7 Days of Magic: Spells, Charms & Correspondences for the Bewitching Week

Sunday Acheerful friend is like a sunny day, spreading bliss all around.
John Lubcock
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At-a-Glance Correspondences

planetary influence Sun
planetary symbol A
deities Helios, Brigid
flowers & plants carnation, marigold, St. John's wort,
sunflower
metal gold
colors gold, yellow, yellow-orange, neon shades of orange and yellow, hot pink
crystals & stones carnelian, diamond, amber, tiger's-eye,
quartz crystal
tarot card associations The Sun, Ace of Wands,
The Chariot
foods, herbs & spices orange, cinnamon

Daily Magical Applications

Sunday, our first day of the week, received its name from the Latin words Dies Solis
("sun's day"). In ancient Greek it was called Hemera Heliou. In the Old English language it was known as Sunnandaeg; in Middle English, Sonenday. All of these titles mean the same thing, the "day of the sun."

What do you think of when you feel the sun shine down on you? What sorts of enchantments and energies do you think would be complementary to a day named after our closest star? Sunday brings those bright, solar energies into your life and has the magical correspondences of success, promotion, leadership, pride, light, warmth,
fitness, and personal growth.

The charms and spells that would complement this magical day of the sun are ones for personal achievements of any kind-like if you are seeking fame and wealth,working for that much-deserved promotion at work, or being acknowledged for a job well done. Health issues, increasing personal power, or simply sticking to your diet and being proud of what you have accomplished-all of these goals fall under the golden influence of the sun.

Deities
Getting to know more about the various pantheons and assorted deities helps you figure out whom to call on and when. Learning more about the assorted deities helps you specialize your magic. In other words, you go to specific gods for particular needs.Why is specializing so important? Well, you wouldn't call a plumber if you needed your fuse box repaired, would you? Here is a bit of information on some of the deities associated with light, success, and the sun.

There are many mythological connections between the sun and a male deity.
These gods of light and fire sometimes seem to be direct contrasts to the more feminine powers of the night, water, and the moon. However, there are goddesses of light, fire, and the hearth flame as well. In truth, if you take a good look at various mythologies, you can typically find something for everyone.

helios Do you feel that you need the extra drive, ambition, and power of the God of the Sun, who sees all and watches over us as he blazes through the sky? Try picturing a buff, chariot-driving, golden-haired centurion-that would be Helios, the Greek god of the sun.

Helios was thought of as the physical representation of sun. He was portrayed as sometimes wearing a golden helmet or having a golden halo. He was often characterized in art as a handsome man draped in a white, sparkling tunic and cloak. Helios drove his blazing sun-chariot across the sky from east to west, every day. The golden chariot was pulled by his four white horses, named Pyrois, Eos, Aethon, and Phiegon. Symbols for this sun god include the chariot, the rooster, the globe, and his four white horses.

brigid The Celtic goddess of the hearth and flame, Brigid, is a triple goddess of light, inspiration,
and healing. She is often associated with smithcraft, well-being, and poetry.

There are many variations on the name Brigid, including Breed, Brigit, Brighid, and Brigitania. The goddess Brigid was also known as the "Bright One" or the "Bright Arrow." Often depicted as a woman with long, braided, red-gold hair, this beloved goddess of the Celts once had a sacred fire that was tended in Kildare, Ireland. In medieval times, abbey nuns tended the perpetual flame. In ancient times, it was Brigid's priestesses. Recently Brigid's flame was relit. This goddess of Erin (Ireland) will always bring illumination to hose who seek her out.

Brigid keeps the home fires burning. She is the guardian of the hearth and the goddess of flame, light, and the sun. If you have a fireplace in your home, Brigid is the deity to guard or ward it. On my mantle there is a framed picture of the triple Brigid. She watches over the home and wards our wood-burning stove and the surrounding hearth. No fireplace? Well, then, the kitchen stove is the next logical choice.Try setting out a little arrangement of three white pillar candles. Keep them lit when you are home, and watch them set an enchanting mood.You could devote them to Brigid by carving a triskele (2) on the sides of the candles. Those burning candles bring to mind the sacred, perpetual flame at Kildare.

Some other magical symbols for Brigid include a cauldron, as Brigid was thought to have been the keeper of the cauldron of inspiration. Another less-known symbol for Brigid is the shamrock, which could be another symbol for those candles if you have trouble carving a neat triskele. The shamrock, or three-leaf clover, was thought to represent the triple aspect of this goddess in olden times.

Magical Plants & Flowers

marigold The common garden marigold (Tagetes) is a powerful little magical f lower. While its scent is strong and maybe unpleasant to some folks, don't turn your nose up at it! According to folklore, it was thought that if you gathered marigolds at noon it would double their solar energy. The marigold is used to encourage wealth and riches. It also helps keeps wandering spirits away. By the way, the pot marigold (Calendula officinalis)
is edible, and its f lower petals may be added to salads or used as garnish.

st. john's wort The herb St. John's wort is a perennial herb, blooming typically once a year right around Midsummer. Its magical properties include health and happiness.Try gathering the blossoms for a good luck charm, or work with the green foliage and tuck it into a vase with other magical f lowers for its protective qualities.

carnation The carnation is one of my favorite f lowers. As cut f lowers, they are inexpensive to purchase and you can even grow a miniature variety of them in the garden quite easily from seed. The carnation's spicy aroma is uplifting and healing.Try working with yellow- and orange-colored carnations to give your Sunday f lower fascinations an extra boost of color magic.

A flower fascination is a simple f loral type of magic that usually only employs a flower or two. The term fascination is defined as "to bewitch or to hold spellbound by an irresistible power." Therefore, a flower fascination is simply the act of working spells with magical f lowers.

sunflower The sunflower, while very easy to grow in the home garden, may only bloom for a few summer months out of the year-typically late June throughout September.
However, these days it is available to us year round. The sunflower is a very popular f lower in the f lorist's trade. So, if you don't have any blooming in the garden at the moment, pop into your local f lorist and pick up an inexpensive stem or two for Sunday spells.

ga r d e n w i tc h t i p Here is a practical tip for working with fresh f lowers. If you'd like your f lowers to stay fresher in the vase for a longer period of time,
then give the bottom of the stems a fresh diagonal cut with a knife or a scissors just before you plunk them into a water-filled vase.
Also, strip off any lower leaves from the stems that may be below the water line. (The only thing you want in the water is the stems.)
Change your water every other day and the f lowers will stay fresher longer. Adding a bit of white soda, such as 7-Up, to the water is rumored to keep f lowers fresher longer, too.

A Sunflower Spell
In the language of f lowers, the sunf lower symbolizes "high hopes and adoration."
If you've ever grown sunflowers in the garden, then you have noticed how they turn their faces toward the sun throughout the day. These sun-worshipping f lowers are perfect for you if you are looking to stand out in a crowd or are seeking fame and riches.

If possible, work this f lower fascination outside. Set a sunf lower or two into a vase full of clean water. (If you work with the flowers from the garden you may have to arrange those thick stems in something more substantial,
like a decorative metal bucket or heavy vase, so the weight of the stems won't tip the vase over.) At the third line of the spell (below), turn to face the sun. Close your eyes and tip your face up to its light. Remember, while working your way to the recognition, promotion, or raise that you so richly deserve, to be fair and not to step on anyone else while you climb that ladder of success. Repeat the following spell three times:

I will stand head and shoulders above the crowd,
I call for wealth and fame, I'll shout it out loud!
Like a sunflower I turn to face the bright sun,
Grant me power and triumph, and let it harm none.
Close the spell by saying,
For the good of all, with harm to none,
By blossom and leaf, this spell is done.

Put them in a spot where you can see them every day to remind you of the f lower fascination. Enjoy the sunf lowers until they begin to fade.When it's time to dispose of them, do it neatly. Recycle them by adding them to a compost pile.

Colors, Candles & Crystals

colors Colors for the day can include all shades of yellow, yellow-orange, and metallic gold.
Actually, the associated metal for Sunday is gold. If you have any gold jewelry, such as a ring, a pair of earrings, a necklace-or even a fun and funky piece of costume jewelry shaped like a sun (such as a pin or pendant)-today is the day to wear it and to enchant it. Hold the jewelry up to the sunlight and ask for the energies of the day to imbue it with wealth, purpose, and achievement.Try asking Helios to bless it with drive and ambition, or ask Brigid to strengthen it with her light and divine inspiration.
Then you can wear the sun-charmed jewelry any time that you feel the need for a little extra sunshine,warmth, and success.

If you care to coordinate your outfit with the bright energies of the sun, then try a shirt, blouse, scarf, or add an accessory in any of these warm colors. If you're feeling really adventurous, try the bright colors of hot pink, neon orange, and neon yellow.

A Colorful Sunny Day Spell
Try working this spell on a gloomy, rainy Sunday, or any day. It will lift your spirits, no matter what the weather.

Slip on your sunny outfit or wear your sun-theme jewelry and then take a moment to imagine yourself either on a sun-drenched beach or in the middle of a bright meadow with the sun streaming down on you. Now picture that a little of the sun's warmth is soaking into the bright colors/jewelry that you are wearing. Do you feel a bit warmer? While you are visualizing this for a moment or two, repeat the following spell three times:

Even though the skies may be cloudy and gray,
I will wear the colors of the sun today.
For the colors of yellow, gold, and orange, you see,
Work their own sunny magic, so mote it be!
Close the spell by saying,
For the good of all, with harm to none,
By color and light, this spell is done!

Then take a deep breath, blow it out, and go dazzle 'em today!

candles Candle colors for today include yellow and gold. In magic, the color yellow is used to aid communication, knowledge, and creativity. The color gold represents royalty,
the God, riches, wealth, and fame. For centuries candles have been lit to welcome deity and to symbolize a connection to the magical realms. In actuality a burning candle is a physical symbol of your spell.Watch for gold metallic tapers and pillar candles around the winter holidays, you can usually pick them up on sale. Yellow may be harder to find, so keep your eyes peeled. For my candle magic, I like to work with scented votives. They come in all colors and lots of yummy fragrances. Try looking for citrus scents to bring health, and cinnamon scents for success and prosperity.
These bewitching scents will help link your solar magics together with a little Sunday magical aromatherapy
.
crystals The crystals and stones associated with the sun are carnelian, tiger's-eye, quartz crystal,
amber, and diamond. As stated earlier, the bewitching metal for today is gold.
Gold is intimately linked to the sun's energies. It is associated with sun gods and goddesses and a majestic or regal type of energy. Gold has the powers of health, wisdom,
prosperity, and success.Wearing gold jewelry will increase your personal power and give a boost to your self-confidence. It is also thought to guarantee a long life.

Carnelian: The carnelian has the elemental associations of fire. It encourages protection, courage, healing, and sexuality. In ancient Egypt,
rings of carnelian were worn to calm anger and to remove jealousy and hatred.

Tiger's-eye: The tiger's-eye is a fun tumbled stone to keep around. It too is associated with the element of fire and encourages protection, bravery,
and good luck. Tiger's-eye also promotes prosperity and personal protection.

Quartz crystal: The quartz crystal is a powerful stone. Basically, a quartz crystal point is an amplifier. It amplifies and multiplies the powers of any other stones that it is in contact with. Quartz crystals are often used to top wands, and there is good reason for that. The crystal also amplifies your personal power.

Amber: Amber is associated with the goddess Freya. This Norse goddess of love and sexuality will be featured in Friday's chapter. Amber is associated with the sun and all of the qualities that you would come to expect:
healing, strength, fame, power, and success. Amber jewelry is traditionally worn by High Priestesses and is a popular magical "stone"
(it's actually a resin).

Diamond: Beyond being "a girl's best friend," the diamond promotes spirituality and self-confidence. Due to the way that the stone f lashes when direct light hits it, it is also considered a protective stone. If you own any diamond jewelry, no matter what the size, it falls under the category of an associated stone of the sun.

A great way to empower any type of crystal or stone is to have the sun give them a little zap of energy. Similar to empowering your golden jewelry, hold the crystals or tumbling stones in the palms of your hands. Then lift your hands up toward the sun for a moment or two, quietly giving them a little shot of the sun's might and magic.
(Try the sunny beach or meadow visualization if it will help.) Slip the tumbling stones in your pocket, or place them around a spell candle, and you're ready to go.

Sunday Crystal Spell for Success
If you enjoy working with crystals, try this natural magic spell for ambition and success. Look over the spell carefully before performing it. Either set up this spell outside or facing a sunny window. Opportune times of the day to work this sunny spell are sunrise and noon.

Gather one each of the following: a small piece of amber, a tiger's-eye tumbled stone, and a quartz crystal point.With a safe, f lat surface to set up on, place a yellow candle and a candleholder in the center, and arrange the stones in a ring around the candle.Have a lighter or matches handy to light the candle.
Speak the following spell three times:

Around a yellow candle I create a ring,
Choose tiger's-eye, amber, and quartz, it's just the thing.
I call the god Helios for drive and success,
Today's ambitions and career goals he will bless.

Close the spell by saying,

For the good of all, with harm to none,
By the sun and stones, this spell is done.

Allow the candle to burn out on its own. Please remember not to leave your burning candle unattended. Pocket the sun-kissed stones and keep them with you, in your pocket or purse, for a week.