Defending oneself ...

When practicing witchcraft, sometimes we need to protect ourselves from those who wish to hurt or harm us for their own personal, messed up reasons. In my case, I am being magically and psychically attacked by a co-worker and her wiccan "sister" who, for reasons known only to them, are trying to get me fired and destroy my life and my livelihood. Very nasty stuff! I always knew that this woman, for reasons unknown to me, has always hated me and she has made this quite clear on numerous occasions. I have always gotten a bad vibe from her every time I see her and I always get a very BAD gut feeling regarding her. 

Recently, my feelings have been confirmed and after doing quite a bit of my own research regarding this co-worker and her "sister", I know now I must do something to protect myself. I do not believe in using any sort of black arts in my practice and I never have, but I do understand that there are certain instances where some kind of serious protection is warranted.

Before I go any further, I would like to explain a few things about protection spells ...

Meanings of the black candle are as follows: 

Banishing negativity, absorbing negativity, transition; the ending of something that is the beginning of something else. Black is the absence of color. In magick, despite what you may have heard, black candles are burned for positive purposes, such as casting out baneful energies or to absorb illness and nasty habits.

Candles have been used in magickal practices for centuries. The flame is viewed as a symbol of light in the darkness. A candle's color is important and dictates its use. Each color sends out special vibrations and attracts special influences. Many believe that black candles are used only for dark rituals, but they are actually used in both black and white ceremonies.

1) Meditiation - Black candles are often used in meditation rituals to assist in clearing the mind and increasing psychic ability. Focusing on the flame induces a state of trance.
2) Hexes -  Black ritual candles are used during hexes to increase the power of the spell. This use is often related to swamp magic and Hoodoo.
3)Uncrossing - Uncrossing rituals often require the use of black candles during the ritual. The ability to banish negativity is necessary to this type of spell.
4) Banish Evil - Black candles may be burned to banish evil influences from an area or building. This is sometimes done along with a spell or ritual. 

The following unhexing spell is one which I had written many, many years ago and have decided to utilize it once again. It is rather simple and easy to use. All it takes is a small black votive candle, a small white votive candle, a piece of paper in which to write the purpose or name of person (or persons) attempting to harm you, a cauldron or heat-proof container and a strong will and intent. Light the black candle and repeat the following incantation:

"Hex of disaster
 I demand you gone -
 Back to the place which you belong;
 By all the powers of the goddess Aige,
 Let the curse be broken - disengage!
 As I banish all evil,
 It shall be gone -
 All negative energy shall be withdrawn
 By wand and pentacle and Law of Three,
 This is my will - So mote it be!"

Take the piece of paper and as you light it using the flame from the black ritual candle, say:

"Back to the caster,
 Take your disaster!"

Allow the paper to burn in the cauldron/heatproof container. Then, light the white candle while chanting the above and medicate using visualization techniques. When finished, release the ashes back out into the Earth. Remember to thank the Lord and Lady.