Ex Penna

55 Songs About Witches


Though I object to a slight few on this list for picky personal reasons*, I think it's a great way to familiarize oneself with the long shared history of magic and music.  Plus, most of these are damned inspiring!  What kind of witch are you--Santana's Black Magic Woman" or one of Thurston Moore's "Wonderful Witches"?  Check out some unique and eclectic takes on the magical persona and let them stir up some witchcraft in you!


*  If you're curious, I debate choices like listing both Donovan's original and Julie Driscoll's remake of "Season of the Witch" as well as the bizarre choice "Ding Dong! The Witch is Dead", no matter how well Ella Fitzgerald did it (and I normally can't say no to anything she does).

This is probably my most frequently requested formula when I make spell kits privately.  That's really saying something, considering that the bulk of this witch's work for others is either love spells or curses!  But Aunt Sally's powder neither harms nor manipulates any other person; it's completely benign and beneficial, which (to my mind) makes it the perfect share so close to the holidays.

Use this classic Hoodoo formula to bring dreams that are prophetic, give winning numbers for gambling (it's original use, including the companion book "Aunt Sally's Policy Player's Dream Book"), or are of a fortunate nature.  Sprinkle this powder on your sheets before going to bed to make use of its influence on your sleep time or carry a pinch in your pockets to be lucky while you're awake!

Snow Spells


That time of year is here again and I'm pining for the snow!  Whether you are against the idea or no, there are many ways to work magic to make it snow and this page is but a sampling of it.  A snowy holiday is always a treat, so give your hand to a little flurry (or a foot) before the end of the month.

And if your part of the country/world doesn't naturally receive snowfall, don't worry--you can try some of these spells on central Pennsylvania and I'd be most obliged!

Back again for another quickie piece of magic that I swear by!  Last time we focused on drawing people closer; this time we're drawing their thoughts.  We're going to give them a Push.

A push is a simple affair.  It changes a person's mind, gives them a new idea that you'd rather not say yourself, and inspires them to do their best work for you.

The most entertaining part of giving a push is that oftentimes the same words you use in your head are what they say out loud.  For example, I remember using it many years ago when my husband and I were buying a used camper.  The dealer was happy to talk it up but when it came time to explain how certain things worked, he was not entirely sure.  Campers, as you may know, vary widely depending on the make and age so it's easy not to know how everything works if there's no original paperwork available.

Being young and excited, we had already signed the papers when we realized that we didn't know how to turn on the furnace.  We were going on a trip with it right away and we'd need functioning heat.  But when the dealer tried to start it, nothing happened.  He tinkered a minute then said we might have to get it worked on (then, naturally, talked about how "little things" like that can happen with a such a great bargain).  I was inside the camper alone hearing this, and my shoulders slumped.  But then I took a deep breath, did a push, and in my mind I saw him getting back to work with real effort and focus and then finally saying, "Oh, here we are!" and the furnace turning on.

From outside I could hear more rattling in the open compartment, mutters, and then a click.  Suddenly, the dealer laughed and exclaimed, "Oh, here we are!" and the furnace started.  I laughed, too.  It was a fantastic feeling that still makes me smile.


So here's how to make your own miracle inside someone else's mind:



Using the Push

Close your eyes, let out a deep breath, and relax every muscle.  Your goal is to blend your thoughts with those of your target, so you want it to feel effortless and smooth, like water seeping into cracks in the pavement.

In your mind's eye, see your target from the front as though you were looking at him.  Now turn your mind-self around and fade back into his body.  Look out through his eyes, be aware of his body being yours for this moment; you're wearing everything about this person as a mantle.  Now begin to draw up a feeling about the situation that is useful to you.  If you need the person's help, give them the feeling of really wanting to help.  Make it something that makes them feel good, gives them a sense of reward.  If you need them to change their mind, give them the feeling of change being good, of them relaxing and making a choice that's better than the one before.   Make them feel happy about deciding.  This isn't about you; it's about them and what makes them feel happy and confident.

You can, as I did, inject a few words that sound like something they would say when they do what you want.  Repeat it a few times in your head--in their voice--while focusing on the positive feelings you're giving them.  Really hit home what you want them to do, then prepare to get out of their head quick.  Too long and they'll start to notice something weird.  You don't want that.

When you're ready to wrap it up, take another deep breath and push out all your focused energy into the person.  Pull away and return to yourself and your normal awareness.  You will find their attitude surprisingly accommodating.

This is, as I said, excellent for making someone bend to your will and be happy about it.  It's also good for rerouting a difficult conversation.  Remember that this holiday season when visiting relatives!

The short answer to this one is simple: you call yourself one, so you are one.

You are a witch, a magician, a sorcerer or sorceress, an occultist, a mage, a wizard, a warlock, a magical practitioner.  Your authenticity comes from doing something worthwhile with that title, not that you have gained some arbitrary right to hold it.

So don't you dare tell me that a "real witch" would never curse or manipulate others.  I have done so plenty of times in the past and I will again when the occasion calls for it.  Don't tell me that you have to worship Pagan Gods.  Though I do, I have met plenty of folks who don't, or only do so in a vague and barely-religious way.  There's atheists, Satanists, and Christians who practice magic.  Some folks even call themselves without ever having cast a single spell.  Witches can be monotheists, duotheists, polytheits, or no -theist at all.  They can cast elaborate magic from the Middle Ages or simplistic charms written last Tuesday.  They can be one with nature, meditating on a mountaintop or they can be ruling the streets of Manhattan, their ritual gear a cigarette, cell phone, and stiletto heels.

You don't have to dress differently and you don't have to blend in with any soccer mom on the block.  You don't have to practice for a certain length of time or have learned from a famous teacher.  You don't have to write your own spells or make your own wand.

You only have to want it bad enough to live it.  Every day is your chance to learn more and put it to work.  Whatever your methods, use them.  Whatever your morals, live them.  Whatever your spells, cast them.  Make magic and let it shape you.

You are real.

Yoga for Witches Playlist



Every day I'm finding out new things about our community.  This week's Quick Link is a good example.

Who knew that someone would wish to cultivate the perfect set of songs for the magically minded to listen to during yoga?  Lucky for us, someone has, and it's fantastic!  If you're tired of the same old cheerful chimes and whale-song of New Age music, check out this playlist and sink your teeth into something that bites back.

This set is great for a 30 minute yoga flow but you can give it a try during spellcasting, ritual, or for the good practice of setting aside regular intervals of time for adding to your BoS.  Get to it, witches!

As we come up on the holiday season, I feel it only fitting to share one of my favorite herbs traditionally associated with various aspects of fall and winter festivities: Nutmeg.

Not only is nutmeg magically powerful, it's also strong in scent, texture, and color, making the whole, crushed, and ground spice a perfect fit for any application from potions to hotpots.  It will definitely make your formula come alive!

Whole nutmegs are good for carrying in your pocket as a talisman, no bag necessary.  Of course, because of nutmeg's reputation for getting things heated up, adding it to other herbs and curios can make for some incredible combinations!  Try it for bringing good luck, especially in money magic and gambling, or guarding yourself from illness.  Chopped or crushed, it keeps the peace at home and ensures faithfulness in your beloved.  Powdered, you can add it to food, powders, or incense to heighten goodwill among family or friends, intensify magical ability, and increase focus.

No matter what your situation, one or more of these intentions surely sparked with you as being the perfect spell right now.  So, as you bake pumpkin pies and stir eggnog this year, add a dash of power to your nutmeg to send your season in the direction of success!