Witchcraft – Page 3 – Melusina The Green Witch

Lore and More: Long Meg and Her Daughters

Close to Penrith, in Cumbria, in the far North West of England, is a Bronze Age stone circle known as Long Meg and Her Daughters. It is one of around 1,300 stone circles in the British Isles and Brittany and was constructed as a part of a megalithic tradition of building stone circles, which lasted from 3,300 to 900 BCE, during the Late Neolithic and Early Bronze Age.

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Photo: Long Meg and Her Daughters

This stone circle is the sixth-largest example known from this part of North-Western Europe and is considered to be one of the finest in the North of England.

Long Meg and Her Daughters stone circle has a diameter of approximately 350 feet (107 metres) and is the second biggest in England. Long Meg is the tallest of the 69 stones, at approximately 12 feet high (3.7 metres). It displays three mysterious symbols, its four corners face the points of the compass and it stands some 60 feet outside the circle. Long Meg is made of local red sandstone, whereas the daughters are boulders of rhyolite, a form of granite.

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Photo: Long Meg and Her Daughters

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It is thought that the stones probably date from about 1500 BC and it was likely to have been used as a meeting place or for some form of ritual.

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William Wordsworth wrote the following poem about the stones in 1822:

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A weight of Awe not easy to be borne,

Fell suddenly upon my spirit, cast,

From the dread bosom of the unknown past,

When first I saw that family forlorn;

Speak Thou, whose massy strength and stature scorn,

The power of years – pre-eminent, and placed,

Apart, to overlook the circle vast.

Speak Giant-mother! tell it to the Morn,

While she dispels the cumbrous shades of night;

Let the Moon hear, emerging from a cloud,

At whose behest uprose on British ground,

That Sisterhood in hieroglyphic round,

Forth-shadowing, some have deemed the infinite,

The inviolable God that tames the proud.

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Local legend claims that Long Meg was a Witch who, with her daughters, was turned to stone by the famed 13th century Wizard, Michael Scott of Balwearie, when he caught them all profaning the Sabbath, as they danced wildly on the moor.

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Photo: Long Meg and Her Daughters

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The circle is supposedly endowed with magick, so that it is impossible to count the same number of stones twice, but if you do manage it, then it is said the magick is broken.

According to local lore, the petrified family must remain that way, until such time as someone succeeds in counting their number accurately or, failing that, should manage to count the same number of stones twice.

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Photo: Long Meg and Her Daughters

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Also, should anyone dare mistreat, or attempt to damage, any of the stones, the latent powers within them will be revived and those stupid enough to continue with any disrespectful actions will be severely…..dissuaded!!!

This happened to Captain Lacy, who was an 18th Century landowner. He used explosives in an attempt to dislodge and remove Long Meg and Her Daughters. Within moments of the work commencing, a fierce storm of driving rain and pounding hail arose, accompanied by the worst thunder and lightning the district had ever witnessed.

The workmen Lacy had employed became so terrified, that they fled the site fearing for their lives. Once they had run off, the storm ceased and the stones were left to age in peace, as they do today and will, no doubt, continue to do so for hundreds, if not thousands, more years.

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Information sourced from the following:

Long Meg & Her Daughters Stone Circle

http://www.stone -circles.org.uk/stone/longmeg.htm

Remarkable Rosemary

Rosemary Is Another Of The Herbs That Thrives Best In Warm, Mediterranean Climes But Can Also Weather The Cold. Tough To Grow From Seed, Cuttings Are An Easier Way To Start Your Row Of Rosemary Plants In Your Garden. Pots Of This Bushy Plant Can Enjoy Spring And Summer And Come In From The Cold To A Sheltered Porch Or By A Sunny Window When Temperatures Drop. As A Bonus, It Requires Little Water. Rosemary Is Fantastic As A Seasoning For Potatoes, Roast Chicken, And Makes Any Sunday Supper Taste Better And Brighter. You Can Pinch Off The Aromatic Needles To Dress Plates Or Sprinkle Into Soups And Stews. Beyond Enhancing Your Cookery, This Is A Primary Plant For Rejuvenation And Is Prized For How It Helps Restore After Lingering Illness; Elixirs And Essential Oils Made From Rosemary Stimulate And Energize As They Comfort.

In Greco-Roman Times, Rosemary Was Believed To Help The Memory. An Excellent Kitchen Witchery Practice Is To Take Dried Or Fresh Rosemary And Add It To A Steam For An Easy Infusion, Where It Aids Breathing, Muscle Aches, And Anxiety. You Can Accomplish The Same By Adding Rosemary To A Hot Bath. Lie Back And Relax, Remembering Happy Times In Your Life, And Those That Lie Right Ahead Of You.

Rosemary Has Many Uses In Magic. Rosemary From One’s Garden Can Be Used In Magic, But It Is Also Found As Incense And An Essential Oil. The Primary Associations Of Rosemary Are: Healing, Protection, Purification, Love, Strength, Memory, Stress Relief, And Mental Clarity. Rosemary Is Associated With The Sun And With The Zodiac Sign Of Leo.

Foraging Book and Pouch

For my birthday, my husband bought me this awesome Foragers Calendar Book and a cool leather and canvass foraging pouch that folds up on itself and can attach to my belt or bag.

I do a LOT of foraging for my witchcraft ingredients and items, so this book is just what I’ve been looking for! It’s collated into what’s available in which month(s) and has sections on fungi, plants, seaweeds and invertebrates.

Importantly, it also has a section on English Law and Legislation related to the Countryside. I already know this kind of stuff, as I need to know it and follow it for my job, but I’m glad they’ve included it in there for other people, so they’re not breaking the law whilst they are doing their foraging.

Anti Anxiety Spray

My husband, who is a train driver, goes back to work tomorrow after being off since March last year. That’s 10 MONTHS off work!! Understandably, he’s really anxious about going back.

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Therefore, I’ve made him an anti-anxiety spray, for his pillow tonight before he goes to sleep and to take with him in his bag, to spray onto his sleeve, or a hankerchief, to smell if he starts feeling antsy.

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For the base of this spray I’ve used around 150ml of cosmetic grade rosewater (so that it’s safe if any gets on his skin), for enhancing moods and relieving any stress associated headaches, plus about 250ml of cosmetic grade orange water, to soothe and relax nerves and settle upset stomachs (as who doesn’t get stomach ache when they’re anxious and nervous?).

I also added 8-10 drops of each of the following essential oils into the mixed rose and orange waters, swirling it deosil (clockwise), imbuing the mixture with my intent for calm, inner peace, confidence and happiness.

• Clary sage – as it is known to reduce the levels of hormones associated with stress, such as cortisol, which helps your body and brain calm down and become more focussed;

• Bergamot – for it’s calming effect and ability to induce physiological changes, such as lowering heart rate and blood pressure;

• Ylang ylang – to boost his mood, alleviate his anxiety and reduce any depression;

• Lavender – for it’s calming effect; and

• Chamomile – for anxiety relief.

I topped up the mixture with blue moon water I made at Samhain, so the bottle was full.

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The final things I added were around 8/9 amethyst chips, as this crystal provides relief from stress and anxiety, and helps to calm your mind.

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Moon in Cancer – Family Happiness Wish/Spell

I foraged some branches of hawthorn, apple, hazel, pine and whatever else I could find in my local environment (all thoughtfully and thankfully taken, with offerings of nuts left, to give thanks).

The reason I collected these things was to make a Moon in Cancer Family Happiness Wish/Spell.

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For this wish/spell you will need 3 lengths of 60cm (2 feet) blue twine or ribbon, plus a smaller piece of the same ribbon or twine to hang it. If you don’t have blue, just use what you have! We Witches can adapt and substitute with what our intuition tells us is OK, so if you have neon pink ribbon and you think that’ll work, then that WILL work.

Then you’ll need to find a selection of twigs, or short branches, from apple or fruit trees, hawthorn, hazel, oak, cedar, pine, holly….whatever you can find in your garden, local park or local countryside (even from your neighbours trees if they’re hanging over your side of the fence!)

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Knot the ends of the three long lengths of ribbon/twine together, then plait the three strands til you get to the other end and knot this again.

Form the plaited length into a circle and use the shorter length of ribbon/twine to tie the ends together and make a loop to hang it with.

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Repeat this charm:

With this family garland true,

The lunar time will see anew,

For homely warmth, so loved this place.

With all our spirits filled with grace.

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Then you should gather all your twigs and small branches and thread them through and around the plaited ribbon or twine, to make a garland that is full and as bushy as you can manage (no one will blame you for needing a wee bit of help from some wire or cable ties to keep things in place!). I also put the oven dried cinnamon sticks and orange slices left over from making Christmas mulled wine on there too. Waste not want not, it always pays to be a Thrifty Witch!

Then simply hang the garland on the back of your main entrance door for harmonious living. For us, I’ll hang ours on the back of our front door, as that is the one we mainly use to enter and exit our house.

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Mulled Wine

Here is my recipe for Mulled Wine.

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Please drink responsibly, avoid alcohol consumption if you are pregnant or breast feeding and please abide by your local Laws regarding under age drinking

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To make my mulled wine I buy a nice bottle of red wine. It doesn’t have to be an expensive bottle, but try not to buy a cheap one either. I pour the whole bottle into a large pan, then I gather the following ingredients:

• Cinnamon sticks – to warm the circulation and regulate glucose metabolism;

• A piece of star anise – for love and protection;

• A Winter Spice Infusion bag (contains black tea, cinnamon, cloves, ginger and cardamom);

• A good squirt of maple syrup – for a long life and spiritual healing; and

• A whole orange – for joy, health and purification.

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I place the cinnamon sticks, star anise, infusion bag and maple syrup in the pan, with the wine. With each ingredient I add, I tell them the properties that I am using them for and what I want them to imbue the mulled wine with. I also stir the liquid and ingredients deosiI, adding my love and positive intent. I then slice up the orange into half centimeter or so slices, all the time thinking of the goodness and positivity the oranges can provide. I then add them to the pot, pop it on a low heat and simmer very gently for about half an hour. I use a ladle to scoop use mixture out into mugs. It’s so warming and comforting, especially when it’s so cold!

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With the wine and spiced infused oranges that are left over, I pop them onto a baking tray lined with greaseproof paper and bake them in the oven at 140°C for 45 minutes to an hour. Once dried, I’ll string ribbon through them and hang them on the Christmas tree, as they smell amazing!

Burning Bay Leaves to Manifest Wealth and Abundance

I did a quick ritual out in the back garden (not recommended for indoors, as it really smells!!) to manifest/attract wealth and abundance.

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I wrote onto 6 bay leaves (I won’t say exactly what, but it represented my intentions) and spoke to the Universe whilst burning the bay leaves in my mini cauldron.

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Once it’s all cooled down, I’ll scatter the ashes to the wind and say:

‘The Moon has Awoken, with the sleep of the Sun,

The ashes are are scattered, the spell has begun.

The powerful Conjunction, of Jupiter and Saturn,

Will trigger my spell, for an affluence pattern.

With blessed relief from stress and from debts,

So our lives will be free of worries and frets.

My Magick has spoken, so mote it be.’

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Yule Witch Bauble (Witch Ball)

At Yule 2020 I made a Witch Bauble (or Witch Ball) to put on our Christmas Tree.

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It is a collection of specific items (plants, herbs, flowers, nuts, oils, crystals, spices etc), in addition to a bespoke spell I have created, to provide protection, prosperity, health and happiness for my family and I.

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Here is my spell, which details all of the ingredients/items I will use, along with the specific/important correspondences related to those items. I have been collecting all of the contents for the past few months in preparation for this Witch Bauble and they have all naturally air dried on my Altar, so they won’t go off or get mouldy in the bauble/ball.

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Witch Bauble Spell

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This Witches bauble for our tree,

Will work to protect my family for me.

With cinnamon bark, for warmth and prosperity,

And Rosemary leaves, for protection and purity.

Sweet chestnut, for abundance and prosperity,

And a conker, for good luck and money.

A hawthorn branch, for happiness and harmony,

With acorns, for protection and longevity.

Some Tigers Eye crystal, against negativity,

Along with juniper berries, for love and clarity.

Some Ivy leaves, for protection and healing,

And Holly leaves, for good luck and dreaming.

Dried heather for luck, love and health,

And rosehips, to attract health and wealth.

A few drops of frankincense, for cleansing and protection,

Along with sweet orange oil, for prosperity and affection.

Orchid flowers, for love and intuition,

And clear quartz, to bring it all to fruition.

All held within a ball of glass,

To watch over all, within this house.

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I will also do a 9 knot spell. I don’t plan on undoing my knots, however some knot spells do call for them to be undone to activate the spell. I want mine to be contained within the Witch Bauble forever, so with each knot I tie, and as I say the line from the spell below, I will sprinkle some Blue Moon water (that I collected at Samhain) onto each knot to activate it.

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Knot Spell

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By the knot of one, the spell’s begun.

By the knot of two, it will come true.

By the knot of three, so mote it be.

By the knot of four, my love I pour.

By the knot of five, my spell will thrive.

By the knot of six, my spell is fixed.

By the knot of seven, the stars of heaven.

By the knot of eight, all love no hate.

By the knot of nine, all will be fine.

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I’m also undertaking my spells tonight, under a first quarter moon, as this is the perfect phase for undertaking magickal workings related to growth, strength, developing/receiving love and for acting to support your intentions.

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