This can be performed outside or in, whichever you prefer. Place the bowl on the ritual surface (your altar or the ground). If desired, cast a circle. Affix the white candle to the center of the bowl with warmed beeswax or with wax from another white candle. Pour water into the bowl. Place the flowers in the water (either take the petals off or pop the heads of the stems and set the stems aside). Light the candle. Visualize your reason for the ritual, remember why you are giving thanks. Touch the water on both sides of the candle with your fingertips, saying:
"Lady of the Moon, of stars and the Earth,
Lord of the Sun, of forest and the hills,
I perform a ritual of thanks
My love shine like the flame
My love floats like the petals upon you.
Lady of Waters, of flowers and seas,
Lord of Air, of horns and of fire,
I perform a ritual of thanks.
My love shines like the flames
My love floats like the petals upon you.
Lady of Caves, of cats and snakes,
Lord of Plains, of falcons and stags,
I perform a ritual of thanks.
My love shines like the flames.
My love floats like the petals upon you.

Look into the candle flame, then down into the water. Blow gently upon the water's surface and watch the flowers move. Meditate, commune and give thanks to the Lord and the Lady.
When it is time to close, remove the flowers from the water. Place them in the center of the white cloth. Wrap them up in the cloth. If you have cast a circle. close it now. End your rite by quenching the flame, pouring the water onto the ground and burying the flowers into the Earth. It is done.

Gather all of your materials on your altar. Cast Circle, Call Quarters, Ground and Center. Place the bottle or jar on the pentacle. After each ingredient has been placed in the jar, write the following on the parchment with the fountain pen and black ink:
"Light surrounds you,
Light protects you,
Light empowers you,
To make evil flee."

Fold the parchment in half three times and place in the jar. Cap and seal it.Wind the black cord or embroidery floss around the top of the jar seven times in a counter-clockwise direction. When you are finished put the jar in a place where it will protect the thing was meant to protect. If this jar was created to protect a home or outdoor space, you may wish to bury the jar near the area or frontdoor.

You probably already know this; but you have more than one body. The ones we are going to be concerned with here are your physical body, and your etheric body. Just assume for now that you have the body you are used to thinking of as "you," and you also have another one, larger and subtler, that has all the same parts and is around your physical body like two layers of an onion.

The point of the first part of the exercise, centering, is to line the two bodies (the physical and spiritual) up so that the energy can flow freely. If this is really hard for you, visualize it starting with your crown chakra, the violet light on the top of your head, and going down your body and down the scale. But try to learn to do it the other way, because it makes grounding easier.

For the second part of the exercise, Grounding, it is absolutely essential that you be centered. If you aren't, please go back and read that part now. Starting with your crown chakra, the purple spot at the top of your head, visualize (imagine) a cord of light going all through your body, connecting your chakras as it goes. See it coming down from the root chakra, and becoming a root itself. Feel it going through your chair, through the floor, through the foundation of the building, and into the ground. Feel the warm, fertile ground below you. And feel your root going deeper and deeper, down through the ground, down below the deepest well. There is a whole core of energy down there. The core of the planet is full of pure, clean, loving energy; and the Earth means her children to use it.

So draw that energy up your root now, up through the ground, through the soil, through the foundation, and the floor, and the chair, and into your body. Feel that pure clean energy coming into your body. And pull it on up through your body, up through all your chakras, up through your crown chakra, up through the top of your head. And as it comes, it washes away all the tired, old, nasty energy, and fills you with clean, pure, fresh energy, energy from the Earth. And let it come out of the top of your head, and flow out like a fountain, like the branches of a tree, up and arching gracefully down, and flowing back into the Earth. You are sitting in the center of a circuit now; a circuit of energy flowing up from the center of the Earth, through your body,through the top of your head, and back down into the Earth again.

See how that feels? If you are doing it right, you will be able to feel it. If not, try it again some other time. It's really not hard. Now, the important thing to remember at this point is not to get greedy and try to keep too much of the energy. When you are finished with the exercise, you should have exactly as much energy as is normal for you. No more, and no less. Just think of yourself as taking no more and no less, and your own body will even it out for you.

It's nice and clean and fresh, but it's the same amount. If it isn't, you will wind up with one of the headaches again. And you don't want that! Keep doing this for a few minutes every day, and soon it will be as easy as taking a deep breath. And it will make you feel so much better! Not just when working with energy, but when facing any kind of stress, or tension, or fear, or exertion, or anything. Being grounded and centered just makes life a bit easier to take!

Stand or sit comfortably on the floor or ground. If you are not on the first story, that is okay, just be as close to the actual ground as you can for the space you are in. Visualize roots slowly extending from your feet (or other body parts touching the surface). Slowly they travel down, down, until the meet the soil. This is easy if you are outside, if you are not, imagine them traveling down throughout the layers of building, down through the foundation and eventually into the soil. Imagine the feel of the cool, secure soil all around your roots, keeping you safe, taking away all impurities. Aboriginal people who don't have much access to water bury themselves except their face in earth, and emerge totally cleansed and renewed.

Imagine the smell of fresh, wholesome earth, as if you were turning over dirt to plant the first seed of spring. Imagine that you are a giant, primeval redwood (or other tree of your choosing). You are sturdy and confident. You are part of the earth, yet distinct from it. Your roots go down deep into the earth and all excess "nervous" energy, tension and stress flow down your roots and seep harmlessly into the earth, where the loving earth accepts and is nourished by it. In return the earth sends back calming nutrients, stability, and ancient serenity.

You are an ancient tree, your roots go deep into the ground. You have been here before humans walked this area, you have seen so much. You have seen most of your old comrades die, be struck by lighting, be chopped own to build for the people, but you withstand. As you stand there, you think about the rings within your mighty trunk. The ones just inside your bark remind you of last spring's rain. The thin inside that of the cold year when you didn't grow so much. Continue to work inward until you reach the center rings, those rings of dark wood at your core that represent the inner you, your heart, your oldest part. Breath from that part. Suck the air in through all the rings to that central core. Feel your life force gather and recharge in you center. Pull it back from the outermost limbs where the growth may be unbalanced. Feel the sap brimming in your core. Once you feel totally charged, let it go and it will course through you, back out energizing you, but at your center is still the central heart of your energy, calm, full and ready for anything.

APPLE: Peace of mind, relaxation, love, wisdom.
BAYBERRY: Luck to the home, money to the pocket.
BURGAMOT: Protection from harm.
CEDAR: Instills confidence, protection from misery and misfortune.
CINNAMON: Raise and enhance spiritual vibrations, stimulate clairvoyance, aids focus and concentration, good for personal protection.
CITRONELLA: Attracts friends and customers, protection from insects.
CLOVE: Strengthens memory, protects from hostile negative forces.
EUCALYPTUS: Promotes healing of any hurt, depression or illness. Especially good for colds or flu. (Very true! I always burn a big green Eucalyptus candle when I'm sick.)
FRANKENCENSE: Frees one of obsessions and destructive habits, brings spiritual blessings, protects, exorcises, purifies.
HELIOTROPE: Increases clairvoyance, assists meditation, protects from physical harm.
HONEYSUCKLE: Aids in understanding non-physical realities, sharpens intuition, brings prosperity.
JASMINE: Psychic protection, cleanses the aura, stimulates creativity and originality, attracts spiritual love.
LAVENDER: Frees from emotional stress, brings inner calm and peace, gives increased awareness, brings stability and permanance,good for headaches.
LEMON: Evokes protective spirits.
LILAC: Helps recall past lives, draws good spirits, helps decision making, improves memory.
MUSK: Instills self assurance, confidence and strength, heightens passions.
MYRRH: Guards against evil, brings peace, assists in understanding personal sorrow.
ORANGE: Brings harmony, raises power.
PINE: Cleanses, ends useless recriminations.
ROSE: Unconditional love, peace, harmony, tranquility.
SAGE: Powerful clearing and cleansing, removes negative energy.
SANDALWOOD: Stimulates clairvoyance, aids in seeing past lives, healing, clearing, protection, calms the mind.
SWEETGRASS: Invokes spiritual blessings, aids transformation. VANILLA: Vitalizes energy, brings happy occasions to the premises, draws good fortune.

"I release blockages in my earth"
(Rub salt on your hands)

"I clear my own air"
(Wave the smoldering sage in front of you)

"And I purify my water"
(Dip your hands in water).

"I ask that this release be gentle.
I affirm my trust and faith in my own abundant flow.
So be it."
Dispose of the ingredients immediately. Use the candle again for any other waning moon spell.

What to do: Set the candle on a table and light it. Let it burn for a few moments. Gaze into it and relax. Now begin to think of what the person did that was horrible, try not to attach any emotion to it. Think about it for five minutes while gazing into the flame (blink normally). After five minutes of thought recite this charm with confidence and clarity:

"Fires of Justice
I call to thee!
Let (persons name) know
What (s/he) did to me!
Fires of Justice
I do request
Just and Fair dealings
At your behest.
Fires of Justice
By the laws of return
Rule in this case,
Make (persons name) learn."
Let the candle burn for a few minutes then pinch it out. Repeat every night for 3 days using the same candle. Bury the candle after you are finished with it.

First, prepare a bath of warm water. To this bath addone part sage, two parts lavender, one part cinnemon, and one part rosemary; just enough to have pleasent scent. Imerse yourself in the water. Feel the tension from your body and mind flow into the water.When you are imersed in the water, relax into a trance-like state. Feel your positive energy flow through your body. You should feel your energy magnified by the water. Sit in the water until it is no longer comfortable or cold. When you get out of the tub, you leave your tension and stress in the water. As the water washes down the drain, so does your stress.When you get out of the tub you should feel relaxed and positively energized. If you still feel tension, try a self purification.

Sit while holding the memorabila, and allow the feelings to come freely. Say aloud why you are sad. It's okay to cry, yell, or pound. Find a key phrase that expresses your grief and say it out loud, over and over. Now visualize yourself being held closely in the Mother Goddess, who rocks and comforts you. Swathe yourself in the blankets and pillows, and rock gently back and forth as you feel Her warm embrace. After awhile, look at the memorabilia again, and recall that in the circle, all time is now. What you once had, you always have in your heart, as long as you don't shut it out. What you were given was real, and helped mold your life, and can never be taken away as long as you remember and cherish it. Remember the good times, and when you are ready, thank the Lady reminds that you had them.

Now bring out the object that reminds you of the coming event: a visit to a favorite friend or relative, a special holiday, or a conference that should be exciting. Remind yourself that life goes on, that is still much to look forward to: this is only a tiny sample of the good times ahead for you. Ask Her to heal your pain. Open the circle, and go visit a friend.

Go outside, somewhere where you can feel the air, and open a circle. Kneel in the middle of the circle facing east. Place the candles in a semicircle in front of you, and light each one. On a fire proof plate, start a small fire of cedar chops. Sprinkle the rose petals, catnip and cinnamon in the fire white saying:
"Earth and Fire, Water and Air
Hear my prayer, Hear my prayer
Take this depression,
Take it away
Give me the strength
To face a new day."

When the fire dies down, splash a little blessed water on the fire. Take the wet ashes and throw them as far from you as you can and say:
"With these ashes go my pain,
From the healing fires,
New strength regained."

Thank the elements for hearing you, and close the circle.

Step 1. We recognize that we have given away our personal power by addiction to substances, that this has resulted in dysfunctional living, and that it is time to begin reclaiming our power and restoring balance to ourselves and our lives.

Step 2. Came to acknowledge that the Divine Power within can bring about healing change and harmony.

Step 3. Chose to allow the Divine within of our own spiritual path to be the central guiding force in ourselves and our lives.

Step 4. Examined ourselves deeply and honestly on all dimensions -- physically, mentally, behaviorally, emotionally, and spiritually.

Step 5. Acknowledged to the Divine, to our egos, and to at least one ally what is unhealthy and unbalanced in our bodies, thoughts, emotions, behaviors, and souls.

Step 6. Were ready for the Divine within to work transformation to restore balance to ourselves and our lives.

Step 7. Sincerely invited the Divine within to dispel barriers to change and to facilitate transformation.

Step 8. Made a list of all beings we have harmed, and became willing to make amends to them all.

Step 9. Made direct amends to such beings as much as possible, except when to do so would cause harm to them or others or make a difficult situation worse.

Step 10. Continued our process of self-examination, acknowledging our strengths as well as our problems, and promptly acknowledging our mistakes and our successes when they occurred.

Step 11. Sought through spiritual activities to strengthen our relationship with the Divine within and to allow this dimension of ourselves to be the guiding force in our lives.

Step 12. Having had a spiritual rebirth as a result of this process of healing transformation, we continue our work with these principles and are willing to share our story with those who come to us in need.

Strike the gong/bell three times again and snuff the candle. Do this every morning until the baby comes (which won't be long!) Drink raspberry leaf tea throughout the day (Check with your doctor first). As you drink the tea visualise your womb a vibrant orange.

Use clary sage oil in an oil burner and apply diluted three drops to one teaspoon jojoba oil on stomach. --->PLEASE CHECK WITH YOUR DOCTOR FIRST AS CLARY SAGE IS NOT RECOMMENDED DURING PREGNANCY BUT CAN HELP EASE LABOUR.<---

Now spend some time visualizing your child and their safe delivery. It is best to do this spell during the full moon.

The mother now addresses the goddess:
"Oh lovely and gracious Queen of living Light,
Whose promise is that we will return after death
To be with out own people
And that we will know, love, and remember them again,
Bless this child who has returned once more to her own."

The father takes the child and says:
"Oh Horned One, power of sleep and night,
Grant strength and blessing to this child
Wrap her in thy cloak of my protection
And guard her through the journey of life."

The parents say together:
"We take the oath to raise, protect, and train
Our child (name) given to us as a
Trusted and sacred gift by the Mother and Father of all,
Until she is of age to take responsibility for her own life,
We will teach the ways of our wise ancestors:
Love, joy, gentleness, good example, and firmness.
Blessed be (child's name) and welcome to the world!"
Kiss the child.

Angelica
Belladonna
Burdock
Cinnamon essential oil
Cow Parsnip
Hyssop
Immortal
Mistletoe
Motherwart
Osha
Pennyroyal
Peony
Rue
San qi
Shepherd's Purse
Thyme oil
Vervain
Wood Betony
Wormwood
Yarrow
Yerba

And now, herbs that EVERYONE should be weary of. Some can be used in small doses. Note that if you are allergic to any herbs regardless of whether it is on this list, avoid it.

Angelica
Belladonna
Chaparral
Comfrey
Datura
Germander
Hellebore
Hemlock
Henbane
Jin Bu Huan
Lobelia
Ma huang

As a general rule, activities associated with growing, planting and propagation are best done as the moon is waxing or growing larger. Once the moon begins to wane or get smaller in the sky, activities should encompass anything besides growth. These activities can include pest control, pruning, weeding and tilling.

From New Moon to Full Moon (when the moon is increasing), annuals that produce crops above the ground should be planted.

From Full Moon to New Moon (when the moon is decreasing),biennial perennials, bulb and root plants should be planted.

During the first quarter of the moon, plant annuals producing their crops above the ground, which are leafy and produce seed outside the fruit. Examples of this would be asparagus, broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, corn, lettuce, onions, and spinach. Also, grains seem to do best when planted at this time.

During the second quarter of the moon, plant annuals that produce crops above ground that vine and produce seed inside the fruit. This would include beans, eggplant, peas, peppers, squash,tomatoes and watermelon.

During the third quarter of the moon, plant biennials, perennials, bulb and root plants. This would include crops planted in one season to winter over and produce next season. These would include berries, beets, carrots, onion sets, potatoes, radish, rhubarb, rutabaga, turnip, winter wheat and grapes.

During the fourth quarter of the moon nothing should be planted. Instead dedicate this phase for cultivation, pulling weeds, insect control, etc.

Most calendars have the phases of the moon printed on them. Watch the phases and try planting astrologically this coming season.

"Goddess, with your healing touch
Bless this animal we love so much.
God, with beasts as your domain,
Remove the sickness, heal the pain.
So mote it be!"

Continue the stroking and energy flow until you feel that the spell is done, then allow the animal plenty of time to rest and heal. Obviously, if you wish to perform this spell in a cast circle, that's your choice. If you wish to continue the spell for a number of days (I'd suggest at least 3 days), and your pet has a special place where it rests or "lives" (such as a cage, etc.), ring this area, if possible, with the stones, place a red candle on one side of the area and a black candle on the other (annointed with the healing oil); focus on the red candle and project its energy into area with your pet, visualizing the illness being pushed out the other side, since there's no room for it, and into the black candle. Rub the oil onto your hands and stroke it into/onto the animal's body as often as you feel necessary.

Lakshmi's festival is called the Diwalii and honors this goddess as the wife of Vishnu. Hindu wives dance privately for their husbands during this festival; lamps are everywhere; good things to eat are produced. This is the Hindu New Year, a time of good luck and prosperity.

Have as many candles as possible set around the circle. Play Indian music to set the atmosphere. If you have a statue of Lakshmi, put it on your altar. Burn lotus incense.

Press your palms together in prayer and bow, touching your fingertips to your forehead. Say:
OM (long drawn-out mantra).
Enternal Goddess, Triple Mother,
Dancing God of power and might,
Bless this ritual with your presence.
Fill me with wisdom, magick, light.

Listen for a few minutes to the music to get into its rhythm. Say:
See the dancing feet of Lakshmi as she dances for her consort. Lakshmi, goddess of good luck, love, and prosperity, I greet you with joy and hope. Dance, Lakshmi, dance! Your flashing feet bring good luck into my life. Your dancing hands manifest prosperity for me. Honor to the goddess! Love to the goddess! Being careful of the lighted candles, dance about the ritual area with joy.

Professional ability is not important. When the power is sufficiently raised (you can tell by the feeling in the room), go back to the altar and press your hands together. Bow and say:
With joy and hope, my heart welcomes the goddess Lakshmi. Enter, Lakshmi, lady of good luck and prosperity. Blow a kiss to the goddess and dance slowly around the room again, this time extinguishing each candle as you pass by.

Dancing goddess of the lights,
Good fortune shower upon your child.
Lift high the veil of depressing nights,
And bless me, dancing goddess mild.
Treasures deep within the Earth,
Precious stones and metals fine,
Wealth unending, prosperity,
Bring me these to ease the mind
And body needs. Lakshmi great,
Brighten my future. Ease my fate.

"O great tree, O strong tree,
Absorb my pain so I'll be free."

Lay back against the tree's firm, solid trunk; press your back into the bark. Feel the tree absorbing the pain and your back releasing it into the tree. After a few minutes, rise and thank the tree by burying something precious at its foot.

(taken from Earth Power by Scott Cunningham)