Cottage Witchery (10 page)

Someone once asked me how the faeries ended up over here in the States if they are indigenous to Europe. Well, my two cents' worth on this topic is this: they either traveled with their families when the families immigrated to America, or another possibility is that elemental creatures are everywhere, in every continent. They may have different names, but the energy and the spirit of the faeries are
everywhere
in nature. So why wouldn't they be here? The land our homes stand upon was a wilderness at one time or another. Why would the elemental spirits of the land and the energies of nature leave? Perhaps they have only been hiding and waiting for you to notice them all along.

One of the most common faeries and elemental beings that may find their way into your magickal home is the brownie. There are many different varieties of brownies, from many magickal cultures in all parts of the world.

The brownies are thought to vary in height and in their appearance. The Scottish version of the brownie calls for them to be one to two feet tall. Other texts claim that they are only six to twelve inches in height, wearing brown cloaks or hoods or fur tunics. Typically the brownies are small, furry, and . . . well, brown. This household faery was thought to have completed unfinished household tasks.

The brownies love animals, family pets, and the noise and activity of children. Actually, your pets will notice the presence of brownies long before you do, especially cats. Your cat will happily pounce, hop, and prance around for no apparent reason. Supposedly when they do this they are playing with the house faeries.

Hobs or hobgoblins are an English version of the brownie, and they are another house faery known for making their home behind the kitchen stove or the family fireplace or hearth area. A hobgoblin is thought of as the spirit of the hearth, or guardian of the fireside. Once settled with their adoptive family, the hob rarely leaves, which may be
why some came along with their beloved immigrating families as opposed to staying
behind. Hobs are happiest tending to their chosen family and helping out with whatever they perceive as being their daily chores. If a hob feels unwanted or ignored, they are likely to hide your key rings and place them in very unusual places. Puck, who made a appearance in a charm in our first chapter, is a hobgoblin.

The Bwca is a Welsh name for the brownie; the Bwca can be very helpful around the home unless they are angered, and then they can become destructive. So what does it take to really tick off a brownie? Quite a bit, actually, such as ignoring them or saying out loud that you don't believe in household faeries, or undergoing a major household renovation or remodel. If you have one planned you may want to enlist the help of your household faeries. Ask them to keep an eye on things and, as strange as this sounds, let them know what the plans are for the remodel. Otherwise they'll see this as the destruction of their beloved home and do everything they can to slow the process down.

Delays, strange equipment mishaps, and snafus will be your constant companions. (That's what happened to my family.) I finally had to leave my renovation plans out and on the hearth overnight with a few small crystal points for the brownies. That night I dreamt about them checking out the plans with our cat and discussing it amongst themselves. In the morning when I got up, the gifts were gone and the plan was still on the hearth. My old tabby cat was sitting guard next to it.

Brownie temper tantrums can include throwing things (I would imagine some would see this as poltergeist activity); hiding valuables such as jewelry, wallets, or keys; spoiling the milk; and, according to tradition, making the beer go stale or flat.

To pacify them, the brownies all enjoy attention and gifts. Try offering a crystal point, or milk and honey, or a plain cookie. Brownies are thought to be offended by an offer of money or clothing. For the most part, brownies in all of their various names and nationalities are happiest quietly tending to their beloved family and helping out around the hearth and home. To keep them happy, try whispering this charm at night before you head off to bed.

a house faery charm

Go through your usual evening routine. For me that includes one last trip through the living room and kitchen to tidy up and make sure all the doors are locked, all the lights are turned out, and any burning candles have been snuffed. Then, as you are ready to turn in, go to the heart of the home and quietly whisper this charm.

Beloved brownies and faeries of my house,

I whisper my thanks, as quiet as a mouse.

Watch over my family, protect my pets,

Thank you for your help as I go off to rest.

Close the charm by saying:

By the hearth and home this charm is sung,

For the good of all, with harm to none.

Go where he will, the wise man is at home,

His hearth the earth, his hall the azure dome.

R. W. Emerson

Fireplace/Hearth Magick

In Roman times the family hearth was designated by the Latin word
focus
. It was the heart of clan and tribal life. Sacred to the goddesses such as Brigid, Hestia, and Vesta, the hearth fire was presided over by the family matriarch. Her task was an essential one, as the fire was a living symbol of the family's spirit.

In magick, fire is the element of transformation. There is something magickal about working your spells and charms by the light of a fireplace or in the flickering illumination of candles. Fire is a magickal mood enhancer; it's powerful, destructive, and creative, all at the same time. Working by the hearth with your fireplace or wood-burning stove is a way to link your magick back to the ways of the village Witch, cunning man, or wise woman. It is also a golden opportunity to get to know and to work with the salamanders, the fire elementals. If you do not have a fireplace, don't fret. Simply create your own hearthstone with a trio of tall pillar candles and a few decorative flat stones arranged around them in a semicircle, similar to what was suggested in the hearth goddess charm. Consecrate these hearthstones with a pinch of salt or a drop of essential oil. Make sure that wherever you arrange this, it is well away from flammable items like curtains and upholstery.

Give me a spark o' Nature's fire,

That's all the learning I desire.

Robert Burns

Salamanders and Scrying with Fire

Salamanders are the elemental embodiment of fire. Without the energies and powers of the salamanders, fire would not exist. Salamanders are often described as being small lizards or glowing, reddish-gold balls of flaming light. Salamanders are loyal and quick to protect their families. The salamanders, like their elemental cousins the dragons and the firedrakes, are all part of the elemental world of fire. The gifts they bestow upon us are warmth, passion, enthusiasm, and the psychic ability to “see.” If you care to try and work with the fire elementals, then try your hand at scrying with fire.

Scrying with fire is called pyromancy. This technique can be difficult for a beginner, but that's usually because they are thinking the process to death. If you have a fire in the fireplace, merrily crackling away, then lay down on the floor in front of your hearth on your belly and get comfortable. Rest your chin on your hands and settle in to watch the flames. Now let your mind drift and your imagination go. Let your eyes unfocus and blink naturally. What sort of pictures do you see in the flames?

A house may symbolize prosperity. Trees and horseshoes are thought to mean success, good luck, and prosperity. A horse, plane, or ship signifies a journey, and a flying bird means that a letter is on the way. A bell is an omen for a wedding and a cradle portends a baby.

Relax and enjoy yourself as you gaze into the flames—but try not to fall asleep. If you don't have a fireplace or stove, then use your candle and hearthstone setup. Just let your vision blur and your mind drift as you watch the candle flames. Give yourself about a half hour for your first attempt, and note down any impressions or images that you see.

If you have lots of sparks popping against the fireplace or stove screen while you are scrying, that is usually a good sign that the salamanders are trying to work with you. If you have big billows of smoke and tall flames that suddenly flare up, then the dragons and drakes are on the job. If for some reason the fire begins to smolder out, then give it a prod and feed it more wood. Don't panic if the flames peter out on you, just stoke the fire back up and enjoy the process.

If you are using candle flames to scry, then watch those carefully as well. Crackling or chattering candles mean the salamanders are close. Tall or dancing candle flames (that are not caused by a draft or breeze) indicate the energies of the drakes and dragons.

Here is another option for those of you without a fireplace. Try burning a candle inside of a cast-iron cauldron. This simple and practical act can re-create a touch of cottage witchery-style hearth magick. After all, what's a Witch's cottage without a cauldron?

Should your candle flames take on a blue tinge, that is thought to represent the presence of a ghost. Now, should this happen, and it makes you uncomfortable, call on any of our previously mentioned hearth goddesses and the fire elementals for their assistance. Sprinkle a bit of salt at each of the four corners of your home and ask that the spirit move on to a happier place.

Flame of magic, brightly burn, spirit of the fire.

Let the wheel of fortune turn, grant me my desire.

Doreen Valiente

Fire Magick

In keeping with our natural magick theme, let's take a closer look at fire magick. Fire is one of the more powerful natural elements. Candle spells are pretty much a starting point for most beginners, and most magickal books feature at least a handful of candle spells (this book is no exception). Back in chapter 2 there was a color correspondence chart that may certainly be used for candle magick as well. However, I want to give you something different to try—something more time-honored and more in keeping with the traditions of the old wise ones.

To work this type of enchantment you are going to need an open flame, either from a fireplace, a wood stove, or an outdoor old-style barbecue pit. How about one of those new metal portable outdoor fire pits with the screens all around? I have used an old kettle-type of barbecue grill with sticks and kindling arranged inside of it. It's safe, and the flames are contained and well above the ground. Its black color and shape reminded me of a cauldron.

My group has used this setup for a midsummer's miniature bonfire in my backyard. We all took turns tossing into the flames various herbs and magickal flowers from my gardens. While we did, we each made a wish for prosperity or health during the dark half of the year. It was a complete surprise to us that those green, fresh herbs made sparks and the color of the flames changed. Maybe it was the addition of green material into the fire, or perhaps it was simply the magick of a circle of Witches celebrating the summer solstice.

If you do build a small outdoor fire, please be safe and smart. Keep water and hoses at the ready. Also make sure that long, dangling sleeves or unbound hair is kept well out of harm's way.