Ex Penna

Like Marshmallow, Licorice herb gets it's share of jibes by non-herbalists for its candy namesake.  But we are, of course, talking about the root of the Licorice plant, its incredibly sweet, strange flavor and fibrous texture, and its many uses in magic.  Though you can tease a witch about the addition of Twizzlers to her potion, you won't be laughing for long once you find out about its impressive powers.

Licorice is a sweetening agent, making people pliable and agreeable to your plans.  Oddly enough, though the effect is sweet, the source is brutal; Licorice is a commanding and controlling herb.  Even better, with all its love elements in the herb, the target is quite happy to comply!  I'll share with you in the next Shortcut post a Licorice spell I've used again and again to compel a person to conform to my wishes, whether in their favor or not.  It hasn't failed me yet!

Besides being a persistent agent of behavioral control (I kind of like the sound of that), Licorice can also be used to inspire love, fidelity, passion, sex, and potency.  On a calmer evening, try this root for its protective qualities, safeguarding your health, your home, and your life.

As a final note, this is the best known herb for changing habits, especially that of quitting smoking.  With so many options for bringing Licorice into your magic, be sure to rush to your nearest occult shop and pick up a bag so you will be ready at the first sight of a need!

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Every once in a while, I like to remind you all that you can find me in other places.  Today, however, I want to give you an extra reason to drop by.


For the whole month of September (and possibly beyond), my working magical altar is home to the spirits of money luck!  Since this began, I've been receiving names and petitions for new jobs, more work, more customers, bigger cash flow, raises, prizes, reclaimed loans, windfalls, and all other kinds of money luck you can imagine.  I don't judge and you don't have to say anything about your situation if you don't want to.  All names and petitions go on the altar where dressed candles are burned, charms are spoken, tinctures and powders are sprinkled, and power is raised in their stead.  This will contine throughout the month, so be sure to get your name in quickly so you can bask in the longest possible glow of money magic!

To get your name on my money altar simply visit Quill's Occult Supply on Facebook, check out the post with the following sigil from the incredible Lucky Mojo Curio Co. and post "SUCCESS".  I'll add your name the same day and include you in my spells immediately!  No charge, no obligation, no worries!  If you are in need (or just desire some added prosperity), add your name today!

There are many charms so useful that they should be committed to memory immediately so that they may be recalled when needed; this is one of those charms.  A standard for healing burns, this Pow Wow chant is also good for infections, fevers, and inflammation.

As is the case with many of the best charms, the wording is not explicit to the circumstances.  I happen to find chants that say exactly what they mean a little tiresome, but as that have become the modern style, you may wish to focus differently than normal while reciting this one.  Instead of listening to the exact meaning of the phrases, focus on their power.  Think on all the thousands, nay, millions of times it's been used in the past and with what success.  That will fuel your magic in what will most likely be a stressful undertaking.

Moon Mandala Diary

The Full Moon has passed and we are again on the leeward side of the lunar energy.  Now is a good time to think ahead (that is, of course, unless you have some wickedness planned for the waning moon).  Now we can think of all that we want to remove and what will take their place.

To this end, I offer this stunning and useful printable, the Moon Mandala Diary from The Kitchen Drawer blog.  You can use it in whatever way feels most exploratory to you: write on each line something you did during that part of the moon's progression to further your goals while keeping in line with the phase's energy; make notes on changes happening to your goal from outside sources; note how you feel during this time, how your own moods change with that of the moon.  Play with it and have some "me time" without rules or expectations.

Spoken Charms in Latin


As you may have noticed from previous posts, I love the Latin language.  Not only is it a beautiful, expressive tongue steeped in history, poetry, and romance, but it's also the main language of magic.

Countless spells feature Latin either spoken or written because of the time period from which they were derived and because of it's connections to the root of all communication.  Grimiores were written in it.  Talismans bear Latin instriptions.  To read and speak it is a potent way to access the power stored within.

While I could spend the rest of this post explaining pronunciation, it would be better for me to suggest you find one of the many web pages which describe Classical Latin pronunciation and use it as a guide.  Once you try Latin spells and see their worth, you will certainly want to be familiar with the basics so you can do even more spells with it!

This week's offering comes from a wonderful little book I joyfully discovered in a junk shop some 14 years ago called "Metaphysical Meditations" by Paramahansa Yogananda.  It contains brief yet hauntingly beautiful invocations to self and spirit which can be used in a variety of ways to bring higher realization. Though not a charm, per se, each of these incantations do have elements of magic to them.  The following is one of my favorites.  It creates a deep sense of purpose and calm, bringing connection to the caster as well as the energy to make use of this potent state of mind.

Though you may choose any method you like to utilize this charm, I recommend sitting comfortably and repeating it softly aloud until a trance-like state is achieved.  Once this point is reached, stop the chant but remain in the posture for a few minutes.  This is the point of listening and all manner of information can be obtained this way.    

The Beginner Witch


All of a sudden, I have noticed a rash of newcomers to the magical community and though I'm overjoyed, I often forget the kind of advice to give the very new.  We should always be ready to help those who are just joining our ranks; their fresh viewpoint and enthusiasm are like a cool breeze to those of us to whom magic is a regular part of life.   For that reason--and general goodwill, of course--I will always offer what I can to the newcomers I meet.

To that end, you might like to check this blog, The Beginner Witch.  I adore books above all things, but a blog has a sort of personal presence that books cannot.  Because blogs are always being updated and because their authors are easily contacted by their readers, the newcomer will never be out of options for the latest information and new topics to explore.