Ready, Set, Retrograde!

With the Mercury retrograde beginning today, my original idea for this post was to explore whether or not we should give a great deal of credence to planetary correspondences and behaviors when working magic, After all, shouldn’t we check with our own souls first and add planetary affinity later, if it happens to match up? But then, I as sat down to write, I remembered my first pointed experience with the Mercury retrograde and spell working. I took the hint and, realizing it is probably not such a good idea to tempt the planetary deities by talking about how their correspondences aren’t that important, I decided instead to honor them by sharing that first retrograde experience of which I was reminded.

One of the first spell I ever cast was that I earn an extra $250 to help with expenses. No, let me correct that: Although it was on the tip of my tongue to specify that I wanted to earn the extra money from my writing, I did not say that. Instead, I left it open ended, stipulating only that I receive the money in a way that was not harmful to anyone. 

One week later, on the first full day of a Mercury retrograde, I flipped open my beloved little mac, (her name is Zsa Zsa, but that’s a whole other story), and found that no matter what I did, she would not boot up. The sleek little silhouetted apple that normally comes up when I turn her on was replaced by a blinking question mark and an ominous clicking. There was nothing I could do, so advised the sage techie on the other end of my desperate phone call, but take her in and have her barely two-month-old hard drive completely replaced. And to his question of whether or not I had my information backed up I replied, “Of course not. These things don’t ever happen to people who are prepared for them!” 

So I dragged my ailing Zsa Zsa to the local Mac geek store and stood thunder struck by the quoted costs of scrubbing my necessary data from a defunct hard drive. All the way home my head was reeling with numbers--how could I possibly fit something like that into my budget? And still mentally raiding my bank accounts I walked into my house to find that my off-her-rocker house-mate had moved out--which was expected--but that she had taken the bed I was sleeping on with her--which was definitely not expected.

That night, alone in the house and curled up in a ball on the floor where my bed used to be, I called back home for some ready sympathy and lamented my no good rotten day, how it was all the stupid retrograde’s fault, how I was going to have to pay for a hard drive scrub and a new bed when I barely had enough to meet the bills as it was. and how I should probably just go eat worms. Then my mother, who I had never asked for nor had she ever offered financial assistance before, said, “Well, how about I send you a little help. I don’t know, say $250?”

I just about fell out of my tree--fortunately I didn’t have far to fall, seeing as how I was on the floor. It was one of the most vivid, humorous, and pointed lessons about spell-casting and the effects of retrogrades I have ever learned. The retrograde hadn’t worked against me, really. I got exactly what I asked for plus a winking little lesson about leaving spells too open-ended. I wasn’t angry. In fact, I felt quite loved because frankly, as open-ended as I had left the spell, it could have been much worse. But instead of my world crashing down around me, I was blessed, albeit in a comedy of errors sort of way, with the opportunity to get a new, much more comfortable bed, the new habit of consistently backing up my work, learning my mom is eager and ready to help me when I need it, and, most importantly, strengthening my skill and focus as a witch.

In everything I have read about Mercury retrogrades, it is almost implied that it is a scary, evil time, instead of a time of simple fun and backward blessing. Rather than steering clear of casting at all during this time, perhaps we should take the opportunity to get to know our Mercurial deities better and to ask them to assist us in understanding how the back-wheeling, gently chaotic nature of this time may best be used in our work. 

Blessed by the Mystery,

-M. Ashley

Not Only Our Works, But Also Our Words: The Spiritual Shift to Original Prayer

Among the many spiritual shifts I have been experiencing lately has been a reignited longing to create and collect an original, family set of prayers, devotions and hymns. I have a massive collection of other people's devotional work and, although I still respect and enjoy it deeply, these days when I read the work of others while spending devotional time at my altar, I feel somehow uncomfortable. This, I feel, is Spirit giving me a little push--telling me it is time to start forging my own craft--telling me that using my own words to connect with divinity is a natural and healthy outgrowth of the reconnection I have been feeling lately with my true, creative self.

So, for the first time, I am making a resolution to enhance my magical practice and deepen my family tradition by relying solely on my own devotional work and that of my family members, (my fiancee having crafted some truly excellent Sabbat poetry). In this way, our tradition will consist not only of our ways, but also our words. 

In that spirit, I composed this little mealtime prayer today. My aesthetic for everyday devotional work is that it should be meaningful but light, musical, joyous and easy to memorize thus making it a pleasurable and natural addition to the family routine.

Mealtime Prayer

Lords and Ladies of harvest and beast

we thank you for this bounteous feast

and for our dear ones gathered around

with sweet joyful souls and love profound.

We pray you linger near our welcoming hearth

that your presence be with us deep in our hearts.

Blessed be.

-M. Ashley

Crafting a Hearth Tradition: Intimate Magic, Everyday Spirit

As I proceed along the path of trying to develop a personal witchcraft tradition radiating out from sacred home and hearth, I am beginning to learn that part of having a "hearth" tradition is using what you have around that hearth to create your rituals and work your magic. In days gone by, the wise women and men of the village didn't go to Ye Olde Occult Shoppe to get their spiritual supplies. They used the cauldron in which they also cooked dinner, the besom they also used to sweep the house, a wand from a felled tree branch, a blade they also used to prepare meals--and on and on. Because these tools were consecrated to magical purposes as well as used in everyday life, I imagine it brought a great deal of depth to the daily chores. Every time they swept the floor it was an act of both physical and spiritual cleansing. Every time they cut into an apple or trimmed the fat from a piece of meat it reminded them of the cycles of life, death and rebirth.  I am a big proponent of things becoming spiritually significant not by being put away and hidden from view and/or use, but by being handled, used and thought upon daily--by witnessing and absorbing the energies of the household's life. How better to imprint your own energy into an item than exposing that item to your energy as much as possible?

This is what I would like to duplicate in our family tradition--using what we have on hand to make our spirituality more intimate and our everyday work more spiritual.

Blessed by the Mystery,
-M. Ashley

Cry of the Un-Crafty Witch

I grew up Mormon and although I still hold great respect for that faith, one of the issues I started having with the church around the time I hit puberty was this weird social pressure that somehow in order to be a real Mormon woman you must be into crafting, a whiz in the kitchen and want nothing more in life than to serve your family. The reason I’ve been thinking about this lately is that contemporary witchcraft is similar. There is a huge emphasis on real witches being crafty and herb-growing and cake-baking and barefoot-in-the-grass-loving. But what about those of us who couldn’t handcraft a decent wand if our magical abilities depended on it--whose cakes always fall--whose homes are rarely tidy--who connect being barefoot in the grass with a good way to get hookworm and not much else? How odd I should fall from one faith tradition demanding this kind of domesticity in order to be holy, to another that almost seems to demand this kind of domesticity in order to be spiritually potent. 

Where is the Book of Shadows for the un-crafty witch? 

Perhaps I should start one where I could say things like, “Drawing prosperity is just as easily achieved through writing your desire in green ink, inwardly spiraling, as it is through masticating homegrown patchouli with a mortar and pestle you sculpted and fired in your own kiln.”

Or, “Communion with nature can just as easily be achieved by sitting outside at night in a comfy chair on your patio, looking up, studying the constellations and talking to the Gods as it can by running naked through a meadow on Midsummer’s Day.”

Or, “Supporting your local growers by frequenting a farmer’s market honors the land just as growing your own produce would.”

Let me add here how deep my admiration is for those witches who are naturally crafty and connected with the outdoors. I can’t even begin to tell you how awed I am by their gifts. I just wish there were more celebration of and resources for those of us who possess altogether different gifts, yet are no less magical for it.

Blessed by the Mystery,

-M. Ashley

Circle Casting for the Hellenic Witch

After performing my last few rituals without casting a circle or having much buildup at all, I have begun to realize the importance of doing it--less I think for creating sacred space in the physical plane--as I believe all the world is automatically sacred space--but more for creating sacred space in your own mind, body and spirit--to give you a bit of a running start before making the leap into the sacred work. In that vein I offer here a Hellenic circle casting incorporating the Orphic Hymns. Enjoy!

 Casting the Circle:

• Gather all objects and implements necessary for the ritual or magic that is to be performed and lay them on the altar according to the plan shown in this book.
• With the besom, sweep an area large enough to lie down and stretch out in. Visualize all negativity being removed from the space, leaving the area you are to use for your circle clean, pure, and glowing. 
• Light the Hestia candle or lamp which is placed at the center of the altar

Daughter of Rhea, Venerable Guardian of the Unwearying Flame,
this supplicant come before you now is yours-
-a mystic much blessed and holy.
The Gods have fixed their dwelling place in you,
strong, stable basis of the mortal race,
many-formed, eternal, laughing, blessed, lovely Queen, ever Scarlet One.
Accept these rites,
accord to each of us our just desires, gentle health, and needful goodness.
Hail Hestia!

• Place elemental representations at each cardinal point of the circle. At north, a bowl of salt; at east, a censer with lit incense; at south, a lit red candle; and at west, a bowl of water.
• Turn to the east, to the incense, and touch the point of the athame to it,

By the power my beloved Theoi, the Spirits of Nature, my ancestors and myself, 

I bless this incense. Esto!

• Repeat this blessing for all four elemental representations, moving from one to another in a clockwise direction.
• Stand facing east, athame at waist level, point facing out. Turn to the right and create the circle by walking around its perimeter and saying:

Here is the boundary of this sacred circle.
Naught but light shall enter herein,
naught but light shall emerge from within.
By the power of my beloved Theoi, the Spirits of Nature,
My ancestors and myself, Esto!

• Having returned to the east point, take up the incense and cense the perimeter of the circle, walking deosil and returning the censor to its place.
• Turn to the south and walk the candle around the circle deosil, then the water, and finally the bowl of salt, sprinkling just a bit around the perimeter. Sense the purifying of the circle, sense the creation of energy and sacred space.
• Standing at the east point of the circle and facing east, hold your hands up to the heavens and say:

Hail and welcome spirits of Air,
Chief among you Zephyros,
sweet West Wind who grants rest to weary labor,
A scent of grass and gentle song,
Oh vernal Wind, You bring to the delighted ships,
Impelled by You through the profound Sea, 
perusing with prosperous Fate Their destined course,
Zephyrs, unseen, formed from Air with wings of light,
With blameless breath regard Your supplicant's prayer.
I call upon you now
and ask you to attend this circle,
to give to it of your light and will,
to witness, to protect, and to consecrate
the work done herein.
Charge it by your power I pray.
Esto!

• Turn to the south, hold your hands up to the heavens and say:

Hail and welcome spirits of fire
Chief among you the Primal Fire.
O Primal Fire, ascend to us and rule the sky.
Aethereal Fire, radiant heat that inspires life,
Light Bearer, Power of Stars, 
Cause now the blooming of the iris and the rose,
And to the grain be kind,
Hear our prayer of supplication,
And be thou ever innocent, serene, and gentle to our Land.
 call you now
and ask you to attend this circle,
to give to it of your light and will,
to witness, to protect, and to consecrate
the work done herein.
Charge it by your power I pray.
Esto!

• Turn to the west, hold your hands up to the heavens and say:

Hail and welcome spirits of water,
Chief among you Leucothea
Powerful Goddess in the mighty deeps,

the profound sea Your home,

Reveling in the waves.
Guardian of mankind who delivers ships from the fury of the storm 


when all is lost and strength is gone,


When tempests overwhelm the mariner with rushing waters,


Your heart is touched with pity,


And You hear the supplicant's prayer,


Sparing the lives of those who run upon the sea.
Be present Goddess, and bring prosperity to the ships, 

defend Your mystics upon the stormy oceans,


And conduct them safely to their destined end.
I call you now
and ask you to attend this circle,
to give to it of your light and will,
to witness, to protect, and to consecrate
the work done herein.
Charge it by your power I pray.
Esto!

• Turn to the north, hold your hands up to the heavens and say:

Hail and welcome spirits of Earth,
Chief among you Gaia
Source of Gods and Mortals,
All-Fertile, All-Destroying Mother of All,


Who brings forth the bounteous fruits and flowers,


All variety, Maiden who anchors the eternal world in our own,


Immortal, Blessed, crowned with every grace,


Deep bosomed Earth, sweet plains and fields fragrant grasses in the nurturing rains,


Around you fly the beauteous stars, eternal and divine,

Come, Blessed Goddess, and hear the prayers of Your child,


And make the increase of the fruits and grains your constant care,

with the fertile seasons Your handmaidens,

Draw near, and bless your supplicant.
I call you now
and ask you to attend this circle,
to give to it of your light and will,
to witness, to protect, and to consecrate
the work done herein.
Charge it by your power I pray.
Esto!

• Turn clockwise until you are standing facing the altar. Hold your hands up to the Heavens and say (You may replace this general invocation with one specific to the deities of the ritual):

I call to the Theoi, all the Goddesses and Gods!
Eos, Helios, and Silver Selene,
all the Powers of the shining sky.
Thetis, Triton, and Amphitrite Queen,
all the Powers of the salty seas,
Khloris, Ploutous, and the Horai of Time,
all the Powers of the growing world.
To the Khthonioi who rule below:
Hekate, Persephone, and the Lord of the Dead.
To the Titanes who stood with Order:
Themis, Leto, and Mother Rhea.
To the Apotheothenai whose deeds won divinity:
Heracles, Asklepios, and Beloved Ariadne.
And to the Olympians, the Greatest of all:
Royal Hera, Heaven’s Queen; Goddess of Sovereignty;
Protectress of Women and Blesser of Marriage,
Lord Poseidon, ruler of the seas,
Earthshaker, Horse Tender, Securer of Safe Voyage,
Rich-haired Demeter, Goddess of Grain; Nourishing, Bountiful;
Sender of Gifts and Bringer of Seasons,
Golden Aphrodite, Ruler of Night;
Shapely, Heavenly Goddess of love and fertility;
Mistress of passion and needful desire; Lover of laughter and festivity,
Brazen Ares, Spear-Wielding, Shield-Piercing Destroyer;
Bloody, Mighty, Courageous God of Battles,
Beautiful Artemis, Untamed Huntress, Queen of the Beasts, Warrior of the Wilds; Goddess of Girlhood and Leader of the Dance, Helper in Childbirth,
Shining Apollon, Leader of the Muses;
Far-shooting, Far-seeing God of Oracles;
Brilliant Healer and Protector of Youths,
Grey-Eyed Athene, Maiden of War and Wise counsel,
Defender of Cities; Weaver, Worker and Goddess of Industry,
Renowned Hephaistos, Master of Fire and Shaper of Metals,
Resourceful, Ingenious God of many Crafts,
Glorious Hermes, Divine Messenger and Guide of Souls,
Eloquent, Crafty, God of Travel and Trade;
Patron of Athletes;  Protector of Herds and Flocks,
Ivy-Crowned Dionysos, Lord of the Vine,
Frenzied and Howling, Twice-born Giver of ecstasy, release, and primal catharsis,
God of Indestructible life,
Beloved Hestia, Keeper of the Hearth, Mistress of the Flame of family and sacrifice; Sacred center of home and community—Receiver of offerings both first and last.
To all the Theoi, Great Goddesses and Gods, Deathless Blessed Ones.
Theoi, I call you now
and ask you to attend this circle,
to give to it of your light and will,
to witness, to protect, and to consecrate
the work done herein.
Charge it by your power I pray.
Esto!

• The circle is now cast, consecrated, empowered, and sealed.

Releasing the Circle:

• Once the rite is ended, face east, hold your hands up and say:

Hail and farewell spirits of air
and beloved Zephyros
I thank you for your presence here.
Go in power and in peace,
And know that you are always welcome here.

• Repeat this formula for each cardinal point, substituting the appropriate names and directions.
• Turn clockwise until you face the altar. Hold you hands up to the heavens and say:

Hail and farewell
Beloved Theoi all.
I thank you for your presence here.
Go in power and in peace,
And know that you are always welcome here.
Esto!

• Take up the athame. Stand at the east point and, holding the athame at waist level, pierce the wall of the circle with its blade. Move deosil around the circle visualizing its power being sucked back into the knife. Literally pull if back into the blade and handle.
• When you arrive at the east again, the circle is no more. Stand at the center of what was your circle and say:

May this circle be open
but never broken
Esto!

• Clap your hands. The circle is now open.