broomsick

[broomsick]

Pretty amusing to notice that I never run out of inspiration when writing devotional texts to Óðinn! Funny how that happens.

[broomsick]

How to Work with Nature Spirits

Warning: Long Post under the Cut!!

Before getting into this, I want to preface that this is heavily based on my experiences and UPG. This is intended to be a helpful guide for anyone not sure on where to start but my Number 1 piece of advice will always be: Just go for it. Your experiences will be different from mine and that's a good thing! Be respectable and figure out what works best for you. With that in mind, let's get into it.

First, let's define 'nature spirits'. Nature spirits may conjure a number of associations and concepts depending on your culture, religion or practice! For the purpose of this post, 'Nature Spirits does not refer to any nature-associated deities or entities such as The Fae, Dryads/Naiads/Oceanids/etc, Elves etc - while many of these practices could be applied, each of these entities has specific cultural and religious etiquette attached that I'm not going to get into!

In this post, Nature Spirits are the spirits of all natural things, following the animistic view that everything has spirit. Plants, animals, rocks, metal, landscapes, etc. This is an incredibly broad definition, that can be narrowed or adapted however you see fit, nature is not an easily defined box. You can create your own categories or definitions, if that makes it easier to understand. For example, I may categorise certain spirits by a dominant element, or biome, or breadth, but these categories will always only ever be guidelines. (Note: at some point I want to make a post about different nature spirits along with some personal experiences. Will link here!)

Which brings us to the next point: accept that nature is not neat, and neither are the spirits. There is a level of overlap between different spirits that cannot be easily discerned - there is no clear, easily drawn line between the spirit of The Forest and the spirit of the Trees. The Spirit of that One Particular Crow is not entirely separated from the Spirit of Crow, but they are also not the same. The Spirit of the Stream will flow into the Spirit of The Ocean and you cannot pull them apart, yet you can still work with one but not the other. It is all a tightly interwoven web of spirit, it mirrors the balance and entwinement of the complex ecosystems all around us. Spirits and energies can shift and change with each meeting because of the changing seasons, the time of day, the influence of the landscape around it, or just because. Some spirits can be particularly variable, and it's important to recognise this! When working with nature spirits you must be open minded and adaptable, meet them as they are.

So how do you actually work with them?

This can largely depend on your goal, so I'll break this into two categories; A one time or "casual" relationship, or building a long-term relationship. I have both of these types of relationships - it would be impossible for me to have a long-term relationship with each individual spirit, but sometimes I want to ask them for help. My long term relationships are with Nature itself, and a handful of plant/animal/land spirits, the rest of my practice is made up of much shorter-term relationships that are made much easier by my long-term relationship with Nature. Again, figure out what works for you!

Working with Nature Spirits Once/Casually

Maybe you have a specific spell or petition that you think a nature spirit would be PERFECT to help you with. Or you want to add an extra bit of oomph to your spellwork by working with the spirit(s) of your ingredients. Or maybe, you just want to give (nature) spirit work a go. Whatever the reason, sometimes we just want a short-term relationship with a spirit. This can also be a helpful approach if you want to take something from nature* (i.e. a tree branch to be your wand, some flowers as spellworking ingredients, etc) and want to ensure it's permitted and you respect the spirit.

The best way to approach this, from my experience, is to be honest with the spirit, and respectful. Some Nature Spirits have no interest in helping someone they don't have a relationship with, and some spirits don't want to help period. Leave an offering for the spirit (expanded upon in the Offerings section further in the post), call upon them and ask them if they would be open to what you need. It really can be as simple as:

"Spirit of Oak, I ask you humbly if you would aid in my enchantment. I give you this offering and ask if I may take one of your many branches. I ask that you may allow your magic and wisdom to stay with it and empower it to be my wand. Thank you."

You may get in an answer through divination such as tarot or runes, through your clairsenses, or you can ask the spirit to provide a sign. If they say no, respect that. Thank them and leave. If you aren't willing to hear no, you should not be working with spirits.

If they say yes, but give certain requirements - i.e. "Yes, but only so much. Yes, but I want an offering of xyz in return. Etc" respect that and consider if you're willing to oblige. If not, thank them and leave. Spirits do have preferences and requests, and sometimes they change over time! I.e. in Summer, Oak may be happy for you to take one of his branches, but in Winter, when he and his wards (Oak, in my experience, is a very protective and familial spirit, often charging himself with protection of the land he lives on) are struggling, he may only allow you to take it if you agree to leave some extra bowls of water as an offering.

This doesn't just have to be a one-off, even for short-term relationships. If you are asking for quite a lot or something significant, you should leave multiple offerings over time before asking for permission - especially if the spirit you're working with might be a bit less welcoming.

*If taking something from nature, always ensure you are taking no more than you need and, if applicable, leave more than enough for that resource to survive (unless it is invasive to your area). Respecting the mundane balance of nature is the most important thing. Also, check any laws in your area regarding collecting feathers, certain plants, bones etc!!

Building a Long-Term Relationship

If you want to build a longer relationship with Nature Spirits, or connect more deeply with nature as a whole, there's a few 'steps' I would recommend:

Research and learn about your local area! What plants are you most likely to find? What animals and trees? How do the seasons change and impact the land? What patterns can you find? Do they align with your personal experiences? Join local Birdwatching or foraging groups, pick up localised wildlife books, take online courses! Learn about the world around you!

Get outside and experience it! Get a nature journal to record what you notice - when do you notice the bees coming back after Winter? What are the first plants to sprout in Spring? When do the first Autumnal leaves fall? What animals do you see most? What trees? Sit outside with no intent other than to *feel*. Sit in the forest and let your energy merge with everything around you; feel how the tree roots stretch beneath the soil, and intermingles with stretching mycelium, feel the flap of insects wings and the wind on your skin. Feel the energy of the spirits around you. Like when trying to befriend a crow or stray cat, you must give them time to adjust to your presence.

Leave offerings on a regular basis. This can be done on your altar at home, but often the most effective offerings are ones that aid the physical side of the spirits of well!

Talk to them (without necessarily expecting a response). Say good morning to the magpies on your way to work, tell the trees about your day. Even if you are trying to build a relationship with one specific spirit, it never hurts to connect to nature and its other spirits - sort of like being polite to the in-laws. All of nature is connected, if you're trying to befriend Lavender but throw litter out the car window, it's gonna be much harder to forge a connection.

Ask the spirit if they want a working relationship with you! And respect their answer if they say no. If they say yes, ask them how you've been doing so far - is there something you've been doing that they don't like? Or that they wish you would do more? Do they have any preferences? Requests? Some spirits don't like to communicate through tarot, others have specific times of day they prefer to talk. Some of this can be discerned through research (i.e. nocturnal animal spirits might prefer nighttime communication) but much of it can only be learned by *asking the spirit*.

Keep it up. This is it. This is what a relationship with spirits is: consistent communication and respect. What you choose to do with this relationship, and how it evolves and changes is entirely up to you! Nature is not a religion, these spirits are not a part of a specific tradition or culture (though you are more than welcome to incorporate your own culture/traditions/religions into your relationship with them) and so there are no pre-set prayers, offerings, rituals etc; it is up to you to build a unique and personalised relationship with them!

If you ever want to end it, be respectful and polite. Thank the spirit for everything, provide them a final offering and say goodbye.

Offerings for Nature Spirits

Here are some suggestions of offerings for Nature Spirits, but they are just suggestions and recommendations from my own experiences; come up with your own and figure it out *with* the spirit!! I've divided them into physical and non-physical offerings:

Water (a classic, hard to go wrong)

Wildlife Safe food (this will require research and will be very dependant on your area. HOWEVER, it should not be done regularly, and ideally should be in your garden rather than a public or "wild" area - bird feeders, feeding hedgehogs etc Feeding wildlife can cause more harm than help a lot of the time).

Coins, tobacco, crystals etc (some 'traditional' spirit offerings in many cultures. These are best for any indoor altars rather than outside.

Picking up Litter or other acts of service (an amazing offering, often highly appreciated)

Removing Invasive Species!

Physical touch (NOT for animals or potentially dangerous plants. Do your research. This may be a hand in the river, a hug to the tree, bare feet on the soil.)

Time (a simple, yet much appreciated offering)

A poem, artwork, prayer

Donating to their conservation/aid

Other parts of nature (laying flowers at the foot of the tree, berries for the crow spirit, dressing a fox skull in leaves)

In my experience, acts of service or creation are often much more appreciated than physical offerings! Art in their name, cleaning the local stream of litter, calling your PM to pressure more conservation policies etc are far better than leaving a - potentially disruptive and harmful - piece of food.

What NOT to Do?

This is also UPG based, but there are some things I would really NOT recommend.

Not doing your research. You wouldn't jump into a relationship with a deity without learning anything about them, why do the same for nature spirits? Just because they don't have specific religious lore surrounding them, doesn't mean you shouldn't learn. Pick up a field guide or book on local folklore.

Leaving human food outside. You baked a tasty brownie and want to share it with the Fly Agaric spirit you're building a relationship with? Great - leave it as an offering but TAKE IT BACK HOME WITH YOU. Let the spirit take the energy from it it wants/needs, and then remove it. Do not leave human food outside. If you INSIST on leaving a form of food offering, it MUST be safe for the local wildlife.

Littering. Doing a spell with Birch? Cool. Make sure you don't leave anything behind. Ideally, use compostable or wildlife safe ingredients (i.e. beeswax candles, toilet paper tubes instead of spell jars etc)

Graffiti/Carvings on trees/rocks etc. Sigils and art can be a great tool/offering but PLEASE don't graffiti or carve into trees/rocks/natural things. It does damage them. Write a with your finger in sand or on your palm or recreate it with branches instead.

Taking more than you need. Don't collect every shell you see on a beach, don't pick up every skull or bone your find in a forest, don't pick every mushroom or herb in a patch. Take what you need, ask permission, leave more than you take.

DO NOT GO INTO FORAGING/BONE COLLECTING/HIKING/LITTER PICKING WITHOUT PROPER SAFETY PRECAUTIONS. Know the laws in your area. Know the trails and paths. Have a map if the area if large enough. Know what plants are safe to touch, if you're not sure - DON'T TOUCH IT. Know what is safe to forage, ideally have an expert to confirm, if you are not 10000% certain, LEAVE IT (and I mean 100000% certain. Not 99%). Wear proper hiking boots, be aware of the weather and any risks in the area. Keep up with weather warnings. Know if there's any traps in the woods. Going litter picking? Make sure you're aware of any local vaccination attempts, as the devices used to help vaccinate wild animals may look like rubbish. Be sensible, be SAFE.

General Tips and Advice

Use common sense and critical thinking.

Notice how I kept saying "local" in this post? That's because it's ideal for a nature-based practice to be localised to your surrounding area! I live in the UK, so whats the point in me trying to build a relationship with spirit of Bald Eagle? It has no roots in my land, nor in my heritage or craft. It is much easier to connect to a nature spirit that you can actually, physically visit, or that has a deep connection to your culture/religion/heritage than one that you thought "seemed cool".

Take it slow, and take it easy. There are no strict rules besides don't be a jerk. The best expert on any particular spirit is that spirit!

However, its important to be safe. Know how to protect yourself and how to banish. Don't call on any spirit you can't get rid of. Not all nature spirits are friendly.

Nature spirits are also not a monolith. They overlap, they blur and twist together but working with Bramble is an entirely different experience to working with Lavender. Be prepared. You can typically get an idea of a spirit's personality through research - it peeks through in the science and ecology, as well as the folklore.

Practice energy work! Nature spirits, in my experience, love to communicate through energy. Sit with yourself for a while, learn what thoughts are yours, what sensations are your own, so that you can differentiate from others. Get used to the feeling of nature and its spirits - they will guide you and help you, they will teach you knowledge you cannot imagine.

You're allowed to say no, and so are they.

Do not be deterred by your circumstances. You live in a city? There's still nature spirits there, a lot of them. (Will link my post about Urban Nature Spirit Work here when posted). Struggle to get outside regularly? Get a Houseplant (will link houseplant post too) watch nature documentaries, find a way to connect to nature and it will find a way to connect to you.

Remember that YOU are a part nature. You are not an onlooker, you are not an outsider, YOU are a part of the ecosystem, apart of natural history and the complex beauty of evolution and change. YOU are an animal and you are so much more similar to the foxes and bears and flies and butterflies than you think.

I hope this post has been helpful to some! Please feel free to add any of your own points/experiences or ask questions/suggest future posts!!

Praise Mother Nature 💚🌿🪲

[broomsick]

𝐁𝐞𝐥𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐞

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What is Beltane?

Beltane is a fire festival celebrated on the night of April 30th into May 1st in the Northern Hemisphere, and around October 31st into November 1st in the Southern Hemisphere. It marks the midpoint between the spring equinox and the summer solstice, honoring fertility, passion, and the sacred union between the divine feminine and masculine. Traditionally, it signals the beginning of the light half of the year, a time of growth, abundance, warmth, and blooming life. Beltane celebrates freedom, love, lust, creativity, and the return of life to the natural world, bringing with it new, flourishing beginnings. May 1st is a day of joy and play. After a harsh winter, it becomes a celebration of renewal, of aliveness, and of nature’s wild rebirth.

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The History of Beltane

The name Beltane comes from Old Irish Beltene, meaning "bright fire" or "The fires of Bel". Some people link it to the Celtic god Belenus, a solar and healing deity, while others have drawn comparisons to Baal, a fertility god, though that idea is debated and not widely accepted.

Historically, Beltane was celebrated in Celtic regions, most notably Ireland and Scotland, as a pastoral festival. Bonfires were lit on hilltops, and cattle were driven between two of them to protect them from disease and ensure fertility. People would jump over the flames, not just for luck, but as a way to connect with sacred fire and invoke fertility, health, and courage for the coming summer season.

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Beltane and the Fairy Realm

Beltane is a liminal time, one of the two key points in the year (along with Samhain) when the veil between our world and the Otherworld grows thin. While Samhain leans into the realm of spirits and ancestors, Beltane belongs to the fae.

It is said that on the eve of Beltane, the Fair Folk wander freely, drawn to laughter, music, and offerings left with care. In many old traditions, people avoided disturbing fairy mounds or sacred groves during this time, choosing instead to leave gifts like milk, honey, or sweet bread beneath hawthorn trees. These offerings were meant to honor the fae, invite blessings, and protect against mischief.

Wearing a crown of bluebells on Beltane Eve is said to help one see the faeries, as bluebells are sacred to them. A ring of blooming bluebells is also believed to be a favorite gathering spot for garden faeries.

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Beltane and the Hawthorn Tree

Few trees are more sacred to Beltane than the hawthorn. Often called the “fairy tree” in Irish and Scottish folklore, it is said to guard the entrances to the Otherworld. Blooming right around May 1st, its soft white-pink blossoms carry the energy of protection, love, and the unseen.

In Celtic tradition, hawthorn trees were deeply respected as portals to the realm of the fae. During Beltane, it was common to tie ribbons or small offerings to the branches while making heartfelt wishes, not demands, but gentle hopes whispered like prayers. Damaging or cutting a hawthorn tree, especially during this sacred time, was believed to bring terrible luck or stir the wrath of the Fair Folk.

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The Sacred Fire

Fire is the central symbol of Beltane. The festival’s original name literally refers to Bel’s fires, honoring the sun and invoking purification and fertility.

Traditionally, two large bonfires were lit at Beltane, and people, along with their animals, would walk, dance, or even leap between them for blessings, healing, and protection. In some regions, ashes from the sacred fire were scattered over fields to encourage fertility. Couples, especially newlyweds, often passed hand-in-hand through the smoke as a symbol of unity and renewal.

The fire wasn’t just a ritual, it was a living spirit. Lighting it the old way, through friction rather than matches or lighters, was seen as a sacred act, calling upon the raw elemental force of nature itself.

Even today, many Beltane celebrations honor this ancient custom through bonfires, candle magic, and fire rituals. You don’t need a blaze on a hilltop, even a single flame, lit with intention, can carry the sacred spark of Beltane into your home and heart. :D

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The Maypole

The maypole is one of the most central symbols of modern Beltane celebrations. Though it has roots in English May Day traditions, it’s been beautifully woven into Beltane for its rich symbolism of life, fertility, and union.

The tall, phallic pole rising from the earth represents the God, masculine energy, vitality, and the spark of creation. The colorful ribbons and flowers spiraling around it, often held by dancers weaving in circles, represent the Goddess, the womb, fertility, and abundant life. Together, they form a sacred spiral: a dance of harmony between the masculine and feminine, of earth and sky, movement and stillness.

As dancers move around the maypole, their steps create a living mandala, a spell in motion, tied with laughter and bright ribbons.

The dance itself is a celebration of harmony between forces, of weaving ourselves back into the rhythm of the land.

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Beltane x Handfasting

Beltane is also a favored time for handfasting, a traditional pagan betrothal or wedding ritual where a couple’s hands are bound together with ribbons, cords, or braided threads to symbolize their union. In ancient times, a handfasting ceremony could last for a year and a day, after which the couple had the choice to stay together or part ways. Today, many modern pagans choose Beltane as a powerful and romantic time to make such commitments, drawn to the fertile energy of the season. Handfastings are often held outdoors, in nature, near fire, under blooming trees, or surrounded by loved ones in sacred space. The vows exchanged during these rituals can be traditional or deeply personal, as the magic of the ceremony lies in the heart connection and the intention to walk beside each other, bound by love and commitment.

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Magic Correspondences

Planets: Venus

Season: Midpoint between spring and summer

Element: Fire

Time of the Day: Noon

Tarot Cards: The Strength, The Lovers, The Sun, Three of Cups

Colors: Green, Red, Pink, Yellow, Purple, White, Sky Blue, All Pastel Colors

Herbs: Mint, Rosemary, Thyme, Ivy, Nettle, Sage, Basil, Juniper, Clover, Mugwort

Fruits: Strawberries, Blueberries, Raspberries, Bananas, Lemon, Cherries

Vegetables: Cucumbers, Carrots, Garlic, Lettuce, New Potatoes

Crystals: Emerald, Bloodstone, Rose Quartz, Carnelian, Red Jasper, Green Aventurine, Moonstone, Fire Agate

Runes: Kenaz, Wunjo, Ingwaz

Trees: Hawthorn, Elder, Willow, Birch

Goddesses: Artemis, Diana, Brigid, Aphrodite, Flora, Gaia, Hera, Astarte, Venus, Juno, Freyja, Epona, Bastet

Gods: Pan, Cernunnos, Belenus, Dionysus, The Green Man, Bacchus, Priapus, Faunus, Eros, Ra

Dragons: Sairys, Fafnir

Flowers: Lilac, Bluebells, Daisy, Lilies, Foxglove, Lily of the Valley, Marigold, Tulips, Violets, Primrose, Peony, Poppy, Honeysuckle

Animals: Frogs, Swans, Cows, Deer, Squirrels, Sheep, Ducks, Cats, Bees, Rabbits, Swallows, Leopards, Lynx, Hares

Magical Powers: Love, Sex, Fertility, Protection, Cleansing, Transformation

Symbols: Maypole, Ribbons, Phallus, Bonfire, Flowers, Faeries, Sex, Floral Crowns, Frogs, Celtic Knots

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Activities to do:

🌸 Make flower-shaped biscuits

🌸 Do candle magick

🌸 Find a local hawthorn tree and make a wish to the faeries

🌸 Wear flowers in your clothes, hair, or as bracelets

🌸 Leave offerings for faeries, as this is the season when they’re most present, you can leave them honey, milk, or biscuits

🌸 Go out for a walk in nature and feel the arrival of summer

🌸 Make a fire in the yard and dance around it (only in safe circumstances, of course); if you don’t have resources, you can light candles in your room (again, be careful)

🌸 Eat anything with oats, as it’s associated with Beltane, such as oatmeal, oatcakes, or other oat-based foods

🌸 Do a tarot or rune reading in the morning of Beltane

🌸 Take care of the trees in your yard or nearby by watering them

🌸 Honor all deities associated with fertility

🌸 Practice faerie magick

🌸 On the morning of Beltane, open your windows or door to warmly welcome the energy of the sabbat.

🌸 Make a Beltane magick jar

🌸 Water your flowers

🌸 Listen to music and dance :D

🌸 Celebrate life, fertility, love, and union

🌸 Take care of your garden, plant seeds, clean dried leaves, and prepare for summer

🌸 Make special Beltane treats

🌸 Casting your circles with oats around this time of year is also a good idea, as oats are a traditional Beltane grain for good luck

🌸 Have a picnic with your loved ones, or organize a gathering with food and grilling

🌸 Honor your ancestors

🌸 Place decorations in your garden

🌸 Plant a tree with any intention you want and take care of it

🌸 Draw runes and specific symbols on paper and burn them

🌸 Do self-love activities

🌸 Practice sex or love magick

🌸 Look for hawthorns in your area and honor them with water and offerings for faeries

🌸 Make a maypole

🌸 Collect flowers

🌸 On the morning of May 1st, wash your face with May Dew or natural spring water

🌸 Connect with the fire element

🌸 Read about the fair folk

🌸 Have a bonfire with your loved ones

🌸 Place ribbons or colored thread in trees with intentions for each, you can use color magick to attract what you need in your life right now (pink for love,

🌸 Meditate

🌸 Make flower crowns and wreaths

🌸 Perform spells for fertility, purification, and love

🌸 As this is a day of love, if you are of an appropriate age, comfortable, being sexually active is part of the celebration

🌸 Buy seeds and plant them in your garden, welcoming the growth of new life

🌸 Create a Beltane altar

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Food and Drinks:

Oats in all forms (oatmeal, oat cookies, oat bread, oatcakes, bannock), strawberries, blueberries, honey, whipped cream with oats, strawberry biscuits, oat and honey bread, blackberry pie, lavender cake, cheese (including Swiss), seasonal potato dishes, fresh fruit salads, tomato and cucumber salads, dairy or plant-based milks, vanilla-flavoured foods, ice cream, grilled food, BBQ, spicy dishes to honor the fire element, May Day wine, white wine, regular wine (with a strawberry placed at the bottom of the glass if you wish), tarts with cheese, mayonnaise.

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[broomsick]

Ways to Harness Sun Magick

Let the sun power your spells, your spirit, and your dreams:

• Make sun salt for purification and abundance

• Meditate during sunrise and sunset for clarity and energy

• Charge your magickal tools in sunlight

• Charge crystals under the sun for amplified strength

• Use sunflowers in spells and rituals for joy, growth, and hope

• Make sun water for vitality and manifestation

• Practice fire magick to connect with the sun’s fierce power

The sun’s energy is always there for you — glowing, wild, and ready to bless your craft.

[broomsick]

Hail Wotan

Hail to the Storm God Hail to the Bearer of the Spear that ever hits its mark Hail to the Gallows God Bless and walk with us this day

[broomsick]

When I say "connect with nature" I don't just mean the aesthetic forests with deer and beautiful flowers.

I mean the weeds growing through concrete, the fungus that grows on the rotten shed, the nettles that always seem to return and the scary, spindly cellar spider in the corner of the bathroom.

Nature is not always pretty or magical - the pigeons and seagulls you swat at are nature too, the wasps and flies that hover by your meals are animals too, store-bought strawberries and the leaves that fall from your neighbour's tree are not all that different from the Giant Sequoias and it's seeds.

If you want to connect and understand nature, I mean *really* connect to it, in it's entirety, you have to seek out and learn about the ugly, scary and mundane things as well. You don't have to like it, just don't forget that it's there.

[broomsick]

Prayer for the Start of the Week

To the Norns and the Divine, as the Web is Woven

As the sun rises and the wheel turns, I greet the dawn of a new week. Before me lies the unwoven thread, The path not yet tread, the story not yet told.

At the well beneath the great tree, I honor the Norns Urðr, who remembers, Verðandi, who is, Skuld, who waits with what must be.

Wise weavers of fate, Spinners of threads both bright and shadowed, May I walk with awareness of your work. May I meet what comes with strength and grace.

I call to Odin, wanderer and wise one, To Freyja, mistress of magic and might, To Frigg, keeper of deep knowing, And to all the holy powers who guide and guard.

Bless my steps as the days unfold. May I speak with truth, act with honor, Love fiercely, and walk rightly.

May I find joy in the work of my hands, Clarity in the stirrings of my heart, And peace in the patterns of the web.

This week, may my deeds ripple outward As offerings upon the loom of fate.

Hail the Norns. Hail the gods. Hail the spirits and ancestors. Hail the weaving of wyrd.

[broomsick]

Hail Freyr

Hail to the Hero of the Vanir Hail to the Grain-Lord who dies and rises again Hail to the Bringer of Love and passion Bless and walk with us this day

[broomsick]

Beautiful ❤️

Disregarding the similarities between the dísir and the fylgjur (namely, the apparent absence of a historical cult in the latter's case), I think incorporating either of these into one's practice is a reconstructionist power move. For witchcraft practitioners, or even seiðkonur, it's easy to weave dísir work in particular into "shadow work", considering it basically consists of building a spiritual relationship with one's female ancestors. If you're interested in furthering your ties with familiar spirits, or guardian spirits, dísir work might be a great place to start. Especially if ancestor work isn't generally your cup of tea : it makes it easy when you realize it involves little more than dísablót preparations (depending on your level of involvement with them, evidently).

Someone interested in working with the dísir could even consider this a form of empowerment, a connection with the female ancestors (or spirits) that guide and defend one's family line. I won't dive too deep into this particular topic, I'm leaving it up to you guys find out what place the dísir occupy in your spirituality.

[broomsick]

Raven-God, All-Wise Guardian who draws the borders of hidden worlds and hears unsaid secrets, you have seen all memories sparked, scars forgotten, skins shed, homes found. You have felt the ache of loved ones left behind, and the sorrows carried across the Gjöll Bridge. Like smoke, your spirit rises in the wake of fire; like dust, it settles upon undiscovered writings. On your eternal journey, extend your help to those who stagger. Guide the actions that bring about peace, and the voices that give knowledge its value. Great is your hand, that it may protect and shield. Greater your mind: may it soar and guide, ever so wisely. Hail to your glorious names.

[broomsick]

Hey, don't be afraid of things that challenge your faith. Seriously, don't.

Either they'll give you a new perspective on things, or you'll become more secure and confident in your current beliefs. But avoiding the hard questions leaves you in an echo chamber with half-baked ideas and an insecurity in yourself. Step out of your comfort zone so you have room to grow.

[broomsick]

Disregarding the similarities between the dísir and the fylgjur (namely, the apparent absence of a historical cult in the latter's case), I think incorporating either of these into one's practice is a reconstructionist power move. For witchcraft practitioners, or even seiðkonur, it's easy to weave dísir work in particular into "shadow work", considering it basically consists of building a spiritual relationship with one's female ancestors. If you're interested in furthering your ties with familiar spirits, or guardian spirits, dísir work might be a great place to start. Especially if ancestor work isn't generally your cup of tea : it makes it easy when you realize it involves little more than dísablót preparations (depending on your level of involvement with them, evidently).

Someone interested in working with the dísir could even consider this a form of empowerment, a connection with the female ancestors (or spirits) that guide and defend one's family line. I won't dive too deep into this particular topic, I'm leaving it up to you guys find out what place the dísir occupy in your spirituality.

[broomsick]

A Blessed Trans Day of Visibility

I won't lie, wishing a trans person a "happy" TDOV this year feels inappropriate. While it is such an inspirational display of resolve to declare that this year's politics won't steal one's joy, I believe it is equally important to acknowledge and hold space for the other emotions we may be feeling today. Anger, betrayal, fear, isolation--these are all valid emotions, and you have every right to feel and process them.

So instead of wishing you a happy TDOV, I wish you this:

May your TDOV fill you with pride. You have so much to be proud of, even if all you did today was survive. You are beautiful, unbreakable, resilient, strong, and you are loved by the gods and by so many people. You are the very best thing you can be: yourself.

Today, I thank Loki for the bravery they instill in us to live authentically. I thank Frigge for the love she inspires us to feel within us, for ourselves and our Family. I thank Thor for the strength he lends us as we carry our cultures into the future. I thank Tyr for the advocacy and tireless efforts of our allies and within our communities. I thank YOU for existing.

[broomsick]

I made a few images to accompany my Blessed Trans Day of Visibility post. Feel free to use x0x

[broomsick]

Sigrblót is the norse celebration of spring, which happens during the fourth full moon after the winter solstice.

In 2025, that's April 12th-14th.

Usually, harvest and fertility deities are honored during this holiday, but it can also be any other deity or spirit.

How to celebrate

(This is not the 'right' or only way. Feel free to personalize the experience to your liking.)

One

Enjoy the sun. Go outside if possible or sit on your balcony or in front of an open window. Do something you like, like drawing, painting, reading, or just sitting still with your eyes closed. Try to appreciate the fresh air, the singing birds and the warmth of the sun.

Two

Give offerings to harvest/fertility deities, or any deity or spirit you like. Offer something they are associated with or you think they will like, and something you made yourself like food, homemade ice tea, art, a plant or a poem. (The offerings do not have to be destroyed.)

If you have something to thank them for, feel free to do that.

Three

Eat something seasonal if you can. Work together with your loved ones to cook something that all of you will enjoy. If that's not an option, cook or order something that'll make you feel good.

Don't be afraid to make it fun! You can turn on some music and dance in the kitchen, or take way too much time decorating cupcakes.

Four

Say a few words about loved ones that have passed on. If you want, put a picture of them on the table so they can join you during the celebration. Share stories and maybe even give them an offering too.

Five

Share with your loved ones how you did with your goals from last year. Did you achieve them? Was it hard? What did you struggle with? Did you learn something new?

Exchange advice and knowledge. Everyone can learn something.

Six

Set new goals. Sigrblót is the new year's of the old norse people. This is when the world starts to come out of its shell again. Take advantage of that energy and write down some goals for this year. Meditate on them or manifest them if you want.

Please be aware that none of this is set in stone. You can celebrate however you want and it'll be just fine! This post is simply meant to act as a guide for those who are looking for ideas.

[broomsick]

Prayer for the Lady of the Sacred Orchard

[[original work]]

Nurturer of immortal acres; Your fruit ripe with youth’s golden sweetness.

Nourisher, in your garden above; Your care brings growing buds to bloom.

We offer to you our thanks and praise. In your name we keep our hearts gentle As we are taught the lessons of age.

Hail Idunn!

[broomsick]

energetic shields ✨️

[long post]

what's the purpose of a shield?

a shield typically acts as a barrier between you and the outside world - they can be stationary or mobile.

shields are commonly used as personal protective wards, but can be used for so much more - let's get into it.

what can shields be used for?

protection from energy, people, or situations

creating illusions or casting glamours

absorption, destruction, deflection, or transmutation of energy

some examples:

a shield to ward off negative or malicious energy

a shield to alter your appearance and other's perceptions of you

a shield to deflect negative energy and return to sender

a shield that absorbs negative energy and transmutes it into positive energy

a shield that absorbs energy and tethers it to you or an object

a shield that destroys the energy it absorbs from a target

a shield over a location or place you frequent - your vehicle, your home, your workplace, etc.

a shield over a particular object

a shield to make you "invisible" - known as "cloaking" in some circles

when would you use a shield for something other than warding?

just as a shield can be used to protect or deflect, it can also be used like a solar panel to absorb.

to passively sap energy from a target.

to create an illusion of yourself or an object in order to distract and deter unwanted attention or energy - the illusion you create is up to you but the versatility of such makes for a very useful glamour. in the baneful sense, illusions can be used to disorient others.

how do you craft a shield?

typically through visualization and energy manipulation, although you could incorporate physical objects to "tie down" the shield (tie down shields that cover spaces, like your house or your car).

the easiest way to visualize a shield is to think of a bubble or ring that surrounds you, emitting from your person somehow - the best thing about this barrier is that it can look and feel however you want.

layering shields on top of each other is totally a thing.

you can program and store a shield in an object for later use - like a necklace or a sigil on paper that's enchanted with X energy that projects a shield when activated. you could store a shield in a pickle jar if you wanted to. go wild.

you can craft temporary shields to be used during spellwork or rituals (like casting a circle).

how do you craft and charge a shield?

that depends on the energy you're employing to craft the shield - the technique of crafting a shield usually involves visualizing the creation of the shield and then forming and emitting energy from within yourself to charge it, but! it doesn't mean that said energy has to be your own.

for example:

moonlight? harness and charge shields with lunar energy that you previously channeled and stored. alternately, you could channel lunar energy and then remain tethered to keep the shield up and running.

crystals? use that crystal as a talisman to activate a shield in its image.

fire? draw the elemental symbol in red ink on your wrist and press to activate.

home protection? set a protective talisman in your living room and let it do its thing.

i will say, though - having a tether that's connected to an external energy for an extended period of time is probably gonna be pretty hard to maintain. the tether will eventually break once your personal battery becomes so overcharged that it just stops charging altogether. i do not recommend it.

but, there are so many possibilities.

materials and textures

let's say your shield is made of glass - what happens when you break glass? it shatters.

what if it's permeable in some way? this could allow your own energy to seep out while attracting all kinds of nonspecific, outside energies in the process.

maybe it's so solid that it blocks out everything, even the stuff you want to attract (imagine an invisibility shield that accidentally makes you unperceivable to everyone).

what you choose to craft your shield from is entirely preferential, but it should be a reflection of your intent while protecting you, regardless of what you're using the shield for. speaking of, consider what you'd like the inside to look or feel like. i personally like the interior of my shields to be soft and relaxing. but! if that's not right for you, then you can literally do whatever you want. the possibilities are endless.

some ideas for shields

rose branches with thorns intact - visible but heavily guarded

moss, leaves, other greenery - earthy energy; good for keeping yourself grounded

metal - impenetrable but opaque; good for invisibility glamours

fire - destructive; could impact you negatively if it backfires; may take a lot of maintenance to keep it lit

water - illusionary but permeable and could potentially allow energy to flow freely; not super great for keeping energy in or out of the shield

crystals or diamonds - refractive; alters appearance or personality

holography - refractive and reflective; to distort the way others perceive you or done so in a way that makes you invisible to others; return to sender

rocks - impenetrable but weathers over time

glass - sure but why would you want to? idk

wood - could act as the foundation for a shield or be used to make a shield in its entirety; could potentially be destroyed by fire, water, or air energies

mirrors facing outside - reflective; return to sender

mirrors facing inside - illusionary; distorting imagery to disorient a target

aura - use corresponding colors that align with your intent

fog or haze - illusionary

sunlight - illuminating but also destructive

moonlight - illuminating; good for transmuting energy from negative to positive

black hole - the shield acts as the event horizon of a black hole to absorb and destroy energy

starfield - illuminate and highlight personal traits you want others to notice

cyberspace - neon and glitches, galore; disorient and distract a target when they look your direction

photo filter - to alter your appearance

what could go wrong?

it breaks or malfunctions

it doesn't work at all

it works too well

it won't stay charged

it drains your own energy

if your shield breaks, you can either repair it (like, if it's a solid object) or remake it (mundanely breakable materials that can't easily be put back together). how will you know if your shield breaks? simply enough, when you notice that it has stopped working OR when it starts to backfire because of the damage. the backfire part is self explanatory, and as for the rest - you might just know that it's falling apart, but if you have trouble sensing energy, you could maybe perform divination to confirm your suspicions. another possibility is that the talisman you used to form and charge the shield ends up damaged in some way. you may also be extremely fatigued once all that energy you gathered disappears or starts working against you. that's not to say that a shield is always gonna burst into flames spontaneously and immediately - it may break down and lose its integrity over time, but that also means it'll slowly stop working. look at the bright side, at least that would give you some time to repair it if you wanted to.

taking down a shield

do the thing you did to craft the shield but do it backwards. no seriously. visualize the energy slowly dissipating and departing back to whence it came. if you used physical objects to secure the shield, remove and cleanse them. if you asked for help with this one, don't forget to give thanks for the assistance.

do you have to keep using the same shield?

short answer: no!

longer answer: let's say you craft a shield that you want to keep around indefinitely, but only use in certain situations. you could totally store that shield somewhere for safekeeping and bring it out when you need it, recharging it as you see fit.

on the other hand, you can take down and destroy a shield after you use it and then make a new one when you need to.

totally up to you. :)

final thoughts

working with shields can be exhausting, so pls make sure you're eating, staying hydrated, grounding, and getting enough sleep.

♡ luna

© 2025 ad-caelestia