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bleedingheartpagan · 5 years ago

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Add Some Oomph to Your Spells with Magical Timing

Like herbs, oils, and crystals, you don’t need to work with magical timing for your spell to be successful. You can cast a spell at any time, no matter your intention, and get your desired results. However, working with the energy of the sun, moon, and days of the week can add an extra power boost to your magic.

Think of it this way: certain energies are dominant at certain times. Those energies are easier to connect with because they are closer at hand, so to speak, so you can bring them into your life and your spells more easily and in a more powerful way. That doesn’t mean you can’t call on other energies during these times — it just means that you may not connect to them quite so easily.

If you choose to work with magical timing in your spells, there are several yearly, monthly, weekly, and even daily cycles you can align your spells with.

The Cycle of the Sun: Solstices and Equinoxes

These are the turning points that mark the solar year, and are associated with the relationships between day and night, light and dark, summer and winter. Each solstice or equinox marks the end of one season and the beginning for the next. Because they are so rare and so potent, these days are a great time for your “big picture” spells or for spells that need a big power boost.

Winter Solstice. The winter solstice marks the shortest day and longest night of the year, and falls between December 20 and December 23, depending on the year. In some pagan traditions the winter solstice, or Yule, marks the beginning of the new year — you may choose to set intentions for the coming year on this solstice. After the winter solstice, the nights start getting shorter and the days start getting longer — so spells related to healing and bringing things into the light are especially effective at this time of year. The winter solstice marks the end of the “dark half” of the year and beginning of the “light half” of the year; at this point, our focus turns from inward reflection to outward manifestation. You may choose to think of the time between the winter solstice and spring equinox as a “planning phase,” where you examine yourself and your desires, decide what you want to work on in the next year, and make plans for manifesting what you want.

Spring Equinox. An equinox occurs when the day and the night are exactly the same length, representing a perfect balance between light and dark. The spring equinox marks the beginning of spring and occurs between March 19 and March 22. The Christian holiday of Easter and the pagan holiday of Ostara are both related to the energy of this equinox. At this time of year, the natural world is coming back to life as winter begins to fade. Plants are beginning to grow, and baby animals are being born. This is a powerful time of year for fertility magic and any magic related to new beginnings. You may choose to think of the time between the spring equinox and the summer solstice as a “planting phase,” where you “plant the seed” of the things you want to manifest and begin doing the work to make it happen.

Summer Solstice. This solstice marks the longest day and shortest night of the year. It occurs between June 19 and June 23. As I am writing this post, we are coming up on the summer solstice (June 20, 2020). Life, fertility, and growth are at their peak during this time of year, which makes this solstice a perfect time for big manifestation spells. At the same time, this marks the end of the “light half” and beginning of the “dark half” of the year, so after the summer solstice our energy shifts from outward manifestation to inward contemplation. You may choose to think of the time between the summer solstice and fall equinox as the “harvest phase,” where you reap the results of your hard work and manifest your desires in the physical world.

Autumn Equinox. This is the other time of year when the day and night are perfectly balanced. The autumn equinox occurs between September 19 and September 23 and marks the beginning of autumn. This is traditionally the time of year when crops are harvested, and many pagan groups celebrate harvest festivals around this time. Nature is beginning to die or go into hibernation in preparation for the coming winter. This is an especially powerful time of year for shadow work or for magic related to endings and transitions. You may choose to think of the time between the autumn equinox and the winter solstice as the “reflection phase,” when you retreat from the outside world to rest, focus on yourself, and do your inner work and self-healing.

Important Note: This post lists dates for the solstices and equinoxes in the Northern hemisphere. In the Southern hemisphere, the seasons are reversed. If you live in the Southern hemisphere, you would observe the winter solstice in June, the spring equinox in September, the summer solstice in December, and the fall equinox in March.

The Cycle of the Moon: Lunar Phases

If you don’t have time to wait for the appropriate solstice or equinox, you can still connect with the cosmos in your magic. One of the biggest pros of the lunar cycle is that it happens roughly every month — so you never have to wait very long for the next full moon. The moon is also associated with magic and spirituality in several traditions, which makes it an especially powerful astral ally for witches.

New Moon. The new moon is when the moon is completely invisible in the night sky, and is the phase opposite the full moon. The new moon is a powerful time for shadow work (because it deals with things that are hidden) and for magic related to new beginnings.

Waxing Moon. The moon is waxing when it appears to be growing in the night sky; this is the phase between the new moon and full moon. This is a powerful time for any magic that deals with drawing something in, building something up, or strengthening something that already exists.

Full Moon. Many witches believe that the full moon is the most powerful time of month for any kind of magic. This is a good time to cast any spell that needs a serious power boost. The full moon is also an especially powerful time to release what no longer serves you or to work healing magic.

Waning Moon. The moon is waning when it appears to be shrinking in the night sky; this is the phase between the full moon and new moon. This is a powerful time for any magic that deals with sending something away, banishing negative energy, or bringing something to an end.

Dark Moon. The dark moon is the three day period immediately before the new moon. In some traditions, it is believed to be bad luck to cast spells during the dark moon. Other traditions hold that the dark moon is the best point in the lunar cycle for destructive magic, such as curses and hexes. Many modern witches don’t recognize the dark moon as a separate moon phase at all. I personally like to use the dark moon as a time for self reflection, and may focus on shadow work during this time.

Magical Correspondences for the Days of the Week

The days of the week also have their own unique magical energies, and each day is linked to a certain planet and to certain deities.

Sunday. Sunday is, of course, connected to the Sun and solar deities. Sunday is the best day of the week for any manifestation magic that needs an extra boost. Its energy is also associated with healing, personal growth, power, and success.

Monday. Monday is associated with the Moon and lunar deities. Monday is a quiet, introspective day, and can feel very ethereal. It’s the best day for magic related to intuition, nurturing, and shadow work.

Tuesday. Tuesday is associated with Mars and with gods and goddesses of war and action. (It is named for the Norse/Germanic god Tyr/Tiw.) Tuesday is a very “active” day, and is good for magic related to action, activism, victory, or finding courage.

Wednesday. Wednesday is associated with Mercury and with gods and goddesses of wisdom, learning, and communication. (It is named for the Norse/Germanic god Odin/Wodan.) Wednesday is all about mental activity. It’s the best day of the week for magic related to thought, travel, communication (written, spoken, or digital), and learning/study.

Thursday. Thursday is associated with Jupiter and with gods and goddesses of prosperity, wealth, and protection. (It is named after the Norse/Germanic god Thor.) Thursday, like Jupiter in astrology, is all about outward expansion. It’s the best day of the week for magic related to career, prosperity, and wealth.

Friday. Friday is associated with Venus and with gods and goddesses of love, fertility, and sensuality. (It is named after the Norse goddess Freyja, or perhaps the goddess Frigg.) The energy of Friday is fun, lighthearted, and sexy. It’s the best day of the week for magic related to love, beauty, and sex/sexuality.

Saturday. Saturday is associated with Saturn and with time and wisdom. (The day and the planet are both named after the Roman god Saturn.) Saturday is practical and wise, but it does have a little bit of a dark side. It’s the best day of the week for magic related to banishing and protection.

Magical Times of Day

Okay, so you’d like to start working with magical timing, but what about emergency magic and last-minute spells? What if you don’t have time to wait for the next full moon, or even the next Sunday? You can still align your spell with magical timing! There are several moments of power each day, and each has its own magical associations.

Sunrise. Sunrise is, of course, the birth of the new day. This makes it the perfect time for spells related to new beginnings or expanded possibilities.

Noon. This is the peak or high point of the day. This is a powerful time for healing magic.

Sunset. Sunset is the end of the day, and forms a gateway between light and dark. This is a great time for spells related to accepting endings, releasing that which does not serve, and moving on from the past.

Midnight. If noon is the peak of the day, then midnight is the peak of the night. Midnight has a very ethereal, transformational energy. Like with the full moon, some witches believe that any spell will be more powerful if cast at midnight. This is a powerful time for both banishing and attraction magic.

Resources:

You Are Magical by Tess Whitehurst

Green Witchcraft by Paige Vanderbeck

Wicca for Beginners by Thea Sabin [specifically the chapter on the sabbats]

Qabalah Made Easy by David Wells [Note: Qabalah is based on an appropriation of Jewish mysticism, and I am NOT endorsing its practice. However, much of the magical timing associations used in modern witchcraft is shared with Qabalah and other forms of ceremonial magic, which is why it’s referenced here.]

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bleedingheartpagan · 5 years ago

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Please reblog if you post any of the following:

~ Kemeticism ~ Freyja/Norse gods ~ Slavic paganism ~ Celtic polytheism ~ Spirit work ~ Necromancy ~ Witchcraft ~ Wicca ~ Crystals, spells, curses, herbs…etc. ~ Paganism in general

I’ll check out your blog and most likely follow you! ✴

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bleedingheartpagan · 5 years ago

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#alter

Bastet - Worship and Offerings Guide

If you're reading this, it may be because you've been chosen by Bastet. Congratulations! Bastet is a wonderful deity to work with. She is warm, kind, and protective.

If you're a cat person, then she is more likely to choose you. In ancient times, the city in which her temple lie was filled with cats. In fact, it was considered a crime punishable by death to harm or kill any of the cats. And when the cats passed away, they would be mummified and left in Bastet's temple.

Of course, nowadays you don't need to have a mummified cat to please her! She's quite easy to cater to, and willing to accept nearly anything as an offering as long as it was presented in good faith.

So, now what?

Well, like any relationship with a deity, it begins with a cup of tea. She seems to prefer fruity teas like hibiscus, as well as spicy teas like chai.

Now, the altar

So, we know the basics of an altar. Depiction of the deity, candles, an incense holder.

Some things that Bastet would specifically appreciate are:

Fabrics (natural, cotton and silk)

Perfumes (not the cheap, artificial stuff mind you)

Jewelry (pretty much any kind is fine, as long as it's not plastic)

Glass, namely colored glass

Bells

Peacock feathers

The offerings

Now that we have our altar set up, it's time to start with the offerings!

For food and drink, Bastet likes:

Fruits, namely tart fruits like pomegranates, raspberries, grapes, ect.

Flowers (not necessarily a food item, but it's organic in nature I guess)

Chocolates (milk or mildly dark)

Cinnamon or other spices

Milk

Honey

Bread

Hibiscus, chai, and other fruity or spicy teas

Red meat or fish

Incense

Rose

Cinnamon

Clove

Jasmine

Dragon's blood

Vanilla

Other offerings

Blue, green, red and purple crystals (some jaspers, amethyst, agates, ruby, serpentine, jade)

Abalone shells

Glass, colored or otherwise

Peacock feathers

Bells

You can also honor Bastet by being kind to cats. You can give your cats special treats or toys, feed the stray cats or build shelters for them, or volunteer at an animal shelter.

All in all, working with Bastet is a wonderful and fulfilling experience. I hope your relationship with this deity is long and prosperous!

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bleedingheartpagan · 5 years ago

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My favorite Epithets for Bast:

Who rises on the horizon

She with the powerful heart

Lady of heaven and earth

Lady of light

Mistress of splendor

Who dispels darkness

Who creates the rays

Who allows the two lands to flourish

Who protects her father

Who fills the palace with joy

Lady of the birth houses

The mistress of protection in the Divine Pasture

Lady of life

The mistress of the breath of life

The mistress of manifestations

The mistress of jewelry

She with pleasant scent

The devouring flame

The eye of Ra

Whose flame comes out against her enemies

Who inflicts massacre against the crooked-hearted

The very popular one (to the gods)

The mistress of messengers

Who delights Ra with the beat of her fingers (as a musician)

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bleedingheartpagan · 5 years ago

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I feel like I am going to need her support starting in a few months.

GODDESS GUIDE: B A S T E T / B A S T

🥀 treat everyone with grace and affection

🥀 wear perfume often

🥀 never ever harm cats, spend time around them

🥀 learn all her Epithets

🥀 have fun with your sexuality

🥀 draw energy from the sun

🥀 know first aid and healing principles

🥀 be both nurturing and strong and unmovable at once

🥀 defend people wrongly accused and bullied

🥀 grow catnip in your garden

🥀 help abused people

🥀 enjoy dancing and drinking if you’re of legal age

🥀 call upon her fighting spirit when you need strength

🥀 call upon her lover’s spirit when you need passion

💧🦋Aphroditiful🦋💧

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bleedingheartpagan · 5 years ago

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Figure of Thoth. God of Knowledge, the Moon, Measurement, Wisdom, the Alphabet, Records, Thought, Intelligence, Meditation, the Mind, Logic, Reason, Reading, Hieroglyphics, Magic, Secrets, Scribes, and Writing. He was often depicted as a man with the head of an ibis or a baboon, animals sacred to him. Now in the Louvre.

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bleedingheartpagan · 5 years ago

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It’s been a while, but I’ve been feeling the touch of Thoth.

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bleedingheartpagan · 5 years ago

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“The other day she said to me ‘sometimes I just feel like a gas station’ and I laughed at the statement before she explained ‘people stop by to get what they need, whether it’s sex, laughter, or someone to suffocate the loneliness, until they’re full again and the last thing you ever see is them driving away’ and now I’m wondering if a gas station is all I’ll ever be”

— 02/02/2020

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bleedingheartpagan · 5 years ago

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@ptsdying

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bleedingheartpagan · 5 years ago

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How many times can a heart break till it ceases to exist?

-themindscalligraphy

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bleedingheartpagan · 6 years ago

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Bastet - Worship and Offerings Guide

If you're reading this, it may be because you've been chosen by Bastet. Congratulations! Bastet is a wonderful deity to work with. She is warm, kind, and protective.

Of course, nowadays you don't need to have a mummified cat to please her! She's quite easy to cater to, and willing to accept nearly anything as an offering as long as it was presented in good faith.

So, now what?

Well, like any relationship with a deity, it begins with a cup of tea. She seems to prefer fruity teas like hibiscus, as well as spicy teas like chai.

Now, the altar

So, we know the basics of an altar. Depiction of the deity, candles, an incense holder.

Some things that Bastet would specifically appreciate are:

Fabrics (natural, cotton and silk)

Perfumes (not the cheap, artificial stuff mind you)

Jewelry (pretty much any kind is fine, as long as it's not plastic)

Glass, namely colored glass

Bells

Peacock feathers

The offerings

Now that we have our altar set up, it's time to start with the offerings!

For food and drink, Bastet likes:

Fruits, namely tart fruits like pomegranates, raspberries, grapes, ect.

Flowers (not necessarily a food item, but it's organic in nature I guess)

Chocolates (milk or mildly dark)

Cinnamon or other spices

Milk

Honey

Bread

Hibiscus, chai, and other fruity or spicy teas

Red meat or fish

Incense

Rose

Cinnamon

Clove

Jasmine

Dragon's blood

Vanilla

Other offerings

Blue, green, red and purple crystals (some jaspers, amethyst, agates, ruby, serpentine, jade)

Abalone shells

Glass, colored or otherwise

Peacock feathers

Bells

You can also honor Bastet by being kind to cats. You can give your cats special treats or toys, feed the stray cats or build shelters for them, or volunteer at an animal shelter.

All in all, working with Bastet is a wonderful and fulfilling experience. I hope your relationship with this deity is long and prosperous!

410 notes · View notes