Lughnasadh v2

Well, I celebrated Lughnasadh on the 2nd. I got to meet with Vicki and her friend Brandi. It was nice to finally see her in person. We met online through the Pagan networking site Witchvox and have been messaging each other for a couple of weeks now. I like her.

Luis met us up in Palo Alto Middle School. We had such a fun time doing the ritual. We kept messing up, and since it was a public area, a dog and some curious kids were looking on and interrupting. Our ritual drink wasn’t mixed well and came out too strong, and I left my eucalyptus oil in the field somewhere and couldn’t find it the next day. Either way, fun times were had.

Lughnasadh

I didn't finally go to bed until 10 this morning. I woke up at 2 to see if my mother was still sleeping...she was, so I called Vicki Thornton, whom I met on Witchvox.com, and told her I couldn't go meet her at the mall today. Hopefully we'll be able to go to the movies or something. I at least wake up to keep my appointments.

Vicki's going to try and come over my house instead since meeting places are trippy, and so is my mom. I'm going to have to light a candle for Kesia tomorrow since she won't be able to do the Lughnasadh ritual w/ us. Funny how I randomly bought oil at the mall, and it was the correct kind for this holiday. :) Maybe I was a natural born witch after all?!

Craft Name

Where has the time gone? Almost two months have passed, and I can only remember bits and pieces. No big surprise there, though.

I turned 16 last month, which was nice. My mom had apparently co-conspired with my boyfriend of two months, Justin, and a bunch of my friends and threw me a surprise party. She had me out shopping with her for birthday things. When we arrived home, she asked me to open the door for her while she got our bags out of the car. I was met by a large yelling of SURPRISE and I jumped about a foot in the air and dropped my bags. All of my close friends from school were all there and even Luis Nuñez DJ'd the soiree, making sure to pay close attention to the taste of the majority of my friends. It was a nice blend of heavy metal, alternative, and pop/R&B hits.

I bought an incense burner, and some oil. I jacked some of J's incense. Hey, he's not going to be using it while he‘s away at basic training, right? I can't wait to see him next Thursday when he graduates from his Air Force training. Goodness, I miss him so much. And lately I've been having trouble speaking. I keep slurring my vowels and stuttering.

On another note, I dedicated myself to Wicca last month.  It was the last day of school on the 6th, so I figured that was the best time to do it. Not only that, but it happened to also be a full moon that night. I did a very small, very basic ritual and used whatever words came to mind that night. I wish I could remember them now. I should have written it down. However, I did have a great meditation afterward and was given a Craft name.

Last summer, when I broke up with Chris and was having all of my issues with my mother, I created a safe-haven in my head. I know how crazy it sounds, but it was a lot healthier than resorting to hiding in a closet and eating my hair. This place is a place of magick for me. It's a lovely landscape with fields, a forest, and mountains in the distance. In the center of the scenery is a small cottage right beside a lake. Whenever I'm stressed or upset or whatever, I meditate and go to this safe place.

Well, on that Wednesday, when I dedicated myself to Wicca, I went there to meditate on my decision and my future on this path. I was sitting on the sand, at the edge of the lake with my feet in the water when this beautiful lady came out of nowhere. I can't tell you what she looked like. Her face and her features kept changing. Anyway, she came up to me and stroked me hair. Her presence felt exquisite. That's when I knew she was my beloved Goddess. She knelt down behind me and guided me to her lap, where I rested my head and she continued to stroke my hair. She looked deep into my eyes and said, “You are my moon baby, hidden by the clouds. My blessed lunar sky.” We stared at each other a bit more, her features changing continuously. She smiled, kissed my forehead, and rose up to leave. Then she disappeared, but had left a gift with me. My name. I am her lunar sky. Luna Skye. There's now a new sense of wholeness within me.

Altar Diagram

Depending on the altar's size, shape, and what you're going to use it for decides on how you should set it up. If it is a permanent altar, you should always have a symbol of the Goddess and God at the center when it is not being used. If your altar has an alternate use - such as a coffee table, you should always put everything away in a safe and sacred place for you. Nothing that is not being used for ritual, or that you do not find sacred, should ever be placed on the altar.

If working with a circular surface, it is better to set up your altar according to the four corners and their corresponding elements. Each tool, as well as the images or symbols to be used for the God and Goddess should be placed accordingly.

If your altar is rectangular or square, the easiest method is by placing the Goddess to the left, the God to the right, and aligning the tools in a way where the symbolism matches.

You may use an altar cloth if you so desire. However, always remember that the altar is what YOU make it. These are just examples and you can make small changes that best suit you.

Children of the Goddess

Happy Holiday!  Today's Beltane! Luis Rivera had paint on his face, and most of us were running around and hugging people saying happy holiday. Well, I was saying happy birthday just for the heck of it so I could purposely fix it. I was in a good mood all day.

At lunch we made music and danced in honor of the Lord and Lady consummating their love. Flowers, ribbons and bright colors were all involved. I just wish we could have done more. Oh, the restrictions public schools have put it place. Not for lack of trying though.

Luis and I have tried to start a club similar to the Christian one here at school. The only thing we need is a sponsor. Unfortunately, the one Pagan teacher in this entire school is against it because she fears for her job. Technically, it's illegal to fire someone based on their religious background, but being in the bible-belt, I understand her fears.

Consecration of Tools

1. You'll need a white candle, a cup of water, a small bowl of salt, and incense. Each corresponds to one of the cardinal elements and directions:
   
   • North/Earth: salt
   • East/Air: incense
   • South/Fire: candle
   • West/Water: water
2. If your tradition requires you to cast a circle, do so now. Light the candle and the incense. Take the tool or other item you wish to consecrate in your hands, and face north. Pass it over the salt and say:
   Powers of the North,
   Guardians of the Earth,
   I consecrate this wand of willow (or knife of steel, amulet of crystal, etc)
   and charge it with your energies.
   I purify it this night, and make this tool sacred.
   
3. Now, turn to the east and, holding the tool in the smoke of the incense, say:
   Powers of the East,
   Guardians of the Air,
   I consecrate this wand of willow
   and charge it with your energies.
   I purify it this night, and make this tool sacred.
   
4. Next, face the south and pass the tool over the flame of the candle -- be careful if it's a flammable material like Tarot cards or a robe! -- and repeat the process, saying:
   Powers of the South,
   Guardians of Fire,
   I consecrate this wand of willow
   and charge it with your energies.
   I purify it this night, and make this tool sacred.
   
5. Finally, turn to the west, and pass your ritual tool over the cup of water. Say:
   Powers of the West,
   Guardians of Water,
   I consecrate this wand of willow [or knife of steel, amulet of crystal, etc]
   and charge it with your energies.
   I purify it this night, and make this tool sacred.
   
6. Face your altar, hold the wand (athame/chalice/amulet/whatever) to the sky, and say:
   I charge this wand in the name of Old Ones,
   the Ancients, the Sun and the Moon and the Stars.
   By the powers of the Earth, of Air, of Fire and of Water
   I banish the energies of any previous owners,
   and make it new and fresh.
   I consecrate this wand,
   and it is mine.
   
7. Now you've not only consecrated the tool, you've claimed ownership. In many Wiccan traditions, it's considered a good idea to put the item to use immediately to bind the consecration and strengthen the energy of the tool. If you've consecrated a wand, athame, or chalice, you can use those in a ceremony to consecrate another tool. If you've consecrated something that is worn, such as an article of clothing (for example, a ritual robe) or a piece of jewelry, begin wearing it now.

Food for thought: Why do you think it is important to consecrate your tools before use? 

Tools

Athame (pronounced AH-tha-meh) - This is the magickal ritual knife used to direct personal power. The handle is usually of a dark color to absorb energies and temporarily store it. It is not used for physical cutting but instead used to direct energy. It is a masculine tool and is represented by the Fire element.

Bolline- This is simply a working knife that is used for physical cuttings such as herbs or flowers, or to mark candles, or anything else that is to be used magickally. The handle is usually white to separate itself from the athame.

Censer- This is simply an incense burner. It can be any shape - from the swinging thuribles of the Catholic Church to a simple seashell. You can make one with a bowl or cup half filled with salt or sand. The salt absorbs the heat and prevents the bowl from cracking. Incense sticks can be pushed into the salt or cones can be placed on its surface. In ceremonial magick, spirits are sometimes commanded to appear in the smoke. The Gods can usually be seen in the smoke. The censer is a masculine tool and is represented by the Air element.

Cauldron- This is a symbol of the Goddess. It also symbolizes Water, reincarnation, immortality, and inspiration. Though it is normally used as a focal point for rituals, such as burning a fire within or holding flowers, it may be used for cooking and potion making.

Cup- Also known as the chalice, the cup is simply a cauldron with a handle. The cup symbolizes the Goddess and the element of Water. Though you can use it to hold water for ritual, it can be used to hold the ritual drink if any.

Pentacle- This is usually a flat piece of brass, gold, silver, wood, etc. inscribed with a pentagram, the interlaced five-point star. It represents Earth and is a tool used to place charms, amulets, or other objects to be blessed or consecrated. It is an old symbol of protection and is sometimes used to evoke the Gods.

Wand- This is an instrument of invocation and is represented by Air. It is used to call upon the Gods and sometimes used to direct energy, draw a circle on the ground, or stir brew in a cauldron. Any straight stick will do as long as you are comfortable with it.

Besom- This is a magick broom used to sweep the area before ritual. The sweeping is more than physical - the besom doesn't even have to touch the ground. It is used to sweep out any astral build up and/or negative energy and purifies the area. Because of its cleansing properties it is a feminine tool and is represented by the element of Water.

Bell- This is a feminine symbol used to call up the Goddess during ritual. It is also rung to ward off evil spells and spirits or to evoke good energies.

Symbols

These are a few symbols that Wiccans use, whether for their BOS, or for personal use in rituals and spells.

Invoking Elements and Elementals

There are several different ways of invoking the elements from the four cardinal points. This is a very simple, basic one that I use.

Hail to the East, the Sylphs, the Air
Positive forces I call you in
Hail to the South, the Salamanders, the Fire
Positive forces I call you in
Hail to the West, the Undines, the Water
Positive forces I call you in
Hail to the North, the Gnomes, the Earth
Positive forces I call you in

ReleaseTo the North, the Gnomes, the Earth
Fare thee well, I send you home
To the West, the Undines, the Water
Fare thee well, I send you home
To the South, the Salamanders, the Fire
Fare thee well, I send you home
To the East, the Sylphs, the Air
Fare thee well, I send you home

In Prefect Love and Perfect Trust
Hail and Farewell

Helpful Tips for Invoking the Elements (and doing other Magickal Work)

• Say the quarter call, invocation, or circle casting slowly
• When working with quarters, remember you are dealing with a portal or passageway to other worlds of some kind.
• Visualize what is to be coming through or guarding any quarter while casting your circle, invoking deity, or aspecting deity.
• Feel, with your sixth sense (or other senses), what is happening around you
• If you are participating in a group and you have been given the job of a quarter, you are responsible for that quarter from the time you open it to the time you close it.
• If you are working alone, you’ve got your hands full.
• All energies/quarters must be closed/dismissed precisely in the manner they were called:
  • Summoned: dismissed and thank
  • Stirred: farewell in peace and safety and thank
  • Called: hail and farewell and thank
• All workings with both Divine energies and those of other planes should be done in perfect love and perfect trust.
• All workings should have a goal.
• Our purest intentions are those in which we succeed the best,
• A working Witch does not mind summoning, stirring, or calling power, but is not driven by the guest of power for itself.
• A working Witch carries no delusions, either of self, intentions, or others.
• A working Witch does not seek to control unlimited minions, either human or astral.

Elementals

Elementals are nature spirits that are called upon to aid in magick.

Gnomes - Earth, North. Givers of material gain and stability. The rulers of the forest. Seen as "little people", like brownies or pygmies, or green light. Protectors of outdoor circles and groves.

Sylphs - Air, East. Givers of wishes, knowledge, and dreams. The rulers of weather. Envisioned as "faeries" or angels, or white light. Protectors of magickal applications. Delicate beings with beautiful wings.

Salamanders - Fire, South. Givers of passion and creativity. The rulers of fields and fire or blue flame. Envisioned as dragons or lizards or red-orange lights. Protectors of hearth, home, and business.

Undines - Water, West. Givers of love and friendship. Envisioned as mer-people, sirens, or pink or pale blue lights. Rulers of all water. Protectors of the gates of death and karma.

When using elementals, the pentacle employs control over them. The pentagram (usually with one point up) is an interlocking five pointed star. Each point of the pentagram stands for an element. Earth is located at the lower left hand corner; Fire is the lower right hand corner, Water, the upper right hand corner, and Air on the Upper left hand corner, with the uppermost point representing the Divine. The circle signifies the melding of all the elements through the work of humankind and indicates the universal mystery of oneness.

An upside-down pentacle represents chaos and is rarely used.

Elements

An important factor when working your desires is the use of the four major elements. These are the basic components that make up life itself. Each one has their own individual energies, vibrations, and direction.

Magick is in the mind and these elements are used to make the will, the desire, and a concrete manifestation in the world. When properly understood and aligned with all the other tools, they will aid in providing a tremendous force to your desires.

Fire: represents passion, enthusiasm, desire and courage, force, lust, fertility and virility, initiative and rejuvenation. It represents both light and heat. The light of intelligence and the fire of courage to follow it. A low fire person is usually cold, slow to act, without enthusiasm for life or themselves. A high fire person is bold, dramatic and passionate in all areas in their self; however, this person must be careful as fire can destroy everything in its path. Fire magick can bring on the new, courage and passion, and destroy the old.

Feeling: dry heat

Season: Summer

Direction: South / Energy

Symbol: athame/sword, candle and burner

Colors: reds, oranges, golds

Moon phase: 2nd quarter

Time of day: High noon

A type of fire magick is Bonfire Magick, which usually involves burning something such as an herb or flower, or a piece of paper of petition of which you have written your desire. It is used for banishing, ridding, or destroying negative influences in your life.

Another is Candle Magick, a simple, easy, and useful method in bringing about your desires. A color for the candle is chosen and can also include the correct scent in relation to your desire and lit sometimes for up to seven days. This form of fire magick is usually for any type of desire.

Another is Sun Magick. Using the sun in our wishes is a beautiful way in which to enhance new beginnings in love, health, work and home, awaken subtle powers and aid in attraction desires. It is also a good way to attune to the God.

Air: represents mental activity, thoughts, reason and intellect, memory, knowledge, persuasion, birth and friendship, freedom, clarification and expression. A low air person seems without any direction and unable to define nor visualize any future and cannot reason out the alternatives and objectives. A high air person is at ease in complex situations and can sit and think things through, and can carry through with decisions.

Feeling: moist heat

Season: Spring

Direction: East / Mental

Symbol: wand or the smoke of incense

Colors: white, light blues and yellows

Moon phase: 1st quarter

Time of day: dawn

Different types of air magick include visualizations. An important tool in any magick work, it makes the events happen. For this type, it is important that all the other factors such as color, time, moon phase, et cetera, are all in balance, and to have all the other tools working, such as incense and candle burning, or even the right tea or wine to drink in the background. This is because you need to "fix" or ground" the images or ideas you are using in your visualizations.

As our thoughts are extremely powerful, as are our words. Words can put together in such a way as to form spells, or used in channeling your power. Words give rise to our desires and released upon the winds for attainment. Created and repeated with intensity and concentration is a powerful magick in itself. You do not have to be an accomplished linguist to accomplish this; just a simple sentence will do. It creates an atmosphere of concentrated awareness and strength. It can be used in moments of stress or fear, and will create the magick itself. It does not have to be said aloud; say them to yourself if need or want be.

Another air magick is mirror magick. It can help in overcoming inner problems and also help with difficult personal decisions. It uses both the word and visualization forms in its use and can also aid in being able to visualize a future event. This is sometimes used as a scrying tool in which you are able to "see" possible future events and outcomes.

Water: the symbol of emotions. Water imbibes all life forms and in us we flow with the tide of our feelings. It involves intuition, insight, conception and pregnancy, fertility, the womb, health, beauty, and divination. A low water person outwardly would appear as a cold and calculating individual, one who is indifferent and unresponsive. On the other hand, a high water person may seem as though at the slightest touch the well is opened and can be over-emotional and over-dramatic in all areas of life. A good balance of water here is needed to keep the flow running smoothly.

Feeling: moist cold

Season: Autumn

Direction: West / Emotion

Symbol: cup/chalice, broom, or cauldron

Colors: blue, light grays, sea greens, and white

Moon phase: Full

Time of day: dusk

Some water magick can involve the beach and its sand, shells, animals, and seawater. This is especially good for love spells and also when you need to "get a grip" or clarify your own emotions. The use of shells in the practice is widely used. These can hold appropriate herbs or be used as a symbol of water magick.

One old tradition is using that of well water. A lot of gems and stones are exposed to this for a period of time and used at night during a full moon or waxing phase for water magick. Be careful, though, to know your stones as some do not react well in water for long periods of time. This type of water magick can give you insights to how others think of you, what others are doing and how well they are, and to find the truth within yourself.

Water spells can involve the use of scrying bowls. This is a bowl of clear or colored water in which you are able to "see" the future and future events or outcomes or get a clear direction on decisions. This is widely used in certain meditations and visualizations.

Earth: Finally we come to the element of Earth, the source and provider of all needs. It represents sensations, decay, patience, balance, stability, strength, health, warmth and comfort, animals and animal instincts, farming and physical labor.

Feeling: Dry cold

Season: Winter

Direction: North / Balance

Symbol: pentacle, grains, or a stone

Colors: browns, black, purples, and dark greens

Moon phase: 4th quarter

Time of day: Midnight

A high earth person seems a practical sort and quiet "down to earth; a hard worker, stable and good provider. However, they can be a little too stubborn sometimes. A low earth person can seem confused, insecure and alone, unable to feel wanted and their work may be affected.

Earth magick can involve the use of herbs and plants. Using the correct herb to help attain your desire along with the other tools can be very effective. Burying things and making some offerings to the earth such as planting trees is also a form of earth magick. Using your gems or crystals and burying them in the earth under the appropriate tree while making your wish is also effective.

Another type which is considered earth magick is any type of routine. Anything you do on a regular basis can be used as a magickal vehicle. While performing something you do at the same time everyday (like brush your teeth or shower), prepare yourself and use this period for clarity on a subject, figure the best course of action in a situation, or to find just where you are in the course of your life.

Sweet Dreams Are Made of This

How long has a been? Another few months? Trust me. You didn't miss much. I dropped out of JROTC and replaced it with Theatre Arts, which I like a lot more. My mom's none to happy with it as JROTC would look fantastic on a college application and would help me get a career in the military. Not happening, though. I'm sick of it already.

I had a very strange dream last night...here, I'll tell you about it...

I was in a house, I have no idea whose, but I was trapped in there with my friends and with, like, this psycho maniac killer who was killing all my friends, and this house was like a maze. It looked like something from Beetlejuice, the cartoon version, not the original live-action movie. Anyway, so my friends and I go through this maze-house, and every time you reached a bad dead end you would get murdered, and it was a very pretty gruesome murder. The kinds where your insides are outside. Well, anyway... So like, I'm the only one left, and so to win, it's like a game maze thingy, you get the point, I have to finish the maze or kill the killer and finish the maze in peace. And so of course I don't kill him because I'm a wimpy little girls and this psycho killer and twice my size with very sharp objects, so I'm running around, and I can see myself through the windows. I was, like, watching myself from afar, sort of like a movie, and I can see the killer and he's laughing and doing something but I can't tell what. And so, suddenly, I go up these stairs and they catch fire... And then of course the whole house catches fire, and I’m running around this household inferno with some crazed psychopathic killer, and so finally, I fall down, and he chops off one of my feet to slow me down. And I try and hop and drag my way around, but then I realize I’m going in circles... And so finally he pushes me into the blazing staircase, And I’m up here screaming and yelling, (you could hear me and everything) and I’m all burning alive and he's sitting there laughing his head off, and so then he raises his ax (that's of course what he chopped my foot off with) and starts chopping me up into little pieces... And then the firemen come and find 15 teenagers all decapitated. At the end, it shows what I looked like.... a bunch of smoky brownies. I was even on a plate... It was silver with a griffin on it... But of course the killer escaped.

I should make a movie on that. I've been wondering what it could mean, so I grabbed a dream reference book to see. So according to this, to dream of being chased means I'm avoiding someone or something that seems daunting and unconquerable. To dream of mazes means I need to deal with my issues directly and that I'm only making it seem harder than it really is; I'm being indecisive and confusing myself, making me feel lost. Seeing someone's death signifies that I am undergoing a significant change in my life and that my relationship with the person who dies has evolved into a new realm. To dream of my own death indicates that there is a change in my own life coming. And lastly, to dream of fire usually has something to do with passion.

I have no idea what all this means, but I kind of have an idea. There is this boy, an ex-boyfriend of my friend Kati, who caught my eye. His name is Justin. We've been getting pretty close. Kesia says to go for it, but I'm already dating someone. (When am I not dating someone?) Also, he's an ex of a friend. I'm do not like being that girl who dates the guys of friends. There's like a code or something. It happened between Christen and I when I dated Chris Colon, and everything ended badly last summer. I don't know. Maybe I'm reading too deeply into this.