up and down for the past 40-50 years about Saving the Planet, the whales, and the rain forest. We practically invented the Green Movement. We reduce, reuse, recycle and replant, restore and recreate.

So, it makes me a bit testy that it has taken this many years of people ignoring the message; and that 'all of a sudden' they seem to get the message. (Please don't get me wrong...I am HAPPY that they are getting it, whenever and however they do. ) I just am a bit upset that the message seems to be being capitalized on. I am a bit suspicious that our politicians are using things like carbon taxes to get the message across. I am appalled at the gestapo like techniques that our public school systems are employing, by telling children to 'turn their parents in' if they do not recycle or use energy saving light bulbs. I am not buying the 'Green is the new black' t-shirts from places like Wal-Mart that continue to use child labor and factories that spew forth hazardous materials into the water and air. I am having a lot of trouble seeing as how these messages of Eco-Conservation are genuine coming from these charlatans.

All the while, the companies, corporations and 'Powers that Be' are continuing their wholesale demolition and destruction of our precious natural resources. It seems that they have put on a fresh coat of paint; but it is still the same old 'business as usual' attitude. I can see through this thin veneer of concern, and what I see is that we are still the people paying the ultimate price.

So, on this Earth Day, please forgive me for not jumping for joy that the hundredth monkey is finally washing his coconut. I think I am going to sit this one out. And tomorrow; this crunchy, granola girl will go back to 'business as usual'. I will continue to pick up trash when I go to the park and the beach. I will schlep my recycling to the center. I will water my grass at night, and my flowers with recycled shower water. I will keep on making my own grocery bags, and not use pesticide on my vegetable garden.

And I will keep sending energy to heal the Earth and keep saying my prayers that someday the message will be felt in the hearts of everyone; and not used as a capitalist catch phrase. I know that we are reaching critical mass. I know that we have entered a new Aeon. (And I know that most of you know it too.)

So please forgive my sarcastic rant. I am usually a very positive and upbeat kinda gal; and I always try to send that energy to others through my writing and my art. I guess everyone has those days...and for me, today is one of them. Nothing gets me going like hypocrisy; and I think I have had my fill.

However...I do like to end things on a high note. So here is my contribution to the Blogosphere for this Earth Day. I have been using my old t-shirts to make reusable grocery bags; and I think that today is the perfect day to share the project with all of you. So, by the afternoon (Pacific Time!) I will whip up a fresh one, with step by step photos. (Provided nothing drastic or unexpected gets in the way!) I have some already made...but I think it is probably more interesting to actually see the process, (even if it is taken on my shitty cell phone camera).

So, if you are interested, check back here later today or tonight, and I will have the project posted.

Other than that...I hope that you all have a nice day, and a Happy Earth Day.

~Written by One Not So Chipper and A Tad More Sarcastic Than Usual Witchy Poo, Danae

Reusable Grocery Bags From T-shirts

Okay Guys~

Thank you to the folks who have been patiently waiting for the t-shirt tutorial. I love your loyalty and interest! You guys are the best. I have had a bit of a busy day, (kids and all) and have more to come. (homework,Karate class, dinner, baths, and then I have my own studies to get to. {More on that in another post on another day}).

So I created another T-shirt Grocery Bag, and took photos; but they kinda sucked, and definitely don't do justice to the project. So, I took a minute to check around on the Web and You Tube; and found some tutorials that are MUCH BETTER than mine! LOL! (At least I am honest and can admit when my stuff isn't up to snuff!) :)

I am going to go ahead and attempt to add a link, and cross my fingers that it works. (This time!) If for some reason that it doesn't; just head on over to You Tube yourself, and type in reusable grocery bags made from t-shirts. There are a whole slew of them.

Also, there are some great tutorials on other products made from the plastic grocery bags themselves. I have been wanting to try my hand at some of the fused bag fabrics, and also crocheting the plastic bags. I think that is such a great way to save those little buggers from ending up in the landfills, (or the ocean).

{When I was a kid, a plastic bag almot sank my family's boat when we ran over one by accident. It got caught in the propeller and the boat started to take on water. My poor Dad had to load us up in the dinghy and call MayDay for help from the Coast Guard. Luckily, we were able to bail the water out enough to get the other engine started. Then we hobbled in on one motor. But man! You never would imagine the trouble that ONE LITTLE PLASTIC BAG can cause! So these projects hit close to home with me. :) }

***To watch the tutorial, just click on the title to this post.***

(Belive it or not, I finally figured it out! It worked when I tried it, so I am crossing my fingers that it works for you all too. Have fun bag crafting.)

BTW~ This lady does a fabulous job on this bag tutorial. However, just so that you know...

These are not just for grocery shopping, you can use them for overnight bags, yoga or sports bags, for the library and many other uses.

You can sew these by hand if you don't have a sewing machine.

You do not have to sew the corners, but it does make them look nicer.

And, you do not have to make them super duper nice.

Just do your best and have fun!

CRAFTY WITCH FILES: Aura Cleansing Shower Meditiation

Hello All! It's Danae, The Crafty Chick here, bringing you another edition of the Crafty Witch Files. Here is yet another simple, frugal, Pagan DIY Excersize to bring your Spirituality and Craftwork into your daily life.

This is the Aura Cleansing Shower Meditation that I promised to sare with you. I have used it for many years now, with great results. It is obvious in it's simplicity; but it is very effective, both on its own, and as part of a larger working.

I usually do this by itself, as a quick daily cleanse; and also as preparation for my Morning Devotion. It only takes a couple of minutes. In the evenings it is nice to perform by candlelight.

It requires nothing but the water from your shower, and your mind for visualization. (How is that for Frugal Witchery?!) This is a perfect way to get yourself into the proper mindset before meditation, ritual or spell work.

*Basically, you begin your shower as usual. Start with a few nech rolls, as the warm water relaxes you.

*Then ground yourself in your usual fashion. (I tend to use the Tree Root Grounding most often, with a few variations to keep it interesting.

*Once you are grounded; starting; starting from the top of your Crown Chakra, visualize the water containing a glowing white light.

*As the water pours over the top of your head, and down the back of your neck; see and feel the water/light cleansing your aurs of any foreign or negative energy, as well as physically cleansing your body.

*Feel the light/water running down your back and your spine; washing away any stress and negativity along with it.

*As you continue down from your head to your toes; make sure to carry the energy/stress all of the way down the drain. (I like to think of it as going far, far down the pipes to the ocean where it is then nutralized by the Mother.)

*The main objective here is just tomake sure that you can see/feel it leaving you, and then bein converted into positive energy.

*After this, the last step is very important. As we all know; energy abhors a vaccumn. Anything that is removed must be replaced.

*Youmust be just as strong in your visualization of the white light filling you back up with positive light energy and love.

*Sometimes I add specific traits; such as pshychic sensitivity, productivity, creativity, extra warmth, kindness, love, or tolerance for others, etc.

*Just remember that this final step is very important. You must see/feel SOMETHING filling you back up, or else you leave yourself open for the negativity and stress to return.

*I also like to include the physical act of scrubbing myself head to toe, as that reinforces the cleansing in my mind. I also do as aura sweep, flicking the negative energy away from me. (Also, that aura flicking is a good substitute when you don't have time for the full shower routine, or are someplace and need to quickly decompress.)

When used properly and regularly; this Cleansing Shower Meditation can become an indispensable practice in any person's spiritual routine.

Whether used by itself as a general aura cleanse, or as part of a larger working; it is quite effective.

Please feel free to add to it or change it to better suit your style and purpose.


Also, I wanted to wish us all a

HAPPY EARTH DAY!!!


for tomorow & every day...

from Danae, The Crafty Chick

Words Of Wisdom

New Moon Wishing Spells

I have always loved wishing on the New Moon. It seems like such a treat to welcome Her back into the night sky.
*
Simple Wishing Spell
*
You may use this only three times in between the New Moons. While gazing at the Moon, repeat the following:
*
"Moon, moon, beautiful moon, brighter than any star, Goddess of Light and Love, Diana, if it might be, pray bring fortune unto me."
*
Traditional signs that the spell worked would be coins multiplying in the purse or pocket, or seeing a hare before Dawn.
*
Bay Leaf Wish Spell
*
Items Needed:
*
One Bay Leaf,

A Pen or preferably A Marker, A Small Box

Write, "I wish for...(add whatever you are wishing for)" on the Bay Leaf.

Now, there are a few popular ways of releasing the wish.
*
*One is to wrap the stem with red thread and hang it up as a Wish Talisman.
*
*Another is to burn the Bay Leaf in a metal bowl or cauldron.
*
*A third is to place the Bay Leaf in the small box, and take it out and burn it once the wish comes true. Giving thanks to all of the energies that helped make your wish reality.
*
A Powerful Wishing Spell
*
You will need a piece of paper.
*
Onto the paper, write a short poem or chant to the God and Goddess that states your wish. It is alright if you are not the best poet on Earth! But it is important that you say exactly what you feel and what you need.
*
Close with a thanks to the God and Goddess.
*
Fold it in half with the words in it
*
Draw a Triple Goddess Symbol onto the outside. Then fold it again once.
*
Now draw a Pentacle on the paper. Fold again.
*
Finally, flip it over and write your name and birth date on the other side.
*
Put this aside in a safe place and your wish will come true in its due time.
*
When it does, you may burn the wish paper and put the ashes to the Earth.
*























*
A Water Wishing Spell
*
This spell is best performed outside by a natural well or spring. A cauldron filled with water can work as well.
*
This spell is best performed during the Waxing Moon.
*
You will need a: Small Stone or Pebble.
*
Hold the stone in your right hand and concentrate on your wish.
*
Walk deosil (clockwise) around the well/cauldron, three times while saying the following:
*
"I circle thrice and it's begun,
I make this wish,
Of Moon and Sun.
With harm to none,
And good to all,
this spell is done.
*
So mote it be!"
*
Drop the stone in the water. It is done.
*
New Moon Wishing Spell
*
Raise arms up to the sky with palms facing up and say:
*
"Goddess of the New Moon Fair
I ask thee hearkin to this prayer.
May that which I desire be granted
With intent these words are chanted":
(State your wish three times and then say)
*
"Thrice my rhyming spell is spun
To make this wish come true for me
Thanks I give for it is done
This is my will so mote it be. "

CRAFTY WITCH FILES: Practical Ways Of Bringing Magickal Meaning Into Your Mundane Life

So much of what we do in our lives is simply for the sake of doing, just trying to get from one end of the day, to the other. We have our waking up routines, our preparation for the day, our working routines, we have our eating routines, winding down the day, and countless other mundane (non-spiritual) tasks that fill our days, and our lives.

While setting aside time for meditation, ritual and magic is a important and fulfilling activity; we have to admit that it only takes up a very small space in the course of our day. There has to be a better way to unite the two worlds, and thus infuse our mundane existences with meaning and magick. A way to more fully integrate our mystical life with our mundane. So we can fully honor and utilise these areas of our life to live more awakened and fully activated lives.

This has become a mission of sorts for me. Over the years I have searched for ways to do just that. I have read many books, watched and studied other cultures’ traditions, and also examined my own life for the answers to this quest. I have experimented with different practices, exercises and activities; and while many have worked for me, some have not. I seek to live a more fully integrated and meaningful existence; and in that process, the teacher in me, has sought to share my findings and successes with others on this path. You could say that, I seek to live a more enchanted life, both in and out of the Magick Circle.

Here are two exercises that I have found to be invaluable in opening the door to doing just that. I will share these with you, and in the future I will add others that follow this theme. I urge you to attempt them and alter them to fit your life as you see fit.

Activity 1:1 ~ Improving The Awareness Of The Moment

For this activity, you need about an hour where you can devote yourself to this activity with no distractions or interruptions. Once the timer is set; go about your normal activities for that period of the day. But instead of just going through the motions; observe, ask yourself some questions, and if you like, take the time to record the conclusions in your journal or BOS. (optional) There are many more questions that you can add to these. I just put a few to get you started.

* In what direction are you moving?
*What is your personal ritual for this part of the day?
*What, of that ritual, empowers you or improves your outlook?
*Are you doing anything destructive or unproductive that could be changed?
*How do you feel?
*How is your breathing? Is it deep and connected, or hurried?
*What items in your environment catch your eye regularly? Are they things that uplift and celebrate your path?

Basically, I am asking you to pay attention to everything; all of the nuances. The way you sit, stand, how you interact with your environment, and how these things affect you. If you repeat this activity in various locations and times, once a day, for a period of weeks or months; your awareness of the moment will improve. As it does, you will be able to make better use of any transitional moments by adding magical and spiritual techniques into the equation.

Activity 1:2 ~ Bringing Magick Into Mundania

*Make a list of 10 things very that you have to do daily or weekly. In other words: things that you don’t think of as remotely spiritual. Leave yourself a lot of free room in between each one, possibly even use one page for each one.

*Once a day during the next 10 days, take one of those items at random when you have 20-30 minutes to ponder it.

*Think about what each activity might symbolize on a metaphysical level.

(For example, brushing my teeth equates to “clean”, clear communications- the purity and power of words.)

*Now think of how you might apply some intention and magick into that symbolic act. Use your daily tasks as a springboard for more ways to infuse your life with spiritual meaning.

(Example: When I take a shower, I use a cleansing aura meditation in combination with the physical act of cleansing. When I braid my daughter’s or my hair in the morning, I say a protective or empowering affirmation with each plait of the braid. On my morning walk, I chant mantras in my head with each step. I use achieving ones one way, and change them to releasing ones on the way back. The list goes on, but you get the idea.)

Do you see how this activity takes an everyday action and turns it into a productive, spiritual one? If you follow through with all 10 actions on your list, and thoughtfully apply this to other ones; you will find that your life transforms in very real and exciting ways. You will find yourself approaching old and new tasks alike, with a creative and spiritual eye that appreciates the potential for magic. This is one very real way to bring magical and spiritual meaning and power into mundane moments. I hope that these activites and excersises are helpful in stimulating you to create more meaningful experiences in your mundane life. :)

Pagan Parenting~Magickal Sand Painting and Bath Salts to Make With Your Little Witchlings

Magical Sand Painting Spell Craft & Charged Bath Salts
I love doing Spell Crafts. The only thing better than doing Spell Crafts - is doing Spell Crafts with my kids. (Well, to be honest, I like doing any crafts! There is something so great about doing Magick and Ritual with kids. They bring such wonder and delight to the whole process.

The spell craft that I want to share with you is excellent to do by yourself, or with children. I have done both with great fun and effect. I had first learned it at camp as a child, when we studied the Navajo sand painting. Then as a college student, I had the pleasure of watching professional artist creating sand paintings on the Plaza in Arcata, California. After that, I became fascinated with the art that was created to be destroyed. Years later, after reading about it in Scott Cunningham and David Harrington’s book, Spell Crafts; I realized the Magickal applications, and began to utilize them for myself.

So, it was no surprise, when one day I was racking my brain for ideas to keep my young kids occupied; that I remembered the joy of sand painting. However, since colored sand in expensive and a process to make, I like to use the salt method. Besides, the salt has more uses than the sand.

We packed two Magickal projects into one, and made healing bath salts, as gifts; and a happy home spell at the same time! The process is simple, but can be made as complex as one desires. The sand painting can be used as a part of a larger working. I have also read and heard of people collecting special sands from their travels for such rituals, or even crushing gemstones to gather the ‘sand’ for this purpose.

We used:

~Epsom Salt
~Food Coloring
~Lavender Essential Oil
~Sweet Orange Essential Oil
~Sterilized Starbucks Frappuccino Bottles
~A piece of White Poster Board

[This project can also be done on a clean floor, swept up after the ritual, and stored it a clean, white cloth as a Talisman.]

There are many symbols, runes and pictures that one could imaggine; but we kept it simple, as the kids were 3 and 7 respectively.

First, we mixed our salts with the colors, and scents in large Ziploc bags. (The kids love this part!)

Then, we charged each bag for the purposes of health. (the blue colored, Lavender scented salt); and happiness,(the yellow colored, Sweet Orange scented salt.)

We filled the bottles, for the bath salts.

Then made our pictures on the poster board by snipping a hole in the bottom corner of the bags to pour.

I drew the outline of our house; and my daughter and son made a happy face inside.

We blessed the bath salt bottles and the salt painting with sprays of mist for the Water Element, incense smoke for Fire and Air, and passed a quartz crystal over them all for Earth.

Then we then danced around to a silly little chant that I made up about keeping us healthy, happy and safe.

The whole process took about 15-20 minutes; which is perfect for little kiddos with very short attention spans.

When you do it by yourself, it is nice to take your time and make a real meditation out of it.

When we were finished, I capped the bottles, and funneled the salt from the poster board picture into their bath. That way they got to try out their bath salts, and they absorbed the healing, loving energies from the ritual.

They loved it. And we gave the bath salts to the grandmas with labels on them telling what they were, and who had made them. All in all, it was a very nice project. Actually,

I think it is one we should repeat soon!

The purposes can be adjusted for virtually anything, as can you create various chants to go with it. It can be to remove something, alter something, protect something or even to acquire something. The possibities are as endless as your imagination. Enjoy!

***CRAFTY'S CUP***

***READER NOTE***

Hey everyone~

I have a Homemaking and Organizing post that I would like to share with you. I wrote it for Crafty Chick‘s Retro Fantasy. It is part of a new series that I am going to add to that blog, called the Domestic Goddess Files. (But for th record, I am more of a Domestic Goddess in training, myself! The proverbial 'Work in Progress'. Ha!)

If any of you think it is something you might be interested in, please drop on by and check it out. Crafty Chick’s Retro Fantasy at http://craftychick1221@blogspot.com/ .

Bye all, and have a great day. ~Danae

A Holiday Greeting...

HAPPY EOSTRE TO US ALL!

& HAIL TO THE BLOG QUEEN!

I had some lovely Ostara pictures that I have been saving for this week. And wouldn't you know it...my photos will not post, Again! Oh well! That's the way the wind blows sometimes. Thank Goddess that Ostara comes every year! I will just have to wait till next year. :) (And by then I will probably have triple the amount that I have now. Uh oh.)

I have decided not to do any Eostre Correspondence or history oriented posts today; because there are so many good ones already posted, and I realize that most of us already know them, and the history of this holiday. Anyone who doesn't will have no problem finding the information out there on the internet, or in a good 101 book.

So instead , I will post some other informative type posts; and hope for better blogging tomorrow. (My computer has been doing the wonky dance again!). I do send out Bright Blessings and Well Wishes to all of you, my readers and new friends in the Blogosphere.

I also want to send out a Great Big Thank You to Celestite of A Pagan Tapestry, (and A Borrowed Book Of Charms, and quite a few more blogs!).

Celestite was kind enough to give me a Blog Queen Award, (along with 2 other Newbie Bloggers like me.). I am very excited because this happens to be my very first blog award; given to me by one of my very first readers and blog buddies! YAY! I am so happy that people like to read my work.

This only strengthens my resolve to "up my game" and keep coming up with better posts and more information that applies to us "Real Life Witches"! I say not bad for only about 2 months of blogging, not bad. (I will be posting the award as soon as my computer starts co-operating with me.)

Okay Folks. Enjoy your Eostre Holiday, your Ham, the chocolate bunnies and the warmer weather. My family and I will all be doing the same. ~Danae

The Crafty Witch Files: Magickal Housekeeping

Okay, the Full Moon has passed, the Eostre festivities are winding down and the kids will be headed back to school on Monday. What is a good little Witchy to do?

Why, take advantage of these Waning Gibbous Moon energies,

and do some Spring Cleaning! Magickal Style. After all, the Waning Moon is the time to release unwanted energies, objects and habits, that we no longer have use for. It seems rather natural to me, that cleaning a home, falls under that category.

Now, I am sure that most of us have been doing the pre-requisite yearly Spring Cleaning Ritual. You know, airing out the stuffy Winter air, clearing the clutter and the cobwebs, to make way for the warmer months to come.

After all of that mundane house cleaning and freshening has taken place; we Witchy Types know that there is still more work to be done. (There always is! :) Just as we clean and perfume our physical body, and then attend to our aura; we must do the same for our home. After all, it is our temple. If we are to perform our daily tasks, love and nourish our selves, family and friends within these walls; we might as well attend to the essence and vibes herein.

So, I have gathered a couple little tips that I have used myself over the years. There are many more, of course, but I figured I will hold some back for future articles!

The first thing, as always, is to handle the physical cleansing and clearing of the home. Anything you would normally do, handle in your way.However, there are a few little tips and additions you can do to make these acts more magickal. Women from the beginning of time have used many of these methods, to the point that some of them have lost their original magickal purposes, and have just become part of daily household life.

Many of our common, natural cleansers, also have magickal purposes; such as lemon, vinegar, ammonia,baking soda, salt and rubbing alcohol.
(Just think of how often you have used or seen these ingredients used in magickal formulas.) If you want to clean your home in an Earth friendly AND magickal way, make up your cleanser with these various ingredients, and then say a blessing over them as you shake or stir the mixture. You can also add certain herbs, spices and flowers to your cleansers as desired. Things like Vanilla, Orange, Lime or

Grapefruit Juice, or even teas made from Lavender, Basil,

Rosemary, Jasmine, Rose,Pine, or other fragrant or favorite
Herbs can all be added to your mixture; for purposes of smell, and/or the properties that you need in your home. As you spray and use them, be sure to visualize their additional magickal purposes as being activated in your space. (If you really want to get nutty with it, you could store the bottle with some specific cleansing gemstones, or soak them in the rinse water (before it is used!).

I would love to give you specific measurements of what to use. But, like my art, my cooking and my spell casting, I am decidedly a non-measurer. (Except for baking!) I usually use the one part this to three parts that method. Add a smidge of this...and well, you get the picture!

Or, if you use ready made cleansers; try to get ones with scents that correspond to your desired purposes. They have everything from Pine Sol to Blueberry scented dishsoap. (At the Dollar Store no less!) You can take a moment to bless these also. (I know that this probably seems like sacrilege to some purist Witches; but am a modern woman, and if I am going to be using the item on my home anyway, I see no harm in blessing it, or imbuing it with special powers. I have used both, the natural and man made cleansers with good results. I assure you that it works just as well, AND that I have not been struck by lightning or had any of my Witchy Powers taken away for using such non-natural items in my home or my magick!) Oh.......wait.......No, I'm fine! (J/K!) :)

Now, for the actual cleaning. This can all be done before you clean the vibrations of the room, or done all at once. If you do it before, you have less physical work to do and can concentrate on the magickal cleansing and blessing of the home. If it is done together; you have the added power of the actual act of removing the grime, to add to the magickal working. Either of these is fine. (However, be sure to bless your washes before, if you are going to do the work separately. )

~You first want to open all of your doors and windows, (if possible); or at the very least open your front and back door or window.

~I like to do a smudge with incense or sage, just to get things going; and bless everything with the Element Of Air. Sometimes I create a chant for this, sometimes I do it all in my mind. Music appropriate to this task is also nice.

~Then, clean each room in a clockwise fashion. I gather everything that I will need into that room, before I start. When doing a Magickal House Cleanse, I don't like to go back and forth from the room. If there are items that need to be returned elsewhere, I just put them in a box to handle when I am finished.

~Starting at the front door, and working clockwise, clean everything in the room, in your normal fashion; keeping in mind as you go, that you are cleaning more than just the physical space. (Then work clockwise around the house from that room.)

~As I dust, I like to visualize myself cleaning the aura of the space, just like flicking away the negative energy from my own aura does. Again, if you have a special chant to use, great, but not absolutely necessary.

~I clean and replace, or rearrange each item in the room. Beat your cushions and rugs. (You can do this all outside, before you start the actual cleanse, or just put them in a pile by the door to be done when you have finished.) I also flip the mattresses and change the bedding, towels, etc.

~I also like to use this time to change the room around if I want to. There is nothing better for the energy of the room that to rearrange your furniture. (That alone can work wonders!) If you like, you can consult a Feng Shui site or book. Or just use your intuition.

~When you sweep, dip the tip of the broom into Bay Rum or another Alcohol and sweep everything into the center of the room. Even sweep the walls and ceiling in this manner.

~When it comes time to vacuum, you can use a charged herbal powder to sprinkle on the carpet, crushed flowers in the vacuum bag, and/or bless the store's ready made version.

~When it comes time to wash your floors, you can make a charged floor wash in the same manner as the cleansers and sprays. Be sure to throw your dirty water out your back door, (or outside your front door if you must). Visualize yourself being rid of nasty energy and negativity.

~If you like to put salt in your corners, or pennies under your rugs, etc., now is the time to replace them, or turn them, etc. Also remove and later replace any household Talismans that need to be refreshed or recharged.

~After you have handled, arranged, cleansed, smudged, and washed each item in it's own way, you are then done.

~I like to sit in the cleansed room and meditate for a moment on the purpose of that room, who or what it houses and protects, etc. I visualize happy, loving times taking place there. It is nice to have fresh flowers on hand for this project, to place in each room after the work is done.

~I also like to light a small white charged tea light in a prominent place in each room. This further clears away the energies and replaces them with peaceful positive ones.

~I can guarantee, that any efforts that you make, including and beyond your regular household cleaning routine, will be well worth it; and will serve your home, and its inhabitants well.

Magickal Cleaning Tips From Jambalaya

These are some tips from one of my favorite books called Jambalaya. They come from New Orleans, and have a lot of African Vodun flavor to them. Use what you like.

HOUSEHOLD MAGICK

~Moving clockwise, place a teaspoon of salt in all of the corners of the house, beginning at the front door and ending at the back door.

~Sprinkle Bay Rum on the tip of your broom and beat the walls from top to bottom and the corners.

~Moving counterclockwise, pick up the salt from the corners and flush it down the toilet.

~Now mop the floors in a solution of urine collected in the morning plus 2 tablespoons of brown sugar and perfume ***I would most definitely substitute good ol' plain ammonia here! ***

~If your home is also your place of business, add 3 pennies (or other coins) and 2 tablespoons of Chinese or Van Van Floor Wash

~As you are mopping the floor, speak aloud the kind of life you would like to live in the house. Do this for each room. Throw the water out the back door.

~Light a blue Peace Candle behind the front door with an image of S. Michael over the door.

~Put fresh flowers in each room

TO MAKE THE BED FOR SOUND SLEEP

~Turn the mattress over with the change of the Moon. (New, Full)

~Sprinkle the mattress with talcum powder and love oil

~Cover it with crushed Magnolia leaves or Lavender Sachets in the corner of the bedsheets.

~Place a bowl of perfumed water under the bed at the place where you lay your head. Change the water once a week to keep your dreams clear.

THE FUSSBALL To Ensure Domestic Tranquility

INGREDIENTS

A Butter Knife
A Wooden Bowl
A Piece Of White Cloth
3 Pennies (an old one, birth year, and current year)
A Pack of Grated Sweetened Coconut
A Jar Of Honey
Fresh Water

1) Scrape the dirt that has gathered in the corners out. Sweep each room, bringing the piles to the center of the room. (For carpet, use a broom moistened with a bit of Bay Rum or Florida Water.)

2) Place the debris in the Wooden Bowl. Make sure each room is clean. Sweep the walls and ceiling if necessary.

3) Sprinkle the debris with the Fresh Water, and remember the causes of the discord.

4) Dump the package of Coconut, and mix it with the debris with your hands.

5)Drip the entire jar of honey over this mixture, making sure that it is all completely saturated.

6) Gather this mixture into a ball. Make it nice and round, Push the old penny face down into the bottom, the birth year penny standing on edge in the center, and the current year penny face up an the top of the ball.

7) ***Make sure that you pledge to be a peacekeeper in your home.***

8) Wrap the Fuss Ball n the white cloth. Dispose of it at a public waste receptacle near a Church, Hospital or Bank.

9) Wash the Wooden Bowl thoroughly and only use it for this conjure ball.


A LEMON SPELL TO REMOVE NEGATIVITY

This is one of my own, thatI forgot to add above, in my first post. It is a real simple spell to be done on the Waning Moon. It is best used in conjunction with other efforts also. Or as part of a regula household cleansing.

1 Lemon, cut into 4 slices for each room to be cleansed

Salt

4 small plates per room

knife

~Cut your lemon into 4 slices (not quarters) and place on each plate

~Liberally cover the lemon slices in the salt, all around

~Place one on each plate in the four corners of each room to be cleansed

~Create a chant for removing negativity in your home. (I have used a different one almost every time I do this spell); you should probably create your own, since it is your home.

~Collect the plates after 3 days and remove them in a moving body of water (if possible), or at least a trash can faraway from your home. (and in a public place)

***Enjoy, Happy Housecleansing & Blessing!!! ~Danae

HAPPY FULL MOON TO EVERYONE!

The Full Moon is a good time to lend extra energy to any projects, spells or other undertakings you may have going on. It is also a great time to ask for blessings, work for psychic sensitivity, dream work, prosperity or fertility magic. And of course; it is always a time to just commune with God and especially Goddess.

I have a wonderful Money Magnet Spell that I would like to share with you today. I created this one a few years back; and I have used it time and again with terrific results. Most of the time I just lend extra energy and recharge the Talisman, to keep it working for me; but from time to time I feel that I need an extra boost, and then I create a new one.

One of the main things to remember with all spells, but especially with prosperity and money spells, is that the spell may not always bring money in cash form. It could be that someone offers to buy something from you, or a business opportunity arises. Many times a person may do something for you, which frees up money that would otherwise have been spent on necessities. Sometimes some money that was previously owed to you becomes available unexpectedly. All of these are valid forms of prosperity and should be viewed as a success on the behalf of your spell. Money spells rarely bring $1000 bills from the sky…(but I still never rule out the fact that I may find some money lying around!)

Another important thing to remember is to always thank your Deities or the Universe in general for whatever forms of prosperity they send to you. I like to leave my paid bills and any cash that I have laying on my work altar to charge before use, and as a form of recognition and appreciation to the Powers that have brought the prosperity to me. I also like to sprinkle a charged Money Drawing Powder onto my cash and bills, and a tiny bit into the lining of my purse, to keep abundance flowing in my life. Charged herbs with money correspondences would work well for this purpose also. The last thing to keep in mind is to be sure to spread your prosperity to others. I do this even before I see that the spell is working for me. Some wait for the spell to manifest; but I believe in the “Pay It Forward” philosophy, and feel that if nothing else, that my generosity will attract more abundance into my life, than a miserly attitude would.

THE INGREDIENTS

~1 Green Candle
~5 pennies
~3-5 Herbs, Spices or Flowers with Prosperity correspondences (Use whatever you have on hand in your kitchen or garden. The last thing that you want to do, when you are in need of money, is to go out and buy stuff for a money spell. Seems kind of counter-productive if you ask me!)
~Cinnamon
~Basil
~Chamomile
~Poppy Seeds
~Clove
~Nutmeg
~Allspice
~Sage
~Jasmine
~Honeysuckle
~Cinquefoil
~2 Lodestones or 2 Powerful Magnets

~Salt (I include Salt in many of my Prosperity workings, for the simple fact that for so long Salt was used as a form of currency, dating back in antiquity. I most often see it used for Purification; but to me it also represents Wealth. If this makes sense to you, use it; and, as always, if something doesn‘t resonate with you, don‘t use it.)

~Sometimes I also like to use Gemstones with Prosperous Correspondences on the Altar to add extra energy to my working; this is optional. Any green stone such as Malachite, Aventurine, Green Jasper, or Jade is a good choice. I also usually add an orange stone or two to represent my need for money for survival. Amber, Citrine and Orange Carnelian are good for this. I also use gold colored stones and or real gold. Some people use Pyrite in Money Spells; however I tend to avoid it for this purpose because of its association with the term “Fool’s Gold”. I only want the real thing, so I use real gold if I have it on hand. (Usually in the form of jewelry)

~You will also need a Wax Resistant Surface to work upon. I have a nice silver tray that I use; but wax paper or foil would also work, as would glass.


THE WORKING ITSELF

~After cleansing yourself and your space in your desired fashion; set up your Working Altar with the Green Candle, and all of the ingredients and tools to be used.

~Dress your Green Candle, and carve Money Drawing Symbols or Runes into it, along with your name.

~Light the Candle; taking a moment to meditate on your purpose at hand

~Cleanse and consecrate each of the ingredients; and then charge them, stating their purpose for this working. At this point, use a separate container to mix them together. Take a moment as you put each of them in, to hold them, empower them, visualize and state their purpose.

~Once the Candle has created enough melted wax; pour a nice big amount from the Candle onto your wax resistant working surface.

~Quickly drop in pinches of your Ingredients, from the container where you previously mixed them.

~Once the wax is solid enough to handle, but still soft, pick it up and work it into a thick, flat disk shaped ball; working the Ingredients thoroughly into the wax.

~While it is still hot, sandwich two of the pennies inside the disk of wax.

~Then add even more hot wax, dripping it all over the disk, enclosing your Ingredients and the 2 Pennies in the center.

~Then, when it is big enough, and still warm, lay your last 3 Pennies in a triangle shape onto the top of your Talisman. (If you need more wax to make everything stick, and stay inside; add it as necessary.

~Leave it to dry, while you raise your energy in your desired fashion, while chanting this spell,

“Great Powers of the Universe, I call to You.
I have a need, and a heart that’s true.
I ask You to send extra energy to me;
In order to draw Abundance and Prosperity.
My Money Magnet is alive,
With power infused by my need to survive;
And a desire for my Family to thrive.
Drawing Money, Cash and Prosperity,
Bring me Abundance and American Currency.
Using my Witchy Will and Natural Energy,
By the Powers of Three times Three
The power is spinning, now set it free.
Go do your work, bring my money to me!
With harm to none and good luck to me,
As I will, so shall it be.”

~When you feel that you have raised enough energy; then release it into your Talisman.

~After that, sandwich it between your 2 Lodestones or 2 Magnets.

~Let it sit like this on your Altar while the Candle burns down completely. (If you must leave, you can put the Talisman, the Magnets and the Candle in your bathtub or shower to burn down safely. A fire destroying your home is not very prosperous…even if you have fire insurance! LOL!)

~Be sure to thank your Deities, Take Down your circle, (if working in one), and ground your energy. Then eat!

~Once your Candle is done burning, and your Talisman finished charging; you can keep it in a special place, on your Altar, your car or in your purse or wallet. I also use these to charge and bless my money before I spend it. (With the hopes that it will attract more!) However, if you put it in your purse, wallet or car; store it inside a plastic baggie. I once put one in my wallet with my money, and it melted green, herbal wax EVERYWHERE! Not fun!

Feel free to adapt the ingredients or change the wording of the spell to make it more personal for you; as spells always work best when they have a connection to the practitioner. Also remember, as always; that the magic lies not in the ingredients or accoutrements, but instead lies in the visualization and energy that you raise and release. I hope you have as good results as I have had with it.

A Crafty Chick Original