Grimoire-archives - The Lady's Grimoire

Deities of the crossroads and beings that dwell in liminal spaces truly favour the bold. Remember that the next time you hesitate.

Sabbath Tip for Wiccans

Never... And I mean NEVER beat yourself up for not being able (for whatever reason) to do a full ritual for a Sabbath. Since today (August 1st) is Lammas/Lughnasadh I thought I'd share somethings you can do on a Sabbath without it being a full-on ritual at your altar with offerings.

Remember that a Sabbath is personal. If you take a moment to speak with the God and Goddess, or your patron deity, that is perfectly fine. Give thanks and ask for continued prosperity. Acknowledging the holiday within yourself is more than enough; you can light candles if you like but you can speak to you deity without any supplies.

Spend time on your grimoire [book of shadows] simply spending some part of the day devoted to your craft can be very rewarding. If a Sabbath comes up quickly and you don't have anything prepared then you can make a page in your BoS for that particular Sabbath with all of its associations and lore; or you could plan a Sabbath ritual in your book to use next year.

Eat witchy. By this I mean you can do something small to still commemorate the holiday. You could quickly look up associated herbs with the particular Sabbath and make tea if you have it available. Other than that, most Sabbaths are associated with wheat- that being said, having a quiet moment to yourself eating some toast with honey on it and thanking your deity/deities for the abundance of food and a beautiful harvest. [I know most of us don't harvest our wheat and make our own bread, but someone did, so give thanks] If you can't eat gluten then some fruit and milk'n honey are good universal Sabbath foods.

The Witch at Lammas

This post is the fifth in a series of posts exploring and celebrating witch archetypes at the eight seasonal festivals.

Lammas is a festival celebrated on August 1. It is descended from the festival of Lughnasadh, an ancient Celtic festival of Pagan origin. Still celebrated by many Neo-Pagans, Lughnasadh is one of the four “fire festivals.” It is the celebration of the first fruits of summer and it has long had connections to both the grain and hay harvests. It is named after the ancient Celtic sky god, Lugh. The “-nasadh” of Lughnasadh means something like “an assembly”, so the phrase “Lughnasadh” can be taken to mean “the assembly of Lugh” (sometimes translated as “the games of Lugh”).

Lughnasadh is traditionally associated with summer fairs. In ancient times, the “assembly” would have been a great fair, with food and games and opportunities for trading and other financial exploits. This tradition has never died out. It is still common to see fairs throughout the British Isles and even the United States and Canada during this time. Traditionally, Lughnasadh would have lasted two weeks.

With the Christianization of Europe, Lughnasadh became Lammas, its new name meaning “Loaf Mass”. Lammas celebrates the grain harvest, which is honored by making loaves of bread from the freshly gathered wheat. These loaves of bread were blessed by priests during Lammas services. These blessed loaves could then be used for folk magic. Superstitious farmers would break the loaves into quarters and hide them in the corners of their houses or barns for protection.

One theme that is prevalent throughout these celebrations is that of sacrifice. The tale of Lughnasadh is one of tragic death. According to an old Irish legend, the goddess Tailtiu, the foster mother of Lugh, cleared the great forest of Breg with an axe to make the plains of Ireland. These plains became fertile farmland. She wanted to provide for her people. However, the work proved to be too great and when she finished clearing the forest, she died. In her honor, Lugh established a festival of funeral games, which would become Lughnasadh. The Paleo-Pagans who inhabited what is now Britain and Ireland would have honored this festival by lighting great bonfires and giving sacrifical offerings to the gods.

Lugh is associated with the sky, but he is also a god of sovereignity and battle. It was he who slayed the giant Balor and threw his eye into the heavens to create the Sun. Even in his sky “aspect”, he is still a god of skill and war. Ancient depictions of Lugh typically show him wearing a torc and holding a spear. The torc is a symbol of sovereignty - he is a god of kings and rulers - and he holds the spear - a tool of war. He is a god of skill; his wars are not the foolish all-destructive wars of modernity, but are the skilled battles of old. He is truly a god of warriors.

The grain of Lammas is a symbol of sacrifice. Consider the drinking song “John Barleycorn”, which personifies the grain as a man who is murdered and cut to pieces. The grain and all the other first fruits of the harvest season fall at Lammas. The year is in decline. According to legend, in ancient Ireland, an old or senile king , no longer useful as a ruler, would be sacrificed at Lughnasadh. Whether this is a historical truth is a matter of some debate, but this theme still maintains its power.

The Christianization of the festival links it with Christ’s suffering on the cross and also his associations with bread and grain. According to the Bible, it was he who died to cleanse mankind of its sins. He is often called a sacrifical lamb. It was prophesied that he would be born in Bethlehem - the House of Bread. It was he who made the fishes and loaves multiply. It was he who said to eat his flesh and drink his blood, and what is his flesh but bread transfigured?

Because sacrifice is a predominant theme in the Lughnasadh/Lammas holidays, let us discuss the witch as warrior. Despite some claims that witches cannot and should not do harm to others, the historical records say otherwise. There are multiple, notable accounts of witches using their craft to defend their homes and loved ones.

We could discuss warding, but that topic is oft-discussed I do not see a need to go more in-depth about it here. Let us discuss, instead, three specific historical examples of practitioners using the magical arts to protect themselves and others.

In this short space, it would be impossible to describe all the accomplishments of Welsh mathematician, astrologer, and occultist John Dee. A Renaissance man in every meaning of the word, Dee was the court magician for Queen Elizabeth I. It was Dee who helped plan expeditions to the New World. It was Dee himself who coined the term “British Empire”. So, when Phillip II of Spain attempted to invade England in 1588, it was said that John Dee took action. According to legend, Dee used his occult knowledge to cast a spell on the Spanish Armada. Of course, the Spanish Armada was scattered by great winds and did not invade England.

Less than 400 years later, it is said the witches of England helped to drive away the invading Nazi forces during the Second World War. According to Gerald Gardner, a great gathering of witches occurred in the New Forest on the eve of the Nazi invasion. These witches came from all over Britain to cast a spell on the Third Reich. The witches commanded the Nazi planes to not invade and many died in the process, or so the legend goes. Like the Spanish Armada, the Nazis did not invade Britain. Despite the raids, England never fell to the German forces. One does hope that the current generation of witches will follow their lead and use magic to strike back against tyranny.

In the 1960s, Italian historian Carlo Ginzburg published his work The Night Battles: Witchcraft and Agrarian Cults in the Sixteenth and Seventeenth Centuries. In this highly influential work, Ginzburg examines reports of the Benandanti, a group of magical practitioners who lived in Northeastern Italy in the 16th and 17th Centuries. The phrase Benandanti means “the good walkers.” By their own reports, the Benandanti rose (“walked”) from their own bodies while they were sleeping and fought off dark forces. These dark forces were witches, called the Maladanti (“the bad walkers”).

According to the Benandanti, who testified before the Inquisition, they fought the witches at night with fennel sticks. They did this on certain Thursdays to protect their crops. The nighttime visions of the Benandanti have been tied to the Sabbat-visions of witches throughout Europe during the same time period. The testimonies of the Benandanti led Ginzburg to conclude that they were members of a sort of “fertility cult”. Ginzburg’s work was considered controversial upon its first publication and continues to spark debate.

This Lammas, let us remember what it is to defend those we love. You does not need to be a solider to fight for the things you care about. You can be a scholar, a dreamer, a mystic - you can be an ordinary person and affect great change. With a bit of magic and a sense of determination, you can fight for what you believe in and win.

doing another tarot card tip, today with our good friend Death! 

1. Find Death in your deck 2. The card above: What you need to put to rest 3. The card below: What you can grow in its absence

I hope it does some good for y’all :)

Litha! June 21st

Hi everyone! Here are some very EASY ways to celebrate midsummer!

Open up the curtains and let some good sunlight cleanse your room.

Open up the window.

Clean cobwebs from the ceiling and other places.

Go on a picnic!

Eat some berries.

Pick flowers.

Light a candle that reminds you of summer or of the sun.

Wear a floral print.

Make a honey and sugar face scrub.

Make a flower crown.

Garden, or water your plants.

Just sit in the sun, relax for once and soak in new beginnings :) -Freya

Potato Soup for the Healing Heart

One of the things I love most about soup is its ability to heal the heart, body, and soul. A few simple ingredients, no matter how little you may have, can come together to create a whole and satisfying meal. You can dress these creations up or down, add or switch ingredients to suit your own needs. And who doesn’t love tucking into a nice bowl of soup, stew, or chowder?

Ingredients

4-5 slices bacon, diced (optional)

4 tablespoons butter

1/3 onion, diced

3 cloves garlic, diced

¼ cup flour

2 cups beef or vegetable broth

1 ½ cups milk or oatmilk/almond milk

2 cups potatoes, diced (mixed small potatoes or golden)

1 cup shredded cheese (optional)

Allspice (careful! This can easily overpower a dish)

2-3 large Bay leaves

Cayenne

Marjoram

Rosemary

Thyme

Salt and Pepper

Instructions

OPTIONAL. In large pot, cook bacon (if desired) until crispy. Dice and set aside. Leave bacon grease in pot.

Melt butter and saute onions until translucent. Add garlic and cook until fragrant. 

Add flour and cook another minute or so, stirring frequently so it doesn’t burn.

Add broth and simmer another few more minutes. Add milk, potatoes, and half of diced bacon. Add spices. Bring to a simmer, then reduce heat to low. Cook until potatoes are soft.*

Stir in cheese, if desired. Adjust salt/pepper to taste.

Serve warm and with toppings. You can dress it up with bacon, cheese, sour cream, peppers, chives, green onions, etc. It’s up to you!

*Note: Remove some of the potatoes, mash them, and then return to the pot. Cook another few minutes for a heartier, thicker soup.

Keep reading

Sharehouse Peace Witch's Ladder

This one's been in the works for me for a week or so but I finally had enough peace in my busy moving schedule to sit down and make a pair - one for the front door and one for the back.

Use 9 silver [coloured] bells in place of knots or feathers so that these double as a door protection Witch Bell/s. Their peal as the door is opened wards off dark energies and brings in positive energy.

Use 3 threads:

Blue - for peace, calm, healing and protection

Yellow - for clear communication (So important in a share house)

Black- to absorb negative energy

I used embroidery thread but strips of fabric or anything you have around will do fine, as long as your bells can thread on.

Tie a loop large enough to slip on to your door handle, and then thread on your first bell. I always thread my bells onto the black thread so that they will reinforce each others ability to repel and control dark energies.

Start plaiting! Each time you cross a thread over repeat to yourself its purpose: "peace and calm, clear communication absorb the negative, peace and calm, clear communication, absorb the negative-" I find this helps my intent stay focused for such long projects.

When you've plaited enough space that your bells won't touch, thread on another. Repeat this until the 9th bell. Tie this one on with a strong ending statement such as "In this Home!" Or "So mote it be!"

Trim your excess thread (unless you want straggly-chic). Plop it on your door and thank it in advance for its work. You're done!

Yule-Mothers Night Blót

I put this ritual together from various sources-I can’t claim all the wording myself only the final form of the ritual. This was used for my kindreds the first Mother’s night. Because of our eclectic group, we chose not to only focus on Frigg, and instead included many mothers. As offerings, each of the members that wished to partake creates a Poppet from straw in the shape of a woman, which was burned at the end of the ritual.

Hallowing-

To be done before the arrival of guests- it is not essential that there be witnesses{this was done to cut down on time, during the cold winter}

Godi holds the ceremonial hammer and opens the circle with the traditional blessing:

In the Elhaz position standing facing North the Godi speaks:

Hammer to the North, hold and hallow this holy stead.

Hail Odin and the Northern forces

Godi faces East and speaks:

Hammer to the East, hold and hallow this holy stead.

Hail Freyr and the Eastern forces

Godi faces South and speaks:

Hammer to the South, hold and hallow this holy stead.

Hail Balder and the Southern forces

Godi faces West and speaks:

Hammer to the West, hold and hallow this holy stead.

Hail Thor and the Western forces

Hammer above and Below me Hold and hallow this holy stead

Hail the Aesir and Vanir, the Ancestors and the wights of the land

Sacred Fire

Loki.

Pine-fire.

Through the power of my love for you, I ask that you kindle the flame of this sacred fire.

As you have you have kindled one in me.

As we honor this evening our mothers, I ask for the comfort of the hearth for my kin.

May they know your gifts, as the gods have done

***

{godi speaks}

Welcome, to the Wolves of the North Mother’s night Blót. I hope the evening finds you well and warm. Tonight, the longest night of the year, we come together in this circle to praise the many mothers in our lives.

Motherhood is a sacred charge, AVAILABLE, to every woman.

Whether conceived through coitus, or artificial insemination.

Through natural birth, or C-Section.

Born of the blood, or adopted.

How a woman becomes a mother varies, but what never changes is her love and her place as a guardian and teacher of the next generation. Like Skuld of the Norns and all mother Frigg, every mother is a safeguard of the future. Let us honor them.

Invocation

The Godi faces the altar, holding high with both hands a horn of mead and recites:

I call to the Mothers of the Aesir!

Frigg, Sif, Sigyn and Nana

To the Vanir!

Freyja and Nerthus

To the Jötnar

Laufey, Jörd, Jarnsaxa, And Rán

To the Disir-Ancestors of our families-living and passed on

Be with us this winter solstice

Mothers of our people! You are manifest in the promise of the sleeping seeds and waiting buds; you give life to forest, field, and family!

We praise you and seek your blessing on us and call for your protection in our time of need.

Ancient Disir of our families we call upon you this night as we give praise and sing of your deeds. Watch over us on the longest night of the year as we wait for the lady Sol to warm us once again.

Meditation

{insert name/Gothi} will now lead us in a mediation; hold your poppet and reflect on your Disir, your ancestors and ancient mothers. Reflect on your living mothers and most of all your respect and love for them and theirs for you.

Hailing

We will now commence with a Sumbel, a little different than usual. In the first round I invite each of you to hail a goddess, Round two you may hail one of your Disir and on the third round a living mother of your family. At any point you may offer your poppet to whomever you would And As You cast it to the fire, reflect, feel their love for you. And give it in return. If you wish to pass on a round simply pass the horn to the person next to you.

Gythas example - Hail to Laufey, also called Nal, the Needle and weary Mother of Loki.

*poppet is offered to the fire*

Closing

Spirits of the nine realms we thank you for your presence here in this circle. We ask for your blessing and while you depart to your noble realm we bid you hail and farewell. I hereby release any Spirits that may have been imprisoned by this ceremony. Depart now in peace to your abodes and habitations. The blót is now ended, let the merriment begin.

Simple ways of turning any recipe witchy ✨

🌰 Bless the salt before using it for a protection spell

🌰 Stir clock wise for cleansing, and counter clock wise for banishing

🌰 Rosemary in a stew is yummy and also works great for protection or self love

🌰 Add hot spices to attract love, and warm spices for hearthy spells

🌰 When you bake a cake, when your greasing the tin, draw a sigil in the butter and then cover up with flour. Blessed be!

🌰 Use a toothpick to draw protective rhunes on your biscuits

🌰 Black pepper for hexing! (even on baked goods)

🌰 Use a strong liquor to ward off evil spirits (and have a sip while you cook, we can never be too careful 😉)