A Month Of New Years!

Happy New Year! The new year is a special time. A time to discard the old stagnant energy and renew our vitality with fresh and vibrant energy. The New Year brings fresh starts, new beginnings and the potential to create prosperity for ourselves and our community.

Here in Alaska, most of us celebrate the Gregorian New Year's Eve on Jan 31st. The Native Alaskan communities, however, celebrate the Old Russian Orthodox New Year's Eve. This year, the holiday falls on January 14th, according to the Julian calendar. (The Russian Orthodox Christmas falls on Jan 7th this year) In addition, I like to celebrate the Chinese New Year which begins on the full moon on January 23rd, with the festival of lanterns, and climaxes with New Year's Eve falling on the new moon, February 7th. 

While there are many fascinating rituals and traditions behind these various celebrations, I will briefly describe the way I utilize the energy of these holidays in my spiritual practice:

For me, the Gregorian New Year is the perfect time to purge, discard and cut through old energy and patterns. Clearing your home of clutter, excess, useless items and gifts that haunt you from the past. (If you cringe when you look at it, because it reminds you of a false friend, a failed relationship or a sad memory, throw it out!) A thorough spiritual cleansing of self and home will lighten the mood and lift the spirits! Make sure that your home and your physical body are clean and orderly, so you can face the new year with your best foot forward. A bon fire or the fireplace is the perfect place to unload your burdens or worries. Write your problems on small pieces of brown paper and send them up in flames. Firecrackers at midnight will also cut through the negativity of the past year and clear the way so you can move forward with new potential.

I utilize the energy of the Russian Orthodox New Year to focus on new goals, new possibilities and renewed vitality. This is when I like to establish the potential for new growth. Planting the seeds, so to speak, of a full and successful life. You can do this by spreading out a feast to signify a plentiful and rich life. Eat foods that hold potential, like eggs and seeds. Don't forget the vodka!... After all, a happy heart is a healthy heart! Raise your glass to all the endless possibilities and the open doors of opportunities! As a Mayombera, I like to make a special offering at the crossroads to Lucero/Èṣù to assure success.

The Chinese New Year is very colorful and exciting! To me, this celebration is all about prosperity! It is a time to share wealth with friends and loved ones and bless them with well wishes of abundance. Small red envelopes filled with money and little decorative bags of rice are exchanged to ensure, not only individual prosperity and plenty, but community wealth, as well. Firecrackers send evil spirits away and call in protection. Foods representing prosperity are enjoyed and shared generously. Offerings are made to the ancestors and the dragon is fed. Blessings come to those who bless!

I wish you all a month of Happy New Years!
Remember, "As you meet the new year, so will you spend it!"

'Clear the Air' Household Cleansing Spell

'Clear The Air' Household Cleansing

After there has been an argument or disturbance in your home there is a residual heaviness to the energy. The house or room can feel stagnant and clingy. You can 'clear the air' by using some simple spiritual cleansing techniques. First sprinkle salt all over the floor, pray over the salt as you sprinkle, that it may absorb the negative energy and restore peace in the home. Then start in the back of the house sweep the salt and the energy out the front door (if possible sweep it all the way out to the street). If you have carpet, vacuum the salt up first and then do an energy sweep over the carpet with your broom. Next, you can light a white candle and pray for restored peace and harmony in the home. You may also want to bring a pot of water to a boil on the stove and add a tablespoon each of powdered cinnamon, clove and allspice. Allow the pot to simmer for about 30 minutes. These spices work to bring a sense of emotional balance, relieve stress, inspire congenial it and promote reconcilliation. You will feel the relief immediately. 

If you desire to take it a step further, you might want to follow the sweep with a simple floor wash. Fill a bucket with warm water, add 2 tablespoons of lemon ammonia,  1/2 a tsp of salt and a 1/2 a lemon. This is the perfect  cleanser for this particular condition because, lemon is emotionally cleansing and ammonia clears residual thought forms. It is the Magic Eraser for domestic strife. In addition to mopping the floor you may use the wash water to wipe down any hard surfaces such as walls, tables, chairs, countertops etc... Pour the mop water outside or into the street when you are finished. Alternatively, you may flush the water down the toilet, if the street is not an option. Follow this step with the white candle and the cinnamon, clove and allspice tea.

'Clear The Air' Bath

While it is important to cleanse your home after domestic drama, you do not want to over look yourself. A simple lemon, ammonia and salt bath will give you a fresh outlook on life, clear your head and help you get on with your life. (yes you can use a splash of ammonia in your bath.) It is not necessary to soak in a bathtub, as you can pour this solution over your body after your shower.

In a pitcher or a large bowl, mix a 1/4 teaspoon of  ammonia, 1/2 a lemon and 1/2 a tsp of salt and warm water to fill the container. Shower as usual. Turn the water off and before stepping out of the shower pour the prepared mixture over your body from the neck down. Then with your fingertips using downward strokes, starting at your head and working down to your toes, brush the negative energy off your body. Exhale forcefully 3 times. Step out of the shower, wrap your head with a towel and allow yourself to air dry before dressing.  You will feel light and refreshed.

6 Benefits of Prayer

6 Benefits of Prayer

Regardess of your religious beliefs or spiritual inclination, the act of praying can  have profound benefits on your physical and psychological health. It is an effective tool for self empowerment, because it increases your ability to think intropectively. Prayer facilitates your potential to: clear emotional baggage, open your heart, count your blessings, prioritize, realize your purpose, set goals and manifest intentions. The power and positive effect of prayer is real; anyone can do it, and it only takes a few minutes a day.

You might ask, "who shall I pray to?". At the risk of sounding blasphemous, my answer to that question is, "It doesn't really matter".  You can pray to: a god, an angel, an ancestor, your higher self or inner sage, the universe, the stars, a tree etc.. The point of this article is that there are practical benefits aside from your personal faith. Even an agnostic or athiest can realize the benefits of a few moments of quiet internal thoughtfulness, listing their worries and then setting them aside to clearly focus on positive goals with a hopeful heart.

The 6 Benefits of Prayer

1) CALM YOUR MIND
When you put yourself in prayer mode, you are stepping out of the hustle and bustle of the day for a few minutes of solitude, a couple nice deep breaths and some quite reflection. This, alone, can reduce stress and lower blood pressure.

2)TAKE PERSONAL INVENTORY
Praying helps you to look inward and take personal inventory. As you reflect on the days events, situations, social circumstances or interpersonal relationships etc... see what tools you might need in order to be more effective. Maybe wisdom, assertiveness, or compassion could make things go smoother. An honest appraisal will always provide motivation for self improvement and personal growth. 

3) TAKE OUT THE TRASH
Prayerfully sorting through a personal problem, or  troublesome situation that has been gnawing away at you, is quite liberating. This is the time and place to get things off your chest so you can sort out the trash from the treasure and clear a space for solutions to your problems. Mentally releasing negative emotions that you are harboring towards yourself or others brings a great cleansing relief.

4) LEAVE YOUR WORRIES BEHIND
Young children in Guatemala are traditionally given a tiny box filled with little dolls, each the size of a matchstick. They are called worry dolls, and their function is to act as a storage space for worries. Each night the child is instructed to hold the dolls while telling each one his/her worries. When all the worries have been told, the dolls are placed back in the tiny box and the box is tucked under the pillow  so the child can sleep peacefully. Sometimes we have worries and we hold on to them; our mind constantly mulling them over. This is not healthy. It can actually exacerbate the problem and cause stress, anxiety or depression. Prayer is a great place to list all your worries and leave them, while you take a break. Often they will sort themselves out, or an inspiration will strike that will lead to resolution. When you manage to take a mental break from carrying your worries, you will find that you are happier and more light hearted.

5) GRATITUDE
Counting your blessings is the best way to pull yourself out of a negative mindset and lift your spirits. A heart full of gratitude will open the doors to more blessings. Keeping yourself in a positive frame of mind contributes to greater happiness and deeper fulfillment. So, give thanks!

6) MAKE A PETITION
Making a wish or a request helps to identify the things in life that are most important to you; the things you  hold dear to your heart. This is the root of your motivation; the aspiration that shapes your life's purpose. Your wishes become goals and plans. Prayer helps you to mentally organize and prepare for your goals. By clearly stating your intention, you set the wheels of the universe in motion. In turn, when you act in accordance with your prayer by striving to attain these goals, the wish becomes a tangible possibility.

Set aside time each morning and night to exercise the power of prayer in your life and watch your blessings unfold. You are sure to feel more grounded, calm and positive.

Simple Salt Head Wash

When you are experiencing mental fog or trouble concentrating, a simple salt head wash will quickly clear the thought processes. Cleansing the head brings a sense of clarity. This quick and easy trick can be done right in the shower as part of your daily routine. The results are quite noticeable.

Here's how:
Fill a plastic pitcher or a large plastic bowl with warm water. Add a handful of salt (about 1/2 cup) and stir to dissolve. Set aside an additional 1/4 cup of salt to use for a dry rub. Step in the shower and dampen your hair. Then take the dry salt and rub it on your head until it starts to dissolve. Rinse your head with the salt water. Exhale forcefully 3 times. Then shower as usual. It is as simple as that!  

Peaceful Home Floor Wash

Your home is your sanctuary. It is the place in which you retreat from the world, nurture and nourish your soul, recharge, regroup and prepare to face the world once again. If there is chaos or tension in the home, it cannot serve it's function well. You will start to feel drained, distracted, irritable and bad luck will follow you. A clean and orderly home is essential for proper hygiene, good Fung Shui and clean spiritual energy. Establishing a peaceful and harmonious vibe in the home is one of the greatest gifts you can give yourself and your family.

Baba Yaga's
Peaceful Home Floor Wash Recipe

Basil
Allspice
Balm of Gilead
Pennyroyal
Orange peel

Place a palmful of each ingredient in a large pot of water. Bring to a boil and reduce heat to simmer for about 20 min. Strain and cool. Give your home a good salt sweep, by sprinkling salt on the floors and them sweeping it out the door. Pour the infusion into your mop bucket and wipe down all hard surfaces in your home (Walls, cabinets, tables, chairs, countertops etc... ) and mop the floors.

The door to your home is the gateway to your safe-haven. All must pass through to enter. This is the place to start. Keep the door and the door way clear and clean, physically and spiritually. Wipe down the entire door and door jam, inside and out with peaceful home floor wash. Anoint the door with Peaceful Home oil, 7/11 Holy oil or a little allspice essential oil, in the four corners of the door and in the center. You will feel the tension release as you walk through the door.

After you have used the floor wash throughout the house, light a candle to affirm your intentions of a peaceful, harmonious, relaxing and happy home. Dress the candle with Peaceful Home oil or place a small amount of peaceful home herbs around the base of the candle.

Repeat this ritual as often as you wish. I recommend at least once a month, but once a week is preferable.

Mint

The words 'cool', 'refreshing', 'tingling' and 'invigorating' come to mind when you hear the mention of mint. I sing the praises of this wonderful herb for many spiritual uses from cleansing to basic energizing sustenance.

Mint, also known as yerba buena or hierba buena (good herb) in many Hispanic countries; is an easy herb to grow and is readily available in local herb gardens or markets. Traditionally, mint is used for spiritual cleansing baths. It is the 'go to' herb for removing hexes, bad luck and negativity. It also helps to clear mental fog and enhance concentration.

A fresh mint bath is my personal favorite for routine ritual cleansing. It washes away the negativity of the daily grind as well as any bad juju that was thrown my way while I was out and about. Of course, dried mint can be used by making a strong infusion or tea, but when available, I love to use the fresh herb. It is cool, refreshing and revitalizing.

To prepare a fresh mint bath you will need:
• A large white bowl, bucket or pitcher
• Fresh cool water
• A bundle of fresh mint
• A splash of gin
• A drizzle of honey
• A white candle (blessed and dressed appropriately)
Pour the water into the bowl, take up the bundle of herbs in your hands and hold over the water. Begin talking to the mint. Speaking to your herbs or chanting over your herbs is what unlocks their potential and give them power. Speak from the heart but here is an example:

"yerba buena cleanse me. Lend me your cleansing power. Wash away evils. Wash away all negativity. Cleanse my head. Clear my head. Cool my head. Give me clarity. Wash away my problems. Wash away bad luck. Wash away witchcraft and juju. Make me clean. Refresh me. Revitalize and invigorate me. Bring blessings."

As you chant, you want to tear the herbs. Tear the leaves and stems into the water. Squeeze the plant to release the juices. After that, drizzle a little honey and pour a splash of gin into the water. Now your bath is prepared. Strain or skim the herbs off if you wish but it is good if a few bits of the leaves remain on you after you bathe.

Before cleansing, you will want to light your candle and make your prayers or read psalms 10 aloud seven times.
Then draw your bath and then pour the bucket of mint water into the tub. Soak in the tub for 20 mins. Make sure to wash your head if you are asking for mental clarity and strength. Then step out and allow yourself drip dry. Or pat dry if necessary. Allow the candle to finish burning.

Alternatively, if you do not have a bathtub, you can take a shower and then turn the shower off; pour the mint preparation over your body from head to toe. Then step out and drop dry if possible.

Enjoy the sensation of freshness in body and spirit!

Hyssop Bath

Hyssop

What could be more uplifting than a hyssop bath?
Hyssop is a time tested, favorite among hoodoo practitioners. The most popular use for the herb is in bathing rituals. A member of the mint family, hyssop has an intense spiritual cleansing effect, which truly leaves you feeling refreshed, radiant and pure.

There are many Biblical references to the use of hyssop in spiritual cleansing rituals. Special hyssop baths were prepared by Levite priests to cleanse away sin and also to purify a person and the persons home after sickness. At the time of the passover, stocks of hyssop were used like paint brushes to paint the blood of the sacrificial lambs on the door posts of each home, so that the angel of death would pass over them. King David mentions the use of hyssop bath to cleanse away sin and impart purity in Psalm 51:7: “Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.”. It is common for hoodoo root workers to recite Psalms 51 repeatedly (3 or 7 times) as a part of the hyssop bath ritual.

Hyssop baths can be used when you need to cleanse away negative vibes from a number of circumstances, such as:
• sin or bad habits
• negative thinking or bad attitude (jealousy, anger, envy, covetousness, greed, selfishness, laziness etc... )
• mental and emotional traps, such as: discouragement, depression, hopelessness, anxiety, fear etc...
• bad luck (bad karma)
• jinxes, hexes, witchcraft
• negative effects of other people's envy (evil eye) and ill wishes towards you.
• purify and bring renewed vitality after illness

To prepare a hyssop bath: place a large handful of dried hyssop in a pot of boiling water. Remove from heat, cover and let steep for 20 mins. Strain the infusion, add a little honey and a drop of rose oil.

Next you will want to dress a white candle with rose oil and sprinkle a little dried hyssop around the base of the cande. Make your prayers or state your intention over the candle and light it. Keep it in the bathroom while you bathe.

Draw a bath and pour the herbal infusion directly into the bathtub. If you do not have a bathtub, not to worry; you can simply pour the prepared infusion over your head and body after your shower. Before you bathe, read aloud Psalm 51. Repeat the Psalms 3 or 7 times. Bathe mindfully and prayerfully. Step out of the bath and allow yourself to drip dry, if possible. If you must dry off, just gently pat dry. You do not want to wipe off the special bath. Towel dry your hair as normal. Let the candle continue to burn all the way down.  You will feel a relief; like the weight of the world has been lifted off your shoulders.

Stop Office Gossip

The competitive nature of the workplace situation can sometimes pit coworkers against one other in ways that move some to lie, cheat, steal, stab each other in the back, pass the blame or take credit where credit is not due. Gossip can be the most harmful, negative energy in the office or workplace. It creates doubts and division among coworkers. It can damage one's character and reputation.

To counteract this negativity I recommend a stop gossip spell. This spell will ease the tension and competitive tendencies in the office, inspire a team spirit, invoke a friendly atmosphere, put a stop to the murmuring and gossiping.

Start by making a powder of:
Slippery elm
Cloves
Alum

Take the powder to work and discreetly sprinkle a small amount on the floor at the front door or the employee entrance. If possible, blow a pinch of the powder in each of the four directions near your workspace.

Then, with a pencil, write the name of your company, the names of your coworkers and your supervisors on a piece of brown paper. Turn the page and write across the names, "Stop Gossiping". Sprinkle the powder on the paper and fold it in half, towards you. Turn the paper and fold it in half a second time, towards you. Place it in a small jar. Fill the jar with honey and place the lid on the jar. Burn a small candle on the jar at least once a week, preferably before your work week starts. A tea light candle works well for this spell.

This spell works like a charm!

-Reading the Signs in 7 Day Glass Candles-

Candle work is not only very effective, but it creates a sacred ambience. When friends and clients come to my home and see all of the candles burning, they always comment on the serenity and the beauty.
I work almost exclusively with glass encased seven day candles and the Catholic Saint candles. What I like most about them is that I can watch the progress for days and see the how the spirits are working out the spell. There are many signs that are easily read in the glass encased candle.

After I cleanse and dress the candle appropriately, I mark the wax with the firma of the Palo spirit I am working with, or the sign of the cross, if I am working with the saints or ancestors. (I used Kolonia 1800 or Florida Water and cigar smoke to cleanse them.) Sometimes, I dot the top of the candle in a 5 spot pattern with condition oils. I then hold the candle to my heart and pray over the candle breathing my intention into the candle through my heart chakra. I knock three times on the glass, set it on my altar and light it.

Here is a list of signs that I look for and what they mean to me:

The Flame:
- If there is snapping and popping followed by a poof of white smoke the spell will
be a sure success and there will be blessings.
- When the candle takes on a low flame, the spell has a weak start but may pick up
momentum as the candle burns through the obstacle energetically. Watch closely.
- If the flame is unusually high and burns quickly, I look for speedy results.
- A flame that flickers and dances indicates that the spirits are battling in your
defense.
- A flame that is low and puts itself out, tells me that there is other work that needs to be
done with regard to the situation or that it is not the appropriate action to take. Look for other options.
- When the wick builds up a large ball of soot, there is emotional baggage involved.

The Glass:
- White smoke on the glass is a good sign and an indication of success and blessings.
- Black smoke on the glass is a sign of struggles. It is my experience that the situation will take a
series of candles to clear as the spirits are fighting a battle. They need the
continued energy of the flame and perhaps an offering. Spiritual cleansings are also indicated.
- Clear glass is a good sign. It is usually an strong "all systems go" from the spirit world, but can also
indicate that the spell is somewhat of a mute point. It is already a done deal.
- There are also symbols in the smoke residue that can be read. Do not overlook the subtle
messages. These symbols are often interpreted differently by every practitioner. It is direct
communication between you and your spirits. They know what the symbols will mean to you and that
is what they are conveying.
- Broken glass is a sign of enemy work. If the glass fractures, shatters or explodes, there is enemy
work involved in the situation and appropriate action should be taken.
- Burn marks where the flame got close to the glass and left a smudge of black smoke or charred the
label with the saints image, can indicate that there are back stabbing people in your life. They are
border-line enemies or "frienemies" and may even be causing you strife with their "evil eye" (envy and jealousy).

The Wax:
When a candle leaves wax residue it indicates that there are still some things that need to be cleaned
up in order to fully manifest your desires. This can be cleared with repeated candle work and some interpretation of the symbols in the residual wax will be helpful.
- If there is a substantial amount of wax remaining in the bottom of the glass, there is some unfinished
business. You may need to burn a second candle or follow it up with another spell.
- Wax on the sides of the glass indicates where there are personal hindrances to the progress of the
spell. Whereas, with the broken glass there is a strong indication of enemy work, here the wax residue
is an indication of personal or emotional blocks. In this case you are your own enemy. This takes
some soul searching and honest self appraisal. I mentally divide the candle into 7 layers, assigning
a chakra to each layer. This helps me to pinpoint problem areas and address them appropriately. I also
note the right and left sides of the candle as projective and receptive; the front of the candle and the
back as past and future or in some cases, conscious and subconscious. I carefully look for symbols
in the residue. Then I work to clear those areas with spiritual cleansings and candle work.

Always use divination when doing spell work. This is the best way to stay on the right track and make sure that you are not overlooking something important. Spiritual cleansings and other spell work are often indicated in addition to candle work.

Baba Yaga Demystified

As a child, I remember listening to the tales of Baba Yaga with both trepidation and wonder. I was obsessed with her mystery and intrigued by her magical house that walked about the forest on chicken legs. But this infamous 'witch' of Slavic folklore, who flies at night in a mortar and pestle; who supposedly eats children and lines her fence with human skulls, has a deeper metaphorical meaning.
 
With the years, come wisdom and insight. Having embraced my own spiritual powers and gifts has given me a greater appreciation of Baba Yaga. She was clearly the wise woman; the shaman of the village. Her knowledge of  the forest herbs, her ability to communicate with the ancestors and to journey into the spirit realm made her a powerful healer; an integral part of the community.

During the Crusades she became a key target as the Vatican soldiers savagely conquered the 'heathens'. Baba Yaga was, literally and metaphorically, chased deep into the woods, brutalized and murdered. Then she was demonized to justify the patriarchal 'Holy War'. Her name vilified and smeared, her wisdom mocked, her spells and medicines banned. The people of the villages were often stripped of their native tongue, as well as their spiritual practices, medicine and leaders; then tortured until the memories of her primordial grace were snuffed out and all that that remained was the slanderous propaganda of the religious zealots that ruthlessly overtook village after village, in their quest for world domination.

Baba Yaga represents the collective shamans of the world. Every indigenous/original culture has endured the brutal eradication of their shamans and traditions at the hands of the crusades or colonialism. It has truly been a dark age. But the tide is turning; a new day is dawning. The Baba Yagas are returning to banish the demons that have ravaged the planet with hateful rule and greed. So, in honor of all the Baba Yagas of the world, I dedicate this website to celebrating the folk magic, folk lore and folk remedies from every corner of the world.