ELSIA

A wee little grimoire

[talesoftheimaginary]

LEMON VINEGAR ENERGY CLEARING WASH

Ingredients

Lemon peels (lemon oil, lemon juice)

Pinch of black salt (also called witch's salt)

Vinegar

Goal

This was will neutralize most negative energies from your space

Recommended Usage

Whenever you feel the energy in your home needs cleared or neutralized

Most effective after a full moon, up until the day of the new moon

Instructions

Combine the ingredients in a container and shake to blend. Use the wash on any surface you would normally clean (not recommended for carpet or other soft surfaces). Wash from the rear of your house toward the front, or from the back door toward the front door. Let dry.

Notes

If you use lemon peels, always keep the vinegar full enough that the peels are completely submerged so it does not mold. If any mold is visible, dispose of the contents.

If you're not a fan of the vinegar smell, you can use a regular cleaner over it after it dries - it will not negate the purpose of the wash

I use the terminology "cleared" and "neutralized" interchangeably. This wash will not banish malifica from your area.

[teastainedforestbreeze]

Power of spoons

☽ When a spoon falls to the ground it's a sign of visitors.

Small spoon then the visitor is either a child or naive.

Soup spoon then get ready for a hole family

Serving spoon the someone very important is coming

☽ The way that it falls is also important.

Facing up is a good omen

Facing down means that they bring disagreements

Sideways means they bring a surprise

[somnambulant-seraphim]

Here’s an updated version of my throwing divination set. I’ve added some new pieces to it and stitched some more symbols on the cloth mat for more specific readings <|:^)

↓↓↓ ⁂ Longer Process and Information Post Below! ⁂ ↓↓↓

If you don’t feel like reading, you can keep scrolling a bit :)

The stitching on the mat is definitely not the prettiest work I’ve done, the fabric is from an old shirt so it was kinda stretchy and annoying to work with. Also, I ended up having to usejust regular brown string, since I ran out of proper embroidery thread that matched the previous brown lines I stitched on a while ago, so that made things a bit rougher to sew with. I’m also not the best at freehand embroidery, but I’m still alright with the result  ʕ •ᴥ•ʔゝ♡

I’ll list the pieces and symbols and their meanings below, for my sake since I don’t have a final paper copy, as well as if anyone has suggestions on any more pieces for other meanings I should maybe add later ¯\_(●’◡’●)_/¯ 

·₊˚☆☽ ⚘ 𐐪𐑂 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐋𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐌𝐚𝐭 𐐪𐑂 ⚘ ☾☆˚₊·

***The mat has two circles, items landing within the inner circle are more directly involved, important or sooner in the reading. Items landing in the outer circle are less directly involved and items landing outside of both circles bear little to no involvment or relation.

It is also divided into the four seasons, which could literally realate to the season itself, or what the season represents: 

Snowflakes ❅ Winter- Solitude, potential negativity, death, standstill, rest, self reflection

Flowers ❀ Spring- Opportunities, potential, beginnings, life, renewal, hope, love, action, growth

Sun ☼ Summer- Positivity, joy, energy, power, productivity, full potenital, enjoyment, freedom, acceptance, love

Leaf ༄ Autumn- Abundance, work paying off, reaping benefits, wealth, change, maturity, gratitude

·₊˚☆☽ ⚘ 𐐪𐑂 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐏𝐢𝐞𝐜𝐞𝐬 𐐪𐑂 ⚘ ☾☆˚₊·

***Some pieces are coins or are two-sided items, which means they have different meanings depending on which side is facing up. Here’s the full list of pieces with meanings: 

Twine Person- The self, represents whoever the reading is for, set at the centre of the inner circle

Green Shell- Positive, affirmative, yes

Barnacle Shell- Negative, no

Acorn Caps- Wealth, materials, possessions

Black Crescent Moon- Emotions, feelings

Acorn Bottom- Growth, development, movement, process, work

Walnut- Wisdom, intelligence, matters of the mind, thinking, motivation, inspiration

Key- Truth, motives, true desires, true meanings, honesty

Penny (Tail Side)- Fate, unchangeable, established 

Penny (Head Side)- Your decision, changable

Shark Tooth- Old, ssociated with the past, known, returning

Brown Pattern, Black-Rimmed Shell- New, involved with the future, unknown

Orangey Brown Pattern Shell- Love, sexuality, romance

Green Rock- Health, safety

Brown Rock- Realstionships, family, friends

Small, Stick Figure- Others, people, humanity

Black, Speckled Shell- Masuline, “masuline” traits

Brown, Pointed Shell- Feminine, “feminine” traits

Twenty Cent Euro (Person Side)- Few, less, weaker, milder

Twenty Cent Euro (Twenty Side)- Many, more, intense, stronger

Ammonite (Spiral Side)- Far, distant, slow, more time, approaching slower

Ammonite (Blanker Side)- Near, fast, approaching quicker, close, less time

Screw- Action, decisions, work

☽O☾ Take Care, Stay Safe and Have a Good Day! ☽O☾ ｡⋆₊˚ଘ(୨୧ᵕᴗᵕ)˚₊⋆｡

[w-itchtips]

by ansleyalchemy

[orriculum]

Infused Water Magic

perhaps it’s a bit too warm for coffee potions, or hot chocolate magic, or even tea spells, but you still want to work a little magic into your day. infused waters! here’s just a couple of suggestions with fruit and even herbs, and their correspondences.

for all recipes, chop, cube, or slice all fresh ingredients. let them sit in a bottle of cool water for a few hours. the longer it waits, the more flavor infuses. afterwards, you can eat the fruit or infuse it again!

Honeydew Melon and Raspberry   🍈 🍇

for fertility, love, beauty, protection, abundance, and lunar magic

Strawberry, Lime, and Cucumber  🍓 🍊  🍠

for love, chastity, fertility, healing, fortune, peace and protection.

Raspberry, Rose Petal, and Vanilla  🍇  🌹  🍃

for love, protection, divination, healing, psychic abilities. happiness, and lust.

Citrus and Cucumber 🍊  🍠

for purification, protection, beauty, divination, purification, and wealth.

Rosemary and Grapefruit 🍃 🍈

for exorcism, healing, love, lust, protection, purification, spirituality and energy

Watermelon and Mint  🍉  🍃

for purification, new beginnings, exorcism, healing, protection, and wealth.

Strawberry, Lemon, and Basil  🍓 🍊  🍃

for courage, exorcism, protection, friendship, purification and love.

Orange and Blueberry  🍊  🍇

for protection, beauty, divination, fortune, love, purification, and wealth

[crazycatsiren]

Artworks of the other goddesses I worship created by my favorite artist Anette Illustrations that I'm considering adding to my room in the near future. ❤

[thats-howthelightgets-in]

Witch tips that are actually useful

Make up your own holidays. I'm serious. The wheel of the year is from multiple cultures and they don't have to have any bearing on your craft if you don't actually care about them. I have a holiday to celebrate planting potatoes (The first crop most people plant, because it can be safely planted much earlier than most others), I have a solemnity for rebuilding outdoor altars after the winter, I keep track of important astrological events so I can make things with their powers, and I celebrate the comings and goings of seasons relative to where I live, not the official dates for season changes. I might utilize the equinoxes and solstices, but I don't bother with their associated holidays because they don't mean anything to me.

Use the plants around you- I know this is a fairly common tip, but it's true. It doesn't even have to exclusively be native plants either- there's a magnolia tree in a nearby park, my neighbor grows lilac trees, the lady across the street doesn't mind if I take some of her ferns, and in early spring, grape hyacinth starts to pop up all over my yard. It doesn't all have to be pokeweed and dandelions (though you should definitely use the "weeds" too), it can be easily identified domestic plants from all around you.

Begin tending land. Not only is a garden a excellent way to grow ingredients conviently nearby, but the act of tending something living will inevitably make you closer to the land you're on.

Steward some land. This is similar to the last point, except the land you're tending is not, and never will be, yours. Get to know the genus locorum there, clean it up, practice respectful harvesting and grow closer to the land you're on. @lunefrog has an excellent post about this here:

not to be native on main but like, it’s everyone’s responsibility to steward the land they’re on. like you’re required. if you’re in america

Divine. Divine divine divine divine divine. I see a lot of asks floating around where new witches ask others about some aspect of their craft. You don't have to do that, and frankly, they won't usually be able to give you a great answer. Divine about it! Learn different kinds of divination so you can pick the best one for your problem! Research the intricacies of every answer so you can figure out your results better! Do multiple kinds of divination for one question! Tumblr user Witch-Wizard-Magickal-Man won't be able to tell you if the flower you found on your doorstep is an omen, but a good geomancy chart probably can!

Branching off of the last point: Improve your divination. Don't just sit down and start drawing cards, ask a god or spirit to guide your hand, draw sigils for better Sight on the paper you're writing your results on, pray for guidance, give offerings to an entity in return for accurate results, use blessed tools, make jewelry, tools, incense, or fixed candles that help you See- the possibilities are endless! Find an option that makes your divination better and then put it into action.

Make your tools your own! You have a knife you use for everything magical? Carve sigils into the handle. Buy a new wand? Annoint it with blessed or magical oils. Sew a new ritual garb? Embroider runes on the hem.

Make methods for things. What's a foolproof way to arrange a spell? What's the best way to write a prayer or petition? If I bless something, what do I say and do while I'm doing it? Think it through, write down the method, follow it, and tweak it when you find a better way.

Learn to bless and consecrate things. Obviously if you don't follow any gods, skip this step, and if you're a part of an organized religion there's probably methods already available. Regardless, learn or make up prayers that you might use to consecrate an oil, ritual bath, holy space, tool or text to your god. If an existing ritual or prayer doesn't suit your purposes, write a new one or tweak the old one.

And finally, always divine after you do something! You just wrote a prayer and you want to know if its been answered? Divine about it. You performed a spell of your own creation? Divine to see what it did, if anything. You want to know if the consecration you tweaked will still give you results? Divine. About. It.

[lunefrog]

not to be native on main but like, it’s everyone’s responsibility to steward the land they’re on. like you’re required. if you’re in america the people who own the land aren’t around to steward it so pick up the slack. learn how people cultivated and cared for the land you’re on. if you’re an animist there’s really no excuse. man, i get disabilities and stuff (i’m disabled myself) but you gotta do something. get some native grasses and toss em into your yard. mow your grass a little higher. leave a little strip that’s completely untouched so native wildlife can take residence there. cultivate a relationship with the land you’re on, not only for magical reasons (and you WILL get magical benefits) but also because the earth is deserving of love and respect in itself. 

[thats-howthelightgets-in]

@everyone in the comments like “I can’t wait till I have a house to steward the land on!” You know no one says it has to be your land, right? I steward a local creek- I keep it clean, I feed the spirits, I pick up glass and destroy invasive species as best I can, I do my duty to the genus locorum that tend the land spiritually.

So, because I like learning opportunities, here’s how to steward land.

Pick a spot. An abandoned lot, a road ditch, a cemetery, a creek, a path though the woods, a piece of timber bordering a park, whatever.

If it isn’t your land and you really don’t like doing illegal shit (smh), get permission to tend it.

If you’re magically inclined, get to know the spirits there, set up altar space with items that won’t be litter if they get loose, or that won’t make animals sick if they get into them. Only do this if appropriate. I have an altar beside the creek on a few big, flat stones, but this might be less appropriate in an often visited cemetery.

Start with what’s there. If it’s all grass, mow it higher. Pick up the trash. Prune the trees and large plants, learn to identify the plants that are there and if they’re native or not.

Next step up, destroy invasive species (if you’re certain they’re invasive.) Emerald ash borers are easy to identify. Kudzu is a little less so. Water what needs watering, weed what needs weeding.

Start planting, if you can. Learn from the native people on your land if you have access to them- otherwise, check an extension office or university. Plant native species in varieties that will coexist. Start removing grass, if appropriate. Probably shouldn’t remove grass in a cemetery, but if the ditch you’re tending is just regular bluegrass, smother that shit out and start planting better things.

Make certain the area is habitable for native species of animals and insects. I cannot STRESS ENOUGH how important it is to make sure your area is accessible and habitable for native species, especially native pollinators. I live in the prairie area, and if I see one more “native species haven” with no flowers or only red ones, I’m going to flip my shit.

Finally, LISTEN TO NATIVES. If it’s your land, consider participating in a land-back program. If you ask for advice, listen to it. Check the websites that most tribes have for this purpose. And BE RESPECTFUL.

This is all I have for yall, go fuckin wild.

[anonymous-alchemist-deactivated]

Safety and protection with fae

I personally love the fae, but I know many people would rather stay far away (and of course it’s very important to know safety guidelines whether you do or not!) so here’s some information I’ve collected.

From many different sources:

Never use your real name when interacting with fae, or they can take control over you

Always be polite and respectful and do your best not to offend. Remember, better safe than sorry

As a general rule, don’t eat food when visiting the fae realm. This will make you a captive, unable to leave, and often the food isn’t as wonderful as it may seem, and only glamoured rocks, mud and sticks. (It’s said faeries will take offense if you don’t accept food they offer to you in our own world though)

Do not think yourself more clever than them or try to swindle them; you will end up in very hot water

You may not want to accept faerie money.. as again, it is often glamoured and will turn back into leaves and acorns soon after

Do not blindly intrude were you are not wanted (fairy rings, sacred faerie places, etc) Always ask first and respect their answer!

Should you find you’ve wandered into a place where you feel strong malevolent energy or evil presence and experience “faerie terror”, back away slowly, don’t run or you might get lost. Send out your good will, and if you can, throw up a bubble/egg ward to protect yourself

Do not to take the fae lightly or seek them half-heartedly. Take care not to act as if they were weak, harmless or lenient. It is very foolish to underestimate them. Faeries are not strictly good or evil (neither are humans), and respect and caution are always best

Salt and iron (tools made from iron, a nail in your pocket) are traditional faerie deterrents

Three leaf clovers can be carried as a protective charm, and four leaf ones can break through faerie magic or allow you to see hidden fae (note some traditions say you should have multiple clovers as each will only work once)

Wearing St. John’s Wort will give you strong protection from faerie magic

As will wearing a daisy

Carrying a rowan twig, or hanging one over your door, that was collected on Betaine may bring protection

Flipping your clothes inside out can prevent faerie mischief by its unexpectedness 

Visualisation wards can be effective

Scatter primrose petals outside your door to keep faeries at bay by creating a barrier

If you hear bluebells chime it is a warning that danger or faerie enchantments are near

Putting a daisy chain on a child is said to protect them from being taken as a changeling

Forget me nots can be used for faerie protection

If you’re friendly with any other faeries, you may ask them for protection against ill-willed fae

Faeries will avoid gardens with tomato plants

Make a bundle of twigs from the trees of the faerie triad, oak ash and thorn, and carry it for protection (it will only work if they’re bound together, if separate, they are an invitation to the fae)

One traditional faerie protection is placing mirrors throughout your home

 Cats may chase away faeries

The sound of heavy iron bells and chimes may drive them away

Leaving out gifts of honey and milk can appease the fae if you wish them to leave you alone

Also: 40 ideas for connecting with faeries

[warcrimesimulator]

I think about my ancestors all the time. They were people, people who fell in love, people who had pets, people who had a favorite book, people who were passionate about a specific topic, people who went through their own tragedy and suffering. Every single one of them was a person with their own unique life experiences.

And sometimes I think of the really old ones- the ones who spoke languages that are no longer spoken, who lived alongside wildlife that no longer exist, who belonged to cultures that are only known through remnants of pottery. I think of the people who saw the world when it was wilder and more beautiful.

[arcusxx]

photography by Thinloth

[doomwhathouwilt]

[mothdad]

a godless heathen potato

[elsiathewitch]

it me.

[themirroredmoon]

Methods of Spell Work

To Banish: • Burning to ashes and sweeping away the ashes • Cast out a window, down a cliffside, etc • Bury it and spit on the spot

To Bind: • Wrap in black thread • Cover in wax or other material • Seal in jar and hide in dark spot

To Hide: • Wrap in ribbon • Place in a (painted) black jar or other container • Cover in cloth or other material and bury

To Encourage: • Plant or bury near the front door/steps • Plant or bury near a window • Place near a window

To Communicate*: • Anoint a candle • Leave out an offering • Meditate • Open the front door and/or windows

To Glamour: • Leave under the full moon • Work with its reflection

To Cleanse: • Bury in salt • Burn herbs and pass through the smoke • Let it bathe in the moonlight

To Protect: • Leave sigils/wards on doors and windows • Carry sigils/wards on every day items (keys, phone case, etc) • Enchant jewelry with protection spells

*: Communication with deities, spirit guides, etc

[powerfulwizard]

Idk which Wiccan needs to hear this but you’re not a marginalized person

[powerfulwizard]

Witches aren’t a persecuted people and the people in the past who were persecuted as witches were in fact, not actually witches.

[sexhaver]

[thyrell]

funniest possible response to wiccans calling themselves oppressed

[exit152]

if ur feeling desperately sad this summer, wait until it gets dark and half quiet and then open a window. cool air and passing cars are gonna heal ur heart. i promise

[stonercatbug]

I was doin some cleaning today, and I remembered something my mom told me when I was young: "make sure to put a little bit of change, even if its just a penny, in a pocket of EACH and ALL of your bags and purses to attract money." She said her mom taught it to her :)

[fernthewhimsical]

Write your Witchcraft

The thing is, we change. We are not the same person we were five years ago. Hel, a lot of us are not even the same people we were last week. We change, and our beliefs, favourites, thoughts and the way we see ourselves changes with it. 

The same is true for our witchraft, religion and spiritual beliefs. This is why I have a list of question that I like to answer for myself every couple of years. I first started this when I came across a list of questions by Juniper from Walking the Hedge (site no longer in use) in 2008, yes, over ten years ago. Every few years I filled in the questions and looked back at the answers I gave before. Some never changed, some changed quite a lot. 

When our coven started a new lesson plan, I gave out the list of questions as well. We sealed our answers in envelopes and plan to fill them in again, once we finish our lessons. Then open the envelopes and look at the answers side by side. To see how we have changed. 

I looked at the list last week and found it actually lacking a bit. The questions were very deity- and spiritual based, so I was missing some more questions about my personality and witchcraft. So I decided to make my own list of questions! 

Since I wanted to make this more a weekly journaling/grimoire prompt for myself I put together 52 questions. These can be answered weekly (maybe every year) or you can work through the list in one go and repeat that every few years or so. 

Some notes on the wording: I consider myself both a witch and a pagan, but to keep it easier to read I only used wording like “witch” and “witchcraft”, they can however be substituted for “pagan”, “paganism” or even “my path”, should that fit you better. When I talk about “sacred space” this can both mean a ritual space like a temple or casting of a circle, but also just your home or outdoors witchy environment.

I’d love it if you would tag anything you feel comfortable with posting online with the tag #writeyourwitchcraft!

What draws me to witchcraft?

How do I see the divine?

What in witchcraft makes me happy?

Do I want to follow a path that has to do with a little nature, or a lot of nature?

What areas of witchcraft would I like to learn more about?

Where do my witchy talents lie?

What kind of deities, if any, do I want to honor?

How do I believe magic works?

Simple or elaborate spells/rituals? Why?

What are my views on cursing/hexing?

Do I want to practice something similar to my ancestors?

What are the basic morals and ethics I feel I should live by?

What in nature am I drawn to; the ocean, animals, the trees, etc?

Which (witchy) holidays, if any, would I like to celebrate and how?

How do I believe divination works?

Would I like to work with a group some of the time, all of the time or not at all?

Which aspects of witchcraft appeal to me most, which the least?

What do I believe happens to us when we die?

How do I see mythological creatures?

When do I feel most magical?

How much is witchcraft woven into my daily life; is this too much, too little or just enough?

What kind of witch do I feel I am?

Which texts/quotes best describe my current path?

Do I like research and gathering info, or do I like things handed to me?

Which things about witchcraft worry or scare me?

What is my favourite element?

How do I see gender (roles) in witchcraft?

Am I interested more in magic, or spirituality?

Do I like to be told how to do things, or would I rather figure it out on my own?

What rules, if any, do I live by when it comes to witchcraft and magic?

What do I gain from witchcraft and magic?

Formal or informal rituals/spells? Why?

What subject do I love to study?

What is my favourite type of magic; candle, sympathetic, sigils, etc?

What would my perfect witchy day be like?

Would I want to be dedicated/initiated?

Who do I honor (ex: deities, ancestors, myself, etc), and how do I, or would I like to, honor them?

How do I create a sacred/witchy space?

What do I believe is needed for a succesful spell/ritual?

Which cultures do I draw from in my witchcraft?

What is my learning style; books, websites, videos, more hands-on?

What, if anything, in my mundane life influences my witchcraft?

What are my hobbys, how do I (or can I) incorporate them in my witchcraft?

Where do my non-witchy talents lie, how do I (or can I) incorporate them in my witchcraft?

What would my dream witchy life look like? What steps can I take to work towards it?

What would my dream sacred space/witchy home look like? What steps can I take to work towards it?

What symbols correspond with me; runes, animals, flowers, gemstones, etc?

Am I an open and proud witch, or do I (need to) hide my craft?

What are my favourite witchy items/tools; divination tool, ritual tool, décor, clothing, etc?

What is holding me back in my craft?

What is my pre-spell/ritual routine?

What are my ultimate witchy goals and how can I work towards them?