Saturday, September 12, 2009
The Curious Case of Evil Eye
The Evil Eye is the name for a sickness transmitted. Usually without intention, by someone who is envious, jealous, or covetous. It is also called the invidious eye and the envious eye. The "evil" in of the Evil Eye indicate that it is thought to be situational in nature and that it is caused by a failure to restrain envy within proper social bounds.
Hakim Bey describes Evil Eye in the modern world as invidious envy. Some are described to themselves as victims, as patients, as passive focal points of misery, deprived of this or that commodity or "right" or quality which they most desire. He explains that the opposite of the gaze of love is not the gaze of hate, but that of envy, passive, unliving in itself, vampirically attracted to the life in others.
Known universally since ancient times, Evil Eye is a specific form of evil, and the protective charms and spells that have developed around it are also quite specific in nature. The design of these charms varies from one area to another. The simplest are threads or cords, often red. More conspicuous are the amulets, often in the form of an eye, a hand, a horseshoe, or a combination of two elements, such as the popular eye-in-hand and horseshoe-and-eyes. There are other, locally popular charms as well, such as the Hamsa hand, Hamesh hand, Hand of Fatima, or Hand of Miriam, that derive from other iconographic and symbolic sources.
In ancient times, the Moon Goddess was invoked as a protectress of babies, nursing mothers, and milk animals, so her lunar crescent was used as an apotropaic charm. The use of a horseshoe to represent the lunar crescent is also ancient. Throughout Europe horseshoes are nailed to doors to prevent the evil eye from entering houses and barns.
Blue is the color of the sky and happiness, air and light against the earth and the shadow of envy. Disks or balls, consisting of concentric blue and white circles (usually, from inside to outside, dark blue, light blue, white, dark blue) representing an evil eye are common apotropaic talismans in the Middle East, The "Eerie Eye Charm" in folklore, represents the staring eye which are supposed to “mirror back” and bend the malicious gaze back to the sorcerer.
I wanted to share a bit of history with you regarding Evil Eye as it exists in our everyday lives and modern society. My personal experience with Evil Eye has made me realize that jealousy and envy halt progress for those who fall victim to it. Prosperity, abundance and happiness cannot be obtained when one allows themselves to “wish” and hope for the same abundance and success of others as it works against them immobilizing personal growth, advancement, and ultimate success. My belief is that it gives that much more power to the person for whom it is intended. If one can recognize this form of deprivation and weakness which is being directed towards them, it can then be averted and used to strengthen, thus empowering oneself to reach their highest potential.
As you browse etsy’s metaphysical items, you will find several sellers who unfortunately possess Evil Eye. Since I opened the White Magick Shoppe on etsy, I have been so blessed with abundance and success and I thank all of my wonderful customers who appreciate the handmade quality, love and magick I put into all of my unique magical wares. I also hold my new friendships I have been blessed with dear and I am thankful to be able to be able to work and make a living crafting magickal potions, spells and candles and sharing them with all of you. If only some of these other sellers weren’t so encumbered with envy. They have capitalized on my shoppe and my wares by replicating several of my items, creating “spin-offs” blatantly copying some of my items and packaging designs to a “T”. One seller even suggested I leave etsy as she believes that the White Magick Shoppe is “stealing her fire”. I have received hate emails from people who call themselves Pagans and have to wonder why the call themselves such as this sort of behavior is not even consistent with the Pagan path. Many of you have written me to express your concern and I appreciate that you are aware of what is going on and the support you have given me. But I don’t believe it will ever end. So, with that said, I forge on independently and ignore their attempts to cast their Evil Eyes upon me. For it is not me who is the victim here. It is their choice to give their power to envy and jealousy which is preventing them from finding and utilizing their own unique creativity, thus creating their own unique shops, products and success. I wish them well ~
Monday, September 7, 2009
Solstice Scents
I want to share with you the very best online shop for beautiful handmade soaps, sundries and luxurious beauty and bath products, created with the finest aromatheray and essence oils, herbs, flowers, butters and oils, filled with love and magick!~
Solstice Scents offers the most amazing collection of handmade soaps and bath products I've ever come across on etsy. Each handcrafted bar is exquisitly crafted, vegan-friendly and cruelty-free. From the Ancients Collection to Spellbound (my personal fav) to Quiet Night (a blending of Lavender and Chamomile essential oils), Solstice Scents offers a vast selection of intriging Luscious Whipped Soaps and Bars, Turbinado Sugar Scrubs, Body Ganache Silky Whipped Body Butters with Shea, Cocoa and Mango Butters, Bath products and Perfumes you'll simply adore!~ Oh! And the OATMEAL, COCONUT MILK AND HONEY MASQUE will take 10 years off you! All my friends are hooked, as you will be too!~
Angela is the alchemist behind these amazing offerings. Her husband Greg designs all the artwork for their Solstice Scents lines and is an amazing artist! Together, they have created something simply magickal and once you get your hands on these lovelies, you'll know what I'm talking about.
Coming Soon!~ Solstice Scents at the White Magick Shoppe!
Visit Solstice Scents at www.solsticescents.etsy.com today!
Do you have the Time?
I am so busy, all the time!~ My business runs 24/7 non-stop. Between all my wholesale orders for Purple Sun Candles and White Magick Alchemy and White Magick Shoppe, family, friends and personal time, I don't have time for much else. Which brings up this topic: How do people find time to create, run a business, take care of your family, pets, the home, and still have time for Facebook, Twitter, Myspace and blogs?
I'm not convinced that creating alternative sites like Facebook and Twitter create sales for online businesses. Honestly, I beleive it to be a complete waste of life. I know of other shops that Facebook and Twitter and it doesn't bring in any additional business, so why are people doing it? I have a plethora of ideas in my head, so when I have some extra time, usually on the weekends, I love to keep myself busy creating more items to offer. That is when I feel most satisfied, when I'm creating. The last think I want to do or have time for is sit in front of a computer and post comments to people who commented on my myspace page. I'd rather be out in nature, enjoying the fresh air, spending time with my kids and having fun!~
I'm going to speak candidly here. Who ever has time to waste, tending to Facebook, Twitter and other venues for promoting your shops, STOP! Think about it. Are you truly utilizing your time? Is the time that you're spending in front of the computer actually creating more sales for you? Probably not. It may be time to rethink your strategy to utilize your time more efficiently to create a prosperous successful shop.
It amazes me how many etsy sellers have all this extra time to spend on these sites, while complaining about low sales. I know of several sellers who are on Facebook, Myspace, Paganspace and all these other sites, they sign in everyday, they have tons of comments, they post tons of comments, they basically sit in front of their computers all day, evidently, with nothing better to do than to tend to these silly sites, wondering why their sales are non-existant. If you want your shop to be successful, you've got to do something about it. Create! Have fun! Stop wasting time and get busy!
COGnitivecreations createed this lovely Tree of Time and Life Artful Hardware Pendant ~ Find these and other amazing handmade creations on etsy.com ~
Sunday, August 30, 2009
The Witches Apple
Apple Lore: Few of our Mother's gifts are so celebrated in lore as the apple. Often associated with fertility Goddesses, the apple is, for many peoples, a Tree of Knowledge.
Apples may be incorporated into any ritual in which one desires to give honor to a God or Goddess of fertility. The seeds may be planted in establishing a shrine of trees to Aphrodite or other fertility Goddesses. Dried seeds and bark may be powdered to be used as incense. Apples may be eaten, the juice shared in the ritual cup, or incense offered when seeking knowledge through the Tree of Life, an act requesting wisdom from the dieties. The apple may also be used as a symbol of security.
Apples are often associated with good luck. Many enjoy cutting the apple in half horizontally, where the seed cavity produces a five-pointed star.
The apple is believed to improve one's spirits and elevate one's happiness. Apples are corresponded with Venus and with Friday, which is her day.
Saturday, August 1, 2009
Celebrate Samhain!~
Samhain, pronounced “sow-en or sow-in” is the most magical and important night of the year for Pagans, Wiccans and Celts throughout the world. Exactly opposite Beltane on the Wheel of the Year, Samhain is Beltane’s dark twin and the Witches New Year. Samhain rituals begin at sundown October 31st when the veil between the worlds of humans and spirits is at its thinnest and the dead return to visit their kin. The modern world recognizes this holiday as Halloween.
The Samhain season celebrates the thinning of the veil between the worlds of humans and spirits. The veil begins to thin about Oct 15th with the veil at its very thinnest upon the eve of Oct 31st. The holiday season goes to about thru Nov 10th or so. During this time, divination is at its highest point. Use a crystal pendulum to divine answers for yourself and your loved ones during the Samhain season and during your Samhain ritual.
Samhain is the celebration of death. The time to connect with our ancestors who have passed on and invite them once again, into our lives. A time to embrace our heritage reminding ourselves of the connection we have with those who have gone before us into the great beyond. To celebrate their lives and the memories we hold dear. We have not forgotten you ~
Samhain Ritual Items available at the White Magick Shoppe ~
http://www.whitemagic.etsy.com
The Samhain season celebrates the thinning of the veil between the worlds of humans and spirits. The veil begins to thin about Oct 15th with the veil at its very thinnest upon the eve of Oct 31st. The holiday season goes to about thru Nov 10th or so. During this time, divination is at its highest point. Use a crystal pendulum to divine answers for yourself and your loved ones during the Samhain season and during your Samhain ritual.
Samhain is the celebration of death. The time to connect with our ancestors who have passed on and invite them once again, into our lives. A time to embrace our heritage reminding ourselves of the connection we have with those who have gone before us into the great beyond. To celebrate their lives and the memories we hold dear. We have not forgotten you ~
Samhain Ritual Items available at the White Magick Shoppe ~
http://www.whitemagic.etsy.com
White Magick ~ Then and Now
The history of White Magick and its spiritual practices date back to ancient times, when people realized and learned that they could manipulate the conscience mind utilizing the natural forces of the universe to bring about a greater good for all of humanity. History tells us that is was the ancient Celts, whose religion was Pantheistic, meaning they worshiped many aspects of the creative life source, worshipped both the Gods and the Goddesses.
The religious beliefs and practices of the Celts grew into what later became known a Paganism, derived from the Latin word Paganus, meaning "country dweller." This outgrowth was consistent with the Celts' love for the land and their holding such things as the oak tree and mistletoe sacred.
After North America was discovered and Europeans began migrating to the new land, witchcraft came into practice by some of the early, colonial settlers. Since it had previously been branded as "demon-worship," witchcraft was forbidden throughout the North American colonies. Despite this order, some colonists secretly practiced witchcraft knowing they would be hanged or burned if they were caught. It has been said that certain rituals performed by early American witches helped shield their settlements from attacks by Native Americans.
Here we are in the 21st Century, and magic and the practice of witchcraft is alive and well. While we are all familiar with the term “Black Magic”, “White Magick” is completely the opposite. White Magick is the practice of intentional spell workings and rituals harnessing the universal powers of all that is good and that will bring a positive end result, harming none.
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