The Little Book of Pocket Spells (Paperback)

Create a magickal persona for yourself by choosing a name that inspires you. It is common practice in magick and spellcraft to use ancient, powerful appellations.

They attract concomitant energies (so pick carefully!) and assist in elevating the practitioner from mundane associations. Goddess-names work well, with perhaps an appending phrase that sums up your associations. An intuitive person with a love of ancient Egypt, who enjoys self-expression through movement, and who has additional fiery affiliations might call herself 'Isis Firedancer', for example.

THE WHEEL OF LIFE

Witches and magickians ride the tide of the seasons and employ the dates of the ancient festivities for particular purposes, as follows:

* Samhain (31October): to access and process issues from the past; also for divination, purification.

* Winter Solstice/Yule (21 December): to celebrate and nurture the life force, take stock and make long-term plans.

* Imbolc (2 February): to welcome the oncoming light born of the winter darkness.

* Spring Equinox (21 March): for boundless energy; for facilitating a complete change in your life.

* Beltane (1 May): for energy, new ideas and sexuality.

* Summer Solstice (21 June): for relating the mystical to the physical; enlightenment, working on new levels.

* Lammas/Lughnasadh (1 August): for celebrating the harvest of past efforts, reflecting on industry, replenishment.

Mabon/Autumn Equinox (21 September): for temperance, stoicism, balance, altering tides of fortune.

AURIC FACIAL

The aura is the energy-field that surrounds every object. Our individual auras influence and are influenced by the body.

To give yourself an auric facelift that diminishes wrinkles on this plane, rub your hands together, palm to palm, then separate them, palms facing one another. Move your hands together and apart a little. You should feel your aura's energy building up. Now, with light, upward movements, keeping your hands about two inches from your face (or however far you wish yet without losing the energy), stroke your face's aura. It is rather like slowly splashing your face with water. Repeat as often as you like. Daily is best.

VISUALISATION FOR EFFERVESCENCE

If you are feeling lack-lustre

but need to be the life and soul, or at least to entertain, imagine that your aura is made out of pink champagne. Watch it weave and bubble about all those around you, the most decadent of Jacuzzis in which all become enlivened, their own auras tingling in response.

Done properly, this visualisation is guaranteed to tickle the fancies of all concerned, and give rise to a sparkling and fun-filled event.

LUNAR TIDES

Every lunar cycle is an opportunity to implement change, culminating in the celebration of the full moon. Phases should be employed sympathetically, as follows:

* New moon - initiating or augmenting projects, practical endeavours

* Waxing moon - to develop ideas and spells. Daily and with a view is the moon is best. As the moon waxes, so too do your fortunes

* Full moon - to bring a cycle of growth to fruition, and to give thanks

* Waning moon - to corrode negative influences

Dark moon - destruction of obstacles, turning negatives into creativity, self-exploration !

ENCOURAGING WEALTH

For prosperity, add silver coins to your bath when the moon is waxing. As you splash around, envisage yourself with enough material wealth to allow you to enjoy life and express your potential to the full.