#modern wicca

[kitchenwitchtingss]

50 KITCHEN WITCH TIPS TO MAKE YOU FEEL MORE WITCHY

(And other useful things I've learned over the years)

Hi! This is a list of dos, don'ts, tips, tricks, and other fun things that I've learned over the years. I always love finding more effective and efficient ways of doing things so if you have any cool things you'd like to add, leave them in the comments or reblog. I'd love to read it.

Anyways... On with the list ^_^

Light candles around your kitchen space (just make sure nothing flammable is near you)

Annotate your cookbooks with the correspondence of the ingredients.

Mediating is really good to calm the mind before cooking.

Cut oranges and lemons thinly, dry them, and hang them with twine around your kitchen

Need a cleansing tip? Open all your windows near your kitchen. Let some fresh air in.

Cutting sigils into apples, pie crusts, and carved potatoes.

Save lemon and orange rinds, freeze them, and then use them to clean the garbage disposal.

Make infused oils and honey: Things like garlic honey, lavender honey, herb oil, sun oil, moon oil, dandelion oil, and other different edible oils are very fun and useful to make.

Hid sigils in pages of your cookbooks and kitchen witch journals.

Add some plants! Snake plants and spider plants don't need too much light, and growing your own herbs in your kitchen is awesome too. Basil, lavender, thyme, aloe vera, rosemary, etc. are good fits. You could also add some plants that require more sunlight on the kitchen window sill. Like cacti and succulents.

Bring crystals into your kitchen space such as rose quartz, clear quartz, amethyst, or whatever you want the space's intentions to be.

I keep a small money tree on the sill, along with cacti for luck and protection.

Make a simmer Pot! Mostly because it makes the whole house smell good, easy, and fun.

Stir clockwise for best results!

Learning how to pickle things is actually pretty witchy. Plus, anyone could do it as it requires absolutely no kitchen experience. You could pickle any vegetable, even if you don't like pickles. I originally learned this after having to take shelter from a natural disaster. A person brought a bunch of stuff and taught us how to pickle things with different spices and herbs. Very fun!

Decorate your kitchen with your favorite stuff. Crystals, decor, heat mits, that cool mushroom cake stand you've been eyeing at the World Market for the past 2 weeks, cool looking curtains, sun catchers. Why stop there? Paint the walls, hang shelves full of marked-up cookbooks that are a little too well-loved and thumbed through.

Wanna be the person that has the amazing-smelling house every time people come over? Syrups take some time to simmer down, it's actually a pretty good time to leave it on the stove to simmer. Since syrups have a lot of aromatic ingredients, it acts as a really good-smelling simmer pot.

Hang up herbs to dry with twine from cabinets that are rarely used.

Invest in that new set of plates and cups.

Homemade jams, butter, sauces, and syrups are your best friend.

Crochet or knit your own dish rags, pot holders, etc.

Don't pour extremely hot things into a glass that's not Pyrex, it will break, and you will be very sad about it.

Don't cook anything while extremely upset or emotional (For safety reasons)

Make recipes you want to make, not just because you'll like the effect. Make it because you think it's tasty.

Chinese Five Spice works in place of herbs for protection and luck spells a lot of the time! It's cheaper to buy 1 spice than 4 different spices that total up to 15 dollars when you could just spend 3-4 dollars.

Take a shower before cooking (I don't know how to explain this one other than it makes you feel better)

Don't use microfiber/plastic material clothes on hot burners, it will fuse to the burner and melt. It is VERY hard to get off.

I don't know if I need to put this one but I did see someone do it so nonstick pan = wooden utensils and plastic utensils, metal pan = metal utensils. Do not use a metal spoon in a nonstick pan, please. It can make you very sick.

Keep your pets away from hot oil, open ovens, and hot pans.

You can proof bread dough in the fridge overnight if you don't have the time to bake, or want to eat fresh bread right in the morning.

Need a quick witchy meal for dinner in 12 minutes? Use premade tomato pasta sauce and doctor it up with thyme, rosemary, and garlic, for protection and distilling stagnant energies. Serve with pasta of your liking.

You can substitute Butter for Crisco/shortening, buttermilk for 1 cup of milk + 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar or lemon juice, and heavy cream for 1 cup of half and half plus 2 tbsp of butter.

Use leftover animal bones to make bone broth

Teach yourself the art of bread scoring (It's fun, and you can show it off to your loved ones!)

Collect and hoard your own and others' family recipes.

Sometimes the food doesn't have to be a spell, sometimes it just makes you feel good and you don't know why.

Listen to your favorite music in the kitchen, it makes the monotonous things like chopping veggies move faster.

Invest in a vegetable chopper if you don't like chopping vegetables.

Find a really good hot cocoa recipe and make it once a week. Master it. Just for your own happiness because hot cocoa is really good. You could also be the friend/family member that makes the best hot cocoa ever.

Focaccia Bread Lasts a very long time, and it's very easy to make!

Keep a first aid kit near where the oven is, in case of burns, cuts, or serious injuries where time is everything.

Quick Bread and no-rise loaves are simple for beginners, tasty, and take little time. They also feel very witchy to make.

Study a bit of Herbalism! It's fun and really helps better understand the herbs you're putting into your food.

While something is boiling, put your wooden spoon over the pot to minimize the chance of something boiling over.

Try a bit of coffee magick, it's simple to get into, and gives you a boost of energy to take on the day!

If you're over 21, wine-making is a very interesting way to celebrate the sabbats. Just with that, make sure you KNOW what you're doing. With anything fermented, there's always a risk if you don't store things correctly. Apple wines, strawberry wines, dandelion wines, etc. all very cool to experiment with. If you're not over 21, vinegar is a similar way to experiment.

Hang up some witchy things, sigils, photos, cool magnets, and other things that give you joy on your fridge. (Sometimes if you are lucky they have some fun magnets at five below)

If you live in the US, for some reason, there are a lot of books in the book section dedicated to witchcraft and spirituality. At least where I live. And they are all under 5 dollars!

Teas are the cheapest and easiest things you can practice being a kitchen witch.

[bunnyshideawayy]

for pagans/witches who veil or cover their hair for their practice full time, do yall consider modest clothes essential to your veiling or do you still wear what you want? i’ve seen this debate among the community and am interested in seeing what everyone has to say!

for reference i do veil for my practice, just not everyday and i tend to still wear what i want but with limitations!

[unityghost]

"Having a familiar must be so magical; I wish I had a cute little black cat to help me with spells"

Cat: *eats catnip out of the chalice*

[lucidpast]

The Modern Witch by Star Moonlove (1967)

"The modern spellcaster is not burdened by the dark robes and droning spells of the past. The witch of now is her own woman. She has pizazz, zest, and knows what she wants. Leave the male-centric sex spells to the bald old men who gather in caverns to summon a half-naked crimson woman in a diaphanous gown.

The modern witch will be drinking wine with her coven and cursing the men who have crossed them.

This is the way."

[pdfhoarder]

I'm not Wiccan but I have found the Wheel of the Year to be super useful. It's like training wheels for being familiar with the rhythms of the seasons in a world where most of us have been extremely alienated from the nature all around us. There's something empowering about anticipating, acknowledging, and celebrating the way nature turns and affects you rather than just letting it happen to you.

[god-of-annwn]

Witchcraft in Wales

Only five people were found guilty and hanged for witchcraft in Wales, in comparison to the estimated 500 executions in England and somewhere between 3,000 and 4,000 in Scotland.

There was a unique outlook on witchcraft in early modern Wales. For centuries Wales has been considered as a land of magic and the supernatural. The English sometimes travelled into Wales in search for soothsayers and enchanters.

There were fears of witchcraft and black magic in Wales however, but accusations played out differently among communities. Additionally, there was a reliance of soothsayers and wise women or ‘healers’, meaning that ‘magic’ was less likely to be brought to the attention of the court.

There are some similarities between Welsh women and descriptions of witches in literature like the Malleus Maleficarum. They included appearance, unreformed religion, and the reliance on charms to heal. Some researchers theorised that the traditional black hat of the Welsh woman inspired the wide-brimmed hat of the fairy tale witch.

source: Mari Ellis Dunning, Aberystwyth University

[traegorn]

Sorry my question brought you such grief. :( Thank you so much for answering, though. Your explanation was perfect, and that person inadvertently gave a perfect example of what you were talking about. Still sorry you had to deal with that, though. Thanks for your help!

Eh, your question didn't bring me any grief.

Like the strongest argument I've ever heard was the fact that Gardner and Nichols used the Irish names for the cross quarter days instead of the English ones when putting together the Wheel of the Year, but I don't think that really holds any weight. These are not closed practices, they're shared holidays across the region.

And, like, I don't see anyone banging down the door of modern Druidry yelling at them about the same thing. Which is, y'know, telling.

(Also - If you take two seconds to look at the English or Scottish names for them, and understood the context, you'd realize why they didn't want to use them)

Like the usual examples people bring up are Wiccans taking from various indigenous practices, like using white sage in "smudging" -- but these are, not actually "Wiccan" (as in the religion) practices, but things "Wiccans" (as in the people) have done. Which is, y'know, bad -- but an issue the entire modern witchcraft movement needs to come to terms with, and not inherent to Wicca the religion or exclusive to its practitioners.

[my-memories-cruddy]

Translate memory to theory

[thelanternsglow]

The Oak and the Holly King, and their solstice showdown.

(Scroll down for the story)

The oak and holly king

The story of the Oak and Holly Kings is deeply rooted in ancient folklore, particularly within Celtic and Druidic traditions, although it’s important to note that the specific narrative as we know it today—of these two kings battling for dominion over the seasons—has been shaped and revived in more recent times by modern Pagan and Wiccan traditions. However, the roots of the story stretch far back to pre-Christian beliefs about the cycles of nature, the power of the solstices, and the worship of sacred trees.

Ancient Connections to Sacred Trees

The concept of sacred trees, particularly the oak, is central to many ancient traditions. The oak was highly revered by the Celts, who saw it as the King of the Forest. It symbolized strength, endurance, and the masculine principle. The oak’s deep roots in the earth and its towering presence in the forest made it a symbol of vitality and life, particularly associated with the sun and the summer months.

The holly, by contrast, had a more mystical and protective role. Its evergreen leaves and bright red berries made it stand out during the harsh winter months, when much of the landscape lay dormant. The Celts associated the holly with winter and the darker months, seeing it as a symbol of protection, fertility, and resilience. In Druidic lore, the holly tree was often seen as a guardian spirit of the underworld, which connects it to the realm of death and renewal.

These two trees represent opposites in the cycle of life—life and death, light and dark, and growth and decay—which is why they became symbolic of the eternal rhythm of the seasons.

The Battle of the Oak and Holly Kings in Celtic Mythology

The story of the Oak and Holly Kings doesn’t appear verbatim in ancient Celtic texts, but the thematic elements are strongly aligned with Celtic beliefs in seasonal cycles and the interplay between the forces of light and dark. The Celts understood time as cyclical, with the changing of the seasons seen as a battle between opposing forces. This is most evident in their mythologies, which often feature gods and goddesses who personified the seasons or the solar cycles.

While the Oak King is not a figure explicitly named in ancient Celtic myths, his association with the summer solstice and the sun aligns closely with deities like the Green Man, the Horned God, or the Sun God, such as Lugh or Belenus, who were central to Celtic religion and worshipped at the height of summer. The Oak King represents the rising power of the sun, growing in strength as the days lengthen.

The Holly King, on the other hand, is a figure whose influence is less direct in ancient mythology but who fits well within the framework of the Winter Solstice—a time when the light retreats and the darkness reigns. His connection with holly, a plant that thrives in winter, also connects him with ancient symbols of death, rebirth, and the protective, purifying powers of the dark. He can be seen as analogous to the Celtic figures of the Dark God or the Horned God in his aspect of winter, death, and renewal. The idea of a ruler of the dark half of the year is reflected in the figure of Cailleach, the Celtic winter goddess who reigns over the harsh cold months.

The Solstices as Turning Points

The idea of a battle for dominance between the Oak and Holly Kings aligns with the Winter Solstice and Summer Solstice, key turning points in the year when the sun is either at its lowest or highest point in the sky. The Solstices were of great importance to the Celts and other ancient peoples, as they marked the changing of the seasons and the movement between light and dark.

At the Winter Solstice, the Holly King’s reign over the dark half of the year reaches its peak, but as the Oak King slowly begins to take over, the days lengthen, and the sun begins its return. The reverse happens at the Summer Solstice, when the Oak King’s reign begins to wane, and the Holly King rises to claim dominion over the dark months again.

The Modern Revival

The modern retelling of the Oak and Holly Kings battle comes from a blending of old Celtic traditions with newer Pagan and Wiccan beliefs, particularly in the 20th century. Figures like Gerald Gardner, one of the founders of modern Wicca, and later Pagan writers like Doreen Valiente and Starhawk, helped to shape and popularize the idea of the Oak and Holly Kings as two mythical figures representing the seasonal battle between light and dark.

These contemporary adaptations often draw on the traditional symbolism of these trees, the changing seasons, and the Solstices, but the exact story as we know it today is largely a modern creation, inspired by the themes present in ancient Celtic myth, and perhaps even influenced by folklore surrounding the Green Man and the Cailleach, two figures whose stories embody similar cyclical changes in the natural world.

Summary: An Archetypal Tale of Balance

The Battle of the Oak and Holly Kings is less about a specific historical or mythological origin and more about a universal archetype: the dance of light and dark, life and death, summer and winter. It’s a story that, although not fully documented in ancient myths, resonates with ancient practices and beliefs tied to the natural world. It serves as a reminder that all things are in constant flux, and the forces of light and dark are not in opposition, but in balance—a relationship that sustains the very cycle of life.

So, while the Oak and Holly Kings may not have been named explicitly in ancient Celtic myth, the themes of their battle—of shifting power, of cyclical renewal, of the eternal dance between light and dark—are deeply embedded in the seasonal rhythms of the earth, making their story one that continues to inspire and resonate today.

Conclusion: The Blessing of the Oak and Holly Kings

As the Wheel of the Year turns once more, the Winter Solstice marks a sacred transition—when darkness reaches its peak and light begins its slow, steady return. The Oak King and the Holly King, locked in their eternal dance, remind us of the beautiful balance within all things: light and shadow, growth and rest, life and death. The Holly King, ruler of the waning year, gently steps aside, honouring his role in holding space for introspection, endurance, and the lessons of the dark. The Oak King, vibrant with potential, rises to bring light and renewal, promising growth and the slow awakening of the earth.

This ancient story is not just a tale of two kings—it’s a reflection of the cycles we all live through. In our own lives, there are moments to honour the Holly King within us, letting go, retreating, and seeking wisdom in stillness. And there are moments to welcome the Oak King, embracing light, action, and the promise of new beginnings. Together, they remind us that every end carries the seed of a beginning, and every winter holds the quiet promise of spring.

A Blessing for the Oak and Holly Kings

To the Holly King, Keeper of the Dark:

May your rest be peaceful, your wisdom honoured,

And your gift of stillness held in gratitude.

You who guard the night and protect the soul’s journey,

We thank you for your strength and patience.

May we carry your lessons of endurance and grace as we move forward.

To the Oak King, Bringer of the Light:

May your reign be bright, your energy abundant,

And your gift of renewal inspire growth within us.

You who awaken the earth and kindle the fires of hope,

We welcome your return with open hearts.

May we walk boldly into the light you bring,

Guided by courage, wisdom, and joy.

And to the Dance of the Year that unites them both:

Blessed be the turning of the Wheel,

Blessed be the balance of dark and light,

Blessed be the cycle of life everlasting.

So it is, and so it shall be.

Follow Tbe Lantern’s

Glow

[myrtleturtlee]

A thrift gift from Hekate

[robocop1906]

Just sayin'

[kitchenwitchtingss]

LUGHNASADH SWEET CORNBREAD

Unlike regular cornbread, this is a more southern-style cornbread that's a lot sweeter than cornbread. But really good!

Ingredients:

1 cup flour

1 cup cornmeal

1/4 cup honey

1/2 cup granulated sugar

1/2 cup butter

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

2 teaspoons baking powder

2 large eggs

A splash of cream

1 1/4 cups buttermilk

Pinch of sea salt

For The Honey Butter:

1/4 cup honey

1/4 cup butter

Preheat oven to 350 F. Combine flour, cornmeal, baking soda, baking powder, and salt together. In a separate bowl mix butter, sugar, and honey together. Then, whisk in your eggs, cream, and buttermilk.

Pour dry ingredients in increments to wet ingredients until just combined making sure not to overmix. Pour into a buttered and floured baking dish.

Bake for about 40-50 minutes or until a toothpick/knife comes out clean when stuck in the middle. This was just will my oven so cook times could be different when it comes to you. Make sure after 30 minutes, you check every 10 minutes.

To make your honey butter just combine your melted butter with honey and mix.

Serve in squares and top with honey butter and a tab of salted butter on top.

Enjoy! Have a blessed Lughnasadh!

[sadirjewelry]

Isildur Ring with tourmaline, all in sterling silver 🍃

[the-blog-of-gog]

Technomagick vs Technomancy vs Techpaganism vs Cyberwitchcraft etcetcetc

Fellow practitioners of magick,

I am conducting research for a book about the use of technology in magickal practices, and I would like to ask for your opinions on a matter. Specifically, I am wondering if "technomagick" is a viable umbrella term that would include the practices of technomancy, technopaganism, technoshamanism, and cyberwitchcraft.

I have seen the term "technomancy" used as a catch-all phrase, but its etymology would suggest it is primarily concerned with forms of divination that make use of technology. This has led to some confusion about what terms are appropriate to use when discussing these practices.

As practitioners of various magickal traditions, I would love to hear your thoughts on this matter. Do you believe that "technomagick" is a useful term to describe these practices, or do you prefer another term? And if so, what term do you think would be most appropriate?

Please note that I am not able to give away the core subject of my book at this time, but I am happy to discuss this topic further and answer any questions you may have. 

Thank you in advance for your input!"

[magic-study]

Wha-- a new blog post??? WHAT???

That's right, the site isn't completely dead, I'm just a very busy, important person with other things to do. Which sucks.

Anyway, new post!!!!!

It's about tech magic. =) Lemme know what you think!!

[bouquetofgarnets]

!!! These pattern(and many more) discounted up to 50% !!!