Tag Archives: astral projection

Yerba Del Diablo 

This talisman is used to aid in Witches’ Flight, astral travel, amplifying Crossroads and Spirit work and (as the name suggests) is particularly (though not exclusively) useful in works that involve the Devil – and other diabolical entities. I have always had a particular fondness for Datura stramonium – a.k.a. Jimsonweed, the Devil’s Trumpet or as we always called them: Moonflowers – as it was the only plant my grandmother couldn’t kill. Because of that, she grew them everywhere – they lined the porch, the sides of the house, the driveway, she even planted them at the wood’s edge! While is has been used as an entheogen for centuries, for the sake of safety, I offer this alternative means of use:

The Flying Stone

Given that the plant is technically toxic – handle with care; it has been known to cause contact dermatitis and the seed pod is quite obviously “pokey,” so…

Ingredients

  • Datura Seedpod – unopened
  • Twine/Sturdy String – red, black, white or natural-tone
  • Candle/Wax – in a corresponding color to your twine/string
  • Ash – of the above sigil
  • Oil/Alcohol
  • Black Square of Fabric – 8×8 should work

Optional:

  • Sealant
  • Additional String
  • Powdered Mayapple – root or leaves **also poisonous, read proper handling procedures before use**
  1. At an hour or event befitting your desire, burn the sigil and mix the ashes with a few drops of oil or alcohol (note: if using alcohol, you’ll want to work rather quickly, given its quick evaporation time) and apply the mixture thusly to the Datura seedpod. You may speak a few words of blessing or name it in the honor of a spirit or entity if you prefer, but such is not required. (You may also add the Mayapple powder to the oil, but make sure to use gloves)
  2. With your string/twine, tie around the center once, then at a 90 degree angle (to form an “X”-shape)*, then once around the circumference, at which point, begin wrapping the pod ‘round and ‘round in all directions until it takes on the shape of a ball and covers the spikes. *If you intend to wear the charm as an necklace, fashion a long enough hoop to accommodate your head and neck before tying the circumference. (You can take this opportunity – if you haven’t already – to add your Mayapple powder before proceeding to the next step.)
  3. Light your candle or melt your wax in a double boiler. Either dip or melt the wax upon the charm, molding the wax into a shiny outer shell while it is still warm. Melted wax is much easier, but there’s something about dripping candlewax and molding a little at a time that just seems more… right. It also hardens a lot faster and gives a more stone-like, mottled appearance.
  4. Once the wax has dried completely, wrap the “stone” in the black cloth and tie up the corners. Bury it then at the Crossroads – or another location that is more suitable for your desire – and allow it to stay beneath the ground for three night before exhuming the charm. It is complete and may be carried or worn. If you choose, you may seal the stone before using/wearing it to prevent the wax from softening or leaving an oily residue on any clothes, as well as strengthening its exterior.
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Transmogrification of the Spectre

qedavathegrey:

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Despite the difficulty the title suggests, this process is
relatively simple. But, foremost, we must define “Spectre.” While noted
regularly in witch trials in and following the Inquisition (specifically in
Salem, wherein “spectral” evidence consisted of the “victim” only need visually
see the “spectre” of a given witch perpetrating crimes against the church to be
formally prosecuted). While as unjust, unfounded and unpleasant those
circumstances may have been for innocent parties, the ideology is not so far
off – assuming we equate the “spectre” to an astral body. Thereby, a witch’s
spectre is naught but the astral manifestation of the witch – tethered most
often to the body, save in cases of astral projection, remote viewing and
occasionally during sleep.

Given these circumstances, the “spectre” may indeed be
transformed for any number of reasons – foremost (I could argue) for secrecy
and indiscretion. Depending, however, on the aim of the witch in astral form,
it could also serve as a(n) convenience/experience.

As such, the witch might adorn the guise of animals, others,
or even an entirely new (visual) being – all while in the astral form.

However, it is important to note that this is not only
applicable (and useful) while unattached to one’s vessel, but also while still
tethered: allowing for a shift in appearance on the spiritual plane. For many
the same reasons as aforementioned: discretion and secrecy – even so far as
mimicry.

No matter how unsavory, a witch could theoretically alter
his/her appearance to mislead other beings that reside therein – spirits and
the like. For protection, I would suggest being the most applicable. While one
may not easily alter their “astral fingerprint” or energy, the appearance may
be easily changed. Which should grant protection from most lowly entities for
brief periods.

The means by which this is accomplished, as I mentioned, is
very simple: merely change your own projection. It’s as simple as maintaining
the visualization of yourself as you wish to be seen. So long as you can
maintain adamant concentration, your form may easily be manipulated thusly.

Again, a breath of caution: this trickery will not fool all
spirits. I dare say even most. The more practice, the better you will become,
but even then there is an innate risk. It’s very much up to you which
situations you deem appropriate.

*I have also used this methodology to disguise myself in the
dreams of another – with great success*

image credit:  19th century engraving from Cornell’s Witchcraft collection.

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Cigarettes & Witchcraft

I feel like I’m morally obliged to condemn smoking – what with
the weird unicorn commercials and whatnot trying to deter teen smoking.
However, I find them far more horrifying than the prospect of smoking, so I don’t
know what their aim is. I digress – the uses of cigarettes in the craft are
many. This is a guide to how I use cigarettes in my craft, to be adapted by my
fellow smokers out there however you see fit.

Offerings

Many entities (especially those of the Afro-Caribbean – and some
Native American, I understand – faiths) accept cigarettes, cigars and varying
tobacco products as offerings. In this regard, it is best to follow tradition
or intuition. Some Spirits/Deities are particular – favoring cigars over
cigarettes, vice versa, or other smoking methods such as pipes – and which you
should use is reliant on what you know of the spirit in question or what you feel the spirit will enjoy. Another
handy note, I think is that other herbs can easily be added to cigarettes
(already rolled or otherwise) to render and lovely aromatic or flavorful blend.
I, particularly, have a fondness for blending rose, cinnamon and cocoa with the
loosened tobacco and then packing it back into the tube. They’re lovely to
smoke, but also make great offerings (I’ve found) to Pomba Gira. It’s very much
a matter of taste – both personal and that of the spirit.

Personal Affects

Many spells call for something belonging to your intended
target – cigarette butts are particularly suited to such, as they must be
discarded after use, already imbued with the thoughts (and saliva) of he/she
smoking it. Simply lift the butt from an ashtray at your convenience and voila!
Personal affect. And with bodily fluid, nonetheless! One of the strongest
personal affects and easily the most difficult to ascertain.

Intention

This is what I use cigarettes for most often – a means by
which to channel my intention into a physical medium. It’s merely a matter of
lighting the cigarette and using the smoke to charge something. Admittedly, I
very rarely use incantations in my practice, but when I do, rest assured there
is always a cigarette hanging on my lips. Every part of the cigarette can be
used, nonetheless! The smoke is exhaled as an expression of your will and might
charge an object or diffuse into the air. The ashes might be collected and
added to any number of powders or herb blends or oils. The butts make nice
additions to things like witches bottles – especially in great numbers as the
tar will set up into this disgusting, gelatinous ooze (most probably what my
lungs look like: best not to think about it too much). I usually use them for
chanting or mantras as well, as I simply continue repeating the phrase or
mantra until I run out of smoke.

Trance Work

This brings us back to something I mentioned in the first
point, that smokes can be personalized – and while no longer technically a “cigarette”
they are quite effective for things like trance work or influencing your own
energy. Needless to say, I advise refraining from adding poisonous herbs to
your blends… considering. However, I have been known to smoke wormwood, though
I wouldn’t classify it as poisonous, per se… Obviously, check the rap sheet of
any herb before ingestion/inhalation. And then do so at your own accord –
though I can say, I’ve never had any unpleasant side effects. Wormwood, mugwort
and mullein are my personal favorites for spirit work. Rose, cocoa and cinnamon
for works with PG or just for my own enjoyment – in fact, cocoa and tobacco
have a long history
together. Of course, we could also talk about marijuana – which can be
added, though I’ve never been particularly invested. It does nothing spiritual
for me, but I understand it does for some, so more power to you – it might be
helpful for trance work, but I just use an ordinary cigarette for that most
times. WARNING: While in trance, don’t
forget to ash, otherwise you’ll come out wearing an entire cigarette. Trust me.
I know.

In loving memory of your lungs,

Q

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Walking on Water: A Hedgeriding/Trance Tutorial

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Water is – in essence – life, and has no shortage of uses in
the Craft. Given its fluid nature, it is often likened to the realm of emotion
which, like an ocean, is vast, changing and unpredictable. While not often thought
of as so, water can be extremely volatile in its capacity for change and
motion. It’s this volatility that makes it a perfect conductor for spirit. I’ve
said it once and I’ll say it again, all water is connected. It dwells in pools,
constitutes the body of all living organisms and even occupies the air and
atmosphere. All water that is has been – in a constant state of physical
flux since the earth was yet new.

This “ritual” (more a procedure, really) allows for a vast
range of applications – though despite the title, there is no actual walking on
water for we humans. Instead, we might use water as a medium – one that will
free us (if only temporarily) from the solid physicality we know. I have used this procedure for a few different purposes, including channeling,
astral travel, “time travelling,” spiritual communion, oracular visions, subconscious
exploration, and descension (that’s right, Orpheus, I’m coming for your crown). In
a sense, is promotes a sort of trance-like state for those not innately gifted
with the capacity for such. As I said, it loosens the ties to this plane –
allowing the spirit to more easily traverse unencumbered.

To perform, you’ll need only three things: water, a vessel,
and a relatively tall chair. I use a large copper bowl for my vessel (which I
literally use for almost everything in the Craft; at this point I feel like I
should set up its own college fund, it’s like my child) and it serves me
nicely. I have, however, also used a bathtub, perched on the edge, but this is
far more difficult to do considering the short distance from the water you’ll
be sitting at. By all means, however, put yourself a tall chair in a bathtub –
if nothing else, anyone walking in will be dumbfounded.

Begin by filling the bowl part-way with water (and some
salt, if you’d like). You don’t need a lot – in fact, you’ll want to be scant
so as to prevent any overflow. Arrange the chair and bowl in an open space,
such as the center of a room. Feel free to light any candle and put on music that
might benefit your preferred process for trance – hell, use an entheogen if you
have to! You may also seek to set up a form of protection or safeguard – one that
might pull you from the trance if need be. This can also be set as a sort of
alarm, one that signals for you to return if you get caught up. It’s all the
same principle as any sort of astral/trance work or hedgeriding/edgewalking.

It is at this point that I flick off the lights. Whether a
mere aesthetic choice or practical, I’m not sure, but doing trance magic under
electric lights just pains me. The darkness or warm glow of a candle is much
more leading.

Sit in the chair, arranging yourself comfortably, but the
more upright the better – resting your back against the chair’s – this prevents
any physical discomfort from drawing you back too early. Begin with a bit of
breathing, maybe some stretching if that’s what you’re more comfortable with. When
you’re ready, begin. Raise your legs and touch the soles of your bare feet to
the water’s surface. You can even submerge them partially, but the goal here is
to have the touching nothing but the water. Don’t rest them on the bottom of
the bowl, at least not until you’re “in.” This is where a higher chair pays
off, because holding your legs up can be strenuous and cause for some sore
thighs and back the next day or two. This, however, can act as a sort of safeguard
for beginners when it comes to trance-work. It allows you only to stay “under”
so long as your feet are held up. Dropping them snaps you back. This can be
useful for those who are unfamiliar with the process and allow for brief jaunts
instead of long hauls until the time has come and you’re comfortable enough to
do so.

From that point, the worlds are your oyster. You might now
move unencumbered to the darkest reaches of the realms, through time, through
space, etc. For channeling – however, you will most certainly want to set up a safeguard – even with trusted
deities. When it comes to the occupation of your own body by another
(especially those who are very powerful), it’s always extremely important to
have a failsafe. While host will reject a spirit that is not its own, it can be
a varyingly timed process. For spirits, occupation of a mortal body can be
detrimental to the spirits well-being as well as your own. And as you made the
choice to allow their entry, it is your responsibility to ensure both theirs
and your own safety.

For those of you interested in other elemental mediums
(earth, air, fire) for trance, I will happily write up a tutorial upon request!
All of which are interesting, I simply chose water because it was my first
medium and the simplest/most accessible to perform.

image source

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The Seeing Star – 

Guarded by the Cardinal Gates, the Seeing Star allows the user to venture within the subconscious and thereby manifest a number of things by bringing them forward into the conscious mind. As such, it may be useful for learning (or rather, relearning) “new” abilities – particularly those dealing with spirit, such as: mediumship, astral projection, remote viewing, etc.

Image

Transmogrification of the Spectre

image

Despite the difficulty the title suggests, this process is
relatively simple. But, foremost, we must define “Spectre.” While noted
regularly in witch trials in and following the Inquisition (specifically in
Salem, wherein “spectral” evidence consisted of the “victim” only need visually
see the “spectre” of a given witch perpetrating crimes against the church to be
formally prosecuted). While as unjust, unfounded and unpleasant those
circumstances may have been for innocent parties, the ideology is not so far
off – assuming we equate the “spectre” to an astral body. Thereby, a witch’s
spectre is naught but the astral manifestation of the witch – tethered most
often to the body, save in cases of astral projection, remote viewing and
occasionally during sleep.

Given these circumstances, the “spectre” may indeed be
transformed for any number of reasons – foremost (I could argue) for secrecy
and indiscretion. Depending, however, on the aim of the witch in astral form,
it could also serve as a(n) convenience/experience.

As such, the witch might adorn the guise of animals, others,
or even an entirely new (visual) being – all while in the astral form.

However, it is important to note that this is not only
applicable (and useful) while unattached to one’s vessel, but also while still
tethered: allowing for a shift in appearance on the spiritual plane. For many
the same reasons as aforementioned: discretion and secrecy – even so far as
mimicry.

No matter how unsavory, a witch could theoretically alter
his/her appearance to mislead other beings that reside therein – spirits and
the like. For protection, I would suggest being the most applicable. While one
may not easily alter their “astral fingerprint” or energy, the appearance may
be easily changed. Which should grant protection from most lowly entities for
brief periods.

The means by which this is accomplished, as I mentioned, is
very simple: merely change your own projection. It’s as simple as maintaining
the visualization of yourself as you wish to be seen. So long as you can
maintain adamant concentration, your form may easily be manipulated thusly.

Again, a breath of caution: this trickery will not fool all
spirits. I dare say even most. The more practice, the better you will become,
but even then there is an innate risk. It’s very much up to you which
situations you deem appropriate.

*I have also used this methodology to disguise myself in the
dreams of another – with great success*

image credit:  19th century engraving from Cornell’s Witchcraft collection.

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