Navratri Durga Puja

Durga Puja

Items Needed:

• picture/statue/idol of Durga
• lamp or candle
• incense
• a bell
• water (preferably holy water or blessed water)
• jasmine flowers
• sweets or fruits (coconut, banana, other dried fruits) as offerings
• sandal paste or sandalwood oil
• optional offering of cooked rice or sweet milk

1. Make sure your house and sacred space is cleansed.
2. Take a ritual, cleansing bath before performing Puja
3. Sit in your sacred space with all the needed items before you
4. Set up an altar space to Durga if you do not already have one.
5. Sit at your Durga altar and contemplate the Durga statue
6. Chant “Om” three times
7. Light the lamp or candle and say “I light this lamp/candle to honor Ma Durga, the one who is
8. Light the incense and say “I light this incense as an offering to Ma Durga”,  as you waft it over the altar, the statue of Durga and yourself cleansing the space and yourself.
9. Ring the bell three times as you say “I ring this bell to invoke Ma Durga, may she enter my home and my heart”
10. Invoke and invite Ganesh (this is done in every puja to any deity) by chanting 9 times “Om Gam Ganapataye Namaha”

10. Now chant 9 times “Om hreem doom Durgaye namaha” to invoke Durga. Then and chant the following: Ya Devi sarva bhuteshu Matri rupena samsthita Ya Devi Sarva bhuteshu Shakti rupena samsthita. Ya Devi sarva rupena samsthita. Namestasyai Namestasyai Namestasyai Namoh. Which translates as "The goddess who is omnipresent as the personification of universal mother. The goddess who is omnipresent as the embodiment of power. The goddess who is omnipresent as the symbol of peace. I bow to her, I bow to her, I bow to her."
11. Dip your hands in the water, as if you are washing your hands. This is symbolic of being cleansed and forgiven of sins. Then make a gesture of offering of the water to Durga for bath. You can sprinkle a little on the idol you have, especially on the head, hands and feet.
12. Annoint your forehead and the forehead of Durga with the sandal paste or sandalwood oil
13. Make the offering of sweets, dried fruits and flowers.
14. At this time sit in mediation to Durga. Reflect on her attributes, and how you can bring them into your life. You can chant her mantra 108 times using a mala to keep count. You can meditate on yantra, sing songs, or read scriptures on Durga.
15. After meditation bring your hands in prayer (anjali mudra) at the heart and say “Thank you Ma Durga for your blessings of strength, courage and protection. Please return to your abode. Be merciful and return to me again.”
16. Bow three times in prostration as you chant “Namaste”
17. Leave the candles and incense to burn as long as you can.
18. Each morning and evening light just the candle. You can perform the whole puja everyday, on the third day or at the end of Navratri on the 9th day. As this is a pagan practice of performing Puja you don't need to feel bound by the way it is celebrated in Hinduism. Do what feels right for you, and make it your own, as long as you feel connected to Durga and honor her.

Because Ma Durga is seen as the great mother, you should honor and respect the women in your life. Do something nice for them during Navratri, as well as any women that you come across. Find ways in your life to bring the attributes of Durga into yourself, such as courage, strength, and justice. Go through your day with the Shakti energy of Durga within you.

You can also celebrate by wearing red to symbolize the colors of Durga. It is also tradition to burn a diya or lamp for the full 9 days. I dont do this, because the thought of leaving a fire burning for nine days straight terrifies me. I do light the candle and let it burn whenever I'm home to watch and attend to it. Each time I light the candle I chant Ma Durga's mantra 108 times in meditation.

This is in no way meant to be a full Puja as practiced in Hinduism, this is my pagan version.

Witches Bottle

Witches Bottles are a magickal tool that have been found to date back all the way to the early 1500s. Widely used from the 1500-1700s, these tools were used mostly for protection. Witches Bottles were used to protect the witch, residents, and homes against any kind of negative energy attack such as spells and evil spirits. The bottles draw the energy into the bottle and keep it stuck there, instead of letting the energy strike its intended target.

Witches Bottles usually contained a personal item of the intended target such as blood, nail clippings, semen, or urine. This symbolized the intended target in the bottle, drawing the energy there instead of to the person or witch. Other items added were known as "nasties" such as broken glass, rusty nails, razor blades, etc that the energy would become stuck on, thus being contained in the bottle.

The longer the bottle remained hidden, the longer the bottle could continue to draw the negative energy and spirits into it and keep it contained. Witches went through great lengths to hide the bottles on their properties. Some were buried, or placed in hard to find places, others were even built into the structures of the houses such as in the walls or under the home's hearth.

Today Witches Bottles can be created for a number of different reasons, such as love or money drawing. You can place in the bottle anything that is symbolic to you that matches your intention for the bottle. Just as their are many paths in the Craft, so are there a multitude of ways you can create your bottle to meet your intention.

Here is the details of Witches Bottle for protection that I did today.

Items needed:

• Black candle
• Jar with lid or stopper
• Sage or cleansing incense
• Sea Salt
• Deity representation if you decide to work with one
• "Nasties" - such as pins, broken class, tacks, thorns, rusty or bent nails. Get creative!
• Personal items - urine (you can substitute vinegar for this), hair, nail clippings, saliva, blood, semen
• Protective Herbs - salt, bay leaves, black pepper, cloves, burdock root, lavender, St. John's Wort
• Crystals or stones that can be used for protection if you wish

Cleanse and consecrate your jar using the salt and sage, including the lid and inside of the jar. Start to add in your items such as the herbs, "nasties", and personal items filling the jar about half way. Then finish off with the urine (or whatever you choose to substitute). Place the lid or stopper onto the bottle and give it a good shake to mix all the items. Then seal with wax from the black candle. I also sealed it with the wax from my Archangel Michael candle to add his protective energy.

As you add the items and seal the bottle, call upon any deity or spirit you work with to aid you in making the bottle to protect your home and all who dwell within. I called upon Archangel Michael as he is who I work with when I need protection. Put your energy, intent and focus into making the bottle to protect you and your home.

At this time you can meditate on your intention of your bottle. Feel free to chant any words you wish to, or speak with spirit as you feel called to. Its not necessary to say anything, but if you feel drawn to then you should. You can even come up with a line of a spell for each item you put in, calling upon it's spirit or energy and asking it for protection. Such as "I call upon the spirit of Lavender. Please protect me and my home and all who reside within. So mote it be"

After sealing and meditating on the bottles intention, you can add runes or sigils for protection. If you have your own property bury this at one of the farthest corners from your front door. If you live in a condo or apartment with no yard, you can bury this in a flowerpot and keep near your front door or on a porch. Another option is to keep this hidden within your house somewhere near the front door or hearth.

You can recharge this bottle or make a new one at least once a year. The best time to do this would be during a waning moon phase, at night if you can. Its not that important to wait until a waning moon, as long as your intention is strong and focused.

Journey to the Upper Realm

 I stepped before my World Tree, smelling the wetness of the rain mixed with the smell of the dirt and Earth. My animal spirit guide was waiting to guide me on my journey to the Upper Realm/World.

As He instructed me, I climbed onto his back, feeling the softness of his fur, the strength of his muscles, and smelling the musky scent of the woods on him. He climbed up my tree, as we reached the top most branches we were brought through a white light, that seemed mixed with clouds, then we were brought through a tunnel of pure bright white light.

As we approached the Upper Realm I noticed a figure all in white. A long white robe, with gray white hair, and a long gray white beard. He grabbed my forearm in a manner of greeting. Almost like a handshake but by grabbing the forearm instead of the hand.

He introduced himself as the "Father" of the Upper Realm. He told me that he oversaw everything that went on with the Upper Realm and that he was there to guide me and assist in the journey. He reminded me of the Greek God Zeus, and he may have even said that that was who he was. 

"Father" then introduced me to my highest self, who was sitting on a lotus, meditating, and bathed in a light of pure energy. "Father" said that this was my goal, to let go of ego and fear on the physical realm (the Middle World) and to work on becoming my highest self in my every day, waking life. That I was to become a person of a great love, and to work endlessly on healing work and sharing my gifts with others. That to do so would connect me to my highest self.

"Father" then guided me over to the edge of a vast ocean that was bathed in pure white light. The ocean didn't appear blue or green, but as if it was a large pool of white energy/light. The ocean appeared white and looked very inviting. "Father" told me that the ocean had healing powers, and could heal any ails, worries, etc. He invited me to take a dive into the ocean and let its healing waters wash over me.

I looked over to my animal spirit who was guiding me on this journey to see if it was okay for me to enter the ocean. He motioned that yes, I should enter the ocean and let myself be healed. As I entered the ocean I could feel the cooling sensation of its waters on my skin. I could physically smell it's saltiness in the air. I let myself be enveloped by the water, laying back and floating, my face to the warm sun.

"Father" came up behind me in the water and placed the palms of his hands on the crown of my head and his fingers resting on my temples. He told me that anytime I needed healing or healing energy for any reason, I was to come take a dip in the ocean. He motioned to the shore and that it was time for me to move on and continue exploring. With that I noticed that we were standing on the shore, and I was completely dry.

My animal guide motioned for to follow him. We took a short walk away from "Father" and the ocean where we came upon a small beautiful garden that was bathed in pure light. Standing in the garden was a beautiful woman. She was tall with strawberry blonde hair cascading down her shoulders, and she wore a light and airy dress. 

As I approached her she drew me in the a mother draws a child in for a hug and consolation. Her hands brought my head to her heart and she kissed the top of my head. She told me that she was "Mother", the nurturing and always loving spirit of the Upper Realm. She said that "Father" oversaw most of the Upper Realm but that this magical garden was her own sacred spot.

She told me the garden was a place to come with any questions that needed answering, especially as they pertained to relationships of any sort. That the garden was meant to provide answers of any kind, and to be a spot for healing relationships. She told me that any question I had, I was to think on it, while inhaling the scent of one of the roses in the garden. As I inhaled and took the scent of the flower into my body, so would the answer come to be within me. She told me to visit her garden anytime, and bade me farewell.

It was time to leave the journey. I thanked both the "Father" and the "Mother" and my animal guide let me climb on his back. We went into the tunnel of the light that we entered the Upper Realm through and found our way back down the great trunk of my World Tree. I thanked my angels and spirit guides for assisting and protecting me on the journey. I thanked my animal spirit for guiding me, as he lept back into my heart space where he stays until I need him. I thanked my World Tree for providing a space of journeying, healing, and safety. And I made my way back out of the meditative state.

The more I study and practice journeying, the more I find and meet so many loving spirit guides who are really here to assist us to become our highest self. I do have quite the little spirit guide team/tribe at my side right now.

Prosperity Ritual to Lakshmi

Ritual to Lakshmi

Lakshmi is the Hindu Goddess of Abundance and Prosperity. Lakshmi is Sanskrit for the word “goal”. She is known as the wife of Lord Vishnu, and often as a consort of Lord Ganesh. Ganesh is known as the “Remover of Obstacles” and there for works well to block any flow of abundance and prosperity to you as Lakshmi blesses you and flows abundance to you.

Lakshmi is depicted as a beautiful Indian woman with four outstretched arms, who is seated upon a large lotus blossom. Her arms represent Purity, Prosperity, Perfection and Freedom. Lakshmi is often seen with gold coins flowing from her hands representing her flow of gifts. She blesses both the physical and spiritual world with her gifts.

On Altar:

• Picture or statue of Lakshmi
• Lotus or Jasmine candle (white) to represent Lakshmi
• Bell
• Offerings for Lakshmi such as coins, flowers, yogurt and honey, milk
• Sandalwood oil or bindi
• Sandalwood incense
• Red/Gold altar covering

1. Cast circle and call quarters, etc. if you do this.
2. Take a seat in front of your altar to Lakshmi. Bring your hands into prayer with the thumbs at your third eye and bow saying “Namaste”
3. Bless yourself with the bindi or placing sandalwood oil on your third eye while chanting “May Lakshmi cleanse you and bless you with abundance and prosperity”
4. You may first call Ganesh (the remover of obstacles and a consort of Lakshmi’s to help in the ritual). Chant his mantra “Aum Gam Ganapataye Namah” three times.  Typically mantras are chanted to Hindu deities 108 times, but for the sake of this ritual we will only chant 3.
5. Read a hymn to Lakshmi or call her by chanting her mantra three times. Her mantra is “Om Shree Laksmi Devayay Namah”
6. Light the candle to her, and light the incense wafting it over the altar.
7. Ring the bell to awaken her.
8. Make your offering to her (coins, flowers, yogurt and honey, milk, sandalwood paste).
9. Actively ask for what you want her to bring to you.
10. Meditate on your wish and what Laskhmi represents. Abundance and Prosperity is just not about money and financial gain. Laskshmi can bless you with other types of wealth such as knowledge, good health, happiness and more. Meditate on the thing that you would like to have an abundance of in your life. It can be more than one thing. But see the intention of it, see Lakshmi standing above you letting a golden flow of abundance pour over you from her hands.
11. Thank her for blessing you with her abundance and prosperity. A good way to do so is to say “Health, Wealth and Freedom to All Beings.” Bring your hands into prayer with the thumbs at your third eye and bow saying “Namaste”
12. Ring bell and banish as you would.
13. Continue to spread the wealth that Lakshmi has blessed you with. Remember to help others, tip when you should, donate to charities etc. Keep the flow of prosperity flowing out to others.
14. Maintain the altar to Lakshmi and if you feel inclined to do so mediate in front of her altar and chant her mantra 108 times daily. This really doesn’t take long, and you can use a mala to keep track of the count of times you chant the mantra.

Candle Color Correspondence

I honestly don't remember where I found this, but this has been in my Book of Shadows for years. I thought I'd share it here. If anyone knows the originally source, please let me know and I'll give credit where it is due.

Proper colors for a spell
Make the work extremely well
This list will make your magick strong
So study carefully and long
The candle colors listed here
And all of your spells will bring you cheer
For lustful love and hot desire
Use a candle as red as fire
If tranquil peace you now pursue
Burn a bit of palest blue
For protection you may use the same
Likewise if you health is lame
Pink for Harmony and love
And perfect union from above
If to attract is your intent
Orange is what is heavens sent
If your hold on things go sour
Use purple to regain your power
To increase your bank account
Light green candles all about
To ground yourself and make it stick
Brown candles always do the trick
To organize use deepest blue
For stress relief a lavender hue
Use teal for balance, peach for friends
Black puts bad habits to an end
Use white if you must substitute
If contains all hues of colors suit
If you burn white instead, its true
You must concentrate on the proper hue
Use these wisely, learn them well
For each every time you spell
You weave a dream that you create
Into a realistic state
The Universe will not say no
But confusing it may cause you woe

Super Moon

Tomorrow's Full Moon will be one of the biggest and brightest we've seen in a few years, also known as a "Super Moon" due to the fact that the Earth will be closer to the Moon that it has been awhile. The Earth, Moon, and Sun will all be in alignment, and the Moon will be at it's nearest approach to Earth.

Some believe that the effects of a "Super Moon" are responsible for the effects of Earth and it's tides, etc. Some even believe that recent earthquake and Tsunami in Japan were a direct effect of the Moon being so close to Earth and how it's gravitational strengths effect our planet.

So what does this mean for Magick? Well nothing really. However, this "Super Moon" full moon is known as the Worm Moon or the Sap Moon. The name Worm Moon comes from the fact that has the days get warmer and the ground thaws that Earthworms begin to make their appearance. The name Sap Moon comes from the fact that this is the time that trees are tapped for Maple Syrup.

Not only do we have a "Super Moon" and a beautiful Worm Moon Esbat to celebrate, but Sunday is also Ostara. Ostara is the Spring Equinox Sabbat that is named after the German Goddess of the Spring. This is a time to focus on the Spring, the Sun and new beginnings. I will be doing a separate upcoming post on Ostara! It's going to be a very magickal weekend!

Prosperity Ritual to Lakshmi

Well I didn't make it to the Open Circle meetup as I wanted to. Partially because I'm still too shy to venture into a spiritual place or setting with strangers, and partially because I didn't RSVP and the circle was filled.

So I decided to hold my own Prosperity Ritual to honor Lakshmi on the night of the Full Moon. Full Moon rituals are typically about taking things away, but as Friday is a sacred day for Lakshmi and the moon was not quite full, I thought it was a good time to do this.


I couldn't find any statues of Lakshmi on such short notice, so I printed out this picture and added it to this beautiful frame that was made in India.

Lakshmi is the Hindu Goddess of Abundance and Prosperity, and I honored her by thanking her for all the wonderful things she has brought into my life. I also asked to be showered with her gifts of love and abundance in the future, and spent some time meditating on what I hoped to manifest in the upcoming months as far as abundance and prosperity.

My mini Lakshmi altar all lit up! It defintely was a nice ritual, and I felt more comfortable doing this in my own home. The group I'm interested in has some upcoming events that I might join soon. I know it's time to venture out and meet others who are like minded as far as spirituality is concerned.

Imbolc Celebration

I know that when we are buried under as much snow as most of us seem to be, that it is hard to even think about Spring being right around the corner! But it is, only 50 something days!

Tuesday, February 1st marks the day of Imbolc. Imbolc is the perfect time to start thinking about the Spring that is ahead of us. Imbolc is often linked with the Celtic Goddess Brighid, who honors hearth and home. She is actually one of my patron deities, so this is a special holiday for me!

I find the perfect way to honor both Imbolc and Brighid is to do some Spring Cleaning! I deeply cleanse the house, casting out any negative energies that might have settled in for the Winter. Open up the windows and doors (if not too too cold) and let in some fresh air. Breathe new life into your home! Light candles and incense to not only freshen the air, but to help remove negative energies.

I decorate my home and altar with fresh white flowers! Corn dollies and Brighid's Cross are great things to add to your altar as well! I always have a Brighid's Cross on my altar in her honor throughout the year.

Typically, Imbolc is linked with lamb as well as Brighid. So most people will celebrate with a feast of lamb and other Celtic dishes. However, now that the husband and I are both Vegans, I'm not quite sure what kind of Imbolc feast we will come up with. We might just foucs on some traditional Celtic side dishes, with a Vegan twist!

I'll be sure to post pictures of my altar, feast etc on the actual day of Imbolc! How will you be celebrating?