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Add the Passion of Crafting to Your Craft with Fiber Magick, by Opal Luna

(Article originally published in The Llewellyn Journal.)

Long before the birth of the Bedazzler, the crafting world has been drawing folx in with the allure of making things with their own hands. Nothing beats the feeling of accomplishment that comes from making it yourself. Pride of workmanship and seeing your project come to life brings a true satisfaction. The joy that a handmade gift brings to the recipient is well worth the many hours invested. To be honest, we would be doing it anyway for the sheer joy of the act. Crafters talk about their craft of choice with a passion that is often missed in this world. My husband tells me that when I talk about crocheting a light comes on in my eyes and you can hear the love in my voice. Relating the steps I'm planning and the materials I'll be using for my next project raises my energy up to the next level. One might even venture to say that the whole process is magickal. If you feel the same way about your handiwork, then you will understand the concept of Fiber Magick. This passion was the basis for the book I wrote for Llewellyn, Fiber Magick: A Witch's Guide to Spellcasting Using Crochet, Knotwork, and Weaving.

The crocheting came into my life long before the magick. My Granny taught me the basics when I was eight years old. We would spend hours up in her attic bedroom perfecting our stitches; it was my escape from the world below. She showed me how to make the granny square, so naturally I thought it was her design—because she was the granny. (I found out about a decade later that that was not the case, however.) When the hippie vest came into style, I was truly grateful to have an outlet for all those squares. I was hooked.

Fast forward a bit further, and I discovered the Pagan community and began learning all the aspects of witchcraft. The kitchen witch in me came out first because I have always loved to cook. Learning the correspondences connected to the herbs and spices made it even more exciting. My imagination ran wild with the thought of making my favorite recipes into spells. So, when I added onions to the soup, I was adding magickal protection as well as the health benefits? That's fantastic. Cinnamon brings health, wealth, and happiness? We should be sprinkling that stuff everywhere! The magick just enhanced my joy of cooking. I was a happy kitchen witch for quite a while.

It wasn't too long, though, before my spirituality circled back to my true passion: crochet. Sometimes I will save the onion skins and cook them down and soak cotton yarn over night to add a nice burnt orangey brownish tint to the yarn. Is that a type of kitchen witch magick, too? The color correspondences that I learned in candle dressing and other forms of sympathetic magick began to factor into the mix. Now I was getting orange for creativity and brown to ground myself while I add the protection of the onion straight into the yarn. That is some powerful stuff right there. How does it affect me to wear a vest made of this yarn? How does it affect those who see me wearing it?

I began to see that what a kitchen witch does with food I could do with yarn. Embellishing my spells with buttons, charms, and beads. Using colors and textures to connote my intentions. Utilizing the phases of the moon and the power of the sun to add even more magickal emphasis. There is literally no end to the layers of intention that you can add to your projects. Keep adding until you can clearly see what you mean. Manifest it as a tangible expression of your intention. Then send it out into the world to make changes in attitudes. Isn't that what good magick does after all?

There you have it. I enhanced my magickal practice using my love of crochet. The passion I felt for my hobby now comes out in my magick increasing the efficacy of spells and magickal tools. What handiwork would you use to add this passion?

All needlework and fiber art lends itself well to Fiber Magick. Fiber Magick is built on the concept of knot magick. Knot magick is the practice of using knots to trap and hold energy. This energy can then be contained within the cord to be used as a talisman or used later by releasing it as the knot is untied. When we knit, crochet, macramé, embroider, sew, quilt, etc. we are tying hundreds of knots. This causes the possibilities for magick to be amplified. But what if you don't use thread or yarn or cord in your crafting? Can you still add some Fiber Magick to your Craft? Yes, you can.

When I coined the phrase "Fiber Magick" I was thinking about getting down to the very essence of what our craft supplies are made of to bring out the correspondences of the materials. One non-stitching skill that lends itself well to Fiber Magick is pottery. A potter will work with clay and glaze. Is the clay porcelain, earthenware, or stoneware? Will you turn it on a wheel? If so then the element of water will be added. Does the glaze contain tin, salt, lead? What colors will this add to the piece? What properties will it add to the magick? Will you be adding gold, copper, or silver? Now you are skirting the realm of alchemy. And then fire will be added. How will you fire the piece? There are methods that add plant materials during firing. Along with those plant colors and textures you will also bring out their magick. The correspondences go on and on and on. Most importantly, pottery (just like any other artistry) uses the most important component to any magickal endeavor: your hands. Your own hands are the most magickal tools you have, and the energy transference as you knead and work the clay is inevitable.

My purpose in creating Fiber Magick was not only to provide a spiritual path for the crafter but to encourage the magick practitioner to get a little bit more crafty. So what if you don't already have a hobby that you are passionate about? I will always suggest that you try crocheting, of course, even if it goes no further than the chain spell. But alas I have shared my passion with enough folx to know that it might not be for everyone. My second suggestion would be to look at your current spiritual modality for clues to a craftiness that might be more to your liking. Most, if not all, cultures and belief systems have at least one style of handicraft that is uniquely their own. This stands to reason for the simple fact that before the industrial revolution it was a matter of survival to be able to work with your hands. Do some research into the handmade items produced by the ancestors of your tradition. Spinning and weaving were common household tasks. Blacksmithing and woodworking were necessities. Variations of these skills are still practiced all over the world. Think about what your hobby/livelihood might have been once upon a time. Try your hand at some of these skills. This will offer a connection with those ancestors and a new appreciation of what life may have been like before big box stores. Simple examples of your tradition's crafting will be a powerful addition to an altar or ritual attire. Performing a little Fiber Magick can enhance any magickal practice and it's a great way to show your pagan pride.

Stay Crafty,
Opal Luna

Article originally published in The Llewellyn Journal. Copyright Llewellyn Worldwide, 2021. All rights reserved.

A few months ago, I started seeing someone. Though we had both planned to have a summer fling, it has turned into something much, much deeper. Sometimes I can actually feel the energy moving between us even if we are just sitting together. Once it was as if our souls had joined together in a circle and were passing between us both. Another time, I felt like our solar plexus chakras were melded together. While we've both been in love before, he has never felt like this and neither have I. Are these signs that we are soul mates? We are both Aries; in fact, we were born hours apart.

Astrea:

Aries! You folks are late and in a hurry everywhere you go! Relax and take a breath - you're with the person you always wanted. I bet it's a bit like looking in a mirror.

It would be PERFECT for two Aries born so close together to fall in love - you had me at that! There is very little that could make a union like yours stronger than to have come into this incarnation at almost the exact same time. What's a couple of hours when you have found true happiness?

While couples who are born as almost twins often have a lot in common, it can also work against them. In your case, however, it's a plus. I have the deepest feeling of certainty that you have found someone you can be with forever. This may come from past incarnations you've had with him or it may be that you've found one another for the first time in this life. Either way, wow, does it ever feel right!

Starting off pretending that all you wanted was a summer fling is another one of those Aries claims I hear all the time. What both of you wanted (probably from the beginning) was someone with whom you could share your whole life, and now you've got it, you lucky girl!

Although most of the astrology books you read will say that two strong Aries personalities will clash (and who doesn't from time to time?), if two Fire Signs take it easy on one another, they can build a very rewarding relationship.

You understand one another on a different level than most people. The terms twin flames and twin souls probably come up a lot. If you're partial to the term soul mate, then sure, that's what you are.

Soul Mates are created when two people join in a loving and caring relationship. Lasting, soulful love develops when two people in a relationship decide that they are going to be as loving as possible to each other. So if the two of you want to be Soul Mates, then POOF - you're Soul Mates!

I'm not saying that everything will always be perfect. Remember, the two of you are so much alike that it will be normal for each of you to have some impatience with the other. Try not to push each other, and for once, try to go with the flow of this wonderful relationship.

Aries tend to be suspicious that the other person they're in relationship to doesn't understand them or truly want what's best for them. Try to suspend that suspicion, expect the best, and just be happy that your search for the perfect partner is over!

*****

Susyn:

It is wonderful when we connect with another on such a deep and soulful level. The energy that flows between two lovers is indescribable; there is no mistaking its authenticity.

Aries is one of the few astrological signs that does well with other Aries. Sometimes it can be difficult when two people of the same sign get together, but in this case, you'll both have the rare opportunity to build a partnership with each other based on love, trust and mutual appreciation. You'll even discover that you have common goals, perceptions and hopes for the future.

Our spiritual energy is channeled through our solar plexus chakra, which connects people on a deep soul level. There is a good chance that you've spent many lifetimes together and are now ready to invest in an even more soulful partnership. Though you have both been in love before, you can already feel the power in this relationship, which will make past connections pale in comparison.

Soul mate relationships usually do involve certain signs. While these can vary from couple to couple, the facts that you were born hours apart and the chemistry between you seems to emanate from your souls are good indications.

It's likely that you met in an unusual way and were drawn to each other immediately. As you continue to grow in this partnership, you should notice some idiosyncrasies that you share, and learn that you both had similar experiences in the past.

When soul mates meet, there is a feeling of peace between them that defies understanding. There are no misunderstandings about what you feel for each other, no insecurity over whether he or she will call, and no confusing messages. That's not to say you won't encounter troubles along the road to bliss, but when you do, both of you will make resolving them a top priority.

To keep this relationship operating at its highest spiritual level, you will both have to strive for balance. As time passes, you'll find your rhythm with each other, but you must be careful not to immerse yourself so fully in the connection that you lose sight of your own identities. Even when we're dealing with soul mates, we can harm these relationships if we fail to act in loving, responsible ways.

I encourage you to trust in the powerful connection going on between the two of you and enjoy what unfolds. If you truly are soul mates, the love between you should naturally grow stronger as each day passes.

Astrea:

Many times in life we hear, "You will always have what you NEED, but not necessarily what you WANT." Your spirit must have needed to experience the feeling of leaving your human body, and the suggestion in the next chapter of Sylvia Brown's book was all it took to get you there.

Even though you hadn't read it yet, your SOUL recognized the title of that chapter as something it had been seeking, and your soul, knowing that you had that reference to read after your experience, got with it and out you went!

While I don't usually recommend her books, Sylvia Brown has a wide reaching and powerful effect on lots of people. A Gemini like you would be able to relate easily to her writing and put it to good use. Synchronicity - you gotta love it!

I like your description of "getting caught." That's exactly what it feels like, isn't it? One minute you're free and hovering above the room, and the next minute, ZAP! back down into your corporeal form you go!

As a little kid, I loved that "feeling of return." With practice, most of the time we can control that event, but sometimes, when our physical ears hear a distracting noise or something else occurs to knock us back into reality, back we go. With practice you will be able to control your return better.

I find it interesting that you were visiting your mother-in-law and not someone in your own genetic family. Evidently, you and your husband got married for reasons that are even deeper than love. His family's interest in "psychic stuff" will nurture your children in such matters and help them to grow into their own abilities.

You'll never have to be concerned that when your daughter visits them, she'll be discouraged from exploring her own psychic life and power. My parents encouraged me to develop my psychic senses in a time when it wasn't nice to even discuss such things in public. Heck, it's STILL not considered a great topic at the dinner table in some families!

Your kids will get to talk about it ALL and ask questions and read and study. This is going to give them such an edge in life! Talk with your husband about how you want to present this to your kiddos, so that you are united in your approach and ready to tell them their experiences are all natural and okay.

A word or two of warning: Geminis often have difficulty staying grounded in REAL LIFE. Don't get so strung out on your ASTRAL life that you neglect what you're doing here on Earth.

You are at the beginning of a long journey to learn where your power really lies. Try to be patient with this process and take your time.