As we step deeper into spring why not perform a spring cleansing. For this spell you will be creating a broom, but it will only be used for the ritual and then released. You will need to be creative with the herbs that you use. It's best to use what you have access to in your own yard or neighborhood. 

Collect a combination of the following herbs and plants: cedar, fennel, rosemary, hyssop, sage, bay, or anything else that you can easily access near you.

Find yourself a long stick. If you want to pay attention to the type of wood for magickal purposes this is totally great! But not required. Use what you have.

Tie the herbs and plants to one end of the stick.

Combine salt and water. Sprinkle this over the newly created cleansing broom.

Sweep your space, get the ground, the corners, and the ceiling. Don't leave any part of your space out!

When you are finished take the broom away from your home. You can disassemble it, releasing the pieces back to the wild. You can also release it into running water or bury it.

Pomanders are often seen during the winter holidays, but they have a long history of magick and healing spell work. For this spell you will need the following items:
​
-An orange or grapefruit
-Cloves
-Ground cinnamon
-Red ribbon

Hold the orange in your hand and whisper to it your goal, whether that is healing, protection, or immune building. Hold the cloves in your hand and do the same, telling the cloves your goal. Sprinkle the cinnamon out on a flat surface and draw any symbols or sigils into the powder.

Pierce the skin of the orange with the cloves. Each time state your intention out loud. You may want to create a design or symbol with the cloves or just fill up as much of the skin as you can. When you are finished roll the orange in the cinnamon, again, stating your intention out loud.

Finally wrap the orange in the red ribbon and hand it in a doorway or as close to your front door as possible.

For this spell you will need the following items:
-Knotgrass; also known as knotweed
-Van Van Oil
-Brown Paper

On the paper write a clear and concise description of your problem. Wrap the paper around some knotgrass. Fold the paper three times keeping the grass enclosed in the paper. Anoint the paper with Van Van Oil. 

Burn the packet.

​Pay close attention to your dreams, synchronicities, and messages over the coming week. Your answer will be close at hand.

Sometimes loving ourselves is one of the hardest things to do. When you need a little help on loving yourself more gather the following ingredients:
-one small red bag - small enough that you can tuck it into your bra or pocket
-one wishbone, painted gold
-a pinch of red rose petals
-one small rose quartz
-six Grains of Paradise
-large red candle

On the night of a full moon carve your name into the side of the large red candle with a heart shape around it. Light the candle and say the words, "I love myself". Take all of the ingredients listed above and combine them all into the bag.

Breathe three long slow breaths into the bag, saying "I love myself" between each breath. Then tie the bag shut. Carry this with you as a charm and talisman to help you love yourself more.

The first day of a new year is an excellent time to do a reading for the year ahead. Here is a simple process for doing a year ahead reading, even if you don't typically read. You can do this process with a traditional tarot deck or an oracle deck. It's best if you are unfamiliar with the deck to have access to the book.

Take a moment to breathe. Ground and center yourself. Let yourself be fully present. When you feel ready pick up the deck of cards and focus on the year ahead. Let yourself remain open, but hold the power of 2020 as your focus.

Again, when you feel ready, fan out the cards and pick twelve cards. Keeping them in the order you selected them.

Flip them over one at a time. Card number one is connected to January, card number two is connected to February, card three is March, and so on.

Write down any key words or points that you want to remember that you can refer to throughout the year ahead. You might also consider taking a picture of the layout so you can refer to the imagery throughout the year as well.

Phoenix recently wrote a blog post about some magickal tips and tricks that you can use to keep things peaceful while hosting or attending a family gatherings.

Check out that blog post here.

The concept of holy water is one found in religions from all over the world. In some faiths a specific river is holy, in others a priest must sanctify the water in order to make it holy, and in others holy water is created from an event, like a storm. 

As we move into the rainy season, you can make your own holy water to use for cleansing, blessings, and clarity.

For this working you will need a seal-able jar, a beautiful bowl, a quartz crystal, and two white candles.

Leave the jar outside until you collect enough water to fill at least half of the jar.

Wait until the next full moon and then set the bowl between the two white candles. Have your rain water handy. Do this working skyclad (or naked) if possible. Light the candles and then pour the water into the bowl while repeating this chant until you feel complete:
Holy, holy, holy
Water is life
Life is a blessing

Use your dominant hand to draw a pentacle in the water three times. Place the quartz crystal into the jar and pour the water back in. Close the lid and keep the jar in the refrigerator. Your own holy water!

Halloween is also known as Samhain (pronounced Sow-in). It is believed to be a time when the veil between our world and the Otherworlds is thin. It is a time where we can more easily connect and commune with those that have crossed over. This ancestor summoning spells should be used when you want to connect to an ancestor whose lineage you have at least some basic familiarity with.

Supplies Needed: alcohol from ancestral lands (or spring water), ancestral food, candle, image of ancestral lands (or map), photos of any ancestors you have, and a bell.

Set Up: Create a small altar for your ancestors. This can be on a small table, a book shelf, the edge of a desk. The size doesn't matter, just make some space. Place the image of ancestral lands or map on the flat surface. On top of it place the candle, photos, bell, candle, a small cup for the alcohol, and a small plate for the food.

Spell: As you set up this space speak out loud to your ancestors. Let them know you want to hear their divine wisdom. Invite in those ancestors that are filled with love and want to see you thrive in the world. Light the candle, ring the bell, pour the alcohol, and put out the food.

Take care of this space. Keep it clean. Keep the offerings of food and alcohol fresh. Make it a space that your ancestors would appreciate.

​And then......listen. 

If you notice a negative energy or presence in your home and you want to banish that, follow this simple bottle spell for banishing negative energy.

You will need the following items:
-a small or medium sized mason jar with lid
-13 rose thorns
-the petals of one whole rose (ideally a white rose, but any color will do)
-enough salted water or holy water to almost totally fill the jar

At sunset drop each of the rose thorns into the jar. Do this with focus and intention. As each thorn hits the bottom of the jar say "I banish all negative energy from this place". When all the thorns are in the jar cover them with the rose petals making sure that you can't see any of the thorns. Then almost fill the jar with the sacred water.

Leave the jar open overnight. Do not sit vigil or watch the jar. Just leave it in a place where it can be undisturbed.

Before the sunrises in the morning close the jar tight saying "all evil is trapped inside". Wrap the jar in dark fabric and bury it somewhere far away from your home.

If you have been struggling to clear sadness out of your life and space the following spell can help. This should not be used as a replacement for therapy or mental health support. However, this spell can aid any mental heath treatment you might be receiving.

You will need: small white candle, small piece of white paper, red ink pen, sewing needle, and honey.

Find a time and place where you can be alone and undisturbed. Write down all your fears, sorrows, and worry onto the sheet of white paper with the red pen. Then hold the candle and read back (out loud) what you have written. Allow your body to release all of the sadness in to the white candle.

Carve your name and birth date on to the candle using the sewing needle. Then anoint the candle and the piece of paper with the honey. Light the candle and burn the paper with the flame (being very careful with the fire! only use fire safe containers, and take care to be safe).

Say this: I release my sorrow to the flame. Gone are sadness, grief, and pain. My troubles are gone forever more. To grief and sorrow I close the door.

Let the paper burn to ash, repeating the lines above. Once the paper is gone focus on your body and the empty space you have created by releasing the sadness. Eat a teaspoon of honey and visualize the golden glow of it filling that empty space. Fill up your body with the warmth, glow, and sweetness of honey. (if you can't have honey use syrup).

Sit with the candle until it is done burning, holding the visualization of warmth and joy filling you up. Eat more honey if you feel called.