cosmoxsaturn
Divination - tarot focused Baby witch Learning my way through life
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Latest Posts by cosmoxsaturn
All About: House Spirits
Well, it's about time I brought them up once again, in their own post. This guide may be on the lengthy side, but it's here to explain what they are and how to begin working with them.
What the hell is a house spirit?
House spirits come from all different cultures and folklore. Known as, you guessed it, guardians of the home. They protect the house itself, the land around it (they get along with the land spirit(s) most of the time), and they also protect the family if treated right. A home certainly doesn't feel like one without these presiding spirits helping. In fact it gives the home a life of it's own.
What do they look like? Are there types?
Across many cultures, there are these spirits and the folklore varies for each. In my tribe, we consider them to usually be little dwarves or goblins that must be appeased, otherwise they will cause bad luck or even resort to curses. Regular offerings are required. Then there are the land spirits, which is a whole other topic. If given regular offerings and respect, we believe that they will not only generate good luck and events for us, but protect us and help with our daily lives. For the witches of the tribe, they will often assist in rituals and spells. That all being said, this has carried over into my personal beliefs. Many cultures describe house spirits assisting with the same things and if they are displeased, bad occurrences following. As far as looks go, it depends on the folklore surrounding your area and your cultural background(s). You may believe in one or two types or an entire spectrum of house spirits from the realm of the fair folk. You could have one house spirit or twelve. It's entirely up to your home. In some cultures, there are door spirits (yes, that guard the doors) and ones that work in the kitchen, among others for different functions of the home.
Okay so, I live in an apartment building. Can I still work with them?
Yes. When I used to live in apartments, I found it was an either/or situation regarding how many were there. Some buildings have only a few that roam around, sometimes only one that protects the entire building, or there may be multiple hanging out in one apartment. Most complexes have multiple however. And then for the lucky buildings that have one for each apartment...those are nice. I've included a short offering ritual at the end of this post, which you can use to ask questions about whatever you wish to know, including how many there are in the building.
What kind of offerings do they like?
Milk, honey, bread, and herbs are a safe bet. They especially like bread baked by you, as they see it as a labor of love and that your energy is in there. Taking time to tend to the garden and taking care of your property & home in general are things they like to see. Don't leave the house a huge mess, as many prefer a tidy atmosphere. Not an offering per say, but important to mention nonetheless.
What should I put on their altar?
I keep my altar for them in the kitchen, as it is in a place that is undisturbed and can't be torn up by my land shark (aka, my dog). I also feel that most of the house spirits I have worked with in my life enjoy hanging out in this area of the home. They seem to like assisting in kitchen magic and cooking in general and the warmth of the stove. You may also want to include a small area near the front door if you believe that there are separate spirits for there. I'd recommend a shelf, as it won't take up as much space in the entryway.
Okay, back on track. Plants (if the space gets enough light), a cauldron, candles, offering bowls, a chalice, glass, or mug of some sort. A special spoon to stir the drinks or potions with. Decorative pieces from nature. Things you craft by hand.
How can I begin working with them?
Anytime, in reality. However, you do have to develop an actual relationship with them. This can take time and the more you speak to them, give offerings, and invite them in as you cook or clean, the more they will be willing to help with your spellwork, wards, and healing. Try the introduction ritual I've included. See what happens. Document it. Try again another time the following week. And just...keep going. Make sure that they know you haven't forgotten about them by leaving a small nightly glass of milk out before you head to bed. It doesn't have to be filled to the rim (hey, cost of living is ridiculous right now). It can be a splash with a squirt of honey added. Or a sprinkle of herbs on their bowl. Or maybe a small helping of what you whipped up for dinner. Point is to show them that you acknowledge and respect their presence. That will be the biggest component. Do the ritual once a week until you start seeing signs of contact. Once you do, make your own ritual with them. Incorporate them into your daily life. Ask them to help with blessing your cooking. Ask them to make sure your wards are in tact. Ask the door spirit to purify the energy of anyone that walks in & make bad people resist coming by. Start seeing if they'd like to sit in on a ritual, if you feel comfortable with that idea. Ask for a blessing when you clean the house & to assist you in removing all the bad energy.
Brief introductory ritual
To introduce yourself to your house spirits, I recommend sitting in your kitchen. If you consider your hearth to be the living room, you can choose to do it there. Make sure to bring offerings with that you feel will be applicable. Freshly baked bread (from your own hands) and some milk with honey stirred in would make a wonderful first treat. I usually introduce myself in a new home by bringing these treats to the location of choice, and start by speaking my intention aloud which goes something like:
"Spirits of the home,
Guardians and Protectors of this dwelling,
Please come sit with me and enjoy these offerings.
I wish to have a working relationship where we can honor, respect, and help each other."
I usually spend about ten-twenty minutes meditating after this is spoken aloud. Sometimes you will feel a strong presence. This is the time I take to set up my kitchen altar as well. If there is a place that I am able to create a mini-altar by the front door, I do so there for the door spirits. The land spirits get their own little thing out in the backyard. I've found in the many places I've lived, they almost always work together and some house spirits spend quite some time out there too!
From here on out, you'll develop your relationship with regular offerings and take it from there!
common outdoor items & their uses
a guide to common outdoor items and their magickal uses.
acorns- luck, protection, wisdom, power
walnuts- healing, protection, self care
pinecones- fertility, masculinity, growth, nature
pine needles- cleansing, healing, strength, banishment
pecans- employment, protection, success, abundance, prosperity
grass- growth, learning, healing, new beginning, grief, recovery
maple leaves- feminine, travel, change, decisions, healing
oak leaves- truth, justice, knowledge, steadfastness, protection, guidance
birch leaves- protection, cleansing, fertility, purification
dandelions- calling spirits, divination, healing
dandelion seeds- divination, wishes, manifestation, dreams, luck
dandelion leaves- defeating negativity, steadfastness, growth, purification
2 leaf clovers- love, luck, courage, cleansing
3 leaf clovers- protection, luck, fidelity, divination
4 leaf clovers- spirit work, luck, psychic ability, attraction
5+ leaf clovers- wealth, luck, attracting money, sanity
wild clover flowers- animal magick, blessings, breaking curses, luck, love
apple seeds- love, secrets, knowledge, gateways, divination, prosperity
tree bark- protection, binding, banishment, cleansing, purification
rocks- many rocks have crystals hidden inside, the most common is quartz types. if unsure, rockcs can represent strength, stability, protection and banishing. if you suspect its a crystal, look it up and discover the correspondences that matter to you!
will add more as i can, feel free to add your own!!
Bring Money to Your Door Spell
a shiny golden coin (ex. penny, after sitting in coke for a day or two- seriously, have you seen those?! SO SHINY)
mint in any form (leaf, extract, essential oil, etc.)
pinch of cinnamon
bay leaf (should be large enough to completely cover one surface of the coin)
money sigil (you can create your own!! Or just draw a dollar sign, that works too. I also sell mine on my site.)
green or gold wax (literally any kind. Melt down a crayon safely, research how to do it!! Or one of those cheap Ikea tealights.)
So picture this spell as a little package with layers.
Pinch up that pinch of cinnamon and drop it on the shiny coin.
Now add your mint on top of that. If it's in liquid form, just drip it onto the cinnamon. If it's in leaf form, sort of wrap it around that little pinch of cinnamon & the coin, or cover it, depending on how big the leaf is.
Draw your sigil (or dollar sign) on the bay leaf, and wrap the whole thing up like a little package. Try to make sure your final wrapping movement, or fold of the leaf, is aimed inwards toward your body, for drawing things in. If you mess this folding bit up though, don't worry! It's not a must.
Flip your little parcel over and seal up all those edges of the bay leaf with some melted/malleable wax.
Accidentally clicked on the poll option gah & I have no idea how to remove it after you've added one does anyone know? So...
When I seal things up in magic, I like to think of the energy inside fermenting like a jar of pickles until you eventually get that deliciously sour yum. In fact, I don't tend to recharge when things are sealed, I just leave it and picture the spell inside slowly growing stronger the longer it's left like that to "ferment." I do this with my spell jars too.
5. You could further wrap up the whole little package with some twine or string the way you would a present, or add a layer of tin foil (especially if you're worried about it getting damaged or falling apart if the wax isn't secure enough) if you like.
6. Leave it somewhere that could count as your 'doorstep.' It's great if you could leave it on your actual doorstep, but it could easily get stepped on there. You could leave it under your doormat (visitors charge when they step on the mat on their way in), under the pot of your potted plant (especially good when it's something also associated with money, like basil), or just tape it to your door where you'd place a wreath.
Do place it on the outside of your home rather than somewhere inside though, since this spell is meant to attract money from the outside to your doorstep. It's very small so if you're a closeted witch, there's not a high chance of it being discovered, and it looks quite mundane when wrapped in tin foil. Granted, a small wad of tin foil on the ground near your door could be mistaken as trash and thrown away, but you can always make a new one!
I tend to swap mine out when I see it's been displaced; ex. If you taped it to the door, it's fallen off; if you didn't tin-foil-wrap it, you see that the wax has broken and the package has come apart.
Evil spells this, good spells that! Where are the petty inconvenience spells?!
Enchant a pebble to always end up in your target's shoe.
Socks that can't have shoes put over them until they step in at least one (1) liquid.
Curse that prevents hot food and drinks cooling until your target has taken a sip.
Disappearing ink that only appears when the person it's on is looking away.
Been needing this
An Easy Job Search Spell
Ingredients:
A yellow candle
A piece of paper
A pen
A four-leaf clover
A pinch of salt
A pinch of sugar
Instructions:
Write down on the piece of paper what you are hoping to achieve with this spell. For example, you might write “I want to have more luck in my job search.”
Fold the piece of paper in half and place it under the candle.
Place the four-leaf clover on top of the paper.
Sprinkle the salt and sugar around the candle.
Light the yellow candle.
Close your eyes and focus on your intention.
Say a prayer or affirmation to the universe, asking for luck in your endeavors.
Let the candle burn for as long as you like.
Once the candle has burned out, bury the paper and the four-leaf clover in a place where they will not be disturbed.
This spell is a simple way to help in your job search. The yellow candle represents the sun, which is a symbol of luck and abundance. The four-leaf clover is a symbol of good luck, and salt and sugar are used to attract positive energy. By following these instructions, you can create a powerful spell that will help you achieve your goals.
Note:
This is just one example of a witchcraft spell for luck. There are many other variations that you can find online or in books.
It is important to be respectful of the natural world when casting spells. Always use ethically sourced ingredients and dispose of them properly.
Remember, magic is a tool that can be used for good or evil. Use it wisely and ethically.
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MAGICAL PROPERTIES OF CLOTH/MATERIAL
Canvas: creativity, new beginnings, potential, possibilities
Cashmere: comfort, warmth, luxury
Chiffon: feminine, delicacy, vulnerable, elegance
Cotton: simplicity, harvest, protection, rain, good luck
Denim: ruggedness, durability, labour, working, independence, rebellion
Felt: protection, good luck, wealth (white felt), sacrifice, strength
Flannel: mojo bags, comfort, relaxation, warmth
Flax: weakness of man, prosperity, gift of the gods, Hulda
Gauze: uncertainty in wealth, healing
Hemp: travel, burial, trance, opening gates and doors, vision, enlightenment, Bast
Lace: sacredness, rite of passage, feminine, privilege, sensuality, sexuality, duality
Lamé: luxury, wealth, royalty, sun or moon
Leather: protection, covering, animals, instinct
Linen: righteousness and purity, does not cause sweat, rest, elegance, luxury, sophistication, light and purity, (display of) wealth
Satin: lustrous, sensual, shine, love
Silk: wealth, luxury, softness, smoothness, prestige, transformation, magical insulation
Velvet: distinction, honor, sensuality, emotions, royalty, leadership
Voile: secrets, unveiling, hidden, wedding
Wool: Hope, renewal, spinning, women’s crafts, durability, comfort and warmth
Samhain
Crisp air like a freshly picked apple and leaves the colors of sunset indicating the ending of a season; here comes Autumn and with it a very popular pagan holiday: Samhain!
This is a remake of my original Samhain post. This one is going to be a long one so buckle up!~
While us those in the northern hemisphere are celebrating Samhain, our friends in the southern hemisphere will be celebrating Beltane!
Historical Samhain
The name “Samhain” (pronounced Sah-when) comes from the Old Irish samain which literally means “Summer’s end” as it was created using Old Irish sam ”Summer” and fuin ”end” (etymonline.com).
By now I’m sure you’ve guessed Samhain’s origin, it’s a Celtic* festival, one of four major holidays.
**In this post when I refer to “Celts” or “Celtic people” I am referring only to the Insular Celts, more specifically the Gaelic-speaking Celts. To learn the difference between Celtic and Gaelic please read this article
For these Celts, Samhain was the beginning of the new year. Due to the oral nature of the culture, not much is known about the traditions of Samhain, though we have some documentation from other cultures as well as some ideas from historians as to what they may have done.
Traditions
The traditions of Samhain may vary by group or even by family, but one common tradition was to have a large, public sacred bonfire. (Fun fact, the term “Bonfire” comes from the English “bonefire” meaning literally “a fire of bones”). During these bonfires, the Celts would sacrifice livestock and crops as offerings to their deities.
Households would extinguish their hearth fires earlier that day and would take the flame from the public bonfire to reignite their hearths. This was likely to represent renewal or new beginnings as they transitioned to the new year as well as a representation of community.
The veil between this world and other worlds is thought to be very thin on Samhain, making it easier not only for us to reach out to spirits, deities, and the like, but for them to reach out to us. These otherworldly beings are thought to be able to influence our world more powerfully during Samhain.
In some places, like Britanny, they believed that the dead would visit their living friends and relatives during this time.
In Welsh tradition, people would leave out food, leave doors unlocked, and prepare the house for the spirits of relatives that may come to visit.
Large turnips were hollowed out and would have faces carved into them and then place on window sills to ward off evil spirits.
In other places, like Scotland, Samhain was a time for mischief. Young men would dress up as spirits, donning masks, painting their faces, or wearing costumes.
Divination was very popular during this time, especially marriage divination. This wasn’t just done by druids but by the common folk as well.
In some places, it was considered taboo to forage for fruit or grain during and after Samhain, it was thought that the fae or spirits would have passed over and tainted them. There were even laws against doing so.
Notes
Samhain is the Irish name for the month of November.
Samhain is one of the four main holidays of the ancient Celts, the other three are Beltane, Lughnasadh, and Imbolc.
Pigs were the choice of sacrificial animal for Samhain.
Samhain was a sacred time that often welcomed assemblies and would be used to settle important business matters like the inauguration of new kings, debts being paid, and trials.
In Celtic mythology, the Second Battle of Mag Tuired begins on Samhain.
Trick-or-treating is a modern-day tradition but could have derived from the many different traditions of old.
The Cailleach is a seasonal goddess said to rule the “dark” side of the year (fall and winter) and would rule between Samhain and Beltane. Likewise, the goddess Brigid would rule the “light” side of the year between Beltane and Samhain.
While Wiccans may celebrate Samhain as part of their Wheel of the Year, it is not a Wiccan-specific holiday and has ties to much older traditions.
Modern Halloween is an amalgamation of Samhain and the Christian All Hallows’ Eve or All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ day. Halloween found its popularity after many Celts immigrated to North America.
Similar to these holidays is Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) which originated in Mexico. This holiday reunites the living and the dead, allowing the spirits of loved ones to cross back over to our world for a short period of time. Families will make altars and give offerings to those who have passed. Festivities and celebrations are held during this time. It is traditionally held on November 1st or 2nd but is celebrated on October 31st or November 6th depending on the location.
Modern Samhain
As long as you’re aware of and honor the history of Samhain and are being respectful you can celebrate this holiday however you choose!
Here is a list of correspondences and the like that I found throughout my research for Samhain, some have historical backing and others don’t. Take what speaks to you and leave what doesn’t.
Food
Mead, beer, and mulled wine
Meat
Bread, soul cakes, pies, and other such pastries.
Apples, squash, and potatoes.
Colcannon
Soul cakes
Barmbrack
Colors
Warm colors such as red, orange, brown, and yellow.
Black
Dark green
Rocks & Metals
Onyx
Obsidian
Citrine
Hematite
Carnelian
Smoky quartz
Tiger’s eye
Ruby
Copper
Jet
Plants
Rosemary
Thyme
Vervain
St. John’s Wort
Mugwort
Dragon’s blood
Saffron
Deities
The Morrigan
The Dagda
The Morrigan and The Dagda seem to be the main deities for Samhain as per Celtic mythology but you could also choose to honor any Celtic deity or even other deities on this day, especially those involving liminality and death such as:
Cerunnos
Diana
Anubis
Hecate
Heimdall
Here are more liminal deities and here are more death deities.
Magic & Spellwork
Spirit work: honoring or communicating with spirits
Banishing and cleansing (out with the old and in with the new!)
Honoring ancestors
Activities
Bonfire
Fest
Baking
Decorating or creating an altar for Samhain
Other Correspondences
Tarot: Death, The World
Death in the Tarot often means “the end of something with the promise of something new on the horizon”, and represents transition the perfect card for a holiday of similar sentiment.
The World tarot card indicates cycles, closure, and completion.
Zodiac: Scorpio
It’s Scorpio season!
Runes: Fehu, Eihwaz
Fehu can represent new beginnings.
Eihwaz represents transformation, out with the old and in with the new, which pairs well with the ancient Celtic new year.
Androgyny
In Samhain's past, it wasn’t uncommon for men to dress in traditionally women’s clothes and women to dress in traditionally men’s clothes. While the social idea of gender is shifting and we don’t gender clothes as often in some modern societies, we can still use this as a way of celebration. Androgyny is like the liminal version of gender, neither male nor female. So trans witches or gender non-conforming witches of all flavors: show yourself some extra love this coming Samhain holiday!
References and Further Reading
The Ancient Origins of Halloween - History.com
Samhain - Worldhistory.com
Halloween Customs in the Celtic World - by Bettina Arnold
Samhain - Wikipedia
Samhain - Flying the hedge
Secular Celebrations - Samhain - @breelandwalker
music is underrated
Seriously, I've never seen anyone talk about music in modern witchcraft, and that's weird to me cuz I know most if not all of you pagans absolutely adore music. At least I do!
Plus, it has been like, primordial for witchcraft and religion in general since humans have been a thing. It connects people, helps achieve trance or specific emotions, gives you catharsis and is just perfect in every way.
So here's some help for implementing music in your practice if you're interested:
Listen to specific songs that will help you get in the right mood for the spell/ritual/sigil you wanna perform
Cast spells by dancing, create choreography-based spells
Meditate on a song that's important to you, ask why it's important, what emotions it gives you and why
Pay attention to the song you're listening, try to hear the instruments or beats in the back. I've noticed I can hear so many more "parts" of my songs after practicing Zen (not only after meditating, I mean as a permanent upgrade lol)
Compose magic songs/spells in song format
Compose spell lyrics for instrumental songs
Visualize an intention while singing with all your heart to a song that vibes with your intention
Put music in the background while doing your craft
I remember that I dreamt using a song for a spell, then I did and now every time I listen to it I get goosebumps and powerful feelings. I even feel that spell "activating" a bit even though I don't mean to (that's why we don't do hexes, kids! Jk, it was a good spell). I think I can even fully activate it again just by hearing the song if I want to, because it meant a lot to me even before I became pagan.
Seriously, mindfully using music and dance in your craft is really, really worth it.
Anatomy of a Spell
This post will go over what is needed for a spell to be created!
This is a page from my grimoire and by no means is this a set-in-stone situation. Take what you will and leave what you won't.
Desire or intent. This is the whole point of the spell. What is the desired outcome, what do you want to achieve from this spell?
Planning of ingredients, spell structure, time, and location. This includes the verbal or written aspect of the spell if any.
Protection, there’s really no reason not to have a safeguard on your spell in my opinion but this isn't true for everyone. Do what feels right for you.
Raising, gathering, or building energy for the spell. Energy is how you get your spell to work. This can be done by chanting, breathwork, borrowing energy, and more.
Directing energy into the spell. Self-explanatory, gotta get it in there somehow. Basically just getting the intent/desire from inside you to inside the spell so that it can work its magic (pun intended).
Release any excess energy if needed. Grounding is a good way to do this.
Clear and concise ending; this could be a phrase, word, or physical act that indicates the ending of the spell. It’s best when everyone and everything involved knows when you have ceased doing the spell.
Extras:
It’s a good idea to record your process and results of the spells you create and cast so that you have a reference for future spells; also you can figure out what went wrong or right.
I personally think it’s a good idea to put a fail-safe in a spell, I usually do this by stating it out loud: i.e. “If I take apart this spell bag then the spell will cease.” or “If I do this spell in reverse the spell will cease/reverse” and so on.
Preparing the physical and non-physical things for the spell; can mean gathering, cleansing, or preparing yourself to be in the headspace needed for the spell. It's better to be prepared than to get blindsided halfway through because you’re missing something!
Houseplant Correspondences & Meanings
I've developed these correspondences as part of an oracle deck that I had planned to create but I need to actually draw them.
ANYWAYS here are some houseplants and their witchy correspondences!
If you know me personally or have been following me for a while, you'll know that I'm obsessed with houseplants. So of course, being me, I've been trying to incorporate them into my practice.
Snake Plant (Dracaena trifasciata)
-Inner Strength, Positivity
Snake Plants can live and thrive even in difficult environments. This plant reminds you of your inner strength and of the positivity around you. You are capable of adapting to your situation. Be confident in yourself and your decisions, even if those decisions are hard to make.
These plants are also believed to have the ability to absorb negativity and release positivity, as a person this is someone who always shows you the bright side.
Rubber tree (Ficus elastica)
-Flexible, Lenient, Support
Rubber trees are diligent and flexible. The aerial roots of the rubber tree are used to build bridges in some places! These plants are able to be trained as they grow so that the tree is never harmed.
Things are changing and you seem to be handling it well, allowing yourself to go with the flow is the right choice. You may be the support for someone else going through a change right now, allowing them to lean on you and reflect on your love and kindness.
Ficus Elastica reminds you of your resilience, your ability to bend without breaking. You know that as time passes and things change you will only get stronger.
Pothos (Epipremnum aureum)
-Easy going, Care-free, Quick to recover
Perhaps it’s time that you allow yourself some freedom. This card urges you to practice some self-care–and that doesn’t just mean drinking a gallon of water and smearing on a mud mask–let yourself relax and have some fun. Hang out, like the vines of your friendly pothos.
This plant can also represent someone who is outgoing, carefree, and a true extrovert. Seek them out for support, they are a good companion to have.
Spider plant (Chlorophytum)
-Friendship, Community, Kinship
The spider plant is one of the easiest plants to propagate, making it an easy gift for those around you! This plant signifies a strong community and friendships. Take stock of the friends you have and let them know how grateful you are!
You can look toward and lean on your friends and your community, either for guidance or for a listening ear. Let yourself be a part of this community and know that it doesn’t make you any less of an individual to be part of something bigger than yourself.
Maidenhair Fern (Adiantum)
-Gentle, Careful
Maidenhair fern is soft to the touch, encouraging you to be gentle with yourself and those around you. Let yourself be taken care of and allow others to shower you in love and praise, you deserve it. You are being careful, and there is no shame in that, but without any trust in yourself or those around you, you may end up worse off. Let your hair down and have some fun.
ZZ Plant
-Resillient, Independent
The ZZ plant is known for thriving even with little outside help, it’s time to be like ZZ and be independent. You have the resilience and strength necessary to make it on your own. This doesn’t mean that you need to be alone, just that it’s time to stand with your own two feet.
This plant also reminds you that while being independent is certainly something to be proud of, it’s okay to reach out for help when you need it. Even the ZZ plant needs to be watered and given a little sunshine!
These correspondences are based on the history, meanings, and overall vibes of the plants. It's ok if you don't agree with these, as this is just a page from my grimoire that I'd like to share with other plant lovers.
ANYWAYS here are some houseplants and their witchy correspondences!
What is Paganism?
The term Paganism has been evolving for almost two millennia, so there is understandable confusion about what Paganism means. It has always been an umbrella term that includes within it many different faiths and practices. In this post, we are going to talk about what Paganism is (and isn’t) and explore some of the most important branches of modern Paganism (also known as Neopaganism).
Origins of the Term Paganism
The term Paganism was coined in the fourth century by Christians living in the Roman Empire for anyone who did not follow Christianity or Judaism. It comes from the Latin word paganus, which means country dweller. The implication was that these were “country bumpkins” stuck in old ways and not yet “wise” to the modern religion of Christianity. The Roman Empire officially converted to Christianity in 313 CE.
In the Middle Ages, while Islam was also viewed as a non-Pagan religion, the term Paganism continued to be used to refer to anyone who did not follow a religion based on a biblical god. It carried the derogatory connotation that Pagans worship false gods and are barbarians.
But in the 20th century, the term Paganism was reclaimed by various groups that follow religious beliefs or practices associated with pre-Christian religions. The group includes polytheists that continue to worship non-biblical pantheons, animists, magical practitioners, nature worshippers, and more.
The term Neopaganism is often used to distinguish these modern Pagans from our ancestors, who would have never referred to themselves as Pagans. Christians created the term Pagan to create “us” (biblical religions) and “them” (non-biblical religions) categories. This would not have been meaningful to our pre-Christian ancestors or to Norse warriors and Egyptian priests for whom Christianity was just one more religion.
It is worth noting that while Medieval Christians would have referred to religions such as Hinduism, Buddhism, and Taoism as Pagan, they aren’t included in the modern definition. These organized religions, which are dominant in many countries, fall into a class of their own.
Definition of Neopaganism
It is difficult to define Neopaganism because so many different people today identify with the term Paganism. It is possible to identify some characteristics that are common to most Neopagans, but don’t necessarily apply universally.
Pagan religions tend to be non-organized in that they are followed by an individual practitioner or small community rather than being a hierarchical institution like the Catholic church. But there are exceptions; for example, Hermetic orders tend to be small but very hierarchical organizations.
Pagan religions are often polytheistic, either drawing on ancient divine pantheons or following an animistic approach, which recognizes divinity in action within the world without necessarily naming it. Pagans can believe in these gods in a literal sense or as a metaphorical tool for relating to powers that are beyond our comprehension.
Pagans tend to believe that everything is sacred, especially nature, and that we can tap into the spiritual energy of the universe through meditation, invocation, rituals, witchcraft, and various other practices.
In most cases, it is an individualistic path. You choose which deities and beliefs speak to you personally, and you are responsible for creating and following your spiritual path. This very often links to a strong moral code, as you are responsible for your actions and their consequences. Pagans often identify with the idea that you can feed the universe with positive energy or diminish it with negative energy. You attract the kind of energy that you project, and what you receive mirrors what you give.
As we have already said, these characteristics do not hold true for all Pagans, but they are ideas that most Neopagans will identify with.
Branches of Neopaganism
So, if there are various branches of Neopaganism, what are they?
It is impossible to provide a complete and comprehensive list, first because we would be here forever, and second, since it is a personal and individualistic belief system, there is no limit to the number of variations that can exist.
But below, we will look at some of the most popular forms of Paganism that are most widely recognized in the Neopagan community today.
Reconstructionist Religions
Reconstructionist religions attempt to reconstruct ancient religions in the modern world. Pagans of this brand might choose to worship the Greek gods, follow the ritual practices of Egyptian priests, or walk in the footsteps of Druids.
Probably the most well-known reconstruction religion is Norse paganism, also known as Heathenry, which is the belief in the old Norse gods, including Odin, Thor, and Freyja. While exactly how this is done is individualistic, enough people identified with this type of Paganism that Asatru was created in Iceland in the 1970s to provide a common banner under which they could identify as an interest group. It is now recognized around the world.
Magic working is not a necessary part of modern Norse paganism, just as it was not in ancient times when only a few people were Volva (Seidr witches) or runemasters (workers of rune magic). But runic divination is a popular practice in modern Heathenry.
Wicca
Wicca is probably the type of Paganism most represented in pop culture (think The Craft and Charmed). It is a modern witchcraft practice, often but not always associated with the veneration of a great mother goddess and her consort, often but not always portrayed as a horned god. It can be followed by sole practitioners or coven groups led by a high priest or priestess.
Modern Wicca is credited as being founded by Gerald Gardner in the 1930s, and followers of his teachings are known as Gardnerian Wiccans. But today there are many different branches, both formal and informal.
Modern Wicca draws on what is known from historic witchcraft and magic rituals. But it is a thriving and evolving practice in which invention and following your intuition are encouraged.
Non-Wiccan Witchcraft
Not all Pagans who identify themselves as practitioners of witchcraft consider themselves Wiccan. Many follow a more shamanistic or nature-based approach to witchcraft without reference to organized elements such as covens or priests. These, usually sole practitioners, are often referred to as hedge witches.
These practitioners have a lot in common with Wiccans in their use of certain symbols and elements and closely following the cycle of the year and the phases of the moon. Grimoires and Books and Shadows are often used to record knowledge.
Hermeticism
The term Hermeticism originally referred to a religio-philosophical system based on a small number of writings known as Hermetica which gave birth to scientific approaches to magic in the form of practices such as alchemy. But Hermeticism has since become a term for those who engage in “high magic” or ritual magic, usually within a body or organization with specific teaching and hierarchies.
Probably the most famous example of these is the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn, an organization dedicated to the study of the occult, metaphysical, and paranormal. It is a spin-off of Freemasonry and incorporates the hierarchies and secrecy of that order. There are tests to enter new parts of the order and learn new secrets. For a number of years, the famous occultist Aleister Crowley was associated with the order.
Animism
Animism differs from other types of polytheistic paganism in that it does not necessarily feel the need to name or identify deities. Animism accepts that there is a divine or spiritual force at work in the world and it can be seen in aspects of life. But they can appreciate and be thankful for these forces without anthropomorphizing them into deities.
Animists often believe that the gods of polytheistic religions are cultural constructions designed to help humans better understand and engage with these forces. They may choose to engage with certain traditional polytheistic gods as a way of engaging with the elements of the world they consider most important.
Secular Paganism
Secular paganism could also be called a nature-based religion. Secular pagans do not necessarily believe in certain deities and could be Polytheists, Christians, Atheists, or anything in between. The core belief is that we are part of nature, rather than masters of it, and that we should live our lives with an abiding love and respect for nature.
Secular Paganism often mixes meditative and ritual practices designed to better understand and control the self with a world view based on science.
Eclectic Paganism
Eclectic Paganism is kind of a “catch-all” term for those who don’t fit into other types of Paganism. This is for people who identify with the general principles of Paganism but haven’t tied themselves to a single belief system or set or practices.
For example, they might believe in the mother goddess, but not practice witchcraft. They may feel a deep spiritual connection with the universe, witch manifests in practices such as reading Tarot cards, and cleansing spaces with incense and herbs, but may not necessarily consider these practices linked with any kind of divinity.
Eclectic Pagans often have broad interests in terms of researching different new age practices and approaches. They may also identify with Paganism aesthetically through gothic-style fashion.
Meso-Paganism
Meso-Paganism is a term used for practices that are a result of mixing non-Christian religions with Christianity imposed by conquerors, missionaries, or both. Haitian Voodoo and Candomblé in Brazil are probably the best examples, in which African deities are syncretized with Christian Saints and elements of Christian religion are incorporated into traditional rituals.
While many of the characteristics of Neopaganism apply to Meso-Paganism, followers and practitioners are less likely to identify with the broader Pagan community. These are traditional religions passed down through communities, rather than sought out by individuals. So, while they may not be the dominant religion in a certain place, they have this in common with religions such as Hinduism.
What kind of Pagan are You?
While this whole post has been dedicated to trying to define and categorize Paganism, what it really equates to is following your own spiritual path outside of the biblical context. There are no rules about what you have to believe and practices that you have to engage in. It is all about finding your own spirituality and expressing it in a way that works for you.
But we would still love to know what Paganism means to you! Let us know in the comments section below.
[Full blog post here]
Disabled/spoonie witches: remember, cleaning is cleansing.
Washing your face is cleansing. Taking a shower is cleansing. Cleaning your home is cleansing. Tidying up your space is cleansing. Doing the dishes and running a load of laundry are cleansing. Taking out the trash is cleansing.
If you don't have the spoons to do any extra cleansing, it's okay!
Components of a Spell
A stated goal (what do you want to happen) ex. to find a job, to send someone away
A target (who or what the spell is aimed at)
Intention (the ability to consciously focus on a desire) ex. protection, attraction, banishing
Ingredients (herbs, crystals, bones, shells, etc)
Method (jars, sigils, poppets, amulets, etc)
Timing (moon phases, seasons, time of day, weather)
Sources of power (yourself, deities, spirits, elements, magical tools, etc)
Raising Power
Sending power to the target
Ending the Spell (disposing of remains and declaring success "So mote it be!")
Egg shells in witchcraft
Save your eggshells and make them into a powder. You can use them for protection, peace and cleansing!
Also, can be used to make Black Salt. Just add some incense ashes!
Just rinse them, allow them to dry, crush in your mortar and pestle and store them in a labeled bottle.
Powdered Eggshells can be used in your magical workings to cast circles or for protection.
To add some extra oomph, add a pinch of salt and dragon's blood resin in your protection blend.
Reblog to give your mutuals one of each
Full moons correspondences
Wolf moon (January) also known as cold moon, air
Inner power, insight, assess your journey, protection, personal developement
Ianna, Freyja, Skadi, the Morrigan, Hecate
Wolves, foxes, coyotes, blue jay, pheasants
Hematite, ruby, selenite, moonstone, opal, garnet, jet, onyx, obsidian
Black, white, silver, violet
Snow moon (February) also known as storm moon or hunger moon, air and water
New starts, ambition, change, creativity, reflection
Brighid, Diana, Juno
Otter, eagle, chickadee, unicorn
Amethyst, jasper, moonstone
Purple, light blue, yellow
Worm moon (March) also known as seed moon, water and fire
New growth, set intentions, renewal, balance, prospering
Mars, Tyr, Athena, Isis
Cougar, bear, hedgehog, sea crow, sea eagle
Aquamarine, bloodstone, jade
Pale green, red, violet
Pink moon (April) also known as hare moon, fire and earth
Rebirth, discovery, fertility, goals, openings, opportunities
Aphrodite, Venus, Hathor, Kali, Rhiannon
Bear, wolf, hawk, magpie
Diamond, quartz, emerald
Pale yellow, pink, gold
Flower moon (May) also known as fairy moon, earth and air
Abundance, gratitude, romance, maturity, intuition
Bast, Artemins, Pan, Cernunnos
Cats, lynx, leopard, swallow, dove, swan
Emerald, sapphire, agate
Pink, green, brown
Strawberry moon (June) also known as rose moon, air and water
Harvest, manifesting, dreams, love, good health, clarity, communication
Juno, Hera, Isis, Neith, Cerridwen
Monkey, butterfly, frog, toad, wren, peacock
Pearl, moonstone, citrine, blue lace agate
Yellow/green and orange
Buck moon (July) also known as hay moon, water and fire
Inner fire, long term goals, leadership, divination
Hel, Athena, Lugh, Khepri
Crab, turtle, dolphin, whale, starling, swallow
Ruby, carnelian, green calcite, peacock ore
Blue, gray, silver
Sturgeon moon (August) also known as barley moon, earth and air
Freedom, perseverance, cleansing, reaping, gratitude, peace, harmony
Demeter, Ceres, Hathor, Nemesis, Ganesha, Vulcan, Vesta
Lion, phoenix, sphinx, dragon, crane, falcon, eagle
Periodot, onyx, bronzite, green sapphire
Gold, yellow, green
Harvest moon (September) also known as corn moon, earth and air
Harvest, gratitude, balance, reflection, psychic work, home and hearth
Demeter, Ceres, Thor, Thoth, Persephone, Freyja, Isis
Snake, jackal, ibis, sparrow
Peridot, sapphire, bloodstone, chrysolite
Brown, yellow, amber
Hunters moon (October) also known as blood moon, air and water
Strength, protection, endurance, rebirth, ambition, ancestral work
Cernunnos, Hecate, the Morrigan, Osiris, Astarte, Ishtar, Lakshmi
Stag, jackal, elephant, ram, scorpion, wolf, heron, crow, robin, owl, raven
Opal, tourmaline, citrine, rose sapphire
Red, orange, deep blue, black, dark green, brown, gold
Beaver moon (November) also known as snow moon, water and fire
Preparation, security, grounding, fidelity, new beginnings, release
Cailleach, Circe, Sybele, Hel, Holda, Kali, Bast, Osiris
Unicorn, scorpion, crocodile, jackal, owl, goose, sparrow
Topaz, obsidian, onyx, apache tear
White, purple, gray, sage green, black
Cold moon (December) also known as oak moon, fire and water
Completion, renewal, reflection, shadow work, transitions, peace
Dionysus, Athena, Attis, Ixchel, Neith, Wodan, Osiris, Frey
Deer, mouse, horse, bear, snowy owl, robin, rook
Blue zircon, turquoise, serpentine, lazulite, smoky quartz
Blood red, green, white, black
Hi, I’ve been wanting to study greek religion for quite a time now. Even considering worshipping deities but I don't want to disrespect anyone. What can you suggest to where I can start? If there are reading the most accurate materials, please do tell.
Χαίρε, anon :) Thank you so much for your question!
I actually do have a RECOMMENDED READING FOLDER
If you're only just getting into the study of ancient Greek religion, I would suggest reading the following books/articles:
Jon D. Mikalson's "Ancient Greek Religion"
K.A. Rask's "Devotionalism, Material Culture, and the Personal in Greek Religion"
Mary Depew's "Reading Greek Prayers"
Jennifer Larson's "Ancient Greek Cults: A Guide"
I also suggest reading the following primary texts:
Apostolos N. Athanassakis' translations of "The Homeric Hymns," and Hesiod’s "Theogony, Works and Days, Shield"
And Richmond Lattimore's translations of the Iliad and Odyssey :)
If you have any questions, please feel free to message me!
Aphrodite's Epithets 🌸
(Source: Theoi.com)
Aphrodite Aligena (Sea born)
Aphrodite Ambologera (She Who Postpones Old Age)
Aphrodite Anaduomene (Killer of Men)
Aphrodite Anosia (Unholy)
Aphrodite Apatouros (Deceptive One)
Aphrpdite Apostrophia (She Who Turns Herself Away)
Aphrodite Areia (Warlike; of Ares)
Aphrodite Basilis (Queen)
Aphrodite Dôritis (Bountiful)
Aphrodite Eleemon (Merciful)
Aphrodite Enopilos (Bearing Weapons)
Aphrodite Epipontia (On the Sea)
Aphrodite Epistrophia (She Who Turns to Love)
Aphrodite Epitragidia (She Upon the Buck)
Aphrodite Epitumbidia (She Upon the Graves)
Aphrodite Euplois (Fair Sailing)
Aphrodite Euploia (Fair Voyage)
Aphrodite Genetullis (Genetrix)
Aphrodite Heteira (Courtesan)
Aphrodite Hera (of Hera; of Marriage)
Aphrodite Hôplismeně (Armed)
Aphrodite Kallipugos (of the Beautiful Buttocks)
Aphrodite Kallisti (the Fairest)
Aphrodite Kataskopia (Spying; Peeping)
Aphrodite Khruse (Golden)
Aphrodite Kupris (Cyprian)
Aphrodite Kuprogenes (Cyprus-born)
Aphrodite Kuthereia (Kytherean)
Aphrodite Limenia (of the Harbor)
Aphrodite Makhanitis (Deviser; Contriver)
Aphrodite Mechanitis (Skilled in Inventing
Aphrodite Melainis (Black)
Aphrodite Migôntis (Marital Union)
Aphrodite Morpho (Shapely Form)
Aphrodite Nikěphoros (Bringer of Victory)
Aphrodite Nymphia (Bridal)
Aphrodite Ourania (Heavenly)
Aphrodite Pandemos (of All People)
Aphrodite Pasiphaessa (the Far-Shining)
Aphrodite Pelagia (of the Sea)
Aphrodite Philomeides (Laughter-Loving/Smile-Loving)
Aphrodite Porne (Fleshy;Prostitute)
Aphrodite Potina (of the Sea)
Aphrodite Praxis (Action; Sexual)
Aphrodite Psithyristês (Whispering)
Aphrodite Skotia (Dark)
Aphrodite Suriě theos (Syrian Goddess)
Aphrodite Summakhia (Ally in War)
Aphrodite Symmakhia (Ally in Love)
Aphrodite Tumborukhos (Gravedigger)
Aphrodite Xenia (of the Foreigner)
🌙Lunar Cycle Witchcraft
Here’s some of my personally gathered information on moon phases, eclipses and some other witchy moon stuff, feel free to incorporate this information into your craft/blog/etc! I may add onto this post occasionally, we’ll see :)
Phases:
New Moon: Set intentions, New beginnings, deconstructive magic, curses, banishing, soul searching, divination, beauty, health, money, decision making & midnight magick. First Quarter: Grounding, building & channeling energy, creativity, divination, motivation, calming, strength & growing. Full Moon: Peak energy, full bloom, releasing, love magic, banishing, charging, cleansing, healing & clarity. Last quarter: Acceptance, forgiveness, transformation, breaking bad habit, relinquishing, breaking curses & banishing. Waxing Crescent: Taking actions, aligning focus, gaining energy, constructive magic, attraction, wealth/success, luck & friendship. Waxing gibbous: Taking stock, tuning in, listening & motivation. Waning gibbous: Releasing control, receiving, opening space, relinquishing, undoing bindings, cleansing & undoing curses. Waning crescent: Reflection, renewal, rest & restoration, balance, success, attaining wisdom, atonement & illness.
Eclipses & Other Rare Occurrences:
Blue Moon: Rituals, Protection, Guidance, Power Boost, Divination, Light magic, Obtaining Goals & Positive change. Super Moon: increase in moon’s energy Blood Moon: Ridding oneself of bad habits, prophecy, spirit conjurations, healing, protection, manifestation, balance & transformation. Lunar eclipse/solar eclipse: renewal,, moon showing all phases due to earth blocking sun from the moon
1 Year of Full Moons
January: The Wolf Moon Relationships & Protection February: The Snow Moon Nearing the End of Winter & Gaining Focus March: The Worm Moon Rebirth & Spring April: The Pink Moon Abundance, Fertility & Growth May: The Flower Moon Blooming & Positive Relationships June: The Strawberry Moon Summer, Exploration & Expansion July: The Buck Moon Reflection, Cleansing & Growth August: The Sturgeon Moon Things Coming Into Being & Changes September: The Harvest/Corn Moon Reaping What You’ve Sown & Changes October: The Hunter Moon Honoring the Dead & Exposing Hidden Things November: The Beaver Moon Settling In, Rest & Rejuvenation December: The Cold Moon Long-Term Goals, Strength & Winter
🪶 Angel Numbers, Numerology & Augury
Angel Numbers
seeing these numbers repetitively with no outer influence has these messages
111: Manifestation Invitation 222: Life imbalance in some way 333: Life purpose 444: You’re on the right path 555: Change ahead 666: You are giving too much of yourself mentally, physically, and/or emotionally in a particular aspect of your life 777: Sacred number, spiritual evolution/growth 888: Future Abundance 999: A chapter in your life will end and a new one will begin
Numerology
use these numbers to manifest specific correlations
0: totality, realm of potential, primordial void 1: leadership, strength, confidence 2: duality, partnership, opposition 3: luck, success, intuition, the divine principle 4: stability, grounded, calmness 5: adventure, freedom, sensuality 6: balance between earth/spirit, intuition 7: synchronicity, spiritual awakening, introspection 8: abundance, prosperity, financial well-being 9: wisdom, enlightenment, higher consciousness 10: completion, wholeness, integration
Augury
if you have a feather appear in your path here’s a form of divination to try
Gray: Peace Ahead, Neutral Answer, Harmony Black: Protection During Spiritual Awakening Purple: Spirituality, communication Yellow: Reminder to stay positive, you’re on the right path Spotted: Let go of the past Brown: Judgement is clouded, grounding, wait for better time White: Keep Faith Pink: Love (whether it be self, friends, family or partners) Red: Life force, passion, spiritual gifts Blue: Listen, psychic abilities, intuition Green: Someone you love is healing, Wealth is coming your way
I’ve been thinking that there’s more to saving and using leftover candle wax from spell candles than I’ve thought.
When you make a spell candle, you add your energy to it,your oils,herbs and whatever to it. After your spell you usually have leftover wax that dripped from said candle. You could either throw it away or save the wax. Of course you’re going to light more candles and therefore gain more wax from them.
The idea here is that if you keep lighting candles of the same purpose (Example: Burning money spell candles.) and melt all of the wax together, you essentially have a magical sour dough starter. That ball of wax may not look like much but it has the energetic remains of the 2 or more money candles you’ve burned to create it. All of those past herbs and oils you’ve used? Their ghosts are in your ball of wax. You know that one full moon prosperity ritual you did 3 months ago that actually kicked ass? Well now your ball of wax has that energy in it too. The wax could even have 50 different money candles inside of it. It’ll be pretty big unless you cut pieces of it off to use in other spells.
There’s so many possibilities you could use this wax for. You could melt pieces of it into other candles to empower the spell candles even further, use it in spell bags,sachets,use it as an talisman or use the wax ball to make another candle with it so you can have a super money spell candle. It doesn’t have to just be used for money spells either. Love spells,luck spells,curses,cleansing spells,happiness spells…you name it, there’s a ball of wax for it.
Let’s talk about ●●●
●●● Warding
★ There are many forms of magic that serve the purpose of protecting the environments that are important to us
☆ Wardings are a type of magic, which is characterized by the act of creating an energy barrier around something or place, with the intention of protecting. Protective barriers will keep certain energies out, and with clear intentions and practice, you can shift your ward focus to block all negative and harmful energies, or banish only specific energies.
★ Energy barriers can be constructed in many ways, both complex and simplified, and customized according to your personal practices. They can be temporary or permanent, but they are usually made to continue to protect the place for a long period of time.
→ To keep in mind when planning your energy barriers
• Have multiple layers with different purposes. A tip is to have at least the following layers:
1 - Concealment layer, to keep your home camouflaged and to make it more difficult for some entity or person with bad intentions to find your residence.
2 - Offensive layer, intended to deal with entities that wish you harm, or that want to harm you.
3 - Defensive layer, to prevent the energies sent against you from reaching you, whether from people or entities.
• Be very specific and selective when creating your wards, especially when placing intention and visualization. It is not enough to just determine "protection against malicious entities", as this is very vague, and an energetic barrier has no conscience to discern what is a good or bad intention. In that case, a better way to determine your protection would be "protection against entities I consider to be malicious or harmful," as that becomes your personal perspective.
It's always good to make clear what a bad intention is too, such as "things that bring me nightmares", "things that bring conflict to my life", "things that affect me negatively", in short.
• The ceiling, corners of the house, floor and walls must be completely covered by the barriers! It doesn't matter how much power and energy you put into wards, if they have weaknesses and unprotected spaces. So visualization is very important, and in methods that use physical things like water, furniture must be moved to reach hidden spaces.
★ Free Witchy Newsletter | Tip your witch ★
SOUTH AMERICAN RESOURCES
The Anthropological Masterlist is HERE.
South America is an American continent that is underneath North America.
AFRO-BRAZIL ─ “The Afro-Brazilian people are an African people. They live in Brazil.” ─ Slavery in Brazil
ARGENTINA ─ “The Argentine, or Argentinian, people are a South American people that share the Argentine culture. They are native to Argentina.” ─ Argentine Information ─ Argentine Literature (in Spanish) ─ Argentine History
BOLIVIA ─ “The Bolivian people are a South American people that share the Bolivian culture. They are native to Bolivia.” ─ Bolivian Information ─ Andean Culture ─ Andean Music
BRAZIL ─ “The Brazilian people are a South American people that share the Brazilian culture. They are native to Brazil.” ─ Brazilian Information
CANDOMBLÉ ─ “Candomblé is a Brazilian diasporic religion that resulted from the syncretism of existing religions such as Yoruba and Roman Catholic Christianity.” ─ Candomblé Music
CHILE ─ “The Chileans are a South American people that share the Chilean culture. They are native to Chile.” ─ Chilean Information ─ Chilean Culture (in Spanish) ─ Chilean History
CHILOTE ─ “The Chilote, or Chilota, people are anyone that lives in the Chiloé Archipelago off the coast of Chile. They share the Chilote culture.” ─ Chilote Churches
COLOMBIA ─ “The Colombian people are a South American people that share the Colombian culture. They are native to Colombia.” ─ Colombian Information ─ Colombian Culture ─ Colombian History
ECUADOR ─ “Ecuadorians are a South American people that share the Ecuadorian culture. They are native to Ecuador.” ─ Ecuadorian Information ─ Ecuadorian Culture ─ Ecuadorian Culture
GUYANA ─ “The Guyanese are a South American people that share the Guyanese culture. They are native to Guyana.” ─ Guyanese History
PERU ─ “The Peruvian people are a South American people that share the Peruvian culture. They are native to Peru.” ─ Peruvian Information ─ Machu Picchu Information ─ Peruvian Indigenous Cultures
TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO ─ “The Trinidadian and Tobagonian, or Trinbagonian, people are a South American people that share the Trinidadian and Tobagonian culture. They are native to Trinidad and Tobago.” ─ Trinidad and Tobago Information ─ Trinidad and Tobago English ─ Trinidad and Tobago Slang
VENEZUELA ─ “The Venezuelan people are a South American people that share the Venezuelan culture. They are native to Venezuela.” ─ Venezuelan Information ─ Venezuelan Information ─ Venezuelan History
Let’s talk about ●●●
●●● Warding II
★ As with almost everything in magic, there are countless ways to create protective barriers around objects and places.
☆ Wards need to be effective and powerful, so choose methods you can relate to, and avoid experimenting with things you don't know or have a lot of experience with.
❗ Before creating a protective barrier anywhere, physical and spiritual purification is necessary, because in the same way that wards are able to prevent certain energies from entering, they also prevent all energies that are already inside from leaving. Ideally, the physical space should be clean and purified, to prevent existing energies from influencing the expected final result.
→ Warding Methods 101
• Spray warding
This is a simple method that doesn't require much visualization, and is recommended for beginners. The intention placed at the time of creating and applying the flavoring, and choosing the right herbs is enough.
Wards made from air fresheners are not as durable, and need to be redone every month or so. There are ways to enhance the effect, at the time of creating the flavoring, by combining it with sigils, crystals and using a good amount of herbs with protective properties.
• Incense
For warding, it is recommended that only natural resin incenses are used, made from herbs with protective properties. If that's not possible, make an herbal smoking stick, but don't just use incense sticks to create energy barriers. Avoid using them, but if you still want to, combine them with other methods, or your ward will have low energy and will quickly deactivate.
• Sigils
The best thing is that you create a specific sigil for the warding of the object or place you want to protect. You can adapt bindrunes for this purpose, but beware of runes that will be formed unintentionally during the process, as they can weaken or get in the way of the desired end result.
• Energy targeting
If you're already experienced with energy manipulation and directing, this is a great way to work on these aspects and make your ward exactly the way you want it to look. It's also a very customizable way, so it's great for creating your own personal way of making energy barriers.
• Containers
Barriers made using containers as a base have good longevity, and need to be reinforced less frequently. Choose a variety of fresh or dried herbs with protective properties, and add other ingredients that can boost energy, such as properly purified and energized essential oils and crystals for protective purposes.
• Salt
Works well for creating temporary barriers. The salt used can be coarse salt, sea salt or table salt as a last resort. For more intensified protection, I recommend black salt
★ Warding I | Free Witchy Newsletter | Tip your witch ★
Witchcraft doesn’t always have to be complicated. Sometimes it’s writing a symbol on your sandwich with honey, or painting your nails a specific color to deflect negativity. Try these low key witchcraft ideas to add a little magical energy to your day-to-day.
Use music lyrics to invoke a certain feeling or vibe before you have to do something. (Confidence to take a test for instance)
Stir your tea or soups clockwise to add an increase of abundance of whatever you want.
Paint your nails black to absorb negativity. (or wear black clothes)
Draw symbols (runes or sigils for people who do that) on your foggy mirror after a bath or shower for protection.
Enchant your morning cup of coffee to what your intentions are for the day and drink up.
Use your shower to wash away negativity from the night before.
Practice visualization and see what you want to happen in your life in your mind.
Sprinkle salt over your entrance for protection. (bonus if it’s black salt)
Enchant your mirrors by cleaning them and saying out loud that they will only reflect positivity.
Look up your dream meanings.
Make a pendulum with a necklace and a key. Ask yes/no questions.
Collect witch supplies on walks. (Sticks, leaves, rocks, flowers…dead things)
Charge your witchcraft items with your intents.
Say prayers to your ancestors. Or leave them out offerings of food or whatever they liked when they were alive.
Practice your kitchen witch skills and make a hardy soup for abundance for the year ahead. Or a cake for prosperity and wealth.
Use a random deck of cards laying around the house for divination. (Clubs - Wands / Diamonds - Coins / Hearts - Cups / Spades - Swords)
Wear blue if you’re taking a test or going on a job interview to invoke calmness.
Wear pink makeup to invoke self love.
Enchant your jewelry to have specific meanings to you. A necklace for protection, a ring for clarity, a bracelet for confidence.
Sweep your room or living space. All the corners and sweep everything right out the door for an easy old-fashioned cleanse. If you have carpet just sweep the ‘energy’ metaphorically and open the door boot out the energy.
How to read your birth chart (basic)
Part 1 – Reading the Planets/Objects
For this, the only important part of the chart is the box with the planets and corresponding zodiac signs. I’m using my own chart as a reference.
Each planet (eg. sun) and object (eg. rising/ascendant) governs a specific portion of your personality.
The planets each have corresponding symbols, which are standardised for everyone’s birth chart (☉☽☿♀♂♃ ♄⛢♆♇).
The chart will show you what zodiac sign each planet and object was in the moment you were born, which is personalised for you.
Each planet and object has its own meaning,
☉ Sun: your core identity, ego
☽ Moon: feelings, emotions, aesthetics
Rising: how you are perceived by others (technically the 1st house, not a planet)
☿ Mercury: communication, intelligence, socialising
♀ Venus: love, romance, affection
♂ Mars: sex, passion, anger, drive
♃ Jupiter: luck, fortune, ideals
♄ Saturn: restrictions, limitations
⛢ Uranus: changes
♆ Neptune: dreams, sleep
♇ Pluto: transformation, deep meanings, destiny, your soul
and it takes the characteristics of the associated sign.
♈︎ Aries: active, initiating, leading, independent, aggressive, impatient, combative, energetic, pioneering, naive, assertive
♉︎ Taurus: persevering, down-to-earth, stable, stubborn, possessive, prosperous, dependable, physical, sensual
♊︎ Gemini: talkative, mental, adaptable, flexible, changeable, responsive, sociable, superficial, versatile, inquisitive, witty
♋︎ Cancer: gentle, conservative, feeling, nurturing, defensive, contemplative
♌︎ Leo: magnanimous, generous, hospitable, caring, warm, authoritative, active, open
♍︎ Virgo: analytical, intelligent, reserved, critical, helpful, conscientious
♎︎ Libra: just, sociable, refined, accommodating, kind, fair, diplomatic, likeable, indecisive, respectful, artistic
♏︎ Scorpio: passionate, perceptive, resourceful, possessive, psychological, prowling, determined, probing, fixed, focused
♐︎ Sagittarius: optimistic, restless, enthusiastic, adventurous, honest, irresponsible, outspoken, independent
♑︎ Capricorn: tenacious, conservative, resourceful, disciplined, wise, ambitious, prudent, constant
♒︎ Aquarius: individualistic, assertive, independent, humanitarian, inventive, original, eccentric, opinionated, intellectual, idealistic, cool, friendly, detached
♓︎ Pisces: intuitive, dreamy, artistic, humane, sympathetic, sensitive, compassionate, perceptive, tender, impressionable
For example, my sun, which governs my core identity, is in Capricorn. This shows that my core identity is tenacious, conservative, resourceful etc.
My rising/ascendant, which governs how I am perceived by others, is in Taurus. This shows that I am perceived as persevering, down-to-earth, stable etc.
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Now just replace this out with your own info and congrats! You now know the basics of reading the planets and objects in your birth chart!
I’m still working on learning to read the houses, but I’ll link it when I’m done!
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Chart made on https://www.astro.com/cgi/chart.cgi?btyp=w2gw&rs=3&usechpref=1 (more accurate)
Information gathered from my book of shadows and https://astro.cafeastrology.com/ (better info)
WHERE TO START!
(The fundamentals of witchcraft)
I often see this asked and since there are so many places you could start I thought that it may be helpful to create a less overwhelming version of my “welcome” post of with a more specific lay out of some of the beginner fundamentals! If you like this post please interact and check out PART 2 🥰 and please feel free to hit that follow button✨
Merry meet ~ B (Phae)
COMMON WITCH VOCABULARY ^^^
THE FOUR ELEMENTS ^^^
DAYS OF THE WEEK^^^
MOON PHASES^^^
THE 7 CHAKRAS^^^
COLOUR MAGIC^^^
FULL MOONS OF 2022^^^
Follow for more
What to do on a full moon as a witch in the broom closet
- affirmations (you can either say these out loud ou in your head)
- charge crystals (leave them outside for a while, doesn't even have to be the whole night)
- make moon water (just leave some water outside and say you forgot it there or stay outside with it for a while then store it somewhere safe)
- star gazing
- moon gazing!! She's so beautiful
- moon journal
- light candles with intention (if anyone asks, say they are aesthetically pleasing or you like the smell
- open the windows and curtains to let the moonlight in
- meditate and visualize
- practice tarot (you can do this with normal playing cards so no one is suspicious)
- take a full moon bath!
- bless and drink herbal tea
Most importantly: remain safe, be kind and stay witchy my friends
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