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The Magic of Using
Flameless Candles in Ritual
by Ember Grant
As pagans, we love what’s natural and real—we seek the authenticity of
things, especially in our magic. We cherish hand-made, carefully
crafted items. We love real stone, wood, metal, and plant materials.
Most of us would never consider a plastic ritual chalice or
artificial oils; some pagans even insist on real matches for lighting
fires—no modern lighters allowed. While that may be an extreme case, we
do tend to scorn the modern, "fake" things in favor of what we deem
real or "traditional."
As a maker of candles, I can’t imagine ever abandoning
the real flame. In fact, I just wrote a book on the subject—Magical Candle Crafting—in which I
explore making candles for rituals and spells, charging the wax with
your energy. For magic, I still prefer this type of candle. But, in
some situations, it’s nice to have a flameless candle on hand. They can
be used to complement real candles on an altar, or to safely illuminate
your sacred space, leaving you free to focus on your magic.
We already know that many modern conveniences can be useful in magical
practice. Many of us use a computer for our Book of Shadows, or use an
mp3 player for ritual music. And so, why not the "flameless" candle?
Many people have invested in these recently, and some of them are made
of real wax. In fact, from a distance, they are often indistinguishable
from real candles. One good thing about them is that they last forever
(although you may have to replace the battery), and they are safe from
pets and human forgetfulness or clumsiness. Some of them simulate a
flicker or have a scent, and some have a sensor so you can actually
"blow" them out! These have a sensor activated by sound. Flameless
candles may just have a place in magic and ritual after all. I can hear
everyone groaning. But I just bought my first one during the winter
holiday clearance. Everyone thinks it’s real—sometimes I even forget
it’s not!
For some types of candle magic, you really do want to
burn something. But sometimes the candle light is secondary, especially
if you’re creating a mood. Obviously, without a real flame, I don’t
recommend these be the basis of candle magic itself, but they can
certainly enhance a ritual space or be used for convenience when you
need them. And batteries are energy, after all.
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here
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the full article.
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An
Interview
with Ellen Dugan, Author of the New Practical
Protection Magick
by
Llewellyn
1. Protection magick is a
hot-button topic; why did you decide to tackle this subject?
I have always found it frustrating that
there was very little practical information on this subject. It was
also a magickal topic that I had wanted to sink my teeth into for a
long time. I thought it would be interesting to do a protection magick
book (the new Practical
Protection
Magick) from a woman’s perspective, as most protection
magick
books are, in fact, written by men. I felt it was time to tackle this
topic honestly, with some humor and real life situations. I am honest.
Brutally so. And if there were ever a topic that demanded honesty, it's
this one. It's time to be realistic about protection magick; there is
nothing more frustrating than to need good magickal information and
then to be condescended to. I wrote Practical
Protection Magick so readers could get some good,
no-nonsense information about hexes, ghosts, curses, psychic attacks,
and emotional and psychic vampirism. This book will teach them how to
work from a neutral place, and with integrity. And most importantly,
without fear, allowing them to deal with any type of magickal problem
both quickly and effectively.
2. What is "protection magick," from your
perspective?
Protection
magick is the practice of spell craft or other psychic techniques that
ward, guard, shelter, or defend you from negative energy, emotional
manipulation, psychic attack, psychic vampirism, and baneful magicks.
Protection magick is also a sort of psychic/magickal lifestyle. It is a
way to become aware of the energies and magicks that swirl through your
life.
3. What is the most common
way people experience magickal or psychic attacks?
Click here
to read
the full interview.
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The
Magic of Easter Eggs
by Janina Renée
Throughout the Old World, Easter eggs have been used as
potent charms
and for attracting luck and warding off troubles. Easter eggs are also
among
the most charming and meaningful Pagan symbols, named as they are
for the Goddess Eostre or Ostara, who presides over the Eastern
Quarter, the Dawn, and the resurgence of life in Spring. As we approach
this Sabbat, Janina Renée provides some thoughts on how we can take
greater pleasure in the seasonal tradition of decorating eggs.
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Who or What Are the Djinn?
by Philip Imbrogno
Genies have long been a part of our cultural lexicon,
from Aladdin's lamp to I Dream of Jeannie to various literary
tales. But are they really the harmless wish granters we in the West
perceive them to be? According to Philip Imbrogno, co-author of The Vengeful Djinn, the answer is no. The Djinn
are an ancient race, older than mankind, and they are indeed to be
feared.
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10 Tips for Giving Dynamite Tea Leaf Readings
by Caroline Dow
Tea leaf reading, or tasseomancy, has been practiced as a
form of divination probably ever since the first cup was brewed. But
how does one make sense of the images left at the bottom of a cup? To
help lift you over the hump—that clutch moment when you fear you’re
floundering in a red sea of Rooibos—and onto the path toward giving
dynamic readings, Caroline Dow, author of Tea Leaf Reading for Beginners, offers 10
easy-to-put-into-practice tips for interpretation.
Read
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