Imbolc

Imbolc, (pronounced "IM-bulk" or "EM-bowlk"), also called Oimealg, ("IM-mol'g), by the Druids, is the festival of the lactating sheep. It is derived from the Gaelic word "oimelc" which means "ewes milk". Herd animals have either given birth to the first offspring of the year or their wombs are swollen and the milk of life is flowing into their teats and udders. It is the time of Blessing of the seeds and consecration of agricultural tools. It marks the center point of the dark half of the year. It is the festival of the Maiden, for from this day to March 21st, it is her season to prepare for growth and renewal. Brighid's snake emerges from the womb of the Earth Mother to test the weather, (the origin of Ground Hog Day), and in many places the first Crocus flowers began to spring forth from the frozen earth.

The Maiden is honored, as the Bride, on this Sabbat. Straw Brideo'gas (corn dollies) are created from oat or wheat straw and placed in baskets with white flower bedding. Young girls then carry the Brideo'gas door to door, and gifts are bestowed upon the image from each household. Afterwards at the traditional feast, the older women make special acorn wands for the dollies to hold, and in the morning the ashes in the hearth are examined to see if the magic wands left marks as a good omen. Brighid's Crosses are fashioned from wheat stalks and exchanged as symbols of protection and prosperity in the coming year. Home hearth fires are put out and re-lit, and a besom is place by the front door to symbolize sweeping out the old and welcoming the new. Candles are lit and placed in each room of the house to honor the re-birth of the Sun.

Another traditional symbol of Imbolc is the plough. In some areas, this is the first day of ploughing in preparation of the first planting of crops. A decorated plough is dragged from door to door, with costumed children following asking for food, drinks, or money. Should they be refused, the household is paid back by having its front garden ploughed up. In other areas, the plough is decorated and then Whiskey, the "water of life" is poured over it. Pieces of cheese and bread are left by the plough and in the newly turned furrows as offerings to the nature spirits. It is considered taboo to cut or pick plants during this time.

Various other names for this Greater Sabbat are Imbolgc Brigantia (Caledonni), Imbolic (Celtic), Disting (Teutonic, Feb 14th), Lupercus (Strega), St. Bridget's Day (Christian), Candlemas, Candlelaria (Mexican), the Snowdrop Festival. The Festival of Lights, or the Feast of the Virgin. All Virgin and Maiden Goddesses are honored at this time. 

Deities of Imbolc:
All Virgin/Maiden Goddesses, Brighid, Aradia, Athena, Inanna, Gaia, and Februa, and Gods of Love and Fertility, Aengus Og, Eros, and Februus. 

Symbolism of Imbolc:
Purity, Growth and Re-Newal, The Re-Union of the Goddess and the God, Fertility, and dispensing of the old and making way for the new. 

Symbols of Imbolc:
Brideo'gas, Besoms, White Flowers, Candle Wheels, Brighid's Crosses, Priapic Wands (acorn-tipped), and Ploughs. 

Herbs of Imbolc:
Angelica, Basil, Bay Laurel, Blackberry, Celandine, Coltsfoot, Heather, Iris, Myrrh, Tansy, Violets, and all white or yellow flowers. 
Foods of Imbolc: 
Pumpkin seeds, Sunflower seeds, Poppyseed Cakes, muffins, scones, and breads, all dairy products, Peppers, Onions, Garlic, Raisins, Spiced Wines and Herbal Teas. 

Incense of Imbolc:
Basil, Bay, Wisteria, Cinnamon, Violet, Vanilla, Myrrh. 

Colors of Imbolc:
White, Pink, Red, Yellow, lt. Green, Brown. 

Stones of Imbolc:
Amethyst, Bloodstone, Garnet, Ruby, Onyx, Turquoise. 

Activities of Imbolc: Candle Lighting, Stone Gatherings, Snow Hiking and Searching for Signs of Spring, Making of Brideo'gas and Bride's Beds, Making Priapic Wands, Decorating Ploughs, Feasting, and Bon Fires maybe lit. 

Sabbats and Esbats 2014

Hi everyone! Here's a list of the Sabbats that are coming up! Keep a watch out for my post on Imbolc, which happens to be February 2nd this year!!! And don't forget to put on your calanders the full moons in case certain spells or rituals call for them!!! Blessed be!

Reveal What Someone Thinks Of You Spell

This spell is sweet and simple, and it works very well - I have tried this so I would know. This spell also requires a pen and paper, and concentration. Remember to meditate and carry a clear mind. Other than that, good luck to you all and may you dream of what you seek.

Write the name of the person you are wondering about on a piece of paper.
Fold the paper in half, then half again.
Draw an eyeball on the outside of the folded page.
Slip the page under your pillow and before bed repeat...

"With dreamers eyes I seek to see
What this person thinks of me.
Be it good or be it ill
Reveal to me as is my will"

Close your eyes and picture this person sitting across a crowded room. The room is all a buzz with conversation you cannot hear clearly. This is gossip about you that this person started. It may be good things and/or it may be bad. As you move towards the person let yourself fall asleep. When you wake, jot down what you heard in your dream, particularly anything s/he said or did. Your answer will reveal itself. If you do not get the answer to your questions, consider what was revealed to you instead. Perhaps there is a truth you are missing that is more compelling then the one you seek.

Credit comes from the website http://www.spellsofmagic.com/spells/life_spells/truth_spells/6819/page.html

Concession Of Mine

Okay, this post is for me. You don't have to read this, you can just skip it if you want, but I've just got to get this out. I'm sorry I haven't posted anything since around Yule, but I've had a recent mountain step in my path; I lost my faith. Yeah, I lost faith in the Goddess, in MY Goddess, and I lost faith in myself. Who am I, a puny human, to be important? I asked myself. Who am I to be loved and cared for by a supreme being? I cuss, I hate, I lie, cheat, yell, and steal. I am a terrible human being who has many faults, so why would someone care about me?

Why did I start thinking these thoughts? Because of my Father. You see, six months and eighteen days ago I ran away from my Father's home and back into the arms of my Mother. Yes, they are both divorced, so, to make it simple for you, I'll do this:

Father = Biological Father
Mother = Biological Mother
Dad = Step-Dad
Misty = Step-Mom

Anyway, it was because of my Father that I lost faith. I haven't spoken to him for six months and eighteen days, because of my stubbornness and my pride, but also because he hurt me just as much as I hurt him. After Yule, I began to feel lonely and begged my Goddess to show herself to me, to give me a sign that she was there and that I wasn't worthless. As you can imagine, she didn't answer me right there immediately and it hurt. I felt like she cared for me no longer, so I lost faith that she was even there and believed that I was truly alone.

So, what could I do?

I asked my grandmother that question and she reminded me about the Angels. When I was a little girl, my grandmother always told me that there were Angels watching after me, and that I had a Guardian Angel - She also used to tell me, after I threw a fit, that there was a Demon inside me, but let's just stick with Angels for now. So, I tried it out. There's this spell/prayer that I did to call upon my Guardian Angel, who is apparently the Archangel Gabriel. So I did the spell and, you'll never believe it, but I felt SOMETHING. A presence, a person right next to me, I don't know! But something or someone answered and it was just, wow.

But, I'm still at the same crossroads that Hecate has put before me; I don't have as much faith as I used to and I don't know what I should believe in.

You know, self-teaching yourself about Paganism and magic and spells is hard! My advice to you is to go to witchvox.com and to search out for the nearest Witch/Pagan to you and contact them! Contact them and ask if they can help teach you, because doing this on your own is hard! I have so many questions that need answered that I'm NOT going to find on Google, that I need someone with years to help me with, as you will too come to this problem.

And, above all, please do not lose faith. I believe, I HAVE to believe, that things happen for a reason and that time for the Gods are different than what time for us is like. Yes, it will take time, and it's taking a freaking long time for me, but I will wait, because I have faith in my Goddess. I may lose faith in her again, but, like a mother, I know she will wait for me to find my way again.

Incenses - When To Use What

Hey everyone, sorry I've been so out of the loop! I'll explain everything about it later, when I can, but I just wanted to get this out for all of you!

Incenses are important when doing a ritual/spell. It blesses the air in the area and and prepares it for magick to be done. I've never used incense before, but that's something I'm thinking of changing soon! So here's a list of things that could be used for magick and the ideal incenses that should be used. Enjoy!

INCENSES ANOINTING - acacia, angelica, carnation, cinquefoil, frankincense, jasmine, lavender, lily of the valley, lotus, myrrh, rose, rosemary, vervain.
BALANCE - jasmine, orange, rose.
BANISHING/RELEASING - cedar, clove, cypress, patchouli, roes, rue, violet, betony, elder, fern, mugwort, St. Jonswort, vervain, yarrow.
BINDING - apple, cayenne, dragon’s blood, cypress, pine, pepper, rowan, wormwood.
BLESSING/CONSECRATION - carnation, cypress, frankincense, lotus, rosemary, elder, rue.
CHANGES - peppermint, dragon’s blood, woodruff.
CLAIRVOYANCE/DIVINATION - lilac, lotus, rose, vervain, wild cherry savory.
CURSING - blackthorn, elder, pepper.
DETERMINATION/COURAGE - allspice, musk, rosemary, dragon’s blood, mullein.
ENERGY/POWER/STRENGTH - allspice, bay, carnation, cinnamon, cinquefoil, frankincense, lotus, musk, thyme, dragon’s blood, verbena, oak, holly.
EXORCISM - bay, frankincense, lavender, myrrh, pine, rosemary, vervain, basil cedar, fern, mullein, pepper, rue, St. Johnswort, wormwood, yarrow.
GOOD LUCK/FORTUNE/JUSTICE - cedar, lotus, mint, vervain, violet, nutmeg, bayberry, cinnamon, cinquefoil, honeysuckle, chamomile, jasmine, yellow dock.
HAPPINESS/HARMONY/PEACE - apple blossom, basil, cedar, cypress, fir, jasmine, lavender, lilac, lotus, orange, patchouli, rose, rosemary, lily of the valley, purple loosestrife, valerian, vervain.
HEALING - carnation, cinnamon, cinquefoil, clove, lavender, lotus, myrrh, rose, rosemary, sandalwood, apple, laurel, wild cherry, hazel, hops, orange, peppermint, rowan, savory.
INSPIRATION/WISDOM - cinquefoil, acacia, clove, cypress, fir, hazel, laurel, lily of the valley, oak moss, reed, rosemary, rowan, rue.
LOVE - apple blossom, birch, cinquefoil, gardenia, honeysuckle, jasmine, musk, rose, vervain, acacia, catnip, elder, fern, heather, juniper, lavender, marigold, marjoram, mistletoe, moonwort, patchouli, savory, vanilla, valerian, wormwood, yarrow.
MEDITATION - acacia, angelica, bay, cinnamon, frankincense, jasmine, myrrh, nutmeg, wisteria.
NEW BEGINNINGS - birch oil
PROTECTION/DEFENSE - angelica, bay, bayberry, birch, cinnamon, cypress, frankincense, jasmine, lily of the valley, patchouli, pine, rue, vervain, basil, burdock, cinquefoil, club moss, dill dragon’s blood, fern, feverfew, fir, furze, hawthorn, hazel, heather, holly, juniper, marjoram, mistletoe, mugwort, mullein, oak, pepper, rosemary, rowan, St. Johnswort, thistle, wormwood, yarrow.
PSYCHIC CENTERS/OPENING - nutmeg, mimosa, wisteria, lotus, mugwort.
PURIFICATION/CLEANSING - bay laurel, frankincense, lavender, myrrh, pine, rosemary, vervain, basil, betony, burdock, cedar, dragon’s blood, elder, feverfew, hyssop, marjoram, oak, peppermint, rue, salt, thyme, valerian, woodruff.
REINCARNATION - lilac, sandalwood.
VISIONS - bay laurel, frankincense, lotus, acacia, ditany of Crete, marigold, mugwort, wormwood.
WILLPOWER - rosemary, St. Johnswort.