All The Things I Want To Know

I'm interested and a rookie wanting to learn what I can about practicing witchcraft

[kata4a]

out: naming girls after virtues

in: naming them after vices

[official-kircheis]

avarice, insolence, decadence, lunacy, vanity, conceit, hysteria, envy, malice, rage would be good goth girl names

[antlering]

Something that baffles me is when people compare Aphrodite to “bloody” goddesses (Anat, Inanna, Sekhmet, etc.) as a way to say Aphrodite is just a demure love goddess teehee, look how badass my warrior goddess is instead.

Aphrodite Ourania rose out of blood and the ocean and walked to land fully-formed. This Aphrodite is a Titaness, older even than the generation of Zeus. She has no mother. She is never an infant. She is the ultimate generative power, the fish, born from a male (upending societal norms) and wielding the power of creation and invention.

Aphrodite Areia is a war goddess - this is the title made famous by Athena and Ares, but Aphrodite does not get this title from her lover. She is a goddess of soldiers and fights on the battlefield of Troy. She is also Aphrodite Hoplismena, the armed, depicted in full armor with a shield and sword. This is the Aphrodite of Sparta.

Aphrodite Nikephoros is not only Aphrodite armored and armed, but Aphrodite commanding the power of Nike - Nike, the goddess usually found at Zeus’s side, ensuring victory. This Aphrodite is not one to be crossed on the battlefield, because you will not win.

Or maybe we just aren’t on the same page as the ancients when it comes to a “love goddess.” Aphrodite Pandemos is a goddess of frenzy, a goddess who incites war and madness, a goddess to whom it was said even the Fates would bend their will. To some Hellenes, Aphrodite was the goddess of creation because she is the spark of all love and desire - and to others, she was the creator of all.

There’s nothing wrong in calling Aphrodite a goddess of love - she is, truly. But this doesn’t make her timid. She is not clawless. She is a complex goddess, inextricably linked to the awesome war goddesses of the Ancient Near East. Do not dilute her just because you’re not familiar with her or with the domain of love goddesses. I know this may seem trivial to some people, but don’t reduce one goddess to make another look more powerful - they don’t need it.

[thesmallestsmallboy]

Enchanter’s Nightshade (Circaea lutetiana)

[skeletonsandwildflowers]

If you want to talk to the dead in an occupied graveyard…

Pretend to be on your phone speaking to a living person. You can say whatever the fuck You want and People will leave you alone.

[girlwithwolftatoo]

A magical advice for graveyard witches by: an invoker witch

Recently I saw some posts for and by graveyard witches that encourages to another sisters to do certain things in their local grave as a part of practicing magic and move energy. 

Althought I’ve had some amazing and lovely experiences by myself during visits to the cementery, I want to make some advices for those who want to try some things in them, specially now that Samhain is coming closer and some of us go more ofter to look after our ancestors and stuff:

† First of all: personal protection. Do not carry energetic personal things with you (crystals, satches) for they can get the atention of the “graveyard residents” and drain their energy. Instead, take a protective thing with you, it can be a charm, a sigil or even better: a personal thing that a beloved being has given to you. Family shields are the best when you’re facing spirits.

† If you want to talk with someone who isn’t related to you by parenting, you must present yourself by your name and your name only, explaining why are you there and if you have a question for the spirit. Be kind and patient, you can’t know which circumstances brought that person to their tomb and some spirits aren’t even aware of ther physical lost and become very attachted to whoever shows them simpathy.

† I recommend to not use graveyards as a place to charge anything. Those are places for resting and sometimes waiting for gone people, and their own energy can bring chaos to your spells or charms. For exactly this same reason, I recommend TO NOT MAKE SPELLS IN A CEMENTERY. 

† If you have a special request for a late familiar or someone special (let’s say, you’re visiting the grave of an admired person which you feel spiritually related), then you can bring a thing with you, and that thing only can be imbued in their essence. Once again, ask permission first to the spirit to do it and request exactly what you need of them (their strenght, their skills…).

† You must know cementeries aren’t just inhabited by late spirits. Some entities can make their home there, and those can be completely harmless or dangerous. If for any reason you step towards them, you must be ready to protect yourself. Make some research of your local legends about these entities (per example, in Mexico we have the “nahuales”, a sort of warlocks that transmute into animals to spread curses on certain people), specially if you’re not familiarized with them.

† I read a post about “ghost water” and how to make it. Once again I recommend you to not do it, unless is the vehicle you want to take from a familiar or a respected person (as I said a little above this text) their essence.

† And last but not least, remember be always kind when you’re in a cementery. Do not feel affraid to give greetings and farewells when you stare at a certain grave, you can say nice compliments (we can’t know how many of them aren’t visited by their family anymore, and the children are very sensitive to that kind of attention) or even leave some presents if you want or if, once again, you’re going to make a charge in a grave. Be safe, be nice and of course, be magical.

(If you want me to give more tips about spirit magic, or talk about my experiences,  please let me know in my askbox)

[the-corset-witch]

This is the finished Cemetery Dish, complete with a smokey quartz cluster behind the graves but in front of the fence.  I’m working on getting little bits of grass to put before the graves like little flowers.  The path looks amazing in the sunlight, the Golden Sheen Obsidian shines and refracts so beautifully.  

During the creation process I made a mixture of Essential Oils and poured them into the dirt before I put the topsoil on (so the more mud-packed soil, like of the path, is what I poured it onto).  Now I occasionally water the dish so the soil doesn’t dry out and begin cracking (like my skin after all this handwashing), and also so it releases the scent I put in the dish.

[stygiantarot]

Trick or treat <3 (From one graveyard witch to another, happy halloween!)

Happy Halloween!!

From one graveyard witch to another- here’s a targeted treat! 💀👻☠️

Ways to bond with a Graveyard

Clean up trash and debris

Bring offerings of water, flowers, strands of hair

Bring home leaves, sticks, small pebbles/rocks, a bit of dirt (NOT that are atop graves) to tie the graveyard to your personal altar and home spirit work

Take pictures of the graveyard

Look up history of it- when it was established, the main families it houses, any notable figures

If it’s an older one- take extra moments with the Forgotten Dead (headstones that are illegible). See if there’s a cemetery database to find out who they were. Don’t fret if there isn’t, just spending time with them is good too.

Read storybooks to any children buried there

Play music, sing if you’re comfortable

Use the natural items collected mentioned earlier to make a graveyard diorama with headstones at home to leave offerings for when you aren’t able to visit (it’s okay to supplement with soil from your home- it’s the thought that counts). These offerings can be stuff you aren’t able to leave at the graveyard itself- food, toys, books, etc

Sketch the graveyard and specific headstones

Headstone rubbings

Collecting snow water during winter months

Clearing leaves and twigs from atop headstones

Starting a memento mori journal specifically for that graveyard

Inquiring about how to be certified to wash/clean headstones at that graveyard (please don’t do this without permission)

Meditating in the graveyard

[kernaka]

@11seventy

[kitchenwitchtingss-deactivated2]

💕  Little Everyday Aphrodite Spells 💕

Here are a compilation of Aphrodite spells that you can practice almost everyday. I personally find myself doing most of these things out of habit.

I hope you guys enjoy! Criticism is always allowed, and I highly appreciate the notes and likes :P

Also feel free to ask questions, I’m always happy to answer! And if you want me to post about something, let me know.

Ａｐｈｒｏｄｉｔｅ＇ｓ  ｂａｌｍ

This spell is one you make once, and then can use it everyday. Apply it every morning on your wrist, neck, behind your ears, elbows, etc.

Ingredients

💕 1 ½ teaspoons beeswax beads

💕1/4 cup sweet almond oil

💕1 teaspoon vitamin E oil

💕2 drops vanilla oil

💕1 drop rose oil 

💕2 drops jasmine oil

💕Almond oil

💕Sweet orange oil

💕Amber oil

💕A small jar/container to store the balm in

Directions

Melt the bees wax and sweet almond oil in a clean container/can in a sauce pan of water (Half full). Put the heat on medium and let the water melt the oils and wax. Remove the melted ingredients from the heat and with oven mitts remove the container. Now is the time to add in your essential oils and vitamin E oil. Stir in with a popsicle stick. Let the mixture cool slightly, but not enough to harden completely. Now stir again and add to your jar/container and then let harden completely.

Now you can enchant this object and I highly suggest calling upon Aphrodite to bless your creation, although this is completely optional.

When you want to use it, warm the product with your fingertips and scoop enough to apply as you would a solid perfume.

Ｉｍｍａｃｕｌａｔｅ Ｂｅａｕｔｙ Ｓｐｅｌｌ

- An edible spell that makes you feel like a god/goddess

This one you can make in the morning and night, and always puts me in a good mood. 

Ingredients 

💕Hot chocolate mix of choice - Self-love, Nurturing, Love, Balance

💕Dark/bittersweet chocolate - Love, Romance

💕Almond milk or any milk of choice 

💕Vanilla - Attraction

💕Cinnamon - Power, lust, success 

Directions

Heat up milk, then add your hot chocolate mix. Melt your real chocolate, and add vanilla and cinnamon. Let it sit on the heat for a couple more minutes. Pour into a favored mug, or one that is enchanted. Top with anything you’d like.

Ｓｐｅｌｌ ｏｆ Ｓｗｅｅｔ Ｓｐｅｅｃｈ

- A spell to sweeten your voice and words

This is a spell I do every morning when I start my skincare and makeup ritual. I learned it when I first started the craft. 

Ingredients

💕Honey (Or agave nectar)

💕A spoonful of sugar

Directions

Take your ingredients, enough to coat your lips, and mix them together. Then using your thumb (this represents will power and will boost the spell) smooth the mixture over your lips. Envision what this spell will do for you, and think of your intent in your mind.

Other little things:

Enchanting all your skincare/beauty products

Burning pink and white candles every morning

Taking your time to pamper yourself (Proper hygiene, baths, skincare)

Doing the things you love ❤️ 

Thank you for visiting my blog, 

and all the love, from Angelica

I love you all! My DMs, mail, and comments are always open! 

xoxo, Angel.

[disease-deactivated20210414]

W.I.T.C.H. BOSTON | INTERSECTIONAL FEMINIST COVEN | RITUAL & RESISTANCE | witchboston.org

[luxautemnox-deactivated20200706]

YAASSSSSSS

[uriahraex]

the smell of the wind, rain, and earth all at once is so overwhelmingly calm and gives me so much serotonin it’s unimaginable

[thewitchystuff]

Witchy Moon*:･ﾟ✧

A little guide on using the moon in your favor while practicing witchcraft!

The moon is so important in cycles and everyday life so pay attention to what she says!

[soritesparadox]

Reminder that Stonewall wasn’t about marriage equality. Stonewall was about police brutality. It was about systemic abuse and subordination. Stonewall was spearheaded by black trans women. As we celebrate Pride 2020, within the context of the Black Lives Matter riots, it’s imperative that we remember that.

Riots in protest of police brutality are the reason that we have more rights today. Do not forget your roots.

You can’t celebrate Pride while simultaneously condemning the Black Lives Matter riots and protests that are happening right now. Know your history.

[ruthlessdilettante]

Crossing the Hedge

So, recently I have decided that I can’t really call myself a hedgewitch because I’m still learning how best to cross the hedge. I mean, I’ve done it but I can’t always repeat the success.

There are a number of methods out there, and possibly some that I’ve never even heard of. So the ones I do know of for sure are:

Music

Chanting

(Hyper)Relaxation

Entheogens

Dance

Pain

I haven’t heard of any hedgewitches using the last 2 methods but they are employed in some Sufi traditions when attempting to go into a trance in order to commune with God so I am adding them to the list while unsure if anyone actually uses them.

What amazes me is that there are all of these methods and I have yet to find one that works well for me. I’ve had limited successes. I tend to end up hyper focusing on the here and now with some of the methods described for travel. Music, especially with violins, makes me feel like I’m playing it and I’ll get lost in listening to the strands of notes instead of trying to travel. Chanting has often acted in a similar way. I can’t imagine what I would do if I tried using pain or dancing to try to travel….

I have had successes with drumming tracks, though, so that’s something. 

Edit: since writing this post up on Wednesday, I have had a vague success. I meant to kind of be there and here at the same time and I found that it was actually pretty successful. If I got too far in, I felt a little jolt and I was back where I was supposed to be. I do believe that I will be able to replicate previous attempts, perhaps with a better success rate.

[witchy-oates]

Flying Ointment Review

I ordered a flying ointment made by Alchemy6! Shipping was quick and the packaging was carefully put together to ensure no damage came to the product. It came in a cute little purple sachet with witchy charms, as well as a free sample of a perfume oil. 

Pros:

Smells AMAZING! A lot of product (if you use normal doses, as you should with poisonous plant based products) for a little price! Only ten bucks :) Uses many ingredients other than just the belladonna, like mugwort, clary sage, and wormwood.  Works very well, at least in my case. It put me into a dreamlike state where disbelief was suspended and intuition flowed freely. I can’t wait to use it more!

Cons: 

Uses beeswax and coconut oil as the base of the salve, in a combo that makes it a little hard to use. I would have preferred animal fat, but this is great if you’re vegan. You have to really work to heat it up in order to get it on your finger in a spreadable state. I used a blowdryer. 

Side effects: 

I had blurred vision as the only kind of benign effect, which is pretty much expected in flying ointment using belladonna. I noticed an upturn in my mood and self perception, but I don’t recommend this as a treatment for depression or negative self esteem or anything. 

Warning:

You gotta understand you’re rubbing poisonous plant wax on your skin. It can have adverse health effects if you’re allergic, if you use too much and overdose, or if you use it too often. Be smart. 

Overall, I give this product a 5/5 on doing what it’s for and a 3/5 on like consistency and smoothness. 

[thewaysidewitch]

Bring Nature Inside: Part 1

Last Spring I delved into gardening more than I ever had before. I planted all kinds of flowers, trees, herbs, shrubs, and more! It was fantastical to dig in the dirt and care for these plants, watching them bloom and grow and stretch toward the sun.

Then winter came and one by one many of my plants began to whiter or stop giving off blooms. This is obviously upsetting but also a reminder to contemplate the nature of life and death and everything in-between. 

However, there is a simple way to help bring that joy of plants and growing into the home through houseplants! Below I have provided some house plants that I personally care for as well as both mundane and magical properties of the plant.  

💐 Devil’s Ivy (Pothos)💐

Devil’s Ivy is one of the easiest plants to care for in the home.

Mundane Properties (Devil’s Ivy):

Only water the plant every two weeks (over-watering is the most common way to kill a devil’s ivy and under-watering rarely harms the plant).

The plant is toxic to both you and pets. So if you have any familiars lurking about that like to munch on things keep it out of reach!

The plant is easy to propagate and after a while you can have hundreds of them around your home.

If your plant looses a leaf it will never grow back on that part of the stem.

Pothos is fairly slow growing but will live for decades if properly taken care of.

Magical Properties (Devil’s Ivy):

Save stems you trim off to be used in binding or banishment spells.

Like most ivy, growth this plant around the walls or floors of your home can protect it.

Can be used in witch jars as a form of poison magic.

💐 Spider Plant💐

Mundane Properties (Spider Plant):

A spider plant is a great addition to every home!

Although all plants will remove toxins from the air, Spider Plants are one of the most effective house plants and achieving this goal.

Over-watering is the leading cause of death for plants at home.

The plant, when happy, sends off shoots that produce babies which can easily be snipped off and potted to create more plants.

This plant is non-toxic and is safe around familiars and people!

They prefer a bright North or East facing window.

Magical Properties (Spider Plant):

Spider Plants can be used in all kinds or protection magic.

The pups can be cut off and placed in a spell jar to filter out bad spiritual energy.

Long stems and leaves of the plant can be tied into a witch’s ladder for protection.

Placed on your altar the plant can help equalizes the energy of your altar and tools placed upon it. 

💐 String of Pearls💐

Mundane Properties (String of Pearls):

The String of Pearls can be a difficult plant to get right, however, once you do you will be happy with the beauty it can bring into your home.

This plant requires a fairly consistent temperature (room temperature or a bit warmer is perfect for this girl).

Make sure to place this plant away from any breezes (windows, fans, and vents can cause this plant to stop growing and possibly die).

Only water this plant when the soil is completely dry, take care to ensure the pot you have it in has good drainage.

You may need to work carefully with the String of Pearls to unravel it’s many creeping tendrils and prevent it from looking a mess.

It may take a few tries but the String of Pearls is a fairly easy plant to propagate and give to friends.

Fairly fast growing in the right conditions. 

Needs very bright light.

Slightly toxic when consumed, some people are also receptive to the juice and sap of the plant.

Magical Properties (String of Pearls):

The fairly fast growing tendrils can be snipped (this does not hurt the plant) and be used in love charms and love magic.

Growing in the home, the plant promotes positive energy and happiness.

Pearls which fall from the plant can be used in divination bags once dried.

When the plant flowers the energy surrounding is perfect to use in all magics wishing to draw something to you.

(Disclaimer: This is by no means a comprehensive guide to each of these plants. Doing research on any plant before attempting to grow it yourself is highly advised. The magical properties of these plants are my own interpretations and you may find different or alternative uses for them.)

[sugarsweetcandycorn]

This little lizard jumped on me and started rubbing on my fingers. After some time I realized he was getting rid of his old skin. Mr. Tiny Lizard choosed me to be his “helping-hand” in this important Stage of his life and I feel very honored

[impassioned-heart]

This is so fucking adorable omg