An Empath In Training

This is one of my sideblogs dedicated to aesthetic and my ever growing passion and practice of magic. I am an empath and am trying to learn everything I can and hone my abilities.

[psikonauti]

Phoebe Wahl

[noweyesee]

For witchcraft practitioners who work with plants, be it in spells, charms, being tactile in nature or gardening, this list contains some of the plants that can bring harm if used incorrectly or have a high level of toxicity.

Always be cautious and so research on any plant or herb you’re planning to utilize or grow.

Rosary Pea (Abrus precatorius) • Ingesting a single seed can kill an adult human. Symptoms of poisoning include nausea, vomiting, convulsions, liver failure, and death, usually after several days.

Wolfsbane (Aconitum spp) • All parts are poisonous, if ingested, it usually causes burning, tingling, and numbness in the mouth, followed by vomiting and nervous excitement. Even casual skin contact should be avoided. Symptoms include numbness, tingling, and cardiac irregularity.

White Baneberry (Actaea pachypoda) • All parts are poisonous, especially the berries, the consumption of which has a sedative effect on cardiac muscle tissue and can cause cardiac arrest.

Arnica • Poisonous in great quantities. Symptoms of poisoning include gastroenteritis, fever, nausea, dizziness, abnormal cardiac frequency, diarrhea, skin reaction and internal hemorrhage in the digestive system.

Azalea (Rhododendron simsii) • If ingested it is poisonous. Continued contact should be avoided. Symptoms of poisoning are nausea, depression, respiratory difficulties, coma. It is rarely lethal.

Anthurium (Anthurium spp) • Prevent getting in contact with the sap. Symptoms are skin irritation and eye irritation.

Cedronella canariensis • Can cause skin irritation, indigestions. Should not be used or touch by pregnant people or lactating people.

Belladonna (Atropa belladonna) • Extremely poisonous, it is lethal and it can be absorbed through skin. Symptoms of poisoning are fogged vision, staggering, loss of balance, dry mouth and throat, headache, skin eruptions, constipation, confusion, hallucination and convulsion.

Lamprocapnos spectabilis • Can be poisonous in big quantities, which causes convulsions and other symptoms in the nervous system.

Iris versicolor • Symptoms pf poisoning include nausea, vomit, mouth and throat irritation, irritation on the digestive system, skin irritation, headache and epiphora.

Bryony • All parts are poisonous and any type of contact causes death.

Ranunculus • If ingested, the juice can cause serious damage to the digestive system.

Acorus calamus • Toxic in big quantities, can cause hallucination, nausea and vomit.

Physostigma venenosum • Extremely toxic, can cause intense sweating, extreme salivation, nausea, vomit, diarrhea, irregular cardiac rhythm, change in blood pressure, confusion, convulsion, coma, muscular weakness, paralysis, respiratory difficulties and death.

Cinnamomum camphora • Skin rash, itchiness, respiratory difficulties, mouth, eyes, face or lips swelling.

Ricinus communis • Poisonous. Can cause burning in the mouth and throat, abdominal pain, bloody diarrhea. At a long period of intoxication, can cause dehydration, low blood pressure. If not treated, death will occur in 3 to 5 days

Daphne • Poisonous. Causes burns in the mouth and digestive tract, followed by coma. Can cause death.

Vinca • Must not be ingested, causes nausea, vomit, loss of hair, loss of hearing, dizziness, bleeding, nervous difficulties, convulsions, liver damage and death.

Asclepias tuberosa • Cardiac difficulties, nausea, vomit and skin rash.

Agave spp • The juice of a number of species causes acute contact dermatitis, with blistering lasting several weeks and recurring itching for several years thereafter.

Columbine (Aquilegia spp) • Seeds and roots contain cardiogenic toxins which cause both severe gastroenteritis and heart palpitations if consumed, columbine poisonings are easily fatal.

Mercurialis perennis • Symptons happen after some hours, they include vomit, pain, gastritis, renal inflammation and sleepiness.

Colocasia • All parts are poisonous and cause mouth and tongue irritation. Can be fatal.

Gelsemium • Extremely poisonous, even in low quantities. Causes headache, problems with vision, difficulty swallowing, dizziness, muscular complications, convulsions, respiratory complications and low blood pressure.

Laburnum • Causes excitation, loss of balance, convulsions and coma. Can be lethal.

Helleborus • Dangerous if ingested or applied on the skin. Cause irritation in the mouth and throat and low blood pressure. Big quantities can cause vomit, diarrhea, difficulties swallowing, nervous system complications, blindness, convulsion, paralysis, respiratory complications and death.

Ilex aquifolium • The fruits can be lethal and the leaves cause diarrhea, nausea, vomit, stomach and intestine complications.

Hedera helix • Causes stomach pain, respiratory complications and possible coma.

Impatiens capensis • Dangerous when ingested in big quantities.

Datura stramonium • Don’t inhale or ingest. Causes dry mouth, extreme thirst, vision complications, nausea, vomit, constipation, tachycardia, hallucinations, fever, convulsion, loss of conscience, respiratory complications and death.

Convallaria majalis • Causes irregular blood pressure and cardiac rhythm, indigestion and confusion.

Mandragora officinarum • Fogged vision, dry mouth, difficulties to urinate, headache, tachycardia, vomit and hallucinations.

Viscum album • Gastrointestinal discomfort, diarrhea, low blood pressure, convulsion. It is rarely lethal for humans.

Morning glory (Ipomoea tricolor) • Diarrhea, indigestion, disorientation, loss of apetite, ataxy and hallucinations.

Artemisia vulgaris • Prolonged contact may be fatal, so it’s best to use in a open and ventilated place.

Oak (Quercus): In big quantities is poisonous and affects the renal kidneys.

Nerium oleander • Causes cardiac complications, indigestion and can cause death.

Taxus baccata • Fatal. No symptoms come as a warning.

Hypericum perforatum • Causes fatigue, dizziness, confusion, dry mouth and can affect medicaments.

Angel’s Trumpet (Brugmansia spp) • All parts of this plant contain toxins and are often fatal. Effects of ingestion may include losing connection with reality and hallucinations.

Foxglove (Digitalis purpurea) • The leaves, seeds, and flowers are poisonous. These cause irregular heartbeat, general digestive upset, and confusion; can be fatal.

Hyacinth (Hyacinthus orientalis) • The bulbs are poisonous, causing nausea, vomiting, gasping, convulsions, and possibly death. Even handling the bulbs can cause skin irritation.

Hydrangea (Hydrangea spp) • Hydrangeas are moderately toxic if eaten.

Frangipani (Plumeria spp) • Contact with the milky latex may irritate eyes and skin.

[somewheninwibblyspace]

From ‘An Instant Guide to Medicinal Plants (of North America)’ by Pamela Forey and Ruth Lindsay, Gramercy Books, New York, 1999

Ones listed as toxic, but little other information given: American Angelica, Black Cohosh, Celandine, Common Milkweed, Dogbane, Foxglove, Goldenseal, Hemp Dogbane, Henbane, Pokeweed, Sassafras, Senega Snakeroot, Virginia Snakeroot

European Holly - the berries are poisonous and induce violent vomiting

Wintergreen - is poisonous except in very small amounts, even though used to flavour toothpaste and gum (it is not a mint!)

Black Mustard - unlike its cousin white mustard, it is medicinal and should be used in small quantities and short periods if at all

Flowering Dogwood - the dried bark is medicinal, the fresh bark is a stomach and bowel irritant

Horse Chestnut - only the bark is used, stripped and dried, as the leaves, fruits, and seeds are poisonous

May Apple - the pulp of the berry is edible, the dried tuber medicinal if very careful, everything else including the seeds is poisonous

‘Indian Tobacco’ (yeah, no other name provided, I apologise on their behalf)- overdose can lead to paralysis and death

I do wish they’d given the scientific names, but what can ya do.

One I know because my mother had to call poison control when my sister ate a berry:

Lily of the Valley - all parts of this plant are poisonous

[noweyesee]

I love additions!

Taking the liberty to add some infos:

American Angelica • Angelica atropurpurea - If the fresh root is ingested, it can increase blood sugar levels. Large doses can affect blood pressure, respiration and stimulate the nervous system.

Black Cohosh • Cimicífuga Racemosa - It can cause stomachache, cramping, headache, rash, genital bleeding and may be associated with liver damage/failure.

Celandine • Chelidonium - Avoid internal use, contains a corrosive caustic juice and is rich in toxic alkaloids.

Common Milkweed • Asclepias syriaca - Poisonous parts are milky sap from leaves and stems. Toxic in large quantities, causes vomiting, stupor, weakness.

Dogbane/Hemp Dogbane • Apocynum cannabium - All the parts of the plant are poisonous and if ingested can cause heart attack.

Goldenseal • Hydrastis canadensis - Extremely unsafe for unborn babies, if ingested during pregnancy or breast feeding it can cause brain damage in babies.

Henbane • Hyoscyamus niger - All parts of the plant contains alkaloids, can be poisonous. It can cause mydriasis, tachycardia, arrhythmia, agitation, convulsion, coma, dry mouth, thirst, slurred speech, nausea and more.

Pokeweed • Phytolacca - All part of the plant are toxic.

Sassafras • Sassafras albidum - In big quantities it is poisonous, causes hallucinations, heart palpitations and kidney damage.

Senega Snakeroot • Polygala senega - Toxic in large amounts, causes diarrhea and violent vomiting.

Virginia Snakeroot • Aristolochia serpentaria - Is considered a potent carcinogen and kidney toxin.

And on to scientific names!

* European Holly - Ilex aquifolium

* Wintergreen - Gaultheria procumbens

* Black Mustard - Brassica nigra

* Flowering Dogwood - Cornus florida

* Horse Chestnut - Aesculus hippocastanum

* May Apple - Podophyllum

* ‘Indian Tobacco’ - Lobelia inflata

References:

sagewomanherbs.com

botanical-online.com

wildflower.org

[linesdamnlines]

Recycling some stuff that got cut from another project

[justsomewiccanstuff]

A Witch’s Guide to Cinnamon

Cinnamon is a very delicious spice. It’s in my favorite treats like cinnamon rolls and Cinnamon Toast Crunch. Although I love it’s flavor I didn’t know much about it so here’s what I’ve learned in my research on it.

Cinnamon is associated with the element fire and the sun. Gods that are also associated with cinnamon are Athena, Oya, Ra and Apollo Planets associated with cinnamon are mercury, the sun, mars and Uranus

Magical properties include:

healing

Drawing money

Happiness

Love

Luck

Protection

When used as an oil you can anoint objects for healing and blessing rituals ( make sure to dilute it with a carrier oil)

Cinnamon can help creat the holiness and specialness of your alter room and raise spiritual vibrations.

Mixing lemon, honey and cinnamon sicks in warm water helps greatly with sore throats. It also helps with upset stomachs. People who are pregnant or have stomach ulcers should not take large doses of cinnamon.

[sosuperawesome]

Mohtz on Society6

[themanicnami]

Nightmare Warding Stuffed Animal Spell

A spell to enchant one of your furry stuffed friends to protect you through the night from nightmares and unpleasant dreams.

You will Need:

A stuffed animal

Scissors

Needle and thread

Small piece of Amethyst (prevents and protects from nightmares)

Small piece of Rose Quartz (brings happy dreams)

Paper and Pen

A sigil that prevents nightmares

Steps:

Using your pen, on the small piece of paper draw your sigil. Place it to the side with your crystals. Make sure your crystals are very small so that they don’t make holding your stuffed animal uncomfortable.

Kiss your stuffed animal to let it know that you wish not to harm it and if needed speak to it a bit.

On a seam that could easily be repaired using your scissors gently snip some of the thread so there is a small opening.

“With these crystals and sigil, I ask you to protect me in the night from the dreams that cause me unrest.” place in crystals and sigil

Sew up the hole as neatly and tightly as you can, you wish it not to rip open again.

Kiss where you have sealed the seam. “I thank you deeply for you help.”

Place on your bed. When sleeping make sure stuffed animal is on the bed with you or in your arms.

To cleanse after a few nights place in the window in the sunlight or moonlight for 2-3 hours.

[making-a-ru]

Empath Info

Here’s the 7 different types that are.

Receptive To Physical Pain.

These types of epmaths respond to the physical pain of others. They absorb the physical suffering of those around them. Because of this, they make excellent healers.

Instinctive.

All empaths have a “gut instinct,” but certain types of empaths have a stronger sense than others. They are the ones who can tell if someone is lying, or going to lie, before they even speak. These types of empaths tend to say they “just know,” or “have a feeling” a lot of the time.

Animal Communicator.

There are special types of empaths who can easily communicate with animals. They feel the joy, fear, and pain of every living creature, and animals are drawn to them.

Geo-evolutionary. 

If you feel like you have a strong connection to plants, trees, and the earth, you are most likely a geo-evolutionary empath.

Energy Clearer.

Certain types of empaths can pick up on energies of inanimate onjects, and feel the emotions tied to them, like a photograph or book. They can do this with people as well. Combined with an empaths natural healing abilities, an energy clearer can be quite helpful with removing unwanted energies.

Telepathic. 

This type of empath can tell what someone is thinking without the other person needing to say a word. They can read people like a book.

Visionary.

The visionary empath receives and interprets messages through dreams or animal guides. This usually manifests as a precognative experience; you can predict events before they occur.

Alternative explanations.

1. Emotional Empathy is the most common – you will feel and process the emotions of those around you either knowingly or unknowingly, if you feel drained in the presence of those that are struggling or feeling hindered it is a sign their emotions have leaked into your aura and cleansing is recommended.

2. Medical Empathy is a lesser known gift, most commonly it is not used by practitioners in a conscious way they may just ‘feel’ an awareness on or in their physical body when reading for or treating someone or bringing through a loved one who passed from a condition, they can also ‘see’ blockages in a person’s energy field that may need treating. Medical empaths are more common than you would know, and if you have this gift you may find yourself replicating the symptoms of your friends, partner or clients even if you are not physically in the same country as them and you may not even be aware of their health issues. If medical empathy is something you possess, learning to strengthen your own energy field will help this gift get stronger whilst being able to be ‘turned off’ when you are not with clients it also means that you will not be affected by another’s health issues all be it by default.

3. Place empathy is another gift which goes largely unmentioned. If you have the awareness that you are uncomfortable or alternatively really happy in a certain location then this is your particular brand. Place empathy can occur remotely by tuning into a photograph or area remotely, you can also use this gift when moving on lost souls, or loved ones to heaven. People with this gift will often exhibit ‘chills’ or ‘wanting to leave’ if the location they are in houses old energy or emotions.

4. Intellectual empathy is a gift that is a real benefit depending on the company you keep. If you possess this gift then you will tap into the thoughts and perspectives of those around you. This is wonderful if you keep high vibrational company even remotely. It allows you to ‘duplicate the consciousness’ of individuals that you admire and would like to be just a little bit alike. the great thing is this doesn’t take from them as consciousness is always available on a mass scale as well as personally.

However, if you have people or clients that are worried or upset or operating from a ‘lack’ point of view, then protecting your energy and your mental body is a must. Signs that you have this gift are changing your language over a short period of time, experiencing views that are out of character to you, and suddenly developing an urge to seek out information of a new kind in a way that hadn’t presented itself before.

5. Environmental empathy is one of the least known gifts, and the souls that possess this are called Earth Primordials. They will often feel great sadness when the Earth is going through trauma and transition, and will also pick up on the sadness or fear in certain geographical areas.

You will also find if you possess this gift you are drawn to animals and nature, and will feel a kinship to woods, trees and landscape and want to keep them as natural as possible. Environmental empathy can be exhibited by those that use their healing powers to send love to Gaia and also those who take on the causes of the Earth to make it a better place for all to live.

[moony-venus]

Planets and their symbols 

[love]

[dumbbbunnnyy-deactivated2021021]

modern witches:

we somehow found our love for the occult and decided we wanted to dive in head first, and then didn’t realize where to start

“is this a good one?” we say as we skim through the tiny metaphysical section at our local bookstore, and walk out with a mishmash of titles from various authors, all with conflicting opinions 

we jot down notes in old school notebooks because that leather grimoire we found online was too expensive

we ditched the books we read over and over again and turned to the internet, hungry for hidden knowledge

we all stumbled upon spellsofmagic.com and tried to do the unthinkable before realizing that it wasn’t working and got discouraged

we realized that *gasp* you can write your own spells, but how? 

we spent hours compiling correspondences for every herb and spice in our kitchen pantry, and dug through boxes to find our old crystal or seashell collection from when we were kids thinking “i could probably use these for… something”

we spent too much money on candles and incense before realizing we could get them cheaper online

we practiced drawing sigils and symbols to make them perfect before crumpling up the paper and starting all over

we learned to go outside and look at the moon to see what phase it was in and how we could possibly use that to our advantage 

“what cardinal direction was for fire again? south?” we went back to the drawing board, digging through our notes to find the section in which we wrote down the information before giving up and doing a quick google search instead

we set up wiccan altars because we didn’t know that there was anything else out there at first

we learned about intent, and made sure that we were careful to stir our tea or coffee in one direction or the other to set the mood for the day

we would squint at bottles of body wash in the shower to find the ingredients and quickly figure out how to use them for magick: “jasmine and lavender? i think that’s good for peace or something”

we say little incantations when we cook dinner, or pour food for our pets - “bunny, you are happy and healthy. enjoy!”

every witch has gone through their own version of uncertainty and unknowing when they first started practicing. everyone’s path is different, and the situations leading up to our current state, made us the witches we are today. your path is yours, and yours alone. don’t let anyone take that from you.

[elijah-beth]

Attention any witches/pagans/Wiccans/etc who are abuse victims

⚡️If you want to spell your abuser, fucking do it.

⚡️If you want to pray to a god/goddess that your abuser will get what they deserve, fucking do it.

⚡️If you are worried about the Wiccan Rede and the threefold rule, don’t be. There isn’t anything wrong with wanting an evildoer to meet justice.

⚡️This isn’t black magic, this isn’t a hex or a curse.

⚡️Light a candle and scream to the universe, or Nemesis, or the Triple Goddess or whomever/whatever that your abuser is a piece of shit, and something needs to be done about it.

⚡️You have power, and wisdom, and strength.

⚡️Don’t think that you need to resort to black magic or malevolent entities to get what you want done.

⚡️Many kind spirits and deities will be able to help you.

⚡️Keep your chin up, and get out those wands, bitchez 🌛🌝🌜

[willowofthehearth]

If you want to hex or curse your abuser… that’s totes okay toooooo

[orriculum]

Found a bunch of lavender by the creek, made bundles to dry and a little wreath/crown 🌿

[dolcevitae]

aesthetic: artemis, goddess of the hunt

[adapembroke]

How to Incorporate the Astrological Planets into Your Sigils

Recently, I’ve been seeing a lot of people on tumblr incorporating astrological symbols (particularly the planets) into their sigils. In magic, the more meaning you can stuff into your spells the better. Astrological symbols are full of meaning, which means they’re a great addition to your sigils, right? 

Yes… As long as the symbol goes along with what you’re trying to achieve. The planets have correspondences, but they also have energetic personalities. If you’re out of Red Bull and need energy, Mercury is your friend. Saturn is not. 

When making a sigil, it’s important to be aware of the planetary correspondences and the planet’s energetic personality.

Planetary Correspondences and Energetic Personalities

☉ Sun - Ego, that around which your life revolves. Energy: Like the sun coming out on a cloudy day. 

☽ Moon - Intuition, emotions, self-care. Energy: Peaceful, nurturing.

☿ Mercury - Communication, the mind, perception. Energy: Fast, erratic, jittery, mental focus and discipline (when combined with Saturn).   

♀︎ Venus - Relationships, aesthetics, art, money, comfort, the ability to calm down. Energy: Soothing, sensual, calming, empathic. 

♂︎ Mars - Aggression, motivation, drive, animal attraction, courage. Energy: Fierce. 

♃ Jupiter - Expansion, luck, faith in life. Energy: Joyful, big personality, takes up space.

♄ Saturn - Limits, boundaries, discipline, maturity, blocks. Energy: Depressed, slow, severe. 

♅ Uranus - Revolution, individuation, sudden change. Energy: Explosive.

♆ Neptune - Dreams, transcendence, spirituality, fantasy, illusion, creativity. Energy: Dreamy, vague, spacey. 

♇ Pluto - Transformation, psychological wounding and healing, personal/occult power. Energy: Nothing that stands between Pluto and its goal is safe.

[medievalthymes]

Egyptian Mythology

Popular Gods

[pixelartinc]

[mybookofbitchcraft]

college witch tips!

being a witch and living in a tiny dorm or apartment is a hassle… but here’s some (cheap and easy) tips to make your life a lot easier coming from a college witch!

quick note: if you are a student, you can get six months free of amazon prime with a student email account, and from then on out prime is only $50 instead of $100! amazon is a great place for tons of cheaper witchy resources (and really worth it for textbooks).

💎 crystals! whether you’re sharing a room with someone or in a room by yourself, plenty of people collect and use crystals. check for local flea markets or see if there is an occult shop in your area, there’s bound to be some there. great starter crystals are clear quartz (an essential crystal), amethyst, and rose quartz!

📚 the library! your school library will have some sort of resources. also don’t worry about people thinking you’re strange for checking out books on magick… i promise they don’t care!

🕯 candles and incense! when i lived in a dorm, i hated not being able to light candles and burn incense. invest in some battery powered candles! you can get packs at local dollar stores or walmarts. as for aroma related magick, purchase some oils and mix them with some salt water and spray them around your room! oil warmers or wax warmers are also wonderful alternatives. 

📖 a grimoire/book of shadows! i highly suggest keeping a personal book. no, you don’t have to get some elaborate leather bound book that came straight out of hocus pocus for it to be legit. you could find a sketchbook somewhere, use a three ring binder, or buy a hardback book at a thrift store and paint over the pages! your book is what you make of it. it is your own novel of personal magical experiences and knowledge, so make it your own!

🌵 plants! invest in cacti and succulents especially if you are a beginner or live in a tight space, they’re easy to manage throughout the rough mishaps and late nights of school work. cacti are great for protection and banishing negativity, where succulents bring love and healing. both plants can represent the ability to survive through conditions others cannot. if you have a balcony, take advantage!

⚗️ jars! now is a great time to collect containers from thrift stores, gather old pickle jars, and look for sales and coupons craft stores may have since most of them will have all sorts of neat jars.

🔮 an altar! if you don’t have a roommate to worry about, great! do your thing. if you do (and the don’t exactly seem cool with the whole witch thing), you can make a subtle altar of candles, crystals, and some plants or flowers. they don’t have to be elaborate. you could keep a small altar in a shoe box or draw one in your bos/grimoire! get creative!

✍️ sigils! use sigils. abuse sigils. put them everywhere. write them in binders or on your skin, write them on sticky notes or ripped paper and put them places you’ll see them or bury them outside. sleep with a protective one under your pillow. there’s so many things to do and its so easy to use them!

🎨 get creative! you can make crystals out of salt (another thing you should invest in), learn how to read playing cards if you can’t afford a tarot deck, and never forget you can find the coolest things at thrift stores. paint can be your best friend!

☕️ tea and coffee! a keurig is a wonderful investment. whether you like coffee or tea, it gives you boiling water fast without leaving a dorm. enchant your keurig and remind yourself of the properties in your drink to help you learn.

✨ decorating! take advantage of things like twinkle lights and washi tape! if you don’t know about washi tape, its a decorating tape that does not damage walls. create constellations or sigils with washi tape on your walls! amazon also sells many cheap tapestries. give yourself a comfortable and pleasant space to live and work!

⏳ plan! enchant your planners to help you remember due dates, and while you’re at it, keep track of moon phases and other events! many calendars will tell you when full moons are.

⚖️ meditate! this is something i find very important to stay sane during hard semesters. if you have a roommate, maybe meditate in the morning or late at night laying in bed. you could also meditate when they have classes. its okay if you cant every day, but its important to remember to save time for you.

🏃‍♀️ walks! if you live in a dorm there’s a big chance you’ll be walking to class. enjoy these walks with nature, read outside every now and again, but make sure that you are always safe.

⏱ take your time! you do not have to collect all of these things in a week, month, or even year. witchcraft is all about intent and energy. you hold the power, the items are only there to help. manifest your own power, collect at your own pace.

🔎research! always research properties of things. buy cheap dried herbs from grocery stores and work with them, figure out what to put in your coffee to help you with your day, and learn how to enchant crystals to help you feel a little more confident about your studies. most importantly, learn to balance your studies and your witchy research, and don’t let witchcraft get in the way of your schoolwork. school should come first always!

i hope this helped some of you college witches, new and experienced! i am always open to answer questions! happy casting!