Well the Apocalypse came...Now What?

With the Winter Solstice come and gone a lot of people are thinking, "Now what?"
Well, let's just say you have a lot to think about. Now is the time to finish up your projects. Maybe the solstice gave you some insights into your path that you can sort through. Or perhaps a god has looked your way. All in all there is life after Apocalypse.

A Moment to Heal

With the many tragedies that have happened this year, let us give a moment to send healing to those who need it this Yule. Many people are having tough times from being homeless to losing a loved one. Let us not forget or ignore these others in our world who need that support. We are a community of the world and each member is a brother to us.
Merry yule blessings, take care of each other.

Home Remedies - Tea

It is Flu season so here are a few things to help you along. Most are tea solutions to help before and during your sick time.

For Immune System boost...
-Drink green tea: it helps to support your immune system, gives you antioxidants, and some complex vitamins.
-Any rooibus tea: rooibus teas also can help your immune system.

To sweat out sickness...
-Ginger, ginger, and more ginger: ginger heats up your body and helps sweat out toxins and sickness.

Hold off coughing...
-Hot sage: sage can help with coughing and as a cleanser.


Add in..
licorice root or dandelion leaves for overall sickness help.

Snow Time Prayer

Happy Yule-times!

The Winter Solstice is coming closer and the cold times are ahead. Bright blessings to all in these days.

Snow Time Prayer

"The white, cold earth,

Sleep well as you recover,

The winds adorned in mirth,

As the clouds mount up in cover.

Goddess of Grey, jeweled in ice,

Your loving blessing given thrice.

Blessing of your love given to us,

Blessing of your wisdom hidden within,

Blessing of your trust earned through you.

Bright blessings of light, life, and love!"

Storm Moon - Winter Prep.

The end of November marks the Storm Moon. This Esbat is one of preparation before the coming winter. Time to hunker down and tie up loose ends before the snow rolls in to cover it all up. In readying for winter cold, remember to do some last minute protection for your home, car, pets, and office.

Simple protection chant:

"Round and round this place I draw,
A circle bound in warmth and care,
Carefully kept in loving arms,
Keep these safe and fair."

Visualize your object or space being circled by white light throughout the winter.

Thanksgiving Hopes

This week is Thanksgiving, a very popular feast day for Americans. While it means a huge amount of food for most, it marks a day of greed, the stretching thin of native cultures, and the massive bouts of disease that swept through the land. But it is our hope you feel no anger. This has happened many times in many different cultures. The Universe moves in ways we as mortal beings can not understand and it will most likely happen again to another people someday. This thanksgiving should be remembered and honored as a day of forgiveness. Forgiveness of the past and celebrating the hopes for the future. Bright blessings to those around the world this week and those who can forgive the past of their 'enemies' as well as their friends.

"Earth mother, earth mother,

Do you not hear?

The children are crying,

The women shed tears.

Sky father, sky father,

Will you not act?

The land is dry,

It's spirit is racked. 

I sat under storms,

I sat beneath snows,

And now I see,

We all shed our woes."

Colorful Healing

as in our theme of healing, here is a spell.

Colorful Healing

Supplies:

• blank poster
• picture of person in need of healing
• paints (including any glitter, glue, or other decoration)
• paint brushes
• marker (green if possible)

Set out the supplies and hold the person's picture in your hand. Stare at the picture and visualize the person in front of you. In your mind, see them healthy and happy, full of life. Hold that image in your head and close your eyes. Feel your love towards this person in your heart and let your wish for them ring in your mind. Say,

"For you I see good. 
For you I see health.
For you I see happiness.
Accept all goodness that comes,
Embrace all love around you."

Open your eyes. Glue the picture in the middle of the poster board. Decorate the poster board in all colors. Write the person's name in green marker over their picture. Paint positive words, pictures  and any other image that brings good memories. Add other pictures of them, their family, and anything they love if you have them on hand. When it is done you can hang it up for a focus of healing thoughts or if it is for another person, give it to them as a well-wishing focus.

Cold Time Prayer

"In winter skies adorned in snow,
Goddess dances through the cold,
In clouds of grey in windy times,
God does dip his hands to fire,
Warmth in heart, mind, and soul,
Divine love does make us whole.
Stillness of the lips do sign,
Quickening of our minds,
In joy do we embrace the our love,
That gods bestowed from above.
Thank all that string us hand in hand,
The Nature of a larger plan."

Healing Spirit Circle

Healing Spirit Circle

purpose:

to create a source of emotional and spiritual healing for the spirits and beings in need.

Supplies:

• 5 candles (white is preferable) with fire-proof contains/plates for each
• Pictures of (deceased) relatives, angels, totems, and other good spirits
• bowl
• cup
• water
• bread (or pastry)
• matches or lighter
• other items of healing (herbs, stones, etc)

In an open area, place your candles around in a circle so there is room enough for you to sit and move about the circle. Set the bowl and cup inside the circle to the west. Around the bowl and cup lay out the pictures of your honored dead, pictures of animal totems, and other healing items. Light the candles. Fill the cup with water and the bowl with bread. Sit facing the west and take a deep breath. Relax and image the circle you created filled with light. Place your hands to your chest and feel your heartbeat. Focus on your heartbeat for a minute and imagine that each time your heart beats the circle pulses as well. Visualize it pulsing along with your heart. Take another deep breath and allow the positive feelings in your heart bubble up and become part of the pulsing circle. Once you have a high level of good energy, look down at your pictures. Say,

"Spirits here and spirits passed,
Honored in these times I call,
To all of you I set a task,
Come for healing do you draw,
From the circle to heal your wound,
That earthly matters have undone.
No ill-will may you bring,
Into this place of selfless means."

Go into light meditation to keep up the positive energy. Visualize taking in energy from the earth and sending it out into the Universe in a healing manner. If there are any loved ones that may needs= healing, imagine them healed. Let the water and bread be an offering to the good spirits. When done, blow out the candles, and leave the offerings out until the next day.

The Tool that Talks

WC does not own this image.

The Talking Board and Ouija Board season is upon us. There are many stories concerning these magickal tools. Although they are not suggested for new or inexperienced people, there are ways to cut down on the risk of using these tools.

Take away the creep factor
Try using the boards in lit rooms or under decent lighting. No one said you HAD to use it under very dim lighting, it just adds to the mystic and atmosphere.

Set up some protection
By smudging your home first or creating some protection charms/elements to place around your home. It is not about blocking all spirit communication, it is about blocking out the 'spirits that wish harm or mischief.' That is the key phrase to use. Even invoking the name of angels, gods, goddess or a protective spirit to watch over your home can be useful.

Bless the tool 
By infusing your board with positive energy you keep harmful spirits from attaching to it. By saying a prayer over the board and planchette, filling it with the good energy that would protect your working, harmful things can be pushed away.

Invitation only
You can call on specific beings, such as ancestors and spirit guides, only. Craft a prayer or simple chant to allow only 'positive and good spirits into our space.' Bring pictures or passed relatives, pets, or simple sketches to make your intention know who you'd like to talk to. And leave out a little offering for them, such as their favorite food or drink. Using a tip from above: invoke the names of good angels spirits or gods to secure that only the spirits invited or non-harmful come into your space.

More than one
Always use a board with more than yourself. The added energy not only boosts the strength but doing the protections, blessings, and invitation together boosts the strength of those as well making it that much easier and safer.

Never go to boards angry
Your mood can severely change the type of experience you have with a ouija/talking board. If you go to a board with anger and spite in your heart, you will attract those types of energies to you. Always approach a session in a spirit of fun, love, awe, and certainty. Before your group takes up the planchette, do some fun things and get laughter in your space. Do a little dancing, crafting, just something fun to fill up your space with good vibes.

Be safe as you explore with these tools and try to enjoy the experience!

Feast of the Three Great Ladies

Today is the feast day of the Three Great Ladies. It is a Kemetic (egyptian faith) holiday. The three goddesses to commune and celebrate are Isis, Hathor, and Nephthys. Isis is the Goddess of Magick, Hathor is the Goddess of Joy and sun, and Nephthys is the Goddess of Shadow and Time. They almost reflect the ideas of the Triple Goddess. Hathor steps in as maiden, Isis as mother, and Nephthys as crone. Although the 'ages' may not align, their energies seem to. So today why not set out three simple offerings in honor of these power house goddesses? Something simple is the set out something white (for Hathor), something black (for Isis), and something red (for Nephthys).  Here are a few correspondences if you'd like to know these goddesses better.

These are just very short correspondences so if you want to know them better just doo some research on your own.

Hathor (Het-hert)
role: solar queen & joy deity
colors: gold, blushes, cream, white
animals: cow, lioness, falcon or hawk
hieroglyph: falcon inside a house

Isis (Aset)
role: mother and magick goddess
colors: green, teal, black (represents fertility & good soil), white
animals: kite
hieroglyph: throne

Nephthys (Nebet-het)
role: guide and shadow goddess
colors: white, black, and red (representing the infertile desert)
animals: vulture
hieroglyph: temple floor plan and basket

Masks - Magickal Tool

Masks have been used in various cultures around the world for centuries. They are used in a variety of ways including in theater, ceremonies, religious acts, and protection. The mask can be, and has been, used in rites of initiation, healing, rituals for hunting, fertility, and much more. It is part of our global heritage.
They have been found all over the world from Japan, China, to North and South America. They are linked with all aspects of live and magick.

When you don a mask you are taking on the aspects of that mask. If your mask has bees on it, you are trying to take on the attribute of the bee. The stronger the association you have to the mask the more powerful its connection to you. When you personally craft a mask, it is imbued not only with the energy of its image but with your personal energy.
In this holiday season, masks can be seen everywhere and blank ones found in craft stores. Crafting your own mask is a powerful experience and it can become a powerful tool.

Apple Blessing

The Apple Communion

Supplies:

• apple
• honey or caramel
• plate
• cup or small bowl

Cut the apple into slices and lay them on the plate. Set the honey in a small bowl beside the plate. Take a deep breath and close your eyes. Visualize the tree the apple could have come from. See it sway in the wind, deeply rooted to the earth, and soaking in the sun's rays. Feel the glowing energy of the earth pulsing through the tree and filling up its fruit. The fruit that sits before you. Relax and say a blessing,

"Bright blessings fill the fertile earth,
Sun's light give it strength,
The pulse of power through me move,
Into the apple's heart.
Linked are we to the earth,
And linked it calls us back.
Blessed be!"

Dip the slice into the honey/caramel, the sweetness of the earth, and partake. Share the apple with those who could use the blessing.

Simple Prayer of Blessing

"Oh Gracious Goddess,
Queen of Night,
Carrying the moon swift and far,
Oh Gracious God,
Solar King,
Lift up your heavy orb and soar.
Oh King and Queen,
In loving grasp,
Heal us sick and us poor.
In morning light,
To night starlight,
Blessed be!"

Mabon has Come

Well, it is that time of year! As many people know, WC puts out a seasonal sabbat newsletter! As this sabbat draws closer, I hope everyone feels the spirit of the season. Thankfulness and warmth are spread through the remembrance of our family, friends, and happy times. Many blessings to our WC family this sabbat.

Our Seasonal Sabbat Newsletter

Shaman's Era

image by Susan Seddon Boulet

Before gods and before the craft, or even formal ritual or religion, there were shamans. This was before even the divergence of culture or race became really important. Shamans were the middle men between the village and the Universe. Of course, the Universe consisted of as much land as the village knew about. A shaman was different than a medicine man. Medicine men, and women, were part of the village and knew the lore of herbs and other healing arts. They were sought after and appreciated part of the village. The shaman was a world away. The shamans were people of spirit that lived in isolation, a person respected but revered. They were sought only when trouble occurred. Their's was a path of balance through spiritual exploration and knowledge. 

Now-a-days, many of us try to live a life of balance between the physical realms and the spiritual realms. It can be tough, but doable. We are returning to the ways of our far distant ancestors and that is the way of cycles. Just like fashion, we always come back around to cycle through our past. Walk in balance in the shaman's era once more!

Star Power

painting done by Big Bad Studios

Star Power Visualization

Under the midnight sky, take in a deep breath. Look into the stars and close your eyes. Above you are legends and myths that look down upon us each night. They are full of untapped wisdom. Imagine them shining down their strength, funneling it into you.
The Love of Ursa Major and Ursa Minor
The Loyalty and Friendship of Canis Major
The Ferocity of Leo
Simply look up into the star sky and find the lesson you need.

WC Forum Technical Difficulties

All has been fixed!

Blue Moon Sigil

As the blue moon occurs tonight I thought I would write up a new sigil to use. 

Prayer on Sigil:

"Clarity be given to me as moon turns full and stars burn free. Goddess grant the blessings unto me in humble love I do beseech. Warm winds move and waters be still as moon shines bright over the hills. God grant all the blessings within that heaven first placed in hearts of men. From northern star to southern fields, opened are the gates in me."

Uses:

-Printed and glued to the back of a mirror. Tonight (blue moon) catch the reflection of the moon in the mirror. Say the prayer or one of your own to charge the mirror  with the clarity of communication between yourself and the Universe. Every time you wish to commune with the gods set the mirror on your altar or opposite you. 

-Place the sigil under a bowl of water. Try to catch the moon's reflection in the water to scry. 

-Placed on the altar of an esbat to strengthen communication between Goddess and coven.

-Printed and cut out. Write a wish or desire on the other side of the sigil and burn it safely to send the prayer to the Goddess. 

-Using henna or ink, draw the sigil on your palms and use them in energy work. 

Blue Moon Prayer

"Great Goddess of the open sky,

Star crowned Goddess that draw us nigh,

Every orb of heaven swells in your womb,

Under this the full, blue moon,

Guide our hands and guide our hearts,

In this great rite we do take part,

Blessings granted by your touch,

Shall be valued with all we have."

art not owned by wc. original here

A Time of Thanks

As the season of autumn comes forward, Mabon is drawing near. There is much to be thankful for this year and in our lives as a whole. We at The Witches Collective are proud and excited to see how far it has come in the past year. The Mysteries of the Divine Apprenticeship Program has had a huge number of students enroll. There are been a few purchases from our Services. Our Book of Shadows has a huge amount of information that we are hoping to expand in the future. Our Shop contains unique crafts, that we are hoping to add onto. And of course, our Forum has a wide variety of information, discussion, and people to connect with.
We at The Witches Collective, are very thankful for our budding community and all the people that have supported us! I hope all of you can keep your hearts open to us as we continue to provide what we can for our community and the pagan paths.

Tea Spell

As this marks a special day for tea with me personally, I thought I would share that a little with everyone. If most people don't drink tea, there are many benefits to it. It has vitamins, antioxidants, and even a variety of levels of caffeine if you want to have only light caffeine. Tea can also be served hot or cold, as in iced tea. So with that said, let's continue on.

Supplies:
-mug
-tea (loose leaf or bagged)
-teapot (with strainer if loose leaf)
-your favorite tea

Start by heating up the water in your teapot or in a separate pot if your teapot is not stove safe. Once the water is heated up, take it off the stove and add your tea. As you add your tea imagine all the positive qualities of the herbs moving into the hot water. Think of your future goals and pick out one in particular. Visualize your goal and say it aloud as you add the tea to the hot water. Imagine the herbs glowing a bright color and as they sit in the hot water see them turn the water the same color. Hold that in your mind and say,

"The Cauldron sit upon the fire,
Boiling in my heart's desire,
In the water it does move,
And in my heart it does soothe."

Add sugar to your mug and when the tea has steeped enough, add in the tea. Stir and drink, knowing your goal is waiting ahead of you.

Blue Moon

This month is a special treat. A blue moon will be occurring on the 31st of August. This is a special time and quite rare. The blue moon is not given a seasonal correspondence but does have a spiritual one. Like Samhain, when the veil thins, the time of a blue moon create a clearer connection to the Universe and the Divine. Using this as a basis, the blue moon is a great time to establish connection to Deity, initiate new people into a coven or tradition, or work for the healing of another.

Spell for Comfort

With the tragedies in the last month and the coming festivals of harvest, let's take a minute to give thanks for our lives. Then, send prayers to those who have been effected by both the Aurora and Sikh Temple shootings.

Spell For Comfort

Goddess: Nebet-Het (Nephthys)

Goddess of hidden things, grief, the dead, the home, the temple

Supplies:

-small basket

-white candle

-picture of the injured or newspaper clipping of incident

Place the basket on your kitchen table or flat surface you can see easily. Place the candle, in a fire-proof holder, in front of the basket. Place your picture or newspaper article in the basket. You can add any offering such as food, herbs, stones, a letter, flowers, or a card. Stand up straight, look at your small basket and candle and close your eyes. Hold the image of the person or people in your mind. Let your emotions come up to the surface. When you can, say,

"Nebet-Het, Lady of the Temple,
Western Star and Guide,
Deliver your comforting embrace,
Bring peace where none was before,
Tame hot pains with cool water,
And to deliver all to the Western shore."

Give a moment of silence to let your prayer to the goddess sink in. Let the basket sit out and the candle burn out if it is safe to do so. Blessings to those in need.

Happy Lammas!

Happy Lammas!
Today is one of the fire festivals and a day of harvest! I hope everyone has a blessed Sabbat.
Our Lammas Newsletter is packed full of great info, spells, and ritual for this sabbat!

Happy First of many Years!

Coming up is our one year anniversary at The Witches Collective! Thank you to every who has hung in there with us and supported us. In honor of this birthday WC has had a face lift in design and color. Swing by and check it out.

Thanks to Big Bad Studios for designing and maintaining this new look. Big Bad Studios is the artistic home of great illustration, graphic design, and web design. For anyone interested the artist is an email away!

Thank you everyone!

Simple Clearing Spell

All you need is yourself. Go into the center of your home or room that needs cleansing. Stand straight, let your hands rest at your side, and close your eyes. Breath normally and relax. Visualize a pulsing white light at your heart area just in front of your chest. Take in a deep breath and feel the light brighten. Let out your breath slowly and feel the light pulse strongly along your chest. Hold the visualization of the light. Bring your power hand up and trace a star symbol in the air in front of you. Imagine your fingers leaving behind a green or blue light as you make the shape so by the end you have the star in front of you in either color. Bring both hands to the sides of your head, palms facing towards your head. Tense your muscles and gather up energy. Take in a deep breathe. All in one motion push out all the air in your lung and also push your arms out quickly, as if you were pushing the star. Visualize the star moving in to the walks of your home/room and sticking there. You can do this for each room, mirror, door, or just for one room.

Healing Thoughts

Sending healing thoughts to those who were injured in the Colorado movie theater shooting. Healing thoughts to the families of those killed. The Universe watch over all of them and all who suffer from the acts of violence.

"May the Heavens still sparkle in the darkest of times,
May the Moon bring only light,
May the winds lay still upon the earth,
To give us time to pause."

A New Moon Working

Tonight is the new moon!
While the full moon radiates power, the new moon is contracting. It is the subtle energy of life. No less powerful than the full, the new moon' strength lies in different places. Here are a few things that New Moon power can greatly aid in:

Breaking addictions

Breaking hexes

Abolishing negative attitudes

Communicating with the dead

Past life meditation

Scrying

Divination

Healing through removal

and much more..

I hope you all have a good New Moon!

Returning Finally

As most have noticed, WC blog has been on break. I will try to post here every few days or weeks with something There have been many Newsletters and news. WC will be coming up on its one year anniversary in September! Exciting stuff. I hope you have all enjoyed it so far.
Check out our Newsletter Archive to see what you've missed.

Imbolc Newsletter

Well the time has come for another

Seasonal Sabbat Newsletter: Imbolc 2012

We are proud to release his newsletter to our community. We would also like to thank those WC forum members that contributed to the Imbolc issue. Thank you all, it is much appreciated.

I invite everyone to enjoy the articles, ritual, spell, and more within our newsletters. Our Newsletter archive and mailer sign up can be found on the WC Book of Shadows!