#paganism 101

[lanternagainstthedark]

Paganism and Prayer

So... Prayer is a difficult concept for some people- whether it is coming from a place of religious trauma, inexperience, or even just not having a habit of praying, it is difficult.

But "prayer" (n.) is "a solemn request for help or expression of thanks addressed to God or another deity," according to Oxford Languages. This is can be very different from what Abrahamic religons present, and as these are among the most populated religions in the world, most people get at least a bit of exposure through that lens.

Prayer is not just "talking to a friend", though that is a good starting point. It's a conversation, and you have to train yourself in how to have that conversation. It starts with a chat, a get to know what you are comfortable with. It needs to grow past that however.

"Lantern," you may be asking, "how in the name of everything sacred, do I do that?"

Sorry to disappoint you, but... it starts with consistent, ritualized practice.

Not "ritualized" in the way of "preforming a ritual with lots of people, ingredients, and intents", but "ritualized" as in "a set of steps that you follow to build habits".

Not Ritual, but ritual.

Here is an example of where I started:

Cleanse myself

Shield myself

Address the deity

Praise the deity

Make a request

State the offering

Praise again

Thank and "dismiss"

Close the circle

Cleanse again.

That's a lot for a new pagan. If you feel like that is right for you, great! For me, it was too much and required more spoons that I could share.

Here is my current steps:

Greet and call upon the deity I am addressing.(Usually with a specific epithet).

Thank the deity for support, attention, whatever happened recently I am thankful for.

Explain my current situation.

Ask for help in acheiving my goals.

Thank them again, make the offering, or finish.

This is much less effort for me. I also have a couple daily offerings that are lifestyles, not physical offerings. These are my most consistent offerings, and the ones I am most confident in.

I hope this ramble is at least a little helpful- It was late due to some family stuff occurring right now. Nothing bad, just busy!

[moonsilkwisdom]

Scrying, a brief introduction

Scrying is simultaneously the easiest form of divination to access and one of the hardest to actually perform. The tools required are a quiet space to work and an object for focus. What to use as a focus? Flames of candles or oil lamps are some of the older possibilities along side pools of water, oil, or wine. More modern possibilities are wax, mirrors, and crystal balls. There are also smoke, clouds, or the reflection in the eyes of another. Really anything you want to use is a valid tool, including a random piddle of rain water, that special candle gifted to you, or a pretty, translucent crystal that calls to you. The process involves seeking a quiet, meditative state of mind and letting what comes to answer the question. For this reason, a quiet space is necessary. What makes this challenging is there is talent involved in this process. Also, one needs to be open to what shows up either in the object or mind’s eye. Lack of confidence in one’s ability to scry will prevent the possibility. Practice can help. Making time to quiet the mind and find what forms of meditation work best for you. Attempting scrying may also reveal why a different form of divination may work better for you. For myself, I find pieces of paper or cardboard with images easier to use. I still lack confidence in my ability to straight scry, but welcome when scrying when occurs during card readings. This occurs when I get images that overlay the card's artwork or images appear in my mind.

[cavorta]

Newbie questions about paganism and/or witchcraft

Alright, I see the same questions coming up again and again by newbies in the fields of paganism and/or witchcraft/magick. I do like to answer newbie questions, so I am going to answer a few ones which I have heard over and over again.

Starting today (September 8, 2023) with this one: I have seen this … is it a sign?

Let me answer this with a quote (which is also in the picture): "It is important to recognise that not everything you see or notice is a sign, a symbol or a message. If for example you always have crows in your garden, if they nest in the trees around where you live, if you see them every day or almost every day then seeing crows is highly unlikely to be a sign, a symbol or a message. Sometimes a crow is just a crow. If though the crow is doing something highly unusual such as tap dancing on your patio then it may very well be trying to give you a message." quoted from: "Signs, Symbols and Messages" © Yvonne Ryves from the anthology "iPagan", John Hunt Publishing (Moon Books)

[spiritualgoddess444]

I finally finished reading this book and I helped me so much to understand about Paganism. A lot of these things that I read really clicks with me and how I was more drawn to this than I am with Christianity. At the end of the book there was a quiz to give you an idea where you'll continue your journey and I found out my answers matched more to Heathenry which in my case it makes sense and I did more researches about the Armenian Paganism and found that it's also in the same category as Heathenism but it's Hetanism or Neopaganism. I highly recommend this book.

[rosesforhekate101]

What is Paganism?

This month at Ravens Rest Moot we were covering the topic of what paganism is and what paganism means to us as members. We started out by defining what Paganism in the broadest understanding – that is an umbrella term for spiritual beliefs and practices which do not confirm to the societal normative religion. Today this would refer to Christianity and similar Abrahamic faiths but the term “pagan”…

[thejournallo]

Witchcraft Basics Masterlist!

Witchcraft Basics and Giggles:

Everything to know before you start! The various practices The Tools healing, protecting, and grounding. shielding and banishing herbs,oils and crystals.| Herbs | Oils | Crystals the sabbats the Elements astrology + astrology calendar spells, hexes and curses energy manipulation the various entitis Divination tool Symbology Shadow Work Witchy hack Offerings Grimoire/book of shadows how to work with deities. (works with entities too)

more master lists!

[travelingthief]

Hecate Devotional Acts and Offerings

Devotional Acts

Magic/Sorcery/Spells

Write/cast spells

Daily practical magic

Practice divination

Bonecasting

Scrying

Make a talisman

Protection magic around your home

Have a book of shadows

Learn the history of witchcraft

Learn astrology

Learn herbology

Study the occult

Astral projection

Keep a dream journal

Moon/Night

Follow the moon cycles

Make moon water

Practice moon magic

Take a nighttime walk

Star/moon gaze

Sit in the dark and ponder your existence

Ghosts/Demons/The Dead

Leave offerings for the dead

Honor ancestors

Clean graves (PROPERLY!!!)

Visit graveyards

Leave flowers at graves

Learn local ghost stories

Tell ghost stories

Go ghost hunting

Learn demonology

Protection magic against the dead/demons

Miscellaneous

Stand/meditate at crossroads

Keep secrets entrusted to you

Walk dogs

Light candles

Shadow work 

Journal

Take a walk

Offerings

Moon water

Moon imagery

Moonstone/selenite

Keys

Locks

Herbs/plants/poisonous plants (safely)

Lighters/matches

Snake imagery

Snakeskins 

Ghost imagery

Grimoires

Pentacles

Essential oils

Dark alcohol

Books about magic, herbs, crystals, etc.

Tarot/oracle decks

Divination tools

Bones

Ouija boards/planchettes

Crow imagery

Crow feathers

Bat imagery

Dog fur

Potion bottles

Ashes

Wands

Mementos of the dead

Urns

Grave rubbings

Iron

Crossroads dirt

Cauldrons

Mortar and pestles

Pillar candles

Coffee grounds

Black teas

Garlic!!

Veils

Talismans

Birth charts

Daggers/athames

[hallow-witxh]

Kitchen Staples and Their Properties

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

Bread: health, abundance, the hearth, kindship

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

Butter: peace, friendships/relationships, spirituality

Cheese: goal completion, happiness, moon magic, health

Eggs: feminine/goddess magic, fertility, mysticism

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

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

Rice: fertility, protection, luck, money, growth

Salt: purification, protection, grounding, cleansing

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

White Vinegar: cleansing, purification, protection

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

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

Support your local witch on Ko-Fi!

[diana-thyme]

Greek Gods 101: A Masterlist

This is a masterlist of the “Greek Gods 101” series. This series aims to provide basic information and worship ideas for both major and minor deities. This masterlist also involves heroes, deified mortals, spirits, and other figures of Greek mythology. This list is now newly organized into letter categories.

A’s & B’s

C’s & D’s

E’s & F’s

G’s & H’s

I’s & L’s

M’s & N’s

O’s & P’s

R’s & S’s

T’s, U’s, & Z’s

What is a “Universal Offering/Devotional Act?”

Feel free to request or suggest deities! This list will be done in order but you can ask for me to complete one that’s further down the list. Requests take priority!

This list is subject to change. There are probably repeat deities (deities who go by multiple names, parts of groups like the Horae or Charities who are mostly grouped together, etc.) on this list. Some deities are not on here. Some names are spelt wrong or different.

[high-priestess-house]

𝕬 𝕲𝖚𝖎𝖉𝖊 𝖙𝖔 𝕾𝖍𝖆𝖉𝖔𝖜 𝖂𝖔𝖗𝖐

Shadow Work is a psychological and spiritual practice that involves exploring the unconscious or hidden parts of oneself, often referred to as the “shadow.” This concept, popularized by Swiss psychiatrist Carl Jung, refers to the aspects of our personality that we reject, deny, or are unaware of. These can include repressed emotions, desires, and impulses that we consider unacceptable or undesirable.

The Purpose of Shadow Work

The goal of shadow work is to bring these hidden aspects into the light of consciousness. By acknowledging and integrating these parts, individuals can achieve greater self-awareness, healing, and personal growth. This process can lead to improved relationships, reduced emotional reactivity, and a more balanced, authentic self.

Steps to Begin Shadow Work

Self-Reflection: Start by setting aside time for introspection. Journaling is a powerful tool for this. Write about your thoughts, feelings, and experiences, especially those that trigger strong emotional reactions.

Identify Triggers: Pay attention to situations and people that provoke intense emotions or reactions. These triggers often point to unresolved issues or aspects of your shadow self.

Meditation and Mindfulness: Practice mindfulness and meditation to observe your thoughts and feelings without judgment. This can help you become more aware of your inner landscape and the patterns that arise.

Inner Dialogue: Engage in a dialogue with your shadow self. This can be done through journaling or visualization techniques. Ask questions and listen to what your shadow has to say. This helps in understanding its origins and messages.

Seek Guidance: Working with a therapist, counselor, or spiritual guide can provide support and insight. They can help you navigate the deeper aspects of shadow work and offer techniques tailored to your needs.

Creative Expression: Use art, music, or other creative outlets to express and explore your shadow. Creativity can be a safe way to bring unconscious material to the surface.

Incorporating Shadow Work into Spirituality and Witchcraft

1. Rituals and Ceremonies:

Moon Phases: The waning moon is an excellent time for shadow work, as it symbolizes release and letting go. Create a ritual where you write down aspects of your shadow you wish to address and burn the paper as an act of transformation.

Samhain: This Sabbat festival, marks a time when the veil between worlds is thin. It’s an ideal period for introspection and shadow work. Set up an altar with symbols representing your shadow aspects and meditate on them.

2. Divination:

Tarot and Oracle Cards: Use these tools to gain insights into your shadow self. Draw cards with the intention of uncovering hidden aspects or issues that need attention.

Scrying: Practice scrying with a mirror or a bowl of water to tap into your subconscious mind. This can reveal images or messages related to your shadow.

3. Spellwork:

Protection and Grounding: Perform spells for protection and grounding before engaging in deep shadow work. This ensures you are energetically protected and stable.

Shadow Integration Spells: Create spells designed to help you integrate your shadow aspects. This can involve using herbs, crystals, and symbols associated with healing and balance.

4. Journaling and Grimoire:

Keep a dedicated shadow work journal or section in your grimoire. Document your experiences, insights, and progress. This not only tracks your journey but also provides a reference for future work.

5. Working with Deities and Spirits:

Dark Goddesses: Invoke goddesses such as Hecate, Lilith, or the Morrigan, who are associated with the shadow and transformation. Ask for their guidance and support in your shadow work.

Spirit Guides and Ancestors: Call upon your spirit guides or ancestors for assistance. They can offer wisdom and protection as you navigate your shadow.

Benefits of Shadow Work in Spiritual Practice

Enhanced Self-Awareness: Understanding your shadow leads to a deeper awareness of your true self, fostering spiritual growth.

Emotional Healing: By addressing repressed emotions and traumas, shadow work promotes healing and emotional well-being.

Greater Empathy and Compassion: Integrating your shadow helps you become more empathetic and compassionate towards others, as you recognize similar struggles in them.

Empowerment and Authenticity: Embracing all parts of yourself, including the shadow, empowers you to live more authentically and confidently.

Shadow work is a profound journey of self-discovery and healing. By courageously facing and integrating the hidden aspects of yourself, you can achieve greater harmony and balance in your life. Incorporating shadow work into your spiritual and witchcraft practices can deepen your connection to yourself and the spiritual realm, fostering a richer, more authentic experience.

[divine-crows]

Using Cartomancy to Understand your Witches Compass

This is a method I've been doing to uncover archetypes, symbolism, and mythologies/stories (some of my own making, some are not). If you are personally attuned to divination, this may be a fun exercise for you!

I'd like to note that I'm not an authority by any means over the subject of the Witches' Compass, I'm still exploring and learning how it fits into my life. However, I'm really passionate about the subject so I'm quite eager to share this idea I've been working with.

[Process explained under the cut. Warning! This is a lengthy post]

There are probably more correspondences to the cardinal directions than I'm even aware of, and there are multitudes of ways you can correspond each element. I highly recommend finding a firm understanding of how you generally perceive each cardinal direction, that way you have a basis before you start.

First, a list of things I recommend for this exercise, but they aren't necessarily required:

Have a preexisting idea of what each Cardinal Direction means to you. For example, I meditated on each direction and got an idea of which senses and emotions were evoked by each direction.

Take advantage of how the time of day can be associated with the Compass.

Have an understanding of how the elements connect to your cards and what symbolism they possess.

Now, moving onto the exercise itself:

1. Select a deck from which you can work with.

Tarot. Playing cards. Whatever you feel will take you on this journey without hindering you with preconceived notions. In my case, I selected a playing card deck I consecrated for divination.

2. Select four cards that represent each element along with 'beginnings'.

In my case, I used the ace card and then meditated on each card until I felt pulled to ascribe a direction to each one. You may feel pulled to rely on predetermined associations when it comes to ascribing directions-- go ahead and do that if it feels fit.

3. Take the card you associated with "East", this is the first card you will be starting with. Meditate on what symbolism behind the card means to you and how it empowers the cardinal direction.

If you're working with unfamiliar symbolism, don't shy away from taking a day to research the hidden meanings behind each card. You may also ascribe any preconceived feelings or notions towards this cardinal direction while you meditate on this card.

4. When you feel like you've sufficiently connected to both the card and the cardinal direction, place it to the east. Place the others in one of the cardinal directions.

Since the other cards aren't the focus, it shouldn't matter how accurately the others are placed. However it's desirable to attempt some accuracy if it doesn't pull away from your focus.

5. Now, this is when you will invoke the Compass:

I am not one for consistently opening the compass the same way every time, but for this excersize specifically I felt it nessicary to start with rhythmic humming and chanting. Moving clockwise, I invoked the spirits of each direction. I used an "open arms" gesture as I spoke to better connect me to each spirit (a symbolic way of welcoming each one). When I finished invoking each spirit, I would bend down and place a hand on each card, imagining the spirits of that direction standing guard over their respective card. I also find it helpful to imagine myself as the center of a Compass, and the circle I walk is the bounds I traverse.

6. Stand/sit at the center (whichever is more comfortable for you) and state your intentions with this working:

In this instance, I had said something to the effect of "I ask the spirits to facilitate my exploration of the East direction." And then I specifically asked the spirits of the east to "help me better connect with the direction of the East through symbolism and mythos."

7. Close your eyes and let yourself be taken on a journey. While waiting for the journey to begin, imagine the aspects of the cardinal direction, and imagine sensations and feelings you associate with it.

How this journey looks will vary greatly from person to person based on their beliefs, notions, and ideas of the unseen world. For me, I was approached each time by a different Goddess who shared with me a pivotal story that shaped them, but for you it could be a wide variety of possibilities.

8. After your journey is done, write down what you experienced. I personally like keeping my compass open for this portion because I feel that it helps me recall better. After you're done thank each cardinal direction for it's part in the exercise, and then close the compass when you feel ready.

I strongly recommend taking the rest of the day to do other things. I found it was easier for me to fully understand and digest the experience when I split each component of the exercise into dedicated days.

9. Repeat with each cardinal direction, moving in a clockwise direction.

So after your work with East, you will delve into South, then West, and finally North.

Concluding Statement

I think that just about covers everything! I took heavy inspiration from the exercises created by Ian Chambers in his book "The Witch Compass" so I definitely urge you to read his work if my exercise did anything to help you open your eyes to the nature of your compass.

I myself am nearing the end of my cycle on this exercise (I'll be honest I'm waiting until winter solstice to fully harness the energy of the north for my final journey), and it definitely has given me a robust understanding of how each facet of the compass can represent me as a person.

I hope this idea can be as helpful to you as it was to me! Feel free --as always-- to share any ideas you have for exercises that can supplement this one or ideas that can work alongside mine!

[manifestationsofasort]

Things to put in your book of shadows

Of course, only put in your book of shadows/grimoire what you want. If you don't want to put certain subjects in your book then that's fine. It's your book, utilize it how you want. This is just a masterlist of ideas that I've put together. Feel free to add anything else to the list that I may have missed, because there's absolutely no way I included everything.

And for the love of all the gods, if you come across a closed entity or practice, don't try to work with the entity or practice if you're not already part of that group or tradition. You can research it but don't practice it.

+ A blessing and/or protection

+ A table of contents

+ About you:

Your current path

Your personal beliefs

Your spiritual journey

Favorite crystals/herbs/animals

Natal chart

Craft name

How you got into the craft

Astrology signs

Birthday correspondences (birth tarot card, birth stone, etc)

Goals (if you have any)

Anything other relating to your personal practice

+ Safety

Fire safety

What NOT to burn

Plants and oils that can be toxic to your pets

What crystals shouldn't be in water, sunlight, etc

Things that shouldn't be put out in nature (salt, glass, etc)

Potion safety

How to incorporate blood safely

+ Core concepts:

Intention and how it works

Directing energy

Protection

Banishing

Cleansing

Charging

Shielding

Grounding and centering

Visualization

Consencration/Blessing

Warding

Enchanting

Manifestation

+ Correspondence

Personal correspondence

Crystals and rocks

Herbs and spices

Food and drink

Colors

Metals

Number

Tarot card

Elemental (fire, water, air, earth)

Trees and woods

Flowers

Days

Months

Moon phases

Zodiac

Planets

Incense

Teas

Essential oils

Directions (north, south, east, west)

Animals

Local plants, animals, etc

Dream symbology

+ Different practices

Practices that are closed to you (some examples below)

Voodoo and Hoodoo **Closed**

Santeria and Brujeria **Closed**

Shamanism and native american practices **Closed**

Wicca and wiccan paths

Satanism, both theistic and non-theistic paths

+ Different types/practices of magick

Pop culture magick

Technology magick

Chaos magick

Green witchcraft

Lunar magick

Sea witchcraft

Kitchen magick

Ceremonial magick

Hedge witchcraft

Death witchcraft

Grey witchcraft

Eclectic witchcraft

Norse witchcraft

Hellenic witchcraft

Animism

+ Deities

The deity/deities you worship

Different pantheons (the main five are Celtic, Roman, Greek, Egyptian and Norse, all open)

Deities and pantheons that are closed to you

Common offerings

Their epithets

Their mythology

Their family

Deity worship vs deity work

Prayers and how to make your own

Deity communication guide

Devotional acts

Ways to get closer to them

+ Other spiritual entities

Angels

Ancestor work

Spirit guides

The fae

Demons

Familiars

House spirits, animal spirits and plant spirits

Other various folklore entities

Spirit etiquette

Cemetery etiquette

Setting boundaries with the spirits

Communication guide and etiquette

Grounding, banishing, protection and cleansing, aka: "Spirit work safety guide"

How they appear to you

Common offerings

Circle casting

+ Divination

Tarot cards

Oracle cards

Tarot and oracle spreads

Pendulum

Numerology

Scrying

Palmistry/palm reading

Tasseography (Tea leaf reading)

Rune stones

Shufflemancy (Shuffling of a playlist)

Dice divination

Bibliomancy (Randomly picking a phrase from a book)

Carromancy (Melted wax)

Pyromancy (Reading flames)

Psychic abilities

Astrology

Aura reading

Divination via playing cards

Lenormand 

Sacred geometry

Angel numbers

+ Other types of magick

Candle magick

Crystal magick

Herbalism/herbal magick

Glamour magick

Hexing

Jinxing

Cursing

Weather magick

Astral work

Shadow work

Energy work

Sigils

Art magick

Knot magick

Crystal grids

Color grids

Music magick

Charms, talismans and amulets

+ Spellwork

What makes a spell work

Basic spell structure

What NOT to do

Disposing of spell ingredients

Revitalizing long term spells

How to cast spells

What to put in spells (See correspondence)

Spell mediums- Jar spells, spoken spells, candle spells, sigils, etc

Spell timing

Setting up a ritual

Taglocks: What they are and how to use them

+ Holidays and Esbats

Yule

Imbolc

Ostara

Beltane

Litha

Lughnasadh/Lammas

Mabon

Samhain

The 12 full moons (Esbats)

How to celebrate

Deity specific holidays

+ Altars and tools

What they are

The different types and their uses (travel altar, working altar, deity altar, ancestor altar, etc)

What you can put on your altar

What you use your altars for

Common tools in witchcraft

How to use the tools

Food and drink

Common herbs in recipes

Sabbat recipes

Moon water: What it is and how to use it

Potion bases

Tea magick

How to get your herbs

Foraging

+ Mental health and self care

Bath magick

Affirmations

Burnout prevention

Aromatherapy

Stress management

Mental health coping mechanisms

+ History of witchcraft

+ Dream records

+ How to differentiate between the magickal and the mundane

+ Calendar of celestial events (Esbats, retrogrades, etc)

+ How to dry herbs and flowers

+ What chakras actually are and how they work within Hinduism

+ History and traditional uses of reiki

+ The witches' alphabet

+ The runic alphabet

+ Common witchcraft terms

+ Common symbols in witchcraft

+ Your own witch tips

+ Good witchcraft books and authors to avoid

+ Any online resources you utilize often

[lunar-bat]

Beginner Friendly Witchraft Books

With a plethora of information available, it's essential to find the right resources to guide you through your magical path. Here are some books I would recommend to any beginner that offer a solid foundation into various paths and topics.

Witchery by Juliet Diaz

The book is a mix of personal experiences, practical instruction, and spiritual guidance, making it suitable for both beginners and people with more experience in the craft.

The Crooked Path by Kelden

This book has been an invaluable resource in my personal craft. It explores various aspects of traditional witchcraft, which if you're interested in I would definitely recommend.

Psychic Witch by Matt Auryn

This book is for anyone curious about the unseen world and their own untapped potential.

Green Witchcraft by Paige Vanderbeck

This is a guide to practicing green witchery, harnessing the natural world's magic for growth, healing, and living in harmony with nature.

Witchcraft for Beginners by Lisa Chamberlain

A pretty informative guide to witchcraft with brief but thorough descriptions of different paths.

Cunningham's Encyclopedia of Magical Herbs by Scott Cunningham

A classic book on magickal herbs

Sigil Witchery by Laura Tempest Zakroff

A comprehensive guide to sigil magick, focusing on helping you develop your own powerful sigil magick practice.

The Witch's Altar by Jason Mankey and Laura Tempest Zakroff

The witch's altar history, creation, and magical power to elevate rituals and connect with the sacred.

These are just ones I've personally found helpful when I first got into the craft, if you want any recommendations for specific topics feel free to ask :).

[grey-sorcery]

New to witchcraft? Awesome! Here's some things that you should avoid:

Divine [insert gender] or Sacred [insert gender]

Wicca (Especially "Wicca is ancient" bs)

Anything from Lewellyn Publishing

Visualization used as if it was energy work

Godphoning (talking to a deity for someone else, especially when it's non-consensual)

Spirit Animals

Spirit Shops

Spirit impreg

"Raising/higher Vibrations"

Contemporary/Western Reiki

New Age / Age of Aquarius

"Ascended Masters"

"Reptilians" (Aliens/pre-human terrestrials)

Emerald Tablets

Theosophy

New Thought

Anything related to Aleister Crowley

The Kybalion

"One True Way"

Witchcraft requiring a womb

"Men can't be witches" (Especially if they include trans women in this statement)

The Law of Attraction/Assumption

Spells purely with correspondences (Most spell candles/jars)

Appropriation (Dreamcatchers, Lilith, "Qabalah" or non-Jewish Kabbalah, Chakras, Kundalini, Yoga, Western Druidry, White Sage, voodoo, Hoodoo, etc outside of appropriate cultural context.)

"Black" or "White" magic

"Fae Council"

Claims of being a changeling

"Witchcraft requires sacrifice"

"Blood magic makes spells more powerful"

Reality Shifting

Magic/theology that requires self-harm

"Coven" (Especially if it's online)

If you see anyone endorsing anything on this list that is highlighted red, BLOCK THEM immediately.

Here is a list of things you should pursue!

[isuckmorethanjustblood]

witchcraft / deity work on a budget

if you, like me, don't have a lot of money but still want to practise witch craft / give offerings to your deities, here's some general tips on how you can do all that on a budget:

you don't need to burn a whole stick of incense or a whole spell candle at once. in fact, if you light a candle or incense with a specific intent and then burn it over the course of a couple of days, it might actually be more effective. unless you're using it to banish / get rid of something, then it might be better to burn it all in one go.

on that note, you don't need fancy spell candles, a tea light with a sigil carved into it can be enough

if you want to give food offerings but can't afford to waste / not eat food, you can just invite your deity to sit with you as you eat or you can put certain ingredients associated with your deity into your food, like for example wine for dionysus. or you can give them a small crumb of your food or a small sip of your drink to symbolise a whole meal. a lot of deities will also accept simple things like water or olive oil as offerings.

also: offerings don't need to be physical, you can perform certain actions in your deities name, just look up devotional acts for your deity, there's tons of useful stuff out there.

doing creative things like writing your own prayers or making devotional art is actually probably better than most physical offerings, since you put a lot of effort and time into it and its something personal to you. it doesn't even need to be good, you just need to put love and effort into it. this is especially good for deities who rule over the arts.

if you can't buy a whole tarot deck, theres lots of free online versions you can use, or you can use a simple deck of playing cards as a substitute.

anything you find outside can be magical, you don't need to buy any spell ingredients.

feel free to add onto this if you have more tips!!!

[tiredwitchplant]

It's Time for Samhain! (Oct 31- Nov 1)

What is Samhain? In the Celtic calendar, Samhain marks the end of summer and the harvest season, and the beginning of the dark, cold winter months. It falls opposite Beltane on May 1, which represents the beginning of spring and the life-filled growing season.

It’s believed that the veil between the living and the dead is thinnest on Samhain. Historically, people were worried that they would encounter ornery spirits if they ventured outside on Samhain night, so they dressed as ghosts or wore masks to disguise themselves. Folks would leave treats on their front porch or place an extra setting at the table to welcome any friendly spirits who stopped by. You can see how these Samhain rituals easily morphed into our modern-day version of trick-or-treating in costume.

Nighttime bonfires were another of the long-standing Samhain rituals - this one was thought to help combat the impending darkness of winter and the fearful chill that accompanied the idea of roaming spirits. Because the veil between living and dead is believed to be the thinnest on this night, Samhain is also a powerful night for divination and spellcasting by candlelight.

Usual Symbols of Samhain:

Ale or Mead

Pumpkins

Skulls

Besom or Broom

Beans

Cauldron

Bats

Keys

Squash

Pomegranate

Nuts

Apples and Cider

Bones

Herbs and Plants for Samhain:

Rosemary – Associated with remembrance and is needed during this season in taking time to honor the memories of our ancestors and other lost loved ones. Can be used in an incense blend and at ancestor altar

Fall Flowers – Includes flowers like marigolds and chrysanthemums. Are associated with protection and chrysanthemums come in handy with connecting to the spirit world

Apples (the fruit, branches and blossoms) – Is considered sacred to a lot of gods. A good apple harvest means that the gods have shown the community their favor. You can use apples in different rituals, especially divination

Pomegranates – Is associated with the realm of the underworld and helps with communication with the dead. It is also associated with fertility of the fall.

Squashes, Pumpkins and Gourds – Is associated with abundance and provides sustenance for your family when the fields become bare and covered in snow. Is linked to psychic awareness and development and protection.

Mugwort – Is associated with divination and dreaming. Using Mugwort baths or incenses in the rituals can focus on treating depression, especially with the seasons changing

Rowan Trees – The branches and berries are a way to keep evil spirits out of your house and are associated with good health. If you plant a tree near a grave, it will prevent the dead from rising.

Sage – Is associated with cleansing and grounding. Is a great incense to cleanse your home to bring in the new and out with the old

Hawthorn – Has been associated with the gateway between humans and the spirit world. Is also rumored to an area where you can see fairies.

Crystals for Samhain:

Amethyst – Aids in opening one’s third eye and is valuable to be able to see Samhain’s spirits around

Black Obsidian – Is great for grounding and protect from evil spirits. Can be used in scrying when speaking to deities and spirits of Samhain

Citrine – Is used to honor the sun. Aids in prosperity spells and carries joy

Black Tourmaline – Wards off unwanted spirits from your property and can be buried into the ground to protect from psychic attacks and spirit intrusion

Orange Calcite – Orange is a sacred color to Samhain. This stone is associated with one’s sacral chakra and can cleanse and align reproductive organs, sexuality and get creativity flowing

Bloodstone – Known to heal cardiovascular illness and disease. Can help with ancestry links and work

Spirit Quartz – Is great in helping communicate with the spirits of Samhain and releasing old and toxic habits

Lepidolite – Used to appease the fairies that roam during Samhain

Serpentine – Is associated with snakes and aids in remembering past lives. Loki seems to like this stone and may be great to use for him if you work with him during this season

Dragonstone – Dragons are guardians of the earth, spirits of place, and connect us to Mother Nature. Helps say goodbye to the old years and our old selves

Skull shaped Stones – Since skulls are symbols of Samhain, skull shaped stone can help with symbolism during this holiday. They represent the life-death-rebirth cycle, wisdom and our ancestors

Spells and Rituals:

A Samhain Tea (Apple and Hawthorn Berry)

1 apple, sliced

2 Tablespoon dried hawthorn berries (or 4 Tablespoons fresh)

1 cinnamon stick

A pinch of cloves

4 cups water

Honey, to taste (optional)

Combine all ingredients in a small stockpot.

Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer, covered, for 10 minutes.

Strain the plant material from the tea, then transfer the tea into two mugs.

Enjoy one for yourself, and leave the other on your table or front porch to nourish any wandering spirits who may pass while the veil between the living and the dead is thinnest.

A Pumpkin Spell for Prosperity

A pumpkin

Some paint

Go to the pumpkin patch (or local store) and select a pumpkin. Or let the pumpkin choose you.

Bring it home and paint prosperity symbols on it – money signs, runes for prosperity or harvest glyphs (whatever means prosperity to you).

Then place by your front door to invite prosperous vibes into your home this Samhain season.

Bonfire Release Purification Spell

Paper

Pen

Source of fire (bonfire, fireplace, candle flame)

Gather your materials and sit by the fire.

Take a few minutes to just listen to the fire crackling.

Gaze into the flames and connect with this powerful element.

Next begin to think about what habit or person you are releasing this Samhain. Think about why you’re purifying your life from this thing or person.

Then write the habit or person down on the piece of paper.

Fold it away from you 3 times.

Hold it in your hands and allow all of the negative thoughts and energies inside of you to “drain” out of you and into the paper.

Then throw it in the fire and say,

“After this Samhain, never again. Never again. I release _________ from my life by the power of the Samhain fire. So, mote it be.”

How to Make a Samhain Altar

Beautiful autumn leaves or flowers that you collect on a nature walk

A candle

A mugwort bundle

A string of rowan beads

A bowl of apples or a small pumpkin

A hawthorn wand or bowl of freshly picked hawthorn berries

A picture of your ancestors

To make an altar, first find a corner of your home or a table surface where you can arrange a few treasures. You don’t need a ton of space. You could use the top of a dresser, the corner of your desk, an unused side table, etc. 

After you’ve assembled your altar, spend some time sitting quietly in the space. Light the candle and/or mugwort wand, sip on a cup of Apple & Hawthorn Berry Tea and meditate on this energetically powerful day. 

I could find specific written instructions for a crystal grid but I found a video!

Crystal Grid for Samhain

Let's get ready for Samhain and have a great and safe time!