In Pure Spirit

For open minds

A look inside Black Rose Enchantments: Tarot readings and charms

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Black Rose Enchantments is a new age shop on Etsy with tarot readings, charms and creations that caters for wiccan, pagan, zodiac and steampunk tastes. At the start of the month we visited White Rose Witches and so, to balance things up, let’s visit Black Rose Enchantments today.

Enchanted Dark Angel Bracelet

dark-angel-brace

I want this.

Black Rose uses amethyst, blue stonestone, silver toned metal charms and lead free pewtwe angels on this bracelet. It is one of the most significant items in the store.

Amethyst Pentacle Necklace

ame-pent

For my collection.

At the time of writing there’s only one of these handmade pentacle necklaces left. In addition to the amethyst, they’re made with quartz and a silver toned metal charm.

Traditional Tarot: 10 Card Spread Reading

tarot-read

Seek Black Rose visions.

In addition to buying items from Black Rose you can also invest in insight and wisdom. This reading using the traditional Celtic Cross spread and will address any situation or question you wish to put, according to Black Rose.

In Pure Spirit

Have you had any experience in giving or taking Tarot readings over Etsy? It would be a blessing if you would share your thoughts in the comments below.

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The meaning of cat talismans

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cat charms
Image by editrx via Flickr

Originally cat charms were used to signify luck and are common today. The question is whether they represent good or bad luck.

The black cat, in particular, is sometimes seen as unlucky as it represents one of the forms Satan is believed to take as he stalks the Earth. Others will wear the black cat charm to specifically ward against bad luck.

The Romans took the fiercely independent nature of the cat and translated this to the concept of liberty. The ancient Egyptians associated the cat to the moon and drew connections between the dilation and contraction of cat eyes to the waxing and waning of the moon.  Egyptian moon gods or goddesses would often be depicted with the wedjat eye in the full-moon disk over their head. The wedjat-eye, however, belonged to Re and was later associated with Thoth, rather than the cats.

Herbal baths and Wicca

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My favorite bathtub in the world (or do you kn...

Image by alles-schlumpf via Flickr

Rituals and mediation are often best done while refreshed, clean and calm. It is common place for baths to be taken before any such activity and it is especially common the herbs and incense to be used.

Once the herbs have infused the warm bath waters they easily transfer onto the body. The following list suggests which herbs are most appropriate for rituals and meditations.

For Peace

Chamomile, hops, lavender, peppermint and rose.

For Energy

Heather, lemon balm, rosemary and savory.

For Comforting

Chamomile, lavender, marigold, mint, raspberry leaves and rosemary.

For Relaxation

Chamomile, heather, jasmine flower and lemon balm.

In Pure Spirit

How important do you find a nice long bath before a ritual, spell or meditation? Which herbs would you recommend?

Herbs for incense and candle magick

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Perforate St John's-wort

Image by randihausken via Flickr

It is common for wicca to use herbs for incense or for candle magick. Charcoal blocks can also be used but the following list has a particular emphasis on herbs commonly used for candle magick.

Warning: Wormwood fumes are poisonous so if you have to use wormwood then do so in an area with good ventilation and have someone check on you.

Balance

Basil, chamomile, comfrey, mullein and woodruff.

Blessing / Conseration

Chamomile, dianthus, elder flowers, fennel, mint, oats, rosemary, rue and vervain.

Cleansing / Purification

Avens, betony, benoin, burdock, clove, byssop, lavender, mullein, parsely, rosemary, thyme, vervain, wormwood and yarrow.

Creativity

Vervain.

Courage

Mullein and rosemary.

Divination

Bay, cinquefoil, marigold, moonwort, mugwort, mullein, orange peel, thyme, woodruff, wormwood and yarrow.

Encourage changes

Linden, purple heather and woodruff.

Energy / Power / Strength

Cinquefoil, elder flower, fennel, St. John’s Wort and vervain.

Fortune / Justice

Bay, bergamot, cinquefoil, lemon balm, orange peel, star anise, vervain, violet and woodruff.

Happiness / Peace

Jasmine, lavender, rosemary and vervain.

Healing

Cinquefoil, comfrey, coriander, hops, lavender, lemon balm, mullein, mustard, rosemary, rue, sage, St. John’s Wort, tansy and thyme.

Love

Avens, cardamon, dill flowers, ginger, lavender, linden leaves, marigold, moonwort, mustard seed, orange peel, vervain, vetivert, wormwood and yarrow.

Meditation

Acacia and chamomile.

Money

Basil, bergamot, chamomie, clove, dill seeds, mint, moonwort, nutmeg, oats and vetivert.

Protection / Defense

Betony, birch, burdock, cumin, dianthus, dill leaves, fennel, fern, marjoram, mint, mugwort, mullein, mustard, parsely, rosemary, rue, sage, vervain, white heather, woodruff, wormwood and yarrow.

Psychic Awareness

Bay, betony, burdock, cinnamon, elder flower, lavender, mace, marigold, star anise and woodruff.

Releasing Negativity

Betony, clove, hyssop, mugwort, rosemary, St. John’s Wort, thyme, vervain, vertivert and yarrow.

Sealing / Sending Positive Energy

Wormwood.

Spirit Contact / Blessings

Lilac, purple heather, mint and Soloman’s Seal.

Strength / Willpower

Rosemary and St. John’s Wort.

Wisdom

Sage.

In Pure Spirit

Which herbs do you use in your rituals? Leave a comment and let us know. Please be safe and remember the dangerous of wormwood.

Eye of Horus

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Arithmetic values

Image via Wikipedia

An ancient Egyptian protection symbol associated with royal power from gods. Some modern rituals use the Eye to channel prosperity, health and regeneration.

Horus is a sky god and is often depicted with the head of a falcon. The Eye of Horus is commonly shown as a right eye with a tear drop below and, together, they symbolise the sun and Isis. The left eye and teardrop is more usually shown to represent the moon as Thoth.

In some Egyptian mythologies Horus lost his left eye to Seth in a fight over the murder of Osiris. Seth lost the fight and Thoth, the god of writing, was able to use  magic to restore Horus’ eye.

The design of the Eye of Horus is fractional – parts of the image represent different fractions.

In Pure Spirit

Do you wear an Eye of Horus?

Disclosure

This blog discusses ideas and causes. Urban myth and history combine here. In Pure Spirit covers stories from elsewhere on the web and may make fair use clippings and quotations from the original source.