Monday 29 August 2011

Spellcraft 101 - Pauper-to-Prince Prosperity Box


Its time to break out the fun stuff guys! Magick User's University is all about interesting crafts that can be useful during your travel through the world of Magick. Today, we're going to focus on a project of making a Prosperity Box today in Spellcraft 101.

+ So what is a Prosperity Box?
Lore was the one who actually handed this information down to me from something that her grandmother did. Her grandmother would put money in a box, and stick in a spell or prayer in the box with it, and leave it out in the open to bring in money to the home. Having just moved into our new apartment and attempting to secure jobs, this seemed like a perfect opportunity to try it out.

And, I found out it did an amazing job! I'm happy in my apartment, and with a great new job that I absolutely love, and starting classes in just a couple of days! Because of this, I decided, as a University Witch, to share this spell with all of you, and hope it brings the prosperity you need in your own life! Besides, who couldn't use a bit of prosperity in their life?


+ Pauper-to-Prince Prosperity Box +

This is a pretty short project that you can do at home. You have the option of doing this while burning incense or candles to add some “oomph” to your spell. I personally an fine with merely getting into a quiet area and into the zone before I start.



+ Materials +
A pen or pencil
Paper
A box or container
Money!

This is a pretty easy project, which is always good. When Lore told me about it, I thought it was a splendid idea! When you think about it, putting precious items or money in a box, pouch, or safe isn't uncommon, is it very common, and thus I felt a bit silly upon hearing it. Why didn't I think of something that simple before? The best part is, the materials are easy to find around the house. I made it because I was looking for a job, and was a bit worried about the financial situation of our new apartment, for which was being paid for by financial aid from school (however, everything else would have to come from our own pocket). You can use it for yourself, for finding a job, pulling more money into your pocket (who doesn't want more money?), and for success in all things you do.

+ One: Get into the right mindset. Remember what the prosperity box is for, and concentrate on that purpose as you collect your materials. When you are done, settle down and start first with the sheet of paper and pen. On here, you will write out a spell for what you want to bring into your life. It can be general, or specific. It all depends on you.



For those whom are not spell inclined, I've written a general one for you below that you can use!

The branches of the Prosperity Tree
Tremble, shake, and shimmer for me
And rain down riches, of jewel and heart
May your good grace and I never part.
So mote it be.

Since this box was for both Lore and I, I wrote down two different poems, both directed to one of our patron gods.



+ Two: After writing out your spell, pull out the box you've chosen.

Mine has an elephant!

Anything you find for a box is fine. Mine is actually a disposable tea caddy made of metal. Why you would want to dispose of it is really beyond me. In fact, I had it for years because I just liked how it looked. The next thing you know, I had a use for it! This is the life of a future shop owner and current pretty-object magpie, haha. Your own box could be something very plain, like an old jewelry box, or a ring box, or even a shoe box if nothing else (if you have younger siblings, their shoes are smaller and thus would be better for this project).

After getting your box, bust out the money! Oh, but wait! What are you putting in there?

The prosperity box will not work if you merely throw a few pennies and nickles in there and call it a day. To give is to receive is the adage, and you need to put forth effort by putting forth some money. Now, we're not talking about like, serious money here. But if should be a noticeable amount, something that you could perhaps miss or say, “I could buy a ____ with that”. Since food is always of importance, our first thought was, “enough to buy a cheap meal”. We're university students, after all. Lore and I put in, I believe, four dollars and change in our mixed currency, United States currency and Canadian currency. Four dollars is a meal at McDonalds (a dollar meal, at least). Apparently, the gods believed it was enough.


Stuff it in the box, and fold up the spell and tuck it in afterward. Close the box. We're almost done!


+ Three: After completing the box, find a place out in the open to put it. We chose our bedside table! It seemed to be the best bet, and there it stays, slowly pulling in good fortune. I think that touching it, thanking it, or even giving it a gentle shake while asking it to bring you good fortune in an endeavor, such as before a job interview, seems to work well! And now, I'm going to go and give it a shake on the publishing of a book, haha! ♥ I hope it works as well for all of you as it has for me!


And there you have it! The first course in Magick User's University, Spellcraft 101. Hope you join us in class again soon!

Questions, ideas, comments? Make sure to follow and contact us on Facebook, or if you're feeling zany, check us out on Tumblr! ♥

Saturday 20 August 2011

2nd Glamour - Fall 2011 Fashion

Hey there, Witches and Mundanes! I hope so far, everyone has been having a great summer, but enough about that!

This past week, my work held a huge fashion show, and I loved seeing it all come together. They introduced the upcoming fall fashion for this year, and I saw a lot of great things. So! In efforts to keep up with the world around us, but still keep our witchy flair, I felt it was time for another glamour post!

Part of someone's day-to-day lifestyle are the clothes they wear. But what does it mean to dress like a witch?

The path of magick is being who you are, whether you dress up in prestige, luxury brands, or a simple jeans and t-shirt. There is no way to “dress like a witch”--at least, not for the modern day witch.

But every witch wants something a little magickal to wear once in a while. So lets channel some of our inner magick to create styles just for the little witch in you. I don't stick to a price range, but I attempt to make the outfit look classy, but still be affordable. I do put in luxury brands from time-to-time; however, the good thing about those is that there is always something at a more affordable budget that would work just as well. So lets get on with it!


University Witch Guide to Fall Fashion 2011


Fall is here! Which is a busy season for all fashionistas. There's a lot on the runway, people are buying clothes left and right for anything up to school, work, or merely even pleasure. So, lets check out and see everything this fall has to offer! It looks like dressing smart (and I mean literally smart) and sleek are what's in, along with the lovely trench coat! Provided you know how to wear it, that is.

+ The Green Child
When people say “green child”, it doesn't have to mean trapped in an era of love and peace. In fact, this motif can be made very modern with the right accessories and pieces. Show off your relaxed, down-to-earth nature (get it?) with an ensemble like the following!


The tones are neutral, but the green is what really makes it stand out. The skirt and grey tights give it a cute flair, while the lace-up boots shout out to your attune nature with, well, nature! With a touch of peacock feathers and the little hummingbird in the hair, it shows off an appreciation for animals. The trench and solid green tote really round it all off and pulls everything together.


+ The Mundane Impersonator
For those whom want to blend in with our non-magick brethren, this outfit is a perfect blend of neutrality and spark!



Jeans are the staple for any mundane, and these slightly distressed ones show a life of wear and tear (you know, because those mundanes don't have magick to aid them!). The cape with is diagonal lines are slimming, especially with the heels boots, but the glitz and glam every witch needs are hidden! The silver sequin tank is buried underneath the cape, only giving out a hint of shine. The plain gray cap dulls it down a bit, but the silver earrings and faux-scale clutch back it up. All the magick is hidden in the most unsuspecting of places!


+ The Wicked Witch
While your mundane-impersonating sister witch above attempts to hide what's inside, this approach is a little more... out there.



Nothing says wicked witch like the colors green and black. The dull green is in due to the more subdued fall colors, and so the screen print tee does the trick. Add on the punk with the distressed shorts and studded belt, along with some tights to combat the fall chill. The belted boots also match the studded look. Of course, you'll need a good scarf; another splash of green so the color isn't all hidden under the darkness (in your heart?). Finally, a stylish black trench to redefine all trench coats from the basement dweller look back in the early 2000s, and your chain and stud purse to top it all off.


+ The Wizard Apprentice
Fall means back to school, and for the more studious, serious witch, there's no need to not go back in style and keep your pristine, tailored look!



The main clothing articles are fitting for the modest and prim look of the scholarly type: the slacks are a token work staple, the red turtleneck is eye-popping and modest, and of course, the navy blazer with its white trim denotes studiousness, upscale, and provides a polished and tailored look. Oxford pumps are what give away the sense of style: mainly because while they are based of normal oxfords, the pump is an impractical aspect that most fashionable people incorporate into their wardrobe. With the silver watch (to check the time for class or work!), the leather satchel (for all the books and notes on magick we have to cart around), and the black hat to hide under as they bustle down the street, it all ties together. Add on the silver “Tree of Life” necklace for a good luck charm for concentration and academic flourishing.


+ The Little Goddess
There is a beautiful, heavenly little goddess inside of every witch. This outfit is sure to make you feel like you could walk across fluffy clouds, talk to animal familiars, and do just about anything from your heavenly, sweet little perch.



The pale, light colors are what really make this whole outfit stand out. Light, pearly colors are glamorous and whimsical. The lacy white dress is a great starting point, giving the base of feminine frill. The Burberry, tan cape and hidden pattern will only show with wide movements and at the tips—the pattern with automatically give away the upscale value to the attire (though with this look, you already look as if you're worth infinite amounts!). The white, ribbon boots are classy and sweet. The accompanying accessories: the pale purse that matches the dress and cape, and all the gold jewelry pieces make you gleam like a deity. Its that final splash of color, that pale lavender on the ring, that adds a touch of volume to the whole ensemble.


That does it for the fall segment of University Witch! If you're interested in the items, find out where to buy them on our University Witch Polyvore account! Also, make sure to check us out on Tumblr, and join in on the zany antics there!

Want some University Witch fashion? Make sure to check out our brand new shop for all kinds of magickal items!

Tuesday 16 August 2011

Essay on WitchVox!

For those who don't know, WitchVox is a website by witches, for witches (which witches? Any witches!). They post a plethora of essays, which can be great for those of you interested in a variety of topics.

In fact, I just found out mine was posted this week! Go check it out!

More updates will be coming soon: a Spellcraft 101, a Glamour post, and more!

Thursday 4 August 2011

Patron Deities 101 - Sedna



Glad to see you could join us in class today! Here at Magick Users University, we strive to promote education as well as fun in our classes! Today, we'll be bringing you a new patron deity!

Today's first and honorable goddess is...!

*~ + SEDNA + ~ *
Alternatively, Nerivik, Siarnaq

Appearances are deceiving... she is actually a very compassionate goddess.

+ About Sedna
Sedna is a Native American Goddess from the Inuit territory...meaning cold. She rules over the arctic ocean and the Inuit Underworld. She is depicted as a rather viciously bloated woman with missing fingers and one eye... a rather fearsome image. But she wasn't always this way.

Once, Sedna was a beautiful maiden whom suitors traveled far for. However, she took a vow during her life to never marry, in order to care for her aging father. This deterred all potential suitors (whom were probably very disappointed).

One day, a mysterious, handsome man kayaked up to her abode. The mysterious man was charming, exotic, alluring... and most of all, rich. The man showered Sedna in every way possible so she would change her mind about never marrying. He provided luxurious furs, the good stuff. After so much care, Sedna finally fell to his allure and sailed off with him, leaving her father in lavish splendor.

Despite this, her father wanted her back, so he kayaked to Sedna and her mysterious husband's private home. Turns out she was miserable there—the legend says that he “wasn't the man she loved”. He may have been treating her badly, despite his wealth. Because of this, her father took her back towards home.

While they canoed home, Sedna's husband, whom was really a ghastly spirit, found out. He took off after them, and Sedna tried to hide in her father's boat, but it wasn't enough. The spirit conjured up a terrifying storm with churning water. Sedna's father, fearful the spirit would take his life, tossed his beautiful daughter overboard in the storm. Sedna tried to grasp for the edge, but her father chopped off all of her fingers, sending her sinking into the depths of the ocean. Her fingers turned into the first sea life, and her body remained under the sea. Well, you know why she's bloated now.

Upon returning to life, she has since ruled the sea and the underworld, called the Adlivun. If you want her god blessings while hunting or traveling in the ocean, pray to her and offer to comb her hair if she never needs it.

+ So what makes Sedna patron goddess material?

Sedna isn't an evil goddess. She does her job. She rules over water (mainly its dark components, emphasizing on its strength and might), ice, and the underworld. Because the Adkivn froze the would that came there and purified them for entrance into their afterlife (think of it as Limbo), she also has healing and purification properties.

Also, she would be great for spells involving compassion, love, family, and beauty. She is known for her lovely black hair, which she loves to have combed. It must get tangled a lot, living in the bottom of the arctic ocean!

+ Holy Statistics, Soull!

Name: Sedna
Alternative Names: Nerivik, Siarnaq
Nationality: Native American; Inuit
Type: Water and Underworld goddess
Physical Appearance: Bloated body, no fingers, one eye, and long, black hair
Colors: Black, dark blue, ice blue
Day of the Week: Monday, Wednesday
Attributes: Water, ice, spirit communication, love, beauty, death


Want to see any specific gods or goddess in Patron Dieties 101? Leave a comment here, or if you're into more Zany antics, check us out on Tumblr!

Tuesday 2 August 2011

14th Spell - Shopping for Lammas

Happy Lughnasadh, everyone! Ready to stuff yourself?

Well, that's what I plan on doing! Lughnasadh (or Lammas, they're both fun names), is known at the first harvest festival, and one of the Pagan Sabbats! The other two harvest Sabbats are Mabon and Samhain (also known to mundanes as Halloween). You can celebrate by honoring gods of the harvest, or even by cooking a hearty meal!

Lore and I decided to go shopping.

Pushing the cart is all I am good for.

We hit the Tom Thumb across the street, and Lore, the resident Kitchen Witch, made a killing in savings. She saved $50 (currency USD) in groceries, bringing down our total into the $130s. After bagging it all up to take home... well. It was rather obvious that we wouldn't be able to carry this all home. We had walked, and since we're bus people, we didn't have a car to load it all in.

Another tally in the “Should I buy a car” debate.

So, we started back home with the cart, like we usually do. When we're done taking in the groceries, we take the cart back, like good, honest little witches. We started on our way down the parking lot, around the store to head to our apartment that was literally across the street.

It was then that we saw the moon. It was a thin crescent, and a deep crimson red that hung in the sky.

Lore and I are perfectly capable of describing the moon in a more romantic manner, such as what I had done above. Instead, this is the gold we come up with:

"WOOOOOW!"
This comment would do nothing to help someone's view on witchcraft.

We started laughing about our amazing skills in language manipulation, but that's when an old man started calling after us. Parked right in between us, were what Lore so eloquently called--


--watching the whole conversation unfold.

“You can't take the cart,” The old man stated.

“...We've taken it before,” I stated, trying to sound cordial.

“Well, you can't take it now.” And he wrapped his hand on the other end of the cart. I felt a strange spike of uncomfortable... something... welling up within me. He had his hand on my stuff! And he wouldn't let go! Admitted it wasn't my cart, but!

“We don't have a car, and we can't carry all this stuff.” I started trying to negotiate with him.

“Sorry,” He replied. And yet, he wasn't offering a solution?

“Can we just leave our ID at the customer service desk or something?” I finally gritted out, staring him down.

“That's what I was saying--” Boy, no you were not! “--to do. Go ask someone if you can take it. I mean, I don't care, but...”

If you didn't care you wouldn't of stopped us, I thought, but I figured that he more meant, “I could care less if you take this cart but someone higher up on the chain might.” Except that we've already done this before! And no one saw us but him!

And those old ladies were still watching us!

We headed back to the store, and Lore headed off to go see if she and I could take the cart while the man waited with me outside.

Awkward silence ensued.

“...You know,” he finally began as we waited, “Maybe next time you should do this before you decide to take the cart.”

...Was he lecturing me?

“Sod off,” I uttered, tapping my nails impatiently against the plastic handle of the cart. With my manicure taken off, there was no satisfying tap to accompany them. The old man looked at me.

“What?”

I know you heard me. I opened my mouth again to repeat myself, but by that time Lore came out, and the man's attention turned to her. He started walking away as Lore stated that we were able to take the cart, and I sat and fumed, hoping I could find it in myself to laugh it off before I drop-kicked the old fart. My patience was thin this week after some quarreling with my mother, so I was really, really, not in the mood.

But we made it back to our house safely... and with food! And Lore took the cart back.

Of course.

The moral of the story is:

“In today's foolish world, patience is no longer a virtue, but a necessity.”
--Soull Soothslayer

Monday 1 August 2011

Happy 1/3 Year and Over 1k Pageviews!

This is to everyone who has taken a look into University Witch: thank you so much, from the bottom of my heart!

I'll refrain from getting too mushy, but... I started this blog four months to this day, on April Fools Day. The day is also important to me because my favorite witch is also born on this day, the rambunctious Watanuki Kimihiro! At first, the blog was just going to be about the day-to-day happenings of witchy aspects in my life, but in very little time, evolved to much, much more than that. The updates started popping up from only once or twice a week to almost every other day! Now, we here at University Witch and the corresponding Magick Users University offer a variety of crafts, spells, and even book reviews for witches and mundanes everywhere.

So, here's a little insight into University Witch!


Top Ten Countries that look into the site:

United States

Canada

Germany

France

United Kingdom

Philippines

Australia

Belgium

India

Georgia (I admittedly had to look this place up)


Top Search Engine Results (as in, what people search for and then click to the site):

Flower spells

University Witch

Card Captor Sakura

Best witch patron

Palm reading guide

Spells for sweet dreams

What not to wear for witches


Most Popular Posts (as of 8/1/2011):

Spellcraft 101 – Witch Bottle

1st Glamour – The Spellmans

Famous Witches – Card Captor Sakura

Spellcraft 101 – Flower Petal Spell Paper

History of Divination – Palmistry

I can't wait to have more posts for you all in the future, and that University Witch keeps going strong! Keep on reading, and let the magick flow through the air!

Love,

Soull, Lore, and Clover ♥