Daily reminder that the elements are not humans, so they don’t have or require gender. feel free to use whatever pronouns or language feels meaningful to your practice. You do not have to subscribe to anything that doesn’t resonate with you.
If you work with them and are called to specific ways of addressing them, that’s beautiful. If your religion or belief system or culture personifies them and uses certain pronouns that is beautiful too. There is no one belief on how to reference the elements.
Finally: be mindful of how terms like “Divine Masculine” and “Divine feminine” are used in the space, often being used as stereotypes. While many cultures hold nuanced sacred gender systems, many modern sources reduce the elements into simplistic western gender roles.
the theme of the pisces stellium in the sky … palpably heavy. it’s bassy, gritty, humid in its energetic texture.
smoked out debris everywhere after rupture, if i had to describe the general tides of the [SAG-PLUTO] collective, it’s pretty activated in this section of humanity.
you’re already saturated and feeling like you can’t breathe under the nauseously thick humidity of pisces blending with mars in cancer, but the
saturn in aries is acting as the iron door quarantining a major house fire (the house its transiting in ur horoscope rn), you’re forced to melt into a new existence and feel every muscle, ligament, and bone re-adjust itself to your new timeline
for some, euphoric. yet oh .. oh so dysphoric too.
# ASTRO PART
yk the stereotype of pisces having addictive escapist personalities? when mixed with the right elements, dangerous messiah complexes that can redeem lives or annihilate them?
i’m spotlighting abt them pisces’ placements chest-hollowing existential darkness they carry in their hearts (all love no shade);
“i have strayed too far from reason,
take me back to eden
take me back to eden”
is the piscean plea to return to the infinite dark waters of the 12H — the abyssal ocean, for more particular description. the closest thing to eden an entity of human condition can experience is being in the womb.
# THE WOMB [in form, function, feeling, no gender essentialism dnt be weird] AS DIRECT INTER-DIMENSIONAL GATE TO AND FROM SPIRIT
within the womb, you are Material (“3D”), but still connected to the Divine as you are in that 12H edenic state (word to @yungmedusa on womb health being paramount for ideal outcomes), the mother’s 6H is where You funnel down to the earthly realms.
# A LOT CAN HAPPEN DURING THAT GESTATION PERIOD. GOOD OR BAD. DEPENDS ON YOUR GALACTIC/SPIRITUAL BLOODLINE. THATS A LOT OF SCHOOL OF THOUGHT OUTSIDE THIS MUSING THO.
quite literally, during pregnancy one foot is in the physical, the other Spirit; both parent and child are in a state of liminal existence.
pregnancy is felt and honored as a holy event, whether it be in terror, joy, or admiration - the destruction, regeneration, the absolute fucking enigma of it all on an existential level bc it’s a manifestation of the wonder of LIFE / CONSCIOUSNESS / GOD itself, experiencing itself physically.
i like to consider gestation of life the universe’s way of funneling Us out of Eden (Consciousness witnessed within the dimensions of the 12H - amortality; neither being “alive” or “dead,” but simply Being..)
# WHAT THE FUCK HAPPENED TO PISCES.
well,,,,,
“In Vedic astrology, death is not seen as a tragedy, but as a divinely timed transition of the soul from one realm to the next. The physical body is temporary, but the soul (Atman) is eternal-merely changing forms as it moves through its karmic journey.
“Na hanyate hanyamāne śarīre”- The soul is never killed when the body is killed
Hey! So someone reached out to me on Discord after reading my beginner's guide to water / sea witchcraft, and asked if I could make a similar post but for working with fire. I shared with them as well this low-energy ways to connect with nature (including fire and other elements) post, but am really excited to be posting this as well! This is a brief beginner's guide to working with fire! Hope it helps <3
Hey, beginners!
This post is quite extensive compared to some of my other ones that I've made like this, because it kind of branches into various topics, but all of it has to do with working with fire! However, that does not mean that this post is all-inclusive by any means.
As my usual disclaimer, this is simply my knowledge and my teachings that I've come across & developed through research, speaking with others, cultural teachings, etc. However, everyone has the right to believe what they like, I just hope this serves as beneficial to some of you somehow, whether it be providing information you resonate with or just teaching you something cool.
You can look at my other posts here, which different ones can breach into this topic (such as respecting spirits, protections recommendations, incense recommendations, the sacred home in various cultures and religions, and much more) - Thank you for checking it all out! <3
Lastly... BEFORE DOING ANYTHING: SET UP THOROUGH PROTECTIONS!
Comment any questions :D And onto the meat of this post...
First Steps
It's important to make sure you're safe, especially when working with Fire. Fire is an amazing element to work with, but when done improperly, can be dangerous or fruitless. Make sure you understand core properties of fire, safety, and how to work with various spirits, elements, and energies.
Fire Safety
It's important that you are eagerly practicing fire safety. This is because, yes, the spiritual is pretty fkn cool, but it's way less cool to burn your house down because you were trying to get your ex back.
Some things to consider when it comes to mundane fire safety:
Where is the flame you're working with? (Don't set it near plants, windows, papers, on shelves, by where you walk, etc)
Do you have the right tools to calm a fire at the ready by you? (Fire extinguisher, baking soda, and sand are three of the best, but large buckets of water and some fabrics might also help you)
Are the materials you're using fire-safe & heat-friendly? (Can that bowl be heated to that temperature for so long? Does that incense you bought have an excess amount of harmful chemicals? Etc)
Consider the smoke inhalation (some humans, pets and plants cannot safely intake specific smokes or certain amount of smokes. at least making sure you have a way out and proper ventilation is important)
Are you planning on leaving this burning? (If so, make sure the flame is attended at all times, or otherwise has no possibility of tipping over, spreading flames, etc - I don't recommend this, but on rare occasions given the circumstance it may be OK)
Do your due diligence and RESEARCH fire safety practices! Make sure you also have 911 on speed dial and that you're ready to call local services for help in case things do get out of control
Protections
Having up spiritual protections is VERY important, especially when working with another element, energy, spirit, or being in general. It's not just about who you're calling in, but who is also around. It's important to set boundaries and make sure you wear your seatbelt when getting ready for any venture.
Protections aren't always needed because you're being attacked, which is a common misconception I see. There's lots of reasons why setting up spiritual protections are important. Some of these reasons include: (1) having a safety net in case you make a mistake, (2) making sure your working / spell / practice is protected from any other spirits who take notice, (3) making sure no stagnant energies or spirits are blocking the success of your work, (4) making sure no physical people are getting in the way of your spiritual workings, (5) making sure you're not calling in the wrong spirits or beings for your working, (6) making sure your own energy that you're putting into the working is protected and used appropriately, and that your energy doesn't end up in the wrong hands too.
Things you want to keep in mind when setting up your protections:
What are you protecting? (Space, item, yourself, your working? I recommend all four. When it comes to your body, I recommend protecting all of your bodies - spiritual, mental, emotional, physical, etc)
What are you protecting against? (What spirits aren't allowed? What energies do you not want? What circumstances do you not want? What potential outcomes or properties do you wish your ingredients, such as herbs, to avoid?)
Are you mindful of loopholes? (Never say things like "I invite peace," but rather say things like, "Spirits who mean me any form of harm are not welcome or allowed here" - incomplete example)
I want to add here that it's important to be mindful of spirit communication basics when setting up your protections. Not only is it important for your own safety to learn spirit communication basics - yes, even before attempting to speak or otherwise communicate with Fire spiritually - but you want to make sure that you aren't accidentally silencing the Fire with your communications (especially as many may consider Fire to be across the span of positive, neutral, or negative).
Respecting Fire
Before attempting spells, divination, or some other fire-based working, you need to understand fire. You need to learn to respect it, honour it, and work with it, not just using it. Otherwise, it's not going to be very helpful to you, and rightfully so. Make sure you're taking the time to get to know the fire - sit with it, speak to it, observe it, learn it. It speaks a language you weren't born with, but one you may soon come to know, and maybe even speak yourself. Without seeking to form a relationship with fire, or any fire-based nature spirits, you're simply trying to take advantage, and that never bids well for any working (and even if it did, why be that person?). It may take some time, but it's important to try to understand it in-depthly through experience and your own personal relationship, not just blog posts that say "a flicker left means yes" (because that is definitely NOT always the case, especially for every practitioner or witch). Of course, research is helpful and important, but make sure you're careful with your research as well - where are you getting your info? Where did they get their info? Have you spoken to anybody first-hand? Etc. Once you have formed an actual bond with Fire, then I believe it is safe and best to begin fire workings. Until you understand who you're working with, teamwork and collaboration are fruitless. Those who cannot listen, cannot grow. Those who cannot watch, cannot know. Those who cannot feel, cannot show.
To go a bit further, take into consideration any potential fire spirits that may be around. Have you taken the time to get to know them? Learn how they deserve to be respected? Learned about who they are or why they're there? Have you talked to them about this work you're trying to do with them? Though it's your working, it's not all about you - and I say this tersely because too many people forget and many different spirits, people, and beings in general get hurt. It's really important to be mindful and considerate of all who you're working with or utilizing in your workings, as we're all autonomous beings and we all deserve basic respect and care. Besides, your working won't be beneficial to you if all you're doing is stepping on things and taking advantage of people to get there. Magick and witchcraft have never been about staking dominance over others in a show of greedy power, they have been about harmonious ways of life.
Lastly, I want to mention that you should be looking into respectful ways of working with different energies. Often times when we try to get in touch with fire, it's because we're trying to work with energies like passion, love, or wrath (just as three examples). Energies have forces, who are spirits with domain in energy. It's important to their safety, the safety of you, the safety of any deities you work with, the safety of the fire... to know how to work with them properly. Are you respectfully calling in that energy? Are you intending to hurt others with it - and if so, why and how? Are you respecting everyone's autonomy? Are you asking or demanding that energy to help you? Are you trying to bind the energy or spirits (a big no-no)? Just some things to consider. Yes, everyone has their own personal morals - but that includes spirits and energy forces, so take the time to get to know who you're working with, energies and forces included.
Properties of Fire
A lot of people have various beliefs on the properties of Fire. However, I think it's kind of arrogant to assume with 100% certainty who someone is if you haven't even met them or gotten to know them deeply yourself. Sure, we may hear rumors or speculations or stories... but it's important to give that individual a chance to show you who they are on their own terms. The same should be done with Fire. This is why it's important to respect and bond with the fire. Everyone is going to have a different relationship with fire, and so no one can determine for you what that is going to look like or exactly how Fire is going to help you or aid in your life / workings / practices. There are things you can request of Fire, but you cannot take with acknowledging and giving in return.
Some things that some people ask Fire to help them with:
Playfulness or youthfulness
Wisdom and sagely guidance
Protection and divine wrath
Passion, love, sexuality, sensuality, and relationships
A sense of home, safety, and shelter
Maintenance and medicine
Growth and abundance
Destruction and paving way for anew
Justice, light and cleansing
Sparks of what once was, and potential
Confidence, determination, and courage
Mediation, peace, and consideration
And just a reminder that Fire will not necessarily do things for you. Fire may be willing or able to help, but your work is calling a working for a reason, your practice is called a practice for a reason, your witchcraft is called a craft for a reason.
At the end of the day...
What's going to breed you the best results is a combination of proactive and efficient research, learning from a knowledge practitioner, and giving it a shot yourself. I recommend doing all three to fully experience what it's like to begin working with Fire.
Beginner Ways to Work With Fire:
Once all of the above is said and done, it's time to actually begin getting more hands-on with the Fire. Here are some beginner-friendly ways you can do that!
Offerings (to deities, the Fire itself, fire spirits, etc - this is seen in cultures and religions around the world, such as Hellenic offerings to the gods like Hestia)
Keeping the fire burning (in my religions and cultures, it's important to have a flame continuously blazing within the household or your place of worship)
Respect Indigenous sovereignty and fire practices (this shows an active care for the element of Fire, those it protects, and those who work deeply with it, as Indigenous folks are often family with Fire and those they let it burn and keep it from burning)
Prayer (it is often encouraged to light a candle and use it as a visual representation of your manifestations or the deity / spirit you're praying to)
Crystal work (this is often a great way for beginners to start working with energies, especially if you're low on your own energy yourself, and many crystals like obsidian or botswana agate are great for honing in on Fire and personal energies that help you get in touch with it, such as Love or Shelter)
Move with the Fire (this can include dancing, singing, martial arts, etc)
Enhancing spiritual abilities / Divination (Seeing with Fire is a spiritual ability which allows you to divine with Fire and / or receive messages from spirits or deities who dance or otherwise speak to you from within the flames; there are also methods of divination which include interpreting the smoke of flames or the embers which feed the Fire / burning wood / etc)
Burning spells (You can look into different types of spells - or practices - that require to be burned or can be burned, and work with the ash from those spells as well, or ask those you're in relationship with, such as nature spirits or Fire, to help carry on the goals of your spells and workings)
Candle magick (You can look into utilizing candle, and therefore the flame, in your workings and practices - this can also include color magick and associations!)
Cleansing and protection (Fire can be used in protective and cleansing practices, especially when it comes to using smoke or burning herbs, or using herbs which have been burned or heated)
Kitchen magick (You can definitely get witchy with the fire used in kitchen magick, such as cooking and grilling!)
Solar magick (Working with the sun, a literal giant ball of fire, can definitely help you get in touch with the Fire element, but I will say that the energies of the two can feel somewhat different, just like how lake water is gonna be a bit different than fresh water or sea water. In the same sense, working with electricity, so like lightning storms for divination or even electronics for digital witchcraft, can help you loosely connect with Fire, but I wouldn't consider it a Fire practice exactly)
Visiting sacred symbolic fires (such as within temples or churches, or other community places)
There are, of course, more advanced ways of working with fire, such as deeper divination work, the burning of love spells and targeted glamours sigils, or even the ability to urge fire in different directions as a result of deep deity work and Fire work (don't worry, it's not like firebending lol), but these ideas above are some good options for beginners who want to find something to look into first to really get a hang of things before attempting more serious workings!
Caring For Fire
If you're willing to work with Fire, then I believe you should be willing to care for it too. Here are some ways you can do that:
Make sure it is heard, seen, respected, and understood (as described above)
Making offerings to the fire
Stating when you intend to put it out and why (such as if you're doing a spell, or have an ongoing flame in your home), you can also go one step further and state when you plan to re-light it
Seek out consensual and friendly relationships with fire-based spirits relevant to your practice and environment
Care for Fire-based animals, crystals and minerals, and items made with fire (like some pottery or glass) as if they are some of your most precious items - respect them, treat them well
Learn cultural and religious ways of working with Fire to preserve relationship, care, and sacred teachings
Clean up the forests of littering and environmentally-harmful items (this is important because Fire often takes care of the wilderness in various ways)
Involve Fire in more than just magick, like family gatherings and overall home coziness too (let it know that it's more than a tool to you, it is also a friend)
In my opinion: We can learn a lot from the Fire and its children. What we learn is going to be individual, so I tried not to place too much bias within the post, outside of the obvious. Fire can be dangerous, yes, but it is very needed and a huge blessing. It should be regarded with respect and valued as a member of our communities, because it is a member of our communities who has kept many people and religions going for centuries. Whether you see it as holy, demonic, or something else entirely, be ready to explore the beauty of the dark side and the pain of the light, in order to find true balance with your relationship with this beautiful, powerful, guiding, and playful element.
Where can you find Fire?
Disclaimer: The following list is nuanced, as it can change depending on culture or practice. I tried to be inclusive, but this is a brief guide. Depending on your practice, make sure you are mindful with your intentions and energy work, be aware of what properties you'd like to utilize and which you wouldn't.
Lighters, candles and incense
Ovens, stoves, and similar cooking supplies
Forest fires, storms
Campfires
Batteries and technology
Farming
Various bugs, insects, animals, and other creatures and critters
Various plants
Mythology, folklore and oral traditions
Documentaries
Visualizations and manifestations
Hearths, temples, and community fires
Volcanoes, mountains, and similar environmental and geographical areas
Sun, stars, and space in general
Items
There are various items that you can use which will aid you in your work with Fire. Now, there's the obvious stuff, like candles or lighters or crystals, but I wanted to talk about some more traditional and just less commonly shared about ways to practice with fire. Many of these ways are not secrets and you may know them from your own cultures and religions (don't worry, not sharing sacred things here), but they're still things you won't find in your average blog-post, so I found it important to share them here.
Lanterns
I am going to talk more about this in an upcoming post about the spiritual properties of various uses of light, but I wanted to add a short bit about it here too! Lanterns are used as protective illuminations, especially for travelers. The designs of a lantern can be powerful, and the material of lanterns - such as frosted glass - provides light to the traveler while also casting a distorted glow on them which is confusing to some spirits. And, you guessed it - these lanterns use Fire to light up, often traditional lanterns like paper or some metals. You can find lanterns like this across places like Europe and Asia.
Oracle Decks
The trend with Oracle decks is to use them as "more inclusive" tarot decks. If you wanna do that, I totally respect and understand. However, I will say, that this grossly misinforms the masses about the true uses of both Oracle and tarot decks. Not only are tarot decks incredibly versatile and truly all-inclusive traditionally, but Oracle decks are intended for spirit communication usage traditionally. This is why some advanced or knowledgeable practitioners will say to use a tarot deck before an Oracle deck, and it actually sheds a little bit of light on why the name "Oracle deck" caught on too (if you aren't sure what an Oracle is, you can read about it here).
Using an Oracle deck, if you follow the practice of it being intended for spirit communication, can be incredibly helpful after learning how to work with Fire. Oracle decks can be a great way for you to divine using fire if you wish not to stare into the heat, get too close, or if you don't have (or don't want to work with) skills or gifts such as Seeing with Fire. It is best to do this with an open flame in front of you, or at least after you get to know Fire. I wouldn't inherently consider this a beginner Fire practice, but it can be great for beginners advancing their work or who have a natural affinity with the element.
Animal Dung
Animal dung in some communities is really great as an energy source, such as fuel when burned with fire. I would look into how safe or not this is, but it could very well be a great option for people around animals who want to help clean up their community and work more with the natural world. To my understanding, this is a clean energy source, and it burns slow which means you can use smaller amounts for longer periods of time. Additionally, some cultures regard dung as pure - not in cleanliness, but in properties and representation - so that's something you could look into as well (please be mindful of cultural appropriation vs cultural appreciation).
Other Ways to Work With Fire:
This is a list of other ways to work with Fire. They are not inherently beginner-friendly (though some might be), but I thought they were cool and important to include. Please make sure you're respecting all cultures and communities before participating.
Firewalking (often seen in the Pacific Islands, Greece, and the Middle East)
Smoke saunas and burning rocks (common in Finland and Baltic countries)
Fire cleansing (this is relevant in many religious or cultural communities, such as in Mongolia, Zoroastrianism, and others)
Fire festivals (some examples of this can be lantern festivals such as the Chinese New Year, and Japanese Hi-Matsuri like the Nachikatsuura Fire Festival or in Yamadera where the flame is meant to illuminate Buddhist texts)
Protective spirit-work dance rituals (such as the Sanghyang trance ritual, Bali)
Bush burning (though this can be an ecological practice for various Indigenous groups, it can also be a managed and carefully done communication method to speak with ancestors and other spirits, such as in various parts of Africa)
"Spirit Fire" (a way to use Fire directly as a gateway to speaking with the spiritual world and spirits which inhabit it, which can be seen in Siberia when getting in contact with a powerful fire deity - this can be considered a version of Seeing with Fire, which was described above)
Hāngi, i.e. Māori Cooking Pit (has important ceremonial uses and symbolism, often involves deity work)
Incense (used to call on spirits, cleanse spaces, and stake claim to / protect your home, in Native American, Indian, Kemetic, Greek Polythist, Roman Polytheist, and other cultures and religious practices)
Some Resources to Learn More:
Fire Ecology and Indigenous Knowledge with Frank Lake
‘Knowledge keeps the fires burning’: how ancient Indigenous wisdom can transform our battle against climate change
Will o' the Wisp: A Mischievous Fire
Hellenic Masterpost
Seeing Fire: Perspectives through Art and Science
Keepers of the Sacred Fire: The Potawatomi
How an Indigenous firekeeper links spirit and ceremony
Oshkigin | Spirit of Fire
Symbolism behind CPN tribal seal: more than a casual decoration
Three Fires Council
Prophetic wisdom: The first of 11 new exhibits, the Seven Fires sets tribe on path to its future
The Potawatomi (some info here is correct, some is not, please use this as a starting point to learning and make sure you are researching respectfully)
What Is The Sacred Fire?
What is a Sacred Fire? (#2)
Reading the Fire: Irish Traditions of Divination
The Spirit's Fire for Your Family
1552 Year old Flames burning in the Ateshkadeh (Fire Temple) in Yazd, Iran
Zoroastrian Fire Temple of Yazd
The Oracular Flame
Candle Burning Time Lapse
Bounty Candles Time Lapse
My Other Blog Posts
The above resources are some great places to learn more and hear other perspectives, but please do not treat this as the only research you should do on this topic. Thank you!
"Fire runs through my body with the pain of loving you.
Pain runs through my body with the fires of my love for you.
Pain like a boil about to burst with my love for you.
Consumed by fire of my love for you.
I remember what you said to me,
I am thinking of your love for me.
I am torn by your love for me.
Pain and more pain.
Where are you going with my love?
I'm told you will go from here.
I'm told you will leave me here.
My body is numb with grief.
Remember what I said My Love
Goodbye My Love, goodbye."
― Kwakiutl Indian
Thank you!
Thank you for reading this post and taking the time to learn from me! Like I said above, no need to believe what I believe, but I found it important to make this post still, and I hope at least some part of it resonates with you in a positive way. Thank you to the individual(s) who requested this, and please do feel free to send an Ask with any questions!
If you're interested, I do offer various services, such as DIY Guides and Spells and Workings, so please do consider reaching out to me for those if you are interested! I am a Priestess of Love (energy force, who has domain in passion, divine wrath, sexuality, and more), so I can definitely help you with your journey depending on your request.
Is where you are right now in your practice where you thought you’d end up?
I think a lot has changed since I started my practice years ago! Though honestly, I didn't have a vision for where I'd end up. I just kept reading, kept learning, kept going day by day.
The deities I worship have changed. Hermes has been pretty consistent though there are other gods I worshipped before I met Hekate. I didn't expect to be a devotee of Hekate or to be studying to become a hiereus of hers! I didn't expect to be hosting a community in her honour.
The type of witchcraft I've engaged with has shifted over time. I've been into a variety of types, from air witchcraft, to water witchcraft (some sea themes but I don't live near the sea), to green witchcraft (and learning about herbalism), to sigils, to elemental witchcraft, to angel witchcraft. I mean, all of these still do play a little part in my practice, but I don't call myself any type of witch in particular anymore. I just do what I feel called to.
Angels have always resonated with me, though I hadn't realised until recently how much they would be part of my path, not only in the craft but career wise and what I'm wanting to do during this lifetime.
There are also the life-based changes in my practice. I am open about my religion and practice, and wasn't when I started. I have more useful supplies, but I'm not buying nearly as many things as I used to. I'm making content about my practice much more, and streaming tarot readings for my community. I have divination shops and I never thought I'd be ready enough to do that. I'm sure more is to come as my environment and where I am in life continues to change.
My practice has become a huge part of my life which I didn't expect at the start! But I am so so grateful for everything to this point and for what's to come.
Flowing with Water: A Prayer to Water & Elemental Magick
Flowing with Water
A Prayer to Water
Blessed Water, mirror of the moon,cradle of stars and birthing womb—I call your name in tide and stream,in misted veil and dreaming gleam.Flow through me with gentle grace,wash my soul in sacred space.Teach me softness, deep and wise,and hold me close when my heart cries.I give to you this whispered plea—flow with me, and set me free.
Introduction
Water is…
On a very sunny day, write on paper: "[Name Of Enemy] will [experience a great misfortune] before [date]" or similar, or use a sigil. Take a sphere of quartz, hold above the paper, and allow the sun to stream through it until the victim's name is scorched from the paper.
Harm in love
Write their name on a slip of paper. On another, write "your/their heart will not find love", similar, or use a sigil. Wrap in cloth or tinfoil with a piece of rose quartz. Unwrap to release.
(Even if you do not cleanse your crystals, I would recommend doing so after using them as described above)
For the elemental witch:
General harm
Create a vial of strong sun water, then "corrupt" with a pinch of pepper or a splash of red dye. On paper, write the name of your victim, and cast them into the vial. Shake vigorously to expedite.
Productivity-related harm
Cast a small item taken from your victim into a vial of ocean water. They now feel as if they are drowning in their responsibilities. Pour out to release.
There are always alternatives to the risk of pickpocketing items on and off of people, but this is a method I have always had success with.
For the nature witch:
Long-term harm
Healthy acorns sink in water, while rotten ones will float (most of the time). Take a floating acorn and and whisper to it its purpose. Sneak it into your victim's belongings and let it take root.
Bad luck
Paint the name of your victim in water on a maple leaf. Place the maple leaf under the candlestick of a black candle and let burn for as long as you like. Negative energy, including that of any standing hexes against you, will be captured and sent on to your victim, even if they are its originator.
(All are based on my own research, practice, experience, and theory. I encourage you to modify these for your own use if I have inspired you.)
This is not so much a definitive or educational post. However, I want to talk about my spirit relationships, and people may need some context for that, so I am here attempting to provide context.
Hestia
Hestia is certainly not unique to my practice, so I won't waste too much time going over her traditional domain as an ancient Greek deity. She is a goddess of the Hearth & Home. She was either the first or second of the beings in this list to join my path, depending on how you look at it. In my practice she rules over the familiar, the human and the unchanging.
For me, Hestia is also linked heavily to memory and children/childhood. Her association with the past comes in part from the fact that Hestia is both the oldest and youngest of my guides. She is ancient, dating back to Ancient Greece (while the other entities I work with are not necessarily recognized by ancient labels). Simultaneously, she is young, not appearing on the scene of existence until humans did.
This goes deeper. Because she is an aspect of the Hearth of All Creation (I need to make another post explaining that), she is unfathomably ancient, at least as old as the Singularity that existed before the Big Bang. At the same time, she is one of the Gods of Fire- a spirit who cares for and influences human affairs. This aspect of her mythology also serves as an adaptation of her epithet First & Last, oldest and youngest child of Kronos and Rhea.
The Seasons
The seasons hold a special place in my craft. They are visitors; they come and go. In my personal mythology, they were born in the collision between the proto-planet Theia and Earth that created the Moon (I didn’t make that part up—that’s how we got the axial tilt that creates the seasons). The Earth never made a full recovery, so the Seasons take turns administering their unique medicine. Spring and Autumn usher in periods of activity and rest, with Summer and Winter supervising.
Spring
I have found Spring somewhat difficult to connect to symbols and concrete practices or values. Instead, I know them best as the energy of awakening. To commune with Spring feels like laying at the bottom of a vernal pool, watching rain drops splatter across the surface above you, feeling the cool blue-green water refresh your soul. Frequently they ask me to reconnect with myself, with wonder, and with whimsy. Frequently they ask me to reflect and tend to my wounds.
Spring rules over healing, cleansing, and birth. Their medicine is honesty, peace, and hope. Spring has often accompanied me in various forms of political action.
Summer
Summer’s energy is one of the most distinct and treasured influences of my practice. She is embodied, sensual, and vivid to experience. She tends to present in a very feminine way to me, but that is likely more due to the fact that I am a lesbian than to any innate gender. She loves offerings of all sorts, but especially fruit, dance, song, and honey. She can be demanding about them, too.
Her medicine is in laughter, connection, and savoring what joys life brings. She hates to see me turn down an opportunity to be young and foolish. She advocates for living life, messily and with one’s whole heart. She says if you can have it all, you should.
Summer rules over food, sexuality, and anything that brings people together in celebration. I’ve found that she likes fandom just fine.
Autumn
If Spring is an energy and Summer a flirty friend, Autumn is a teacher. They are also one of the most interrelated spirits in my craft, with more symbols than anybody. Moths, keys, maple leaves, acorns, the waning crescent, books, lanterns… they have a lot going on. They’re also pals with the Winds, the Moon, and the Masked One, sharing symbols and some aspects of domain. In many ways, Autumn is the perfect go between of Hestia and the Moon & Winds, seeing as how they rule over the boundary between what is known & familiar and what is unknown and mysterious.
Autumn’s domain is secrets, initiation, and study. Their medicine is acceptance and gratitude—we cannot hold on to the people we were, or the people who were with us, but we can be grateful. They like to make me read books of poetry about science and death. In exchange, they help me out around midterms.
Winter
Winter is the eldest child, silent and merciful. They broke my heart with their silence the first times I reached out, but now I understand and respect that their gratitude for my prayer comes in spontaneous flurries of snow, sweet treats, and the stars. If they like you, they show it through sparing you pain. Winter is very touched by my prayers—they don’t get as much worship as the other seasons. They like poetry.
Winter rules over sleep and the dead. I should be clear; this is not a separate realm from that of the living. Their medicine is rest, and forgiveness. They ask me to strip myself of my comforts, or pile all of them on at once, and have wonder for the things that are always there. I always sleep better in Winter.
The Moon
The Moon is a relatively early arrival on the scene of my practice. The first few times I reached out to them, the communication I got back was very argumentative and “why yes, I am the great master of spirituality who shall protect you from The Bad!! You need my grand help!” I am fairly sure it was either not the Moon or a pointed lesson in discernment. Either way it was annoying.
That being said, the Moon seems to play a complementary role to Hestia in my practice. As Hestia rules over the known, the Moon’s domain is the unknown. The Moon governs the portal between our world and the spirit world. The Moon guides things which change, fluctuate, and pass through cycles, while Hestia holds the hearth steady. I’m still getting to know the Moon, but so far they like to be acknowledged before every tarot reading and every ritual.
The Wind(s)
The Wind is an old, old friend of mine—probably the first spirit I remember encountering. The Wind loves lonely children, especially weird and wandering lonely children, and that’s what I was.
The Winds dwell in the domain of the invisible. Magic, fortune, stories, ideas—these are all treasured. The imagined, the abstract, the spoken, the subtle. The Wind is silly and strange. It’s a powerful agent of change—we do a lot of magic together. They also counseled me on spirit work, back when I was more of a beginner.
Sometimes I speak to the individual winds of the four directions—the East Wind, the South Wind, and so on. They do have slightly different personalities and specialties. I also used to refer to the Wind by a personal name, though I’ve since found that simply calling it “the Wind” is more direct.
They like trinkets, wind chimes, diffused oils, and dice. They like to collect, and if you give them toys they will bring you luck and inspiration. I’ve also started giving them beads for every AO3 comment I receive that isn’t from my beta reader, which has been a fun time.
I gathered a few really simple rituals I do to reconnect with my spirituality after some time without practicing magic or when I feel like I lost my touch.
Firstly, it’s important to remember your place in the universe. If you’ve never taken some time to consider the nature around you, do that before trying anything else. Of course it’s ideal that you explore the nature that surrounds your home frequently, but it’s possible to connect with it while being someplace else. Ask yourself:
⭒ How do the seasons change where you live? Which changes can you see and feel throughout the year? How is it right now?
⭒ How does the moon influence you, in particular? Which phase of the moon is it today?
⭒ Which plants that are native to your region can you find around your neighborhood? Which ones are most abundant?
⭒ Which animals are native to your region? Do you see them around sometimes?
⭒ What’s the nearest body of water? In which direction is it located? How do you think it must be today? (The sea must be agitated because it’s a full moon, the river must be at high tide cause it rained, etc.)
Knowing the natural spaces around you is what forms the solid base you need to connect with nature on a larger scale. There’s some simple exercises that help you gradually build a relationship with the world around you, starting small and expanding as you gain experience:
To start 𓆸
Choose a plant or a rock that you’re already familiar with, like a house plant you may have. Approach it like it’s the first time you really see it. The purpose is to gain some form of intimacy with it. Pay attention to its appearance, texture and smell (and if it’s an edible plant, its taste), and to the sensations it gives you. After trying it with a plant or a rock you already know, move on to one you’ve never interacted with before.
Connecting with plants 𓆸
This method is used by a lot of witches to gather information about a plant’s energy based on their own energy. Different people may perceive the same plant differently cause each of us have our own, singular energy that’ll interact with it. That’s why gathering information from personal experience is so important. A herb that is said to help with something might affect you differently than it does to most witches, that’s normal. So:
❀ Choose a plant you’re already familiar with and touch it in a way that makes you comfortable.
❀ Close your eyes and imagine your palm glowing with light. Focus on how that feels. Some people say they feel their hand tingle or warm up at that. Either way, imagine your palm’s energy vibrating, into the plant.
❀ Visualize the plant is glowing as well, and that both your energies are connecting into one. When you feel you’ve achieved that, concentrate on how you feel. Is it an specific emotion or sensation? Do any thoughts or ideas pop into your head? It can be a pretty vague feeling, that’s okay; it’ll grow into something stronger and more defined as you work with it, if you decide to.
❀ When you feel you’ve observed enough, be thankful for the plant’s cooperation and visualize your energy separating from the one emanating from the plant and retrieving itself back into your palm as it stops glowing.
❀ Open your eyes and let go. You might want to shake your hand around as if you’re trying to dry it off after washing your hands; some witches do that to make sure they’ve really disconnected.
After trying it with a plant you’re familiar with, repeat the exercise with one you’ve never interacted with before.
Grounding 𓆸
Connecting with the earth helps you stay balanced. If you’re feeling anxious and all over the place, you can discharge that excess energy into the earth; if you’re feeling lethargic, the earth can energize you. To do that, you need to ground yourself. Some spells and rituals are so draining that you need to ground yourself beforehand so it doesn’t take too much of your energy. Here’s a simple grounding method I think pretty much every witch has used before:
❀ Take a deep breath, slowly, three times. Be aware of your own energy going through your body. You may close of eyes, if you want. Focus on your chest, and visualize a beam of light in its center. Imagine that’s your energy source.
❀ Visualize a branch growing from that center and reaching downwards, into the earth. Let it go beyond your body and touch the ground. I like to imagine that I’m a tree and that my roots are digging into the earth, and take a moment to appreciate how deep and strong they are, and how strong and stable that makes me.
❀ When you feel you’ve formed a connection, you can let your energy work with the earth, and let go of any excess that’s stressing you or receive what’s lacking.
Connecting with the elements 𓆸
There’s several ways to connect with the 4 elements, and a lot of witches renew their connection periodically with an exercise. For that, gather something to represent each element. For the element earth, use fresh dirt, salt, a rock or a crystal. For air, use an object that’ll make an air current; preferably a hand fan. For fire, a candle. For water, a small bowl of water will do. Touch each object, close your eyes, and visualize their energy connecting with yours. (Since you can’t touch fire, obviously, hold out your hand over the flame, from a safe distance where you can still feel the heat.) Do that for a minute or two, and try to put into words what you feel. Be sure to disconnect yourself from an element before connecting with the next one. What I said about the plants goes for the elements as well: different people may perceive them differently, which is why you need to gather information from personal experience, and build your own relationship with them.
