The invocation of the elements of Air, Fire, Water and Earth, which are the energies on which we draw. They are always called in this order as Air represents thought, which should precede all our actions. We bring the element of Spirit to the Circle ourselves and through the Divine.
The invitation of the Goddess and the God, the Divine, whose assistance we need to perform our working and in whose honour we gather.
The drawing of a Circle large enough to contain those taking part and the actions they are there to perform. This is usually done on the psychic level rather than on the physical, although some will place markers to show the boundary. The Circle is drawn clockwise (or Deosil) from the north-east point of the area, between Earth and Air, and overlaps at that point in order to ensure that it is complete. The Circle is there to contain the energy raised until it is ready to be released and to protect those within its boundaries from outside energies and distractions.
These steps can be formal and elaborate, as in group working, or very simple and performed using visualization when working on your own.
Any Craft-related action done within the Sacred Space will have more effect and potency than the same action performed outside the Sacred Space. Having said that, in most cases things can be made outside the Circle and then taken into it and blessed or consecrated for use. Alternatively, you can Magically enhance your remedies whilst making them and empower them for use.
Magically Enhancing and Empowering your Work
To Enhance Work in Preparation
Whether you are making a healing potion or bathing in preparation for a Magical working, the first step is to clear your mind of all distractions so that you can fully focus on your intent, for it is intent and focus which make the Magic work. One of the keys to this is to carefully prepare your working area. Make sure it is clean and tidy before you start, for physical distractions lead to mental ones.
You also have to carefully define your needs and goals. Make sure that you know what you intend to do and why. Are your motives pure? Having formulated your desire, you then need to assemble all your ingredients, checking that you have everything you need and finding substitutes where necessary. Then you can commence work.
Whilst working, you need to keep your goals firmly in mind, if necessary by writing them out and keeping a copy in front of you. You should also try to summon from within yourself the elements, in terms of thinking about what you are doing (Air), empowering it with enthusiasm (Fire) and emotion (Water), by the actual work (Earth) and by focusing your intent (Spirit). If you can, dedicate the work to a particular Goddess(es) and/or God(s), as you will find that they will lend their aid not only to your Magic, but also to making the physical side of things proceed more easily.
To Magically Empower a Product
There are many ways of empowering a potion or object, from simply placing it in the light of the Full Moon overnight to a full Ritual of Consecration (see below). However, you cannot sit food on the windowsill overnight for consumption the following day! Instead you might like to dedicate it to your chosen deity or deities. To do this, create a small clear space around your chosen item or product and visualize each of the elements in turn. See them in your mind’s eye materializing over the product and then enhancing it with their energy. Then take up the item in your hands and call (either out loud, or in your mind) upon the Goddess and the God to lend their power to your intent. Visualize them reaching out and touching the item and blessing it. When you feel that this is complete, thank the Goddess and the God, and each of the elements, for their aid.
If you prefer a more formal approach, and you are creating something which does not have to be consumed immediately, then you can consecrate it ritually. This will involve setting an Altar and casting a Circle by invoking the elements of Air, Fire, Water and Earth, and inviting the Goddess and the God. After this, pass the object through the incense smoke and candle flame, then sprinkle it with water and salt whilst naming it and its purpose, and asking for their energy to enhance it. Next, you present it to the Goddess and the God and ask their blessing in the way described above. Lastly, you will need to remove the Circle and clear away your working space by thanking and banishing the elements and the Divine.
Disposing of your Spell
People often ask me how to dispose of spells, charms, sachets, and so on once they have fulfilled their purpose or the Magic is no longer required.
The first thing to do is to remember to give thanks to the Goddess and the God. It is not enough to just accept the Magic, you need to try to give back something too. Perhaps plant a useful herb in your garden or, if you have the space, a tree dedicated to the Gods. Alternatively, spend some time working on the land or clearing rubbish from your local park.
After you have given something back, then it is time to dispose of the sachet. Open it and scatter all the environmentally-friendly parts to the winds. Stones, crystals and charms should be buried or cast into the sea or a stream. The fabric of the sachet and any paper, perhaps with your intent written on, can be burned or torn into shreds and buried.
Keeping a Journal or Book of Shadows
In the Craft we often recommend that each Witch keeps their own Book of Shadows, so called because it is but a shadow of reality. In this they record their Magical workings and experiences, as well as their thoughts and feelings about the Craft. They use it to monitor their own progress and as a record for their future reference. In a Coven, the High Priestess may also ask to see this journal so that she may monitor the progress of those Witches in her care as well as help to guide their future development.
In herbal work it really is essential to keep a record of what you have done, how much of each ingredient you used, when and how you made it (including the phase of the Moon), when and how it was used, and the results. How else are you going to be able to monitor your progress and the efficacy of your products?
Whether you keep a formal Book of Shadows or a simple ‘cookery’ journal, it is important that you keep it safe from prying eyes, as even the thought that someone may be reading your thoughts is usually enough to stop you from recording them honestly (see here).
I would advise that starting such a journal is perhaps your first step on the road towards becoming a ‘Kitchen Witch’.
Guidelines for Buying, Using and Storing Herbs and Plants
‘Whenever ye have need of any thing…’
Many of the recipes in this book involve the use of herbs and plants whose uses and effects you may be unfamiliar with. So here