Practical Magic For Beginners - Maggie Haseman
Practical Magic For Beginners - Maggie Haseman
Practical Magic For Beginners - Maggie Haseman
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R0
FOR DANA, WHO ALWAYS KNEW I COULD DO
IT. AND FOR AANA AND POPPIE, WHO
WOULD BE SO PROUD.
Contents
Introduction
PART 1
Chakras
Muladhara: Security
Svadhisthana: Passion
Manipura: Personal Power
Anahata: Love
Vishuddha: Communication
Ajna: Intuition
Sahasrara: Consciousness
Chapter 2
Auras
Chapter 3
Crystals
PART 2
Tarot
Chapter 5
Astrology
Chapter 6
Palmistry
PART 3
Dream Interpretation
Chapter 9
Spirit Guides
PART 4
Plant Magic
Sacred Bundle for Energy Cleansing
Grow a Mystical Windowsill Garden
Chapter 11
Herbal Remedies
Four Thieves all-Purpose Herbal Vinegar
Creating Your Own Tea Blends
Making an Oil Infusion
Chapter 12
Spellcasting
Jar Spell for Abundance
Banished by Fire
Charm Bag for Confidence
Forgiveness Tub Tea
Simple Healing Spell
Self-Love Spell
Shield Visualization for Protection
Divining the Truth Jar
New Moon Intention-Setting Ritual
Full Moon Release Ritual
Closing a Spell
Write a Signature Spell
References
Acknowledgments
INTRODUCTION
elcome, my friend! My name is Maggie. I am so excited to invite you
W into the world of practical magic and to guide you through the
beginning stages of your experience with practical magic.
I wasn’t always a witch. I grew up in a spiritual Christian church that
welcomed diversity and valued questioning. I learned that there is some
force that connects us all, but some of my beliefs didn’t quite fit in with
what Christianity was teaching me.
The natural world was a much more intriguing church to me, and the
rhythms of nature, mapped by the Sun, the Moon, and the stars, aligned
more perfectly with my understanding of the world and the Universe
beyond. I invested in learning the science of nature through studying
ecology, with a focus on restoration. I followed this interest into studying
medicinal plants and ethnobotany—the study of the relationship between
humans and plants.
I began exploring witchcraft and calling myself a witch after I
graduated from college, and shortly after that I realized that I had been
using magic my whole life. You see, we all use magic every day, with every
thought, word, and action.
This is because magic is entirely practical. When I began practicing
witchcraft, I made a conscious choice to be a witch and develop the craft of
using magic to “will” my dreams into reality. Any craft has tools and
procedures to produce a desired result, but the wonderful thing about
witchcraft is that the most important part is the witch.
Any time you intentionally think, speak, or act, you are bringing magic
into your mundane life. Taking care of yourself or of the plants, children, or
pets who depend on you is magical. Preparing food with love and
generosity is magical. Cleaning and protecting your home from intruders is
magical. Being an activist for a cause you care about is magical.
When I made the shift in my mind that the mundane is magical, my
whole world changed, and I hope yours will, too.
This book is a guide to practical magic that is written specifically for
beginners and those who are curious about intentional witchcraft. You will
learn about a wide range of tools, techniques, disciplines, and elements, as
well as their application in all areas of your life—your home, workplace,
relationships, and more.
In my practice, magic doesn’t need to be complicated, and I teach all
my students that it’s okay to experiment and explore to discover what works
best for you. This book is designed to knock down whatever barriers are
keeping you from beginning your practice, so you can start applying what
you learn here right away. I want to give you what you need to feel
confident as you create a practical magic practice that is as unique as you
are.
This book is divided into four parts: The Essentials of Energy Healing ;
Diving into Divination ; Getting Started with Signs and Spirits ; and Simple
Remedies, Recipes, and Spells . Each part contains three chapters. Feel free
to read the book straight through from beginning to end, or flip to the
sections that interest you most. Whether you are curious about chakras,
auras, crystals, the Tarot, astrology, Palmistry, symbols, dreams, spirits,
spells, or herbs, you will certainly find what you need in this book.
PART 1
The second chakra is the Sacral Chakra, which is associated with orange. It
is called Svadhisthana , meaning “one’s own seat” in Sanskrit, which
describes the feeling of having a place in the world. The Sacral Chakra is
associated with sexuality, abundance, and creativity, due to its proximity to
the reproductive organs. It provides the energy to give birth to new ideas,
projects, and artistic concepts. It can also bring new life and new energy
into existing projects.
When energy is flowing freely through this chakra, you will be able to
express yourself creatively, experience pleasure, and set healthy boundaries.
If you tend to suppress emotions and desires, this chakra may be blocked.
To balance this chakra, turn on some music—any music—and move
your body freely. Don’t think too much about how it looks. In fact, get out
of your head completely and just flow. You may find yourself doing
stretches, shaking out your limbs, or simply dancing to the beat of the
music.
• Crystals: carnelian, citrine, fire opal, goldstone, orange calcite
• Herbs: black pepper, cinnamon, cypress, orange, tangerine
MANIPURA: Personal Power
“I am open to the fullness of my power. The life I want to manifest is at
my fingertips.”
The Sanskrit word for the Solar Plexus Chakra is Manipura , which means
“lustrous gem.” This chakra represents many parts of your identity, as well
as your personal power—the source of how you make decisions and handle
responsibility. It is directly tied to your magic and your ability to set
intentions, and it relates to your ambitions, confidence, and willpower.
Located along the spine in the middle of your back, the yellow chakra
helps you tap into your powerful side, fills you with energy, and controls
your self-esteem and confidence.
When the Solar Plexus Chakra is out of balance, you’ll feel insecure
and out of touch with the beauty and fire within you. However, when it is
balanced, you will be more responsible and reliable, while at the same time
maintaining a playful, spontaneous spirit. You will have a healthy self-
esteem and sense of humor, a warm personality, and the confidence to make
decisions.
Centering your energy can help balance the third chakra. To do this, sit
comfortably, close your eyes, and breathe deeply to calm your mind and
your body. Visualize yourself in the center of a galaxy with stars and planets
orbiting around you. As you breathe, pull these celestial bodies closer to
you, as if you have a strong gravity. Imagine absorbing each one into your
energy center and taking in its power.
• Crystals: amber, citrine, sunstone, tiger’s eye, yellow calcite
• Herbs: bergamot, fennel, ginger, grapefruit, juniper berry
ANAHATA: Love
“I love freely and feel loved. I know that love surrounds me at all
times.”
The Third Eye Chakra has many names: inner eye, intuition, brow chakra,
and Ajna in Sanskrit. Ajna means “beyond wisdom,” and this is the chakra
that helps you understand information beyond the physical realm, to guide
your spirit and listen to your inner knowing. It is located inside your skull,
between and slightly above your eyebrows.
When the Third Eye Chakra is out of balance, you will find it hard to
see beyond the mundane routine of the day-to-day to access your magic.
You may completely reject spiritual ideas, and have no “vision” for the
future. Another possible result of an imbalance is walking around with your
head in the clouds, daydreaming, with no ability to function in the physical
world.
By balancing this chakra, you expand your awareness to explore the
paraphysical. It is one of the better-known chakras because of its
association with psychics, mediums, Tarot readers, and witches. Those who
identify with these titles practice listening to their intuition and can access it
more easily.
Balance this chakra by reading Tarot or oracle cards and practicing
automatic writing, meditation, and dream work. Paying attention to
repeating patterns and circumstances in your life can also help you bring
awareness to your third eye abilities.
• Crystals: amethyst, charoite, lapis lazuli, lepidolite, purple fluorite
• Herbs: bay laurel, clary sage, lemongrass, mugwort, rosemary
SAHASRARA: Consciousness
“I enjoy the world as I fulfill my dreams. I am always learning what the
Universe has to teach me.”
The seventh energy point is located at the top of your head and is called the
Crown Chakra. Sahasrara means “thousand petaled” in Sanskrit,
representing the lotus flower that is the throne of the divine. It is the energy
point that connects all living creatures and the Universe, and it reminds us
that all beings—humans, animals, and plants—hold divine energy.
The gift of this chakra is the reminder that life has meaning and that we
are part of a life force energy greater than the individual. Knowledge of this
interconnectedness allows you to live with gratitude, faith, and trust. A
balanced Crown Chakra enhances your experiences, allows you to take
inspired action, and opens you up to opportunities you never thought
possible.
When this chakra gets out of alignment, you’ll experience a greater
level of fear, apathy, anxiety, or cynicism surrounding your purpose and the
role of spirituality. If it becomes overactive, it can result in a phenomenon
called “spiritual bypassing,” where someone skips over the work that is
necessary for spiritual growth.
Start to understand this chakra by reflecting on your spiritual beliefs.
Think about your purpose, what happens when we die, whether evil actions
are punished and when, your ethics and morals, and what the source of your
energy is. Observe your beliefs without judgment; observe the world around
you without judgment; observe the people in your life without judgment.
• Crystals: clear quartz, desert rose, howlite, moonstone, selenite
• Herbs: chamomile, frankincense, lemon, lemon balm, sandalwood
IN CLOSING
In this chapter, you learned techniques for balancing each of the seven main
chakras. You now know the location of each chakra and an affirmation to
help you focus your energy on each one in order to practice magic. In
chapter 2 , you will learn about auras, their colors and layers, how to see
them in others, and how to integrate this understanding into practical magic.
In this closing exercise you will practice using meditation to balance
your chakras and support the flow of your deepest desires.
USING MEDITATION TO BALANCE YOUR CHAKRAS
Meditation is a practice that allows your mind a break by creating space to
disengage from the world around you. It is also one of the fastest and
easiest exercises for balancing your chakras and opening a channel for your
desires to flow toward you. There is no need to set a time limit for your
meditation. It’s more important for you to do what feels right and be
consistent in your practice.
1. In a relaxed state, imagine that your spine is like a string on a guitar. Imagine that each of
your chakras is connected along this string.
2. Bring your attention to each chakra, starting with the Root. Say the affirmation listed in its
section above, and as you do, visualize the wheel swirling faster.
3. Move up the chakra rainbow and repeat the process for each of the remaining six chakras,
visualizing the color and saying the affirmation associated with each one.
4. As energy flows freely through the seven wheels, visualize the string of chakras along your
spinal cord vibrating as if someone has just plucked it. Practice lowering and raising the
vibration frequency. When you get the hang of that, raise this vibration to the highest level
that you can achieve.
5. Visualize the rhythm of this frequency. Watch as the lights radiate away from your body
and flow into a river of dancing lights that contains all the Universal energy. Notice how
your vibration changes as your frequency merges with the Universal flow.
6. From that state, imagine your desires being attracted to you. Imagine they are flowing
down this river of lights straight to you, through your Crown Chakra, right into your body.
7. Remain in this state until you feel a sense of completion, and then release this image into
the Universe.
2
Auras
THE ENERGY FIELD THAT ENVELOPS ALL LIVING BEINGS—
including plants, animals, and humans—is called the “aura.” The chakras
cycle energy through your energy field, and this is how your aura and your
chakra system intertwine. Your aura attracts energy. When your aura
becomes overloaded, the chakras slow down. This results in the
presentation of physical symptoms and restricts your ability to manifest
your desires.
It is believed that your aura, which is the radiance of your soul, has
seven layers composed of white light and all the colors of the spectrum.
Throughout this chapter, you will learn about each of the seven layers of
your aura and what each color typically indicates about a person.
COLORS IN THE AURA
Most auras have a dominant color that is consistent throughout what is
called the “auric field.” This field represents a person’s overall personality
and values. Your aura also changes color based on the health of your body,
mind, and spirit, as well as the state of your emotional field.
RED
Red is associated with passion, primal strength, physical vitality, and the
Root Chakra. A person with a true red aura has a strong connection to their
physical body. Their profession may involve physical exertion, or they may
be especially passionate about something or someone. Dark red indicates a
person who is confident and grounded to the Earth. Murky red indicates a
deep-seated anger, and in some cases an anger that fuels this person to push
forward. A pink aura is a sign that the person has recently fallen in love or
that they are very connected to their sensual side. Dark pink usually means
the person is immature or untrustworthy in some way.
ORANGE
Orange is a warm and vibrant color that is associated with the Sacral
Chakra and the emotions of creation. It is full of joy, and an orange aura
indicates that a person is connected to the spiritual plane. A bright orange
aura suggests good health, a zest for life, and an outgoing nature. If it
appears as a reddish orange, the person is powerful and confident. If it’s
more on the yellow side, this indicates the person has a great attention to
detail and enjoys a mental challenge. A muddy orange is a sign that the
person is in a bad mood and has no creative energy.
YELLOW
Yellow has a strong connection to the intellect and is the color of the Solar
Plexus Chakra, or the source of someone’s power. People with a bright
yellow aura are experiencing a spiritual awakening or are inspired by what
they are learning. They tend to have a playful spirit, enjoy new concepts
and ideas, and be driven by discovery. A dark yellow aura indicates
someone who is under academic pressure. Learning doesn’t bring them joy
and instead has become a chore. An even darker yellow shows an ego-
driven person with low self-confidence, closed off to new information. Pale
yellow points to someone who is very hopeful about their future. When a
yellow aura appears with a greenish hue, the person is no longer feeling
creative, but may be jealous of those who are.
GREEN
Green is the color of the Heart Chakra, connected with nature and the
ability to help others. People with green auras are welcoming, friendly,
calm, and nurturing. They are healers, teachers, and those who work to
improve the lives of others. A person with a light green aura is full of love,
but naive about making the world a better place. Forest green indicates a
natural healer who gives their energy abundantly to others. Because of this,
they need a lot of time on their own to recharge. When the aura appears
yellow-green, the person is overloaded with a mental state that prevents
them from expressing their love. When the aura is blue-green, the person
heals by uncovering inner truths, perhaps working as a counselor or a
doctor. A person with a murky green aura is full of jealousy and resentment,
and has a hard time accepting responsibility for their actions.
BLUE
Blue is the color of the Throat Chakra, most often associated with calm,
support, and relaxation. If an aura appears bright blue, the person maintains
a balanced life and is a source of comfort for others. They are honest and
authentic, and they are capable of expressing their thoughts clearly. Royal
blue in an aura indicates a person who is developing their psychic abilities
or someone who is connected to their intuition and adept at communicating
with spirits. Dark blue is a sign that the person is unable to face the truth.
They are withdrawn from reality and feel as if they are out of options. A
person with a light blue aura is truthful and serene.
PURPLE
Purple is associated with the Third Eye Chakra and generally aligns with
intuitive ability and spiritual connection. It is rare to see purple in the aura,
as most people do not seek to develop their psychic abilities. When
someone has an indigo-purple aura, it’s very likely they are psychic or
currently collecting psychic information. A violet-purple aura indicates a
visionary with a desire to do good for humanity. Muddy purple means they
may have spent too much time in the spirit realm.
WHITE
White is the color of the first layer of the aura. It’s what you see when you
first look for the energy field around the body. It is the color of spiritual
energy and is associated with the Crown Chakra. It is rare for someone to
have a primarily white chakra, but if they do, it indicates newness and
purity. Depending on your beliefs, this could indicate either a soul
experiencing their first incarnation or one in their final incarnation. White is
more frequently seen within another color. If the aura has swirling patterns,
the person is speaking truthfully. If there are white orbs around someone,
that usually indicates a spiritual being is trying to communicate with the
person. Sometimes people enlarge their aura to create a protective bubble
around themselves for ritual or spellwork. When this happens, you may see
a glowing white light expanding from them.
RAINBOW
A rainbow aura looks like a sunburst of colorful light. They are most often
seen around highly trained people who work as energy healers. Sometimes
the rainbow aura will only be around the hands and/or head. If the aura is
bright and shiny, the person is highly creative and radiates imaginative
ideas. Some people believe a rainbow aura indicates a person is in their first
incarnation on Earth. Paler colors in the rainbow aura indicate the person
might be a new healer or is on the verge of enlightenment.
SILVER
It is rare to see silver as the full color of a person’s aura. More often you
will see streaks, like a shining ribbon or sparkles of silver glitter within the
aura. In both cases, the person is experiencing something magical in their
life. This often happens just before they manifest something they have
desired. People who work with and understand magic are also more likely
to have silver in their aura.
GOLD
Gold is another rarely seen aura color. When someone attains spiritual
mastery and has become an ascended being on a higher plane of existence,
they will usually have gold in their aura. They may appear as if the Sun
shines from them as they pass this enlightened energy on to those around
them. It can also indicate a person who is divinely protected and
experiencing spiritual mentoring. Gold usually shows up around the head
like a halo or around the heart.
BLACK
The Etheric Layer is the closest to the physical body, extending about two
inches out, and connecting inward to the Root Chakra. This is often the first
layer people can see when learning to see auras, and it often appears as a
pale bluish-white color. When this layer is clear, the person is usually in
good health. If it is cloudy or dull, it could point to a physical or mental
health problem. The Etheric Layer delivers energy to the physical body and
stays until the physical body dies.
The Emotional Layer expands about four inches beyond the etheric layer
and connects inward to the Sacral Chakra. This is the layer that changes
color most frequently, because it is tied to your emotional state. Bright
colors in this layer indicate an emotionally healthy person. Muddy colors
mean the person has experienced some sort of emotional trauma. If the
Emotional Layer appears thin and clear, emotions can move in and out
freely, suggesting that the person can easily work through their emotions. If
this auric field seems dense, it is overloaded with emotions. This occurs
when someone is closed off to their emotions or has experienced prolonged
distress.
The mental field extends six inches on average from the emotional body
and connects inward to the Solar Plexus Chakra. Thoughts and ideas
originate from this auric layer, filter through your higher mind, and land in
the solar plexus for processing. The thought then travels up the spinal cord
to your brain, where it can be converted into a communicable form, such as
speech or action.
Just as the Heart Chakra links the physical chakras with the spiritual
chakras, the connected Astral Bridge Layer carries energy from the higher
planes of existence to the lower planes. Its main function, however, is to
deliver the pure energy of love from the spiritual planes into the Heart
Chakra. This layer extends about 12 inches from the physical body, though
it can expand much farther.
The Etheric Template Layer connects inward to your Throat Chakra, which
is the source of your inner truth. Pulling energy from this layer is powerful
for magic because of its connection to speech and the importance of words
in magic. This layer extends about two feet out from—and is basically a
copy of—your physical body, represented in the spiritual realm. It is the
blueprint of your body, containing your genetic code for all your features.
Very few people can see this layer, but anyone can feel it to detect health
issues in the physical body, based on the etheric template.
THE CELESTIAL LAYER
The Celestial Layer (also known as the Celestial Body) extends about two
feet from the Etheric Template Layer and connects inward to the Third Eye
Chakra. This is the plane your mind visits when you dream or engage in
activities like meditation, divination, and spiritual devotion. When you
communicate with your spirit guides or experience psychic impressions,
you are probably in the Celestial Layer. This is the layer that holds the
experiences that are bigger than the individual, including memories,
intuitive knowledge, trust, honesty, and unconditional love.
The final layer is the Ketheric Template Layer, which spreads an additional
three feet from the Celestial Body and is connected to the Crown Chakra.
As the outer layer of the spiritual and physical bodies, this layer protects
and contains all the layers within. The Ketheric Template Layer is
connected to the collective consciousness, the universal source energy, and
the spiritual plane your soul returns to after your journey on Earth is
complete. The Ketheric Template also holds the blueprint or map for your
soul’s journey in this incarnation. For more information about this map,
please see chapter 9 .
SEEING AURAS
Some people are naturally gifted at seeing and sensing these energy fields,
but anyone can learn how to do it with a little practice and an open mind.
You can start by practicing with yourself in the mirror or by looking at your
hand. Simply gaze at the edge of your physical body with relaxed eyes until
you see a white border. Then allow yourself to bring up and feel a variety of
emotions, and see how your aura changes and expands.
If you can find someone who is willing to let you stare at them for an
extended period, have them sit or stand sideways against a white wall so
you can see their profile. Look at the back of their head and follow the same
process as above. At first you will probably see only a muted color or a
very faint outline, but with practice you will develop this skill, and you will
eventually be able to see the colors around anyone’s body.
CLEANSING AURAS
This visualization exercise will help you cleanse and clear your auric field
and chakras. Start by sitting comfortably in an upright posture. Repeated
practice of this visualization over time will raise your energy and open your
third eye.
Close your eyes and breathe deeply. As you inhale, count to three. Hold
that breath for a count of three, then exhale for a count of three. With each
inhale visualize clean air flowing into you, and as you exhale imagine
blowing away any negativity. Repeat for three breaths. Then visualize
yourself surrounded by a glowing white light. Say out loud or in your head:
“Pure white light surrounds me. Nothing but goodness can touch me. I
produce nothing but goodness.”
IN CLOSING
In chapter 2, you learned about auras—their colors and layers, how to see
them in others, and how to integrate this understanding into practical magic.
The next chapter will help you better understand using crystals to alter your
own energy field and the environment around you. This gives your magic a
boost and can aid in healing, improving your emotional state, and more.
The closing exercise below will help you identify and strengthen your
aura.
STRENGTHEN YOUR AURA
You need to strengthen your aura to help it do its job of protecting you from
unhelpful or malicious energy. There are several ways you can strengthen
your aura. You can cleanse it—and your environment—regularly, carry
clear quartz to amplify your energy and smoky quartz to repel negativity, or
simply set the intention that your aura is perfect and complete around you.
You can also do auric exercises to strengthen your spiritual body, just as
you can do physical exercises to strengthen your physical body and mental
exercises to strengthen your mind. Practice the exercise below to help you
strengthen and sense your own energetic field.
1. Lie down in a quiet space, bring your attention to your breath, and allow your body and
your mind to relax.
2. Imagine your aura as a rainbow of colors around you.
3. Visualize your aura expanding away from your body into the corners of the room and up
the walls to the ceiling, as far as you can stretch it.
4. Then slowly pull it back to yourself. Stack the layers on top of one another until they are
all close to your skin. When your aura is close, your energy becomes dense and intense.
This is good for spellwork and ritual when you need to channel energy into magic.
5. Repeat this as many times as feels right to you, expanding and contracting your energy
field.
6. Repeat this exercise whenever you like. Observe and record changes in your mood,
perceptions, emotions, and everyday experiences.
3
Crystals
CRYSTALS ARE BATHED WITH THE ELEMENTS OF THE
UNIVERSE as they form: the energy of the Sun, the Moon, the Earth, the
air, and the sea. These gems and stones are an important connection to the
planet we live on and a reminder of what gives us life.
Stones and crystals have been used for thousands of years in magic,
healing, and energy work. In ancient cultures, the healing properties of a
crystal were as important as their beauty. The unique energy of each crystal
impacts your aura when they come into contact with it.
In this chapter, you will learn how to use crystals for healing and magic.
After reading these pages, you will understand how to choose a crystal
based on its unique energy; the specific healing or magical properties of its
related chakra, zodiac sign, and element; and how to “program” or charge a
crystal to work toward your manifestation goals.
YOUR CONVENIENT CRYSTAL CATALOGUE
There are countless types of healing crystals, and choosing which ones to incorporate into your life will
depend on your needs. In this chapter you will find a handy list of 15 crystals and stones that are common
and easy to find. The stones were chosen to help you create a collection of healing crystals to fulfill any
magical need and be used in addition to any remedies prescribed by your doctor.
CLEAR QUARTZ
This list begins with clear quartz because it is the most powerful crystal for healing and amplifying energy.
It has been nicknamed “the master healer” due to its ability to heal virtually anything—mentally,
physically, and emotionally. Clear quartz is a clear and translucent stone that enhances your energy field or
aura. It can also enhance the power of all other stones around it, amplifying their effects on you and your
environment.
MOONSTONE
Moonstone is called “the stone of new beginnings” because it opens you to the spirit realm and your
intuition. It has a strong connection with the Moon, and therefore has similar magical and healing uses. It
is a reminder of the cycle of change—the waxing and waning of your energy, moods, physical body, and
life. This stone even somewhat resembles the Moon, as it reflects light and is known for the blue flash it
holds at certain angles.
CARNELIAN
Known as the “stone of motivation and inspiration,” carnelian is the perfect stone to reach for when you
are creatively blocked or your progress plateaus. Its bright orange color brings fun and joy into your life as
it energizes you and provides you with a spark of inspiration. Carnelian will guide you toward your
highest potential and support you as you build up your confidence.
CITRINE
Citrine is the “crystal of abundance and prosperity,” because its color evokes the golden rays of sunlight. It
illuminates your life as it balances your chakras, cleanses your aura, and fills you with warmth and
positivity. This crystal is truly special because it is one that is considered self-cleansing. This means you
never need to cleanse it, and it will actually cleanse the other crystals in its environment as well.
SODALITE
Sodalite is a blue and white stone that helps you focus your energy, listen to your intuition, and trust it to
guide you. It dissolves your fears, calms your inner conflicts, and dispels guilt. Your mind becomes clear
as you enter a state of peace, harmony and truth. Reach for sodalite whenever you are looking to expand
your consciousness to see things from another perspective.
ROSE QUARTZ
Rose quartz is known as the “love crystal” because it is associated with all forms of love: romantic,
platonic, and parental. It also represents self-love and feelings of compassion toward the people and
animals you may not know, but still have empathy for. Its gentle pink color soothes, calms, and mends
your heart. When you wear or carry it, you can invite love into your life in every moment of your day.
DESERT ROSE
Desert rose is a form of selenite that gets its name because it resembles sandy roses. It gives you the
confidence to tap into your higher self as it elevates your vibration. It is a stone that offers protection from
psychic influence whenever you are practicing divination or seeking insight. It will help you persevere
with any project, especially those that align with your soul’s purpose and help you create a vision for your
life.
TIGER’S EYE
Tiger’s eye is a unique-looking golden-brown stone that flashes like a cat’s eye when moved under light. It
offers courage and balance and provides the strength necessary to succeed in life. Tiger’s eye is considered
a grounding crystal, especially in times of stress and hardship, and it offers protection as it restores your
physical energy.
HEMATITE
Hematite is named for its association with the blood. Therefore, it is an incredibly useful healing stone,
especially for removing unhelpful energy and circulating the balance and calm required to prevent stress
and anxiety. Dark gray in color, hematite is a wonderful addition to your grounding and centering
exercises and is useful for cultivating courage and self-confidence. It also improves your ability to
concentrate and remember details.
MOSS AGATE
Moss agate forms in such a way that it resembles moss, so it is most often associated with growth and
longevity. It finds itself right at home in the garden or nestled on the soil of a potted plant. This is also a
fantastic stone to use during times of new beginnings to help you nurture the first stages of a project or life
event. Due to its green color, it is considered a stone of healing and abundance.
LAPIS LAZULI
Lapis lazuli is associated with the wisdom and clarity that comes with communicating with the divine part
of yourself. This blue stone offers strength as you work toward healing your emotional wounds, and it
encourages you to be compassionate with yourself. It holds wonderful energy for practicing divination,
especially reading the Tarot, because it gives you confidence in your abilities to understand the messages
coming from your intuition.
AMETHYST
Amethyst is the ultimate all-purpose stone. But while you can use it for practically any purpose you can
imagine, above all this purple stone transmutes negative energy into positive and repels situations and
people that are not beneficial to your journey. Amethyst increases your spiritual awareness, as it opens you
up to a higher state of consciousness. People experience this in either energizing or calming ways.
OBSIDIAN
Obsidian is a black, naturally occurring volcanic glass. It is linked to the general idea of darkness and is an
ideal stone to use during shadow work and transformative healing. A powerful protector, obsidian shields
you from any harmful internal or external influences. It is grounding, centering, and cleansing, as it
promotes spiritual growth and personal development.
AMAZONITE
Amazonite is a light-colored blue-green stone that is most notable for its calming effect. It helps you
express yourself authentically and open yourself up to your creative side. Amazonite can be used to attract
success, improve concentration, and overcome hardship. It brings balance to all things and is generally
associated with peace, joy, and inspiration.
SMOKY QUARTZ
Smoky quartz gets its name due to its appearance of being a clear quartz full of fire smoke. It removes
spirits, psychic influences, limiting beliefs, emotional trauma and wounds, fears and worries, energetic
vampires, toxic people and situations, and anything else that could pose a potential threat to your well-
being. It takes what is unhelpful to you and transforms it into something beneficial.
A HANDY CHART
This chart outlines the important magical properties of each of the previously listed stones. Each is
categorized by one of 10 main magical purposes: amplifying, inspiring, cleansing, focusing, opening,
grounding, increasing, protecting, calming, or banishing. Then you will find a list of the top three
properties associated with each crystal. The duality of each crystal is represented as passive, active, or
both. Passive means receiving impressions, and active is projecting them. The rest of the chart lists the
associated elements, planets, chakras, and zodiac signs.
KEY ZODI
DUALI ELEME PLA CHAK
CRYSTAL PURP PROPERTIES AC
TY NT NET RA
OSE SIGN
All
Cancer
Libra
Scorpi
o
Cancer
Leo
Sagitta
rius
Rose Quartz Openin All Types of Love Both Earth Venus Heart
g Compassion Self Air
Esteem
Taurus
Libra
KEY ZODI
PROPERT DUAL ELEME PLA CHAK
CRYSTAL PURP AC
IES ITY NT NET RA
OSE SIGN
Virgo
Libra
Sagitta
rius
Scorpi
o
Sagitta
rius
Virgo
Beyond the variety, and your intuitive guidance, there are a few other factors to consider when choosing a
crystal. Below you will discover four different forms of crystal and the uses and benefits of each one.
Raw
Raw stones, also called “chunk” or “rough,” are stones that haven’t been polished or carved. This is how
they come out of the earth. Because stones in this form are often more brittle than polished or cut stones,
the best way to use raw stones is to set them somewhere where you can enjoy their beauty as they alter the
energetic field of that space. You can also include raw stones in crystal grids or in meditation.
Wand
A crystal wand is a stone that has been carved or otherwise formed into an elongated shape. Some wands
form naturally as well. They can be used to direct energy to or away from an area simply by pointing to or
away from that area. Use them in astral travel, rituals of all kinds, chakra opening, and healing sessions.
Tumbled
A tumbled stone has been polished enough to remove all rugged edges while retaining its natural shape.
These are generally smaller and more affordable than other forms, making them a good option if you’d
like to have a larger variety of stones to use at once. Tumbled stones are perfect for crystal grids, crystal
elixirs, bath rituals, candle spells, or charm bags, or you can simply carry them around in your purse or
pocket to benefit from their energy.
Cut
Cut stones come in virtually any shape you can imagine. Popular shapes include pyramids, skulls,
elephants, hearts, spheres, and eggs. These stones have a variety of uses, depending on what the shape
represents, for healing and magic. Pyramids are perfect for the center of a crystal grid, spheres can be used
for a type of divination called scrying, and hearts and skulls are often used for healing.
The first thing to do when you bring a crystal into your home is to cleanse it. It has had a long journey
before it met you, and cleansing is how you remove any residual energy it holds from the store or other
environment and the people who have interacted with it. Cleansing gives you and your crystal a blank
slate. You will also want to cleanse your crystals regularly as you use them.
There are many cleansing methods to use. Below you will find six to try out:
• Moonlight —Place the crystal on a windowsill overnight at the new Moon, which represents new beginnings and potential.
• Intention —Simply setting the intention to cleanse the crystal is enough to remove unwanted energy.
• Visualization —Hold the crystal in your hand and imagine all negativity being washed away. Then visualize a white light
surrounding the stone.
• Smoke —Light an herb bundle or incense in a heat-proof container. Hold the crystals above the source of the smoke and let the
smoke surround the crystal.
• Water —Let cool water run over a crystal from a few seconds up to 10 minutes to purify and prepare it for healing and magic.
• Sound —Create a vibration near your crystal to break down unwanted energy and remove it from the crystal. Hold the crystal in
one hand and a sound instrument such as a tuning fork, bell, or chime in the other hand. Tap or ring the sound instrument, then
slowly move it around the stone until it stops vibrating.
Think of charging as giving your crystal a purpose. A cleansed crystal is an empty space waiting to be
filled, and charging is how you fill that space. The crystal has its own energy, but you can change or add to
this energy. Try one of the following methods to charge your crystal, restore its purpose, or energize it with
a new purpose.
• Intention —Hold the crystal in your hand and picture a pure light surrounding it. Say words of dedication out loud or in your
mind, such as, “I charge this crystal to be used for [insert purpose].”
• Moonlight —Choose the phase of the Moon for charging based on how you want to use the crystal. The full Moon is a good time
for all purposes because the energy is at its peak. Then set your crystal out with the intention to charge it with lunar energy.
• Sunlight —Charge crystals by the Sun at any time of year, or choose intentionally when to charge your crystals based on the
energy of the season.
IN CLOSING
In this last chapter of part 1, you have learned how to use a variety of crystals for magic and healing. You
can choose a crystal based on its unique energy and magical properties and then charge and clear it to help
you manifest the purpose of your magic.
In part 2 , you will dive into divination, starting in chapter 4 with the Tarot, including descriptions of
the cards and instructions for reading them.
The bath ritual below integrates healing crystals to support your deepest intentions.
CRYSTAL ENERGY–INFUSED BATH RITUAL
When you add crystals to the bathwater, their frequency is amplified and
evenly distributed so that your aura can absorb their energy more easily. A
relaxing bath can encourage your body’s natural healing process.
1. Set your intention or the focus of your ritual by stating what you are trying to accomplish.
This intention could be health, self-care, security, confidence, creativity, love, spiritual
awareness, intuition, or any number of other magical purposes.
2. Select a crystal that can help you bring about your purpose based on its innate properties,
intuitive nudges, or by charging it with the purpose of working toward your desire.
Combine crystals in your bath for added energy, but limit your selection to three different
types so your intention doesn’t get confused.
3. Gather your crystals, candles, incense, spiritual imagery and statues, bath products
(essential oils, bath salts, bubble bath, soap), your beverage of choice, such as wine or tea,
a music playlist, a book, and anything else that will help you enjoy your bath. Set these up
around your tub.
4. Dim the lights, fill the tub with water, add your bath products, and place your crystals in
the water.
5. Bathe in the crystal-infused water to soak up the magical and healing energies and perform
the ritual.
6. Place crystals around your body to form a grid as you soak, hold them in your hands while
you meditate, or place them on specific parts of your body.
7. Close the ritual when you are ready by removing the crystals and anything else you don’t
want to go down the drain and emptying the tub. As the water drains, imagine it taking
away any blocks, stuck energy, and anything else that doesn’t serve you.
Crystal Safety
There are many crystals that you do not want to use in your bathwater. Many are water-
soluble and leach toxic minerals into the water. There are also crystals that can be damaged
by water, crumbling and dissolving. Below you will find a list of crystals that you should not
use in bathwater, and be sure to research thoroughly before adding any other crystals, as
well.
• Amazonite—
contains copper
• Hematite—may rust
• Lapis lazuli—contains sulphur
• Lepidolite—contains aluminum
• Malachite—contains copper
• Moldavite—contains aluminum
• Moonstone—contains aluminum
• Pyrite—contains sulphur
• Selenite—dissolves in water
• Sodalite—contains aluminum
• Tiger’s eye—fibrous form contains asbestos
PART 2
0. THE FOOL
The Fool is numbered zero, which represents the nothing and the everything
of a beginning. The image of a young man with his foot raised as if he’s
about to step off the edge of a cliff represents innocence, spontaneity, and
the ultimate free spirit when upright. He is often interpreted as the main
character of the Major Arcana story. If the Fool shows up reversed, it
indicates naivete, recklessness, and taking unnecessary risks.
I. THE MAGICIAN
The third card of the Major Arcana is the High Priestess. This card reminds
you that you don’t have to seek wisdom externally, because you carry it
within you. She sits in the gateway to the mystical unknown, with only a
thin veil to mark the transition between the realms. She represents the
secrets of the subconscious mind and the intuition. When reversed, she is a
reminder to beware of hidden agendas and to listen to your inner voice.
III. THE EMPRESS
The Empress is the ultimate symbol of beauty, fertility, and creation. This
card shows a pregnant woman surrounded by lush nature and abundance.
She receives the seed of an idea, infuses it with feminine energy, gives birth
to it, and nurtures it until it can stand on its own in the physical realm.
When reversed, she shows you where you are experiencing creative blocks
or codependency toward others.
Seated on his stone throne looking over his dominion, the Emperor takes
the idea that the Empress brought into the world and gives it guidance,
boundaries, and structure. He is the father figure who helps create a solid
foundation for growth and stability. The Emperor is the authority you can
look to whenever you feel lost or confused. This card in reverse represents
an excess of masculine energy, resulting in domination, inflexibility or
rigidity, and the need to control.
V. THE HIEROPHANT
Where the High Priestess shows you how to seek spiritual wisdom on your
own by going beyond the veil, the Hierophant is the veil, and you must go
through him for spiritual wisdom. He is depicted as a religious leader seated
on an ornate throne, his hand raised in benediction. There are students or
followers in front of him listening to his words. He is the physical,
emotional, and spiritual teacher who offers paths for study. This card can
represent religion, group identity, and conformity, as well as cultism when
reversed. It holds the energy of tradition and the restrictions that sometimes
come with it. It can also be a card of challenging the status quo.
The Lovers card represents the cosmic choice you must make. After being
guided by all the cards up to this point, this card gives you the opportunity
to forge your own path. It represents a commitment to the path you choose
and a reminder that once you make that choice, the Universe supports you
to make things happen. This card represents love and union, because you
choose to love someone and make compromises. If reversed, the Lovers can
indicate that a choice is out of alignment with your purpose.
Once a choice is made, the Chariot represents the will to move forward in
that direction. The imagery shows a chariot driver and two sphinxes pulling
the cart. This represents the duality and the balance required to progress
toward the desired outcome. This card indicates control—or lack of control,
when reversed—as well as victory, aggression, assertion, and
determination.
VIII. STRENGTH
The Strength card shows a woman with a lion, and it expresses how
gentleness and compassion—rather than the force and aggression of the
Chariot card—can be used to influence and control. It is the beginning of
the journey into the subconscious mind. The reverse meaning of this card is
animalistic fear. The instinct is to return to safety, but—with courage and
patience—you can get beyond the zone of fear and self-doubt to a place of
learning and growth.
The Hermit represents the period of introspection and following your inner
light that takes place after you expand beyond your comfort zone. It wants
you to reflect on what you’ve learned and helps you better understand your
place in the Universe. It indicates soul-searching, because once you
understand your origin, make choices about the path, and move forward in
alignment, you can trust your own wisdom to guide you. In reverse, it can
be about isolation, loneliness, and withdrawal.
X. WHEEL OF FORTUNE
The image of the Wheel of Fortune shows that this could be the end of a
smaller cycle, or it could be the turning point of a larger cycle. You could
start again as the Fool—a new game, another time around—or you could
continue onward, seeking more and digging deeper. This card reminds you
that cycles have ups and downs and that it’s important to remain flexible
and adapt to whatever comes your way. Luck can be good (upright) or bad
(reverse), and you can only control how you react to these external forces.
XI. JUSTICE
The image on this card shows a man hanging upside down from his ankle.
The Hanged Man invites you to look at your situation from another
perspective. Suspend time and space so that you can let go of ego and gaze
within. He appears to be restricted, but this is an illusion. Seeing things
from a new vantage point will be freeing, although it may require a
sacrifice. The reverse of this is martyrdom—making a sacrifice for public
glory rather than self-fulfillment.
XIII. DEATH
Death arrives on horseback to help you discover what your fears are, how
they block you from your desires, and how to release them. It is a metaphor
for transformation and transition, letting go of anything that doesn’t serve
you, and breaking free of old patterns and habits so that you can be reborn.
This card is also a reminder of the literal finality of death and of your
mortality. When reversed, it indicates that you may be resisting change and
progress.
XIV. TEMPERANCE
Temperance represents the harmony and balance that emerge from death.
When you face your fears and invite a transformation, you discover a
deeper understanding of yourself. It is a card of grounding and connecting
to your emotions, as symbolized by the cups of flowing water. This card is
all about moderation, patience, and finding meaning. Reversed, it can
indicate imbalance or an excess or lack of purpose.
The harmony and balance of the Temperance card disappear when the Devil
appears. This card shows two people chained to a post in positions similar
to those in the image on the Lovers card. While the Lovers is about coming
to a decision that is in alignment with your values, the Devil represents
taking the easy path, even if it’s not healthy. This card indicates
materialism, addiction, and attachment. The reversed meaning is that you
can break free and reclaim your power.
Your addictions and problems can sometimes become too large to manage.
Freeing yourself from the chains of your outdated thinking and behavior
will result in a greater understanding of self, but it requires a dramatic,
sudden, and potentially unexpected disturbance, which you will see in the
lightning imagery of the Tower. This card is a reminder that even the
strongest foundation can be shattered, leaving behind an empty shell with
the potential to be filled with anything you desire. Reversed, it can indicate
you are resisting a necessary change.
After being stripped back to your basic self by the Tower, the Star emerges:
serene, and as a full phase of the transformation. The Star shines brightest
when you are in alignment with your soul’s purpose and are acting
authentically to yourself. This is a guiding light upon which you can make
wishes and trust that they’ll come true. The reverse indicates
discouragement, a lack of faith, and despair.
The dog and wolf in this card represent the light and shadow selves,
respectively. The Moon casts a shadow on your subconscious mind, and this
card invites you to explore and find where others have influenced you in
ways that do not align with who you are now. You can also search for the
ways you have deluded yourself in the stories you tell yourself. After all,
the Moon is the reflected light of the Sun—an illusion. When reversed, it
indicates inner turmoil or confusion, especially surrounding your emotions
Looking at your transformation in the full light of day, the Sun brings
clarity and confirmation of the reality you have created. It is a card that
exudes warmth and radiance as you move out of the darkness and into the
light. The Sun indicates freedom and success as it invites fun and positivity.
Be careful, though, because the reverse reminds us that it is possible to have
too much of a good thing.
XX. JUDGMENT
The World represents the end of the journey and being at the beginning
again. It’s an ongoing cycle in which you draw from your experiences,
integrate what you’ve learned, and try again. This card is all about
celebrating your accomplishments and your place in the Universe, and it is
also about recognizing that the world is your oyster: full of potential. In
reverse, it indicates a lack of closure or feeling empty.
THE SUITS
In this section you will learn the symbolism of each of the four suits in the
Minor Arcana.
Wands
The Wands are associated with the element of fire and represent the will.
The cards in this suit show how unchecked action can be destructive but
also makes space for growth, just like fire burns a landscape and new life
returns. These cards are about inspiration, energy, and enthusiasm. They
represent creativity, passion, and taking action on new ideas.
Cups
The Cups are associated with the element of water and represent emotions.
The cards in this suit depict feelings and matters of the heart. The energy of
these cards is at once powerful enough to carve into rock and gentle enough
to cleanse and purify. Cup cards show intuition, relationships, and empathy.
Swords
The Swords are associated with the element of air, which can come in the
form of a powerful gust or a gentle breeze. Air is often unnoticed but is
omnipresent, just like your thoughts. The cards in this suit show scenes of
cold logic, mental clarity, and rational ideas. This suit represents truth and
facts and how these can become distorted in your mind.
Pentacles
The Pentacles are associated with the element of earth and hold the energy
of the physical realm. These cards show scenes of comfort, reward for work
or skill, money, and the physical experience of being human. The Pentacles
represent a dream manifesting as reality, and they offer security and feelings
of being grounded.
MINOR ARCANA
The numbered cards of the Minor Arcana represent the routine of daily life.
There’s an ace card in each suit, which is equivalent to the number one, and
the other cards are numbered two through ten. You will see a consistent
theme in all the cards of a specific number, regardless of their suit. Here’s a
breakdown of the numerological meanings of the numbered Minor Arcana
cards.
Aces
The aces are about new beginnings, opportunity, and inspiration. They are
like a little seed full of potential. You don’t yet know what it will become
when it sprouts and grows, but for now you can plant it and give it support.
Twos
When you look at the twos, the common theme is perfect balance and
equilibrium. Two represents couples and pairs. The two cards show duality,
the choice of a crossroads, and partnership.
Threes
Three expands on two, like a couple may add a baby to their family. This
number is about expanding, learning, and developing. These cards show
friendship, groups, and collaboration, as well as the initial achievement of
goal-setting.
Fours
Four represents structure and stability. Think of a table creating a sturdy
foundation to put things on or the stable base of knowledge from which you
manifest your desires. Four also speaks of complacency, taking a rest, and
being somewhat boring, as in, “You’re such a square.”
Fives
Five is the midpoint where the numbers transition. It brings instability with
change, conflict, confusion, and disagreements. Five is a challenging
number because it represents the human form, which is constantly seeking
balance between perfection and imperfection.
Sixes
Six equals two threes: this is the next big victory or success as you move
toward your goals. It represents communication, cooperation, and problem-
solving. Six brings a new hope as it restores harmony and invites love and
joy back after the instability and separation of the fives.
Sevens
Seven is a sacred number in magic and spirituality. It is all about trusting
yourself and letting your intuition guide you. Seven invites you to reflect
and assess as you continue to discover and know more about yourself.
Eights
The eight cards show fast movement and big steps forward toward the goal.
This number represents taking action, making progress, and creating
breakthroughs. Eight represents change and regeneration.
Nines
Nine equals three threes: it’s the homestretch and the final step toward
achieving your goals. It represents attainment, fulfillment, fruition, and the
general feeling of satisfaction you receive when you are near completion.
Tens
The tens show you what happens after achieving the goal in the nine cards.
It’s the end of the previous chapter and the beginning of the next one. There
is a feeling of awakening with a renewed sense of strength.
THE COURT CARDS
Each suit also has four court cards: Page, Knight, Queen, and King. These
cards represent personality traits and characteristics. They bring the human
element and the characters into the story. You can see common meanings in
each specific court card across the suits as follows:
Pages
The Pages represent a childlike or immature spontaneity, looking at the
world in new ways, and surprising self-expression. These cards are about
beginnings and initiations and are very reactive, changeable to any situation
that arises. The Pages also represent communication and sending or
receiving a message.
Knights
The Knights are about being daring and taking action. They are purpose-
driven—committed to adventure and fulfilling their mission. They are
followers, doing what they are told, but with great energy and dedication.
The Knights are idealistic about their ability to complete any quest, always
willing to get the ball rolling.
Queens
The Queens hold a subtle power and influence that focuses on nurturing and
on the emotional aspects of maintaining the Knights’ progress. The Queens
are receptive to what’s happening around them and are capable of running
things behind the scenes. They represent expansion, growth, and moving
into the potential.
Kings
The Kings are the most mature and serious of the court cards. They are
strong, natural leaders and true authorities with visible power. They can be
both selfless and ruthless when upholding the grand design and execution of
their vision. They are controlling and decisive as they set the tone,
direction, and plans.
ASK A QUESTION
When using the Tarot for guidance, ask open-ended questions that will
return empowering responses. For example: “What can I expect from . . . ?”
“What is blocking me from . . . ?” “What might I do to . . . ?” “How might I
. . . ?” “Why am I experiencing . . . ?” etc.
SHUFFLING
Once you’ve chosen a spread (see here for some easy ones to get you
started), you can begin shuffling. You will find that Tarot cards are
somewhat larger than a traditional deck of playing cards, which makes riffle
shuffling a bit of a challenge, especially for folks with smaller hands. You
could also use the hand-over-hand technique, moving cards from the bottom
to the top in small sections. Essentially, any method that rearranges the
order of the cards is acceptable.
As you are shuffling, think about the question you have or the overall
theme of the reading. Another option is to shuffle the cards using one of the
methods above as you think of each individual position in the spread you
have chosen and then pull the cards as described below.
CHOOSING CARDS
You might choose cards from the top of the deck and place them in the
order of the spread positions. You could also fan the deck out and choose
each card from a position with the deck. Finally, you can cut the deck and
choose the top card on the pile for each position.
READING THE CARDS
Choose all the cards at once and place them facedown in front of you, then
set the deck aside. Read each card in order of its spread position by flipping
them over one at a time. Another way to read is to choose one card and read
its message, then choose the next card and read its message, and so on.
Make sure that once all the cards are flipped over and you have
interpreted the individual messages, you also look at the bigger picture and
the story of all the cards together, as well as various combinations of two or
three cards.
There are countless different spreads to use in your Tarot readings; the one
you choose depends on your personal preference, the Tarot deck you are
using, and the question you are trying to answer.
In this section, you will learn three easy spreads so that you can begin
practicing reading the Tarot and building a foundation for your knowledge
to grow.
Past, Present, and Future Spread
It’s important to recognize that the future is not set in stone. This spread
will help you see the future you are heading toward based on where you are
now. However, that future can change simply by deciding to alter how you
behave in the present.
1. My thoughts, words, or actions from the past that led to my current circumstances.
2. A snapshot of my current circumstances.
3. Where I am headed if I continue on the current path.
MOON SIGNS
Because the Moon orbits around the Earth, your moon sign is determined in the same way your sun sign is
determined. In the 29 days it takes for the Moon to circle the Earth, it spends only two to three days in each sign.
The Moon represents your instinctive response, or the part of you that reacts before you have time to think. It
governs emotions, intuition, and the subconscious mind. While your sun sign is the part of you that is most
apparent to other people—your external personality—the moon sign is the part of you that only you see—your
internal personality.
The Moon’s influence on your personality is dual, just as the Moon spends half of its time in shadow and the
other half illuminated. Your moon sign expresses itself as both spontaneous thoughts that either limit or empower
you and feelings all along the spectrum from joy to sorrow.
Your moon sign is the part of you that reacts to emotional stimuli and physical sensations. This means that it
influences your receptivity to others, as well as how others feel about you. It is therefore an important factor in
love relationships.
The Moon also symbolizes infancy, childhood, your dreams, memories, and your past—your inner psyche.
You may find that your Moon personality is most expressed in your dreams, both waking and sleeping.
Early Astrology
Ancient Babylonians mathematically calculated the zodiac wheel in connection with our annual seasons. They first split the sky into four
sections, assigning the 0° of Aries to the Spring Equinox, the 0° of Cancer to the Summer Solstice, the 0° of Libra to the Fall Equinox and
the 0° of Capricorn to the Winter Solstice. They divided those four sections into three 30° sections, for a total of 12 sections, which became
the zodiac we know today.
They used the 12 constellations that appeared in the general area of each zodiac sign as placeholders. The constellations were only
named after the zodiac signs they represent—they are not the signs themselves.
RISING SIGNS
The rising sign—also called the ascendant—is determined by observing which sign was on the eastern horizon at
the exact time of your birth. The ascendant changes to a new sign about every two hours, moving more rapidly
than any other point on your birth chart.
This sign indicates the moment you first appeared on Earth, so it represents your first impression to the
world, or the image you project. It also indicates the distinctive way in which you interact with others, your coping
mechanisms, and how you react to the joys and challenges in life.
In some ways, your rising sign is like a mask you wear, because it is the part of you that people see first, and
in some cases, it is the only part they see. But unlike a mask you intentionally wear, you aren’t using it to hide
anything. Your ascendant is not fake or deceptive; it is a true part of you.
What you project outwardly is almost always a perfect blend of your sun and rising signs. To compare your
personality to a car, your sun sign would be the frame and your rising sign would be the style. The frame of the car
is not visible under the doors, bumper, and shiny paint, but it creates the essential shape. The style of the car, or
how the car looks, is the first impression and tells you what kind of car it is.
DETERMINE YOUR SUN, MOON, AND RISING SIGNS
The best way to determine your sun, moon, and rising signs is to use an online service like Astro.com. You will
need to know your birth date, time, and location. These can be found on your birth certificate, or your parents may
remember. If you don’t know where your birth certificate is, you can contact the vital records department in the
city, state, or province where you were born. If you cannot get this information, you can visit an astrologer to do a
chart rectification. Then, plug your information into the online service of your choice to learn your sun, moon, and
rising signs.
Steady, grounded, and slightly materialistic, Taurus is the second sign of the zodiac. Taurus is all about luxury,
self-care, and nurturing, and it creates a stable environment for new ideas to grow. The sign of the physical world
and the Earth, Taurus loves pleasure, luxury, and comfort. The energy of Taurus adds sensuality to your
personality.
Gemini—the sign of flexibility, development, and skill—comes next. Gemini energy involves taking what you
know and putting it into practice. The twins represent the higher self and the lower self and learning how to
communicate between both. This can come across as having two distinct parts of your personality, or even being
“two-faced.” It also leaves room for ideas and facts to be lost in translation, making Geminis a bit scatterbrained.
This air sign is quite intellectual and can be outgoing when necessary, but prefers to spend their time inside the
mind.
CANCER: THE NURTURER
“I feel.”
The watery energy of Cancer is all about turning your attention inward and listening to your own heart to find
happiness, rather than taking advice from others. This is how you become an authority to yourself, which makes
you feel secure. Like a crab, you are sensitive inside with a protective outer shell. This is the paradox of Cancer:
loving, caring, and nurturing, but easily hurt, and with tendencies to self-isolate.
Libra is an air sign that is all about comparison and seeking harmony. The energy is motivated by love and justice,
with a gift for seeing beauty in everyone and having compassion for both sides of any situation. This personality
wants balance and fairness in all things, which can lead to indecision and avoidance. Libra’s tendency to pretend
everything is fine in the face of conflict can build tension—you have to acknowledge disputes to find a
compromise.
Sagittarius represents the final stage of personal development. This fiery sign embodies broadening spiritual and
academic horizons and a desire to experience things beyond what is always considered normal. The energy is
aspirational, intuitive, and optimistic. Even though Sagittarius is often characterized as the adventurous
philosopher, you can be lazy and unfocused, which is quite a paradox. You can also be direct to the point of
tactlessness, which gets you into trouble.
Aquarius is the sign of the greater good. It is progressive and independent with innovative and unconventional
ideas. This airy energy is always directed toward what is the best action that will benefit the most people. You bear
the water that will wash away the past and prepare us for a brighter future. This sometimes feels too big a
responsibility for people with Aquarius in a prominent place in their charts, but it’s important to remember that you
can always bring goodness into the world, even in very small ways.
Finally, Pisces is the watery sign of connection, symbolism, and sensitivity. This energy is compassionate and
reflects your ability to imagine and create your reality. Pisces is a bit vague and ill-defined in the physical realm
because you spend so much time in the spiritual. This makes you appear chameleonlike, becoming whatever you
need to be in an effort to fit in. Pisces reveals the illusion of separation from one another. Pisces represents a time
after death and the mystery of the afterlife before rebirth in the sign of Aries.
SIGN SYMBOL
Aries Ram
Taurus Bull
Gemini Twins
Cancer Crab
Leo Lion
Virgo
Maiden
Libra Scales
Scorpio Scorpion
Sagittarius Centaur
Capricorn Sea-Goat
IN CLOSING
Chapter 5 introduced you to the foundations of astrology, with a focus on the sun, moon, and rising signs, and
included details about each of the 12 signs of the Zodiac. In chapter 6 , we will explore Palmistry, the practice of
interpreting the features shown by or on your hands, from overall shape and texture to the details of major and
minor palm lines.
The following exercise will help you interpret your moon and rising signs and reflect on their meaning in
your personality and relationships.
The Life Line is easily recognizable because it outlines the fleshy base of
the thumb, beginning somewhere between the index finger and the thumb
and ending near the wrist. This line can tell you about the general
development of your life, including health and wellness and overall
comfort.
A short line indicates a person who is easy to influence; therefore their
Life Line is not mapped yet. A long, deep line, however, is a sign that the
person is vital and probably shares their power with the people around
them. If the Life Line is faint, the person goes through life without much
attention, due to self-confidence issues or a preference to be on their own.
Any discontinuity in the Life Line can indicate health issues or a period of
hardship or instability.
HEAD LINE
The Head Line, which also starts between the thumb and index finger, goes
on to cross the center of the palm. As indicated by the name, the Head Line
gives information about intellect. This does not necessarily mean how smart
a person is, but how they think and reason.
Head Line length generally represents how much ambition a person has
and how willing they are to take action toward their dreams. When the
Head Line is broken, shallow, or hard to see compared to the other lines in
the hand, this can indicate an anxious person or someone with a troubled
mind.
If the Head Line curves down, it indicates that the person likes to think
things through and analyze a situation from every angle to come up with a
creative solution. If it curves up, the person prefers to save time and is more
likely to be pragmatic and practical about the solution.
This line might be the same as the Life Line for a section, share only a
starting point with it, or may never touch it at all. The more these lines
overlap, the more independent or individualistic this person is.
HEART LINE
The Heart Line, which is higher than the other two lines, outlines the fleshy
base of the fingers, starting somewhere near the base of the index or middle
finger and ending beneath the pinky. You can see the love-related events of
a person’s lifetime along this line—their attractions, romances, and
emotions.
The most important detail of the Heart Line is exactly where it begins
on the palm. If it begins just below the middle finger, the person feels better
in a committed relationship, sometimes to the point of codependency. When
they are in a relationship, they tend to accept the other person
unconditionally, putting their partner’s needs above their own. If the Heart
Line begins just below the index finger, the person has a hard time
accepting love or actively choosing love. The final potential beginning
point of the Heart Line is between the first two. This means the person is
much more balanced in matters of the heart. They can be in committed
relationships without losing their sense of self.
If the Heart Line is very faint, the person is more ruled by reason and
logic. Similarly, if the Heart and Head Lines touch at any point, that
indicates the person allows their head to rule over their heart. The farther
these lines are from each other, the more likely the person is to lead with
their heart. When the Heart Line has branching, that is a pretty good sign
that the person follows their heart.
RELATIONSHIP LINES
These are the small horizontal lines that start below the pinky on the outside
edge of the hand and end before the ring finger. Generally, there are one or
more faint straight lines. They give details about a person’s ability to
commit in a love relationship. The darker they are, the more likely it is that
the person has long and serious relationships.
FATE LINE
The Fate Line normally starts at the wrist and runs straight up toward the
middle finger. This line shows information about how peaceful or troubled
the personal, professional, and academic life of the person is. The longer
and more prominent the line is, the more likely the person has had an easy
life, free from obstacles.
INTUITION LINE
The line that starts beneath the pinky and curves into the palm before
curving back toward the same side of the hand above the wrist is called the
Intuition Line. One of the least common lines, the Intuition Line indicates
how intuitive or even psychic the person might be. When it appears, it’s
usually very faint.
HEALTH LINE
The Health Line begins under the pinky and runs down the palm, ending
near the wrist. This line usually indicates a health concern in the person’s
life, especially if it is broken or faint. If it appears as a very well-defined
line, the person may be a healer who helps others.
CHILDREN LINES
The Children Lines are in the same area of the hand as the Relationship
Lines, but they are vertical. The significance children play in the person’s
life, whether through parenting, profession, or another avenue, is indicated
by how faint or visible the lines are.
SUN LINE
The Sun Line runs vertically down the palm from the ring finger to the
wrist. If this line is visible on a person’s hand, it can indicate that success,
good fortune, and positive events follow them around. When this line has
breaks in it, the person might have a period of bad luck.
BRACELET LINES
The Bracelet Lines are at the base of the hand along the wrist joint and can
be another indication of the life the person leads. When one or more have a
steep curve toward the palm, that could indicate a health concern. The
straighter and more well-defined the Bracelet Lines are, the healthier the
person.
HAND SHAPE
The four ways to classify hand shape align with the four elements of magic:
Fire, Air, Water, and Earth.
• Fire Hand (Intuitive Hand or the Imaginative Hand): These hands have a broad palm that
seems too large for the fingers. People with these hands tend to trust their gut over common
sense. They are the explorers who actively collect experiences.
• Air Hand (Intellectual Hand or the Philosophical Hand): These hands are square with long,
bony fingers. Someone with this hand shape tends to think creatively to understand
metaphysical reality.
• Water Hand (The Sensitive Hand): This hand shape has equally proportioned long fingers
and a long palm. People with this shape are creative and driven by emotion. They tend to be
in tune with their own feelings as well as the feelings of the people around them.
• Earth Hand (Practical Hand): This hand is square shaped, with a short palm and short,
regular fingers. People with this hand shape are very grounded, trusting tried-and-true
methods.
HAND SIZE
Hand size is observed in relation to your body. A person with large hands
tends to be content with their life. They usually perceive details. People
with small hands probably set unrealistic goals due to their ambition and are
more likely to be big-picture thinkers. Someone with hands that match their
body size tends to fit in well wherever they go.
HAND TEXTURE
Skin texture can affect the way lines form in the skin, so it’s important to
look for these features as you are reading a palm. Thick skin will generally
have deep, clear lines, indicating a person who is energetic and healthy. The
term “thick-skinned”—meaning immune to harsh words—applies here as
well. Someone with thin skin will usually show fainter and many fine lines.
These people are less energetic and more sensitive.
Skin with visible ridges, which may feel like sandpaper, is called rough
skin. It can indicate that a person is more instinctive and less sophisticated.
Smooth skin, with less visible ridges, indicates refinement, receptivity, and
a gentle nature.
FINGER LENGTH
Each of the fingers is named after a planet. When looking at the length of
the fingers for insight about yourself or another person, it is in relation to
the size of the hand.
• Index (Jupiter Finger): This finger represents your ego and where you are confident and
reliable. A short Jupiter finger indicates a person who is not willing to accept responsibility,
while a person with a long Jupiter finger has great leadership potential.
• Middle (Saturn Finger): This finger signifies how the person views life. When the Saturn
finger is long, this means the person values their goals and works to achieve them. A short
Saturn finger indicates a person who doesn’t take things seriously and acts without
considering the long-term goal.
• Ring (Sun Finger): The length of this finger determines a person’s creativity, style, and
talents. The longer the Sun finger, the more likely the person is to be dramatic and artistic.
A short Sun finger indicates a self-centered and individualistic person.
• Pinky (Mercury Finger): This is the finger of communication and can tell you how well
someone interacts with other people. A long Mercury finger indicates someone who is
charming and can talk at length about many subjects, while a short pinky may be found on
someone who is shy or reserved.
• Thumb : The thumb tells you about a person’s willpower and character—the larger the
thumb, the stronger the character. If it is close to the other fingers, the person is probably
more generous and focused on serving others, while a thumb that falls away from the
fingers is a more free-thinking person who is focused on their self-interest.
FINGERTIPS
Whether the fingertips are conical, pointed, spatulate, or square can give
some additional details about a person.
• Cone-shaped fingers indicate a person who is emotional and sensitive. They are idealists
who base decisions on instinct and intuition.
• Pointed fingers show people who are more philosophical, analytical, and intellectual. They
look at situations with the critical mind of an artist or a scientist.
• Spatulate fingers signify someone who is competitive and energetic. They seek
opportunities for success and to come in first place.
• Square fingers indicate a person who is more practical and detail oriented. They will look
for how something can be useful and analyze every aspect of a decision before making a
choice.
FINGERNAILS
The natural shape of the fingernails can give information about your
personal characteristics.
• Curved nails that resemble claws suggest someone who is on the go.
• Broad nails signify a clear, well-organized mind.
• Narrow nails suggest a spontaneous personality.
• Square nails indicate stubbornness.
• Round nails suggest a quick temper.
• Fan-shaped nails show an emotional nature or fragility.
• Almond nails indicate an artistic person.
IN CLOSING
In this chapter we learned how to study and identify characteristics of the
hands, with a focus on detailed lines on the palms. In chapter 7 , we’ll learn
how to create powerful sigils and talismans—symbols and objects—to help
us set intentions and meet our mundane and magical goals.
The exercise below will guide you through using what you’ve learned
about the hands and each line—from the general to the specific—to
interpret your own palm.
TIPS:
• Your palm’s aspects can change several times in your life. Look for possibilities and
scenarios instead of precise dates or times.
• Practice on your own palm, but observe other people’s hands as well. You can even do this
without their knowledge, simply by watching them talk and paying attention to how they
move. You can always ask for permission to look more closely as well.
• Apply lotion and use a magnifying glass to help you see lines better.
PART 3
In this section, you will learn how to design and activate a sigil. Once you
have done so, you can use it for practically any intention in your magical
and mundane lives.
Set Your Intentions
All magic begins with your intention, or purpose—an integral piece of any
magical working or spell. Be clear, direct, and precise to focus your desire.
Start by asking yourself what you are trying to accomplish by making a
sigil. What do you want?
Your purpose is most powerful when presented as an affirmation—
written as if you have already received what you want, using positive
words. It’s tempting to leave your purpose broad and let the Universe figure
it out for you, but this is not a useful or powerful approach.
It’s also important to give your intention parameters, to limit the
Universe’s options. Be specific about what you want! If you want to start
working at your dream teaching job, write your affirmation as: “I am a
seventh-grade math teacher. ” If you want to attract money, write, “I have
an extra $5,000 in my bank account. ”
Once you have your specific, present-tense, positive, and concise
sentence, write it down in all capital letters. Then, it’s time to design.
Designing Your Sigil
There is no single, definitive method for designing a sigil. The method
outlined here is one of the more traditional and common versions. All you
need to do is create a single symbol from your intention.
Looking at the intention you have written down, erase or cross out all
the vowels and any letters that repeat, leaving only one of each consonant
from the original sentence. These letters become the base symbols of the
sigil.
You can then break the letters down into simpler shapes—lines and
curves—or leave them as they are. Arrange these shapes to fit them into a
single glyph. It’ll take some rearranging and several attempts to transform
your sigil from a weird-looking blob into a power symbol, but just keep
trying until the image pleases you.
Once the symbols are arranged in a shape you like, you can stylize it,
add symmetry, create symbolic shapes based on your purpose—for
example, triangles, hearts, stars, circles, or squares—and generally adjust it.
When it looks right to you, then it’s right.
You can now activate and use your sigil in a variety of ways. In some cases,
drawing the sigil is enough to activate it, but sometimes a sigil needs a bit
more. Try to think of ways for the sigil to change form in some way when
activating. Here are a few ideas.
• Fire —Draw the sigil on a piece of paper, a leaf, or another flammable material, then burn it
to ash in a fireproof container.
• Crystals —Draw the sigil on a piece of paper and keep a stone on top of the sigil. For a
permanent activation, draw the sigil directly onto the stone or crystal with paint or marker.
• Herbs —Draw the sigil on a piece of paper and fold it into an envelope. Add herbs to the
envelope and burn it.
• River Rocks —Draw a sigil on river rocks in metallic permanent marker and keep them
outside. They make nice landscape features and are activated by the Sun, the Moon, and
storms.
• Water —Freeze water, then use a sharp tool to carve the sigil into the frozen surface and
allow it to melt to activate it gently. You could also soak a piece of paper with the sigil
drawn on it in the water before freezing it for a double activation.
• Candle Magic —Carve the sigil with a pointed tool into the side of a candle and allow the
candle to burn down. Choose a candle in a color associated with your intention (see here ).
• Earth —Draw the sigil on a piece of paper and bury it in your garden or in a potted plant. It
will decompose slowly, so this is a good method for slow activation, especially for an
intention that you want to draw to yourself slowly.
As you design sigils, record them in a journal along with their meaning
so you can build a collection for any use. Then, when you need a sigil for
any magical working—such as creating a talisman—you can incorporate a
sigil you’ve already designed.
TALISMANS
The word talisman comes from the Arabic tilasim , or the Greek telesma ,
meaning “initiation.” A talisman is a physical object that has been assigned
magical powers, energy, and benefits to bring the owner good luck, love,
health, prosperity, protection, or other properties.
The talisman’s purpose is to give you the ability to carry your magic
and your intention with you discreetly. This is especially useful if you are
not open with others about your witchcraft practice, because talismans are
typically common, everyday objects.
Carrying a talisman with you gives you a concrete reminder of what
you are manifesting and the energy you are hoping to draw into your life. In
this section you will learn how to prepare, charge, and activate your
talisman so you can infuse your energy field and immediate environment
with your intention.
When your talisman is charged with your intention, you will want to
activate it to seal it with your intention. To do this, call each of the four
cardinal directions—north, south, east, and west—and the associated
elements—Earth, Fire, Air, and Water.
Bring magical tools to represent the directions/elements into this
process, such as a candle (Fire), a glass of water (Water), a crystal (Earth),
and a stick of incense (Air).
In an open area of your home, determine where each of the cardinal
directions is and set up your materials to indicate their associated direction.
Light the candle, and place it at the south point, then light the incense and
place it at the east point. Place the crystal in the north and the cup of water
to the west.
Stand inside the circle you created with your materials. While holding the talisman in your
hands, face north and say:
Powers of the North, Spirits of Earth,
Activate this talisman and seal it with your energy.
Turn to the east and say:
Powers of the East, Spirits of Air,
Activate this talisman and seal it with your energy.
Turn to the south and say:
Powers of the South, Spirits of Fire,
Activate this talisman and seal it with your energy.
Turn to the west and say:
Powers of the West, Spirits of Water,
Activate this talisman and seal it with your energy.
Return to face the north, hold the talisman directly over your head, and say:
I bless this talisman under the Sun, the Moon, and the Stars.
It holds the power of Earth, Air, Fire, and Water,
From the North, East, South, and West.
As I will it, the power is mine to use.
IN CLOSING
Now you’ve learned how to harness the power of sigils and talismans. You
learned how to create a sigil, holding your magical intention in a single
symbol. This allows your intention to remain a secret as the Universe works
to align and deliver your desire. You also learned how to prepare and
activate a talisman.
In chapter 8 , you’ll explore dream interpretation, learning how to tap
into your dreams as a guide in decision-making, make connections with
loved ones and spirit guides, glean warnings of problems ahead, and find
inspiration and creativity.
In the next exercise, you’ll take what you’ve learned in this chapter to
create a personal talisman, starting by designing a sigil.
FALLING
FLYING
Flying dreams can be very enjoyable. Usually these dreams indicate that
you are feeling confident about a decision. While flying, you can easily soar
over obstacles and are free to travel wherever you desire. Consider how you
were moving in the dream. The freer you were and the more control you
had over your motion and direction, the happier and more optimistic you
are about your circumstances.
DRIVING
Driving is a common activity for most adults. It requires skill and strategy,
and in exchange, it offers a sense of freedom. Pay attention to the
circumstances of your journey. Did you find yourself speeding freely with a
clear road ahead? Or did you feel frustrated by traffic and gridlock? These
could be reflections of your life circumstances: smooth sailing or obstacles
at every turn.
SWIMMING
BEING CHASED
When you dream about being chased, you may not see what or who is
chasing you, but there is usually an overwhelming fear and a need to run or
hide. A chase dream is usually about a desire to literally run from your
problems in your waking life. Did you run and run for the duration of the
dream, or did you stop and hide? If you hid, was the safe place somewhere
familiar? Could you see who or what was chasing you? This might give you
a clue about the problem in your waking life.
THE OCEAN
Dreams about water almost always suggest your emotional state and your
subconscious mind. The meaning depends on your position in relation to
the water (see “Swimming” ) and the type of water. A dream about deep
water, such as the sea or the ocean, is often about the depths of your inner
psyche. The beach is usually considered a transition between your
conscious and subconscious realities—an entry point into the water.
LOSING TEETH
A surprisingly common dream is one where all your teeth fall out. This may
happen while speaking, smiling, or eating. Teeth can indicate a lot about a
person in waking life and are a prominent feature on a face. If you lose your
teeth in a dream, it usually indicates an underlying feeling of loss of
influence, power, or status. If you dream of someone else’s teeth falling out,
it is a sign that the other person is untrustworthy.
DEATH
SEX
Depending on the sexual encounter, a sex dream can mean many things.
The dream is generally more about you than about the dream partner. A
pleasant dream is likely a sign that you have a positive and healthy attitude
toward sex. It could also indicate a greater understanding of your sexuality
and a deep connection to your emotions. Sex is connected to the Sacral
Chakra, which is a chakra of creativity. Therefore, a sex dream could be
more about creation and artistic expression than it is about sex.
JEWELS/JEWELRY
CHILDREN
The symbolism of a child in your dream can range from innocence and
optimism to selfishness and outbursts. When you dream about a child or
children, consider whether they represent you, your children, or someone
you know. How did the child behave? If they were playful, it may indicate a
desire to reconnect with your “inner child” or to deny your responsibilities.
There is usually a lesson in a dream about children. Are you enjoying your
life? Or are you spending too much energy on worries?
THE WORKPLACE
The meaning behind a dream about work and your place of work will
depend on how you feel about work in general. If you love your work, it
may be what you do for a living playing out in your dreams. If you dislike
your work, you may be feeling as if it’s taken over your life. If your dream
is about an unfamiliar workplace, it may be an indication that it’s time to
find a new job or hobby, or to learn a new skill.
MOUNTAIN
In a dream, a mountain can represent both your ambition and the obstacles
you are facing. Pay attention to your position in relation to the mountain. If
you are climbing it, are you receiving help, doing all the work yourself, or
even carrying someone else with you? This can represent how you feel
about the workload of your current goal. Are you looking at the mountain
off in the distance? You may be preparing yourself for a new project or
venture. If there is snow on the mountain, it can represent a hidden obstacle
that you haven’t considered.
RAIN
Rain “clears the air” and leaves everything fresh and clean. In a dream, it
usually indicates a need for a new beginning. The intensity of the rain in the
dream gives a clue about the meaning. A gentle sprinkle may represent a
tiny annoyance toward something or someone in your life that you need to
address, while a torrential downpour could represent a big stress that you
need to remove before moving forward.
CLOTHING
The color, size, and condition of your clothing in a dream are important
indicators of its meaning. See here for an overview of the meaning of color
on the level of the body, mind, and spirit. Tattered, dirty, and worn clothes
indicate feelings of being worn out in your waking life. Too baggy or too
tight clothes show you are struggling with how you are perceived by others.
Clean, comfortable clothes represent a high level of self-confidence. If your
clothes are torn off, you may be keeping a secret and fear that it will be
revealed. If you remove your own clothes—especially a small item like a
glove, scarf, or hat—you likely want to reveal a secret you’ve been keeping.
As you practice remembering, recording, and interpreting your dreams,
you will begin to better understand yourself and the circumstances of your
life.
IN CLOSING
In this chapter you learned how to read your dreams and practiced
remembering and interpreting them based on common dream symbols. In
chapter 9 , we will learn about spirit guides, including how to recognize
yours, strengthen your intuition, and open the channel to your higher self.
The next exercise is a chance to focus on remembering your next dream
and interpreting it based on the symbols in this chapter.
Your main spirit guide starts their journey with you in the spiritual realm
and will be with you until you return to that realm again. This guide is a
spirit who has experienced life on Earth before.
In the spirit realm, you and your guide mapped out the life you wanted
to have while on Earth. Then, when your spirit incarnates in the physical
realm and your spiritual amnesia kicks in, your guide is there to look out for
you and to help you stay on track. Your guide sends messages of courage,
strength, and insight based on what the map says.
When you want to learn a new skill or experience a particularly
challenging time in your life, your main guide may recruit help from other
guides, the spirits of people you knew, or your ancestors. These guides stay
with you for shorter periods of time. Your spirit guide and any supporting or
specialized guides come from a place of love, always having your best
interests at heart.
Angels, animals, plants, gods and goddesses, and ascended masters can all
offer guidance on your journey.
An angel is a type of spiritual being that has never been human before.
They offer guidance in a variety of ways, depending on their type.
Animals represent our inner needs and yearnings and appear when we
need to connect with that energy. Plants can offer guidance symbolically—
based on their properties and magical associations—or experientially,
through ingesting them and experiencing a mental, physical, or emotional
stimulus. Most cultures, traditions, religions, and global regions have a
pantheon of gods and goddesses, some of whom serve as guides.
Finally, ascended masters are beings that have lived on Earth and went
through a spiritual awakening to become enlightened, therefore
transcending the cycle of reincarnation. They are the ultimate teachers and
teach anyone who calls them to achieve a greater wholeness and harmony
in life.
Most people can see their guides in dreams and meditations rather than in
the physical realm. This is when your mind is relaxed enough that your ego
shuts down. For the most part, spirit guides look like regular beings. They
are diverse in shape, size, age, height, race, hair and eye color, and gender.
You’ve probably felt your guide’s presence, especially when you were
alone and less likely to be distracted or have your attention diverted. You
become more tuned in to your surroundings and sensitive to the energy.
If you’ve ever sensed someone standing behind you and turned around
only to find no one there, it was probably your spirit guide. This happens
more frequently at night, when the veil that separates the physical and
spiritual realms is thinner and spirits can travel more freely.
There are other signs your spirit guide is nearby or trying to
communicate with you. Many people see repeating numbers or number
patterns when they look at a receipt or clock. You may see the same animal
over and over again, out of context. A certain shape or pattern may
repeatedly appear to you.
However you encounter your guide, if you develop your intuition, you
will be able to communicate with them more effectively and understand the
messages they have for you.
Being in touch with your physical senses helps you become more in tune
with your intuition. Pay attention to your senses—the sights, scents, and
sounds around you—on a conscious level so you can be more aware when
your subconscious is picking up on something. Exercise your intuition by
becoming more aware of and present in each moment, especially when
meeting new people or visiting a new place.
RECOGNIZE PATTERNS
PRACTICE
Whenever you think you may be receiving an intuitive message, find a way
to confirm the information. If you intuitively discover something about a
person, place, or thing, ask questions and research history to find out if the
information you received matches the truth. If you feel as if your guide has
sent you a message, ask them to send you a sign to confirm you understand
what they are telling you. Looking for confirmation gives you more
confidence as you learn to trust your intuition.
AUTOMATIC WRITING
THE TAROT
The Tarot is designed to help us tap into the universal wisdom. Ask a
question like “What do I need to know right now?” and then draw one to
five cards and interpret the message in the imagery according to both the
traditional interpretation (see here ) and your own intuitive impressions.
Use the spread here for further guidance.
1. A message your guides would like to give you right now.
2. Something your guide has been trying to convey to you that you have not been receptive
to.
3. How to be more open to messages in the future.
4. A challenge this message may present.
5. An action you can take right now toward your purpose.
You don’t have to wait for signs to appear to you—you can ask for them!
The key is to be specific, for example:
• Ask for a number: Say, “If you’re there, show me the number three,” then be open for the
sign to appear: on your phone, on car number plates, on receipts, etc.
• Ask to see a specific image: Say, “If this is the right decision, show me a bee,” then be
aware of any examples of the image you requested, whether they are living bees or pictures
of bees on websites, in books, advertisements, logos, etc.
• Ask for a dream visitation: Say, “If I understand you correctly, visit me in my dreams,”
then wait to see what happens. This works best if you’re already in the habit of observing
and remembering your dreams (see chapter 8 ).
Get creative and ask for anything that you think would help you
understand the message and determine your next actions. You can ask to
hear a certain song or ask for confirmation in a book. Make sure the sign
you ask for is something recognizable as a sign. If you already see
something frequently, it will be hard to distinguish whether it is a distinct
sign or part of your normal life.
With dedication and practice you will start to develop your relationship
with your guide. You will know when they are near and interpret exactly
what they are trying to tell you. In this way, you will feel protected and
guided throughout your life.
IN CLOSING
This chapter guided you through recognizing, understanding, and
connecting with your spirit guides for increased protection as you grow in
magic.
The exercise below brings your spirit guide from the general to the
specific as you visualize them and capture their image on paper.
Go for a walk in nature and bring a book of local plants, a pen, and some paper or a journal (like your book of
shadows or grimoire). Find a place to sit where you won’t be disturbed. Give yourself 20 to 30 minutes to settle
into the natural world around you. Calm your mind and let go of feelings of rushing. Breathe deeply and allow the
spaciousness of nature to enter your body.
When you are ready, look around and identify the plants around you, if you can. Use an app on your phone
or the reference book to help you. Pay extra attention to the plants that catch your eye. Draw the plants and the
landscape, observing the color, texture, and size. Don’t worry about accuracy or whether the picture looks good.
Just create a representation of what you are seeing.
Write about what you see and think. Consider the plant you are drawing and how it makes you feel. Think
about the season and how the plant may change throughout the year. Think about the time of day as well, and how
the shadows change when the Sun moves in the sky. Write about the things you see, but also what you are feeling,
smelling, and hearing. Write without stopping for a full five minutes, or more if you have it in you.
When you have finished, reflect on what you drew and what you wrote. Think about what new information
this plant has given you and the message it is sharing with you. Write that down, too, and anything else that is
coming forward.
A simple method to enhance any spell or ritual is to sprinkle a specific herb into the flame of a candle. This will
incorporate the power of the plant into the spell. Plants can also be added to spell jars and charm bags to add their
energy to the spell. Burning herbs as incense before, during, or after a spell can set the mood for your spell and
align your energy with the vibration of your desire. Later in this chapter, you will learn how to create an herb
bundle that can be used for smoke cleansing (see here ).
Another magical practice is to intentionally place small amounts of a plant around your home. Choose protective
plants to hang near the doors and windows. Place plants that promote productivity or happiness in your workspace
and peaceful plants near your bed. At the end of this chapter, you will be invited to grow a mystical garden. This
will give you the opportunity to learn from the spirits of the plants as they grow on your windowsill.
BASIL
Basil may be used in plant magic involving love, wealth, harmony, sympathy, and protection. Carry it with you to
help you move forward when you are feeling unsure, use it in floor washes to protect your home from unwelcome
visitors, and sprinkle it anyplace you wish to draw success, money, or abundance.
BAY
Bay leaves are powerful for protection, cleansing, banishing, and healing. Write your wishes on the leaves and
burn them to have them come true. Place the leaves under your pillow to help you remember your dreams with
clarity. Station a leaf in every corner of your home to protect it and those inside.
CEDAR
Cedar is a plant of confidence, strength, power, money, protection, healing, and purification. A piece of cedar
carried in your pocket can help you attract money and wealth. Hang it on a wall near a window to protect your
home from lightning strikes as a supplement to the mundane protections of lightning rods and surge protectors.
Add it to a charm bag for calming energy.
CHAMOMILE
Chamomile is a wonderful addition to any magical working involving protection, blessing, or healing. Use it when
you feel stress or depression that is influencing your ability to tackle other problems that arise. (If the stress or
depression lasts for more than a week, use the chamomile, but also see your doctor.) Chamomile can be used in
herbal pillows to promote restful sleep and dreaming. When added to any spell, the sunny energy of chamomile
encourages success and good fortune.
GINGER
Ginger is a stimulating herb that has protective and healing properties. It promotes a healthy relationship with sex
and sensuality, and is associated with prosperity and success. It is considered an amplifying herb, because it adds
strength and speed to any magical working. Carry the dried root as a talisman or add it to a charm bag.
LAVENDER
Lavender is a simultaneously calming and energizing herb. It can promote psychic senses; help with divination,
such as reading the Tarot; and calm the mind during meditation. Use the flowers in spellwork, burn it as an
incense, or apply it in the form of an essential oil.
LEMONGRASS
Lemongrass is used primarily for love and lust spells. Use it to attract a partner, to heal a broken heart, or to protect
against a bad relationship. It is also wonderful for opening your third eye and developing your psychic senses.
MUGWORT
Mugwort is an herb of strength, protection, healing, and psychic awakening. Add it to spells that are designed to
enhance your awareness of the spiritual realm and your psychic senses or leave it near your divination tools. Place
it under your front door step to keep away unwanted guests. Burn it whenever you are practicing astral travel,
meditation, or divination.
PATCHOULI
Patchouli is one of the most grounding herbs you can find. Use it whenever you are working with your Root
Chakra and for spells related to practical matters like finances, physical health, and finding food and shelter. If you
ever feel lost in the spiritual realm, patchouli can bring you back to Earth.
PEPPERMINT
Peppermint—associated with purification, love, healing, and prosperity—increases the vibration of whatever space
it’s in. Grow peppermint to protect your home from negativity and clear away sickness, add it to spells to create
inspired results, and burn it to boost love and abundance wishes.
PINE
Pine is a tree of new beginnings and growth, clean breaks, success, strength, and perseverance. Burn the cones in
your fireplace to purify your home of negativity, and the needles to reverse hexes so they cause no harm. Keep the
branches near the bed of a sick person to promote healing, and hang a wreath of pine over the door to attract joy
and money.
ROSE
Rose is most often used in magic for love of all kinds. The color of the rose can indicate the type of love—red for
romantic, yellow for friendship, pink for compassion, or white for sympathy. Use it in incense, potpourri, tea, or
bath magic. Plant roses to attract positive energy and spirits.
ROSEMARY
Rosemary is considered an all-purpose herb to use in any magical working no matter the situation. When you don’t
have a specific herb for a spell, you can almost always substitute rosemary. It enhances and amplifies your
personal intention and adds that to the spell.
SAGE
Sage is most often associated with wisdom, wishes, knowledge, strength, cleansing, and vitality. Burn it to cleanse
a space and invite good spirits and positive energies. Carry it with you to help when dealing with grief and loss, to
improve mental clarity, and to promote wise choices. It promotes spiritual, mental, emotional, and physical health
and well-being.
THYME
Thyme can protect you and your home from negative influence while attracting spirits and energy that have your
best interest at heart. It is a plant of loyalty, affection, and strength. Wear or carry it when you need a little courage.
Burn it or hang it in your home for protection and purification.
A HANDY CHART
This chart outlines the important magical properties of each of the previously listed herbs. Each is categorized by
one of 10 main magical purposes: arousing, releasing, cleansing, focusing, opening, grounding, increasing,
inspiring, calming, or banishing. Then you will find a list of the top three properties associated with each herb. The
duality of each herb is represented as passive, active, or both, where “passive” means receiving impressions and
“active” means projecting them. The remainder of the chart lists the associated elements, planets, chakras, and
zodiac signs.
KEY
DUA ELE PL CH
PUR PROPE
PLANT LIT MEN AN AK
POS RTIES
Y T ET RA
E
Burning herbs is useful for many magical practices, such as meditation, spellwork, divination, and healing. The
smoke is a signal to your guides to come close to you. It is also a cleansing practice to purify yourself and your
space before, during, or after spellcasting. You can create a bundle of herbs to burn based on your intention,
preferences, and the availability of herbs in your area.
Herbs of your choice (such as sage, lavender, lemongrass, cedar, pine needles, or mugwort)
String made from a natural fiber (such as cotton, hemp, or nettle)
A fan or feather (optional)
A heat-proof dish or bowl (optional)
Matches or a lighter
1. Select your herbs from the list above. Harvest them from your garden or purchase organic herbs (containing no pesticides) from the grocery
store, a farmer’s market, or an herb shop. Keep in mind that it’s much easier to start with fresh herbs.
2. Lay all the plants out on a clean flat surface in the same direction: stems on one end, flowers and leaves on the other. Your bundle should be
about one inch thick.
3. Cut two to three feet of string and begin wrapping the herbs tightly, starting with the stem end. You will want to leave a couple of inches on
the starting end to tie off. Wrap from the bottom to the top, pulling the string tightly around the herbs. When you get to the other end,
begin crisscrossing the original wraps as you loop down from top to bottom.
4. Make several more wraps around the end of the bundle with all the stems. Then tie both ends of the string together.
5. Hang your bundle of herbs from the stem end so that it can dry. This will take one to two weeks depending on humidity levels and
temperature.
When you are ready to use your herb bundle, light the leafy end, then wait for the herbs to catch before blowing
out the flame. You may need to continue blowing on the bundle to keep the embers burning.
Once the bundle is smoldering and smoking, you can use it as you desire. If you are cleansing your sacred
space, walk around the space and use your hand or the fan or feather to waft the smoke into all areas. As you do,
visualize the smoke dissipating the unwelcome spirits and energies. If you are cleansing your body, chakras, or
aura, simply move the bundle and allow the smoke to waft around you. If you are using the bundle and the smoke
as a signal or an offering to your guide or another spirit, place it in front of you in a heat-proof container and
allow it to continue smoking.
When you are finished with your ritual, meditation, or spellcasting, snuff the bundle on the heat-proof
container. Putting it out with water will make it hard to relight the bundle later, but you should do so if you are
unable to safely snuff the bundle.
Plants are a gift that offer a huge variety of opportunities for use in practical magic. You will have so much fun
learning about their personalities and spirits as you experiment with how to use them in your practice.
IN CLOSING
This chapter explored how plants affect the physical body. This is called “herbalism,” which is a core practice for
many witches.
Chapter 11 covers herbal remedies. You’ll also learn the medicinal properties of 10 common herbs.
In the following exercise, practice using whatever space you have to grow a windowsill garden, featuring
plants and herbs that make you happy.
CHAMOMILE
In medieval Europe, people drank chamomile tea for all sorts of ailments,
like colic, migraine, stones, and stomachache. Colonists brought the plant
from Europe to the Americas for its beauty and medicinal properties,
believing it to cure everything from colds to jaundice. Modern people can
drink a tea of two to three teaspoons of chamomile infused in eight ounces
of boiling water three or four times per day for travel sickness, stuffy nose,
hay fever, ADHD, fibromyalgia, restlessness, and sleeplessness.
GARLIC
Garlic has long been used in the Mediterranean region to treat ear
infections, kidney and bladder issues, and headaches. People in ancient
India are known to have used garlic to facilitate digestion, as a blood
thinner, and to treat fungal and bacterial infections. Modern humans can
incorporate garlic into the diet daily through regular cooking or as capsules
to promote healthy blood circulation, lower cholesterol, and prevent
sickness caused by bacteria or fungus.
JUNIPER
Many Native American tribes applied the oil from crushed juniper berries to
their skin as an insect repellent. They also burned its bark and branches, and
inhaled the smoke as a healing antiseptic. Modern humans can drink one to
three teaspoons of juniper juice up to three times per day to receive the
antimicrobial, antiseptic, and bactericidal effects. Mixing the finely ground
root with water and applying it to an infected wound can help it heal.
LAVENDER
The Mohican tribe steep mullein leaves in water and molasses to create a
cough syrup. Other Native American tribes are known to treat asthma by
smoking the leaves and use the oil from the flowers for hemorrhoids and
earaches. Colonists made a mullein tea upon arriving in North America to
treat gout and as a sedative to suppress coughing. A tea made from two
teaspoons of dried mullein leaves steeped in eight ounces of boiling water
can be taken three times a day for dry coughs, and also as an expectorant.
NETTLE
Native Americans are known to have brewed nettle tea to reduce rheumatic
pain. Colonists learned to use nettles to counteract poisonous mushrooms
and to make the leaves into salad and wine. Take one to three teaspoons of
dried nettle in eight ounces of boiling water three times a day for overall
health. This plant contains practically all the major nutrients your body
requires, but its leaves cause a nasty sting when touched. Wear gloves to
collect.
ROSEMARY
Colonists applied rosemary oil to the eyes to restore sight and to the skin to
remove spots and scars or relieve pain in joints and muscles. In the
Mediterranean region, people have long used rosemary to increase memory,
to improve digestion, and as a remedy for jaundice. Rosemary tea—made
by steeping one to two teaspoons in eight ounces of boiling water—can be
taken up to three times each day to improve blood flow, stimulate brain
activity, improve digestion, and prevent bacterial and fungal infections.
SAGE
YARROW
The Zunis of New Mexico crushed yarrow leaves and applied them to
wounds to stop the bleeding and clean the area. They would also steep the
plants in boiling water and apply it to burns as a compress. In medieval
Europe, people snorted powdered yarrow to relieve migraines and treated
hardening of veins with warm yarrow juice. Drink yarrow tea (steep one to
two teaspoons in eight ounces of boiling water) three times per day to
reduce fever, heal wounds, improve circulation, and prevent flu and cold.
This infused vinegar is one of the most versatile and truly all-purpose
herbal blends you can make. It is safe to ingest on its own or as an
ingredient in another recipe, such as blended in equal parts with extra virgin
olive oil to make a salad dressing. You may also use it externally as a
cleaning product, in the same way you would use regular vinegar.
The recipe is based on a legendary folklore story. It is said that during
the Black Plague, four thieves traveled around France stealing from people.
Before entering a home, they would anoint their bodies with herb-infused
vinegar. They stayed healthy while countless others suffered and died from
the terrible disease, and their immunity has long been attributed to some
variation of the recipe below.
1 tablespoon dried sage leaves
2 teaspoons dried juniper berries
1 teaspoon ground black peppercorns
1 teaspoon dried lavender flowers
1 teaspoon dried rosemary leaves
1 teaspoon dried thyme leaves
5 cloves chopped raw garlic
2 cups organic apple cider vinegar
1 quart-size canning jar
1 small square of parchment paper (optional if using a plastic lid)
1. Fill the jar with all the herbs and then add the vinegar.
2. Stir the ingredients to combine and to saturate the herbs with the vinegar.
3. Place the parchment paper square over the top of the jar to protect the metal lid from corrosion
(or use a plastic lid). Seal the jar with the lid.
4. Leave the mixture in a dark cabinet for a month to macerate. To ensure a better extraction, keep
the herbs mixed by shaking the jar daily.
5. Use a sieve and layered cheesecloth to strain the vinegar (reserving the liquid). Dispose of the
herbs.
6. Store the herbal vinegar in an amber-colored glass bottle to protect it from light. Label the
bottle with the contents and the date.
CREATING YOUR OWN TEA BLENDS
Mixing your own tea blends gives you the freedom to create a recipe that
addresses your health needs. The structure of a tea blend is simple. The base
herb carries the flavor and is complemented by the supporting herb; then
the accenting herb rounds out the overall flavor. Feel free to experiment
with these proportions, and start with smaller measurements (¼–1 teaspoon
of an ingredient) until you get the hang of blending flavors.
3 parts base herb (chamomile, oatstraw, sage, peppermint)
1–2 parts supporting herb (hawthorn, lemon balm, marshmallow, mullein leaf, thyme)
¼–1 part accenting herb (cardamom, cinnamon, citrus peel, lavender, spearmint)
Infusing herbs in oil is often the first step in culinary and body care recipes.
If you plan to ingest your herbal infusion, make sure your oil and herbs are
food safe (and tasty).
Your herb of choice (choose any from the list of herbs in this chapter)
Your oil of choice (olive, coconut, avocado, etc.)
A quart-size canning jar
1. Add herbs to the jar, leaving about three inches of space at the top. Pour oil to an inch above
the herbs, covering the herbs completely. Resist filling the jar. The herbs may expand as they
soak up the oil, and you will want extra room to add more oil if necessary.
2. Seal the jar with the lid and shake the contents to combine.
3. Place the jar on a sunny windowsill for two to three weeks. Shake it daily and check that the
herbs are still covered. If the herbs become uncovered, add more oil. If some pieces of herbs
float to the top of the oil and start to mold or decay, simply remove the pieces and discard.
4. Pour mixture into a bowl over a mesh strainer or use cheesecloth to strain. Press the herbs to
release as much of the oil as possible, then discard the herbs and pour the oil into amber-
colored glass bottle(s).
5. Label the bottle(s) with the date and the ingredients (type of oil and herbs used) and store in a
dark, cool cabinet. The oil will keep for up to a year. Add vitamin E oil to prolong the shelf life
if oil is to be used topically.
Stock your cabinets with the 10 herbs listed in this chapter to start building
your witch’s apothecary. Then try creating the remedies and recipes here so
that you can begin to understand the healing capacity of these herbs.
12
Spellcasting
ONE OF THE BASIC COMPONENTS OF A WITCHCRAFT
PRACTICE IS spellcasting. A spell is simply a wish to bring about change
in your life. However, a spell needs more than the procedure, words,
materials, and tools. The most important part of the spellwork is your
focused attention on the outcome you desire and your belief in the results.
In other words, your intention is the fuel for the spell’s power.
You can cast spells for anything you desire: love, protection, clarity,
abundance, and more. It’s important to keep your personal ethics, values,
and morals in mind when casting spells, because—as previously stated—
your intention matters. Spells also tend to be more successful when you
focus on your own life and use them to empower yourself, rather than on
making someone else do something, such as fall in love with you. This is
because when you cast a spell on someone else, their beliefs and intentions
influence the spell in unexpected ways.
In this chapter, you will find 10 spells to get you started with
spellcasting. You will start by learning about what casting a spell looks like
—including setting up a sacred space for spellwork, protecting yourself
from unwanted energies, and the tools and materials that can enhance your
magic.
CREATING A SACRED SPACE
The first thing to do in spellcasting is to set up and maintain a sacred space.
This is an organized, calm, and relaxing space that you have specifically set
aside for rituals and spellwork. Depending on your lifestyle and living
circumstances, you may choose to maintain your entire home as a sacred
space, focus on a single room, or create an altar in one area of a room.
The intention of your sacred space will depend on its purpose and main
function. Set the intention of your sacred space so that it is protected from
negative, stagnant, or unwanted energy and spirits and invites fresh,
positive, and beneficial energy and spirits. You might incorporate items that
enhance your sensual perception of the space through sight, smell, sound,
and touch. The key, though, is your intention. Follow your heart and put in
love. When you are finished, your sacred space will feel like bliss.
CLEANSING
You’ll want to periodically cleanse your sacred space both physically and
energetically. This is a never-ending process of evaluating the material
objects, circumstances, and relationships in your life and deciding to release
and let go of what no longer serves you in order to welcome only what is
helpful to you.
When physically cleansing, keep the purpose or intention of your sacred
space in mind as you consider each physical object within to determine if it
serves the purpose of the space. Be sure to clean the grime, dirt, dust, pet
hair, and dander away throughout this process. You’ll find a recipe for a
DIY natural herbal cleanser here .
Follow your physical cleansing with an energetic cleansing. Burn one of
the herbs from the chart here —such as sage or pine—or burn incense and
visualize the smoke dissolving anything that is polluting your sacred space.
Create sound with chimes, a singing bowl, bells, or drums to increase the
energetic vibrations in the space. Then place crystals like obsidian, clear
quartz, or amethyst to balance and harmonize your environment. Crystals
also protect your space from energy that won’t help you, as they amplify
and contain your personal energy.
What’s an Altar?
An altar is a type of sacred space. Many of our ancestors kept an altar in their home. They
would dedicate it to certain gods and goddesses. They would burn candles or incense and
leave offerings to their deity in exchange for guidance, prosperity, or protection.
Altars can serve an important purpose for the practical and modern witch as well. It is
a space dedicated to magical and spiritual work. It can help get you into the proper mindset
for whatever magic you would like to perform. It also serves as a visual reminder of your
intention so that your witchy path doesn’t get set too far to the side of your mundane daily
life.
Magic tends to attract all sorts of energy and spirits. Be sure to protect
yourself so that you only allow what is beneficial to your magic. It is
generally sufficient to keep your sacred space cleansed using the methods
mentioned previously. You can also cast a circle—a temporary sacred space
—by placing candles or crystals in a circle around you at the five points of a
pentacle, either by physically walking a circle or by using salt or a blend of
dried herbs (such as mugwort, thyme, sage, or basil) to mark the edges of
the circle around you.
You may wish to invite specific spirits (like your spirit guide or
ancestors), deities you work with, or energies into the space with you to aid
in your magical working. This is called invocation and is done through
dance, chanting, prayer, offering, or something else specific to whomever
you wish to invite.
CANDLES
CAULDRON
The cauldron is another tool that was traditionally easy to hide in plain
sight, as it was indistinguishable from a cooking pot. A kitchen witch might
still use a cast-iron pot as a cauldron; however, most modern cauldrons are
made from practically any heat-proof material and are small enough to fit
on an altar. The cauldron is used for collecting and burning materials like
paper or leaves as part of a spell, as well as for practical purposes like
mixing herbs and holding candles.
CRYSTALS
Crystals are both magical tools and magical materials. Different crystals are
associated with one or more of the four elements and are believed to have
various powers, magical properties, and attributes (see chapter 3 ). One very
important use for crystals in spellwork is to cleanse and charge your other
magical tools. They can also be used in creating a sacred space and for
helping you get into the right mindset for spellwork. Many magical tools
can also be made out of crystals.
HERBS
Herbs are commonly used in spells and herbalism. All parts of the plant—
and all types of plants—are considered “herbs” when it comes to witchcraft:
tree, shrub, grass, flower, root, leaf, fruit, etc. They are used in teas,
tinctures, spell bags and jars, candle magic, incense, and more. See chapters
10 and 11 to learn more about using sacred and medicinal herbs.
PENTACLE
WAND
A wand is a very personal magical tool used for directing your magical
energy to a precise location. If you choose to use a wand, select it carefully
and attune it with your energy. Generally, a wand is not longer than your
forearm and is quite often made from a sacred wood, such as willow, oak,
cedar, or rowan. You can even consider one of your fingers to be your
wand.
1. Light your candle. Write something you are grateful for on each of the bay leaves.
2. Add all your materials to your jar.
3. Shake the jar three times while allowing yourself to get excited about all the money on the way.
You can jump up and down with the jar if you wish. Get into it and raise your energy level.
4. Chant the following: “Three by three, prosperity, this jar brings cash and luck to me. As I will
it, so it will be.”
5. Optional: Place the jar in the Sun for three hours to energize the ingredients.
6. Leave the jar in a place where you can see it every day, like your bedside table or a shelf in a
prominent area of the house. Just for fun, place a jar of colorful gumballs, marbles, or seashells
next to the jar to make the visual even more delightful.
BANISHED BY FIRE
Fire is a clear choice for making something vanish without a trace. You can
turn to the element of fire to banish negative influences, bad habits, toxic
relationships, unwelcome spirits, harmful circumstances, and more.
The colors of the candles are also symbolic: black represents repelling,
banishing, and releasing; yellow stands for success, personal power, and
opportunity; and white is an all-purpose color that in this spell represents
cleansing, healing, and balance.
piece of paper and pen
black candle
a lighter or matches
a pinch of dried basil
yellow candle
a pinch of dried peppermint
small bowl or plate you don’t mind getting dirty
white candle
a pinch of dried lemongrass
Moon Phase: Waning
Ideal Day: Saturday
1. Write down the person, spirit, or feeling you’d like to banish on the piece of paper and curl the
paper tightly into a tube. Light the black candle, sprinkle the basil over the flame, and begin to
focus your mind.
2. Slowly roll the paper between your palms and close your eyes. Say aloud: “My life is full of joy
and celebration because I’m free from _________.” Phrase this affirmation in whatever way
feels comfortable and natural to you. Be sure that the words you use are positive and are stated
in the present tense.
3. Repeat your sentence quietly and mentally focus on your life without the negative influence
that you intend to banish. Visualize all the good things about your life now that it’s gone.
4. When you feel ready, carefully light one end of the tube of paper with the flame from the black
candle. Use it to transfer the flame to the yellow candle. When it catches, sprinkle the
peppermint leaves over the flame of the yellow candle. Then let your piece of paper burn
entirely to ash over your bowl or plate. Whatever you wanted to banish is gone.
5. Blow out the black and yellow candles, then dispose of your ashes as quickly as possible,
perhaps down the drain with running water.
6. Light your white candle and sprinkle the lemongrass over the flame. Let this burn for as long as
you like and celebrate your new beginning and your freedom from the negativity you’ve
banished. Play uplifting music during this time and do things that make you feel happy and
peaceful: paint, dance, read, eat, sing, etc. This is your time to joyfully celebrate the relief of
letting go.
CHARM BAG FOR CONFIDENCE
A charm bag is a spell that you can carry with you. It generally contains
aromatic herbs and at least one stone or crystal. Whenever you feel the need
to boost a certain feeling, simply rub the bag between your fingers to crush
the herbs against the stone to release their scent.
1 yellow or orange drawstring pouch
dried ginger root
dried thyme leaves
dried rosemary leaves
dried lavender flowers
1 tiger’s eye tumbled stone (alternatives: carnelian, citrine, lapis lazuli)
1 permanent marker
Moon Phase: New Moon
Ideal Day: Tuesday
For the common cold and other everyday ailments, or for arthritis flare-ups
and other more chronic issues, this spell gently supports the body’s natural
healing abilities—and, of course, should only be used as a supplement to
medical care from a doctor and to any medications you have been
prescribed. The color blue is chosen for the candle because it represents
healing, peace, protection, and patience.
Based on what you are seeking to heal and your general preferences,
you can work this spell one time or over a series of days. If you choose to
work it over more than one night, be sure to use a new pinch of thyme each
time.
1 blue candle
dried thyme leaves
Moon Phase: Any
Ideal Day: Sunday or Monday
1. Light the candle. Close your eyes and visualize white light filling and surrounding the part of
you that needs healing. For example, if you have a stomachache, focus on the belly; if you have
a headache, focus on the temple; if you have acne, focus on the skin.
2. Once you have this image firmly in your mind, visualize the white light growing and
expanding until it surrounds your entire being. Hold this image for a few moments and notice
the shift in your body as you mentally flood it with light.
3. Open your eyes when you are ready and sprinkle the thyme leaves over the flame.
4. Leave the candle to burn out completely, if it is safe to do so. Otherwise, wait at least 15
minutes before snuffing or gently blowing it out.
SELF-LOVE SPELL
Love comes in many forms, but it starts with yourself. When you learn to
love yourself unconditionally, you learn that you deserve to have happiness
and you welcome a life full of it. If you don’t love yourself, you may
project your lack of love onto others and become clingy and attached.
You’ll likely attract the wrong kinds of relationships to you, or worse, end
up in harmful situations.
This spell is designed to help you fill your cup with love for yourself so
that you can seek love from another. Then you can have more fulfilling,
loving relationships with others because you are coming from a place of
self-love, self-acceptance, and self-respect.
1 candle (pink, red, white, gold, or any color that honors you)
rose, cedar, or patchouli essential oil
1 rose quartz crystal
Moon Phase: Any
Ideal Day: Friday
1. Dress your candle with your essential oil, brushing the candle with upward strokes. Then place
it in front of you. Quiet your mind and relax your body. Place the rose quartz crystal by your
candle to reinforce your intention for self-love. Let them touch if possible.
2. Light the candle and gaze into the flame as it burns. Use this time to think about all the things
you love about yourself, all the things you’ve accomplished so far, and all the things you are
striving for.
3. If a negative thought flits into your mind, turn it into a positive. For example, if the thought “I
don’t deserve love” enters your mind, turn it around and list all the reasons you know you do
deserve love.
4. Sit quietly until the candle burns out. When the flame goes out, your spell is complete and
you’ve successfully awoken self-love inside your heart.
SHIELD VISUALIZATION FOR PROTECTION
Shielding is an energy work practice that you can use to keep your energy
safe and secure. In visualizing a shield, you set up a barrier that separates
other people’s feelings, emotions, and thoughts from your own. It can
protect against energy leeches, spirit attacks, and other unfriendly things.
You can build a shield around anything you want to protect: yourself, your
loved ones, children and pets, your home, your car, and so on.
1. Optional: Hold obsidian or amethyst throughout this visualization.
2. Sit down or lie down. You could stand up to do this, but it helps to close your eyes, which—
while standing—could potentially make you wobbly.
3. Visualize your body surrounded by a sphere of glowing light. Make sure it completely
surrounds you with no cracks or weak areas.
4. Imagine the light forming to your body like a second skin. Let it lock into place around you.
5. Now visualize that the outside of this shield is shining and reflective like a mirror. Imagine the
unwanted energy coming toward you and mirroring back to the sender.
If this shield doesn’t feel right to you, test one of these alternative shield
ideas. Construct them in the same way, by visualizing them surrounding
you.
• A whirlpool or hurricane of water swirling around a calm eye of the storm where you are
• Big gusts of wind or a tornado blowing around you and sending away negative energy
• A sphere of burning flames to incinerate any negative energy that tries to get close
• Mountains of solid, impenetrable rock, with you in the middle inside a cozy cave
• A tangle of thorns sticking out away from you, with beautiful flowers on the inside
• Clouds of smoke and mist that obscure you from enemies and harm
• Anything else you can imagine; whatever feels right to you
DIVINING THE TRUTH JAR
This jar isn’t a divination tool. It’s designed to strengthen your energy,
provide clarity from divination, and prevent malicious or mischievous
spirits from meddling with your messages. The purple candle represents
wisdom, spiritual guidance, and connection to your intuition. It’s the color
of the Third Eye Chakra.
something to write with
1 jar or bottle that is large enough to hold a candle
1 purple or white candle
dried sage leaves
dried lavender flowers
dried mugwort leaves
1. Design a sigil to keep malicious and mischievous spirits away and draw it on the bottom of the
bottle or jar (see here ).
2. Place your candle inside the jar, taking care to ensure it stands on its own.
3. Add the herbs to the jar around the base of the candle.
4. Light the candle whenever you practice divination (such as reading the Tarot) and blow it out
when you finish the reading.
5. Replace the candle when it gets low so the herbs don’t burn.
NEW MOON INTENTION-SETTING RITUAL
The new Moon represents a period of new beginnings and potential. This
makes it the perfect time to set an intention for something you desire to
manifest. As the Moon grows, you can look for opportunities and situations
that align with your desired outcome so that you can take action toward
your dreams.
The best time to do a new Moon ritual is on the new Moon or in the
days leading up to the new Moon. Find a space where you will not be
disturbed for at least an hour. You can be inside or outside.
1 white candle
1 seed of any plant
1 pot of soil
moonstone
water
1. Light the candle and gaze into the flame to calm your mind. Close your eyes and visualize the
life you desire. Bring a very clear image to your mind of what you are doing, where you live,
your relationships, your material possessions, your hobbies and career, your health, etc.
2. Bring your attention to one desire you wish to manifest right now. Draw the feelings of having
what you want into your body.
3. Hold the seed in your hands and visualize your intention and all those feelings flowing into the
seed, nourishing it with all your hopes and dreams.
4. Use your finger to poke a hole in the soil about one inch deep. Place the seed at the bottom of
the hole and cover it with soil. Place the moonstone on top of the soil near the edge of the pot.
5. Pour water over the surface of the soil to settle the soil around the seed.
6. Rest your hands on either side of the pot and offer a blessing to the seed: “May you have all
that you need to grow as my dreams manifest in my life.”
7. Place your pot on a sunny windowsill and care for it as it needs. Pay attention in your life, look
for opportunities that align with your intention, and take action as necessary.
FULL MOON RELEASE RITUAL
The full Moon marks a transition between the increasing energy of the
waxing Moon and the decreasing energy of the waning Moon, so it is a time
for both celebration and release. The best time to do the full Moon ritual is
on the full Moon or in the days leading up to the full Moon. Find a space
where you will not be disturbed for at least an hour. You can be inside or
outside.
fresh pine needles or pine essential oil
1 small bowl of water
1 piece of paper and a pen
1. Crush or chop the needles into small pieces, then add them to the bowl of water. Another
option is to add a few drops of pine essential oil to the water.
2. Sit in quiet reflection for several minutes. Allow all the gratitude you feel to well up inside.
Think about everything that makes you feel blessed. Feel free to express your thankfulness
through dance, song, spoken words of gratitude, or simply a smile. Celebrate and give thanks
for as long as it feels appropriate to you.
3. Return to a place of quiet and turn your attention to the energy, feelings, circumstances, and
people that do not serve you and the life you are trying to create.
4. Take the sheet of paper and begin writing down anything you want to release or remove from
your life. Give yourself a reasonable amount of time to fully express yourself until it feels that
there is nothing else left to add.
5. Tear the paper into smaller strips and drop them into the pine-infused water. As it soaks up the
water, watch the words smear and dissolve. Say out loud: “I release and let go of any excess
energy that no longer serves me through Divine Will and unconditional love. As I will it, so it
will be.”
6. Once the paper is soggy and unreadable, affirm out loud, “I release you. I am done.”
7. Take a moment to experience this feeling of release fully.
CLOSING A SPELL
Many spells end with a phrase that adds finality to the spellwork. For
example, “As I will it, so it will be,” which puts the power in your hands as
the spellcaster. Another common phrase is “So mote it be,” which comes
from the Freemasons and basically means “It should be.” It indicates that
the desire set forth in the spell will manifest as you dictate. You should use
words that feel comfortable to you.
After the spellwork is complete, give thanks to any spirits or energies
you invited into the spellwork. This can be a simple “Thank you for your
help,” holding your hands in prayer and bowing your head, or anything else
that feels appropriate in the moment.
Finally, if you open a circle, you will need to close it. If you placed
candles or crystals, remove them in reverse order. If you walked the circle,
walk it again in the opposite direction.
These 10 spells will help you get started with a wide range of purposes.
They also give you an idea of spell structure that you can repurpose when
designing your own spells and rituals.
IN CLOSING
You learned about spellwork in detail in this chapter—setting your intention
to power the spell, setting up a sacred space and needed materials, and
protecting your energy. You now have 10 spells to practice with.
The following exercise guides you through writing a signature spell for
a situation of your choice when no existing spell quite fits.
WRITE A SIGNATURE SPELL
You will occasionally find yourself needing a spell for a specific situation
and the prewritten spells you find in books or online do not quite suit the
outcome you desire. In this case you will want to know how to write your
own spell. Follow the instructions below.
1. Begin by getting to the heart of your situation. Decide on the purpose of your spell and
what you want its outcome to be. If you determine that a spell is the way forward, consider
your morals and ethics regarding the type of magic you will perform.
2. Determine which of the four elements aligns with your intention.
♦ Fire —personal power, motivation, creativity, courage, transformation
♦ Earth —practical matters, money, material objects, career, stability
♦ Air —mental health, clarity, travel, communication, education
♦ Water —emotions, divination, love, new beginnings, healing
3. Select your materials, such as herbs and crystals, based on the element and other
correspondences. You can also select these materials based solely on their magical
purposes (see chapters 3 and 11 ).
4. Decide on an appropriate time to perform the spell based on the Moon cycle:
♦ The New Moon —Reflect, expand your consciousness, learn about your shadow self,
work with your subconscious, dream work, let go of fears, change something radically,
renew
♦ The Waxing Moon —bless something you want to start, increase health, increase
success, increase wealth
♦ The Full Moon —health, success, charging/consecrating objects, rituals in general,
wealth, heart’s desire
♦ The Waning Moon —get rid of a bad habit or sickness/disease, remove obstacles,
finish something, banish, purify
5. Alternatively, use the days of the week to help you determine an appropriate time for the
spellwork.
♦ Sunday —employment, personal illumination, personal power, good health, energy,
and/or success
♦ Monday —change, your feelings, finding lost things, travel protection, your perception
on an issue
♦ Tuesday —energy, sex, leadership, assertiveness, personal transformation, winning
♦ Wednesday —communication, answering questions, receiving messages, transportation
protection, astral travel, bargaining success, school and work success, trickery
♦ Thursday —healing, good luck, expansion, good fortune, educations, abundance,
prosperity and wealth
♦ Friday —love, money, harmony, relationships, marriage, finding lost objects, and
pleasure
♦ Saturday —removing obstacles or limitations, lifting restrictions, removing debts,
overcoming delays
6. Decide on the symbols, colors, and tools you will need.
7. Write a rhyme, chant, or affirmation to say during the spellcasting. Decide whether you
want to use sigils to represent your words.
8. Write down all the steps in order and be sure everything makes sense. Then cast the spell!
Go Forth and Do Enchanting
Things
efore you picked up this book, you were likely already curious about
B practicing magic, or perhaps you’ve previously dabbled with some
spells and rituals. You might even have had some prior knowledge, and
reading this book helped solidify your understanding. There were also
probably a few topics you were unfamiliar with, or even had no interest in
exploring, but I hope you read them anyway and came away with
something valuable.
Wherever you were when you began reading this book, you are coming
out on the other side with a foundation of knowledge about the tools,
techniques, disciplines, and elements, as well as their application in
practical magic.
Now you understand how energy flows through the physical and
spiritual bodies as well as how you can tap into your chakras and pull
energy from your aura to manifest whatever you want in your life. You
know how the energy of crystals can be used for healing, magic, and more.
You’ve taken a walk with the Fool along his journey through the Major
Arcana cards of the Tarot, and you’ve learned how to interpret any card in
the Minor Arcana based on the combination of the number or court position
and the suit. You know about the three main positions of your birth chart—
the sun, moon, and rising signs—and how this information can help you
better understand yourself. Then, you discovered techniques for reading the
shape, texture, and lines of the hand to learn more about yourself and
others.
You can create a sigil or talisman with confidence based on your
intention, and you can interpret your own dreams to uncover information
about your subconscious mind. If you ever need help, you now know how
to communicate with your spirit guide and how to interpret the messages of
love, courage, and protection they are sending you.
Then, you learned about using herbs for their magical properties and
their ability to influence your spiritual body, and you learned about using
herbs for their chemical makeup and their ability to influence your physical
body. You entered the world of spellcasting where you picked up 10 spells
to use for a variety of purposes, as well as the ability to create any spell
based on your unique circumstances.
Perhaps most important, you’ve gained the confidence to call yourself a
witch if you want to, as you apply everything you’ve learned about practical
magic to your witchcraft practice. Your ability to share your goodness with
the world increases as you begin to view the mundane as magical and see
exactly what is possible for you to accomplish with your life. As you will it,
so it will be.
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