magickal

Magickal Holly Cross Anti-Nightmare Talisman Folk Magick

HollyNightmareProtection2 A 3″ x 3″ Holly equal-armed cross, pyrographed with the bindrune for nightmare prevention and Holly ogham. True folk magick…

photo by I. Macy

Myth and Lore can be funny things..as time passes and the stories are re-told, in many cases without benefit of setting pen to paper, so much gets misconstrued…even to the point of hilarity at times. So can be the story of placing a garland of Holly around the neck of a horse to prevent it having nightmares. Yes, animals do dream, but this is one of those misconstrued “stories” as I shall call it, being that I am not sure if the truth of it is either “myth” or “lore” or “nor”. So, I shall tell you what I learned Holly can do for the dreamer as learnt at the knee of my old Nan.

First, you must know that my Nan made crosses out of all sorts for protection. Not the Christian cross, necessarily, but an equal-armed, plain cross. Holly was not only used in her home for Yule celebrations but for other reasons as well. It was used ritually to aid and help with a person’s ability to cope with death. It was also used to ease anybody’s sleep with peaceful dreams. I always slept well at Nana’s if that’s any proof.

Here is Nana’s Holly cross for preventing nightmares and protection in sleep with my own additions, such as the Holly ogham, Tinne and my own bindrune using Dagaz for “safe passage from dark to light”, Ingwaz symbolising “protection, a light shining from the darkness”, Ihwaz for “protection against unexpected attack”, and Algiz for “protection and safe refuge”.

Our crosses are made by de-barking and sanding until completely smooth, pyrographing the Tinne (or Tiene) ogham onto each 3 ends of the cross, and tied together in the centre with red cotton thread. My own bindrune for protection of hearth and home and safe dreams is on the bottom end of the cross. We then polish the cross with linseed oil and then our own handmade beeswax wand polish/wax. Adding a plait of green for the green of Holly leaves , red for the red of Holly berries, and white for the white Holly wood, for ease of hanging, it is now ready to be hung above your bed, or upon your person as a means of anti-negative dreams, protection and security.

Many thanks for reading and warmest blessings )O(

If you would like to purchase this talisman from our Etsy shop, here is the link:

https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/256445023/holly-talisman-protection-talisman-holly?ref=shop_home_active_6

If you would like a special talisman for a different need, you can send us a “convo” (email) from your Etsy inbox to ours, explaining the need and what you envision and we’ll be happy to help you as we do take bespoke orders for nearly every item in our shop. Just click the “Contact” button on any listing.

24/11/2015 0

Wheel of the Year ~ Samhain

The Yule and Christmas season is coming closely upon us…yes, I know, let’s celebrate Samhain/Halloween first! I’m sure you have all noticed everywhere from department stores to supermarkets are already clearing away the Halloween goodies and quickly placing Christmas and Yule-tide cheer everywhere. Don’t feel too badly for Halloween…in no time, long before you can say “Happy New Year!”, Christmas will be swept under the rug and out will come , of all the silly things, Valentine’s Day gear. How am I to feel good about purchasing chocolates for a loved one when I know that they have been sitting on a shop shelf for nearly 3 months in advance? Sometimes, I am warey of “sell-by dates”. I have been the unhappy recipient of dodgy choccies before..you know the ones with sketchy looking white-ish places on them?

As Pagans/Wiccans/Witches, most of us feel more in-tune with seasons. It is, after all, one of the many things we closely follow and attune to. There is a time for all seasons and this one is NOT Yule. However, we do understand why retailers do this. It is because they must stay on top of the current market and make sure they are first out the gate with all the latest and greatest for the Christmas season. And then on to the next. As an online seller, I have to admit that I feel the “itch” a bit myself…I really have this yen to start marking down prices, rotating adverts on Twitter constantly, and harking my wares to all whom will listen…or read, as it were. And then I say “no”.

Don’t expect great gushing adverts in the next few weeks from Speaking of Witch Wands and Magickal Things. Of course, we’ll plie our wares on Twitter, just not in that constant rush of them most of us have become used to from retailers and online sellers. Not to say that we won’t as it more closely nears Christmas, just not now. We’re too busy celebrating Samhain! Thank you for reading and Blessed Be )O(

Speaking of Witch Wands and Magickal Things http://speakingofwitchwandsandmagickalthings.com

Speaking of Witch Wands on Etsy https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/SpeakingofWitchWands

Speaking of Witch Wands on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/SpeakingOfWitchWands

28/10/2013 0

Do I Need A Wand?

The answer is NO!! You do not “need” a thing, apart from a strong desire to learn, a few good books, and a shed-load of intention. The tools of Witchcraft are important, but you do not need them, per se.

However, many young Witches (does not necessarily mean young in age, just young in the Craft) do feel a need to have certain tools to help them, at the very least in the beginning of their Path, to direct their intention more strongly…or as a bit of a “help” in their Magickal workings. I’m no longer a “young” witch, still, I will, nearly every time I work Magick, use my wand, altar paten, cauldron, Book of Shadows (Grimoire), and incense burner. I have an athame, but rarely ever use it. I don’t always use my wand, only when I am doing something very, very serious and want all the help I can get. I made my wand with a load of intention and it was, yes, a bit of hard work. You see, I’m a bit of a “luddite” when it comes to making items…I just can’t get the hang of power tools so the knife works well for me 🙂 Still, my wand works so well for me…because it is a part of me.

No, I didn’t use any body parts in the making of my wand, just my will and intention, some herbs in the tip and a powerful crystal. The same way I make bespoke wands for our customers. Of course, one would think that since I make their wand, all my intention will be in their wand and none of theirs. Not true. When I make a bespoke wand, if the customer asks for herbs in the tip, I will send the herbs and the crystal they order to go into the tip so that the Witch his or herself can enchant the herbs they choose, enchant their crystal and put their intention into their own wand. And of course, one almost always cleanses, consecrates, and empowers their tools before using as I would expect many would do with one of our wands. Your wand will well and truly be your own.

Of course, we also make pre-made wands as well, again, the Witch who buys the pre-made wand can certainly put his or her intention into it after cleansing, consecrating, and empowering. Many Witches (including myself when I was young) buy pre-made wands all the time and have great success with them, love them and wouldn’t use anything else. That tells me that they must work 🙂

So, no, you don’t need our wands, or any wand for that matter. Although, if you feel you do, please see what we can do for you as you will no doubt look at many websites for pricing, etc. and keep Speaking of Witch Wands & Magickal Things in mind.

Visit our main site at http://speakingofwitchwandsandmagickalthings.com or our Etsy shop at https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/SpeakingofWitchWands to see what we have on offer! And we do add new items almost every week so please bookmark our pages! Thank you and blessed be! )O(

21/10/2013 0

Enchantment Beads© ~ How and Why Do I Use Them?

Many of you who follow this blog, like us on Facebook, go to our Etsy shop, or follow us on Twitter, have seen our many “adverts” for Enchantment Beads©. And, whilst you may think, “ah, they are pretty”, many don’t know why we developed the idea into a working tool or why or how to use them. Fair enough, I wouldn’t have any idea, either, had I not created the idea 🙂 So, here we go ~

I created our Enchantment Beads© because of my own sort of inability to “keep up” with the number of times I “enchanted” a herb for a magickal work, or even new crystals that I wanted to work with. The phone may ring, or the cat may plop into my lap and begin begging, or I may get some random thought in my head that just threw my intention and concentration out the window! I knew I had to come up with a better plan or I may only enchant a herb 8 times instead of 9 or just plainly forget (especially if the phone had rung and I had to take the call).

They look a lot like Prayer beads, yes. But they aren’t. There are 9 large beads on every set, sometimes with little silver spacers in-between and sometimes with smaller beads used as spacers. The idea is to hold them in your free hand, touching each bead as you repeat your enchantment. Some people feel 3x’s is a charm, others (like myself) like the perfect number 9 of the Goddess. How many times is unimportant, apart to the individual Witch. Keeping up with how many times is, especially with our busy lives.

So, there is the basic gist of why and how! Easy peasy! And to make them more individualised for everyone who purchases the Enchantment Beads©, we make them in the representation of the Elements, Earth, Air, Fire, Water, and Spirit/Love. On most of our sets we use only quality gemstone beads. We do have a few less expensive sets in which we have used either plastic, coloured glass, or wooden beads…they are beautiful, I just prefer (and feel that most Witches will as well) real gemstone beads. On the Earth set, you will find a small Pentagram charm, on the Air, you will find a pair of feathers, on the Fire, a lovely brass dragon charm, on the Water, a little silver or bronze starfish, and for Spirit/Love, a heart. All bead sets have a silver lanyard clip with which you may clip to your belt or just use for hanging when not in use. No matter how often or little you use them, they will look lovely hanging by your altar!

We’ve just made a new batch of sets in Sodalite (Air), Blue Howlite (Air), Rose Quartz (Water), Malachite (Fire), Aquamarine glass (water), Lapis Lazuli (Air), Tiger’s Eye (Earth) and we have all representations available so please visit our Etsy shop at https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/SpeakingofWitchWands to order! With Yule and Christmas coming, please don’t wait! And, we can also make a representation just for you, which you can access on our Etsy page. Also, please give us a like on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/SpeakingofWitchWands and follow us on Twitter @SpeakingofWytch! Thank you and Blessed be!

17/10/2013 0

Our Samhain Oil ~ Cypress Wood and Its Use in Magick

The Cypress Tree has already been written about further down in our blog, however, many do not think about how magickal Cypress wood is when it comes to making poppets, potions, and other spellwork.

Cypress wood may be used to consecrate ritual tools in its smoke. It can also be powdered and used as an incense for those who work with the magick of the legendary King Stag of the forest. Of course, many already know that it may be carried in a pocket to help aid in longevity of the bearer. And, it is said to give a happy hereafter to a loved one whom has died if you throw a handful of Cypress in upon the coffin.

All parts of a Cypress tree may be used in magick. Cypress oil is a very sought-after oil for protection and longevity. However, we may not always have every oil that we wish for so here is a recipe for an oil that is rich in magickal properties for longevity, protection, and comfort. It may be used as candle dressing, annointing, and any spellwork that involves longevity, protection, and comfort for grief.

**Speaking of Witch Samhain

Longevity and Protection Oil

You will need:

Cypress wood, cut fine or powdered (small chunks are fine) about 1/8 tsp

Maple wood, cut fine or powered, about 1/8 tsp

Lavender, dried about 1/8 tsp

1/8 cup Olive Oil

3 drops Rosemary Oil (for protection)

3 drops Lavender Oil (for longevity, protection)

3 drops Lemon Oil (for longevity)

1 tiny Amethyst chip (for healing, protection)

1 tiny Citrine chip (for protection & charging of oil)

1 tiny rose quartz chip (for receptivity, harmony)

Firstly, enchant your Cypress, Maple and Lavender. ( we sell convenient Enchantment Beads© to help you keep up with the number of enchantments you speak on our Etsy shop! see link below) Mix all ingredients into a bottle that will accept all items, cork or cap bottle, and shake 3 to 9 times, putting your intent into what you are doing. Use for all magickal workings to do with protection, healing, and longevity. May be used for annointing.

**This is our own recipe and is not to be made for sale by anyone but Speaking of Witch Wands and Magickal Things, all rights reserved. Please feel free to make and use it for your personal workings only.

Don’t forget that you can purchase Cypress Wood and Maple Wood on our Etsy page at https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/SpeakingofWitchWands and soon you can purchase the Speaking of Witch Samhain Oil on Etsy as well. Please also visit our main site at http://speakingofwitchwandsandmagickalthings.com for all of our items. And, don’t forget to give us a like on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/SpeakingofWitchWands! Thank you and Blessed be! )O(

14/10/2013 0

The Magickal Ash Tree

Photo by Damien Gayle, www.dailymail.co.uk

The Magick of Ash

Gender: Masculine; Planet: Sun; Element: Fire

Sacred to Uranus, Poseidon, Thor, Woden, Neptune, Mars, Gwydion

Magickal Powers: Protection, Prosperity, Sea Rituals, Health

The ancient Teutons regarded the Ash as “The World Tree“, which was their conception of the Universe, and therefore revered as such.

Ash has been used in many magickal ways over the centuries. Sailors of old carved an equal-armed cross from Ash to carry whilst at sea to protect against drowning. Ash is used in many sea rituals as it represents the power which resides in water.

The leaves of the Ash can be used to encourage prophetic dreams by placing them under one’s pillow or in a sachet. The leaves may also be scattered to the four directions to protect a house and/or property.

The Ash tree, as are many trees, is considered to be very protective. A staff (such as a Shaman’s staff) carved from Ash, placed over a doorway, wards off malign influences. Ash is also said to ward off snakes, as they will not crawl over its wood. However, Ash attracts lightening, so please don’t stand beneath one during a thunderstorm!

Ash wands (which we do make!) are often made for healing. Ash wood is burned at Yule to receive prosperity in the coming year. Even if you don’t have a fireplace, you can burn Ash chips (35g resealable packets are sold on our Etsy shop http://www.etsy.com/shop/SpeakingofWitchWands) in an incense to achieve the same result. Ash is also used in poppets for all the various powers it brings (as listed above).

*Some information is from Cunningham’s Encyclopaedia of Magickal Herbs, by Scott Cunningham 1985-97, Llewellyn

07/10/2013 0

The Magickal Cypress Tree

Photo by CP Smith, http://www.geograph.org.uk

Many of you may or may not be aware of the magickal properties of many trees. For instance, did you know that the Cypress tree has a “folk name” of “The Tree of Death”? It is thought to be so because at one time in Egypt, coffins were made of Cypress wood. However, funnily enough, one of the magickal properties of Cypress wood is longevity! If one carries it on their person, in a pocket or worn as jewelry, it is said to give long life and protection. Cypress is also comforting in times of sorrow, such as the death of a friend or loved one as it eases the mind and allays grief if carried to the funeral. Many deities hold sacred the Cypress such as Mithras, Aphrodite, Hekat, Cupid, Apollo and others.

We sell 25g resealable packets of Cypress wood chips on our Etsy Shop (which you may also access on our Facebook page) at http://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/SpeakingofWitchWands along with other magickal things. Please stop by and have a look – and don’t be dismayed by the small number of items as we are adding new bits and bobs daily. Thank you for your support and many blessings!

12/09/2013 0

Speaking of Witch Wands Are Now On Etsy!

Merry Meet, everyone!

We have a shop on Etsy at http://www.etsy.com/shop/SpeakingofWitchWands! We are still adding things to the site, still you can bookmark the site for future reference.

We have also re-vamped our Facebook page as well at https://www.facebook.com/SpeakingOfWitchWands – and – we also have a link to our Etsy shop there as well, so you can purchase straight from our Facebook page!

And, not least of all, we have also revamped our website at http://speakingofwitchwandsandmagickalthings.com/ and it has a new look and new merchandise as well!

Don’t forget to follow us on Twitter at https://twitter.com/SpeakingofWytch @SpeakingofWytch!

Thank you and blessed be!

11/09/2013 0

Our New Speaking of Witch Wands Canvas Carrier/Shopping Bag

A beautiful white canvas bag, 14 x 14 x 3 in size. Wonderful for bringing your “witchy hauls” home from shopping! Not only do you save not having a cupboard-full of plastic carrier bags, you save the environment as well! We sell them on our online shop in “The Shoppe of Magickal Things” tab, however, if you donate £75/$75 to our Indiegogo fundraiser (to help us bring you more of these unique items) you will receive one of these AND our 11 oz Speaking of Witch Wands mug as well! Thank you for reading and blessed be! )O(

13/08/2013 0

	Isabella on My Dad, the Poppy Appeal, and…
	Isabella on All Hallow’s Eve Bl…
	DixSterling on All Hallow’s Eve Bl…
	Isabella on My Dad, the Poppy Appeal, and…
	Dix on My Dad, the Poppy Appeal, and…

Speaking of Witch Wands & Magickal Things

Three English witches bound to traditional practise

Tag

Magickal Holly Cross Anti-Nightmare Talisman Folk Magick

Wheel of the Year ~ Samhain

Do I Need A Wand?

Enchantment Beads© ~ How and Why Do I Use Them?

Our Samhain Oil ~ Cypress Wood and Its Use in Magick

The Magickal Ash Tree

The Magickal Cypress Tree

Our New Speaking of Witch Wands Canvas Carrier/Shopping Bag

Follow me on Twitter @SpeakingofWytch

Follow Speaking of Witch via Email

Speaking of Witch Archives

Blogs I Follow

Blogroll

Blog Stats

Recent Comments

Tags

Recent Posts

Meta

Three English witches bound to traditional practise

Tag

magickal

Rate this:

Share this:

Like this:

Rate this:

Share this:

Like this:

Rate this:

Share this:

Like this:

Rate this:

Share this:

Like this:

Rate this:

Share this:

Like this:

Rate this:

Share this:

Like this:

Rate this:

Share this:

Like this:

Rate this:

Share this:

Like this:

Rate this:

Share this:

Like this:

Follow me on Twitter @SpeakingofWytch

Follow Speaking of Witch via Email

Speaking of Witch Archives

Blogs I Follow

Blogroll

Blog Stats

Recent Comments

Tags

Recent Posts

Meta