Monthly Archives: September 2014

Dream Meaning: Shadow Figure

Posted by Sephira in Dreams, Reader Question and tagged with , , ,

I had a dream where a shadow figure was after my mum. the moment I saw it in my dream I was scared, it was outside tried to grab my mum head (we were on the deck) & it came inside my house & tried to get to my mum but I stopped it, then it went down the hallway & that’s when I woke up. Even though I was scared it didn’t come,after me even though I was right in front of it at one point. Does anyone know what this dream means?

We’ve touched on some general information about dream meanings here and here, so I’ll only briefly reiterate the following which is typically the most relevant question to ask for any attempt to interpret a particular dream… What do you think it means?

There will always be general symbolism for certain things, but in the end, exact meanings are very dependent on our own experiences – the culture we are from, how we were raised, and/or other influences that we are exposed to on a regular basis. What one person may view as negative, may be positive to someone else and vice-versa. So, there is no single “this is what it means” when it comes to our dreams, and of course, just as importantly, sometimes a dream really is just a dream.

General Interpretation

The short answer… sounds like you are worried about your mother, and/or maybe feel that she needs your help with something, but you don’t know what that something is (hence the shadow figure). It’s not coming after you, because it’s not your something – you are just willing to step up and help make whatever it is go away. Could be a literal person, or a stressful situation – maybe your mom is overwhelmed with work, or a financial issue, etc… and you want to help with it, but it means taking on more responsibility yourself, which can be scary. Or you may also just be scared that whatever you do might not be enough. Given that it was both outside and inside the house, odds are it’s something that weighs on her, no matter where she is.

The longer answer would involve studying and researching the various components of your dream and then analyzing them based on your own personal context, suggest looking up basic components here. A few examples –

  • Shadows typically symbolize the unknown – ask yourself if there is a particular “unknown” person, or situation that you are concerned about (in relation to your mother).
  • The fact that you went from outside to inside your house could signify taking control of the situation. It depends too though, on what sort of emotions or feelings the idea of “home” invokes for you. Happy homes are often a protective symbol, whereas someone from a dysfunctional/abusive family may find the idea of being inside their own house terrifying.
  • Attacking someone, in this case, seems pretty straightforward – a matter of protecting your mother. Ask yourself if there is a particular person or situation that you feel your mother needs your help with.
  • Hallways can symbolize transitions – so the fact that your dream ended in the hallway, may just be signifying that you were ready to wake up, or could be that the solution to the issue involves starting something new, or change of some sort (both of which can be scary).

 

As always – if any readers have additional relevant insight, please feel free to comment back. We’d love to hear from you.

On the Nature of Magic & Change: Fixing a Broken Spell

Posted by Sephira in Reader Question, Spellwork, Witchcraft and tagged with , , , , , , , ,

I’m trying to figure out how to fix a broken pendant spell. But so far I haven’t found much luck on finding anything that could help me. I desperately want it fixed because it means a lot to someone I care about dearly,but don’t know how to fix it. PLEASE HELP!!!

How is it broken exactly, or what exactly needs fixing?

Magic isn’t like Harry Potter… we don’t wave a wand while saying “reparo” and suddenly make it all better. So if it’s a chain, or other physical part of the pendant that is broken, the only way to fix it would be to take it to a reputable jeweler and see if they have someone on staff that does metal working and/or jewelry repair. Other options would be if you know anyone who does jewelry making that is proficient in wire wrapping or, at the very least, has the tools/supplies to fix the chain (if that is indeed what it is).

Outside of physical aspects, without knowing how it’s broken (in a magical sense), it’s nearly impossible to direct you to the right spell (assuming that such exists). Of course in most cases it’s better to write your own anyways, but sometimes it’s nice to be able to see what others have written to use a guideline if it’s something that is unfamiliar to you.

Some sort of general things that you can try are cleansing and recharging if it’s a matter of the pendant not seeming to hold the same properties that it once had, but again without knowing specifics it’s really hard to give any sort of really concrete, advice.

The charm’s spell was based off of the first time my significant other and I gave ourselves to each other physically. But once we briefly broke up,the spell was broken when I gave myself to another. I’m sorry if this is tmi but I desperately want to fix it now that I’m back with my ex. Nobody else has been willing to help or I couldn’t find anything to help. Please keep in mind that I only would like to use white magic for this.

Unfortunately, there’s really not any way to fix it. The energy the original magic was fueled by has changed, as the nature of your relationship has changed. Typically the way to fix something like that is to recharge it, but there’s not a way to get a “first time” back. So there is not a way to recharge that specific energy.

Having said that though – if you broke up, but are now back together, you can still recharge it in a similar ritual. The key being, to base it on the renewed relationship and the stronger bonds that you have formed by going through some rough waters, and overcoming those challenges to renew your love, despite it all. There is powerful magic in that as well, and it signifies the changes you both have been through (apart and then together again).

It won’t be the same as it was (as with life, there are just some things that we simply can’t get back once they are gone), but it doesn’t mean that what we are left with can’t be as sacred or as meaningful. Life is a fluid thing, it moves and changes, twists and turns, even when we may not want it to (and in ways we may not want it to). When it does, sometimes we just have to make the best of what we are given.

Your relationship is not the same as it was, and never will be – nor will the magic of the pendant, but that doesn’t make what you have now any less than it was, only different. It’s time to make some new magic. 😉

Rituals: Thank-you Gifts for Hosts

Posted by Sephira in Holidays, Paganism, Reader Question and tagged with , , , , , , ,

what does one give to the host of the mabon celebration as a thank you? is there a proper way to say thank you for when one comes to another’s home for rituals?

A lot will depend on how well you know your host/hostess, and of course how much of a budget you have to work with. Additionally, it is important to consider how much effort was involved in hosting the gathering – just a simple hour or two get-together with a plate of cookies, or a full-blown day (or longer) celebration which required extensive planning and/or other costs (monetary or otherwise) provided by those hosting. Though both types of gatherings can be just as meaningful, you don’t want to over or under do it when deciding on an appropriate gift.

With a host that you do not know very well, or if it was an open gathering (more informal) sort of a situation, usually a small gift basket, with some baked goodies or a variety of teas would be appreciated. Even if it ends up being something that they personally can’t use, if they host such things on a regular basis, they will have it for others when necessary. If you know whether or not the person drinks alcohol, maybe even a nice bottle of wine might be appropriate. Decorative items can often be a good choice as well, especially something that symbolizes the theme of the gathering. Another choice would be a potted plant, maybe an herb or other flowering variety that can be used for culinary or witchcrafting purposes.

If you are well acquainted with the host, or know someone who is (and you can ask them for ideas), then you can look for more personalized items. Maybe you know they’ve been looking at a certain statue or ritual tool, or maybe they’ve been in need of extra crafting supplies for spells or other rituals. Particularly if the ritual was fairly involved and required a lot of resources (and you’ve the budget for it), it might be nice to get a gift card to a place that offers a bit of pampering, or just a night out without having to cook, so that the hosts can relax after expending so much time and energy.

In the end, really almost anything will do, if you put thought and careful consideration into it. You don’t want to be too extravagant, but at the same time a gift from the heart will show that you care and that you appreciate the effort they put into giving you a magical night to celebrate the turning of the Wheel.