The Witches Digest

The Dream Catcher originated in the Ojibwa Nation and was adopted by the Native Americans of many different nations. Traditionally made on a willow frame with sinew strands, the finished item was hung over the bed and used as a charm to protect sleeping children from nightmares. The dream catcher wasn’t intended to last forever, but to dry out and collapse over time as the child it protected entered adulthood.

The Ojibwa believe that a dream catcher changes peoples’ dreams, allowing the good to be filtered through, and the bad to hang in the net and disappear in the light of day.

To make your own, you will need:

A supple piece of wood or branch,
about 1m in length
4 yards / 12 feet of wool (or suede)
3 yards / 9 feet of string (or sinew / imitation sinew)
Beads
Feathers
Scissors
Glue
A Clothes Peg
The colour scheme is a personal choice.

Step One.
Bend the branch around into shape and bind the ends together with a dab of glue and some string.

Step Two.

Cut 8ft of the wool (or suede). Glue one end to the ring and clip in place with the clothes peg until the glue is dry.

Wind the strand around the frame until you reach the starting point, leaving the entire outer ring wrapped neatly before gluing into place; again using the clothes peg to hold it until it dries. Be careful not to twist the thread as it goes round, it must lie flat.

Step Three.

Tie one end of the string (sinew) to the ring and then make nine half hitch knots around the ring, spacing them around ½” to 1” apart. Make the last knot a little closer to the first – this will prevent a large gap forming. Make sure the thread is pulled snugly between the knots.

Step Four.

Make the next row of the web by tying the hitches into the middle of the pre-woven row. Continue weaving in the same way until you have a small hole left in the centre. Once finished, tie a double knot in the cord, add a tiny drop of glue to the knot to give it extra security. When the glue is dry, cut off the remaining thread as close to the knot as possible.

Step Five.

From your remaining wool (suede), cut a 12” piece and fold it in half. Tie a knot in the open end.

At the top of the ring, attach the cord by slipping the loop end through the ring and then around the ring and over the knot. Pull the lacing tight to secure it in place.

Step Six.

Cut three 8” pieces of wool (suede). Tie two of them approximately one third of the way up the ring on each side, use a double knot and a small dab of glue to keep them in place. Slip on the beads in whatever order you’ve chosen, then secure with another knot and spot of glue.

Take the last piece and attach any remaining beads or decorative piece, like a concho to the top middle of the ring.

Step Seven.

Finally, push two feathers up inside the beads on each piece of lacing. Glue the feathers if they’re loose.

To make larger sizes:

Follow the same instructions as above, but the materials needed will vary.

12 inch rings needs approx. 7 yards / 21 feet of wool or suede lacing to bind it
9 inch ring – approx 6 yards / 18 feet
6 inch ring – approx 4 yards / 12 feet
Remember that you will need extra suede for the laces and hanger.

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Gathering up the remains of your old candles, you can make new ones – here’s one method of how to do it.

Before you start, you need to make sure you have a clear space, and the following items:

A Pot – Suitable for melting the wax in. Make sure that it’s either a purpose one or an old one, as the wax may stain or stick.

Wicks – These will probably need to be purchased, unless you have a battered or old candle that you can open up for one. Make sure it’s the right thickness for the size of candle you wish to make.

Containers or Moulds – These are for the candles to be made in. You can buy these, or perhaps use items in the home – for example jam jars.

Old Candles or a Bag of Wax – If you want to make a new candle, then you’ll need new wax; otherwise you will need to gather up your old candles.

A Fork or Spoon – Something to stir the hot wax with; so make sure the handle is plenty long enough so not to risk burning your hand.

Once you’re ready, you need to set up the containers or moulds with the wicks; try to keep them to one side so the work area doesn’t get cluttered.

You then need to clean up your old candles before you melt them – making sure to remove any paper, decorations etc from the outside, and cut away any burnt, blackened wick.

Tip – If you cut your candles into pieces then they will melt faster; it may also make it easier to remove the old wick and decorations. If you can’t get it all – it doesn’t matter too much, as once the wax is melted, you can fish out the pieces with a fork.

Once you’ve done this, place your candle pieces in the pan. Do NOT fill the pan too full – no more than half, as when the wax melts some may melt faster and start bubbling – this will make the level rise and could be dangerous.

Tip -  Do NOT be tempted to heat the wax in the microwave – this is extremely dangerous.

Use a low heat to melt the wax gently, and don’t leave it unattended. Use your fork or spoon to fish out any floating bits or unwanted debris that may find its way into the melt.

Once it’s ready, pour the wax into your pre-prepared containers or moulds up to the level you require.

Tip -  It may be useful to use a water-based marker to mark the level you want on the container if you need a specific height.

After you’re done, don’t pour the residue in the sink; put it on rags or paper so that it hardens and can be removed that way.

Now leave the candles to cool and set. Once that’s done, trim the wick to the length you want and remove any guide lines you may have added to the outside of the container.

Tip -  Store the candles in a cool place that’s not exposed to bright sun; on exceptionally hot days the candles may melt a little and the resulting grease will soak into the base of a wooden drawer.

General Tips for Making the Candles.

If you mix a lot of colours together then it will most likely make a murky brown colour. If you want to make rainbow candles, allow each wax layer to set first.

If you use different types of candles, they may burn at different speeds and become uneven – try, where possible, to use the same type of candles for each new one

Experiment with scented blends, but don’t be too upset if they don’t smell pleasant right away – trial and error may be the key.

The wick needs to be straight before the wax goes in; get it in a good position before attempting to pour the mix in. Some wicks have bases and will stand on their own, but others don’t – so you will need to very carefully keep it positioned as you pour the wax in.

Have fun and don’t forget – safety first!

Please note that the methods here are suitable for decorative candles only, spell candles should only be used for one purpose.

 From the Witches Digest Mabon 2008

Technorati Tags: candle magick, craft ideas, pagan, recycled candles, wicca

Talismans are important magical tools, dedicated to a specific goal.

They are considered to be one of the best ways to contact
universal forces and harness them so that they conform to the will of the magician.

If you choose to make your own talisman there are several things that you need to consider:

Materials
Design
Energy & Belief
Charging

Materials

Talismans can be made from a variety of different materials, some suggestions include:

Silver, Gold, Copper, Clay,
Porcelain, Vellum, Glass, Bone, Leather and Paper.

You will need to give
consideration to the practical uses of the talisman before you choose your material.
A paper talisman for increased prosperity may be suitable if you are keeping it in your wallet, but not if you intend to wear it as jewellery, where it would likely become damaged.

Any material used should to make a talisman should not have previously been used for any other purpose.

Design

The design of the talisman should mean something top you personally.  You may wish to use:

Magic Squares
Sigils
Astrological Symbols
A Poem
Words written in a Magical
Alphabet
Your Own Design

Be creative, combine symbols where necessary.  For example a talisman designed to protect the home could have a house and pentacle etched into it.

There are many excellent books and websites on the subject of symbols, we have included a few below for your convenience.

Energy and Belief

While making and empowering a talisman you must remain clearly focused on your goals and your ability to bring them to fruition.  There is no point in making one if you do not believe that it will work for you.

Personal energy is vital, and reinforces the power held in your subconscious mind. 

Charging

Once you have crafted your talisman you need to programme and consecrate it.

The area in which you will do this should be clean and tidy, you may want to light candles and incense, play relaxing music and place a vase of flowers in the room.

Purify yourself beforehand by taking a bath and dressing in clean clothes (natural fibres are best).

Sit comfortably and meditate on the goal of the talisman.  Take it in your projective hand (the one you write with) and tell it what its purpose is.  You can make this statement as simple or elaborate as you like. 

Feel the talisman becoming warm in your hand, when you feel it is time either store the talisman until it is needed, or put it to use straight away.

It is best to store a talisman in a pouch or box as you would do crystals or Tarot cards.

Thank the universe for its
energies.

© Dawn Gribble 2008
From the Witches Digest Lammas 2008

Technorati Tags: craft ideas, making a talisman, pagan, wicca, witchcraft

The wreath was originally worn during religious rites in ancient Persia. The Greeks called them a ‘diadem’, meaning bound around. Wreath comes from the old English ‘writhen’, meaning to twist or writhe. Wreathes were first made by twisting evergreen branches into a circlets, and the Greeks and Romans placed laurel leaf wreathes on the heads of Olympic athletes, and olive branches on brave warriors.

Gather a bundle of long grass. If the grass is too dry to shape into a circle wet it down before shaping it and binding it with fishing line, twine or floral wire.

Bind small bunches of flowers together using floral wire. Leave some of the larger  flowers separate.

Randomly secure the bunches of flowers and the single ones to the grass wreath.

Complete the wreath by winding ribbon in soft curls throughout the flowers.

Choose from the following Summer Flowers:

Bay Laurel
Daisies
Dogwood
Ferns
Hydrangea

Ivy
Larkspur
Lavender
Lemon Balm
Lemon Leaves
Mint
Poppies
Roses—Pink
Roses—Yellow
Straw
Sunflowers
Valerian
Vines
Willow
Yarrow
Zinnia

 From the WItches Digest Litha 2008

Technorati Tags: craft ideas, diadem, floral wreath

1 bar unscented glycerin soap — (4 oz.)
Metal cheese grater with large holes
1 Medium microwave safe glass bowl
9 drops Lavender essential oil
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 bottle with pump dispenser — (5 oz.)
tap water — measuring cup,
large metal mixing spoon, microwave

Grate the glycerin soap into the glass bowl.Add 1 cup tap water and
stir.
Microwave the soap and water for 1 minute on high heat.
Remove and stir.
Heat for another 30 seconds, then remove and stir again.
If the soap is not completely liquefied, continue to heat at 10 second intervals until
it is.
Stir in the olive and essential oil.All the mixture to cool slightly,
then pour into the bottle.Variation: Instead of using olive oil, you
can use lighter oils, such as coconut, vitamin E, apricot or jojoba.

Technorati Tags: craft ideas, lavender soap, soap making

Basic Recipe:

•  Dissolve Gum Arabic in water, approximately one part powder to two parts water.
• Allow the material to soak for approximately three hours.
  
• In the meantime grind the herbal material to be used until it is finely powdered (using mortar and pestle or other grinding tool).
  
• Mix this powder into the liquid until it can be shaped into small cones.
  (Add food dye if you want a colourful result, but be aware that it will stain your hands)
  
• Allow to dry completely in a warm area.

Incense Recipes – These can be smouldered on charcoal blocks, or used to make cones and sticks by adding to the Gum Arabic solution.

Love Drawing:

3 parts Rosemary
2 parts Yarrow
1 part Orris Root

Protection:

4 parts Valerian
2 parts Rue
2 parts Bay Leaves
3 parts Dill
2 parts Caraway
4 Parts Lavender
6 tsp Sandalwood

Power:

1 part Cinnamon
1 part Anise
1 tsp Nutmeg
1 tsp Ginger
1 tsp Lemon Peel
3 drops Lemon Essential Oil
1 drop Peppermint Essential Oil
Dry petals of 3 white roses

Sacred Space:

4 parts Cedar Chips
1 parts Thyme
1 part Sage
2 tsp Rosemary
1 tsp Cinnamon
1 Pinch Salt

Earth: 

3 parts Patchouli
2 parts Pine
1 part Bistort
1 part Vervain

Air: 

4 parts Rosemary
2 parts Mugwort
1 part Chicory
1/2 part coffee beans

Fire: 

4 parts Frankincense
3 parts Cinnamon
1 part Orange Peel
¼ part Thyme

Water: 

3 parts Lavender
1 part Willow Bark
1 part Catnip
¼ part Valerian

From Issue 1 - Beltane 2008

Technorati Tags: elemental incense, incense cones, incense recipes, pagan, sacred space, wicca