#pagan collection

[astra-ravana]

The Wonder Of Foraging

Foraging is an ancient and magickal practice, allowing witches to deepen their bond with nature while gathering powerful herbs, plants, fungi and even bones for spells, potions, and rituals. This guide will help you safely and ethically harvest nature’s gifts while honoring the spirits of the land.

𖥞The Ethics of Foraging

Before you set out, follow these principles:

• Harvest Respectfully - Take only what you need, and never overharvest.

• Know Your Land - Learn the local laws and indigenous practices of the area.

• Ask Permission - Some witches seek permission from the plants or land spirits before harvesting.

• Leave No Trace - Avoid damaging the ecosystem and thank nature for its sacrifice.

𖥞Essential Foraging Tools

• A foraging basket or cloth bag

• A sharp knife or scissors for cutting herbs

• Gloves (for thorny or toxic plants)

• A field guide (or app) to identify plants and fungi

• A journal for noting magickal correspondences or general notes

𖥞Sacred Rituals & Offerings

• Thank the Spirits - Leave a small offering (water, crystals, trinkets, a song, or a prayer).

• Moon-Charged Foraging - Gather herbs under a full moon for extra potency.

• Wild Altar - Arrange collected items as an outdoor altar to honor nature.

𖥞Crafting with Your Foraged Finds

• Herbal Magick: Use dried herbs to dress candles or as offerings.

• Herbal Bundles: Dry herbs for smoke cleansing.

• Infused Oils: Steep plants in oil for anointing and spellwork.

• Herbal Incense: Crush dried herbs for loose incense burning on charcoal or craft your own cones/sticks.

• Tinctures & Teas: Brew magickal potions for healing and intention-setting.

• Spell Jars & Mojo Bags: Combine dried herbs with crystals and charms for long-lasting magic.

𖥞Harvesting Herbs for Drying

• Timing Matters - Gather herbs in the morning after the dew has dried but before the sun is too hot.

• Lunar Harvesting - For extra magical potency, harvest under a full or waxing moon.

• Use Sharp Tools - Cut herbs with scissors or a boline to avoid damaging the plant.

𖥞Methods of Drying Herbs

Hanging Method (Best for Sturdy Herbs)

• Gather small bundles of herbs and tie them with twine.

• Hang upside down in a dry, dark, well-ventilated space.

• Avoid direct sunlight, which can weaken magical properties.

Drying time: 1-3 weeks.

Flat Drying (For Delicate Leaves & Flowers)

• Spread herbs in a single layer on a mesh screen, paper towel, or cloth.

• Keep in a dark, dry place with good airflow.

Drying time: 5-10 days.

Oven Drying (For Quick Drying)

• Set the oven to the lowest temperature (around 100-150°F or 38-65°C).

• Place herbs on a baking sheet and leave the oven door slightly open.

• Check every 10-15 minutes to prevent burning.

Drying time: 1-2 hours.

Dehydrator Method (Efficient & Even Drying)

• Place herbs in a dehydrator at a low setting (95-115°F or 35-46°C).

• Dry until leaves crumble easily.

Drying time: 4-12 hours, depending on the herb.

𖥞Storing Dried Herbs

• Glass Jars: Store herbs in airtight glass jars, preferably tinted to block light.

• Labeling: Always label with the herb name and date of drying.

• Cool, Dark Storage: Keep herbs away from sunlight and moisture.

• Energetic Cleansing: Charge dried herbs with moonlight or crystals before use.

𖥞Herb Foraging Schedule (Midwest)

🌷Spring:

• Dandelion

• Stinging nettle

• Hemlock

• Violet

• Chickweed

• Foxglove

• Wild onion/garlic

• Wild lupine

• Milkweed

• Lilac

• Black raspberry

• Tulip

• Wild plum

• Spiderwort

• Basil

• Trillium

• Yarrow

• Knot weed

• Plantain

• Lemon balm

• Mint

• Chervil

• Chives

• Dill

• Burdock

• Oregano

• Locust

🌻Summer:

• Wild raspberry and blackberry

• Elderberry

• Mullien

• Nightshade

• Lavender

• Rosemary

• Sage

• Purple cornflower (echinacea)

• Goldenrod

• Wild bergamot

• Datura (Jimson weed)

• Gooseberry

• Monarda

• Chicory

• Wild carrot

• Lily

• Queen Anne's lace

• Cutleaf toothwort

• Mugwort

• Wormwood

• Rosehips

• Purslane

• Mulberry

• Pokeweed

• Bittersweet

• American mandrake

🍄Autumn:

• Acorns

• Buckeyes

• Burdock root

• Hawthorn berries

• Pine needles

• Poison sumac

• White snake root

• Garlic mustard

• Black walnut

• Pawpaw

• Shagbark hickory

• Persimmon

• Witch hazel

• Juniper berries

• Cat tails

• Mushrooms

❄️Winter:

• Beech nuts

• Pine nuts

• Chestnuts

• Pinecones

𖥞Foraging Bones

Foraging for animal bones is a sacred practice that connects witches to nature, death cycles, and spirit work. Whether for divination, spellwork, or ancestral veneration, ethically collecting bones requires respect and knowledge.

Where to Find Bones:

• Forests & Woodlands - Look near animal trails, under trees, or in dry areas.

• Riverbanks & Lakeshores - Water can wash up bones over time.

• Fields & Deserts - Open areas may have sun-bleached remains.

• Roadsides & Farmland - Unfortunately, roadkill can be a source, but always ensure it is safe and legal to collect.

Ethical & Legal Considerations:

• Respect the Dead - Offer gratitude or a small offering when taking bones.

• Check Local Laws - Some areas prohibit collecting certain animal remains.

• Leave No Trace - Do not disturb entire ecosystems while searching.

Cleaning & Preparing Bones:

• Dry Cleaning - Brush off dirt and debris.

• Water Soaking - Soak in warm water to loosen soft tissue (never use bleach!).

• Hydrogen Peroxide Bath - Use 3% peroxide to whiten and disinfect bones.

• Sun Drying - Leave in the sun for a few days for natural purification.

Magickal Uses for Bones:

• Divination - Use small bones in casting (Osteomancy).

• Altars & Ancestral Work - Honor spirits with bone offerings.

• Talismans & Charms - Carry bones for protection and strength.

• Crafting Tools - Use bones for wands, runes, or ritual tools.

Foraging is an essential skill for a witch, as it deepens their connection with nature and provides access to fresh, potent ingredients for spells, potions, and rituals. Wild herbs, roots, and flowers carry strong natural energies that enhance magickal workings in ways store-bought materials cannot. Understanding the land and its seasonal growth also fosters self-sufficiency and sustainability, aligning a witch’s practice with the cycles of the Earth. Additionally, foraging strengthens intuition and knowledge of plant properties, ensuring safe and ethical use of nature’s offerings.

By embracing foraging as part of your craft, you not only strengthen your magickal practice but also develop a deep, sacred relationship with the land. You will discover that it to be its own spiritual practice, a communion with nature, and a fantastic way to spend your day. Happy foraging, witches!

[buriedpentacles]

Pick a Picture - What Message Does The Natural World Have For You? 💚🪲🌱

Pick the image that calls to you and scroll to their respective message. If the message does not resonate or feel 'right', then leave it for another and move on. I would love if you replied or dmed me to let me know if the message DID resonate!! Pictures chosen randomly from pinterest. I used the Tarot of the Divine by Yoshi Yoshitani.

🐦‍⬛ PILE 1 - Deer and Crow Cards: Eight of Swords rv, Ten of Wands, Queen of Cups rv

This is a message from the natural world, and yet there are no pentacles - no cards representing the earth. You have grown disconected from the world around you, so caught up in yourself and your own feelings that you have failed to notice the changes around you; are you aware of how the moon has changed this cycle? Have you noticed the changes in flower blooms or the absence of certain bird calls? You have been so wrapped up in your own world that a lifetime has passed in the world around you. The Eight of Swords is a cage that you have built around yourself, you have bound yourself to your troubles and then lost yourself to the victimhood that you created. Now, it is time to let go. The pain is familiar but the sword only hurts because you still hold it. Let it go. The Ten of Wands is the central card, and the only upright one; it is time to accept that the end has come and that you need to move on. If you don't you will become stagnant and burdened by 'it'. Endings can be so difficult, we want to hold on for as long as we can, but we must accept that everything comes to an end. But when one flower dies, another takes it place, not the same perhaps, but beautiful still. The Queen of Cups, as the only court card, represents you. Typically, the Queen of Cups is a kind, intuitive figure - she listens to others and her own heart. But here the Queen is reversed. Your emotions relating to this change are compromised, you are not listening to your intuition or to others, only your selfish desire. Take a step back, breath, and recognise that deep down your heart and body know you must let go.

🌊 PILE 2 - Deer in Water Cards: The High Priestess, The Empress, Nine of Wands rv

A message with tw omajor arcana speaks to me of great importance, this is not a message about your path or journey, it is not about your current troubles or wishes for the future. This is a message about your very being and who you are. The High Priestess is a keeper of incredible wisdom, she knows things that she has never read, heard secrets that no-one has whispered and wanders in the realm of moonlight and dreams. Listen to your intuition and your dreams because they are telling you the truth. A deer does not question it's urge to flee, or it's feeling that it is safe, it trusts its evolution and intuition and behaves accordingly, but that does not mean they are unaware. Listen to your body, where do you feel anger? How does it feel? Is it sharp? Warm? Does it sit in your ribcage or your stomach? Practice this for all your emotions so that you can recognise and respect them. The Empress is the card of a Mother, of Nature and her power of creation. This card is to remind you of her presence in your life. You are an animal, just the same as the birds outside your window or the fox that scurries through your garden. You have the same primal knowledge, the same instincts and feelings. Do not try to sanitise yourself or seperate yourself from the beasts because that is when you hurt people the most. You will feel anger and sadness, you will make mistakes, lash out and be cruel. There will be people who cannot forgive you, and others that can. This is how it is and you must accept that. Know your feelings, give them space and compassion. Only then can you work towards improving your behaviours and actions. The Nine of Wands is reversed, and the only minor arcana - this card is relevant only in tangent to the others. You are struggling to move forward in your healing. In your mind, your path to "redepemtion" is far too steep and rocky, you feel as though you will never be the person you want to be. And maybe you won't. But, if you stop trying to change yourself for others, if you stop trying to make yourself into this perfect, unfeeling, unbothered martyr, then you will become the person that you are meant to be. The person who sits inside your irbs, nestled against your heart, whispering to you: "Run away from it all. Be free from them." Perhaps it is time to listen to that voice.

🌼 PILE 3 - Deer in Meadow Cards: Justice, Seven of Pentacles rv, Eight of Wands rv

The Major Arcana, Justice, is a representative of the Air element - truth, intellect, communication are the pillars of the element and this is where your message lies. You are searching for the truth in a matter. The Justice card speaks of truth, but also of actions and consequence - a double edged blade. Truth has a way of finding itself to the surface, no matter how deep it is buried, and you have decided that you will be the one to find it. But remember, Justice must be impartial, you cannot dictate the truth based on what you wish it to be. Review the facts and context and make your decisions fairly. The Seven of Pentacles reversed signifies that you have been pouring a lot of energy into this search, this desperation to find the truth, but you are looking in the wrong place. You've become so blinded by what you think is true that you are digging only in places that could confirm it. But now, you've been searching here for so long that you feel giving up would be a waste or a failure. Do not invest your time where it will not bear fruit. The Eight of Wands is a similiar message, your progress is delayed and communication grows more difficult. Your answers lie just out of reach but you will reach them, it is just going to take time and effort. Make sure you are truly aligned with your goal, and willing to look in other places even if it will present a distatesteful answer. If you are not willing to accept a truth that hurts, look away. Stop trying to find a false truth in someone else, that is only a distraction from the blade that lays wedged between your own ribs - the one who put it there is behind you, so turn around.

[qldqueerboy]

You have been labelled as way too motherly by your forward thinking approach in strategizing how you would handle future events. It’s a compliment you are happy to accept especially because it acknowledges your emotional maturity when it comes to handling family or friends going through financial hardship or physical woes.

[lady-0f-the-wood]

So an infection, not a phase.

[doodleloopsy]

is it just me or is the amount of consistent Apollo, Hermes, and Aphrodite tiktoks I'm getting in succession suspicious

[turtlefordestiel]

Does anybody have any art that depicts Athena bursting through Zeus's Head? It's a hilarious concept to me but like I need a visual interpretation because on my own it's very hard to figure it out. I'm begging here

[daughterofaphroditee]

went thrifting and found this GORGEOUS vintage mug from 1978 for only .99 cents!! Lady aphrodite was definitely with me

source

[criticalthinkingwitches]

CritWitchCon2024 - Ticket Giveaway!

What is the Critical Thinking Witch Collective? Our mission is to bring together a community of critical thinking witches and seekers of all varieties – centering the secular, nontheistic, agnostic, atheist, skeptical, and science-minded – to meet, network, commune, collaborate, share, support one another, and learn from each other in kindness, curiosity, and creativity. We strive to foster a safer space where magic and science are respected equally, acknowledging that there can be genuine beauty and meaning in the mysterious.

What is CritWitchCon?

CritWitchCon started in 2021 as a 3 day virtual conference for critical thinking witches held on Zoom with an interactive Discord componet. It consists of panels, talks, workshops, and even opportunities for community and vendor engagement. 

When is CritWitchCon2024?

September 27-29, 2024

What can I win?

 Access to the virtual con, the discord server, and recorded lectures and panels. A value of $40

How do I enter? 

Adults (18+) can ener by:

1) LIKE this post 

2) REBLOG 

 3) Bonus by COMMENTING on why you would like to attend!

Here are the other rules:

You must be following us to enter

We'll accept entries up to 11:59 p.m. ET on September 20, 2024

International entries are welcome

No spam/contest-only accounts

We will pick 1 winner from Tumblr and will send an ask to notify you as the winner by September 22, 2024

This giveaway  isn't administered, sponsored, endorsed by, or associated with Tumblr.

For more information about the Critical Thinking Witch Collective and how to get tickets or get involved, check out.

[natureselements]

🖤shop here🖤

[iridescent-witch-life]

Enchantinggemstones

[nouveaucrystals]

Reblog if you a true Rose Quartz lover 🌸💖

Shop Here ⬅️

[astra-ravana]

Acquiring, Keeping, and Caring For Cursed Objects

So, you want a cursed object? Maybe you're a collector of haunted artifacts, a chaos witch who loves a challenge, or just someone who thinks “possessed” is a selling point. Whatever your reason, handling cursed items is an art—one that requires knowledge, caution, and maybe a good exorcist on speed dial.

Where to Find Cursed Objects

If you’re looking to acquire an object with questionable spiritual history, try:

Thrift Stores & Estate Sales

• Old mirrors, antique dolls, and Victorian jewelry are prime candidates.

• Look for items with a strange energy or eerie backstory from previous owners.

• Cursed objects tend to feel either cold or warm.

Online Marketplaces

• eBay and Etsy occasionally feature items labeled as “haunted” or “cursed.”

• Be wary of fakes—if it comes with a certificate of authenticity, it’s probably a gimmick.

Abandoned & Historical Sites

• Be very careful when taking objects from old buildings, cemeteries, or battlefields. Some spirits don’t appreciate being relocated without permission.

Occult Shops & Witch Markets

• Some practitioners sell intentionally hexed, haunted, or enchanted objects.

• Check the seller’s reputation before buying something that might decide to rearrange your furniture at night.

How to Identify a Cursed Object

Not all creepy antiques are cursed, but some red flags include:

Unexplained Bad Luck - After bringing the object home, things start breaking, people fall ill, or your cat suddenly hates you.

Disturbing Dreams & Nightmares - If an item gives you visions of past tragedies, or whispers in the night—it’s probably cursed.

Strange Physical Reactions - Feeling cold, dizzy, or heavy near the object? That’s a sign of a strong energy attachment.

Moving or Vanishing on Its Own - If the object relocates itself, refuses to stay put, or vanishes and reappears, congratulations—you have an active one.

Electronic & Environmental Disturbances - Flickering lights, draining batteries, and objects falling for no reason are classic signs of spirit activity.

Safely Keeping a Cursed Object

If you want to coexist with your new haunted acquisition (without getting hexed into oblivion), follow these guidelines:

Set Boundaries-

• Speak to the object (yes, really). Tell it:

“You are welcome here, but you will not harm, scare, or disrupt my space.”

• Reinforce with protective symbols (salt, runes, or sigils).

Keep It Contained-

• Glass cases help contain energy.

• A dedicated altar or place of honor makes the spirit feel welcome and appreciated.

• Iron boxes can trap aggressive spirits.

• Mirror boxes can function as a trap for many spirits.

Regular Cleansing & Offerings-

• If the spirit is sentient, occasional offerings (coins, incense, or flowers) can keep it calm.

• Empower the spirit through regular acknowledgement.

• Smoke cleansing, bells, or singing bowls can balance energy without removing the curse/spirit.

• Marshmallow root makes spirits happy and calm.

Have a Backup Plan-

• If things go wrong, have banishing components (like black salt, rue, or black tourmaline) ready.

• A witch, priest, or medium can help if the object becomes too hostile.

• Consider 'rehoming' objects that become too dangerous to a more willing collector.

• Burying, throwing into fast moving water, or burning will neutralize most objects. Some spirits may just be made furious by the disrespect, however, so be wise.

Owning a cursed object is like having a supernatural roommate—you need rules, respect, and an exit strategy. Whether you’re collecting for curiosity, magickal experimentation, or sheer thrill, just remember: some spirits are happy to stay dormant… until they’re not. Happy haunting!

[lunasun1verse]

Witches for Justice: Collective Spellcasting Event

Originally on TikTok to get the word out

This is a mustering call to arms or…. Wands…. beginning on February 27th (26th for followers of Hecate), for all witches of all paths to either send energy to the collective or begin spell work that focuses on protection, uncovering truth, Justice, vengeance and for evil to be broke down and brought low. From beginner witchlings to the more advanced crones, I’m personally asking that you join me in the spiritual as our comrades in arms also take to the streets to dissent and protest against the tyranny of the current regime.

Beginner witchlings, this would be your chance to try out some basic protection magick and strength spells

Light and rootworkers would do best in sweetening and softening hearts, protection magick and the like.

Grey witches, left handed witches and rootworkers…… y’all already know wtf time it is. Grab them lemons and rusty nails, we do the dirty work

If you are not a witch but still wanna participate, just send your energy and well wishes.

The spell will reach its climax on the full moon, March 14th, to which I ask that you add this spell to whatever work you’re doing between 9pm and 12am that night.

While the aim isn’t specifically to hurt these cowards, if the Universe decides that they have a karmic debt to pay… well…. 🤷🏽‍♀️

I hereby make it known that I do not recognize the authority of the current administration of the United States and do not trust it to uphold their oaths to the constitution.

Together we are stronger. They are not like us, and we need to remind them of that.

Tonight’s song is very obviously Kendrick Lamar’s Not Like Us.

The revolution is here and it is us.

[qldqueerboy]

The guiding wisdom contained in all those old superstitions and folklores you once held sacred have returned. You can’t help feel the restless and turbulent energy seeping into your being. It’s pulsating and pushing for you to waking up from your slumber and touch and hold and cherish the coming of abundance into your life.

[rabbitpaws]

Coyote Tooth Fairy Ornament ✨️

Featuring a wood slice that is adorned with a pink butterfly, moss, and a coyote tooth. It is suspended by an olive green ribbon loop

All teeth utilized in our pieces are ethically sourced and cruelty free

Buy it here

[thecarrionwitch]

Inspo because why not?

I welcome, painted animal skulls and bones and other little things I want to put time into doing.

((PICS FROM PINTEREST))

Like, look how pretty. These would make for like, damn near perfect altar gifts 👀🥺