Planetary Spells & Rituals

by Raven Digitalis

  So mote it be!

  After once again gazing at the image of the deity, allow yourself to slip into a light state of trance. Close your eyes and hold the sachet of herbs to your third eye, inhaling deeply a number of times. When ready, release the bag and hold your hands to your face.

  With your eyes still closed, “mold” the energy of your face to match that of the deity. Spend a good amount of time doing this. When you feel satisfied with the merging, say the following:

  Behold! With my appearance and behavior as yours, mighty [name of deity],

  I shall bring forth your [characteristics] to this plane of operation.

  Until this enchantment expires, by my will or yours,

  I appear as you, I appear as you, I appear as you.

  Connected we are; blended, melded, and seemingly One.

  With gratitude and humility, I offer these to you.

  Hold up your offerings and concentrate on the spell. Now that your appearance and, to some extent, your consciousness, have blended with the deity’s, think about what you wish to accomplish with this glamour and why you are grateful to the deity.

  When ready, place the offerings in an auspicious location and thank the deity once again. Close the circle as you normally would.

  When the duration of the glamour has come to a close, “pull” the deity’s energy from your face and body, and send it back to the ether until you feel back to normal. Thank the deity once again and reflect on the accomplishments of the glamour.

  The following is a simple spell that one can use to enchant a talisman, pendant, or other jewelry with the energy of the Sun. Because the Sun is a (virtually) limitless center of light—and certainly the center of our Universe—it is an ideal force to draw on when enchanting magickal items intended to carry solar qualities.

  Because of the natural Goddess associations with the Moon, many Witches tend to observe their spirituality strictly by the Moon—sometimes neglecting the place of the Sun (aside from Sabbat celebrations)! Because most paths within the Craft hold the forces of God and Goddess in equal regard, it’s important to work with both to come to a place of balance.

  Because the sign Leo is the only one ruled by the Sun, this spell could be ideally performed while the Sun is in Leo (July 23–August 23). If the Sun is in a different sign, research its qualities to see how it might influence the solar energy being utilized.

  Once enchanted, one can use the pendant however they see fit; see the following instructions and ideas for multiple uses of the piece. Be sure the piece you choose to enchant carries some type of solar association. Perhaps it’s gold (or golden in appearance), circular like the Sun, represents solar imagery, or is a magickal seal of the Sun.

  Stepping Back & Further Application

  Before enchanting a talisman, pendant, charm, or jewelry with this method, decide how the item will be used. Will you wear it on a daily basis? Only for certain occasions? Only in ritual?

  This spell gives a person the freedom of deciding whether the enchanted piece will be for diurnal or nocturnal use, regardless of whether the piece will be used only in ritual or day to day.

  After the piece is enchanted, if you have chosen to enchant it for daytime use, hang it in front of a window where the Sun’s rays will reach it as often as possible. In this case, an abundance of sunlight absorbed by the piece will add strength to the enchantment.

  If you have chosen to only wear the piece for nighttime use, keep it wrapped in black fabric and tucked in a dark corner or box when not in use. Additionally, if the piece is only to be worn at night, the solar energy it’s enchanted with will stay more adhered to the piece if it’s never allowed to see the light of the Sun after being charged. In this manner, the piece will energetically act like the Moon, which reflects sunlight at nighttime.

  Supplies

  • a pendant or talisman of your choice

  • prepared Solar Water (see Notes)

  • a round incense-burning charcoal disk and sand in a dish or censor

  • frankincense resin

  • an empty transparent glass bowl

  • about a pint of orange juice

  • a small amount of olive oil

  Notes

  • Review the qualities of Sun as a planet. Pay particular attention to the zodiacal sign the Sun is in at the time of the spell; again, Leo is ideal but another can be used for a more specified purpose.

  • This spell calls for Solar Water. To create this, fill a jar with purified water, add a citrine stone (the larger the better, and unpolished if possible) and a shot of vodka or another clear liquor. When the Sun is at its peak in the day (between noon and 3 pm), hold the jar to the Sun to “catch” its energy, and focus on the rays entering and charging the water. Let this sit outside or on a windowsill (where it will catch sunlight) for exactly six days before using.

  • Even if the piece is only intended to be nocturnally worn, one can still perform the original enchantment spell at night (also with the use of the Solar Water). If the piece is to be worn during the day, it is best to enchant it when the Sun is high in the sky. It is also best to perform this ritual outdoors in a secluded area.

  • The Hasta Uttanasana (Raised Hands Pose) in Hatha Yoga is a simple pose within a sequence of Surya Namaskara asanas (Sun Salutation postures). To get in this position, simply stand and put the palms of your hands together in the Anjali Mudra (Prayer Position) high above your head. Bend slightly backwards while looking up at your hands and breathing through your nose.

  Procedure

  Begin by casting a circle, calling the quarters, chanting, or raising energy as you normally would, performing protective exercises, and altering your consciousness. Clear your mind, bring focus to your breath, and meditate for at least a few minutes. When ready, begin the spell.

  First, dip the piece you wish to enchant (pendant, talisman, jewelry) briefly in the Solar Water.

  Next, ignite the charcoal, place the frankincense on it, and run the piece through the billowing smoke.

  Placing the item in the bowl, pour the orange juice until the piece is completely submerged. Add the olive oil and a splash of Solar Water to the mix.

  Cupping your hands over the bowl and staring at the mix, visualize the contents glowing like the Sun. Chant “Sol” repeatedly until you feel that the mix is enchanted. Once finished, take the piece from the mix, ensuring that some of the mix remains on the item.

  Facing the east, hold the piece before you and call out to the Sun:

  I praise you, Shining Eastern Star!

  I draw into this circle your strength and vigor!

  Oh he who rises and determines the growth of the land,

  stir in your splendor in the sky; rise in your conquering light.

  Shine and look down on me now!

  With your golden and bountiful light, fill this sacred ornament!

  I thank you and praise you. Blessed be!

  Envision the Sun’s rays filling the piece, seeing the item radiating with light as if it were an emanation of the Sun.

  Positioning the item between your palms, perform the Hasta Uttanasana, inhaling through your nose six times while envisioning your hands radiating sunlight. Conclude by bowing to the east and offering the remaining frankincense to the Sun.

  Close the circle as you normally would, and store the piece properly (see Stepping Back & Further Application).

  The following spell is a fun stress-relieving ritual that a person can perform at the end of an overwhelming day. Every day carries a different level of stress and satisfaction. This spell is designed to be performed at the end of those days that are particularly tedious. There’s no sense in dwelling on the negative!

  The times of dusk and dawn are considered by many to be a “tween” time, a place between the worlds. These beliefs are carryovers of early Celtic and
otherwise Pagan worldviews. If, at either dawn or dusk, one pays particular attention to their mind and general energy pattern, they will notice an interesting shift in consciousness and perception. For some people, this shift is barely noticeable. For others, like myself, the Sun’s ascent or descent plays an obvious role in the shifting of consciousness.

  Our bodies are attuned to the rhythms of the Earth. The foremost rhythm is that of the Sun. Quite naturally, peoples’ moods and energies are affected by not only seasonal shifts but by daily changes in sunlight. Physiologically (and thus scientifically), these shifts are recognized as having influence on perception and the psyche (and thus the spirit). While there are a number of ways a person can combat Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) and the darker annual turnings of the tide, this spell has one’s daily cycles in mind.

  When the Sun rises in the east, a new day is born. When it descends in the west, day is concluded and night begins. The “banishing” aspect of the Sun occurs at dusk, preceding twilight. As the Sun descends beyond the horizon, prayers and intentions can be carried along with it. Ancient Egyptians viewed the Sun as a carrier of dead souls: its descent carried deceased daily energies with it, just as its “rebirth” each day would bring forth new life and bounty.

  Dawn is the ideal time for a practitioner of any type to summon life-giving, rebirthing energies, and dusk is the time for banishment. Assuming the reader operates on a relatively diurnal schedule, the following spell can be used to help dissipate and put to rest an overabundance of mental, emotional, and psychological stress that has accumulated throughout the day.

  Stepping Back & Further Application

  Before performing this spell, it’s good to ask why such an accumulation of energy has occurred throughout the day. Is this buildup a daily thing? If so, how can a frequent overabundance of stress be navigated, if not conquered?

  It’s easy for us to feel trapped or bound in a daily cycle, even if it doesn’t serve our highest purpose or the greater good of others. Many people become accustomed to staying in high-stress occupations, relationships, parental situations, and a whole slew of other overwhelming factors.

  If you find yourself performing this or similar spells on a daily basis, search for the cause of the stress and objectively brainstorm how a constant amount of stress can be dealt with. Contemplate what changes you can make in your daily pattern in order to help you and those around you experience less stress. Additionally, consider the sacrifices and benefits that would come about from a slight or severe shift in your daily cycle.

  If the reason for performing this spell is simply due to a bad day (we all have ’em) or isn’t something to worry about in a grander scope of life, be sure to analyze the day’s ill experiences both in terms of the role others played in the day and the role you yourself played. More often than not, poor situations are the result of two parties’ behaviors rather than just one or the other’s.

  Supplies

  • a ballpoint pen

  • a square piece of fabric, preferably dark orange, burgundy, or maroon

  • the following Major Arcana cards from the Rider-Waite (or similar) tarot: the High Priestess, the Lovers, the Emperor, Death, and Temperance

  • a round incense-burning charcoal disk and sand in a dish or censor

  • a “tea” made of any of the following baneful herbs: aconite, belladonna, datura, foxglove, henbane, hemlock, or mandrake

  • a chalice filled with the prepared (steeped) brew

  • a loose incense mixture of equal parts amber, copal, frankincense, and myrrh

  Notes

  • The “tea” referenced here is not designed for human or animal consumption. When preparing or metaphysically using the baneful brew, take all the necessary precautions. I also recommend wearing gloves. Because the herbs used are toxic, lethal, and otherwise poisonous, do not drop loose pieces of the herbs around the house, don’t spill it without thoroughly cleaning, wash your hands if you touch the herbs or the tea, wash the cup and tea paraphernalia thoroughly after use, and obviously do not drink any of it. Use extreme caution, care, and commonsense when working with these herbs in any spell.

  • The layout of the cards in this spell is esoterically significant and has particular meanings for the spell’s purposes. If you feel uncomfortable or uncertain about using this spread, try using a more familiar or personally significant layout.

  • It is ideal to perform this ritual outdoors, while gazing at the sunset. Look in a local newspaper or online to discover the exact time of the sunset, and plan to begin the spell ten or fifteen minutes beforehand if possible.

  • If performing the working outdoors, consider simply purifying the space around you rather than casting a formal circle. Smudge with sage, asperge with saltwater, sweep with a broom, and so on.

  Procedure

  Begin by purifying the space or casting a circle, calling the quarters, chanting or raising energy as you normally would, performing protective exercises, and altering your consciousness. Clear your mind, bring focus to your breath, and meditate for at least a few minutes. When ready, begin the spell.

  Sitting down on the grass or floor, face west. If the ritual is being performed outside, be sure you’re in a spot that’s receiving sunlight (if it’s not overcast). Gaze at the sunset (without injuring your eyes) and feel its light entering your third eye.

  With the ballpoint pen, draw symbol 1 on the top of your left hand and symbol 2 on your right.

  Situate the following before you: on the square piece of fabric, put the Lovers card in the top left corner, the Emperor card in the top right corner, and the censor in the middle of the fabric. Next, place the High Priestess card on the fabric, just above the censor (slightly lower than the upper two cards), and Temperance beneath the censor. Finally, place the Death card on the lower right corner of the fabric and set the chalice of toxic “tea” on top of it. (Again, this tea is not meant to be drunk.)

  Ignite the charcoal and place the mix of incense resins on top. Take a few minutes to create a billowing cloud of smoke. While waiting for the charcoal and incense to properly ignite, spend some time looking at the Tarot spread in front of you, contemplating the ascribed and intuitive meanings of each card.

  Holding your left hand in the incense smoke, raise your right hand to the Sun. Repeat six times:

  Hail unto thee from the Abodes of Day!

  Next, cup both hands over the incense smoke, close your eyes, and think of all the stressful thoughts that accumulated throughout the day. Remember the instances that led to your being overwhelmed, rewinding the occurrences—and your reactions—in your mind. Think about other recent stresses and let them evoke feelings of discomfort and frustration. Imagine these ill feelings being pulled from all parts of your body. Push these vibrations through your hands and into the incense smoke. Channel all your distress into the glowing ember and billowing smoke. When a sense of relief and release comes over you, move on to the next step.

  Sit calmly and bring your mind to the present moment, separating your mind from the thoughts just raised. Grab the chalice of tea, look toward the sunset, and declare:

  As our luminous Sun descends for the night, may he too escort these stresses, sorrows, and pain.

  Pouring the tea over the coal, extinguish it fully and affirm:

  So mote it be!

  Thank the energies at hand and close the circle as you normally would.

  Spells are effective in and of themselves, but sometimes an extra “boost” can add the finishing touch to a spell. This is particularly appropriate in the case of spells meant to send or project energy.

  If a spell is performed correctly, there should be a large amount of power risen and sent throughout. Oftentimes, rituals of any type begin with a buildup, a crescendo of power (energy being sent to the land, a person, or a spell), and a subsequent decre
ase in energy. This is representative of the “cone of power,” which is the cast circle of a magician or Witch.

  The following are a few suggestions for summoning an increase of power during a ritual. These are by no means the only ways to add a boost of energy; the key is to get creative and follow your intuition.

  In Western Mystery traditions, a significant amount of focus is usually given to the timing of a working. Because Wicca and other forms of Neopagan Witchcraft borrowed heavily from Hermeticism and other long-standing ceremonial systems, many Witches pay particular attention to the astrological and planetary influences present during a working (though some choose against it). This book is greatly focused on harnessing planetary and zodiacal influences during spellcraft specifically; aligning one’s magick to these forces is one significant key to amplifying and fine-tuning one’s magick—at least from my experience.

  Though the general planetary influences (such as the current phase of the Sun or Moon, both zodiacally and seasonally/monthly) are very significant in an overarching sense, the Hermetic planetary hours are additionally important if a boost of specific power is the caster’s goal. For information on planetary hours, please see page 16 and Appendix 2.

  You may use the following information to get creative when deciding to add energy and power to your magick, but be sure to rely as much on your internal reality as you do the external—both are the foundations for balanced living and effective magick.

  Stepping Back & Further Application

  It is likely that a number of readers turn to this particular spell either because they feel that their spellcasting efforts are relatively ineffective, or that they’re somehow “doing it wrong.” A key component to ask oneself is, How much power am I drawing from within, and how much am I drawing from outside myself? A number of people, especially when they first discover the “active” or “operative” magickal aspect of Witchcraft and occultism, rely heavily on a spell’s components and words. While these things are important, tools, timing, and procedure are always secondary to one’s intention. While I talked about this more in the book’s beginning, I must again emphasize that true magick is born of one’s consciousness—the herbs, the stones, the chants, the incantations, and even the spirits called forth in spellcraft are all secondary to the energy of Will (both intentive free will and one’s deeper spiritual Will), which is drawn forth from a practitioner’s inner self.