justacriousgirl

[justacriousgirl]

Herbalism in Times of Turmoil

I've recently returned to my roots (pun intended) in folk herbalism to supplement the work I'm doing with my therapist. It wasn't an intentional thing -- in our current round of EMDR, we've uncovered some deeply buried trauma, and bringing that trauma to the surface has shaken the foundations of how I see myself and the world around me. I feel very raw and vulnerable. I feel disoriented and fragile.

I find myself drawn to plant medicine as I navigate this trauma with the help of my therapist. I think a part of me longs for the sympathetic magic of plants -- by taking them into my body, maybe I, too, can become firmly rooted, supported by the earth and nourished by the sun. Maybe I can relearn the magics of stillness and connection. Maybe I can reintegrate into the earth's cycles of death and rebirth.

Some of the plants I'm partnering with in this work are old friends. Others are new allies, recommended by professional herbalists for the type of trauma I'm processing. All of them are supportive in different ways, and all of them have important lessons.

Obviously, I am working with herbs as a compliment to the work I'm doing with a professional mental health counselor, not as a replacement for medical/psychological care. I recommend you do the same, especially if dealing with complex trauma. Even if money is tight, you may be able to get free or low-cost counseling through local social services, nonprofits, university hospitals, etc.

How I Work with Herbs

As an animist, I see working with herbs both as physical medicine and as a working relationship with the spirit of the plant. I don't like to say that I "use" herbs, because that implies that they are just tools. When I say I "work with" an herb, what I mean is that I am partnering with that plant as a living, thinking being that has kindly chosen to support my healing process. I try to honor that relationship in every part of my herbalist craft.

One way I do this is by verbally thanking the plants that I consume as medicine. If I'm drinking a cup of linden tea, I'll say something like, "Thank you, linden, for aiding in my healing today."

I try to use herbal preparations that allow for a sensory experience to help me connect with the plant spirit(s). I don't like taking capsules full of powdered herbs, because that doesn't allow me to see, touch, smell, or taste the plant. I like teas because they allow for a much more intimate connection with the plant's spirit, and I use tinctures when I feel like I need more concentrated medicinal compounds.

I'm a witch who loves plants, but when I'm working with herbs internally, I do not choose them based on their magical or spiritual correspondences. When choosing herbs, I look for quality scientific studies that prove their medicinal benefits, but honestly a lot of plant medicine hasn't been sufficiently studied yet. Because of this, I also look at the way plants are viewed in traditional healing modalities like Western herbalism, Ayurveda, Traditional Chinese Medicine, etc.

While I don't pick them based on their magical properties, I do think studying how these plants are used in magical practices can add an extra layer to my work with them. This helps me to have a more nuanced, deep, and complex relationship with the plant's spirit.

And of course, I always research contraindications and drug interactions before using an herb. For example, I don't recommend Saint John's Wort to anyone taking any kind of pharmaceutical medication because it really messes with the way your body processes your meds. It's also important to research how herbs might interact with other herbs and supplements you're already taking -- that's also a type of drug interaction!

I also try to remember that when we're moving through grief or processing trauma, this changes the way herbs (and drugs, for that matter) affect our bodies. I highly recommend the book The Trauma-Informed Herbalist by Elizabeth Guthrie to learn more about this.

My Herbal Allies

These are the herbs I'm taking focusing my practice on right now:

Ashwagandha and Tulsi are two plant friends that I love pairing together. They're both adaptogens, meaning they can help manage the body's stress response, and come to Western herbalism by way of Ayurveda. I've been working with both of these plants for years, and although they do have different uses, I think they work really well together.

Ashwagandha is really helpful as a pick-me-up for the endocrine system (the system that produces hormones) and nervous system. I find that it has a very grounding effect and is especially helpful for when I feel overwhelmed or burned out. It's a great ally for building resilience when you feel like there's just way too much going on and have no idea how you're going to handle it all. It has a very bitter taste, so I usually add it to coffee or another very bitter beverage.

Tulsi, also called Holy Basil, is a lot more gentle and laid-back than ashwagandha, at least in my experience. It's one of my go-to herbs when I need emotional support. According to herbalists Katja Swift and Ryn Midura, "Tulsi has traditionally been the herb of choice for 'stuck emotions,' whether that's depression or PTSD or just a case of the grumpies." It has a delicious taste somewhere between basil and mint, and I love preparing it as a hot tea. This is one of my favorite herbs right now.

In Ayurveda, ashwagandha is classified as a Rasayana, which means it rejuvenates the body and can promote long life. It is also a Bhalya, meaning it promotes strength, and a Vajikara, which means it promotes healthy sexuality. Tulsi is one of the most valued herbs in Ayurveda and is even called the most sacred plant on earth in the Vedic Puranas. It increases sattva (light, clarity), uplifts the spirit, promotes joy and harmony, and increases prana (vital energy; similar to the concept of chi in China). They're sometimes used together because they're believed to support each other and enhance each other's effects.

I add ashwagandha and tulsi tinctures to my morning coffee and to other hot beverages throughout the day. I also really like tulsi as a tea, and tulsi tea is one of my go-to tools for replenishing my energy after a long day of tarot readings. That being said, I'm considering changing the way I consume these herbs to be more in line with traditional Ayurvedic practices, but I need to do more research first.

Cannabis is, honestly, one of my personal miracle workers, which is a little bit ironic because I also think it's waaaaay overhyped in the wellness industry right now. Cannabis is not a cure-all, and it is not recommended for everyone. There are several different types of cannabis, and each type has its own medicinal uses. For example, the cannabis I use in my personal practice is hemp, which is legally defined as cannabis with little to no THC, meaning it does not produce a high. Marijuana, the type of cannabis with THC, is powerful medicine for some people, but because of how my body and brain work, I personally don't use it. While marijuana use may be illegal depending on where you live, hemp is legal in most places.

I started working with cannabis several years ago to help manage anxiety and insomnia, but nowadays I mostly work with it to help with inflammation and chronic pain.

I find that my body really holds on to trauma in the form of tension, inflammation, and chronic pain. When my trauma response is triggered, I usually feel it as tension or pain, especially in my hips, pelvis, and lower back. I find cannabis really helpful for that stored trauma. It doesn't make the pain go away, but it helps me feel into it and navigate through it. I also find cannabis is really good at relaxing my body and helping me let go of that stored up trauma, almost like unclenching a fist.

Cannabis was historically used throughout the ancient world for divination and religious ritual. It's associated with connection to the spirit world, and may have been used in magical practices like the Norse practice of seidr. Scott Cunningham says hemp is associated with love spells and with Midsummer.

My favorite way to work with cannabis is with a cannibidiol (CBD) isolates. Since I live in a place where THC is illegal and have some health conditions that don't play well with THC, I like CBD isolates because I'm able to make sure I'm getting a THC-free product. I add CBD to my coffee along with tulsi and ashwagandha, and I feel like it helps me process the caffeine better. I also notice rapid relief for joint and nerve pain, anxiety, and intrusive thoughts after drinking this brew.

Meadowsweet is a new plant friend for me. I actually first came across meadowsweet when I was researching handfasting herbs -- it's a traditional inclusion in British handfasting and wedding ceremonies, and was historically used as a "strewing herb," which means it was sprinkled on the ground. It's also a traditional flavor in mead, and in fact the name "meadowsweet" comes from its traditional use in mead-making. (I actually have a batch of meadowsweet mead fermenting right now!)

In herbalism, meadowsweet is prized because it contains salicylates, which can be used to make salicylic acid, the main ingredient in aspirin. This makes it great for pain, especially pain caused by inflammation. It's also great for your digestive system, which makes it a powerful ally if, like me, you suffer from the dreaded "anxiety tummy."

Meadowsweet is a very summer-y plant for me, and its energy reminds me of summer sunshine. It's a plant that reminds me to find joy in the little things in life, and has a very hopeful vibe. This is a plant I associate with both Midsummer and Lughnasa. It's a great friend for when you just need a little sweetness in your life.

On a more physical level, I combine meadowsweet with cannabis, ashwagandha, and tulsi to manage chronic pain rooted in trauma. And, of course, for keeping the anxiety tummy at bay.

In European magic traditions, meadowsweet is associated with love, peace, and joy. Interestingly, Scott Cunningham also talks about the use of meadowsweet for protection from thieves.

I add meadowsweet tincture to my morning coffee along with ashwagandha, tulsi, and CBD. I also really enjoy it as a hot tea, and I think the flavor blends really well with tulsi.

Linden is another new friend for me, but I am obsessed. I don't think I've ever worked with an herb that feels this gentle, supportive, and nourishing to the soul. Katja Swift and Ryn Midura of the Holistic Herbalism Podcast call linden "a hug in a mug," and I think that's a perfect description of how it feels.

In Western herbalism, linden is most often used for heart conditions and to restore the cardiovascular system. However, it also works as a nervine, which means it has a calming effect on the nervous system. It can provide gentle relief for anxiety, tension, and even everyday stress. In Herbal Medicine for Beginners, Swift and Midura even recommend linden to "mitigate the side effects of drying, stimulating medications like Adderall and Ritalin." It is also recommended for nerve pain and damaged nerves.

Linden is wonderful medicine for the heart, both the physical heart and the emotional heart. I really do feel an improvement in my mood when I work with linden. It's soothing and uplifting at the same time.

Magically, linden is strongly associated with protection. It's also associated with love, good luck, and preventing insomnia. Scott Cunningham mentions carrying linden to prevent intoxication.

My favorite way to work with linden is by drinking it as a tea. It tastes similar to chamomile, but a little less fruity. I drink several cups throughout the day, especially when I feel like I need to unwind or calm down.

Rose is one of my favorite flowers. Maybe that makes me basic, but I really do love this plant. The scent of rose has been one of my favorite scents since I was very small -- I remember going to Catholic mass with my mom and praying with my own rose-scented rosary!

We usually think of rose as a decorative flower or an ingredient in perfume, but it also has culinary and medicinal uses. It's used topically to treat skin issues by promoting the growth of new skin cells and to treat rashes and eczema. It can also help soothe gut problems. Rose is also relaxing and anti-inflammatory.

In magic rose is associated with love and romance (duh), divination, healing, fast luck, protection, and connection to the divine. Cunningham recommends it for calming "personal stress and household upheavals" and says the flowers attract fairies. This might be because I was raised Catholic, but rose feels like a very sacred plant to me. In Catholicism it's associated with the Virgin Mary and with some other saints like St. Therese of Lisieux, but I personally use rose more in ancestor work (especially when working with queer ancestors) and for attracting friendly spirits in general.

Right now, my favorite way to work with rose is in aromatherapy. The smell of fresh roses is so uplifting, and it makes me feel like I'm surrounded by gentle, loving protection. I'm sure there are probably health benefits to working with the pure essential oil, but real rose essential oil is VERY expensive, so I use a mild rose-scented perfume instead. (I'm very sensitive to scents and often get headaches from artificial fragrances, but right now I'm wearing Pacifica Beauty's Persian Rose perfume and I haven't had any issues with it.)

Sources:

Herbal Medicine for Beginners by Katja Swift and Ryn Midura

Queering Herbalism, 3rd edition, compiled by Toi of the Herbal Freedom School

The Trauma-Informed Herbalist by Elizabeth Guthrie

Cunningham's Encyclopedia of Magical Herbs by Scott Cunningham

All episodes from the first season of The Trauma Informed Herbalist podcast, but especially the two-part series, "How Trauma Changes Us"

"Herbs for Psychological First Aid" from The Holistic Herbalism Podcast

"Herbs & the Holidays: Emotional Support" from The Holistic Herbalism Podcast

"Working With Herbs For Chronic Pain" from the Holistic Herbalism Podcast

"The Centuries-Old Secrets of Gender-Affirming Herbalism" by Leah Kirts

"How To Incorporate Hemp In Your Materia Medica" by Heather Saba

"Cannabis: Potent and Versatile Medicine" by Sue Sierralupe & Candace Hunter

"An Ayurvedic perspective on Marijuana" by Shilpika Devaiah

"Who shouldn't use medicinal cannabis?" by Corinne Hodgson

[justacriousgirl]

Using the Elements in Your Spells (ft. Avatar: The Last Airbender)

In my last post, we talked about correspondences and how they can add power to your spells. As a witch, one form of correspondences that you will probably work with a lot is the four elements.

These four (or five, depending on who you ask) elements are the building blocks of the natural world, and everything on earth is associated with one or more of them. Because of this, the elements can serve as a kind of “correspondence cheat sheet” for new witches. For example: you want to do a spell for self-love, and you know that water is associated with healing and love, so you choose herbs and crystals for your spell that are associated with the water element.

Connecting with the elements can also be a spiritual experience for many pagans, but today we’ll be focusing on their uses in magic.

Air

In her book Wicca For Beginners Thea Sabin says that, “air is masculine, light, and cerebral. It corresponds to… birth; youth; enlightenment; inspiration; communication; writing; mobility; and computers and electronics.”

Invoke in Spells For: increasing mental abilities, gaining clarity, travel and movement, new beginnings, spirituality or spiritual development, creativity, inspiration, communication

Magical Tools that Represent Air: incense smoke, feathers (make sure they’re naturally shed and ethically collected!), a fan, bells or chimes

Colors: yellow, gold

Speed: very fast (but the results may not stick)

Cardinal Direction: East

Season: spring

Herbs/Plants: rosemary, lavender, lemongrass

Crystals: fluorite, kyanite

Animals: birds, insects, and any flying animal

Astrology: Gemini, Libra, Aquarius

Tarot: the suit of Swords

Example of Air in a Spell: banishing something you want to be rid of by taking a pinch of cayenne pepper in your hand, whispering your intent, and blowing the pepper off of your hand and out a door or window. 

Ways to Connect with Air Energy:

light incense and watch the smoke curl and shift in the air (an essential oil diffuser is a good smoke-free alternative)

learn something new!

express your creativity by drawing a picture or writing a poem

make a wish on a dandelion and watch the seeds fly away on your breath

if there is a situation or relationship in your life suffering from poor communication, take steps to resolve it

Fire

Thea Sabin says that, “fire is masculine, hot (obviously), and energetic. It corresponds to… adolescence; impetuousness; passion; drive; creativity; anger; force; light and brightness; and transformation.”

Invoke in Spells For: passion, creativity, motivation, transformation, success

Magical Tools that Represent Fire: candles (including electronic flameless candles!), incense

Colors: red, orange

Speed: fast

Cardinal Direction: South

Season: summer

Herbs/Plants: cayenne, cinnamon, ginger

Crystals: carnelian, amber

Animals: dragons, reptiles, lions

Astrology: Aries, Leo, Sagittarius

Tarot: the suit of Wands (sometimes called Staves or Rods)

Example of Fire in a Spell: Burning a red candle for passion and motivation. 

Ways to Connect with Fire Energy:

go outside and spend a few minutes enjoying the heat and warmth of the sun

meditate by gazing into a candle flame

make and drink hot chocolate with cinnamon

eat spicy foods

do something you feel passionate about (especially if it involves physical activity!)

Water

Thea Sabin says that, “water is feminine, cleansing, and healing. It corresponds to… adulthood; nurture; emotions; the subconscious; the otherworld; transformation (like fire, but slower); mystery; compassion; secrets; and the occult.”

Invoke in Spells For: healing, love or self love, processing trauma, shadow work, psychic abilities, nurturing yourself and others

Magical Tools that Represent Water: a glass or chalice filled with water (or an empty chalice), seashells, sacred oils

Colors: blue, green

Speed: not very fast, but not very slow

Cardinal Direction: West

Season: fall

Herbs/Plants: rose, lilac, jasmine

Crystals: aquamarine, rose quartz

Animals: fish and any other water-dwelling animals

Astrology: Cancer, Scorpio, Pisces

Tarot: the suit of Cups

Example of Water in a Spell: Taking a cleansing bath with rose quartz, Himalayan salt, and jasmine essential oil to promote self love.

Ways to Connect with Water Energy:

drink more water!

take a relaxing bath or shower

visit the ocean or a lake or river

use a deep meditation to connect to your shadow self

keep a dream journal to connect with your subconscious

Earth

Thea Sabin says, “earth is feminine, solid, and stable. It corresponds to… old age and/or death; fertility; money; stability; building foundations; food and sustenance; and agriculture and gardening.”

Invoke in Spells For: prosperity and material abundance, gaining stillness, feeling grounded, sexuality, fertility, connecting with family or heritage, creating something that will last

Magical Tools that Represent Earth: rocks (not just crystals, but rocks from your backyard as well), dirt or sand, salt

Colors: green, brown

Speed: very slow (but results will last a very long time)

Cardinal Direction: North

Season: winter

Herbs/Plants: all plants are at least partially associated with this element, but some especially “earthy” plants are sage, coffee, and patchouli

Crystals: all crystals are associated with earth, but some especially “earthy” stones are moss agate and bloodstone

Animals: bear, buffalo, wolves, deer

Astrology: Taurus, Virgo, Capricorn

Tarot: the suit of Pentacles (sometimes called the Coins or Disks)

Example of Earth in a Spell: Writing a wish on a bay leaf and burying it in the ground to “plant the seed” for manifesting that desire. 

Ways to Connect with Earth Energy:

practice grounding your energy,

do some gardening, even if it’s just getting a houseplant

spend time with your loved ones

play with your pets

donate money to a worthy cause

You may or may not choose to work with a fifth element, called spirit or aether. In Wicca, spirit is associated with deity, which unites the other four elements. In other Western occult traditions, the element of spirit represents the underlying spiritual force that exists within all things. In the book You Are Magical, Tess Whitehurst phrases it this way: “Ultimately everything is pure spirit element temporarily masquerading as something else.”

Because of its limitless and undefined nature, it can be hard to nail down correspondences for spirit. You can invoke the element of spirit to strengthen your connection to the divine, work with your ancestors, or connect more strongly with your own spiritual power.

You can represent the element of spirit in ritual with sacred symbols, such as images of deities, or with sacred geometric shapes.

You do not have to work with spirit to do magic. I personally only work with the four classical elements, and do not include spirit or aether in my practice. However, many witches do choose to incorporate this fifth element and find working with it very fulfilling. The choice is up to you.

One last note: this post focuses on how the elements are divided in Western magic and occult traditions. Different cultures classify the elements differently. For example, in Hinduism the elements are earth, water, fire, air, and either void or Askasha (aether). The Chinese elements are fire, earth, metal, water, and wood. If you do not resonate with the Western division of the elements, feel free to investigate other ways of classifying natural forces.

[justacriousgirl]

♪

[justacriousgirl]

Something I feel like people getting into folk magic need to understand, for many people of many backgrounds, is folk magic started as a means of survival. It was struggle magic, and it is still struggle magic.

Where I'm living now and where I'm from, people planted by the signs to ensure their crops wouldn't go bad before harvesting. People used ocean water to soothe joint and muscle pains when they got old. People studied the native plants for medicine and were mindful to only take what was needed. People did little rituals and minded their grannies' words to keep their good luck. If they didn't know how to do something (or couldn't), they went to people who did.

Learning folk magic to reconnect with ancestral traditions from before your time is valid. Learning folk magic to connect with and work with the land is valid. There are many valid reasons to take up folk magic. Still, understand that folk magic is survival, and folk magic is community.

[justacriousgirl]

Hi, I hope you are not too busy lately. May I ask for advice ? When it comes to hexing, I heard someone advising to but the remains of the ritual as far away as possible from the house (I can't but the remains of the spell near the targets house but I can put it away). But I also remember reading that one should keep the remains of the spell in case something goes wrong. Is it dangerous to keep the remains of a hex inside my house or would it better to keep it ?

Ooo! Resolving conflicting magical information, are we? :D Love it.

Short answer:

Longer answer:

IMO, both of these plans of action are predicated on some assumptions.

Taking the remains of a hex very far away from the home (and sometimes, as you mention, ideally near the target) is, from what I've seen, generally done by witches who are pretty much fuckin' done and are washing their hands of the situation.

Hex-casting is often an intensely emotional experience and can feel like a deep 'purge' on the part of the practitioner, a bloodletting of the poison within the practitioner to flow downhill to the person who, as far as the witch is concerned, ought to host it instead.

When the experience of the hexcasting is one of purification of rage, a practitioner may just want to get the fuck rid of the spellcasting remnants and get on with their life.

This is not an amagical action. Inasmuch as your magic probably should make you feel really good about the world you live in, your life, and your actions, deciding to be completely over it and get rid of spell remnants can be deeply magical, both in the personal and metaphysical sense.

Another reason people like to get rid of hex remnants is because they can reek of that nasty soul stank you've just bled out all over into the world, and hanging out with them can be uncomfortable and bring up unwanted emotions.

Fortunately, witches gonna witch, and if you desire to keep spell remnants without them leaking all over your nice life, there are many methods to contain and control magical objects.

All that being said, do I find that keeping hex remnants is actually dangerous? Well, no. I find it to be uncomfortable. They remind of of anger and injustice and all the bad things I felt that made me want to do it in the first place. "Negative vibes" spilling out into your environment isn't dangerous so much as it is a bit icky.

If we take a moment here, we should consider that most probably, the average hex should not be so dangerous that the spent spell remnants are actively generating danger for any random person who comes into contact with them.

I mean... do what you want to other people, I suppose. But if you are casting spells in such a way that they are so powerful and tumultuous that the little blob of burned candle wax or whatever is constantly generating harmful, dangerous effects even within a magically protected household, idk. Probably do just get rid of it at that point. Or try new spellcasting methods. Etc.

On the topic of needing to keep spell remnants so you can continually work over the spell, it's a decent option, but also:

On a personal level I'm not sure why you'd go out of your way to try and harm someone with magic, and then keep the remnants to make sure it's doing the exact kind of harm you want in foreseeable ways. Either get after 'em or don't, you know?

You can still influence and control prior spells you've cast even if you do not have the spell remnants.

Overall I really think that you should just do what makes you comfortable. I don't think you should feel obligated to hold on to hex remnants just because something hypothetically might happen down the road. If things can go to far you can do a reverse uno on your own magic and cast new spells to help.

On the other hand, if you feel like it's a good idea to keep the remnants around, set up a magical situation that safely holds these remnants in "jail" so you don't have to worry about the vibes leaking out into your house.

[None of this takes into account spells that dictate something specific must happen to materia magica, etc.]

[justacriousgirl]

Not everything the Christians do is stolen from some anonymous pagan culture. I'm sorry y'all but the Christians did actually come up with a bunch of shit on their own.

[justacriousgirl]

I've never had a trickster spirit trying to, well, trick me before now. so currently i'm burning some resin bc it's been ages since i cleansed and if that felt comfortable enough to mess with my dreams then it's time lmao, kinda sad bc they were posturing as a deity i really like

[justacriousgirl]

Ancestor Spread

Which ancestors are most supportive and aligned to you?

What is something you do that is deeply healing to your ancestors?

What superpower have you inherited from your ancestors?

Calling upon your most supportive aligned family members, what is something they wish you would stop worrying about?

Calling upon your most supportive aligned family members, what is something they’d most love to help you achieve?

[justacriousgirl]

I think "spreadwork" sounds weird but idk what else to call it

I think a lot of modern tarot spreads assume that the key to a powerful spread is figuring out exactly how to phrase a question, and so the best spreads have the most curated lists of questions.

If we take a spread type people seem to have trouble with - let's go with spirit communication - the take seems to be, "you're just not wording your question correctly," or, "you're just not asking the right questions."

So a spirit communication tarot spread becomes, "here is a list of seven carefully worded questions - draw one card for each."

I'm not denying that learning how to frame questions is an important part of reading tarot.

But I do think it might not be as important as learning how to build spreads that are resilient enough to answer almost any question (within a certain category), even if it's phrased badly.

I think a huge part of tarot (and one that may unfortunately be lost or difficult to obtain with digital decks) is learning, for lack of a better term, "spreadwork" - how the actual placement and designations of the cards are actively involved in adding information to your reading.

When I say "designations" of the cards, here is what I mean:

Some spreads assign a specific question to a card, while other spreads designate what part of your own question a card should answer.

Suppose you would like a reading on your career. If you go to find a premade spread, one of them might look like this:

Card 1: What to focus on in your work life.

Card 2: Your greatest professional strength.

This spread is providing a list of inquiries. You draw one card for each.

However, a different spread may provide designations to respond to a topic of your own choosing, like this:

Card 1: What you are wrong about, or see without clarity.

Card 2: Information you thought was important, but won't end up mattering.

In this second example, we can choose our own specific question, such as, "will this job opportunity work out, or should I start looking for a new job?" And the spread will start giving answers: "When it comes to your job opportunity, what you're wrong about is..."

This is in contrast to the first set, where the questions are provided for you. "Should you seek a new job? Well, your greatest professional strength is being a good listener, does that help?"

And I think as readers, some of that skill - to learn how to assign your own designations - has been lost, superseded by emphasis on learning how to phrase questions.

There are infinite ways to designate a card, but we can consider a few common categories: signifiers; past, present, or future; final outcome; significant details and major theme; subtext and external influences; pitfalls, roadblocks or easiest paths; advice; and a category which I'll call negative cards - "this is not the correct path, this is not the advice to take away from this reading, this is not going to be the outcome."

And then you start to say - okay. I want to work with a signifier. That's my first card. But this spread is about feeling burdened, so when I place my cards, the signifier will be at the "bottom" of the spread.

And I want to know the most major thing blocking me. It's important - I'll put it at the top. One card. But that's not enough detail. So below that I'll have a couple of triads - the details triad, the past/present/future triad, and the "what am I doing wrong?" triad. Now it's an eleven card spread - one signifier, one major theme, and a set of three triads with their own designations.

Then you work with the spread a few times, and it flows okay, but not great. Details are repeated. There's a lot of dead weight on this spread, and the most difficult part to work with is the "what am I doing wrong?" triad.

So now we practice spreadwork (cardwork? idk.). And we take that troublesome triad and make it, "what is my best advice? What am I doing right?"

But of course that doesn't fit with the flow, it's a bunch of support cards in the middle of a blockage spread, so you take that triad out and put it beneath the burdened signifier - and now it's a foundation of support, a solid rock on which to stand.

This is what I mean by learning to work with spreads as a skill regardless of how you phrase the question. At that point, what does it matter if you phrase the question "what is blocking me?" or "what is my greatest blockage?" or "show me what's stopping me from succeeding?"

The question and how it's phrased becomes incidental to learning to work with the flow of information, learning to feel the energetic movement between the cards.

Do you always have to draw clarifiers for a certain card? Examine your designation - what piece of information do you always need to make the reading complete? Then add in a new permanent position to fill that need - "this is my greatest burden (card 1), it specifically exists within this part of my life (card 2)."

There are other aspects to explore also - will you flip over all the cards at once, or just one at a time? Will you lay the cards out in a geometric grid and read the relationships between mirrored pairs? Will you stack cards on top of each other? Will you move and rearrange the cards half-way through the reading to produce something danged awesome?

I'm sure people are getting tired of me ranting about it, but the longer I read, the more I become convinced that the pictures on the card and the book meanings that go along with it take up such a smaller piece of the interpretation pie than I once believed. I now believe that other factors - such as how you choose to organize a spread, and the designations within it - constitute a large part of the information flow within a tarot spread. I think it is somewhat telling that if I want to do a very specific, concise reading, the "card meanings" constitute a minority of information gathering.

[justacriousgirl]

-Tigers Eye-

General

Tiger’s Eye is a stone of protection and was traditionally carried as a talisman against ill wishes and curses. It is both a grounding and uplifting crystal and can encourage feelings of self-worth and confidence in our own abilities. It can promote a positive attitude, assist us in accomplishing our goals and help us to recognise our own talents and abilities.

Tiger’s Eye is said to enhance our own personal power, release blocked creativity, and to bring good luck, prosperity, wealth and success.

Tiger Eye is associated with the area between the Second (Sacral) and Third (Solar Plexus) Chakras. It is used for spiritual healing of issues related to conflicts between emotions and one’s true inner path.

Magic

Energy: Projective Element: Fire Planet: Sun Powers:  Money, Protection & Divination Candle Color: Gold

Ruled by the Sun, the golden flash and liquid movement of Tiger’s Eye in the light of the sun makes it an excellent tool for divination or visionary work. Tiger’s Eye was historically used for protection, especially against dark magic.

To recharge place Tiger’s Eye in the late afternoon sunlight for a few hours.

[source 1] [source 2] [source 3] [photo]

[justacriousgirl]

Dark Tarot card combinations ⚠️

By : kalki-tarot 🤍

Hello everyone ♡ i hope you're alright and doing well. This post focuses on tarot card combinations which are common while doing spreads. So, I'm here to give you some insight on that. This may not resonate with everyone as it's my personal interpretation of cards. Thank you ✨️

1. The chariot + 10 Of swords

This can represent an accident which may lead to death or can be proved fatal. The chariot represent a vehicle with high speed and 10 of swords represents getting hurt and blood shed.

2. The Emperor rx and The Devil

This can mean a dominating and powerful individual who misuses their power to harm others. Probably can be a psychopath. This interprets as misuse of power and dominating toxic nature.

3. The tower & 10 of Swords

The tower literally represents a building falling out of place & destruction and 10 of swords means getting hurt. This may mean an earthquake or natural calamity that destroys people and building. This can also mean a war.

4. The devil & The moon

This can represent an unavoidable confrontation with your shadow side or your deepest and darkest aspects. You need to shed some light on your inner demons or toxic behavior. Break the chains by confronting them bravely.

5. The devil & the magician

This tarot combination can represent black magic or using your divine powers or knowledge to harm others.

6. 3 of Swords & 9 of swords

This may indicate a trauma which leads to many mental health problems. Or even a heartbreak which caused very deep and heavy emotional outburst.

[justacriousgirl]

Divination Masterpost

Tarot

"A Huge Tarot Masterpost" info

"Four Ways To Read Tarot Reversals" interpretation

"Tarot Tips" info

"Yes/No Tips" interpretation

"The Ultimate Yes/No Tarot Guide" interpretation

"Tarot & Oracle Spreads" spreads

"Tarot Technique: Dominant Energy" info

"Tarot Basics" info

"Tarot & Oracle Spreads Masterpost" spreads

"Tarot Tips For Beginners" info

"How To Read Tarot For Yourself" info

"How To Get The Most Out Of A General Spread" info

"How To Achieve Truthful Tarot Readings" info

"How To Get Yourself Back Into Tarot/To Do More Tarot" info

"Introduction To Tarot" info

"How & When To Cleanse Your Tarot Cards" info

"Tarot Card Meanings Masterpost" interpretation

"Tarot Major Arcana" info

Other Divination Methods

"Divination101: Pendulums" info

"Pendulum Basics" info

"Pendulum Tips" info

"Introduction To Cartomancy" info

"Cartomancy ABC Guide" info

"Types Of Divination" info

"Windvexer's Divination Masterpost" info

"Divination Masterpost" info

"Another Divination Masterpost" info

"How To Do Shufflemancy" info

"How To Make & Read Your Own Osteomancy Set" article link info

"How To Read Playing Cards" info & interpretation

"Playing Card Suit Meanings" interpretation

"Quick Reference For Cartomancy" interpretation

"Major Differences: Tarot vs. Playing Cards" info

"Major Arcana For Playing Cards" info

"When To Consult Divination" tip

"Osteomancy Masterpost" list

"Scrying: Witchcraft 101" info

[justacriousgirl]

Localizing Your Practice

So much witchcraft emphasizes how important it is to honor and work with the Earth, but then teaches us spells with ingredients we basically have to import using locations we don’t have access to. It’s rare to find an existing grimoire or guide book that actually works with where we live. We can still use them, but it doesn’t enhance our connection to our local land, which to many can feel important. Here are some tips for localizing your practice and working with the land you actually live on.

See what nature exists around you. Explore your own backyard with a critical eye. What plants can you actually go and pick yourself? What are those plants associated with? Do you have access to a creek or river? What does your local land actually have on it? If magic correspondences for your local plants haven’t been written about, you may have to do your own research. Example: I grow several plants on my back porch which I can potentially use for magic.There are magnolia trees and rhodedendrons on the grounds of my apartment complex. My parent’s neighbors have chickens in the backyard, so I have access to some feathers when they shed. 

Check out local folklore, legends, etc. This is one of my favorite parts, but can also be the hardest. What are the stories of your area, both on a local and cultural scale. Example: A West Virginian may incorporate legends of the Mothman. Everyone says that one building on my old college campus is haunted (and they’re right.) People talk about that liminal-space feeling when you drive down that one road at night.

Find the magic spots. Sometimes the urban legends will tip you off to these (usually in a bad way) but other times you can find them on your own. A place where the energy is just right for some reason. A place you can go to be closer to nature, or a place you could host a ritual if needed. Sometimes it’s just a place where you can feel your mind open a little bit. Example: The shady corner of a public park. The tunnel downtown. That weirdly-perfect circle of trees in the woods behind Wal-Mart.

Meet your land wights. Spirits of the local land. This could be the fair folk, but also house spirits, the spirits of the trees near you, the nature spirits of wherever you are. They’re there. Be good to them and they’ll be good to you! Note: Some spirits and wights will not be interested in working with you, and that’s okay. I generally think it’s good to at least leave a polite offering to just be on general decent terms even if you never work with them more directly beyond that. 

Check in with your Seasons. Harvest holidays generally don’t have actual lifestyle importance to most people reading this. The seasonal shifts other people write about may be from a very different climate than yours! Figure out a calendar that works for you. It doesn’t have to be detailed, but something that ties you to the seasons as you actually experience them. I also love working in any fun annual festivals nearby, if any.

[justacriousgirl]

A little Appalachian Folk Magic

1. Bottle trees are used in Appalachian areas to keep spirits from roaming free on your lands.

2. Shards of mirrors into glass mason jars placed in your window sill keep out spirits and negative energies. it should all be Blessed and spelled.

3. Crosses made from a briar bush hung on a front door keeps evil at bay

4. Black pepper around the base of your home keeps people away.

5. Wishbones with your name on it and a string inter twined and buried in your front lawn confuses spells pointed at you.

6. Rose’s and Rosemary burned in your home brings hope and peace into your home.

7. Write your Enemies name down on a red parchment paper and keep tying it into a knotted ball to keep them bound from doing harm to you.

8. Three arrows buried in the true center of your property keep tornados at bay.

9. john the conqueror root wrapped in a purple silk placed under your bed keeps out bad dreams.

(This is all from my family line that was taught to me i just wanted to share with others that come from the same background as my family.)

[justacriousgirl]

I always knew there was a reason why i was obsessed with Rue😂 Happy Leo Season Bitches sometimes it really is all about me😜🙄😂

#leoseason #zodiacleo #leoqueen #herbsforleo #leosunsign #herbs #apothecary

[justacriousgirl]

Kitchen Staples and Their Properties

If you're any kind of kitchen user, there are a few things that are usually present. Things like bread, cheese, beans, and vinegar are all things that many kitchens keep in stock. So, here is a list of some staples you may have in your kitchen, and what they mean.

Bread: health, abundance, the hearth, kindship

Beans: wisdom in choices, luck, money, divination, prosperity

Butter: peace, friendships/relationships, spirituality

Cheese: goal completion, happiness, moon magic, health

Eggs: feminine/goddess magic, fertility, mysticism

Honey: joy, love, sex, wisdom, lust, purification, health

Milk (Cow's): feminine parenthood/guidance, love, sustenance, spirituality,

Rice: fertility, protection, luck, money, growth

Salt: purification, protection, grounding, cleansing

Sugar: banishing negativity, love, affection, invoking kindness/sweetness

White Vinegar: cleansing, purification, protection

Adding some things together melds their properties! Cooking in butter for your friends can strengthen your relationships with them, and baking bread can bring abundance into your home.

As always, do your research, practice safely, and blessed be!

Support your local witch on Ko-Fi!

[justacriousgirl]

A practitioner of Afro-Brazilian religion Tereco by Marcio Vasconcelos