Today is the birthday of famous Russian physiologist Ivan Pavlov, the man behind the famous “Pavlov’s dog” experiments. We have a magical parallel to Pavlov’s classical conditioning experiments that we can examine. Pavlov found that whenever the dogs saw an object or witnessed an event associated with being fed, they would begin to salivate. Well, the same thing happens to us during our preparations for ritual and magic. When we establish a routine of lighting a certain ...
A religious official in another faith system once said that taking the name of a deity in vain can be considered a simple prayer. For example, you stub your toe and invoke a deity in pain, and the deity assists in your healing or in dispelling your anger. Spells do not have to be elaborate. There are many ways to simplify worship. For example, light a candle, visualize and speak your intention, meditate on that intention for a minute or two, extinguish the candle, and off you go. Here is a ...
With the Sun in Gemini (ruled by Mercury) and the Moon in psychic Pisces today, this is a perfect time to unite words with divination to gain some clarity. Bibliomancy is one of the oldest forms of divination in the world, and also one of the easiest methods to perform. Simply relax and clear your mind and still your emotions as much as possible. Say a prayer of guidance. I like to use this petition to my own higher self: I call upon my higher self to reveal to me The answers that I need to ...
The solar energy of Sunday always makes me want to seize the day and make the most of it, even if that means relaxing and taking it easy. Even easygoing days can include simple magic. Today is a good day to visit your magical home apothecary and remember to use a little rosemary, as it is associated energetically with the Sun. Rosemary is considered the herb of remembrance, and its energies are said to be excellent for workings to spark the memory. Some lore also claims that rosemary tea can ...