Hello! My name is Abby and I'm beginning the journey of embracing my magick. As I've been studying, I thought it might be useful to keep an online record of my thoughts and things I've learned and possibly connect with other witches out there!
I started out by simply googling witches. I grew up in a very Christian household and looking up things like paganism, witches, etc, was strongly discouraged. But I left that world a couple years ago. I was curious, because I had been watching things like Buffy the Vampire Slayer and the Chilling Adventures of Sabrina and wondering what real witches were like.
What started out as the pursuit of simple knowledge became the pursuit of "Is this the path for me?" I realized that I had already been incorporating some magick into my life and I might already be on my witch path without even knowing it.
I started researching on the internet and soon realized that information was sparse and a little confusing. I finally found some witchy podcasts (Between the Worlds, Seeking Witchcraft, Witch, Yes!, and Fat Feminist Witch are some of my favorites) that helped point me in a direction. I also recently bought a tarot deck and Witchery by Juliet Diaz, which are also informing my study right now.
I am now studying one tarot card each day and reading my book, along with listening to podcasts. I'm falling in love with tarot, but am still unsure about everything else. I'm a biology major, so I like to have evidence for things and I'm still trying to figure out how runes, crystals, spells, etc, fit into my belief system. I am, however, very in to psychology (possibly because I was recently diagnosed as autistic and ADHD) and I think there's a little bit of a soft science side to all of this. I'm trying to keep myself open, because I really feel connected to the magickal world.
I'm also trying to be very mindful about appropriating other cultures and want to be very respectful towards marginalized groups. So if you see any mistakes from me, please let me know!
Anyway, hello witches! Idk if I am officially one yet, but I'm excited to see where this path takes me.
I've been extremely afraid of dreaming lately. And I'm not just afraid of bad dreams, I'm afraid of any dreams. I've had a lot of anxiety about dreams in the past, because I often have hyper realistic dreams that I struggle to wake up from. I also struggle with derealization when I'm awake.
I'm planning to talk to my therapist about this, because it's gotten so bad lately. However, I'm also hoping there's some sort of witchy thing I could do to help. I love the idea of dreamcatchers, but I know those are heavily appropriated. I'm going to do more research and see if there's something similar out there that is not appropriated or maybe buy an authentic one? I'd really like to make my own, but I want to do it right.
I'm also going to start keeping a dream journal and see if that helps. I'll update if I find anything helpful!
I kept a dream journal for a while, but I was really bad at it.
Then I had a friend suggest keeping an amethyst or smoky quartz by my bed. I tried that for a while, but I wasn't really feeling it. I find I don't have a super strong connection with crystals.
Finally I decided to go with my intuition and research about dreamcatchers a bit. I realized there is a very specific way of making them and I'd have to go deeper into the culture or find a Native American to make one. I did, however, learn about Witch's Webs from @breelandwalker! Witch's Webs can be made for anything with anything. Here's one of her posts explaining a bit.
So basically I made a witch web. I placed an amethyst in the middle and wrapped a string in patterns on a hoop and around the amethyst. And I meditated on all my goals for a good sleep and good dreams. Then I hung it up next to my bed.
I've had this for about a few months now and I'd say it's working! I keep a tracker of what kind of dreams I have and if I remember them at all they are usually very casual, slightly bizarre dreams. Very few stressful ones and I never feel like I'm stuck in the dream. It definitely helps when I use techniques that resonate with me in a spell.
I haven't posted on here in SO LONG. I think my hyperfixation with magic went away for a bit. I'm still practicing, but not nearly as fervently as a few months ago.
I want to start posting again. I'm not sure about what yet, though. Learning about the zodiac was fun, but obviously didn't keep my interest. I may do some posts about the seasons, because I got this fantastic book called Maia Toll's Wild Wisdom Companion and it talks about symbolism with the seasons. Or I may post about tarot some more, because I still use my cards every day.
I'll just see where the wind takes me! Happy Autism Acceptance Month!!!
I love the idea of spell jars. And I have yet to make one! Melting wax, filling it with meaningful things, a long term way to remember the spell. There are so many aspects that resonate with me. So for Imbolc I want to do some spring cleaning. I'm going to thoroughly clean each main room of my house and do a spell jar that corresponds to each room. It involves candle magic to welcome the sun and it can be a kind of decoration!
Do any of you have experience with spell jars? What have you found most effective?
Book Review (Fiction): Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo
I finally finished it! This is not officially a "witchy" book, but it has witchy stuff in it. I'm honestly starting to suspect the author is a witch. It's a really great story that deals with ghosts, magic, and ritual. And the most interesting part is that a lot of it is based on real life.
The book is set on Yale campus and the plot revolves around the secret societies of Yale, namely "the Ancient Eight." The "Ninth House" is Lethe, which as far as I know is fictional. The Ancient Eight, however, are real and the author was a part of one of them when she went to Yale! No one really knows what the societies do, but in the book they practice different types of magic. It makes me wonder if the societies really do practice a bit of magic, since the author was a part of one of them and would probably have some insider knowledge.
Apart from the fun of speculating on conspiracy theories surrounding Yale, the characters are really well written and it's a great mystery that keeps you guessing. Plus magic abounds, both fantastical and real world based. I'm tempted to go through the book again and research every detail to see just how much of it is factual. The story itself is fictional, of course, and explores some really important issues, such as academia's role in society, misogyny, classism, etc. The audiobook is excellent, but the physical book has a map of the campus that may be helpful to some.
More of you guys should stop lurking and start posting your own witchcraft content. I just started posting what I was learning for fun and now I'm here. I want to see more content around than just the remnants of people who left years ago and the same 5 creators I like who don't know I exist. The ratio of creator to lurker feels all off now. I want witchblr to be lively again.
👋 Hello... I just started practicing last November-ish. I don't post as much as I'd like to, but I'm still pretty active on here. I wish more new witches would post what they're learning with me! I know it's scary posting as a newbie, but I try to make it clear in my posts that I have no authority and I'm just sharing my thoughts.
Imagine if witchblr became a welcoming place to just simply share. A mini online coven. I've seen a bit already, but more would be magical!
Duality: Masculine or outer-directed and strong through action
Triplicity/Element: Air
Quadruplicity/Quality: Mutable
Ruling planet: Mercury
Symbol: The Twins
Body part: Lungs
Color: Yellow
Tarot: The Lovers (and the Magician)
Archetype: The Messenger
As I learn more about the zodiac, I'm starting to really understand the dualities, triplicities, and quadruplicities of all the signs. These three groupings are always the perfect combination to describe each zodiac. Which makes a lot of sense, obviously, but coming into this I thought all the correspondences were just randomly assigned. They really aren't, though. I love this quote from Joanna Martine Woolfolk,
"One could say that each astrological sign is a miniature Book of Knowledge, and all twelve put together give a picture of human beings, our bodies, minds, and emotions, and of the surrounding world in which we live."
Gemini is outer-directed, flexible, and airy, creating the stereotypes I've heard most commonly about them. I'm actually a Gemini rising, which makes a lot of sense, because when I think about the people I wanted to be like as I grew up, I would always look at their most Gemini traits. Their charm, their easy going attitude, their cleverness. So it makes sense that this is the kind of person I try to present to people. The word that I felt encapsulates Gemini is "curiosity." Their curiosity can make them flighty and restless, but it also makes them innovative and great conversationalists.
For my study I primarily used The Only Astrology Book You’ll Ever Need by Joanna Martine Woolfolk, Witchipedia, and the podcast Accessible Astrology. I used Pinterest to find artwork that spoke to me. I am not an authority on astrology, just sharing my thoughts.
I am a witch who's trying to get back into witchcraft after an immense amount of burn out. The burn out wasn't due to the witchcraft, it was due to things piling on my brain in general. What sort of things do you suggest to ease myself back into it? If you don't have an answer that's okay, just thought to ask
I've been dealing with this myself and I actually just made a video on it that I really like not too long ago, so I think I can help you!
How to Come Back to the Craft After Burn Out (+ A Guide to doing Witchcraft with Low Spoons)
I was burnt out in general and because of the craft, particularly because of the way I was filtering my personal practice through social media. I realized a lot of my burnout was tied to pushing myself, and shame. I feel like maybe this is common. This is a mix of both personal and witchy advice, and I may be projecting, but I think you have to focus first and foremost on not rushing back in and getting overwhelmed by adding a bunch of stuff to your routine at once and trying to do everything right or perfect. A good practice or routine is sustainable, not perfect. Perfect is the enemy of good, and also the enemy of done. I've had to focus on this a lot recently.
With this in mind, you might be wondering where you should even begin when it comes to actually practicing again. Remember to go slow. I’d suggest thinking about what you were doing and interested in before and start practicing and researching whatever sounds the most fun when you’re ready. You could also go over any notes you had about your practice before, if you had a blog or something look at that, etc. You get the idea! It will help you remember and might inspire you. If you really enjoyed tarot for example, you could do that when you feel inspired to. Starting slow is important. if you want go slower you could just do whatever practices you were doing before, or like now, whenever you feel like it. You could also try working witchcraft into your routine. Routine is hard for a lot of people but it doesn’t have to be intense. It can just be adding one thing. That’s all it needs to be. It could be something you do once a month, once a week, when you wake up, after you brush your teeth, only some days or whatever you think will make you feel the best.
Of course I don’t know anything about your practice but to inspire you and others, here’s some ways you can easily introduce magic into your life.
Daily divination
A tarot card every morning is what I like to do but you could use any kind of divination you like!
Meditation
Meditate for a few minutes every morning/evening. Even 2 minutes makes a difference. Also, despite popular belief meditation does not have to be emptying your mind.
Dream interpretation
Interpret or just journal about your dreams! Honestly journaling in general I think is great for witches.
Witchy items of the day
Pick out some items to carry on you for the day. This could be crystals or herbs you want the properties of, a hag stone, or other items with properties you want to draw to you or use in your practice.
Intention in drinks & food!
If you have coffee or tea every morning or day you can stir intention into it. Clockwise for things you want in, counterclockwise for things you want to banish. Or that’s the typical belief/way people suggest doing it. You can also stir sigils into it or add items to your drinks/food with or by intention.
Enchanting personal care
Another way you can bring magic in your everyday life is enchanting personal care products. I’d do this for added layers of warding but you could get super creative with this and do whatever intention you like.
Sigils sigils sigils
Sigils are fun to make. You can use them for a ton of other things on this list. Stir them into your drinks. Draw a sigil on your skin using lotion. Write them on your walls for warding. Sigils, sigils, ... sigils!
Spritz cleansing
If you have a hard time cleansing or not a lot of energy right now when you DO have energy you can put together a mixture for cleansing using a spritz bottle and then you have it done and ready to go ahead of time for many cleansing sessions. Beware of herbs and things you add if you have any allergies/pets. Actually just research any plants you handle anyway.
Layering your wards
If you’re struggling with burn out right now you probably don’t have a lot of energy so this is a tip I like for when this happens and just the long term overall. Always add small layers using different methods to your personal and spacial wards. An example of this I love is some of the above, carrying an item with strong protective properties or writing sigils on the bottom of your shoes/sewing them into your clothes/etc are some other ideas I love. Customize as needed! Be creative!
Basically just think of things you do everyday and try to make it witchy! Or think of practices you want to do more, like maybe cleansing, and figure out how to make it easier.
Also I did mention research. I think in addition to picking a practice to try again or add to your routine, picking a topic to research that sparks interest may help too. Here are some ideas for that!
Today I tried using a pendulum. And I was pleasantly surprised how well it worked!
A couple months ago I bought a pendulum kit at Barnes and Noble. It was extremely discounted, because the pendulum inside had broke. So I took it home, superglued the pieces of (possibly) amethyst together delicately, and forgot about it until now. Honestly, I only bought it, because it was so cheap. I was very skeptical that something so simple could work.
This morning I took it out and read the little guidebook. I cleansed and charged the pendulum a bit and grounded myself. I did some testing, asking easy questions, and it was actually quite accurate! I can't remember where I heard/read this, but there's a theory that it works because your subconscious sends minuscule movements into your hand. I love that concept and could actually feel my heart beating in my hand while I held it. It felt like my body and my subconscious were sending energy down the chain to the pendulum.
I'm excited to test it out a little more. I also think this is such an easy, relatively cheap way to try your hand at divination and/or energy work.
Duality: Feminine or self contained and strong through inner reserves
Triplicity/Element: Earth
Quadruplicity/Quality: Fixed
Ruling Planet: Venus
Symbol: The Bull
Body part: Neck and throat
Color: Several places say different things. I'm going to say green.
Tarot: The Hierophant
Archetype: The Sensualist
Taurus is an interesting balance of strong and dependable mixed with luxury and sensuality, which demonstrated perfectly in its tarot card. The Hierophant and Taurus are both constant forces, but are open to creativity and sensitivity. I've always heard Taurus described as being stubborn, but I think it's more that they like their creature comforts. They are down to earth and enjoy peace. Change is very hard for them. The Only Astrology Book You'll Ever Need puts it best "Like a bull quietly grazing in a pasture, you're not looking to challenge anyone, but it would be a fatal mistake for anyone to challenge you."
For my study I primarily used The Only Astrology Book You’ll Ever Need by Joanna Martine Woolfolk, Witchipedia, and the podcast Accessible Astrology. I used Pinterest to find artwork that spoke to me. I am not an authority on astrology, just sharing my thoughts.
It's been a while since I posted and I have to admit it's winter's fault. All I want to do is curl up inside a billion blankets and watch Gilmore Girls. I wanted to share something that has been very helpful to me in the last week or so.
I got this idea from a witchy calendar I bought. I wanted to do something to set my intentions for the year, besides just writing things down. So, on the night of the full moon, I grabbed a taper candle, did some cleansing with my bell, and started carving the wax with a pin. I chose a light green candle, because I felt like it represented growth and enlightenment. I carved symbols that represented my goals and intentions for the year. Since then I've lit that candle every morning during my meditation.
It's been so simple, but helps remind me of the important things and centers my day around my year. I'm hoping I can keep this up for the whole year! And if the candle runs out, I'll make a new one.
Duality: Masculine or outer-directed and strong through action
Triplicity/Element: Fire
Quadruplicity/Quality: Cardinal
Ruling Planet: Mars
Symbol: The Ram
Body part: Head
Color: Red
Tarot: The Emperor
Archetype: The Warrior
The thing that stuck out to me about Aries was the word "action." They're always moving and they are not someone to wait around for something to happen. I can see this rooted in the groups they are in: masculine, fire, and cardinal. Their duality is masculine or outer-directed and strong through action. Their triplicity is fire which is literally always moving and when it really gets going it's incredibly hard to stop. And their quadruplicity, cardinal, is all about initiating or starting things. I don't think I know any Ariens personally, but I can see some characters that remind me of Aries. It's very fitting that Aries is the one that begins the zodiac, because they seem to have enough energy to get the wheel moving.
This is my first post about the zodiac signs! For my study I primarily used The Only Astrology Book You'll Ever Need by Joanna Martine Woolfolk, Witchipedia, and the podcast Accessible Astrology. I used Pinterest to find artwork that spoke to me. I am not an authority on astrology, just sharing my thoughts.
P.S. If you have an astrology podcast that goes over the basics of each zodiac sign, please let me know! I'm having a hard time finding a good one. The Astrology Podcast was getting way too deep for beginner me, haha.
My therapist had me do an interesting exercise for the last couple weeks. She wanted me to figure out and define all the parts of myself, i.e. my inner child, my highest self, etc. She recommended this book to learn more about this concept.
I was having a hard time coming up with parts out of thin air. So I decided to use the major arcana! I pulled the cards that I felt like I really connected with and I decided what part of me they represented and why. It was an incredible exercise and I really felt like it helped me to figure myself out just a little more.
I won't share what I decided each card represented, because that's very personal. Here is a picture of all the cards together.
I've really loved learning about pagan/witchy traditions for this time of year. I haven't really incorporated a lot of them into my practice yet, but I've been keeping them in mind as I go throughout the season.
A lot of the things I already do every holiday season have gained more meaning. I have a different mindset about a lot of it too, which has been interesting. I've been lighting more candles to honor the sun. I've been focusing on nature in my decor with reindeer and tree figurines and an evergreen wreath. I got a tree topper that looks a little more like a sun than a star. And I've been enjoying the winter outdoors more than usual while collecting pine cones and needles.
Something that has been very helpful for me has been focusing on the sun. I have seasonal affective disorder and the holidays are always a little gloomy for me. That's why my posts have been somewhat lacking lately. But thoughts of new beginnings, the sun returning, reminiscing on good memories, and shedding away bad memories have kept me going over the past couple months. I'm being kind to myself, hoping to start the new year on the right foot.
I also did a tarot reading about what the new year will bring me. The card that represented 2023 was the Sun! So I'm very excited to see what the new year brings.
Thanks for reading :) Have a magical solstice and new year!
Quotes: "We shall not cease from exploration, And the end of all our exploring, Will be to arrive where we started." T.S.Eliot; "Love is the outreach of self toward completion." Ralph W. Sockman; "The greatness of a community is most accurately measured by the compassionate actions of its members." Coretta Scott King; "One touch of nature makes the whole world kin." William Shakespeare
Symbols: The figure is looking back toward the past while walking toward the future. The two wands are a reference back to the Magician, the beginning of the Fool's Journey. The circular wreath symbolizes the completion of a cycle and the beginning of a new one. The person stepping through the wreath echoes that. The four Zodiac figures in the corners are a call back to the Wheel of Fortune, emphasizing the cycles of life. They also represent the four elements and are guides, bringing balance and harmony, through life.
The World is the last card in the major arcana, symbolizing a completion and culmination of all the things we have learned. It's not only a celebration of accomplishment, but a reminder that endings are also beginnings. What makes this card different from the Wheel of Fortune or the Sun, is that it's symbol of everything being connected and working together. Many moving parts brought me to this moment and this card reminds me of all the ecosystems in my life.
When I saw the card on the left the biologist inside me rejoiced and suddenly this card made so much sense. Our world biome is made up of many different ecosystems, all connected in an intricate web. Scientists acknowledge that there are certainly connections out there that we have no idea about. Even our body is an ecosystem, with every part affecting the other. It makes sense that our minds would be similar. And I believe there may possibly be a spiritual ecosystem.
The point is the World card reminds us of the intricate webs of our lives and other lives. Our actions have consequences and our environment affects us. This card reminds me of the people in my life who have shaped who I am and who support me. It reminds me that I'm part of a community and I can help shape that community. The World asks me to play my part in taking care of the earth, because even though I'm a very small piece, I affect all the other pieces of the puzzle. The World brings an awareness to my own personal world and reminds me to drink water, take personal time, and surround myself in love, but it also brings an awareness to a world beyond myself. And finally the World represents the big picture, zooming out to see everything and taking that into account when I make choices.
As part of my study, I use the Tarot Card Meanings Workbook by Brigit Esselmont, biddytarotcard.com, brainyquotes.com (I use the card’s keywords to search for quotes that speak to me), Pinterest to look at other artistic interpretations, and Between the Worlds podcast.
Quotes: "Rain symbolizes darkness, but also represents an essential part of rebirth." Sabrina Claudio; "It's exhilarating to be alive in a time of awakening consciousness; it can also be confusing, disorienting, and painful." Adrienne Rich; "The key to growth is the introduction of higher dimensions of consciousness into our awareness." Lao Tzu
Symbols: People rise from their graves symbolizing resurrection. They look up at the angel, ready to receive their judgement. The angel is the Archangel Gabriel, the Messenger of God. He blows on his trumpet signaling that it's time for rebirth and judgement. The mountains symbolize unbeatable challenges and the inevitability of judgement.
It's been a while since I've posted and it's honestly because of this card. I still don't think I understand it fully. What really helped me was looking at other artistic interpretations and in particular the card on the left. The Rider-Waite version has too much to do with Christianity and not enough symbolism. The Oriens Tarot version is absolutely stunning, though. It pictures a cicada, offering up its old exoskeleton to the heavens. Famously, cicadas stay in the ground as babies for years, the longest being 17 years. Then they emerge, molt for the final time, and are finally adults, ready to fly into the world (and mate). The Judgment card often comes at the end of a long and arduous growth period. It comes as a signal to shed my old self and listen to the call of my higher self. It may come at a time where there is a big decision looming. I need to listen to a balance of intellect and intuition, of conscious and subconscious, and reach for a higher knowledge to make my decision. It's time to awaken and become new again. I may need to sacrifice something in order to do this. Just like the cicada on the card I offer up my old self, my old decisions and habits, in order to become a better version of myself.
The title of Judgement is really what kept confusing me about this card, I think. Judgement seems so negative and scary. What it's trying to mean is it's time to judge or evaluate ourselves in order to move onto the next step. It refers to the time of Judgement Day or the Last Judgement, when a decision is made on whether we can go to heaven (or hell). It has a finality to it and it puts the decision in someone else's hands, which I don't like. I don't want this card to imply that someone else is deciding my destiny or that any judgement about me is "final". I want to keep growing and awakening throughout my life and perhaps even after death. I believe there will always be second, third, and a million chances to get things "right," because after I emerge from my old exoskeleton, I will be new and ready to learn and experience even more. If I could redo the tarot cards, I would rename this card something like Rebirth or Awakening. If the name Judgement speaks to you, though, that's completely okay. But I, personally, need a different name to understand it fully.
As part of my study, I use the Tarot Card Meanings Workbook by Brigit Esselmont, biddytarotcard.com, brainyquotes.com (I use the card’s keywords to search for quotes that speak to me), Pinterest to look at other artistic interpretations, and Between the Worlds podcast.
Quotes: "Before the reward there must be labor. You plant before you harvest. You sow in tears, before you reap joy." Ralph Ransom; "I'm happy to report that my inner child is ageless." James Broughton; "When love and skill work together, expect a masterpiece." John Ruskin; "Today you are you! That is truer than true! There is no one alive who is you-er than you!" Dr. Seuss
Symbols:
I love the sun. It has been a motif throughout my life. I love sunflowers, feeling the sun on my skin, its positivity, the constant nature of it. I was so excited to get to this card and it was everything I was hoping for. This card is about reaching my truest, highest self. The Star finds my core, the Moon embraces my wildness, and finally the Sun is loud and proud. I've gone through all the struggles, all the learning, and now I can tap into the essence of the Fool with all the experience to back me up. It brings out my inner child, but with wisdom behind it. I am free from any obstacles that hindered me, because nothing can stop the Sun. Even when it's night in one part of the world, it's day in another. The Sun is the best and brightest. I might get this card if I've had a success or success is coming. It may come to remind me to look on the world with joy and positivity. Maybe I'm coming to end of a long struggle and it's time to celebrate. I may need to be better at spreading light and encouraging growth. There could be someone in my life that needs caring for, like the Sun cares for all life. And finally, the Sun might be telling me that everything is good right now and I'm all set to enjoy the moment.
As part of my study, I use the Tarot Card Meanings Workbook by Brigit Esselmont, biddytarotcard.com, brainyquotes.com (I use the card’s keywords to search for quotes that speak to me), Pinterest to look at other artistic interpretations, and Between the Worlds podcast.
