Empathy's Book Of Shadows 

 

 

Ostara Re-dedication Spell
 

Re-dedicate yourself to your deities and renew your commitment to the magical life with this ritual. Invite your deities to your circle by lighting candles in their honour. Anoint yourself four times with the following oils: Sandalwood for purity, rosemary for power, lotus for spirituality, and clove for courage. When you are finished say:

Lord and Lady, as you dwell in me,
Make a fit vessel of me;
Give me strength and wisdom to do
All these thing I've promised to you.

 

Casting a Circle

Cleanse your mind and picture the energy of the universe and nature mixed with your energy. Imagine yourself glowing purple or orange, whatever works for you. While facing North point your athame, wand, finger, or whatever you use towards the ground and see the energy flowing out. Begin to walk clockwise (right) around the circumference of the circle. Imagine a sphere forming with you inside it, half below the ground and half above.
 

Closing a Circle

Close the circle by picking up your athame, wand, finger, or whatever you used to cast it and walk to the corner at which you started. Point at the boundary of the circle and begin to walk counter-clockwise (left) until you complete the circle. While you're walking visualize the circle disappearing and the energy flowing back through the tool. When you are finished say "The circle is open, but unbroken."

May Love Spell

1. Think about what qualities you desire in a mate and write these words down in a column on a piece of paper.
2. Next to the first column write another column containing what qualities you have to offer a prospective mate.
3. Cast a Circle (see above)
4. Sit inside the circle and light two red or pink candles setting them a couple of feet apart in front of you.
5 . Read out loud the first word on the list of your prospective mates qualities and move the candle on your right towards the candle on the left.
6 . Read out loud the first work on the list of your qualities and move the left candle towards the right.
7 . Continue reading back and forth from the columns while moving the candles toward each other with each word read until you have read the last word and the candles are touching each other.
8. Blow out the candles.
9. Close the circle (see above)

Home or Business Protection Spell

To bless your home or business, place a bowl of candy, herbs or stones by your front entrance. Bless then bowl's contents by speaking aloud the following verse:

"As all who enter here are Children of the Great Mother,
May those who pass always walk safely in her steps.
May they feel the guidance of her hand,
And know she is always with us,
From the time we meet till we meet again."

Invite visitors to take an offering as they enter the premises.
 

Full Moon Scrying Ritual

The upcoming summer months are the perfect time for Full Moon Scrying and I'd like to pass on an old, time honored scrying ritual originally written by D.J. Conway that I have used many times during the long summer nights:

Items Needed:
1 bright, shiny silver coin
1 small, black cauldron or scrying bowl filled with water

Perform this ritual outside where the rays of the Moon can fall directly onto the water in the cauldron. If you cannot go outside, stay in a darkened room near a window that the Moon shines through. Place the coin in the water and take the cauldron in both hands. Gaze up at the Moon and say:

"Lovely Lady of the night,
Mysteries old and futures bright,
Give me a glimpse of that to be
And as I will so mote it be."

Look down at the coin shimmering in the cauldrons water. With your eyes half closed, adjust your vision as if you were looking into and through the coin. Don't try to analyze anything you might see or that might come into your mind. Just accept it. Some people, rathar than seeing actual pictures within the cauldron, will have mental impressions, feelings or pictures. When you have finished, bow to the Moon and say thank you. Pour the water out on the ground. You're done!
 

Prosperity and Success Spell
 

Ingredients:
1 small cauldron
1 small green or brown charm bag
3 silver coins
Cinnamon
Cedar oil
A small table to use as an altar

Spell:
Place a little dish or cup inside the cauldron with a small amount of cinnamon and cedar in it. Lay the three coins next to it on your altar. Tap each coin with the forefinger of the hand you write with (your power hand) and chant:

"Glistening silver coin of the Moon,
Shiny and round, bring me a boon.
Draw to my hands many more of your kind.
Multiply, grow, like the image in my mind.

Place the coins in the cauldron with the herbs and three drops of oil. Using your power hand, stir the air clockwise seven times over the cauldron and chant:

"Earth elements, cunning and bright,
Share you treasures here on this night.
Share with me riches of silver and gold,
Success, prosperity, all I can hold."

Place the herbs and the coins in the talisman bag. Carry this with you until the Full Moon goes through her phases and returns to Full.
 

Purification Ritual for New Magical Tools
 

Whenever you buy a new tool for magical workings it is important that the tool is purified. This is a simple purification ritual that I use to cleanse my new magical tools:

Ingredients:
caldron or any heat-proof dish
dandelion leaf
wormwood
sage

Ignite the herbs and let them smoulder awhile. As the smoke curls about you pass your tool through the smoke and say:

"Smoke rise,
Let me be wise.
This (name of tool) is cleansed.
I will use it only for good."

The item is now ready to use!
 

Prosperity and Luck Spell

Tools:
A Gold Candle
A piece of Jade (or other lucky stone)

Light the Gold Candle. Focus on the changes you would like to happen. Hold the stone in your hand and focus those changes "into" the stone. Visualize your energy combining with the stone and say these words:

"Changing energies,
Universal luck,
Weighted my way~
Fortunate door opening,
Beginning this day."

Visualize the release of energy to the universe. Extinguish the candle. Keep the stone with you as a reminder to be alert for new opportunity or as in the words of Lucille Ball:
"Luck? I don't know anything about luck. I've never banked on it, and I'm afraid of people who do. Luck to me is something else: Hard work -- and realizing what is opportunity and what isn't."
 

Health and Vitality Spell

Cut a circle from a white or yellow piece of paper. Write on the paper the words Health and Vitality. Add any specific health issues you wish to deal with, and in the centre of the paper place a bay leaf, a small amount of cinnamon, and three grains of rice. Fold the paper into a packet to hold the ingredients. Take the packet in hand for a moment and concentrate on your healing intentions, sending that energy into the package. Place the paper in a fireproof container and light it on fire. As it burns, say;
"Sacred fire,
I pray to thee,
Release all bonds
And set this free-
That health and vitality
might come to me."

Releasing Intense Emotions Spell

Perform this easy spell to calm yourself when dealing with intense emotional family or other issues. By ridding yourself of this excess emotional energy, you will allow your mind and body to stay healthy during this stressful season.

Ingredients:
a piece of unlined paper
a pen
a black candle
a bowl of purified water
sea sale

Spell:
Light the candle. On the paper write down any fears, frustrations, or concerns you may be feeling. Let the words come flowing from inside you, do not hold back. If you feel like saying the words aloud as you write them do so. Once you are finished fold the paper up and burn it in the candle flame. After you burn the paper, dip your fingers in the water and sprinkle yourself with it while saying:

"I release these words, I release this tension, I release this negativity from my life"

You're done!
 

Winter Ritual Bath

During the Winter Solstice/Christmas Season we often place too much emphasis on celebrating and sharing this joyous holiday. It is often helpful amongst all the stress to attune to a quiet, internal spirituality. To begin to do so, prepare a ritual bath with oils of rosemary, pine and orange. Add a touch of patchouli for grounding. Light gold and green candles and immerse yourself in the watery solitude to refresh your weary holiday spirit. Meditate on the Winter Goddess and her lesson of stillness. Find the cool and clean space she offers, free of clutter and activity. It is the season for centering and grounding and for defining who we really are. After the bath, take your journal and write down your goals by candlelight. Contemplate the coming re-birth and identify which direction you wish to channel your energies and focus your intentions.

 

Springs of Kupala Love Bath
 

Kupala is the Slavic Goddess of springs and rivers. Her name means "to bathe"; and if you need a new love in the new year; perhaps Kupala can help you. Gather some fragrant flowers, either red or pink in colour, and "love" scented bath salts. Fill the bathtub with water and bath salts as directed. Sprinkle some flower petals into the bath water. While you relax in the bath, recite to yourself:

"Kupala, goddess fragrant, dear,
I ask for love in the new year.

Mountain streams bring fresh and free
Waters rushing to the sea.
As my will, so mote it be."

Scatter the rest of the flower petals into a moving body of water, and the spell is done!

Mental & Physical Health Spell
 

Tools Needed:
Your altar or any sacred space of your choice
White Candle
Yellow Candle
Orange Candle

Ritual:
Place the white candle in the centre of your altar. Light it and say:
"I light this candle to renew my spirit"

To the left, light the yellow candle and say:
"This flame fires my imagination"

To the right, light the orange candle and say:
"My body is healthy and strong"

Thank the candles and extinguish them. Now you're ready for the season of light to return!
 

Bury Your Old Self Spell
 

If you are bothered by an aspect of your personality that you would like to let go of, then take a new potato and a knife (or your athame) and carve the potato into an image that represents the aspect to you. At midnight, take the carved potato our into a field (or wherever you can find relatively undisturbed dirt) and bury it in the ground. As you do, repeat these words:

"With this image, I
consign this aspect of
myself to my mother the Earth.
As this image returns to the Earth,
this aspect of my personality
dissolves into my psyche
and is transformed into
new capabilities"

You're done. As the image under the earth dissolves, so will the quality you want to be rid of!

 

Vision from the Goddess

If you seek divine inspiration of guidance on this day, scatter candles liberally but safely, around a room. Half-fill a small cauldron or large bowl with water and add some floating candles. Light all the candles, leaving the floating ones for last. Ground and center yourself, calling on a particular deity if you wish. When you feel ready, gaze into the bottom of the cauldron, focusing, yet not focusing, on the flames and motion of the water. Spend some time afterward meditating upon the vision that you received. You may want to write down what you saw as well as what you think it meant, for future use.
 

Relationship Charm Spell

On the night of a waxing Moon gather a pink candle, two rose petals, lavender oil and a small china plate. Cast a circle and light the candle. Contemplate the flame as a symbol of love's light. Place the rose petals on the plate and add three drops of oil while saying:

"Love's truth burns bright,
I welcome my soul mate on this night."

Tip the candle to drip wax onto the petals, enough to form a coin sized token. Mould the wax and the petals together. Keep this token safe for six Moons then bury it beneath a rose bush.

Ring of Fire Spell

This spell is based on a little-known solar ritual from the Aegean islands. Long ago on the night before the Summer Solstice, hoops were set ablaze, and the villagers would guide the Sun's return by jumping though rings of fire. You can create your own ring of fire with this spell. At dusk, outdoors if possible, light four candles of appropriate color, one for each season, in a circle. In the center place a gold or yellow candle for the Sun. Light the seasonal candles and say:

"Seasons must turn,
Let the Sun return."

Light the Sun candle and say:

"Shining One,
Charge me with passion,
Turn my words into action.
It must be!"

Jump over your lit candles if you dare. Meditate on each Season and Thank the Sun for it's return as you put out the candles.

 

A Vacation Spell

For a change of pace you may want to try using some magic to decide the best destination for a quick get away. You will need a pendulum and a map. Narrow down your choices to between three and five destinations and spread the map in front of you. First, as the pendulum to show you a "no" answer and a "yes" answer. When you have determined which way it swings for yes and no, hold it over each sight. Ask aloud if this would be a good place for your vacation. The pendulum will swing giving you a yes or no answer. If the pendulum swings in circles or vibrates wildly, avoid that location. When the pendulum answers yes to one or more locations you have your destinations!

God/Goddess Incarnate Spell
 

Tools Needed:
2 pink candles
Rosemary herb
Jasmine or Gardenia Oil
A mirror
A pink cloth large enough to cover the mirror

The divine is all around us. To tap into the spirit of the divine in your daily life, gather together two pink candles, some jasmine or gardenia oil, some rosemary herb, a mirror and a pink cloth large enough to cover the mirror. Sit before the mirror, eyes closed, and breathe in the energy of the earth and sky. Fill yourself with light. Open your eyes and see yourself filled with light. Anoint the outline of your face with the oil and speak the following verse three times:

"I am the Goddess (or God) Incarnate.
I am filled with light
And connected to all things.

I am beautiful. I am loved."

Cover the mirror with the pink cloth. Repeat the verse any time you are feeling lonely, down on yourself or unloved.

God/Goddess Incarnate Spell
 

At this time of the year, the balance between dark and light it's great to try and find your own balance using an Autumnal Blessing. It can easily be adapted for a group or solitary:

Use a White and Black candle, placed side by side, for this ritual. Breathe in the glow that comes from the equal balance of day and night. Decorate your sacred space with fruits and grain and harvest leaves as you slowly speak this verse:

"Protection covers me and mine,
Abundant gifts grow from Nature Divine.

Mabone comes with balance dear,
The second such time of the year.

Second Harvest abudance flows,
Through our labor the storehouse grows.

We fill our stores though Harvest Moon,
For winter's cold is coming soon.

Harvest brings both hope and fear,
Harder times are drawing near.

Bless this house with abundance clear,
And bless all who are dwelling here.

Strength of the cycles for all to see,
Bringing color to land and tree.

Red, Yellow, Brown and Amber,
Dress the forests, preparing for slumber.

My spirit embrace the dwindling light,
I am ready now for the longer night.

Protection and safety there will be,
As the wheel of the years turns, blessed be.

The balance now is perfect and right.
Preparations made for Demeter's night.

Searching she goes and searching she will be,
Till Kore's return to you and me.

Mabon's magic dances in me,
Autumn blessings to all,
So Mote It Be!"

Solitary Samhain Ritual
 

Tools needed:
A knife (must be sharp)
Apples or Grapes (pref. room temperature or warm)
Pomegranate (pref. chilled)
God and Goddess Candles on the altar
Small serving dishes

Call elements
Cast your circle

Invoke deities by saying:
"Gaia, who nurtures all life, send your son Pan, Lord of the fields and flocks. May he join me in celebration and revelry."

Light the God Candle and say:
"Pan, master of beasts and rough, primal forces--enter this circle; share your wild abandon! Bring to us joys and lusts; bring the last kiss of summer before the cold of winter. Join me, Pan! IO EVOE!

Face Altar Saying:
"Ouranous, who rules the heavens, send your daughter Hekate, She who guards against the terrors of the night. May she join me in celebration and reflection."

Light Goddess candle and say:
"Hekate, queen of night and the restless spirits--enter this circle, share your peace and wisdom. Bring calm and endurance; bring guidance through the winter until the days grow warm. Join me, Hekate! IO EVOE!"

Cycling of the year:

Take the blade, and grapes [or apple]. Cut into fruit (apples or grapes); place on a plate, and offer it upwards & then hold it in front of you.
"I eat this last fruit of summer. May I be filled with the warmth that has ripened this fruit on the vine [or tree]. May I taste the sweetness of life in the sun."

Eat, and pause to think about the end of summer.

Place knife on altar. Say: "Summer ends. Winter begins. The fields lie fallow, and the beast sleep in their homes. The Lord passes the mantle of guidance to the Lady as the nights grow cold and long."

Take blade & pomegranate. Cut into it, place on plate; offer it upwards, then hold it in front of you. "I eat this first fruit of winter. May I feel the chill that ripened this fruit in the rind. May I taste the richness of life hidden away."

Eat, and pause to think of what winter will bring.

Worship & prayers:

Say: "Hekate Apotropaios, averter of evil--control the wrath of the dead, whose spirits cry out for vengeance, and who may lash out at anyone they can reach. Protect the living from their rage. Hekate Chthonia, lady of the underworld--you have dominion over the hostile spirits who wander; guide them to their resting places, and seal the gates between the worlds. Hekate Phosphoros, light-bringer--bring us light and guidance as we stand in this doorway, this transition between peace and war. Let your torches show us the truths hidden in the shadows; lead us out of this darkness."

Remembrance & contemplation:

"I now remember and honour those who have died this past year."

Face altar, and mention someone who has passed in the last year that you will miss. This does not need to be someone you know personally. If you have incense, light a stick and wave it in a circle, or put another pinch on the charcoal for each person you mention. (Or light a candle.) If you have a token of the person (an item of theirs, or a photo), place it on the altar.

Continue until you've had the chance to remember as many people as you care to. Pause.

Simple Feast--cakes & wine, or whatever you want

Thank and release the Gods and Goddesses

"Pan, lord of the fields in summer, thank you for your presence, for sharing your joy in life. Before you depart to your winter realms, I drink deep in your honour" [raise cup, drink, spill some in libation bowl, set it down & raise hands over head]... "Hail Pan! Hail & farewell!"

"Hekate, lady of night & magic, thank you for your presence, for extending your protection. Before you depart to take up your winter duties, I drink deep in your honour" [raise cup, drink, spill some in libation bowl, set it down & raise hands over head] "Hail Hekate! Hail & farewell!"

Open the circle
Dismiss the elements

 

Holiday Relaxation Spell

Take some time today to de-stress:
Fill a bowl with water and a floating candle. Light the candle and gaze into the flame. Gaze for awhile into the candle flame and let your mind go blank. Feel your stress pouring into the water and feel your body relax as the stress leaves it. Imagine the bowl is a deep well and is drinking in whatever it is in your life that is causing unease, discomfort or stress. Breathe deeply. Sprinkle dried basil over the water, and then chant softly before the candle flame:

I am calm.
I am at peace with my surroundings.
I am whole and well.
By the powers of earth, air, fire, and water, I am free.

Sit before the bowl for several more moments. Let the candle burn till it burns out. Pour the water onto the ground and feel your stress and anxiety going with it. Tell yourself that the earth has taken your stress away. Give thanks.

 

Celtic Tree of Rowan Protection Charm
 

Also known as the Mountain Ash, the Rowan tree has long enjoyed magical eminence for it's protective properties. With the festival of Imbolc just around the corner, it is a perfect time to clear your space of negative energy by making a protection charm for the remaining winter days ahead:

Burn a sprig of rosemary to cleanse your home, sweeping the rooms widdershins (counter clockwise) to banish stagnant energy. If possible, find a branch or twig from a Rowan/Mountain Ash tree. If Rowan is not available, use a sturdy branch of Rosemary. Wind a red ribbon around the branch and with each wind say:

"The power of Rowan
protects me and thee"

Hang the branch above your door.
You're done!
 

Peace and Love Stone Spell

Love and peace are powers greater than we can know, but we can tap into the energies that surround these concepts and bring them into the new day by anointing a rose quartz with gardenia today. As you anoint the stone, whisper "peace" and "love" to yourself, magnifying the energy in the stone. Carry the stone with you today and any day you desire peace and love. A few times each day, take a moment to slow and deepen your breathing. Holding the stone in your hand, inhale and say the work "peace" to yourself. Feel a peaceful sensation fill your body. As you exhale, think of the word "love" and see a loving pink light flow through you into the world. Repeat two or three more times and any time you need to feel the spell.

 

Release Bad Habits Spell
 

Springtime is the perfect time to release yourself from unwanted habits and negative energy. To release bad habits, cook with an onion. Before beginning breathe the energy of the earth into the knife. As you cut the onion, say to yourself:

"Here I see into my core and accept myself for all that I am, and I release that which no longer serves me."

If there are specific habits you want to eliminate, visualize them as you cut the onion. Energize the pan as you did the knife. As you cook the onion say:

"Heat of fire, heat of life; Transform these habits before my sight."

Visualize your bad habits transforming and see the patterns you prefer filling the onion and the other food. Give Thanks for the blessing of change and release as you eat.