Witchcraft Wednesday: A Valentines Self-Love Ritual

Greetings, witches and friends! It’s coming up to that time of the year when we either feel warm and squishy or dark and stormy. Or completely ambivalent. Anyway. It’s coming up to Valentines Day.

The grim truth about Valentines Day

“Lupercalia” by Andrea Camassei (Museo del Prado)

Okay, everyone, let’s get real. Valentines Day comes from a pretty bloody background. Basically, the name (Valentine) comes from two dudes executed by the Roman emperor Claudius on the same day (February 14th) back in the 3rd century. The Christians decided these two were martyrs, and that’s why the day was named for St. Valentine. In addition, those Romans were having a pretty Bacchanalian festival called Lupercalia, which you can read more about here, but basically involved animal sacrifices, a lottery in which men and women were matched for *ahem* things for the festival (13-15th February) and also women scrambled to be whipped by men with the hides of sacrificed animals because it was said to increase fertility. So there’s that. The sex part of that is probably where the whole romantic Valentines Day thing came from. Mmm. Romantic. Anyway, on the other side of the little sea, “around the same time, the Normans celebrated Galatin’s Day. Galatin meant “lover of women.”” (Britannica).

So what’s the point?

The point, my friends, is that Valentines Day comes from a very different place than the vibes with which the modern world celebrates, so, in my book, that means we can celebrate it however you want. Except please don’t sacrifice goats or dogs (I can’t believe this is not the first time I’ve asked my readers not to sacrifice puppies).

Image by Vicki Nunn from Pixabay

Funnily enough, that ‘Galatin’s Day’ I mentioned means “lover of women”, which is kind of cute when you think about our modern concept of Galentines Day, in which we celebrate our favourite friends. Anyway. As per, I digress.

A Self-Love Ritual for Valentines Day

Image by StockSnap from Pixabay

For this ritual, you will need some form of the following:

A bathtub (or shower) Some bath salts Love Oil (or essential oil) A pink candle A crystal, like a Rose Quartz, or something else that, to you, represents self love.

The first step is to bathe. If you have a bathtub, throw in those ritual salts (or some delicious bubble bath) and light a candle. Set the mood. Luxuriate in the water. Warm your body, warm your soul.

If you haven’t got a tub, just take a long, gorgeous shower until you feel lovely and clean. Maybe pop some drops of that Love Oil onto the floor of the shower, out of the direct stream of the water, and let that aroma steam up.

Image by StockSnap from Pixabay

Once you’re clean and feeling warm and relaxed, it’s time to cast your circle, or cleanse your space in whichever way you prefer. If you don’t like to use herb bundles, you can use a spray or spritz, incense, or just ring a bell or play some vibey music.

Now, set up your pink candle. Anoint it with the Love Oil, and focus all of your energies into channeling your intentions and feelings of self-appreciation into that candle. Now is the time to say nice things to yourself. Think about the great things you’ve achieved. Think about the love that you have in your life, and the love that you deserve in your life.

Light your candle, and, holding your crystal or the object of your focus, meditate on those thoughts. Repeat some affirmations or a mantra. For example,

I am filled with love, for myself, for my family, for my friends, and for the Universe.

I believe in the power of the Universe to bring me the love that I deserve.

My love for myself attracts the love that is meant for me.

Use your imagination, and really think about your presence in the moment, and your real-time affirmations. Use that intention.

Image by Martina Bulková from Pixabay

Keep going for as long as you feel you need to, or until the candle has burned out.

Now it is time to close the circle, or signify the ending of your ritual.

Wrap the candle in a piece of cloth, preferably silk, and bury it in the earth when you next can.

Now, pour yourself a glass of wine/whisky/poison of choice, and relax. You’ve earned it.

OBW Love Oil

If you’d like to order my homemade Love Oil, please contact me. Currently in stock and charged under a New Moon. But it won’t last…

Oh, and as a thank you for your readership, enjoy a special 15% off EVERYTHING in my Etsy Shop between now and the 19th February, 2020. LOVE YOU! Use Offer Code VAL15.

Blessings,

xxK

Featured Image by Margarita Kochneva from Pixabay

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