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W I T C H WAY M AG A Z I N E
 Daina Renton
Get to know...
JUNE WITCH
2018 - WITCH
WAY MAGAZINE
WAY MAGAZINE
W I T C H WAY M AG A Z I N E

1 How long have you been contributing to Witch Way?

I’ve been contributing to Witch Way Magazine since
2015. Time flies!
4 What has being a part of the Witch Way family meant for
you?
It has given me a purpose when all hope was lost. It

2
has also inspired creativity within myself when my
What would you say your magical niche or tradition is? mind has been a barren wasteland of ideas.

5
I’m a divination witch. Anything to do with divination,
I’m there. But I have way more books on plants and
gardening than I do divination because both are
equally interesting to me. It’s hard to pick one thing
when you’re interested in everything.
Where would you like to see yourself in 10 years (magical
level, witch level, personal level, work level, etc.)?
I don’t have any particular aspirations when it comes to
my magical or witch level, mostly because I know that
it’s going to be a journey that will last my entire life.

3
Apart from Witch Way, what do you do (work, hobbies,
etc.)?
I’m a creative director and I also edit my own
publication Feroce. My hobbies include popcorn, sleep
You never really stop developing your craft. Personally,
I’d like to have more cats. Work-wise, my aspirations
include world domination, the democratization of
fashion, and encouraging diversity at every level of the
industry.

6
contortion (trying to fit in my bed around seven cats),
finding stray cats, looking at cats online, and cats.
Finally, if you had one tip to give other witches, what
would that tip be?
Never use something metaphysical if you can sort it
out better through mundane means.

Where can people find you?

instagram.com/dainarenton
www.dainarenton.co.uk
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Daina
Covers
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BY MICHAEL R. HERKES
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For the April crystal grid, we will tap into the powers of attunement and connectivity to help establish a coven
or tribe of witchy friends!

Manifestation—Witch squad goals Desire Stone—3 pieces of amber and 3 pieces of

Shape—Spiral
For this grid, we are breaking away from sacred
geometry and using another powerful shape to fuel
our intent with crystal magic—the spiral! Spirals are
influential symbols of manifestation.
Focus Stone—1 Herkimer diamond
The Herkimer diamond will be the focus stone that
sits in the center of the grid. It will represent the main
goal channeled outward through the other stones.
Remember that Herks help lead the way and establish
connections in their own right, but they also increase
the powers of the stones around them. By having a
Herkimer as a focus stone, the mineral energies will be
explosive!
Way Stone—3 pieces of rose quartz and 3 pieces of lapis
lazuli
The way stones generally circle the focus stone and help
to further amplify the goal. In this case, they will be the
first set of alternating stones that extend in the spiral
line from the Herkimer diamond. The way stones for
this grid will be rose quartz and lapis lazuli. Rose quartz
will add compassion and the emotional bond that is
essential to a coven. The lapis will stimulate intellect and
truth, guiding you to the right group of individuals.
labradorite
The desire stones are the furthest ring of stones in the
grid. They fuse the energy from the focus and way
stones, propelling the energy outward into the universe.
For this grid, they will pick up where the way stones
left off as an alternating pattern that continues the line
of the spiral. For this set, we will use a combination of
amber and labradorite. The amber helps attract luck
and has protective qualities that will help you sniff out
dangerous and manipulative individuals on your coven
quest. Labradorite is known for its magic and intuitive
essence, which will help stimulate your clairvoyance in
knowing when you have found your pack of witches.
Optional—Similar to a “Come to Me Love Spell,” write
a list of your witchy squad goals to place beneath the
grid.
Construction—To build the grid, place the Herkimer in
the center. Start laying out the way stones by alternating
the rose quartz and lapis lazuli clockwise, extending
from the Herkimer. You will then continue the
clockwise pattern with the desire stones, alternating the
amber and labradorite until your spiral is complete. See
the diagram on the opposite page for reference.
Timing—For maximum effect, create this crystal grid
on the night of a new moon.

Due to the intention of the grid, it would be best arranged in a living room or on an altar or other magical
workstation. Once arranged, the crystal grid needs to be activated for use. To activate this grid, you will channel
your intent by tracing a pattern over the crystals. Essentially, the pattern is weaving in and out so that each crystal
is connected by the intent you are fueling it with. To do this, I recommend using either your athame, a white
candle stick, incense, or a pendant that you wear every day. Since this grid helps attract you to your ideal group of
witches, the added benefit of doing this with a pendant is that you will be wearing the pendant each day as a token
of attraction.

Holding your activator over the Herkimer diamond, focus your intentions on drawing your perfect crew of witches
together. If you wrote out a list that is under the focus stone, think hard about the characteristics that you have
listed. With your activator, begin creating a clockwise circular motion over the Herk. Start widening your circular
motions so that they trace over the grid itself. Once you reach the end, come back to center and start the movement
again. Do this as many times as feels right to you. Listen to your inner witch! As you trace, visualize a stream of
sparkling white light weaving through the crystals, from the Herkimer and out into the universe.

Once completed, take some time to focus on your goals and envision them manifesting in your life. Feel free to
speak from your heart and ask the universe, your patron deities, or spirits to bless your desires. Ground yourself
back to center and carry on knowing that you have set the wheel in motion and that your crystal grid is helping
further hum the vibration of your intention into existence.
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DIVINATION WITH DICE

BY KIKI DOMBROWSKI

Rolling the dice isn’t just for Dungeons and Dragons. Dice can be a fun form of divination
as well, and it just so happens to be one that you can play with to create interpretations
that fit your own needs. Just like any other form of casting lots, you throw dice to receive a
divination reading. The dice allow you to interpret the number you roll to give you answers
to your questions. Let’s give the dice a roll and take a gamble to see what is in store for our
futures.
DIVINATION WITH ONE DIE
Roll one die. If the outcome is an odd number, the answer is positive. If the outcome is
an even number, the answer is negative. You can also use one die to determine timing. If
the outcome is one, do act on your question immediately. The increase in the number can
indicate the increase in time you should take to act upon your question.

DIVINATION WITH TWO DICE

The interesting thing about the interpretations of dice is that they vary from source to
source, making the practice feel a little more flexible for you to add your own input. As a
result of this, I am offering two sets of interpretations for working with two dice. The first set
is from the book Dreaming the Future, by Clifford A. Pickover:
1: The answer to the question is yes. I created a second set of interpretations, inspired
2: The answer to the question is no. by numerology.
3: Be careful in approaching the situation
involved in the question. 1: New Beginnings, new projects, a time to focus.
4: Think before you act. 2: Partnership, relationships, a time for balance.
5: Good fortune and successful results. 3: Success, expansion, ambition, time to create.
6: Smooth sailing and favorable outcome. 4: Stability, order, practicality, and organization.
7: Stay on the course you are on to have positive 5: Adventure, action, curiosity, a time for risks.
results. 6: Love, generosity, harmony, a time to listen and
8: Be patient. The answer will be yes if you can support.
wait. 7: Mysticism, study, wisdom, to contemplate.
9: Success in business and enterprise. 8: Power, reward, abundance, and expansion.
10: Disappointment or an unexpected conclusion 9: Satisfaction, inspiration, enlightenment, a time
to the question asked. to change.
11: It is not possible right now. 10: Completion, endings, a time to start over.
12: It will not likely work out. 11: A positive outcome, an optimistic answer, on
the right path.
12: A negative outcome, a challenging answer,
time to change the path you’re on.
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DIVINATION WITH THREE DICE

In Buckland’s Book of Gypsy Magic, Raymond Buckland suggests that dice divination use three
dice. Create a chalk circle that is 12 inches in diameter. Roll the three dice, disregarding any
that roll outside the circle. Use the following interpretations for the number you roll. Buckland’s
interpretations for each number are very modernized. I attempted to add additional, more
abundance, prosperity, business growth.
1: Loneliness or loss. Additional meanings: solitary 11: There will be a death close to you. Additional
work, alone time, a time of introversion. meanings: Transitory times, a need to check in with
2: Love or infatuation. Additional meanings: a those you love, a loss.
relationship, romance, lust, falling in love with 12: You will receive an important letter. Additional
someone or something. meanings: Communication that will change your
3: A pleasant surprise on the way. Additional outlook on things. A need to speak up, but also to
meanings: a pleasant outcome, a turn toward better listen carefully.
luck. 13: There will be cause for you to weep. Additional
4: An unpleasant surprise on the way. Additional meanings: A time of release, a time of stress, a need
meanings: an unpleasant outcome, a turn toward to relieve anxiety or sadness.
challenging times. 14: A new admirer. Additional meanings: New
5: An influential stranger will come into your life. people to come into your life. You can be the center
Additional meanings: seeking out teachers, looking of attention.
for lessons in interactions with others, consider how 15: Be cautious, trouble is near. Additional
others influence you. meanings: Now is not a time to react. Take things
6: You will lose something valuable. Additional slowly. Be careful with yourself and others. Do not
meanings: a lost object, the end of something. take risks.
7: You will be involved in a scandal. Additional 16: A happy journey. Additional meanings: A need
meanings: gossip or distrust. to travel or move. A time of evolution or self-
8: A past wrong will catch up with you. Additional discovery.
meanings: karmic cycles, lessons learned, someone 17: Profitable business comes to you from across
from the past will reappear. the water. Additional meanings: There is a need to
9: A future wedding. Additional meanings: expand your horizons, think bigger, and go global.
partnerships, getting closer to someone, a 18: Great good is coming to you. Additional
relationship solidifies. meanings: Success, blessings, and luck is on your
10: Business advancement. Additional meanings: side.
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ALPHABET DICE
Tonya, Witch Way Magazine editor, watched a horror movie not too long ago in which one of the
characters used a die with letters on it to communicate with spirits. This sparked a great idea: What
if Tonya got sets of alphabet dice and attempted divination with those? I was excited when I got my
own set of lettered dice in the mail as well, eager to try to create different methods of using it for
divination. We used a brand called “ABC Dice” by American Traditions and got two sets to try this
setup. If you are creative, you can always make your own dice by getting small wooden cubes and
paint at a hobby shop. The eight dice had the following letter configuration in our manufactured set:

• Die 1: A, E, I, O, U, * for wild card pick

• Die 2: A, E, I, O, U, Y
• Die 3: M, R, H, G, L, S
• Die 4: D, C, N, B, P, R
• Die 5: W, T, M, E, L, F
• Die 6: P, C, B, D, G, F
• Die 7: W, S, H, Y, N, T
• Die 8: Q, Z, X, J, K, V

The goal of using the alphabet dice is that you are trying to create a word out of the letters you roll,
making this feel a little bit like Scrabble. We used two of the above sets, resulting in 16 total die,
which felt like way too many to try to roll to get an answer from each time. I recommend drawing a
12-inch diameter circle (like Raymond Buckland did) to work in. Roll the eight dice and disregard
any that fall outside the circle.

Place all the dice into a bag that you can easily get your hands into. First, think about a question
you would like to ask. What you will want to do is first think about a question that you have. Ask
the question to yourself and reach into the bag to collect however many dice you feel drawn to take
out. Take the dice and roll them into the circle. Whatever upright letters are remaining should be
examined and deciphered. See how many words you can make from the letters you have. There may
be the name of a place or person. Interestingly, when I tried this method, I rolled five dice and got
the letters C, O, L, D, E. Perhaps you will see words that exclude one or two of the dice, and that is
OK. Use your intuition to help you speak the answer in the dice.

Another method with the lettered dice that you may want to try is to select letters that represent
different options. Here is a yes-or-no method: Use the die with the Y to be a “yes,” the die with the
* to be “maybe,” and the die with N to be “no.” Ask a question with a yes or no answer and roll the
dice until you get a Y, N, or * for your answer. Here is an option method: Use a die with the A to be
“option A,” a die with B to mean “option B,” the die with the * to mean “either option,” and the die
with the Z to mean “neither option.” Roll the four dice until you roll A, B, *, or Z to get your answer.

Working with the alphabet dice may seem a little more complicated, but it could be a very
interesting thing to try out. However you want to encounter the dice, find a method that feels right
to you and get rolling.
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Alphabet dice used in the

movie Insidious 2
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WOMAN ON TOP:
A MAGICALLY DELICIOUS ROM-COM
BY MICHAEL R. HERKES
WARNING: SPOILERS
We’ve all been there, stressed
out trying to find something to
watch in the vast sea of streaming
options available. On a particularly
frustrating evening, I was helplessly
looking for something entertaining
on TV. I stumbled upon the
romantic comedy Woman on Top,
starring Penélope Cruz. I figured
I would give it a try and was
pleasantly surprised by its witchy
undertone!
SYNOPSIS
Woman on Top tells the story of
a Brazilian chef named Isabella,
played by Penélope Cruz, who
suffers from motion sickness
and heartbreak. The story opens
with flashbacks of her that give
background on Isabella as she
grows up, learns to cook, and
falls in love with the handsome
and charming Toninho (Murilo
Benício). They marry and open a
restaurant together. We see there
is much inequality between the
couple as Isabella slaves away in
the kitchen, peeking out to see her
husband frolicking and living it up
with the customers.
We learn that Isabella suffers badly
from motion sickness and that the
only way she can overcome it is by
being in control of her motions.
She can only be in a car if she is
the one driving it, opting for stairs
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instead of elevators, taking the lead
in dancing, and being on top in bed
(hence the movie title). Time moves
on quickly in the cheeky opening,
but we start to see Toninho feeling
emasculated by Isabella’s need for
control, particularly when intimate.
As a result, Toninho escapes one
night to have an affair with their
neighbor. Isabella catches them
and flees. She painstakingly boards
a plane and flies to San Francisco,
where she stays with her best
friend, Monica (Harold Perrineau).
Isabella sadly walks the streets
trying to find a job as a chef but has
no luck. She is so heartbroken by
Toninho’s infidelity that she resorts
to spellcraft to alleviate her sorrow.
She and Monica call up a witch
that gives her the ingredients for
a spell over the phone. She makes
a sacrifice to the Brazilian sea
goddess Yemanja so that she may
stop loving Toninho. At the same
time, Toninho curses Yemanja for
Isabella’s departure. As a result,
Toninho is double bitch-slapped
by Yemanja, who destroys his
restaurant and Isabella’s love for
him in one swift move.
From there, the film takes off in
typical rom-com style, and Isabella
casts her spell over San Francisco
with her kitchen witchery, cooking
up sensual Brazilian dishes for
the city and landing a television
show—Passion Foods Live!
"Make sure your
tomatoes are full and
plump." - Isabella
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WHAT WORKS and begins to change his ways, I don’t really buy it. It
would have been more impactful to see her continue
The sliver of witchcraft portrayed in the movie is to bloom into a stronger independent version of
delicious. On the surface, the movie is not about herself, being more of a role model to those in toxic
witchcraft, yet the slight undertone is fresh and relationships who really need to leave—but that kind
exciting to see. The general magical rule of being of goes against the nature of Hollywood rom-coms,
careful what you “witch” for is used when Isabella especially in 2000!
casts her initial spell to stop loving Toninho. We all
know the warning that when messing with things
magically there is always an unforeseen consequence.
The witch tells Isabella when she prepares the spell
that there is no going back. Later in the movie, she "Melons are like boyfriends. Shall
ends up realizing she made a mistake and wants
her love back. She tries to break the curse but fails. I tell you why? To get a single good
Eventually, we see Yemanja reverse the curse since
Hollywood movies have to close with happy endings.
one you must one hundred try." -
The diverse cast is also amazing. I was shocked to
Monica
see that a movie from 2000 cast a supporting role as
an Afro-Brazilian transsexual woman, Monica, who
steals the show on the comedic front. Even later in
the film, we see her end up with Isabella’s neighbor-
turned-producer, Cliff (Mark Feurestein, who also
played Sally’s husband Michael in Practical Magic),
who initially had his sights set on Isabella. While the
film did not flesh this pairing out, the progressiveness
of a heterosexual white male is in a relationship with
an Afro-Brazilian transsexual woman was fantastic to
see!

WHAT DOES NOT WORK

I think the story would have been significantly better
had Isabella and Toninho remained separated. It
was sad seeing her go back to someone with such a
misogynistic and toxic masculine worldview.

Throughout the film, we see Isabella continuously

fighting for what she believes in. We see the conflict
this causes with her and her TV show when they want
to incorporate Toninho into her gig after he serenades
her during a live recording. She is unhappy with it
but decides to roll with it and have a bit of fun herself,
causing some mischief while on set. Later, when Photo by Fox Searchlight Pictures - © 2000
executives want to change her show to take a more
conservative and “less ethnic” approach, she walks
away from it all. OVERALL THOUGHTS
Under her spell, Isabella blossomed into such a strong Despite some typical Hollywood frustrations, Woman
and independent person, completely opposite from on Top manages to serve up a romantic comedy that
where we see her in the beginning. While the film incorporates magic, food, and a great cast, earning it a
leaves the impression that Toninho learns his lesson magically delightful thumbs-up!
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Photo by Fox Searchlight Pictures - © 2000

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LUSTCRAFT
PRACTICAL RED MAGIC THROUGH THE FIVE SENSES
BY MICHAEL R. HERKES
Some practice white magic witchcraft, others practice
black magic bitchcraft, but for Valentine’s Day it is
all about red magic lustcraft! Whether you are in a
relationship or are a single witch on the prowl this
Valentine’s Day season here are some ways to lure in
your heart’s desire, by combining practical methods
with glamour magic through the five senses, for a
night of lustful bewitchment!
SOUND
To start, “let’s get it on” with a little bit of sexy music
to put you in the mood! Music has a way of casting
a spell by itself through listeners and is an extremely
effective tool for glamourous lust magic! For this
sense, create a super sexy playlist by selecting songs
that not only turn you on but ones that evoke the
presence of your inner sex god/dess. While making
the playlist, fuel it with your magical, sensual intent
for the evening.
SIGHT
It goes without saying that glamour magic has a lot
to do with appearance. While this is partially true,
outer appearance works in tandem with your inner
confidence in glamour magic. For this sense, you
will use your bewitchment to project your seduction
goals! To do this, you have to first worship yourself.
Start by lighting some red candles in your bathroom.
Take a sexy bath with your favorite bath bomb or
body scrub (if you aren’t a bath kind of gal/guy, a
shower is fine) and really indulge yourself. Light some
incense, add some rose petals and damiana (both
powerful herbs of attraction and love/lust), and a
few tumbled carnelian (sexuality and vitality) and
garnet (sensuality and confidence) crystals into the
water. Hear the soft sexy beats from your mix in the
background. Seduce yourself. It all starts within you.
Once your bath is finished, dry off and start getting
ready. Don’t rush through this part. Take your
time. Select one of your favorite outfits. Something
that really makes you feel confident in yourself.
Use color magic when selecting your outfit. Dress
yourself in rich reds or hot pinks. Something that
really is electrifying, that drips with sexiness. As
an added kick, you can use crystal magic through
jewelry to help amplify results. Your best bet would
be to use red, pink, or orange colored crystals that
exude sensuality and confidence like carnelian,
garnet, red tiger’s eye, ruby, bloodstone, rhodonite,
rhodochrosite, or rose quartz.
When it comes to sight, also remember that “eyes are
the windows to the soul.” Make sure you have proper
eye contact with your partner throughout the night.
Eye contact is an important form of communication
highlighting confidence and affirming attention.
SMELL
Smell is so important because it naturally tells us
when something is not good for us. The smell of
rotten food triggers a response in our brain that the
food is spoiled and no longer nutritious. The human
body creates smells that both attract and repel as well.
Some of these smells are pheromones that naturally
make us more attractive and initiate sexual response
from others.
With glamour magic, we can enhance our
pheromones to increase attractiveness through
essential oils. Essential oils are oils that are made from
fragrances extracted from a plant or other source.
For this sense, you will make a lust potion to wear
for the evening. My simple lustcraft oil blend recipe
calls for three fragrances that are known for the love
and lust notes. Mix equal parts of rose, black pepper,
and musk oils in a small vile. Roses are a symbol of
love, beauty, and elegance. This smell has awakens our
senses with a burst of lush florals which intensifies
with an explosion of spice from the black pepper.
Black pepper and other spicy herbs are known for
their ability to accelerate the heart rate
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and create excitement. The mixture is topped off with
a bit of musk. Musk is an animal pheromone that
used to be collected from their glandular secretions.
Today, it is created synthetically and regularly used on
perfumes/colognes and essential oil blends for allure.
Dab your lustcraft potion behind your ears, your
wrists and your clavicle/chest region and get ready to
really attract some attention!
(This blend is a well balanced unisex blend that
stimulates intense attraction regardless of sex.
However, if you are after a more feminine scent, add
more rose. For a more masculine scent, increase the
black pepper. Note: black pepper can sometimes
irritate the skin. Try putting a small drop on your skin
prior mixing the oil to test for irritation. If you are
unable to use black pepper, cinnamon or patchouli oil
are good substitutes.)
TASTE
It has been said before that a way to a person’s heart
is really through their stomach! The next sense to
highlight is the taste buds. Certain foods promote
sexual response, called aphrodisiacs. In this stage,
you are going to fuse together a bit of kitchen
witchery with lusty glamour by making a dinner that
promotes aphrodisiacs. So what’s on the menu? For
the meat eating witches out there, high protein meats
(particularly red meat) stimulate chemicals within
our bodies that create excitement and accelerate our
heart beat. Other foods known for their aphrodisiacal
qualities are oysters, truffles, asparagus, chocolate,
red wine, champagne, figs, strawberries, etc. With
that in mind, a sample dinner menu may include a
first course of oysters, a main course of steak with
truffle sauce and asparagus, and a dessert with fresh
luscious strawberries, chocolate, and whip cream. If
you are unable to cook a meal, dining out is always a
good option. Do a bit of research on different types of
aphrodisiacs and select a restaurant or items form the
menu that wet the passion food appetite.
TOUCH
Touching is the grand finale to your night of lustcraft.
While touch may seem like a really easy sense to work
with when it comes to lustful endeavors there is a lot
more to it than meets the eyes, or rather skin in this
instance! This is the sense that allows you to really
weave your magic and cast your spell. Sensual touch
initiates a slew of sexual responses in our brains, and
is a very effective communication tool. Erogenous
zones are the areas on the body that have increased
sensitivity. While the most known areas are the
genitals, there are several others which are thoroughly
covered in diagrams available at your fingertips with a
quick Google search. Learn about the zones and learn
not only where you can touch your partner, but where
you can tell them to touch you as well.
But there is much more to touch than this. While
it is mentioned last here, touch is a sense that you
should use all through the evening. Make an effort to
flirtatiously touch your partner throughout the night.
Don’t just go straight for the cookie jar either! Leave
a lingering touch that has your partner craving more.
This could be as simple as a soft kiss where your lips
barely meet. I soft caress on the arm, barely touching,
that commands the hairs on the back of the neck to
jump up with excitement. Self-touch is an important
element of this sense too. Use the art of body language
to invite your partner and seduce them.
Another element of touch to use is breath. Breath is a
vital source of life. You can touch someone indirectly
through the use of your breath. This is a fun and
effective way to use lustcraft with touch. Breathing and
blowing on your partner’s fleshy erogenous zones are a
surefire way to ignite passion between you!
CONCLUSION
While each of the senses above play a different role,
it is important to remember that they also should
act together throughout the entire night. Sound is
not only sexy beats banging softly in the background
while you get ready or engage in the grand finale. It
is also using speech to communicate directly to your
partner—your soft whispers and cries of ecstasy. It
is not just how you look, but also using eye contact
to engage, encourage, and invite. It is your grooming
and hygiene—the chemistry of your natural scent
with your lustcraft oil and tactfully placing drops of
scent in the correct areas of your body. It is not your
dinner, but also the salty taste of sweat each of you,
and the electrifying touches you engage in throughout
the evening. It is the art of seduction, the work of red
magic, your lustcraft that casts its spell here. Relax,
improvise as needed, and most importantly – ENJOY!
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LUSTCRAFT POTION

For this recipe, mix equal parts of rose,

black pepper, and musk oils in a small
vile. Roses are a symbol of love, beauty,
and elegance. This smell awakens our
senses with a burst of lush florals which
intensifies with an explosion of spice
from the black pepper. Black pepper and
other spicy herbs are known for their
ability to accelerate the heart rate and
create excitement. The mixture is topped
off with a bit of musk. Musk is an animal
pheromone that used to be collected
from their glandular secretions. Today,
it is created synthetically and regularly
used on perfumes/colognes and essential
oil blends for allure. Dab your lustcraft
potion behind your ears, your wrists and
your clavicle/chest region and get ready to
really attract some attention!

*ALWAYS TEST OILS FOR IRRITATION

Redrum Collaboration
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INTERVIEW WITH FIONA HORNE W I T C H WAY M AG A Z I N E
BY TONYA BROWN
THE NAKED WITCH
In July 2017, the long-awaited Fiona Horne
autobiography hit the shelves. This intimate look
at the life of one of witchcraft’s icons was met with
fierce love and admiration. The Naked Witch showed
not only witches, but the world, the lessons and life
of Horne, with the message that witches are people
who live different lives, go through many different
experiences, and can come out of it with a wonderful
outlook on life.
Fiona Horne is a rock star, a commercial pilot, an
author, a humanitarian . . . and she just so happens to
be a witch. While The Naked Witch initially received
only an Australian release, that didn’t stop her fans
around the world from obtaining copies of the
biography. I, myself, managed to snag three copies.
However, just a few weeks ago, The Naked Witch
was released in the United States, distributed by Red
Wheel/Weiser, and now, after all the love and fanfare,
we were able to talk to Horne about the ride this book
took her on. Through drops, rewrites, inspiring love
from fans, and two catastrophic hurricanes, Horne
shares with us her incredible journey.
Witch Way: Your book, The Naked Witch, was such
an amazing read. I gobbled it up in 24 hours. What
was the hardest thing about writing the book?
Fiona Horne: Since writing the book, I’ve
experienced two catastrophic hurricanes where I
live—the most ever recorded—in two short weeks,
which kind of obliterated any previous notions I
had of what “hard” was. But when I look back to
the time before the storms and think about writing
the book, I remember how challenging it was to dig
deep, to go into all the mess of my past that I had
stored in my brain. Everything is still there if you
give yourself permission to dig deep into the vaults
of your memories. I cried tears of pain when I wrote
about losing my virginity at fourteen to that guy in the
hotted up GTR-XU1 Torana car with the tea towels
hanging in the windows. I cried tears of excitement
remembering meeting my rock idols, KISS. And I
Photographer: Sasha Alexander
cried more tears of sorrow and pain writing about my
upbringing, my parents, my difficult childhood. But
the tears were good. There was a process of healing
that went on during the writing of the book for me, as
it turned out.
Witch Way: What is it like stepping back into the
spotlight and writing a new book after all these years?
Fiona Horne: It was a surprise! I didn’t plan to write
my autobiography nor to step back into the public eye.
For the past six years, I have focused on redefining my
life of professional pilot flying humanitarian aid and
working in aviation in the Caribbean where I live.
I really thought I was re-creating my life to be
something that was not going to be lived in the public
eye…other than appearing at HexFest because the
organizers, Christian Day and Brian Cain, are my
good mates, and I will say yes to any excuse to hang
out with them!
So being back in the public eye now feels very
different than before. I feel grateful to connect with
people, but I also feel detached from it.
Witch Way: How did The Naked Witch come along?
Fiona Horne: My first international publisher,
HarperCollins, reached out to me through Facebook!
The journey of the book went from being something
that HarperCollins was going to release, possibly with
quite a bit of fanfare, to them turning around in the
end after half of it was written and saying, “We can’t
sign you. You’re not famous anymore, and the money
guys at the top don’t think you’ll sell the minimum
corporate mandate. So, we have to drop you.”
For a few weeks, I considered just letting it all go—I
was deep in flight school getting my commercial
rating—I had so much on my plate, but I had all these
words written. So I decided to honor that and reach
out to some Australian companies who had published
me in the past. And that’s how I connected with
Rockpool. They are a small boutique publisher
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without the overheads—they could take the risk. It

was never about money or fame for me. I embarked
on the project because I believed the universe
wanted me to write this book at this point of my life,
for it to hopefully be a useful tool in other’s lives—
that its readers could benefit from the mistakes I’ve
made—the life lessons I’ve had.

From the outside, my life could look glamorous and

desirable: the years in my band, Def FX, being a
high-profile witch, TV shows like Mad Mad House,
radio shows, movies, living around the world, even
skydiving, fire dancing, flying planes—all the stuff
that I've done—but there was an emptiness inside,
a deep dissatisfaction with myself, never feeling
good enough, always being disappointed in myself.
I learned over time how to address this chronic
feeling of “being good but not good enough” and to
come to a place of peace and acceptance.
Witch Way: What did you want others, and
yourself to get out of writing this book?

Fiona Horne:I hoped to offer my story as a tool for

others to use to help clear their own paths.
And so, the book was written from that premise. I
just wanted it to be useful—and enjoyable as much
as possible for the reader—and I wanted it to be
entertaining too. This life so far has been a wild ride!
But mainly, if whoever stumbles upon my book
finds it useful in their lives, that would be great.
Reliving my life to write about it helped me further
come to a place of compassion for myself. As I say
in the book, I’ve forgiven myself for all the times
I’ve got it wrong, and I hope the reader can give
themselves that gift too.
Having said that, I pretty much rewrote the entire
book in the months of January, February, and March
the year it was released. When I started to edit it, I
realized there was something in it that wasn’t useful.
There was a sense of—I don’t know—bitterness
and “poor me” self-indulgent sorrow that wasn’t
of service. I realized that the book didn’t need
to be like that, and so I let a lot of the bitterness
go, figuratively and literally in final editing and
rewriting. I think the book became a better book for
it, in that it was really just about the journey of one
human and not so much about “me.” I could lighten
up and laugh about it all.
Courtesy of Fiona Horne
is happy, joyous, and free, in a way of their own
determining.
Witch Way: What has the feedback been from the
community now that your book has been out for
about 6 months?
Fiona Horne: I’m getting some wonderful
feedback. People are sending beautiful, generous
messages saying things like, “Thank you for sharing
your story—it’s helped me feel better about myself
and enabled me to move forward in my life and let
go of some things from the past holding me back.”
One of my favorite notes was from a lady in her 70s
who said my book inspired her to go out and do a
few things in life she hadn’t done yet but had wanted
to. She related when I wrote, “It’s never too late to be
the best version of yourself you can be and live the
life you dream.”

So, the one thing I hope people take away from it is I asked readers to post pictures on my public
a willingness to allow themselves to live a life that Facebook page of them holding my book. People in
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Australia posted photos, and then people around
the world started to also—they had ordered my
book internationally. A lovely girl in Wales, another
lovely girl in London, another girl in Portland
. . . everyone holding my baby, my book. It was
amazing to see it in people’s hands and lives.
And then, just weeks after it came out in Australia,
two massive hurricanes engulfed my little island
home. They just crushed everything and took it all
away.
new book but will write you an introduction for
the re-release of your first one.” So I said sure and
felt blessed to contemplate the last 20 years since
I came out of the broom closet and to be able to
write the following:
“20 years ago witchcraft was viewed very
differently, it was still shrouded in secrecy and
misinformation in the mainstream . . . nowadays
who doesn't know a proud self-proclaimed witch?”

Going through the storms, and the last four
months since, has been so intense I could write
another autobiography!
Witch Way: You mentioned before that The Naked
Witch release fell on the 20th anniversary of your
first book. Did that feel like fate?
Fiona Horne: It was interesting that, when my
autobiography was released, it also coincided with
the 20-year anniversary re-release of my very first
international release. Witch: A Magickal Journey
was originally published in Australia before its U.S.
and U.K. international releases in 1997. That’s what
HarperCollins did do. They said, “We can’t sign the
Witch Way: So what is the next step for you and
The Naked Witch? It would be amazing if they
made it into a movie.
Fiona Horne: Well, it’s funny you say that.
Antonio Ferrera, a director, contacted me and said,
“I’d love to make a movie or a documentary of
your book.” I was kind of flattered and blown away.
I loved his idea, which was for me to pilot a small
plane by myself around to locations in Australia
where I’d had experiences and read sections of
the book in those locations. A cool idea! But then
the hurricanes happened here, and I dropped
everything except surviving them and helping my
community recover.

"Witchcraft attracts the seeker.

I hope more than anything that
The Naked Witch gives individuals
the opportunity to think, 'You
know what, I am empowered
to determine my own path, and
the best way to be empowered
to determine my own path is to
respect other’s rights to determine
theirs. And if I can give permission
to others to forge the path they
determine magically and practically,
then I’m doing it for myself too.'”
- Fiona Horne
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Witch Way: What was it like going through these
two back-to-back hurricanes?
Fiona Horne: When the hurricanes happened,
it was like nuclear bombs were dropped on
me, on where I live. People I knew died, people
disappeared, and there’s still no answers on what
happened to them. People lost everything. In the
face of so much destruction and loss, you become
even more grateful than ever for what you do have.
I was grateful for my health, my strong body, and
my survival instincts during the storms and in the
weeks of hard labor and recovery that followed.
The irony of it was that I did two missions to Haiti
earlier in the year to help them recover from the
hurricane they suffered from the previous year.
I was meant to do a third mission to Haiti in
November to finish up on the work we’d been doing
to help rebuild there. And then in September, I
became the recipient of a rescue aid mission. And
I stayed on my shattered island and worked on our
own recovery efforts.
It’s interesting that we as witches look to nature for
guidance, for inspiration, for wisdom. During and
after the hurricanes I grappled to understand how
nature could decide that such a level of absolute
annihilation, not once, but twice within a two-week
period was necessary.
But I can see now that there’s been an incredible
rebirth and regrowth from the annihilation. All
the fruit trees on the island now, like the sugar
apple trees, have survived and we’ve got so much
fruit. I remember as a gardener I used to prune the
trees in my garden when I was living in California.
I would prune the trees and plants hard to force
the fruit and the flowers to come through and not
let the branches get too long and straggly. And
that’s what a hurricane does—it prunes the trees,
the land, the people, everything. Everything gets
pruned, and those of us that stay are more vibrant
with life than ever before for having nearly lost it.
Maybe that’s the reason it happens like it does.
It’s the reason I choose to embrace anyway. So
many people left, but I chose to stay here and live
in gratitude for the hardships and the lessons that
continue to come from it.
Witch Way: Your life, especially the past few
months, has been such a journey. You are one of
the biggest icons for the witchcraft community, and
you’ve seen it change over the years. What is it like
watching it all evolve?
Fiona Horne: Twenty years ago, it was a constant
struggle. In the mainstream, we were strung up
between Hollywood fantasy and evil danger. We
wondered, “Should we stay in the closet, because
we’re going to be vilified, we’re going to get
bullied, we’re going to be picked on, called devil
worshipers,” all this crazy stuff. And within our
own community there was a lot of harsh judgment
and criticism as well: “Oh, you’re not doing it the
right way”; “If you’re not initiated into a coven then
you’re not a real witch”; “There’s no such thing as
a solitary witch.” Back then, I would often think,
“Who needs Christians to burn you at the stake?
My fellow witches do it to me every bloody day!”
But it’s not as bad as that anymore. There’s still
some confusion and misinformation, but overall
our community is stronger, more tolerant, and
more potent.
Witchcraft attracts the seeker. I hope more than
anything that The Naked Witch gives individuals
the opportunity to think, “You know what, I am
empowered to determine my own path, and the
best way to be empowered to determine my own
path is to respect other’s rights to determine theirs.
And if I can give permission to others to forge the
path they determine magically and practically, then
I’m doing it for myself too.”
As a magical community, we can be united in our
differences and celebrate our differences. That’s
why I love HexFest; its one of the only festivals that
celebrates our differences, inviting all to attend and
share. It is a potent and important part of our lives
as magical practitioners, as people on a path of
seeking to celebrate our differences. It makes our
community stronger.
And there will be those that don’t want to be part
of the community. That’s ok. It doesn’t mean I have
to expect them to be part of it, nor do they have to
expect me to not want any part of it. I think there’s
room in the universe for everyone’s choices.
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Witch Way: With all of the reflection that your new book has presented, what would you say signifies a
successful life?

Fiona Horne: Success is about making peace with yourself. And that’s certainly one really awesome thing
about having physically lived on a planet for more than half a century now—I get to experience that feeling
of personal acceptance. It’s liberating.

When you can refine your life to become purely anchored in the present moment, then you can experience
a pervasive sense of acceptance and joy. You really get to love your life and live it every moment as a
miracle. And no matter what’s going on—even a massive hurricane making the world outside look like
it’s being churned to gray mush in a blender—even in that moment you can still be grateful for the breath
you take and the fact that right now, in this moment, you’re alive, and you get to witness the terrifyingly
beautiful force of Mother Nature at her most ferocious.

I say I’m not getting older, I’m getting better at living. If my book shares that message and empowers others
to feel the same way, then my humble job is done.
Courtesy of Fiona Horne
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OIL MAGIC AND BLENDS

FROM KIKI’S GRIMOIRE
BY KIKI DOMBROWSKI

Essential oils offer incredible access to the magical world. Infused with the energy of various plants, herbs,
flowers, and resins, essential oils hold properties used for magical work. In Mixing Essential Oils for Magic,
author Sandra Kynes points out that “essential oils provide immediate access to the rich storehouse of
memory and emotion, which are the deeper parts of the self that reach into the soul.” Smelling a blend of oils
can conjure memories and feelings. Using a blend within a potion can create an immediate connection to the
intention you have in mind. Below is a brief list of some of my favorite essential oils and how I’ve come to use
them in blends. There are also some of my blends, which I hope you consider trying to create for yourself.

FAVORITE OILS FOR MAGICAL OIL BLENDS

Amber: Amber is such an exotic, sensual fragrance that
I favor above many others. It is used for love, sensuality,
spiritual awareness, and attraction. Blend equal parts
amber with patchouli to create an inviting fragrance.
Anise: Anise can be used for divination, psychic work,
purification, prosperity, and emotional healing. Add a
drop of anise to an oil diffuser to purify your home and
also to help brighten the space with a feeling of hope and
happiness.
Cedarwood: The wonderful and earthly energy of this
essential oil can be used for prosperity blends, strength,
and grounding. The fragrance can soothe stress and
reconnect you with nature. Cedarwood can also be used
in blends for attraction, money, success, and friendship.
Do not use if pregnant, and be sure to dilute if using, as it
may irritate skin.
Fir Pine: Used for cleansing, action, healing,
and purification, fir pine oil also evokes the Yule
seasonal feeling of regeneration. It can help herald
in transformation, new beginnings, and clear
communication.
Frankincense: The enlightening frankincense oil can be
used to increase spirituality and wisdom, enhance psychic
abilities, assist in meditation, and cleanse personal energy.
Blend with rosemary oil for a spiritually cleansing oil
blend that can be used before and after ritual or magic
work.
Jasmine: The bright and floral jasmine oil can be used for
love, happiness, fertility, and intuition. It is a goddess oil
and can be used for love and sensuality spells. It is also
said to help raise psychic powers and promote prophetic
dreams.
Lavender: Lavender oil is known as one of the most
calming of essential oils. In aromatherapy, it is used for
relaxation and to relieve tension. In magic, lavender can
be used for happiness, love, purification, and wisdom.
Combine lavender with rose geranium oil for fulfilling
love and happiness.
Orange: This bright citrus oil is used for good luck,
happiness, and fertility. Smelling orange essential oil can
be uplifting and warming. Use for creativity, abundance,
and self-awareness.
Patchouli: Patchouli is another earthy fragrance that is
used for luck, money, attraction, and prosperity. Blend
two parts patchouli oil with one part cinnamon oil for
a powerful attraction blend (keep in mind cinnamon
essential oil can be an irritant, so use carefully). Patchouli
can also be useful for grounding or protection spells.
Peppermint: Peppermint oil can be used for a variety
of magical purposes, including healing, release, love,
protection, psychic awareness, and purification.
Rose: Rose oil is used for love, lust, sensuality, beauty, and
gentleness. Add a few drops of this essential oil to a bath
for self-love and self-compassion.
Rosemary: Rosemary oil is used for concentration,
healing, creativity, and purification. Rosemary can help
with memory and easing overwhelming emotions. Be
sure to dilute as it can be an irritant on the skin.
Sandalwood: Sandalwood oil is used for meditation,
purification, spirituality, and wisdom. Sandalwood can
be used for moon and priestess magic. It is a mystical, all-
purpose essential oil.
Ylang-Ylang: Ylang-ylang oil can be used to relieve
nervousness, ease sadness, and bring a peaceful feeling
into the home. In magic, it can be used for love,
sensuality, and increasing desire. Blend with orange
essential oil to attract new and joyous love in your life.
Ingredients are meant for 2-dram bottles. Feel free to experiment with amounts if you would like. After adding the ingredients,
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fill the bottle with a carrier oil like almond oil or jojoba oil.
W I T C H WAY M AG A Z I N E

"COME AND SEE ME" OIL DIVINATION OIL

Oil to wear when you are hoping to attract Wear when doing divination and psychic work.
others to you. Before putting on, consider what
it is you want to attract into your life, then • 6 drops Sandalwood
visualize it clearly and with the most benevolent • 4 drops Benzoin
outcome in your mind. • 3 drops Amber
• 8 drops Patchouli • 1 drop Orange
• 6 drops Amber • 1 drop Anise
• 2 drops Ylang-Ylang • 1 drop Cinnamon
• 1 drop Cinnamon

"FAST MONEY" OIL FLORAL LOVE OIL

Use on bills in your wallet or anoint on a green A blend for joyous love, self-love, and
candle when in need of quick money. Please note compassion.
that cinnamon and basil can be skin irritants.
• 7 drops Rose Oil
• 7 drops Patchouli • 4 drops Rose Geranium
• 6 drops Cedarwood • 4 drops Ylang-Ylang
• 6 drops High John the Conqueror • 3 drops Lavender
Fragrance Blend • 3 drops Jasmine
• 6 drops Bergamot
• 1 drop Cinnamon
• 1 drop Basil
*Add a drop of sun water to this if you’d like.

POWER OF THREE OIL

PRIESTESS BLEND
A blend for the Charmed Ones. Use for
strengthening magic, empowerment, and
• 9 drops Sandalwood courage
• 3 drops Amber
• 3 drops Frankincense • 3 drops Cedarwood
• 1 drop Rose • 3 drops Rosewood
• 1 drop Jasmine • 3 drops Sandalwood
• 3 drops Dragon’s Blood Fragrance
Blend
• 3 drops Juniper Berry
• 3 drops Oakmoss
• 3 drops Vanilla
*Add a pinch of allspice and one cardamom seed
if you would like.
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Here is a small list of books I recommend for

beginning readers.

• Learning the Tarot: A Tarot Book for

Beginners, by Joan Bunning
• Seventy-Eight Degrees of Wisdom: A
Book of Tarot, by Rachel Pollack
• Tarot 101: Mastering the Art of Reading
the Cards, by Kim Huggens
• Tarot for Your Self, by Mary K. Greer
• Tarot: Your Everyday Guide, by Janina
Renee
• The Tarot: A Guide to Reading Your
Own Cards, by Nancy Shavick
• The Tarot Revealed: A Beginner’s Guide,
by Paul Fenton-Smith
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TAROT PLAIN & SIMPLE: THE
ONLY BOOK YOU’LL EVER NEED
A REVIEW
REVIEW BY KIKI DOMBROWSKI
I’m always a bit skeptical about any book that claims
to be “the only book you’ll ever need.” This is not the
case for any subject you wish to become masterful
and educated in. Study requires multiple sources,
practice, and a variety of points of view. With this
opinion in mind, it was challenging for me to take
Tarot Plain & Simple: The Only Book You’ll Ever Need
seriously. Although this title may be a marketing ploy,
it does tarot reading a disservice by making it seem
like an easily understandable activity. Unfortunately,
it is not. And, unfortunately, this is not the only tarot
book you’ll ever need.
TAROT IS NOT PLAIN AND SIMPLE
The book claims to bring tarot into the 21st century,
offering the reader basic, yet relevant, interpretations
that will allow for a strong foundational
understanding of the tarot. If you are feeling
overwhelmed in the beginning stages of learning
tarot, you may feel something listed as “plain and
simple” as inviting. Keywords are wonderful gateways
into remembering the meanings of tarot cards, and
luckily this book is full of them. However, Tarot Plain
& Simple is so limited in its interpretations that it will
not really help your connection to, or understanding
of, the tarot cards’ meanings.
LACK OF CREDIBILITY
As someone who loves to understand a subject to
its fullest extent, one of my habits when reading a
book is to visit the bibliography to see where the
information was obtained. This book does not have a
bibliography, which is a major red flag for me. How
is this author getting her information? Who are her
sources and references? Without knowing where
she got her information on tarot, it is difficult (for
me) to believe anything she says. Additionally, there
is no information on the author of the book, nor is
there contact information for her. Because of this,
Tarot Plain & Simple lacks resources and background
information that would allow the book to be a
valuable read for a serious student.
THE INTERPRETATIONS ARE
QUESTIONABLE
I was not a fan of the interpretations in this book.
For one thing, I found that some of Greenaway’s
interpretations of the cards were inaccurate. For
example, in the beginning of the book she designates
all the court cards with specific ages and genders.
To her, the Queens represent females aged over 15;
Knights represent young men aged between 15 and
29. This doesn’t feel very modern to me at all; on
the contrary, many present-day readers have found
that gender identity in court cards is not so rigid.
The author also says that the Wands cards deal with
work, career, and business matters. From what I’ve
studied, and it seems this way with most modern
decks and readers, the suit of Pentacles deals with
work, career, and business matters, as it corresponds
with the element of earth. The suit of Wands, which
corresponds with the element of fire, deals with
energy, activity, creativity, passion, and direction.
This is a watered down and very basic examination
of the tarot, with brief and simplified interpretations
of cards that would be redundant and shallow to any
reader that has studied any other book on tarot. I
believe that anyone even slightly versed in tarot would
find this book frustrating.
RECOMMEND READING FOR BEGINNERS
Reading tarot is not plain and simple, just as learning
to do anything from baking a cake to playing an
instrument is not plain and simple. Stripping
something down to a minimalized and abridged
version removes its value, credibility, and power. Tarot
can feel overwhelming, yes, and my hope is that you
try to stay dedicated to it because it will offer you
spiritual lessons and opportunities to give insight
to your community. (See the previous page for a
reccommended list.)
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BATH TIME CONJURE

BY ZEHARA NACHASH
Zehara Nachsah is a Voodoo practitioner, witch, and ceremonial magician based in Tucson, Arizona. She makes one-of-a-kind ritual
jewelry for all magical paths. Visit her website at www.snakeandbone.com.

In 2001, I was initiated into the Temple of the Seekers in Boston, Massachusetts. One of the most memorable
aspects of the initiation was the ritual bath. I remember how symbolic it was to be in a bathtub and to wash
away my old self in order to prepare for a new journey. Since then, I have made ritual bathing a weekly
occurrence, taking a hot bath on Sundays and placing oils and herbs to cleanse me and prepare for the week
ahead.

Ritual bathing has existed for thousands of years, as both a form of purification and for magical workings.
In Japanese Shinto practices, a ritual bath is performed prior to entering a sacred shrine or temple. To pray
for rain, the Zande of Central Africa will perform a ritual bath by pouring water over a person accused
of delaying rain. In Judaism, the mikvah, or ritual bath, is used as a means of achieving purity; it is often
performed after contact with the dead, as well as after the passing of potential life that comes with the
menstrual cycle. Additionally, for more than a century, thousands of Haitians have traveled to Saut-d’Eau, a
sacred waterfall where legend has it that the Virgin Mary—or Erzulie Dantor—made an appearance in the
19th century.
Bathing is more than just an opportunity to cleanse bathtub. Lighting pink or red candles to add to the
oneself; it also provides a chance for you to do some atmosphere can help make the magic even stronger.
magical work! I like to call it “Bath Time Conjure.” Depending on what goal you are trying to achieve,
It can be used to draw or bring something to you you can soak in your bath and meditate on what you
or to get rid of something (like jinxes, crossings, wish to bring with you. You can then save some of
hexes). Ritual bathing should be done at sundown, the water and pour it outside as an offering to bring
and depending on how potent you would like it, your desired lover to your home, use it as a floor
you can always do it when the moon is full. Like all wash, or even save some for the next bath. After
magical workings, it’s important that you set your your bath, drip-drying is best. While you are drip-
intention and follow it through to the very end, drying, you can do some additional spellwork with
even if it means repeating the ritual bath more than candles, incense, doll babies, mirrors, or whatever
once a week.. If you are trying to bring in or draw else suits your needs. At this time, you can speak
something to you (e.g., money, love, luck) you want aloud your intentions. If you plan on doing the same
to be sure that you are drawing the water up from spell for several more days, you can snuff out the
your feet to your head—you are drawing things up to candles, dress yourself in clean clothing (preferably
you. If you are trying to remove bad luck, you want in the color of what you desire), and go about your
to make sure you are making downward strokes— business.
you are washing things away from you. You can
always sit in the bathtub while mediating on what it
is you want to achieve before standing to do the rinse
you desire, but always remember what it is you are
trying to achieve.

One of the easiest and simplest ways to create a

magical bath is by brewing a “tea,” which you can
then pour into your bathtub. If you are trying to
bring a lover to you, you can boil ginger, cinnamon,
rose petals, and jasmine together in pot. Filter
out the herbs using a cheese cloth so only the
liquid is remaining, then pour the liquid into your
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INGREDIENTS
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• 1 c. Epsom salt
• 10 drops lavender oil (for peace)
• 5 drops eucalyptus oil (to ward off
bad energy)
• 5 drops rosemary oil (for blessings)
• 1/2 c. Florida Water
• Cedar incense (stick is fine)
• White candles

Mix the Epsom salt, lavender, eucalyptus,

and rosemary oils together in a bowl.
Draw yourself a nice warm bath and
pour the Florida Water and the salt
mixture into the bathtub. While you wait
for the salts to dissolve, light the white
candle and the incense. Then slowly enter
the bathtub, lay in the warm water, and
relax.

Focus on all the things you would like to

achieve during the coming week. You can
stay in as long as you’d like. When you
are ready to get out, stand up, and with
a sponge, wash your body using upward
strokes. You are drawing in all the good
things you want for the week.

When you pull the plug from the drain,

simply say, “My will is done.” You can
then get out of the tub and drip-dry. You
can snuff the candle out (you will be
using it weekly, so do not blow it out!)
and change into clean clothing.

You can also create magic bath crystals using herbs, oils, and Epsom salts. Place the dried herbs in a mortar and pestle
and make sure you grind them down enough so as not to clog your drain. You can now add your oils and salt to your
liking. Again, remember to set your intention and use herbs and oils that will help your situation, not just because they
smell good or are you favorites! Make sure that the bath water is hot enough to dissolve the bath crystals and go about
performing the ritual bath.

Ritual baths have many purposes, whether cleaning, blessing, or removing bad juju. The possibilities are endless! Below
is the ritual bath that I created and which I perform every Sunday to prepare myself for a new week. Enjoy!

The Bees Knees

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A WITCH’S CZECH JOURNEY

ČARODĚJNICE ČESKÉ CESTA
BY MICHAEL R. HERKES
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I love to travel. Getting to explore new cultures that pointed down an alley. We walk through
and customs is a very humbling and insightful the alleyway to a large black door that looked
experience. I recently ditched the concrete like the entrance to a secret society. Stepping
jungle of Chicago and flew my broomstick in, I found it to be so much more than what I
across the world to a medieval forest of gothic was expecting. The store offers an incredible
architecture in the Czech Republic. I welcomed selection of herbs, tumbled stones, spell kits,
in 2018 by visiting my partner’s homeland and jewelry, oil blends, and much more. I had
was blown away by the castles, cobblestone to hold myself back from buying the store!
roads, gorgeous accents, and an unanticipated Their oil blends in particular were incredibly
abundance of witchery! Here is an inside look aromatic and a huge highlight for me.
into my magical journey.
Aesthetically, the store was set up gorgeously.
ARRIVAL IN PRAGUE We even noticed a little nook carved out with a
sign called “The Witch’s Café” which appears to
My trip began in Prague on New Year’s Eve. My be a designated relaxation space for witches to
partner and I were to stay in the capital city for mingle.
a day and then venture to his hometown. After
getting settled in we went out to explore the
city. Walking up and down the lively streets,
I found many crone styled čarodějnice (the
Czech word for witch pronounced char-row-
deya-neat-say) among gift shops. I came to
learn that witches are prominent in the city due
to the history of the Czech witch hunts and
because of a common witch themed festival in
the spring that coincides with Beltane.

Historically, the Czech people considered

the night of April 30th a time when witches’
powers peaked. Considering the location, it
is possible that this has to do with the spread
of Christianity and its outlaw of Pagan rituals
like the Gaelic Beltane. As a result, Christians
began lighting fires to ward off evil witches and
spirits on this night. Overtime, the čarodějnice
was considered the bringers of winter.
Directly positioned six months after Samhain/
Halloween, April 30th is now seen to mark the
death of the “winter witch” and the cold linked
to the seasons of autumn and winter. This day
now sees straw čarodějnice tossed into roaring
bonfires while people dress as witches and
celebrate with their families and friends to live
musical performances, beer and sausages.
Before leaving Prague, my sights were set on
visiting a witch store I wanted to “Czech” out
called 1 Čarodějnický Obchod, or “First Witch
Shop” in English. Walking up to the address
there was a large black sign with a pentagram
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CZECH COUNTRYSIDE ossuary is believed to contain the skeletal remains

of up to 70,000 people whose fate was the result
After visiting the shop, we boarded a train and of the plague and Bohemian Wars of the 15th
headed west to my partner’s family home in century. The ossuary is anchored by four mounds
Šumperk. While there I got to experience the of skulls and a grotesquely magnificent chandelier
charming town square once ravaged by the Black of bones that hangs in the ceiling’s center. More
Plague and even hiked in the nearby mountain skulls and other bones are decorated all over the
forests. The rolling landscapes looked just like crypt, encompassing an atmosphere of death.
something out of the movies. Even though it
was winter, lush evergreens and other foliage The experience was haunting and breathtakingly
decorated the trails. surreal. I only wish I could have had more
individualized time in the space. Being the tourist
Eventually, we made our way to the infamous destination that it is, it can get quite crowded.
château Velké Losiny. This castle is known for
being the birthplace of the Czech Witch Trails.
Walking up the dirt path road to the grounds
was eerie. The gray skies, barren winter trees,
and dusting of snow patches added an aesthetical
emphasis to the chilling past. While those
who suffered the fate of the witch trials were
not witches in the same vein as we are today,
their legacy has become an integral part of the
historical hysteria that is still linked to us. It was
fascinating being at this historical monument.
The château itself is beautiful, located in the
center of a tranquil countryside and spa village.
For this reason alone it is understandable how
the grounds are now frequently used for wedding
ceremonies—an odd dichotomy of energies
from past to present. Interestingly, my partner’s
brother had a film from the 1970s called The
Witchhammer, which showcased the trials and
was even filmed in the château. Watching the film
was a fantastic way of furthering my education on
the history of the area after spending a bit of time
on the property.

A day or so later, it was time to make our way

back to Prague. This time, we took a scenic drive
through the countryside. It was very stimulating
to see the earthly scenery along the way. Being
that I am a city witch, it was incredibly refreshing
to be immersed in the abundance of nature.
Along our ride we stopped in the town of Kutná
Hora, for another chilling experience with the
church of bones known as Sedlec Ossuary. One
of the most popular tourist sites for the country,
the cryptic tomb is located in the lower level of a
chapel which sits in the center of a cemetery. The
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PRAGUE’D AGAIN

Before I knew it we were back in Prague and had

a full day to further explore the medieval city.
Despite 1 Čarodějnický Obchod being the only
designated witch store I found in Prague, there
was still plenty of witchery pouring out of the
other shops. Multiple jewelry stores showcased
exquisite collections of amber, garnet, and
moldavite. These powerful and glamourous
crystals are all mined from nearby areas and
the specimens available are incredible. In the
Old Town district of Prague, designer boutiques
featured many witchy and pagan themes
displayed in the windows. Dior in particular
showcased an entire line of fashions portraying
tarot-esque imagery. Many others showcased
serpentine and floral designs, which made my
glam witch’s heart race with excitement. Sadly, I
did not have a Dior budget, or some of the witchy
fashions would have been hitching a ride home
with me on my broomstick!

Gargoyles, owls, snakes, and Goddess-like

figures decorated building after building, still in
impeccable care. The architecture alone exuded
such mysticism and occult moods. One of the
most breathtaking architectural sights was the
Astronomical Clock. Dating back to 1410, this
massive, mystical clock not only details the local
time, but also a full calendar year in addition to
moon, sun, and zodiac placements. Various tour
groups flock around the clock daily to showcase
its history along with the many other visual feasts
of the city.
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LONDON LAYOVER herbs, candles, and other oddities. I ended up

walking away with three books, one of which I
The next morning I said goodbye to Prague and had searched aimlessly for in the states. Before I
started on my journey back to Chicago. On the knew it I was out of the store, packed up, checked
way I strategically planned an overnight layover out, and on my flight home.
in London so that I could have an opportunity to
visit The British Museum, a longtime bucket list
item of mine. The museum houses the infamous
Burney Relief, now known as the Queen of the
Night Relief. This famous terracotta tablet has
become the face of Lilith in modern times—the
pivotal goddess at the center of my witchcraft.
Much debate exists over who the statue depicts
with frontrunners being Lilith, Ishtar, Erishkagal,
or perhaps even an unknown goddess who has
been long forgotten. Lilith was the first entity
associated with the clay plaque when it first
emerged in the 1930s, however the Museum no
longer recognizes her as such and favors Ishtar.

Nevertheless, each theory has its own set of holes.

While no one truly knows who the mysterious
woman is, I perceive it to be a physical form in
which Lilith has come alive through today. Being
able to be stand a foot away from this ancient
artifact was one of the most magical experiences
of my life! I stood there with her for over 30
minutes, which felt as though it passed by in the
blink of an eye. Sadly, I was unable to explore
more of the museum’s many items due to my
flight time. I hustled out of the gorgeous halls and
back into the British streets.
I had an hour before I needed to head back to
the airport. Luckily, there were two nearby occult
stores I had a chance to visit. First stop—Atlantis!
The store was quite small and charming but
very run of the mill. I was in and out in about
five minutes. My last stop was at Treadwell’s
Bookstore conveniently positioned around the
corner from my hotel. Unknowingly, I had saved
the best shop for last! The books at this store were
incredible. There was an enormous selection of
different titles than I am used to in the states.
The man working at the store was incredibly
helpful and knowledgeable. He spent much time
trying to help me find some items of interest.
The store is two floors and carries a variety of
magical goods including jewelry, oils, incense,
CONCLUSION
In hindsight, my European trip was a magically
intoxicating experience. It was an enigma,
wrapped in an aura of occult unlike any
experience I have had before. I am extremely
eager to return and further indulge in the
mystical lands existing on the other side of the
big pond. If you have an opportunity, park your
broomstick in Prague for your next vacation
and explore all the culture and witchcraft the
gorgeous gothic city has to offer. You won’t be
disappointed!
Visit the sites below for more information on the
locations and shops I visited:
http://theatlantisbookshop.com/
http://www.britishmuseum.org/
https://sedlecossuary.com/
https://www.carodejnice.com
https://www.treadwells-london.com/
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W I T C H WAY M AG A Z I N E

SIMPLE GOOD
LUCK SPELL
BY TIANNA SICILIA

THE TOOLS YOU NEED:

• A luck themed incense blend
• A green candle
• Your usual tools

Utilizing this incense for luck or abundance spells

is simple. All you need is this incense blend, a green
candle, and any of your usual tools. Cast your circle,
draw the moon, call quarters, or whatever is your usual
manner of getting ready to do a spell. Once finished,
begin burning the incense. Light your green candle
and recite this incantation:

Autumn air chills and cold has struck.

Bring me abundance and warmth,
Health, prosperity, and good luck.
Bring life’s wealth, love, and joy forth.
So mote it be.

Just concentrate on your intention of the spell. If you

would like to call upon a god or goddess, you can ask
for their help in this request as well. You may continue
until the candles burn out, or you can work a little each
day, whichever you feel most comfortable with.

Another thing you can do if you are in a coven or have

a group of friends that you would like to bond with
that you love and care about is hosting a friendship
or coven dinner. You can decorate and use traditional
love-themed items and hold a dinner where you and
your close friends can bond. You can also incorporate
the “Strengthen Your Bond” spell before the dinner,
then feast afterward. A great way to bond is to cook
together. So instead of a potluck, you can bring
everything you need and coordinate dinner together.
However you decide to celebrate is up to you!
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three wishes
W I T C H WAY M AG A Z I N E

J U N E TA R O T R E A D I N G

B Y K I K I D O M B R O W S K I

This tarot reading is designed to help you focus on

specific goals you wish to fulfill in your life. This will
allow you to examine your wishes—what you want to see
in your life—and how to make them come true.

4 5 6
1 2 3
Search through the deck for three cards that represent goals you have
for yourself. Consider choosing three cards that best represent your
three wishes. For example, you may want to have more happiness and
joy in your life, perhaps pulling the Sun to represent that particular
wish. Or perhaps you would like to have a serious relationship in your
life, in which case, you would consider pulling the Lovers or the Two
of Cups. Lay these three cards out first.

The next three cards you pull will be indicators for the steps you need
to take to make your wishes come true. Shuffle the cards and lay them
out, face down, in front of you. Begin by considering the first card
you pulled. Ask the tarot for a solution or method to making that
wish come true. Pull one card and place it above the first “wish.”
Continue this process for the two remaining wishes.
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4 5 6

1 2 3
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HRETHA:
Goddess of the Month
BY EMMA KATHRYN

March is the month of spring, of Easter, and of Ostara, the celebration of the return of life and of
fertility and rebirth. This time of year in the Pagan and witchy world, the goddess Eostre is often
celebrated. March also happens to take its name from the Roman god of war Mars. This month,
however, we shall shine a light on the lesser known goddess Hretha.

The only written source about Hretha comes from Bede’s Temoram Ratione, written in the the eighth
century, but the goddess’s origins can be traced back to earlier Germanic tribes, which recognize her
as Hrouda.

So how did this obscure goddess become associated with the month of March? To understand the
origins of this ancient goddess, we must take a look back into ancient history. Before the Roman
conquest and the introduction of the Roman calendar, the early English peoples called the Anglo-
Saxons used a calendar that was based on the cycles of the Sun (the equinoxes) and the moon (the
lunar cycle). As such, the year was divided into two parts—summer and winter. March was the last
month of winter.

Hretha is a goddess of war, much like her Roman counterpart, after whom the month is named, Mars.
Her name translates to “victory,” and if we take a closer look at the meaning of the adjective of her
name, Hrethe, which translates to “cruel” or “fierce,” it is little wonder that she was chosen to represent
this time, a time of fierce and cruel weather.

Today, at this time when we celebrate birth and new life, we can often fall into the trap of believing
it to be a genteel time of year. However, the truth is that in England, the month of March can be so
varied from one year to the next, it might be like an early summer one year and like midwinter the
next.

With this in mind, then, Hretha can be seen to represent the duality of the month. The weather can be
fierce and cruel, and if we think back to ancient times and the struggle it would have been to survive
the winter months, to do so would be seen as a victory. The Anglo-Saxons made sacrifices to Hretha,
hoping to reign victorious over a cold and harsh winter and also in the hope of having a mild end to
it.

Nowadays, we recognize the year as having four separate divisions, four seasons, and whilst we may
associate March with spring and the warming of the Earth and the prelude to the summer, it is a
transitional season, an in-between time. Because of this, it is a perfect time to honor this ancient deity
and to reflect on the winter just past and the summer yet to come. Call on Hretha when you need to
be fierce and strong, let her remind you that you are already those things. Whilst honouring Eostre,
with her eggs and fertility and nurturing mother image, nod a wink to the fierce goddess Hretha and
take a moment to honor your own victories and to breathe life into your future plans.
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ENGLISH MAGIC TAROT DECK

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