Witchy Crafts

Looking around Amazon I found several book on crafts specific to witches. So yes I bought them all. Well the first one is Witchy Crafts, 60 Enchanted project for the Creative Witch, by Lexa Olick. If you are a crafty person or not this is a fun book with something for everyone.

Lexa covers all areas of life and purposes in this book. There is a project to help you for almost anything. She begins with giving you some basic information about the different crafts in the book. She then goes into each month with what you could create to bring forth those monthly energizes.

Then come the projects, each one has a black and white picture. All the supplies you will need and well thought out instructions. There are crafts fro jewelry, candles, clay, sewing, crocheting and much more. If you are the crafty person then this book is for you. With not only 60 + projects, but also the endless supply of ideas. I do hope you make this one of your favorites in your library.  

Beltane Wreath

For the Beltane craft challenge we are to make a arrangement of flowers. These flowers could be fresh or silk and they are to be in a basket. Well at craft chat I had asked if we could do this as a wall basket. The answer was I could interpret that how I saw fit. So this is what I came up with.

So for Beltane I decided to take a wall basket and attach it to a grape vine wreath. For a while I have been wanting to create a different wreath for each Sabbat season. I haven't gotten to doing that just yet. Well that is until know.

So what I did was I attached the basket to the wreath in three places to keep it from moving. When I was a florist there was a floral foam called Sierra. This foam was used for silk and dried arrangements only. It doesn't hold water but it does work just like the wet counter part Oasis.

After I got the foam in place I added some ivy. Ivy is one of this Sabbats symbols, which makes perfect sense with it connection to love and marriage. I next created the bow and attached that and weaved it in and out of the wreath going upward.

The next flowers that are symbols for this holiday are roses, love and friendship. Daisy love and attraction, Lily of the Valley also symbolizes love. All of these flowers have other attributes to them but the ones I am using them for are listed above. Since this is the Sabbat of the great marriage these make the most sense.

I did have some other flower that I added for color and definition. I think it came out very well. I left the ribbons long to be reminisce of the wish or prayer ribbons that you attach to a hawthorn tree. So come Monday I will bless and dedicate this wreath. Then I will place out side on the front porch. My goal is to now make one for the rest of the remaining Sabbats.

The Witch's Book of Shadows

A couple of years ago I received a book called The Witch's Broom. It's by Deborah Blake and it is a wonderful book if you wish to know everything about broom and besoms. Well this year Santa brought me the book The Witch's Athame. Then I picked up the book The witch's Book of Shadows. If you haven't guessed Llewellyn has started a new book series. There are two more that I have yet to purchase to complete the series. They are The witch's Wand and The Witch's Mirror. They are all wonderful little books for the subject's they contain. It's a wonderful reference to learn more about each witch's tool.

We are actually here to talk about only one of those book's. The Witch's Book of Shadows by Jason Mankey. He is a new author for me and I enjoyed his work. He went through history and specific authors through history that created some of the most famous Books of Shadows. Through out the book he give you suggestions on what to put in your book. Since every witch is different, just as each witch's path is different. So too would each witch's book of shadows.

So what would a book about Book's of Shadows be about? Well I'm glad yo asked. There are a total of ten chapters focusing on history. What types of books there are, what you may wish to include in your book. A discussion on the history of magical books, words and symbols. Actually putting together a book of shadows. Different fonts, alphabets, inks and symbols. Gods and Goddesses pertaining to books and knowledge. Using your book in ritual, cleansing and consecrating your book. Jason also discusses Book's of Shadows that aren't in paper form.

This is a nice little book for anyone who wishes to learn more about Book's of shadow's. Or some who is new to the bath and really has no clue where to begin. Jason covers all the bases in a well written and thought out way. I hope you will venture into The witch's Book of Shadows and enjoy a wonderful walk into the world of recorded magick.

Crystal and Gem Show

Today one of the local Lions club chapters held a crystal, mineral show and we went. Ed has said he has been to it in the past and it was very large when he went. Well this year, it being at a local high school it wasn't as large as past shows. Or at least what he remembers when he went to them.

I actually did very well with finding some fun stuff. I picked up a gem quality opal. I believe it to be a Golden Opal, it is very pretty and caught my eye. I also got an Irradiate quartz, Shiva Lingham (I have seen them in the past and found them to be pricey). An a Apache Tear, Prenite, two Tremolites (not sure why two), Bismuth, Pyrite.

I also picked up a grab bag, in traditional grab bag fashion you have no idea what you are getting. I think I did really well with this bag. I got two Amethysts, the one is regular and the other is specked with Red Hematite. I also got some Calcite, a bag of tumbled stone and some Sand Selinite.

All in all I think I did really well with every thing and had a wonderful time. I enjoy going to those types of events. So when they come up I try to go if at all possible.

The Second Book of Crystal Spells

Well, Ember Grant has hit it out of the park with her Second Book of Crystal Spells. The second book is just as informative if not more then the first. So not to be repetitive Ember explores different crystals, minerals and such.

The Second Book of Crystal Spells has full chapters on salt, tarot, special points, special rocks and minerals. There is a new chapter in this book on crystal grids which is actually of a simpler design. Ember also includes a chapter on the chalcedony group of stones, one on using crystals to enhance your intuition and she even supplies rituals to include crystals in your Sabbat and Esbat rituals. Ember also includes quotes from Love is in the Earth, by Melody. This book was well thought out and with a large diverse amount of usual information.

As with her first book there is a very large appendix with definitions, metaphysical properties, colors, chakras, and much more. If you have Embers first book or you would like learn more about crystal and how to use them. Then this is a book for your collection. I hope you let the crystal world into your life. An let a little earth magick take you to new heights.

The Book of Crystal Spells

I just finished reading a wonderful little book on crystal magick. The Book of Crystal Spells by Ember Grant is a wonderful read. Ember explores the world of crystals in a new and fascinating light. Through out the book you are given spells to try or adapt to fit your own magick. With the inclusion of chant's and rhymes to aid you in your practice.

The Book of Crystal Spells covers all your crystal bases. Ember takes you through clearing, cleansing, charging and dedicating your pieces. With full definitions of each and several ways to achieve the outcome when applicable.

Ember also includes chapters on jewelry, home and garden, elixirs, sand and glass, every day rocks, meditation, numerology, special point. There is even a chapter to get you started on crystal grids. This book is packed full of ideas for every situation and need. With a foundation for you to be able to create your own spells as well.

A wonderful little surprise is that in the appendix Ember has included a section on crystal structure. So not only is there extensive work given on the metaphysical property and uses of crystals. There is information on there science as well, in the form of there structure. A fun little addition that I only saw one other place in this type of book.

The Book of Crystal Spells is a tome that everyone who is interested in crystal magick should acquire. Ember as a wonderful way to present the material. With a fun and adventurous way to look at crystal, mineral and everyday stones. I hope you to will find this book a necessity for your library as well.

Crystals

For many years now I have been collecting crystals and stones. When I first started collecting I was directed by a friend to, Love is in the Earth: A Kaleidoscope of Crystals - The Reference Book Describing the Metaphysical Properties of the Mineral Kingdom by Melody. Over the years I have collected all of her books on crystals. They are wonderful and you learn a lot of the metaphysical properties of the stones and crystals. But I never acquired a magic book on crystals. Well that is until now.

I just finished reading Cunningham's Encyclopedia of Crystal, Gems and Metal Magic, By Scott Cunningham. This book is very reminiscent to his herbal encyclopedia. There are four part's to this book. First Cunningham starts with the different lore and relationships with the element's, colors, ancients and magic itself. The second part is the crystal encyclopedia itself, followed by the metal encyclopedia. The fourth section has all the appendixes that Cunningham is famous for.

Cunningham's Encyclopedia of Crystal, Gems and Metal Magic is a word of knowledge in the crystal, gem and metal world. As only he can tell it he guides you into the lore and ancient uses for well over a hundred pieces. Each crystal, gem or metal has the folk name, energy, plant/'s, element/'s, deity, associated stones, powers, magical / ritual lore and finally magical uses.

If you have any interest in using the crystal, gem and metal world in your magick. Then this book is a good reference piece for you to have. Scott was a wonderful writer and this book is no different. I hope that you would indulge your self in a very informative book on the this. Enjoy!!!