Protection Balm

A protective balm is a solid lotion (think lip balm) that you can anoint yourself with when you need extra protective energy.  Rub the balm on your temples, pulse points, the back of your neck, the base of your spine, or anywhere else you’re feeling vulnerable.

To make a discreet and portable protective balm you will need:

• ½ oz. beeswax (either a solid chunk that’s been grated or small pearls)
• ¼ c. olive oil
• 40-80 drops of a protective essential oil(s) (e.g. dragon’s blood, sage, rosemary, or any of the oils discussed in “Defensive Techniques 301”)
• A closable container to hold the finished product (Any discreet container will work, e.g. old lip balm tins or even a clean mini-altoid tin.  If you want to get a special tin just for this I recommend those found at Mountain Rose Herbs http://www.mountainroseherbs.com/supply/tins.html)
• Optional - small protective stones (e.g. hematite, malachite, jet, etc.)
• Optional - a small amount of crushed protective herbs (e.g. angelica, bay, clove, etc.)

Begin by preparing your container(s).  Make sure your container(s) is(are) clean and dry.  Place the container(s) on a heatproof surface (such as a trivet or cutting board), near where you will be heating your oil and wax base.  If you are using small stones or herbs, place 1 stone and/or a pinch of crushed herb to the container.

Combine the olive oil and beeswax in a heatproof bowl and melt the wax either in a double boiler or the microwave.  If using a double boiler, melt the wax over fairly low heat and remove it from the heat as soon as it’s fully melted.  If using the microwave, melt the wax by setting the microwave on high for 10-15 seconds, then stir.  Repeat until the wax is fully melted.  

Test the consistency of your balm by dripping a few drops on a plate you’ve chilled in the refrigerator..  This will quickly cool the balm to its normal consistency.  If you’d like a more solid balm add a little bit more wax, and if you’d like a more liquid balm add a little more oil.  (I personally prefer a solid balm because it’s less likely to make a mess in your pocket on a warm day.)

*CAUTION* Do not overheat the oils, they are flammable! If your oils begin to smoke remove them from the heat IMMEDIATELY!

Once the wax is fully melted add your essential oil(s) and stir to combine.  Once combined carefully pour your mixture into your container(s) and let cool until solid.  When the balm has solidified you can close your container and take it with you wherever you’ll need it.

City Protection Spell

I've been working on a project for the last two weeks - a special city protection spell.  I love my home.  I think the Puget Sound area is the the most beautiful place in the world and I wouldn't live anywhere else.  I grew up here, my family is here, I play here.  This is my home and I want to do everything I can to keep it safe.  To do this I hatched a rather ambitious plan that begins with graveyard dirt.

If you're not familiar with working with graveyard dirt, it's used to add the energy of the person whose grave it came from to a spell.  It's important that you know something about the person who's been laid to rest before you use dirt from their grave in any spell.  If you don't know who the person is (personally, historically, etc.) then you'd better have good psychic senses that will tell you on the spot.  Before taking the dirt it's important to explain to the deceased what you want to use the dirt for and get their permission - you can take it without permission but that's just rude and can have unintended consequences. 

Lakeview Cemetery, up on Capitol Hill, is the final resting place of Seattle's founders and first citizens.  A keen student of local history, I know that the Seattle founders vested their lives and livelihoods into this city.  Their passions and foibles shaped what this city was to become and their legacy is everywhere and they've got a vested interest in preserving what they created.  I decided to gather graveyard dirt from as many of the city's founders as I could to add the force of their spirits to my spell.  I got Yestler, Renton, Denny, Phinney, Mercer and more.  I also added in a dash of Princess Angeline (chief Sealth's daughter - and a ghost I've seen several times) to touch the legacy of the local natives and a bit of Bruce Lee for skill.  They all agreed to help me ward my home from harm.  For each of them I left an offering of thanks.

I gathered all the dirt in a tin and waited for the full moon to quicken the spell.  I wrote my intent on a piece of paper, sealed the spell with my blood on a coffin nail and placed it in with the dirt.  I sealed the tin and intend to wrap in duct tape and bury it.  I won't share the exact wording of the spell, but I specified what area the spell was to cover, and that it was to protect the area from all disaster both natural and man-made, to strengthen the city and it's people, to make them wise, and to keep us all safe, sane, and sound.  I've always felt that magick is that last thing you have to do when you say "I've done all I can."  Now I think I can really say that I've done everything I can.