Herbs
Basil, bay, benzoin, and celandine may be burned; angelica, myrrh, yellow flowers, and white flowers may be decorations. [1]
[1] Green Witchcraft by Ann Moura
Author: adanaluna
The Components of Ritual Magic
- Choose the timing of the spell.
- Outline the ritual and prepare the tools and materials.
- Purify yourself.
- Purify the working space.
- Create a sacred circle.
- Have an invocation.
- Perform the ritual observance.
- Raise and direct energy.
- Earth (ground) the residual power.
- Take some refreshment.
- Acknowledge the Lady and the Lord.
- Release (farewell) the elementals.
- Open the circle. [1]
Resources
[1] Green Witchcraft by Ann Moura
Fivefold & Sevenfold Blessing
Fivefold Blessing Variation
From this blessing comes the familiar expression among Witches, “Blessed be.” This is often used as a greeting or as a farewell. The blessing can be accompanied with a huge and kiss, and/or anointing with oil. This is the Fivefold Blessing:
Blessed be thy feet, that bring thee on this path. Blessed be thy knees, that kneel to the Lord and Lady. Blessed be thy womb, without which we would not be. Blessed be thy breasts, formed in beauty and in strength. Blessed be thy lips, that speak (utter) the sacred names. [1]
Sevenfold Blessing
The Sevenfold Blessing begins by asking for a blessing from the Goddess, and adds a blessing for the eyes to see her path and for the nose to breathe in her essence. It drops the blessing for hte knees, and changes the womb to the loins. Depending on the tradition, the blessings move from feet to lips or lips to feet.
Blessed be my feet, that take me on my path. Blessed be my knees, that support me before the Divine. Blessed be my abdomen, that gives me inner strength. Blessed be my breast, that holds my heart true to them. Blessed be my lips, that speak the secret names. Blessed be my eyes, that see the beauty of their love. Blessed be my mind, that seeks their knowledge and wisdom. [1]
Resources
[1] Green Witchcraft by Ann Moura
Autumn Equinox
Herbs
Benzoin, marigold, myrrh, sage, and thistles may be burned; acorns, asters, ferns, honeysuckle, milkweed, mums, oak leaves, pine, and rose may be decorations. [1]
Resources
[1] Green Witchcraft by Ann Moura
Lammas
Herbs
Cornstalks, heather, frankincense, and wheat may be burned; acacia flowers, corn ears, hollyhock, myrtle, oak leaves, and wheat may be decorations. [1]
Resources
[1] Green Witchcraft by Ann Moura
Summer Solstice
Herbs
Chamomile, cinquefoil, elder flower, fennel, lavender, mugwort, thyme, and vervain may be burned; hemp, larkspur, pine, rose, St. John’s Wort, and wisteria may be decorations. [1]
Resources
[1] Green Witchcraft by Ann Moura
May Day
Herbs
Almond, ash, cinquefoil, frankincense, marigold, meadowsweet, and woodruff may be burned; angelica, bluebells, daisy, hawthorn, ivy, lilac, primrose and rose may be decorations. [1]
Resources
[1] Green Witchcraft by Ann Moura
Spring Equinox
Herbs
Celandine, cinquefoil, jasmine, rose, tansy, and violet may be burned; acorn, crocus, daffodil, dogwood, honeysuckle, iris, lily, and strawberry may be decorations. [1]
Resources
[1] Green Witchcraft by Ann Moura
Gardening by Moon Sign
Some gardeners include the influence of the twelve astrological signs in their lunar gardening as well. The moon changes sign roughly every two and a half days.
MOON IN ARIES: Barren and dry. Used for destroying noxious growth, weeds, pests, and so on, and for cultivating.
MOON IN TAURUS: Productive and moist. Used for planting many crops, particularly poatatoes and root crops, and when hardiness is important. Also used for lettuce, cabbage, and similar leafy vegetables.
MOON IN GEMINI: Barren and dry. Used for destroying noxious growths, weeds, and pests, and for cultivation.
MOON IN CANCER: Very fruitful and moist. This is the most productive sign, used extensively for planting and irrigation.
MOON IN LEO: Barren and dry. This is the most barren sign, used only for killing weeds and for cultivation.
MOON IN VIRGO: Barren and moist. Good for cultivation and destroying weeds and pests.
MOON IN LIBRA: Semi-fruitful and moist. Used for planting many crops and producing good pulp growth and roots. a very good sign for flowers and vines. Also used for seeding hay, corn fodder, etc.
MOON IN SCORPIO: Very fruitful and moist. Nearly as productive as Cancer; used for the same purpose. Especially good for vine growth and sturdiness.
MOON IN SAGITTARIUS: Barren and dry. Used for planting onions, for seeding hay, and for cultivation.
MOON IN CAPRICORN: Productive and dry. Used for planting potatoes, tubers, etc.
MOON IN AQUARIUS: Barren and dry. Used for cultivation and destroying noxious growths, weeds, and pests.
MOON IN PISCES: Very fruitful and moist. Used along with Cancer and Scorpio, and especially good for root growth.
Gardening by the Moon
It is believed that the moon’s gravitational pull extends beyond Earth’s oceans, affecting the moisture in the soil, seeds, and plants. Some gardeners utilize this timing to strategically plan various gardening activities.
Gardening by Moon Phase
During the waxing moon (from new moon to full moon), plant annuals, crops that need to be seeded anew each year, and those that produce their yeild above the ground. During the waning moon (from full moon to new moon), plant biennials, pereniials, and bulb and root plants. As a rule, these are plants that produce below the ground.
These are not hard and fast divisions. If you can’t plant during hte first quarter, plant during the secon, and vice versa. There are many plants that seem to do equally well planted in either quarter, such as watermelon, hay, and cereals and grains.
FIRST QUARTER (WAXING). The first quarter begins with the new moon. Plant annuals that produce their yeild above the ground and are generally of the leafy kind that produce their seed outside their fruit. Examples are asparagus, broccoli, brussesl sprouts, parsley, and spinach. Cucumbers an exception, as they do best in the first quarter rather than the second, even thought the seeds are inside the fruit. Also in hte first quarter, plant cereals and grains.
SECOND QUARTER (WAXING): Plant annuals htat produce their yield above ground and are generally the viney types that produce their seed inside the fruit. Examples include beans, eggplant, melons, peas, peppers, pumpkins, squash, and tomatoes.
THIRD QUARTER (WANING): The third quarter begins with the full moon. Plant biennials, perennials, and bulb and root plants. Also plant trees, shrubs, berries, beets, carrots, onions, parnsips, peanuts, potatoes, radishes, rhubarb, rutabagas, strawberries, turnips, winter wheat, and grapes.
FOURTH QUARTER (WANING): This is the best time to cultivate, turn sod, pull weeds, and destroy pests of all kinds, especially when the moon is in the barren signs of Aries, Virgo, Gemini, Aquarius, and Sagittarius.
Adana Luna 