O is for Ouija

I have never used an ouija board!
I know, I know, isn't that something every witch in the world (or at least western world) has used? Am I just that lame?

Well, when I was younger, young teens about, I wanted to use an ouija board and even asked my mom for one to use for slumber parties and whatnot. It seemed perfectly harmless as it was sold right next to Scrabble and cards in the toy section of the store. Mom was completely against it and later on, when she felt I was ready, she told me why.

When mom was in the military and traveling around a lot without me, she and her then roommate tried out the ouija board. The spirit answered all their questions but mom was sure that her roommate was moving the planchette. To prove to mom that she wasn't the roommate told her to ask a question only she knew the answer to. So mom asked what her father's name was - my grandfather died when mom was 14 years old and she doesn't talk about him hardly ever so her roommate wouldn't know his name.
Slowly, the planchette moved and spelled out my grandfather's name - Walter. Mom got so scared, she threw the planchette against the wall and hasn't touched one since. I have a feeling that more than that happened and mom simply isn't telling me.

Damon has used ouija boards and so has his mother - at one point his mom threw all of the boards in the house (about 3 of them total I'm told) out. I'm thinking she got a weird visitor or some bad news.

My belief about these boards is that the people asking questions of the spirits doesn't know who they're talking to and just because something is a spirit doesn't mean that they don't lie - they do. You could be talking to a dead relative...or something pretending to be one. I just recommend anyone using them to be careful, trust your gut instincts - if something feels wrong, it usually is.

Mayan Astrology

I was so impressed by the Mayan Astrology Reading I just received and read for myself, my husband and my mom-in-law today I just had to share the website with you, Dear Reader!

Simply log in, click on the "Dreamspell Calculator" - this will open a pop-up window so make sure your pop-up blocker allows it - and put your birthday in the calculator. The pop-up will give you your zodiac and a little tidbit about it.
With that information go back to the previous page and look up the zodiac on the listings given and read the further information provided there.

Why do I like the Mayan Astrology?
It seems like most astrology such as the Eastern Zodiac and Chinese Zodiac focuses on your personality while the Mayan focuses on your LIFE PATH!

I'll go ahead and share some of my own astrology reading here:

I am

White Cosmic World-bringer

I endure in order to equalize

Transcending opportunity

I seal the store of death

With the cosmic tone of presence

I am guided by the power of heart

In this life-time you are being asked to release and surrender. Surrender is the opposite of giving up. It is freeing yourself from the desire to be in control, letting go of how you think things should be. Surrender is freedom. You are being invited to release yourself from the bondage of preconceived action, to let everything be all right as it is, so that you can live a more inspired life in the moment!

You are being asked to take action in the process of surrender and release. You are requested to die a symbolic death, to surrender your limiting beliefs. Symbolic death unveils the self by cutting away the outgrown parts of yourself that no longer serve you. In such death, ego structures fall away to reveal the garden of the true self.

White Dog is your Higher Self & Guide.

One of the gifts of White Dog is the calling in and recognition of other companions of destiny. 

White Dog can be seen as an access point for developing relationships with guides, totems, allies and guardians. There are many ways to work with these spiritual guides, including guided visualizations, shamanic journeys, and meditation. A useful construct is viewing them as aspects of yourself, part of your life stream that is asking to be integrated. Remember, there is no 'other'. In this grand adventure, you are being asked to embody all that you are.

Profound insights are garnered through shared purpose and relationship with others who are willing to be in their truth and integrity about the light and shadow aspects they perceive in themselves.

White Dog signals a breakthrough in your life: new beginnings, new perceptions, new allies and friends. As you express more authentically who you are, you draw your true family closer to you.With your guides and companions, you have the ability to manifest your inspired visions and dreams. Recognize the eyes and hearts that spark the remembrance of a sacred trust.

The Harmonic Wisdom of White Dog is affinity, the attraction of like vibrations or substances for one another.

Blue Eagle is your Subconscious Self and Hidden Helper.

Blue Eagle reminds you to step powerfully into your commitment as a planetary server! Your assignment includes whatever furthers your personal evolution and the evolution of global mind. You are an awakener, a transformer, an empowered gloal visionary. In your vision, you have compassion for others, and your decisions are made in the light of global consciousness.

Imagine the profound impact your loving thoughts have on planetary mind. You do make a difference! As you connect individually with the larger crystal grid network, your power is multiplied exponentially. This galactic grid is also known as the Mayan cobweb.

The greatest gift you can offer to the planet is to simply be the love.

Yellow Warrior represents your Challenge and Gift. 

With maturity and awareness this challenge will turn into a Focus. This is what you desire to learn in this lifetime.

A major shadow of Yellow Warrior is a lack of trust in your inner voice. Oftentimes, in listening for the roar of a lion, you may not perceive the more subtle messages given by Spirit. Divine communication directs transformations on a cellular level, outside the realm of cognition. Self-doubt and fear are blocks to such trust. By creating electrochemical charges and holographic residue in your system, they can block access to cosmic communication. Your true self is always in direct contact with cosmic consciousness. Trust in your ability to receive clear inner teaching.

You know when something rings true and when it does not.

Attune yourself to the vibration of love, and your clear intent will attract the cosmic consciousness you seek.

Red Skywalker is your Compliment - something that comes naturally to you.

Red Skywalker is the skywalker, the time/space traveller who can jump dimensions to assist you in realizing heaven on Earth. RS is unlimited in form but often chooses the form of the angelic messenger.

(I wanted to share that Damon's Mayan Zodiac is the Red Overtone Skywalker and his compliment is the White World-bringer - strange that this is the only astrology reading that puts us together as complimentary instead of being conflicting opposites)

Your Tone is Tone 13 - Cosmic

Wild card, unseen forces, unexpected change, open system, touch of destiny, interdimensional shift.

Thirteen is the ray of universal movement, the foundation of self within the foundation of Essence Self combined with the rhythm of the trinity. The Cosmic Tone of 13 touches you with the hand of unseen forces and radical change. It will catalyze into movement whatever resists change or is unexamined or stationary. You are being touched by fate, moved through identifications of self into open consciousness.

Olin, the Mayan goddess of movement, asks you to surrender to the perfection of the larger pattern of your Essence Self. From the perspective of surrender and trust, what movement is being called for? Pay attention to synchronicities and seeming coincidences that jump into your awareness. Thirteen provides the possibility of a radical "frequency shift," offering you limitless new openings.

Become a skywalker.

Be open and flexible, allowing changing reference points to become dynamic allies. Open to the workings of destiny offered by universal movement.

I hope my reading inspires you to find your own Mayan zodiac and learn how it can aid your Life Path. 

Love and Light,

Dawn

Psalms Correspondences

Psalms used in folk magic - here is a list of each one and what it is used for - list was taken from AIRR links for psychics, readers and conjurers. 

• Psalms 1: For removal of the ungodly from a group; for a safe pregnancy.
• Psalms 2: To aid in disbanding and breaking up enemy conspiracies.
• Psalms 3: For relief from a severe headache or from back pain.
• Psalms 4: For restful and peaceful sleep; to change one's luck from bad to good.
• Psalms 5: For finding favor with authorities or superiors in business.
• Psalms 6: For healing diseases of the eye; for protection in the dark.
• Psalms 7: To stop conspiracies, enemy pursuit, for court cases.
• Psalms 8: Success in business through the good will of associates.
• Psalms 9: To punish enemies; yo restore good health to male children.
• Psalms 10: To cleanse off an unclean, restless, or intranquil spirit.
• Psalms 11: To cast off fear; for righteous retribution against your foes.
• Psalms 12: For protection against severe persecution or oppression.
• Psalms 13: For safety from unnatural death; for curing painful eye diseases.
• Psalms 14: To stop libel and slander from tarnishing the trust others have in you.
• Psalms 15: To exorcise evil spirits and devils from a person; for mental peace.
• Psalms 16: To identify a thief; to change sorrow to joy and heal to pain.
• Psalms 17: For safe travel abroad and to help bring a loved one safely home.
• Psalms 18: To drive off approaching robbers; for anointing the sick to cure them.
• Psalms 19: For help in childbirth, for release from jail, to remove evil spirits.
• Psalms 20: Protection from danger for a day; to be justified in a court case.
• Psalms 21: To both calm a storm and to offer protection for seafarers and sailors.
• Psalms 22: For travel protection from dangerous storms, pirates, beasts, and men.
• Psalms 23: For prosperity, love, protection, wisdom, and guidance.
• Psalms 24: For protection from floods and escape from rising waters.
• Psalms 25: Forgiveness of the sins of youth; protection from capture.
• Psalms 26: For the release of someone from confinement or from jail.
• Psalms 27: For protection and hospitality while one is travelling abroad.
• Psalms 28: To bring back estranged friends who have become hostile to you.
• Psalms 29: To drive out devils and restore peace and tranquility to the home.
• Psalms 30: For protection from enemies; for recovery from severe illnesses.
• Psalms 31: For protection from conspiracies, back-biting, and gossip.
• Psalms 32: To gain respect, love, grace, and blessings from Heaven.
• Psalms 33: To protect, unite, and bless all of the members of a family.
• Psalms 34: To destroy and reverse back evil; for protection while travelling.
• Psalms 35: For justice to prevail in court cases and legal matters.
• Psalms 36: For protection from slander and gossip and to to expose liars.
• Psalms 37: For protection against slander, gossip, lies, and evil-doers.
• Psalms 38: To help in court cases where slander fouled up the proceedings.
• Psalms 39: To turn around a court case when false testimony has been given.
• Psalms 40: For protection against evil spirits and to cast them out.
• Psalms 41: To restore a good name if slander and gossip have ruined a reputation.
• Psalms 42: For guidance from the Lord; for discovering answers in dreams.
• Psalms 43: To work against slander and wicked people; to turn back evil.
• Psalms 44: To guard and protect against enemies, invading armies, or war.
• Psalms 45: For peace between husband and wife; to calm an angry spouse
• Psalms 46: To help a struggling marriage; to soothe marital tensions.
• Psalms 47: To gain favour from those in power; for mastery over people.
• Psalms 48: To destroy hateful and envious enemies; to seize them with terror.
• Psalms 49: To help heal and ease serious illnesses, diseases, and fevers.
• Psalms 50: For healing; to overcome fevers and other forms of sickness.
• Psalms 51: For cleansing and removing sin, especially after acts of revenge.
• Psalms 52: To end all manner of gossip and calumny by poison-tongued people.
• Psalms 53: To protect from enemies whose names are known or unknown.
• Psalms 54: To give protection by reversing works of evil and malice.
• Psalms 55: To call upon the Lord to bring down retribution against attackers.
• Psalms 56: For intercession by the Almighty to remove temptation and bad habits.
• Psalms 57: To turn around one's luck, changing bad luck into good luck.
• Psalms 58: For warding off snakes and wild beasts; to reverse evil unto enemies.
• Psalms 59: To bring down the vengeance of the Lord against one's enemies.
• Psalms 60: For the Lord to march into battle and protect His soldiers.
• Psalms 61: For a new home to be fixed with good fortune, happiness, and peace.
• Psalms 62: For forgiveness of sins and to gain the blessing of the Lord.
• Psalms 63: To protect from being victimized by business partners and investors.
• Psalms 64: For protection, especially while at sea, and for a safe return.
• Psalms 65: For road opening that breaks through barriers and leads to success.
• Psalms 66: To remove and exorcise evil spirits; to cleanse a possessed person.
• Psalms 67: To help release those who has been imprisoned or otherwise bound.
• Psalms 68: Recited while preparing baths that are used to exorcise evil spirits.
• Psalms 69: To free one from slavery to addictions and unhealthy habits.
• Psalms 70: To cast down and reverse the wickedness wrought by enemies.
• Psalms 71: To release clients from prison, for acquittals in court cases.
• Psalms 72: To craft charms and talismans that bring a client favour and grace.
• Psalms 73: To protect travellers against religious persecution in foreign lands.
• Psalms 74: For an end to persecution and to destroy oppressors and persecutors.
• Psalms 75: Used along with specially prepared baths for the cleansing of sins.
• Psalms 76: For the Lord's intercession, to provide protection from all attacks.
• Psalms 77: Used against danger, poverty, chronic illness, drought, and famine.
• Psalms 78: To gain favors from kings, princes, and other government officials.
• Psalms 79: To utterly destroy the wicked and also to cast fatal curses.
• Psalms 80: To end spiritual doubts and to prevent people falling into unbelief.
• Psalms 81: To save people from error and mistakes, for safety from accidents.
• Psalms 82: To facilitate business deals and assist those making investments.
• Psalms 83: To keep clients safe during times of war, persecution, and captivity.
• Psalms 84: For healing, especially when the body has contracted unusual odors.
• Psalms 85: To soften hearts and restore peace to friends who have become enemies.
• Psalms 86: To bring goodness, spiritual peace, and happiness to the community.
• Psalms 87: To cleanse the community before starting healing and blessing work.
• Psalms 88: To remove evil and bring blessings; used with baths and talismans.
• Psalms 89: Prayed over oil to anoint the sick or secure a release from prison.
• Psalms 90: Used with Psalms 91 to protect from danger and exorcise evil spirits.
• Psalms 91: For protection from distress and harm; to remove evil spirits.
• Psalms 92: Prayed over herbal baths used to bring good fortune and high honors.
• Psalms 93: Against prosecution by unjust and oppressive men; to win in court.
• Psalms 94: For protection and to turn all evil back onto your enemies.
• Psalms 95: To cleanse sins; to pray for guidance and forgiveness for enemies.
• Psalms 96: To bless a family and bring happiness, peace, and joy to them.
• Psalms 97: Used with Psalms 96 for healing, blessing, and cleansing a family.
• Psalms 98: To restore peace between two hostile families; to bless a home.
• Psalms 99: For praise and devotion to God; to gain conversation with God.
• Psalms 100: To bring victory against enemies by uplifting the client.
• Psalms 101: For protection against enemies and to be rid of evil spirits.
• Psalms 102: For assistance in matters of fertility and to be granted grace.
• Psalms 103: For help in conceiving of a child and for the forgiveness of sins.
• Psalms 104: Repeated frequently to destroy and cleanse away harm, evil, and sin.
• Psalms 105: For healing illnesses, especially recurrent or periodic fevers.
• Psalms 106: For healing and to restore one to health, especially from fevers.
• Psalms 107: For remission or healing from periodic or recurrent fevers.
• Psalms 108: Utilized in a spell for financial success in your place of business.
• Psalms 109: Used in a powerful curse against oppressive, slanderous enemies.
• Psalms 110: For victory; to cause enemies to bow before you and beg for mercy.
• Psalms 111: Recited to acquire many friends, as well as respect, and admiration.
• Psalms 112: To increase in might and power, for success, abundance, and blessings.
• Psalms 113: Prayers and blessings for those in need; to stop infidelity and heresy.
• Psalms 114: Used in a spell for success in matters of finance, business, and money.
• Psalms 115: To foster truth-telling, for victory in debate over scoffers and mockers.
• Psalms 116: Recited daily for protection from violent or sudden death or injury.
• Psalms 117: For forgiveness of a failure to keep a vow or promise that you made.
• Psalms 118: For protection against those who try to misguide or lead you astray.
• Psalms 119: The longest Psalm, its 22 alphabetic divisions cover all human problems.
• Psalms 120: For success in court and for protection against snakes and scorpions.
• Psalms 121: For safety at night, both during sleep and while travelling in darkness.
• Psalms 122: For peace within a city, and to gain the favour of those in high station.
• Psalms 123: Employed in a spell to cause a servant, trainee, or employee to return.
• Psalms 124: Cleansing of the soul, protection at sea and from being wronged.
• Psalms 125: For protection in foreign lands and against those who work iniquity.
• Psalms 126: After miscarriage or the death of a child; for the next child to live.
• Psalms 127: Placed in a mojo for the protection and blessing of a newborn baby.
• Psalms 128: For a fortunate, accident-free pregnancy; for uncomplicated childbirth.
• Psalms 129: Recited daily to prepare one for a long life of virtue and good works.
• Psalms 130: Recited to the four quarters when passing by sentries in a war zone.
• Psalms 131: Recited three times a day to reduce one's sin of pride and scornfulness.
• Psalms 132: To remediate one's unpunctuality and failure to perform duties on time.
• Psalms 133: To retain the love and respect of friends and to gain many more friends.
• Psalms 134: For altar work in matters of higher education and for success in school.
• Psalms 135: For repentance, spirituality, and rededication of one's life to God.
• Psalms 136: Recited on behalf of those who wish to confess and be cleansed of sins.
• Psalms 137: For cleansing of the heart and soul from hate, envy, evil, and vice.
• Psalms 138: Recited daily to bring love and friendship from the Lord.
• Psalms 139: To nurture and maintain love, especially within the context of marriage.
• Psalms 140: To restore tranquility and to perserve and maintain relationships.
• Psalms 141: To ward off against terror and fear and against looming oppression.
• Psalms 142: To heal the body, restore health, and alleviate pain and suffering.
• Psalms 143: To heal bodily limbs, especially the arms and to alleviate pain.
• Psalms 144: To speed up healing and to ensure the perfect mend of a broken arm.
• Psalms 145: To cleanse and purify clients who are beset by ghosts or evil spirits.
• Psalms 146: Used with altar work for healing and recovery after being wounded.
• Psalms 147: For healing wounds and bites from snakes, insects, and other animals.
• Psalms 148: Used with Psalms 149 to keep clients safe from accidents by fire.
• Psalms 149: Used with altar work to protect against fire-related accidents.
• Psalms 150: For the glory of the Lord and to give thanks for His intervention.

Candle Color Correspondences

Here are some Hoodoo Candle Correspondences. I wanted to share them because there are a few differences between this list and the one used by most pagan and wiccan websites I've read.

• white -- spiritual blessings, purity, healing, rest
• blue -- peace, harmony, joy, kindly intentions, healing
• green -- money spells, gambling luck, business, a good job, good crops
• yellow -- devotion, prayer, money (gold), cheerfulness, attraction
• red -- love spells, affection, passion, bodily vigour
• pink -- attraction, romance, clean living
• purple -- mastery, power, ambition, control, command
• orange -- change of plans, opening the way, prophetic dreams
• brown -- court case spells, neutrality
• black -- repulsion, dark thoughts, sorrow, freedom from evil
• red and black (Double Action) -- remove a love-jinxing spell
• white and black (Double Action) -- to return evil to the sender
• green and black (Double Action) -- remove money-jinxing

More about candle magic and correspondences for such works can be found HERE
Also see Moma Sarah's blog post on how to work a Candle, Voodoun style

Ostara Etsy Treasury

It's been a while since I created an Etsy Treasury list so I thought I would make one for Ostara.

Spring Equinox Treasury 

Ostara holds a special place in my heart as I was handfasted to my husband Damon on that day in 2008.
Many Spring time blessings to you, my readers.

Packing packing packing

Still getting ready for the big move in April.

Here is our large trunk in which we've packed the majority of our metaphysical items and quite a few of our books. We'll have a hell of a time getting across the board of Canada if the troops search this and think we're a bunch of crazy devil worshipers. Oh well, maybe the spirits of travel will be with us.

For those of you who celebrate
Happy Valentines day

I did a Valentine's Tarot reading regarding love and life and received a very in depth reading about upcoming romance.

It seems fate has decided to tie up some loose strings regarding my love life. I've had 2 ex boyfriends try and contact me in the last month - not cool. And I recently had a tryst with a girl I've had a crush on for 4years now (before some of you get confused, Damon and I are polyamourous and both of us slept with her so no one cheated on anyone else). We had hoped that something more would come of this but it doesn't look like it will. So we will stay good friends and move on.

My tarot reading tonight did say that nothing would happen with her but that we will have someone coming into our love life come Beltane (We will already be in Alaska by then so I'm really curious how this will come about).
Some of you may wonder how I get these time frames in my reading. I read intuitively and go by strong emotions and one of them popped into my head hard that it would come on Beltane, to be ready by then.

I also got some news about my career. Recently I've been looking at 2 options I have as far as my career goes. I could go one path which will lead to more schooling and maybe a more stable position. The other will allow me more artistic freedom but some financial instability.
The reading told me that there will be a 3rd option coming along. It didn't say which of the three I will choose, just that I don't only have 2 paths.

My current ally is The Devil and my current enemy is the King of Pentacles/Coins; both were inverted. This is something that is sticking with me strongly from this reading.

So there's my update. I hope you all had a great Vday or Lupercalia.

BB
Dawn

My Altar

I'm about to rearrange my room and therefore my altar (I'm relocating the table its on and putting the altar on something else) So I wanted to post what it looks like right now before I move it.

Photo of my Great-grandmother and myself, wooden Ganesh statue, various stones and crystals, small Traveling Buddha, Ganesh pendant, pentacle pendant, and an offering of Yerba Mate tea to Ganesh

added: vase of every rose my husband has ever given me, my glasses for a sight blessing; also put my yerba mate offering in a small satchet

31 Days of Samhain: Day 8 (belated)

Day 8: What sorts of things do you put on your Samhain altar?

Sadly, my altars are usually pretty sparse and simple, so this post won't be all that elaborate.

For Samhain, I am usually alone in my celebration and will decorate either a blanket on the floor or a small table with black candles in candle holders, a small pumpkin, maybe some maple leaves, a pentacle, my athame, and a black bowl with water for scrying. Also available will be the ritual written out on parchment nearby for me to work off of.

Sorry for the simple and short post. In order to make this post a little more pleasing to read, I'll include some photos of beautiful Samhain altars I've found through a search engine.

My Mabon Etsy Picks 2011

Check Out my Mabon Picks on Etsy...including treats, clothes, and more

Here

Altar

My altar is set up, finally!
When we were living at the apartment, I have a 3 tiered altar in the eastern part of the main room. Now that we're with my in-laws, I have a smaller altar in our bedroom, trying to face as eastward as possible.

The base of the altar is a little besdide table my grandmother gave me. Its abotu a foot square around and 2 feet tall. There's a flat surface on tope, an open shelf beneath that and then a cupboard. Perfect.

On the table I have Ganesh, who I need now that we're starting new journeys and I need help with my business and finances. With him I have a few homemade supplies I sell for my business (including 1 votive beeswax candle, 1 4oz bottle of homemade shampoo, 1 bar of soap, 1 tin of lip balm), a quartz crystal, and an offering of yerba mate tea.

Om Gum Gana Patie Namaha

The shelf holds my almanacs and a deck of faery oracle cards by Froud.

The cupboard has incense, my witchy kit (a chesk of salt, oils, bell, chalace, and everything else I feel I need on hand), and a stone incense burner.

I feel so much more at home with the altar set up.

Consecration

Last night Night and I cleansed and empowered our new altar. It’s so nice to finally have a permanent standing altar after years of makeshift stools and quick-to-hide blankets caused by living in a Christian household. It was also nice to perform something so simple yet so powerful as a blessing with my life-partner.
We’re not quite done with the consecration and won’t be until Wednesday, the last night of this full moon. On that night we’ll also be consecrating some of our new tools such as the wands we harvested back in the spring.
Such work along with the weather makes me anxious for Samhain.