Planetary Spells & Rituals

by Raven Digitalis

  • Because the items will be cast into the water, it’s important to use only all-natural, biodegradable items in this spell. You may also use a grapefruit rind in place of the papers and honey.

  • Graveyard dirt has long been used in Hoodoo and other magickal practices. For our purposes, it will represent the laying to rest of an old habit. Simply go to a graveyard and scoop up a small amount of dirt (not from someone’s grave in this case), ideally from a crossroads area of the cemetery. A common substitute for graveyard dirt is to make a powdered mixture of patchouli, mullein, valerian, and/or sage.

  Procedure

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

  Arrange the supplies before you. Light the candle and charcoal, putting the incense mixture on the coal. When there is a billowing cloud of smoke, grab the ink and paintbrush and draw a very large symbol 10 on one of the sheets of paper, and a large X on the other. Blow these dry. Flip the papers over and, on one of the sheets, write in large letters EGO IPSE SUM EXPLETUS. On the other sheet, write TO THE DEPTHS I BANISH THIS ADDICTION. Blow the sheets dry and place them with the symbols facing up.

  First, cut the twine in half (5 feet). Place one of the ends in the middle of the X paper and put a handful of graveyard dirt on the X, covering the end of the twine simultaneously. Next, place the substance of addiction (or its representation) on the dirt. Immediately thereafter, cover the substance with the rue. Add the snakeskin, followed by the three stones. Next to the stones, place the jet or charcoal. Place more graveyard dirt on top of this, followed by the combination of herbs.

  Tightly tie the uncovered end of the twine around your left wrist. Without pulling the twine from under the pile, pull your arm back until the string is straight. Meditate on the nature of your addiction, seeing the cord as a representation of your addiction. The cord is linking you to the components of the spell, and it’s your decision to finally sever the ties. When you feel ready, declare 10 times:

  I break this tie. I break this chain.

  No addiction can ever reign.

  My cravings are ceased,

  I banish this beast.

  At this point, use the scissors to cut the twine from your wrist. Place it on top of the contents of the paper. Next, take the honey and put it on the uncovered areas of the paper, making sure that you get the honey near the edges. Pick up the other sheet of paper and, with the symbol facing down, press it to the honey. This should seal the pages together, making what appears to be one piece of paper with a bulge in the middle. After the pages are stuck together with the components secured inside, forcefully spit at it and then say:

  Leave me now! You are dismissed. You are nothing. You are dead.

  Close the circle as you normally would. Eat the grapefruit, feeling its bitter essence chasing all addictive tendencies from your mind and body. Return to the spell the next evening at dusk, having not indulged in your addiction since the night before. Carefully fold the paper and tie it with the remaining 5 feet of twine. Carry this mixture to a bridge with flowing water beneath it and, when no one’s looking, throw it off the edge. As you do so, declare the following with utmost confidence:

  EGO IPSE SUM EXPLETUS!

  You are banished now and forever!

  So mote it be!

  Leave without looking behind you, and continue to follow up on the spell by taking all possible steps to recovery.

  A problem that faces many mystically inclined people is that of being ungrounded. In magick, we talk about grounding quite frequently. This refers to being centered, anchored in the physical frame, and having one’s thoughts and attention brought down to reality. The best time to ground and center is following a ritual in which one’s consciousness has been elevated. The traditional Wiccan cakes and ale carry the purpose of grounding one’s energy while communing with fellow ritualists.

  Some people are inclined to strict rationality and find themselves constantly aware of their surroundings, of conversations being had, and of the sensations of the physical body. This is extreme grounding. On the other hand, some people have tendencies of forgetfulness, a wandering mind, and a “floaty” sense of being. This is an example of ungroundedness. Neither is good or bad; both modes of being serve their purpose. However, being trapped in either extreme for extended amounts of time can be dangerous and difficult.

  One of the reasons I chose to include this spell here is because I suffered from ungroundedness”and all its accompanying difficulties”for many years of my life. Of course, I still carry these qualities to a great extent and feel as though I’m naturally inclined to space-casery. Luckily, I’ve gotten it under control for the most part and wish to help others in similar predicaments reach the same ends. I’ve also found methods discussed in the next ritual (“Slowing the Senses: A Walking Meditation”) to be of benefit for grounding the mind.

  A person must find a balance between being grounded and ungrounded. Ideally, times of meditation, ritual, sleep, relaxation, and artistic expression are the times to unhinge oneself from strictly grounded states of mind (and is indeed one reason people turn to drugs and alcohol to produce this effect). Ideal times to keep grounded and attentive include during one’s occupation, during conversations with others, and during academic study.

  This is a spell to help one’s energy remain grounded. As with all spells, everyday steps must be taken to see its energy through. Paying close attention to your thoughts”your focus from minute to minute”is an extreme benefit in becoming more grounded. With time, you will be able to shift your focus at will. This spell can help jump-start the grounding process and can be used for “emergency grounding” if you must quickly come back down to your body for some reason.

  Stepping Back & Further Application

  Being energetically ungrounded has benefits and hindrances. In terms of benefits, such a state of being can make a person more aware of the planes of energy and emotion. Being naturally disconnected can give room for highly successful pursuits in meditation and ritual, and can be an amazing asset to artistic work. It can also hone psychic skills and awareness of the spirit plane. On the flip side, this disconnection can make a person unaware of other peoples’ intentions, can make serious tasks (like driving a car or working on the job) difficult, and can allow a person to easily forget about important things in life.

  If you feel ungrounded most of the time, observe where your mind goes. Are you trapped in memories from the past? Are you thinking about future outcomes? Daydreaming? What is taking you away from the moment of Now? It’s important to always observe your mind and be aware of its patterns.

  For practical grounding purposes”assuming you feel ungrounded the majority of the time”I recommend frequently eating or nibbling, pausing to take deep belly-breaths, lying on the ground, looking at your feet, putting your bare feet on the grass or dirt, and keeping “grounding” stones near you or in your pockets so that you can handle them frequently. Think of the word grounding as you do these things, and center yourself in present-moment awareness.

  Supplies

  • a prepared wrapping of contained kalas (see Notes)

  • a large rock

  • 2 raw hematite stones

  • patchouli essential oil (not “fragrant” oil)

  • a handful of sea salt

  Notes

  • The term kalas is used by many occultists (and seems to originate with Kenneth Grant) to refer to flows of energy that emanate from various points on the body (and which are also contained in certain bodily fluids). In Sanskrit, kala can mean “time,” “dark,” or “attribute.” For our purposes, we’ll be trapping kalas by way of various “body bits.” Collect each in different
tissues or strips of toilet paper: a strand of hair, a fingernail clipping, a drop of blood, a shaving of dead skin (such as from the toe or fingertip), a bit of spit, a dab of earwax, some snot, a bit of urine, some of your sweat, a bit of your fecal matter, and your sexual fluids. If you’re female and menstruating, add some of that blood. If you are lactating, add breast milk. The goal is to get as many small body bits contained as possible. With natural twine, tie all these tissues in a large paper towel and draw symbol 11 on the bundle with brown or black ink. Now go wash your hands!

  • I suggest using all-natural tissues and paper towels in this ritual.

  Procedure

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

  Hold the bundle of kalas above you in your right hand. Immediately start flailing around the room (or spot in nature), acting as though you cannot stand up straight. In other words, bring your “ungroundedness” to manifest form. Wobble and stumble, trip and stagger, blur your vision, and look all around. While you are doing this, repeat “ungrounded” over and over.

  While stumbling around, try to use your left hand to reach the bundle your right hand is grasping. Continually find yourself unable to reach the bundle. Continue to “try” to reach the bundle with much stress and effort. After a few minutes of this behavior, successfully grab the bundle and fall to the floor with both hands grasping the bundle.

  Take the large rock and slam it forcefully on top of the bundle. Declare:

  I am grounded! I am anchored to land! I am earthbound! Here and Now! So mote it be!

  Place the two hematite stones on top of the large stone. Press on this stack with both hands, envisioning brown earthen energy surrounding the whole concoction. When successfully charged, grab the patchouli oil and anoint your wrists, feet, and brow. Follow by anointing the stones and the bundle with the oil.

  Close the circle as you normally would. Afterward, walk outside and dig a small hole in the soil. Put in a few pinches of salt, followed by the bundle, followed by the stone, followed by another few pinches of salt. Put a piece of hematite in each of your front pants pockets, and keep these on you for as long as you’d like (I still carry hematite myself). Bury the bundle and stone and slap the Earth 10 times with your right hand. Finish by declaring once again:

  I am grounded! I am anchored to land! I am earthbound! Here and Now! So mote it be!

  When a person thinks of meditation, they usually envision someone sitting cross-legged with closed eyes. Indeed this method is widely practiced and should (I believe) be practiced by any spiritual seeker. However, another method of meditation exists that is often more approachable for newbies to the realm of meditation.

  Walking meditation is a method of becoming more deeply aware of oneself and the world. In addition to the discussion of walking meditation in the Dharma (the teachings of the Buddha), such a skill is practiced far and wide in numerous areas of the globe. For those who have difficulty practicing sitting meditation, walking meditation is a great introduction to the slowing of one’s consciousness and the art of stillness. Some practitioners of sitting meditation always practice walking before a sitting session; others prefer to practice the two independently.

  Unlike sitting meditation, the practitioner’s eyes remain open while walking. During this process, contemplation is the key. One moves very slowly and becomes aware of their body. At the same time, one becomes aware of every aspect of their environment and notices how reality interacts with the senses. This awareness of environment aids a person in practicing meditative techniques of internal awareness and self-observation.

  Buddhist schools teach walking meditation as a method of cultivating mindfulness. To be mindful is to be conscious and entirely present, keenly aware of oneself and the environment. In a state of mindfulness, a person can witness their thoughts from a third-person or objective perspective, and can come to see any underlying intentions or imbalances beneath those thoughts. When one practices frequent or constant mindful awareness, they then become more able to perceive the intentions and motivations behind other people’s actions or words. No spiritualist”and certainly no spiritual teacher”should be without the mindfulness of oneself and one’s surroundings. We must constantly strive for awareness in all areas.

  You can practice mindfulness when walking, sitting, standing, making conversation, sipping tea, forming plans, working, “partying,” making love, and anything else in the world. One of the Buddhist’s goals is to cultivate constant mindfulness. This goal is also prevalent in numerous other Eastern and Western spiritual systems, certainly not excluding many schools of magick and esotericism. Awareness is something to work on honing at every moment in life, and this meditation can assist by giving one method of entering a stream of present-moment perception. Such a skill is of immeasurable value to the Witch, magician, or seeker of higher consciousness.

  Stepping Back & Further Application

  If you have encountered difficulty with sitting meditation, try this procedure. It can seem intimidating to sit in one place for an extended period of time, but walking is an everyday thing. Making one’s everyday actions into sacred activities can encourage a person to view all of life itself as a grand ritual or meditation.

  The following instructional is just one way to practice walking meditation. Try experimenting with different settings (on a beach, in a forest, downtown in a city, in a club) in order to bring greater awareness to a variety of surroundings. You may wish to first practice this around your home and, over time, advance to different surroundings.

  This activity may be difficult and unusual at first, and is something that can be cultivated over time. As with all skills, practice, practice, and then practice some more. The more you do it, the more easily states of expanded awareness can be reached, helping enrich your life, spirituality, and magickal path.

  Supplies

  • loose, comfortable clothing

  • a stick of your favorite all-natural incense

  Notes

  • Walking meditation should be practiced for intervals of time between 15 minutes and 1 hour, preferably. I recommend performing this at least once a week for an extended period of time, as well as frequently integrating the “meditative awareness” in brief stints throughout daily life, such as while in the shower, driving the car, sitting at the computer, and so on.

  Procedure

  No circle needs to be cast for this ritual. If you would like to summon your guides and guardians beforehand, feel free to do so.

  Begin by getting dressed in your most comfortable clothes (be barefoot if weather permits) and decide where you’d like to perform the walk. Once there, light the stick of incense and begin your trek.

  Start walking at normal speed, as if you were simply taking a walk as usual. After a couple minutes, slow your pace and bring focus to your breath. For about 10 counts, count your inhalations. Now do the same and count your exhalations. Eventually move your focus to the environment outside of yourself.

  Begin to move even slower. Lighten your steps and slow your pace. Maintain a soft breathing pattern slightly slower than your normal breaths; still, don’t give your breathing pattern too much focus; instead, look around you. Use sight to observe the environment. Take note of the sky, the trees, the grass, and anything else. Just observe. Just be.

  Now move even slower. Bring focus to your footsteps, noting how slow they are. Notice the feel of the Earth beneath you. Notice the grass, soil, and Earth as it reacts to your step. Observe yourself stepping. As the heel of your foot touches ground, make a mental note: “heel.” As your toes touch, make the mental note: “toes.” Do the same as you lift your leg (“lifting my leg”), and so on. M
ove very slowly and take mental notes of your steps. Continue the mental notes of your physical body’s actions.

  After a while, bring focus back to your breath, making sure that you’re breathing slowly. If thoughts of the day (of the past or future) enter your mind, dismiss them silently and bring your focus back to the Now. There is no other place you should be, and there is no hurry.

  Let the incense form some smoke in front of you by moving your hand before you very slowly. Smell deeply, letting the smoke drift over you. Keep breathing deeply. Remember to slow your movements. After a few minutes, put the incense in the ground as an offering by slowly bending down (and making the mental note “crouching,” “offering,” and so on) and sticking it safely in the ground as an offering. Get up slowly and continue your walk.

  Bring focus to your 5 primary senses. Spend time on each: sight, touch, smell, taste, and hearing. Individually scan your senses and make a mental note of each. Hear all sounds around you: animals, other people, vehicles in the distance, the sound of your breathing and footsteps. Taste in your mouth, observing what it tastes like. Smell the air around you, experimenting with both shallow and deep nasal inhalations. Touch your skin and clothing, as well as any trees, bushes, or anything else you might pass by. See the scenery in the far distance, in the sky, from side to side, and on the ground underneath you. Notice details and take mental notes. Observe very, very slowly.

  Bring focus back to your breath and count 10 inhalations, as well as 10 exhalations. Gradually quicken your pace and take a few minutes to bring yourself out of the meditative trance. Don’t shake it off instantly; instead, ease yourself back into a usual frame of mind. Return to the incense to ensure that it burned out carefully, and thank the spirits of nature for allowing you to feel them. You will notice over time that these sensations of awareness will carry over into your everyday life.