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.

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.

The Remanifestation of the Ego

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Bear in mind that the consciousness of the naked Self has already been awakened. This point — when the Eye of the Void opens — is the Ordeal of the Abyss often spoken of by Crowley; it is the experience of ZAX, The Tenth Aethyr”.

The choice that now lies before the Initiate is whether to ultimately follow the Left-Hand Path or the Right-Hand Path. Let’s take time to consider what this choice entails at this elevated stage. There are actually four shades of choice which are habitually made here, not two. Ranging from the most purely Right to the most purely Left.

1. True Right-Hand Path:

The Right-Hand Path Initiate (such as the Buddhist) seeks the extinction of Self. The ego is left behind on the shores of the Abyss, abandoned for ever. The Right-Hand Path Magister then makes every effort to close the Eye once again in an act of permanent Self-annihilation. In actual fact, the Essence is dispersed throughout the Void and the potential for Remanifestation remains as an unshakable magical Law.

2. Half-Arsed Right-Hand Path:

This is the path of most religions who profess themselves Right-Hand Path. Most of the followers of such creeds simply pay lip service to their beliefs or follow them blindly and without any philosophical struggle on their own part. For such, they never come near the Eye in the Void. It neither opens, nor is it existence suspected. They pay lip service to the greater good and the worship of their god, but remain slaves of the ego, the higher faculties unawakened. Those few who do open the Eye believe it to be a demonic abomination (as, by certain formulae, it is) and reject it loudly, falling back into the unawakened ego, but haunted by nightmares which compel them to inflict suffering upon others as punishment for their own inadequacy.

3. Half-Arsed Left-Hand Path:

This is a upsettingly familiar theme even among those who do their utmost to live accordingly to the principles of the Left-Hand Path. Any Left-Hand Path magician worth their salt will sooner or later stand upon the edge of the Abyss and behold Leviathan staring back at them. Some few will turn their backs in fear at this point and try to retreat, but once seen it cannot be forgotten and they are invariably drawn back again to stand upon the precipice, often for years.

The true Initiate will revel in the immensity of the Mystery of Self and Non-Self and will launch fearlessly into the depths of their inner Hell, opening their own Eye in the Void and Becoming a Black Magus. The problem that then arises is that so many of us – yes, even us – still carry the vestiges, the guilt’s and the attitudes of our Christian indoctrination within us, even though we swear that we don’t. Thus, so many of the Black Magi succeed in opening the Eye in the Void, only to then renounce the ‘lower ego’ altogether and live a life professing piety. Their intent remains true, their magical prowess is not diminished, but they are only half the God they could be and should be.

4. True Left-Hand Path:

This follows the previous course until the Eye in the Void has opened. But this Initiate – a true devotee of the Stooping Dragon – does not then seek an ascetic existence. Freed from the shackles of their everyday personality, they now return to it and embraces it as a long lost brother, with one enormous difference: they are now the Master, no longer the slave. They have transformed compulsion into Indulgence, actualizing the Formula of the Magus.

So why is this Remanifestation of the ego so important?

Why shouldn’t we just leave it behind, with all of its fads and foibles? Surely those who have opened the Eye in the Void are like Gods and the lesser things of Earth should no longer interest them?

The personality is the record of who we have been; of how we came to be at the place we now are. It is the guide to who we may yet become. All of the wonders that enthralled us as a child, all of the lessons we have painfully learned, all of the loves that have stirred our passions, all of the Keys to the Being we are, are encoded in that lowly little personality, so despised by mystics and magicians everywhere.

So reach out and draw it back to yourself, accept it fully with all of its faults and inconsistencies. They may have misguided you once, but you have seen through them now and can accept them for what they are. Embrace it wholeheartedly.

The ego may have been a rubbish master, but it will make a beloved servant. Without it, you lack all sense of purpose. Your ego is already encoded and conditioned by the things that inspire you and ignite your passions. It contains the Keys for your successful operation in the world. And make no mistake: this world is where you are supposed to be.

The Desire and aspiration of the highest, most spiritual spark of your consciousness is to clothe itself in flesh and personality and to Come Into Being here and now. The purpose of Initiation is not to swap one for the other: it is to open the eyes of both, perceive what is Real, and empower the entire Self to its maximum potential, chasing after the shadows of possibilities yet to come.

Source: Extract from APOPHIS, the Draconian Order of Apep by Michael Kelly. A Publication of the Order of Apep.

Meal for the Fairies

Posted on by A Solitary Pagan

There is another kind of Spirits, (fairies) which we have spoken of in our third book of Occult Philosophy, not so hurtful, and near unto men, for also, that they are affected with humane passions, and do joy in the convention of men, and freely do inhabit with them. And others do dwell in the woods and deserts; &c others delight in the company of divers domestique animals and wild beasts; and some others do inhabit about fountains
and meadows.

Whosoever therefore would call up these kinds of Spirits, in the place where they abide, it ought to be done with odoriferous perfumes, and with sweet sounds and instruments of music, specially composed for the business,with using of songs, enchantments and pleasant verses,with praises and promises.

But those which are obstinate to yield to these things, are to be compelled with threatening, and especially by threatening them to expel them from those places where they are conversant. Further, if need be, thou may betake thee to use exorcisms; but the most important thing that ought to be observed is constancy of mind, and boldness,
free, and alienated from fear.

Lastly, when you would invocate these kinds of spirits, you ought to prepare a table in the place of invocation, covered with clean linen; whereupon you shall set new bread, and running water or milk in new earthen vessels,and new knives.

And you shall make a fire, whereupon a perfume shall be made. But let the magician go unto the head of the table,and round about it let there be feasts placed for the spirits, as you please; and the spirits being called, you shall invite them to drink and eat.

But if perchance you shall fear any evil spirit, then draw a circle about it, (your chair) and let that part of the Table at which the magician sits, be within the circle, and the rest of the table without the circle.

Notes: Fairy is a broad category. In the 1500s, it was often used synonymously with terms such as elf, dwarf, sprite, and even faun and nymph. No one was quite sure what fairies were, and some theories stated that they were spirits of nature, or angels too good for hell but too bad for heaven. Some people thought they were gods and spirits of pre-Christian races or cultures.

Making offerings of food and drink to the gods or the dead has been an ancient practice, stretching back to neolithic times, so it seems only natural that a meal would be set for the fairies.

The attitude of the magician towards the fairies in the grimoires was more one of friendship than of coercion, as it states in the first operation in this book “I confidently and earnestly ask this of you as you are our friends, and we are your friends, and all of us are servants to the Highest…”

Therefore, in every exchange with the fairies, the
magician was to treat them as friends, and offer them gifts in return for service. This contrasts with the way that demons were usually treated with great fear and the medieval magician attempted to bind them with the power of God and the angels, though they were still offered gifts and offerings in exchange for service.

In the case of the dead, the magician in operation 7 ofthis book is instructed to offer to pray for the dead man and make an alms deed in their name in return for their help in finding the fairy Sibylia. I am sure that the dead appreciate other offerings as well, because if you go to any cemetery, there are always things placed there, on and around the tombstones, things that the dead person
liked during their life.

It could be rightly said that even saints and angels
require gifts in exchange for service. Notice the millions of candles burned each month for the saints and angels in the Catholic church. Although sometimes angels in the Bible were said to direct a person to make the offering to God rather than them. In any case, all spiritual workings with entities who are non-physical takes something from the magician, even if that is time and energy spent in the adoration of an angel or God.

Remember the law of exchange, and do not expect any spirit to be your servant. In the spell mentioned above,along with making a meal for the fairies, the magician was to offer incense, something that seems to be universally appreciated by all spirits, and to compose music for the occasion and perform it for the spirits with “praises and promises.” The promises would seem to refer to future gifts and celebrations in the honor of the spirits. The idea was that there should be a working relationship between the people who lived on the physical plane, and those who were the spiritual inhabitants of a location.

We can see that the spirits invoked in the previously described spell were believed to be present in the location a magician was living in, for the greatest threat was to make them leave, for then they would be homeless and must find a new place to live, which would cause them to have to seek to move in with other fairies, or possibly battle hostile spirits to take possession of another location. It is easy to see how this would be very important to the fairies, they needed a place to live just as
much as humans did, at least in the eyes of the people who performed these rituals. 

TO THE WOMAN WHO IS SLOWLY FADING AWAY…

Posted on by A Solitary Pagan

To the woman who has lost her spark.

To the woman whose get up and go, has well and truly gone.

This is for you.

This is to remind you whose daughter you are.

This is to remind you, that you don’t have to be everything to everyone, every day.

You didn’t sign up for that.

Remember when you used to laugh? Sing? Throw caution to the wind?

Remember when you used to forgive yourself more quickly for not always being perfect.

You can get that back again.

You really can.

And that doesn’t have to mean letting people down or walking away.

It just means being kinder to you, feeling brave enough to say no sometimes.

Being brave enough to stop sometimes.

And rest.

It starts the moment you realise that you’re not quite who you used to be.

Some of that is good, some of that is not.

There are parts of you that need to be brought back.

And if anyone in your life is not okay with that… they are not your people.

Your people will be glad to see that spark starting to light up again.

So, if you have been slowly fading away my friend, this is the time to start saying yes to things that bring you joy and no to things that don’t.

It’s really pretty simple.

A Ritual to Conjure the Fairy Sibylia

Posted on by A Solitary Pagan

The year is 1586, the night is dark and mysterious, only a sliver of the moon hangs in the sky. The autumn wind is chilly, and it blows the leaves from the trees. Two witches, one an old woman with grey hair, and another, a young man half her age, meet in an old country lane. They quietly exchange greetings and then hurry towards a nearby cemetery in an old, abandoned churchyard, looking around them for signs they are being watched. The wind blows, the night is quiet except for the distant hoot of an owl.

When they arrive at the cemetery each one draws a few items from their pockets. The man brings forth a book, The Discoverie of Witchcraft, and from his sleeve, a wand made of hazel wood. The woman produces a crystal stone, and a candle. Together, they approach a fresh grave at the far edge of the cemetery.

When they arrive at the grave, the woman lights the candle, holding the crystal in her other hand. The air is thick with spirits and both witches feel a certain apprehension, a knowing that what they are doing is spiritually dangerous and could also get them executed by the secular authorities. They are risking their lives to carry out this work of magic.

The man takes the wand and gently strikes the dirt of the grave. “Arise, Arise,” he begins to call the ghost. He addresses the ghost by name, telling it to come forth and enter the crystal stone. He promises the ghost that if he will help the witches, and obey them, that he will do a good deed in the ghost’s name, and thus help them get to heaven. He tells the ghost that the witches need its help to go and get a fairy that they wish to conjure, the Fairy
Sibylia.

Dozens of spirits swirl around the two witches now. Some of them are relatives of the witches. “Stop this heresy!” one demands. “To invoke the dead is a great sin,” another ghost says. “You are going to hell,” another ghost warns. The two witches ignore these voices and carry on their work.

Lights seem to play around the edges of the stone, it glows. Spirits swirl around it, almost swimming in the air. “Could this be a home for us?” one asks. The ghost of a little child peeks around a headstone. The ghost of a witch who is buried in the graveyard looks on approvingly. The crystal stone is the center of the motion, it seems to attract the spirits to it.

The younger man continues to say the words of
conjuration from the book, commanding the ghost to appear in the stone. Then, the old woman says, “I see him, I see the ghost, he has taken the form of himself when he was young, look inside.” The younger man looks and sees, the stone is glowing many colors, orange, red, green, and purple. He reaches his hand out and touches the stone, it feels warm. The book says this is a sign that things are going well.

Somewhere deep inside the stone he can see the form of the ghost he had conjured, the one who had killed himself, an old friend of his. Success! Suddenly there is a moment of sadness, the memories the ghost had in his life, and his sorrows. “I will pray for you,” the male witch murmurs quietly, “I will do good deeds in your name.” “Work with me my friend and help me to find the fairy Sibylia.” The ghost agrees to the deal.

The two witches then close the book and then enter the abandoned church next to the cemetery. Taking chalk from their pockets, they quickly draw an ornate magic circle on the ground. It is fortified with divine names, and a Bible verse. The design is taken from the book. By this time, it is midnight.
As a final protection, the witches draw small leather shields from their pockets and pin them to their chests. Upon the shield looking coverings are the words Sorthie, Sorthia, Sorthios. All around the circle, candles are lit. A smaller circle is drawn with the chalk, outside the larger one, for the Fairy Sibylia to appear in.

The Hazel wand and crystal stone are once again drawn forth, the moon shines in from part of the roof which has caved in. Frankincense is produced from the pocket of the female witch and the smell wafts through the old, abandoned church.

Once again, the male witch conjures the spirit of the ghost, which has now entered the stone. It appears once again; the witches ask the ghost to go and get the fairy. It disappears from the stone, the room grows quiet, there is a moment of silence…

Then she arrives, the fairy. She is standing within the smaller circle outside the larger circle which the witches have drawn. She is indescribably beautiful with curly blond hair, elvish looking ears, and blue green eyes. She wears a long white dress which sparkles and silver armlets and rings and a tiara around her head of silver. She has wings of a butterfly with purple hues.

Beams of light emanate from her, and she holds a magic wand made of hazel wood, with the tip glowing a brilliant white. Her splendor lights up the dark candle lit room as if it were suddenly illuminated by the brightest moonlight. In and through this light, hundreds of smaller fairies’ dart
and fly at high speeds all around the magic circle and the witches.

The male witch quickly addresses the fairy using the names and words given in the book, asking her not to harm a hair on their heads, and to be kind to them. His companion takes the Frankincense and waves it towards her, asking the fairy to accept the incense as a gift, and to work with them as a friend and ally in the spiritual plane.

She agrees and then begins to instruct the witches in various ways to cast spells and improve their magic. She gives a couple of the smaller fairies to them as familiar spirits and tells them to watch over the witches. Finally, the male witch reads another conjuration from the book, which tells her that she may come and go as she pleases, and she promises to see them again for more teaching, and that someday she will even give them the power to go invisible.

Then in a flash, she is gone, and takes all the light from the room with her, and the little fairies as well. The two witches hurriedly gather their magical tools and return to their homes in silence, vowing to keep the secrets of their work from the church.

Empower Yourself

Posted on by A Solitary Pagan

Words have power. You can utilize the power of positive, encouraging words every day. Write words on small pieces of paper and place them in spots around your house where you will notice them. Put the notes on your bathroom mirror, near your desk, and near the doorway. Create notes for yourself that say things like this:

Believe.
Keep going.
I am strong.
I am creative.
I am beautiful.
I am successful.

Create the messages as if you were cheering on your best friend, but extend this love and encouragement to yourself. Using these affirmations daily will help you with strength and empowerment. These magical reminders can assist you in times when you may be struggling and working on overcoming obstacles.

You can do this, you will overcome, you are strong, you will thrive. Believe it.

Frau Perchta

Posted on by A Solitary Pagan

Frau Perchta, also known as the belly slitter or Christmas witch from German lore. Like Krampus she goes after naughty people but mostly lazy ones. She hates dirty houses and she keeps a knife in her dress, and she uses it on those she finds slovenly.

She’s a witch/goddess who can look like a crone or Frigg, some say she is Frigg. Adding to that is the story that she rides in the wild hunt. She also has an army of Krampus like minions.

Her night is January 6

The Ancient Midwinter Deer-Mother Goddess.

Posted on by A Solitary Pagan

Female reindeer are unique with regard to other deer species in that they grow and shed antlers. This attribute is part of the mythology and spirituality of the shamanistic Sámi people who tell a story of how at the winter solstice the Deer Mother Goddess flew through the sky in order to help the dying midwinter sun find its way back and begin the process of the returning light.

Male reindeer shed their antlers before midwinter so the association between rebirth and antlers is very much a feminine trait in these traditions.
While some stories remind us of the connection between the world tree, Yggdrasil, and the branched horns of the deer, an often overlooked symbolic connection is the shape of the antlered head of the female deer and the uterus.
Another place we see this depicted in ancient goddess cultures is in the relief’s of the Goddess Hathor and the horned cow.
Incidentally, within Nepalese shamanism, the world tree of immortality is called Kalpa Vriksha, and it looks even more like antlers because the roots of the tree face upwards.
The reason for the roots touching the sky is to show how growth comes from, and returns to, the upper realms.
Many ancient standing stones and carvings depict the deer goddess holding the moon and stars within her antlers.

Although Cernunnos might be a more familiar horned figure, there is much less evidence for his historical worship than there is for the various horned Goddesses of ancient Europe and Asia.
The anthropologist, Karl Schleiser, noted that the deer shaman was one who could traverse all three worlds associated with ancestors and spirits.
So, not only did the reindeer fly to the upper and lower worlds, but it was also seen as a spirit animal which might help those in the middle world. Perhaps,(and this is a personal observation), this is why the deer goddess was so important to people at the time of the year when life was so full of hardship?

The ability of the Deer Mother Goddess to both nurture and sustain life, and the weakened sun until it regained its strength, is a motif which recurs in all of the animistic doctrines, if we can call them that.
This instinctual knowledge was also notice by James George Frazer when he studied ancient native traditions and beliefs.
Although his work, The Golden Bough, certainly shows its age, (and Frazer’s colonialist mindset!), he understood the connection between ancient totemism and inner wisdom very well when he wrote that indigenous peoples, “…conceive of life as an indestructible kind of energy, which when it disappears in one form must necessarily reappear in another, though in the new form it need not be immediately perceptible by us; in other words, he infers that death does not destroy the vital principle nor even the conscious personality, but that it merely transforms them into other shapes, which are not the less real because they commonly elude the evidence of our senses.”

The reason why this is important is because, in her many incarnations, the Deer Mother Goddess was a symbol of much more than the hope of a new spring and the rescue of the winter sun; she was a reminder of the belief that the soul itself was eternal and that even after death there awaited a new rebirth.
When the Scythians moved into Northern Europe and mixed and traded with those already living there, they brought with them their knowledge and practices related to Asian shamanism, as well as the Gods and Goddesses associated with the land, sky and constellations, including the Deer Mother Goddess who incarnated in various forms, depending upon the people who recognised her eternal aspects and nature.
Professor Richard Seaford also reminds us that following Alexander the Great’s conquest of Western Asia, there followed a further syncretism of shamanistic beliefs within the various philosophical and spiritual traditions already existing in Europe.
This resulted in the incorporation of shamanistic ideas within the mystery schools, of which the greatest was the secret knowledge of the invincibility of the soul and the life that awaits following the trials of the afterlife.

The main sun goddess of the indigenous Sámi people is Beaivi, a deity strongly associated with a white female reindeer. At midwinter, a white deer is sacrificed to her in order to ensure the health of the land and herds.
She is also associated with healing mental illnesses which were believed to occur when the sun disappeared from the sky during the winter. For the Sámi, this might be as long as 40 days, so this is interesting in terms of our own knowledge regarding daylight, mental health and vitamin D.

Beaivi shares other characteristics with horned goddesses associated with midwinter in that she flew through the sky as a deer, but also pulled a sleigh, sometimes made of antlers and bone. The goddess Saule of the indigenous Lithuanian people was also said to traverse the sky in this same manner and leave gifts by dropping amber down into homes as she passed overhead.
We have come across other ancient goddesses with similar attributes in previous posts, such as La Befana, for example.

So, we have various ancient Goddesses who flew through the sky at midwinter leaving gifts for households and bringing new light and life.
We know today that the earliest evidence for shaman indicates that they were female, and that the practices and iconography moved into Northern Europe and the Mediterranean regions following the various migrations of the Scythians, and the conquests of Alexander the Great.
Although it might seem as though these beliefs and traditions have been forgotten, in fact they have survived in ways not always apparent.
But, also in ways very familiar, as we shall see in the next post in this short series.

Oshun Oil

Posted on by A Solitary Pagan

( Caridad Del Cobre Holy Oil)
Use this oil to honor the River Goddess and draw love and prosperity.
Use these essential oils to create this holy oil:
*SWEET Orange
*ROSE Scent, which can be one or more of these:
Essential oil of roses( rose otto),
Essential Oil of rose geranium
* CINNAMON
*MAGNOLIA
*Benzion LIQUID RESIN
(You will also need rose petals and cinnamon chips )
****
Blend in a base of grage seed oil to honor the Love Goddess Oshun. Now to the above formula, add rose Petals for enhancing love, and Cinnamon chips for enhancing passion.

Invisibility through fairy magic

Posted on by A Solitary Pagan

This ritual is originally found in the 1584 Discoverie of Witchcraft. I have modernized the English but left the original spell as it is.

(Note: this is a separate experiment with Sibylia.)

This is the way to go invisible by these three sisters of fairies. (Sibylia, Milia, and Achilia.) In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy ghost. First go to a faire parlor or chamber, & an even ground, and in no loft, and from people nine days; for it is the better: and let all thy clothing be clean and sweet.

Then make a candle of virgin wax, and light it, and make a faire fire of charcoals, in a faire place, in the middle of the parlor or chamber. Then take faire clean water, that runneth against the east, and set it upon the fire: and when thou washest thy self, say these words, going about the fire, three times, holding the candle in the right hand: + Panthon + Graton + Muriton + Bisecognaton + Siston +
Diaton + Maton + Tetragrammaton + Agla + Agarion + Tegra + Pentessaron + Tendicata. Then rehearse these names: + Sorthie + Sorthia + Sorthios + Milia + Achilia + Sibylia + in nomine patris, & filii, & spiritus sancti, Amen. I conjure you three sisters of fairies, Milia, Achilia, Sibylia, by the father, by the son, and by the Holy-ghost, and by their virtues and powers, and by the most merciful and living god, that will command his Angel to blow the trumpet at the day of judgement; and he shall say, Come, come, come to judgement; and by all Angels, archangels, thrones, dominations, principalities, potentates, virtues, cherubim and seraphim, and by their virtues and powers.

I conjure you three sisters, by the virtue of all the real words aforesaid: I charge you that you do appear before me visibly, in form and shape of faire women, in white vestures, and to bring with you to me, the ring of invisibility, by the which I may go invisible at mine ownwill and pleasure, and that in all hours, and minutes: in nomine patris, & filii, & spiritus sancti, Amen.

Being appeared, say this bond following: O blessed
virgins + Milia + Achilia + I conjure you in the name of the father, in the name of the son, and in the name of the Holy-ghost, and by their virtues I charge you to depart from me in peace, for a time. And Sibylia, I conjure thee, by the virtue of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by the virtue of his flesh and precious blood, that he took of our blessed lady the virgin, and by all the holy company in heaven: I charge thee Sibylia, by all the virtues aforesaid, that thou be obedient unto me, in the name of God; that when, and at what time and place I shall call thee by this foresaid conjuration written in thisbook, look thou be ready to come unto me, at all hours and minutes, and to bring unto me the ring of invisibility, whereby I may go invisible at my will and pleasure, and that at all hours and minutes; Fiat, fiat, Amen.

And if they come not the first night, then do the same the second night, and so the third night, until they do come: for doubtless they will come, and lie thou in thy bed, in the same parlor or chamber. And lay thy right hand out of the bed and look that thou have a faire silken kerchief bound about thy head, and be not afraid, they will do thee no harm. For there will come before you three fair and beautiful women, and all in white clothing; and one of them will put a ring upon thy finger, wherewith thou shalt go invisible. Then with speed bind them with the bond aforesaid. When thou hast this ring on thy finger, look in a glass, (mirror) and thou shalt not see thy self. And when thou wilt go invisible, put it on thy finger, the same finger that they did put it on, and every new MOON renew it again. For after the first time thou shalt ever have it, and ever begin this work in the new of the MOON and in the hour of JUPITER and the MOON in CANCER, SAGGITARIUS, or PISCES.

*Note, instead of heating water as mentioned above, one could adopt the method to take a hot ritual bath in place of this

Gazing at a fire

Posted on by A Solitary Pagan

Gazing at a fire is mesmerizing and trance inducing. When we gaze at a flickering flame, our brain begins to shift out of beta brainwave state, which is associated with thinking and alertness, into alpha brainwave state, which corresponds to a relaxed and creative state of mind.When we join gazing with rhythmic breathing ,we enter a trance like state that takes us even deeper than alpha brainwaves down to the theta brainwave ,which is almost dreamlike state of mind but with control ,that allows us to mentally journey to other realms and worlds .Always remember ,it isn’t the fire we gaze into but the illumination and flicker that entrances the mind

Creating a Garden Sanctuary

Posted on by A Solitary Pagan

A personal outdoor sanctuary is an important part of feeling connected to all of life.
Each of us has been blessed with an innate need to celebrate and glorify life. At a most basic level, we honor the forces that came together to bring us into being by caring for our bodies and our souls. To truly rejoice in existence, we must also learn to cultivate loveliness in those special places that replenish the soul. When we create a garden sanctuary, we are reminded that we are a part of both nature’s essence and something more. An outdoor retreat is a place we can surround ourselves in nature, beauty, and the life force. It is not difficult to create a sanctuary–we should endeavor, however, to create sanctuaries that speak to us as individuals.

Whether we have a yard, a grassy corner, a patio, or a porch at our disposal, our creative potential is infinite. Any of these spaces can become a magnificent garden. When we feel drawn to specific themes such as Zen, angels, paradise, or the ethereal, we should explore them. Décor and furniture crafted from natural materials like wood and stone blend seamlessly into nature. Yet we can also augment the natural world by filling our garden sanctuaries with statues, bells or gongs, or colorful flags. Running water, like that in a created stream or fountain, helps energy flow smoothly. If space is a concern, crystals and mirrors can fulfill the same function. Hidden features like concealed swings and reflecting pools veiled in shadow can surprise and delight. As your garden sanctuary evolves, remember to invite the elemental spirits of nature to assist you in your efforts to create a small pocket of harmony, beauty, and peace in your own backyard. If you have not already felt their presence, sit quietly in your garden and reach out to them. You will feel these earthly guides at your side as you continue to develop your sanctuary.

In the refuge of brilliant color, sweet scents, and stillness you create in your garden, the burdens imposed upon you by a sometimes hectic world will melt away. The splendor and tranquility of what you have brought into being will entrance you, allowing you to forget the constraints of time and space. No matter how large or small your garden sanctuary, the time you spend reveling in its pleasures will refresh your spirit and provide you with innumerable opportunities to celebrate life.

Spirit Animal, Power Animal, Totem Animal – What’s the Difference?

Posted on by A Solitary Pagan

These terms are often used interchangeably, but there’s a difference. Put simply:

A Spirit Animal refers to an ally who helps teach/guide you.
A Power Animal refers to a creature that empowers you.
A Totem Animal refers to a creature that is inherited (ancestrally or as part of a tribe/clan).
While a Power animal can be invoked or called upon, it’s often thought that a Spirit Animal chooses you (and the same applies to the Totem Animal).

7 Ways to Discover Your Spirit Animal

At this point, you may be wondering, “okay, so how do I discover my spirit animal?”
1. Spend more time outdoors
This helps you to forge a greater connection to nature which you’ll need to identify your Spirit Animal.

2. Pay attention to the animals appearing in your life
Do any particular animals keep emerging? It’s said that if a particular animal continuously appears in your daily life, this is an indication that your Spirit Animal is trying to contact you. For instance, a certain animal could repeatedly show up on your daily walks, in the books you read, TV shows you watch, or pictures you glimpse.

3. Pay attention to the animals appearing in your dream life
Spirit Animals are also said to contact us in our dreams. Look out for animals that seem to persistently appear while you sleep – this could be a sign that your Spirit Animal is trying to manifest itself to you.

4. Be aware of the unusual behavior of animals around you
Does a particular animal run up to you, make strange noises around you, or otherwise display strange behavior patterns in your presence? This could be a strong indication of your Spirit Animal trying to contact or form a connection with you.

5. Think about what animals you have always been attracted to
Are you drawn to any particular animal, either out of fear or adoration? This could reveal an unconscious connection to your Spirit Animal.

6. Try meditation
Our Spirit Animals often reveal themselves during practices such as meditation because the mind because still. If you don’t often meditate, or if you would like assistance, there are many free meditation videos on YouTube.

7. Keep a journal
Record what animals you encounter in your meditations, dreams, and waking life. Look for patterns or recurrences of a specific animal or animals.
******
21 Common Spirit Animals:
While there are nearly an endless array of Spirit Animal guides out there, there are some that tend to continually emerge.
Here is a list of them:
Bear (strength, confidence)
Butterfly (personal transformation)
Cat (independence, curiosity)
Coyote (playfulness, adaptability)
Crow (vision, intelligence)
Deer (innocence, gentleness)
Dog (loyalty, love)
Dragonfly (transformation, adaptability)
Fox (agility, awareness)
Frog (rebirth, renewal)
Hawk (focus, leadership)
Horse (freedom, passion)
Hummingbird (positivity, playfulness)
Lion (strength, courage)
Owl (wisdom, intuition)
Rabbit (abundance, vulnerability)
Sheep (vulnerability, innocence)
Snake (healing, transformation)
Spider (creativity, receptivity)
Tiger (willpower, aggression)
Turtle (determination, persistence)
Wolf (intelligence, freedom)
*****
Here are 5 Ways to Discover Your Spirit Animal’s Lessons (Medicine) :

Once you have discovered what your Spirit Animal is, your next question is:
How can you harness the new knowledge of your Animal Teacher to benefit your life?
Here are a variety of ways to learn from your Spirit Animal:

1. Discover its symbolic wisdom (or ‘medicine’)
Each Spirit Animal has strengths and weaknesses which are important for you to learn about, as they directly apply to your life. The better you understand the symbolic meaning of your Animal Teacher, the better you will come to understand yourself and what you need to improve or change in your life.

2. Apply your newfound wisdom
Learning about your Spirit Animal will help you to learn more about yourself, and will consequently help you to make important decisions, deal with difficult situations and people, and reach your personal goals and aspirations. Reflect on the three main ways you can apply what you’ve learned to your life (short-term, medium-term, and long-term).

3. Don’t humanize your Spirit Animal
Anthropomorphizing (aka. humanizing) your guide will do nothing but silence their unique way of expressing themselves. To be open and receptive to your Spirit Animal’s message, you’ll need to embrace their exclusive language and form of self-expression first. To be receptive to your Spirit Animal and embrace their authentic being, take some time to observe them. Either observe them in nature (if they live in your vicinity) or watch them online. Take notes if needed.

4. Pay attention to when your Spirit Animal appears in your life
Be aware of dreams, or real-life occurrences in which your Spirit Animal manifests itself. Also, remember that your Spirit Animal can choose to manifest itself in a very subtle way; for instance, in poems, a song, or even a picture in a book or poster in the street. Our Animal Teachers are thought to serve as both omens, as well as messengers and guides. So consider the following question in your daily life:

What feelings do you experience when your Spirit Animal appears in your life? For example, do foreboding or comforting feelings arise within you?
What message does your Spirit Animal appear to be communicating to you?
Is your Spirit Animal trying to lead you in a certain direction?
5. Honor your Spirit Animal,
Shamans believe that by honoring and venerating your Spirit Animal, you grow and gain a deeper connection to them. Many people like showing respect to their Animal Teachers by placing objects of the same species around their houses (like feathers, skulls, statues). Others like wearing symbols of their Spirit Animals on their bodies (amulets, pendants, etc.). Simply saying “thank you” and being grateful is sufficient.
Remember all of us have at least one spiritual connection to another physical being such as a particular animal or plant species.

Yuxa, or Yuha (“Sly Snake”), the Queen of Serpents in Turkic folklore. 

Posted on by A Solitary Pagan

 She manifests in every serpent that is at least 100 years old. She can become a beautiful maiden, and makes an excellent fairy wife.

A human husband must never speak of what she really is, or their family life will end, and if there have been no children, she may even kill him. But if they do have offspring, she leaves him to care for her children, and returns to her supernatural realm, both sad and angry.

There are many tales of a youth who meets Yuxa and falls in love; more rarely it is a maiden who loves Yuxa, in which case, as a generality, she will manifest as a young man.

In her natural form she is a serpent with a dragon’s head and can breathe fire. Sometimes she has two forelimbs, sometimes none, as she resembles a legless lizard aka sheltopusik, or an amphiuma. Her tail is a barbed weapon. She can protect or terrify.

===

Art: “Salamander” (1886), but more like an emphiuma, by British artist, author, printer and book designer Charles de Sousy Ricketts (1866-1931). Charles’ lifelong romantic partner was portrait painter Charles Haslewood Shannon (1863-1937) , met in art school. The “two Charleses” founded Vale Press and designed, illustrated, and printed books togethter. 

The Fairy Sibylia

Posted on by A Solitary Pagan

On the tools used to conjure the fairy Sibylia in the 1584 Discoverie of Witchcraft. Text from the book Fairy Magic in the Grimoires.

Comments:

Carrying out the previously described operation is a serious work of magic which leads the magician or witch into the cemetery and into the practice of necromancy, the conjuring of the dead. Further exploration of this is given in operation 9.

The previous spell is taken from the 1584 Discoverie of Witchcraft. The Discoverie was not originally published as a grimoire, but rather it was a skeptical book denouncing witchcraft as being mostly foolishness and the witch hunts and burnings of the time to be misguided. However, in the
process of stating his case that the old women accused of witchcraft were simply deluded, Reginald Scot, the author of the Discoverie, also published several examples of real witchcraft of the day.

It was certainly not his intention to provide a manual for witches to use, but that happened anyway. It is not known where Scot found the ritual, but he did not create it, and we can compare it to spells designed to conjure Sibylia from other texts such as the Book of Oberon and the Cambridge Book of Magic to see that Scots fairy spell was
not a lone example but rather part of a larger body of fairy magic in the 1500s. Now let’s look at the magic tools used to carry this work out.

Tools used:
1. The Magic circle
2. The Wand made of Hazel wood
3. The Crystal Stone or Ball
4. Frankincense
5. The Shield
6. White candles
7. The book of Conjurations
1. The Magic circle
Names used: Agla, El, Ya, Panthon, Messyas, Emanuel, Alpha et Omega, Tetragrammaton, Elfelbey, Jesus Nazarenus, Adonay. Dextera Domini fecit virtutem; dextera Domini exaltavit me.

16Dextera Domini fecit virtutem; dextera Domini exaltavit me: dextera Domini fecit virtutem. Psalmi 117:16 Biblia Sacra Vulgata
Translation in English:
The right hand of the Lord hath wrought strength: the right hand of the Lord hath exulted me: the right hand of the Lord hath wrought strength. -Psalms 117:16
The instructions mention that outside the main circle should be drawn another smaller circle, for the fairy to appear in.

In this case, the smaller circle outside the magic circle functions in a similar manner as the triangle to summon spirits in the Lesser Key of Solomon.
In the four corners appear the words AGLA, EL,
PANTHON, and YA. Around the square are written Alpha and Omega, Messyas, and Emanuel. Around the edges of the square are Tetragrammaton, Adonay, Jesus Nazarenus, and Elfelbey. Magister is written in the center.

Around the ring itself is the Bible verse Psalms 117:16.
16 Dextera Domini fecit virtutem; dextera Domini exaltavit me: dextera Domini fecit virtutem. Psalmi 117:16 Biblia Sacra Vulgata (The Vulgate)
The right hand of the Lord hath wrought strength: the right hand of the Lord hath exulted me: the right hand ofthe Lord hath wrought strength. -Psalms 117:16

Dreams of Witches: The Meaning of Meeting Mystics While Asleep..

Posted on by A Solitary Pagan

Dreams tell us a lot about ourselves. They can take us to other far away places, other realms of existence, other universes. Sometimes they can even predict the future or clarify things in the past. More often, our dreams introduce bizarre, enchanting, and sometimes otherworldly beings to us. If you’ve been having dreams of witches and you want to know the meaning, read on..

If you’ve come here looking for a meaning to your witchy dream, than you likely at least believe our dreams can show us hidden truths about ourselves. Perhaps they show us things we’ve hidden deep in our psyche that are trying to come to the surface. Maybe they reveal suppressed memories. You would be like the majority of people and acknowledge a psychological aspect to dreams (of which I believe in too!)

But you might also believe in a spiritual aspect to dreams – that dreams allow us to travel to other dimensions, meet otherworldly beings, be visited by passed loved ones, foretell the future, and clarify on the past and present. If you ask me, I believe dreams are all of these things and more. And, to be honest, sometimes dreams are so bizarre they might not truly mean anything! I would ask you to determine what it is you believe your dreams tell you. What YOU believe dreams actually are. Are they messages from the universe? From your higher self or spirit guides? Are they your subconscious trying to communicate with your conscious mind?

Now let’s talk about dreams of witches…

The word witch is translated many different ways but has its root in the words wicce and wit…both of which basically mean wise. So, if you didn’t already know, witches aren’t necessarily people or beings to be afraid of. They aren’t going around eating babies or making sacrifices in the forest (most of the time, that is LOL). The witch’s job, in the past and today, is to aid their community in healing, cleansing, protection, fortunetelling, and more.

The witch represents wisdom. Consider what the witch is doing in your dream…do they say anything to you? Do something to you? Give you something? The bottom line here is, the witch in your dream might be trying to give you a piece of advice that you need in a complicated situation you’re currently going through. They often try to reveal deeply hidden truths to the dreamer. This will be particularly evident if the witch in your dream gave you something like a book, a candle, a deck of cards, or some other gift that symbolizes clarity or wisdom.

Witches in Various Dreamworld Locations
Depending on the setting in which you meet your dream witch will give you an interpretation. Here are a few common witch dream settings:

A witch walking along the seashore might indicate you have buried emotions that are trying to come to the surface or unrequited love

Witches in the woods might indicate you have a big transition or change coming up in your life (and it could also mean you are being called to practice the craft)

A witch walking through the cemetery indicates your ancestors are trying to grant you their wisdom

Dreams of witches in magical shops or bookstores might mean you have a new project or career path to tend to

A dream of a witch in your own home, depending on if its light hearted or scary, means someone new has come into your life OR someone is working against you

Being in a witch’s home in your dream means you have a lot to learn

Witch Dreams that TERRIFY: The Night Hag Attack and Sleep Paralysis
Sometimes dreams of witches aren’t mystical and whimsical, they’re the exact opposite. Terriying and terrible. I can’t lie and tell you that every witch in the dream world is out for your own good. There are many spirits on the astral plane that take on the image of others…including witches.

Did a witch attack you in your sleep? Sit on your chest, choke you, and try to squeeze the life out of you? This is called a Night Hag attack. Otherwise known to the scientific community as sleep paralysis. I have had these types of dream attacks since I was in my early twenties. And while I’m used to them now, they’re still rather unpleasant to deal with. But what is the meaning behind a witch attacking you in your dreams?

We could write it off and say it’s simply a sleep disorder, but I believe there’s more to it than that. Night hag attacks are often a sign that someone is out to get you…maybe professionally or maybe personally. They might even (knowingly or unknowingly) be sending bad juju your way. Time to spiritually protect yourself.

And still others say when a witch chases you or attacks you in your dreams, it’s a sign that your deepest feminine urges have been suppressed for far too long. That this aspect of you is trying to claw its way out. Consider exploring what shadow of yourself you’ve been hiding from the world.

Naughty Dreams of Witches
Are your dreams of witches more on the naughty side? Do you wake up sweaty and all worked up? What is that witch doing to you?

Sure, the naughty witch in your dream could very well be a witch projecting her image into your dreams from somewhere far away. OR it could be a sexual fantasy that you’ve been suppressing subconsciously that’s trying to tear its way out into the real world through your dreams. If this dream repeats itself, think about what side of yourself you are hiding…particularly when it comes to your sexuality and/or your own self image and power.

When a Witch is Laughing in a Dream Meaning
Common dreams of witches involve the witch laughing at the dreamer. There are a couple different meanings here. But first, answer this question – is she laughing AT you in a maniacal or evil way? Or did she tell you a joke and you’re both laughing together? The context of the dream is EVERYTHING when interpreting your dreams for yourself.

If you answered the question as the witch is laughing at you, this means you’ve made a bad decision in life OR are about to make one. Tread lightly on making any rash emotional decisions in the near future. She is warning you of potential disaster.

If you answered the witch is laughing with you, this is a good sign and means you are on the right path in life. And that a period of learning in your life is about to begin.

Initiation: Magical and Mysterious Dreams of Witches Covens
Once I dreamed that a witch in a dark green hood led me into the deep woods. I didn’t know who he was or where we were going, but I trusted him. He led me to a clearing with a candle-filled table and there were other witches around us (a coven). There was one candle that hadn’t been lit. And he called me to light it together with him.

In another dream of a witch, I was brought into a wooden shop deep in the Black Forest. It was filled with sunlight, plants, wildlife, and people. I knew it was my very own witchy shop on the astral plane. There were other witches there with me, who were coven-mates, friends, and co-workers. It was one of the best dreams I’ve ever had in my life!

So, here’s the rub. If you’ve had a dream of witches that seems mysterious, mystical, or magical in its very nature…then that’s exactly what it is! I’ve found that the witches on the astral plane, our mighty dead (witch ancestors), and familiar spirits will sometimes come through to us in our dreams to teach us something. To lead us to an initiation of sorts. Whether you’re brand new to the path of the witch or experienced, mystical dreams of witches are almost always exciting and are a sign the otherworldly witches are with you!

Sometimes our dreams are memories of past lives…

Dreams of a Past Life as a Witch
Sometimes dreams give us a glimpse into our past lives or possibly future lives, for that matter. Dreams of past lives as a witch are common…if you’re a witch in this life. These dreams will be obvious in that you feel the dream is real and seems to be in another time and place entirely. And you are physically there but in a different body, strange style of clothing, or you’re potentially being called or accused of being a witch. You might even find yourself in the middle of a Witch Trial in your dreams.

To put this simply – dreams of being a witch in another time period or place are typically not just a dream but a memory. My advice here is to write it down before you forget! These memories might be resurfacing to teach you something in this life. Or even to warn you not to repeat the same thing in this life that you did in that other life.

What to do if your witch dreams are violent and repeat
Because I am a witch and I know the ways in which witches work, I can tell you that sometimes (but rarely) witches have the ability to project themselves into other people’s dreams. Sometimes this is done with intention…sometimes it is malevolent in nature. Maybe you’ve done something wrong to her and she is seeking revenge. And sometimes it’s done unintentionally. Meaning the witch herself doesn’t realize she’s walking into other people’s dreams while she’s “out and about” at night.

If you find your dreams of witches are particularly terrifying AND they are recurrent, you can do a few things to protect yourself. And prevent these dreams from recurring.

Clean your bedroom from top to bottom. Declutter under and around your bed.

Next, you’ll choose some method of spiritual purification. You can smoke-cleanse, use an herbal spray, etc. And cleanse your space thoroughly.

Last, place a glass or bowl of water under your bed before going to sleep at night. I also recommend placing a piece of black tourmaline near the head of your bed and any other protective charms or symbols you feel drawn to use.
Don’t think about this dream that’s brought you fear. The more you feed into the fear, the bigger the fear grows. You are POWERFUL and strong and above any dream!

Things You Do NOT Have To Be In Order To Be A Witch..

Posted on by A Solitary Pagan

PAGAN: you can be a witch and be a Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Buddhist, Hindu or any other. Religion that does not use the label pagan for itself.

WICCAN: witchcraft is a secular practice. Wicca is a religion that involves the practice of witchcraft sometimes.

RELIGIOUS/SPIRITUAL: you can be an atheist witch.

FEMALE: men and non-binary people can also be witches.

WHITE: a person of any ethnicity or race, can practice witchcraft and be a witch.

STRAIGHT: anyone of any sexual orientation
( Gay, lesbian, bi, pan, ace, poly, multi, Omni..
Can also be a witch. CIS: trans and non-binary people, can be witches.

A HARDCORE ENVIRONMENTALIST: respect for nature is certainly never a bad thing, and an absolute must in my eyes. But you don’t have to chain yourself to a tree or live in the building running entirely on solar power or eat solely organic food to call yourself a witch.

VEGETARIAN/VEGAN: witches can eat meat and animal products. Remember, witchcraft is a secular practice.

FULL OF LOVE AND LIGHT: witches who do not follow a religion or a moral code that says otherwise. Then they may curse as they see fit.

DARK AND SCARY: some witches do not want to curse anyone, and that is also fine. Make healing potions and yummy smelling tinctures to your heart’s content.

NATURALLY PSYCHIC ( ally gifted ) not every witch was born able to Divine or do divination, sense auras or predict events.

ANTI-SCIENCE: love and study of scientific fields and technology can compliment witchcraft.

A CHILDHOOD WITCH: some witches start practicing as adults, after marriage and are great at it!

A COUNTRY DWELLER: you go urban Witches!

Bottom line is this, you can be whatever you want to be, you can do whatever it is that you want to do. You can act and practice and believe in any way that you see fit. So don’t ever let anyone judge you or belittle you for rockin to the beat of your own drum. I applaud you! I’ve always said there is no room for dogma in the Craft, it’s just too diverse and the possibilities of how you can practice really are limitless. I hope this post can help put to bed some questions that some of y’all have been wondering about. If you have to be a certain way to be a witch and all that jazz. So please absorbe this article and take it all in little witchlings, because all you need to be a witch is your genuine magickal self.