I'm scrambling to get creative and author stuff wrapped up before I leave for the writer's conference in Eureka Springs AR on Thursday. Bob's holding down the fort & taking care of the critters. I'll be back in time for next week's series when we'll be talking RUNES.
I thought I'd bring in some witchy quotes for the month. Thanks to a little help from The Wholesome Witch and one of her posts. I hope you'll check out her channel.
Also, please take time to enjoy the FULL MOON aka The Hunter's Moon. What will you be sending on its way?
Cleansing is the topic for this week. I thought this was appropriate as we begin Fall cleaning for Mabon. I hope you took time to enjoy Mabon however you chose to celebrate.
Mabon is all about balance. No wonder we Libran's thrive during this time! This is also the time to think about finding balance and cleansing your spaces. But what is cleansing? Why is the ritual important?
While a cleansing can help us center ourselves in preparation for spell work, cleansing of our tools and space is also important. The last thing you want to do is bring tools into a space full of negative energy. Keep that in mind when you purchase items for your space at thrift stores or estate/ yard sales. Eee gads!
Think of cleansing as preparing for company, but on a more relaxed scale.
First, you want to use your besom to clean your space from top to bottom. Hearthwitch just posted a great video for this.
Once your space is cleared, use a smudge stick bundled with Sage or Rosemary. If you're not sure what a smudge stick is, it is a bundle of herbs used to create smoke for spiritual cleansing, healing, protection and purification of spaces, objects and people from negative energy. You can tire your bundle with coordinating colors of fabric strips, or string to match your intention.
Some also refer to this as SMUDGING. The practice has been around for centuries. The Native Americans as well as Egyptians and other countries have been smudging their entire existence and often cleanse themselves by using a sweat lodge with a center fire consisting of woods and herbs.
After using your besom, you can walk from room to room, letting the smoke get into corners and over objects. If smoke of any kind bothers you, a bowl of the herbs sat in the room can also help though IMO not as affective. You can also light incense, such as Myrrh, then walk away. The smoke will do the work and dissipate. Better Homes & Gardens has Sea Salt & Sage wax melts. I also purchase 'back flow' incense cones in White Sage from Walmart.
Cleansing tools such as athames, charms, singing bowls, chimes, cups, etc can also be cleansed in the same way. Stones, too, though I prefer to put them out on Full Moon nights. They'll cleanse then absorb all the good energy. Remember, from Full Moon to New Moon is the perfect time to cleanse anything you don't want the negativity to return or re-attach. Then, use the New Moon to Full Moon period to attract all the positive energy into your tools. I do this with my crystals.
This takes some planning. If you know what workings you're going to want to do, which tools/ crystals you'll want to use then cleanse them ahead of a New Moon then let the Full Moon charge them for your spell work. I'm still working on my book connecting to this planning but you can use the Llewellyn Calendar, the Farmer's Almanac or The Real Witches' Year by Kate West.
By the way, that link to the Llewellyn calendar is for the 2026. Order your copy then spend some time thinking ahead to rituals in the new year. Remember, our New Year is Samhain... just over a month away. Where does the time go?!
Also, there may not be a post on the 30th. I will just be home from a 3 day crafting retreat, followed by a 6 day writing retreat. Trying to finish Book 2 in my Planned to perfection series. If you like Hallmark movies and sweet contemporary romance then I think you'll enjoy An Ozarks Christmas - set in Eureka Springs Arkansas.
Thank you for your patience yesterday. By the time I found my pillow, the storm front had passed through. Leaving me without the migraine but tired. I'm used to the pattern by now but when I want to accomplish stuff, it really irritates me.
This week, we're taking a look at athames and their uses. First off, what is an athame? Well, an athame by any other name is still an important tool in your supplies. Whether it's a knife, a boline or an athame, you still need one. The athame symbolizes the god or masculinity. Any style will work, as long as it fits your needs and budget.
The key to finding one (or several) is to look for one that you feel a connection to, has a personal string to someone or something in your life or that just feels 'right' when you hold it.
For example, I have a couple that my husband gave me. I told him what I wanted a knife for and explain their uses in my practice, he brought out a wooden box full of all styles, shapes, and sizes and told me to pick what I wanted. That is the 'personal string'. For the connection, I have one that was given to my by a police officer over forty-five years ago. He wanted to make sure when I was walking alone at night, I had protection when he couldn't be there. He taught me how to use it if I had to. Then I have one that just feels right, comfortable in my hand. That one is a smaller version of this one:
While not a fan of the handle itself, which we'll talk about next, I do love a double-edged athame. Just seems so sleek to me; elegant even. While I don't like the open-air handle, you could incorporate wraps of some type; particularly if you are using it for a specific purpose where ribbon/ cloth colors could bring more ump to your workings.
This one is a great utilitarian style. You can use a single blade for any spell work.
So, what do we use an athame for?
As I mentioned earlier, they can be carried for protection. Careful of the 'harm non', factor. But if you are in mortal danger, know how to use one correctly.
They can be used as a wand - an extension of yourself in any ritual. Remember, the power of any tool comes from within you. You can use an athame to open or close or circle, to draw and point. Whatever you would use a wand for, an athame is a perfect substitution. As Melanie Marquis points out in her book, The Witch's Bag of Tricks, often times the athame is preferred over a wand for cutting negative energy. You can also use it in the kitchen when doing a little kitchen witchery.
In her book, Everyday Witch A to Z, Deborah Blake offers up fun info from the web on why you should have a black athame. She also has the Everyday Witch Book of Rituals where the athame is used.
So tell me in the comments. Do you have an athame? Do you have more than one; one you favor over another for certain things? Inquiring minds.
In the mean time, I invite you to check out this beautiful Selenite athame at 13moons
I have been battling a migraine since Sunday evening. I think it's weather related. The front should move through tonight and I can write the post later today and have it posted on Wednesday.
