lilianasgrimoire

[lilianasgrimoire]

The Witch and the Moon

— by majara__

[lilianasgrimoire]

Do u have an etsy account?

Not at the moment! I used to sell tarot readings & my own spell recipes that I tried and tested (and worked!) As well as small jars. But I never got any sales through etsy so I closed my shop :(

[lilianasgrimoire]

to my low energy and low spoons witches/pagans/practitioners:

don’t beat yourself up if you don’t have the time or energy to do any workings for the first of the month. not being able to do any new month rituals doesn’t make you any less of a practitioner. also i love you and hope you have a lovely month regardless of what you can or cannot do :)

[lilianasgrimoire]

Herb Correspondences - S-Z

Sage - Used for self-purification and cleansing.  Helps grief and loss. Healing and protection also increase wisdom.   Element Air. 

Sandalwood - Burn during protection, healing, and exorcism spells.  Aids luck and success, meditation and divination. Raises a high spiritual vibration. Element Water. 

Skullcap - Aids in love, fidelity and peace.  Increases harmony. Element Water. 

Sea Salt - Use to cleanse crystals and tools.  For purification, grounding and protection.  Supports ritual work. Absorbs negativity and banishes evil.  Element Earth & Water.  

Sheep's Purse - Prosperity, protection and healing. Element Earth. 

Sheep Sorrel - Carry to protect against heart disease. Cleansing and increases luck.  Use in faery magic. Element Earth. 

St. John's Wort - Worn to prevent colds & fevers.  Induces prophetic and romantic dreams. Protects against hexes and black witchcraft.  Increases happiness. Use in Solar Magic. Element Fire. 

Star Anise - Consecration, purification, and happiness.  Use for curse breaking or increasing luck. Burn to increase psychic awareness.   Element Fire.  

Strawberry Leaf - Attracts success, good fortune, and favorable circumstances. Increases love and aids pregnancy. Element Water. 

Sunflower - Energy, protection, and power.  Aids wisdom and brings about wishes.  Use in fertility magic. Element Fire. 

Sweet Cicely - Use during rituals for the dead or dying.  It helps with divination and the contact of the spirit.  It is sacred to the Goddess’ of death. Element Earth. 

Sweetwood - See Cinnamon.   

Tansy - See Agrimony.  

Tarragon - Increases self-confidence.  Use in Dragon magic. Aids healing after abusive situations.   Element Fire. 

Tea Leaves - Use for courage or strength. In tea for increasing lust. Burn leaves to ensure future riches.  Element Air. 

Thistle - See Blessed Thistle.  

Thyme - Attracts loyalty, affection, and love. Increases good luck and psychic power.  Drink tea to aid sleep. Element Air.  

Valerian - Also called Graveyard dust. Aids sleep is calming and is a sedative.  Quietens emotions. Supports protection and love. Element Water. 

Vervain - Strengthen other herbs. Helps, peace, love and happiness.  Burn the leaves to attract wealth and keep your youth. Increases chastity also.  Element Water. 

Verbena - Psychic protection, peace and purification.  Healing and helps depression. Increases beauty and love.  Mind opening and clearing. Ideal use for exams. Element Earth.  

Violet - See Heart’s Ease.  

White Willow Bark - Use in lunar magic.  Reduces negativity and removes evil forces and hexes.  Used for healing spells. Element Water. 

Willow - Used for lunar magic, drawing or strengthening love, healing, and overcoming sadness.  Element Water. 

Witches Grass - Happiness, lust, love, and exorcism. Reverses hexes.  Element Earth.  

Wood Betony - Use for purification, protection, and the expulsion of evil spirits and nightmares.  Draws love in your direction. Element Fire. 

Woodruff - Victory, protection, and money.  Element Air. 

Wormwood - Used to remove anger, stop war, inhibit violent acts, and for protection. Use in clairvoyance, to summon spirits, or to enhance divinatory abilities. Element Earth. 

Yarrow - Healing, calming and increases love. Used in handfasting & weddings.  Increases psychic power and divination. Gives courage when needed. Element Air. 

[lilianasgrimoire]

Herb Correspondences - M-R

Mandrake - Spell strengthener. Use for protection, happiness and wealth.  It aids money multiplying. Element Earth. 

Marigold - See Calendula. 

Marjoram - Use for cleansing, purification, and dispelling negativity.  Also aids grief and sadness. Element Air. 

Marshmallow Flower - Cleansing, protection, love, sex and fertility. Used in handfasting's. Elements Water. 

Marshmallow Root - Protection and psychic powers.  Use in tea to aid sore throats. Handfasting herbs and cleansing.  Element Water.  

Meadowsweet - Used to increase the chances of getting a job. Helps peace, love and happiness.  Aids divination. Element Air. 

Mint - Promotes energy, communication and vitality, protection and draws custom. Element Air. 

Mistletoe - Also called Witches Broom. Used for fertility, creativity, and protection from negative spells & magic. Hang at handfasting to kiss beneath and promote peace. Element Air. 

Mountain Ash Berry - Also called Rowan Berry. Strong fairy and Goddess connections. Aids protection and meditation help to clear the mind. Element Fire.  

Motherwort - Mother’s Herb. Love and fertility. Grounding helps against bad luck. Protection and good fortune. Element Fire. 

Mug wort - Use for strength, protection and healing. Mug wort amplifies magic. Aids astral projection, and psychic power.   Element Earth.  

Mullein - Represents the crossroads.  Offers protection from nightmares & hexing.  It attracts love and keeps evil energies and spirits at bay.  Element Fire. 

Mustard Seed - Courage, faith, and endurance. It is a good luck amulet. Aids mental power and offers protection.  Element Fire. 

Myrrh - Spiritual, meditation, and healing. Supports youthfulness and protection.  Luck and peace. Element Earth.  

Nasturtium - Banishing and releasing fear.  It helps create your own reality. Aids creativity and independence.  Element Air. 

Nettle - Uses include dispelling darkness & fear, and curse breaking. Healing and protection and increase lust in partners. Renewal.  Element Fire. 

Nutmeg - Magical uses include attracting money/prosperity, and luck.  Use for fortune telling and when you need favorable decisions to be made. Element Fire. 

Oak - Connected to Litha and the most sacred of all trees.  Oak supports success, good luck and healing. Stability and potency and attract money.  Element Water. 

Orange Peel & Flower- Attracts abundance, luck.  Love and happiness strengthen divination.  Element Fire. 

Oregano - Aids astral projection, health, and vitality.  Increase joy and justice and protect against evil.  Use at Handfasting's. Element Air. 

Parsley - Use this herb to help with contacting the dead. Increases strength, vitality and passion.  It is uplifting and helps spiritual growth. Element Air.  

Passionflower - Attracts friendship and passion. Calming, peace and instills passion into stale relationships. Good for house blessings too.  Element Water. 

Patchouli - Used in spells for connecting with spirits. Money attracts increases fertility and lust. Calming and peaceful.  Element Earth.  

Pennyroyal - Use for peace, harmony and tranquility. Carry to avoid seasickness or for physical strength & endurance. Element Earth. 

Peppermint - Use for headaches and other forms of healing. Increases sleep and love.  Use for increasing psychic power and divination. Element Air. 

Pilewort - See Celandine.  

Pine/Needles - Prosperity and success.  Protection, purification and divination. Throw it in the fire to dispel negativity. Use in house and business blessings.  Element Fire. 

Plantain - Increases fertility and libido.  Healing, protective and offers strength.  Use to have power over supernatural events. Element Earth. 

Poppy Seeds - Pleasure, love and luck.  Aids sleep and insomnia. Use in astral projection and flying magic.  Increases fertility and happiness. Element Water.  

Pumpkin Seed - Use in lunar magic to honor the moon.  Also healing and increases divination. Element Fire. 

Raspberry Leaf - Used for healing, protection, love. Raspberry leaf not to be eaten by pregnant women until due date, as it induces labor. Helps to reduce the pain involved in childbirth. Supports sleep, dreams and love.  Element Water. 

Red Clover - Aids success, love and money.  Increases fidelity. Use in exorcism.  Element Air. 

Rose - Use for divination, increased psychic power, love, lust and healing. It helps strengthen close friendships. Place it around sprains and bruises to help them heal faster.  Element Water. 

Rose Hips - Used in healing spells or to bring good luck and invoking good spirits. Aids stronger love.  Element Water. 

Rosemary - Use in healing poppets and love/lust spells.  Improves memory. Increases sleep, mental power and protection. Burn to help purification and remove negativity. Associated with faery magic.  Element Fire. 

Rowan - See Mountain Ash.  

Rue - Use in healing, health and love.  Also, protection against the evil eye.  Increases mental power and clarity of the mind. Used in exorcism.  Element Fire. 

[lilianasgrimoire]

Herbs & Correspondences G-L

Galangal Root - Also called Lo John the Conqueror or Lo John. Carry into legal proceedings to help win. Money, gambling and hex breaking.  Also aids luck and psychic development. Element Fire. 

Garlic - Magical uses include speed, health and endurance, also protection, exorcism and purification. Use also to promote your inner strength.  Element Fire. 

Gentian - Increases spell power. Good luck and works well in love & romance spells. Element Fire. 

Ginger - Increases magic power. Success, love, money and power.  Element Fire. 

Ginseng - Promotes love, beauty, healing and lust.  Element Fire. 

Hawthorn Wood- Associated with Beltane. Magical uses include chastity, fertility, fairy magic, fishing magic, and rebirth.  Success in career, work, and employment. Use it to work with the fae. Used in weddings and handfasting's to increase fertility. Element Water.  Hawthorne Berries aid chastity. Hope, protection and happiness. Element Fire.  

Hearts Ease - Also called Violet.  It helps to mend a broken heart. Aids rebirth, peace, wishes and luck.  Calms the nerves and promotes peace and tranquility. Element Water.  

Hemlock - Use to paralyze a situation and a funeral herb. Highly Toxic.  Element Water.   

Henbane - Dried leaves are used in the consecration of ceremonial vessels. Used in love sachets and charms to gain the love of the person desired. Highly Toxic. Element Water.  

Hibiscus - Attracting love and lust.  Use in divination. Associated with lunar magic.  Element Water. 

High John - (The Conqueror) An "all purpose" herb.  Use it for strength, confidence, conquering any situation.  Good luck, prosperity and protection. Element Fire.   

Holly Hock - Protecting, all Fairy magic, abundance, personal growth and aids passing. Related to Lammas. Element Earth. 

Horehound - Protective against evil doings. Helps with mental clarity during ritual; stimulates creativity/inspiration; balances personal energies and healing.  Element Earth.  

Horsetail - Use for strength and resolve. Protection, cleansing and clearing unwanted emotions.  Element Earth. 

Hyssop - Used for purification.  Banishing, protection and healing.  Element Fire. 

Irish Moss - Used for luck. Ideal for gamblers!  Attracts money and customers for self-employed. Offers protection. Element Water 

Ivy - Protection, healing and fertility.  Use for love and hang at handfasting's.  Element Fire. 

Jasmine - The herb of attraction.  Helps prophetic dreaming, money and love. Element Water. 

Juniper - See Cedar berries.  

Lady's Mantle - Aphrodisiac and transmutation. Use in love spells and those of fertility.  Increases magic power in spells and connects with fairy lore. Element Water. 

Laurel- See Bay leaf. 

Lavender - Magical uses include healing, sleep and peace. It also promotes chastity and love. Increases longevity of life, tranquility and happiness.  Element Air. 

Lemon Balm - Also called Melissa. Love, success and healing.  Aids psychic/spiritual development. Supports mental health disorders and compassion. Element Water.     

Lemon Grass - Psychic cleansing and opening.  Use in lust potions and when using Dragon Magic.  Element Air.  

Licorice Root - Love, lust, and fidelity. Also attracts passion. Element Water. 

Lilac - Wisdom, memory, good luck and spiritual aid.  Element Water. 

Linden Flower - Wisdom, justice, love and protection. Element Air. 

Lime Tree Leaf - Healing, calm and love.  Aids strength and tranquility.  Element Air. 

Little John - See Galangal root. 

Lungwort - Use in air magic or as an offering to the Gods of air.  Offers safe travel when flying. Element Air.  

[lilianasgrimoire]

Herbs & Correspondences A-F

This is going to be a looonnnnnggg post, I have gotten all the herbs I can find/remember the correspondences of herbs in alphabetical order, so I might actually break it down into sections and link them on each post at the top.

Acorn - Good luck, personal power, protection and wisdom. Dried acorns are a natural amulet for youthfulness. Associated with Litha. Element water. 

Agrimony - Shielding and hex-breaking, aids sleep, brings luck towards you and is powerful in spell reversal.  Element Air. 

Alder - Helps you to face up to things you are avoiding, divination, teaching especially anything arty and weather magic. Element Fire. 

Alfalfa - Money, prosperity and a happy home, also anti-hunger. Generosity and luck.  Element Earth. 

Allspice - Draws money and business success.  Aids compassion, luck and healing. Element Fire.   

Angelica - Also called Archangel. It is a very powerful protection herb, healing, creates harmony and courage and helps in exorcisms.  Aids vision. Element Air. 

Apple - Garden magic, love, healing and wisdom, also vanity, marriage and beauty. Associated Mabon & Samhain. Element water. 

Ash - Spells relating to the sea, protection, and luck. Make your Yule log from ash and burn to bring prosperity. Yggdrasil was an Ash tree.  Element water. 

Basil - Also called witch's herb. Use in spells for Love, exorcism, wealth, sympathy, and protection. Associated with Imbolc. Aids astral projection. Element Fire. 

Bay Leaf - Protection, success, purification, strength, wisdom and healing, also increases psychic powers. Element Fire. 

Beech - Happiness, inspiration and divination. Represents the Green Man.  Element Air. 

Belladonna - Also Called: Deadly Nightshade. Toxic. Use for forgetting past loves. Protection, beauty and original flying ointments. Adds energy to rituals.   Element Water. 

Benzoin - Purification, prosperity, and helps to soothe tension by dispelling anger and lessening irritability, de stressing, helps depression, concentration and astral projection. Element Air.  

Bergamot - Money, prosperity and sleep.  Protects from both evil and illness. Good luck and wealth. Increases magical power.  Element Fire.  

Birch - Protection, exorcism and purification. Dispels lightning, infertility, and the evil eye. Associated with Yule. Element Water.  

Black Pepper - Banishing negativity, exorcism, and offers protection and help with inner strength.  Element Fire  

Blackthorn - Exorcisms, warding off negative spirits and general protection.  Associated with Samhain. Element Earth.  

Bladderwrack - Protection, sea and wind spells, attracts money, psychic powers, and customers to your business. Element Water. 

Blessed Thistle - or Holy Thistle. Purification, protection against negativity and evil, hex breaking and aids vitality.  Carry on you for strength and protection. Element Earth. 

Blueberry - Protection of children, keeps evil out, and strengthens the aura.  Associated with the Great Spirit. Element Water. 

Borage Flower - Self Courage, peace, calm, self-love and strength. Element Air. 

Burdock - Also called Beggar’s buttons. Used for cleansing magic and warding off negativity. Protection, healing and persistence spells.  Element Water.  

Calendula - Also called Marigold. It attracts success and justice in legal matters. Increases psychic/spiritual powers and aid prophetic dreams. Dispels negativity.  Element Fire.   

Cardamom - Lust, love, and fidelity. Sweetens the personality   Use in handfasting's. Element Water.  

Carnation - Protection, strength, healing, enhancing magical powers, and achieving balance.   Element Fire.  

Catnip - Also called Nepeta. Use when working with animals.  Draws love, luck and happiness, also used in beauty magic.  Associated with Bast. Element Water. 

Cedarwood - Luck, strength and power.  It helps increase money and protection. Also healing.    Associated with Mabon. Element Earth. 

Cedar Berries - Also Called: Juniper Berries.  Protective, cleansing and repels negativity very well. Used in healing rites.  Element Fire.  

Celandine - Cures depression, treats piles, improves circulation. Brings about Joy and happiness. Solar Magic.  Element Fire. 

Chamomile - Love, sleep, protection and purification, also reduce stress.  Use for meditation work and to attract money. Solar Magic. Element Water. 

Chervil - Helps healing, flatulence and superstition.  It is considered the herb for bringing in new life.  Element Water.  

Chickweed - Also called Witches Grass. Use in moon spells. Also good for animal magic, relationships, love and fertility. Element Water.  

Chili - Fidelity, love and passion.  Also hex breaking. Element Fire.  

Cinnamon - Also called Sweet Wood. Use for Solar magic.  Meditation and astral projection. Increases spirituality, success, healing, protection, power, luck, strength, and prosperity. Element Fire.  

Clover, Red - Also called Trefoil. used in any spells relating to marriage, love, lust and fidelity. Success is linked to money.  Element Air.  

Clove - Use to protect, banish negative forces, and divination.  It also helps with any teeth spells. Aids money and draws love.  Element Fire.  

Coltsfoot - Aids wealth.  Works with peace, tranquility, prosperity, and love. Associated with Brighid. Element Water. 

Comfrey - Also called Slippery Root.  Supports magic healing and safe travel. Use for money, endurance and stability spells. Element Water. 

Coriander - Love, lust and health.  Used as an aphrodisiac and to heal migraines. Brings peace & protection to the home. Element Fire.   

Cornflower - Used primarily as an Ink for your Book of Shadows. It is the patron herb of herbalists. Use in rituals to give honor to the mother of all nature, also connected to Rainbow and Crystal children.  Element Earth. 

Cumin - Fidelity, protection, and exorcism.  Also used in love spells and food which can also promote fidelity.  Element Earth   

Cypress - Associated with death and mourning; stimulates healing and helps overcome the pain of loss.  Other properties include self-esteem, protection, love and banishing nightmares. Element Earth. 

Damiana - Lust, sex magic and attracting love. It is thought to be an aphrodisiac. Use for astral projection and spirit quests.  Element Fire. 

Dandelion Leaf - Used to summon spirits, make wishes on, healing, purification and defeating negativity.  Element Air.  

Dandelion Root - Magical uses include divination, wishes and calling spirits. It also enhances dreams and works well in astral projection. Element Air. 

Dock Root- (Yellow). Used to release baggage no longer needed. Also, fertility, healing and money magic. Clears blockages and cuts bindings.  Solar Magic. Element Air. 

Echinacea - Adds a boost to clairvoyant and psychic abilities. Adds powerful strength to spells used in money drawing magic, fertility and abundance and provides the user with protective power. Element Earth. 

Elder Tree - Sleep, releasing enchantments, protection against negativity, banishing. 

Elderflower & Berry - Peace, protection, and healing, plus aids in exorcisms.  Element Water.  

Elm - Energizes the mind and balances the heart. Aids love spells and offer protection from lightning. Element Water. 

Evening Primrose - Ideal for moon magic. Also use in love charms and to attract fae.  Element Water.  

Eyebright - Increases mental power, psychic ability and inner vision.  Element Air.  

Fennel Seed - Helps with meditation.  Healing, purifying and protection.  Also linked with new motherhood and offers inner strength. Element Air.  

Feverfew - Aids poor health.  Protection against accidents when travelling and protection when working with spirit.  Carry on you for inner strength. Element Water. 

Flax Seed - Also called Linseed. Used for money spells and healing rituals. It helps with beautiful spells and offers protection.  Element Fire. 

Fleawort - Healing, Cleansing, strength and power. The Goddess' herbs. Element Earth. 

Frankincense Resin - Use in solar magic. Associated with Beltane, Lammas, and Yule. Use in rituals and magic associated with self-control, spirituality and protection.  Also regulates emotions and helps depression. Element Earth  

Fumitory - Associated with the underworld and used at Samhain. Linked to spells for monetary gain, consecration and protection. Element Earth.  

[lilianasgrimoire]

Every Pagan Holiday

JANUARY 

KALENDS 

1st January 

Origins: Ancient Greece/Rome 

Observed by: Hellenic/Roman polytheists 

Honouring Janus/Juno, first day of the Year. Kalends brought us the word 'calendar'. 

ÞORRABLÓT (THORRABLÓT) 

End of January/beginning of February 

Origins: Iceland 

Observed by: Heathens, Asatru 

Midwinter Festival honouring Thor, usually by feasting and poetry. 

FEBRUARY 

IMBOLC 

2nd February 

Origins: Celtic polytheism /Ireland, as St. Brigid's Day 

Observed by: Most neopagans, Wiccans, Druids, Asatru (as Charming of the Plow)  

Imbolc is the most widely known and observed pagan holiday in the months of January and February. It falls at the beginning of spring/end of the winter for the Celtic peoples; marking the changing of the seasons, as most holidays do. St. Brigid is a Christianised form of or inspired by the Celtic fertility goddess Brigid who is celebrated on this day.  

PARENTALIA 

13th-21st February 

Origins: Ancient Rome 

Observed by: Greco-Roman polytheists 

Translating to 'Ancestors Day', Parentalia is a nine-day celebration of deceased ancestors. Historically it was observed by feasting and making offerings and sacrifices to the dead and spirits of the underworld.  

VÁLI'S BLOT 

14th February 

Origins: Old Norse 

Observed by: Heathens, Asatru, Norse polytheists 

Váli's Blot is considered by some Asatru to be the Norse equivalent of Valentine's Day but is widely acknowledged as a season changing festival. A day for marriage and celebrating with family and friends, and for remembrance of Váli, the son of Odin who defeated Höðr on this day.  

LUPERCALIA 

15th February 

Origins: Ancient Rome 

Observed by: Greco-Roman polytheists 

Festival thought to honour a wolf who raised abandoned princes, celebrated originally by sacrificing goats to the gods, feasting, and, for fertility, nudity and fornication. 

LESSER ELEUSINIAN MYSTERIES 

17th-23rd February 

Origins: Ancient Greece 

Observed by: Hellenic polytheists 

Initiation to the cult of Persephone and Demeter by sacrificing a pig. Prelude to Greater Mysteries, initiations held on these dates. Once completed, initiates could then move onto Greater Mysteries in the autumn.  

ANTHESTERIA 

27th February - 1st March 2021 

Origins: Ancient Greece 

Observed by: Hellenic polytheists 

Athenian festivals dedicated to Dionysus and the dead. Held around the full moon in the month of Anthesterion, which in the Gregorian calendar this year roughly translates to 27th February. 

THE DISTING/DÍSABLÓT 

End of February/beginning of March 

Origins: Uppsala, Sweden 

Observed by: Heathens, Asatru, Norse polytheists 

Celebration of Valkyries and other female spirits, called dísir. Sacrifices were made for a good harvest. Celebrated still by an annual market in Sweden.  

MARCH 

KALENDS 

1st March 

Origins: Ancient Greece/Rome 

Observed by: Hellenic/Roman polytheists 

Honouring the god Mars/Ares. Kalends brought us the word 'calendar'. 

OSTARA/EARRACH 

20th March 

Origins: Anglo Saxon paganism, popularised as Ostara by Wicca 

Observed by:  Anglo Saxon Pagans, Wiccans, Neopagans, Druids (as Alba Eilir), Heathens (as Summer Finding), Ásatrú (as Sigrblót)  

The northern hemisphere's vernal equinox, the word Ostara was introduced though Wicca and named for the goddess Eostre. Surprisingly unrelated to Easter in all but name, Ostara symbolises the beginning of spring. As a seasonal holiday it is widely celebrated by many different groups of pagans.  

RAGNAR LODBROK'S DAY 

28th March 

Origins: Icelandic Sagas 

Observed by: Ásatrú  

Day of remembrance for Ragnar Lodbrok, Viking King of legend  

APRIL 

KALENDS/VENERALIA 

1st April 

Origins: Ancient Greece/Rome 

Observed by: Hellenic/Roman polytheists 

Celebration of the first of the month, this one honouring the goddess, Venus. 

REMEMBRANCE FOR HAAKON SIGURDSSON 

9th April 

Origins: Norway, C9th 

Observed by: Ásatrú 

Day of remembrance for ruler of Norway who claimed lineage to Odin in the Icelandic Sagas.  

WALPURGISNACHT 

30th April 

Origins: German Christianity, originally Saint Walpurga was known for banishing witches and other pests 

Observed by: LaVeyan Satanists 

Anton LaVey chose to celebrate this holiday as a follow up to the spring equinox and due to its past association with witchcraft.  

HEXENNACHT (WITCHES' NIGHT) 

30th April 

Origins: German folklore, as Walpurgisnacht but witches were alleged to convene with the devil in this night 

Observed by: Temple of Satan as 'a solemn holiday to honour those who were victimized by superstition'.  

MAY 

BEALTAINE/BELTANE 

1st May 

Origins: Celtic (Ireland/Scotland/Isle of Man)  

Observed by: Wiccans, Neopagans, Celtic reconstructionist, Ásatrú/Heathens (as May Day)  

One of the more well-known pagan festivals, Beltane is a festival of fire and the beginning of the summer. Also widely referred to as May Day, it is celebrated by lighting fires.  

KALENDS 

1st May 

Origins: Ancient Greece/Rome 

Observed by: Hellenic/Roman polytheists 

Honouring the goddess Maia, for whom the month may have been named.  

REMEMBRANCE FOR Guðröðr of Guðbrandsdál 

9th May 

Origins: C11 Norway, Icelandic Sagas 

Observed by: Ásatrú, Norse, heathens 

Guðröðr had his tongue removed by Óláfr for rebelling against violent conversion from Norse paganism to Christianity.  

JUNE 

KALENDS 

1st June 

Origins: Ancient Greece/Rome 

Observed by: Hellenic/Roman polytheists 

Anniversary of temples to Juno Moneta (protectress of money, her temple was where coins were made), Mars/Ares (God of war), and the Tempestates (goddesses of storms).  

ARRHEPHORIA 

3rd Skirophorion (translates to mid-June)  

Origins: Ancient Greece 

Observed by: Hellenic reconstructionist 

Feast in celebration of Athena and fertility.  

MIDSUMMER/SUMMER SOLSTICE 

21st June 

Origins: Agricultural holiday/longest day observed for centuries by many civilisations. Christianity can date to as early as C4th 

Observed by: Wiccans/Germanic neopagans (as Litha), Asatru/Heathens, Druids (as Alban Hefin)  

One of the main four holidays in the Wheel of the Year and popularised by Wiccans and neopagans as Litha which is taken from the Anglo-Saxon words for June/July, this is the longest day of the year and the middle point and sometimes considered the beginning of summer.  

JULY 

REMEMBRANCE FOR UNNR/AUD THE DEEP MINDED 

9th July 

Origins: C9th Iceland 

Observed by: Ásatrú, Heathens, Norse reconstructionist 

Aud was a traveller in the 9th century moving between Dublin, the Hebrides, Orkney, and finally Iceland following the deaths of her husband and son. This day is to honour her memory.  

HERACLEIA 

July/August  

Origins: Ancient Greece 

Observed by: Hellenic polytheists  

Festival dedicated to Heracles the demigod and his death, involving feasting and celebration.  

AUGUST 

LUGHNASADH/LAMMAS 

1st August 

Origins: Celtic Britain (Ireland, Scotland, Isle of Man) 

Observed by: Wiccans, Neopagans, Christians (as Lammas), Ásatrú (as Freyfaxi)  

Named for the god Lugh, this festival is one of the Celtic harvest festivals and marks the beginning of the harvesting months. It was celebrated by climbing mountains, bull sacrifice, offerings, and feasting. Handfasting is commonplace with Wiccans in modern times.  

REMEMBRANCE FOR REDBAD, KING OF THE FRISIANS 

9th August 

Origins: C7th Frisia (area of Germany/Netherlands)  

SEPTEMBER 

NOUMENIA 

8th September  

Origins: Ancient Greece 

Observed by: Hellenic polytheists 

Celebration of new Hellenic lunar month. Offerings of honey and incense made to household deities.  

REMEMBRANCE FOR HERMANN THE CHERUSCAN 

9th September 

Origins: C9th CE 

Observed by: Heathens, Ásatrú 

Hermann the Cheruscan, also known as Arminius of the Cherusci tribe, led the defeat against the Romans at the Battle of Teutoburg Forest and is lauded for saving Eastern Germanic peoples from being conquered by the Roman Empire.  

AUTUMN EQUINOX (NORTHERN HEMISPHERE)  

22nd September  

Origins: 1970s neopaganism 

Observed by: Wiccans and Neopagans (as Mabon), Ásatrú (as Winter Finding)  

Named Mabon by prominent Wicca and Neopagan Aidan Kelly, after the Welsh mythological figure Mabon ap Moldron, the autumn equinox is one of the harvest festivals and marks the beginning of autumn in the northern hemisphere. Mabon is a relatively new pagan holiday not based on any specific historical festival, but traditionally people around the world would celebrate some kind of harvest festival around the end of September/beginning of October. 

OCTOBER 

PYANOPSIA 

7th October 

Origins: Ancient Greece 

Observed by: Hellenic polytheists 

Pyanopsia, or Pyanepsia, is a festival to honour Apollo, one of the most important deities, God of music, the sun, knowledge, healing, and archery - amongst other things. During the festival, two special offerings would be placed on doorways and carried to the temple. These offerings were a bean stew, and an olive branch wrapped in wool with honeys, pastries and seasonal fruits hanging from it. 

REMEMBRANCE FOR LEIF EIRIKSSON 

9th October  

Origins: C10th CE 

Observed by: Heathens, Ásatrú, Norse pagans 

Remembrance for Leif and his sister Freydís Eiríksdóttir, children of Erik the Red, who are cited with being the first Norse explorers in North America.  

THESMOPHORIA 

12th-14th October 

Origins: Ancient Greece 

Observed by: Hellenic polytheists 

Festival held in honour of Demeter Thesmophoros, goddess of agriculture, and her daughter Persephone, goddess of death and life, Queen of the Underworld. Celebrated primarily by women, this festival is linked with fertility, and we know very little about it due to its secretive rites. It is thought that it involved the sacrifice of pigs (although some sources say women), and abstinence.  

REMEMBRANCE FOR ERIK THE RED 

28th October 

Origins: C9th CE 

Observed by: Heathens, Ásatrú, Norse pagans 

Erik the Red, probably named for the colour of his hair and beard, was the first permanent European settler in Greenland. His children were explorers too, who went to America, and although his wife converted to Christianity, Erik remained faithful to his Norse pagan gods. 

SAMHAIN (HALLOWE'EN) 

31st October-1st November  

Origins: Gaelic - Scotland, Ireland, Isle of Man 

Observed by: Celtic pagans, Neopagans, Wiccans 

Pronounced SOW-in (sow rhyming with cow), Samhain was originally a harvest festival marking the beginning of winter. The day itself is the 1st November, but celebrations begin on October 31st, and this has become the accepted associated day. It's a festival of the dead, where the síthe, fae and spirits, can enter this realm from their own. Wiccans talk of a 'veil' thinning, meaning the boundary between worlds. Similar death related festivals around this time can be noted in other faiths from across the globe, and of course in the modern Hallowe'en. 

WINTER NIGHTS (VETRNAETR), ÁLFABLÓT/DÍSABLÓT 

31st October 

Origins: 

Celebrated by: Heathens, Ásatrú, Norse pagans 

Winter Nights is mentioned in the Ynglinga Saga as one of the three greatest blessings of the year, the other two being Sigrblót in April, and þorrablót in late Jan/early Feb. Winter Nights is the celebration of the beginning of the winter season; Álfablót is a sacrifice to the elves, and Dísablót a sacrifice to the female spirits (dísir) and Valkyries.  

NOVEMBER 

REMEMBRANCE FOR SIGRID THE HAUGHTY 

9th November 

Origins: C9th CE 

Observed by: Heathens, Ásatrú, Norse pagans 

It is not actually known whether Sigrid Storråda, or Sigrid the Haughty, was an actual historical figure, an amalgamation of a few, or simply a myth. The lore goes that she was proposed to multiple times and turned down many but went on to orchestrate conflict when a potential suitor - Olaf Tryggvason, King of Norway - attempted to convert her to Christianity.  

DECEMBER 

REMEMBRANCE FOR EGILL SKALLAGRÍMSSON  

9th December  

Origins: C10th CE  

Observed by: Heathens, Ásatrú, Norse pagans  

Day celebrating the poet, farmer, and berserker Egill Skallagrímsson, who is recalled in The Icelandic Sagas by Snorri Sturluson. Egill is known for his many killings and escaping death by writing an epic poem after being captured when washing up on our Northumberland coastline.  

SATURNALIA  

17th - 23rd December  

Origins: Ancient Rome  

Observed by: Roman polytheists, some Hellenic  

Like Yule and Lesser Dionysia, Saturnalia was the Roman winter festival celebrating the coming return of the sun and honouring the god Saturn. The standard feasting and drinking feature, and slaves would be treated as equals like Dionysia. Saturnalia is another festival cited as being picked up by Christians and used as inspiration for Christmas.  

WINTER SOLSTICE (YULE/MIDWINTER)  

21st December  

Origins: Germanic nations, as early as C4th CE  

Observed by: Norse pagans, Wiccans, Neopagans, LaVeyan Satanists, Ásatrú, Heathens, many Germanic nonpagan peoples  

Yule is the midwinter festival known commonly among pagans as a time for feasting, being with loved ones, remembering ancestors, and looking forward to the return of the light and warmer days. Many pagans will celebrate Yule for more than one day, some celebrating a week either side, some for longer, up to two months, and some for twelve days afterwards. True Yule would have originally been in January for midwinter, but King Haakon the Good  

moved it to coincide with the Christian celebrations in the 10th century, as told in the Ynglinga Saga.  

On the 24th of December, Anglo Saxons are said to have celebrated 'Mothers Night' honouring female ancestors. 

RURAL/LESSER DIONYSIA  

End of December/beginning of January  

Origins: Ancient Greece  

Observed by: Hellenic polytheists  

Smaller festival honouring the god Dionysus (Greater Dionysia took place in cities at the end of winter). Feasting, mask wearing to stop distinction between classes so that everyone could feel equal, sacrifices, parades, and phallic display were all used to celebrate.

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The 5 Elements

Known as the five classical elements, they represent different aspects of nature and the universe. Each element has its own unique energy and symbolism, and understanding these can help you harness their power in your own spiritual practice. The Five Elements are Earth, Air, Fire, Water, and Spirit. Each of these elements is associated with a specific direction, season, and energy. The elements are also connected to the four cardinal points of the compass. You may find that certain elements resonate with you more than others.   

Earth: 

The Earth element is associated with stability, grounding, and abundance. In spell work, you can use the Earth element to manifest material wealth, stability, physical body, and the natural world. The Earth element is often represented by rocks, crystals, and gemstones, as well as plants and animals. It is said to be the element that helps us connect with the physical world and our primal instincts. To work with the Earth element, you might choose to spend time in nature, meditate with crystals, or create an altar with natural materials. Some correspondences for the Earth element in spell work include: 

Crystals: Green adventurine, moss agate, and jade. 

Herbs: Dandelion, patchouli, and rosemary. 

Colours: Brown and green 

Astrology: Taurus, Virgo, and Capricorn  

Tarot: Pentacles 

Air: 

The Air element is associated with communication, transformation, intellectualism and creativity. It is associated with the mind, thought processes, and the realm of ideas.  The Air element is often represented by birds, feathers, and incense smoke. It is said to be the element that helps us connect with our higher selves and the spiritual realm. To work with the Air element, you might practice visualization, journaling, or perform a ritual with incense or feathers. Some correspondences for the Air element in spell work include:  

Crystals: Clear quartz, blue lace agate, and Citrine  

Herbs: Lavender, peppermint, and sage 

Colours: Yellow and white 

Astrology:  Gemini, Libra, and Aquarius  

Tarot: Swords 

Fire: 

The Fire element is associated with passion, action, and transformation. It is associated with energy, vitality, and courage. In spell work, you can use the Fire element to manifest passion, creativity, and transformation. The Fire element is often represented by candles, bonfires, and lightning. It is said to be the element that helps us connect with our inner power and the power of the universe. To work with the Fire element, you might light candles, perform a bonfire ceremony, or practice energy work. Some correspondences for the Fire element in spell work include: 

Crystals: Carnelian, ruby, and sunstone 

Herbs: Cinnamon, ginger, and yarrow 

Colours: Red and orange 

Astrology: Aries, Leo, and Sagittarius 

Tarot: Wands 

Spirit: 

The Spirit element is associated with transcendence, the unknown, connection, and the divine. In spell work, you can use the Spirit element to promote spiritual connection, meditation, and transcendence. The Spirit element is often represented by prayer, meditation, and the void. It is said to be the element that helps us connect with the divine source of all creation. To work with the Spirit element, you might practice meditation, prayer, or engage in a spiritual practice that resonates with your beliefs. Some correspondences for the Spirit element in spell work include: 

Crystals: Quartz, selenite, and amethyst 

Herbs: Frankincense, myrrh, and sage  

Colours: White and gold 

Astrology: N /A 

Tarot: N/A 

Water: 

Water is the element of emotions, intuition, and healing. It is associated with the flow of life, the subconscious mind, and the cycles of nature. The Water element is often represented by oceans, rivers, and rain. It is said to be the element that helps us connect with our deepest feelings and the energy of the universe. To work with the Water element, you might take a ritual bath, work with divination tools, or spend time near a body of water. Some correspondences for the Water element in spell work include: 

Crystals: Aquamarine, Moonstone, Fluorite, Pearl, Opal 

Herbs: Aloe Vera, Rosemary, Chamomile 

Colours: Blue, Green, Grey 

Astrology: Cancer, Scorpio, Pisces 

Tarot: Cups 

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Book of Shadows vs Grimoire; What's the difference?

A Book of Shadows (which will be referred to as BOS)

Book of Shadows

A BoS is a witches magick diary, so to speak. It's incredibly personal and may contain pages that consist of shadow work entries, entries on their dreams, sigils, tracking and records, tarot readings & spreads, even spells and their outcomes/progressions if they are making their own. This book is full of mistakes, progression and finalising of creations. You can decided to put anything in your BoS, which is what makes it yours. Many witches usually keep this book hidden or locked to anyone other than the owner of the book. It's quite literally a diary into their craft, so there may be pages in there that are full of vulnerabilities and struggles a witch may face throughout their journey.

Vs. Grimoire

A grimoire is something a little less personal, and more academic and used to find information. A grimoire is used more as a book of information; a guide to meanings, definitions or common information in one place. A grimoire is great when creating/making new spells, rituals, learning of gems and crystals. A grimoire can come in many forms, like a BoS, it can be done online, in a book, or on your phone. It can include key words and sayings, pre-made spells, sigils, prayers, etc. Both the BoS and grimoire can be placed on an altar

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Hecate aesthetic

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Colour Magick

Colour magick is using the colour spectrum and the intention of each colour to invoke its magical response. You can place items of different colours around your home to help create different energies. Colour Theory, especially in marketing, shows us that using certain colours can affect: 

Moods 

Thoughts and Impressions 

Feelings 

Each colour on the spectrum has a certain vibrational frequency. By using Colour Magic in your Witchcraft, you can invoke and attract whatever vibration you need for your spell work. 

Candles & lighting 

Clothing & accessories 

Food 

Makeup 

Home decor 

Sigils 

Crystals 

Bath rituals 

Colours & Their Associations

Red – Passion, courage/strength, lust, anger, grounding energy, love, intense emotions 

Orange – creativity, success, justice, opportunity, ambition, energy, stimulation 

Yellow – inspiration imagination, knowledge, confidence, focus, joy, memory, divination 

Green – Nature, healing, fertility, growth, abundance, renewal, balance, wealth, luck 

Blue – peace, truth, wisdom, patience, healing, communication, forgiveness, travelling 

Purple – Royal, insight, influence, authority, spirituality, emotion, fluidity, expressiveness 

Pink - Affection, friendship, self-love, intimacy, forgiveness, romance, unconditional love 

Brown – Home, animals, stability, family, grounding, endurance, strength 

Black – Dignity, protection, banishing, binding, transmutation, control, elegance, power 

Grey – Stability, contemplation, neutrality, glamour, shielding, self-defence, dreams 

Silver – psychic ability, memory, intuition, treasure, luck, the moon, femininity 

White – Innocence, purity, illumination, cleansing, spirituality, truth, harmony, all purpose 

Gold - Intuition, finance & fortune, happiness, the sun, masculinity, luck, power, success  

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These just radiate Persephone vibes <3

by james_films

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One of the best shots of the total solar eclipse on April 8, 2024

A clear view of the corona sun.

JWST ● Hubble ● NASA Missions & Astronomical Discoveries.

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Altars

A witch's alar is a divine place. it's unique and sacred. There will never be 2 of the same. Each altar is personal, one of a kind. Most altars, however, will have similar or the same items, such as a cauldron, candles, an athame (a small blade), and a symbol to represent the craft of the individual (pentagram, flower of life, etc.). There is no set of items to make an altar an altar.

You do not need to go out of you way to get expensive for specific items for your space. You may only need a regular bowl as the cauldron and some herbs with a grimoire. Another's space may have incense or a smelly candle. Some alters are decorated for the season, special festivals, items for specific deities or even spell jars. Should you want to decorate your dedicated space traditionally, it would have a specific layout, particularly during spell work.

How to Set Up an Altar

Typically, a cloth will be placed on the table (but it isn't a necessity). A pentacle/pentagram will be placed on the table and there will be 4 corners to represent the elements.

North = Earth = crystals, bowl of salt, a plant

East = Air = incense or/and burner

South = Fire = candles or something that holds a flame

West = Water = a body of water (bowl or cup).

Other witches may have many more objects on their alter, or they may keep it minimal. If an individual works with deities, they may included a candle or item to hold a space on the altar for that particular spirit/deity. Items also differ based on their belief system.

Most commonly, witches use:

Pictures or statues of the deity to honour them, or/and a symbolic item to represent their certain God, should they work with or worship one.

A chalice may be used to represent the feminine aspect in the Great Rite (Wicca), which is usually filled with wine, juice or spring water.

A bell can be used to mark the start and end of a ritual or used to sound cleanse a space.

The Athame is a blade to represent the male or masculine of the Great Rite, to direct energies and cut doorways in the circle. Also can be used in rituals to 'cut ties' energetically and spiritually with another person.

A wand to direct energies and create the temple of the protective circle (usually cast before doing spell work)

Crystals to promote, banish or maintain specific energies.

Altars do not need to be in one spot or a specific way. Altars can be spread out over shelves, tables or even over several rooms. Alternatively, they can even be pocket sized for your own convenience! It's your space - make it how you like it and what works for you and your situation. An Altar is designed and tailored to fit the witch using it.

Some witches don't even have altars, but most do. Altars are not a necessity in your craft and neither is what you put on it, so there should be no pressure as to make one.