Glamorous Magick and Fashion Spells

What is Glamour?

The word glamour was anglicized by a writer, Sir Walter Scott, from the Scotish word gramarye and literally meant a spell which would effect what the eyes were perceiving. It then slowly turned into the word glamorous, but without all the witchy tones. It was not so much spell binding as it was simply irregularly beautiful. The ideal of being glamorous transforms from culture to culture, country to country, and even city to city. It has been what made red hair evil and pale skin the desired trait. It also has shaped our very DNA from the most likely eye colors to the average height. It's caused diets and fashion crazes, even toys and what drives modern day society, because being glamorous may be what you're decorating your house with this season or that nice new TV you can't really afford. However, how does that tie into magick and paganism?

How to Use Fashion in Glamour Spells

This obsession with being in the limelight and having beauty or money has been the stage we all sit on when we open any of our social medias, especially Instagram. It's more a play on real life than it is actual reality; a facade. It's a spell we cast on those scrolling to get them to stop and pause for a nanosecond. We can take that power of color and fabric and transform ourselves just by following certain trends. It's said people only perceive what they want to, anyway, so by using that you can instead have them see what you're wanting them to.

Use jewelry to add to the effect. Wearing gemstones is pretty standard form of glamour, but did you know about metals? Aluminum is reflective, so works best for protection, while copper is the best at conducting and would be best for pushing away any of your current negative energies. Iron is the all purpose metal, but is best used for grounding and earthy magicks. Zinc is transformative and nickel solves problems or helps to aid in other metals. You can learn more about metals in this very descriptive blog.

Cotton is a relaxing fabric known to be more free and gives the perception of comfort. While we all look at sweaters and think cozy or safe, other will see the same in a scarf or a particular pair of shoes. Think of your wardrobe as being a backstage. Carefully pull out colors to match a mood and give off a certain aura. Want to look friendly and approachable? Wear yellow or pastels. Want to be bold? Go for gold, red, or even orange. Watch the way each piece of fabric drapes and moves as that will also be part of the spell. And, yes, you can actually enchant your clothes. I have a dress I like to wear when I'm not feeling so confident and need boost. I pair it with a floppy sun hat for an upper class look or wear my hair loose for everyday. The experts aren't lying about "dressing for success". If you want to BE successful, dress as such and others will already assume you are. This isn't saying to go out and buy an Armani suit, but that the clearance rack at Kohl's is a pretty awesome hustle.

Other Things to Use in Glamour Magick

Go by the moon, and make looks that will have you following the phases so that retrogrades don't turn you upside down. Use the days of the week for certain situations. Have it down and planned. This is definitely something that is more thought provoking and can take time to master, but don't get stressed. If you want the inner you to shine through, I highly suggest some deep meditation before you go shopping so you're guided to what you need more than what others want. Just always make sure to have fun.



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

Using Cosmetics in Spells

The Different Ways to Use Cosmetics in Glamour Magick

There are many ways to utilize makeup in spells. As I said before, I, personally, use many of these in my daily makeup routine together for a well finished look that helps to enhance a certain aspect of my personality or bring about a particular mood for the day.

How to Use Crystals in Spells

You can use crystals to charge your makeup palettes, brushes, and such simply by placing the cleansed crystal into a makeup bag. The most common, of course, would be rose quartz, but here are some other suggestions. I also know of some people who use crystal blessed water to wash their face and their makeup brushes with. I don't use crystals, so if any of my readers are more in-tune with them, please share your knowledge and of course you'll be given credit.

Amethyst - tranquility, and helps with opening oneself up for spirits

Aquamarine - reduces aging and anxiety/stress, increases vitality, sea magick or summer time spells

Blue Lace Agate - increases calmness

Clear Quartz - all purpose and all around clearity

Citrine - for sun magick and to help increase happiness

Jade - reduces tension andColstress, increasing money and getting that promotion

Lepidolite - reduces aging

Shungite - absorbs negative energy

How to use Witch Sigils & Symbols:

Sigils are a bit of a grey area for me. I support using sigils you yourself created or ones you have used before with great success. However, there is a lot of caution to be told if you use sigils, especially when talking about Runes. There is almost always a "bad" side to using Runes because they have both a negative and positive meaning. The ones you see on the internet may not be safe because they could be fake. So, please keep that in mind. Symbols are obviously a pretty good thing to stick to since they really have the meaning you give them. These are also very easy to incorporate into your routine. You can simply use a small foundation brush and write them on your face before blending it in. These will stay with you until you wash your face, so choose them wisely. If you find you're going to need some other kind of symbol later in the day, I highly suggest washing your face and starting with a blank canvas. You can also use lip pencil or lip wand to write them or even words on to your lips and then cover with your lipstick. In recent years, the tribal sigils and symbols have been tsken and bent into an aesthetic. You'll likely see this all over Instagram, but I wouldn't take it so lightly. The old war paint had power and the symbols can still be used during rituals to help invoke or worn everyday to bring you closer to the Divine. Research your tradition to make sure you're properly using them and not appropriating another. While I am all in the mind set of copying being a sign of envy or love of the look, it can be a touchy subject. Do take notice though how they blend so well from culture to culture.

How Color Magic Can Be Applied:

This is pretty self explanatory. You can blend multiple colors in a palette to create a fierce look, or something muted for a light and airy take. Yes, these can even be used to invoke elements or call on deities to help you through the day. Here is a link to a previous post on the power of using color in your everyday. Colors are so powerful and should be used with intent so you can pull on that specific theme that you're for.

How I Use Glamour Magick:

So how I use it can be a little funny so some, I'm sure, but it works. I use mascara and eye liner to open my eyes to the truth. Eye shadows to either keep people from reading my mind (usually when dealing with people I don't like or trust) or to give off a happier, more calmer appearance. Usually it's just to bring about whatever mood I'm going for that day though. Blush is for a happy outward appearance and to also give a hint of youth. Sometimes, because I use Julep's Cream Blush, I draw small symbols or sigils and them blend them out for an extra step. Foundation I use specifically as a barrier so things that happen throughout the day don't get under my skin or irritate me. My bronzer or contouring is to hide away my anxiety and social awkwardness. My lip sticks are to work with my words and what or how I say things. Then, lastly, I use powder as a wall to keep away any unwanted attention or negativity. This, to a lot of people, probably seems silly or over done, but I highly recommend it. I always feel much more calmer when I go out because I do have social anxiety and these barriers seem to help me open up more than I ever would have or did before.

Let me know how YOU use glamour magick in your routines. 

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

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

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