How You Can Manifest Prosperity in 2016

December 31, 2015 / Moonwater / Leave a comment

Happy calendar New Year to all my readers!

Many of us want to start off the calendar New Year right. We tend to make New Years resolutions. Many of us want to manifest more prosperity in our lives. Let’s avoid the first mistake in prosperity magick: tending to focus on one’s outer environment verses the inner self.

Yes, you can ask for prosperity to flow to you. But the better way I have found is to empower yourself to create more income. In this way you’re not just asking for a handout.

Instead, you place energy into yourself to create inner change. That’s where the real magick happens, and this creates the most benefit for you.

Why do I say this? To change yourself is to change your world.

We perceive the world around us. We can see a world of roadblocks or we can see opportunity. It’s our choice.

Below I’ll share a ritual called New Years Prosperity/Opportunity Ritual, in which you’ll be able to exercise your choice.

About Bathing Before Doing a Ritual

Always bathe before doing a ritual. Some ask, “Can I take a shower?” If you do not have a bathtub and only have a shower, you can still soak the herbs (I specify them below) in a large bucket of warm water.

If you take a shower, you can clear the debris of the day off first. Then, you have a choice: a) you can pour the herbs-water of the bucket upon yourself or b) you can use a cloth and wash your body with the herbs-water.

Let’s Talk About Herbs For Your Ritual Bathing

Shampoo* and soap* preferably herb-infused form the best choice. Wiccans use lavender to help sooth and calm themselves to get their head in the right space.

(* Prior to your ritual bathing, Cast Circle and then cleanse and consecrate your shampoo and soap. Only use these specific items of shampoo and soap for ritual bathing.)

For a Ritual Bath, Prepare a Sachet

To prepare a sachet, begin with a 4×4 inch square piece of cheesecloth and some string to close it. Use these Bath Herbs: Basil, Ginger and Pomegranate. Place the bath herbs into the middle of the cloth. Then pull up the four corners of your cloth and tie them together using the string. If you don’t have cloth, you can also use a clean sock or stocking that hasn’t been used before.

Next draw the water for the ritual bath and place the sachet in the water. If you desire, light some candles and burn some incense.

Soak in the bath while meditating on the blessings you want to manifest in the calendar New Year. (Avoid getting stuck in thinking that you don’t know how you will accomplish your desires in the everyday world.) Imagine the spiritual strength building up in you to manifest the blessings while envisioning any negative energy being soaked up by the herbs. Know you have the power to accomplish your dreams. Again, never mind the how. The Gods will provide “the how.”

Do your part and invite the Gods to guide you in how you can make a bigger and/or better contribution and thus expand your income.

The New Years Prosperity/Opportunity Ritual

What you will need:

Three Candles (one each: yellow, green, purple)
Candle dressing oil (Virgin Olive oil that has been blessed and consecrated will do fine.)
Working tools
Altar
Cakes and Wine

Cast circle in the usual manner.

Light the yellow candle as you say:

My eyes were once shut,
I now make them open.
Eyes that did not see,
I now have vision.
I call upon you,
the four elements of Wicca

Make the sign of the pentagram on your body [by touching your forehead followed in order: the left breast, right shoulder, left shoulder, right breast and back to forehead].

Light the Green candle and say:

Earth for fertility of my own mind
Air for new beginnings in rapid time
Fire to move the direction I must go
And
Water to birth new opportunities for me to grow

Finally light the Purple candle and say:

I call upon the Earth and Sky
I call upon the Sun and Moon
May the power to change my fate be my boon

Make the sign of the pentagram again and say:

By year’s end may this take place,
for the good of all, I now claim my space.
I charge myself, my life, by the Gods’ grace;
Fill me with light so my desires take place.

Do the Cakes and Wine Ceremony

Close Circle

* * *

May you and the Gods manifest the best for you in this calendar New Year.

Blessed Be,

Moonwater SilverClaw

P.S. To sign up for our E-Newsletter click here.

Looking for gifts?

See my designs at Redbubble.

For more of Moonwater SilverClaw, consider some of her books:

Goddess Has Your Back: How Wicca Can Help You Raise Your Self-Esteem and Make Your Life Magickal

The Hidden Children of the Goddess Embrace Wicca, Become Strong, Be at Peace with Yourself and the World Around You

Beyond the Law of Attraction to Real Magic: How You Can Remove Blocks to Prosperity, Happiness and Inner Peace

Goddess Walks Beside You: How You Can Listen, Learn and Enjoy the Wiccan Path

Wiccans and Drugs

October 24, 2015 / Moonwater / 2 Comments

Drinks

“I heard Wiccans use drugs,” Sandy said.

“Yes and no,” I replied.

True, many Wiccans use wine in our the Cakes and Wine ceremony. Alcohol is a drug.

Not all Wiccans use alcohol in the Cakes and Wine ceremony. Some substitute grape juice or another fruit juice. Some completely abstain from all drugs like alcohol and caffeine. Yes, even some teas are off the list.

We can’t throw all Wiccans into any rigid category. Some use other natural drugs to combat ailments such as depression symptoms, arthritis, and other sources of pain. Some imbibe marijuana, for example.

It is truly up to the individual practitioner to choose what may help for medical reasons or improved quality of life.

I know some Wiccans who aim to stay away from manufactured, pharmaceutical drugs. Some Wiccans choose to imbibe natural drugs like caffeine, alcohol or marijuana.

Many Wiccans live in states where marijuana use is illegal, and they abide by local laws. They do not break the rules of the place they live in.

I take medications that help me with an occasional migraine headache and for working with my depression symptoms. I do consult my doctor and monitor the effects of the drugs. Yes, do consult a physician about the use or non-use of drugs.

I invite you to pay close attention to how you do or do not use drugs. What results are you getting? What might you want to change for the better?

Blessings,

Moonwater SilverClaw

P.S. To sign up for our E-Newsletter click here.

Looking for gifts this Yule season?

See my designs at Redbubble.

For more of Moonwater SilverClaw, consider some of her books:

Goddess Has Your Back: How Wicca Can Help You Raise Your Self-Esteem and Make Your Life Magickal

The Hidden Children of the Goddess Embrace Wicca, Become Strong, Be at Peace with Yourself and the World Around You

Beyond the Law of Attraction to Real Magic: How You Can Remove Blocks to Prosperity, Happiness and Inner Peace

How you can heal: Alternative Medicine vs. Modern Medicine

October 11, 2014 / Moonwater / 2 Comments

Medicine

“Get yourself to a doctor,” my dentist said. He just saw bruises in my mouth, and he knew it was the sign for something serious.

Soon I saw my doctor who had me go through some tests. An hour later, I was on the phone with the doctor who said that the tests indicated that I should go immediately to the emergency room!

Many Wiccans like to use alternative medicine instead of modern medicine. But how do we use alternative medicine wisely? I’ve personally used catnip tea for reducing a fever. I’ve also used salty water for gargling when having a sore throat.

I’m suggesting that this is an “and” situation. You can use both alternative medicine and modern medicine. Sure, we Wiccans sometimes use ancient herbal lore from our ancestors. And still, there’s a definite time for modern medicine.

Back to my time in the emergency room. Further tests revealed that I had Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura or ITP. This is an affliction in which my spleen destroyed my platelets so that my blood did not clot. I was informed that if I bumped into something, I could bleed out!

During my hospitalization, I had to recline on a special air mattress because a regular mattress gave me bruises. It got so bad that I had bruises in the shape of the physicians’ hands from when they examined me.

ITP was an affliction that could not be solved by simple herbs.

After one month in the hospital, I endured a splenectomy (the removal of my spleen). This saved my life.

Again, I’m suggesting that we look upon alternative medicine and modern medicine as part of our toolkit. If I have the sniffles, I might start with teas. However, I’m so glad that I followed the advice of my dentist.

I feel that we, modern Wiccans, have the advantage of both herbal remedies for small afflictions and modern medicine when you need it.

Blessings,

Moonwater SilverClaw

For more of Moonwater SilverClaw, consider some of her books:

The Hidden Children of the Goddess Book

The Hidden Children of the Goddess Embrace Wicca, Become Strong, Be at Peace with Yourself and the World Around You

And

Beyond the Law of Attraction to Real Magic: How You Can Remove Blocks to Prosperity, Happiness and Inner Peace

The Importance of Ritual Bathing

April 19, 2014April 24, 2014 / Moonwater / 1 Comment

Candle

The Importance of Ritual Bathing

Imagine you could enhance your magick working with a simple process. How? Your ritual bath. It’s important because it puts you into the right frame of mind before you perform ritual. Secondly, you physically clean your body of the dirt and grime of the day. Finally, ritual bathing cleanses you of the psychic garbage that clings to you.

You can choose any soap (a required part) that you prefer. Wiccans appreciate handmade soaps, especially if they already contain the herbs or essences one already uses in magick work.

How do I make my bathing a ritual bath (or shower)?

Bless and consecrate your soap and shampoo. Set these aside for use only during your ritual baths.

How to make a sachet with cleansing herbs for a bath:

Use a stocking or cotton cloth, and place inside selected cleansing herbs. The total amount of all herbs will be one tablespoon.

If you use a cotton cloth, gather the corners and tie them with a string. Make sure the sachet is closed and secure. This keeps the herbs from clogging your drain.

Place your sachet in the bath water then sprinkle in some sea salt and let steep for 5 or so minutes. Then enjoy.

Making a cleansing shower tincture:

If you will be showering, place your sachet in a large container of hot water to steep. Sprinkle sea salt and dissolve it into the mixture (the tincture). When the water cools to a comfortable temperature, then take into your shower and wash with soap, envisioning all the psychic garbage leaving you.

Then pour the contents of the tincture over your head and rub it in. In this way, the contents help you complete your cleansing. The residue flows away, down the drain.

Add a blessing

I also add a blessing at the end of my ritual bath. I’ve added some modifications to a popular blessing.

Wiccan Blessing

Starting at your forehead say as you touch you third eye say:

I bless myself by the Goddess,

(Touch your right breast)

By the air that is her sweet breath,

(Touch your left shoulder . . . [you are actually forming a pentagram with these movements].)

By the earth, that is her fertile body,

(Touch your right shoulder.)

By the waters that is her life giving womb,

(Touch your left breast.)

By the fire that is her bright spirit,

(Touch your third eye.)

May I be blessed, so mote it be.

Upon completing your ritual bathing, you’re now ready to enter circle to honor the Gods respectfully. Not only will the Gods be happy but your fellow practitioners will be grateful, too. (Trust me.)

Are there particular rituals you like to do prior to entering circle? Let me know in the comments section below.

Blessings,

Moonwater SilverClaw

Beware The Fluffy Bunny!

January 12, 2014 / Moonwater / 5 Comments

Beware The Fluffy Bunny!

What is a Fluffy Bunny Pagan?

Patti Wigington defines a “Fluffy Bunny” as: “In general, ‘fluffy bunny,’ or ‘fluffbunny,’ is a derogatory term used to apply to members of the Pagan community who (1) insist that they know everything they need to know, (2) often make blanket statements about what ‘real Pagans’ do and don’t do, and (3) flat-out refuse to acknowledge that people who think differently from them can be Pagan, too.”

If someone thinks they know everything they need to know, they can make serious mistakes. Such arrogance can lead to physical danger. For example, I once read a book that talked about grinding certain stones, putting them in water and drinking the water. Do NOT do this! The rocks may contain traces of harmful compounds like arsenic or other poisonous substances.

Further, grinding stones with a high silicon composition is like grinding up glass. Drinking such a solution will turn your insides into hamburger. Again, don’t do it!

Watch out about herbs, too. Avoid just taking the advice of one book. Check in with an elder or mentor (or two or three). Do NOT experiment on yourself!

By definition, Fluffy Bunnies aren’t doing research. They can fall into believing mixed up notions. For example, Wicca is NOT the TV show Charmed.

The truth is: Wicca and Paganism have a real history throughout time. It’s valuable to study such history and avoid being misguided by something created merely for entertainment. I have heard a number of people saying that Fluffy Bunnies have a bad reputation for talking about things in an “everything is butterflies and unicorns” manner.

Fluffy Bunnies, as Patti noted, often make blanket statements about what “real Pagans” do and don’t do.

I note that sometimes Wicca and Paganism appear like herding cats. Everyone has their own ideas of what is the right way. I am Gardnerian, a British tradition. Does that make someone in the Feri tradition wrong? No.

Here’s a way to view the situation. Let’s say you have a potato. Every tradition cooks the potato differently. One may dice the potato, fry it and enjoy fries. Others mash the potato. Still, others may bake the potato and leave it whole. Does this mean that one is better than the others? No. The people all cooked the potato.

The outcome was the same, just the preparation was different.

Now, one might say that Fluffy Bunnies are merely cooking the potato in their own way. Fair enough. However, with this article, I’ve pointed out some details that we, as Wiccans, need to view with great care.

How about being a Learned Wiccan or Pagan?

Sounds good to me.

Blessed Be,

Moonwater

Offerings

May 20, 2013 / Moonwater / 12 Comments

Offerings: picture by David O.

Offerings

Why do we give offerings and what are they?

Offerings are small gifts we present to the Gods. They can be many things from candles to wine. You can even offer up your time to a good cause for a deity. I used to volunteer at an animal shelter, for example. More often I offer candles and incense up as offerings. I take a candle and hold it up and say something like: “Here is a candle, please take this offering as thanks for ______”.

Then I light the candle and place it on my alter to burn down completely. Never extinguish a candle once you have lit it for an offering to the Gods. This is considered taking back the gift and is insulting to the deity. Always let it burn down completely down and out on a safe heat proof surface.

You can also do this process with incense and other herbs. Burn incense and or herbs to the Deity you want to honor. Besides burning candles, incense and herbs you can pour a libation (a liquid offering) out onto the earth. You can use anything: wine, juice and blessed water.

Why do we present offerings to the Gods? We say thank you for the Gods help on things we have asked for. After a spell is successful, we will make an offering to say thank you for their help.

Some Popular Offerings:

candles
incense
wine
herbs
seeds
ground corn
hand made objects
fruit
milk
bread (cakes)
time (volunteering at an organization)
crystals
coins
donations of clothes or other things to a shelter (animal or human)

So say thank you to the Gods.

They help us every day.

Blessings,

Moonwater SilverClaw

Ointments

May 13, 2013May 14, 2013 / Moonwater / 2 Comments

Ointments

Herbs as Ointments

When I make an ointment using herbs, I use vegetable shortening. You can use lard if you want but this substance smells terrible.

To make an herb ointment, use one cup of vegetable shortening to three tablespoons herbs.

Melt shortening down and add herb(s) into base and let steep for 5 to 10 minutes. Strain liquid and let cool. Store sealed, air tight, in a cool place. That’s how we make an herb ointment. Be sure to use a glass jar or ceramic jug to store it in. Using plastic or metal will interfere with the ointment’s chemistry. For example, plastic has chemicals that can leach out in your ointment.

Where do I apply it?

Depending on what your using it for, apply to affected area (perhaps a rash that needs healing) or dab on wrists and neck. Never put an ointment on an open wound. This will block off air flow to the wound and can cause infection.

Ointments can often smell nice (like my lavender ointment) and that’s a great two-for-one opportunity: healing and a pleasant fragrance.

Blessed Be,

Moonwater SilverClaw

Magick with Poppets

April 28, 2013 / Moonwater / Leave a comment

Irises

Poppets

What is a poppet? A poppet is a doll made of cloth and stuffed with herbs. Wiccans often make a poppet to represent themselves.

Poppets are easy to make. Take two rectangular pieces of cloth. Draw a human shape (like a ginger bread man) on one piece of your fabric.

Poppet Outline

Lay one piece on top of the other and cut out the shape. You should have two cut out pieces of cloth that are the same shape and size.

Cut out poppet

Next start with the body and sew up both sides together, sewing everything but the head; leave that open.

You’ll need to decide which herbs will best suit your desires. For example, one might use cinnamon (yes, I know it is a spice) to attract money. Another example: to attract love and friendship, you can choose to use rose petals.

Take your herbs and your poppet. Once you have filled the body, sew up the head to seal the herbs inside. You can add hair or other features to your doll to make it look more like you.

Hold your completed poppet in your hands and visualize your intent. You can chant to help charge your poppet.

When you are done, place the poppet in a safe place where it will not be disturbed until you need to use it again.

Blessed Be,

Moonwater SilverClaw

Infusion or Potion

April 21, 2013April 21, 2013 / Moonwater / Leave a comment

Cup

Infusion or Potion

What is an infusion or potion? They’re the result of soaking herbs in hot water to bring out their properties. Human beings have healed themselves through herbs since prehistoric times. I suggest the book, The New Healing Herbs: The Essential Guide to More Than 125 of Nature’s Most Potent Herbal Remedies by Michael Castleman.

Warning: only use herbs that you are certain to be food grade. Talk to your doctor before using any herb. Why? Herbs by themselves can cause harmful effects. For example, chamomile can cause uterine contractions which may lead to miscarriage, so pregnant women are advised to avoid chamomile!

Furthermore, herbs can mix with each other or with medications in harmful ways. You need accurate information before you ingest any herbs. Find credible professionals who have expertise with alternative medicine because a number of western medicine doctors do not have great knowledge in this area.

The simplest example of an infusion, brew or potion is tea. We drink teas, but not all potions or brews are meant to be ingested.

Second warning: Never make a potion with poisonous plants!

After you have done some research and consulted a doctor and have chosen a safe herb, you can make a tea. Heat water to almost a boil and add selected herbs into a ceramic container, like a cup.

Pour the water over herbs and place a cover to steep the brew. The cover keeps most of the steam in and this helps keep the essential oils in your potion. Then let the portion steep for about 5 to 10 minutes. Strain the mixture. We have been talking about tea; however, you can use brews for other uses. For example, you can use brews to cleanse spaces by asperging areas or by washing the floors and other surfaces with it. You may anoint things like sachets, talismans and amulets. Herbs may be used for a ritual bath. Once again, be sure the plants are safe for whatever use.

You can also use the sun to make potions. Take a clear jar and fill it with water and your herb mixture. Next place it in direct sunlight for six hours or so and then use.

You can use potions . . .

for drinking in a tea (when appropriate)
to wash your floors or wipe furniture.
to augment your bath water for when you rest and soak.

Blessed Be,

Moonwater SilverClaw

Herbs

April 8, 2013 / Moonwater / 2 Comments

The Herb Catnip

Herbs

Wiccans use herbs for all sorts of things from medicine to protection. Humans have used herbal remedies made from plants for thousands of years. Herbs comprise the oldest medicines humans have had. Many Wiccans use herbs to heal and keep themselves healthy. Being witches we want to use nature as our healer when we get sick.

Before considering the use of herbs, heed these important considerations:

1) If you have a serious condition and/or illness, modern medicine should be used in conjunction with the old ways. For example, you shouldn’t skip a trip to a medical doctor because you have heard that St. John’s Wort would help with depression. Always consult with your medical doctor about herbs you’re considering because some herbs may conflict with medications your doctor has prescribed or over the counter medications–or even other herbs.

2) Avoid taking an herb that you are unfamiliar with. Some herbs can be quite dangerous if used incorrectly. Certain herbs are poisonous like Belladonna. So always talk with your herbal friendly medical doctor before taking them.

3) Some herbs you may buy at a new age store may only be graded for magickal use. This means do NOT take such herbs internally. Be certain that the herbs you buy are food grade safe. Just because feverfew tea helps reduce a fever does NOT mean that you shouldn’t use aspirin or some other modern medicine if the fever is really bad and doesn’t go down. Be smart and use your head. If your affliction is serious consult a medical doctor.

Having covered the above concerns, we will focus mainly on the magical uses of herbs.

The Sachet

First, we’re going to discuss a container for herbs known as a sachet. Take a small piece of cloth in a color that corresponds with the type of magick you will be doing. See this color chart below:

Red: sex, desire, vitality, strength, healing blood disorders
Orange: charm, confidence, joy, jealousy, persuasion.
Yellow: intellectual development, joy, intellectual strength.
Green: prosperity, abundance, fertility, money matters.
Blue: healing, protection, spiritual development.
Purple: The occult, power, magick
Pink: love, friendship, compassion
Black: decrease, death, revenge, retribution, contacting the dead. (I strongly suggest that you take great care if you have any thoughts about revenge or retribution. The focus points of revenge or retribution hurt the practitioner! Remember the Law of Three! I strongly recommend avoiding the use of black cloth except for the Samhain practice of contacting the dead.)

Place the piece of cloth down onto the table or working surface. Place selected herbs (about a tablespoon when all combined) in the middle of your cloth. You can use a smaller amount for a smaller more portable sachet if you like. This can be placed in your purse or pocket to be carried with you. Gather up your corners of the cloth and then tie them with some string. Make the sachet closed and secure. Now you can do a ritual to dedicate the sachet to its purpose.

Blessed Be,

Moonwater SilverClaw