Hiatus

We're taking a couple weeks to enjoy summer vacation before school starts up again in August. We will restart our blog then. We are also taking this time to update previous blogs with newly found information. 

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

Spirits and Children

So, I had some odd encounters as a child with the other side up until I hit the age of puberty. I'm was almost as if my brain just stopped listening to that part of me. I expected to have some of the same things happen to my kids simply because things like that tend to travel in the family.

I'm using this post to discuss situations I have gone myself in both personally and with my son and how we have handled. I also want to discuss dicerning between spiritual experiences and just faulty mundane items. Too many times have I read or talked to people who make any and everything a sign. Sure, some CAN be, but is it logical? Maybe, but I still stand by the thought that not everything in life is some spiritual awakening or sign from the Gods and such. Life is pretty... normal.

Driving My Mother Crazy

My father is retired military, now. When I was growing up he was often on naval tours and back then there wasn't communication when he was crossing the Atlantic until he got over to the Africa coast. During these tours we lived with my grandmother until I was about six.

When I was three I started developing my connection with the spiritual world through my great grandmother. She would come in the middle of the night when I woke up scared to tell me stories so that I would go back to sleep. I would later wake up in the morning and tell my mom and grandmother all about them.

It really freaked them out when I started to say that I thought my dad was dead because he wasn't able to call. Needless to say, my mom tried to stop my gift from developing out of fear. I definitely don't want to treat my kids like that when it comes to them hitting that special age of talking and still being innocent enough to attract spirits on accident. Some people, even as practicers or those brought up around the pagan faith, can still be very scared of particular gifts. 

Thomas

We own my husband's childhood home. It's old and, like most old homes, it has a past. When my son turned three he made friends with the little blonde boy in his closet. He didn't even know what blonde was, so it was an odd conversation.

My husband later told his sister about him having an imaginary friend, because that's what we put it off as. She then reminded my husband about the ghost in the closet that would play with her toys and tell her stories. We connected the dots and realized real quick what it was. Since the boy seems harmless enough, my son continues to sleep in the same room, now almost three years later, and we haven't had any issues. Things go missing, fall off his dresser, and general funny things, but nothing harmful or alarming.

The Rocking Horse

Around this same time my in-laws bought a huge riding horse for my son. At first it was normal. It has a sensor in it to sound off as it were galloping when it was ridden and a toy carrot put to it's mouth made a chewing sound.

As time went on though this horse developed a light sensitivity. It's more than that though. If it fades gradually from day to night, then it's normal. But if you turn on a light and turn it off it makes a neighing noise. We noticed that when we just covered its head it didn't notice any change. Then it stopped altogether a few months ago. My husband has our room blacked out due to his work schedule; day light is hard to sleep in. We moved the horse into our room so we could fix up his room and the horse started up again but worse. It would makes noises all hours of the night until we moved it back over. It's an off phenomena, but hardly ghost reactions. 

This is one of those instances when I always suggest science before spiritual. Not everything is going to be a ghost just because one instance is. I think this is a good lesson in how one should and how another shouldn't approach the situation. Not everything is so spiritual. Weird, sure, but not unexplained. It's also not say that you shouldn't just shrug off such occurances since kids so have an affinity for the unusual. Case by case basis.

Want to see the video of the horse?

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

Midsummer - Lithasblot

So I've been dreading writing this blog because I know it'll turn into this huge debate like the one about Eostre. However, sometimes being the bearer of bad news is a necessity.

What is Midsummer?

This is the Summer Solstice neo-pagan and old Celtic celebration for the longest day of the year. Depending on your location it can take place anytime from June 20th up to the more traditional Norse and Upper Northern Germanic Religions July 14th. Today, using the Gregorian calendar, we centered the date on June 21-22. I think this is perfect because of the power number that 22 is. Scientifically speaking, this day changes from year up year simply because 1) the year is never just 365 days and 2) the seasons shift due to current climates and changes. In the more northern counties there is rarely any nighttime during this day. In the Southern hemisphere, this is time to celebrate Yule, the darkest day of the year.

How to Celebrate:

You would celebrate it the same way you would Litha; bonfires, fairy cakes, fertility and love spells. However, and this is where it gets disappointing, the Germanic Pagans DID NOT celebrate this holiday. In fact, they were often day too busy harvesting, planting, raiding, and hunting to have a real holiday. There's actually only three Blots recorded. What they did do was hold a very important meeting called the Allthing. It would last a good portion of the night and was very solemn. If they did hold a celebration, it was short and done after. Most likely by themselves at their homes, also. This is largely speculation because there isn't any evidence of a holy presence during this time. Now Freyja and Frey are said to work together to create the budding fruit from flowers and trees. However, at this time, we also usually honor the death of Baldr. In the story, Loki murdered Baldr with mistletoe, the only living thing that Freyja never made a pact with to keep them from killing get son. This is likely a reason why there wasn't a celebration. It was a funeral. Baldr was the most beautiful and most loved God by how Pantheon. He just simply couldn't do wrong and Loki used his blind brother to kill him.

Modern Midsummer

Do I think it's wrong to celebrate now? No! 

In fact, I would encourage it. Religion evolves. It's a living, breathing thing because of human faith. We proof of this as the religion moves from Proto-Germanic to Anglo-Saxon and then to Norse. In today's society we have a lot more time on our hands to give to the Gods. The Germanic Paganism is extremely Sun worship centered so making this an important time is proper and I support this movement to make it a holiday. Today, you'll see bonfires and flower picking as well. There's also one some who place a stuffed witch and burn it in honor of those who died before us. More and more, people are against this, though, and see it more as a undermining of the thousands of innocent lives lost.

I, personally, decorate my house in yellow and white flowers. I pull out my white and gold decor. I try to get my kids outside more and more in the mornings and really push my own Freyja worship at this time. I also try to draw from my ancestors and I do my best to work at this time, but instead my giving back to my community, planting, cleaning, and trying to keep my neighborhood kept up. We keep water in the car to hand out to the homeless when we come across them, simple things that give back and give thanks.

Ocean deities are also invoked at this time and likely we're back then because they would be raiding at this time. There was also a May Pole in some areas of Europe, but this rain is likely because if the difference of time in the ground thawing and growing grass.




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

Litha - Summer Solstice

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Litha

Litha is more a Celtic tradition. I'm not well versed in how it is celebrated, but I have read that bonfires are usually set out in honor of the witches who were burned. Apparently, this was high time for the Inquisition. They would also set out foods for the fae and give thanks for the warmth of the Sun God/dess. The leave ito honey cakes and wear bright colors in celebration of the longest day if the year. The fairies were known to be traveling at this time of year partying and making love and if you were lucky, you could hear their other wordly music.

Fertility

 There are also fertility ceremonies and spells continuing through to the summer months. With the warm weather its the time known all of the world as a baby making season. We give thanks to the fertility of the land and animals in the spring, but this is the human season of fun. It's said in many articles I've read that girls would pick seven different types flowers and place them under their pillow to dream of their future husband, likely roses, dandelion, tulip (if they were still in season), daisy, and other wild flowers in their area. This was also the best time of the year for Handfasting, and still is the reigning wedding season today.

Other fun

Many say that the maypole is part of this celebration, however, the origins suggest that was truly May Day, or May 1st. Some will still practice a bird shooting game off of the pole, though now it's usually a fake one.

Colors:

Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Pink, Gold

Herbs:

Carnations, Chamomile, Daisy, Elder, Fern, Honeysuckle, Ivy, Lavender, Lily, Mugwort, Oak, Rose, Thyme, Vervain, Yarrow

Food:

Berries (especially strawberries), Summer Fruits, honey cakes, ale, wine, sun tea

Crystals:

Amber, Citrine, Emerald, Jade, Tiger's Eye

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

Fertility and Family Magick Spells

Fertility and Family

Fertility is a complex issue with many facets of it's own. It can be an issue with simply wanting your partner to be on board with family planning to dealing with more sensitive issues such as not being able to get pregnant. In thist section, I'll also include things like menstrual cycles and, of course, actual pregnant spells since they do play a large roll in fertility and family planning. Family spells can include anything from keeping your family close knit, to protection, to just having fun or increasing that love and bond. 

Family Planning

Fertility spells can be a very intimate issue. A lot of times this comes with impotance and having to find a way around it. Unfortunately, magick is not a fix-all and when dealing with these issues, I always suggest going to a doctor and using modern methods as a first source with spells being something of a booster. There are multiple spells out there meant to assist you with getting pregnant including some really great kitchen witchery. I have meals planned out to help with getting pregnant as well as the stages of pregnancy. I've researched some great male and female specific impotancy ingredients, like clotsfoot. So don't feel like you won't be able to find something that fits your specific need sufficiently, it's just... Touchy. There's also work that can be done to increase libido, reduce stress, and try to increase intimacy because all of those can be a factor if it's not medical, as well keeping up with your diet and exercise. I'veI've f knot spells to keep a baby safe in the womb until it's ready to be birthed and other really useful information googling around, but all of these things should come with a warning that they may not work. Nothing in life is guaranteed and sometimes all the charms in world won't help. Even from my very religious views, sometimes it's just the Gods' will. I've seen spells where you can go for a very particular gender, and honestly, i wouldn'tw trust those at all. I would also put in this category adopting spells, simply because of the nature of the situation. You're still bringing a new love into your life.

Here are some foods for fertility:

Avacados, Carrots/Parsnips, Bananas, Apples, Strawberries, Cherries, Chestnuts, Asparagus, Beef, Cabbage, Celery, Cucumber

The Knot Spell to Help Pregnancy: 

If you are having trouble carrying to term, use this spell in combination with your conception ritual. Begin by getting a sturdy piece of green rope (for growth). Tie one knot in it to represent the baby. Hold the rope gently in both hands and place it up against your heart and say, “Secured in my womb, a seed of love. There to grow and blossom until released by nature __months hence. Surrounded by safety, health, and wholeness you shall remain until this knot is undone.” Fill in the blank with the number of months until your due date, then keep the rope bundled in a baby blanket. When you go into labour, untie the knot at the hospital to release any pain and open the birth canal. (Credit to The Black Witch Coven)

Amulets to wear during pregnancy:

Cherry or avacado pits, and there's a couple other herbs to wear to help ease delivery. ( I sell some in my shop.)

Family Magick:

So as I said above, these include anything assisting your family and home.  A lot of this work will include dirt from the four corners of your home so that the spell has a kind of barrier, especially when it comes to protection spells. I prefer doing knot spells using the hair and clothes, like socks, when performing any kind of family magick because I feel those are just the best type over a candle spell. It's a lot more personal like it should be. There's, also, of course kitchen magick that would play a large role in family relationship magick, or scents that are often found around the house are good to keep for later get togethers. There's also work here to help you get out of pending poisonous family situations, because, of course, sometimes those things just happen. For those I suggest again some kind of knot or cord spell and even probably with dolls. I keep dolls of myself and my husband for ongoing work and I plan on making ones for my kids later on. There's a lot to use these for in terms of sicknesses and life situations where they made need an extra bit of help than the mundane can give. I do sell a jar spell to help the family get along in my shop as well as handmade Cornhusk dolls. 

Knot spell to keep family close:

Take a sock from each person, preferably a used one still dirty. Take a strand of their hair and place it in the sock. Tie one sock to another until they form one long rope of socks. Tie the first and last sock together to join them saying:

"We are bound by blood

We are a family given to each other for love, support, trust, and happiness.

We are now bound through these knots to uphold those truths and honor and hold each other in our hearts.

A family is a bond never broken and neither will these knots."

Place this up somewhere out of reach in the home where it won't be disturbed. If you ever feel the need the cleanse your family of negative energy or to renew this love and bond, you can wash these socks in an appropriate herbal bath.

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

A Journey Back in Time

Slowly Introducing Kids

I often like to put on the history channel for the kids to watch and learn about the ancient civilizations as they run around the house making messes and mischief. I feel this is an easy transition into pagan beliefs because its more understood of it being real and other have practiced it before. I also believe that culture plays a pivotal role in any religion practiced and should be studied alongside the older religious views. Their customs, morals, and everyday life will give a greater insight into the why and why nots of how they believed the Gods to act. Even though they're five and two and a half, I know that some of that information is getting to them one way or another because throughout the week my son will randomly ask questions about some of the programs he was not fascinated with. Instilling this learning at your own pace environment has definitely allowed them to pick up on things their own way. My daughter, the youngest, will even stop at times to sit and watch the programs. I usually do this for a couple hours a week depending on what's on the TV and how long were home.

The other way I do this, is by using YouTube and Audible. We'll hook up my phone in the car rides around town and listen to lore or other things. This past month we learned about Stonehenge on YouTube and then watched a series on it on the History Channel. At first he thought it was cool, then they started talking about the ritualistic sacrifice and he got scared that people were going to come up from the ground. (He's really into zombies.) He relaxed after I explained as best as I could to him that these things happened a very long ago, way before even great grandma and grandpa were alive. He was really interested in it, so I suggested a trip.

Stonehenge Reconstructed

Here in our little town we have a full sized reconstructed site at one of the colleges. It's quite a grand thing and when you can't travel to the real site, it's the next best one. After listening to the YouTube video again as a refresher for the course they were going to learn, we got out and they had some fun. We talked about what it must have been like back then and I asked my son what kind of a shop would he open if he lived here. Of course, he said video games or ninjas, and my daughter wanted a pink store with makeup or my candles. (She's very fascinated with what mommy does.) 

My son asked where they buried people and why. That was a little harder to explain since they way is not really known. I told him that this wasn't the real Stonehenge and that the real one is very far away in another country, but that people from all over the world can still go and visit it. I asked him how he thinks people back then lived and we discussed that there used to tribes of people who would wonder the world. That there didn't use to be cities or houses like we have. People couldn't use phones to talk like we do with his grandparents. I think that idea worried him more than intrigued him because he was wondering a lot about how they managed to live then. 

Baby Steps in Understanding

At the end of the trip, I asked him what all he learned and if he'd like to come back another time and listen to more about the actual people who lived here. We really only heard about what Stonehenge was used for and not so much about the people or religion. So we're planning a trip back again to see what else we can find out about this mysterious wonder of the old world. I told him that there many different kinds of people who had once lived in the real Stonehenge. That there were old Britton tribes, Romans, Celts, and even older peoples still. We discussed the type of told used, because he's getting more interested in tools and working like his dad. How they're different from the ones we have today because they were wooden and stone. It was a lot of information to take in at once and I think highlighting the parts he would find more interesting helped. In the end, we walked away with a lot of fun in the desert sun.

I hope you enjoyed our trip. Do you have any questions in regards to how we teach? 

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

Type of Relationship Magick - Friendship, Love, Marriage

The Steps of Love

So as stated in the last post, we were going over the different types of relationship magick. I feel that all of these play a role in relationship, more commonly known as "love", magick because they are all involving that same emotion, just on different levels. You have to first love yourself to find a true friend. You have to be friends with your significant other to make the relationship last. They all are intertwined and so they all work the same way. 

A Platonic Love

Friendship Spells are usually more involved than just making friends. It's overcoming anxiety in a new place or in your everyday life to become more sociable. It can be about coming out as yourself, your true self, and wanting people to see the better part of you. You could be in a situation that involves fake or poisonous friends who are really out to bring you down instead of raise you high above in whatever path you choose. Having that stepping stone in life is very important and should always be built upon. You really only need a handful of real friends, but it's attracting them into your life that is the difficult part. As a mom with toddlers, I know this is a struggle. You want your kids to have friends, so you feel you should befriend the parents of their play dates, but those are so often superficial and can later on be more hurtful. 

A simple friendship spell:

Take a yellow candle and carve into it your desire:

"Making new friends", "True friendship", "gaining confidence", etc

Use:

Salt - for good vibes

Orange - joy, blessings, and frienship

Lavender - happiness, general relationship herb

If you're attracting - Catnip

If you're wanting to be rid of Negative friendships or emotions - Lemon

As you mix the herbs together, think of your intention. You can write your own spell and say it as make the mixture and place it around your candle as well. Burn the candle down in the herbs and keep the wax in your living room, preferably near the door.

First Comes Love

Love and marriage spells are fairly self-explanatory. They're meant to attract that energy your way or to grow on the emotions already there. As I said before, you can't FORCE someone to love you. This initial misunderstanding on how to work these is where you'll find a lot of failures in your spell work. Unless they are causing you emotional harm or already experience those wants, the spell simply has nothing to work with. Most of the time these spells are used as a push in a direction they're simply too scared to walk down themselves or they feel like the romance won't be reciprocated. This can even include the Ducky's left in the friend zone. (If you get that entire reference, we're both old.)

Here's some sweet love and marriage spells:

Carve off an entire apple skin in one full piece. Ask who you're going to marry three times and toss it over your shoulder. The skin will land in the initial of your future spouse. If you fail three times, you'll never marry. 

Slice an apple in half and pull out the seeds. Name each seed, one at a time, and toss it into a fire. If it suits back, then that's the name of your next love interest. 

The Handfasting: when you marry, you may see many pagans using cord to wrap around their hands during their vows. This is symbolic of their union and also a spell to bind them to one another.

  © 2016, Copyright The Dame and The Devil Business Blog - Writer The Dame Image is picked from Wikihow which has a cute love spell walk through. They own all rights and usages to the image and may ask to have image removed at any time. 

Being a Pagan Parent

Being a Pagan Parent

This was a subject I was debating on talking about because it puts my family in a public light. However, I don't see many people discussing how to raise their kids in a pagan household. As I've said in other blogs, my husband and I practice two different faiths; I'm heathen and he's a practicing Palero and Osanyin Priest. So, how do we handle educating them? It's pretty easy, honestly.

Heathenry and Youtube

I follow this gentleman on Youtube who runs a in-depth channel on the Norse Religious texts, the Prose and Poetic Eddas. He speaks in the old Norse language as well. We listen to his videos on car rides and talk about the stories we heard. My son is five years old, so he has a lot of questions and breaking things down on his level can be a but challenging. He's absolutely fascinated though and loves to hear the funny stories. My daughter is three so just listens to have a good time. I plan on continuing this until they both know the books well. I also picked up an audible account and buy the Norse mythology books or other subjects they would be interested in for lessons. So far, it's a hit! I would highly suggest this for any parent on the go as much as I am. 

Palo and Music

My husband does plan on having our kids scratchedscrat the faith. Scratching is just a term for initiation. My husband talks to him about Osanyin and Palo when he gets the chance and we already have some spirits for him to work with. Both my husband and son are excited about him coming to age. To teach him more about the Afro-cuban faith, we often play the Yoruba and Congo music  and then my husband hard translates as best as he can. This faith is oral, so anything outside of stories passed down, makes the knowledge limited. 

Indoctrination

We do NOT believe in forcing our children into a particular faith, even ours. We'd prefer it, but it's entirely their choice. We plan on enrolling our son into a Catholic private school. We also took our kids to a Mosque and a Hindu Temple just so he can get a better education and can make sure he's religiously informed from all sides. We're very proud of their interest in our practices and will continue to feed those flames until they can decide how they are fulfilled. 

We will continue this blog talking about the ways we educate our kids in the Pagan paths.

Type of Love Magick

Love Magick in It's Many Forms:

Pagans on a large scale seem to cringe anytime someone brings up love spells, but from a personal point of view, I don't honestly understand why. They are no different than other spells you would work and can't really go against a person's will. Though that part is also largely under debate as there are spells that can, such as banishings and bindings, but you never want to bring that up to anyone who's touchy on the subject. In my many years of paganism I would dare to say that there are many forms of love magick and they're outside the realm of just a sexual nature. I would really prefer they were called relationship spells, so for the sake of understanding where I am coming from, that's what we will call them from here on out in our blog series.

Work and Friends

Relationships come in all manners from physical to casual acquaintance. Friendships and even work relationships are in this category because they obviously have their ups and downs and really do have a huge impact on your day to day from you emotional to mental health. Sometimes they need help and sometimes they just to need to end. The reason I include these is mainly because on a psychological level, these can have the same kind of impact as a marriage or a partnership. I'm sure we've all heard the terms "work spouse", "friend zone", or how often couples cheat with those close to them. This is because of that same bond that links those relationships together. The difference between them is often choice and, well, attractiveness. Friendship is a key building block of all marriages and lasting relationships. They simply won't last without. So it makes sense from a fundamental level to include these.

Sex and Family

The other subcategories are a far more obvious. Fertility, Sex Magick, and of course Family. All of these pretty much come with the territory of relationship spells because it's often a catalyst of starting something serious. You're not going to try to win someone over just for a week, ya know?

Break-Ups, Grieving, and Unrequited Feelings

Another sub I would suggest, as far as relations go, would be Break-Ups, Grieving, and Ending a Love Spell. We all face break-ups and they can go several ways, which are all included. Either you're wanting one, the other person is and you don't, or the relationship is going downhill for someone you know and they need to escape it. These situations can also include fake friendships and poisonous family situations. Grieving is usually dealing with a passing of a loved one, friend, family member, or just the heartache of getting over an end of a relationship. I would look at ending "love spells" as kind of an odd situation. Mainly because, as I said before, I believe they only work with two willing participants. In this, I would most likely tell someone its usually dealing with unrequited love more so than forced. However, this could possibly be a situation of a forced marriage as they do still happen.

Self-Love and Glamour

There is also Self-Love and Glamour. Yes, I would throw glamour under these because they can work with both self-love and physical love. It can even make you more confident to find friends, seem more approachable at work, or help you highlight what your personality strengths are. Self-love is pretty understandable. You have to first love yourself before you can really have a meaningful relationship with any other person. If you're unhappy with who you are or how you look that will shine through instead of everything that makes you wonderful. So, self care spells are helpful to have.

We can discuss each type of category in upcoming posts. You can read all about Glamour Magick in these blogs.

So How Do They Work?

As I said before you have to have two willing people. The only time I would say there is an exception to this rule in the case of breaking up or dealing with a hurtful situation. Relationship spells can come in all forms, from doll work to simple candles and prayers. You can write a petition to a love God or Goddess in your pantheon or even create a grandiose high magick ritual. Herbs and colors are best utilized here however, since their properties are so easily utilized and there a hundred different herbs you can grab at the grocery store. You can read about the colors best used here, and yes there are a lot more than red. If all else fails here is a list of grocery herbs you can grab dry and sometimes even fresh.

Rosemary - general love

Poppy - fertility

Marjoram - best used in all love spells

Ginger - adds power or fire

Mint - money matters, family

Vanilla - romance

Lemon - break-ups

Basil - reconciliations, money matters, 

Roses - general love

Carnations - friends, grieving

Daises - friends, babies

Cinnamon - spice up romance

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

What is Love Magic - Misconceptions and Wicca

Hollywood, Witchcraft, and Physics

I feel this was the best place to start. A lot of people have a large misconception of what and how love spells work and that's mostly Hollywood's fault portraying it as a this tour de force against free will. However, this is very much not the case. Magick still works within the boundaries of possibility and that does include a person's capability to act or react a particular way to stimuli. As we all know, hollywood has a really had habit of blowing things out of proportion all in the sake of entertainment and that's the part you should pay most attention to; for entertainment. Real spells are not going to invert time or create really anything that goes against the basic laws of science that we know exist here on Earth. Yes... I said magick and science in the same sentence as if they belong together. Mainly because they kind of do.

Now this is where magick meets technicality in my experience. We cannot use spells to defy gravity, or change our outward physical appearance, so why believe we could force someone's will of mind? Maybe because it's more a suggestion, like hypnosis, but we also know that it doesn't work on everyone. They have to first be predisposed a certain way for it to work. This is how I see love magick working. The only way to get a lover back into a relationship with you or to make them want one in the first place is if they were actually willing to have that happen. Meaning, they had to have already liked you and that the spells you cast are really no more than a push in a particular direction. Imagine branches in the wind moving so easily as opposed to the trunk of the tree. It takes much more for it to be uprooted, and again, it's likely to have to be dead or dying or a severe storm to really make it happen.

So Then Why Use Love Magick?

Well, because just like everything else in life, some humans need that extra push. I think that way with all magick. Need a new job or promotion? You're pushing someone hire up down the path of choosing you when they were already mauling it over. Did you get a special inheritance? That was probably more of fate easing the passing of a sick loved one who was already about to go a lot sooner than later with a will that had your name on it. Keeping away theft or asking for protection? You'll likely avoid the places where you could get hurt because you don't feel comfortable in them anyway or the would be assaulter changes their mind since they really weren't up it anyway. Do you see what I mean by "in the realm of possibility"? Basically, when you cast a love spell, there has to be two people willing to participate. Otherwise, it just won't work.

Now, there are other types of love magick, and I will quickly go over them here, and in detail the next post. What I consider to be love spells are much more than intimate relationships. I consider breakups and divorce to be a category because they deal with the heart itself as well as emotions. Friendship and social based spells like gaining confidence and fitting in are also a small subcategory people often forget. Then there's the self and family; self love, appearance such as glamour, fertility, and of course family togetherness or love are also included. All of these deal with the heart, personal wellness, and, of course, influencing emotions.

Are There Wiccan Love Spells?

Now, I'm not Wiccan and I certainly am no expert on what is and isn't a wiccan spell. However, I do know that by my standards of what goes against free will and based on the entire blog I just wrote, I would say yes. Since it doesn't impede on any kind of free will, simply grows a decision that was previously planted by the person themselves, then it's harmless. It's no more wrong than any of your other kinds such as bindings and protections. 

I hope that this blog helped to clear up any of your misconceptions on what is and isn't a love spell as how they work and if their moral enough for Wicca.

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

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

Glamour Magick Course Master Post

What is Glamour Magick and Bathing Rituals
Using Cosmetics in Spells
Witchcraft and Cosmetics
Glamour Magick and Fashion Spells

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

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

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

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

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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