Still Water Mirror Spell For Reflection

Last week, I discussed how to embrace stillness and silence in your practice through tea, meditation, and shadow work journaling. In a world that tells us to be constantly loud and moving, it is a spiritual act of resistance to do the opposite. Winter reminds us to take time to rest and rejuvenate. During this time, the darkness reflects the shadow we harbor inside ourselves, making it the perfect time for reflection. Today's spell builds upon embracing stillness as a magical act through the use of a "mirror" to help you find calm, clarity, and connection to the unseen.

What You'll Need

• Small bowl of water
• White or black candle
• Match or lighter
• Pinch of salt
• Isa, Laguz, and Perthro runes

What to Do

This spell is best performed on Sunday or during the new or dark moon. Begin by cleansing your tools and work space using your preferred methods. Follow this with grounding and centering and inviting any of your spiritual guides to join you.

Place the bowl of water in the center of your workspace with the candle behind it so that the flame will reflect on the water's surface. Place the runes to the right, left, and in front of the water bowl.

Light your candle and sit in the quiet, dimly lit space. Breathe deeply until your body softens. Take time to relax and feel the tension leave your body. 

When ready, sprinkle the salt into the bowl of water and stir clockwise three times, saying: “As this water stills, so shall my mind. In the silent stillness, wisdom I find.” 

Gaze into the surface of the water, watching the flame flicker in the surface's reflection. Don’t force any visions. Instead, let your awareness expand outward and inward at once, opening your mind to the mysteries and fates. If your mind begins to drift, gently return to your breath and refocus on the water's surface.

Continue breathing deeply, allowing messages to flow freely through you as you watch the flame flicker across the water's calm surface. End when you feel full, calm, gently altered, and when the messages stop.

If needed, snuff out the candle and dispose of the water outdoors as an offering to the spirits.

Warnings/Modifications/Alternatives:

• Altering your breathing can cause a reduction in blood pressure, which can cause you to pass out. It can also trigger seizures in some people and PTSD in others. If you are worried about passing out, begin this exercise by lying down. I also suggest practicing with a friend to ensure your safety.
• The water's surface acts as a mirror in which messages can be received, much like a crystal ball. Generally, these messages are visual symbols, pictures, and images, but they can also be feelings, smells, sounds, or a sense of knowing. Trust in your intuition to guide you.
• If you are unable to light candles, consider a faux candle that flickers as a substitute.
• Do not leave a lit candle unattended, and always have water or another fire extinguisher nearby.
• If you do not have runes and prefer to use tarot, The Hermit, Four of Swords, and the High Priestess represent introspection, needed rest, and inner wisdom, similar to that of the runes I chose for this spell. 
  
  

Why You Did It

Understanding the whys of a spell (or ritual or recipe) is just as important as performing it. It helps you understand the process so you can modify the spell or ritual to suit your needs, and it helps guide you in writing your own. It's my intention to provide these explanations so that you can build a better understanding of how spells are written and executed, so you can modify and build your own spells (the goal of my Spellcrafting Series).

Because this spell is designed for stillness and reflection, Sunday or the new/dark moon is best because they too are associated with stillness and reflection. Sunday is often viewed as a day of rest and relaxation, making it the perfect time to invite quiet stillness into your life and practice. The new and dark moon have similar correspondences, although I much prefer the use of the dark moon over the new moon. The dark moon is the complete absence of the moon, the ultimate symbol of rest and reflection. The new moon, however, is more aligned with new beginnings, but is still a great time to set goals for the future and garner insight from beyond.

A bowl of water with a pinch of salt is used during this spell to act as a sort of scrying mirror, helping to open your mind to the messages from the beyond. Water is also associated with calm, healing, silence, and emotions, while the salt helps to purify and remove any blockages that may be preventing you from achieving stillness. The salt was stirred into the water clockwise to invite or draw messages toward you, as well as manifesting your intention of receiving visions.

The black or white candle was lit to connect you and your intention to the Otherworld. Furthermore, the flame was viewed as a reflection in the water's surface. This was done to help quiet your mind and help entice visions from the Otherworld to rise to the surface. Watching the flickering flame helps reduce your heart rate, relax your muscles, and induce an altered state of consciousness, opening you to embracing quiet stillness in your life and to the messages the spirits wish to share with you. White or black is chosen here for their connection to shadow work (black) or stillness (white; think snow).

Isa, Laguz, and Perthro runes were used to strengthen your intention and invite the desired outcome. Isa represents ice and therefore corresponds to stillness, quiet, and reflection. Laguz, however, is the rune of water and represents flow, intuition, emotion, and the subconscious. Perthro is the rune of mystery and the unknown, connected to fate and the divine. Each of these runes invites us to be still and open ourselves up to the will of the fates.

Finally, the water was disposed of outside with gratitude as an offering to the spirits who aided in your spell, whether through guidance or messages. 

Want to break this spell? Because the nature of the spell is to receive insight and guidance, there isn't a way to break it.

Remember to record this spell in your Book of Shadows or use my Spell/Ritual Worksheet for reference later.

***

After everything that has happened in the past year, I find myself turning toward this time of year wanting to learn more about myself and the lessons I have been dealt. Between the election results a year ago, the loss of someone very close to me, a health diagnosis, and a marriage, things have been far from "settled." While there have been plenty of wonderful things that have happened over the last year, there have also been some trials that have tested me. Having spells and rituals centered around peace, reflection, and healing has certainly helped me process everything that has occurred, leaving me well and able to plan for the future. I hope they offer you the same solace.

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New Book Announcement: Encyclopedia of Herbal Magic, A Witch’s Reference Guide to Magical Herbs for Every Season

I am very delayed in making this announcement (mostly because the last two months have been absolutely wild), but I come to you today to let all of you know my third book, written in collaboration with Lisa Chamberlain, is available now! I actually wrote my part more than 5 years ago and wasn't sure it was ever going to come to fruition, but here we are!

Herbs of the Year: Encyclopedia of Herbal Magic: A Witch’s Reference Guide to Magical Herbs for Every Season, with Herb Lore, Magical Uses, and Spell Ideas is perfect for beginning witches yet still valuable for more seasoned practitioners. It features 40 magical herbs and is aligned with the Wheel of the Year. From angelica (Angelica sylvestris) to yew (Taxus baccata), you’re bound to meet herbs both familiar and new as you journey through the seasons. The power of these plants can be used in just about every magical working you perform.

In Encyclopedia of Herbal Magic, you’ll find: 

• 40 magical plants you can easily use throughout the year, no matter where you live 
• Entries detailing the plant’s common and scientific names, magical correspondences, known folklore and history, and common magical uses 
• A variety of spell ideas and magical tips for working with these plants in your practice 
• A ritual for establishing a magical relationship with plants, whether in the wild or in your backyard 
• Advice for how to harvest plants sustainably and more!

I hope you all enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed turning my passion for herb folklore and writing into this beautiful piece!

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The Silence Between Seasons: How to Embrace Stillness as a Magical Act Through Tea, Meditation, and Journaling

As the winds turn sharp and the days begin to wane, the world seems to take a long, inward breath. The fields lay bare, trees stand skeletal against dark skies, and even the spirits grow quiet, lingering in the hush between harvest and rebirth. This is the silence between seasons, a threshold in time where life pauses for the briefest of moments.

In a world driven by capitalism and the constant need to hustle and bustle, it can be difficult for many to embrace this silence. We are often viewed as lazy or unmotivated during times of rest, leading many to continue working even after they have reached total burnout. In witchcraft, this silence between seasons is not a time of emptiness or laziness, but instead a time ripe with potential. This is the perfect opportunity to rest, recharge, reflect, and plan for the future. It is in the dark that we are able to find ourselves and plan the road ahead. When we resist the modern urge to fill every quiet moment, we can rediscover what the ancestors knew well: the soul speaks most clearly when the world grows still. Stillness becomes an act of rebellion instead of a sign of laziness, allowing us to take back control over our lives.

Furthermore, to pause is to honor the cycles of death and rest that sustain all life and growth. It honors the mystery or rún of our world, helping connect us to the cycles of change and recharge before life is reborn anew. Within Norse mythology, this quiet stillness is represented by Odin hanging from the branches of Yggdrasil seeking enlightenment, where Hel keeps her cold dominion, and the time the völva takes to listen before she speaks a prophecy. I find myself leaning more into my spirituality as the winter months come, relying on that silence to bring comfort and peace.

There are many ways we can connect with this silence and embrace stillness in our magical practices, from meditation to teas to spell work. Today I offer a tea recipe, guided meditation, and journal prompts to invite the magic of stillness, peace, and silence into your own practice and engage in shadow work. I find combining these methods, particularly the tea with the meditation, works best. These can also be added to your daily practice during the winter months to better connect with the magic of the season.

Ritual Tea for Stillness

The tea recipe below is designed not only to promote calm and stillness but also to open you up for reflection and shadow work. I have included a series of shadow work journal prompts at the end of the post to help guide your reflection and intuition. Chamomile and lavender bring calm and tranquility, mugwort enhances your psychic ability and spiritual connection, and rosemary stimulates your memory and cleanses away stress. I encourage you to sweeten this tea with your favorite sweetener, as mugwort tends to be rather bitter when brewed.

Ingredients:

1 teaspoon dried chamomile

1 teaspoon dried lavender

1 teaspoon dried mugwort

1/2 teaspoon dried rosemary

Sweetener of choice

Instructions:

Combine the herbal mixture with warm water (200° F) and allow the tea to infuse for 7-10 minutes. While the tea infuses, stir in your sweetener, stirring counterclockwise while saying, "In silence's brew I release all stress; The stillness speaks and I shall listen." Breathe in the aroma of the tea before enjoying. As you sip, visualize tension leaving your body, your heart rate slowing, and your mind quieting.

This tea pairs incredibly well with the following guided meditation or a relaxing ritual bath.

Guided Meditation

Find a comfortable position to sit or lie. Close your eyes and take several slow breaths, breathing in through your nose and out through your mouth. Feel your body settle, your heartbeat steady, and your mind begin to slow. Continue breathing until you feel relaxed and centered enough to begin the guided meditation.

When ready, imagine yourself standing in a winter forest. The trees are bare, their branches etched against a pale, misty sky. A slight breeze blows, but the snow muffles all sound. The air hums with silence.

You begin to walk. The world feels suspended in time. There is no past, no future, only now. You reach a clearing where the snow lies smooth and untouched. You stand or sit upon the earth. Beneath you, the land sleeps and dreams of warmer days, but for now, it is content to revel in the stillness of winter.

In that stillness, listen. What you once thought was nothingness is actually the slow pulse of life, hidden away beneath the snow. Roots, sleeping seeds, resting spirits breathe deep and exhale, the promise of tomorrow alight. Their silence is not absence; it is potential waiting to be born. 

Breathe with that rhythm. Let it seep into your bones. Open your heart and mind to any messages the earth, spirits, and land wish to convey to you. Sit in the stillness until you feel numb, allowing messages and relaxation to flow through you.

When you are ready, whisper to yourself: “I am the quiet between seasons. I am the space where magic waits.” When you return, carry that calm within you as you work through the journal prompts below.

Shadow Work Journal Prompts for the Silence Between Seasons

1. When I sit in silence, what parts of myself try to fill the quiet first? (Notice the thoughts, worries, or memories that rush forward. These often reveal what your shadow most wants to avoid.)
   
   
2. What emotions or truths arise when I stop distracting myself with motion or noise? (Describe them without judgment. They are your soul’s whispers, not intruders.)
   
   
3. If stillness feels uncomfortable, what might that discomfort be teaching me? (Shadow often hides in resistance, so be sure to explore what silence threatens to uncover.)
   
   
4. What part of me craves rest but fears being still? (Write from that part’s perspective. What does it believe will happen if you slow down?)
   
   
5. What has the “winter” of my spirit been trying to teach me? (Reflect on the cycles of withdrawal, endings, death, or inner cold. What wisdom lies beneath them?)
   
   
6. What truths have I drowned out with noise, busyness, or external validation? (Be honest here. What message keeps echoing in the background, waiting for quiet to be heard?)
   
   
7. What am I holding onto that silence asks me to release? (This could be guilt, control, fear, or grief. Be sure to name it, thank it, and imagine setting it down.)
   
   
8. What does “rest” mean to me beyond physical sleep? What does my soul’s rest look like? (Define what true restoration means for you  beyond productivity or spiritual performance.)
   
   
9. What part of my shadow is ready to be held, not fixed? (Consider one wound, insecurity, or regret that needs presence more than healing right now.)
   
   
10. What wisdom does the silence between seasons want to share with me right now? What messages did you receive from beyond? (Let the answer come as an image, a feeling, a single word, or a whisper from your deeper self.)

I find brewing a second cup of tea while working on the shadow work journal prompt helps me recall my journey and opens myself up to being more honest and reflective in my answers. I end my stillness ritual and reflect with the following mantra: "In stillness, I find my power. In silence, I remember who I truly am."

You can download your free copy of the journal prompts below.

The silence between seasons is not a void to be feared or shunned with more work. Instead, it is a sanctuary to be honored and respected. In this quiet season, let yourself rest without guilt. Engage in radical self-care by resisting what the overculture insists upon. As the night continues to lengthen and the frost gathers, I invite you to find beauty in the pause. It is in winter's stillness that we can listen to the whispers of fate and deepen our magic through reflection and rest.

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Magical and Medicinal Uses of Black Pepper

Gender: Masculine

Planet: Mars
Element: Fire
Powers: Clarity, Courage, Exorcism, Protection, Strength, Wealth

Magical Uses and History: Often referred to as the "king of spices," black pepper has a long and rich, yet mythical history. Much like misinformation is spread today to sway public opinion, it was used to convince the public that black pepper was more than it seemed. 

While black pepper was historically a rare commodity,  available only to the nobility, it remained in demand through the use of myth. According to legends, black pepper could only be harvested by setting the pepper trees on fire to drive away venomous snakes that guarded the delicate spice. During the burning process, the otherwise white peppercorns turned dry, shriveled, and black. Because so many trees were lost during the burning, the cost and time to replant them had to be factored into the price. This legend spread quickly through mainstream culture, and while we cannot be sure where it originated or if it was entirely believed, it was enough to keep the price high. The cost of black pepper was so high that it was often used as currency to pay rent, taxes, doweries, and even ransoms, as seen during the 5th century AD when Visigoths demanded it after sacking the Western Roman Empire. Because of its value, it became known as "black gold," symbolizing wealth and power. As such, black pepper can be added to spells and rituals for wealth, money, and prosperity. Add whole peppercorns to your wallet, purse, or cash register to attract wealth. Add to spell bags and bottles for wealth and prosperity, keep in your kitchen to ensure abundance flows freely, or steep in oil to create a success-attracting oil.

Apart from being a symbol of wealth, prosperity, and abundance, black pepper was also used for protection. Due to its sharp, fiery qualities, black pepper is thought to drive away evil and unwanted spirits and has even been used to break curses. In hoodoo, black pepper is often added to Hot Foot powders to bring an uncomfortable "heat" to the target's life or to salt to prevent evil or unwanted guests from entering or returning to your home. Keep a jar of black pepper corns near your hearth or entrance to guard the home, sprinkle along thresholds to prevent unwanted guests from entering, burn to banish unwanted energy, or add to other spells and rituals for banishment, hex breaking, or removal. Black pepper combines well with other banishing herbs to create a potent incense or banishment oil.

Finally, black pepper was also a symbol of health and medicine, used to treat a wide range of ailments from digestive issues to respiratory problems and even pain. In ancient Greece and Rome, black pepper was used to stimulate the digestive system, helping aid in digestion, reduce excess gas, and alleviate stomach pain. In Ayurvedic medicine, it was believed to help balance the three doshas known as Vata, Pitta, and Kapha. As such, it was revered for its general digestive and respiratory aid, helping to clear congestion, support the immune system, and bring overall wellness to the user. Across cultures, black pepper was also widely used to treat fevers due to its warming nature that was thought to promote sweating and therefore "break" a fever. Today, black pepper is used much the same way, and therefore can be used in spells and rituals for healing, health, and general wellness. Due to its warming nature, black pepper can also be used to bring heat to a spell. Add black pepper to teas, tinctures, baths, spell bags or jars, or burn with other spices such as sage or rosemary for similar purposes.

Black pepper can be used in a number of spells, including:

      Money Spells

      Protection Spells

      Exorcism

      Strengthen Spells & Rituals

Medicinal Uses: Black pepper contains piperine, the alkaloid responsible for black pepper's well-known flavor. Piperine is an antioxidant and a bioavailability enhancer, meaning it helps with the absorption of other compounds such as curcumin, resveratrol, and other minerals and vitamins. It is also an anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective, and has been found to increase digestion through the stimulation of hydrochloric acid in the stomach. As such, it is often used to treat indigestion, bloating, and gas. As an anti-inflammatory, it has been shown to reduce the symptoms associated with arthritis, diabetes, and neurodegenerative diseases. Piperine may also help with the regulation of blood sugar, improving insulin sensitivity, and reducing blood sugar spikes. As an expectorant and decongestant, black pepper can be used to treat colds, cough, asthma, and mild flu symptoms. As an antimicrobial and antibacterial, black pepper is effective at improving overall oral health and reducing gingivitis and gum disease. 

It should be noted that despite black pepper's ability to help with the absorption of certain nutrients, it can interfere with the absorption of certain medications. Please consult your doctor or a credible herbalist before including it in your herbal remedy practice.

Preparation and Dosage: To create an infusion, combine one cup of boiling water with 1/2 teaspoon of crushed black pepper. Allow the infusion to steep for 10-15 minutes. Drink up to three times a day. As a tincture, take 0.5 to 1 mL in water or tea up to three times a day. Black pepper combines well with honey, cinnamon, turmeric, and ginger. Externally, black pepper essential oil can be diluted in a carrier oil and used as a massage oil to reduce pain and inflammation.

Want to print a copy of this for your Book of Shadows? Click below for your free copy!

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Book Review: Entering Hekate's Cauldron by Cyndi Brannen

Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase. I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Cyndi Brannen is one of the few experts on Hekate, having started with a blog and Facebook group (Keeping Her Keys) and later transitioning to a traditionally published author, podcaster, and teacher. I have deep respect for Brannen and the work she has done over the past decade, watching her small corner of the world grow exponentially as more and more people turn to the dark goddess for insight, self-reflection, and strength. More recently, Brannen has started publishing books centered around Hekate's "tools," including entering her cave, garden, and now cauldron. While I have not had the opportunity to read all of the aforementioned books, I have no doubt they are inspiring. Luckily, however, Wesier reached out with the opportunity to read Entering Hekate's Cauldron: Spells, Spirits, Rites & Rituals, and there was no way I was going to turn down the opportunity. As the Wheel turns toward winter, this is the perfect time to enter Hekate's cauldron and see what mysteries she has in store for us.

The cauldron is traditionally associated with magic and mystery, as well as wisdom and self-reflection. This makes it a wonderful tool to get to know during the winter months as we spend more time indoors, resting, reflecting, and even learning new hobbies. Entering Hekate's Cauldron delves into using the cauldron in Hekatean witchcraft as both a teacher and a tool. Unfortunately, there is the assumption that you have read or will read Brannen's other works, referencing spells, rituals, recipes, and journal prompts outlined in previous texts, particularly Entering Hekate's Garden. Because of this, I do not suggest skipping the other books as I have, as they apparently build on each other. There is also the assumption you have experience with Hekatean witchcraft, so again, I wouldn't start with Entering Hekate's Cauldron as your first encounter with the dark goddess. Despite the need for prior knowledge and understanding, Entering Hekate's Cauldron offered up wonderful and ingenious spells, rituals, and recipes that can be easily adapted into anyone's practice, making it well worth the read, despite your beliefs.

Entering Hekate's Cauldron is broken down into four parts: The Foundation, The Knowledge, The Craft, and The Mystery. I felt this was an excellent way to approach such a topic, but Brannen failed in some aspects to keep the book cohesive. Some chapters and information were completely out of left field, leaving me confused as to how the knowledge and work built upon itself as the reader progresses, as it was suggested in the beginning of the book. That isn't to say there isn't any structure, just sometimes things felt awkward or forced, like Brannen had a lot of say but wasn't sure where exactly to put the information she wished to share.

Now I hate that I opened this review with two criticisms, despite rating the book very highly. Brannen redeems the structural issues and the need for prior knowledge with some of the most creative, thoughtful, and downright ingenious spells, rituals, and remedies I have ever encountered, on top of well-researched insight into the spirit world and spirit communication. The Craft and The Mystery sections really redeemed this book for me, making it one of my top recommendations for the year for hedge witches, whether you follow Hekate or not. There are incredible recipes for spirited oils, guides to enlivening and renewing sacred objects, letter writing to communicate with the goddess, recipes for magical glues/fixatives and paints (which blew my mind completely!), talismans, incantations, and even shapeshifting. The list of rites, rituals, spells, and spirits is listed right at the beginning of the book, making it super easy to go back and find any that caught your attention during your first read through. I am going to have to dedicate time in the future to rereading the content to continue digesting all of the incredible information and insights Brannen has to offer.

Part of Brannen's ingenuity comes from her ability to weave words into magical spells, a talent she teaches the readers in Part III: The Craft through the use of acrostics. These then get added to talismans, knot magics, spell bags, and even turned into sigils, creating potent spells unique to their creator. You really have to read this work for yourself to understand where I am coming from. I could spend the next several paragraphs espousing Brannen's work, and I still don't think I could do it justice.

However, it's Part IV: The Mystery that I really enjoyed. In this section, Brannen breaks down the different types of spirits, offering a wonderful guide to all that you could encounter as a witch, especially hedge witches. For each spirit type, Brannen offers a brief description of each, how to connect with different spirit types while staying safe in the process, and even has a breakdown on meeting your spirit guide and making a spirited mirror for scrying. The ritual to meet your spirit guide is a pathwalking ritual, which Brannen refers to as a meditation. I prefer to hedge ride to meet guides, but it is possible to meet them during a meditation or path walk if you so choose.

Part IV also includes working with animal allies and how the different animal attributes can be used in one's magical practice. This is also where Brannen includes a brief guide to shapeshifting. I really wish this chapter alone was longer than it was, but I realize that would have been outside of scope of this book. Entering Hekate's Cauldron is about Hekatean witchcraft, not animal allies and shapeshifting, but I hope that one day someone will pick up the mantle and right a more detailed book on this exact topic.

My favorite chapter, however, was Chapter 17, which delves into mystical and shamanic experiences. While there is no hedge riding mentioned here, it does include looking into your past lives using Hekate as a psychopomp and helping to guide souls to the other side. These are all roles a hedge witch can easily fill, and are well worth the time and care to read through, even if you do not follow Hekate. The rituals and information can easily be paired with deities from other traditions, such as Freyja. That is one of the great things about this book. Despite it being specifically about Hekate, the foundation is witchcraft and deity worship, skills that are easily applied to anyone's practice.

While I deeply enjoyed Entering Hekate's Cauldron overall, there are two other things that 'bothered' me that I haven't already mentioned. The first was the inclusion of the modern Wheel of the Year. I understand the need to modernize witchcraft, but it felt off, knowing what I know about Brannen, that she still follows the Wheel of the Year. It doesn't seem to jive with Hekatean witchcraft, but that's probably just me. Last, but certainly not least, there were some points in the apothecary chapter where some alt-right pipeline rhetoric was used, specifically in suggesting that you can't use iodized salt or chemically treated tap water in your magical practice. I have never found there to be a difference in the salt varieties, unless of course we are talking about pink vs black salt, and while water does have different properties based on its source, chemically-treated tap water is fine in almost all cases. I may be overreacting, but I would rather err on the side of caution than potentially continue harmful, dated rhetoric.

Overall, I deeply enjoyed Entering Hekate's Cauldron: Spells, Spirits, Rites & Rituals by Cyndi Brannen and believe it is one many of you will enjoy having on your shelf. A word of caution, though: I recommend picking up Brannen's earlier works before jumping into this one. I know you will not be disappointed!

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