So this might be a weird question for some, and I'm not exactly sure how to phrase it, but to put it in short, I am a picky eater. But not only that, I am also closeted in the sense that even though I openly practice witchcraft, deity work is something I'm keeping hidden from my mother. So the thing is, I have made food offerings to Lord Apollo in the past. Most of the time, M&Ms. I want to expand what I can offer, because when I usually make offerings, it's foods I've already tried out. But I want to expand the foods I'm going to offer.
I had the idea that maybe before I make any food offerings when it comes to new foods that I haven't offered and foods I haven't tried, I could try it out for myself just to see if I can personally consume it. And if I enjoy it, then it's obviously something I'm going to more regularly give Lord Apollo. But the thing is, I know that at certain times in my life, I may create food offerings that I may not necessarily enjoy, but I will create for Lord Apollo.
So the question is, is it okay if instead of consuming it myself, can I give it to other people in my household? I live with my sibling and guardians, and they are a lot more open to it than I am, especially my mom. And so I was thinking, because I want to get into Hellenic polytheism and know that Xenia is a very important factor in the religion, I thought maybe if it's okay, I could make the food offerings to Lord Apollo first, of course, letting Hestia also enjoy and have the food offering. And then after a few hours, I could then give it to someone else in the house to spread Xenia. That way, it can be an act towards Zeus, who is supposed to be the king of Xenia, or the god of Xenia.
I've tried looking for answers myself, but I've mostly found things that relate towards your own self consuming the foods and not giving it to others. And don't worry, I will not give food towards the underworld deities to others in the household. I've done my research.
And of course I'll make sure Lord Apollo is okay with me doing this before I even think of doing this on my own. But this is a question for if he says yes or just to have in mind for the future.
Be part of a coven, even if it's for a little bit of time
Be part of a group ritual
Become one of those witchy store owners or like, have an online witch service
Have someone convert into witchcraft because of me, lol. Just a funny thought, it'd be really funny if someone did.
Witnessing exorcism
Go to a really haunted location and see how things get batshit crazy
Interact with a haunted doll and or object
Astral Project
Be able to travel to a few astral realms
Not be stuck in said astral realms
Not, like, contract some sort of parasite from the astral realm
Shapeshift in the astral realm
Lucid dream
Using a spell to help me gain a significant amount of money
See if shifting is real and how, like, crazy it can get
Avoid shifting into a realm where my fictional crush, especially Xiao from Genshin Impact, is there. Because if I end up in a realm where he and I are together, and there is a high chance where if I go to one where he is there, there's a 100% chance I've scripted that he falls in love with me. And if I were to end up in a realm where he and I end up together, but I come back to my realm without him, I will feel extremely lonely and empty, and it's going to really mess with me. Because in one realm, I have Xiao, who is my lover, but in this realm, I have don't, and I may end up leaving him in the future and get married and settle down and have kids in this realm, knowing that I'm cheating in an extremely long-distance way on my lover, who's from not even my galaxy, who's waiting for me to return to him. Or I might create a copy of this realm, and in this other alternate reality, everything is tailored to myself, and everything just fits so interconnectedly, so intimately, in a really nice way. However, the issue comes that when I eventually return to this reality, I will become extremely dissatisfied, and it may lead to mental health issues, and I do not want to suffer from mental health issues at all. And I really do not want to permanent shift, because it feels really guilty to me that I'm going to have copies of my loved ones, but I'm not going to be really with my loved ones, because yes, they are the exact replicas of my loved ones from my current reality. They are just not going to be the same, because the real ones are in this reality. They're living and breathing and going through their own issues in life right now, while in this alternate reality, they are just copies of my loved ones. And yes, to a degree, everyone is a copy of another, but I just do not like the thought of the first copies that I've known and grown to love so dearly, will not be the same copies that will be in my alternate realities.
Eat a healing crystal and see if it can heal me inside out
It's days where I can hardly move that I'm glad I put Lord Apollon's altar right next to my bed. I may not be able to get up but at least His altar is beside me and it makes me feel a little bit closer to Him.
Devotional practice is a term I coined to be able to name the mainstream contemporary (neo)pagan/polytheist mode of worship that is often found in online circles. This approach is most often defined by a few characteristics that I will be detailing further in this post.
The reason I feel the need to name this approach is because for me, and from what I can tell others as well, this is not the way I practice. In the future, I will be (hopefully) working on a series of posts that detail my approach, however, as a beginning I want to try to define a few terms and ideas in the hopes of making my points clear and understandable to those who have not been mulling this over for months to years like me.
So, for a start, here are a few characteristics, that in my mind define Devotional practice. However, a Devotional Pagan/Polytheist's practice must not meet all the criteria to still fit the definition.
- Worship of one or only a handful of deities - as opposed to engaging with a pantheon (or pantheons) as a whole
- Personal and often deeply involved relationship with a God or Gods (the Gods may work with the worshipper on their personal journey)
- Casual and often routine usage of divination as a communication method with the Gods
- Usage of language of "devotees" and "devotion" and "working with the Gods"
- Strong focus on mysticism
Other surface level characteristics can be:
- The creation of multiple altars or shrines in one's home
- An emphasis on physical item offerings (that are left on altars/shrines) and devotional acts
In Conclusion
Devotional practice, due to it being the mainstream way of worship, is one that is probably quite familiar to those reading this post. As someone who has spent years trying to make this approach work for me, I have a lot of respect for it and those who practice it. However, I have also found it lacking for me personally, and wish to share my experience with others, in the hopes of offering an alternative that can work for them, as it works for me. In the posts that will follow, I will aim to present the way I practice, which is based on a more distant and formal relationship with the Gods, as a sort of guide for those who may be interested in trying a different approach.
I'm not even kidding when I say that the urge I have to work with Aphrodite is inexplicable. I don't know if it's a good thing, but yeah.
For starters, I want to work with Aphrodite so badly, but at the same time, not so badly, but at the same time, I really want to, but at the same time, I also don't. And I don't exactly know how to describe the feeling. Like, I want to personally work with her, and I feel that pull, but I also don't feel that pull, if that makes sense.
The easiest way I can describe it is with this, I guess. So there's a rope in front of you, and it's pulled really, like, quite tightly. And so you decide that you're gonna go, and with one hand, you're going to kind of, like, pull away from the rope and move the other towards it. And so somehow, like, how do I say this?
Like, your right hand is the one furthest out and pulling the rope towards you, but the rope nearest to you, you're like, pushing it away from you. And so it's kind of like that gap between your two hands goes limp and whatnot. That's the easiest way I can describe it. Like, you can feel the pull tightness in one hand. However, in the other hand, you can feel how limp it goes.
I'm sorry if it's confusing. I'm not really good with words right now.
But I really do want to work with her, and I really do want to at least try some sort of daily work with her. Like, even if it's for some spells, I would think it'd be nice. I do feel like if I try working with her, it may end up turning into path work, where she ends up staying for some life lessons. And I do also feel like perhaps a reason I don't feel this pull as well is because I have not built up Kaharis well enough with the Greek gods, and I feel like that may have been a large reason of why maybe the pull towards her isn't as strong.
I definitely do work on my devotion towards the gods, especially Greek gods, as I do want to get into the Hellenic polytheism religion. However, I've not been really making any efforts to learn about it, so I'm definitely going to be trying to learn some stuff.
Like, for example, that's how I learned about the Kaharis, and how you needed to establish a good role with the gods and whatnot to gain favors and help and aid from them. So I'm definitely going to be working on my craft, and also my religion, for that matter, before working on the gods.
I really do want to at least try working and talking with Aphrodite, because I really feel like it'd be really nice to at least gain some experience with working with her, because I feel it'd be amazing, phenomenal, or life-changing working with the gods, because I really just want to work with her.
Like, when I'm daydreaming, I imagine myself being a devotee of Aphrodite and working with her to some degree and whatnot, and I think it'd be beautiful to work with her. But like, again, with that rope analogy that I told you about, I just don't really feel it as strongly as I say feel that pull towards Lord Hermes and Lord Apollon.
Of course, things could change over time. I just need to work on my craft and my practice, with all the things actually in life that's happening right now. I've actually told Lord Apollon that I would like to take a break from him, and my worship, just for a moment, just to have things kind of settle, because it's December, and a lot of things have actually gone down the past couple of days.
It's not even funny, but a lot has happened, and my life's a mess right now, and I would like to really just take time to focus away from my religion and craft, to focus on outside commitments. So, there's that.
So, to anyone reading this, you might be a little confused about what I mean by that. Long story short, a while ago, I made a post titled “Oddly Enough, I Am a Half-Closeted Witch.” In that post, I explained how even though I technically practice witchcraft openly, it’s not something I talk about explicitly with my family.
My parents are aware that I practice, but the moment I try to branch out into new areas, they tend to shut it down. For example, if I mention wanting to explore elemental witchcraft, they immediately tell me not to because they think I’ll attract spirits. When I told my mom I wanted to start deity work, she discouraged me, saying she didn’t want me to “end up like one of those people in hospitals who think they’re talking to ghosts.” I know she doesn’t mean it in a rude way, she’s just worried.
My grandparents on my dad's side used witchcraft in really fucked up ways, and it led to some terrible things, especially with fertility problems between them (my grandparents) when they were practicing. Because of that history, my parents carry a lot of fear around anything magical. But it still hurts. I wish they could see that what I’m doing is nothing like what my grandparents did. I mean I literally just make smell jars and thats all I do!
My dad, on the other hand, believes witchcraft automatically means “summoning rituals.” Once, when he thought there were spirits in the house, I offered to make a simmer pot to cleanse the space. He immediately shut it down, saying, “I know what those summoning rituals are, I’ve done that stuff before.” I tried explaining that a simmer pot is literally boiling herbs on the stove for cleansing and intention-setting, but he refused to believe me.
That night, he even made my younger brother sleep in my BED for a few nights to “protect me.” It wasn’t the first time, either. And honestly? It really ticks me off. Not because of my brother, but because I’m seventeen, and he’s fourteen. I’ve always wanted my own space and privacy. I’ve done the protections, cleansed my room, and even locked my mirror. I know I’m safe. But they don’t have faith in me or my craft and that really hurts.
Recently, I’ve also had to hide something from them: that I work with Lord Apollon. I did tell my mom once that he reached out to me and wanted to work with me, but she instantly told me not to go down that path. She said I’d lose my mind if I did. But I followed my heart anyway, and months later, I’m still sane, stable, and more spiritually grounded than I’ve ever been. I understand her concern, but she takes it to extremes. She and my dad are both overprotective, and I know it comes from love, but it makes things so hard.
I want to expand into more advanced areas of my craft. Things like candle magic, elemental magic, and even working with nature or water or air spirits. But in this household, I can’t do that without drawing suspicion. So unless I go full closet witch, I don’t think I’ll ever get the freedom to practice the way I truly want to.
And to be clear, they’ll still know I’m a witch, but they won’t know what exactly I’m doing anymore. Like… they’ll know I’m “in the closet,” but not what’s going on inside the closet, if that makes sense.
What frustrates me most, though, is that my parents will still use my witchcraft when it benefits them. My mom, for instance, once asked me to help manifest a house for us to rent, and not long after, we found the one we live in now. Later, she even asked me to help manifest a house to buy. Whether she used what I taught her or just had good luck, it still shows she believes in it when it’s convenient.
Same thing with my dad. He’ll joke about spells but ask me for witchy favors when it suits him. Like, “Oh, they say bay leaves bring money? Maybe I should keep ten of them in my wallet and get a billion-dollar deal.” It’s always half-mocking, half-serious. And that fucking stings because if my craft is good enough to help when they need it, why isn’t it good enough to be respected when I’m doing it for myself?
That’s really why I’ve been thinking of going full closet witch. I just want to practice freely, without being watched, mocked, or misunderstood. I want to be able to do my spells, my rituals, my devotionals acts without feeling like I’m being treated like a kid playing with fire.
They can know I’m a witch.
They just don’t have to know what goes on in the closet <3
(っ◔◡◔)っ ♥ 5 witchy things I wish I knew when I started ♥
1. Don’t Rely Too Heavily on ChatGPT (or AI in General)
I know it’s really tempting since ChatGPT is right there on your phone, laptop, or tablet, ready to give answers instantly. But the plain truth is that it’s not always accurate, and it’s not always ethical. And it takes away that human essence thats meant to be there in your practice.
ChatGPT and other AI bot can generate misleading or spread information that can be wrong, especially about witchcraft and spirituality. Since they pull information from all over the internet it means they can accidentally spread false or even harmful practices or copy from other creators without credit.
On top of that, AI tools have HUGE negative environmental costs. I can't find the original video, but the data bases that LLMs use can take up to over 30 million gallons of water, and not only that but they produce large amounts of greenhouse gases. If you are a witch and feel guilty reading this I just want you to know that its not your fault. We’re all human and so it’s natural for us to go for what’s easiest. But it’s good to be aware that there’s a real-world impact behind every AI response.
Over time though, I would highly recommend that if you can right now or can't but want to in future, quit using ChatGPT.
If you still want to use ChatGPT, try using it as a helper, not a teacher. I know its hard to just not use ChatGPT or other Ai chat bots on a whim. So the next best thing is to instead rewire how we use them:
Topic ideas to research on your own
Recommendations for safe online communities (like WitchTok or Tumblr witchcraft spaces)
Starting points for finding books or creators
That way you’re not letting AI do the work for you, but instead using it to point you in the right direction. Of course, no matter what these AI bot shares when it comes to topics to research, online communities and books and creators that are recommended, you should ALWAYS take everything with a pinch of salt and do your own investigation. Which I can't stress enough.
2. You Can Use What You Already Have
You don’t need expensive herbs, pretty crystals, or imported tools to be a witch. Witchcraft is about intention, not aesthetics.
Look around your kitchen and you'll find rosemary, thyme, bay leaves, salt, and pepper. These are everyday ingredients that have been used in magic for centuries. If you learn about whats in your kitchen, it unlocks a range of possibilities for you.
If you want to expand your practice, learn about local plants and flowers. Study their folklore and meanings. You can even assign your own correspondences to items that feel special to you!
For example, I use Ovaltine as a spell ingredient for energy, creativity, healing, and recharging. Personally, I find that I connect Ovaltine with solar energy.
Remember: you tailor your craft to your environment, not the other way around.
3. Fancy Tools Aren’t Needed
When I started, I didn’t have a tarot deck or crystals. I used:
A playing card deck for cartomancy
Tea lights instead of tall candles
Regular plates and bowls from my kitchen as offering dishes (I still do this! And I've been practicing for 3-4 years!)
Painted pebbles instead of store-bought runes
You don’t need to break the bank to practice. If your craft starts to drain your wallet, take a step back and rethink how you’re approaching it. Magic should empower you, not create stress or financial strain.
Get crafty if you want! DIY your own deck, make a candle yourself, take a plain plate and decorate it symbols, paint ruins onto stones you feel drawn to, the possibilities are endless!!
4. Meditation and Warding Are Essential
Meditation isn’t just for calming your mind, it strengthens your spiritual senses, helps you connect with your deities, and makes your intuition clearer. Plus its overall good for your health.
Warding, on the other hand, protects your space and energy. Think of it as setting up a spiritual force field. Or a condom for your energy. Whatever works for you.
How Warding Works:
Visualize each corner of your room as a point of light. When connected, those points form a barrier that shields you from negative energy or low-level entities.
Always cleanse before you ward. Use smoke, sound, or water. Then, recite a short chant or affirmation to set your intention.
Even a weak ward is better than none. Over time as you keep practicing, you can learn more about protection and the wards you create will grow stronger.
If your home life is tense or emotionally heavy, I especially recommend warding. Emotional stress can make your aura more vulnerable to energy draining spirits or parasites. Keeping your space energetically clean and shielded helps you feel safer and lighter. This is based off of personal experience, they cling to places where negative emotions dwell.
5. Always Read Book Reviews Before Buying Witchy Books
This is so important. Just because a book is popular or recommended doesn’t mean it’s safe or accurate.
Some “witchcraft” books:
Include racist, homophobic, or transphobic content
Use closed practices or sacred traditions that aren’t meant for outsiders
Spread false information or harmful stereotypes
Before buying or reading any witchy book, look up reviews from other witches. This helps you avoid misinformation, harmful content, and unethical authors.
I'll make a post on how to find reliable online communities, safe beginner friendly topics to learn, and what you should avoid when looking for books and creators to help guide you through your craft. But anyways, I hope you enjoyed my content, bye!
(っ◔◡◔)っ ♥ Oddly Enough I'm A Half Closeted Witch ♥
Its lowkey kinda hard to explain how I'm a half closeted witch but at the same time not?
Basically heres the gist: My parents are well aware of my craft, I practice it but I don't bring it up. I only talk about it when my parents ask, or when joking.
Its honestly frustrating because I can't fully express my witchy interests around them. For example: My mom wanted me to help her manifest a house to rent in for a while, I aided in a spell which I made her preform using my tools and she got it. But I can't practice a lot of candle magic or burn many things.
I can do tarot readings but I can't do anything that deals with elemental spirits even though I believe that the elements themselves are spirits.
I'll make jokes with my dad about how putting bay leaves in your wallet increases money flow and abundance, but then he will interrogate me on what I'm writing on paper and leaves and burning them.
I gift spell jars to my family and tell them what the purpose of those jars are, but when my family believe that theres a possible spirit in our house messing with us I'll tell them that I'll make a simmer pot to cleanse the whole house but then my dad barks at me telling me no.
He often says hes 'done these things before' and has done 'summoning's' but literally he was using a fucking Ouija board (idk if he did but knowing him I'd say he has a fare few times) while I'm over here doing tarot readings to see if I will pass my exams or not.
The only thing I hade in my practice is that I work with Lord Apollon but thats about it...
My situation is better than most which I do acknowledge but even when I explain to my mom "Mom this is my (Apollo's) alter you can't let people touch it" or "I don't have to but I want to set up wards mom, besides they're a good thing" or if I explain what every herb or candle color and the entire process of a ritual means and does its a no if it goes outside tarot readings, bay leave spells, the 369 method or spell jars.
Its pretty frustrating but I'm slowly expanding my craft. Though I wish it was faster and had more resources so that way I can do more to experiment with my craft and see where my calling is from.
(っ◔◡◔)っ ♥ Offerings You Can Give To Lord Apollon ♥
Hii! SO I have had this in my drafts for a while so I decided to make a post for Lord Apollo as I have nothing better to do this evening. So I made a list of simple things you can do as an offering for Lord Apollo! These are things witches of all ages and stages can do! I hope this is helpful!
Creative Offerings
Sing to Him
Play musical instruments for Him
Hold dance parties in His honor
Write or read poetry for Him
Create art (drawing, painting, photography)
Compose or share music playlists dedicated to Him
Share your creative hobbies—anything made with love
Acts of Devotion
Try different types of divination
Pray to Him often (guidance, healing, inspiration, truth, prophecy)
Learn His myths, as well as the stories of His mother Leto, sister Artemis, and His lovers
Honor Leto and Artemis alongside Him
Study about Delphi and His temples
Spend time in the sunlight—walks, morning sunrises, or simply opening your curtains
Symbolic & Material Offerings
Real or artificial sunflowers and hyacinths
Chocolates with orange or lemon flavors
Laurel wreaths or imagery
Golden jewelry, or jewelry themed around the sun or arrows
Wolf and dolphin imagery or items
Swan and crow feathers (or feathers in general)
Candles in yellow, gold, or white
Sun-themed art and decorations
Food & Drink
Sun water
Milk
Olive oil
Herbal teas
Fruits (especially bright, sunny ones like oranges)
Cheeses and breads
Honey and coffee (a warm, energizing combination He seems to enjoy!)
Personal Offerings I’ve Given
These are just examples of what I’ve personally done and were well-received:
Painting sunflowers and hyacinths together
Reading and writing poetry dedicated to Him
Drawing art for him
Creating a Spotify playlist, including songs like “Apollo” by Momma and “HYACINTHUS” by Aidoneus together side by side
Buying a hyacinth flower (I'm ass at taking care of plants but I’m learning how to take better care of it)
Singing songs in his honor
Taking healing baths
Lighting incense
Practicing my tarot skills with him in mind
Bought a citrine ring and a bracelet stack (one broke, but I’m replacing the latch)
Learning more about his myths and the Temple of Delphi
Going on walks in the sun
Sharing coffee and honey together
He really likes my yellow and orange M&Ms…
Important Note:
Lord Apollo is part of the Greek Pantheon making him a Hellenic deity. Whenever you are about to offer a prayer or offering to him please make sure to cleanse yourself as Miasma. Miasma isn’t “sin” but rather ritual impurity or spiritual pollution that naturally builds up in daily life. Things like being sick, dealing with strong emotions, contact with death, or even just the general “uncleanliness” of everyday living can create miasma.
To honor a Hellenic God properly, it’s respectful to cleanse yourself first so you’re approaching them in a state of clarity and reverence.
Simple Ways to Cleanse Miasma
Wash your hands and face with soap and water before prayer or offerings.
Sprinkle yourself with khernips, which is water mixed with a bit of salt or a burning herb/leaf (like bay or rosemary) dipped into it.
Light incense and pass your hands through the smoke.
Take a shower or healing bath if you want a fuller reset.
I really hope this helps, if you have any questions feel free to shoot a message into my INBOX and I'll happily share more of my things with you guys!
