In ancient societies symbols found in Nature are called Omens or Signs. They are really symbolic interpretations of natural events. Or they are are meaningful information about the past, present, or future that comes from "seemingly" random events or sources.
The ancient Chinese examined bumps on a persons head or cracks in the shoulder blades of sheep for omens. The Greeks and Romans studied entrails of slaughtered animals. The Persians looked at fire.
Today's typical scientist gets all hot and bothered about these types of practices, because of course it doesn't make any sense from a first level point of view. They argue, "How can there be any correlation between events widely separated in time, space and essential nature?"
You might as well take psychological counseling from the patterns of rain on a windowpane. But from a second level point of view, any one of these methods could work.
That's because of the first-principle idea that life is a dream, and the second-principle idea that everything is connected. With his idea of synchronicity Carl Jung came close to explaining the effectiveness of the I Ching, but synchronicity is just another world for coincidence.
Shamanism says the methods already mentioned will work because everything is related. But some things are easier to interpret than others.
Omens are all around us, because our thoughts are all around us. That is, everything around us is a reflection or symbol of our thoughts. By paying more attention to the patterns in our environment, we may be able to understand the patterns of our thought better.
There are innumerable ways to seek and read omens. The only difference between natural symbols and casting techniques, such as the runes, is that we are purposely creating symbols with casting techniques. And with natural symbols we are looking for symbols that already exist.
Bibliomancy is the art of randomly opening a book and getting the answer to a question. It is mostly used with the Bible or a dictionary, but an enjoyable and creative variation is to use any kind of book or magazine picked at random.
The second thing you can do is to ask the Universe a question about your life or your career and then go out into the world with an open expectant attitude. The omen will come; something you experience will seem significant.
It might come in the shape of clouds, the shape of spaces between things (like tree branches), an object you notice, in a song, a conversation or a billboard. But it will come to you.
Brightest of Blessings,
Lory
The Egyptian Queen, Cleopatra was known for her bewitching power and enchantment over men. Julius Caesar and Mark Antony certainly succumbed to her charms. The ingredients in this salad may well have been part of her arsenal of magical secrets
This salad is consumed to make yourself more attractive, to invoke beauty, or bewitch someone. Lettuce is sacred to the Egyptian phallic god Min. Asparagus is sacred to the sexy Roman god Mars. Tomatoes and snow peas are sacred to voluptuous Venus. Hearts of palm, garlic and black olives are aphrodisiacs. Red radishes create lust but can also protect you from unwanted sexual advances.
Ingredients for your "Spell Salad":
Romaine Lettuce
Asparagus
Tomatoes
Snow Peas
Hearts of Palm
Pitted Black Olives
1 Clove of Garlic
Radishes
Orange flower water or rose water
As you wash all the veggies visualize your sexual aura increasing. As you chop the vegetables visualize the sharpness and definition of your beauty. See yourself captivating the man you desire. Lastly, place the ingredients in a wooden bowl you have rubbed with garlic. Then sprinkle with orange flower or rose water. Or you can use the juice from a tangerine.
All are used to attract love. If you consume the salad, it will increase your animal magnetism and drawing power. If eaten by another in your presence, it will make you irresistible to them. Look out Caesar. The Queen of the Nile has a salad to Bewitch and Beguile.
Good luck, Good Love and Good Magic,
Lory
Norse Name: Eihwaz, Eoh, Yr, Ihwar
Alphabet Correspondence: EI, I, Y
Tree: Ash, Yew, "Yggdrasil"
Deities: Odin, Uller
Color: Dark Blue
Tarot Card Indicated: Hanged Man
Astrology: Scorpio
Quick Reference Magical Meaning: End of a matter, situation or problem. Drastic change. "Daring" to take on a problem or situation. Death of a relationship. Negative: Old conflicts an situations cause trouble.
Eihwaz represents the yew or ash tree, as a result in the Northern tradition the Yggdrasil tree is indicated in this rune. It also represents the human spine or backbone of the body. Just like Yggdrasil contains the nine worlds and supports creation; our psychic centers contain eight chakras, allowing an exchange between the the psychic and physical levels. The human body is counted as the "ninth" center.
The element of Eihwaz is hard to define, since Yggdrasil and our energy centers partake of all the elements. Eihwaz like Yggdrasil is rooted in the Earth, but extends skyward. The elements air and Earth are the more significant ones pertaining to the Eihwaz rune.
Eihwaz is one of the most powerful runes to be used as the back bone of a bind rune. It is the rune that comes up most often in rune-casting, when we are unsure if we should do something or not. If Eihwaz shows up it is telling us to "Go for it!"
Brightest of Blessings,
Lory
The Karmic destiny for this strong sign is to rise above the gravity pull of Earth into the celestial realms of inspiration, nobility and greatness.
You were born in the sign of the Zodiac which gives you a head start over most people; you have Mercury as your ruling planet. Mercury rules the workings of the higher mind and gives you the ability to communicate your ideas to others with great ease.
Your sign is called the Teacher in the Zodiac. Many Virgo women go into the teaching professions, and Virgo men are generally seen in positions where they must communicate their knowledge with others. Virgo's are natural teachers, speakers, writers and creative artists.
Your nature is dual; Mercury makes you practical and at the same time, a dreamer. Your head is in the stars, but your feet are firmly planted on the Earth. This is one of the reasons why so many Virgos go into work that requires the use of the higher mind, while also demanding practicality. Professions such as cosmetologist, accountant, executive secretary, court room reporter, legal assistant, and lawyer are excellent for Virgos.
Your sign makes you an excellent diplomat and peacemaker; you have the ability to influence others and make them do your bidding.
You take to higher education with ease and if you were not permitted to go to college because of financial restrictions when young, you naturally seek out wisdom through books and life experiences.
The ruling passion for most Virgos is to be of service and to give something of value to the world. Your mind is extremely efficient and you enjoy attending to numerous details. This makes you an excellent organizer and worker.
You are very critical and instantly see imperfections in yourself as well as others. You are your own worst critic and constantly strive to achieve perfection in your personality. You excel in any work where you can use your instinct for social service; you desire to achieve perfection and elevate the standards of the world.
Strive to get into work where you can use your fine intellect, your sense of discrimination and your organizational ability. If you choose the artistic professions - music, art, interior decoration, cosmetology, designing, inventing, composing, acting, singing or playing an instrument - you should strive to achieve perfection. But, do not overburden yourself with too much criticism and analysis.
You are an idealist and always working on achieving high goals. Seek out people who are in the creative and artistic professions and you will find your greatest longest lasting friendships.
Strive to avoid being overly critical of other's faults; do not zero in on their limitations. Avoid pointing out these defects in others, as it will make you extremely unpopular. People like to think of themselves as heroes in life not villains. So learn how to curb your tendency towards fault finding; it will help you advance your own personal interests.
Your inclined to be almost too honest for your own good. You sometimes trust people too fast, giving them the opportunity to take advantage and cheat you out of what is rightfully yours.
Romance for Virgo:
Your sign is the most reserved and cautious in romance. More than any other sign, Virgos need to have emotional security in love and marriage. As this sign is sensitive to environmental factors. It is vitally important that you have peace and quiet in your romantic life.
If you marry the wrong sign it will have serious effects on your nervous system, making your frustrated and miserable. You will be happiest if you pick a partner who equals your high idealism and standards.
Earth signs are the most compatible with Virgo. The sign of Taurus is ideal. Taurus mates are affectionate, loving and become good parents. Capricorn is another good sign for love and marriage. But it must be a highly developed Capricorn as they can be Karmically severe.
Although water signs are good for friendship for you, Cancer is the only sign suited for marriage. For marriage you should avoid the signs of Scorpio, Sagittarius, Aries, Leo, Gemini and Libra.
Karmically your sign has been given some of the greatest talents and potentials for achieving success. If you can avoid being caught up in tiresome boring details, recognizing the unlimited horizons of your inner potential, you can rise to the achievement for great goals in your life.
Brightest of Blessings,
Lory
Name: Loki
Also called: Father of Lies, The Trickster; Shape Changer
Invoked for: Trickery, Destruction, Big Change
Color: red
Totem Animals: Snake, Seal, Fox
Incense to Attract Loki: Dragon's blood, pepper, yew
Plants: beech, yew, Elm, ivy, Juniper, mullein, thistle
Rune: Dagaz
Day: Saturday
Loki appears to be a very ancient Norse God. Perhaps even predating the Aesir and the Vanir. He may even be the the original God of Fire going all the way back to the Stone Age. His element is Fire. He is impulsive, destructive and the immature aspect of human nature. Loki is a shape-shifter and sex changer.
Loki has been seen as being the most "evil" of all the Gods. But this could be mainly attributed to a "Christian" concept. Christian commentators blamed Angerboda, Loki's wife, for fostering Loki's ambition to be chief of the gods, supplanting his blood-brother Odin. Eventually Loki became identified with Satan, and Agerboda as an ugly, wicked witch.
Loki's three children will allegedly be responsible for the apocalyptic twilight of the gods. According to Norse mythology, Loki the trickster fathered three dangerous children. They were the Fenris Wolf, also known as Odin's Bane, destined to slay Odin. Jormungard, the Midgard Serpent, fated to slay Thor. And Hella, ruler of the Dead, destined to lead an uprising of rebellious spirits and ghosts.
Loki is held responsible for the death of Baldur, Odin and Frigga's son. He is bound to a rock, where a poisonous snake continuously spits venom into his eyes.
But on the positive side of Loki's character, during his exploits with the swartalfar, when he brought back as gifts Thor's hammer, Odin's spear, and Frey's magical ship, his actions here are good. More than that here his actions seem to be selfless, as he does not keep any of the gifts for himself but gives them all to the Aesir. As a result he has no attachments to anything.
I do not encourage the practice of invoking Loki. Asking for his help you must always give something in return and Paybacks are "Hell" to pay. This is playing with "fire" which is always a dicey operation. But here are some examples of chants to do so at your own risk:
Chant 1: (As Master Thief)
A thief has taken what is mine.
Return it all, Loki Divine.
Chant 2: (Other Aspects)
Oath-Breaker, Troublemaker,
Master of Lies,
Blood-brother of Odin,
Cunning deceiver, evil spell-weaver,
Skillfull Shape-Changer,
Son of Giant, Asgard defiant,
Keep me from danger.
Cunning and fire, treacherous liar,
Come to my aid,
Teach me your daring, mischievous faring,
That trouble be made.
Wondrous dark magic, Loki, teach me,
But hearken that my spirit stays free.
Good Luck and Good Magic,
Lory
Chocolate did not really become known in Europe until Europeans had come to America. In the seventeenth century, the first account of a drink made from cocoa beans was recorded.
It was not until the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries that a chocolate drink became well known and widespread in Europe. Later after the drink had come to be enjoyed and part of their diet, people began experimenting with chocolate as a desert.
Valentines Day is named after the Norse God Vali, son of Odin. It falls within the "Witchcraft" season of Candlemas, Norse Pagans honor this celebration as well. It has been recorded that ancient Norse Pagans honored the "loving" event.
If marked by love, they often wore a "Lovers knot" on Valentines Day. This symbol of two intersecting circles side by side can be either woven into clothing or fashioned with ribbon or yarn and tied to the garment.
Love and Happiness are essential in our lives. The joy of giving and receiving special treats such as chocolate are sacred, as well as being just plain fun.
Chocolate is now one of the most common treats given during Valentines Day as well as Candlemas. It is common for friends and lovers to offer this as a drink to honor the "love" we share.
Recipe for Valentines Day Hot Chocolate:
4 1/2 cups Milk
4 ozs. Semisweet Chocolate
5 tablespoons sugar
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 shot peppermint schnapps or whiskey
4 to 6 sticks cinnamon for garnish
(This drink can be made without alcohol, use 1 teaspoon of peppermint flavoring instead of schnapps)
Brightest of Blessings,
Lory
Few people realize that Valentine's Day is a continuation of the Pagan traditions of both ancient Rome and Northern Europe.Valentines day is so tied to Norse myth and religion, that it's dedicatory name is even a version of the Norse god "Vali," the archer-god, son of Odin. (Shades of Eros, ie Cupid, the little guy who shoots arrows through our heart to have us fall in love?)
The dedication of the day was transferred to one of the two St. Valentines, about whom little is known, and who appear to be a southern European version of Cupid. As with all the ancient festivals, the divinatory part of the celebration was performed at the beginning of the day according to traditional reckoning - after sunset on February 13th.
Valentine's Eve, girls would decorate their pillows with five bay leaves, one for each corner and one in the middle, in order to dream of their lover and husband-to- be.
Valentines Day is associated with a purification custom, which involves carrying an arch of brambles, the plant of spirit banishing.
Good luck, Good Magic and Good Love,
Lory
