A Project I'm Excited About
Some New Moon Candle Magic
And Farewell To A Friend...
So much has happened since my post last month. Some of it has been challenging, but much has been just lovely. I continue to count my blessings when it comes to the wonderful people in my life. One of the things I am most excited about is a project that I have been working on for a little over a decade. The Empress Dammit has showed up in a number of locations / incarnations on the web and in person, because I am The Empress Dammit, but now she finally has a home, her very own website!
This is a work in progress, and there is a lot of content to consolidate, fill in and build. I’m very excited about it though. The Empress Dammit hopes to assist you in claiming ownership of your, SELF: esteem, knowledge of value, love, etc and own your Empress vibe. For survivors of abuse and violence, I hope this will be a valuable healing tool tool. This is related, of course, to the Empress archetype in tarot so most of the imagery is female, however, this is a gender neutral Empress. Use whatever title you like, but also know that the Empress in this case is not meant to be specifically female! Check it out. I think you’ll like it.
This is a work in progress, and there is a lot of content to consolidate, fill in and build. I’m very excited about it though. The Empress Dammit hopes to assist you in claiming ownership of your, SELF: esteem, knowledge of value, love, etc and own your Empress vibe. For survivors of abuse and violence, I hope this will be a valuable healing tool tool. This is related, of course, to the Empress archetype in tarot so most of the imagery is female, however, this is a gender neutral Empress. Use whatever title you like, but also know that the Empress in this case is not meant to be specifically female! Check it out. I think you’ll like it.
Here are the beautiful Moonology cards for today’s New Moon. Think, fresh start and don’t give up!
New Moon Manifestation!
It was so nice to say goodbye to Mercury retrograde at the end of March. There have been a few lingering after effects, but now we are pretty much out of it. Time to get ready for the new moon! What do you want to put to manifest in your life?
Friday, April 5th (today) finds the new moon in the sign of Aries. Now is a good time to harness that active energy and passion. Starting a new moon working with a goal to be achieved by the full moon is one of my favorite ways to manifest. If you don’t have time for an elaborate ritual, simply charge (put your intentions and energy into) a votive candle and burn it a little each night leading up to the full moon on April 19th. That’s two weeks of magical energy working toward your goal!
Want to harness this energy to work a longer game instead? One of the exciting things about this new moon being in Aries is that since Aries is the sign that starts out the 12 month cycle of the zodiac signs, this is also a particularly great new moon to support the start of a long-term project, particularly something you feel passionate about or will need a lot of energy to change or accomplish. Pick something you aspire to complete this year.
Friday, April 5th (today) finds the new moon in the sign of Aries. Now is a good time to harness that active energy and passion. Starting a new moon working with a goal to be achieved by the full moon is one of my favorite ways to manifest. If you don’t have time for an elaborate ritual, simply charge (put your intentions and energy into) a votive candle and burn it a little each night leading up to the full moon on April 19th. That’s two weeks of magical energy working toward your goal!
Want to harness this energy to work a longer game instead? One of the exciting things about this new moon being in Aries is that since Aries is the sign that starts out the 12 month cycle of the zodiac signs, this is also a particularly great new moon to support the start of a long-term project, particularly something you feel passionate about or will need a lot of energy to change or accomplish. Pick something you aspire to complete this year.
One of my previous year long moon spell candles
Moon Candle Magic
Here is one of my favorite moon candle spells that can be adapted for many purposes. I find crafty spells like this particularly effective because you are putting creative energy and intent into them from start to finish.
I suggest a 7-Day votive candle for this spell. You may choose to use red to represent Aries / Mars, but you can also pick a candle color that represents what you want to put this energy into, green for financial or business growth, for example, or pink for self- love or a relationship, Etc.
I suggest a 7-Day votive candle for this spell. You may choose to use red to represent Aries / Mars, but you can also pick a candle color that represents what you want to put this energy into, green for financial or business growth, for example, or pink for self- love or a relationship, Etc.
You Will Need:
- A 7 day or large votive candle in a glass container
- Something sharp to scratch words, symbols or sigils into the surface of the wax.
- Paper cut to size that can cover the candle
- A pen or pencil
- Stickers, printed or cut out images or paint, markers, glitter, anything you want to use that represents your desires and will make your candle pretty
- glue stick or craft glue that dries clear
Optional candle dressings:
- Essential or candle dressing oil
- Dried herbs, flowers, powders, stones, glitter, etc to boost or symbolize your intention
Gather anything else you might use to boost your ritual or enhance your frame of mind. You might want to have music playing, incense, particular crystals, herbs, flowers, libations, etc. If you have a patron deity or one you want to call on for aid in this goal, use a picture, symbol or statue. It's really up to you what tools you use, or how much of a ritual you'd like.
Get Grounded!
When you have gathered everything, and are ready to start. Make sure to ground yourself. I like to take a deep breath and as I exhale, I picture a golden cord growing from my spine down deep into the earth, forming roots that spread out. I take a second breath and send that cord up through the top of my head up into the sky where the glow stretches out like the branches of a mighty tree, touches the moon and mingles with the stars. I take a third breath and as I exhale, I imagine that glow spreading out to surround me like a protective sheath of light.
Once you are ready, you can start to perform a ritual, invoke any elements or deities you want help from and / or start your candle spell. Whatever you are going to do is crafty and can be as simple or elaborate, casual or structured as you wish.
Once you are ready, you can start to perform a ritual, invoke any elements or deities you want help from and / or start your candle spell. Whatever you are going to do is crafty and can be as simple or elaborate, casual or structured as you wish.
On one side of the paper you are going to write your intention. I find it is really effective to write it as a letter to yourself. Write it as if you have already achieved your goal. Think about the things you'll be proud of at the end and give yourself credit. The more passion you put into writing it the more real it will become. When you sign it, feel free to add sigils or symbols. You can wrap this paper all the way around the glass or size it so that it is small enough that one side of the glass is unobstructed, which will allow you to easily read your letter at the end of your spell.
When you're done writing, use the glue stick or craft glue to attach it letter side down to the candle. Then, you can decorate the outside by drawing, collaging, pasting images or stickers that reflect your goal. Finally, dress your candle and scratch your desired words or symbols in the top.
While you're crafting, focus on your end goal. Imagine the power of the new moon coming down and infusing your candle with energy. Once you've finished decorating it, sit with your candle, continuing to put this energy into it. You can sit silently or create a chant or rhyme to repeat while you charge it up.
When you're done writing, use the glue stick or craft glue to attach it letter side down to the candle. Then, you can decorate the outside by drawing, collaging, pasting images or stickers that reflect your goal. Finally, dress your candle and scratch your desired words or symbols in the top.
While you're crafting, focus on your end goal. Imagine the power of the new moon coming down and infusing your candle with energy. Once you've finished decorating it, sit with your candle, continuing to put this energy into it. You can sit silently or create a chant or rhyme to repeat while you charge it up.
Once you're done creating, light your candle and let it burn a while. Feel the energy jump starting your desire. You may want to let it continue to burn until you go to bed. Even though these votives rarely explode and usually go out if tipped, I don't recommend burning any candle unattended or while you sleep!
As the candle burns your letter will slowly be revealed. By the end of the 12 months, it may happen sooner, you should have reached your goal or know exactly what you need to do to get rest of the way! Hopefully, your candle will be all burned down when your spell is complete on the night of the final full moon. Sometimes, leftover wax means your end goal needs more time. You may find clues in the wax that remains. This is called, candlemancy. You can dispose of the candle holder as you would any other spell materials or keep it. Do what feels right. I sometimes save them to use with a votive when I want a boost of that same energy.
The spell I have described is for a long term goal, but it’s highly adaptable. This can be used during waning moons for getting rid of bad habits. You can use it for full moon magic or for short term manifesting from one cycle of new moon to full moon. Have fun with it!
- Each day, leading up to the full moon, light the candle and focus on your goal. You can use a mantra or affirmation as a boost. Do this up until the full moon.
- On the next new moon, light your candle again visualizing your end goal and getting a new infusion of energy.
- Light it again on the full moon, thinking about the progress you've made. You know your dream is becoming reality! Picture yourself having attained your goal. What will it feel like? Make this visualization as vivid, rich and detailed as possible.
- Repeat monthly on every new and full moon.
- On the twelfth new moon you want to repeat the original pattern of lighting every night until the moon is full.
As the candle burns your letter will slowly be revealed. By the end of the 12 months, it may happen sooner, you should have reached your goal or know exactly what you need to do to get rest of the way! Hopefully, your candle will be all burned down when your spell is complete on the night of the final full moon. Sometimes, leftover wax means your end goal needs more time. You may find clues in the wax that remains. This is called, candlemancy. You can dispose of the candle holder as you would any other spell materials or keep it. Do what feels right. I sometimes save them to use with a votive when I want a boost of that same energy.
The spell I have described is for a long term goal, but it’s highly adaptable. This can be used during waning moons for getting rid of bad habits. You can use it for full moon magic or for short term manifesting from one cycle of new moon to full moon. Have fun with it!
You can read more here about how to take advantage of the new moon in Aries on Yasmin Boland’s blog. If you aren't up to doing a ritual or a spell, you might want to meditate and take in the energetic vibration of this amazing symbol from her site!
Moonology. Yasmin Boland
A Great Loss
One of the things I’ll be using this energy for tonight is to honor and say goodbye to a friend. Recently, I had started attending The Temple of Bones / Hounds of Hecate; a Hecate worship, that takes place on the new moon. It was a wonderful opportunity to reconnect with several former coven mates (survivors of C.A.Y.A. Coven)
This happy reunion included my friend, shaman / priest, Sunsmith - Joe “Skip” Dane. I was really looking forward to seeing him on Friday, however, he suddenly passed away on Monday, April 1st. I am so grateful to have reconnected, but I am also in shock and full of sorrow from his loss. He was a wise man, full of great conviction and integrity. I will always hold him in my heart with enormous respect and affection. He was a mentor and teacher to many. My love goes out to all who he has touched, especially those closest to him and family.
I hope to write more of a tribute to Sunsmith in a later installment. He deserves that. Tonight , the temple will be extra somber. Another dear friend, Robyn, made this beautiful memorial image when he heard that Sunsmith had passed. Thank you so much for letting me use it. Sunsmith will be intensely grieved for and missed, but he will also be a powerful and wise ancestor to call on. What is remembered lives!
This happy reunion included my friend, shaman / priest, Sunsmith - Joe “Skip” Dane. I was really looking forward to seeing him on Friday, however, he suddenly passed away on Monday, April 1st. I am so grateful to have reconnected, but I am also in shock and full of sorrow from his loss. He was a wise man, full of great conviction and integrity. I will always hold him in my heart with enormous respect and affection. He was a mentor and teacher to many. My love goes out to all who he has touched, especially those closest to him and family.
I hope to write more of a tribute to Sunsmith in a later installment. He deserves that. Tonight , the temple will be extra somber. Another dear friend, Robyn, made this beautiful memorial image when he heard that Sunsmith had passed. Thank you so much for letting me use it. Sunsmith will be intensely grieved for and missed, but he will also be a powerful and wise ancestor to call on. What is remembered lives!
Hail Hecate! Hail and Farewell Sunsmith, blessed friend, ancestor, guide
Hail Hekate, Mighty Eternal Queen,
Divine Mediator,
She who walks between the worlds,
Torch-bearer who shines Her light
Upon our path.
Hear me now,
Mistress of Death,
Welcome this departed soul.
I call upon You,
Great Light,
Embrace this soul as they pass through
The gates of death.
Guide my beloved safely
To the other side,
Offer them comfort,
As they cross the threshold
From this life to the next.
Be with us now in our time of grief.
May we know the peace of eternity.
Let the light of their memory burn bright,
Give us the faith to know that all
That dies shall be reborn.
Hail Hekate, Mighty Eternal Queen,
Divine Mediator,
She who walks between the worlds,
Torch-bearer who shines Her light
Upon our path.
Hear me now,
Mistress of Death,
Welcome this departed soul.
-CYNDI BRANNEN
Blessed Be
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