Today’s Spell: Prosperity

Today’s Spell:  Prosperity

In continuation of my series on free spells:

This is actually an old Irish Catholic Ritual that my grandfather learned from his grandfather back in Dublin.  It is really very, very simple. 

No chanting, no candles, no incantation, and it works!

Money treats us like we treat it.

If we just crumble it up and jam it into our pockets or purses and it’s in disarray, our finances are as well.

With this ritual, we take the time at least once per day to put our money in order, that is in descending order, largest bills first and out to the smallest bills, all the money should face the same way, AND we then fold it TOWARDS ourselves, the thought being that our money will then continue to return to us even after we have spent it.

By treating our cash respectfully and keeping it organized, psychologically I believe that we become more aware, and hence, our spell will WORK!!!

99% of Magick is psychological, it’s called “FAITH”.

Here’s wishing you all a bright and prosperous weekend!

I’ll be around, on and off all weekend…

Bright Blessings!

Brigid

Today’s Spell: To Initiate Communication

Today’s Spell: To Initiate Communication

 

Spellwork is most effective when performed by oneself, I am starting a series of simple, free spells on my Keen Blog to help those of you who may have an interest in performing some simple spellwork for yourselves. 

You can post any questions you may have here, or if you’d like, post your results.

A very simple spell to encourage contact from someone you wish to hear from, whether it is a lost love, a prospective employer, an adult child who is lax in communicating, this spell will help to speed up contact.

All you need is a Bay Leaf.

Write the name of the person that you wish to hear from on the fresh Bay Leaf and tape it to the base of your phone, if you are using a cell phone, you can affix it to the back of your cell. 

Make sure the name is facing the phone, not outward, or you will “ward off” communication.

If it is a message of love you wish to hear, use red ink to write the name, otherwise use blue.

Bright Blessings!

Brigid Bishop

Making the Moon Work for You

Making the Moon Work for You

by Brigid Bishop

The Moon, as it orbits our earth, moves through the zodiac much more quickly than any other significant celestial body. 

The Moon is one of the most potent astrological forces that we experience, and as it cycles through the signs on a regular schedule of approximately 2.5 days, we can use its’ energy to enhance our daily lives in many matters, including, but not limited to:

Signing contracts, beginning projects, attending job interviews, applying for loans, changing residence, approaching authority figures, travelling, shopping, and putting an end to something, convincing others to come around to your way of thinking.

How do we do this?

It’s rather simple.

Look at your sun sign and watch the movements of The Moon for when it will next be residing in the same sign as your sun.  When The Moon is in your sign, you can expect things to work out to your favor regardless of how difficult you may find the situation to be.

When The Moon is in your sun sign, these are your “best” days of the month, and these are the days when things will go more strongly in your favor than at any other time during the month.

At the opposite end of the scale, we have you “worst” or “lowest” days each month as well. 

These occur during the 2.5 days that The Moon visits your polar opposite sign.  For example, when you are an Aquarius, your lowest days of the month occur when The Moon is in Leo, if you are a Pisces, your lows are when The Moon is in Virgo, and so on around the astrological wheel.

When you are in the 2.5 day phase of your low, just kick back and don’t try to change things, wait for better timing, as you will find it most difficult to get your way during this phase.

The low points are good times of the month to meditate, be spiritual, be more kind to others and let negativity roll off your back like the proverbial duck.  Try to avoid dealing with important business matters during these times if it is at all possible.

Every 2.5 days The Moon goes “Void of Course” as well.  The length of the Void of Course Moon varies greatly, sometimes, it can be a fleeting few seconds, at others, it can last a few days.  A lunar phase calendar can help you to track The Moon.

A Void of Course Moon occurs when the last major aspect happens prior to changing to the next sign, hence, its’ frequency being an approximate 2.5 days.  The Void ends when The Moon successfully enters the next sign.

These periods are best used for “quiet times” for everyone.  Things tend to go wrong or get confused during the void, stress levels rise, patience wanes and everyone is just a little bit more difficult to talk to.  It is not an exceedingly strong influence, but it has its’ moments.  It is best to avoid taking assertive actions during these voids, simply wait for them to pass.

Bad Luck?

Bad Luck for the Groom to see the Bride in her

Wedding Dress Before the Wedding?

Now that’s an easy one, and one that really shouldn’t worry too many modern brides-to-be. 

Back in the old days, (for some cultures still in existence), the marriages were arranged, so the couple never saw each other prior to the ceremony (hence the custom of the veil arose).

If a prospective groom happened to be paired with a woman that he felt was less than attractive and he saw her prior to the ceremony, he may have cancelled the nuptials.  Obviously, this had to have happened on occasion, or the superstition wouldn’t have arose and become so popular in our society.

So, just to be safe, and not tempt fate in any way, I am taking my dress straight to Donna’s house tomorrow so that Frank can’t even see the dress, let alone me in it, before the ceremony.

Superstitious?  Yes, it goes with the territory for me.  I am NOT taking any chances of introducing ANY bad luck into this marriage.

 

Copyright © 2007 Brigid Bishop

Something Old, Something New

Something Old, Something New

Something Borrowed and Something Blue? 

And a Silver Sixpence in her Shoe?

Ever wonder why brides from many different cultures in the U.S. follow this old tradition?

Well, it really is pretty simple. 

Something Old is to represent your links to your past, your family, that is why many brides use something that is “old” within their family or their groom’s family.  In my case I’ve been saying “I’ve got something old, I’ve got Frank!”…he takes it in stride, he has a good sense of humor.  Seriously, I am wearing his grandmothers’ wedding band, (it fits on my thumb), for my something old.  I was touched when Frank gave it to me, it’s from 1907, made of white gold, and surrounded with diamonds.

Something New is to represent good fortune and success in the new life the bride is embarking on.  I am using my gown as my something new, the gown actually has good energy believe it or not.

Something Borrowed is to remind the bride that she has a support network of friends and family, and that they will be there for her whenever help may be required.  I borrowed a beautiful antique white gold bracelet of roses from my friend Ute, it is absolutely beautiful, (and priceless as well), and that has deepened our bond.

Something Blue is totally a color magick thing, blue represents faithfulness, purity and loyalty, definitely qualities you would want in a marriage.  My something blue is a ribbon tied around my white garter belt, rather than the garter itself.

A Six Pence in her shoe?  Of course, this is to bring prosperity to the marriage.  I don’t have a sixpence, it’s worth six pennies, so I am going to put a silver dime in my shoe…hope that doesn’t cause a problem….

So in essence, that is what this well-known bridal tradition (ritual, spell) pertains too!

Copyright © 2007 Brigid Bishop

Thyme in a Bottle

Thyme in a Bottle

Do you remember the old Jim Croce song, Time in a Bottle? 

There was a time in my relationship when time was very hard to come by, extremely hard to find any time whatsoever to spend with each other, and it was probably one of the reasons that our passions peaked.

I am a hopeless romantic, so on a Sunday afternoon when we both could steal away, I brought my Jim Croce CD along with us when we went out for an afternoon (this had to be at least eight years ago).

I picked up a very pretty little bottle, the color of a Coca Cola bottle, with a cork stopper in it, and I filled it with fresh thyme. 

As we were driving through the Pocono Mountains and enjoying the music and our day together, the song “Time in a Bottle” came on and we began to sing it to each other…

As we sang, I took the little bottle of thyme out of my pocket and handed it to Frank and I told him that he could always have “some of my thyme” with him wherever he went.  You know, he still has that Thyme in a Bottle on his dresser here in the home we now share!  (He’s a male Cancer, so he is very sentimental).

Anyway, it was more than just giving him a romantic token when I gave him that little enchanted bottle, it was Magick!

Thyme, as an herb, possesses the magickal properties of causing positive vibration between two spirits, and the energy created by the herb, when properly charged, leads to positive actions.  Thyme will also help to protect you from the negativity of others and will provide you, and the person you are enchanting or influencing magickally with courage and cleansing.

Thyme was used in medieval times to show a young maiden her true love.

It was part of the classic love spell sung about by Simon and Garfunkel in the song Scarborough Fair, as Parsley provides comfort, Sage provides strength, Rosemary is for love and Thyme is for courage.  Who wouldn’t want to cast a love spell like that?

So, if you and your love are finding it hard to make time to be together, perhaps you may want to try my little “Thyme in a Bottle” spell in order to cause both of you to take the positive actions necessary to resolving the issue.

It worked for us, and he never even knew I was working an enchantment.

You have to ritually charge the herb before you give it to your love, but other than that, it is pretty simple!

Copyright © 2007 Brigid Bishop

 

Time in a Bottle

By Jim Croce

If I could save time in a bottle
The first thing that I’d like to do
Is to save every day
Till Eternity passes away
Just to spend them with youIf I could make days last forever
If words could make wishes come true
I’d save every day like a treasure and then,
Again, I would spend them with youBut there never seems to be enough time
To do the things you want to do
Once you find them
I’ve looked around enough to know
That you’re the one I want to go
Through time withIf I had a box just for wishes
And dreams that had never come true
The box would be empty
Except for the memory
Of how they were answered by you

But there never seems to be enough time
To do the things you want to do
Once you find them
I’ve looked around enough to know
That you’re the one I want to go
Through time with

 A Simple Spell to Protect Against Slander and Gossip

Magick is NOT Magic!

Incense and Oil Properties for Magickal Purposes

 

Scarborough Fair by Simon and GarfunkelAre you going to Scarborough Fair? Parsley, sage, rosemary, and thyme.
Remember me to one who lives there, she once was a true love of mine.Tell her to make me a cambric shirt (On the side of a hill in the deep forest green).
Parsley, sage, rosemary, and thyme (Tracing a sparrow on snow-crested ground).
Without no seams nor needlework (Blankets and bedclothes the child of the mountain).
Then she’ll be a true love of mine (Sleeps unaware of the clarion call).Tell her to find me an acre of land (On the side of a hill, a sprinkling of leaves).
Parsley, sage, rosemary, and thyme (Washes the grave with silvery tears).
Between the salt water and the sea strands (A soldier cleans and polishes a gun).
Then she’ll be a true love of mine.Tell her to reap it in a sickle of leather (War bellows, blazing in scarlet battalions).
Parsley, sage, rosemary, and thyme (Generals order their soldiers to kill).
And gather it all in a bunch of heather (And to fight for a cause they’ve long ago forgotten).
Then she’ll be a true love of mine.

Are you going to Scarborough Fair? Parsley, sage, rosemary, and thyme.
Remember me to one who lives there, she once was a true love of mine. 

Tough Love In The Garden of Eden  

Careful What You Wish For!!

Relationship Autopsy

The Dating Game

The Geometry of Relationships

On The Outside Looking In

Need help adjusting your style? 

Visit Brigid Bishop

Tarot Tips by Brigid Bishop: Using Tarot for Prayer, Ritual and Spellwork

Tarot Tips by Brigid Bishop:

Using Tarot for Prayer, Ritual and Spellwork

Did you know that the Tarot can be used for much, much more than “Predictive” Reading?

Tarot can be used for self-exploration, past life analysis, psychological profiling, situational analysis, and for Magickal Intentions, (spellwork, ritual and prayer), among other things.

Every card in the deck of 78 has many complex meanings and energies and you can actually create your own, customized rituals (spells, prayers), using the Tarot in a very definitive way.

For instance, let’s say that you have had an argument with your Cancer Man and you are an Aquarius Woman and you want to restore peace between the two of you.

Select the cards from the deck that are your “natural” significators, in this case you would select the King of Cups for your man, and the Queen of Swords for yourself.  Now, the Queen of Swords is a hard-headed woman and the King of Cups is a loving and compassionate man, so it is not unusual for the two of you to butt heads on occasion.

To restore peace, get a pink candle and write both your names on it and dress it with extra virgin olive oil.  Place the 2 cards that you have chosen to represent you and place them on a table with the candle.  Pull the Lovers card out of the deck and place it so that it covers both your card and his and light the pink candle.  Put together your own words to bring peace back between you and restore the love you feel for each other.  You can also use the Ten of Cups, or if you feel you need to have a meeting of the minds to discuss further, use the Two of Cups, to promote face to face conversation.  It is very customizable.

When you put your words together, keep them rhythmic, rhyming during ritual is essential for building the energy, it doesn’t have to be complicated, just short and sweet and to the point.  Something like this will suffice:  “Let us have our peace restored, we can remember all our joy”.

Make it specific to your issue, the more “customized” the better.

If you want assistance in putting together your own ritual with Tarot Cards, contact Brigid Bishop at www.brigidbishop.com

Bright Blessings!

Learn How to Choose the Right Advisor for YOU! 

A Simple Spell To Protect You From Slander and Gossip

A Simple Spell To Protect You From Slander and Gossip

A Simple Spell To Protect You From Slander

Sometimes people truly are downright evil, and because they are jealous of you, they will do their best to try to undermine you in any way possible.  These people, or subhumans, as I like to think of them, (because they need to evolve up to become truly human and humane), have such voids in their own pathetic lives, that they seek out those that they aspire to be like and attack them in any way that they can.  This will frequently occur in the form of malicious gossip, or slander.

This happens to all of us at one time or another in our lives, but rather than allowing it to frustrate us, it is much simpler to take control of the situation by performing a simple little spell, (prayer, ritual), to protect ourselves from these pitiful creatures.

I often find that those who expend their energy in tearing down others are those same sorry souls who have limited capacity for joy or the art of living, thus, they must occupy themselves with activities they create to seemingly damage those that they are jealous of and aspire to be like.  We should pray for these souls, pray that they find contentment within their own small worlds and stop trespassing into ours, but in the meantime, we do need to protect ourselves from these annoying little pests.

Here is a simple ritual to stop slander and malicious gossip from affecting you:

Place five white candles on a table, carve your name (or the name of the person you want to protect) on the center candle, dress the candles with extra virgin olive oil prior to proceeding.  Place the other four candles of the positions of north, south, east and west.  I will use the name Jane for the person being protected, and the name Anne for the person who is being slanderous.

Light the center candle and say “Here stands (Jane), who is being talked about and lied about by the sinister (Anne), who does not hold truth or purity in her heart.  (Anne’s) intentions are not good and hold no truth and (Jane) has done no wrong nor meant any harm.  All around Jane are truth and good-will, all gossip will stop and honesty shall reign.

Light the candle on the west and say “Truth is behind Jane, it follows her wherever she may roam”.

Light the candle on the north and say “Truth is Jane’s crown, it is always upon her and brings her enemies down”.

Light the candle on the east and say “Truth is before Jane, awaiting her wherever she goes”.

Light the candle on the south and say “Truth is the foundation for Jane and purity her ground”.

Let the candles burn while you quietly picture white light surrounding, embracing and protecting you for a period of approximately ten minutes.  When you are done, snuff out the candles, (don’t blow them out), and repeat every three days as you feel is necessary.

You will be protected from any prevarications that are being made of you, and, the rule of three will send back to the slanderer what the universe deems fit.

Bright Blessings!

Brigid Bishop

P.S.

And remember not to feel anger toward the lost soul that seeks to find power in slandering you, pity them and hope that they find a more positive way to occupy themselves as they are not evolved.

To gain a better understanding of spells, prayers and rituals, please click here:  Magick Is Not Magic!

Runestones

Runestones

I am fascinated by Runestones, however, not expert enough at divining them to offer it as a service here through Keen.  I do, however, use the Runes to work on my own situations when I feel that the Tarot is not providing me with enough fresh insight into my own personal issues.

Here is a very generic and basic overview of the Runes to familiarize yourself with the meanings.

Overview of the Runes in Divination

The “Elder Futhark” is a composite of the runic symbols most commonly used in northern Europe. The names of the runes of the Elder Futhark are speculative recreations of what linguists call “proto-Germanic”, which stems from “proto-Indo-European”.

There are many versions of the runic alphabets. Each has variations in names, shapes, esoteric meanings and magical uses. One should not mix futharks, or the intent or meaning becomes confused. The Elder Futhark, the Anglo-Saxon Futhorc, and the Younger (or Scandinavian) Futhark are the most frequently seen versions of the runic alphabets in use today.

Fehu (F: Domestic cattle, wealth.) Possessions won or earned, earned income, luck. Abundance, financial strength in the present or near future. Sign of hope and plenty, success and happiness. Social success. Energy, foresight, fertility, creation/destruction (becoming). Fehu Reversed or Merkstave: Loss of personal property, esteem, or something that you put in effort to keep. It indicates some sort of failure. Greed, burnout, atrophy, discord. Cowardice, stupidity, dullness, poverty, slavery, bondage.

Uruz: (U: Auroch, a wild ox.) Physical strength and speed, untamed potential. A time of great energy and health. Freedom, energy, action, courage, strength, tenacity, understanding, wisdom. Sudden or unexpected changes (usually for the better). Sexual desire, masculine potency. The shaping of power and pattern, formulation of the self. Uruz Reversed or Merkstave: Weakness, obsession, misdirected force, domination by others. Sickness, inconsistency, ignorance. Lust, brutality, rashness, callousness, violence.

Thurisaz: (TH: Thorn or a Giant.) Reactive force, directed force of destruction and defense, conflict. Instinctual will, vital eroticism, regenerative catalyst. A tendency toward change. Catharsis, purging, cleansing fire. Male sexuality, fertilization. (Thorr, the Thunder god, was of Giant stock.)Thurisaz Reversed or Merkstave: Danger, defenselessness, compulsion, betrayal, dullness. Evil, malice, hatred, torment, spite, lies. A bad man or woman. Rape?

Ansuz: (A: The As, ancestral god, i.e. Odin.) A revealing message or insight, communication. Signals, inspiration, enthusiasm, speech, true vision, power of words and naming. Blessings, the taking of advice. Good health, harmony, truth, wisdom. Ansuz Reversed or Merkstave: Misunderstanding, delusion, manipulation by others, boredom. Vanity and grandiloquence. (Odin is a mighty, but duplicitous god. He always has his own agenda.)

Raidho: (R: Wagon or chariot.) Travel, both in physical terms and those of lifestyle direction. A journey, vacation, relocation, evolution, change of place or setting. Seeing a larger perspective. Seeing the right move for you to make and deciding upon it. Personal rhythm, world rhythm, dance of life. Raidho Reversed or Merkstave: Crisis, rigidity, stasis, injustice, irrationality. Disruption, dislocation, demotion, delusion, possibly a death.

Kenaz: (K: Beacon or torch.) Vision, revelation, knowledge, creativity, inspiration, technical ability. Vital fire of life, harnessed power, fire of transformation and regeneration. Power to create your own reality, the power of light. Open to new strength, energy, and power now. Passion, sexual love. Kenaz Reversed or Merkstave: Disease, breakup, instability, lack of creativity. Nakedness, exposure, loss of illusion and false hope.

Gebo: (G: Gift.) Gifts, both in the sense of sacrifice and of generosity, indicating balance. All matters in relation to exchanges, including contracts, personal relationships and partnerships. Gebo Merkstave (Gebo cannot be reversed, but may lie in opposition): Greed, loneliness, dependence, over-sacrifice. Obligation, toll, privation, bribery.

Wunjo: (W or V: Joy.) Joy, comfort, pleasure. Fellowship, harmony, prosperity. Ecstasy, glory, spiritual reward, but also the possibility of going “over the top”. If restrained, the meaning is general success and recognition of worth. Wunjo Reversed or Merkstave: Stultification, sorrow, strife, alienation. Delirium, intoxication, possession by higher forces, impractical enthusiasm. Raging frenzy, berzerker.

Hagalaz: (H: Hail.) Wrath of nature, destructive, uncontrolled forces, especially the weather, or within the unconscious. Tempering, testing, trial. Controlled crisis, leading to completion, inner harmony. Hagalaz Merkstave (Hagalaz cannot be reversed, but may lie in opposition): Natural disaster, catastrophe. Stagnation, loss of power. Pain, loss, suffering, hardship, sickness, crisis.

Nauthiz: (N: Need.) Delays, restriction. Resistance leading to strength, innovation, need-fire (self-reliance). Distress, confusion, conflict, and the power of will to overcome them. Endurance, survival, determination. A time to exercise patience. Recognition of one’s fate. Major self-initiated change. Face your fears. Nauthiz Reversed or Merkstave: Constraint of freedom, distress, toil, drudgery, laxity. Necessity, extremity, want, deprivation, starvation, need, poverty, emotional hunger.

Isa: (I: Ice.) A challenge or frustration. Psychological blocks to thought or activity, including grievances. Standstill, or a time to turn inward and wait for what is to come, or to seek clarity. This rune reinforces runes around it. Isa Merkstave (Isa cannot be reversed, but may lie in opposition): Ego-mania, dullness, blindness, dissipation. Treachery, illusion, deceit, betrayal, guile, stealth, ambush, plots.

Jera: (J or Y: A year, a good harvest.) The results of earlier efforts are realized. A time of peace and happiness, fruitful season. It can break through stagnancy. Hopes and expectations of peace and prosperity. The promise of success earned. Life cycle, cyclical pattern of the universe. Everything changes, in its own time. Jera Merkstave (Jera cannot be reversed, but may lie in opposition): Sudden setback, reversals. A major change, repetition, bad timing, poverty, conflict.

Eihwaz: (EI: Yew tree.) Strength, reliability, dependability, trustworthiness. Enlightenment, endurance. Defense, protection. The driving force to acquire, providing motivation and a sense of purpose. Indicates that you have set your sights on a reasonable target and can achieve your goals. An honest man who can be relied upon. Eihwaz Reversed or Merkstave: Confusion, destruction, dissatisfaction, weakness.

Perthro: (P: Lot cup, vagina.) Uncertain meaning, a secret matter, a mystery, hidden things and occult abilities. Initiation, knowledge of one’s destiny, knowledge of future matters, determining the future or your path. Pertaining to things feminine, feminine mysteries including female fertility, and vagina. Good lot, fellowship and joy. Evolutionary change. Perthro Reversed or Merkstave: Addiction, stagnation, loneliness, malaise.

Algiz: (Z or -R: Elk, protection.) Protection, a shield. The protective urge to shelter oneself or others. Defense, warding off of evil, shield, guardian. Connection with the gods, awakening, higher life. It can be used to channel energies appropriately. Follow your instincts. Keep hold of success or maintain a position won or earned. Algiz Reversed: or Merkstave: Hidden danger, consumption by divine forces, loss of divine link. Taboo, warning, turning away, that which repels.

Sowilo: (S: The sun.) Success, goals achieved, honor. The life-force, health. A time when power will be available to you for positive changes in your life, victory, health, and success. Contact between the higher self and the unconscious. Wholeness, power, elemental force, sword of flame, cleansing fire. Sowilo Merkstave (Sowilo cannot be reversed, but may lie in opposition): False goals, bad counsel, false success, gullibility, loss of goals. Destruction, retribution, justice, casting down of vanity. Wrath of god.

Tiwaz: (T: Tyr, the sky god.) Honor, justice, leadership and authority. Analysis, rationality. Knowing where one’s true strengths lie. Willingness to self-sacrifice. Victory and success in any competition or in legal matters. Tiwaz Reversed or Merkstave: One’s energy and creative flow are blocked. Mental paralysis, over-analysis, over-sacrifice, injustice, imbalance. Strife, war, conflict, failure in competition. Dwindling passion, difficulties in communication, and possibly separation.

Berkano: (B: Berchta, the birch-goddess.) Birth, general fertility, both mental and physical and personal growth, liberation. Regenerative power and light of spring, renewal, promise of new beginnings, new growth. Arousal of desire. A love affair or new birth. The prospering of an enterprise or venture. Berkano Reversed or Merkstave: Family problems and or domestic troubles. Anxiety about someone close to you. Carelessness, abandon, loss of control. Blurring of consciousness, deceit, sterility, stagnation.

Ehwaz: (E: Horse, two horses.) Transportation. May represent a horse, car, plane, boat or other vehicle. Movement and change for the better. Gradual development and steady progress are indicated. Harmony, teamwork, trust, loyalty. An ideal marriage or partnership. Confirmation beyond doubt the meanings of the runes around it. Ehwaz Reversed or Merkstave: This is not really a negative rune. A change is perhaps craved. Feeling restless or confined in a situation. Reckless haste, disharmony, mistrust, betrayal.

Mannaz: (M: Man, mankind.) The Self; the individual or the human race. Your attitude toward others and their attitudes towards you. Friends and enemies, social order. Intelligence, forethought, create, skill, ability. Divine structure, intelligence, awareness. Expect to receive some sort of aid or cooperation now. Mannaz Reversed or Merkstave: Depression, mortality, blindness, self-delusion. Cunning, slyness, manipulation, craftiness, calculation. Expect no help now.

Laguz: (L: Water, or a leek.) Flow, water, sea, a fertility source, the healing power of renewal. Life energy and organic growth. Imagination and psychic matters. Dreams, fantasies, mysteries, the unknown, the hidden, the deep, the underworld. Success in travel or acquisition, but with the possibility of loss. Laguz Reversed or Merkstave: An indication of a period of confusion in your life. You may be making wrong decisions and poor judgements. Lack of creativity and feelings of being in a rut. Fear, circular motion, avoidance, withering. Madness, obsession, despair, perversity, sickness, suicide.

Ingwaz: (NG: Ing, the earth god.) Male fertility, gestation, internal growth. Common virtues, common sense, simple strengths, family love, caring, human warmth, the home. Rest stage, a time of relief, of no anxiety. A time when all loose strings are tied and you are free to move in a new direction. Listen to yourself. Ingwaz Merkstave (Ingwaz cannot be reversed, but may lie in opposition): Impotence, movement without change. Production, toil, labor, work.

Dagaz: (D: Day or dawn.) Breakthrough, awakening, awareness. Daylight clarity as opposed to nighttime uncertainty. A time to plan or embark upon an enterprise. The power of change directed by your own will, transformation. Hope/happiness, the ideal. Security and certainty. Growth and release. Balance point, the place where opposites meet. Dagaz Merkstave (Dagaz cannot be reversed, but may lie in opposition): A completion, ending, limit, coming full circle. Blindness, hopelessness.

Othala: (O: Ancestral property.) Inherited property or possessions, a house, a home. What is truly important to one. Group order, group prosperity. Land of birth, spiritual heritage, experience and fundamental values. Aid in spiritual and physical journeys. Source of safety, increase and abundance. Othala Reversed or Merkstave: Lack of customary order, totalitarianism, slavery, poverty, homelessness. Bad karma, prejudice, clannishness, provincialism. What a man is bound to.

Blank Rune: There is no historical support for a “Blank Rune” in runic divination. It was invented in the 1980’s. It should not be used in a rune casting. If you bought a rune set with a blank piece, save it in case you lose another rune piece, but don’t use it in rune casting

Meaning of the Phrase, The Bell, The Book and The Candle

Meaning of the Phrase, The Bell, The Book and The Candle

One of two things usually happens when a person hears the phrase “bell, book and candle”, they either think of the movie with James Stewart and Natalie Wood or they picture a witch riding a broomstick across the full moon.

Actually, neither of these impressions are correct.

The phrase is actually a reference to the Catholic excommunication ritual. Although many suspect witches have been excommunicated in Europe and in the U.S., the ritual is not for witches alone, but for any lucky excommunicant.

In the actual ritual, a bell tolls sounding a death, the death of the excommunicants’ soul.

The Bible is slammed shut, exemplifying that the word of God is closed to the excommunicant.

Finally, a candle is blown out, symblozing the soul being banned to eternal darkness, no longer privy to the light of God or to His Word.

The saying became associated with witches when the witch hunts were rampant in Europe and witches and warlocks were being excommunicated and then executed.

Now, I was raised Catholic and educated in Catholic schools and I have studied many religions over my lifetime. I find that Gods and Goddesses of every religion are forgiving and would never excommunicate any soul that was willing to learn and grow.

I believe that all Gods and Goddesses are universally forgiving and that they would never kick us out of their church, their religion, their world or their universe.

Blessed Be! Brigid Bishop