Beach Spells for Spring and Summer

As the Spring Equinox approaches and the sun begins to warm the earth, our thoughts turn inevitably toward the beach. The beach is a destination, a place to feel the hot sand beneath our fee, the cool water upon our skin, and the powerful sun upon our backs. But it can also be a place to case some simple spells.

The Magick of the Beach

It is difficult to find a more magickal place than a sunny beach. It is one of the few places on earth where all four elements — earth, air, fire, and water — are present at the same time. Earth is the sand beneath your feet. Air is the wind blowing across your cheeks. Fire is the blazing sun. And water is the cool lap of the ocean or lake against your skin.

On land, only a lightning storm combines the four elements in such a natural way. But a lightning storm is harsh and distracting. The beach is gentle and soothing. The perfect place to work some magick.

Simple Spells for the Beach

Simplicity is often the core of powerful magicks. This is especially true of magick at the beach. You can honor the Goddess and the God, in their aspects as water deities, by tossing bread crumbs into the water while your feet are buried in the sand. Do this at sunset or sunrise to invoke Their blessings. It really doesn’t have to be more complicated than that.

Find a flat area of sand that will remain fairly undisturbed and draw a symbol to represent something you desire. This may be a career, love, a new home, or anything else you can think of. Draw your chosen symbol with a stick, your finger, or environmentally-safe paint that dissolves in water. Infuse the symbol with your intent as you do this. Allow the symbol to wear away naturally as your spell manifests.

The spot where the water meets the sand has great magickal potential and is symbolic of being between two worlds. Take a seat in the sand where the water washes over the shore and meditate. As you do so, visualize your desires flowing back and forth between these two worlds, passing through you to get to each other. This will help your desires to manifest in your life.

If you’re looking for a talisman or ritual tool, sit at the shoreline and ask the deities of the water to send you a gift. Close your eyes, and if you wait long enough, you might find your request granted. You’ll have to be patient and dedicated for this to work.

Alternatively, you can actively seek out things such as natural ritual tools and talismans. Search along the beach for shells, stones, fossils, or anything else you might find useful. You might even find a hagstone, a stone with a whole worn through the center by the eroding action of water and sand. These are symbols of the Goddess, and can be worn about the neck as talismans of protection and fertility.

There are many other ways you can use the beach as a place of power. You might choose to immerse yourself in the water as an act of purification. You could bury your feet in the sand to fully center and ground yourself. The possibilities are only limited by your imagination.

The Basics of Pagan Sex Magick

Sex has incredible power, both in Paganism and life in general. Sexual release can be a very potent catalyst for spells and rituals. The act of controlling this release can raise powerful energy that can be sent toward a specific goal. This is where sex becomes sacred sex.

Though the true study of sex magick can take years, even a lifetime, the very basics can be mastered with a little practice. All it takes is a willing partner and the desire to experiment with combining magick and sex.

Preparing for Sex Magick

Speak to your partner and decide on a precise goal for the spell. It is very important for you both to be in complete agreement. Not only is it polite to discuss the spell with your partner, but it gives the spell more power and focus.

Decide on a symbol to represent your goal. It can be simple or elaborate, colored or black and white, a symbol universally accepted to mean a certain thing or something you’ve created yourself. With your partner, make at least five copies of this symbol; more is better. Don’t use a photocopier. Take the time to place as much of your own personal energy into the symbol as possible.

You and your partner should spend several nights meditating over the symbol you have created. Do this together, linking your chosen symbol to the deepest parts of your subconscious mind. Discuss your thoughts and feelings with your partner. It is essential that your vision of the spell and its intent match your partner’s vision. This may take some time, so be prepared to work on this for several days.

Place your symbols in various spots around the room where you will engage in sacred sex. Take some time to consider the space. You’ll want to ensure that a symbol will always be within easy view. Place symbols on the ceiling, walls, headboard, or anywhere you like. Remember that you’ll probably change positions during your spell, so you may need to make additional copies of your symbol.

Engaging in Sacred Sex

Immediately before you begin your sex magick, refocus your mind on your goal and the symbol you’ve chosen to represent that goal. Then let it go. Don’t consciously try to focus on your spell while you have sex. It is incredibly difficult to experience good sex while focusing on something else, though some advanced tantric masters can do so. Tantra could be described as controlled sacred sex. However, unless you’re a tantric master, just enjoy yourself.

If both you and your partner have properly prepared yourselves, your subconscious minds will already know what to do. The symbols placed around the room will serve as a key to your inner self. As you approach release, gaze at one of these symbols. As both you and your partner achieve sexual release, the energy you have raised will be channelled by your subconscious and begin to move toward your goal.

Sex magick is a fun and vibrant way to cast a spell. However, it is important that you observe magickal ethics at all times. If you do this, you can use sacred sex as a powerful source of energy.

The Faery Lineage and Irish Mythology — The Folk Tale Fairy

Mythology is not a stagnant thing. It grows and adapts with society. The Folk Tale Fairy is the result of the diminishing of the Faery Lineage from the great Tuatha De Danann to the Jacobean Fairy. In time, the Jacobean Fairy also changed, becoming the Flower Fairy and the Folk Tale Fairy. Both of these forms have endured into the modern age, but the Folk Tale Fairy evolved into something unique.

Literature and the Folk Tale Fairy

In the 18th century, the world of literature expanded. For the first time in Europe, books were written specifically for children. All manner of creatures, both good and evil, were pull from various mythologies to be adapted to suit children’s stories. From Irish mythology, the Folk Tale Fairy was born.

A great effort was made to ensure the children of the 18th century were taught proper morality. The literature of the time was used to do this, wherever possible. Fairies took on a new form — they became guardians and guides, relentless moralists who were intent on always driving their wards towards virtue.

Out of these tales the Fairy Godmother was born. Writers and poets embraced this new form, turning tale upon tale for the benefit of children.

The Nature of the Folk Tale Fairy

The Folk Tale Fairy didn’t have a single, standard appearance. These fairies could be as tiny as the Flower Fairy, quietly nudging their protégés with careful whispers, heard but not always seen. Folk Tale Fairies could also be larger, sometimes as large as humans. There was no rule.

Regardless of size, Folk Tale Fairies almost always took a direct interest in a specific individual, such as the literary Cinderella. They would hint and prod this individual onto the proper course, but they would never force. It simply wasn’t in their nature.

The Folk Tale Fairy was a gentle and persistent guide, always seeking the path of virtue. This image has endured into the modern era and continues to have a place in popular mythology. The picture of the Fairy Godmother has become ingrained in the minds of the populace, and will likely remain there for some time.

The Wheel of the Year — The Summer Solstice and Its Lore

Sometimes called Litha, the Summer Solstice falls in the middle of summer, somewhere around June 21st. This is the longest day of the year and is often marked on calendars as the "first day of summer." It is a time of paradox, because even as the sun reaches its height, it begins to wane and the days grow shorter. Just like at the Winter Solstice, the Oak King battles the Holly King, but it is the Holly King, the King who presides over the waning sun, who wins this time.

As a part of the Wheel of the Year, the Summer Solstice sees the God move past his prime. He moves from his Lover aspect and becomes the King. The Goddess quickens with His child, still in Her aspect of Mother.

There are many symbols that reflect the spirit of this Sabbat, including:

• Fireworks
• Catherine wheels
• Yellow flowers
• Phallic symbols
• Any sun symbols

Themes and Practices of Midsummer
 
The general theme of this Sabbat is change as the sun's power begins to wane. It is a preparation for the coming harvest and an acknowledgment that the season will continue to advance towards winter. This day is a reminder to enjoy the heat of summer while it lasts, for it will not last forever.
 
After the Summer Solstice, after the bright day of the year, the hours of daylight will decrease as the hours of darkness increase. In the northern hemisphere summer really doesn’t get into full swing until this date.
 
The Feast of the Summer Solstice
 
The colors of this Sabbat are the colors of the sun. Try to keep these colors in your feast. Try carrots, oranges, and breads shaped to resemble the sun. As summer has finally arrived and the cold of winter and unpredictability of spring are both long passed, pull out the barbeque and plan a picnic for your feast. If you tend to have a problem with barbequing, try marinating the meats and precooking them in the microwave. All you’ll have to do then is throw them on the grill to brown and heat them thoroughly.
 
Vegetables can be prepared by sprinkling them with herbs and a little olive oil. Wrap them tightly in tinfoil before throwing on the grill for a few minutes. Don’t overcook. Alternatively, leave the vegetables raw and simply enjoy the fruits of the season. Most foods that you would normally cook in the cover can be covered in tinfoil and cooked on the grill instead, including a children’s favorite, chicken nuggets.
 
There are many options for feasting at the Summer Solstice. Some of these include:

• Green-leaf salad with herbs tossed with a little orange juice
• Sliced tomatoes sprinkled with salt and pepper
• Cucumber, olives, and goat cheese with a light olive oil dressing
• Apples and walnuts in yogurt
• Cooked and chilled chickpeas with olive oil and garlic dressing
• Couscous with lemon juice
• Potato and anchovy salad with a light tomato dressing
• Stuffed fish

If you’re looking for a dessert, try ice cream. It’s perfect for the summer heat and you can make it yourself in any flavor you can imagine. If you’d rather buy it, but still want to make it special, let it soften a little on the counter and stir in your own ingredients. Try crushing up chocolate chip cookies or malted milk biscuits and mixing them into the ice cream. Also try adding in slices of seasonal fruit such as strawberries and raspberries. Add your ingredients and allow the ice cream to chill again before serving. This will allow any crispy ingredients such as cookies to soften as well.
 
Beverages for Litha
 
Though you’ll probably use a strong red wine or juice for your ritual, for feasting and celebrating you’ll want beverages that are a little more festive. Look for golden liquids such as cider , sweet white wines, pale sherry or even a Honey Mead. For the non-alcoholic crowd and for children, look for seasonal fruit juices and even lemonade. Just remember that the summer is hot and you’ll probably be more thirsty than normal. Have some cool water on hand to quench that thirst.
 
Celebrating the Summer Solstice
 
For many Wiccans, it is traditional to rise at dawn the morning of the Summer Solstice. Since dawn comes early on the longest day of the year, many people choose to have an all-night party and simply stay up to greet the dawn. Those who make it through the night can go to bed and get a few hours’ sleep.
 
There are other ways to celebrate this day as well. You can reenact the battle of the Oak King and the Holly King just as you did with the Winter Solstice. Just remember that the Holly King wins this time around. Consider also hosting several physical activities and getting everyone involved. Tug-of-wars, races, or even board games can provide hours of fun for everyone. Don’t get too serious about your games. Simple and fun is usually better than complicated and serious.
 
If it’s nice enough to be outside, organize a little treasure hunt. Make a list of items that can be found in your area that represent spring. A river rock, green leaf, a flower, or a feather are all common enough objects that people should be able to find them if they look hard enough. Give a prize to the person who completes their collection first.
 
If you have a large open space, build the face of the sun outside where the sun can shine upon it. Gather up light-colored twigs and stones and lay them out so that they resemble the sun. Get everyone involved and build it as large as you can. Don’t forget to take a picture when you’re finished.
 
Most Wiccans will also choose to celebrate the Summer Solstice with a ritual or ceremony. You would not generally perform magick during this ritual, honoring the Goddess, the God, and the power of the son instead.
 
Dressing for the Summer Solstice
 
Dressing in the colors of the season is an excellent way to get into the spirit. Whether you choose your ritual robes or something else, keep in mind that your dress should be special, not something that you’d wear every day. Traditional colors for the Summer Solstice include golds and bright greens. You may also choose to use golden yellows and oranges to represent the God and reds for the Goddess. Use these colors to choose your clothing or simply to decorate your ritual space.
 
The Summer Solstice is the longest day of the year, representing the heightened power of the God. It is a time to bask in the heat of the sun, to make the most of the warm summer months, and yet to acknowledge that nothing lasts forever.