The Path of the Fire Witch

Posted on by A Solitary Pagan

The path of the Fire Witch is not for the faint of heart. Strong and courageous, these Witches rarely take no for an answer. The Fire Witches are considered to be the rebels of the Elemental Witches. They possess a joy of life that is unequaled. They are extremely sociable creatures.
The Fire Witches are all about individuality. Each one is unique. For the most part, their lives are beautiful and poetic, yet there lurks an underlying current of tragedy. There is no typical personal style to the Fire Witch; it varies, as does each flame. The one thing you can be sure of is that she will shine. In blue jeans or diamonds, you know a Fire Witch by the confident aura that surrounds her.
The Fire Witch’s decorating style runs the gamut from sleek, modern, and sophisticated to all-out opulence and luxury. She has a flair for decorating, often incorporating candles and designer lighting to add a more dramatic touch. Frequently, Fire Witches love antiques and metal objects. Their house often feature warm, rich colours and dark woods.
The Fire Witch’s house is usually very neat and clean. She will spend whatever time is necessary to keep it that way. She will also destroy that cleanliness in an instant, when she is angered enough, by having a complete and total hissy fit, although that is rare. While the Fire Witch can be hotheaded and temperamental, her iron will usually allows her to maintain control.
The Fire Witch loves to dance and is very seductive, passionate, and lusty. She can be indulgent when it comes to her sexual nature. She often is very active and usually love to participate in sporting events. She is bold and daring and frequently pushes things to the absolute limit.
Because of her indulgent habits, the Fire Witch may unknowingly enable addictions or foster one of her own. Some Fire Witches may have addictive personalities. When a Fire Witch loves someone, she does so with a heart so pure that she can overlook any defects in the person for a long time.
This can place her in troublesome relationships until she has finally had enough and moves on. When a Fire Witch moves on, she has a compulsion to completely destroy the previous bond and is capable of being cruel in order to see to it that the situation is over for good. She is much more comfortable knowing that it cannot be repaired and can move herself forward more easily by not allowing herself to wonder about the past.
Philosophically, the Fire Witch has an open mind. She is the proverbial free thinker. Because of the placement of her element(both above and below the Earth), the Fire Witch has the ability to see all sides of any argument. She values honesty and courage above all else. There is nothing she detests as much as a liar. Fire Witches are usually quick-witted, think-on-their-feet types of folks. Their is a reason that smart people are called “bright.”
The fire brings the light, and with light there follows shadow. The Fire Witch is complex, passionate, and tumultuous. She is sizzling hot stuff. She has both a light and a dark side, and the two sides work together constantly.
The light side of the Fire Witch keeps her personal practices of spirit informal and fun. But when it come time for magickal work, the shadow side often takes over. The dark side of the Fire Witch holds a vast knowledge of the more complex magickal applications. Magickal equations and ceremonial practices are second nature to the Fire Witch. She may prefer the drama of a high magick ritual and a more ordered structure to things. However, she often utilizes a simpler style of Witchcraft, too. It depends on the situation.
Magically, the Fire Witch specializes in bonding with divinity, regeneration, energy, truth, manifesting, sex magick, banishing, purification, destruction, negative magick and defensive magick.
Fire has been used to honour the God since its inception. Many shrines and altars are guarded by an eternal flame. the Fire Witch understands that her every movement is an honour to divine forces.
She is very generous with her time and money when it comes to charity. She always seeks to help and improve the world around her in this manner.
Fire is a creative element, especially when seen in its regenerative aspect. In the same manner that the phoenix rises from the ashes or the sun undergoes an eclipse, a Fire Witch puts herself through a constant process of growth by tearing herself down in order to build herself anew. It can be an agonizing process, but she emerges renewed and stronger than ever. She will often disappear from the world for a few day at a time due to this process. She can be instrumental in helping others move beyond their own heartbreaks and pains and begin their lives again.

What is a Green Witch ?

Posted on by A Solitary Pagan

A Green Witch is normally someone who practices Natural Witchcraft. Someone who works with the Earth and the Universe around them.
A Green Witch also works with the energies of natural objects like stones,gems,herbs,animals,and the elements. We also incorporate the Fey folks in our Magick. Like Faeries, gnome and yes even dragons just to name a few.

Some folks say that Green Witchcraft is not a religion at all. Just a practice magick, and then some people believes it is a very religious craft, a way of living their life.

Now,I believe it is as religious as the person who is practicing it. What I mean by this , is that if you want it to be a way of life and you want it to be your religion, then by all means live the way of the Green Witch. Green witches may worship many different Goddesses and Gods at any given time. Some only worship one or two.

Which is fine, your way is the right way. There is no right or wrong way with how many Gods/Goddesses, you worship, or pray to.

Green witches usually practice a traditional form of witchcraft in which the earth, trees, herbs, plants and flowers are consulted for their medicinal and magickal values. We will grow their own herbs or harvest them in the wild, and we are very good at making our own herbal remedies.

The Green Path is close the the Native Americans or even the Gallic Druids religious path. What I mean by this , is that we ask permission and their blessings before using anything from nature and we say thank you to the spirits of whatever plant or animal we use.
Whether it is for food, or for healing prospects. We also believe that the plants,animals,gems,and other natural elements have a spirit or soul.

I also have been asked if being a green witch means being a vegetarian or vegan. No it does not. That is a personal choice.
I am grey and I am a hunter and I eat meat. This applies to all witches .I feel as long as we ask permission and their blessings we are good to go.. Like I said it is a personal choice.

We were also Green Witches,before the word Green became so popular with recycling and saving the planet. We have always been around ( in secret mostly) trying to save Our Beautiful Mother Earth.

Whether or not you are Green Witch,or just a regular muggle or mundane, Please Recycle, Don’t Litter and Please Love Our Mother Earth!

She can use all the Love we can give her! 

Who is Krampus

Posted on by A Solitary Pagan

Krampus is meant to whip children into being nice.

When listening to the radio in December, it’s unlikely to hear holiday songs singing the praises of Krampus:
a half-goat, half-demon, horrific beast who literally beats people into being nice and not naughty.

Krampus isn’t exactly the stuff of dreams: Bearing horns, dark hair, fangs, and a long tongue, he comes with a chain and bells that he lashes about, along with a bundle of birch sticks meant to swat naughty children. He then hauls the bad kids down to the underworld.

You better watch out . . .
St. Nicholas is the patron saint of children. His saints day falls in early December, which helped strengthen his association with the Yuletide season. Many European cultures not only welcomed the kindly man as a figure of generosity and benevolence to reward the good, but they also feared his menacing counterparts who punished the bad. Parts of Germany and Austria dread the beastly Krampus, while other Germanic regions have Belsnickle and Knecht Ruprecht, black-bearded men who carry switches to beat children. France has Hans Trapp and Père Fouettard.
Krampus’s name is derived from the German word krampen, meaning claw, and is said to be the son of Hel in Norse mythology. The legendary beast also shares characteristics with other scary, demonic creatures in Greek mythology, including satyrs and fauns.

The legend is part of a centuries-old Christmas tradition in Germany, where Christmas celebrations begin in early December. Krampus was created as a counterpart to kindly St. Nicholas, who rewarded children with sweets. Krampus, in contrast, would swat “wicked” children, stuff them in a sack, and take them away to his lair.

According to folklore, Krampus purportedly shows up in towns the night of December 5, known as Krampusnacht, or Krampus Night. The next day, December 6, is Nikolaustag, or St. Nicholas Day, when children look outside their door to see if the shoe or boot they’d left out the night before contains either presents (a reward for good behavior) or a rod (bad behavior).

A more modern take on the tradition in Austria, Germany, Hungary, Slovenia, and the Czech Republic involves drunken men dressed as devils, who take over the streets for a Krampuslauf—a Krampus Run of sorts, when people are chased through the streets by the “devils.”
Participants dressed as the Krampus creature walk the streets in search of delinquent children .

Krampus is coming to town
Krampus’s frightening presence was suppressed for many years.
But Krampus has been having a resurgance over the past few years, thanks partly to a “bah, humbug” attitude in pop culture, with people searching for ways to celebrate the yuletide season in non-traditional ways. In the United States, people are embracing the dark side of Christmas with Krampus movies, special “Krampus” television episodes. They’re throwing Krampus parties, attending local Krampusnachts and running in Krampus-themed races.

For its part, Austria is attempting to commercialize the harsh persona of Krampus by selling chocolates, figurines, and collectible horns. There are already complaints that Krampus is becoming too commercialized and losing his edge because of his newfound popularity. 

To Honor Shadow Work ..

Posted on by A Solitary Pagan


Salt Balance Spell
As we know Shadow work involves spells ro adjust ( or honor) our not so positive qualities. You know like speaking sharply or just not letting something that irritat
es us go including And that emotional pain! In doing this work, we have to accept that, this part of it holds value and purpose! And yes this is not considered enjoyable ( at least to me). But Shadow work is ideal during times of balance – the equinoxes- when our world’s own light and darkness are able to achieve a strong, yet still malleable balance.
****
YOU WILL NEED:
Coarse white Sea Salt
Black Lava Salt
Gray Salt
Three small bowl ( one for each salt)
Glass bowl with water in it
******
DIRECTIONS:
Place the bowl of water and each salt filled bowl in front of you.
With each of the following lines from the spell, sprinkle a pinch of salt of in the water. Going from BLACK to GRAY, to WHITE to GRAY and back to BLACK again. Repeat the cycle, with the LAST LINE dedicated to a last sprinkle of GRAY, sealing the meld of black and white.
Here are the lines you need to speak:
The embers fight the nightly chill
The kind that comes when life is still
It sits in the Chambers of the heart and the hearth
It’s battle made manifest on the grounds of this earth
They strike a cease-fire; an ancient truce
To acknowledge their facets and their positive use
A delicate balance of the highest self
and the pain that resides in the deepest of wells
We honor the dark wind, with bright embers upon it
For even honey and vinegar make a strong , stable tonic.
* pour a little of the water at the four cardinal directions of your home until all the water has been poured out

Gods, Fae, Elves, and Ancestors: Are They All the Same?

Posted on by A Solitary Pagan

Gods. Fairies. Elves. Ancestors. The deeper we go into our pagan history, the more we see a blurring of the lines between the spirits. In fact, many of the sagas, legends, and lore point to the idea that our pagan gods, and the beings we call fairies and elves, might have once been living, breathing human beings. And therefore, our ancestors.

Ancestors OR Gods? Which is it?
I’ve recently been exploring the idea that our gods and fairies were once our ancestors. That our labels for the gods and the other spirit races like the fae stems from a deep-seated belief in our ancestors and ancestor worship. And that many of our “gods” and what we know as fairies today were actually living, breathing human beings like us at one time.

In the Celtic and Germanic traditions, the lines between spirits are blurry at best. You’d think the more you read and research the clearer these beings’ nature would become. But in fact, it becomes more complex and muddy. And the legends point to the idea that these three – gods, faeries, ancestors – are all one-in-the-same.

My thought process is – all of these spirits arose from the same place and somewhere down the line someone started separating the three via personal lore. But, at one time, everyone followed a more ancestral type of belief system which is where the gods and fae originate. Essentially, if we strip away the titles and words that we as humans have put on these beings, do they come closer to being the same thing? Or not?

Odin as Man and Ancestor
It is possible that a person named Odin lived an actual human life in ancient times. This is even mentioned in the Sagas, that Odin was a real king from somewhere in Eastern Europe or possibly the Middle East, who migrated to Northern Europe and conquered many peoples. Because of his legendary status, and because of a strong ancestral religious system, the people ended up deifying their ancestor, a.k.a. the King Odin. Many Germanic royal bloodlines claim Odin as their divine ancestor, even to this day. In the myths, Odin creates man and woman from driftwood then breathes life into them. And we call him the Allfather.

From the Ynglinga Saga, Verse 2:
“The country east of the Tanaquisl in Asia was called Asaland, or Asaheim, and the chief city in that land was called Asgaard. In that city was a chief called Odin, and it was a great place for sacrifice. ………….Odin was a great and very far-travelled warrior, who conquered many kingdoms, and so successful was he that in every battle the victory was on his side. It was the belief of his people that victory belonged to him in every battle.

It was his custom when he sent his men into battle, or on any expedition, that he first laid his hand upon their heads, and called down a blessing upon them; and then they believed their undertaking would be successful. His people also were accustomed, whenever they fell into danger by land or sea, to call upon his name; and they thought that always they got comfort and aid by it, for where he was they thought help was near.”

Freyr as Ancestor, God, and Elf
A great representation of the blurred lines between gods ancestors and the elven beings is the Norse God Freyr. Freyr is considered an ancestor to the Ynglings, a royal bloodline of Old Sweden. In addition, the Eddas written by Sturluson in the 12th century, depict Freyr as a god AND as a King of Alfheim…or Elf Home.

Linda Raedisch explores the idea of Freyr, an earthly god and Elf, being even older than the worship of Odin arising from the Nordic Bronze Age. Then when the Aesir (sky gods) took over as the main Norse pantheon, Odin and Thor grew in popularity, washing out the older earthly gods. Yet Freyr’s veneration continued, even at the Temple of Uppsala in Sweden during the Christianization of Scandinavia. So his name was just as powerful as Odin and Thor.

Elves as Ancestors and Gods
The words Elf, Alf, Alfar have Germanic origins and are related to Alba and Alb in Proto-Germanic, translating to Light or Brilliant.

Many names in the Middle Ages stem from words that meant Elf or Elven, and some we still use today. Albert, Alfred, Aubrey, Avery, Alvin, Alfric (and if you’d like to hear Medieval names that mean elf just watch The Last Kingdom, there’s a dozen or more of them – Alfric, Alfred, Aethelfled, Alfwyn, etc.) These names were particularly common with royalty.

In modern Norse paganism, the Alfar are our ancient, elevated male ancestors and the Disir are ancient ancestral goddesses or elevated female ancestors. In addition, these beings are considered of the Elven race. Each Norse Germanic family and individual has its own Alfar and Disir guiding and protecting them from the Other side. Though don’t get it twisted – the alfar AND the disir could be downright vicious, particularly the Disir of whom required sacrifices.

There’s a story about how during the Christianization of Scandinavia, a man in one family decided they wouldn’t sacrifice someone for their Disir at Disablot, and instead would sacrifice a bull. The Disir came down from the mountain in the distance, wearing black hooded cloaks, knocked on the door, the man answered the door and they un-alived him and left.

The Disir are guardians of the bloodline, can grant prosperity, but also control the fate of the individual. They are likened to the Norns of whom control the destiny of the Universe. In fact, we could say the Norns are the Disir of the gods and the Universe. Interestingly, the Norns are often described with different names and being different entities including goddesses, ancestors, and even trolls.

The Practice of “Sitting Out”, Utesitta
There is a sacred practice in Norse tradition where the individual would seek guidance or visions by sitting on top of a mound, which was often a burial mound of an ancestor. But it’s also mentioned as seeking guidance from the Alfar and the gods.

To quote Linda Raedisch in her brilliant book The Old Magic of Christmas, “the ancient Scandinavians regarded the Alfar as a distinct class of beings, though there is some fluidity among the bloodlines of elves, gods, norns, and even humans.” she also goes on to say “if the elves resemble us, it is because they are us, or rather, were. The human who stumbles upon a procession of elves or an impromptu elvish feast is often startled to recognize someone he knows among them: someone who has died either recently or years before. The elves, then, are the dead – not the quietly resting dead but those who, for whatever reason, have taken up new lives on the other side of the veil and at times might come strolling back through it.”

Alfablot and Disablot
First, I’ve written an entire blog post on Alfablot its origins and how to celebrate. I’ve also written a blog post on Disablot. ( Which you can find in our guide section ) Alfablot is essentially the elven blot or sacrifice, often taking place during the Winter Nights or the end of Autumn leading up to the Winter Solstice. This was practiced in Sweden, we know for sure, and the Disablot is the Disir blot or sacrifice which also takes place during Winter Nights. There is another disablot called the Disting that occurs in February too. All during a time when ancestors and elves were both “active” in later lore.

Fairies and Ancestors in Celtic Lore
Now let’s travel to the Celtic lands and notice all of the similarities between their gods and faeries and the Norse gods and elves. In fact, our good friend Linda Raedisch often comments in her books about the resemblances between the two peoples and how they likely arise from the same peoples if we go back far enough.

Mounds are the Tombs of Our Ancestors:
We have a similar theme here in the Celtic lands as in the Norse, where ancestors are buried in the earth, often in mounds, of which later on become the dwelling place of the Fae or Tuatha. I.e. portals to Elfhame or the Elf-land.

For example, Knockma Hill in Galway, Ireland is notably an ancient world site. Scholars say just as important to world history as Stonehenge or Newgrange yet not as widely recognized. And it is a hill that’s been used for thousands of years (it’s older than the pyramids) as a ceremonial burial ground. Where it gets interesting is that, in addition to being a burial place for the dead, later on in Celtic lore it also became a place of the Fae. Specifically the Elven King Finvarra, also called the KING OF THE DEAD, makes his home in this hill. King Finnvara is known to have liked the human ladies as lovers and even tried stealing a local one to make his wife.

Here we start seeing the idea of fae and elves as ancestors and as interbreeding with humans. In addition, in the same hill, there are at least 5 ancient cairns…one of which MIGHT be the cairn of Queen Medb (Maeve) who is a legendary Queen of Ireland who would eventually morph into a Fairy Queen in later lore. Again, a potentially real person buried in a mound becomes a Fairy Queen later on. In addition, she is considered a divine ancestor or mother of certain Irish lines.

The Celtic Otherworld and Afterlife: Tir na N’og
The faeries and Tuatha are said to live in the Celtic otherworld, right? Well, the old stories and lore also said that when people died, their souls might go to the Otherworld, as well. Tir na N’og being one example, which translates to the “Land of Youth”and is featured famously in the tales of Oisin and Niamh. There are other names for this seemingly same place including Mag Mell (Plain of Delight) and Emain Ablach (Isle of Apple Trees).

The Tuatha de Dannan live in Tir na N’og and are featured in many old Irish myths called the Immramm (voyage) tales. These heroes who reach this otherworld do so through entering ancient mounds, travel across the sea to the farthest unknown places, go down under the water, or go through the mist to reach it. And there they might meet the Tuatha, the gods, and their ancestors.

Manannan Mac Lir is the ruler of Tir na N’og, a sea god of Celtic lore, the first ancestor of the human race and the KING OF THE DEAD.

Celtic Fairy Queens, Goddesses, and Heroes as Divine Ancestors
There are ancient families and septs/clans of Celtic Irish folk who claim descent from many of their legendary heroes, gods, goddesses, and faery queens. If you have Irish ancestry, you might find your family is one of them.

The idea of royal lines claiming descent from gods/divine beings is nothing new and isn’t solely Norse or Celtic but spans cultures. The Ancient Egyptians, for example. Here I should state again, is this because these “gods” were actually real people at one point and became deified ancestors? I believe it’s highly likely.

The Medieval Irish sept called the Dairine (stemming from the Corca Dhuibne pronounced way-nah) claims descent from the Cailleach, a goddess/hag but also from Danu.

And the Dal Cais (Dal-cash), originally the Deisi people, claim descent from Flidais (Flee-aysh) a goddess/fairy queen.

Lugh is a Celtic god who is also part of the Tuatha De Dannan. Multiple Irish clans claimed Lugh as their god and ancestor. If your ancestors were part of the Eoganachta, Lugh is your divine ancestor. One connection lies in the King Lughaid who claimed descent from Lugh, as well as Irish clans that claim descent from Cu Chulainn (coo-hoo-lin). This legendary hero claimed descent from Lugh, henceforth Irish clans connected to him are also descended from Lugh.

Being a Witch

Posted on by A Solitary Pagan

“Being a witch, continued Don Juan, does not mean practicing spells, or trying to affect people, or being possessed by demons.

Being a witch means reaching a level of consciousness that gives access to unthinkable things.

The term “witchcraft” does not have the ability to express what witches do, nor does the term “shamanism.”

The actions of witches exist exclusively in the realm of the abstract, of the impersonal.

Witches struggle to reach a goal that has nothing to do with the common man’s quest.

Witches aspire to reach infinity, and be aware of it..

The purpose of the witches is to break the fixation of social interpretation to see energy directly.

It is not enough for the warrior to know that the universe is energy, he has to find it out for himself. “

THE MOON VISITS GEMINI

Posted on by A Solitary Pagan

As the moon makes her way through the zodiac, she stops and visits each sign for a spell, spending a couple of days in each of their homes and with their unique energies. She is influenced by these energies, and the way she expresses herself adapts to the sign she is in.

She has been on the road for 30 days now, making her way through the entire zodiac. By the time she arrives at the sign of Gemini, she is full….a bit tired from her travels, and ready to let go of some of the baggage she has picked up along the way.

As she taps on the door of Gemini, she is greeted by the owner of the home, Mercury himself. He looks at her inquisitively, tugging on his glasses to see her better. He introduces himself, but she already knows who this god is: this traveler of the upper and lower worlds, bearer of messages, and facilitator of communications. He welcomes our moon inside and notices immediately that she is carrying quite a heavy load. He ushers her to the kitchen table and offers her a cup of tea, chatting about nothing as he prepares it. The moon looks around and is overwhelmed by the number of bookshelves this man has in his home, each overflowing with literature. Has he read them all?… she wonders. In another part of the room, she sees a display wall that contains what must be an original antique telephone, a telegraph machine, a quill pen, a computer, old letters, and…is that a fax machine? She recognizes these as the tools he has used throughout the years and comments on how beautiful they all are. Mercury looks fondly at them and says, “Thank you.”

He brings the moon her tea and takes a seat next to her at the table. “Talk to me,” he says. “Tell me what it is you are needing to let go of?” Usually more introverted and private, the moon hesitates…but there is something about being in this house with this god that makes her want to open up and tell all. So she does. She tells Mercury of her travels through the other eleven houses and how each one required her to use a different piece of her energy. She told of which ones she liked the most, where she got the most rest, and where she felt the most out of place. She shared the things that were holding her back the most and what stresses she was currently carrying. Mercury listened intently and encouraged her to continue. Once Lady Luna had said all the things she needed to, Mercury smiled, made a witty comment about how much lighter she looked already, and then set out to help her find solutions. He had been taking notes and had a plan. It was her turn to listen now as this intelligent god shared his ideas, introduced her to solutions, and re-framed her struggles.

Mercury and the Moon spent most of their time together this way, sharing and communicating with each other about everything under the sun. When she hugged Mercury goodbye a few days later, she felt like she had talked more in two days than she had all month, and she realized this was just the medicine she needed. Gemini was a retreat of a different kind, the kind that encouraged a verbal expression of her emotions and a new perspective on her path.

The moon walked away from the house of Mercury lighter, leaving behind what she had carried in, and set off to begin her retreat back into darkness.

THE SEVEN RAYS – What Are they

Posted on by A Solitary Pagan


“We are told that seven great rays exist in the cosmos. In our
solar system only one of these seven great rays is in operation. The
seven sub-divisions constitute the “seven rays” which, wielded by our
solar Logos, form the basis of endless variations in His system of worlds.
These seven rays may be described as the channels through which all being
in His solar system flows, the seven predominant characteristics or
modifications of life, for it is not to humanity only that these rays
apply, but to the seven kingdoms as well. In fact there is nothing in the
whole solar system, at whatever stage of evolution it may stand, which
does not belong and has not always belonged to one or other of the seven
rays. ” (R I 163)

The author of this passage is the Tibetan Master, Djwhal Kuhl. He has been
our primary source of information on the seven rays for the past 70 years.
Until the end of the last century the seven ray system was known and taught
only to a limited few disciples and adepts of the Ageless Wisdom. There
have long been hints of this doctrine concealed within the teachings of all
great philisophies and religions, but it has not been systematically
presented, as have astrology or numerology. Astrology, since ancient
times, has been divided into exoteric and esoteric branches. The ray
teaching, however, has remained esoteric and largely hidden from the
world. Only now, within the last seven decades, have we seen the
beginnings of an exoteric presentation of the seven rays.

The reason for the new emergence of this ancient knowledge at this time
seems quite simple. “When the student is ready, the teacher appears.”
Humanity, the World Disciple, is apparently now ready, and stands on the
threshold of a great awakening. New responsibilities, new opportunities
and new light are being urged upon us by the Teachers of the race.
Concurrent with this expansion is the need for a deeper, conscious
penetration by the human race into the essential nature of reality. What
was once occult mystery is now rapidly becoming practical science. Not
only is the teaching on the rays emerging, but so are esoteric astrology,
psychology, healing and many other formerly occult sciences receiving
increased exoteric recognition.

What is meant by the word ‘ray’? The Tibetan answers this question in the
following manner: “A ray is but a name for a particular force or type of
energy, with the emphasis upon the quality which that force exhibits and
not upon the form aspect which it creates.” (R I 316) The seven rays are
seven qualities of energy. Rays do create forms, though the emphasis is
not on the external, but rather on that which lies behind or within the
form.

Modern physics has concluded that all is energy, that within every form
lies an essential network and pattern of energy. The seven ray teaching,
in scientific terms, is an hypothesis that asserts the following: All
energy within form is fundamentally septenate in character. The energy, as
well as tthe forms derived from it, can be described through seven discrete
and archetypal streams.

The seven streams of energy, it is said, are the very vibrations within
matter, space and form which define and infuse all objects, all beings and
all events in manifestation. They combine and interweave to create all the
complex systems we know as reality, from the grandest interstellar
spectacle to the smallest mundane occurrence of daily life. As concepts
they will be found to be familiar, simple and direct of apprehension. They
strike a chord in our consciousness and are, quite literally, closer to us
than breath. Yet the system they compose is as vast and elusive as the
world and the cosmos itself. To truly comprehend and usefully apply this
knowledge can be equally elusive, and is an immeasurable challenge.

The seven primordial energies are beyond complete, exact depiction in
words, or even in thoughts on the planes of this world. They are too
essential and encompassing to be wholly contained or isolated within our
narrow band of the Greater Spectrum. But to stimulate understanding and
the flow of intuition within us, certain descriptive phrases have been used
in connection with the rays. This is a list of some of the more common
synonyms:

Ray One – Will, purpose, power, destruction
Ray Two – Love, wisdom, inclusiveness, coherence, magnetism
Ray Three – Active Intelligence, adaptability, creativity
Ray Four – Harmony through conflict, beauty, sensitivity, unity
Ray Five – Concrete knowledge, science, mind, analysis
Ray Six – Devotion, idealism, adherence, force
Ray Seven – Order, ceremony, organization, group, magic

The ray teaching gives us an energy picture of creation and of life at all
levels of being. It provides a means of explaining the intricate
interrelationships of all things, spiritual and material; and it proclaims
their oneness and interconnectedness.

As part of this energy picture of the cosmos, human beings are, of course,
themselves composed of ray energies. The various bodies or vehicles of
incarnation of the individual human being – the personality, the mind, the
soul, etc. – are said to issue forth on one or other of the rays. The
particular, dominant pattern of vibration within an individual or group or
nation qill establish its constitution, its environment and the keys to
determine the inante opportunities and limitations of the entity.
Practically, it is a picture of the inherent impulse, the immediate need
and prescribed path of evolution.

The psychological application of the ray hypothesis is of particular
interest because it provides a practical energy framework for understanding
the make-up of individuals and groups. The rays of a person, when
determined, studied and understood, will enable that individual, or his
counsellors or therapists, to ‘go to the source’. Knowledge of ones’
energy-essence and underlying vital composition can be invaluable in
developing a balanced program for life, lived in accord with nature
collectively, and with what is individually appropriate and true.

The emanation and interplay of human energy is seen as a reflection of the
energy of the universe. That which is in man is in all things. And,
importantly, it is the energy within that dictates the outer appearance and
behavior of each and all.

In order to undrerstand the “seven streams of force”, we are constrained to
use verbal and numerical descriptions. But bear in mind that any words we
may use are mainly attempts to translate a quality into a form. And, in
translations of any kind, something of the original is always lost.

The correspondences between the ray doctrine and numerology will be
obvious, but the rays are not, in actuality, numbers or symbols or
techniques for divination. They are fundamental creative energies, the
vibrations of our very essence. The following summaries of the rays, based
on research in the teachings of the Tibetan, may help to explain the range
and focus of each of the seven qualities:

Ray One. This energy is the beginning and the final synthesis – the source
of all other energies. It is the essence of power and energy itself. The
first ray is the force of purpose, direction, centralization and one-ness,
of which the will is the keynote. It is characterized by the qualities of
intensity, dynamism, quickness, and dominance. It often results in
detachment, isolation and crystallization. And out of its force and
directness is conceived the powerr of creative destruction.

Ray Two. Consciousness is born of the second energy, in the union of
duality, spirit and matter. This is the source and blending of light and
love, magnetism and relationship, inclusiveness and coherence. It is the
ray of wisdom, sensitivity and intuition, as well as clarity and attention
to detail. This energy is a qualifying, teaching and healing force. It
often results in attachment andd attraction, and, curiously, establishes
our awareness of fear, the antithesis of love and relationship. The second
ray is the energy of the entire solarr system and hence is also a ray of
profound synthesis.

Ray Three. Activity and intelligence work out from this source, a result
of purpose and wisdom. It is the energy of full and great manipulations,
creativity and adaptability. Needs are recognized through this force,
plans are formulated, material is selected and business is undertaken. The
third ray is clear, inherent mental and intellectual ideation in pursuit of
truth, with the objective of manifesting in matter and substance. It is
the power which evokes form.

Ray Four. This energy stands symbolically in the center of the seven and
is the magnetic relation of opposites, the point of harmony, bridging and
mediation amidst conflict, pain and struggle – in a sense, the fruition the
duality rooted in the second ray. It stimulates creativity, art and beauty
and is characterized by sensitivity to color and sound. Discrimination,
quickness and a searching for perfection reside here. The intuitive,
relational force is strong in this ray, which evokes life, love and
understanding.

Ray Five. This is the energy of concretion into substance, of knowledge
and science, and of stimulation in the three worlds. It leads to the
searching, analysis and development of ideas, which in the end produces
light and wisdom. It is the enerrgy of differentiation and investigation
which can lead to separativeness, cleavage and crystallization. But the
thoroughness and discrimination with which the fifth force works in the
mind and the intellect leads the way ultimately to understanding and to the
revelation of truth.

Ray Six. The seeds of all devotion and desire pour forth through this
energy. It generates adherence, intensity and persistence. The
determination resident in this ray is a fiery essence, sometimes full of
force, fury and even fanatical display and militant violence. Abstraction
and aspiration characterize the sixth force, in the sense of an idealistic
nature, loyally oriented toward the causal levels of being. The sixth ray
is the power to recognize what is right and righteous, the upward tendency
and the capacity to see the light.

Ray Seven. This last of the seven is the most tangibly expressive on the
outer planes. It is the quality of relationship between spirit and matter
and is thus magical. It is rhythm which builds, integrates, circulates and
manifests. It is the bringer and producer of newness in form. The
relational power of this ray motivates law and order, rule and ritual,
organization and group consciousness. It is practical understanding and
vital energy externalized, which embodies both the center and the periphery.
sciousness. It is practical understanding and
vital energy externalized, which embodies both the center and the periphery.

THE SEVEN RAYS – What Are They?

by RLP

“We are told that seven great rays exist in the cosmos. In our
solar system only one of these seven great rays is in operation. The
seven sub-divisions constitute the “seven rays” which, wielded by our
solar Logos, form the basis of endless variations in His system of worlds.
These seven rays may be described as the channels through which all being
in His solar system flows, the seven predominant characteristics or
modifications of life, for it is not to humanity only that these rays
apply, but to the seven kingdoms as well. In fact there is nothing in the
whole solar system, at whatever stage of evolution it may stand, which
does not belong and has not always belonged to one or other of the seven
rays. ” (R I 163)

The author of this passage is the Tibetan Master, Djwhal Kuhl. He has been
our primary source of information on the seven rays for the past 70 years.
Until the end of the last century the seven ray system was known and taught
only to a limited few disciples and adepts of the Ageless Wisdom. There
have long been hints of this doctrine concealed within the teachings of all
great philisophies and religions, but it has not been systematically
presented, as have astrology or numerology. Astrology, since ancient
times, has been divided into exoteric and esoteric branches. The ray
teaching, however, has remained esoteric and largely hidden from the
world. Only now, within the last seven decades, have we seen the
beginnings of an exoteric presentation of the seven rays.

The reason for the new emergence of this ancient knowledge at this time
seems quite simple. “When the student is ready, the teacher appears.”
Humanity, the World Disciple, is apparently now ready, and stands on the
threshold of a great awakening. New responsibilities, new opportunities
and new light are being urged upon us by the Teachers of the race.
Concurrent with this expansion is the need for a deeper, conscious
penetration by the human race into the essential nature of reality. What
was once occult mystery is now rapidly becoming practical science. Not
only is the teaching on the rays emerging, but so are esoteric astrology,
psychology, healing and many other formerly occult sciences receiving
increased exoteric recognition.

What is meant by the word ‘ray’? The Tibetan answers this question in the
following manner: “A ray is but a name for a particular force or type of
energy, with the emphasis upon the quality which that force exhibits and
not upon the form aspect which it creates.” (R I 316) The seven rays are
seven qualities of energy. Rays do create forms, though the emphasis is
not on the external, but rather on that which lies behind or within the
form.

Modern physics has concluded that all is energy, that within every form
lies an essential network and pattern of energy. The seven ray teaching,
in scientific terms, is an hypothesis that asserts the following: All
energy within form is fundamentally septenate in character. The energy, as
well as tthe forms derived from it, can be described through seven discrete
and archetypal streams.

The seven streams of energy, it is said, are the very vibrations within
matter, space and form which define and infuse all objects, all beings and
all events in manifestation. They combine and interweave to create all the
complex systems we know as reality, from the grandest interstellar
spectacle to the smallest mundane occurrence of daily life. As concepts
they will be found to be familiar, simple and direct of apprehension. They
strike a chord in our consciousness and are, quite literally, closer to us
than breath. Yet the system they compose is as vast and elusive as the
world and the cosmos itself. To truly comprehend and usefully apply this
knowledge can be equally elusive, and is an immeasurable challenge.

The seven primordial energies are beyond complete, exact depiction in
words, or even in thoughts on the planes of this world. They are too
essential and encompassing to be wholly contained or isolated within our
narrow band of the Greater Spectrum. But to stimulate understanding and
the flow of intuition within us, certain descriptive phrases have been used
in connection with the rays. This is a list of some of the more common
synonyms:

Ray One – Will, purpose, power, destruction
Ray Two – Love, wisdom, inclusiveness, coherence, magnetism
Ray Three – Active Intelligence, adaptability, creativity
Ray Four – Harmony through conflict, beauty, sensitivity, unity
Ray Five – Concrete knowledge, science, mind, analysis
Ray Six – Devotion, idealism, adherence, force
Ray Seven – Order, ceremony, organization, group, magic

The ray teaching gives us an energy picture of creation and of life at all
levels of being. It provides a means of explaining the intricate
interrelationships of all things, spiritual and material; and it proclaims
their oneness and interconnectedness.

As part of this energy picture of the cosmos, human beings are, of course,
themselves composed of ray energies. The various bodies or vehicles of
incarnation of the individual human being – the personality, the mind, the
soul, etc. – are said to issue forth on one or other of the rays. The
particular, dominant pattern of vibration within an individual or group or
nation qill establish its constitution, its environment and the keys to
determine the inante opportunities and limitations of the entity.
Practically, it is a picture of the inherent impulse, the immediate need
and prescribed path of evolution.

The psychological application of the ray hypothesis is of particular
interest because it provides a practical energy framework for understanding
the make-up of individuals and groups. The rays of a person, when
determined, studied and understood, will enable that individual, or his
counsellors or therapists, to ‘go to the source’. Knowledge of ones’
energy-essence and underlying vital composition can be invaluable in
developing a balanced program for life, lived in accord with nature
collectively, and with what is individually appropriate and true.

The emanation and interplay of human energy is seen as a reflection of the
energy of the universe. That which is in man is in all things. And,
importantly, it is the energy within that dictates the outer appearance and
behavior of each and all.

In order to undrerstand the “seven streams of force”, we are constrained to
use verbal and numerical descriptions. But bear in mind that any words we
may use are mainly attempts to translate a quality into a form. And, in
translations of any kind, something of the original is always lost.

The correspondences between the ray doctrine and numerology will be
obvious, but the rays are not, in actuality, numbers or symbols or
techniques for divination. They are fundamental creative energies, the
vibrations of our very essence. The following summaries of the rays, based
on research in the teachings of the Tibetan, may help to explain the range
and focus of each of the seven qualities:

Ray One. This energy is the beginning and the final synthesis – the source
of all other energies. It is the essence of power and energy itself. The
first ray is the force of purpose, direction, centralization and one-ness,
of which the will is the keynote. It is characterized by the qualities of
intensity, dynamism, quickness, and dominance. It often results in
detachment, isolation and crystallization. And out of its force and
directness is conceived the powerr of creative destruction.

Ray Two. Consciousness is born of the second energy, in the union of
duality, spirit and matter. This is the source and blending of light and
love, magnetism and relationship, inclusiveness and coherence. It is the
ray of wisdom, sensitivity and intuition, as well as clarity and attention
to detail. This energy is a qualifying, teaching and healing force. It
often results in attachment andd attraction, and, curiously, establishes
our awareness of fear, the antithesis of love and relationship. The second
ray is the energy of the entire solarr system and hence is also a ray of
profound synthesis.

Ray Three. Activity and intelligence work out from this source, a result
of purpose and wisdom. It is the energy of full and great manipulations,
creativity and adaptability. Needs are recognized through this force,
plans are formulated, material is selected and business is undertaken. The
third ray is clear, inherent mental and intellectual ideation in pursuit of
truth, with the objective of manifesting in matter and substance. It is
the power which evokes form.

Ray Four. This energy stands symbolically in the center of the seven and
is the magnetic relation of opposites, the point of harmony, bridging and
mediation amidst conflict, pain and struggle – in a sense, the fruition the
duality rooted in the second ray. It stimulates creativity, art and beauty
and is characterized by sensitivity to color and sound. Discrimination,
quickness and a searching for perfection reside here. The intuitive,
relational force is strong in this ray, which evokes life, love and
understanding.

Ray Five. This is the energy of concretion into substance, of knowledge
and science, and of stimulation in the three worlds. It leads to the
searching, analysis and development of ideas, which in the end produces
light and wisdom. It is the enerrgy of differentiation and investigation
which can lead to separativeness, cleavage and crystallization. But the
thoroughness and discrimination with which the fifth force works in the
mind and the intellect leads the way ultimately to understanding and to the
revelation of truth.

Ray Six. The seeds of all devotion and desire pour forth through this
energy. It generates adherence, intensity and persistence. The
determination resident in this ray is a fiery essence, sometimes full of
force, fury and even fanatical display and militant violence. Abstraction
and aspiration characterize the sixth force, in the sense of an idealistic
nature, loyally oriented toward the causal levels of being. The sixth ray
is the power to recognize what is right and righteous, the upward tendency
and the capacity to see the light.

Ray Seven. This last of the seven is the most tangibly expressive on the
outer planes. It is the quality of relationship between spirit and matter
and is thus magical. It is rhythm which builds, integrates, circulates and
manifests. It is the bringer and producer of newness in form. The
relational power of this ray motivates law and order, rule and ritual,
organization and group consciousness. It is practical understanding and
vital energy externalized, which embodies both the center and the periphery.
sciousness. It is practical understanding and
vital energy externalized, which embodies both the center and the periphery.

Orphic Hymn To Hekate

Posted on by A Solitary Pagan

 call Ækátî of the Crossroads, worshipped at the meeting of three paths, oh lovely one.

In the sky, earth, and sea, you are venerated in your saffron-colored robes.

Funereal Daimôn, celebrating among the souls of those who have passed.

Persian, fond of deserted places, you delight in deer.

Goddess of night, protectress of dogs, invincible Queen.

Drawn by a yoke of bulls, you are the queen who holds the keys to all the Kózmos.

Commander, Nýmphi, nurturer of children, you who haunt the mountains.

Pray, Maiden, attend our hallowed rituals;

Be forever gracious to your mystic herdsman and rejoice in our gifts of incense.

Hekate Chant…

Glory to you, O Hekate

Goddess who guards our opportunities

Queen of magic and circumstance

Keyholder, beloved mother of witches

Hekate, guide me through blessed doors

Shut those that might lead to my destruction

Hekate, she who holds the keys to the realms of time

Hekate, the goddess of wisdom and fate

Who hears the whisper of prophecy

Goddess of mysteries

Take my hand, O goddess

Put all your knowledge into my palm

And let your magic flow through me..

Here is a short prayer to Hekate about Persephone:

You, who dwell in the deep abyss,

In whose hand is death,

Who lives in the underworld,

You found the lost queen of Hades,

You guided her to save humanity from eternal winter.

Hekate, companion and friend of Persephone,

Guide me on my path.

May I never fear the darkness.

May I know where to find the light.

The following prayer was written specifically for Hades and Hekate:

Hear me, O Hades, king of the dead,

Lord of the underworld, ruler of the dead,

You who live in the dark places,

Work well with kind Hekate,

For she will help you bring back those who have died.

Hekate will be your companion in your work.

Hekate’s power will aid you in your task.

This is a prayer to Lilith and Hekate:

O Lilith, Seductress, Temptress,

She who invades dreams,

Who works hand in hand with divine Hekate,

Hear my prayers to you,

Defeat my enemies and aid my goals,

Help me overcome my fears,

And protect me from harm.

Prayer To Hekate Soteira
The role of Hekate as savior is very important. She is often associated with the concept of salvation. This is because she can help people escape their earthly problems and grant them a blameless death.

Soteira means “to save” or “to rescue”. Here is a prayer to Hekate Soteiria:

Heavenly Mother, hear my plea!

I am but mortal and wretched.

Give me strength and courage to face my fate,

To make good use of my time here.

To guide me safely to my end,

So that I may join my ancestors.

The following prayer is dedicated to Hekate:

Great Goddess, Queen of Witches,

Queen of the Night,

My Lady of Mysteries,

Lady of the Underworld,

Goddess of Death,

Mother of Souls,

Protectress of Witches,

Mother of Ghosts,

Guardian of Diviners,

Protector of Travelers,

Giver of Dreams,

All-Knowing One,

Mistress of Fate,

Mighty Ruler of All Things,

Guide me always,

Lead me to safety,

Save me from danger,

Keep me safe from evil,

Watch over me,

Be with me always,

Love me,

Listen to me,

Look after me,

Take care of me,

And I will work eternally in your name!

Signs Hekate is Reaching Out

Posted on by A Solitary Pagan

Are you looking into working with a deity? Do you feel particularly drawn to Hekate’s figure? If you are approaching a big breakthrough, she might be calling you.

Get to know Hekate
Hecate is one of the lesser-known Greek goddesses. The abilities attributed to her in Greek mythology are many, and they are mysterious. That is why, even nowadays, some myths around her present her as an evil goddess. Certainly, some of her powers and characteristics can be associated with the Underworld. However, some of her domains undoubtedly belong to the realm of life. She has extensive powers and many divine duties. She is considered to be the goddess of the night, light, crossroads, liminal spaces, childbirth, ghosts, necromancy, and the moon. Today, we know her mainly for being the goddess of magic and witchcraft.

According to mythology, her divine duties include ushering souls from the physical world to the underworld and vice-versa. She is, therefore, a liminal goddess. As such, she was given the title of goddess of gateways and borders. In this aspect, those “in-between” spaces are under her domain. She is also called the goddess of crossroads. To represent this, she is frequently represented as a triple goddess. For example, she is most commonly seen as a triple feminine figure, or as a woman holding a three-headed dog.

Hecate’s calling
Hecate is known to call people even when, more often than not, some witches are afraid of working with her. she may call you despite you knowing very little about her -or even if you do not know her at all. This goddess tends to be persistent and does not care about the resistance or inexperience of those she wants to call.

As we know, Hecate’s domains include crossroads. Not unexpectedly, she often calls people who are going through major life changes. This is why she is believed to call pregnant and dying people predominantly. She also likes calling young witches, as she likes to teach her craft using old-school methods. This is, of course, not true for everyone. You might be invited to work with her at any age.

However, if you are standing at any kind of turning point, she might lend a hand to help you. It might come across as an inconvenient time to embark on something new. But she will empower you to burn bridges leading back to those things that no longer serve you.

This is a deep, internal process. When something inside you starts breaking, her power seeps through the cracks and starts lighting up your soul. But Hekate is loud about what she wants. The work might be inward, but she will not leave room for doubt. If she wants to call you, you will notice subtle, yet unmistakable signs from her. You just have to pay attention.

6 signs Hekate is trying to get your attention

Black dogs
Dogs are sacred to Hecate. They are her animal companion and she is frequently depicted with one. Repeatedly coming across large, black dogs can be a signal from her. However, this sign can manifest in different ways. For example, you might hear dogs howling or barking a bit too frequently. If these sounds seem to come out of nowhere, they might be her hounds calling you.

Keys
Hekate is the goddess of gateways, and keys are one of her symbols. Of course, we handle keys on a daily basis. But if you unexpectedly come across keys while running errands, or find a long-lost bunch of keys, it might be a sign.

Torches
In most representations, Hecate is holding torches. This is related to her soul-guiding and gate-keeping duties. Unlike keys, torches are not frequently seen in our daily life, so spotting one without actively seeking it could be a sign.

The number 3
Hecate is often represented as a triple female figure. This is the representation of crossroads, one of her domains. In Greek mythology, she is also connected to the three realms of the Cosmos: earth, sea, and sky. Therefore, 3 is a sacred number when it comes to Hecate. If you notice it around you often, take note. It could be a message from this goddess.

Crossroads
Hecate will likely call you when you are standing at a crossroads. But not only metaphorically! If you have a strange experience while standing at a crossroads, especially in a forest, pay attention. A symbol, a vision, a channeled message… that could be her calling.

Symbols
Sometimes, the calling is even more obvious. If straightforward symbols, like Hecate’s wheel or triple moon imagery, appear around you repeatedly, she might be trying to call you.

What to do when you are called by Hecate
Receiving these signs from Hecate herself might be overwhelming. Maybe you sense that she’s trying to get through, but you are not completely sure. That is normal, especially if you have never worked with deities before.

At this point, being open to signs is more effective than actively looking for them. If you suspect that Hekate wants to work with you, taking notes might be useful. Keeping a detailed log of these signs will make them tangible and can help you understand them better. Write down if they are present in dreams or real life. Mention every symbol you notice. If you have a vision, jot down any other elements present. If you are undergoing any kind of change in your life, explain that, too.

Of course, it is difficult to discern what is really a sign. However, this is when faith comes into play. Remember that Hecate works from the inside out. If you have an unexplainable gut feeling, you are most probably correct. Trust her guidance and she will show you the right direction.

First steps working with Hecate

If you are ready to start working with Hecate, you can start small and work up progressively. Here are some ideas to start your journey.

Include her in your altar
Having her picture on your altar or lighting a candle for her is a good place to start. You can add elements as your confidence grows.

Work with Moon cycles
You can start by cleaning your home during a Full Moon as a cleansing ritual. Make sure to intention your actions.

Help animals
Hecate is deeply related to Nature and animals in general. Even when she is mostly seen around dogs, other animals like snakes and polecats (similar to ferrets) are also included among her symbols. Working in your local shelter or with strays is a nice way to connect with her.

Take care of your plants
This is a rather easy way to start understanding Hecate’s work. She is an herbalist and honors medicinal herbs and plants in her craft. Learning to work with these elements can take long study sessions. However, bonding with your houseplants is an easy starting point.

Do shadow work
Hecate is the connection between light and darkness. She walks in life, death, and anything in between. Working with your shadow will spark a close connection between you and this wise, mysterious goddess.

Practice green witchcraft
Devote time to including herbs and elements from Nature in your practice. Not only will you feel closer to Hekate. You will also learn a new craft.

Dedication to the Rise

Posted on by A Solitary Pagan

We are calling
the Grandmothers, Mothers,
Sisters, Aunts, Daughters
The Wild Women
The Crones
The seers & midwives
The mountain & desert women
The soul summoners
The water carriers
The tenders & feelers of Earth
The ocean women who are rising the tide
The fire women who are ready to roar
The girls who already breathe consciously with the trees
and the elders who choose to sing the song
that ends the desecration of our world.
We are calling you to RISE together now.
You are invited to unite & awaken
to who, what you really are,
on behalf of the forests,
on behalf of the trees,
on behalf of Life.”

Dedication to Santa Muerte.

Posted on by A Solitary Pagan

Beloved Santa Muerte, bearer of the scythe, assisted by the owl, and adorned with, the scales of justice, the hourglass, the globe, skeletal spirit, at the service of God the Father Mother, I ask you to intercede for me before God the Father Mother, that I may be blessed, protected, and prosperous, in all aspects of my life. Beloved Holy Death, assist me in my spiritual progress, to guide me towards ascension, protect me, bless me, fill me with light, and open my paths. Thank you, Santa Muerte, you already heard me. In the name of the Great Architect of the Universe. Id quod erit simile.

How To Master Witchcraft Even With Absolutely No Time…

Posted on by A Solitary Pagan

Is your life filled with so many responsibilities that you can barely make time for yourself, let alone try to master the art of witchcraft? You feel like you have no time and no energy to pursue your interests. You see so many witches online talking about the books they’re reading, the spells they’re casting, and the meditations they’re doing every. Single. Day. Sometimes it feels like you’ll never have the time to really devote yourself to your craft in the way that you “should”.

But here’s the truth: you don’t need that much time or energy to start learning the craft. In fact, all it takes is a bit of dedication, some self-compassion, and a little loop de knowledge, and you can become the witch you’ve always wanted to be.

So if you’re feeling like life is standing in the way of your dreams of being a witch, don’t worry—this is for you. In today’s blog post, I’ll share my secrets for mastering witchcraft despite life’s challenges.

When Life Makes Practicing Witchcraft Difficult
Are you finding it hard to make time for your daily magical practice? Do you feel overwhelmed by all the other obligations of life, and have no idea how to fit one more thing into your already crammed schedule? You’re not alone! This is one of the most common things that I hear when I ask my audience what’s stopping them from really pursuing the craft. It always comes down to too many responsibilities and too little time.

The truth is that the ultra-polished, high-frequency witchcraft practices you see online are often staged, exaggerated, or even entirely made up. Comparing yourself and your practice to what you see other people doing online simply isn’t reasonable. Why would a mom of three who also works full time have a witchcraft practice that looks the same as a university student on TikTok who has no job and very few responsibilities? The answer is, she wouldn’t! That would be insane!

The thing that is actually causing such a major block in your ability to practice witchcraft isn’t a lack of time, it’s actually a lack of self-compassion. By constantly comparing yourself to other people and getting down on yourself about how you can’t, or you’re not good enough, or you’ll never be a real witch because… you’re adding a huge amount of judgment and shame to your life and your craft.

In all honesty, this kind of negative self-talk takes up a ton of time and energy! That’s time and energy that you could be putting toward literally anything else, like, y’know… witchcraft. Rather than spending a bunch of time and energy beating yourself up for not being a good enough witch, why not make ANY amount of witchcraft a win?

The key is to start small. Instead of fitting an hour-long ritual into your daily life, try sneaking in a few minutes of magical activity here and there. Regularly writing down your thoughts in a journal that you keep near your bed or planning out a few quick spells can be just as powerful as doing full-fledged rituals. Just because it’s not big or flashy doesn’t mean that it doesn’t count! Start counting absolutely every magical moment, even 10 seconds of tuning into the energy of a room, as real witchcraft and you’ll likely find that you’re already doing way more than you thought.

You can also try to make mundane tasks magical. Channeling your energy toward something mundane can help increase the power of your spellwork and ritual work significantly. Even doing small things like taking care of plants or wearing particular colors or jewelry that have special meaning for your practice can add an extra layer of magic to any activity.

Most importantly, give yourself permission to take breaks from witchcraft when needed—it’s ok if you don’t always find time for it! It’s more important that you take care of yourself first—and will ultimately help maintain stability and balance in both your magical and mundane life.

Where to Find Magical Time in Your Schedule
You don’t need to give up on living a magical life just because you don’t have the time to focus on witchcraft. With some creativity, you can find a few moments here and there to fit in magical practice this with self-compassion. You may not be able to find time every day. Even one extra moment of focus on your craft during the week counts as a win!

Start by mapping out your weekly schedule. Take a look at the hours you spend on work and other responsibilities. Think of what small changes you can make in order to create space for witchy activities—even if it’s only five or ten minutes here and there.

For example:

Wake up 10 minutes earlier for a morning tarot card pull
Take a short meditation break during lunch
Spend half an hour listening to an audiobook or podcast before bed or during your commute
Fit in manifestation sessions or spell casting during study breaks
You’ll soon find that you are able to fit in small doses of ritual and these small moments can really add up!

Finally, if even these small moments still don’t seem to be enough, look into creative ways to practice and immerse yourself in the world of witchcraft. From joining online communities to taking classes or workshops, to learning from books, there are plenty of ways to enrich and add depth to your craft that don’t have to take up a ton of time.

At the end of the day, carving out a successful magical practice requires a bit of ingenuity and flexibility. Don’t feel bad if you can’t meet the expectations of a grandiose witchy lifestyle—start with small changes and over time, you’ll be able to gradually create a more robust and fulfilling magical practice.

Establishing a Daily Practice
You might not think you can make time for a daily practice of witchcraft, particularly if you have a demanding job or too many responsibilities. But it’s actually easier than it sounds—you don’t need to do something elaborate. All it takes is a little bit of effort and the right mindset.

To establish a daily practice, start by carving out just a few minutes each day for yourself. This could be during your lunch break, when you wake up, or before bed—it doesn’t matter when, as long as it works for your schedule.

Here are some simple steps to get you started:

1) Choose something that resonates with you—this could be divination, journaling, or meditation.

2) Create an easily accessible space where you can set up everything you need for your chosen practice. Not having to do any setup or put things away every single day takes a LOT of the friction out of this process and makes you much more likely to return to it regularly.

3) Be flexible. If something in your life changes, let your practice change with it. Consistency requires that you keep the reality of your life in mind! Sometimes schedules change, your energy levels change, and what you need and want from your practice changes. Switch from mornings to evenings when you need to, let yourself do a tarot pull instead of meditation sometimes, and build ease into the practice.

4) Finally, BE COMPASSIONATE WITH YOURSELF. Did you miss a day? That’s fine, life happens. You missed a week? No sweat, that’s life. Get back to it when you’re ready just stop agonizing over not doing things exactly right all the time. You can become a perfectly good witch even if you get it “right” less than half the time! You are good enough.

What Do You Do If You’re Short On Time And Not Sure Where To Start?
I get it. You’re busy, you have a million responsibilities, and finding time to practice witchcraft is one thing but you don’t even know what to DO with that time when you manage to find it.

Make Figuring It Out The Goal
If you have no idea where to start, the first thing you should do with the time you do manage to carve out is figure out where to start. Literally. That is a perfectly good goal to begin with. This could mean something like spending 15 minutes a day reading about witchcraft or spending a few minutes journaling about what you actually want to do with your craft. It’s ok to srpend a few weeks or even months just getting the lay of the land and figuring out where you want to focus your energies first. Witchcraft is a huge and incredibly varied subject and nobody expects you to just jump straight in and know exactly what you’re doing.

Start With What Interests You
It’s important to focus on what really resonates with you when it comes to your craft. Pick one thing that speaks to you the strongest and start there—maybe you begin by studying astrology or learning spells—and go from there. This way, you don’t feel overwhelmed with all the options out there and can concentrate on mastering that one thing first before moving on to something else. It doesn’t really matter what you pick as long as it’s something that piques your interest, there’s really no “correct” order to learn things in.

Learn from Others
No one ever said that mastering a magical practice had to be done alone. Reach out to experienced practitioners and those knowledgeable in witchcraft to pick up tips and learn from their experiences. Don’t be afraid to ask questions and to open up about your own struggles—not only will it help you to get perspective on things but it will also create a sense of community among those who have similar interests and goals.

Track Your Progress
Finally, make sure to keep track of your progress. This doesn’t have to be complicated; it can take no more than writing a few words in your journal each day or creating a spreadsheet or digital document to track your spells, rituals, divination, and other activities related to your practice. Write down all of your wins, big and small. In fact, especially write down the small wins! Remember that those little moments add up and they DO count.

By tracking your progress, you’ll be able to easily refer back to your successes, what worked and what didn’t. And on days when things seem to be hitting a dead end, you’ll be able to look at the progress you’ve made and remind yourself of how far you’ve come.

By integrating these tips into your magical practice, you’ll be well on your way to mastering witchcraft despite life’s little hiccups and obstacles.

When life gets overwhelming, don’t forget that you can still practice witchcraft. It doesn’t have to be an in-depth practice or a lengthy ritual – it can be a five-minute positive affirmation every morning or lighting a white candle every night before bed. While it’s important to build a strong foundation of knowledge and practice, a lot of times the sim plest techniques are the most powerful.

Reminss and have the power to shape your life. Invest in yourself and create a personalized practice that works for you, but remember that a d bit goes a long way. No matter how busy or stressed you might be, a few simple steps can take you a long way on your journey to mastering witchcraft.

Traditional Wassail Recipe

Posted on by A Solitary Pagan

You will need:

6 small apples
1 1/2 quarts ale or hard cider
1/4 cup sugar
1 teaspoon grated nutmeg
1 teaspoon ground ginger

Preheat your oven to 120 degrees F. Core the apples and then place them on a lightly greased baking tray. The apples will swell slightly as they bake, so space them a couple inches apart from each other. Bake the apples for 1 hour.

Meanwhile, put 1 cup of the ale (or cider) and all of the sugar in a tall pan. Warm this over low heat, stirring continuously to dissolve the sugar.

After the sugar has dissolved, add the grated nutmeg and ginger. Continue to simmer, stirring as you slowly add the remaining ale or cider. After the apples are done baking, remove them from the oven and allow them to cool for 10 to 12 minutes. Then cut each apple in half and scoop out the baked “flesh” into a bowl. Discard the skins. (Ideally these apple skins should go into your compost!) Using a fork or potato masher, mash the apples until they are smooth.

Slowly add the smooth, mashed apples to the warm ale or cider, mixing them in vigorously with a whisk. Continue to warm the wassail over very low heat for about half an hour. Whisk again just before serving.

Fairy Protection

Posted on by A Solitary Pagan

Fairy protection is sometimes necessary. If you are a friend of the fay like me, you’ve seen their beauty and wonder. They might have helped your garden grow or give you a healing remedy in your dreams. You’ve seen the good that fairies do for Mother Earth; however, every once in a while you may run into a fairy that’s not so nice. The reasons for their distrust towards us are many-fold, but the main thing is to learn how to protect yourself from trickster fairies.

First, Are There Really “Evil Fairies”?
Well, are there really bad spirits? Bad human beings? When you start working with the fairy realm, you’ll quickly realize not all fairies are friendly to humans. In fact, there are some that kidnap and eat humans according to folklore. While others may not be particularly cannibalistic but have a tendency to play tricks on their human encounters. In addition, there are household fairies that may first be friendly and helpful that turn malevolent or angry for one reason or another. There are even fairies, namely the will o’ the wisp, that are known to lead human beings off a cliff and to their tragic end.

But, to answer the question are there evil fairies, understand the faery realm follows its own rules. So what we find “evil” isn’t one thing or another in the faery realm. Still, there are some who enjoy working and living alongside human kind. Learn more about the types of fairies here. So that you’ll be aware and be able to discern between them.

Protection from evil fairies may be as simple as a loud bell or wind chimes.

Fairy Protection: 9 Ways to Protect Your Home & Yourself
Fairy protection dates back thousands of years and consists of many different practices. If you are working with fairies in your magickal practice or trying to attract them to your home or garden, these methods of protection should not scare the benevolent fairies away. These methods of fairy protection should only keep potentially malevolent fairies from your home, as long as your intention is pure.

1. Iron Protection from Malevolent Fairies
It’s been said for centuries that fairies fear iron, hang an iron horseshoe above your front door to ward off evil fairies. This belief could be due to the idea that fairies were originally a small neolithic people who lived in Ireland and were driven out of their homes by the Celts, specifically in the Iron Age (hence the fear of iron – iron weapons). Cast iron in the kitchen protects from trickster fae spoiling or overturning food. Wearing an iron troll cross, like the kind they wear in Sweden, wards off evil elves, trolls and the like. Or hang iron troll crosses around the home and garden.

2. Bells and Chimes
Bells frightened off evil spirits in Medieval Ireland and elsewhere in Europe. Specifically the big, deep-sounding Church bells that would ring to draw the people to Church. Apply this tradition by hanging deep-toned chimes on your front porch, or by using deep sounding bells during magickal ritual. Use bells to clear your space should there be trickster spirits about.

Mushroom rings could be fairy rings.

3. Protection from Fairy Raids and Rings
If going out walking at night or during twilight hours, or if you go out on one of the eight holy days, it’s imperative to protect yourself from getting caught up in one of the fairies raides (rides) or fairy rings. Old Irish folklore says that one is to turn their coat inside out to keep from being “pixie-led” away from a safe path. Also, NEVER take food from the fay! If you are caught in a fairy ride or ring, or if you take food from the fay, you could very well find yourself lost in a strange place. When you return, YEARS could have gone by even though it only felt like minutes (according to folklore).

4. Don’t Traipse Into Their Territory
The easiest way to prevent getting caught in a fairy raid or being dragged to the depths of a pond is fairly simple. Stay out of their way. Stay out of their territory. Most people can feel when they’re teetering closely to the Otherworld or a company of fairies. You’ll hear harp or flute music, seemingly far away yet close by. And the world around you will seem to shift. Or feel unstable. There are sometimes known fairy haunts in certain places throughout the world. It’s best to leave these places alone. If you happen to enter their territory unbeknownst to you, tell them you mean no harm and leave promptly.

5. Appeasing the Fay
Leave a pail of fresh milk, butter, or cream outside of your front door on the eight holy days to appease the fay and keep them from wreaking havoc on garden and home. Leaving fairy offerings and libations dates back hundreds of years, and if you have any Celtic ancestors, you probably have ancestors who partook in this tradition. Some people in Europe still do! This is a preventative method of protection from trickster fairies. Make them happy at the back door so they don’t intrude. Fairies are also particularly active in the days leading up to Samhain and during the Twelve Days of Yule.

Just because a fairy looks pretty or dainty doesn’t mean he/she can’t be malevolent!

6. Fairy Protection: The Circle of Light
Another effective yet simple technique of fairy protection consists of using one’s mind and energy. If you are used to using visualization in your meditations, rituals, and spells, this method of fairy protection should be familiar to you. It’s what I like to call the Circle of Light. You can do this visualization exercise any time of the day, any day of the week and as often as you’d like. For me particularly, I do it every night as I’m lying in bed and before I go to sleep to continue to build the circle’s strength around my home.

Just relax your entire body. Let all thoughts and chatter of your mind fade away until all you picture is a blank screen. Then see your home and property on the screen, see its colors and details. Focus on the image of your home and property, then look into the window at yourself and/or your family members. Then gradually picture a circle of white light engulfing your home, starting from the ground and going up and over, forming a dome of light. See this light as being transparent, but totally impenetrable by negative forces. Picture a branch or rock being thrown at the dome of light and watch it bounce off. Then picture an evil fairy trying to cross the circle of light’s boundary and watch them be pushed away. Repeat this visualization technique every night for at least a week, and then repeat whenever you feel necessary.

7. Ancestral and Deity Protection from Malevolent Fairies
One of the MOST effective forms of protection against trickster fairies (and other spirits in general) is to invite your ancestors and gods into your home. Once your guides and guardians take up residence in your home, they do most of the work of keeping out negative forces like malevolent fairies and the like. In fact, my ancestors are SO good at protection, I have to ask their permission to allow any other spirits inside the home.

8. Warding Your Property
Warding your property is an effective way to shield yourself and your family from pretty much every spirit you don’t want intruding. Except the ones you invite in. This is an effective way to ward off malevolent fairies, as well. I recommend reading our article on warding here. But, essentially, a circle of salt will ward off fairies, railroad spikes in the four corners of your property, as well as certain stones that contain iron like hematite and red jasper. Another tip – if you choose to use a circle of salt, Himalayan pink salt is even more effective than regular. Why? It has the largest amount of iron…which is actually what gives it its pink color.

9. Avoiding Travel On Their Days
It’s well-known through Ireland and other old countries that the fae are more active on certain days, nights and holidays during the year. Some of those days include the high Celtic holy days Imbolc, Beltane, Lughnasadh and Samhain. But if you travel further Northeast in Europe to Norway and Sweden, the elves are quite active during the Winter holidays of Yule and during the 12 days of Christmas. And no, I don’t necessarily mean Santa’s cute, toy-making elves. I’m talking the danger, sometimes malevolent alfar. During these days, it’s best to avoid traveling on roads by yourself during twilight hours and at night. Lest you stumble upon them and be swept away

Nature Circle’

Posted on by A Solitary Pagan


You will need the following items for this spell:

1 spell
1 candle (appropriate color)
Some dirt or soil
Sand (Optional)
Salt(optional)
Water
First off sit comfortably on any smooth surface and put the candle in front of you. The candle should be the appropriate color (ex; love=red, black=death). Light your candle and take the soil and create a circle around you and the candle. For extra strength, sprinkle sand and salt on the soil circle for extra power. Chant “Water, air, earth and fire. I call upon you”

Then say your spell. The spell has to be nature related, like growth or protection of plants or animals. Have a glass of water near so you can put out the candle with your fingers. If you don’t feel comfortable doing this, either let the wind blow it out or pour water on the flame. sit in the circle for a few moments and breathe. Scoop up as much soil/sand/salt from your circle as you can and let the wind blow it from your hands.

Opening the Inner Eye’

Posted on by A Solitary Pagan


You will need the following items for this spell:

1 white or purple candle
1 herb (rosemary,thyme)
Light the candle and burn the herb as soon as you see smoke say: “Give me the power to see through the fog. The fog is my ally, my friend, my resolve. Give me the power to see through the haze, to see through it clearly, to see through the maze. Goddess, hear me. Goddess, see me. Goddess, let me see!”.

Spell: Nature Peace Wind Spell

Posted on by A Solitary Pagan

When life feels overwhelming, you might be having trouble processing stressful, worrisome thoughts. This peace wind spell can help. Allow yourself time for some self-care and consider going on a nature walk. Nature restores us and helps us get back on a more grounded spiritual path.

Visit a park or nature preserve away from the sounds of the city. If you can, go to an area that has a lot of trees. Find a comfortable place to sit and tune in to the sights and sounds of the forest. This simple chant can help you connect with the universe and work on releasing your troubling thoughts:

Help me release my thoughts

with ease as the wind blows the

leaves high up in the trees.

May my overwhelming thoughts begin

to cease. Help me regain harmony

and restore my inner peace.

Await the Harvest

Posted on by A Solitary Pagan

To all those law of attraction, abundance manifestation, and easy life, high vibration, anti negativity sorts, you’ve got it all wrong.

Sure, if I wanted the easy life, I’d utilize “the secret” and manifest an easy life. How would this benefit me though? If I drive all I view to be uncomfortable from my life, what’s left? What if I seek abundance every day, as so many new aged “feel good” posts recommend?

If you’ve ever seen those “law of attraction”, “manifest your desires”, and “abundance manifestation” posts, which dot the landscape of social media, you’ll likely be familiar with paradise culture.

It’s the sort of vile thing you see in every community, from Christian to conspiracy theorist. Among the Christians, it’s the prosperity doctrine. Among the conspiracy theorists, it’s what life would be like “if the Elite weren’t hiding it all from us”. Among the new agers, it’s “law of attraction”. Among witches, it’s “abundance manifestation”, and among the Satanists, it’s “lesser black magick”.

Obviously, everyone fails at achieving the above but they all have the same excuse; they just use different wording. For the Christians, you didn’t believe strongly enough or give enough. For the conspiracy theorists, you simply didn’t wake up. For the new agers, you didn’t ascend to dimension b42. For the witches, you didn’t do the spell right, and for the Satanists, you just didn’t have enough favor with whatever demon, devil or fictional character from a medieval book of fables.

What unites all these groups is that they are all peopled by slaves and all the slaves seek paradise, just by different names. All of these people would be perfectly happy being perfectly happy, having everything provided to them, where they have no need to work. Did you know there’s a name for this sort of place, other than paradise? It’s called a ranch. In fact, did you know that on the ranch where the most expensive cut of meat is raised, the cattle want for nothing? In fact, they’re treated like family, until they’re sent to the slaughter house.

Now, I’m sure you all can understand the exchange being made here? Did you think it would be different for you? If after you’re given all these things you signed in the blood of your fellows for, your blood wouldn’t be demanded in turn? How foolish you are! Then, ranchers don’t build livelihoods by slaughtering sentient creatures, now do they? They do it by slaughtering stupid animals!

Meanwhile, as all of you make animal noises about “abundance” and “a paradise hidden from you”, people like us know that an easy life, isn’t a life worth living.

How to Channel Negative Energy Into Positive Magic

Posted on by A Solitary Pagan

Don’t fight negative energy! Learn to use it as a potent source of power to fuel positive changes in your life.
When it comes to icky vibes, it’s easy to let them drag you into self-destructive behavior.
But your hard-to-handle emotions are actually really powerful tools in developing a stronger, more energized approach to life.
Let’s take a look at how you can channel negative energy into your magic to promote positive change.

Use anger to raise power.
Are you really, really mad about something? You can let that eat away at you.
Or you can use it to turbo charge power raising in your rituals.
Anger is among the most potent forms of emotional energy. The key is to focus your rage outward toward a magical goal that is productive rather than destructive.
Try this meditation for power building.
Take a red candle and carve a goal into the wax. This might be “get a new job,” “write a book” or “move to a new city.”
Sit in a quiet space and light the candle. Breathe deeply. With each inhale, allow your anger to rise up from deep inside you, collecting at your throat/voice box.
When you feel your emotions peaking, exhale with a scream (no need to hold back, your neighbors already think you’re weird) and extinguish the candle, blowing your intentions into the universe as you would scatter dandelion seeds.

Channel sadness into art magic.
Psychologists are only recently uncovering what artists have known for centuries: sadness is fertile ground for creativity.
Use your sadness to make powerful art magic.
Try mixing a few tears into some homemade paint potion and create something beautiful with it to soothe your soul.

Use loneliness to fuel introspection.
Even if you’re surrounded by people, occasional loneliness is normal.
Take advantage of this feeling to empower your divination practice.
The solitude and quiet reflection that accompanies loneliness are perfect conditions to excel at the art of divination.
So dust off your tarot cards or try making your own divination mirror.

Harness anxiety to push through a rut.
I don’t know about you, but for me, anxiety is one of the most annoying, seemingly inescapable experiences.
But it’s also the perfect antidote for stagnation.
If you’ve felt stuck in life and it’s time for a change, use your anxiety to supercharge a transformation spell.
Try a spell that requires you to do something fidgety with your hands—for example, hand-sewing a spell poppet or spell sachet.
Stuff the poppet with herbs for new beginnings. Dried mint and lemon peel are especially effective.

Use tension in releasing magic.
It seems counterintuitive, but the more tension you have in your body, the more potential energy you have to use in releasing or relaxing magic.
Have you ever done that meditation exercise where you tense up your muscles on purpose in order to relax them?
This is the exact same principle at work.
Draw a ritual bath and add a relaxing essential oil (like lavender).
Then, instead of trying to “relax” (which is harder than it sounds) think more about giving away the energy that is tensing your muscles to a higher goal.
When you drain the tub, imagine the tension going down the drain with the water. Imagine it returning to the natural water cycle, working on your behalf in the natural world to help you achieve your objectives.