Category Archives: Herbal Magic

Incenses: Crafting a Magical Incense

May 7

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Last week we explored the concept of how and why people work with various types of incenses. We even discussed the various types of incenses that exist in the world today. This week we are going to discuss and talk about actually crafting and making your own magical and spiritual incense blends. That’s right. Incenses can be their own magical spells and tools. Today we are going to talk about creating them for ourselves.

Incenses

Crafting magical and spiritual incenses for your personal use

Working with natural and handmade incenses is one of the easiest magical practices a person can engage in.  There are very few tools required to craft incenses and there are very few tools needed to make the incense spells manifest and become reality.  By creating and crafting your own magical incenses you can also be sure that they are all natural incenses and that only items that you want to have in the incense are there.

Now you can use commercially made incense sticks and blends effectively for magical work.  However those incenses are not always going to be only herbs and oils.  Many of the commercial and large orders of incenses that you see for sale are made with synthetic oils and scents.  For people who are sensitive to synthetic scents and smells these sorts of incenses don’t really work well.  So its important to know what is in your incense before you use them.  By crafting the incenses your self you know for sure what is going to be in the incense and you can guarantee that any allergies or sensitivities that you or your friends and family have will be taken into consideration.

The supplies needed in crafting incenses are minimal unlike working with oils which can require a lot more time and effort depending on if you are collecting your own essential oils or if you are mixing oils and herbs.  In order to make an incense blend you need: a grinder (a mortar and pestle works fine for individual/one time use batches), a censor and charcoal (to burn the incense on), a jar or bag of some sort to hold and to mix the incense, and the herbs optional-essential oils.  Many people use essential oils in their incense blends as well as dried herbs.  Here at Mystic Echoes we only use herbs in our loose powdered incenses.

The first step as with any spell or ritual work is to decide on what exactly it is you want to get out of the work being done.  In order for magical incenses to be effective in manifesting the goal of the spell or ritual a clear intent needs to be given.  Magic can not work without a specific intent.  You can have a vague idea of what you want and work from that if you’d like.  However by working from a vague concept and vague ideas you will get vague and questionable results. So its best to have a clear concept of what exactly it is you want before you start working on the spell.

Once you know what it is that you want to have as the outcome you can start gathering supplies.  Now is the time to do research.  Say for example you wanted to do a spell related to gaining money or employment.  This is the goal of your spell.  This is what you want.  Now you need to research herbs and oils that are related to that intent and outcome.  Write down and make a list of all the herbs associated with money and employment.

Now you have your herb list.  The next step is to choose which herbs that you want to work with for this incense.  When it comes to magical incenses its not really the scent that is important.  In magical incenses it is more important that the incense is charged with your intent and desire.  So while you could focus on creating a really nice scented incense, the scent doesn’t matter so much as the intent being a part of the entire process of creating that incense blend.

So in choosing your herbs you don’t need to focus on scents.  What you need to focus on is the properties of the herbs.  The list you made earlier should include a rather large variety of herbs that have associations with money and or employment.  The process of choosing the herbs should really be intuitive.  In this situation you would look at the herbs on the list and the herbs that really jump out at you are the ones that you should work with.

By letting your intuition guide you in your choice you are basically allowing your higher self to really program in the intent and desire for the incense.  This means that your intent has become a part of you and a part of the process.  Your intent is speaking out through the actions and thoughts.  Your intuition and intent meld together in the crafting of the incense when they let you know which herbs to work with for that particular incense blend.

Now that you have your herbs chosen its time to actually get to the crafting.  I have found in my own incense crafting that there really is no golden ratio of the herbs for the scent to balance and the incense to work.  So I have found that choosing one of the herbs to be the base or the main powerhouse really helps define the exact focus of the incense.  As you start to craft more and more incenses the process will become automatic for now in choosing your base look at the herbs you have chosen and the one that screams “Me me me” is going to be your base.

For measurements as I said I have found that there is no golden ratio of herbs to herbs in the incense blends.  I have found that a teaspoon is a good size for a single ritual batch.  If you are making a batch that you intend to use in multiple rituals I have found that a table spoon is a good size.  So start with one or two tablespoons or teaspoons of your base.  Once you have that measured out start to grind the herb.

The process of grinding the herb is one of the aspects of charging the incense.   So as you grind the incense you need to focus your intent into the action of grinding the herb.  Put all your emotional desires for the money and employment to come your way into the force of grinding.  If you are using a grinder rather than a mortar and pestle you will hold your hands over the grinder as it grinds  and focus your intent through your hands into the grinder and into the herb.

If you wish you can say a chant along the lines of: “herb of the earth I ask of thee to send the money I need to me”.  Saying this chant as you work the grinder and as the herbs grind along with the physical energetic force charges the herbs for the process at hand.  This may also trigger your own mental and emotional focus deeper into the process of casting this spell.  The more you charge your energy into the incense the more powerful the incense will be for you.

Once the first herb is ground you will need to place it in the container discussed earlier.  For the rest of the herbs follow the same process of measuring the herb and grinding the herb.  This charges each herb for the process at hand.  Once all the herbs are together in the container its time to blend them together into a mix.  This action here will further charge the incense blend.

Shake the jar and fill it even more with your intent and desire.  If you said a chant while you were grinding the herbs individually you should repeat the chant here again.  See the money and the employment you seek manifesting in your life.  Put this energy into your shaking.  The more vigorously you shake the container and mix the herbs together the more powerful the mixture will be.  Your intent has been charged in the mix through the chant, the grinding of the herbs, and the shaking of the container mixing the energetic forces together.

Now the incense is blended and made ready to use.  You just need to label it now and you can use this incense any time for this magical intent.  The incense you have just crafted is now a magical incense ready to use.  There is a spell contained in this incense that you have crafted and charged through out the entire process.

To cast the spell you simply need to burn the incense on a charcoal disc in a heat safe or heat proof censor.  Simply by burning the incense you have released the spell that you created when you crafted the incense.    As the incense is burning all the energy that you built up in the incense through the process of crafting the incense is released and the spell can be cast.  The smoke rising into the heavens sends the intent to the universe allowing the universe to manifest your desire.

The above process is the process that we here at Mystic Echoes use in the crafting and creation of the magical incenses that we sell.  All of the incenses that have been crafted by Mystic Echoes are essentially spells ready to be used.  All you need to work the spell in the incense is a censor and a charcoal disc.  Once the incense is burning the spell is released and the magic can take effect.

You can use the magical incenses crafted by other people just as effectively as you can use your own magical incenses. This is why stores like Mystic Echoes can craft and sell pre-made incense blends. The incenses that are crafted by those who make and sell them for other people make them so that any one who needs to cast a spell can cast them and manifest their desires. In the end magical incenses are one of the simplest ways that you can work magic and cause changes in your life.
Mystic Echoes Magical Incense Blends

Posted in Angelic Magic, Ceremonial Magic, Christian Magic, Crafting products and items, Folk Magic, Herbal Magic, Hoodoo, Magical Crafts, Magical Herbalism, Magical incense, Magical Incenses, Magical Traditions, Mystic Echoes, Mystic Echoes Products, Pagan Blog Project, Spell Casting, Witchcraft, Witchcraft

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I: Intuition

May 1

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Intuition

One of the first things most books on witchcraft and spiritual practices say is to trust your intuition.  If something feels right then do it.  If something doesn’t feel right than it probably isn’t.  If you feel like there is something you need to do or really should be doing than you probably should be doing those things.  These feelings of something needing to be done, and of something feeling right or off are ways that our intuition comes to us and manifests in our world.

There are many different ways that a person can trust and develop a sense of their intuition.  When a person learns to trust their intuition they can really have the world at their feet.  By trusting and working with your intuition a person will essentially “never be guided wrong”.  Your intuition is really your highest self talking to your conscious mind and telling you basically what needs to be done at that moment.  Our intuition is also one of the many ways that our spirit guides can contact us.

Learning to develop a sense of your intuition is typically one of the first things that witches and pagans do.  By developing their intuition a person can better understand messages sent from their Gods and spirits.  It also helps them to better connect to the spiritual forces and energetic needs going on.  By developing a sense of your intuition you also develop a sense of what works and will simply “know” how to work the ritual on that day for that reason.  This is our spirit and ourselves working as one, and when this state is reached one really has become a witch if they practice witchcraft and aware of the spiritual nature of reality if they are not a witch.

For me I have only really recently started to work with my intuition.  For years I knew I had a strong intuition and sense of energetic flows.  I could read energy and see auras.  I was especially sensitive to emotional energy.  For me understanding my intuition and its strength was a scary process.  My readings when I did them were so strong and accurate I scared myself from doing my own readings and for reading for others.  Its only been recently I have realized that this intuition is a gift rather than a curse so I am actively working on recognizing my strengths and listening to my intuition.

The very first time I realized that my intuition would guide me in my magical and spiritual spells was when I created an incense I use in all my reiki and healing work sessions. When I created that first incense I didn’t know what I was making. I just grabbed the herbs I had that dealt with healing energies. I laid those herbs on the floor in front of me and I started to just grab and mix the herbs as seemed right. I don’t remember making measurements or anything along those lines. I just knew that the incense was right. I remembered to write down what I put in the incense so I could try and make it again but aside from that no record was made.

The healing incense that I sell in Mystic Echoes was inspired by and is an offshoot of that original healing incense blend. The core is the same, but there were other factors that personalized the other incense so they are not exactly the same but they are related. The tincture blend is also related. The core is the same with some modifications in both situations to be more generic than the original purely intuitive blend. You can buy those items Tincture & Incense blend

One of the many ways I have started to recognize my intuition has been in casting spells when it seems to be the right time. In the past I have felt a desire to cast a spell or thought that maybe a spell would help deal with this, and never done the work. I never really trusted myself to just do the right thing. In this sense I didn’t trust my intuition to basically tell me what I needed to do for that spell. Now I am being more active in my spell casting. I work my magic when it seems right and when it feels right.

The key way I am developing my intuition when it comes to my magical practices and my spirituality now though is through the development of products for Mystic Echoes and the writing of the exercises and content on the Seeker Sight blog that I also run. By working on both projects I am listening to my inner truths and knowledge and my intuition is guiding me.

With the products I develop for Mystic Echoes I have a concept in mind that I want to work with. I do some research. For example if I were to develop a hex breaker product or products I would look up herbs and items that correspond with hex breaking. I would then just let my intuition look over the list and decide what to use for items. In many cases it also depends on what I currently have available to work with.

I test all of those products as well. So by developing the products I am developing my spirituality, my intuition, my magical practices, and my knowledge of herbs. The herbs seem to work together because I trust that they will work together. My intuition guided me and will continue to guide me in my craft and practices.

I am not sure exactly how I define my intuition. I would call it an inner sense of knowing. I would say that for me my intuition is a combination of things I know within myself and messages and content sent to me through guides, ancestors, and maybe the divine. I don’t necessarily know the difference between which intuitive thoughts and practices are from guides and which is from deep within me. I just know that when I listen to my intuition things seem to work out in the end. When I don’t listen to my intuition things don’t always work out, or I will be tested in the same way or manner until I do listen to my intuition and then do something about it.

Posted in divination, Herbal Magic, Intuition, Intuition development, meditation, Mystic Echoes, Pagan Blog Project, Personal Spiritual Development, Psychic Development, Reiki, Spell creation, Spiritual development, Witchcraft

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I: Incenses -Why they are used, how to use them and choosing the right type

Apr 25

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Incenses:

Today we are going to talk about the origins of a product line we have as well as why people use and work with magical incenses to begin with. Incenses are a large part of many forms of witchcraft, magic, and spirituality. Some people also just like to burn incense because they like the smell and the atmosphere that certain incenses can bring to a room. I know that for myself there was a simple pleasure in lighting an incense and simply enjoying the scent as it filled the room.

Why people work with incenses

So now why do people work with incenses? There are many different reasons that a person will work with incense. From simply enjoying the scent to working intense rituals incenses have many different properties that people enjoy and work with. Incenses are probably one of the most common ways that magic can be practiced. Its also one of the simplest acts of spiritual devotion that a person can engage in.

How people work with and use incenses

So what are some of these ways? It really depends on a persons spiritual path and the life an individual leads. Not everyone who burns incenses works with a spiritual or magical view. Not all paths work with incenses and sacred scents the same way. Some paths use blended incenses for rituals and magical purposes, while other traditions and practices will work with a single specific herb for its properties. Like any form of magical and spiritual work incense work comes in many different forms.

One way that most people enjoy incenses is simply to burn them for the various different scents that are out there. Many people have their favorite scents that they like to burn. For many the enjoyment of the scent is a way to relax and unwind. Other people just like to use different scents to lighten up their homes. Scents are very powerful ways that we can change our moods. This is a way that many non magical and spiritually minded people work with incense. Before I started to really study and explore magic myself, that was the main reason I worked with and enjoyed incenses.

There are some traditions that believe that when you light an incense and say a prayer over the incense that the smoke of the incense carries the prayer to heaven, the Gods, the ancestors, and the spirits that a person works with. For those who believe in this aspect of air magic and incense work by praying for their desire over the incense they believe that the energy is being scent to the Gods via the smoke of the incense. This is a very simple and easy form of magic that many people engage in.

Another belief and practice for using incense is to simply give an offering to spirits and Gods. There are different herbs and scents that are sacred and special to specific Gods and Spirits. Dragons blood resin when burned as an offering makes a wonderful offering to Dragon spirits. They love the scent and are happy when its offered to them. The God of Christianity has an incense of either Frankincense or Myrrh that is sacred to him. By offering different Gods and spirits incenses that are sacred and special to them a person can strengthen their bond with the deity or spirit.

Some people burn incenses as a part of meditation and trance work. The scents that they work with during this spiritual work often depends on exactly the nature of the work. Some people may have a blended incense that they use for generic meditation work. Other people will have different scents for different types of spirit work. They may have an incense for astral travel and out of body work and another for dream work, while having a basic scent for general meditative work. The idea here is the scent being burned in some fashion works as a mental and psychological trigger to get into that state of mind where one can engage in spiritual and magical work.

In religious ritual depending on the tradition the incenses burned have different roles. In most witchcraft circles the burning of an incense represents the element of air specifically. This allows the element of air to be present in rituals and to have the ritual and spirit work manifest through the element of air. In other rituals the scent can be used to help purify and protect a sacred space, or just to create a mood through the different scents that can be burned.

Finally a person can burn incense for the magical and spiritual properties of the herbs. By burning the incenses over charcoal, in a cone shape, or in stick form the energy and spiritual properties of the herbs are released into the world. When a person engages in the use of incenses for magical purposes by saying a charm over the incense as it burns their desires and intents are given a form to manifest in. The incense as it burns releases that energy into the universe. The person who casts the spell through the incense burning directs that energy through their intent and their words allowing the universe to manifest their desires.

Choosing the Type of Incense

Now there are different types of incenses that can be worked with. There are some benefits and there are some issues with all forms of incense work. This is why when people work with incenses they often have to make difficult decisions. There are many different factors involved with choosing the right sort of incense to work with. Depending on where you live and what sort of environment you are in some options might not be advisable for you.

There are some people who can’t handle incense smoke, so they need a different alternative. Those people often use essential oils and other scented liquids for their incense work. The scent is either diffused through evaporation means or through a small candle under a diffuser meant to heat off the scent. If you live in a place where you can’t burn incense for what ever reason essential oils through sprays and evaporation diffusers may be an option for you. Mystic Echoes sells magical tinctures that can also be effective in this use.

The most common form of incense is that of the joss or stick incense. These are the types of incenses you see in many different types of stores. The availability of the burners and types of scents in the stick style of incense is what makes them the most popular form of incense.  To use you simply place the incense in a holder and light.

The limit to this is that you have to be specific in your needs with the scent.  Unless you know how to craft and make stick incense yourself, you are limited to the choices available to you and there is a chance that the incenses will not be made will all natural only herbal ingredients.  This incense would not be used in placed where you can not burn things.  The benefit is that there are many different scents and varities out there so you can likely find something that will suit your need.

You also have cone or shaped incenses.  These are a little less popular than the stick incense.  Here the incense is placed in a fire safe container and lit.  The incense burns down into an ash form based on the shape.  The charcoal, oils, and herbs are pressed together to make this form.  So in order for this to burn you simply light the incense cone and place it in the burner.

Like the stick incense, cone incense are limited to the scents and styles sold by suppliers and may have synthetic scents to them rather than all natural pure herbal ingredients.  The other issue is that it can not be used in a place where burning incense is forbidden. The benefit is that there are many different scents and varieties out there so you can likely find something that will suit your need.

The last form of incense is the one that is commonly used in ritual work.  This is a loose based powdered incense.  Here the incense is completely based all natural.  It is just the herbs blended and ground together for a specific purpose.  The herbs are carefully chosen for their properties and only occasionally their scent.  These incense blends are mixed in a mortar and pestle most often and burned on a charcoal disk in a censor on the altar.    This is the form of incense that Mystic Echoes crafts and sells.

The issues here are that you are limited to charcoal and censors for working with this incense.  The other issue is that the charcoal may not stay lit the entire ritual.  The largest benefit is that because these are made by hand you can ensure that only natural and herbal ingredients are included.  You have full control over the content of the incense.

Conclusion

So this week we have covered the different types of incenses, how they can be used and why people use them.  The entry also covered the benefits and detriments to each form of incense that is out there.  By reading this article you have a better idea of what sort of incenses are out there and which one you may want to use.

Mystic Echoes currently sells tinctures which can be used as a liquid incense like an essential oil and loose powdered herbal incenses.  Both of these product lines have been handcrafted and created for your individual use.    Check out our Magical Incenses and ourMagical Tinctures

Next weeks Pagan Blog project will talk about how you can craft your own magical incenses and will explain how our incense crafting began.

Posted in Herbal Magic, Magic, Magical Crafts, Magical Herbalism, Magical incense, Magical Incenses, Magical Tinctures, Magical Tinctures, Mystic Echoes, Mystic Echoes Products, Pagan Blog Project, Witchcraft

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H: Health and Wellness Tincture

Apr 18

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Health and wellness Tincture

This is a magical curio only and not a medicinal item and is for external use only. The focus of this tincture is to bring out natural healing energies within the body and to allow those energies to flow easier through the body. It was crafted to aid in healing rituals and spells but can be an effective spell on its own.

This particular blend was developed to assist in Reiki treatments. Many healers enjoy using incenses and oils as a part of their treatment, however not everyone and everyplace allows the burning of incense. This tincture can be used as a liquid incense. By crafting a liquid alternative Mystic Echoes provides an herbal product that will allow a healing herbal scent to be present in a room without being overwhelmed. Its designed to be used just like any other oils would be.

The Health and Wellness Tincture is an infusion of Lavender, Peppermint, Spearmint, Ginkgo Leaf. Each of these herbs were chosen for their associations with health, healing, and overall well being. Many of these herbs work healing magic in multiple ways. This allows the tincture to work on many different types of healing rites and services.

Ginkgo leaf is an herb that has seen popularity in iced tea drinks. This is an excellent herb for some base natural healing energy. It boosts your own vitality and inner systems. Ginkgo leaf specifically works on the circulation of the blood and the body which means vitamins and minerals as well as healing forces. This simple herb works in this tincture as the vessel for distributing the energy through the body through circulation.

Lavender is an herb that is used in multiple different ways medicinally and magically. In this tincture Lavender was chosen for a few reasons. Lavender is an herb that works well when fighting depression and anxiety. This makes it a healing herb for mental health issues. Lavender has additional healing properties in that it brings longevity, peace, and happiness. This herb also works to fight depression by allowing for peaceful nights sleep.

Peppermint and Spearmint were added as a pair of power booster herbs. These two herbs work well as a team for powerful healing and mental focuses. This team provides a force that is natural and energetic that allows for versatility and enjoyable scents around the home. These are two herbs that really should be worked in harmony together in most workings.

Both Spearmint and Peppermint share similar properties Healing is one of the properties. In this tincture the team works as a scent carrier. The scent of peppermint is relaxing and typically brings back pleasant memories. It is this both the relaxation and healing properties together that brought the spearmint and peppermint team into this tincture as an energy booster and a scent provider.

This is a spell ready to be used. You can use this tincture in the same way you would use any magical oil. You can apply it as a perfume/cologne, you can burn it as a smokeless incense, you can anoint a blue or white candle and burn the candle or you can place a few drops on the person or around the place/item to be healed

Available for sale Here & Here

Posted in Crafting products and items, Healing magic, Health and Wellness tincture, Herbal Magic, Magical Tinctures, Magical Tinctures, Mystic Echoes, Mystic Echoes Products, Pagan Blog Project, Reiki, Spiritual healing work

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Pagan Blog Project: Galangal Root

Apr 4

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Also called:It is also known as Low John the Conqueror, Chewing John, Galanga, China Root, India Root, East India Catarrh Root, Lesser Galangal, Rhizoma Galangae, Gargaut, Colic Root, and Kaempferia Galanga.

Galangal Root has many different uses.   Like many different herbs different traditions have different associations and uses of the herb.   This herb like many others has multiple properties and associations thought it is commonly used for only one or two of those items.

There are uses in protection magic, legal aid, hex breaking, lust, health, money, and psychic powers are all properties of Galangal Root.  Most often in Hoodoo the herb is applied to legal and court case working as well as hex breaking.  Occasionally wish granting is also associated with this herb.

Common applications in Hoodoo include chewing the herb and spitting it out with a specific intention to make the spell work.  This can be done infront of court houses for legal aid.  You can also chew on the root while thinking about your wish or desire and then spit it out when chewed completely to have your wish granted.

By wrapping a bill around the root you can and use that charm to bring money to you.  You can also burn incenses of the scrapped and ground root for similar properties.  Other charms include carrying the root in mojo bags for protection and hex breaking.

Available:  For sale:

https://www.etsy.com/listing/165790691/galangal-root?ref=shop_home_active_16

Sources:

Cunningham’s Encyclopedia of Magical Herbs: by Scott Cunningham

http://www.themagickalcat.com/Articles.asp?ID=242

http://www.luckymojo.com/johntheconqueror.html

http://www.pookapages.com/Gruenwold/Magical%20Herbs.htm

Posted in Galangal Root, Herbal Magic, Hoodoo, Magical Traditions, Mystic Echoes Herbal Packets, Pagan Blog Project, Uncategorized, Witchcraft

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Psychic and spiritual development herbal kit

Apr 3

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In spiritual development one of the first things people often develop are some sort of psychic senses. These skills are developed through meditations, energy work, and other exercises often outlined in texts. Many times psychic development is also the first step in developing the skills to practice other forms of magic.

There are many tools to aid in psychic development. There are many different herbs that can be worked with to create incenses, powders, tinctures, and other charms and tools to help one strengthen their psychic senses. The herbs in this kit have been hand chosen to help the novice psychic create incenses and other tools to open the paths to the psychic and spiritual realms.

The herbs in this kit can also aid in astral travel and spirit work outside of the physical body. These techniques are other forms of psychic development and psychic work. These herbs can also aid in shamanic trance work. By aiding in all forms of psychic work from divination to meditation, to astral travel and trance work these herbs also work as powerful aids in spiritual development.

By working on and developing your skills psychically you can develop relationships with spirits. You can interact with spirits and Gods. Through these psychic skills and spiritual developments your connection with the universe around you and the mysteries will grow and you will become a more complete and whole person.

This kit contains:
Marigold
Star Anise Seeds
Mugwort
Spearmint
Ginkgo Leaf

Available:
https://www.etsy.com/listing/184961904/psychic-spiritual-development-herbal?ref=related-0

Posted in Herb, Herbal Magic, Herbal, incense, spell and ritual kits, Mystic Echoes, Mystic Echoes Products, Psychic and Spiritual development kit, Psychic Development, Psychic Development, spell

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Incenses and Magical Powders by Mystic Echoes

Mar 23

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The following packets are magical powders that also work as incenses crafted and sold by Mystic Echoes.

Magical powders can be applied in many different ways.  You can sprinkle magical powders in the area of the effect (such as around the home for protection or around your business for money and succsess).  You can add them to baths and washes and apply them to the body when they are infused with water.  You can also carry them in sachets.

The powders by Mystic Echoes are unique.  These powders can also be used as incenses.  You can burn the loose herbal powders on a charcoal block and let the elements of fire and air activate the spell.  You can also with this attribute combine the sachets, sprinkling, baths, and incense all into one super charged ritual!

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https://www.etsy.com/listing/165798767/happiness-incense-blend?ref=related-5

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https://www.etsy.com/listing/165797535/banishing-incense-blend?ref=related-6

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https://www.etsy.com/listing/165800097/love-incense-blend?ref=related-5

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https://www.etsy.com/listing/165801801/money-incense-blend?ref=related-2

 

Posted in Herbal Magic, Hoodoo, Magic, Magical Incenses, Mystic Echoes Products, Witchcraft, Witchcraft

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Review: The Conjure workbook by Mama Starr

Mar 21

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The Conjure Workbook Volume 1: Working the Root is an excellent tome on Southern Conjure work. When I picked up this tome I knew that it was going to be full of Christian mysticism and biblical references. That is what Hoodoo and conjure is. The Southern Hoodoo and conjure traditions are a mixture of folk beliefs from pre-slave days in Africa and the various Christian faiths in the south. This was how the slaves were able to hold on to a bit of their previous culture and identity.

If those who are looking to learn about Hoodoo and conjure work are expecting information to come from a pagan perspective and are looking at this work they will be disappointed. Mama Starr is very clear about her roots and the roots of Southern Conjure which are in Christian belief systems of the south. While she does say that you can be of any belief system and still work the spells and rituals she provides, unless you respect the Bible and understand that it is filled with lore, spells, and practices you will not get anything out of this book.

The author begins the book by discussing the work of ancestors. Here the author begins explaining one of the core concepts and beliefs across Conjure/Hoodoo/Rootwork traditions. There is an overall belief in an existence of an afterlife and that our ancestors will be there to answer us. The author starts by describing how they help us and work with us and finally ends with setting up an altar to venerate and pray to your ancestors.

I mentioned the importance of respect for the Bible as a sacred text and as a book of power as that is the second topic discussed in the book. As I said early on the author is clear in that this book is a southern conjure book which is going to have referenced to the Bible in there. Most of the references are in the Old Testament but they are still Bible references.

After working with the ancestors is covered, crafting altars and work spaces is discussed, and the Bible is mentioned as an important source the Author gets into the spirits and beings that are often worked with in her practice of Hoodoo. Prior to reading this book I was aware of the work with the archangels and the saints. Here I learned of new spirits and beings also associated with Conjure as well as how we can even work with the prophets in the bible.

Each being mentioned came with several different prayers and ways that you can work with them. These early workings are here to give you an idea about the powers each spirit has. These workings also introduce you to the concepts of repeating works, and how actual effort is put into the work. The author makes it clear that these things are repeated several times for effectiveness.

As the book continues the author mentions and focuses on another core belief in rootworking traditions. That belief and practice is one of divination. Starr provides many different ways of working divination including a very traditional practice of reading the bones. While the actual practice of bone reading is not discussed, the author does include its history of use. The author included a photo of her own bone set.

As the book continues the author continues an easy to follow step by step instruction on workings. The author also continues her straight talk. The author is very serious about their work and their tradition. Throughout the book the author mentions how some of these works are dangerous and are not to be simply played with. She does this not to discourage people from doing these works, but to encourage people to take the work seriously.

The author does speak only of their own tradition and practices. While the author does give you all the information you need to create your own Hoodoo/Conjure practice she does encourage you to find an actual teacher to learn more complex works. As an example the author explains why some packet spells written by other authors aren’t as effective as they could be because of folding the paper of the packet in a different manner than she was taught with an explanation of why the other method may actually backfire.

This book is filled with practical information. With the authors attitude, explanations, and the step by step processes in the book the tome The Conjure Workbook volume 1: Working the Root provides everything you need to know in order to effective start working your own spells and rituals. By working the spells in the book you develop understanding of associations and correspondences which can be useful in creating your own effective spells.

Posted in Affirmations, Altar Maintenence, Altar setup, Altars, Ancestors, Ancestors, Ancestral Veneration, Ancestral worship, Angelic Magic, Angels, Book Reviews, conjure, Daily rituals, Folk Magic, Folk Magic Traditions, Herbal Magic, Hoodoo, Hoodoo, Hoodoo Powders, How to and recies, Incense and Powder recipies, Magic, Magic, magic, Magic, Magical Powders, Magical Practice, Magical Traditions, Metaphysics, Mojo bags, Prayer, Psychic Development, Reviews, rootwork, Spells, Spirit Guides, Spiritual development, Spiritual healing work, Witchcraft

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Pagan Blog Project: C is for Crafting Protection Salt

Mar 21

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Witchcraft is a craft and a practice.  As a witch I spend a lot of time crafting different incenses for rituals and for spells.  I also spend time crafting spells and rituals.  There are many different types of items that can be crafted and built.  Today we are going to talk about an item I call protection salt.

Protection salt is in some ways related to Black Salt.  The idea behind protection salt is that it will protect your house and home as well as defend your home.  Protection salt works both to keep spirits and negative forces away but it also works to cause harm to those spirits and forces that would wish you harm.

Protection salt is really easy to craft and it is very effective.  There are very few items used in the recipe and it takes little to no time to craft the items yourself.  It takes little to no time and is one of the most effective items I have crafted in recent history.

Materials:

Blender/grinder

Bottle or container

Sea salt 9 table spoons

Dragons blood 3 table spoons

Nettle leaf 3 table spoons

White sage 3 table spoons

Dragon Fire protection tincture 1 1/2 table spoons

Wand or athame to stir

Process:

Measure out the sea salt.  Put the sea salt in the grinder

Measure out the Nettle leaf.  Add it to the grinder.  Mix with your wand or athame

Add the white sage and mix with your wand or athame.

Add the last dry herb (the dragons blood) and mix with the wand or the athame.

Cover the grinder/blender and mix them into a fine powder.

Stir the mixture with your wand or athame.

Call upon the arch angel Michel and the dragons of protection to fill the salt with their power.

Direct Michel power and the dragons power into the salt mixture.  Blend with your athame or wand.

Finally add in the Dragons Fire tincture.  Feel even more Dragon energy and sacred protection energy filling the blender.

Once more blend the mixture.

As it blends focus on protection and defense of your home, office, or even car.  See the mixture radiating both protective and defensive energy.

Bottle the mixture in a bottle or container and label it.

Use:

Sprinkle the mixture on all the windowsills and under all the doors in your home.  Sprinkle the mixture on the floors in every room, on your porch, on your steps, and in your drive way.  This seals the protection around the building and within the building.

The tinctures addition to the mixture allows the salt to stick better to the windowsills, doors and steps.

Items mentioned:

image

Available: https://www.etsy.com/listing/161383786/dragon-fire-protection-tincture?ref=shop_home_feat_2

image

Available: https://www.etsy.com/listing/163604756/powdered-dragons-blood-resin?ref=shop_home_active_11

image

Available: https://www.etsy.com/listing/161392601/white-sage?

Good luck on crafting your own Protection Salt.  If you have any questions feel free to ask me.  I will more than gladly help you understand why I used the items I used and how they work as a combination,

Posted in Crafting products and items, Dragon Fire Protection, Folk Magic, Herbal Magic, Hoodoo, Hoodoo Powders, Magic, Magical Crafts, Magical Herbalism, Magical Powders, protection magic, Protection spell, Spell Casting, Witchcraft

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RootWork:Using the Folk Magick of the Black America for Love, Money, and Success

Dec 27

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Rootwork: Using the Folk Magick of Black America for Love, Money, and Success is a very short and concise book. The author clearly wanted to provide a short and easy to read introduction to the practice of Hoodoo. The author wanted to provide a book where the individuals reading could come away feeling at least on a surface level familiar with the topic of Hoodoo and what Hoodoo was.

The short book covers history, the practice, and provides some simple spells and recipes that a novice could use to start their practice. The book is divided up into three parts. Each of the sections of the book provided insightful information but could have been more in depth.

The first part of the book covers the basics which includes the history and some of the basic cultural influences that have made Hoodoo what it is today. This section also defines what Hoodoo is and how it is different from the religion and spirituality of Voodoo. The section also does a basic introduction into the beliefs behind Hoodoo or Rootwork into why this system works. With any folk magic tradition it is essential to understand the culture and the history of the culture the magic system comes from. Without these understandings the practical aspects of the system become useless and one will never really understand what the system has to provide.

The first chapter in the book covers what Hoodoo is as a practice. This is probably one of the most essential chapters in this book. Here the author illustrates why Hoodoo is actually a different system than voodoo. It is also here that we begin to understand the role that Hoodoo played within the slave communities during the years that the slave trade existed. The author also barely covers how the practice managed to survive and adapt. This is also where we see how important herbs played in the roles of the lives of the African Americans historically.

The second chapter covers the history of Hoodoo. Here we see why the practice basically disappeared thanks to regulations in the US regarding slaves and congregations. This chapter also explains why there are various regional differences in southern and central America as well as within the Caribbean Islands that you will not find in the United States tradition of Hoodoo. This is due to the culture of those regions and how easily the slaves were able to adapt their native practices to that of the practices of the slave owners. The author’s main point in these illustrations is that Hoodoo arose out of the slave trade and it is important that we never forget that Hoodoo was and is the connection African Americans have to their native ancestral tribal practices.

Here the author explains that Hollywood has bee one of the biggest contributors to the misunderstanding of hoodoo as a magical practice rather than a religious practice. It is thanks to Hollywood that Hoodoo is seen as an evil practice rather than a rich system of healing spells and life work. While it is true they had spells and practices to harm others and defend the family, Hoodoo originated as a healing system as the slaves could not afford traditional medical care.

The author also illustrates within the chapter the reasons that a person may practice Hoodoo. Given the origins of the tradition and the terrible history of slavery it is a solid question. The authors answers are simple. The author provides 5 simple reasons that any one of African descent may want to practice or learn Hoodoo. The two reasons I found most inspiring are to connect to your ancestors log dead and for spiritual and personal growth and empowerment.

The third chapter and final portion of part one is about how Hoodoo works. Before going into the basic techniques and practices of Hoodoo one should have a basic understanding of the beliefs associated with this tradition. The six commonly held beliefs of Hoodoo Rootworkers forms the basis of how the tradition works. A perfect way to end the first part of the book.

The second part of the book provides some insight as to what the practice of Hoodoo may entail. This section of the book is aptly titled “Elements of Rootwork”. This section of the book is not meant to be a practicum or how to. This is a section that talks about the practices you will find in the how to section. A few of the techniques and practices have some exercises on how to perform that particular practice or use that skill. Overall the segment of the book was designed to introduce you to the basic skills and practices you may find a Hoodoo or a Rootworker engaging in.

The fourth chapter in this book starts off the elements section. For those who are familiar with European systems of magic you may be surprised to find a chapter on the elements and how the elemental forces of earth, air, fire, and water, are used in Hoodoo. This chapter covers how each element has a specific type of magical act that may be used as well as the properties of that element. The concepts here are new and useful to those coming from a European background looking for other ways they can work with the elemental forces of magic.

The fifth chapter in the book covers talismans and charms. Out of all the practices associated with Hoodoo the practices of talismans and charms is probably the most thought of and common one. Here the author goes into some of the traditional Hoodoo charms and talismans that many people are not familiar with covering the use of herbs as talismans by themselves as well as covering the use of human and animal parts. There is also a section on how to most effectively place the talisman or charm for its effect called “laying a trick”.

The sixth chapter in this book covers spirits of the dead. The chapter begins by discussing the types of spirits of the dead that one can experience and meet. The book then goes on to how to honor them and provides a few different examples on how one can communicate with them.

The last chapter in this section covers the various forms of divination that a Hoodoo practitioner may engage in. There are many different methods of divination. The author here explains why divination is engaged in prior to spell and ritual work. The majority of this chapter covers how to perform divination using simple day to day playing cards.

The final section of the book is the one that I was most eagerly interested as a reader which was the selection of spells and recipes to try. The final section of this book is what brings the book from an informative book about the history, practices, and tradition into a practical handbook.

The eighth chapter of this book focuses on what one needs to know before one can actually practice or use the spells and rituals outlined in the following chapters. This very short chapter is essential as it provides a few guidelines to using the spells effectively.

The remaining three chapters are made up of spells and rituals that are written in a step by step manner making them easy to use. Each of the spells contains a list of materials that are required followed by a list of actions and steps to take. Some of the spells have ingredients or actions mentioned earlier in the elemental magic section, but when combined the spells provide useful tools for creating a basic practice.

To end the author provides a selection of providers for spell and ritual supplies. Combined with the spells earlier and the techniques outlined throughout the book this final touch creates a useful handbook for any one to use. Together with the spells the providers and the authors make Hoodoo accessible in the 21st century to a wider selection of people than ever before.

 

Posted in Book Reviews, Folk Magic, Herbal Magic, Hoodoo, Hoodoo Powders, Magical Crafts, Magical Herbalism, Magical Powders, protection magic, Protection spell, Reviews, Spell Casting

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