Ruin|27|They/He/It|Norse Pagan Witch. Follower of the Norse gods, and admirer of Athena and the Morrigan. This blog is unequivocally queer and BIPOC inclusive. We don't cotton to no fash here.
It's been a minute. My spiritual practice has been in a bit of an ebb for a while. I have no doubt it'll come back swinging though - it always does.
I've had a really hard several days. I took an emergency four-hour drive down south on the last evening of April because I got word that the family cat, Butters, wasn't doing well and likely wouldn't make it.
I'm glad that I got there in time. She had to be put to sleep the very next morning. To say that we're all heartbroken would be an understatement. We loved our sweet Butters for 11 happy years.
That one day felt like an eternity, but it ended with the first thunderstorm I've seen in a long time. I remember sitting in the backyard, staring up at the clouds while I got stoned with my brother, who sat under the cover of the back patio while i sat in the grass and let the rain fall on me. Just listening to the thunder and watching for lightning. And it's not lost to me that we lost her on May Day.
In that moment I couldn't help but get the feeling that Thor was around and that we were being comforted. And for that I'm incredibly grateful. I'm glad to have the gods to lean upon, even when I haven't been super active in my practice.
A true scrying mirror is often blackened, either painted on the back with black paint, made of obsidian, or a darkened glass surface. However, any mirror can be used if dedicated properly.
To prepare your mirror:
Cleanse it with smoke, saltwater (if safe), or moonlight.
Consecrate it by stating your intention, âThis mirror is a window between worlds, a sacred tool of vision.â
Keep it wrapped in cloth when not in use, reserving it only for spiritual work.
Disclaimer: These are things Iâve learned to do through trial and error. My advice might work for you, or it might not work for you. I donât have many resources, as this is something I simply learned through working with Spirits, along with trial and error.
What is trance?
How I define and experience it, trance is going in a state where Iâm relaxed, less in control, and allow myself to become a conduit for either information, energy, or imagery; sometimes itâs two of those things at once, or even all three.
I use trance during hedge walking (astral travel), introspective spirit work, and some spell work.
In part one Iâll be discussing three forms of trance that I use, along with things I help to induce trance and aid in the process. In part two I will discuss what type of trance I like to pair with what aids, and what those combos have been useful for me for.
Also a lot of this is off the dome from just experience being a witch on the specific path I'm on, and experience with using trance for my spirit work, hedge walking, and some spell workâ so I donât have resources to cite.
Types of Trance
Ecstatic trance - This form of trance is high energy, and involves a lot of movement. The movement is usually big, and oftentimes can be symbolic.
Light Trance - This form of trance is not so high energy. It involves little movement.
Deep Trance - This form of trance requires either no movement, or very little movement depending on what you do to help achieve it.]
Note: All of these will be discussed further in part two, along with examples of each type of trance.
Trance Aids (things to aid in helping you achieve trance)
Herbs
Forewarning: When using any herbs please be mindful of your allergies, any medications youâre taking that may interact with herbs, along with any other health concerns, and the legality of herbs where you are and your ability to use them.
Herbs like mugwort and chamomile have helped me with trance.
Mugwort is an herb that has associations with second sight, visions, and clairvoyance.
While Iâm not sure if chamomile has any direct ties that are widely known with its help with visions and the like, I have used it before to help aid in the process of relaxing myself to better be âpresentâ in my trance activities and it worked very well for me.
You can make tea with chamomile, but I would not suggest making tea with mugwort. Like, you can, but the price you pay in taste is not nearly worth it.
Iâd suggest burning mugwort to get the same hard hitting effects that will help you with trance. The downside to this is mugwort does have a pungent smellâ so crack a window if that bothers you, or also if you have sensitive fire alarms.
Marijuana (18+)
Smoking a joint can be very helpful with aiding hedge walking, and trance! If youâre not used to smoking, Iâd say start off with a hit or two of a joint, and increase from there.
Oils & Ointments
Flying ointment is something I use for all of my trance activitiesâ it doesnât matter if itâs ecstatic, light, or deep. Flying ointment (or oil) is a salve that has herbs or roots thatâs properties are associated with spirit travel, clairvoyance, and spirit sight.
I wrote a post about how to make your own flying ointment, but thereâs many wonderful etsy sellers who make great ointments! Hereâs two different options at different price points: CatCaveCrafts ($10) + DeadLandsApothacary ($25).
I like to put it on with intention, and ask the plants in the oil to aid in my session.
You can rub it on your inner wrists, behind your ears, and the bottoms of your feet. I also like to anoint my spirit eye (the point in the middle of your forehead) with it, and the top of my head.
Spirit Guides
(Disregard if not applicable to your practice.)
If you have Spirits that you have relationships with, thereâs always the option to ask them to help with your sessions! Spirits can range from Deities, to animal spirits, to fae. Itâs dependent on you, who you feel comfortable asking, and sometimes the purpose of what youâre doing.
For example: If Iâm doing hedge walking and I want help not only crossing over, but being protected, I know I can ask the Ferryman (a Guide I have a relationship with) for help by simply asking him to guide the session after I put on my oils, but before I start the actual activity.
Music
I use music as a base component for all my trance activities, because it helps not only filter out the noise of my house, but it also helps my ADHD be not so distracting.
For me I like to repeat songs with heavy drums, repetitive chanting or sounds, and I usually like to go for songs in other languages because it helps me not to focus on the lyrics vs. what I'm trying to do.
A few songs I've found helpful:
Traust by Heilung // Drumming by Drums of Trinidad Tobago // Hagal by Wardruna // Fire by Oakville Choir for Children // Vibrant Night by African Tribal Orchestra // Whirling Dervish by Omar Faruk Tekbilek // Tyr by Wardruna
Depending on what sort of trance you're trying to achieve, some songs will work better than others. If you want to do a deep relaxing trance, using a song that's too energetic might not help.
Also, these songs are songs that are just examples of what I like.
I used Drumming by Drums of Trinidad & Tobago because I have relationships with deities from the African diaspora. It works well for me for that reason.
The songs are to provide an example and reference for things that can be helpful, but by no means will 100% work for you. Use songs that speak to you, your spirit, and even your spirit life.
Be okay with trial and error here!
Ideally Part 2 of this will be posted this Friday (3/18), so keep your eye out! :) I'll update in the comments of this post when it's up, and I'll also edit this post to include the link.
gather 'round, tarot-reading friends, here's a document i compiled with 36 of my most useful tarot spreads, most of which were created by me over the last 10 years of reading the cards, including paid readings! go wild and have fun, and feel free to share your experiences of using them with me đ¤
source: trust me bro, i've been doing this for years
if you don't have personal beef with christianity as a concept, i highly recommend reaching out to the angels when you need help. they are POWERFUL and EFFICIENT and i love them very much.
branch out from the usual spell methods. instead of doing a jar or a bowl spell, sit down at the lake or in the forest and make a spell strictly with thing you find around you. it's fun, it makes you think more about the different ways to use ingredients and the ingredients to your spell will interact well with the environment because they belong there, which makes it easier to infuse them with energy (in my opinion)
while online, direct your feelings (positive or negative) toward people with a few words. for example, if you see a really bad fascist politician you don't like, channel your inner hatred and say something like "you deserve to be miserable for the rest of your days and then rot in hell for eternity" with the intent for the hatred to reach them. will this be as powerful as an actual curse with preparation? no. but hey, it's better than nothing.
drop 1 cent coins in public for others to find as a way to spread luck and happiness.
listen to music that amplifies your emotions while you're performing a spell
utilize techniques for a quick spell that you always have with you. blow on something to cleanse it. close your fist around something and channel your energy into it for a minute. whisper something to an item to enchant it, and so on.
if you're in an altered state of consciousness, do a divination session. it has the potential to he the funniest shit ever
appreciate trees. yes, weird tip but i prOMISE, once you start looking at trees with love and affection and childlike wonder, your everyday life will become so much more magical
These are all my own ways that I am mentally/physically/energetically affected by the weather! It's a fascinating topic and kind of a part two to my previous post about how to work with the moon phases and seasons!
â Ë･ âŕ¨âĄŕ§â Ë･ â
Sunny âď¸: Bright and sunny days are always full of energy for me! If it isn't terribly cold I like to get out during this time of day, but you can also charge your spells, tools, and reagents in the sun just like you can with the moon! Spring and summer is when I'm most active to perform rituals, having my windows open and some enchanted suncatchers to spread light and positive energy throughout my room.
Sunshowers â ď¸: My absolute favorite weather phenomenon! Since I was little I've always felt so inspired by them, like a reminder of how happy and full of love the world is, especially when there's a rainbow! There's also a lot of folklore behind sunshowers, such as when it sunshowers animals are getting married, that it provides good luck when it touches you, and overall it's rain blessed by the bright, cheerful energy of the sun. I always go outside when it sunshowers and collect some water for more positive spells when I can.
Rainy đ§: Rain is always very weird for me, likely because I already live in high mountains where air pressure is already unusual. I absolutely hate light rain/drizzles. It just makes me tired and gives me a headache so I use this as a day of complete physical and mental rest. Heavy rain on the other hand? Love it, I find great inspiration for deep critical thinking during heavy rain. Something about the earth being so heavily nourished and the sound of heavy rain is meditative. Almost the whole stretch of it I'll find myself buried in my studies and writing a ton from new rituals to philosophical theories. And the appearance of the world both before and after rain is just so enchanting to me and inspires deep introspection as I look out on the dark clouds contrasting with the suns light, raindrops on spiderwebs, and mist rolling along the streets.
Snowy đ¨: Oddly the opposite of rain, the heavier the snow the worse I feel but the lighter the snow the more inspired I feel. I imagine because snow is both physically and energetically a freezing factor I find my energy stagnated during heavy snow (which makes sense with the way my energy dulls from late November through early Februar), but lighter snow just looks much more magical. Especially when the sun hits it just right and it looks like glitter falling from the sky, it's truly an inspiration to make some magickally imbued hot chocolate, play some soft music, and just read/write away. But snow is also certainly useful for freezer spells.
Stormy đŠ: Now this is the ultimate energy provider for me. I grew up very afraid of storms, but now I practically vibrate with energy during a storm, and if I don't begin setting up some kind of ritual to do during it I feel like I'm going to bounce off the walls until I energetically crash. Besides for sunshowers I don't collect rainwater unless it's during a thunderstorm, as to me the energy of storm water is all-purpose and overall just provides a massive boost of energy to any spell I'm working on.
Foggy âď¸: Regardless if it's from after a rain or not, fog is just so enchanting especially during the spring and fall. Right in the moment when I look out at the fog I feel so nostalgic, like I've recently arrived home for the first time in ages, and just have this strong need to meditate, journal, and do some shadow work. Absolutely I'll do tarot during this when I have the time, and even if I don't have a particular question prepared.
Even though this was a more personal descriptor of each weather type, I hope this was still useful to some! I listed all of the weather phenomenon that happens where I personally live, so I have no experience on things like sandstorms or tornadoes for example. Of course though be safe when practicing magick in more extreme weather, even if you are in your home!
Between pulling Kenaz yesterday, my weird snake dream last night, and the fact that I just pulled the fire card out of my Art Magick oracle deck, today's got big time Loki vibes.
I love you, shapeshifting trickster, mother of those deemed monstrous. May your transforming fire burn away that which no longer serves me. I'll be dancing in the ashes in your name.
I've been on a quest to figure out exactly what my fylgja looks like. I've certainly had my share of theories and ideas as to what form they might take, but I'd really like more certainty about it. My searching became a little obsessive a few weeks ago, and I was slapped with the need to concede that maybe shit is out of whack in my soul, lending to the reason I can't know yet.
I checked in with the different parts of my soul and found things to be out of balance. My hugr was doing great - frankly, it has been doing great since I separated from my job at the end of December - but everything else seemed to be in various states of disrepair, or at least disharmony. This tracks. I tend to live in my own head before anywhere else.
I developed a strategy to get my shit together using tarot and the elements associated with the cards. Lemme break it down.
Pentacles/Earth = Hamr. I associate this element with the hamr, because the hamr governs the body, or more specifically, the shape one takes. This one is grounded in physicality.
Swords/Air = Hugr. Hugr governs the mind; thought and personality. The swords suite, and really any card associated with the element of air, deals with one's intellect.
Wands/Fire = Hamingja. I associate hamingja with the proverbial fire in one's belly. The hamingja is the part of the soul that governs one's capacity to change or alter fate.
Lastly, Cups/Water = Fylgja. This one feels like it delves into UPG territory, but it still feels apt. Cups and the element of water govern feelings and emotions. The fylgja is the familiar spirit of the soul that often takes the form of an animal. The animal brain is one of instinct rather than intellect. It makes sense to me that the fylgja would be deeply connected to a person's feelings and animal impulses.
Every day for the last week and a half or so, I've pulled a card to determine what part of my soul I should focus on that day. Then, I try to get a sense of the status of that part and determine what medicine it needs that day, if any. From there it's a matter of following directions.
The first card I pulled was of the Swords suite. Makes sense to start on a high note, where things are going well. After that was a solid, week-long stretch of fire cards. That also made sense to me, given *gestures broadly at current events* all this.
Today was the first day I actually pulled a cups card. My goal for today became cleansing, relinquishing, and banishing that which does not serve me. I'm controlling over my feelings and emotions - more than any well-adjusted person should be. I'm so used to intellectualizing and distracting from my feelings rather than actually feeling them. I feel very deeply, but I've got a storied history of denying my own feelings. Today I conducted a ritual in hopes to let go of that need for control.
I've been reading Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer, and there's a chapter on how indigenous languages invoke animacy in all natural "things" (at least, what in English would be classified as things). There's talk about the loss of personhood that comes with referring to someone, whether that be a human, an animal, or a plant as an "it".
It got me reflecting on my use of it/its pronouns for myself, and why I'll continue to use those pronouns for myself and others that use them. To me, calling myself "it" is dehumanizing, but that's kind of the point! Yes, I'm a human person, but I'm also alterhuman - that's part of why I intentionally use dehumanizing pronouns. But i think by far the largest reason I use it/its pronouns is to reject anthropocentrism, essentially "lowering" myself to the level of the plants, the animals, the rivers and creeks, etc in an act of solidarity. If they don't get to be considered persons, then the powers that be can take their ideas of personhood and shove it. I don't want it. On a related note, I'm transgender, so in a lot of respects, I'm not really considered a person anyway.
I think in a world where animism was understood and accepted by the overculture, I might not be using it/its pronouns. But we (or at least I) live within a culture that objectifies everything for the purposes of commodification. In that kind of culture, I'd rather be an "it" than a person. Is it harder that way? Yes, but at least my soul remains in tact.
Gods of my Ancestors, Spirits of Justice, Mercy and Wisdom, guide me to understand the best ways to help and protect my friends and neighbors where I can. Help me to discern the best course of action wherever action is made available to me. Let my door be a safeguard against harm for all who need it and let me know to open it when the time is right. Help me to be a light where there is darkness. Guide my hand to provide aid where I am able. And empower my efforts that they may do the most good possible.
How to Create a Cozy Morning Routine with Your Gods
Because Tumblr really had the audacity.
Iâm writing this because Tumblr â in all its chaotic, algorithmic glory â served me a sponsored post titled:
âHow I Create a Cozy Morning Routine with God.â
And look, no shade to those who find peace there. But my deities sip tea, not preach sermons. So here we are: a paganâs guide to starting your day with divine connection, gentle witchcraft, and the kind of sacred stillness that doesnât require Gregorian chants or three hours of breathwork.
This isnât about performance. Itâs not about what looks spiritual â itâs about what feels sacred.
Itâs your cozy routine. Your divine dialogue. Your little altar to alignment in a world that rarely gives us time to breathe.
Creating a sacred morning doesnât have to look like a full-blown ritual with incense smoke curling over a mountain of offerings (though thatâs always welcome). Sometimes, itâs just about starting your day with awareness, intention, and a quiet nod to the divine â in a way that fits your lifestyle, practice, and energy level.
This post is for witches, pagans, polytheists, spiritual wanderers â anyone who wants to turn their morning from âchaotic scroll-festâ to âdivine soft launch.â
đ Why Mornings Matter
Mornings are liminal â thresholds between sleep and wake, dream and duty. Theyâre a time when the veil is still thin, your energy is untouched by other peopleâs chaos, and your spirit hasnât yet been hijacked by email notifications or existential dread.
In many traditions, dawn is sacred. Itâs when prayers are whispered, water is fetched, and offerings are made. Even the sun itself â Helios, Amaterasu, Ra â is a deity in many pantheons. Morning is divine by design.
So why not treat it that way?
â Ways to Invite the Sacred Into Your Morning
Whether youâre up with the sun or rolling out of bed at noon (no judgment â time is a construct), here are some gentle, flexible ways to weave magic into your mornings:
đ§ââď¸ Breathe Before Anything Else
Before your feet hit the ground, pause. One hand over your heart, the other on your belly. Breathe deep. Call your name back to yourself. Say good morning to your gods, spirits, or self. Yes, this counts as a ritual.
đ Greet the Sun (or the Sky, or the Rain)
If you can, step outside. Let the light (or clouds or wind) touch your face. Offer a short prayer to the spirits of the day. If you're inside, open a window or simply face the direction of the sun. Itâs about connection, not perfection.
đŻď¸ Light Something With Intention
A candle. A stick of incense. A stove burner. Fire is sacred â use it to anchor your day. Say something like:
âAs I light this flame, I welcome clarity, protection, and peace.â
Simple. Effective. Witchy.
đľ Sip With the Spirits
Make your tea or coffee slowly, like a spell. Stir clockwise with intention. Offer the first sip to your ancestors. Let each cup become a communion. If you're out of time, even just holding the warm mug and whispering a thank you to your guides will do.
đż Pull a Card or Rune
Draw a daily tarot card, rune, or omen. Let it guide your focus. Ask,
âWhat do I need to know today?â
Write it down. Reflect later. Itâs not about divining the future â itâs about tuning into the present.
⨠Offer Something (Even Just Your Time)
Offerings arenât always food or wine. You can offer your breath, your first moment of stillness, your morning walk, or even a song. The gods and spirits often care more about your presence than your possessions.
đĄ Remember: Your Routine Is Yours
You donât need every crystal laid out in order. You donât need to know five chants in perfect Latin. You donât even need to be fully awake.
What you do need is intentionality â that quiet, reverent moment where you decide:
âToday, I move with purpose. I speak to my gods. I show up to my magic.â
Make it five minutes or fifty. Make it daily or just when you feel off-kilter.
The magic is in the showing up.
đŻď¸ Final Thoughts
Mornings donât have to be chaotic. They can be holy.
They can be when you check in with your spirit guides. When you talk to your ancestors over coffee. When you remind yourself that before the world gets its hands on you, you belong to yourself and your path.
And no matter what Tumblr says, your cozy spiritual life doesnât need to look like a Pinterest board from Bible camp.
It can look like ash-smudged teacups. Like mismatched socks and sleepy chants. Like whispered prayers before brushing your teeth. Like giving thanks to the sun while feeding your cat.
21 Advanced Techniques for Reading Tarot Accurately
Some of my YouTube subscribers comment on how my readings are always to the point. How I never need to pause before interpreting a spread or a card. Maybe it's the two decades of reading. Maybe it runs in the family. Maybe I peek at the cards and rehearse before I start recording. (LOL Who has the time?) Or maybe it's just because I know all these techniques by heart. Hope they help you too.
Witchcraft is a complicated business. There are lots of moving parts, dozens of things to study, and so much information to try and keep straight in your head. Itâs easy to become overwhelmed. Sometimes we forget things. Not just when the full moon is (although plenty of us do) but what it is we want to do with our craft.
And sometimes we feel like weâve lost our drive. Like whatever moved us to become witches in the first place has somehow slipped away, leaving us with just the dregs. Sometimes we feel stuck, unable to make progress. Itâs easy to become frustrated too, but itâs important to push on.
To that end, I offer this exercise.
Choose a journal or open a word document and begin quantifying your craft.
Start by outlining the broad concepts. Do you follow a particular path or tradition? How would you classify your craft, i.e. green witchcraft, cottagecraft, sea witch, lunar witch, and so on? Do you work with any deities, and if so, which ones? Do you work alone or with others? How long have you been practicing? What, to you, is the most important aspect of your craft?
Then get into your working space. Do you have an altar? If so, whatâs on it and why? Do you have a dedicated workspace, or a place you go to work magic outside of your home? If you could describe your ideal workspace, what would it look like?Â
Next, describe your tools. Do you have cards or runes or a wand or other specialized tools that you work with? What do you use most frequently? Do you have favorites? Do you make or grow any of your components? Where do you acquire the things you use in your magic, if you canât make them at home? Do you have a personal library? What are your favorite sources of information? Do you have ritual garb or jewelry that connects you with your craft?
Sketch out your year as a witch. What holidays do you observe and how do you celebrate them? What seasonal festivals or special occasions do you mark? Which ones do you enjoy the most? Is there a time of year when you feel more energized?
Once you have all of this recorded, think back to what first interested you in magic and witchcraft and describe that. Was it a movie? A favorite book? A personal experience? Were you raised in the craft or did you come to it on your own? What made you decide to become a witch?
Then think about how youâve progressed since you started. Have you achieved a particular goal you set when you began, or are you closer to achieving it then you were? What have you gotten really good at? Where are you still struggling? Where would you like to be a year from now? Are there things youâd like to try but havenât yet?
And of course, if anything else occurs to you, record that too.
There is no need to share these thoughts with anyone if you donât want to. This is purely a personal exercise, to help you understand where you are, where youâve come from, and where you want to go. Quantifying this information might provide some much-needed inspiration, in addition to helping you solidify any nebulous thoughts that might be floating around. Itâs much easier to progress in your craft if you have an outline for what youâre already doing.
Happy Witching!
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Want more witchcraft exercises? Check out the masterpost here.
(If youâre enjoying my content, please feel free to drop a little something in the tip jar, tune in to my monthly show Hex Positive on your favorite podcast app, or check out my published works on Amazon or in the Willow Wings Witch Shop. đ)
âThe battle frenzy came upon the Friend of the Raven. He was no more the gray-bearded husband of Frig, but Grim, the Masked One. The All-father, host of the Hall of Happiness, had donned a different aspect. Now he was Fire-eyed, the Evildoer, Blind, Double-blind. Out of decay arises growth; from destruction, rebirth; from fire, fertilization. The god bears more than one face, though he is one behind the masks.â
Protecting against law enforcement â excerpts on simple, accessible folk magic as a means of added protection against police, ICE, and other law enforcement agencies
by Keziah | Featuring excerpts from Keziah's 'Home Protection in Folk Magic: Charms, Wards, & Work to Magically Protect One's Home'; 'the People's Magic: an Examination of Folk Magic;' 'Protection Work in Folk Magic: Herbs, Spells, & Charms for Protecting Yourself & Others;' 'Question: "Can Sator Squares be used to protect protestors?" Answer: Yes!'
As written in the People's Magic: an Examination of Folk Magic, "folk magic is a means of [...] forging and enacting class solidarity through accessible, anti-elitist, anti-hierarchical practices...' and can be (and has historically been) 'a vehicle of change for individuals in need, a way of providing care and mutual aid to those with no other means of accessing such things, and, yes, in many practices, folk magic is also a means of pursuing and distributing justice for those for whom the systems of justice were not built to serve."
As a firm believer in our mutual responsibility to one another as a global community and people, I feel especially strong about using any ability I have to aid those in need. As a US American, there's nothing but need everywhere I look. These days, so many need safety and security from our own government and the law enforcement agencies they wield against us. I have the ability to speak up, to protest, to aid in many ways, just one of those ways being through magic and witchcraft. While the use of witchcraft and magic for "political reasons" and the belief that those of us who practice witchcraft should use those skills to aid people in need are frequently debated matters, I personally believe that any skill I have that can be put to use to oppose fascistic regimes is a skill I ought to share, magical skills and knowledge most certainly being included.
Thus, I felt called to share a selection of easily accessible, versatile, and adaptable folk magic methods of protection that focus on protecting the home and property from law enforcement (be they police, ICE, or any other law enforcement agency), on protecting the home from intruders in general, and, lastly, on the use of SATOR squares to protect the home and to protect protestors (as I've previously mentioned in this post). May this knowledge serve anyone and everyone in need of it.
Dirt Dust, to keep law enforcement away from your home:
This is a regional variation of a work used in the Southern US, known throughout Kentucky, Tennessee, North Carolina, and Virginia.
What you'll need:
Dirt from near a police station
Use any combination of the following ingredients along with the police station dirt â
Black pepper
Black mustard seeds
Brick dust
Coal dust
Dirt from an anthill
Dirt from a church yard (can be used in any work to ward off or get rid of unwanted persons)
Dirt from a graveyard
Red pepper flakes
Salt
Seeds of caraway
Seeds of lemon
Seeds of pawpaw
What you'll do:
To help keep police away from your home, mix the police station dirt together with your other chosen ingredients. You can use any of the above ingredients and can include as many or as few as you'd like. Some common combinations are:
-police station dirt, black pepper, and black mustard seeds;
-police station dirt and brick dust;
-police station dirt, church yard dirt, and salt;
-police station dirt, church yard dirt, and brick dust;
-police station dirt, black pepper, red pepper flakes;
-police station first and coal dust.
Again, use any combination that you'd like or feels right for you.
Dust the threshold of your home with it and, if able, sprinkle it at the outer corners of your home or property.
Some customs call for the recitation of Bible verses (welcome to the South, y'all; there are Bible verses in basically every kind of folk magic down here) whilst sprinkling this mixture. If that's up your alley, here are some verses from the Torah and Bible that can be used for various protective purposes â
-Psalm 35:1 (for protection against any law enforcement)
Plead my cause, O L-rd, with them that strive with me: fight against them that fight against me.
-Psalm 35:4-6 (for protection against any law and immigration enforcement)
Let them be confounded and put to shame that seek after my soul: let them be turned back and brought to confusion that devise my hurt. Let them be as chaff before the wind: and let the angel of the L-rd chase them. Let their way be dark and slippery: and let the angel of the L-rd persecute them.
-Psalm 44:7 (for protection against police, immigration enforcement, and those who would bring such trouble down on your home):
But thou hast saved us from our enemies, and hast put them to shame that hated us.
Such verses can also be written (on paper or in chalk) as protective charms and placed at the threshold along with the dirt dust boundaries. They can be easily concealed beneath welcome mats as well.
Sator Squares, to protect the home and to protect one's person from physical assault or violence:
As featured in my piece Protection Work in Folk Magic: Herbs, Spells, & Charms for Protecting Yourself & Others, the Sator Square/Rotas Square is a versatile protective tool that can be used to many ends, including to keep unwanted people away from your home (and, yes, we're going to use it here to keep away immigration or law officers).
The Sator Square / Rotas-Sator Square is a palindromic word square used as a magical charm or amulet. Itâs been around for quite some time (with the oldest known square possibly being from as early as AD 50) and has been found to have been used historically throughout Europe, Africa, Asia Minor, and the Americas. As to its origins and intended purpose, no one knows for sure, but the Sator Square has come to have a number of magical uses, including as a tool for curing ailments, aiding in childbirth, putting out fires, and, in fitting with the theme of this piece, in protection magic.
Medieval Sator Square etched into a wall; Oppède-le-Vieux, France.
There are many variations of Sator Squares / Rotas-Sator Squares, but the most common forms consist of five rows of five words, each with five letters, arranged in a 5x5 grid.
The Rotas-Sator Square (in which rotas is the word listed first, pictured below on the left) was the more common in pre-medieval use, but the Sator Square (in which sator is listed first, pictured below on the right) became far more prevalently used than the Rotas-Sator variation at some point in medieval Europe.
One can easily use a Sator Square for protection of one's home.
What to do:
-Simply write the square onto a paper or cloth (or carve the square into wood/etch it into clay) and mount the square somewhere within the home â above the mantle, near the front door, above a window. It's said to repel unwanted company of all sorts, as well as offer various protections.
Pennsylvania Dutch variation of a Sator Square found in 'Long Lost Friend' by German-American Pennsylvania Dutch healer and charm worker, John George Hohman; published in 1820.
In Southern Appalachian and some Southeastern folk practices within the United States, one can also use a Sator Square for protection from violence or assault against your person, which can absolutely be used as-is or adapted (by adding further specified blessings) as a charm of protection for protestors or for those for whom ICE or other law enforcement agencies are a threat to their physical safety and well-being.
What to do:
-Write out a Sator Square or Rotas-Sator Square and carry the charm with you. It can be kept in the pocket, especially a shirt pocket, in the shoe, or even be sewn into one's clothes.
Corncob Charm, to deter police or law enforcement from stepping onto one's property:
In Kentucky and Tennessee (and perhaps other regions of the US), it's said that one can use dried corn cobs to deter police from coming onto one's property.
What you'll need:
A dried corncob
Nail (if hanging)
Yarn/string (if hanging; preferably red or black string, though any color you have that you associate with protection or banishing will work just as well!)
What to do:
-One can either hang a dried corncob (usually from a string, which is sometimes braided) on their doorpost or one can bury a dried corncob at each of the four corners of their home.
Penny Charm, to repel the attention of law enforcement:
Penny charms to discourage the attention or presence of law enforcement aren't at all uncommon in the South.
What you'll need:
4 or 9 pennies (some customs specify 'Indian Head Pennies') / (different customs call for different amounts; see below for more information)
What you'll do:
-Some variations of this charm call for placing the pennies in a row underneath your doormat. Some call for nailing or gluing the pennies above your front door. Some call for burying the pennies at the boundary of your property or at the front gate.
-As to whether one should use 4 or 9 pennies, it depends. Where I'm from, I'd always been told that 9 were used, but in some other Southern regions, the custom is 4 pennies, and in Jake Richards' 'Doctoring the Devil' it's specified that 4 pennies are used unless the house in question is home to illegal undertakings or business, in which case, 9 pennies are preferred. You can choose whichever feels right to you.
-There is also always the question as to whether it's necessary to acquire Indian Head Cents or not. Traditionally, the Indian Head Cent was used (at least in Tennessee, Kentucky, and Virginia), but I've seen this work done with regular pennies as well. Nowadays, the Indian Head Cent is harder to come by and buying them just for this work can cost quite a lot. If it's more accessible for one to use regular pennies, then know that you're not the first and won't be the last to do so.
Quick & Easy Charms to Carry for Protection:
Garlic: Carrying a clove of garlic on one's person can protect against many forms of evil, but it can also protect against malicious persons and forces. Garlic cloves can also be included in hex bags, charm bags, hands, sachets, etc. for protection. Similarly, one can make a protection oil that includes minced garlic or garlic oil.
Angelica: Angelica root is known to be used in protective charms and works throughout Europe and in the Appalachian and Southeastern regions of the US. Though it's commonly used for protection against magical workings and spirits, angelica root is also known to provide protection against evil, malevolent, and harmful people. Angelica can be carried (dried or fresh) to bring protection, or it can be included in spells and workings for protection.
Hair of a black dog: Dog hairs can be used as amulets for luck and protection. The hair of a black dog is considered especially good for protective purposes.
SOURCES & FURTHER READING: As this post contains excerpts from other @sheydmade pieces written by Keziah, please see the original posts for sources, citations, and further reading recommendations.
'Home Protection in Folk Magic: Charms, Wards, & Work to Magically Protect One's Home' (2024); Zibelmann, Keziah
'Protection Work in Folk Magic: Herbs, Spells, & Charms for Protecting Yourself & Others' (2024); Zibelmann, Keziah
'the People's Magic: an Examination of Folk Magic' (2024); Zibelmann, Keziah
'Question: "Can Sator Squares be used to protect protestors?" Answer: Yes!' (2024); Zibelmann, Keziah
After many requests, Iâve made a rebloggable version of my âWeather Magicâ page. Here you will find heaps of resources to help you with weather/storm craft. If youâve read some of my previous posts about weather magic you will notice some similarities - that is because this is a collection of every weather witching post that Iâve ever posted compiled into handy resources post.
Weather Magic
The term âweather magicâ or âweather witchingâ has been used to mean anything from divination and forecasting of weather to actual control and manipulation of the weather itself. From calling up treacherous storms to destroy anotherâs crops or providing fair winds for those at sea, witches (and even those who do not consider themselves to be such) have always been involved with weather magic. When you consider that most forms of magic are based around an agricultural past, the ability to affect and predict the weather was considered an invaluable skill. After all, if your familyâs livelihood depended on the success of your crops (or the ability to find water as it did in my familyâs case), weather magic would be an extremely handy thing to know.
Why the url Storm Born Witch?
I am quite fortunate, as the gift for weather related magic comes easily to my family. For generations, the men in my family have been dowsers or water diviners. However, it wasnât until after I displayed an aptitude to weather related magic that I was told about my familyâs history with it. My grandfather was the last water diviner in the family and he died when I was very young so I was never taught how to divine for water. My grandmother was the one to teach me what little she knew about weather magic - the rest either occurred naturally or I picked up along the way.
Calling Up A Wind - Whistling Up A Wind
This is the most common form of weather magic and has been practiced for hundreds of years. Depending on the pitch and tone of the whistle a witch can create a gentle breeze or a sharp gust of wind. Traditionally, if the skill of whistling up a wind does not come naturally to you the option of making a âwind whistleâ out of willow or alder wood is available.
Here in Australia, whistling up a wind is probably the most common form of magic I do. I honestly do not go a day without whistling up a cool breeze. Itâs bloody hot here and sometimes a cool breeze is just what you need.
Resources for Calling Winds:
How to Whistle Up a Wind by stormbornwitchâ
Other Methods of Calling Up a Wind by stormbornwitchâ
Traditional Sailorâs Wind Knots (Untie the Wind) by ioqayinâ
Storm Casting
Storm casting is the art of creating storms. There are many different methods to creating storms and bringing rain. The method used by my family is to fill a jug with water and while sitting outside (or facing a window) pour the water into a basin or bowl. Dip the tip of your pointer finger into the water and slowly make five clockwise circles in the water (if you have a pendant necklace this can be used instead - just above the water in the bowl). As you are making the circles call the wind to bring in a storm by blowing (or whistling a continuous low note - the sound of wind over the mouth of a glass bottle) over the water in the basin.
Resources for Storm Casting
My Method of Calling Storms by stormbornwitchâ
Traditional Methods of Calling Storms by stormbornwitchâ
Ways to Stop a Storm (Dispersing, Binding & Preventing)
There are multiple ways to stop a storm. The most common are dispersing or binding storms. However there are also ways to prevent storms from coming by directing them away from where you are. This is great if youâre holding an event outside and you need good weather.
Dispersing
This method involves spreading the storm out over a large area thereby minimising its effects. You can disperse a storm by calling winds to blow it away (or in a certain direction) or if you favour using weather maps you can draw the low pressure system moving away and gradually dissipating.
Binding (Storm Catching)
This method is also called âstorm catchingâ and involves catching a storm and binding it within an object (usually a bottle or knots) so it can be released gradually at a later date by pulling out the cork or undoing the braid/knots.
Resources for Binding Storms
How to bind a storm in your hair by stormbornwitchâ
How to bind the wind in rope by ioqayinâ
Storm catching or âreeling in a stormâ is even more difficult than storm casting so itâs always wise to think before you cast. Too much energy put into a storm and it will go on for weeks (and cause some flooding - basement incident) or it will be extremely violent and knock down power lines and tree branches. Too little energy and all you will get is a 5 minute shower of rain.
Other ways to stop a storm (Cutting a Storm) by witchuptheroadâ
Preventing a Storm (Weather Maps)
However, if you wish to prevent a storm from forming, youâre going to have to pull out the weather maps. To make a weather map all you need to do is to print out a map of your local area or the area youâre trying to keep a storm away from.
Just use google maps and donât make the area too big or you might seriously strain yourself magically. Then laminate the map - now you have your own âwhiteboardâ to draw weather symbols on to generate certain types of localised weather.
To practice this kind of magic you really do need to know how weather systems work and how theyâre likely to move; knowing a little bit about meteorology goes a long way.
Once youâre ready, find out what the weather is predicted to be and draw it on your map. Now draw the high/low pressure systems moving so that the area youâre trying to protect doesnât get rain. This method can also be used to bring rain to a certain area.
List of Resources for Storm/Weather Witches
What is a Storm/Weather Witch by rainy-day-witchcraft â This post details what it means to be a witch that uses weather magic / storm craft in their practice; a good definition.
Tips for Starting Storm Craft by stormsorceress â This post gives some really great tips for those interested in starting storm craft; a really good beginner post.
The trouble with weather magic by skychild1989 â This post outlines some of the things you should think about before performing weather magic (i.e. think about the possible consequences of your actions and evaluate you capabilities before messing with things you donât know that much about). This is a really good reminder.
The Difference between Storm Water and Rain Water by stormbornwitch â This post highlights the symbolic differences between storm water and rain water and also discusses the properties the water can take on when it is collected at certain times of the year (i.e. particular lunar phases/holidays/sabbats/esbats/solstices etc).
Storm Water by stormsorceress â This post is great and outlines the associations and uses of storm water in witchcraft.
Rain Water by stormsorceress â This post outlines the different types of rain water, their associations and uses in witchcraft.
Storm Water by fumbletongue â This post highlights and gives ideas for the many uses storm water can have in oneâs craft; from protection to cursing.
Combining Knot Craft & Storm Craft by stormsorceress â This post gives some really great ideas for combining storm craft with knot craft.
How to Draw Energy from Storms by stormbornwitch â This post outlines how to draw energy from storms and how to direct it.
Storm Witchâs Power Bath by brynja-storm â This post gives the ingredients of a power bath which is designed to give you the energy of a storm; great for when youâre in need of a recharge or before you perform a big spell.
The Storm Witchâs Hurricane Curse by brynja-storm â This curse traps its target in an eternal storm with all the gale force winds, rain, lightning and debris associated with a hurricane.
The Tools of a Storm/Weather Witch by stormsorceress â This post outlines the tools of storm/weather witches in different regions (i.e. near the ocean, in a desert, forest, mountain ect).
Tips for Refining Weather Manipulation by stormbornwitch â This post gives some tips for witches who want to get better at weather magic and manipulating the weather.
A Light in the Storm by stormsorceress â This spell is meant to be used to aid in the healing of seasonal depression. Other uses of this spell include aiding in the healing of sadness, grief, and anxiety as well as providing a âguiding lightâ to people you wish to protect while travelling.
And as always my âweather witchingâ tag will have links to every single post that Iâve posted which has anything to do with weather magic.
- Marci
Thor is my dad @witcheroony - Tumblr Blog | Tumgag
