Rose Ariadne's Chitchcraft Blog

Dear Friends,

Say the word cauldron to a non-pagan, and most people get the image of a wrinkled old crone stirring eye of newt or wing of bat into the cauldron. While those of us “in the know” understand that such images are not only false, but somewhat amusing, cauldrons and witches do seem to go hand-in-hand.

The reality is, a cauldron is a very handy tool to have in your magick box, as it can be used for a variety of things. Cauldrons are of course excellent for mixing potions, but they can also be used as a fire pit, an incense burner or even a potpourri pot. Some witches may never actually use their cauldron to perform magick, but still have one none-the-less as a magickal element upon their altar. The cauldron is symbolic of the Goddess, making it an excellent choice as an altar decoration. The shape of the cauldron is representative to the womb, a symbol of birth or rebirth. This makes it a powerful tool for use in purification rituals or spells that represent a new start.

If you have never purchased a cauldron, there are some things that you should take into consideration before spending your hard earned cash. First, you must determine exactly what you will be using your cauldron for. If you will indeed be using your cauldron to brew potions by fire, or exposing it to heat in any way, you should absolutely make certain that you choose a cauldron made from cast iron. Cast iron is a strong and durable material that will keep fire contained, making safer for use both indoors and out.

Most cauldrons that you find will be made from cast iron, both large and small. However, some cauldrons sold in specialty stores will be made from other materials like ceramic or enamel. These cauldrons are still suitable for some uses, but should never be used with fire. If you will only be using your cauldron as a decorative touch or for holding non-flammable items, these cauldrons are sufficient and normally not as expensive as cast iron.

If you will be using your cauldron to brew potions, look for a cauldron that comes with a fitted lit and carrying handle. This will make it easier to move if necessary, and in some spells or rituals you may actually need to cover the pot with a tight fitting lid for the spell to work properly. It is also important to consider the size of the pot you will need before you make your purchase. While it may seem more prudent at first to buy the largest cauldron you can find or afford, it is not always the smartest idea. A large cast iron cauldron will be heavy! This may make it harder for you to move around safely, especially if it is full of liquid. Unless you know for a fact that you will be working with a large amount of materials, a medium size cauldron of about six to eight inches in diameter is usually sufficient for most spell work.

One of my favorite uses of a cauldron is scrying. It is easy to use almost any size cauldron for a scrying ritual, though a medium size pot does make it a bit easier to focus on the visions that unfold. For such a ritual, I simply fill the pot with fresh, clean water. I personally like to use clean spring water that I have let be cleansed and charged for a few hours in the sun. This is not necessary, but in my opinion is better than using tap water which may be loaded with man-made chemicals. Once the cauldron is filled, I will toss in a handful of Marigold petals, fresh if they are available though dried will work fine in the off-season as well. I will burn incense that will aid me in my ritual, such as frankincense or lemongrass to increase clarity, or cinnamon to enhance my psychic intuitions.

As I gaze into the water, I allow my mind to clear and as the Goddess to grant me a vision of the future. Make sure to not focus on one event that you wish to learn of, rather keep an open mind to be granted the ability to see what the Goddess desires you to see.

Make sure to treat your cauldron as you would any of your other tools; with respect and care. Clean the cauldron after each use, and dry it thoroughly to prevent it from rusting. As with any magick tools, if you treat your cauldron with care it will serve you well for many years to come.

Brightest Blessings,

Rose Ariadne
Your Warm and Caring “Resident Witch in Charge”

Dear Students,

I must apologize for neglecting the blog for the past few weeks. Due to the Simple Spell Casting E-Kit, and all the work around it, I just didn’t have time to post. But I’m back on track now… I really need a vacation! Speaking of “vacations”… next time you take one, why not make it Magickal?

Planning a family vacation is often stressful enough without having the additional worry of how your home will fare when you are away. Constantly fretting over a burglar breaking in or some freak storm causing damage to your home can really prevent you from having a good time while you are away.

There are a number of different spells and methods of protection that can be used to add an additional layer of protection to your home while your family will be gone. Now, it’s important to remember that using these magickal methods of protection is meant to be an additional means of protection. Common sense and good judgment should still be your first priority in protecting your home while everyone is absent. Lock your doors and windows, turn off all unnecessary appliances, have a trusted friend or family member check on your home occasionally; all of these things are still essential in helping to keep your sanctuary safe. However, unless you are having a round-the-clock house sitter keep an eye on things, it also can’t hurt to add a few layers of magickal protection as well.

There are many methods of magick that can be used to protect your home. You can use just one, or employ a variety for a strong circle of protection. I personally enjoy making an easy potion that can be left in the home while I’m away, or even be left in place when my family is home. This particular potion and spell can be used to protect both your home and the people and items within it. To make the spell, you will first need to gather your materials. Fortunately, you probably already have many of these ingredients already in your kitchen. For those you don’t have, you should be able to easily find that at your local grocery store. To make your protection potion you will need:

A medium size jar with a lid
Enough salt to almost fill the jar
5 cloves of garlic
5 tablespoons of dill seed
5 tablespoons of anise seed
5 tablespoons of dried basil
5 tablespoons of dried fennel
5 tablespoons of dried sage
5 bay leaves
5 tablespoons of black pepper

Place all of the ingredients into separate small bowls upon your altar, with a large bowl in the center to mix the ingredients in. Cast your circle to begin working your magick. Start by placing the salt into the bowl and say “Salt that protects, protect my home and all that is within.” Continue adding each ingredient into the bowl with the same chant, only changing the name of the ingredient added. Do not mix the ingredients as they are added, you want to wait until all ingredients are in the bowl.

Once you have added each ingredient, slowly mix all of the herbs together using your hands. Envision positive, protective energy coming through your body and into the ingredients. Visualize your home being enclosed in a shining, safe white light. Pour the ingredients into the jar and tightly seal the lid. If you desire, you can light a white candle and melt a small amount of wax around the seal of the jar to add an additional seal. Place the jar in a secure location in your home. When leaving my home, I will usually place the jar right by the front door. Otherwise, I will place the jar in a hall closet or somewhere else that it will not be tampered with. When you place the jar in its secure spot, say the following words, “Salt and herbs contained inside, protect and guard this home of mine.”

This is just one method of home protection that can be used while you are away from your home that will add an extra layer of protection and help give you a sense of security while you travel. Another method of protection that you can use is to bury crystals around your home or property edge that are known for their protective powers. Some crystals, such as quartz, riverstone, ruby and halite, work better for protecting your home or other buildings than others. Cleanse the crystals before use to rid them of any negative energy, and bury them around your home to help add an additional layer of protection.

These are just a few of the methods that can be used to help protect your home while you are away. Of course, these methods can be used anytime, whether you will be away from home or not. You may be surprised at how much that extra little bit of security will help put your mind at ease and help you have a great vacation without stressing as much about how things are at home.

Brightest Blessings,

Rose Ariadne
Your Warm and Caring “Resident Witch in Charge”

Dear Friends,

Expanding some more on the topics of beliefs that I have been discussing lately, I wanted to share with you all how to make a beliefs braid. Making a beliefs braid is a wonderful way to help open yourself to growth, self-reflection and change. It is a very easy thing to do, and can work wonders with your spiritual growth.

To make a beliefs braid you will need to gather three lengths of cord, yarn or twine. Avoid using animal based products like leather or suede. The lengths of cord should be around fifteen inches long. Feel free to personalize the braid as much as you wish. The colors of the cord may vary, and you can also attach beads or stones to the cords to personalize it even further.

Take one strand and hold it in your hands. This strand represents your beliefs, ideas and thoughts. Hold the cord in your hand and concentrate on your beliefs. While holding the cord say:

“Grant me an open mind, to provide me with clear eyes and an open heart to see the world. I open myself to new ideas, and becoming a new person. I am open to new insights and perspectives of thought, and will not close my mind to those beliefs which I do not understand.”

Sit and focus on those words for a few moments, concentrating on the power of your words. Place the strand of cord aside, and pick up the second strand.

This second cord represents resources that will assist you in identifying your beliefs. Once again, hold the cord in your hands. While holding the cord, say the following words:

“I open myself to welcome the resources that are available to me to help me in my spiritual quest. Whether from family, friends, books or other means, grant me the wisdom to listen to these teachers and hear what words they have to share with me.”

Again, sit and focus on the strand for a few moments concentrating on the power of your words. Now place the second strand aside and take hold of the third strand. The third cord represents opportunity. Holding the third cord in your hands, say the following words:

“I open myself to opportunities that are presented to me which will allow me to grow spiritually. I will use an open mind to evaluate and experience new ideas that are presented to me and be thankful for the opportunities that the Universe provides to me.”

Again, focus on your words while holding the third strand. When you are done, gather the three strands together so that the ends are even. Knot one end of the cords together. Using a safety pin, attach the knotted end to something so that both of your hands are free and you can pull the cord to tightly braid it. Begin braiding the three strands together. Each time you cross one string over the other, breath deeply and say “I am open.” When you reach the end, tie off the end of the braid in a knot that will hold the braid together, but will be easy to untie as well.

As you are tying off the braid, say:

“I am granting myself permission to be open to who I am truly meant to be. I am taking responsibility for my own personal and spiritual growth, and accept that my beliefs are truly my own.”

Carry the braid with you taking it out and touching it occasionally. Once a week, untie the knot at the end and undo the braid. Slowly re-tie the braid once more. As you are re-braiding, repeat “I am open” with each crossing, or feel free to change the words to reflect how you feel at that moment such as “I am growing” or “I am searching” or things to that nature. Do this once a week for four weeks. At the end of a month, place the braid into a place of safe keeping.

Making a beliefs braid is a wonderful ritual that will help you to open your mind, examine new beliefs and help you to grow in many ways. It is a task that you can perform once, or many times if you feel the need. Your beliefs are important to determining who you are as a person, and self-reflection of those beliefs can never be over-performed.

Brightest Blessings,

Rose Ariadne
Your Warm and Caring “Resident Witch In Charge”

Dear Friends,

Curing a hangover? Are you thinking to yourselves, “Why Rose, have you been enjoying the ceremonial wine too much?” While there are some spells you can use for getting rid of an alcohol hangover, the type which I am going to discuss today is the magickal hangover that many of us often experience after performing a strong and powerful spell.

At some point, all of us have experienced. Even beginners that may be working with more mild magick may have that feeling afterwards of fatigue and general malaise. Magick takes a great deal of energy from our body and can sometimes leave us feeling drained, tired and out of sorts. On the plus side, a magickal hangover is usually a sign that the magick we performed was strong and successful. But on the other hand, it can be something that can leave us feeling so tired that it can actually make us ill if left unchecked.

One of the best ways to cure your magickal hangover is to take preventative measures before you begin to work your magick. Make sure that you are feeling well before you begin your spell or ritual. You should never perform magick when you are ill anyway, and doing so can make your magickal hangover even worse. Before beginning your spell, practice the proper cleansing rituals that you should perform, and consume healthy foods and herbal teas that will provide your body the extra energy it needs from becoming too drained.

Even so, regardless of what precautionary measures you take there are still going to be those times when your magick is so strong, and just sucks the energy right out of you. You may not immediately feel it, but within a few hours your body is going to start signaling loud and clear that it is going in to hangover mode. Many times, a good nights sleep soon after you finish your spell will help prevent that from occurring. Other times though, you may wake up and still feel very drained and tired, and know that the magickal hangover is taking over.

In these cases, you need to recharge your energy to what it was before the spell or ritual took place. Your personal energy needs to remain strong all of the time, so as soon as you notice the signs of fatigue you will need to start finding a way to rebuild that energy. Sometimes, it will not take much for that power to be restored. Simple chanting, dancing and singing may be able to boost your energy levels to where they need to be. Other times it may take more. Many of you probably already have a preferred method of gathering energy from the Earth. This is definitely one of those times to employ those methods to help recharge your batteries and help you to feel energized once again.

Over the years the best way I have found to prevent this magickal hangover from occurring is to perform such a recharging not too long after I perform my ritual. This method is not without it downsides though. If I perform the ritual early in the evening knowing within a few hours I will be going to bed, I have to be careful how much energy I absorb from the Earth otherwise I’ll never be able to sleep that night. As with all things though, practice makes perfect so you simply need to practice at the best way for you to restore your energy until you find the perfection that works for you.

Don’t let yourself be taken over by a magickal hangover. The lack of energy that you experience after a spell can actually cause your body to become run down and ill if you do not take care of it properly. While they do signal a job well done, a magickal hangover is not something you want to wear around as a sign of accomplishment.

Brightest Blessings,

Rose Ariadne
Your Warm and Caring “Resident Witch In Charge”