childsofthestars

[childsofthestars]

Sigil by @french-baby-witch

We are entering the “back to school” time of the year, so here is a little help for everything you want to learn.

[childsofthestars]

Samhain Altar Ideas & Correspondences

Samhain is the Celtic festival that marks the end of the harvest season and the thinning of the veil between the living and the spirit world. It's a time to honor your ancestors, connect with the spirit world, and plan ahead for months of darkness.

Altar Ideas

Altar Cloth: Choose dark, earthy colors like black, deep purple, or dark green to set the foundation for your altar.

Candles: Black or orange candles represent the energies of Samhain. You can also include white or silver candles for purification and connection to the spirit realm.

Seasonal Fruits: Apples, pomegranates, and grapes are commonly associated with Samhain and can be offered as symbols of the harvest.

Fallen Leaves: Gather fallen leaves, especially those with vibrant autumn colors, to represent the changing seasons and the cycle of life and death.

Acorns and Nuts: These symbolize the potential for new beginnings and growth and can be placed on your altar to honor the harvest.

Pumpkins and Gourds: Decorate your altar with small pumpkins and gourds, which are quintessential symbols of autumn and Samhain.

Ancestral Photos: Include photographs of deceased loved ones to honor and connect with your ancestors.

Ancestral Mementos: Heirlooms, jewelry, or items that belonged to your ancestors can serve as a link to their energy and presence.

Divination Tools: Samhain has historically been a time for divination to predict the upcoming year. Tarot cards, runes, a crystal ball, pendulum, or scrying mirror can be placed on your altar for Samhain divination and communication with the spirit world.

Crystals and Gemstones: Obsidian, onyx, amethyst, or garnet.

Broom (Besom): Place a besom on or near your altar to symbolize the act of sweeping away negativity and making room for positive energy and transformation.

Incense and Smudging Materials: frankincense, myrrh, or sage.

Offering Dishes: Use special dishes or bowls to hold offerings for your ancestors or spirit guides, such as food, drink, or tokens of appreciation.

Seasonal Flowers: Add fresh or dried flowers that are in bloom during the fall, like marigolds, chrysanthemums, asters, or dried lavender.

Personal Letters or Messages: Write letters or messages to your deceased loved ones, expressing your thoughts and feelings. Place these on your altar as a form of communication.

Symbols of Death and Rebirth: Skulls, bones, or representations of the God and Goddess in their transition from one phase to another.

Bells or Wind Chimes: These can be rung to invite and communicate with spirits, serving as a way to signal your intentions and presence.

Samhain Correspondences

Colors: Black, Orange, Red

Deities: The Morrigan, Hecate, Persephone, Cernunnos

Herbs: Mugwort, Cinnamon, Rosemary, Tobacco, Pumpkin Seeds, Rue, Wormwood.

Foods and Offerings: Apples, nuts, pumpkins, mulled cider, pomegranates. A silent dumb supper may be held to celebrate the harvest and connect with departed loved ones.

Intentions: New beginnings, transformation, death and rebirth, reflection, ancestral connection, spiritual protection, divination.

[childsofthestars]

Getting Back Into Your Practice

Sometimes life is shitty and your spiritual practice doesn't take priority. Thats okay. Here are some tips for how to get back into your practice once you're feeling up for it.

Cleanse and Clean Your Space This is defiantly the first think you should focus your energy on. This can take as long as needed and as intensive as you want or feel is needed. Spiritual and physically cleanse your space. Pick up items, open windows and start your cleansing method of choice.

Redo Wards and Protections Once you've cleansed its important to redo your protection. Cleanse to get rid of, protect to keep it away. Even if nothing has *hit* your protections and wards, its important to keep up to date on them being energized.

Keep Actives Low on Spoons Now that you've done the basics, stick to low spoon actives and slowly build from there. Even if you feel super energized and ready to get into it- you want to take things slow. This'll help you from losing steam..

Slowly Add Back In Your Daily Practice This is totally unique person to person, but dont expect to be back into your multi step daily routine right away. Add in each step one at a time, or slowly so you wont feel overwhelmed.

Come Up with a Ritual Youre EXCITED About You want to focus on the parts of witchcraft you love. Do something you've always wanted to try, something you always love doing, or anything that will make you excited for the working.

Pick a New Topic, Not an Older One Getting into your practice and going to an older topic might feel disheartening. Pick a new topic like astrology, plants, or an aspect of witchcraft you havent gotten too into before. Then go back to the older topic you left on.

Do Some Divination on What You Need Right Now Spend time with your spirit team, deities or ancestors and figure out what you should be focusing in on right now. Maybe you need more rest, maybe theres a ritual they want you to work on.

Remember You Dont Have To Do Magic Daily Dont put too much stress into doing something every single day. Take breaks. Youre still a witch.

I hope these helped. Remember to take things slow and dont let the pressure of getting back into it weigh you down. Magic is suppose to help not hinder.

[childsofthestars]

Aphrodite altar inspiration 🩷🦪

[childsofthestars]

Post Your Practice

Please!

We gotta start posting about our practices more and what we find through research, experimentation, things we experience, etc.

Not the super sacred or private stuff, just like,

that tea spell you did? Write about it.

That glamour for your acne? Spill the beans, bestie!

Learn a new fun fact? Share the info!!

Because it'll inspire others to do the same.

It doesn't have to be super decorative, aesthetic posts! It doesn't have to look like an academic paper!! It can be a picture of a sticky note with a spell idea scribbled on it!!!

I wanna see more people telling us about their tarot readings, their one-off spell that maybe didn't work, the thing they picked up from the thrift store that they plan on using as a spirit vessel, how energy flows for them, how they view magic, and so much more.

And don't think that you can't or shouldn't post because you're new or because you're inexperienced.

Everyone started at the same place: The beginning.

so please, post your practice!! <3

[childsofthestars]

anyone want to be friends? id love some witchy friends to talk to and share things about our practice! :)) just shoot me a message!

[childsofthestars]

Money Bowl 💸

For the first of the month i decided to make a money bowl to bring in abundance and wealth in my life.

i used a tealight candle with a money sigil underneath, dollar bill and coins, bay leaves, citrine and aventurine, cinnamon, salt, star anise, and dill.

[childsofthestars]

10 Practices for Low-Energy Witches

Daily affirmations: Start your day by setting an intention or saying a positive affirmation that aligns with your goals and values. This can help you stay focused and grounded throughout the day.

Gratitude journaling: Take a few minutes each day to write down three things you're grateful for. This can help cultivate a sense of appreciation and abundance in your life.

Mindful breathing: Take a few deep, mindful breaths throughout the day to center yourself and release any tension or stress.

Moon-watching: Take a few moments to observe the moon each night, noting its phase and any changes in its appearance. You can also keep a moon journal to track your observations and feelings.

Elemental meditation: Spend a few minutes each day meditating on the elements (earth, air, fire, water) and their associated qualities. You can visualize yourself surrounded by each element and focus on how they make you feel.

Herbal tea rituals: Incorporate herbal teas into your daily routine and take a few moments to mindfully prepare and enjoy them. You can also research the magical properties of different herbs and choose teas based on their correspondences.

Candle magic: Light a candle and set an intention for the day or visualize your goals and desires coming to fruition. You can also choose candles based on their color correspondences for added potency.

Sigil drawing: Create a simple sigil to represent your intention or desire, and draw it on your skin, clothing, or a piece of paper. You can also charge your sigil with energy by visualizing it glowing with light or energy.

Crystal charging: Choose a crystal that aligns with your intention or desired outcome and hold it in your hand or place it on your body. Visualize the crystal absorbing your energy and amplifying your intentions.

Nature appreciation: Take a few moments each day to appreciate the natural world around you, whether it's the beauty of a flower or the majesty of a tree. You can also connect with nature by taking a walk, gardening, or spending time in a park or forest.

Remember, these are just a few examples of simple, low-energy witchcraft practices you can incorporate into your daily routine. The most important thing is to find practices that resonate with you and align with your personal values and beliefs.

It's important to remember that everyone's energy levels and circumstances are different, and there may be times when you simply don't have the energy or motivation to practice witchcraft. This doesn't make you any less of a witch, or any less magickal. It's okay to take a break and focus on self-care and nurturing yourself. Remember, your magick is always within you, and you can connect with it in your own way, on your own time. Be kind and gentle with yourself, and trust that the universe will support you wherever you are on your journey.

My Ko-Fi

[childsofthestars]

“I can’t do glamour magick. I don’t have the tools!”

Tools?

Shampoo- cleanses your hair of negative energy

Conditioner- restores/adds positive energy

Body wash- restores/adds positive energy

Scrubs- cleanses and removes negative energy

Face wash/cleanser- removes negative energy

Moisturizer- protection, restores positive energy

Sunscreen- protection

Lotion- depending on scent, it can help with plenty of things

Rose- love, confidence, self-love, beauty

Lavender- calmness, peace/self-peace, self-worth, comfort, soothing

Vanilla- self-love, confidence, attracting good energies

Coconut- protection, purification, chastity

Contacts/eye drops- insight, wisdom, to see what others can’t

Hairbrush- negativity remover

Mascara- to see what others don’t tell you

Lipgloss/lipstick/lip stain/chapstick- to speak smoothly and clearly, to have a way with words, to improve your voice

Toothpaste and toothbrush- cleansing, to help watch your words

Tongue scraper- to get rid of past regrets from past words, to stop gossiping

Concealer- to conceal what others should not know/what you do not want them to know

Foundation- protection

Setting spray- calmness, peace, good luck

Nail Polish- match them to your intentions!

Purple- intuitive needs, spiritual needs, imagination, creativity, third eye, wisdom, peace

Pink- love, harmony, kindness, self-love

Red- love, lust, seduction, confidence, courage, sex, motivation, ambition, passion, strength, action

Silver-moon energy, emotional needs, reflection

Green-healing, wealth, growth, money, luck, fertility

Brown- grounding, friendship, security, material needs,

Blue- clarity, creativity, faith, forgiveness, communication, calmness

Orange- joy, energy, success, optimism, excitement,

Yellow- happiness, clarity, creativity, manifestation, strength, positive thoughts, sun energy, good health

Black- protection, stability, banishing, releasing

White- purification, peace, purity, truth, hope, cleansing

Cuticle oil/hair oil- growth, improvement, new beginnings, letting go

[childsofthestars]

Spiritual Self-Care Can Look Like...

Praying or meditating

Spending time in nature

Attending worship if you choose

Deconstructing, and questioning what you've been taught

Letting go of purity culture (that doesn't mean you have to jump into hookup culture, and it's not "anything goes.")

Absolving yourself of responsibility for other people's choices

Forgiving yourself for your mistakes, and giving yourself grace and compassion as you strive to do better and be accountable

Practicing gratitude, even (especially!) when it's hard

Mindfulness and grounding

Joyful movement

Resting, and not feeling guilty about resting

Participating in rituals and celebrations that are meaningful to you (and letting go of ones that aren't)

Sitting with your feelings

Learning to discern intuition from trauma, learning to trust yourself

Getting in touch with your cultural heritage, learning the things your ancestors knew

Making art, writing stories, and being creative, just for its own sake. (Even if it's "not very good," or wouldn't make it into an art gallery.)

Setting up a small altar in your home

Taking a ritual bath, or even just taking a shower after a rough day

Reading sacred texts

Being kind to yourself and others

Leaving a religious group that does not suit you anymore, or that never did in the first place

Finding your own path, even if it's not the one your parents and culture mapped out for you at birth

Listening to a spirit guide (whatever form they might take in your culture or belief system)

Letting go of shame

Starting over

Letting go of bad habits

Decluttering

Getting away from screens, even just for a little while

Volunteering, doing good deeds

Slowing down

Practicing self compassion

Listening to your conscience (and learning to distinguish it from trauma and insecurities), deciding not to do something that "feels wrong"

Working through religious trauma and generational trauma

Letting go of grudges and resentments towards others, practicing forgiveness (not because they deserve it, but because you deserve peace)

Processing your feelings, sitting with them, and accepting them as valid

[childsofthestars]

Herbalism 101: Rosemary

EP. 1

Rosemary has been used by humans for centuries. Dating all the way back to 220 A.D. in China, this herb has been used by hundreds of cultures for hundreds of different reasons. Some cultures believed it could strengthen a persons memory, others considered it to be a symbol of a loyal marriage.

Properties: memory, love, cleansing, protection

Uses in the Kitchen

There are endless possibilities when it comes to cooking with rosemary. It has a pine-y, earthy flavor that goes really well with gamy meat like lamb or earthy flavors like mushrooms. Another option is pairing with lemon or other citrus to break up the earthy flavor. Cooking will always go hand-in-hand with herbalism. So, when using rosemary in food, make sure to remember it’s magic properties as well and use them to your advantage. 

Uses in healing

Rosemary has a lot of medicinal benefits. For exterior use, it can be great in oils and salves.  Things like dandruff, acne, and dry skin can benefit. Rosemary can be very good for indigestion, stomach cramps, and mental fatigue. Making a tea is my personal favorite way to consume rosemary. 

Uses in Witchcraft

While it is often used as a filler herb in spells or recipes, it does have some unique properties. One of the longest standing uses for rosemary is memory. While burning rosemary is a great way to banish and cleanse your home, cooking with it with intention is my personal favorite use. This herb is also known to symbolize fidelity between lovers. To strengthen an existing bond, making a dish that has rosemary and other relating herbs (catnip, basil, cardamom, etc) is a great way to go. 

Tips to Grow at Home

1. Grow rosemary by your doors as protection

2. Sandy soil is best

3. LOTS of Sun, not too much water

Rosemary Ointment

3 teaspoons dried rosemary

1 teaspoon dried thyme

2 teaspoons sage

1 cup oil

1/3-½ cup beeswax or other carrier oil

Start off by infusing the oil with all of the dry ingredients. I do this in a mason jar in a pot of water, but any sort of double boiler situation will work. This is where you can add an optional drop of peppermint oil. It takes about 30-45 minutes on low low heat to fully infuse. Once it’s finished let it cools down before straining it. You should strain it pretty well. I don’t mind if it’s not super filtered, but if it’ll bug you just use cheese cloth!

Next, melt the beeswax and add the infused oil. Stir if gently for at least a few minutes on low heat. Store in a jar or shallow tin and use when you have a head cold or need something healing for your skin!

[childsofthestars]

Ostara is next week, with this sabbat we celebrate the beginning of spring and perfect balance between night and day. The winter months are officially over, and from now on everything will bloom and get warmer 🌞

Correspondences for Ostara: Symbols | Eggs, seeds, flowers, hare Colors | Pastel colors, green, yellow, pink, white Spells | Fertility, growth, balance, purification and abundance Crystals | Amethyst, clear quartz, lapis lazuli, rose quartz, jasper Herbs and flowers | Lavender, tulips, rose, daffodils, lily’s Foods | Eggs, breads (hot cross buns), cake, chocolate, seeds, fruits How to celebrate | Baking, dying or painting eggs, planting seeds (woth intention), nature walks, spring cleaning.

[childsofthestars]

Found these great beginner spell jars online. Once you start to learn the correspondences of herbs, crystals, and colors, you will be able to improvise your own spells.

[childsofthestars]

definitely going to try out this form of divination! so creative!

What is Shufflemancy?

Shufflemancy is a form of divination involving music!

Ask a question (similar to how you'd ask a tarot deck)

Shuffle your music library (or a specific playlist)

Whichever song comes up first is the "answer" to your question!

The fun part of shufflemancy is that it's all open to your own personal interpretation - unlike tarot, which can sometimes have a hard set of rules with card meanings, everything about shufflemancy is personalized - your music taste, your interpretation of the song, etc!

Another way to practice shufflemancy is by using a radio. Simply tune in to a random station, and see what song is playing! I love using this method on less-popular radio stations, because a majority of the time, it's a song I've never heard before!

Support my work on Patreon & gain access to exclusive posts, updates on projects, free tarot readings, and other goodies!

Join our witchy Discord server!

[childsofthestars]

Happy Saturn day 🪐🖤

[childsofthestars]

[childsofthestars]

Kitchen witching is one of my favorites tbh 🫖