Making a separate post compiling the ideas people suggested in the original post here and some more I thought of!
Marble the paper for different spells -depending on your skill, you may be able to create sigils or runes within the pattern as well.
Choose the colours used in marbling carefully to align with your intent.
Since you’ll likely be using a liquid to marble, perhaps add a few drops of essential oils in to further charge it or infuse the water used with herbs. (idea from jayspeakswords, post here)
Write something that’s been troubling you down and burn the paper to dissipate the energy, letting the fire cleanse it away
Alternatively, write something you desire down and spread the ashes around via the wind or water to release your intent into the world around you
But ensure all caution is taken with this -spell work shouldn’t involve burning down the house (idea from akylily, post here)
abwatt described this way better than I could in the post here, so I’ll quote from him:
“Pop-Up cards and books: Learn a few of the basic techniques of pop-up cards and books. A fold in a piece of paper has potential energy; when you activate the card, you’re converting potential energy to kinetic energy. The resulting mechanical operation of the card helps spread the magic you’re working.
Volvelle: Ancient and medieval books often had elaborate paper computers, more advanced and elaborate cousins of those spinning-wheel disks sometimes found in pop-up books. These could be used to calculate the positions of the planets in an astrological chart, to find the right herbal preparation, or to determine the right spirit to be consulted. Usually circular with a pin or a brad in the center, and sometimes bound into a book.
Image Magic: Learn to draw; Picatrix, and other books of astrological magic, specify definitive images for working magic from stars and planets and other spirits. When consulting spirits, ask them for pictures or paintings that can be created, and the energetic benefits of creating them; ask for both themes and color schemes; record these both by word and sketch where possible. When created on paper or canvas and carried on one’s person, these usually impart their powers on the person who carries them.
Tarot: Make your own tarot deck. Pamela Colman Smith’s illustrations are often poo-poohed today because they’re so simplistic; but likely part of their purpose was to make them easy to copy by hand by a neophyte as a way of learning to understand the card more effectively. Making your Tarot cards this way out of Artists Trading Cards is a great way to practice learning to draw.”
You can also check out his website here for more craft-related magic work and info on creating a Tarot deck (search for ‘Message to a Young Artist’)
Making your own ink a hassle, but want something other than pen ink? Pretty much anything with a staining property can be used as a substitute, i.e. wine, coffee, tea. Take a look at WinkPens to get more ideas
Ink and pens not your thing? Consider writing with charcoal (also good for getting the fire element in without lighting stuff on fire), chalk and other utensils like crayons, oil pastels, or even the humble HB pencil -all of these are super easy to charge via sigils, runes, and by soaking them in infused waters or oils.
Lemon juice and clear nail polish could be used as invisible ink.
Like abwatt said, Pop-up books and pop-up cards can be very useful in releasing your intent into the world -if you can’t make ‘em, see if you can buy one!
If, like me, you’re no artist, picture books with a few words on them (or perhaps tarot or oracle cards) can help in spell work, particularly if you have difficulty with visualisation from nothing. Focus on the image and meaning to boost whatever spell you’re doing.
If you’re terrible at making up your own invocations, try finding appropriate poems, lyrics and other writings that fit -check out Shakespeare, Lord Byron, or your favourite author/poet/playwright.
abwatt (and his website) (all quoted/paraphrased with their permission)
Once again, feel free to add any ideas you have!
(Also, am I the only one that thinks I sound like an infomercial voice-over when I write these...?)
