INPUT ARTICLE: Article: Your new switch can be whatever type you prefer, regardless of the existing switch. For instance, if your lamp has a pull chain but you want to install a 3-way turn knob, all you have to do is buy a 3-way turn switch and a light bulb with 2 brightness levels.  You can even replace a socket switch with a cord switch. Just purchase a new socket assembly without a switch and follow the instructions for replacing a cord switch. You can buy a new socket switch from most hardware stores, and they usually cost around $2-$5 USD. Never take chances when you’re working with electricity. Double-check to be sure that the lamp is unplugged before you start to take it apart. At this point, the socket at the top of the lamp should be exposed. On most lamps, this is where the switch is located. The socket shell is the actual assembly where the switch is located and the light bulb screws in. On most lamps, you can squeeze the socket shell and pull upwards to remove it. If the socket shell is hard to remove, use a screwdriver to pry it loose. There should be 2 wires attached to the switch. 1 is hot and the other is neutral. The hot wire is usually attached to a brass screw, and the neutral wire is usually attached to a silver screw.  The neutral wire is usually marked in some way. It may be a different color, or the insulation may be printed, stamped, or have indentations. Make sure to note this now, since you’ll need to know which wire is neutral when you hook up your new switch. If you can’t identify the neutral wire, look at the plug. The neutral wire is attached to the wider plug blade on a polarized plug. If your plug blades are the same size, you should replace the plug while you’re replacing the socket. Cut through the wires as close to the switch as possible to ensure you have plenty of wire to work with. Wire cutters can also be used to strip insulation from wires. Use the wire cutters to make a notch in the insulation around the wires, then clamp down on the insulation with the strippers and carefully pull the insulation away. If you see any strands of wire when you pull away the insulation, it means you cut too deep. Cut off that section and start again. Use your fingers to wrap the wire tightly around the screw. Be sure to connect the neutral wire to the silver screw and the hot wire to the brass screw. Although sockets will be slightly different depending on the manufacturer, the wires should thread easily through the socket. Make sure the socket is right-side-up and look for wire channels to help you know where to guide the wire. You should hear the new socket shell snap into place. If there is a screw on the stem of the lamp, tighten it now to hold the socket in place. If you’ve done everything right, you should be able to use your new switch to turn on your lamp! If the lamp doesn't come on, check the connection in your switch and try again. If this doesn't help, you may need to replace the plug.

SUMMARY: Purchase a new socket switch from a hardware store. Unplug the lamp before you begin repairs. Remove the shade, bulb, and the wire that holds the shade in place. Squeeze and pull the socket shell to remove it from the lamp. Locate the wires attached to the socket shell. Use wire cutters to cut the wires leading to the existing switch. Cut off the ends of the wire and strip away 1⁄2 inch (1.3 cm) of insulation. String the 2 wires through your socket and attach them to the screws. Place the new socket shell into the lamp and press down. Replace the light bulb and lampshade and plug in the lamp.


INPUT ARTICLE: Article: If you want to bring magic into your life, then bringing it into your home is a great way to accomplish that.  By blessing your home, you can make your home a special place through the use of ritual.  Rituals work by using symbolic actions in order to bring about a certain attitude or feeling about a place or thing, connecting the “sacred” to the “profane”.  Although these symbolic connections are up to you to define, there are some common associations that you can make use of.  Lavender, cedar-wood, and eucalyptus are all believed to have cleansing properties. You may want to do your blessing as the sun rises, facing it in the east, as the symbolic connection to the new day can make your house feel like a new, magical space. Cleaning your house can have an effect on your mood and how you view the spaces you live in.  By giving your house a good cleaning before you start your blessing, you also send the message to yourself that you are making a change, clearing the space before your turn it into one of your own making.  Clean your entire house while focusing on your intention that you are reforming your environment. Cleaning can send the message to yourself that you have control over your environment and are working to improve it. Before you begin the blessing itself, you will want to take a moment to set up the space you will be using.  In setting the mood you want to create by engaging the senses, you can help make your blessing feel more magical and special to you, as well as anyone else doing the blessing with you.  Light some incense or use a diffuser and essential oils. Play some music that puts you in the mood you want to be in during your blessing. Say some words that feel important to you and express your intent for the entire house and the goals of the ritual. Some spiritual traditions make use of burning candles during a ritual.  When candles are used for spiritual purposes, it is common to consider the color of the candle, which have symbolic associations attached to them.  You may also want to carve symbols that you enjoy into the candle.  It is believed that as the candle burns, those symbolic aspects are projected outwards, into the environment.  White candles are sometimes associated with purification. Light blue candles are thought to bring about harmony and joy. Yellow candles can represent joy and happiness. Move from room to room with your candle, speaking a blessing for each room.  The blessing you say can be as long or as short as you like, so long as it contains your wishes for that room.  Visit every room in your home with your candle so that you bless the entire house.  An example affirmation for your bedroom might be “When I am in this space I will feel safe and secure.  I will sleep and awake well rested.” By making these affirmations in your rooms, you focus on positive thinking about them and yourself when you visit them.  This positive thinking can bring with it numerous health benefits. Most traditions believe that when using a candle in a ritual, it should be allowed to burn down completely.  The underlying belief is that the candle is releasing your intention as it burns and blowing it out will cause this to stop.  Burning the candle fully is thought to produce the maximum effect. Never leave your candle unattended while it is burning.

SUMMARY:
Discover the reasons for blessing your home. Clean your house. Prepare your chosen ritual space. Light a candle. Speak your blessings and affirmations. Let the candle burn.