Kynes - Llewellyns 2018 Magical Almanac

The Magic of Mundane
Garden Creatures

by Sandra Kynes

Y es, this is about bugs. Unlike the animal world, where we find many creatures to which we can relate, the insect world can seem rather alien. However, throughout human history insects have been considered important enough to appear in mythology, folklore, and sacred writings. While some insects are admired for their ingenuity and beauty, others represent desirable qualities.

So why should Pagans and Wiccans care about insects other than to acknowledge that they have a place in the natural world? To paraphrase the wizard Gandalf: the smallest of things can hold a great deal of power. But dont worry; you dont need to handle them in order to use them for magic or ritual. Symbolism, energy, intention, and visualization provide the means to call on the power and influence of insects. For example, you can place a picture or figurine of an insect on your altar to draw in its energy for ritual. In fact, insects can even represent the elements: a butterfly for air, a dragonfly for water, a cricket for earth, and a lightning bug for fire.

Write a spell on a picture of an insect, and then visualize its energy boosting your willpower. Wear jewelry shaped like one to call on its particular qualities for divination sessions, astral travel, or other practices. Go outside and watch themobservation is a good way to tune in to their energy.

Garden Insects

For simplicity, I am using the term insect even though some of the creatures mentioned here are classified differently. Now, lets take a stroll through the garden and history to explore the power and meaning of these creatures. Of course, we will also discover how they can be our magical allies.

The Butterfly

Well start with the enchanting butterfly, which has been one of the greatest symbols of transformation throughout the world. If you associate it with glitter and unicorns, think again because this delicate creature is no lightweight. Associated with the Great Goddess, it symbolized her power of regeneration. Since then it was used in many cultures to represent spirit, the souls of the dead, and more specifically, ancestors.

In Eastern Europe there was a popular belief that a butterfly was the embodiment of a witch. In fact, the Slovenian word v a means both witch and butterfly. In Russian, the word baba , which was derived from bb o hka, butterfly, refers to a female ancestor. Elsewhere in Europe during the Middle Ages, witches and fairies were believed to disguise themselves as butterflies to steal milk and butter, which may be the basis of their common name.

For Pagans and Wiccans, the butterfly can be an aid for love spells and dream work. It also helps in working with the fairy realm and contacting spirits. As a symbol of change, the butterfly provides support for renewal. It shows us how to foster confidence for finding opportunities and personal freedom. With its help, we can bring fidelity and happiness to relationships. Also, wear a piece of butterfly jewelry as a reminder of its association with witches. If one alights on you, whisper a wish to it before it flies away.

The Bee

The bee, more specifically the honeybee, is another garden visitor that has had great significance and a long relationship with humans. In Neolithic times, the Great Goddess was occasionally depicted as a combination of woman and bee. The bees ability to produce honey echoed her power and role as provider and nurturer.

Honey was the universal sweetener in the ancient world and a preservative. In fact, in Egypt it was used in the embalming process, which may have symbolically added sweetness to the afterlife. A highly valued commodity, honey was used as an offering to deities. Across many cultures, the bee symbolizes abundance, community, and fertility.