As you wind your way up the path to the Magickal Cottage, knock on the door, for you are most welcome! The kettle is about to boil and I’ll brew us some tea so we can sit and discuss how to create a magickal life. Merry Meet!
I couldn’t let this rare full moon go by without mentioning a great way to capture some of that amazing moon energy.
Witch’s knots have been used for ages to capture the energy of the environment to be used at a later date inspell work.
Here is a short how-to to get you started on your blue moon witch’s knot:
Under the light of the full moon start with a length of ribbon, yarn or cord about the length of your forearm or longer. Tie a knot in one end. I used blue to correspond to the blue moon.Cross the ribbon like you are tying a knot.Start to pull the ribbon through the hole but don’t pull in all the way through. Pull the loop of ribbon so it’s taut. You have created a slip knot. Tie two more to total 3 slip knots. You might want to practice tying some knots before you do the actual spell under the full moon.
Here are the words to chant as you tie each of the knots:
knot of one, light reflects the Sun,
knot of two, with shinning Moon that’s Blue!
knot of three, encaptured Samhain’s magic be!!!
Blessed knots now tied and true
Charged, now, through and through!
So mote it be!
-Chant composed by Iriss Firebird
When you want to release the energy stored in your knots in spell work or for those times when you might need some of that Samhain blue moon energy, just pull on the end without the regular knot and do so with intent!And so it is!The energy is released!
Back where you started!
I hope you use this opportunity to harness the moon’s energy to enhance your magick. I also plan to charge up some more full moon water. This spell should actually be good for the next couple of nights after Samhain as long as the moon is full.
Whatever you decide to do, I hope you are able to take some time to enjoy a blessed Samhain blue moon!
The Samhain of 2020 will occur around the time of a full moon, and not only will it be a full moon, but a blue moon! Well, ya know we are living in crazy times, but what could be more appropriate?
A blue moon, in case you didn’t know, is the second full moon in a calendar month. It’s kind of rare for there to be a full moon at Samhain. It happens about every 19 1/2 years. But when it occurs it is always a blue moon. Blue moons carry some extra powerful full moon magick!
I wanted to sweeten things up for this special Witches’ New Year, so I brewed up some Pumpkin Full Moon Cakes to serve for the ritual cakes and ale. This is a one bowl recipe that is easy to mix up. I made them vegan because I’m that kind of kitchen witch. You can make them gluten free by substituting your favorite gluten free baking mix (it should say on the package if you can substitute it one for one with all purpose flour).
You can be creative with these little cakes and add seeds, nuts, raisins, eye of newt, etc. if you like. I hope you enjoy them as you toast to the god and goddess at this special time!
To bake these little moon cakes you will need:
1/2 cup vegan butter or margarine, softened
1/4 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 TB ground flax seed that you have soaked a few minutes in 3 Tb warm water
1/2 cup pumpkin purée
1/4 tsp. allspice
1/4 tsp. nutmeg
1/4 tsp. cloves
1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
Preheat your oven to 350 and line your baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicon baking mat.
In a bowl cream the vegan butter and both sugars until they are well combined.
Add that flax seed and water mixture and combine well.
Then add the pumpkin purée and mix well.
Next, add the spices, vanilla, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Mix well to combine.
Now add the flour and combine all the ingredients until you have a lovely fluffy dough. If you want to add anything like nuts or raisins now is the time to fold those in. Start with 1/2 cup of those bits and add more to your taste if needed.
You will be using a regular ice cream scoop to measure each cake. Use a 1/2 cup measuring cup if you don’t have a scoop.
Place each cake on the cookie sheet and leave plenty of room for them to expand as they bake.
Bake them and check to see if they are set after 15 mins. Baking time is 15-18 mins. If you choose to make these cookie sized then check them at 12 minutes.
I mixed a little granulated sugar and cinnamon together and sprinkled it on the cakes after they came out of the oven. This makes about 10 moon cakes.
May you enjoy the blessings of Samhain with your near and dear. And let me know how these Pumpkin Full Moon Cakes turned out for you!
Ah, the witches’ mirror! Such a wonderful mysterious tool! Mirrors have been used in magick across all cultures for millennia. Especially valued for scrying and divination, mirrors can also be charged for warding, increasing prosperity, glamours, healing and…pretty much you name it!
I could write a book about magick mirrors but, hey, that’s already been done! I highly recommend Mickie Mueller’s book, The Witch’s Mirror: The Craft, Lore & Magick of the Looking GlassAvailable on Amazon
I have been wanting to create a black mirror for scrying ever since I experienced the magickal depths of the black mirror created by my friend, Firebird. I finally gathered the supplies I needed the other day and crafted my mirror! I can’t wait to use it for divination at the upcoming dark moon.
I filmed a YouTube video showing how I created my mirror which you can view here: DIY Black Mirror
Now I need to charge my mirror and I plan to use a fluid condenser to help in the enchantment. I will gather the following supplies:
1/4 c vodka or everclear; 1/2 c dried mugwort (I’m using a combo of native mugwort and artemesia vulgaris ; 1 cup water (remember that moon water from my last post?) 😉You will also need 9 drops of colloidal silver
Also have on hand a small enamel or glass pot with a lid for cooking (no metal) and a dark colored bottle for storing your fluid condenser.
Place your mugwort and water on the stove in your pot and bring to a boil. Let it simmer away at a low boil for 20 mins. As you watch the brew, visualize the power of the energies of the contents in your cooking pot magnifying.
Place the lid on your pot and remove it from the heat. DON’T lift the lid! No peeking!
Once the brew is cool, strain the contents of the pot into a jar or cup using a coffee filter or cheesecloth. You are saving the liquid.
Place the liquid back in the pot and boil it again until it measures about 1/4 cup. Don’t let it boil dry. Let this liquid cool, pour it into your bottle and add your alcohol and colloidal silver. Cap the bottle, label it and you are good to go!
Your fluid condenser should keep a long time. I’m talking probably years. Happy enchanting! You can use this stuff on all your magickal tools and in spells.
I will personally be using this magickal solution to cleanse the surface of my mirror as I intend for the mirror to be charged to bring me helpful visions and messages for my highest good. As I cleanse the mirrored surface with my solution and soft cloth, I might say, “May this black mirror be charged, May the insights flow, For the highest good may my wisdom grow. SO MOTE IT BE!” Or you can come up with your own charm. Personalizing is always best, IMO.
At the dark moon I plan to cast a circle. Check out my video to see how to do this: Casting a Circle. Then, I will try the technique mentioned in Mickie’s book of placing my non dominant handin front of the mirror and my other hand in back of it with palms facing the mirror. I will move my hands in a clockwise motion nine times to open the portal of the mirror. Then say, “This portal is open! SO MOTE IT BE!”
Candles and incense and a quiet place where you can scry without distraction would be a good addition to the scene, I might add. Soften your gaze as you look into the depths of your black mirror. You may have psychic visions, but be open to receiving messages through your other psychic senses as well. Maybe you will get a feeling about a question you have, a sense of knowing, or a phrase or name might pop into your head. Divination takes practice so relax and let it happen at its own pace. You might want to have a divination journal nearby to record any insights you are given.
When you are finished with your scrying close the portal on your mirror by placing your hands around the mirror as before and circle them counter clockwise. Say, “The portal is closed! SO MOTE IT BE!”Then release your circle as shown in the video.
Every so often you might have an urge to recharge your mirror. Use your fluid condenser and charge it as you did before. Trust yourself to know when it feels like the mirror needs recharging.
Many people choose to keep a black mirrorcovered while it is not being used. A black cloth or even a storage box or bag would work well. A rule of thumb is to not expose your black mirror to sunlight.
I hope you enjoy exploring the world ofthe witch’s mirror. May this enchanting tool guide you further along your spiritual path and open a world of new magickal possibilities!
The Magickal Cottage 