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Monday, April 30, 2018

Witchcraft and Cosmetics

Witchcraft and Cosmetics

A Brief Disclaimer

There is a multitude of ways to use cosmetics in glamour spells, from the color itself, to sigils, and so on. I typically use a variety of ways in conjunction when applying my makeup (and I LOVE doing my makeup). Usually, it's just to promote a particular mood for the day to enhance a certain aspect of my own personality. You can use it to make yourself more attractive for a new love or a current love, but glamour magick is so much more than just getting it on with someone else. It can be self-love, confidence inducing, making you braver, or just happy. So don't dive into this thinking that it's shallow and only on the surface.

 A Brief History of Cosmetics:

Starting in Egypt, cosmetics was first employed for sun care. They would rub oils into the skin to protect themselves from the harsh desert life. It wasn't until 4000 BCE when they started to actually apply copper, ore, and minerals to their faces for coloring and contouring. About a thousand years later, you'll find the Chinese discovering nail polish to show social status. While in Greece, they apply lead to lighten their faces and even hair to their eyebrows to make them more prominent. The Japanese also pick up their own geisha makeup, and other citizens would use rice powder for their faces and henna for their hair. (If only we all could've been this safe, right?) Come around to the AD's and Roman men invent blonde hair dye. The henna found in Japan, is also being used in India and even North Africa for decorative skin designs. During this time, perfumes are also starting to be invented in the Middle East, but won't be imported to the rest of the world until the Middle Ages due to the Crusades. In the Elizabethan Era Europe, cosmetics as a way to enhance beauty really takes off and France becomes a major perfumer. In the 1800's its found out that many of the cosmetics used contain very dangerous chemicals and so Queen Victoria declares makeup improper and only for the actors. It's not really brought back until the 1900's, when its more and more pressed upon women to look younger and more beautiful in society. In today's world, its still very much the same, however, we're taking a more interesting turn and are wanting to go back to the natural beauty. Some, literally. 

Back to the Basics:

The current trend is taking even cosmetics back to nature, which is wonderful and very witchy. We know in our practice what herbs and dyes to use to make your lips red and tinge the cheeks. While I'm all for doing it yourself, I would highly suggest from this in the makeup line unless you thoroughly research it first. However, I'm likely a biased candidate because my skin is extremely sensitive and I'd probably hurt myself making my own because I'm also very allergic to many bee products. Even the Burt's Bees chap stick is an unfortunate mishap in my hands. If you're anything like me, there are many brands that are literally taking it back to beginning, but without the lead and arsenic. I personally use and recommend Julep, who are not only all natural, but also vegan and cruelty free. They have this really awesome subscription box for only $24.99 a month, and I'm going to shamelessly plug it in here. (No I am not being asked to do so, I just am so in love with their product and want others to love it as well.) We see many of the same ingredients used in makeup, like roses and honey, used specifically in love and beauty rituals. The scents in lotions and perfumes are often used to invoke specific deities and even emotions or actions. Needless to say, witches have been doing this for centuries even while the main populace moved on, so it's nice to see a movement taking a more pagan direction. If you're interested in DIY cosmetics, I did find this pretty cool blog that gives you a bit of a heads up so you know what you're getting yourself into. You can read it here. You can ground rose petals into coconut oil and make a lovely all natural lip color that also hydrates while infusing it with the intent of speaking only kind or lovely words. Beets are also used in love spells, their ink is especially powerful for writing love spells, charms, or in a book of shadows. Below is some lovely blush recipes that are perfect for any skin tone. You can also create your own foundation powder using cacao powder, turmeric, and beets (if you need a warmer tone), all of which are also common ingredients in love sachets. So you can see, in just these three examples, how it's becoming a little more important to go natural for certain things especially when using them for witchcraft.
 (this image is from pinterest, source not known)

The Witchcraft Side:

Cosmetics of all types have always been considered a very pagan thing; it's even stated in the Bible to keep away from such things. But why? Probably because many tribes and old world peoples would use the all natural colorings, like clay and berries, to make up war paint, do decorate their faces and bodies with symbols or sigils for rituals, and even use them to seduce. We hear tales of Cleopatra and her lipstick colors and even Elizabeth I felt they had healing powers. We hear tall tales like those of the supposed 1770 banning due to witchcraft in Britain and also tales we wish were tall like that of Mrs Bathory. Makeup evolved into something outside of a bath and war and into a fashion. Though it was started to put on a brave face or call down the Gods, today it's looks is much different outside of a Halloween party, but that power and intent still lies within it today. Which is why it's rather important that we pay attention to this all natural trend and help it along so we can resurrect the real properties of this largely integrated part of paganism.


We'll discuss the actual magick application and how all of this ties in with our next blog post.






   © 2016, Copyright The Dame and The Devil Business Blog - Writer The Dame

Monday, April 16, 2018

What is Glamour Magic and Bathing Rituals

What is Glamour Magic and Bathing Rituals

First: What Glamour Is and Isn't

Glamour magick is pretty much exactly what it sounds like without all the Hollywood craziness. You cannot change your outer appearance completely. This isn't a polyjuice potion. This isn't going to remove any unwanted marks or anything like that.

What it is is utilizing beauty products to enhance your outer beauty and making your inner beauty shine out. It is also using products in spell work.

So... What Kind of Glamour Magick is There?

You can use soaps, washes, and bath bombs in glamour magick. These can be used in a multitude of ways from cleansings to actual beauty enhancement. I'll include some really cool soap making videos and a couple of bath bomb and bath salts recipes below. We'll get into the cosmetic side of things next week.

Bathing rituals work the same way as other spells. You first have to research the ingredients to make sure they will all meet the specific need. You should also further research these to make sure they are skin safe. (For instance, many are actually very sensitive to lemon oils.) You should also research what is the best kind of ritual. You can include candles to help set the mood or encourage the intent of the bath. Incense or even oil melts can also be very helpful. You can use any type of bathing ritual any way you like, but this is what I create them for.

Bath Salts :

I usually use these for beauty enhancement or self love because these are a cosmetic. It's not something that it really meant to "clean". You can use a number of different bathing salts, ie Himalayan, Course Sea, Epson, or Dead Sea. Each type of salt has a specific purpose and they can be mixed up to together with flowers, dried herbs, spices, and such.

For Self Love:
2 cups of Pink Himalayan Salt (or an Epson salt and a drop of red soap dye)
1/2 a cup of Bicarbonate of Soda
30 Drops of Rose Essential Oil
1/2 of a cup of rose buds or dried petals
1 Tablespoon of coconut oil.

This will make about 6 baths.


Soaps:

I suggest using these to clean; like to remove negativity, to wash your hands of a particular person, or to even bring something into your life like more work or creativity. Making soap is actually very affordable if1  you know what you're buying, but I suggest it being done in small batches because the herbs in soaps can turn brown and look gross (like rat poop). NO LIE! There are a couple of process that better keep herbs for a little while longer, but they are complicated and use lye. I also just don't know how to make them, but I can include a channel on YouTube to look into. Royalty Soaps is exceptionally amazing with the hot and cold processes. Soap Queen TV will teach you everything, including the easy and cheap method of Melt and Pour, which is what I use when I make my own soaps.

Some additives to cleanse:
1/2 teaspoon of mint for every 4 ounces of soap.
and 1 drop if lemon essential oil, or you can sub for some dried lemon peel.

For a Money Wash:
1/2 teaspoon of basil and cloves mixed together for every 4 ounces of soap
and 1 drop of patchouli.


Bath Bombs:

These are great for releasing things or absorbing energy, mainly I think because they fizz and that's what I think of when I see them. You can add essential oils to these and there are a ton of recipes to use. I prefer a base that's all natural like below:
1 Cup of Citric Acid
1 Cup of Arrowroot Flour
1 Cup of Bicarbonate of Soda
1/2 Cup of Coconut Oil

To release stress and anxiety and absorb good energy
Add 1 tablespoon of chamomile
1 teaspoon of either lavender or licorice root
and 3 drops of lavender essential oil.




© 2016, Copyright The Dame and The Devil Business Blog - Writer The Dame

Wednesday, April 11, 2018

Timing and Spell Crafting - Hours




How to Use Hours When Planning Spells

The hours are a lot more in depth and depend a lot on planetary alignment. Below is chart to assist with this kind of timing work as well as a list of what each planet corresponds to. Since we know that a lot of the planets correspond to Gods, I'll actually be noting them in the Germanic way and I'll notate below what each is. We will go over some fun superstitions further down. This chart basically maps out what hours are best for specific spells. These would be best corresponded the same way the days of the weeks are in this previous post. A lot of High Magic and true occultist swear by using the planetary alignment, but I personally find it a bit much. Everyday life gets in the way and I'm not going to skip work to perform a love spell on a Friday at 1 am, 8 am, 3 pm or wait until 10 pm. I'm lazy and you can be also.


AM:   Sunday:   Monday:  Tuesday:  Wednesday:  Thursday:  Friday:  Saturday:

1:    Sunna                 Mani            Tyr               Woden                 Thunor          Freyja         Saturn
2:    Freyja                 Saturn          Sunna           Mani                   Tyr                Woden         Thunor
3:    Woden                Thunor         Freyja          Saturn                  Sunna           Mani            Tyr
4:    Mani                   Tyr               Woden          Thunor                Freyja          Saturn           Sunna
5:    Saturn                 Sunna           Mani            Tyr                      Woden          Thunor         Freyja
6:    Thunor                Freyja          Saturn           Sunna                  Mani             Tyr              Woden
7:    Tyr                      Woden          Thunor         Freyja                 Saturn           Sunna           Mani
8:    Sunna                  Mani            Tyr               Woden                 Thunor          Freyja          Saturn
9:    Freyja                  Saturn          Sunna           Mani                   Tyr                Woden         Thunor
10:  Woden                 Thunor         Freyja          Saturn                  Sunna           Mani            Tyr
11:  Mani                    Tyr               Woden          Thunor                Freyja           Saturn          Sunna
12:  Saturn                  Sunna           Mani            Tyr                      Woden          Thunor         Freyja


PM:
1:   Thunor                 Freyja           Saturn          Sunna                   Mani             Tyr              Woden
2:   Tyr                       Woden           Thunor         Freyja                  Saturn           Sunna          Mani
3:   Sunna                   Mani             Tyr               Woden                 Thunor          Freyja          Saturn
4:   Freyja                   Saturn           Sunna           Mani                    Tyr               Woden          Thunor
5:   Woden                  Thunor          Freyja          Saturn                  Sunna            Mani            Tyr
6:   Mani                     Tyr                Woden         Thunor                 Freyja           Saturn          Sunna
7:   Saturn                   Sunna            Mani            Tyr                       Woden          Thunor         Freyja
8:   Thunor                  Freyja            Saturn          Sunna                  Mani             Tyr               Woden
9:    Tyr                       Woden           Thunor         Freyja                  Saturn           Sunna           Mani
10:  Sunna                   Mani             Tyr               Woden                 Thunor           Freyja          Saturn
11:  Freyja                   Saturn           Sunna           Mani                    Tyr                Woden          Thunor
12:  Woden                  Thunor          Freyja          Saturn                  Sunna            Mani             Tyr


Saturn
Sunna  - Sun
Mani    - Monday
Tyr       - Mars
Woden - Mercury
Thunor - Jupiter
Freyja  - Venus

Power Hours: 

1 am, 8 am, 3 pm, and 10 pm are all considered power hours. If you notice, the seven gods (planets) recycle or start over.  Because of this, these hours are considered exceptionally powerful when dealing with spells for that specific day. Think of it as... on Monday, you're doing work for the psyche and you decide to do it at 3 pm. The energy you put into that is amplified even more.

Witching Hours:

Usually said to be between 12 am - 3 am, but I've heard many say it was between 3 am and 4 am. ( I was born at 3:24 am, so I find that pretty interesting on a personal level.) However, this is another one I would say has A LOT of christian influence. The Devil's hour is at 3, so it would make sense that they would expect witches, who were the whores of the devil, to be conjuring him up into existence at these times. I would even chalk up the ideas of the veil being thinner at this hour being thanks to the millennia of persecution. It was very likely that the pagans would do their worship before they woke up and did chores, or in the late night after laboring all day. This would lead one to believe that maybe these hours were considered evil by the Christians simply because of the nature of beast. Is it wrong to use a "witching hour"? No, probably not, but know that it's likely not as true as you think it is.


Using an analog clock:
Do good work when both hands are pointed up and bad work when both are pointed down? This sounds a little Christian in origin, so I wouldn't go off of it, but I've read where people claim it works. I'm not knocking that it doesn't work and I certainly encourage anyone who is willing to try it. This, in my opinion, would probably be more in sync with a Christo-pagan or Hoodoo type of worship where the Bible and Catholic iconography is still largely in use.



© 2016, Copyright The Dame and The Devil Business Blog - Writer The Dame






© 2016, Copyright The Dame and The Devil Business Blog - Writer The Dame

Monday, April 9, 2018

Interesting Moon Facts and Lore

Interesting Moon Facts and Lore


Fact:
Germanic Tribes DID use a lunar calendar, now called the Runic Calendar. The earliest one was found in Sweden, but they included a thirtieth month. Why? Because there are 13 moon phases in one year, and even today that timing sticks with us, i.e. seven days in a week, four weeks in a year. However,  according to calendars (and basic math), that would impossible on a Gregorian. We have most months set at thirty-one days, but 7 x 4 = 28. With 366 days in an average year, it's actually: 52 seven day weeks, or thirteen true months. Guess that fear of the unlucky changed world history forever. Viking Calendar Site

Fact:
In Germanic Religions, the moon is masculine, while the sun is feminine.

Fact or Fiction?:
Are there new moon names? Nothing I have found aside from the lone article even hints at such a thing. It does bring to question though if such a things exists. Since new moons do hold A LOT of power and significance in the pagan community, should they be named? Were they once named?

New Moon VS Dark Moon:
The Dark Moon is actually the time when there isn't a moon in the sky. The New Moon is when you start to see the first sliver of silver.

Lore:
A bright first Moon promises rain and a bountiful harvest; a red-tinted Moon means a dry year.
A growing Moon and a flowing tide are lucky times to marry
A halo around the Moon predicts wet or stormy weather. 
If a snowstorm begins when the Moon is young, it will cease at moonrise.
Days following both the New and Full Moons are most likely to be rainy or stormy.
Clothes washed for the first time in the full Moon will not last long.
If you glimpse the new Moon over your right shoulder, you will have good luck.
To have a project prosper, start it during the new Moon.
Babies born a day after the full Moon enjoy success and endurance.
The moon causes Lunacy, or irrational emotional behavior.


Sites with Lore:
Sacred Texts - old lore
Women have been know to sync up with the moon and it can even affect their fertility. Read how the moon effects us in everyday life






© 2016, Copyright The Dame and The Devil Business Blog - Writer The Dame

Wednesday, April 4, 2018

Timing and Spell Crafting - Full Moon Names and Meanings

 Timing and Spell Crafting - Full Moon Names and Meanings


Full Moon Names and Meanings


You typically only name the first full moon of the month and, if there is a second one, it's known as the Blue Moon, by default. You can call them by another name as well; e.g. Storm Blue Moon, etc. These are traditional names from the natives that were recorded in the farmers almanac and passed down from generation to generation. These names can overlap  months in some cases, but generally do not. This overlap is caused from the months not running moon to moon. There are always thirteen moons in a year, but only twelve months, most likely due to superstition.




January-

Traditionally, the full moon in January is called the Wolf or Storm, but it can also be known as the Old Moon and Snow Moon. Generally, I would suggest that this is a great time to get in touch in ancestors and spirit guides. It's still the season of winter, so they'll be more receptive. The names were given to January because it is often still snowy and starting to storm often. You can also hear the wolves howling and see the most activity at this time. Wolf Moon folk lore can be found in Germanic tribes as well as Native American and Scandinavian.

February-

Usually known as the Snow or Hunger Moon because hunting has become so scarce due to the temperatures. The heaviest snows also usually fall during February. This is a great time to work magick in regards to getting through tough times. The natives also called it Bone Moon because they would gnaw on bones to get by.

March 

March is the beginning of the planting season. The winter weather is finally letting up and the grounds are thawing. This gives way to the names Worm and Seed Moon. Crows are also about in droves everywhere which is another sign of spring to come, so sometimes this month is also called Crow Moon, depending on the activity and warmth. In the Northern States, sap will start to flow from the Maples, so they call it Sap Moon. This the perfect time to work any spells for new beginnings, new homes, new goals, wishes, and those wonderful things. I would also suggest giving thanks for the upcoming planting season and hope for bountiful harvest.

April


April is known as the Pink Moon because of the pink ground phlox (small flowers that are usually first to bloom). April is the blooming month for flowers and other plants, so it's often known as the Sprouting Grass Moon. Other names are Fish Moon, Hare Moon, and Egg Moon because this is the starting of mating season. Fish will be plentiful in the rivers and the animals for hunting will be giving birth or laying eggs. This is also the best time for killing weeds, planting, thinning, and other gardening activities. Get out there and plant your herbal garden, work fertility magick, and continue any new beginning's work you started in March.

May-

"April showers bring May flowers," and May is most usually known as the Flower Moon for all the blossoming plants. Other names are the Mother's Moon, for fertility and birthing at it's peak, Milk Moon for cows, and Corn Planting Moon for the start of the autumn harvest planting season. This is the best time to really get into blessings, abundance, prosperity, and any other kind of spell that looks towards to the future and deals with the beginning of families or children. 

June-

These days, June is known as Strawberry Moon because the fields of strawberries are ripe for picking. Other berries and fruits are often harvested at this time thanks to the Natives who noticed the perfect timing. In Europe, this was the time for honey harvesting, so it will often be called Honey Moon and even Rose Moon, for their best blooming month. We'll also see that this is the time when meadows are mowed for hay, so some areas will call it the Mead Moon. However, this name can also carry over into July. With it's warm, hot days, June is optimal for love and attraction work, especially with roses. 

July-

Mead can be brewed and sweetened with berries and honey for a pretty potent and quick love potion.This time of the year is when you'll see the full grown deer in swarms also gives July the name Buck Moon because deer start growing their antlers. July is also well known for it's constant thunderstorms, so Thunder Moon is also a Native name. In many Germanic places, this was known as Wort Moon, because they would harvest wort plants, e.g. St John's Wort. July is another month where bountiful blessings is requested. Love magick can also be very powerful throughout this month as well

ground phlo

August-


Up north, this is usually known as the time of the Sturgeon Moon since their population was ready to be harvested. Other areas more commonly call this moon the Green Corn, Wheat Cut, or Blueberry. This is the time before harvest, so many peoples were busy in preparation. August is ending of the summer months, so wrap up any firey projects you were working on throughout the summer. Take the time for some Sun worship before the days get shorter and don't forget to work on building courage, joy, and other pleasant artifacts that will help you keep that warmth throughout the winter.

September-

This is the time of the Harvest Moon. Collection of the wheat, corn, and other items are to be stored and kept for winter when food is scarce. It's also the best time for picking squashes and other autumn vegetables that last longer without much preservation. Other traditional names are Corn and Barley Moon. The moon is also often very bright, which allows for continued late work. Every three years the harvest moon is actually in October, so check before doing your Harvest Ritual work. Back then, most were too busy for celebration. This was a time of work, so take a break or take part in the business of the season. 

October-

Full Hunter's Moon is pretty obvious. This is the best time for hunting that fattened game, like pheasants and other birds and deer. This is historically a very significant time to the Native Tribes as they were the life and death of the tribe. They would hunt, salt, and store as much as they could find. This is also the time when the veil between the living the dead is starting to thin. Prepare your house for unexpected entertainment, work protection magicks, and build up a better connection to the Gods, spirits, and ancestors. 

November-


The Beaver Moon is really a name from the trappers who would catch and skin animals for their pelts. This was a tedious process, but necessary preparation for the snowfall. Others call it the Frost Moon since this is the time when the first frosts happen. Now is the time to come in doors and focus on the family and yourself. Pull out the Sun charged items you made in the summer and try to keep the smiles going. Winter time can be very difficult emotionally, even today, because you feel so cut off due to the cold weather. Plan get togethers, warm yourself by a fire, bake, and most of all be thankful! November was a solemn time before because it meant the beginning of loss for those who simply couldn't make it through the elements. In Europe, you'll hear them call it Oak Moon for the tree that would withstand the worst of snow storms.

December-

This month is dubbed Cold or Long Night and for good reason. With the longest nights of the year, this can a very depressing time. Some places of the world don't even see daylight. This is the perfect time to work the darker spells, those that bind, deal with addiction, sorrow, grief, and such. This is also a time to give thanks to those that came before you and to remember their sacrifices that lead you to where you are today. While, this can be a very saddening season, this should also be one of gratitude, for you are here today and are surrounded by people who love you. 

Other Moons and Meanings

Super Moons - When the moon is full, but also closest to the Earth in it's rotation
Blood Moons - Total lunar eclipse, often turning the moon red or pink
Black Moons - Are when two new Moons occur in the same month. Especially powerful for spiritual and darker spells.
Blue Moons - (as stated at the beginning) are when two Full Moons occur. These are best for goal setting.



© 2016, Copyright The Dame and The Devil Business Blog - Writer The Dame. Information from Space.com and Almanac.com

Monday, April 2, 2018

Update to the Santaria San Antonio Case

The accused from the arrests made in San Antonio, Tx in mid-march have set a court date! They will appear in court on April 9th at 9am. Unfortunately, I may not be able to make it myself, but any of those who wish to attend, here is the address:

Cadena Reeves Justice Center
300 Dolorosa, 2nd Floor
San Antonio, TX 78205


They ask that you wear all white, as well any of your religious emblems to the court room to show your support in solidarity. Please do not make noise or be disruptive, as this CAN hurt them. They already have enough to face.

They will also be holding a public prayer to Obatala on Sunday. If you wish to join in, jump down to the group link and ask to join. You can also offer your support from far away by burning a white or green candle for legal aid and justice.

According to an article written on the 23rd,  here from my SA, even the animal protecton agencies have stepped up to say this is not a matter of animal cruelty. People all over Texas often kill chickens and goats to eat. My husband and myself have killed a lamb and several goats over the years for his practice and I, personally, have used some of the meat as offering to my own gods.

So what is the problem?

The issue that we're seeing is a straight up prejudice against the Pagan religion. This isn't anything new either, given the countless cases that have gone up against and won in the supreme court. The most recent one, in 1993, was even sited in the above article, where it was already stated that they cannot be arrested for a religious act and that it IS protected under both the first amendment and the right to religious freedom. This is bold discrimination. However, without proper legal representation they cannot win. The Olasha United has set up a legal aid donation center where you can support them as best as you can.

You may be against this, personally, but this is a fight for all pagans and the right to respect.

Link to the Olosha's Group
To donate and read more


© 2016, Copyright The Dame and The Devil Business Blog - Writer The Dame