Magic Is Reality, Reality Is Magic: Yellow

Magic is Reality, Reality is Magic is a series that highlights aspects of religions, particularly Paganism. We pull things from everyday life to use in our fiction. Magic is one of the key attributes of fantasy. Why not explore the realm of magic that many people already have in their lives?

Picture By 3268zauber With the days getting warmer (hopefully--if you live in Wisconsin like me, though, winter likes to keep knocking spring back down) many of us can't wait for summer. When the sun shines down on us, heating our bones. In spring, the sun starts peeking through the clouds more often and warming up the earth. And what color do we associate with the sun? Yellow!

Yellow is a bright color, and as much as we love to see the sun after a long winter, yellow brings hope and joy into our lives. Need a little optimism or creativity? Yellow is the color for these as well. If you want to inspire yourself, perhaps set a picture of a sunflower on your desk or burn a yellow candle. When you're feeling sluggish and down, take a glance at your bright pick-me-up.

There's another side to yellow, though. Calling someone yellow is an insult, labeling them a coward. It can also represent an impatient person or someone who acts rashly. And yellow is also used as a warning--the yellow in a stop light, as well as other street signs, bright to draw your attention.

Yellow can also symbolize confidence, attraction, persuasion, enlightenment, betrayal, and madness.

Don't forget to enjoy the sun during spring and summer because winter will be back all too soon!

What is your favorite thing about the color yellow?

If you'd like to read a bit more about this color, you can take a look at the following websites: The Color Yellow, Yellow Color Meanings, and The Meanings of Yellow.

Further Reading Suggestions:

Buckland, Raymond. Advanced Candle Magic. St. Paul: Llewellyn Publications, 1997.

I hope you found this tidbit interesting! If you would like me to touch on a particular topic that fits in this series, please don't hesitate to contact me with suggestions.

NEXT UP: Guest Post from Author, Ron Shannon - "Creating an Idea for a Story"

Magic Is Reality, Reality Is Magic: Candles

Magic is Reality, Reality is Magic is a series that highlights aspects of religions, particularly Paganism. We pull things from everyday life to use in our fiction. Magic is one of the key attributes of fantasy. Why not explore the realm of magic that many people already have in their lives?

Picture By Arunravi.signs Candles are used as symbols for many things, and their use is incorporated into several religions. Judaism has the Menorah, and Christianity utilizes candles in many of its rituals. Paganism also uses candles, in ritual, as well as for practicing candle magic.

A candle flame illuminates objects around us in the dark that we otherwise can't see. That flame can also reveal the magic around us, the flame feeding a spell. It's not as simple as lighting a candle and the spell is done, though. Depending on your intention and goal of the spell, you can use a specific type of candle.

Color is important in candle magic. Each color symbolizes different things. I've already touched on the meanings of green and orange in this series. If you're casting a spell to improve your financial situation, you'd choose a green candle, for example.

Some people also use different shapes for their candles, depending on the spell. You can etch symbols into the wax as well as rub oils on the candle. Color, shape, symbols, and oils can each represent something different in the spell you are casting.

However, in magic, intent is usually the strongest factor. The colors and other items help us focus and direct that intent.

So, the next time you blow out your candles on your birthday cake, think of magic when you make your wish.

If you'd like to learn more about candle magic, please check out the following websites: Candle Magic, The Meaning of Candles, and Candle Magic 101: An Introduction to Candle Magic.

Further Reading Suggestions:

Dunwich, Gerina. Wicca Candle Magick. New York: Kensington Publishing Corp., 1996.

I hope you found this tidbit interesting! If you would like me to touch on a particular topic that fits in this series, please don't hesitate to contact me with suggestions.

NEXT UP: Dude In Distress - Part 1

Magic Is Reality, Reality Is Magic: Orange

Magic is Reality, Reality is Magic is a series that highlights aspects of religions, particularly Paganism. We pull things from everyday life to use in our fiction. Magic is one of the key attributes of fantasy. Why not explore the realm of magic that many people already have in their lives?

Picture By Jean-Pol GRANDMONT Fall is creeping in (a bit too early in many areas!), and it will be the Fall Equinox in a few days. I've already touched on green, a color associated with spring. So now it's only appropriate to take a look at orange, a clear symbol of fall. It's one of the predominant colors when the leaves change colors, after all.

Orange really opens your eyes when you see it, so it makes sense that it represents energy. Do you ever get that revitalized feeling when you breathe in the crisp fall air? If you do, think of the color orange coursing through your body and giving you renewed energy to tackle anything.

Not only does it inspire energy, but orange is also the color of warmth--like a loaf of pumpkin bread fresh from the oven, or the cascading colors of the setting sun. It radiates enthusiasm. Why not jump into a pile of fallen leaves? You know you want to! Sometimes when I think of orange, I think of a child on a fall day, gleefully spinning around in circles until she's dizzy and splats onto her butt. Such joy and happiness.

Orange can also symbolize vitality, endurance, encouragement, stimulation, adaptability, attraction, and balance.

Now go find yourself an orange to eat--you know you want to after all this talk of the color.

What comes to mind when you think of the color orange?

If you'd like to read a bit more about this color, you can take a look at the following websites: The Color Orange, Orange Color Meanings, and The Meanings of Orange.

Further Reading Suggestions:

Buckland, Raymond. Practical Candleburning Rituals. St. Paul: Llewellyn Publications, 1999.

I hope you found this tidbit interesting! If you would like me to touch on a particular topic that fits in this series, please don't hesitate to contact me with suggestions.

NEXT UP: Lavender Legacy - Ch. 3

Magic Is Reality, Reality Is Magic: Green

Magic is Reality, Reality is Magic is a series that highlights aspects of religions, particularly Paganism. We pull things from everyday life to use in our fiction. Magic is one of the key attributes of fantasy. Why not explore the realm of magic that many people already have in their lives?

Picture By SunOfErat Colors hold a lot of power in magic as well as symbolizing many things for us in everyday life. For this entry I chose the color green because spring is upon us (if winter ever gets the memo). How can you not think of green when the grass finally grows fresh and alive and the flowers start to bloom?

Clearly green symbolizes nature, as referenced above, which in turn connects to fertility. Green is the color of life!

But it's also the color of money, isn't it? Perhaps the U.S. paper money was made green because the color represents prosperity. If you look at the other side of the coin though, it also represents greed and jealousy. Don't let the green-eyed monster take over! Along with prosperity is also luck. The four-leaf clover, a long believed "lucky charm", is green.

A few other things green is associated with are balance, harmony, healing, abundance, and health.

What do you associate with the color green?

If you'd like to read a bit more about this color, you can take a look at the following websites: The Color Green, Green Color Meanings, and The Meanings of Green.

Further Reading Suggestions:

Cunningham, Scott. Earth Power. St. Paul: Llewellyn Publications, 1992.

I hope you found this tidbit interesting! If you would like me to touch on a particular topic that fits in this series, please don't hesitate to contact me with suggestions.

NEXT UP: Crazy Necro Antics - Spring Edition