As a cottage witch, I just love using food in my spell-casting, either by baking something sweet or biting in the flesh of a ripe fruit right before a ritual...
💫 Why Protection Magic Is Useful (even if you have no enemies)
A lot of witches will tell new witches (baby witches) that they should start by learning and using protection magic. However, I've started to see a lot of witches say that protection magic is not as important as other witches claim it to be. Saying that they don't have anyone coming after them or an enemy in real life to warrant a spell of protection.
I think this may also be due to how I've not personally come across anyone really explaining why a witch may want to use protection magic all the time.
Now, it is true that there's no need to be paranoid all the time and have protection up 24/7. But here's a list where you may use it, find it useful, or haven't thought protection magic could be included.
An actual person -- This one is obvious, you have an enemy in real life or on the internet and you need protection magic to protect you from their curses.
A malevolant spirit -- They can come from your windows, mirrors (including tv screens, computer screens, and other reflective surfaces maybe), they seep through floor cracks, hanging onto your coats from outside, etc. Just like how you'd use garden gloves to avoid dirt up your nails being trapped there. Protection magic is just like putting on those gloves.
An energy -- Say you have a neighbour who's arguing with someone. They're yelling and screaming and it can be heard through the apartment walls. That negative energy is seeping into your home and your energy. So it may be worth protecting your home and energy from that sour neighbour's energy. (ever been scolded by your mother and your mood is sour? it's kind of like the same here.)
Your own spell -- Now a self-love spell is probably not something you should protect yourself from. But let's say you're doing a curse. It would be a smart idea to make sure you're protected before beginning such a spell. Much like how you'd wear an apron to protect your clothes from stains when cooking food. You may not always spill your food when cooking, but damn it is it annoying when you do and the stain won't wash off. It's the same with a spell.
Unintentionally -- Sometimes things can happen that's out of our control and it's a good idea to be a little prepared. A black cat suddenly running across the street? Bad luck. Someone got jealous when you told them something good? Evil Eye. Think of it as going to the store with an extra bag for your groceries. You may not need it, but isn't it handy when you at one point do need it?
Protection magic doesn't have to be elaborate or grand or be convoluted. Protection magic is powerful but also extremely simple. All you need is a horseshoe above the door, a little talisman in your pocket, a sigil for your car, etc.
So don't dismiss the importance of protection magic. It may help to improve your spellwork and your energy.
Remember, everyone, always dig a little deeper if you're struggling and never accept the first answer you find as ultimate truth! Knowledge is power, and power is control. Safe practicing and blessed be!
Everything to know before you start!
The various practices
The Tools
healing, protecting, and grounding.
shielding and banishing
herbs,oils and crystals.| Herbs | Oils | Crystals
color magik
the sabbats
the Elements
astrology + astrology calendar
spells, hexes and curses
energy manipulation
the various entitis
Divination tool
Symbology
Shadow Work
Witchy hack
Offerings
Grimoire/book of shadows
how to work with deities. (works with entities too)
sigils.
How to create a spell
I get so sad when I see new practitioners talk about feeling scared or like they can't ask questions
The witchcraft community shouldn't exist to gate keep and make fun of new practitioners
If they're asking questions it's because they want to learn!
Yes, some of us older witches learned on our own without an online community to guide us, but that community exists now and should be another tool for those new to the craft!
None of us started out knowing what we know now
we all were once new to the craft and we should be offering what we've learned over our years of practice, not driving new practitioners away
and this goes for Pagans as well, especially those who work with deities
If a new practitioner is asking about the gods and looking for a place to start they shouldn't be made fun of or told to buzz off and do their own research
Yes, research and books are important, but sometimes trying to sort out good sources can be really overwhelming especially when you don't yet know how to ell the good from the bad
To new witches and pagans:
There are no set "rules" to witchcraft and paganism and there is no "right or wrong" way to practice
your practice is your own and can be whatever feels right for you!
And you should always stay curious and ask questions
That's what witchcraft and paganism are all about: asking questions and gaining a better understand about life and the world around you!
And if anyone makes you feel bad about asking questions, they're not someone you want to associate with anyways
Sending all of you new practitioners lots of love 💙
Don't let anyone discourage you from your path!!
How to Create a Cozy Morning Routine with Your Gods
Because Tumblr really had the audacity.
I’m writing this because Tumblr — in all its chaotic, algorithmic glory — served me a sponsored post titled:
“How I Create a Cozy Morning Routine with God.”
And look, no shade to those who find peace there. But my deities sip tea, not preach sermons. So here we are: a pagan’s guide to starting your day with divine connection, gentle witchcraft, and the kind of sacred stillness that doesn’t require Gregorian chants or three hours of breathwork.
This isn’t about performance. It’s not about what looks spiritual — it’s about what feels sacred.
It’s your cozy routine. Your divine dialogue. Your little altar to alignment in a world that rarely gives us time to breathe.
Creating a sacred morning doesn’t have to look like a full-blown ritual with incense smoke curling over a mountain of offerings (though that’s always welcome). Sometimes, it’s just about starting your day with awareness, intention, and a quiet nod to the divine — in a way that fits your lifestyle, practice, and energy level.
This post is for witches, pagans, polytheists, spiritual wanderers — anyone who wants to turn their morning from “chaotic scroll-fest” to “divine soft launch.”
🌅 Why Mornings Matter
Mornings are liminal — thresholds between sleep and wake, dream and duty. They’re a time when the veil is still thin, your energy is untouched by other people’s chaos, and your spirit hasn’t yet been hijacked by email notifications or existential dread.
In many traditions, dawn is sacred. It’s when prayers are whispered, water is fetched, and offerings are made. Even the sun itself — Helios, Amaterasu, Ra — is a deity in many pantheons. Morning is divine by design.
So why not treat it that way?
☕ Ways to Invite the Sacred Into Your Morning
Whether you’re up with the sun or rolling out of bed at noon (no judgment — time is a construct), here are some gentle, flexible ways to weave magic into your mornings:
🧘♀️ Breathe Before Anything Else
Before your feet hit the ground, pause. One hand over your heart, the other on your belly. Breathe deep. Call your name back to yourself. Say good morning to your gods, spirits, or self. Yes, this counts as a ritual.
🌞 Greet the Sun (or the Sky, or the Rain)
If you can, step outside. Let the light (or clouds or wind) touch your face. Offer a short prayer to the spirits of the day. If you're inside, open a window or simply face the direction of the sun. It’s about connection, not perfection.
🕯️ Light Something With Intention
A candle. A stick of incense. A stove burner. Fire is sacred — use it to anchor your day. Say something like:
“As I light this flame, I welcome clarity, protection, and peace.”
Simple. Effective. Witchy.
🍵 Sip With the Spirits
Make your tea or coffee slowly, like a spell. Stir clockwise with intention. Offer the first sip to your ancestors. Let each cup become a communion. If you're out of time, even just holding the warm mug and whispering a thank you to your guides will do.
📿 Pull a Card or Rune
Draw a daily tarot card, rune, or omen. Let it guide your focus. Ask,
“What do I need to know today?”
Write it down. Reflect later. It’s not about divining the future — it’s about tuning into the present.
✨ Offer Something (Even Just Your Time)
Offerings aren’t always food or wine. You can offer your breath, your first moment of stillness, your morning walk, or even a song. The gods and spirits often care more about your presence than your possessions.
💡 Remember: Your Routine Is Yours
You don’t need every crystal laid out in order. You don’t need to know five chants in perfect Latin. You don’t even need to be fully awake.
What you do need is intentionality — that quiet, reverent moment where you decide:
“Today, I move with purpose. I speak to my gods. I show up to my magic.”
Make it five minutes or fifty. Make it daily or just when you feel off-kilter.
The magic is in the showing up.
🕯️ Final Thoughts
Mornings don’t have to be chaotic. They can be holy.
They can be when you check in with your spirit guides. When you talk to your ancestors over coffee. When you remind yourself that before the world gets its hands on you, you belong to yourself and your path.
And no matter what Tumblr says, your cozy spiritual life doesn’t need to look like a Pinterest board from Bible camp.
It can look like ash-smudged teacups. Like mismatched socks and sleepy chants. Like whispered prayers before brushing your teeth. Like giving thanks to the sun while feeding your cat.
source: trust me bro, i've been doing this for years
if you don't have personal beef with christianity as a concept, i highly recommend reaching out to the angels when you need help. they are POWERFUL and EFFICIENT and i love them very much.
branch out from the usual spell methods. instead of doing a jar or a bowl spell, sit down at the lake or in the forest and make a spell strictly with thing you find around you. it's fun, it makes you think more about the different ways to use ingredients and the ingredients to your spell will interact well with the environment because they belong there, which makes it easier to infuse them with energy (in my opinion)
while online, direct your feelings (positive or negative) toward people with a few words. for example, if you see a really bad fascist politician you don't like, channel your inner hatred and say something like "you deserve to be miserable for the rest of your days and then rot in hell for eternity" with the intent for the hatred to reach them. will this be as powerful as an actual curse with preparation? no. but hey, it's better than nothing.
drop 1 cent coins in public for others to find as a way to spread luck and happiness.
listen to music that amplifies your emotions while you're performing a spell
utilize techniques for a quick spell that you always have with you. blow on something to cleanse it. close your fist around something and channel your energy into it for a minute. whisper something to an item to enchant it, and so on.
if you're in an altered state of consciousness, do a divination session. it has the potential to he the funniest shit ever
appreciate trees. yes, weird tip but i prOMISE, once you start looking at trees with love and affection and childlike wonder, your everyday life will become so much more magical
I talk about this subject often, but I figured I'd write an incomplete guide encompassing a variety of things I've posted about for those interested!
Before the Work:
I know, I know. You're here to learn about spirit work, so why is there even a section prior to it? Well, it's because spirit work begins with the energy forces (spirits of energies), the spirits of herbs and our own spirits, before it begins with deities, fae and ghosts.
Before performing any kind of spirit work as you may know it, it's important to begin with these basics:
Thorough, layered protections that cover each of your bodies (physical, spiritual, etc), any of your items (especially once you may use in spirit work, such as divination tools), and your place of residence as a whole (the space you reside in most, that has most of your energy accessible inside of it, that you will likely perform a large portion of your spirit work as well). If you're worried, please also look into protections for other members of your household / residence, such as furry friends / "pet" family members, just keep in mind that while some protections automatically cover anyone else in the residence (including any spirits btw, be mindful), some protections can actually do harm to animals.
Ethics, morals, and values. This is going to encompass things like being respectful to other spirits, how to imagine them in your brain to ensure you aren't treating them as a commodity, recognizing their autonomy and self-determination, etc. This is meant to be general as each spirit type (learn more below) and individual spirit is different. This is also great to help you determine what path of spirit work you want to take - psychopomp work, bonding with nature spirits and growing plants / herbs, casual hanging out with spirit friends, etc etc etc
Cleansings and banishings. These are talked about a lot, but let me tell you, wards and sigils are not always the way to go. In fact, wards and sigils - even if done correctly - can lead to accidental spirit bindings / trapping spirits in your residence rather than keeping them out. These are not effective protections to lean on without any additional protections / support, and not bullet-proof whatsoever. If your protections are strong enough, they are the safety net. However, when inviting spirits into your space, you are sometimes giving them permission to bypass your permissions - so try looking into protections that can, without harm, force a spirit out of your space once they are unwanted there. This is known as a "banishing" as well, but really it's just a protective method. Cleansings are important when encountering any kind of spirit, and great for non-spiritual health too!
Vetting
Vetting is the process of verifying who a spirit is, whether you're sure you know who they are or not. It's a sign of respect to many spirits, such as deities, but also really important to your safety and well-being. Whether a spirit is harmful, a trickster, or just someone you misunderstand, learning who they are, why they're there, and how to properly communicate / interact with them based on those things is incredibly important to forming any kind of bond with a spirit and / or keeping yourself safe throughout your work.
Vetting is not just asking questions. In fact, it is meant to be a very thorough process. Spirits are just like us - they can lie, tell the truth, or be misunderstood. It's important you understand how to vett properly when learning spirit work.
The steps to vetting include:
Research / Familiarity
Divination
Research: This step is all about learning. What are you learning about? Depends on the spirit you're trying to contact, but obviously, that spirit haha. However, you gotta learn more than just the spirit you're working with, to be able to identify spirits that may show up that may not be them, spirits they introduce you to, other spirits you encounter in your daily life or practice that you may need to handle, etc. So, more specifically, what are you learning about?
-> Spirit classifications: different spirits (or "spirit types"), their traits, etc. Of course, every spirit is an individual, but their "type" still affects or shapes them, just like how being human affects or shapes us. This will help you to understand what's safe for them and what's not, if they're friendly to you or not, what they can help with and what they can't, what they like and don't like, etc. From there...
-> Spirit communication basics is the next step of research for if you wish to speak with them. Certain spirits have specific customs, preferences or conveniences. Which are safe to say xyz to, which are not? Etc. Learning about their spirit "type" can help because it will also help you with this kind of communication, as different spirits have different "ground rules" in terms of communication (what they find respectful / disrespectful, what is safe / not safe to say in their presence, etc).
You want to become familiar with these materials. Take notes, be thorough. You do not need to memorize what you've learned as long as you're in a protective space, but you shouldn't have any notes exposed at the time of vetting (more on this below).
How to research:
Do heavy and thorough research (personal stories, ancient beliefs, historical artifacts, studies, religious information, scholarly academia, non-scholarly "UPG" experiences, etc)
Verify the credibility and context of all sources and cross-compare / cross-reference
Some things to keep in mind when researching:
Memorize lore, stories, facts, associations, practices, etc, that relate to the god / spirit you’re planning on reaching out to. (Please keep in mind that during the vetting, you should not think the answers to the questions you're going to ask in your head, as for many spirits you're basically giving them the answer that way. Additionally, do not have your notes exposed or accessible in any way while you're vetting - it's based to avoid taking notes at all, or deleting them later. Saving the resources in a tab folder on your computer is a great idea to refer to when assessing the answers the spirit gave you)
Save the tabs of the resources you find in a dedicated folder on your computer. (If you're writing traditionally, make sure you take extra precautions to keep your notebook safe so that spirits can peek into it and find the answers during vetting.)
Divination
Most people tend to bust out a deck of tarot cards for this - I do not recommend this! As a tarot reader of about 9 years now, this is a one-way ticket to Frustration Town. Not only is it incredibly easy to misunderstand what the spirit is actually trying to say if you aren't advanced enough in tarot (or if the spirit themselves aren't as familiar with tarot as they are with other divination methods), but the spirit can get frustrated too! Do you know how painful it is saying the same thing 5 times but instead it's invisible charades? Lol
Instead, I recommend utilizing a pendulum. This is much clearer and more convenient for both parties. There's some things to keep in mind when utilizing a pendulum:
-> Yes / no is the easiest method, but you can also do a true / false or a more elaborate spread. (I do not recommend doing oujia-board style for a variety of safety and efficiency reasons.)
-> As mentioned, don't have your notes out and don't think the answers to questions in your head. Simply ask the questions, ask the spirit to leave your space (banish them if they don't; in which case, you likely shouldn't work with them anyways haha), and then deliberate over the answers.
-> Call on the spirit without loopholes. Do not call in "peaceful spirits." Know who you're contacting, even if you don't know their name, otherwise you're opening yourself up to a whole swarm of risks. There are other ways to meet random spirits without needlessly endangering yourself. When calling on the spirit, be respectful, kind, and I recommend verbal if possible.
-> When asking questions, don't ask the basic "are you so-so" or "is hades the god of the underworld" questions. If this information is commonly known and widely accessible to you, then it is also commonly known in the spirit world (especially since they're a spirit / deity you're even reaching out to) and accessible to them as well. You'll want to look into conventional things, uncommon information, stuff that isn't typical or well-known - if they are who they say they are, they will be able to answer correctly, even if the information is incredibly specific or niche.
-> Consider waiting until you're in a good space of mind to establish a relationship. This way, you're less likely to make mistakes that lead to a spirit taking advantage of you. If this is an unrealistic standard for you, make sure you've accommodated yourself in your practices and that you're still respectful to the spirit (some spirits appreciate being told if you're unwell, some this is dangerous to do when communicating with them).
-> Many people are worried about involuntary movements when it comes to using a pendulum. This worries are incredibly valid. That's why you should look into (yes, these exist) specific positions you can sit in and position your arms / etc in that limit the risk of involuntary movements when divining with a pendulum.
There's also some general things to keep in mind when divining throughout the vetting process in general:
-> Trust your intuition. If you have any spirit-sensing abilities, you're allowed to trust yourself there too, as long as you've ensured your healthy and well.
-> Be aware of how you feel emotionally / energetically / internally, how your nervous system feels, any changes in temperature, how your thoughts may be (as some spirits can influence thinking), any physical bodily sensations you may begin experiencing, etc.
Fear-Mongering
There is an incredibly ill-thought-out idea circling these days that spiritual protections are "fear-mongering" or speaking on harmful spirits is "fear-mongering" derivative of Christians being against witchcraft. I'm just gonna say it: this is fucking stupid and an incredibly uneducated, discriminatory take.
The idea of harmful spirits existed long before Christianity was even developed, despite efforts to destroy our cultures, and still exist outside the lens of Christianity today. (Stop taking my culture and spiritual practices, shaming me for it, and then calling me a Christian for practicing it. What kind of backwards logic is that from a witch / practitioner / pagan?)
If you're protected, then you have nothing to worry about. You do not have to feel afraid in order to do your due diligence. We don't ever hop in a car expecting a car crash, but we still put our seatbelts on just in case. We still take driver's tests just in case. We still look both ways before making a turn just in case. It's really not that big of a deal.
Fear-mongering would be "all spirits are out to get you specifically because you don't do what other witches do." But saying things like, "hey, keeping yourself safe is a good idea because bad things can happen" is not fear-mongering. Saying things like "just as spirits can be our friends, they can be our enemies or purposefully / unintentionally harm us too; just like people can" is not fear-mongering. Saying things like "making sure you feel safe and comfortable is important and should not be taken as disrespectful by any spirit / deity" is not fear-mongering. Saying things like "there are consequences to your actions, even spiritually" is not fear-mongering. The idea that really basic practices based in centuries of tradition and developed in modern times are "fear-mongering christian beliefs" is a slippery slope to spiritual psychosis and getting yourself hurt / your spells or spirit work not working or going well / etc. It's also a great fucking slope to continuously erasing practices that Christianity and other oppressors have already been attempting to take, twist and erase for centuries.
Just because Christians took an idea from a traditional practice (multiple, really) without learning the intricacies about it and use it to hurt others, does not invalidate that actual practice they stole from. If it did, all of witchcraft, paganism and other cultural customs would be "fear-mongering." Y'all are just allowing the colonization of our practices and then shaming us for not following your ideals. Besides -- Christians do not speak on the subject more often than traditional practitioners in general, so maybe you guys need to do some more genuine listening and learning / finding actual traditional practitioners if you think Christian ideologies run our practices lol (yeah... people like y'all who preach this sound a bit indoctrinated ngl, and most of us would prefer if you didn't bring that into our teachings and try colonizing us instead of doing some really basic research and self-healing, thanks)
If you're going to talk about fear-mongering, then be knowledgeable about fear-mongering. It doesn't have to be as complicated of a mess as it is, truthfully.
Spirit Work Paths
There's a variety of ways you can lean on relationships with spirits, depending on the relationship and those specifically involved. Here's just a handful of ideas!
Psychopomp work
Spell work
Energy work (especially energy forces / spirits of the energies)
Divination practices
Additional protections
Baneful workings
Healing, health boosts and overall well-being
Attraction, confidence, abundance, etc
Learning about the spiritual world (or even the living world!)
Learning ancestral / cultural practices
Learning lessons and teachings from spirits
Bonding with nature and your environment or spiritual community
Deity work / worship
Animal bonding / work, and / or plant bonding / work
Inner peace, intuition enhancement, etc
Spiritual gift(s) unlocking, locking, development / enhancement, training, etc
Ancestral veneration
and more!
Thank You
Thank you for taking the time to read my post / learn from my personal knowledge, experiences, and beliefs!
You can learn more about spirit work in this guide to working with death. I also have a brief guide to vetting in this post. For research tips, visit this post and this post, as well as this post on finding traditional Greek practitioners (more focused on Hellenism). Check out this PSA on tricksters and also this post on fear-mongering in spirit work I came across recently. You can also take a look around my Table of Contents post for other posts on the topic, as I have shared a variety, and / or send an Ask any time!
