bruja-engkantada

[bruja-engkantada]

Grimoire ideas that aren't research

While my grimoire is dedicated to research and documentation and I love that for it, I totally get how a load of writing isn't for every practitioner. I didn't want to leave you guys out so here are some grimoire ideas that aren't related to research.

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Pen test/paint test page

make a spell page or prayer page in the style of collage/black out poetry

make a zine of the holidays/your preferred tools/deities/spirits ect.

make collage of your deities/spirits or local wildlife

tape grid/dump

sticker dump

sigil dump

If you're handy with a needle and thread, turn those sigils into patches for your clothes

Tape in an envelope to store excess thread or make a page of thread colour correspondences

if you enjoy cooking, make a list of flavour combos and their magical properties including dish uses, colour schemes, aromas, general vibes ect.

Rip off the labels of your candles, herbs and spices and stick them in your grimoire for future reference

design your own insignia (you don't have to be in a coven)

stick in pictures of local haunted attractions/spiritual places and (optionally) write about them

make a collage of you ideal work space or meditation spot

Plan/design your ritual outfit

make a charging station for small objects then design a large one for yourself (can be conceptual or literal)

[bruja-engkantada]

Stumbled upon an ig reel of a Filipino jewelry maker (una artesana) where she talks about different amulets and medallions in the Philippines.

Feeling inspired by it, so I might post about a research I did way back about Filipino amulets.

[bruja-engkantada]

[bruja-engkantada]

𝕬 𝕲𝖚𝖎𝖉𝖊 𝖙𝖔 𝕾𝖍𝖆𝖉𝖔𝖜 𝖂𝖔𝖗𝖐

Shadow Work is a psychological and spiritual practice that involves exploring the unconscious or hidden parts of oneself, often referred to as the “shadow.” This concept, popularized by Swiss psychiatrist Carl Jung, refers to the aspects of our personality that we reject, deny, or are unaware of. These can include repressed emotions, desires, and impulses that we consider unacceptable or undesirable.

The Purpose of Shadow Work

The goal of shadow work is to bring these hidden aspects into the light of consciousness. By acknowledging and integrating these parts, individuals can achieve greater self-awareness, healing, and personal growth. This process can lead to improved relationships, reduced emotional reactivity, and a more balanced, authentic self.

Steps to Begin Shadow Work

Self-Reflection: Start by setting aside time for introspection. Journaling is a powerful tool for this. Write about your thoughts, feelings, and experiences, especially those that trigger strong emotional reactions.

Identify Triggers: Pay attention to situations and people that provoke intense emotions or reactions. These triggers often point to unresolved issues or aspects of your shadow self.

Meditation and Mindfulness: Practice mindfulness and meditation to observe your thoughts and feelings without judgment. This can help you become more aware of your inner landscape and the patterns that arise.

Inner Dialogue: Engage in a dialogue with your shadow self. This can be done through journaling or visualization techniques. Ask questions and listen to what your shadow has to say. This helps in understanding its origins and messages.

Seek Guidance: Working with a therapist, counselor, or spiritual guide can provide support and insight. They can help you navigate the deeper aspects of shadow work and offer techniques tailored to your needs.

Creative Expression: Use art, music, or other creative outlets to express and explore your shadow. Creativity can be a safe way to bring unconscious material to the surface.

Incorporating Shadow Work into Spirituality and Witchcraft

1. Rituals and Ceremonies:

Moon Phases: The waning moon is an excellent time for shadow work, as it symbolizes release and letting go. Create a ritual where you write down aspects of your shadow you wish to address and burn the paper as an act of transformation.

Samhain: This Sabbat festival, marks a time when the veil between worlds is thin. It’s an ideal period for introspection and shadow work. Set up an altar with symbols representing your shadow aspects and meditate on them.

2. Divination:

Tarot and Oracle Cards: Use these tools to gain insights into your shadow self. Draw cards with the intention of uncovering hidden aspects or issues that need attention.

Scrying: Practice scrying with a mirror or a bowl of water to tap into your subconscious mind. This can reveal images or messages related to your shadow.

3. Spellwork:

Protection and Grounding: Perform spells for protection and grounding before engaging in deep shadow work. This ensures you are energetically protected and stable.

Shadow Integration Spells: Create spells designed to help you integrate your shadow aspects. This can involve using herbs, crystals, and symbols associated with healing and balance.

4. Journaling and Grimoire:

Keep a dedicated shadow work journal or section in your grimoire. Document your experiences, insights, and progress. This not only tracks your journey but also provides a reference for future work.

5. Working with Deities and Spirits:

Dark Goddesses: Invoke goddesses such as Hecate, Lilith, or the Morrigan, who are associated with the shadow and transformation. Ask for their guidance and support in your shadow work.

Spirit Guides and Ancestors: Call upon your spirit guides or ancestors for assistance. They can offer wisdom and protection as you navigate your shadow.

Benefits of Shadow Work in Spiritual Practice

Enhanced Self-Awareness: Understanding your shadow leads to a deeper awareness of your true self, fostering spiritual growth.

Emotional Healing: By addressing repressed emotions and traumas, shadow work promotes healing and emotional well-being.

Greater Empathy and Compassion: Integrating your shadow helps you become more empathetic and compassionate towards others, as you recognize similar struggles in them.

Empowerment and Authenticity: Embracing all parts of yourself, including the shadow, empowers you to live more authentically and confidently.

Shadow work is a profound journey of self-discovery and healing. By courageously facing and integrating the hidden aspects of yourself, you can achieve greater harmony and balance in your life. Incorporating shadow work into your spiritual and witchcraft practices can deepen your connection to yourself and the spiritual realm, fostering a richer, more authentic experience.

[bruja-engkantada]

Simple Ways to Practice Magick Everyday

Say a small prayer or do a short meditation before you get out of bed in the morning.

Write down dreams or visions you had.

Stir your first cup of coffee or tea counterclockwise to banish negativity and bad luck or clockwise to bring positive energy.

Draw daily tarot or oracle cards (you can also use a pendulum) for guidance.

Cleansing yourself and home using sound or smoke.

Ancestor or spirit offerings

Pick out your clothes, shoes, jewelry... ect with intention.

Write a sigil or petition paper and burn it.

Take a ritual shower. You can spice it up with candles, herbs, and crystals, or you can simply step under the water and imagine all the negativity and bad energy washing off you. You can also recite a chant.

Every time you look into the mirror, say an affirmation

Take a walk outside and ground yourself to Mother Earth.

Dance!! Dancing is an excellent way to rise the energy, and it helps with opening the sacral and solar plexus chakra and getting in touch with the inner child.

tip jar

[bruja-engkantada]

Understanding the 3 Types of Sigils

Sigils are one of the most versatile tools in witchcraft, acting as symbols infused with your intention and energy. What makes sigils so effective is their adaptability, you can choose how to work with them based on your goals and needs. When deciding how to use a sigil, it’s helpful to understand the three main types: destructible, temporary, and permanent. Each type serves a unique purpose and adds a layer of magickal flexibility to your practice. 

Destructible Sigils 🕯 

Definition: These sigils are created with the intention of being destroyed, often as part of the activation process. 

Purpose: Used for immediate, transformative, or highly specific goals. The act of destruction releases the energy. 

Examples of Use:  

⟡ Burn a sigil for quick manifestation. 

⟡ Bury a sigil to symbolize letting go of something. 

How-To: Draw the sigil on paper, charge it with your intent, and destroy it by burning, tearing, or submerging it in water. 

Tip: This method is great for goals where you want to release energy into the universe quickly. 

Temporary Sigils ✿ 

Definition: These sigils exist for a short time and are erased, washed away, or allowed to fade naturally. 

Purpose: Ideal for ongoing but temporary needs, like a daily boost of confidence or protection during a specific event. 

Examples of Use:  

⟡ Draw a sigil on your skin with makeup or henna. 

⟡ Sketch a sigil in sand or dirt before a ritual. 

⟡ Write a sigil in chalk on your door for short-term protection. 

How-To: Use materials that naturally wear off (chalk, marker, or skin-safe paint). Focus on charging the sigil when you draw it. 

Tip: These sigils are perfect for quick and discreet magick, as they’re easy to create and remove. 

Permanent Sigils 𓃠 

Definition: These sigils are created with the intention of lasting indefinitely. They are charged to continuously radiate energy over time. 

Purpose: Used for long-term goals or intentions, such as protection, abundance, or anchoring a space with positive energy. 

Examples of Use:  

⟡ Draw a sigil onto a piece of jewelry or altar tool. 

⟡ Paint or carve a sigil on a doorframe for home protection. 

How-To: Choose a durable medium (wood, stone, metal) Ensure the sigil is charged and activated with care. 

Tip: Permanent sigils require deep thought and a strong intention, as their energy is meant to be constant and enduring. 

 ⛥ No matter which type of sigil you choose, remember that their power comes from the energy and intention you infuse into them. Whether you’re releasing energy through destruction, working with short-term goals, or embedding your magick into something permanent, sigils can adapt to your needs and bring your intentions to life. ⛥ 

If you’re looking for more in-depth content check out my Patreon 🌙🖤 

https://www.patreon.com/posts/easy-way-to-salt-116545319?utm_medium=clipboard_copy&utm_source=copyLink&utm_campaign=postshare_creator&utm_content=join_link

Have you worked with sigils before? I’d love to hear about your experiences or any questions you might have. Feel free to share your thoughts or favorite sigil practices in the comments! ฅᨐฅ

[bruja-engkantada]

ONLINE RESOURCES (for Filipino witches) - by bruja-engkantada

Buying books related to witchcraft, folk magick practice, and tarot might be difficult for Ph-based practitioners because of the following:

Limited budget

Other people might see the physical books

Here are some resources and individuals that helped me delve deeper into my craft. Please do remember that it is important to not only have these resources at hand, but also to consume them, learn from them, and apply what you learned or what resonates with you. What we are doing is a "practice" after all.

I'm still trying to learn tumblr, so I don't know how to link yet, or if multiple links are allowed in a post on this platform. I will edit and add links once I figure it out.

TOPIC: ALBULARYOS & FAITH HEALERS

Interviews by Off the Record (YT) - these interviews are in Filipino language

Lihim na Karunungan (FB Group) - this is where you see the the real albularyos and how they work

BhesTV (YT) - this account focuses on medicinal properties of Ph plants and herbs, and also information about the amulets & talismans in the Philippines

TOPIC: PHILIPPINE HISTORY

Nick Joaquin (Filipino Journalist Writer), Ambeth Ocampo (Filipino Historian) and Lualhati Bautista (Filipino author) - research about their books. Their research and studies focus mainly on Ph artifacts, and Ph history during different colonial periods, and also pre-colonial era. You can also follow Ambeth Ocampo on FB or IG.

The Aswang Project (website) - these have blog entries pertaining to esoteric practices, mythical creatures, and urban legends from Ph.

The Pinay Writer (IG) - also here in tumblr. Their content is mostly focused on pre-colonial history of Ph. You can follow them on IG, and other platforms as well.

TOPIC: TAROT AND COMMUNITIES

Rob Rubin Philippine Tarot Authority (FB/IG) - one the tarot pioneers here in Ph. He also practices the craft.

Mysterium Philippines by Rob Rubin - the Intro to Tarot course they have is like the most official here in Ph. They do offer other courses aside from tarot studies, so check their page out.

Mysterium after Dark by Rob Rubin - a Spotify Podcast about Tarot

FB Groups/Pages - Tarot Philippines Community, Project Tarot: Filipino Tarot Community, Soluna Esoterica Ph

Legitimate Ph Tarot Shops (IG/Shopee) - LunaBrujeria, ArtemisPaints, Shelfscape... National Bookstore and Fully Booked also sell some Tarot Decks & Book Guides

Joe Monteleone (YT) - Tarot Practitioner and mentor. They have great & easy to understand lessons on learning tarot, they also have free guides on their website. You can follow them and subsribe to their YT.

TOPIC: CONTENT CREATORS (you can find them on different social media platforms)

Witch of Wonderlust (IG) - She is Filipinx descent, so you might resonate with her content. (She's a pole instructor too!)

The Mestizo Mystic (IG) - He is Filipinx descent as well. He is a Santa Muerte Devotee, but he also incorporates Catholicism/Christianity in his practice.

Chaotic Witch Aunt (IG) - they are Italian Folk Practitioner. But since their practice is kind of related to our dominating religion here in Ph, you might resonate with their content as well.

These are some of the free and accessible resources out there, and people who you can follow. I hope I was able to help. Please correct me if there are any wrong or outdated information above.

Books are awesome resources. But while we're trying to save up funds, you can follow these amazing people, join public communities, and learn from free resources. Give thanks and appreciation by following & interacting with their socials.

It is great to learn from experienced and expert individuals, but your practice is unique and your own. I hope you also find the style/type of practice that would best suit you.

[bruja-engkantada]

FAMOUS AUTHORS

Classic Bookshelf: This site has put classic novels online, from Charles Dickens to Charlotte Bronte.

The Online Books Page: The University of Pennsylvania hosts this book search and database.

Project Gutenberg: This famous site has over 27,000 free books online.

Page by Page Books: Find books by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and H.G. Wells, as well as speeches from George W. Bush on this site.

Classic Book Library: Genres here include historical fiction, history, science fiction, mystery, romance and children’s literature, but they’re all classics.

Classic Reader: Here you can read Shakespeare, young adult fiction and more.

Read Print: From George Orwell to Alexandre Dumas to George Eliot to Charles Darwin, this online library is stocked with the best classics.

Planet eBook: Download free classic literature titles here, from Dostoevsky to D.H. Lawrence to Joseph Conrad.

The Spectator Project: Montclair State University’s project features full-text, online versions of The Spectator and The Tatler.

Bibliomania: This site has more than 2,000 classic texts, plus study guides and reference books.

Online Library of Literature: Find full and unabridged texts of classic literature, including the Bronte sisters, Mark Twain and more.

Bartleby: Bartleby has much more than just the classics, but its collection of anthologies and other important novels made it famous.

Fiction.us: Fiction.us has a huge selection of novels, including works by Lewis Carroll, Willa Cather, Sherwood Anderson, Flaubert, George Eliot, F. Scott Fitzgerald and others.

Free Classic Literature: Find British authors like Shakespeare and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, plus other authors like Jules Verne, Mark Twain, and more.

TEXTBOOKS

Textbook Revolution: Find biology, business, engineering, mathematics and world history textbooks here.

Wikibooks: From cookbooks to the computing department, find instructional and educational materials here.

KnowThis Free Online Textbooks: Get directed to stats textbooks and more.

Online Medical Textbooks: Find books about plastic surgery, anatomy and more here.

Online Science and Math Textbooks: Access biochemistry, chemistry, aeronautics, medical manuals and other textbooks here.

MIT Open Courseware Supplemental Resources: Find free videos, textbooks and more on the subjects of mechanical engineering, mathematics, chemistry and more.

Flat World Knowledge: This innovative site has created an open college textbooks platform that will launch in January 2009.

Free Business Textbooks: Find free books to go along with accounting, economics and other business classes.

Light and Matter: Here you can access open source physics textbooks.

eMedicine: This project from WebMD is continuously updated and has articles and references on surgery, pediatrics and more.

MATH AND SCIENCE

FullBooks.com: This site has “thousands of full-text free books,” including a large amount of scientific essays and books.

Free online textbooks, lecture notes, tutorials and videos on mathematics: NYU links to several free resources for math students.

Online Mathematics Texts: Here you can find online textbooks likeElementary Linear Algebra and Complex Variables.

Science and Engineering Books for free download: These books range in topics from nanotechnology to compressible flow.

FreeScience.info: Find over 1800 math, engineering and science books here.

Free Tech Books: Computer programmers and computer science enthusiasts can find helpful books here.

CHILDREN’S BOOKS

byGosh: Find free illustrated children’s books and stories here.

Munseys: Munseys has nearly 2,000 children’s titles, plus books about religion, biographies and more.

International Children’s Digital Library: Find award-winning books and search by categories like age group, make believe books, true books or picture books.

Lookybook: Access children’s picture books here.

PHILOSOPHY AND RELIGION

Bored.com: Bored.com has music ebooks, cooking ebooks, and over 150 philosophy titles and over 1,000 religion titles.

Ideology.us: Here you’ll find works by Rene Descartes, Sigmund Freud, Karl Marx, David Hume and others.

Free Books on Yoga, Religion and Philosophy: Recent uploads to this site include Practical Lessons in Yoga and Philosophy of Dreams.

The Sociology of Religion: Read this book by Max Weber, here.

Religion eBooks: Read books about the Bible, Christian books, and more.

PLAYS

ReadBookOnline.net: Here you can read plays by Chekhov, Thomas Hardy, Ben Jonson, Shakespeare, Edgar Allan Poe and others.

Plays: Read Pygmalion, Uncle Vanya or The Playboy of the Western World here.

The Complete Works of William Shakespeare: MIT has made available all of Shakespeare’s comedies, tragedies, and histories.

Plays Online: This site catalogs “all the plays [they] know about that are available in full text versions online for free.”

ProPlay: This site has children’s plays, comedies, dramas and musicals.

MODERN FICTION, FANTASY AND ROMANCE

Public Bookshelf: Find romance novels, mysteries and more.

The Internet Book Database of Fiction: This forum features fantasy and graphic novels, anime, J.K. Rowling and more.

Free Online Novels: Here you can find Christian novels, fantasy and graphic novels, adventure books, horror books and more.

Foxglove: This British site has free novels, satire and short stories.

Baen Free Library: Find books by Scott Gier, Keith Laumer and others.

The Road to Romance: This website has books by Patricia Cornwell and other romance novelists.

Get Free Ebooks: This site’s largest collection includes fiction books.

John T. Cullen: Read short stories from John T. Cullen here.

SF and Fantasy Books Online: Books here include Arabian Nights,Aesop’s Fables and more.

Free Novels Online and Free Online Cyber-Books: This list contains mostly fantasy books.

FOREIGN LANGUAGE

Project Laurens Jz Coster: Find Dutch literature here.

ATHENA Textes Francais: Search by author’s name, French books, or books written by other authors but translated into French.

Liber Liber: Download Italian books here. Browse by author, title, or subject.

Biblioteca romaneasca: Find Romanian books on this site.

Bibliolteca Virtual Miguel de Cervantes: Look up authors to find a catalog of their available works on this Spanish site.

KEIMENA: This page is entirely in Greek, but if you’re looking for modern Greek literature, this is the place to access books online.

Proyecto Cervantes: Texas A&M’s Proyecto Cervantes has cataloged Cervantes’ work online.

Corpus Scriptorum Latinorum: Access many Latin texts here.

Project Runeberg: Find Scandinavian literature online here.

Italian Women Writers: This site provides information about Italian women authors and features full-text titles too.

Biblioteca Valenciana: Register to use this database of Catalan and Valencian books.

Ketab Farsi: Access literature and publications in Farsi from this site.

Afghanistan Digital Library: Powered by NYU, the Afghanistan Digital Library has works published between 1870 and 1930.

CELT: CELT stands for “the Corpus of Electronic Texts” features important historical literature and documents.

Projekt Gutenberg-DE: This easy-to-use database of German language texts lets you search by genres and author.

HISTORY AND CULTURE

LibriVox: LibriVox has a good selection of historical fiction.

The Perseus Project: Tufts’ Perseus Digital Library features titles from Ancient Rome and Greece, published in English and original languages.

Access Genealogy: Find literature about Native American history, the Scotch-Irish immigration in the 19th and 20th centuries, and more.

Free History Books: This collection features U.S. history books, including works by Paul Jennings, Sarah Morgan Dawson, Josiah Quincy and others.

Most Popular History Books: Free titles include Seven Days and Seven Nights by Alexander Szegedy and Autobiography of a Female Slave by Martha G. Browne.

RARE BOOKS

Questia: Questia has 5,000 books available for free, including rare books and classics.

ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT

Books-On-Line: This large collection includes movie scripts, newer works, cookbooks and more.

Chest of Books: This site has a wide range of free books, including gardening and cooking books, home improvement books, craft and hobby books, art books and more.

Free e-Books: Find titles related to beauty and fashion, games, health, drama and more.

2020ok: Categories here include art, graphic design, performing arts, ethnic and national, careers, business and a lot more.

Free Art Books: Find artist books and art books in PDF format here.

Free Web design books: OnlineComputerBooks.com directs you to free web design books.

Free Music Books: Find sheet music, lyrics and books about music here.

Free Fashion Books: Costume and fashion books are linked to the Google Books page.

MYSTERY

MysteryNet: Read free short mystery stories on this site.

TopMystery.com: Read books by Edgar Allan Poe, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, GK Chesterton and other mystery writers here.

Mystery Books: Read books by Sue Grafton and others.

POETRY

The Literature Network: This site features forums, a copy of The King James Bible, and over 3,000 short stories and poems.

Poetry: This list includes “The Raven,” “O Captain! My Captain!” and “The Ballad of Bonnie and Clyde.”

Poem Hunter: Find free poems, lyrics and quotations on this site.

Famous Poetry Online: Read limericks, love poetry, and poems by Robert Browning, Emily Dickinson, John Donne, Lord Byron and others.

Google Poetry: Google Books has a large selection of poetry, fromThe Canterbury Tales to Beowulf to Walt Whitman.

QuotesandPoem.com: Read poems by Maya Angelou, William Blake, Sylvia Plath and more.

CompleteClassics.com: Rudyard Kipling, Allen Ginsberg and Alfred Lord Tennyson are all featured here.

PinkPoem.com: On this site, you can download free poetry ebooks.

MISC

Banned Books: Here you can follow links of banned books to their full text online.

World eBook Library: This monstrous collection includes classics, encyclopedias, children’s books and a lot more.

DailyLit: DailyLit has everything from Moby Dick to the recent phenomenon, Skinny Bitch.

A Celebration of Women Writers: The University of Pennsylvania’s page for women writers includes Newbery winners.

Free Online Novels: These novels are fully online and range from romance to religious fiction to historical fiction.

ManyBooks.net: Download mysteries and other books for your iPhone or eBook reader here.

Authorama: Books here are pulled from Google Books and more. You’ll find history books, novels and more.

Prize-winning books online: Use this directory to connect to full-text copies of Newbery winners, Nobel Prize winners and Pulitzer winners.

[bruja-engkantada]

How to Diagonise the Evil Eye using Tarot

It’s a fun little trick that I learned that really helped me and others to find if the evil eye is affecting them. It’s rooted in Italian folk tradition.

First get any tarot deck you have handy and take out six cards: 10 of swords, 7 of swords, the Devil, The Star, The Sun, Temperance.

Face them down on top of each other taking deep breaths before shuffling as you shuffle facedown. Chant this incantation three times:

“Saint Michael sees what the devil bids, anger bursts, and envy dies, and I now have the Archangel’s eyes”

Now it has catholic symbolism for obvious reasons, you can if it makes you uncomfortable replace Saint Michael and the devil with other names.

I used Athena once for this incantation cause she is also known to drive away evil spirits and energy.

“Lady Athena sees what evil bids, anger bursts, and envy dies, and I now have the Goddess’s eyes.”

Whilst chanting do it slowly and patiently while having your eyes close, take a short pause after each shuffle so that you can get an accurate diagnosis. Then flip over the first card ontop for an answer.

Positive for the Evil Eye: The Devil, 7 of Swords, and 10 of swords.

The Devil: The Eye is present and direct result of someone’s manipulation and deception usually by someone close that you actually trust but the person is masking their bad intentions be careful around them especially when it comes to money.

7 of Swords: The Eye is present by someone’s result of envy and jealousy or intent to harm. Can be someone you know or a stranger.

10 of Swords: The Eye is Present by one’s own pride and ego whether intentionally or not. A card to check the querent’s behavior.

But the other Three: The Sun, Star, Temperance. Are cards that are negative to the presence of the Evil Eye. In my own personal practice I did give them meanings to help explain why I don’t have it. I see that these cards are under protection from the divine like The Star and Temperance. The Sun is joy and good tidings of yourself and people around you. Nothing is eclipsed the sun or your joy. The Star can be healing as well maybe you got rid of the Eye already or the person who casted the eye and recovering from the experience.

I hope you all enjoy this I learned it from Antonio Pagilarulo’s book The Evil Eye. From using this technique it helped me a lot and I even helped others to get rid of the eye within my family. I really hope this will provide you the same benefits that I experienced!

Tarot used: The Crow Tarot by MJ Cullinane.

🧿

[bruja-engkantada]

🔮Digital Grimoire🔮

by Salem Spirit

Topic: Tarot

Focus: Tarot 101

Source: How to Read Tarot by Adam Media

The Absolute Basics of Tarot Reading

THE DECK: The deck is composed of 78 cards total

Major Arcana: these are 22 cards, also called the trump cards (ex. The lovers, The Hermit, etc)

Minor Arcana: these are 56 cards, divided into four suits with 14 cards in each suit

The Suits: Wands, Pentacles, Swords, and Cups

Each suit has four court cards, the King, The Queen, the Knight, and the Page

The remaining 10 cards of each suit are numbered Ace-10.

WANDS: Associated with Fire, masculine energy, yang energy, these traits are associated with growth, expansion, personal power. A wand suited card can be taken as a sign of growth or actions being a foot.

SWORDS: associated with the element Air, also has masculine and yang energy . The feelings/experiences of intellect, thinking, logic, communication, and the pursuit of answers are associated with this suit. A sword card can be interpreted as a struggle involved in transforming experience into knowledge. Specifically, the nine or ten of swords can be indicative of worry, stress, and overthinking

CUPS: The element of Water, femininity, and yin energy. The feelings of reflection, reception, emotions, creativity, and intuition are associated with this suit. The physical symbol of the cup can be indicative of the feeling of being able to receive/hold something. This suit can symbolize a person who is intuitive, compassionate, sensitive, and nurturing.

PENTACLES: the element of Earth, feminine and yin energy. Often associated with sustenance, security, and stability. This suit can be indicative of practical matters, such as money, resources, the body and overall financial/work matters.

Numerology Associations

Every practitioner reads the cards differently and personal associations with each card are encouraged for reading tarot! However if you aren’t sure how to feel about a certain card here are the numerology associations for each number in the deck.

ACE: new beginnings, new cycle, a new chance, rebirth— a new opportunity

TWO: duality, balance of polarities (such as the masculine and feminine)

THREE: the mind, body, and spirit. Often seen as a combination of ace (new beginnings) and 2 (initiation), 3 is seen as a sign to ‘go for it’

FOUR: foundation, totality, stability, security, and self discipline.

FIVE: Freedom, instability, change. Suggests excitement, adventure, but also challenges. Also a sign to go for it.

SIX: service and social responsibility, attend to everyday needs, as well as reaping the rewards of your prior planning.

SEVEN: inner life, solitude, and soul searching. Seven is a mystical number, a mix of wisdom and spirituality. Can be indicative of turning inward to discover the meaning of life

EIGHT: abundance, prosperity, worldly power. Eight turned on its side is also the infinity sign.

NINE: humanitarianism, compassion, tolerance, a sign that you have established your life priorities, now it is time to help others/the world.

TEN: ending/beginning of a cycle, a transitional period indicative of a decision to be made.

that’s all for Tarot 101, next I will be going through the meanings/associations of each trump card individually.

[bruja-engkantada]

BASIC PROTECTION: THOUGHTS AND TIPS (for Filipino witches) - by bruja-engkantada

When I first started researching and practicing witchcraft, there was one pervading tip/advice that came from every experienced witch.

That is to always learn protection spells first before anything else. This is true and important. There is a reason why seasoned witches always tell this for any starting witch who is asking.

But why learn protection spells first? Who do we need protection from?

When we practice witchcraft, we emit this powerful energy that is attractive to other surrounding energies. They might be attracted because they want to feed off of this energy, or they want to put it out. Some scenarios might be as simple as your Marites neighbor seeing you practicing, is scared, thus emitting an energy that wants to shut down what you're doing. It could be a soul/spirit/entity that is weak and needs more energy to go on. Or even a malevolent thing/person that knows you are unprotected and sees it as an opportunity to attack you.

Point is, there are tons of different scenarios for this. That's why it's important you protect yourself. After all, you are a witch who has the power to cast a protection upon yourself. So what's the harm in it, right?

But here's a catch if you're a Filipino practitioner living in the Philippines: It's hard to apply western practices here, because of our "traditional & conservative" mindset, and our common enemy "consumerism".

If you are just beginning in this practice, and you see these practitioners in social media, they have many tools, herbs, etc, and they're all aesthetic and expensive.

If that is the way they chose to express their practice, that's okay. They're not hurting anyone, they can afford it, and it's none of our business what their practice should look like.

If you do have a budget for these tools that are easily noticeable by a Marites' keen eyes, other people around you (even your family) will say this is the work of the devil and you should stop (they'll probably confiscate or throw away your stuff too).

[Note for other people: Filipinos are very family-oriented. Most of the time, even if the child is past 18 y/o, already a college graduate or even have a job, they still live with their parents. Most of our salaries go to the family budget, it's hard to save for yourself to buy things you want. This might be the norm in our country.]

So what should we do? How do we adapt if we have limited budget, or if we have to do our practice in secret? Or both?

Be resourceful, be subtle.

Remember that power resides within the practitioner, not the tools. Check for what's already available at hand. Witches before us live far away from the center of society, they don't have easy access to stuff. They are resourceful, clever, and subtle so they don't get noticed. These are good traits we can adapt in our lives as practitioners.

Here's what I did (and what I'm still doing) for basic protection. I often feel vulnerable at the crown of my head. Sometimes it feels tender after doing some witchcraft. Hope this helps.

What you need:

Your own comb (we need to comb your hair for this protection spell)

Hair tie

Handkerchief

Protection oil (optional)

All of these are normal household items. They are cheap, and they would not raise suspicion from others.

I do this spell every morning after taking a bath, or when getting ready to go out. It's more like a morning ritual now.

I put a small amount of oil on my comb. And as I mindfully brush my hair, I repeat a mantra/spell/chant in my head. The spell can be as simple as this:

"Sa pagsuklay ng aking buhok,

Tanggalin ang mga enerhiyang nabulok.

Masamang enerhiya ng kahapon malagas,

Upang ngayong araw ako ay ligtas."

The oil is optional. It can still be as powerful without it. Remember, you are the main source of power. Focus on your intention.

When you are done combing your hair. You can tie it. I prefer to braid my hair, as I feel that it's protective for me, like I'm weaving some sort of protection. As I do this, I also incorporate some mantra/spell/chant. Here is an example:

"Sa aking pagtitirintas,

Sa kapahamakan ako ay ligtas.

Di magagandang bagay, sa aki'y iiwas.

Ang proteksyon ko ay walang butas."

After that, I use the handkerchief as a veil. As I am folding the cloth and fixing it to my head, I repeat a mantra again:

"Putong sa aking ulo,

Pinapanatili akong protektado.

Masamang hangin hindi makakapasok.

Mabubuting bagay mananatili sa tuktok."

That's about it. I hope this helps.

p.s. The great thing about this particular thing, is that I get to somehow look like Filipinas back in the colonial era. Here's a painting of what a Filipina folk look like in Spanish Colonial era, by a renowned Pinoy Artist, Fernando Amorsolo.

[bruja-engkantada]

🖤 Protection Against the Dark Arts 🔮✨

Take out your grimoire, light a candle, and let’s begin with the fundamentals.

🌙 Chapter 1: Cleansings, Protections & Banishments 🌙

Before we talk about protection, let’s ask: What exactly are we shielding ourselves from? The unseen world is vast, and not everything in it has good intentions. Here are the five main types of magical and energetic disturbances you may encounter:

⚡ Spirits who feel wronged or restless. ⚡ Novice practitioners poking where they shouldn't. ⚡ The weight of broken oaths and unfulfilled promises. ⚡ Malicious intent from other witches (yes, even in WitchTok). ⚡ Astral parasites, low vibrations, and unwanted entities.

If you maintain a regular (but not obsessive) cleansing and protection practice, you’ll be just fine. But how do you know when you’re under attack?

🔮 Signs of Energetic Disturbance 🔮

🕯️ External Signs: A sudden streak of bad luck, patterns of misfortune that seem unnatural. 🕯️ Mental & Emotional Signs: Anxiety that appears out of nowhere, intrusive thoughts, nightmares where you are hunted, trapped, or tormented. If a spirit is involved, you may feel watched, drained, or uneasy in your own space. 🕯️ Physical Signs: Persistent headaches, fatigue that no amount of sleep can fix, nausea with no apparent cause. 🕯️ Omens: Recurring symbols in dreams—dead animals, shadow figures, places you cannot escape from. 🕯️ Intuition: If you suddenly feel compelled to cleanse or protect your space, trust yourself. Some witches even sense negative energy through scent—pay attention to what your body tells you.

⚠️ BUT REMEMBER: Not everything is an attack. Headaches happen. People get sick. A string of bad luck doesn’t always mean your neighbor Karen is hexing you. Most "curses" are self-inflicted by fear and suggestion. Before diving into spiritual solutions, check in with your physical and mental health.

✨ Protection Basics ✨

🕯️ The Sphere of Light – A simple yet powerful visualization technique. 🛁 Cleansing & Protection Baths – Water is a natural purifier. Salt, herbs, and intention amplify its power. 🧂 Salt – A classic, whether sprinkled at doorways, carried in a sachet, or dissolved in bathwater. 📿 Talismans & Charms – Protection jewelry, enchanted sigils, or blessed objects.

🏡 For Home Protection 🏡

💨 Smoke Cleansing: Use sacred herbs or resins—frankincense, myrrh, dragon’s blood, palo santo, sandalwood. 💎 Crystals: Tourmaline, obsidian, selenite, and white quartz create a strong energetic shield. 🔏 Sigils: Draw them on doors, windows, or mirrors—just remember to cleanse first before sealing!

🖤 Self-Cleansing Rituals 🖤

🕯️ Egg cleansings for absorbing negativity. 💦 Showers with salt or herbal infusions. 💨 Incense rituals to purify your aura.

✨ Banishment: When the Shadows Won’t Leave ✨

Sometimes, despite our best efforts, something unwanted lingers. When that happens, it’s time for a banishment.

🔥 Candle Banishing – A word of caution: Never leave a candle unattended, especially if you’ve added herbs or oils. Fire is a spirit of its own—respect it. 💨 Banishing Incense – Some of the best options include laurel, dragon’s blood, and frankincense. 🛡️ Divine Intervention – If you work with deities, call upon one aligned with protection and purification. 🌿 Banishing Herbs & Spices – Lavender, cloves, bay leaves, and lemon verbena hold strong purifying properties.

Curious for more? Our full 30+ page guide on protection, cleansing, and banishment is coming soon to our Ko-fi! 🌙✨

Stay safe, witches. The veil is thin, but you are powerful. 🖤🔮

[bruja-engkantada]

Recommended tips for research as a beginner witch/practioner:

Research as a beginner can at times feel stressful if you don't know credibilties or anything about the craft really. So, I'm going to share some tips I use in my practice and would recommend when researching witchcraft.

Research what interests you. If research begins to feel like a task instead of genuine interest or fun, there will be problems down the line with researching thoroughly. That isn't to say don't research things that bore you, it means that you should take what resonates with you and from there you can begin to build the framework for your personal craft.

Does the source align with your moral standing and personal beliefs? If the answer is no, time to find a new source. For example, if a source is fully against any harm towards another person and tries to push that narrative on the reader/viewer (or vice versa) and it's not something you personally align with, find another source. The most important example of this is many authors are bigots, terfs or cultural appropriaters. Remember to research the author and their practice before trusting what they have to say.

What may work for some people will not work for you. Do not feel inclined to do everything a certain way as said by a certain practioner. The point of witchcraft is to develop your own habits and outlooks. Crystals and astrology may work best for someone, but you may have an inclination towards herbs and palmistry for example. You do not need to practice every form of witchcraft out there. So circling back to the first point, pay mind to what sparks joy and what aligns with your abilities.

Take everything with a grain of salt. Learn to question what you learn. As witchcraft and spirituality have been practiced in many cultures for many years, things have evolved and been taken from one context to the next. Research various practices and rituals as well as the authors and cultures who promoted said practices

Use multiple sources. Blindly believing one post can be harmful, especially when concerning topics that can be a manner of physical safety (fire hazards, dressing candles, consumption and burning of herbs) or spiritual safety (spirit work, baneful work, trickster spirits). The more research the better, as it solidifies understanding too.

Do not rely solely on social media, but use it as a crutch to what you already know. Many content creators care more about views or aesthetics than educating. But many creators also DO care about what they're putting out there and have genuinely good tips and tricks for various practices. Just be wary.

Don't worry about aesthetics or perfection when you're just learning. Don't let pinterest photos of altars downplay your own craft and beauty. Right now, you're learning new topics and there's plenty of time later to find pretty altar tools or to neatly scribe in a leather journal. Don't let it distract you from research, and ultimately, the goal is to grow.

Have fun with it! There are so many research topics, and it can be as expansive or specific as you make it. Remember this isn't supposed to be stressful, it's supposed to be rewarding.

(Please add your own tips too if you'd like!)

[bruja-engkantada]

Magical Oil Recipes - Baneful Edition

For anyone looking to brew up a potion with a less-than-friendly bent, here are some recipes I've created that you might find useful.

To prepare them, blend the ingredients in such proportions as feels correct for your purposes (or as supplies allow). Use dried material except where indicated. Place a few spoonfuls in a mason jar with a screwtop lid and fill the jar with a bland oil of your choice. (Vegetable oil of the sort you would buy for cooking works fine.) Screw the lid on tightly and shake well to combine, then leave the jar in a dark dry place for 2-4 weeks to steep.

Once steeped, prepare a clean storage bottle (also with a secure lid) and label with the type of oil and the bottling date. Strain the oil through paper towels or cheesecloth to remove the plant material, then bottle immediately. Store away from sunlight and heat for up to one year. Use for spellwork as you see fit.

(Please note that NONE of these potions are meant to be taken internally by any means. Observe all proper safety measures related to glass, fire, and potentially harmful plants as necessary during preparation.)

*- Ingredient is potentially harmful if inhaled or ingested. **- Ingredient should not be used or handled if you are pregnant or nursing.

All-Purpose Hexing Oil For general hexing, cursing, and baneful magic.

Dried Chili Pepper

Fresh Lime Peel

Lemongrass (dried or fresh)

Rusted Nail (place in bottle with finished oil)

All-Purpose Hexbreaking Oil For general negation of baneful spells cast by oneself or others.

Agrimony**

Cinquefoil

Fennel

Vervain

Solomon's Seal Root (place in bottle with finished oil)

Backhanded Blessing Oil For blessings that are anything but benevolent.

Burnt Cinquefoil

Bay Leaf

Pine Needles

Bayberry Root NOTE: Prepare as you would a blessing oil, then twist the blessing into a curse, i.e. May You Get Everything You Deserve.

Done in the Dark Concealment Oil For secrecy, confidentiality, and general deception.

Juniper Berries

Licorice Root

Black Hemp (Dogbane)

Ferns or Dried Seaweed Note: For the final ingredient, use whichever is easier to obtain. Both bracken and seaweed work well for basic concealment spells.

Eye of Newt Disruption Oil For disrupting and confounding magical efforts against you.

Black Mustard Seeds

Bloodroot**

Nettle Leaf

Garlic (1 clove, bruised)

No Rest For The Wicked Hexing Oil For punishing one's enemies.

Chili Pepper (any)

Horseradish Root

Cramp Bark

Bayberry Root

On Your Own Head Retribution Oil For counter magic and revenge hexes.

Elderberries*

Bloodroot**

Devil's Shoestring**

Vetiver

Tangled Shoelaces Binding Oil To impede someone's ability to move or act against you.

Pine Needles

Devil's Shoestring**

Scullcap**

Coffee Grounds

Iron Nail in master bottle

Wicked Witch Heavy-Duty Cursing Oil For occasions when a regular-strength hex just won't do.

Wormwood* **

Ghost Chili Pepper (or the hottest chili you can get)

Lemon Seeds

Lobelia* Note: Use With Extreme Caution And Cover Your Ass.

Witchbane Warding Oil For repelling and countering harmful spells.

Bay Leaves

Elderflower

Star Anise

Birch Bark

Should the reader require supplies, I recommend the following:

Penn Herb Company

Starwest Botanicals

Bulk Apothecary

Mountain Rose Herbs

Specialty Bottle

Image Credit - Shaiith

All recipes are (c) 2017 Bree NicGarran, published in Pestlework: A Book of Magical Powders & Oils. Please check out the book if you would like more recipes.

If you’re enjoying my content, please feel free to drop a little something in the tip jar, tune in to my podcast Hex Positive, or check out my published works on Amazon or in the Willow Wings Witch Shop.

[bruja-engkantada]

💫witch tip💫

because i once again forgot to add this to my list post, but have something that breaks up the stagnant energy in your rooms. like an analog clock cuz it's hands are always moving. or a lava lamp, or wind chimes.

something to keep energy moving in the room instead of letting it settle and build up

or you can be the movement. nowadays a lot of people are prone to doomscrolling. i personally believe that's a form of stagnant energy or gathering stagnant energy. i hold your hand when i say this (because im not immune to it either) but get up and interact with your space, acknowledge your space, appreciate your space, show some love to the items that surround you because they're there and pixels aren't tangible.

[bruja-engkantada]

Being a Witch IS Political

Witchcraft and spirituality are inherently political. To embrace these paths without acknowledging their history and ongoing struggles is to reduce them to mere aesthetics. True witches—and spiritual practitioners—understand that the essence of these practices is rooted in resistance, justice, and transformation.

Historically, witches were the wise women and healers of their communities. They tended to the sick, midwifed births, and served as the keepers of ancient knowledge. Their craft connected them deeply to nature, the cycles of life, and the unseen forces that govern our world. These practices often placed them on the fringes of society, not because they were wrong or dangerous, but because their power defied the status quo.

These women (and men) were political figures simply by existing. They challenged patriarchal systems, capitalist greed, and authoritarian control. When they provided herbal remedies or midwifed safely outside the church's purview, they defied institutions that sought to monopolize power over life and death.

The witch trials of history were political acts, targeting those who threatened established hierarchies. Witches were scapegoated for plagues, famines, and dissent, often accused because they stood up for their communities, demanded justice, or refused to conform to societal expectations.

Even today, to identify as a witch or spiritual practitioner is to take a stand. It is to honor the marginalized, to value the Earth over profit, and to seek balance in a world obsessed with domination. It is to embrace healing, not only for ourselves but for others and the planet—a deeply political act in a culture that prioritizes profit and power over people and ecosystems.

Being a witch means advocating for what is right, even at risk to our comfort or safety. It means standing against oppression, environmental destruction, and systemic injustice. To claim this path is to reclaim the legacy of those who came before us—the wise women, healers, and rebels who walked this path at great personal cost.

If you are drawn to witchcraft, spirituality, or paganism, understand that this is more than crystals and candles. It is a call to action, a commitment to live authentically and fight for a better world. Anything less is a disservice to the courageous souls who paved the way for us.

[bruja-engkantada]

Crystal DONTS

Crystals that are damaged/Dissolve/Chemical Reaction by Water

Angelite

Azurite

Boji Stones/Shaman Stones/Moqui Marbles

Calcite

Celestine

Halite

Hematite

Jet

Lapis

Malachite

Moonstone

Pyrite

Selenite

Unakite

Mica

Fluorite

Turquoise

Damaged/Fade/Cracked by Sun/UV

Amethyst

Aquamarine

Aventurine

Calcite

Celestine

Citrine

Fluorite

Jade

Jet

Kunzite

Lapis

Malachite

Rose Quartz

Sapphire

Sodalite

Topaz

Tourmaline

Amber

Beryl

Chrysoprase

Opal

Smokey Quartz