What is a Witch's Shield and why do we need them?
The witch's shield is what every practitioner needs to learn, administer and keep strong throughout their practice. Especially new witches. Think of it as an invisible force field to our eyes but energetically you and other energies can feel a resistance if they try to penetrate your protection.
Another easy example is you lock yourself and your family into your homes in the evening before you go to bed, you lock away valuables out of sight and reach of others to keep everyone and everything safe from people who wish to do and cause harm towards you. So why would being energetically open be acceptable? You’re basically leaving the door open for anyone and anything to come into your space and wreak havoc.
Now as you're interested or have been involved in this side of life, I very much doubt you don’t know that everything is made up of energy. It’s scientifically proven as well. FINALLY science is catching up to the occult and proving what we’ve been saying all along....there are things out there...invisible things that we can only sense and sometimes see/hear when we are on the same wavelength so to speak for communication and connection.
Wards and Protection, Are they the same?
So Protection is something you keep behind closed doors so to speak and a Ward is a Guardian - a bodyguard or your security camera if you will.
Do we need both? Sometimes. Is it wise to have both? Yes.
You can have protection around yourself, around loved ones, your home, your car, your work space, your purse/wallet, pets. You name it, you can protect it. You can also have a Ward around yourself, your loved ones, your car etc etc. For something untoward to get to what you want to protect, it has to go through security checks and allowed into your space before they can even introduce themselves to you.
Most people, especially those who aren’t involved in this side of life, will think you only need protection to shield yourself from evil spirits or to defend ourselves from other witches. Good old Hollywood strikes with this way of thinking. Most of us witches don’t believe in the christian god ‘Satan’ but that doesn’t mean we don’t believe or know of negative energies out there that can make themselves known to us at some point in our lives. That doesn’t mean that we think every negative thing that comes at us is a demon or poltergeist for instance - side note - EXTREMELY RARE. But we know of energetic negative energy that is sent towards someone or has been built up over time.
Not all negative energy is evil, it’s just a lower vibration of energy of what we need to flourish. Think of it as energetic dirt, you wash yourself to physically get rid of dirt, so why leave our energetic bodies to take on muck which in the end can bring on illness, fatigue, spiritual development can be slower etc. So keep your energetic body clean and you’ll be better for it.
Most of the negative energies you will come across on your path will be rather mundane. Something you can easily detect and remedy, which we’ll get onto in a moment.
But for now what about wards? We naturally have our own Ward connected to us since birth. These are called ‘Guides’. Most of you (I hope anyway) are in connection with their guides and have a relationship with them already. If not, do not worry they are ready and waiting for you to make connections and help you along your path. These can be seen as your spiritual bodyguards.
They are here to work with you along your path and within your life (to a certain degree - don’t forget we do have free will) It is their job. They are contracted to you as you are to them. Before you came down to this earth you both made a decision who was going down and who was staying, what you would want to learn from this experience and how they can help you. Both growing together and in turn helping each other's souls progress to higher understandings.
They are with you the majority of the time especially when you are trying to develop spiritually or are in some kind of danger. However they won’t be helping you pick out the best carrots while you're shopping, they do have better things to do funnily enough. They can be funny and serious, loving and tough on us. But that’s what we need. They are our best spiritual friends, they have our best interests at heart and want us to succeed and grow as they can also succeed and grow along with us, so it’s win-win really.
Other types of wards can be put in place to help guard what we want protecting such as Spell Jars, Witches Bells, Poppets, Crystals, Witches Ladders, Mirrors, Mojo Bags & Herb Bags.
So we’re going to discuss these a little more alongside protection work so you’ll have the knowledge and means to perform these yourself when you need your security bumped up a notch or two
But how do we do this? Is it hard? Are there different types of protection and wards? the questions really do go on and on. But your here today to find out some more information from this wonky witch on what it’s all about and how to perform such things, so let’s get witchin’.
Most Common Types of Attack
Psychic Thoughts/Energy - Yes just the thought sent out into the universe can be an attack. Now it depends how much power the sender has and how much protection you have as a witch, on how you’ll be affected. These attacks are to cause misfortune to the target in question.
You may just have small silly things happening that are inconvenient for you within your life or you may feel down, drained or even everytime you come across someone in particular you feel some form of negativity from them. This could be them thinking negatively about you and wishing that on you simply because they are jealous in some way or you said something they didn’t like or they just don’t like you - little fact here everyone, not everyone is going to like you and visa versa, it’s just the way energy works. We’re like magnets, sometimes we attract, sometimes we repel. It’s not intentional but sooner you accept that the better. Some energies just don’t mix and that is fine!
There is power in words and thoughts, just have that in mind when something like this comes about. You may even be throwing a psychic attack to someone unintentionally because you just don’t like them in some form or fashion. Check yourself before you think negative of someone. Do they deserve it? and Why the hell are you even bothered by them? That’s the thing you need to look at more, is why are you bothered by what they said? because it’s true? did it hit a nerve that you didn’t want to face. Because 9/10 they will forget what they said or done in an instant and carry on with their lives, while you’re still obsessing over it and letting that psychic attack into your space.
Psychic Vampires - No I’m not talking about people running around in the dead of night, with sharp teeth and sucking the life force out of your neck. I’m talking about energy drainers which is probably a better term to give them. Now like psychic attacks this can be done unintentionally and I’m sorry to say it but we’ve all done it to someone.
Ever had a friend or family member who you dread to see sometimes because you just know they are going to be chewing your ear off moaning about every little thing over and over again but never doing anything about it. The oh worries me people. I mean we’ve all done it, we’ve moaned to people who will listen because we’re upset or frustrated by something then feel loads better just by having a moan about it to someone. But then the person listening is left almost on the floor from all the negative energy that’s been thrown at them by listening to the worries of the world from someone else.
This is a great example of having to have protection up so you're not left drained because they have basically fed on your energy to make themselves feel better. Good for them but not good for you. This can also happen even when you're not communicating with a person. You could be sitting on a bus and the person in front of you is just simply sitting there but suddenly you feel drained of energy. They have unknowingly tapped into your energy and taken what they need to boost their energy up while leaving you drained. As i said they haven’t looked at you and consciously gone ‘oh they look like they're full of good vibes, i’ll have some of that, gimme gimmie’ but their energetic body has gone ‘oh i feel weak. They look good, i’m sure they can spare some’ and zap! ‘thanks, bye’
We’ve done it ourselves. We know we’re meeting a friend today, which we may think ‘oh my god, I love their energy, they are so full of happiness, i’m going to feel great after seeing them’. Now you could either leave them feeling drained or you can feed off of each other which the later is always the best option but it’s not always the case.
Spirits - Unwanted or Otherwise - Now as i said before sometimes these can be out guides so it’s important to gather this information first before you start blocking them out. After All they want and need to help us along our path for us both to grow.
There could also be loved ones trying to communicate with us, even though they have passed they still wish to pick up the phone and have a conversation with us but because we aren’t on the same frequency to them we find it hard most of the time to know what they wish to speak about.
Now once you open up to spiritual practices and communication or stoke your cauldrons fire your going to look very interesting to an array of spirits (known or unknown). This is where you need to have ya wits about you, because yes you can have people knocking on your door, but do you want them to enter? The majority of them are harmless, and once they know you are as well, they will just leave and go about their business. But just be aware that once you turn your sign to open for business all sorts of energies will come and check you out to see what your upto. These can be thought of as scavengers, just like a rodent making their way into your home, you won’t want them in there because they carry disease and leave little presents for you, but perhaps they want to find food and warmth. We respect their lives and just want to usher them back outside where they came from so you and your family are safe, and we do so by covering up any holes they may have got through - protecting our space once again. These spirits can find a gap within your protection and make their way in just to see what your up to just like that rodent.
Other spirits can be the lost, the ones who have passed but not gone through the light, due to trauma of some kind. They can see you're open for business and come in to ask for some help. They do not mean any harm but these are usually troubled souls looking for aid so you may feel negative energy from them as they are in need of guidance of what has happened and healing to then move on.
Some people see these spirits as attachments or menacing but all they are doing is asking for some help and as your light is on, they have come to you. If you feel unsure then please do get intouch with a medium to see what they can do to help or send them here to Kallima as we do run a rescue circle and we can help them move on for you.
Jinx - Jinxes are small, relatively harmless spells. When you cast a jinx, it will cause your target minor annoyances that are temporary. You know the little annoyances like car tyre puncturing too many times, things breaking around you, electrical malfunctions, the annoying things in life that just grate on you.
Casting a jinx mainly makes you feel better about a situation and they’re usually done in the heat of the moment when someone has upset you in some way and you want to make them pay for it. The downside of doing these is that you probably won’t know if it worked unless you’re super close with the individual. Jinxes are generally harmless towards the target but are mean-spirited. They’re cast when you want something negative to happen to your target. They also don’t last that long, although you can set a specific time period before casting a jinx.
Hexes - Hexes are much stronger than jinxes. These spells will send negative energy towards your target (depending on your intention) but the hex won’t last super long. Generally, a hex is for a set duration of time or stops working when the target learns their lesson. Hexes are often useful when someone continues to do wrong and you need them to change.
Curses - Unlike hexes and jinxes, curses are meant to last for a long time. Some curses even last for generations. A curse can be placed on a person, family, place, etc. Curses really are the worst of the worst and are dangerous to the target. It’s typical for witches to cast curses on their abusers or on someone who made their life a living hell.
But don’t forget what you throw out comes back to you....in the wiccan rede it’s said it comes back threefold. If you believe in Karma then be careful unless you're willing to take on any repercussions for your actions. Especially if you're sending energy to another witch because you can cause a magickal war - literally.
Some Signs & Diagnosing of a Magickal Attack
These are some potential signs to look out for when you're thinking of protection and being magickally attacked.
- A feeling of being watched, especially when you’re on your own. Now don’t forget this could be your guide or a loved one so before jumping straight to thinking you're being magically attacked do some research first.
- Vivid or occuring nightmares - these could be personal fears or phobias or a horrid dream of someone chasing you and you can’t get away. This can be a sign of someone warning you that you’re under attack and you need to defend yourself.
- Energy drainage - this can feel physical, emotional or mental. This can affect all parts of your life and health if it goes unchecked. Have you been getting enough sleep yet feel tired ALL the time, have no zest for things you loved doing before. Of course seek medical help before jumping straight to magickal attack but this is a very common one that people experience.
- Suddenly becoming accident prone causing objects to break, tripping over your own feet etc a run of bad luck basically.
- A sudden and unexpected illness when no other causes of the illness are apparent. Again check with your doctor first but if they cannot find anything this could be a sign of magickal attack.
Divination is a good place to start, especially from another practitioner who can read something that you may not want to acknowledge. Another practitioner , especially one who doesn’t know you personally won’t have the emotional attachment to you and can see things clearer and have an unattached view of the situation.
Cleansing Your Energetic Body
Now there are a few easy steps to take to cleanse your energetic body. Like I said previously you physically clean yourself of dirt so why not cleanse your energetic body from any energetic dirt that's sticking to it.
Smudging - Smudging has long been used to connect to the spiritual realm or enhance intuition. For healers and people in traditional cultures, burning herbs is used to achieve a healing state — or to solve orreflect upon spiritual dilemmas. Smudging is a critical first step in any sacred ritual, as well as an important way to complete and seal sacred work. This ancient practice clears low vibrations and stuck energies. Burning sacred herbs and resins is perhaps the most time-tested method for energetically (and sometimes physically) cleansing a space. For millennia, our ancestors have believed that sacred smoke raises vibrations and assists with magic.
Ritual Bathing or Showering - Yes you can energetically cleanse yourself while your physically cleansing yourself. As water is connected to the Emotions this is of course a god way to help wash away any negative emotions you may be feeling down the drain. Adding salt, herbs and essential oil energy into the mix will help cleanse the energetic body further.
Salt - Salt absorbs what is in the air around it, like odors for instance. It’s a natural cleaner. It will soak up the energy around it too. That’s a good thing. Most witches use salt in almost every ritual or spell they perform. Salt can be used to create protective barriers to cleansing your magickal ritual circle before working. You can also place bowls of salt in corners of a room to catch any negative energies and banish them from the space. Some witches use salt as an offering to particular deities and spirits.
Water - As I said before Water is associated with the emotions so using water in some form or fashion when cleansing is a great idea. You can literally do it on a daily basis. Just by showering or bathing you can energetically cleanse when you have the intention behind it. Also using other forms of water is amazing. Moon water is always a firm favourite as it can cleanse and heal. Moon water is water that is charged by the energy of the moon. Preferably a full moon or supermoon, where the energy is heightened.
Rose Water - Magickally it is used in spells for cleansing, love, romance, healing, psychic energy and protection. A magickal water that’s been infused with the essence of roses is called rose water. Rose water is popular in many magickal traditions including hoodoo and has been used as medicinal headache relief in years past. There are different ways to make rose water, but the more traditional involves infusing the rose essence into water via heat.
Florida Water - is a magical water that’s not an actual water, but a combination of essential oils mixed with a solvent. Florida Water has also been remarkably known for its magickal properties and has become a standard cleansing and protective agent among the Voodoo/Santeria followers and the Shamans of Peru, which they include in many magickal rituals and practices as well as during any preparation phase for protection and cleansing. Bathe in Florida Water on a New Moon to cleanse away negativity. Anoint your altar and tools with it. Bless your home.
Some Types of Wards
Circle Casting - Circle casting refers to the practice of setting up a temporary protective space for magick or ritual. It is, by definition, round. Circle-casting is a term that’s most commonly used in Wiccan traditions, but other magick users may cast circles, as well. The magick circle is a mobile temple, a place apart from the ordinary world where magickal happenings can more easily occur.
Spell Jars/Witch Bottles - Perhaps the best-known type of jar spell is the witch bottle. In early times, the bottle was designed as a way to protect oneself from malicious witchcraft and sorcery. In particular, around the time of Samhain, homeowners might create a witch bottle to keep evil spirits from entering the home on Hallow's Eve. The witch bottle was usually made of pottery or glass, and included sharp objects such as pins and bent nails. It typically contained urine as well, belonging to the homeowner, as a magickal link to the property and family within. The other reason why using your own urine comes up a lot in traditional witchcraft is because humans are animals too – using your own urine in a protection spell is quite literally marking your territory! The best uses for witch bottles or spell jars are ones with an air of protection. Think about it – you’re encasing the spell inside of a solid object. Where else in our lives do we do that to things (or people)?
Sigils - Sigil magick is the art of using symbols and imagery to manifest a specific intent or outcome. They are a wonderfully useful form of magick. They are coded with your unique purpose and can only be deciphered by you, allowing your intention to remain a secret as the universe works to align and deliver your desire. This gives them incredible power.
Symbols - Using symbols within your craft is very useful. You can use them within the spell or as the energy themselves. There are hundreds of different symbols out there to use but we’ll just show a few here to get you started.
Poppet Dolls - Poppets work on the magickal practice of sympathetic magick. Like for Like.
The poppet can be made into figures of people, animals or even body parts. They are worked if they contain ‘tags’ of the target. This could be hair, teeth, finger nails, clothing, things they have used or touched, photos, named paper or even curios that represent the target. You can add herbs, crystals, petals, roots, barks, bone and even flesh or animal body parts to the poppet. The more you add the more potent your poppet will be.
You breathe life into the poppet so it takes on its own soul so to speak. These are great for wards as they can literally stand guard.
Witch Bells - Witches love to hang little bells from their door handles to scare away unwanted spirits. Usually they enchant them with spells. You can hang little bells from your door handle or on your door and chant a spell or simply hold the bells in your hand and charge them with your intent. These bells cleanse the space everytime they are rung as well as spooking any negative energy that comes into contact with the ringing bell, making them flee from the area.
Besoms - These wonderful witchy brooms are used for cleansing however also for protection and warding when hung above the entrance of a premises.
Spell Jars/Witches Jars - As said in the protection part of this workshop, Spell jars are used as a protection but they can also put that barrier up so no unwanted energies can push through into your protected space.
Iron Nails/Horseshoes - Iron Ground negative energy. If using a horseshoe, have it facing down to ground negative energy and send it away. Facing up is said to gather luck. Using iron nails you can face them outwards to prick any negative energy coming at your home or space. The energy will soon scarper.
For some more information and more in depth check out the following Authors and Books:
Jason Miller - Protection and Reversal Magick. A witches defense manual
Christopher Penczak - The Witch’s Shield. Protection Magick and Psychic Self-Defense
I hope you’ve enjoyed this Around The Wonky Witches Cauldron and that you can use this information on Protection Magick as well as read more for yourself and get yourself protected
