Kitchen Witchcraft: Spells & Charms - Couverture souple

Patterson, Rachel

Couverture souple

ISBN 10 : 1785357689 ISBN 13 : 9781785357688

Editeur : Moon Books, 2018

Synopsis

There are a lot of things in the universe that we dont understand. When something is meant to happen, it will whether you cast a spell or not. But you can help it on its way by guiding and encouraging it and maybe even tweaking events a little too. A spell can be worked in many ways, from a simple pointing of the finger to a complicated ritual involving lots of herbs and crystals and, of course, any variation in between. What will happen for sure is the boost of confidence and happy buzz you will receive as you cast the spell, as well as the positive vibe you get from putting something into action. Kitchen Witchcraft: Spells & Charms is a the first in a series of books which delves into the world of the Kitchen Witch. Each book breaks down the whys and wherefores of the subject and includes practical guides and exercises. Other titles include Garden Magic, Altars & Rituals and The Elements.

A propos du livre

À propos de l'auteur

Rachel Patterson has penned more than a dozen books on the rituals and practices of magic and paganism. She is High Priestess of the Kitchen Witch Coven and an Elder of the Kitchen Witch School of Natural Witchcraft. A Hedge/Kitchen Witch with an added dash of folk magic. She lives in Portsmouth, UK.

Extrait. © Reproduit sur autorisation. Tous droits réservés.

Kitchen Witchcraft: Spells & Charms

By Rachel Patterson

John Hunt Publishing Ltd.

Copyright © 2017 Rachel Patterson
All rights reserved.

ISBN: 978-1-78535-768-8

CHAPTER 1

Kitchen Witchcraft: Spells & Charms

A spell can be worked in many ways from a simple pointing of the finger to a complicated ritual involving lots of tools, herbs and crystals and of course any variation in between. As a Kitchen Witch, I do prefer to keep things simple so I am sharing my Kitchen folk magic spells with you but also delving into different types of spells, how you put them together, how to work with them and what you need.

There are a lot of things in the universe that we don't understand. When something is meant to happen, it will, whether you cast a spell or not. But you can help it on its way by guiding and encouraging it and maybe even tweaking events a little too. What will happen for sure is the boost of confidence and happy buzz you will receive as you cast the spell. You also get the positive vibe that you are putting something into action.

What exactly is a spell?

From the dictionary (which is always interesting to see) the definition of the word 'spell':

A spell is a series of words that has magical powers. If you're under a spell, then what you do is out of your control — your thoughts and actions are dictated by the spell.

Spell can refer to the magic words you say, or it can describe being under the influence of those words.

Quite possibly the most common question I get asked when people discover I am a witch is, "do you cast spells?" That's after the questions, "are you evil" and "can you turn me into a toad?" And to be honest although it is a part of my way of life to do so it is not something I do every single day. If I have an issue or a problem then I tend to look for the mundane solution first.

However, it is a wonderful way to bring about things that you desire or need and to create a better life, not just for you but for your family and friends. Maybe even help the planet a little bit too. If you have the magic at your fingertips why not use it? But remember, that with great power comes great responsibility.

In its most simple form a spell is the wish or desire to bring about change whether it is in your life or that of others. Add to that wish your own will, intent, belief and energy and you can make change happen. Although it sounds straightforward a successful spell-working takes thought, focus and energy. If you don't believe in what you are doing then the chances are that the result will be non-existent. Badly constructed spells or those cast in anger have a habit of going wrong, sometimes with disastrous results. Spells in general do have a habit of 'doing their own thing' and often have unexpected results. Fundamentally, I wholeheartedly believe that the universe knows best and what you want isn't always what you need. There is a very big difference between 'want' and 'need'. The universe has a habit of stepping into magic and diverting it ...

Anyone can cast a spell but the result will differ depending on the strength of will, intent, focus, energy and commitment to backing up the spell with actions. For example, there is no point casting a spell to find a job and then not actually applying for any. The universe isn't going to drop your dream job straight into your lap.

You must believe the spell will work, any negative thoughts about the outcome of your spell, before or after you have cast it, will have an impact on the results. If you think your spell won't work, it won't, the energy you put into the spell will follow your thoughts and affect the outcome. If your thoughts are negative, the outcome will not be as you intended. So, after you cast a spell only allow your thoughts and actions to be positive ones which will reinforce your spell.

And just to be really confusing there is also the train of thought that once you cast a spell you should forget about it completely. Follow your intuition on this one; I think it also varies depending on the spell because some workings need keeping an eye on and others may also need a regular boost of energy.

Visualisation is also key; you need to be able to clearly picture your desired result when you are working magic. Using finding a job as an example again; you receive a chance to interview for a position; you decide to cast a simple spell to secure a successful outcome from that interview. During the spell you may wish to visualise yourself at the interview, answering all the questions with ease and confidence and with a smile on your face. See yourself wearing the clothes you plan to wear and shaking hands with the interviewer. Then maybe you visualise accepting the position and seeing your name on office stationery or something of a similar nature. By visualising yourself in the position you have put your consciousness there, now all your physical body must do is follow that path.

Where do you work your magic?

In the days before we had teenage children the conservatory on our house was given over to me to use as my witchy room, referred to by my husband as 'The Bat Cave'. Inside I had a large wooden table to work on and a huge dresser to use as an apothecary cupboard for all my herbs and magical supplies. There was also space for a large working altar to put my spells and charms once they were set up to 'do their thing'. The doors open out to the garden and it was indeed a very magical place to work. I could create spells and charms on the table using items selected from my cupboards or direct from the garden. Often working out in the garden too, using a big flat stone collected from Tintagel, Cornwall as my altar.

Altars also appeared all over the house and the garden, each one for a specific purpose. Certain spells would be laid to 'prove' at the feet of Ganesha on his altar. Others would be placed in front of the Cailleach on her altar; whilst some were laid out in the garden or on the kitchen altar.

Now we have a teenager who is about to embark on a college course for fashion. This has meant me handing over my bat cave to be converted into a sewing room ... alas alack ...

Now my magical workings must be conducted in the dining room and my apothecary has been significantly scaled down. My altar size has also diminished and I am having to use the altar dedicated to the Cailleach as a working altar too. But do you know what? I am OK with it. There are priorities in life and this is how it needs to be for now. And let's face it, I am a Kitchen Witch, I am adaptable and flexible and can work with the challenges!

I also work from home and have a small 'office' in the bay window upstairs in our house. I found myself working magic there last week. Sitting at my desk I needed a spell so I worked some sigil magic, right there sat in front of my laptop and keyboard I cleared some space. Grabbing a pen and some paper from the printer I drew sigils. On the spot, no preparation, no ritual bathing, no cleansing and purifying, no preparation. And it worked perfectly (phew!).

Magic for me is often also worked in my kitchen. Every meal I make has added sprinkles of positive energy. Each cake I bake is made with love included. When I vacuum and dust the house I work magic as I go.

Whilst I have been known to set up elaborate altars and spells with several ingredients and a bit of preparation, it is not something I do often. I am more of a practical hands on, working mum who has to use what she has to hand and in the few precious moments of free time.

I like simple. I like practical. I like hassle-free spell work. If I see a spell that lists 57 different ingredients and takes four hours to set up I am very unlikely to even read past the first page let alone attempt it. (That's not to say it won't be a good spell or work for others, it just isn't for me.)

For me, keeping spell work simple and uncomplicated means there is less chance for it to go haywire.

Spells have an uncanny habit of working in very unexpected ways so I feel that the less there is within it, the less there is to go wrong.

Does the setting have to be grand though? Do you have to work magic on a gold encrusted, velvet draped altar? Will the spell work better if you are standing in a grove of ancient oaks? Is it important to create a mystical atmosphere and sacred space before working magic? I would say: No, no, no and no ... Although to be fair my house is regularly smudged and cleansed and full of enough incense on a regular basis to choke a whole coven of witches. So the space that I work magic in is very well versed with magical energy.

In my very humble opinion and based on many years of working spells, I firmly believe that the setting is not as important as the will and the intent. Not everyone has the luxury of space to set up grand magical workings and not everyone can do so or would want to in front of others in a shared house.

My thoughts are ... the magic is within YOU, trust your intuition and work with spells in the space that suits you best.

Disclaimer: Just remember that magic is a gift, sometimes a very strong one and spells carry power – be responsible ...

Sign it with your own name

Add in your own unique and individual flair to make the magic truly yours.

Do you follow recipes, spells and ritual instructions written by others to the letter? Do you make your own tweaks or do you just 'do your own thing' completely? Now, I realise how ironic this sounds laid out in a book filled with spells but these are here for you as a guide, a place to start from. My style of spell writing may not resonate with everyone, so add your own spin to them.

I think the same applies to magical workings and rituals of any kind. If we add our own spin to the structure borrowed from others or write our own from scratch, it will have our own unique flair to it.

When I first began my witchcraft journey the only real structured learning available to me was in the form of Wicca, which generally has specific outlines and guides which I followed diligently. I look back now at the rituals and spells I worked then and I can't see myself in them. But my pathway veered off into the Wild/Kitchen/Hedge witch area a long time ago.

We all need to start somewhere and having that original guidance was what I required at the time. Without specific instructions, who knows what magical mayhem I could have caused? With a few 'banish all negativity' spells that were performed I did indeed create a bit of chaos. Even with the best worded and carefully planned spell, the universe often has its own ideas about how the result should play out ...

There is, of course, no short cut to experience and I am very glad that I followed all the guidelines in the beginning. However, as time went on my learning progressed and my experience with it, I gradually learnt to follow my intuition. Now when I write a ritual or a spell it is unique to me and with my own peculiarities.

If I do use structured writings from others to work a spell or ritual then I always add in my own spin. Mostly because I am not comfortable with a lot of ceremony (and by that, I mean I am fairly lazy). I don't want to take hours preparing, spend a fortune on ceremonial gowns or purchase twenty-seven rare and exotic ingredients from across the globe. That's not to say you shouldn't – if it works for you go for it. But by adding my own twists or writing from the heart I make the magic my own, it has my individual energy to it.

I always encourage students (at our online Kitchen Witch School) to write their own spells or rituals because if you are doing so then it will be totally yours, it doesn't matter how simple or how fancy it is. The fact that you have written and designed it from scratch will mean that is has, I think anyway, more magical oomph because YOU put the effort in and it has your style all over it.

If you are starting your journey then it is good to begin with the works and ideas of others. But I would still encourage you to trust your intuition and make tweaks if you feel the need. And if you don't have all the ingredients for a spell then use what you do have. Maybe if the way a circle casting or quarter call is carried out doesn't suit you, then change it. Don't do anything that feels wrong, switch it up so that it feels right for you.

Sign the magic with your own name.

CHAPTER 2

Working with the Craft

Working with the Craft is very personal; everyone will walk their own pathway and take a very individual journey.

I don't believe there is a right way or a wrong way to work with anything within the Craft, whether it is how to cleanse and charge your crystals, how to make a poppet or what herb to use in spell work.

There are lists on the internet and there are books a plenty – (including this one) all of which have guidance and suggestions but, and here's the thing, no one person should tell you that you MUST do something a certain way. We can only share our personal experiences and the knowledge that we have learnt, but only as an opinion or an option, NOT a definitive.

I firmly believe that each person should trust their own intuition and be guided by pure instinct when working magic. Just because a book or the internet or someone else says "do it this way" does not mean it will be the right way for everyone.

Of course, there are 'standard' ways of working things, such as the order a ritual goes in but even then, who says it must be that way?

Obviously, there are some things that are sensible and it would be irresponsible not to follow some of the guidelines. For example, if you are working strong magic then it is advisable to cast a circle for your own protection and the protection of others. If you are new to the Craft then be very careful when working your first magic spell, go for something simple and nothing too complicated.

Even when working with something that is set like moon phases you can still wangle it to work for you – it's just a matter of tweaking the wording.

However, with the areas of magic such as herbs (magical not medicinal) and crystals – these items have a spirit and will tell us what needs to be done with them ... herbs and crystals do not read books, they don't know what the 'standard' is!

Do what works for you.

Do spells work?

In my experience, provided they have been thought through, worked out and performed properly – yes!

You do have to consider that the universe can be a total git and often has a habit of interfering. Spells also tend to work in unexpected ways, so just be prepared.

Why didn't my spell work?

If you set a spell in motion and it doesn't seem to have worked there may be a number of reasons. Occasionally it just doesn't – even the most skilled spell caster won't have a 100% success rate.

Maybe your spell worked but not in the way you wanted? The universe does like to interfere or maybe you weren't specific enough. Make sure you are clear and concise.

Are you familiar with the techniques used? Maybe you didn't fully understand the working or you might just need more experience. Start from the beginning.

Were you really committed to the outcome? Or were you perhaps a bit half-hearted about it?

Did you set any time frame? If you didn't specify that you needed the spell to work quickly then it may take it's time.

Did you ask deity or the universe for something? If you did, remember that a request can also receive the answer 'no' ...

Did you request assistance from deity, the divine or angels? Particularly if you don't have a relationship with them or didn't give an offering in exchange for your thanks they might not be interested in helping.

Was your desired outcome realistic? Working a spell to become a real live princess ain't gonna happen ...

Did you raise a good strong amount of energy? Was it a tornado of power or a gnat's sneeze?

Do you doubt your skills? Did you send out conflicting messages?

Be confident in what you do.

Take responsibility

A little side note on the term 'an harm to none'. This is often used at the end of spells as a disclaimer. For instance, if you cast a money spell but you don't want to gain the money by someone dying and leaving it to you in their will you could use 'an harm to none' as an escape clause. However, bear in mind that although this does reduce accidents it can also neutralise the spell in some cases. You are telling the magic to work but also restricting it. I don't mean by stopping it from killing people (coz that is wrong, definitely wrong) but by curtailing the energy from causing anyone inconvenience. Properly put together and well thought out spells should not back fire in any way, so you shouldn't need to cover yourself. If you work a spell to gain more money and you get given overtime instead of your colleague then the spell has worked, but someone else lost out in the process. You must take responsibility for that, it is a cruel world sometimes and you need to decide whether you can live with it.

(Continues...)

Excerpted from Kitchen Witchcraft: Spells & Charms by Rachel Patterson. Copyright © 2017 Rachel Patterson. Excerpted by permission of John Hunt Publishing Ltd..
All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
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Détails de l'édition

• Éditeur: Moon Books
• Date d'édition: 2018
• Langue: anglais
• ISBN 10: 1785357689
• ISBN 13: 9781785357688
• Reliure: Broché
• Nombre de pages: 144
• Coordonnées du fabricant: non disponible
• Personne responsable: non disponible