Ex Penna

This is something that you've undoubtedly heard me discuss before, but it continues to be an issue so I must continue to talk about it.

Here's the facts:  People will pay for others to cast spells for them.  They will pay for pre-made spell kits.  They will pay for magical objects, talismans, and other charged items.  They will pay for a teacher to give them instruction on how to do all this for themselves.  They do this as willingly as they pay for books, art, poetry, and music about magic.

As well they should.  A practitioner invests money and time in being ready for client requests.  It's not an easy job and it takes a lot of skill and confidence to do it well.  It's got value that can be measured in several ways.  One of those ways is monetary.

If you don't believe that it's okay to ask for money for your magic, then don't do it.  There is no stipulation that you must accept payment and no one is trying to convince you that you should.  If you can see that as being a fair position, then you can also see that no professional magic worker needs, deserves, or requires the opinion that their magic must be for free.

Images of the Male Witch


This seems to be one of the many hotly debated topics in the magical community--just what is this strange beast called the male magic user?

What does he look like?

How does he dress?

What makes him different from his female counterparts?  What makes him the same?

And probably the most discussed issue...

What should he be called?




Here are my thoughts on the matter:

Male practitioners are just as varied as female.  In practice, there will be some that adhere to "the look" and others who couldn't be picked out of a lineup of mundane types.  Clothing, appearance, age...these are subject to change and can't be relied upon as identifiers.

What should they be called?  Whatever the hell they wish!  Even with women, some prefer titles like priestess (accenting the spiritual side of their magical work) or strega (for their cultural heritage or magical lineage) and no one tells them no.  Then, too, should men have the option to be witches or warlocks, mages or magicians or wizards as is their wont.

To this end, I like the look of the photos in this link.  Each one's concept of the male practitioner is a little different.  Which is your ideal?  For the guys out there, who would you emulate?  It's fun to note how each one takes on a bit of the overall feeling of magic while crossing it with distinctly masculine traits: the druid in the woods, a master of the land; the quiet and contemplative mage sternly cloistered in his study surrounded by arcane books and bottles.  They display something unique each time.

Only one thing remains constant--and that is also present in every image of the female magic user--the look of power and self-mastery.  That is how we define a practitioner.

We're more connected now than humanity has ever been, and yet the problem of finding and maintaining deep friendships remains just as difficult.  You might have hundreds or thousands of Facebook friends and Twitter followers yet still have no one with whom you can share your true self--those innermost thoughts, fears, hopes, and dreams that acquaintances never know.  Everyone should have people with whom they can be genuine.  That kind of peace and understanding is what the soul craves.

Though this charm doesn't exactly fit with my usual style of spoken magic, the tone is earnest and the purpose is worthwhile giving it a good spot in any BoS.

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!