Red Bracelet Spell

I realise that red string these days have got a reputation of belonging to the Kaballahists - people like Madonna (not sure who else) - but this spell is so much older than this new fad. And I am not speaking about the Kaballah either - which is ancient beyond ken - but about the red thread being a fashionable item!

It is a spell to bestow good fortune on a new born baby. This is dedicated to tincanman and his wife Jamie and their new baby girl.

Background:-

Cords and threads are important in magic, never more so than when they represent life and destiny. In this spell, a variation on a custom found in various parts of the world, they signify the future fortunes of a newborn nd are therefore to be treated with great respect. Anthropologists have noted the emphasis placed on cords n various rites of passage, in many cultures, and tying a lucky wristband on a newborn is a custom all over the world.

Traditions where a red thread is empoyed use the colour to signify power, health, and long life, and these themes are taken up in this charm, which has a distinctly Celtic flavour.

In Celtic beliefs, the goddess Brigid is the protector of all newborn creatures. In her triple aspect, she is healer, bringer of fire and inspiration to both poets and craftspeople. Here she is invoked to bless and empower with good fortune a braided red bracelet to give to a newborn.

You will need:

One charcoal disc in a fireproof dish
Matches/lighter
Three red candles (20 cm in length)
Three 45cm lengths of 15-thread tick red embroidery skein
One pencil
Three teasoons of frankinsence
Scissors
One eggcup of water
One pinch of salt

Timing - Work on a waxing moon to attract good fortune, and on a Sunday in honour of Brigid.

Casting the Spell

1. Cast the circle

2. Light the charcoal disk

3 Light three candles, after lighting each one, recite the following :
"Brigid, queen of healing wells" (candle 1)
"Bridgid, queen of balefires" (candle 2)
"Brigid, queen of makers" (candle 3)
"Hail and welcome" (still candle 3)

4. Tie the strands of the embroidery thread to a pencil and weave a braid, chanting the
following throughout:

May your days be long

May your shadow be great

May your heart be glad

Fasten, and cut when the braid is 10cm longer than the baby's wrist measurement.

5. Sprinkle incense on the charcoal.

Pass the braid through the smoke saying:

Air to speed your fortune

Pass it through the fire saying:

Fire to hasten your power

Sprinkle it with water saying:

Water to bring you love

Sprinkle it with salt saying:

Earth to send you health

And Brigid walk with you in your footsteps.

6. Tie the bracelet around the baby's wrist, then remove it, and place it under the crib mattress.