blackmalkin

[blackmalkin]

Cunning Celt's Spell To Banish Unwanted Persons

Grind together black pepper, cayenne pepper, cinnamon, sea salt, and bay leaves until you have a fine powder, then cover with castor oil, shaking vigorously to distribute.

Anoint a purple candle with this Banishing Oil. On paper, write the name of the one you wish to banish, then write your own name over the top, essentially crossing theirs out. Place the paper beneath the lit candle and chant:

“I cover you, I cross you I command you, I compel you, (Name of target) child of (target’s mother) Get out of my life now!”

Continue chanting and focusing your power until the candle is burned.

Best performed during a waning moon.

[blackmalkin]

I think something people tend to forget about folk magic is prior to the internet, for many people, it wasn't about learning how to do everything. Like, some people specialized in divination and omens. Some people specialized in laying and breaking hexes. Some people specialized in healing. You'd pick who you went to based on your current situation.

I think practitioners should embrace that more: not expecting ourselves to learn how to do everything. Today's magic and witchy communities put so much pressure on learning how to do everything for yourself, but personally I think that kills the beauty of community. It's perfectly fine to narrow your interests and go to those you trust for something you aren't sure how to do yourself.

[blackmalkin]

A lock of Lucrezia Borgia's hair in a glass case at the Pinacoteca Ambrosiana, Milan, Italy.

[blackmalkin]

The Witch Father

In traditional witchcraft, we often come across mentions of the enigmatic Witch Father. His Folklore is scattered, and there is little consensus to who He is. The mythology of Witch Father folklore is spread across centuries, hidden in tales of the Devil and in the transcripts from witch trials. He is a multifaceted being who rules over life, death, initiations, knowledge, and the untamed wilderness lurking at the edges of society.

The Witch Father is an archetypal Divine Masculine Spirit that illuminates life and is a lord of death. Witch Father is a catchall title for the myriad spirits witches have historically contracted with and have since been omitted by the witch trial transcripts across Europe. 

He is most commonly known as the Devil in today’s craft. As we know him, The Witch Father is an initiator and holds the keys to our disinhibition towards pleasure. He opens the way to occult knowledge and gives us the opportunity to explore (legal) pleasures without the need for guild or shame. Walking with the Witch Father allows us to dive into the hidden realms and learn the Occult Arts to change our lives. He also allows us to revel in primal human desires. 

As the Initiator into Witchcraft, the Witch Father takes on the mantle of the Light Betwixt the Horns. He comes into our lives and offers us the choice to go down this path and walk with Him. He grants us an understanding of magick, nature, and pleasure. He empowers us to uncover our Truth and the Truth of the World. As the initiator, some see the Witch Father as Lucifer. He is also the Serpent who revealed to Eve that the fruit from the Tree of Life will not cause her to die but will grant the wisdom of the universe.

The Witch Father allows space for us to free ourselves from the inhibitions placed on us by general society, and especially the church. He encourages us to rebel, sing, dance, and uncover wisdom. He leads the Witch’s Sabbath, which grants us a place to revel in the freedoms offered there. By leading us to this sacred experience, He fills his role as an emanation of the untamed wilderness, the primal subconscious of our most human desires. He gives us the Church of Nature. Taking the liturgical prayers of the Church and the Book of Psalms, mixing that with more ancient pagan animism, we are given access to a hidden power through His teachings.

Now, while I talk as if the Witch Father is a God, he is not. He is an ancient and powerful spirit who has led witches over the centuries and demands reverence. He is not all-powerful and is not a creator. He works his charms through magic and shapes the world. He is not a distant, impersonal being. He is immediate to us and is a mentor for us. 

Disinhibition

At the Witch’s Sabbat, our spirits fly away to commune with Our Devil, other witches and spirits in His retinue. It was a place to mix business and pleasure. At the Sabbat, witches would learn new spells, come together to work rituals, learn new forms of magick from the Witch Father, and of course partake in enjoyment. 

The Sabbath is a place of Initiation for new witches and also a place for learning new aspects of the craft. Once the business concludes, the Sabbat becomes a celebration. We may forget the staunch rules of mundane society and revel in our animalistic and beastial joys. There is singing, dancing, food and drink. We can indulge in these desires and these delicacies. All of which is orchestrated and gifted to us by the Witch Father. 

The Wild

There is a deep connection between the Witch Father and Nature. They are ‌synonymous with each other. He is an emanation of the land and its spirits. As Christianity became the dominant religion, and as society shifted further away from living in harmony with Nature, the figure of the folkloric Devil grew. He calls to us to return to the untamed lands and to forget the society that weighs us down. He offers liberation instead of our oppression. 

The Witch Father, as Nature, holds a duality over life and death. He is life itself and the bringer of light. But he is also the Lord of Death and of shadows. As the year turns, we see both aspects and the cyclical nature of them. Death giving way to new life and of life giving way to death. He is destruction and creation. Death and resurrection. 

Even His iconography and the existing descriptions that we have of the Devil show the immense connection He has to the Land. He is a shapeshifter comfortable in being a recognizable animal, a humanoid form, or even a hybrid. He reminds us of our baser instincts and that we are not above animals or the land just because we, as humans, have subjugated them for centuries. 

He is the Horned one, the light betwixt the horns, Terra Pater, Primus Magus. And he has revealed himself to us in so many other forms throughout the centuries. It’s hard to pigeonhole the Witch Father as any one being, or to even say “this is what he looks like.” He’s shown us he is comfortable changing his shape on a whim. He takes on the mantles of mentor, guide, and is a safe space for us to let our guard down and find enjoyment outside of our mundane lives. 

Old Scratch

Old Scratch is a more antiquated term for The Devil or Satan primarily found in the Southern United States and the South Midlands. This name has been memorialized in Faustian Folklore such as “The Devil and Tom Walker” and “The Devil and Daniel Webster” where our protagonist sells his soul to the devil for prosperity. 

This reinforces the theme that our Witch Father, the Folkloric Devil, offers us a chance to change our luck and our lives. Now, in these stories, the protagonist is taken away and dragged into the fires of hell, but in the living practice of Traditional Witchcraft, it doesn’t happen that way. We see these stories as what happens when trying to break deals with the Otherworld. Contracts and Pacts made with Spirits should be kept up with. It’s imperative. 

Black Shuck

In East Anglian folklore, Black Shuck is an omen of death. If you see him, it is said that you will die before the year is up, and if you meet his eye you’ll be dragged away. 

The first mention of the Black Shuck is in “The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle” in 1127 where He is affiliated with a Wild Hunt that was in Petersborough from Lent through Easter. Later on, in the 1500s, he is said to have broken into a church and killed two paritioners while kneeling in prayer. 

Here we see the Chthonic side of the Devil. He is a psychopomp taking souls to the Other Side. He is a shepherd of the dead, warns us of impending doom, and teaches us about life, death, and ways to travel between the Worlds.

[blackmalkin]

Honing Your Spirit-Sensing Skills

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

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

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

SO. Spirits can communicate in various ways

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

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

Divination.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

It’s not always accurate.

It can be hard to interpret.

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

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

So how do you learn French??

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

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

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

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

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

More information:

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

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

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

[blackmalkin]

This is so ingenious!

The Paper Doll Experiment

Primarily a creation of necessity but one that worked well, the paper doll became a part of my practice. It serves as both petition and poppet, allowing for an easier construction and handling. Outside of its capacity for writing, the ability is has for other things such as combustion, varied colours and the like, it did serve quite well for its purpose. I based it as follows:

Write the name of the person on the head, the seat of consciousness. Write what you want to happen across the chest and belly (if it is to increase) and on the back (if it is to decrease), apply appropriate symbols as well as handle the rest of the poppet as needs determine (for example, cutting off the feet and hands to bind, drawing chaotic squiggles over the head to create confusion, drawing a heart and colouring it in while chanting a prayer or incantation to draw the person to you and so on). WHen done, offer it to a spirit or deity to consecrate it to the working for empowerment, alternatively, use an awakening ritual

Examples of Paper Poppet Works

To make a person kinder to you - name on forehead, petition on the front side with a small heart drawn and coloured in green while saying a command for the person to be kinder to you. Then take syrup and dot the heart, the hands, the feet and the head (so all their actions to you will be better). An extra addition is to add sugar, rose petals, chamomile, lavender, catnip or another herb of the such onto the syrup which will be sticky and allow it to bind onto it.

To curse a person with ill health - name on forehead, reductive charm of the word health on the back. Take a yellow or black pencil and scribble over their body parts saying an incantation that they shall be afflicted with ill health, headaches, sickness, fevers, leg pains, head pains etc. take the poppet and place it in a jar and add vinegar to it.

To heal a person - name on forehead, increasing charm of good health on the front, an orange pencil is used to create the charm and is again used to write petitions on specific body parts. It is placed on a plate with oranges, salt and an orange candle where it can be worked on from one sunday to the next using suitable prayers, taking off the oranges as needed.

To make two people kind towards each other - two poppets are made with the corresponding names on their forehead, a heart and a petition on each of their chests. The hearts are coloured in green and syrup is applied liberally to the bodies of each person that are then stuck together (face to face). This is wrapped in white, pink or green ribbon and kept in a secret place.

To make money stick to a person - a poppet is prepared, name on forehead, draw a crown, a dollar sign or other representations of wealth on the chest with a petition. Place a syrup on the petition and on the hands and sprinkle witch cinnamon, thyme or chamomile (to make money and good fortune stick to your hands and to you as a person).

CHARMS

Reductive Charm of Good Health - literally

GOODHEALTH OODHEALTH ODHEALTH DHEALTH HEALTH EALTH ALTH LTH TH H

INCREASING CHARM OF GOOD HEALTH

H HE HEA HEAL * HEALT HEALTH

*Heal can be written in a different but suitable colour as to distinguish two different petitions in one. A petition to Heal and a Petition for Health.

Additional Ideas

If I wanted to afflict someone's eyes, I could do it when the Moon is in Aries (as Aries governs over the eyes) and reverse a candle or light a black and red candle in order to use Aries's energy for that purpose. Then I would draw eyes on the poppet then take a pin, hold it in the flame of the black candle to empower it, then scratch out the person's eyes. This would be to make them blind to me or to legitimately harm their eyes. On the flip side, I could light a red candle at the same time, draw eyes on the poppet and anoint them with oil that has been charged to aid in healing. This can be used to open someones eyes to a situation or to heal their eyesight. In both the former example (afflicting) and the latter, St. Lucy is good to call upon.

[blackmalkin]

My Favorite Binding Spell

This is my absolute favorite binding spell despite the dubious place I got it from. Ready? Silver RavenWolf *ducks things thrown*. Look, as a kid my first books were bought for me by my Dad. And at the height of the ‘90s, she was popular. And the witch my Dad knew recommended the books to him for me. So he brought me her first three how-to books and American Folk Magic (It was called Hexcraft?) a while later. I was just handed these books. I didn’t buy them. Actually I think the first book I bought for myself was an encyclopedia of herbs (and that was back in the early ‘90s too). We all had our fluffy bunny stage. I just absorbed what I didn’t think was bullshit and moved on (I had a bullshit filter even then). And yes, I still have the books. I can’t bear to throw them away. As crappy as they are, they’re still books. [Bibliophile’s logic].

BUT! This spell is actually from Old Norse Charms, Spoken Spells, and Rhymes by Thor and Audrey Sheil. (I’ve looked for this book for years to verify but I can’t seem to lay my hands on it.) Silver RavenDollar published it with their permission (I hope).

Now I’ve used this spell. Every time I use this spell it works. It works fucking beautifully. It’s probably one of my best always-works-and-never-fails spells. It was also the first knot spell I learned. (Which caused me to fall in love with knot spells)

NOTE: The spell specifies red yarn. Use whatever its on hand. Yarn, string, ribbon, whatever. My notes will be in [brackets].

Silver RavenWolf. American Folk Magic. (pg 207-208) Copied, as written.

A Triple Charm to Bind and Bring Justice

This charm (from Old Norse Charms, Spoken Spells, and rhymes by Thor and Audrey Sheil) requires a piece of red yarn. As each sister is invoked, a knot is tied. The yarn will be knotted nine times by the end of the spell.

Three sisters came across the land [knot three times]

Each held cords in her hands [knot three times]

The first one found him/her[/eir] [knot once]

The second one bound him/her[/eir] [knot once]

And the third one dragged him/her[/eir] away [knot once].

It doesn’t say what to do with the cord. Personally I’d keep it tucked away somewhere. You can of course bury it or leave it at a crossroad. But I’d keep it in case you’d want to undo the spell. (Which just requires unknotting).

Despite the fluffy bunny place I acquired this from, I’ve reclaimed this spell in the name of awesome spells. Because it works for me. I hope it’ll work for you too.

[blackmalkin]

.:: Dreamwork and the Oneiric Sabbath ::.

In 906, Regino of Prüm writes in his instructions to the bishops (that later will become the Canon Episcopi), the following:

“This also is not to be omitted, that certain wicked women, turned back toward Satan, seduced by demonic illusions and phantasms, believe of themselves and profess to ride upon certain beasts in the nighttime hours, with Diana, the Goddess of the Pagans, (or with Herodias) and an innumerable multitude of women, and to traverse great spaces of earth in the silence of the dead of night, and to be subject to her laws as of a Lady, and on fixed nights be called to her service.”

This cult, as we said several times, from the Franco-Germanic area will extend throughout the Continent, becoming so a pan-European phenomenon, characterized by nocturnal flights, transformations in animals, processions of spirits and witches gatherings. At the beginning of the history of Traditional Witchcraft, TradCraft has almost entirely been a “dream cult”, and only later somebody physically emulated it. The essence of witchcraft is not physical, it’s a nocturnal experience, it’s oneiric, in 906 physical meetings are not yet present as it will happen later.

Initially, witches fly or shapeshift into animals to participate in a spiritual procession, a cortège that proceeds from house to house eating and drinking the banquets that people prepared as an offering near their hearth, blessing, in turn, the inhabitants of the home: this is the procession of “the good women who go forth at night” or Dominae Nocturnae.

Gradually this horde of spirits ceases to move from house to house, and begins to gather in one single place. Even here, however, they eat, drink and make love. The Procession, the Cortège, becomes the Sabbath. Finally, the sabbath will be “ostented”, i.e. emulated, imitated in the physical realm.

But the essence of the Sabbath, its origin, is and remains oneiric. The sabbath represents the world of the spirits, the dead and the fairies. Not surprisingly, the Queen of Fairies is often also the patron of witches: there are numerous trials in Scotland where the accused claim to have visited the Court of Fairies, their kingdom, Elphame, and to have also seen some well-knownly deceased human beings.

Also the dead, moreover, often proceed like a cortège: we are talking about the Procession of the Dead or Wild Hunt, led by the Wild Hunter or corresponding female characters who are also leaders of the Procession of the Dominae Nocturnae.

The dead and the witches are also connected to the Spirit Battles or Night Battles, oneiric fights between witchcraft practitioners (like the Mazzeri of Corsica), in which each witch represented their own village, and the loser of these fights caused more deaths for their own village, while the winner a minor number.  At other times, instead, they fought for the fertility of the fields, and it was thought that those who could participate in these battles could also see the dead and their processions (as in the case of the Benandanti of Friuli).

Therefore, the Oneiric Sabbath is not a monolith: it includes the Procession of the Dominae Nocturnae; the Sabbath; the Wild Hunt and the Night Battles. Quoting Peter Gray (a revivalist writer, not a reconstructionist one): “Initiation in dream is thus revealed as the birth rite of witchcraft. Our origin is embedded in the land of the dead and faery, concealed within the ringing hollow hills.”

Allright, now that we understand that the primordial Sabbath is oneiric, that all these possibilities exist … how to experience it? How did they experience it in the past? In the past people lived very differently from us: they slept together, they ate together, worked in the same place and gathered around the same hearth; they listened to the same storytellers, witnessed the same events and the same sermons. Sharing dreams was commonplace, while today it is almost a miracle if we remember a dream when we wake up. The world has changed, and the situational factors that led to a greater number of “witchcraft” dreams are not reproducible, if not perhaps among the Amish (but at that point it would be the Amish people to drive us out accusing us of witchcraft!).

Therefore the most useful techniques nowadays are the modern ones, which work to make us - humans of today - dream. Today we can no longer gather all around the fire to tell our dreams, and forcing our family to do so will not have the same effect of spontaneous sharing that occurred in the past. But there is no problem: we will use a notebook or a tape recorder instead. Today we no longer have storytellers telling us about the Sabbath, we can participate in storytelling events but today’s storytellers do not have the same impact on the psyche of those of the pre-television and pre-social media era. But even here, no problem, we will imagine - replacing the storytellers - the scene at the time of falling asleep and during the day.

So, schematizing, what should we do? 1 - Let’s think of the dream we want to do during the day, and let’s take some moments to imagine the scene we want to dream of at night. 2 - In the night, before falling asleep, let’s repeat the exercise but let’s totally lose ourselves in the imagination until we get into sleep without even realizing it. 3 - Upon awakening, let’s immediately report the dreams in a notebook that we will have left (together with a pen!) on the bedside table, or on a tape recorder. Even if we had not dreamed of anything, we will still have to write (or speak, in the case of the recorder), so as to deceive our mind, which will pay attention to the dream activity the following days and will allow us to remember our dreams the next times. So when we do not dream anything we will write: “Dear diary, today I haven’t dreamed of anything”.

Well, now that we understood the technique, we’ll apply it to the various Sabbath themes: a) - To the Cortège of the Good Women; b) - To the Oneiric Sabbath; c) - To Elphame/the Sybil’s Paradise, i.e. the Otherworld; d) - To the Wild Hunt; e) - I avoid reporting the Night Battles because they are too dangerous, but if you are reckless and irresponsible, it will be enough to understand the mechanism and apply it here too (at your own risk!); f) - Separate speeches will be: * the shared dream, that is to meet one’s “Company” or “Coven” in an oneiric state, and * the discovery of the Animal Familiar Spirit, which will be dealt with on other occasions.

# A: The Cortège of the Dominae Nocturnae

The scene that we will imagine will be that of a night sky, where we will fly - together with other people - riding a broom, on the back of our Animal Familiar Spirit (if it has already been discovered) or turning into him in shapeshifting. At the head of this cortège will be our own Patron Familiar Spirit. Let’s imagine, at this point, that the parade glide and land near a house. Here we will find everything neat, tidy and perfectly decorated. We will proceed all together towards the kitchen. Here we will find ourselves before a huge banquet. Everyone, therefore, starting from the Patron Major Spirit, will eat and drink something, and all together will dance in the house. Once this is done, the Major Spirit will pull out a wooden wand and, touching the house, the inhabitants sleeping in their beds and the pets, will bless them with his/her powers, making a golden light shine out in the house. Once everything is illuminated by this light, which came from the Spirit’s wand, the cortège will proceed again in the air to get to another house where to repeat everything.

# B: The Sabbath or Game of the Good Society (Ludus Bonae Societatis)

The scene to be imagined this time will be a dark forest, the top of a mountain or a hill. By putting the case that the forest has been chosen as landscape, we will imagine a multitude of people, completely naked, around a fire and surrounded by torches. Each of these people, ourselves included, will have a candle in their hands. In front of us there will be our own Patron Major Spirit, to which each person, in turn, will bow with the candle in their hand. Once done, everyone will sit down, eat and drink on the huge wooden tables near the bonfire, on which every wonderful food and beverage will be arranged. The candles that were previously held in hand will now rest on the table in front of us. Once finished to eat and drink, everybody will take their own candle again, and they will dance to form a dance of lights. At the end of the dance, everyone will try to extinguish the candle of the other, but will try to avoid turning off their own, and when all the candles have blown out they will make love in honor of the Major Spirit. The cock will then be heard to sing, the dawn appears on the horizon, and each person will bow again in front of the Major Spirit, before moving away and disappearing into the forest.

# C: The Otherworld or the Kingdom of the Fairies

The scene in this case will be that of a hill, which we will imagine hollow, with a small entry at the bottom. Once penetrated, let’s imagine going down a clumped ladder and continuing to descend, descend, descend, now let’s feel fall down and descend, descend, descend. At the end of the descent, we find a gate. Let’s cross it. It is possible to interrupt the visualization here or imagine to arrive, after the gate, in a royal court, captained by two enchanted characters sitting on their thrones, the King and the Queen of Elphame (we can even imagine a single throne, with Patron Major Spirit), and a lot of fairy courtesans and nobles, including also deceased humans.

# D: The Wild Hunt or the Procession of the Dead

Let’s imagine a procession made up of penitents with their faces covered and dressed with a tunic carrying a torch, others on horseback but with their faces bowed, and finally a taller and more physically corpulent character, seated on a sparkling chariot filled with precious stones, to guide the procession: the Wild Hunter, who carries with him a club or a stick. All these figures proceed at night from the forest to the streets of the city, sometimes even rising in the air. Among them, we recognize some people that we know that are already dead, and we imagine ourselves parading with them, even us with our tunic, the hood, the face covered and the torch in hand. The face of the Wild Hunter (or the Wild Huntress) will coincide with that of our Patron Major Spirit.

[blackmalkin]

Building spirit houses and shrines for your household spirits

I believe one of the best way to begin cultivating a relationship with any spirit is to build them a small house or shrine.

Creating a physical space for them in our world begets them allowing us into their spiritual reality.

It's reciprocity: I will make space for you, and I hope you make space for me.

You don't need to be able to see or hear spirits, or engage in two-way communication, in order to begin building a relationship with those spirits.

You also do not need to have clearly identified the spirit.

A shrine to a household spirit is very simple. All you need to do is devote a physical space - like a shelf, a box, or even an actual dollhouse - to that spirit.

It is ideal to build the shrine in a place where the spirit seems to spend the most time. If you don't know where a household spirit likes to spend its time, it is worthwhile to attempt to find out.

Some spirits may like the peace and calm of a cozy little shelf in the pantry. Other spirits may want to be right near the front door or the busiest rooms.

Before you begin building the shrine, inform the spirit of your intent. This does not need to be ceremonial and you do not need to be able to receive messages back from them. Make some general occult fussings - light a candle or incense, ring a bell, rap on walls with your knuckles - you know, stuff that gets their attention.

If you are building a shrine for all spirits in your home, just tell them that. "Everyone, I want us to be friends, so I'm going to make a space for you to rest and enjoy yourselves."

Perhaps this is for only one spirit. You don't need to have them fully identified. Try something like this: "I've noticed a shy spirit that seems to hide in the bathrooms. I want to make a shrine just for you."

Trust that you have been heard. In this day and age, oft-neglected spirits are usually delighted that someone is paying attention to them.

Once you've told the spirits of your intent, you may begin receiving intuitions. Perhaps you thought one shelf would be best for the shrine, but you keep feeling a nagging sense to build it somewhere else. You may feel feelings of curiosity or excitement that don't quite seem to be your own.

Use of a pendulum may be of assistance if you'd like to make communication ongoing, but it never does to let divination subsume action.

An appropriate surface, box, or container does not need to be large. Don't put yourself out by over-spending space. The materials also do not need to be expensive or grandiose. A cardboard shoebox will do. A large quart jar makes a fine spirit shrine. Even an origami box!

What you should try to do is find something with enough space to leave small, delightful objects and gifts. It is a good idea to include a space to leave temporary offerings, even things like glasses of water. For example, you could use an old pickle jar as the primary spirit house, and simply have a dish next to it where you burn incense.

Spirits also sometimes like dark and quiet places. If you are using an open shelf or a clear jar, consider including something with opaque walls, or a divider.

Spirits can move through even the tiniest cracks. A spirit can enter and exit a cardboard box at will, even if the lid is on. Be mindful of sealing jars with airtight lids.

Whatever surface or container you use, ensure it is very clean. I do not mean spiritually cleansed. A pickle jar is fine and well, unless it still smells like pickles. Please remember that many strong scents can be offensive to the spirits.

Also remember that Wortcunning teaches us plants may have specific effects on spirits - your essential oils may just smell nice to you and an infographic may list them as "cleansing", but their inherent spiritual essences may actually make your spirit home suitable for the wrong kind of spirit, increase manifestations beyond a level you're comfortable with, or otherwise make the spirit home uncomfortable for the spirit you want to invite there.

Here, less is more - wash, clean, and dust items as you normally would.

The concept with spirit shrines and houses is that the spirits can make actual use of the objects you put there.

Ideally, the spirit home should have comfortable things so the spirits can be cozy and rest.

Gather and place very comfortable, cozy objects on the shrine or in the container. This might be a bit of flannel or a knitted/crocheted swatch for a blanket, a small sewn and stuffed pillow, or even miniature furniture like a dollhouse chair.

These things do not have to be arranged as if they are a diorama bedroom. You can just layer soft fabrics into a box or surface.

Once you have a clean space set aside with a few comfortable objects, and something like an offering dish, the spirit house may be complete.

Make more occult fussings to get the spirit's attention (although you may sense that the spirit is hovering over your shoulder, so to speak). Tell the spirit that its space is ready. Tell the spirit that it should make use of the space as it pleases. At this time, consider giving a small offering to celebrate the occasion.

However, many other things can be added to the spirit shrine. Be careful when giving non-disposable gifts. Your spirit may very much enjoy its collection of coins and cigarettes, and be upset with you if you need to clear them away because too much space is taken up.

If a spirit is being troublesome around the home, building them a little home may be helpful right away. You can also put things there that they will enjoy playing with. Strings of shiny beads and crystals, windchime charms, colorful tangles of threads, kaleidoscopes (come back and turn them from time to time!), and other colorful, interesting trinkets are often much-beloved by bored household spirits.

You do not need to constantly clean the spirit's space. Consider that the space is like the spirit's bedroom - they do not necessarily want you invading their space in order to clean it. A quarterly cleaning (perhaps on each solstice and equinox) will suffice. The spirit home should not collect "negative" energies.

You also do not need a regular offering schedule. An offering even once a month will suffice.

Pay attention to any nagging little thoughts that the spirit house ought to change or be moved. Use a pendulum to help confirm these notions.

[blackmalkin]

You do not need to be able to achieve two-way spirit communication in order to start developing spiritual relationships

I know why people believe this. Or one of the reasons why. If you want to form a relationship with another human, you communicate to them. You talk to them.

But it is a mistake to put that expectation on spiritual relationships.

I want to impress upon you guys that so many practitioners do not have clear communication with their spirits or deities! I honestly suspect this is a majority of all practitioners.

Using tools such as pendulums and tarot cards are completely valid forms of communication.

It is so incredibly unnecessary to exhaust yourself trying to establish psychic connections with your spirits.

And I'm really sorry if people have made you to feel that you are not allowed to be friends with spirits unless you can see and hear them.

There are lots of ways to start establishing relationships with spirits if you haven't (or don't want to!!) developed psychic senses.

You can build spirit houses and shrines, and invite the spirits to stay near you.

You cay speak, think, or pray (without connotations of worship) to the spirits, even if you can't hear anything back.

You can start dedicating actions to the spirits. Do you normally trim the hedges and sweep the back porch? Let them know it is for them. "I'm doing this work so the home and garden you live in is beautiful and nice to be in."

You do not have to maintain a strict offering schedule. Try leaving spirits gifts. Fertilizing your plants is an act of offering. Setting a little dinner aside for them is an act of offering. Opening the windows and playing gentle music is an act of offering.

Living your life in a way that respects and honors the presence of the spirits around you is how you start building relationships with them, even if you can't see them.

One of the most important ways to start building any spiritual relationship is to live in a way that accepts the presence and reality of these spirits.

I promise you, they will see what you are doing, and they will respond to it.

[blackmalkin]

Ailments of the fairy folk

I thought it would be interesting to list all the ailment (the ones I know and wish to share) that fairies can cause harm to mortal beings. Enjoy! Some found in folklore, others from personal experience, and some from a mix of both

Strike of the eye, eye struck, eye bite, or evil eye

Typically, it can range from being hexed to even cursed. The victims are plagued by bad luck. Some bits of folklore and stories of fairy doctors say that one can tell if they have been “bitten by those fairies eyes” from the victim’s eyes. A strange bruise or blue mark might also appear on their skin usually near the face. 

Fairy Wails, Banshee’s song, or the Fairy Dog’s howl

The victim is said to hear a fairy’s call, one which they were not meant to hear. Some say it is soothing, while others say it is frightening. Either way, it is something that can lead to some strange occurrences. Not always negative, it can sometimes lead to prophetic visions and even the fairy sight. Though, it can also lead to one’s death or expose them to illness of ghastly winds from the underworld and the dead. 

 The Fairy Strike, fairy struck, The fairy grasp, Cravings of Fairyland

The victims tended to be either youths or the elderly. They were people that fell and began to wither, whether it be physically or mentally. It is said they are being stolen away by the fairies to become their brides, grooms, nursemaids, or slaves. The people will wish isolation, no longer crave food, and lose interest in all that they once love. They merely want to sleep. 

The Fairy Bleat, Fairy Blast, or  “The Wind”

This is caused from a gust of wind sent from an angry fairy, which can cause a darkness of heart or for the heart to be swallowed up. They are weak and all strength is sucked up. They might also shiver and be cold, yet it is summer and warm. They might also become grayer in complexion. 

The Fairy Stroke (also called the Fairy Blast too) 

When someone is hit by a fairy, they will show signs usually lumps, tumors, bruises, strange marks (even claw marks), or even become paralyzed (both temporarily and permanently) 

Fairy Taken, Fairy-napped

Both physically or mentally, an individual has been taken away by the fairies. If physically, the person is missing (maybe replaced by a fake like a doll, animal, or even log). If mentally, the person is not responsive to anything or anyone, rather they lay in a state of sleeping. This usually is the result of the fairy grasp.

The Fairy Song, fairy’s flute, siren’s call

The call to those unknowing. It is hypnotic and pleasing to our ears. The victims forget themselves and are drawn to the call. Sometimes its straight into the sea, where they drown. Other times, its right into a fairy fort and to a Fairy Queen. 

Fairy Darts, fairy arrows, elf darts 

Small arrows and darts that fairies use to attack various creatures from crows to people. They typically aim around the joints and can cause pain, redness, and swelling. For cows, it might cause their milk to sour or go dry. 

Fairy Nightmares

When the fairies tug and pull at a sleeping person’s body (their hair, limbs, clothing, etc) and torment them in their sleep. 

Fool of the Forth, glance of the fool, Mad Eye

One of the more deadly ailments, the fool of the forth is believed to be incurable, though some swear that Biddy Early could cure them half the time. Basically, the victim looks into the eyes of the Fool and become mad. It can lead to them committing suicide, eating strange and dangerous things, becoming a wrathful beast, or even attacking friends/family. Some experience partial Mad Eyes, due to not directly looking at the fool of the forth. These cases can lead to severe symptoms that are temporary or very minor symptoms that stick with them. 

That’s all I’ve got to share with you guys, hope you enjoyed! Some sources below :) 

Ancient Legends, Mystic Charms, and Superstitions of Ireland: The Fairy Doctor

Visions and Beliefs in the West of Ireland

Fairy and Folk Tales of the Irish Peasantry: Witches, FairyDoctors: Witches, Fairy Doctors

[blackmalkin]

On Fae and Spirit work.   (A master post)

In my perspective, as well as experience, Fae (I can only speak of those in North America and Central America) are spirits. As such, it is not likely you’ll ever see them physically manifest. Like other spirits, (Ancestors, Angels, Demons, Djinn, plant spirits, etc.) Fae exist within a hierarchy of both age and size, which generally go hand-in-hand. In fact, there is a hierarchy that is recognized by all spirits. (When I say “size” I am referring to how powerful they are, not how tall they are.)  -SJW warning: Things within this post are 70% learned from direct experience, 25% taught to me by a practitioner of Curanderismo, & 5% book/internet research.

Dealings with Fea:

If you must, despite the warnings from the community, seek out a Fae, you should know a few things:

1- Where to find them. 2- How to locate one within that place and convince them to commune with you. 3- Ways you can protect yourself and others around you. 4- How to “befriend” one. 5- How to close communion. A few useful things to have on you: fresh mint, fresh lavender, really any common flowering plant in your region (All must be harvested respectfully because the Fae will feel it.) As well as buttons (the older- the better), red wine, moon water, and/or a small potted plant (if dealing with a Fae within a building)

Without knowing at least a few of these things, I surely would have been subject to all kinds of spiritual, physical and mental torture/harassment.  #1: Where to find Fae Fae do not necessarily reside in woodlands, deserts, swamps, mountains, forests, or lakes (etc). They can and do live in cities, suburbs and places like Walmart.  However, places like Walmart aren’t very attractive to them, and they will likely only live there temporarily.  Fae like to be left alone, like most spirits. They will always nestle into a place that is secluded and rather quiet. The more foliage, the better because Fae do prefer more natural areas. They only exist out of nature due to urbanization. It’s actually really sad. If you find a Fae within a building, PLEASE be careful. They will likely not be too friendly.  So, think of a place that is near you, where there is little human traffic that has at least some foliage. Then, once you have communed with a few Fae (That are in a more preferred habitat), and think that you could handle it, look in the dark secluded places in buildings.  #2: How to locate and speak to a Fae if they reside in that area You will need your intuition here- in fact, you will be relying on it nearly wholly.  If in forests, mountains, and woodlands: they will likely be found near groves of old trees, running water, large boulders (That are covered in moss AND fungus), on mounds with flowers, secluded clearings in trees, and small caves.  In deserts: secluded caves, atop mesas, near water, oases, and around clusters of larger plants. In swamps: Near the oldest tree in the area, running water, large rocks that are being devoured by moss and mud, in tree branches, as well as nearly all over the place.  In plains/prairie: You will only find younger and/or smaller Fae. They will be clinging to the base of the grasses, hiding under yucca, near cacti, resting near wildflowers.  In buildings: They will be found in dark corridors, abandoned buildings, attics, storage rooms that are barely used, the roof, and elevator shafts/empty stairwells. Once you think you’ve found one, lay out an offering without looking directly at them. It is always best to look directly at the ground. Once the offering is set, bow your head to the ground- touching your forehead. Then speak aloud the reasoning for leaving that specific offering, while being as respectful and genuine as possible. Then give an offering of energy. (Before doing this, be sure to have protection [see #3]) This energy needs to be appropriate for the vibe of the Fae.  Then, begin to speak aloud to them. Tell them about yourself, and your craft. You must be completely honest. Lying to a Fae can result in their anger. Ask if they are comfortable speaking to you. If they aren’t you’ll feel it. If this happens, bow again and stand and leave respectfully. Be sure to give a blessing to their home as you are leaving it.  #3: How you can protect yourself and those around you Objects you can carry that will help prevent them from: Following you [F], Leeching energy from you [L], Cursing you [C], Messing with your Psyche [P].  {”-” before a symbol means that it makes it easier, rather than preventing.) -Iron (Nail, bar, wire, ball, key, etc.) [L] -Tiger’s Eye [P]  -A feather [F] -Fresh Romero [L] [P] -Copper [P] [-L] -Rutilated Quartz [C] [P] -Amethyst [L] -Obsidian [C] [L] -Turquoise [F] [P] - Shungite [-L] [P] [C] -Fresh Ecineccea flower [L] [C] [F] -Salt [F] [L] [C] -Sigils drawn on flesh or paper (potentially [F] [L] [C] [P] [-F] [-L] [-C] [-P]) There are a few energetic way to protect yourself as well. Creating a shell of neutral reflective energy around you, building and maintaining a flame in your heart energy center, astral weapons/shields, tulpas/servitors/thought-forms, and blessings.  Be sure to ALWAYS salt all thresholds in your home before leaving to commune with Fae. Brick dust, iron shavings, and Pipestone dust can be used in place of salt.  Also, NEVER underestimate the power of respect, intuition, and understanding. #4: How to “Befriend” a Fae I use the term “befriend” very loosely, hence the quotation marks. It’s more like a trade deal.  This can happen once they feel comfortable speaking to you, and you can then make a request- but not without compensation. If a request is made without compensation, they will likely take something of their own choosing.  For example, I met a really old Fae that recently migrated to a conservation area near me. (by recently I mean within the last 100 years, which is like a week or two to her.) Once she was comfortable speaking to me, I asked her for guidance and assistance in my craft- as well as to join my circle of spirits in the direction of the North. In return I offered to ward her home- to this, she scoffed. Instead, all she asked for in return was my faith in her and her home- as well as to never mention her name around or to any other humans. (I can’t even write it in my Grimoire- I checked) #5: How to close a communion with a Fae If a Fae is gracious enough to commune with you, you should always end with a statement of honest gratitude. Ways to physically show gratitude and respect could be as follows: -placing your forehead on the ground -kissing the ground -manifest your aura as butterflies or another flying creature depending on the vibe of the Fae. -Bow after standing up (If you were previously sitting) -Bow before leaving. -Facing towards the center of their home, as you are leaving, and placing your forehead on the center (Try, if you are able, to face south when doing this) -Leave a second offering.  -Draw a sigil of gratitude in the air with your energy. There are some Fae you should strive to avoid! -Faeries (Not Fairies): They will blatantly lie to you and will almost always be insulted and/or disgusted at your presence. -Fae that feel palpably angry- most likely found in abandoned buildings. -Fae that live in a lone tree.  -Fae that live in poisonous/toxic plants -There are a few more- but your gut will honestly be your best tool. IF YOU CAN HELP A FAE THAT HAS HAD ITS HOME RIPPED AWAY FROM IT DUE TO URBANIZATION- DO IT. WITH ITS PERMISSION, HELP FIND IT A NEW HOME- AND BE SURE TO GET THE PERMISSION OF THE FAE THAT LIVE IN THE NEW LOCATION AS WELL. 

[blackmalkin]

On the Fae--from my family tradition

Disclosure! This is based on the stories I heard from my family growing up! It is a very “family tradition” telling of ways to deal with the Fae. Mind you, my whole family passes down two things “very important” about the Fae, and then a bunch of tid-bit stuff. 1.) We have fae in our blood line (but who has family from a Celtic or Germanic nation and hasn’t heard that?) and 2.) Fae, of any court, will trick you just to see if they can, so always be careful.

Having said that, this is a quick list of things I was taught about dealing with the Fae

The Fae are tricksters. They can not lie (on pain of death) but they will do everything in their ability to trick you, because it’s a game.

Do NOT eat or drink anything the Fae offer you. If you ingest anything from their world you can’t leave, because the magic of the world will snare you.

Some Fae are flat our evil. Some enjoy hurting people, and do it for fun.

The Seelie court is not the “good” court, just the court of illusion and glamour

The UnSeelie court is not the “evil” court, just the court of shadows and intrigue

Not all Solitary Fae were banished from a court, some chose to leave. Not all Solitary Fae were banished for being “evil”, but some simply for refusing to follow directions from a higher ranking Fae, or for failing to conform to the “rules” of the court.

The Slough is The Host, The Wild Hunt….they hunt down betrayers, oath-breakers, liars, thieves, and the like, and execute them. While the Slough is not evil, they are strict, and frightening.

Fae in your garden is good luck

You can leave the Fae offerings to promote a peaceful relationship. If you’re useful, then you’re likely to be left alone 

Do not dance with the Fae, because you’ll become enspelled and dance till you die

Do not step through a fairy ring, it’s easier to get into their world than it is to get out.

Do not go seeking out ways to see Fae who wish to remain invisible. They want to be left alone for a reason, and can/may very well take your sight if you can see through their illusions

To invite Fae who wish to be seen, leave honey, milk, or fresh bread by your garden

Wear iron to keep a Fae from being able to grab you

Hang iron above a childs crib to keep Fae from trading them out with a changling

Let your children play with the Fae they see, so as not to offend the Fae, but never let them follow them

Don’t play with water Fae, they don’t understand you need air to breath and live

Don’t share blood with a Fae. They can enspell you if you give them your blood or hair

Don’t use your full name when dealing with the Fae. Names have power, and if they learn your full name they can have power over you

Mirrors do not reflect a Fae’s glamour perfectly, you can tell a Fae among mortals because their reflection will look “off”

taurotrickster knotted-vines am I forgetting anything?

[blackmalkin]

Goblins

A goblin is a legendary evil or mischievous creature. They are attributed with various (sometimes conflicting) abilities, temperaments and appearances depending on the story and country of origin. In some cases, goblins have been classified as constantly annoying little creatures somewhat related to the brownie or gnome. They are usually depicted as small, sometimes only a few inches tall, sometimes the size of a dwarf. They also often are said to possess various magical abilities. They are also very greedy and love money.

History

English goblin is first recorded in the 14th century and is probably from unattested Anglo-Norman gobelin,  similar to Old French gobelin, already attested around 1195 in Ambroise of Normandy's  Guerre sainte, and to Medieval latin gobelinus in Orderic Vitalis, before 1141,which was the name of a devil or a daemon haunting the country around Évreux, Normandy.

There is no consensus on the origin of goblin myths. Since goblins are similar to faeries and other spirits of Europe, it is possible that they share a similar origin. Many scholars believe that such creatures came out of an interest in Paganism and its mysticism, especially the belief in nature spirits and magic. Goblins could possibly come from the belief that, along with virtuous pagans, there were evil ones that became evil spirits. 

Goblins soon became a subject in works of literature, including the famous poem Goblin Market by Christina Rossetti:

“We must not look at goblin men, We must not buy their fruits: Who knows upon what soil they fed Their hungry thirsty roots?”

Description

Some accounts claim they are mostly invisible to the human eye, and thus act as phantoms. However, even in traditions where they are invisible, it is still widely known (although how remains mysterious) what they look like underneath their invisibility.

They are usually believed to be shorter than human beings; depending upon the source, they can either be stout or thin; their brow is fully covered with thick hair and their mouth is filled with yellowed, crooked teeth.

Goblins are often depicted as possessing a coarse, raspy sounding, and slightly high-pitched voice, speaking human languages along with their own, and possessing a cunning intellect.

In recent depictions, goblins have been portrayed as green in color, but this is only a modern tradition.

In some cultures, they are more tricksters, who steal horses to ride at night, hide small objects, tip over pails of milk, and alter signposts.

Some believe that goblins are more malevolent, weaving nightmares out of gossamer and inserting them into the ear of a sleeping human, stealing human women and children and hiding them away underground, or even stealing human babies and replacing them with ugly goblin babies (changelings).

A goblin smile is said to curdle blood and a laugh to sour milk and cause fruit to fall from trees.

Goblins are often believed to be nomadic, never staying too long in one place.

[blackmalkin]

A new article for a new blog, about the colours associated with the Fair Folk in folklore and their implications.

[blackmalkin]

The fluence: who are the “folk” in “folk magic”?

My mum’s family aren’t witches.  They’re not holders of any ancient mystical “fam-trad” lineage.  (In fact, some are from staunch Scots Presbyterian stock, including the “no dancing on the Sabbath!” variety.)

However, they DID pass down a bunch of stuff - little stories, customs, all that, as any culture does.  (And my gran took it and ran with it, loving and researching folklore all her life, teaching it to me and later enthusiastically joining in seasonal rituals.)

One thing in particular, which I grew up with as completely normal, was something the women of the family did: the soothing called “the fluence”.  Fractious children were calmed by this combination of forehead-stroking and deliberately radiating calming feelings, often with a low humming.  Obviously these things are calming anyway, but someone really good at it - like my gran, rest her - could do it from a distance.

I thought it was just one of those quirky family things.  “You’ve got a headache? Come here, I’ll put the fluence on you.”  “Ugh, X kid is being a monster, better put the fluence on them.”

Later on, however, I learned that this was, in fact, A Thing beyond our family - “putting the influence on someone”, which was, indeed, often abbreviated to “the fluence”.  (Etymonline takes this meaning of “the influence” back to the 1500s, and says it shows up earlier in medieval Latin.)  I’d done it to jasminekor when she was distressed; one time she was reading or watching something historical, and a character accused someone of having put the (negative) fluence on someone, and she sat up and said, “Oh my god, it’s actually a thing! I thought it was just your family!” just as I had.

I’m not telling this story to show what a ~magical mystical folk-craft family~ I come from.  I’m telling it to show that, when we talk about folk magic, we’re not talking about some vague people long ago and far away, but just…us.  (I think Pratchett had something trenchant to say about this, as usual.)  It’s not all stuff gathered by Cecil Williams, it’s not all in books, it didn’t mysteriously stop at some point, it’s just…stuff we do.  

Using the fluence to calm a kid down, for their sake and the sake of everyone in the room who’s having to listen to the screeching - that’s folk magic.  Pointing out a single crow to the person you’re with because it’s bad luck to be the only one who sees a single crow, to turn the bad luck - that’s folk magic.  (I’m told this is a specifically Kentish thing, and I grew up doing it without even really knowing what it was, but to this day I still have the urge to point and say “Crow!” when I see one XD)  

Ditto saluting/touching your hat/spitting at/etc magpies.  (For me: flick your fingers three times, spit three times with your thumb between your forefingers, and if you’re being hardcore, “Away with you evil, away with you ill!”  Tricky when you’re driving XD)  Any ill-luck-turning ‘superstition’ is folk magic.  (Broken something?  Quick, run out and smash a couple of jam-jars, cos these things come in threes!)  Cross your fingers to avoid bad luck (or render a promise powerless).  Rub your wedding ring on your stye to cure it.  Throw salt over your shoulder. “See a pin and pick it up, all that day you’ll have good luck.  See a pin and let it lie, that day you’ll see your luck go by.”  Hang up a horseshoe.  Keep a lock of your baby’s first hair to protect them.  Throw coins in the wishing well.

We do so many of these things without even thinking, and call them “superstition”, while looking for obscure lore from tucked-away corners of the country, poring over accounts of cunningmen and executed witches, and never look at what was done by everyone - what *we still do* - every day, 

This too is folk magic, and we are (still) the folk.

[blackmalkin]

Written by @witchcraftinred, this article explores the overlap between fair folk and the restless dead - cohabitation in a land resembling a purgatory.