Alison Davies - The Mystical Year: Folklore, Magic and Nature

Welcome to The Mystical Year, an eclectic gathering of events and celebrations with their roots firmly steeped in folklore; a collection of all things magical, to represent the changing months and seasons and the cyclical nature of the planet. From the wisdom of the Native Americans to stories from the Greek myths, pagan tales and Roman traditions, there is a wealth of knowledge here from many traditions and cultures. From herbs and flowers to crystals and tarot cards, this guide is a starting point for those with a mystical bent; a way to honour the earth and tap into your innate power every month.

Get in tune with Mother Nature. Dance to her rhythm and let her be your guide as you move through the year. Learn a little about the background to wiccan celebrations with our monthly feature pages. Celebrate each solstice. Connect to equinox energy and take inspiration from the ebb and flow of the moon. Learn what each month and season has to offer, then use the tips and exercises in this book, or create some of your own, to harness its potential and make this your most mystical year yet!

First January is here,

With eyes that keenly glow

A frost-mailed warrior striding

A shadowy steed of snow.

Edgar Fawcett

The Masque of Months

FULL MOON NAME

WOLF MOON

At the brink of a new year, as the cold mist gathers beneath the moonlight, so do the wolves. Their soft howls carry upon the wind. To Ancient tribes, this haunting sound heralded new beginnings and is the reason for this moons name. Magic runs deep at the height of any full moon, and being linked to the wolf, this one is all about self-expression. These vocal beasts know how to raise their voices and communicate how they are feeling. Communal animals, wolves take different roles within the pack and have learnt to work together.

At the Wolf Moon, consider where you fit in society, what gifts are you blessed with and how you can communicate them to the rest of the world.

WOLF MOON SPELL FOR SELF-CONFIDENCE

Sing your praises and be proud of who you are!

By the light of the Wolf Moon, write a list of your talents and strengths. If you are struggling for what to include, get a few friends on board and ask for their input.

Once you have at least ten items on your list, take a deep breath and read them out loud. This might feel strange at first but persevere and youll get used to recognising your brilliance!

Make this a regular practice and continue to add to your list throughout the month.

DEITY OF THE MONTH

JANUS

January gets its name from the Roman god Janus. This enigmatic deity has two faces, one which looks back into the past and the previous year, and the other facing forwards to the future and what is to come. Known as the god of gateways, Janus is associated with the passing of time, endings and new beginnings.

JANUS SPELL FOR GOOD FORTUNE

Perform this simple spell regularly throughout the year.

Walk through a doorway carrying a gold or silver coin in your hand.

As you do, say:

From past to future, from this door to the next.

Hand in hand with good fortune, I am blessed.

CRYSTAL OF THE MONTH

GARNET

A popular choice for talismans, garnet was used in medieval Europe as a stone of protection. Sacred to the Native Americans and the Aztecs, it is thought to enhance creativity, lift the spirits and balance the emotions. Considered a lucky stone, it is worn or carried to promote success in all areas, and is the traditional stone associated with those born in the month of January.

HERB OF THE MONTH

SAGE

Known as Salvia officinalis (salvia meaning to save or heal), sage has many mystical uses, healing and protection being top of the list. The Ancient Egyptians used it in concoctions to promote fertility and the Greeks and Romans to preserve meat. The Romans also used it to petition the gods, in the hope that they would be blessed with a good harvest. Thought to improve memory and fine-tune the brain, sage was often burned during funerals to help mourners deal with grief, and to cleanse the sacred space.

SAGE SPELL TO MAKE WISHES COME TRUE

Sage has the power to help you make your wishes come true, which makes it the perfect herb for a new year spell.

Youll need three large sage leaves and a felt-tip pen.

On an evening when the moon is waxing (getting bigger), sit with three sage leaves in your hand and think about all the things you would like to achieve in the year ahead. Narrow this down to three wishes. Choose things that are close to your heart.

With each wish, think of a word that sums up your request, then use the pen to write one carefully on each sage leaf.

Pop the leaves beneath your pillow before bedtime, and sleep with them there for three days.

Each night, read through the words before you go to sleep. Take care to record any dreams as they may provide insights that could help to make your wishes come true!

On the fourth day, take the leaves outside and bury them somewhere in the earth.

SAGE SPELL FOR CLEANSING

Sage is a great herb to cleanse mind, body and soul, and can also be used to purify a space. You can buy special bundles of sage that you light so they smoulder and give off a fragrant smoke, which you can pass around the body or carry through each room in the home to clear the area of negativity. This is known as smudging.

Alternatively, steep fresh sage leaves in a small bowl of boiling water, waft the steam around your body, and leave the bowl somewhere in the room that you wish to cleanse.

CUSTOMS AND TRADITIONS

In medieval times, young girls used the power of the New Moon in January to discover when they would meet their future husband. They would gaze at the moon through an unwashed handkerchief and count the number of moon shapes they saw. This represented the years they would have to wait for true love.

NEW MOON SPELL FOR LOVE

Today we make our own luck in life and love, but if you are itching to try some New Moon magic, light a white candle. Make a wish and picture the outcome, then let the candle burn down in its own time.

SUPERSTITIONS

On the 1st of January in the southern states of America, black-eyed peas are eaten in a bid to attract good fortune and financial security. Lentils are also a popular choice, as theyre associated with money.

NEW YEAR SPELL FOR MONEY

Make a pot of lentil soup. As it simmers in the pan, stir slowly and picture your finances overflowing!

BIRD OF THE MONTH

OWL

The wise owl moves with grace and stealth, using all its senses to navigate the night sky. A powerful hunter and a symbol of the unseen world, the owl was thought to be an ill omen during medieval times, but while it was once associated with death, this was not the physical kind. The owl represents a transition of passing from one state to another, like the conscious mind awake during daylight hours, to the subconscious which lives in dreamland. This magnificent bird can see in the dark and is linked to intuition and mystery.

OWL SPELL FOR THE SIXTH SENSE

If you want to develop your sixth sense, let the owl guide you. Find a picture of an owl, gaze into its eyes and ask for a vision. Be patient and look for signs as you go about your daily routine.