May's News Letter from Divine Spaces
www.divine-spaces.com
Welcome with much love & light:

We've had an exciting first quarter this year. We've been able to run monthly specials that have dropped prices up to 40%. There will be many additions to Divine Spaces through out the year so be sure to check in frequently for new promotions as there is usually a sale going and prices change regularly. Most importantly I wanted to let you all know that we now offer financing, giving you 6 months to pay for orders $99+ (WAC). All you have to do is visit www.divine-spaces.com and click on the financing link located on our home page to get more info. If you want to take advantage of our financing option, at check out just choose Bill Me Later as your payment option. Its quick and easy. This is exciting news that we are able to provide this service for you all, and I thank you for those who suggested we provide this service. As always, if there is anything you would like to see changed or added that will help you and provide you with a more positive experience with Divine Spaces, please let us know and we will do our best to make it happen. We have also added an interactive feature to our site to help make life easier for you in keeping track of the moon phases for ritual and everyday devotion and spell casting,and looking to add more features through the year.

Some of the new features that have been added are: Daily Moon Phases- providing the current moon phase updated to real time. We also now have Daily Horoscopes for that extra boost of daily guidance, and Pagan Radio Network. Listen to streaming pagan music from around the world, pagan news and pagan podcast, all streaming live, and always free.

The next Sabbath for us to celebrate is the SUMMER SOLSTICE, which is Friday, June 21st. We just passed Beltane which was a blessing in many ways to my life personally and hopefully you all had a chance to celebrate in some form or another. The summer solstice will be here before we know it, and now is a good time to start gathering the supplies you will need to celebrate, cast, and enjoy this powerful day. We are having a summer solstice promotion with a mark down sale of 25% off the entire site - that includes over 6000+ items to serve all your spiritual needs. This is a great sale whether you are a solitary practioner or a group and covens. Be sure to invite others to check out Divine Spaces and our great deals during this promotion. BEST OF ALL, WE NOW OFFER FINANCING ON PURCHASES OF $99 OR MORE WITH REPAYMENT TIME OF 6 MOS (WAC). Take advantage of our Summer Solstice sale and stock up on your herbs, candles, smudging wands, incense, oils, and other items you may be lacking such as athame, chalice, besoms, ect... Great time to get what you need and not break the bank.




Just a reminder of our blog, "The Divine Grove" and the link can be found on the home page for more in-depth discussions about spiritual enlightening, spiritual and pagan news, Sabbaths and events, and so much more. Our blog doesn't discriminate against religious beliefs as we celebrate all paths to the divine. Also feel free to leave comments and be involved in our discussions. Comments are encouraged as they will help to widen our topics, conversations, and points of view.

We are still looking for more authors to help with our blog. If you are a spiritual person, and have a high knowledge base or strong spiritual opinions, then we would love to have you be one of our authors. You do not need to be a professional writer, but must have good writing skills and grammar, and be able to provide original discussions to avoid plagiarism. This is a non paying position, but you will receive recognition for your blogs and be provided an opportunity to share your spiritual thoughts, ideas, inspiration, and anything that you would like to share with our spiritual community that you feel would benefit the community to know. Message us if you would like to blog about all things spiritual and we will provide you with access so you can blog till your spirit is content. Please contact Brooks Brown at admin@divine-spaces.com if this is something that you would be interesting in. (This position does not have any required deadlines or quotas, just simply blog when you have something to say, as we are looking to gather a variety of authors to keep our blog topics fresh and updated.)

2013 is rapidly passing and it’s time we embrace our true nature and our spiritual beliefs. Allow 2013 to bring great changes, and spiritual enlightenment. What ever it is that you believe, our paths and goals should be the same. Unity and enlightenment for every being, creature, and our home (Grand and beautiful Mother Earth) is a great common view for all of us to share throughout the year and years to come.

There are a number of ways to become more in touch with your inner spirit and enhance your connection to the infinite, no matter what spiritual path you follow. It is just a matter of connecting, practicing, and giving attention to the signs, feelings, and attempts at communication from your guides and enlightened beings. I know how busy life can be, and how easily “life” can push our practices and spiritual traditions to the bottom of our priority list. I myself suffer with the issue of making time for my spirituality and have made my resolution to giving my spiritual beliefs priority over my life. Scheduling time for daily meditation, showing gratitude, expressing my faith through my way of life, and maintaining positive and allowing myself to just be happy. Something wonderful happens when you live your life with your spiritual beliefs being a priority. Life rearranges itself to allow this behavior to continue. You find yourself more frequently in a state of peace. Negative feelings of exhaustion, depression, and even physical ailments tend to just become non existent. Life doesn't seem as busy and becomes more organized and wonderful. These are my own personal experiences but if you could experience the same is it not worth it to show your faith more attention and live your faith not just follow it?

When you are living your life in your faith, you may find yourself experiencing a spiritual awakening. Some of the reported signs to look for if you are wakening to spiritual enlightenment include, increase in insomnia however still feeling energized and refreshed as though you had a full nights sleep. You start to feel the need to eat healthier foods while being turned off by foods that drag you down. You will start being more active. You may have surges of energy and will have a feeling similar to a limb that has fallen asleep. More commonly felt you may experience it as a tingling in your crown chakra or in your heart chakra. Some people see flashing light in their peripherals, or seeing things more spiritually – nature seems more vibrant, seeing auras or energy waves coming off of people and items.

Once you are aware of these feelings and changes in your spirituality you will become more connected and be able to enlighten more quickly. Just don’t fear the changes and embrace who you are as a being of energy and light. Whether we enlighten by some supernatural means or we focus on whom and what we really are, allowing us to enlighten on our own; enlightenment should be the path for all of us. So, let’s just not forget about our spiritual habits and what we can do to better ourselves and our loved ones.


Book of Mirrors

I would like to mention what exactly a book of mirrors is and how to use it. One of the easiest ways to become more connected besides making sure to set aside time each and every day for divination and meditation is to keep a book of mirrors. A BOM is similar but very different than a BOS Book of Shadows. A book of mirrors is for self reflection and is a personal journal of your spiritual path. Unlike a BOS, a BOM is meant for your eyes only and should never be shared or viewed by others. Written in your BOS you would have for example: Phrases of affirmation (Things you want to attract to yourself or manifest into your life). Your spiritual path as to what path you are taking, how, when, what are you doing to embrace that path and how could you improve, ect... If you have something in your BOM that you would like to share, then you would want to re-write it in your BOS.

In your book of mirrors, you want to keep a detailed writing of your spiritual path no matter how big or small. You will want to write down any experiences you have while in meditation, along with all your knowledge on paganism and spiritual development. This is a tool for exploration, recording your reactions to spells, rituals, meditations and dreams.

Write about any spiritual thoughts and thoughts of gratitude. You can include thoughts of manifestation (things you want to happen). But most importantly, be honest with your writings. This is not the time to be polite but to be honest with your self. (No one will see your BOM but you)

Your BOM is used to help show who you are - it is a reflection of you. It should be a guide for you as you embrace and enhance the world of spiritualism, magic and yourself. You should never change anything in your BOM; if something you have written changes, write about the change, but do not alter your BOM. .

You will also want to write about any possible signs of enlightenment or growth in spiritual abilities or experiences. Exp – if you have a psychic connection or get a vision, hear voices, or see lights, shadows, and/or full apparitions. You may even want to keep track of your sleeping, eating, and exercise habits since any changes in any of these areas may be signs of enlightenment or can allow you to get a better picture of how your day is spent and where you could focus more on spiritualism.

2013 brings greatness and enlightenment into our lives, and may we all be united with divine spirituality and awakening consciousness.


Visit Divine Spaces at www.divine-spaces.com or at the link at the top or bottom of this message. If this letter was forward to you, or you are reading it on our blog, our site, or through our social networking site and would like to subscribe, please visit www.divine-spaces.com and create an account. We appreciate your business and look forward to many more years servicing all of your spiritual needs. Thank you for being the best part of Divine Spaces, OUR CUSTOMERS AND SPIRITUAL FAMILY!!! May you have a blessed day filled with love and light.

Brooks Brown admin@divine-spaces.com

Imbolc 2013 Ritual

FEB 2, 2013

This is a Ritual that I posted last year, but I had a lot of positive feedback from it, I thought I would bring it back out and share it again. May you all have a wonderful Imbolc and may your lives and the earth be illuminated!

Ritual:Imbolc is a time for celebration and ritual, but more importantly to honor Brighid, Goddess of the Hearth. Imbolc is also a time for new beginnings purification and cleansing. As long as you are taking the steps in celebration of winters end, you can't go wrong with your Imbolc celebration.

…she shall arise like a shining sun… — Lives of Saints, The Book of Lismore 

CELEBRATING IMBOLC. . . 

Imbolc is a great time of purification and cleansing as I previously stated. So, the first thing you will want to do is clean your house! Put away the entire holiday décor left around from yule/xmas, wipe the debris off the windows and allow the light in. As a matter of fact, let some fresh air in and open the windows if weather and temperature permits. Not trying to create a chore list, since we all have one that we already try to avoid as it is, but the cleaner and more organized your space, the more you will see the chaos that may be lingering around in your life disappear. Also this cleanse will allow a better flow of energy thru your home and energizing the hearth.

Things you will need:

-Brighid's crosses (can buy or make them, I have provided a link with instructions on 
the manufacture of the Brighid's cross http://fisheaters.com/stbrigidscross.html, you will also need something to hang the crosses with, both cord and tack)

-1 white devotion candle or

-Floral scented candle (optional)

-A bouquet of flowers (your choice, I personally like to stick to white flowers and mix
in some sunflowers, but what ever makes you feel the joy of spring and the happiness
of the returning warmth and the end to winter)

-Athame

-Sea Salt (iodized salt will also work fine)

-Water (tap is fine, if possible gather your own spring, lake, river, or ocean water) 

-Smudge wand (sage, cedar, or sweet grass, or a mix of all 3 - your choice)

-Quartz crystals/how ever many windows you have in your home (optional)

-an object you would like to have
  blessed by Brighid.

-Piece of cake

-Glass of milk

-A large pot or planting spot in garden or yard

-A potted flowering plant to be repotted. (Pot and plant are optional)

After your home is clean and organized, or at least tidy if you have time restraints, go ahead and start making or hanging your Brighid's crosses.

(I personally find that my rituals build more energy when I create the crosses on my own, but if you do find them for sale, make sure to purify and cleanse them, you will then want to charge them with your own energy. Hang them up around the house, one in each room and several in the hearth of the home. You can find directions on how to make the Brighid's crosses at http://fisheaters.com/stbrigidscross.html. Divine Spaces and The Divine Grove are not associated with this site, but found the instructions easy to follow, you can use what ever site or instructions you would like.

Once you have the crosses hung up, you will want to dress your altar with a bright colored altar cloth, (I will be using a bright, but pastel green). Use the bouquet of flowers to decorate your altar and if finances or garden permit, why not spread a floral welcome in every room of your whole home.

(With my altar I will be putting a vase of real flowers along with silk blossoms spread around the altar and home) The silk blossoms will probably stay around all month, or at least until St. Valentine's Day. 

Light the white candle and place it on the altar, take a bowl of water and put 3 pinches of salt into the bowl. Stir the bowl 3 times with your chalice and place your hands over the bowl. Meditate and feel the peace and warmth of the candle, imagine the warmth of the sun beaming down on you, grass sprouting all around you. The trees blooming with flowers and you can smell the floral scent in the air. (The floral candle helps bring this meditation to life.)

Meditate and focus on what you would like to have grown in this New Year. Do you want to grow financially, health, ect...? 

Once you feel the water is fully charged with positive happy energy, energy of growth and development, purification and cleansed of all negative energies you will want to smudge your home with sage, cedar or sweet grass. (Any is fine to preference, and if you have a smudge of all three that would be best). When you are smudging do this counter clockwise around the home while you are turning on every light. Make sure to get all the corners, cabinets, and closets.) 

After you have smudged, you will then sprits the water into every corner of every room by dipping your fingers in the water and flicking them with intention into the spaces you are cleansing. You will want to do the water sprits in a clockwise manner as you continue the thoughts from your meditation spreading the joy of the end of winter. (I personally find Listening to inspiring and uplifting meditative music while you do this to be helpful.) Dip your fingers in the water and wipe every window seal and around every door way. 

Once this is all done, put a line of salt in the doorways and window seals. (Optional- you can also put a quartz crystal in every window for additional protection and balance of flowing energy.)

You will want to put out an offering of cake and milk outside your front door. Brighid will be walking through your area along with her cow and she will definitely appreciate the offering.

Some traditions leave a cord or ribbon on the door for Brighid to bless, I will be putting a bowl with all my crystals and ritual tools outside along side my offering dish. (Do not do this if you do not feel comfortable with the safety of your sacred tools)

The next day, get your offering cake and milk along with the pot and flowers you will be planting. Place your offering into the ground or pot, pour milk into the pot, place more dirt, and then plant your selected plant according to its specifications. Welcome Brighid and the coming spring, putting an end to winter, live life filled with love and light. Blessed be, and have a merry Imbolc.

Brooks Brown
Take a visit to Divine Spaces for spiritual inspiration http://www.divine-spaces.com

Imbolc - Feb 02, 2013

“Imbolc”

          February 02, 2013 is the day of Imbolc, which is pronounced as EE-Molc. This magical day is know by many names, commonly known as Candle-mass, and Brigid's Day. On this day we are marking the transition from the Crone to the Maiden and welcome the coming of Spring. As we say farewell to the Crone of Winter we welcome the fair Maiden Spring with open arms. Imbolc celebrates the return of the sun. New growth and agriculture. If you are Celtic you may be celebrating the Celtic Goddess Brigid who is the Goddess of Midwifery and Healing.

          While we celebrate Imbolc it is tradition to show the coming of Spring and the return of the Sun by the powers of illumination. This is done by lighting white candles by the masses. On you alter you can light a White Candle for the Goddess who has just given birth to the sun and a Yellow Candle for the God which is now rising and shining brighter with each day. If you like to burn incense, incense for Imbolc is used with the scent of Rosemary, Frankincense, Myrrh, or Cinnamon. Colors to wear during your rituals for Imbolc are usually White, Red or Orange. You can dress your alter with Corn Dolls, and fresh cut flowers. This is also a good time to take out your Besom (Magical Brooms) and sweep your altar space, and home to cleanse the space of the old stagnant energy.

          As tradition has it, when you are done with your ritual you will want to go through the home and turn on every light, lamp, and candle. The idea is in representation of the return of the sun and illumination. As you light up your home, you do so in respect and praise of the rising of the sun. This of course is optional and if performed only needs to be done for a short time. I have found this process to be very reflective of the ritual performed. A great way to connect to visualization of illumination. I also like to plant some seeds specifically saved for this day. Something special and that will last for a long time. I have been known to plant in a pot on the night of Imbolc an acorn to grown a might Oak Tree, or a Tangerine seed to grow a producing citrus tree. This too is optional. Take these ideas and create your own to work with. Just stay in concept of Spring, Birth, Healing, and Illumination.

          If you like the scent of florals, and can find a good sale on flowers, I like to put cut flowers in every room. I try to stay with white. I usually would provide you with a ritual or a spell for a magical holiday such as Imbolc, but I feel that this ritual should be personalized by you and can be done in many styles. To create your ritual think as though you are kneeling before the God and Goddess and you are thanking them and welcoming them. Thanking the God for bringing his warm rays to heat up the earth, providing warmth and light to all the new sprouts. Give thanks to the Goddess for giving birth to the Sun so he can perform the task stated above. This is not a ritual performed for intent, but more of a ritual to express gratitude and to welcome for future grown. You can however visualize while doing the ritual your life also being illuminated and blooming by the power of light. ( Just remember, Harm ye non & do what ye will)

May you all have a very blessed Imbolc and may your lives along with the earth be illuminated for rebirth and growth.

PS- Divine Spaces is having a HUGE SALE. The entire site is now marked down and you can save 15% on over 6000+ spiritual items. You may have missed Imbolc, but Beltane is just around the corner. Don't wait as this sale will not last.

Www.Divine-Spaces.com

"Harvest Blessings & Time for Change"

Merry meet one and all,  

          There comes a time when we need to take a look at all the hard work we have done in the years to date.  A time for reflection and appreciation.  It becomes so easy for us to get lost in the fast pace of life, we don't give enough consideration to the accomplishments that we have completed.  
During the fall, we know it to be a time for harvest and collection for farmers and orchard growers.  Although this is a time to harvest food, it is also a great time to harvest what you have sowed through the years through your hard work and inspiration.  All those little things that you do here and there, are like little seeds of change that have been growing and sprouting.  Don't forget about them allowing them to die.  Reflect on the things you have done, take pride in the life you have created, for you have worked hard to get where you are.  It is time for you to really take a look at your crop and take what is yours.

          The fall is not just a time for farmers and growers alike.  The fall should be for all of us to rise up and say, " This is what I have done, and I am proud to be me!"  Thanksgiving is right around the corner, and I know that we usually wait till then to even consider what we are thankful for.  This is something that should be done each and every day.  When you wake up and open your eyes for the first time each morning, be thankful that you can see, or that you woke up for that matter. Look around you, the home that you live in, the vehicle or public transportation that is available for you, the food you eat, the money you make to buy the things you want or to even pay your bills.  These are all things that are not available to everyone so the things you do have should be given gratitude. You don't have to search hard and deep to find things to be grateful for, they are always all around you and in everything you do.  You just won't see them till you feel gratitude and appreciation towards them.   I know things can get hectic and life can be rough at times, however when our hearts are filled with gratitude it is joy and happiness that fulfills our life and we can move on each day with a smile knowing that we are special and that we have done so much, no matter how big or small you may think it is.  Even the largest, strongest oak tree once started out as a tiny acorn that can fit into the palm of a human baby's hand.

          So my advice this fall is to think of it as a new beginning   A time that you realize you have been letting your hard work go to waste and neglecting your harvest.  Start today by giving thanks and showing gratitude to yourself, and it will take off and grow, so then you can show gratitude to the world and those around you.  Don't wait till next fall to do this again.  From this point forward you should embrace your life and step out of the routine of just living and actually look at the life you have built around you, appreciate it, and live it.  Life is wonderful, you just have to open your eyes and heart to see and feel it.

          As we all know the presidential elections just took place, and President Obama was re-elected. Congrats to the President.  I know that most of us are hoping that all the promises made from our President are held to his word and he makes these changes.  Well, yes he is the President and he should hold to his word, however- it is up to each and everyone of us to help him accomplish the changes we want to see.  Why should we sit back blindfolded and just hope for the best.  Help your family, help your neighbors, help your city, help your state. Do what you can, what ever you can. Provide motivation, inspiration, courage, and hope. Speak up for your beliefs, write letters to congress for the changes you want to see, ect...  If each one of us made even a slight adjustment to offer a little more help and stand up for what we want and help to make the changes in the world that we so desire, we as a human race could become remarkable beings and live a much happier and wonderful life surrounded by bliss.

Happy Holidays to you all and may you have a full harvest.  My gratitude goes to you for reading my post.

-Brooks Brown 2012


This message is Sponsored by Divine Spaces @ www.divine-spaces.com currently offering 30% off 6000+ metaphysical, spiritual, pagan, and magical supplies for the month of November and December.  Holiday savings that we can all use for our alter and sacred spaces.  Blessed Be with Love and Light.

Welcome to the Divine Grove

Hello everyone and thank you for visiting The Divine Grove.   We are happy to have you here with us, and look forward to having you back.  We have not written in sometime, as The Divine Grove has been down for some time, but now I am fully committed and devoted to all of you who showed interest in the past, along with all of you newbies... we welcome one and all.  

I am going to start off by re-posting a copy of my initial Welcome message from when I first started this blog several months back.  There is very important information in this welcome blog that I want to make sure we are all aware of.

Welcome to The Divine Grove!

************My name is Brooks Brown and I am the founder of Divine Spaces, and the creator of The Divine Grove. I created The Divine Grove to have a place for like mined individuals to come together and share a common interest in the Divine.

At The Divine Grove we do not discriminate against anyone but ask that if you do not like the topics being discussed, please do not leave a trail of hate, but merry part from our blog. Not to be confused with disagreement to a discussion, as we appreciate everyone’s opinions, and would love to have you as part of our discussions, just keep your opinions available but not directed with anger. With our blogs being more on a spiritual side of things, know that we are here to respect ALL paths to enlightenment, and be open to the many traditions and culture that surrounds spirituality.

Look forward to many more future blogs to come, feel free to post a comment. Merry we meet, Merry we part, and Merry we shall meet again.

Blessed Be & have a GREAT day!*************

That was the copy of the welcome blog. I hope you enjoyed its messages and can agree with the simple rules of commenting and participating on this Blog site.

I wanted to let everyone know what to expect from this Blog so you can make the decision if it will be something that will interest you or that you would want to share with your friends, families, and loved ones.   I will be posting Blogs that are spiritual in nature, how to make spiritualism a part of our daily lives, a spell a day, incorporating magic into your daily routines, updates on Sales @ Divine Spaces, my online store offering over 6000 of the lowest cost pagan and spiritual supplies, and so much more.... www.divine-spaces.com

On a side note, I am looking for a few additional authors who are willing to volunteer as co-writers for "The Divine Grove".  If this is something that interest you and you are knowledgeable on some of the topics listed above, or if you have a talent or topic of your own that you would like to contribute, please contact me and I will provide you access to the Blog as an author to post.  Please contact me at Admin@divine-spaces.com

Thank you all for visiting today, and don't forget to check back in with us from time to time, as there will be so much to learn and gain from The Divine Grove.

I do want to give a shout out to one of my current Co-Writers, Jeremy Guthrie.  You can find some of his work on previous postings.  He is very knowledgeable and will be adding more postings soon.  Thank you Jeremy and may you be blessed with much Love & Light.

Blessed Be to you all.  Namaste
Brooks Brown

Imbolc - Let us honor the Goddess, Brighid.

FEB 1, 2012

Imbolc is a time for celebration and ritual, but more importantly to honor Brighid, Goddess of the Hearth. Imbolc is also a time for new beginnings purification and cleansing. As long as you are taking the steps in celebration of winters end, you can't go wrong with your Imbolc celebration.

…she shall arise like a shining sun… — Lives of Saints, The Book of Lismore

CELEBRATING IMBOLC. . .

Imbolc is a great time of purification and cleansing as I previously stated. So, the first thing you will want to do is clean your house! Put away the entire holiday décor left around from yule/xmas, wipe the debris off the windows and allow the light in. As a matter of fact, let some fresh air in and open the windows if weather and temperature permits. Not trying to create a chore list, since we all have one that we already try to avoid as it is, but the cleaner and more organized your space, the more you will see the chaos that may be lingering around in your life disappear. Also this cleanse will allow a better flow of energy thru your home and energizing the hearth.

Things you will need:

-Brighid's crosses (can buy or make them, I have provided a link with instructions on
the manufacture of the Brighid's cross http://fisheaters.com/stbrigidscross.html, you will also need something to hang the crosses with, both cord and tack)

-1 white devotion candle or

-Floral scented candle (optional)

-A bouquet of flowers (your choice, I personally like to stick to white flowers and mix
in some sunflowers, but what ever makes you feel the joy of spring and the happiness
of the returning warmth and the end to winter)

-Athame

-Sea Salt (iodized salt will also work fine)

-Water (tap is fine, if possible gather your own spring, lake, river, or ocean water)

-Smudge wand (sage, cedar, or sweet grass, or a mix of all 3 - your choice)

-Quartz crystals/how ever many windows you have in your home (optional)

-an object you would like to have
  blessed by Brighid.

-Piece of cake

-Glass of milk

-A large pot or planting spot in garden or yard

-A potted flowering plant to be repotted. (Pot and plant are optional)

After your home is clean and organized, or at least tidy if you have time restraints, go ahead and start making or hanging your Brighid's crosses.

(I personally find that my rituals build more energy when I create the crosses on my own, but if you do find them for sale, make sure to purify and cleanse them, you will then want to charge them with your own energy. Hang them up around the house, one in each room and several in the hearth of the home. You can find directions on how to make the Brighid's crosses at http://fisheaters.com/stbrigidscross.html. Divine Spaces and The Divine Grove are not associated with this site, but found the instructions easy to follow, you can use what ever site or instructions you would like.

Once you have the crosses hung up, you will want to dress your altar with a bright colored altar cloth, (I will be using a bright, but pastel green). Use the bouquet of flowers to decorate your altar and if finances or garden permit, why not spread a floral welcome in every room of your whole home.

(With my altar I will be putting a vase of real flowers along with silk blossoms spread around the altar and home) The silk blossoms will probably stay around all month, or at least until St. Valentine's Day.

Light the white candle and place it on the altar, take a bowl of water and put 3 pinches of salt into the bowl. Stir the bowl 3 times with your chalice and place your hands over the bowl. Meditate and feel the peace and warmth of the candle, imagine the warmth of the sun beaming down on you, grass sprouting all around you. The trees blooming with flowers and you can smell the floral scent in the air. (The floral candle helps bring this meditation to life.)

Meditate and focus on what you would like to have grown in this New Year. Do you want to grow financially, health, ect...?

Once you feel the water is fully charged with positive happy energy, energy of growth and development, purification and cleansed of all negative energies you will want to smudge your home with sage, cedar or sweet grass. (Any is fine to preference, and if you have a smudge of all three that would be best). When you are smudging do this counter clockwise around the home while you are turning on every light. Make sure to get all the corners, cabinets, and closets.)

After you have smudged, you will then sprits the water into every corner of every room by dipping your fingers in the water and flicking them with intention into the spaces you are cleansing. You will want to do the water sprits in a clockwise manner as you continue the thoughts from your meditation spreading the joy of the end of winter. (I personally find Listening to inspiring and uplifting meditative music while you do this to be helpful.) Dip your fingers in the water and wipe every window seal and around every door way.

Once this is all done, put a line of salt in the doorways and window seals. (Optional- you can also put a quartz crystal in every window for additional protection and balance of flowing energy.)

You will want to put out an offering of cake and milk outside your front door. Brighid will be walking through your area along with her cow and she will definitely appreciate the offering.

Some traditions leave a cord or ribbon on the door for Brighid to bless, I will be putting a bowl with all my crystals and ritual tools outside along side my offering dish. (Do not do this if you do not feel comfortable with the safety of your sacred tools)

The next day, get your offering cake and milk along with the pot and flowers you will be planting. Place your offering into the ground or pot, pour milk into the pot, place more dirt, and then plant your selected plant according to its specifications. Welcome Brighid and the coming spring, putting an end to winter, live life filled with love and light. Blessed be, and have a merry Imbolc.

Brooks Brown
Take a visit to Divine Spaces for spiritual inspiration http://www.divine-spaces.com

The Lovely thing about Oils

Merry Meet!  So we've been getting questions about Oils: How do I use them?; What type of oils should I use?; Why should I use oils?; What kind of oils are there?


Well being a water sign I can tell you the oils are fun!  Everything from massage oils to synthetic oils have a purpose.  There have been two sides to the debate on synthetic oils.  Even I, for a time, held a nose up to synthetics.  However once one delves deeper in to magic we come to understand that a lot of what we are doing is through our Will, Feeling, and Consciousness.


Many of us have experienced a memory triggered or thought provoked by a familiar smell or a smell that is intriguing or quite possibly repulsive (trash days in the summer time).  Smell is still a stimulant and in a pinch synthetic oils can provide much needed sensory stimulation.  Now some synthetic oils maybe a compound that is only suitable for burning in oil burners.  Then you have synthetic oils, like rose oil for example, which maybe a culmination of other floral oils that will bring you as close as possible to the smell of a rose.


Most synthetics are created to cut cost and time. With oils it is always good to get an idea of what ingredients were you used in the oil.  When performing magic we all know that ingredients have place in our spell work and prayers.  It would be quite a predicament to use a synthetic rose oil in a love spell or attraction spell and yet it was made with a component that would banish or send away a lover.


Personally I enjoy making my own oils by adding a base oil, like jojoba oil or coconut oil into a mortar, then add the herbs you are using for a spell, then take the pestle and bruise the herbs and mix it together, then funnel it (herbs and all) into a container.  The longer it sits the more potent the smell (and you may want to use your sense of smell to detect if the mixture has gone 'off' after a time).


Now as for oil uses.  There is the dressing of a candle or items to be use if you'd like them to be charged with an intent.  For money draw oil you may want to add a few drops to your charm or dress a candle ( because you're drawing something toward you, you would dab oil in-between your thumb and index/middle fingers, starting at the top, you would make your way to the center of the candle, then you do the same from the bottom to the middle.  Keep in mind the top to middle and bottom to middle are two separate strokes).


If using an oil burner and an oil it may represent the joining of the earth element through the oil burner, fire element through flame and water element through oil, which then create the air element through fragrance.  You may also choose to have the oils free standing to represent the water element on an altar.


Oils are a very beautiful part of being a craft worker in my opinion and as you work with oils you are also working with the element of water and all that she/he has to teach through another medium of itself. Oh and one last little tid bit is if you want to charge an oil with a specific intent by all means add an herb or two, even a stone/crystal in the vile or jar you place the oil.  This will emphasize it's purpose and energy.  Heck you can even make a spell bottle or jar by doing this as well!!


Now when applying oils to the skin always apply a small drop and wait for about 5 mins to 10 mins to see if your body has a sensitivity to the oil.  Base oils can range from jojoba oils, coconut oily, grape seed oil, almond oil, etc.  READ THE LABEL!!!! Some oils will say "for incense burner use only" or some will say "may cause irritation".  Part of working with the water element is about learning more about yourself and connecting on a deeper sub level.  Knowing your bodies sensitivity is important.  Some perfume oils may be for topical use and not to be burned.  Always ask the person distributing the oil or read the label.


All of this being said have safe fun.  The fun part about the Craft is experimentation.  There is no right or wrong.  There is only what works and what doesn't work for you.


Blessed be.