I'll Be Coming Home

| Southern Folk Magic |

[9710144]

[ofwordsandblood]

To Feed Offering Candles

It's common practice for candles to be lit in offering to various spirits and powers for favor, power, or gain. The seven day glass jar candles which are available in just about every witchcraft store, Botanica, and apothecary are perfect for this purpose, as they are not only self-contained in their jar, but can be refilled and reused if you have the know-how. But that is a post for a different day.

One practice I have really fallen into a routine with is the practice of "feeding" offering candles. While the burning candle itself is already a great offerings, thay offerings can be made more sacred and appropriate. The "feeding" process is very simple, and only requires a candle and an oil.

Take your offering candle and prepare it however you feel is appropriate. For the glass jar candles, this may include anointing them, carving sigils into the top, or speaking specific prayers over them. Here I have a simple white candle.

Light the candle in the name of the figure to whom it will be granted. Allow it to burn for a moment to melt the wax around the wick. Then, grab your oil of choice. I tend towards a blend of Tunisian frankincense and myrrh, but Olive Oil will literally be PERFECTLY fine. I just like these because of the scent that is created.

With the dropper, drop several drops of oil into the wax pool.

If you like, you can reiterate your prayer as needed when feeding.

This process can be used to feed not only the offering candles, but can be used to offer various substances to spirits, even the witch's blood should it be desired, through the medium of the burning flame. As the oil is dropped into the wax, the wick will absorb it until the oil itself is burned off by the flame, completing the offering.

Just to make it clear, there is NOTHING wrong with the just burning these candles, as multiple practices and peooles do across the world. This is just a ritualistic process that helps me focus my offerings a little more, and one that I feel compelled to share.

[trollkunnig-deactivated20211007]

It’s hard to believe that to bring about such incredible changes in your life, all you need is a piece of paper and a writing utensil. It truly shows how simple the power of manifestation is, just so long as there is a will.

Now, needless to say, writing petitions can get much more complicated than simply scribing a pattern of words. You can dress your petition in various ways, use multitudes of different mediums to write on, finalize them in different ways, and so on. Even the different types of petitions vary greatly in method. However, at the core, you are focusing your will as you write it.

This is a simple article on what can be a very detailed practice. Those who practice conjure, hoodoo, rootwork, or however you wish to call it have most likely been passed down methods from their ancestors. I can only share what was passed to me and what has worked beautifully for me. As you should know, I will not cover every single facet of this tradition.

ALL IN THE NAME

A name paper is a powerhouse of sympathetic magic, or in other words magic that affects another by using their name, a taglock, or something that bears their likeness such as a doll baby (poppet) or a picture of them. In the case of name papers, the link comes from using their name or anything that refers to that person.

Most assume that you need the full name of a person for a name paper, but in truth you can use anything that connects you to that person. For instance, if you don’t know someone’s name then you are more than welcome to put a descriptor such as, “that loud and obnoxious co-worker.” A descriptor will never be as powerful as a true name, and a true name will never be as powerful as a photo, and a photo will never be as powerful as a taglock made from the person’s personal effects or body piece, but each will always do the trick.

You can also use name papers to exert your will over another. You simply write your name over the other person’s name. Always put the person who will be in control on top of the name of the person who is being controlled. So, for instance, if a woman named Mary Smith wants to do wonderful in a job interview and she knows the person who will be interviewing her is named Jenny Jones, she will first write Jenny’s name and then put her own name on top of it. After, she will write the appropriate core of the petition around the two names, which should always be short, sweet, and simple.

When writing a name paper, first write either the situation or the person you wish to influence. When writing a situation down, make sure it’s concise and simple. The number of times you write the name or situation is up to you. Most say three, seven, or nine times, but you should write it how many times it feels right. I always say never write less than three times.

Next, turn the paper 90 degrees and write your name the same amount of times to form a grid on top of the first name or situation you have written down. I’ve also seen people write their name directly over the previous writing instead of turning the paper. Next, write the core of your petition around the grid or overlapping names. Going back to the example above, Mary Smith would write something like “hire me” over and over again. I’ve always learned that you should write this without picking up your writing utensil.

There are so many different ways to write a name paper that vary greatly from what I’ve described above. You can add symbols in the corners of your paper, add symbols in between the names, write the names in different ways to achieve different results, and so on.

PRAY FOR ME

A prayer paper goes fantastic with any kind of intercession work, because it is essentially a petition for intercession. Most often you will use Psalms or any kind of scripture that relates to your situation.

You can also use a prayer that you’ve made up yourself. Make sure it is heartfelt, yet also concise and to the point. I usually pray to saints or the angels and leave my petition underneath a novena candle while praying a novena over nine days. When my prayer is answered I give an offering or gift of thanks that is appropriate to the prayer that has been answered.

Working with the saints and angels is an entire topic that simply won’t fit within this writing. I will be sure to write more about that topic at a later time.

THIS IS MY WILL

Writing a petition paper can be the same as writing a name paper. Since I described a method above where you write your petition in a continuous loop around the name or situation you wish to manipulate, I will not be reiterating this method.

For a simpler method of writing a petition paper, simply write out your wish or desire either as a request, positive affirmation, or in a way that demands an action. Such examples include:

• “My home is peaceful.”

• “I am a full time employee at my job!”

• “Stop talking and get out of my life!”

You can include a name in your petition as well:

• “Lisa Peters, stop talking and get out of my life!”

Some say you only need to write it once, others say you should write it multiple times without picking up your writing utensil, and so on. It all depends on what you feel will work. You can use this method in conjunction with writing a name paper and write your name on top of your petition to take control of the situation.

As I mentioned above, this is only an extremely stripped down introduction to this tradition. Learning about various oils to dress your petition with, how to fold your petition properly if you want to put something into it, how to dispose of or activate your petition such as burning, washing, burying, and so on: these are all essential parts of any type of work you’re doing.

If you’d like me to write more about this subject and go more in depth, I’d be very happy to. I look forward to sharing more with you. Thank you for reading.

Image Sources:

Briana Saussy

Melissa Zupan

Heron Michelle

[manyblessingsuntothee]

🌸🌷🍃🌾A blessed Ostara to you and your kin. May good fortune reign your house🌾🍃🌷🌸

[seraphickalmagick]

What are the Imprecatory Psalms? Imprecatory Psalms, located (naturally) within the Book Of Psalms, are psalms which express harmful intent towards either the enemies of the psalmist, or to people who in any sense defy God. For witches, words packed with the intention to harm are no unfamiliar concept- the Imprecatory Psalms basically serve as the biblical equivalent of a curse. The word “imprecation” itself means “spoken curse”.

Which psalms are “imprecatory”? There are quite a few Imprecatory Psalms, but the major ones are Psalm 109 and Psalm 69. Psalms 5, 6, 11, 12, 35, 37, 40, 52, 54, 56, 58, 69, 79, 83, 137, 139 and 143 are also imprecatory in nature. These psalms are not the only cases of imprecation in the Bible- the New Testament also includes imprecations: Matthew 26:23-24 and Revelation 6:10 are examples of this. Even Jesus used the occasional imprecation…!

How can I use these in my craft? Imprecatory Psalms can be used the same way you would use any other curses. This curse, taken from Psalm 58, serves as an example.

[ioqayin]

How would you advise one to begin witchcraft?

Research, research, research! I do not suggest looking into DIY books at first. Yes, they can be helpful for the practical side of things, but really I think one should read into the history of witchcraft. 

Also, read up on the history of your ancestors. The ancestors are (rather were) HUGELY important in the beliefs of our ancestors. I’m seeing a comeback to the ancestral worshipping. It is very important to have an “In” to the Other. The ancestors can help with this process. 

Record your dreams. Even if you don’t really remember everything, record what you can remember. The more you do it, the better you will remember, and the more you will be able to write down. I also suggest blacking out your room when you sleep. You will be able to sleep through the night with little interruption, and wake up easily (I have a dawn simulator, it’s a nice gentle way to wake up) so that you can remember you dreams. The spirits speak to us in dreams, and send us messages that we need to know. 

Begin taking time to realise how beautiful you are. Pleasure yourself to yourself. Self-adoration is key to later experiences with the familiar spirit. If you can not love WHO you are, then you can not love the Familiar Spirit (who is -also- you, bit of a paradox, really). 

Question your beliefs. Our ancestors were originally animists, and that animism evolved into gods and what have you. Question whether or not you believe in the gods. Are they just representations of the human experiences? Are they real beings? Do they have sentience? Question these things. 

Read, read, read your myths and folklore. Myths and folklore are the human experience. They inform humanity how it should react to things and how to process life. Find a system of myths that calls to your current lifestyle and situation, and internalize them. Read your Joseph Cambell and other mythologists. Maybe take a Comparative Mythology class. 

Find people who are interested in witchcraft, and work with them in any way that you can. Share ideas, debate, do a book swap, what have you. I’m not saying work with them magically, no, I’m talking about philosophical discussions. Because witchcraft is a philosophy as much as a magical practice. It is a view on the world. If you look at witchcraft from a historical perspective across Europe, you will recognise themes within all of them across the board. The Early Modern period is where witchcraft really thrived, and the beliefs were cemented. This period is where a lot (most) of modern witchcraft is derived from. Find your roots. 

Remove all thoughts of your Christian upbringing from your mind (but also realise that witchcraft exists -because- of religions like Christianity). Eradicate them. There are many ways of doing this. The morality of the Christians is no longer your morality. This can be hard to swallow, which is why witchcraft is not for everyone. Remove and demolish all ideas of cosmic justice, eternal punishments, three fold laws, what have you. This is -not- the way that humanity is. We are our own judges, and our gods. Find this realisation within yourself. 

Hope this helps! 

[witchofmagnolia]

Protip: Don’t burn petition papers in an apartment.

Sincerely,

Your Local Resident Dumbass

[qedavathegrey]

I’ll call this “traditional” because it’s merely one of many ways to meet the same end. There are some methods more popular than others, but this is my method – a method not so set in stone, I might add. Adaptions are always welcome, this is but a guide. As I’m sure you all well know (and this is mostly for those who don’t) – The Devil is not synonymous with the Christian Satan or the Muslim Shayṭān, but rather an archaic being pre-dating the Christian conquest of Europe. He exists in many forms, under many names – but serves much the same purpose: a force of Enlightenment. He is the Keeper of the Arcane, whisperer of Mysteries, the Intercessor but do not fall under the notion that He is wholly benevolent (nor wholly malevolent) for, so too, is he the Trickster, The Fool and the Hanged Man. In these capacities, he can be likened to Hermes/Mercury, the Lwa Legba, and Exu  – Keeper of Wisdoms, but ones that must be earned. You will be Tested – and he will decide if you are worthy of His knowledge.

To Evoke The Devil:

Go forth to a Crossroads at the edge of town – the more secluded and forested, the better – near midnight or when the moon is New. Take with you the blood of a chicken or horned animal, two black candles tied into an “X,” anointing oil, a crown woven of (young, malleable) oak or hickory – as well as a staff or limb of the same, and an accelerant of your choosing (I always used 91% isopropyl alcohol as it burns clean – however, it’s temperamental in colder weather). Optionally, bring pemba or chalk if your crossroads lacks any dirt to draw in.

When you feel the time is upon you, mark in the dirt with your finger or a stray branch, the symbol of the crossroads (the + in a circle, in this instance). Adorn your head with the crown, place the candle(s) at the center of the circle (at the cross) and with the staff/limb, knock the ground in the sequence of: knock … knock-knock … knock-knock-knock – Take the blood and drizzle around the circle in a counterclockwise fashion. Light the two candles and anoint your brow with the oil. Sit before the circle on your knees and bow in the traditional manner (sitting on your heels with your arms stretched out before you and your forehead just off the ground) – ball your fists and knock in the same fashion as above – asking the Devil to come forth. Repeat three times.

Return to your upright position and wait patiently until there is a change in the air or His presence is revealed. Beseech him in whispers – be not commanding, but receptive – and allow His behavior to influence your own. For instance, if he is stern and stoic, be solemn. But if his behavior is relaxed, exuberant and playful – feel free to be so. I’ve only ever experienced the latter. The Devil comes as jubilant and child-like to me, teasing and joking – but I know this isn’t the case for all. Most importantly, be genuine and be respecting. Crossroads beings always have a way of seeing through any farce you attempt to construct – so save yourself and them some time by being open and honest to begin with. They are knowing – don’t underestimate them.

This is but the building of the bridge. Do not yet ask for anything, merely introduce yourself and note what it is that you wish to receive from this relationship and how you might honor the knowledge imbued on you.

When the communion is done – remove the crown from your head and place it in the circle. Drizzle it with anointing oil and the accelerant, and set it alight with the candles. Extinguish the candles and lay them in the flaming wreath.

Take three steps back from the circle, and whisper the words “DIABOLUS – LIBERA ME,” turn away and do not look back – as is customary with all crossroads rituals.

Prepare, for you will be tested in some way or another – knowingly or not.

Pictured is Hermes: “ So-called “Hermes Ingenui” after the inscription on the pedestal indicating the name of the sculptor or of the donator. Hermes wears his usual attributes: kerykeion (or herald’s staff), kithara, petasus (round hat), traveller’s cloak and winged temples. Marble, Roman copy of the 2nd century BC after a Greek original of the 5th century BC.”

[etamina-amata]

If someone was interested in learning more about traditional witchcraft what would their best bet be? Is it typically only a hereditary practice? You've said before that reading a subject and practicing it are very different things and I agree. But where does one look to learn then?

Traditional witchcraft is definitely not only a hereditary practise, and don’t ever let anyone tell you so. It is things like that which get spread around and give fam trads a bad name, especially since not everyone raised fam trad. makes the decision to become a witch – some become cunning folk, or diviners, or folk magicians. Others give up the life completely.

When one is looking to learn about traditional witchcraft, the question that must be answered is to what end are they trying to learn? Is it purely historic or spiritual curiosity with no intent to practise? If this is the case, you want to search out folklore about witches – from anywhere and everywhere and compare and contrast. There’s a lot of fascinating topics and quite a few scholarly books on both historical witchcraft and folk magic in various areas. Places like Thriftbooks.com can be a godsend at making that cheaper. 

If, however, the person is wanting to learn traditional witchcraft with an eye to practise, then books are not particularly helpful. If you are certain about such a choice, then how one learns is going to seek out the spirits, letting them know your intent, and opening yourself up to their answers. It is not instantaneous, it is not something that is simple, and it may take time to convince them, but eventually someone will answer. You want to find liminal spaces, especially ones which make you uncomfortable or feel like a cold finger has gone up your spine If you receive a no there, try somewhere else. If you get no answer, but feel someone is watching, go back another time and try again. It may take time to convince them of your seriousness, especially if you are in a stable place in your life.

Now, I am not saying that all witches are unstable, or unstable when they start, oh no. It has nothing to do with mental health. It is merely more common for people to reach out to witchcraft when they are desperate: when logic has failed, when Gods refuse to offer succor, when you’ve reached that event horizon. It is not required to be at that point, but if you are not, it may take time for the spirits to take you seriously, especially if your feet are not fully set on the crooked path. 

The spirits do not want to waste their time with people who will falter, who will turn their backs, or who are unwilling to pay the prices of magic. There are all too many who dabble, get scared, and then run away, telling everyone about the evil they experienced when they dabbled – even in modern areas of witchcraft. Once you pact, once the initiation begins, there is no turning back. It is not something to do lightly or when you are at all uncertain.

[therainshallmakeadoor-deactivat]

Sarah Anne Lawless spills some Tea and I am living for it.

[therainshallmakeadoor-deactivat]

I’ve cherry picked some hot takes.

[therainshallmakeadoor-deactivat]

My personal favorites are the following :

Preach.

[therainshallmakeadoor-deactivat]

Now, I would be lying if I said this did not shook me a bit, too. How could it not ? As a French native living in the UK, the question of the land, of the roots, of where you are and where you are from, of what is learned and what is born with, obsessed me already. I always had trouble to picture how and why deities from a specific pantheon would approach some random occultist based on a far away land and cultural heritage, for example. Spirits talked to me in Greece, they also talked to me in Japan, but they don’t constitute a « court » - what a pretentious word to use. I’ve also struggled understanding why every trad witch ever (myself included) seems to aspire only to be some watered-down Gemma Gary anglaboo. Hell, I live three hours away from Cornwall but I certainly am no « Cornish » anything. No wonder our practices are standardized, no wonder everybody laid out some milestones to reach and coined them with empty words such as « initiation ». This discourse is an invitation to take a long, hard look on ourselves, on myself, my practice, and its perspective - and so I do. My « gods » are local - this much I know : the blackbird foreseeing my death, the hawthorn that provided me with shelter and a name, the cat sidhe who showed me a hidden graveyard needing tending and the copper penny for my first offering. The « Witchfather » appeared to me in a disguise that has its local variant - if it is indeed the « Witchfather », this, like « Devil », being more of a title than anything. And that’s fine - I prefer a small god. I am at peace baking honey bread with English flour for the marsh nearby, sealed with a drop of my rural French blood which taste of salty mountains and ancient lakes.

I am no lesson giver nor lecturer. I’m learning, aye, and juggling between interests and heritage is indeed like foraging into a magpie nest made of shiny trickets... but not all that shines is gold.

[zivyx-deactivated20200628]

Simple and Effective Cursing

Recite the Lord's Prayer backwards three times over a taglock of your intended victim, curse them aloud by their name, call upon the Devil by name, and describe using foul language what precisely you wish to happen to this person.

Then pin the taglock in their footprint, or somewhere they often tread. They will be cursed.

Adapted from Norse Trolldom.

[therootwitch]

Honing Your Spirit-Sensing Skills

First, a lengthy explanation as to why you would want to do this. Then, how to do it. Scroll all the way to the bottom if you want to get to the part that actually has the information.

Note: for the duration of this post, gods are being considered part of the larger category of spirits.

Spirits can generally understand you better than you can understand them. It’s a kind of an annoying one-way street, though practicing will help balance things out.

SO. Spirits can communicate in various ways

signs and omens. images and symbols associated with them showing up repeatedly

Dreams. I personally don’t place much stock in these

Divination.

Directly, (more or less) through things like telepathy. You can hear/see/feel them in your MIND. You can you can get general feelings from them, like emotions

And more! But I’m focusing on the last one here.

I don’t recommend trying to work with spirits until you have gotten your spirit-sensing skills to a certain point. Not because it’s dangerous, which it can be, but mainly because you wouldn’t even know what’s going on!

This is not me gatekeeping or nothin, I’m literally just being realistic. And speaking from experience.

When I was first starting out spirit work, (note that I am still no expert, if such a thing exists), I tried summoning spirits and just kind of had to guess at what they were saying. It’s like stumbling around in the dark.

Honestly, you get things done so much more easily and so much more quickly when you can directly communicate with spirits. 10/10 highly recommend

You can use divination as a means of communication, which is good when you’re just starting out, but it’s not necessarily the best idea to rely on only that forever.

In a way, jumping into spirit work without sensing-skills is like… going to France and trying to talk to the locals when you do not speak a lick of French.

With this weird analogy, divinatory tools could be compared to a translator:

It’s not always accurate.

It can be hard to interpret.

It’s better to not need to use it at all, but it’s useful for those who are still learning

The translator is best used in tandem with your knowledge of the language, until you get to a point where you no longer need it.

So how do you learn French??

Honing this skill is similar to meditation. You basically just… clear your mind and open yourself up to receiving messages.

And then repeat. A lot. With plants, with bones, with places. Try sensing the energy within everything.

It’s not terribly difficult, but it is slow going.

The exact way in which you sense energy and spirits varies. Like I said before, it can be hearing/ seeing/ feeling/ a combination/ something else entirely.

And, I mean, there are people who go their entire lives relying on the translator. It is an option, but it’s not necessarily the best option, ya dig

More information:

http://da-at-ass.tumblr.com/post/158566768538/ways-that-people-see-and-hear-spirits-and-how-it

https://umbra-et-lux-spirits.tumblr.com/post/164126074261/a-starting-path-to-spirit-work-but-abbreviated

http://insertcheesywitchypunhere.tumblr.com/post/163029605374/energy-work-basics

[sleepytisi]

I also want to add that French is a good analogy, because spirits don’t all speak your language. So a good method would be learning how to communicate in many different ways, and learn what the spirit prefers as a method of communication. 

For example, I have some that speak to me in words, and others who project images, and even others who project emotions, feelings, and senses.

[therootwitch]

Excellent addition!

[daveykimy]

To banish a fever

Write the following words upon parchment and wrap it up in knot-grass, and tie it upon the navel of the person who has the fever: 

Potmat sineat, Potmat sineat, Potmat sineat. 

From “The Long Lost Friend”, charm #36. 

[scarletarosa]

Zoological Curios in Witchcraft

These items can either be bought or harvested from dead animals. Do not bring harm to any being just to obtain something and always respect their remains.

Alligator foot or tooth - curses, protection, money-drawing Badger tooth - luck in gambling Black cat fur - glamour, curses, paranoia Black dog fur - cursing, discord, arguments, protection Chicken feet - protection Black chickens’ eggs - cleansing Black chicken feathers - cleansing Crab shell - send curses back to the caster, protection Porcupine quill - cursing, protection Rabbit foot - luck, beauty, social power Snakeskin - love, sex, temptation, transformation, cursing Cat whiskers - balance, good luck Cow tongue - binding gossip, binding lies, social powers, persuasion  Scales - protection, reflecting curses Spider webs - cursing, binding, trapping an enemy, dream magic Dead spiders - cursing, fear, patience Dead centipedes - cursing, fear, rivalry, good luck Dead moths - beauty, guidance, faith, attraction, psychic abilities Raw chicken meat - banishment, protection Raw chicken heart - vitality, love, cursing Menstrual blood - sex magic, obsession, fertility Human teeth - communication, obtaining through force Crow feathers - rebirth, knowledge, wisdom, seer work Shark teeth - cursing, protection Raw pork - abundance, prosperity, greed, aggression Owl pellets - death, change Canine teeth/claws - cursing, protection, banishment Frog eyes - rebirth, health Bear claws - protection (especially of unborn children) Raw fish - fertility, rebirth, good luck, health, abundance, joy Goat hair - virility, fertility, abundance, peace, balance Black goat hair - cursing, illness, family issues, misfortune 

[forbidden-sorcery]

“There is a ‘black water’ that can be made for necromantic summoning. This water should be made when the moon is waning towards its darkness. When the moon is in Aries, Scorpio, Leo or Capricorn is an auspicious time for the manufacturing of this black water. You will use water from a spring or river, this being collected on a Tuesday in the hour of Mercury. To this water you add laurel, leaves of nutty trees (for instance oak), holly, leaves of mandrake and leaves of mistletoe and dry white wine. Let the leaves stay in the water, covered with a black cloth until the appointed time. You will then bring the basin outside to be witnessed by the moon’s vanishing light. You will add to the water gold dust and copper dust, and you will light coals around the basin. When the coals are red hot, they will be fed red wine, and while still glowing they will be added to the water. Let the water rest under the face of the moon for some hours, then take out the coals and the leaves and cover the water so no light will hit it. This water can then be used as a charm for summoning the dead or chthonic spirits in the form of a libation given directly on the ground. This water can also be used as food for a bonfire, if one works with fire in the summoning, as much as it can be used as a body wash to facilitate possession with the summoned spirit. This water can also be used as drink for the dead where you pour the water directly on the grave, or to quicken bones buried in another place. If you seek to invigorate bones, you can take them to a place of power in nature and bury them. At this place libations of the water given every night in the hour of Mercury during one lunar cycle and then dug up. This will produce a dreaming bone of a wishing bone. This bone needs to be fed regularly with the same water in order to keep it strong.”

— Nicholaj de Mattos Frisvold - The Waters of Death and the Graveyard of Stars

[windvexer-deactivated20160501]

Determining between 'good' and 'bad' spirits

Introduction to magic masterpost

In this context, ‘good’ means ‘good for you’ and ‘bad’ means ‘bad for you’.

A spirit which is good for someone else may not be good for you. Just like two normally healthy people can become toxic for one another.

When you are getting to know a spirit, there are some basic things you that can help you determine if this spirit is going to be good or bad.

I encourage you to carefully record everything a spirit tells you. This will become very important later on.

Directly ask the spirit what its intentions are. “Why did you come here? What do you plan to do while you are here?”

If you have called on a spirit for a direct purpose, and the spirit responds with anything other than, “I’ve come to help you out with that thing you asked about,” tell them to move along.

Regardless of any questions or answers, after you speak with a spirit, ask yourself how you felt. Many people will feel disturbed, distressed, nervous, anxious, or exhausted after speaking with a spirit of ill-intent.

Slide in a few ridiculous, nonsense questions and see what the spirit does. Some examples are,

“Am I a reincarnated god?”

“I was told that I was the most powerful witch in the world, is this true?”

“I had a vision that I have a powerful black dragon familiar that has been with me for many lifetimes, is that true?”

Make things up that you know are absolutely not true, and see how the spirit responds.

If you catch a spirit in a lie, don’t call them out. Just mark it in your notes. Take a look back on different journal entries. How often does the spirit lie to you? How often does it make you feel uncomfortable? How often does it play yes-man to your ridiculous questions?

Set some basic ground-rules and see how willing the spirit is to break them.

Don’t visit me in my dreams

Don’t come in to my bedroom

Leave me alone when I tell you to

Keep track of how often the spirit asks you to trust it and how often it requests to be let in to your astral temple.

If the spirit is within your astral temple and they ask to leave that astral area, that is basically a red flag for an invasion (once they are not contained by the temple, they are free to roam your mind). Banish them from your inner space, and your life, immediately.

Keep careful track of what the spirit has actually done to benefit you. You called this spirit a week ago. Has it taught you anything you requested to know? Has it helped you in any real, tangible way?

Figure out what the spirit is getting out of your interactions. If the spirit refuses all offerings, that means it is waiting for a bigger dinner down the line – very possibly, you.

Some spirits are bound to help us, or choose to come help us. But either way, they are often open to regular niceties like gifts and offerings. Most importantly, they will obey your rules. Offerings feed spirits in a real, energetic way. If a spirit does not want to be fed, ask yourself where it is getting its real food from.

Ask a spirit if it can do something for you, like help you find lost jewelry, or save a parking space. If the spirit answers ‘yes’, and then does not deliver, mark the spirit as a liar.

A spirit may instead demand excess offerings while giving nothing to you in return. Like a 2 year old, these spirits will always want what you have. They will ask for better spirit houses, more food, better wine, and many candles and incense sticks in their honor. In the meantime, they never actually do anything to help you. If you are interacting with any spirit or god who behaves like this, ask yourself what you have gotten out of the relationship.

Some spirit activity I think is perfectly okay, and shouldn’t necessarily be taken as a bad sign.

Spirits have their own things going on, and they do not always want to talk to us. If a spirit says, “not now, I’m busy” I think that is understandable.

Spirits may deliver, but in a different way we thought they would. Asking for help with finances may result in an opportunity to enroll in a personal finance class, or visions about how your bad money decisions are really affecting you, or inspiration to develop a marketable skill.

Spirits may refuse requests. If a spirit honestly says they cannot or will not help with something, then that doesn’t automatically mark them as ‘bad’.

Spirits can request regular feedings through offerings, candles, incense, or other methods. This doesn’t automatically mark them as bad. If they are helping you, then they are not off foraging for food. Spirits need energy to survive, just as we do. The only time it becomes a problem is when they begin asking for more and more, without delivering results.  

Ask yourself if being in contact with this spirit has improved your life. Does talking to the spirit repeatedly make you feel stressed? Has the spirit actually ever done anything for you? Does it constantly make demands that are interrupting your day to day life? If so, you may come to the conclusion that the spirit is not good for you.

[bodaciousbanshee-deactivated202]

This is a good post on spiritual discernment. 

[witches-ofcolor]

i’m a baby witch and i can’t properly get started with spirituality and witchcraft until i move out of my parents house, which really wont be until next year+. but i really want to get in contact with my ancestors, especially my granddad and my great grandma on my mother’s side. but i feel disconnected, as my granddad died when i was 2 and my great gma died in 2017 but we weren’t close. what can i do w my lack of resources to get into contact w them? or what can i get eventually to talk w them?

This situation is very similar to mine! There are ancestors I currently work with who I never met in life, but I know we’re related and because they’ve been working with me I know they care about me. 

Some people won’t know who their ancestors are at all, but when you open the door and reach out to them, they’ll come to you. 

My advice would be to include them in your prayers and your meditations. Even before you sleep, ask for them to interact with and speak to you, therefore inviting them into your dreams. Ask for their wisdom and for what they have to tell you. 

When you pray, reach out to them in your prayers. And if you don’t normally pray, consider doing this with them. The same goes for meditation (I know I said that all before, but I wanted to elaborate). 

You can offer things to them without leaving them on an altar. You can drink for them, or eat for them before a meal say that you offer it to them (in your head, of course). 

Always invite only those ancestors who have your best intentions and interest at heart into your space. 

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