There are several points that make this tale worthy of retelling as a folktale or contemporary legend.
This particular paranormal story involves Wicca and a cautionary tale involving love magic.
Here is my own campfire retelling of this love spell tale...
In Maryland's Baltimore County, a Parkville woman called "Rayna" fell head over heals in love with a police detective, "Brad," whom she met on a blind date with friends.
They ate at the Bel-Loc Diner on East Joppa Road. They went dancing at the Sheraton Hotel in Towson and kissed under a May moon.
Over the next three weeks, Brad was charming and attentive. He indicated he wanted a genuine long-term relationship. Brad gazed romantically at her with his deep, brown eyes. He bought her a cute stuffed animal at the Towson Town Center Mall. When she learned that he only liked butterscotch coconut blondies, she baked his favorite. They were intimate together. He even mentioned marriage in passing. True, she had to reorganize her life around his work schedule, but that was part of being involved with a Baltimore County Police Detective. He was off most Sundays and Mondays.
Rayna believed that there were wedding bells in her future with Brad.
Alas, Brad was more than a bit of a jerk when it came to girlfriends. He loved to wine, dine, and bed them. Then, as soon as it truly began to get serious, he would back off and just quit calling.
Rayna was puzzled, stunned, and totally disbelieving when Brad suddenly removed himself from her life. Brad had wooed and won her heart, and now he abandoned her with no explanation. All the things they talked about. All the same sort of things they both enjoyed. She didn't understand. Rayna wanted Brad back.
Rayna recounted her misery to "Gina," her best friend. "I love him. He hasn't called in two weeks. He hasn't returned any of my calls. According to his roommate, he's never home..." Her voice trailed off. After a pause, Rayna wailed, "What's wrong?"
After a moment, Gina reluctantly explained that she had recently seen Brad out with an Asian woman and that they were clearly a couple.
Gina was sympathetic as Rayna wept at this betrayal. Finally, Gina said, "Listen, He's not the only guy out there. There are a lot of fish in the sea. I know your special someone is still there. It's just not Brad."
Rayna was devestated and depressed. After moping about and unsuccessfully trying run into Brad by accident, she decided to sign up for a stress management class in August.
After stress class, she overheard another student talking about "witchcraft," "magic," and something about "love spells." Apparently love spells, if done properly, could bring happiness and true love. A love spell? She inquired and the student gave her a phone number of a genuine "witch."
The next day Rayna called the number. She was sure it was the right thing. Brad really loved her as much as she loved him. She knew it. They were destined to be together. They were soul-mates.
It turned out the "witch" was actually a "Wiccan priestess" named "Genene," who did not do spells for a fee. She also mentioned she was not a professional fortuneteller. She explained that she gave classes out of her home about Witchcraft, divination, meditation, and Wicca.
Before Genene would meet privately with anyone, one had to take an "Introduction to Wicca and Witchcraft mini course" which consisted of four classes held on four consecutive Tuesdays. There was a small fee of $10 per class. The classes were to establish whether or not a person was truly interested in practicing the religion known as "Wicca." Students would get a basic understanding of materials and concepts. If they were genuinely interested, they could request more instruction for free.
Genene didn't dress like someone from The Wizard of Oz. She wore a loose shirt with printed Celtic knot designs and black Yoga pants. During the classes, Genene went over the cycles of Sun and Moon, the interconnection of the web of the universe, the wheel of the year, the goal of developing one's power-within, focusing the will to develop positive change, and a bunch of other stuff. It turned out Genene spelled out magic archaically as "magick." Everyone receieved a handout of a book list with suggested reading, plus a schedule of events.
The classes were intriguing and fun--better than the stress management class had been.
After the four intro classes, Rayna made an appointment to meet privately with Genene to discuss a spell that would "effect positive change involving love."
When Rayna arrived at the Friday evening appointment, she explained to Genene that she and Brad had a special connection. They were soul-mates. Brad simply was waffling about committment. All she wanted to do was to give him a nudge. (She failed to mention that Brad had been seen with another woman.)
Genene listened kindly and then responded, "I can't say I think this is a good direction for positive change."
Genene talked at length about feasibility and repercussions. She explained again--as she had in the introduction classes--that the reason that "magick" worked was because everything was interconnected by a web of life energy. To tug on one strand of the web was to cause vibrations on other strands. The key was to construct the magick so as to engender a positive outcome.
Genene continued, "In Wicca, a love spell is not usually directed to cause a specifically named person to spend his life with you, especially if he doesn't seem so inclined. It would be different if you were trying to spice up or rekindle the spark within an established relationship..."
Rayna again explained that she and Brad were already a couple. They both loved each other. Brad had said he was interested in marriage.
Genene considered what Rayna said. "Magick involves responsibility. When you cast a spell, you affect change in the web through your will. The karma comes back to you in this life. And there are consequences for everything. You must be absolutely sure that this is something you really want. It's not an easy task to undo a spell and unknot the unforseen tangles in the web.
"Do you remember me mentioning the Wiccan Rule of Three? 1
Ever mind the Rule of Three"You must be prepared to deal with any karmic consequences you earn from it. Go home and think this through carefully."
Three times as thou givest returns to thee
This lesson well thou must learn
Thou wilt get as thou do'st earn.
Rayna agreed to weigh the pros and cons of a love spell.
She was surprised that Genene had sent her away. Apparently, this love spell thing was more complicated than she had suspected.
Over the week, Rayna spent the seven days trying to review the pros and cons. Yet, Rayna could not think of a single reason not to do it.
She knew that Brad cared for her. He was simply nervous about committment. She was the right woman for him. If Brad would just see things from her perspective, he would realize that.
As for "karmic consequences," if this spell deepened their love for each other and strengthened attachments--that was a good thing! Nope, as far as Rayna was concerned, not any possible problems.
Resolved, she met with Genene on the following Friday. Over a cup of herbal tea, Genene again voiced caution. "Are you sure you want to do this? You must be absolutely certain that this is right for both of you."
"I am," said Rayna. "I'm sure this is the right thing."
Genene set down her cup. "Alright. I'm going to assume you know your young man and have told me the truth. Just be aware that you cannot hold me responsible for the outcome of this spell. I disown the karma and you will have to accept the responsibility.
"Since you could find something in a book, 2 I will instruct you. You will have to perform this spell by yourself."
Rayna was sort of surprised. She had assumed Genene would cast the spell for her.
Genene then spent most of an hour reviewing possible ingredients and their magickal symbolism, and reviewing the timing of moon cycles, and discussing incantations.
"Your most important components, however, are intention and focused will." Genene emphasized the words, intention and will. "What people call Witchcraft is the Craft of causing change through focusing your will by filling it with your intention." Then she added, "You must be careful what you pray for--as the Gods may give it."
On the weekend, Rayna visited a bunch of stores for ingredients she would need. Genene had explained to Rayna that she ought to purchase the items by herself and not discuss the project. Otherwise the spell would be void before it began. "Power shared is power lost," Genene warned.
Genene advised her to purchase various items while concentrating on her goal at different locations, if she didn't already have them at home. She should also purchase items in pairs.
From the flower refrigerator in the Giant Food Store at Loch Raven and Taylor Avenues, she purchased two red roses.
From Bath and Body Works in White Marsh Mall, she purchased lavender soap and lavender bath beads.
From the Hallmark Store in Towson Town Center Mall, she purchased a jeweled box and meditation music.
She already had a photo showing Brad and her together at Loch Raven Dam, which eventually would go in the jeweled box. She also had some stick incense, which had appropriate scents: lavender for loving thoughts and ginger for success and empowerment. They were scents she enjoyed, but she had been unaware of any magickal properties until Genene had discussed incense with her.
Finally, at the Target on Putty Hill, she purchased a large, red candle for sexuality, romance, and passionate love. She also purchased a suitable candle holder.
Six nights later was the full moon, the flood tide of power. Rayna took the afternoon off work to prepare.
She shoved her living room coffee table over to the apartment balcony sliding glass doors. It would serve as her altar. The moon would be visible through the glass doors later. She assembled all her items on it and then turned off her cell phone and unplugged the landline. She laid out her prettiest teddy out on her bed. It was Brad's favorite. She brushed her long blond hair.
She ran a tub of warm water for the lustral bath, adding the lavender scented bath beads. She turned on the meditation music, sprinkled a few rose petals on the water's surface and slipped into the water. As she soaked, inhaling the floral fragrance, she focused on loving thoughts and feelings with her and Brad. Gently, she soaped her body with the bar of lavender over her skin, cleansing and renewing herself as the soft music drifted in the air. She visualized the sweet moments of their time together.
The bath completed, she dressed in the teddy.
Looking out the glass sliding door, the September moon was visible above the tree line. Rayna sat down and began arranging the items. She lit the red candle in its holder and whispered:
For warmth and love and desire bright,She placed two sticks of incense in an incense burner and lit them. Her words rose on the incense smoke.
I light this candle in the night. 3
With this scent, I send to you,She opened the jeweled box and placed a layer of rose petals inside. She picked up the photo of them at Loch Raven Dam and laid it on top of the bed of rose petals in the box. She looked intently at the photo, concentrating on how they were meant to be together. She scattered the rest of the rose petals in a circle around the box.
My love and promise to be true.
I only ask your love come back to me--
Times one, times two, and now times three.
She sat at the altar and meditated on their relationship, their future life together, and their love entwined.
Rayna thought passionately: I am the one for you, Brad. Hold me. Love me. We belong together. You know you love me. I draw my own to me. She focused on mental images of them together.
She gazed at the candle flame with the moonlight shining through the sliding glass doors.
At last, she said:
And now my spell is done.She closed the box. At 3:00 a.m., the incense sticks had already burned down. She snuffed out the candle and plugged the landline phone back in. Rayna left the altar where it was at the sliding glass door. Knowing in her heart that Brad would soon be back, she retired to her bed, still in her teddy. The dye was cast and she drifted into a dreamless and blissful sleep.
I wait with desire for my special one.
He now is far, but soon will be near;
His love for me will not disappear.
So mote it be!4
When morning came, she awoke full of anticipation. Today was the first day of the rest of her life. Brad would finally realize she was the only one for him. As she cleaned up the items on her makeshift altar, she knew the spell she cast had worked. She had felt it under the moon last night. She carefully tucked the jeweled box in the back of a drawer. As instructed by Genene, she took the remainder of the red candle, put it in a paper bag, and threw it away at a public trash can outside of Target.
She kept her cell phone on and with her all day. She had her hair cut. She rehearsed in her head what she would say when Brad called. She bought a bottle of sparkling white wine and put it in to chill in her refrigerator.
When she came home, she showered and put on a casual but flattering blouse and relaxed in front of the television, waiting eagerly for Brad's forthcoming call.
Sometime around midnight, she realized that Brad must be working. Very tired, she went to bed. He would be able to call tomorrow evening.
The next day came and went. No call.
Concerned and puzzled, she phoned Genene.
"You only just did the spell three days ago," Genene said. "You need to give it some time. Occasionally, magick works with lightning speed, but often it takes longer. According to you, he just needed a nudge. If that's true, don't be so discouraged. If you did it right and it worked, you'll have to let it marinate. Just go about your daily business. Don't obssess over it."
A month went by. Rayna suffered, wallowing in personal misery while her phone did not ring.
Eventually, Rayna phoned Brad, even though Genene had advised against it. She left three messages: one at his work, one on his cell phone, and one with his roommate. She phoned Genene and asked if she should buy another candle and do the spell again. Genene said, "No. The spell was cast for maximum possible effect. According to you, you dumped everything you had into that spell. What happens is only what can happen."
In October, her friends were getting rather tired of her constant focus on the still absent Brad. She refused to meet for lunch, or go to a horror movie, or a stupid Halloween party with Gina. She spent much of her time alone.
Another four weeks went by, the moon cycled from full to waning to waxing to full again. Brad did not call.
No one understood just how she felt about Brad. All she needed was that one opportunity to prove to Brad that she could make him happy.
To feel better, she started up horseback riding at a stable in the Hunt Valley area. She spent the golden autumn weekends there.
Rayna had always loved horses and horseback riding, even if she couldn't afford to own one. She frequently talked to a hourse called Rhi, a gentle mount which she loved to ride. The brisk riding jaunts took her mind off Brad, who never expressed any opinion on the subject of riding or horses.
She started spending her Saturdays and Sundays and evenings after work at the stables. When the weather got too chilly to ride, she would come by and groom Rhi, pouring her heart out to the calm animal. She told Rhi that she was mad at everyone--including herself--and she wasn't sure why.
Rhi listened nonjudgmentally when Rayna sadly talked about having heard, through mutual friends, that Brad was now steadily dating a blond woman. Apparently he had already dumped the Asian girl.
She noticed that a good-looking fellow with a mustache was observing her with Rhi from time to time. One day, he saundered up and said, "I notice you get along well with Rhiannon."
"Who?" she asked.
"Rhiannon. Rhi for short." He pointed to the horse. "She likes you."
It was funny. He was kind of cute, nice smile, flannel shirt, nice jeans. They chatted. His name was "Josh."
They went for coffee. Suddenly, Brad ceased occupying the foremost of Rayna's mind.
After Brad, Rayna decided to take it slow with Josh. She didn't want to get crazy, just because it was the holidays. However, he talked her into going to one holiday event with him. She introduced him to her friends. He introduced her to his. Even though they had agreed no gifts, he surprised her with an emerald ring. She gave him some of the gingerbread cookies that she had baked for her work Christmas party. He adored them.
Josh asked her if they could date each other exclusively.
Rayna smiled and said, "Yes, but let's take it slow. No pressure. No overblown plans just yet."
Rayna sighed. Gina had been right. There were other fish in the sea.
It was strange. Rayna reflected that if she had not spent so much time at the stables with Rhi in order to feel better about Brad, she would have never found Josh. Gina had also been correct to tell her to keep looking for that special someone.
The December full moon fell in between Christmas and New Year's that year.
Rayna's cell phone rang at 3:00 a.m., yanking her consciousness awake. Looking at the clock, she thought, Oh, my God. What happened? Nameless panic crawled in her stomach as she flashed thoughts of heart attack, fire, and accidents involving family members.
"Hello?"
"Rayna, honey? Rayna!?!" said a dim, slurred, man's voice.
"Who is this?"
"Rayna! It's me, Brad."
What on earth was Brad doing calling on the cell phone at 3:00 a.m.? He sounded drunk.
It had been about five months since she had heard from Brad.
Swallowing her bile, she said, "Brad. It's three o'clock in the morning. What do you want?"
Brad's words tumbled out of the phone. "I have to see you. I want to make it up to you. I want to see you, to hold you--"
Rayna's anger swelled. Oh, he finally contacts me to profess his love when he's too drunk to think?
"It's too late to talk. Go sleep it off, Brad." She hung up the phone and turned off her cell phone.
She rolled over to sleep. At 4:00 a.m., her landline rang. She let the answering machine pick it up. Brad left an incoherent, drunken message. Amidst his mumblings, he clearly said, "I know I love you."
The landline rang again at 5:00 a.m. Rayna had fallen back into a deep sleep and picked it up without realizing the time.
"Rayna, it's Brad. Don't hang up!"
She could hear him crying. Bewildered, she asked, "Brad, what do you want? What is wrong?"
He sobbed on the other end of the line. "Rayna, Rayna. I was wrong to leave you. You are the one for me. Marry me. I love you." His voice slurred out the word, "yo-o-oo-uu-"
He was even more intoxicated than at 3:00 a.m.
Rayna rubbed her eyes. "Brad, I cannot talk to you like this. If you want to talk, we can after you've slept it off, but I'm not taking you back."
Brad responded, "I love you. You love me. I'm ready to commit." He choked on the word, "commit" so that it sounded like "com-com-MIT."
Rayna said, "Just call me tomorrow at a decent hour. I have to hang up now. Go to sleep, Brad."
She hung up and unplugged the phone.
The next day, Brad did not call. Tired as she was, Rayna had been relieved. Clearly, the whole thing had been a fluke.
Brad must have had a fight with the blond he was dating. He got drunk and called Rayna. Why? It was the holidays. People got stressed during the holidays. People drank too much during the holidays. They did weird emotional stuff during the holidays. No big deal.
Brad was probably still hung over and feeling foolish.
The fact was Brad was not her special one. He was a womanizer, a liar, a cheat, and a bit of a control freak. She was done with Brad.
She celebrated New Year's Eve with Josh and they kissed at midnight.
Josh was nothing like Brad in personality. Josh adored animals: horses, dogs, cats, guinea pigs, snakes, etc. Gina and her other friends agreed that Josh was a good catch. He was a CPA accountant, and the stables where she met him were among his clients. He enjoyed anything she baked. He actually got along well with her parents.
Brad had never met her family. His "work schedule" had always made it impossible. She wondered now if Brad had manufactured that excuse.
The January full moon5 is known as the "Ice Moon," "Winter Moon," or "Moon After Yule." Rayna noticed the moonlight glittered on the ice on the grass outside before she headed to bed.
In the wee hours of the January full moon, Rayna's cell phone rang. Rayna awoke with a start and glanced at the clock. 3:00 a.m.
She picked up the phone. "Hello?"
She heard whimpering on the line, then a deep breath. "I miss you, Ray. Come back. We belong together. I was wrong. I'm sorry."
It was Brad--drunk again.
"Brad, I'm not talking to you at three in the morning." She turned off the cell phone. She got up and unplugged the landline.
She thought, What was up with the 3:00 a.m. phone calls? It made no sense...it--Rayna paused. The love spell? No, there was no effect. It didn't work. The Wicca magick thing didn't work.
The next three weeks went by without incident. She and Josh spent lovely evenings together. She was genuinely happy.
Valentine's Day came and went. She and Josh celebrated with a romantic dinner at his place. She was rather glad Brad had not tried to phone her at 3:00 a.m. on Valentine's Day night.
After the 3:00 a.m. phone call in January, she had developed a habit of turning her cell phone off at bedtime each night and plugging it in to recharge.
In any case, anyone feeling the power of a love spell would surely be motivated to call on Valentine's Day. Yet Brad didn't. Clearly, it wasn't the spell. The spell didn't work. Brad had gotten the message that it was over. He probably had moved on to a different woman, if the blond had dumped him. At least, that was how Rayna reasoned it. Yet, the next week, the ringing landline woke Rayna. She glanced at the clock. 3:00 a.m.
She grabbed the phone. It was Brad. "Ray, don't make me suffer like this. I can't live without you. Come back to me."
She hung up and unplugged the landline. Quickly she went to her bedroom window and pulled back the curtain. The February full moon shone like a perfectly round coin in the sky.
The next day, she decided to call Genene. She hadn't been in contact since Autumn. She dug out Genene's schedule of events and February had "Not Available" written next to that month. Rayna called and left a message: "Genene, I realize your schedule says you're not available in February. But, I have to talk to you about Brad."
Surely Genene would contact her before the next full moon.
The week went by uneventfully. Genene finally called back on Friday. "Rayna, I got your message. I've been out of town. Did you hear from Brad?"
"Yes," said Rayna, "and it's a problem." Rayna then began to explain the drunken 3:00 a.m. phone calls on the nights of the full moon, which had started back in December. The whole story spilled out. Her speculation that Brad must have broken up with the woman he was dating, her present relationship with Josh, etc.
Genene listened. "I was concerned about something like this...What you tell me now about Brad isn't quite the picture you painted earlier."
Rayna swallowed hard. "I know. I know. I was stupid. But isn't there something we can do to make him go away?"
"I don't know," sighed Genene. "A banishing spell might have other rammifications. Do I have to quote the Rule of Three to you again?" Rayna heard another sigh. Then Genene said, "Listen, come by Monday night. I'll have reviewed some things by then." There was a pause. "Is the photo still in the box with the rose petals?"
"Uhhh...yeah. I guess so..." answered Rayna.
She heard another sigh from Genene. "Fine. Locate the box. Don't take the photo out just yet. I've got some things to do this weekend. Come on Monday. Leave the box at home. I'll talk to you more then."
Rayna hung up and tried not to worry. So far, Rayna hadn't mentioned Brad's phone calls to Josh. However, that didn't matter. Genene would talk to her on Monday. Rayna would have an answer before Brad made his next full moon phone call.
Yet, that wasn't quite the case.
The night before she was supposed to meet with Genene, Rayna was awakened at 3:00 a.m. by her landline ringing.
Rayna answered.
To her amazement, she heard Brad's drunken voice, "Rayna, Ray, I need to see you. I'm on my cell--"
Rayna hung up and unplugged the phone. She was just getting back in bed when she heard a loud pounding on the door. Brad called out, "Rayna!"
There was a loud thump. "Rayna, please let me in."
She responded, "Brad, go home. You're drunk and you'll wake up the neighbors."
"No, no. Don't send me away. My Ray-Ray, my love." Brad's voice was loud and obnoxious.
From across the hall, she heard a voice. "It's three in the morning. Go away or I'll call the police."
She heard an angry snarl from Brad, "I am the police! So shut up unless you want trouble." Brad wailed drunkenly, "Ray-naa!" He started banging on the door again.
She heard police sirens in the distance. Maybe Brad heard them too, because he shuffled out.
The police took statements from the neighbor who called, and also from Rayna. She explained it was just an old, drunken boyfriend whom she hadn't seen in months. It was nothing.
The officer asked, had her boyfriend ever been violent? Truthfully she said, "No, no." She explained she didn't want to press charges.
The next evening, she met Genene and talked to her. Genene looked worried. "It's escalating." She shook her head. "This is why I tried to warn you about manipulative magick. There are certain types of magicks, as well as some sorts of loves, that are simply not worth it." 6
"I realize that," said Rayna. "But surely there is something you can do--"
Genene looked at Rayna sternly, "I am not going to do anything. You are going to have to clean up your own mess." Then her gaze softened. "He's intoxicated when he contacts you. That means he's not in his right space or right frame of mind. I don't think a relationship between you two would have ever worked. Your and Brad's emotional needs are not the same. You want long-term monogamy. Brad doesn't."
Then Genene picked up a spiral bound notebook and began going over her notes with Rayna.
Genene added, "Since it took so long for the first spell to work, it may take just as long to take effect."
Rayna's eyes widened. "Four months?"
"Well, maybe not. There are always other factors involved. Since he contacted you last night, which wasn't the full moon--but which was early morning on Monday--the Moon's Day, that means something. I think this needs to be a two step process."
Genene told her to go home that night and take the photo out of the box. Rayna should cut the picture in half to separate them as a couple. Genene also said, "Sprinkle the two halves of the photo with salt water. Yes, this will ruin the photo, but I'm guessing you don't want to save it now. After you've done all that, take the dried rose petals and crumble them and scatter them outside, away from your apartment building."
Then Genene checked her notes again.
"In the meantime, just keep avoiding Brad, like you have been. Don't contact him. Don't take his calls. If he contacts you, tell him to go away and leave you alone. There's legal reasons for that too. He won't be able to prove in court that you've encouraged him if you refuse to talk to him. Tell your friends, particularly mutual friends, that you absolutely don't want to see or hear from Brad again." Genene paused, "And I'm not a lawyer, but you may need to be prepared to get a restraining order if you cannot break the obsession."
Rayna's jaw dropped.
"Oh, let's hope it doesn't come to that," Genene continued. "I also located a magick to dispell unhealthy romantic entanglements, but you'll need to wait to start it on the March full moon." She reviewed how to set up the altar.
When she went home, Rayna mixed salt into a cup of water. She cut the photo in half and dripped salt water onto the two halves. She scattered the rose petals about two blocks away.
During the week, Rayna hunted for a black candle, which was surprisingly hard to find, since Halloween was eight months away. She finally located a black Yankee Candle at the Hallmark in White Marsh Mall.
Rayna had to drive into Baltimore City, to a place suggested by Genene called Grandma's Candle Shop,7 for Banishing Oil. Genene admitted it's possible to make the oil,8 but Rayna had bought the lavender bath beads. Buying the Banishing Oil was more or less the same. "Besides, there really isn't enough time," Genene had commented. It seemed ironic to Rayna that the candle shop had plenty of black candles which she could have purchased there.
Rayna dreaded telling her friends about Brad showing up at her home, because Josh would surely find out about her old boyfriend.
The whole magick thing involving Brad had been a big, big mistake. Genene had definitely been right about not trying to especially call Brad back. Thus by Friday, she'd told not only Gina, but several other mutual friends that Brad had showed up beligerant and intoxicated at her apartment building last Sunday night. She also said she didn't want to see him again--because it was over.
Some, like Gina's brother, expressed surprise and disbelief. It was a behavior that was so very unlike Brad.
Rayna shook her head. "I don't want to make more of this than it is," Rayna said. "But I don't want him around anymore. Just don't encourage Brad to do anything stupid, because I supposedly miss him. I don't miss Brad. I don't want him back."
Of course, Josh was upset when he heard about Brad coming over. She decided to also tell Josh about the phone calls in December and January.
"You should have pressed charges when the police came!" fussed Josh.
"Josh, it's a bad idea to press charges against a police officer. All his buddies will be looking to give me traffic violations and parking tickets! Besides, he hasn't actually threatened me..."
To pacify Josh, she suggested she sleep over a couple of nights at his apartment. She would not return home until after work on Monday. The weekend at Josh's passed without incident.
When she returned to her apartment after work on Monday, she was relieved to hear "everything was quiet on the weekend" from a neighbor. However, she found her answering machine was full of long, rambling messages from Brad begging her to take him back.
Well, she only had to deal with it until the full moon. Apparently, Brad had decided to stick to phoning her.
She went to the stable to spend time with Rhi. A surprise March thunderstorm prevented Rayna from riding, yet animals could be such good listeners. Rayna recounted her foolishness, which resulted in her present situation with Brad, to the gentle mare. Rhi listened nonjudgmentally.
On the day of the March full moon, Rayna set up her makeshift altar by sliding the coffee table over to the sliding glass doors.
This time, she took a saltwater bath, pouring water over her head three times to cleanse herself. She took part of the photo showing Brad. It definitely looked worse for wear having had saltwater dripped on it. Then she took a piece of stationery paper. According to Genene, the paper didn't have to be of any special sort. In fact, plain white paper might be the best. She wrote Brad's full name on the paper. Genene had said, she ought to take the now empty jeweled box and break or crack it with a hammer.
Then she placed the photo on the table and set the folded paper on top of it. She annointed the black candle with the Banishing Oil. The black candle in its holder was set on top of the photo and paper. Then she lit the candle.
Taking a deep breath, Rayna focused her mind on the candle and the flame.
According to Genene, Rayna needed to focus her will upon Brad leaving her alone. "While you're doing that," Genene had counseled, "don't visualize any harm to him. You're not wishing ill on Brad. What your intention should be is to concentrate on severing connections and re-establishing boundaries. There must be no weakness. You will need the strongest intent you can summon."
Rayna used the chant Genene gave her:
I do not want you in my life,She focused on the flame for five minutes, concentrating on her will. Then she snuffed the candle.
Your attentions cause me too much strife
Leave me be without delay
This, my wish, you will obey.
I mean you no harm, just leave me alone;
Your acquaintance, I must now disown.
So mote it be.
This particular spell was again begun on the full moon, the flood tide of power. However, she would continue focusing on the spell for seven days. Each night she would relight and burn the candle for five to ten minutes, and repeat the chant while focusing her will upon the intention.
"It's possible the magick will work right away," Genene explained. "But I doubt it, because of what happened with the first one. Nevertheless, because you continue feeding your will into the magick as the moon wanes, Brad's dysfunctional interest in you will also wane."
When Sunday evening rolled around, Rayna was still following through on the seven day spell. She again lit the black candle and repeated the chant while clearly focusing on her intention. After letting the candle burn for about five minutes, she snuffed the flame and prepared for bed. She didn't unplug the landline, but turned off her cell phone and put it in to charge. She couldn't wind down to fall asleep in bed.
Finally, Rayna got up and pulled a pair of comfortable old sweats on with the sleep shirt. She tried to watch television, but couldn't focus on the show. Sitting on the couch, she glanced out the sliding glass door at the waning gibbous moon.
She must have dozed off staring at the moon, because she woke with a start at the sound of the phone ringing. She grabbed the phone off the hook and whispered fiercely into the phone, "Stop calling me in the middle of the night, you jerk! I don't want to talk to you!!"
She heard a clear, male voice, "Rayna? Are you alright?"
It wasn't Brad. It was Josh. "Josh?"
"It's me...I called because I had a bad dream about you. Seriously? Are you okay?"
Rayna glanced at the clock. It was 2:58 a.m. "Well, when you woke me, I thought it might be Brad again. Look, it's late. I'm not mad you called, Josh, but I'm tired and..." Her voice trailed off, because she didn't know what to say.
Could she explain? Oh, I'm fairly sure the problem with Brad is going to blow over, since I've been doing mumbo jumbo over a black candle. Perhaps she would phrase it: Actually, I'm hoping the problem with Brad is over, because I'm using a counter spell to break a love spell I put on Brad. I only did it, because I thought he was my soul-mate. Not that I'd ever do that to you--I mean you might be my soul-mate...
Her train of thought was interupted by pounding on the apartment door. "Ray-na-a?!" It was Brad; his voice was slurred. "Let me in! I know you're awake." The door reverberated, because Brad hit it so hard. "Rayna, we can work it out. I won't leave you." She looked at the clock. 3:01 a.m.
On the phone, Josh said, "Is that Brad again? Hang up. Call 911. I'm coming over."
Rayna found herself saying, "No-No!" to an empty phone line.
In the hall, Brad was a crying maniac.
She stared and put her head in her hands.
Later, Rayna could only recall the events of the next few hours in a bunch of jumbled images.
Josh came. The cops came. Apparently the neighbors called 911 and Josh dialed 911 on the way over. When she heard Brad and Josh yelling at each other, Rayna dialed 911. The cops broke up Brad trying to throttle Josh. Too drunk to connect with his fists, Brad had pulled Josh down with a clumsy tackle and was stupid enough to resist when the officers had to pull him off. After the police separated Brad and Josh, they talked to Rayna.
Upon finding out that the inebriated Brad was a Baltimore County Police Detective, the police officers together and separately grilled Rayna on her relationship with Brad, her relationship with Josh, and what had happened.
At one point, when one of them, a woman, was going over it again with her, Rayan got a bit short with the officer when asked, "Do you want to press charges?"
"Actually, NO. I don't want to press charges. I don't want to get Brad in trouble with work. He's a fine police officer. But, he broke up with me! Josh is my new boyfriend. I don't want Brad calling me or coming over here anymore and I wish someone who knows him in the police department would talk to him. Or get him counseling or SOMEthing. Otherwise I am going to have to file a complain, press charges, or get a restraining order. So, do you think somehow, someone can do that without repercussions on his career!?!"
The police officer, whose name tag said "Swith," softened her gaze a bit and said, "You need to press charges and ask for a restraining order."
Rayna faithfully continued lighting the candle and repeating the chant and focusing her intention for the last few nights.
Whether it was the spell to undo emotional entanglements, or the legal dance, or Brad getting counseling, or Rayna requesting a restraining order, Brad quit bothering Rayna. She never received a 3:00 a.m. call from him again, nor did he show up on her doorstep.
Time has passed. Rayna is happily married now, with a house, kids, a dog, and two cats. Nevertheless each December, Rayna still receives a holiday card mailed right after Christmas from Brad. There is no holiday letter, no personal note, just Brad's signature.
Rayna never writes back.
Retold by Myth Woodling on Friday, 7/13/12.
Endnotes
<==1 The "Rule of Three," also sometimes called the "threefold law," is well known in Wicca. There are numerous rhyming versions of it as well as non-rhyming versions. You can read several at: Ethics: Rhyming Wiccan Rede. It is usually connected with the Wiccan Rede. For a sampling of ethics and codes of conduct, please read: Ethics: Codes of Conduct.
<==2 Love spells can literally be found in hundreds of books. Some of the historically "traditional" love spells would be considered unethical by a modern Wiccan. Here's an example of the sort of thing someone might find randomly glancing through a book on magic.
I do not mean to prick this sheep bone with this blade;Wiccans advise strongly against doing such magicks as the example above, as they believe it can cause altogether unpleasant consequences due to the Rule of Three.
I mean to prick the heart, body and soul of Jane Doe
to the bones of her being...
Blah, blah, blah...
That Jane Doe is not able to sleep, eat, or ...
Blah, blah, blah...
Until she comes to me, submissive as a lamb...
Blah, blah, blah...
And surrenders at my feet to do my bidding and...
Blah, blah, blah...
And I will master...
Blah, blah, blah...
Some old spells were full of this sort of stuff. In my retelling of this cautionary tale, I'm assuming Genene decided to give Rayna a much more ethical love spell, which didn't mention a specific name. Neither did it contain imagery of suffering for the target of the spell, nor power-over and submission.
<==3 D. P. Roseberry, author of Spooky, Creepy Baltimore County (2009), used this chant in her retelling of this campfire tale. It's style is definitely Wiccan in tone. I've not read it anywhere and it's quite possible it came out of someone's personal Book of Shadows. I kept the spoken incantations unchanged from Roseberry's version of the tale, because they sounded so typically Wiccan. Some Wiccan practitioners encourage the use of rhymes so that "the spell will speak itself."
<==4 The phrase, "so mote it be," is often used to finish a Wiccan spell. It means, "So must it be."
<==5 If you are interested in the the names of the moons. please check out: Lunar Calendar.
<==6 An excellent essay by Patti Wigington, Ethics of Love Magic - Is it OK to Perform Love Spells? discusses when and under what circumstances is it acceptable to perform love magic.
<==7 Grandma's Candle Shop in Baltimore City, is a real place. It is not mentioned in D. P. Roseberry's account; I purposely added it to my retelling. Grandma's Candle Shop (410-685-4289) was established in 1978. Aside from their candles, Tarot cards, books, waters, sprays, and other stuff, they sell oils, including "The Lucky Mojo" line of oils and "Lucky Mojo" does make a Banishing Oil. (Anyone intending to buy some specific item, should phone the store to verify that item is in stock.)
There are two other magical stores in Baltimore which I could have stuck into the tale. However, I put in Grandma's Candle shop because it is one of the oldest stores still operating in Baltimore City and Baltimore County. Two other Baltimore stores include:
It's sad, but true. Little independent specialty shops don't last forever, as they're run by a few dedicated folks. I'll share the names of a few Maryland stores that are now gone.
<==8 Over the years, I've seen several different recipes for Banishing Oil...although I've personally never mixed any up. The simplest receipe is salt and bit of pepper in a base oil. Some receipes include things like powdered asafoetida or sulphur. Below is a receipe I gathered awhile back. I repeat, I've never mixed this concoction. I expect it would be a skin irritant. I should also add that there are frequently warnings about pregnant women handling some of these ingredients, especially rue. The oil is generally used to banish situations rather than banish a person.
Banishing Oil for Anointing CandlesI'm including this receipe as an example, because of the instruction about mixing it under the waning moon and letting it sit for 15 days. I've seen that instruction for making a lot of scented magical oils. Generally, oils created by this method need a long period to blend properly. In my retelling of the story, I'm assuming that Genene didn't wish to require Rayna to wait until the right phase of the moon to manufacture the oil and then let it sit for another 15 days.Mix during a gibbous waning moon and allow to stay sealed for 15 days. Put black peppercorns, powdered rue, and a few grains of coarse salt in a dark 1oz. glass bottle. Add olive oil. Add essential oils. Shake every 3 days.
- 1/2 oz. olive oil
- 15 drops pine essential oil
- 10 drops peppermint oil
- 1/8 teaspoon powdered rue
- 9 black pepper corns
- sea salt
D. P. Roseberry
Spooky Creepy Baltimore County
Price: $14.99
Book Details:
ISBN: 9780764332548
Size: 6" x 9"
Binding: Paperback
Illustrations: 14 b/w photos
Pages: 160Book Description: Curl up by the fire and toast some marshmallows as you read these contemporary campfire tales of spooky, creepy Baltimore County, Maryland. D. P. Roseberry has collected some wonderful stories. These true accounts are set in areas of Owings Mills, Reisterstown, Perry Hall, Parkville, Towson, and Garrison. Learn how a love spell goes terribly wrong for a Parkville woman--or maybe it worked too well… Cringe as you hear about the bloody destruction of the police communications department in Towson. Feel the horror of murder at a flower shop in Reisterstown, when a premonition came too late to save a woman. Hear demons in an attic at a Harford Road residence. See shadow people in Perry Hall, and meet a murderous ghost in Middle River who haunts a basement waiting for a victim. These new and scary stories will have you reading into the night--or at least until the campfire is dowsed. BUY THIS BOOK!
First let me say how delighted I am that D. P. Roseberry collected this account. Roseberry set her retelling of this account in Baltimore County, which is something else I personally find delightful. In the book, Roseberry stated that she currently resides in PA, but that Baltimore County had been her home for 30 years of her life.
I refer to my retelling as a folktale, because I am sure Roseberry heard the basics of this story from an oral account from either a Wiccan, or from someone familiar with Wiccan magical practices and Wiccan ethics. I'm also guessing that the events in the account could have taken place several years ago. Hence, the story may have circulated among a small group of Wiccans for some time. In other words, it was a story being spread orally before Roseberry wrote it down.
Ethics has long been a major topic among Wiccans. Certainly it was mentioned in Margot Adler's book, Drawing Down the Moon (1979). I still remember discussion from my salad days in the 1980's. We still rehash and re-examine the issues from time to time.
Late Wiccan author Marion Weinstein explained in detail in her writings that if magic was to be "positive magic," it had to be "non-manipulative" magic.
The New Reformed Orthodox Order of the Golden Dawn (NROOGD) maintained that "You may not alter another's life/karma without his permission." Hence, secretly casting a love spell upon someone to cause her/him to love you was altering that person's life/karma by interfering with her/his free will.
In the footnotes, I have already referred folks to the essay by Patti Wigington, Ethics of Love Magic - Is it OK to Perform Love Spells?
More than once, at an ethics roundtable discussion, class, or workshop, I have heard the following:
Here is an example of what might be said about a love spell gone awry.
When I was younger....much much younger....I cast such a spell. Let me warn you that things can go awry. Sure...it worked...too well. There are many things that can go wrong. Obsession was one of the disadvantages. Although you may spell someone's heart to love you, you may also put yourself in danger. A spelled love can be hurtful more than beneficial in the long run. I do not suggest you go forth with this idea. -- 30-year-old Neo-Pagan Witch (This quote added from a report in January 2015.)
Another person might elaborate, to anyone who asks for more details, as follows.
Well, the girl casting the spell got someone to fall in love with her, but she discovered she had been looking at him with rose-colored glasses. She didn't actually know him, nor did she like him when she really did get to know him. Her intention was not ethically focused, so it misfired.That last statement is a synopsis of a cautionary tale. They explain, "Someone did something s/he shouldn't, and this was the payback s/he suffered as a direct consequence."
In my retelling, I kept the names used by Roseberry: "Rayna," "Josh," "Brad," "Gina," and "Genene." Although I have known a number of Wiccans in the Baltimore area, I don't have any idea who these people might actually be. The populations of Neo-Pagans and Wiccans in the area has grown. I am quite sure that there are many I've never met. I added in the wholly fictitious names of the female police officer, "Swith," and the horse, "Rhi." (If there is an Officer Swith in the Baltimore County Police department, my use of this name is coincidental and any resemblance to a living person is wholly unintentional.) I have also added my own dramatic touches to the tale, as any storyteller will do when dramatizing events.
Wiccans are viewed as the "fluffy bunnies" of the occult world. Because of the Wiccan Rede and the Rule of Three, etc., we Wiccan are not supposed to toss curses, nor cast love spells upon specific individuals, nor interfere with another person's karma, nor free will.
Healing energy is supposed to be sent only with permission. One may attract love into one's life, but not seek to bind someone as a specific love target. Etc., etc.
D. P. Roseberry, author's note at the end of her epilog, she advises people to be careful when casting spells: "I'm not kidding here. Spells can backfire. I must say that I cannot be held responsible for any such practice! So, don't blame me...."
Sound advice.
Copyright 2012, 2015 Myth Woodling: "Myth's story and folklore discussion"
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