NEW WRITING CONTEST!

There is a new essay contest winner for ages 9-19. The winner will receive an autographed copy of Rogelia's House of Magic and a friendship bracelet. The answers lie within the pages of Rogelia's House of Magic. Write an essay, at least 150 words, explaining how or why the clothing of each protagonist (Fern, Marina, and Xochitl) reinforces their characterization. Deadline: August 29.

LAST WINNER:

With Rogelia's House of Magic due to be released in less than two weeks, I challenge you to write another essay about 150-200 words. The winner will receive an autographed copy of Rogelia's House of Magic and a friendship bracelet.

The question is: why and how are friendships and magic related?

WINNNER!

Here's the amazing winner for the essay contest!! A free autographed copy of Rogelia's House of Magic AND a friendship bracelet.

MY SPIRIT AWAKENING

By Melanie L. , 14 years wise

I have been trying to find my spirit animal (or animal totem) for ages; ever since my mom first bought me The Teen Spell Book and The Enchanted Diary, both by Jamie Wood. She explains how everybody has their own animal guide, and you can try to find out what yours is in many different ways. You could possibly receive a vision of it, meet it in a dream, or you could just pick an animal you have always been fond of.

>> READ MORE

> Q - Can you give me a love spell to make a boy I like fall in love with me?

A - I believe in free will, which means I don't cast spells on other people. You can cast a spell for yourself to attract love. You can ask that he sees you. You can wish for him to be attracted to you. You can cast a spell on a room to make it more amorous. But personally I don't believe it is ethical to try to manipulate another person through magick by calling the forces of the Universe to make him fall in love with you.

And anyhow, what does that do in the long run for your self esteem?

You are an amazing child of the Universe who can and will find love, naturally. When you are with him or see him and get that warm, fuzzy feeling, you are entering a Field of Love (think of a field of daisies or some wildflowers or your favorite flowers). You are entering a space of love that makes you feel very good. He is not the source of love or your only connection to it. He is only a catalyst to helping you get in touch with that feeling. It is your job to find the path to the field of love without needing another person. When you do that, you will automatically attract another person who also can get to the Field of Love on their own by the powers of The Law of Attraction. And then think of the possibilities!!! You'd never have to worry about owning him or him leaving you or anything, because you will know it's you who got you to the Field of Love.

> Q - As I am 12, I have decided to become a teenage witch.. Can you give me any tips? I really love magick. - Megan

A - How to be a witch? Hang out in nature. It's your best teacher. Be patient. Watch and observe. Take care of Mother Earth. Pay attention to symbols and serendipity. Listen to your intuition. Be kind. Foster love in and for yourself. Remember you are connected to all things. Know that whatever you put out to the Universe will return to you by Law of Attraction. Focus on what you want to feel, not how you want it to look. Believe in magick. Believe that the magick is you.

> Q - I have just been on Amazon U.K looking for spell books for young witches. Then I came across yours. I haven't bought it yet I just wanted to check if the spells really do work because I have tried a lot that didn't.

A - There's a trick to spells. First of all, you've got to be patient. They don't happen as quickly as they do in the movies. They can take anytime from minutes to days to months to a year to manifest. And your intention has to be really, really super clear, otherwise it's not that the spell didn't work because the spell was "bad," its that your focus or desire wasn't strong enough. Lastly if you pile up spells on top of each other, doing three or four before the first one has had a chance to manifest, then what you've got is murky cosmic soup and no clear direction for the Universe to give you the best of what you want.

To answer your question, though, I, my friends and readers have performed the spells found in The Teen Spell Book with great success - for mundane, spiritual, and emotional desires and healing. Good luck and blessed be. Believe in yourself.

> VIEW MORE Q & A

> Got a question? email me at jamie@jamiewood.com

Spell Casting

When you blow out a birthday candle or the fluff of a dandelion how much time do you give your wish to come true? What's the difference between this kind of wishing and spell casting? Maybe less than you imagined. With spells you may add a chant, music, incense, a picture, a color, an oil - all the better to focus your intention. My friend used to say, if you were stranded on a desert island, you could still do magick, because you are the magick. Essentially a wish, a spell, a prayer all amount to the same thing: a plea to the Divine As You See It. The Divine does not work on a human time clock - ever. Your spell or wish comes true in perfect time, so be a good little witchy poo and understand magic works best with Perfect Love and Perfect Trust.

Love Spell for August/September

Since we can only cast spells on ourselves, in accordance with our laws that say we do not interfere with the will of others, if we want love, we must first get ourselves to a space where we can receive love. One of my most favorite sayings is "Love is the Dance of Two Open Spaces."

We begin by entering the Field of Love. Because when you are with someone who makes you feel loved you are really and truly in a Field of Love with them - its Oceanic Bliss, floating, feeling at peace with all that is. This other person is actually reflecting the best qualities that live in you already. You are the love you seek in the world.

>> READ REST HERE!

>> VIEW PAST SPELLS HERE

You can pre-order the ebook for Rogelia's House of Magic! »CLICK HERE« TO PREORDER!

"Jamie Martinez Wood has proven that she is, again, a contemporary curandera straight out of Cali; with magical powers to cast an intoxicating spell over the most reluctant reader in your family.They will want more. Rogelia's House of Magic is one part heart-warming, two parts fun, with a hearty dose of cool. The key ingredients for a tasty read!"

- Michele Serros, author of !Scandalosa! A Honey Blonde Chica Novel

"Charming and magical...captures the essence and beauty of Latina girl friendships."

-Josefina Lopez, Real Women Have Curves & Hungry Woman in Paris

"The dialogue is natural and the girls' unwavering friendship will inspire readers... (Rogelia's House of Magic) conveys the beauty of Mexican culture and the seriousness of magical undertakings."

-Kirkus Review

READ MORE PRESS ABOUT ROGELIA'S HOUSE OF MAGIC »HERE«

MEET THE THREE APPRENTICES OF ROGELIA GARCIA
a wise old woman who holds the key to the magic of their ancestors.

VIEW BOOK TRAILER:

MARINA: the sweet yet spoiled Latina princess - she can hear the voices of dead people, and one of them is talking in Spanish. Marina knows she must interpret an important message from beyond, but how can she do that when she doesn't even speak the language?

FERN: the fiesty free-spirit - she sees colorful auras, especially around a cute boy named Tristan, a cute boys from the barrio. Fern is certain that the greyish cloud hanging over Tristan is bad news - but how can she ignore him when he's so gorgeous?

XOCHITL: the wallflower - she has the ability to turn invisible when she does not want to deal. And considering that she's mourning the untimely death of her twin sister, it's a wonder that anyone can see her at all. When Xochitl's grandmother Rogelia becomes a maid in Marina's house, she agrees to teach the girls the ways of the curandera (spiritual healer). Even though Marina and Fern are thrilled to have this chance to understand and use their powers, Xochitl isn't happy about sharing such a sacred practice with anyone but her sister. Besides, magic has let Xochitl down before - why wouldn't it now? But as she and her friends eventually discover at Rogelia's House of Magic anything is possible.

I chose to personally interview my subjects in the Latino Writers & Journalist to best capture the spark that makes them inspirational to readers, which is the point of any biography. In this way the biographical essays establish a commonality with you, the reader and hopefully inspires and encourages you to seek out and unearth their own unique gifts.

© Jamie Martinez Wood 2007