eclecticmamas

[eclecticmamas]

Found this on the interwebs… Offered here for… REASONS.

[eclecticmamas]

[eclecticmamas]

MOON PHASES

NEW MOON : Setting intentions, taking actions, moving forward, focusing in the increase, starting new ventures, exploring opportunities

WAXING CRESCENT : Redefining goals and taking first actions, consistency, gaining momentum, determination, pushing forward

FIRST QUARTER : Finding the balance between the new goals and habits, expansion, being practical, concentration on goals

WAXING GIBBOUS : Cultivating actions toward goals, improving and readjusting, intensive growth, pushing boundaries

FULL MOON : The energy of completion, gratefulness, cleansing, charging, appreciating progress, psychic work, letting go

WANING GIBBOUS : Giving thanks, decluttering, eliminating negative habits, slowing down, reevaluing goals

LAST QUARTER : Letting go, practicing forgiveness, finding time to relax, cord-cutting, get rid of unhealthy habits and addictions

WANING CRESCENT : Making room for new, rest and surrender, energizing by doing things we love, discharging the health issues

[eclecticmamas]

[eclecticmamas]

Just a reminder that magic is neither classiest or abelist. 💖

[eclecticmamas]

Gardening by the Moon

Credit: animamundiherbals

[eclecticmamas]

The Hand in Healing

(Hand of the Wise: Gemma Gary - art print from Troy Books)

The Hand has been used in healing and just basic energy work for a long time. It is the conductor of energy, each of the fingers has smaller energy centre and the palm has one major one. Each of the fingers are attributed to the different elements. Here is the example from Gemma Gary:

The Pinkie is tied to the element of fire. The thumb is tied to the element of earth. The index is tied to the element of air. The middle is tied to the element of spirit and the ring is tied to the element of water.

As per personal belief, I use my left ring finger for pacts because the vein connects straight to the heart, thus it holds more symbolic meaning and that is one application of the craft. Pointing with the index is said to induce bad luck and the thumb was always regarded as a blessing finger. Placing the three fingers of the index, middle and thumb together when signing the cross represented the Holy Trinity.

The middle finger is also established as the finger of damnation which does help our causes a little bit. As per Dhyaanguru Dr. Nipun Aggarwal, the ten fingers represent 10 aspects of Human Existence and the two palms represent the Universe and the Sound, Aum.

The ten aspects represented by the fingers are:

Physical Spiritual Psychological Social Consciousness Intellectual Emotional Environmental Occuptational Financial

Some Daoist Lineages view the hands as holders for various symbols including the Ba Gua, the Lo Shu and so on.

Furthermore, we have the mudras of Ayurveda, which focus on using particular hand gestures and connections of the elements in order to correct and remedy prana issues and some work to remedy imbalances in the Pancha Bhuta, the five elements. Each finger also corresponds to an element but it is in a different way than we are given by Gemma Gary.

Buddhism also has many mudras which are usable for actions in relation towards the management of personal energy as well as aiding the path to Nirvana.

The next thing is the left and the right. The projecting hand is generally considered to be the right hand. The receiving hand is considered the left. The receiving hand is also the sinistral hand and is regarded as the hand capable of cursing and gathering baneful energy as well as for reduction, which makes it useful in pain relief and the healing of sicknesses. The right hand places energy and is a general energy carrier.

A Daoist technique I learnt for creating an energy ball that helps greatly is the touching of the thumbs to each other and the pinkies to each other, with the other three fingers standing outwards. This creates a circuit between Heaven and Earth, and allows for a good and strong flow of energy. The energy is gathered in between the fingers which can then be charged as needed before being moved.

Gestures also play a part in healing. One can sign an "x" over an area afflicted with illness to nullify the energy. One then signs the cross over the same to bless it so it may heal. Other gestures also include the sweeping of the hands. The magus may use the sweeping technique to remove stale or darkened energy from the body. They start from the shoulders and draw the energy downwards across the back of the body, down the person's legs and into the earth below them. This is repeated for a minimum of three times.

If one were to cure a burn, the pinkie on the left hand is used over the burn to lessen the fire and the ring on the right hand is used to add the cooling nature of water.

This can act as a part of elemental remedial work as well.

Of course, this isn't without its own issues. The magus can expend too much of their personal energy. They may also take on the energy of the person, resulting in them catching the illness. When removing illness by drawing it into the self, it is recommended to not draw it further than the elbow. I always recommend using an intermediary such as a stone or a thread for that type of work. It also has the added benefit that the stone, now carrying the sickness of the person, can be used for hexing but that might not be in the scope of this post.

It is always recommended to ground before and after but even more so, one needs to build up their own energy. Qigong can help this and so can breathing. Breathing brings in energy to the self, if a person were to draw this energy to a specific spot in the body such as the Lower Dantian, it would help in the maintenance of personal energy.

The hand is not the only force. Some rites call upon blowing, such as a cure charm for burning which I love for its success. In this matter, air is inhaled and the charm can either be spoken directly over the afflicted area, or it can be recited in the head, drawing that force into the breath and through it into the afflicted area. This has a less detrimental effect if the magus is inexperienced because the breath can be controlled more easily than the energy flow through the hands.

[eclecticmamas]

Candle magick - what different types of candle flames mean

Link to candle magick - what different types of candle smoke mean

Link to candle magick- what different types of candle wax means

Good clean burn - candle burns evenly & cleanly

Generally, uneventful candle burnings are a good sign. When the candle burns without a lot of smoke, movement, noise, or dripping, your spellwork is going as planned. The results will manifest as expected. (Though not, perhaps, as quickly or dramatically as you might like.)

Strong flame - tall, bright candle flame

There is a lot of energy behind your spell. Barriers to your success are quickly falling away. A fast, happy result is likely.

Small, steady flame - small & steady

A low-burning flame indicates less energy is fueling the spell. A small but steadily burning flame is still a good sign—though it signals a need for patience and focus. A positive result is likely, though there may be a delay. Be persistent and keep your eye on the goal. If the candle flame increases in size during the working, it means the energy behind the spell is growing.

Small, weak candle flame - tiny flame

A small flame that flickers and bends is not a great sign in candle magick. The timing of the working could be wrong. Or you could be asking for an outcome that is unlikely or unfavorable in the long run. If the small flame falters or drowns in the melted wax, that is a sure sign that your petition will not be granted at this time.

Dancing flame - Candle flame moves or dances.

An erratic, dancing flame signifies high energy in a spell—but also chaotic energy. A large dancing flame suggests success, but with potential complications. A small one means the spell may be overwhelmed by opposing forces. There may be other wills consciously or unconsciously working against you. Watch the flame closely to see if its shape or motion reveals anything to you.

Flickering flame - Rapidly flickering candle flame.

Sometimes a candle flame will dim and brighten, dim and brighten, as if someone is flicking a light switch. In some folk magick traditions, a flickering candle flame is a certain indicator that spirits are present. If the candle is being used for devotional work (e.g. with gods, angels, or higher spirit guides), it means that the invocation was successful and your prayers are being acknowledged. A flickering candle flame is mildly trance-inducing, so you can use it as an opportunity to scry the fire for additional insights.

Popping flame - Candle pops or sputters.

A noisy candle indicates communication with (or interference by) outside forces. An uneven burn can signal that someone or something is working against you. Add more concentration and energy to the spell. (Or withdraw if you sense the resistance is too great.) Hisses, sputters, and whistles are sometimes said to carry messages from ancestors and spirits—try listening to them and hearing what they say.

Candle goes out - The flame suddenly goes out.

The working is finished. A stronger opposing force has put an end to it. You should open the circle, ground yourself, and leave it be. Usually this means that your petition or spell—whatever it may be—will not manifest. However, in some cases, it can mean that the objective of the working has already been attained.

Candle will not go out

A candle flame that stubbornly stays lit means, “Sit down—you’re not done.” Perhaps you skipped a step or missed some important message during your candle magick ritual. Some helpful spirit or guide is nudging you to go back for what you forgot. When you feel that it has been settled, try extinguishing the candle again. Traditionally, spell candles are pinched or snuffed out—never blown.

Candle will not light at all

This spell cannot help you win the result you seek. The outcome may have already been decided, or be outside of your control. Take some time (days or weeks) to refocus your intention before trying again. (You can do a divination instead to find out more about what is blocking you.) Meditation and spiritual cleansing may be required before you can proceed with the spell.

[eclecticmamas]

Candle Magick - What different types of candle wax mean

Link to candle magick - what different types of candle flames mean

Link to candle magick - what different types of candle smoke mean

No wax drips - Candle burns with no wax drips.

This is a sign of a well-conceived and properly executed spell. (It is also, I must say, the sign of a well-positioned and correctly-sized wick.) Your spell will go exactly as you have written and expressed it. The candle magick gods have no lessons for you today.

Quick burn - Candle melts quickly into a puddle of wax.

A candle that is not properly contained or leveled will often develop a hole in the side, causing melted wax to drip out quickly and shortening the life of the candle. “Spending” a candle quickly is not necessarily a bad sign—it can mean that there is passionate, accelerated energy behind your spell.

A pile of wax drippings is always an invitation to ceromancy (divination by wax). Examine the hardened wax with an open mind, seeing if any shapes or message emerge. There is a whole collection of folklore about what the various shapes mean…or you can just use your intuition.

Candle crater - Burning candle forms a crater in the center, leaving wax on the sides.

This is most common with large pillars and container candles, but it can also happen with votives and other candle shapes. The melted wax is centered closely around the wick, leaving tall walls of wax on the sides.

Nobody likes it when a candle burns incompletely, and it’s not a good sign in magick, either. It usually means that your will is too weak to cast an effective spell at this time. Or that the spell’s energies have been blocked from reaching their intended target.

Wax drips on one side only.

Something is out of balance. Expect an incomplete result. Some say that drips on the left (in relation to the magick worker) represent an emotional or psychic imbalance, while drips on the right mean your thoughts and beliefs are getting in the way of the spell.

Black pieces appear in melted wax.

Sometimes, little bits of burnt wick will break off and sink in the melted wax. ("Candle crud" is the scientific term.) Debris in the wax signifies unintended consequences or work that will need to be done after the spell is complete. Guilt, broken hearts, karmic baggage, new hassles, and so on. Usually it's not super-serious—but not fun, either. Proceed with the working, but be ready to do some clean-up afterwards.

Soot collects on the candle container.

It is rare for a tall jar candle to burn without any soot appearing on the candle. Magick workers read the amount and location of the soot to gather information about the success or failure of the working.

Black soot is generally taken to be a sign of negative energy or interference within a spell working. If it appears only at the top of the jar, the opposition has most likely been overcome. If it covers the entire surface of the container, it means that the working has been thwarted and may need to be repeated.

White soot is a far rarer occurrence, and is said to represent spiritual communication and assistance.

A candle explodes, or a container breaks, or some other dramatic candle mishap.

A dramatic ending to your candle-burning ritual means the spellwork has been vetoed by a greater power. Cleanse yourself and your ritual space, and abandon the working until you have more information.

[eclecticmamas]

Candle magick - What different types of smoke mean

Link to Candle magick - what different types of candle flames mean

Link to candle magick- what different types of candle wax mean

Burning candle makes lots of smoke.

Abundant smoke is not a good or a bad sign. It indicates the element of Air is present in the spell, the element of communication and observation. When a spell candle puts out lots of smoke, you are being called upon to use your eyes and mind to read the situation. Look at the shape, color, timing, and movement of the smoke to gather helpful information about the working.

White smoke - Candle makes a puff of white smoke.

White smoke is widely regarded to be a sign of blessings and benevolent spirits. If a candle breathes out a puff of white smoke, especially at a significant moment, it means that your wish will be granted.

Black smoke - Candle puts out clouds of black smoke.

Dense, black smoke coming from a ritual candle is thought to represent negative energy. Conflict, bad luck, and opposing purposes surround your spellwork. Spend some time in prayer or meditation and do a cleansing ritual before proceeding with the working.

Candle smoke moves toward you.

If the smoke from a ritual candle moves towards you, it portends success in attracting what you seek. For spells to draw love, money, or healing, this is a great sign. It means you will shortly achieve what you desire. The exception is for negative workings—curses, hexes, and tricks. If the candle smoke from a hexing candle moves toward you (or fills the room), it hints that you will not be able to escape responsibility for the effects of your magick.

Candle smoke moves away from you.

Smoke that moves dramatically away from you represents energies that are outward bound. In most spells, this is not a good omen. It means that something is escaping your grasp.

However, in spells to heal, influence, and manipulate others, the travelling smoke can mean that the working is going as planned. Pay attention to the speed, direction, and shape of the smoke to determine if your magick is on track.

Candle flame burns blue

Blue fire is a sign of spiritual presence. It is the color of Angelic and Faery fire. If a spell candle burns blue or blue-white, it is a sign that high spiritual beings have taken an interest in your magick. Red or yellow flame means that more mundane—but still potentially powerful—energy is fueling the spell.

[eclecticmamas]

Everyday witchcraft tips

Have an intention bath { like a salt bath for cleansing or a bath with lavender & rose petals for self love..}

Tend to your plants {look up the spiritual properties of your plants }

Save fruit peels for spells {save fruit peels like oranges, lemons, ect dry them out and use in your craft}

Use your incense ashes for black salt {put some black salt under your door matt to protect your home}

Go for a walk {keep an eye out for anything you can use in spell work, like feathers, shells, random plants ect}

Tidy up your space {clean your home & while your doing that imagine you also cleaning all the negativity & stagnant energy away}

[eclecticmamas]

I understand that every person is on their own journey and that they deserve patience, including me.

I leave behind old thinking patterns I've had about the people in my life to allow space for them to shred their old selves; to change and grow in whatever way they please.

I enter into each new interaction as a different version of myself because the only moment that exists is the present moment, the now.

In this now moment I am raw fire blazing through the night sky. In the next moment perhaps I'll be the subtle gentleness of a warm breeze.

I am dynamic. I am constantly destroying and re-creating myself. I will never fit inside of a box because I am limitless. I am infinite.

[eclecticmamas]

If I ever stop talking to you & remove you from my life, just know how hard it was for me. I have a bad habit of holding onto the little bit of good in ppl & giving too many chances. So if I don’t fw you anymore, it’s bc you pushed me way past my limits—but when I'm done I'm done

[eclecticmamas]

I have soo many of these!!! Never really thought of it as a way to help aid me!

Book of Chaos

Tip for my witchcraft practitioners: Keep a little book of chaos around. It should be small and have blank pages (ideally).

The purpose: Every time you notice synchronicity in the universe, every time you have a stray thought or idea, every time you see something you want to add to your BOS/grimoire, write it down. It will get hectic and be messy but that's the point, it's not some overly special book that you need to keep neat and perfect.

I've found that it aids with making decisions on what should and shouldn't go into my official book and allows for me to quickly jot something down when inspiration strikes me. I am also a chronic doodler and thus love the fact that I can draw anywhere I'd like without trying to make it neat. If you're one for junk journaling or mood board pages this would be a great opportunity try out new things without worrying about making it pretty.

You can also use it to record any omens or signs you see for later interpretation. Sigils or servitors can be made on the fly, and thrive off of the chaos in the book.

And once it's finished and has served it purpose, well the next part is up to you. Burn it, keep it, tear out its pages and add it to spell work, use it as a divination tool if you damn well please.

[eclecticmamas]

Misconceptions About Fairies

Lately I’ve been seeing a lot of buzz around the Good People on social media, as well as in my local witchy community. I’ve also seen a lot of misinformation being passed along and people being encouraged to dive in the deep end without knowing what they’re getting into, so I want to address some common misconceptions and spotlight some resources I know are legit.

I’ve said it before and I’ve said it again: with the Good People, perhaps more than any other type of spirit, it’s very important to know what you’re doing before you start reaching out to them. They operate on rules and ethics that are very different from ours, and even the most benevolent of them may be offended or angered by ignorance or bad manners. You cannot skip the reading when it comes to working with these beings. If you’re not willing to do the research and make an effort to follow the rules, this is not a crowd you should be messing with. I don’t say this to scare people or to discourage people who genuinely feel called to establish a relationship with the Good People. I just want to be clear that with this crowd there are risks, and most of those risks can be addressed by making sure you’re prepared.

In this post, you’ll see me refer to this class or grouping of magical beings as the Good People, the Other Crowd, the Good Neighbors, or similar euphemisms. This is because the word “fairy” is widely considered offensive, and using it may anger the Good People. My advice is to use your own euphemisms in order to be polite, even in casual conversation – avoid “the f-word” as much as possible. However, I will be using Fairy (with a capital F) as the name of the realm or plane where the Other Crowd lives.

Now, let’s start by addressing those misconceptions, shall we?

1. The Good People are nature spirits.

This is one that I’ve been guilty of spreading in the past. This one is tricky, because some of the Other Crowd could be considered nature spirits, but not all of them. It’s important to remember that “fairy” (and more polite euphemisms) is an umbrella term for many different types of beings. It’s about as specific as “animal.” And just like some but not all animals are mammals, some but not all of the Good People are nature spirits.

As a whole, the Good People don’t seem particularly attached to nature, although some of them tend to avoid humans and end up in wild natural settings as a result. However, true nature spirits are connected to a place or natural feature the same way human spirits are attached to our bodies, and this doesn’t seem to be true for the Good People.

2. The Good People are angels and/or spirit guides.

This one usually shows up in the context of New Age spirituality, but the association between angels and the Good People is actually much, much older. When the people of the British Isles converted to Christianity, they tried to reconcile their belief in the Other Crowd with Christian cosmology. Usually, this meant identifying the Good People with devils, but some people identified them as fallen angels. One version of the Christianization of the Good People describes them as angels who refused to pick sides in the war between God and Satan and are exiled from both Heaven and Hell.

I’ve seen New Age authors like Doreen Virtue describe the Good People as “earth angels” or say that, like angels, they are “high vibrational” beings of pure love and light. This directly contradicts folklore, which describes the Good People as beings with physical bodies with a wide range of attitudes towards humans. The Good People could be helpful allies, mischievous pranksters, or cruel predators. Even the ones who seem to like humans aren’t especially pious or virtuous, and they definitely aren’t interested in our spiritual development.

The idea of the Good People are spirit guides reduces these beings, who are their own people with their own personalities, goals, and agendas, to servant spirits whose only purpose is to help us grow and learn. That’s a pretty self-centered approach to spirituality, and it’s honestly one that I don’t think many of the Good People would put up with.

3. The Good People are tiny and have wings.

I mean, some of them sort of look like this? There are folkloric accounts of beings that are between 6 and 18 inches tall, but as far as I can tell the wings are a modern development. Descriptions of tiny winged people who are small enough to take a nap inside a flower are a Victorian English invention, as popularized by the Cottingley Fairies hoax, a series of faked photographs that supposedly showed a real Otherwordly encounter:

Most older descriptions from Ireland, Scotland, Wales, and Britain describe the Good People as looking similar to humans or animals. They might look like normal people except for being totally green, like the Green Children of Woolpit or the Green Knight that appears in Arthurian legend. They might be dressed in green and/or red. In folklore the Good People typically wear contemporary clothing, so if you saw one today they might very well be in jeans and a T-shirt. Sometimes in folklore, the Good People are indistinguishable from humans.

Some of the Other Crowd appear as animals, but there’s often some sort of tell that indicates an Otherworldly animal, like a kelpie appearing as a horse whose mane is always dripping or the púca appearing as a black horse with glowing golden eyes. Some of them don’t look like humans or like animals and are clearly Otherwordly in appearance, like trows, trolls, and goblins.

4. The Good People are All Friendly to Humans

Again, some of them are. Some of the Good People, like brownies, choose to live in humans’ homes and communities and actively help out around the house. Then there are others, like the Baobhan Síth, hags, and red caps that prey on humans, sometimes literally. Many of the Good People seem indifferent to humans.

The problem with this is that when you invite the Other Crowd into your home, you’re inviting all of them into your home. This is why I personally prefer to work with the Good Neighbors outside my home – we have an elder tree (a species associated with the Good Neighbors) growing on the edge of our property, and I use this as a place to leave offerings for them. This way I’m showing respect for them and offering gifts in good faith, but I’m not opening up my home.

Another option is to invite specific individuals or types of the Good People in by name. For example, there are things you can do to attract a brownie. I do want to note that even beings that are usually friendly, like brownies, can be dangerous if you piss them off, so you should only invite them into your home if you’re willing and able to commit to keeping them happy.

5. You have to be psychic or have the Second Sight to interact with the Good People.

First of all, I firmly believe that all people have the potential for psychic abilities and that anyone can develop these gifts through practice. In folklore there are ways of developing the Second Sight, if that’s something that is really important to you. (Just be aware that some of the Good People prefer to be unseen and can take offense to humans trying to look into Fairy.)

But you don’t need the Second Sight or experience with psychic practice to interact with the Good People. Most of the people who historically worked with these beings did not have the Sight. You can still leave offerings and see evidence of their presence, and if you really want to communicate with them directly you can use a divination tool.

Further Reading/Viewing:

Fairies: A Guide to the Celtic Fair Folk by Morgan Daimler

Fairy Witchcraft by Morgan Daimler 

Faery: A Guide to the Lore, Magic, & World of the Good Folk by John T. Kruse 

“Faery Magick Misconceptions | Working with the Fae | Witchcraft” by HearthWitch on YouTube

“What Do We Call the Fairies in Ireland?” by Lora O'Brien on YouTube 

“5 Common Misconceptions About Fairies” by Morgan Daimler on YouTube

(I’ve made a playlist of videos on the Good People I find helpful, which you can watch here!)

[eclecticmamas]

dark green is a nice color. underrated

[eclecticmamas]

I want to put out there that the universe and our spirit guides are real!. My spirit guides are answering me and responding. They have done nothing but continue to prove that to me! Soo many blessings my family has come into this past week! You have to believe. You have to surrender to your highest self! It's there, and it's absolutely amazing!