| and more people these days are turning to | | | | the well-being of someone dear to you, make sure |
| witchcraft, paganism and wiccan spiritual practices as | | | | you (or that other person) carries something blue on |
| more meaningful and inclusive forms of religion. Since | | | | the body. By wearing something blue on your person, |
| the printing of Gerald Gardner's Witchcraft Today, | | | | you will ward off destructive or negative forces. A |
| thousands have discovered the power it can have. | | | | good tip for women is to sew blue ribbon into their |
| Although we live in a highly modernized, technological | | | | bras and underwear so that no matter what you are |
| world, the ancient wisdom and knowledge that is | | | | wearing on the outside, you will always have |
| imparted through witchcraft is still relevant today, if in | | | | something blue on your body to protect you. |
| fact even more so, since it is a peaceful, inclusive and | | | | For men, carrying blue beads in your pocket is one |
| deeply conscious tradition, that reveres the earth and | | | | way of performing this charm. Although this is a |
| earthly cycles. In this day and age, which is | | | | simple charm to carry out, it is extraordinarily |
| dominated by war and wanton environmental | | | | effective. I recently gave a blue bead on a string to |
| destruction, witchcraft offers a gentle nonviolent | | | | a male friend of mine who had been unceremoniously |
| alternative way of making sense of our world. | | | | dumped by his girlfriend. He told me that within a day |
| Some people sadly, fear witchcraft because they | | | | of carrying the bead he had not only gotten over his |
| wrongly associate it with the dark arts of Satanism. | | | | negative feelings about his girlfriend, but had secured |
| This is a grave misconception, which witches | | | | a highly lucrative art deal and was felt he was on a |
| everywhere are seeking to dispel. According to | | | | path of rebirth. He carries his blue bead everywhere |
| Gardner, contrary to the popular perceptions, | | | | as a matter of course now. |
| witchcraft is more to do with honoring the earth and | | | | House charm |
| the divine feminine. In fact, most people who practice | | | | Many people want to know how they can protect |
| witchcraft, do so because it is holistic, non-judgmental | | | | their homes from negative forces. This is a very |
| and non-patriarchal inasmuch as it honors the sacred | | | | simple spell that ensures your home draws in |
| creativity of women, and recognizes the life-giving | | | | positivity, friendship and love. It can be performed at |
| force of the earth upon which we live. Many people | | | | any time, but I recommend your do it when your |
| see witchcraft as a deeply ecological religion, that | | | | family or flat-mates are not present, as you do not |
| seeks to protect the earth and it’s gifts to | | | | want to be interrupted. |
| humans. | | | | To cleanse the house of any negative spirits or |
| Whether you want to incorporate witchcraft into | | | | emotions, you light a candle and go from room to |
| your life in a serious and dedicated manner, or simply | | | | room, reciting the qualities that you want to exist in |
| want to explore this spiritual tradition, learning about it | | | | your home. When I performed this spell, I went from |
| first is the way forward. Because it is such a poorly | | | | room to room, saying things like |
| understood and much maligned spiritual tradition, | | | | “Peace”, “Happiness”, |
| many witches are very private about their beliefs. In | | | | “Creativity”, “Love”, |
| fact, most will not reveal themselves to be witches. | | | | “Friends”, “Laughter” |
| Whether you go on to join a coven, or merely | | | | etc etc. Once you have visited every room, take a |
| incorporate magic into your life on a private level, you | | | | sprig of lavender and tie it above each external door. |
| too can start to weave spells into your life in order | | | | By tying lavender above the entrances to your |
| to transform your day to day reality. Many novices | | | | house, you ensure that only good elements pass into |
| start out by practicing what I like to describe as | | | | it. |
| “practical magic” – spells that | | | | The two charms above show how easy it can be to |
| can be incorporated into your life without requiring | | | | practice magic. Whether you intend to delve more |
| much effort or time. | | | | deeply into witchcraft, or merely incorporate a little |
| Here are two good everyday spells to add to your | | | | “practical magic” into your life, |
| spell book. | | | | witchcraft is a deeply spiritual and conscious religion |
| Protection charm | | | | that draws on ancient wisdom and knowledge that |
| If you are concerned about your own well-being, or | | | | can truly enhance your life. |