two idiots attempting witchcraft

The blog of two best friends trying their hand at witchcraft. All opinions on magic, spells, and deities are those of the blogrunners, and are not intended to be taken as fact by other practitioners. Curse-friendly blog.

[twobestfriendscraft]

As I was walking home this afternoon, hefting in my arms a pumpkin that weighed about as much as a small child, I got to thinking about my relationship with the runes and with Odin.

Carissa's tarot deck is notoriously sassy while my rune set is like a disappointed father who wants you to do better than you are.  I feel like they're always pushing me to do better, to do more.  In this way, I see parallels in my relationship with Odin.  I go to him for strength and guidance and protection during my travels.

If I'm being honest, I'm very bad at keeping up a relationship with a God.  I attempted Christianity as a young person and found it not for me, then drifted into agnostic theism and now am edging my way into paganism.  But with Odin I really want to try.  I wear a certain necklace on certain days when I want to keep him close, or to remind me of his strength.  Carissa finds him intimidating, but I don't, which is fair.  I wouldn't deal with Loki if you paid me, but her relationship with him is going strong.

With the runes, I feel more connected to Odin.  I feel like I'm not just interacting with the runes as a set of divination tools or as a set of spirits (more on that later if I keep getting these feelings), but I feel like I'm interacting with Odin on a level that I haven't reached with meditation or any other form of connection.  And I'm happy that I'm starting to find avenues into accessing my relationship with Odin a bit easier.

- Steen

[twobestfriendscraft]

two posts in one day?

madness.

But I figured I'd post about a spell I did today, one I found in Cottage Witchery by Ellen Dugan. I remember seeing the book recommended a few months ago now, and Steen picked the book up, though we hadn't done much with it yet.

Flipping through it yesterday, I found a protection sort of blessing for what Dugan refers to as the "heart of the home". It seemed much like your general kicking out of negative nonsense and setting it up as... well, a more positive space. Steen and I had done a protective sort of enchantment when we first moved in to our new apartment - with help from Ulric - but I figured a bit of a booster shot was in order.

I rather liked Dugan's spell. She went with a four-elements approach, requiring salt, a candle flame, water, and incense smoke, and using each to anoint the room-corners of what you deemed the "heart of the home". I used this more as a guide. Steen and I happened to have some storm-water we caught, so I used that as the water bit. The incense I didn't have, so I substituted with the candle I had. And since this was a protection spell, I figured Thor would be a good God to call on for assistance, so I ended up using his candle, and used its smoke instead. Instead of salt, I used a salt mixture, throwing in some generally protective herbs that I had on hand (ie rosemary and sage).

etc etc a few cycles around the apartment and one helpful heaping of visualization later, the apartment feels all neat and warm even if it is autumn.

- Carissa 

[twobestfriendscraft]

The other day I realized something.

I have a lot of devotional jewelry.

It's something that struck me rather naturally when I first started on this path. I was raised in a Catholic home, and though Catholicism never connected with me, I always felt almost there when I wore a cross. Something about it sat right with me (though not quite). So after I skirted around the idea of paganism (of the Norse variety), and eventually said "fuck it" and dove in face-first, I felt the need for something to wear.

The first piece was the Kenaz rune pendant in the bottom picture. I had done some introductory research into the runes and felt a sort of "yes that's it" kind of feeling with Kenaz. I took to wearing it around every day - I felt strange without it, and to this day I feel strange if I'm not wearing at least one of the above pieces. Offerings in general always made me nervous when I started. Again, coming from a Catholic background that never connected with me, I couldn't wrap my head around the idea of just talking to the Gods in a manner that wasn't a prewritten prayer, or showing my devotion in such a literal/physical way.

That's where the jewelry came in. As I reached out to Gods (Thor and Loki in particular - if the Mjolnirs weren't a total giveaway), I found myself stumbling upon jewelry that reminded me of them. A stone that made me think of storm clouds, a fox in the urnes style. Even the ram's head ring, which I had already owned but hadn't worn much, suddenly seemed like something brand new, something that made me feel connected. And in the end, I realized that's what I wear them for. They could be seen as offerings of a sort, but throughout the day, they allow me to reflect upon the Gods, and what I could learn from them on that day. A day I wear a Mjolnir is a day I endeavor to be strong, a day I force back my anxieties or whatever may trouble me and "just do the thing" as Steen and I like to joke. Other days I might wear a piece for Loki - the Othala ring (also a joke of sorts, don't ask, or ask, it's actually a funny story), or maybe the fox pendant - and try to look at how I interact with others, and how I act towards myself. 

And when I realized that... well it gives me that "yes this" feeling, and that's a good feeling.

- Carissa

[twobestfriendscraft]

So.  Birds.

As I've been picking my way through my spiritual path I've felt a thing about birds.  I wrote about it in my main blog a while ago and it's interesting to go back and read it and see how my beliefs have evolved over the past 16 months.

It was not a few months after I made that post that I was followed by a crow.  That experience still unsettles me to a degree, but in the good way.

Fast forward to the now when I have an altar (haha past me haha) and am tentatively speaking to gods.  I had a dream recently where I picked up two very large and very dark feathers.  I woke up, my hand still in the position of holding the feathers (I do it in a specific way).  On my way to work I found the pure white feather pictured above.  About a week ago, I bought a bottle of mead that I had sampled at a bar and really liked.  I cracked it open and gave an offering of it to Odin, asking for guidance.

If you read the linked post, you'll know I referred to birds as guardians.  If you didn't - well I did.  The next day, I find three flawless primaries (the long tapered ones) on the way to work.  On the way home I find two more primaries and two tail feathers.  For a while I've been wondering if my affinity with birds is separate from my relationships with gods, but considering how things have been shaping up, I don't think that is the case.

I've felt the connection with birds for much much longer than I've felt connection with gods, but maybe it's because I've just started interacting with gods that I'm making the connection.

- Steen

[twobestfriendscraft]

Sorry for the rather impromptu hiatus, everyone. Life has been keeping Steen and I busy, so we haven't done much more than on-the-fly divinations for ourselves and each other. We should be able to get back into some other witchy things soon, and maybe make a post or two about some of our supplies in the meanwhile.  I will be redoing my dream charm-bags soon too, so expect a post about those in the not-too-distant future.

- Carissa

[twobestfriendscraft]

The Get-It-Together Rune Cast This is a variation on a Celtic cross layout and it has a lot to do with what is blocking a path and what one can do to overcome the obstacles and so on. I've been struggling with my art and so I did a rune cast for a little clarification. The feeling, overall, is pretty clear: stop focusing on past accomplishment and expecting them to define your future. Recent changes and chaos have impeded progress, but all storms must pass. Healing and clarity will lead to a new form of thinking. But funny story as I was selecting a rune for position 3 (occupied by hagalaz and pertaining to blockage of a goal), that same rune jumped out of my hands as I was mixing the runes. I put it back in, mixed some more and still I pulled it into the position. Much like Carissa's tarot deck, my rune set is about as subtle as a brick to the face. - Steen

[twobestfriendscraft]

Okay last post about this specific sigil - otherwise I feel like I run the risk of beating a dead horse. But here's the steps of how I got my sigil to look like my sigil. So yeah I still start very rudimentary, but then let the feeling guide the rest of it. - Steen

[twobestfriendscraft]

if you don't mind me asking, what's the process you go through when creating sigils? I was always under the impression you write out your intent, cross out any letters that double, and then create a picture with the letters you have left. If you have a different way that works better, I would really be interested in hearing about it - thanks! also nice blog!

hi! I use two different methods when making sigils. One of them is similar to the one you've mentioned. I write out my intent, as if it's already reality, for instance "I remember my dreams" or "I am passing this midterm" (that was a keeper, let me tell you). I cross out any doubles, and I also cross out the vowels, and piece together what I have into a symbol before charging.However, I also have an on-the-fly method, as it were. Sometimes I end up drawing symbols without particular intent beforehand. I'll look at it once it's done, and sometimes it just feels like a protection sigil - something rigid and sturdy looking, or a dream sigil - floaty and a bit bottomless. If so, I charge it with that intent in mind. I find the on-the-fly method has given me some really good sigils, but it's obviously a bit more unpredictable.Thanks!- Carissa

The first method Carissa describes is the one I use most often. For instance, my intent and phrase for this last sigil was, "I will get my rune set." I start out very geometric and stick close to the letters that make the phrase. But as I focus on the sigil, it becomes more abstracted and will form into something that makes me feel good!Another good thing to note, that has at least worked for me, is putting the sigil in a place relevant to what it's about. For example, receiving the package rune goes in the mailbox! I will pass my midterm rune goes on the back of said midterm when taken (A+ Carissa I think that's one of my favorites of our escapades so far). I feel like it gives the sigil a little extra oomph!Thanks for your ask!- Steen

[twobestfriendscraft]

Sigils!

As I expanded my toolkit when it comes to witchcraft, I wanted a rune set. Unfortunately, due to some very poor handling from USPS, the package containing my runes was either lost by the system or stolen.  Regardless, I reordered.

So the day before the package was supposed to come, I came up with this sigil.  I put it in my mailbox to attract the package.  Looking at it now, it's kind of like a lock and it feels very sturdy and reassuring.  Lo and behold when I come from work, the package is in my mailbox safe and sound!

- Steen

[twobestfriendscraft]

I am firstly going to apologize for the horrible cellphone photo - it was taken on the fly for my own future reference, but I figured I'd post it here too. Now, this is my most recent reading - a job reading - from my Shadowscapes deck. This deck, as Steen can attest since I've done a few readings for her, is a sassy and blunt little thing. It's my first and only deck, and I love it dearly. It also has been eerily accurate on more than one occasion. Figures it decided to be a bit coy with this reading - I was a bit stressed when I pulled the cards so that probably has something to do with it. Of course I was relieved to see plenty of what I viewed as positive cards in the reading, but the presence of the Lovers threw me a bit, hence the four cards surrounding it as clarifiers. I tend to be a bit fluid when I do readings for myself, as if I'm holding a conversation with the deck after doing a spread, pulling typically four clarifiers if I need them. For those who can't see the cards in the photo, because of the horrible quality jeez i'm really sorry : on the left, the Lovers (1) is in the middle surrounded by (clockwise) The Wheel of Fortune, Judgement, the Five of Wands, and Justice. The High Priestess (2) is on the bottom near the Five of Wands. The Sun (3) is on its diagonal-right, the Four of Cups (4) just below, and the final card on the far right is the Two of Wands (5). The spread was one I found on the internet, where card 1 is the likelihood of getting the job, 2 is what one could gain if the job is acquired, 3 is any advice for getting the job, 4 is any complications that might come up and 5 is what the company/person hiring you thinks of in this case, me. It was an interesting reading to say the least. I stared for hours picking possible explanations apart.

- Carissa

[twobestfriendscraft]

An Introduction to Ulric

This is Ulric, our resident wolf skull and protector of the house.  Back at my old place, I performed a little spell on him to act as a protector for my property, myself, and those close to me.  As such, he's become my guardian and I feel uncomfortable sleeping without him sleeping by my side.

I anointed him with the elhaz - or algiz - rune with olive oil (good for purification) and the following mixed in:  cinnamon, salt, garlic, and parsley.  I lit some white candles and focused on protection and safety as I made the oil.  I made the elhaz rune on him and then me, binding his protection to me.

So far, so good!  Though I'll be redoing it in my new place so his protection extends to this apartment.

- Steen

[twobestfriendscraft]

DIY Scrying Bowl

I got interested in divination once I started looking into things surrounding Badb.  While I saw some spells that used a scrying mirror, the idea of a scrying bowl really struck me.  I also saw that crystal balls are commonly used, but for some reason I really honed in on the bowl idea.  And I saw many for sale, but I wanted a black bowl with a gold interior.  So I set about making my own!

Black bowl (thrifted two of them for $2)

Gold paint

Mod Podge

I found a set of black bowls at my local thrift store and picked them up.  From a silkscreen project a few months ago, I had some pots of gold paint (Golden Iridescent Gold Deep Fine - this is expensive at about $35 for a sizable pot.) and used those to paint the interior.

It took a few alternating coats of watered down Mod Podge (to act as a sealant) and gold paint, but I finally got it up to a nice opaque coat.  I let the coats dry for about half an hour between applications.

Upon testing to see how water sat in them, I noticed that the water, while drying, did some weird stuff to the sealant coats I had built up. So I still need to get some actual waterproof sealant before I can call them totally done, but so far I'm really very pleased with them.  I can't wait to try my hand at this!

- Steen

[twobestfriendscraft]

pro-tip: dollar stores are great places to get candles for witchy purposes

[twobestfriendscraft]

That's probably the funniest thing I've read on the interwebs in a while. ;)

S: If nothing else, we try to be amusing in our stumblings.

[twobestfriendscraft]

I love this blog already~ :D

C: we simultaneously screamed “aww!” and “yay!” so thank you~ <3

S:

[twobestfriendscraft]

The Bay Leaf Incident

S: A simple spell that I've seen everywhere that involves taking three bay leaves and writing wishes on them.  Then at the full moon (or whenever I suppose) you burn them to facilitate their coming true.

We started the spell on Beltane and left the bay leaves out until the next full moon - May 25th.

Fast forward to then and I jump out of bed at 12.30 in the morning, remembering that I have a spell to finish.  We live in a tiny, tiny apartment in an urban center so burning something is a bit harder than usual. 

C: read, nearly impossible. Particularly since we yet to own anything resembling a cauldron or safe-to-burn equipment.

S: To circumvent any mishaps, I dampened a paper towel and put it on our stone kitchen floor and laid the bay leaves out to burn.

The first bay leaf burned pretty well and I went in to burn the second one, but the flame would not take.  I held the flame to it, trying to get the edges to take, but they wouldn't at all.  Frustrated, I grabbed one of my larger candles and lit it.  I dropped the bay leaf in and it worked.

At this point, I hear across the apartment, "Are you cursing somebody?" (burning bay leaves smell like weed oh man)

C: It was a legitimate question.

S: "No!  I'm actually doing a nice spell!  The bay leaf one!"  At this point I had gotten the third bay leaf burned up and was cleaning up my space.

C: This was when I got up from our room and headed over to the kitchenette space (essentially a few feet away) to burn my own bay leaves. Like Steen before me, I laid down the damp paper towel and then went to light the leaves.

When she says it smells like weed, it really and I mean really smells like weed. Take it from two art students. Weed.

This is where things started to spiral, as they often do. To save fuel in our lighter, I lit a taper candle instead and used that as my flame. As one could guess, wax started dripping all over the place.

And then the corner of the paper towel caught on fire. Steen dumped water on it. So now we have a soaked paper towel, a puddle filled with burned up bay leaf bits, and bright red wax bits. (I could just hear the laughter in the back of my head).

We ended up using our gas stove to light the rest of the suckers and complete the spell. But not before making an unholy mess first.

There's a lesson here somewhere. 

[twobestfriendscraft]

Introductions!

Let's get some introductions out of the way:

Idiot #1:

Steen.  I practice secular witchcraft and am in the process of possibly finding a deity to worship.  As of right now, I am leaning towards Badb/The Morrigan or Odin.  Maybe both.  But for simplicity's sake let's call me an agnostic theist for now.

I mostly do curses.  Sometimes I do a positive spell.  I dig runes as well.

And I have a spiritual connection with birds that I'm still trying to figure out.

Idiot #2:

Carissa.  I also practice secular witchcraft, with a dash of budding Heathenism that heavily leans towards everyone's favorite trickster god Loki, and more recently Thor.  I've mostly worked with dream spells, cottage witchery, and divination methods, but I wouldn't say I specialize in anything as of yet.

PSA:  We're beginners in every sense of the word.  Prepare for an onslaught of mishaps and mayhem that only witchcraft can provide.