Easter Origins

Easter shows its pagan origins in a dating system based on the lunar calendar. It is fixed as the first Sunday after the first full moon following the Equinox (Spring Equinox in the Northern Hemisphere where the festival originated).

The festival is named after Ostara, the Saxon goddess of Spring, the dawn and fertility. Symbols of fertility and new life such as eggs and rabbits became associated with the new growth of the season. Ostara’s familiar, the Moon Hare who was spellbound by the luna glow is now known as the Easter Bunny. The eating of hot crossed buns was also an ancient pagan tradition, the cross representing the four quarters of the moon.

Christian mysticism dated the resurrection of Christ during this festival of rebirth.

A Spell: Dedicate an egg to the energy of new beginnings and call on Ostara to bless it as you place it in a pot of water. Boil the egg until it is hard and paint it with symbols, wishes and aspirations. Keep the egg somewhere special to invoke a new beginning. If you have visitors at Easter prepare the eggs and paint for all to create their own enchanted egg. It will bring a lot of joy and fun to the gathering.

With Love,

Danae
The SpellBox Witch

Autumn Equinox

The Autumn Equinox occurs this year on the 20th of March, it is a time when the Earth’s tilt is neither towards or away from the sun so day and night are approximately the same length. The autumn equinox was held sacred in many ancient pagan traditions, it is a seasonal gateway, a significant time heralding the coming of change. To the ancient Norse and Celts it was the Sabbat of Mabon, a celebration of thanks-giving, the ‘harvest-home’ and also a time to acknowledge the spirit world. Although many people associate this tradition only with Samhain, the falling leaves of autumn reminded the ancients of the cycle of life and death. The Druids cut willow wands for divination at this time and fires were lit for protection from negative spirits. In Scotland and Wales the spilling of wine was a symbolic sacrifice to the god at Madon and the ancient Romans  marked this date with wine at the Festival of Dionysus.

A Spell: Gather 7 Autumn leaves and create a circle with them. Write a note of thanks for all you have and place inside the circle. When the leaves wither take them outside with the note. Bury the note in the earth and throw the leaves to the wind. If you have red wine pour some on the earth as a symbolic sacrifice to the ancient gods and goddesses. 

With love,

Danae The SpellBox Witch

The Magick of Rosemary

The magick of rosemary is potent as it is an all-purpose herb that can be used in many ways and is one of the basic essential herbs in your magickal cabinet. As an oil use for protection and to invigorate the intellect, as well as to aid study and memory. Anoint the back of your neck with diluted rosemary for psychic and energetic protection. The pure oil can be used in burners and on candles for spell-making to create a strong spiritual vibration and to purify a space. For love magick make a tea of fresh rosemary and place the water in a bath or simply run your hands through the fragrant plant and wish for love as you inhale the scent. Dried rosemary can be bundled with cotton (like a smudge stick) and burnt to cleanse a space of negativity. Combine the dried leaves with juniper, copal and lavender to invigorate your home with beautiful energy.

With Love,

Danae
The SpellBox Witch

Mistletoe

Mistletoe was held sacred by the Druids and the Celts, especially when it grew on the oak. The Druids cut the plant when the moon was six days old for ritual and mystical purposes. Magickally was used for protection, dreams, love, healing and fertility. The herb was placed in cradles in protect the infant from been stolen by the faeries and lovers kissed beneath it to ensure everlasting love. When found on oak trees mistletoe is known as All-Heal as the Druids referred to it as ‘that which cures everything’.

With Love

Danae, The SpellBox Witch

New Moon In Pisces

Dear Moon Witches, The new moon in Pisces brings magick on Wednesday the 22nd. As you know this phase of the moon is about new beginnings. Time to bring desires and dreams into reality. If you want to be an artist then paint, write or dance. If you want love in your life be romantic, if you want happiness, do what makes you happy. Our minds can become trapped in want we think we have to do. This new moon is saying you are what you aspire to be already, its just a choice away. Love Danae, The SpellBox Witch

Mugwort to Awaken Psychic Abilities

Dear Witches and Magickal Folk, I highly recommend the herb, mugwort to awaken and strengthen psychic abilities. Burn the dried leaves to create this vibration or add sandalwood or wormwood to call on the spirits. Mugwort is wonderful for prophetic dreams and an infusion can be used to wash scrying mirrors and crystal balls. I charge my own black mirror through the smoke of mugwort to awaken its powers. This herb is essential in any witch’s cabinet. More about mugwort soon. Warm & Magick Danae the SpellBox Witch

The History of Halloween

On the 31st of October the ancient Celts heralded the beginning of their winter and the New Year with a great fire festival. This time of year was called Samhain. It was said that at Samhain neither human or ghost needed a password to enter each other’s worlds. The approach of the winter was humbling for the Celts, laden with dread as well as hope for survival through the cold and barren season to come.The children of the Celts brought their traditions to other lands and the ghosts of this time remembered still set the streets of New York alive with witchy window dressings, plastic pumpkins and locals in costume. Then around five years ago the mad delights of this night floated into Melbourne, driven maybe by the potential of commercial gain but also seized by the children waiting for any opportunity to be touched by magic. Embrace the magick, embrace the myth within us all. Love Danae, The SpellBox Witch

Arise Ghosts, Witches, Vampires and Fairies!

Imagine a night when spirits are free to roam the suburbs. Imagine our spirits free…On Monday the 31st of October there may be a knock at your door as visitors from an unearthly realm come in search of sugary treats. Be warned that the absence of such offerings may let loose a whining cry, the threat of mischief, the promise of trickery. Arise ghosts, witches, vampires and fairies! Awaken the suburbs from the mundane, the cold computers, the worn out feeling, the screens, the numbness and disconnection with imagination, life and fun. Love Danae

Blessing Your Crystal

To bless a crystal is an acknowledgement of the stone’s power and divine energy. The blessing is also a way to create a sacred partnership with the crystal. Place your crystal into a bowl of rosewater, hold it to your heart and bless it with your intention (you can say a prayer out loud if you so wish), then move the crystal through mugwort incense smoke. Carry it with you and call upon it’s energy when needed. Leave crystals under the full moon or in the rain to cleanse.

Love Danae

What Day Should You Cast Spells To Attract True Love?

Friday is a day associated with love and romance. Its name derives from the Norse love goddesses Freyja and Frigg. However the moon phases create the deep energy needed to weave magick and each phase will enrapture your spell with a particular quality. During the waning moon, when the moon’s light is decreasing create spells to dispel your doubts and worries concerning love. The new moon is about new beginnings, so a spell to bring a new magickal approach to love or to a relationship could be created at this time. To bring love the power of the waxing moon draws energy towards you, this phase is for attraction and attainment. Lastly the potent magick of the full moon is to conjure wishes and bring a heightened, unworldly magick to your desire to be in love.

Love Danae