The Book of Alice

7/28/2019 The Book of Alice

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THE BOOK OF ALICE

The beliefs and practices ofA Witch

Alice Lucinda Bront

Part 1 Oh My Goddess

Part 2 Magic and Morals

Part 3 Ritual and Spell-craft

Part 4 Pagan Poetry

Part 5 Kitchen Magic

Part 6 Further Reading

Part 1 Oh My Goddess

I met her once in a vision. If youve never had a vision, its like having a vivid dream whilst being wide

awake. She was a beautiful blonde in black robes. I asked her Are you Hecate? She laughed the

prettiest laugh and replied I have many names.

I believe that Gods and Goddesses are personifications of the Divine that make it easier for us to

relate to the Divine, as in its purest form it is perhaps nothing like us. This means that Gods and

Goddesses are a combination of divine energy/purpose and human ideas/perceptions. There is no

one true path/religion as they all (well nearly all) contain truths and they all inevitably get things

wrong. We are like children to the Gods? They don't expect us to get it right (but they probably want

us to try). After all they know how we work, they made us. There is no eternal reward nor

punishment I think, but small rewards and punishments to guide and nurture us. We are here to

learn and grow as people and to provide them with entertainment. We are like toys to the Gods?

There is no such thing as (no evidence for) an all loving God but if we show a God/Goddess

respect/worship they are more likely to favour us, dont you think? What is the Universe to a God, a

model train-set perhaps, a board game?


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What is the Universe? Physics + Evolution is like a computer programme written by the Divine. If you

understand the programme, you know what to put in at the start, to get out what you want at the

end. How much the Divine cares about the end result is open to debate but they are certainly

capable of pre-determining it, if they wished. Religion shouldnt deny science, it should embrace it.

Beliefs shouldnt be written in stone they should adapt to fit what is known.

Unlike a lot of Pagans I dont believe in reincarnation of the soul. I think therefore I am. Thusly, mind

and soul are the same thing. If I dont remember doing it, was it really me? So what about people

with Alzheimer's? I think that part of their mind has moved on already. With death we become

whole again. Our brains are the wombs from which our minds are born. Of course I could be wrong.

There is I believe, an afterlife but its nature remains unknown. I think rather than being a perfect

heaven or a perfect hell, it will be a 'level 2' with its own challenges and rewards. I believe in ghosts,

in that I believe the dead go to a spirit world and I believe that spirit world is close enough to our

own that we may gain glimpses whilst still on this side of the veil. I think belief in a spirit world is

essential to a belief in magic.

Part 2 Magic and Morals

Magic exists. Not in the Wizards throwing fireballs way. Real magic doesn't break the rules of physics

it works with or around them, in ways as yet unknown to science. An extreme example of this would

be: if person a) curses person b), person b) doesn't turn into a frog but they might get hit by a bus a

few days later or contract a nasty disease. There are plenty of things in this Universe that science has

not yet observed nor knows for certain. What is dark matter? What is dark energy? The spirit world,

maybe.

Spells aren't that much different from prayers, they are both asking the universe for something.

Prayers are just polite spells. Obviously this is ignoring the prayers that simply say thank you. A belief

in magic requires a belief in the spirit world (or at least something outside of known reality). Magic

works by affecting the spirit world which in turn affects this world. There are many ways to do this.

We affect the spirit world all the time in our everyday lives but spells are deliberate attempts to

manipulate things in a particular way.

Magic works. It doesnt always work how we want it to, nor to the time scale we desire but it works.

The only way to prove this to your-self is to start casting spells. Keep a book of shadows (a journal

of your spells) and tick them off when they come true. Remember the laws of Science (impossible

spells like gold from dust dont work) and remember that if you do things in the material world to

facilitate, the spell is more likely to come true. If you cast a spell to get a job but dont apply for any,


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good luck with that. Most people are not 100% successful with their spells even if they are sensible

about them but once youve figured out what works for you, in terms of spell-craft and you have

belief/conviction in your magic, youll find it works more often than not. I enjoy around 70% success

rate and Im not always the most sensible Witch.

Lets talk now about those times when spells work but not how or when you wanted. Sometimes

you get exactly what you asked for and wish you hadnt bothered. Something is teaching you a

lesson. The Goddess wants us to learn. Theres a lot of responsibility in being a Witch. When you (I

say when because most of you will at some point) misuse your powers (powers that everyone has

but only a few of us learn to use), chances are something will bite you on the arse. I dont believe in

Karma as such and the rule of 3 is a fairy story told to scare Wiccan children but there are eyes in

the spirit world that see what you do. Karma suggests that every negative action has a negative

consequence and every positive action a reward but in the real world we see that people can get

away with murder and good deeds can go unrewarded. Even within spell-casting there are no

guarantees that evil spells will be punished and good spells rewarded but they will be witnessed.

What might witness a spell? A God or Goddess, spirits of the dead, other spirits (elementals, the fey

and so on). If you Hex someone and their dead Granny finds out, what do you think will happen?

How do we know that something is evil? It really depends on what our parents, our grandparents,

our teachers, our peers and society in general has taught us. I would say that as an adult doing

anything that makes you feel guilt, is doing evil.

As a Pagan I follow a nature religion and there is no big epic battle between good and evil in nature.

If I do something 'evil' I'm not choosing Lucifer over Jehovah. I'm choosing myself over some other

life form. Any guilt I feel is empathy with that other life form (rather than my spider-sense telling me

I'm going to hell).

Evil is one of those words that each individual has to define for him or herself. For example I think

killing anything is evil. That doesn't mean I won't squash a bug or eat a sausage. When I do those

things I choose to be evil. Evil is simply putting your-self first.

Is breaking the law evil? The sane amongst us would agree that things such as murder and rape are

evil but when it comes to some of the more minor crimes like internet piracy or smoking weed,

opinions are divided. When a person breaks the law they might be thinking "I know it's very wrong

but I want to do it anyway." in which case they are committing an act of evil. However they might

honestly think "this stupid law shouldn't exist because everyone does it" or "this law shouldn't exist

because breaking it doesn't hurt anyone" or "I can see why some people need this law but I'm an

exception because... and it shouldn't apply to me under these circumstances."

Evil and illegal are two different things. Judges and Politicians and public opinion decide what is

illegal. We make our own individual decisions about what is evil. Maybe some divine being will make

a final judgement, maybe they won't.

My definition of evil can be broken down into the equation:

Evil = Choice + Harm + Empathy


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With that in mind you can better consider the implications of the following:

"An' it harm none do what thou wilt." Doreen Valiente

Its important to read the above correctly:

Do what you like, it wont hurt anyone. Do what you like ifit wont hurt anyone/anything.

"Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law." - Aleister Crowley

What he meant was that we should learn to choose to do good because it is the better choice and

not because we are compelled to by some law.

Whilst Aleister may be more right, Doreen is clearly more useful when it comes to instructing/raising

the young.

So exactly how does magic work? No-one knows for sure but my theory is this: When you cast a spell

spirits take notice and make things happen for you, either because they want to or because they are

compelled to (not all spirits think like we do). So how do we make them take notice?

Part 3 Ritual and Spell-craft


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In the diagrams above: In the triangle I have replaced the more traditional spirit with mind. This is

because I believe that the spirit world like this one, is made of mind, energy and matter and our

minds are the souls that we take from one world into the next. When we die our physical bodies

are replaced? with spirit bodies but those spirit bodies are made out of some kind of matter that

we cant see (dark matter?) and powered by some kind of energy.

With the compass I have replaced the more traditional Earth, Air, Fire, Water with Solid, Vapor (Gas),

Energy, Liquid. This is to make things a little more scientific whilst still performing Magic in a tried

and tested manner. With the pentagram/pentacle again Earth, Air and Water are replaced by Solid,

Vapor and Liquid. This time Energy is seperated into Lightning and Fire. Drawn like this the

pentagram/pentacle more closely matches the compass points when drawn on the ground.

Spirit/Mind is absent from the pentagram/pentacle diagram but the Witchs mind will be

somewhere within the circle. Minds of the elements will be at their various points. The God and

Goddess will be where-ever they want to be. All other spirits will be somewhere random outside the

circle. So there is really no point in my opinion in having a point of the pentagram for spirit/mind.

Before casting any spells it is important to cast a protective circle. This isnt so much a circle as a

bubble with you (and your coven if you have one) inside it. You should visualise the protective

bubble as being made out of blue energy, whilst you call the Watchtowers. If you imagine a

Watchtower to be like a castle gate, the Guardian decides who and what is allowed in through that

gate. Each compass point has its own Watchtower and each Watchtower, its own Guardian.

At each compass point you should draw the invoking pentagram in the air with your athame, finger

or wand like so:


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Whilst drawing the pentagrams and visualising the circle you should speak the proper invocation

for each Guardian/Watchtower. Now you can if you wish write your own invocation. However here

for your convenience is my version.

Face North then turn to face the east and whilst drawing the invoking the pentagram say:

Spirits of the East

Spirits of Air and Vapor

I do summon stir and call you up from Gorias

To witness our rites and to guard the circle.

Eurus hear us!


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Turn to the south and then say whilst again drawing the invoking pentagram:

Spirits of the South

Spirits of Fire, Lightning and Energy

I do summon stir and call you up from Finias


Notus hear us!

Then turn to the west and say, again drawing the invoking pentagram:

Spirits of the West

Spirits of Water and Liquid

I do summon stir and call you up from Murias


Zephyrus hear us!

Then turn to the North, once more drawing the invoking pentagram and say:

Spirits of the North

Spirits of Earth and Solid

I do summon stir and call you up from Falias


Boreas hear us!

I draw the invoking pentagram 3 times at each point during the invocations and after casting the

circle once, I turn 360o another two times whilst focusing on the energy bubble. This strengthens

the circle and it easier to visualise the blue bubble when you are not distracting yourself with words

and waving an athame.

Cast the Circle thrice about. This isnt actually in reference to turning 360o 3 times, thats just my

preference. The thrice about is physically, verbally and mentally. The verbally is the words (see

above), the mentally is the visualisation of the circle (protective bubble). So what of the physically?

Well there are several ways you can do this. You could draw a circle on the ground with chalk or salt

or salt water. You can place items to represent the elements at the appropriate compass points. For

example; Incense or oil to the east, a candle to the south, a chalice containing water (or salt water)


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to the west and a rock or crystal to the north. Or you can use symbols or colours or well the choices

are pretty endless. I usually go for the representitive items option when in doors. Outside I might

throw/pour some salt water around too but its really up to you.

Once the circle is cast you should welcome (invite) God and/or Goddess into it. I tend to speak from

the heart when doing this so thus the words are a little different every time.

It is also important to properly banish the circle after your ritual is completed, in order to release the

built up energy. Banishing is a similar procedure to invoking. You imagine/visualise the bubble

disipating rather than forming, you draw the banishing pentagram (see below) and the words are a

bit different. Also unlike with the invoking I only turn 360o once when banishing.


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Facing East:

Spirits of the East

Spirits of Air and Vapor

I do thank you for attending our rites

And ere ye depart to Gorias

Hail and farewell Eurus

Hail and farewell.

Facing South:

Spirits of the South

Spirits of Fire, Lightning and Energy


And ere ye depart to Finias

Hail and farewell Notus

Hail and farewell.

Facing West:

Spirits of the West

Spirits of Water and Liquid


And ere ye depart to Murias

Hail and farewell Zephyrus

Hail and farewell.


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Facing North:

Spirits of the North

Spirits of Earth and Solid


And ere ye depart to Falias

Hail and farewell Boreas

Hail and farewell.

At the end of the Banishing you should say Blessed Be out of respect for the Guardians and their

elements. I banish the same way I invoke, deosil (clockwise). Some people prefer to banishwiddershins (anti-clockwise) the choice is entirely your own.

There are lots of questions you may have about magic circles and I will try to answer some of the

more common ones now:

Why cast a magic circle?

Imagine if you will, that you are trying to bake a cake in a glass room with 4 doors and each door is

manned by a bouncer who works for you. Imagine the room is in the middle of a busy street. Lots ofpeople are curious as to what you are doing. Some may want to get into the room but the bouncers

will only let those in, who are of use to you. For example those bringing you ingredients. Now

imagine that the cake is a spell, the room is a circle, the curious people are spirits and the bouncers

are Guardians. With no bouncers and no glass room, random people may ruin your cake. They may

steal ingredients or change the temperature on the oven or mix things before they should be mixed.

Another reason some people give is that of building the spell before releasing it. A bit like blowing

into a balloon and then letting go. If you imagine the circle as the balloon, then without it your spell

is just a lot of hot air. The circle allows the power to build before it is released.

Why a sphere and not some other shape?

Traditionally a magic circle is spherical in shape and the reason is simply physics. If you push on a

sphere from the outside it has no weak spots. Other shapes have strong points and weak points and

the smarter malicious spirits will attack the weak spots. However a sphere isnt always the most

practical shape. Recently whilst at home I made a magic circle that was the shape of my flat

because it was the most useful shape of protective bubble for what I doing and for the space I was

working in.

Are the Guardians elementals?


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With regards the elements, the Guardians can perhaps be thought of as Kings. So for example Notus

is king of the element of fire. He is smarter, closer to being human and more powerful than the rest

of his kin (the other fire elementals/spirits). So it isn't technically wrong to say that the Guardians

are elementals, just as it isn't technically wrong to say that the Queen of England is an animal.

Humans are animals. Guardians are elementals but they are special.

Right now that the circle is cast we can get on with the business of spell-craft. There are many ways

to cast a spell. We make Magic all the time without even meaning to. A spell however is a deliberate

attempt at making Magic, directing the energy towards our goals. Obviously I cant tell you every

technique for spell-craft, for one thing theres plenty I dont know, for another how big would this

book have to be? So Im going to focus on my favoured technique, coloured candle magic and build

upon that with Runes and oils and more.

All you need for Magic is your mind but its easier with a few tools. For one thing you feel more like

you are doing something if you light a candle or whatever and that helps with your faith in the spell.

For another you attract more attention from the spirits that may aid you.

Magic is all about association. Red is for love because of hearts and roses. So for a spell to bring new

love into your life you might use a red candle. Or you could use some rose petals or no lets not go

there.

Obviously the first thing you need for colour candle magic is a candle of a colour appropriate to your

spell. The following are the associations I use for each of the colours. You may have your own

associations that differ from these and thats fine. Use what works for you.

REDlove, passion, anger, FIRE

ORANGEcreativity, energy, FIRE

YELLOWluck, happiness, AIR, FIRE

GREENmoney, the Fey, EARTH, WATER, AIR

BLUE physical healing, defence, masculine energy, WATER

PURPLEpsychological healing, psychic abilities, dreams, WATER, FIRE

PINKfriendship, feminine energy, FIRE, AIR

BROWNgrounding, basic needs, the home, EARTH

GREYinvisibility (doing things in secret), confusion, impartiality, AIR

BLACKcursing, banishing, binding, Goddess, EARTH, WATER

WHITEpurification, God, AIR, FIRE

Once you have picked a candle (or several candles in some cases) you might want to carve somesigils/symbols into it. I usually opt for the Norse Runes:


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FEHU

English equivalent: F

Meanings - Nourishment, possessions, wealth, material gain.

Reversed Meanings - Money could be a problem, loss, hardship.

URUZ

English equivalent: U

Meanings - Strength, speed, skill, power.

Reversed - Impotence, lack of what you need to succeed.

THURISAZ

English equivalent: Th

Meanings - Bad omen, lust.

Reversed - Removal of a burden, Quelling of a destructive obsession.


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ANSUZ

English equivalent: A

Meaning - You will be shown the right path.

Reversed The Gods are against your desires and thus you will have a hard time of it.

RAIDHO

English equivalent: R

Meanings Journey, communication.

Reversed Stuck when you need to be moving, lack of communication.

KENAZ

English equivalent: K or C

Meanings Illness, revelation.

ReversedGood health, things remain hidden, No news is good news.


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GEBO

English equivalent: G

Meaning - Gift

WUNJO

English equivalent: W or V

Meaning Joy

Reversed Hardship that if overcome will lead to bliss, a locked door.

HAGALAZ

English equivalent: H

Meanings A destructive force, a series of problems, disruption.


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NAUDHIZ

English equivalent: N

Meanings What you need is what is fated, look to your needs not your wants, you will be given

what you require.

ISA

English equivalent: I

Meanings A slippery path, standstill, a cliff edge.

JERA

English equivalent: J

Meanings Harvest, fertility.


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EIHWAZ

English equivalent: Z

Meanings The necessary tools.

PERTHRO

English equivalent: P

Meanings A female, fun times, an initiation, the powers of nature, something hidden.

Reversed A distraction.

ELHAZ

English equivalent: Y

Meanings Defence, protection, feel safe.

Reversed - Violation


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SOWILO

English equivalent: S

Meanings Light, success, nourishment, wholeness.

TIWAZ

English equivalent: T

Meanings Victory, no turning back, energy.

Reversed - Lethargy, a fight you cannot win.

BERKANO

English equivalent: B

Meanings Beauty, youth, sexual pleasure, fertility.

Reversed Ugliness, barrenness, aged.


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EHWAZ

English equivalent: E

Meanings A means of transport, energy, progress.

Reversed Sloth, standstill.

MANNAZ

English equivalent: M

Meaning Focus on yourself.

Reversed Focus on others, seek help from others.

LAGUZ

English equivalent: L

Meaning Flow

Reversed Blockage, Change of course/direction.


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INGWAZ

English equivalent: ing

Meanings A male, carnal pleasures, achievement, fertility.

DAGAZ

English equivalent: D

Meaning Opportunity, the right conditions.

OTHALA

English equivalent: O

Meanings Inheritance, transformation, change.

Reversed - Loss

So youve got your candle or candles and youve carved a rune or runes into it/them, now what?

Well you could add some essential oils, I use an oil burner these days but you can chose to directly

anoint the candle with them or use incense if you prefer.


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Magical Association Herbs/Oils

Love Rose, Lavender, Violet, Cherry, Geranium

Truth Bluebell, White Birch

Luck Lemon, Nutmeg, Lime, Daisy, Violet

Protection Chives, Ginger, Garlic, Dill, Frankincense, Myrrh,

Chili, Clove, Cumin, Pine, SandalwoodHealing Garlic, Chili, Eucalyptus, Geranium

Banishment/Exorcism Frankincense, Juniper Berries, Basil, Clove, Mint

Money Cedar, Dill, Jasmine, Mint, Pine, Vetivert

Psychic Power Opium, Dandelion, Jasmine, Camphor, Rue

Beauty Fenugreek, Bluebell, Licorice, Nettle

Magical Energy (adds a boost to any spell) Ginger, Cinnamon

Purification Lemon, Fennel, Iris, Tea Tree, Thyme

Of course there are many more herbs out there and no two Witches have quite the same ideas

about magical associations but you get the idea.

You can really make a spell as simple or as complicated as you want, you can add crystals, you can

wait for the right phase of the moon and so on or you can, not do those things. It just depends what

works for you and you wont know that until you try a few things.

Ill just say a little bit about moon phases in magic: The waxing moon is the best time for spells

regarding new beginnings. The waning moon is best for banishment spells. The full moon provides

the most power for spells of all types. Some Witches avoid doing spells on the new/dark moon but

its certainly a good choice for spells regarding matters that you want kept secret.

So back to our example; youve got your candle, youve carved a few runes into it and anointed it

with an essential oil and maybe youve put a few crystals round it Now what do you do? You could

just light the candle and visualise what you want and then put the candle out (There is much debate

about whether a candle should be blown out or snuffed out or allowed to burn until it goes out by

itself. I really dont care what method you choose.) However you might want to add some words

before, after or during your visualisation. These can be written in advance or thought up on the spot,

they can rhyme or not. It is traditional to say So mote it be at the end of a spell but you could

come up with your own verbal ending.

Part 4 Pagan Poetry

I just want to add a few Pagan themed poems I wrote:


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WITCHCRAFT

Wicca me this

Wicca me that

With eye of newtAnd wing of bat

Cauldron bubble

Candle ignite

Incantations in the night

In the light

Of gibbous moon

Spread the tarot

Cast the rune

Evoke the spirit

Invoke Goddess

With athame

Enchant and bless.

YOUNGER THAN LAUGHTER

GoddessMaiden, Mother, Crone

Younger than laughter

Older than stone

Maker of mountain

Sculptor of sea

Igniter of stars

Creator of me

The beauty of nature

Reflecting your ownGoddess

Maiden, Mother, Crone

Younger than laughter

Older than stone

Powerful beyond compare

Graceful, elegant and fair

Playful, youthful

Aged and wise

Mistress of both truth and lies


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Writer of the very fates

Gives potency

And castrates!

Queen Mabs Revenge

Dont speak of Merlin

The Wizard betrayed us

Dont speak of the Christians

Who spread like a plague

Dont speak of the armies

Who came to invade us

I made Britain Pagan

And so it remains

I am, Goddess

Queen of the Fey

I am, The Morrigan

Worthy of praise

I am Mab

I bring the old ways

And Ill be, lonely

At the end of all days

Lonely because

I only remain

Angry because

My World is in pain

Rise up my children

Im woken again

Follow me

Follow me

Through tempest I reign

Defy if you wish to be

Ruthlessly slain

Crows circle about me

Rooks cry out my name

And the Tower of London

Roosts the birds of my fame

For I never left you

I've only been sleeping

And now that Im woken

My rage begins reaping


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Some say the boy Arthur

Will return for his throne

Let him come

Let him come

With his sword

From the stone

Yet wait

That blades broken

And so will he be

For hes a mere mortal

And Im only ME

Excalibur rusts

In a lake with no Lady

Human polution

Has chased her awayWith Arthur abandoned

Who will stand 'gainst me?

I am The Morrigan

They'll rue the day

Follow me

Follow me

Into the fray

I am The Morrigan

Don't be my prey!

Part 5 Kitchen Magic

Kitchen Magic isnt really magic at all. Its understanding herbology and harnessing the powers of

nature in your home. Using herbs for practical uses gives you a greater understanding of their

magical uses. It can also help you to attune to nature. So here are a couple of ideas to get you

started on natures path.


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Kitchen cleaner spray:

1 spray bottle

A quarter of a teaspoon of bicarbonate of soda (use half a teaspoon in larger spray bottles)

A few drops of lemon oil

A few drops of lime oil or blood orange oil or both.

Fill the rest of the bottle with water, screw the top on, shake, spray on your sink and kitchen

surfaces & wipe off with a cloth.

Bathroom cleaner spray:

1 spray bottle

A quarter of a teaspoon of bicarbonate of soda (use half a teaspoon in larger spray bottles)

A few drops of thyme oil

1 drop of tea tree oil

A few drops of lemon oil

A few drops of pine oil

A few drops of peppermint oil (This is added purely for scent as I think it goes well with the pine. You

can omit it or replace it with another essential oil if you prefer.)

Fill the rest of the bottle with water, screw the top on and shake. Then spray on your bathroom sink,

bath and toilet and wipe off with a cloth. Then rinse the sink and bath with cold water.


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Part 6 Further Reading

Hedge Witch Rae Beth

A Witches Bible Janet and Stewart Farrar

Witchcraft for Tomorrow Doreen Valiente

The Complete Book of Incense, Oils and Brews Scott Cunningham

Advanced Candle Magick Raymond Buckland

The Crystal Bible Judy Hall

Way of the Runes Bernard King

Creating Magickal Entities David Michael Cunningham

BLESSED BE

Documents

The Book of Alice