Sunshine the Owling

candle magick, bone magick, lore galore, divination. just a young witch's place to take a break from the mundane.

[beardyoakenshield]

[breelandwalker]

Today's Take

The idea that:

practicing witchcraft

putting up protection spells

not putting up protection spells

communicating with spirits in any capacity

makes you:

more visible

more vulnerable

more prone

to:

potential attack

intrusion by baneful magics

malicious practitioners

evil spirits

demons

is an idea:

rooted in cultural religious bias

heavily influenced by pop culture

born of rhetoric meant to warn people away from witchcraft

This is a list of concurrent points, not an either/or or a multiple choice selection.

Discuss.

[upthewitchypunx]

I think it also has to do with denying agency and not accepting or respecting boundaries.

[breelandwalker]

Ooo, this is a really good point. Especially considering some of the discourse on the topic bears a striking resemblance to You're Making Yourself A Target By Dressing That Way.*

* In Your Pentacle and Pointy Hat

[sometiktoksarevalid]

[slolane]

Go away, I am busy reading with my owl

[girlballs-archive]

you have to be horny on main btw. for your healfth.

[caats]

[sunshinetheowling]

Heil Freyja 💖

[plumslices]

“We/Us is an intergenerational photography and oral history project that celebrates the undocumented presence of Butches and Studs from working-class backgrounds within the British landscape.” - by Roman Manfredi, 2023

[petitworld]

[via]

[sunshinetheowling]

Encouragement for the Baby Witch

Hey friends, I’ve been away for a while sorting my life out, but I found myself back on this website again today. I realized, suddenly, after years of study, I could finally recite a few correspondences for simple spells without reference...but I remember thinking I’d never get there, and I just wanted to share some encouragement for any newbies that might be scrolling this tag right now feeling overwhelmed or insecure about their progress on this path- I don’t care if you started studying this week or over a year ago, everyone feels insecure about their witchcraft at some point. They feel like there’s too many correspondances, more than they could ever learn, and that if they ever went to a REAL circle they’d get laughed out for not being able to astral project or recognize the meanings of tarot cards on sight.  I’m here to tell you how stunningly, magically qualified you are just by being here. You felt called by something, and found the courage in your heart to pursue it, no matter how unclear the path is, or how misunderstood it might be by others in your life. You are a witch even if you have to reference your BOS for correspondences for the rest of your life because you can’t remember them (or even a store bought guide, if you aren’t there yet). You are a witch even if you don’t literally hear your gods/archetypes speaking audibly and explicitly. You are a witch even if you don’t know your rising sign, or the numerology of your name, or how to meditate.  The old guard may not like it much, but we as a new generation of witches do not hold the same prejudices and prerequisites that have barred the way for others in the past- no elitist rules that say you must be initiated by a trained master- rural areas rarely have the population for that kind of religious diversity, and if the power we have is a gift from the goddess, why should it make any difference the path we take to unlock it? 

There are two things I personally think are required of a witch

1. an acceptance of the unseen world and the ability. innate to each of us, to use those unseen forces to change  our reality, and

2. taking responsibility for that power

If you are a Wiccan, the third tenant of course is to Harm None, but for most of us, that’s really it. Just those two things. You don’t need a massive collection of crystals, or an herb garden in your windowsill. Your mind’s eye and awareness, tempered with self-responsibility are as much as you NEED. Everything else is superfluous, though honestly all those other things will fall into place as you continue on your path...one might even say they fall magically.  Stay accountable, friends, 

Steena

[songsparrowwitch]

🕯️Ways to Celebrate Imbolc 💐

Imbolc is celebrated on or around February first to welcome the earliest beginnings of spring.

🕯️Honor or welcome the sun by lighting a candle in your home (you can do a fake candle if you’re not allowed to light a real candle). If you really want to go all out, you can light every single fake and real candle in your house! 🕯️Get crafty! Make candles, Brighid’s Crosses, Brighid dolls, sun catchers, or start building a garden. Imbolc is a great time to plant seeds (unless it’s too cold outside; indoor gardens are always an option)! 🕯️Decorate your altar and/or home with crystals, flowers, stones, candles, images of the sun, or any other decor that celebrates the coming spring! 🕯️Divine your future! Get out your tarot cards, pendulum, dowsing rod, bones, or other divining tools and ask for advice or insight into the future. 🕯️Take care of yourself and your home! Do some spring cleaning and cleansing and take time for yourself. Take a bath, clean off your desk, do some easy cleaning or deep cleaning, whatever you prefer. This is a great time for cleansing and purification! 🕯️Cook and share with friends and family! Pies, cookies, bread, whatever you want. If you have the energy, you can cook a feast and celebrate with your loved ones, including deceased loved ones. 🕯️Visit a lake, stream, well, or another body of water. If you want to, dip a ribbon in the body of water and then hang it on a tree (remember to not litter; you could use a tree in your yard and later tie the ribbon off) to send a message of hope and healing! 🕯️Visit a park, lake, or forest and pick up litter. This is a great way to honor the coming of spring, but if it is too cold, you can always wait until it gets warmer! 🕯️Say goodbye to winter and start to welcome spring! You can do this through prayers, spells, thoughts, or actions. Meditation is one great way that you can do this! Cleansing, new beginnings, thriving, purification, and gratitude spells are also great ideas. 🕯️Honor Brighid if you wish to! You can make Brighid crosses or dolls, set a special place for Her on your altar or in your home, give Her a prayer or offering, or something else that honors Her during this special day.

[lilspookytarot]

IMBOLC 2021

The Quickening of the Year.

We are half way between the Winter Solstice and the Spring Equinox.  Now is a time to honor the Goddess of the season; Brighid, Goddess of healing, poetry, craft, flame, hearth & home, fertility, rebirth, and the sun. Think on rebirth, newness, growth, renewal. Remember that the cold season will end and the sunlight will soon begin to reach out and thaw us.

This is the perfect time to begin your spring cleaning, both in your home and your heart. Cleanse your soul of the past year and open yourself to newness. This is the awakening turn of the wheel. 

There are many ways to recognize and celebrate Imbolc from crafting to cleaning. Keep reading if you want to know more!

Keep reading

[incorrectnorse-quotes]

Loki: What the hell did you just call me? Are you calling me straight!?

Loki: Party's over, everbody go home

[heademptty]

.... Just sayin.

[muirin007]

I was reading about the Wild Hunt and how apparently, Odin Allfather was a typical father in that he refused to ask for directions during his annual Yule ride through the night sky, and instead of turning his fun, flying sleigh around or taking a slightly different route, he’d just plow on through the same route he always took, regardless of who or what was in his way. 

And if your house or land WAS in his way, he STILL wouldn’t reroute. He’d just burn the house down instead.

Which is THE funniest thing I have read in years. And it just got funnier when I pictured the whole thing turning into a buddy road trip with Loki and Odin and Sleipnir, and voila, a wild comic appeared.

(File those two kids under unimpressed.jpg.)

[hestiaswitch-blog]

Hestia’s House Blessing

This is a spell I made that is great for when you move into a new place or just to repeat every once in a while to keep the good energy flowing in your household. It calls upon the Greek Goddess of the hearth and home, Hestia.

Best time for spell:

Monday during a new or waxing moon. This spell is best done after cleansing the area first.

You will need:

A white tea light candle

Lavender essential oil + water

A small spray bottle

A small piece of amethyst

Directions:

1. Fill the spray bottle with clean water (you can use moon water for extra power or just regular tap water is fine) and drop the amethyst in. If you amethyst is too big, you can just hold it or attach it to the spray bottle somehow.

2. Add several drops of lavender essential oil to the water until it has a light scent.

3. Walk around your house in a circle that’s clockwise to the front of the house as best you can. Start on the main floor and work your way up. While doing this, spray some of the lavender water occasionally while saying the following:

Bless this dwelling

Make it our own

And through the power of Hestia

Make this house a home

4. Once you are done, sit somewhere that your family often gathers such as the kitchen or living room and light the tea light candle. Relax wherever the candle is and let it burn out on it’s own. 

[heatherwitch]

Samhain Resource Masterpost

A collection of categorized links for your Samhain needs! What is Samhain? [X] Samhain is celebrated between October 31st to November 1st (April 30th to May 1st in the S. Hemisphere) and is also called: Samhuinn/Samhainn,  Sauin.

The Basics:

Samhain basics, activities and correspondences

Celebrating samhain 101

Samhain solitary ritual

Witchy autumn activities

Subtle witch tips - Samhain

Ways to honor your deceased loved ones on samhain

Spirit offerings on samhain

What to do with pumpkin seeds

Samhain Crafts:

Samhain candles

Samhain Recipes:

Samhain scones/witch cakes

Gingered pumpkin muffins

Samhain pumpkin bread

Soul cake recipe and spell

Rosemary bourbon sweet potato pie

Tortitas de Calabaza- squash cakes/pumpkin fritters

Cozy compote

Samhain mulled cider

Samhain Spells:

Jack-o-lantern spells

A jack-o-lantern ritual (and magic seeds recipe)

Pumpkin seed banishing spell

Traditional samhain love spells

Samhain renewal spell

Samhain rite for small groups

Dust to dust - simple samhain ritual

Bonfire magic ritual for samhain

Samhain Tarot Spreads:

The hallowed spread (3 card)

Samhain spread (4 card)

Samhain tarot spread (4 card)

Samhain spread (5 card)

Witches’ samhain spread (6 card)

Samhain tarot spread (7 card)

October witch tarot spread (10 card)

The otherworld spread (12 card)

Other:

Magical Samhain sigil + sigil for Samhain

All Hallows’ flying incense

Last updated October of 2020, please inform me of broken links via askbox!

Imbolc / Ostara / Beltane / Litha / Lammas / Mabon / Samhain / Yule / Bedridden ideas

[areyouanirishwitch]

Spell for Letting Go

Memories can be a blessing that remind us of past joys, hard won accomplishments, and even bittersweet grief. Our memories add to who we are and help create our personalities. Sometimes, however, memories can feel like hexes that drag us down psychologically and physically. Some memories add to our hurt or trigger our depression and anxiety. It is important for our health and general wellbeing to let go of those memories. Although it is not possible nor healthy to fully forget or erase memories, it is possible to unbind them from our path forward. Here is a simple spell to help you let go of and move past painful memories.

You Will Need 1. Three bay leaves 2. Comfrey 3. A blackberry (Bramble) leaf (optional) 4. A small dish of moon water (sub purified water)

Preparation If it is part of your practice, cast a circle. As you sit with your ingredients before you, centre yourself. Ground yourself in the present moment by focusing on your breath, the sensations of your body, and your connection to the earth.

Casting Touch the bay leaves to your lips and speak the following aloud and with intent:

Bay leaf Bringer of wisdom Form true my intent That I might not speak Of pain that is spent

Place the bay leaves in the moon water and fix firm in your mind that is okay for you to discuss how you feel with others, but you should never use the pain you have felt to hurt yourself over again. The pain of the past has been felt, and by letting it go we revoke its permission to wound us.

Touch the comfrey to your forehead and repeat the following aloud and with intent:

Comfrey Herb of protection Heal negative thought I let go of pain My aching has wrought

Place the comfrey in the moon water and fix firm in your mind that it is okay to release negative thoughts. You do not need to cling to the negative to be protected. Instead, let positivity for your future actions fill your mind so you can more effectively place the past behind you.

If using a blackberry leaf, touch it to heart and speak with conviction:

Bramble Heal now my heart Soften my pain My memory from Feeling set twain

Place the blackberry leaf in the moon water and fix firm in your mind that what we have felt in the past is not our destiny. We create new beginnings each day.

As you find a green space to pour out the water and leaves, remember that though the memories may come, you are stronger than them and you have made your peace.

Notes Warning: This spell is to help you release negativity associated with your thoughts and is not a replacement for therapy Bay Leaf: Sun, Fire; promotes wisdom Blackberry (Bramble) Leaf: Venus, Water; sacred to Brighid and promotes healing Comfrey: Saturn, Air; a strong herb for protection against negativity