#lapislazulisights

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I finally finished my three books for future books of shadows. The locks arrived in the mail back in November and I had to bind the text block by using perfect binding. The cordiforme is my grimoire and the larger book is my book of shadows. The small book is my soon to be travel book. All of these were made by hand with paper, paper towels as paper mache, cardboard, paint, and modge podge with the lock and pin from cardboard and a folded small paperclip.

Blessed be 🌛🌝🌜

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Some beautiful labradorite I have gotten not too long ago.

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I made a new book of shadows. A heart-shaped or cordiforme book. I love hearts and wanted o make this for a long time. I always held off on this but was lead to do this after seeing the Chansonnier de Jean de Montchenu a heart-shaped song book from late 1450s France.

I have gone for an illuminated theme with the first page with gold paint.

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This is a devotional page from my book of shadows I thought some would like to see. It is a spell and a promise to myself and if anyone reads it who is Wiccan to themselves.  It is the first page of my grimoire.

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"Spells, Magick, and love and trust, I use this book for.  For my eyes and the eyes of those who possess true good faith and intrigue: A grimoire to be.

May this book last the ages and may its spells and secrets forever remain for as it is like the book bound in the pages beneath the covers.  In love and light I shall use this book for benevolent practice, the study of witchcraft, spellcraft, spells, Wicca, gods, goddesses, and all things magick.  May the detail and art of each page be a gracious reflection of intent and true heart, meaning placed carefully and wholeheartedly in this book of shadows.

And in times of stagnation let us sit and meditate to remember the Wiccan Rede and threefold law, Karma, and the Universe for it enriches us.  Enchantments, potions, and the like all go down in this book and may more pages be added when the Moon, Luna is right and when my heart is in true magickal love and trust.

Each and every day I will live my life in the Earth with magick and the elements as my Guides and friends.  The elements enrich me as does the Earth herself.  Fae-children roam with and inside me to aid and accompany me on my journey. May I learn and practice forever keeping in mind how magick and a witch is more than the Tools and the Grimoire.

I am witch, I am artist, I am a person.  And with this book I seek to learn and create.  As these strokes are written may the book forever enchanted and protected even should the pages erode to history, may the magick remain. 

In Love and Light: So Mote It Be )O(.  " by Valentine of www.lapislazulisights.tumblr.com

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What is and isn't Wicca? (Very Basic)

What is and isn't Wicca? (Very Basic)

DISCLAIMER: I am no expert but this is a simple explanation… very basic.

Okay so I am new to Wicca.  But I know a few of you even those just browsing versus following may have a question. 

So what is Wicca?  And what isn’t Wicca?

Wicca is an umbrella term for a faith that is a neopagan faith technically brought about around 1950s by Gerald Gardner in Britain but uses beliefs that have been around for centuries.  It is a spiritual faith around the respect and reverence of nature and to some also “beauty in all things.”

A Wiccan is not to harm others or use deadly or dark forces to another.

Do all Wiccans partake in witchcraft?  No, in fact some merely meditate and give prayers and wishes but not magic.  Magic is up to you.  Some say we all have it.

Now so what is this “magic” ?  Technically it is “magick” true spells that you say yourself.  Your words give your spells power and can be healing, protection, blessings, hexes, or curses.  I personally am learning and am exploring White or healing magic to help others.

Now many Wiccans believe in many pantheons of gods and give praise and offering to thing like a water blessing, or a pentacle they have made to be used for this god or goddess.  More often you will find many Wiccans involved in Celtic paganism which much of Wicca roots from.

Some Wiccans are self-proclaimed witches, male or female mind you.  Spells can be simple or complex but they work best when written by yourself and by taking it slow.

Now one thing to note every Wiccan defines Wicca differently.  Why?  because in Wicca you choose how to practice it.  Yes you look to the Moon and Sun or just the Moon which is a Dianic Wicca.  You can be a Trinitarian Wicca and embrace some of Christianity’s beliefs which if you do that is brave considering the hatred you may receive.  You may follow the Egyptian gods, whatever feels right to you. 

Also Wiccans do not believe in Heaven or Hell and nudity is not really shunned. 

You may choose to meditate a lot outside to connect to the elements or be around something that you feel connects you.

Now in Wicca there are the elements which are spirit at the top of the pentacle (star to most non Wiccans), at the right, Water, then Fire, then Earth, then Air.  We all are connected to one than the other.  Me? I am like the water and connected to it.  It fills me with energy.  I have water I left charged in moonlight for offerings and spells.  I also have some stones and a few necklaces for my magick.  Now you may have this, this may work for you or it may not, and that is okay.  Wicca is about nature; and being spiritual and by connecting to that the best way that helps you.

Now with Wicca there is the Witches Rede and Threefold Law two things you must consider.  They are like the Commandments of Wicca.  Will you use your powers for good, will you be connected to nature, and will you actually devote some time to your journey?

In Wicca there is a belief of energies in polarity such as a masculine and feminine aspect but neither being more important than the other, they are intertwined and needed like a Yin-Yang.

Now with Wicca there is this idea that most equate to what they see on TV.  That is not all true.  We aren’t like Harry Potter, we are not using dark magic, that is not Wicca If you want to be dark and to curse and hex in an evil way.

Now of course do more research guys as I do.  The more you learn the more you grow. And do keep in mind everyone practices Wicca differently.  Some even get into divination which yes can involve a crystal ball.  Some read auras, whatever you can identify most with whilst being connected.

Lastly there are Sabbats, and for instance A Halloween to you is actually Samhain (Sow-wane) to us or the Wiccan New Year, and Christmas to Christians is Yule.  Yes Christian holidays are actually largely Pagan before they were ever Christian by any means. So yes, that’s a tidbit.  Now go in peace.

Learn more, take some advice.  Follow your heart.  And Blessed be!

Go by moonlight and be patient lovelies.

Keep in mind this basic. Now I must go, and give my nightly prayers and reverence.

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Two beautiful Lapis Lazuli pendants...

Lapis lazuli promotes growth in the throat chakra for voice and can help with intuition and psychic awareness.  it is often called the stone of truth and help uncover truths blocked by lies as well as helping you put something into voice.

These two are wrapped in a silvery metal in the image of a dragon and a phoenix.

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Just a look into the reference section of my book of shadows mini journal I made from dyed papers and glue.

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When I'm bored I sit around and think. When I think I can't sleep. When I can't sleep I draw or write. In this case I made this spread of calligraphy on index cards for my grimoire.

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More inspired calligraphy for my book of shadows. I named it Ivy Script for all the curls and vine-like tendrils.

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A collection of crystals, and pendants.

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Rose quartz is a stone of love and for some it has a high energy or simply shatters due to the person's own personal energy.  Use it in magic, or carry it with you.  This is the dubbed, "Stone of Unconditional Love."

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Rose Quartz Chakra Pendant

Rose Quartz is used as the stone of love and is said to aid in promoting all sorts of unconditional love.  Use it in a spell to send love your way or carry it on you to feel love towards yourself and others.  This chakra pendant has the colors in a band of each of the 7 chakras.  Root, sacral, solar plexus, heart, throat, third eye, and crown.  A chakra pendant can be worn for meditation or to align your chakra.

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Merry Meet 4

Merry meet!

Okay, I understand we don't all believe in the same things or guidelines but would it kill people to have tact, human decency, and self-respect?  I mean, I know in a way everyone is a skeptic to something but don't blast people for sharing their personal experiences or faith experiences especially if YOU asked them to share.  If you disagree, disagree but don't condemn the person to Hell or call them evil or daft, don't insult them or take their tarot cards and burn them in front of them or hurt them simply because they believe in something different than you.  The day we learn to respect each other as human beings the better.  If something is not hurting people then don't blast it.  Just remember to be respectful!  Have courage and be kind! Blessed be! (Rant over)

Merry Part!

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Merry Meet 3

As a boy and Christian I always questioned why are witches evil? Why witch hunts? I was entranced by astrology and the Old Gods but was too scared to go into it.  I knew magic was real and took a lot of practice.  A vindictive Christian young man such as my self is unfit to call himself a Pagan or dare convert under his mother's roof.  Until last year when I wanted to be a better person for myself and actually go into a faith I only dreamed about; Wicca.  I never saw witchcraft as a crime and never did I ever have a problem with Devil worship.  I'd say "People can worship whatever they please.  Who are we to stop them? Who cares if they worship Satan? He's no quarrel to me." And although that would warrant hatred towards me by many religious people in the pew, I knew I had to be the one not to let dogma harden my heart.  As such, I am here now as I am.  And I am thankful for every experience.  Blessed be.