Censer & Incense

The censer or thurible is a container or stand for burning incense. On an alter, any form of incense may be used, including stick, cone, or pebble.

If you use cone incense, the censer may become very hot, so a potholder (thoughtfully placed near the cone censer) would be convenient.

Pebble incense is lit and burned with the use of a special charcoal made for burning incense. In my opinion, pebble incense is best used out of doors, as the fragrance can get (shall we say) pungent, and the thing can even become smoky.

Some folks who use pebble incense will say they very much prefer it, and say it with a straight face. If you do try to use pebble incense and charcoal indoors, know that opening the windows does not effect the compass (circle).

Personally, I use stick incense only.

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The Nature of Curses & How to Eliminate

Do you think someone placed a curse on you, someone you know, or on your family? Well, here is very good news for you.

First, understand that few people seem to realize that the power behind all curses is the fear factor of the recipient or victim. Curses are not like good spells, curses depend on negative energy, and negative energy is easily disbursed. In effect, a curse depends on the psychological effect on the recipient or victim. It is the fear generated by the victim that powers the curse! Therefore, as amazing as it sounds, no course said by anyone has any power of its own. It’s the victim that supplies the power, and they supply it OF THEIR OWN FREE WILL.

Of course many would not like you to know this secret, because it is very easy to discharge a curse. Simply deprive the curse of your energy.

How to Eliminate a Curse

1) Knowledge is power. You now know that you have a power over the curse. That power is the ability to cut off the curse's muscle by cutting off your fear. To do this, if you are a victim, consciously visualize a faucet of water. The water is your energy and it nourishes the curse with the energy you provide.

Now turn off the faucet. The water has now stopped. The curse is no longer getting any energy. No energy means no curse. The curse is of no effect. It is gone.

2) It is not necessary to say a spell to remove a curse. But I know that some of you would like a spell as a helper. So, here is one.

You will need:
A quiet place
1 white candle (any size, new or used) in a candle holder
An incense stick and holder. Use pine incense if handy. If not, then use blue berry, myrrh, musk, lotus, cinnamon, frankincense, honeysuckle, jasmine, rose, or sandalwood.
Matches for lighting the candle and incense

If you are Pagan or Wiccan, cast a circle in regular manner, at any time of day or night, although the night of a full moon is always better.
Light the white candle, and place on a table. If you have an alter, then place on alter.
Be seated in front of the lit candle.
Light the incense.

Be perfectly quiet and look at the candle's flame for one minute. You can also close your eyes if you prefer. After about one minute say the following:
______________________________________________________

[Say:]
Candle flame that flickers bright,
Rid negative energy with your light.
Herb for healing,
Herb for hope,
Herb for strength,
Help me cope.

I call upon my Guardian Spirit and all other friendly spirits to come and witness and aid me in this healing.

[Wait a few seconds then continue:]

All curses great or small,
From near or far,
However sent,
Of whatever intent,
I now command you to be spent,
Dissolve and go away,
Ye not have me as your prey.
Now leave me (or name) without delay,
Thus by my command,
I'm (or name is) free of torment,
As it is my will,
So mote it be!
____________________________________________________

This ends the ritual.
Sniff or pinch out the candle.

With my best regards,
Adrian.

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Ritual Tool ~ Candles

Pictured is an alter with candles. Candles are used in: Trad Witchcraft, Traditional Wicca, Progressive Wicca, and Neo-Paganism.

One of the most beautiful magical tools, candles have been used in religious rituals since prehistoric times. The flame of a candle represents illumination from darkness, the brilliance of knowledge, and spiritual purity.

The candle inspires introspection and contemplation.

In Trad Witchcraft a single white candle is used during magical spellwork.

In Paganism and Wicca, two candles are placed on the alter to represent the God and the Goddess. A service or working candle is also lit. A single candle will also be used when doing spellwork outside of an Esbat or Sabbat. Although white candles can be used, Wiccans will often use colored candles, the color selected to correspond with the Sabbat or the purpose of the spell.

Fire Safety
Unfortunately, fire safety has become a serous problem in the Pagan, witchcraft, and Wiccan community. Candles must be used in a safe manner.

• If you don't own a fire extinguisher, buy one and learn how to use it.


• When candles are in use in the home, never leave lit candles unattended! Never! If you are a solitary practitioner and you must leave the room while in the middle of ritual, there is NO REASON to leave the candles lit. It is completely acceptable to snuff or pinch out the candles and to relight them when you return. Please do this.


• Always follow common sense safety rules.

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Ritual Tools ~ Besom

The besom, or ritual broom, has a history in witchcraft and there seems to have always been myths about witches flying. The Greeks and Romans associated the broom with the goddess Hecate. In the days of the Roman Empire, Hecate's Priestesses would use a besom to sweep the threshold of a house after the birth of a child. It was believed this would remove evil spirits that might harm the newborn.

Hecate is popular in some Pagan and Wicca traditions as she is associated with magic and divination. Hecate can be invoked to boost spellwork. Her broom is therefore used in ritual and magic.

Since Mediaeval times, pagan wedding couples have "jumped the broom" as part of their handfasting ceremony. The besom protects the newlywed couple and promotes fertility. Often, the besom is decorated after the handfasting, and is placed on the living room wall or near the front door in many Pagan and Wiccan couples' homes.

Storage
Besoms should always be stored so as to keep good fortune from falling out and becoming lost. It is a Pagan tradition to keep a besom by the front door, to protect hearth and home from negative energy.

Magic & Ritual
Trad Witches have used a besom to sweep away negativity in a room, with the help of a little spell, probably since brooms were first used in Britain. We also use a besom to sweep out negativity in a compass.

When sweeping, the besom does not touch the floor but is held several inches above it. The area is not meant to be physically cleaned, that is done ahead of time. The ritual sweeping is to clean on the astral or spiritual plain, where negativity may be located.

Ritual Tools ~ Bell

It is believed that bells have been used during religious ceremonies for thousands of years. The use of a bell during witchcraft rituals is appropriate because the sound vibrations ward off negativity and will attract beneficial energies. The use of a bell also has the added effect of helping concentration. Any size and shape of bell can be used.