as a city witch, I can tell you that throwing something in a gas station trash receptacle works the same as burying at a crossroads. don’t stress over shit.

Kaledo Art
Cosmic Funnies
Peter Solarz
"I'm Dorothy Gale from Kansas"
DEAR READER
$LAYYYTER
let's talk about Bridgerton tea, my ask is open

shark vs the universe
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he wasn't even looking at me and he found me
cherry valley forever
TVSTRANGERTHINGS
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occasionally subtle
Not today Justin
styofa doing anything

tannertan36
Mike Driver
2025 on Tumblr: Trends That Defined the Year
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@thewhisperofwind
as a city witch, I can tell you that throwing something in a gas station trash receptacle works the same as burying at a crossroads. don’t stress over shit.
Guide to Drying Herbs
Drying herbs is a simple practice, and there are several methods to choose from depending on the type of herb and your desire use. Here's how I dry my herbs:
1. Drying on Newspaper
This method works well for larger leaves and herbs that don’t need to be hung.
Lay the herbs flat on a clean sheet of newspaper in a single layer.
Place the newspaper in a dry, well-ventilated area away from direct sunlight.
Turn the herbs occasionally to ensure even drying.
Once the herbs are dry and crisp to the touch, they’re ready for storage.
2. Hanging Herbs Upside Down
Perfect for longer herbs, like rosemary, lavender or thyme, that can be tied together.
Gather small bunches of herbs and secure them with a cord or string.
Wrap the herbs loosely in a breathable cloth, like cheesecloth or muslin. This helps them air freely while catching any small leaves or flowers that may shed during the drying process.
Hang the bunches upside down in a cool, dry place with good airflow. Avoid direct sunlight, as it can degrade the color and potency.
Once the herbs are completely dry (they should crumble easily), remove the leaves or store them as they are.
I do this with fresh lavender that I put in my closet as shown in the picture.
3. Pressing Herbs
This method is ideal for preserving delicate leaves or flowers for decorative purposes or rituals.
Place the herbs between sheets of paper (such as parchment or regular printer paper).
Insert the paper into a thick book, ensuring the herbs are spread flat and evenly.
Place additional books or a weight on top to press them.
Leave them for 1–2 weeks, checking occasionally for dryness.
4. Drying Small Petals
For small, delicate petals or flowers, a rule bag works wonders.
Place the petals or flowers in a breathable rule bag (such as a mesh or cotton drawstring bag).
Hang the bag in a dry, ventilated area.
Shake the bag gently every few days to prevent clumping and to ensure even drying.
General Tips for Best Results
Use Breathable Cloths: Wrapping your herbs or laying them on a breathable cloth allows air to circulate freely, preventing mold while catching any small leaves or flowers that shed during the drying process.
Timing: Dry herbs as soon as possible after harvesting to retain their potency and fragrance.
Environment: Choose a dry, cool, and ventilated area to prevent mold or mildew.
Labeling: If drying multiple herbs, label them to avoid confusion.
Storage: Once dried, store your herbs in airtight containers away from sunlight and moisture.
Using Dried Herbs
Always check if the plant is safe for use before collecting it. Do not make tea or touch anything with unknown properties. Always clean your plants before drying.
Once your herbs are dried, you can use them for teas, rituals, incense, or other magical and practical purposes. Always remember to respect and honor the plants you've harvested by using them mindfully.
Who's excited for Yule?
Comments on Yule:
Yule for me is like New Year’s Eve, Christmas, and Thanksgiving together. It’s a time of letting go of the past year, declare hopes for the new one, and celebrate b/c the winter is over. Spring is coming. So, write down things you’d like to see less of in yourself and literally throw it in the garbage far from home. Bring thing you want to be I your like closer. Have an extra piece of whatever brings joy to your life. Magic is in the intent. Whatever you do, it will be what you need.
Let all of what you’s want to do play out in your mind. Get up early and watch the sun rise. The same sun rise that will be aligned at Stonehenge. Stir your coffee or tea in a clockwise motion 12 times for each month of the year that is closing. Keep the connection to the earth by taking deliberate care of yourself. Write down things you want to leave behind on a piece of paper and either use it as kindling for your fireplace or just throw it away far from your home. Magic is in the intent, not the motions. The motions are there to remind us that it is the intent of what we do that matter most. You may have to get creative, but you are not the first witch in a non-open home. We will be here as you need us.
Tumblr. Pure effervescent enrichment. Old internet energy. Home of the Reblogs. All the art you never knew you needed. All the fandoms you c
A Deep Room Cleanse
The state of my room is extremely important to me. It’s a direct reflection of my mental health, so when it’s messy, my energy levels are low and I just feel yucky. There’s no way I’m getting any kind of work done, magical or mundane. When it feels good and clean to be in, it’s a lot easier to deal with my symptoms and be productive. You don’t have to do every step every time of course, but each step has helped me so I figured a list like this might help someone.
Change the lighting. Use natural sources of light (like pulling back the curtains and letting the sun in) over artificial ones. If you have salt lamps to turn on, those are still very nice. If you need artificial light to keep it from being too dark, try to prioritize light bulbs you like the color of, and ones that don’t whistle quietly when they’re on.
Change the airflow. Open a window, if you can. Often our rooms feel yucky because the air is stale. Get some fresh air moving. If it’s too cold, it’s okay to only keep it open for a few minutes or put on a coat while you work because you’re stubborn like me.
Change the sound. Put on your favorite cleansing music. Let it soak into the room. I tend to go or ambient spa stuff, or playlists that sound built for a rainy day. (Note: the music that helps you cleanse the best may not be the same as what you like the most. The playlist should keep you focused/uplifted while you work and reflect the vibes you want your room to have.)
Change the smell. Take out the trash, maybe refresh the sheets on your bed. Light a scented candle, some incense, heat up some oil, something to make your room smell distinctly different from the mucky-feeling room from before. (If your method of choice is something short like a room spray, I actually like doing it at the very end.)
Actually clean and organize. Nothing junks up the energy of a room more quicker than actual junk. Organize everything as much as you can (this might mean finally gutting your closet, even if you can close the door and hide it.) Wipe down any surfaces that need it, get everything fresh and functional again. Do some laundry while you work. If you have clothes or trinkets that are just collecting dust, extra points for purging them!
Cleanse any sacred spaces by themselves. A lot of us have altars or shrines in our rooms. A sacred space can also be just an extra important area of your room, like a reading nook. Make sure to give them extra attention! You don’t need to wipe the board energetically (and probably shouldn’t), but taking a little extra time to clean surfaces, straighten up, and make sure everything feels okay on them goes a long way.
Cleanse in your regular way. Bust out the herb bundles, the bells, the ribbons, the broom, whatever you usually do to cleanse a space! The room is SUPER primed for it now, most of the negative energy probably already feels removed if not broken down. A good once-over with your favorite cleansing method should finish it off nicely.
Refresh any wards or protections. Self explanatory. If you maintain energy borders in your room, now is a good time to check in on them and zhoosh them if needed. Keep the space clean for longer!
Practice self-care. Take a shower, a nap, eat some food, whatever you need. You’ve put in a lot of work and you deserve it.
Poem for Herbs
Basil in the garden grows brings money and luck into your own Witches drink it before flight and take off swift into the night
Peppermint in the garden grows reminds the mind of what it knows Can purify, can illness heal, may bring sleep in full appeal
Lavender in the garden grows, allows energy to lay low Brings a witch to sleep and calm and protects the home from outside harm
Pepper in the garden grows little flakes that itch your nose Cast out spirits, cast out strangers, aggressively repels most dangers
Sage in the garden grows, cleansing hearth and cleansing home Repels strange spirits but take heed it does pretty much smell like weed
Bay in the garden grows a tree of leaves through wind does blow Cast your wish, let it burn through your inner power is restored anew
The Dragon Book of Essex Grimorium Synomosia Dracotaos
Suggested Reading
Basics of Banishing Basic Warding Fundamentals of Energy Work The Energetic Senses The Path of Least Resistance What is Witchcraft? (A massive article that has everything a babe of a witch could want to know)
What is Binding?
Binding is an action that extends well beyond spirit work. Binding is the act of connecting two or more objects, spirits, people, or concepts energetically with spellwork. This spell is typically one that creates a limitation of some kind. This, however, isn't always the case. When a spell connects two things, it is technically a binding. The most common types of binding are ones that bind spirits to objects, or bind people from certain behaviors. A lot of naive practitioners perform bindings as “love” spells, when all binding spells often lack consent on at least one side of it. Blood magic is also binding magic. It binds the working to the practitioner who supplied the blood. It is a relatively common misconception that blood amplifies spellwork. Anything that creates a connection is a binding.
Suggested Reading
Path of Least Resistance Anchors Fundamentals of Energy Work Energetic Senses Conceptualization Vs. Visualization Spell Design Why Grey?
Introduction
Regardless of the type of working, all spellwork follows the same basic principles. These principles, when thoroughly understood, can be used to increase the effectiveness of a spell. While knowing and applying this concept isn’t necessary, it can be greatly beneficial. Since it is the basic underlying property of spell design, all spellwork will utilize it regardless.
{Note: STEM concepts are not necessary for magical practices, but using them can be invaluable.}
[Title]: Taglocks: How to Target a Person or Place
Related to Taglocks
Threshold Theory Binding Basics Introduction to Gnosis Energy Work Fundamentals Anchors Energetic Constructs Spell Logs Path of Least Resistance Blood Magic Spellcasting Basics
Introduction
A taglock stands as a fundamental element of spellcasting, bridging the material world with the energies, places, and people practitioners seek to influence. A taglock is, at its core, a tangible object that establishes a direct link to a specific target. This object serves as a conduit through which energy can be directed, manipulated, or harnessed in various spellwork and ritualistic practices.
The term "taglock" itself is derived from the concept of 'tagging' or marking something with a specific identifier, and 'lock,' which implies securing or anchoring a connection. Thus, a taglock effectively anchors the essence or energy of a person, place, or thing to the practitioner’s ritualistic focus. This tangible item could be something inherently connected to the target, such as a personal belonging or a biological sample, thereby ensuring that the magical workings are precise and targeted.
Ritual Gestation and Birth: A relatively low-spoons method (at least I think so) of creating powerful* servitors, enchantments, etc
*Powerful as compared to other techniques that work worse.
A common spellcasting method is to immediately deploy the spell once the casting is complete. In fact, deployment is often a part of the casting ritual in and of itself.
A different option is to keep the spell vessel in a state of magical gestation over a period of days or weeks, so that it slowly matures, gains strength, and solidifies, until it's born into this world, ushered by your hands.
This method is opposed to one where huge amounts of energy need to be raised at once. It's not a technique I'm able to manage in a sustainable way, and I find the results to be a little too... jittery.
If you are a witch who must not, or may not, raise lots of energy at once, this technique may be more manageable. It involves supervising a pot of spell, a bit like a simmering pot of stew, but overall I find it to be less of a draining process. Perhaps other people will find the same.
I believe that creating a magical seed (or embryo, if you like), and tying it to a physical object - such as a candle, crystal, piece of jewelry, charm bag, poppet, and so on - is in and of itself a powerful act of magic. This is why a candle can be enchanted, immediately burned, and still result in miraculous effects.
However, I also believe that giving the seed time to magically gestate can produce deeply powerful, effective, and long-lasting (or perhaps better to say, permanent) results. This isn't the same as completing a casting and letting the enchantment sit until you're ready to use it - it's an active process of nurturing.
Instead of immediately sending a spell to go out and work, sending it to a gestation phase is an easy change. If our spellcasting methodologies are anything alike, all you've got to do (in crude terms) is to swap out your targeting/release portion of the spell with an introduction to the magical womb, or egg, or embryonic sack, (&etc), within which the spell will grow and gain strength.
Examples:
If you direct energy as you raise it, instead of chanting, focusing, writing, or affirming that the spell goes to the target as you raise the energy, instead C/F/W/A that the spell goes into the gestational vessel.
If you gather energy and imprint/program it before you deploy it, send it to the gestational vessel instead of the target.
If you fully enchant a spell vessel (such as enchanting a candle, or creating a poppet), after the spellcasting is complete, instruct the new spell to rest and grow strong within the gestational vessel, until it's time to be fully born.
After the spell is cast, and you have magically moved the spell into its gestation phase, the spell components should be placed securely within the gestational vessel and tended to until they're ready to be born.
The "gestational vessel" is a physical object - in Traditional Witchcraft, this is most suitably the cauldron. But the gestational vessel only needs to meet a few qualifications, regardless of its ability to make campfire stews:
The gestational vessel must have a secure lid, even a makeshift lid, which blocks out the light.
It must be large enough to completely hold the physical components of the spell which it gestates.
It must be able to be stored without disruption, where no unqualified persons may accidentally remove the lid or disturb it.
Additionally:
Moving the vessel doesn't seem to typically disrupt what's growing inside. It can be taken down from a shelf, etc.; as long as the lid isn't opened without due cause.
I do not personally consecrate gestational vessels to that special purpose. I tend to use multi-use vessel which I'll use for other things later.
When the spell is inside of the magical egg (tired of saying gestation), it becomes your job to tend to it by providing energy. This can take many forms, and is an intuitive process.
Feeding the spell can be done in any manner which you usually recharge objects, or provide offerings to spirits. The line is blurred here, I think.
Feed the spell more of what you fed it in order to create it; that is, more of the same energy you raised, more of the same emotion you spent, and so on.
If preferred, feed the spell food, candle, and incense offerings. A general offering of "white light," or another creative energy, also does well here.
Intuition may advise that different foods are wanted by the spell at different times. Do with that as you please.
Those able to "tune in" to the energies of their spells and environment may find it to be very easy to keep track of the embryonic spell's hunger. Otherwise, follow a simple schedule.
I usually do not find that spells need to be fed every day, and when they require feeding, I do not find that they respond to huge amounts of energy or offerings.
Feeding about every three days is a safer bet for me.
I notice that an excess of provided energy just seems to pool up and go to waste.
A feeding may be as simple as placing a bit of your dinner next to the gestation vessel along with an offering charm, or if you're able to, lighting a single tea light.
Persons interested in psychism may have an excellent time noting the energetic change in the spell as the gestation develops.
The lid may be carefully opened to peek inside, especially if normally helpful intuition fails without peeking in; but treat the vessel gently, as if a tiny embryonic baby chicken is inside. Be quiet and gentle, and avoid disrupting the lid unless you really need to.
Ahead of time, before you even cast the spell, you should have decided how long you're going to gestate it for. Three days, or a full moon cycle, or dark to full moon, are a good bet; so is one week if you're doing a planetary thing. I find that even a shorter gestation period provides delightful results compared to doing none at all.
Intuition may advise that the spell is ready to be born early, or would like to stay a little longer.
If intuition is not your ally in these matters, follow the schedule you've set. All will be well.
The appointed time has arrived - the spell is to be born! (Celestial enthusiasts may be wise the the idea of birthing their spell at a special hour, day, or election).
Frankly, popping off the vessel lid, saying, "your time of rest is done, you are now at full power, go now and begin your duties" will perfectly suffice.
But better can be achieved.
If possible, consider employing a birthing ritual. Here are ideas, in no particular order:
Symbols of a gateway or passageway are very good, even something as simple as two stones or two candles to mark a 'gate'.
Using an actual doorway, especially moving from indoors to outdoors (or vice-versa, depending on the nature of your spell).
Using a hag stone to represent pulling the spell from the faerie world into our physical one; the reverse process of how such a stone is often employed.
Using a family tradition, or religious or cultural tradition, to celebrate the birth of a new baby; even if this tradition is only symbolically simulated through key points ("I am the grandpa of this family, and as the grandpa, I announce the new baby's name!")
Doing something celebratory and evocative, like that Lion King scene where Rafiki holds up baby Simba, etc.
In general, the spell should be removed from the gestation pot in a ritualistic way, glistening with the gravity of ushering new life into this world.
The spell may be carefully taken from the vessel and passed through a doorway or liminal space; symbolically drawn through a hag stone or other physically impassable space; held up to greet the first light of the day, or the light of a certain moon phase; be passed over a fire; or any number of ritualistic acts to denote movement into a new phase of life.
At this time, you should magically assert that the spell is born, and ready to do its task.
Of course, you do more. And in these matters, I find that more is better.
A christening ceremony, or a baptism, is most excellently employed to further empower this new life to be a living being in our world, capable of great influence and change - as we all imagine our children will be.
A bit of anointing oil, a touch of holy water, a formal naming ceremony ("I name you, My Paycheck is Cleared. Your name is My Paycheck is Cleared."), whatever you like - especially include a small gift to the spell (perhaps a few coins to set it on the right path in life), or - I suppose this post has gotten long enough. You can perhaps imagine what more could be done.
When all is said and done, employ the spell; light it if it's a candle, whisper things to it if it's a poppet, hang it up if it's supposed to be hung up, and so on.
Do mind that such things, having being born into this world and given real life, do not tend to quit it so quickly as only bornless energies that are diffused just as they were raised; like waves, forming and dissipating.
Things with birthdays and names and birthday presents and baptisms and godparents tend to feel as if this world is theirs, too.
I am generally not very much of a "be careful" sort of poster, but for this sort of technique, I'd recommend being careful. It really does work fantastically, and that's the problem.
Feed the spell with your blood at the moment of conception, and at the moment of birth, for something extra delightful.
I did forget to mention that all of this works even if the spell has no physical components.
"[If the head of a household wishes to have a domovyk] he bakes 9 breads before St. George day (the 23th of April/the 6th of May by new style) without using salt, places them around himself at night at the crossroads, and calls devils (did'ky) to share the bread. We shall note that salt is a universally apotropaic substance that protects the living from the harming power of demonic entities. Salt was used in burial rites, but, on the other hand, absent from the memorial dinner. The question presents itself: why is salt a taboo in one instance, and a necessity in another? And why does a Boyko hodovanets' [a Domovyk/household spirit] dislike it so much? Perhaps because he is associated with the unclean powers in general (as salt was used for protection against it). It is more likely, however, that the origin of this motif is to be found in the ideas about afterlife, connected to the cult of ancestors, and, more particularly, about the inverted nature of the chthonic world (all that is good in "this" world is evil and inconvenient in "that" one)." - N. Vojtovych, Folk Demonology of the Boyko Region
I LOVE your post on ritual gestation and birth, thank you so much for sharing it! It was initially brought to my attention by @aesethewitch as something very useful to consider with a crockpot recipe commission, and I agree that it would be so cool to apply this to kitchen witchcraft involving my slow-cooker, things that marinate, pickling things, fermenting things, etc. But I wondered if there were any potential hazards I should consider when it comes to going full hamster and eating your own spell-baby after it's born? It almost felt vaguely wrong in a very funny-to-me way, not that it would necessarily stop me from doing it.
We are in reference to this post
going full hamster and eating your own spell-baby after it's born
Sentence of the year award 😂
I'm not articulate enough to explain myself how I want to, but my answer is no: I do not believe that there is any special taboo about eating spells which you have manifested through an enlivening ritual.
I do like a spell that's a bit creepy, and if it's sort of creepy to think that you've just baptized your pickled carrots and named the Devil as their godmother, and now you're eating them in a weirdly quasi-cannibalistic way, then all the better, I say. Even better if you fed it your blood because that's extra cannibalistic.
This is my blood-fed Devil goddaughter pickled carrot baby named Merciful Rest and I'm going to eat her with a nice Chianti.
If doing a human-baby-centric ritual is a little too weird, though, there are many options. All of them weird.
You could envision the crockpot recipe, when born, as being the first part in its life cycle; you must eat it to complete its destiny.
The spell-baby is surely a life, but what manner of life is it? If you like to garden, friend, consider the lifespan of the annual vegetable. You seeded a tomato plant, celebrated when it sprouted, tended to it with love, then ate its fruit and watched it wither and die. Maybe pulled it out by the root early for the compost pile so the garden beds could be mulched for winter.
So the plant angle I think is a decent one; it's not that weird to bring life into the world just to consume it.
Hmm. I have nothing left to say. I dunno if this was helpful. I hope it was!
Eat your spells. It's shockingly effective. Feed spells to other people, too. Just maybe not if it's got your blood in it.
Ritual Gestation and Birth: A relatively low-spoons method (at least I think so) of creating powerful* servitors, enchantments, etc
*Powerful as compared to other techniques that work worse.
A common spellcasting method is to immediately deploy the spell once the casting is complete. In fact, deployment is often a part of the casting ritual in and of itself.
A different option is to keep the spell vessel in a state of magical gestation over a period of days or weeks, so that it slowly matures, gains strength, and solidifies, until it's born into this world, ushered by your hands.
This method is opposed to one where huge amounts of energy need to be raised at once. It's not a technique I'm able to manage in a sustainable way, and I find the results to be a little too... jittery.
If you are a witch who must not, or may not, raise lots of energy at once, this technique may be more manageable. It involves supervising a pot of spell, a bit like a simmering pot of stew, but overall I find it to be less of a draining process. Perhaps other people will find the same.
I believe that creating a magical seed (or embryo, if you like), and tying it to a physical object - such as a candle, crystal, piece of jewelry, charm bag, poppet, and so on - is in and of itself a powerful act of magic. This is why a candle can be enchanted, immediately burned, and still result in miraculous effects.
However, I also believe that giving the seed time to magically gestate can produce deeply powerful, effective, and long-lasting (or perhaps better to say, permanent) results. This isn't the same as completing a casting and letting the enchantment sit until you're ready to use it - it's an active process of nurturing.
Instead of immediately sending a spell to go out and work, sending it to a gestation phase is an easy change. If our spellcasting methodologies are anything alike, all you've got to do (in crude terms) is to swap out your targeting/release portion of the spell with an introduction to the magical womb, or egg, or embryonic sack, (&etc), within which the spell will grow and gain strength.
Examples:
If you direct energy as you raise it, instead of chanting, focusing, writing, or affirming that the spell goes to the target as you raise the energy, instead C/F/W/A that the spell goes into the gestational vessel.
If you gather energy and imprint/program it before you deploy it, send it to the gestational vessel instead of the target.
If you fully enchant a spell vessel (such as enchanting a candle, or creating a poppet), after the spellcasting is complete, instruct the new spell to rest and grow strong within the gestational vessel, until it's time to be fully born.
After the spell is cast, and you have magically moved the spell into its gestation phase, the spell components should be placed securely within the gestational vessel and tended to until they're ready to be born.
The "gestational vessel" is a physical object - in Traditional Witchcraft, this is most suitably the cauldron. But the gestational vessel only needs to meet a few qualifications, regardless of its ability to make campfire stews:
The gestational vessel must have a secure lid, even a makeshift lid, which blocks out the light.
It must be large enough to completely hold the physical components of the spell which it gestates.
It must be able to be stored without disruption, where no unqualified persons may accidentally remove the lid or disturb it.
Additionally:
Moving the vessel doesn't seem to typically disrupt what's growing inside. It can be taken down from a shelf, etc.; as long as the lid isn't opened without due cause.
I do not personally consecrate gestational vessels to that special purpose. I tend to use multi-use vessel which I'll use for other things later.
When the spell is inside of the magical egg (tired of saying gestation), it becomes your job to tend to it by providing energy. This can take many forms, and is an intuitive process.
Feeding the spell can be done in any manner which you usually recharge objects, or provide offerings to spirits. The line is blurred here, I think.
Feed the spell more of what you fed it in order to create it; that is, more of the same energy you raised, more of the same emotion you spent, and so on.
If preferred, feed the spell food, candle, and incense offerings. A general offering of "white light," or another creative energy, also does well here.
Intuition may advise that different foods are wanted by the spell at different times. Do with that as you please.
Those able to "tune in" to the energies of their spells and environment may find it to be very easy to keep track of the embryonic spell's hunger. Otherwise, follow a simple schedule.
I usually do not find that spells need to be fed every day, and when they require feeding, I do not find that they respond to huge amounts of energy or offerings.
Feeding about every three days is a safer bet for me.
I notice that an excess of provided energy just seems to pool up and go to waste.
A feeding may be as simple as placing a bit of your dinner next to the gestation vessel along with an offering charm, or if you're able to, lighting a single tea light.
Persons interested in psychism may have an excellent time noting the energetic change in the spell as the gestation develops.
The lid may be carefully opened to peek inside, especially if normally helpful intuition fails without peeking in; but treat the vessel gently, as if a tiny embryonic baby chicken is inside. Be quiet and gentle, and avoid disrupting the lid unless you really need to.
Ahead of time, before you even cast the spell, you should have decided how long you're going to gestate it for. Three days, or a full moon cycle, or dark to full moon, are a good bet; so is one week if you're doing a planetary thing. I find that even a shorter gestation period provides delightful results compared to doing none at all.
Intuition may advise that the spell is ready to be born early, or would like to stay a little longer.
If intuition is not your ally in these matters, follow the schedule you've set. All will be well.
The appointed time has arrived - the spell is to be born! (Celestial enthusiasts may be wise the the idea of birthing their spell at a special hour, day, or election).
Frankly, popping off the vessel lid, saying, "your time of rest is done, you are now at full power, go now and begin your duties" will perfectly suffice.
But better can be achieved.
If possible, consider employing a birthing ritual. Here are ideas, in no particular order:
Symbols of a gateway or passageway are very good, even something as simple as two stones or two candles to mark a 'gate'.
Using an actual doorway, especially moving from indoors to outdoors (or vice-versa, depending on the nature of your spell).
Using a hag stone to represent pulling the spell from the faerie world into our physical one; the reverse process of how such a stone is often employed.
Using a family tradition, or religious or cultural tradition, to celebrate the birth of a new baby; even if this tradition is only symbolically simulated through key points ("I am the grandpa of this family, and as the grandpa, I announce the new baby's name!")
Doing something celebratory and evocative, like that Lion King scene where Rafiki holds up baby Simba, etc.
In general, the spell should be removed from the gestation pot in a ritualistic way, glistening with the gravity of ushering new life into this world.
The spell may be carefully taken from the vessel and passed through a doorway or liminal space; symbolically drawn through a hag stone or other physically impassable space; held up to greet the first light of the day, or the light of a certain moon phase; be passed over a fire; or any number of ritualistic acts to denote movement into a new phase of life.
At this time, you should magically assert that the spell is born, and ready to do its task.
Of course, you do more. And in these matters, I find that more is better.
A christening ceremony, or a baptism, is most excellently employed to further empower this new life to be a living being in our world, capable of great influence and change - as we all imagine our children will be.
A bit of anointing oil, a touch of holy water, a formal naming ceremony ("I name you, My Paycheck is Cleared. Your name is My Paycheck is Cleared."), whatever you like - especially include a small gift to the spell (perhaps a few coins to set it on the right path in life), or - I suppose this post has gotten long enough. You can perhaps imagine what more could be done.
When all is said and done, employ the spell; light it if it's a candle, whisper things to it if it's a poppet, hang it up if it's supposed to be hung up, and so on.
Do mind that such things, having being born into this world and given real life, do not tend to quit it so quickly as only bornless energies that are diffused just as they were raised; like waves, forming and dissipating.
Things with birthdays and names and birthday presents and baptisms and godparents tend to feel as if this world is theirs, too.
I am generally not very much of a "be careful" sort of poster, but for this sort of technique, I'd recommend being careful. It really does work fantastically, and that's the problem.
Feed the spell with your blood at the moment of conception, and at the moment of birth, for something extra delightful.
I did forget to mention that all of this works even if the spell has no physical components.
💀 Samhain Ritual: Dumb Suppers 💀
Blessed Samhain and Happy Halloween!
If you are planning a feast tonight, here’s an idea for a ritual to honor your ancestors and dead loved ones…
What is a “Dumb Supper”?
As Samhain is the night when the veil between our world and the spirit world is at its most fragile, you might call upon your ancestors and dead relatives to share one last feast with you. The menu is up to you, but you might want to use traditional Samhain recipes such as pumpkin soups, dishes with fall vegetables, and desserts using apples - or you could try baking soul cakes!
Preparing the ritual
Start by casting a circle around your dining area. This is an important step, to ensure that you are not inviting in malevolent spirits.
“Dumb” is a synonym for mute or silent, as the supper must be entirely taken in silence. Set the table with a black cloth, black plates, and cutlery, black napkins. Use candles as your only source of light - black if you can get them. Set a place at the table for each guest, and reserve the head of the table for the place of the spirits.
Rules for a successful ritual
Cast a protective circle around the dining area
Turn off the lights, phones or television
Eat the entire meal in silence
Reserve the head of the table for the spirits you want to invite
The meal should be spent reflecting on the dead
Once everyone is seated, silently bless the meal
No one may start eating until everyone is served, including the spirits
Finishing the ritual
Once everyone is done eating, the guests should silently exit the room by walking in front of the head of the table and whispering “Goodbye” to the spirits. The food left on the spirit’s plate should be buried in your garden, ideally under a tree, or composted. Make sure to thank the spirits for their presence before breaking the circle.
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💀 Find more information on Samhain meaning, correspondences and rituals in my Samhain masterpost here 💀
Hello there, I don't know if you accept this kind of questions, but what happens to people who go through spirit initiation and can't manage to come out to the other side?
Feel free to disregard if it's tmi.
This is such a good question, thank you Anon.
Broadly - and I know how frustrating this answer is : it depends. Spirit initiation is an impossibly complex umbrella term. Which context are we talking about here ? Where ? When ? Initiation in order to do / become / gain what ? And, perhaps more importantly : with whom - gods, ungods ?
The short and sweet answer as to what happens to someone braving the ordeals of spirit initiation would be the witty « dead, mad, or a poet ». This dramatic saying emphasizes that as human beings (and no matter whether or not your initiation is a success by your tradition’s standards) we do not come back intact from repeated contact with the spirit world. We are simply not meant to. A witch, for example, is forever marked as Other, their very soul forever changed. One could in fact argue it is the same for the priest.
A little bit of death, madness and poetry all happen all at once. I suppose whether you succeed or fail is the same, in terms of what happens to you during the process. It is the aftermath that matters, the crux and core of it all in my opinion : whether your spirits stay with you, or abandon you completely. (Which prospect you find most terrible is up to you).
Two books which helped me most particularly to make sense of what I was (am) going through, and that you might find useful for your own predicament : Between the Living and the Dead by Eva Pócs, and Shamanism : Archaic Techniques of Ecstasy by Mircea Eliade.