i did it! :D my first binding. it is done. it felt soooo good! and so very right. i took elements from all your suggestions. ~thank you all so very much for your help! i'd be so lost without ya! i guess most of the books i have are against binding. oh well. i like my spell, it was cool! here's what i did. i lit a fire in my yard. i have a table next to my fire pit thingy, so on that i placed some rune cards that i felt were special for this occasion. i used them as a guide, a way to keep things positive. i also laid out about 5 of the 10 crow feathers that i gathered. {i think this was their purpose, why i need to have them} i lit a black taper candle and a red one. *for protection and love* and i burned dragon's blood incense. i gathered yarrow, lavender, pentas, honeysuckle, chinese lantern, and geranium. i threw them in the fire. the yarrow, lavender, and honeysuckle were for love, peace, and calm. then the pentas and lantern were to represent me. they have some of my soul in them.. *they are my favorite in my garden* and the geranium is from my great grandma. my mom inherited the plants, then i took them. she was my cousin's g-gma too. so i wanted to tie that all in. then i wrote on a piece of paper some of the goals i had. and what i hope to accomplish with this. i then wrote on a separate piece of paper her name with her bad qualities. what i feared she may do. then i took that paper and wrapped it in black cloth. i made a little ghost out of it. ;) then i cut an opening right where the mouth would be. i recited the goals paper after the circle was cast. i said it 5 times. then i rolled it up and dripped candle wax on it from each candle. i also tied it in red yarn. i said something about sealing it and binding it. then i tossed it in the fire. i gave it to brighid. then i proceeded to sew the *mouth* shut of my *ghost*. i don't remember exactly what i said. but i know it was something about no harm, i do this with love, hold back her bad qualities, etc. i put the *ghost* in a safe spot. i'm trying to decide if i should keep it until she comes back, or if i should bury it. i was thinking the burying thing would be good. i could also put some of the ashes from the fire with her. and this way it may last longer. the spell that is. so then i sat and watched the fire. i thought of all the great times i had with my cousin.. it was quite magical. i felt the presence our my grandma and grandpa very strongly! it was really nice. :) it seems that almost every time i do something magical out side i am shown over and over my connection with air. every time i did something in which i used my focus and energy the wind would blow real hard! lol! it was pretty cool. a few times the candle almost went out! and it was pretty cool that my obnoxious neighbor didn't get home until it was done. it was really to perfect!

and with a special thanx to karismar and merle, the bitch is bound thrice! :D i have no doubt in my mind that this is gonna work. she will *behave*. thank you all again!

**whispering weathered words into the wind.

feelings of peace and love set in.

blessings bloom as the healing begins.**

(((hugs))) ~♥~ alysia