Air Magick - Broomsticks

Brooms have long been associated with Witches and Witchcraft.  Everyone has seen the images of a Witch flying through a moonlit night on her broomstick.  While most of these stories can probably be traced back to the old days of Witch Hunting and The Burning Times as stories meant to scare children and help people "identify" witches, there are many magical uses for brooms that are very much alive and well for the modern witch.  Broomsticks, also called "besoms", are traditionally used to purify and cleanse a sacred space before ritual.  Sweeping away the negative energy in a circle to help create a sacred and protected place for rituals, and meditation.  They are also commonly used for energetic cleansing of a home, sweeping away any negativity that may have gathered in your house.  Broomsticks are also associated with dreaming and Astral travel, which is probably how they became associated with "flying".

The broom can be used for cleaning, decoration, magick, and ritual. It is suggested that you have more than one broom for your home; one for the daily cleaning and sweeping, and one or more others for rituals or magick. (Though the first, for cleaning, can also be magickal, it is not the same one you would use during ritual, but both can be used for sweeping away negative energy.)

The broom is commonly seen as the symbol of the female witch and represents her vehicle for traveling into dreamtime, astral travel, and her power over her realm - the Home and Hearth. Since it is mainly used in purification and blessing, the broom is commonly associated with the element of water; thus is also used in all types of spells including love, dreams, astral travel, and psychic workings. Yet others see the broom as associated with the element of Air and align it more with masculine energy because of it's phallic appearance.

Generally the most common use for a broom or "besom" is to ritualistically cleanse and area for magick. In many Wiccan traditions (though not limited to such), a ritual is begun by gently sweeping the area (the circle) before the altar is set up - sweeping away any negative astral energy. For more, see the *Broom Purification of Space Before Ritual * post

It is customary for a witch to name her broom - thus imbuing it with personal energy by respecting it as an intimate familiar. If you have a permanent altar, the customary placement for your magickal broom's "Home" would be the left side of your altar. (stored bristle side up for luck) If you don't have a permanent altar set up, your broom can be stored behind a door, hanging on a door or wall, under your bed, or wrapped in a cloth and stored in a closet; somewhere that it can be untouched and undisturbed between ritual uses.

Sweeping

The simple act of sweeping can be very magickal. When using a new broom for the first time, you should sweep something into the home, otherwise, you may sweep your luck right out the door.

If you have a fireplace, you should always sweep towards the fireplace. Otherwise, you can sweep in any direction except for towards the door. Some people choose to sweep the room's perimeters in a clockwise circle, beginning at either the East or the West, to enhance the cleansing energy of sweeping. It is also believed that sweeping at night may bring bad luck or prevent good fortune. This belief seems to be based on ancient folklore that says sweeping disturbs the spirits that walk the floors at night time. More on broom folklore can be found in this post- Broomsticks ~ Many Uses and Lore ~

Making or decorating your own Broom

A traditional magickal broom is crafted from a wooden staff (preferably Ash), Birch twigs, and Willow binding. Though other materials can be used such as Straw, Pine Needles, Lemon Balm, Elder Stalks, Mallow Stalks, etc. You may want to decorate the handle with sacred symbols such as a crescent moon, runes, or sigils of protection or cleansing. Feathers, bells, other herbs, or shells, can also be hung from your broom to further empower it for magickal cleansing and blessing purposes. If a broom cannot be made, you can decorate a store-bought one with any of these suggested items, and cleanse it or bless it for your purpose. The following inscription is suggested in the book "The Magical Household" by Cunningham and Harrington;

On one side of the broom, with the words traveling toward the bristles, write "I sweep in Luck, Blessings, and Prosperity." On the other side of the broom, with the words traveling away from the bristles, "I Sweep away Negativity, Evil, and Poverty."

Here is a list of some Lore, Beliefs, and Magickal Uses associated with Broomsticks (Besoms)

•It is considered unlucky to buy a broomstick in the month of August.

•Bringing an old broom into a new house is bad luck. If you are moving, buy a new broom and leave the old broom at the old residence. (this applies to the brooms you clan with, but you can take your magickal brooms or decorative brooms with you... just cleanse them or bless them before using them in your new home.)

•When you first use a new broom, you should first sweep something into the house. This invites luck and fortune into your home. Otherwise, you just may be sweeping away your luck! It is also believed that if you make wish the first time you use a new broom, it will come true.

•If a broom falls from your hands while you sweep, make a wish before you pick it up.

•Sweeping at night is considered unlucky, as it disturbs the spirits who roam the floors as others sleep.

•If a broom falls across a doorway, you will soon go on a journey. Pick it up quickly without stepping over it for a safe journey.

•If a broom falls anywhere else in your home, you can expect company.

•To bring rain, stand outside and swing a broom in the air over your head.

•Place our broom on your front porch during a lightning storm to protect from lightning stikes.

•If you want to get married, jump over a broomstick nine times - you will be exchanging vows within the next year.

•Placing a broom across the top of any doorway in your home allows your departed friends and family to speak to you if they so choose.

•For protection while you sleep, lay a broom beneath you bed. a small broom tucked under your pillow is said to protect against nightmares.

•If you must be away from home for some time, and want to return home to an energetically clean and safe bed, tuck a broom into it, laying the bristles on the pillow.

•Two brooms crossed and hung on a wall or nailed to a door guard the house, as does a broom placed on the ground before the door. A broom standing behind a door (bristles up will guard and protect your home and prevent from unwanted visitors.

*sources*

"To Ride a Silver Broomstick" by Silver Raven Wolf

"Wicca for the Solitary Practitioner" by Scott Cunningham

"The Magical Household" by Scott Cunningham and David Harrington

I found this beautiful Sweeping Spell online, but I don't know it's original source or author

This is a Sweeping spell I wrote;

While sweeping Widdershins (counterclockwise) and finishing by sweeping out the door, chant and repeat;

"Sweep, sweep, away from here

Anger, worry, negativity, fear.

Sweep, sweep, sweep away

negativity now kept at bay!"

Then sweeping in from the door and clockwise around the room, chant and repeat;

"Sweep, sweep, welcome in

Love and Health to stay within.

Sweep, sweep, sweep again

Prosperity and Blessings now begin!"

Here is a photo of my hand-made Magickal Broom.  In the next post I am going to show a tutorial on how to make one of your own!

Meditation Spell Guide

If you feel you need to give your meditation an extra boost, or would like to ask for help meditating in a ritual or spell, here are some basic magickal correspondences dealing with meditation.

Colors; Blue, White, Silver, Indigo, Purple, Violet, Yellow

Astrology; Aquarius, Pisces

Planets; Saturn, Uranus, Neptune

Day of the Week: Saturdays or Wednesdays

Element: Air

Plants & Herbs;
Basil, Bay Laurel, Benzoin, Copal, Frankincense, Gardenia, Jasmine, Lavender, Mugwort, Myrrh, Nutmeg, Patchouli, Sage, Witchgrass, Wormwood

Crystals & Gemstones;
Amethyst, Aquamarine, Blue Topaz, Calcite, Citrine, Herkimer Diamond, Jade, Lapis Lazuli, Mica, Moonstone, Obsidian, Onyx, Peridot, Quartz, Rose Quartz, Sapphire, Selenite, Sodalite,Topaz, Turquoise, Ulexite

Additional Tools;
Bell, Chimes, Tibetan Singing Bowl, Meditation Pillow, a Meditation Table or Altar


If you are having trouble with meditation; whether it be finding the time to meditate, or being able to still your mind long enough to relax, look at this list and see what you can put together to encourage and enhance your meditation practice.  The more ritualistic you make your meditation time, with the continuous practice and repetition of the same ritual each time, you will begin to settle more quickly and easily into a meditative state. You will also have made more of a commitment to practice meditation and there fore will find more time, or time will present itself to you.

For example, using the list and suggestions above, I would make a small meditation table in my bedroom or another private area... even a bathroom!  Place a few of the above mentioned crystals on it, along with an Air Element representation of my choice.  I would place my bell or Tibetan Singing Bowl on this table, and an incense burner or essential oil diffuser.... and choose from the above listed plants and herbs for a scent for my incense or oil.  I may find a candle in one of the colors listed above, anoint it with essential oil from one of the plants listed above and bless it with my intention to meditate more often or for longer periods of time.  I might choose to carve symbols that represent the astrological signs or planets listed above into the sides of my candle.  Once I have my area set up, I begin each meditation the same way.  I make note of what order I do things in and remember to do them in the same order each time I sit down to meditate... this repetition creates ritual.
For example, I might do a few simple stretches and drink some water.  Roll my neck and shoulders gently and stretch my back and legs to prepare for sitting.  Then I light my candle, and say a simple prayer to God/Goddess/Angels/Spirit Guides to protect me and help me during my meditation.  Next I light the incense or oil burner and simply breathe the aroma for a minute, enjoying it.  Then I would sit myself in the position I am going to meditate in, ring my bell one time to signal the beginning of my meditation, and then begin.

This is just one example of how you may use the list above to help you in meditation.  There are so many possibilities with the things listed above, from the blends of incense you might make, a mojo bag to hold while you meditate, crystals to use on a meditation mala necklace, symbols and colors to create a mandala for meditation.... come up with whatever works best for you and use it to enhance your meditation practice!

Full Moon Spell to Heal The Earth

Air Element Study, Lesson Two

Air Pollution and what we Can Do About It.

A Full Moon Spell to Gaia for Healing of the Earth

For this spell, you may choose different candle colors, herbs, and incesne based on the type of Environmental Healing you want to do.  (Air Pollution, Water Pollution, Earth Pollution)  You may choose to do this healing based on the astrological sign of the Full Moon.  For example, the upcoming Full Moon will be Wednesday/Thursday April 24th and 25th, and it will be in Libra, an Air Sign.  So I would choose correspondences to go with Air Healing.  For my full list of correspondences for Environmental healing please read this post.

Gather your herbs, incense, two candles, crystals of your choice, and a cauldron or offering bowl.

Open the circle, and meditate for awhile on your intent.  When you are ready, place the herbs you chose in the offering bowl, arrange the crystals around it.  Set one candle behind it.  Light the candle and incense.  Place both hands, palm down on the altar and chant;

"Mother Gaia, Goddess of the Earth, 
I give you honor,
for without your care and being
I would have no home.
Earth Mother, hear my words.
I have need of your Divine Presence."

Light the second candle from the flame of the first, and carry it to the East.

"Awake, Earth Mother!
Your winds are heavy and foul!
Sweep them clean again!"

Carry the candle to the South

"Awake, Earth Mother!
Your children need your cleansing rays of light.
Our atmosphere is in trouble!"

Carry the candle to the West.

"Awake, Earth Mother! 
The plants and animals and humans are in danger.
Protect your children!"

Carry the candle to the North.

"Awake, Earth Mother!
The planet itself is sick.
Do not destroy us in order to restore balance.
Rather inspire us to all work together as healers of our world.
Come again to your children, Gaia!"

Place the candle on the altar.  Stand with upraised arms

"Awaken our minds and souls, Gaia!
Teach all humans to respect their home.
Teach us responsibility, 
whether it be of chemicals or population,
Awaken us all to the needs of our Earth!"

Thank Gaia for her presense, and extinguish the candles.  Put the herbs outside as an offering to the Earth.  Or, if you wish, leave the candles lit while you do another spell or say more prayers for healing of the Air (or Earth, or Water, whatever the focus of your spell.)  Make sure you follow through by doing your part to help heal the Earth!

Read Here for another prayer to heal the skies.
Read Here for a Meditation on Healing the Earth on Pollution (You could do this meditation at either the beginning or end of your spell)
If you have chosen a couple simple ways that you want to help reduce air pollution, whether you are making changes in your lifestyle or it is something you have already begun doing, here is a simple blessing prayer to dedicate your activity to the greater good of healing The Air.

A Spell For Balance

Air Element Studies, Lesson Two

Air Pollution and What We Can Do about it.

A Spell For Balance

by Starhawk, from "The Earth Path"

"When you are faced with a choice to do something small in service of the Earth that requires some sacrifice [or change] on your part, stop first, breathe and ground and say;

"I offer up this (walk, bus ride, effort of recycling, creation of a compost pile, money spent on an energy saving light bulb... etc.) to the greater balance and healing of the Earth.  Let this small act be like a ripple that grows into a wide circle as it moves outward, leading to greater change.  With every breath in as I (walk, ride, compost, enjoy the light...etc), I will remember my gratitude to the ancestors for the miracle gift of air.  With every breath out I will renew my love and commitment to the balance"."

If you haven't yet, choose something you can do to help prevent and clean up air pollution.  Make a commitment to do it, say this prayer, and remember to breathe in and out slowly and feel gratitude, respect, balance, and intention every time you do whatever it is you have chosen.  No matter how small it seems, it is an act to restore balance and show your love for the Earth and respect to your Ancestors.

This is one small thing I have done so far.  I bought a second trash can for my kitchen, and I labeled it so my kids know to use it for items that can be recycled.  This helps them remember to sort the recyclables from the regular trash, which means we should be recycling a little bit more every week!  I am going to say the above prayer every time I empty this trash bin into our Recycling Collection bin that the city provides for us.  

Environmental Healing Spell Guide

Air Element Study, Lesson Two

Air Pollution and what we can do to help.

If you are wanting to create your own spell or ritual for Healing of The Earth, here are some correspondences you might want to keep in mind.  Creating your own spell is easy and fun, and I think sometimes a spell created on our own can be more powerful because we put our own energy into coming up with it.

Environmental Healing Spell Correspondences

Colors; (Colors can be used for candles you use, paper your write on, color of pen you use for writing your prayer, ribbons or string/cord you use, or fabric to make a sachet.)
For Earth Healing; Green, Brown, Black
For Air Healing; Yellow, White, or Sky Blue
For Water Healing: Blue or Sea-Green

Plants;  (Used in the form of incense, essential oils, or dried herbs you use in any other way)
Acorn, Apple, Basil, Copal, Elm, Frankincense, Lavender, Maple, Myrrh, Pine, Rose, Sage, Sandalwood, Tobacco, Willow, Yarrow

Crystals and Gemstones;
Amber, Bloodstone, Calcite, Carnelian, Copper, Garnet, Jasper, Obsidian, Petrified Wood, Quartz

Astrological Signs (For timing of your spell, or for writing / carving a sigil representing the sign's power into your candle or paper, etc)
For Earth Healing; Taurus, Virgo, Capricorn
For Air Healing; Gemini, Libra, Aquarius
For Water Healing; Cancer, Scorpio, Pisces

Day of the Week (not necessary, but might add a boost to your spell if you can do it on the day of the week related to it's element.)
For Earth Healing; Saturday, Thursday
For Air Healing; Wednesday, Sunday
For Water Healing; Monday

Element/Direction/Elementals.  All directions may be summoned for your circle, as all elements are connected.  But you can pay special attention in calling these elements or directions depending on what kind of environmental healing you are doing.
Earth Healing; Earth/North/Gnomes
Air Healing; Air/East/Sylphs
Water Healing; Water/West/Sprites or Mermaids

Tarot Cards; (Some people like to place Tarot Cards on their Altar to represent the magick they are working)
Earth Healing; The Empress, The World or Ace of Pentacles
Air Healing; The Sun, The Lovers, Ace of Swords (or Ace of Wands depending on your deck's correspondences)
Water Healing: The Star, Temperance, or Ace of Cups

For a list of Archangels, Gods & Goddesses, and Elementals you can call on for Environmental work and Earth Healing, read this post.

Air Element Study; Lesson 2 - Air Purification (Household Magick)

Air Element Study: Lesson 2

Air Purification (Household Magick)

Here are some methods for purifying the Air within your home! 

Fresh Air Spell

by Ember

"This spell is to create a room-cleansing mist to cleanse a space of negative energy and create a positive atmosphere.  Make a "tea bag" by adding equal parts rosemary and sage to a piece of cheesecloth.  Tie the bag and toss it into water that is just at the brink of boiling.  Allow this infusion to steep until it's partially cooled.  Remove the cheesecloth bag and pour the mixture into a clean spray bottle.  Add a few drops of peppermint and orange essential oil, a sprig of dill, and a pinch of sea salt.  Place the bottle on your altar or table and allow it to cool completely.  If you wish, make a circle of quartz crystals around it and focus your intent on specific issues you wish to manifest.  Spray the mixture into the air of any room you would like to freshen with positive energy."

Note from Tarot Mom; To make this spell into a more Air Energy type of spell, place it on your Air Altar before use, light your Air Element Candle, place the Ace of Swords next the the bottle with the crystals, and say a prayer asking the water mixture to be blessed with the energy of fresh Air; and focus your intent on creating positive space that allows clear thinking, learning, and communication.  For an extra Air Energy boost, ring a bell as you spray the room.

Air Purifying Household Plants

Some wonderful plants to keep around your home, they will suck up large amounts of carbon dioxide and other toxities in the air and put out nice big bursts of Oxygen purifying the air. 

1. Bamboo Palm According to NASA, it removes formaldehyde and is also said to act as a natural humidifier.

2. Snake Plant Found by NASA to absorb nitrogen oxides and formaldehyde.

3. Areca Palm One of the best air purifying plants for general air cleanliness.

4. Spider Plant Great indoor plant for removing carbon monoxide and other toxins or impurities. Spider plants are one of three plants NASA deems best at removing formaldehyde from the air.

5. Peace Lily Peace lilies could be called the clean all. They're often placed in bathrooms or laundry rooms because they're known for removing mold spores. Also know to remove formaldehyde and trichloroethylene.

6. Gerbera Daisy Not only do these gorgeous flowers remove benzene from the air, they're known to improve sleep by absorbing carbon dioxide and giving off more oxygen over night. So make great bedroom plants.

~ From "Wicca Teachings" on FaceBook

Himalayan Salt Lamps

Scientific studies have shown that rock salt lamps can increase the negative ion count by up to 300% and excessive negative ions are essential for a positive mood and high energy. When warmed by the globe the rock salt generates a stream of negative ions which improves the air quality.

They remove odors from the air naturally, creating a pleasant atmosphere.

Televisions, radios, computers, microwaves, transmitters all produce positive ions. Placing a Rock Salt Lamp nearby produces the negative ions required for good health. Using one at work will help to make you feel more energized. 

Working under bright artificial light can make you feel tired, however the negative ions created by your lamp, balance this energy making you fell rejuvenated and energized.

Also beneficial for people effected by arthritis, asthma, stress, insomnia, aches, fatigue, tiredness, migraines, headaches, hormonal imbalance, attention deficit disorder and poor concentration.

It is safe and beneficial to leave your lamp on at all times.

Care of your lamp:

To clean your lamp just wipe gently with a damp cloth. Do not use a soaking cloth as this will begin to dissolve it. 

If you live in a humid area place your lamp in a plastic bag when it is turned off so it will not absorb the moisture in the air.

Air Element Study; Lesson 1 - Correspondences

AIR ELEMENT STUDY, Lesson One

 Above is the sigil (symbol) for the element of Air. Make a page in your Book of Shadows or journal to list all the things represented by the Air Element (correspondences) Below is my list, but you can do research to add to your own list as well.

 Correspondences;
Direction; East
Colors; yellow, white, gold, pale blue
Season; Spring
Places; mountain tops, meadows, windy planes, schools, libraries, office or study areas
Astrological signs: Gemini, Libra, Aquarius
Planets; Mercury, Jupiter, Uranus, Venus
witch's tools: bell, incense, wand.  In some traditions, athame, sword/dagger,
Natural representations: feathers, flowers, oils, perfumes, incense (smoke)
Tarot: suit of swords, The Fool, The Star, Justice, The Lovers
Elementals; Fairies, Flower Fairies, Sylphs, Angels, winds, Air Dragons
Animals; birds, flying insects
Deities; (a brief list)  Aradia, Aphrodite, Arianrhod, Eros, Mercury (Hermes), Nut, Psyche, Butterfly Woman & Sky Father (Native American)

Spells & rituals for:
Communication, voice, music, listening, learning, education, studying, meditation, astral travel, travel, movement, dance, cleansing, purification, blessing, dreams, the throat chakra, creativity, teaching, writing, poetry, friendship, incense magick, smudging.

For younger kids you can talk to them about the Air, how it is all around us.  We breathe it in and out, the wind blows and helps carry seeds to pollinate plants as well as bring rain.  Our voices are carried in the air so just talking, whistling, singing, chanting, etc. are all ways we engage with the air... as well as playing musical instruments!  There will be more hands-on type lessons later on so if you are doing this with a child just start talking to them about the air at whatever level is appropriate for their age!

 

 

Assignment; Make a page for your Book of Shadows or Element Journal to write down all of these correspondences.  You may want to leave room to add more things if you find other correspondences as you study.  Feel free to do your own research online or in books you own and add to the list.  Some traditions assign different correspondences to the elements, so feel free to add what fits to your specific path.  Here is a picture of my Correspondence List page from my B.O.S.  I used yellow ink and a page with a picture of a butterfly on it.

 

 

 

 

 

 

If you wish, you might want to make a "Cover Page" for your Air Element section of your notebook or Book of Shadows.   Here is an example of mine.  I used yellow paper and embellished it with stamps and stickers of dragonflies and a bird, and wrote a prayer to the Air Element.

 

 

The prayer says;

"Oh Great Air,
Power of the East,
dwelling place of the Angels, Muses, and Faeries,

I sing out in Praise

and Thankfulness

for your Inspiration,

Creativity, Knowledge,

and Music.

My Mind is Open
and my Spirit soars

with the Air!"

 

~ By "Tarot Mom" Lady Josephine, 2010

 

Elemental Studies Series!

My oldest daughter has been learning about Pagan Spirituality, Wicca, Witchcraft, Tarot, and Astrology with me off and on for quite awhile.  She wanted to get serious about her studies, so I started creating "lesson plans" based on learning some basics in the books she has, and my own collection of books as well.  Recently we decided that we would start learning about the Elements - one at a time and really getting into each element in depth!  So I have lots of lessons, activities, crafts, and spells planned out for us to do together.  I realized this would be a great blogging opportunity - to write about what we are learning and what we experience!  I am hoping many people will want to follow along... these lessons will be great for beginners, and for those who have been following a Pagan Path for many years!  They will be kid-friendly so if you have children that you are raising on a Pagan Path, this will give you some guidelines and lessons to follow to help them learn about each element.  We are so excited to be starting this series!

Our first element of study, since it is Spring here in the Northern Hemisphere, will be the AIR ELEMENT!  "Lesson One" will be posted soon!!  I hope you will join us and would love to hear your feedback!  The first thing I suggest you get is a 3-ring binder or a notebook, if you don't already have a "Book of Shadows" or a Grimoire to use.  You will end up with a whole section dedicated to the Air Element, Air Magick, Air Meditations, and your own personal experiences!  So who's with me?  Let's get started!!

FlyLady - Pagan Style - BabySteps Day 4

For those of you who don't know what FlyLady is, it's an inspirational website designed to help you clean and de-clutter your home and your life. It helps you create routines that work for you, your lifestyle & your family to help housekeeping become stress-free and something you just do naturally and daily rather than something you put off until the last minute and then stress about when you have company coming over.

I have felt for awhile now that many aspects of the FlyLady program can be applied in spiritual ways to those who consider themselves, Neo-Pagans, Kitchen Witches, Hearth Witches, Green Witches, etc. I will be going over some FlyLady basics here in my blog and writing about how they can be seen as a spiritual thing; not just a house-cleaning and organizing thing! If you missed it, check out my post called "FlyLady - Pagan Style; Welcome Letter"

When you start with FlyLady, there are 31 days of "Baby Steps" to help you slowly start to integrate small changes into your daily routines. It's about developing habits and changing your mind-set to a positive one!

BabySteps Day 4;
Keep Doing What You have been doing!

Get dressed to shoes when you get up!
Keep your Sink Shining!
Write notes to hang above your sink and in your bathroom to remind you to do these things!
(see FlyLady's Day 4 Lesson HERE)

Day 4 we continue to reinforce the habits we have already started, getting dressed to shoes, and keeping our sink shining!  We also begin a new habit; writing things down!  Writing down your goals and putting the notes or reminders in a place we will see them is our way of holding ourselves accountable.  You might be embarrassed to have a note to yourself above your sink where your family will see it.  Think of it this way... if you have a note to yourself to keep the sink shining, and your family sees it, and then they see you NOT keeping the sink shining, that will be pretty embarrassing too!  But if you have a note on the wall, and your sink stays nice and shiny all week... if anyone says anything to tease you about your note to yourself... you can point out; "Hey, it works, and don't tell me you don't love how the sink has been shining all week!"

Writing things down and looking at your reminders is the beginning of creating a "Control Journal".  Your "Control Journal" isn't something here to control you, so don't let the name of it scare you off.  Think of it this way; in an Airport there are many different important things that need to be done.  There is a "control room", or "Control Tower" where some very important people work to keep things running smoothly, giving guidelines, take-off and landing schedules, etc.  Your Control Journal is like the Command Center for how you run your home.  Don't worry too much just yet about building your control journal.... first we just develop the habit of writing things down and checking our reminders!

From a Pagan Perspective, we know that both spoken words and written words have great power.  Magickal symbols, runes, sigils, etc help us embrace and capture certain energies.  Your "Control Journal" will be like your "Household Book of Shadows", especially as you learn that the simplest of things; like shining your sink or sweeping your floor, can be just as magickal as an advanced ritual!  For now, think about any symbols you would like to add to your notes to help remind you of success and positivity!  You may choose to add a symbol of the Sun, for energy, motivation, and willpower.  You might choose a rune to symbolize Victory, home, positive change, etc... whatever you feel drawn to add to your note!

 

You may also want to write down an affirmation, to remind yourself to stay positive and not be so hard on yourself!  Or simply write F.L.Y. - you know what it means, and just seeing the reminder that these baby steps are the first steps to Finally Loving Yourself may help as a reminder to be more loving to yourself on a daily basis!

 

Day 4!  You're doing great!  Keep it up and continue to meditate with these affirmations daily along with reinforcing your new routines!  By the end of this month, (or sooner) you will have these affirmations memorized and thinking more positive loving thoughts to yourself will also be a habit and come much more easily!