Compendium For A Struggling Witch

Sparrow | 17 | New Witch | they/them. Just trying to find my witchy way in life. Icon by @sapiosexualeloise

[michaeljnelson]

There’s always that grace period when you get a new tarot/oracle deck and it’s a bit temperamental and the readings don’t really make sense. Sometimes that grace period takes days, or weeks, of extreme bonding with the deck to get over.

Or, if it’s my Gravity Falls decks, it takes approximately the amount of time needed to unscrew the cap and pull the first card because fuck me I just got vibe checked so hard I saw stars.

[butcherbaitfemme]

My friend (organised, knows the differences between crystals, a Functional Clairvoyant Kid, always gives off rosy vibes): I really need to cleanse my room :( do you have any sage laying around?

Me (has a tense relationship with my tarot cards, draws sigils on shit with sharpie and hopes for the best, actively buys antiques in the hope it’ll bring me some ghost friends, cleanses places by waving a candle around and screaming “fuck off”): yea i bought some last year but it might be under a laundry pile idk sorry

[christowitch]

No one:

Literally no one:

Witches: Shit. I forgot it’s Ostara/the Spring Equinox

[vital-information]

To those who have swept or have blown the leaves from the walk, have rinsed the dishes or dusted their screens, Hestia looks on you from beneath her veil. She smiles, then wraps a shawl made of sunlit October air around you.

To those who remain in bed, who are on the edge of crying, who have turned on the tv to drown out the world, Hestia sits on the edge of your bed, patting circles on your back. I know, my love, she says, I know, I know. It can be so hard. My sweet, it’s time to get up. I need you, she says. Let’s make this home a sanctuary. Light a candle. Make your hands to care about this place. Let out the work of love.

[scifimagpie]

I was just here to check out pagan prayers and now I’m tearing up 

[stupidkaty]

witchy morning routine

🍄brew a FAT pot of tea

🍄make magickal breakfast! toast w cinnamon and honey, a bagel with almond butter and thyme, whatever your intent is for the day!

🍄plan the rest of the day! any spells or rituals, or if your into kitchen magick you can find a nice recipe to try!

🍄wash your face! buy an herbal scrub or make your own

🌙scrub:

-combine sea salt, honey, green tea

🍄enchant your makeup!!!! if you wear makeup

🍄go outside!!!!!! even for a little bit!!!!!! no matter the weather!! ground yourself!

🍄do some sunrise magick! light an orange candle, speak your intent for the day

🍄if youre a productive person, unlike myself, plan the whole week! i dont really follow schedules bc im a gemini but if they work for you then go for it!!!!!!!!! plan spells and rituals based on the moon phases and the days of the week

🍄cleanse yourself! in the shower, visualize all the bad energy dripping off you as you step out of the shower. say a chant while your washing your hair !

if youre not a productive person,, its okay!!!!! im really lazy in general and its hard for me to do things, but its okay to do even one of these things! you ARE a witch, no matter how lazy or productive you are.

blessed be! 💫

[arcandemy]

Wheel of the Year

General Information

For more go and check my Instagram.

The pagan year begins with Samhain on October 31 and ends with the sundown on October 30. Each holiday is also called sabbat. They are celebrated to honor a given time of the year.

Samhain

Also known as All Hallows’ Eve, Halloween.

Time: October 31 (start of the pagan new year).

Colors: orange, brown, black, gold, white, silver.

Yule

Time: Winter Solstice. December 21.

Colors: green, red, gold, silver, white.

Imbolc

Also known as Candlemas, Brighid’s Day/

Time: around February 2.

Colors: white, pink, yellow, red. PS. Sorry for bad typo in the photo :( 

Ostara

Also known as Eostre (‘ehs-truh’)  - Goddess of Spring.

Time: Spring Equinox. March 20 (or 21).

Colors: light greens and blues, yellow and pink.

Beltane

Also known as Roodmas, Walpurgisnacht, May Day.

Time: May 1.

Colors: green, blue, pink, white, yellow, purple.

Litha

Also known as Midsummer Night’s Eve.

Time: Summer Solstice. (Approx.) June 21.

Colors: Pale Yellow, Green, Gold, White

Lammas

Also known as Lughnasadh.

Time: August 1 through August 2 (first harvest of the year).

Colors: Yellow, Brown, Orange, Green, Gold.

Mabon

Also known as Alban Elfed, Mean Fomhair.

Time: Autumn Equinox, around September 21.

Colors: Red, brown, orange, gold.

*Edit: Removed pronunciation examples ad there were too many mistakes. Waiting for your examples in the comments!

[songsparrowwitch]

🌿Lammas Activities🌿

Lammas (also called Lughnasadh) is a sabbat from the Wheel of the Year that is celebrated on August 1st to mark the beginning of the harvest season

🌿 Bake! Cooking and sharing food is a great activity for any sabbat, and cooking bread, desserts, meat, and enjoying fruits and vegetables is a great way to celebrate Lammas! 🌿 Enjoy nature! Fall is coming next, so enjoy the fresh air while you can. Invite friends and family on a nature walk or picnic or you can go yourself and embrace the beauty that nature has to offer! Visit a lake, a park, go on a trail, or whatever you want to connect with nature! 🌿 Take care your plants! This is the beginning of the harvest season. Take extra care of your plants and maybe even give them a treat: new soil, a new pot, fresh water, or fertilizer. If it’s time to harvest some fruits or veggies, do so!  🌿 Decorate your altar and/or home! Colors, plants, grains, wreaths, animal prints, and candles are some great ways to decorate your home and/or altar for Lammas! 🌿 Do some crafts! Making crafts is a great way to have fun on Lammas, especially if you’re celebrating with kids! Making corn dolls and corn wheels are a few of the many fun ways to celebrate! Plus, when spring rolls around, you can bury the corn doll or corn wheel in a new garden to help your plants grow. 🌿 Prosperity magic! Lammas is the ideal time to perform prosperity magic, so if you have any prosperity spells hidden in your grimoire or book of shadows, take those out and work some magic! 🌿 Work on your book of shadows or grimoire! A relaxing way to end the day would be to write a few pages in your book, whether you write in spells, information, or a journal entry. 🌿 Finish some projects! If you have some projects nearing an end, Lammas would be a great time to finish those or to make more progress if you can! Not every goal needs to be achieved, but dedicating your time and effort to finishing a few would be a great Lammas activity. 🌿 Make a bonfire! Invite friends and family to a bonfire! While you sit around the fire, share some of your bad or unnecessary habits and how you plan to change or get rid of those habits so you can have renewed strength. If you’re a secret witch, you can just light a candle in your room and privately journal your reflection!

[thewitchystuff]

Witchy Moon*:･ﾟ✧

A little guide on using the moon in your favor while practicing witchcraft!

The moon is so important in cycles and everyday life so pay attention to what she says!

[rosemarymoonsalt]

crystals and gemstones by intention

(all credit goes to the stone app, i just took the info and put it in this list as a witchblr resource. the app is amazing and has descriptions of each crystal as well)

☽ balance ☾

azurite, copper, emerald, green calcite, jasper, lemon quartz, tiger eye, turquoise

☽ calm ☾

amazonite, aquamarine, azurite, blue calcite, green calcite, lapis lazuli, rose quartz, smoky quartz

☽ clarity ☾

amethyst, aquamarine, blue calcite, flourite, quartz, smoky quartz, tourmalined quartz

☽ cleansing ☾

amber, amethyst, aquamarine, black tourmaline, bloodstone, quartz, tourmalined quartz

☽ communication ☾

amazonite, blue kyanite, chrysocolla, danburite, tektite, turquoise

☽ confidence ☾

citrine, honey calcite, malachite, pyrite, tiger eye, titanium quartz

☽ courage ☾

bloodstone, carnelian, desert rose, rhodochrosite, ruby

☽ creativity ☾

blue calcite, citrine, garnet, malachite, pyrite, orange calcite, rose quartz

☽ dreamwork ☾

azurite, barite, blue calcite, moonstone, sodalite

☽ focus ☾

bismuth, flourite, howlite, pyrite, titanium quartz

☽ grounding ☾

apache tears, black tourmaline, copper, hematite, jasper, jet

☽ insight ☾

barite, blue kyanite, chrysocolla, desert rose, flourite, lapis lazuli, meteorite, moldavite, moonstone, sodalite

☽ intuition ☾

blue calcite, barite, blue kyanite, celestite, citrine, meteorite, moonstone, sodalite, tanzanite

☽ joy ☾

danburite, kunzite, labradorite, lemon quartz, tanzanite, rhodochrosite

☽ love ☾ 

amazonite, citrine, emerald, green calcite, kunzite, rhodochrosite, garnet, ruby, rhodonite, rose quartz, tanzanite

☽ manifestation ☾ 

bloodstone, citrine, garnet, hematite, honey calcite, peridot, pyrite, serpentine

☽ motivation ☾

ametrine, carnelian, epidote, honey calcite, ruby, selenite, vanadinite

☽ passion ☾

carnelian, citrine, garnet, orange calcite, pyrite, ruby

☽ protection ☾

amber, amethyst, apache tears, black tourmaline, blue calcite, celestite, dalmatian stone, ruby, smoky quartz, tibetan black quartz, tourmalined quartz

☽ strength ☾

bloodstone, carnelian, chrysocolla, jasper, lemurian quartz, malachite, pyrite, ruby, tiger eye, titanium quartz, turquoise 

please let me know if i made any mistakes!

[lovesfinest-deactivated20210226]

Found these simple, easy to understand Tarot card cheat sheets 💫

[hiswitchcraft]

🔮How I Write A Spell🔮

What Is The Point Of This Spell?: First, figure out what sort of spell you want to do. What is its purpose? What kind of spell is it? A glamour, for example. Might be the sort of spell you decide on. It may seem obvious, but remember to write this stuff down! I usually write these questions down and keep the whole spell making process recorded in my grimoire.  This is my own personal advice, but something I’ve learned is to consider if there’s another way you can accomplish whatever the purpose of the spell is without magick. I think of spells as last resorts to certain things, or as a booster shot of luck or confidence ect. But that’s just me. The Timing: When will I do this spell? This could be based off of the day of the week/time of day and moon cycle. Astrology stuff if you’re into that. I also like to do big spells on the Sabbats so if you celebrate them, you might try that. How Might I Prepare?: Will this spell have certain crystals, herbs, chants, sigils, what do you need to do and collect? Remember to research any ingredients used. Especially if its a big, or important spell to you. To me, research is just more intent! Here’s a compact list of some things a spell might involve as well, you might go through and decide what works and what doesn’t. This certainly isn’t everything you might put in a spell but it might help you narrow a few things down: - Colors used - Jars/Sachets - Sigils - Crystals - Herbs & Spices - Candles - Incense - Essential oils - Forms of divination, such as tarot, runes, or a pendulum - Knots - Chants - Magick waters, such as moon water What Will The Steps Be?:  if you know you want to do a glamour, once again as the example, and you want to involve candles, think about what that will actually look like. Tips & Reminders: - Cleanse yourself, the space, and anything used. - Ground yourself.  - Cast a circle, if you feel that’s necessary. You don’t have to though! - Set the mood. Do a spell past dark, light some candles, take a nice, long, hot, cleansing bath ahead of time. Drink some tea. Do some self care, or something that makes you feel as witchy as ever.  - If something feels right, using this ingredient over that, a certain time of day, or anything like that. Do it! This is your practice.  - If you’re not sure what to do, or what a spell should even look like, have a look at other similar spells. Before you even start writing your own, you might just substitute a few things because you lack ingredients or prefer something else from spells you’ve found.  - Wards are always a good idea - If sigil burning, or fire of any sort is involved. Be safe! keep some water nearby, do it on a fire safe surface, keep in mind how you’re going to keep this contained if something goes wrong.  Enjoy and have a lovely day 💖

[living4uonly]

Materials for new witches

DISCLAIMER: You don't NEED anything to practice your craft! These are just somethings that will be helpful if you chose to use materials in your craft. 

Crystals for beginners:

- Clear Quartz - Rose Quartz - Amethyst - Citrine - Turquoise - Hematite

Herbs for beginners: 

- Sage - Thyme - Rosemary - Black pepper - Cayenne Pepper - Basil - Lavender - Mint - Cinnamon - Roses, rose hips, or rose petals - Sandalwood (usually used in incense) - Eucalyptus

Please keep in mind this is a very small list only consisting of what I personally consider to be the basics of crystals and herbs! 

[laguslk]

stop telling baby witches that they can't eat their offerings

stop telling baby witches that they can't eat their offerings

stop telling baby witches that they can't eat their offerings

there are tons of ways to not waste food and drink and still offer them to your deities. no one needs to feel bad for not being able to throw away food.

I can't talk for every deity out there but Loki doesn't mind if you eat your offerings after some hours, I can assure you.

[rediankhesi]

it’s also extremely crippling to new practicioners because some faiths, kemeticism being the peak example, encourage you to eat your offerings! please don’t deny proper info for others’ practices when they potentially both can’t afford to waste or it’s genuinely part of their practice!

[leodrune]

using athames // ritual daggers

the athame (typically pronounced ah-tha-mey) is a blade used for ritual purposes both in traditional witchcraft and in neopagan practices like wicca. it is considered one of the four elemental tools in modern occultism, along with the wand, pentacle, and chalice. a typical athame is a small double-edged blade with a black handle (which sometimes features symbolic carvings).

purposes of the athame

contrary to naive assumptions, athames are not traditionally used for sacrifice or blood magick. they are used to direct energy during rituals, to represent the element of fire (though other practices associate it with air), for banishment rituals, and rituals involving fertility when accompanied with the chalice.

some practitioners strongly believe that the athame is not meant for any kind of physical cutting, while others will use its blade to cut plants, fabric, cord, and other things pertinent to a spell or ritual. keep in mind that the athame absorbs and channels the energy of what it interacts with, so avoid letting others use your athame and be mindful of what items you cut with it, if at all.

consecrating and blessing a new athame before use

when you get a new athame, it’s important to cleanse it and properly declare it your own. gather two candles, one white and one black. 

⤏ pass the athame’s blade over the white candleflame, which cleanses it of its previously held energies and purifies its intentions. 

⤏ pass the blade over the black candleflame, to endow it with protective properties.

⤏ finally, stick the blade into rich soil, to bless it with earth magick. wash the blade off with water, and it is ready to use.

ways to incorporate the athame into your craft

⤏ cast a circle by outlining it with the blade, channeling protective energy

⤏ cut open and re-close circles you’ve already cast by slicing and redrawing

⤏ use the blade to cut and harvest herbs for spellwork or kitchen witchcraft

⤏ carve sigils and other symbols into candles for candle magick

⤏ use the blade in banishing rituals to cut negative energy away

⤏ use in place of a wand during house exorcisms/protection spells

⤏ use in place of a wand during rituals involving fire

a few easy rituals you can perform with just an athame

love ritual: hold the athame in your dominant hand and visualize the kind of relationship you want to have, or your ideal partner. trace a large heart in the air in front of you with the athame and walk through the energy-heart.

protection ritual: hold the athame in your dominant hand and say “may your blade protect me from harm and ill will.” hover the blade over your body, starting at the head and moving down to your feet.

banishing ritual: hold the athame in your dominant hand and reflect on what you want to banish, whether it be a person, bad habit, spirit, negative energy, or otherwise. say with confidence “i banish you and cast you away” and extend your arm quickly, sweeping the blade away from you and pointing it outward. do this three times, or until you feel satisfied.

[funky-witch-ideas]

🌈✨LGBT+/Pride Grimoire Prompts!✨🌈

Pride month is approaching and personally I’ve been itching to work in my grimoire/bos, so here are some prompts to inspire you if this is also something you’re interested in!

- make a page using colors of the rainbow/ your pride flag

- create a page dedicated to a queer deity (there are plenty! Even if it isn’t explicitly said in their mythology, choose gods you connect with that you feel might be queer)

- add glitter to a page!

- write down a spell for protection from homophobic/transphobic/acephobic, etc. people

- if you’re trans, nonbinary, genderfluid, etc. create a spell, fragrance, candle, tea (anything you want) to promote confidence and make a page explaining the instructions

- write a gratitude ritual acknowledging the history of pride and the efforts made by queer people years ago to help us get our rights

- make a list of the crystals/flowers/symbols/ etc. that promote more feminine, masculine, and androgynous energies, depending on what you’re looking for

- create a glamour spell inspired by drag, OR create a ritual that is centered around you getting into drag

- make a page full of one or many mantras that encourage self love

- make sigils that encourage others to accept your identity/ prevent you from being misgendered/ keep negative people quiet while you’re out with your significant other(s), etc.

- write or draw a list of magickal tools/crystals/flowers, etc. that correspond with your pride flag colors

- add pictures or drawings of queer people who inspire you

- create a spell involving tie dye

- make an LGBT+ inspired tarot spread

I hope this was useful and that everyone enjoys pride month this year!!! (I know I’m a wee bit early, but I wanna be prepared)

[in-her-broomcloset]

What are your favorite witch apps?

Please specify where they’re downloaded from for your smartphone. Such as iPhone App Store, Android Google Play, etc.

Mine for iOS (from the App Store) are:

MoonPhase - extensive moon data, includes lunar calendar

The Moon - includes symbols, crystals, and advice for the day based on current moon phase

Wicca - spells, witchy dictionary, herb correspondences, journaling capabilities, not religiously affiliated despite the name

Spellcaster - spells

Tarot - flashcards for studying tarot

Golden Thread Tarot - free mobile readings, multiple spreads, card meaning database, free mini lessons

Stone - crystal correspondences, beautiful images

Essential Oils - metaphysical correspondences, scientific uses, application methods, safety, blends, personalized list of current oils

AboutMyWoods - lists local region’s plants and wildlife

[grandpas-a-witch]

10. PictureThis - identifies plants for you, you just gotta take a picture and it’ll give you a list of options starting from the most similar (on android btw)

[xluciferalx]

11.Healing Crystals Directory-Lists crystals by type for both identification and metaphysical uses. As there are many different types of crystals out there, this is useful for both collectors and crystal aficionados.(On Android)

[witch-the-hopeful]

labryinthos is another app good for learning the tarot! its really cute, too!

((as an added note: the two apps above [PictureThis and Healing Crystals Directory] are also available on apple!))

[in-her-broomcloset]

Here are apps 1-9 from the Apple App Store without 8 (essential oils) because it now requires payment. You can find any free essential oil app you like through a search in the App Store! Hope this clears up the names! I was going by the app title displayed on my home screen after already having it downloaded rather than the original full name.

[magicamongthestars]

Grimoire Ideas📖✨

   since i’m starting to work on getting my own Grimoire better organized and figuring out what i think fits best in it for me, i feel like i should log some ideas that have helped me in my journey in hopes that it could help someone else just starting out. but just remember that your Grimoire is your own and personal to you and you alone so you don’t need to put everything in if it doesn’t vibe well with you or doesn’t fit into your craft. your book should hold things that are personal to you and your craft and what you believe and you don’t need to have every bit of knowledge in your book.

✏️ an index/table of contents ✏️ a blessing ✏️ a protection sigil and/or spell to keep from wondering eyes ✏️ your personal creed or rede/the wiccan rede(if you’re wiccan) ✏️ personal goals/13 goals of a witch ✏️ personal correspondences/things personal to you ✏️ your beliefs ✏️ your daily rituals ✏️ the different types of magic ✏️ the different types of divination ✏️ any gods, goddesses, deities, or spirits you worship/follow  ✏️ information on any gods, goddesses, deities, or spirits ✏️ crystals 》 meanings 》uses 》correspondences ✏️ plants/tress/flowers 》 meanings 》uses 》correspondences ✏️ herbs 》 meanings 》uses 》correspondences ✏️ essential oils 》 meanings 》uses 》correspondences ✏️ incense 》 meanings 》uses 》correspondences ✏️ candles 》 meanings 》uses 》correspondences ✏️ chakras 》meanings 》uses 》correspondences ✏️ auras 》meanings 》uses 》correspondences ✏️ elements(earth, fire, air, water) 》meanings 》uses 》correspondences ✏️ runes 》meanings 》uses 》correspondences ✏️ magical symbols 》meanings 》uses 》correspondences ✏️ feathers 》meanings 》uses 》correspondences ✏️ crystal grid ✏️ pendulum board ✏️ sigils 》how to make them 》how they work 》how to charge ✏️ moon phases 》correspondences 》what they’re good 》what the mean  ✏️ moon phase calendar(preferable something that can be removed or changed easily)   ✏️ magical times 》hour 》day 》week 》month ✏️ moon water ✏️ sun water ✏️ zodiac 》correspondences 》dates 》characteristics  ✏️ mythology of your heritage/culture and/or area ✏️ mythologies of interest ✏️ mythological creatures ✏️ star chart ✏️ constellations ✏️ celestial events ✏️ planets/celestial bodies 》meanings 》uses 》correspondences 》mythology 》relation to magic ✏️ cheat sheets ✏️ tips/reminders ✏️ spirit works ✏️ basic concepts 》banishing 》binding 》cleansing 》grounding 》ect. ✏️ altars 》what they are 》what they’re used for 》what you need 》basic set up 》plans ✏️ familiars ✏️ tools in your practice ✏️ spirit work ✏️ spirits ✏️ personal/family traditions ✏️ animals 》which animals you connect with 》spiritual powers of animals ✏️ spirits guides ✏️ sabbats 》solstice 》equinox ✏️ recipes 》spells 》potions 》teas 》cleaning products 》natural remedies 》powders 》oils 》beauty 》 body scrubs 》ect. ✏️ spells 》self love 》curses 》hexes 》protection 》banishing 》ect. ✏️ tea 》meanings 》uses 》correspondences 》spells 》recipes ✏️ rituals ✏️ visuals 》drawings 》pressed flowers/herbs/plants 》photos ✏️ meditation ✏️ a secret code or alphabet  ✏️ gardening ✏️ list of words and phrases ✏️ books 》ones you reference & find helpful ✏️ experiences 》spell work 》divination 》spirit work 》banishing 》tarot readings 》ect. ✏️ spiritual diary ✏️ magical diary ✏️ dream log ✏️ spell log ✏️ anything else you want! literally! it’s your book and its always good to customize it to you! if you feel like it should be in your book, then go ahead and put it in your book because that’s what makes it special!

            ***correspondences =things such as 》elements, colors, symbolism, planets, astrology, anatomy, ect. really anything else important tied to something.

   obviously you can pick and choose whatever works best for yourself and your craft, and i don’t even have some of these in my own book but still thought they would be helpful to include for witches like me who are just starting out who need ideas of what their books can hold! i’ll probably start posting more about my grimorire and how i keep it organized as well!

   if you think i’ve missed anything feel free to add on more ideas to pass on to your fellow baby witches!