HOW TO COMMAND YOUR SUBCONSCIOUS MIND

You deserve love now. Not once you lose weight. Not once you accomplish that thing. Not once you move. Not once you get on medication. Not once you start therapy. Not once you get that job. Not once you're more like them. Now. You don't have to earn the right to be loved. You deserve it right now, and always have.

“Our sense of Achievable Reality is the limitations which we believe bind us into a narrow range of actions and successes—what we believe to be possible for us at any one time. In this context, the purpose of magic is to simultaneously explore those boundaries and attempt to push them back—to widen the 'sphere' of possible action.”

— Phil Hine

Thinking about myths

Wanda’s journey with her powers

Writing Superpowers, and Reality Warpers in particular

The difficulty with writing superpowered characters, particularly high-tier ones, is that it’s easy to make a character feel overpowered, but there is a simple remedy for this: the character’s power set should be based around one basic concept.

I’ll start by explaining what I mean by “this character feels overpowered”. I don’t mean “this character is, on paper, far more powerful than their opponent” - that can actually be a good thing, forcing the opponent to make their clash a battle of brains rather than brawn. What I do mean is “this character’s powers are so immense that the only way to challenge them narratively is through contrived circumstances or a plot device that should be used sparingly”. Superman manages to be a good example of both, depending on which depiction you look at, but he’s not gonna be the focus of this post. Instead, we’ll start with Gwenpool.

The premise of Gwenpool’s solo comic is “Gwen is from the real world but ends up in the comic book world”, and as the story goes on she learns to use her awareness of the fact that she’s in a comic book to do stuff that is essentially reality-warping. And it’s a bizarre kind of reality warping, but everything she does makes sense because it follows the core premise: “she can do this because she can interact with the medium of the comic”. She can step from one panel into the next, she can come out of a flashback and into the present day, she can grab sound effects and so cancel out noises, she can interact with thought-boxes and speech-bubbles. And because her powers follow a core premise, she doesn’t feel overpowered, because you don’t end up feeling like she can do anything the plot demands

If a character is a magic-user then they’re essentially a reality warper. The scale of reality-warping their capable of will depend on their skill, their raw power, and the magic system at play. Now, there are arguments for hard magic systems and for soft magic systems, but I think even if you’re working with a soft magic system, a core premise helps a lot. I might make another post some day examining different magic systems (I think I’d specifically look at Avatar and at Chronicles of Ancient Darkness), but this post isn’t the time for an in-depth look at that.

There are also plenty of sci-fi reality warpers. There’s often some attempt at explaining it (”higher-dimensional beings” or “extremly advanced aliens”) but if you asked me, I’d say there were three main options for how to portray a genuine reality warper in a sci-fi story, without resorting to “space magic, but we don’t call it that.” These are: physics manipulation, higher-dimensional beings, and something I’ll call constrained omnipotence.

A physics manipulator would be someone who can locally alter the laws of physics. There’s two ways to go about this: changing the values of the physical constants, like G or c, or manipulating the quantum fields that define the laws of physics. If you go with the former… well, imagine you’re a computer programmer and decide to change one letter in one line of code, and you’ll start to understand how much this can mess things up. If you go with the latter, it’s probably a similar thing. I don’t understand much about quantum fields and how they interact just yet, but I do know that raising one a few energy levels in a specific place would a) take a lot of power, b) create some really Weird Physics in that place, and c) release a lot of potential energy when it goes back to normal. I’m talking “massive explosion”. The fun part, though, is that Weird Physics - I have no idea how it would look, but if we assume that the non-reality warpers can enter the Weird Physics Zone without blinking out of existence or dying horrifically, they’ll be faced with a world that doesn’t make sense. None of their technology would work properly, if at all. And in contrast, the reality warper might have tech specifically designed to work in the Weird Physics Zone. Remember that technology is just our way of taking advantage of physics to do cool stuff - a differently coded videogame is going to have very different glitches to exploit.

The point is, a physics manipulator can do certain things: they can make physics Weird and then take advantage of that weirdness. They can’t do anything the plot demands.

A higher-dimensional being’s whole deal is going to be that they move stuff around in more dimensions than we can see. There are a few videos on youtube demonstrating how that might look, if you wanna get an idea of how to depict something like that. And once again, a higher-dimensional being can do certain things: they can make stuff appear, disappear, distort, hover, et c. by moving it around in more dimensions than we can observe. If they’re 4-dimensional, they can move throughout time, and move objects throughout time. If they’re 5-dimensional or higher they can probably move through multiple timelines as well. They can’t do anything the plot demands.

And the last one is the constrained omnipotent character. True omnipotence is logically impossible - by definition it creates paradoxes - but we could conceivably have a character who can do anything within the bounds of physics. Presumably this character can use an insane amount of energy with an insane degree of precision, since that’s kind of required to do anything as long as it doesn’t break physics - but that’s also the point. They can do anything except stuff that breaks physics. Ergo, they can’t do anything the plot demands, only certain things.

tl,dr: no matter how powerful a character is, their powers should have some sort of core concept, as this will make them feel grounded even if they’re completly ludicrous on paper. You don’t have to explain in detail how their powers work, but if you keep that core concept in mind, then you can get a lot more creative with how they use their powers than just saying “ok, what does the plot need them to do?”

Witchcraft 101: Alcohol & Magic

Alcohol has been present in human society for thousands of years, and let’s be honest, it’s not going anywhere. 

As well as being a tool to loosen one’s inhibitions, alcohol can also be a tool in witchcraft and, like most tools and ingredients, different beverages have different associations. 

• SPIRITS •

ABSINTHE (AIR): protection, astral travel, dreams, psychic power, divination.

VODKA (FIRE): strength, courage, motivation, power, completion, cleansing.

RUM (WATER): prosperity, monetary wealth, cleansing, protection.

GIN (EARTH): binding, health, wealth. protection, psychic power.

WHISKEY (WATER): change, warding, transformation, banishment, mourning/grieving. 

BRANDY (EARTH): attraction, love, fertility, prosperity.

TEQUILA (FIRE): decision making, cleansing, purification, banishing, spirit work.

• WINES •

RED (EARTH): lust, passion, success, warmth, health, happiness.

WHITE (AIR): relationships/friendships, joy, purification, energy, success.

ROSÉ (AIR): luck, joy, friendship, new bonds, love, beginnings.

SPARKLING (FIRE): celebration, opportunity, prosperity, wealth.

• OTHERS •

MEAD (EARTH): learning, inspiration, creativity, courage, forming connections, love, lust, protection.

BEER (EARTH): prosperity, home and hearth, family, community, protection.

CIDER (EARTH): health, love, success, growth, stability.

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What to do while waiting for your manifestation.

This is a very common question, so you decided you want to manifest something in your life, you got your affirmations down and now you’re repeating them every once in a while... but what do you do in the meantime?

Listen, if you’re feeling impatient or confused or any other way that makes you think about what you should be doing while waiting for your manifestation, YOU ARE DOING IT WRONG.

This is thinking from a place of not having your manifestation, from a place of having to wait for it. When you begin affirming these questions will cross your mind at first but do not give in to them, they are opposing thoughts just like any other negative one.

Whenever I got my manifestation I was very calm and living in the moment, not at all thinking about waiting or when it will come.

a little tip. use words & phrases like "always", "yes", "already", "ofcourse", "it's a fact that", "i know that" to make your affirmations feel more natural & acceptable to you. for example -

i am always being spoiled by everyone

yes i am irresistible to everyone

SP is already head over heels in love with me

ofcourse i am the prettiest woman ever

it's a fact that i manifest instantly

i know that i earn a thousand dollars everyday

also!!! write your own affirmations. don't use anything you find on the internet. ofcourse you can take ideas but customise your affirmations according to how you would naturally have your inner conversations - tone wise, language wise or even by changing several words. affirm what resonates most with your god self!

After many requests, I’ve made a rebloggable version of my ‘Weather Magic’ page. Here you will find heaps of resources to help you with weather/storm craft. If you’ve read some of my previous posts about weather magic you will notice some similarities - that is because this is a collection of every weather witching post that I’ve ever posted compiled into handy resources post.

Weather Magic

The term “weather magic” or “weather witching” has been used to mean anything from divination and forecasting of weather to actual control and manipulation of the weather itself. From calling up treacherous storms to destroy another’s crops or providing fair winds for those at sea, witches (and even those who do not consider themselves to be such) have always been involved with weather magic. When you consider that most forms of magic are based around an agricultural past, the ability to affect and predict the weather was considered an invaluable skill. After all, if your family’s livelihood depended on the success of your crops (or the ability to find water as it did in my family’s case), weather magic would be an extremely handy thing to know.

Why the url Storm Born Witch?

I am quite fortunate, as the gift for weather related magic comes easily to my family. For generations, the men in my family have been dowsers or water diviners. However, it wasn’t until after I displayed an aptitude to weather related magic that I was told about my family’s history with it. My grandfather was the last water diviner in the family and he died when I was very young so I was never taught how to divine for water. My grandmother was the one to teach me what little she knew about weather magic - the rest either occurred naturally or I picked up along the way.

Calling Up A Wind - Whistling Up A Wind

This is the most common form of weather magic and has been practiced for hundreds of years. Depending on the pitch and tone of the whistle a witch can create a gentle breeze or a sharp gust of wind. Traditionally, if the skill of whistling up a wind does not come naturally to you the option of making a ‘wind whistle’ out of willow or alder wood is available.

Here in Australia, whistling up a wind is probably the most common form of magic I do. I honestly do not go a day without whistling up a cool breeze. It’s bloody hot here and sometimes a cool breeze is just what you need.

Resources for Calling Winds:

How to Whistle Up a Wind by stormbornwitch​

Other Methods of Calling Up a Wind by stormbornwitch​

Traditional Sailor’s Wind Knots (Untie the Wind) by ioqayin​

Storm Casting

Storm casting is the art of creating storms. There are many different methods to creating storms and bringing rain. The method used by my family is to fill a jug with water and while sitting outside (or facing a window) pour the water into a basin or bowl. Dip the tip of your pointer finger into the water and slowly make five clockwise circles in the water (if you have a pendant necklace this can be used instead - just above the water in the bowl). As you are making the circles call the wind to bring in a storm by blowing (or whistling a continuous low note - the sound of wind over the mouth of a glass bottle) over the water in the basin.

Resources for Storm Casting

My Method of Calling Storms by stormbornwitch​

Traditional Methods of Calling Storms by stormbornwitch​

Ways to Stop a Storm (Dispersing, Binding & Preventing)

There are multiple ways to stop a storm. The most common are dispersing or binding storms. However there are also ways to prevent storms from coming by directing them away from where you are. This is great if you’re holding an event outside and you need good weather.

Dispersing

This method involves spreading the storm out over a large area thereby minimising its effects. You can disperse a storm by calling winds to blow it away (or in a certain direction) or if you favour using weather maps you can draw the low pressure system moving away and gradually dissipating.

Binding (Storm Catching)

This method is also called ‘storm catching’ and involves catching a storm and binding it within an object (usually a bottle or knots) so it can be released gradually at a later date by pulling out the cork or undoing the braid/knots.

Resources for Binding Storms

How to bind a storm in your hair by stormbornwitch​

How to bind the wind in rope by ioqayin​

Storm catching or “reeling in a storm” is even more difficult than storm casting so it’s always wise to think before you cast. Too much energy put into a storm and it will go on for weeks (and cause some flooding - basement incident) or it will be extremely violent and knock down power lines and tree branches. Too little energy and all you will get is a 5 minute shower of rain.

Other ways to stop a storm (Cutting a Storm) by witchuptheroad​

Preventing a Storm (Weather Maps)

However, if you wish to prevent a storm from forming, you’re going to have to pull out the weather maps. To make a weather map all you need to do is to print out a map of your local area or the area you’re trying to keep a storm away from.

Just use google maps and don’t make the area too big or you might seriously strain yourself magically. Then laminate the map - now you have your own ‘whiteboard’ to draw weather symbols on to generate certain types of localised weather.

To practice this kind of magic you really do need to know how weather systems work and how they’re likely to move; knowing a little bit about meteorology goes a long way.

Once you’re ready, find out what the weather is predicted to be and draw it on your map. Now draw the high/low pressure systems moving so that the area you’re trying to protect doesn’t get rain. This method can also be used to bring rain to a certain area.

List of Resources for Storm/Weather Witches

What is a Storm/Weather Witch by rainy-day-witchcraft – This post details what it means to be a witch that uses weather magic / storm craft in their practice; a good definition.

Tips for Starting Storm Craft by stormsorceress – This post gives some really great tips for those interested in starting storm craft; a really good beginner post.

The trouble with weather magic by skychild1989 – This post outlines some of the things you should think about before performing weather magic (i.e. think about the possible consequences of your actions and evaluate you capabilities before messing with things you don’t know that much about). This is a really good reminder.

The Difference between Storm Water and Rain Water by stormbornwitch – This post highlights the symbolic differences between storm water and rain water and also discusses the properties the water can take on when it is collected at certain times of the year (i.e. particular lunar phases/holidays/sabbats/esbats/solstices etc).

Storm Water by stormsorceress – This post is great and outlines the associations and uses of storm water in witchcraft.

Rain Water by stormsorceress – This post outlines the different types of rain water, their associations and uses in witchcraft.

Storm Water by fumbletongue – This post highlights and gives ideas for the many uses storm water can have in one’s craft; from protection to cursing.

Combining Knot Craft & Storm Craft by stormsorceress – This post gives some really great ideas for combining storm craft with knot craft.

How to Draw Energy from Storms by stormbornwitch – This post outlines how to draw energy from storms and how to direct it.

Storm Witch’s Power Bath by brynja-storm – This post gives the ingredients of a power bath which is designed to give you the energy of a storm; great for when you’re in need of a recharge or before you perform a big spell.

The Storm Witch’s Hurricane Curse by brynja-storm – This curse traps its target in an eternal storm with all the gale force winds, rain, lightning and debris associated with a hurricane.

The Tools of a Storm/Weather Witch by stormsorceress – This post outlines the tools of storm/weather witches in different regions (i.e. near the ocean, in a desert, forest, mountain ect).

Tips for Refining Weather Manipulation by stormbornwitch – This post gives some tips for witches who want to get better at weather magic and manipulating the weather.

A Light in the Storm by stormsorceress – This spell is meant to be used to aid in the healing of seasonal depression. Other uses of this spell include aiding in the healing of sadness, grief, and anxiety as well as providing a ‘guiding light’ to people you wish to protect while travelling.

And as always my ‘weather witching’ tag will have links to every single post that I’ve posted which has anything to do with weather magic.

- Marci

She’s coming. DOCTOR STRANGE: IN THE MULTIVERSE OF MADNESS (2022) | dir. Sam Raimi