Archive of the Shady Grove

A collection of spells, rituals, and reference materials for members of the Coven of the Shady Grove

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Magickal Names

A brief guide to magickal names, what they are, they’re possible history, and how to get/find one.

A magickal name, or if you prefer, a name of power, is basically your working name as a witch.  It is the secret name you call the powers under.  Think of it like a pen name for an author.  It is known only to you, your coven, and the spirits.  It can give you a sense of strength or power and helps you put on your witchy self.  Names have power.  Not that I have to explain that to you as someone who also knows the power of calling yourself/being called by your real/chosen name. Magickal names also serve as a sort of layer of protection.  Historically speaking, they were probably used among covens in the dark times so that no one knew the actual name of those working with them, so they couldn’t give names to the Inquisition if they were questioned and tortured.  Magickally speaking, they serve a similar purpose to a superhero’s secret identity: insulating your mundane identity from evil spiritual forces looking for your magickal one. As to where they come from, well, your first name is your choice.  Anything you like.  It can be a name from a piece of fiction, music, history, mythology.  It can be an animal or a color or a stone.  Anything that speaks to you as being you.  Your second name is generally given to you, either by your coven or your teacher, though, obviously, you are free to reject any suggestions, or not use it at all. For examples, I’ll get personal.  I have two, for obvious reasons.   I was Lesharo.  Lesharo is the name of a character from I book I liked as young teen.  He was a slave that had been disfigured (all slaves in that world were branded on their foreheads as children and he flinched) but was kind, caring, strong of heart, and a talented musician, though most couldn’t see past his outward appearance. On the other hand, I am Ahnmuri (pronounced on-MYER-ee), which is just a weird way to pronounce my real middle names, Ann Marie. I also have two surnames, for less obvious reasons.  Two different sources teaching me different things.  I am the StormRaven or the PaleOwl, and which I use depends on what I’m doing. NOTE: Like everything else, a magickal name is a tool, and like all the other tools of magick, you don’t have to use/have one if you don’t want one.

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Basic Equipment Guide

I’m going to list some equipment, define what it is, and give its general purpose. Now, firstly, you don’t need any of this stuff to do magick.  The tools and gestures and everything traditionally associated with magick are merely to help focus your mind, but your mind is all you really need.  That’s not to say you can’t/shouldn’t use them, just that you don’t have to if you don’t want to.

Altar:  a flat surface large enough to hold your supplies.  Your magickal workspace.  Usually positioned so you are facing North when using it, or able to be moved to face the direction associated with the element most closely related to the intended working about to be performed.  Or stuck against whatever wall you have room for it on in your tiny apartment.

Wand: a rod, traditionally the length of the space between your wrist and the crook of your elbow and the thickness of your thumb, usually made of wood, though sometimes metal tubing, and can be carved and/or decorated with stones, beads, leather, skins, fur, wire, whatever the owner likes.  It is used to direct energy. Staff: a rod, traditionally the length of the distance between your temple and the ground and the thickness of your circled thumb and forefinger.  It can be decorated to suit the user, and is used in the same manner as a wand. Athame: [a-thuh-may (with the first a sounding like the a in staff)] a dagger, usually decorated or ornate, and not necessarily sharp, since it’s not a physical cutting tool.  It’s used to direct energy like a wand and cut spiritual or metaphorical things during rituals (e.g., a spell to sever ties with someone or to cut something out of your life).  Can also be used to cut a door in a magick circle to allow someone to pass through without breaking the circle. Sword: Outsized athame, used for the same things. Knife: It’s a knife, usually plain but sharp.  This one is used for actually cutting physical objects during spells. Incense:  a mix of herbs that are smoldered to release a sweet smelling smoke.  Available in stick, cone, or even loose to be used in a censor.  Choice of scent can either be your personal incense (i.e., just one you really like) or for a specific magickal purpose. Censor:  a metal container with vents that holds a glowing ember of charcoal and filled with herbs to burn as incense (which is where the word comes from, because it’s burned in cens-or). Holy Water:  Sometimes Sun or Moon Water, depending on how it’s made, is purified or distilled water that has been blessed and consecrated in some way and is used a cleansing or blessing substance. Broom:  A small broom, used for ceremonially “sweeping” energies.  Any broom will do for this, though most people like a hand-sized one.  Those cinnamon scented twig brooms they sell around the holidays work well. Altar/Circle Candles:  a few different types of (usually pillar) candles can be used and re-used during a ritual (not counting any that may be used in the actual spellwork).  Quarter candles are placed at the four cardinal directions on the circle and generally colored to match that element (Earth-Green, Air-Yellow, Fire-Red, Water-Blue).  God/dess candle(s) are placed in the upper part of the altar, out of the way of the work space, and are sometimes just a single candle for both.  Illuminator candles are exactly what they sound like: large candles placed on/around your altar to light up your workspace, if you really want to do things old school.  (Personally, it’s the 21st century and too many candles is just a fire hazard.  I’ll use the provided electric lights to illuminate my room, thanks.) Elemental Symbols: physical representations of the elements. These are a matter of personal choice.  I personally use a pentacle for Earth, my athame for Air, my wand for Fire, and a chalice for Water because those are the elements the four Tarot suits are associated with, but you can use whatever you like.  A rock, a feather, a lighter, a seashell.  I’ve known someone who had little figurines of a bear, an eagle, a dragon, and a shark.  I do caution against using an actual open flame for fire, just because it sits on the Southern part of the altar, which is where you’re generally going to be standing, and constantly reaching over a candle is just asking to get burned. Divination tools:  these come in many forms from many different cultures.  Runes, Tarot, Yijing, knucklebones, scrying mirrors, even dice and playing cards.  The “randomness” of their display is the universe’s way of communicating.

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A Basic Ritual For One Practitioner

Right, full blown ceremony here.  Before the ritual, casting the circle, calling the quarters, invoking the gods, all of it.  This is the basic framework for any ritual magick.  It’s different when practicing with others, but this is for when you’re alone. The purpose of this is to create a place out of time and space that is protected and contained in which to gather and shape the magick before it is released when the circle is broken.

Couple of quick notes: 1)  I don’t know your set up.  If you have the space to place your workspace/altar in the center of your circle with candles at the quarters and room to walk around the circle, do so.  I’m going to write this like you can.  If not, like you’re in a small bedroom with your altar against a wall, that’s fine, too.  Just stand at your altar and turn (slowly, don’t get dizzy) in a circle, projecting the circle from you. 2)  I’m going to name the tools to use for certain steps.  If you don’t have them, don’t worry.  Your dominant/power hand works just as well.  An open hand in a sweeping motion replaces the broom, and a pointed index and middle finger replaces the wand/athame.  Imagining a lit candle marking your quarters works just fine, and envisioning smoke or power rising from your cupped hand replaces incense. 3)  A wand and an athame (magickal dagger) serve basically the same purpose: focusing and projecting energy.  Some would say that a wand is gentler while an athame is a bit more sharp (pun always intended) in their working, but it honestly just comes down to personal preference.  Also, a staff and a sword are just overgrown wands and athames.  You can use them instead if you wish, though size and space are a concern.  I have them (you’ve seen them on my wall), but they mostly only get used when I’m practicing outdoors, or as knickknacks to impress potential suitors.  What?  Don’t judge me. 4)  Cats are innately magical and exist between worlds.  It’s why witches generally have cats as familiars.  Having a cat cross your circle will not break it, because they exist on both sides already. 5) The words “in quotes and in italics” are something you’re meant to say during the ritual. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ BEFORE THE RITUAL

Prepare your area: Tidy away everything you aren’t going to need or might trip over and gather all your necessary items (tools, candles, incense, spell components, etc.) and place them on your altar/workspace.  Double check.  It’s best if you don’t have to break your circle because you forgot your lighter.

Prepare your body: Hydrate and have a snack.  Can’t cast spells on an empty stomach or call down eldritch powers with a dry throat. Use the restroom.  Don’t want to be distracted or have to stop in the middle. Take a shower.  Running water washes away magickal residue.  Envision all your negativity swirling down the drain.  As a bonus, you can use an appropriately themed/enchanted soap. Dress comfortably and sensibly.  I know, I know.  “But the aesthetic!”  Corsets steal your breath, heels can trip you, and bell sleeves knock things over or catch candle flames (”Thou shalt not burn a witch.”).  You can even color coordinate with the goal of your ritual, though black is always appropriate, obviously. Note on skyclad rituals: Practicing skyclad (in the nude) is perfectly fine if you’re comfortable with it.  Some rituals (e.g., the Great Rite) or types of magick (e.g., Tantric) sort of require it by their nature (they involve sex).  I don’t personally practice this way or perform those types of rituals.  They require a second person, firstly, and I have enough self-loathing/dysphoria that I prefer to be covered in general.  But, in this and all things, I say wear (or not, in this case) what you dig. Prepare your mind: Relax.  Focus.  Meditate (if you can).  While strong emotion is a source of power, it is best to approach a ritual with a calm and focused mind and heart.  A chaotic spirit leads to chaotic magick, and the purpose of a ritual is to impose control on, or at least make sense of, a chaotic world. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Okay.  Deep breath.  Here we go. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Making Your Circle Take up your broom.  Starting at the North and moving/turning clockwise/to your right, sweep the air from the center of the circle out to the boundary.    “Within this circle, in this hour, Negativity is banished by my power.” Envision all the chaotic and negative energy being swept out of the space.  Keep going until you’re back to your start in the North.  Set aside your broom. Take your wand/athame.  Starting at the North and moving clockwise, point to the edge of your circle. “Here do I scribe this circle’s end. It will not break.  It will not bend.” Envision a glowing line forming on the ground marking the edge of your circle, separating and protecting you from the rest of the world. Keep going until you’re back to your start in the North.  Set aside your wand/athame. Take your incense.  Starting at the North and moving clockwise, waft the smoke around your circle. “Nothing but love may enter in. Nothing but love may leave again.” Envision the smoke transforming into an iridescent mist that forms a bubble around you, even overhead. Keep going until you’re back to the start in the North.  Set aside your incense. “This circle is sealed.” ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Calling The Quarters and The God/dess Take your pentacle/symbol of Earth and face North.  Light your Northern candle (if you’re using one).  Present your pentacle (or just outstretched arms in a gesture of welcome) to the North. “Hail to the Guardians of the Watchtower of the North. Capricorn.  Taurus.  Virgo.  Elementals of Earth. I, <Magickal Name>, call upon your power. Lend me strength and wisdom in this hour.” Envision a chain of green light extending from your candle/Northern point of your circle out to a massive tower on a rocky outcropping covered in moss, filled with the power of Earth, from the steady resilience of stone to the riotous growth of plants.  See it flow from the tower and turn that part of your circle green. Place your symbol of Earth on the Northern part of your altar. Take your athame/symbol of Air and face East.  Light your Eastern candle.  Present your athame to the East. “Hail to the Guardians of the Watchtower of the East. Libra.  Aquarius.  Gemini.  Elementals of Air. I, <Magickal Name>, call upon your power. Lend me strength and wisdom in this hour.” Envision a chain of yellow light extending from your Eastern candle to a massive tower on a windswept hill filled with the power of Air, from the gentle caress of a light breeze to the swirling vortex of a tornado.  See it flow from the tower and turn that part of your circle yellow. Place your symbol of Air on the Eastern part of your altar. Take your wand/symbol of Fire and face South.  Light your Southern candle.  Present your wand to the South. “Hail to the Guardians of the Watchtower of the South. Aries.  Leo.  Sagittarius.  Elementals of Fire. I, <Magickal Name>, call upon your power. Lend me strength and wisdom in this hour.” Envision a chain of red light extending from your Southern candle to a massive tower on the edge of a volcano surrounded by lava flows filled with the power of Fire, from the soothing warmth of a fireplace to the rage of the inferno.  See it from from the tower and turn that part of your circle red. Place your symbol of Fire on the Southern part of your altar. Take your chalice/symbol of Water and face West.  Light your Western candle.  Present your chalice to the West. “Hail to the Guardians of the Watchtower of the West. Cancer.  Scorpio.  Pisces.  Elementals of Water. I, <Magickal Name>, call upon your power. Lend me strength and wisdom in this hour.” Envision a chain of blue light extending from your Western candle to a massive tower jutting out of the sea filled with the power of Water, from the refreshing rain to the crushing flood.  See it flow from the tower and turn that part of your circle blue. Place your symbol of Water on the Western part of your altar. Face your altar and light your God and Goddess candles.  With your arms at your side, palms facing upward, address the space around your altar. “Hail to the God and Goddess.  The Lord and Lady. Father, Son, and Sage.  Maiden, Mother, and Crone. I, <Magickal Name>, call upon your power. Lend me strength and wisdom in this hour.” Envision them standing over your circle keeping watch.  Feel their energies fill the space within your circle.  You are in a bubble of power, floating in the void, tethered by the Watchtowers, and watched by the deities.  Feel the energy all around and within you building and building.  Once you are ready, it’s time to give that power a purpose. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Now is when you perform the specific spells or rituals you actually set out to do, channeling all that energy into the form you want to give it through the spell work.  Once the spell is completed, it is time to release the energy into the world to do what you’ve intended it to do.  Time to send everything back out in reverse order. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Dismissing the God/dess and the Quarters, and Opening the Circle. Face your altar with your arms at your side, palms facing upward. “My gratitude to the Lord and Lady.  Stay if you will.  Go if you must. Leave this place with perfect love and perfect trust.” Extinguish your God and Goddess candles.  Envision them fading back to the spirit world. Face the West with your arms at your side, palms facing upward. “My gratitude to the Water of the West.  Stay if you will.  Go if you must. Leave this place with perfect love and perfect trust.” Extinguish your Western candle.  Envision the Tower fading from view, the chain released, as that part of your circle shifts from blue back to iridescent.

Face the South with your arms at your side, palms facing upward. “My gratitude to the Fire of the South.  Stay if you will.  Go if you must. Leave this place with perfect love and perfect trust.” Extinguish your Southern candle.  Envision the Tower fading from view, the chain released, as that part of your circle shifts from red back to iridescent.

Face the East with your arms at your side, palms facing upward. “My gratitude to the Air of the East.  Stay if you will.  Go if you must. Leave this place with perfect love and perfect trust.” Extinguish your Eastern candle.  Envision the Tower fading from view, the chain released, as that part of your circle shifts from yellow back to iridescent.

Face the North with your arms at your side, palms facing upward. “My gratitude to the Earth of the North.  Stay if you will.  Go if you must. Leave this place with perfect love and perfect trust.” Extinguish your Northern candle.  Envision the Tower fading from view, the chain released, as that part of your circle shifts from green back to iridescent. Starting in the North, take your your non-dominant hand and outstretch it to your circle on the ground.  Moving counterclockwise/to your left, draw the glowing circle on the ground back into yourself, stopping when your again reach the North. “This circle is open but is never broken.  Its form here was but a token. I send the power of my spell out with thee.  As I will, so mote it be.” Envision the iridescent bubble bursting and feel the power of your magick rush out into the world to do what you want it to do. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ And, that’s it.  Congratulations.  You did a thing.  Nothing left but the cleanup.