Book of Witchery (17 page)

As we begin this meditation, I'd like you to visualize that you are walking through a winter woods at night. It is cold, but pleasantly so, and you are comfortable all bundled up against the weather. Sounds are hushed, and all you can hear is the crunching sounds that your footsteps are making. As you stop and take in the scenery, admiring the snow that is draping from the branches of the pine trees, the sounds of nature become magnified, and you can hear the snow softly falling around you. Up ahead, you see a light in the woods. Intrigued, you turn to follow the light. As you work your way closer, you realize that there is a small fire built in a clearing up ahead, and you decide to go check it out.

As you walk closer to the small fire, you see that there is an older, bearded man in gray tending it carefully. His back is to you as he turns to pick up another log to add to the blaze. As he turns to add the log, he sees you and then straightens, lifting his hand in greeting.

“Hail and well met,” he says in a friendly tone.

You say hello and walk up to the fire and join him. You hold your hands out to the fire's warmth and turn to smile at the man. He looks like a cross between a wizard of old and a rustic, earthy version of Santa Claus. The Santa Claus analogy makes you smile a bit to yourself; it's the long gray beard, you think to yourself, and his aura, but he does exude a lot of kindness, good cheer, and charm. The two of you strike up a casual conversation.

He is dressed in a long gray cloak trimmed in black fur and has a hood raised against the cold. He has a staff with him, and as he stands there and chats with you about the snow, you realize that there are animals around the clearing. What you initially take for a dog is sitting at attention off to the far side of the fire. There are deer nosing through the snow, and also a couple of ravens perched in a tree behind him. They occasionally call out as if to punctuate the man's words.

The dog rises and walks over to sit with the man, and as it comes into the circle of light from the fire, you get a much better look at it. Whoa, that's not a dog at all—that is, in fact, a wolf, who seems totally disinterested in you. However, now you start to become a little nervous. You look carefully again at the man and at his companions. As if the birds have sensed you going on guard, the ravens really begin to make a racket.

“Yes, yes…” he waves them off and then turns to address them directly, “I know this is a seeker.” He turns back to you with a twinkle in his eye and says in a conspirator's whisper, “Forgive them, they are pushy creatures.”

He has one eye, you realize with a start. Ravens, the deer, a wolf, his gray cloak, staff…this is Odin you have met on your astral journey. You try not to sputter as you feel slightly embarrassed about the Santa Claus analogy. As if he knows your thoughts, he laughs out loud in delight.

“Where do you think that legend came from anyway?” He laughs uproariously at your embarrassment and thumps you on the back good-naturedly. “I'm a shaman, a traveler, and a shapeshifter, after all,” he reminds you. “My legends and tales are many and varied. No need to be embarrassed.” After a moment or two, you get over it and realize that he is not offended in the slightest. Companionably, you two stand at the fire and listen to the snowfall. After a time, he speaks again.

“So, you seek knowledge at this time,” Odin says in a more serious tone. “Knowledge you will find if you learn to look within as well as without.”

You nod your head in agreement, and he continues. “Wisdom, on the other hand, has to be earned, not unlike trust and love. So, my friend, are you willing to work toward gaining the knowledge of your craft and then keeping the wisdom that follows it?”

You answer that you are ready.

“Then look into the fire and see what you may.” He gestures toward the fire, and you turn to look at the flames. Now you gaze into the flames and allow your mind to drift and to experience what wisdom Odin has for you. The images may come at this time or they may appear in your dreams for the next few days. When the images fade, you pull back, blink your eyes, and shake your head a bit to clear it. Feeling as though you are coming out of a trance, you turn to face Odin and thank him in your own words.

“If you would like to visit me again, call my name out loud and you can begin the astral journey back to me here in the clearing,” he tells you with a smile. “Now I'd like you to return home and rest, and to think upon what you have seen this night.” Smiling at the thought of being gently dismissed, you turn to leave, and he takes your arm with a smile and tells you that you are headed in the wrong direction.

Confused, you begin to argue that you remember well enough which way you came in, but as you look in the snow, you notice that all traces of the tracks you made are gone. You decide to acquiesce to his directions, and he escorts you out of the clearing and back along the path. After a moment, you gain your bearings and are confident in the path home.

You stop and take a careful look at Odin, and then you smile and say farewell. He pats you on the shoulder in a friendly gesture, and you turn and head out of the winter woods and begin the journey home.

Now take a deep, cleansing breath, and ground and center. Stretch and move your body around. If you like, find a journal and write down your impressions of Odin and anything you saw in the sacred fire. Keep open to the idea that you are on a quest for knowledge and wisdom today. Finally, take in a deep, cleansing breath, and slowly blow it out. Open your eyes and return to awareness.

Magickal Plants & Flowers

Let's take a quick peek at some of the enchanting plants that have the planetary association of Mercury and that are connected with a Wednesday. For this tricky and changeable day of the week, we have the fern, lavender, lily of the valley, and the aspen tree. As you'll see, some of these plants are quite easy to link with the various deity information that's already been discussed in this chapter. Just like the multifaceted gods Odin and Mercury/Hermes, this bewitching day of the week and the following Mercury-aligned magickal plants can cover a wide variety of magickal uses.

Fern

The fern is a traditional Witch's garden plant. Ferns are herbs; they are perennials and prefer growing in the shade. There are over forty species of fern. Whether these are found growing in the wild or tucked into your backyard shade gardens, ferns are practical magickal plants. The fern has quite a bit of folk history behind it. It was thought that to grow ferns in the garden was lucky. Faeries were believed to jealously guard the fern, as ferns were thought to grant the power of invisibility. When a fern frond was carried on your person, it was thought to guide the wearer to hidden riches. On an interesting note, ferns are almost always used in fresh flower arrangements. Flower folklore tells us that adding ferns to a fresh flower arrangement increases the power and meanings of the individual blossoms, and it bestows protection on the recipient. In the language of flowers, the fern declares fascination and earnestness.

Lavender

Lavender (
Lavandula
spp.) is a popular aromatherapy flower. The scent of lavender is thought to reduce headaches, and it has a healing, calming influence that soothes the spirit.

Lavender is a protective herb. This herb is associated with benevolent Witchcraft. The lavender is a shielding and healing plant. It also has the qualities of banishing negativity and keeping negative thoughtforms at bay. Lavender is an herb of transfor-mation, so it's a perfect addition to spells and charms for Wednesday, our unpredictable, changeable day of the week. In the language of flowers, lavender was believed to soothe a troubled heart, and this herb symbolizes devotion, luck, and happiness.

Garden Witch Tip

Lavender comes in
many varieties. If it's classified as a “tender perennial,” it may not survive cold winter climates. It grows best in full sun and along the edge of a sidewalk or driveway. It can be drought tolerant, but you'll still have to keep it watered occasionally so it will look and flower its best. Plant plenty of this wonderful-smelling herb—it's great for sachets and dried flower arrangements, and it's a powerful magickal herb that encourages the transformation of your dreams to reality.

Lily of the Valley

Lily of the valley (
Convallaria
) is an old-fashioned cottage garden plant. This fragrant, romantic flower is also associated with Mercury. These lovely scented plants are best suited for growing in the shade and will multiply rapidly if you do not keep them under control in your garden. Flower folklore warns against planting lily of the valley alone. Instead, plant other magickal shade-loving flowers such as columbine or foxglove along with them to keep the garden happy. Lily of the valley is toxic if ingested, so simply enjoy the blooms in small arrangements or just for their scent in the garden. The perfume of lily of the valley was thought to have the power to improve the memory and to lift the spirits. In the language of flowers, the lily of the valley speaks of a true platonic friendship and a return to cheerfulness and happy times.

Aspen Tree

The aspen tree (
Populus tremula
) is a tree of healing. It is associated with communication and the element of air. Also, aspen leaves were often used in spells designed to protect you from thieves. Well, it's not to hard to imagine why this tree ended up being aligned with Mercury, now, is it? Remember that Mercury was associated with speed, trickiness, and healing.

The aspen tree always appears to be in perpetual motion. The slightest breeze causes the leaves to tremble and shiver. A folk name for the aspen was the “whispering tree,” due to the sounds that the rustling leaves seem to make while they dance in the breeze. In the old days, it was believed that the winds carried messages straight to the gods. The aspen then became associated with movement and communication, just like our pal Mercury/Hermes. According to folklore, aspen trees aid in communication with the faeries. They may also help you find your way into the realm of Faery itself.

Aspen Leaf Communication Spell

Have you been trying to get in touch with someone? Perhaps it's an old friend that you haven't been able to track down or a relative that you need to clear the air with. Perhaps it's a coworker who keeps “misplacing” your memos, messages, or notes. Then here is a clever natural magick spell to try.

For this herbal spell, you will need to gather three aspen leaves for movement and the positive reception of your message. This spell relies on the element of air and all of the qualities associated with this element, such as motion, contact, change, and intelligence. As stated above, the aspen is intimately connected with the element of air. So, unite these two enchanting energies and try a little natural magick to send your magickal message quickly on its way. Remember that this spell is designed to give the recipient a friendly nudge, sort of a psychic “Hey, I really need you to give me a call” type of energy.

Gather the leaves and hold them in your hands; at the third line of the spell (below), scatter the leaves to the breeze. Or, if you would prefer, simply try working with the aspen tree by sitting on the ground beneath its branches. Then repeat the spell three times while a nice breeze ruffles the leaves overhead.

Aspen leaves first are green and then in autumn turn to gold

I call the element of air, for I am brave and bold

As these aspen leaves catch the breeze, my spell to you will soar

With the speed of Mercury and the help of the winds four.

Close the spell with the line:

For the good of all, with harm to none
By leaf and breeze, this spell is now done!

Once you have made contact, the communication between the two of you is up to the spellcaster, but this spell should at least help you to get things moving in a positive direction.

Colors, Candles, Metals & Crystals

Colors

There are a few different ideas for colors associated with Mercury and Wednesdays. Honestly, did you expect anything else? Some traditions say that orange is the color for Mercury, while others claim that it's purple or a mixture of colors. So guess what this means? It means that you get to decide for yourself which color you'd like to use.

Personally, I don't see anything wrong with using both purple and orange for Wednesday spells, charms, and rituals. After all, both of these colors are secondary colors. Remember your color-wheel lessons from elementary school? In other words, it takes red to make each of them. Yellow and red make orange, while blue and red create purple. Are you following me here? Since both colors are produced with a base color of red, why not use them both?

If you wanted to wear the colors of this changeable and communicative day, then go with either purple or orange. If the thought of slipping on an orange shirt makes you cringe, then look for deeper shades in burnt orange or softer shades of melon to stimulate communication skills and to increase your productivity. Ladies, try looking for shades of cosmetics in coral and give that a try.