Understanding the Magic of Fire

Fire has often been considered the most magical of the elements, representing life, energy, transformation and change.  It is easy to understand why the ancients saw fire as a form of magic. Apparently conjured from nowhere, it brought heat to the middle of a freezing winter and light to the darkest night. The fire of the hearth could literally preserve life. Fire allows metal to be foreg into weapons and tools, giving it magical associations with transformation and change, and is also seen as the energy that fuels our desires and passions.

The most dangerous element fire flares brightly and quickly, but can die down as quickly as it rises. It can illuminate, warm and transform, but it can also destroy. Its power can be deadly and devastating as well as helpful, and it needs a steady hand to keep it under control. Handled safely, however, fire has countless advantages. Working with this element in yor magic provides energy, passion and strength. 

Candles, especially those in the fire colors of red and yellow, are used to represent the fire element in spells and on magical altars

In many ancient myths, fire is given to humans as a gift from the gods.

Eternal Flame:A flame that is kept burning constantly contains magical energy. This traditional belief is still practiced today: the Olympic flame burns throughout the Games.

Fire from wood:The ancients believed that fire lived inside wood – this explained why it could be “released” by rubbing two sticks together. Many woodland groves originated as places of worship dedicated to fire spirits. The sun was thought to hid in the trees during the night.

Gods of the forge:A common theme in European mythology is the hammer god, or smith, who holds the power of transformation, and often life, through control of the forge. The Roman Vulcan, Norse Thor, Celtic Sucellus, and Etruscan Tuchulcha are all examples of this.

The Magic of Crystals

The beauty of crystals alone affords them a special magic, but we can use them to bring much more than simple decoration into our lives. Today’s world seems to have rediscovered the amazing magic of crystals. Its astonishing how many people wear stones in their jewelry, and how many of them have placed them around their homes. This is not a new trend however, fascination with crystals spans back to the stone age.

Virtually every culture and religion throughout history has used stones symbolically or decoratively. Their beauty and scarcity as well a the feelings they inspire makes them very valuable. Many crystals also have practical uses that we can incorporate into our daily lives. They can gather and direct magical energy that exists all around and within us. Like ancient mystics, we can learn to use them for protection, luck and healing.

Each crystal has it own magical abilities and attributes, but all work in the following way:

Vibrational Balance:The magic of crystals is in their color, which is determined by the rate at which their atoms vibrate. These vibrations can be matched to the energy given off by your body’s aura and your energy centers.

Channel Energy: Just as light can be focused and refracted through crystals so too are all kinds of psychic energy, from healing energies to divine communications.

Introduction to Moon Magic

The Moon over the centries has been worshiped for it’s powerful effect on the natural world. As we all know the Moon is more than just a light in the sky. It affectes the weather, can creat waves in the ocean and has a strong influence over earthquakes.

Astronomers were quickly able to puck up on the phases of the Moon as an indication of the cyclic properties of nature, and the vast amount of it’s magical powers.  Like myself, most Wiccans and Pagans worship the Moon as a goddess with three faces. Maidem, Mother and Crone, which symbolizes the waxing, full and waning phases of the lunar cycle. Each phase of the Moon governs a different kind of magic and influence over the kind of spells that can be performed.

Traditions across the world link the Moon with madness and transformation. As the human body is 80 percent water we are also under the control of the Moon in some aspects. More people suffer mentaql illness during a full Moon. “Lunatic” from the word “luna,” the Latin word for Moon- describes someone who is moonstruck.

The legend of the werewofl was reported in Italy as recetly as 50 years ago. A condition called lycanthropy, where sufferes devolp inhuman strength during the full Moon, is thought to be responsible. Crime rate rises, more accidents happen and a higher number of people are hsopitalized when the Moon is full.

Women who are more attuned to the Moon, and its phases also affect fertility. A lunar month can also affect fertility. A lunar month is about 28 days long, the same length as the average menstrual cycle.

Certian spells work better at specific times of the year. The following is a basic list, based around the 13 Tree Months of the Celtic calendar, show you when your spells have the most power.

December 24 – January 20: The Birch Moon is a time of rebirth and regeneration. As the Solstice passes, it is time to look towards the light once more. When a forested area burns, Birch is the first tree to grow back. The Celtic name for this month is Beth, pronounced beh. Workings done in this month add momentum and a bit of extra “oomph” to new endeavors. The Birch is also associated with magic done for creativity and fertility, as well as healing and protection. Tie a red ribbon around the trunk of a Birch tree to ward off negative energy. Hang Birch twigs over a cradle to protect a newborn from psychic harm. Use Birch bark as magical parchment to keep writings safe.

Rowan Moon

January 21 – February 17: The Rowan Moon is associated with Brighid, the Celtic goddess of hearth and home. Honored on February 1, at Imbolc, Brighid is a fire goddess who offers protection to mothers and families, as well as watching over the hearthfires. This is a good time of year to perform initations (or, if you’re not part of a group, do a self-dedication). Known by the Celts as Luis (pronounced loush), the Rowan is associated with astral travel, personal power, and success. A charm carved into a bit of a Rowan twig will protect the wearer from harm. The Norsemen were known to have used Rowan branches as rune staves of protection. In some countries, Rowan is planted in graveyards to prevent the dead from lingering around too long.

Ash Moon

February 18 – March 17: In the Norse eddas, Yggdrasil, the world tree, was an Ash. The spear of Odin was made from the branch of this tree, which is also known by the Celtic name Nion, pronounced knee-un. This is one of three trees sacred to the Druids (Ash, Oak and Thorn), and this is a good month to do magic that focuses on the inner self. Associated with ocean rituals, magical potency, prophetic dreams and spiritual journeys, the Ash can be used for making magical (and mundane) tools — these are said to be more productive than tools made from other wood. If you place Ash berries in a cradle, it protects the child from being taken away as a changeling by mischevious Fae.

Alder Moon

March 18 – April 14: At the time of the Spring Equinox, or Ostara, the Alder is flourishing on riverbanks, roots in the water, bridging that magical space between both heaven and earth. The Alder month, called Fearn by the Celts, and pronounced fairin, is a time for making spiritual decisions, magic relating to prophecy and divination, and getting in touch with your own intuitive processes and abilities. Alder flowers and twigs are known as charms to be used in Faerie magic. Whistles were once made out of Alder shoots to call upon Air spirits, so it’s an ideal wood for making a pipe or flute if you’re muscially inclined.

Willow Moon

April 15 – May 12: The Willow moon was known to the Celts as Saille, pronounced Sahl-yeh. The Willow grows best when there’s lots of rain, and in northern Europe there’s no shortage of that this time of year. This is a tree associated with healing and growth, for obvious reasons. A Willow planted near your home will help ward away danger, particularly the type that stems from natural disaster such as flooding or storms. They offer protection, and are often found planted near cemeteries. This month, work on rituals involving healing, growth of knowledge, nurturing and women’s mysteries.

Hawthorn Moon

May 13 – June 9: The Hawthorn is a prickly sort of plant with beautiful blossoms. Called Huath by the ancient Celts, and pronounced Hoh-uh, the Hawthorn month is a time of fertility, masculine energy, and fire. Coming right on the heels of Beltane, this month is a time when male potency is high — if you’re hoping to conceive a child, get busy this month! The Hawthorn has a raw, phallic sort of energy about it — use it for magic related to masculine power, business decisions, making professional connections. The Hawthorn is also associated with the realm of Faerie, and when the Hawthorn grows in tandem with an Ash and Oak, it is said to attract the Fae.

Oak Moon

June 10 – July 7: The Oak moon falls during a time when the trees are beginning to reach their full blooming stages. The mighty Oak is strong, powerful, and typically towering over all of its neighbors. The Oak King rules over the summer months, and this tree was sacred to the Druids. The Celts called this month Duir, which some scholars believe to mean “door”, the root word of “Druid”. The Oak is connceted with spells for protection and strength, fertility, money and success, and good fortune. Carry an acorn in your pocket when you go to an interview or business meeting; it will be bring you good luck. If you catch a falling Oak leaf before it hits the ground, you’ll stay healthy the following year.

Holly Moon

July 8 – August 4: Although the Oak ruled in the previous month, its counterpart, the Holly, takes over in July. This evergreen plant reminds us all year long about the immortality of nature. The Holly moon was called Tinne, pronounced chihnn-uh, by the Celts, who knew the potent Holly was a symbol of masculine energy and firmness. The ancients used the wood of the Holly in the construction of weapons, but also in protective magic. Hang a sprig of Holly in your house to ensure good luck and safety to your family. Wear as a charm, or make Holly Water by soaking leaves overnight in spring water under a full moon — then use the water as a blessing to sprinkle on people or around the house for protection and cleansing.

Hazel Moon

August 5 – September 1: The Hazel Moon was known to the Celts as Coll, which translates to “the life force inside you”. This is the time of year when Hazelnuts are appearing on the trees, and are an early part of the harvest. Hazelnuts are also associated with wisdom and protection. Hazel is often associated in Celtic lore with sacred wells and magical springs containing the salmon of knowledge. This is a good month to do workings related to wisdom and knowledge, dowsing and divination, and dream journeys. If you’re a creative type, such as an artist, writer, or musician, this is a good month to get your muse back, and find inspiration for your talents. Even if you normally don’t do so, write a poem or song this month.

Vine Moon

September 2 – September 29: The Vine month is a time of great harvest — from the grapes of the Mediterranean to the fruits of the northern regions, the Vine produces fruits we can use to make that most wondrous concoction called wine. The Celts called this month Muin. The Vine is a symbol of both happiness and wrath — passionate emotions, both of them. Do magical workings this month connected to the Autumn Equinox, or Mabon, and celebrate garden magic, joy and exhilaration, wrath and rage, and the darker aspect of the mother goddess. Use the leaves of the Vines to enhance your own ambition and goals. during this month. The month of Vine is also a good time to get balanced, as there are equal hours of darkness and light.

September 30 – October 27: As the year comes to a close and Samhain approaches, the Ivy moon rolls in at the end of the harvest season. Ivy often lives on after its host plant has died — a reminder to us that life goes on, in the endless cycle of life, death and rebirth. The Celts called this month Gort, pronounced go-ert. This is a time to banish the negative from your life. Do workings related to improving yourself, and placing a barricade between you and the things that are toxic to you. Ivy can be used in magic performed for healing, protection, cooperation, and to bind lovers together.