Dream Journaling: Keeping a dream journal is the foundation of dream work in witchcraft. It involves writing down your dreams as soon as you wake up, even if you can only remember a few details. This practice helps you remember your dreams more vividly, identify patterns or recurring themes, and develop a deeper understanding of your subconscious mind.
Lucid Dreaming: Lucid dreaming is the ability to become aware that you are dreaming and to control the dream. It can be used for manifestation, healing, and exploring your inner world. To practice lucid dreaming, you can use reality checks, set intentions before you go to sleep, and practice visualization techniques.
Astral Projection: Astral projection is the practice of leaving your physical body and traveling to different realms or dimensions. It can be used for spiritual exploration, connecting with spirit guides, or receiving messages from the universe. To practice astral projection, you can use meditation, visualization, among other journeying techniques. It's important to practice caution and preparation, and work with an experienced practitioner or teacher if possible.
Dream Incubation: Dream incubation is the practice of setting an intention before you go to sleep to dream about a specific topic or question. It can be used for divination, problem-solving, or spiritual exploration. To practice dream incubation, you can use visualization, affirmations, or ritual to set your intention.
Dream Interpretation: Dream interpretation is the process of analyzing the symbols and messages in your dreams to gain insight into your subconscious mind. It can be used for spiritual growth, self-awareness, and problem-solving. To practice dream interpretation, you can use books, online resources, or work with a dream interpreter or witch.
Dream Protection: Dream protection is the practice of protecting yourself from negative energies or entities that may enter your dreams. It can be used for spiritual protection, emotional healing, or to prevent nightmares. To practice dream protection, you can use visualization, affirmations, or protection spells or talismans.
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.
A magic circle is a sacred, purified space used for rituals, magical work, and ceremonies. It serves as both a boundary that contains and concentrates energy and a gateway to other realms. Magic circles can also be cast for protection, such as shielding against psychic attacks, negative energies, malevolent forces, and spirits. Additionally, they act as a protective barrier between the practitioner and any entities they summon.
To cast a magic circle, a practitioner typically draws it using an athame (a double-edged knife or dagger), a staff, a wand, or another suitable tool, moving in a clockwise direction. Circles can be drawn in various forms: as a permanent design on paper, parchment, or cloth, or as a temporary marking on the ground using materials like chalk, paint, salt, or even a simple carving in soft earth.
A magic circle is typically nine feet in diameter, though its size can vary depending on its purpose, the caster’s preference, and their background. For example, if an Indian practitioner seeks to achieve a higher state of consciousness, they might incorporate the Ajna symbol (also known as the third eye chakra) into their magic circle to aid in this process. In Hindu and yogic traditions, the third eye is associated with intuition, perception beyond ordinary sight, and spiritual insight. It is believed to facilitate communication with higher consciousness or unseen forces and provide deeper awareness of the past, present, and future. By integrating this symbol, practitioners seek greater self-awareness and a profound understanding of the universe.
Keep in mind that the barrier of the magic circle is believed to be fragile, and leaving or passing through it can weaken or dispel the circle, a process known as "breaking the circle." Practitioners are generally advised not to leave the circle unless absolutely necessary. If temporary exit is required, a "door" must be created in the circle’s energy. This is done by visualizing the opening while using the athame.
For example, the tool used to cast the circle initially, such as a wand or dagger, must be used again to "cut" a doorway in the circle. Once the doorway is opened, anything can pass through without weakening the circle. Afterward, the opening must be closed by "reconnecting" the lines of the circle, which can be done by visualizing the circle’s energy being restored and physically tracing it with the tool. To close the circle completely, the practitioner simply reverses the process to seal the doorway.
When the practitioner is finished and no longer needs the magic circle, they must properly dispel it by offering final words of gratitude to the deities and elements called upon during the ritual. It's essential to express respect and appreciation for their presence and assistance. Next, by moving counterclockwise or in reverse with the athame, the practitioner undoes the magic within the circle, dispersing the energy and ensuring it does not remain trapped or uncontrolled. Some practitioners may take an additional step by sweeping away residual energy with a broom, blowing away excess energy with a bellows or breath, or simply visualizing the space returning to a neutral state. This helps ensure that no lingering energy affects the practitioner or their environment.
Circle
The circle is an is a universal symbol with extensive meaning. It represents the notions of totality, wholeness, infinity, divinity, perfection and unity; the creation of the cosmos; the womb of mother Earth; the cycle of the seasons, eternity and never-ending existence.
Casting a circle of protection is a very simple way to create a safe space. You can do it before casting a spell, before going into meditation (because within the circle, it becomes possible to transcend the physical, to open the mind to deeper and higher levels of consciousness), or whenever you feel the need for a bit of extra protection from any unwanted or negative outside influences.
The circle is also used nearly universally to represent the sun and/or the moon, or things associated with those bodies. The astrological symbol of the sun is a circle with a dot in the middle. The same symbol is used to represent gold, which is strongly associated with the sun.
Pentacle
The pentacle, commonly mistaken as a pentagram, is the most commonly used symbol in the occult. The symbol of a star inside a circle has many different meanings, depending on the religion involved.
If you look at the etymology of the word ‘pentacle’, you will find similar words in Latin, Italian, French, and so on. In Latin you have “pentaculum,” which comes from the prefix “penta-” meaning “five,” and “-culum” which refers to instrumentality. In Italian, you have pentacolo, which means “anything with five points”. In French you have the 14th century word “pentacol,” which comes from the prefix “pend-” meaning “to hang-,” and “-col” meaning “-from neck,” which referred to various kinds of magical or apotropaic charms hung on necklaces or similar devices.
In ancient times, in particular Paganism, the pentacle was seen as symbolizing the five elements with each corresponding point as an element (and sometimes as the four cardinal directions too) such as the earth (north), air (east), fire (south), water (west) and spirit. The circle surrounding the five-pointed star symbolized these elements working in unity together. It represents balance and harmony.
Sometimes candles are used to marked those points by placing candles inside the circle in the proper locations. For example, the color of the candles may correspond with the elements. One might choose a yellow candle to represent air in the east or a red candle to represent fire in the south. Other objects that might be placed in the circle are burning sage (fire), a feather (air), a shell containing water (water), or crystals (earth). Circles can be as simple or as complex as a practicing witch likes.
Heinrich Cornelius Agrippa associated the five points of the pentacle not only with the five Neo-Platonist elements, but can also be seen to associate them with five classical planets. Shown below is a figure of the ‘human body’ pentacle, with Mars, Saturn, Venus, Jupiter, and Mercury. These five planets would also have had alchemical associations.
In early Christianity, it was used as an amulet to protect a person from evil. Because the pentagon represented Jesus, with the five points standing for the five wounds of Jesus during his crucifixion.
The pentacle has associations with Taoism as well, a Chinese philosophical approach to life. Here, the five points represent the five elements of the East – wood, earth, water, fire and metal.
Triangle
In Christianity, the equilateral triangle is the symbol of the Trinity—Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Pythagoras associated the number 3 with triangles, which is meaningful to many groups. Triangles and other three-part symbols may present such concepts as past, present, and future or spirit, mind, and body or even birth, life and death.
No one knows for sure why the ancient Egyptians’ tombs of the early pharaohs were built in the triangle shape. But Egyptologists have developed many theories about why: 1. The shape was thought to have symbolized the sun's rays. 2. The pyramid had sloping sides so that the dead pharaoh could symbolically climb to the sky and live forever. 3. The pyramid represented the first land to appear at the beginning of time--a hill called 'Ben-Ben'.
The orientation of a triangle can be important to its meaning. A point-up triangle represents fire or masculine energy and when inverted, represents water or feminine energy. These two triangles combined signify the unity of the elements in alchemy and, in Judaism's Star of David they stand for the union of opposites. The pyramid can also represent aspiration, the struggle to climb to the top and achieve one's earthly ambition or heavenly ascent.
Upside Down Triangle
The upside down (also known as the point-down or the inverted) triangle can represent female energy and water. It can also represent the descent into the physical world.
In alchemical the symbol for water is an inverted triangle, symbolizing downward flow. The downward pointing triangle is also an ancient symbol of femininity, being a representation of female genitalia. It can also be used to symbolize the east or breath (life in general).
Triangle of Art (Solomonic Triangle, Triangle of Evocation)
The triangle of art is a triangle with a circle in it. It represents the protected space outside the magic circle, into which spirits are compelled to appear in Solomonic ritual magic. Typically, the central circle is inscribed with the sigil (seal) of the spirit to be invoked. The usual form is of a triangle, circumscribed with various words of power, containing an inner, blackened circle. The purpose of the triangle is to contain the manifested entity. In some cases, the triangle is created as a physical object; sometimes, the central circle is replaced with a black scrying mirror.
The Circle and Triangle
The circle with a equilateral triangle in it is an ancient symbol of good fortune, and was understood to ward off evil spirits. It is also a well-known trademark of Alcoholics Anonymous, an organization for those dealing with alcohol abuse problems.
They choose this symbol because the triangle represents the three part answer – Unity, Recovery, and Service – to a three part disease – Physical, Mental, and Spiritual, while the circle represents AA as a whole. The body should be triangular, stable, and the mind circular and open. The circle symbolizes serenity and perfection, and the source of unlimited potential. Together they represent perfect union of mind and body.
Hexagram
The hexagram is a unique six-pointed star, which consists of two interwoven equilateral triangles. This design has been around for a few hundred years, and while most people will recognize the symbol, not everyone knows the symbolic meanings and spiritual connections it has.
It represents the union of the polar forces, the triangle with the apex upwards is that of masculine energy and the one with the apex downwards is feminine energy. Thus this magical symbol represents the union of above and below, spirit and matter, the visible and the invisible world.
The hexagram is also an important symbol in alchemy. The triangle with the tip up represents fire and that with the tip down represents water. Likewise, the points and the center of the hexagram are assigned to the 7 alchemical metals, namely lead, tin, copper, silver, mercury, iron and gold.
In astrology, the prongs and center of the hexagram symbolize the seven ancient planets Saturn, Jupiter, Venus, Moon, Mercury, Mars and Sun.
Unicursal Hexagram
The points of the unicursal hexagram, a six-pointed star that can be drawn in one continuous movement, are not equidistant and the lines are not of equal length (unlike a standard hexagram). It can, however, fit inside a circle with all six points touching the circle.
The unicursal hexagram is commonly depicted with a five-petaled flower in the center, a geometric variation created by Aleister Crowley and associated with the religion of Thelema. Placement a small pentagram in the hexagram's center is another variation.
Square
Pythagoras associated the square with the number 4, and that number in many cultures is commonly associated with material things—physical elements, compass directions, and seasons. Thus, squares and crosses are often used as symbols of the material world.
However, squares have visual solidness that crosses lack. A square has volume; it contains space. Squares represent solidity, a perfection that is static, dependable, earthly and material.
In Hinduism, the square represents cosmic order and the balance of opposites; in Native American religions, the square represents permanence, a safe place. In Chinese symbolism, the square represents the earth. In many other cultures, a square is a meeting place, a plaza at the heart of a city.
Square in Circle
The circle in the square means that the circle represents the infinite, immeasurable, while the square represents the manifest, measurable, and comprehensive world. Together it symbolically, represents the eternal (circle) comprehended within the bounds of the temporal (square); or in other words, a temple is a physical place where we go to learn eternal truths.
Which is why the circle in the square also represent heaven and earth coming together (a great temple symbol). The heavens are often described as a bowl and often symbolized by a circle. In paintings, God is often depicted as laying out the heavens with a compass and the earth with a square. The square is made with a square and represents the earth which is often described as having four corners. The temple is a place that represents the union of heaven and earth, and where heavenly beings (Angels & Jesus Christ) literally come.
Heptagram / Septagram
Heptagrams and/or Septagrams are seven-pointed stars. There are two configurations for heptagrams; the acute heptagram, shown here, and the obtuse heptagram. In addition, the heptagon—a seven-sided polygon—can represent the same things as heptagrams.
The ancient world recognized only seven "planets" other than Earth: Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn, plus the moon and sun. Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto are not visible to the naked eye and thus unknown. The heptagram often reflects these seven planets, and in western occultism, systems were often based upon astrological correspondences of these seven points. It was believed that each planet radiated certain influences.
Because the planets are represented equally in the heptagram, the symbol can be off balance, equally representing the seven great powers of planetary magic. Seven combines pairing the numbers 3 (spirituality, referring to the Christian trinity) and 4 (physicality, referring to the four elements and the four cardinal directions), which can also represent universal balance.
The orientation of the seven-point start can also be important in the occult world. Three points over four can symbolize spirit ruling matter, while four points over three can be physicality ruling spirit.
The heptagram can also represent the seven days of the week. In the Judeo-Christian context, it can be a symbol of completion, as the universe was created within the seven-day week.
Octagrams
Octagrams is the eight-pointed stars that shows up in a variety of different cultures and each with it’s own symbolic meanings.
In Babylonian symbolism, the goddess Ishtar is represented by an eight-pointed starburst, and she is associated with the planet of Venus. Today, some people equate the Greek Aphrodite, whom the Romans equated with their Venus, with Ishtar. Both goddesses represent lust and sexuality, although Ishtar also represents fertility and war.
In Judeo-Christian the number eight frequently represents beginnings, resurrection, salvation , and super-abundance. This has to do, in part, with the fact that the number seven is a number of completion. The eighth day, for example, is the first day of a new seven-day week, and a Jewish child enters into God's Covenant on the eighth day of life via circumcision.
Old Kingdom Egyptians recognized a group of eight deities, four male and four female, with the female bearing feminine forms of the male names: Nu, Nanet, Amun, Amunet, Kuk, Kauket, Huh, and Hauhet. Each pair represents a primal force, water, air, darkness, and infinity, and together they create the world and the sun god Ra from the primordial waters. Together, these eight are known as the Ogdoad, and this context is borrowed by other cultures which may represent it with an octagram.
The second century Gnostic Valentinius wrote about his own concept of the Ogdoad, which again is four male/female pairs of what they considered primordial principles. First, Abyss and Silence brought forth Mind and Truth, which then produced Word and Life, which finally produced Man and Church. Today, various pursuers of esoterica have drawn upon various concepts of the Ogdoad.
In Hinduism, Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth, has eight emanations known as Ashtalakshmi, which are represented by two entwined squares forming an octagram. These emanations represent eight forms of wealth: monetary, ability to transport, endless prosperity, victory, patience, health and nourishment, knowledge, and family.
Octagrams formed from overlapping squares often emphasize duality: yin and yang, male and female, spiritual and material. Squares are often connected with the physical world: four elements, four cardinal directions, etc. Together, they can mean both positive and negative aspects of the four elements, for example, and balancing them.
Buddhists also use an eight-spoked wheel to represent the Eightfold Path taught by the Buddha as a means to escape suffering through the breaking of attachments. These paths are right view, right intention, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, and right concentration.
