Hi! Ive Been Getting Back Into The Craft Recently And I Was Wondering If You Have Any Book Reccomendations

🌙 Unconventional Ideas to Include in a Book of Shadows ✒

Here are some of the more bohemian things that take up space in my Book of Shadows:

Warded Cover Page: every Book of Shadows I’ve ever owned has begun with a cover page that is warded out the ass. The style and technique of these wards has grown and evolved with my craft, but they always involved an invisibility spell tied to my name and bound with a blood taglock. The purpose is to make the book go unnoticed by everyone but me (and anyone who I allowed to read it)

The Headless Rite: a goetic invocation of your higher self/heavenly energies

Channeled Deity Artwork: Similar to spirit writing; I find that I create my best artwork when I’ve invoked a higher power, and I have currently created devotional portraits of Hekate, Lucifer, Demeter, Persephone, and several other deities by invoking the deity in question and then sketching whatever comes to me

Channeled Spirit Writing: Attuning to the energy of a spirit, ancestor, or guide and writing whatever comes to me

Magickal practices and techniques of various cultures in my heritage

Pieces of advice I’ve learned from various witches throughout the years

Manifestation Page: Similar to a mood board or an intention board; fill the page with words and pictures of your goals and desires 

Deity Sigils: I do find that some deities prefer to be evoked/invoked without the use of sigils, but for those that do have their own specific sigil, I record them here

Journals of instances where I have witnessed manifestation first-hand

Encounters I have had with spirits or other supernatural phenomena

Personal associations for herbs, crystals, colors, etc., and not just the ones you can find on Google

Spell Ideas that I find particularly intricate, beautiful, or devilishly enticing, but don’t quite have use for or the time to execute yet

Lists of names of my ancestors and of historical witches

Recurring symbols that appear repeatedly in dreams, tarot readings, or in the physical world

Omens that appear to me, such as wild animals or strange weather

Record of spells that I’ve performed: I long ago gave up on the pretty idea of recording every single act of witchcraft I performed in great length, detailing the position of the sun and moon, the exact procedure, and any and all outcomes. Instead, I just try to keep a bullet list of every spell I perform with a very brief description. It shouldn’t take me longer than 60 seconds to write max; very useful to reference, especially if a spell goes wrong and you don’t notice its negative impact until much later 

Brightest blessings, and best of luck 🕉

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Stoner Witch Tips:

✨Sharpie pen sigils on your lighter.

✨Blow smoke into a jar to use in spell work.

✨Little nugs as offerings to nature or your deities.

✨Keep your ashes in a tightly closed container for spell work. (Do not breathe the ashy dust this creates*)

✨Make sure you drink enough water, especially if you smoke heavily.

✨Write sigils with your resin.

✨After cleaning your pipe/ rig set it out in the moonlight.

✨Make knot magic with hemp string.

✨Say a chant or incantation as you blow the smoke out of your lungs and release it to the universe.

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˚ ༘ ೀ⋆｡˚ 𝑴𝑶𝑶𝑵 𝐎𝐁𝐒𝐄𝐑𝐕𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍𝐒

౨ৎ ⸝⸝ Aries﹕Healthy aries moons can be playful, determined, and will firmly stand up for themselves and others if the situation calls. Unhealthy aries moons usually exhibit the same traits, just far more intensely. No matter the state, they don't feel negative emotions for very long, nor do they tend to hold grudges. They'll forgive, though they won't forget. Will crash out over losing a video game and get up and shrug it off as if nothing happened LMAO. ౨ৎ ⸝⸝ Cancer﹕I'm awaiting the day I get to meet a healthy cancer moon, you guys sound like the sweetest people. The same cannot be said for your unhealthy counterparts... either emotionally manipulative and attention thirsty or borderline doormats. Solitude isn't to be feared, struggling cancer moons. Other people's love won't fix you, you NEEEEED to love yourself. ౨ৎ ⸝⸝ Virgo﹕Healthy virgo moons can be super attentive and helpful, you won't even need to ask for help, they'll just know lol. Unhealthy virgo moons can be unnecessarily hypocritical. Will judge you over the most minuscule detail but then go and do something genuinely bad as if it's nothing. ౨ৎ ⸝⸝ Scorpio﹕Absolutely hilarious, but also horrendously concerning. They will joke about an insanely traumatic thing that happened to them as a kid as if it's nothing. You guys definitely need a stable emotional outlet, whether it be art, counselling, and so on. ౨ৎ ⸝⸝ Sagittarius﹕Freedom is so important for sag moons. Restricting them is cruel; adventure is a part of them. This is oddly specific, but they look so at home in nature, especially forests and fields, presumably because of how elated being in those spaces makes them feel. If you need someone to help get you out of your comfort zone, find a sag moon. ౨ৎ ⸝⸝ Capricorn﹕Having a cap moon sounds like a nightmare. You guys need to open up to others more; you can't carry the weight of the world on your shoulders and expect to be able to carry the emotional burden of doing so alongside it. Please remember that your emotions are not a weakness, and expressing them doesn't make you any less capable and hard-working; you are just as human as the rest of us. ily u guys please allow yourself the grace you allow others.

Bone Reading Post #1—Methods

Honestly I may or may not actually make this a series, but this is an underappreciated divination method so I wanted to go over some different ways to do it today. 

Throwing bones

My personal method (and the one I’ve seen most often) is to ask a question, throw the bones, and divine from the pattern. This usually involves an animist approach—the bones themselves have spirits, and so are able to have meanings and speak with the reader.

There are two ways I’ve seen this often done. One is that each bone has a meaning. The closeness of each bones, which are covering which, and which are separate from the rest all contribute to the overall interpretation. The other way is to throw a random bundle of bones and divine purely from the pattern itself.

Divination Tools

Another method is to make divination tools with bones. If one chooses to draw symbols on a collection of bones, this could be done to make a set of runes, or dice for astragalomancy. One could also make a bone pendant for pendulum readings, or perhaps a large vertebrae as a planchette for a Ouija board.

Pyro-osteomancy

This divination method is done by burning bones and divining from the remains. According to Kris Hirst, who’s quoted in the article “Bone Divination” on Learn Religions, “Oracle bones were used to practice of a form of divination, fortune-telling, known as pyro-osteomancy. Pyro-osteomancy is when seers tell the future based on the cracks in an animal bone or turtle shell either in their natural state or after having been burned. The cracks were then used to determine the future. The earliest pyro-osteomancy in China included the bones of sheep, deer, cattle, and pigs, in addition to turtle plastrons (shells).“

Sources

Wigington, Patti. “Bone Divination.” Learn Religions, 17 April 2019, learnreligions.com/bone-divination-2562499. Accessed 9 May 2019.

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🦋Astrology Notes 🎨🫧

✨Capricorn placements are very calm in many situations. A lot of times they give you a very relaxed vibe. They can calm you down quickly and remain calm even in stressful situations.

✨Cancer placements can make a situation stressful very quickly, especially if they have a Leo in their chart. They get dramatic.

🩵Neptune in 1st house-they can quickly float off into their own world and pretend that nothing else exists but only them and the world they have created for themselves. They can quickly remove themselves from bad energy and things personally.

🍬Taurus moon will show their possessiveness, intensity and emotions only when they feel comfortable showing them. They can feel that this person receives their energy. That's why they work best with water moons (especially the cancer moon because it gives them the energy to express their emotions in a comfortable way), these moons are in a way the most similar.

🌶️About mars signs -mars energy shows our energy, anger, reactions, drive. You will get along best with Mars, with whom you have similar energy, for example: mars in sag & mars in leo - both are fiery, both can be impulsive and react faster without hesitation, but at the same time both want to solve things immediately (both are mars that show energy through actions). Meanwhile libra mars and sag mars will not work so well together. Because libra will be too passive aggressive and will avoid conflicts.

🛼Sagittarius placements know how to enjoy life and just be in the moment. Nothing else is really as important as the moment they are in. Sagittarians can often be too much for some people (especially when they fall in love), then they will do everything for the person and many times they can feel too much for the people around them.

🏹People who has water moon are very emotional and will always perceive things around them emotionally. Their feelings will always be hurt first. Even if you don't want to feel it, you will - cuz this is water moon. They have very good intuition, especially the Cancer Moon (they know how things will unfold, how a person feels), that is, their personalities and them. And they always know how to distinguish when something manifests or when something is meant to be so. Pisces moon- feel very well the subconscious energy of people, their thoughts. Scorpio moon- they feel very well when someone is lying or not being honest. They also feel who they can trust and who they can't.

💋When it comes to revenge, many times capricorn risings can be much more cruel than scorpio risings. When you do something bad to them, they have no mercy. They have their respect and will not take you back into their life. Once they're done with you, they're done forever. You can not just come back into Capricorn life like nothing has happened. When they cut you off. They will cut you off forever. There is no anything between. Because they have self-respect that is so high that it's hard for them to forgive you.

🪐Saturn shows karma and how people get it. The sign in which you have Saturn shows what kind of karma others will get from you if they hurt you. For ex.: Saturn in Aries- people will become uglier, when you see them you won't have to believe it's them. Their willpower will begin to decline, they will no longer have energy, they may lose the interests they had before. They will lose self-confidence and will never find someone as supportive as you. Saturn in Gemini- they will lose communicativeness, thinking, commitment. They will never find their best friend again. Their karma will be that they will never be able to talk to you again.

🌸People who usually seek an escape by smoking weed or any substance are people who have planets in 12th house in fire sign. Why? because fiery signs have to literally put their energy somewhere. And with that, they feel that they have wandered away from the world. They are often more prone to impulsive actions.

⚡️The chart ruler is the planet that rules your Ascendant sign, so it gives further information about what it feels like to be you. For instance, if you have Aries rising, you might identify yourself as a warrior- Mars in your chart will then show what kind of warrior you are and what provokes you to fight. For ex.: mars in 12th house it means that you will fight for people who are poor, unseen, injured or in need of help. Capricorn rising you might indentify yourself as a strong, mature and responsible person- Saturn in your chart will show in which area are you like that. For ex.: saturn in your 3rd house- you will always stand behind the words you say, thoughts, opinions. You will have mature thinking.

🍒The house with Leo on the cusp will be ruled by the Sun and will therefore be key to your identity and self-development.

🥂Certain signs respond to change more favourably than others. In particular, the signs of Taurus, Cancer, and Scorpio are conscious of security in one form or another, and will tend to hold on rather than let things flow.

🪴Lots of fixity in a chart suggests a tendency to stay with what you know. They have a hard time letting go of something.

🎸Jupiter is our place of vison, growth, inspiration and our style of keeping the faith. Jupiter in Aries faith is boldly expressed, which probably makes you a confident decision maker. Jupiter in Scorpio your faith is usually hidden many times you only believe in things that are proven. Jupiter in Cancer your faith often depends on your family or people close to you. Jupiter in Aquarius you tend to be quite rebellious when it comes to faith.

🛁🎡The difference between Sagittarius and Virgo is that sagittarius don't mind if people are talking about them if they do something wrong. They actually don't like to stick the rules. They like to be free in the things they do and they're pretty much optimistic and careless about things that other people say to them or about them. For example, if you have I don't know your own shop and you have working hours from 9 a.m to 5p.m. But you won't care if you are late 5 minutes or 2 hours. Virgos are different. They like to stick to the rules. Especially when it comes to work, they always want to be ready for work do things that are acceptable. And they don't want that people talk bad about them. Virgos actually care a lot what people say about them. So if they have working hours from 9 a.m to 5 p.m. They won't want to be a minute late.

So the difference between Sagittarius and Virgo is that Sagittarius takes life carelessly ,optimistic freely, they just live in the moment and they don't care about other people -what they say and think about them. Because they are confident in their own. They take criticism very well. While virgo have anxiety, even if they just have a thought that people would judge them or say something bad about them. They just don't like to be criticized or being judged by people and they take things in life so seriously, that sometimes is overwhelmed them. But that's also why they could fit perfectly together because Sagittarius could help Virgos to be more free and to have less anxiety and to be more positive in life.

🧺When you look at your daily life, you have to look in your sixth house. If you have air sign in 6th house this mean that you're a daily life will always include mentality ,multitasking. All the things at once especially if you have Gemini in your six house, you cannot do the job that is the same everyday. If you have water sign than this mean there will always be something in your every day that is emotionally connected to you or others. If u have earth sign than this mean you will seriously work on your things everyday and your everyday will include work but also u can you can enjoy nature or going to the nature or doing something that includes flowers, gardening especially if you have taurus in 6th house. If you have fire sign this means that your every day will be exciting, fiery and always spontaneous.

🫧Hope u find something interesting in this post🫧

✨Ig-Bekylibra✨

-Rebekah🎸❤️‍🔥💿

The Houses

The First House: Our compass; like the spark of vital life energy, that which guides you forward. Ruled by Aries.

The Second House: Our foundation; like a bear preparing for hibernation, what makes you feel secure. Ruled by Taurus. 

The Third House: Our connections; like an observant child, how you relate to the wider world. Ruled by Gemini.

The Fourth House: Our womb; like a receptive mother, what provides you a sense of home. Ruled by Cancer.

The Fifth House: Our purpose; like a blooming flower, how you creatively express your unique self. Ruled by Leo.

The Sixth House: Our efficiency; like a true hustler, how you solve problems and improve. Ruled by Virgo.

The Seventh House: Our bonds; like royalty, what influences you to choose who to form unions with. Ruled by Libra.

The Eighth House: Our transformations; like a snake shedding its skin, how you adapt to the rhythms of life. Ruled by Scorpio.

The Ninth House: Our journeys; like a vagabond charting a new map, what opportunities you will lean into. Ruled by Sagittarius.

The Tenth House: Our victories; like the heroic warrior of a story, how you will be of benefit to the world. Ruled by Capricorn. 

The Eleventh House: Our dreams; like looking deeply into the night sky, what dreams you want to manifest. Ruled by Aquarius. 

The Twelfth House: Our transcendence; like the chaos in the death of a phoenix, how you will rise again from primordiality. Ruled by Pisces.

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Symbolism

I thought I might not be the only writer out there who likes to put symbolism in their stories so I found some things and what they represent!!

Animals

Alligator - stealth, survival

Ant - diligence, industry, community, remarkable strength, hard working, success, patience

Antelope - action

Armadillo - boundaries, self protection

Badger - aggressiveness, passion and drive

Bat - rebirth, longevity, joy, good luck

Bear - gentle strength, dreaming, introspection, power, protection

Beaver - builder, accomplishing goals

Bee - divine messenger, love, service, gathering, community

Bird - enlightenment, perspective, swiftness, vision, prophetic knowledge

Boar - nature-based wealth, prosperity, success, protection, courage

Buffalo - prayer, abundance, survival needs met, good fortune, healing

Bulls’ horns - a good symbol in meditation for motivation

Butterfly - rebirth, the soul, transformation, the three phases of life

Cat - feminine energy, mystical power, used to keep the wearer safe in travel, wholeness

Chameleons - ever-changing future, inconsistency

Cheetah - speed, focus

Cougar - power, swiftness, balance

Cows - red cows are a symbol of hope, inspiring symbol for nurturing efforts

Coyote - trickster

Crane - longevity. A pair of cranes symbolizes “Long Marriage”

Cricket - good luck charm, singing, Spring, fertility

Crow - sacred law, gateway to supernatural, shape shifting, illusion

Deer - graceful gentleness, sensitivity, compassion, kindness

Dog - companionship, health, service, loyalty, protection, future prosperity

Dolphin - manna, joy, childlike play, helpfulness, breath of life, harmony, intelligence, self connection

Donkey - fertility, easy childbirth, efficiency, health, well-being, and luck

Dove - peace, innocence, fidelity, love, gentleness, kindnes

Dragonfly - good fortune, magic, vision, dreams, luck, and ancient knowledge, illusion

Dragon - wisdom due to long lives and potent magic, royalty, Emperor, eternity, courage, strength, rain, Spring

Eagle - courage, spirit, bravery, strength

Elephant - commitment, strength, astuteness

Elk - stamina, pride, power, majesty

Fish - miracles, providence, sea/water magic, good luck and prosperity, foresight, fortune, salmon in particular, are associated with knowledge

Fox - camouflage, adaptability, integration, tricksters, shape shifters, and possessors of great magic

Frog - healing, cleansing, messages, health, honesty, fluidity, purification

Gazelle - awareness

Giraffe - grounded vision

Goat - tenacity, diligence, can help to achieve goals, endure criticism, and stay safe. Goat’s fur or foot - an anti-evil talisman.

Goose - safe return, love of home

Grasshopper - nobility, prosperity

Hawk - nessenger, strength, foresight, truth

Hippopotamus - emotional depths

Horses - power, stamina, speed, transportation and communication - A black horse with a white marking on its forehead is lucky

Hummingbird - joy, pure love, celebration of life

Ladybug - delight, trust

Lamb - filial piety (dutiful respect or regard for parents).

Lion (baby) cubs - inspire mercy and gentleness.

Lion (grown) - inspire strength, courage

Lions - pride, nobility, cunning, courage, just laws, fairness, the sun, images can protect sacred ground.

Lizard - dreaming, foresight, ancient secrets

Lynx - secrets

Monkey - benevolence, drives away evil

Moose - self-esteem, assertiveness

Mountain Lion - wisdom, leadership

Mouse - frugality, rebirth, scrutiny

Opossum - strategy, diversion

Otter - medicine (woman), balanced feminine energy

Owl - deception, wisdom, clairvoyance, magic

Ox - evil spirits that disturb lakes, rivers, and seas

Peacock - wholeness, dignity, beauty, recognition, self assurance, pride

Pig - rebirth and rejuvenation

Porcupine - innocence

Rabbit - fear, fertility, moon magic, speed, swiftness, longevity, courage, strength

Raccoon - dexterity, disguise

Raven - magic

Robin - growth, renewal

Rooster - courageous, warlike disposition, warmth and life of the Universe

Scorpion - the “fire within” that often needs careful tending

Seal - inner voice

Sheep - sacrifice

Snake - cunning, evil, supernatural power

Spider - destiny, fate, weaving

Squirrel - gathering

Swan - grace

Tiger - courage, bravery, fierceness, strength, being in the now

Turtle - mother earth

Weasel - stealth

Whale - record keeper

Wolf - teacher, A Guide to the Sacred

Zebra - Individuality

PLANTS

Aloe- Healing, protection, affection

Amaryllis- Pride

Anemone- Forsaken

Angelica- Inspiration

Apple blossom- Preference

Arborvitae- Unchanging friendship

Aster- Symbol of Love, Daintiness

Basil- Good wishes

Bay- Glory

Begonia- Beware

Bittersweet- Truth

Black-eyed Susan- Justice

Bluebell- Humility, kindness

Candytuft- Indifference

Red carnation- My Heart Aches, admiration

- White carnation- Innocence, pure love, women’s good luck gift

- Pink carnation- I’ll never forget you

- Yellow carnation- Disdain, disappointment, rejection

Chamomile- Patience

Chives- Usefulness

Chrysanthemum- Cheerfulness

Clover, white- Think of me

Coreopsis- Always cheerful

Coriander- Hidden worth

Crocus- spring, Youthful gladness

Cumin- Fidelity

Cyclamen- Resignation and good-bye

Daffodil- Regard

Daisy- Innocence, hope

Dill- Powerful against evil

Edelweiss- Courage, devotion

Fennel- Flattery

Fern- Sincerity

Forget-me-not- True love memories

Gardenia- Secret love

Geranium- oak-leavedTrue friendship

Gladiolus- Remembrance

Goldenrod- Encouragement, good fortune

Heliotrope- Eternal love

Holly- Hope

Hollyhock- Ambition

Honeysuckle- Bonds of love

Horehound- Health

Hyacinth- Games and sport, playfulness, rashness

– Blue Hyacinth- Constancy of love

– Purple Hyacinth- Sorrow, forgiveness, regret

– Yellow Hyacinth- Jealousy

– White Hyacinth- Loveliness, prayers for someone

Hydrangea- Gratitude for being understood; frigidity and heartlessness

Hyssop- Sacrifice, cleanliness

Iris- A message

Ivy- Friendship, continuity

Jasmine- white- Sweet love

Lady’s-mantle- Comforting

Lavender- Devotion, virtue

Lemon balm- Sympathy

Lilac- Joy of youth

Lily, calla- Beauty

Lily, day- Chinese emblem for mother

Lily-of-the-valley- Sweetness, purity

Lotus Flower- Purity, enlightenment, self-regeneration, and rebirth

Magnolia- Love of nature

Marjoram- Joy and happiness

Mint- Virtue

Morning glory- Affection

Myrtle- Good luck and love in a marriage

Nasturtium- Patriotism

Oak- Strength

Oregano- Substance

Pansy- Thoughts

Parsley- Festivity

Peony- Bashful, happy life

Pine- Humility

Poppy, red- Consolation

Rhododendron- Danger, flee

Rose, red- Love, I love you.

Rose, dark crimson- Mourning

Rose, pink- Happiness

Rose, white- Purity, heavenly, I’m worthy of you

Rose, yellow- Jealousy, decrease of love

Rosemary- Remembrance

Rue- Grace, clear vision

Sage- Wisdom, immortality

Salvia, blue- I think of you

Salvia, red- Forever mine

Savory Spice-  interest

Sorrel- Affection

Southernwood- Constancy, jest

Sunflower- Adoration

Sweet pea- Pleasures

Sweet William- Gallantry

Sweet woodruff- Humility

Tansy- Hostile thoughts

Tarragon- Lasting interest

Thyme- Courage, strength

Tulip, red- Passion, declaration of love

Tulip, yellow- Sunshine in your smile

Valerian- Readiness

Violet- Loyalty, devotion, faithfulness, modesty

Wallflower- Faithfulness in adversity

Willow- Sadness

Yarrow- Everlasting love

Zinnia- Thoughts of absent friends

Color

Red: Excitement, energy, passion, love, desire, speed, strength, power, heat, aggression, danger, fire, blood, war, violence, all things intense and passionate, sincerity, happiness (Only in Japan)

Pink: love and romance, caring, tenderness, acceptance and calm.

Beige and ivory: symbolize unification. 

Ivory: symbolizes quiet and pleasantness. 

Beige: calm and simplicity.

Yellow: signifies joy, happiness, betrayal, optimism, idealism, imagination, hope, sunshine, summer, gold, philosophy, dishonesty, cowardice, jealousy, covetousness, deceit, illness, hazard and friendship.

Dark Blue: Symbolizes integrity, knowledge, power, and seriousness.

Blue: Peace, tranquility, cold, calm, stability, harmony, unity, trust, truth, confidence, conservatism, security, cleanliness, order, loyalty, sky, water, technology, depression, appetite suppressant.

Turquoise: calm. 

Teal: sophistication. 

Aquamarine: symbolizes water. 

Lighter turquoise: a feminine appeal.

Purple: Royalty, nobility, spirituality, ceremony, mysterious, transformation, wisdom, enlightenment, cruelty, honor, arrogance, mourning, temperance.

Lavender: femininity, grace and elegance.

Orange: Energy, balance, enthusiasm, warmth, vibrant, expansive, flamboyant, demanding of attention.

Green: Nature, environment, healthy, good luck, renewal, youth, spring, generosity, fertility, jealousy, service, inexperience, envy, misfortune, vigor.

Brown: Earth, stability, hearth, home, outdoors, reliability, comfort, endurance, simplicity, and comfort.

Gray: Security, reliability, intelligence, staid, modesty, dignity, maturity, solid, conservative, practical, old age, sadness, boring. Silver symbolizes calm.

White: Reverence, purity, birth, simplicity, cleanliness, peace, humility, precision, innocence, youth, winter, snow, good, sterility, marriage (Western cultures), death (Eastern cultures), cold, clinical.

Black: Power, sexuality, sophistication, formality, elegance, wealth, mystery, fear, evil, unhappiness, depth, style, sadness, remorse, anger, anonymity, underground, good technical color, mourning, death (Western cultures), austerity, detachment.

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Online Grimoires

A quick list of free grimoires you can use and access online: If you want your grimoire added, message me with a link 

Book of Shadows

Cornell Witchcraft Collection

Dark Books

Exemplore

Free Occult Books

Grandpa’s Learn Stuff

Herbal Grimoire

Hermetics

Luna’s Grimoire

Magickal Connections

Museum of Witchcraft

Pagan Lore

The Book of Shadows

The Magick Cabinet

Sacred-Magick

The Witch’s Master Gimoire

Ultimate Encyclopedia of Spells

Violet Witchcraft

Witchcraft Archive

Witchology

World of Wicca - directed more towards Wicca beliefs but can still be used 

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i’ve written before about how uncomfortable it is being Jewish in most witchcraft/magic/occult spaces, but right now i’m feeling it particularly acutely as i try to navigate this queer & trans witchy renaissance we seem to be having (which is, i think, a direct response to the terror & loss of control we all feel in 2017 - magic has always been about resistance & survival to me & a lot of other people)

i’m tired. i’m scared a lot of the time. i want community & inspiration to help keep me going, so i reach for something like a zine that bills itself as an inclusive mix of queer & trans voices on witchcraft, resistance, activism - because it’s a group of marginalized folks, i (maybe foolishly) have this expectation of seeing myself in it, or of the editors being conscious of the many forms of cultural appropriation that happen in these spaces & working to educate about them

but what i’m finding, over and over, is two things: the first is that despite the fact that we exist in greater numbers than i’d ever have expected, there are no Jewish voices in any of the witchcraft-focused publications (indie or otherwise) i’ve ever encountered. the second thing, that cultural appropriation of Judaism & other forms of pervasive anti-semitism DO exist in these publications, just makes the lack of Jewish perspectives more glaring

so in the interest of being direct, here are a few things the queer & trans witchcraft community (i’d like to ask the ENTIRE witchcraft community, but i am speaking to people with whom i share something right now) can do & think about to help:

include us. if you didn’t think that any Jewish folks were involved in witchy communities, ask yourself why! is it because you thought Judaism was a religion only? or incompatible with ideas about magic? Judaism is an ethnicity & a culture - or more truthfully, a group of ethnicities & cultures - with long & complex histories of magic, mysticism & folklore. some of it is considered traditionally “kosher” & some of it isn’t! our relationships to that are individual, fascinating, & worth being shared!

stop throwing around the words “Abrahamic” & “Judeo-Christian” - especially when you want to talk about cultural values or historical oppression. 9 times out of 10, you just mean Christianity. yes, we share some text, but we have VERY different relationships to it. plus, if you’re talking specifically about the persecution of people believed to be witches, that’s the history of Jews being murdered by Christians. honestly just do us a favor & remove “Judeo-Christian” from your vocabulary, there’s almost no context where it’s an accurate description of anything.

educate yourself about appropriation. i should never have to see someone mention “practicing Kabbalah” in a zine that includes no Jewish people. our mysticism is connected to our culture, our history, our faith - not only do you have no business taking it, what could it possibly mean to you without its context? 

understand that anti-semitism runs deeper than current appropriation - if you engage at all with any Western occultist or “ceremonial magic” literature or practice, you need to learn its history. what does it mean that the 15th century grimoire you’re drawing inspiration from contains Hebrew & calls itself Solomonic, but has no actual connection to Jewish people? what does it mean that the person who created the most iconic image of Baphomet, something beloved by a lot of queer & trans witches for being androgynous, gave himself a fake Hebrew name? i’m not asking you to throw all of these concepts & traditions out entirely - i have something of a love/hate relationship with ceremonial occultism myself, i collect vintage & antique things related to it & some of it is really interesting - but please at the very least educate yourself about it. specifically, educate yourself about how medieval Jews were treated while non-Jewish occultists were incorporating (often misunderstood or mangled) Jewish mysticism, language & folk practices into their frameworks. 

if you’ve stayed with me this far, i appreciate it - i know this post is long & that confronting this stuff can be difficult, but i urge you to do some reading & listening before you push back. i’m writing this because i want to see things change - i want to see communities where people connect meaningfully to their own heritages & participate in actual cultural exchange & learning based in equity & mutual support. 

i’m speaking to my own experience, but all of this goes for ANY marginalized culture/tradition being “drawn from” in witchcraft communities without actually including members of said culture. 

many of us got involved in witchy things because we felt locked out of mainstream religious practice due to a mix of oppressions - let’s not replicate that in our own spaces.

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I made some lavender milk for my spirit companion L <3  I used this recipe if anyone was interested in making their own! It tastes wonderfully sweet and floral

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