A Review of Ellen Dugan's "Natural Witchery"

Weeks ago I came across a book on witchcraft: "Natural Witchery: Intuitive, Personal & Practical Magick" by Ellen Dugan.
It's a great book, rooted in tradition but flexible and dealing with newer subject matter. In this book, she teaches the basics of witchcraft, the more advanced practices, and recommendations for day-to-day life.
For example, she has a chapter on Wicca in the workplace. It talks about whether or not you should come out of the broom closet to co-workers, how to deal with anxiety using covert magickal methods, and using protective psychic armor.
She even talks about raising children in a Wiccan household, something that surprisingly few people talk about.
The information is valuable in the modern day yet probably timeless, her writing style is humorous and friendly but not corny, and her methods and recommendations are easily integrated into one's life. I heartily recommend it. =)

PS: She has a blog: ellendugan.blogspot.com
A lot of it is announcements, but there is some useful information and how-to's on there. Check it out!

How to Make Anointment Oil

An important part of working with candles is anointment.
Anointment is the act of rubbing a candle with oil. This cleanses and consecrates it for your use.

While shops sell special anointment oils, home made oils are easier, less expensive, and usually just as effective.
The most basic anointment oil is made with plain saffron, corn, or olive oil.

Here's how I make mine:

Ingredients:

• (1) small glass bottle with a cork stopper
• A bottle of virgin olive oil from the kitchen

Steps:

1. Fill the bottle with oil
2. Place your hands over the bottle and say "I cleanse and consecrate this oil in the name of [your deity]. May it serve me well."
3. Insert the stopper and label the bottle clearly.

You can also infuse the oil with herbs, but I have yet to do that. If you're interested, this may be helpful: Wikipedia:Infusion

Spell for Finding a Lost Pet

My cat went missing a while ago, so I decided to make a spell to try and bring her back.
She hasn't yet, but I'll let you know when she does.
Here's the spell.

Ingredients:

• (1) blue candle
• One of the cat's toys that you won't miss too much (in this case, it was a feather).
• Sage

Steps:

1. Lay out the altar cloth, set up the ingredients, and open the circle.
2. Light the sage and the candle.
3. Holding the cat toy, explain to your deity, if she's alive and it's the best thing for her, you want your cat to come home healthy.
4. Pass the cat toy through the sage smoke 3 times, repeating "With good will to all and harm to none, so mote it be, so shall it be done." with each pass.
5. Put out the sage and bury it near the back door.
6. Place the feather on the ground near the front door.
7. Move the blue candle to a window so that it can be seen from the outside. Leave it burning.
8. Open another window that the cat can get through (or prop open the cat-door- if you have one).

Notes:

• I briefly considered including Bast (goddess of cats and protection) in this spell, but I decided not to. You never want to add such a large element as a god into a working if you're not familiar with him/her.
• Be careful about leaving the candle burning. My candle holder is glass and it cracked when it got too hot, sending two pieces flying. I'm still not sure if this is a bad sign for my cat. Only time will tell, I suppose.