and open to Her Wisdom."
30th Day of the 3rd Lunar Cycle
Ruled by Hecate
Lunar Tree Cycle ~ Nion/Ash
25th Day of the Celtic Tree Cycle ~ Nion/Ash
Moon Phase: Dark
Moon rises: 6:42AM EDST
Moon sets: 6:35PM EDST
Moon in the Mutable Water Sign of Pisces
Ceridwen's Cycle of the Moon
Lunar Meditation: The invitation
sent by your dreams.
Sun in Pisces
Sunrise: 7:34AM EDST
Sunset: 7:24PM EDST
Solar Question for the Day: "What enslaves you
and how can you be free?"
Imbolc (Gwyl Mair) Quarter of the Year
March 14th, 2010
"Dark rising, lingering day
Spring arrives with no bouquet.
Dark moon time for introspection,
Pre Moon Syndrome (PMS),
Witch reflection."
From "Seasons of the Witch"
So with the change to Daylight Savings Time we are back to the dark in the morning but whenever this latest storm system passes through (here in the northeast) there will be light longer in the evenings...
Changed the picture on my heading here - finally removed the picture of snow and thought this picture of a witch's broom and such will bring us to thoughts of spring (you know - spring cleaning). While the snow is finally all gone, it is still rather drab outside around here.
Cords
Lengths of cord have several uses in the Craft. The material used should be natural, and the ends should be secured by sitching, not by tape or knots. It is usual for all Witches to have their own set of at least 3 cords.
Where a Witch wears robes, they are normally cinched at the waist by a cord 4'6" in length. This cord can then be used, with the Athame, to draw the traditional circle 9 feet in diameter. Many Covens allocate different colors to different degrees of Initiation. It is not uncommon for Witches to have a holder on this cord to carry their Athame.
Three cords are used to bind a person for Initiation. One, 9 feet in length, is used to tie the hands behind the back, and the ends are then taken over the shoulder and knotted at the front in such a way as to restrain but not endanger. The other two are 4'6" and one is tied around the right ankle, the other above the left knee.
Cords are sometimes used to raise power by binding, as restricting, the flow of blood can cause an altered state of consciousness. But many witches (Kate West, Christopher Penczak among others) do not recommend this as accidents can happen and the resulting headlines can be embarressing! Cords are also used in Circle to raise power in dancing. Opposite pairs each take an end and then the whole Circle revolves, faster and faster, around the High Priestess who holds the center point up, until she feels sufficient energy has been created.
Cords are sometimes used in knot magick, although string, thread or ribbons are also used.
"Only focused energy
will result in change."
[From: "The Real Witches' Year" by Kate West]
Knot Magick
Knot spells are one of the oldest forms of magick. It has long been a tradition for sailors to buy the ritual from a Witch. She would give them a cord with three knots in it, and they would undo one for a breeze, two for a wind, and three for a strong wind, usually to bring them home. A girl would knot her right garter nine times around her stocking and attach it to the bed to dream of her future husband. A groom would go to his wedding with one shoelace undone so that he might 'untie' his wife's virginity on the wedding night. A pregnant woman's image would have a knotted cord around her neck in order that the pregnancy might go full term. This would be cut at the onset of labor to ensure an easy delivery. Knotted silk was tied around an affected part to ease the pain of rheumatism. And it used to be common to place a red thread with nine knots in it around a teething baby's neck.
A popular modern knot spell involves tying 9 knots in a length of appropriately colored thread or cord while saying:
"By the knot of one,
the spell's begun.
By knot of two,
it cometh true.
By knot of three,
so mote it be.
By knot of four,
the open door.
By the knot of five,
the spell's alive.
By the knot of six,
the spell is fixed.
By the knot of seven,
the stars of heaven.
By the knot of eight,
the stroke of fate.
By the knot of nine,
the thing is mine!"
[From: "The Real Witches' Year" by Kate West]
The Spell of Nine - another version:
The "Spell of Nine" is old and often used. Most often tied with knot magick, it can also be performed with a pouch of witches' stones, coins from the purse or pocket, kernels of corn, beans or grain, or the beads of a necklace or bracelet. Some witches will do knot magick with the cord that they might wear loosely around their wrist. They only knot this cord when they are 'spelling'. Here is a verse to use:
"With the first one the spell's begun.
With two, from my heart true.
With three, so mote it be.
With four, it will soar.
With five, to arrive
With six and seven
To sparkle written in the stars of heaven.
With eight, it now is fate.
At nine, is mine.
Repeat this verse to banish:
This with nine, I decline.
It will abate with eight.
With seven and six, I will transfix.
No longer does the power thrive with five.
And nevermore with four.
'With three my heart is free.
Adieu on two.
With one, my spell is done."
[From: "Tarot of a Moon Garden" by Karen Marie Sweikhardt, page 120]
Magick Performed with the Witches' Cords or Girdle
Many types of magick are performed with the "Witches' Cords or Girdle". They are used to snare (attract), bind and loosen (release).
The Witches' Cords are braided from three cords, traditionally red, black and gold. Use any colors you with which you resonate. You may wish to use several combinations as they apply to sabbats or specific rituals in the application of color symbol and magick. They should be equal to your height or nine feet in length (three times three; waxing, full and waning; maiden, mother, crone). The cord should have an open loop at one end and a tasseled knot on the other.
An object link is required for some of these types of magick, linking by symbol or thought the traces of a person's energy in a possession, photograph or signature. Coins, for example, would be a symbol to snare or attract prosperity. To magickally ensnare, cords are wound and fastend to form a circle on the altar, this surrounds the object with your energy and intent. To draw with cord magick as by any other means, the rites should be performed on a waxing moon. In binding, magick may be used to strengthen an existing tie. It should not be used to force another's will. The full moon is the time to bind. To bind, the symbol is placed against the bare skin of the solar plexus and it is bound there through the other rites. These may be crafted for this intent, such as in hand-fasting or weddings, or the binding may simply be a 'by-product' of a moon circle or sabbat rites. Binding is also used in combination with knot magick to inweave the magick of the dancers in the sacred circle. "The Rope Dance" and "The Star Dance" are two examples. The cords are all knotted together, binding the energies of all present in the circle. Through this the dance becomes a synergy of rhythm and motion. The cords are used to cast the geometry of the sacred circle, with a solitary cord for personal rites or knotted together for larger gatherings.
To loosen, begin the ritual with an object symbol bound against your solar plexus, while turning or twirling counter-clock wise, loosen the cords and allow the object to fall free. The circle can help by sweeping the object counter-clockwise until it is removed from the sacred radius. The besom, or witch's broom, is another magickal tool of the space. This is done by sweeping away all that is 'unclean' or of negative or malicious content.
[From: "Tarot of a Moon Garden" by Karen Marie Sweikhardt]
Here are a couple of links to websites regardnig cord and knot magick.
For cord supplies and suggestons:
To attrack someone to you:
http://www.flamesfirepit.org/MedMagick/knot_magick.html
Coven call
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