Memories can be a blessing- or a curse

[yourwitchmama]

Tips for the Dark Half of the Year

Winter is coming quickly. A lot of people see this time of year as bleak, depressing, or just boring. Here are some tips to stay attuned to nature during these months.

❄️ Go outside. Even if it’s cold, the trees are bare, and the only colors are muted and dull. We often think that summer is the only time to enjoy the outdoors—the only time to hike, meditate outside, etc. In winter, there are no lush green trees or balmy days filled with sunshine and the smell of flowers. While summer is intoxicating, winter is a time to contemplate and reflect. Go outside. Feel the cold. Feel the mud and the dead grass and the chilly wind. Listen to how quiet it is. Understand that the dark half of the year is a time of silence, stillness, and death. It’s natural to have an aversion to these things, but take some time to sit down and just listen. Breathe. Feel the reality of silence and death around you. It’s a sobering experience, but also a very insightful one. If you have any fear of death or quiet, now is the time to go sit with those things as they appear in nature and just meditate with them.

❄️ Eat cozy foods. It’s cold outside—warm up with hearty soups, stews, homemade bread, and root veggies. Warm spices and hot drinks will keep you feeling grounded. This is a wonderful time of year to practice kitchen witchcraft—focus on coziness, family, protection, and rest.

❄️ Study magic! The Dark Half of the year is devoted to self-reflection, rest, and contemplation. Snuggle up indoors with a fluffy blanket and devote some time to studying magic and witchcraft with a hot cup of magically-brewed tea.

❄️ Think spirits are sleeping along with all the greenery? Think again! The Dark Half of the year, in many cultures and spiritual traditions, is considered extremely spiritually active. Deities like Odin, Berchta, Hekate, and spirits such as elves and ghosts are very active this time of year. You can choose to honor them if you want, or practice various spirit-working techniques. If you’re into necromancy or divination, this is a wonderful time of year for those things.

❄️ Be kind to local wildlife by installing things like bird feeders outside your home. We modern humans may have an easy time of it in winter, but animals struggle to survive during these months. Any bit of kindness will be much appreciated.

❄️ Nurture your fire energy. During winter, it’s easy to internalize the cold and take on its characteristics—sluggishness, sleepiness, a foggy-headed feeling. Some crystals that are great for winter include golden rutilated quartz (aka Venus hair), citrine, carnelian, obsidian, and garnet. All of these crystals contain a strong fire element as well as offer grounding qualities, mental clarity, and protection.

❄️ Go out and forage for magical ingredients! Melted snow is extremely purifying and can be incorporated into spells for purification and cleansing. Icicles can serve as temporary wands, especially in spells that require a strong water element. The ash from bonfires (or hearth fires) can be used to make black salt. Fallen branches can be crafted into wands. There may be nothing growing this time of year, but you can get creative and still find magical ingredients in unexpected places. Just be respectful and don’t collect from places where it’s illegal!

This is by no means a comprehensive list—these are just some ways I’ve celebrated the colder months. I hope they’re helpful in any way!

[beclectic-witch-moved]

How would you dispose your love spell wax if there’s snow on the ground .. any alternative ways to dispose it ?

I’m afraid I’ve never disposed of love spell wax before so I’m not sure what that involves, and I definitely don’t have much experience with snow (I live in Southern California and our winters don’t really drop below 60°F)… Can anyone help this anon out? ❄️

[teawitch]

Okay, my useful witchy advice. Spell materials can be safely disposed of at a crossroads. Convenience stores, such as 7-11, are often located at intersections (aka crossroads) and have trash cans. I find this a useful way to dispose of things that can’t be returned to nature. 

Modern candles are often made of paraffin and are probably best not disposed of in nature. Beeswax and soy candles would of course be an exception.  

[ei-len]

That is an amazing suggestion holy shit.  My town has a major intersection where 3 out of the 4 corners are occupied by convenience stores. It’s a block and a half away from my work and also enough in the middle of town that I at least pass within a block of it pretty much any time I go anywhere. This is an entirely convenient place to go for crossroads-disposal if and when I need such a thing and my materials to be disposed of are not appropriately biodegradable to just chuck in a gutter any ol’ place. Plus 7-11 coffee & taquitos is one of my trashy-pleasure things.  Also nobody looks twice at someone pulling a bag of random whatever out of their car and tossing it in a convenience-store garbage. And convenience stores always have a little bit of that liminal-space vibe to ‘em, crossroads location or no.

[fairieshavefeatheredwings]

Yule Tea

Yule time is almost here, and as your friendly neighborhood tea witch, I’m going to give you my Yuletide tea! This tea is nice because you’ve got a lot of options, as I know not everyone has every ingredient. What you will be making is basically a ginger chai tea, but you can substitute the white tea base with a hibiscus base, or a rosemary base. Let’s go!

Yields: 1 mug

Ingredients:

½ tsp cinnamon

¼ tsp cloves

1 tsp ginger

¼ tsp nutmeg

White tea bag/ hibiscus tea bag/ 3tsp rosemary.

1 cup water

OPTIONAL: Topaz/clear quartz/rose quartz/stone of your choice.

OPTIONAL: sigil on piece of paper

Directions:

Boil water, and add ingredients. Stir clockwise to welcome in the new beginnings. Place sigil under cup, and a paper plate or other cover over the mug. Place stone on top of cover and let the tea steel for 4-5 minutes. If you want an extra kick, place in sunlight, or brew with snow water.

Enjoy!!

[la-petitefille-deactivated20210]

Easy Winter Witch Tips 🌬✨❄️

With Winter quickly arriving, there is a certain spark in the air that only seems to come during the holiday season. For us Witches, this spark can be incredibly inspiring for a certain sort of magic, one which involves the twinkling promise of a new state of mind… One that holds inspiration in the coming of the newest year, one that beckons us; an empty canvas within a blanket of fresh snow. Alas, sometimes things can become busy around this time, and it is during this period in which many of us must practice our magic in the easiest ways possible. Here are some simple tips for doing just that! ~

♡ When you are outside in the cold, breathe out deeply and visualize your visible breath as negativity being exhaled from your system.

♡ While wearing gloves or mittens, rub your hands together to manifest a warm (both physically and emotionally!) sort of energy, letting this energy be your driving force. Each time you feel unsure or stressed, just use this technique, and imagine it as a positive, invisible encouragement being “sparked” to life.

♡ Carry with you a special little positivity pouch, one that invokes the wisdom brought with Winter. It can be as simple (a tiny plastic bag with a small crystal and a note of encouragement), or as elaborate (a small velvet satchel filled with pine needles and gold ribbon) as you wish. remember, all that really matters is your intent, and the energy you build while creating your on-the-go charm bag!

♡ Gather fallen nature that you come across while out and about. Pinecones, fallen sticks, and even collected snow can be the little objects you place within your home to easily bring the season into your indoor life.

♡ Give yourself a “boost” by anointing your winter wardrobe with seasonal oils - rubbing a little peppermint or cinnamon essential oil on your boots, scarves, or a special piece of jewelry to promote a happy and lucky state of mind can be quick and effective!

♡ Be inspired by your surroundings. View the fresh snow as a fresh start. Rejoice in the positive essence that the holidays bring out in others (or, if everybody is seeming stressed, *be* that cheer to bring others to life). Think of all that you have accomplished this year, and be proud of yourself for making it. 😌♡

[msoekov]

Witch’s Circle / Nõiaring

Acrylics on canvas

[the-white-necromancer-deactivat]

Be Prepared: Spell Storage

Among one of the most important things for a practitioner to learn is to prepare and store spells in advance. And as such find a manner of storage that suits them. Prepared spells are useful for having large complicated ritual castings or magics which cost a lot of energy ready to go in advance. This prevents the practitioner from needing to tote around a large amount of supplies when traveling or from becoming exhausted in a witch war. So I have been studying a number of possible methods for this over the past couple of days. These are the results which I think may be of use to others.

1. Spell String- Good old knot magic. Using a string as the culmination of the ritual and the knot to seal it within you can store any number of complicated ceremonial magics within. Or as the culmination of casting a spell you do the same thing. Now here is the thing that most people aren’t aware of. You don’t have to untie the knot to cast the spell. Instead you touch the knot, and focus on it as the spell trigger to cast. The trick is leaving the spell in the knot long enough for the magic to become attuned to the knot. This creates something called a spell matrix and once in place the knot does not have to be retied. Instead after the magic is used you recharge the knot with energy and it’s ready again. The knot and thus the matrix hold the programming of the spell, allowing it to be cast over and over without the preparation. These spell strings can be used to make bracelets and necklaces, to hang pendents around your neck, be wrapped around the exterior of bracers, etc.

2. The Wizard’s Cane- If you require a can to help you walk, then this may be the method for you. It simply requires a wood cane with numerous knots in it. These knots can be used as spell nodules similar to the matrix mentioned above. However the spells and rituals need not be added during the creation and as long as you are relatively proficient in energy manipulation you can program the magic into the knots. These magics can then be unleashed with a spell trigger while seemingly using a normal cane.

3. The Elemental Amulet- This sometimes requires spirit work in order to maintain. You want to convince a spirit that you are friendly with (usually a gnome) to either imbue a piece of stone jewelry with the ability to store spells or to inhabit the stone as a familiar. With the second option the item must be treated as a fetish, Both these options will allow the practitioner to have a extra number of spells available to them which will not exhaust their personal energy. A artificer spirit can help create an similar item but with greatly increased power and complexity without placing itself within.

Other options include tattoos as previously mentioned, rune stones and ogham fews, leather strips, spellslips (ink magic), talismans, etc.

[themori-witch]

Regain & Maintain Your Self-Control (Spell)

A little bit of magick created for @jesycastarr.

Before I get started on the magicky hoo-hah, I’m just going to write you a thing: you can address self-control (or a lack thereof) by performing grounding.

Grounding Visualisations ✧ Grounding/Meditation Chant ✧ Grounding ✧ Grounding Techniques

Onward; to the magick!

This magick will come in the form of a talisman, as talismans can be concealed as everyday items, such as jewellery - discreet and easily carried.

You Will Need:

The item you wish to enchant and carry; a piece of jewellery you wear regularly would be a very good idea.

Black Salt - this is normal salt, mixed with the ashes of this sigil after it has been drawn on paper and burned.  **(Salt is cleansing, and can be used to charge your talisman, and it is imbued with the control-giving power of the sigil, which is activated upon burning.)

A Rhodonite crystal. **(A crystal associated with stability, self-control, calm, and growth.)

Pen & Paper - for the sigil.

A way to burn the sigil - however you choose to do this, be careful. Safety first.

A fireproof dish/bowl.

What To Do:

Firstly, draw your sigil onto the paper and hold it in your hands for a little while. As you do this, focus on that which you wish to gain - in this case, focus on self-control; focus on gaining the ability to rein in your impulsiveness. 

Burn your sigil, this activates it.

Wait for the ashes of the sigil to cool, and then mix them into the salt. You can use table salt, sea salt or rock salt - any salt, really will work just as well. The salt will probably turn a bit of a strange colour - this is normal.

In a small dish/bowl place your Black Salt, your soon-to-be-talisman and your Rhodonite crystal. This will charge the object and imbue it with the energy of the crystal. 

To bolster the effectiveness of this talisman, leave it to charge under the Moon for 3 nights.

**Optional step: Each morning of the talisman’s charging process, speak or think these words as you stand before it:  “Within this object my control is lain, bestow unto my being that which shall be mine; control over body, over action, over mind. Et sic factum est, et semper erit.”

When you feel the talisman’s effects begin to wane, and it will, you need only perform this same ritual again.

[paganormal]

On the Fae

Okay, so I’ve noticed a lot of misinformation and misunderstandings about the Fae.  What they are, what the Courts are, etc.  I’m writing this out to provide some guidance based on my experience with them.

So, to start, I’ll give you my definition of what makes a Fae, well… Fae.  So to me the Fae are defined as a non-human entity with human cunning that has never been human, but was not created with the purpose of serving a god (Otherkin are a whole other beast, which I don’t want to discuss in this post). Pretty general, no?  That’s on purpose, and though it isn’t perfect, it’s the best definition I’ve come up with to date.  It excludes things like vampires, which I would never consider Fae.  However, it troublingly includes werecreatures, which with some exceptions I don’t consider Fae.  

In my experience, Fae can include things like the Yōkai in Japanese mythology. This is based on meeting the definition stated above.  However, this does not give me or any other person license to interact with beings that belong to closed cultures.  Just because it meets the definition, does not mean people should run willy-nilly about, interacting or interfering with beings that generally tend to not wish to interact with those who are not a part of their culture.

Courts and Manners

Moving on to the Courts. Firstly, there are more than the Seelie and Unseelie Courts.  There are Winter and Summer, Night and Day Courts, as well as numerous others.  I’m sure you’ve noticed a trend.  The Fae like to set themselves as opposites, and they tend to be quite territorial.  I have noticed that the Fae tend not to only have one version of the Courts.  There are small Courts scattered across territory, much like how human history had scattered kingdoms all through history.  However, I should add that speaking about the Courts only includes trooping Fae.  There are solitary Fae as well.  

Good and evil.  I’ve seen this one a lot on Tumblr, especially in regards to Seelie and Unseelie Fae.  Unseelie are not evil.  Seelie are not good. Morality is a bit of a grey zone among the Fae, and you must remember just because they do not have the same moral code as you, that does not make them evil.  Interacting with any spirit under the assumption that they are going to be ‘good’ or ‘evil’ is extremely dangerous.  The Courts tend to attract Fae of certain temperaments and behaviours.

Now, let’s talk about species and appearances.  I’ve found it’s a pretty common misconception that the Court Fae, and Fae in general are tiny creatures no bigger than the palm of your hand.  This is definitely not the case.  Court Fae can vary in size from the size of my thumb to giant creatures. Usually these extremes in sizes tend not to be the rulers of the Court, but they do tend to be things like Knights. Most rulers of Courts that I’ve encountered tend to be approximately human size.  However, this does not mean they look human.  And I’m not saying ‘oh, they’re unearthly and beautiful.’  I’ve seen Fae that vary greatly; from the stunningly beautiful, to the strange, to the grotesque, to monstrous.  They’re incredibly varied creatures, and though they fall under an umbrella term I think it would be a mistake to assume they’re homogenous.

Values

Because I mostly see questions regarding Unseelie and Seelie Court Fae, below is what I’ve seen in regards to what they value:

Unseelie tend to value bloodsport, sacrifice, chaos, and the like.  Generally, they tend to be more welcoming of outsiders.  I should add that Unseelie tends to refer to the fact that they dwell under the hills.  

Seelie tend towards a rigid sense of honor and dishonor, superiority to humanity, and have a strong sense of justice.  They are less welcoming of outsiders.  They spend most of their time above ground.

It should be noted that both of these Courts have participated in Tithes, where a mortal is sacrificed to appease those more powerful than the Fae.  

Offerings and Bargains

Speaking of which, let’s discuss offerings and what working with them is like.  There’s a lot of things you can do to attract Fae. I recommend you tread carefully, especially if you are working in places like North America and are contacting European Fae or the like.  Not that you cannot work with them, but you need to have a basic understanding of the land.  In fact, I would say this goes for anywhere that experienced aggressive colonization. Make sure you make offerings or do things to appease the local spirits that have been there first.  Try planting native things to your area, or offering them local foods. They can turn on you if you create an influx of invaders, and create extra chaos in your life.  The Fae can be pretty open to interacting with mortals, but they’re very keen on bargaining. Be very specific on what you want out of a relationship and deal, and don’t immediately accept any offer they provide, otherwise you may end up getting the short end of the stick.  They tend to expect you to work hard to please them, but they will always keep up their end of a deal.  I also recommend erring on the side of extreme politeness, as no one wants to have an angry Faerie lurking around their house creating chaos.  As for offerings and such, I would look to whatever was typically offered to them in the past, or to simply ask them once you’ve struck a bargain.  As spiritual partners and companions, they can be extremely demanding, and want you to work hard and quickly.  When you first begin working with them, they will treat it like a business transaction. Overtime, as they get to know you, they may choose to befriend you, and you will develop a relationship over time. Be patient, and remember although they aren’t human, you have to earn friendship the same way you would with a person.

[tortusyapper11333-deactivated20]

Tea has always been potions, and y'all fucking know it.

[emeraldlotusdivination-deactiva]

Tarot Spread – Mindful Consumption

“Too many people spend money they haven’t earned, to buy things they don’t want, to impress people they don’t like.” – Will Rogers

I wanted to create a tarot spread that will aid you in asking yourself important questions about what you’re purchasing… especially in time for the holiday season!

[vividemeraldwitchcraft]

has a bath: witchcraft

drinks tea: witchcraft

looks at the moon: witchcraft

lights a candle: Wi t c h CR a FT

[orriculum]

Hazy Memory Spell 🌾

a spell to blur a harmful or unpleasant memory, to make it easier to bare.

🌾 gather: rosemary, bay leaf, a mirror, a sealant and brush.

🌾 contemplate on the memory that is painful, burn the herbs and crush them.

🌾 charge the mirror with the memory. cool the herbs. 

🌾 paint the ash with the sealant, such as clear nail polish, over the mirror.

🌾 coat and layer until you cannot see your reflection in it. 

[chai-tea-phone-tree]

Love the faerie with thorns for teeth and eyes dark as wine. They’ll do their best not to prick that pretty neck when they kiss it.

[deactivated-blog]

Hello dear, do you know any spells to make a break up easier on both parties? Or just any break up spells in general?

Hey there! I know quite a few, given my ex and I broke up at the end of June after 7 years, so I had a few saved from back then. Since it sounds like you are already going to break up, and are looking just to ease it and make it easier and help with healing on both ends, I will start with those first. I may include some general break-up spells at the end too.

A Simple Spell  to Help Heal the Heart

A Venus Ritual for Moving on from a Broken Heart

Anti-Curse Break Up Healing Spell

Blue - A Spell to Regain Confidence after Ending a Relationship

Broken Heart Bath

Broken Heart Healing Tea

Broken Hearted Jar

Charm To Ease a Broken Heart

Clean Break Spell

Fill The Cracks with Gold - A Remedy for Heartbreak

Forgetting that Ex Spell

Fuck You I Am a Goddamn Witch and Don’t Have to Tolerate This Bullshit

Heal Thy Heart Powder

Healing a Broken Heart Spell

Healing Heart Spell

Healing Hearts Spell

“I am able to move on” Sigil

“I heal quickly from the pain of break ups” Sigil 1

“I heal quickly from the pain of break ups” Sigil 2

“I move on from unsuccessful relationships with ease” Sigil 1

“I move on from unsuccessful relationships with ease” Sigil 2 

“I move on from unsuccessful relationships with ease” Sigil 3

“Know Who You Are” Spell Jar

Love Banishing Spell

Mend a Broken Heart Spell

Mend The Heart Spell

“Now Its Gone” Spell

Paper Charm to Heal Another’s Heart

Positive Send Off Spell

Selkie Spell to Heal Heartbreak

Shake Out Your Devils - To Remove Burdens of the Heart

Spell for a “Clean Break”

Spell for Emotional Healing and Moving Forward

Spell to Heal a Broken Heart

Spell to Let Go/Heal

Throw Away The Key - A Spell to Banish Grief

To Heal a Broken Heart

Suffering Healing Spell 

War & Roses - Emotional Release

Without You - Spell for the Broken Hearted

Words of Love

General break up spells/moving on spells:

Break it Off

Break Up and Protection Spell

Break Up Spell

Break Up Spell

Get the Balls to Break Up Spell

Severing the Red String of Fate

Spell to Break Up a Couple

Traditional Lemon Break Up Spell

Hopefully that helps! Best of luck to you both.

[the-real-stevie-nicks]

For this Halloween how about we do it the old fashioned way and dress up as monsters so DEMONS AND SPIRITS DONT TAKE OUR SOULS, put milk out for the cat síth so that he won’t harm you and maybe give you a blessing, give thanks to our ancestors, give thanks for our well being and the harvest, dance around a fire, fly, make brown bread, hold a seance, don’t go into the woods at night because you know SPIRITS AND DEMONS AND FAE, eat sweets, make apple cake, have some bairín breac, PLAY THE GAME WHERE YOU BAKE THE RING N SHIT INTO THE BAIRÍN BREAC AND SEE WHO GETS IT IN ORDER TO TELL THEIR FORTUNE BUT ACTUALLY USE A REAL FUCKING RING AND NOT THAT PLASTIC BULLSHIT, tell fortunes, dance in the moonlight, get ready for the darker part of the year, eat sweets, and get pished. SAMHAIN SAMHAIN SAMHAIN SAMHAIN SAMHAIN SAMHAIN SAMHAIN

[o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0]

[trippingpixies-deactivated20200]

Holidays: Mabon!

Since Mabon is coming up soon, I figured I’d make a beginners approach to the holidays starting with the closest. I, myself, have not celebrated it before being so new to Wicca/witchcraft, however, I’m excited for what is to come.

Firstly, the holiday usually falls around September 21st to the 23rd. It comes with the Autumnal Equinox. This year it falls on Thursday, September 21st through the 29th. It is a time to reap and harvest the seeds you have sown during the last year (figuratively and literally). It is time to finish old business and ready ourselves for a time of rest, relaxation, and reflection. It is a time of balance and mysteries. It is also a time when it’s perfectly okay to wear your most extravagant clothes and celebrate as lavishly as you wish. (I personally plan on dressing up, staying home, and cooking some good food). 

The symbolism: Second Harvest, the Mysteries, Equality and Balance

Symbols of Mabon: wine, gourds, pine cones, acorns, grains, corn, apples, pomegranates, vines such as ivy, dried seems, and horns of plenty

Herbs of Mabon: acorns, benzoin, ferns, grains, honeysuckle, marigold, milkweed, myrrh, passionflower, rose, sage, solomon’s seal, tobacco, thistle, and vegetables

Foods of Mabon: breads, nuts, apples, pomegranates, and vegetables such as carrots and onions

Incense of Mabon: Autumn blend-benzoin, myrrh, and sage

Colors of Mabon: red, orange, russet, maroon, brown, and gold

Stones of Mabon: sapphire, lapis lazuli, and yellow agates

Activities of Mabon: making wine, gathering dried herbs, plants, seeds and see pods, walking in the woods, scattering offerings in harvested fields, offering libations to trees, adorning burial sites with leaves, acorns, and pine cones to honor those who have passed

Spell working of Mabon: protection, prosperity, security, and self-confidence, also those of harmony and balance

Dieties of Mabon: Goddesses- Madron, Morgan, Epona, Persephone, Pamona and the Muses; Gods- Mabon, Thoth, Thor, Hermes, and The Green Man

And there you go! All the essential info about Mabon. Go forth and celebrate! Feel free to tell me how you plan on celebrating/if you’re celebrating.