All posts tagged: magic

Summer Herbal Harvesting Tips

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Written By: Psychic AlyciaRose The July Moon is known as the Wort Moon, a peak time to gather herbs (worts) to be dried, for use in spells and natural medicines long after summer has passed, with the full moon’s energy being seen as especially potent in influencing the natural qualities of the plants. ‘Gardening by the Moon’ is still a  longtime tradition, utilizing the age-old practice that cycles of the Moon affect plant growth. You can find out more about this simply by consulting your Farmer’s Almanac for your planting zone. If you are just getting started growing and harvesting herbs, the following guidelines will help. Do visit the garden often, noticing the changes when the various herbs are at their peak. Medicinal and magickal qualities, flavor and aroma are preserved best by cutting at optimal times for their intended use. One you know how to harvest them, and how to preserve them, you can have the fresh taste of summer in your cooking all year long. Some good general guidelines to use: Harvest using …

Lavender: It’s History, Use, Lore and Magick

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Written By: Psychic AlyciaRose “And lavender, whose spikes of azure bloom shall be, ere-while, in arid bundles bound to lurk admist the labours of her loom, and crown her kerchiefs witl mickle rare perfume.” ~William Shenstone, The School Mistress 1742 Lavender is one of the most ancient aromatic herbs, used and cultivated since the beginning of recorded time. Even to modern times, lavender has been valued mostly for the virtue of its fragrance. It is a woody evergreen member of the vast mint family, originating as a native plant of the mountains of the Mediterranean region. Its cultivation and use has spread, but the most common are the English Lavenders. These hardy varieties were brought to England during the Medieval period and are mentioned in the writings of William Shakespeare. There are over 15 different species of lavender and many varieties, each with their own fragrance and color, which can vary  from deep purple, pink, to white. The name lavender has its roots from the latin “lavare’ meaning to wash. It as used in ancient …

The Magickal Language of Flowers

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Written By: Psychic AlyciaRose “There is a language, little known, Lovers claim it as their own. Its symbols smile upon the land, Wrought by nature’s wondrous hand; And in their silent beauty speak, Of life and joy, to those who seek For Love Divine and sunny hours In the language of the flowers.” –The Language of Flowers, London, 1875 Flowers are so much a part of our everyday life that they are often featured at events or holidays. Flowers are given to those we love.  They are used in everything connected with love, including bouquets on Valentine’s Day, wedding ceremonies, bridal bouquets,  and flowers in the bride’s hair. Did you know that these flowers also hold meaning? This is how the tradition of delivering bouquets began. Although it was very popular to use flower meanings as messages in the Victorian era, this old tradition of flowers having attributes is ancient – stretching back thousands of years. This old custom is now coming back, with new books being written on the subject. Although flowers have always …

How to Do a Spiritual Protection of the Home

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Written By: Psychic AlyciaRose In another article, spiritual purification for the home was covered, which is different than protection and banishing. Although purification can remove many negative influences, it likely will not do so permanently, and has to be kept up with repeat applications. Protection for the home can be more permanent in nature, and is to be done after the purifications are finished. Protections might include charms, amulets, talismans, floor washes, incense, and living plants. Rather than go into information that is more sophisticated magickally, it is easy for an average person to use herbs and other items in terms of simple folk magick. These protections might include reflecting the evil eye, setting up barriers, repelling negative energy or negating it. The following are suggestions from varying cultures and practices: Iron horseshoes They are though to be luckier when found at the side of the road, but must have been worn by a horse. Some hang them over doors with points up to contain luck to keep wealth in and poverty out, or with …

How To Do a Spiritual House Cleansing

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Written By: Psychic AlyciaRose I’ve often been asked about changing the energy in a home, and how to spiritually purify it. The trick to having a spiritually calming environment is to treat the home as a temple, a sacred place. Although this article is not about banishing spirits in a home, purification sets the stage for our environment and what we attract in our life. Peace of mind is everything, and it is the foundation of all we do. While we might not have control over our outside environment, our inside environment is something we do have control over. The first thing to do is to physically clean your home. There is no point in spiritually cleaning your house unless this is done first. If your home is attracting any natural pests, these have to be gotten rid of too. Straighten up any clutter as well. Why spiritually cleanse your home? To increase fruition, abundance, luck and to alleviate discord. This is especially important when moving into a new home. The remaining energy and residue …

Meditation for the Rose Moon

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Written By: Psychic AlyciaRose June 20th marks the Rose Full Moon of 2016. The full moon in June is also known as the Strawberry or Mead Moon, and falls this year on the cusp of the sign of Cancer, which is ruled by the Moon. The Rose is an ancient symbol of the Goddess. The rose is known as the queen of flowers, is the symbol of beauty of youth, love, joy, silence, and has long been associated with the Mysteries. I wrote the following meditation for a ritual on the Rose Moon for our temple some years ago, and will be included in my book of meditations. May it bring you love, joy and beauty. Each participant should be handed a red rose prior to the mediation.  Pick the best ones, the most lovely of the ones you can find, but not fully opened. Begin by breathing in and out, slowly and purposely, conscious of the air moving within the body. The air begins to turn white with the light of healing energy, moving in through …

Celebrating the Summer Solstice

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Written By: Psychic AlyciaRose Perhaps one of the oldest celebrated days on Mother Earth, is the Summer Solstice, when the sun is at its zenith in the sky. Celebrations can be found culturally in almost country stretching back into antiquity, its origins focus on agriculture and its cycles. Ancient astronomers used the summer and winter solstices to mark calendars, and a magical time since the sun did something it never did the rest of the year – appearing to not move. The very word solstice is from the Latin word solstitium, meaning ‘sun stands still.’ Stone circles such as Stonehenge were used to record the Sun’s travels, with one of the main events being sunrise on the day of the summer solstice. It is important to note that the Northern Hemisphere, the summer solstice occurs on June 20, 21, or 22, while in the Southern Hemisphere, the solstices are exactly the opposite, where they will celebrate the Winter Solstice at this time. The Summer Solstice this year occurs Monday, June 20, 2016 at 3:34 PM …