Essential Oils for Cleansing

When you feel surrounded by negativity or weighed down by bad habits, use such essential oils as lemon or sage for cleansing; all citrus oils are especially good for stimulating creativity and giving your mind a fresh, clean slate to fill with positive thoughts. Thyme oil is also effective for an energy reboot, and the calming, reassuring properties of lavender will help you stay on track with new, positive habits.

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More ideas for using essential oils can be found at my new website, The Magickal Apothecary.

Vervain Water

Vervain was known in many legends as one of the herbs sacred to the Druids. Although it is often associated with the Summer Solstice, the vervain plant is highly potent in late summer, around the time of Lammas.



In Hoodoo and other folk magic traditions, vervain is used to make Van-Van oil - this is simply a blend of vervain and a base oil, simmered and strained. This oil is used to provide magical protection, and clear away evil energies. In many forms of folklore, vervain is associated with workings that decrease lust - however, the scent of vervain is a well-known aphrodisiac.

In addition to matters of the libido, however, vervain is commonly incorporated as a cleansing herb. You can brew up a batch of vervain water to cleanse your magical tools, asperge around a sacred space, or purify your altar for ritual....

... I am so sorry, but this post has been combined with another, and moved to my new website, the Magickal Apothecary. It can be found here: Vervain Magick and Lore

Blowing Darts

This is a spell to break and remove all the bad energy, negativity, bad luck, hexes, and etc. that others have put on you, or that you have inadvertently collected or allowed.

You will need:

• 1 white candle
• 1 smudge stick OR 1 generous handful of dried sage leaves (not the powder)
• 1 lemon (lemon essential oil - or pure lemon juice will also work)
• 1 paper plate
• black marker or pen...

... I am so sorry to do this to you, but this post has been moved to my new website, Book of Shadows, and can be found in its entirety here: Blowing Darts Banishing Spell 

An Oestara Ritual

The main points of Oestara are those of balance and of spring.

This ritual is best performed outdoors. In advance you will need to collect a small handful of old leaves and write on each something that you would like to be rid of. Also take a small number of seeds or seedlings (if these seedlings come from the seeds you planted at Imbolg, so much the better), one for each new thing that you wish to attain.

Silently ask the elements, the Goddess and the God to be with you, then when you are ready, dig a hole large enough to give space to the seedlings...

... I am so sorry to do this to you, but this post has been moved to my new website, Book of Shadows, and can be found in its entirety here: An Oestara Ritual

Carnation Magick

Ruler: Capricorn, Saturn
Type: Flower
Latin Name: Dianthus caryophyllus
Folk Names: Nelka, Gilliflower, Jove's Flower
Planet: Sun
Element: Fire
Magickal Form: Fresh, dried, essential oil
Basic Powers: Protection, Energy

Used to remove hexes and negative energy, the carnation is especially good for clearing out love problems. Brush flowers down your body to cleanse. After reaching the feet, break the stems to trap and hold the negative energy....

... I am so sorry, but this post has been moved to my new website, Magickal Ingredients, and can be found in its entirety here: Carnation Magick and Lore

Hyssop Magick and Lore

Hyssop, (Hyssopus officinalis) is the herb that purifies your life.

Hyssop will:

• Protect you and your home
• Purify your altar or sacred space
• Dispel depression

How to harness Hyssop's magical properties:

To remove negativity, tie a bunch of hyssop branches together to create a symbolic broom. Then use it to sweep your home, removing any negative energy or spirits....

... I am so sorry, but this post has been moved to my new website, Magickal Ingredients, and can be found in its entirety here: Hyssop Magick and Lore

Egyptian New Year

According to some calendars, August 1st is the Egyptian New Year. So if you'd like to rethink those New Year's Resolutions from back in January, or if you'd like to do some spells or rituals for the New Year but don't want to wait another four months, today is a golden opportunity.

"Wipe the slate clean

dream a new dream."

With a little bit of imagination, the above quote can be used to create a spell for new beginnings. Here's an example. You will need a small chalkboard or dry erase board, or a piece of paper, a pencil, and an appropriate eraser....

... I am so sorry but this post has been moved to my new website, The Pagan Calendar, and can be found in its entirety here: Wipe The Slate Clean Day

Purification Bath

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In the privacy of your bathroom, or if possible, in a large "kiddie pool" in your backyard under a full moon, draw a purification bath...

I am so sorry to do this to you, but this post has been moved to my new website, Book of Shadows (hosted at shirleytwofeathers.com) and can be found in its entirety here: Purification Bath

Moon Bathing and Purification Rites

You will need a cup, bowl, or chalice of silver. Glass is the best substitute. On the night of a full moon, set the chalice outside or in a window to absorb the moon's lunar rays and energy. Leave it there for a few hours before the ritual.

Place the chalice with water in it, in your non-dominant hand and place your other hand over the top of it. To empower the water, say:

"By the silver light of Lady Moon,

By my hand and will so sure...

... I am so sorry to do this to you, but this post has been moved to my new website, Book of Shadows, and can be found in its entirety here: Moon Bathing and Purification Rites

Clear Away The Old With Crystals

There are many aspects of our lives which we would like to improve, but we just can't muster up the willpower. In your time of need, a crystal can come to your aid.

You can program a crystal to help you lose weight stop smoking or overcome any negative attitudes about yourself. For example, you want to stop eating chocolate but just can't. You know you should stop for health reasons but you don't have the will power....

... I am so sorry to do this to you, but this post has been moved to my new website, Book of Shadows, and can be found in its entirety here: Clear Away The Old With Crystals

Visit the Crystal Fountain

The Crystal Fountain is a place of peace and tranquility, you can visit whenever you feel stressed or tired. Here you can ask a question and seek the answer in the waters.

Lie down comfortably, with your arms by your sides and your legs uncrossed, close your eyes and take several deep breaths. Visualize yourself walking through the woods on a Summer's evening. The trees along each side of the path are Oak and Ash and Elm, and they move softly in the gentle night breeze....

... I am so sorry, but this post has been moved to my new website, Book of Shadows, and can be found in its entirety here: Visit The Crystal Fountain

Simple Purification Ritual

What follows is a simple purification ritual that can be used on crystals and stones, and other sacred objects. This rite is best done at sunrise or during the day, on your altar (if you have one) or on any table that can be used for this purpose.

Fill a basin with pure water and place this to the west on the table or altar. Next, light a red candle and set this to the south. Light some incense and place this to the east. Finally, place a dish or flowerpot filled with freshly dug earth to the north on the altar. In between all these objects, set the stone (or stones) to be purified....

... I am so sorry, but this post has been moved to my new website, Book of Shadows, and can be found in its entirety here: Simple Purification Ritual

Spiritual Spring Cleaning

From May 19-28 is the time of the Greek festival of Kallyntaria and Plynteria, a time that is also known as a time for "spring cleaning". Most of us have already started our spring cleaning in various forms, but this particular time of the Sacred Year is dedicated to spiritual cleaning - the cleaning and nurturance of the sacred places.

The Greeks were good at that, and they called this festival Kallyntaria and Plynteria, by which they meant making a special effort to clean the sacred statues of the goddess and god. With all that incense burning and dust gathering, the sacred images get pretty dirty...

... I am so sorry to do this to you, but this post has been moved to my new website, The Pagan Calendar, and can be found in its entirety here: Spiritual Spring Cleaning

To Break a Bad Habit

Here is a simple spell using the cleansing, purifying power of rain:

With water colors or chalk, draw or write the bad habit on a piece of paper. Immediately take it out into the rain....

... I am so sorry but this post has been moved to my new website, Book of Shadows, and can be found in its entirety here: To Break a Bad Habit

The Crossbones Amulet

The crossbones amulet is excellent for removing negative energy, and breaking a hex or any negativity that is or has been sent your way.

The amulet itself is made from two small bones taken from chicken wings. The chicken bones actually absorb and hold negativity. The bones are tied together with black thread in the shape of a solar cross (an equal armed cross).

The procedure is as follows:

Using your basic altar layout, bring with you the following:: two bones, black thread, a white candle, a bottle of ...

... I am so sorry to do this to you, but this post has been moved to my new website, Book of Shadows, and can be found in its entirety here: The Crossbones Amulet

Bad Spirits

From time to time, we are likely to find ourselves the unwitting and unwilling hosts to bad luck entities. These entities can be sent to us by the jealousy and ill-will of others. Sometimes we pick up the negative vibrations when we are out in public; these entities will leap into our auras because we are depressed, angry, upset in any way, or ill. One must be really careful when going to a doctor's office, for example. Stores having big sales are another place where one might inadvertently pick up such creatures. The last category of these bad luck entities consists of the ones we create ourselves through our own negativity.

Because we aren't often aware that we've attracted them, it's a good idea to set up a regular program of thoroughly cleansing your home and your aura. There are many ways to do this.

What follows is a list of links to cleansing, clearing, and banishing spells to rid you of bad spirits and negative vibes:

• About Magickal Floor Washes
• An Ablution For The New Year
• Angelica Floorwash
• Aura Cleansing Floorwash
• Banishing Spell
• Banishing Unpaid Bills, Worry, and Bad Vibes
• Bath Spell for Negativity
• Bath for Protection and Purification
• Bean Throwing Day
• Blowing Darts
• Chasing Trolls
• Cleanse A Home From Negative Energy
• Coconut Candle Cleansing Meditation
• Do A Banishing Spell Today
• Essential Oils for Cleansing
• Expelling Bad Luck Entities
• Feast of the Lemurs
• New Home Floor Wash
• Ocean Water Cleansing Spell
• Simple Sea Salt Magicks
• Spell Against Enemies or Evil
• Spirit of the Sea Spiritual Cleansing Spell
• Top Five Houseplants to Purify Your Living Space
• Unfinished Business
• Vervain Water
• War Water Hex Breaker Bath

Visit Cleansing Spells and/or Banishing Spells for more on this subject published subsequent to this post, and not listed here.

Feast of Purification

Today date marks the Balinese feast of purification , the time of the year when the lord of hell cleans out his underworld lair, and all manner of demons and evil spirits are left to roam Bali free . During this time....when evil is afoot......the natives go to elaborate lengths to purify both their individual homes as well as the island . No corner or stone is left untouched as rites of purification and spells for protection are recounted .

If you'd like to honor this tradition, here is a simple house cleansing ritual from The Real Witches' Year:

You will need a broom, some sea water, or rain water with some sea salt dissolved in it, and an Asperger (optional). Open all the windows and doors in your house and starting from the center sweep the whole house....

... I am so sorry to do this to you, but this post has been moved to my new website, Pagan Calendar, and can be found in its entirety here: Feast of Purification

War Water Hex Breaker Bath

War Water causes hexes but it also repels and removes them. Here's a simple way to use it:

Add War Water to your bathwater. Light a white candle. As you soak, focus on the idea that the water is cleansing you and forming a protective barrier that no negative energy can penetrate. When you finish with the bath...

... I am so sorry to do this to you, but this post has been moved to my new website, Book of Shadows, and can be found in its entirety here: War Water Hex Breaker Bath

Making Holy Water

Holy Water is used to bless people and objects. 

Here is one recipe:

Fill a small bowl or glass with water. Hold your hands over it and say:

"I exorcise thee, oh creature of water,

of all negativity both seen and unseen,

and bless thee in the name of the spirit."

Imagine a small blue-white light filling the water. Take your time. Hold your hand amount of salt and ....

... I am so sorry to do this to you, but this post has been moved to my new website, Magickal Apothecary, and can be found in its entirety here: Making Holy Water

Bean Throwing Day

Themes: Luck; Protection; Cycles; Happiness

Symbols: A Snowflake; Beans 

Color: White

Presiding Goddess: Shirata

About Shirata: This Japanese goddess embodies the first snow, where she glistens and shines with incomparable beauty until she freely and joyfully gives herself to spring's warmth and melts away...

... I am so sorry, but this post has been combined with another and moved to my new website, The Pagan Calendar. You can find it here: Setsubun