The Purple Queen of Witchcraft.

[best-buffy-lines]

The Prom, 3.20

[darkfyretheumbrawitchreturns-de]

Umbra Witchcraft: Tools & Associations

I got this idea from the awesome @themanicnami check out her post about Storm witchcraft and associations *HERE*

Tools: athame, wand, candles, dark rooms, shadows, ash

Elements: Fire, Water

Planets: Moon, Mars

Days of the week: Monday, Tuesday, Saturday

Colors: Black, silver, red, purple

Corresponds to: Self-reflection, embracing your dark side

Crystals: obsidian, merlinite, labadorite, selenite, bloodstone, amethyst, blue goldstone

Metals: silver, iron, hepatizon (black bronze)

Plants/Herbs: lavender, lemongrass, rowan, ebony (tree)

Animals: Bats, owls, wolves, cats

Elementals & Beasts/Creatures: Shadow people, Umbra guardians, dragons

Sense: Sight, smell, empathy

Body: Hands, stomach, eyes

Umbra Related Magic: cursing, protection spells, spirit work, creating Umbra tethers, calling up Umbra spirits, banishing, connecting to the darkness

[darkfyretheumbrawitchreturns-de]

Connecting to the Umbra

I’ve had a few people ask me about how to interact with shadows and darkness. And I found myself thinking of a method I used.

Needed: Totally dark room Small table you can sit on the floor in front of A black candle (any size)

You will be working with elements of fire and shadow (light and dark)

Sit in the floor and light the candle. As the flame rises pay close attention to how it moves. Focus on the movement and dance of that single flame. Let the light fill your senses.

Now out of the corner of your eye look at the interaction of the candle light against the darkness and start looking at the dance of the shadows instead of the dance of the light. Eventually raise your eyes from the candle and stare straight ahead, focusing more on the darkness and the dance of the shadow. Let that darkness start to fill you, replacing the light. You may feel your own internal darkness resonate with the darkness around you. When you do, blow out the candle.

I’m curious for people to try this and share their experiences with me.

**If you try this please message me and tell me of your experience**

[darkfyretheumbrawitchreturns-de]

Detecting your own energy

I’ve gotten some questions recently concerning identifying and using your own internal energy so I thought I’d write up my methods. So why is it good to be able to know what your own energy feels like?

-as a witch I can use my own energy to fuel my spells but using too much of your own energy can be very dangerous and can impact your health. Knowing what your energy feels like in comparison to other energy sources will help you avoid overusing it

-Being able to identify your energy compared to other energy can help you quickly detect if someone or something is affecting it.

-If you have a spirit companion or familiar you can share energy with them

-As an Umbra witch I gather energy from the darkness and shadows to bolster my own internal energy. As such my internal energy feels like a cool, black fog that hovers around me. So how do I identify my own energy?

-I would recommend doing this someplace private and away from other people. This way you avoid interruptions and also you limit other energies around you.

-I would turn off all electronics and lights (you can keep enough light on to see if needed)

-Sit someplace comfortable and close your eyes and regulate your breathing -Open yourself up, well to you. Try to feel your body and detect how it feels. When I first did this I felt a slight tingling above my skin almost like someone was running their fingers lightly above my skin

-You may see a physical manifestation of your energy (like I said above mine reminds me of a thick, black fog) but if you don’t that’s ok. The importance of this exercise is to be able to distinguish your energy from other sources. It might happen the first time or it may take a few tries and that’s ok. Once you have a feel for your energy it will be easier to feel the energy from different sources. As always I’d appreciate any feedback about this technique

[darkfyretheumbrawitchreturns-de]

Mirrored Empath Shield

So I know a lot of empaths who use shields visualize a wall or bubble around them to block or filter incoming emotions/energy. I personally use the bubble technique to regulate what comes in and how it comes in. But what happens if someone is purposefully trying to get at you by directing energy that would wreck your day?

So I started thinking about visualizing the outside of my bubble as a mirrored surface. Almost like a one way mirror. Energy can get out but anything coming at you that is harmful would be reflected out and away from you. Taking it a step further is if someone is directing bad vibes your way you can “mirror” those vibes back at them. I know this is toeing the curse line but I’m not against that especially if someone is trying to actively cause you harm.

[darkfyretheumbrawitchreturns-de]

Prosperity Spell

I created this spell and cast it on Samhain. I used it to create luck and prosperity in my life.

Ingredients needed:

-Malachite (courage,fortune,healing)

-Bloodstone (courage, fortune,healing)

-Cinnamon (fortune,healing,prosperity)

-a sigil to support the above or a personal sigil. (I used my personal sigil)

-deities invoked: Nyx, Hades, and Persephone (you can either skip this part or invoke your own)

I drew the sigil on a piece of paper. On top of the sigil I placed the malachite. Around the malachite I placed 5 bloodstones and around that a circle of cinnamon. Placing my right hand over it I began to gather energy and direct it into the sigil.

When I finished I removed the stones, folded the paper, and burned it as an offering to Nyx, Hades, and Persephone

[darkfyretheumbrawitchreturns-de]

Umbra Grounding

Darkness and shadows are the energy I work with the most so sometimes it’s good to ground yourself when working with this energy.

Some techniques to ground yourself with the Umbra:

• sit in a dimly lit room and focus on the darker areas until that’s all you can see.

• light a candle and letting that be the only light source focus on the shadows as they dance. If you see a shadow moving against the light source say hi

•sit in the dark and keep your eyes open. Try to feel the energy of the dark. See if you can hear the music the dark emanates

These are just a few things I do to ground myself with the Umbra. If anyone had other techniques I’d love to hear about them

[darkfyretheumbrawitchreturns-de]

Don’t Notice Me Ward

This is an avoidance ward I created (unknowingly at the time) back when I was in high school. I got picked on a lot for being weird (shocking I know).

The best part of this is that it requires nothing but your own energy. Having experience using Umbra (shadow) energy helps but is not needed.

Essentially I wanted to move about freely without always having to be constantly on the look out for people wishing to harm me. So I imagined a large circle surrounding me (kind of like an energy hula hoop). This was much easier to maintain then a globe. What would happen is anyone wishing ill will that came towards me would immediately be distracted when they came in contact with my energy circle. Given the nature of my craft and energy I was told it was like they saw a shadow darting right out of the corner of their eye. This would keep up and keep them distracted until I had time to get away.

Depending on your energy the target could see, hear, or even smell something. This is a harmless way to distract someone wishing you ill will and giving you enough time to make an escape.

[tarigrove-blog]

can you give me a step by step description on how to put your "intent" into a spell or thing or whatever? I'm not really understanding the concept thank you in advance :) xx.

Hello anon!  Thanks for the question, and for your patience ^_^

Basically, your intent is your magickal desire.  When it comes to magick, your ‘intent’ is describing your intentions in casting that spell - do you want to heal?  To harm?  To dream of something?  Whatever your motives are, that is your intent.

The most basic way to add your intent to a spell is to mentally focus on, or to verbalize your intent while conducting the spell.  If your mind is on that desire, then your energies will naturally become infused with it.  After thinking of or speaking your intent would come feeling it.  

Ideally, ‘feeling’ your intent (as an emotion, vibe, energy, or any other sensation) will eventually come naturally to you, if it doesn’t already.  However, don’t worry if this never happens for you - it really all depends, and it isn’t entirely necessary if it’s not something that happens for you.

There are a few other techniques that you can use here:

Emotional connection to your intent. In my experience, a strong emotional connection to your magickal desires can have a powerful affect on the manifestation of those desires.  

Visualization.  Imagining your intent as an actual aura that is entering your spell is a great method for this (and is technically, in my opinion, a great method for energy work as well).  Even further than that, mentally imagining the desired outcome of your magick is a wonderful way of adding your intent to a spell, because not only is it introducing your desires and intent to the magick, but it also helps to lay out a sort of ‘intent map’ for the spell, letting it know exactly what you want it to do at all times.

The proper ingredients.  Everything that witches use have certain associations, properties, and correspondences.  By finding an ingredient that matches your intent, you can make your desires very, very clear.  

Using music as a magick aid.  Songs can help you to both feel your intent, as well as to state it very clearly by singing relevant lyrics.  Even if you just have the right song playing in the background while you cast a spell that’s otherwise unrelated to the music, it can still act as a guidance aid ^_^

As for a step-by-step process, it may be a little basic, but this here is a compressed version of what I do:

1.  Focus on what I want from this spell

2.  Focus on the associated emotions for those desires.

3.  Visualize my intent infusing or embedding itself into the magick that I release (which I often visualize as an actual release).

And …well, this may just be a weird thing that I do, but in the moment when I’m trying to gather my intent into a thing that I can create an energy from, I actually hold my breath (or barely breathe) and slightly tense all of my muscles for a second or two.  It’s not even a conscious thing that I do, and I rarely notice that I’m doing it unless it goes on for longer than a few seconds.  I do the same thing when casting out actual magick, as well.  

I’m not saying that you should try to do that, because remember, I’m not trying to do it.  What that is is me getting so momentarily focused on feeling my intent and desires, that everything else gets blipped out for a second.  

Again, I may be the only one like that, I’m not even sure - and either way, I feel emotions strongly, so I have an advantage over some in that regard; but I do know it meshes with what I know of the chaos magick theory’s definition of gnosis, and it always seems beneficial so…I wanted to add that here, for what that’s worth! lol

I hope this helps a little bit, anon ^_^  Adding your intent to a spell is a skill that you will develop more and more as you go along, don’t worry <3  And if one method doesn’t work, try another!  All witchcraft takes a bit of experimenting sometimes ^_^  Good luck with your witchy studies! <3

[theoryofmagick]

Charging 101: The Quick Basics

You’ve probably heard the verb “to charge” in the context of sigils, charms, or other related spellwork. But what exactly is charging? And how do you go about it?

Charging

When you charge something, you’re using an external source of energy to power your item. The goal is to draw energy from a larger “battery” source, such as the sun or a crystal, into the object you’re charging.

What can I charge?

Many spells, ritual consecrations, and talismans have instructions to be charged as part of their method. Sigils, for instance, need to be charged before use. Sacred water often needs charging by moon, salt, or sunlight. You can charge any tool, talisman, jewelry, tarot deck, or magickal item you wish whenever you want, to keep it “powered up”, however!

Charging Methods

Moonlight - Place your item so it’s illuminated by the moon. Charge it overnight if you wish!

Crystal - If you have a pre-charged or cleansed crystal (and you can cleanse one by running it under cold water), you can place it on top of or next to the item to charge it. Crystals can be used as “charging batteries” in this way!

Earth - Lay your item out on fresh earth or on the ground. Press your hands into it and feel the Earth lend its power to, and draw excess energies from, the item.

Personal Power - Placing your hands together over, or against, the item, and drawing power from the ground, air, or your usual power source, then directing it into the item.

Candle - Lighting a candle with intent by, or on, the item. The candle is usually left to burn out.

Fire - This method is used when an item is to be consumed, such as a sigil on paper. Non-flammable items can also come into brief contact with fire (such as a candle flame) for charging.

There are dozens more methods - these are just a start! Find the method that suits both yourself and your intent, and it’ll all come easily.

- Ash

[faeryqueenwitch]

① ② ③ ④ Numbers⑤ ⑥ ⑦ ⑧ ⑨

🎲 The following list reflects the ancient Pythagorean system (on which modern-day numerology is based). If any number keeps appearing to you in various forms, pay attention to the meanings for that number:

① ONE- Independence, New beginnings, Self-development, Oneness with life, Individuality, Progress, Creativity

② TWO- A balance of yin and yang energies (the polarities of the universe), Self-surrender, Putting others first, A dynamic attraction to one another, Knowledge that comes from balancing the two opposites

③ THREE- Trinity, Mind-body-spirit, threefold nature of divinity, expansion, expression, communication, fun, self-expression, giving outwardly, openness and optimism (this number is related to the Wiccan 3-by-3 law- whatever you send out, you will receive threefold).

④ FOUR- Security, Foundations, Four elements and the four directions, Self-discipline through work and service, productivity, organization, wholeness.

⑤ FIVE- Feeling free, Taking an approach to life that is active, Physical, Impulsive, Energetic, Changing, Adventuresome; and resourceful, Self- emancipation, Travel, Curiosity, Free soul, Excitement.

⑥ SIX- Self-harmony, Compassion, Love, Service, Social Responsibility, Beauty, The arts, Generosity, Concern, Caring, Children, Balance, Community service.

⑦ SEVEN- Inner life and inner wisdom, Seven chakras and seven heavens, Birth and rebirth, Religious strength, Sacred vows, Path of solitude, Analysis, Contemplation.

⑧ EIGHT- Infinity, Material prosperity, Self-power, Abundance, Cosmic consciousness, Reward, Authority, Leadership.

⑨ NINE- Humanitarianism, Selflessness, Dedication of your life to others, Completion, Endings, Universal compassion, Tolerance, Wisdom.

① ① MASTER NUMBERS~ ① ①

IN THE PYTHAGOREAN TRADITION, MASTER NUMBERS WERE THOUGHT TO HAVE A SPECIAL POWER AND SIGNIFICANCE OF THEIR OWN.

ELEVEN- Developing intuition, clairvoyance, spiritual healing, other metaphysical faculties.

TWENTY-TWO- Unlimited potential of mastery in any area- spiritual, physical, emotional, mental.

THIRTY-THREE- All things are possible

FORTY-FOUR- Practical, efficient, disciplined, optimism, and relating to balance and accomplishment.

[pagan-witch-chronicles]

Scrying 🔮

Scrying is using a crystal ball, mirror, bowl of water or other reflective object/surface to obtain information, get messages and access your intuition. But, how do you go about doing it? Well…

Lees verder

[pagan-witch-chronicles]

Knot Magick

Knot magick is casting a spell through the act of tying or untying knots. This can be done with rope, yarn, thread, twine or ribbons. Other things such as feathers, herbs, talismans, crystals and taglocks can be tied into the rope as well. Knot magick is typically used for bindings and handfastings but can be used for just about anything (protection, healing, luck, etc.)

Lees verder

[foresthoney]

How to Witchcraft: Knot, Thread & Cord Magic

It’s a funny thing. I use knot/cord magic A LOT but I don’t think I’ve ever seen a book devoted to it (I like Scott Cunningham’s chapter on it in Earth Power, pg.91). It’s so versatile though that there SHOULD be more about it.

As a newer witch, knot/cord magic is something I HIGHLY recommend. Especially if you are in the broom closet/can’t light candles or have a fire to burn herbs. It’s easy to do and it’s inconspicuous. There are so many ways to incorporate it too. 

First let’s talk about the different kinds of knot/cord magic:

Braiding: Used for long term, braid three or more colored cords while focusing on your intention and use when necessary. 

Knot 1:  Tie 9 knots on a colored cord while focusing on your intention and place some place where it will not be disturbed (by storing it, burning it or burying it- so the knots will never be undone).

Knot 2: Tie 9 knots on a colored cord while focusing on your intention to store energy. Release knots one by one in the order they were tied to release the energy when needed, once a day consecutively.

Crochet/Knitting: Use to imbue intention into the item so that the wearer benefits (e.g. warmth, self confidence, protection, etc).

Cross Stitch/Embroidery: Used to imbue intention into the item. Especially useful with sigils. 

How to do it:

There are a few methods known when working with knot & cord magic.

Braided cords typically do not get undone, and are stored for long term use. While braiding the cord (typically in 9’ or 9" measurements but if you don’t follow the threefold law this is irrelevant– unless your deity is a triplicate that you plan to invoke). To Do: Concentrate on your intent while braiding the cord, visualizing/thinking about it coming to fruition. Once you’re finished braiding consecrate the cord and put it away until you need it. This isn’t meant for an every day thing, just an as needed cord.

Knots can be harnessed in a few ways but the gist is that you’re using the knots to store power related to the intention of your spell. 1) Where you don’t ever untie them, 2) When you untie them as power is needed, or 3) when you untie one knot each day for consecutive days.

Typically you would tie a bead onto one end of the cord so that you know what your starting end is. You can also melt the ends with fire to prevent fraying. To Do: Pass the cord through a candle flame or incense to cleanse it while saying the words of your spell (i.e. the REASON you’re doing this) then you begin tying the knots in the cord you want to say the following while focusing on the intention/the type of power you are storing:

By knot of ONE, the spell’s begun By knot of TWO, it cometh true By knot of THREE, so mote it be By knot of FOUR, this power I store By knot of FIVE, the spell’s alive By knot of SIX, this spell I fix By knot of SEVEN, events I’ll leaven By knot of EIGHT, it will be Fate By knot of NINE, what’s done is mine

Generally knots are tied in this order: 

1——6——4——7——3——8——5——9——2

But I have seen other variations, I just find this one easier to follow because it doesn’t start in the middle so you have a reference point for which end contains the 1st knot (the bead). You can also tie things INTO the knot to strengthen the magic even further (hair, wood, stones/gems, etc) just make sure to destroy or bury those items if you choose to untie the knots. Some people use knotted cords as a powerful talisman and don’t untie the knots, if this is the case you want to store it where it won’t be disturbed, burn it so it will never physically be untied or bury it where it will disintegrate in the earth and also never physically be untied. I have done all three methods of handling and I can’t say I prefer one over the other. The really great thing about storing energy is that it’s raised when it will be the most powerful (increases, like success or protection, would be sometime from the new moon to full and decreases, like a binding, would be sometime from the full moon to new) but the power is now stored for use whenever you need it. 

Crocheting/Knitting is something I consider part of knot and cord magic because you can purposefully stitch your intention into the item you’re making. A lot of time, if for friends/family, I weave warmth and protection into things I make for them. So I might say something like:

With every stitch that I make, the wearer of this item will be protected and warm, but as the need arises they will be alert until they get to safety. Never too hot, but not cold either, This item will keep them comfortable. By earth, air, flame and sea, as I say, so shall it be.

And I’ll focus on that while I continue to make the item. Off topic, but notice how I put a clause in there that they will be alert if the need arises until they reach safety. I don’t want them to be so warm and comfortable that they neglect their own safety. 

Cross-stitch/embroidery: You can embroider sigils using color appropriate cloth and thread! You can cross stitch spells into your work (like cross stitching an acorn and imbuing it with luck and protection, which actual acorns can represent). There are so many different things you could do, let your imagination do the work!

Color in knot & cord magic:

White: purity, truth, sincerity, spirituality, the goddess, peace, higher self, virginity(as in the woman’s mind is owned by no man), a substitute for any other color. Red: strength, health, vigor, sexual love, energy, passion, courage, element of fire, career goals, fast action, lust, blood of the moon, vibrancy, driving force, survival Light Blue: tranquility, understanding, patience, calm, gently moving, wisdom, good fortune, opening blocked communication Dark Blue: impulsiveness, depression, changeability, protection, spiritual inspiration, reassurance, creativity Green: finance, fertility, luck, Earth Mother, physical healing, monetary success, abundance, tree and plant magick, growth, Element of Earth, personal goals Gold: wealth, The God, promote winning, safety and power of the male, happiness, playful humor Yellow: The Sun, intelligence, accelerated learning, memory, logical imagination, breaking mental blocks, selling yourself Gold/Yellow: attraction, persuasion, charm, confidence Brown: hesitation, uncertainty, neutrality, influence friendships, special favors Pink: honor, romantic love, morality, Planetary Good Will, healing of emotions, peace, affection,romance, partnerships of emotional maturity, caring, nurturing Black: loss, discord, confusion, protection, repelling negativity, binding, shapeshifting Purple: tension, ambition, business progress, power, influencing people in high places, third eye, psychic ability, spiritual power, self assurance, hidden knowledge Silver/Grey: cancellation, neutrality, stalemate, telepathy,clairvoyance, intuition, clairaudience, psychometry, dreams, astral energies, Female Power, communication, The Goddess, moon magic Orange: encouragement, adaptability, stimulation, attraction, business goals, property deals, ambition, career goals, general success, justice, legal matters, selling, action Copper: passion, money goals, professional growth, fertility in business, career maneuvers

(Color correspondance Source, please note this is one of many sources on this)

[enby-witchbitch]

Grounding Astral Spaces

So, you’ve started astral travelling! CONGRATULATIONS! Now, you have all of these places you’ve vistited and have no idea how to ground it in reality. How do you make sure that these places are spaces you can visit again?

- Make a folder on your computer, saving pictures that remind you of your astral space. My folder includes a lot of pictures of trees, lakes, mountains etc.I have pictures of gods there, my spirit companions and basically anything that reminds me of things I’ve seen in the astral. You can spend a ridiculous amount of time on Google Images finding things. I’ve spent hours googling words in slightly different ways to find an image that I like.

- VISIT VISIT VISIT! Keep going back to the space until it’s easy, until you can visualise it quickly. 

- Draw it! Especially if you have astral altars for different deities or whatever. Draw the things that you have on that altar. Draw spirits or fae you’ve seen, whatever. (and no, you do not have to be an artist to do this!)

- MAPS! I have a map of my astral space in my travel grimoire, with things labelled with what they are and who they’re dedicated to. This isn’t something that you use when travelling, but something you look at on the physical plane to remind you of your journey.

- Write down your experiences. Keep a track of everything you do in the astral, write down everything you see in as much detail as you can remember. JUST WRITE! 

- Spend time in one place in the astral. Get to know one part of the astral space extremely well. How many leaves are there on that tree? How deep is that water? How many animals live there? Know everything you possibly can, and it’ll be easier to visualise the whole.

- Remember that this takes time. Everything in witchcraft, everything in magick takes time. Especially anything to do with the astral. Don’t expect to know everything about your astral space the moment you step into it, learning how to navigate the space is a long journey and there’s no wrong way to do it. 

Happy witching! <3

Avery

[theoryofmagick]

Definitions: “Intent” and “Will”

Time for another witchy vocab lesson! I see these two fellas being used interchangeably here all the time, which makes for some easy-to-avoid mistakes.

Intent and Will are two parts of the “formula” for effective spellcraft. The “formula” has a lot of permutations, but essentially, Intent + Will + Action = Spell.

Intent is the statement behind your spell. For instance, if you’re making a sigil for a better memory, “having a better memory” is your intent.

Will is the energy that fuels your spell, like putting fuel in a fuel tank. With just the intent and action, you’ve got an empty fuel tank. If you’re making a sigil, the charging process uses your will. (Assuming you’re using a secular model.)

Action is the word I use for the actions of the spell or ritual, the actual actions performed. (Cunningham & Co use a different word with the same meaning, but I have totally forgotten it.)

A lot of people use “intent” to mean both intent and will (”fuel tank obviously means you put fuel in it”), but it’s important to know that they’re two different components. Just “intent” means you’ve got a blueprint and no fuel, and just “will” means you’ve got fuel but no blueprint.

[baronesshydrangea]

Carrier Oils

Everyone always stresses on and on about essential oils, when you go to check magical properties of stuff you see magical oils. But what about carrier oils? What if you want to make an ointment, a perfume or any type of magic that calls for an oil base?

So here are a few oils (I always believe you don’t need an infnite pantry of stuff, just a few, trusted, easily available and not overly expensive items) to use. I’ve mixed and matched some correspondences I’ve found online, with my feelings about it, I’ve only listed oils that are easy for me to get a hold of (so I think this will be the same for everyone). If you want more you can google more :) Sunflower seed oil - fertility, health, wisdom, clairvoyance, Sun, high spiritual vibration, meditation, protection, success Jojoba oil - Stability, glamour, sensuality, healing, sympathetic magic, flying salves, shapeshifting

Sweet Almond oil - prosperity, wisdom, love, love that overcomes obstacles, air, money, Artemis

Olive oil - healing, protection, abundance, balance, fertility, fidelity, harmony, hope, longevity, peace, power, prosperity, rebirth, reconciliation, safety, success, victory, sun, moon, Athena

Rose hip oil (or chamellia)- beauty love, joy, secrecy, generosity, heart chackra, Venus

Sesame oil - prosperity, abundance, healing, love hope to the sick, the discouraged, the lonely

Grapeseed oil - fertility, prosperity, water, intuition, money, extasy, divination, Bacchus

Baby (mineral) oil - I’ve seen this one named often, in videos or posts of people who “made an oil” for this or that purpose. If baby oil is mineral oil (aka made from byproduce of Oil), that’s not a great oil… not for your skin, not for you baby (!!!), not for your positive spells, but I’ve found it indicated for curses. That feels right!