Dealing In Death: A Quick Guide To Death Magick

Throwin’ the Bones

Of the divinatory techniques with which I am familiar, bones are my personal favorite. Yes, they have that very witchy vibe – but it’s more than that; the bones are honest. They don’t sugar coat, and while they have to be interpreted, once you know how to read them – there’s little room for interpretation. They are very direct and are much better suited to answering yes or no questions than tarot. With a little imaginative methodology, there few questions the bones can’t answer. And even fewer they won’t answer (as tarot cards can be known to do). A few examples of things I think the bones are better at answering than tarot: questions involving time, questions regarding health, sickness and maledictions; they present a broader grasp to any given situation – incorporating things outside of the question presented and how these things relate to the question or the reading, showing the interconnectedness of life – and how these things all relate back.

Our countless cultures have countless methods for collecting and reading the Bones – and I can only rightly attest to my own methodology: one in which the Bones need not necessarily consist solely of bones, but a collection of gathered trinkets and curios, all with their own meaning, their own story and their own energy. My collection consists of: bones (bare and painted), coins, stones, shells, jewelry, twigs, buttons, animal teeth and other squabbles. The only rule I implement is that the item can be easily gathered and (safely) tossed without breakage or injury (save your razor-blades and glass shards for witches’ bottles!).

Collecting the Bones and Bobbles

Most any small bones will do, though its recommended that you use bones that haven’t been cooked, as cooked bones have a tendency to get very brittle – especially in the case of chicken, which is quite common. In my collection I have a number of different animal bones: most are chicken, but I also have some raccoon and possum bones, as well as teeth and claws. I built a “base” of bones, but am continuously adding or replacing as I see fit.

A short list of “Bones” I like to include – most of which serve as my “base” bones:

Self Bone – used for the reader

Other Bone – used to represent another person or the person you are reading

Magic Bone – represents the need for or use of magic

“Evil” Bone – malicious or hateful acts, disadvantageous behavior

Love Bone – represents romantic love

Male Bone – represents male fertility, masculinity, sexuality or a man

Female Bone – represents female fertility, femininity, sexuality or a woman

Health Bone – represents physical or mental health

Wealth Bone – represents financial standing or monetary issues

Family Bone – represents familial connections or a family member

Fate Bone – represents destiny and your lifepath (I use a shell for this: open side up means an event can be altered, destiny is not set in stone; open side down, this path must be walked – prepare in lieu of fighting)

“Key” Bone – (I actually use a small key) which represents the key to any given situation, the remedy or problem at hand and its cause

This list is by no means comprehensive and I have many more bones in my collection with more menial meanings. This is simply a small list of options to be added to and adapted by whosoever casts the bones.

Reading the Bones

There is no right or wrong way to read the bones, there is simply your way and their way. Below I will dictate how it is that I do a general reading – again, this is just an example of one way, take and adapt to fit your own unique style or tradition!

Begin by collecting your bones into your hand. I keep mine in a leather pouch, but don’t like to toss them directly from the bag as it doesn’t allow for much control – i.e. the bones fall out either in a massive, unreadable pile or they fly out in such a scattered way nothing is close enough to read. Throwing them from the hand allows for a rather contained casting, and one that can be read easily. I do not include the Self or Other bone, instead, the Self Bone is placed before the caster and the Other Bones is placed either in front of the person you’re reading for or simply in the middle of the casting area. When reading for yourself, place the Self Bone in the center and discard the Other Bone.

Throw the Bones. This can be done on a square of cloth on which a circle (or any number of complex shapes) has been drawn or simply upon a flat table. If throwing in a circle, discard all bones that fall outside of it. These bones are null for the reading, though they can also be read as “far from the person’s mind/current situation.”

Interpret the Bones. This is done by noting the location and connection of the bones present. For instance, note the Love Bones proximity to the Other Bones and the Male Bone. This could be interpreted as being the male love of the querent – but if the “Evil” bones is introduced, this could symbol ulterior motives or a hostile or explosive relationship. Read based on both their proximity to the Other Bone – the closer, the higher priority the matter is – and their relation to one another. It’s very much like investigating a big puzzle, putting it together piece by piece to form a comprehensive understanding of their life or situation. Also not their relation based on the third dimension: x bone seems to be overlapping y bone – is the x issue eclipsing an underlying problem or truth represented by y? It depends. Only through practice will you find clarity.

Convey the message. I always like to spend a few moments making a variety of “hmm” noises when reading for others – it builds up their anticipation. Or you can throw in the occasional gasp or snarky smirk. Their responses are usually hilarious – even more so when yours are genuine! If you are reading on your own, it may be a good idea to sketch out a general map of the readings as opposed to taking a picture as often bones overlie others, which makes for a rather misleading photo representation. You might also find jotting down notes rewarding, especially in synthesizing a cohesive read.

Once you’ve garnered all the information you can from that particular toss, feel free to specify: take the bone/situation you wish to examine and toss the rest again over it/them, reading the others through that particular lens. I.E. Who is this person mentioned? What are their qualities? What is the nature of this love? What magic is being referenced here? Follow that rabbit hole as far as you wish, building your understanding.

Do not be afraid to adjust your style! Want to narrow down a time frame? Make a sort of timeline with the bones. Wish to determine the source of an ailment? Shape the bones into the form of a body. I find the bones allow for far more creativity and ingenuity than cards. And above all – TRUST YOUR GUT.

Photos: These are photos of my “base” bones when I first started reading; since then they have probably doubled (if not tripled) in number and do not incorporate my other animal bones, claws or teeth. 

Bone Divination (Osteomancy) is an ancient practice of fortune telling used throughout many cultures. It’s important to find personal pieces that you deeply connect with.

List of objects commonly used in Bone Divination sets: - Old Coins - Crystals and Stones - Dice - Seashells - Animal Claws - Small animal Jaw bone - Animal feet - Nuts - Seed Pods - Skeleton Keys - Beads made of glass, wood, animal horn or bone - Metal Charms - Personal Jewelry such as rings or pendants - Any items that hold a personal meaning for you

Taking care of your divination set: - Regularly cleanse your pieces with White Sage - Keep them with you during the day to form a deep bond with the pieces - If unable to keep them near during the day, keep close to you at night - I find that most pieces like to rest on natural surfaces- wood, moss, etc - Charge them under the Full Moon when possible, especially crystals or stones - Meditate with the pieces and listen to what they have to say - Occasionally bury the bones lightly in an indoor flowerpot for a short time (or outside in the garden if not raining). Bones tend to like being in the ground. It allows them to rest.

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✨BOND SPELL🕯

*** This spell is meant for increasing the bond of a previously established relationship. This spell won’t create a relationship that was not previously there.***

CHANT:

Like a bee to a flower, we need to be lovers, one cannot live without the other, and should it be found that we are apart, we’ll be connected at the core of our hearts. For I am your one and you are to mine, forever and always, together in time.

WHAT YOU’LL NEED:

1. A purple candle 2. A gold thread/string

WHAT YOU’LL NEED TO DO:

1. Light the purple candle. 2. The gold thread will be a representation of your bond. Wrap it around your candle and tie a knot ONLY ONCE while repeating the chant. 3. Keep this candle at your bedside or somewhere in the room that you share with your partner. You can keep the candle lit as long as you would like but you can blow out the candle once the knot has been tied. 4. Every night, simply light the candle and retighten the knot. This represents strengthening the bond of your relationship continuously. Because relationships are a continuous effort, they must be continuously strengthened. You may retighten throughout the day if necessary. Repeat the chant while doing this as often as you can (kind of like singing during any task). ***OPTIONAL: You may engrave a sigil of Strength into the side of the candle***

Blessed be.

This spell is designed to improve your insight into an existing relationship. Given the associations most people have for the ingredients, it tends to work best for clarity within a romantic or sexual relationship, but will work for friendships as well. It is a bit more physical than many spells and has multiple mechanisms of action.

Obtain lavender, jasmine, and rose blossoms. Do not use rose or jasmine petals - the spell is impossible if you use these. Instead, you want whole flowers. These are, surprisingly, widely available at health food stores and even occult retailers, and only a small amount is required. Just make sure you’ve got the full blossoms and not the petals! Use your intuition to decide how much of each to add, but the jasmine and rose blossoms should be added in a larger combined quantity than the lavender. The roses and jasmine are associated with the beauty and glory of love, and lavender adds a Mercurial element of clarity.

Place all of these in a small bowl, and find a quiet, relaxing place to sit, where you are comfortable and able to hold the bowl in your hands and manipulate it without spilling it. You may attempt to sink into a meditative state if that is customary for you when working magick, but it is quite possible to perform this with a normal relaxed state of mind.

Gently but purposefully, crush the blossoms and lavender, mixing them with your bare fingers. Don’t use a mortar and pestle. It is important to do this with your hands. As you mix, you will find that you come across the hard central parts of the flower, which are not colorful nor quite fragrant like the petals. 

Carefully, and with no sense of haste or desperation, remove these from the mixture and set them aside, perhaps in another bowl. These represent the irrational thoughts and feelings that cloud your judgment regarding your relationships, whereas the petals represent your pure love and good intentions. Remove the perturbing cruft from your relationship in the form of these worthless little chunks, but do so carefully, purposefully, and, above all, calmly.

When all or as many as possible are removed from the mixture, continue mixing it with your fingers until it is well-mixed and homogenous. 

Then, take the mixture and pour boiling water over it to create a herbal tea, perhaps adding a small bit of rose quartz or moonstone to add a gem elixir element. Drink it slowly Do not swallow the gemstone, obviously. If you do not use an infuser and prefer your herbal tea in loose leaf form, you might read the remainder of the leaves after you’ve consumed it in order to perhaps get a glimpse of how your relationship will develop in the future.

If you dislike the taste of any of these ingredients, consider placing the mixture in a small charm bottle, perhaps with, again, a bit of rose quartz or moonstone Present it your friend or lover, and explain what you’ve done. Make sure they understand that this was not a love spell in the traditional sense and acted on your own psyche alone.

And the clunky bits? Bury or dispose of them far away.

Be sure to research these herbs before you use them and do not go near them if you are allergic! Consult your doctor if you are pregnant, nursing, or attempting to become pregnant, or have other concerns.

Sabbat Altar and Celebration Ideas for the Solitary Witch

YULE Altar ideas: Put mistletoe and pine on your altar; put a candle up there to represent the Sun; keep your Yule log on your altar; use symbols of the Sun; decorate with red, green, white, blue, and yellow (red and green for holly, white and blue for snow and wintery colors, yellow for the Sun). Celebration ideas: Kiss a consenting person under the mistletoe for luck; give gifts; have a feast; make magickal wreaths with herbs corresponding to the spell intent (you might use lilac, lavender, and camomile for a wreath that brings peace into your home).

IMBOLC Altar ideas: Use candles to represent the return of spring; make a cute little corn dolly; put a Brigid’s cross on there to honor her; decorate with yellow and green to represent the Sun and return of spring. Celebration ideas: Clean your house; have a self-dedication ritual (to a particular path, deity, philosophy, standard of life, etc.); clean off your working altar and redo it; cleanse and charge any tools or crystals you need to.

OSTARA Altar ideas: Use fake eggs, rabbits, and other symbols of fertility or spring; put some potted plants on the altar; place some packets of seeds you might be planning on growing; decorate with purple, yellow, green, white, and other spring, pastel colors. Celebration ideas: Paint and blow eggs (take proper precautions when handling raw eggs, obviously, especially if you’re putting your mouth on them); if you have a greenhouse, want a potted plant, or it’s warm enough where you live to plant outside, plant some seeds; buy a potted plant; organize your herb shelf.

BELTAINE Altar ideas: Make a mini Maypole for your centerpiece; smack some candles up in there, especially beeswax, if that’s in your budget; put some faery symbols, like little statues or bells or something like that; a jar of honey or some beeswax is always dope; if you’re comfortable with it, some people like to put representations of genatalia on their altar. Celebration ideas: Light an awesome bonfire (also be very cautious with this because fire can quickly turn dangerous); leave offerings to the faeries; have a dance outside; this is a good time to plan to have a handfasting ceremony or wedding; cast any love workings you’ve been meaning to do; if you’re an adult and have a person/people who consent to it, you could choose to have sex during this time (but do be safe!); many people try to conceive children during Beltaine.

LITHA Altar ideas: Symbols of the Sun and the Moon, feminine and masculine symbols if that’s a thing in your tradition; decorate with black and white to symbolize the night and day. Celebration ideas: Get up before the Sun rises and go to sleep after it sets, so you can experience the day and night; have a bonfire (again, safety is important); have a picnic; just spend a lot of time outside.

LUGHNASADH Altar ideas: Put bread and grain on the altar; maybe some apples and other autumn fruits; pinecones and leaves are fall symbols; decorate with red, orange, yellow, brown, and other colors of the season. Celebration ideas: Bake (especially make the cute little bread men); give an offering to the Earth; go to an apple orchard and pick some apples; share a feast with the family or your friends.

MABON Altar ideas: Wine, or grape juice if alcohol is unavailable for any reason; leaves and pinecones; apples; a money jar (see first celebration suggestion below). Celebration ideas: For a week or two before Mabon, put money you can afford to give up in a jar, and donate it to charity or a cause you support on Mabon; have another apple harvest; have another feast; do a ritual to honor the Earth.

SAMHAIN Altar ideas: Pop a few gourds in there, more apples if you want; pictures of the deceased; tools for divination and spirit contact; decorate with black, white, and orange. Celebration ideas: Divination, spirit communication (obviously only if you know what you’re doing); hold a seance or a dumb supper if that’s more comfortable for you; light a candle in the window for spirits (use a fake one if you want it lit all night); leave some milk and honey for the Fair Folk; give offerings to the dead; put up wards and shields if you’re one of the people who would prefer to avoid spirit activity.

Burn It Away Banishing

You Will Need:

▪️A slip of paper

▪️A pen

▪️A fireproof bowl on a heat resistant surface

▪️Matches or a lighter

This spell is very simple to execute. Begin by writing down what you’re banishing, be it the name of a person or spirit or something more intangible like procrastination or negative self talk. Focus on what you’ve written for a moment, call it to mind as clearly as you can.

Light the slip of paper on fire and drop it into the bowl. As it burns imagine your target leaving your life and then focus all of your attention on what your life will be like after the banishing takes effect.

When the paper is finished burning you should dispose of the ashes away from your house, you can scatter them on the ground or into the wind or even just dump them into the trash bin outside of your house but get them away from you as soon as possible.

This form of banishing is excellent if you’re short on time or energy, it’s simple quick and to the point. Of course, proper care should be taken not to light yourself or anything else on fire. Don’t perform this spell on flammable surfaces, outside on windy days or in any environment that you can’t control. Another good idea is to be sure that any pets you may have are out of the room, you would’t want any curious whiskers getting singed during your spell.

Spell By: Avery Hart

)O( WITCH TIP )O(

Hello my fellow witchlings! I just wanted to shout a reminder about mortars and pestles and spell work! Note: mortar and pestles are usually made of stone or wood. WOOD IS ONLY FOR HERBS. Stone ones–soap stone or otherwise–is use for crushing resins and even fresh garlic! I would recommend having one stone one for your kitchen for kitchen magic, and one stone one exclusively for resins. You’ll see why in a moment. If you’re a witch who likes grinding things into powder (oh hi!) please remember the following: - Use 2 separate mortars and pestles, one for resins and one for herbs. - Resins get gummy the more you pulverize them and it’s been my experience that myrrh in particular is sticky/gummy and WILL leave a bit of a sticky residue in the mortar. There will always be a bit of resin stuck in the rougher mortars. It’s life. But it’s also why you should keep it separate from herbs. Too sticky. - Use wooden mortars and pestles for crushing and mixing herbs and oils. Always crush herbs before adding oil (or essential oils). Wood is used because oil doesn’t soak into it like it will in stone. - Remember that churning your pestle in a clockwise direction stirs IN magic and positivity. Counter clock wise banishes negative energy. A mortar and pestle is a great way to practice focusing and raising your energy if you’re new to spell work! Find an incense recipe you want to make, ground and center, then get comfy in your magic kitchen or in a space you’ve deemed magical (or sacred). put on music that’s calming or upbeat (but no words), whatever your preference! I usually listen to Gaelic or even Hawaiian music when I do this!  Take each plant and hold it for a moment. Feel it’s energy. What does it feel like? Thank the herb and put it in your mortar and begin to crush it, focusing on putting your energy into each crush and turn, on the reason why you’re making this incense (protection? Luck? Love? Happy home?). Do the same for each herb (and then oil) you use. Feel the energy raising and flowing from your hand to the plants, from the plants to your hand, building energy in the mortar.  When you feel its done/ready say “so mot it be”. Your incense is ready to use!

How To Send Dreams 💤

This post explains how to send a dream to another person. I’ve done this before many times and it’s always worked for me. I’m not here to boss anyone around, but it’s best to get permission to do it first. If not, that’s on you.

Read this post I made about energy work. (x) You’re going to want a little experience with energy work if you want to do this, otherwise it won’t work.

Print out a picture or pull up a picture on your phone of the person you wish to send the dream to.

Create a ball of energy in your hand. Infuse the ball of energy with images or words by thinking it, then imagining the thought or word going down your arm from your head, into the ball of energy.

Slowly push the ball of energy into the picture while imagining that you are in front of that person and physically putting it into their head. Do your best to feel yourself doing it.

Feel free to send me an ask on how it works for you or if you have any questions! :)

~ Eris

Rainwater 

Rain from a lightening storm

this has the greatest energy

used in a bath to re-energize your being and aid in a ritual of clearing and cleansing your energies of negativity by soaking in it

used to clear and cleanse an object or area 

store in a white glass bottle

Rain from thunderstorms, tornadoes or hurricanes

Used to empower spells for moving things forward such as letting go of the past and moving forward in life

used to help move a project forward and get beyond current blocks in life

used to change a pattern or habit you don’t like

store in a blue glass bottle

Sun and Rain

Used to balance energies when feeling weighed down

helps gather your thoughts when they are flighty and scattered

store in a dark green bottle

Hail storm

collect in a metal bowl but dont let it sit in the bowl for more than 6 hours

allow the hail to melt before bottling it

store in a black or dark brown bottle

used to dispel psychic attacks or negative energies

best used for black magic to get rid of your enemies or negative forces that stand in your way

Spring Rain

used to empower new ventures such as new relationships, new business ventures, a new job

rain collected on the spring equinox or the first rain after the spring equinox is good for empowering spells for relationships

stored in a light green bottle

Summer Rain

used to encourage growth whether it be personal, spiritual growth or growth of a business venture or relationship

used to break bad habits

great to water indoor plants

rain collected on mid-summers eve and day is especially mystical

store in a sky blue bottle

Fall Rain

used for giving thanks and showing gratitude for the abundance the year has given you

store in an orange or fall colored bottle

Winter Rain

can be used for blessing a person, relationship, family or object

can be used to bless an event such as a birth, wedding or new business venture

to be able to survive the hardships of winter one is able to survive the hardships of life

Full Moon Rain

Used to honor the Goddess

a small glass can be added to a cleansing bath

add a couple of drops to your bath before an important event or ritual

used for a blessing during a full moon ritual

used for blessing a child or pet 

rain collected during the full moon according to that season will have the energies of that moon according to month and season

clean altar spaces and other things by putting an ounce of rain water into your cleaning products

also very good for divination

Waning Moon Rain

good for getting rid of things, banishings, and purging negative energies

used like a banishing oil

also can be added to your bath for relaxation, clarity or promoting self love

use to prepare for lunar rituals

anoint your money with it to increase your wealth 

anoint yourself to increase your psychic awareness

New Moon Rain

good for workings in which something needs to be brought in 

used when starting a new project

Waxing Moon Rain

used to bring in good energies and blessing

used at the start of a new project or a new beginning

Rain collected from trees or roses will have different energies depending on the type of tree or color of the rose you collect it from

Use 1 cup of rain water to 1 tub size of water

For rituals use 1oz of rain water in a glass bowl or cauldron, to add effects to the water pour over crystals energized with your intent

For a spell place all your spell items in your bowl or cauldron and add 1tablespoon of rainwater

For cleansing or anointing ritual take 1/2oz of rainwater into a glass bowl and as you recite your incantation dip your fingers or wand/athame into the water then mark your physical body, the mark can be any spiritual symbol that has meaning to you

To anoint a tool, pout 1oz of rainwater onto the tool as you state your incantation to empower the tool for its intended purpose.

@autumnwitchesx i hope this helps you some!!!

also the bottles you store in dont have to be a specific color unless you want them to be, im all for using what you have first and foremost 

Binding someone’s mouth.

objective: to make it someone can’t talk about you, too you, or at all depending on what you want. This can be with a real physical poppet, but it can also be done as a quick visualization in your head. It has been effective for me done both ways.

Get a poppet to represent the person you are binding. It’s better to make it yourself and fill it with things that represent/symbolize that person to make it more personal to them.

Put red thread on a sewing needle and start sewing the mouth of a doll. Chant, “Open lips say too much. So i seal your mouth; I bind it shut.”

 Tie off the thread at the end of the mouth. Hide the poppet away somewhere it won’t be bothered or messed with.

To remove the binding cut the thread from the poppet’s mouth.