For all of the witches who struggle with Sabbats sneaking up on them, here is a guide to help whip up an easy celebration so you never have to miss out on Sabbats again!
A Sabbat is a seasonal festival mostly celebrated by Pagans and Witches. Sabbats are like any other holiday, except these are normally celebrations of the changing of the seasons, or the “turning of the wheel.” Each person will celebrate each Sabbat differently, as each season is completely personal to you.
⛤ The First Step
The first step I recommend to planning a Sabbat celebration is to figure out exactly what the Sabbat is to you. Figure out how you feel about the sabbat and what you naturally associate each one with. This can take some time to work through, especially if you are new to sabbats or if you tend to avoid nature at all costs.
⛤ What to ask yourself:
- What does this Sabbat mean to you? - What is the Earth doing right now? What does it look like outside your window? - What is in season (this includes foods, herbs, flowers and decor)? - How do you feel this time of year? How does this particular Sabbat make you feel? Is this normal? - What sort of things make you feel “witchy” or connected to this Sabbat? - Why is this day special to you?
⛤ Things to Do:
- Perform a ritual. Rituals can be as elaborate or as simple as you want them to be. Sometimes all you have to work with is a tealight candle and a week old pack of cookies.
- Cook. Some of us feel connected to the world around us when there is food involved. After all, it’s not a party unless there is food. Try out a new recipe with in-season foods, or make your favorite comfort food dish.
- Go outside. The easiest way to celebrate the changing of the seasons is to go outside and experience them. Even if it’s a short walk (because not many people want to go for long strolls in the dead of winter), take a moment to step outside and experience nature and observe what it’s currently doing. If you are able, plan a day trip to somewhere special or new to explore.
- Decorate. Nothing gets me in the holiday (or Sabbat) spirit like decorating. As a child decorating for Christmas was the best because that was the only time we put up decorations. Now, as an adult, I use whatever I have handy to decorate for every Sabbat I can to make me feel more festive.
- Offerings. If you work with spirits of deities, you may wish to put together some sort of offering for them when you celebrate. This can be food, special rocks or flowers from outside, or something you’ve made yourself.
- Spells. Sabbats are prime times to do spells for me. The spells I cast are reflections of the coming season and what I want from them.
- Crafts. There are a ton of different little projects for Sabbats floating around on the internet. Get creative and make something! If you are on a budget, make something with what you have, or modify a craft to include what you have. I like to make something new each year for the Sabbats (it’s an easy way to get “decorations” too!)
- Divination. Nothing says celebration like a good old fashion look into the future. Choose any form of divination that you’d like and do a reading for yourself.
- Journaling. Sometimes the easiest way to celebrate and connect is to get into your own head. Let the Earth inspire you. Stare out a window (or sit outside if you can) and just watch what happens around you. Let it inspire you to create. Journal about your own feelings, write a freestyle poem or sketch and paint what you see.
⛤ Creating a Ritual
Not all rituals have to be long and elaborate. Some of my favorite rituals are just sitting around in sweatpants with a hot cup of cocoa and my journal, reflecting on the season and my life. Ask yourself these questions to help piece together how a ritual would be best done for you.
- What am I celebrating? How can I celebrate this? - Who am I worshiping? - How much space do I have? - How much time do I have? - Why am I celebrating this Sabbat? - What do I/can I buy for my celebrations?
The important thing for Sabbats isn’t how grand your ritual is, it’s all about gaining something from it, whether that be a nice warm fuzzy feeling or a great insight into your life.
⛤ Reflection and Meditation
After each Sabbat day, I find it helpful if I reflect upon what I did that day and how my celebration went. This is when I do most of my journaling, but you don’t have to write anything. You can simply sit and rest and meditate on the day if you wish. Use this time to unwind.
- What did I do today? How do I feel about it? - What ideas do I have for next year? - What did this year’s Sabbat teach me? - What was my favorite part of today’s celebration? - What was my least favorite?
Happy Celebrating! ~L <):)
-Spelled bath salts in your night bath to lift mental and physical exhaustion of the day. I recommend a recipe with frankincense, geranium and rosemary in it as they aid in purification of body, spirit and soul but you can customize for your needs. You can do SOOOOO many things in the bath. Imma do another post on this.
-Rose hip tea before bed to bring prophetic dreams.
-Rosemary/athame placed beneath the pillow to protect from nightmares and psychic attacks.
-Incense of lavender. Or a candle dressed in lavender oil. Or lavender fragrance oil on your pulse points. Whatever is more feasible to you. Lavender, promotes peaceful sleep.
-Keep a dream journal. Meditate for a few as soon as you wake up and record everything you recall in the journal for reflection.
-Do a card pull for the day ahead. Tarot or oracle. Your choice.
-Brew tea in the morning. I like green tea. Its simple. Its available. Most importantly, its cheap.
-The house you live in is an entity too. Clean it up a little. It can be something as simple as vacuuming, floorwash, dusting windows, changing curtains, letting in some sun, hanging wind chimes, vastu or feng shui, sprinkling infused water, smudging…..you get it.
-Water your plants. Talk to them. Sing to them. See if anyone is sick and needs attention. Plants like that. Bond with your plants and they will aid you more.
-I like to shower in the morning (I’m Indian and terrified of my mother. Also. Hygiene.) Visualize the water infusing you with its flow and clarity to help you flow and be clearheaded throughout the day.
-Eat breakfast with intention. You are what you eat. Do not put trash in your tummy. It messes with your frequency. I like to stick to apples and milk/coffee.
-Wear clothes with intention too. Colors are a massive force in our lives and aid in our purpose. Wear red for passion, confidence, sensuality and resoluteness. I like to wear at least one red item everyday.
-Nail polish, if that’s something you’re into. You can incorporate color magic by doing this too if you do not wish to wear colored attire or if its not your style.
-Put a fragrance oil/itr (pronounce:EEH-tr) on you with. I like to put jasmine on me. It corresponds with divination, sensuality, confidence and luxury.
-Jewellery. Period. Rings, pendants, earrings, bracelets, anklets…intention people. Intention is your best friend. For my broom-closeted witches, this is an excellent way to mask your crystals in plain sight. Crystals are pretty and jewellery goes unsuspected. Amethyst ring? Lapis studs? Pearl bracelet? Obsidian pendant? Crystal magic!!!
-Enchant your makeup if you use any.
-Put pre-energized yantras/glyphs on the inside of your laptop bag/school bag/work bag to promote clarity and fluidity in work.
-Enchant your pens/brushes/pencils/tools of trade for productivity and efficiency.
-Carry snacks with you. Dried drupes, berries and fruits are fulfilling and keep you in touch with earth. Also, cuz they’re snacks.
-Eat your food.
-When you get back home, shed you’re clothing and visualize all the weight of the day going with it.
-I like to have a post-work day shower too. Again, visualize the water carrying away your woes with it.
-Brew your post-work tea. Chai is a very good option. I brew it in milk and add a host of powders/roots to it. Nutmeg, cinnamon, mace, grated ginger and cardamom are my favorites in any season. They promote positivity, good energy, relaxation, healing and peace.
-Listen to your favorite music.
-Do something artistic. Maybe paint, sculpt, write, sing out loud, freestyle….whatever you like.
-Read and research. I like to update by grimoire everyday. I, like many other witches, believe that my grimoire is a living entity and needs attention in order to flourish. You don’t have to do a lot. Just research for a couple minutes and write down your notes in it. It don’t have to be fancy.
-Bathe
-Tea! Again!
-Incense
-Sleep my little birdie.
Herb's Properties
Basil: money, luck, prosperity, happiness
Bay Leaf: energy, cleansing, can be charged with almost any intention
Camomile: Caring, kindness, luck, growth, self-love growth, confidence, avoiding negativity, happiness
Cinnamon: passion, quick success, fire magick
Chia seeds: Growth, health, kindness, Property
Chilli flakes: Pride, confidence, power, strength, Passion
Cumin: Courage, bravery, protection, loyalty
Dandelion: wishes, charisma, success, good luck
Dill: sexual love, luck, protection
Eucalyptus: cleansing, healing, purifying, relaxing, comfort
Fennel: hate, anger
Flax seeds: Prosperity, growth, new beginnings
Ginger: fiery passion, success, and personal power
Jasmine: love, dreams, sensuality, luxury and kindness
Lavender: love and attraction, purification, relaxation, restful sleep
Nutmeg: luck, Health, Fidelity, Love, Prosperity, comfort, loyalty
Oregano: comfort, love, warmth
Paprika: Pride, confidence, power, strength
Parsley: Cleansing. purification
Peppermint: healing, purification, love and energy, cleansing, prosperity
Poppy seeds: protection, intuition, self-assurance, hexing and cursing
Rose: love, beauty, harmony, romance, attraction
Rosemary: cleansing, purification, wisdom, protection
Sesame seeds: Prosperity, growth, health, nurturing
Spearmint: love, cleansing, renewal, blessing
Sunflower seeds: happiness, growth, joy
Thyme: beauty, strength, courage
Turmeric: confidence, creativity, energy
Vanilla: love and sexuality
tip jar
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.
On the surface that might sound kind of scary, even downright evil, but I assure you it’s the farthest thing from. In this blog I will attempt to give you an in-site into the basics of death work. Please know that every witch does things their own unique way, so for the purposes of this work I will be trying to explain things in as unified a fashion as I can. This is intended to essentially be a starting point to bounce off of.
«~ • ~»
Death energy, simply put is energy called from death and death symbols. It’s about stillness, endings, and the deconstructing and reconstructing processes. It’s about using what’s in the past to fertilize what’s new and grow something that has purpose in the next step of your life. It’s about the acceptance of inevitability and what we can’t change to bring about what we can. Many practitioners call on death energy in everyday spell work the same way you would any other energy. In that sense it’s not to different from life energy.
«~ • ~»
For a lot of death witches, doing work in a cemetery or graveyard is a must, although there are those that don’t, a great deal more either do or will do when they get the chance. Lots goes into this type of work though and a thorough study on the subject should be done before pursuing this type of magick. However, some key points to remember are to always be respectful, obey the laws and rules of your land regarding the resting places, and listen to what the dead tell you.
It’s very important to recognize that there are always going to be practitioners that have their own unique rules on this subject, but the best way to know if the dead favor something or not is to ask them. What rules you inevitably believe should revolve around what the dead are comfortable with. That said, some of these rules are shared amongst practitioners. I have compiled a list below with some of them. Remember, this is very basic and what a practitioner adds or changes is up to them.
Typically these are the oldest spirits in the cemetery and are in charge of maintaining order. Most offerings include things like coins, drink, bread, or apples.
It’s important to let the spirits know what your intentions are. Will you be doing magick at the crossroads, magick at a grave, or foraging? The gatekeeper should let you know through energy what is acceptable. Remember each Cemetery is different and has different rules over all.
Gifts on a grave belong to the spirit dwelling there. It’s okay to pick up things like trash, or moldy flowers in still water but, rocks, dried or fresh flowers, feathers, etc should be left alone.
Try not to walk near the headstone of a grave (you’re walking on their body. Try to stay near the feet and always say excuse me politely if you have to step on it), always ask for a spirits help never demand it, and always bring them an offering as a thank you.
If you’re gathering dirt, sticks, or plants from a cemetery, even if it’s not on a grave, and you get a feeling like you shouldn’t touch it, then don’t. Spirits will always let you know what they want to keep. Obey that or it’s theft.
Being polite and thanking your hosts is always a must in general and can bring good energies between you and the dead. Especially if you intend on going back to work at that Cemetery.
«~ • ~»
Another common staple amongst death workers and arguably one of the most misunderstood practices. Simply put, this practice is divination with the dead. It’s all about connecting to and asking the dead for answers from the beyond. Lots of that used to be done in the cemetery and as a result many wild and fantastic rumors about zombie creation were formed, but that’s far from the truth. There were indeed many radical understandings within the practices history however but as science matured so did the knowledge on what this practice actually was.
While necromancy is still done in cemeteries even today, it’s not a must. Calling fourth a spirit can be done a number of ways and will definitely alter and change based on the witch. Some working maybe more cultural than others, and some may be more complex. The uniqueness of these practices can number well into the double digits and is always interesting to learn. Some of the most common spirit summoning techniques (aside from going directly to someone’s grave) are the spirit board, a mirror, and the pendulum. As for how these spirits are called, that too can differ from witch to witch. Most often though, it can involve candles or crystals as an energy source, a personal item or favored item like food, and/or the spirits name. It can be as simple as physically calling out to the abyss, beckoning the spirit forward or as elaborate a ritual as calling in the four directional guardians or a guide to lead them to you.
Regardless of how it’s done, it’s always a good rule of thumb to be respectful to them. Don’t demand from them, ask instead, and offer gratitude and an offering when you end the session.
«~ • ~»
Lots of death workers may worship deity just like any other practitioner. However the deity they are generally more drawn to are often either associated with the underworld or a psychopomp, like Osiris, Hades, Anubis, or Hecate. However they may also be a deity tide in some way to the personification of death, much like Thanatos.
Even if the witch chooses not to utilize deity they can still conjure up spiritual guides of some sort. These guides can be something as common as ancestral spirits or even animal spirits. Most common animal guides often have some death association and symbolism to them. So animals like Black cats, bats, vultures, owls, crows and ravens are quite popular.
«~ • ~»
Its not uncommon to see bones on the altars of death witches. Many beliefs around these tools and what they represent circulate within the community. For some specific animal bones it’s believed you can use that animal spirit and energy. Other beliefs revolve not around the animal itself but rather the type of bone, as each one has its own unique symbolism attached to it. The possibilities are near limitless and for most death practitioners they are a very necessary tool within the craft. Some practitioners even collect additional things like insect exoskeletons, animal skins, and preserved body parts like a rabbits foot.
DISCLAIMER! People should be made aware that it’s always encouraged for all materials to be ethnically sourced. Any form of unlawful collection or cruelty is frowned upon and not condoned within the community.
«~ • ~»
As started above, these are just some of the basics of death work within the pagan community and serves as a starting point to bounce off of. It’s very important to do your own research and come to your own conclusions regarding this craft and always remember to obey your local laws. Death work can be very fulfilling but not when it’s done under illegal circumstances.
though i do not myself believe in the concept of a “beginner” spell, a lot of new witches often ask me what i recommend for them to start with. here’s some of the simpler lot, that should be easier to perform.
shine like the sun - to be radiant like the sun
glow like the moon - to reclaim youth and past beauty
sweeten your feelings - simple jar spell to sweeten a bond
rose bath spell - a bath of roses and milk to gather love and beauty
fries friendship ritual - simple spell of binding friendships.
respect jar spell - simple jar spell to help gain respect
restarting spell - a ritual for fresh starts, to remove old energies, and invite new ones in
stuffed animal sleep spell - a spell for keeping negativity out of dreams, whether it’s pain, difficult subjects, or people that hurt you.
face wash spell - a simple spell to promote beautiful or healthy skin.
soft shores bath spell - for peace and tranquility in one’s life and energy
jar spell for clarity - for emotional/mental clarity and wisdom
rose quartz healing tears - simple ritual to heal emotions
pumpkin head curse - seasonal curse to “burn” those who wrong you
burn your wishes - a simple curse to destroy someone’s wishes
simple study spell - scent-based studying/memory spell
finding things/memory spell - a spell for when many things go missing, to help things reappear
rosemary memory spell - a simple spell for when you need help remembering something
plant growth spell - a spell for helping plants/herbs grow and stay alive
pastel stars - a spell to enchant paper stars with luck, love, happiness
Do you have any spell to make friends?
I have a few.
[To Assist in Making Friends] (an ask)
[Attract a Friend] (tw: gif)
[To Attract a New Friend] (an ask)
[Attracting a New Friend]
[“Faithful Friends” Spell]
[First Day Friendship Spell] (for starting school)
[Friendship Charm]
[Friendship Spell]
[Happy Friendship Spell]
[Positive Friendship Jar Spell]
[Simple Friendship Charm]
[Snow White and Rose Red: A Spell to Find a True Friend]
[Spell to Find Friends]
Related:
[To Attract Others of Like Mind]
[Spell for Attracting Positive People]
Also maybe try some [glamours]?
Best of luck!
Watch your candles closely and learn to read them to help you with your practice.
The Flame
A strong flame: It means that your energies are raised. There is a lot of power behind your spell and little to no resistance. Indicates that all your power and energy is focused on your manifestation. This is a good sign. If a candle shaped into a figure is used and has a strong flame it means that whoever it represents is either angry, winning, or using authority over another. When their are two figures the candle with the higher flame has authority over the other person.
A weak flame: Indicates that the magick you cast is facing a heavy opposition and is a sign that you may need to recast your spell in order to overcome the opposing force. On a figure candle this may indicate that the representative may be loosing a battle or an argument.
A jumping flame: This indicates strong emotions. There may also be some sort of resistance against you. Maybe close your circle and bring your mind back to focus before continuing. It may also mean an explosion of energy. When two figure candles are being used it often means that an energetic or a heated argument is taking place between them.
A noisy candle: Indicates a conversation. It may may that a spirit is trying to send you a message or get in contact with you. The louder the noises get the more urgent communication must be.
The flame catches something on fire: Someone one may be using malicious magick against you.
A clean even burning candle: Means your spell and manifestations are likely to come true.
Fast Burn: The results of your spell will happen quickly.
Flickering Flame: If there is no breeze then it means a spirit is near by. If it is a devotional flame it means you were able to get in contact with your deity.
Cannot blow the flame out: A spirit may not be finished its conversation with you or you did not complete a spell. The spirit needs to complete its work, something may be may in the works that you do not want to interrupt.
A flame goes out while burning: This means the spirits cannot help you and the answer you seek is already determined.
The Smoke
Black smoke/soot: Your energy and magick is being blocked. Negative energy is being sent your way, whether as a curse or hex. You may soon be faced with tough challenges and a hard road ahead of you.
Smoke wafts towards you: It means your call will likely be answered or your spell has been cast successfully. You will get results quickly.
Smoke wafts away from you: You must work harder in order for your calls to be answered.
Watch the direction the smoke wafts: East - Something powerful is assisting you, North - You are ready to begin your ritual and get results, South - The spell will be successful, West - A powerful interference from an outside force.
Smoking Candle: Negative energy is being burned away.
The Wax
When a candle leaves wax residue: Your spell may need to be repeated.
Look for symbols in the candle wax, like reading tea leaves.
Resources: askanthony.weebly.com, anamericanwitch.wordpress.com,
May the Moon light you path!
☾ Moonlight Academy ☽
…If you want to flex your communication muscles but don’t want to be cutting deals or making things complicated for now. Just little things to try.
Let me hear a love story
Show me a song from your people
Tell me something you did today that you are proud of
Let me draw a portrait of you
Tell me a little about your culture
Ask me any questions you may have about human culture (and I will answer them, if I can.)
Look at this song/story/poem I wrote, tell me what you think.
Tell me my local reputation, if I have one.
Tell me your story (and if desired, I will record it and pass it on for more to see.)
Share a joke.
Let me admire your beauty/grace/powerful appearance/plumage/scales/wings/great personality
Tell me about your friends
What is your one big token of advice?
Teach me how to make my home more welcoming for you (while still being safe for me.)
A charm is any object, usually pocket-sized, that’s charged with energy of some kind. An example is a lucky charm that’s worn as a necklace or a lock of hair charged with energy from the person it came from.
Charms can sometimes be called talismans, totems or pendants. Regardless of the name, with slight connotations, these little items can be used the same way.
I use charms when sometimes a crystal isn’t specific enough for my Intent (spell, ritual). Sometimes I’m doing an Intent based on my job but Citrine, also known as the Merchant’s Stone, isn’t quite specific enough, I’ll include a charm I charged with a specific energy.
For example let’s say I really need a specific day off but my job needs as many employees as it can schedule so often times they deny requests for time off, I’ll do an Intent using a golf pencil I took from the scheduling office.
I also collect the charms I have so that I can reuse them whenever an Intent needs it. Or, if it’s appropriate for the day, I’ll carry the charm in my pocket all day.
The easiest way to charge any object as a charm is if it already has a personal meaning to it. Choose something that reminds you of whatever that energy is. I have two cross pendants; one is wooden that reminds me of Catholicism and the second is metal and reminds me of Protestants. (Not because one is primitive to the other but because one came before the other.)
Once you have chosen an item and it’s meaning is clear, it’s time to charge with energy.
Purify the space you’re in to rid of residue energy (e.g. burning incense)
Use crystals for meditation and visualization, utilize crystal grids (simple or complex)
Write the specific meaning/significance/value of the charm on a piece of paper so you have a clear interpretation of it (you could make a prayer/incantation)
Burn a purple candle and drop wax on the paper connecting your Third Eye/Psyche to the energy attaching itself to the charm (one or two drops per charm, don’t waste a whole candle on one)
Cataloging them in your guild book wouldn’t hurt. Like I mentioned, you can use them in specific Intents or carry them with you. Gift them to friends so they have energies around them. I also collect mine in a box so they aren’t randomly roaming around.
I like to use Charms in my Intents because they’re reusable, less waste and I don’t have to worry about purchasing new ones as if they run out (unless you give it away or lose it). Although I’ve come to realize the best charms are the ones I find randomly on the ground or in an old drawer. They radiate an energy that’s almost communicative like when grandparents tell you a simple memory but it sticks with you forever.
Enjoy your Charms. Happy witching. Questions, comments and criticism are welcome.
This spell is designed to let a specific spirit know that you are open to communication. It includes protective elements to avoid attracting negative entities.
*It is important to research the side effects of herbs before coming into contact with them. One should also keep in mind their personal allergies and medications taken when ingesting herbs. Your safety is more important than an ingredient.*
Ingredients
Dried Rose Hip (2 or more)
Clove incense
Dandelion (one stem and flower)
Mint leaf or scent, in any natural form
An item that relates to the spirit you wish to contact
A Brown or White candle
Directions
Light your Clove incense and your candle.
Sit with your item in your hand. Rub it clockwise.
Picture the spirit as you know it in your mind. Verbalize your openness to receiving communications (if you are unable to verbalize this or do not feel comfortable you can think it instead).
Take your rose hip and dandelion. Wrap them together (with string or cloth). Bury them under your doorstep (if you do not have a traditional doorstep you can put it on your porch, hang it in your doorway, or bury it by an entrance).
Leave a window or door open (it could be slightly open or fully open) for one hour.
Be sure to pay attention to little signs and happenings after performing this ritual and be sure to try and remember your dreams!
This spell is dedicated to my Grandmother, Marie, who I never had the chance to meet during her short time on earth. I hope to see you someday.
i store all the witchy things i find here
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