Buccaneer Ghosts

Yesterday's Samhain had plenty of magic to spare for this week's Magical Monday feature. Pirate ghouls cast some dark spells, haunting my Tampa neighborhood.

Hope you had a scary and magical Halloween.

Magical practices for your All Hallow’s Eve

Listen! The wind is rising,
And the air is wild with leaves,
We have had our summer evenings,
Now for October eves!

~ Humbert Wolfe (1885-1940)

Samhain, or Halloween, is the day we honor our dead. On this day the veils between the worlds of dead and living are sheerest; those who died in the past year and those who are to be reincarnated pass through. The doors of the sidhe-mounds are open, and neither human nor faery need any magical passwords to come and go. Our deceased ancestors are more accessible during the time of the dying of the land, the final harvest of the northern growing season. It is a day to commune with the dead and a celebration of the eternal cycle of reincarnation.

On Samhain, the sun is at its lowest point on the horizon as measured by the ancient standing stones of Britain and Ireland, the reason the Celts chose this sabbat rather than the first of January as their new year. To the ancient Celts, this holiday divided the year into two seasons, Winter and Summer. The Celtic New Year is a time for both beginnings and endings. 

Practices to call upon the magic of the holiday:

• Bury an apple or pomegranate in the garden as food for spirits passing by on their way to being reborn.
• Place offerings of milk and barley outside under the stars to ease restless ghosts’ hunger, prevent their mischief, and to accrue their blessings.
• Drink apple cider spiced with cinnamon to honor the dead.
• Have a mute supper.
• Make a mask of your shadow self.
• Let this be the traditional time that you make candles for the coming year, infusing them with color, power, herbs, and scent depending on the magical purpose.
• Wear costumes that reflect what we hope or wish for in the upcoming year.
• If you (or your story characters) aspire to be a witch give gifts of acorns to other witches. Fruits of the oak, one of the most sacred trees to the ancient Celts, they are symbols of protection, fertility, growth, values, and friendship. 
• Carve a jack-o-lantern. Place a spirit candle in it.
• Do divinations for the next year using tarot, a crystal ball, flame, pendulum, magick mirror, black bowl, runes, Ouija boards, or a black cauldron filled with black ink or water.

A few more complex Samhain rituals:

Ritual for the Dead

1.      In a sacred space or ground, use a candle to burn white sage to appease the spirits of Summer.

2.      Carve the initials of your lost loved one(s) in a black candle.

3.      Add favorite elements of that loved one to your altar, such as flowers, wine, favorite foods, etc. 

4.      Read each name (from Remembrance list).

5.      Gather a cauldron or other fire proof vessel and burn a dried candlewick leaf (mullein)
or bay leaf for each name of honor.

6.      A dried rosemary bundle is burned last to remember them all.

7.      You may then save all the ashes, hardened candle drippings, left over herbs, and add them to a black cloth or bag. This is an amulet and can be worn or saved to honor those remembered.

Note: Do NOT let your Samhain candle burn out, as it is considered bad luck on Samhain, let it burn at least till morning light.

            ~ adapted from Barbara Morris

Simple Samhain Magic Spell

This Fall Magic Spell clears out unwanted influences and focuses spiritual attention on what is good in life. This celebrates the change from one season to the next, summer to winter.
 
1.    Decorate an altar with a clean cloth, candles of orange and/or white, and autumn fruits.
2.    Set a chalice filled with wine or cider, along with a small bowl of sea salt, on the altar. Take two sheets of paper and a pen.
3.    Light the candles, and, if desired, burn incense such as myrrh or patchouli.
4.    Write out a few undesirable aspects and influences of life from the previous few months on a single sheet of paper.
5.    On another sheet of paper write out the key new elements of life that would be welcome. Write these as positive statements, in the present tense.
6.    Using words which feel natural and appropriate, express the sincere desire to be rid of the undesirable elements of life, speaking each one individually. Visualize clearly being free of them.
7.    Scrunch the undesirable list into a tight ball. If it is possible to burn it safely then do so. Otherwise simply discard the ball into a waste bin without burning.
8.    Drink of the chalice to celebrate being free of these shackles!
9.    Pause in reflection for a few minutes, visualizing the positive elements to be welcomed.
10.    Again using natural and sincere language, express the reality of the list of positive elements.
11.    Scatter a little sea salt over the list, and fold the paper so as to capture the salt in an envelope-like packet.
12.    Put the packet into clothing close to the skin, extinguish the candles and incense, and set off to celebrate the evening!

Samhain Mirror Incantation

Recite this incantation before scrying into your black mirror on All Hallow’s eve...

"Mirror of shadow, reveal what I seek.
Powers of old, secrets so deep.

East then South, West and North.
Watch tower guards, I call you forth.

Traveling sphere, no harm to fear.
Circle protects, here and there.

Stars beyond, from Pluto's realm,
Scorpio rules God's golden sun.

By the power of three times three,
Lord and Lady, so mote it be." 

 ~ Barbara Morris

Fire Scrying

As the power of the Sun fades, we embrace the harvest season and the decline of the fire element. This is a perfect time, as we approach the introspective tide of winter, to scry with flame. On a night close to the New Moon, cast a circle of protection, and light a purple candle. Sit silently and breathe deeply, allowing your conscious mind to grow quiet. Gaze at the candle flame and permit your thoughts to drift by without judgment. Soften your focus and relax your vision. Concentrate only on the flame. Ask a question. Observe the flame expectantly, and open your observations to your intuition. Invite the flame to impart images. Write down your insights, and carefully date your interpretation for future reference. Perfect to do on Samhain eve...

~ Karri Allrich

Communing with the dead, banishing troublesome ghosts, commemorating the beginning of a new year … or simply trick or treating … enjoy the magic of Samhain.

Art credit: witch painting by Myeclecticmind

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Bobbing for apples on All Hallow's Eve

A Magical Monday useful Halloween tip: Peeling an apple in front of a candlelit mirror on Samhain will reveal an image of one’s future spouse.

Apples were a major part of the Celtic/Druid harvest festival of All Hallow’s Eve. The present day custom of bobbing for apples came from one of their festivities. Magical fermented cider was commonly used in pagan rites. In England, a particularly strong cider is often referred to as witches’ brew.

English lore, apples signify enchantment, tied to the Arthurian legends. When Arthur was seriously wounded, he was taken by three fairy queens to Avalon, also known as the “Isle of Apples,” or “Appleland.” Also, Lancelot, Arthur’s knight, fell asleep under an apple tree and was carried off by four fairy queens. Later, he saved Queen Guinevere, accused of being a witch and condemned to burn at the stake – she gave an apple to St. Patrick, who died.

The apple has long held spiritual significance. Many goddesses upheld the apple as the fruit which supplied eternal life: Greek goddess Hera; Scandinavian goddess Idun; Norse Hel, of the Underworld. American Iroquois Indians place the apple as their focal tree of heaven. And, in Christianity, Eve’s apple, accepted from the serpent, is the fruit of life, but also associated with sin.

In witchcraft, the apple is said to be a common vehicle for spells. In the folktale, Snow White, the lovely maiden was put to death by a poisoned apple given her by the black witch-queen. In Voodoo magic as well as English, Danish, and German folklore, the apple is a love charm.

In a real life account in Somerset, England in 1657, a young girl gave a twelve-year-old boy an apple which, according to neighbors, caused him to become bewitched, flying over his garden wall. The girl was charged with witchcraft, sentenced, and hanged.

English folklore says it’s bad luck to pick all the apples in a harvest – some must be left for the fairies.

So, on this Samhain, be sure to leave some for the fairies, but light a few candles and peel one in front of your mirror.

Reference: An Encyclopedia of Witches, Witchcraft & Wicca, Rosemary Ellen Guiley, 2008.

Art: Kim_Moo and Maskimxul

The demonic evil eye -- a reason for the creation of eye shadow?

It’s time for another magical Monday post. For this week I’ve chosen to discuss the demonic evil eye. This power is a look, which many believe is capable of causing injury or bad luck for the recipient of the dark magic.

Belief in this superstition dates in recorded history to the cuneiform texts of the Babylonians around 3,000 BC. Interestingly, the ancient Egyptians used eye shadow and lipstick to prevent the evil eye from entering their eyes and mouths. Was that the reason for the origin of these beauty practices?

In other cultures and records, the evil eye is present in Hindu folk beliefs, as well as being referenced in both the Old and New Bible Testaments. It remains a modern superstition in Italy, Central America, and Mexico, known as "Mal de ojo." It was on a cruise port day in Cozumel when I first saw the Nazars, evil eye prevention charms, hanging in markets. At the time, I had no idea of their uses/history. They looked like lovely folk art to me.

Apparently, the evil eye can be cast accidentally or deliberately. In the case of the latter, it is called “overlooking.” This form of witchcraft can cause illness; poverty; injury; loss of love; even death. Symptoms of the illness may include diarrhea and constant crying, usually affecting infants and children, however, adult females can also be affected.

The spell occurs when someone, usually a stranger, admires another’s children, livestock, or possessions, or merely casts a lingering look. Unless precautions are taken right away, the children fall ill, the animals die, possessions are stolen, good luck ends. If the evil eye cannot be stopped, an initiate (often an older village woman) must supply a secret cure.

To be capable of casting an evil eye, a person is usually a stranger with a different eye color than the locals. Or some individuals are born with an evil eye which lays waste to everything they behold.

How might you avoid the evil eye?

The primary defense is to carry an amulet of a frog, horn, fig, or red ribbon. The horn and fig represent a phallus, associated with the Roman phallic god Fascinus. In many Latin American countries, parents today commonly tie red ribbons around their children's wrists or ankles. Probably more socially acceptable than a frog, horn, or fig tied to a child.

The protective Nazar talismans are disks or balls, consisting of concentric blue and white circles (from inside to outside, dark blue, light blue, white, dark blue) symbolizing an evil eye. These are commonly used throughout the Middle East, often on Mediterranean boats and planes. The hamsa hand is a variation of this talisman. Folklore states the staring eyes are supposed to bend the malevolent gaze back to the sorcerer.

If you find yourself caught without an amulet or talisman and in need of protection, the hand gesture of a clenched fist with the thumb thrust between the index and middle fingers is said to work well. Another simple gesture which will protect you, is to make the sign of the cross with your hand and point the index finger and the little finger towards the supposed source of the spell or victim. This was described in the first chapter of Bram Stokers novel Dracula, published in 1897:

When we started, the crowd round the inn door, which had by this time swelled to a considerable size, all made the sign of the cross and pointed two fingers towards me. With some difficulty, I got a fellow passenger to tell me what they meant. He would not answer at first, but on learning that I was English, he explained that it was a charm or guard against the evil eye.

Beware the evil eye!

References: The Encyclopedia of Demons & Demonology, Rosemary Ellen Guiley; Wikipedia, Evil Eye

Beware of the gruesome Hand of Glory burning its spell over you

This week’s Magical Monday post is dark and twisty. I’ve been perusing research books for tasks to give an alchemist character in the series I’m currently writing, The Enchanted Bookstore, the first book subtitled Seeking a Scribe. This bit of magic was so compellingly gory, I wanted to share. Caution: I wouldn’t eat while reading this post.

European magic folklore describes use of the Hand of Glory. The term is derived from the French main de glorie or mandrogore or mandrake plant, which is associated with the gallows. The severed hand of a criminal is preserved for use in spell casting. Apparently, the hand renders people afraid, powerless, or sleepy, so thieves may break into homes.

Preparation

Particularly interesting, at least for the purposes of my alchemist character, is the preparation of said hand. It’s best to use the right hand of a murderer, cut from him/her during a lunar eclipse. Second best in efficacy, is to sever the murderer’s hand on any given night the corpse the corpse still hangs on the gallows.

Once the hand is acquired there is much work to be done. First it is to be wrapped in the corpse’s burial shroud and squeezed dry of blood. Next, it must be preserved before use, stored in an earthenware pickling pot for two weeks in a mixture of saltpeter, salt, and peppers. Then, the hand is wrapped in vervain leaves and dried in the August sun or an oven. Personally, I’d opt for the sun method, since the thought of the fumes in the house seems nauseating, but my alchemist might be in a bigger hurry for that hand than sun-drying would permit.

For a twist on usefulness, the dried hand can then be dipped in wax so the fingers may be burned. Alternatively, candles may be fabricated from the fat of the murderer and the hand’s dried fingers become grotesque candle holders. If you forgot to gather his/her fat, that of another recently executed murderer, or of a pony will do as well. Any of those choices must be combined with sesame and virgin wax to ensure proper burning. Hair from the dead man or pony is used to make wicks.

Usage

To cast the sleeping spell, the hand of glory must be burned. Caution: if the thumb doesn’t light, it’s a sign that someone in the house cannot be bewitched.

Antidote

If you are the one being bewitched, take heed – only milk will extinguish a lit hand of glory. I wonder if soymilk qualifies, which is all I ever have in the house? If prevention is the route you wish, you will need to concoct an ointment from the blood of screech owls, the fat of white hens, and the bile of black cats. Once the liniment is smeared along all thresholds, chimneys, window sashes, and other points of entry, you are safe from anyone bewitching you with a hand of glory.

I think my alchemist can make good use of a Hand of Glory.

Art: Antrobus & Grimm; The Modern World/ Pynchonzak Smith

Reference: The Encyclopedia of Magic and Alchemy, Rosemary Ellen Guiley, 2006, Visionary Living, Inc.

Michelle Davidson Argyle talks about her new book, Cinders

It's a real pleasure to have Michelle Davidson Argyle as my guest today. She will be talking about her debut book, Cinders, which was released last week. I promptly ordered a copy, being so impressed with her excerpts and author style. It has been sitting on my desk less than twenty-four hours and my muse is demanding I make time to read it sooner than my work schedule will allow. This book has all the hallmarks of a reading treat not to be missed. I'm glad she's here today on my blog.
___________________________________________________________

I'm really happy to be here today, thank you! I'm first and foremost a writer. I've been writing seriously for 14 years, and recently published my first book, a fantasy/literary novella titled Cinders. I also write short fiction, contemporary novels (you know, like spy thrillers...), and I've currently got a YA novel in my files since I first started writing. It might take flight one day. I graduated from Utah Valley University with a Bachelor's Degree in English/Creative Writing in 2002. My short fiction has been published in the University of New Mexico's national literary journal, Scribendi, 2002, and was also given the staff poetry choice award for that journal in that year. I served as the editor-in-chief of Utah Valley University's literary magazine and I have won awards for my short stories.


I've also been a serious photographer for 6 years, and I have a 4-year-old daughter who sometimes drives me crazy!


BOOK BLURB:
Cinderella's happily-ever-after isn't turning out the way she expected. With her fairy godmother imprisoned in the castle and a mysterious stranger haunting her dreams, Cinderella is on her own to discover true love untainted by magic.


EXCERPT:
Every time Cinderella entered the ballroom she relived the first time. That night her feet had felt weightless stuffed inside the magic shoes, and dancing had come easily. Even when her legs grew tired, her feet kept moving, gliding past Rose’s glaring eyes until Rowland spotted her and took her into his arms for a dance. He didn’t let her go until he led her outside and she looked up at the moon hanging in a jet-black sky. He turned to her after they ambled along a thin frozen path in the garden. “Where did you come from?” he asked. “It’s as if you’ve opened my eyes to something—what, I don’t know. Who are you?” He pressed his hands to hers.

When she explained that she was the daughter of Sir Samuel Plimmswood who died when she was eight years old, he tightened his hold on her hands and apologized for being so forward, for touching her at all, for bringing her outside unaccompanied. “But I can’t help it,” he said with a desperate look. “How have we not met earlier?”

Shivering, she lifted her eyes to the bare trees, their smooth bark glowing bright under the moon. She explained there was much work to do at home and she had never stepped foot inside the castle before. She had never thought she would have the honor to meet…and then Rowland had kissed her and she knew Eolande’s spell was sealed, that Rowland’s heart belonged to her forever.

Even now, as she stepped into the ballroom the evening of Rowland’s birthday, her arm wrapped around his, she felt the connection to him that the kiss had secured. Eolande had warned her it was a connection that could not be broken easily, even if Cinderella never learned to love him.

She had thought she would.

Now she wondered why she hadn’t asked Eolande about the stranger when the spell was performed. But Eolande had distracted her with promises of Rowland’s undying love, something solid and certain. The stranger had been gone for two years—much too long for Cinderella to believe he was anything but a dream vanished to dust.

Purchase Links:
AMAZON
KINDLE
SMASHWORDS
AUTHOR SITE
LULU (for a pocket edition)

Author Link:
http://michelledavidsonargyle.blogspot.com/