I will admit, I am a very lazy witch, and also a pretty forgetful one. As such, I don't really do much at the full moon except maybe make some moon water. But in the past couple of years I've heard the idea of not casting magick during the lunar eclipse being shared. I know older witches who, also being new to this idea, have said it is ridiculous and there is no reason not to cast magick during this period. I posted the topic on a subreddit to start a discussion and was told I was 'ignorant' if I believed that working magick during the lunar eclipse was a good idea. As I said, I don't really do much on the full moon anyway, so I've got no experience myself of casting magick during a lunar eclipse to make a judgement. But where did this idea come from? The lunar eclipse is often seen as a super charged full moon, heightening all of the powers of the 'normal' full moon and its associations. It is also associated with dramatic change and intense growth. In fact, sometimes this energy can be chaotic; many people find the effect of the full moon quite destabilising and prefer to spend their time grounding and centering. For this reason, some believe that it is much better to instead sit back and process the changes the lunar eclipse is bringing rather than interfering. However, there are also those who believe that the power of the witch is being able to work with these energies, to transform and direct them, which is why some people don't see the lunar eclipse as a barrier to working magick.
From an astrological perspective, the position of the sun and the moon during this period are relevant as to why some believe it better to not cast any magick at this time. During an eclipse, the light of the moon becomes obstructed, as does its power. The moon, the sun, and the earth are all caught in this obstruction, unable to function as they usually would, and so it is best not to call on these energies lest they work in unexpected ways. We must also consider what are called the 'Nodes of Fate'. These are lunar nodes. The southern node represents your past and what you are bringing into this life (such as past lives and karmic consequence) whilst the northern node represents your future, your destiny. Lunar eclipses align with these two nodes, and so it is believed that due to their association with fate, anything which happens during the lunar eclipse was meant to be. The eclipse simply heightens these, and helps us realise our unique and fated path. Casting magick or trying to manifest during this period is believed to have the potential to throw us off of that path, to interfere with destiny, and distract from the true purpose that the fates have in mind for us. The above are just two interpretations that you will usually hear from those who work very closely with astrology. Whether you believe them, or agree with them, is up to you. Again I know there are many witches who will agree with this approach, and many who will instead say that we should focus and harnessing this power to manifest our own destinies. I have to admit, I am undecided as to which side of the coin I fall, but I feel is definitely something to explore further!
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7/11/2021 1 Comment Crystals of the Water WitchOne of the courses I am working on at the moment is a 'crystals of the water witch' course. It will be one of the shorter ones, but will contain info on the various crystals associated with the water element, chants to use with them, making gem elixirs, and crystal grids. So, I thought why not put a snippet here for this weeks blog? This is just a selection from the list - you will find similar information in the 'crystals A-Z' sections of the website, but this has more of a focus about those associations in relation to water witchcraft. Blue Aventurine: Aventurine is a stone of creativity and imagination, and I find this especially true of blue aventurine. I personally associate the element of water with creativity, and so this stone is great at helping you enhance that, and connect to water energies to further indulge in your creative endeavours. It has a real uplifting energy to it, and is quite the motivator. When I look at this stone, and its markings, it makes me think of the open seas, a vast expanse of ocean just waiting to be explored, and all of the possibilities and adventures that you could encounter along the way. It is quite the motivator, and can help inspire us to take the opportunities that are presented to us. If you are struggling to make progress or feel like you are stagnating, then this is a great crystal to use to help you find the energy to seek and make those opportunities happen. Green Aventurine: Green Aventurine is similar in its properties to blue aventurine; however, it has a much more 'down to earth' and grounded energy. Whereas blue aventurine is the young kid determined to climb the highest tree with complete disregard for the dangers, green aventurine is the parent saying 'yes, but is that a good idea? Have you really thought this through?'. Whilst the energy of blue aventurine is very upbeat and motivational, green aventurine is much more subdued. It still encourages creativity, but is definitely more suited to those who want to make a living or career out of their creative endeavours, of have a specific project they need to see through. It teaches us to be balanced, to not just get carried away but to see the bigger picture, think of a the long term, and put a realistic plan together rather than just jumping in feet first. It evokes the feeling of still, calm waters, centered and balanced, and is a great stone to meditate with to help you feel grounded. Like blue aventurine, it promises that there are plenty of opportunities and we should embrace them, but we should also approach them with logic and consideration. Kyanite: Kyanite is associated with communication and self expression - for these reasons I can't help but feel a close tie with the energy of the whale, an animal which strongly embodies these qualities too, but I think that is probably because I work quite a bit with animal magick in my own practice. It can help us think before we speak, and find the courage to speak up when we need to, helping us to choose our words carefully. It very much makes me think of the whole 'only speaking when you have something worth saying' sentiment, and that is the energy of the kyanite - careful, considerate, and confident. It is especially good for creative self-expression; I'll admit, I enjoy art just for the sake of art - I enjoy drawing, painting, card making, scrapbooking, etc. Usually when I'm doing anything of these I'm not trying to 'convey' or represent anything - I like flowers, so here is a drawing of a flower. However, if you are the artistic type that uses art as a form of expression, or as a form of therapy, to help you convey what maybe you can't put into words, then Kyanite is perfect for you. It is also used to aid in communicating with the spirit world, the other world, and our guides. Raw kyanite especially 'takes me back' and makes me think of when the first waters appeared in great mass upon this earth; the churning seas, the flowing rivers, the falling rains, all new and full of potential. It helps us reach across time, across the worlds and other planes, in order to get the answers we need, the help we require, or the knowledge we seek. It is a great stone to use to help us unlock the secrets of the seas and waters. Lapis Lazuli: Lapis Lazuli has long been known as a stone of mystery, intuition, and ancient knowledge, and it is in these areas that it can aid us when working with water energies. Life on this planet began with water, and water itself has been around for billions of years, perhaps even since the creation of the planet in the form of just a few droplets (although it is worth noting that whilst there are plenty of studies and theories, there is no scientific agreement about when, or how, water appeared on the earth). The deepest depths of the worlds oceans are still some of the most unexplored places in the world, and new species of sea creatures are still being discovered even today. If there is one element that represents mystery, the unknown, hidden knowledge and ancient secrets, it is the element of water. Many cultures have associated it with death and the passing of the living to the realms of the underworld, and divination to reveal the secrets of our subconscious and the future itself is associated with water. Lapis Lazuli is a great crystal to use to enhance these associations. Use it to enhance meditation, journeying, and divination, and use it in rituals and magicks aimed at connecting with the past (this can include deities of old), seeking the truth, and uncovering knowledge and information. Clear Quartz: One of the main ways in which clear quartz is used is to amplify energies; it works almost like a conduit that increases the power or whatever you are doing and is often used to give a magickal boost to our workings. As such, it can be used in pretty much any spell or magick where you want to add a little oomph to your working - I will often use clear quartz crystal points in shell grids to help the energies flow for example. I find that it can really enhance our connection to the element of water; and help us feel more spiritually open to a connection not just with the element itself but with various water spirits. A very spiritual crystal, it helps us connect to the otherworlds and those that reside within them - and as someone who works a fair bit with water spirits such as the well maidens, lake maidens, etc., I find this a really useful crystal for aiding in that process.
Another association of clear quartz is healing. One of the main associations of the element of water is healing, and clear quartz is fantastic for that. My go to method of using clear quartz in healing is to make quartz water. I have a small, clear quartz bowl and I will use that to make healing water for spells and rituals. I also have a constant supply of quartz water on the go by placing a piece of clear quartz in a glass jar, filling it with water, and leaving it to allow the energy of the quartz to permeate the water. This is great for using in teas, for watering your plants, or even using as an offering for water spirits to ask for their guidance or just to say thank you. Quite a simple, but very useful crystal. |
The Weekly Witch:Once I week I talk about something 'witchcraft' related I have done with my week. How we incorporate witchcraft into our every day lives is always a topic that has interested me, so I wanted to start this blog to explore it further! Archives
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