Cottage Witchery

Direction: North

Time: Midnight

Season: Winter

Colours: Green, brown

Qualities: Stability, common sense, practical abilities, caretaking of the earth,
protectiveness, upholding of tradition, love of beauty, patience, perseverance, generosity, acceptance of others, nurturance

Rules Over: Abundance and prosperity, fertility, finance, law and order, institutions, authority, motherhood, the physical body, food, home and family, animals, the land, agriculture, horticulture, enviromentalism

Animals: Badger, bear, bee, bull, serpant, snake, spider

Archangel: Uriel

Crystals: Amazonite, aventurine, banded brown agates, emerald, jet, malachite, moss agate, petrified wood, rose quatz, tree agate, all yellow and brown mottled jaspers, rutilated quartz, tigers eye and all stones with holes in the center

Elemental Creatures: Gnomes

Goddesses: Cerridwen, Gaia, Hecate, Isis Unvieled, Mati Syra-Zemlya, Nerthus

Gods:Cernunnos, Frey, Geb, The Green Man, Osiris

Herbs and incenses: bistort, cypress, fern, geranium, heather, hibiscus, honesty, honeysuckle, knotweed, magnolia, mugwort, oak moss, oats, oleander, patchouli, primrose, sagebush, sorrel (wood), sweetgrass, tulip, vervain, vetivert

Places: Caves, forests, gardens, grass, groves, homes, ley lines, magaliths, ploughed fields, rocky places, snow and icecovered lands, sand, stone circles, temples

Sacred Substance: Salt, soil, clay

Zodiac Signs: Taurus, Virgo, Capricorn

As you most likely know from my last post I am starting a small witchcraft forum, I cant wait any longer to get it opened so here’s the link http://thewitchespath.com/index.php

I hope to see some people joining up – I’m talking to myself at the moment! Dont be put off by the lack of posts, I’m pretty chatty and will get loads of conversation starters on there throughout today and the weekend

Hello everyone!

I will be starting a small witchcraft discussion forum soon but need a team of helpful witches to get it off the ground!

It doesnt matter whether you are a new witch or have been practicing for years, what tradition you follow, just that you would like to chat to other witches about witchcraft.

The tech stuff is done, just need to release the forum and get posting!

Send me an email using the “Contact Me” form located at the top of the page if you are interested in getting involved or want some more information regarding the forum.

Charlotte

To view the entire Book of Shadows series, hover over the “Witchcraft” tab in the navigation bar and select “Book of Shadows” from the drop down list.

Formal Book of Shadows: Types

Due to the era that we live in there are many ways to record information. Some of you may be the modern witch and like to use the computer, some of you may be more of a traditionalist and use a leather bound book.

The following is a list of different types of Books of Shadows and the pros and cons of them.

Online

You can use a blog, whether it is WordPress, like Cottage Witchery, or Blogger or any other kind of blog software. Content Management Software would also be just as good.

Pros: You get to share the information with the world, accessible everywhere that has an internet connection, easy to transfer information to different computer software, organisation is simple and (if you do backups etc) you won’t lose it, it won’t get damaged etc.

Cons: Everyone can view it which is something people who are still in the “Broom Closet” don’t want, information can be stolen and it can be difficult to use in a ritual unless you have a laptop.

Word and similar computer software

Pros: This has the same pros as having an online Book of Shadows except for everyone being able to view it and being able to view it anywhere.

Cons: Cant be carried around with you unless you have a laptop. It’s possible it could be lost unless you do regular backups.

Written – Ring Binder

Pros: You can move around the different pieces of paper without any problems (well, unless your heavy handed and rip it!). Can be taken anywhere and disguised as normal paperwork/homework etc.

Cons: Easily damaged or lost.

Written – Book

Pros: Hmm, I’m racking my brain for the pros of written books as Books of Shadows! I know it seems as though there aren’t many however in my opinion, only written books can have that truly magickal feel. The sheer beauty and power of them can be amazing.

Cons: Easily damaged or lost, organisation can be difficult.

I will be going into the organisation of Books of Shadows in the next article.

To view the entire Book of Shadows series, hover over the “Witchcraft” tab in the navigation bar and select “Book of Shadows” from the drop down list.

Formal Book of Shadows: Introduction

Many have heard of “Book of Shadows”, many have written them, many have read published ones, many have been involved in writing a Coven Book of Shadows. The guide I will (well, have been writing, I’ve already written the Part One to the Contents Section) writing will hopefully include enough to get those who know little about Book of Shadows or have found the information they have come across overwhelming started with writing their own.

Before we begin I want to make sure you know that I am not an expert, I am just telling you how I believe a Book of Shadows can be laid out. Also, the Book of Shadows I am referring too, as stated in Part One of the Contents Section of this series, is not a magickal or path diary. It is a written (or typed!) accumulation of information.

The Book of Shadows Series

The following is a brief overview of what the Book of Shadows Series will contain – this may change and most definately added too over time so keep an eye out for updates!

History

Now, I will go into the History of the Book of Shadows at some point but I need to do a lot of research first – I don’t want to just start telling you all the things I have found in the first book I come across. So this will be featured later on in the series. I will cover the origins, the name and the historical use of the Book of Shadows.

Content

This section will be the biggest and definitely the most useful. This section will include a great number of things that should/can be written within your Book of Shadows. From the Title Page to the Magickal Information section to Altar Layouts and Gods and Goddesses. There will be a lot of “Parts” to this section so keep an eye out for new additions to the Content Section to this series!

If you have any suggestions, would like to request a section or have any questions (or just feedback!) don’t hesitate to leave a comment or contact me using the Contact Form.

To view the entire Book of Shadows series, hover over the “Witchcraft” tab in the navigation bar and select “Book of Shadows” from the drop down list.

Formal Book of Shadows Contents: Part One

There are many things that should/can be written in a Book of Shadows, I hope to include at least enough to get you started and give you the idea of what a Book of Shadows is.

This is not a magickal diary, but a magickal “handbook” that should include all the information you need (well eventually, it’s not something that can be done over night). I suggest keeping a separate book as a magickal diary, including all spells you have cast (ones that have been successful or ones you wish to carry out in the future can be transferred into your Book of Shadows), rituals you have performed, the outcomes, your feelings during the spell or ritual etc. Basically it would be a record of your magickal experiences.
I wish you good luck in creating your Book of Shadows!

Title Page

For me, this sets the tone for the book, no matter what the cover looks like. Script like writing, a hand drawn border and a large but detailed Pentacle. If you’re not any good at drawing, that’s fine – many craft shops sell premade scrapbook borders that can be used. Ribbons, pressed flowers, pictures and all sorts can be used to decorate it.

Formal Book of Shadows title pages should include a title of course (Book of Shadows and the version number), the subject of the book (if you have multiple), your name and the state date of the book. I have put the start date next to my name so when the book gets passed down, the next Witch to right in it will add their name and when they took over the book underneath my name.

I would also include a Book of Shadows blessing or prayer on this page too – it doesn’t have to be long and complicated, just something simple to show

An “About my Path” Page

This isn’t something I have done, however some find it useful when looking back so that they can see how they have grown, spiritually, since starting the book.

Write a page regarding your dedication to the Craft, why it is you want to practice Witchcraft, what you wish to learn and gain and why. If you would like to dedicate your book to a particular Diety, write that here.
Include your magickal “code of ethics”, whether it be one you have written, one from your specific path (say, the Wiccan Rede, for example)

If you do like to look back and see how you have grown, I suggest writing a dedication page at certain times – once a year, on each Sabbat if you practice them or any festival or particularly spiritual day that is special to you.

Calender

These pages can include the Sabbats, festivals, holy days, Esbats (as well as other moon related dates if you wish) and any other special and/or spiritual days.

Include the history of the day, its meaning/s, altar layouts, rituals, prayers recipes and decoration ideas (and instructions for handmade items) and any other information regarding the day and how to celebrate it. It would also be useful to write in this section any spells that are particularly powerful on these days.

Altars

There are many different types of altars, ways of setting the altar, purposes of altars etc. Write a page or so on each design that you find including a diagram, list of tools and items used, the purpose of the altar, the position and room it should be placed in and the type of magick etc it is suited for. Write altar related rituals and spells here too (altar cleansing, dedicating etc as well as caring for you altar – cleaning it, any special care that needs to be taken with certain materials or items placed on the altar. It has to be clean if its going to be sacred!

Magickal Information

If you want to create spells and know why you’re doing what when with what then this is an invaluable section. As well as one hell of a big one! The following is what should be included in your “Magickal Information” section.

Item Correspondences and Information

A lot of things are used in magick, from herbs to Athames to crystals. Personally, I have books dedicated to each kind of item (for example I have a Herbal Grimoire)., however I still have sections in my formal Book of Shadows containing brief information on each herb, flower, crystal etc for quick reference. If I need more detailed information I use my other books.

Now, there are three main ways of writing this section (I will use the herb section as an example). Firstly, you could write a list of all the herbs you can find information on, or have derived your own correspondences for, and alongside that list write the main associations of that herb.

This is useful when you have a herb to hand and want to know what its good for, maybe for labelling purposes.

The second way of laying out this section is to have the same as above, however split and grouped differently. Have a number of main sections, like Protection, Healing and Prosperity. Then have subsections for each type of item, like Herbs, Flowers and Crystals.

This way is much more useful when structuring/creating rituals or spells or finding out what items to put on an altar, in a mogo bag etc. You simply have to go the “Protection” section when looking for items to use in a protection spell.

The third way is a variation on the second – instead of having the types of items (herbs, crystals etc) as the subsections, have those as the main and the purposes (protection, healing etc) as the subsections. In my opinion, this is the best way to do it and makes it much more organised when writing the additional information (see below).

These methods can be used for all types of correspondences, for colours and days for example.
At the bottom (or top! I don’t suggest the middle though, it could get very confusing) of each of these sections, write all other information regarding the “type” of item. How the items can be used, for example, herbs can be used in tinctures, teas, bags etc. How to choose the items as well as how to care for them and what tools are needed to use them (as in a pestle and mortar for herbs, plants, spices etc).

Now, I have some pretty weird dreams but this… Well this was just plain odd.

I can only remember snippets, I’ll update this later if I remember any more.

I was in my flat with my other half and on the phone to my mum. The elections had just finished and Labour had lost control but I cant remember who won the election. Anyways, I looked at the window and guess what was rolling down the middle of the road? The town hall. Manchester Town Hall was rolling down the road with only 4 small wheels. Bearing in mind the town hall looks like this -

Apparently, according to my other half, Labour put the town hall in the city center but the new party dont want it there and might end up taking it to America…

OK next snippet.

Floating goats

Yes.

Floating goats.

Again, I was in my flat, although this time it didnt look out onto the road it normally does. Instead there was a forest. I looked out of the window and a goat, a fully grown, normal sized goat, floated past.

My other half provided the very interesting wisdom this time too. According to him, goats “float north” every spring for the warmer weather.

Floating goats.

What the hell is going on with my head?!

The first, and most important thing in my opinion, that you should know about the athame is that it is for directing energy during spells and rituals – not for cutting.

The athame (pronounced ath-a-may) is usually a black handled, double edged knife, with a blade roughly 6in long, sometimes with symbols on the blade such as a pentacle or runic symbol. It can be made from any metal although high grade steel is prefered. However, a silver or silver plated athame can be used, the use of silver, which is commonly associated with the Goddess, simultaneously represents the Goddess and the God. Ones that are not made from silver are often associated with the energies of Mars, the Roman god of battles. The athame is commonly associated with the fire element due to it being forged in high temperatures and the knife’s ability to cause change. Although, it is also associated with Air in some traditions. The colour black is used for the handle as it absorbs power. However, the most powerful way to empower the athame is by handling it and using it.

A list of metals and their attributes when used in an athame -

Silver – Moon: Psychic forces, intuition, flow, women’s mysteries, the Goddess, the collective will

Copper – Venus: Peace, tranquility, harmony, happiness, material world, beauty, opulence

Tin – Jupiter: Prosperity, expansion, growth, fruition, success, development

Iron – Mars: Energy, movement, change, direction, the individual will, force, power, men’s mysteries, the God

Gold – Sun: Success, achievement, ultimate attainment, unity, the divine, universal mysteries

When purchasing an athame there are a few things to keep in mind -

- Do not haggle the price, it is said to taint the efficiancy and quality of the magic
- The athame should be new, the blade should never have been used for another purpose
- The handle does not have to be black, however a dark colour is prefered
- See if you can find out the metals used in the blade, they are often blended by metalsmiths

If you either cannot purchase or do not want to purchase an athame here is a list of alternatives -

- Wand (this seems to be the prefered alternative)
- Quartz Crystal (I would suggest either a point or wand)
- Index finger on your power hand (right if right handed, left if left handed)
- Feather

As of yet, I dont have an athame that I use or like, I do have one but never use it as I feel no connection too it, which is one of the issues with buying ritual tools online. You may not have that necessary connection to the tool.

I intend to buy a Silver one myself, so that it represents both the Goddess and God, may take me a while to save up for it mind you!

Here’s a list of crystals good for protective magick, charms etc. I will go into more detail regarding how to use them on another post. I will also be posting detailed articles on each crystal as and when I can sort of thing.

Agate, Banded
Agate, Black
Agate, Brown
Agate, Red
Amber
Apache Tear
Asbestos
Aventurine
Bloodstone
Calcite, Orange
Carnelian
Cat’s-eye
Citrine
Cross Stone
Crystal, Quartz
Crystal, Quartz, Herkimer
Crystal, Quartz, Rutilated
Crystal, Quartz, Tourmalated
Diamond
Flint
Fluorite
Garnet
Hematite
Jasper, Mottled
Jasper, Red
Lava
Mica
Obsidian
Onyx
Opal
Pipestone
Pumice
Rhodocrosite
Rhodonite
Ruby
Sard
Sardonyx
Serpentine
Sphene
Spinel
Sunstone
Tiger’s-eye
Topaz
Tourmaline, Red
Zircon

I find colours amazing – from the energising qualities or bright orange to the healing qualities of pale blues. Colours are everywhere and can create very powerful emotional reactions.

Basic Colour Correspondences

Black

Earth element, banishing, absorption of negative energy, rest.
Ward negativity, remove hexes, protection, spirit contact, night, truth, remove discord or confusion, clearing the mind, meditation

Blue

Water element, peace, joy, truthfulness, healing, meditation, tranquility, forgiveness, patience, dream work, sleep.
Blue (dark): the Goddess, Water Elemental, truth, dreams, protection, change, meditation, impulse
Blue (light): psychic awareness, intuition, opportunity, understanding, quests, safe journey, patience, tranquility, ward depression, peace, rest
Blue (any shade): health

Brown

Healing animals, home, grounding, foundations, earthly.
Earth Elemental, endurance, animal health, steadiness, houses and homes, physical objects, uncertainties

Copper

Passion, Professional growth, Career maneuvers, Monetary goals, and Fertility in business. Ruled by Sun and associated with Sunday.

Emerald Green

Important component in Venusian’s rituals; attracts love, social delights and fertility.

Gold

The Sun, solar magic, financial matters, prosperity, Yang. The God, solar energy, power, physical strength, success, achievement, mental growth, skill sought, healing energy, intuition, divination, fortune, warding

Green

Earth element, healing, money, prosperity, hope, growth, luck, fertility, beauty, employment.
Earth Elemental, Lord and Lady of Greenwood, herb magics, nature-type faerie magic (such as blessing a garden), luck, fertility, healing, balance, employment, prosperity, financial growth, courage, agriculture, changing direction or attitudes

Greenish-Yellow

Negate discord, sickness, anger, jealousy

Grey

Vision, neutrality, absorbs negativity. Non-nature-type faerie magic (such as communication with the faerie realms), travel to the otherworld, vision quests, veiling, cancellation, hesitation, neutrality

Indigo

meditation, spirit communication, karma workings, learn the ancient wisdom, neutralize another’s magic, ward slander

Lavender

Intuition, dignity, spiritual shield, inner child.

Light Blue

Spiritual colour; helpful in devotional or inspirational meditations; brings peace and tranquillity to the home; radiates Aquarius energy; employ where a situation must be synthesized.

Magenta

Combination of red and violet that oscillates on a height frequency; energizes rituals where immediate action and high levels of power or spiritual healing are required.

Orange

Strength, awareness, kindness, authority, sun and Fire elements.
The God, strength, healing, pulling/attracting things (not people) to you, adaptability, luck, vitality, encouragement, clearing the mind, dominance

Orchid

Physical Energy, Happiness, Power, and Healing

Peach

Gentle strength, joy.

Pink

Emotional love, friendship, affection, harmony, inner peace. Has both Fire and Air elements.
honour, morality, friendships, emotional love

Purple

Water element, spirituality, psychic awareness, third eye, wisdom, higher self.
power, spiritual development, intuition, ambition, healing, progress, business, spiritual communication, protection, occult wisdom

Red

Fire element, energy, passion, love, strength, power, energy, health, vigour, enthusiasm, courage, passion, sexuality power, courage, protection enthusiasm

Rose

Self-love, enhancing relationships.

Royal Blue

Promotes laughter and joviality; colour of loyalty; use to attract Jupiter energy, or whenever and influence needs to be increased.

Silver

The Moon, female energy, goddess power, Yin. The Goddess, lunar magic, meditation, psychic development, success, balance, wards negativity

Turquoise

Healing, Prosperity, Peace, and Growth

Violet

Self-improvement, Intuition, Success in Searches.

White

Peace, purity, sincerity, protection, happiness, spirituality, strength, ritual, goddess, moon.
The Lady and Lord together, full moon magic, purity, protection, truth, meditation, peace, sincerity, justice, warding of doubts and fears

Yellow

Fire element (dark yellow, or Air element (light yellow). Leadership, learning, communication, creativity, productivity, health, blessing, solar magic.
Air Elemental, divination, clairvoyance, mental alertness, intellectual growth, prosperity, learning, changes, harmony, creativity, concentration