All Things Magickal

Some Basics about Incense

2009-02-13T13:14:00.004-05:00

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At Elven Woods, we hand-blend mixtures of oils and herbs from our Formulary to create oils,
incences, soaps, floorwashes, & powders that are correct for a variety of magickal and
spell-casting purposes. The oils can be worn as perfumes or used in diffusers or to anoint
candles. we hand-blend loose incense using the finest of herbs, oils, resins and woodbase.
These incenses are for specific magical purposes and are meant to be burned on a charcoal
in a heat resistant container.
Be sure to check out the resins and gums
(Frankincense, Myrrh, Dragon's Blood, etc. on the misc. page)

Below you will find a brief history of the use of Incense

Religious use of incense has its origins in antiquity. The burned incense may be intended as a sacrificial offering to
various deity or to serve as an aid in prayer.

Paganism

Incense is also often used in pagan rituals to represent the element of air,
It is also believed to release natural energy. Incenses of a wide range of
fragrances are also used in spell and ritual for different purposes.

Although many Pagan traditions associate specific botanical materials with certain magical attributes (see below), those definitions vary widely from one tradition to another. Generally speaking, pagans and Wiccans use incense for two basic purposes in modern rituals. First, incense is believed to create a magical atmosphere that is appropriate for the invocation
(or evocation) of deities and spirits often present around the Pagan altar. Second, burning the incense is believed to release the large amount of energy stored within natural incense so that it can be used for magical purposes.

The associations below do not hold true for all traditions, but provide a general view of the magical associations of incense.

-Frankincense — burned for purification, spirituality and is associated with the Sun. Frankincense is associated with masculine powers.

-Myrrh — has similar properties to frankincense, though it is also used for healing and attraction as well. Myrrh is
associated with feminine powers.

-Copal — most often burned for purification, both spiritual cleansing as well as for cleansing physical items. Copal
is actually a generic term referring to many different types of resins. Varieties include white, black, and golden.

-Dragon's blood — burned for love, strength, and courage and can be used to add potency to any spellwork.

-Pine and Cedar — help cleanse space of negative energy.

Buddhism & Taoism
Incense burning is a common Chinese religious ritual in Chinese ancestor worship, Taoism and Buddhism. Incense use in religious ritual was first developed in China, and eventually transmitted to other parts of Asia. Incense holds an invaluable role in East Asian Buddhist ceremonies and rites as well Taoist and Shinto shrines. It is said to be a method of purifying the surroundings, bringing forth an assembly of Buddhas, Bodhisattva, gods,
demons, and the other spirits. In Taoist and Buddhist temples, the inner spaces are scented with thick coiled incense, which are either hung from the ceiling or on special stands. Worshipers at the temples light and burn sticks of incense in small or large bundles, which they wave or raise above the head while bowing to the statues of a deity or an ancestor. Individual sticks of
incense are then vertically placed into individual censers located in front of the statues.
The formula and scent of the incense used in various temples throughout Asia vary widely.

Hinduism

Hinduism was probably the first religion in which incense was used and sacrificed to show devotion to God. The use of incense is a traditional and common practice in almost all prayers, and other forms of worship. As part of the daily ritual worship within the Hindu tradition of India, incense is offered to God in His deity forms.

Why use a Spell Kit

2009-02-13T12:12:00.002-05:00

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Often, people do not have the time to put together all of the necessary ingredients for a spell, find the perfect incantation, or even locate the information on what is the best incense to use for the occasion. Now, Elven Woods offers a solution to this problem! Our spell kits have been assembled by Elven Woods to be self-contained rituals, each custom-made to your needs and based upon decades of research and personal expertise. With one of these spell kits, you will have everything you need to conduct the ritual of your choice.

Your spell kit will come with the following:
-		1 color-appropriate candle (color based upon spell type chosen)
-		1 candle holder
-		1 self-igniting charcoal disc for burning incense
-		1 censor for safely holding charcoal
-		1 bag of incense (hand-assembled blend of herbs and resins chosen specifically for each spell type)
-		2 Drams of Magickal Oil (oil based upon spell type chosen)
-		1 scroll containing an incantation specific to your spell
-		1 semiprecious tumbled gemstone (stone based upon spell type chosen)
-		Detailed instructions on how to use your spell kit

Magickal and Healing Properties of Gemstones

2009-02-12T19:17:00.002-05:00

Abalone Shell

Strengthens muscles. Invigerating.

Amazonite

Sooths Spasms, soothes nervous system, stengthens physical stamina.

Amethyst

Healing, calming mental effect, enhances the meditative state, creates pure thoughts, spiritual insight, relaxation, higher values. Also transmutes negativity and enhances the dream state.

Apache Tear

A stone of protection that prevents emotional draining , works as a shield against unwanted vibrations, sharpens vision.

Aventurine

Increases visionary powers, intuition and perception, a stone of opportunity and good luck, aids with emtional stablization.

Bloodstone

A stone of protection to prevent injury and disease. Used for blood purification and aids circulation.

Carnelian

Stimulates energy and appetitie, physical power and courage.

Green Moss Agate

Good for blood sugar balance. Works on heart chakra.

Hematite

It is one of the most grounding of all stones, it reduces stress and combats insomnia.

Howlite

This is a white stone with a high calcium content, this makes it an ideal stone for pregnant and nursing mothers. It is good for deepening sleep thus recovering wisdom from the dream state.

Jade

Health, wealth, longevity stone. Ancient Chinese used it also for courage, wisdom, justice, mercy, emotional balance, stamina, love, fidelity, humility, generosity, peace, and harmony. Lungs, heart, thymus, immune, kidney and blood detoxification and the nervous system. It is a very popular gemstone projecting universal love, health, wealth and long life.

Kyanite

Placed on brow, this opens the 3rd eye and blue/throat Chakra. Enhances psychic images, foresight, consciousness, meditation, and communication. Place on 3rd eye; answers questions, especially in imagery.

Lapis Lazuli

In meditation, opens Brow Chakra: higher guidance, intuition, and connection to higher self,

Malachite

On brow: Stimulates physical and psychic vision and concentration.

Moldavite

Powerfully expands psychicness, channelling.

Moonstone

Calms and balances emotional situations. Second sight, psychometry, aura reading, use in regressions, opens up psychic potential.

Petrified Wood

Aids in the ability to recall past lives. Develops a great love for the earth.

Pyrite

Used for focus, practicality, logic, and memory. Great for grounding spiciness after meditation/psychic readings. Represents Sun's golden energy.

Quartz Crystals

Easy to cleanse, store info/energy in, program or amplify energy and healing with. Can both draw and send energy. Powerful clear ones open Brow, Crown, and Transpersonal Chakra for meditation, sending/receiving guidance. Stimulates natural crystals in body tissues and fluids to resonate at new healing frequency.

Red Jasper

Protection against unseen lower astral entities. Enables you to work with heavy negativity. Stabilizes emotions.

Rhodenite

Works with Heart Chakra; helps us express confidence and lovingness on physical plane in day to day ways.

Rose Quartz

Relaxation, It is a stone that heals the heart emotionally and physically. Aids in all matters dealing with love, affection, compassion and kindness.

Shiva Lingham Stone

Excellent meditation stone. It is said of all the stone, these have the highest vibrational frequency. Also said to enhance fertility

Smokey Quartz

Abstract thoughts and telepathic messages put to practical use.

Snowflake Obsidian

Use for astral travel and clairaudience, absorbs negative energy and therefore is used to cleanse before crystal healing.

Sodalite

Clearing and balancing mental disorders; filling the doubts, fears and anxieties with white light and transformation.

Tiger Eye

A combination of earth and sun which would be practical in decision making and creativity. Belief in self, objectivity, stability and inner strength.

Turquoise

A good general healer for all illnesses and excellent conductor (high in copper). This stone is a Native American classic. It opens the Throat Chakra,Opens the Heart Chakra for giving/receiving. Symbolizes our source spirit/sky) and spiritual love for healing, help. On brow: Psychic connection to Great Spirit. Strengthens and aligns all meridian chakras, and energy fields. Like amethyst, it protects and detoxes. Ancient absorber of "negativity"; protection from "evil eye." Brings wisdom. Helps creativity block, depression. Works well with Chrysocolla, best with Silver. Used for healing on every continent! Balances yin/yang. Fades in sunlight, sweat, oil, and even dishwater...Avoid bleach and chlorine in swimming pools!

Tools of the Magickal Community

2009-02-12T17:55:00.004-05:00

A little about the Pagan Altar Tables

In countless of the world's religions, practitioners reserve a place in their homes where deities are honored with prayers and offerings. Petitions are made to the gods of the home altar for things desired or needed: health, wealth, success, love, protection, and other blessings. This practice originated in ancient magickal ritual. Places of spiritual significance can be found in the dwellings of the earliest civilizations

Exactly what goes on the altar varies by tradition. Some common elements include: candles, a bowl of water, salt, incense (and incense holder or censor), a statue or picture of gods or goddesses (either gods or goddesses related to the specific ritual being performed, or gods or goddesses that are special to you), flowers, crystals and rocks, leaves, twigs, just about anything natural, wine glass (or other chalice), exemplars of the elements (earth, air, water, and fire, for most Western traditions, or the five Chinese elements of metal, water, wood, fire, and earth), a ceremonial knife (called an athame), a wand any ingredients for the rituals or spells to be performed, any special tools of your Witchcraft tradition, and anything that you feel helps connect you to the divine or to your craft.

Whether permanent or temporary or some combination of both, the altar becomes a personal tool and expression of your spirit,

The ALTAR and/or the PATEN OR ALTAR PENTACLE:

The Altar is our source of focus and ritual. It is the Holy place of the Witch. The Altar pentacle is usually a disk or plate of metal or wood inscribed with the five pointed star in a circle. In addition to the altar the Paton can be set upon the altar and used to consecrate various other tools and as a focal point of concentration for magickal workings. It is associated with the Female North and the element of Earth. Some Witches use a paton when calling in the elements as well.

Patons (sometimes "patens") today are sometimes made of glass metal or ceramic materials. In some references, it is said that patons during the "burning times" were only made from disposable materials so that evidence of your beliefs could be quickly burned should the authorities come knocking at your door!

ATHAME: (pronounced "a-thAM-ay" or "ATH-a-may")

Witches often utilize the ritual knife known as an athame. As with all ritual tools, the athame is a very personal magickal tool, one which you will want to take some care in obtaining. It should fit well and comfortably in your hand, for one thing.
countless Witches make their own blades or "personalize" purchased ones with runes, carvings and other symbols; all of which serve to blend the energy of the tool with their own magickal intentions.

The athame can be used to cast the magick circle, call the "quarters" or elements, and is part of many an opening ritual, charging and cleansing of other tools , elements, ingredients and spaces It is associated with the element of Fire and the South. It is customary in some traditions to have your blade given to you as a gift.

Almost all materials written state-and most Witches/Wiccans, agree- that magickal tools should not be used for any other purpose than ritual work. Often the blade is left "dull" or unsharpened because of this. Some Witches will not let their tools be touched by anyone other than themselves. Some covens or working groups share common tools. It is, other than for those who are dedicated into a specific Tradition, what you are comfortable with.

A separate blade called the "boleen" is often used by the Wiccan with a white handle for collecting herbs and other magickal plant items. The white blade helps in purity for collecting items from a living thing, only after permission is asked of the plant and a gift should be left behind.

THE SWORD:

Often the sword is used in place of the athame for drawing the circle and/or the drawing of the quarters.

THE BROOM:

The broom or "besom" is used for cleansing ritual areas. In handfasting rituals, couples often jump over the broom if they want children. (The combination of the "brush" and the handle are a very powerful fertility symbol.) more than a few Witches have a broom bristle side up-by their door to protect the home from unwanted outside energies.

THE BELL:

Bells have been around for thousands years, they come in different shapes and sizes, as well as different tones and sounds. The bell also has magical associations. It has been believed for centuries to possess a magical and/or spiritual power. They are associated with the divine: their sound is symbolic of creative power, their shape a symbol of the female force and celestial vault.

THE CAULDRON:

One of the most common symbols of Witchcraft, the cauldron was once found sitting by the fireplace in almost all homes. The cauldron-traditionally with three legs- represents bounty and blessings.

Cauldrons can be used to represent water and used for scrying. It is sometimes used in association with elemental fire as well and small "bonfires" can be lit in them to burn spells or incense. Jumping over the cauldron has replaced the "bonfire" leap in modern times and urban spaces. It can, depending on intent and use, be placed in the Female West or Male South. Cauldrons range in size from the small altar models to the antique "floor" type. almost all Witches have cauldrons in various sizes for different workings and purposes.

THE CHALICE:

The chalice or cup is used on the altar to represent the Female principle of Water. Another chalice or cauldron is sometimes placed in the West as well.

The chalice along with the athame, sword or wand are the modern tools which are used in the enactment of the "Great Rite"-the union of the male and female principle from which Life will spring.

Chalices may be of any material. many use silver or pewter (be careful with untreated metals when serving wine), but ceramic ones are now quite popular and readily obtainable. Some Witches have enumerous different kinds for different types of rituals.

The chalice is sometimes passed around the circle so each participant may take a sip from the cup. This is a bonding experience and often the words "May you never thirst!" are passed throughout the circle with the chalice.

Libations of wine, ale or mede are often then poured outside to honor the Old Ones and "sabbat" cakes are also offered back to the Source in a similar manner.

THE WAND:

Representative of the element of air and associated with the direction of East, the wand is a highly personable tool of the witch. Most traditions favor making a wand yourself, or purchasing a wand that is made for such a task. Always ask yourself if the wand was created for such a purpose, calling a housecat "tiger" does not make it a tiger. (Ask first, if you want to harvest one from a living tree- and leave a small libation (offering, gift) of thanks.)

Primary purpose of the wand is a focus tool to direct magickal energy during spell work and incantations. Some use the wand to cast a ritual circle. The "classic" material for a traditional witches wand is still wood but copper and other metals make for some fine wands. Various woods have different magickal associations and uses. It is very common for a Witch to have countless wands of various types in his/her magickal closet ( I myself have about a dozen).

THE Staff/Rod:

The staff/rod has a long tradition as being a tool of protection and guidance. It is the most common symbol associated with wizardry and druidism. It is a very important tool in some traditions. Today the staff/rod is used to mark quarters and/or to hold banners or flags of the clan.

Sometimes the staff/rod is used in place of the wand (some would say it is a much more powerful version of the wand). It is an extremly personal tool and you should consider the wood that is used to make the staff/rod. It is usually matched "to your measure"- which means it reaches to your shoulder or is the same hight as you - making it easy and comfortable for you to handle.

THE INCENSE BURNER/Censor:

A container used to contain a hot coal for burning incense. For safety reasons use a burner that is fire and heat resistant or put sand, salt, or stone granules in a non metal container . The most common are the "mini-cauldrons' of iron and the various brass types which come in wonderful shapes and sizes. Some even hang on a chain. Burning incense represents a combination of the element of Air(incense smoke) and Fire (burning ember).

Grand Opening of Our New Web Site

2009-02-11T20:15:00.006-05:00

We are pleased to announce that Elven Woods has finally gone live with our web site.

www.elvenwoods.net

Here we will be selling all of our custom made items and offering tarot and astrology services

Thank You and
Blessed Be