Witchy Side Blog @shiney-shell - Tumblr Blog

I feel like there are a lot of witches who make the community less inclusive by telling other witches, especially beginner witches, that their craft isn't legit because they're not using the right oils to boost their spells or they're not cleansing their spaces with the right cleansers.

The problem with this is...well, a lot of people don't have the means to obtain these things, and many experienced and kinder witches will tell you that the best you can do is use what you have and focus your intentions. The other stuff gives your spells a boost, but they're not necessarily needed.

I put off diving into my practice for a long time and almost gave up because I was convinced I needed x, y, and z. If you want this community to grow and gain some respect, you need to stop telling beginner witches they can't legit practice until they spend a shit ton of moneu.

shiney-shell

You don’t need anything special to do magic. The things you can help boost, but that’s all their doing. And they don’t need to be anything fancy!

windvexer

Crystal Knot Magic

Knotting a crystal net is very easy if you are able to use your fingers for this kind of crafting.

They are often called crystal "wraps" and many tutorials can be found on Youtube.

There are many, many ways to make a crystal net. The style you use determines the final appearance. More importantly for us, the style you use determines how many knots there will be, and their size.

We can draw on four common elements of magic: Crystal/mineral correspondences, color correspondences, numerology, and knot magic.

The stone (or other object) is like the battery which holds and radiates power. The object you net should correspond to your core intent.

The color of cord or thread you use can modify or hone your intent. For example, if using clear quartz, the color correspondence might be doing most of the work.

Then again, this spell will work with cotton twine and a river stone, so just do whatever suits you.

The total number of cords you use dictates how many knots total will exist in your spell. Crystal nets are made by tying two strands of cord together. If you use four cords, you will have eight working ends, and therefore you will tie four knots per row. If you have five cords, you will have ten working ends, and you will need to tie five knots per row. I align my numerology to the number of knots, not strands, because the knots themselves are holding the magic.

The knots are used to tie intent and bind power. I create most of my charms in a style that has one big starter knot at the top and one big finishing knot at the bottom. There are tons of ways to utilize knots in this project. The first knot can hold the only intent, while the rest bind powers to support it. Or the intent can be split into its composite parts and each part gets its own knot. Or every single knot can have something unique, or they can all be identical... lots of options.

Conceptually, the inner object is the focal point or battery of the spell. The knots can be understood as tools that the object uses to carry out your will, instructions to guide the object in its work, vessels that carry additional power (like tidepools on a beach), or tangles that capture and bind up unwanted forces.

To perform this sort of magic:

1. Learn how to make the nets first from an arts and crafts perspective :) you can cut the cording off to re-use the same stone later. It is really frustrating to try and do a craft in a ritual headspace if you have to learn the craft simultaneously!

2. Gather up your cording and object to be netted. Do any ritual techniques you prefer to prepare them.

3. Decide how you want your intent to be tied in. Do you want to use the same phrase for each knot? Do you want to chant your intent continuously while you do many knots? Etc.

4. Make the crystal net in your ritual headspace/magic zone. Pour your intent into each knot in whatever methods you choose.

5. I recommend making the final knot of your project into the seal which completes and finishes the amulet ("so mote it be," "as my will it has been done," etc).

6. If you did not raise and direct energy during the spell, ensure the amulet is charged afterwords. Like all amulets and talismans, it requires feeding and repowering as time goes on.

hallow-witxh

Acorns.

I think they're super cute, and not only do they make the most adorable earrings you've ever seen, but they're incredibly powerful in the witchy department.

Acorns have a plethora of uses, but for me personally, one particular effect of them draws to me: their ability to reflect and amplify power. If I have an acorn laying about, there are several things that I like to do to increase the effectiveness of my spellwork.

I'll list a few of my favorites here:

If I grind my own herbs with a mortar and pestle, I'll grind an acorn into it before pouring the powder out and grinding my other spices and herbs. It amplifies the influence of the herbs and also the influence of whatever I may be adding it into.

That powdered acorn can be dusted into wax that seals spells jars, and seems to be especially effecting with protection and safety jars.

Shattered bits of shell can be burnt along with cleansing incense to amplify the cleansing of your space.

Carrying acorns in your bag or on your person can increase the intensity of your presence

Throw them at assholes to chase them off

Tips and Commissions: Ko-fi

hallow-witxh

Acorns.

I think they're super cute, and not only do they make the most adorable earrings you've ever seen, but they're incredibly powerful in the witchy department.

I'll list a few of my favorites here:

That powdered acorn can be dusted into wax that seals spells jars, and seems to be especially effecting with protection and safety jars.

Shattered bits of shell can be burnt along with cleansing incense to amplify the cleansing of your space.

Carrying acorns in your bag or on your person can increase the intensity of your presence

Throw them at assholes to chase them off

Tips and Commissions: Ko-fi

hallow-witxh

Okay, y'all - stop sending me DMs about healing magic and herbal remedies. It's great for some things! Sore throats, coughs, some aches and pains, headaches, trouble sleeping... for stuff like that, essential oils and teas are great! Eucalyptus for me is wonderful for a realizing shower after a really bad anxiety attack. But please, please, there is a difference between using honey to soothe a cough and claiming essential oils are going to replace antibiotics.

Witchcraft isn't going to heal your pneumonia, depression, or cancer.

Herbal teas are not going to stop your surgical incision from getting infected.

Witchy remedies arent going to make your tattoo heal faster than recommended aftercare.

Listen to your doctor, nurse, piercer, or artist.

Take your antibiotics, antidepressants, and prescriptions.

And stop telling people that tea and tonics are going to cure them. You are not their specialist!

This is a very pro-medicine blog! Take your medicine! Go to a clinic!

And for the last fucking time: honey tea is good for sore throats but medication is for step throat!

Witchcraft isn't going to magically heal you. It's just not. Some things are beyond the effect of spells and incantations.

If you don't agree, I don't have time for you. Block me. Or even better, comment, and I'll block you. I don't want your bullshit on my page. There are baby witches here who are learning and easily influenced and I will not have them influenced by the likes of you.

Baby witches: do not listen to those who think 100% of human ailments can be cured herbally and magically. That is false. Take care of yourself at all costs and don't listen to that. Listen to your specialists, doctors, and psychologists, especially if you have mental illnesses since those seem to be targeted most.

This has been a very frustrated and aggressive public service announcement.

dusky-phantom

Me, a swamp hag in a kitty cat night gown and rainbow socks: throw water in a jar with nails and a poppet and shake it as a hex. Put a penny above your door to attract money in your house. Use your local herbs and stones to do what ya want. Wind chimes attract spirits and bottles trap in negativity thrown your way. Throw dried chilis in the foot steps of your enemy to make them hotfooted and paranoid. Sigil and emoticon spells are fun and worked for me so eh whatever. Fuck circles, do whatever, folk magic is easy and quick

Elistist “trad” witch: Um ExCuSe Me?!? NO!! you have to have a circle and call the corners and your gods and goddesses! If has to take time, a lot of time!!!! and you have to do it exacyly like this *holds up instructions* and wear certain robes! Use only these crystals and herbs do NOT use or substitute anything else!!! Doing anything different is bad and fake!!!!! You have to only use our type of magic or youre wrong!!

Also me: another fun magic is to get some rocks and throw them to release certain feelings about something

* starts throwing stones and rocks at the elitists*

shiney-shell

Magic is what you want it to be. In comes from within.

theskepticalwitch

🚩 Witch Red Flags 🚩

These are some things that I consider red flags in witches I have come across before:

Believes only women can be witches.

Believes that magic/spirituality/energy/crystals can cure mental illness, physical illness, chronic illness, and disorders.

Doesn't respect closed paths or practices.

Tells others how their paths should be.

Won't stop telling witches they need to protect themselves from deities.

Thinks they are more powerful than anyone else, won't stop talking about how powerful they are.

Judges all witches with Wiccan rules.

Treats baby witches like they are somehow idiots and don't deserve respect.

Calls themselves a fancy title without being able to back it up.

Thinks hereditary witches are more powerful/better than first generation witches.

These are just a few I've noticed. If you know of any others, add them in reblogs or replies!

casper-ghostly

Anyway, daily reminder from a culturally isolated Romani person.

Gypsy does not mean wanderer.

It literally means ‘people from egypt’ or similar, as europeans believed Romani people were from Egypt. It has become known similar to nomad due to how our ancestors have been forced to be nomadic due to racism and ostracization, but it is a SLUR.

Romani people are STILL being forcibly sterilized.

Romani people are STILL being forced into ghettos.

Romani people are still facing violence and danger in countless European countries- and recently, I’ve seen the beginnings of the extremes in the United States.

Have a little fucking respect and DON’T USE A SLUR THAT’S BEEN USED FOR CENTURIES AGAINST US.

And for the love of whatever’s up there, ESPECIALLY do not use it to describe your witchcraft. It is playing on the ‘magic gypsy’ trope, and is EXTREMELY insulting.

non romani people, please reblog this.

ms-circely

🌱🌱Earth Magic🌱🌱

To Lose Troubles: 🌿

Take a handful of earth and gaze into it.

Pour into it all your problems.

Outline in minute detail all of those problems plaguing you.

Once finished, throw the dirt behind you and walk away, not looking back.

Earth Charms:🍀🌻

Firmly tie up in a small green square of cloth some fresh, rich soil.

Carry this with you if you have troubles with stability, security, and self-control; if you are apt to let your emotions rule your life or if you are constantly angry or nervous.

Earth Scrying:🏵️🏵️

Fill a small flat vessel at least 7 inches in diameter with earth.

Sir relaxed and gaze into the soil.

You will eventually notice the symbols staring uo from the earth.

Earth Protection Bottle: 🌼🌳

Pour fresh, clean soil into a bottle.

Fill it to the top and close it.

Place the bottle near an entrance, preferably a window, to guard against evil entering into your house.

citrinemystic

Advice for the Beginner: You don't have to become a full-time witch

When I resumed my path last year, it felt a little bit like witchcraft needed to take over my life. It felt like every single aspect of my life that could be witchy had to be witchy, even if it wasn't super practical since in many ways I'm still in the broom closet. But based on the practitioners I saw on witchtok and witchgram, witchcraft seemed to be an all-day everyday kind of deal.

If that's what makes sense to you, go for it. But if, for whatever reason, it's just not logical or practical for you, you don't have to be in witch-mode 24/7.

For me, witchcraft has kind of settled into a part-time practice. I have my meditation time, I light the candles on my altar before I start my workday, and in general I devote something like 2-5 hours every week doing research, planning and preparing for rituals, working on this blog, or practicing divination. But it's not my whole life.

I think part of the problem I had in the beginning was that a lot of the practitioners I was following were full-time witches, in the sense that they had made a career out of their practice. They had etsy stores or websites where they sold spell kits or candles or soaps or whatever. But that's not practical for me. I'm not going to be making a career out of my craft, just like I'm not going to be making a career out of my knitting. They are both things that I enjoy doing, that enrich my life, but they're not how I'm putting bread on the table, so they don't need my constant focus. Not even my job needs my constant focus. It's taken a lot of work, but at the end of the day, my life is balanced in a way that makes sense to me at this point. There may be a time when more of my life is devoted to witchy pursuits, but for right now, I'm content with the amount of time I spend on it on a day-to-day and week-to-week basis.

Don't get me wrong, I love incorporating magic into as many areas of my life as possible. There's a reason I've done a lot of posts about Kitchen Witchery and Mundane Magic. But I've learned through a lot of trial and error what works best for me, and I would encourage anyone that's just beginning on their witchcraft/magical practitioner journey to find what works best for them, whether that's an all-day everyday practice, or just a small dose of daily witchy mindfulness.

And don't forget to take breaks when you need to. In my opinion, if your practice is adding more stress to you life, it might be time to take a step back and reassess what you truly want and need from it, and adjust accordingly.

din0butch

“i don’t like writing about my day, but i want to keep a journal”:

quotes and copywork. when reading, if you find something you enjoy, just copy it into the notebook. you can copy a whole chapter if you wish, highlighting what caught your attention the most.

definitions. look up on a dictionary and copy it. you could write your own dictionary as well, making up definitions for words.

lists. a classic, write movies to watch, books to read, the playlist of the month or just the groceries you have to buy.

maps. when going somewhere, you could draw the route you took or just a map of the place itself. just look up the place on google maps and copy it. you can draw a little map of all the places you have lived or the schools you have attended as well.

photos

take “notes” as you watch movies / documentaries. write down phrases that caught your attention or doodle.

illustrations and clippings. if you see an image or piece of art that you liked, put it in your journal. if it’s from a book or from a magazine I would recommend scanning it, tho’. it will serve as a record of what kind of art you enjoy through the years.

newspaper clippings from the day.

tickets and pamphlets. from movies, museums, transportation.

postcards

records. you could record for a month what the temperature was when you woke up and when you went to sleep. if you do that for a year, it gives you a better notion of the passing of seasons. you could record rainfall and other seasonal changes as well. you could choose something (an animal, a plant, an item or object) and write down every time you see it.

rubbings of leaves, coins, landmarks.

count. there’s a scene in the movie Caroline (2009) where Caroline’s dad tells her to go count the windows. you could do the same type of counting game if you are bored and write down.

mindmaps/sketchnotes + timelines of books, movies, music albums.

collages

pressed leafs and flowers

your collections. if you collect anything you could write down an inventory or maybe try to draw the items.

recipes. write down recipes and give it a score every time you try it. you could do the same for drinks you try out.

stickers

comic strips. you can find a bunch of it online, glue your favorites in your notebook.

songsparrowwitch

Tips to Avoid Negative Manifestations of Spells

Sometimes we do spells and the outcome comes about negatively. For example, a money spell could lead to a car crash that would result in the insurance giving you money. The spell technically worked, but not in the way that you wanted or expected. These tips can perhaps prevent these negative or unwanted manifestations.

-Add honey to a spell. Honey can sweeten the results of a spell since it is a natural sweetener. Sugar is also another ingredient that can sweeten the manifestation of a spell. -Add jelly or jam to a spell. Like honey and sugar, jellies and jams can create a more positive manifestation due to their sweet nature. Use the different flavors to your advantage, too. Strawberry jam can sweeten the outcome of a love spell, grape with prosperity, etc. -Close any loopholes. Adding a few extra words can save you a ton of trouble. “This spell shall manifest without any negative consequences by this Friday” is a way to avoid negative results and speed the process of the spell’s manifestation (the faster you want it to manifest, the more energy is required). -Clear your mind before performing a spell. Meditation, grounding, and centering are just a few simple things that you can do to clear your mind before doing a spell. It isn’t necessary, but it is helpful to just focus on the spell rather than other things in your life. I’ve found that when I think about other things during a spell, my spell will get clouded up with emotions that I do not want attached to it, like anger or sadness, and that that can sometimes lead to negative manifestations. -Keep your spells in appropriate places. Keeping curses in the dark and keeping positive spells in the light will help the spell to manifest as you want it to. For example, if you have a spell jar for love, putting it in a dark closet may result in a darker manifestation due to it being infused with the dark’s energy whereas putting it in the sunshine or by a rose quartz will give more positive results due to the more positive energy that is associated with the sun and the quartz. This may not be possible for all witches, so if you cannot have your spells in open places, remember to close the loophole. -Add spell ingredients that have a strong connection to the spell’s intent. Some ingredients have more of a connection to the spell’s intent than others. For instance, if a person wanted to be a hired at a certain company, they could add the dirt from the company’s premises into their career spell. Doing so could greatly increase the spell’s chances of manifesting as desired.

bubblegum-flix-deactivated20181

herbwicc

Lavender Syrup!

I know there are a ton of recipes out there, but this one's mine. I put in a lot more lavender personally.

- 2 cups sugar

- 1 1/2 cup water (here's an opportunity to use moon water for extra energy. Full moon water can boost the lavender correspondences for psychic awareness and love, while water charged in phases leading up to the new moon can boost lavender's ability to banish/protect from depression and anxiety)

- 4 tablespoons lavender- Peace/anti-anxiety, happiness, love, sleep, psychic awareness/ability, creativity, protection from ill treatment.

- purple food coloring (optional)

Instructions:

Warm the water and sugar, mixing till it dissolves, then add the lavender and mix well. When the water is boiling, lower it to simmer, cover, and let it simmer for about 10-15 minutes. If you leave it for longer, it will become bitter. Then strain into a bottle, and THEN add the food coloring if you want. This syrup is not meant to be very thick, so that it mixes easily with cold drinks just as well as warm. If you want it to be thicker, add more sugar.

smudging-sage

BIG OL WITCHY MASTER LIST

POSTS BY ME ARE ITALICIZED!

This is by no means completed, up-to-date, or the only way you can view or perceive witchcraft. These are just some posts, found on my blog, put together in a list for easier access.

This is also being updated as I go through my archives, and whats on the list as of [Sept 22nd, 2018] is from start - August 2018. This list will be updated as often and as quick as I can possibly manage.

I PREVIOUSLY HAD MY DAILY WITCH TIPS ON HERE, I DELETED THAT SEGMENT.

This isn’t really as organized as I would like it, but I broke it down into categories and alphabetical order such as:

Moon Shit:

2017 Lunar Calendar

August 2018 Lunar Schedule

Full Moons Of The Year

Lunar Eclipse Dates

Lunar Phases

Magick Of The Moon Phases

Moon Magic

Moon Magic Grimoire

Moon Phase Runes

Top Stargazing Events of 2018

Herb Shit:

5 Herbs Every Witch Should Have In Their Garden

Anti-Anxiety Herbs

Big Witchy Guide On Herbs And Flowers

Dangerous Herbs

Gardens Of The Witches

Herb Masterpost

Herbs For Hexing

Herbs For Protection

Indoor Plants For The Space Conscious Witch

Poisonous Herbs

Reasons Herbs May Not Work

Sacred Herbs Of The Gods

Top 10 Magical Herbs

Crystal Shit:

Crystals Every Witch Should Have

Gems For Depression

Taking Care Of Your Crystals

Emoji Spells Shit:

Easy Sleep

Spells Shit:

4 Free Spells

A Method To Cleanse And Ward After Unsavory People Leave

Anti-Anxiety Charm

Anti-Anxiety Jar

Bad Habits Tarot Spread

Bad Luck

Bandage Sigils

Banishing Nightmares

Bath For Sunburns

Belladonna’s Spell Page

Celestial Nail Polish Magic

Change Your Luck

Crow Bone Hex

Curse A Bitch

Dreams and Nightmare Protection

Easy Cleansing Ritual

Elemental Ideas

Forest With Me

From My Grimoire

Glamour Enchanted Jewelry

Hail The Glow Cloud

Hex For 2017

Icelandic Staves

Increasing Emotional Tolerance

Lavender Self Love Jar

Love Enhancer

Love / Protection

Memory Aid

Mermaid’s Breath

New Year Purification Bath

Peppermint Spell

Recharging

Return To Sender

Ritual For Positive Thoughts

Ritual Of Gratitude

Self Love And Healing Jar

Seven Useful Powder Spells For Every Occasion

Sew Closed Your Heart

Simple Protection

Simplicity

Sleep Spells And Sigils

Steps To Strengthen A Romantic Relationship

Stop Nightmares

Using Glitter In Spells

Ward Types and Components

Warmth In Winter

Advice Shit:

10 Common Misconceptions of Baby Witches

10 Daily Witch Things

10 Plants To Survive A Zero Sunlight Bedroom

10 Terms Every New Witch Should Know

26 Activities To Help Your Mind, Body, And Soul

A Collection Of Witch Tips

A Long List Of Ways To Spiritually Protect Yourself

Astral Temple Meditation

Aura / Energy Colors & Meanings

A Secret Witches Guide To Concealing Your Craft

Back To School Magic

Basics Of Kitchen And Cottage Witchcraft

Beginner Masterlist

Beginner Witchcraft

Being A Witch

Blood Magic

Breaking Astrology Down

Candle Uses & Meanings

Charging/Activating Sigils

Cosmic Witch Masterpost

Daily Witchcraft

Discreet Little Witchy Things

Discreet Witchcraft

Earth Element Correspondents

Enchanting Items

Everyday Magic Is Easy

Faerie List

Fire Safety

Hearthandhold Reading List

How I Draw My Sigils

How Runes Work

How To Learn Witchcraft

How To Make Your Own Sigil

How To Use A Sigil Wheel

Imbolc

Incense Uses

Inexpensive/Free Witchcraft

Jarring Tips

Keeping Yourself Protected

Knot, Thread, and Cord Magic

Little Tips For The College Witch

Low Energy Tips

Magic For School/Education

Magical Herb

Modern Polytheism

Modern Witches

My Advice For Baby Witches

New Witch Budget Tips

Nik’s Tips For Discreet Witchcraft

Reading Tea Leaves

Rose Water Is My Religion

Salt & Witchcraft

School / Work Grounding

Some Things To Track

So You Want To Talk To Spirits?

Spell Books

Stoner Witch Tips

Succulents

Tarot Cheat Sheet

Tech Witches

The Wiccan’s Glossery

There Comes A Time When You Need To Stop Researching And Just Practice

Tips For Discreet College Witches

Tips For Writing Incantations

Types Of Witches

Types Of Witches And Witchcraft

Understanding Concepts In Witchcraft

Urban Witch 101: House and Home

Violets Witchcraft Masterpost

Ways To Start Feeling Again

Water Magic

Witchcraft In The Shadows

Witchcraft PSA

Witch Resources

Witch Tips For City Witches

Witches With Depression

Witchling Endeavors

Witchy Grimiore Ideas

Witchy Podcasts

Witchy Tips

Recipe Shit:

Anti-Nightmare Pouch

Apple Cider Love Bringing

Black Salt

Budget Witch DIY

Calming Sugar Scrub

Charming Lip Balm

Cleansing And Calming Salt

DIY Gemstone Necklace

Drawing Out A Latent Talent Pouch

Drying Out Roses

Infused Water Magic

Milkshake Magic

Moon Spell Cakes

Moon Water

Peaceful Sleep Sachet

Potion For Sleep

Rose Water

Smoothie Potions

Soothing Dreams Sachet

Communication Shit:

Crystal Hand Of Prosperity

Dead Dash

Earth Witches Reblog…

Hey There

Like/Reblog if you…

Looking To Follow

Money Bear

Money Pentacle

Witchcraft Asks

Witches

Witches reblog if…

Witches Reblog If…

Witchy Asks

Wonderful Weekend

hallow-witxh

This is just a friendly reminder that a spell jar without intention is just random leaves and tidbits in a jar. Intention is everything, it's what sets the direction for everything you do.

littlewitchygreen

Smudging vs Smoke Cleansing

One of the most common mistakes that I see people make is interchanging these two terms, or using one instead of the other. They are in fact two separate things, and one is part of a closed practice so it is important to know the difference.

Smudging

Smudging is part of Native American traditions, making it part of a closed practice. In fact, due to parts of it being ceremonial, it is impossible for outsiders to smudge as they literally do not know how. Non-natives are not taught the ceremonial parts of smudging, so unless you were taught how, you genuinely cannot be smudging. While different tribes sometimes do it differently, every example I’ve seen does involve burning various plants, which is why it is often confused with smoke cleansing.

Smoke Cleansing

Smoke cleansing is the act of using smoke to influence a space’s energy. This often involves burning plants with cleansing, protective, or other properties to bring those properties to the space itself. Some examples I’ve seen used are sage, rosemary, or even lavender depending on the intended purpose. This is what the majority of witches are doing when they burn herbs around a space. However, it is still important to make sure the plants you are burning will not harm you if inhaled, and that if you are using plants traditionally used by native peoples that they are sourced ethically (here is a post that explains why it matters). If you cannot source your plants ethically, then kitchen varieties of most plants can be used instead.

Knowing the difference between these is really important, as they are different practices. I wanted to make this post because I see the terms used interchangeably or incorrectly literally every time I come on this site, so I hope it helped!

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