Month: May 2015
Cleansing Your Spirit Native American Style
by Cherokee Billie
Video on Youtube: https://youtu.be/c5Zzi254KUE
In today’s modern world there never seems to be enough time. We rush from the time we get up until the time we go to bed. We battle traffic, work, deadlines, e-mail, family matters, and love life. Everything we have to get done in 24 hours! There doesn’t seem to be enough hours in the day. People used to work a 40 hour week, now the work hours go into your private life and many people have to spend time on the computer or phone continuing work at home.
People often come to me for psychic/spiritual advice, and they are totally burnt out. They cannot understand why they cannot stop crying, yelling at people, being angry, and feel totally confused. The fact that they know something is wrong is the first step to turning their lives around.
In our high tech modern world, we need an antidote. It is time to turn back to the ancient teachings of Native Americans, which offers common sense, an uncomplicated approach to life, and a way to appreciate our existence.
Frequently people ask me about cleansing their spirit, and I give many different ways to do it. Here are two of my favorite methods.
Releasing The Past
One of the most effective and simplest ways to cleanse your spirit is by releasing the emotional baggage that you are carrying on you.
You can do this by writing down the situation or the name of a person on a piece of paper; also you must have a heat-proof container and matches. Place the paper in the container and light it on fire. As you watch the smoke go up, picture what you have written about going up into Spirit and releasing it from your life. Native Americans have always used smoke in sacred ceremonies because of the belief that smoke is going up to the Great Spirit.
You can do this as many times as it takes until you feel you have released the burdens you have been caring. You will find yourself feeling much lighter each time you do this.
What is Smudging?
Smudging is the name given to the Sacred Smoke Bowl Blessing. For thousands of years this ceremony has been practiced by Native Americans. This is a powerful cleansing technique. It is a ritual to remove negative energies and have them go in smoke to the Great Spirit.
Smudging can be used to cleanse your spirit, mind, and body. It can also be used to cleanse a house, building, vehicle, work place, or another person.
Most Common Herbs Used For Smudging
Sage
For removing negativity and for healing, White Sage is preferred.
Sweetgrass
Sweetgrass is used for blessing after sage has been used. It is used to attract positive energy.
The Art of Smudging
The first thing to do is to make sure that the area is well ventilated and open up windows so that the negative energies have an easy means of exiting.
Get a shell or any flat heat-proof container. It is good to have a feather to move the smoke away from the person or object that is being cleansed.
Light the smudge stick and when you see a flame, put the flame out using the shell or container and the stick will continue to smolder.
Move the smoking stick around your body starting at the feet and use the figure eight motion as you move the stick up your body. Continue this until you get to the top of your head. At this point the energies have been released into spirit, and you can then proceed to cleanse another person, object, or space. You can do chanting or prayers as you use the smudge stick. Make it a sacred ceremony for yourself.
As the stick burns, put the ash in the shell.
When smudging an area like a room, house, or car, it is beneficial to acknowledge the main directions, which are: north, south, east, west, up, and down. Continue to use the figure eight motion and use the feather to move the smoke away and out through any windows.
It is recommended to smudge all closets, attics, and basements in a house as negative energies often store in those areas.
When you have finished Smudging, extinguish the stick by dampening it with water, crushing it against the shell, or placing it in sand. Keep your smudge stick, feather, and shell in a special area, medicine bag, or on an altar.
Start doing this and watch the changes that occur in your life. You will be amazed at what starts changing!
If you would like personal instruction on this sacred art, contact me, Cherokee Billie, and I will be glad to teach you personally.
“Give thanks for unknown blessings already on their way.”
Native American Saying
™®©2008-2015 Cherokee Billie
FROM: http://cherokeebillie.com/cleansing-your-spirit-native-american-style-.html
Basic Circle Casting From The Gypsy Path
This Ritual is a Circle Casting which calls upon the Gypsy Spirits to make a powerful circle!
- Wand-Air
? - Athame-Fire
? - Cup-Water
? - Rock-Earth
? - Angel Status-Spirit
? - Black Candle- Nyx
? - Dark Blue Candle-Erebus
Hold up wand and Chant:
I call the Gypsy Elemental Spirit which comes from
the East. In the name of the Ancient Gypsy Spirit, I
call Air to my Ancient Circle, May it be cast
Hold up Athame and Chant:
?call the Gypsy Elemental Spirit which comes from
the South. In the name of the Ancient Gypsy Spirit, I
call Fire to my Ancient Circle. May it be cast.
Hold up cup and Chant:
I call the Gypsy Elemental Spirit which comes from
the West. In the name of the Ancient Gypsy Spirit, I
call Water to my Ancient Circle. May it be cast.
Hold up Rock and Chant:
I call the Gypsy Elemental Spirit which comes from
the North. In the name of the Ancient Gypsy Spirit, I
call Earth to my Ancient Circle. May it be cast
Hold up Angel Statue and Chant:
I call the Gypsy Element which is in every living
thing. In the name of Nyx and Erebus, I call spirit
to my Ancient Circle, May it be cast.
Hold your hand over black candle and chant:
I call the great Gypsy Goddess of my Chose,
The Mother of the Night, and The one which
stands with the Father, I call Nyx to my Circle,
May it be Cast
Light the Black candle, Then Place your hand over the Dark Blue Candle, and Chant:
I call the great Gypsy God of my Chose,
The Father of the Darkness, and The one which
stands with the Father, I call Erebus to my Ancient
circle, May it be Cast.
The Shuvani then proclaims loudly: Hail Nyx and Erebus, Blessed Be
This article was contributed by Gypsy Witchcraft.
FROM: http://www.spellsofmagic.com/coven_ritual.html?ritual=1826&coven=246
The Path of the Earth Witch
Characteristics of an Earth Witch
One of My Altar Set Ups
I set up this altar as an example and for cleansing my new small cauldron. on it is starting with the pentagram, I made this out of branches from five different trees (Red Maple, Sliver Mapel, Pine, Mulberry and Crabapple ) in my yard it is knotted together with my hair I gathered from my hair brush then covered each know with white glue. For the God symbol the r are pine cones. The Goddess is represented by a birds nest holding a small fake bird, silk rose buds in various colors and 2/3 of a bird egg shell. I found the egg she’ll broke open under the Crabapple tree. I cover it inside and out with white glue to give it some strength. For the elements there is an Angel (actually made as a yule tree topper) for Spirit, an incense burner and Blue Jay feather for Air, a candle in a holder my husband and I bought on a vacation for Fire, a suppose to be volvite candle holder that has salt and a stone for Earth, and another suppose to be volvite candle holder with melted snow for Water. To the right is my Athena closest to pentagram and sword to its right. On the left is Mt Red Maple wand closest to the pentagram and my personal candle. My candle was inscribed using the Ogham alphabet with my witch name (it is different then my pen name on here) dedicating it to help me to stay centered when it is lit, and help in anyway it needs to during a ritual. The wine glass on the right contains juice and small plate on left holds crackers. These are an offering to the God and Goddess I inked to help cleanse my things and for my celebration after the ritual.
Flower Magic: The Secret Language Of The Flowers
There are many things that were known only about a hundred years ago that have become lost, and the secret language of the flowers is one of them. In days gone by it was held an important part of women’s education to know home remedies, about the qualities of plants and this had a large metaphysical component.
Just knowing that there is a secret language of flowers changes many things; and of course has many applications in practical as well as esoteric magic and energy magic.
Right up to Victorian times, the meaning of flowers was common knowledge amongst people and was used to transmit messages and information.
In this painting which looks so harmless to a modern Westerner and merely decorative, there is story told in flowers about the person who painted it, and the person for whom they painted it. That’s a second layer of information, invisible to those who are not in the know; because of this it is called the secret language of flowers.
If you look for it, you will find flowers everywhere – they appear seemingly harmlessly and randomly in portraits, in the background of stained glass windows in a church; they are carved in stone in palaces and temples; and often you will see a depiction of saints and important historical figures who are holding a flower, or are pointing to one.
On a visit to an old graveyard, you can tell the plants that were chosen to be on a person’s grave, using the secret language of flowers – and the vast majority of people walk right by and have no idea that all of that is going on.
Importantly, flowers were used to express emotions, especially in romantic relationships. Gentlemen would bring posies to the ladies; and the ladies would wear very specific flowers on their hats, or choose or make fabrics that would bear particular flower motives.
Any fabric pre-dating the Second World War has this language of flowers, this additional meaning and information, interwoven into its very structure; this is practical magic where intention is added to a natural existence and used intelligently in order to bring about a change in reality.
For example, if you put on a cushion a design that says in the language of flowers, “If you put your head on this cushion to rest, you will have sweet dreams of love, independence, freedom and joy,” that’s a pure piece of human magic or witchcraft at work. For people who actively practice the art of bringing intention into daily life and shaping their own destiny that way, the language of flowers, that secret layer of intention, energy and information, provides a dictionary of symbols that can be practically evoked in spells and rituals, in magic potions by adding the physical components of that particular flower to the spell.
If you learn the secret language of the flowers, you have a magical alphabet to make your own spells; this is how most of magic works, you don’t learn a bunch of spells and ingredients by heart, but instead, you learn what the ingredients do and so you can mix and match for every occasion.
For example, one of the only surviving flower language symbols is that of the red rose for romantic love. People might nowadays have absolutely no idea what a bluebell was meant to mean only a hundred years ago, or even what a Valerian flower looks like, never mind where you could find one or what its flower language message is, but it is still known that a red rose means love.
Knowing that, you can add the petals of a red rose to any love potion that has a physical/sexual strand to it; and also to any other type of potion where a physical/sexual strand would add a bit of va va voom to the spell in question.
As always, knowing even a little bit about magic opens your eyes, ears and your other senses to the simple fact that there is more to life than the dour ones would have us believe.
Wondering what was said about this lady in the portrait here by the flowers makes meeting with this image in a whole new way. Modern science will have us believe that our ancestors were all a bunch of idiots who believed in superstitious nonsense and that there is no such thing as the invisible worlds of energy and information.
I’m afraid they are the fools; and it’s a shame because the world becomes a much more interesting place when you pay attention and find out about such things as the secret language of the flowers, and how this has been used throughout the ages of mankind to tell us things most people now will never understand.
And if you make the secret language of the flowers your own, you can do many interesting, inspiring and wonderful things with that – even if it’s just choosing a wallpaper that has the right flowers for your purposes on it, and smiling every day when you see it again.
Below is a very short version of the secret language of flowers; for a much more comprehensive flower language dictionary from A-Z with a search function and a reverse list so you can decide the quality/meaning you need and then look up the right flower or plant, go here:
See the complete “Secret Language Of The Flowers” here.
Wishing you much joy with The Secret Language Of The Flowers,
SFX
Spring 2011
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FLOWERS BY POWER
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The Properties of Flowers For Flower Witchcraft Spells
Acacia attracts love and friends – | Acacia Love Spell | |
Alyssum increases self worth – | Alyssum Self Worth Spell | |
Amaranth attracts a faithful lover – | Amaranth Faithfulness Spell | |
Amaryllis attracts writing success – | Amaryllis Writing Success | |
Anemone wins back a lost lover – | Anemone Reuniting Spell | |
Apple blossom attracts good fortune- | Apple blossom Fortune Spell | |
Aster helps with negotiations – | Aster Negotiations Spell | |
Azalea freedom from addiction – | Azalea End Addiction Spell | |
Begonia protects from gossip – | Begonia Stop Gossip Spell | |
Bluebell attracts faithfulness – | Bluebell Faithfulness Spell | |
Buttercup increases wealth – | Buttercup Wealth Spell | |
Camellia increases desire – | Camellia Desire Spell | |
Carnation attracts acceptance – | Carnation Acceptance Spell | |
Celandine attracts happy holidays – | Celandine For Holidays Spell | |
Chrysanthemum attracts marriage – | Chrysanthemum Marriage | |
Cornflower for protection – | Cornflower Protection Spell | |
Cowslip for exam success – | Cowslip Exam Spell | |
Crocus attracts joy – | Crocus Joy Spell | |
Cyclamen attracts protection – | Cyclamen Protection Spell | |
Daffodil attracts forgiveness – | Daffodil Forgiveness Spell | |
Dahlia good for travel – | Dahlia Travel Spell | |
Daisy for justice – | Daisy Justice Spell | |
Dandelion for wishes – | Dandelion Wishes Spell | |
Delphinium for obtaining a job – | Delphinium Job Spell | |
Edelweiss attracts fun – | Edelweiss Fun Spell | |
Evening primrose overcoming jealousy – | Evening Primrose Jealousy | |
Forget-Me-Not calls a lover – | Forget-Me-Not Spell | |
Gardenia increases beauty – | Gardenia Beauty Spell | |
Geranium attracts love commitment – | Geranium Commitment Spell | |
Gillyflower family warmth – | Gillyflower Family Warmth | |
Gladiolus strength of character – | Gladiolus Character Spell | |
Harebell attracts trust and hope – | Harebell Trust & Hope Spell | |
Heather attracts good luck – | Heather Good Luck Spell | |
Hibiscus attracts healing – | Hibiscus Healing Spell | |
Hollyhock attracts fertility – | Hollyhock Fertility Spell | |
Honesty attracts integrity – | Honesty Integrity Spell | |
Honeysuckle attracts commitment – | Honeysuckle Commitment | |
Hyacinth retrieves a lost love – | Hyacinth Return Lover Spell | |
Hydrangea attracts success – | Hydrangea Success Spell | |
Iris brings news – | Iris News Spell | |
Jasmine makes dreams come true – | Jasmine Dreams Come True | |
Jonquil clears up uncertainty – | Jonquil End Uncertainty Spell | |
Lavender attracts love & healing – | Lavender Love & Healing | |
Lilac attracts permanent romances – | Lilac Permanent Romances | |
Lily attracts marriage – | Lily Marriage Spell | |
Lily of the Valley attracts happiness – | Lily of the Valley Happiness | |
Lupin attracts grace – | Lupin Grace Spell | |
Magnolia attracts sensuality – | Magnolia Sensuality Spell | |
Marigold attracts employment – | Marigold Employment Spell | |
Mimosa attracts riches – | Mimosa Riches Spell | |
Narcissus attracts self confidence – | Narcissus Confidence Spell | |
Nasturtium attracts victory – | Nasturtium Victory Spell | |
Oleander attracts wisdom – | Oleander Wisdom Spell | |
Orange blossom attracts health – | Orange Blossom Health Spell | |
Orchid attracts prosperity – | Orchid Prosperity Spell | |
Pansy attracts kind thoughts – | Pansy Kindness Spell | |
Passion flower finding twin soul – | Passion Flower Soul Mate | |
Peony for forgiveness – | Peony Forgiveness Spell | |
Periwinkle for love – | Periwinkle Love Spell | |
Petunia overcoming despair – | Petunia Hope Spell | |
Poinsettia attracts gifts – | Poinsettia Gifts Spell | |
Polyanthus attracts riches – | Polyanthus Riches Spell | |
Poppy for peace – | Poppy Peace Spell | |
Primrose attract a lover – | Primrose Lover Spell | |
Rose love and healing – | Rose Healing Spell | |
Snapdragon overcoming rejection – | Snapdragon Hope Spell | |
Snowdrop new beginnings – | Snowdrop New Beginnings | |
Stock attracts beauty – | Stock Beauty Spell | |
Sunflower attracts wealth – | Sunflower Wealth Spell | |
Sweet pea for passion – | Sweet Pea Passion Spell | |
Tulip for love – | Tulip Love Spell | |
Violet keeping secrets – | Violet Secrets Spell | |
Wallflower for happiness – | Wallflower Happiness Spell | |
Wisteria breaking possessiveness – | Wisteria End Possessiveness | |
Woodbine for love – | Woodbine Love Spell |
FROM: http://www.lovespellslovespell.co.uk/flowermagiclovespellsandspells.html
Meaning of Some Types of Flowers
Flowers have always been a big feature at weddings, too. As an example, look to the royal flower bouquet in the wedding of Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, to Kate Middleton (now Catherine, Ducchess of Cambridge). Her flowers had very special meaning.
The groom, too, wears a flower that appears in the bridal bouquet in his button-hole. This stems from the Medieval tradition of wearing his Lady’s colors, as a declaration of his love.
One fun idea is to have a garden gathering and have each person bring a flower that has meaning to them. Or, paint tiles on a kitchen island with a flower that represents each of your loved ones.
There is a language, little known,
Lovers claim it as their own.
Its symbols smile upon the land,
Wrought by nature’s wondrous hand;
And in their silent beauty speak,
Of life and joy, to those who seek
For Love Divine and sunny hours
In the language of the flowers.
–The Language of Flowers, London, 1875
Please tell us which flowers have meaning to you! If we are missing one of your favorites, please tell us which one and its meaning.
Wish to grow a flower that has meaning to you or a loved one? Click on the linked plant names for free planting and growing guides.
Symbolic Meanings of Herbs, Flowers and Trees | |
---|---|
Aloe | Healing, protection, affection |
Angelica | Inspiration |
Arborvitae | Unchanging friendship |
Bachelor’s button | Single blessedness |
Basil | Good wishes |
Bay | Glory |
Black-eyed Susan | Justice |
Carnation | Alas for my poor heart |
Chamomile | Patience |
Chives | Usefulness |
Chrysanthemum | Cheerfulness |
Clover, white | Think of me |
Coriander | Hidden worth |
Crocus, spring | Youthful gladness |
Cumin | Fidelity |
Daffodil | Regard |
Daisy | Innocence, hope |
Dill | Powerful against evil |
Edelweiss | Courage, devotion |
Fennel | Flattery |
Fern | Sincerity |
Forget-me-not | Forget-me-not |
Geranium, oak-leaved | True friendship |
Goldenrod | Encouragement |
Heliotrope | Eternal love |
Holly | Hope |
Hollyhock | Ambition |
Honeysuckle | Bonds of love |
Horehound | Health |
Hyacinth | Constancy of love, fertility |
Hyssop | Sacrifice, cleanliness |
Iris | A message |
Ivy | Friendship, continuity |
Jasmine, white | Sweet love |
Lady’s-mantle | Comforting |
Lavender | Devotion, virtue |
Lemon balm | Sympathy |
Lilac | Joy of youth |
Lily-of-the-valley | Sweetness |
Marjoram | Joy and happiness |
Mint | Virtue |
Morning glory | Affection |
Myrtle | The emblem of marriage, true love |
Nasturtium | Patriotism |
Oak | Strength |
Oregano | Substance |
Pansy | Thoughts |
Parsley | Festivity |
Pine | Humility |
Poppy, red | Consolation |
Rose, red | Love, desire |
Rosemary | Remembrance |
Rue | Grace, clear vision |
Sage | Wisdom, immortality |
Salvia, blue | I think of you |
Salvia, red | Forever mine |
Savory | Spice, interest |
Sorrel | Affection |
Southernwood | Constancy, jest |
Sweet pea | Pleasures |
Sweet William | Gallantry |
Sweet woodruff | Humility |
Tansy | Hostile thoughts |
Tarragon | Lasting interest |
Thyme | Courage, strength |
Tulip, red | Declaration of love |
Valerian | Readiness |
Violet | Loyalty, devotion, faithfulness |
Willow | Sadness |
Yarrow | Everlasting love |
Zinnia | Thoughts of absent friends |
Credit: KafeKafe