Many people think witchcraft starts with spells, but historically it started with observation.
Knowing when turtles nested, when certain flowers bloomed, or how streams changed after rain helped people understand the rhythms of the land.
That knowledge became folklore, seasonal celebrations, and eventually magical practices.
And itโs still very helpful to learn these things.
Go outside today and observe something about where you live. Write it down, then go observe that same thing tomorrow or next week, and write down any changes.
This is how you can begin to flow with the rhythms of where you are.
Sunrise or sunset ritual: days are long in summer, so marking the actual sunrise/sunset is a classic and very direct way to honour the season.
Bonfires: fire is central to Midsummer and Lammas folklore, jumping over a small fire (safely!) for purification/luck is a traditional practice.
Sun water/sun tea: leave water or tea infused with herbs out in direct sunlight to charge it with solar energy, then use it in cooking, baths, or rituals.
Charging crystals and tools in direct sunlight, especially solar-correspondence stones like citrine, carnelian, or sunstone.
Flower crown making: using seasonal blooms (lavender, chamomile, marigold) for a Midsummer crown.
Baking bread from scratch, ideally with intention/gratitude work baked in.
Visiting a farmers market or your own garden and consciously harvesting/gratitude-journaling about abundance.
Drying and preserving herbs picked at peak potency for use later in the year.
In my last post on the witchy basics I discussed intent and its importance. I touched briefly on the fact I was months into my practice before I actually learned the basics. Intent is the backbone of any spell or ritual you perform, but today we're talking about another very important basicโ cleansing. Cleansing is more like the immune systemโ clearing out the bad stuff, like negative or stagnant energies, so good things, like our intent, can flow through. When I was still new to my craft I took cleansing for granted thinking it wasn't that important. Today I know how crucial it is and utilize it on a near daily basis.
What is cleansing and why is it important?
Cleansing is the act of cleaning or clearing a space, object, or being of negative energies, stagnant energies, old intents, unwanted spirits, negativity, and more mundane things like dust, dirt, and grime for a clean ritual space. Each type of cleansing has its own uses. Cleansing a space makes sure the ritual area is clean free of any negativity, unwanted spirits, and lingering energies. Cleansing an object cleans it from dust or dirt, and removes any old intents or stagnant energy within the object to help the intent flow freely throughout it. Cleansing a being clears negative energies, and helps clean you before doing a ritual. Some people see cleansing themself as an absolute must before doing a ritual for ritual purity.
What do you need to do to cleanse something?
There are a wide variety of methods to cleanse thingsโ from sound cleansing, smoke cleansing, incense wafting , physical cleansing, water cleansing, and a lot more I have less experience with. Sound cleansing usually involves some kind of rainstick, sound bowl, or bells. Smoke cleansing usually involves dousing the object in the smoke of burning herbs or woods. Incense wafting usually involves passing the object through the smoke, walking around the room waving around the room, or just using it in the same room. Below is a basic spell for each type of cleansing with details of how each part contributes to the spell.
Sage Incense (I usually find them at my local Walmart) - Sage is often considered a powerful cleansing herb and as such incense made of it are powerful cleansers.
A besom/broom/dust wand - This is used to physically and spiritually remove dust, debris, and leftover energy.
Instructions:
Pick up any loose trash in the room and throw it away. This cleans big bulky trash to remove any hiding spots for stagnant energy.
Using your besom/broom/dust wand clean off any surface of dust, debris, and lingering energy. This cleans the fine details of the room and removes lingering energy.
Light the incense stick and in a clockwise manner wave it in the air around the edges of the room. This casts out any energy missed through physical cleansing.
Allow the incense to burn out. This just passively cleanses anything that may enter after the initial cleanse.
Object Cleansing: Smoke cleansing method
You'll Need:
4-6 Sage Leaves - This is used as a powerful cleansing herb.
2-4 Dried Mimosa Flowers - This is a common southern herb used for cleansing purposes.
Handful of Pine Needles - Pine needles are bulky plants I associate with cleansing.
1 Big Lemon Leaf (Optional) - Another good cleansing herb.
Twine - Used to tie all the herbs/plants together.
Fireproof Dish/Container - To safely burn the herb bundle.
Instructions:
Split your pine needles into 2 equal parts and set one part aside.
Place down 2 4in pieces of twine.
If using a lemon leaf add that on the twine.
Place the first half of the pine needles on the twine or lemon leaf if using that.
Add your mimosa flowers on the pine needles.
Add the remaining pine needles on top to sandwich the mimosa flowers inside.
Lay the sage in equal parts on the top and bottom along the section where the twine will tie.
Tie the bundle tight with each piece of twine ensuring nothing is falling out.
In a fireproof container light the end of your herb bundle. This is best done outside.
Once the smoke begins to rise pass your object through the smoke several times to cleanse it of any lingering intention or energy.
Snuff out the herb bundle to reuse.
Being Cleansing: Sound cleansing method
You'll Need:
A bell, sound bowl, or rainstick. Used to create the noise to clear out the energy.
Instructions:
Sit down comfortably.
If using a bell ring it 3-5 times. If using a sound bowl make it ring for 30 seconds. If using a rainstick turn it over 4 times.
Check out the Witchy Basics Masterpost to see other entries in this mini series.
โ๏ธ Sunday Spell work; Embrace Solar Energy for the Week Ahead โ๏ธ
Sundays are ruled by the Sun, the celestial body of vitality, success, and clarity. It's a day to harness energy for personal growth, healing, and setting intentions for the upcoming week.
๐ฎ Sunday Spell work Ideas๐ฎ
Sunshine Energy Boost Spell
Light a yellow candle.
Place a Citrine or clear quartz crystal nearby.
Anoint your pulse points with orange essential oil.
Sit in a comfortable space, close your eyes, and visualize the Sun's energy filling you with warmth and vitality.
Solar Clarity Ritual
Light a gold or yellow candle.
Meditate for 10โ15 minutes, focusing on your breath and clearing your mind.
Journal any insights or intentions that arise during your meditation.
Abundance Affirmation Spell
Light a yellow candle.
Hold a coin or small token representing wealth.
Speak aloud affirmations like, "I am open to receiving abundance and success."
Keep the token on your altar or carry it with you as a reminder of your intentions.
Healing Bath Ritual
Prepare a warm bath with herbs like St. John's Wort or marigold petals.
Light a yellow candle nearby.
Soak in the bath, allowing the herbs and candlelight to cleanse and rejuvenate your energy.
๐ฟSunday Correspondences๐ฟ
Colours: Yellow, Gold
Planet: Sun
Deities: Apollo, Ra, Sunna
Herbs: Bay leaf, Marigold, Sunflower, Cinnamon, Cedar
Crystals: Amber, Carnelian, Tigerโs Eye, Quartz
Essential Oils: Orange, Lemon, Bergamot
Reliable Resources for Further Exploration
Spells8 โ Sunday Magic Spells
A comprehensive guide to Sunday spellwork, including rituals, correspondences, and more.
The Wild Rose Woman โ Discover the Magick of Sunday
Insights into Sunday rituals and offerings to Sunna, the Norse Sun deity.
Emerald Lotus โ Timing Your Spells with Day of the Week Magick
A detailed look at how to align your spellwork with the energies of each day of the week.
Being a mum is beautiful but also exhausting ~ these crystals can bring a little extra support, calm, and balance:
๐ธ Rose Quartz โ the stone of unconditional love. Perfect for nurturing energy, emotional healing, and self-love when mums are giving so much to others.
๐ฟ Amethyst โ helps with stress, overthinking, and sleepless nights. A gentle crystal to keep near the bed or carry during busy days.
โ๏ธ Citrine โ for energy, positivity, and motivation. Great for when motherhood feels overwhelming and you need a confidence boost.
๐ Moonstone โ connected to feminine cycles, intuition, and emotional balance. A calming crystal for patience and inner peace.
๐ฆ Lepidolite โ rich in lithium, itโs wonderful for easing anxiety, mood swings, and postpartum stress.
๐ Clear Quartz โ the all-purpose crystal. Amplifies intentions and energy, making it perfect to pair with other crystals.
โจ Keep them in your pocket, wear as jewellery, place by your bedside, or create a small โmum altarโ for self-care rituals.
๐ Remember: you deserve rest, love, and healing too.
When I say "connect with nature" I don't just mean the aesthetic forests with deer and beautiful flowers.
I mean the weeds growing through concrete, the fungus that grows on the rotten shed, the nettles that always seem to return and the scary, spindly cellar spider in the corner of the bathroom.
Nature is not always pretty or magical - the pigeons and seagulls you swat at are nature too, the wasps and flies that hover by your meals are animals too, store-bought strawberries and the leaves that fall from your neighbour's tree are not all that different from the Giant Sequoias and it's seeds.
If you want to connect and understand nature, I mean *really* connect to it, in it's entirety, you have to seek out and learn about the ugly, scary and mundane things as well. You don't have to like it, just don't forget that it's there.
the trees you grew up with have not forgotten you. their branches still whisper your name in the breeze and their roots remember the paths your feet once traced through their shade.
Kind reminder: even if you don't do magick at all in some days or longer break, it doesn't make you any less of a witch. Kay? You are just as much valid as those who are actively practicing. Rest is needed in every hobby and profession too.
