I'm trying to listen

[creature-wizard]

"How can I be a witch/pagan without falling for conspiracy theories/New Age cult stuff?" starter kit

Posts & Articles

Check your conspiracy theory. Does any of it sound like this?

Check your conspiracy theory part two: double, double, boil and trouble.

QAnon is an old form of anti-Semitism in a new package, experts say

Some antisemitic dogwhistles to watch out for

Eugenicist and bioessentialist beliefs about magic

New Age beliefs that derive from racist pseudoscience

The New Age concept of ascension - what is it?

A quick intro to starseeds

Starseeds: Nazis in Space?

Reminder that the lizard alien conspiracy theory is antisemitism

The Ancient Astronaut Hypothesis is Racist and Harmful

The Truth About Atlantis

Why the Nazis were obsessed with finding the lost city of Atlantis

The Nazis' love affair with the occult

Occultism in Nazism

Red flag names in cult survivor resources/groups (all of them are far right conspiracy theorists/grifters)

The legacy of implanted Satanic abuse ‘memories’ is still causing damage today

Why Satanic Panic never really ended

Dangerous Therapy: The Story of Patricia Burgus and Multiple Personality Disorder

Remember a Previous Life? Maybe You Have a Bad Memory

A Case of Reincarnation - Reexamined

Crash and Burn: James Leininger Story Debunked

Debunking Myths About Easter/Ostara

Just How Pagan is Christmas, Really?

The Origins of the Christmas Tree

No, Santa Claus Is Not Inspired By Odin

Why Did The Patriarchal Greeks And Romans Worship Such Powerful Goddesses?

No, Athena Didn't Turn Medusa Into A Monster To Protect Her

Who Was the First God?

Were Ancient Civilizations Conservative Or Liberal?

How Misogyny, Homophobia, and Antisemitism Influence Transphobia

Podcasts & Videos

BS-Free Witchcraft

Angela's Symposium

ESOTERICA

ReligionForBreakfast

Weird Reads With Emily Louise

It's Probably (not!) Aliens

Conspirituality

Miniminuteman

Behind The Bastards

[breelandwalker]

Magical Powder Recipes

A collection of some of my original magical powder recipes.

All-Purpose Cursing Powder

Bree's Banishing Powder

Clean House Powder

Come Hither Powder

Dead Man's Dust

Dream Dust

“Eye of Sauron” Revelation Powder

Get Thee Hence Powder

Ghost-Be-Gone Powder

Heal Thy Heart Powder

Hexbreaker Powder

Inspiration Salt

Lucky Day Powder

“Outta My Way” Powder

Peacekeeper Powder

Persuasion Powder

STFU Powder

Traveler’s Luck Powder

Truthfinder Powder

For those of you who may not be able to find herbs locally, here are some online suppliers who consistently have affordable and high-quality products.

Penn Herb Co. - Bulk herbs, spices, and botanicals - including over 400 wildcrafted herbs, gathered from the United States and worldwide. Single ounce packages are available. Excellent source for powders.

Starwest Botanicals - Bulk herbs, spices, oils, and teas. Good amount of organic and Fair Trade products, as well as supplies for holistic medicine and tea-making.

Mountain Rose Herbs - Bulk herbs, spices, and sundries. Also carries organic products and essential oils, and has link to schools that offer courses in herbalism and herbology.

Bulk Apothecary - Bulk herbs, spices, and oils, in addition to materials for the home production of soap, candles, wine, and beer.

For more recipes to fill out your potion kit, you can check out Pestlework: A Book of Magical Powders & Oils. (Available on Amazon and in my shop!)

If you're enjoying my content, please feel free to drop a little something in the tip jar or check out my published works on Amazon or in the Willow Wings Witch Shop. 😊

[emojispells4u]

🛡️🕯️💆🧿🙏🌈👩‍❤️‍💋‍👨🕯️🛡️

Emoji spell to keep your loved ones safe from harm. Likes charge, reblogs cast 🔮

[recreationalwitchcraft]

DIY Magical Shower Disks

So you have seen our lovely bath magic spells but you cannot take a bath. Maybe you don’t have a bath in your current residence, maybe you are physically unable to use bathtubs, maybe you’re just super stretched for time but want to get in some extra magical umph. Recreational Witchcraft is here for you. 

Shower disks are traditionally used in the aromatherapy world to relieve congestion and other flu-symptoms while showering via the use of essential oils, but we will be bumping up their magical potential.

Basic recipe:

1 cup baking soda 

1 tablespoon corn starch

1/3 cup of water

Muffin tins and muffin liners

Combine baking soda and corn starch (making sure there are no clumps), then slowly add in the water. Fill lined muffin tins about third of the way, then leave out for 24 hours to dry completely. Carefully take them out of the liners, add your essential oils, and place your disk somewhere in your shower that will allow them to dissolve slowly while you do your business. Bam. You’re done. 

Now onto the magic. All dry ingredients (herbs, spices, etc) should be added in with the baking soda and corn starch before the water is added. All essential oils should be added right before they’re used (so when they’re completely dry).

Cleansing and Purifying:

essential oil of rosemary

essential oil of lemongrass

dried peppermint leaves

dried lemon rinds

dried rosemary

Protection:

essential oil of lavender

essential oil of eucalyptus

dried basil leaves

dried lavender flowers

pinch of ground cloves

Glamour:

essential oil of sweet orange

essential oil of rose

essential oil of jasmine

crushed red rose petals

pinch of (body safe) glitter

Attracting Love:

vanilla extract

essential oil of jasmine

essential oil of ylang ylang

apple seeds

1 lavender flower

pinch of cinnamon

Attracting Money:

essential oil of patchouli

essential oil of juniper berry

dried mint leaves

dried thyme

pinch of allspice

[solswitchystuff]

[motherofmoonthread]

hi im a baby witch and my friend’s sister (an experienced with) cursed him with being a misfit, never finding love, be in an abusive relationship, and to never have purpose. do you think there’s any way to break it?

Hey, anon!

First of all, I am so sorry that your friend’s sister would curse him and that the responsibility for breaking this curse is falling on your shoulders. I shudder to think of how awful that must be for both of you, but especially for you. Your spiritual practice being dragged into a family conflict is awful (but so is a family conflict being aggravated with spiritual practices in the first place! Shame on the sister here, honestly.)

Second of all, I would recommend seeking ways to mediate before attempting any curse breaking. I don’t know the situation between your friend and his sister, but if there is any way to have the caster remove the curse, it will be much easier on you. Of course, you can’t always talk out every issue, and if that fails, then I do have some resources for you.

I haven’t been unfortunate enough to be cursed much in the past, but when I was cursed, I did a few things. With enough work, it is my belief that any curse is able to be undone.

Before you try to remove this curse, I would recommend you spend a few days building up some wards around yourself and your space. Protecting yourself against possible retribution is super important when first dipping your toes into curse breaking, particularly when you’re breaking the curse cast by someone with more experience than yourself. I would also recommend that after all is said and done, you offer your friend some similar protections that he can carry on his person.

@occulteaism has a really great guide here about breaking curses and hexes (though I, personally, see curses as intense, intentionally very harmful magic, and hexing as smaller, less intense magic that can be accidental. Either way, their advice is great.) Reflection spells are great for removing curses and returning them to their senders, but the potential for retribution over this method is why I advise putting up protections for yourself. Of course, replace “me” in the incantation with your friend’s (full!) name, and if you’d like some extra oomph, between the first two lines, say the caster’s full name.

@recreationalwitchcraft has a wonderful banishing scrub that I also recommend your friend use after you cast the reflection spell. I also highly recommend the creation of a witch’s bottle (post by @moonlightacademy) for any and every practitioner. They essentially act as a return to sender spell, but they’re preventative rather than performed post-curse. Evil eye amulets are also great for personal protection you can carry on you. Of course, any and every one of these methods can be adapted to be cast on or used for others. Typically, replacing taglocks (things that bind a spell to the target, ex. hair, nail clippings, spit, urine, etc) and/or replacing names/pronouns is enough to direct that energy onto another rather than casting for yourself.

I recommend you get the consent of your friend before casting, and I wish you the best of luck in breaking this curse. If you have to do the spell a few times, or if you don’t get the results you’re looking for right away, don’t lose hope, and you’re welcome to come back for more advice if you’d like it. I can’t guarantee your desired results, but I can say that I have given you the best advice my knowledge allows me to, and that I am here to offer more ideas if you need them.

Best of luck, anon!

[occulteaism]

A Quick Guide to Breaking Curses

Okay, first thing’s first! You need to identify whether or not you know for sure you’ve been cursed, whether you have evidence that you’ve been cursed, or whether there’s another explanation. Think carefully about whether or not you really need to use any hex- or curse-breaking spells. 

Note that some magic users make a distinction between hexes and curses. A hex is a spell that was cast knowingly and is intended to bring misfortune to another person, while a curse can be an accidental result of a nasty thought, or something like that. Don’t jump the gun with how you respond!

Next, there are some basic curse-breaking spells. Sprinkling red pepper around the home is a good way to remove a curse, as is burning bay leaves - one at dawn, and one at sunset. These should be sufficient for removing most negative magic that may have been cast on you.

If these don’t work, however, you can try a reflection spell, which is what I used this past week to break a curse I believed to be placed on me. Anointing a black or white candle in oil (I used patchouli, but even simple cooking oil works here), roll it around in a mixture of black pepper and oregano so it’s thoroughly coated, then set it on top of a small mirror and burn it while reciting this incantation:

“Return to your maker,

and leave me in peace.

Should the way be barred,

Your power will cease.”

This incantation ensures that, even if the one who hexed you has put up defenses against reflection, then the spell will still be lifted from you. Dispose of the remains of the candle outside, then cleanse yourself and your home immediately upon casting. I recommend patchouli incense for cleansing your home, if you have it!

Other methods of breaking a curse include submerging yourself in a natural body of water, purifying your aura with selenite, taking a bath with epsom salt and hex breaking herbs (bay leaves, fennel, jasmine, and nettles are all common choices), and cleaning your house with water infused with hex breaking herbs. Mop the floors, clean the walls, wash the doors and windows, and when you’re finished, throw the mop water out the back door.

Remember, above all else, to never cast a spell to bring harm to someone else. Magic should come from love and a desire to improve the world. To quote the Buddha: “If you truly loved yourself, you could never hurt another.” Curses will find their way back to their caster someday, and karma won’t let them off the hook. If you walk the path of destruction in magic, then your ultimate destination will only be destroying yourself.

[theoldcottage-deactivated202208]

Incense Recipe from Scott Cunningham's Complete Incenses and Oils

Abramelin Incense

Burn to contact spirits as well as a general altar incense

2 parts Myrrh 1 part Wood Aloe a few drops cinnamon oil

Altar Incense

Burn as a general altar incense or consecration incense

3 parts frankincense 2 parts myrrh 1 part cinnamon

Business Incense

Burn to attract customers

2 parts Benzoin 1 part cinnamon 1 part Basil

Clearing Incense

Burn to clear a home of negativity, always keep windows open when burning.

3 parts frankincense 3 parts copal 2 parts myrrh 1 part Sandalwood

Curse Breaker Incense

Burn at night near and open window over seven days during the waning moon.

2 Parts sandalwood 1 part bay leaves.

Divination Incense

Smoulder before using divinatory tools.

2 parts sandalwood 1 part Orange Peel 1 part Mace 1 part cinnamon

Fire of Azrael

Burn while scrying or throw unto open flames to divine through them. It is also good to induce psychic states.

1 Part Sandalwood 1 part Cedar 1 part Juniper

Full Moon Ritual

To build an affinity to the moon or simply during full moon rituals

3 Parts Frankincense 1 part Sandalwood

Games of Chance

Burn before gambling

2 parts Gum Mastic 2 parts Frankincense

Healing Incense

Burn to aid in healing rituals

1 part rosemary 1 part Juniper Berries

Honors Incense

Burn to obtain honours and favours

2 parts Benzoin 1 part Wood Aloe ½ Rue

Prosperity Incense

Burn to attract wealth.

2 parts Frankincense 1 Part Cinnamon 1 Part Nutmeg 1 Part Lemon Balm 1 part Citron

Protection Incense

Burn for physical and spiritual protection.

2 parts Frankincense 1 /2 Part Cumin

Protection 2

As Above

2 Parts Frankincense 1 part copal 1 part Dragon’s Blood

Purification incense

Burn to purify a space or item

2 parts Sandalwood 1 part Cinnamon

Spirit incense 1

Burn to call ‘good’ spirits

1 part Sandalwood 1 part lavender

Spirit incense 2

Burn to call spirits in general

1 Part anise 1 part coriander 1 Part Cardamom

Recipes Drawn from Scott Cunningham

[goeswiththeflo]

Just a short video of my card weaving in progress

[silly-jellyghoty]

What kind of sorcery is this?! I can never turn more than 10 cards in sequence because they just refuse to cooperate and you have like, what, 35? 40?! HOW?!?!

[goeswiththeflo]

40 in the tree strap above! The most I ever tried was 44 for this ramshorn strap below - that was tough, but also ok because the groups turned separately? I think my hands would murder me if I tried to go any higher on my backstrap setup though ;) I think the trick is maintaining appropriate tension!

[silly-jellyghoty]

Yeah, that one looks real nice. What did you use it for?

[silly-jellyghoty]

@diamondot speaking for myself, i just decided to learn it one day a few years ago (i had a viking phase ok) and simply started with it. It's surprisingly easy since all the info is available on the net. Honestly, i don't remember where i started since it has been so long ago and now i just browse pinterest for patterns alone. Google tablet weaving or card weaving (same thing, different names) patterns and some basic explanations and yt vids for how to turn and weave the stuff. Things like

S and Z threading are there for a reason, so mind your card orientation. Start with some easy pattern like simple wave or diamonds above, 6 - 10 cards are good for your first project. Don't lose hope in initial stage. Streching and threading all that yarn can take anything between 20 minutes and 3 hours depending on how big is the pattern and how skilled you are. Since you need some lenghts to secure ends and to turn cards, use about 40 cm more than wished lenght of your final product. Secure lose ends after threading through cards so you won't end with a bundled mess. Streching/knotting them to something is one way. Taping each card threads together or using weights (check pictures below) is another way (good only for shorter stuff though). Cards could be made out of anything as long as they have smooth edges and rounded corners. Cardboard, thicker plastic sheet, literal cards cut into squares with holes punched through them, whatever. These are mine 2 decks, minus cards i am using atm.

When you start weaving and pattern looks like a total mess, try turning cards in opposite directions. It usualy solves the problem (all that forward/backward can be a bit tricky and mirroring motions/patterns/card orientation can be confusing at first seemingly messing all your work even though you are doing everything right technicaly, just in opposite order/direction). Don't lose your hope. I still manage to mess up like first 5cm of every other work i start. It's not an issue as that start usualy gets cut off anyway (the tension is not right for at least first 4 rows, aka 1 full card rotation, until all threads go up and down at least once no matter what you do. Don't sweat it). You don't need any fancy startup either. Historicaly, people used to weave like this and this and this:

I just strech the thing between 2 chairs myself. Door knobs work as well and so does staircase railing. Wherever you have some space. Long hair clips are your friend, especialy when you are done with weaving for the day and you don't want stuff to tangle

And that's about it. Have fun 😊

[hlahlahlahlahly]

Some of my favorite tablet weaving resources are :

This website is where I learned, twenty years ago while u was intending on Sturtevant Wi.

These books are both great, Collingwood is more comprehensive, but harder to just pick up and weave from.

Buy Card Weaving 2Rev Ed by Candace Crockett (ISBN: 9780934026611) from Amazon's Book Store. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligib

Buy The Techniques of Tablet Weaving by Collingwood, Peter (ISBN: 9781626542143) from Amazon's Book Store. Everyday low prices and free deli

[blondejaneblonde]

I love when people post things like this, then say, “ah ha ha, it’s not that complicated! 🤗”

It is complicated. You’re just really good at it!

[silly-jellyghoty]

Hi. I may be late to reply but i'm in a weaving mood so here we are.

The thing is that the technique looks complicated due to the fact that there is 100 something and that number alone is scary. But. Actually several buts.

But number 1 - the technique is OLD. Meaning - while being somewhat tedious just like any other textile craft, it has been used and learned for a long long time and there's plenty of resources (check out links above or any youtube video explaining the process) of varying difficulty from complicated af to easy peasy lemon squeezy with closed eyes

But number 2 - there is only one core principle/step you need to understand and that is when some threads go from up to down or from down to up (aka when they cross), you need another thread going in between so they won't simply snap back again. That's it. That's the basic principle behind every weaving ever. What card weaving does compared to standard weave is that instead of a single thread going up and down in the single row, you get 2 or 3 or 4 or 6 or whatever number of threads your pattern calls for in the same row

But number 3 - the number of rows = number of cards. Simple as that. Cards turn around to make a cord like when you are twisting 2 or 4 or whatever numbers of threads to make a rope. If some of those threads have different colours, you get a repeating pattern.

But number 4 - card orientation or S/Z orientation or whatever other fancy name for the twisting direction simply means that if you turn all your card in the same way at the same time, which one of them will make the twisted rope in this / angle and which one will do that in this \ angle. That's it. That's the whole mystery between S/Z threading.

But number 5 - you can start with as little as 4 cards to make a custom set of shoe laces or a key strap or whatever and call yourself a weaver. Because you did that. And it was nice. And it was easy. You just turn and thread and turn and thread and then you keep repeating this while watching a movie or something. There's no need for the math finals level of concentration here.

But number 5 - no one, literally NO ONE starts with a pattern like this

No. Everybody starts with something like this

Keep it simple, keep it easy, make 10cm and be done if you want to. It's perfectly fine.

But number 6 - you don't need any fancy items for starting. No hooks, no needles, no loom, no anything. If you have 2 balls of yarn in different color or some remains of your old cross stitch project or whatever and some card-like stuff you won't be sad for making holes in it, you are all set. Back side of the sketch pad is good. Poker cards cut to squares are good. A sturdy enough sheet of plastic is also good. You remember that old pexeso pairs stack you didn't touch since you were 9? Guess what!

My point is that if this looks like something you may be interested in, then you can absolutely try doing it for literally zero cost other than your time.

[rugessnome]

when i tried it recently (...I need to look into backstrap setups maybe because the box and dowel inkle loom I muddled together from something online did not, ultimately, allow me to go past about 8-10" of length) I had been watching some of Elewys of Finchingefeld on YouTube, so there's one more resource.

[comparativetarot]

Five of Wands. Art by Charlie Claire Burgess, from the Fifth Spirit Tarot.

[breelandwalker]

2022 Witch's Calendar

For all my witches out there, here's a handy list of the 2022 dates for the major holidays, full and new moons, and special events. I've listed my sources at the bottom. Dates and times for all events are calculated for Eastern Standard Time, USA, Northern Hemisphere. Adjust for your location as needed. Enjoy!

WOTY Holidays and Solstices

February 1-2 - Imbolc

March 20 - Spring Equinox / Ostara

May 1 - Beltane

June 21 - Summer Solstice / Midsummer

August 1 - Lughnasadh

September 22 - Autumn Equinox / Mabon

October 31 - Samhain

December 21 - Winter Solstice / Yule

Full Moons

January 17 - Wolf Moon ♋️

February 16 - Snow Moon ♌️

March 18 - Worm Moon ♍️

April 16 - Pink Moon ♎️

May 16 - Flower Moon ♏️

June 14 - Strawberry Moon ♐️

July 13 - Thunder Moon (aka Buck Moon) ♑️

August 11 - Sturgeon Moon ♒️

September 10 - Harvest Moon ♓️

October 9 - Hunter's Moon (aka Blood Moon) ♈️

November 8 - Frost Moon ♉️

December 7 - Cold Moon ♊️

Fun Fact: The title of Harvest Moon is given to either the September or October full moon, whichever falls closest to the autumn equinox. In 2022, that month will be September.

New Moons

January 2 ♑️

February 1 ♒️

March 2 ♓️

April 1 ♈️

April 30 ♉️

May 30 ♊️

June 29 ♋️

July 28 ♌️

August 27 ♍️

September 25 ♎️

October 25 ♏️

November 23 ♐️

December 23 ♑️

Special Events

April 30 - Black Moon & Partial Solar Eclipse (10:42pm EST)

May 16 - Total Lunar Eclipe (12:11am EST, coinciding with zenith)

June 14 - Supermoon

July 13 - Supermoon

October 25 - Partial Solar Eclipe (11:01am EST)

November 8 - Total Lunar Eclipse (5:59am EST, coinciding with zenith)

SOURCES:

Inverse - Full Moon 2022 calendar: Dates, times, schedule, and names for the brightest nights all year

Astroseek - Full Moons 2022 & New Moons

The Pagan Grimoire - The Wheel of the Year: The 8 Festivals in the Wiccan Calendar

[breelandwalker]

If you're enjoying my content, please feel free to drop a little something in the tip jar! 😊

[solswitchystuff]

[solswitchystuff]

[solswitchystuff]

source

[11-19-2021-seekeronhiatus]

Keeping secrets in my spiritual relationships comes in handy when a stranger voluntells me they have a message for me from my spirit guides. “Oh, really? Then give me the password.” And when they don't have it, whatever they want to tell you is 100% not about you or the spirits you honor at all.

[lemonsharks]

My ancestors, watching me dump an entire stick of cinnamon, two cloves, an allspice berry, and a generous grating of nutmeg into my tea, sweetened with white sugar and loaded with cream, while I sit in my clean warm house surrounded by books, 25+ outfits for different occasions, and 6 pairs of shoes, in a building heated so well I have the windows open in mid-autumn:

Our daughter prospers. We are proud of her. She has never labored in a field but knows riches we could not have imagined.

[sighinastorm]

I like this so much better than the idea that our ancestors would be embarrassed or ashamed of us for being “soft” or some crap like that.

[therinde-dreams]

My ancestors, watching me stuff my face with fried chicken while studying: She eats like an imperial concubine and can afford to study like am imperial scholar. WE MADE IT

[idhren]

She eats like an imperial concubine and can afford to study like am imperial scholar

[villainous-queer-deactivated202]

My ancestors watching me use my stand mixer while living in a small apartment and attending university: Thou hast kneadeth bread in FOUR hail marys??? FOUR??? And thou ist poor as a churchmouse, yet liveth in a fine cottage with four pounds butter and fresh berries in thy larder!! And two featherbeds! And thou attendeth the King’s college, as a lord!!

[guooey]

“Gathering Moss”, Robin Wall Kimmerer

[guooey]

my personal collection of ways to regain this connection:

The Hidden Life of Trees: What They Feel, How They Communicate―Discoveries from A Secret World

Robin Wall Kimmerers “Gathering Moss”, “Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Knowledge”

Free coursera course, What a Plant smells, feels, sees, remembers

Free archive of hundreds of thousands of books, plants, nature, ecology, whatever your heart desires

Desktop plant identification you can pair with going on Google Maps and identifying the nature around you!

Calscape, archive of native plants in California

Discover your ecosystem providence

Phone apps I use: PictureThis, Blossom, iNaturalist, Google Earth

Plant Lore, Legends, and Lyrics, by Richard Folkard (free)

Virtual Tour of The United States Botanical Garden

My own blog @lilybed where I post all these types of things every day

Please add more if you have anything!