Pan & Syrinx

Syrinx was a beautiful, gamesome wood Nymph from Arcadia. She was famous for her strong passion for hunting.

One day, the Greek satyr Pan spotted Syrinx in the backwoods on her way to hunt. Delighted from what he saw, Pan decided to approach her lustfully. Syrinx, however, was a very proud Nymph who didn't wish to be loved- so she ran away to avoid the satyr.

But Pan took off in pursuit.

Suddenly, the Nymph’s path became cut by the river Ladon. Desperately, Syrinx appealed to the river god to rescue her, until finally her prayers were heard and the river god turned Syrinx into a reed.

Soon enough, Pan managed to reach Syrinx and spread his arms to fondle and embrace her- but all he found inside his arms was a plain tuft of reeds. Pan sighed out desperately... a sigh so deep that it sounded through the reeds, producing a melody!

Charmed by this melody, Pan bunched up small pieces of reed and produced a pan pipe, which he named "Syrinx" to honor the Nymph. Everywhere he went, Pan took his beloved Syrinx with him, delighting deities with its harmonious sounds.

Artemis Greek Goddess/Hunger Games Costume Tutorial

Ancestor Stones

Stop Slander Spell

If you want to stop someone from talking shit about you, spreading lies and such.. Well here is a lovely thing you can do..

Get some clay, add some personal items of that individual if you can (bits of hair would be best).. If not Hair then if you can find something that they have signed, and burn it, take that ash and sprinkle it in... Work the clay focusing on your goal, call forth what needs to be done. Shape your clay into the form of a tongue all the while focusing on your target. Say something like:

Your Tongue is Mine
Your words seen for lies
Your Tongue is Mine to Command
The words spewed from your mouth bring laughter
Your deceit, your trickery seen and heard for what it is.
Speak my name and may you Burn (throw hot pepper powder onto the tongue)
May the reaction you receive be in Disgust of YOU (Spit upon the tongue)
Your Tongue is now MINE! (Stab the tongue at its center)

Peter Pan

This short film presents the first striking stages of Regis Loisel’ s work ‘Peter Pan’ where he puts forward his dark vision of the world in the way of a fairy tale for adults. The film displays Peter as a child, years before Sir James Matthew Barrie’s one. We all know that Peter Pan is an eternal child who hates adults and whose sworn enemy is captain Crochet. But how did he come to this ? London in 1887 hunger coldness and poverty provide the setting.
Brought up by a tyrannical and alcoholic mother Peter finds his salute only in the dreams and tales which free his imagination. One night, after a violent quarrel with his mother he takes refuge on the docks. There a small and attractive fairy who needs help will take him to the imaginary country.
Thus begins the fabulous story of Peter a child from the poor area of White-Chapel who will later become Peter Pan. He will have to face the awful captain Hook in an everlasting fight for the treasure and survival of the island.

I chose this because as you can see there's this very nice Satyr with a syrinx talking to Tinkerbell. The short is very very good I wish it were a full movie.. in French or not it's absolutely beautiful and amazingly done

Basic Element: Water

Stop Bedwetting Spell

put the child to sleep with a whole onion between his or her legs.
In the morning before sunrise,
you should take this onion and throw it away at a crossroads.

Threshold Protection Spell

Spell for Growth & Wisdom

Herbs-
Red Rose - Spirit, Masculine
Pink Rose - Spirit, Feminine
Sage - Wisdom, Air, Masculine
Cinquefoil - Wisdom, Fire, Masculine
Birch - Purification, Water, Feminine
Alfalfa - Prosperity, Earth, Feminine

Stones-
Moss Agate - Confidence, Healing, Prosperity, Success

Combine herbs & stone in a jar and seal. leave for one moon cycle. When wisdom is needed, wear moss agate from jar. Reseal when finished.
Say for each Herb:
"Herbs bless this stone, so i may in the name of the Green Man. So mote it be."

Say at end:
"I thank you through my teaching, growth and learning. Blessed Be

Dance of Life

Simple Knot Spell

A simple knot spell can be used to help your goals and plans come to fruition. Take a piece of cord and tie nine knots onto it while saying the above.
Leave the knotted cord somewhere safe until you reach your goal. I like to incorporate this into spells where I feel there needs to be just a bit more strength, I especially like putting it together with protection spells.

By the knot of one, this spell is begun!
By the knot of two, my spell comes true
By the knot of three, so mote it be.
By the knot of four; power I store
By the knot of five, my magic is alive
By the knot of six, this spell I fix
By the knot of seven, this spell I leaven.
By the knot of eight, if it is fate
By the knot of nine, what I wish is mine!"

Artemis & Actaeon

Actaeon was the grandson of Cadmus, the founder and once-king of Thebes. Actaeon was cousin to Pentheus, who as you might recall, had a tragic run in with Dionysus in Euripide's play The Bacchae. The telling of the tale which follows is paraphrased from Ovid and various Greek sources.


Sing to me Muse, of Actaeon, the grandson of Cadmus, founder and once-king of Thebes. Born of a royal family, and raised by the wise Centaur Chiron, mentor to all noble heros and talented young men.
One morning, a morning that began with the sun rising above the hills like it does to this day, Actaeon went with his friends to Mt. Citharion, to hunt. The young Actaeon was a very good hunter, accurate and brave. The group had very good luck and caught various forms of game. The sun was now high over their heads and the day was hot. “My friends, “Actaeon said, “we have shed enough blood for one day, our bounty is great. Let us stop, find cool shade, and rest.” All were agreement about the wisdom and this plan and the party dispersed as each of the young men went in search of shade, cool grass, and a breeze. Actaeon also wanders the mountainside and ultimately finds himself alone.
Actaeon and his friends are not the only ones out hunting this morning. The goddess Artemis has also been out on Mt Citharion with bow in hand. She is the virgin goddess of the hunt and of wild things, the patron of all young beings, animal and human alike, and of the young girls that we now call tomboys. She is the bear, the stag, the dog, and the crescent moon. Artemis lives in the wilderness and wants nothing to do with men, although she is close to her twin brother Apollo.
The lovely and fierce Artemis also stops to rest and cool off. She has a secret grotto on the mountain, with a graceful stone arch that opens onto a small meadow with a clear stream and a pool, perfect for bathing. No mortals know of this place. It is her refuge. Artemis is at the pool with her nymphs, the young women who attend her. They take her bow from her shoulder, help her undress, bind up her hair, and fill the urns with water to pour over her white body.
Alone, Actaeon comes upon the clear stream and follows it’s babbling course to the meadow. He spies the stone arch and steps inside the cool grotto to stand at the edge of the pool. There he finds Artemis and the nymphs. The young man is struck with amazement. He stands and stares. When the nymphs see him, they cry out and rush to surround the goddess, to shield her from his view. But she is taller than the rest and looks over their heads at the hunter, who is still looking at her.
Her cheeks turn red. Furious, Artemis says, “I bet you can’t wait to get back to your friends, to tell them that you have seen the goddess unveiled.” She glances around, searching for her bow and arrows, but they are lying on the banks out of reach. Just then, Actaeon hears his companions in the distance, calling his name. Without thinking, he opens his mouth to call out in reply but Artemis, wielding the only tool at hand, splashes the young man with water. "Now go and tell the others all that you've seen,” she says, “if you can."
The drops of water from her wet hands turn Actaeon into a stag. A pair of antlers emerge from his head. His arms and legs lengthen, his hands and feet become hooves and his skin turns to rough hide. The transformation of Actaeon is not only physical. He becomes a deer in mind and spirit too. Artemis completes the physical transformation with a flourish, and makes the young man timid. Afraid.
Actaeon, the hero turned stag, turns with a start and runs away across the meadow. As he runs, he marvels at his speed. "Amazing," he thinks to himself, "I am faster than the wind and just as tireless." Actaeon stops to drink at a small stream. He lowers his head, sees his reflection---oh my god!--realizes what has happened. A strangled cry, neither human nor animal, emerges from his throat.
While Actaeon stands gazing into the stream, his hunting dogs catch his scent. He has a large pack of 50 dogs of various breeds from different lands, and they are well trained. The young hunter runs and the dogs make chase, leaping and snapping. He cannot get away from them. A dog jumps onto his back. Another grips his hind leg in its mouth. Another bites his throat. Actaeon tries to moan and cry out but can only make small, strangled sounds. He pleads for mercy with his eyes, tries to make contact, as master to the dogs. But they bring him down.
His friends, hearing the commotion, gather to watch the show. They call out to Actaeon and imagine that he is fast asleep in the shade somewhere, or too lazy to answer their call. Put poor Actaeon is all too present.
Later, the story of Actaeon's fate is told and retold until it reaches the ears of mortals. Some people think that goddess was too harsh. Others say that Artemis simply acted according to her nature, and that the young hunter had bad luck.

Rune of Luck Spell

Any Rune for Luck ( I use Feoh since it's the most common)
Place the rune in front of you
"Luck be mine" x5
Wear the Rune.

Letter

Herbal Tea Bath For Sunburns

Measurements are approximate. Feel free to use a little more or a little less as needed.

1/2 cup dried Calendula (Marigolds)- astringent, antiseptic, anti-inflamatory, heals wounds
1/2 cup Plantain leaves- heals wounds, sores, and burns
1/2 cup Peppermint leaves- cooling
2-4 black (or green) tea bags- reduces inflammation
2 drops lavender essential oil- relaxant, antiseptic, anti-bacterial
1/2 c. baking soda- soothes sunburns and itchy skin
Bring four cups of water to a boil, and add in the herbs and tea bags. Remove from heat, and allow to steep for 15-20 min. Set tea bags aside to cool. Strain off tea, and pour it into a nice warm bath. Sprinkle in the lavender and baking soda, and soak for at least 20 min.

Use the cooled tea bags on sunburned eyes or cheeks, or as needed elsewhere

Pan & Apollo

While Pan was boasting there to mountain nymphs
of his great skill in music, and while he
was warbling a gay tune upon the reeds,
cemented with soft wax, in his conceit
he dared to boast to them how he despised
Apollo's music when compared with his--.
At last to prove it, he agreed to stand
against Apollo in a contest which
it was agreed should be decided by
Tmolus as their umpire.

This old god
sat down on his own mountain, and first eased
his ears of many mountain growing trees,
oak leaves were wreathed upon his azure hair
and acorns from his hollow temples hung.

First to the Shepherd-god Tmolus spoke:
"My judgment shall be yours with no delay.
Pan made some rustic sounds on his rough reeds,
delighting Midas with his uncouth notes;
for Midas chanced to be there when he played.
When Pan had ceased, divine Tmolus turned
to Phoebus, and the forest likewise turned
just as he moved. Apollo's golden locks
were richly wreathed with fresh Parnassian laurel;
his robe of Tyrian purple swept the ground;
his left hand held his lyre, adorned with gems
and Indian ivory. His right hand held
the plectrum--as an artist he stood there
before Tmolus, while his skilful thumb
touching the strings made charming melody.

Delighted with Apollo's artful touch,
Tmolus ordered Pan to hold his reeds
excelled by beauty of Apollo's lyre.
That judgment of the sacred mountain god
pleased all those present, all but Midas, who
blaming Tmolus called the award unjust."

-Ovid Metamorphoses

Artemis & Orion

In Greek mythology, Artemis was the goddess of the moon, the hunt, virginity, etc. She herself had sworn to remain a virgin and to never marry; however, this was not to say that she didn’t fall in love from time to time. This is one telling of a love story that centered around Artemis and a well-known constellation in our sky today - Orion.

Orion was a famously talented hunter and very good looking young man. Artemis was an extremely gifted huntress as well and when she saw Orion, she fell madly in love with him. They hunted together, dined together, but never slept together as she continued to hold her virginity in high esteem. Her twin brother, Apollo, looked upon their relationship with foreboding and disapproval though. He believed Artemis should stick to her oath of never marrying and remaining a virgin, but it appeared to him as if that oath stood in danger of being broken and there would be nuptials in the not-too-distant future.

Apollo was the god of the sun and would ride his chariot across the sky during the day to give light to the world. From this vantage point, he could see nearly everything happening below on Earth. One day as he was driving through the heavens, he looked down and saw Orion swimming in the ocean with just his head visible above the water. Near the shore he spotted his sister lying down. A plan formed in his mind then so he alighted from his chariot to speak with her.
After the usual greeting and pleasantries, Apollo brought up Artemis’ skill with the bow… or lack thereof. Now, it was widely known that, although Apollo was the most skilled fighter with a bow and arrow, Artemis was his twin there as well and had proven herself time and again. But now he raised the claim that, although she was quite good, she couldn’t hit everything she aimed at like he could. Naturally indignant and upset, she rose to his challenge and told him to merely name a target and she would hit it.

He pointed out a small dark speck on the ocean’s water far out in the distance and repeated his claim that she couldn’t hit it. Scoffing, Artemis strung her bow, not knowing the target was her lover, took quick aim at the tiny object and shot. The arrow flew with deadly accuracy and, of course, hit Orion. Acknowledging her success and her skill with the bow, Apollo then returned to his chariot, pleased with his own success in keeping his sister’s honor in tact.

Later that day Orion’s dead body washed ashore. When Artemis saw her arrow sticking out of his head, she realized what she had done and wept with grief. In order to make amends, she had him placed in the night’s sky where he might forever be seen and where she might forever see him when she took her nightly flight across the sky in her own chariot.

Keep Calm

Easy Protection Spell

Draw a pentagram in the air, and imagine all the bad energies being trapped inside until the end of your spell.
"Hail fair moon
Ruler of the Night
Guard me and mine
until the light

Pan & Selene

‘Twas the day before the Harvest Moon rose over Arcadia. The land was preparing for its mild winter of rain in the low-lying areas and snows in the mountains. The autumn flowers were blooming, the vines heavy with fruit.

Through the tall grass, with the sunshine upon his back, walked a god. God of music and laughter, dance and revelry, panic and frenzy. Lord of the shepherds and flocks in the pasture, god of the wild mountains and those who hunt amongst trees and rocks.

Friend and companion of Dionysus, lover of dryads and nymphs. He who gave Artemis her hunting hounds and who taught the secrets of prophecy to Apollo. Wild god, randy god, troublesome god, trickster and artist, rustic musician. Chaser of beautiful women and seducer of handsome young men. The Great God Pan.

He walked amongst the autumn flowers and through the fertile fields; he walked under the boughs of ripe orchards and passed by vineyards. He walked into a pasture filled with the finest sheep in all of Greece. Big, fat and with wool of the purest white. He played a single note on his pipes and two of the largest and whitest sheep came to him, bowed their heads before their lord … and breathed their last breath. With magic and care, Pan removed their snow white skins and gave their bodies back to the land. He tucked the skins into a pack, slung it over his shoulder and walked out of the pasture and deep into the forest.

He climbed the slopes of the highest mountain in all of Arcady until he came to a large grove. Waiting for him there were three of the largest and whitest oxen ever seen. Pan set about building a great fire. He adorned his hair and horns with white flowers. He placed a silver chain around his neck. He draped a white cloak over his shoulders and he wrapped his dark, goat-y legs in the pure white skins of the sheep.

He stood upon the mountainside and watched as the sun sank. He threw more logs onto his fire and smiled. As twilight crept its way into the grove, Pan blew a single note on his pipes and one by one, each of the three great oxen walked towards him, bowed before their lord and stepped willingly into the fire.

The Full Moon could now be seen on the horizon. With great care Pan played his pipes, the ringing notes blew the smoke of the sacrificial fire towards the silver wheel shining in the sky. The smoke billowed, dancing in time with the music he played, reaching, reaching towards the Moon as it worked its way through the sky, bringing the night with it.

Then as the Moon rose high in the sky, right above the grove where Pan danced and played, a shaft of light came down, bathing the Great God Pan in white, lighting him up as if he were a stage performer standing in a spotlight. The light shone upon the flowers in his hair, his cloak, the silver around his neck, and the white furs wrapped around his legs making him appear to glow. The shimmering light glinted off his pipes as he played brightly, sweetly, joyfully. The light played against his body as he danced … his music and the Moon’s light flirting with each other. Teasing, testing, taunting, curious and inviting.

When it seemed as if the moonlight in the grove was nearly blinding Pan changed his song of invocation into a sweet serenade. A song of seduction, of surrender. Sensual and enticing. The Moon filled the sky above the grove until not a single star could be seen.

Slowly a figure took shape, forming out of smoke and moonlight. Radiant and feminine. White as the Moon and dark as the Night. Slender arms reached above her head, supple legs stretched to touch the earth and then bent in the dance. She twirled and spun as smoke dances upon the night breeze.

The very air shivered with anticipation. Passion filled the grove. Joy and lust burst from Pan’s pipes and into the surrounding mountainside. Laughter as clear as a bell rang from the velvet throat of Selene, goddess of the Moon. Drawn down by Pan’s music, enticed by the sacrifice of oxen and the beautiful adornments the god wore, she joined him in the dance, leaping and whirling.

Pan placed his pipes in the air and they hovered there, still making sweet and sensual sounds as if played by some unseen musician. He grasped Selene around the waist and spun with her, danced with her. Flirted with her. Seduced her utterly too both their delight.

And so the god of Nature and the goddess of the Moon lay down together in a wooded grove bright with silver light. The passion of their tryst spread out through the night air and over the land.

And that night all who hunted by the light of the Moon returned laden with a kill that would feed their families well.

The shepherds lost not a single member of their flocks, as the Moon shone so brightly upon them they could see their furry charges as clear as day. And the animals lay down still and silent, dreaming sweetly, as if they knew no predator would hunt them that night.

Young couples stole away from their homes and into the breathless night. Drawn to each other by a pull greater than any they had felt before, meeting each other in field and forest as if by magick. They lay down and made love and whispered sweet nothings to each other.

Meanwhile their parents and guardians were too busy in their own beds to notice the absence of their beautiful daughters and brash sons. Rekindling old flames of passion they had long forgotten.

Autumn leaves fell silently from the trees, grapes on the vine seemed to double in size over night, prize horses went into season, cats prowled and yowled, dogs bayed at the Moon, owls slipped through the chill night air and deer bounded over glade and glen. Dew formed on grass and reflected the brilliance of the Moon. The unseen creatures of earth and sky danced together, cavorting and celebrating. It seemed as if the whole world was just that little bit more alive.

The gods pleasured each other until the birds began to sing the dawn chorus, the Moon slipping away and out of sight. Selene bid a fond farewell to her lover and went with it.

The Sun rose, the fiery chariot of Apollo driven through the morning sky. As he passed over Apollo looked down and spied Pan, lounging in the wooded grove. He asked the goat foot god just what exactly had he been up to during the night?

The Great God Pan grinned devilishly and replied that he had done nothing, nothing at all. Then he wrapped himself up in his cloak and slept.

Artemis & Callisto

KALLISTO (or Callisto) was a daughter of the Arkadian King Lykaon and a hunting companion of the goddess Artemis. There were several contradictory versions of her story, but ancient writers all agreed on a number of facts:--that she was seduced by the god Zeus, transformed into a bear, bore a son named Arkas, was hunted down as a beast and placed amongst the stars as the constellation Ursa Major.

In the first version of the story Kallisto swore to preserve her virginity for as long as she remained in the company of the goddess. But after she was seduced by the god Zeus, she kept the fact hidden. Her condition was eventually revealed during the bath and Artemis, in her fury, transformed Kallisto into a bear. Hunters then caught and delivered her and her son Arkas to King Lykaon. Later, when the boy was grown, Kallisto inadvertently wandered into the sanctuary of Zeus Lykaios and Arkas, not knowing the bear's identity, would have killed her for the sacrilege had not Zeus immediately transferred the pair to the stars.

In a comedic version of the previous story, Zeus seduced Kallisto in the guise of the goddess Artemis. When her pregnancy was revealed in the bath, Kallisto blamed the goddess of the offence. She was naturally incensed by such an accusation and turned the girl into a bear.

In yet a third version, when Kallisto was seduced by the god Zeus, his jealous wife Hera angrily transformed her into a bear and persuaded the goddess Artemis to shoot her. Zeus sent Hermes to recover the child Arkas from her womb and delivered him into the care of the goddess Maia. Kallisto was again placed amongst the stars.

In a slight variation of the last, Zeus turned Kallisto into a bear when Hera came across them as they were consorting. The goddess was not fooled by the switch and persuaded Artemis to shoot her.

In the chronology of myth Kallisto lived in the time before the Great Deluge which, some say, was brought on by her father King Lykaon who had served Zeus a meal of human flesh. After the catastrophe, Arkas claimed his throne and ruled a new generation of Pelasgian tribesmen born of the oaks. His descendants ruled the kingdom right down to the time of the Trojan War.

Cernunnos & Freya (Artist Unknown)

Charm of Protection

Envision a bubble on energy that completely surrounds, give it a colour so it will be easier to see with your mind's eye.
"Wrap and twist
knot and tie
Protect and bind
Keep me from harm
with this little charm.

Pan Persuing Syrinx by Hendrick van Balen

Syrinx was a beautiful, gamesome wood Nymph from Arcadia. She was famous for her strong passion for hunting.

One day, the Greek satyr Pan spotted Syrinx in the backwoods on her way to hunt. Delighted from what he saw, Pan decided to approach her lustfully. Syrinx, however, was a very proud Nymph who didn't wish to be loved- so she ran away to avoid the satyr.

But Pan took off in pursuit.

Suddenly, the Nymph’s path became cut by the river Ladon. Desperately, Syrinx appealed to the river god to rescue her, until finally her prayers were heard and the river god turned Syrinx into a reed.

Soon enough, Pan managed to reach Syrinx and spread his arms to fondle and embrace her- but all he found inside his arms was a plain tuft of reeds. Pan sighed out desperately... a sigh so deep that it sounded through the reeds, producing a melody!

Charmed by this melody, Pan bunched up small pieces of reed and produced a pan pipe, which he named "Syrinx" to honor the Nymph. Everywhere he went, Pan took his beloved Syrinx with him, delighting deities with its harmonious sounds.

Artemis, Apollo, and the Tears of Niobe

(From the right corner above, Apollo and Artemis shoot the NIOBIDS. 0511: Apollo and Artemis punish Niobe by killing her children. Painting by Abraham Bloemaert 1566-1655. Künsthistorische Museum, Wien)

Niobe was the wife of Amphion, the King of Thebes. Together they had seven sons and seven daughters. Niobe and Amphion were very proud of their children.

Until day, Niobe started boasting that she was superior than Leto, since Leto was only blessed with two children, Apollo, the god of the sun and Artemis, the goddess of the hunt. Outraged by the insult, Leto swore revenge on Niobe, so she asked from her children Apollo and Artemis to eliminate Niobe's children one by one.

Apollo and Artemis obeyed and they killed all fourteen children with arrows dipped in poison. Apollo aimed at the male, whereas Artemis aimed at the female children. After their awful death, Niobe’s children had to remain without burial for nine whole days, because Zeus, the King of the Gods, promised he would turn anyone who attempted to bury the children into stone.

The royal couple was inconsolable. Amphion committed suicide, while Niobe resorted to Sipylos, a city of the Near East. Once there, she pleaded with the gods for mercy, asking them to take away her life. The gods finally sympathized and they turned Niobe into stone, placing her at the peak of the city.

Ever since that day, every summer, one can see drops of water seeping out of the stone's pores...they are nothing but the tears of Niobe!

Cleansing Prayer

Magickal Uses of Passion Flower

Planetary Association: Venus
Element Association: Water
Deity Association: Flora, Feronia and Venus.
Gender: Feminine

Folklore

Passion Flower (Passiflora Incarnata, also called Maypop, Apricot Vine, Maracuja, Passion Vine, and Purple Passionflower) is called “Passion-flower” because the early Spanish explorers thought there was some resemblance in the structure of the blossom to the implements of the crucifixion.

Its genus, Passiflora, is the only genus of its family in the United States. The fruit is an edible leathery berry (the “May-pop”). It is the size and shape of a very large hen egg; green at first and turning yellowish as it ripens. When stomped, it makes a loud pop!! The kids in the South love this little pastime. What we in the South consider a pretty weed has become a growing commodity as of late.

Passion Flower juice is a hot seller, and the fruits of the yellow variety are being sold as produce. There is a chemical compound in Passiflora that is hypnotic-sedative, and it has been making the rounds on the health food circuit as a sleeping aid. 

In Christianity

The Passion Flower has a rich symbolism in Christianity and it is said that represents the martyrdom of Christ such as His flagellation, the Ten Apostles (excluding St. Peter and Judas) and the Holy Grail and it is also seen as a symbol of Purity.  The “Passion” part of the name refers to the holy Passion of Christ in Christian theology. In the 15th and 16th centuries, Spanish missionaries used the unique physical appearance of this plant as symbols of the last days of Jesus and his crucifixion -

The pointed tips of the leaves represent the Holy Lance.
The tendrils represent the whips used in the flagellation of Christ.
The ten petals and sepals represent the ten faithful apostles (less St. Peter the denier and Judas Iscariot the betrayer).
The flower’s many radial filaments represent the crown of thorns.
The chalice-shaped ovary receptacle represents a hammer or the Holy Grail.
The three stigmata represent the three nails.
The five anthers represent the five wounds.
The blue and white colours of many variety’s flowers represent Heaven and Purity.

Magickal uses 

include attracting friendship and prosperity and heightening libido. Carried to bring great popularity & attract new friends. Placed in house to calm trouble & arguments and bring peace. Used as a wash to diminish disagreements & stress. Placed beneath pillow to promote sleep.
Bathe in an infusion of passion flower for 5 days to attract the opposite sex.   Passion Flower is ruled by Venus. Passion Flower brings calm, and it may be used Magickally to promote calmness which is the result of personal transformation. It may be used as an incense to change the energy of a meeting place or as a wash for the floors or furniture if there is the potential for disagreements or stress.
Passion Flower is sometimes added to ritual incense when celebrating the Autumn Equinox.
It can be sprinkled at thresholds to protect the home from disruptions, and in a dream pillow, it will help give quiet dreams.

Perhaps because of its Venus rulership, some believe that carrying passionflower in a charm bag will encourage friendship from others.  If you carry some of the herb in an amulet bag, you will make friends easier since it will work to increase your personal charisma making you more attractive and more likable.  Place it in power bundles and use in love spells to attract love. You can also burn it as an incense to promote understanding.  The plant is used both to attract a passionate lover and instill with passion the Witch him/herself. It can also be used to bring passion in a current relationship and raise long forgotten feelings like a Phoenix from its ashes.

In Hoodoo

PASSION FLOWER LEAVES or ROOT are carried in a red flannel bag dressed with Love Me Oil. Mexicans add to such a bag a charm to the Divine Hummingbird, or Chuparrosa. In the old days this would have been a dried Hummingbird heart, but it is illegal to kill Hummingbirds now — and with good reason, as the birds are rare. A metal charm of a Hummingbird will do just as well.

Passion Flower Relationship spell

Consider a relationship that is in conflict. Today, brew yourself a tea of passion flower and vervain. Just before drinking, hold the cup in both hands and ask for spirit guidance. Hold it before your heart and say:

My heart is open to a path of healing and friendship.
Hold it up to your forehead and say:
Wise ones, help me to see how I can bring heal-ing to this relationship.
As you drink the tea, consider how you contribute to the conflict and how you might change your responses. When you expect to be with this person, be sure to carry a small amount of dried vervain in your pocket or purse.

Three Times Three Spell

To get rid of physical, emotional, or spiritual negativity, and to bring forth
balance in your life, try the Three Times Three spell.

This spell is best performed outdoors during the 3rd quarter of the moon.

You will need one black candle, a small spool of cotton twine, a small amount of
lamp oil, a deep dish to contain the candle, sand to fill the dish, and a sharp
knife or Witch's athame.

Using the knife/athame, inscribe the name of the person, or word symbolizing the
negative situation you are experiencing, near the bottom of the candle.

Place the candle between your palms and breathe on the candle three times. With
each breath, imagine you are exhaling the negativity you have received onto the
candle.

Take the cotton twine, and tie it around the base of the candle so that at least
two feet of twine hangs from the knot. Begin tightly coiling the twine around
the candle in a counter-clockwise direction. While doing so visualize a giant,
protective, mirrored egg surrounding you and repeatedly chant:

Three time three, as ye have sown
Is thine to reap, thy harvest grown.
For best, for worst, for praise or chide,
The Gods alone your fate decide!

Continue wrapping the candle with the twine until you have spiraled to the top,
covering every bit of candle. Loop the twine, trying it in a knot to one of the
coils at the top near the wick.

Next, take the oil and liberally smear the twine and candle with it--cover every
inch of the entwined candle.

Pour the sand into the dish and then wedge the candle into the sand so that it
stands erect, then light it on fire.

Watch as the candle melts away, knowing that the magical attack has been
deflected

Healing Spell

Tama Cat

Tama Cat holds his crystal ball for enhanced chi Energy Flow, Vital Life and Energy.
Legend says a cat from the 17th century named Tama saved the life of a feudal lord by coaxing him into a temple during a storm. Today its smiling face brings positive energy to your home or office.
This version of him is holding out a crystal ball with both hands. Instead of beckoning you to come to him, he brings all your wishes to you...

Neck Adornment on the Maneki Neko represent what was common for felines in wealthy households usually have some sort of decoration around their neck. This can be a neckerchief or a scarf but the most common attire is a collar, bell and decorative bib. These items are most likely in imitation of what was common attire for cats in wealthy households during the Edo period (shogun rule from 1603-1868). Red collars, gold collars and bells are popular representations on the small statues.

Coins: Usually a gold coin or gold characters upon the cat represent good fortune and wealth. You can leave a coin on or near your Maneki Neko as an offering same as you may leave or throw a coin in a wishing fountain or wishing well.

Red Cats are traditionally placed in the South-West to Strengthen Luck in Love, Lust and Sex.

Protective Object Spell

~Note: This works great with the Knot Spell! Just tie your string around your object and you can wear it as a necklace!
~~Note: My personal favorite is a small bottle, that way you can put some protective herbs inside such as Rosemary, Basil, Mint or Fennel.

x 1 bowl of Salt
x 1 stick of incense of your choice
x 1 red or white candle
x 1 bowl of water
x Object to be enchanted
1. Cast your circle
2. Pass the object through the flame. "By the fire be cleansed."
3. Pass the object through the smoke of incense, "By the air be cleansed."
4. Sprinkle the object with water, "By water be cleansed."
5. Sprinkle the object with the salt, "By the earth be cleansed."
6. Visualize the energies of the four elements and surround yourself with them as a protective barrier.
7. Imagine the energies being absorbed into the object.
8. Carry the object around

Eros: Greek God of Love and Desire

EROS was the mischievous god of love, a minion and constant companion of the goddess Aphrodite.

Eros was multiplied by ancient poets and artists into a host of Erotes or Cupids, as they are commonly called in English. The one Eros, however, remained distinct in myth. It was he who lighted the flame of love in the hearts of the gods and men, armed either with a bow and arrows or else a flaming torch. He was also the object of cult. Eros was often portrayed as a child, the disobedient, but fiercely loyal, son of Aphrodite.

In ancient vase painting Eros is depicted as either a handsome youth or as a child. His attributes were varied: from the usual bow and arrows, to the gifts of a lover--a hare, a sash, or a flower. Sculptors preferred the image of the bow-armed boy, whereas mosaic artists favoured the figure of a winged putto (plump baby).

Eros was the Greek symbol of love and desire. He was shooting magic, golden arrows into the hearts of both mortals and immortals, spreading physical desire but also numbness and pain.

Eros was said to be born out of Chaos; according to another legend, though, Eros was the son of Ares, the god of War and Aphrodite, the goddess of Beauty, of whom Eros was the steady companion.

                                       Eros & Psyche

Once upon a time, a long time ago, there lived three princesses. Psyche, the youngest, was very kind. She was also very beautiful. She was so beautiful, in fact, that the powerful goddess of love, Aphrodite, became jealous of Psyche.

In fear of what the great goddess might do to them if they paid attention to Psyche, all the young men in the kingdom avoided Psyche whenever possible, and none offered to marry her. Her two sisters married finally. But Psyche stayed at home with her father.

Psyche could not remain at home forever. In those days, girls had to marry someone. Her father consulted Apollo's oracle at Delphi for guidance. You know oracles! Who knows what the oracle actually said. What the king heard was that his beloved daughter should prepare for her death. Sadly, the king took Psyche to the edge of a cliff and left her there.

In despair, Psyche might have leaped to her death. Before she could, she felt herself lifted into the air. Zephyrus, the gentle west wind, had taken pity on the girl, and gently carried her to a faraway palace. It was the home of his good friend, Eros, the lonely god of Love.

Eros was a handsome young man, but he had a pair of very big wings. He did not wish to scare Psyche. He made himself invisible and warned Psyche if she valued his love, not to try to catch a glimpse of him. 

Psyche was treated with great gentleness and good company and much laughter and soon fell in love with her invisible host. For some time, they were blissfully happy. But Psyche longed to see her family. Eros finally agreed to allow her to invite her two sisters to his palace.

Filled with envy at the sight of the palace and the riches it contained, her two sisters maliciously convinced Psyche that she was being fooled, that her husband was a fearsome monster, and that she had to escape! 

"But he's so kind, so gentle," she argued. "He cannot be a monster. I would know!"

"He's fooling you, Psyche. Trust us." They returned home, dissatisfied with their own lives, and jealous of Psyche's.

Psyche cried and cried, but one night, she took a lamp in one hand and a dagger in the other, and crept into her host's bedroom.  Instead of the monster she expected to find, she saw Eros, a handsome young man, with two white wings. She was not frightened at all.

A drop of oil from the lamp she held fell on the sleeping god. He woke instantly. He saw his Psyche, leaning over him with a dagger in her hand. With great sorrow, he spread his wings and flew away.

 Psyche crumbled to the floor. How foolish she had been to listen to her sisters. She ran outside, to the river. She threw herself into the water. She expected to drown. But Pan, the god of shepherds, pulled her safely from the water.

"Aphrodite is the goddess of love. Ask for her help," Pan advised her.

Psyche prayed to Aphrodite for help. Aphrodite was still jealous. She pretended to help her, because she was, after all, the goddess of love, but gave Psyche tasks to prove her love for Eros that no mortal could possibly accomplish. Yet, Psyche accomplished task after task. Although she did not know it, Psyche was helped by invisible beings, sent by Eros, who loved her still, and watched over her.

At last, Aphrodite told Psyche her final task was to retrieve a box  from the underworld, a very special box filled with magical beauty supplies. With these, she could make herself so beautiful that Eros would fall hopelessly in love with her.

You'd think Psyche would be excited - her last task! - but Psyche knew she had to die to enter the land of shades. It was hopeless.

Suddenly, she heard a voice speaking softly in her ear. It warned her of dangers ahead and what she had to do to retrieve the box without dying.

The voice was very clear. Here is what she had to do:

1. Have a coin ready for the toll to the underworld

2. Bring three pieces of sweetbread to give to Cerberus, the three headed dog

3. DO NOT EAT ANYTHING, not even a seed

4. Once you find it, bring the box to Aphrodite without looking inside.

Psyche did everything she was told. She arrived back in the land of light safely. Waiting for Aphrodite to show up, she became  nervous. What if it was the wrong box? Psyche opened the box just a crack to peek inside. A foul smelling cloud poured out. Psyche dropped to the ground as if dead. 

To save her life, Eros returned to his visible form, and prodded her with the point of a golden arrow. She awoke immediately.

"Psyche, what am I going to do with you? Will you never learn?"

"I have learned," Psyche said softly. "I've learned that I love you."

Eros gathered her into his arms and flew them back to his palace.

It took a while, but Eros finally convinced his mother, Aphrodite, to accept Psyche as his wife. With Aphrodite's help, he convinced the great Zeus to admit Psyche to the ranks of the immortal gods.

In celebration, Psyche and Eros threw a party at the palace. Apollo played his lyre. Dionysus  brought the wine. And all the gods rejoiced. As for Eros and Psyche, they lived happily ever after. 

Cernunnos

The Besom

 

A besom is one of the tools used in Wicca and other Pagan paths. A traditional Pagan besom is an ash stave handle with bristles made from birch twigs. These twigs are tied on using thin pieces of willow wood. It is used to cleanse the ritual area before circle casting. As a tool, the besom is usually thought of as masculine in nature due to its phallic shape and symbolism. However the besom's components are of both masculine and feminine orientation. The handle, an ash stave, is masculine in nature while the birch used for the bristles is thought of as feminine in nature. The besom is thought to be involved with fairies.

The besom is an important part of Pagan handfasting ceremonies in some traditions. The couple jumps over the besom during the ceremony. Alternatively, the couple may jump over a small bonfire.

The Difference Between A Satyr And A Faun

There's been controversy concerning the difference between Satyrs and Fauns for centuries. Most people claim the two are the same, but the reality of the matter is that they are very different creatures that have similar characteristics.

Satyrs

Satyrs come in quite an array of appearance. The most common being human (typically male, female satyrs were an invention of poets around  from the head to the waist, with the legs and feet of a goat. They usually also sport a set of goat or ram horns, and the tails of a goat, though some have tails that look almost like a lion or a unicorn.  Some also sport the ears of a goat in lieu of human ears. It's rare, some other Satyrs have the feet and tail or a horse as well. And still some even have the facial aspects of a goat and only resemble their human half in the fact that they are biped and have hands.

Satyrs were the companions of Pan and Dionysus, who himself is also a satyr. Common to Greek AND Roman mythology, it's widely known that they were lovers of pipe playing, wine, and women. They are most commonly associated with lust and sex, and are more often than not depicted with full erections.

Fauns

Fauns come from the Latin word Faunus, and it's this Latin word that introduce the confusion and the lore that Satyrs and Fauns are the same. Romans used the Latin word when speaking of Satyrs. The faun while similar to the satyr is NOT a goat, and not solely found in Greek Mythology, they are also found in Celtic mythology.

Fauns, like Satyrs, are half human half animal. Though in the Fauns case, the animal half is a deer, gazelle, antelope, ibex; it depends on where the lore is coming from. They have antlers, sometimes full branched racks, other times small nubs. The Fauns with the small nubs is another place where the confusion between Satyrs and Faun come from. Young goats, as well as young deer, have small nubs as horns and thus in cases like this, it's imperative to pay attention to the lower extremities. Fauns have the legs and the tails of deer, not goat. 

In Greek Mythology, Fauns were the companion of Artemis. They were protected by her as were all animals in the forests. Some followed Pan and Dionysus as well since like their Satyr cousins, they were lecherous. However, the major difference between Faun and Satyrs was in the fact that while Satyrs were only male, Fauns came in female too.

In Celtic Mythology, Fauns were the companions of Cernunnos and Freya. Like the Greek God Pan was goat man, the Celtic God Cernunnos was a deer man usually depicted with a beautiful full antler rack.

Both Satyrs and Fauns are lust driven creatures who enjoyed a good chalice of wine and the company of both men and women.

I've found the easiest way to differentiate and to remember, is that Faun is pronounce FAWN.. and a fawn is a baby deer >~.^<

The Birth of Aphrodite

The most common version of the birth of Aphrodite describes her born in sea-foam from the castrated genitals of the sky-god Ouranos.

Hesiod, Theogony 176 ff (trans. Evelyn-White) (Greek epic C8th or 7th B.C.) :
"Ouranos (the Sky) came, bringing on night and longing for love, and he lay about Gaia (the Earth) spreading himself full upon her. Then the son [Kronos] from his ambush stretched forth his left hand and in his right took the great long sickle with jagged teeth, and swiftly lopped off his own father's members and cast them away to fall behind him . . . and so soon as he had cut off the members with flint and cast them from the land into the surging sea, they were swept away over the main a long time: and a white foam spread around them from the immortal flesh, and in it there grew a maiden. First she drew near holy Kythera, and from there, afterwards, she came to sea-girt Kypros, and came forth an awful and lovely goddess, and grass grew up about her beneath her shapely feet. Her gods and men call Aphrodite, and Aphrogeneia (the foam-born) because she grew amid the foam, and well-crowned (eustephanos) Kythereia because she reached Kythera, and Kyprogenes because she was born in billowy Kypros, and Philommedes (Genital-Loving) because sprang from the members. And with her went Eros (Love), and comely Himeros (Desire) followed her at her birth at the first and as she went into the assembly of the gods. This honour she has from the beginning, and this is the portion allotted to her amongst men and undying gods,--the whisperings of maidens and smiles and deceits with sweet delight and love and graciousness."

A Message That Everyone Should Hear

Post by Lauren Owsiany.

Empath's Prayer

Imbolc Candle Chant

Quick Spells

 Light a candle and on Samhain look at your reflection in a dark window. Close
your eyes, ask you question about love or marriage and open you eyes and look
quickly over your shoulder. There, his.her refeltion will appear over your left
shoulder.

Take a bowl of water. The bowl should be metal or very dark glass. During a full
or new moon, light a white or black candle in your sacred space, close your eyes
and relax. Ask your question and when you open your eyes look into the water.
Relax and let images or words come into your mind. Try to screen out the talk
that usually happens in everyone's mind and just listen to what is trying to be
said to you.

Meditate. As you meditate, see yourself on a grassy plain with a forest near
you. Go into the forest and listen to the whispering of the wind who will answer
your questions

Shadow Fae Spell (Given to me by Theo Eldridge)

get a white candle, sage/smudge stick, and holy water (holy water is tap water + salt and a blessing ). light the candle, burn the smudge and address the Ffolk directly with something like this

This is my house. these are my rooms. this is my family. you may not bother my children when they sleep. you may not bother me or my partner while we sleep. you may not take anything. you may not harm anyone. as long as you abide by these rules, you are welcome to stay and share in this space.

when finished, sprinkle the holy water at all doors and windows.

this works where other spells don't because you are offering a compromise based upon the idea of ownership creating a boundary. you name the boundaries, and offer residence in exchange for respect. (this is the key) if they refuse to respect you, then you can have them removed and the Powers wont let them back.

Pagans Support Marriage Equality

Owl

PANic Sex

Pan was the patron of what has come to be known as “panic sex,” sex for the sake of lust and physical satisfaction. Pan was not the god of love, and he was not the guy you petitioned if you were looking to fall in love. Pan was the god of lust, or of sex in its grunting, groaning, moaning, dirtiest form. Pan was anti-monogamy, and his myth is full of conquests and dalliances, but is void of long-time girlfriends and partners.

With a few exceptions, Greek gods were rarely monogamous, and nearly all the male gods had lovers on the side, but they almost always had a primary partner. Pan has no primary partner, his ladies were the nymphs, and those nymphs seemed to change frequently. The ancient Greeks saw the joys in panic sexuality, that idea of instant gratification and living in the moment, but they also believed that it came with a price. A life that consisted of only panic sexuality led to heartbreak, regret, and lack of family.

It wasn’t all bad though, panic sexuality can lead to new things. In the world of Pan his tendency to just grab the nymph and damn the consequences, often resulted in the creation of something new. The origins of the panpipes can be found in his failed conquest of the nymph Syrinx (Which is why the pan pipes name is Syrinx, to honor her) who resisted the amorous overtures of our god and turned herself into some reeds rather than lie with Pan. Good can come out of wanton lust, but not always.

Pan was said to bring more than lust to people, he brought uncontrollable longing, almost animal like desire. It can have very negative consequences. Pan’s myth is full of instances where the god basically rapes the object of affection, behavior that is reprehensible in modern Paganism. When calling on Pan to give you that lustiness, it’s best to do with a partner who shares your desires.

For many of us, and especially for men, napping and sex go together. Perhaps for this very reason, Pan has always been associated with napping. Napping is so important to Pan that he does it everyday, and at the same time everyday-shortly after noon for an hour or two.

(Source: http://www.patheos.com/blogs/panmankey/)

Blood Moon on April 15, 2014

Pan and Sex

http://poppypogue.deviantart.com/

 

Satyr by Albert Belasco (b. 1938) 

If yet, if yet,
Pan's orgies you will further fit,
See where the silver-footed fayes doe sit,
The Nymphes of wood and water ;
Each trees, and fountaines daughter,
Go take them forth, it will be good
To see them wave it like a wood
Hymn from ‘Pan’s Anniversarie’ by Ben Johnson (1620)

Pan has always been seen as a god of fertility and was famed for his sexual prowess.  In ancient Greece, he was often depicted as having a large erect phallus.  Pan’s conquests were legendary, and he bragged about having seduced all of the
Maenads, the wild female followers of Dionysus, in frenzied orgies.  The word ‘orgy’ is derived from an Greek word, orgion, which means ‘secret rite’ and the ancient Greek religious orgies were celebrated with drunkenness, dancing and singing, but were not necessarily sexual.

In order to seduce Selene, the Moon Goddess, Pan disguised himself with a white sheepskin to hide his hairy goat form and gave her a herd of white oxen.

Pan did not just lust after maidens and nymphs.  He also fell in love with the shepherd Daphnis, who was the inventor of pastoral poetry, and taught him to play the pan pipes.

The Greek philosopher Diogenes of Sinope once told how Hermes took pity on Pan, who was pining for Echo, and taught him masturbation.  Pan then passed on this habit to his shepherd followers.  Diogenes commented that he wished it were so easy to relieve hunger by rubbing an empty stomach.

Leo Vinci, in his book ‘Pan: Great God of Nature’ writes:
Sex, as the great fertilizing power in nature, is one prime aspect of Pan: it is a perfectly normal, healthy appetite and should simply be regarded as such.  If you are thirsty, you drink, you make little fuss about it and that is how it should be with Pan, for he is just as natural

Ostara Eggs: Rebirth

The Lore of Saint Valentine

 

Saint Valentine (in Latin, Valentinus) is a widely recognized third-century Roman saint commemorated on February 14 and associated since the High Middle Ages with a tradition of courtly love. Nothing is reliably known of St. Valentine except his name and the fact that he died on February 14 on Via Flaminia in the north of Rome. It is uncertain whether St. Valentine is to be identified as one saint or two saints of the same name. Several different martyrologies have been added to later hagiographies that are unreliable. For these reasons this liturgical commemoration was not kept in the Catholic calendar of saints for universal liturgical veneration as revised in 1969, although he continues to be honoured on February 14th in the extraordinary-form Roman calendar of saints. But the "Martyr Valentinus who died on the 14th of February on the Via Flaminia close to the Milvian bridge in Rome" still remains in the list of officially recognized saints for local veneration. Saint Valentine's Church in Rome, built in 1960 for the needs of the Olympic Village, continues as a modern, well-visited parish church.

Today, Saint Valentine's Day, also known as the Feast of Saint Valentine, is an official feast day in the Anglican Communion, as well as in the Lutheran Church. In the Eastern Orthodox Church, Saint Valentine the Presbyter is celebrated on July 6 and Hieromartyr Saint Valentine (Bishop of Interamna, Terni in Italy) is celebrated on July 30. Notwithstanding, because of the relative obscurity of this western saint in the East, members of the Greek Orthodox Church named Valentinos (male) or Valentina (female) may celebrate their name day on the Western ecclesiastical calendar date of February 14.

In the Roman Catholic Church the name Valentinus does not occur in the earliest list of Roman martyrs, compiled by the Chronographer of 354. But it already can be found in the Martyrologium Hieronymianum, which was compiled, from earlier local sources, between 460 and 544. The feast of St. Valentine of February 14 was first established in 496 by Pope Gelasius I, who included Valentine among all those "... whose names are justly reverenced among men, but whose acts are known only to God." As Gelasius implies, nothing was yet known to him about his life.

The Catholic Encyclopedia and other hagiographical sources speak of three Saint Valentines that appear in connection with February 14. One was a Roman priest, another the bishop of Interamna (modern Terni) both buried along the Via Flaminia outside Rome, at different distances from the city. The third was said to be a saint who suffered on the same day with a number of companions in the Roman province of Africa, for whom nothing else is known.

Though the extant accounts of the martyrdoms of the first two listed saints are of a late date and contain legendary elements, a common nucleus of fact may underlie the two accounts and they may refer to one single person. According to the official biography of the Diocese of Terni, Bishop Valentine was born and lived in Interamna and was imprisoned and tortured in Rome on February 14, 273, while on a temporary stay there. His body was buried in a hurry at a nearby cemetery and a few nights later his disciples came and carried him home.

?he Roman Martyrology, the Catholic Church's official list of recognized saints, for February 14 gives only one Saint Valentine; a martyr who died on the Via Flaminia.

The inconsistency in the identification of the saint is replicated in the various vitae that are ascribed to him. A commonly ascribed hagiographical identity appears in the Nuremberg Chronicle (1493). Alongside a woodcut portrait of Valentine, the text states that he was a Roman priest martyred during the reign of Claudius II, known as Claudius Gothicus. He was arrested and imprisoned upon being caught marrying Christian couples and otherwise aiding Christians who were at the time being persecuted by Claudius in Rome. Helping Christians at this time was considered a crime. Claudius took a liking to this prisoner – until Valentinus tried to convert the Emperor – whereupon this priest was condemned to death. He was beaten with clubs and stones; when that failed to kill him, he was beheaded outside the Flaminian Gate. Various dates are given for the martyrdom or martyrdoms: 269, 270, or 273.

Another popular hagiography describes Saint Valentine as the former Bishop of Terni, a city in southern Umbria, in what is now central Italy. While under house arrest of Judge Asterius, and discussing his faith with him, Valentinus (the Roman pronunciation of his name) was discussing the validity of Jesus. The judge put Valentinus to the test and brought to him the judge's adopted blind daughter. If Valentinus succeeded in restoring the girl's sight, Asterius would do anything he asked. Valentinus laid his hands on her eyes and the child's vision was restored. Immediately humbled, the judge asked Valentinus what he should do. Valentinus replied that all of the idols around the judge's house should be broken, the judge should fast for three days, and then undergo baptism. The judge obeyed and as a result, freed all the Christian inmates under his authority. The judge, his family and forty others were baptized. Valentinus was later arrested again for continuing to serve Jesus and was sent to the prefect of Rome, to the emperor Claudius himself. Claudius took a liking to him until Valentinus tried to lead Claudius to Jesus, whereupon Claudius refused and condemned Valentinus to death, commanding that Valentinus either renounce his faith or he would be beaten with clubs, and beheaded. Valentinus refused and Claudius' command was executed outside the Flaminian Gate February 14, 269.

English eighteenth-century antiquarians Alban Butler and Francis Douce, noting the obscurity of Saint Valentine's identity, suggested that Valentine's Day was created as an attempt to supersede the pagan holiday of Lupercalia (mid-February in Rome). This idea has lately been dismissed by other researchers, such as Professor Jack B. Oruch of the University of Kansas, Henry Ansgar Kelly of the University of California, Los Angeles and Associate Professor Michael Matthew Kaylor of the Masaryk University. Many of the current legends that characterize Saint Valentine were invented in the fourteenth century in England, notably by Geoffrey Chaucer and his circle, when the feast day of February 14 first became associated with romantic love.

Oruch charges that the traditions associated with "Valentine's Day", documented in Geoffrey Chaucer's Parliament of Foules and set in the fictional context of an old tradition, did not exist before Chaucer. He argues that the speculative explanation of sentimental customs, posing as historical fact, had their origins among 18th-century antiquaries, notably Alban Butler, the author of Butler's Lives of Saints, and have been perpetuated even by respectable modern scholars. In the French 14th-century manuscript illumination from a Vies des Saints (illustration above), Saint Valentine, bishop of Terni, oversees the construction of his basilica at Terni; there is no suggestion here that the bishop was a patron of lovers.

During the Middle Ages it was believed that birds paired couples in mid-February. This was then associated with the romance of Valentine. Although all these legends may differ in ways, Valentine’s day is widely recognized as a day for romance and devotion.

Wicca 101:Ritual Tips

Avoid distractions. This may seem obvious, but starting a deep meditation five minutes before the morning train goes by is not a good use of your limited time! Send your children out to play, turn off your phone, lock your animals away if they are disruptive, and FOCUS!

Speaking of focus, experiment with different grounding techniques and figure out what works best, and fa...stest, for you. Sitting with a couple of rocks in your hands might do the trick, while for others a meditation or a few minutes of yoga are the way to go. Learning to be present in your circle is the first step to a successful ritual.

Keep a Book of Shadows, a place where you collect and write down all of your favorite rituals and spells.

Plan ahead. Get everything together you might need before you cast your circle so that if you have a short amount of time, you can focus on the task at hand instead of cutting doors in and out of your circle to find odds and ends.

Don't have the right size candle holder for that candle you're sure would be just perfect for your ritual? Use a ceramic plate or bowl, or shape some tin foil around the candle to catch stray wax.

Never ever, EVER leave candles burning unattended. You may think that because you're a witch and the candle is being used for magickal uses, the Goddess will protect you and not let your house burn down. However, the day you do that just might be the day that your lesson about letting go of material possessions is learned. So be careful, folks, please!

Keep burning candles away from flammable objects and out of drafts, and always use a candle holder.

Don't leave children and/or pets unattended with burning candles. Singed kitty whiskers or burnt little fingers are very distracting and despite the media's claims to the contrary, these are not necessary for successful spells!

Most magickal herbs are not meant to be ingested and may in fact be poisonous to humans, and possibly your pets. The exceptions are those you take from your own kitchen and burn as incense or add to spells.

Practice your magick wisely and honorably. DO NOT use our magick to bind someone else's will or to hurt or injure someone (you, another person, animals, the earth) in any way (physically, psychically, emotionally, etc.). We follow the Wiccan Rede (and it harm none, do what thou wilt)

Weight loss spell

Materials Needed

2 white candles
A stick of spicy-scented incense (such as sandalwood)
A piece of paper and a pencil
A picture of yourself
A small piece of green material


What to Do
Weight loss spells can be performed at any time of the day, but this particular one would be better to perform after dark, preferably on a clear night. Light the white candles and incense and let the aroma fill the room. Look at the picture of yourself and note on the piece of paper everything you see about your body that you wish you could change. Be as descriptive as possible and, for this moment only, be as negative as you wish to be. Visualization and the art of meditation are very important tools in performing weight loss spells. This exercise will help you to expel those negative thoughts out of your mind and onto the paper.

Once you have completed your writing, take the picture and the paper and tie them together with the piece of green material. The color green signifies envy and jealousy; it represents those times when you were envious and jealous of someone else’s body or physical attributes while being critical of your own beautiful body. As you wind the material around the picture and the paper, repeat the following sentence four times:

“I bind my negative thoughts so they may no longer hurt me.”

In essence, you are letting the negativity out of your system and binding it all together in a small package. Step outside and bury it in a hole in the ground. If you can, plant a seed for a beautiful flower or a bush over it. This will make something positive grow out of something negative, and every time you glance at its beauty, you will be reminded of the night you expelled your negative thoughts in order to begin your exciting journey to the new you.

Triple Cheese Triangles

1/2lb feta, crumbled (abt. 2c.)
1/2lb ricotta cheese (abt. 1c.)
1 (8oz) pkg cream cheese, softened
1 egg
1/3c. chopped parsley
dash of cayenne, salt, grated nutmeg
1 (1lb) pkg filo, thawed
1 1/2 sticks unsalted butter, melted

In a large bowl, combine cheeses, egg, parsley and the spices. Mix until well blended. Unfold filo and cut lengthwise into 6 or 7 strips 2-3in wide. Cover strips with plastic wrap & tope with a damp towel to prevent drying. Brush 1 filo strip with melted butter. top with a second strip of filo and brush with butter. Place about 1 1/2 tsp of cheese mixture on short end of strip, off to one corner. Fold 1 corner over to opposite edge covering filling and making a triangle. Continue folding as you would a flag. Place on parchment or foil lined baking sheet. Brush with butter and cover with plastic wrap. Freeze for longer storage longer than 8hrs. Arrange triangles 1in apart and bake in a 350* oven until puffy and golden, 10-15min. Cool 5-10min before serving

Yields: about 80 triangles

To Honor Your Household Spirits

When presenting your house spirits with offerings of incense, candles or what not you can say this little chant:

“Wraith of the house, Take heart and live,
To every chamber This light I give,
To every corner This breath I send
Approve and favor my willing hand.”

To Bind An Abusive Person or Bully

You Will Need:

3 black candles
Black thread
Black pen
Piece of paper
An empty glass jar

This spell will not hurt your bully, it will just make them leave you alone.
Do this spell at midnight on a Saturday of a waning moon (a period of time between a full moon and a new moon, the light is decreasing)

Set the candles in a big triangle shape, big enough so that you can sit in the middle.
Light the candles.
Write the bully’s name on the paper, and draw an “X” over it.
Fold it three times. Say:

“I bind you (say their name)
so that you cannot hurt me anymore,
both physically, and emotionally.
Get out of my life, leave me alone.
I bind you (say name) I bind you.”

Then tie the thread around the folded paper, and pop it in the jar.
Screw on the lid.
Allow the candles to burn out.
The next day, bury the jar away from your property.