Does the Law of Attraction Really Work?

Does the Law of Attraction Really Work?Can the Law of Attraction get you a home, a job, a partner or whatever else you may wish for? I think it can but perhaps not in the way you think.

With the popularity of ‘The Secret‘, many people are now trying the law of attraction to get what they want.  In case you’ve been in a hole and never heard of it, it basically involves building up a clear picture of what you want in your head, and thinking about it, putting energy into it until you get what you want.

It also says that if you spend too much time focusing on what you are afraid of, or don’t want, that you will attract this too.

But does it really work like this?

I’ve seen quite a few disillusioned people on the internet sharing their experiences.  One guy (sorry forgotten where I saw it) had spent a lot of time visualising what he wanted and it never transpired.  This led him to think out the rules of the law of attraction and find it useless on this basis:

Thoughts don’t equal action.

His opinion was that believing that what we think influences what happens is a mistake understanding of the causal chain – eg when about to start a flight many passengers may be worrying about it crashing, but it still doesn’t crash because thought don’t influence things in this way.

Is he right?  Well yes and no.  Some people worrying about the plane crashing is not going to have any effect.

What if 300 people onboard willed (as opposed to worried about) it to crash? Possibly this might affect it (after all I do believe spells are possible, which are a sending of intention) but I doubt anyone is going to test it out particularly soon, and quite possibly it wouldn’t be strong enough to have an effect.

But in essence this guy is right, simply thinking about things is not enough to change things, but it is a very good start as long as you realise that it is just the start.  One of the most important things in life to me is helping people to realise that we all have the power of our own destiny.

I strongly believe and have seen much evidence to support the idea that the more energy you put into something the more you will get back.

Does that mean every project you do will succeed? No, but usually you will get some kind of energetic reward for putting effort into something, even if it just experience and determination to do better, but quite frequently new doors will have opened just by the fact that you take action.

ACTION! Yes this word is perhaps the key word for this article, since that is what most people who find the secret and law of attraction unsuccessful don’t realise.  Putting the thoughts and energy into creating the ideas things you want is the vital first step, and doing this correctly will set you up for success.

But if you don’t actually go and do anything, just let these little dreams and ideas sit in your head, that’s all they will ever be, ideas.

It can feel really difficult to begin something new (right now I am trying to make dragon t-shirts and have nearly given up several times before I even really started due to my fears of failing and it looking rubbish) but all you have to do it push through that fear and take even baby tentative steps on your journey.

Most likely you’ll be spurred on my your progress, no matter how small, and then all your mental focusing and energy can be expressed, or possibly you realise the project is no good and can begin starting to look for another better way to do things, which in turn will lead to success!

So that’s what I think, and in fact have long since thought about achieving what you want.

What do you reckon, does the Law of Attraction really work? Have you used The Secret, Cosmic Ordering or some other similar idea or mindset? Let me know below!

Voodoo and Hoodoo Beliefs and Magick Around the World

Voodoo is an ancient art of magick, healing and meditation coming from Africa.

In my previous article (Voodoo and Hoodoo – what are they really all about?), I explained how West Africa is the cradle of Voodoo, and talked about the nature of the religion there, as well as giving you a look into a young initiates ceremony.  In this second part of the article you can find out more about Voodoo in different parts of the world, and learn about the magick and practices of Hoodoo

Voodoo in Haiti

As I explained the previous article, Voodoo traveled to countries such as the US and Haiti, through African people being sent into slavery, and the religion became different things in different places.  The Voodoo (or Vodou) of Haiti is close to that of Benin, although has absorbed many religious elements from Christianity.

Voodoo in Louisiana and New Orleans

Like the Voodoo of Haiti and the Hoodoo of the US, Christianity has been a large influence upon the beliefs of this religion, whilst at the same time keeping much from the Voodoo of Benin.  The flexibility and adaptability of Voodoo is no doubt a lot to do with the face that there is no formal doctrine or sacred book, and knowledge is passed orally.

Like Paganism, the religion can mean different things to different people, but a core belief is that the main God does not interfere in the everyday lives of people, instead it is spiritual forces which affect everyday life.  Just like the Voodoo of Benin, communication with the spirits is achieved through dancing, chanting, drumming and so on, and ancestor worship is also important.

Louisiana Voodoo is commonly used to help people with sicknesses, addictions and other ailments, and also to help the hungry and poor.  Rituals tend to be conducted behind closed doors.

Jesus Christ and Mary are important figures in the religion and reciting the Hail Mary and the Lord’s Prayer is part of Louisiana Hoodoo practice.

Superstitions, Spells and Voodoo dolls

If you lay a broom across the doorway at night, a witch can’t come in and hurt you.

Here are some spells and superstitions from Louisiana Voodoo

  • A lock of a girls hair brings good luck.
  • If you lay a broom across the doorway at night, a witch can’t come in and hurt you.
  • Having a woman visit you the first thing on Monday mornings is bad luck for the rest of the week.
  • If you sweep trash out of the house after dark you will sweep away your luck.
  • Don’t shake a tablecloth outside after dark or someone in your family will die.
  • If a woman sprinkles some salt from her house to yours, it will give you bad luck until you clean the salt away and put pepper over your door sill.
  • If a woman wants her husband to stay away from other woman, she can do so by putting a little of her blood in his coffee, and he will never quit her.
  • If a woman’s husband dies and you don’t want her to marry again, cut all of her husband’s shoes all in little pieces, just as soon as he is dead, and she will never marry again.
  • You can give someone a headache by taking and turning their picture upside down.
  • You can harm a person in whatever way you want to by getting a lock of his hair and burning some and throwing the rest away.

Whilst Voodoo dolls are usually thought in Western culture to be a way of harming people, this is incorrect, they are to bless people.  Pins are stuck in the dolls to attach a picture of the person to the doll, thus creating a magical link, and then a magical cure is performed using a special recipe (the cure is known as a gris gris), and is usually either for love, power, luck and finance or removing a curse.

What is Hoodoo?

Hoodoo Lucky Hand Root Orchid
Hoodoo Lucky Hand Root Orchid

Hoodoo can be called folk magic is better understood as a collection of magical practices rather than a religion, and this is made clear by changing the name from Voodoo to Hoodoo.  Hoodoo’s magick focuses on using roots, herbs and natural elements for magical and medicinal use.

However there is still worship of deities, and like the Haiti Voodoo, (in fact perhaps more so) many Christian elements have been absorbed into the religion.  Christian figures such as Moses are worshiped, and the Bible is seen as a source for spells, particularly the Psalsms.  The bible itself can be carried as a talisman to keep people safe.  Hoodoo also absorbed certain Native American practices as well.  Like Paganism there is no formal doctrine, or structured hierarchy, and knowledge tends to be passed on orally.

 

Some Magickal Items of Hoodoo

Goofers Dust To Defeat Enemies
Goofers Dust To Defeat Enemies

Hoodoo magick items have become popular with people from all around the world, and from all traditions. I have tried Goofers Dust To Defeat Enemies.  This green dust can be thrown on the land of someone that means you harm, to bring confusion and bad luck to their household.

This works well in tandem with Hot Foot Powder Incense, which can be sprinkled around your home to keep away enemies and troublemakers and to bring peace to your household.

Lucky Root Hand
Lucky Root Hand

Another popular Hoodoo item is the Lucky Hand Root for Protection and Good Fortune, so called because it resembles a small withered hand (but it’s only an orchid root!).  This root is known for bringing good luck and safety, and is particularly used for bringing luck to gamblers.

Cobra Black Snake Pellets can be used in rituals of protection, and are also a great magickal aid for spiritual healing rituals, cleansing such as cleansing a space for an altar, or a new home, and to assist in removing curses or jinxes.

Finally another popular Hoodoo ingredient is the Adam and Eve Roots for Love and Marriage proposals.  This can be used in two ways, firstly a charm to encourage that special someone to propose, or for good luck to encourage the person to say yes!  Secondly it can be used by lovers to help discourage rivals and prevent temptation.  The woman carries the round white seed and the man the long bud.

Want to know even more about Voodoo and Hoodoo?

Here is a great site full of interesting information, written by a Voodoo practitioner.  A page I found particularly interesting was this one which goes into more detail about what Hoodoo is and where it came from.

Are you interested in Voodoo and Hoodoo? Have you or would you try Hoodoo Magick?  Comment below and feel free to ask me any questions beliefs or practices, or contact me privately through my website if you prefer.

Spell for How to Bless and Empower your Tattoo

My Dragon Tattoo
My Dragon Tattoo

As some of you may know, I have been in Cambodia volunteering at an community based ecotourism project, which aims to give money and benefits to the local community whilst helping preserve the elephants and the forest. This is the second time I have been to Cambodia and I really love it, and it was partly this that made me choose to get my first tattoo there.

I got two dragons forming a heart shape (based on the Anne Stokes Dragon Heart Pendant), and in the middle the Cambodian letter for ‘J’ which is the initial of my wonderful dog Jumble who passed away last year at the grand old age of 17. This simultaneously allowed me to express my love for my dog as well as Cambodia, in a form which reassures me, making me feel like Jumble is still with me in some way.

Tattoos are an amazing way of marking something powerful upon our bodies, the planning and even the pain of the tattoo contribute to the significance of the finished product. By blessing your tattoo you can add powerful energy to the tattoo, perhaps using it for protection, courage, or strength, and also as a way to keep linked to someone who is no longer here.

This spell has been written with honouring a dead loved one in mind, but can easily be adapted to suit your tattoo.

  • Wait for a new moon (when the moon is at it’s smallest)
  • Buy or make some holy or blessed water
  • Bring a black and a white candle (symbolising the cycle of life and death)
  • Bring some incense (Ideally Frankincense for it’s ability to bless, purify, aid meditation and give power and courage)
  • Get some Frankincense oil to anoint yourself with
  • If applicable take a photo or keepsake of the dead loved one you would like to honour

Go to a quiet place, light your candles and incense and sprinkle your holy water around you saying, I bless and consecrate this space. Meditate for a few minutes upon the keepsake or photo of your loved one. Think clearly of your intention, in this case for the tattoo to be a bond to my dog, and also to give me strength and courage in my everyday life.

The ouroboros or uroboros (/?j??r??b?r?s, ?j??ro?-/, from the Greek ????????? ???? tail-devouring snake) is an ancient symbol depicting a serpent or dragon eating its own tail.
The ouroboros or uroboros (/?j??r??b?r?s, ?j??ro?-/, from the Greek ????????? ???? tail-devouring snake) is an ancient symbol depicting a serpent or dragon eating its own tail.

Take the essential oil and add a few drops to your holy water. If you have an wand you may wish to stir the water with it, but if not just using your finger is fine. Then anoint your tattoo with a holy symbol. (Make sure it is fully healed first or the oil could irritate the tattoo!) I have chosen ouroborous for it’s connotations with life, death and rebirth, and also with it’s links for healing. The picture shows the ouroborous snake interweaved with a pentagram which is beautiful, but as my tattoo is on my back I will just do a circle!

“Oh high ones hear my call

Grant that this sacred and powerful

Marking upon and within my body

Be consecrated in honour of my loved one ………(insert name here)**

As a sign of our never ending bond

As a talisman of courage and power”

At this point think about the sign you have anointed your tattoo with, and if a loved one signified by the tattoo, think of them too, and imagine a part of their spirit flowing into the ink. If the tattoo is not of a loved one but perhaps a totem animal or something, imagine this thing coming partly to life on your body, drawing down energy from the new moon.

As you are filled with energy, begin to chant..

“Fill me with your magickal power

Your love, your truth, and courage at this hour

Bring me strength, bring me protection

Guide me in the right direction”

Repeat this a few times till you feel sufficient energy has flowed into you and your tattoo, finish by saying

“To seal this tattoo as symbol of eternity and love

I ask this favour from above. So mote it be!”

The spell is finished and now you can feel happy in the knowledge that you have added to the power and meaningfulness of your tattoo, as well as perhaps strengthened a bond with a loved one.

I’d love it if anyone would like to share a picture of any special tattoo that they have had done, please feel free to post a link to your pic, or if you’d like me to put it directly in the article let me know and I will!

Blessings

StormJewel

How to do a Green Man Ritual

I found this great Green Man by Abby Willowroot and thought I ought to share!

A Green Man Ritual

Practicing the ways of the Green Man means living in harmony with nature and living according to the seasons. It means looking for the blessings and gifts that are unique to each time of the year.  Without winter, there is no spring; without summer there is no harvest.  rituals fo the Green Man can be done for many purposes – to heal the environment, to restore balance, or to ensure abundance and the success of new ventures.  Green Man rituals should be performed with green, white or light blue, and yellow candles.  Green candles are for growth, health and vegetation.  White or blue candles represent air.  Yelow candles shine with the light of the Sun and its vital energy and warmth.

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Symbols used in Green Man rituals may include: a growing plant, a branch, fruit, dried grains, a small bowl of earth, leaves, berries, and acorns or other nuts.

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A Green Man Invocation

I call to you now, spirit of nature, strong and free

Come and teach me, I am ready to honour you

I celebrate your gifts; I am ready to learn your truths

As my ancestors did before me.

I see your power and your pain, beneath the green mantle

Of the scars on your body and the great sadness in your eyes

You are no longer abandoned, we hear you again

We are ready, to honour your ways

Reveal yourself, Green Man

Weave your spells of green magic

Teach me and I will listen for your voice;

I will celebrate your sacred wisdom ways.

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It is best to do a Green Man ritual outside, and if possible in a wooded place. Take your shoes off, sink your toes into the cool earth, and feel the energy of the Green Man move up through your body.  Before you begin your ritual, take a few moments to listen to the trees, notice how they rustle, creak and groan as the wind passes through them.  Breathe in the oxygen they have produced for you, and know this is the miracle of the Green Man’s Magic.

In earlier times peasants knew the ways of the fields and forest, and gave back to the Earth with the sacrifice to the Green Man.  Today we still have opportunities to make sacrifices and give back to the Earth, but the sacrifices we are making are those of care, awareness, and moderation.  Recycling and conservation are contemporary Green Man sacrifices.

Today the Green Man is reemerging into our consciousness.  His presence brings balance and energy to the reclaiming of our ancient heritage.  For men, the Green Man is especially important, as he is a guide to accessing balanced male power. In our time, the Green Man is emerging with a clear, strong voice, guiding us toward a healthier and more stable balance with nature.

By Abby Willowroot

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You can find all my lovely Green Man items here. Do you honour the Green Man?  Have you done any Green Man rituals or similar?  Leave your comments and experiences below!

How to do Candle Magick

Candle Magick (like most spells) can be as simple or as complex as you like.  Whilst putting a lot of effort into your spells is a good way to make them poewrful and successful, there is also a benefit to quick and easy spells, especially if you repeat them frequently say once a day for a specific length of time or maybe once a week for a particular length of time.  This might be useful if you are working with a particular day of the week – for instance Friday for love, passion and fertility spells.

The key points for candle magick are as follows:

  1. The colour of the candle.
  2. Any oil that you may use to anoint the candle.
  3. The magickcal symbols and sigils that you carve into the candle (such as the pentagram, triqetra etc).
  4. The god, goddess or other type of divinity (eg air, earth, water and fire spirits, angels, fairies etc) that you invoke or call when lighting the candle.
  5. Herbs that you sprinkle around the candle and into the flame (only a tiny bit into the flame don’t start a fire! :o)  You can also carve a hole in the bottom of the candle to put in herbs as well.
  6. The words you choose to say whilst meditating upon the candle
  7. The day of the week you do the spell on.
mixed bag of coloured spell candles
mixed bag of coloured spell candles

As with all magick it is pretty much all up to you, although choosing the right colour spell candles is essential.  However if you want to do a spell and find you do not have the right candle you can always use a white one as white is all purpose.  Alternatively why not stock up on an inexpensicve bag of mixed candles so you always have the right one handy!

Whichever way you choose to do your candle magick make sure you have fun and it feel right to you!

Blessings!

StormJewel x

Learn how to make a Wiccan or Pagan altar

Wicca Pagan Altar
Wicca Pagan Altar (Photo credit: dragonoak)

An Altar or Sacred Place is a great way to show your devotion to the god and goddess and any other deities or special times of the year you would like to venerate and celebrate.

You can use it to keep your magickal and ritual items on, and it’s a great place to retreat to for some meditation, or to do a spot of candle magick for instance.

As with so much in the Pagan faith, everything you choose for your altar is up to you but I’m going to give you some suggestions and explain the significances of certain ritual items, and the elemental correspondences.

Many of the things for your altar you can get at home or in nature, or make yourself but if you want to buy certain things you can head over to my shop as you will find everything you need, including coloured candles, athames, chalices, mini cauldrons, bells and much more.

I’ve created a Hub Page that has what you need to know to make this sacred space.

Find out how to make your own Pagan or Wiccan Altar and all the supplies you need here.

Enjoy and Blessed Be!  StormJewel x