BoS Prompts 10: Colours (& Candles)

Link to previous prompts: http://ppwwmm.blogspot.co.uk/2017/11/cauldroneers-bos-prompts.html

There's now a dedicated facebook page to support these blog posts @ https://www.facebook.com/BookOfShadowsPrompts/

Thank you all for the support.  I've now made a dedicated facebook page https://www.facebook.com/BookOfShadowsPrompts/ so if you go there turn on all notifications you won't miss these blog posts!! 

Prompt 10. Sunday 27th January 2018 - The 10th prompt will be...  Colours & Candles.

Todays blog is going to be another open to your interpretation; while just like herbs and stones etc (as mentioned in last weeks blog post) if you look at enough resources you'll learn specific colours (and/or candles) have specific meanings and uses but again I invite you to make your own mind up what a colour (and/or candle) does for you in your interpretation and use.  It's down to your intuition (which next week we will be looking at: Blog prompt 11 - Intuitive, Empath & Clair's - "What are they?".)

Colours.

Colours are used everywhere and often have varying meanings and uses depending upon the different cultures, professions, opinions, items and such can all have different, same or similar meanings.  Of course each of these colours you will have your own personal taste for, I'm going to use 3 examples of Purple, Orange and Red.  My personal taste favorite colours are Magenta Pink, Black, Monochrome type themes but I didn't want to be bias in these examples, I also hate the colour yellow.  But I'm sure everyone has a favorite and least favorite colour which will also affect your decisions when choosing colour or reading colour meanings.  The Examples.

Purple:
In Feng Shui it's often said that purple is said to bring good luck for wealth and prosperity. It has a feeling of royalty, wealth, and high spirituality.  Purple also has connections to rich, noble, deep, quiet and wise meanings. It's advised to avoid purple if wanting to feel more extroverted or connected to the Earth.

Some say that in Home Decor painting a room dark purple is rich, dramatic and sophisticated. It is associated with luxury and creativity.  While light purple like a lavender is associated with calm and relaxation.

Some say that purple candles represent the day Saturday, that violet candles are good for Allergies and Colds while more of an Indigo purple is good for Depression in healing candles.  Purple candles are often used in workings for Spiritual awareness, divination, tranquility and wisdom.  Where as Lavender candles are used for Intuition, Paranormal, Healing, Calming and Peace.

Orange:
In Feng Shui it's often said that Orange is considered a “social” color, one that is happy, vibrant, and eye-catching.  It's meanings lend itself to being thought of as creative, exuberant, lively, fun-loving, extroverted.  It's advised to avoid orange when creating a space of quiet and reflection.

Some say that in Home Decor painting a room Orange evokes excitement and enthusiasm, energy, positivity, creativity and is an energetic color.  - In ancient cultures, orange was believed to heal the lungs and increase energy levels and rooms were painted this colour to aid healing.

Some say that orange candles represent the day Sunday but it is more commonly associated with Gold or Yellow candles.  Orange is another colour used in healing candles when dealing with Depression.  In workings orange candles are typically used for energy, joy, education, strength attraction, stimulation and increased cognitive behaviour.

Red:
In Feng Shui it's often said that Red represents the element of fire because of the colours intensity.  It is also a colour considered to be lucky, creates energy and can also mean hot, bold, daring and high voltage.  It is best advised to avoid red in cases of anxiety, insomnia, or over-activity.

Some say that in Home Decor red raises a room’s energy level it is an intense colour witch adrenaline increase great for excitement, drawing people together and stimulates conversation, it can create hunger and food association and positive bold mindsets.

Some say that red candles represent the day Tuesday.  Red isn't really associated with healing purposes but it does lend itself to positivity.  In workings red or deep red candles are used for passion, energy, love, lust, relationships, sex, vitality and courage.

You may find you agree with some, or all, of these given definitions but as said reading through resource materials - be it books, the internet etc you'll come to see a common and repetitive theme.  That said this blog is looking at a witchy perspective so let's talk more about colour correspondences from that point of view.

Now it is in my opinion that as previously mentioned you'll interpret the objects colour based on your opinion but not all items colour values are the same, this is something I wrote in my working book based on a lot of research and I tend to work from however there are a few I would use for different purposes (but that's not for here!)

THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION IS TAKEN FROM MY PERSONAL WORKBOOK BASED ON MY PERSONAL RESEARCH IT IS NOT NECESSARILY RIGHT, WRONG, CORRECT, HOW EVERYONE WORKS ETC BUT I'M SHARING THIS WITH YOU AS A KICK STARTER GUIDE TO YOUR FURTHER RESEARCH - YOU'RE WELCOME!

Bag Colours (HooDoo) - Good for mojo bags or anything that requires some kind of bag like container.

White - Peace

Red - Victory

Purple - Victory 

Pink - Love

Blue - Protection 

Yellow - Money

Green - Money 

Brown - Jinx

Black - Jinx  

Red - Success, Strength, Romance, Protection

Purple - Wisdom, Mysteries, Grandeur, Justice, Wealth.

Pink - Love, Friendship, Healing

Blue - Peace, Calm, Wisdom, Benevolence

Yellow - Healing, Finding Employment

Green - Prosperity, Abundance, Friendship, Growth, Nature

Brown -  House, Home, Justice, Earth, Permanence, Animal

Black - Absorbs, Dissolves Bad Energy, Protection

Orange - Unknown - Communication, Messages, Travel

Candle Days:

Monday - Silver, Grey or White

Tuesday - Red

Wednesday - Purple

Thursday - Blue

Friday - Green

Saturday - Black or Purple

Sunday - Gold or Yellow

Colours for Healing:

Allergies - Violet

Anxiety - Rose

Colds - Green / Violet

Depression - Orange / Indigo / Rose

Insomnia - Blue

Indigestion - Yellow

Fever - Blue

Headaches - Green / Blue

Diabetes - Yellow

Candle workings colours:

White - Destruction of negative / bad energies, Peace, Truth and purity, divination, exorcism - White can be used in place of any other candle as it is blank.

Purple - Spiritual awareness, Wisdom, Tranquility, Divination, Psychic Energies, Wisdom, Spirit, Third Eye, Breaking habits, Government, Riches.

Lavender - Intuition, Paranormal, Peace, Calming, Healing.

Blue - Meditation, Healing, Health, Forgiveness, Inspiration, Fidelity, Happiness, Opening lines of communication, Tranquility, Patience, Protection, Water, Forgiveness

Green - Money, Fertility, Luck, Abundance, Health, Success, Wealth, Ambition, Tree, Growth, Earth, Plants, Jealousy, Growth

Rose & Pink - Positive self love, Love, Friendship, Harmony, Joy, Romance, Caring, Maturity, Nurturing.

Yellow - Realising and/or Manifesting thoughts, Confidence, Bringing plans to action, Creativity, Intelligence, Mental Clarity, Clairvoyance, Learning, Comfort, Sun, Luxury, Memory, Masculinity, Positive attitude, Air / Wind.

Orange - Joy, Energy, Education, Strength, Attraction, Stimulation, Justice / Justice legal matters, Opportunity.

Red - Passion, Energy, Love, Lust, Relationships, Lust, Sec, Vitality, Courage, Strength, Fire, Action, Power, Independence.

Black - Protection, Absorption and destruction of negative / repels negative, Banishing, Retribution, Pride, Shapeshifting.

Silver - Goddess or Feminine energy, Removes negativity, Psychic, Development, Moon

Gold - God or male energy, Solar energy, Sun, Fortune, Spiritual Attainment

Brown - House, Home blessing, Pets, Animals, Earth, Stability, Locating lost items.

Feather Colours & Meanings:

White - The Crown Chakra, Heaven, Angels, The Celestial Realms, Higher dimensions, Opening up to the white Divine light, Spirituality, Enlightenment, A glimpse or moment of awakening, Purity, Innocence, Virgin, Purification, Cleansing, Hope, Trust, Faith, Protection, Peace, Blessings and Wisdom connected with the Moon. Moon / Goddess.

Red - The Root Chakra, Money, Possessions, Security, Stability, Career, Good fortune, Physical vitality, Energy, Life force, Strength, Courage, Passion, Emotions, Courage.

Blue - The Throat Chakra, Communication, Speaking your truth, Reminds you to listen, Acceptance, Peace and calm, Inspiration, Mental abilities, Knowledge, Connection with spirits, Psychic awareness, Spiritual protection.

Yellow - The Solar Plexus Chakra, Gut intuition & psychic ability, Happiness, Joy, Cheerfulness, Playfulness, Blessings and wisdom, Connected with powerful sun energy, Intelligence, Mental alertness, Staying focused and present, Vision.

Green - The Heart Chakra, Love, Emotions, Relationships, Harmony, Unity, Compassion, Forgiveness, Health, Healing, Vibrant well-being, Nature, Environment, Nature spirits, Plant spirits, Animal spirits, Growth, Fertility, Money, Abundance, Prosperity, Fertile opportunity, Success, Luck.

Orange - The Sacral Chakra, Sex, Intimacy, Physical relationships, Physical love, Attraction, Appetite, Energy, Change, Optimism, Keeping positive, Ambition, Success, Will power, Creativity, New ideas, Independence.

Pink - Unconditional love, Romance, Soulmate, Twinflame, Relationships, Friendship, Physical creation, Feelings, Caring, Compassion, Empathy, Kindness, Gentleness, Harmony, Service, Faithfulness, Honour, Inspiration.

Purple - The Crown Chakra, Universal consciousness, Spiritual connection, Heightened spiritual growth and experiences, Higher thought, Opening up of the psychic senses, Deep spirituality, Transmutation of negative energy.

Brown - Earth, Grounding, Grounded balance between the physical & spiritual worlds, Stability, Endurance, Home, Home life, Friendship, Respect.

Grey - Peace and Neutrality (as it is in the middle of black and white), Find peace within yourself: the neutral aspect represents neutrality in your question - the answer is not black and white but grey, and hence neither yes or no but perhaps in the middle or a combination of both wisdom & the attainment of mastery a nudge that you are on the right track, Authenticity, Flexibility.

Black - Protection, Warning, Repelling of negative energy, Death (as in a closed chapter, end of something), Increased mystical wisdom, A sign that you are undergoing a spiritual initiation & growth, Magic, Spiritual wisdom, Being watched over by Angel or Spiritual Guardian or Ancestor.  - When shiny or iridescent, it can represent high mystical insight standing strong & setting strong boundaries, while remaining aware.



     Feather Colour Combinations:

Black and white mixed feathers can represent protection, or the sense of union.

Black mixed with purple represents a very deep spirituality. - I would take it as a deeply mystical sign.

Black, white, and blue mixed feathers denote change on the horizon.

Brown and black striped pattern (like a pheasant/s feather) - balance between the physical and the spiritual.

Brown and white - happiness, and you will go under the radar from psychic or other  harm.

Feathers with red and green in them or together would denote that you are being assisted financially. I would take it as a very lucky sign.

Grey and white symbolise hope.

Skull Candle Colours

Black - Hex or Negativity

Red - Love, Strength, Passion etc

Green - Money or Wealth etc

White - Pure, Health, Any Colour etc

I am truly hoping that gave you SOME insight into colours, believe me there's so much more out there as you can also look at coloured stones and their meanings and other synopses of words and how multiple workings may require multiple coloured candles or mixed coloured candles.  And then there's other aspects of the magickal realms such as we haven't even covered colour correspondences for Astrological Star Signs (hopefully if you did the Zodiac blog prompt then you will know the zodiac colour correspondences!) or the Fae (Fairies and such) colour correspondences, or other mystical, mythical, legendary beings such as Unicorns, Mermaids, Gnomes, Dragons etc..  That being said I wanted to touch on the main colour and candle correspondences here which as you can see there's a lot of repetition there and one thing I like is when multiple sources draw the same conclusion ie colour meaning for the same colour to me that helps me feel like I am on track when choosing a colour to work with.  Granted sometimes you have to go with intuition for example when a spell calls for a yellow candle to represent self love I'd probably be opting to reach for a pink candle as I feel that would work better but each to their own.

Candles.

So that's some basics on colour and while I'm here I also wanted to touch on Candles.  Candles come in all shapes and sizes.  Forget colours for a while and let's just focus on the candle.  Now most common I guess would be Tea Lights, Votives, Pillar Candles, Candlesticks, Taper Candles and Birthday candles (or as I like to call them Wish Candles).  That's not to say there's no other candles like Chime, Spell, Dinner, Floating, Even various shaped candles.  But what I want to note here is that while a spell might call for seven 8-10 taper candles in yellow, light blue and green this is not always something that's easy to find, or afford.  (Especially if you have this big orange book Wicca A Year And A Day - which btw I wrote out a full shopping list of all the requirements for the full year!!  You can find it here!)  I know here in the UK I begrudge paying candle prices and most candles are impossible to find.  So I wrote a blog about substituting those candles for wish candles and I think the readers of this prompt would benefit looking back at that here: Wish Candles - Budget Friendly Alternative! Or of course you could always make your own.  I have three of four different skull moulds for making skull candles, I also have various others like a cat, flowers, hearts.. various silicone fondant and soap molds work great.

Activity..

• On a scrap piece of paper write down the following colours "Gold, Silver, Black, White, Brown, Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, Purple, Pink" and then next to each word write 5 words that you associate with that colour.  It can be what you read here or your own associations if they differ.
• Now write those colours down again and ask a friend or family member to do the above task and see what they feel about those colours!!  Repeat as many times as you like it's a fun exercise.
• Research more into colour associations from different cultures, practices, professions etc.  

Book Activity..

• (Optional) Copy down any information from above you think you will find useful.  I obviously find all this useful but in some cases a bit long winded and repetitive.  I'm going to copy down the basics of candle colour, bag colour and feather colour for now into my BoS, although this information is all in my working book.  - You could print it out if it's easier and stick it in, perhaps use a word document and add clipart to pretty it up (ie. Candle, Feather, Bag) you could also draw images into your book or use stickers.

Interact with me Activity..

• Feel free to add other colour correspondences you think other people might be interested in.  Or if you have other unusual connections to colours (like if you're colour blind) it would be interesting to hear from you!!
  • (Optional) on the Fb Page https://www.facebook.com/BookOfShadowsPrompts/ feel free to add any information you deem worthy..  

  
  
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  Thank you all for the support.  For anyone wishing to share, ask for help, talk about BoS / their book and relevant content (or for more information, ideas and unmissable blog posts go to new Fb group https://www.facebook.com/groups/BoSPrompts/  Also as previously mentioned you can go on the website version of this blog over on the left there’s a ‘subscribe by email’ so you don’t miss a single post from me.  If you’re on the mobile version scroll right down to the bottom and click ‘view as website’ and that should take you to the website version where you can expand, navigate to the left and subscribe by email :)  I will continue to share this on my Patreon *for free* and also on my Twitter and in various facebook groups..  & Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/BookOfShadowsPrompts/
  

Imogen x

Next weeks prompts No.11 - Intuitive, Empath & Clair's

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BoS Prompts 9: Herbs, Oils and Stones etc.

Link to previous prompts: http://ppwwmm.blogspot.co.uk/2017/11/cauldroneers-bos-prompts.html

Prompt 9. Sunday 21st January 2018 - The 9th prompt will be...  Herbs, Oils and Stones etc.

I apologise for my little outbreak last week, I am going through a bad time with my depression / mental health and disabilities / illnesses and I know that's absolutely no excuse. But I just very much feel like the people who said they would love me to do this haven't seemed to have done any of the activities and most I'm unsure if they even bother to read since they don't comment I might get a thumbs up at best.  So I felt very down.  I know I'm sharing this in other groups and other places and the support after my little outbreak last week was mostly positive - with the exclusion of the two groups I walked out on as apparently they're happy for me to share my knowledge but not happy for me to share my emotions when I'm upset.  Anyway, this was not aimed at anyone specifically I just needed a little reassurance I'm not just wasting my time here.  So thank you all for the support. - Imogen xo

There's now a dedicated facebook page to support these blog posts @ https://www.facebook.com/BookOfShadowsPrompts/

Thank you all for the support.  I've now made a dedicated facebook page https://www.facebook.com/BookOfShadowsPrompts/ so if you go there turn on all notifications you won't miss these blog posts!! 

Todays blog post will be a 3 in 1, probably more than 3 actually..  but I’m lumping these together in this section simply because this isn’t something I’m including in my BoS - but I know a lot of you might/are..  So I thought I’d cover this section purely for you guys.  Which is probably going to be long and repetitive. 

Speaking of you guys..  On the website version of this blog over on the left there’s a ‘subscribe by email’ so you don’t miss a single post from me.  If you’re on the mobile version scroll right down to the bottom and click ‘view as website’ and that should take you to the website version where you can expand, navigate to the left and subscribe by email :)  I will continue to share this on my Patreon *for free* and also on myTwitter and in various facebook groups..  OR JOIN THE NEW FACEBOOK GROUP!  https://www.facebook.com/groups/BoSPrompts/

So first of all let me mention why I’m not including this in my book.  – I may at some point I will make a seperate book especially for this stuff!!  But including this in this book would cause me somewhat distress that I took up so much book with this and/or not able to go back and add to this section due to lack of space and perhaps if I had a binder and not a bound book that would be different..?  Also basically I feel that I have a working book I keep recipes I work on in and also evernote.  But mostly this information can be found in the published books I own.  I own the crystal bibles and herb dictionaries and even essential oil books and such..  Various Grimoire, Book of Shadows and Journals.  But my go to resource for this stuff more often than not is the internet.  That’s assuming I don’t already know the properties and uses – which after a while you pick up on!!  I have my go to’s and I don’t really stray to others…  I have herbs that cover all my needs and I know their properties and uses.   I have them in dried herb form, real essential oil form, some are in tinctures or incense blends but I know their uses..  So I’m thinking of creating another book for recipes.  But you might want to include these things in your book or another book or be a complete beginner and not know what these things even are..  So let me explain!!

Stones.

Stones, gems, crystals, semi precious stones and precious stones etc – also can include metals in this section too if you like like Gold, Silver, Copper..  These are often natural (some are manmade) elements found in the earth or made from the earth for example quartz is a kind of rock that forms in various parts of the world and there's various types of quartz too.

Stones have properties and values, you can take a stone based on it’s colour (more on colours in my next blog entry), or its physical properties, it’s magickal properties and such forth.  Now a few things again it’s down to your own beliefs..  Also some stones people say have healing or powers which some of us take prescription medications for but stones, like all other things here, are not a substitute to actual medication and/or professional help. 

Stones are said to hold qualities and properties such as Amethyst has healing qualities it is said to be healing on all levels - body, mind and spirit. Amethyst raises vibrational frequency and protects against negative energies.  But what does that mean?  Well it means what you believe it to mean, if you feel as though having chunks of this stone around your home, neck or in your pocket helps with you healing process then brilliant.  If you feel like it’s a very pretty purple stone but that's it then brilliant.  If you feel this stone doesn’t have any kind of magickal properties it’s just a chunk of rock someone dug up but you get lost in peace and tranquility every time you look at it and find it to be calming and inspiring then brilliant.  Each to their own interpretation.  But this can then be used in magickal or none magickal workings for whatever properties you deem that stone to have..

Some popular uses for stones (and metals) are used in jewellery for either their properties or colour even colour properties (such as a green jade is a stone that, as far as I know, doesn't have money properties but green is a money colour so could be used in money workings).  Some are used in mojo bags, in making of oils, in workings, even added to candles, bath bombs, charms and much more..

Herbs.

Herbs are plants, mostly grown and gathered in the wild but some are farm grown and others home grown both in and outdoors.  They can be purchased in a variety of places and in a variety of ways this includes seed, plant, clippings for planting, fresh cut, cuttings, dried cuttings, chopped and ready for food, cut and ready for teas etc..

Some herbs are used in cooking or making/preparing of food and drink, others are used as decorations and some are used in makeup, medicine, perfume and a whole list of other fragranced products.  But again like stones should not be used as a substitute for medicinal use in fact you should check with your doctor and do your research.  They hold many properties literally and magickally as well as flavour.  Note: some herbs are poisonous and should not come in contact with skin, be ingested through eating, sniffing etc.  Some are poisonous to animals while they might be fine to us.  So really make sure you know about a herb before handling it!!  A lot of these starter or taster magickal herb kits include several I dispose of safely so as not to harm me or my cats.  So definitely check that out.

As mentioned much like the stones herbs have properties again down to your own interpretation of each but again some have set qualities.  For example lavender is said to be all round healing, calming and is often included in microwavable wheat bags as a calming, soothing, relaxing, aromatherapy all round good herb.  BUT not for everyone, lavender in wheat bags gives me headaches and makes me feel ill.. There’s nothing calming, soothing or relaxing about nausea or headaches..!  That said in massage oil / essential oil, raw herb, loose incense, most lavender scented candles or incense I’m fine but not air sprays, room sprays or cleaning product scents like dish soap, polish, floor cleaner etc. – that said I mostly make my own cleaning products but that’s for another blog!!

Oils.

Oils very much work on the same bases as herbs,  Essential oils or pure oils is what you're looking for as they're herbs made into a high concentrated oil. Though while I wouldn't recommend putting them in your food they can be used in oils, dressings, tinctures, incense, fragrances and more.

They can be purchased in real pure essential oil form (100%) or different variations of pure-ness.  Which needs diluting down usually with something called a ‘carrier oil’ before use.  Coconut oil, vegetable glycerine, almond oil, rapeseed oil are but a few..

Oils can also be bought in massage oil form, these are essential oils that have already been diluted.  Though most of these are synthetic fragrances and not real extract.

Oils can come in scented oils for oil burners, but often these are just fragrance oil and therefore hold no magickal properties as they’re synthetic oils as well.

Tinctures.

What exactly are tinctures?
Typically tinctures are usually made for medicinal purposes.  They're then consumed (usually a small amount is placed under the tongue).  Tinctures are often made from liquid extractions of herbs in alcohol, but they can also be extracted in some carrier oils such as vegetable glycerine or in apple cider vinegar (these are non-alcohol tinctures).   Tinctures are easy to use and make.  They’re even safe for children as only a small amount need to be consumed.  As mentioned because they are taken directly under the tongue, they enter the bloodstream much more directly than by any other means. This means that the body has a quicker reaction.  That said some may require continual use for several weeks before any real effect takes place like other medications.  - If you wish to know more about tinctures like how to make I do advise you look into this further.

Tea.

Like Tinctures herbal teas can be made, or bought, for medicinal or health benefits such as relaxation, revitalisation, sleep, energy and so on.  They can also be made for things like nausea, stomach pain, constipation and more.

Incense.

Incense typically comes in three forms: Cone, Loose or Stick.  Most cone and stick incense unless it was home made is often more synthetic smell and doesn't hold the properties and values of real herbs, real oils etc.  Most loose incense is home made and made directly using herbs and sometimes essential oils are also added.

These can be store bought or homemade.  I really recommend having a go at making your own loose incense.  This can be burnt on a disc (such as charcoal or coconut) and burnt in a fire safe container such as a sand filled cauldron, pan, specifically designed ceramic or metal burner.  I put cork coasters under for additional protection.  Note: the container will get hot and sand / salt / dirt should be used between the container and the disc.  - Always exercise fire safety and you can never be too cautious, too safe or too careful.

Etc.

These are just a few examples.  But there's some more information I wish to pawn off on you before you go..!!

First if anything says "part" such as a recipe requires 1 part lavendar to 2 parts rosemary to 1.5 part rose and 3 parts sage.  What 'part' means is 'measured amount' so be it teaspoon, tablespoon, or any other measurement.  Eg tablespoon.  1tbsp lavender, 2tbsp rosemary, 1 and a half tbsp rose and 3tbsp sage.  - A lot of people don't know what "part" means it literally stands in place of a value measurement because if you're making a one time spell amount you might want to use a teaspoon but if you were making a big batch for doing 10 candles you might want considerably more but have the same same recipe.  - I hope that makes sense!

Making potions, spells, ointments, salves and other similar stuff I haven't covered here is also so much fun.  Take a premade recipe off of the internet, a book, your mystical Aunt Sally (with permission) and make your own, or adapt it and make it your own.  We all saw Harry Potter and The Half Blood Prince (right?) "crush not cut" well that but "dragons blood not sage" don't be scared of messing up.  Don't disbelieve - belief is part of the active ingredient to all magickal workings.  Make your own.  

How to write your own recipes for eg spell work?
Easy!  Consider what you wish to achieve.  And how?  Next week I'll be looking more at candles (I have an old blog on candles) and also colour correspondences.  But consider what herbs have those properties - can you add them to a candle, loose incense, a mojo bag/sachette, what stones have the properties you're looking for?  A mixture and make it as complicated or as simple.  You could make candles, incense, write a prayer, make a bag or a box or do all of those things and it's really let your creativity run wild.  or sometimes it's a simple as a relax and concentration oil spell.  3 drops of each of the following 100%  pure essential oil; rosemary, lavender and patchouli in an oil burner with some water.. done.

Activity..

• Research and practice making a simple loose incense using your own written recipe.
• Research and practice making a simple sachette you put under your pillow containing at least 3 stones, a herb and 1 other item of your choice (poppet, feather, charm, written upon paper etc..) don't forget to write your recipe (perhaps even journal about the results).
• Research and practice making a simple anointing oil, this can include stones as well as herbs, oils and anything else you wish to infuse into a carrier oil.
• Research the above and decide what you may wish to include in your book.  Those three recipes you just researched and practice may be 3 of your own workings you might want to include if you felt they worked as intended.
• Perhaps try amending what you've previously created here to improve it or use it in other ways.  A loose incense may also work great imbued into candles. 

Etc..

Book Activity..

• (Optional) write down the properties of your most used herbs, stones, oils etc.  It would take you a very long and pointless time writing down every oil, herb and stone.  But perhaps write down the most common or your more frequently used ones.
• (Optional) create a space you can write recipes, add recipes, and such forth.
• (Optional) write notes such as what 'parts' mean in a recipe, what measurements are and their meanings, maybe create a signature incense and just write that.  Perhaps write notes on what herbs are "Herbs are plants grown....." what stones are "Crystals come from..." how tinctures are made... etc etc..
• (Optional) Any part of this blog post you thought might embellish your book and help your practice or that triggered your own thoughts and ideas for what to include.

Etc..

Interact with me Activity

• Comment on this blog, facebook post, twitter, patreon etc and tell me / us how you went about adding this section / these sections to your books..  Your thoughts and any other relevant helpful information xo

As said before for me, and I know for a few others like Rhomany, this sort of thing would take up too much space in a BoS and be difficult to add too so perhaps a separate book especially dedicated to just herbs, just oils, just stones, just recipes etc.  And for others that's the point of their BoS is to have those recipes and references.

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Thank you all for the support.  For anyone wishing to share, ask for help, talk about BoS / their book and relevant content (or for more information, ideas and unmissable blog posts go to new Fb group https://www.facebook.com/groups/BoSPrompts/  Also as previously mentioned you can go on the website version of this blog over on the left there’s a ‘subscribe by email’ so you don’t miss a single post from me.  If you’re on the mobile version scroll right down to the bottom and click ‘view as website’ and that should take you to the website version where you can expand, navigate to the left and subscribe by email :)  I will continue to share this on my Patreon *for free* and also on my Twitter and in various facebook groups..  & Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/BookOfShadowsPrompts/

Imogen x

Next weeks prompts No.10 - Colours & Candles.

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BoS Prompts 8: Zodiac / Star Signs / Birth Sign...

Link to previous prompts: http://ppwwmm.blogspot.co.uk/2017/11/cauldroneers-bos-prompts.html

Prompt 8. Sunday 14th January 2018 - The 8th prompt will be...  Zodiac.

Starting to feel like I'm wasting my time and no one is interested in these blog posts..

There's now a dedicated facebook page to support these blog posts @ https://www.facebook.com/BookOfShadowsPrompts/

Thank you all for the support.  I've now made a dedicated facebook page https://www.facebook.com/BookOfShadowsPrompts/ so if you go there turn on all notifications you won't miss these blog posts!! 

This week is going to be short, it's another one which is VERY open to you and your opinion.  How much time and effort you wish to put into this weeks prompt.  But I don't want to give too much away and do this weeks activities for you.  So...

What is/are Zodiac's?

When most people hear the word ‘Zodiac’ they instantly think of the 12 signs of which people are born under, but Zodiac is actually a little more than that!!  The Zodiac itself is actually an area of space (sky) that is approximately 8° North or South of the equator – this is measured in celestial latitude (Celestial longitude and latitude are defined with respect to the ecliptic and ecliptic poles measured from the equator).  And there’s a whole bunch more too it – perhaps research if you’re interested in astrology however this blog IS going to focus more on the 12 signs which is we more commonly what is known by ‘Zodiac’. So as said there’s twelve of them, each of them occupy apx 30° of celestial longitude space.  The twelve signs are Aries, Taurus, Gemini, Cancer, Leo, Virgo, Libra, Scorpio, Sagittarius, Capricorn, Aquarius and Pisces.  They are the twelve signs noted from celestial coordinate system (as mentioned ecliptic coordinate system) throughout the course of a year solar (Sun) cycle can be seen.

That said we are going to look more at the different aspects of each sign.

It is said that each sign has different traits, correspondences and values.  If you followed the prompt and did the ‘about me’ section it’s quite likely that you already did some research on your own zodiac sign (or star sign as it is also referred as).  It’s quite likely if you’re on this path anyway that you would know something about your birth sign.  Or failing that then you may know something from some dodgy love calculator to see if you and your boyfriend are compatible soulmates forever and of course to reading your horoscope and indeed your mums, dads, brothers, best friends, girlfriend, cat, Sir Stephen Hawking and anyone else you possible know the birthdate of.  But what does it all mean?  How true is it all?  - Who knows!!  But the same could be said for almost anything!!

For me I’m a Sagittarius (20th December) which means my element is fire, my colour is Blue or Purple, my day of the week is Thursday and I was born under the planet Jupiter.  Overall I’m greatly compatible with Gemini and Aries as a soulmate or best friend.  My lucky numbers are 3, 4, 9, 12 and 21 and my fellow Sagittarius brethren were born between November 22nd – December 21st.  I’m optimistic, outgoing, adventurous, extrovert, generous, idealistic and well the list goes on.

But am I really?

I mean I’m more of an Earth girl than Fire and I prefer the colour pink, I hated Thursdays in school as they were often PE day but now every other Thursday is payday and rent day too.  No one I’m particularly close with are Gemini and/or Aries (well my mum and dad are both Aries 23rd March, yes they're also the same age!) and in fact a few people I was bullied by in school happen to be born under those signs and I definitely don't consider myself to be 'compatible' with them since I was bullied mostly for being different.  I’ll agree to the numbers but my favourite number is 23.  I’m not so much optimistic, not really outgoing, my anxieties and mental health along with physical disabilities definitely don’t make me adventurous or an extrovert and well I could continue but I believe you get my point.   

In addition to this the aspects of each sign can be portrayed into the months characteristic and attributes.  And well this really is for you to look into and adapt to what works for you, what you believe, how you feel..

Personally I love reading horoscopes but 99% of the time I can read any of them and somehow associate them with things going on with my life that day – much like tarot, oracle, fortune and other cards.  – I personally like them because they cause me to think and to look at situations and things which otherwise I may have shrugged off and not paid any attention to.  Most people call it coincidence, common or that it’s fake.  Each to their own.

Activity..

Research all the zodiac star signs.  Prompts:

• What do they look like in astral form?
• What do they look like in picture form?
• What do they look like in symbol form?
• Names, and their meanings..
• Correspondances, Properties and Attributes.
• Zodiac Dates
• History
• and anything else you like..

Etc..

Book Activity..

In your BoS why not create a page / pages for each sign..  You could draw/create images (or use stamps, royalty free images, images you purchase etc) of each sign, astral form, symbol form.  Journal about the properties such dates (ie Sagittarius Nov 22nd - Dec 21st), colour correspondences, planet, character traits and compatibility etc.  This can be a big wrote out page or two for all twelve or you can just list on one page all the key points and basic information.  Up To you.  For me I found some images online I have absolutely fallen in love with and want to include for myself - but I am currently searching the artist for permission / to make payment for use of their work in my personal BoS that no one will see (very gothic, weird, dark, twisted images - love them).  I plan to put 2 per page but I haven't fully decided upon this yet.


Zodiac might not be your thing at all.  You might wish to totally skip this section if you feel it's a big pile of mumbo jumbo and you're not interested.  If that's the case then that's fine your path, your book, your choice!

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Thank you all for the support.  For anyone wishing to share, ask for help, talk about BoS / their book and relevant content (or for more information, ideas and unmissable blog posts go to new Fb group https://www.facebook.com/groups/BoSPrompts/  Also as previously mentioned you can go on the website version of this blog over on the left there’s a ‘subscribe by email’ so you don’t miss a single post from me.  If you’re on the mobile version scroll right down to the bottom and click ‘view as website’ and that should take you to the website version where you can expand, navigate to the left and subscribe by email :)  I will continue to share this on my Patreon *for free* and also on my Twitter and in various facebook groups..  & Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/BookOfShadowsPrompts/

Imogen x

Next weeks prompts No.9 - Herbology, Oils and Stones

BoS Prompts 7: Enlightenment & Deity..

Link to previous prompts: http://ppwwmm.blogspot.co.uk/2017/11/cauldroneers-bos-prompts.html

Prompt 7. Sunday 07th January 2018 - The 7th prompt will be...  Enlightenment & Deity!

I hope you all had a wonderful Seasonal time..  And all the best for the New Year.

There's now a dedicated facebook page to support these blog posts @ https://www.facebook.com/BookOfShadowsPrompts/

Thank you all for the support.  I've now made a dedicated facebook page https://www.facebook.com/BookOfShadowsPrompts/ so if you go there turn on all notifications you won't miss these blog posts!! 

Enlightenment & Deity

This week is VERY open to you; your religion / belief /spirituality, practice etc and such forth.  Not everyone believes in the same deities aka God(s) and/or Goddess(s) even people who are following the same belief system or path may not believe, worship or follow the same deity(s).  Which makes this week for me a difficult for me to write and for you super easy..!

• So let's start with do you have a god? goddess? none gender identified deity / spirit / being / entity / angel / etc..?
• Do you follow a religion or set belief system that dictates of a specific God or Goddess (or multiple)?
• Do you follow an open path adopting what feels right to you?
• Do you simply believe the God to be the sun, the Goddess the moon and everything else to be the Divine?
• Have you adapted your beliefs to adopt other cultures / religions / faiths etc..s deity?

Maybe I should back up a little..  

What is "Deity"?

Deity is the collective term for God, Gods, Goddess, Goddesses, Divine Being, Celestial Being, Supreme Being and the list goes on.  So whatever you believe spiritually, religiously etc the 'top dog', 'main boss', 'the top of the food chain'.. that is Deity.  That said for some, especially in the Pagan community, Deity is the Divine and the Divine is energy and energy is everything.. so to speak.

So what is enlightenment?

Enlightenment can mean a great many things.  For some cultures such as most Western Cultures enlightenment is 'to understand' or "intellect and knowledge".  In Buddhist culture is can mean "awakening" in other religions, faiths, spiritualities  and cultures it can mean "finding your religion/faith/spirituality belief / path"

So how do/did I find my religion / faith / spirituality?

For a lot of people they are born into a family who has a practicing or at least an adoptive religion.  For example my family are not religious..  Yet I and my brother were christened and welcomed into the Christian church as babies.  

The infant school we attended (nearest to our house) was next door to the church my brother was Christened at and had the same name and practicing viewpoints.  In fact daily the vicar would give assembly speeches and hand out apples and juice or milk.  

Upon moving towns I attended a junior school that was semi-religious in that about twice a week our teachers would do moral assemblies based upon bible stories and we would sing bible hymns.  

Upon attending secondary school we pretty much lost religion entirely aside from Religious Education class (or as I like to call it ART Practice / Band Lyric Writing or generally Mess About Class).  I remember a few assemblies where a Vicar would come give talks, the last experience of which the Vicar jumped off the stage shouting "SEX, DRUGS, ROCK AND ROLL" and was never seen or heard from again!!  I then went to a different secondary school which was not religious what so ever and before finishing my schooling I went back to my other secondary school which proceeded to be not really religious..  

Finally college and both colleges I attended were not religious nor was the Open University.

That said somewhere during the first 2 years of secondary school I was researching spiritual activity (ghosts, poltergeists, spirits etc) which lead onto various things such as 'the Salem Witch Trials'.. and.. wait...  wait a minute..  I CAN ACTUALLY BE A WITCH?  FOR REAL? !!  - And thus my crazy journey started!  It started with research as scepticism and fantasyful ideas..  Which moved onto an education and fassicantion..  Especially of the different ways people practice the same thing, different beliefs, viewpoints, history, concept..  I soon learned about Wicca (because as most people do they assume to be a witch you must be Wiccan or something!) and I quickly learnt that not all Pagans are Wiccans, But all Wiccans are Pagans and not all Pagans are Witches..  But the two coincide quite well and to be honest everything I read, did and practiced just felt so natural.. to me..  

Over the years I still cling to 'God is the Sun', 'Goddess is the Moon' and 'Deity / Divine is everything'. - This works well for me.  I touch in previous blog posts upon this.  Likewise I also mentioned in my last blog "The Moon" and "Sabbats and Wheel of The Year" how the Goddess is one being and the God another and different names portray the different aspects.  For example The Morrigan, Hell, Hecate, Mother, Maiden and Crone are all separate aspects of the same one Goddess - To me.  Not everyone sees it this way some believe them to be separate and different deities.   Each to their own.  For me I don't have a Pantheon or set of God(s) and/or (Goddess(s).  This works for me.  For others they may need a whole Pantheon to aid their practice and journeys.

Side note.

What is a Pantheon?

Collectively all the God(s) / Goddess(s) of a religion, faith, spirituality etc.

For me my journey has worked out well thus far although I'm more and more creeping away from Wicca, this is now something I call Eclectic Wicca which is more or less very Wicca based but I take parts from all religions, faiths, spirituality, practices etc that I feel are right for me and apply them to my practice / life.  I, more recently, stumbled upon a book called "Goth Magick" which is pretty much a jumping off point from Wicca but the whole time I was reading the book I was like "Oh My Goddess This Is ME!!" - No not the dark black magic stereotypical satanic BS most people jump to the conclusion of.   

Book Recommendation:  Goth Magick: An Enchanted Grimoire - by Brenda Knight

Aside from this my only other experience with religion would be again Christianity.  During my life I was in the school quire singing at both my local church and also at Lincoln Cathedral here in England.  I also attended a few weddings, a few christenings, a few funerals, one communion, a number a christmas carol / midnight mass on christmas eve and the odd other times with friends for various reasons.  Alongside a new life church youth group and handful of times as I helped out as a youth worker at one point. 

Enough about me (me)..  What am I (you) supposed to do?

Activity..

I'm going to assume you have some kind of religion, faith, spirituality, practice or something..  If not then you might want to research some of your interests and beliefs and see where you feel you belong.  It's a long journey not something that will happen overnight.  You might believe in one or more, which is totally fine..  Christopagan (Christian / Pagan) is a thing - I'm unsure how but I have friends who practice both.  So lets start off by finding a footing to a path.

Following this deity?  What, if anything, do you believe in?  - In a notepad write down your thoughts and feelings.  Research.

Research different Deities..  Step out of your 'what you know' and learn about other cultures, other religions both old and new.  Learn about how the Greek, Roman, Norse and such's Pantheons relate or are similar takes.  Learn about the incesous ties, romance, relationships, love.  Learn about their aspects and what they're the God(s) / Goddess(s) of and why and what that can bring to your practice. 

Book Activity..

In your BoS why not create a page / pages for each of the God(s) and/or Goddess(s) you follow, maybe write the main ones.  This might be a good spot or time to do a Deity Dedication / Prayer / Calling etc..  Or Offering this can be a poem, pressed leaf or flower, photograph, drawing.  It could be a drawing you did of that Deity.  

The point of this section is to believe in something, or nothing.  But know what you believe in, or don't.  And pay tribute and honor that part of yourself as well as what that means to you.  Look at your path and your journey, maybe write about that.  If not in your BoS then feel free to blog about it, comment below (on this blog or facebook post) or IM me if you want it to be private..

As said this week is very subjective and open to YOU and what YOU believe and YOUR practice.  

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Thank you all for the support.  For anyone wishing to share, ask for help, talk about BoS / their book and relevant content (or for more information, ideas and unmissable blog posts go to new Fb group https://www.facebook.com/groups/BoSPrompts/  Also as previously mentioned you can go on the website version of this blog over on the left there’s a ‘subscribe by email’ so you don’t miss a single post from me.  If you’re on the mobile version scroll right down to the bottom and click ‘view as website’ and that should take you to the website version where you can expand, navigate to the left and subscribe by email :)  I will continue to share this on my Patreon *for free* and also on my Twitter and in various facebook groups..  & Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/BookOfShadowsPrompts/

Imogen x

Next weeks prompts No.8 - Zodiac