Book of Witchery (14 page)

Candles

Candle colors for today include all shades of red, from oranges to scarlet to deep burgundy. Also, try working with black candles to absorb negativity and to break bad luck. If you want to add a little magickal candle aromatherapy, then go for spicy or coffee-scented candles. The aroma of coffee is an energy booster. It sharpens your other senses, and if you overdo it on the aromatherapy and you can't smell anything anymore, then taking a whiff of coffee beans can actually refresh your sense of smell!

Here is another little tip: look for carrot-cake-scented candles. (No, I am not kidding.) Carrots and spices are both associated with Mars, and the spicy scent of the candle corresponds with Tuesday and all of its passionate, daring qualities.

Hot Stuff Candle Spell

Want to drive your lover crazy? This candle spell is meant to entice and tempt. The whole point of it is to add a little spark back into your relationship and to make you irresistible. In this spell, you will be calling on Lilith, so prepare yourself for a good time. Please remember to be conscientious of this spell and only work this upon yourself, so you and your partner can have a little fun.

Gather a red candle, a black candle, and two candle holders. Sprinkle a dash of pepper and a pinch of allspice on the unlit candles. Arrange three snapdragons or three red roses in a vase. Repeat the following charm three times:

As I light red and black candles for a hot and sexy spell

I now call on Lilith for passion, and all will be well

Peppers and spice and snapdragons/red roses three

These will make me very enticing, so now must it be.

Close the spell with:

For the good of all, with harm to none
May my love and I have a little fun!

Now, go and find your lover, give him or her a bewitching smile, and see what kind of reaction you get.

Metals & Crystals

The metal associated with Tuesday is iron. If you have any black wrought-iron candle holders, these would coordinate with your Tuesday magick quite nicely. Iron has a projective energy and is associated with the planet Mars and the element of fire. Iron is protective, and old iron nails may be used in spells and charms to confuse your enemies, to guard your property, and to boost power. Also, cast-iron cauldrons, even though they are inherently a goddess symbol, by virtue of the metal they are created from, they fall under the planetary aspect of Mars as well.

The crystals and stones that are linked to Tuesday's fiery, passionate energy are garnet, bloodstone, and ruby. While two of these fall under the gemstone category, you can find low-grade rubies as a tumbled stone (I picked one up for about two dollars; it works out nicely in my Mars-themed spells). Since these stones all fall under the elemental correspondence of fire, then you may choose to empower them by passing them above a candle flame or by letting them sit in the sun's rays for a short while.

Garnet:
The garnet is linked to the element of fire. This is the birthstone for January and is called “a stone of commitment.” It is thought to enhance your strength and endurance. Deep red is the most popular color for garnets; however, they do come in a range of other colors too—pink, yellow, orange, green, and purple shades . . . just about every color except blue. This stone has a projective type of energy and is good to carry while you are doing any type of physical exertion. Once this stone was used to frighten away criminals, spooks, and ghosts. The garnet can help to pump up your self-esteem and strengthen your aura. Wearing garnet jewelry may help to give off a “don't mess with me” type of vibe. It is excellent for grounding your energy, warding off nightmares, and for magickal protection. According to folklore, the garnet is believed to reduce inflammation, improve your skin, and regulate the circulatory system.

Bloodstone:
One of my favorite stones, the bloodstone is a beautiful deep green stone called chalcedony that is flecked with deep red. The next time you are at a shop that sells inexpensive tumbled stones, sort through the bloodstones and find one that speaks to you. Hold the stone in your receptive hand (opposite from the one that you write with) and then see if you notice anything. When you find one that gives you a little zap, makes your palm tingle, or makes you feel warmer, you will know you've found a keeper.

Bloodstones are associated with the element of fire and earth. They may be used in healing rituals and also to boost your courage, physical health, and endurance. It was also a talisman used to promote a healthy and safe pregnancy. This is a well-liked stone for athletes and for those of us who are on a fitness regime. A bloodstone can help you stay injury free, and it can also remind you not to overdo it, which I have found is the fastest way to getting a sports or workout-related injury in the first place. When you wear or carry a bloodstone, you will be more courageous, calmer, and even-tempered.

Ruby:
The ruby is a stone of love, power, and wealth. This gem is the birthstone for July. The ruby is also from the corundum group of gems. However, only red corundums are called rubies. It is naturally linked to the element of fire due to its color. When rubies are worn, they increase personal protection. Some texts say that rubies make you invulnerable to unethical spells. Wearing ruby jewelry is thought to reinforce healing, promote happiness, and keep your outlook upbeat. The ruby is also thought to boost any magickal powers set into motion by spells and charms. The ruby's energy is believed to help push your spells to their best possible outcome in a timely manner. Folklore calls this jewel “the glowing stone,” which describes the illuminated look that a fine ruby possesses. More stone legend states that the stone turns dark when danger is near, and that if a gardener or farmer dreams of rubies, that this is a sign of a bumper crop for the year.

Red Jasper:
The red jasper is another stone associated with the planet Mars and the element of fire. This is a fabulous stone to utilize in protective and defensive magick. It encourages healing and is used in beauty-
enhancement
spells. Women can charm jasper beads or tumbled stones to boost their appearance—a very earthy type of glamour. Also, here is another little tip: wearing red jasper is thought to deflect any spells, negativity, or manipulation straight back to the sender. Today, red jasper beads are easily found in the jewelry-making aisle of the arts and crafts store. Pick up a package of the beads and some stretchy cord, and string yourself a bracelet for protection, magickal shielding, and personal strength.

A Bloodstone Protection and Courage Spell

The bloodstone, when worn or carried, brings courage and eliminates fear and anger. The bloodstone was often used as a talisman for athletes and warriors. When you need a little extra courage and bravery to face challenges and stressful, scary situations, give this practical Witch's spell a whirl.

For this particular crystal spell, you will need a few supplies: a red spicy-scented votive candle, a votive candle cup, three bloodstones (inexpensive tumbled stones are perfect), a photo of yourself or a small snip of your own hair, a small cast-iron cauldron, and matches or a lighter. Set up on a safe, flat surface.

Place the photo or snip of hair in the bottom of the cauldron. Now place the candle inside of the cup. Set this in the center of the small cauldron, on top of the photo or the hair. (If you are worried about the heat damaging the photo, then set the photo beneath the cauldron.) Next, arrange the three bloodstones around the candle cup. Ground and center yourself. Then, when you are ready, light the candle and repeat the following spell three times:

On this Mars day, there is fiery energy to spare
I call for courage and passion to know, to will, to dare
Three green bloodstones and a burning candle of red
I call for bravery and banish fear and dread.

Focus on the flame for a few moments. Believe in your ability to handle the situation, whatever it may be.

Close the spell by saying:

For the good of all, with harm to none
By Mars' energy, this spell is done.

Let the candle burn until it is consumed. If this is an ongoing problem or conflict, then repeat the spell every day for one week (in other words, from a Tuesday until the following Tuesday). Clean out the votive cup and light a new red votive candle for each day of the spell. When you are finished working this, clean up your setup and put away all of the spell components. If you like, you can carry those tumbled bloodstones with you to help reinforce your convictions.

Potions, Philters & Oils

Tuesdays are the day to create philters and potions that work in harmony with Mars' planetary energy. As this is a warrior, take-no-prisoners type of day, today is the day to create a recipe for protection and to increase your courage. Sometimes we all need a bolster to our courage. This philter recipe will help you add some magickal valor and bravery into your magick.

Philter Recipe for Courage

• One small decorative glass bottle, red if you can find it
  
• Base oil, approximately
  1
  ⁄
  8
  cup (sunflower or almond oil)
  
• Clean dropper
  
• 3 drops ginger oil
  
• 2 drops basil oil or 2 fresh basil leaves
  
• 1 drop black pepper oil
  
• 1 small fresh holly leaf
  
• Small red jasper chip
  
• 6 inches thin red or black satin ribbon
  
• 1 small metal protective charm or talisman of your choosing (such as a tiny pentagram, a star, or even the Eye of Horus)
  
• A label and a pen (to list the ingredients and to decorate and mark the bottle)
  

Pour the base oil into the bottle, enough to fill it three quarters of the way full. Add the essential oils one at a time. Next, add the crystal and the holly leaf. If you used basil leaves instead of oil, add those now. Close up the bottle with the lid, place your fingers over the lid, and carefully shake up the mixture. Hold up the mixture to the sunlight, and allow the light of Tuesday's sun to illuminate the philter within.

Wipe off the outside of the bottle. Use the label to list the ingredients and the use of this potion. Decorate the bottle by drawing protective symbols on the label or whatever else you think would add to the magick. Attach the label to the glass bottle and finish up by threading the metal charm onto the ribbon and then tying the red or black ribbon around the neck of the bottle.

As you finish tying on the bow, hold the bottle in your hands and concentrate on the visualization that your aura is pulsing a deep red, filled with vitality, courage, and protection. See it in your mind's eye and feel it all over your body. Now send all that energy straight into the bottle you hold in your hands. Take a deep breath, hold it for three counts, and then blow it out slowly. Now, repeat the charm below:

Basil, holly, and ginger are associated with Mars

Tap into a warrior's energy and you will go far

Red and black are the Martian hues of power

My spell begins in this enchanted hour

This Tuesday philter will add valor galore

I am courageous and strong forever more!

Set aside the bottle, and ground and center yourself. Clean up the supplies, then go for a quick walk and firmly reconnect yourself back to the earthly plane. Make sure to store the philter in a dark, dry place and out of the reach of young children.

Essential Oils

More essential oils that coordinate with Mars energy include:

• High John the Conqueror
  
• Ginger
  
• Pine
  
• Peppermint
  
• Pennyroyal
  
• Basil
  

The peppermint and pine oils will be easy to procure. Remember to be careful with the pine oil, as pine is a common allergen. Essential oils are not intended for direct contact with the skin. Typically, they are diluted in a carrier oil such as almond, olive, or sunflower oil.

Tarot Card Associations

The tarot cards that align with Tuesday and Mars energies are the Six of Wands for victory and triumph; the Five of Wands, which symbolizes the ability to handle life's little annoyances; and the Major Arcana card Strength (or Fortitude), which, oddly enough, stands for inner strength and self-control.

The tarot suit of Wands (or Rods, depending on your deck) is associated with the element of fire. The element of fire coordinates with the warrior-type planetary energies of Mars and Tuesday's passionate and feisty qualities. The suit of Wands is for folks who are fighters, dreamers, and rebels. The featured tarot cards in this chapter are both powerful and passionate symbols, so use them wisely.

Six of Wands

Six of Wands is often interpreted as a card of victory. This card often shows up in tarot readings when your hard work is finally being recognized, or when you feel as if you have just won a major battle of some kind in your life. If you take a good look at the image on this card, it typically shows a rider who is pale, perhaps a bit tired, but he is victorious nonetheless. This card clearly illustrates that if you are willing to work hard, then victory is within your reach. This card makes a great prop in magick. It gives you a very specific image of victory to focus on, and the image of a victorious rider helps to encourage the movement and energy that you want to promote with your spellwork.