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Protection and Luck Charms - January Full Moon Magic

Each month our full moon energy series comes in at least two blog posts. One that explains and teaches what that full moon is all about. Then followed by the second post which puts it in practice. It is my firm belief that only so much can be discovered through study. To fully grasp something, one has to put it into practice. My hope is with these easy spells everyone, can take the time to put this study into practice for themselves.

January's full moon spell will be one to help with protection, luck, or both depending on the intent you choose to put into it. The items and ingredients needed are all easy to obtain, and most of you will probably have these items already on hand.

The things you'll need:

Marjoram.  = Herb correspondents with both protective and lucky energies. White and/or Green Square pieces of paper - white for protection or green for luck. White and/or Green String. ( All these items can be found in any supermarket like store. Including Wal-Mart. )

As mentioned in Energies of January's Full Moon blog, Marjoram is linked to this month's lunar cycle.  This herb also has strong protective and luck property, which will be paired with corresponding colors.  All of that alone would be more than enough to create a strong protective or luck charm. Especially if your belief, intent, and energy pour into it are strong.  Doing this spell during the 3 days of full moon energy, and leaving it in a place to absorb the moon's potency just supercharges the whole package. The hope is by doing this now, it stays charged all year round, and becomes a yearly tradition.

All you need to do is the following.

Cut the green or white paper into 4x4 inch squares. Green paper for Luck, White paper for Protection. Cut as many squares as you want charms.  Personally, I would make a protection square for each room in my home, plus one for the front and back door.  You could also make one for each person in your household as well, or those you wish to have a bit of extra protection.

When it comes to the luck charms, same thing goes cut a square for each luck charm you wish to make. I tend to make one for my person, and in any place, I feel like a little extra luck would be nice, like my wallet or car.

In the center of each square of paper, place a small about of dried marjoram. Then fold the paper around it in such a way that the herb can't fall of it.  I suggest folding in each side towards the center like you would a three folded letter. You should end up with a tiny square.  Then secure the square shut with the same colored string. Tie it tightly and end it with a bow.

Now hold these charms you've created close to your being, near your heart.  Raise your energy, and think only thought of protection or luck and let it all pour into the little squares.  Fill them with your intent and belief. Once you are satisfied with infusing them, place them outside. Since they are small and lightweight I suggest putting them in a glass jar. Especially given the current weather situation here in Missouri, they'd get ruined in all that wet and cold.

Let them soak up the full moon energy all night,  first then in the morning bring them in, and then place them where they need to go.

There you have it, Quiet Moon Protection and Luck Charms to last the year!

As of today, its Jan 11th.  The Full moon energy is said to last 3 days. So you'll have tonight and tomorrow to do this work with the help of the full moon. You can, of course, use this spell at any time, you just won't be able to supercharge it with January's Full Moon.

I hope you enjoy this quick and easy charm, and with all the best wishes I trust it serves you well. Until next blog, good luck to all of you in everything you do. Blessed be <3

[themagicaconsortium]

Energies of January’s Full Moon

New year, a new month, and with it a new full moon to continue our mini blog series.

We left off that each month's full moon has a unique flair all its own, adding to its already supercharged manifestation energy.  Meaning, that if the practitioner wishes to tap into those adjoined aspects, they will be supercharged. That boost can not only be used in spell work but also felt on how the moon affects us during its peak.

Keep that in mind when learning about full moon anything. It is not just about the energy we can put out, but the effects felt inwards as well.

It seems nowadays most have adopted the term 'Wolf Moon' as the title for January.  A sacred name which was bestowed upon the moon by Native American Tribes, which of course, is not the only name to grace this month's lunar cycle.  Throughout time and cultures its also been called the Snow Moon, Cold Moon, Chaste Moon, and Moon of little winter. My personal favorite would be, Quiet Moon as I feel it describes its energy the best.

The first month of the year always has an eerie calmness to it, all warped up in its layers of hibernation and low energy. It's a time of stillness, of darkness and with it, simplicity. Beneath that dull grayness of winter, beyond the instinctual call to conserve what energy we have,  the depths of our core stir. Its voice only heard by the quiet moon which listens. With the nights long, the silvery cosmic guardian has ample time to take in the whispers of our soul.  

It is during this time of endings and beginnings that we're able to make adjustments. The outdated left behind as we start the process of planning for the new.  A reminder that it won't be long before its time to sow our seeds. And in this spirit of forwarding momentum, January is recognized as the time to settle old debts, and change one's luck. To renew the wards that protect us, house, and home.  

In all of these ways, the Quiet Moon is the very embodiment of January with its start of the new year. Along with the information above, here is a list of correspondents that align with the month's moon. Spirits: Gnomes Brownies Herbs: Marjoram, holy thistle, nuts and cones Flowers: Snowdrops, Crocus Colors: Brilliants White, Blue violet, black Scents: Musk, Mimosa, Oakmoss Stones: Garnet, Onyx, Jet, Chrysoprase Trees: Birch, Hazel animals: Fox, Coyote, Wolf Birds: Pheasant, blue Jay Deities: Freyja, Inanna, Hera, Kore, Fortuna Energies: Blow the surface, beginnings, Protection, reversing, Conservation, Working within/alone. Listening Element: Air. All of us here at The Consortium hope you enjoy the coming full moon Jan. 10th 2020. Hopefully, this quick summary of its energy types helps you perform whatever magic you need to start off 2020 just right. Tomorrow we will be adding a piece of spell work you are all welcome to use, share, tweak, whatever you see fit. It's free to use. Until then, best of luck to all of you in everything that you do. Blessed be. 

[themagicaconsortium]

Full Moon Magic for December.

Tonight marks the last night of December's full moon and with it the last chance to work with its specific energy.  Below we have included a guided meditation that will help you discover a personal sigil to create a moon charm. Please feel free to use this, share it, and make changes to it to fit your needs.

Guided Meditation.

Please, if you can, do this outside.

Close your eyes, and let your form slowly relax. Take note of where you carry your tension, where you feel the weights of your mundane burdens. Shed them, allow them to roll down and off your body. Feel them tumble far away and into a place that can not find you.

Now, take a long, deep breath. Let the frosty air of December fill your lungs. Take note of how the coldness is equal parts refreshing and painful, how the icy air stings, and prickles the senses. As you breathe out, relax, and let your body find a comfortable position.

As you breathe in again, take in the stillness of winter, how everything has a sense of purity and simplicity. Upon your next exhale, reach out with your mind's eye and find the silvery light of the moon.

Continue to breathe slow, deep measured breaths, until the moon has fully drawn you in.

Slowly, everything you see will fade away until all you notice are rolling hills of gray against the stark blackness of the night sky. The only source of light is the bright full moon. It's beautiful rays illuminate a path in front of you. Cobblestone colored in by various shades and hues of gray lead your way.

Up, down, and in between the rolling mounds, this journey takes you. The landscape ever constant, gray, simple, and stoic as the fullness of the moon acts as your guiding star.

Off in the distance, you notice the hills begin to turn into mountains, and the path leads you straight to them and into a cave at their base. The cave is unusually dark, the very definition of light's absence. Yet, if you call upon the moon's radiance, it will continue to guide you.

The silvery glow, though soft and subtle, shines brightly on the things we need to see most. The light gives us the strength to take note of aspects within ourselves we might others wish to ignore. We are given the resolve to continue our journey no matter how many things we see inside this cave.

After many twists and turns, and the struggles of climbing this mountain from the inside, you once more see the full moon.  The exist laid out before you, and along with it, the triumph that comes with completing a goal.

Once outside, you find a small pool of water, a place to take a seat, and quench your thirst. As you lean down to drink from the pool, the surface ripples, and dances with the moonlight. The reflection shows you, your sigil for the December moon.  A token of your journey to be charged with the moon's energy.

Spell Work:

Once you our of the meditation, write down the sigil that came to you. Best not to forget it. Then you need to decide what kind of material you wish to use to make your charm.   It can be anything, including just a piece of paper.

When you're ready, draw, cave, paint, etc your sigil onto whatever surface you plan to use.  Take your time, remember the experience of the meditation. Focus on your strength, resolve, and conviction to do what you need to do, based on what you saw in the cave. Once you're finished, place the item outside and leave it there all night. That way the last rays of the full moon can charge it.

This charm is to be carried on your person, and to work as a reminder to show up for yourself, and to work on the things the moon illuminated for you.

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Energies of December’s Full Moon

To continue our mini-series on full moon energy and moon potency, we're going to explore another level of depth-ness.  The unique flavor and vibrancy that comes with each month's full moon. Going back to the simile of food, let's compare these various moons to apples. At the end of the day, they're all apples and they're all going to taste like apples. The same can be said that all full moons have the underlining same energy, which we covered in the previous blog. But, just like apples, where they all taste slightly different from each other, each full moon will be slightly different too.

Since we're in December, and this evening marks the first day of The Cold Full moon, let's just start there. At about 11:12 pm it'll cross the meridian, meaning it will be at the highest point in the sky. Which equals the point when the moon is most potent. So it's ideal that you time your magically work as close to that as possible.  Remember, this is based on central standard time, so please adjust for your time zone.

The Cold Moon has many names it is referred by but, my personal favorite is The Longest Night's Moon. It represents the need to embrace the darkness, to work inward with retrospection, and preform spiritual alchemy. December's full moon challenge's us to hone our strength, resolve, and conviction. To stay steadfast, with who we are, and what we plan to accomplish. It's the perfect full moon to carry us into the new year.

Tapping into these strong energies tell us to show up and reconnect to ourselves. To remember the importance of self-responsibility, our own accountability, and most importantly, self-love. When pulling on those powerful energy types, It's strongly suggested to tie in the nurturing and healing aspects of the full moon as well. There can be a lot to unload with this moon in particular, and taking advantage of everything it can offer is paramount.  Think of it as the last full moon cleanse of the year, leaving everything you don't want from 2019 behind.

All of us here at The Consortium hope you enjoy the next three nights of the full moon. Hopefully, this quick summary of its energy types helps you perform whatever magic you need to wrap up 2019 in style. Tomorrow we will be adding our last full moon blog for the month, it'll be short, and just contain some magically working for the moon that we'd like to share. Until then, best of luck to all of you in everything that you do. Blessed be.

[themagicaconsortium]

Energy of the full moon

Magic is a combination of the energy, mixed with our intent and folded together with belief.  It's a recipe that yields the manifestation of one's desire.  Those three components are the staples and needed for any type of magic to work. Items, tools, and correspondents, like the moon, are the add flair and spice to your craft. They are not necessary, but like adding butter to biscuits, they make the overall product that much more amazing. Compare energy, intent, and belief to flour, eggs, and milk, the moon would be, like various kinds of flour.  Any kind would work in a pinch, but using the correct type makes all the difference.

Full moon energy is the most potent, bang for your buck, amplifier out there. It will supercharge any spell work, magical tool, or item that's set in its path. At this phase, the energy that comes off the moon IS the energy of manifestation. The embodiment of nourishment and prosperity, it's perfect for healing and working on personal growth. The window to tap into this energy, only happens three days out of a twenty-nine-day cycle. For those who use the sidereal measurements, that cycle becomes twenty-seven days.  

There aren't any specific rules on how to do this. The most wonderful aspect of magic is the fact it's a personal experience, and not ruled by doctrine. Anybody who says otherwise is full of themselves. The full moon can be drawn upon by any fashion a person chooses. This can be done simply by standing outside and soaking up the pale silvery light. If a bit more flare is your thing, here is a long list of suggested components that can be incorporated.

Tools:  Candles ( Silver or white ), Epsom salts, divination items like tarot cards or a scrying mirror.

Aromas - Jade, Lavender, eucalyptus, rose, sandalwood, frankincense.

Stones: selenite, quartz, beryl, aquamarine, mother of pearl, moonstone, pearls, sapphire, holey stone ( hag stone )

Deities:  Thoth, Chandra, Mah, Sin, Artemis, Diana, Hecate, Ishtar, Isis, Ix Chef, Hina, Chia, Demeter, Persephone.

Foods: Melon, fish ( especially Salmon ), Oysters, Mushrooms, and moon cakes.

Spell-craft or magic of any kind can be done during the full moon and benefit from the energy. If you're at a loss as to what to do, here are a few suggestions.  Create a ritual to cleanse and recharge yourself and your most-used magical tools. Take the time to craft a moon charm specifically to embody the energy of manifestation. Divination work for personal growth, and reflection is a wonderful monthly ritual. The possibilities are endless and only bound by a person's creativity.

Here at the consortium, we hope this quick explanation on full moon energy, helps you on your path. Look forward to our December full moon, follow up blog in the next day or so. Until then, we wish you all the best of luck in everything you do. Blessed Be!

[themagicaconsortium]

Grounding and Centering - The Basics

Let's talk grounding and centering and how these particular practices transcend any one religion. Instead, they have been adapted into a tool to better oneself, away from any dogma or doctrine.  Meaning, these techniques can be used alone.

At a baseline, they are a form of meditation very similar to mindfulness. When it comes to the occult and practicing magic, grounding and centering become fundamentals. I will never say there are absolute truths, and thus, I'm not saying these things have to be done. One can learn to walk before they learn to crawl, but no harm ever came in learning how to crawl.  So let's learn to crawl.

Personally, I feel to center you must first ground, so what does it mean to be grounded? In mundane terms, it's very similar to a ground wire in an electrical circuit. When a person is grounded they let go of any stray emotional energy and its poured into the earth, quite literally.

By unpacking our inner baggage, we ensure that it won't stagnate and fester. This gives us the ability to find peace and clear-headedness. By letting go, we release the tension from our bodies, along with any hold those unchecked emotions had on us.

When it comes to practicing magic, having a clear and focused mind is of utmost importance. Energy is neutral until it is influenced and given intention. Grounding out beforehand ensures that nothing other than what we want will influence our work.

That leaves us with the task of grounding.  I prefer to spend the five to ten minutes that it takes, and do it outside. Physical contact with the earth always helps the process, and we all could use more time in the outdoors. Make sure you sit comfortably and begin to allow your body to relax. Make a mental note of every area of your form.

Some people start at their feet and work their way up.  I suggest beginning at the head and move down, working with the flow instead of against it. Slow, measured breaths help, making it a point to release on each exhale. There is no rush, so take your time as you move down your body. When you come to an area that holds unrealized tension, explore what is being held there. Why are your teeth clenched? Why are your shoulders stiff? When the reasons come to mind, let them go.  Continue this process until your feet have been reached, and both your body and mind are still.  This is ground.

Hold onto that, that state of calm and peace. Move it inward and towards your true self, undiluted by ego and outside stressors.  This connection to our spirit, while we are grounded to Earth, creates our center. In short, being centered is being in balance with opposing forces. In this example physical and spirit.

You should feel a sensation of just, of peace and awareness. A sense of clarity and connective-ness, that things are just as they are, and that is okay.

Finding center can be a bit harder to achieve than ground. To those who are new to it, I always suggest practicing the technique daily.  For some using water will work easier than being outside. The shower can be a great place to do this, especially with the running water.

Don't become discouraged if it takes a bit of time to reach. Like I said before, learn, and don't forget learning takes time. So practice, practice, practice. Our next article will cover earthing and merging.  

So until then, take care, and best of luck to you all in everything you do.

[themagicaconsortium]

Herbs and books Vol 4 (Last one)

To Obtain,...

Money, Riches, Treasures and Wealth

Herbs:  Alfalfa, Allspice, Cinnamon, Cloves, Ginger and Oats.          

Instructions: Dry, crush and mix herbs. use as incense on apiece of charcoal. Repeat the following spell.

  Incantations:           Like bees with honey                                 this person needs money.                                  Bring to me with stealth,                                     prosperity and wealth.                                          So Mote it Be!      

Written by:   Willow Song

To Obtain Longevity

Herbs: Lavender, life everlasting, and peach.        

Instructions: Crush and use as a tea. Repeat following spell;

Incantation:                        I call upon Brigid,                                              to take thy knife,                                            cut away any strife,                                              and allow long life.                                              So Mote it Be!    

Written By: Willow Song

To Aid Meditation

Herbs: Bodhi, and gotu kola.        

Instructions: Crush and use as incense on a piece of charcoal. Repeat the following spell.

Incantation:                    I call upon the universe,                                       to aid me in this operation,                                       and assist in this situation,                                  to help and guide my meditation.                                                So Mote it Be!

To Obtain Beauty

Herbs: Gensing, maidenhair, and yerba.

Instructions: Place herbs in a green pouch to carry. Repeat the following spell;

Incantations:                               I call upon Venus,                                                   Goddess of beauty,                                              don't allow me to be sooty,                                                  help me attain beauty.                                                       So Mote it Be!

To Obtain Power

 Herbs: Rowan-berries or bark, Ebony-wood, Gentian-flower or root,              Ginger-root    

Instructions: Make sure all herbs are dried before placing in a sachet. Repeat the following spell;

Incantations:                   Just like a blooming flower,                                           facing the sun for strength,                                              I come to you this hour                                              please grant me power.                                                     So Mote it Be!

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Herbs and books Vol 3.

 To Promote Healing

Ingredients: Black tea, lemon balm, cinnamon, mint ,rose hips

Instructions: Combine herbs with hot black tea, let steep 3-5 minutes, strain. Add sweetener if desired.

Repeat the following spell, then drink the tea:                                                                 Here I send an appeal,                                        help me through this ordeal                                                and I do ask that                                        you please help me heal.                                                So Mote it Be!

 To Induce Visions

  Herbs: Angelica, coltsfoot, crocus, damiana

  Instructions:  Grind ingredients well. Place small amount on charcoal and burn as incense. Repeat the following spell.    

Meditate while the incense is burning;                                           Smoke from incense,                                            clear my minds eye,                                            free me of pretense                                               and please do                                               So Mote it Be!

To Increase or Create Lust

  Ingredients: Avocado, Hibiscus, Caper, Lemon Grass, Caraway, Mint, Carrot, Olives, Celery, Onion, Dill, Parsley, Endive, Radish, Garlic

Instructions: Combine all ingredients, repeat spell, then consume food.                                                                   As I consume this food                                                in you I do trust                                            push me into the thrust                                             and increase my lust.                                                  So Mote it Be!

By El Bee and WillowSong

Wake the Dead Coffee

Ingredients: Coffee, Chickory, Cinnamon, Anise

Incantation:                 Beans of perk make quick work,                                   cinnamon please fire up my power                                 little star bring vitality within this hour                               coffee clear my head and wake the dead.

 Hex be Gone Dust

Herbs and components: Need one piece of hallowed out bamboo, use this to blow air through to send the dust to bust the hex.   Grind to powder; wintergreen, mint, rosemary

  Incantation:                         Winds of change                                             you have full range                                               clear this space                                           for This is My Place                                                 So Mote it Be!

By Angel

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Herbs and Books Vol2.

Notes: A discussion on to obtain Wealth; herbs to use- cedar, cinquefoil, cloves, jasmine, and poplar. A spell will be written at our next meeting. Please remember to enchant the herbs before use as this will give added strength to the spell. Spells to help with legal matters:

Ingredients; Buckthorne, Celandine, Marigold, Cascara Sagrada, and Hickory.

 I call on the four quarters

of air, fire, water, and earth

in which these plants are raised.

Cast forth your power and

help matters go my way.

  So Mote It Be

Please assist me in

my looming legal matters,

leaving turmoil in shatters,

and my foes in tatters.

So Mote It Be

[themagicaconsortium]

Herbs and book club Vol. 1

Back Before The Magica Consortium was The College of Occult Sciences, it had a book club. During the second half of 2018 and into March of 2019 they were reading several materials on herbs. This is a collection of spells they wrote from their research.                                              To Maintain Health Herbs; Carnation, Juniper, Mullein Oak. Instructions: You’ll need a carrying Oil that is safe to burn. Mix herbs with oil and mash together. Add to hot charcoal and as smoke rises fan onto self and say   Incantation:       Sweet smoke of herbs Invest yourself in me,                                   Cover me with flower, leaf and stem                                        and health shall be with me.                                          Manifestation of Spirit Herbs; Mastic, Balm of Gilead, Dittany of Crete. Instructions: In a large wide censor place the charcoal across the bottom. Place a large amount of Mastic on the coal, enough to create a large cloud of smoke. Place equal amounts of Balm of Gilead and Dittany of Crete on the coals and speak the spell; Incantation:              (spirit name)Come forth, I call you.                                       (spirit name)Show me your face.                         (spirit name)Chill is in the air when you are here,                       (spirit name)Thick is the smoke that surrounds you,                                    (spirit name)Come forth I call you.                                                    Presto Manifesto                                                  Attain Courage Herbs; Mullein, Tea, Yarrow Instructions: Enchant herbs and place in a red felt bad with matching yarn. Say the following spell:       Mullein, Tea and Yarrow,                                              Come to me on the morrow,                                                  To grant me courage,                                                   And leave out sorrow.                                                         So mote it be.                                                       Obtain Luck Herbs; aloe and calamus plants     Instructions: Combined the two, and place their contents in a seal able jar, small enough to carry on your person. Incantation:                Calamus and Aloe of Moon and water,                                            I come to you as a daughter,                                             I ask you to grant me luck,

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Quick bit about Samhain

It's the eve before Ole Hallows Night, when the veil between this world and the realms of spirits is at its thinnest.  When we stare into the cold darkness, into the abyss and make peace with the end of things.

We look at death and honor it.

Mainstream culture calls it Halloween, Samhain is a frequent term used by both Wiccans and Pagans alike. There is a fondness as it means years end in Gaelic.

This ends the harvest season, as all that had been sowed back in spring has now come to fruition. The breeze outside is now brisk and night falls so much sooner. Its a time for preparation before we all enter the long isolating season of winter. When we enter our time of retrospection and fermentation.

It is the end of the witches' year, and with that comes a whole array of traditions.

Since the Veil is at its thinnest, many traditions center around honoring our dead and ancestors.

Some will say to place candles in the west-facing windows in your home. The light will act as a beacon to your passed loved ones and ancestors, a guide so they will never lose their way home.

A fairly common tradition is an ancestors' plate at dinner, that way they can join in the feasting.  The serving of traditional foods in one's family at dinner, this honors them, and the history of your family line. During dinner sharing of stories is customary, and so is the listing of one's family tree.  

Feasting is also a huge part of Samhain,  the last bit on indulgence before conserving food during winter. Nowadays we have fridges and freezers to store food, but before the slaughtering of any animals that wouldn't make it during the cold would be butchered and feasted upon.

This, of course, got the community together and large bonfires would be lit. These fires were used to get rid of things people didn't want to bring with them into the new year. It was also used to light each home's hearth with the hopes it would keep everyone safe and warm.

Outside of homes gourds such as pumpkins and even turnips were carved. Their insides hallowed and lite up to capture any unwanted spirits.  Later they'd be buried far away, much like any witches' bottle. This is how the tale of Jack was started, his spirit caught inside a carved out pumpkin.

In preparation for the coming year and with the spirits able to cross over. Some say it wise to do divination work, to call upon that ancestors for divine knowledge and wisdom. If you can see what is coming, one can plan on how to meet it head-on.

Dressing up thought seen now more as a novelty tradition for Halloween was originally created for two different reasons.  One was to hide among the spirits and make them feel welcome as they traveled back to our side. The other was to dress up as what you wanted to become in the next year. Want that spiffy new business job, then dress up as a business person.

These are all the most common traditions, the bottom line in all of it. Be it if you call it  Samhain or Halloween, Ole Hallow Eve or whatever is a small handful of things.

Death, A thinning Veil between realms, honoring our ancestors, our harvests, protection, divinity, and preparation for the harsh of winter, and for the new year to come.  It is a somber time even as we celebrate.

Be kind, and be honorable.

[themagicaconsortium]

Quick Blog on Mabon

It was during the movement of re-introducing the "old ways" into society as a whole, that the Wiccan / Neopagan Sabbat known as Mabon was created. Steeped in the old traditions of the Fall Equinox the name was derived from Modron, a Welsh Deity.

Usually celebrated around the 21st to the 22nd of September, Mabon celebrates balance. During a time where conflicting aspects are equal to one another, as in light and darkness, Day and night.  A time to look inward and re-establish balance.  Get rid of that which no longer serves you, along with a good cleaning to get ready for the winter to come. All very similar practices to the Druid Holiday of Alban Elfred.

The Sabbat, in general, is seen as the Wiccan Thanksgiving, and usually considered the second harvest, or better known as the fruit harvest. Specifically, apples and grapes, making it a perfect time to dedicate rituals to Pamona and Bacchus/ Dionysus.

Though this harvest is much more than just fall crops, it is also the harvest of personal works. A time to see how our hopes and dreams from Imbolc and Ostra manifested themselves.  In both cases, its widely practiced to give thanks to the "Green Man" Or the ( Sun ) god for the life and energy given to help see those to fruition.

With the bounty of any good harvest festival, you will find friends and family gathered around a table in a feast with plates stacked high with traditional foods of breads, nuts, season fruits, and veggies. This is especially so since the crops and soil will all be slowly dying off, and everyone will soon be shut away in their homes once the coldness of winter comes.  The one last hurrah before the time of darkness and the waning god dies.

This is also a time to celebrate the Goddess as she transitions from the mother to the crone, or as some would call it the aspect of the Dark Mother. A face of the goddess that not all are usually comfortable with. A hard, more tough love mother, than the usual warm and nurturing aspect.

The stories of Persephone, Inanna, and Kali are all great representations of this.

Other Aspects and Correspondents associated with Mabon are the colors red, gold, green, brown and yellow.  Symbols of wine, gourds, acorns, vines, sickles, and baskets.  

Herbs and plants are your ferns, marigolds, milkweed, rose, sage, tobacco, and thistle.

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Ancestral Samhain Ritual

October 19th 2019 was the evening when The College of Occult Sciences made its first announcement that it would be becoming The Magica Consortium. This also the night of our Ancestral Samhain event. This was the ritual we created for that evening.  You are all more than welcome to borrow, and adapt this ritual for your future Samhain events, if you so choose. Bless and cleanse the are to create sacred space before you have everyone arrive.  This can be simply done with physically cleaning the area, sprinkling salt water, and burning your choice of incense. At this time, its a good idea to go ahead and set up your altar. If you are choosing to do an Ancestral altar as well, go ahead and create the space for it too. There is nothing particular that you need to have on this altar. Given the theme of the ritual, we do suggest lots of candles. As a personal preference I love the tall cylinder candles that are in glass. When it is time to do the ritual, have everyone circle up in the space you created. As they file in, take this time to smudge using your choice of materials. If burning the materials is not something you can do, wind chimes work as a perfect substitute. You could also make bubbles that have been infused with a protection oil like sandalwood. This of course blow bubbles on everyone. As a personal preference, I feel like the wind chimes set a better tone in this situation. Once everyone has lined up, and the smudging is finished take a moment.  Have everyone close their eyes, take a couple long, deep breathes. Let them ground and find center. Once the whole space feels at peace begin to cast circle. You can use your hand, a sword, a wand, or in my case I used a dagger. As you go around each time, do so silently. Start in the north and begin to cast circle counter clockwise, going from North, to west, to south and then east. To once more to the north to pause and speak. Round once:  I cast this circle in the land of the living, May it grand us safe passage and protection. Round twice: I cast this circle in the land of the dead. May it act as a beacon to those we call forth. Round third ( and final time ) I cast this circle thrice, so that it will bind the two. Creating a space that is not a space. In a time that is not a time. So mote be. At this point, I placed my dagger into the earth. And then the quarter Callers began to call the elements. Again starting in the North and workings counter clockwise, from North to west, to south and then east. Each quarter caller wrote their own call. These were their guidelines. North should mention How it cradles us at the start of life, and does so as well at the end of life. Always giving us strength. West should mention something about crossing the river into the realm of the dead.  And always giving us the ability to intuition. South should mention how is the spark of life. the passion and drive that is passed down to us through our ancestors. East should mention how it carries the wisdom of the ancestors upon the winds. Giving us the ability to talk with the dead. After the quarters are called its time to call in the Gods and Goddesses. We did this with one person, You can if you wish break it up between two. I call to the gods, goddesses and divine spirits who preside over the realms of the dead. I call to Hecate, Persphone, Hel, and Hades. I call to Anubis, Osirus, Yama, and  Kalma. Hear us. Grant us safe communion with our dead and the ancestors. Let us embrace them once more, and hear their words of wisdom. Permit us this time, when the veil is thinning between our two worlds.   Please join us in these somber times, and as we celebrate the turning of the year. Hail and Welcome Then after a brief pause the Priestess and/or Priest will continue on. Do you feel it? The slight chill to the air?  the hair as it rises up on goosebumps. We are here in the veil, and so are they. All we have to do is call to them. Speak their names, And they'll let their presence be known. So,.. Let's summon them, and let them help us with tonight's work. This is when we will call to our passed loved ones and ancestors. It usually starts with the Priestess and Priest. They call back through their ancestry. I am ( name ) I was born ( full name ) Child of ( parents ) who were the child of ( grand parents )  Continue to call back as far as you can. Ending with And Ancestors unknown. Hail and Welcome. Once the Priestess and Priest have called, Have another member in the ritual team go next.  You can then choose to have the circle follow around and do it in that order.  Or have people step as they are compelled to call to their ancestors. After each person had called, The whole circle should Hail and welcome them. Once everyone has had a chance to call in. Hail and welcome them once more. Then give the circle a chance to share any stories they'd like.  Once it seems that has wrapped itself up. We will move forward with the last part of the ritual.  The Fire Starters. This is Samhain. This is the last turn of the wheel before we go into the darkness of winter. A period of time steeped in personal work and retrospection. It's important that before we start this personal work. We are reminded of where we come from, and who we belong to. As we take this time of year to honor our past and our ancestors, we need to also honor the love that brought life to us. The same love that created our community and has kept it going. In the old times, Samhain was also a grand celebration. Tonight we hope to recreate that.   A lot of the festivities dealt with seeking wisdom. Getting rid of anything that no longer served you and doing divination work to see where the next year would take you. It was said, that as the veil thinned, the ancestors could influence the divination work, and pass along information.  hopefully tonight, you will be given that gift. But another tradition was with the large community fire they'd build in the center of town. At the end of Samhain, each family would take a piece of this fire home and light their hearth with it.  This fire, from their community was said to keep them each safe, and warm throughout the cold hard winter. For the Fire was infused with the love and protection of the whole community. It tied them all together.that tonight, Now we can’t physically give you a piece of fire tonight, so instead we made fire starters. I want us, and our ancestors to infused these fire starters with that same magic. In this basket is enough bundles of fire starters for each person to have two. I'd like us to pass this basket around twice. The first time, when the basket comes to you. Charge all the items with in, with love, protection, and sense of belonging. Pour your heart into it, and have the love of your ancestors help you. On the second time around, I'd like everyone to take two of the bundles. I fire starter needs to go home with you. The second one you are welcome to place in the fire here, or give to someone who was not at this event. As the basket is passed around with the fire starters you can choose to chant or be silent. We chose to be silent. As things were wrapping up, during the second passing of the basket. We began doing Cakes and Ale. This again can be anything of your choosing. There are lots of season things to choose from.  You could do mull wine and soul cakes as one example. At this point the ritual is done. You can chose to close it, or you can chose to keep it up for the remanding on the evening. If you decide to keep it up for the remanding of the evening, we suggest you have everyone say good bye to their ancestors before they leave.

[themagicaconsortium]

Guided Meditation

Close your eyes,... and let your form slowly relax.  Take note of where you carry your tension, where you feel the weights of your mundane burdens. Shed them, allow them to roll down and off your body. Feel them tumble far away and into a place that can not touch you.

Now breathe deeply, pull in the cold crisp air of autumn and let it fill you. As you exhale let your body rest and find its natural state of comfort. As you take in your next deep breathe, notice its scent, how it smells of Fall, of fire, and of night.  Upon your next exhale take note of what you see in your mind's eyes.  Continue to breathe deep, measured breaths and allow your body to fall into a state of floating

What you see around you isn't all that important, let it fade into the background, let it blur until all you can focus on is the path ahead of you. Over time as you travel forward notice how the path changes. Any curvy nature it had before has straightened, you now begin to walk on hard, cold black top.

Around the edges, a low, dense fog seems to form. It shrouds your surroundings, leaving only the path forward visible. Only the slight hint of shadows can be noticed from the corners of your eyes. Yet all is silent, and their presence never once causes you freight.  What you do notice is the scent upon the air, its otherworldliness. How it seems to draw you forward, fill you with eagerness. It's soft and pleasant and stirs you will a sense of desire.

The farther you travel towards your designation and soak in this journey the stronger you deepest desire grows. Just as it feels like your chest would burst from this want, a tall street sign appears over you. It seems larger than life as it towers far overhead. The only word you can make out at first is Past, on the arrow which points to the path you are on now.

As you stand there and stare, the words on the other three arrows slowly come into view.  Only you can determine what those words are, for they are the words the describe the paths of your life.  For here is the crossroads.

A place that isn't a place for it dwells between the worlds. Here those of us who are living can interact with those in the other realms. The realms of death, the realms of magic, and the realms of the spirits.  Here everything can, and can not be.  Here those shadows from before become more than mere wisps but can manifest into their true forms.

Here is where Legba can be found, and where you can make your petition. Notice how he stands beneath the signpost, how he waits for you to approach. He knows you've come to make a petition.

So breathe, steady your resolve and decide what path you wish to focus on. Know it, let that desire fill your form, body, and soul.  When you have your grasp firmly around it, step forward and make your wants known to Legba.