forces in order to shape and form your world. We have learned that
there must be balance in everything, therefore, everything has its
opposite. As there is day, there is night, as there is male, there
is also female, as there is positive, there is negative, and as there
are good spirits, so there are the troublesome. The one thing we
seek to do is to restore the equilibrium if something is out of
whack. We do all sorts of spellwork in order to get a handle on
various aspects of our lives. If we are experiencing poverty, we may
do prosperity spells to put is in the right mindset to make a change
in our condition. If we are experiencing a lack of love in our life,
we may do certain love spells to attract love to us as well as enable
us to take the proper steps to be ready for love and to become more
loving. If we want a clue as to what the future may hold, we may
practice some form of divination or do some spellwork to encourage
psychic dreaming. And, if we are under some sort of attack, either
psychically or in our everyday life, we might use our magick in order
to protect ourselves by putting a "hedge" around ourselves in order
to thwart whatever negativity may be coming our way.
This can take many different forms. Perhaps we're being slandered by someone or maybe there is someone who is sending negative energy our way in order to harm us. We may want to protect ourselves or someone else while taking a journey, or maybe we want to bless and protect our children while
they depart for school in the morning. Maybe we want to protect our home and belongings while we are at work for the day, or protect our
automobiles from theft and vandalism.
There are many reasons to study the art of protection, but there is
one thing I would caution you about and that is paranoia. We cannot
always attribute the things that go wrong in our life to psychic
attack by someone else and can't haphazardly cast a spell when we are
not certain of the origin of the malady. I guess what I'm saying
here is don't become magiphobic! Sometimes things happen for reasons
unknown to us, to teach us something or to allow karma to set into
motion other circumstances. One set of circumstances always leads to
new ones. See how quickly time passes as we live our lives and how
many times have we said "I never thought this would be so a year
ago." That's how things are...always changing, never ending in the
cycle of birth, death and rebirth, but we do have ways to cope with
things when we know for sure...we are able to protect ourselves and
the ones we love.
I want to share with you a few things I have stumbled across as I've
studied and I want you to feel free to adapt them as you wish. As
always I will give credit where it is due.
TO GET THE GARBAGE OUT OF YOUR HOME
To get rid of the garbage, the negative energy that's hanging around your dwelling, simply place a chalice full of white vinegar out on a shelf where it won't spill. Every morning, dump it down the drain and replace it with clean vinegar.
THE PROTECTIVE SHIELD (or White Light of Protection)
Purpose: To protect youself from physical or psychological harm.
You'll want to go into a meditative (alpha) state. Envision a
shining egg-like shape around you. See it growing brighter and
stronger until it reaches beyond your fingertips. When you have
pictured this sufficiently, say the following several times:
"This shield protects me from all positive and negative energy and
forces that come to do me harm. I ask that this be done correctly
and for the good of all. So mote it be."
You can put this shield around your car when traveling in your car as
well as around yourself and others. You can put protective shields
around the members of your family, your home and surroundings. It is
also suggested that you periodically go into a meditative state to
reinforce the shields you have created by using the following
affirmations:
"Incorrect or harmful thoughts or suggestions will have no power over me at any level of mind."
"Undesirable memories no longer affect me in an incorrect way."
"I am protected in a correct way from all positive and negative
energies and forces that may come to do me harm."
Get the idea? You may use these or create new ones as you have
need. This is the most basic of protection spells.
(Source: "Power of the Witch" by Laurie Cabot)
One of my most favorite Wiccan authors was Scott Cunningham. He used the simple things in nature to accomplish his needs and so freely shared these things with others.
PROTECTION CHIMES
Find, make or buy a new set of windchimes. They should emit a
definate sound. Before hanging them outside, charge them for doing
there task with a similar or the following ritual:
Place the windchimes on a flat surface in your place of magic. Gaze
down upon them realizing they are still lifeless and unmoving.
Wave your projective hand over them while saying:
"Wind chimes;
Spell rhymes;
Spell chimes;
wind rhymes.
Aire primes
Spell chimes;
Nine times
Nine."
Lift the windchimes by the string from which they will hang. Hold
them before your face. Blow against the dangling noise-makers,
visualizing their tones scattering and driving away negativity.
Hang them up outside, with visualization, and let the windchimes do
their work.
For best results, repeat this simple charging spell every nine days.
(Source: "Earth, Air Fire & Water" by Scott Cunningham)
WHEN LIFE HAS FAILED YOU
Purpose: To remove a condition, whether self imposed or inflicted by another,
You will need a Black Candle and 12 Straight Pins.
1. Stick the pins in various positions until all the pins are used.
2. Pour Saturn Oil on the Candle and burn the Candle in a Bowl of
Goofer Dust (available from a witch supply shop) and Asafoetida.
3. Burn an Incense Mixture of Agrimony, Mars Incense, Star Anise and
John the Conqueror Incense and say over the Candle as it burns:
"Burn Incense
Burn consume this curse
and turn the evil back
Remove and defeat the lack
Burn Candle burn
Turn Candle turn
Remove the spears
consume the fears."
4. As the Candle burns the pins will fall, and the Wax will mix with
powders. When all the Candle has burned, take all the Wax, Pins and
Powder and place them in a plastic bag. Throw the bag in the ocean
or burn far from your home.
(Source: "Protection Spells & Charms" by Jade)
You will notice that this spell is useful in a twofold manner...to
remove a self imposed situation or one caused by another. Many times our ill luck is caused by ourselves by actions we may have taken. Remember the Rule of Three? What ever we do, good or evil, comes back on us threefold. You have also heard the expression "What goes around comes around". This spell is a way of hopefully alleviating the effects of those actions as well as the effects of the actions of others. If it is actions of others you wish to nullify the effects of just remember this saying as well..."Every dog has its day!"
EVENING PRAYER
In Pennsylvania Dutch Country, it is appropriate to request a
blessing of the home and property as you make your last rounds before retiring. You are to repeat the following prayer three times:
"My house has four corners,
One, two, three,four.
Four holy angels adorn them,
From rafter to core.
Neither criminals, nor charmers
Above or below.
Nor those who do evil
can enter my home.
My house has four corners,
One, two three four.
Four holy angels adorn them
Protected to the core.
My home stands with Spirit,
Encompassed by love,
Protected from evil,
and blessed by the dove.
My house has four corners,
One, two, three, four.
Surrounded by angels,
Infused by Spirit,
From present to future.
So mote it be!"
(Source: "Silver's Spells for Protection" by Silver Ravenwolf)
HERBS FOR PROTECTION
There are various herbs which are known for their protective
qualities. These can be sewn into sachets or placed in pouches and
carried with you or placed around your home.
Here is a list of protective herbs for you to keep for your use.
Angelica
Asafoetida
Ash twigs and leaves
Avens
Balm of Gilead
Basil
Bay Laurel
Betony
Cyclamen
Dill
Elder berries or leaves
Fennel
Fern
Flax
Fumitory
Horehound
Hyssop
Juniper
Lady's Slipper
Mistletoe
Mugwort
Mullein
Peony Roots
Periwinkle
Pimpernel
Rose Geranium
Rosemary
Rowan
Rue
St. John's Wart
Snap Dragon
Tarragon
Trefoil
Vervain
As you can see by this list, some may be easier to find than others.
Yesterday I went into New York City and found the most fantastic herb
shop. I never saw so many jars on so many shelves before. Coming
from Connecticut, there aren't as many store as in the city, but all
of these things are available...even by mail order over the internet.
PROTECTION SACHET
To make a protection sachet, you will need a piece of white cloth 7
inches square. Next, select 3, 7 or nine of the herbs listed above.
Take equal parts of each and place them into an earthenware bowl.
Mix them together silently for a few moments with your hands and then
set aside.
Spread out the cloth on your altar. Transfer the herbs to the center
of the cloth. Gather up the corners, and with a piece of red string,
yarn or thread, tie firmly around the gathered corners, capturing the
herbs inside.
As you tie the first knot say in a firm voice:
"I bind thee to protect this house and all within it."
Tie twelve times more (13 in all) repeating the above with each knot.
When finished, stand facing the North, holding your magic knife in
your strong hand, the sachet in the other. With the tip of the knife
pressed against the sachet say words such as these:
"May this which I have fashioned tonight serve as guardian and
protection for this house and all who reside within it. May it serve
me well."
If you are making this sachet for a car or other vehicle, substitute
the appropriate words.
You will now hang it either in a closet or over the main entrance to
the home, (inside of course)by the red string.
If you grow the herbs yourself, you can pick them and bind the stems
by the red string. This dates back to babylonian times.
(Source: "Magical Herbalism" by Scott Cunningham
The last thing I would like to share for those of you into the Tarot
is a Tarot Spell for Protection.
I love the Tarot because of its images and how it encourages simple
visualization.
This spell you will need 5 cards. The Chariot, Temperance, The Star,
4 of Rods or Wands and a signifactor card.
Purpose: Protection, defense, and safety. it evokes spiritual and
supernatural powers to form a shield of protective energy around you
and add to your peace of mind and sense of security.
If you wish protection for your family as well, place the 10 of Cups
or 10 of Pentacles under the significator which will be located in
the center of a cross we will construct with the remainder of the
cards. The Chariot forms the top of the cross, representing safety
in travel and protection in and of your mode of transportation.
Temperance and The Star form the arms of the cross...Temperance to
the left of the significator and The Star to the right. they are
both used here to invoke supernatural protection, drawing on the
folkloric traditions of guardian angels and watchful stars for
guidance. This may be done in conjunction with a ritual or just used
with the following visualization and affirmation.
When ready, set your significator in place with the 10 of Cups or 10
of Pentacles if desired in place. Consider your reasons for desiring
protection. Envisioin yourself (and your family) in an ideal state
of safety, security, and invulnerablilty, with an invisible force
filed protecting you. (envision the Protective Shield)
Next, set the 4 of wands in place below your significator. Coonsider
your reasons for wanting your house or dwelling place protected.
Picture your dwelling place as secure as a fortress, with an
invisible force field around it that no unwelcome intruder can
penetrate.
Set the Chariot in place above your Significator. Consider your
reasons for wanting your automobile or other modes of transportation
protected through all your travels. Visualize your vehicle running
smoothly and in perfect condition, with an invisible force field
around it, protecting it from all accidents and mishaps.
Set Temperance to the left, as indicated. Picture a radiant guardian
angel leaning over you. You can visualize this angel as being your
Higher Self, or as your most idealized image of a protective spirit.
Recall any stories you've heard or accounts you've read about spirits
interceding to protect people.
Finally set The Star to the right of the Significator. As you lay
down this card, think of all the unseen but powerful and watchful
forces at play in the universe around us. Think of these celestial
forces acting together to give protection and unexpected help in time
of danger or need.
When you have finished the card visualization, stand up, if you are
not already doing so, and assume the "pentagram" position. To do
this you stand with your arms outstreached and your legs spread apart
imitating the 5-pointed star. (Your head makes the 5th point of the
star) This represents a medieval alchemical sign representing man
made perfect.
Continue to stand in this position while you close your eyes and
visualize yourself standing in clear, shallow water under a sky full
of stars. The water lapping around you feels cool and pleasant.
As you watch the stars in the sky above, you notice that they seem to
be getting closer and closer, until they seem to be whirling in
spirals around you. As you watch, you see gold and silver sparks of
energy flying out from the whirling stars.
You feel these sparks of energy being drawn to your outspread
fingers. You feel it being drawn in through your fingers and through
the palms of your hands. You also feel energy coming up through the
soles of your feet, and every pore in your body. You feel this
vital force surging through you and radiating outward from your
innermost being. It creates a shining white energy field or aura,
with flecks of god and silver in ti. You glow like a sun, ever
brighter and ever more brilliant.
When the power within you has built to a point of great intensity,
hold your two hand in front of you and feel the energy pulsing in
your hands. Then, with your hands, shape a globe of pure psychic
energy around you. Work from head to toe, front and back and both
sides. Spend as much time as you need, allowing the energy to flow
out through your hands. Continue to shape it with circular hand
motions and spread it around until it is like a protective eggshell
around you. (Or do the Protective Shield visualization as outlined
above.)
When you are satisfied with your protective aura, turn your attention
to your card layout and make clockwise circular motions over it. Let
the energy continue to flow through your hands to reinforce the
spell, protecting you as well as your home and your transportation.
When you feel you have done as much as you can toward shaping the
protective field of energy around you and around the card layout,
carefully recite the following affirmation:
"I call upon the power that is within me
and the power that is around me!
I call upon the Sentinels of the Heavens!
I call upon all good spirits
and all ministering angels!
I call for protection, defense, and safety!
With white light, a force field is built
around me.
I am shielded and protected at all times.
All negative energies disperse and dissolve
at the touch of the radiant light
that emanates from the core of my being.
All shadows flee.
All harm and danger is neutralized
by the touch of my glowing aura.
By the power within me and the power around me,
only peace, love, and serentiy may exist within
my protective boundary!
I am protected.
My family is protected.
My home is protected.
All my modes of transportation and travel
are protected.
So it is, and so shall it be!"
You may consider this spell closed at this time, or you may go on to
close your ritual in whatever way you do that if you are performing
this as part of the body of your ritual.
(Source: "Tarot Spells" by Janina Renee)
Note: The Significator is simply a card which represents you. If
you are an older dark haired person, you may want the king or queen
of pentacles or wands. If younger a knight or page. If lighter
haired, use the suit of cups in the same way. The best thing to do
is get a nice simple book on the tarot and learn about how to shoose
the significator. Whatever you choose, you should be drawn to it as
being a representation of you.
