Uses, Forms of it, and Why I Think Everyone Should Try it at Least Once.
Foreword
Right before the COVID-19 pandemic hit, I had been trying and failing to rekindle my flame for magic work. No matter what I tried to do I just couldn't get back into my studies and I was reaching a point where I was convinced I lost my spark and was doomed to live an empty life. Then it all changed when a YouTube Channel challenged how I thought about everything: Molly Roberts. That's when I was opened to the possibility of art magic, and I'll now share my love of it with anyone willing to read on.
What Is Art Magic?
A means to utilize art for spellwork, raising magical energy, or for exploring your magical subconscious. It encapsulates multiple different types of art and is generally not confined by conventional expectation (unless that's what you prefer).
You can utilize art magic by. . .
Using traditional art methods
Digital art methods
Collages
Music composition
Jewelry making
Embroidery
And much more!
How do I know if Art Magic is Suitable for Me?
There isn't a specific thing that'll indicate this form of magic is perfect for you, however I have some anecdotes from my personal experience as both a witch, and a regular artist that form a sort of idea on what could denote this being perfect for you!
First off, craving freedom from personal restraints was a big factor that pushed me towards blending my craft with my passion for art. If you want to run from the monotony of life, if you feel trapped by the social construction of boxes, or if you simply want to challenge your own mental restraints... then this idea might resonate with you.
Challenging yourself with a new form of magic, similarly, can also be a good enough reason to try. I'm the type of person who loves to constantly learn new things and I unfortunately get bored really quickly if I can't get new source materials. Using Art Magic has proven a fun challenge for me that allows me to explore a lot more topics you can't just open a book to find.
For those that may not be able to safely perform a lot of traditional style spells, this form of magic provides a discreet way to practice witchcraft. Most people wouldn't really question someone if they picked up the hobby of making art, and even if they did there's plenty of reasonable excuses out there.
How you prefer your spells to manifest themselves can also affect if this journey is a good idea or not. I find that Art Magic is really good when it comes to subtle spellwork that is more longform (though depending on how you construct them you can definitely create a spell that's the opposite).
Catalog aspects of your magical journey. Imagine a grimoire filled with pages of drawings, each one telling a story of something you experienced or learned as a witch. This especially may be more beneficial for visual learners.
You could use it as a means of meditation, sometimes art can be calming and it can open the door to your mind (so-to-speak). Especially if you're like me and struggle with staying completely still while trying to clear your mind, this may be helpful for you.
Trying to better understand archetypes, deities, types of entities, or even your own self can also be a big part of this. I've used art magic as a way to embody the "energy" of something before so I could better understand it. Especially when you're trying to seek knowledge that isn't often written on, it can provide a great way to explore more.
How Can I perform an Art Spell?
I have a step-by-step process that can give you some insight on how you may approach it:
1) Think of the intention you want. I like to close my eyes and meditate on it for about a minute then I write down if my mind wandered to any specific imagery or ideas.
2) Think of visual symbolism and colors that can help you capture the mood you want. Perhaps you need a warm color palette to invoke positive feelings, or maybe there are specific objects or animals you can include on the composition that represent something.
3) If you feel it fits your composition, you can include sigils, symbols of significance, and include shapes that have certain associations. It doesn't even have to be obvious either. You can use a circular composition to convey something endless for example, or a triangular composition to show priority over something.
4) In general follow what your heart tells you. This is a little cliche, but ultimately follow what seems best to you. Art isn't about boxing yourself in and my guidelines are just general ideas for anyone who's lost!
Why do I think that everyone should try it at least once?
From my experiences as a witch, I find that a lot of paths to be followed are quite rigid. By no means am I implying that a rigid structure is bad-- it creates a foundation from which we can work upon. I myself am exploring rigid, 'traditional' (for lack of a better term) ways of working magic. Art magic pushes you out of your comfort zone in a safe way. It makes you consider how you associate things. It makes you create new sigils and makes you research new symbols you previously wouldn't have used.
So next time you're lost on a spell, or you've lost your way in your Craft and you don't know what to do, think about maybe giving Art Magic a try. I hope my guide was a helpful starting point for anyone interested in the topic!
My two newest witchy books :) I'm sure many of us feel like this year is a good time to focus on ourselves and our loved ones, and these books are helping me to do just that!
I use essential oils at home a lot anyway, even before I became a witch - I like to make my own candles, hand wash, and I'm starting to dabble in skincare. Amy Blackthorn's book is great for ideas on how to imbue your everyday household, skincare and beauty products with a little magick. As you might be able to see, I've been tagging my favourite pages so far! I recently used Blackthorn's 'recipe' for an anti-anxiety essential oil blend and adapted it to go in a liquid hand soap for my bathroom. The patchouli scent lingers for ages on the skin, it's wonderful ^_^
I'll do another post on Arin Murphy-Hiscock's books I think; I own a few of hers now, and they're all so warm and approachable. If you don't pick up any of her other books, pick up this one - especially if you're anything like me and you tend to get sucked in to a work-home-eat (sometimes)-sleep-repeat cycle where your brain is constantly *on*. Lots of great tips in here for taking a step back, gathering up all the threads of yourself you've let unravel, and getting yourself back to feeling calmer, more centred, more in control, and less of a hot mess.
i made a whole 16 page analysis of my birth chart in my digital grimoire and i am so obsessed with it 🥲 here are the first 6 pages!!
i also sell birth chart readings like this! they go very in-depth for an affordable price :)) if you’d be interested in supporting me, check out the pinned post on my profile for more information!
I decided to organize a one-week witchy challenge to celebrate the start of the school year and share it with you and those who want to participate. (I’ll do this the first week of September, but anyone who wants to join is free to do so at any time of the year)
Rules :
Have any support to write in : your grimoire, or a simple notebook, diary, binder... for the artsy ones here, even if this is a writing challenge at first, you can draw too of course 😉
You don’t have to already have a grimoire to join : you can start yours with this challenge. If you already have one, this is the occasion to keep filling it
Optional : share your entries and experience with other participants with #fillyourgrimoire and #FYGchallenge
Prompts :
🧐 Day 1 : magical check-up : where are you in your practice, how do you feel physically, spiritually, energetically ? What goals do you want to reach
✅ Day 2 : set up a magical daily and/or weekly routine
📝 Day 3 : which subject/domain are you interested in lately ? Research and write about it
🎊 Day 4 : learn about the next sabbat and write about your researches
🔮 Day 5 : a tool you don’t have tried yet but want too
⛓ Day 6 : an obstacle in your practice : what makes you uncomfortable for now, how can you get over it, what can you learn from it
Not-so-basic but still beginner friendly BOS ideas
I've seen too many beginner bos idea lists that make witchcraft seem like you have to be a walking encyclopedia to practice. So here's some alternative, arguably more practical bos ideas that are aimed towards the beginners! (No hate to anyone I just feel like beginners could use this)
🍁a page on how to actually physically brew different kinds of tea. Black, white, green, herbal. Include temperatures and times! Bonus points if you include little ritualized steps!
🍁a page on when and how to germinate the seeds of your favorite plants. Bonus points if you include light, water, and soil conditions for best growth!
🍁a page on when and how to properly harvest from your favorite plants.
🍁a page on different plant drying methods.
🍁a page (or a few) on common types of things found in your neighborhood and how to use them. (Examples: common types of stones, pinecones, weeds, shrubs, trees, bottlecaps, pennies, ect.)
🍁a page (or a few) on the staples in YOUR kitchen. What are the correspondences of those things? Can you add Intent into an already present part of your meals?
🍁a page on how to celebrate your solar return/birthday!
🍁a page on different types of infusions. How to make and use them. (Examples infused oils, vinegars, ect)
🍁a page on your reoccurring dreams, or themes within your dreams.
🍁a page for your favorite quotes and guidance you've received, if you do spirit, ancestor or deity work you could dedicate a page of this nature to them.
🍁a page for simple (or advanced) knot tutorials to use in binding spells or knot magic.
🍁a page on wire wrapping techniques, so you can diy your own jewelry, talismans, and tools.
🍁a page on the basics of calligraphy, to be used in your bos or when writing spells.
🍁a page for a laminated (can be done with clear packing tape & some patience) sigil wheel to test out new sigil ideas with dry erase markers.
