anthologiemystika

[anthologiemystika]

Orchids: Their Care and Use in Magic

Orchids are by far my favorite flower and for many reasons. They are beautiful, easy to purchase (you can usually find full grown orchids at your local florist or supermarket), and come in some of the most dazzling colors in creation. They are also one of the more overlooked magical flowers to use. Below I will go over the uses, care of, and nature of these picky little beauties.

One of the best thing about Orchids is they are an indoor plant not typically associated with witchcraft, which is perfect for those in the broom closet!

Uses

Orchids are a water element plant with power in both the Venus and Aquarius signs. Orchids are associated with the gods Bacchus and Pan. During a celebration of Bacchanalia, the celebrants killed the son of a satyr. When the satyr prayed to the gods to be given pity, his son was given eternal life and turned into an Orchid, which is how they came to be. Orchids are mainly used in love spells, however are also good for communication. Giving an orchid to a person is said to help put romantic energy into movement. The tubes that hold the flowers, once dried, can be turned into powerful amulets for love. Orchids are also good for contacting the spirit realm, as well as for letting your loved one know you are thinking of them. Overall Orchids are a wonderful flower and plant to use for any spell to contact someone you love either living or dead, help grow new love, and help create peace and harmony in a given space.

Care

So Orchids are a bit picky to everything, too much water and their roots rot, too much light and they burn. Do not put them in soil!!! They require a bark and peat mixture to grow as they breathe through their roots. Water them once a week or so by letting running water flow through the bark and drain, only for a few moments. Alternatively, you can soak them in a small layer of water for about 15 minutes. DO NOT USE ICE TO WATER!! This is a common misunderstanding and can lead to damage to the roots! Place them in a well lit room with no direct sunlight. The room also needs to be able to get to complete darkness overnight as Orchids are one of the few plants that need to “sleep”, by not being in a dark enough room for about 7 hours a night, they could die. When the last few flowers fall off, cut the stem tube they grew from off but leave the rest of the plant. The stem tube can be dried and used for amulets and talismans and, as long as you continue taking care of the plant under the right conditions, they will bloom again and again (I have had mine for close to 5 years now!). There are many subspecies of Orchids, some may be toxic to pets if ingested. Please always do your research before adding them to your home for your furry friends.

[anthologiemystika]

FishCraft Series | Water

The most basic of basics when it comes to fish, and aquariums, is the water.

Saltwater

Saltwater is the more difficult of the choices to work with. The chemistry involved is a little more serious to maintain as the ammonia, nitrites and nitrates are more problematic to control than they are in freshwater. The specific gravity (salinity) is also something that must be constantly monitored. I do not reccomend this choice to the beginner aquarist.

This option does come with some magical benefits however. Saltwater magnifies magical intentions, and is great for cleansing, purification, and protection due to the salt content. In my opinion, for the purposes of FishCraft, having a saltwater tank will keep your spell charged longer than just freshwater, and intensify your personal magic and intentions.

Saltwater is also the cradle all life is born from. As such, I find that using it in witchcraft, not just FishCraft, is very beneficial for spells relating to health, long life, and general well being.

Freshwater

Going for simple, clean, dechlorinated freshwater is not only just as beneficial, but also much easier for the beginning aquarist.

In FishCraft there are a few ways you can interpret the magical properties of freshwater. They all have one thing in common, the flow of the water.

If the water is stagnant, like a lake or pond, its great for self reflection, peace, relaxation, and contentment. I personally find still waters excellent for curse or hex reflection.

If the water is slow moving like a creek or stream, its energies are best used for purification and cleansing.

If you have a serious, heavy duty current pump in your tank the water will be like that of a river. River water is best used for change, moving forward, overcoming challenges, and protection.

Brackish Water

Brackish water occurs where freshwater rivers or streams run into the ocean or sea. The salinity content is much lower in brackish tanks than a saltwater setup, and is a little easier to maintain.

Because a brackish tank is both fresh and saltwater its almost the "white candle" of FishCraft. It takes on magical properties of both environments, as well as adding its own flavor to the mix.

Brackish water is mysterious, where it occurs in nature tends to be murky, muddy, and obscured with low visability. This aspect makes it perfect, in my opinion, for use in a curse - to muddy ones eyesight or perception for example.

Its also good for adding mystery, to yourself, your situation, your love life...wherever you feel some mysterious energy is needed most. Brackish water also has a balancing energy, as many plants that grow in a brackish environment are baneful, while many others are not.

To put the properties of each water type in simpler terms, this post will conclude with them in list format.

Saltwater

• Cleansing • Purification • Magnify magical intent • Health • Longevity • General Well Being

Freshwater

• Calm Water - self reflection - curse/hex reflection - peace - contentment - relaxation

• Slow current - purification - cleansing

• Fast current - change - moving forward - overcoming challenges - protection

Brackish Water

• Balance • Mystery • Low visibility curses • Curses in general • Protection • Magnify magical intent

Photo source for legend GIF | Koi pond photo source

Saltwater photo is my own, taken in Labadee, Haiti.

[anthologiemystika]

Pop Culture Magic | Fight the Darkness Charm

"My heart is strong. I'll prove it!"

This spell is inspired by Kingdom Hearts, a well loved Square Enix video game series. More specifically inspired by a character from the Series, Aqua - one who constantly fought the darkness, won many times, and managed to claw her way back out when she was lost... with a little help from her friends.

This spell is to help fight the Darkness in your life. Be that stress, anxiety, or just plain old sadness. Everyone can use a little uplifting.

What you'll need:

• Mesquite incense I use this for protection, healing, and cleansing, though you may substitute for whichever incense you prefer. Or none at all if incense bothers you.

• Aqua blue candle Esoteric meaning of aqua includes happiness, harmony, healing and peace

• A small Star shaped jar I am a sucker for spell jars. The star in this case represents the Wayfinder charm Aqua made for Ventus and Terra. Also acceptable is a regular bottle with a star shaped charm to wrap around or attach to the jar. Ideally the jar will be small enough to make a necklace out of to wear this as a ward.

• Obsidian chips Used for protection, and elimination of negative energy from the self and environment

• Dried Lavender buds Soothing for anxiety, plus smells nice while adding to your jar.

• Dried Green tea leaves These improve your focus and help reduce stress in a spell.

• Pink Himalayan salt Calming, self love

• Fluorite chips These help create order from chaos, relieve stress, aid in focus, and cleanse

As this spell bottle is for cleansing yourself of stress, anxiety, and sadness the best place to start is grounding and centering yourself. There are many ways to do so, and I always recommend choosing your favorite method. I personally like to meditate and visualize for about 10 to 15 minutes before a spell if time allows for it.

Once you've prepared yourself and your work space, light your incense and repeat these words three times:

I can feel the Light May my Heart be my Guiding Key The Darkness Doesn't Interest me

After repeating the rhyme, use the smoke from the incense to cleanse the bottle you're using. Pass the opening over the smoke a few times to catch some in the bottle. Once you've felt you have done this enough times (I usually recommend 3 to 7) turn the jar right side up and let the smoke clear from the inside.

Light your aqua blue candle, and then you can start layering your spell ingredients. The order only matters to the spell caster, but this is the order I would use:

First, a layer of black obsidian chips for eliminating negative energy from yourself and the environment around you.

Then a layer of pink Himalayan salt to cleanse yourself and promote self love.

Followed by a layer of green tea and lavender buds (you can mix the two together) for focus, reduced stress, and soothing anxiety.

Last but not least, a layer of fluorite chips to create order from the chaos causing your darkness.

Place the cork in the bottles opening, and use the wax from the aqua blue candle to seal it. If you used a star shaped bottle, this will be one of your last steps. But if you used a bottle that was a regular shape, then you would attach the star shaped charm and secure it with the wax as well. As you're doing this, you can repeat the rhyme from above three more times.

If the bottle is small enough to wear, you should attach the necklace it will be on after the wax has dried enough to do so, but before you snuff out the candle. Let the candle burn as the wax dries and take that time to visualize and focus on the results you desire from this charm.

[anthologiemystika]

Modern Magics | Cotton Candy

Cotton Candy is superheated floss sugar (a fancy name for granulated sugar) and food coloring. It has a light, airy, cottony texture and comes in a variety of colors. However since cotton candy is generally PINK or BLUE I will focus on those colors.

image source

Correspondences:

Sugar: Love, friendship, sweeten a situation

Cotton-like texture: durability, simplicity

Pink: Ruled by Venus, self-love, personal harmony, friendship, love

Blue: Ruled by Jupiter and the Moon. Joy, opportunity, patience, peace, truth, loyalty

image source

A spell involving cotton candy can go a few ways. It can be a ritual or spell of self love, and harmony within, or it could be one of friendship, sweetening relationships with others and promoting peace, loyalty and truth in those relationships.

It could be made as an offering to a God or Goddess that values love and harmony (especially one that has a sweet tooth!).

If you're looking for a self love ritual, cotton candy bath bombs are a wonderful, brightly colored addition. And very easy to come by as well. They usually come in both pink and blue at once so you can take advantage of both colors for your intents. Example: a self love ritual bath that promotes inner harmony AND honesty. Too often I have found that I am lying to myself about silly things!

image source

I like to try and incorporate new things into my magic that most people havent used yet, or thought of. Cotton Candy is a new enough food that it hasn't been introduced into kitchen magic or magic in general. Not that I know of anyway. So a lot of this is my personal interpretation of colors and the singular ingredient (sugar). I hope it was an interesting read for y'all, maybe I'll look for more unusual modern things to add to my Grimoire and post about!

[anthologiemystika]

The Elements: A Beginner's Guide

Earth, Air, Fire, Water. Since the dawn of time these elements have been the driving force of our world. They have been worshipped, studied, admired, and even feared. What can be more beautiful than a snow capped peak, or a rose petal dancing in the wind? What can be as awe inspiring as a hurricane? Or as feared as a forest fire? In this lesson we will do a dive into these primal forces to help get a better understanding of their uses in magic.

Earth

Direction: North, the place of cold | Time of Day: The coldest part of night | Color: Green/Brown | Animal: Bear and Deer | Instrument: Percussion | Moon Phase: Dark Moon | Representation: A bowl of salt or earth | Spells: Abundance, Growth, Money, Stability, Endurance, Home and Hearth, Strength etc.

Earth. The immovable object. Earth has widely been seen as the element of stability. Indeed, what is more stable than a mountain? Unshakable, it is always there, supporting us as we walk, being under our feet and helping us connect to its life force. Considered a gentle element, the element of earth can also cause upheaval in everything it does. While not fast moving or flashy, spells using the element of earth will be slow moving, yet the results will be as permanent as the mountains themselves, and will grow like the plants to become a beautiful new result. From the place of cold and the time of darkness, do not let Earth intimidate you, for she will only seek to make you stronger.

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Air

Direction: East, the place of renewal | Time of Day: Dawn, the time of new beginnings | Color: Yellow/White | Animal: Hawk and Birds | Instrument: Woodwind | Moon Phase: First Quarter | Representation: Feathers, Petals, Incense | Spells: Communication, Cleansing, Creativity, Mental, Speed, Travel, Starting something new, Legal Matters, etc.

Air. The heavens caress. Air is one of the easily most volatile elements out there to work with. Who hasn’t been enjoying a nice breeze, then been almost blown away by the gales as they get stronger. Mover of obstacles and removing stagnation, Air has always been a sign dedicated to bringing about change and helping with communication. If you find yourself in a slump, needing some creativity, or wondering if the person you love is thinking of you, Air is the element to help. As a bringer of change and inspiration, it is the element that is also tied with renewal. Quick to action, yet unpredictable in nature, Air spells will make sure the job is done quickly, and will make sure to bring a new change when they are completed. From the place and time of renewal, Air can be chaotic, yet if you embrace her she will help you fly.

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Water

Direction: West, the place of peace | Time of Day: Twilight, the time of contemplation | Color: Blue | Animal: Salmon and Fish | Instrument: Strings | Moon Phase: Waning Crescent | Representation: A bowl of water, seashells, rain | Spells: Love, Truth, Harmony, Peace, Psychic Abilities, Change, Emotions, Inward Reflection, Divination, Giving Thanks, Honoring the Dead and Deities, etc.

Water. The ever changing. Water has been instrumental in the survival of everything, indeed nothing can live without water. From the dawn of time water has long been associated with being the element of care, the element of who we are and our deepest secrets. Water exists in all of us, it fills our blood and connects every living thing on this planet together. But water can also be violent, tumbling roaring, becoming hurricanes and typhoons, just like people. Water is a reflection of who we are, who we want to be, even reflecting our inner emotions. It is unforgiving with its reflection of us, yet never judges. They say a persons heart is as deep as an ocean, and they are not wrong, for it would take an entire ocean of memories and experiences to make us who we are. Water spells will probe to the deepest layer of the issue, bringing to the surface everything about the issue, and will remind you that there will always be calm after a storm. Water can be cold, yet if you embrace her, she will surround you with all the beauty in the world.

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Fire

Direction: South, the place of heat | Time of Day: The hottest part of the day | Color: Red | Animal: Salamander and Lizards | Instrument: Brass | Moon Phase: Full Moon | Representation: Candle, Wand, Athame | Spells: Passion, Romance, Prophecy, Destruction, Banishing, Endings, Energy, Awareness, Illumination, Healing, Inspiration, Victory, Rage, etc.

Fire. The one that burns. Fire is easily the most difficult element to work with, have it too low and it only sizzles, too hot and it burns. Since the dawn of man Fire has helped keep the shadows at bay, keeping us safe through the night. We light candles for the ones we love, we use heat to help our aches and pains, we use fire to cook with and to warm our homes during the cold winter months. Fire is the spark inside of us, it is the feeling of your first kiss, of getting that promotion, of finishing that painting. It is the passion that comes to light when we do something we love. It can also burn though, leading to anger and rage, thoughts of destruction and burning the world around us. Fire is tricky, yet without it, the world would be a cold and barren place, for Fire brings the light to this world. Fire spells will work quickly, burning through the darkness to illuminate everything around a situation and making sure that when it is done, there is nothing left to question, no matter the results. In the innermost part of your soul, embrace Fire, and she will bring light to your world.

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Spirit and Void

Direction: Above and Below | Time of Day: All and None | Color: White, Purple, and Black | Animal: All of them | Instrument: Vocals | Moon Phase: None, they are represented by the stars | Representation: Pentagram/Pentacle, Song, Touch, Smell, Taste | Spells: All and None

Spirit. The Void. The place of inbetweens and existences between what we know and what we do not. The element of Spirit/Void is not one I was going to include on this list initially, as it is a concept more so for theology versus practical application, yet the more I thought about it, the more it makes sense. For Spirit and Void exists everywhere and nowhere. It is found in the spaces between. It is everything and nothing at the same time. It is the primordial element that created everything, and is the end of everything as well. Much of witchcraft is focused on the wheel shape, if you look at it in that shape, the other elements are the supports, and the Spirit is the wheel itself. It is what makes up the heavens and exists in between the stars. It is the darkness where we go to hide, and also the helping hand that shows us the way. It is time, it is space, it is everything. Spirit and Void is the subconscious, it is an entity of its own, it is our fears and our joy. It is our inspiration and our blocks, it is every living thing on this planet. We are the final element. We are spirit and void. When the big bang happened, and the cosmos came into existence, all of those stars spewed out dust. Those pieces of dust came together to become the planets, and the waters, and the climate, and the fire. It came together to form us. We are all made of stardust. We are all spirit. We are all void. We can do anything.

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*All images were taken from Pinterest*

[anthologiemystika]

FishCraft | An introduction

As an aquatic specialist, fish enthusiast, future marine biologist, and exciteable witch I look for many things to incorporate into my craft that resonate with me on a personal level. One of those things I have been working on for a few years now is something I have dubbed...

FishCraft

This is something that is still a work in progress. There will be posts added to this regularly, each focusing on a different aspect of aquariums and their practical applications to my craft and spell work.

Many of the posts included in this series will be of my own creation, meaning that while medicinal information is readily available for many of the common aquarium flora, magical properties are much harder to find. Therefore these will be based off my own research and intuition.

Note: Fishtanks are a serious responsibility. They arent something you can just throw together and ignore. They need maintenance, and diligent care, and setting up a tank properly can cost anywhere from 100 USD to a few thousand dollars. FishCraft isn't something to be taken lightly, as it is basically one very expensive, long term spell that can be modified and changed over the years.

As I stated above, fish tanks can be huge, ever changing and evolving spells. Most aquarists have a set schedule for their tanks, but as a rule maintenance should happen at least once a month after testing the water quality. Since I am immersed in the tank up to my elbows (sometimes farther) at this point, I use this time to charge the spell, spend time with the life being maintained in the aquarium, make sure the plants are healthy, and focus my intentions while doing these things.

As this is something of my own personal creation, I look forward to sharing this practice with you. I hope it inspires you to get creative with your magic as well.

Once I start posting in depth information about FishCraft, I will be using the tags #KitchPosting , #FishCraft , and #ReginaSolem - so keep your eyes on those if you're interested in learning more!

[anthologiemystika]

Building a Magical Home

One of my favorite quotes about the magic of homemaking comes from Cory Hutcheson, host of the New World Witchery podcast. He says, “Home is a transformational act. It is the thing you do to turn a space into a space… that is full of ritual and significance and meaning. So there is sort of this ongoing relationship you have with the space that makes it a home.”

The act of creating a home, of making a space your own, is inherently magical. But if you want to make your space feel a little more witchy, here are some ideas to get you started.

Charms and Talismans

Making your own magical objects can be a powerful way to bring magic into your space. The best thing about making your own charms is that you can make them look however you want, so it’s easy to disguise them as ordinary household objects. You can make a charm for any intention by combining objects based on their magical correspondences.

I’ve talked about protective charms in previous posts, so I’m not gonna spend a lot of time on it here. The simplest protective charm is keeping a large piece of iron under your bed to keep away nightmares, evil spirits, and negative energy. You could also make your own protection charm, like a witch bottle.

You can create a “happy home” charm to bring peace, harmony, and happiness into your home. This charm could include herbs like basil, rosemary, lavender, peppermint, and/or bay leaves, as well as other items that you associate with peace and good fortune, like lucky coins, crystals, or black cat fur. Write your desires for a harmonious and happy home on a piece of paper, fold it up, and add it to the charm. You could store these items in a green bag, bury them in your backyard (in this case, make sure you’re only using biodegradable plant matter — leave out the coins and crystals), or place it inside a household object like a lamp or an end table.

If you suffer from insomnia or other sleep issues, try making a dream charm to help you sleep well and have sweet dreams. To make a simple dream charm, fill a blue or purple bag with lavender, chamomile, peppermint, and any other objects that you associate with peace, restfulness, and sleep. If you want to have lucid dreams or receive psychic messages in your dreams, include a bit of mugwort. Place the charm in your pillow or under your mattress. (I personally swear by this one, as it’s helped a lot with my insomnia.)

Charms are great for homemaking magic because you’re actually creating a magical object, which can then become a permanent fixture of the space.

Magical Decor

You can use magical items to decorate your home to bring certain qualities into that space.

Hanging or displaying a broom is said to bring good fortune, protection from evil, and good hospitality. Cauldrons are used to represent the Goddess, rebirth, and raw potential. Horseshoes hung above door frames bring safety and luck to all who cross under them, and keep unwanted guests away. If you can get them legally and ethically, animal bones, teeth, claws, and feathers can represent the spirit and energy of that animal. You can also put up images of spiritual and occult symbols — I have an image of the Sun tarot card hanging in my bedroom to promote positivity and growth.

If you need to be a little more subtle with your witchy decorations, working with the magic of color is a great way to do that. Gathering a lot of items of a single color in one room changes the energy of that room. Here’s a quick guide to give you some ideas:

Yellow is associated with divination, mental clarity, the element of air, success, communication, and inspiration.

Purple is associated with divine power, spiritual awareness, mystery, astral travel, magic, and authority.

Blue is associated with healing, psychic abilities, the element of water, peace, truth, and patience.

Red is associated with protection, the fire element, sex, power, vitality, and love.

Orange is associated with ambition, creativity, breaking through blockages, and career success.

Pink is associated with romantic love, friendship, self love, compassion, and emotional well-being.

Green is associated with nature, herbalism, the earth element, money, wealth, prosperity, and luck.

Brown is associated with grounding, animal magic, stability, and balance.

White is associated with purification, cleansing, the full moon, new beginnings, healing, and spiritual growth.

Black is associated with protection, truth, outer space, banishing, and transition.

Decorating your home with colors that are meaningful to you can create a powerful magical space. You may also have your own color associations (for example, yellow is a very “happy” color for me), so feel free to incorporate those into your decor as well!

Growing Magical Houseplants

Most witches feel a very deep connection to nature and draw power from the natural world, but we can’t all live in a cottage in the heart of the forest. Even if you live in a tiny apartment in the city, you can still bring nature into your space by keeping houseplants. Many popular houseplants have magical uses, and many popular magic herbs can be grown inside. Here are a few to get you started.

Aloe. This is one of my favorite plants. Aloe brings luck and protection, especially protection on an energetic/spiritual level. I like to keep aloe in my bedroom to protect me while I sleep, as well as to bring luck and inspiration while I’m working at my desk.

Basil. Basil is very popular in money spells, and will attract prosperity and luck to your home. However, it also has protective properties — both spiritual protection and protection from bugs, since basil is a natural insect repellent! Basil can also be used in love spells, and is just generally a good plant to have around for good vibes.

African Violet. This flowering plant attracts positive spiritual energy into your space. It has associations with the moon and the water element, and is very good for promoting spirituality and psychic power.

Rosemary. Rosemary is one of those herbs that every witch should have on hand. It’s so darn versatile, it can be used as a substitute for virtually any other herb, and can be used for almost any intention. Some of the most common magical associations for rosemary include: cleansing, purification, protection, healing, mental activity, and enhancing memory. According to author Deborah J. Martin, there’s an old English saying that, “Where rosemary grows, the woman rules the house.” Like basil, rosemary is a natural insect repellent.

Lavender. Lavender brings peace, love, and gentleness, which makes it a perfect addition to any home. It can be used in spells for cleansing and purification, enhancing psychic abilities, and stress relief. Lavender is also a powerful addition to love spells. Keeping lavender in the bedroom can aid in restful sleep, while lavender in the kitchen will bring harmony to the home.

Sage. Sage is the most talked about cleansing herb, and with good reason. Unfortunately, a lot of the sage bundles you can buy at metaphysical stores are made with white sage (Salvia apiana), which is sacred to Native American peoples and is endangered due to overharvesting. Instead of buying those, why not grow your own garden sage (Salvia officinalis), which has a lot of the same magical properties? Growing sage in your home will purify the space and protect those who live there. Sage also has an association with wisdom and mental prowess.

Hoya. Hoya is a common houseplant that you’ve probably seen even if you don’t know it by name. It has a distinctive appearance with waxy, dark green leaves and clusters of white, star-shaped flowers. Hoya aligns and balances the energy centers within your body, as well as in the surrounding space. It’s associated both with grounding and with spiritual openness, so it can be great for balancing the two.

Peppermint. Peppermint has a variety of magical uses, but my favorite way to use it is for gently opening up blockages and getting things moving. It’s great for cleansing, but is more gentle than rosemary or sage. Place it in any room where you tend to do a lot of healing work, or where you could use some peace and love. Peppermint is also used in dream magic, so growing it in the bedroom may bring on vivid or lucid dreams.

Orchid. Orchids are used in magic for love and lust. Historically, orchid has been used in folk medicine to promote male virility and “Jezebel root,” used in American folk magic to attract wealthy male lovers, is a type of orchid root. If you live with a significant other, try growing an orchid in the bedroom to promote passion in your sex life. Otherwise, grow orchids in your home to promote love or to attract romance.

Catnip. If you have cats, they’ll love this one. Catnip is actually a type of mint, and has strong lunar associations. It’s said to make one more charming and attractive, and is especially useful for attracting women. At the same time, catnip promotes courage and fierceness. It is also, of course, associated with cats and feline deities, so this is definitely a plant you’ll want to keep around if the cat is one of your animal guides.

If you have a yard space that you can turn into an outdoor garden, your magical plant options are limited only by your local ecosystem. Some outdoor plants that have magical uses include roses, sunflowers, rue, lemon balm, and strawberries.

Creating an Altar

Altars are focal points of magical and spiritual energy. Many people, both witches and non-witches, find that having a designated space for their spiritual practice creates a deeper sense of sacredness and purpose.

An altar can serve lots of different purposes. Many witches use their altar as a magical work space to prepare spells, meditate, and do divination. You may choose to dedicate your altar to a deity, your ancestors, or some other spirit(s) you work with. You can also build altars for specific intentions, such as a money altar or a love altar — performing rituals at this altar everyday is a powerful method for manifestation. You altar may be some or all of these things, or it may just be a place to sit and connect with the spiritual.

You can set up an altar on any flat surface, like a shelf or table, or inside a container like a jewelry box. Your setup can be as simple or as elaborate as you like. An altar can be huge and complex, with statues and candles and flowers, or it can be as simple as a tealight and an incense burner. It’s all about what appeals to you.

Resources:

New World Witchery pocast, “Episode 143 — The Magical Home”

Southern Cunning: Folkloric Witchcraft in the American South by Aaron Oberon

Wicca: A Guide for the Solitary Practitioner by Scott Cunningham

“Candle colors and their meanings” by Michelle Gruben on the Grove and Grotto blog

Green Witchcraft by Paige Vanderbeck

A Green Witch’s Cupboard by Deborah J. Martin

“The Magic of Orchids in Wiccan Love Spells & Rituals” on the Art of the Root blog

[anthologiemystika]

🔥 Burnable Spellboxes 🔥

For spells, rituals or offerings!

I just made some offering boxes to put into the wickercreature at Castlefest, so I wanted to share some ideas! I had this idea for a while and finally found some time and energy to make some.

What you need:

🔥 Pretty patterned paper (I got some paper blocks from the dollar store)

🔥 Spell ingredients/Offerings (anything goes as long as it burns)

🔥 Cord/wool/linnen ribbon (remember: natural fibers)

🔥 Optional: pretty flowers for the top!

What you do:

Find a favourite tutorial for an origami box online. I used this one. And fold your pretty papers into a box. If you want, decorate the box a bit more. I made three: one for the Goddess Baduhenna, one for Nehalennia and one for the Horned God. I designed bindrunes for them and put them on the bottom of the boxes.

I got some fresh flowers from my garden and wrote down some poems (and made my own) to dedicate to the Gods. Then I added some herbs, lots of Marjoram as a taglock (my name means Marjoram) and even a bit of my favourite perfume. I wanted to make it as personal as possible.

Now simply close them and tie them shut. I used wool in the colours that matched the deities I’m making them for. I also tied some pretty flower to the top!

And there it is! Now my boxes are ready to be sacrificed! Of course you can substitute any offerings by spell ingredients to make it into a spellbox! Have fun, and as always, feel free to tag me when you make these! 🌙

[anthologiemystika]

some people make gods sound like LinkedIn recruiters

[anthologiemystika]

Sonoran Desert Plants & Their Magic

Creosote Bush

Larrea tridentata

A.k.a Stinkweed, Chaparral, and Hediondilla

image source

Creosote is a prominent plant in the southwestern portion of North America, it's range includes the Sonoran, Mojave, and Chihuahuan deserts.

Correspondences

• Element: Water

• Powers: Permanence, longevity, healthy isolation (living alone with a purpose i.e introspection or healing), developing a "tough skin", overcoming challenges, logic, reasoning, order

Mesquite Tree

Prosopis velutina

A.k.a Velvet Mesquite

image source

Velvet Mesquite is found naturally, and plays an important ecological role, in the Sonoran Desert. They grow 20-50 feet in height, or more in well watered areas, less in dry grasslands. The roots far extend the height of the tree, as such Velvet Mesquite can access water sources that are deeper than most plants can reach.

Correspondences

Planet: Saturn

Element: Water, Earth

Powers: Healing, protection, cleansing, purification

Chuparosa

Justica californica

A.k.a Hummingbird Bush

image source

Chuparosa is a flowering bush native to the deserts of Southern California, Arizona, and Northern Mexico. Chuparosa and Chiporosa are both colloquial Spanish terms for "hummingbird". For a short while this shrub produces succulent leaves, it then loses those leaves and grows plentiful tubular flowers. These flowers are generally shades of bright red, but can also be found in shades of yellow. Hummingbirds frequent this low bush to feed on the sweet nectar hidden in the flowers.

Correspondences

Planet: Venus

Powers: Beauty, self-esteem, romance, sexual energy, love, new beginnings, positivity

Brittle Bush

Encelia farinosa

image sorce

Brittle bush is a rather common little shrub found in Northern Mexico, Arizona, Southern California, Nevada, and Utah. It's name comes from the brittleness of the stems. A Spanish name for this plant is "incienso" because the dried sap was burned by the early Spanish missions in the New World as incense.

Correspondences

Planetary: Sun

Element: Earth

Powers: Healing, cleansing, luck, empathy, friendship, protection, banishing sickness

Desert Lavender

Hyptis emoryi

A.k.a Bee Sage or Bushmints

Image source

Desert Lavender is found in Arizona, Nevada, California, and Northwestern Mexico. It is a medium to tall perennial shrub that is favored by honeybees in early spring. The violet-blue flowers are profuse along the main stem and side branches.

Native American tribes like the Akimel O'Odham saw this plant as a "pure and holy plant that cleanses all evils away from one's spirit". It's traditional Native American uses include smudge wands that were burned to cleanse the body of diseases and stop heavy menstruation and internal bleeding.

Correspondences

Element: Earth

Animal: Honeybees

Powers: Spirits, purity, banishing, warding, psychic energy & ability, cleansing, protection

Ephedra

Ephedra fasciculata

A.k.a Mormon Tea or Arizona Ephedra

image source

This plant is found mainly in the Mojave, Colorado, and Sonoran deserts. It thrives in creosote bush scrub. Historically it has been used as an alternative to coffee.

Correspondences

Element: Air

Planet: Earth

Powers: Protection, healing, positive energy, cleansing, friendship, happiness, purity, alertness & focus

Yellow Bells

Tecoma stans

A.k.a Yellow Trumpetbush

image source

Yellow Bells is an attractive ornamental vine native to the Americas, and is the official flower of the United States Virgin Islands. It is hardy in nature and can be grown nearly anywhere, becoming an invasive species in some areas. It's large yellow flowers attract many creatures such as hummingbirds, bees, and butterflies.

Correspondences

Element: Earth

Powers: Resilience, dominance, strength, healing, cleansing, banishment, cursing, retaliation

Source 1 | Source 2 | Source 3 | Source 4 |

Source 5 | Source 6 | Source 7 | Source 8 | Source 9 | Source 10 |

[anthologiemystika]

Ideas on how to capture/store Solar Energy and why I like them:

☼ Sun water

This one is pretty basic and reliable, because it’s basic. Take a jar, fill it with clean water, leave in direct sunlight for however long you feel is right, and seal it after. The energy collected is direct but dispersed, so I personally wouldn’t recommend it for aggressive spells or strong, impulse-based magic. Works with protection, grounding, cleansing, and meditative magic though.

☼ Suncatchers

An easy way to get “lighter” Solar energy than with the water, since it’s stored in a transparent crystal and not in a dense, moving body of water. Very passive in nature, so won’t do well if used to be dragged out and forced in an aggressive spell. Has a cumulative effect, can work for protective spells, warding, keeping the space clean and light-filled.

☼ Mirrors/system of mirrors

This one is a bit more action-driven, because it requires light to be directed, moved, and interacted with to collect. I personally recommend using this one for at-the-moment spells when Solar power needs to be directed in a pointed way. Works for “aggressive” action spells, cleansing, fuelling hexes, and general spellwork.

! Warning: Mirrors can be a fire hazard in warmer seasons, because they direct heat as well. Do not leave these unsupervised.

☼ Reflective stones/transparent stones

Works very similar to suncatchers, but, depending on the stone’s properties, can alternate Solar energy’s impulse in whatever way you want it to be alternated. The list is pretty much endless, base it off your own correspondences. Can be used for storing Solar power on your altar or other place of energy focus, fuelling spells, personal grounding, and other “passive” magic work.

☼ Phosphorescent materials

Be careful not to get any toxic ones, but keeping a statuette made of material that collects Solar heat and glows in the dark after might be nice for those who want to use the “nightly” aspect of Solar power. Kind of similar to using moonlight, but without any association with Lunar entities. Might be used to work with the Cthonic power of the Sun, personal warding if you do any nightly rituals and need protection, or to fuel spells.

☼ Prisms

Similarly to mirrors, this one collects and redirects Solar energy. If you need to fuel a spell, directly affect someone/something with a beam of good old sunlight (and whatever it carries in your case), or actively banish an entity, this can be nice assistance.

☼ Circles made of metal (gold, bronze, heat-keeping materials)

Circular shapes are a traditional Solar symbol in many cultures, and collecting heat of the Sun within those might be helpful in magic. Leave one in direct sunlight until it’s warm enough (do not burn yourself) and use it later. Can be helpful in offering to Solar entities, warding (circle is a protective shape), or fuelling protective spells.

☼ Tanning/sunbasking

Lastly, you are your most powerful magical tool. If your health allows you to, safely tan up when you naturally can, or just bask in the Light. Collect the heat with your very skin, use it in your magic as your body naturally - slowly - cools down. Can be helpful in doing Tarot or similar work, casting spells, and generally connecting to Solar entities. Invite yourself in Their field of power.

P. S. These are tips from my experience. Do not treat it as a universal guide.

[anthologiemystika]

What it's like trying to learn about the Occult

Trying to learn more about the occult is so intimidating. I am trying to gather as much knowledge as I can, but there is so much reading material. Like for most other western religions it's "𝘏𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘪𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘣𝘰𝘰𝘬. 𝘙𝘦𝘢𝘥 𝘪𝘵 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘯 𝘪𝘵𝘴 𝘵𝘦𝘢𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘴." But for the occult it's "𝘏𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘪𝘴 𝘢 𝘥𝘦𝘤𝘳𝘦𝘱𝘪𝘵 𝘰𝘭𝘥 𝘭𝘪𝘣𝘳𝘢𝘳𝘺. 𝘔𝘰𝘴𝘵 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘣𝘰𝘰𝘬𝘴 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘱𝘢𝘨𝘦𝘴 𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘯 𝘰𝘶𝘵. 𝘈𝘭𝘭 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘮 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘥𝘪𝘤𝘵 𝘦𝘢𝘤𝘩 𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳. 𝘚𝘰𝘮𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘮𝘰𝘴𝘵 𝘱𝘰𝘱𝘶𝘭𝘢𝘳 𝘰𝘯𝘦𝘴 𝘸𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘸𝘳𝘪𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘯 𝘣𝘺 𝘣𝘪𝘨𝘰𝘵𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘭𝘶𝘯𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘤𝘴. 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘧𝘶𝘳𝘯𝘪𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘦 𝘴𝘮𝘦𝘭𝘭𝘴 𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦 𝘮𝘰𝘭𝘥. 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘭𝘪𝘣𝘳𝘢𝘳𝘪𝘢𝘯𝘴 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘺𝘦𝘭𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘵 𝘦𝘢𝘤𝘩 𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳."

[anthologiemystika]

Pop Culture Paganism | The Dalish Pantheon | Dragon Age

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In the world of Thedas, the Dalish elves show respect for and worship five gods and four goddesses they refer to as "The Creators." The All-Father, Elgar'nan, leads this Pantheon. He is known as the god of fatherhood and vengeance. Beside him rules Mythal, the goddess of motherhood and justice. Opposite the nine Creators are the precursor gods known by the Dalish as "The Forgotten Ones."

This post focuses on the Creators; I will include basic information on their mythology and things you can leave them as offerings and elemental correspondences.

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Elgar'nan

Long ago, when time itself was young, the only things in existence were the Sun and the Land. The Sun, curious about the Land, bowed his head close to her body, and Elgar'nan was born in the place where they touched. The Sun and the Land loved Elgar'nan greatly, for he was beautiful and clever. As a gift to Elgar'nan, the Land brought forth great birds and beasts of sky and forest and all manner of wonderful green things. Elgar'nan loved his mother's gifts, praised them highly, and walked amongst them often.

- Codex Entry: Elgar'nan: God of Vengence

Elgar'nan was the first of the ancient elven Gods, born of Earth and Sun. According to Dalish myth, the Sun had grown jealous of the Earth's favor of Elgar'nan and burned its creations to ashes. Enraged, Elgar'nan fought with his father and threw him from the sky. He only later restored the Sun's place with the help of Mythal's intervention, on the condition that the Sun set every night.

Most elves invoke Elgar'nan when seeking retribution or vengeance.

Symbols & Correspondences

• Colors: yellow, white

• Sun

• Black onyx

• bamboo, chili pepper, cinnamon, thistle, linden (flowers and leaves), nutmeg

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Mythal

It was at this moment that Mythal walked out of the sea of the Earth's tears and onto the Land. She placed her hand on Elgar'nan's brow, and at her touch, he grew calm and knew that his anger had led him astray. Humbled, Elgar'nan went to the place where the Sun was buried and spoke to him. Elgar'nan said he would release the Sun if the Sun promised to be gentle and to return to the Earth each night. The Sun, feeling remorse at what he had done, agreed.

- Codex Entry: Mythal: The Great Protector

The Dalish believe Mythal was born from the Sea after Elgar'nan threw the Sun out of the sky. She is said to have calmed and shown him that his anger had betrayed him. Thus, Mythal convinced Elgar'nan to free the Sun. On the first night of the Sun's freedom, Mythal created the moon out of the Earth around the Sun's bed to be a pale reflection of the Sun's true glory.

Symbols & Correspondences

• Colors: Purple, blue

• Dragons

• Moon

• Carnelian, kyanite

• Nettle, garlic, St. John's Wort, mugwort, chestnut

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Falon'Din

In ancient times, the People were ageless and eternal, and instead of dying would enter uthenera—the long sleep—and walk the shifting paths beyond the Veil with Falon'Din and his brother Dirthamen. Those elders would learn the secrets of dreams, and some returned to the People with newfound knowledge.

But we quickened and became mortal. Those of the People who passed walked with Falon'Din into the Beyond and never returned. If they took counsel with Dirthamen on their passage, his wisdom was lost, for it went with them into the Beyond also and never came to the People.

- Codex entry: Falon'Din: Friend of the Dead, The Guide

In Dalish mythologies, Falon'Din and Dirthamen are the eldest twin children of Mythal and Elgar'nan. Falon'Din had no fear of the dark and could walk where The People (elves) could not live.

Legends say that the twins were inseparable spirits from birth through adulthood. They were separated when Falon'Din took pity on a dying deer and carried her across the Veil, somewhere tricky for Dirthamen to follow. As Falon'Din watched the deer's spirit release from her body and prance around again, he vowed to remain behind the Veil to guide the dead to their place in the Beyond.

The elves invoke Falon'Din on their deathbeds or before quests they do not expect to return from.

Symbols & Correspondences

• Colors: black, gray

• Owl

• Tigers Eye

• Bay leaves, elder, eucalyptus, grapefruit

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Dirthamen

Dirthamen wandered aimlessly till he came across two ravens. "You are lost, and soon you will fade," the raven named Fear said to Dirthamen. "Your brother has abandoned you. He no longer loves you," said the other, named Deceit. "I am not lost, and Falon'Din has not abandoned me," replied Dirthamen. He subdued the ravens and bade them carry him to Falon'Din.

- Codex Entry: Dirthamen: Keeper of Secrets

When Falon'Din crossed the Veil, Dirthamen lost track of him and wandered the gray spaces and roads of the Fade, searching for him. There he found the two ravens, Fear, and Deceit. When Dirthamen outwitted them, they brought him to Falon'Din, and the twins were never separated again.

According to elven lore, Dirthamen gave the gift of knowledge to The People and taught them loyalty and faith in family.

Dirthamen counseled elder elves who walked the Fade in search of the secrets of dreams. In one tale, he granted a secret to each creature of Thedas. Only the bears managed to keep their secret and are therefore honored by Dirthamen.

Symbols & Correspondences

• Colors: Dark blue, Purple, Silver

• Bears

• Ravens

• Sapphire, turquoise

• Apple, hazel, sage

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Andruil

Andruil, blood, and force, your people pray to you. Grant that your eye may not fall upon us. Spare us the moment we become Your prey.

- Elven Prayer to Andruil

Andruil's parentage is unclear; some legends say she is the daughter of Elgar'nan and Mythal, while others say she was created from the Earth. All stories agree that Sylaise is her sister.

Andruil is the creator of the Vir Tanadhal, or Way of the Three Trees.

1. Vir Assan, or Way of the Arrow: fly straight and do not waver.

2. Vir Bor'assan, or Way of the Bow: bend but never break.

3. Vir Adahlen, or Way of the Forest: receive the gifts of the hunt with mindfulness. Alternatively, together we are stronger than the one.

Andruil watched over the forests and the animals that resided in them, and she taught the people to respect them.

Symbols & Correspondences

• Color: Red

• Hare

• Hawk

• Aquamarine

• Cypress, mistletoe, fuzzy weed, yellow evening primrose, parosela

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Sylaise

It is Sylaise who gave us fire and taught us how to use it. It is Sylaise who showed us how to heal with herbs and with magic, and how to ease the passage of infants into this world. And again, it is Sylaise who showed us how to spin the fibers of plants into thread and rope.

We owe much to Sylaise, and that is why we sing to her when we kindle the fires and when we put them out. That is why we sprinkle our aravels with Sylaise's fragrant tree-moss, and ask that she protect them and all within.

- Codex Entry: Sylaise the Hearthkeeper

In Sylaise's youth, she stayed home while her sister Andruil went out to hunt and play. She enjoyed singing and making art and gifted fire to The People. She taught them how to weave ropes and thread and how to use herbs and healing magic. Sylaise is seen as the protector of all those who stay near the hearth, especially children.

Sylaise's path is Vir Atish'an - the Way of Peace. Elves invoke her name before kindling a fire and after quenching it.

Symbols & Correspondences

• Color: Green

• Fireplace - many shrines to Sylaise incorporated fire

• Jasper, jet, rose quartz, sardonyx

• Basil, chrysanthemum, cyclamen

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June

We dedicate all our crafts to June, for it is he who taught the People to bend the branches of trees to make our bows, and to fashion coverings of furs and ironbark. Without June, would we have the aravel, or the harnesses for our halla?

- Codex Entry: June: God of the Craft

Dalian legend describes June as either a brother to Andruil and Sylaise or Sylaise's husband; it is even said he created himself.

Before Sylaise and June came to them, the elves wandered the forest without purpose, naked and eating nuts and berries they could find, shivering through cold nights. June taught the elves to craft things they needed and used Sylaise's lessons to teach The People how to make bows, arrows, and knives for hunting.

Symbols & Correspondences

• Color: Yellow

• Anvil

• Alexandrite, kyanite, opal

• Mandrake, tomato, walnut

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Ghilan'nan

One day, while hunting in the forest, Ghilan'nain came across a hunter she did not know. At his feet lay a hawk, shot through the heart by an arrow. Ghilan'nain was filled with rage, for the hawk and the hare are very beloved of Andruil. Ghilan'nain demanded that the hunter make an offering to Andruil in exchange for taking the life of one of her creatures. The hunter refused, and Ghilan'nain called upon the goddess to curse him so he could never again hunt and kill a living creature.

He found Ghilan'nain while she was out on a hunt with her sisters and lured her away from them with lies and false words. He told Ghilan'nain that he had learned his lesson and begged her to come with him, so she could teach him to make a proper offering to Andruil. Moved by his plea, Ghilan'nain followed the hunter, and when they were away from all of her sisters, the hunter turned on Ghilan'nain. He blinded her first, and then bound her as one would bind a kill fresh from the hunt. But because he was cursed, the hunter could not kill her. Instead, he left her for dead in the forest.

- Codex Entry: Ghilan'nan: Mother of the Halla

According to Dalish legend, Ghilan'nan was a huntress of The People who another elven hunter betrayed. After this betrayal, Anduril turned Ghilan'nan into the first of the Halla, raising her to the same rank as the Gods.

The elven people invoke Ghilan'nan when they wish to travel quickly or when their hunters have lost their way home.

Symbols & Correspondences

• Colors: White, blue

• Halla (a white, deer-like creature with elegant antlers)

• Jet, malachite, moonstone, tin

• Basil, comfrey, feverfew, heather, maple, pennyroyal, yew

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Fen'Harel

There is precious little we know about Fen'Harel, for they say he did not care for our people. Elgar'nan and Mythal created the world as we know it, Andruil taught us the Ways of the Hunter, Sylaise and June gave us fire and crafting, but Fen'Harel kept to himself and plotted the betrayal of all the gods. And after the destruction of Arlathan, when the gods could no longer hear our prayers, it is said that Fen'Harel spent centuries in a far corner of the Earth, giggling madly and hugging himself in glee.

- Codex Entry: Fen'Harel: The Dread Wolf

Fen'Harel is the elven god of betrayal. Many names know him - The Dread Wolf, He Who Hunts Alone, Lord of Tricksters, The Great Wolf, Roamer of the Beyond, The Old Wolf, and The Bringer of Nightmares.

According to legend, he was kin to The Forgotten Ones and The Creators. He is said to be responsible for sealing away both factions of gods in their respective realms, cutting them off from the mortal world.

Due to this legend, the Dalish generally refer to Fen'Harel as an evil god. However, in the past, and still sometimes today, he is called upon for advice in various matters - for a price.

Symbols & Correspondences

• Colors: Black, white, gray

• Wolf

• Pearl, peridot, obsidian, onyx

• Angelica, anise, blue cohosh, mullein

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All Images from Dragon Age Wiki

[anthologiemystika]

Dream Magic - More Than Just Signs

Today I will be going over Dream Magic and common ways it is used. I will not be going over dream interpretation as that is a much larger umbrella and conversation, instead today I want to dive a bit deeper into how dreams can be used in magic and the various forms they take. Dream Magic can be very powerful and has been used for as long as magic has been around. Appearing in everything from modern day magical texts, and going back through the ages to appear in the Three Occult Books of Philosophy by Agrippa in the 16th century, The Sworn Book of Honorius from the 13th century, and even appearing multiple times in The Greek Magical Papyri which was written between the 2nd century BC through the 5th century AD, dream magic has long been used by man as a way to bring affect change in the world. From spells that use dreams for prophecy, to influence the dreams of others, to even contacting the spirit world, Dream Magic is as versatile as your dreams are.

Connecting with Spirits, Deities, and Spiritual Guardians

Dreams are a wonderful way to connect with spirits, guardians, and even deities. When we sleep it is thought that our mind wanders, that the soul travels and that the lines between our world and others grows dimmer. Due to this, many people use dreams as a way to contact the spirits of those that have passed on, or even deities. I personally have used it to work with my two guardian and guiding spirits, The Lady Who Watches and The Lady In The Garden. One watches out for me and the other helps tell me things I need to know. Sometimes when working with spirits and deities, it is difficult for the conscious mind to make the connection due to our own self doubts, distractions, and the overall confusion that can come when trying to work with other planes of existence. When you are asleep, a lot of that falls away, making it easier for you to contact and work with the entity, especially for beginners.

On Sending Dreams to Others

For as long as man has existed we have always tried to send dreams to others. This can range from sending the one you love dreams of you in an attempt to woo them to you, to sending nightmares to our enemies so they do not have a good nights sleep. Sending dreams to others can have many reasons, but the underlying thought is always to get someone to react a certain way. While not a compulsion spell as you are not forcing an action, it is still considered a left hand path action as you are attempting to sway the emotions of another. For example, sending bad dreams to an enemy will get them to not sleep, causing them to make mistakes and perhaps lead them to do something that will blow up in their face. While love spells might give the person good dreams, you are still doing it in an attempt to change the perception of the dreamer. Either way, sending dreams to others can have quite a profound effect on a person and the decisions they make (due to this it is not normally practiced by those that follow the threefold law or practice Wicca)

Dreams as an Effect of Spellwork

Dreams are interesting in regards to spell work. Sometimes after doing spellwork you will get a dream about the spell and how it is working. Othertimes, especially for older and more complex rituals, you are required to have a dream where you are visited by a specific person or entity before moving onto the next portion of the spell. In fact, one of the many spells in the Sworn Book of Honorius states that after performing the ritual, if you are not visited by the Archangel Rapahel in a dream within 3 days, it means your ritual was not accepted by God and will not come to fruition. This actually seems to be a fairly common practice among “Higher Magic” as most of the spells I have come across do require some form of verification, usually by a visit from an angel in a dream. Regardless of if it is a required part of the spell or a random happenstance afterwards, it is always advised to pay attention to your dreams for a few days after doing spell work or rituals as it can give you insight and knowledge. I personally leave a section of my Grimoire blank under my spells and rituals, this way I have room to document a dream if I have one, so this way I can pay attention to how the spell plays out.

Using Dreams for Divination

As long as Divination has been around (think since the dawn of time in one form or another) people have always used dreams as a way to see what is ahead. From dreaming of their future husband, the location of buried treasure, to dreams predicting disaster, dreams have been used as a way for us to reach out and seek knowledge. Indeed, there are as many spells out there for using dreams as a way to see what comes next as there are spell books in creation. The interesting thing about this is, unlike most tools of divination, it does not need to be conscious or controlled. Indeed, sometimes they come unbidden and for no reason. A perfect example is the mother of Eva Hart, a survivor of the Titanic disaster. Eva remembers that when she and her mother boarded the ship, her mother started having horrible nightmares of the ship sinking, to the point she started sleeping in the daytime and refused to sleep at night. When the Titanic hit the iceberg at 11:40pm on April 14th, 1912, Eva’s mother was awake and felt the jolt and was able to wake her husband who quickly inquired what had happened, then running back to collect his wife and child. Eva and her mother were some of the very few passengers who were able to make it to the lifeboats in time, and had it not been for her nightmares keeping her awake, they would never have made it off the doomed ship.

Lucid Dreaming and Dream Traveling

Lucid Dreaming is a form of dream work where the dreamer consciously is able to control the dream itself. This is an advanced practice that usually takes the dreamer quite a while to master. While not able to cause a change in the real world, Lucid Dreaming has been used in magic for centuries. Typically used as a way to attempt to enter the dreams of others, to consciously control the visions of the future, it has even been used as a way to travel between alternate realities and dimensions, such as the astral plane. While not inherently considered magic, Lucid Dreaming is the basis and form that many people use to attempt to consciously contact an entity that we cannot communicate with easily on this plane of existence, such as a spirit or deity. Some people keep their altars in their lucid dreams and some more advanced practitioners only do spell work in a dream world, feeling more connected to the divine and magical energy while being in their “spirit form”. Additionally, Lucid Dreaming has been used in more modern times for shadow work, a way to look back on past events and interact with them again, helping to further understand your shadow self and gain clarity into your desires, fears, and trauma.

*I am purposefully not speaking about Reality Shifting as, while it is a form of Lucid or Daydreaming, is not considered to be a form of magic*

On Dreams as a Tool of Prophecy

Dreams have been tools of prophecy for eons. Most holy books contain tales of men and women falling asleep and dreaming of the future or a task that needs to be completed. Unlike Divination, dreams of prophecy usually follow one around their life and typically are said to be messages directly from God or the Universe. With Divination you are piercing the view of time to get answers, while prophecy is a gift bestowed. Usually involving actions to take, they are also said to contain messages from the divine to humanity. Additionally, most prophets suffered greatly for their prophecy and considered it more of a curse than anything. Regardless, the prophets were always compelled to share their prophecies as well as act upon them when needed. While not a form of magic as you cannot compel prophecy, having the divine inspire and touch you is one of the highest forms of magic in existence. Notable Prophets include Nostradamus, Edgar Cayce, Joan of Arc, Enoch, Ezekiel, and Abraham to name a few. Prophecy typically runs more in religious circles and is not something that most solitary practitioners would ever experience.

In Conclusion

Dream magic is powerful, versatile, and can be confusing and difficult to master. Nonetheless, learning dream magic takes time but is well worth it for any witch to help experience a deeper understanding and control of not just themselves, but the world around them. So, with that being said, sleep well sweet dreamer.

[anthologiemystika]

Sobek | He Who Makes the Herbage Green

"I am Sobek, who dwelleth amid his terrors. I am Sobek, and I seize [my prey] like a ravening beast. I am the great Fish which is in Kamui. I am the Lord to whom bowings and prostrations are made in Sekhem."

-The Book of the Dead, The Chapter of Making the Transformation into the Crocodile God (Sobek)

Sobek was the Ancient Egyptian god of protection, strength, and fertility. He is often depicted as an ordinary crocodile or a man with a crocodilian head. While being considered a patron of the pharaoh's army, Sobek is seen holding the uraeus, the Royal Authority's symbol.

He was a longstanding presence in the Egyptian Pantheon from the Old Kingdom (2685 - 2181 BCE) through the Roman Period (30 BCE - 350 CE). Although he was known and worshipped in the Old Kingdom, it was in the Middle Kingdom (2055 - 1650 BCE) he gained prominence. The Twelfth Dynasty Pharaoh, Amenemhat III, had taken quite an interest in the Faiyum, where Sobek's influence originates. As a result of this interest, Amenemhat, as well as many of his contemporaries, engaged in building projects promoting Sobek.

The ambiguous nature of Sobek led some to believe he was a repairer of evil already done rather than a force of good itself. An example of this would be Sobek venturing into the Duat to repair the damage done to the souls of the dead by their method of death. Sobek is also known to call upon appropriate gods and goddesses required to protect people in various situations, maintaining a more distant role by nudging things along rather than getting directly involved.

Due to these factors, he is often characterized as a primal god and an avatar of Amun-Re. Amun, at the time, was considered the chief god, and eventually, his characteristics merged with those of Sobek. This merging resulted in the creation of the avatar Sobek-Re (also known as Sobek-Ra); this is a syncretism, which is an entirely different entity.

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"I am Sobek, who dwelleth amid his terrors. I am Sobek, and I seize [my prey] like a ravening beast. I am the great Fish which is in Kamui. I am the Lord to whom bowings and prostrations are made in Sekhem. And the Osiris Ani is the Lord to whom bowings and prostrations are made in Sekhem."

[CI]-The Book of the Dead, The Chapter of Making the Transformation into the Crocodile God (Sobek)

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Offerings to Sobek

Water

Wine

Beer

Bread

Amaretto

Dark chocolate

Hashbrowns

Pomegranate

Figs

Fig Newtons

Dates

Chicken or Duck

Beef

Gold items

Solar symbols

Green Obsidian

Green Flourite

Myrrh, frankincense, sandalwood

Green or blue candles

Devotional Activities

Exercise

Swimming

Any physical betterment of oneself

Source 1 | Source 2 | Source 3 | All Images from Pixabay

[anthologiemystika]

Pop Culture Magic | May All your Food Taste of Ash

This curse is inspired by CD Projekt Red's videogame Witcher III: Wild Hunt.

At one point, Geralt of Rivia encounters a werewolf that was cursed to be forever hungry, but the food he would eat turned to ash in his mouth.

The Items Required

• Mortar & Pestle

• Coyote fur, a skull, or symbolism - coyotes are tricksters and often seen as ravenous beasts. The intent to manifest here would be the feeling of endless hunger in your target.

• Ash made from myrrh and patchouli incense

• Chicory

• Asafoetida powder

• Red pepper flakes

• Rotten food - anything will work, but I believe blueberries would work best for the curse intent

• Chewed gum or used toothbrush from target

• A photo of the target

• A small cauldron, big enough to fit the photo in, and fire safe

• A sigil to represent gluttony and illusion - I have designed my own for this curse, but it is my belief sigils work best when made by the person using them.

• Black candle

Preperation

Set up a temporary altar somewhere outside, away from your home. The smell of rotting blueberries is certainly not pleasant. Place the coyote fur or skull in a prominent place on the altar, and carve your gluttony & illusion sigil into the black candle.

If casting a circle is something you feel you need to do once the altar is set up would be the time to do so.

Place the Asafoetida powder, chicory and red pepper flakes in your mortar and grind all of it together as best you can, focusing your intentions on the herbs. Once they are ground as finely as is possible, mix them into the ash.

On the back of the photo of the target, write your intentions for the curse. An example:

For the wrongs you have done to me, actions and additude equal to trash, my vengeance you will soon see, When all your food shall taste of ash.

Not great, I know, however it is succint and to the point. It conveys the message and sets the intent of the curse very clearly.

Light your black candle now, and place the photo in the small cauldron. Pour the ash and herb mixture on the photo itself. If you are able to obtain the chewed gum or used toothbrush, also place those in the cauldron.

Use the candle with the sigil carved into it to light the photo on fire. Once its burned into the ashes, mix it all together and repeat what you wrote on the back of the photo three times.

Then take the ashes and bury them with the toothbrush, or the gum if you have those items. Preferably somewhere you will remember so you can un-bury them if you feel the curse has delivered its message.

[anthologiemystika]