Be Still To Move Forward

(Disabled, Male Witch) (Salt Enthusiast) Welcome.

[spark-enchanter]

Pinned

Hello!

I thought, before any confusion may erupt about my cultural ties in the future, I may lay out my history regarding my practices.

I am white.

My fathers family practices Irish and Scottish witchcraft. My father functions practically purely on magical theory. My grandmother has been tracing back our ancestors, practicing magic, and teaching me as time allows.

My mother is a Christian witch, who has practiced most of her life in one way or another. We hold conversations occasionally about energy work and psychic abilities.

I was baptized as a Mormon at 8 years old.

I was raised through most of my childhood to be a Mormon, by my mother's wishes. I renounced these things around the age of ten. I have read the bible multiple times since then and continue to study it as my interest comes and goes. I am in no way Christian, but the religion has had immense impact on my life.

I grew up in a Islamic household.

My father remarried while I was very young (years before my baptism even). I spent most of my childhood and teen years in my grandmothers house, as we lived as a large family unit. She immigrated to America in her young adulthood and was always a leader in her local cultural community (she has recently retired from her position and now teaches Urdu with her time). I grew up practicing Islamic holidays, customs, and when I was of age I fasted for my grandmother who could no longer for her health. I have considered converting numerous times, however there are things that do not fit my beliefs and I don't wish to be disingenuous to any religion I commit to.

I had learned the life of Muhammad(peace be upon him), study the Quran as time allows, and continue to practice some of what I learned growing up. I retain a closeness with my grandmother, and hold conversations with her about possible appropriation. I practice within this culture having been given her blessing, and continue to ask her before integrating anything that is within it.

My current religious beliefs...

Are personal to me. I do subscribe to a specific religion and am ecstatic to have found what resonates with me (especially after growing up, feeling spiritually lost when nothing around me truly fit my being). As I continue to study within it, I gain more confidence within myself to express it. At this time I do not find the need to share it on the internet, nor do I find it relevant to anyone but myself. My current religious and spiritual journey is always important to me. At the end of the day, my relationship with any higher power is personal and includes no one else but myself. I appreciate your understanding, and the patience of who I give my devotion.

[spark-enchanter]

Attracting is to increase the availability of something currently unavailable. Manifestation is to bring to view what is already available.

[wingsadorned]

this might be such a dumb question , but what do you guys say when you give offerings ?

i’m really unsure as to what to say because anything i think of feels so stiff and formal . i feel like i need some ideas to branch off of .

[spark-enchanter]

Hello! Personally, I say mantra. Mantra, prayer, and chants can already be viewed as offering (if done for the purpose). As I'm already giving offering vocally or within my mind, any physical offerings I have to give, I give then. This can be an action I am doing, something to the altar or shrine, something consumed, etc. It is all covered with my offering of mantra, so long as it is to give and not to demand return.

[buggywiththefolkmagic]

Informative Rant: Starseeds

What are starseeds?

Starseeds are a belief that one's soul is reincarnated into a human body but the soul itself belongs to an extraterrestrial being. It was introduced by Brad Steiger in his 1976 book Gods of Aquarius. Now Gods of Aquarius was a book compiled of 'confirmed' UFO sightings and recounts his own experience going 'out of time' with Sekhmet, who is really an alien...and responsible for all Greek deities, Celtic Fae, Doomsday Prophets, and most importantly, UFOs. See a bit of a problem already? I hope so! Keep with me though.

Steiger's other writings include books on werewolves, demons, Atlantis, Giants, general paranormal stuff, a entire book appropriating Indigenous beliefs as 'medicine men and the great journey', and pseudoscience based hypothesizes. None of which he gives any sources for. A lot of the modern belief in starseeds has veered a little from Steiger's own beliefs.

Now a days anyone interested in starseeds claim to be so because they are: Too empathetic, unable to handle large crowds or are too smart to perform daily tasks, easily forgetful, zones out, gets overwhelmed. Supposedly once 'awakened' usually done with age, puberty, or with a trance state given to you by someone (you likely paid for), you're told you are a alien princess/royal/warrior/archeologist/etc from some galaxy or planet. A lot of times whatever the person naturally enjoys becomes their 'mission' and a lot are told to just focus on that rather than the things that occur and are important in day to day life.

If some of these points sound familiar, and you think, "Wait isn't that some very normal mental health symptoms?" You would be correct. A lot of parents, desperate for a 'normal' child, or one that isn't 'broken' will cling to fringe theories like starseeds or indigo children in order to excuse away their child's quirks instead of help them with their issues. It's the same principal with the belief that you or a family member is a Changeling from the Fae. Which if you ask me is a classic example of child abuse via neglect of mental health.

Now some of these descriptions, such as the soul being from a UFO might also pick another part of your brain, asking "Hey didn't that Heaven's Gate Cult believe something similar?" Yes. They did. The major difference being that they thought extraterrestrials were the 'next evolutionary level' rather than the past itself.

I say all of that to say this: Please please do research into where something you believe comes from. Some beliefs are anything but healthy, starseeds are one of those beliefs in my personal opinion. Most people I have talked to who claim to be starseeds had no idea about the term or belief's origins. And frankly, it is embarrassing that such a large movement, which came from such a shady source, has become something factual through nothing else other than 'popularity'.

[spark-enchanter]

I have personally seen this most commonly from autistic folks, or parents of autistic folks. A lot of people look for the answers to "Why am I like this? Why am I different? I don't feel human the way other people seem to," and fall easily into beliefs similar to that of starseeds. It is crazy how predatory spiritual communities can be towards those with mental health issues, those with autism, etc. As mentioned by OP, there are people who gain monetarily from making people feel spiritually special, and therefore are benefiting from people not getting the help, resources, or understanding they likely need and would benefit from knowing their probable mundane diagnosis.

I always suggest that people exaughst mundane answers and possibilities before pursuing a spiritual reasoning. Telling a person they're spiritually special, as opposed to them pursuing a mundane diagnosis or doing shadow work for themselves, can excuse toxic behaviors and personal sufferings as the product of their spiritual affliction.

And that's not even touching upon the sources of these beliefs that OP mentioned either.

TLDR: Such beliefs are damaging and are to no benefit of people beyond the empty comfort of a baseless "explanation." I've been wondering how to approach making a post about this topic and am grateful to OP for their well written post on it.

[spark-enchanter]

Weekly Dose Of Salt

Smoked Salt: salt smoked with wood(s)

A manufactured salt

Smoked salt (not smoke-flavored salt, which is salt with a smoke-flavored additive) is salt smoked with wood. The wood used lacks bark and the smoking can last up to fourteen days. This imparts flavors, aromas, and energetic properties from the wood into the salt.

Specifics of the energies created depends on the type of salt and wood used during the process, as well as how long they are being smoked. The length of time not only should be of interest to those who use numerology, but also affects the intensity or smothering of certain properties.

Smoke has a variety of importance and meaning for many cultures and practices, so I will be excluding any dissection of it in this particular post. An in depth dive into smoke regarding my understanding and personal practices may appear later to make up for this (and will be linked on this post when it becomes applicable). Please consult your traditions for information on practices related to smoke. If you lack tradition to consult, please use discernment when creating your own about smoke related practices.

As said, correspondence may vary widely based on the salt and wood used. Smoked salt in general may be good for more ceremonial cleansings, to line the bottom of offering plates/bowls, and for use in kitchen witchery. I personally see smoked salts as a way to open links between the mortal and immortal realm in deliberate use and consumption (for excellent use cooked into offering foods to be consumed by both parties).

See Below:

Salt Basics

This is a shorter, simpler salt post. I appreciate your understanding and patience. After my hiatus, I thought it best to ease into the habit again.

[spark-enchanter]

Attracting is to increase the availability of something currently unavailable. Manifestation is to bring to view what is already available.

[spark-enchanter]

A sigil for use in offering, for those who prefer physical counterparts to energetic gifts.

Sigil Method: Personal System (Yet Unnamed), psychological based process

Meaning: Gratitude, to offer gratitude of unequal proportion

Best Color(s): Yellow, Orange, Red, Black

Best Use: Setting sigil onto physical object (painting, etching, drawing, embroidery, etc.), sanctify/dedicate object, and fill with energetic offering as if into a vessel.

Not Suggested: Use in food if to be consumed by anyone but to whom the offering is given.

Best Disposal: If applicable, in accordance to personal practices regarding offerings. Ex: Mine calls for burning or keeping the object as a dedicated altar piece.

(This post assumes the practitioner understands and is adept at energy work and energy work in regards to physical objects.)

[spark-enchanter]

Weekly Dose of Salt

Himalayan Salt: mines in Pakistan, gets it's pink color for iron oxide

Also called pink salt

A natural salt

Himalayan salt is mined from the Salt Range mountains, in the Punjab region of Pakistan. Compared to table salt, Himalayan salt contains a wide range of elements as impurities. These include calcium, iron, magnesium, manganese, potassium, aluminum, barium, silicon, and sulfur. On top of this, it contains lower sodium levels than table salt. Pink salt, however, is not healthier than regular table salt. Differences in nutrition would not be noticed without massive intake, and even then the dangers of the amount sodium would override any benefit gained.

It is believed that salt lamps release ions, and this somehow benefits the body. This claim has no base in science. As well, pets may get salt poisoning from having licked a salt lamp. Please use caution when considering have one in your home if you have pets who reside there.

Calcium: Calcium is the fifth most common element in the human body and has many uses within it, though most may know it's importance in bones. It is also the fifth most common element in the Earths crust, and third most abundant metal. This silvery colored metal is stable when in large mass but combusts when made small enough. It is also part of (what I think is) an interesting cycle. As mountains rise, stones containing calcium are exposed. Calcium is released in surface water as the stones are worn down by the environment. This is transferred eventually to oceans where the calcium reacts with dissolved carbon-dioxide and together forms limestone! These settle in the ocean floor and then become new rocks. For use, we mainly use calcium in the making of steel, though alone it is brittle. I associate this element with strength in being synchronous, one that crumbles or snaps if pressed from the wrong direction, continuous communication, and earthen energies.

Iron: Iron is in celestial bodies, such as stars. It can be associated not only with the Earth, but with the universe as well. This well mirrors the physical body, and the spirit. (Stars that begin forming iron in their core are also on their way out, further associating with mortality with the material, aside form its association with blood.)

Iron is fantastic in binding magic as it is commonly known as a strong, ungiving thing. (Not to mention its wide use historically and modernly in binding items such as shackles, chains, and cages.) I magically correspond iron to strength, protection, power, courage, conquest, mortality, binding force.

Magnesium: Magnesium is the fourth most common element found in the earth. It is found in aging stars and recycled into new stars after the supernova expels it. Magnesium protects itself with a thin layer of oxidization that is near impermeable, does not occur naturally without combination with other elements, and burns as a bright white light. I personally correspond this element to mortality, reincarnation, and as a tool for connecting to the spirit.

Manganese: Manganese is also believed to be created in stars and expelled in supernovas to be recycled. Hard and brittle on its own, manganese is used in metal working to improve the metal's strength, durability, and resistance to wear. Manganese is also used in coloring/pigmentation and has been used as such as far back as the stone age. It is important in bone formation and is also found in the liver, kidneys, and brain. I magically associate this with strength in perseverance and will, as well as expression of process.

Potassium: Potassium does not occur as its pure self naturally in the earth due to it's high reactivity. It reacts to both air and water; the reaction of water being highly violent. Potassium is necessary for all living cells and normal nerve transmissions. I see this element as potentially being used as a form of conduit for life force energies, though I admit I am not incredibly familiar with this elements uses in magic.

Aluminum: This element is soft, reflective, ductile, and non-magnetic. It's use permeates much of our modern lives and will be easy to find. I magically associate Aluminum with being solidary and unaffected by indirect forces, though easily affected by direct actions.

Barium: Barium does not naturally occur purely in the world due to it's high chemical reactivity. It is incredibly difficult to purify, and thus many of it's properties remain not accurately known. We do know it is soft, with high electrical conductivity. I am excluding magical correspondences for Barium due to my lack of knowledge about it.

Silicon: I am not versed with silicon or it's magical applications as of yet.

Sulfur: Also known as brimstone. This bright yellow element is necessary for all life; necessary for biochemical function and a macro-nutrient for all living things. It is used in matches, fungicides, insecticides, and black gunpowder. Very flammable, sulfur has been referred to in the religious context of hell: "Fire and brimstone." I find it interesting that sulfur is so needed for life, and yet is used for means of suffering or ending of life. I magically correspond this to the desire for control, the action of living and death (depending on use), as well as fire energies.

We have established there are no extra benefits to use of pink salt, as determined by science. Magically, use of Himalayan salt and such lamps as well, could be used in a way that nourishes life, vitality, and energetic strength. The mortal life and its connection to the spirit seems prevalent in the correspondences here, so perhaps keep this in mind. I also recommend doing some research into the area this salt is mined from. I believe this post is long enough without including the importance of the area.

[spark-enchanter]

Hello, I am not a witch, but I create something with my energy. but I have no energy left. do you think this is a good thing

Hello! Do not worry, you still have energy. You are constantly creating energy naturally. I suggest practicing energetic awareness and meditation, so you might be able to more easily feel it. It is common to feel as if there is a limit to your magical energy if you are not familiar with energy work.

( For those familiar with energy work, but who still feel limited: It is a possibility to feel blocked or depleted energy-wise due to physical and energetic trauma response. In these cases, the energetic body is protecting itself, just as the physical body does in response to something traumatic. Undoing this takes time and work, but is possible. I am not saying that this is the case, but that it is a possibility. There are many forms of trauma and the spirit is more easily affected by such things.

I do not know most of you and cannot diagnose your struggles with energy work. I am giving possibilities.)

[creature-wizard]

Witch tip for white folks: If you see somebody talking about something used in non-white folks’ traditions as if it has extraordinary power you just can’t find anywhere else, that’s exotification and you should take their claims with a grain of salt. Here’s some quick examples:

Acting like white sage is inherently more powerful than, say, juniper, rosemary, or garden sage.

Acting like you can’t progress as a witch without working with deities from closed non-white traditions.

Acting like you can only get meaningful magical results if you use their language, their symbols, etc.

I think something people often overlook is that stuff that’s unfamiliar to us can feel more powerful simply because it sets off the “ooh shiny new thing!” reaction in our brains. And expecting to get results, I believe, makes it more likely that you will.

This is why it’s important to work at seeing the potential in what’s already around you and what actually does belong to you, and to understand that exotification is simply an unethical marketing technique.

[spark-enchanter]

Weekly Dose of Salt

Dead Sea Salt: sea salt harvested from the Dead Sea

A natural salt

Dead Sea Salt is harvested the same as your typical sea salt. The defining factor is this salt comes from the Dead Sea. This salt varies greatly from salt extracted from oceans, and varies greatly depending on environmental factors of the area. The amount of rainfall, the temperature, the season, and the depth of harvest all affect the end product harvested. Compared to other salts, what differentiates this salt is the high levels of magnesium.

I would use this salt in ritualistic settings, times of spiritual transition or practice with goal of spiritual transition, and during times that warrant a great personal cleansing.

Below I give personal correspondences. I believe when it comes to correspondences, associations are what drives your energy into the direction it goes. I base this off of how I understand correspondences to have traditionally worked.

Magnesium: Magnesium is the fourth most common element found in the earth. It is found in aging stars and recycled into new stars after the supernova expels it. Magnesium protects itself with a thin layer of oxidization that is near impermeable, does not occur naturally without combination with other elements, and burns as a bright white light. I personally correspond this element to mortality, reincarnation, and as a tool for connecting to the spirit.

Dead Sea: The Dead Sea itself is a highly important factor. It's shores are at the lowest land elevation in the world, the sea itself being the deepest hyper-saline lake. Normally deep blue and unable to sustain life, the lake very occasionally turns a deep red after flood and holds microscopic life. The last time this happened was in 1980. Natural asphalt rises to the surface and was used by Egyptians during mummification. It has been used for trade, escape, and settlement. Multiple religious texts have been found around the Dead Sea, and multiple other religious texts mention this body of water. I personally correspond this body of water to removal of the physical, connection to the spiritual, unbinding, and great transitions.

See Below:

Sea Salt Resource Post

[spark-enchanter]

Salt Basics

Salt draws surrounding energies, particularly psychic energy, both negative and positive. This leaves what is essentially a blank/empty slate and makes it perfect for cleansing areas, people, and objects. Items/spaces will need to be charged, or have a form of replacement energy, if being used for magical purposes since All psychic energy is removed.

Things to do with Salt: have a bowl of salt sitting in a room to absorb energies and prevent psychic interference, cleanse containers by having salt sit inside them, cleanse small items by placing them in salt, cleanse large items by sprinkling/spraying them with salt water

Salt is good for you!

However, too much salt in your system and around you can put a damper on your own psychic practices, salt doesn’t discriminate. So, a couple days before a big ceremony/ritual, you may want to drink a little more water than usual if you have had a large amount of salt around the time. As well, you should be mindful of how much salt is around your ritual space while (and leading up to when, if you need space preparation) you practice.

On the other hand, you can use salt to counteract beings who may not be consciously trying to affect you. For on the go, a small sachet of salt on your person works fine (lockets and other such things work just as well). You could even have a mist bottle of salt water to be used like perfume.

No matter what you have it for, you may want to be mindful of how much, where, and when you use salt. Use it with purpose as you would with any other magical item/ingredient and not idly. We wouldn’t want it interfering with our work where we don’t want it to.

[diaryofadaringwitch]

Every AFAB witch should try these at least once:

Stop shaving until you no longer feel comfortable, then try to go one more day

If you wear makeup daily, try going without or at least stop wearing any foundation/powder concealer

If you wear traditional underwire bras consistently, try wearing sports bras or other flexible materials outside of a gym setting

Wear legitmately comfortable shoes for an event you would normally wear heels for. There are plenty of dressy shoes that are not heels

---------------------------------------------------------

Why?

Simple- witchcraft is about agency. Making the conscious choice to impact your life through the direction of energy.

Growing up, traditional femininity felt like a script I was supposed to be following and I would be shamed for messing up my lines. I remember begging my mom to let me shave after I was bullied for having underarm hair. I wore makeup daily to cover my "flaws", I spent so much time and effort on crafting a 'ladylike' appearance.

So I stopped. I did a full 360 and tried to be "not like other girls". But that didn't make me happy either. I didn't fit in with other girls my age and I wasn't one of the "boys" either. I had just given myself a new set of rules.

Now- I get to make my own rules. I shave sometimes, but I don't feel ashamed of my body hair when I let it grow. I love dressing up in heels sometimes but I don't feel compelled to wear them if I'm uncomfortable. And outside of cosplay or events with a lot of photos (like a wedding) I don't wear foundation at all- but I still enjoy fun eyeshadow and I love nail polish.

I can just exist how I want. Sometimes that involves those traditional "feminine" things but I don't think of it that way. It's a choice now.

I feel like it's important for afab people who feel like they "have to" do things a certain way to appear desirable should break the rules for a bit. Even if you go back to your old routines, you can do so with the knowledge that it's a choice, that you are consciously making the decision instead of being stuck in social compulsions.

What do you think? Is there any value to these habits or is it simply another way to pressure people to conform? I'd love to hear all kinds of thoughts and opinions.

Blessed day!- Kate

[spark-enchanter]

I think that a practice in breaking societal norms revolving around your body is fantastic. I suggest this to everyone. Being able to have comfort and love for yourself and your body when it is natural and comfortable is incredibly important. Your value and power as a person should not be dependent on how you present your body. Any choice to modify and adorn yourself should only ever be a conscious choice for your own pleasure and not done by taught behaviors for the eyes of others. Break norms, be in love with yourself, and ignore the worlds expectations of what it means to acceptably exist.

[thewoodbine-deactivated20241020]

I think the most harmful thing to come out of consumerism in witchcraft communities is that people have thrown philosophy, theory, self discipline, history, and introspection to the wayside as skills to develop later. While putting the "need" to aquire objects and tools as the most important first step.

What's the point of all the crystals and herbs in the world if you don't know and understand WHY you're using them.

Oh and uh it blocks out poor and stigmatized communities from participating and makes it a luxury hobby. Which defeats the whole point of it historically being a resource for the oppressed and disadvantaged.

[hillbillyoracle]

I’m sure a lot of folks know this but it was news to me -

If you or someone you know uses Braille, the Tarot Garden looks like they offer a brailling service that will let you pick a deck and have it brailled in either contracted and uncontracted braille.

They also keep a few braille decks of Rider-Waite on hand.

I’ve been having some vision issues which are fairly normal for my family but scary to me. I’ve been worried what the impact would be on my ability to read cards so I’ve been teaching myself to sight read braille to start and I’m gonna try touch training when I’m able.

Knowing there are places that braille tarot cards and you have options as far as decks - that’s really reassuring to me.

[spark-enchanter]

I am glad there is a service like this.

[dolphins-and-deer-deactivated20]

— simple ward/home or room protections

literally just a rock. it can be a protective crystal if you want, but also if you pick up a rock from outside it can be a ward.

black salt (or any salt, if you wish) on windowsills. i also have black salt in jars in the 4 corners of my room.

sticks. dude trees are SO cool and protective, just don’t cut off a branch (unless you’ve been given permission, but i doubt a tree would like one of their limbs being cut off when you can easily find naturally dropped ones on the ground).

sigils! sigils are so versatile, make your own or find some online, draw it on a paper, and put it in your room. i have some thumbtacked to my wall as well as on my altar.

thread or ribbons around doorknobs. tbh, im not sure where this one comes from (maybe witch bells? which are also an idea) but you can tie black (or any color, but black is good for protection) ribbon around your doorknobs as a form of protection.

i’ll probably add a second post if i think of more. hope these can help you come up with your own ideas, too!! happy witching!

[grey-sorcery]

I’m sorry, but

A) Just picking up a rock and carrying it inside is not protection, unless you think you can bludgeon an attacker with it. You could maybe use a rock as an anchor for a spell depending on its chemical make up; but just like a normal rock? No.

B) Salt is only effective when lain across thresholds. Just having it in jars won’t stop anything. You could use black salt or charcoal in curse capture jars, but those don’t act as barriers.

C) Sticks? What? Just sticks, nothing else? What? I have literally no clue where you’re getting this stuff. Even if it is just correspondence related, it isn’t true. Where do you put them? Are they charmed? Are they bound into designs? Like what?

The last two are chill, more or less.

[dolphins-and-deer-deactivated20]

hi! these are valid points, let me explain a little bit more.

for rocks: rocks absorb so much energy since they’re sitting outside in nature. you can program them like you’d program a crystal to be for protection.

for salt: i use the salt in my jars to form a barrier around my room. they’re in all four corners and so they basically connect, forming a sort of energy shield through each other. if this doesn’t work for you that’s fine, and if you want to spread your salt out across openings that works too.

for sticks: same goes for rocks, you can program or ask them to help protect you. or enchant them. i guess my main point with sticks is that you don’t have to buy fancy tools, you can enchant/use things you find outside.

it’s really hard to find universals in everyone’s practice. your reblog made me realize that i did need to include more context and explanation in my initial post, but also things that some work for some people might not work for others and that’s fine.

[grey-sorcery]

How does a rock being outside make it programmable? Also there is no specification as to what kind of rock. Not all rocks contain crystals, actually most don’t. I’m very lost. Same with the sticks.

Both wood and rocks are non-conductive and can vary wildly in their composition. Sticks also make terrible anchors. Wood in general isn’t a great anchor unless there is another material attached to it. They can be made into something as an ofrenda, to ask a spirit to do something, but they aren’t inherently protective.

The salt does not form a barrier. I guess you could energetically create a barrier between them (without only visualizing.) but at that point the salt can be replaced by any conductive or crystalline material. @spark-enchanter You’re a salt expert, maybe you can illustrate these points better than I can.

But OP, serious question, how did you come to these conclusions? Have these statements been tested by various people under various conditions? Has there been a control in these tests? If it’s from the book, did you vet the author(s)? What practice is the book from?

[spark-enchanter]

Regarding salt, having a jar of salt is beneficial and protective, as beneficial and protective as having a bowl of salt left out. It will absorb the psychic energies in its area and need to be replaced periodically. I prefer to bury the used salt in earth. If the salt is energetically programmed without use of psychic energy, it can be given other properties, just as any other crystal. If the salts were enchanted to have other ward-like properties, I can see how this would be beneficial. The difficult part of using salt in this way is the avoidance of using psychic energy during set up and maintenance. One must also keep in mind that whatever extra is programmed into this crystal should not interfere with the salts natural purpose of absorbing psychic energy. The enchantment also risks being absorbed by the salt anyway and becoming nullified once applied.

Going into the choice of salt: Black salt. I think this is a fine choice for a protective salt and could be one of the best choices for this particular use actually.

There are two types of black salt I am currently aware of. First is Kala Namak, or Himalayan black salt. It is distinctly sulfurous and contains iron. Both of these things would lend well to protection based magic. If one were able, zeroing in on the iron in this salt would allow for an easier programing than trying to program the sodium itself. Again keeping in mind what I mentioned earlier about the difficulties of programming salt. The salt is just as likely to absorb the enchantment before it reaches the iron, as it is to be seeped out of the iron if you managed to force past the salt initially. The sulfur and iron in this salt would naturally offer protection by means of deterrence for particular entities and energies. This salt would not be a "catch all" for protection and I suggest using it in tandem with other protective means. In terms of salt, it does do better than others.

The second kind is Black Lava Salt, which is sea salt blended with activated charcoal. This does not lend itself as well and needs to be changed out more often than table salt would. While the salt would absorb psychic energy, the charcoal would absorb a type of excess energy (apologies, the particular term escapes me at the moment) that interferes with the free flow of life energy. This is a good salt for keeping a clear, freeing feeling space, so long as you keep track of when it needs to be changed out.

I mentioned the difficulties of programing without psychic energy and want to clarify for any who may not know what that means. Psychic energy is a source for your thoughts, emotions, and visualizations. It handles manifesting. It is entangled in your attention. My reply to this covers the possibility of salt programming, though to program without use of psychic energy would be a feat. If it is managed, I would love to learn and further my studies into salt.

Overall, I am for the use of salt as a protective measure, it is pretty decent at the task, so long as you don't mind your own psychic energy being interfered with as well. I would remove it during workings and replace it when you are done as a protective measure during mundanity.

[spark-enchanter]

TW: Topic of blood in use of magic.

Blood in Magic

Blood is binding in magic. More-so than most other things. I am going to break down my understanding of basic blood magic in this post.

Blood in History (a very short, incomplete summary)

Through parts of history, blood was understood to be the life-force of a person. During belief of the four humors, it was said that those with blood as their predominant humor were in most health; with good constitutions; and maintained levelheadedness. This was true so long as the blood was not entirely out of balance. Once removed from the body, it dries up and turns brown, becoming dead. Even in "death," blood would be seen as valuable in medicine. There was value seen in the continuation of "good" blood, seen in the importance of bloodlines. Royals were said to have different blood than the layman. Gods were/are said to not bleed at all, as losing blood would be losing life-force, and they are believed immortal. There are even ritualistic blood substitutes that prevail today in use of modern religion.

Personal Take on Blood in Magic

Blood magic is binding magic. If one chooses to believe in blood as life-force for spiritual, religious, or historic practice reasons, then it holds ground for those reasons. Outside of those, I maintain it would continue to be binding as per magical theory. To explain this part of magical theory, blood is a genetic tag-lock. I am going to give my personal correspondences and belief systems around blood work so that it may be more easily understood by some.

Red: vitality, connection to the roots of life, activity, warmth/heat, power

Blood comes from the body red, and once removed for a long enough period, turns brown. It begins fluid and turns into something which crumbles like ash. If enough is lost, the living physical entity is considered dead themselves. With loss of blood comes a loss of vitality and activity, all warmth is lost from the body, and the connection to the roots of life are severed.

Iron: strength, protection, power, courage, conquest, mortality, binding force

Blood has a metallic taste which itself could be used as correspondence, but this taste comes form the iron used to create hemoglobin necessary for red blood cells to carry oxygen throughout the body. Without oxygen being delivered throughout, the body would not function. Iron is in celestial bodies, such as stars. It can be associated not only with the Earth, but with the universe as well. This well mirrors the physical body, and the spirit. (Stars that begin forming iron in their core are also on their way out, further associating with mortality with the material, aside form its association with blood.) Iron is fantastic in binding magic as it is commonly known as a strong, ungiving thing. (Not to mention its wide use historically and modernly in binding items such as shackles, chains, and cages.)

By using blood in magic, you are taking something which is vital for life, and integrating it into your work. Once it is used, the energy cannot be separated from the working, as you have given life energy to it that now belongs to the work. If used in fluid form, and it is your blood which is given, the energy is still tethered to you. Anything that contains your DNA is going to be a genetic tag-lock. This binds the working to yourself and your life-force, making the working inherently binding (a genetic tag-lock) on top of any conscious binding done in the working as well. If the blood is "dead" before the working, it becomes tethered to earthen energies of the area, and binds itself accordingly, unless consciously bound elsewhere, such as a designated object or entity. I specify conscious binding, but energies of blood may also bind itself elsewhere due to unconscious effort from an entity by means of emotional influence. Dead blood still contains DNA and has potential to be a genetic tag-lock. If this is not desired, I recommend setting the dead blood in the sun or in high heat for a few hours. This will break down the cells and allow it to be solely a component.

Because blood magic deals with life-force, it is considered very powerful and does take more to dismantle if the initial working was done properly. For the same reasons, I recommend practitioners are mindful when using this method in spell-craft, as unconscious binding may occur due to lazy, inattentive, or inexperienced energy practices. After the working has been completed, the effort it takes to undo a blood spell if you have a change of heart is very difficult and something to keep in mind before undertaking blood magic.

I will make more posts in the future that talk about the topic of blood in spell-craft, as I find the implementation and specifics fascinating. One such post will be a brief touch upon blood in protective magic, which I am excited for.