emeraldragonfly

[emeraldragonfly]

Emerald Grimoire: Altars, Sacred Space, Cleansing and Consecrating

Creating Your Altar

An altar is a physical representation of your devotion to your beliefs and your craft, whatever that may be.

It should be on a flat surface, like a table, desk or shelf. It should have ample room and should be elevated enough that you can comfortably reach it. It should have an altar cloth placed upon it. A silk cloth or bandanna can work well for this.

The altar will also include candles. Pillar candles are nice because they are large and do not drip. If you are using tapers or teacandles, be sure to use candleholders that catch all the drips. Also make sure not to leave lit candles unattended.

Your altar should also have representations of the four classical elements: air, water, fire and earth. For air, you can use a feather or an incense burner. For water, you can have a chalice (a special drinking cup with a stem) with water. For fire, you can use a small candle. For earth, you can have a small, shallow dish containing dirt, salt or sand. These four representations of the elements can be used when clensing and consecrating sacred space and magical tools, as well as other spells. You also can have four colored candles to represent each of the elements.

You can also place an object to represent spirit/aether, if you so desire, such as a disc with a pentacle on it, or some other symbol of meaning to you. I plan on placing a little figurine of the Tree of Life. You may also place a black and white candle on either side of the altar. A lot of pagans see 'the energy of the universe manifesting in dual opposing forces' such as creative and destructive forces, yin and yang, light and dark, mind and matter, etc. Even if you do not believe that reality literally works this way, it can be a useful metaphor. Over time you may also wish to include other magical tools on your altar, such as a wand and a dull-edged ceremonial blade called an athame.

I also have an offering dish on my altar that has a collection of various objects: rocks, gemstones, fossils, acorns, shells, a blown glass figurine of a scorpion, a little metal sculpture of a dragonfly, etc. They are items that connect me with nature, remind of me of important things I draw strength from, are things I love, etc. If there's something you love that connects you with something special, feel free to decorate your altar with it. Naturally you don't want it to get too cluttered, but a well-decorated alter is truly a powerful symbol of your beliefs, and a reminder of what really inspires you in life.

You may notice the list of things to include on your altar is pretty large. You don't need to have all these things right away. You can start small and expand over time, or just keep things simple. Personally I use an open bookshelf as an altar. This lets me devote several shelves as altar space. I keep my element representations and wand on one shelf, my offering dish on another shelf, my Tarot cards on another shelf, etc.

Cleansing & Consecrating Space & Tools

We have discussed prayers and building an altar in devotion to Nature. The next thing to talk about is something you must know before moving on to actual spellwork. You must be able to cleanse and consecrate your space and your tools if they are to be used in worship/ritual.

There are of course different methods. The one I am describing is based off templates I've learned from in the past.

First, choose a space you want to be your sacred space. This can be indoors or outdoors. For privacy and safety, it's common to choose indoors. You may choose any space, but ideally it should be somewhere you can have some privacy and somewhere you can move freely. You want to feel comfortable in this spot. Ideally, it is a spot that is not strongly associated with other activities. Practically, though, you might not have the space for that, in which case a corner of your bedroom works fine.

You will next imagine a circle encompassing this space. Place your altar in the center. Then place a candle at each of the four corners of the circle, like the corners on a compass. These four corners of your space represent the four elements: air, water, earth, and fire. You may use white candles for each of these elements, or you may use candles whose colors correspond to the elements (yellow/air, blue/water, green or brown/earth, red/fire). The four elements also have corresponding cardinal directions: Air is East, Water is West, Earth is North, and Fire is South. You can use these cardinal associations if you'd like.

Your altar in the center should have a lighter or matches, as well as four items that represent the four elements. For air, you may use a broom, a feather, or incense. For water, you will need a chalice with water. For earth, you will need a small dish with dirt, salt, or sand. For fire, you will need another candle, such as a small white one.

Begin by standing at your altar. Ground and center. Then move along your circle in a clockwise direction, lighting each of the elemental candles.

Then, you will begin using each element to bless your space. First pick up your item that represents Air. Walk around your circle clockwise, sweeping with a broom or feather or waving the incense. Speak:

"Element of Air, soft as a spring breeze or mighty as a roaring cyclone, breath of life and clarity of intellect; flow freely through this space. By the Powers of Air, I cleanse this space." Close your eyes and imagine the element of air moving within your circle.

Then return your item to the altar and pick up the next one, the candle. Light it and then do the same thing, walking around the circle and saying,

"Element of Fire, gentle warmth of hearth and flaming passion of emotion, source of creativity and creation, arbiter of death and rebirth; move freely through this space. By the Powers of Fire, I cleanse this space." Imagine fire flowing around your circle.

Do the same with the water chalice, flicking water as you go,

"Element of Water, lifeblood flowing through rivers and streams and seas, cleaner of wounds and well of truths and intuitions, connector of people and of feelings; flow freely through this space. By the powers of Water, I cleanse this space." Imagine water flowing around the circle.

And finally, sprinkle the earth as you walk and say,

"Element of Earth, firm and stable ground beneath our feet, force of abundance and fertility, patient and practical, nurturing and knowing. By the Powers of Earth, I cleanse this space." Imagine the element of earth permeating your space, spreading like grass or trees.

Return to your altar, put the bowl of earth back, then move to the center of your circle. Take up a position that works for you. I prefer a tree sort of pose.

Then say,

"Element of Spirit, spark of life that connects us all, move freely through this space. By the powers of the Great Spirit, I consecrate this space!"

Imagine the power of Great Spirit filling you and your sacred space. Say,

"I now direct the energy of the Great Spirit to forever fill and bless this place."

Feel the energy flow from your body and meld with the Universe's energy.

Then turn to your altar, laying your hands upon it. Say,

"This altar is dedicated to Nature. May it serve me well."

You may end the ritual now, but if you want to also cleanse/consecrate some tools, you may continue.

To perform this on your magic tools is quite straightforward. Stand before your altar and pick up the item you wish to consecrate. This might be a magic wand or something similar. Imagine a gold light shining upon it.

Pass the item through the incense smoke/wave air over it with the feather and say, "I cleanse and consecrate this wand for use in my rituals. For this sacred purpose, let it be reborn!"

Next, pass it through the candle flame and repeat the words. Do the same for water and earth, sprinkling it with those elements.

Now, lay the item down on your altar. If you have a pentacle disc, you can place it on top of there, or other holy symbol. Now place your palms about one inch over the item and make a traingle with your hands. Imagine a silver, glowing orb forming in the opening of your hands. Let it glow brighter and brighter; raise the energy from your body and gently push it out between your hands and into the orb. With your mind, lower the orb onto the item and let it be encompassed. When the energy dissipates, say,

"By the will of Great Spirit I have empowered this wand. May blessings shine upon and through it always."

Then, "By the free will of all, and with harm to none, as I will, so shall it be done!"

Once you have finished consecrating all your tools, you can finish up. Start by thanking the Great Spirit and the four elements for their participation. Ground the energy you raised during this ritual (by placing your plams on the floor and imagining the earth draining the excess power). Then raise your right hand, move it in a counter-clockwise circle, and say,

"The circle is open, may it never be broken!"

A note: if you have leftover earth or holy water, you may pour it outside on the ground and say, "I thank thee for the use of thy Power."

Now that you have created a sacred space, you are free to cast a magic circle in this space whenever you'd like and do spellwork. If you want to cleanse and consecrate more objects, you simply cast your magic circle, call the four quarters, and bless the object with the four elements/do the rest of the spell from there. You won't need to create sacred space each time, once you've done that part once you're good to go.

[emeraldragonfly]

Winter Solstice

A few days ago we celebrated the solstice. This is the first year we're celebrating the solstice instead of Christmas. We had a very nice dinner. Dessert was cookies and hot cocoa (I made the crescent moon cookies). We also had a bonfire ceremony. We toasted the new year with spiced cider (pouring a little on the ground). And we wrote on slips of paper one thing we wished to leave behind and one thing we wished to welcome in the coming year. We burned the papers and watched the smoke carry the wishes into the night sky.

I grew up with a traditional secular Christmas, so I'm used to the idea of tons of gifts being the main focus of a winter holiday. Such consumerism binging no longer appeals to me, to be honest, although the memory of such times is still strong in my head, so it's an adjustment to make. But I'm definitely getting there. Stripping away the tradition of over-consumption has allowed me to gradually see the other aspects of a winter holiday (so many aspects, of course, that Christmas borrowed from other cultural traditions and holidays). The need for hope and comfort during dark, cold times, and how the warmth of the hearth, of colorful lights, evergreen trees, and gentle, cozy traditions can really help with that.

It's not a transition that you'll adjust to immediately. We've been slowly moving away from the way we used to celebrate Christmas for years now. I think this year, taking a larger step away from it, and embracing Winter Solstice instead, has defined a large, positive step for us. Allowed us to connect to a holiday that speaks to us more deeply and sincerely.

I hope you all had a cozy, comfortable solstice. Blessed be.

[emeraldragonfly]

The Alnwick Poison Garden is pretty much what you’d think it is: a garden full of plants that can kill you (among many other things). Some of the plants are so dangerous that they have to be kept behind bars. [x]

[emeraldragonfly]

Emerald Grimoire: Daily Devotion & Evening Prayer

Ground & Center

Start with three slow, deep breaths, and then visualize yourself as a tree. Any kind of tree, it doesn't matter. See your roots coming out of your feet and growing slowly downward, getting larger and stronger as they go. Take however long you need to do this, then see your branches spreading up toward the sky. If it helps, you can lift your arms up. Feel the energy of the sun coming down to meet the energy of the Earth as it moves up, and visualize them meeting in your center as a ball of glowing light. Take another few deep breaths and then channel that light and power into your magic.

An impotant note, grounding and centering is typically done before a spell or prayer, but it can also be done after a spell is complete, except this time you focus on directing your energy back down through the roots and into the earth. This is to symbolically return any extra energy back to the earth.

Daily Devotion

(Ground and Center)

Great Spirit,

I seek to walk my Chosen Path

May I act to foster:

Wisdom, so that I can see the way clearly

Courage, so that I will have the strength to do what is right

Compassion, so that I treat myself and others with kindness

Health, so that I am strong of body and mind

And Love, for myself, for others, and for the world

I ask of thee to accept this gift of energy I have to offer

To impart to the Greater Whole, for the benefit of us all.

(Return energy back to the air and earth)

As I journey throughout this day

May Spirit be there to guide my way

So mote it be!

Evening Prayer

Blessed be the homes we keep

Blessed be the beds we sleep

Blessed be family, far and near

Blessed be the lives we steer

May the ancient tree of life

Guide us on our way

And may each of us look brightly

On the dawn of a new day

[emeraldragonfly]

Emerald Grimoire: My Principles of Belief

1.) Nature is The Sacred: Nature is sacred and what I revere most of all; all creatures and humans are connected in the web of life and a part of nature and the universe, and we all share in this sacredness

2.) Humanity is Responsible For Protecting Our Home and Fellow Lifeforms: Human Beings are not superior to other lifeforms, and all life on earth has a right to be here; but our unique high intelligence means we have a special responsibility to look after our planet and the wellbeing of our fellow creatures, to live in harmony with nature

3.) Science is Our Best Tool: Science, the scientific method, reason and empirical evidence are the best ways of learning about and understanding the world and reality

4.) Atheism/Naturalism: I do not recognize gods, supernatural realms/beings/forces or an afterlife, and I reject pseudoscience, including pseudoscientific explanations of witchcraft

5.) Spirit is Consciousness/Sentience: I do believe that there is something special about consciousness, the mind and life itself which you could call spirit; I consider myself to be spiritual and that spirit is something that all life shares; a common thread that links us all, just as does DNA. I refer to the collective spirit of the universe as Great Spirit and may use a metaphor such as a vast endless ocean or a great ancient tree to imagine it; this is just a metaphor

6.) Magic, Divination, & Ritual As Powerful Psychological and Symbolic Tools: I use magic spells, divination and rituals to help me clarify, focus on, and motivate the pursuit of my personal goals in life, to explore and learn about myself, and to connect with and honor nature and the world at large. I do not believe that magic can directly change physical reality or that it gets its power from a supernatural force or being; it is instead a symbolic psychological tool

7.) Religion as Honoring Life, Pursuing Happiness and Helping One Another: I use witchcraft and my religion as a way to connect to others and to the world; to honor my duty to take care of myself and help my fellow humans and other creatures, and the planet; to celebrate the diversity and beauty of nature; and to pursue my happiness and joy. There is no seperation between my spiritual and my ‘mundane’ life

8.) Respect for Diversity: Human beings have many religions, sexualities, genders, ethnicities, cultures, preferences and ways of life. As long as they are not causing harm, these differences should be respected and celebrated, not discriminated against

9.) Social Justice & Equity: I will fight for social justice and equity in society, especially with regards to marginalized people and vulnerable communities

10.) Respect In Sharing Cultural Practices: I will do all due diligence in researching cultural practices that I am interested in adopting into my practice. I will strive to respect the cultures I wish to borrow from and to not appropriate cultural practices which are closed to outsiders sharing in. If I find out that I am in error, I will be humble and correct my errors

[emeraldragonfly]

A few years ago I made a post asking if there was anyone else out there who felt the way I did; an atheist or agnostic who had an interest in witchcraft and paganism but did not believe in humanlike, personal gods/goddesses, supernatural beings or that magic had the power to literally transform reality. The post got a lot of notes and comments showing I was definitely not the only one.

I've put my interests on this particular subject on the backburner for quite some time after that. But I'm back to looking into it. This post is mostly me organizing my notes. It's a work in progress, so there will be changes made to it over time.

I'm excited to say I've found a number of groups and websites recently that relate to my beliefs. If you'd like to see these website links, scroll down past my glossary to the section titled 'Specific Groups/Websites for Skeptical Witches.'

Glossary of Words Referring to Beliefs and Practices

By beliefs and practicies, I mean both religious and nonreligious.

Theism: The belief in a distinct anthropromorphic transcendent personal God

Atheism: The belief that a distinct anthropromorphic transcendent personal God does not exist

Agnosticism: belief that the existence of God, the divine, or the supernatural is either unknowable or unknown. (gnosticism is the belief that something is knowable, thus 'a' + 'gnostic' means 'not knowable')

Polytheism: the belief or worship of more than one god

Pantheism: a belief that the universe and all things within nature are god; god and the universe are the same thing, not seperate things. so, nature is identical with divinity, but there is no distinct personal anthropomorphic god

Panentheism: in contrast with pantheism, a belief that all things in the universe are god but also that god transcends beyond the universe as well

Animism: the belief that objects, places, and creatures all possess a distinct spiritual essence. Animism perceives all things—animals, plants, rocks, rivers, weather systems, human handiwork, and in some cases words—as being animated, having agency and free will.

Deism: the belief in the existence of God-- often, but not necessarily, an impersonal and incomprehensible God who does not intervene in the universe after creating it. this belief is solely based on empirical reason and observation of the natural world, without any reliance on revealed religions or religious authority

Paganism: originally, a term used by early Christians to refer to religions other than Judaism or Christianity. pagan religions were polytheistic and had many different traditions and were among many different groups of people.

in modern times, there has been a revival of paganism. this is sometimes referred to as neopaganism but many choose to simply go by 'paganism.' modern paganism draws from old pagan religions and traditions, and there are many varieties of modern paganism. thus, paganism is a religion or belief system.

Witchcraft: the practice of magic to achieve some desired outcome.

Witch: a practitioner of witchcraft

Magic: (some people spell it as 'magick' to seperate it from other definitions of magic) magic can be described as ritual, meditation, 'prayer with props,' something along those lines.

how exactly magic is described depends on the beliefs of the person using it. most often, magic is considered having a 'supernatural/metaphysical' or spiritual power to directly achieve desired outcomes just from the magic spell alone, but some witches consider magic just a powerful psychological tool for focusing on their goals.

Paganism vs Witchcraft: Paganism is a religion/set of beliefs, witchcraft is a craft. There are some pagans who are witches and some who are not; likewise, some witches are pagans but some are not.

Wicca: a specific branch of modern paganism founded by Gerald Gardner. Wicca includes the practice of witchcraft. but it is not synonomous with paganism or witchcraft in general; it is simply a specific type of it.

Secular Humanism: The term 'humanism' is complex because it has changed over time throughout history and has been used for multiple things. In reference to modern secular humanism though, it means a philosophy or life stance that embraces human reason, logic, secular ethics, and philosophical naturalism, while specifically rejecting religious dogma, supernaturalism, and superstition as the basis of morality and decision-making. a secular humanist is a person who subscribes to such a philsophy.

Secularism: a worldview or political principle that separates religion from other realms of human existence, most often known for advocating the seperation of religion from the state.

Science: the systematic study of the structure and behavior of the physical and natural world through observation, experimentation, and the testing of theories against the evidence obtained.

Naturalism: in philosophy, the belief that all beings and events in the universe are natural. Consequently, all knowledge of the universe falls within the pale of scientific investigation. so, only natural laws and forces (as opposed to supernatural ones) operate in the universe. generally, folks who subscribe to this philosophy believe that spirits, deities, ghosts and the likes do not exist. nature contains all of reality, and there is no god or supernatural force that exists outside of it.

Physicalism: in philosophy, this is the view that everything is physical, that there is "nothing over and above" the physical.

Materialism: in philosophy, the belief that matter is the fundamental substance in nature, and that all things, including mental states and consciousness, are results of material interactions of material things. very similar to physicalism. both physicalism and materialism assume that the universe and reality are made of 'one substence' (the physical) as opposed to multiple substances (such as a view of a mind-body dualism).

Specific Groups/Websites for Skeptical Witches:

Scientific Pantheism (https://pantheism.net/):

A spirituality that reveres nature, is science-oriented, and rejects the idea of supernatural realms, afterlives, beings or forces. Not a religion, merely a spirituality and perspective. The website states that it is compatible with other beliefs or practices though, such as atheism, agnosticism, symbolic paganism (recognizing gods as merely symbols, not as literal), or UU folks who don't believe in god(s)/supernatural beings. The website also states they emphasize protecting nature/the planet and human rights.

Naturalistic Paganism (https://naturalisticpaganism.org/humanistic-paganism/):

A specific Pagan orientation that rejects the supernatural or metaphysical elements of typical paganism or witchcraft (such as the idea of magic can cause change in the physical world without corresponding physical action) and is firmly rooted in the empirical world. Naturalist Pagans are interested in celebrating the natural world and experiencing a deeper connection to the Universe, without abandoning their rational faculties.

Atheopaganism (https://atheopaganism.org/):

Founded by Mark Green. He describes it as a naturalistic Pagan religious path.

Unitarian Universalists: A liberal religious group/movement who welcome folks from many religions, beliefs and backgrounds, including atheists and agnostics. They have no creed or dogma, although they have seven guiding principles. UU has origins in Christianity (thus the name, which comes from two Christian branches) but in modern times has moved beyond that to encompass more.

SASSWitches (https://www.reddit.com/r/SASSWitches/): A place for Skeptical, Agnostic, Atheist, and generally Science-Seeking folk to share ideas, support one another, and develop rituals.

Books for Skeptical Witches:

Godless Paganism - edited by John Halstead

Round We Dance - by Mark Green

[emeraldragonfly]

Creative Writing Tarot Spread

Writers block bogging you down? Use this 7-card spread to help jumpstart your creativity! This prompt can help you generate a very basic storyline.

First, pull a character card! Decide for yourself what this means: will your character carry the traits of the positive meanings of this card? Will your character’s conflicts be brought about by the card’s negative meanings? Will your character look like the figure depicted on the card? Will they wield the item depicted on the card? (Note: if your story has multiple main characters, you may wish to pull a card for each)

Next, pull the plot cards! Pull a card for the beginning of your story, a card for the middle, and a card for the end. Again, let yourself decide what this means. Do these cards describe your character’s emotional state(s) as the story progresses? Do these cards describe internal or external conflicts? Do these cards represent other characters your MC will meet along the way?

Finally, pull your meat cards! These cards are the “meat” of your story. Pull one card for the main or most important setting of your story, one card for the main conflict, and one card for the resolution of that conflict.

Have fun with it! Remember that these cards are just tools, and this spread is simply to kickstart your brain. If you get halfway through the spread and come up with something on your own, or if you start writing and realize your plot is deviating from what the cards gave you, don’t stress about it! You write for yourself, not for the cards. Thank them for their help and continue on with your own imagination.

Deck pictured here: The Essential Tarot by Chloé Zarka Grinsnir

[emeraldragonfly]

[emeraldragonfly]

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

[emeraldragonfly]

Things to put in your book of shadows

Of course, only put in your book of shadows/grimoire what you want. If you don't want to put certain subjects in your book then that's fine. It's your book, utilize it how you want. This is just a masterlist of ideas that I've put together. Feel free to add anything else to the list that I may have missed, because there's absolutely no way I included everything.

And for the love of all the gods, if you come across a closed entity or practice, don't try to work with the entity or practice if you're not already part of that group or tradition. You can research it but don't practice it.

+ A blessing and/or protection

+ A table of contents

+ About you:

Your current path

Your personal beliefs

Your spiritual journey

Favorite crystals/herbs/animals

Natal chart

Craft name

How you got into the craft

Astrology signs

Birthday correspondences (birth tarot card, birth stone, etc)

Goals (if you have any)

Anything other relating to your personal practice

+ Safety

Fire safety

What NOT to burn

Plants and oils that can be toxic to your pets

What crystals shouldn't be in water, sunlight, etc

Things that shouldn't be put out in nature (salt, glass, etc)

Potion safety

How to incorporate blood safely

+ Core concepts:

Intention and how it works

Directing energy

Protection

Banishing

Cleansing

Charging

Shielding

Grounding and centering

Visualization

Consencration/Blessing

Warding

Enchanting

Manifestation

+ Correspondence

Personal correspondence

Crystals and rocks

Herbs and spices

Food and drink

Colors

Metals

Number

Tarot card

Elemental (fire, water, air, earth)

Trees and woods

Flowers

Days

Months

Moon phases

Zodiac

Planets

Incense

Teas

Essential oils

Directions (north, south, east, west)

Animals

Local plants, animals, etc

Dream symbology

+ Different practices

Practices that are closed to you (some examples below)

Voodoo and Hoodoo **Closed**

Santeria and Brujeria **Closed**

Shamanism and native american practices **Closed**

Wicca and wiccan paths

Satanism, both theistic and non-theistic paths

+ Different types/practices of magick

Pop culture magick

Technology magick

Chaos magick

Green witchcraft

Lunar magick

Sea witchcraft

Kitchen magick

Ceremonial magick

Hedge witchcraft

Death witchcraft

Grey witchcraft

Eclectic witchcraft

Norse witchcraft

Hellenic witchcraft

Animism

+ Deities

The deity/deities you worship

Different pantheons (the main five are Celtic, Roman, Greek, Egyptian and Norse, all open)

Deities and pantheons that are closed to you

Common offerings

Their epithets

Their mythology

Their family

Deity worship vs deity work

Prayers and how to make your own

Deity communication guide

Devotional acts

Ways to get closer to them

+ Other spiritual entities

Angels

Ancestor work

Spirit guides

The fae

Demons

Familiars

House spirits, animal spirits and plant spirits

Other various folklore entities

Spirit etiquette

Cemetery etiquette

Setting boundaries with the spirits

Communication guide and etiquette

Grounding, banishing, protection and cleansing, aka: "Spirit work safety guide"

How they appear to you

Common offerings

Circle casting

+ Divination

Tarot cards

Oracle cards

Tarot and oracle spreads

Pendulum

Numerology

Scrying

Palmistry/palm reading

Tasseography (Tea leaf reading)

Rune stones

Shufflemancy (Shuffling of a playlist)

Dice divination

Bibliomancy (Randomly picking a phrase from a book)

Carromancy (Melted wax)

Pyromancy (Reading flames)

Psychic abilities

Astrology

Aura reading

Divination via playing cards

Lenormand 

Sacred geometry

Angel numbers

+ Other types of magick

Candle magick

Crystal magick

Herbalism/herbal magick

Glamour magick

Hexing

Jinxing

Cursing

Weather magick

Astral work

Shadow work

Energy work

Sigils

Art magick

Knot magick

Crystal grids

Color grids

Music magick

Charms, talismans and amulets

+ Spellwork

What makes a spell work

Basic spell structure

What NOT to do

Disposing of spell ingredients

Revitalizing long term spells

How to cast spells

What to put in spells (See correspondence)

Spell mediums- Jar spells, spoken spells, candle spells, sigils, etc

Spell timing

Setting up a ritual

Taglocks: What they are and how to use them

+ Holidays and Esbats

Yule

Imbolc

Ostara

Beltane

Litha

Lughnasadh/Lammas

Mabon

Samhain

The 12 full moons (Esbats)

How to celebrate

Deity specific holidays

+ Altars and tools

What they are

The different types and their uses (travel altar, working altar, deity altar, ancestor altar, etc)

What you can put on your altar

What you use your altars for

Common tools in witchcraft

How to use the tools

Food and drink

Common herbs in recipes

Sabbat recipes

Moon water: What it is and how to use it

Potion bases

Tea magick

How to get your herbs

Foraging

+ Mental health and self care

Bath magick

Affirmations

Burnout prevention

Aromatherapy

Stress management

Mental health coping mechanisms

+ History of witchcraft

+ Dream records

+ How to differentiate between the magickal and the mundane

+ Calendar of celestial events (Esbats, retrogrades, etc)

+ How to dry herbs and flowers

+ What chakras actually are and how they work within Hinduism

+ History and traditional uses of reiki

+ The witches' alphabet

+ The runic alphabet

+ Common witchcraft terms

+ Common symbols in witchcraft

+ Your own witch tips

+ Good witchcraft books and authors to avoid

+ Any online resources you utilize often

[emeraldragonfly]

[emeraldragonfly]

14.06.2021 + 15.12.2021

Finding the right spot takes a while, but is very rewarding. 🪴

[emeraldragonfly]

Microsorum pustulatum🌿

Kangaroo paw fern, I grabbed a couple ferns at the greenhouse yesterday.

I know people tend to avoid them but they really aren't hard once you figure out their needs, I'd recommend a beginner try out a fern that has rhizomes like this one or a rabbits foot fern, or a blue star fern. Even if they die back from underrwatering you can usually bring them back to life, which is encouraging lol.

[emeraldragonfly]

The slices bring all the boys to the yard

(BTW if you don't have TikTok this guy has a killer YouTube channel)

[emeraldragonfly]

DIY Terrarium

[emeraldragonfly]

Minecraft block palettes to inspire you 💌

Source: https://www.blockpalettes.com

[emeraldragonfly]

green