TOOL SERIES -Runes

 Merry Meet, friends!

Thank you so much for your patience. Today's New Moon seems like the perfect time to get caught up.

Courtesy of Earth_Magic on Pixabay

The New Moon today is the perfect time to do a little divination work. Whether you use Tarot, Runes, or other forms, now is the time to think about what you want to attract over the next twenty-one days. Since we're focusing on the Runes as our tool this week, let's dive a little deeper.

Runes are an ancient Northern European system consisting of twenty-five runes, including a blank one. You can find the basic meaning of each one in the Appendix of Deborah Blake's Witchcraft On A Shoestring as well as other reputable sources. If you purchase runes, often they come with a guide to help you identify and interpret their meanings. Each stone has a unique property that makes them effective tools in divination or meditation.

Runes began as a sacred writing system from Scandinavia and Germany, as well as Great Britain. Each sign of the runic alphabet holds it's own energy property which can be used to restore harmony with the natural world. This is why the best stones are inscribed/ engraved on stone, wood, or metal. 

When used as divination, like Tarot, Runes provide fresh perspective of the situation in question. You may also choose a single stone from the bag to become your personal rune. By researching that symbol, you can apply the meaning to your life situation and state of mind.  A single rune may provide an overview of a specific question or situation. 

Another way to use the runes is to select three stones and create a triad to represent your personal hopes and ambitions. Place in a triad, they become a sigil you can place on your altar or area of your home where you will always be rooted in your mind's eye and focusing mental energy on your desires. You can even use runes to chart your future.

EBAY

You can either purchase or make your own runes. I purchased the above set from Spirit Halloween on a trip into the city last week. I may need to get another as a gift for a friend. Her birthday is on Halloween.

In the past I've painted mine on glass stones from $Tree as well as stamped in clay using a metal stamp set for decorating leather. You can use either of these two methods as well as purchasing or harvesting sliced discs from wood and use a permanent marker or a wood burning tool. 

One last tip. When you choose your personal rune, consider making it into a keychain or something you can keep on your person to guide you on your life journey.

Blessed Be!

~ Rain

TOOL SERIES - Cleansing

 Merry Meet, friends!

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.

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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. 

Blessed Be!

~ Rain

TOOL SERIES - Color

 Merry Meet, friends!

Welcome to a new installment of the Tool Series. Today, I want to talk about color.

For as far back as I can remember, I've been in love with color - all colors of the spectrum. I didn't understand the passion until I realized I was a witch. As I began my study of the craft, color melted into every aspect of the practice. 

My favorite way to spend a Saturday was to wander the isles of JoAnns Fabrics looking at all the colors of fabric, yarns, ribbon, papers, inks, and threads. The colors drew me in. I have a warehouse of fabrics and a studio full of yarns, ribbon, and fibers to attest to my addiction. 

When I learned that those colors had correspondences to magic and the things I could create, I was enamored with the concept that color and energy created a strength, a binding, for my spell work. 

If you're new to the craft, colors have different meanings and correlate with whatever intention you want to impart into a spell or candle magic. I purchased THIS digital from Etsy to include in my Book of Shadows as a quick reference guide. The cool thing with purchasing digitals, is I can print this as an entire sheet to put in the BOS, and I can also print a copy to punch out each color individually for single pages.

Here is a great article from Witch and Wand on different ways to use color magic. 

To incorporate colors into your magic, you can use ribbon, yarn or thread into a binding spell, decorate a besom handle, braid a bracelet (remember those friendship braids?), or bind a smudge bundle. You can use specific colors of candles for whatever your intention is for a spell. 

Ms Deborah Blake uses colors in various spells in her Everyday Witch A to Z , Everyday Witch A to Z Spellbook, as well as her Witchcraft on a Shoestring. The Witch's Bag of Tricks by Melanie Marquis also has a substantial amount of information. One last reference is Sew Witchy: Tools, Techniques & Projects for Sewing Magic by Rachel Henderson. I've not read this one but it is available on Kindle Unlimited so I'll be checking this book out soon. 

Another great thing about working with fibers and ribbons is if you are not yet out of the broom closet, you can incorporate intentions to anything without anyone around you being the wiser! Who knew something as simple as color could pack such a punch?

I hope you're finding this series helpful and if you have thoughts to add, please leave them in the comments.

Blessed Be!

~ Rain

TOOL SERIES - Reference

 Merry Meet, friends!

Aside from ourself, I think one of the best tools a witch can have in his/ her arsenal is a great reference library. Whether you build hard copies on your book shelf or internet sights you trust, Having a place to look something up that is unfamiliar to you is a must. 

Face it, my witchy friends... we don't know everything. I know, surprised, right? 

Image by Jarmoluk - Pixabay

I have a vast collection of books that I value. However, I do not count on just one to give me the information I'm searching for. I will go through several, searching for consistencies in what I want to know. If I come across a piece in one book that doesn't jive with at least two others, than I discount the information and move on. You will find inconsistencies. That's okay. Part of the information is gleaned from other sources to write one book, while others will impart their own 'wisdom' into the topic. 

I have sources I trust. Here is a short list (in no particular order) and Amazon links when I could find them:

Scott Cunningham

Silver RavenWolf 

Deborah Blake

Kate West

Silja

Dorothy Morrison

Please tell me in the comments below what your favorite reference books are. I'd love to add to my bulging book shelves!

Okay, books aside, there are also some great YouTube sights as well as websites. I've linked to many on previous blog posts. 

A couple of my favorite Youtubers are:

The Witches Cookery. She is so relaxing to watch and informative on basic things. I wish I had the ability to attend one of her annual gatherings. 

The Green Witch She also has a VIDEO sharing her favorite books.

The Witch of Wanderlust Olivia is very relaxed. I love her forest wanderings.

Forest + Fawn though she hasn't done any videos since having her baby a couple of years ago. The little tyke keeps her busy!

Please share any YouTubers you love in the comments below. I love meeting new people.

Blessed Be!

~ Rain

TOOL SERIES - Crystals : An Introduction

 Merry Meet, friends!

As I began researching for this post, I realized that while CRYSTALS are an important tool in our practice, like their facets, their are many different aspects to each one. So, I'm going to introduce CRYSTALS in this post and give you some book titles you might want to explore. I'll turn Crystals into their own series in the future.

I want to start with the Kitchen Witch's Guide to Magickal tools by Patricia Telesco.

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In the opening of Chapter 14 on Crystals, Patricia gives this background:

"In looking at our community, there's no doubt tat we love our pretty, shiny things not only in jewelry but as implements of the altar, components to spellcraft..... Humankind has always been drawn to stones and utilized them in a wide variety of ways."

She goes on to showcase a small selection of crystals and their meanings.

YA Fantasy author, Sarra Cannon always has a variety of crystals both on her desk at home as well as set up in her work area when she goes out to a coffee shop to write or retreat stay. 

    

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Melanie Marquis reminds us that crystals are a natural substance and that they, as well as other rocks have intrinsic magickal powers. They are an energy source. If you've ever walked into a rock & gem store or a New Age shop without cloaking yourself from the energy, you may feel a bit off-kilter (putting things mildly)  Some people react differently to the various stones and at varying levels. 

Artworks of Nature Website

While on my recent trip to Central Illinois, I felt off-balance while walking through the mall. Now, keep in mind this was before I found an amazing shop. I've seen shops like this in stand-alone brick n mortar but never in a mall. I was in love the moment I stepped into their doors. Follow the link above and check out their website.  Anyway, after taking a moment to cloak I wandered the store until I came across the Amethyst stones. Mind you, I didn't take any crystals with me. I only wore my protection amulet give to me by a friend but the amulet wasn't doing what I needed. I needed the 'balance' of the amethyst. I found a CHARMED Amethyst bracelet with a Triquetra charm. I don't know if it was the other stones in the shop or putting that particular stone close to my skin that did the trick. I felt much better. 

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If jewelry is your thing, check out Ms. Deborah Blake's book above. Beginning on page 32, you'll find instructions for a gemstone necklace. We'll explore more of each of the books mentioned during the Crystal Series.

In the mean time, I hope you'll add these books to your craft library (if you haven't already) and I'll see next week.

Blessed Be!

~ Rain

TOOLS SERIES - Candles

 Merry Meet, friends!

I do apologize for coming in late today. I just could not stay awake this morning so I went back to bed. Then I awoke to rolling thunder and pounding rain, so no internet. I guess that means, I'm right on time.

AI generated from Pixabay

Candles have so many purposes in our magic tool box. 

Let's start with the colors. I LOVE colors. Like stones or the clothes we wear, each color has its own vibe and correspondence.  If you want to attract money, use a green candle. Love, red or pink are the colors to use, black for shielding or warding of negativity, and so on. White, a non-color can be used for anything. Just visualize the color and the intent and you're good to go.

If you've made a wish and blown out a birthday candle, you've been practicing magic. Though, we now know, you should never blow out a candle. Either snuff the candle or let the flame burn down, depending on the spell. 

Candles are great for those still practicing in secret, or 'in the broom closet'. If someone askes, just tell them you felt like using a purple candle today or a specific scented candle. No one will be the wiser. Remember, the intent comes from within. 

I'm in the process of revamping my magic area. Such a jumble of things, including a tub full or books I need to find shelf space for and a vintage wardrobe from the 1800's that serves as my altar - or should be.  I'll get there. 

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One of the books I love on candle magic is Magical Candle Crafting by Ember Grant. This is a great resource for creating your own candles for spells & rituals.

I love the 'chime' candles for spells. They're only about 4" tall and the size of your pointer finger. If you don't have some place local for chime candles or their small ceramic holders, do a search on Etsy for chime candles and holders. You'll be shopping for awhile. I especially like this Selenite holder. Adds a little something extra to your intention. 

You can also search for Candle Magic Guides if you'd like pintables for your BOS.

If you like things a bit more visual, there are several on YouTube. This one by Ethony has great basic information. Even if you've been doing candle magic for awhile, sometimes going back to basics sparks something you'd not thought of or forgotten.  I will say, she's a bit 'entertaining' but the information is there. 

When talking about intentions, colors are not the only thing to keep in mind. You can enhance the intention by carving sigels, rune signs or other images such as hearts or dollar signs into the candle for added umph. 

However you work with candles, always keep safety in mind. Your candle should be placed in a sturdy base, small cauldron, terra cotta dish or similar item. Adding a base of sand is also a good idea. Never leave a candle unattended. If you're doing candle magic that requires you to burn from one marking to another over a period of five days, for instance, always make sure you have the time to be vigilant with the candle the entire time it needs to burn. Always extinguish with a candle snuffer. I've picked mine up at Dollar Tree. 

Here are a few links to magical candle supply shops on line. NOTE: I've not shopped from any of them, so please do your homework - and shop local when you can.

Click the word to be taken to their shop:

Velvet Witch  

Until next time...

Blessed Be!

~ Rain

TOOLS FOR WITCHES Series - Part 1

 Merry Meet, friends!

I'm crunching posts today as I leave tomorrow for a writer's conference and I am trying to keep things rolling. 

I have plans to talk about Ten Tools For Witchcraft so I thought for today's opening post, I'd share a video from Megan at Round The Cauldron across social media. In this video she talks about tools she can't live without. I haven't watched the video in awhile but as I do more research, my list and hers may differ.

You'll find all of her links in the description box of the video. 

Blessed Be!

~ Rain