Practical Witchcraft

A guide to practicing secular/non theistic witchcraft in my modern urban life.

[mossytreeelf-blog]

Witchery for the hearth.

Lay thorny branches on your doorstep to drive away evil.

Put thyme in your last meal of the day to have pleasant dreams.

Place coins and cedar chips in a box for an easy money spell.

The bark of the willow tree is a natural painkiller.

Put almonds in your pocket to recover a lost object.

Light candles throughout the house regularly.

Sprinkle oats over your garden (especially herbs) to ensure good growth.

Honey is a natural antibiotic and antibacterial. Got a cold sore? Put that stuff all over that. Got a cold? Eat a tablespoon every few hours.

Place lilacs all over the house to get rid of unwanted spirits.

Drink cranberry juice to get a good detox when in need of grounding.

Hang dill over your door to keep people who wish ill on you out.

Place half an onion in the room with someone who is sick to draw out disease.

Place morning glory seeds inside your pillow to get rid of bad dreams.

Pour salt in your bath (or shower floor if you don’t have a bath) to cleanse and ground yourself.

Use chili peppers to break a curse.

Plant rosemary next to your front gate or door for a little good luck.

[feministism]

compare.

[5hahem]

Bayard Rustin was an openly gay Black man who was Martin Luther King’s right hand man. He planned the Million Man March and was subject to scrutiny for his sexuality and deemed a “deviant” and “pervert”.

Bayard Rustin can be found in nearly every picture of MLK yet he has undoubtedly been erased from history. We have to fix that.

[skeletonmug]

Well then, let’s bring that name back.

Bayard Rustin, openly gay, human rights activist, proud black man.

[metrospotting-deactivated202104]

(the guy on the left in case you wondered)

[gaypriori]

Yeah he was literally the guy who was the head of planning the March on Washington.

If you want to learn more about him, there’s a great documentary on him called Brother Outsider: The Life of Bayard Rustin

You can watch the full documentary here (until March 31st, 2016)

[studyeliza]

I did a research project on him, Ella Baker, Claudette Colvin and Stokely Carmichael comparing their contributions to the Civil Rights Movement to the lack of recognition and misrepresentation they received in commonly used high school American History textbooks. All of these people played major roles in the Civil Rights Movement—almost on par with MLK—yet they go largely unnoticed or unfairly pushed aside not only during their time, but even now in classes on American History. These men and women deserve to be remembered.

[klaineharmony]

I would also like to add Jame Baldwin to this list: writer, activist, and openly gay black man:

[cobraonthecob]

People they’ll never tell you about, may their stories be told now

[viridi-natura]

I ordered some crystals/gemstones because I can’t currently go out to any stores to get some in person, and they were supposed to be here two days ago and the tracking still says “in destination to next facility”. It’s kind of funny because there’s a Moonstone in among them and, well…

[welcometonegrotown]

“Your Black Friend" animated short film by Ben Passmore, Alex Krokus & Krystal Downs

truly accurate.

[quiteliterallyhotsauce]

I love this

[dandelionkicker]

Wow

[glazedeye-s]

FAIRY RINGS: do not step on them.

[whitepeopletwitter]

[viridi-natura]

Fair Weather Spell Jar (to take with you if necessary)

I was looking forward to a day away from home today, but the weather prognosis indicated thunderstorms early afternoon, so I made this spell jar and asked that the storms be pushed out enough that we can enjoy the day without getting rained on. I did take it with me to center it’s effect on me and the surrounding area.

At one point, we did see dark clouds and hear thunder rumbling, but no rain came. The day was hot, as they have been recently, with quite a bit of sun though there was a lot of wind as well (nothing horrible, it actually helped us keep cool). As we headed home a few hours later, about 10 minutes away we saw that the road was completely wet with large puddles standing everywhere. Seemed like a rain cloud had passed just north of us! And now that I am home and have dismantled the jar (thanking the spirits of nature, the wind and sky, and the sun for their assistance) I can see the rain clouds gathering above head to finally bring the promised storm. Considering what I asked, I do feel that this spell jar worked the way I had intended it to, which makes me extremely pleased and so very grateful. Because it did work, I’ve decided to share how I made it in case anyone was looking for ideas on how to work a Fair Weather Spell Jar of their own.

I do like having a jar for an effect like this, as I want the effect to be centered around the area I am in and having a small jar to carry with me aids in that.

Spell Jar Ingredients:

A shard of Amber - to represent the sun and the sunny weather I hoped to call Bay Leaf - for protection (against the rain/bad weather) Salt - for protection (against the rain/bad weather and to keep the intent from being twisted) Strawberry - for Luck (I used a tiny dried wild strawberry, but I’d assume a strawberry leaf or a piece of regular strawberry would also work) Marjoram - for the Happiness I wanted this day to have Oil of Lavender - for Happiness and Peace that I wanted this day to have Oil of Peppermint - protection for travelers, since we had to drive to this location Scrap of Paper with Intent Written On It - I used a scrap of a tea bag since I had it on hand, it was made of very thin paper material and I felt it would biodegrade. I actually wrote a sigil for Fair Weather on it because I felt like it, instead of the fully worded intention

I ground as many ingredients up as I could, had to crush the bay leaf, and focused on the sigil with images of sunny, rain free skies and us enjoying ourselves. I asked for assistance from the spirits of the sky, the wind, and for the sun’s assistance in pushing the rain off a little bit so we could have a good day. Then I put all the ingredients into the jar, saying what each one was for, and once they were all in I corked it and once again stated my intention.

Then I lit a white candle and sealed the cork to the bottle as best I could. I did this all last night (the night before the trip) because I felt that would give the energy I called on time to work. Today I carried it with me in my little cloth bag of interesting things, and once I got home I thanked all the spirits and energies I called upon and buried the contents of the spell jar in the garden. I’ve cleaned the jar out and am cleansing it now.

To note: this is just how I PERSONALLY handled this spell, this spell jar, and this situation. You may find other methods, other plants or herbs or crystals may work better for you. I just wanted to share my experience and what I truly believe is my success.

[deumnecavi]

the houses

so when i first started learning about astrology, i found it super difficult to keep track of what each of the houses means. understanding the house system is a huge aspect of understanding your natal chart, so let’s discuss.

angular houses: 

ruled by the cardinal signs, these houses indicate the action you take in life - the first foot you put forward.

1st house - aries - appearance, outward personality, self expression, essential vitality, “mask”

4th house - cancer - home, family life and parents, emotional/psychological foundation, stability, subconscious patterns

7th house - libra - partnerships and relationships, marriage, business interactions, interpersonal conflict or harmony, legal matters

10th house - capricorn - career ambitions and aspirations, public life and recognition, material acquisition, success and goals

succedent houses: 

these houses are ruled by the fixed signs, speaking to what you already have, and what you desire to have - what you value.

2nd house - taurus - possessions, money, material things, material values, skills and earning abilities

5th house - leo - pleasure, entertainment, sex, creativity and creation, procreation and children, recreation

8th house - scorpio - the supernatural/occult/mystical, death and regeneration, legacies, the resources of those around you (think inheritance)

11th house - aquarius - global awareness, humanitarian ideals, group projects and goals, friendships

cadent houses: 

ruled by the mutable signs, these houses can be interpreted as the thought that occurs before action - the analyzation of your self and surroundings.

3rd house - gemini - mental activity, communication, early education, relationships with siblings and cousins 

6th house - virgo - afflictions of the body, health and nutrition, employment, work ethic, injury and illness, service

9th house - sagittarius - higher thinking, religion and philosophy, foreign cultures and customs, expansion of the mind, far travel

12th house - pisces - retreat from the world, isolation, suffering bottled up, the subconscious, karma

quadrant 1 (houses 1 - 3)

self development

“who am i?” “what do i value?” “what do i think?”

quadrant 2 (houses 4 - 6)

self expansion

“what do i feel?” “what do i will?” “what do i analyze?”

quadrant 3 (houses 7 - 9)

self expression

“how do i balance myself with others?” “what do i desire?” “what truth do i seek?”

quadrant 4 (houses 10 - 12)

self transcendence 

“what will i use?” “what do i know?” “what do i believe?”

[faerys-wear-boots]

Signs a Spirit Has Visited Your Dream

Whatever you were dreaming about previously comes to an abrupt stop, and a change in vibrational frequency occurs after the spirit appears.

The dream becomes more lucid, and you are able to act consciously and communicate effectively with the spirit. 

Your sensory perceptions become clearer.

The dream’s scenery reverts back to your room, and you see the spirit inside your room or beside your bed.

After the spirit has given you an important message, you wake up between 3-4 AM. 

You will instantly be able to recognise the spirit, often telepathically hearing it’s name.

Upon waking up, you are able to recount the dream in great detail.

The dream is accompanied by the spirit’s symbolism, especially if it is a deity.

You meet the spirit through a door or gateway - the astral threshold. 

Depending on what kind of spirit has visited you, you may wake up feeling drained and with a headache.

[giada-rose]

The Flower Girl (2020)

[fuckyeahpaganism]

Gems for Depression

Smoky Quartz: for grounding, removes negative and excess energy. 

Kunzite: Beautiful light pink stone that is known for its powerful abilities to help one heal emotional disorders. Releases tension, restores peace, calming. 

Lepidolite: Helps one remove negative thoughts, especially obsessive ones. Is also known to help stabilize mood swings, and balances excessive energies. 

Tiger’s Eye: Grounds energy and brings a more positive outlook. Works with energy from both the sun and the earth. Highly protective, can help defend against unwanted, negative energies. 

Sunstone: Dispels fears, phobias, and can create a more positive outlook. It is a stone of independence and strength.  

Citrine: known for its positive attributes. Radiates positive energy.

Rose Quartz: A gentle healing stone that aids in self-love, compassion, and emotional issues. 

Chrysoprase: promotes joy and happiness. Is known to ease anxiety issues. 

Lapis Lazuli: Can help overcome abuse issues, trauma, depression, and grief. Aids in independence, inner power, and hope. 

Lithium Quartz: Releases stress, helps restore emotional balance, can ease mood swings. 

Jet: Purifies & protects, calms anxiety & fearful thinking. Promotes self-reliance, eases stress due to transitions/changes. 

*Not meant to replace treatment or medications* 

[xotchi75]

This is amazing!

[willowmoon-92]

I personally like using lepidolite for my depression. Kunzite is another preferred one I use often.

[twelfthremedy]

i love lapis lazuli, truly a powerful gem

[yourwitchmama]

High vibration stones such as citrine are GREAT for bringing in happy solar energy!

[weaver-z]

Dermatologists HATE her! Scientists FEAR her! Hardened soldiers TREMBLE under her gaze! God DID NOT CREATE HER and she WILL TEAR THROUGH REALITY’S FABRIC!

[heartfireburning]

What is the astral realm? Why would we go there?

Essentially, the astral realm is what we think of when we refer to the "dream world." When your spirit leaves your body, this is where it goes. Many cultures have different names for it, but essentially it is the "other" world which is ruled by mind and spirit rather than body and matter.

Existing in their incorporeal (non physical) state, many spirits and other life forms reside in the astral realm. This could be why you seek to astral travel. Many people have experiences with deities, guides, ancestors, etc in the astral realm. However, it is worth mentioning that just as in our physical realities, there are malicious beings alongside the benevolent ones. It is important to be protected. (I'll talk about that more in the "Tips and Tricks" part of this post.)

So... how do you astral travel?

It's a fairly easy concept if you're already familiar with being mindful of your energetic body. (Energetic body=spirit, soul, etc.) It is simply separating your energetic body from your physical body.

Start by focusing on your breath. Deep breaths in, gentle breaths out. It is important to stay relaxed- the less relaxed you are, the more difficult the entire process will be. You'll want to focus on your body for a moment- notice the way it feels, notice what sensations occur and where they occur, begin to become aware of your energetic body rising and falling with your breath. Focus your awareness to your energetic body. Notice sensations on the subtle energetic level, begin to feel the limits of your physical body. Move past them. Move past the barriers. I think of it as "stretching" my aura, almost. More commonly, this phenomena is described as "floating" or "lifting." This is the point many people may experience seeing themselves lying in their meditative state. Remember: at it's core, astral travel is just shifting your conscious awareness to sit in your energetic body rather than your physical body.

Tips and Helpful Tricks

Meditate regularly. Seriously. I know how boring this sounds. Your psychic senses are like a muscle that must be strengthened before you can comfortably do heavy lifting. Meditate every day if you can, for 10-15 minutes minimum. Just do it. Every day if you can. As much as you can. Commit to the routine. Mindfulness meditations specifically would help strengthen your astral travel tools. If you're unfamiliar with it, Google will do better at explaining it. YouTube also has lots of good guided meditations if you don't know where to start.

Play ambient music without words. Words will be a distraction, but music itself can help your focus. If binaural beats are your thing, use them. Any instrumental music would work, I like strings and piano personally. "Meditative Mind" on Spotify and YouTube has some really good ambient stuff.

Use crystals associated with psychic senses. For example, amethyst, labradorite, lapis lazuli, etc. Again, Google will be more help than me.

Visualize a golden thread going from the base of your energetic body's spine to the base of your physical body's spine. If you're prone to experiencing fear and anxiety in the astral, this is for you. One good tug on that thread and you're back in your physical body.

Cast a circle. This is more or less me reminding you to be a responsible witch. You don't know what energies could follow you back. You don't know what energies could mess with your physical body while you aren't in it. Truthfully, you probably wouldn't WANT to know. I am not trying to spread fear, I am just trying to be realistic and offer the most practice protection advice I can. Just cast your damn circle.

Don't be discouraged if you don't make it very far your first few attempts! Don't be discouraged if they aren't successful at all! This stuff takes time and practice, I believe in you :)

[the-entity-down-the-street]

Witch tip: cleansing can just be just cleaning your fucking apartment. For real. Dust. Vacuum. Disinfect. Wash your sheets for the first time in three months. Throw out old crap. Then take a shower, open a window to the full moon outside, and light some incense. Good shit. Feels good.

[warriorwitchnike]

[deactivated-blog]

I can appreciate both sides of this argument and really, I’m not sure where I stand regarding “witch types.”

[vintagegenderpunk]

Witchcraft types are incredibly useful when you’re on a social media platform like tumblr and you want to find other people who use candles in their witchcraft as a primary focus for spellwork etc. 

Witch types are incredibly detrimental when they’re popularized without this distinction and new practitioners (”baby witches”) see the lists of witch types and believe that they have to identify themselves as a type or they’ll be invalid in their practice somehow. 

Witch types are incredibly hilarious when y’all choose odd and creative labels. I can’t remember who does this but Postal Witch comes to mind. What does that mean? It’s so specific it belongs in a Terry Pratchett novel. 10 / 10

[beetnelson]

THIS ARTSY TAROT SET PREDICTS NOTHING BUT GOOD VIBES IN YOUR FUTURE