Eclectic Witchling

🍃🍀🍃 I follow from WeCreateMore 🍃🍀🍃 🌹 30 and still growing🌹 ••Healing•Energy•Herbal•Hearth••

[celestiaphia]

My Ritual for Offerings and Prayers

Simple Version - Full Version

I practice Hellenic Polytheism. This is not a reconstructed or historically accurate ritual.

How I created my Ritual 

When I first decided I wanted to make a personalized ritual, I asked myself what giving an offering means to me. I decided giving an offering means inviting the Gods into my home as guests.

Formality is important to me but I mostly do free form prayer. Formal prayers I do with offerings, informal prayers I do in the moment but only with Gods I’m closest to.

My Steps for Offering

1. Preparation - I get everything I need for the offering before I go to my altar.

2. Ritual cleansing - I like ritual cleansing because it helps transition me from a every day state of mind to a spiritual state of mind. This could be traditional khernips, a shower, or just washing my hands.

3. Put on a Veil - This is a new step for me but I like it for the same reason I like cleansing, it helps change my state of mind.

4. Light my Altar Candle - I have a candle I use only for this, so lighting the candle is like flipping on my “offering time” switch. I also use a candle because I can’t use incense. 

4.5 Grounding - Optional - I will take a few breaths to ground myself in the moment before I speak. 

5. Invite the Gods to my Altar -  “(God’s name), I ask you to join me at my altar as I offer and pray to you,” or if I’m offering to more than one god, “Dear Gods, I ask you to join me…”

6. Give the Offering - When I give the offering I say, “I am offering to you [name of thing]. May it please you and bring you joy.” My most common offering is a libation of water. (Why Water is not a Lazy Offering)

7. Prayer of Thanks - I thank the Gods for whatever I want to. This could be as short as, “thank you for what you do in my life,” or longer and more specific. 

8. Prayer for Requests - This is optional. I won’t make requests of a God when I am praying to them the first time. Before I make a request of a God I like to say, “If it would please you,” or “If the fates will it,” because I know I am not guaranteed anything I ask for.

9. Repeated Steps 6 - 8 as Needed - If I am praying to multiple Gods, I give the offerings and prayers separately for each one. If I’m pouring a libation, I will pour a small amount for each God when I offer it. 

9.5 Meditation - Optional -  I use prayer beads to meditate at my alter and focus on the God/Gods and let myself experience the moment. 

10. Closing the Ritual - “Thank you (God’s name)/Gods for joining me at my alter. I pray that the offerings pleased you and that you will join me again in my home.” After I say this I put out my candle and take off my veil. 

Minor Details 

Where do I put my hands? Sometimes I fold them together and sometimes I put them up or down in the traditional Hellenic way of praying.

What does my altar look like? Here is the most recent picture of my altar. More pictures are linked in the full post. 

How long do I leave out my offerings? 24 - 48 hours 

How often to do this ritual? Every 2 weeks at most,  once a month at least. 

Where do you get items for your altar? Most of my items are from thrift stores but I do buy some things from Etsy. 

[solitary-pagan-deactivated20230]

Pagan Holiday Ritual Template (Simple)

What is a ritual?

According to my definition and understanding, a ritual is simply a religious/spiritual celebration or the fancy word for a spiritual work. What makes it special is its structure and mixture of verbal and physical acts.

1.) Preparing the space

Both physical and spiritual cleaning should be done before a ritual. We are supposed to feel safe and relaxed in the place where we are going to perform a ritual. I believe it is pretty obvious how physical cleaning is performed (vacuuming the floor, wiping dust etc.). However, spiritual cleaning, that is cleansing is usually done by sprinkling some salt, or (salty) water or it is done by going around with an incense a.k.a smoke cleansing - my favourite. There are some other ways too, but these are the most common ones. The goal of cleansing is to remove any unwanted energies from the space. When it comes to my experience, since I perform my rituals at my home, I actually do not have a problem with negative energies but I still do the spiritual cleansing because it sets me in the mood for a ritual. If I am outdoors, however, then I usually leave some small offering for the natural world instead of cleansing, because I believe that the nature is actually pure in that sense.

2.) Self-cleansing

As we prepare our space, we also have to prepare ourselves for the ritual. This can be done by taking a shower or a bath, smoke cleansing, short meditation, short walk in nature etc. After this, we are supposed to be mentally and physically ready for what is to come.

3.) Drawing a sacred circle

Although this practice comes from Ceremonial Magic and Wicca, I like to use it as a part of my ritual structure. A sacred circle is supposed to be an energetic barrier, a ward that blocks unwanted energies and a place where wanted energies easily stay. From my point of view, a sacred circle is simply a border of my sacred space - as churches, mosques etc. have walls which determine a holy and special place in them, I have the sacred circle. The circle also reminds me on Stonehenge or a forest grove, so that is one reason more why I like to use it in my spiritual practice.

4.) Invocation

The word invocation comes from the Latin verb invocare, which means "to call on", "to beg for", "to cite". In this part deities, ancestors and the other beings could be invited to join the ritual. When I say "invite", I must say that so far I have never experienced anything supernatural (nor I have such expectations - at least not anymore) but this step is important for me because I believe that deities and ancestors are going to pay much more attention to me and to what I am going to say. I also like the gest of acknowledging that they are welcome in my sacred and special place.

5.) Celebration

This part of a ritual is what could be called a classic religious celebration. At this stage I usually firstly pray to the deities and my ancestors, then I put on some appropriate music, I contemplate about things that are related to the holiday I am celebrating, I do some divination etc. It is my favourite part of a ritual because it is the most informal - I can freely enjoy in all the beauty of my pagan path and practice.

6.) Feast

The Feast is a part of the ritual where food and drink is being consumed in deities' or someone else's honor. This is the time for the offerings.

7.) Closing

This is the end of a ritual. A farewell is bid to the deities, ancestors and the other beings, if they were called, and the sacred circle is being closed.

Note: This template is how I do my rituals. Not everyone's rituals must or should look like this - that is mostly why I wrote a lot of my thoughts and experiences, to maintain the subjectivity of this template. I hope some of you will find it useful for your spiritual/religious practice.

[samwisethewitch]

Banishing Nasty Spirits

If you’ve been following this series of posts, you know why a witch might work with spirits, how to establish a relationship with a spirit, and how to communicate with spirits. What we haven’t yet discussed is how to get rid of spirits that are bothersome, annoying, or malevolent.

I was planning to talk about pathworking and astral travel before getting into banishing, but in light of some asks I recently received on Tumblr, I think it’s important that we take a moment to discuss how to get rid of spirits that, for whatever reason, you don’t want around.

There are lots of reasons you might not want a spirit in your space. Just like with people, some spirits just aren’t a good fit for you and your practice. Part of being a spirit worker is cultivating a “spirit team” of beings that you can have healthy and beneficial relationships with.

Some spirits are mischievous and like to cause trouble. If you find yourself on the receiving end of lots of spirit pranks, you may want to gently encourage them to move along. And there are some spirits out there who just genuinely hate humans and will go out of their way to cause mental, emotional, and even physical harm.

Don’t get me wrong — malevolent spirits aren’t common. In my experience, the vast majority of unwanted spirits are more annoying than dangerous. I’m not saying this to scare you or make you paranoid. But these things do exist, and it would be negligent of me not to mention them in a series on spirit work.

There’s a reason that one of the most common truisms in witchcraft is, “Never conjure something you can’t banish.” If you’re going to be working with spirits, it’s a good idea to know how to banish them just in case. With that being said, here’s how you can clear out any nasties that may be lingering in your space.

Cleansing

The first step is to kick those unwanted spirits out of your space. There are lots of ways to do this, so choose the one that is the best fit for you.

Cleansing with fire and smoke is a very old and very simple method. If this is the way you decide to go, there are several magical substances you can burn to banish spirits. Burning sulfur or asafetida will clear out just about anything, but they both smell awful and are potentially toxic, so you’ll want to get an okay from the other people living in your home, burn a little at a time, and make sure you have lots of windows open. (Some people say sulfur and asafetida will banish all spirits, not just the unfriendly ones, so you may have to invite your spirit team back in later.) For something that smells a little more pleasant, you can try a mix of frankincense and myrrh resin, or burn a mix of dried rosemary, sage (garden sage, not endangered white sage, please!), and bay leaves — but again, make sure you have windows open, because these get smoky. Plus, you want the windows and/or doors open so the spirits have somewhere to go when the smoke chases them out.

If smoking up your living space isn’t an option for you, you can manually clean your space with a wash or powder. If you have hardwoods, you can make a floor wash with water, salt, lemon juice, rosewater, lavender essential oil, and either bay laurel or rosemary essential oil. (This is adapted from an uncrossing bath in the book Utterly Wicked by Dorothy Morrison.) Use this mixture to mop your floors, as well as to wipe down your walls and furniture. If you have a humidifier or essential oil diffuser, diffusing some of this mix would also be a good idea.

If you have carpet, you can make a powder by combining salt, dried lemon peel, dried roses, lavender flowers, and bay leaves. You’ll need to ground this really fine, so I recommend using a coffee grinder or food processor. Sprinkle the powder on your carpet, let it sit for a few minutes, and then vacuum it up. I would supplement this by also diffusing a mix of saltwater with rosewater, lemon juice, and lavender and/or bay laurel essential oil. If you don’t have a diffuser, at least sprinkle some saltwater around the room and on your belongings.

No matter which form of cleansing you decide to use, it’s important to verbally state your intention to banish these unwanted spirits from your space. Tell them out loud that they are no longer welcome here and that they need to leave. Don’t be rude about it, but be firm and speak clearly and with confidence.

After you cleanse your space, it’s a good idea to cleanse yourself as well to remove any psychic ties to the spirits you’ve just banished. The easiest way to do this is with a ritual bath. The floor wash recipe mentioned earlier can also be used as a psychic cleansing bath. Other options include a bath with salt, frankincense, and myrrh or a bath with salt, rosemary, sage, and bay laurel. You can use essential oils for your bath, or add the resins and herbs to a cheesecloth bag and drop it into the tub for easy diffusing and cleanup.

If you don’t have a bathtub, you can cleanse yourself in the shower. Place two cups of salt in a bowl. Add lemon juice, rosewater, lavender essential oil, and either bay laurel or rosemary essential oil. If you don’t have essential oils, you can add dried lavender and crushed bay leaves. Add some of your favorite body wash to create a scrub (if you don’t have body wash, use olive oil). While in the shower, use this mixture to scrub your skin — visualize yourself scrubbing away any psychic gunk you might have picked up.

Protection

Once you’ve removed any unwanted spirits from your space, you want to lay down some protection to keep them from coming back. There are as many ways to ward off spirits as there are witches, but here are a few ideas to get you started.

One option is to create a ward. You can do this by anointing the door frames, door knobs, and window frames of your home with a protective oil blend and/or by creating lines of salt across your doorways and just inside your windows. You can use other protective substances if you prefer. As you lay down these protections, visualize a protective shield around your home, and speak aloud your intention to keep harmful spirits out.

Iron is said to repel spirits. Keep a railroad spike or other large piece of iron under your bed to prevent nightmares and to keep spirits from messing with you while you sleep. There’s an old superstition that says that hammering iron nails into the four corners of your home protects it from spirits — this may not be possible if you’re renting, but you can create a similar effect by displaying a piece of iron in each of the four corners of your home. Hematite is a crystal that is high in iron, so it can be used in a similar way to ward off spirits.

Aloe is said to protect from negative spirits, and to bring protection and good luck more generally. It’s also a common house plant that is easy to care for, so this method of protection is especially great for witches who need to keep their practice a secret. Keep several aloe plants in your home to protect those who live there.

For witches with a crafty side, making a witch bottle is another option for protection. There are lots of different recipes for witch bottles, but the basic method is to fill a bottle with sharp objects, add something from your body, and hide it somewhere outside your home (traditionally buried on the property, but leaving it in an outbuilding works just as well). The idea is that any nasty spirit that comes looking for you will be attracted to the bottle (because it contains part of your body), get caught by the sharp objects, and be trapped. To create a simple witch bottle, fill a mason jar about halfway with sewing pins, then add a bit of your hair and some of your fingernail clippings, and finally fill it with liquid (traditionally, this liquid is your own urine, but if that makes you uncomfortable vinegar will also work). If you want, you can also include some of your favorite banishing herbs, resins, or crystals.

Religious symbols can also keep nasty spirits away. If you identify strongly with a religion, display protective symbols from that faith in your living space. For example: a Christian witch might hang up a crucifix or set out a statue of Archangel Michael, a Norse pagan witch might hang up an image of Mjolnir, a Hindu witch might display a statue of Durga, etc. Sometimes the most effective way to keep nasty spirits away is to let them know that you’re under the protection of someone more powerful.

When dealing with unwanted spirits, the most important thing to remember is that you do not need to be afraid. You are a powerful witch, and you are more than capable of getting rid of them. Be confident in your abilities and know that whatever happens, you can handle it.

Resources:

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

A Green Witch’s Cupboard by Deborah J. Martin

Utterly Wicked by Dorothy Morrison

Where the Hawthorn Grows by Morgan Daimler

[themirroredmoon]

Magickal Times: Moon Phases

*The cycle of the Moon is counterclockwise also known as widdershins* - Use the energy of the Moon to influence life decisions and events by planning rituals and spells according to maximize their potential.

New Moon: - New beginnings, unlimited possibilities, planting seeds, intention What can you do?: It’s a time to focus on new beginnings; Banishment of curses, divination, focusing on clearing the slate, tapping into your potential, etc.

Waxing Crescent: - Fresh energy, sprouting, details, declaration What can you do?: Set your intentions; Freshen up your energy, focus on the smaller things, detail work, more positive magic, conceptualize, etc. First Quarter: - Momentum, challenges, sending roots, action What can you do?: Take action; It’s all about momentum. Pay close attention, grow from challenges, focus on growth, etc. Waxing Gibbous: - Patience, gestation, self care, nurture your life What can you do?: Refine and hone what you’ve put in motion previously; Observe the changes that have already started to take effect. Attraction, success, health, motivation, etc. Full Moon: - Peak energy, blessings, blossoming, celebration What can you do?: Reap Rewards; This is the time of peak energy. Charge your own energies, cleansings, healing, celebrate accomplishments, etc. Waning Gibbous: - Release and receive, service, harvest, nurture others What can you do?: Time to reflect. Cleanse out the negative. Show gratitude for the success that has occurred. Cleansing negativity, undoing hexes & curses, ridding yourself of negative energies, etc. Third/Last Quarter: - Breakdown, readjustment, transition, decomposition What can you do?:  Let go of what remains. Break down the remaining. Break bad habits, rid yourself of negative energies (mental/physical), general cleansing, etc. **It’s okay to feel ‘empty’ during this time because it can be draining after having achieved so much and worked so hard. Waning Crescent: - Surrender, reflection, composing, intuition What can you do?: Gather your thoughts and plan for new ideas. Rest. Meditation. Focus on creating balance in your life where you need it. Restoration. Healing.

[themirroredmoon]

Types of Salt Used in Witchcraft

• Himalayan Pink Salt • Protects Relationships. Removes Negative Blockages & Curses.

• Black Salt • Protection (Easily the Best).

Ingredients to Make: Incense Ashes, Salt. Optional Ingredients: Charcoal, Eggshells. Tools: Mortar & Pestle

- If using eggshells, make sure the membrane layer inside the egg is removed so all you have left is the dried, clean shell. Crush the shells with the mortar and pestle. - Add the salt - Add the charcoal and mix and grind well - Add the incense ashes - Add more salt as needed to fill whatever container will be holding this mixture.

Tada! Black Salt.

• Table Salt • Cleansing. Protection.

• Sea Salt • Balance Emotions. Cleansing & Purification.

[themirroredmoon]

Neurodivergent Witches

I’m neurodivergent and use my craft as part of a way to cope with my mental illnesses, and seek comfort in my day to day life. If you are neurodivergent as well, look into these methods to use along side modern day methods and see if they help as well!

Note: Please do not rely solely on these methods. If you need therapy, medication, etc, please continue with them. I am merely suggesting additives that have worked for me and that I have heard worked for others.

“I suffer from.. Anxiety” •  I recommend looking into: Calming. Grounding. Peace. “I suffer from.. Depression” •  I recommend looking into: Banishing. Energizing. Manifestation. Peace. “I suffer from.. Dissociation“ •   I recommend looking into: Clarity. Grounding. “I suffer from.. Flashbacks/PTSD” •   I recommend looking into: Banishing. Calming. Clarity. “I suffer from.. Intrusive thoughts” •   I recommend looking into: Banishing. Calming. Clarity. Protection. “I suffer from.. Paranoia” •   I recommend looking into: Banishing. Calming. Clarity. Protection. “I suffer from.. Sensory Overload” •   I recommend looking into: Banishing. Calming. Protection.

[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

[theskepticalwitch]

Non-Magical Benefits from Witchcraft!

Hey there my Witchlings! I want to show my fellow Skeptics real benefits that you can experience with practicing witchcraft without being a full believer in magic or the metaphysical!

Grounding can help you calm yourself down when you are anxious.

Doing rituals and spells are a great way to help create a physical reminder of what you want in life.

Crystals make excellent worry stones for you to stim with.

Some herbs can actually help relieve common illness symptoms (but they cannot cure illnesses).

Meditation can help you practice visualization, which is useful for artists!

Learning about witchcraft can help you understand other cultures and the way they interacted with spirituality. Education is always a benefit imo.

Spell jars help to remind you of goals.

Manifesting is a detailed way of putting out what you want to achieve in your life and reminding you what you want. It's just like setting a goal plan (please don't forget to actually act on whatever you're manifesting though).

Creating an Altar Space can create a calming place for you to relax.

If you have a deity, or you work with spirits, you can vent your problems to them and get things off your chest.

Having a ritual routine can help you create a schedule, or stick to a schedule, which can be beneficial for mental health.

Listening to Reiki ASMR is surprisingly peaceful and can reduce anxiety as well as help calm you or ground you.

Introspection is very important in witchcraft, and it's also just important in general, understanding yourself, your core beliefs, will help you.

And there are many more! Witchcraft "works" in many ways, so, now that we know that, we can have fun even while remaining skeptical.

[neighbourhood-eclectic-blog]

Historical Witchcraft 101: The Compilation

My historical witchcraft series is (for now) finally over! Thanks everyone to all the support I got, I’m really glad you seemed to enjoy those posts as much as I enjoyed making them. Feel free to message me about things you’d like to see from me in the future!

For ease of reference, I thought I’d compile all the posts here:

Witch Bottles

Witch Ladders

The Toad Bone

Poppets

Hag Riding

Familiar Spirits

The Witches’ Sabbat

Flying Ointment

Shapeshifting

[breelandwalker]

Public domain texts available for free!

For anyone looking for older texts on witchcraft and the history thereof, Project Gutenberg has a number of books available for online reading and in downloadable ebook format.

Here are a few of the titles:

A History of Witchcraft in England from 1558 to 1718 (Notestein)

A Short History of the Salem Village Witchcraft Trials (Purley)

La Sorcière: The Witch of the Middle Ages (Michelet)

Letters on Demonology and Witchcraft (Scott)

Magic and Witchcraft (Moir)

Modern Magic (de Vere)

The Discovery of Witches (Hopkins)

The Witchcraft Delusion in Colonial Connecticut (1647-1697) (Taylor)

The Wonders of the Invisible World (Mather & Mather)

Witchcraft and Superstitious Record in the South-Western District of Scotland (Wood)

Related searches for paganism, magic, or sorcery may lead to additional titles.

If you’re looking for some free texts to add to your library or just a bit of Hermione-Granger-level light reading, give these a try!

[torque-witch]

🌺 Spoonie Mobile! 🌺

I’ve posted this before on my blog, way back in I think 2015 and in never got much attention. Needless, I remade it! Basically, it’s a decorative charm to promote “spoons” and ample calm energy in your home! 🌸 Items Used 🌸 Small Wreath Fake Flowers Yarn Spoons Glue (optional) Small Glass Bottles 🌻 Instructions 🌻 Basically all you need to do is cut your flower stems to desired lengths and weave or hide them in the wreath. Tie your yarn in a knot around the spoons about ¾ up. I recommend wrapping and tying a few times, but here is where you could opt for super glue. I used three spoons, but regardless you’ll want to tie each one on the wreath in equal parts away from each other for balance. I then took extra yarn and tied bows over the knots to make them look a little nicer. You can stop here and charge your mobile for energy and comfort as you wish, but I added spell jars to help me out. I hung these in between the spoons in the same manner. 🍃 Spoonie Jars 🍃 🌱 Egg Shells - Protection & Cleansing 🌱 Lavender Buds - Calming & Soothing 🌱 Raspberry Leaf - Pain Relief 🌱 Mugwort - Restful Sleep 🌱 Chamomile - Relaxation 🌱 Rose Hips - Self Love & Healing Spin your mobile clockwise to promote spoons and energy. Spin it counter-clockwise to reduce pain and exhaustion. I anointed mine with full moon water for extra energy, and rose water but you can use whatever methods are best for you! Consider cleansing it monthly. Enjoy!

[quantum-natura]

10 Crystals For Empaths

Crystals have been used for thousands of years to protect and enhance personal vitality. They have the ability to focus energy and generate minute electrical currents that interact with the currents in the human body and environment. Crystals are an amazing way to cleanse, amplify, and protect one’s energy.

As a highly sensitive empath, I absorb energy from everything. Not only am I affected by the emotions and attitudes of other people, but I’m extremely sensitive to things like geopathic stress and electromagnetic stress. This often leads to exhaustion, irritability, and overwhelm. 

Geopathic stress: Stress created by electromagnetic radiation, ley lines, and underground water. It’s also present in “sick building syndrome”. Injurious to health, it can affect the immune system as well as the body’s innate psychic protection and may attract ghosts or hold impressions of previous events.

Electromagnetic stress: Disharmony caused by the subtle emanations of electrical, microwave, computer, phone and radio frequencies, as well as power lines.

The following list features 10 of my favorite crystals that have been the most beneficial in managing sensitivities and raising my vibration:

Labradorite 

Known as one of the most protective stones, labradorite creates an interface around the aura that filters out energies that are not beneficial and enhances spiritual connection. It allows one to be aware of other’s feelings and emotions without being overwhelmed by them. Labradorite enhances psychic abilities, aligns physical and subtle bodies, and strengthens the aura.

Tip: If you’re prone to nightmares and restless sleep, try holding a labradorite palm stone at bedtime. I sleep with one every night and it has helped me immensely. Just remember to cleanse it in between uses!  

Stones with similar vibrational qualities: rainbow moonstone, black moonstone, spectrolite

Celestine

Also known as celestite, this high vibrational stone links one to higher realms and stimulates spiritual insights. It facilitates inner peace, helps to disperse anxieties and calm the emotions while promoting clarity of mind. This beautiful crystal heals the aura, assists in conflict resolution, and helps maintain a harmonious atmosphere in times of stress. 

Tip: Try meditating with one of these stones and record any insights you might have in a journal afterwards. I’ve been amazed at some of the profound breakthroughs I’ve had while spending time with this amazing crystal.

Stones with similar vibrational qualities: blue lace agate, angelite, phantom quartz, apophyllite 

Lithium Quartz 

This variety of quartz is a natural antidepressant. Its powerful healing energies gently lift the conditions underlying the depression to the surface, neutralizing ancient anger and grief. It can reach back into past lives to dissolve the roots of emotional dis-ease that is pervading the present life. Lithium quartz is an excellent cleanser for the body’s energy centers and is extremely useful as a healer for plants and animals.

Tip: If feeling lethargic or low on energy, carry a small lithium quartz point with you in your pocket. Lithium quartz can function like an emotional battery for those that are sensitive to its vibration. 

Stones with similar vibrational qualities: quartz with hematite, elestial quartz, vanadinite, zeolite 

Black Tourmaline

Black tourmaline, also known as schorl; protects agains cell phones, electromagnetic smog, radiation, ill wishing, and negative energies of all kinds. Black tourmaline is the most effective block to psychic attack and is extremely efficient at absorbing negative energy. It helps one adopt a positive attitude regardless of the circumstances.

Tip: Black tourmaline is super effective as a gem elixir that can be added to cleansing sprays and used to purify the aura. 

Stones with similar vibrational qualities: shungite, black kyanite, jet, tourmalinated quartz

Rose Quartz

Known as the stone of unconditional love and forgiveness, gentle rose quartz opens the heart and transforms negative emotions into positive ones. It’s an excellent stone to use during crisis or trauma, as it quickly brings peace. It transmutes negative emotional conditioning and supports positive affirmations. It purifies and opens the heart at all levels and brings deep inner healing and self-love.

Tip: Wear a rose quartz pendant over your heart to promote self-love, tranquility, and emotional healing. 

Stones with similar vibrational qualities: rhodochrosite, pink danburite, rhodonite, pink petalite, pink kunzite 

Fluorite

A strongly protective stone, especially against electromagnetic and geopathic pollution, as well as psychic attack. Fluorite stabilizes energy and shuts off mental manipulation. This stone cleanses and stabilizes the aura. Fluorite grounds and integrates spiritual energies and assists in dissolving illusions and negative mental patterning. Emotionally, fluorite has a grounding effect. 

Tip: Place a piece of fluorite on a computer or between yourself and the source of electromagnetic fog. 

Stones with similar vibrational qualities: amazonite, green aventurine, bloodstone 

Smoky Quartz

Smoky quartz is one of the most efficient grounding and anchoring stones. It helps alleviate fears, soothes an active mind, and promotes emotional calmness. This protective stone gently neutralizes negative vibrations, absorbs electromagnetic smog, and blocks geopathic stress. Smoky quartz is a powerful antidote to stress and assists in tolerating difficult times while bringing in positive energy. 

Tip: To dispel stress, place a stone in each hand and sit quietly for a few moments. Cleanse the stones thoroughly between uses.

Stones with similar vibrational qualities: hematite, smoky elestial quartz, apache tear obsidian 

Amethyst

Amethyst is an extremely powerful and protective stone with a high vibration. It guards against psychic attack, transmuting energy into love. A natural tranquilizer, amethyst blocks against geopathic stress and negative environmental energies. Its serenity enhances higher states of consciousness. Amethyst has strong healing and cleansing powers, and enhances spiritual awareness. 

Tip: Place a cleansed amethyst point towards you to draw in positive energy, and point one away from you to dispel negative energy. 

Stones with similar vibrational qualities: ametrine, lepidolite, rutilated quartz, lilac kunzite, purple fluorite  

Selenite

Selenite is a high vibrational stone that is said to occupy the space between light and matter. It’s an excellent crystal for repairing and re-energizing the aura. Selenite is a calming stone that instils deep peace and is excellent for spiritual work and meditation. Selenite does not allow outside influences to penetrate. A large piece within the house promotes a peaceful atmosphere. 

Tip: Place other crystals, talismans, and pendants on a piece of selenite overnight for cleansing. 

Stones with similar vibrational qualities: dessert rose selenite, peach moonstone, himalayan rock salt

Carnelian

An excellent stone for grounding one in present reality, carnelian is one of the oldest known healing stones. It energizes and restores vitality to the immune system. Carnelian promotes positive life choices and immense motivation, and assists one in trusting perceptions. This is a useful stone for overcoming negative emotional or mental conditioning. It calms anger and assists in banishing emotional negativity, while sharpening concentration. Mentally, carnelian improves analytic abilities and clarifies perception. 

Tip: Carnelian placed near the front door of a home invokes protection and invites abundance.

Stones with similar vibrational qualities: citrine, tigers eye, golden calcite, orange-brown selenite, amber  

I hope you find these crystals as beneficial as I do. Enjoy!

(( source | source | source )) 

[samwisethewitch]

Add Some Oomph to Your Spells with Magical Timing

Like herbs, oils, and crystals, you don’t need to work with magical timing for your spell to be successful. You can cast a spell at any time, no matter your intention, and get your desired results. However, working with the energy of the sun, moon, and days of the week can add an extra power boost to your magic.

Think of it this way: certain energies are dominant at certain times. Those energies are easier to connect with because they are closer at hand, so to speak, so you can bring them into your life and your spells more easily and in a more powerful way. That doesn’t mean you can’t call on other energies during these times — it just means that you may not connect to them quite so easily.

If you choose to work with magical timing in your spells, there are several yearly, monthly, weekly, and even daily cycles you can align your spells with.

The Cycle of the Sun: Solstices and Equinoxes

These are the turning points that mark the solar year, and are associated with the relationships between day and night, light and dark, summer and winter. Each solstice or equinox marks the end of one season and the beginning for the next. Because they are so rare and so potent, these days are a great time for your “big picture” spells or for spells that need a big power boost.

Winter Solstice. The winter solstice marks the shortest day and longest night of the year, and falls between December 20 and December 23, depending on the year. In some pagan traditions the winter solstice, or Yule, marks the beginning of the new year — you may choose to set intentions for the coming year on this solstice. After the winter solstice, the nights start getting shorter and the days start getting longer — so spells related to healing and bringing things into the light are especially effective at this time of year. The winter solstice marks the end of the “dark half” of the year and beginning of the “light half” of the year; at this point, our focus turns from inward reflection to outward manifestation. You may choose to think of the time between the winter solstice and spring equinox as a “planning phase,” where you examine yourself and your desires, decide what you want to work on in the next year, and make plans for manifesting what you want.

Spring Equinox. An equinox occurs when the day and the night are exactly the same length, representing a perfect balance between light and dark. The spring equinox marks the beginning of spring and occurs between March 19 and March 22. The Christian holiday of Easter and the pagan holiday of Ostara are both related to the energy of this equinox. At this time of year, the natural world is coming back to life as winter begins to fade. Plants are beginning to grow, and baby animals are being born. This is a powerful time of year for fertility magic and any magic related to new beginnings. You may choose to think of the time between the spring equinox and the summer solstice as a “planting phase,” where you “plant the seed” of the things you want to manifest and begin doing the work to make it happen.

Summer Solstice. This solstice marks the longest day and shortest night of the year. It occurs between June 19 and June 23. As I am writing this post, we are coming up on the summer solstice (June 20, 2020). Life, fertility, and growth are at their peak during this time of year, which makes this solstice a perfect time for big manifestation spells. At the same time, this marks the end of the “light half” and beginning of the “dark half” of the year, so after the summer solstice our energy shifts from outward manifestation to inward contemplation. You may choose to think of the time between the summer solstice and fall equinox as the “harvest phase,” where you reap the results of your hard work and manifest your desires in the physical world.

Autumn Equinox. This is the other time of year when the day and night are perfectly balanced. The autumn equinox occurs between September 19 and September 23 and marks the beginning of autumn. This is traditionally the time of year when crops are harvested, and many pagan groups celebrate harvest festivals around this time. Nature is beginning to die or go into hibernation in preparation for the coming winter. This is an especially powerful time of year for shadow work or for magic related to endings and transitions. You may choose to think of the time between the autumn equinox and the winter solstice as the “reflection phase,” when you retreat from the outside world to rest, focus on yourself, and do your inner work and self-healing.

Important Note: This post lists dates for the solstices and equinoxes in the Northern hemisphere. In the Southern hemisphere, the seasons are reversed. If you live in the Southern hemisphere, you would observe the winter solstice in June, the spring equinox in September, the summer solstice in December, and the fall equinox in March.

The Cycle of the Moon: Lunar Phases

If you don’t have time to wait for the appropriate solstice or equinox, you can still connect with the cosmos in your magic. One of the biggest pros of the lunar cycle is that it happens roughly every month — so you never have to wait very long for the next full moon. The moon is also associated with magic and spirituality in several traditions, which makes it an especially powerful astral ally for witches.

New Moon. The new moon is when the moon is completely invisible in the night sky, and is the phase opposite the full moon. The new moon is a powerful time for shadow work (because it deals with things that are hidden) and for magic related to new beginnings.

Waxing Moon. The moon is waxing when it appears to be growing in the night sky; this is the phase between the new moon and full moon. This is a powerful time for any magic that deals with drawing something in, building something up, or strengthening something that already exists.

Full Moon. Many witches believe that the full moon is the most powerful time of month for any kind of magic. This is a good time to cast any spell that needs a serious power boost. The full moon is also an especially powerful time to release what no longer serves you or to work healing magic.

Waning Moon. The moon is waning when it appears to be shrinking in the night sky; this is the phase between the full moon and new moon. This is a powerful time for any magic that deals with sending something away, banishing negative energy, or bringing something to an end.

Dark Moon. The dark moon is the three day period immediately before the new moon. In some traditions, it is believed to be bad luck to cast spells during the dark moon. Other traditions hold that the dark moon is the best point in the lunar cycle for destructive magic, such as curses and hexes. Many modern witches don’t recognize the dark moon as a separate moon phase at all. I personally like to use the dark moon as a time for self reflection, and may focus on shadow work during this time.

Magical Correspondences for the Days of the Week

The days of the week also have their own unique magical energies, and each day is linked to a certain planet and to certain deities.

Sunday. Sunday is, of course, connected to the Sun and solar deities. Sunday is the best day of the week for any manifestation magic that needs an extra boost. Its energy is also associated with healing, personal growth, power, and success.

Monday. Monday is associated with the Moon and lunar deities. Monday is a quiet, introspective day, and can feel very ethereal. It’s the best day for magic related to intuition, nurturing, and shadow work.

Tuesday. Tuesday is associated with Mars and with gods and goddesses of war and action. (It is named for the Norse/Germanic god Tyr/Tiw.) Tuesday is a very “active” day, and is good for magic related to action, activism, victory, or finding courage.

Wednesday. Wednesday is associated with Mercury and with gods and goddesses of wisdom, learning, and communication. (It is named for the Norse/Germanic god Odin/Wodan.) Wednesday is all about mental activity. It’s the best day of the week for magic related to thought, travel, communication (written, spoken, or digital), and learning/study.

Thursday. Thursday is associated with Jupiter and with gods and goddesses of prosperity, wealth, and protection. (It is named after the Norse/Germanic god Thor.) Thursday, like Jupiter in astrology, is all about outward expansion. It’s the best day of the week for magic related to career, prosperity, and wealth.

Friday. Friday is associated with Venus and with gods and goddesses of love, fertility, and sensuality. (It is named after the Norse goddess Freyja, or perhaps the goddess Frigg.) The energy of Friday is fun, lighthearted, and sexy. It’s the best day of the week for magic related to love, beauty, and sex/sexuality.

Saturday. Saturday is associated with Saturn and with time and wisdom. (The day and the planet are both named after the Roman god Saturn.) Saturday is practical and wise, but it does have a little bit of a dark side. It’s the best day of the week for magic related to banishing and protection.

Magical Times of Day

Okay, so you’d like to start working with magical timing, but what about emergency magic and last-minute spells? What if you don’t have time to wait for the next full moon, or even the next Sunday? You can still align your spell with magical timing! There are several moments of power each day, and each has its own magical associations.

Sunrise. Sunrise is, of course, the birth of the new day. This makes it the perfect time for spells related to new beginnings or expanded possibilities.

Noon. This is the peak or high point of the day. This is a powerful time for healing magic.

Sunset. Sunset is the end of the day, and forms a gateway between light and dark. This is a great time for spells related to accepting endings, releasing that which does not serve, and moving on from the past.

Midnight. If noon is the peak of the day, then midnight is the peak of the night. Midnight has a very ethereal, transformational energy. Like with the full moon, some witches believe that any spell will be more powerful if cast at midnight. This is a powerful time for both banishing and attraction magic.

Resources:

You Are Magical by Tess Whitehurst

Green Witchcraft by Paige Vanderbeck

Wicca for Beginners by Thea Sabin [specifically the chapter on the sabbats]

Qabalah Made Easy by David Wells [Note: Qabalah is based on an appropriation of Jewish mysticism, and I am NOT endorsing its practice. However, much of the magical timing associations used in modern witchcraft is shared with Qabalah and other forms of ceremonial magic, which is why it’s referenced here.]

[where-lies-the-strangling-fruit]

Witches of Tumblr, what are your go to books about herbs/plants/flowers?

Yesterday I learned my backyard is home to purple ground ivy and its place within herbal witchcraft and herbal medicine was fascinating so I want to continue this journey. Obviously I know a few herbs and plants that are good for certain things but I really want to educate myself deeply!

I was looking into the Green Witch but really all and any suggestions are welcome for a beginner such as myself.

[breelandwalker]

-slams mug down on the table and stands- MY TIME HAS COME.

….Ahem. Yes, I think I can help.

I’m a huge proponent of pairing magical education with mundane learning, both for safety and for context. Thus, books on plants, for spells and medicine alike, make up a big part of my library.

For the sake of convenience, I’ll break down my recs into two categories:

GREEN WITCHCRAFT

Encyclopedia of Magical Herbs (Cunningham) 

Garden Witchery (Dugan)

The Garden Witch’s Herbal (Dugan)

The Sacred Herbs of Samhain (Hopman)

The Real Witches’ Garden (West)

The Hearth Witch’s Compendium (Franklin)

The Hearth Witch’s Kitchen Herbal (Franklin)

The Green Witch Herbal (Griggs)

PRACTICAL HERBOLOGY

The Complete Guide to Herbal Medicines (Fetrow & Avila)

Rodale’s Illustrated Encyclopedia of Herbs (Carr)

Western Medicinal Plants and Herbs (Peterson Field Guides)

Edible Wild Plants (Peterson Field Guides)

Herbal Remedies (Chevallier)

The New American Herbal (Orr)

The Herbal Medicine-Maker’s Handbook (Green)

I also have a few other books that deal with practical gardening techniques and plant-related folklore, which I’m happy to provide upon request.

Please keep in mind that everything should be read with common sense and a grain of salt in mind. I have a lot more books that I refer to, but these are the ones I find myself reaching for most often.

Hope this helps!

[upthewitchypunx]

A Compendium of Herbal Magick by Paul Bayerl

For a really great free resource I suggest Maude Grieves Modern Herbal available online here.

Green Witch by Arin Murray-Hiscock

Green Witchcraft by Paige Vanderbeck

I agree with Bree on the Cunningham book and the Ellen Dugan books and local field guides.

For the next step:

The Witching Herbs by Harold Roth

Corinne Boyer Books (Plants of the Devil, Under the Bramble Arch, Under the Witching Tree)

Veneficium: Magic, Witchcraft, and the Poison Path by Daniel Schulke

Any of the rad Dave Pendell books

[orriculum]

💗 Valentine’s Day Spells 💗

💖 for feeling beautiful 💖

glow like the moon - to reclaim youth and past beauty

glamour to attract comments - to help get comments on a selfie

rabbit heart - pop culture spell for courage and confidence

venus transformation - sailor moon spell to feel beautiful and powerful

sailor moon glamour -  a glamour to feel confident and beautiful, even when nervous and self-conscious

💕 for confessing 💕

charlotte’s entrance glamour - spell to make an entrance

seductive words - lipstick to make your words more persuasive

no light no light - to help you confess when you don’t know the words

howl love spell - to strengthen yourself before a confession

clear speaking glamour -  a spell to aid with speaking clearly

contact spell - to get that someone to text you first

see my feelings spell - a spell to help someone realize your feelings

💘 love spells 💘

cosmic love spell - pop culture spell to lead you to your soulmate

simple love attraction spell - to attract general love and romance

amortenia tea - pop culture tea spell to bring or strengthen love

show me your love - to help your signif show their affections for you

buried and decaying, we plant new seeds - to build new bonds over the breaking pieces

sweeten your feelings - simple jar spell to sweeten a bond

over the moon - full moon spell to bring love

the smoulder - glamour to spark “love at first sight”

greg and rose romance - to aid unconventional couples

rose quartz altruistic love spell -  a spell to encourage unconditional love

lust spell -  a spell to increase lust in oneself or a consenting individual

💞 for past loves 💞

what kind of man - spell to help get away from a bad relationship

nostalgia spell - to resurface old, fond memories in someone else

alexandrite separating spell -  to separate toxicity from a person, whether it is a toxic situation, person, or behavior.

rekindling spell - for relationships that have lost their “spark”

curse for a player -  a curse from scorned lovers to the one breaking hearts, to give them difficulty finding anyone to be with romantically/sexually

breezeblocks curse -  to affect someone you resent for leaving

🖤 for unwanted approaches: 🖤

anti-lust spell -  a spell to lower lust in oneself or a consenting individual

unwanted lover spell - to repel unwanted lovers

moon tiara magic -   spell to protect against people ragging on you

possession vigor potion -  a potion that distracts your enemies from you, and brings their ill-attention to one another instead

💔 for broken hearts 💔

steven universe shielding spell - pop culture spell to protect your feelings

alice tear jar spell - a  jar spell to help keep you afloat in your sadness

lover to lover - for a fresh start and reassurance

bubble your feelings - to hide away feelings that are causing you harm

arms of the ocean - pop culture spell to comfort and give you strength

hurricane drunk - pop culture spell to turn pain into invincibility

rose quartz healing tears - simple ritual to heal emotions

“nuka-cola” potion -  a frosty potion recipe for emotional healing

elixir of the wounded heart -  a potion made to soothe an injured heart

[thewitchystuff]

Wheel of the Year Collection *:･ﾟ✧

For each turn of the seasons, 8 potions to celebrate with nature the cycles of the earth and everything that it gives us, to get full of energy and good vibes and maybe have a sweet time with the coven or by yourself .ﾟ*☆

Some of this potions are already in here and some of them will be added <3

☆ Yule ☆ Imbolc ☆ Ostara ☆ Beltane ☆ Litha ☆ Lughnassad ☆ Mabon ☆ Samhain ☆

[wodneswynn-deactivated-deactiva]

My favorite bit of folk medicine is that we’re supposed to take wormwood for intestinal parasites. It’s actually really effective, which is how wormwood got its name, but the reason it’s effective is that wormwood is literally just poison and it happens to kill the worms slightly faster than it kills you.

[yaoi-vodka]

That’s medicine BABEYYYYYY!!!!

No, but seriously, the reason plants have useful chemicals that we can use medicinally is because they have evolved those chemicals as poisons to prevent predation. Humans were just smart enough to figure out through trial and error how to balance these chemical extracts to counteract abnormalities in our bodies.

Like: “Hm. This plant toxin is a cardiac glycoside and increases heart output. In a healthy person, this is highly unpleasant and may even cause death. But… for my aging aunt over here who’s suffering from congestive heart failure… a little foxglove extract taken every morning with her tea would probably help her circulation and keep her weary heart kickin’ for a few more years.”

[dandelionwitch]

Medicine is the opportune application of poisons. Healers and poisoners are folks with similar skill sets and wildly different philosophies.

[higgsboshark]

@deathisforsissies

[hobbular]

dear @shitpostsampler i would like a pony and a cross stitch pattern for “Healers and poisoners are folks with similar skill sets and wildly different philosophies” please <3

[shitpostsampler]