17 Spiritual Spells from Gypsy Witchcraft
- Hermes
- Dream Incantation
- Spell for a Peacefull Sleep
- Making Your Own Balms
- Spell for Peace
- Gain Power from the Trees
- Drive away Evil
#11 - Hermes
Gods & Goddesses
All this talk of Gods & Goddesses raises questions of sexual politics. I hope it is obvious that witches have respect for people of any gender, (the western habit of only recognizing two genders is rather limiting), but perhaps it may not be clear where we stand on sexuality. When I talk about Gods & Goddesses, their mystical marriage & sexual congress, I am speaking symbolically. This is a model to make sense of something ultimately beyond full comprehension. It does not mean that heterosexuality is the norm. The Gods & Goddesses can be as queer as any of us!
Several God & Goddess forms are particularly important to me, most especially Hekate & Mercury. I have already discussed Hekate in some detail.
Mercury, also known as Hermes,is the quicksilver messenger of the Gods. It's obvious to me the Mercury is the God of the Internet, so it feels particularly appropriate to celebrate Him here. This is the glyph (symbol) of Mercury. I recommend that you copy it onto your computer immediately! His energy is rather tricky, as the God of communication is also the Lord of Lies. You can see why I call Him 'God of the Internet'. Language is a difficult thing to hold down; it has an inherent tendency to be misunderstood. We are in the realm of the poet & the Fool now, who are both dedicated to Mercury even if they remain unaware of it.
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#12 - Dream Incantation
2. Take out your B.O.S/Dream Journal
3. Write an incantation (its kinda short spell or message)
example:
Ask Your Future:
''Guardians of the dream world I would like to see my future.
So mote it be.''
P.S. This spell is use to ask the dream world guardian to tell us what we want to know. You can ask everything like animal totem, future, guide, etc.
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#13 - Spell for a Peacefull Sleep
Light a white and pink candle, place them on your work area (kitchen table, counter top).
Crush the cloves, cardamon and salt to a fine powder.
As you are making the bags concentrate on peaceful memories and beautiful thoughts.
When you hang the bags by your bed say out loud:
"Sleep be with me Peaceful sleep Restful sleep
Let my mind be eased Let my body be calmed
Wings of darkness Let the sight of night and dream
be clear, be quiet Let my troubles drift away and let me dream."
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#14 - Making Your Own Balms
The basics of making a Balm are to extract the beneficial properties of herbs in oil, then add beeswax to harden the oil. You may also add other ingredients such as essential oils, or even flavorings in the case of making lip balms. In some recipes the process of infusing oils is skipped entirely and essential oils are used on their own with various carrier oils.
For each recipe below that does use herbs you will infuse your oil first. To learn more about infusing oils please see How to Infuse Oils. I like to leave my herbs to infuse on their own for at least one full moon cycle. Others may wish to use heat for a more rapid infusion.
Depending on the freshness and the type of herbs you are using you may wish to strain the oil and add more herbs once or twice. This is entirely up to you. I find that by using very fresh herbs in generous quantities that I do not need to do this. I also use essential oils in my balms very often, however, so you may wish to do the strain and add method if you choose to leave the essential oils out of the balm you are making.
Once your oil is ready you will melt your solid oils and any wax you are using in a pan over very low heat. Next add your infused oil and test for hardness as explained in the tips below. Cool slightly and add essential oils if you are using them. Pour into containers and label and you are all set.
Tips for Making Balms
If you intend to make your Balm using freshly collected plants, you will want to clean them first. Do this by shaking them to remove dirt then spread the herbs out to allow them to air dry for several hours (until wilted) to reduce the moisture content. Any herb that contains a lot of moisture could cause your Balm to spoil or even mold. For this reason I, myself, prefer to use dried herbs in my oil to avoid contamination and excessive moisture which may cause such spoilage.
Once you add your wax you will want to test to see if your Balm is the right consistancy. To do a simple test I dip a spoon into the mixture and set it in the freezer for a minute or two. You might also try is dipping the spoon into ice water for a few moments. If your Balm is too soft, add more beeswax and if it is too hard add a little more carrier oil.
You will want to pour your Balm into sterilized containers and label them accordingly. You may sterilize by simply washing in very hot water in the dishwasher with a detergent containing bleach or by using bleach in the rinse water if washing by hand. Air dry to avoid re-contaminating your containers and again causing premature spoilage.
Do not add any essential oils when your base oil is very very hot-it may very well destroy them in the process.
Be sure pans are non-metal such as glass or porcelin If you must use metal pans or utensils be sure they are not made of aluminum and they are not coated with a non-stick surface.
To add vitamin E, poke a hole in the capsule with a pin and squeeze out the contents. Discard the capsule.
Be careful when using some essential oils and even carrier oils. They can cause allergic reactions. For instance those who are allergic to nuts should be careful and avoid using almond oil or any other oil derived from nuts including peanut and walnut oils. Be sure when selling or giving gifts of balms to label them with all ingredients to avoid someone having a life threatening reaction.
You really should heat your oils and waxes over hot water in a double boiler.
Be very sure your containers are made for pouring hot liquids into. Many are not and there is nothing worse than spending a month making a lovely oil and getting your balm made and having your containers crack and spill it all over the counter top!
Proportions for beeswax are approximate. If you want a harder or softer balm add or subtract from your recipe accordingly.
You can also soften balm a bit by adding borax and water. The borax acts as an emulsifier and will allow the water and oil to mix rather than separate. I use 1 teaspoon of borax in 1 cup of water. Do not add the whole cup of water to your recipe! Add a few drops or a quarter teaspoon at a time at the most and then test your consistency. Keep doing this until it reaches the desired level. It will cause your balm to harden quickly so do this last.
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The information below are provided for informational purposes alone and any use of these items is done solely at the discretion and risk of the individual using them. No claims or guarantees are made as to their effectiveness or safety. If you choose to use any oil here on the skin it would be wise to first apply a small amount to the inside of your elbow and wait 24 hours to check for reactions. If you are on any pharmaceutical medications or have a serious medical condition, are pregnant or nursing, consult your health care provider before using anything that you do not normally use, including herbs and over the counter medications.
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#15 - Spell for Peace
This is a easy spell for peace helps relax and calm your soul.
Take the needle again and prick your finger.
Rub your blood all over the candle.
Then light your candle and stick it in the ground.
Then keep it there all night untill the candle is gone.
As you sleep think of the peace coming to you in the night.
Then it shall be.
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#16 - Gain Power from the Trees
Stand at the edge of a dense and dark woods, shake the branch saying these words to the ranks of the trees, that their strength may be yours;
"With oak I lead that ash may follow: Also alder,elm and willow, cedar and locust, hickory, larch, walnut, chestnut poplar, birch, beech and maple, fir and pine. All these powers- so be mine".
Then hang the oak bough over your door
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#17 - Drive away Evil
Clavus Ferreus
Malleus Ferreus
Ferrum rufulum
Ferrum Nobilis
Score the stone thrice across with the nail's point, then take the stone away and quickly bury it in the earth far from your house. The nail should afterwards be carried with you as a charm agains evil.
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