My Friend Wrote This Very Silly Comic, And Good Friend That I Am, I Drew It

Not everyone on tinder is a dick apparently

:)!

No sleep. 🎉🎆🎊

I thought we were keeping that a secret!

My thoughts on the growth of the witchcraft community

Hi, I’m Rex. And I’ve been an active member of the witchcraft community since I started studying it in 2005.

For the past few years, I’m sure everyone in the witchcraft and pagan communities have noticed the sudden *boom* of interest in what we do. Crystals are becoming trendy, you can purchase books on magic at Walmart, and many, many younger people are posting about their journey into witchcraft on their social media.

On Tumblr, #witchblr was one of the most active tags of 2020, Reddit has seen a growth in related posts, and we’re all quite familiar with just how large the “WitchTok” community has grown on TikTok.

I’ve seen the influx of people approaching those of us who have 10, 20, 30 something years of experience in the community, proudly labeling themselves as a “baby witch”, wishing to learn as much as they can about the craft. And that’s GREAT! It’s AWESOME! I LOVE sharing my knowledge with all of these new people joining the community!

However, I’ve also seen an increase in comments such as:

“This sucks, witchcraft is so popular now and it’s being used like a fashion statement.”

“I can’t go anywhere without hearing some Gen Z kid claim to be a ~Space Witch~.”

“Ugh! These young kids are embarrassing us and making things up about witchcraft!”

“I used to be bullied as a teenager for being Wiccan, now it makes you cool.”

Folks, the reality is that we as a people are becoming more and more open to alternative lifestyles. Humanity is opening up and becoming more in touch with their spirituality. And that is a good thing.

Yes, it sucks that we got bullied and were made to feel like outcasts when we were young practitioners, but just because we struggled, doesn’t mean we should wish the same out of envy on the newcomers. If anything, we should be gracious that they’re safe.

The fact that we have younger people who can safely practice witchcraft THIS openly means that we did something right.

We made it safer and more acceptable to read about the occult.

We made it safer and more acceptable to talk about holistic medicines.

We made it safer and more acceptable to talk about energy, the stars, the planets, and everything that we adore about the universe.

And yes, I’m just as guilty of rolling my eyes when I hear someone claim that a certain crystal is going to destroy their life because it’s super powerful (looking at you, Moldavite), but we all started somewhere. Just because we started out by reading Scott Cunningham and Raymond Buckland in the back of a Borders or Waldenbooks doesn’t make us any better than these younger people who are getting their first taste of the craft from TikTok, Amino or Tumblr.

It’s our role as people with more experience in the community to gently nudge these kids (and adults) in the right direction, if we so choose to be teachers. If you’d rather not be a teacher, then at least be patient with these kids.

I’m personally grateful that witchcraft is more accessible in this day and age. When I was a young witch back in 2005, it definitely wasn’t. Unless you had a local metaphysical shop or a bookstore in driving distance, we were basically SOL. I kinda wish that I could have just jumped on the internet and found PDFs of what I wanted to learn! And, I’m certain that these kids jumping into the craft in 2021 will grow to be wonderful practitioners, and more knowledgeable than us one day– because that’s the point. We want the generation after us to always be better.

And y’know, maybe there WILL be people who are only jumping onto this for a trend… That isn’t new though. I knew many people in middle school and high school who read books on Wicca just because all of their other friends were, and then never picked a book up again. We still shouldn’t shame people for their curiosity. 

So, as someone who has been doing this for a while, this is what I have to say to those who are new to this awesome community:

Never stop reading! Read as much as you can, the best knowledge that you’ll get is what you pick up yourself.

Not everything is set in stone. What works for one practitioner may not work for you.

Practice discernment and question everything. 

Don’t be culturally appropriative, treat what is sacred to others with respect, and understand that not everything is for you.

Don’t eat essential oils… Please.

Everyone is going to tell you their own meaning of a crystal. Pick up the crystal yourself and figure out what it does for you personally.

Other witches and practitioners are not obligated to share their personal practice, spells, tradition, etc. with you, please be respectful of that. You will likely grow to keep certain things to yourself as well.

Other witches and practitioners are not obligated to be your teacher. While many of us like to teach, there are still a lot of us who would rather not, and that decision needs to be respected.

Listen to what experienced practitioners have to say about safety.

And, lastly:

There is nothing wrong with making mistakes and being curious. None of us got it right when we first started. Learn from your mistakes, and you’ll see growth.

Witchy vibes 🌛🌟🔮

frog fairy

Liminal Spaces in Witchcraft

First of all, what is a liminal space? A liminal space refers to a place or time that is in a period of transition between two phases. These are usually places where reality feels altered because you are neither moving forward or backward, like a rest stop. The word liminal originates from the Latin word limens, meaning threshold. These places often give off a sense that time stands still and that you are experiencing some sort of reality shift. 

        In magic and witchcraft these spaces are considered to be the boundary between our world and the other, it is known as “the in-between”. These places are considered areas of great magic because it is believed this is where the veil is thin. These places are great for divination, spirit work, meditation and astral travel; they are ideal for hedge witchcraft.

Times & Spaces of Liminality:

crossroads manmade or natural

river, creek or lake shores/ beaches

hallway/corridor/stairwells/landings/doorways

graveyards

dawn, dusk, afternoon, midnight

valleys

forest glades

many more!

      Samhain/Halloween is considered the best time to communicate with spirits and faeries because of its liminality, it is a time of transition between autumn and winter. Irish folklore tells that this is the day faeries and ghosts come out to play because of the veil thinning. The equinoxes and sabbats like Beltane and Imbolc are also days of liminality because the time of day and night are equal (equinoxes) or it is a transition between seasons.  

       Mental states of liminality are also times of spirit communication. While being in a meditative state we are in a state of transition between our concious and sub-concious minds, this is where we sometimes experience astral projection or messages from spirits. People often experience spirit while falling asleep because this is another state of liminality. 

     In my craft I often practice in liminality in order to connect with the faerie realms.

-Moonlight 🌙

clairvoyance 101 💖👀

when translated, clairvoyance means ‘clear sight’! It’s the intuitive ability that uses the mind’s eye/third eye or physical eyes to receive messages. whenever a psychic or intuitive reader uses the words ‘I see’ or ‘i’m seeing’ during a reading, it’s safe to assume that they’re exercising clairvoyance! just a note: everyone has the ability to use clairvoyance. it is NOT some whimsical, fantasy gift that you see in movies. everyone has the ability to unlock these tools!

✨ signs you’re clairvoyant ✨

the space between your eyebrows (your pineal gland) randomly twitches, tingles, or feels warm to the touch.

you have intensely vivid dreams!

you had an active imagination as a child, probably still do.

you felt like you could physically see your imaginary friends when you were younger.

you’re more of a visual learner.

when you’re reading books, you tend to form clear images of what the characters look like and might feel immersed in the scenery!

you notice a bright glow around people’s heads or upper body.

you like visual arts!

you get lost in your own imagination and tend to daydreams about possible scenarios for your life.

flashes of ‘mental movies’ or images pop up in your head, usually containing hidden symbols and meanings.

you literally see things before they happen!

you swear you see floating orbs, shadows that seem to be floating in the air, glittering or flashing lights, or movement out of the corner of your eyes.

appreciate things that are aesthetically pleasing and interesting to look at.

✨ how to strengthen clairvoyance ✨

a lot of people roll their eyes when I suggest meditation but, I don’t know how else to tell y’all, it’s really the best way to get stronger! meditation comes in many forms. It’s not always just sitting still and relaxing. taking a walk in nature is a form of meditation! painting is a form of meditation! listening to music and doing nothing is a form of meditation. anything that gets you out of your head and into a relaxed state is meditation!

visualization. practice visualizing anything and everything

play that memory game on your phone, where you have to look at the cards or objects and remember where they were located!

set the intention to receive messages through dreams.

✨ my fave crystals for clairvoyance! ✨

use them in your practice by holding them while meditating or keeping them in your space while doing readings.

amethyst

labradorite

fluorite (specifically lavender fluorite which is a bit hard to find)

spirit quartz

clear quartz

selenite

moonstone

optical calcite

THANKS FOR READING! the rest of the ‘clairs’ + psychic abilities are coming soon! which clairvoyant signs have y’all experienced the most? 💗💗

Acorn - Good luck, personal power, protection and wisdom. Dried acorns are a natural amulet for youthfulness. It's associated with the Sabbat of Litha and the element of water.

Angelica - Also called Archangel. It is a very powerful protection herb, healing, creates harmony and courage and helps in exorcisms. Aids vision. Element Air.

Apple - Garden magic, love, healing and wisdom, also vanity, marriage and beauty. Associated Mabon & Samhain. Element water.

Basil - Also called witches herb. Use in spells for Love, exorcism, wealth, sympathy, and protection. Associated with Imbolc. Aids astral projection. Element Fire.

Bay Leaf - Protection, success, purification, strength, wisdom and healing, also increases psychic powers. Element Fire.

Belladonna - Also Called: Deadly Nightshade. Toxic. Use for forgetting past loves. Protection, beauty and original flying ointments. Adds energy to rituals. Element Water.

Bergamot - Money, prosperity and sleep. Protects from both evil and illness. Good for luck and wealth. Increases magical power. Element Fire.

Black Pepper - Banishing negativity, exorcism, and offers protection and help with inner strength. Element Fire.

Blueberry - Protection of children, keeps evil out, and strengthens the aura. Associated with the Great Spirit. Element Water.

Calendula - Also called Marigold. Attracts success and justice in legal matters. Increases psychic/spiritual powers and aid prophetic dreams. Dispels negativity. Element Fire.

Cardamom - Lust, love, and fidelity. Sweetens the personality Use in handfastings. Element Water.

Chamomile - Love, sleep, protection and purification, also reduce stress. Use for meditation work and to attract money. Solar Magic. Element Water.

Cinnamon - Also called Sweet Wood. Use for Solar magic. Meditation and astral projection. Increases spirituality, success, healing, protection, power, luck, strength, and prosperity. Element Fire.

Clove - Use to protect, banish negative forces, and divination. Also helps with any teeth spells. Aids money and draws love. Element Fire.

Dandelion Root - Magical uses include divination, wishes and calling spirits. It also enhances dreams and works well in astral projection. Element Air.

Evening Primrose - Ideal for moon magic. Also use in love charms and to attract fae. Element Water.

Ginger - Increases magic power. Success, love, money and power. Element Fire.

Hibiscus - Attracting love and lust. Use in divination. Associated with lunar magic. Element Water.

Horsetail - Use for strength and resolve. Protection, cleansing and clearing unwanted emotions. Element Earth.

Jasmine - The herb of attraction. Helps prophetic dreaming, money and love. Element Water.

Lavender - Magical uses include healing, sleep and peace. It also promotes chastity and love. Increases longevity of life, tranquility and happiness. Element Air.

Lemon Balm - Also called Melissa. Love, success and healing. Aids psychic/spiritual development. Supports mental health disorders and compassion. Element Water.

Lemon Grass - Psychic cleansing and opening. Use in lust potions and when using Dragon Magic. Element Air.

Lime Tree Leaf - Healing, calm and love. Aids strength and tranquility, Element Air.

Marjoram - Use for cleansing, purification, and dispelling negativity. Also aids grief and sadness. Element Air.

Mint - Promotes energy, communication and vitality, protection and draws custom. Element Air.

Mugwort - Use for strength, protection and healing. Mugwort amplifies magic. Aids astral projection, and psychic power. Element Earth.

Nettle - Uses include dispelling darkness & fear,and curse breaking. Healing and protection and increases lust in partners. Renewal. Element Fire.

Orange Peel & Flower- Attracts abundance, luck. Love and happiness and strengthens divination. Element Fire.

Passion Flower - Attracts friendship and passion. Caming, peace and instills passion into stale relationships. Good for house blessings too. Element Water.

Patchouli - Used in spells for connecting with spirits. Money attracting, increases fertility and lust. Calming and peaceful. Element Earth.

Peppermint - Use for headaches and other forms of healing. Increases sleep and love. Use for increasing psychic power and divination. Element Air.

Rose - Use for divination, increased psychic power, love, lust and healing. Helps strengthen close friendships. Place around sprains and bruises to help them heal faster. Element Water.

Rosemary - Use in healing poppets and love/lust spells. Improves memory. Increases sleep, mental power and protection. Burn to help purification and removing negativity. Associated with faery magic. Element Fire.

Sage - Used for self purification and cleansing. Helps grief and loss. Healing and protection, also increases wisdom. Element Air.

Strawberry Leaf - Attracts success, good fortune, and favorable circumstances. Increases love and aids pregnancy. Element Water.

Thyme - Attracts loyalty, affection, and love. Increases good luck and psychic power. Drink in tea to aid sleep. Element Air.

Verbena - Psychic protection, peace and purification. Healing and helps depression. Increases beauty and love. Mind opening and clearing. Ideal use for exams. Element Earth.

Willow - is Used for lunar magic, drawing or strengthening love, healing, and overcoming sadness.. Element Water.

From the Herbal Grimoire by the blog The Wiccan Lady. Here's the link to the blog for the complete list and further reading: