HERBS & THEIR SIDE EFFECTS:

crystals every witch should have

every crystal has a vibration and an affect on a person. certain crystals prevent negative energies, whereas others attract love. these these are the top 5 crystals every witch should own. (in my opinion)

🌙rose quartz rose quartz is a very beautiful stone, a crystal of unconditional love. it represents tenderness, healing, nourishment, and comfort. i suggest using this crystal in any love spell.

🌙selenite selenite can evoke an immense amount of protection from foreign realms. It is an extremely spiritual stone, as it dispels negative energy. selenite is a crystallized form of gypsum. it can clear, open, and activate the crown and higher chakras, making it excellent for all types of spiritual work.

🌙citrine citrine is a yellow/orange variety of quartz. it is a powerful gem, as it is well known for it’s cleansing abilities. it can be used to cleanse you, your magickal tools, and other crystals. it can also diffuse a situation or disturbance in your home, such as nightmares.

🌙amethyst amethyst is a light to dark purple variety of quartz. it helps deepen meditation, improves psychic ability, and aids in the remembrance of dreams. wearing the crystal, placing it on your pillow, nightstand, or altar will produce the greatest effect. it is a good offering to any gods or goddesses you believe in.

🌙moonstone ruled by the moon, this milky white in color crystal aids in dream recall and increases intuition. it calms emotions, like rose quartz, and benefits health. like the moon in the sky, it seems to illuminate.

i believe that crystals choose you. in whatever time you need them most, their vibrations will draw you to them. if you are going to buy a crystal or start a collection, i’d suggest going to your local crystal shop to buy them, unless you know exactly what you want. enjoy your crystal collecting!

love,     mikey♡

🍲Kitchen Witchery🍲

In Lisa Chamberlain’s book called ‘Wicca: Kitchen Witchery’ I found some good informations for kitchen witchery and I would like to share it with you so it may will be useful for someone!

🌿Basil 🌿

General Magical Uses: fosters loving vibrations, protection, wards off negativities in a home

🍃Bay Leaf🍃

General Magical Uses: protection, purification, healing, strenght, good fortune, money, success

🌳Cinnamon🌳

General Magical Uses: love, luvck, prosperity, success, raises spiritual vibration

🏵️Dandelion🏵️

General Magical Uses: divination, interacction with spirit world, wishes

🌰Nutmeg🌰

General Magical Uses: money, prosperity, good luck, protection

🍃Oregano🍃

General Magical Uses: peace, deepening love relationships, releasing old relationships

🌱Parsley🌱

General Magical Uses: protection, money, luck, lust, strenght, vitality

🌿Rosemary🌿

General Magical Uses: love and lust spells, promotes healthy rest

❁Sage❁

General Magical Uses: longevity, wishom, protection, dispels negative energy

⭐Star Anise⭐

General Magical Uses: luck, spiritual connection, psychic and magical power

🌿Tyhme🌿

General Magical Uses: attracts lovalty, affection, psychic abilities

🌶️Red🌶️

Magical Attributes: passion, courage, strangth, intense emotions

Used in Magic for: love, physical energy, health, willpower

Example Foods: apple, tomatoe, pepper, cherry, strawberry

🍊Orange🍊

Magical Attributes: energy, attraction, vitality, stimulation

Used in Magic for: adaptability to sudden changes, encouragement, power

Example Foods: squash, pumpkin, cantaloupe, carrot

🍋Yellow🍋

Magical Attributes:  intellect, inspiration, imagination, knowledge

Used in Magic for: communication, confidence, divination, study

Example Foods: lemon, corn, golden beet, banana

🥑Green🥑

Magical Attributes: abundance, growth, wealth, renewal, balance

Used in Magic for: prosperity, employment, fertility, health, good luck

Example Foods: avocado, pepper, kale, lettuce, chard, zucchini, broccoli

🍇Blue🍇

Magical Attributes: peace, truth, wisdom, protection, patience

Used in Magic for: healing, psychic ability, harmony in the home, understanding

Example Foods: blueberry, blue corn, purple potatoes (turns blue when cooked)

🍆Violet🍆

Magical Attributes:  spirituality, wisdom, devotion, peace, idealism

Used in Magic for: divination, enhancing nurturing qualities, balancing sensitivity

Example Foods: eggplant, purple carrot, purple cabbage, plum

🍄White🍄

Magical Attributes: peace, innocence, illumination, purity

Used in Magic for: cleansing, clarity, establishing order, spiritual growth and understanding

Example Foods: onion, mushroom, rice, youghurt, all milks

🍠Black🍠

Magical Attributes: dignity, force, stability, protection

Used in Magic for: banishing and releasing negative energies, transformation, enlightenment

Example Foods: black beans blackberry, chia seeds, rice

🍫Brown🍫

Magical Attributes: endurance, peace, innocence, illumination, purity

Used in Magic for: balance, concentration, material gain, home, companion animals

Example Foods: lentil, rice, wheat, grains, dark chocolate

🍑Pink🍑

Magical Attributes: affection, friendship, companionship, spiritual healing

Used in Magic for: romance, spiritual awakening, partnerships, children’s magic

Example Foods: beet, rhubarb, ginger (when picked), raspberry

🍞Bread🍞

Magical Goals: Abundance, health, security, kinship 

🍡Beans🍡

Magical Goals:  Luck, money, divination, decision-making 

🧈Butter🧈

Magical Goals: Spirituality, peace, relationships 

🧀Cheese🧀

Magical Goals:  Moon magic, joy, health, completion of goals

🥚Eggs🥚

Magical Goals:  Fertility, mysticism, Goddess magic 

🍯Honey🍯

Magical Goals: Health, happiness, love, lust, sex, purification, wisdom, stability 

🥛Milk🥛

Magical Goals:  Love, spirituality, sustenance, motherhood 

🍚Rice🍚

Magical Goals:  Money, fertility, protection, good luck 

🧂Salt🧂

Magical Goals:  Protection, grounding, purification 

🍬Sugar🍬

Magical Goals:  Love, affection, banishing gossip 

🍶Vinegar🍶

Magical Goals:  Purification, protection, cleansing (white vinegar)

🌾Earth🌾

Magical Energies:  Stability, discipline, prosperity, abundance

Tools:  Plates, spoons, baking pans, cutting board

Example Food: grains, flour, root, vegetables, cheeses, maple syrup, peanuts

🌪️Air🌪️

Magical Energies:  Intellect, communication, imagination, harmony

Tools: Forks, knives, blender, oven fan

Example Food: honey, bamboo, shoots, rice, bananas, dandelions, corn

🔥Fire🔥

Magical Energies:  Passion, illumination, transformation, enthusiasm

Tools: Skillet, oven, oven burners, grill, toaster

Example Food: hot peppers, salsa, basil, radishes, sunflower seeds

🌊Water🌊

Magical Energies:  Emotion, sensitivity, intuition, empathy

Tools: Cups, bowls, pots, sink, dishwater

Example Food: all beverages, lemons, lettuce, cucumbers, plums

👻Spirit👻

Magical Energies: All

Tools: All

Example Food: All

Death Witch Rituals - My Basic List

Death witchcraft can be used and interpreted in many different ways. But what one does with it is often very personal, different, and unique. Here are some rituals, spells, etc. that I have done or am planning on doing that fit into my definition of Death Witchcraft.

Scrying with spirits - you may have seen my post about this a while ago, which I recommend reading if you’re interested. I touch lightly on human spirits their, but I do enjoy a session with human spirits, or even animals. I definitely ritualize scrying, though I am not sure why. It feels special to me, and always has…

Divining the future with the dead - similar to the last ritual, I divine with the dead to try and get answers, predictions, etc from them. I have a post on that too, which I wrote more recently. I really like to do this, as it gives both the spirit involved and me a hand in helping others, or even ourselves.

Grief spells and rituals - grief can be heart wrenching, lead to depression, and extreme bouts of loneliness. With consent, I sometimes do these rituals and spells to help loved ones feel more at peace. I wrote a funeral bouquet post about what I would send if asked to, and why each flower was a potent piece of healing. This is a minor form of these types of rituals.

Passing spells and rituals - helping spirits pass on, or get “unstuck” when reliving their past is a very rewarding thing. I like these because it prevents pain and suffering from life crossing over into death. Another aspect of the funeral bouquet post is for this, too.

Curses - death does not always mean bringing mortality to a living, breathing thing. I use it to smother success, disenchant happiness, etc. It seems cold, but I rarely use this in curses anymore. I have no need, at least not recently. My past curses have served me well, and my emotional response to evil people has matured.

Rebirth spells and rituals - I know the power of death, and of the rebirthing process that follows it. I am going to conduct a formal ritual regarding this and my recent recovery from depression. I want a moment of reflection where I can release the past entirely.

Communing with the dead - meditation can lead to eye opening encounters with the spirits of those who died before you. They have voices, and they will speak, even if you will not listen.

Cleaning up, respecting the dead - burying bones or carcasses of animals is one way to respect and honour the dead (if they want you to, that is). So is picking up litter near a cemetery, or helping the grief stricken friends and family of someone you know who has passed. Learn what to say, and what not to, and read up on death, and its overwhelming history.

✰✰God And Spirit Correspondences✰✰

✰ The following lists contain information on magical goals and their related deities

AGRICULTURE  • Adonis, Amon, Aristaeus, Baldur, Bonus Eventus, Ceres, Consus, Dagon, Demeter, Dumunzi, Esus, Gahanan, Inari, Osiris, Saturn, Tammuz, Thor, Triptolemus, Vertumnus, Yumcaa, Zochipilli

ARTS • Athena, Ea, Hathor, Odin, Thor

ASTROLOGY • Albion

CATS • Bast, Freya

CHILDBIRTH • Althea, Anahita, Bes, Camenta, Cihuatcoatl, Cuchavira, Isis, Kuan Yin, Laima, Lucina Meshkent

COMMUNICATIONS • Hermes, Janus, Mercury

COURAGE • Tyr

DREAMS • Geshtinanna, Morpheus, Nanshe

EARTH • Asia, Consus, Daghda, Enlil, Frigga, Gaea, Ge, Geb, Kronos, Ninhursag, Ops, Prithivi, Rhea, Saturn, Sif, Tellus

FERTILITY • Amnu, Anaitis, Apollo, Arrianrhod, Asherali, Astarte, Attis, Baal, Bacchus, Bast, Bona, Dea, Boucca, Centeotle, Cernunnos, Cerridwen, Cybele, Daghda, Demeter, Dew, Dionysus, Eostre, Frey, Freya, Frigg, Indra, Ishtar, Ishwara, Isis, Kronos, Ono, Lulpercus, Min, Mut, Mylitta, Ningirsu, Ops, Osiris, Ostara, Pan, Pomona, Quetzalcoatl, Rhea, Rhiannon, Saturn, Selkhet, Sida, Tane, Telepinu, Telluno, Tellus Mater, Thunor, Tlazolteotl, Yarilo, Zarpanitu

GOOD LUCK AND FORTUNE • Bonus Eventus, Daikoku, Fortuna, Ganesa, Jorojin, Laima, Tyche

HEALING • Apollo, Asclepius, Bast, Brigid, Eir, Gula, Lxlilton, Khnos, Paeon

JOURNEYS • Echua, Janus

LAW,TRUTH, AND JUSTICE • Astraea, Maat, Misharu, Themis

Love • Aizen Myo-O, Alpan, Angus, Aphrodite, Asera, Astarte, Asthoreth, Belili, Creirwy, Cupid, Dzdzilelya, Eros, Erzulie, Esmeralda, Fenrua, Freya, Frigg, Habondia, Hathor, Inanna, Ishtar, Kades, Kama, Kivan-Non, Kubaba, Melusine, Menu, Minne, Mamaja, Odudua, Olwen, Oshun,Prenda,Rao, Sauska, Tlazoletotl, Turan, Venus, Xochipilli, Zochiquetzal

LUNAR MAGIC • Aah, Anahita, Artemis, Asherali, Astarte, Baiame, Bendis, Diana, Gou, Hathor, Hecate, Llmaqah, Ishtar, Isis, Jacy, Kabul, Khons, Kilya, Lucina, Luna, Mah, Mama Quilla, Mani, Menu, Metzli, Myestaa, Nanna, Pah, Selene, Sin, Soma, Taukiyomi, Thoth, Varuna, Yarikh, Yerak, Zamna

MARRIAGE • Airyaman, Aphrodite, Aryan, Bes, Bah,Ceres, Errata, Frigg, Hathor, Hera, Hymen, Juno, Patina, Saluki, Svarog, Thalassa, Tutunis, Vor, Xochipilli

MUSIC AND/OR POETRY • Apollo, Benten, Bragi, Brigid, Hathor, Odin, Orpheus, Thoth, Untunktahe, Woden, Xolotl

REINCARNATION • Hera, Khensu, Ra

SEA • Amphitrite, Benten, Dylan, Ea, Enoil, Glaucus, Leucothea, Manannan Mac Lir, Neptune, Nereus, Njord, Paldemon, Phorcys, Pontus, Poseidon, Proteus, Shoney, Yamm

SHAPE-SHIFTING • Freya, Volkh, Xolotl

SKY • Aditi, Anshar, Anu, Dyaus, Frigg, Hathor, Horus, Joch-Huva, Jupiter, Kumarbis, Nut, Obatala, Rangi, Svarog, Tane, Thor, Tiwaz, Ukko, Uranus, Varuna, Zeus

SLEEP • Hypnos

SOLAR MAGIC • Amaterasu, Apollo, Atum, Baldur, Bochia, Dazhbog, Helios, Hiruku, Horus, Hyperion, Inti, Legba, Lugh, Mandulis, Mao, Marduk, Maui, Melkart, Mithra, Orunjan, Paiva Perun, Phoebus, Ra, Sabazius, Samas, Sams, Shamash, Sol, Surya, Texcatlipoca, Tonatiuh, Torushompek, Utto, Vishnu, Yhi

VENGEANCE • Nemesis

WEALTH AND PROSPERITY • Adad, Acolus, Agni, Amen, Baal, Bragi, Burlash, Catequil, Chac-Mool, Chernabog, Donar, Fomagata, llyapa, Indra, Jove, Jupiter, Kami-Nari, Koza, Lei-Kung, Marduk, Nyame, Perkunas, Pillan, Pulug, Quiateot, Raiden, Rammon, Rudra, Shango, Sobo, Summanus, Taki-Tsu-Hilo, Tawhaaki, Tawhiri, Tefnut, Thor, Thunor, Tilo, Tinia, Typhoeus, Typhon, Yu-Tzu, Zeus, Zu

WISDOM • Aruna, Athena, Atri, Baldur, Brigid, Dainichi, Ea, Enki, Fudo- Myoo, Fugen Bosatsu, Fukurokuju, Ganesha, Minerva, Nebo, Mimir, Oannes, Odin, Oghama, Quetzalxoatl, SIa, Sin, Thoth, Vohumano, Zeus

Book of Shadows Ideas that Aren’t Basic

sacred geometry

what damages crystals

what is a crystal grid and how do i make one?

candle flame reading

bone correspondences

what is a poppet? how do i use it?

basic alchemical symbols

ways to break a hex

favorite cryptids and their lore

what is your philosophy on witchcraft?

what is a liminal space?

scrying

how to trap a spirit in a jar or mirror

ghost hunting

species of demons

witchy books you’ve read, and a review or rating of the book (go to archive.org for free pdfs for books)

What is a Dæmon?

Disclaimer: As it always is in witchcraft, this depends on the witch you ask. This is my personal interpretation of what a dæmon is and what it means to have one. Also I’m in one fucking big hurry, gotta go meet stranded family. So I’ll probably edit this later but I didn’t want to keep accumulating asks about it!

I tend to go down the Pullman path, and if asked, I would say the dæmon is the soul of the person simply shaped as another creature, all of what someone is plus what they need to be.

Mostly everyone would choose to see their dæmon as an animal, and I think it’s the most direct and honest approach to them.

Simply put, a dæmon is like a combination between what you would normally consider a familiar, a shadow self, an anima/animus, a totem, a patronus, a spirit animal, a fylgja, your soul, and your conscience all together (without the cultural background or connotations). It’s a non-appropriative term that is used to describe your soul in the shape of an animal.

As I’ve said before, I choose to use pop culture references sometimes to avoid cultural appropriation. The concept of the dæmon as I choose to understand is made by Phillip Pullman and then modified to my own needs.

A dæmon is the externalized visualization of your own spirit in the form of an animal. This animal changes as you grow up, and settles permanently the day you mature and become an adult (at around 14 to 20 years old). It can change again, someday, after experiencing extreme trauma or an event that would transform who we are in the deepest part of ourselves altogether.

Personally I have a bear dæmon (Aeneas), a magpie familiar (Semiramis), and a cat fylgja (Samhain). They don’t hold the same importance nor help with the same thing. I don’t really communicate in many ways with my familiar or my fylgja, I just know they exist.

However Aeneas is an integral part of my everyday life. I talk to him constantly, when things get overwhelming he helps me clear my mind.

I visualize Aeneas walking by my side, warding off bad spirits, giving me strength…

In my loneliest times, Aeneas never leaves me alone.

How to reveal your Dæmon?

1.       The Gender

The gender is probably the easiest part of the dæmon’s identity. Usually it’ll be the opposite of the person. I’m female, so Aeneas is male.

Some consider, however, that this rule doesn’t always apply to people. It’s been said that LGBT+ people can have a dæmon that’s their same assigned gender.

This is, I’ve found, especially true for non-cisgender people, not so much for gay, lesbian, bi, etc. people. And sometimes when someone is gender fluid or NB or something along those lines, the dæmon will most likely reflect it. Animals that change their coats across the seasons, animals that change their genders, animals that are more than one gender at once.

One of the most emotive dæmon reveals I’ve been a part of was uncovering a gyandromorphic butterfly for a bigender person. We cried for like half an hour.

2.       The Name

The name is arguably just a tiny bit easier than revealing the animal itself. When I found Aeneas’ name it hit me like a ton of bricks. I was minding my own business when someone said it and I opened my eyes wide and whispered “that’s… that’s it! That’s his name!”

If you don’t know the name, neither does the dæmon. After all, they know just as much as you do, they just tend to interact different with that knowledge.

My best recommendation is: don’t hurry it.

3.       The Animal

This is it. The big question. What’s my animal?

Well, there’s not one way of uncovering a dæmon. The reveal can take years. Aeneas, for example. I’ve known he was a bear since 2012 but I still don’t know what kind of bear. A polar? A grizzly? Shit, maybe I’ll never know!

When I do dæmon reveals we agree from the get go that I can’t point out an exact animal. One of the most recent reveals I did uncovered just that the dæmon was in the mustelidae family!

It can take years, and attempt after attempt.

But I do maintain firmly that discovering your dæmon must be a mind blowing experience.

You can doubt at first, but when you do sense it you’ll go “oh… oh! OOOOH! YES! THAT MAKES SO MUCH SENSE!”.

You’ll feel it. Once you process it there will be no hesitation whatsoever. If a few weeks later you feel like it’s not your animal, then it never was your dæmon.

My method for revealing a dæmon involves a LOT of question and several days of narrowing them down.

You can do it yourself without help, but, again, it can take years.

If you’re reading this, the chances that you’re a bird dæmon is really fucking high. People that care about these things are usually bird people. Someone with an ant or a primate soul you wouldn’t catch dead trying to find out who their dæmon is.

Mostly always you’ll find that there will be three animals you’ll end up saying “yes, that’s EXACTLY my dæmon,” although it won’t be so in two of those cases (and deep down, you’ll know it).

The first one will be the animal you want to be. This first level is encompassed almost solely of beautiful, cute, or badass animals. Yes, we all want to be a stag, an eagle, a raven, a wolf, a lion, or a cat. But… most of the times we aren’t. We just are animals we don’t find ‘cool’, because it’s… it’s us. It’s banal.

Only once I’ve unveiled a tiger, never a lion, never an eagle. I’ve unveiled I think… two or three wolves. Wolves, btw, tend to belong to order enforcers or soldiers.

There are ant dæmon. And frogs, and mosquitoes, and all kinds of ‘ugly’ things. Sometimes people aren’t happy. Once I unveiled a tortoise and the person almost yelled at me. Another time I unveiled a hyena and the person basically told me to go fuck myself and then a few weeks later came and said I was right and that they had to learn to live with it. This animal usually represents who we want to be, instead of who we are.

And of course, there comes the ricochet effect.

The second animal is usually the exact opposite. It’s where the “bad” dæmon start to show up. People focus solely on their defects and the animals that they hate are the ones that they think will define them.

Eventually you reach a balance. And that balance is your dæmon.

A few pointers, though: trauma survivors tend to have dæmons with means to carry them away and escape or with the means to defend themselves. Usually a survivor has wings or claws or venom.

The MBTI personality test is one hell of a useful tool, although it doesn’t have the last word.

If anyone is interested, I do dæmon reveals (for as long as it takes, until we pin it down) for $25 in my shop and I also trade them for goods or services! It tends to take at least two or three days of constant personal questions, but it can extend up to months! So please don’t hire the service if you don’t have the time or the patience!

If you cannot afford to have a reveal, check out the daemon forum! Their method and mine aren’t the same, but they’ll surely be able to help you! There are other daemonists who also perform reveals for free!

Happy unveiling!

✨🍁Trees in Magic: Masterpost🌿✨

Alder- balance between the emotions and actions, Water and Fire elements, Ostara, Mars and the Moon, amethyst, ravens & hawks, purple, Fae, Apollo, Aphrodite; used to help face what you’ve been avoiding lately

Ash- feminine in nature, Fire element, energy conductor; new growth, good wood to use for wands, staves & besom handles; one of the three sacred trees (Oak, Ash, & Hawhorn); (known as to be the World Tree or Yaggdrisal in Norse/Celtic)

Aspen- protection, overcoming fear, ascent, Air element, Persephone, Hades, ancestry, heritage, cleansing, healing, family and community, Mabon, the planet Mercury

Birch-  purification, protection, exorcism; represents renewal, Thor, rebirth and beginnings as it is the first tree after Winter to leaf; great in protection spells; (to ward off Evil Eye, tie a red string to branch)

Chestnut Tree- fertility, grounding and centering energy, healing, love, prosperity, abundance, attracting animals, relieving worry, transforming karma, Artemis, the planets Jupiter & the Sun, masculine

Fir- immortality, seeing situations clearly, planet Jupiter, Earth element, birth, used in blessing mothers and babies, shadow work, Artemis, Frigg, 

Hawthorn- masculine, Fire element, Fae/fairies, love, marriage, Beltane, health, fertility, chastity, protection and death; keep out unfriendly entities/spirits when placed around doors and windows, considered portal to fea realm (NOTE: tree is sacred to fairies, it is strongly recommended that one ask permission before taking the blooms or sprigs; leave an offering when cutting down a whole tree- offerings such as milk, honey, wine or cider poured into the ground, baked goods, crystals & gemstones)

Hazel- spirit contact, manifestation, protection, prosperity, wisdom, dreams, divination, dowsing, knowledge, marriage, inspiration, wrath, fertility, intelligence, reconciliation, poetic inspiration, anti-lightning charm; sacred to Fae; traditionally burned in Balefires during Beltane & Litha (it is also said that mistletoe that grows on Hazel protects you from being bewitched)

Hickory- childbirth support, land nourishment, protection from legal difficulties, transitions, 

Lemon Trees- longevity, the Moon, feminine, Water element, purification, refreshment, unity, uplifting, clarity, friendship, happiness, aura cleanse, rejuvenation, awareness, love, fidelity, lunar deities 

Maple- feminine, Water element, the Moon, the planet Jupiter, wisdom of balance, love, longevity, money, travel, spiritual healing, learning and decision-making (especially when bringing about or dealing with change), great horned owl, communication

Oak- money, success, strength, fertility, stability, health, healing, potency and good luck; known for attracting light; associated with the Sky Gods/Goddesses (especially White Oak) a holy tree; one of the three sacred trees (Oak, Ash & Thorn); (their acorns were carried in the pockets of Druids for good luck)

Olive Tree- masculine, prosperity, wisdom, abundance, peace, protection, console (a person), Athena, the Sun, Fire element, Mabon

Palm Tree- cleansing, feminine, transforming, transitions, divine, masculine, fertility, nourishment, peace, relaxation, victory,

Pine- rebirth, immortality, strength in adversity, overcoming hardships through optimism & inner strength; Pine cones are good for tips of wands or staffs; (use a pine branch like a broom to brush away negative energy from your home or from surfaces (like a altar))

Poplar- life cycles, Zeus, death and rebirth, Hades, the planet Jupiter, enhancing divination tools, love; good for all-purpose wands; leaves for altar decoration for Samhain, celebrations in honor of Hades, ancestral rites, funerals/any ceremony related to the underworld

Redwood (aka Sequoia)- Earth wisdom, protection, fire resistance, healing, abundance, Fire element, balance

Rowan- the Sun, tourmaline, protection, Imbolc, meditation, broadening perspectives, dowsing, divination, the Goddess Bridget

Spruce- ancient wisdom, Goddess energy, healing, protection, purification, spiritual refreshment, pure intentions

Willow-  divination, resonance, harmony, the Moon, moonstone, Water element, masculine, support, death, Hades, directing energy, ghosts/spirits, Hecate, Persephone, Lunar alignment, pain relief, personal empowerment, creativity, fertility, female rights of passage, inspiration, emotion, binding, love, protection, healing

 Witch Hazel- dowsing, the planet Saturn; can be burned to rid of negative emotions, hexes/curses, and general negative

Yew- associated with death and rebirth, witches, Yule, consecrated ground, divination, astral travel, the planets Jupiter & Saturn, the Goddess Hecate; good for runes, Ogham sticks, frames for scrying mirrors, talking boards (PLEASE NOTE: it should not be used for goblets or any dishes that will be eaten from!!! It will make you sick or even kill you)

Components of a Spell

Intent

Intent is the most important component and is the starting point of any magical process. Part of manifesting your desires into reality is defining them clearly and empowering that thought. 

Making your intent specific is very important because it will help you avoid unwanted outcomes. Here are some examples of intents:

Weak: Protect me.

Better: Protect me from negative energy. 

Strong: Protect my mind, body, and spirit from negative energy while allowing good energy in. 

If you are less specific, you may find that you block of good energy as well as bad energy! The universe can also twist your words in ways you do not expect so be sure that your intent is clear.

General and simple intents may work for some practitioners but I recommend beginners strive to be specific. 

Everything from here on will be directly related to your intent.

Materials

Choosing materials sounds difficult but if you have a clear intent, it should not be too difficult. Having a book of shadows or notebook and taking notes on spell materials is very helpful to crafting spells. As a beginner, you may be overwhelmed by the wide variety of herbs, flowers, spices, and crystals. Try to focus on a few at a time and keep track of their associations. 

Pick materials that align with your intent. For example, if we are using the previous example you would want the following materials:

One that brings protection 

One that connects to the self or the mind/body/spirit

One that absorbs or deflects negative energy

One that welcomes positive energy

You do not necessarily need all of these materials, as when you are performing the spell you can compensate for this through your words or actions. 

Finding the correct components will involve research so be prepared! Your choices should be based on a combination of outside sources and personal experience. As you cast and create more spells you will become more advanced at using and choosing materials. 

Words

The words you choose to speak, sign, or think, when casting a spell should reflect your intent. Your spell does not have to rhyme but the rhythm of a rhyming poem can 1. make it easier to remember and 2. help you connect more deeply to your spirit. You can also use repetition to strengthen the spell and solidify your intent. 

If you are lacking in components, you should take great care in crafting your words. This is your chance to communicate to the universe what you want and need. 

I recommend researching different types of poetry and literary techniques. In a way, your poem is an offering to the universe as a thanks for empowering the spell. There is value in choosing beautiful and meaningful words to aid your spell. 

Actions

I find the actions people use when executing a spell vary depending on their religion and background. In the end, you have to go with your gut and choose actions that feel right to you. Some examples of actions you can take during a spell are as follows:

Kissing a component

Burning a material

Grinding or combining materials

Drawing shapes or sigils with your hands

Facing a specific direction 

Sitting, standing, walking

Dancing or physical exercise

As you can see, actions are much more open ended which I why they are difficult to explain. However, I can say that the actions you take can aid in adding power and energy to your spell. For example, dancing releases your physical energy which can charge your spell. 

Actions can also help you invoke specific spirits or deities. There is a reason many Christians make a cross motion when praying. The motions themselves are a symbol that invoke whatever power you are calling upon.

Conclusion

Much of spell-making is a personal process of research and discovery. But, hopefully this post gives you an idea of where to start! I invite people to add on to this post with other ideas and suggestions as well as critiques!

(image from pixabay)

Connecting with Deities for Beginners

First: religious or spiritual belief is entirely optional in witchcraft. Your own divinity and power to manifest does not reduce because you’re not throwing food at your altar for a “patron deity” every week. In fact, patron deities are a lot rarer than tumblr might have you believe. Allow this process to be what it is - a process. Allow time to discover your spiritual home. There’s no rush. You’ve lived lifetimes and you will live more. 

If you feel called toward connecting with deity, here’s my advice: write. Writing forces you to slow your thinking down and truly consider your ideas, thoughts, and desires. Writing pieces of yourself down puts them into the universe. 

Take these ideas into a journal that you’ve chosen with an intention to be a place for spiritual work. It can be a Book of Shadows or something else. Try these prompts - if you don’t know the answers to these questions, it’s an opportunity to dive into yourself!

1. Numbers: Are there numbers you’ve felt drawn to? Do you have any lucky numbers? Do things always work out the first time you try them, or does it seem to always take three - or seven? Do your relationships with others come in twos or fives? Does your birthday mean anything to you? What about your birth time, or place? If there’s a number you feel at home with, explore it! What deities are related to it? What direction? In my case, 3 is incredibly powerful in all aspects of my life. I’ve found Vishnu and Auset to be my focal points and recognize 3 in them. Vishnu has had 9 incarnations (3x3) and Auset recovered Ausar from the dead to become pregnant and give birth to their child.

2. Animals: Yes, everyone has an opinion about cats or dogs. But maybe you find yourself watching spiders closely rather than jumping away, or the finches in your yard carry weight when you see them. Maybe you found yourself getting a dragonfly tattoo out of nowhere, or there’s something about the octopus that gets your heart swelling with intrigue. Write these down. Check the World Wildlife Foundations adoptable endangered species. Which would you choose? What element or directions do you associate these animals with? Which ones do you want to experiment calling upon? 

3. Music: I don’t mean the radio. Think about the music you go to when you’re emotionally well; not full of happiness, not in a valley of sadness or pain. What do you like to study to, meditate to? What songs come on when you’re out at restaurants? Is there a song that just pops up at the strangest or most needed of times? Look at the words, the genre, the meaning of these songs or these types of music. If you’re into soundscapes, seek out elemental or nature deities. If you like hip-hop, seek out deities who are playful or assertive. Classical could lead you to deities of balance or justice. Try making music, just with your hands on the table. What rhythms do you find yourself producing? What’s your vibration? 

4. Joyous Moments: What makes you happy? Maybe bath bombs aren’t your thing, but tea in the morning is. Do you like being surrounded by friends, family, or strangers? Write down the moments of your life where you felt the most blissful. Write down what moments you want to collect before this life has ended. What deities reflect similar habits or goals? If you want to backpack along the Ganges or in Europe, think about deities of travel and movement. If you want to build a family, look at Mother Goddesses.   

5. Weirdnesses: This might be the most important and will require slowly opening your inner eye. Look! For! Weirdness! These are not coincidences, these are communications. Track your moods, your feelings, your interactions. Did a friend mention a film or historical figure that’s been in the back of your mind lately? Did that license plate you read have the initials of someone you care about? What imagery or feelings keep appearing in your dreams? Do you keep finding pennies everywhere you go? If you’re not experiencing weirdnesses in your life, throw yourself into a new situation, new people, hobby, or activity. Breaking routine is an excellent way to invite the universe to have a hand in authoring your day. 

These are simple journaling activities to help you place yourself in the greater world we occupy. Spiritual journeys are deep, personal, and a long-term commitment. Don’t choose a deity just because they’re popular, or you feel like you need one. 

Spirit guides are already here, waiting for you to listen. The more you reflect on the inner workings of your mind and heart, the more you’re saying YES to magic and saying YES to ascension. 

Love & Light <3