Z's Grimoire

It was an ordinary full moon like any other. Except that is a bald-faced lie. There was nothing ordinary about this moon.

It was my first full moon as a professional witch. It was the first full moon where I would be selling my spells. It was the first full moon since a shadow cast itself over my and many other’s journeys. No, it was not a full moon like any other.

Despite that dawning shadow, the mood leading up to the evening was bright. An abundant energy could be felt burning in the air, in the trees, in the very earth with each step. I could feel there was something about today.

As I made my way to town to complete my pre-moon errands, it seemed all of the villagers were excited for celebration that was to be held at the river fairground that evening. Hearing only whispers it was hard to be sure, but it sounded like it was both a late harvest celebration and a festival acknowledging love. Although it sounded enticing, I knew it wasn’t the space I needed to be in.

Finishing my tasks in town and preparing to head home to ready for my evening ritual my eyes were drawn to a young woman standing on an overturned crate shouting and attracting a sizeable crowd near the town center. Seeing the mass gathering I could not resist moving closer myself to hear her words.

She was preaching the gospel of Anadyomene. A goddess representing love and beauty, pleasure and desire. Pasion. While her words spoke to me, the goddess did not. I was a daughter of the moon, a devotee to Her wisdom and dedicated to her service till the end of my of days. As alluring as this new path was, I knew I could not serve two masters, so I turned and made my way home, the words of that young woman still burning in my ears.

Arriving home after nightfall, the moon already beginning her ascent, I quickly attended to the needs of my familiars before grabbing a handful of strawberries and one of the apples I bought in town earlier as a quick pre-spell snack. I gathered my artifacts and reagents and prepared to head outside to my casting circle, but I stopped at my doorway. Although I was carrying everything I would ordinarily bring, and more, I felt I was missing something.

Returning to my curio cabinet I scanned my artifacts and crystals trying to find the the source of the call that had become so overpowering. I no longer felt I was missing something, I knew I was missing something, and there was no point in attempting to cast without it. I looked to my usual ‘plus one’ curios and was surprised at the lack of response. It wasn’t the earrings, it wasn’t the amulet, it wasn’t the chunk of bismuth that seemed to come up at important times. I questioned if it was my outfit, a different robe, applying fresh color to my eyelids or lips?

Finally, frustrated, I closed my eyes and tried to sense the call through my mind’s eye. Through this lens, I found new frustration, as all I saw was myself. A picturesque mirror image of myself glaring back through my mind’s eye, my own steely gaze trying desperately to break through my, in retrospect, denseness.

I opened my eyes once more, and found them locked on my scrying mirror. It was not an item I often used, I kept it near my altar more out of tradition and for protection, but I rarely used it in my actual casting. I preferred cards for divination, crystal balls for meditation and visualization, and I never have needed help in connecting with spirits on the other side. But for some reason, tonight, this was the item that needed to be under the Light of the Goddess with me.

Rushing outside, I found the moon already high in the sky, its warm bright glow illuminating the countryside. I quickly headed down the path to my casting circle anxious to setup and begin my reflection under the full moon. Arriving in my clearing, I set out my artifacts, save for my mirror, and began to reflect on my intention for the evening. However, the question of where the mirror fit in blocked any progress in establishing intent, so I retrieved it from my pocket and gazed upon it.

It was dusty, that was the first thing I noticed. It clearly had been neglected, only present by my altar for show, not due to any actual desire. Ashamed, I began to polish it gently against my robe, hoping to gaze upon it anew and begin a new respectful relationship with it. It was simple, just a polished piece of obsidian, but it was beautiful in it’s simplicity. Gazing upon in’s shimmering freshly polished surface I began to see a number of shapes dancing.

Sparrows wisping through rose bushes to assemble grand bouquets. Dolphins collecting wreaths of pearls from the sea. An apple shimmering gold.

Suddenly I became aware to a presence with me in the clearing, it was familiar and yet distinctly different from anything I’d sensed before. Sweet and alluring, it invited me to relax and I offered no resistance. I sat down on the grass, closed my eyes, bowed my head and welcomed the lessons being offered.

Almost as soon as this position had been assumed, the energy of the clearing shifted. That same energetic abundance that had been felt earlier in town was building, the warmth of the crowd gathering to hear the tales of Anadyomene began to surround me, the words of the young woman began burning within my ears once more and in this moment, I knew who had decided to join my circle.

Opening my eyes, I saw the Goddess Anadyomene sitting before me, bathed in an aura of pink and teal, her glowing golden eyes peering into my soul. She squinted, tilted her head side to side, a curious yet stern expression overtaking her radiant face, clearly she had sensed something needing further evaluation within me. A mischievous smile broke through her facade and the most beautiful laughter began to ring out.

You will not serve two masters,
You will never serve me,
You do not serve the Goddess,
You dear one, are free.
You need nothing but a path,
All paths lead to the sea,
Walk with her, walk with me,
Walk on to what will be.

Her vision was gone as soon as it had appeared, but her words and her energy remained. I began my ritual feeling incredibly grateful to now have the blessings of two goddesses, and amazed to find how willingly they both worked together through me.

Rushing home after finishing my work, a thought that had been swirling in my head for some time returned. With the goddess Anadyomene joining my quest, the Moon Goddess continuing to grant her boons, I knew, this was the beginning of something truly magical; for us all.

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So, this is based on a very true, very recent story that I’m still kinda processing, but uh, expect more content related to deity work? This is an aspect of magic I’ve tried to explore before (I was/am obsessed with Greek and Egyptian mythology) and never really felt a connection or call to work with a specific deity… Till last night.

Maybe it’s because of all of the Aphrodite worshiping witches who have recently joined my Threads and Instagram feeds, as I know I have been seeing so much more of her name recently, but the non magical retelling of this tale is this:

I was casting some resin stars and moons (Resin crafts/jewelry coming to Ko-Fi soon) after my full moon ritual, as I began mixing the colors and glitter together something surfaced in my mind seemingly out of nowhere. This batch belonged to Aphrodite. They would be placed on my altar in a designated space for her and it would mark the beginning of my efforts to connect. I mean, I’m a Taurus sun and Libra rising, I’m not much of an astrology girl (yet, starting to learn), but that seems like a mandate to worship Aphrodite!

As soon as the thought surfaced, I spoke my intent. “These will be yours, Aphrodite. They are simple and not nearly a suitable offering for your grace, but I hope their beauty will move you to join my adventure as a mentor and friend.”

And well, the tale above says the rest. Making the offering at my altar I definitely felt her response and I’m excited to begin this new chapter of my journey with her passion alongside mine! I’ve got lots of worship tips in my social feeds already, but I would love to hear any of your experiences too!

I actually had another exploring magic story planned first so expect another soon, but…. This was just so magical I had to share.

Blessed be.