Mirror Ritual for Enduring Self-Love

This isn't the first time I have written a self-love spell on my blog, and it's doubtful this will be the last one I ever write. I find myself often struggling to love the body that I am in, and it becomes increasingly difficult to love myself wholly in times of stress and uncertainty. Lately, I have not felt much love for myself, and I thought it was about time I got around to changing that.

This spell is not about convincing yourself that you are perfect. Instead, it is about embracing yourself as you are and reminding yourself that you are worthy of love and care, even when you don't feel like it. Self-love takes time and commitment, but it is the first step in spiritual activism. As I state in my book The Green Witch's Guide to Self-Care, we cannot fill our cauldrons (community) until we fill our chalices (self). That means taking care of yourself is required to care for your community, whether that care be through protesting, advocacy, or volunteer work.

What You'll Need

• Bowl of warm water (large enough to fit your hands)
• Pinch of salt
• Towel
• Pink candle
• Carving tool
• Anointing oil (rose-scented is perfect for this)
• Crushed rose petals
• Match/lighter
• Mirror or reflective surface

What to Do

This spell is best performed on a Friday (or Valentine's Day) during the early morning or late evening when you can be alone in a quiet environment.

Begin by cleansing your space and objects using your preferred method. If you feel called to do so, cast a circle and invite any deities, spirits, or ancestors you wish to witness or assist in your self-love rite. When ready, ground and center yourself in this moment using your preferred method.

When you feel grounded and centered, add your salt to your warm water and wash your hands while saying, "I wash away my self-doubt and self-hatred. It holds no power over me. I return to myself in love and grace." Pat your hands dry.

Using your carving tool, carve the word "self-love" into the candle. Anoint it using your anointing oil of choice, then roll the candle in your crushed rose petals to coat. Place the candle in front of you and light it using your match or lighter.

With the candle lit, gaze into the mirror or reflective surface. Do not search for imperfections and faults. Instead, focus on simply recognizing your face and body, appreciating it for carrying you this far. Spend several minutes gazing at your reflection, relearning to love yourself as you go by saying outloud that you are thankful for each part of your body. I always like to begin with what I love most about myself before working toward saying I am grateful for the things I like the least. It is okay to cry during this ritual. In fact, I encourage it. Let out all of your emotions as you remind yourself that this body, in all its glory, is yours and worthy of love.

When you have finished thanking all parts of your body, place your hand over your heart and say, "This is the one who stayed. I am loved and worthy of love."

Next, dip your fingers into the water and touch your forehead lightly and say, "I am not my harshest critic. I am the keeper of myself."

Next, dip your fingers into your anointing oil and anoint your forehead or heart while saying, "I vow to speak to myself with care. I vow to rest when I am weary. I vow to return when I stray from myself."

Hold your hands near the candle flame (without burning them!), say, "I tend my own hearth. My worth does not waver. So I will it, so shall it be." Gently extinguish the candle or allow it to burn down.

Either flush the water or pour it outside as an offering. Before you come at me for the salt being in the water, it is a pinch. That is not enough to cause any ecological harm.

Warnings/Modifications/Alternatives:

• Do not leave a lit candle unattended, and always have water or another fire extinguisher nearby.
• I understand that mirrors can be triggering, especially for those with body dysmorphia. If a mirror feels too distressing or inaccessible, replace it with a heavy, warm, or otherwise comforting object. Close your eyes and instead of reflecting on how you perceive your body in a mirror, focus on how your body feels. When finished, place your hand over your heart and say, "I do not need to be seen to be worthy. I am loved and worthy of love."
• Because of the potentially distressing nature of this ritual, you may wish to have a grounding crystal on hand, such as black tourmaline, obsidian, onyx, or jet, or a crystal for emotional healing, such as rose quartz.
• If you cannot burn a candle, try replacing it with a tea made from rose petals, chamomile, and lemon balm. Hold it for warmth at the end of the ritual and drink it instead of extinguishing the candle.
  
  

Why You Did It

Understanding the whys of a spell (or ritual or recipe) is just as important as performing it. It helps you understand the process so you can modify the spell or ritual to suit your needs, and it helps guide you in writing your own. It's my intention to provide these explanations so that you can build a better understanding of how spells are written and executed, so you can modify and build your own spells (the goal of my Spellcrafting Series).

First and foremost, this ritual is best performed on a Friday or Valentine's Day, as these are days traditionally associated with love, whether it be self-love or otherwise. You'll want to do this at a time when you can be alone in the quiet hours of the day because there is a good possibility you are going to get emotional. There is nothing worse than being in the middle of an emotional ritual, and your partner or children come barging in to break your concentration and energy.

Next, a bowl of water with a pinch of salt was used to wash your hands and later anoint your forehead. Salt is naturally detoxifying and therefore cleansing. By washing your hands in warm salt water, you are helping to wash away any self-doubt, lingering blockages, and other energies that may get in the way of this spell. This same water was used to anoint your forehead to dispel your desire to continue to criticize yourself.

Pink is associated with self-love, making it the perfect color to use for the candle in this particular spell. "Self-love" was carved into the candle to represent the overall intention of the spell, then anointed with oil and rolled in crushed rose petals, which are also associated with love. Roses are also associated with protection and emotional healing, both of which are needed during this ritual to help you overcome any self-doubt or self-loathing you may be feeling while looking at yourself.

Looking at your body in a mirror and really studying yourself while thanking it for all it does for you is a great way to override your negative self-talk. This particular exercise is known as mirror gazing meditation, and is known to help foster self-compassion, increase self-awareness, and interrupt negative thought patterns. It also encourages emotional regulation by forcing you to confront your own reflection, allowing you to dismantle internalized criticism. Ultimately, this activity helps to rewire your brain, thus shifting your focus away from your perceived flaws to your strengths. This is followed by a positive affirmation in which you remind yourself, while holding your heart (the center of love), that you are worthy of love and affection.

This ritual is finished with the dispelling of negative thoughts through the anointing of your forehead with the salt water, as previously mentioned above, and the anointing of your forehead or heart with anointing oil while making a vow to be kind and loving to yourself. The heat from the candle's flame is used to close the ritual and bring warmth and comfort.

The water is flushed, thus flushing away unwanted negative energies, or returned to the earth for a similar purpose.

Want to break this spell? This really isn't a spell that is broken, but instead it will naturally wane over time if not reinforced often through this or other self-love rituals.

Remember to record this spell in your Book of Shadows or use my Spell/Ritual Worksheet for reference later.

***

I know with everything that has been going on in the world that thinking about and caring for yourself may seem selfish. It isn't. We have to remember that self-care is a necessary part of resistance. I am wishing all of you a safe and loving time as winter slowly begins to turn toward spring.

If you liked this post, please consider leaving a small tip in the jar. 

Book Review: Charm Casting by Tina Hardt

Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase. I received a free copy of this deck in exchange for an honest review.

Several years ago, I wrote a series on Bone Magic, and within that series, I discussed creating and using your own "bone tarot" or set of bones for casting. While I largely use bones when I cast lots, I have begun to incorporate more and more trinkets into my sets to help clarify and connect with my readings. In all honesty, I have fallen out of using my bone sets and have relied more heavily on runes as of late, but reading Charm Casting: Diving with Trinkets, Trifles, Baubles, and Bits by Tina Hardt has inspired me to pick the practice back up!

Of all the books I have read over the years about divination, Charm Casting ranks among the best. Hardt offers a complete and comprehensive guide to creating, casting, and reading your own charm casts. She answers every possible question a new or experienced caster could have, from selecting your charms and determining their meaning, to creating or finding casting surfaces, to cleansing and charging yourself and your trinkets before use and after use. All of this is given to us with hilarious asides, quips, and stories, which make reading Charm Casting feel like a conversation with a close friend. I will say that while I absolutely enjoyed Hardt's conversational writing style, it is very millennial-coded, which may give younger readers the ick. You all really need to leave us alone already! It's okay to be quirky or silly or cringe; it doesn't invalidate the information or experiences we have to share.

Apart from offering a tremendous amount of incredibly useful information in a compact space, Hardt also includes journaling prompts and Grimoire outlines to help the reader create and organize their own notes regarding the charms used. Her suggestions go far beyond what I have seen others suggest over the years, ensuring you are left with the best possible guide to your own trinkets so that reading them is easy. I am going to have to go back and add some details to my current notes to make up for the gaps in potential understanding. Hardt also offers craft ideas for creating your own reading space or charm circle, spell ideas, and prayers.

Finally, Hardt ends with real-world examples (with pictures!) to help guide the reader through reading and understanding charms once they have been cast. I have said it once, and I will continue to say it: I live for real examples. Since I cannot see her actually casting and walking through her process in person, the next best way to observe is through written and picture examples. I know many of you rely on such examples to build a strong foundation in your own practice, and you will not be disappointed here. Hardt also includes examples throughout the text, so don't be deterred that the two largest examples are featured at the end. Besides, you really have to learn everything before you can fully understand and appreciate fully-described examples.

If you are interested in getting into or expanding your charm casting practice, I highly recommend Charm Casting: Diving with Trinkets, Trifles, Baubles, and Bits by Tine Hardt. I know I will be consulting this book for years to come, and I am thankful for the opportunity to review it for all of you!

If you liked this post, please consider leaving a small tip in the jar. 

Magical Properties of Red Jasper

If you liked this post, please consider leaving a small tip in the jar. 

Magical and Medicinal Uses of Coriander

Gender: Masculine

Planet: Mars
Element: Fire
Powers: Healing, Immortality, Love, Lust, Protection

Magical Uses and History: Coriander is a world-famous herb that belongs to the same family as celery and carrots. Generally, coriander refers to the seeds of Coriandrum sativum, while cilantro is the name given to the leaves. For the sake of this article, I am going to discuss the use of both the seeds and the leaves in myth, magic, and folklore.

The earliest evidence of coriander's use appears in archeological findings dated around 6000-5000 BC. Fifteen coriander seeds were found in the Nahal Hemar Cave in Israel, suggesting coriander was a dietary and medicinal staple. By 1500 BC, coriander was mentioned in Sanskrit literature, the Book of Exodus, and the Ebers Papyrus, suggesting the plant never fell out of use. In India, coriander was favored in Ayurveda as a harmonious plant capable of balancing the bodies of all people. It is believed to balance all three doshas, or bio-energetic forces, particularly Pitta, the mind-body energies composed of fire and water. As such, it is revered as a cooling herb and is used to aid and stimulate digestion and reduce burning sensations, skin rashes, and even allergies. Similarly, the Ebers Papyrus lists coriander as a digestive aid, helping to reduce stomach pains, cramps, and flatulence. One such recipe combines coriander with juniper and beer to treat abdominal pain.

Later, Pliny the Elder in Natural History noted coriander's many medicinal uses, including dedicating an entire section to its twenty-one remedies. According to Pliney, coriander was used to treat a wide range of ailments such as snakebites, intestinal parasites, eye diseases, burns, digestive complaints, hiccups, nosebleeds, gout, and diseased testes. By the 13th-century, coriander was also used to quicken childbirth, but too much coriander was believed to cause mental confusion and dim one's vision. Needless to say, these medicinal uses continued well into modern day, expanding and contracting with modern science. As such, coriander seeds are perfect for spells and rituals related to healing. Wear coriander seeds to reduce pain, particularly headaches and joint aches; burn in a sick room to promote wellness and a speedy recovery; add to healing sachets or incense blends; add to ritual healing baths; or brew as a tea for the same purpose. The uses are pretty endless. 

It is likely from its healing nature that coriander is also often associated with protection. Dried seeds can be included in amulets or sachets for personal protection; hung around the home, especially doors, to protect from unwanted guests; diffused to remove negativity from a space; added to spiritual baths; or used to shield practitioners during astral travel.

Apart from healing and protection, coriander is probably most famous for its use in love and lust spells. Pliny specifically mentions coriander as an aphrodisiac, a view echoed by Egyptian, Arabian, and Chinese texts. In Egypt, coriander was referred to as the "spice of happiness," likely for its ability to stimulate sexual desires. It was often used in love potions for such purposes. In 1,001 Arabian Nights, coriander was used to help a merchant cure is impotence, while in Traditional Chinese Medicine, coriander was prized for its warming nature, helping to boost energy and libido. In Ancient Greece and Rome and well into Medieval Europe, coriander was often mixed with wine to create love potions to elicit sexual desire. As such, coriander, both seeds and leaves, can be used in spells, rituals, and recipes to promote love and lust. Leaves and seeds can be added to sachets, food, and wine to promote love and lust; diffuse or wear essential oils to enhance your attraction, or anoint candles for such purposes.

Finally, according to Taoist beliefs, coriander is believed to be an herb of immortality. It was thought that consuming coriander seeds would grant the eater immortality and was often used in food for such purposes, especially in a dish known as yuan cai or "fragrant vegetable." This likely stems from the plant's natural healing abilities. As such, coriander seeds can be used in spells, rituals, and especially edible recipes regarding immortality. The seeds can also be added to spells to ensure they are long-lasting.

Medicinal Uses: Coriander seeds are carminative and therefore are often used to alleviate digestive issues such as gas, bloating, cramps, colic, and indigestion, as well as to ease diarrhea, especially in children. As an oil, coriander can be used to stimulate the production of digestive juices and stimulate appetite. Some studies suggest that coriander seeds may promote relaxation and aid in blood sugar control.

Preparation and Dosage: To make an infusion, combine one cup of boiling water with 1 teaspoon of bruised seeds. Allow the mixture to infuse for five minutes. Drink before meals to reduce gas and other digestive issues. 

Want to print a copy of this for your Book of Shadows? Click below for your free copy!

If you liked this post, please consider leaving a small tip in the jar. 

A Spell to Blend, Not Vanish, During a Protest

If you are unaware of the current protests taking place in Minnesota and across the United States, I am going to assume you either are living under a rock or you don't care about your community. If it's the latter, I am surprised you have stuck around on my blog this long because we clearly have very different values.

If you are like me and you have been paying attention and care about your community, you are probably among those showing up to protests, writing to your representatives, making phone calls, and otherwise doing what you can to ensure our friends and neighbors are not kidnapped by masked men or slaughtered in the street. It's scary showing up to a protest, especially when you know that our current administration has referred to us as "the enemy within" and has mentioned they are going to start turning on the "home-growns" next.

Apart from mundane actions, there are some magical things you can do as well to ensure you are safe while protesting. This spell is designed specifically to redirect attention away from you at a protest without nullifying or silencing your voice. You want your voice to be heard and to be taken as part of the crowd, but you do not want to become the focal point. This spell, however, is not about hiding wrongdoing, avoiding accountability, or manipulating others. Instead, it is about protecting you when you exercise your right to peacefully assemble by lowering your "energic signature." It helps you fade into the background so attention moves past you naturally, rather than making you invisible.

What You'll Need

• Small, unobstrusive, ordinary object that can be carried discreetly (coin, button, key, etc. You want it to be as mundane as possible.)

What to Do

Begin by cleansing your tools and workspace using your preferred method. If you feel called to do so, cast a circle and invite any spirits, deities, or ancestors you work with to join you. If you follow Norse paganism, deities such as Loki or Odin would be excellent choices to call upon.

When ready, hold your object in both hands. Take 3-5 slow breaths in and out, feeling yourself relaxing and present in the moment. Close your eyes and visualize the object in your hand filling with protective energies and say, "I move with the many, not apart from them. I carry my purpose without becoming a target. Let attention pass over me like water over stones. Let my voice be heard, but my face unknown. So I will it, so shall it be." Blow your intention into your object as you visualize going unnoticed.

Carry it with you in your pocket or bag (somewhere hidden) while attending protests, political gatherings, and other events that call for your voice to be heard without being recognized or targeted. If you feel anxiety or notice attention turning toward you, touch the object, ground yourself, and repeat, "I am one of many. Let attention move past me."

Recharge the object after each protest or event. If the object breaks or cracks, thank it for its assistance and bury it with reverence, leaving an offering as thanks.

Warnings/Modifications/Alternatives:

• To add additional umph, use crystals such as clear quartz, moonstone, black tourmaline, topaz, and opal to charge your object. Clear quartz helps amplify your intention, while moonstone, topaz, and opal are associated with invisibility. Black tourmaline, along with other black crystals, adds protection from prying eyes.
• Altering your breathing can cause a reduction in blood pressure, which can cause you to pass out. It can also trigger seizures in some people and PTSD in others. If you are worried about passing out, begin this exercise by lying down. I also suggest practicing with a friend to ensure your safety.
  
  

Why You Did It

Understanding the whys of a spell (or ritual or recipe) is just as important as performing it. It helps you understand the process so you can modify the spell or ritual to suit your needs, and it helps guide you in writing your own. It's my intention to provide these explanations so that you can build a better understanding of how spells are written and executed, so you can modify and build your own spells (the goal of my Spellcrafting Series).

This is an incredibly simple spell, and for a reason. Its purpose is to protect you from unwanted attention by forcing the eye to move away from you, hence the use of a mundane, unobtrusive, everyday object. Our brains naturally filter out background "noise," including objects we see a thousand times a day. I don't know about you, but I rarely recognize the belt someone is wearing, the keys they carry, the socks they have on, and sometimes even the sunglasses or bag they are carrying if it looks like every other one I see. By picking something people are accustomed to seeing and keeping it hidden (even in plain sight), you direct attention away from you.

The visualization, accompanied by holding the object in your hand and blowing on it, helped charge the object with your intention. You can also use visualization, chanting, and a crystal grid (such as that featured) to help charge your object as well, or charge it as needed after protests.

Want to break this spell? Thank the object for its assistance and protection and say, "I release you from your duty. Thank you for your service."

Remember to record this spell in your Book of Shadows or use my Spell/Ritual Worksheet for reference later.

***

As always, this spell should be followed up with mundane actions to keep you safe during protests and other events.

• Dress for anonymity
• Go with a group or at least a buddy
• Wear a mask
• Do not bring weapons, alcohol, cannabis, or other drugs
• Avoid engaging in long face-to-face conversations
• Be alert
• Avoid wearing loose items
• Stay calm and don't let hecklers rile you
• Carry identification at all times
• If you are arrested, clearly state that you will not speak to the police and request an attorney. If you are under 18, ask for your parents to be contacted.

It is your right to peacefully protest. Do not let a fascist government bully you into staying home and remaining silent. Do not comply in advance.

Stay safe out there, witches!

If you liked this post, please consider leaving a small tip in the jar.