“Could I use witchcraft to fulfill my New Year’s Resolutions?” a friend, Sara, asked.
“Witches do have an advantage in fulfilling their resolutions,” I replied. This is good news because there are reports that 80% of people fail in their resolutions by February.
Did you make a New Year’s Resolution?
Witches have a better chance at accomplishing their resolutions because we have magick and the God and Goddess on our side.
Here is a simple spell to help you realize the accomplishment of your New Year’s Resolution.
What you will need:
Parchment or virgin paper
Tinted ink that matches your intention (an example is red to get things moving)
Bless and consecrate your items (paper, marker [or ink and quill])
Write your resolution on the paper. Hold the paper in your dominant hand and think of what you want to accomplish with the resolution. Pause and consider the experience and the benefits of manifesting your resolution. Imagine and feel the positive feelings.
Once you have your mind firmly on the outcome of your desire, ignite the paper on the working candle and drop the paper into the cauldron to burn completely and say:
Lord and Lady, Inspire and make manifest All the best That I desire Fuel the fire So I experience what I hope for, Blessings evermore
I’ve learned a lot about the process of dealing with significant health situations. I’ve learned to drop 50 lbs.* so I have avoided going down the diabetes path on which my mother struggles.
I am doing well in working with asthma and clinical depression symptoms.
Here are some things I’ve discovered along the way …
Recognize what you get from the physical illness
“What do you mean, what I get from the physical illness?” my friend, Penny, asked. “I am forced to be stuck in my bed. I’m in pain.”
I nodded. I remained quiet. She would see it, or she wouldn’t.
“Oh … If I’m sick, I don’t have to go back to my parents’ house for Christmas,” she said. Considering the abuse she endured, her body seemed to have given her the only “correct excuse” for not going back to her parents’ home like “a good girl.”
Every situation is unique. This depends on the individual and their situation. For example, I take appropriate medications for my medical issues. Look to get support from medical professionals and mental health professionals as needed.
How does this relate to us, Wiccans? If you’re not listening to your body, you might have trouble listening to the Goddess. What does this mean? Look at the whole situation. Do you need to devote significant effort or attention to your health? Is it time for you to stop toxic situations in your life? Sometimes, it’s as if your body says, “Wake up. This way of living is not good for you.”
I suggest that you take a whole-life view of health and wellness.
Willpower is a lie.
This comment sounds extreme. How many times have you heard someone say, “I just have to have the willpower to stop ____?”
If you think willpower is simply a matter of gritting your teeth, clasping your hands together and saying, “No! I won’t do it!”—you might have a bumpy ride.
My own husband hides cookies out of his sight (in a cupboard). Why? Because it’s easy for a person to fall into a habit of “see cookie—eat cookie.”
He’s not trying to rely on “willpower.” Instead, he’s using a strategy.
I know from personal experience that simply setting up “rules” for a diet can result in failure. You make up rules, sometimes impossible rules, to live by.
And when we don’t live up to those rules, we get mad at ourselves. This approach to willpower does not work.
What does this mean for us, Wiccans? Let’s move beyond trying to use willpower to make sure that we do a ritual or be active with the Craft. Instead, aim for making ritual an organic part of your daily life. Perhaps, you’ll do a ritual in the first 15 minutes after dinner (This is similar to how my husband and I have a routine of going for a walk after dinner.)
Do you want it bad enough? – Why?
I note two types of want – 1) Want to manifest something and 2) Want to throw out something.
How deep is your want? This relates to how we Wiccans manifest things via magick. We need a powerful desire to manifest what we want.
If you do not have the deep, powerful emotional connection, your spell is likely to fail. That’s harsh to know. Still, this knowledge can empower you.
When you do a ritual, be sure to tap into your Deep Want.
Here are examples:
I want to be healthy so I can enjoy years with a new romantic partner
I want to be healthy so I can avoid diabetes that runs in my family
I want to be able to move, so I do NOT run out of breath going up a flight of stairs*
In summary, take a whole-life view of your health and wellness.
We, Wiccans, are fortunate in that we can integrate our spirituality with our being healthy on the earthly plane.
Blessed Be,
Moonwater
*P.S. I mentioned how I dropped 50 lbs. If you are called to lose weight, take my online course Goddess Style Weight Loss—which is available Jan. 2019. Sign up at GoddessStyleWeightLoss.com
A reader asked me: What are some of the quickest, easiest ways for psychic & spiritual protection?
I’ll share three different methods you can use to protect yourself. (There are many possible methods of protection.)
Protection Method #1: Use a Sigil
Sigils are magickal symbols that hold an intention. You create a sigil by using the following simple process. First, write out your desire on a scratch piece of paper; you can use a single word or a phrase.
Examples of Phrases Related to Protection:
· Protect me through the night
· Protect me from energy vampires
To keep this example simple and clear, I’ll just use the word “success.” Cross off all of the repeated letters in Success. You end up with S, U, C, and E. (You want only one of each letter that appears in the word.) Next, scramble the letters, getting S, E, U, and C (for example). Now comes the fun part: Combine the letters together in an image.
Protection Method #2: Wear a Protection Necklace
Wear a necklace of hematite and amethyst. The hematite grounds you, and the amethyst turns all energy into white light.
Protection Method #3: Take a Ritual Bath
Ritual bathing can be a great way to get rid of the nasties that may cling onto your aura. 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.
May these three protection methods bring you comfort.
“It’s all wrong now. I’m boxed in. I just want to feel that I have some freedom. Freedom to choose.”
“Have you asked the ALL for help?” I suggested.
Simply put, Rachael was stuck. She felt she had no where to go in her current situation. So here is a simple spell to gain the help of the ALL.
Read over the spell carefully several times before you do it.
What you’ll need:
One small white candle (it needs to be small, so you can burn it out in one sitting)
Candle holder
Olive oil
Garlic
Robe
Perfume (frankincense preferably)
Cakes and wine/juice (This can be as simple as some cookies and juice)
Offering dish (you will need one)
Sea salt
Small table (something to put your candle and cakes and wine/juice on)
Small jar
Small bowl of purified water
Small bowl of sea salt
Purified or spring water
Lighter or matches
What to do:
Start by thoroughly crushing the garlic and put it into a small jar of your olive oil. Set aside the mixture in a dark place (like a closet) for nine days.
When your oil is done do the following.
Take a ritual bath:
On a full or waxing moon. First bathe to wash all of the physical dirt from your body. Then draw a new bath and put three tablespoons of sea salt into the water. Soak in the water and think of all the negative energy being absorbed by the salt water. Breathe in and out deeply. Relax… Take your time.
Use a clean towel to dry off. Put on a clean robe.
Next, go to your room and clear a space and place your small simple table (this will be your altar) in the center. Place the candle in the middle of the altar. Additionally, set up your small water bowl, sea salt bowl, and food and drink on either the side of the candle.
Disrobe and sit in front of the altar.
Submerge your index fingertip in the bowl of water and say:
I cleanse and consecrate thee, Water, that you are pure and clean.
Then place your index fingertip into the bowl of salt and say:
I cleanse and consecrate thee, Salt, that you are pure and clean.
Put three pinches of the blessed sea salt into the bowl of water and stir clockwise (using your index finger).
Sprinkle (asperge) the bottle of perfume with the holy water (the salt water you just made) onto the candle and say:
I cleanse and consecrate thee, Perfume, that you are pure and clean.
Asperge the candle with the holy water and say:
I cleanse and consecrate thee, Candle, that you are pure and clean.
Spray some of the holy perfume onto you and breathe it in deeply. Breathe in and out three times as you clear your mind. Take your time…
Time to dress your candle: This means that you take the garlic oil and rub it onto the candle from wick to the base of the candle. Carve the word “freedom” on the candle and place in the candle holder.
Light the candle and say:
I ask you,
Who is the lightness and darkness,
Who is the powers of the winds,
Who is the powers of the seas,
Who is the powers of the mountains,
Who is the powers of the flame within.
Who is powers all life and love.
And who is the source of all things,
The Great and powerful ALL,
I ask you for change and freedom for the good of all!
As I so will, So mote it be!
As the candle burns, think of all the freedom you now have as this Spell manifests what you desire.
Again, take your time…
Finally, set your cakes and wine/juice in front of you. Hold your dominant hand over them and say:
I bless this food and drink that it will keep me strong.
Place each of some of the food and drink into the offering dishes saying:
To the ALL!
You can now partake of the food and drink.
Let the candle burn itself completely out. (Warning: Never leave a burning candle unattended.)
“I’m stuck. I keep ruminating on how that person betrayed me,” my friend, Leena, said. “If I could just get past this—get beyond this.”
I listened with concern for my friend.
Becoming a High Priestess, I worked for years to learn oath-bound rituals to transcend my earthly concerns. It took a lot of work, but with private rituals, I have discovered how to deeply connect with the Goddess.
Wicca is a path of transcendence, which refers to “existence or experience beyond the normal or physical level.”
Beyond the normal … are we referring to positive or negative experiences?
Perhaps, like me, you’ve experienced some downright horrible events in your life. The good news is that, through Wicca, we can move beyond darkness to that which includes love and light. We have the power to use magick, and we can invite the God and Goddess to help us rise above the darkness of our negative past experiences.
Maybe, you’ve heard the term transformation a number of times. To transform however is to change in character or condition.
I have looked upon transformation as something that requires a lot of effort.
Remember, transcendence is something different. As we noted, it is beyond the normal or physical level. Think of it like this: Transcendence can happen in an instant. For example, some time ago, in the middle of one of my meditation sessions, the God and Goddess appeared to me. This was not something I “forced” or “transformed.” Instead, it was an experience that just manifested. I flowed into beyond the normal or physical.
So, what does this all boil down to?
Transcendence is something you invite, and you do not force.
Here is a prayer that you can use to create transcendence in your life by changing bad experiences into good emotions.
Transcendence Prayer
By love and light, By Old Ones’ might! I ask for Transcendence of my (name of difficulty) in Your Name. May You take it and make it tame. That You turn it into love and light, So I will be all right! Let there be a shift in me, from darkness into light. Let transcendence lift me and take flight. By all the powers of the Sun, Moon and in Old Ones’ Name, Keep me safe and keep me sane. Keep me above the dark waters that I tread within my mind. Let me leave my heartache and sorrow behind. Create growth for me and my life with no end. Through every hill and bend. Pain and fear from (name of difficulty) abate, So I have only a good fate. This (name of difficulty) does not define me! It does not hinder or take me! The love of the Lord and Lady ever fills me, As I so will, So Mote It Be!
May this prayer carry you forward and help you transcend that which held you back.
Often, I’m asked about how Wiccans can really support their relationship with God and Goddess and deepen their Wiccan spiritual practice.
I often share The Three Elements to Improve Your Wiccan Practice.
What do you want to accomplish?
The whole point in much of Wicca is being close to the Gods. All the ritual we do, all the meditating we do—it’s about getting to the ecstatic state of being closer to the Source.
Do you want to start a meditation practice? Or how about doing more ritual each week? In creating a daily practice, you first have to figure out what you’re going to do.
Maybe you want to hone your magickal skills.
Here’s the first thing to consider: Start with something easy. Avoid setting yourself up to fail.
Start with something simple. You could do a simple candle lighting ceremony, for example.
How much time do you have?
Here’s the good news: Whatever time you have, you can make your Wiccan spiritual practice better.
Some examples:
1 minute – say a prayer or chant (out loud)
3 to 5 minutes – Have a brief meditation session.
30 minutes – Do a simple ritual. Perhaps, include a candle lighting ceremony and some meditation.
1 hour – Do a formal ritual.
The more time you have, the more you can do. Just remember to pace yourself.
Even if you have only a short time to spare, you can still get big benefits. How? Practice will help you hone whatever skill/discipline you are trying to work with.
Even doing a three-minute meditation session will bring you results over time.
How will you log it?
Logging your practice is crucial. If you do not log your actions, you really don’t know if you’re making any progress.
Some people use a diary. Diaries are great to log what you did, the duration of your practice, and what the outcome was.
What if you don’t like to write? No problem. You can use your smartphone to record your progress. You can pick an app to log your efforts.
Otherwise, you can simply mark a paper-based calendar on the days you successfully complete your practice.
Wiccans also find that having another Wiccan as your “accountability buddy” helps.
* * * * * *
In summary, you can accomplish much even with a short time—when you do things daily. Use The Three Elements to Improve Your Wiccan Practice.
“How can I do real magic?” one of my readers asked.
Magick has many facets. Real magick (spelled with a “k”) takes years of practice and dedication to do it correctly. Magick is the process of using natural energies to create positive change in yourself and the world around you.
Start by asking yourself, “What kind of magick do I want to practice?” You could consider ceremonial magick, witchcraft (if so what kind?), or another type.
Without the necessary knowledge, spells fail. I’ve seen friends disappointed as their spells went wrong. We notice that many people buy a book of spells and cast away, not knowing the how and why. Spells will do a giant belly flop on you if this is what you do without the knowledge of how magick works in the first place.
Intent
To do successful magick, you need to understand several things. First, you must have an intent. You need to know what you want to manifest. I know this sounds simple, but many people just don’t think the intent through.
Let’s say you want a car. Okay, why do you want a car? Is it to take you to your job? Or is it something you want to have people envy? Hey I don’t judge. But if you just say “I want a car” to the universe, you are likely to get that Pinto down the block.
Let’s say you just moved to a new area and you need a car to get you around. You want something nice but economical. You don’t want a piece of junk that will break down on you every chance it gets. I suggest you go shopping, whether it be on the internet or at a car lot. Get to know what you want and like for your car.
When you pick out features, you’re attaching specific desires to the car. This will help manifest the car you want versus the junk heap down the block. Refine your image of the perfect car in your mind. Include other requirements you have like good gas mileage and inexpensive repair costs. The more specific you are with your intent, the less there will be unexpected results like getting the lemon down the lane.
Having a solid intent is your first step before you do any magick. Once you have that cornerstone set you can continue with the second thing which is concentration. During your spell you will need lots of concentration and visualization.
Visualization
We’ll continue with the process of manifesting a particular car. You can use a toy car as a visualization focus object. As you stare at the toy car, you also use your mind to imagine getting into a real car and driving it. You can even take a number of steps further. For instance, if you desire a convertible car, you imagine the wind blowing through your hair as you drive with the top down.
Concentration
This is the process of focusing and then refocusing your mind on your visualization task. In essence, you concentrate on the object and on the images in your mind that are specific for your desired manifestation. It is natural for the mind to wander at times. When it does, you just consciously redirect your mind to focus on the visualization object once again.
Meditation
Some Wiccans begin with meditation to clear the mind before using both concentration and visualization. Using your mind’s eye, view the shape. Now view this shape from every angle. Concentrate on this shape for an extended time until you have it firmly in your mind.
Willpower
The Collins English Dictionary defines willpower as “the ability to control oneself and determine one’s actions.”
Kelly McGonigal, Ph.D., author of The Willpower Instinct, wrote: “Willpower is about harnessing the three powers of I will, I won’t and I want to help you to achieve your goals (and stay out of trouble).”
When it comes to successfully performing magick, willpower, to me, means the driving force of desire for some form of change. So I focus on the power of “I will.” This is an important distinction because many people think of willpower as only the ability to avoid temptation.
The compelling observation is that Wiccans, who become proficient at these three processes of visualization, concentration, and meditation, actually strengthen their will. How? Once you do the three processes, you actually enhance your belief, and you push through your doubt.
Realize, you need to will something into being. This includes confidence that what you are doing will work. If you don’t have that, your spell just won’t become a reality.
You need your will for your intent to be as strong as possible. This is why when we are desperate for something, we can usually manifest it. Using your will is deeply rooted in your desire. Lack of will just creates another belly flop.
I’ve now shared with you the five must-haves (intent, visualization, concentration, meditation and willpower) for doing magick that works.
The above included some of the “basics.” I’ve personally devoted years to earn my role as a 3rd Degree High Priestess of the Gardnerian Tradition.
May the above information serve you on your journey,
GoddessHasYourBack.com 