Warding is the method of casting a shield or barrier to defend and protect a space, person, portal, or item or to deflect potential negative energies and dangers. This is a remarkably important intention to consider and practice.
Methods & Mannerisms:
General:
Adding protective symbols, shapes, or colors into your wardrobe or space.
Smoldering incense, bundles, herbal blends, or (legally) blowing smoke.
Incorporating a protective sigil, rune, or symbol onto one’s space or body.
Using Magickal sprays, mists, and humidifiers with diluted essential oils.
Making or purchasing a protective sachet to place or carry around.
Enchanting crystals and amulets to wear or store at home.
Personal:
Writing or tracing protective sigils, runes, or symbols on oneself.
Magickal topicals, salves, tinctures, lotions, and diluted essential oils.
Enchanting something you can wear such as clothing, or jewelry.
Enchanting and carrying an item that is symbolic to represents you with intent.
Casting a bathing or shower ritual; running water is considered very sacred and will protect as well as cleanse your soul of other energies.
Spatial:
Using smoke like an incent, bundle, or blend around your residence.
Sealing mirrors covering them or inscribing them with sigils, runes, or symbols.
Growing, hanging, or burning protective or plants throughout your space.
Enchanting your crystals, salts, herbs, potions with defensive wards.
Incorporating holy, moon, rain, rain, stream, salt, or sea water into your home.
Snapdragons were believed to offer protection against witchcraft and evil eye. Dried snapdragons look very similar to skulls and can be used as charms against aging. In ancient Greek it was thought that wearing a snapdragon in your hair or on your neck would offer protection. During medieval times many castles would plant snapdragons around the entrance with the intention of protecting the castle (warding). Hang some snapdragons above a babies crib to repel bad spirits and nightmares
In Russia many women used snapdragons in ointments to reverse aging and appear graceful. In victorian times it was thought that hiding a snapdragon on you would make you appear more alluring.
Venus Flytrap
Venus flytrap are literal carnivores plants. Many witches use them as wards with the intention of eating negative energy. Use them to eat or bind negative energy. Many practitioners like to use Venus flytrap to bind people or negativity. As well as program them to feed off negativity.
I've also known people who use them as a sort of "trip wire" for curses, evil eyes and hexes. Though if you're not good with plants then your plant could just be dying and not have gotten an hex. You can tell the difference by whether it comes back to life when you take care of cleansing and necessary needs of the plant itself.
Angelica
Dried Angelica can be great for breaking hexes and banishing energy. Many practitioners use this flower and it's many parts in spells. It's believed that if it grows around a house or building it will protect it from witchcraft. Angelica root has also been used as amulets for protection or gambling.
In many European countries it was thought that Angelica would protect from sicknesses. The herb itself is used in many medicine even today. That's where it gets the name "angel" from. One of its best uses would be for breaking hexes. When used properly it can be the breaker.
‼️do not ingest if pregnant‼️
Carnation
Carnations are thought to be associated with the Holy Mother Mary and Diana the Goddess of the Hunt. Both were symbols of purity and Innocence. In many countries including eastern asian and Europe carnations are associated with healing and mothers love. In victorian flower language yellow carnations were seen as a symbol of rejection.
In parts of Europe red carnations were used to protect homes as well as repel unwanted visitors. Dried carnations can be used in many types of spells such as warding, protection, healing and love.
Yarrow
The herb is known for its protective uses as well as it's medicinal. It was said that the warrior Achilles learned of the herbs medicinal uses from the great teacher Chiron. In Ireland the herb was thought to disperse plagues and evil spirits. Was also thought to carry stocks of it for safe travels. Hanging yarrow throughout your home or near a babies crib is said to repel negative spirits.
In traditional Chinese folklore yarrow was used as a tool for divination. Due to how long lasting the flower is yarrow is also a symbol of long lasting love. You could use it in satchets or bouquets on wedding days or dates to promote a love that will last years.
Agrimony
Agrimony can be used as protection from negativity this includes witchcraft, evil eye, spirits and people. In wards they can cause a rebound on the sender of a hex. Carrying it around is thought to protect you wherever you go. These beliefs are common in English folklore and voodoo(closed practice) .
In old English the herb is thought to be put under a pillow for sleep. In ancient northern Europe the herb was thought to cure a lot of ailments. Anglo-Saxons had also believed that herb would reveal witches. Scotland had thought the herb could cure those who had been affected by fairies. This would mean unknown illnesses. The herb itself is seen as a kinda cure all.
‼️Please do intense research before ingesting or foraging ‼️
What is Witchcraft?*
Fundamentals of Energy Work*
Spell Design*
Basics of Warding*
Basics of Binding
Basics of Banishing
Introduction to Gnosis*
Spell Dictation
Anchors
Paths of Least Resistance*
Conceptualization Vs. Visualization*
Research Tips*
Threshold Theory
Introduction
When first stepping onto the long winding path of witchcraft and mystical understanding it can be very intimidating, especially when it comes to casting your first few spells. The catch is that designing and casting spells is the only way to advance forward in your practice. It's a case of knowledge Vs. experience. Sadly, there isn’t much in the way of educational media on the topic of spell design, magic theory, and casting processes. This causes most practitioners to turn to Wiccan or Ceremonial sources for their initial research, neither of which are viable foundations for a well-rounded, effective and efficient craft.
Trinity of Spellcasting
Intent, Headspace/Focus, Passion are the cornerstones of spellcasting. These elements create the network or threshold in which spells pass through to their target. These concepts are also the root of what constitutes a spell. Intent is the designation of the target for the spell. Headspace is the sight in which the spell is aimed. Passion is the fuel that fires the spell towards the target. Without pure intent, the spell will apply broadly, lowering its potency and lead to potential unwanted side effects. Without a honed headspace, the spell will flicker out or lead to unpredictable results. A lack of Passion will cause a spell to be weak, ineffective, or latent.
Spellcasting Process
Before casting a spell, there are some preparations to be made, especially when first starting out.
Decide on what spellcasting method you’d like to use.
Find and gather any representations, correspondences, and environmental boons for your spell. (Enviromental boons being things like candles, music, incense, or a physically clean space.) If you are using incantations, be sure to memorize them to the best of your ability.
Set aside time and energy for casting. Try to ensure that you will not be interrupted.
Cleanse all tools and components that are going to be used.
Enter into a state of gnosis or trance.
Prepare your subtle body and energetically prepare all tools and representations.
Take your actions for casting, being sure to consciously do energy work as you do.
Calm or center yourself and do a physical movement that helps take you out of the headspace. (Ex. snapping, clapping, jumping, ringing a bell, etc)
Cleanse yourself, tools, representations, and the space.
Beginner Friendly Spellcasting Methods
Here are some methods for casting. They can be used in any combination, if desired. I often use all three in my spells.
Sympathetic Casting: Method of casting through items, herbs, crystals, taglocks, etc that are representative of your target, headspace, passion, and correspondences. These items create a mental network of concepts in order to cast.
Energetic Casting: Utilizing energy work to build constructs that contain all necessary components for a spell and then delivering it to the target.
Gestures: Using gestures to program the naturally existing energy into the components for a spell before delivering it to the target.
Intent, Desire, & Goals
Intent and desire are very different concepts. Intent is an inner truth, while desire is something that is wanted. Goals are an expectation of an outcome. For example, I am vehemently against capitalism and the notion of another’s loss for my benefit. Because of this inner truth, I struggle immensely with casting money magic, no matter how strong my desire is. No matter how clear my goal is.
Headspace, Aesthetics, & Visualization
Witchcraft and spellwork cannot be reliant on visualization and aesthetics. They are useful tools for constructing a strong headspace; but, using them alone will result in a spell not working, being ineffective, unpredictable, and/or weak. Using aesthetics to build yourself up will result in your spells working much better. Visualization isn’t energy work, but a tool to aid in planning and casting a spell, much like a wand. Aesthetics are an environmental boon. It helps build confidence, and assurance.
Focus, Trance, & Gnosis
Focus is the purpose of the headspace. The combination of the two is called a state of gnosis. When spellcasting, trances and states of gnosis can be extremely useful practices. Trances may be induced with *substances, music, self-hypnosis, etc. Trance makes it easier to be of one mind about the spell you’re casting. Gnosis is a meditation-like state in which one embodies the very concepts that make up a spell. In a state of gnosis you become the working, allowing the mind to become of a singular essence.
*-I am not suggesting using substances, nor condoning it. Merely stating that it is possible and is used by some practitioners.
Passion, Channeling, & Mental Health
When casting, it is in good practice and easy to get swept up in whatever emotions are involved in your spell. Emotions are channeled from the caster into the essence of the spell, empowering it. Depending on the working, this can be unhealthy or even dangerous if not done within reason and self-awareness. Channeling certain emotions can lead to triggering trauma responses or even cause trauma. Remain mindful of yourself and what emotions, memories, and/or actions may lead to worsening or feeding into mental-illness.
The Importance of Keeping a Spell Log, Critical Thinking & Objectivity
Especially when taking your first steps, keeping a log of your workings will allow you to remain objective and aware of your past casting. If a spell backfires, or has unwanted results, having a detailed log of your workings can make the canceling process much easier. Keeping a log will also aid in studying your craft as objectively as possible. Recording an estimation of when the spell should take effect, the specific goal, and qualifications of success will allow you to judge whether a spell was successful or not. When a spell isn’t successful it becomes a learning opportunity. Figuring out which components worked, what processes could be improved, etc. will help advance your craft rapidly if you cast regularly. When doing these studies, you are conceptualizing aspects of magical theory, or a critical approach to magic.
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Some notes from my BOS of weeds / local plants that can be used in one's craft. Includes magickal correspondences, traditional uses (medicinal and culinary), and some of their folklore.
Disclaimer at the end !!
𓍊𓋼𓍊𓋼𓍊𓋼𓍊𓋼𓍊𓋼𓍊𓋼𓍊𓋼𓍊𓋼𓍊𓋼𓍊𓋼𓍊𓋼𓍊𓋼𓍊𓋼𓍊𓋼𓍊𓋼𓍊
Acorns- the nuts of oak trees. They're made of one seed covered by a tough shell with a cap on top. These nuts can be eaten and are turned into flour to make breads and pastas. Much about acorns are unknown as they are mainly unused in everyday life, but we do know that they contain a high fiber content which has been used to treat bloating, diarrhea, stomach pains, and other digestive issues. Because these nuts come from oak trees they’ve been a symbol of great wisdom and longevity in many cultures such as Celtic and Nordic. Many people have worn necklaces with acorn charms on them to bring protection
• Protection, prosperity, growth, wisdom
Bull nettle- Thick stock and toothed leaves with stiff prickly stinging hairs, the flowers are small, white, and covered in hispid. The seed pods are lightly coloured and cylindrical, containing ~3 seeds. Touching this plant will cause a stinging, burning, or itching sensation that will last for hours. The seeds from the seed pods are edible and taste nutty but need to be harvested with extreme care as to not sting yourself. The seeds can be roasted or ground into a "cornmeal." The root of bull nettle is edible, it's similar to a potato but tougher and the core is so tough it should be discarded.
Binding, banishing, warding, baneful (to cause pain)
Cattails- Cattails are semi-aquatic plants that consist of multiple long spiked leaves with one center spike holding a sausage-shaped head that is filled with cottony seeds. Their rhizomes can be turned into a flour with a high protein content and the shoots can be cooked and eaten. The stems and leaves can be turned into paper. A poultice from the roots can be used as an antiseptic, for burns/cuts, and to reduce inflammation. When harvesting this plant please do not overharvest, it’s a very important part of a wetland’s ecosystem ! Also, always make sure the water near the cattails is clean because cattails filter pollutants out of the water so if you plan on consuming the plant, you could also be consuming those pollutants.
Catchweed- Also known as cleavers, hitchhikers, goosegrass, or sticky weed. Catchweeds are branchy, square stems that latch onto other plants and buildings with small hooked hairs on their leaves and stems. They have tiny, star-shaped, green or white-ish flowers with four petals. They also have small burrs that contain a few seeds that are covered in hooked hairs so they can latch on to animals to disperse seeds. For those who want to risk getting pricked, catchweed is edible. Young leaves and stems can be cooked and eaten like spinach. This plant is also in the same family as coffee, meaning that you can dry and roast the seeds in their burrs to make a lower-caffeine coffee substitute and teas. Poultices have been made with the whole plant, as with tea washes from dried leaves, in many cultures for light burns, small wounds, and eczema. It has a cooling effect so it’s also used in infusions for bug bites, stings, and poison ivy.
Energy, binding, commitment, protection during travel
Chickweed- Also called chickenwort/weed, winterweed, and simply ground cover as that’s its primary use in modern society. Long stems with pointed, oval-shaped leaves and tiny white star-shaped flowers that resemble carnations. Its star-shaped flowers earned it the botanical name “Stellaria media”. Its flowers and leaves are both edible and are very popular in salads, soups, and stir-fries. It has a taste similar to sprouts that you’d use in a salad. Chickweed salves are used for skincare, poultices for poison ivy, and teas for digestion. Historically, it's been used for skin ailments like itching, dry skin, and even bruises or bug bites from a tisane/tea of the stems applied to the affected area. In European folklore, it was said to help promote a happy, balanced family and love life. This is believed to come from how chickweed grows so closely with all its stems intertwined but in a way that promotes each part to grow healthy, so it promotes everyone in a household getting along with one another while having their own sense of individuality. It’s also associated with perseverance (like most weeds I’ll admit), this is because chickweed is seen growing everywhere, in yards, in forests, on piles of dirt. If it sees an opportunity, it’ll take it and thrive year-round.
Clovers- white, balled flowers with three to four small, round leaves. Every part of this plant is edible, the leaves and flowers are sweet and vanilla-y so they are good in teas and sweets. Clover has been used to ward off fevers and used in tisanes/teas for inflammation. Clover has been associated with good fortune for centuries, especially four-leaved clovers. A shamrock is a symbol of a three-leafed clover representative of the Christian Holy Trinity, it’s also believed that the Celtic druids thought shamrocks to be significant because they had three leaves possibly representing the underground, earth, and sky.
Luck, prosperity, happiness, faith
Creeping Speedwell- Teeny tiny violet/baby blue flowers with light yellow middles, it is incredibly fast-growing and can be found in most yards. Speedwell is edible and good in salads, pestos, and smoothies. Tea is made from the leaves and flowers to help clear congestion, allergies, and coughs. Some add it to their baths to help with their allergies and inflammation, inflammation is also helped by a poultice. In some folklore, it’s said that a tea or ointment from speedwell could help one with psychic visions and faerie sight. Before I truly knew the folklore behind speedwell I had this sense that it would help with your clairsenses.
Abundance, divination, psychic/clairsense work
Creeping buttercup- Buttercups are toxic and will leave blisters when raw so they must be cooked or dried before being consumed, even then it's not recommended to eat. A poultice of the (boiled) leaves is used for inflammation and wounds and a tea from the plant is used for its analgesic properties, but be wary of the blisters that may occur. Buttercups used to be used to ward off faeries, many farmers would plant these around their cows to prevent them from being stolen from the fae. There are a lot of stories relating buttercups to cows which is very very cute but ironic because buttercups are actually toxic to many animals! For its many associations with children, fairies, and coyotes across various cultures it can also be related to mischief
Youth, happiness, love, protection from fae, mischief (jinxes/hexes/glamours)
Creeping charlie- Also known as ground ivy. Creeping charlie has square stems with dark, rounded or fan-shaped, toothed leaves. It has small blue or lavender, funnel-shaped flowers that grow in clusters of two or three in the spring. Creeping charlie is edible and has a long history of being used in beer and cheese, it tastes subtly minty as it's in the mint family. Young leaves are good in salads to freshen them up and it's also really good in teas and sweets. There is a risk of it being toxic if consumed in large quantities though. For centuries now it's been used in teas to calm a cough, been said to help with headaches, and has been used on the skin to reduce pain and soothe inflammation. Some have turned it into a snuff and used it for congestion, kind of like Vaporub. It was actually brought over from Britain to the Americas for its medicinal uses, now it’s one of those weeds people will spend tons of money trying to get rid of. Alike creeping buttercup, it’s said that some may have used this to ward magick from their livestock and themselves. Some say it’s good to use to find out who has cursed you or sent the evil eye your way and in some stories, people would drink it as a tea to get rid of their shyness.
Protection from magick and spirits, divination, clarity, courage
Deadnettle- My favourite weed :) Square stem, fuzzy leaves that occasionally are red/purple at the top, with tiny tube-shaped light pink flowers. Despite technically being a nettle, it’s not a true nettle so very few people will have a reaction when touching this plant. Deadnettle is part of the mint family and every part of it is edible, despite that though it's not very minty and is floral and sweet. My favourite parts are the tiny pink flowers which have sweet nectar in them and are good in teas, syrups, sweets, and jams. The leaves are good in teas, smoothies, pestos, and salads. A poultice or salve can be made from the leaves for wounds and teas can help with allergies. This plant is sometimes called purple archangel because it pops up around the Feast of the Apparition when it was said St. Micheal appeared. It’s associated with determination because this lil dude will grow anywhere, even in spots with the worst quality soil.
happiness, determination, peace, healing
Dandelion- Dandelions are bright layered yellow flowers with toothed leaves that grow pretty much anywhere there is enough dirt to get their roots in. The entire plant is edible, the flowers are slightly sweet making them good for salads, syrups, and sweet. The leaves are slightly bitter but that can be lessened when harvested young or boiled, they're good as spinach replacements and can be dried for teas. The flowers can also be turned into dyes. The plant's name can be literally translated to 'healing herb' as it has been used in many cultures for it's gut health and detoxifying properties. Teas and tinctures from leaves are made for a diuretic and flowers are made into salves or beauty products to treat acne/eczema and to reduce inflammation. About dandelions being diuretics - the name dandelion comes from the french name dentdelion (tooth of the lion) but there’s actually a second French name, “pissenlit”, which means piss the bed !!
Daisy- Daisies are low-growing flowers with thin, long, white petals and yellow disc florets (middles). Common daisies are edible, these are really found growing anywhere even in your lawn. Leaves can be used in salads or stir-fries and flower heads can be pickled or used in salads. Wines, soups, and teas are also commonly made from daisies. The flowers have a slightly bitter taste but look pretty in dishes. Daisies have been used in teas for coughs, bronchitis, and common colds. It's also been used to "stimulate the digestive system" to promote appetite. Daisies have been into lotions and other skincare products to treat rashes, eczema, and other skin issues. Daisies came to be associated with love and motherhood through it being the flower of Freya, innocence/purity through the story of Vertumnus and Belides where the flower gets its scientific name, and purity the popular phrases like “fresh/clean as daisies”.
Feverfew- Feverfew are daisy-like flowers with bright yellow middles and white petals, with yellow-green leaves in a feathered arrangement, that grow in small bushes together. Feverfew is edible but many will steer clear of it as it has a very bitter taste. It’s often made into teas and used in pastries. Although feverfew isn’t used to reduce fevers anymore, there are still many health benefits and medicinal uses of the plant, some people even calling it ‘medieval aspirin’. People will take feverfew pills or apply a poultice to relieve pain from arthritis and inflammation. A poultice can also be applied to minor cuts, scrapes, and bug bites. Teas can be made for headaches and some use it to help with menstrual pain. Feverfew is also known to show some skin benefits by reducing redness and inflammation. Feverfew may increase bleeding as it acts similar to an anticoagulant, because of this it is advised that if you are taking a blood thinner like aspirin, Dabigatran (Pradaxa), Heparin (Innohep), or others, you talk to your doctor before taking feverfew. This plant has more medicinal uses than references in mythology but I did find a few references to it being believed to be able to save the life of someone that had fallen from the Parthenon, a temple to Athena, which gave it the scientific name parthenium.
Healing, curse-breaking, love
Lesser celandine- Also known as pilewort or sometimes fig buttercup. Pilewort is a plant on the buttercup family that has dark, heart-shaped leaves and bright yellow flowers with glossy petals. Despite its pretty exterior, touching the plant could cause rashes or blistering especially when the plant is crushed. Ingesting the plant can cause dizziness, vomiting, and worse. While there may be ways to cook out the toxins, I cannot advise anyone to consume this plant without proper experience. This plant is also known as the spring messenger as it's one of the first plants to bloom in the spring. Lesser celandine was referenced a lot in literature, most being about love and foreshadowing happiness alike how it signals spring.
Joy, love, Spring associated magick
Maple seed pods- Maple seeds, also known as helicopters or samaras, are the seed of maple trees, as one would assume. These are winged pods consisting of a papery tissue surrounding a single seed that is usually joined together in pairs of two. The seeds are edible once the outer covering has been removed and taste better while young, becoming bitter as they mature. Some say that smaller pods taste sweeter and larger ones taste more bitter. They're good in roasts, stir-fries, and salads. They can also be dried and pounded into flour ! Much of what we know about maple seeds are simply culinary and there's not much information on their medicinal uses. The majority of the correspondences of maple seed pods come from maple trees which represent balance and longevity. They also are associated with childhood after the many many years of children playing with these helicopter-like seeds.
Longevity, growth, balance, youth
Mulberries- Mulberries come in three different colours which are red, white, and black. Different mulberries grow on different mulberry trees. Black mulberry trees have an orange-y-toned bark with toothed, heart-shaped leaves. White/red mulberry trees have a greyish bark with large, deeply lobed, oval-shaped leaves. Mulberries look very similar to blackberries but longer with each cluster of fruit containing a seed. Mulberries are edible, black ones taste the best and can be both sour and sweet and the white/red ones are duller in flavour but sweet. These are made into jams, syrups, wines, sweets, sorbets, really anything sweet and it tastes great ! These berries are more known for their culinary uses but some studies suggest that they can help reduce cholesterol and improve digestion. In Greek/Babylonian mythology, red mulberries came from white mulberries that were stained red from the deaths of the star-crossed lovers Pyramus and Thisbe which gave them the association of love and death.
Love, death, faith, wisdom
Osage oranges- Also known as horse apples or hedge apples. Osage oranges are a yellow-green fruit with a very rough and bumpy peel. These oranges grow on trees called Maclura pomifera. The wood of these trees are used for very good firewood and yellow-green dyes. The Osage natives would use the wood from the tree for many things like bows and boats as it’s very flexible. The roots of the trees are sometimes made into water infusions to help with eye conditions. People have also used the wood, or even sat out the fruit, to deter insects. Osage oranges are edible but most people, and even animals, will avoid eating them due to their dry and bitter taste. They taste like very bitter and citrus-y cucumbers. These oranges can cause skin irritation to some.
Warding, protection, strength
Pinecones- Pinecones are geometric cones that come from conifer pine trees that produce pollen or seeds depending on their sex. Pinecones symbolize fertility and life in many cultures and have been used in artwork for centuries. The pineal gland in the brain was named after pinecones because of its shape, this gland is sometimes referred to as the “third eye” and some believe that it acts as a witch’s eye would; this is how pinecones were tied to the idea of enlightenment and rebirth as well as the fact that they have been around for so long. Some conifer cones are edible (some aren't!) but they are very tough to chew so you must boil them before eating, pinecone jam has been commonly made from young cones. Pine has been used in teas, tinctures, resins, and many other things to treat coughs, allergies, and help with sinus infections.
Prickly lettuce- a quite tall, red stem that contains latex with large tooth-shaped leaves that have prominent veins and spikes lining its edges and main vein on its underside. When it blooms it has small, pale yellow flowers. This plant is edible and is pretty much used like normal lettuce while having a slightly bitter taste, as usual, this gets less noticeable as it matures. Leaves can be eaten in salads or cooked/steamed and the root can be made into a tea. The latex substance that comes out of the leaves and stem when injured is called lactucarium which is known as lettuce opium due to its sedative and pain-relieving properties; the process of harvesting this substance is tedious. This can be used to help people sleep, relax, and relieve pain. Lettuce in general has a great amount of significant historical usage. Lettuce came to be associated with sex because an Egyptian fertility god, Min, was associated with lettuce as it was known as an aphrodisiac that was ritualistically ingested before sex. These effects were due to the lactucarium. In Hellenism, when Adonis died he was laid on a bed of lettuce along with other fast-growing plants. In festivals for him, they would burn withered lettuce and mourn his death, this related lettuce to death.
Necromancy, offerings for the deceased, fertility, sex
Queen Anne's Lace- Also known as wild carrot. A tall flowering weed with a thin, stiff stem and tiny white, clustered flowers. The flowerhead consists of a bunch of separate flowers, some plants may have a singular purple/pink flower. Queen Anne's lace's root is edible which is actually where it gets the names wild carrot and Daucus Carota, it's good steamed and boiled. It is pretty stringy and if you wait too long to harvest it can become very hard and woody. This plant is NOT safe to consume for those who are pregnant ! The stem is known to cause skin irritation and rashes to people with sensitive skin. Despite being edible, most wouldn't suggest eating it because it looks almost identical to poison hemlock which if consumed could be fatal. It also looks a ton like wild celery but that's less of an issue. Historically, the seeds of wild carrot were used as an abortant in a "morning after pill" type of way. Wild carrot was named Queen Anne's Lace after Queen Anne of England who was a great lace maker, there is a legend that when making lace one day she pricked her finger then a single drop of blood fell on it and that's why the flower has a single purple flower. Because of the association to Queen Anne, some would use it to try to attract love or make themselves look more beautiful. Wild carrot is also called bird's nest or the bishop's flower which ties it to themes of safety and sanctuary.
Beauty, love, glamours
Rosebay willowherb- Also commonly known as fireweed for its appearance or bombweed because it began to heavily grow in bomb craters/sites in WWII around the UK. The rosebay willowherb has tall reddish stems and willow-like leaves with long magenta flowers. Traditionally it's been used in teas, jellies, and salads. It has a pretty bitter taste so you need to harvest it young and cook it before eating. It's used in teas for its demulcent properties, to treat certain stomach conditions, and has been used in skincare because of its astringent properties. There’s not much folklore about this plant but it’s well known for appearing after events that devastated an area, it was one of the first plants to start growing after Mt. St. Helens, after colonizers burnt down forests, and after bombs dropped in WWII. I’ve also heard it’s bad luck to pick its flowers, either stating that a storm will occur or your mother will fall ill.
Courage, perseverance, change, bad luck
Stinging nettle- tall, heart-shaped, toothed leaves. The leaves are covered in small stinging hairs that when touched will inject chemicals into one's skin and cause slight stinging sensations. Young stinging nettle has widely been used in dishes as soaking/cooking it takes away the sting. It is very similar to spinach in taste, texture, and nutrients. Ointments are made to treat arthritis and inflammation, teas are made from dried leaves and flowers to treat allergies and hayfever. Poultices of the leaves were used for stiff joints and muscle pain by helping blood circulation in that area. Be wary of using stinging nettle on your skin as it can cause rashes and blisters. Some Native American groups used it in teas as a stomach tonic. In Celtic folklore, it was said to keep evil spirits and illness at bay, it also says that when you see thick strands of nettle it means that faeries are nearby.
Binding, protection from baneful magick and evil spirits, strength, curse breaking
Sweetgum seed pods- Also known as witch’s burrs or witch balls. Sweetgum seed pods are hard, spikey seed pods with small holes where the seeds once were. These fall from sweetgum trees after they mature and disperse their seeds. These aren’t edible nor really used for any medicinal purpose. They’re often placed around plants to protect them from animals. Magickally, you can place them around your space to ward off unwanted energies and entities or even grind them into a powder for banishing or protection. These things hurt like hell to step on so they’re also good to use in baneful protection magick, like baneful wards or return to senders.
Protection, warding, binding, baneful protection
Violet- There are many species of violets so I'm going to cover them in a broad sense. Violets are usually small, light purple flowers with short stems, little shrubbery, and heart/kidney/scalloped leaves. In many species of violet both the leaves and flowers are edible and contain high levels of vitamins A and C, but make sure to properly identify your plant before consuming. These can be made into teas, sweets, salads, etc. Violet syrup is my favourite ! Some leaves in wild violets will taste quite soapy, so try them out before cooking them into anything. Violet leaves have cooling and anti-inflammatory properties so they are used in poultices, salves, compresses, and oils for scrapes, burns, and bug bites. Violets have traditionally been used in teas or tonics for coughs and swollen lymph nodes. There is a lot of folklore and mythology that this flower is a part of. Violets are largely associated with modesty and innocence and this stems from two main stories; Persephone was said to be picking violets when Hades kidnapped her to live in the underworld and in Greek mythology when Apollo pursued a nymph, Artemis/Diana turned her into a violet to protect her. There are also stories in The Bible that associate violets with modesty like when Archangel Gabriel tells Mary she is pregnant, violets bloom around her. This is why sometimes when a child dies, violets are put on their grave as a representation of their innocence. There are many other popular stories of violets turning to tears when someone is crying. They’re also associated with love from a story of Venus and Cupid and were believed to be an aphrodisiac in the Middle Ages.
Femininity, respect, wisdom, modesty, divination, love
𓍊𓋼𓍊𓋼𓍊𓋼𓍊𓋼𓍊𓋼𓍊𓋼𓍊𓋼𓍊𓋼𓍊𓋼𓍊𓋼𓍊𓋼𓍊𓋼𓍊𓋼𓍊𓋼𓍊𓋼𓍊
Disclaimer !!: Before you consume or use a plant medicinally, make sure you are 100% sure on the ID. Speak with a doctor before using a plant, especially if you’re pregnant, and make sure you aren’t allergic and that it won’t interact with any of your medications. Do not substitute legitimate medications with herbal remedies, this is not medical advice. Always do your own research before consuming or using a plant medicinally. Some of the plants, while generally safe for humans, are not safe for animals and children. As a general rule of thumb, younger greens will taste better. As the plant matures and bears fruit it will typically become more bitter, so the best time to harvest most of these is before it bears fruit. Make sure to avoid areas treated with pesticides and always wash your takings before use. And make sure you're never over-harvesting, always make sure there's another 'patch' of the plant your taking !!
In addition to wands of crystal, wands can be made of a branch from a tree. Each sign of the zodiac is associated with a particular tree, so if you’d like a want compatable with your sign, pick one of the above that lines up with your sign.
If you’re lucky enough to have these trees in your area, use a fallen branch, or ask the spirit of the tree for permission to cut a small branch (you’ll get an overwhelming positive feeling if it’s a yes).
In addition, you can use tree bark, leaves or fallen twigs/branches to decorate your altar. Each sign also corresponds with a planet, so if you have a planetary altar, you can use the correlating wood (I will post a list of these in the future and link it here).
There’s some variation online about which wood types line up with the signs, but the version I used comes from the Book of Spells by Soraya that my mum has had since forever ago for some reason. (I have a sneaking suspicion she used to dabble in witchcraft. Still not gonna tell her though). Since I used to flip through this book, I feel these correlations make sense to me.
(Mainly taken from: https://coven.thethriftywitch.com/pages/magickal-uses-of-herbs.)
Angelica: Mainly used in protection rituals, protects against negative energies and attracts positive energies. Can be used to remove curses, hexes.
Anise Seeds: Stimulates psychic abilities and wards off evil eyes.
Basil: A good protection herb. Can be used in rituals for protection, exorcism and love.
Bay Laurel: Mainly protection and purification. Stimulates psychic abilities and promotes success. Protects against baneful magick. Writing wishes and burning the leaf is a good manifestation technique.
Black Pepper: Promotes courage and helps banishing negative vibrations.
Catnip: Provides protection in sleep. Enhances beauty and can be used in love magick.
Cedar Wood: Promotes confidence and strength. Can be used in protection and purification rituals.
Chamomile: Reduces stress. Can be used in love and healing rituals.
Chili: Mainly used for hex breaking. Promotes love and fidelity.
Cinnamon: Mainly used for luck and prosperity. A good herb for protection as well.
Clove: Mainly used for exorcism. Also promotes love, money, and protection.
Coffee: Used for grounding. Dispels nightmares.
Daisy: Promotes love, luck, and innocence.
Damiana: Mainly used in love rituals. Can be used to increase psychic abilities.
Frankincense: Mainly used for cleansing and purification. Can be burned for protection and meditation.
Garlic: Mainly used for protection and exorcism. Can also be used for healing and purification.
Ginger: Promotes sensuality, sexuality and personal confidence.
Lavender: Mainly used for love, protection, healing, sleep, purification, and peace. Promotes healing from depression.
Mint: Promotes energy, communication and vitality.
Mistletoe: Used for fertility, creativity and protection from negative spells.
Onion: Used for prosperity, stability, endurance, and protection.
Oregano: Promotes joy, strength and vitality.
Rose: Magickal uses include divine love, close friendships, domestic peace.
Rosemary: Carried and used in healing poppets for good health, used in love spells, burned as incense for purification and removing negativity.
Sage (Keep in mind that white sage is endangered and closed): Used for self purification and dealing with grief and loss. Carried to improve mental ability and bring wisdom.
St. John’s Wort: Protects against all forms of black witchcraft. Used for banishing, protection & blessing.
Star Anise: Burned as incense to increase psychic awareness & abilities.
Sugar: Used in love spells and sex magick.
Thyme: Attracts loyalty, affection, and the good opinion of others. Burn or hang in the home for banishing and purification.
Tobacco: Promotes peace, confidence, and personal strength. Also used for banishing.
Yarrow: Uses include healing, handfasting & weddings, and divination.
I’m gonna say it again, I made a google doc full of online resources for new witches!
See see see it’s absolutely packed with good stuff! We’re talking PDFs, small businesses to get books from, and tons of links. Please go check it out! And remember my DMs are always open if you have any or many questions 💕
Woke up to this having 200 notes! I feel like I did when I first started this account and it was fun. Thank you so much guys! I’m here if you ever have questions 💕
Get yourself a bowl that you'll want to use for spell work (I use a glass decorative bowl).
Once you find a bowl you resonate with, fill it up with water.
When I fill my bowl I put a pinch of sea salt and a few drops of oil. It depends on what kind of work I'm doing, but my universal oil in spell craft is olive oil. Then, I have a few pieces of quartz and rose quartz I keep in my bowl. Over time, you'll know how you'll want to customize your bowl for spell work, but no matter what I always add in a pinch of sea salt. Salt in water creates electrolytes, which holds/stores energy/intentions/electricity (Sea Salt represents the ocean for me also).
After you create your water bowl, you can pray your intentions into it as you please until the bowl dries up.
The alternative is if you're feeling specific with your intentions, you can take a small piece of paper and write your intentions onto it. When you're done writing your intentions, you place it into your water bowl.
Whether you pray or write your intentions into your water bowl, you have to wait for the bowl to dry up. Once the bowl is dried, it means your intentions are set into the universe. This means you've charged the water with your intentions and it evaporated into the universe and it is at work.
If you decided to write your intentions, you can do as you please with it.
With my written intentions I'll burn it, place it into a mason jar filled with water and herbs (if I want the spell to continue), bury it, or get creative in however you'd like to continue your ritual.
Then, clean your bowl and crystals (if any), refill, and keep the energy flowing!
I have grown to love working with water in all my spell work to where I even use mirrors as my magickal tool (mirrors are the water element which is for another post in the near future lol).
My typical water bowl is: water, my tumbled crystals, a pinch of sea salt, and a few drops of olive oil. I typically focus my intentions into my bowl. I may light candles to add power, or hold onto one of my larger crystals to amplify my energy.
Water holds memory and shapes to our emotions and thoughts. It's an intuitive element and shapes to our wants and needs.
If there are any other Water Witches like myself, I hope you enjoy this method of spell work!
After the Saturn-Jupiter alignment night of hell, I went on a massive search for curse reversal spells. I found tons under various names (curse reversal, return to thee, return to sender, reverse mirror spells, etc). I read for hours… days in truth. I wrote down several spells and nit picked what I liked out of each spell to make something of my own that I felt matched my power and my needs. At this point in time I do not know where I actually found all the sites to be able to put a reference list together, I apologize. We decided that, to our knowledge, there was only three people that would come after us, even unknowingly, through manifestation via their loathing for us. We decided to do 4 complete reversal spells: 3 aimed at each person individually and 1 for a possible unknown culprit. The following is what I came up with:
Items needed:
-Small mirror (Do NOT reflect your face in mirror)
-Anointing oil (Any oil will do, I used olive)
-Black Pepper
-Oregano
-Black candle
-Something to carve writing into candle with (Athame, a pin needle, etc)
-Permanent marker
-Lighter or matches
Instructions:
1. With the permanent marker, without catching your reflection in the mirror, write the known cursers name on the reflective surface.
2. With your sharp carving tool, carve the cursers name into the side of the candle, take up as much space as possible. You can write their name multiple times if you’d like. If you do not know your cursers name you can opt to carve ‘return to thee’ or ‘return to sender’ instead.
3. Mix black pepper and oregano together.
4. Anoint candle with oil, then roll in spice mixture to cover the sides of the candle.
5. I melted the bottom of the candle with a lighter and placed in the center of the mirror so it would stand up on its own. You do not have to do this. You can use a candle holder instead if you feel it safer.
6. As you light the candle, state your incantation. Mine was:
“Sender of evil, menacing foe, after this spell you reap what you sow;
This mirror reflects the will that you send,
My hands are clean, my soul will mend;
Return to maker and leave me in peace,
Should the way be barred, your power will cease;
With this spell my soul is free;
As I will, so mote it be.”
7. Let the candle burn out on its own. Do not blow it out. Dispose of the remains away from your home and property. Do not keep it near you.
🗡Protection on the Go - Mirror Spells
Source | https://www.instagram.com/mariathearcane/?hl=en
🗡Mirror spells are one of my favorite forms of protection and one I like to take with me when I am traveling since my permanent mirror spell stays at home. Mirror spells are perfect for throwing back the energy people tend to throw at us more often compared to baneful spellwork. Think gossiping, evil looks, and ill wishes. These spells can still be used to go up against baleful spellwork, but in my experience, sometimes that will require an additional specific mirror spell ritual.
🗡While on the go I like to use a compact and with glass/chalk markers write out what I want protection from, then leave it outside during the full moon to charge (Scorpio moons are perfect for this), and then place in a spell bag with protective plants like black pepper, nettle, roses, and bramble.
🖤Disclaimer: I do not believe in the 3-fold law or the Wiccan rede. These methods are things I use in my own practice and am choosing to share. Please do your own research!
What is Baneful Magic?
Many people confuse the term "black magic" with baneful magic. The term "black magic" is actually a racist term and should not be used to describe baneful workings. This is also the same for the term "white magic" being used to describe healing magic.
Baneful magic is magic cast against someone or something with menacing or harmful intent. Baneful magic can be used to speed up the consequences of someone actions towards you or they can be used to block people from benefiting from their work. In my practice, I believe that if baneful work is not warranted (i.e there is no real reason for it to be done), it will not work. This means that I never cast a baneful spell unless I believe it to be truly worth the time and effort.
Baneful rituals can be very simple and low energy or they can be very intense and complex. This honestly depends on what kind of spell work you are doing and what you are doing it for. For example, a baneful ward is something that I would consider to be low energy because you set it up once and as long as it remains intact, it continues to work. However for me, a higher energy baneful spell would be a "stop gossiping" spell because the ingredients I would use are harder to find. Baneful works also depend on the amount of correlations you want to include. For example, do you want the spell to coincide with a specific day of the week, moon phase or month. Maybe you want to perform it during a specific season or ask for help from a specific entity, all these factors should be taken into account when performing these workings.
Some of my Favourite Methods:
Hex water- Adding names to hex water can be a really low energy way of ensuring that someone must deal with the consequences of their actions (I use this as more of a "karma" insurance but it can be used as a full on hex).
Freezer spells- some people may argue that this isn’t very baneful but it's one of my favourite and most used methods. Freezer spells can be used to essentially "freeze" people’s influence over you or block them from being able to reach you. You can do this with items as well (when I was quitting smoking, this is how I did it). You can freeze names with regular water or you can bind them first and freeze them in hex water.
Return-to-senders- another one of my favourite spells, this spells is used to return unwanted or harmful energy back to the source that cast it (which is why people always say to tether your hexes to something other than yourself). You can also add a bit of a kickback to these spells or return them with 3 times the energy if you are feeling a little vengeful.
Mirror spells- again one that might not be considered baneful but can be adjusted. The way I use these spells is to make the recipient "look in the mirror" and take an objective look at their actions. This often involves ensuring that they can't run from their problems and must deal with the consequences of their actions. Other variations of this exist as well, you are only limited by your imagination with this one.
Sending a spirit- depending on your relationship with specific spirits, you can petition them to do the work for you. This usually works best if you already have a close working relationship with the spirit you are petitioning but you can also contact spirits you don't normally work with as well. I have seen this work using house spirits, familiars, the dead, deities and many more. It's important for me to stress that how you go about this and the results achieved will depend on the spirit you ask and your relationship with that spirit.
Baneful Work & Ethics:
Witchcraft in general does not have a standard or set guidelines for what is ethical and what is not. Many witches may come to a consensus on what they believe to be ethical based on shared morals or opinions but in reality, it's all fair game. Just because I believe or follow one thing, doesn't mean you have to or will.
It is important for you to determine your own ethical guidelines before practicing baneful magic. I say this because it is very easy, when things go wrong or you are feeling hurt, to just cast magic against whatever or whoever you want but it is not always helpful or necessary. Having guidelines and sticking to them is an important part of baneful practices (they can always change and evolve but the most important thing is that you don't compromise on them when you are emotional). Here are a few guidelines I stick to, feel free to use them if they resonate with you.
Never cast without reason- I will only spend my time and energy on things that are really important to me. If the person I am casting against is already a waste of space in my life, they will also probably be a waste of time.
Never cast emotionally- I will wait several weeks before I decide to cast against someone. If what they did is really bad enough to warrant my energy and time then it's probably something I'll still be upset about weeks or months later.
Never cast against someone you live with or cannot cut out of your life- this one is kind of self explanatory but casting against someone you live with is bad news. You will be affected by your own working and will end up having to reverse it.
Know how to reverse your workings- things can always go wrong so make sure you have a back up plan and a really good uncrossing spell on hand.
Know yourself- it's important to do some reflecting before you hex. Ask yourself how you may have contributed to the situation. Are upset or are you projecting past traumas onto someone? What would you have done if the roles were reversed? Questions like these are tough to answer but help determine if a hex is really warranted or not.
Protect then hex- if you are casting against someone who lives with children or pets, you may choose to do a protection working on them before performing your hex. The energy a hex has often affects other people around the recipient and children/animals do not deserve to be negatively affected by the actions of someone else.
*All images are from Pinterest*
🖤I have a feeling that people may have questions regarding this post so instead of commenting them, please use the questions feature on my profile so that I can actually respond :)
Baneful protections can be considered both a form of baneful magic and a form of protection magic. When beginning baneful work, this is usually what I recommend starting with. Baneful protections are protection spells that produce some sort of consequence when energy hits it. This can be done without the use of physical taglocks (like names or dates of birth) because energy is able to act like a taglock. For example, some of the baneful protections I have set up will reflect any energy that hits it back to its source while others trap that energy instead (so it can used later on).
It is very important that even though you are protecting yourself, you aren't accidentally tethering the energy to you. In my first baneful protection, I used my saliva to tether the protection to me but instead I tethered all the negative energy the spell had trapped to me and had a horrible case of bad luck for weeks before I realized what I had done. As a rule of thumb i personally don’t include any personal taglocks in baneful protections and always make sure to include a petition that details my exact intent for the spell.
When to use Baneful Protections:
Baneful protections can be used instead of or in conjunction with other forms of protection (see my blog posts for more information on alternative forms of protection magic). I personally didn't have any baneful protections before I was hexed (for the first time) and now I have some just as a precautionary measure. Baneful protections are most beneficial (in my opinion) if you are surrounded by a lot of negative energy or work in an environment that is mentally draining. These protections can help combat the toll that it takes and prevent much of that energy from staying with you for an extended period of time.
It is really up to you whether or not you choose to incorporate baneful protections into your practice. It is worth it to note that this spell work is considered baneful magic, so those who believe in "doing no harm" may choose to forgo this and stick to regular protections instead. Whatever you choose, be sure to do your own research before attempting any new forms of spell work.
Return-to-Sender Spells:
Mirrors- mirrors have the ability to reflect an image so they are also able to reflect energy. Putting up a mirror on your altar or incorporating a piece of a mirror into a spell is very effective at returning energy to its source.
Burning the bottom of a candle- this is a common one and it is also my preferred method at returning energy. The way I do it is by burning the top of the candle like normal and visualizing the energy that you wish to return. Once the candle is flat, I will flip it upside down and light the other end of the wick, symbolizing the return of that energy to its source. This can be done many different ways so check out what other practitioners do to come up with your own method.
Petitions- petitioning is a really great tool that I utilize in most of my spell work because it is an effective way at manifesting a specific intent. It helps if you know the name of the person who sent you the energy for this method but it is not necessary. As long as you have a clear intention and some return-to-sender oil you can make an effective spell.
Running water or rivers- running water has been viewed as being able to carry energy from place to place so it is possible to use it to return energy to its source. In the shower, you can imagine the energy running off of you, down the drain and back to the person who sent it. Another method is throwing your petition into a river and having the river carry it back to its source. (This method also works with a toilet if you are feeling especially feisty!)
Anyone have any spells to protect someone from curses?
Idk I’m getting worried that I might get cursed lol… But really the only thing I did was charm a pentagram and a pentacle with protection and hung them by my bedside, tried to charge myself with protection with air/fire and some herbs, and made a protection jar but I’m still getting anxiety over it so if anyone could help? Thanks
I have a page of basic counter-cursing methods that might help you out, and I highly recommend starting with something like a mirror jar, in addition to the measures you’ve already taken, which look pretty sound to me.
Mirror Counter-Curse
If you know for certain someone has cursed you or plans to, you can use their name and a mirror to send their own magic back upon them.
See if you can get your hands on a small mirror. Something pried out of a cheap compact or a craft mirror tile will do. With a marker, write the person’s name on the mirror, then wrap it in paper and seal it in a jar with black pepper, rosemary, cumin, and mustard seed. Splash in some vinegar or lemon juice if you’re feeling frisky, or urine, if you’re really pissed. *pun sirens wail*
Shake the jar and recite:
All the harm you send at me
In the mirror’s glass you’ll see
And on your own head it will be
This may be discarded with your trash, if you don’t want to keep it around. If you wish, you can wrap the jar in duct tape first to seal in the effects of the spell.
This method can also be used if you’re expecting something to come at you, but don’t know from whence it comes. In that case, proceed as above but leave the mirror blank.
You will need a figure candle with name carved into. (or a half red, half black candle and you will need to carve a double headed arrow running vertically through the center of both colors.) A photo (or the person's image in your mind.)
You will need crabs, crab legs or crab powder as crabs are said to walk in reverse and meant to carry things back to the source.
You will need reversing oil, black salt, paper for petitions with the target’s full name and date of birth written 4xs, and disposable mirrors. (Note, you should NEVER, I repeat NEVER look into these mirrors!
You will write the name and date of birth with intent on the back of the mirror. You will place your petitions on a plate, cover with return oil and and place your mirrors facing towards the ceiling over the petitions. You will then fill around them with black salt.
Be sure to cleanse all candles and mirrors with Florida water before beginning, to remove any past energies.
Be sure to add your intent and details.
🔮When🔮
During a waning moon, a moon in Scorpio, or a moon in Pisces
💥The spell💥
Meditate on the candle flame and focus on your intent to send the energy of the sender back to them. Manifest it going back to them stronger than it was when they sent it your way. Whenever they think of you with ill will, they will feel anxious. If they think themselves better than you, they will feel beneath you. If they have hexed or cursed you, that magick will come back to haunt them. If they’ve gotten between you and someone else, their own relationships will fall apart. Whatever trouble they’ve caused to you and yours, they will feel in their own life.
After your conviction is unwavering, say the incantation:
“Negative energy sent my way,
The mirror reflects, the sender repays.
Evil that was sent to me,
Returns to where it came.
As I will it, so mote it be.”
Let the candle burn down until it is finished, then discard the remnants away from your home (including the mirror).
Be sure to thoroughly cleanse your space afterwards.
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