Rose Ariadne's Chitchcraft Blog

Dear Friends,

As witches, it is our responsibility to think long and hard before casting a spell to determine whether or not it is the right thing to do. Spells can be very powerful, and magick is not to be misused, which is why it is so important that we do not run around casting spells willy-nilly. However, there are of course going to be those times that we cast a spell and at some point down the road find ourselves with the need to remove or break the spell. Hopefully, this is not something you will have to do often, but in case the need should arise it is best to be prepared.

Removing a spell that you have cast is not really that difficult. You will first need to gather a few items that are essential to this particular cast. First, you will need something which belongs to you. This can be a bead from a piece of jewelry you own or even a piece of jewelry such as a ring or pendant, or some other personal item which is small and can easily be placed in a small piece of material. While it is only natural that you would not want to give up something that is highly valuable to you, in order for your intentions to be made clearly and show that you are serious, it is a sacrifice you must make.

You will also need a few white candles, rosemary oil, dried or fresh Angelica (which has exorcizing properties to help exorcize the spell), a small piece of black fabric (about 4-5 inches square), and a length of string for tying the fabric shut. To start the ritual for breaking the spell, prepare your area as you normally would for any other spell or ritual by casting the circle, etc. Anoint the candles with the rosemary oil before lighting.

Now you must appeal to the powers that be that granted the initial spell to you in the first place. To do so, say something along the lines of:

“The I once cast, I now ask to have removed. As a show of a true spirit and pure intentions, I offer a piece of me to hold the powers of this spell. I sacrifice this so that I may transfer the spell into it, where it can lie sleeping for the rest of it’s days. No further power shall this spell have. I ask you to grant this favor for me. As I will, so mote it be.”

Place the object which you are sacrificing into the center of the cloth, and sprinkle the Angelica around it. Wrap the cloth around the object and Angelica, and then wrap tightly with the length of string so that it is firmly closed shut. Knot of the ends securely, then pour some of the hot wax from the candles onto the knotted ends. Give thanks for the favor of having the spell broken, and close the circle.

Now you will need to dispose of the item. I prefer to take it out into the woods and bury it in an area where it will not be found, though you can just as easily take it and throw it away some where that is far away from your home. The choice of your disposal is completely up to you.

And that my dear friends is how to remove a spell that you have cast that now needs to be removed. Remember, just because it is possible to perform such a spell does not mean you should just run around casting spells because you can later take them back. This behavior is not something that is pleasing to the powers that be, and can come back to haunt you severely in the future. Be responsible, and only cast those spells which you are certain are needed, and hopefully you will never find the need to remove the work which you have done.
Brightest Blessings,

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

Dear Friends,

While it is true that true magick lies within us and is contained in us wherever we go, being what I call a “portable witch” is something a little different. While I do primarily perform the majority of my magick in my own home or on my own property, there are occasions while I am out and about and find myself in need of some of my ritual tools for something that has popped up.

For that reason, I have a little portable ritual kit that I like to carry with me whenever I leave the house. Just as most people keep their car stocked with emergency items, I do too, however some of my emergency items include the tools I need to work a little magick! My portable kit consists of just the basics and is in no means comparable to the items I keep stocked at home, but I have found it to be suitable in just about any situation I am placed in while on the road and have never found the need to make any adjustments to what it contains.

My portable kit consists of a small travel bag that I picked up at a garage sale for a few bucks. It is not so big that I have a hard time finding room for it in my vehicle, but it is large enough to hold the tools I want to carry and it is strong and durable so I don’t have to worry about my tools being damaged if it falls apart. (Which can happen if you use something like a thin cloth bag or a cardboard box.)

I have a handful of tools that I keep in the bag that are basically a mish-mash of objects that I find work well together but also travel easily. I have a good size quartz crystal stone, and a tiny wand that I made specifically for my portable kit that is only about 6 inches long. There is a large clam shell that I can use to hold water and salt for cleansing, and of course salt to be used in the shell or for other purposes. I keep the salt in a simple plastic container with a tightly sealed lid so I don’t end up with salt all over the bag.

I have a small package of mini-taper candles in a variety of colors because they are more easily transported than large candles. If you cannot find mini-tapers, small tea-light candles or even a package of birthday candles made for birthday cakes will work just as well. I prefer to keep the candles in a little plastic storage bag, that way if they melt I don’t end up with candle wax sticking to everything and damaging any of my tools.

Finally, I have a small athame that is no more than three or four inches long, and a variety of different stones that I can use for various purposes. Most of this gets wrapped up in a small altar cloth that I made which is only about one square foot around, and then everything gets placed in the bag.

There is no way I could begin to tell you how many times my little portable witch kit has come in handy to me. I will say that I do not leave it in my car permanently as I would never want any harm to come to it, but I do take it with me every time I leave the house. Over time it has become such a habit to me to grab it as I head out the door, I rarely ever forget it. It is an invaluable set of tools to me, and something that I think no witch should leave home without. A portable kit is something that is very easy to throw together, and will help you in more ways than you could ever imagine.

Brightest Blessings,

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

Dear Friends,

A question I am routinely asked is where is the best place to perform a ritual. The easiest answer to this, is anywhere. A ritual can be performed anywhere that has been properly cleansed and consecrated, regardless of where the location is. I know many people that have choice but to perform rituals in very close quarters, such as in a small closet or in their bathroom, and still have great success with their work. However, there are some places that are more ideal than others, and things that need to be taken into consideration when determining the best location for you to do your work.

In my personal opinion, the best location for performing a ritual is outdoors. I feel it is the spot that is most conducive to the energies that I am appealing to and helps to make my work more powerful. I do realize though, working outdoors is not an ideal option for everyone. Some people are unable to work outdoors due to physical limitations, or simply because they live in an area where it is not possible for them to have the privacy that they need. It can also be quite difficult to focus on your ritual when it’s 20 degrees outside and your teeth won’t stop chattering, or it’s a hot and balmy summer night and the mosquitos are buzzing in your ears.

If you are performing your spells outdoors, there are a few things that you will need to consider. If you are with a group of people, is there ample room for everyone to park and gather? Will anyone have a difficult time walking to where the actual ritual will take place? If you are meeting in a public location, are there any special permits required for group gatherings? Will your privacy be respected or will your ritual be interrupted by people passing by? All of these things should be considered when you are planning a gathering, even if you are planning on performing your ritual in your own backyard either with a group, or by yourself.

Some people will say that in order for you to successfully perform your ritual, you must do so in a place that is considered sacred. In all honesty, I have mixed emotions about these sentiments. I myself believe that any spot can be consecrated and deemed as sacred to an individual. However, those supporters of this belief often feel that the “sacred” place is a spot that is completely devoted to your worship or ritual only, and other acts are not performed in this location, thus helping the spot to remain sacred.

There is a part of me that does somewhat believe with this sentiment. While I do believe that with the proper cleansing, consecration and mindset a person can make any spot sacred to them, I do personally find that having a designated area that is devoted to worship and ritual does help to make rituals more effective. I also believe that there are certain sacred spots that hold so much power due to the devotion people hold to the place. Even so, I realize that it is not always possible for a person to have a devoted location for their work which is why I personally try to stress the point that you can make almost any spot sacred.

As long as you are dedicated to properly cleansing and consecrating a space, and have the mindset that while you perform your ritual there that place is sacred, I think you can perform your rituals most anywhere. After all, one of the key elements in our craft is that we can personalize it and do what works and feels best for us. Choosing where you perform your rituals is one of those personal choices. As long as you do so with a pure mind and heart, the location isn’t as important as some people make it out to be and you can still have a very meaningful and powerful ritual.

Brightest Blessings,

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

Dear Friends,

A term that I have heard my mother use for many years, is “Slow and Steady, Fast and Fragile.” One of her favorite statements, she has used that phrase to cover a variety of things. From doing school work to building a personal relationship, my mothers advice was always the same. Slow and steady, fast and fragile.

As I have grown older, I have adopted this statement for myself as well. This is especially true in magick, as rushing through your spell or ritual hardly ever provides the results you are looking for. But this saying also applies to other things in Wicca as well, including your desire to start practicing the craft.

When a person is first starting to explore Wicca, it can be an exciting time. And why not? Perhaps I’m a bit biased as a witch myself but I think Wicca is wonderful! Even so, you cannot expect to start exploring Wicca one day, and the next suddenly be an expert that is performing spells and rituals that are always successful. You have to take the time to learn all that you can so that you are fully prepared and educated to properly handle the work before you. That’s not to say that you should spend years in study before you begin experimenting with various spells. However, having patience and taking your exploration slow is important. If you go to fast, the foundation of your knowledge may be too fragile and quickly start to crumble around you.

Being slow and steady is also something that even the more experienced witch needs to remember when practicing their work. A spell or ritual requires your undivided attention in order to be successful. You must be able to remain focused, without interruption or worry. If you are rushing through a spell quickly, chances are it will be a huge waste of time. Rather than trying to get that ritual in before you have to leave to pick the kids up from the babysitter, just wait. A spell that is performed too quickly without your full attention not only has the potential to be unsuccessful but damaging as well. Remember, slow and steady wins the race.

It almost seems to me as though people are becoming genetically coded to rush through life at full speed, with no concern of how quickly they are going or whether things are actually getting completed properly. In fact, whenever I hear the saying “They don’t build them like they used to” I am often reminded of my mothers favorite phrase. They really don’t build them like they used to, because today it is all about getting “them” build as quickly as possible. Whereas the builders in generations past took pride to build things with their own hands and take the time necessary to make sure that the quality of the work was superior and “steady,” modern builders only care about getting it done fast. There is no concern for quality, nor concern for how “fragile” something might be.

Yes, the life we are living right now is short. But that is no reason to speed through life not taking the time to do things properly. Whether you are doing something as mundane as cooking your nightly dinner, or something more complex such as performing a ritual or a spell, stop, slow down and make sure that what you are building is steady. Don’t go through life so fast that everything you build is as fragile as glass, for when it all comes crashing down it can end up being very painful.

Brightest Blessings,

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