#Death Witch

[psychopomp-recital]

Unpopular Opinion Time

The doodle you make or the picrew you use, the poorly executed poetry or basic bare bones prayer will ALWAYS be better than AI generated offerings.

I am sick of having my feed flooded with practitioners, pagans and other polytheists using AI. Specifically deities like Brigid should never be offered AI in my opinion, it’s essentially a slap in the face.

AI generated spells aren’t shit, it’s what a computer assumes will work based off of what it can gather from internet trends and research. MAKE IT YOURSELF, ask a human for help anything but AI.

There is no place for Artificial Intelligence in these spaces.

[gothyween]

ー 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐜𝐡 💀🪦

cr. hungryspirits

[thegraveyardwitch]

Active witchcraft blogs?

Hi everyone! It's been a long time since I have been active on Witchblr, and it appears that most of the blogs that I followed are no longer active.

Please reblog or comment if you are an active witch blog, because I'd love to follow!

*gif for attention*

[ravinewreyn]

Girl Kisser - Death Kisser

They're still married, Your Honor. There was never an official divorce.

[crazyaboutto]

People said “Fuck Death”

Agatha:

Thank you for taking it personally Agatha 🙏🙏🙏

Honestly, when Death is this, who can blame Agatha

Agatha even managed to become Death’s only scar too

#Death Witch

[wizardsaur]

So fun fact about my practice:

I don't like having practical tools with only magical use. My athame is a plain old pocketknife. I use it to physically cut stuff. My normal broom is blessed & is what I cleanse with (so is my vacuum, because, carpet). My ritual jewelry is worn daily. My ritual mugs are just my morning coffee mugs, but I pick out which one is best for the working I'm doing (Death work, Ouija mug). And my herbs, hoooo boy, it's my normal spice rack.

Just because it's mundanely practical & useful, doesn't mean it isn't magical. If anything, being interacted with more makes it more powerful.

This is my rant, so as per ushe,

Go Forth & Get Weird With It

[systlin]

When I say 'plants will eat us all' I fuckin mean it

Trees will eat our bones given half a chance.

In the end, we're all plant fertilizer. Like it or not.

[a-single-white-crow]

Graveyard Etiquette

“If you take from a graveyard, you’ll leave more than you took.”

Graveyard vs. Cemetery-

A Graveyard is a burial ground attached to a church.

A Cemetery is any burial ground.

[For simplicity, I will be refering to all burial grounds as "cemeteries."]

As a paranormal investigator first and a witch second, I find cemeteries to be the least terrifying places to interact with the dead. Yes, there are bodies all around you, but in almost all cases, cemeteries are not haunted. That being said, this does not mean the cemetery is empty. In fact, it's far from it.

Gatekeeper-

Every cemetery has a Spirit designated as the Gatekeeper. They are the Guardian/Protector of the land and spirits within. This Spirit is usually from the first person buried there. Though, the job as the Gatekeeper may be taken by a physical visualization of protection for the cemetery, such as a statue (e.g., a gargoyle or angel).

When visiting a graveyard, it's always a good idea to bring an offering for the Gatekeeper.

Each cemetery has its own rules and preferred offerings. This can become more detailed when focusing on a specific spirit within the cemetery. Like people, each spirit has its own personality and tastes. When visiting a cemetery, make sure to do your research. An example: reading the Torah to the spirits of a Catholic cemetery would be seen as useless at best and rude at worst.

Offerings Ideas-

Clean the graveyard- pick up litter, and debris left behind by guests or just blown in.

Apples (an Irish tradition)

Flowers (Chrysanthemums, Hyacinth, Red Poppies, Lily, Cypress Tree, ect.)

Stones (Jewish Tradition)

When in a Cemetery-

Do:

Interact with the Graves that have less visitors

Have respect while acting normal

When dealing with children-spirits have fun, play games, or share some jokes

Don't:

Walk over the Graves

Lean/sit on tombstones

Take anything without permission

Take anything off of a grave with permission or otherwise (unless the family or keeper allows you to)

Litter

[Opinion] Whistling - Some believe this act will summon a doppelganger or forerunner to appear, and if one hears whistling, this may invite Death.

Graveyard Dirt-

In certain spells and practices, the ingredient graveyard dirt may be needed or mentioned. This, as one would assume, is dirt from a cemetery.

Always ask for permission before taking anything out of a cemetery, including the dirt

Graveyard Dirt Alternatives-

Dirt from a deceased plant

Used coffee grounds

Cinnamon powder (for protection based spells)

"The cemetery is an open space among the ruins, covered in winter with violets and daisies. It might make one in love with death, to think that one should be buried in so sweet a place." -Percy Bysshe Shelley

[etherealwitcherys-blog]

As a witch, graveyard etiquette involves a deep reverence for the spirits and the energy of the space. It's crucial to approach with a sense of humility and respect, acknowledging the sacredness of the grounds. Understanding that graveyards are places of rest and reflection, witches often attune themselves to the energies present, seeking to harmonize rather than disrupt. It's also important to be mindful of the spiritual significance of the area and to honor the memories of those who are laid to rest there. Here are some key points to keep in mind to ensure your visit is both respectful and meaningful.

[astra-ravana]

Ghost Water

Water enchanted by the dead. Useful applications include necromantic workings and baneful magick.

Needed:

• A bottle of spring water

• Coins or some manner of offering for the dead

• Access to a cemetery/graveyard after dark

Instructions:

Go to the cemetary around 10pm on the night of a full Moon. Be sure to leave some of the coins at the gate for the guardian of the cemetary. Find a grave that resonates with you and quietly ask its owner for permission to be there and to use their energy to imbue the water with their essence. Wait for some sort of confirmation such as winds, voices, sensations, shadows or even intuitive nudge before proceeding. Once you have the spirit's permission, leave some coins and the water on the grave. Return to retrieve it in the early morning hours, before the sun rises.

[grotesque-grimoire]

Looking for active witch blogs that post:

🕯 Altars

☠ Baneful Magic (curses, hexes, jinxes, etc.)

💸 Budget / Poverty / Struggle / DIY / Upcycling Witchcraft

📖 Magical Books (pics of grimoire pages, flip-throughs, book recs/reviews, etc.)

💲 Money, Business, & Prosperity Witchcraft

💀 Necromancy, Death Witchcraft, and/or Cthonic/Death Deities (also funerary stuff, medical examination, etc., love that stuff)

🌿 Practical & Responsible Herbalism (gardening, cultivating, harvesting, foraging, herbal remedies, recipes, salves, ointments, etc. but no anti-science, anti-medicine, anti-allopathy shit)

📝 Sigils (free to use, preferably)

👻 Spirit Work (esp. animal spirits, dryads, egregores, genus loci, gorgons, & mermaids)

🥄 Spoon-Conscious Witchcraft (for those who are disabled, exhaust easy, etc.)

✨ Things relating to: Santa Muerte, Artemis, Serket/Selqet

🦴 Vulture Culture (responsible)

Reblog or send me an ask if you think your blog might suit my taste. Disclaimer: not Wiccan, not Pagan, not Heathen; just a witch who's curse-positive, eclectic, & agnostic.

[cursecuelebre]

Coins are Essential to Hellenic Worship and Witchcraft

In Ancient Greece Drachmae (the coins/currency of the time) were used not just in everyday life but honoring the dead. It was believe that coins were offered to the deceased right before they were buried. The coins were given to grant the spirits passage to the underworld by paying Charon who will ride across Acheron, a river in the underworld to the afterlife, fearing they will get stuck on the shores if they don’t have the payment to cross. Though it is a very old superstition it is still very important to offer such a gift to the spirits that crossed over, though whether you don’t believe such a belief or do about paying the ferryman the act of the gesture is a sign of great respect and admiration for the departed. Collect your spare change and don’t be afraid to use them for various reasons:

- Offer them to your ancestors.

- Place a coin on gravestones when you visit a cemetery.

- Offer coins to your deities as money being one of the great sacrifices to give to them even if it’s just a penny.

You can also do spell work with coins as charms, divination (flipping heads or tails), talismans, focal point of power, etc.

[khthonicdove]

current khthonic altar!!! i’m in love 🥰

[arcane-abomination]

My favorite Yudho pieces! They speak to me in various Magickal ways. They’ve made great catalysts for meditative gnosis.

[wolfhoundwitch]

A Guide to Graveyard Work

One of the earliest introductions I had to spirit work as a baby witch was graveyard work. In short, this practice involves building relationships with the deceased spirits of a graveyard, by communicating, leaving offerings and being mindful of their space. It is part of a wider practice known as death work, but this focuses specifically on how to enter and respect what is essentially the 'home' of the spirits you are working with. You can further build on your practice from this.

This is a handy guide to the different aspects of the practice, looking into the appropriate offerings and etiquette, written with a lot of love.

⋆˖⁺‧₊☽◯☾₊‧⁺˖⋆

Graveyard Etiquette

There are rules you must follow in graveyards, whether for your personal safety, out of politeness, or following the law of your country. Sometimes these overlap. But sometimes, the rules you hear might be no more than baseless superstition, which there is a lot of concerning graveyards. There are way too many superstitions to list, however -

Some good rules to follow are:

Don't begin this work with the intention of taking from the graveyard or using the spirits in your practice. In the same way you wouldn't take from a stranger, it's important to build a relationship before you ask for things.

Try not to stand on graves where possible, out of respect for the dead but also those mourning them. Sometimes, graveyards are set up so that it is impossible to go anywhere without stepping on something, which is okay so long as you're not intending disrespect. However, do be wary that headstones can fall and the ground can shift.

Some people believe you shouldn't take any photos of the graves. I personally think that if the grave is old enough, it doesn't matter too much. If the grave is modern, it might be inappropriate for those in mourning to see you taking photos.

You can clean up trash, but be mindful of what might be considered trash. Obvious thrown-away food and drink packaging might be appropriate to clean up, but what if someone left a deceased one's favourite food at their grave? Or what if you decide to get rid of a toy or letter left there? Try to avoid cleaning up around the actual graves and focus on cleaning near the gates or in empty areas.

Don't trespass! If the cemetery has set entry times, enter and leave only within those times. Don't jump the fence, and don't enter any areas that are clearly gated or off-limits.

Leave an offering when asking to take something from the cemetery grounds. I don't feel it necessary to leave an offering each time you enter, especially if you plan on visiting often. But, if you want to take something like graveyard dirt or plants growing there, leave an offering for sure. And make sure to ASK. If you feel wrong, it's a no.

If you EVER find anything askew in a graveyard, such as vandalism, theft, or even dug up bones (it happens, I've found them before) PLEASE report it straight to the groundskeeper, associated church, or relevant authorities. It is not your responsibility to attempt to fix these things, or take things for yourself.

Offerings

You can leave offerings at the gate, or on specific graves if you want to work directly with that spirit. You don't always need to leave an offering, but it is a good thing to do when building a relationship and especially when asking to take from the site.

Some good offerings are:

Coins, especially two coins. There is a belief that the two coins are placed on the eyes of the deceased to pay the ferryman taking them over the river Styx. This has been maintained as a tradition.

Flowers. Even better if you look into Victorian flower symbolism for older grave sites and base your offering on this.

Origami. I would often fold multiple tiny cranes and leave them as offerings on individual graves. The best part is they are biodegradable.

I would be wary of leaving any kind of food or drink, as you might attract animals or even cause harm to the ecosystems living there. The same goes for anything made of plastic or that could hurt an animal.

Natural items such as seashells, feathers or stones are great, safe options for offerings.

You could also burn a candle or incense, but remember to stay with them while they burn and make sure they are extinguished when you leave.

Offerings don't have to be physical - you could say a few kind words, sing to them, or even just dedicating time to sit with the dead or talk with them can be an offering in itself.

Protection

I personally don't go into my practice thinking I could get possessed or followed by a demon at any given moment. However, I do think it's important to remember that graveyards can be full of a lot of upset, angry, and occasionally malevolent energies. Even if you don't intend to, these energies can attach to you or be taken home by you and can make you feel off.

Here are some ways you can protect yourself:

Cleanse yourself before and after entering a cemetery, even just by meditating and visualising or by using incense.

Check out my post on shielding techniques, and try to familiarise yourself with the visualisation techniques until you feel comfortable doing them.

Charm an item of clothing, such as a piece of jewellery, as an amulet to ward against negative energies that you can wear.

Find or create a protective sigil or rune that you can draw on something or on yourself.

You can pray to any deities you work with to ask for protection, especially if these deities are associated with death or spirits.

Communication

People who practice death work might communicate with the dead in different ways. They might be clairvoyant, use divination, feel energies or sometimes even just know what the spirits are saying. In any sense, spirit communication is a skill that is very much required in this practice. @koscheys-skull said it best here. You need good communication skills, in the sense that you are still talking to PEOPLE. And you need to go in with good intentions. If you are going in purely with the intention of using the dead for your own benefit, you won't get very far. If you can't talk to and actively listen with some semblance of empathy, you won't get very far. Death work is not an aesthetic, it is not for you to take your emo photos and be disrespectful. it is a serious, difficult and tolling practice that takes a lot of time and refining.

If you have gotten this far, I wish you all the best. It is a difficult but ultimately fulfilling part of spirit work, and if you are ready to dedicate the time and effort to it, you will get a lot out of it.

Thanks for reading! Please visit my tags for more guides, and feel free to reach out with requests for more information. Lots of love.

[koscheys-skull]

When it comes to Necromancy and Death Work, I think people are often misunderstanding the art of Death Work. I know this will sound rather harsh, but if you cannot be good with people that are living and breathing then you're not going to be good with Death Work in any regard. I mean it. You are still working with people, my loves. You still need to have good communication skills as well as people skills. You need to be able to listen and set yourself and what you think or feel aside for a while and take in what the other person wants, needs, and is expressing. If you lack those, then you will not do well as a Death Worker. This is on top of you already possessing good discernment and spirit working skills as well as hopefully a reliable and very well honed divination skill. Now, everyone starts somewhere, but the approach is the most important thing. Not everyone will immediately be "out of the gate" excellent. I do understand that and I do expect people to need to develop skills as they go. But the approach is imperative. What attitude you're going into this is critical to your success.

Many people are attracted to these themes as a trend. When some people gravitate towards schools of Death Working practises, they do so because they are fascinated and intrigued and allured by the concepts of "Bones. Blood. Black." because it's your standard motifs of emo teenagers. Please. It is not that sort of practise. It requires sensitivity, awareness, openness and understanding. It does also require you to communicate and set good boundaries and be firm in yourself while being receptive and attentive to others. It can often be a sensitive practise and this is no place for children to be bumbling about making a mess of things and disturbing the dead by being inconsiderate and selfish because someone wanted to feel cool and edgy. Please take that attitude somewhere else. Death Working is not for you until you can get out of your own ego and head.