Kiriel

Ecclectic – Ceremonial Magick – Lokean

[lailoken]

The Nature of the Seven Planets

Manu­script V.b.26, Folger Shakespeare Library, Washington, DC:

The Book of Oberon

[windvexer-deactivated20160501]

Creation of the ‘astral temple’, or, visiting your personal astral space

Like outer space, I suspect the “astral” contains vast swaths of emptiness. When someone makes an astral temple, they are not mowing down an astral forest and building on someone else’s territory, they are starting with astral nothingness and producing within that nothingness our human concepts of time, space, depth, and physics. Nor will “space” in the astral “run out”, for the astral (while not infinite) is also not constrained by concepts of physical space, as we understand it.

Building a personal astral space is quite easy. Like any castle you want it to be protected, but basic protections (likely all that you will need) are simple to put up.

To visit an empty swath of the astral to build upon, do this simple exercise:

Become very relaxed through any technique you like. Enter a trance-like, almost sleepy state. If you don’t know what being in trance feels like, try following some Youtube meditations that bring a person to great relaxation.

Close your eyes and imagine a door. Any sort of door will work. Because this door was created by you, only you can open and close it.

Stand before the door and say or think, “this door will take me to an empty astral space that I can use as my own.”

Know these words to be true.

Then, open the door and step through it. Close the door firmly behind you. Do not be alarmed if the door disappears; it is a magical door, and it will come to you whenever you call it.

Chances are you will find yourself in a black empty nothingness space. This is quite normal. Like God in Genesis, create a world from scratch. You do not need to create an entire planet (that is likely beyond most of our abilities!). Try this method:

With force of will, decree that earth and sky be created. All around you, ground and atmosphere will appear.

Call upon a great, impenetrable sphere to surround this space. Don’t worry about making it all huge, you can alter your space however you want later on. The sphere will surround this area you have created and prevent any creature from entering or exiting without your permission.

Walk around your area and change it. You may find you don’t have the energy or will to enact changes as you please. This is okay: working in the astral takes actual energy, and the more you do it the easier it will become. If you do have the energy, try growing trees, creating benches or houses for you to enjoy, carving rivers or waterfalls, or whatever you like (Minecraft is not a bad comparison to building an astral space).

An important part of your astral space is that it allows you to directly work on the astral. If you are trying to grow astral limbs or other appendages, you can exercise them here. You can use this space to gain experience with working in the astral, or to build an astral temple where you can invite spirits and gods to enjoy themselves.

Whenever you are ready to exit, call your door to you. Simply think of the door and wish it to be next to you, and it will be. Open the door, walk through it back to your regular imagination, and firmly close it. Remember that nobody but you can open or close the door.

Remain in your relaxed state for a little while and readjust yourself to physical reality. Centering exercises help with this.

Return to your inner space whenever you like by going back through the door.

Here are some notes:

Astral vs Imagination

Your imagination has no rules and imagining things typically requires little effort or energy. 

Your imagination is static. For example if you imagine a garden, the next time you imagine it, the garden will be the same. It does not change or grow on its own.

When you imagine something, it simply becomes, like a hologram. 

In your imagination, all beings and creatures are automatons 

Your imagination is a seat of power through which many things can be accessed.

You do not need to ‘center’ or ‘readjust’ after a simple daydream

Building in the astral can take actual energy and willpower

Astral spaces have “rules”; even gods need wings or magical artifacts to fly

Astral spaces will grow and develop independent of your input. If you plant an astral garden and return to it a week later, it will have grown or withered.

When you attempt to build something, you may have to spend more time on it than just clicking your fingers and saying “become”. 

In the astral, beings and creatures have minds of their own. You can create many friends and guardians, but you will note that they will actually do things outside of your direct control

After visiting the astral, a period of readjustment is very much recommended.

Using the astral space as a place to honor spirits 

Build a beautiful temple or palace (or natural space) that the spirits you wish to honor would enjoy. Imagine it filled with the most wonderful offerings and delicacies. Invite different spirits to come and enjoy what you have laid out.

If you wish, use this as a space to speak with spirits. Do not let any spirits through your personal door, under any circumstances. 

When you are ready to leave your astral space, tell your visitors this visit is over and ask them to leave in peace. Imagine that they simply teleport away back to their homes.

Enjoy using this astral space for practice

You can quickly build all sorts of thought-forms directly in the astral, although whether or not they will be of use outside your temple is another matter. Practice building defenses of all sorts, casting magic, and viewing or testing astral limbs. 

Deleting an astral space

If you grow tired of what you have built, you can become a destroyer god and simply eliminate it and start anew. If for some reason you wish to close this space permanently, fold all of its space and time down in on itself like a paper box, until it becomes nothing. Summon your door, walk through, close the door, and destroy the door. 

[whiteappalachianwitch]

Magickal Moon

The moon has been a magickal presence for thousands and thousands of years. Ancestors of multiple cultures believed it had some spiritual significance. Science has helped us understand the moon and it’s effect on Earth, and astronauts who have visited the moon returned having a more spiritual connection, exploring religious or metaphysical beliefs more in depth. 

Moon Phases and Magick 

There are numerous spells you can perform while under the different phases of the moon. One simple ritual can be done to perform all the spells listed here by taking a small white candle to the window and gazing at the moon. Say your wish aloud and with feeling, then leave the candle to burn down and extinguish itself. (Remember to never leave a lit candle near a window unattended completely, or place it near a curtain). 

The Full Moon

The moon and its phases were once theorized to interfere with our internal chemistry by exerting gravitational forces on our bodies, or that the moon’s gravitational fields caused electrical particles to fall down to Earth further interfering with the function of the brain. Many scientific studies have attempted to disprove this notion, as well as invalidating the belief that crimes and mental instability (such as lunatic) increased during full moons. The full moon does not have any negative connotations in the magickal world, it is just considered a very powerful time of the month. Fridays that fall on full moons, for example, are perfect days for casing love spells. If you try to cast a love spell during any other moon phase, it doesn’t mean it won’t work, but the results could take longer. 

There are lots of other spells that can be cast during the benefit of a full moon also:

Protecting property and home

Adding vigor to your life

Anything to do with love

Increasing self-confidence

Advancing in career and work 

Enhancing psychic ability/clairvoyance

Strengthening friendships and family bonds

Performing general good-luck spells 

The Waxing Moon

During the waxing moon, witches like to cast spells for improving situations or getting things going if they have been stuck for a while. This is a good phase of the moon to help kick-start your life. The following spells are fast-acting during a waxing moon:

Moving forward from depression

Getting out of a rut

Passing exams and tests

Finding lost objects

Healing a sick animal or finding a lost pet 

Nurturing abundant, healthy gardens and the well-being of nature

Losing weight or stopping smoking 

The Waning Moon

The waning moon is perfect to cast spells for getting ride of negative energies that sometimes hang over your life. If you cast a spell during this moon phase, you will gain the power to take control again, strengthen weak areas, and become more assertive in actions. Cast spells during a waning moon for:

Developing inner strength and assertiveness

Banishing enemies

Stopping arguments 

Soothing unruly children 

Calming anxiety 

Getting out of tricky situations 

The New Moon

This lunar experience is appropriate for just about any spell. The new moon phase surrounds us with positive energy and can be a catalyst for immediate change. Transitions in life happen naturally around a new moon phase anyway, such as new jobs or births. To revolutionize your life during this time, cast spells for:

Career changes

Moving house swiftly and easily

Safe and enjoyable travel

Increasing your cash flow

Better health

Conceiving

Women and the Moon

In many early religions, the moon was worshipped as a goddess, and it has always been seen as a feminine symbol. The moon orbits at a distance of approximately 238,855 miles from Earth, and takes about 28 days to complete its orbit. In an interesting comparison, the amount of time between female menstrual cycles is the same amount of days. 

Moons and Moods

Our demeanor changes depending on what the moon is doing. If you are interested in studying your own changes, keep a Book of Shadows about how you feel during each passing phase. Certain situations can naturally occur during certain phases, also. Animals may be affected by the full moon phase, and can become a bit more rambunctious. So if you’re a witch with felines, keep catnip at hand. 

The Dark or Void of the Moon

During the dark moon, when the face of the moon is hidden, it is also known as the “dead” moon. It takes place precisely three days before a new moon, and is considered to be the most magickal and potent of all the phases. Many individuals who partake in black magick do so during this time. People using dark magick can influence any spells or rituals that you may be performing. Their collective power can cause cosmic havoc: our spells may become confused or simply not work at all. It is advised to be experienced wand wavers to attempt rituals at this time. 

References 

Robbins, Shawn, and Greenaway, Leanna. Wiccapedia. New York: Sterling Ethos, 2014. Print. 

[witch333s]

Gnostic circle —— alchemical key of knowledge

[astreathewitch]

Alchemical Enchanting: Protection Circle

Today I’d like to talk about enchanting: the practice of charging objects with a magickal purpose. This can be done in many different ways; it is not required to follow complicated rituals and use specific ingredients to successfully enchant an object, but rituals are a great way to focus one’s will during the process.

This is the way I do it. 🌙

Start with meditation, trying to reach a very deep and focused meditative state. You have to feel your own power grow inside of you. I find that listening to music is a great way to make this process easier. 

Focus on your goal: in the case of a protection spell, you can try to visualize a protective bubble around you, or a shield that repels unwanted energies. Take your time to make the image very clear in your head.

Pick the object you wish to enchant. In this case, I used a round black onyx stone, which is known to have protective properties (but you can use whichever object you have on hand, as long as you feel a positive connection to it). Cleanse and bless the object however you see fit (I use New Moon Water and Chaos Water).

Draw the enchanting circle on a piece of paper. I start with a basic alchemical circle: I draw the three symbols of mercury, salt and sulphur around the circle and I draw a six-pointed star inside. Then I start drawing inside the circle, trying to remain focused on my goal as much as I can, and leaving a blank space where I will place the object I want to enchant.  

Surround the enchanting circle with salt to protect it from any external interference. I also place obsidian, clear quartz and carnelian around it as a representation of the alchemical transmutation. If you want, you can light a candle that matches your goal (for protection, use a black candle).

Place your object inside the enchanting circle and leave it there to charge for as long as you want. You either can remain focused on your enchantment, or you can leave the circle alone to do its magick. (But please, never leave candles unattended!)

Here’s a closer look at my protection circle. You can copy it down and use it as it is, or you can change it to fit your personal spell. 

If you feel that the object is losing its charge after being used, you can just put it back on the circle and leave it there overnight.

If you’d like to know more about the ideas behind alchemy, check my previous post on the topic here.

Happy enchanting! 🌙

[astreathewitch]

Alchemical Enchanting: Crystal Amulets

Dear witches and magical creatures, 🌙

This Christmas I decided to make some special gifts for my friends. I prepared an enchanted amulet for each of them, based on their personality and what they’re going through. I used the process of Alchemical Enchanting, which I have explained in more detail in this post (so please check it out before trying out any of these!). In this post, I’ll explain the meaning of each enchantment, I’ll show you the Alchemical Circles that I have used and the stones that I have chosen to go with them.

🌙  “I find the balance.” 💎 This enchantment helps dealing with the extremes in one’s personality, and helps with not being overwhelmed by positive or negative emotions. It favours introspection and self-control. For this amulet, I have chosen Amethyst, for its calming and balancing properties.

🌙  “I believe in myself.” 💎 This spell is useful for anyone that suffers from low self-esteem and self-doubt. Using this amulet will allow the wearer to find the courage to face any challenge without fear. For this amulet, I have chosen Carnelian, as it brings strength, vitality and courage.

🌙  “I love myself.” 💎  This circle can be used to help those who are often overwhelmed by guilt, anxiety and fear of the judgment of others. This amulet will bring peace and relief from extreme stress, and induce the wearer to take more care of themselves. For this amulet, I have chosen Rose Quartz, the stone of love.

🌙  “I am focused on my goal.” 💎 This enchantment is perfect for anyone who is facing a great intellectual challenge and needs the motivation and the determination to succeed. It helps with overcoming obstacles with strength and clarity of mind. For this amulet, I have chosen Fluorite, because it enhances creativity and focus.

🌙  “My dreams come true.” 💎 This amulet will bring good luck and success to the wearer. It will help anyone that has been a victim of injustice or bad luck, encouraging them not to lose faith, to be brave and to follow their ambitions. For this amulet, I have chosen Avventurine, the stone of good luck and prosperity.

[samwisethewitch]

Building a Magical Home

One of my favorite quotes about the magic of homemaking comes from Cory Hutcheson, host of the New World Witchery podcast. He says, “Home is a transformational act. It is the thing you do to turn a space into a space… that is full of ritual and significance and meaning. So there is sort of this ongoing relationship you have with the space that makes it a home.”

The act of creating a home, of making a space your own, is inherently magical. But if you want to make your space feel a little more witchy, here are some ideas to get you started.

Charms and Talismans

Making your own magical objects can be a powerful way to bring magic into your space. The best thing about making your own charms is that you can make them look however you want, so it’s easy to disguise them as ordinary household objects. You can make a charm for any intention by combining objects based on their magical correspondences.

I’ve talked about protective charms in previous posts, so I’m not gonna spend a lot of time on it here. The simplest protective charm is keeping a large piece of iron under your bed to keep away nightmares, evil spirits, and negative energy. You could also make your own protection charm, like a witch bottle.

You can create a “happy home” charm to bring peace, harmony, and happiness into your home. This charm could include herbs like basil, rosemary, lavender, peppermint, and/or bay leaves, as well as other items that you associate with peace and good fortune, like lucky coins, crystals, or black cat fur. Write your desires for a harmonious and happy home on a piece of paper, fold it up, and add it to the charm. You could store these items in a green bag, bury them in your backyard (in this case, make sure you’re only using biodegradable plant matter — leave out the coins and crystals), or place it inside a household object like a lamp or an end table.

If you suffer from insomnia or other sleep issues, try making a dream charm to help you sleep well and have sweet dreams. To make a simple dream charm, fill a blue or purple bag with lavender, chamomile, peppermint, and any other objects that you associate with peace, restfulness, and sleep. If you want to have lucid dreams or receive psychic messages in your dreams, include a bit of mugwort. Place the charm in your pillow or under your mattress. (I personally swear by this one, as it’s helped a lot with my insomnia.)

Charms are great for homemaking magic because you’re actually creating a magical object, which can then become a permanent fixture of the space.

Magical Decor

You can use magical items to decorate your home to bring certain qualities into that space.

Hanging or displaying a broom is said to bring good fortune, protection from evil, and good hospitality. Cauldrons are used to represent the Goddess, rebirth, and raw potential. Horseshoes hung above door frames bring safety and luck to all who cross under them, and keep unwanted guests away. If you can get them legally and ethically, animal bones, teeth, claws, and feathers can represent the spirit and energy of that animal. You can also put up images of spiritual and occult symbols — I have an image of the Sun tarot card hanging in my bedroom to promote positivity and growth.

If you need to be a little more subtle with your witchy decorations, working with the magic of color is a great way to do that. Gathering a lot of items of a single color in one room changes the energy of that room. Here’s a quick guide to give you some ideas:

Yellow is associated with divination, mental clarity, the element of air, success, communication, and inspiration.

Purple is associated with divine power, spiritual awareness, mystery, astral travel, magic, and authority.

Blue is associated with healing, psychic abilities, the element of water, peace, truth, and patience.

Red is associated with protection, the fire element, sex, power, vitality, and love.

Orange is associated with ambition, creativity, breaking through blockages, and career success.

Pink is associated with romantic love, friendship, self love, compassion, and emotional well-being.

Green is associated with nature, herbalism, the earth element, money, wealth, prosperity, and luck.

Brown is associated with grounding, animal magic, stability, and balance.

White is associated with purification, cleansing, the full moon, new beginnings, healing, and spiritual growth.

Black is associated with protection, truth, outer space, banishing, and transition.

Decorating your home with colors that are meaningful to you can create a powerful magical space. You may also have your own color associations (for example, yellow is a very “happy” color for me), so feel free to incorporate those into your decor as well!

Growing Magical Houseplants

Most witches feel a very deep connection to nature and draw power from the natural world, but we can’t all live in a cottage in the heart of the forest. Even if you live in a tiny apartment in the city, you can still bring nature into your space by keeping houseplants. Many popular houseplants have magical uses, and many popular magic herbs can be grown inside. Here are a few to get you started.

Aloe. This is one of my favorite plants. Aloe brings luck and protection, especially protection on an energetic/spiritual level. I like to keep aloe in my bedroom to protect me while I sleep, as well as to bring luck and inspiration while I’m working at my desk.

Basil. Basil is very popular in money spells, and will attract prosperity and luck to your home. However, it also has protective properties — both spiritual protection and protection from bugs, since basil is a natural insect repellent! Basil can also be used in love spells, and is just generally a good plant to have around for good vibes.

African Violet. This flowering plant attracts positive spiritual energy into your space. It has associations with the moon and the water element, and is very good for promoting spirituality and psychic power.

Rosemary. Rosemary is one of those herbs that every witch should have on hand. It’s so darn versatile, it can be used as a substitute for virtually any other herb, and can be used for almost any intention. Some of the most common magical associations for rosemary include: cleansing, purification, protection, healing, mental activity, and enhancing memory. According to author Deborah J. Martin, there’s an old English saying that, “Where rosemary grows, the woman rules the house.” Like basil, rosemary is a natural insect repellent.

Lavender. Lavender brings peace, love, and gentleness, which makes it a perfect addition to any home. It can be used in spells for cleansing and purification, enhancing psychic abilities, and stress relief. Lavender is also a powerful addition to love spells. Keeping lavender in the bedroom can aid in restful sleep, while lavender in the kitchen will bring harmony to the home.

Sage. Sage is the most talked about cleansing herb, and with good reason. Unfortunately, a lot of the sage bundles you can buy at metaphysical stores are made with white sage (Salvia apiana), which is sacred to Native American peoples and is endangered due to overharvesting. Instead of buying those, why not grow your own garden sage (Salvia officinalis), which has a lot of the same magical properties? Growing sage in your home will purify the space and protect those who live there. Sage also has an association with wisdom and mental prowess.

Hoya. Hoya is a common houseplant that you’ve probably seen even if you don’t know it by name. It has a distinctive appearance with waxy, dark green leaves and clusters of white, star-shaped flowers. Hoya aligns and balances the energy centers within your body, as well as in the surrounding space. It’s associated both with grounding and with spiritual openness, so it can be great for balancing the two.

Peppermint. Peppermint has a variety of magical uses, but my favorite way to use it is for gently opening up blockages and getting things moving. It’s great for cleansing, but is more gentle than rosemary or sage. Place it in any room where you tend to do a lot of healing work, or where you could use some peace and love. Peppermint is also used in dream magic, so growing it in the bedroom may bring on vivid or lucid dreams.

Orchid. Orchids are used in magic for love and lust. Historically, orchid has been used in folk medicine to promote male virility and “Jezebel root,” used in American folk magic to attract wealthy male lovers, is a type of orchid root. If you live with a significant other, try growing an orchid in the bedroom to promote passion in your sex life. Otherwise, grow orchids in your home to promote love or to attract romance.

Catnip. If you have cats, they’ll love this one. Catnip is actually a type of mint, and has strong lunar associations. It’s said to make one more charming and attractive, and is especially useful for attracting women. At the same time, catnip promotes courage and fierceness. It is also, of course, associated with cats and feline deities, so this is definitely a plant you’ll want to keep around if the cat is one of your animal guides.

If you have a yard space that you can turn into an outdoor garden, your magical plant options are limited only by your local ecosystem. Some outdoor plants that have magical uses include roses, sunflowers, rue, lemon balm, and strawberries.

Creating an Altar

Altars are focal points of magical and spiritual energy. Many people, both witches and non-witches, find that having a designated space for their spiritual practice creates a deeper sense of sacredness and purpose.

An altar can serve lots of different purposes. Many witches use their altar as a magical work space to prepare spells, meditate, and do divination. You may choose to dedicate your altar to a deity, your ancestors, or some other spirit(s) you work with. You can also build altars for specific intentions, such as a money altar or a love altar — performing rituals at this altar everyday is a powerful method for manifestation. You altar may be some or all of these things, or it may just be a place to sit and connect with the spiritual.

You can set up an altar on any flat surface, like a shelf or table, or inside a container like a jewelry box. Your setup can be as simple or as elaborate as you like. An altar can be huge and complex, with statues and candles and flowers, or it can be as simple as a tealight and an incense burner. It’s all about what appeals to you.

Resources:

New World Witchery pocast, “Episode 143 — The Magical Home”

Southern Cunning: Folkloric Witchcraft in the American South by Aaron Oberon

Wicca: A Guide for the Solitary Practitioner by Scott Cunningham

“Candle colors and their meanings” by Michelle Gruben on the Grove and Grotto blog

Green Witchcraft by Paige Vanderbeck

A Green Witch’s Cupboard by Deborah J. Martin

“The Magic of Orchids in Wiccan Love Spells & Rituals” on the Art of the Root blog

[kirielthearcane]

Let’s talk about death a bit

So dealing with death can very much suck. In fact it almost always does suck quite a bit. And I think the best thing you can do for yourself and for those around you is just to get really really present and really feel all the feelings around it. Take literally all the time you need because death isn’t something that you just move on from but something that you move forward with. Death is an inevitability and a part of life – and when someone close to you dies, that becomes a part of you. 

So my best advice: 

let yourself experience the feelings. 

know that this horrid feeling is temporary 

and when you’re ready, move forward with this experience knowing that it helped make you a more understanding and mentally strong individual. 

[moonlightacademy]

Reading A Candle

Watch your candles closely and learn to read them to help you with your practice.

The Flame

A strong flame: It means that your energies are raised. There is a lot of power behind your spell and little to no resistance. Indicates that all your power and energy is focused on your manifestation. This is a good sign. If a candle shaped into a figure is used and has a strong flame it means that whoever it represents is either angry, winning, or using authority over another. When their are two figures the candle with the higher flame has authority over the other person.   

A weak flame: Indicates that the magick you cast is facing a heavy opposition and is a sign that you may need to recast your spell in order to overcome the opposing force. On a figure candle this may indicate that the representative may be loosing a battle or an argument. 

A jumping flame: This indicates strong emotions. There may also be some sort of resistance against you. Maybe close your circle and bring your mind back to focus before continuing. It may also mean an explosion of energy. When two figure candles are being used it often means that an energetic or a heated argument is taking place between them.  

A noisy candle: Indicates a conversation. It may may that a spirit is trying to send you a message or get in contact with you. The louder the noises get the more urgent communication must be. 

The flame catches something on fire: Someone one may be using malicious magick against you.  

A clean even burning candle: Means your spell and manifestations are likely to come true.

Fast Burn: The results of your spell will happen quickly.

Flickering Flame: If there is no breeze then it means a spirit is near by. If it is a devotional flame it means you were able to get in contact with your deity.

Cannot blow the flame out: A spirit may not be finished its conversation with you or you did not complete a spell. The spirit needs to complete its work, something may be may in the works that you do not want to interrupt. 

A flame goes out while burning: This means the spirits cannot help you and the answer you seek is already determined.  

The Smoke

Black smoke/soot: Your energy and magick is being blocked. Negative energy is being sent your way, whether as a curse or hex. You may soon be faced with tough challenges and a hard road ahead of you. 

Smoke wafts towards you: It means your call will likely be answered or your spell has been cast successfully. You will get results quickly.

Smoke wafts away from you: You must work harder in order for your calls to be answered.

Watch the direction the smoke wafts: East - Something powerful is assisting you, North - You are ready to begin your ritual and get results, South - The spell will be successful, West - A powerful interference from an outside force.

Smoking Candle: Negative energy is being burned away.

The Wax

When a candle leaves wax residue: Your spell may need to be repeated.

Look for symbols in the candle wax, like reading tea leaves.

Resources: askanthony.weebly.com, anamericanwitch.wordpress.com,   

May the Moon light you path!

☾ Moonlight Academy ☽ 

[moon-lightfaerie]

Liminal Spaces in Witchcraft

First of all, what is a liminal space? A liminal space refers to a place or time that is in a period of transition between two phases. These are usually places where reality feels altered because you are neither moving forward or backward, like a rest stop. The word liminal originates from the Latin word limens, meaning threshold. These places often give off a sense that time stands still and that you are experiencing some sort of reality shift. 

        In magic and witchcraft these spaces are considered to be the boundary between our world and the other, it is known as “the in-between”. These places are considered areas of great magic because it is believed this is where the veil is thin. These places are great for divination, spirit work, meditation and astral travel; they are ideal for hedge witchcraft.

Times & Spaces of Liminality:

crossroads manmade or natural

river, creek or lake shores/ beaches

hallway/corridor/stairwells/landings/doorways

graveyards

dawn, dusk, afternoon, midnight

valleys

forest glades

many more!

      Samhain/Halloween is considered the best time to communicate with spirits and faeries because of its liminality, it is a time of transition between autumn and winter. Irish folklore tells that this is the day faeries and ghosts come out to play because of the veil thinning. The equinoxes and sabbats like Beltane and Imbolc are also days of liminality because the time of day and night are equal (equinoxes) or it is a transition between seasons.  

       Mental states of liminality are also times of spirit communication. While being in a meditative state we are in a state of transition between our concious and sub-concious minds, this is where we sometimes experience astral projection or messages from spirits. People often experience spirit while falling asleep because this is another state of liminality. 

     In my craft I often practice in liminality in order to connect with the faerie realms.

-Moonlight 🌙

[hiswitchcraft]

Pro witch tip #4: WARD YOURSELF

Ward yourself. Ward yourself. Ward yourself. WARD YOURSELF. JUST, DO IT. HERE’S A POST ABOUT IT! CLICK ME! This has been a PSA. Thank you for coming to my, very witchy, ted talk. 

[para-weird-normal-blog]

The Gray Man

The Gray Man is a ghost reportedly seen on the coast of Pawleys Island, South Carolina that warns residents of coming severe storms and hurricanes. Although there are many variations of the legend, most say the Gray Man was first seen in 1822, three years before the town government was incorporated. The last sighting was just before Hurricane Hugo hit the area in 1989. Most recently documented preceding Hurricane Matthew on October 7, 2016. 

Source. 

[southcarolinagoddess]

Also, they say that if you see the Gray Man, you will be protected from the coming storm.

[deerhoofandrabbitsfoot-deactiva]

In County Antrim in Ireland, there were legends of a fairy-being also called the Grey Man (or in Irish, Far Liath). He’s not very well-known. It is said he would sometimes appear as a regular-sized man wrapped in a cloak, but sometimes he would appear much larger. He wasn’t friendly - he would cause a fog, making ships smash into the rocks and would spread disease. Kind of the opposite of his South Carolina counterpart, really.

[bitesizedoblivion]

New Witchy Community!

Hey everyone! There’s a new witchy discord community I’d like y'all to know about called Raven’s Nest! Myself, along with my partners and a few close friends have put together a witchy community and I’d like to invite you to it! It’s a pretty chill social server where you can communicate with like minded individuals, exchange ideas, and get your questions answered by some of our lovely knowledgeable elders! Come and join us and help us make this community awesome! LGBTQ+ and kin friendly, ages 14 and up!

[samwisethewitch]

Communicating with Spirits

On this blog, we’ve talked about why witches might want to work with spirits, types of spirits they might work with, and the proper etiquette for establishing a relationship with a spirit. What we haven’t yet talked about is one of the most important, but sometimes most frustrating, elements of spirit work: communication.

There are several methods you can use to communicate with spirits, depending on your skills, preferences, and comfort level.

Signs and Synchronicity

The most organic way to receive messages from spirits is to wait for physical signs in your environment.

The concept of synchronicity was first introduced by Carl Jung. A synchronicity is a “meaningful coincidence” — a seemingly random event that feels meaningful to the individual. For example: crows have a lot of spiritual significance to me, and whenever I see or hear one it has a very specific meaning for me.

Another way a spirit might send you a sign is by surrounding you with physical reminders of them. I’ve most often experienced this with deities. If a new deity is reaching out to me, I’ll see images of them in places I wouldn’t expect to and may hear their name mentioned over and over again around me.

In her book The Angel Code, Chantel Lysette encourages readers to ask for physical signs when they connect with spirits, as a way to confirm that this is a genuine spiritual experience. This is something that has really stuck with me, and has become common practice in my spirit work. It can be very powerful to see signs in your mundane life that validate your spiritual experiences.

Divination

One easy way to communicate with spirits is to use your favorite divination method. (I’ve already done a whole post on divination, so I’m not going to spend much time on it here.) When using divination to communicate with a spirit, address your questions to them by name. From there, proceed as you normally would.

One thing to keep in mind when using divination to communicate with spirits is that the communication will be limited by the divination method you use. If you’re using a pendulum, you can only ask yes or no questions. If you’re using a tarot or oracle deck, the spirit will be limited to the cards in that deck when they’re trying to answer. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing, but it is something to keep in mind.

Automatic Writing or Channeled Writing

This is a little bit different than other divination methods, because in this case you’re actually connecting directly with the spirit in order to write down messages from them. Automatic writing is the act of allowing your hand to write out a message without focusing on the words — the idea is that your hand will be guided by the spirits in order to write down their message for you. Some people believe that you should use your non-dominant hand for automatic writing, as this is your “receptive” hand. Channeled writing is the act of receiving a message through your psychic senses, which you then write down. Automatic writing is a type of channeling, but not all channeling is automatic writing.

I personally prefer channeled writing, simply because I find it more comfortable. Some witches prefer automatic writing because it bypasses your conscious mind, thus making it less likely that you’ll unknowingly “edit” the message. However, automatic writing can be a little bit harder to learn, so I’m going to focus on channeling here.

To channel a message from a spirit, you will need something to write with — a notebook and pen/pencil works, but so does a laptop with a word processor or even the notebook app on a smart phone. You will also need to enter a light trance state (this is the same state of consciousness experienced in meditation), so you might choose to use trance triggers like incense, shamanic drumming, or binaural beats. Begin by creating a protective space around yourself. (This is just to make sure only one spirit comes through at a time.) Invite the spirit you want to receive a message from into your space. Enter a trance and open yourself up to whatever it is they have to say. Don’t think about the words that come to you — simply write them down. You can analyze the message later, after your trance has ended.

Meditation

If you have a specific question you need an answer to, you can receive an answer to that question in a meditation. Likewise, if you want to connect with a certain spirit, you can do so through meditation.

This is fairly straightforward. Prepare for meditation in the way you normally do — light incense or candles and play music if you’d like, and make sure you have a comfortable place to sit or lay down. Before you begin to meditate, speak your intention out loud. This could be as simple as saying, “My intention for this meditation is to connect with [insert spirit’s name],” or “My intention for this meditation is to receive an answer from [insert spirit’s name] about [insert topic here],” or it could be an elaborate prayer.

From there, meditate as you normally would. Focus on the spirit you’re trying to connect with or, if you have a specific question, focus on that question. Whenever I do this, I often receive an answer in a sudden information download — suddenly the answer to my question is clear and obvious.

Pathworking

A pathworking is a specific type of meditation where you go on a psychic journey, usually with a specific goal in mind. I like to think of pathworking as the halfway point between meditation and astral travel. With pathworking, you are still anchored to your physical body, but your consciousness is able to make a journey into the astral world.

There are two important elements to a pathworking: a clear entrance/exit point and a way to retrace your steps. Pathworking journeys are typically cyclical — there is both a journey out and a return where you go back the way you came. This makes it easier to fully return your consciousness to your body, and failing to do so can cause you to feel disoriented upon the return.

A very common entrance/exit point is a door or gate which you use to enter and exit the astral realm. Sometimes it’s more of a home base — for example, my entry point is a rocky beach. I’ve also heard of people using a tree, or even The World Tree, as their entry point. Whatever imagery you choose, make sure you’re able to find your way back to it. If you’re worried about getting lost, author Thea Sabin recommends using “the Theseus trick.” Like in the myth of Theseus and the Minotaur, you can tie a golden thread or rope to your entry point and the other end to your astral body. If you get lost, you can follow the thread back.

If you want to try pathworking, make a rough “road map” of your journey beforehand. This doesn’t have to be super specific, but it should contain the following: a goal for the pathworking (such as to connect with a certain spirit), an entry/exit point, and a general idea for the route you’re going to take.

Astral Travel/Spirit Flight

Perhaps the most direct route, astral travel (also called “spirit flight,” “soul flight,” or “hedge riding”) involves sending your spirit or consciousness into the astral realm/spirit world. Astral travel is not a beginner technique. This method should only be used by witches who have experience with meditation, pathworking, and other altered states of consciousness. The major advantage of astral travel is that you’re visiting the spirits on their own turf, which means you can communicate with them much more clearly and directly.

I’ll talk about both pathworking and astral travel at length in my next post. In the meantime, know that it is an option but that I only recommend it for intermediate to experienced witches, and even then only after some serious research into how to do it safely.

Some Basic Precautions

No matter which method you use, here are some basic rules to keep you safe and comfortable during your communication.

Cleanse before you begin. The best way to make sure you’re talking to the spirit you want is to clear out any other nasties before you begin. There are lots of ways to cleanse your space, from incense to sound baths to sweeping with a ritual broom. Use your favorite method to energetically tidy up before you try to contact anybody.

Use protection. A few safety precautions never hurt anyone, and they’re a good idea if you’re going to attempt one of the more involved methods of communication, like channeled writing or astral travel. The salt circle is an oldie but a goodie — once you’ve set it up, only spirits you invite can enter the circle. (But please don’t sprinkle salt on the ground outdoors — this hurts plant life! Use another protective substance, like rosemary, to form the circle instead.)

Know who you’re talking to. It may not be in your best interest to chat it up with whoever presents themselves. Not every spirit has good intentions. I speak from experience when I say that opening the lines of communication to whoever is around is not the best idea. Be clear and specific with which spirits you invite into your space, and don’t open the door to spirits who make you uncomfortable. This is part of the reason that having an established relationship with spirits that you know and trust is important.

Don’t take things at face value. Something that doesn’t get brought up enough in the New Age community is the fact that spirits can and do lie. They can also be wrong, and may give you false information in good faith. Just because a spirit tells you something doesn’t make it true. Always do your own fact-checking outside of spirit work.

Don’t be the idiot in a horror movie. Use common sense when working with spirits. Use safety precautions (see previous notes about cleansing and protection). Don’t intentionally contact negative entities — don’t be that guy who buys a Ouija board so he can talk to Jack the Ripper’s ghost. If a spirit gives you bad vibes, tell them politely but firmly to leave. When in doubt ask yourself, “Would a character in a horror movie do this?” If the answer is yes, don’t do it. You’re smarter than that.

Resources:

The Angel Code by Chantel Lysette

Wicca for Beginners by Thea Sabin

Southern Cunning: Folkloric Witchcraft in the American South by Aaron Oberon

New World Witchery podcast (several episodes, including “Episode 164 — Irish Folklore and Magic,” “Episode 161 — Practicing Safe Hex,” and “Episode 152 — Honoring Ancestors”)

“My Goddesses: How and Why I Work with Mary and Hel” by Kelly-Ann Maddox

[renthony]

Hot Take:

Witchcraft isn’t just organized spells and ceremonial magick.

Magic is talking to your plants and explaining to them why they’re being re-potted.

Magic is wearing your favorite shirt for good luck.

Magic is saying “thank you” to old items before discarding them.

Magic is a deep breath and a murmured assurance of, “I can do this” before a big day.

Magic is keeping a candle lit on your desk because you find it relaxing.

Magic is throwing open your windows and playing some comforting music.

Magic is the little things, too.

[kirielthearcane]

What are your favorite books?

I’m looking to expand my knowledge on ceremonial magick and would adore any suggestions :) 

[gsw-apprentice]

Planning a Ritual

Below is a kind of primer for ritual construction; when you already have a theme and just need some thought-questions to help you flesh out the details. This comes from the Department of Ceremonial Magick, in the Level 1 class About Rituals and is a segment of an article by Anodea Judith found in HOME Cooking, 1997.

1. What is the purpose of the ritual? Why are you doing this, what do you wish to accomplish, what is the problem you wish to solve, etc.. Answers can be anything from the removal of nuclear weapons to simply having a good time. This dictates the theme.

2. What time is it? What time of year, season, moon cycle, day or night, time in your life, time in a group’s life (i.e. initiation, closing, etc.) or what time in a succession of rituals? (such as planetary, or chakra rituals which may go in a certain order.

3. Who is it for and who will take part? This encompasses number of people, level of experience, age, physical capabilities, children, all women, all men, mixed, closed intimate circle, or large public ritual or anything in between.

4. Whom do you wish to influence? This is slightly different from #1, and may also be skipped, as in a purpose of simply having a good time. If your purpose is to remove nuclear weapons, you may wish to influence politicians in the white house, or you may wish to influence families in the neighborhood to inspire them to write letters to congressman. A word of warming must always be added on this one, that what you’re doing doesn’t become manipulation, which is both exhausting and of questionable ethics.

5. Where will it be held? Indoors, outdoors, in a home, temple, classroom, etc.

6. How long should it last? This relates to #2, and #5, for outdoor, nighttime rituals may need to be shorter than others. It also must take into consideration who will be there–i.e. children cannot sit through long rituals. Planning the length of time is important and subroutines of the ritual should also be planned. (i.e. Casting the circle: 5 min.; Invocations: 10 min.; etc.)

7. What do you have to work with? If it’s outdoors on a full moon, you have the time and the place to work with, and whatever elements they invoke. A mountaintop gives you one thing, the ocean another. What tools do you have, invocations, skills, people, robes, dances, chants, etc? Sort through what you have from your Grimoire and Book of Shadows and lay out all the things that are appropriate. You may not use them all but you can sort and order them later when the skeleton comes into play.

8. What will be the main techniques for working? Meditation, dancing, chanting, healing, walking, drumming, etc. Which is most appropriate to the purpose and theme?

9. How do you symbolize on a microcosm what you wish to work? If you wish to cross the Abyss, how can you set that up in the ritual? If you wish to open people’s hearts, how can that be symbolized in a direct, subliminal way?

10. What should be on the Altar? This comes out of the symbolism of #9. If you are working with Air, then you would have feathers and incense; if you are working with Earth, you might have crystals. In different seasons you might have seasonal items.

Taking your ritual idea through these questions can help give it a more defined form, and it can even help spark new ideas! I’ve found it helpful, and am sharing in the hopes others might find it helpful as well :)