The Witching Hour Read online

  Silver RavenWolf is perhaps best known as one of the most widely published authors of her time, including bestsellers Solitary Witch, Teen Witch, and To Ride a Silver Broomstick. Artist, doll maker, chandler, photographer, and internet entrepreneur, she also heads the Black Forest Clan Circle and Seminary, a Wiccan organization that consists of over sixty covens in thirty states with three international groups. Wife of thirty-five years, mother of four grown children, and grandmother, Silver has been interviewed by the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, US News & World Report, and A&E Biography. You can find Silver on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and WordPress (silverravenwolf.wordpress.com) or visit her at silverravenwolf.info.

  Llewellyn Publications

  Woodbury, Minnesota

  Copyright Information

  The Witching Hour: Spells, Powders, Formulas, and Witchy Techniques that Work © 2017 by Silver Ravenwolf.

  All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any matter whatsoever, including Internet usage, without written permission from Llewellyn Publications, except in the form of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

  As the purchaser of this e-book, you are granted the non-exclusive, non-transferable right to access and read the text of this e-book on screen. The text may not be otherwise reproduced, transmitted, downloaded, or recorded on any other storage device in any form or by any means.

  Any unauthorized usage of the text without express written permission of the publisher is a violation of the author’s copyright and is illegal and punishable by law.

  First e-book edition © 2017

  E-book ISBN: 9780738753980

  Book design by Rebecca Zins

  Cover design by Ellen Lawson

  Llewellyn Publications is an imprint of Llewellyn Worldwide Ltd.

  Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

  Names: RavenWolf, Silver, author.

  Title: The witching hour : spells, powders, formulas, and witchy techniques that work / Silver RavenWolf.

  Description: First edition. | Woodbury, Minnesota : Llewellyn Publications, [2017] | Includes bibliographical references and index.

  Identifiers: LCCN 2017024204 (print) | LCCN 2017031512 (ebook) | ISBN 9780738753980 (ebook) | ISBN 9780738753423 (paper)

  Subjects: LCSH: Witchcraft. | Magic.

  Classification: LCC BF1566 (ebook) | LCC BF1566.R338 2017 (print) | DDC 133.4/3—dc23

  LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2017024204

  Llewellyn Publications does not participate in, endorse, or have any authority or responsibility concerning private business arrangements between our authors and the public.

  Any Internet references contained in this work are current at publication time, but the publisher cannot guarantee that a specific reference will continue or be maintained. Please refer to the publisher’s website for links to current author websites.

  Llewellyn Publications

  Llewellyn Worldwide Ltd.

  2143 Wooddale Drive

  Woodbury, MN 55125

  www.llewellyn.com

  Manufactured in the United States of America

  This book is dedicated to Thorn Nightwind,

  whose support and assistance has been invaluable.

  The intuitive mind is a sacred gift, and the rational mind is a faithful servant. We have created a society that honors the servant and has forgotten the gift.

  albert einstein

  contents

  introduction

  chapter one:

  The Magickal You and the Work That You Do

  chapter two:

  Tools and Supplies

  chapter three:

  Magickal Timing

  chapter four:

  The Power of Fluid Condensers

  chapter five:

  Silver’s Magickal Secrets

  chapter six:

  Magickal Powders

  and Herbal Blends

  The Formulas

  conclusion

  appendix: herbal resources

  bibliography and

  recommended reading

  introduction

  The witching hour…that moment when every fiber of your being says, “This is the time to do the magick…the ritual…the enchantment for what I need!” It is a feeling like no other; perhaps your hands tingle, there is a quickening in the heart, a shiver in the shoulders. It could be dawn, a misty twilight, or the deepest, darkest inky night. It is a time when all of your being urges you to get up, get moving, and get working! Confidence that you can easily step from the problem at hand to the success that you desire seethes around you. And you know, to the depths of your soul, it is time for magick: the moment your power has matured.

  Your witching hour.

  Will you forge ahead? Follow your instincts? Flow with the universe to achieve?

  Will you be brave?

  Will you be clear of mind?

  Will you take the risk of change?

  Will you throw the golden lasso of accomplishment and draw your success to you?

  Will you believe?

  This book you hold in your hands is the result of the purest, most honest, most dedicated collection of interesting secrets of the magickal arts. It has been nine years since my last book and much has transpired in my life—some of it so marvelous I can’t even begin to express my delight, and some so dark that the pain was almost too much to bear. I spent many of those years learning, studying, trying to grow as a person and as an author. My goal in my writing career has always been to gather experience, assimilate, learn, create, and develop a clearer, stronger platform for success for all. I kept that goal in spirit, whether I was able to write or not through these many years. I felt that I could not give you a book without giving you good, solid techniques to use, and for that I had to practice, practice, practice.

  Some saw my drawing back from publishing as a weakness.

  Some gossiped that I had no more to give my brothers and sisters.

  During this time I realized something very important: who had the magick…and who didn’t.

  Words tell you much, if you observe.

  Break out of the box, my little muse said.

  Break out of the mold, whispered my mind.

  Rise above. Think differently! Find the way! See the future!

  My focus is always on the reader, my partner, my friend. My words are links between us as we raise each other up, as we try to walk the high road, as we try to succeed together. This is not a book of “let’s throw something together to make a sale.”

  No. No. No.

  This is a book of magickal power, sweat, tears, and triumphs—nine glorious years of it.

  No matter what is going on in your life right now, I am here to tell you that there is a lot of power on this side of the grass. You just have to reach out, acknowledge that power, have confidence, and use it.

  It isn’t difficult.

  It isn’t so mystical that you can’t comprehend it.

  It isn’t a secret just for the few.

  Have faith in yourself! Conjure it!

  I did, and so can you.

  [contents]

  chapter one

  The Magickal You and the Work That You Do

  Nothing is concrete. Everything is limitless. The universe acts upon the seeds you plant in it.

  You are exclusive.

  You are unique.

  You are exceptional.

  Step out and step strong! If you are ready to believe in the power of yourself and your
ability to connect with the oneness of the universe, this book is for you.

  There will be techniques in this book that you already know; you just needed to be reminded. There are ideas here that are new, goodies to work with, fun things to do. A switch in perception, a light in the dark, a different way or method of enchantment—all this and more.

  The only thing you absolutely must do?

  Believe.

  The Preparation of Your Mind

  I have learned that the best enchantments are done by those who have acknowledged the power within themselves and realized it is okay to have a unique way of working with the mental, emotional, and physical aspects of magick and ritual that best suit their style and personality. These people may have a favorite set of charms or chants, gestures, or blended practices that have proven, over time, to render excellent results. They have managed to overcome those who make fun of their activities because they know that what they are utilizing works—and works well even though they don’t have whatever some pressuring soul online thinks they need to be official. These people are always building, constantly learning, and are willing to embrace new ideas and experiment, striving not to do what the masses tell them but, instead, practice what will bring fulfillment in a positive way to themselves and others without doing harm.

  These are the people of Spirit.

  Working with Mother Nature’s gifts is a very shamanic practice. It is one of blending with the earth and her bounty—of allowing yourself to go beyond what most individuals see, hear, or feel and to commune with the living energies of the land, sea, and sky. The more you work with these energies, daily stressors slip away. They don’t bother you as much. You’d rather listen to the crickets, the coyote in the woods, or the cardinals in the tree than the politics on the television. Their messages are far more important than the warbling of a social media personality contest.

  By celebrating and embracing nature, harmony becomes a more constant companion. Balance is easier.

  This is the gift of Earth Mother.

  In my experience, your state of mind is the highest priority when practicing any type of enchantment, whether you are beginning to formulate a magickal powder or herbal blend, casting a spell for wisdom and healing, or taking the time to honor Spirit in ritual. Daily meditation and learning to walk outside and blend with nature can bring you mental, emotional, and physical health. It is also how you learn about the plant life in your area. The collection around you tells you what endures, and if you study what you see and hear, nature explains her survival tactics. In the shamanic world of plants, animals, trees, and insects, every being is of great importance. Each has its own power. All are willing to share—even the rocks! But…

  Only if you listen.

  The Spirit Walk

  I first introduced the Spirit Walk in my online Braucherei classes and blog. (Braucherei, or Pow-Wow, is a Pennsylvania Dutch system of traditional folk medicine.) This is a short (or long, up to you) walk outside with the specific intent of observing. Rather than a game plan, you allow Spirit to guide you. Before you go on the walk, quietly ask Spirit to guide you and show you what you need to learn. It is okay to ask for a natural gift to place on your altar or sacred area in your workroom. You may find a feather, an unusual stone, a beautiful flower, or another object of nature. You may not find anything at all! Indeed, your gift may be your experience of meeting a unique form of nature up front and personal. I remember that one individual found an unusual manmade object that was of significance to his private history, and he believed it was a sign that his ancestors approved of what he was doing and were assuring him that they were always watching, ready to help when he needed it. What matters is that the walk is taken with joy and the willingness to learn something new. The more you practice the Spirit Walk, the more information will come to you. In fact, there will be days when you are flooded with incredible energy! There will also be times when the only gift will be peace in the heart; perhaps this is the greatest gift of all.

  As you go on your various Spirit Walks, make a list of what plants, trees, and animals reside around your home and your workplace; you will find distinct differences even though, on the surface, they all seem the same. These signs of nature tell you about the energy of the place, whether it is sick, healthy, or in between. Don’t assume just because you live in an area that appears stark that the environment is sick. What is there has learned to adapt. How did the plants and animals change to survive in that habitat? What are those plants and animals best known for? Do your own research because the messages you receive will be tailored just for you. Yes, there are generalizations, but only you and the way you process information can unlock the information that is meant for your circumstances. If you maintain a garden, you learn that each year there is something different to deal with in the care of your plants. Some years will be bad for certain kinds of bugs or fungus. Yes, weather conditions are a factor, but go deeper. What does that fungus do? What is going on in your life at that moment? Do your circumstances in any way match the function of that disease, blight, weed, or bug? Then work to fix it—not only in your garden, but in yourself as well. That is the shamanic way of healing. Just remember, weeds are not always a problem; many times they carry the healing message you need.

  I have lived in the city, in the suburbs, and in rural areas. Each is unique. Each has its own special energy. You will not lack the experience of nature because of where you reside. Nature is everywhere. Each time you return home from your Spirit Walk, take the time to look up the general function of plants, animals, or insects. It won’t take you long to realize and relish the wonder of it all!

  The Mindset of Magick

  All magickal operations, regardless of limited tools or all the rattles, crystals, or wands on the planet, work on what you know to be true. The keyword here is not “true,” as you might think, but a set of words: “what you know.” If you believe that the universe is a sea of potential within and without, above and below, then you have the secret to all power, all magick, all success. If, of course, you know this to be true within you, then your perception of the world around you changes and all things you desire are absolutely within your reach. You must only choose to accept or decline what your thoughts have created.

  You have to believe it to receive it. You have to acknowledge it to get it. You have to affirm that it is yours and so shall it be if, and only if, you agree that the field of unlimited potential is around you and within you—that because this sea exists, anything is possible. Think of it as a sea you can breathe, and as you breathe slowly in and out, your thoughts attach themselves to this sea. These thoughts and your emotions control how you manipulate this sea within yourself and what you send out to manifest into the world around you. Your thoughts and feelings are conduits, pipelines, to manifestation. Some folks visualize this sea of potential as waves that turn into particles as you focus your thoughts on the specifications of what you wish to manifest. These particles, in turn, condense into events, situations, pathways, or physical objects. Your belief creates the quantum lock necessary for your desires to manifest. The repetition of positive, clear thoughts collapse pockets of energy in the sea, creating a pattern that is then energized to bring you what you want. Conflicting thoughts and emotions can completely block or destroy your goals and desires.

  Magick is all about the mind and how you use it, and know this: magick is all about either “bonding” or “releasing” within your personal field, which is nested in the network of energy that encompasses all things. I often call this field, the nervous system of all that is, the “sea of potential.”

  When trying to explain definitions in magick, wording is confusing. Some people are very literal, whereas others are figurative in their mental process. Almost every word in our language can have a variety of meanings and associations that are unique to the person hearing and using it, and even if you think the word is straightforward, it probably isn’t. Fo
r example, let’s take the word air—okay, so it is what we breathe, and most of us agree on that definition, but when we say “she had such a snotty air about her,” now we are in a different area of understanding. If I say “air” to one person, she may think of sweet summer breezes—but the guy listening in on the conversation may think of a tornado that has just launched a cow across the road. A third person immediately jumps into how dirty our air actually is due to pollution and do you really know what the heck you are breathing and we must fight to stop the outrage of what is going into our lungs.

  None of these visualizations are wrong considering the topic of air, but all three of them could be way off the mark of what you are trying to express by using that word. Attempting to share a concept that cannot be seen, that relies on your perception of the world versus that of someone else, isn’t easy. Frequently, I’ve witnessed fussing over a definition in our community based on opinions that are not compatible, sharing only the word or words as the common denominator. I have also found that those individuals who argue the most, using condemnation and hatred as a tool, are actually fighting within themselves because they fear they may be ultimately wrong. As practitioners become more knowledgeable, definitions of words within ourselves may change so that we have a better grasp or connection in our personal magickal operations. The cleaner we make the image for ourselves, the better our work. It is possible, without damaging the core of what we are trying to accomplish, to discard old words in place of new ones that help us create a better, stronger, faster link to our ultimate goal. Our new perception (although better for us personally) may not be accepted or understood by our community as a whole. That’s okay. Concentrate on your own ultimate understanding in the matter because that is the end game in any issue you are working with.

  For years I have studied, written, contemplated, and experimented, trying to find my own understanding of magick and its relation to real science and the world around us. I have read old grimoires black and white, dug into the writings of magicians long deceased and out of print, and looked for commonalities in techniques from different cultures, always asking myself what is the base, the bones, the bare structure from which they worked? Therein lies the key. To most of society, magick is this superstitious entity that doesn’t really exist but wouldn’t it be great if it did. In my world, magick and science are the same thing and quite real; it is just that our society hasn’t caught up with it because so much science is still unexplained in laymen’s terms. And if people did understand it, what an interesting world that would be. What if children were taught about the power of the mind? What if we opened the door to quantum physics in a way that folks could understand and use it? But what can heal can harm, and for many the fear of destruction is greater than the desire for wholeness.