Pagan Blog Project- M is for What is Magic?

This article was written with the help of my sister, Crystal Luna Rouge, when we first started teaching together.

What is Magic?

Every person has the ability within themselves to do magic. And some people do it without realizing they are performing magic! For example: have you ever made a sick friend or loved one chicken soup when they were feeling ill? If so, you put all your love and energy into making the soup, so it would help them get better faster. This is a form of magic.

Most people are afraid of magic because they have been taught that it is evil. But now with magic coming back into the world and out of the “broom closet”, the truth is slowly but surely coming out as well. Magic is not evil. It is a very natural ability that can be practiced by anyone who wants positive change in their lives.

The Dictionary’s Definition of Magic:
Noun.
1. The art that purports to control or forecast natural events, effects, or forces by invoking the supernatural.
a. The practice of using charms, spells, or rituals to attempt to produce supernatural effects or control events in nature.
b. The charms, spells, and rituals so used.
2. The exercise of sleight of hand or conjuring for entertainment.
3. A mysterious quality of enchantment: “For me the names of those men breathed the magic of the past” (Max Beerbohm).

Adjective.
1. Of, relating to, or invoking the supernatural: “stubborn unlaid ghost/that breaks his magic chains at curfew time” (John Milton).
2. Possessing distinctive qualities that produce unaccountable or baffling effects.


[Middle English magik, from Old French magique, from Late Latin magica, from Latin magic, from Greek magik, from feminine of magikos, of the Magi, magical, from magos, magician, magus. ]

Magic vs. Magick

Magic within this document will be spelt as you would find it in a Dictionary:
M-a-g-i-c.

Magic spelt M-a-g-i-c-k was introduced by Aliester Crowley to differentiate it from stage performers. Aliester Crowely defined magic as "The Science and Art of causing change to occur in conformity with Will". I think it means: Using your own will to bring change into your life.

Forms of Magic
There are many forms of magic for example: Folk, Witchcraft, Vodoun, Santeria, Qabala, Ceremonial, Herbal, Moon/Lunar, Crystal, Color, Poppet, Elemental, Food/Kitchen, Knot, Powder, Healing, Weather, Binding, Protection, Sex, Glamour, Dream, Scrying, Fairy and Candle magic to name of few.
Wicca seems to embrace most forms of magic but can vary on the practitioner.

Is Magic Energy?
Some have speculated that Magic is an energy or force of some kind, and this would appear to be true in many situations. For example the ritual of Drawing down the Moon. Without going into too much detail Drawing down the Moon is a ritual where a Priestess or Solitary Female within the magic circle points her Athame at the full moon and lets the Moons energies fill her body, she then uses this "energy" for her magical endeavour, whatever that may be.

Another example is where a Witch or Magician charges Tools, Herbs, Stones, Candles, Talismans etc. Therefore to "Charge" something they must believe that there is an "energy" of some sort. I have also read of stories where within a magic circle with several people involved that sparks of energy have literally jumped from person to person. This would also suggest that there is some kind of "energy" involved.

“Recent discoveries in quantum physics (the study of the physics of sub-atomic particles) and in cosmology (the branch of astronomy and astrophysics that deals with the universe taken as a whole) shed much light on how mind interacts with the universe. These discoveries compel acceptance of the idea that there is far more than just one universe and that we constantly interact with many of these "hidden" universes.
Unfortunately, most books on quantum cosmology are written in language that an ordinary intelligent person cannot understand. Moreover, many if not most scientists are in a state of denial of anything supernatural. They are blind to the paranormal and simply cannot see the obvious logical conclusions of their own discoveries.

What is needed is a source that explains in understandable, non-mathematical terms the relationship between mind and matter––how the human mind acts to influence the physical world.
Such a source exists.”
Magic to modern day people (and the past).... Energy work in all the forms. It can be shown in many ways. There can be obvious physical things...like seeing a wound heal before your eyes, moving things with the mind (telekenetics), teleportation, etc... There can mental magic...like psychic abilities, talking to spirit (plants, animals, dead, ascended beings, etc...). Increased perceptions...see auras, hear thoughts, feel energy, etc...


Is Magic Desire?

Do practitioners of magic believe so much in their science that they simply just see what they want to see. Their perception is so intense in a belief in magic that after casting a spell or doing a ritual say for example:

Making a wish while blowing out candles on a birthday cake. This is one of the oldest forms of magic that has been around for centuries. What really happens here? The person is sending out the desire for an object of material substance or outcome. Does having intense belief in your perception guide you to draw to you the things in life that you desire. This spell or ritual you conducted was a focusing tool to make you concentrate and guide your energies towards your desire to accumulate something in your life.

It draws its power from a deep well in the center of the human soul. Within this well are the waters of the unconscious, and below the surface dwell all possibilities and potentials, awaiting their turn to be pulled up into the light and made real. So long as they remain under the surface, they do not exist, but the moment they are captured and brought forth they come to be. Other types are manipulations. Manifesting things you desire, changing weather, time, probability of future events, etc.. Personal magic...re-patterning oneself, making self a higher more pure being. Intent is very powerful tool.

Many people will to tell you to perform magic you need certain things i.e. Tools, Props, Timing, Astrological correspondences, Moon phase etc, to be successful in your magical workings. I believe it depends on the user’s preference. Personally, I think these things enhance your magical work but really don't do the work for you. They are simply an added bonus.

So what is magic? To be honest I am not 100% sure. I believe in a Universal Force whether this is actually the energy we use in magic is another matter. I personally do not believe it is what one sees on television shows and movies such as Charmed, The Craft, and Harry Potter. Their magic to me is the magic of imagination and is entirely a different subject.

How do you define magic in your own tradition?

Blessed be,
Autumn


Resources:
What is Magic by Wren Walker of Witches Voice
Drawing Down the Moon by Margot Adler
What is Magic? By: Donald Tyson (article found on internet)

Pagan Blog Project- L is for Litha and M is for Midsummer

So I am behind again on the pagan blog project, so I am combining my last L and first M. Both are for the sabbat we are celebrating now, Litha or Midsummer. This year part of my coven celebrated in Earlville, Illinois at Stonehouse Park with Selena Fox and Circle Sanctuary. The weather was very hot and the bugs were plentiful, but the time spent this past week was well worth it. :).

Our trip started out not so great. After an hour and a half of traveling, my husband noticed we had a crate missing! So we doubled back ALL the way to the beginning of our trip, but to no avail. We could not find the crate. It must have fallen off and someone picked it up. I hope who ever now had possession of my husbands clothes put them to good use! So now we have wasted 3 hours and have to start all over again. Our trip started at 2am on Saturday morning and ended at 3am on Sunday!! We had now been up for 24 hours straight. Needless to say, we were POOPED! We slept in at the hotel until 9am then headed out to Stonehouse Park for entry to the festival week. (Oh, we did stop at Walmart along the way to buy my husband more clothes!!! He doesn't do skyclad ;).

The rest of the week was much better and we made many new friends and had a fabulous time. We have even started making notes for our next trip to PSG.

Solstice morning, we attended a ritual headed by Selena Fox in which we paid tribute to Father Sun. It was a wonderful ritual filled with fun and laughter. The rest of the week we attended lectures and workshops with nightly concerts. Some of the bands playing were Spiral Rhythm, Tuatha Dea and Celia.

Below are pictures from our week long retreat. So how did you spend your solstice?

Community Altar

Entrance to the Ritual Circle

Grandmother Willow

Home Sweet Home for the week

Spirit Doll and Egg Rattle I made

Solstice Tree at home, I decorate it for each sabbat.

We had to leave Saturday morning to be back in Louisiana for Sunday evening so my husband could go to work on Monday. This is the sunflower for the main ritual on Saturday night that we missed. However we did put our intentions into the papers with are stuffed into the middle of the sunflower. The sunflower was burned as an offering in the Saturday night ritual.

I hope everyone had a blessed sabbat. We certainly did.

BB,
Autumn

Pagan Blog Project-L is for Litha Recipes

I don’t know where everyone is located who reads my blog, but I am here in SW Louisiana, and here in June, summer has been in full swing since April J. The temps here vary from 85-100 degrees right now and during the day time, homes get very warm, especially mine as I live in a mobile home. So what is a witch to do? Well fix non cook recipes of course, keep that kitchen cool J. Most of these recipes are from Martha Stewart and are some of my favorites. There is also a grilling recipe for spending some quality time outdoors with mother nature and father sun J.

Hummus From Martha Stewart

Store hummus in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week.

Ingredients:

 2 cans (15.5 ounces each) chickpeas

 1/3 cup fresh lemon juice

 1/4 cup tahini

 2 cloves garlic, chopped

 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper

 1 1/4 teaspoons coarse salt

 Directions

1.       Reserving 1/4 cup liquid, rinse and drain 2 cans chickpeas. Place chickpeas and reserved liquid in a food processor. Add 1/3 cup fresh lemon juice, 1/4 cup tahini, well stirred, 2 garlic cloves, chopped, 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper, and 1 1/4 teaspoons coarse salt. Process until smooth.

Cherry Tomato Salad from Martha Stewart

Ingredients:

 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard

 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice

 1 tablespoon olive oil

 Coarse salt and ground pepper

 2 pints cherry tomatoes, halved

Directions

1.       In a medium bowl, combine mustard, lemon juice, and oil; season with salt and pepper, and whisk to combine. Add tomatoes, and toss to coat.

Panzanella Bread Salad From Martha Stewart

Ingredients:

 1/4 cup red-wine vinegar

 1/4 cup olive oil

 Coarse salt and ground pepper

 3 cups large cubes country bread (5 to 6 ounces)- I prefer my bread grilled J

 1 pound plum tomatoes, cut into small pieces

 1 English cucumber, thinly sliced crosswise

 1/4 medium red onion, very thinly sliced

 4 ounces provolone cheese in one piece, diced

 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves, torn

 Directions

1. In a large bowl, whisk together vinegar and oil; season with salt and pepper.

 2. Add  bread, tomatoes, cucumber, onion, and cheese. Toss to combine. Cover and refrigerate at least 2 hours, and up to 8 hours. Just before serving, stir in basil. **The recipe also came with beans, however we are not a bean family. But if you are, feel free to add them J.

Spinach Salad from Martha Stewart

Ingredients:

 1 bunch spinach, (about 6 cups), preferably flat-leaf, roughly chopped

 1/3 cup dried sour cherries or cranberries

 3 scallions, thinly sliced

 1 green apple, cored and thinly sliced

 1/2 cup seedless red grapes, cut in half

 1/4 cup walnuts, coarsely chopped

 2 teaspoons apple-cider vinegar

 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

 Salt and freshly ground black pepper

 1/3 cup crumbled goat cheese, (about 2 ounces)

 Directions:

1.       Combine spinach, cherries, scallions, apple slices, grapes, and walnuts in a large bowl. Whisk together vinegar and olive oil; season to taste with salt and pepper. Pour vinaigrette over salad; toss in cheese, and arrange on salad plates.

 Grilled Tomatoes  (or grilled veggies)

Beefsteak tomatoes or other veggies you love

Parmesan cheese or whatever cheese  you like

Directions:

1.            Slice tomatoes fairly thick. Coat with olive oil for grilling.

2.            Grill one side a couple of minutes until grill marks appear. Turn.

3.            Grill other side till done. Grilling times varies as to how you like your veggies done.

4.          Add parmesan cheese or any other cheese you love.

Happy eating. May this Litha season see all of your heart’s desires come true.

 

BB,

Autumn

Litha craft-Sand Paintings

I was going through some old files and found this craft. I am not sure where it originated from, so if you know, please let me know so I can give proper credit. This is a great craft to help teach our littles ones about Litha and the Summer Season. Litha is the time of the sun, but as Wiccans we look for duality in all things, or at least this Wiccan does :). You can explain the significance of the sun and the power of the sun god at this time of year. You can also explain the concept of balance, so sand (and beach) are not a stretch. One of my favorite all time litha activities is tubing because it combines the best of both elements: the sun and water from the river. Nothing is more relaxing than relaxing in an inner tube floating down the river with the sun kissing your skin. But I digress :). So here is the directions for the craft:

 

 

Making Sand Paintings

Colored sand (various colors)

White glue

Paint brush (old one)

Paper (as thick as possible to prevent warping)

Pencil

PREPARATION:

1. Make sure to cover work surface completely. Lightly sketch design onto paper. Make design fairly simple with large areas of color. Stay away from tiny details.

2. Place your drawing on top of another clean piece of paper that you have folded in half and then opened again. This will aid you in not only in catching the extra sand but then in pouring in back in

the original container.

3. Pour some glue into a disposable container (paper cups work well). Thin glue with a few drops of water to the consistency of paint.

4. "Paint" glue onto areas of picture. (Paint only the areas that will be the same color until all areas of that color are complete. )

5. Sprinkle or pour sand over the fresh glue and then tip the paper to get rid of the excess sand. "Paint" more glue and sprinkle more sand until all areas of the selected color are completed. Extra sand can be carefully poured back into the original jar.

6. Then move on to each different color completing all areas of one color before moving on to the next. Let dry.

7. To outline areas, run a thin bead of glue right out of the glue bottle to outline area, sprinkle desired color of sand, let set a few seconds and gently tip page to get rid of excess sand. If bead of glue moves when you tip the picture it can be pushed back into place gently with a toothpick. More touchup work and be done to the edges of your outlines when the glue begins to dry but is still a

little pliable. The outlines add depth and texture to your pictures for just the right finishing touch and can also be used to cover imperfections.

 

May you all have a blessed Litha/MidSummer.

Blessed be,

Autumn

Pagan Blog Project- K is for Kids and Magic

The letter K was quite challenging for me this time around. I did not have the time needed to put into a subject that would need to be researched, so I decided to write about something I am frequently asked about: How to teach kids about magic and especially the elements.

Keepers of the Hearth (KOTH) is a family based coven, which means we advocate the idea of families worshiping their faith together. Although my own children were much older when I found this path, I have been thinking of ways to perhaps one day, teach my grandchildren.  My dream is to one day see the resurgence of hereditary witchcraft.

So here are some of my ideas to help introduce kids to magic and the elements.

Air or the element of east:

Balloon magic-write your wish on a balloon or on a paper that is inserted into the balloon and send it off to the universe.

Bubble magic-release your desires through the blowing of bubbles

Fairies- share stories of the fey, there are also many coloring pages available on the internet as well

Feathers- a symbol for air, can be used in magic and as a cleansing tool, similar to using a smudge stick

Clouds- can be used as a divination tool

Dandelions- make a wish, put your energy into the seeds and blow away

Breathing exercises- breath is sacred; help your children to learn techniques

Wind chimes- create your own as a gift to the fairies or east

Dreams-help them to understand the magic of dreams

Colors include white, yellow, and blue as in the sky

Fire or the element of south:

*** Most ideas dealing with this element will need to be done with the supervision of an adult

Cooking or baking-add a little kitchen magic

Dragons-read stories or make your own up

Sun- talk about the sun and how it is important to our lives, also the sun can be a symbol of the god

Salamanders-elementals of fire

Making and charging of candles

Protection spells-the bubble protection meditation is great for this

Healing spells through energy transfer

Firing clay for amulets

Wands-symbol of fire, help a child to make one of their own

Colors include orange and red

Water or element of West:

Bathing- sacred bathing and washing away negativity

Swimming/floating/tubing-becoming one with nature

Mermaids/undines- read stories or make up your own

Seashells-make amulets or sacred jewelry for ritual

Rain magic- harness the power of natural rain water

Cauldron or chalice is the symbol of water, decorate your own chalice

Kitchen magic- make magical teas or other drinks

Colors include blues, purples, and turquoise

Earth or element of north:

Grow plants or trees

Mud pies

Paint rocks with magical symbols

Gnomes

Sand-make wands or amulets

Learn about trees, nuts, berries, etc.

Make salt dough ornaments or magical tools

Colors are green and brown

Divinity or Spirit:

Singing or chanting- there are many songs/chants to praise the gods

Dancing- create energy

Drumming-music and energy

Taking care of the planet-reduce, reuse, and recycle

Prayer, simply talk to the gods

Meditation- there are many simple techniques suitable for children

Making prayer beads or sacred jewelry: different techniques might include salt dough, clay, paper mache or sand.

 

These are just a few ideas to help you explain and teach the use of the elements in your magical practice.

May all your endeavors be magical! Blessed Be.