Reblog If You Want Your Followers To Ask You Anything They're Curious About.

Sun Witch

Oh, nah you're good. By all means we're not immune to drama and infighting every group online or offline has that, but why witch hunt each other, when states have begun to do that. I saw something on Insta this morning about it happening in South Carolina.

I miss the good old days of witchblr. Does anybody else remember like we could read whatever we wanted, and we could post about it? And sure, there were people that didn't care of the book or topic. The difference between then and now is that it was a discussion and not a beat down session. And then, people were kind enough to offer other book titles!

Also, we had a clear set of guidelines referring to cultural appropriation, and words or phrases that were frowned upon. Other then that, you want to be a Death Witch, go for it. A Sea Witch, have at it. A Storm Witch, power to ya. The lists goes on. Then, if we were curious about there practice we would ask genuine questions! If the practitioner maybe did something that maybe you didn't like or thought was borderline on the no no list, again you didn't beat them down, it was a discussion.

The ones that couldn't handle having a informal discussion were simply blocked and their comments were deleted. Or in some cases, the post was deleted, which was pretty common, and occasionally remade.

Also, side tangent, we liked the titles of the different witch types, because it was our niche and it was organized. Sure, you don't have to have a title or a certain practice, that's fine. As for me, I like having a title or a type because it keeps me focused on what I want to achieve. Plus, having a title made the witchblr tags so much easier to navigate.

Practicing witchcraft without relying on pseudosciences involves focusing on the aspects of the craft that are rooted in personal empowerment, psychology, and symbolism. Here are some suggestions:

Intention Setting: Clearly define your intentions and goals. This is a psychological practice that helps you stay focused on your objectives.

Symbolism: Use symbols and tools that hold personal meaning for you. The power comes from your connection to these symbols rather than any inherent magical properties.

Meditation and Mindfulness: Incorporate meditation and mindfulness practices to enhance your focus, mental clarity, and connection to your inner self.

Energy Work: Instead of viewing energy in a mystical way, consider it as a metaphorical representation of your mental and emotional state. Practices like grounding and centering can be beneficial.

Herbology and Aromatherapy: Explore the psychological and physiological effects of herbs and scents. Use them for their known properties rather than relying on magical attributes.

Candle Magic: Utilize candles as a symbolic tool. The act of lighting a candle can represent bringing light to a situation or setting an intention.

Oracle Cards: If you use Oracle cards, treat them as a tool for introspection and self-reflection. It can be a way to access your subconscious thoughts rather than using Tarot for predicting the future.

Moon Phases and Seasons: Align your practices with moon phases and seasonal changes. This can be a way to stay connected to the natural cycles of life.

Journaling: Keep a magical journal to document your experiences, thoughts, and the results of your practices. This can help you track your personal growth and insights.

Self-Reflection: Regularly reflect on your beliefs, practices, and experiences. Be open to adjusting your approach based on what resonates with you personally.

Remember, the key is to find practices that align with your own beliefs and resonate with you on a personal level. It's even more beneficial to add practices to suit your understanding of the world and your own psychological well-being.

It's a beautiful evening, and now that I have some free time, it's time to catch up on some reading and working on my witch journal.

Stones and Crystals in My Corner of Witchcraft

Crystals are often thrown out because of their New Age ubiquity, but what I think a lot of people don’t realize is that they had uses before the New Age movement. Crystals are just shiny rocks. And as rocks– as a part of the earth– they have a documented place in folkloric witchcraft.

If you want to start looking into classical crystal stuff, get a copy of The Curious Lore of Precious Stones by Kunz and save yourself the headache of sorting through nonsense. In it, I was able to locate uses for various stones that were historically backed-- onyx separates lovers, moonstone arouses passion, bloodstone could be used to raise a tempest, etc.

I will admit that store-bought crystals aren’t my favorite things in the world. I find that usually the rocks around my neighborhood get the job done for free. 

There’s rocks with quartz inclusions by the river’s edge. These make excellent spirit houses.

Smooth stones can anchor glamours and illusions.

Hagstones can give protection and Sight.

Jagged stones can be a great base for a hex.

I have about 2 or 3 crystals that I use on a regular basis– one because it’s the first magic item I ever bought, and one I received as a particularly uncanny omen. But that doesn't mean I disregard the whole field. Like I said, anything is useful if you know where to look and how to use it.

I forgot I made this so long ago!! 😆

Me Practicing Energy Witchcraft/Manipulation

What I see:

What everyone else sees:

Warding & Protection 101

What is warding?

Warding is the practice of shielding or protecting something, someplace, or someone. There are a million and two different types of wards you can create-- in many ways, you are only limited by your own creativity and knowledge.

Why/when should I use a ward?

I always recommend having, at minimum, a protective ward for yourself and your living space if you practice witchcraft (or something adjacent to witchcraft). What a ward does is dependent on what it was created to do. Different people have different needs, and wards are not one-size fits all. Wards can be generic or specific, but my personal preference is a well-defined ward. By well-defined, I mean "clear in what it will and will not do".

Basics

In order to figure out what sort of ward you may need, ask yourself these questions:

What does my practice focus on?

Where might I be vulnerable?

What are my strengths and weaknesses when it comes to witchcraft?

Who and what am I comfortable with having in my space?

When and where am I comfortable with having others in my space?

What do I need to keep out, and what do I need to keep in?

What existing practices/habits may affect my wards? (e.g. cleansing, banishment, rituals, etc.)

Do I have an energy source for a ward? How do I intend to upkeep my wards?

Do my wards need to be moveable or changeable?

What resources are available to me? Are there people or entities that are willing to help me?

What, in my mundane life, do I need help with? What do I need to protect?

What actions am I taking, in my mundane life, to protect myself? (e.g. driving safely, practicing good fire safety habits, etc.)

How to make a ward

As previously stated, there are a million and two different types of wards-- and a million and two different ways to create them. Best practice is generally to lean on your personal strengths and resources to make one. Here are some more specific examples:

Herbalism: A witch who works primarily with herbs could create a protective sachet or jar that is filled with protective herbs.

Kitchen Witchcraft: Someone who practices kitchen witchcraft could cook protective foods, or incorporate small actions into their regular cooking that add protective qualities into their food (i.e. stirring a certain way, routinely using certain ingredients, etc.)

Storm Witchcraft: A witch who works with storms could use the energy of storms to protect their home. They could call on fearsome breezes to blow away harm, rainfall to wash it away, darkness to hide their home, etc.

Glamour witchcraft: A glamour witch can work on how they are perceived. Don't want someone approaching you? Make them afraid of you. Have a fearsome appearance to those who would wish you harm. Make them hesitate. Or hide yourself altogether, as if you were never there.

Deity witchcraft: Ask your gods to guide your hand, to show you how to protect yourself. Ask them to protect you, and clarify what you need protection from.

Green Witchcraft: Grow a plant with the intention of having it take the blow for you, if anything negative gets sent your way. Or have it purify your space.

Divination Wards: Use the energy of specific tarot cards to protect yourself. Write protective runes on things you care about.

Music Witchcraft: Play empowering music. Belt out a song about how nothing can harm you. Hum a tune to make things go away.

Energy Witchcraft: Envision great shields and walls, fortresses and moats. Whatever screams "protection" to you.

Etc.

Types of Wards/Ideas for Wards

Keep in mind that any ward can be for both the magical and mundane (though, always act with common sense, and act as if your wards do not exist. A ward will not make you immortal, and they can be counteracted and/or destroyed. They are there for when shit hits the fan-- but they are not a free pass to start throwing shit AT the fan!)

Transmutative wards: Tranform harmful energy sent your way into something positive and useful. (e.g. negative rumors -> increased opportunities, bad intentions -> abundance)

Baneful wards: If someone hits you, hit them back. Reflect whatever they sent to you back on them, and thensome.

Banishment Wards: If something steps into your space, kick it back out.

Hiding Wards: Hide something from prying eyes. Make it invisible, or make it appear boring/uninteresting.

Reflective wards: Reflect something's image back at them, let them see what they expect to see, or let them see themselves.

Healing wards: Protect your health, or force healing upon those who brush up against them (e.g. if someone lashes out at you because they have not been working on themselves, a healing ward can be just as painful as an outright baneful one.)

Scrambling/maze Wards: Scramble any information someone/something gets, or make them lose their way. Commonly used for unsolicited divination.

Protective wards/wall wards: Stop anything from getting in or out. Stop or prevent harm

Alarm bell wards: Warn you about things coming your way.

Comfort wards: Keep comforting/soothing energy around you.

Examples of Useful Wards

Name/Reputation wards

Household/common places wards

Wards for safe travels

Wards to keep specified spirits/entities out

Wards for malicious intent

Wards for curses/hexes

Wards for natural disasters

Wards for misfortunes

Please feel free to ask any specific questions you may have, this is only a very brief overview to introduce the topic.

marylander trying to describe a tornado: imagine a crab cake

Witch Bullet Journal Ideas

Start simple

Stay consistent

Incorporate magick

Experiment

Index

Future log

Monthly log

-Monthly tarot pull

Reference page

-Crystal correspondences

-Herb index

-Moon magic

-Deity offerings

Daily log

-Daily tarot pulls

-Lunar calendar

Creative page

-Sigil magick

-Vison board

This will help you stay organized and focus on your spiritual goals, deepen your understanding and it's a creative outlet.