Handfastings and weddings are another great reason to send a package. Inspiration can be drawn from many sources for items to include in this type of care package. A possible theme to keep in mind during the creation of this package is that of pairs. Things that come in twos will serve as a symbol of the union the two being joined will soon enter into. Items the couple may need for their ceremony may also be great gifts to include in the package. These can easily be determined by talking to those being handfasted. Perhaps you can gift them with the perfect set of chalices or a wonderful piece of statuary to sit on their handfasting altar. When my partner and I were handfasted, we received a handfasting care package from friends that included a carefully and specially handmade blend of handfasting incense. Even though these friends could not attend the ceremony due to distance, they were able to make a very special contribution as the lovely scent filled the ritual space during the ceremony.
When I lived in Florida, our local Pagan community started a program to send care packages to Pagan soldiers participating in a Pagan group on an army base in Iraq. Although we are now thankfully reaching a time when the U.S. military is recognizing Pagan and Wiccan paths, Pagan soldiers are still in great need and are deeply appreciative of acknowledgement and contact from their Pagan brothers and sisters on the homefront. When sending packages to military groups overseas, it is important to check beforehand what types of items are permitted—both the military and the postal service have guidelines and restrictions as to what type of items may be sent. Items that were popular among the recipients of our packages included divination tools such as tarot decks and pendulums, pentacle pendants and other magickal jewelry, as well as metaphysical books of all kinds, both new and used. Altar tools and even ritual items were also readily accepted, giving a much-needed (even if small) touch of the sacred to a harsh working environment. With these packages we included several seemingly mundane items that take on a magickal meaning when given with love due to how much they were needed and sought after by the soldiers. Things like drink mix packets, shelf-stable snack foods, playing cards, and old magazines to pass the time. However, in the soldier care packages, the most requested and coveted items were heartfelt handwritten letters. Even to a stranger, sharing the normalcy of life back at home can bring great grounding and comfort. You’d be surprised how interested a deployed soldier may be in hearing about the simple ritual you did with your family for a sabbat. On a similar note, there are many growing Pagan and Wiccan prison ministries as well. These individuals would also benefit from care packages, for many of the same reasons. Remember to check before sending, as with the military packages, to see what items are permitted.
… in soldier care packages, the most requested and coveted items were heartfelt handwritten letters.
You might also consider sending a friend a solar return package. A person’s solar return happens on or very close to their birthday, marking the occasion when the sun returns to the same position it was in at the time of their birth. Think of this type of package as a kit for an enchanting birthday celebration. Suns and celestial-themed items make great additions; plan in advance and keep your eye out for items like cosmic-themed candles or holders or similar items, as stores shift their seasonal merchandise toward the start of the summer season. Stained glass sun catchers to hang in the window also make for a creative solar tie-in. And by all means, include any of the normal birthday trappings you would normally want to send along, such as a card or gift (with your own magickal touches of course).
With any type of magical package, keep in mind that shopping locally (rather than in a large chain store) and supporting fair trade is highly preferable, both in terms of karma and in the uniqueness of the items themselves.
As mentioned earlier, a major component of what actually makes a magickal care package magickal is the energy and intent you put into its creation. This includes the packing materials you use. As a general rule of thumb, we witches generally like to be as respectful and gentle as we can to our Mother Earth. To lower your impact, consider re-purposing boxes, bubble wrap, and other packing materials. Be creative when choosing your supplies. A creative friend once sent me a package in the fall and used fallen autumn leaves he gathered from his yard as the padding material. It added quite an enchanting seasonal touch! Also, boxes you receive through the mail can often easily be re-used numerous times. If it proves difficult to cover previous mailing labels or printing on the box, simply recycle a brown paper bag to wrap the box. This provides a lovely clean canvas to extend your magick to the package’s exterior through the use of magickal runes, symbols, and sigils. You can keep the energy flowing and help protect your package right up through
