I remember as a child pulling petals off a flower one at a time saying, “He loves me, he loves me not . . .” Maybe you have too. This is a simple divination technique about love. For many of us thoughts about love surface with the approach of Valentine’s Day.
A Little Unsavory History
Valentine’s Day evolved from the Roman festival called Lupercalia. At sunrise on February 15 goats and a dog were sacrificed. Priests would run naked in the streets whipping women with a piece of hide from sacrificed animals so they could become pregnant or have an easy childbirth. Women willingly stood in line and bared their skin for this treatment. Randomized matchmaking happened on this day as well. In Rome Valentine was a bishop or priest who performed secret marriages to which the government objected. He was tortured and beheaded. But in Rome Valentine was a common name and it appears that there were several Valentines and at least two that we know of were put to death. This is an unsavory history that eventually lead to the Hallmark cards and chocolate that we have in mainstream culture today.
Divination
There are many divination techniques that Wiccans, Witches, Pagans and those who honor the the Goddess and/or the God use to predict love. The pendulum, runes, tarot, scrying, numerology and dream interpretation are among those techniques that you can use. As a child I even used candy conversation hearts a little bit like runes! But with words and phrases like “Be Mine” the messages provided would only be a yes and not no for finding love. With its yes and no answers a pendulum’s use will not be up to interpretation, and it is good for specific questions like, “Will I meet the right person to marry within a year?” All of the other methods I listed will require at least some interpretation. If you have a favorite method of divination, use that tool.
Spells
What about doing a spell for attracting the love of another? There is an ethical consideration that concerns interfering with the free will of another person without his/her knowledge of the spell you are using. In this case you may be using a spell to force the target to do something which s/he would normally not do. However another view of this concern is that you are just providing a little push. Is this push harmful or harmless? Think seriously about the ramifications before you cast this kind of spell.
There are several kinds of love spells involving different kinds of targets. Not only is there romantic love but there is also platonic love. The target may be another specific person. Gain the target’s consent before casting the spell. Not doing so will be deceptive and will create a shallow relationship. Not informing the target robs this person of her/his free will. Whether you are in a relationship with the target or not, pluck up the courage to tell him/her how you feel. If you are not in a relationship and are seeking love, try announcing to the universe your intentions, desires and readiness for love. You can turn this into a spell in which the universe sends the right person to you. Do not forget to use the words “for the highest good” in the spell. To learn more about such a love spell that you can use click https://highpriestess.com.au/a-love-spell. Then there are the glamour spells you can use to make yourself more attractive to others to draw the attention of a potential lover. Know that glamour spells not only involve the beauty of the body but also the energy you radiate. Finally, how can you truly love someone else, the world or the universe if you cannot love yourself? You can do a spell for self love, which can be a great idea for Valentine’s Day. All you need for spells like this are:
Herbs like lavender
Rose petals
Rose quartz crystal
Heart shaped charm
Small pieces of paper
Pen
Scissors
Container like a jar, a drawstring pouch or a plastic or glass ball Yule tree ornament
Something with which to seal the jar or ball like wax, glue or tape
Twine with which to hang a ball ornament
Autumn Willow has a recommendation for a self love spell that you can do. To learn more click https://www.flyingthehedge.com/2018/02/diy-self-love-witch-ball.html. You can do this same spell with a jar to display for yourself or a pouch that you would wear. Feel free to adapt it to your needs and to what you have. For example I’m using catnip (a great substitute for lavender), heart shaped rose quartz, rose petals, paper, pen,a pair of scissors, a glass jar and glue with which to seal it. I am using what I have or can easily obtain. That is the wisdom of the craft, but it takes research.
Gods and goddesses you can work with for self love include Aphrodite, Freya and Odin. The moon will be a waning gibbous this year on February 14, so if you perform spells by the moon, you may want to do the spell a little before then. The moon will be full on February 12, 2025. That gives you a sense of timing.
Have a Valentine’s Day full of love.
Auburn Greene
Suggested Investigation:
Cabot, Laurie. Love Magic: The Way to Love Through Rituals, Spells and the Magical Life, Dell Publishing, May 1, 1992. This book is available on Goodreads and to get this book on Amazon click here https://a.co/d/ccmOC6K.
Fox, Selena. “Enhancing Love in Life.” Circle Podcasts, February 14, 2021, Encore February 14, 2017.
Pullar, Jade. “A Love Spell.” High Priestess: A Magazine for Witches and the Witch-Curious, May 31, 2024, https://highpriestess.com.au/a-love-spell.
Wigington, Patti. “All About Love Magic.” Learn Religions, April 5, 2023, https://www.learnreligions.com/all-about-love-magic-2562360.
Willow, Autumn. “DYI Self Love Witch Ball.” Flying the Hedge, February 16, 2018, https://www.flyingthehedge.com/2018/02/diy-self-love-witch-ball.html.
My Inner Wiccan 