Spells for Successful New Year

It appears like it’s that time of the Year again. Yes New Year, a date when something old ends, and something new begins. Time for us human s, to mentally and spiritually “shed skin” , rejuvenate, evolve. Which is not always that easy. Sometimes we perceive it as hard to let go of old, and embrace the upcoming, an while for some things that is a proper way of dealing, many times this is a bad way to go about things. Stick to Your religion, soccer team, favorite food lol, but don’t cling to bad memories, failures, falls. Get up, shake it off, and continue, seize the opportunity.

Not just New Year eve, but the whole late December's magick is about that, really. Cleansing, wishing and empowering among other. The concept of cleansing among spiritual people at this point of time is even more specific, it’s about getting rid of all things unworthy, unnecessary, old and stale. Which means clean Your wardrobe, rooms etc, for the mere physical cleansing is not just that at this point, it's also an act that removes old conditions and blockages on more subtle planes, as well as on physical one. If You find it hard to chose among, simply try the 6 months rule, If You have not even handled something for six months or more it’s a good candidate for getting rid of . After the physical ,  spiritual cleansing should follow, more so for frequent practitioners of occult, and spiritual workers. Then , when we have finished with getting the old out, it’s time to get the new in, and it’s where wishing , success, blessing and empowering spells come in . And here are some ( practical suggestions ) for Your convenience

Cleansing recipes

Chinese wash, one of the most popular Hoodoo products for house cleansing ( though used for clothes and oneself as well ) and may I add, a very powerful one as well can be compose d using following ingredients:

• Van Van oil ( in lack of thereof add essential oils of Lemongrass, Citronella and Vertivert, all being among ingredients of Van Van condition oil )
• Base of liquid soap or dish detergent, preferably some scented with Pine
• Salt , Blessed sea salt works in a pinch
• Broom tops, or Broom straws from a new broom are traditional addition in style of old Conjure

You could also use Household ammonia solution with few drops of essential oil of Lemon. To a bucketful of water ( liter to two ) add few spoons of either, some lemon juice and Salt, and it shall clean any mess up !

For a personal cleansing, for this part of year I would suggest this simple bath
• Lemon/s sliced up ( 9 or 13 slices would be great choice )
• Hyssop
• Pine needles
Make an infusion and add some sea or Kosher salt to it. Alternatively You could make it into Bath salts, adding essential oils to salt with some powdered or finely processed/grinded dry Hyssop. This bath is ideal to cleanse oneself, from sin, crossed conditions, negative energy, and to cut ties with old as well.

Once having house and oneself cleansed this way, it would be good to use some incense that will not only clean but also bless, and thus seal the positive rites done, and make their effect more durable and strong. Good examples are those simple, yet powerful such as : Frankincense, Camphor, Benzoin or even the mixture of any of those. Rose petals and Myrrh might be added as well, more so If we want to emphasize Blessing.

Seeds of intention spell for drawing good things and growth of positive

This fairly simple folk ritual practice might have it's roots in simple sowing divinations, frequent among European cunning folk. Small onions were sown, asked to grow for or “in name” of dear people we have not seen or hear from for long. Their germination, growth and wellbeing would be inspected and interpreted as omens and answers afterwards.
For this rite You shall need some seeds, a plant pot and some fresh soil. I light some nice white or pale blue candle when doing so. Seeds are traditionally sown for Yuletide, as one of the ways to employ the energy of the day, or on Winter Solstice. What seeds You will chose is not that relevant though here are just few suggestions

• Anise seeds for spiritual growth, obstacles removing, dreams
• Basil seeds for Protection , success, money and Love
• Sage seeds for wisdom and decrement
• Patchouli seeds for Money and Love etc, get creative

The key of the whole practice, is to empower seeds , In some way consecrate and bless and tell them what to do. Infuse them with Your intentions, wishes and goals , so they could grow with the seed, empowered by powerful wishing energy associated with late December. Then simply place them in the soil, saying something along these lines

As this plant grows and greets the Sun, so will success/money/whatever grow for me/in me/around me !

After that, all You need to do is take good care of plant. If I light a candle during this siple rite , I add remaining wax in the plant pot. When the life cycle of plant is over You can bury the plant near You or use the herb for magick like You would otherwise , and You can preserve the seeds as well.
An example of such, tad bit more elaborated spell, is given in my previous post on New Year magick , link provided at the end of this post, so check that out as well.

Crown of Success ritual

You shall need a gold or yellow candle. I sometimes use those larger, offertory, spirally ribbed ones. Though any shall do, just try not to save on candle price and size, give to get, it's a simple and powerful ritual ;)

Make a petitioner paper, with Your name surrounded by circle made of written word “success” . Fold the paper thrice towards oneself. Place it under small saucer , like coffee plate like. On that plate, place Your candle and encircle it, at bottom with some ( whole ) dry Bay Laurel leafs. Dress the candle with some “Crown of Success oil” ( one of the formulations for this condition oil I have added on this blog before, under formulas and recipes ) and do it from bottom to the top, preferably in spiral motion. Some people carve the word success spirally on the candle, You can do that If You like.
For the next seven days, each day burn a partition of candle, while reading the Psalm23rd followed by personal prayer for success in specific area, leaving candle to burn all the way down on the seventh day. You’ll be left with sort of waxy-bay leaf crown, that I suggest burring near home or in flower pot, maybe even placing in pouch and keeping somewhere high in house.


Double action candle for banishing negative and drawing positive

Simple and very effective, simply place double action, black - white, butted candle horizontally on a plate, and dress the black half with some Banishing or Uncrossing oil.
You may say something along these lines :

Lord, to You I cry, set me free of all evil, malice and snare s of the wicked people and spirits. As the candle burns, wax melts in presence of flame, and as smoke disappears, may all ills that trouble me be-gone ! Amen !

Then dress the white part, from top to middle with some Blessing oil or Holy Anointing oil, or Special oil No20, saying something along the lines:

I / We pray to You Lord, Merciful and Human Loving G’d, Be kind unto/to us sinners, Forgive us our trespassing, and be kind to us weak. Give power to our spirit and guide us on righteous paths . Remove obstacles and stones from our way, and send us Your Blessings, so we can live happily, praising You always Lord. Heal us, protect us and, how much we need, help us provide Lord. For the Power and Glory are eternally Yours. Amen!

This spell simply does what suggested in above article, cleanses bad and draws good instead. It is very beneficial to be done anytime, perhaps on full Moon, but certainly y well suited for dark winter days, ending of one Year and beginning of another. Alternatively You can burn candle vertically, same way, just in that case, make sure that the black part is first to be burnt.

I highly advise You to read this article regarding double action candles use in such manner

http://ldygry.livejournal.com/13172.html it’s a brilliant, inventive piece of work of a person I know, and find to be very wise, trustworthy and admirable.
If You’d like to read on some more spells for this time of Year and few other methods of cleansing ( including spell originating from Balkan peninsula traditional witchraft ) pay a visit to my post on it here
http://shadowsmagickplace.blogspot.com/2010/12/new-year-beliefs-customs-and.html


NOTE: This article was written, and composed by myself, therfore should You wish to use any part of it eslwhere feel free but give credits: Shadow of Shadows magick place, Shadow-333@hotmail.com or a direct link to this post
IMAGES: Image with greeting , holliday greeting is from : holidays.dbgreetings.com used for illutrative purposes with no ill will. O ther pics were taken by me

Condition and Spiritual oils

I have written before on here about making condition oils and wanted to update that post, with this ( more informative and more organized ) one, though the two original formulas posted are kept here as well , Enjoy :


The fine art of potion making is almost as old as magick itself. The art of oils  ( as potions  ) may be seen as branch of fire magick, and in modern days we have Hoodoo to thank for it’s “revival” and improvement. Furthermore, Hoodoo has a unique way of making formulas, following tradition, doctrine of signatures and great knowledge of Materia magicka. As a result we have condition oils, named so because they represent some of the main parts of Conjure/Hoodoo/Root doctor repertoire. Condition oils are used to treat just that – certain problems, conditions we may encounter , either in mundane life or in our spiritual endeavors.

Unlike their European counterparts, Condition oils are not blunt, they are very specific and targeted, so You might find an oil called “Sell it” or “Pay me back” etc, which clearly illustrates another important thing regarding Condition oils. Most often, their names clearly illustrate/indicate their purpose, goals and even methods of use.

Condition oils are used to dress candles, oneself ( as a perfume ), knobs, shoe soles, or anyplace where  someone might come in contact with them.

They can contain boatnicals ( herbal material, essential oils included as well ), animal curios ( animal parts, processed specifically so they can be used in oils ) and sometimes minerals  ( such a Pyrite or Lodestone, or even metals, scuh as broken chain in Uncrossing oils ) as well.

Traditional formulas may be passed to successors only by wise Crossroad mama’s or Root doctors, or may be composed based on good knowledge of Hoodoo herbal correspondences. If we know that Bay Laurel leafs, are traditional ingredient in Crown of Success oil, and that Vertiver is sort of all purpose New Orleans lucky-success bringing oil, and also we know that Bergamot essential oil brings personal
success, let’s try and compose some Crown of Success formula :

• Sandalwood chips ( said to bring Success )
• Bay Laurel leafs or essential oil ( traditional ingredient, symbol of Success )
• Frankincense tears ( Solar influence, Empowering Oils )
• Five finger grass ( Brings success in all things five fingers can do )
• Bergamot essential oil ( Brings success and boosts personal power )
• OPTIONAL : Vertvert essential oil ( Brings luck, success and empowers oils )
• OPTIONAL : Basil essential oil or herb ( repells evil and brings success, making sure formula is safe from bad that might try to intervene it’s work )

All in base of Sunflower, or Sunflower-Jojoba mixture oil.
And how are these spiritual/condition oils manufactured ?
Here is an excerpt on that, from my text “Ars Olei” :
Once You learn about ingredients and how to combine them, the technology of making oil comes relatively easy. These are basically standard pharmacological methods of extraction of the active principles ( from herbs and essential oils ) and compounds in oil base.
There are two main methods, which I like to refer as warm and cold extraction / infusion

1. Warm extraction, is a procedure of infusion of the herbal ( and possibly other ) ingredients in base oils. For this You will need a double boiler dishes, which means a dish to hold boiling water, and dish that will be placed on top of it or inside, and that will contain oil and the herbal material. You will also need the heat source, as well as some strainer like cheesecloth, and normally a container ( vial, bottle ) to hold the completed products.
The herbal material is added to smaller dish ( I use fireproof lab glass containers ) best if with a tight fitting caps. When You have added the herbal material You pour base oil over it, and place the smaller dish into that larger fireproof dish filled with water. You place the larger dish ( with smaller dish inside ) onto the fire source, and leave them “cooking” for 2-4 hours.
Then remove from heat and strain, when colleen. When completely cooled You may add essential oils, more herbs or herbal/animal or other material You wish bottles to contain.

2. Cold extraction, is a simple procedure of infusing of the herbal material in base oil here the herbal material is poured in bottle or container, covered or better yet topped with oil and left for week, or best month to sit. The herbal and other materials are added right away, when making the oil and are most often left inside the bottles, or If You like You can strain the oil. Wiccans repeat the procedure sometimes, adding new herbs each time and leaving the oil to sit for 28 days ( whole lunar cycle, from new to new ). Essential oils, to this type of oil can be added at any point, any time desired. Traditional Hoodoo practitioners are somewhat most fond on this type of oil making.

To keep oils made like that fresh one often adds some Benzoin or Vit E capsule to the bottles of oils. Once they are finished It’s preferable that the oils are placed in nice , clean bottles, best if dark glass ones, and kept on room or cold temperature, away from light.


And here are two more formulas , for Your convenience:

Essence of Bend over

• Licorice root
• Calamus root
• Frankincense tear
• OPTIONAL : Master root
• Bergamot essential oil [1]
For control and domination, compelling people to Your will and making them agree with You. Great for dressing Voodoo dolls and poppets. Also good to command evil spirits to go back to caster and leave one alone [2]


Angelic ( Celestial ) oil

For work with Guradian Angel, or Angels in general.

• Angelica root
• OPTIONAL: Bay Laurel leaf
• Altahea root
• Essential oil of Lavender
• Essential oil of Sandalwood
• OPTIONAL: Essential oil of Orange
• Frankincense tears
• Essential oil of Lemon [3]
Many more formulas You may find in ( the above mentioned, and quoted ) document of mine here: http://www.scribd.com/doc/58939249/Ars-olei-TEST-VERSION


NOTES: This article was composed and written by myself, so If You wish to use it elsewhere, whole or any part of it, add credits, such as Shadow of Shadows magick place , Shadow-333@hotmail.com or a direct link to this post.CREDITS AND REFERENCES:[1] Formula inspired by Cathrine Yronwode’s suggestions for ingredients for Essence of Bend over formula found here http://www.luckymojo.com/spells/recipes.html
[2] Use of Bend over as uncrossing and spirit removing agent, while not that often at West Coast of States, is very prominent practice in New Orleans, according to Denise Alvarado
[3] Addition of Essential oil of Lemon and or Orange ( sometimes Lime ) is mimicking the scent of commercial “Angelic oil” formulae, for most of them contain Lemon, and Orange, sometimes Lime as well. Lime is said by some Herbalists ( as scent ) to attract Angelic beings. According to Anna Riva, the oil is favorite of many spiritual beings, and entices protective spirits in home.
IMAGES: Photo taken by myself, Drawings are made by myself

Conjuring the Light , Hoodoo candle magick

I have written on Hoodoo candle-work before on here, but looking back on that particular article, being one of  the very first I added, I didn't feel overly satisfied with it. Which is only normal I’d say, we are all humans, we learn throughout the life, something new every day, if we really want to.
So I wanted to add more organized, and slightly more comprehensive article here

Candle magick is a very simple form of magick ,  a common exemplary type of fire magick. It’s old almost as candle itself, though it became quite more popular and employed as industrialization enabled us  the comfort of obtaining candles easily. In local stores , rather than made in our homes by ourselves, like old European folk did. In different parts of the world we have different influences to thank, for that.  In Eastern Europe, folk in remote mountain areas, rarely had candles, and when they had them, they were precious items used for illumination rather than for magick. Not to mention the colors of the candle lol They were either dark grey , made from animal fat, and they stank like …well smth bad , or the cunning folk would buy orange-brown-ish or yellow  pure  beeswax candles readily available in Church. Cunning folk would buy the candles, normally used to light for the dead, or for “health” of the living,  in Orthodox or  Catholic Christian churches, and use them for craft.

In Hoodoo, across the States , people commonly use candles in there rites, for prayers and laying tricks as well. [1] They became readily available during the 19th century, and their use in Conjure community was suggested ,  popularized even , by Henric Gamache’s and his  work “Master book of Candle-Burning” a thin, paper bound, but highly informative pamphlet ( published in 1940.originally ) though candle burning as Roman Catholic practice and it’s consequent inclusion in Voodoo-Hoodoo syncretism rituals and ceremonies, certainly played  important role. It’s suggested that such candle burning ceremonies had first started in New Orleans, at St. Anne’s Street, and thatr they were run by mysterious ( and at the time notorious ) Mamzell’e Leveaux

What is the role of  a candle in a magick ritual ? Multiple purposes candles serve; they act as spirit and power beacons, as well as focus tool and adjunct to power, for they posses qualities of fire, such as fierce force etc. Today, in modern occultism, inspired by old grimoires we attribute more power to candles depending on their color and shape ( image candles ) as well as burning time.

Types of candles

We differentiate many, depending on size and burning time for start, like chime candles, offertory candles, pillar candles, votive candles , tea lights/candles etc.
Image candles are candles shaped/molded/poure d to symbolize specific aspect or image and as such find use in specific spells, or spiritual works. Let’s mention some

Cross candle – Shaped like cross, coming in different colors are used for doing spiritual work, blessing , uncrossing and healing ( blue and white most often ) or doing harm ( black cross candles )

Some variations in forms appear, such as “Master key Crucifix candle” and “Lucky clover Crucifix candle” white used for blessing, black for mastery , conjure work and crossing, orange for positive changes and Road opening, brown for Court cases, red for love and green for money.

Skull candle – candle molded in form of a human skull , for clarity work , mind uncrossing and blessing ( white, pale blue ) domination and mastery , mind swaying ( purple , red or black ) and crossing and causing intranquility or to have luck in gambling ( black )

Male or Female figural candles – used to represent certain person in spellwork, like effigies in a way . Depening on color, these are  most often used in blessing, uncrossing and healing ( white ) causing lust ( pink, sometimes red ) contacting someone who’s fare away ( yellow if available ) domination ( purple, orange if available ) and crossing ( black ) . They come usually in two forms,

- naked male and female , so called “Adam” and “Eve” candles used mostly in love, marriage and lust work, and
- cloaked male and female, often referred as “Gentleman” and “Lady” used for any office, career or job related workings, as well as to influence or dominate someone

Male and female candles, other than in separate forms, as mentioned above, come in shapes where both are present, together. A simple example is “Bride and Groom” candle, used in marriage work, “Lovers” representing nude couple embracing each other,  is a type of candle, used in lust work or to attract a new lover ( red, pink , white ), and “Divorce candle” showing  man and women back to back,  with one wick set between their backs,   is used in separation and divorce spells, often coming in   black or red.

Black cat candle – is a candle shaped as cat, usually dark green or black, used in gambling luck, or money issues, also sometimes in Court work.

Seven day knob candles – also called Seven day wishing candle s are c andles that appear as if  knobbed,  divided in seven sections,  each designed to be burnt for one day, all together seven days, while praying for result. Those  can come in one color or each knob/section/part can have different color, for different wishes.

Coiled snake – Control, bind, increase spiritual awareness

De*il – for crossing and causing harm, contacting demons and sending them on/ after one

Pyramid candle – Pyramid shaped candles, sometimes with an eye inscribed ( in which case called “pyramid and Eye” ) candles , used for drawing some sort of energy, most often green- money , pale blue –healing, and purple –spiritual power, divination.

Baphomet – shaped in form of Sabbatic Goat, red for causing lust, black for worship or evil forces

Angelic influence – Candle depicting and Angel , often in pale celestial-blue, or white, for work with angelic forces, blessings, healing and guidance. Sometimes pale celestial-blue pillar candles are sold under the same name, and can be used interchangeably.

As we have seen, color symbolism is considered even in case of  the image candles, and when we speak of common ( not image ) candles color symbolism is even more important. So let’s go through basic correspondences of candles and colors , like Hoodoo teaches us:


· White – Purity, Uncrossing, Spiritual work and cleansing, Power, Prayer, Healing, Blessings, also sometimes in Tranquility work, as well as good general offering candle or to honor deities such as St Barbara, Obatala etc.
· Blue – Healing, Peace, Harmony , Good intentions, Spiritual work, work with Celestial forces
· Red – Love spells, Drawing spell, Bodily or other power ,Lust, Protection
· Green – Money, Gambling, Good job, Good crops
· Yellow – Devotion , Success, Youth and longevity work, Clearing the air
· Orange – Creating opportunities, Road opening, Prophetic dreams, Repelling or influencing Law
· Brown – Court work and Justice spells, Neutral spells
· Gold – Solar works, Success, Riches , Fortune, Luck
· Black – Doing evil or repelling evil, Gambling luck, Uncrossing, Reversal work, Dark arts type of Spiritual work, Contacting spirits, demons and necromantic work
· Pink – Lust, Bodily desire, Romance, Love
· Silver - Lunar works , Intuition, Divination, Petitioner’s candle
· Purple - Control and domination, mastery, Occult power and Guidance, Precognitive dreams, Power spells , work with Deities such as St. Cypriano ect

Other than single-color candles in spells, many times we use two/double , or sometimes even three color candles, frequently halves or thirds dyed in different colors. Sometimes candle may appear single color from outside but comes with a colored wax “core” inside, like Reversible candles. Let’s mention few most commonly sold ( and used ) 

· Double action white and black – Returning evil to sender, Uncrossing and Blessing at same time
· Double action red and black – Removing love crossings ( and drawing love )
· Double action green and black – Removing money crossings ( and drawing money   )
· Triple action – often coming in all sort of various colors though Black, white and orange is common and universal for uncrossing, Road opening and Blessing. In my humble opinion they are unpractical and unnecessary
· Reversible – Black wax outside, red wax inside, used to reverse evil back to sender, especially handy when the enemy is unknown,  these  are very powerful and give  fast results

Candles are also burnt, If instructed so, for specific periods of time ( for example 3 days period, 7 day s period or other ) so we have to chose our candles taking this criteria in consideration as well. Chime candles and tea light are suitable If needed only while ritual lasts, meaning one time  use only. They are also quite  nifty to burn while taking spiritual baths. Offertory ( common household, table candles ) and pillar candles are more suitable for longer , repeated rituals that may require extinguishing and relighting the candles, though when the ritual calls for seven days  , we are suggested to use Seven day , or Seven knob candles.
In Hoodoo, Conjure and Creole Voodoo ( as well as in similar systems such as Palo, Santeria or even Kimbalad a ) glass encased candles are very popular. These are either “fixed” ( dressed and powdered ) candles made for specific magickal aim in glass vials, or devotional candles to certain deities such as Saints or Loa ( or Lwa ) in which case , they usually come along with Saint prints and novenas and prayers on back, also glass encased of course .In the latter case they are also called Novena candles and can also be found sold in Christian Churches or Church store/s .

Fixin’ da’ candle

“Fixing the candle” is a practice, indigenous to Hoodoo and Conjure, that calls for dressing candles with oil and rolling them in powdered or crumbled herbs, or simply dusting anointed candles with powders.
Instead of such method of “fixing”, oil and herbs/powders can be added to wax while pouring the candle, or small holes can be made into candles,  and filled with oils and herbs/powders. This is usually done with sharp heated metal tool , such as needles, and is mostly  suggested  method when “fixing”  glass encased candles, vigils, novenas, and sometimes large pillar candles.
When dressing/anointing the candles, it’s customary to use condition oils that suit the aim of candle, and sometimes even color, though in my humble opinion, oil – candle color correspondence is silly. Normally , we dress candle from top to bottom when we wish to draw something to us, or from bottom to top if we wish to banish, repel or reverse something. Individual methods that follow this general guidelines can be adopted, such as dressing candle from ends to middle to draw something, or from middle to ends for opposite effect. Some people twist them as they do. Some dress in falling or ascending spiral as well.
Candle can be rolled in dry herbs or powdered liberally afterwards with sachet powders and there is no specific rule  about how this should be done. I would simply spread some dry herbs on some wax paper or plastic wrap, and roll , previously anointed candle in it. In case of powder I might use same method or I might blow powder at candle, sometimes in odd number of “blows” , that could correspond to  the aim  of the ritual or spell.

Double action candle “butting” and dressing

Double action candles serve, as the name  indicate s  two goals, they usually end, or banish something bad, such a scrossed condition, while at the same time drawing something good, like Blessings for example. When used in such manner, they are often “Butted” which would mean, their bottom part wick carved out, so it can be lit, thus becoming the new "top" part. Which of course means the candle is inverted in the proces.   They are also  commonly laid on plate horizontally, though previously dressed, both wicks being lit afterwards. They are not commonly dusted, though this can be done as well. If burned vertically, white tip is cut, black butted and candle burnt upiside down, so the black part would burn first.







Candle spell examples

Prophetic dream candle spell

Get a purple candle and dress with some oil such as “Vision”, or “Aunt Sally’s dream” and roll in Anise seed , or /and Flax seed, or powder made of such. You can use sachet powder of same brand ( name ) as oils listed above too. Carve the divine name “Jah” into candle and light it.
Recite Psalm 23rd seven times, and any Prayer to Holy Ghost for inspiration or guidance. Alternatively You can say some personal prayer ( after each Psalm reading ) seeking answers such as :
“O Great , All-knowing, One True G’d, be merciful upon this servant of Yours , hear my cry and deliver me from, not knowing, Send me Your Holy Ghost to inspire me with True Knowledge and Your Angels to give me answers in my dreams. End the confusion and provide answers and guidance for those that seek You and invoke Your Name! For Your Glory is eternal ! Amen !”

Love candle

Get a red candle and dress it with “Attraction oil” , or “Look me over” or “Follow me boy/girl” oil, carve the name of those You wish to notice You, and roll it in brown sugar. Place the candle on overturned saucer, bellow which You’ve placed  charged lodestone.
Burn for nine nights saying nine times:
Like moths to flame, bee to flower, look me over, be my lover !

Money in rush candle spell

Get a pyramid shaped green candle, If You can, If not,  offertory green candle will do fine. Mix Bergamot and Basil essential oils in base oil. You may add some Patchouli essential oil If You wish. Role the candle in some Cinnamon powder. Place on overturned saucer , bellow which You’ve placed brown paper with written amount of money You need and purpose ( be modest , only what You need ) , sprinkled with brown sugar, and folded thrice towards oneself. You can carve symbols associated with money onto candle, such as Aquarius symbol, or Jupiter symbol/s
Then light the candle and pray the Psalm 23rd. You can either read the psalm 7 times, and let the candle burn itself out, or You can read Psalm seven days, once a day, leaving candle to burn all the way down on the seventh day and burring the remaining wax and paper in Your yard.

Blessing candle

Place petitioner paper with the name of person in subject bellow White, offertory candle. Dress it with Blessing oil and sprinkle with some Angelica, Basil or Flax seed. Light the candle and pray for person, using personal words of power and /or 62nd Psalm[2]. It would be very beneficial indeed , If You’d burn some Frankincense resin/s along this candle.


NOTES: This article was written and composed by myself so If You'd like to use any of it ( parts, sections, quotes or all ) give credit s ; Shadow of Shadows magick place, Shadow-333@hotmail.com , or links to this post.
REFRENCES: [1] - According to Lucky mojo website page on Candle magick www.luckymojo.com/candlemagic.html
[2] - 62nd Psalm suggested for blessing according to Godrfrey Seilig's "Secrets of Psalms"
IMAGES: Taken or drawn by myself



Many Blessings, from Shadow , and Happy Equinox :)

St Barbara of Heliopolis, Thunder and Lightning patroness

One of the Fourteen  Holy Helpers, this Miraculous Saint, is  venerated as  the patron Saint of the artillery, those that work with guns, explosive’s and those in dangerous, life threatening professions, and according to Eastern Orthodox Church, she is petitioned  for delivery against sudden death and soldiers [1]

It is said that Barbara had  lived in Syria, in the town of Heliopolis, as a daughter of wealthy pagan Disocores, who had, after the death of his wife devoted his life to his daughter, Barbara. Barbara had to live isolated, in a tower that her father had built for her, in luxury but also isolation and solitude. Experiencing the beauty of the nature from her tower windows, she started wondering about Creator, who she could not recognize  in vane Pagan idols. Barbara grew to be an extraordinary beautiful Young women, who had been refusing  all the suitors her father had chosen and brought to her. Deducting it might have been a result of her isolation, Dioscores had given her freedom of movement and socializing , with people she herself would chose. Upon arriving to the town, Barbara  had met Christian maidens who had taught her about Christianity , Creator Mundi, The Most Holy Trinity and Logos. Be it accidental or not ( G’d providence ) a priest arrived in town, introduced her to Christian mysteries even more , and baptized her.

Meanwhile Dioscores had been building a bathhouse, very luxurious and beautiful, with two windows on the south side. Using one of her father’s absences Barbara instructed workers to make 3  windows instead, symbolizing Holy Trinity, which had aggravated her father,  ferociously ,  as soon as he had seen it, and heard from Barbara that she has chosen the True G’d over profane idols. Barbara, however stood up for her beliefs, which had only further angered her father.
In moments of rage, he had beaten up his daughter and wanted to kill her with sword, but Barbara fled and escaped by means of miraculous  appearance of opening in the rock, leading her to a safety in  the mountain , where she was protected by two shepherds.
According to some stories, it was one of the two very shepherds that had betrayed her, and as punishment, he was turned to stone. Be it how it was, St Barbara was eventually caught and beaten badly by her father, then incarcerated , and tortured daily, starved,  and put to serious physical injuries. Over the night, she would pray , and the Lord Savior would heal her wounds. Certain women, named Juliana, in sympathy with the righteous virgin, and trying to defend her has lived up to similar fate, and was imprisoned, and tortured along St. Barbara. They were both wounded, and led naked throught the city peoples derision, but because of St. Barbara’s prayers they were eventually covered by splendid robe, which was  an act of Angelic intervention.

Dioscores finally decapitated St. Barbara and Martian soldiers decapitated Juliana. Soon , however, the wrath of the One True Righteous G’s  had befallen  on them, and they were both ( Disocores, and Martian, the city perfect ) struck down by the lightning. According to one version, the lightning had hit them on their way to town , while other version says how lightning had hit them in their residences/house.

St Barbara is often depicted in red and white clothes, holding chalice or miniature model of fortress she was imprissioned in. Sometimes the fortress is seen in background as well. The Sky above the Saint is often gloomy with indications of possible thunders. In Orthodox Christian iconography, her image is sometimes surrounded by smaller pictures depicting scenes from certain periods of her life.


The Cult of Saint Barbara in/among Balkan peninsula folk

St Barbara enjoys great reverence among Balkan peninsula folk, that almost borders with a "cult| ( much like some other Saints in this part of the world, such as Saint John, or Saint Cosmas and Damian ) , which exhibits great collection of beliefs and folk rites.
In Christianized areas ( most ) of Balkan peninsula, folk will not work heavy-duty jobs ( mostly reffering to physical country chores, like cattle work, mowing, wood cutting etc ) on this day, furthermore, women usually do not sew on this day. Instead women will cook up a specific meal , commonly called ( in Southern Slavic Language group ) “Varica”* . The meal is fairly simple, it’s made from  cooked  cereals of all sort, with an optional addition of Pumpkin or Sunflower seeds, and often addition of chopped fruit , Anise seed and/or honey to savor it, and make more pleasant. While cooking this meal, women must not utter a single word, it is done in pure silence. No additional water, or other ingredient was added after the meal was placed to be cooked on fire. Salt, for some ( to me unfamiliar ) reason was strictly prohibited as ingredient    of/in  this meal. When finished, the meal was served to all the household members,   each taking  at least a spoon, for it symbolized abundance and health, as well as honor to the Saint. Remaining would often be given to cattle.
According to old , Julian calendar, this Saint’s feast day in Orthodox Christian churches of Balkan peninsula is 17th of December, according to Church calendar 4th . Incidentally or not , 17th/18th December was the beginning day, for a seven day spiritual initiation/ journey  session in Balkan peninsula folk magick. Those folk ,  who wished  to become skilled in spiritual work, would “starting of ( St. ) Barbara’s day”  study the “art” for six days devotedly and on the sevenths day, would , sort of , become initiated, receiving to each person unique omen that they’ve succeed. The Seventh day (Initiation day ) of spiritual journey, would often fall on Equinox, again incidentally or not  [2]
This Saint is often petitioned by folk of Eastern Europe , when they believe they might be threatened by sudden or violent death. They would light a beeswax candle, obtained from church, though in modern day white or red candle are common choice as well, and would say following prayer, which is a troparion essentially [3] :

“Let us praise holy Barbara who has broken the snares of the enemy. By the help of the weapon of the Cross, she has escaped as a bird and flown Godwards.!”

Troparion, tone 4th

Hoodoo and Conjure

In Hoodoo St Barbra is patron Saint of  soldiers, mine workers, firefighters , prisoners, stone masons, or any other life threatening profession. In New Orleans Voodoo-Hoodoo, and Creole Voodoo, it’s syncretized with loa Chango, one of the Seven African powers and St. Barbara image is used to depict it sometimes.
In Syria, Lebanon and Palestine , much like in Balkanic countries, she is offered with White Barley, pomegranate seeds , sweetened with raisins, sugar and anise. [4]

- Plants associated with Saint Barbara include; Anise, Feverfew, Life everlasting and other than some of those, sugar can be added to her devotional oil.

- Colors associated with her are red and white , so should candles be , though they come in all sort of colors from certain suppliers :/
Prayers and novenas to St. Barbara are many, but here are just few

Prayer in Honor of St. Barbara

O God, Who didst adorn Thy holy virgin and martyr Barbara with extraordinary fortitude in the confession of the Faith, and didst console her in the most atrocious torments; grant us through her intercession perseverance in the fulfilment of Thy law and the grace of being fortified before our end with the holy sacraments, and of a happy death. Through Christ our Lord. Amen

Invocation of St. Barbara

Intrepid virgin and martyr, St. Barbara, through thy intercession come to my aid in all needs of my soul. Obtain for me the grace to be preserved from a sudden and unprovided death; assist me in my agony, when my senses are benumbed and I am in the throes of death. Then, O powerful patroness of the dying, come to my aid! Repel from me all the assaults and temptations of the evil one, and obtain for me the grace to receive before death the holy sacraments, that I breathe forth my soul confirmed in faith, hope, and charity, and be worthy to enter eternal glory. Amen [5]

NOTES: This article was composed and editeb by myself, so If You would like ti use it elswehere, provide the credits, such as Shadow of Shadow's magick place, Shadow-333@hotmail.com or direct link to this post.
CREIDTS : and reffrence
[1] as said here www.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fourteen_Holy_Helpers
[2] According to folkloric writings of Jasna Jojic Pavlovski[3] such belif might be based on Savior’s promise. Many pious Orthodox Christians are in the habit of chanting the troparion of St. Barbara each day, recalling the Savior's promise to her that those who remembered her and her sufferings would be preserved from a sudden, unexpected death, and would not depart this life without benefit of the Holy Mysteries of Christ  according to Orthowx wiki webpage on St Barbara, the troparion to St Barbara tone 4th mentioned above is from the same source, used here for educational purposes , without any ill will
[4] according to : http://www.luckymojo.com/saintbarbara.html
[5] Invocation and novena are from, posted for educative purposes here, with no ill will www.catholicharboroffaithandmorals.com/St.%20Barbara.html
explanation : as marked with * in text --> * varica - a noun in Serbian language from verb "variti" meaning "to brew" , hence the noun could somewhat tranlaste to "brewage" even though it does not reffer to a drink
IMAGES: Saint Barbara images used came from : saints.sqpn.com and http://www.holydormition.com/HolyDormition/images/245_0035133011_Barbara-The-Great-Martyr.jpg used for illustrative purposes only, without ill will

Thirthenth Conjuration , Hoodoo and power of No. 13

I am certain that most of You are familiar, with what I must call urban, popularized superstition ( in worst sense of the word ) regarding number 13. Popularized by Hollywood, and consequently repeated, reposted online over and over, spread in other methods , number 13 has become epitome of bad luck. Truth be told 13 as any number has it’s proprietary good and evil/bad aspect and qualities. Yes, number 13 had been occurring mystically throughout the history, tied to some catastrophes, battle encounters, and all sort of noxious events , but number 13 was also related to many good events and symbols.

There were 12 apostles, plus Lord Jesus Christ as their Teacher and Guide. Allegedly the round table had 12 knights and King Arthur presiding ( once again sums to thirteen ) over them. There are 13 steps in pyramid entrance, 13 Lunar cycles in one Solar year, there are 13 major joints in human body etc.

The very number does seem to possess extremely strong energy, which like  fire,  if unattended and neglected can harm and destroy, and whe n  employed knowledgably and respectively can act as counter-measure to such “unlucky” qualities, much like homeopathic principle. And similar conception is spawned and nourished by Hoodoo magick, where number 13 is employed to either cross, owerpower or turn bad luck to good one, or uncross. Seems like the Indigenous Hoodoo people, originally slaves of African American ( and prior to them according to some anthropological sources, also Native American slaves ) being resistant and determined to keep their heritage alive, despite the persecution and maltreatment, have used their will power to overcome and conquer those or that oppressing them. Simillar could had been with the unlucky power of number 13. Cunning Voodoo-Hoodoo folk were not having that, instead they might have employed the cruel and aggressive power of the number against itself and many other evils. Hence, the 13 herb Uncrossing bath and 13 Lucky oil formulas emerged, victoriously showing prevalence of knowledge and faith, over something innately and superficially seen as bad.

Thirteen herb uncrossing bath

This bath could be seen as one of the trademarks of Hoodoo  spiritual bathing magick , alongside popular formulas such as 7 herb and 9 herb bath. It’s usually  composed only of dry herbal material , and contains always exactly 13 ingredients. Which means 13 botanicals reputed to uncross , put end to crossed conditions, cleanse, exorcise or otherwise remove evil influence are combined into herbal blend and used to make bath, poured over afflicted or added to tab water and immersed body.
Sometimes it’s poured over the head 13 times, or the body is immersed 13 times , while speaking soothing words of power ( such as Psalms , Prayers ) , and in case of strong, long lasting conditions this practice is repeated for 13 days of descent/ wanning Moon. This  of course does not imply that 13 herb bath must always be taken for 13 consecutive days.
So any 13 apotropaic herbs go, and here is an example of formula

• Hyssop
• Wood betony
• Blessed Thistle
• Angelica root
• Rosemary
• Bay Laurel
• Rue
• Blessed Thistle
• Sage
• White Clover
• Blackberry leaves
• Basil
• Lemon slices

You could of course use whatever Herbs You have on hand, as long as they remove negative influences. Meaning You can also use: Wahoo bark, Coffee husks, Boldo leaves, Frankincense tears, Mimosa flowers , Cayenne pepper, Black pepper , Hydragenea bark, Mugwort, St John’s wart , Nettles , Eucalyptus, Lemongrass, Pine etc.

Lucky thirteen ( 13 ) oil

Thi s is a condition oil containing 13 ;lucky ingredients, which are not necessarily only herbal ingredients/agents, soaked or emulated ( in case of essential oils ) into base oil. Now, most of commercially sold vials of this oil may appear skimmed of ingredients, showing few pieces of solid material ( or not at all ) in vials. This is due to fact many suppliers will simply combine 13 lucky oils, though that could also mean you can get tricked to believe so, and could be purchasing but a bottle of scented olive or almond oil. This “brand” is extremely popular among hazard game players, lottery players and other so called “crap games” but it can be used whenever luck is needed. Furthermore, it serves to bring luck and success, and to turn misfortune into fortune, unlucky conditions into the lucky ones. Like with 13 herb bath, any thirteen lucky ingredients will do, but here is an example


• Dragon’s blood resin chunk, small one
• Vanilla essential oil or bean husk
• Nutmeg
• Cinnamon
• Patchouli leaves or essential oil
• Five fingers grass leaf
• High John TC root
• Black cat hair
• Four leaf clover ( can substitute with Fool’s gold or Lodestone )
• Irish moss
• Citronella essential oil
• Vertiver essential oil
• Bergamot essential oil

Now that is a powerful formula, based on traditional New Orleans luck formulas, lucky curios and doctrine of signatures of lucky botanicals. Again, other lucky items could be used to substitute some of the above.

Both formulas are mine own proprietary, and I shared them for Your personal use and convenience, so please do not repost online, or in any other media, without previous approval from my minority. Otherwise, enjoy and let the “roots works for You, while You work them” as I have a habbit of saying ;) Many blessings !

Blessings, Shadow

NOTES: This article was written and composed by myself. Should You desire to use it elswhere, feel free but give credits Shadow of Shadows magick place, or Shadow-333@hotmaail.com or direct link to this post.
IMAGE : Pic was from Microsoft Office clip art collection and is edited by me. Used only to illustrate , without an y ill will

Sweeping power of the broom

Broom, as well as particular parts of it, have always been respected or even feared off. It’s rather hard to pin point when exactly, did the beliefs in supernatural qualities and attributes of broom began. Besoms, as earliest forms of brooms have been used since ancient Egypt, and even earlier than that. As a simple cleaning utility tool, it’s probably very much older. For getting It’s “official” place in magick , we can probably thank to Celts, who used to make brooms from ash, birch and willow ( that was used to hold the “bristles” of the broom together ). In Balkan peninsula magick, and according to cnning folk, they seem to date back as long as people can remember. Similar is in European traditional witchery, brooms are said to be as old as the population of the continent. The most commonly used plant for household brooms comes from Africa ( look Sorghum bellow in the text ) hence African people and Sub Saharan Africans always knew of it’s powerful properties, being a source of molasses, used as offering to certain Loa [1]

Regardless, their prominence and time lasting are evident even now, followed by fear inspired by fantasies of popular culture, commercialism and fearful ( not to use shallow ) minds. Superstitions and beliefs associated with the broom, as well as it’s role in the esotery seem to be cosmopolite, widely spread all across the globe.

While brooms, in occultism can be used by anyone, among folk and old, traditional witchery they are considered mostly to be female tool or witch attribute, though male have been known to use them. While in mundane every day sense, we differ the handle and the bristles, in occultism when we say broom or broomstick we are generally addressing to the whole thing. Further differences should be noted, while besom in every day sense is seen as “simple broom”, twigs tied up together, in occult sense, besom is synonymous with the broom, even more popular word to be used in New age witchery. Brooms are made from so many different materials, depending on tradition or even some more specific purposes of the broom. Most commonly , brooms sold are made from Sorghum plant ( few species included ) most often Sorghum vulgare, also known as Broomcorn, these are the common household brooms we can purchase almost everywhere, usually with dustpan s. While the contemporary author of respected witchcraft and Wicca related books will claim how by no means can mundane and magickal broom be mixed, there are simply no anthropological, folkloric nor historical inputs or records to support such claims. See, magickal use of broom is much older than Neo-paganism or Wicca, that advocate and perpetuate such claims. Cunning folk that used brooms all over Europe, usually had no means to get more than one broom, nor they have seen the need to. Though in some cases broom had to be ritually made if You were to use it for magick as well. Which is the case in Balkan peninsula traditional witchery.

Here, brooms were ( and in some places still are ) made by something that seems as community folk ritual, and participants are older women, usually older than 50 years. In the morning of the 7th of july they are out in the fields to gather “Field brooms” ( Xeranthemum annuum ) , which they are supposed to do naked and with their hair loose. What we would call skyclad now , really :) lol. Then they would knit the brooms out of the gathered plant material, tying it together with red yarn ( most often other colors have been used occasionally ) and left on Sun to dry and become of gold-yellow color. If the handle was made, which was not obligatory on Balkan , it was usually made out of the Birch wood. Broom was in Balkan traditional witchery considered to be sacred and magickal on itself, hence no other consecration or blessings were needed, as long as the broom was made ritually.

Young female practitioners in Balkan would also use Birch besoms, in work with fae folk , and there seemed to be another kind of magickal broom made out of Oakwood, used for initiation of younger witches by old ones. Those two types were used for magickal purposes only [2]

For Hoodoos and Conjurers, the broom as magickal as it is. It needs no consecration or special rites to bless it, although it can be done if needed. Same broom used for household cleansing is used for spiritual cleansing. Furthermore, both concepts of cleaning are often done at same time, in Hoodoo households. If You ask me, it’s decent, practical and justified magickal method, modus operandi If You would.

Practical advices and superstitions related to the broom


• When purchasing a new broom , You may, even nowadays be advised not to sweep dirt from house with it, before the broom has swep t something in . In connection to that belief, it is advisory to newer clean outdoors, unless You’ve previously cleansed indoors, with one ( same ) broom
• Old rhyme from England suggests that If You buy broom in May You may chase Your friends away
• Brooms are associated with fertility, African people jump over it on their weddings [3] and If an African man would get be struck with one, he would better hit the handle seven times, to prevent impotence.
• Intentional stepping over the broom, however, seems benefactor-y, especially should You be oppressed by unfriendly ghosts, haints or evil spirits. Whitches say how noxious spirits fear even the very sight of broom, and that sweeping outwards , barely touching the ground or just above it, banishes them and sends them away.
• Likewise, broom across, or in front of doorway will prevent evil from entering the house, so will placed on ground, before Your bed, but should never be leaned on the very bed. If leaned on the wall inwards, near the entrance of the house or room, it will warn of hostile presence or upcoming visit by falling
• 9627. "If someone comes and you don't want them to come back, put salt and black pepper on the carpet. When they leave, take a broom and sweep it out the door, and they will not come back." [4]
• Similar method is employed to inspire unpleasant visitor to leave, by putting the broom behind the door so that the handle is directed towards them, pointin’ in their direction. They will soon become uncomfortable and leave
• Broom is ridden by witches, so say folk. Well yes and no. Physical brooms , nope, but their astral bodies ( yes broom seem to have astral bodies as well ) were ridden by ethereal bodies of witches, so they could fly, and o through chimneys ( less evident ) for ethereal body is not so transcendental as astral, more dense and more hard to move, certainly not through solid matter. The broom was playing the role of “carrier” , and according to some author this is why witches were believed to fly the brooms. Of course handles ( of the broom ) were greased with Flying ointments of all kinds, and “ridden” so that they would be near the body openings, hence the skin and mucosal would easily come in contact with alkaloids [5]

Broom straws and Hoodoo spells to repel nightmares and cure asthma and warts


To cure heal a child from asthma , Hoodoo people would cut the broom so it’s as long as child is tall, then they would bury it under the front doorstep. As the child would grow “taller than the cut broom” the asthma would disappear

Burned broomstraw, is believed to be efficient in removing warts by drawing circle , with its charre d end around the wart. This is done for three consecutive mornings. Source of the aforementioned also suggests ; In removing a wart, rub it thrice with three broomstraws and bury them where water drips [6]

To dispel nightmares, some people use Rosemary and Broom straws from the new broom, tied to a make bundle, and aperse the Holy water thrice over room and bed where they sleep saying ; “In Nomine Pater, Fillii et Spiritus Sancti. Amen!”

Broom straws are in Hoodoo often used in jars against witches, or are placed before bed ( where You legs are ) or under pillow, nine of them broom straws from a new broom , to prevent nightly visitations of wicked spirits and hag riding .

Hope You enjoyed the read, Blessings
Shadow :)

NOTES: This article was composed and written by me, therefore should You desire to use any parts of it elsewhere feel free, but add credits, Shadow of Shadows magick place, Shadow-333@hotmail.com or a direct link to this post.
CREDITS:
[1] and [3] according to Stephanie Rose Bird, author of “Sticks, stones, roots and bones”
[2] and [5] according to Radomir Ristic, author of “Traditional Balkan witchcraft” , in the mentioned book he presents the theory of astral broom being used to uplift non –physical body during projection
[4] and [6] adopted and edited from “Folklore from Adam’s county Illinois”, by Harry Middleton Hyatt
IMAGE CREDITS: FIrst image is from www.wikipedia.com and is part of Francisko Goya's work "Caprichos", which is aviailable in public domain

All Hallow's eve, when the veil is thin 2

Ideas and spells


When All Hallows eve approaches, the Autumn is already well settled in, the days are shorter and nights darker. For most of the population this time is associated with popularized and commercialized festivities, dressing up and scary movie marathons on TV, seen in dark but warm and cozy atmosphere with a lot of candies at hand.
But do some people know better ? Which people ? Ah yes, witch people  indeed . Occult community is rarely bothered with such profane celebrations, because they understand the true meaning behind this gloomy but powerful holiday.
For witch, occultist or any other magick practitioner, this is time of both action and introspection. Time to embrace the darker aspect of oneself to draw power and learn from it. To “ride the broom” metaphorically and ( why not ) astraly  Well now, on the historical background and symbolism of the Holliday as well as correspondences I have written some time ago here http://shadowsmagickplace.blogspot.com/2010/10/all-hallows-eve-night-when-veil-is-thin.html


And here are few ideas You could do Yourself, with just a bit of effort and time, to celebrate this time of power when the veil between the worlds is so very thin and “anything” is possible. Ideas may seem “different” than commonly suggested necromantic spells , divinations and spirit honoring ( of which I wrote in previously mentioned post, above given link ) as they encompass not so typical goals for this particular time of year . However this is a time when one can tap to great sources of magickal power, so why limit oneself , be creative , Carpe diem 

Green pumpkin spell

This is a rather nifty and according to broad experience very powerful prosperity spell employing pumpkins

Into a a carved, prepared pumpkin, with candle lit, place a square piece of fabric in which You have previously placed pine needles, lavender leafs , Saffron roots, and few crystals of sea salt. Fabric must be green, herbs placed inside like in sachet ( sew or paste if You need ), and is placed inside pumpkins mouths. I suppose that symbolizes “feeding the spirits” . Then through the “eyes and nose” of the pumpkin a single silver coin is passed into pumpkin, through each, meaning three altogether, two eyes opening and one nose. Now the spell source said how the spell is middle- aged, hence I would suppose silver coins where a every-day common thing at the time. I suppose we could use our volute nowadays. Through the pumpkin openings also add one silver and one gold piece of thread or yarn with ten knots previously knotted. Source further notes how the spell brings financial increase in few days or less. [1]

You could do something similar, place a green candle in pumpkin and freely add some sesame seed, rice and perhaps some corn, pine needles and patchouli or basil leafs as You speak some soothing incantation

“I honor the spirits in this Sacred night
Thirst and hunger may be quenched
So they’ll put misfortune to flight
And bring to me/us some needed wealth ! “

The symbolisms should be clear here, seeds used represent prosperity and food , given to spirits to honor and appease them in hope they’ll do same for us

Power pumpkin spell

Carve some symbol, like pentacle on pumpkin instead of commonly seen faces. Place inside a purple candle, some Solomon seal roots or Sandalwood chips, Indigo powder , or some Echinacea root and add some Mullein leaves and Lavender or Rosemary. Light two more white candles next to the pumpkin so that they form a triangle with one inside. Place Opal, or Onyx stone inside the pumpkin, near the candle base.

If You have , dress candles with some appropriate oil, such as "Master key" or "Power oil" or "Black arts even" , though that’s optional. Light that purple candle inside the pumpkin and chant seven times :

When veils between the worlds are thin,
And spirits walk among the living
We embrace dark/shadow outside and within
Seeking the power ever growing
Old ones , Once before me
I Invoke You, Aid me
In my quests, Spirits, bless me
And with power, gift me !
And by the power of the Three
As I wish, so mote it be !

Let the candles burn themselves out. Some of the remaining wax from the pumpkin candle, white candles and herbs and roots from pumpkin place in some nice, new indigo or purple pouch bag, along with that crystal You used. Carry or employ in rituals for extra power. Replace each year, burring or burning the last year’s contents, all but stone which You may use again.

All Hallows eve second sight potion

Wiccans and witches commonly ritually consume ( drink ) Absinthe , also called “Green Fairy”, on this day. However Absinthe is very strong , and has large percent of both alchohol and psychoactive alkaloids, hence it’s not suitable for minors or those that cannot really handle alcohol. Also If You simply desire to attain divinatory prolific effect of it, but not the intoxicating effect ( lol ) try this potion instead:
• Teaspoon of chopped, dry dandelion roots
• Teaspoon of Mugwort, herb, dry
• Teaspoon of Yarrow flowers
• Very nice pinch of Cinnamon
• Few rose petals or Wild rose buds OPTIONAL
Pour a cup of boiling spring water over the herbs and cover for 13 minutes. Afterwards, stir thirteen times, strain, sweeten with honey If You wish, and drink.
One could add some chopped apple ( “fruit of knowledge” ) or peeled and grinded Ginger rhizome ( power enhancing ) to make the taste more “seasonal” and appealing.

If You can, light some candles for all that died in all sort of catastrophes and calamities last year, and for those burnt at stakes long time ago, as well as for dear and familiar spirits. Also do not forget to light protective candles, and deploy shielding charms all around and in Your dwelling, and carry with oneself, for on All Hallows eve even malevolent spirits get tht desire to “socialize” and are more pestiferous that the rest of the year. It’s also a good time to vanquish something negative , and to send it away, and as suggested above get some money coming ( which I always seem to lack :D ) and finally
Many Blessings and stay safe :)
Shadow !

NOTES: This post ( article ) was written and composed by myself, hence If You want to use it elsewhere, feel free, but add credits Shadow of Shadows magick place, Shadow-333@hotmail.com or direct link to this post. All spells, except the first green pupkin spell, were written by myself
CREDITS : [1] Spell was translated, adapted and edited by myself, from the original found in loacal ( where I live ) Occult magazine "Bakini recepti za srecu" ( lit. "Granny's recipes for luck ) NO 1. October 2011th, used for informative purposes without any ill will
IMAGE CREDITS : First image http://www.layoutsparks.com/1/168102/all-hallows-eve-night-31000.html
Second image http://www.wiccanwallpapers.com/wallpapers/all-hallows-eve-1024-x-768.jpg Used for ILLUSTRATIVE purposes only, without any ill will

FInding lost articles

In this post we will just be ( briefly ) discussing few methods of finding lost items, for there seems to be an ever-pending interest for such magick. And it’s no wonder, really, for most of people do loses something almost every day, be it just a dropped coin. As to that, apparently to find money that You might have lost all one needs to do is to “kiss a Negro” [1] rofl ;)

Hoodoo people will commonly seek aid of either Lord Himself, or St Anthony, to find lost items, usually in form of prayer. Now since it’s a method of folk magick, rather than religious praying, prayers can be made up by oneself, honestly offered anywhere, anytime and they can even appear in form of simple rhyme! Most of folk prayers to Saint Anthony for finding lost articles rhyme, and contain but few rhymes made easy to memorize and chant. It’s customary to give some sort of thanks to Lord or Saint that aided us in finding lost article.

Witches use various forms of spells, sometimes ( thought that’s rarely done ) addressing to some deities to aid them in their quest, but most frequently simply using the power of symbolism and sympathetic magick. They will often invoke aid of certain deities in restoring stolen good, and compelling theft to return them or reveal themselves ( rather cunning examples of such magick appear in Heka ) but this is another type of magick, really. Stolen articles and lost articles, though each absent from us are not the same, and therefore are not dealt with in the same manner in occultism. In Middle ages, it was said that witches and sorcerers would lay a hand on their familiars ( most often cats and birds were used for this ) and would spoke some incantation that would ask the aid of animal to help them find what they have lost. The animal would then either guide them, or would occasionally even bring back the lost article.

Another frequent method used to help finding lost items is seek of guidance through
dream incubation. Invoking aid of St. Anthony is a simple example of guidance seeking. Dream incubation might include anything from inspiring prophetic dreams or visions of lost items in dreams, to asking from guidance from Higher sources in dreams.
The best time for such magick, is really anytime, for time correspondences in such cases is often a luxury one simply cannot afford, and the urgency of finding what’s lost takes precedence. If You can however, perform magick for finding lost articles in Mercury correspondent day, hours or in time of full Moon, or in Midday. Also any days and hours good for general divination will work here as well .
Now let’s go through a few simple example, for this is, as I often stress out a “practical” blog :)

Spell to find a lost item

Take a new piece of paper, and draw as best as You are able, in all possible riches of detail, the item/s ( or even a person ) that You have lost. It’s favorable to have a light blue candle lit as You do this. Now simply wrap the paper around a lodestone ( charged ) and carry it on Your behalf and sleep on it. Alternatively, You could sprinkle some lodestone dust or brown sugar on a paper and then fold it thrice towards oneself, place in small sachet ( preferably blue or yellow ) and also carry on Your behalf and sleep on it.

Prayer/s to Saint Anthony

There is a whole host or, short rhyming folk prayers to Saint Anthony to help us find what we have lost, be it an item or a person. Sometimes they were “composed” by a single person and handled down to successors as a part of family tradition. Here are few examples:
St. Anthony, St. Anthony
Please come down
Something is lost
And can't be foundNext one comes from Chicago ;

Dear St. Anthony, I pray
Bring it back, without delay. [2]

Though You can always make up Your own, that should ( in the spirit of the tradition ) rhyme, and hence could represent, sort of Your personal way of petitioning the Saint.
For example ( my own phrasing )

St. Anthony please, help me out
Where have I lost that , to find out
Guide me and lend me clarity
Or bring the item into ( my ) proximity

Or something like that , You get the idea 

Finally, it’s wise to note here , seems that people of all traditions and roots ( origins, nationalities ) have used this ( magickal ) mean of tracking down lost stuff, be them Christians or not. It is important however that when a Saint grants Your request, You express Your gratitude ( I feel bit silly for having to point this out, but I ought to, just in case ) , and a common way of giving thanks to Saint Anthony are ex votos.
You can ask G’d, directly as described in one entry { 13161; 3rd Edition, 2002 } in anthropological Work of Henry Middletone Haytt, “Folklore in Adam County Illinois”

Scrying

Either take a piece of paper with possible locations of the item ( start with broader categories, them go on more specific one, elimination method ) or go straight forward and take a map. Light a purple candle and ask Your higher source to aid You in finding the lost item. Around the chain or cord of Your pendulum wrap the piece of paper with the description of the item, or hold ( alongside the pendulum ) any form of link to this object in Your hand. I dress the top of the crystal ( or whatever You might use as pendulum ) with “Spirit guide oil” or “Psychic vision oil”. You could use any oil associated with some specific Deity who’s help You’d like to invoke. Now simply scry ( dowse ) with the crystal as You normally would.

Guiding spell

On a piece of paper describe what You have lost on one side, and on the other, draw an All seeing eye, or AGLA symbol. Place it under glass of bowl of Blessed spring water, symbol side pointed upward.
Light Angelic Influence candle ( or any candle of nice, soothing pale blue color ) and place next to it a small glass with Blessed spring water . Place some Althaea root nearside as well, and preferably also place a piece of Quartz, or Amethyst alongside. Then chant

“Guding spirits/angels, I need Your assistance,
For I have misplaced something dear
Bless me with knowledge and clairvoyance,
And bring me to what I’ve lost, be it far or near” 3X-7X

Use just few drops of that water to dress Your third eye, and let the candle burn itself out. Wrap the paper around the crystal and sleep on this charm . In the morning pour the water outside. Carry the charm with You until You find the item. Then burn the paper, scattering ashes to the wind and giving thanks to spirits.

Dream incubation

While spell used to gain answers through dreams , not being a typical/specific “ find lost article” spell, it should be obvious how it can be constructivel y employed in such case
There are many examples throughout classical grimoires, among others perhaps that from Clavicula Solomonis, “To get answers in/through dreams"
http://www.esotericarchives.com/solomon/ksol.htm

If You have had the badfortune to misplace something, I do hope this article and ideas presented here might help : )

NOTE: This article was written and composed by myself, therefore should You desire to use any part of it elsewhere, give credits : Shadow of Shadows magick place or Shadow-333@hotmail.com or direct link to this post
CREDITS: [1] According to entry 13163 in “Folklore in Adam County Illinois” third edition, 2002th, by Harry Middletone Hyatt
[2] Source of prayers : www.luckymojo.com more precise http://www.luckymojo.com/saintanthony.html , site proprietor’s informants contributions
IMAGES source : Wikipedia, page on St Anthony http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anthony_of_Padua

Many Blessings
Shadow

Magick of "live things in You"

One of the folkloric signatures/trademarks of Hoodoo is a practice of, what we could freely call a subgenera of Conjure, causing and treating “live things in You” . Rootworkers and Conjurers alike, seem to profoundly believe that it’s possible to cause animals such as snakes , insects, lizards to live inside someone’s body by means of “magickal poisoning” . Simply put, victim is fed with animal curios or powders, most often without their knowledge, and doing so being inflicted with a specific type of crossing condition called “live things in You” or simpler “live things”. Folk of Southern States will swear they’ve witnessed animals crawling under one’s skin, of those crossed, hoodooed, or cursed unfortunate individuals. In such case, they say, orthodox medicine cannot help, so the help of the root doctor ( as opposed to medical doctor ) is sought. And the rootdoctors or conjurers shall in such case prescribe versatile methods of removing this simple condition, be them simple as spreading some lard mixed with the milk of a black cow on anus, or be them as serious as making incisions and drawing blood.

Among people of Balkan peninsula, there is a similar belief still kept alive at remote mountain villages, that certain animal curios can cause, if ingested due to neglect or simple mind-slip, infection by living smaller animals or serpents. Typical example would be drinking from sprig in which horse’s hair has recently fallen in ( naturally ) , which causes snakes to live inside drinkers body. The methods of removing such “parasites” include making noises with metal dishes and dressing someone’s body with milk of a black animal, placing egg inside their mouths to draw snakes out, all often accompanied by shouting incantations. The apparent difference between Hoodoo and Eastern European people, regardin’ these beliefs, seems to be that Eastern Europeans mostly believe that infection with live things can not be caused intentionally.

Hoodoo people seem to have “inherited” this belief from Native American Indians, for this belief is prominently present in most of the Indian tribes and different traditions. Indians have always used things as frog spawns, eggs, snake eggs, animal hair to magickaly “poison” their enemies, often causing things to live inside them. However, admitably by some of very Indian witchdoctors themselves , they would often use tricks to make it seem as this phenomenon/condition took place. For example, they would dress someone’s but cheeks with mixture of honey and some chewed- up herbs, and as they finish the chants, would cunningly release the insects , previously hidden in their hands or down their sleeves. For people it was easy to believe that those animals came from inside of the affected person’s body.

In my humble opinion, it could have been that these beliefs of small animals living in someone’s body, developed simultaneously in various parts of the world. Let’s not forget that all up to late middle ages it was ( medically ) believed that various human infections are caused by small lizards or spiders living inside patient’s blood, and that the blood drawing from neck artery was standard medical procedure as well as skull perforation.

Some folklorist believe that most of such superstitions ( related to “live things inside You” ) are merely an urban legend based on some metaphorical elements of Indian or old European superstations, fueled and perpetuated by people that see it as a good chance to earn some money out of it, or scare their children from taking alcoholic beverages from strangers and suspicious people.
On the other side, many experienced and respected conjurers attest the existence of phenomenon, just not it’s frequency, to phrase myself that way. Simply put, it happens, it’s quite nasty ( from what I’ve heard, and read ), but I’s not common at all, rather actual cases are quite rar e.

Hence, it is very important for professional spiritual worker ( one that does work for others/clients ) to know how to fight or undo such condition, and bring forth healing and peace at once, for ( should I even state the obvious ) it’s excruciating and very agonizing experience.

Dealing with the condition and removing it

Throughout the years, being keenly inquisitive about the condition, I’ve encountered many methods of removing live things from someone. While very versatile, those methods , they all seem to have one common goal, expelling the live things out. So perhaps instead of uncrossing, such methods could be seen as exorcism methods ( in occult sense of the word, not religious ! ) even though they are still apotropaic methods nevertheless.

Rootworkers most commonly use roots fort this ( what a surprise  lol ) often in combination with some method of making person throw up, or drawing their blood. Sometimes, potions are given for victims to ingest, which have emetic properties, be it in magickal or medicinal sense of the word.

For example, there a method combining roots and blood drawing described in entry in Haytt’s “Folklore in Adam County, Illinois” where a man was inflicted with a living lizard and beetle in his arm. Conjure doctor tied a piece of cord, very firmly, around his arm, chewed up “some root” and spit it out in bottle. Then the root doctor drawn the blood from man’s arm, by making incision on it, then collected it in the same bottle, where he had previously spat up the roots. The members of the afflicted man’s family were strongly suggested not to inspect the content of the bottle until the root doctor would return the next day. When the root doctor came back he showed them the contents of the bottle, just to see a lizard and beetle inside. The afflicted man had gotten well since then, according to the entry , in the mentioned work. [1]
Now the roots that rootworker used in the story could have been anything really, but most commonly used are
• Poke root
• Black cohosh and
• Galangal , known also as Small John da’ chew root, or Courtcase root, ingredient of courts case and sometimes Justo Juez and African Ju Ju oil

I would not chew the Poke root too long though  emetic , very strong as to that
Now, of course rootworker from the story could have been using something else at the time, but the metioned roots are best choices to use in removal of live things. They can be brewed into some sort of potions, alone or with other ingredient such as alum and black cohosh for example. I’ve even read of using saltpeter and olive oil in combination with certain root, and giving this to sick person to ingest. [2]
Now, as I have mentioned somewhere at the beginning of the article black cow’s milk is another ingredient commonly used , often in salves or ointments used on rectum area, and in such case live animals can be drawn out through the very mentioned area.

A Santeria friend shared with me a method, that according to them anyone can try, as it’s safe and gives very good result, especially if undertaken sooner after supposed magical “infection” with live things. What You need is
• Smaller container of consecrated water
• Black hen’s egg, and
• Broom, preferably new, or the one You use in ritual cleansing

The “patient” is prayed over, for healing, while often cross marks are made over them with broom, as the Santeria practitioner prays. He or she then rolls the black hen’s egg over the whole body of the afflicted, thoughtfully as much as the occasion allows. Some of the consecrated water is then used to sprinkle clean white sheets in which the person is wrapped in. The eggs Is then broken and the contents released into the container with the remaining water. Blood or smaller animals may appear from the egg, nevertheless the whole content is disposed of, safely, burring, burning or flushing down the toilet.

My friend that shared the method with me, noted that he learned as it as a “folk cure” , not some method we could notably call Santerian. [3]

There is a method, noted as Hoodoo, but with questionable origins and even
source [4] ( though seems Hoodoo-sih to be honest ) used for expelling any foreign substance or things from body. Supposedly even live things. The “patient” is to ingest a mixture of its own urine and salt, while themselves or some conjurer is praying over them for expelling of foreign substance or thing or whatever. Something along these lines could be used as suitable words of power , composed by myself :

“Lord Christ, You had miraculously healed many, removing their plague, or demons from them. You have saved humans from damnation , sacrificing Yourself for us. Help me Lord, I cry to You, hear my prayer and release N.N. from afflictions. Remove anything impure, wicked from N.N.’s body, and heal lord. Expel any foreign matter and influence from N.N. in whatever form they might have, and let them never return. Like You removed the Legion, like You healed the lepers , and restored the sight to blind, heal and restore to pure and healthy state N.N. once again. Have mercy upon us, weak humans, for we trust in You Lord, deliver us and save us, as You have always done! And we will praise You every day, for Your infinite love and grace towards us, eternal glory to Father ( + ), Son ( + ) and Holy spirit ( + ) Amen !!!”

Now please note that removing live things from someone , if You are to ever find oneself before such task, is very complex and with very uncertain outcome, for its serious affliction that can sometime result in fatal outcome. Spiritual workers are either trained well for such work or they might have what they call “cure hand” , meaning a gift to heal such and alike conditions, as described in one particular case here
www.southern-spirits.com/holloway-live-things.html
Courtesy of Southern Spirits website proprietor .

Please have all that in mind before trying to help someone, If You do not see Yourself competent, or If You have the slightest doubts, contact a professional rootworker

Hopefully thought, this was tad ghastly , but informative article

NOTES: This article was composed and written by myself, so If You wish to use any part of it elswhere, feel free as long as You provide credits ; Shadow of Shadows magick place, Shadow-333@hotmail.com or a direct link to this post
CREDITS: [1] " Folklore from Adam County Illinois " Harry Middletone Haytt, enetry no [2] Some recipes with Black Cohosh , Alum and other mentioned, regarding classical rootwoork can be found, detailed in "Hoodoo herb and root magic" by Catherine Yronwode, [3] Informant's contribution, thanks Serp ;) [4] source of the infromation is unclear, as the method description can be found on various places online, in public domain
IMAGES , the second image showing Black Cohosh plant is from 123rf.com, used here for illustrative purposes only , with no ill will, the first image is my own humble scrible :)

Many Blessings, Shadow !!