Tomorrow on Kickbuttmama is in Charge

* Priestess' Ritual
* Writing a Spell
* Traveling to the Otherworlds - Guided Meditation

SPELL OF THE DAY

De-Stressing

Lets face it, many of us are balancing on the high-wire of life with many different plates in hand. We struggle and strive not to drop a single plate - a bring ourselves to the poing of panic trying to keep everything going. Many of us stress while learning to search our 'souls' for the correct path of religion as well. Many of us were brought - up in less than supportive household - more a believe what we believe or you won't fit in. This is what I was raised in as well. Still, most of my extended family are a part of an extrememly right-wing Christian religion that was more akin to a cult than a supportive religion. The have never understood my connection to nature and refuse to believe I'm not worshiping satan. So it can be unsettling to those of us balancing many things on that high-wire to deal with outside sources of stress - but I think even worse is our natural ability to bury ourselves in stress and worry. Worrry of thingsthat might never come to pass, I might add. So, what to do to decrease stresses. Here are a list of spells I have found effective:

Celtic: A May Day Spell to incite the luck of the Gods for love & good feelings

Celebratingthe merry month of May is widespread throughout the world. May takes its name from Maia Majestas, the goddess of spring. The erection of a sacred tree or maypole echoed ancient tree worship. On May Day Eve many young couples would leap between the Bal Fires before spending the night in the woods to ensure fertility. The blooming of the hawthorn marked the transition from winter to summer, and May 1st was the only day when hawthorn could be taken into the home, in honor of the spring goddess; this sacred tree could only be cut for such an important purpose. {Book of Spells By: Nichola de Pulford}

SUPPLIES: A few sprigs of hawthorn, a little milk, a white candle, Juniper & Frankincense oils & an oil burner.

METHOD: On May 1st, find a hawthorn tree and take a few sprays (Thank the tree for its assistance on this special day) Pour a little milk at the base of the tree to thank the spirits. Sit with the tree for as long as you can, holding the sprays in your hands, and become one with the life surrounding you. Once home, light the candle and burn the oils, sprinkling a few hawthorn leaves on them. Carry the burner through your home &/or around the outside; concentrate on bringing down he energy from the sun and returning it again in the never-ending Circle of Life. Hang the hawthorn spray over your door, invoking love and good feelings to remain with you.

Druid: Look Good - Feel Good - Regenerating Massage & Bath

Vervain (verbena officinalis) was one of the Druids' most sacred herbs, and was used to cleanse their altars, for divination, as amulets, and for most of their immportant spells. It was also mentioned in the witch trials, where it was though to make the wearer invisible and able to fly. This spell will raise your spirits. {Book of Spells By: Nichola de Pulford}

SUPPLIES: Dried or fresh Vervail leaves; Rose otto, sandlewood and sunflower oils; 2 Blue Candles

METHOD: Gather or buy your vervain laves on the day of the full moon, then charge them with themoon's rays by facing the moon holding the leaves in your outstretched hands and say:

"Imbue my sacred herb with light, with power full both day and night."

Now the vervain is charged, you may keep it to use whenever you wish. Before the massage, put the vervain leaves in boiling water and leave to infuse for 10 minutes. Meanwhile dilute 2 drops of the Rose otto oil and 5 drops of sandlewood oil into a 1 oz (25 ml) bottle of sunflower oil. Strain the infusion of vervain. add it to your bathwater. and soak for at least 10 minutes to gain the full effect. In a warm room lit by the blue candles, massage yourself with the oil (or you can have a significant other do it) - start with your feet and ankles and work up your body. Finish by covering your eyes with your hand and breathing deeply for a few minutes.

NOTE: I haveals just added 2 drops of the Rose Oil, 5 drops of the sandlewood oil and 1 oz of Sunflower oil to my bath, along with the infusion and just soaked it up. In a bathroom lit by blue candles, it can be extremely relaxing - I try to clear my mind and visualize a most peaceful setting.

Native American: Walking the Good Red Road

According to Native American beliefs, we are spiritual beings on a human journey, part of the 'one great spirit'. Our bodies are shells that will, like all living things, return to Mother Earth when we die, but our spirits will return to the whole spirit- the unseen world. Many of us live in cities with little or no contact with Mother Earth; we no longer walk with nature, in the embracing Circle of life. This ritual will restore your spiritual balance. THe colors represent the races of humanity and the 4 Quarters of the Circle of Life. {Book of Spells By: Nichola de Pulford}

SUPPLIES: A feather;a long red ribbon; Red, black, yellow and white beans

METHOD: Find a place you can be alone with the natural world. (A park your back yard, etc. - personally I like a forest, but that's my Druidry speaking :D) Imagine you are walking through a door, leaving your everyday life behind. Walk in a clockwise direction until you feel a desire to stop; place your feather on this spot. Continue to walk; if this spot calls you again this is "your place". If it doesn't, repeat the process until you find the spot where the 'energies' call to you most. Arrange the ribbon in a large circle with the feather at he center. Place some colored beans in each quarter of your circle. Pick upthe feather and sit in its place. Look around you and drink in the spirit of Your Place. Open all your senses and breathe the air common to all living things, like aweb, it connects you to them. Feel the breeze on your face, the feather is in your hand, and become in balance - your body, mind and soul in harmony with nature. Keep the beans, ribbon adn feather in a safe place and repeat ritual as often as necessary.

SPELL OF THE DAY

Shannon's Love Spell!

All love magick should be cast in the circle withthe quarters called & deity invoked. You should try to wait for the next new moon as well.

On a piece of paper - write all the attributes you are most attracted to and that you want your mate to have. Roll up the piece of paper into a tube.
Take an orange and cut it in half. Use a spoon to cut out he pulp. Fill the orange 3/4 of the way with water. Crush an asprin and sprinkle it in the water. Sprinkle an Allspice in the water. Let A rose petal float on the top of the water. Spray a little perfume onto a Red and Pink candles. Light the candles and say:
"Love enters this place"
Place both hands over the orange, say:
"From the sun, love will come; From the Moon, love's sweet tune; From Mercury, thoughts of clarity; From Venus, honestey; From Mars, passion be; From Jupiter, faith to love; From Saturn, wisdom from above; Force and form at my comand fulfill my will as I demand. So mote it Be!"
Pick up the rolled up paper. Close your eyes and center yourself - clear out all the clutter from your mind. Take three deep breathes. Visualize/feel his arms surrounding you and try to feel how you would feel when that occurs and say:
"Vortex of energy, as I will,so mote it be. Love will find a pathway and quickly come to me."

Set one end of the paper a flame with the red, one with the pink candles. Drop into a fireproof bowl and let burn completely. Visualizing all the things you wrote on it again. Once embers have cooled completely - close the circle and scatter the ashes to the winds to find your love!!

Tommorow on KickbuttMama is in Charge

• I'll be investigating the history of Beltane - what does this Sabbat celebrate, how do people mark the passing of this important day. What rituals & energies re best performed on this day, etc.
• Learning about the seasons for homeschooling toddlers
• Shannon's love spell (all you need is love!)
• The Celtic Pantheon - who did what?
• Exercise - Plank

SPELL OF THE DAY

Power Expansion

Solitary Power Exercise - Silvers Secret

Based on ritual by: Silver RavenWolf (Referenced in Solitary Witch p. 112)

The following exercise can be used in any ritual, spell, or in daily life. It is an exercise of the mind that, once practiced, will bring you health, happiness and prosperity -- but you must BELIEVE it. [You can also use this exercise to improve your psychic focus, increase your empathy, your inner sight, etc.]Make the name your own - ie. Shannon's Secret, Beb's Secret, etc. [It can also be your magickal name, for instance mine would be RedWolf's Secret.] A little pizzaz never hurt anybody.

ONE: Choose what you will work for. This si the planning phase. All the doubts, worries, ideas and possible solutions should be removed from your mind. The only thing left over should be your desire.

TWO: Cloe your eyes. This allows you to shut out the world around you and focus on the exercise. In time, you will be able to use your secret with your eyes open.

THREE: Take three deep breaths. This brings in more oxygen to the brain and other areas of thebody, relieves stress, urges relaxation of the muscles, and helps to put you in the "alpha" state.

FOUR: Let go of time and space. Say "Release" as you breathe out. When your eyes are closed, it is easy to forget that time and space even exist. Spirit does not need time and space to perform miricles, and neither do you when you mentally release those thoughts of restraint and tough deity energy, which is the next step. If it helps, think of opening your hands (or physically allow your hands to slowly open) while you say the word "Release".

FIVE: Touch deity energy. Say the word "Unity". In the Craft we teach that you and deity are one, and that you share creative force with every manifestation of energy in the universe. This is a given. Of course, you haveto acknowledge this fact, which isn't easy for everyone to do. When you speak the word "Unity", you are affirming that we are all one and that you have the power to become one with everything. If you don't believe this, the secret won't work. If it helps, as you say the word "Unity" think of yourself moving into your conception of god/dess --losing for a moment, your conscious thought of separateness.

SIX: Conceive the form. Visualize the thing. Say the word out loud. For instance, if you are striving for health visualize youself healthy, say the word "Heath" and surround this vision in a white light. For some, this will be the most difficult part of the exercise. You can substitute a vision of a person, place or thing with a feeling as well. Try to hold this visualization - your desire - sharply defined and encased in white light - for at least a count of five....the longer the better.

SEVEN: Accept success. This is important. If you don't mentally accept success, your "secret" will bomb. You must want it and welcome it!

EIGHT: Know, beyond a shadow of a doubt, this will be done. Suspend disbelief. This is also difficult - before performing the exercise, analyze how you feel when something is a certainty. [For instance, you love your children. You do not doubt that love. Feel the confidence and serenity associated with the lack of doubt and stipulations we place on so many things in life.] Remember, you are only having to hold this certainty (along with the visualization) for several seconds.

NINE: Reject any thoughts of failure, now and in the future. Will your mind to think of only success. Fear will ruin your ritual, spell, goal, or focused thought, whether your fear is frivolous or has logic behind it. If Spirit thinks that your request is not precisely in harmony with your life path, Spirit will accomodate your choices as long as you legitimately feel you are working in harmony with the universe and not intentionally trying to hurt others. So, if you cant trust in yourself and your desires, trust Spirit.

TEN: Keep your mouth shut. When you tell others about magick, especially those who don't believe in the process, you are allowing that persons energy to work against you - causing your subconscious buttons to be pushed, instilling that sliver of doubt which will make your goal fail.

YOUR SECRET SUCCESS FORMULA

To Dare

To Release

To Connect

To Conceive

To Accept

To Know

To Believe

To Will

To Be Silent

Essentially the Witch's Pyramid. You can even get a little creative with it. Drumming or a beat will help it become instilled in your soul - After you are grounded chant the following as you go through the steps of the above - release, conect, visualize, etc.:

One, let go!(let go, I am, conceive, accept, I know, believe!)

Two, I am!(let go, I am, conceive, accept, I know, believe!)

Three, I conceive!(let go, I am, conceive, accept, I know, believe!) Four, I accept!(let go, I am, conceive, accept, I know, believe!)

Five, I accept!(let go, I am, conceive, accept, I know, believe!)

Six, I believe!(let go, I am, conceive, accept, I know, believe!)

So mote it be!(let go, I am, conceive, accept, I know believe!)

You can drum or you can tie a not at each step: Let go! (tie the not as you chant or drum) I am (tie the not or drum), etc

Spell / Ritual Preparation

Circle Casting / Quarter Calling / Invoking Deity

Casting the Circle: Stand at your altar (or the North point of your circle. Ground & center- take 3 deep breaths to relax and clear your mind. Using your forefinger of your right hand (or a magickal tool such as a wand or athame) pointed toward the ground at the center of your area, begin walking the circle in a clock-wise ( called deosil) fashion. You will walk the circle 1 to 3 times while reciting a verval invocation**. Visualize the circle as a bubble becoming a hardened shell to prevent negative energies from entering with each pass. Once the passes are complete and you are back where you started say;

"As above, so below -- this circle is sealed. So mote it be!"

Stomp your foot to indicate the seal has been activated.

Releasing the Circle: Once all magickal practices are complete. Walk the circle 1 time in a counter clockwise (widdershins) fashion. Visualize drawing all excess energy into a tool or your hands. Some will also pass the energy into their altar. Oncethe circle has been walked one time say: "The circle is open, but never broken. Meery meet and merry part until we merry meet again. So mote it be!"

Again stomp your foot one time to indicate the circle is now open.

The Triple Circlecasting invocation by: Lady MorningStar(Recite as you walk the first time around your circle)"In this place, this circle roundI consencrate the sacred groundwith golden light this place surroundall power here contained and bound."(Recite as you walk the second time)"From earth, the things that manifestfrom air, the things of mindfrom fire, the things that motivatefrom water, the souls refined."(Recite as you walk the third time)"And yet no place and time there bebetween the worlds, my word and mewelcome, Ancient Ones, and seethis place is sealed, So mote it be!"

Calling the Quarters: Although quarter calls can have a variety of connotations, they are basically linked to the 4 directions and 4 elements. The following is completed after the circle has been cast. You start at the North is you are practicing more traditional Wicca or the East for a more ceremonial flavor. You are essentially opening a door in your circle to allow this specific energy into it. For a smoother transition of energy, stand facing the direction, with the center of your circle at your back. Place your feet apart and cross your arms over your chest, and bow your head - this is the "God" Position. As you say your quarter call slowly raise your head and open your arms overhead into a Y (the "Goddess"Position). Visualize a portal opening through which what you have called can enter - nothing else will be able to) - visualize your concept of the 4 elements entering your circle. Standard colors for the Quarters: Green=North, Yellow=East, Red=South, Blue=West.

Stand at the North candle/Quarter & light the candle: "Hail guardians of the north, element of earth,and all ye in the realm of Faery; I, (say your name),do summon, stir, and call you forth towitness this rite and protect this sacred space.So mote it be."

Stand at the East candle/Quarter & light the candle: "Hail guardians of the East, element of air,and all ye in the realm of Faery, I, (say your name), do summon, stir, and call you forth to witness this rite and protect this sacred space. So mote it be!"

Stand at the South candle/Quarter & light the candle:"Hail guardians of the south, element of fire, and all ye in the land of Faery; I, (say your name) do summon, stir and call you forth to witness this rite and protect this sacred space. So mote it be."

Stand at the West candle/Quarter & light the candle: "Hail guardians of the west, element of water, and all ye in the land of Faery; I, (say your name), do summon, stir and call you forth to witness this rite and protect this sacred space. So mote it be."

Closing the Quarters: Once you are finished with your magick/ritual, before opening your circle, this is essentially the reverse of the above process. Start with your arms in the Goddess position visualizing a portal for the energy to leave your circle slowly releasing into a God pose as you again seal the portal. Start your releasing at the last Quarter you called and work in a counter-clockwise manner.This is the standard Quarter Release to match the above Calling - you can also find specific types of quarter calls - angelic, dagon, etc) and the release that matches it.Start at hte West and work your way in reverse to the North."Guardians of the (direction), element of (element), thank you for participating in my circle this night / day. Go if you must, stay if you like. Hail and farewell."

Invoking Deity: This is to call a deity into your body to help focus your power and lend her own to whatever working you are doing. When celebrating a Sabbat (holiday) I use a much longer and more specific invocation

"I call the down, O my great Queen (name of Goddess) to enter my body and commune with my spirit. Be with me now as I fulfill my destiny and work magick in accordance with your will. So mote it be."

SPELL OF THE DAY

FOCUS RATTLE SPELL

This spell is designed to help you focus - to clear you mind. SO, if you have a project, problem, or difficulty..but you cant cut through the drama to focus on what the solution might be....try this procedure.

SUPPLIES: 1/2 oz of un-popped popcorn kernels/ beads / dried beans / or a collection of seeds (your choice); one plastic or glass spice jar with smooth sides; 1/4 tsp mint (dried).

INSTRUCTIONS: Cast your circle, call the quarters and invoke deity. Cleanse & empower all supplies. Pour mint & kernals into jar. Hold hands over jar - Ground & Center. Visualize the Jar filling with pure, white light. Cap the jar tightly. Thank Deity; Thank & Dismiss Quarters, close circle.

USAGE: When ready to use. Sit in a comfortable chair with feet flat on the flor. Take 3 deep/cleansing breathes. Ground & center. Smoothly roll the jar back & forth between our palms, allow your mind to drift to the clanking of the beads.

Chant: "The magick is the Witch, the Witch is the magick, I am the Witch. I rist above my problems, and my problems dissolve."
**note: use your "magick voice" - deep in your throat using little air

The more ou practice with the rattle the better yo'll get at clearing the clutter of an issue out of your mind.

BLESSED BE!!