To All White Wiccans/pagans Out There: Following A Closed Deity Is Racist. Fuck Off. You Are Not Allowed

Protection Stone

What You Need:

black candle

a smooth stone, from a source of fresh water preferred

3 blackberries/5 elderberries/2 mulberries

½ teaspoon of olive oil

pepper

a pinch of sage

a few bay leaves

three petals plucked from a geranium 

mortar and pestle (or something else to grind your herbs)

a glass jar with a lid

paintbrush (using your finger can also work!)

Method:

▽ Grind up your herbs and petals with your mortar and pestle, and once thoroughly blended, scrape them into your jar.

▽ Next, grab your berries and either use your mortar and pestle to grind them up, or use your hands to turn them to mush before throwing them into your jar. 

▽ Carefully measure the olive oil with a ½ teaspoon and pour it into your jar, and throw in the amount of (ground) pepper you see fit. Remember that pepper is a powerful substance used in protection spells.

▽ Once all your components are in your jar, blend them all together using a fork, making sure to mix it up until it resembles a paste. If it still looks chunky, try adding a little bit more olive oil.

▽ Lighting your black candle, say an incantation or pray to your deity as you dip your paintbrush (or finger) into your protection paste, and paint a protection sigil/marking onto your stone. Some sigils I recommend can be found here, here, here, and here. An example incantation could go like this:

Blessed Divines, so loving and kind, Watch over me, and all that is mine; Please erase my fears, I will cry no tears; Let no such harm or hurt come to me, This here is my will, so Mote It Be.  ▽ When you finish painting your new protection stone, blow out the black candle and seal your glass jar with the lid. Whenever you feel the need to take extra precautions, just repaint your stone to give it a stronger intent! And there you have it! If you make your intention a lot more specific, (eg: I will feel safe when walking home, or I will be safe from nightmares), keep it in your pocket, or have it under your pillow. 

Protection Ideas

A quick list of ideas for protective magic.

Shielding: 

Layer your shields!

Inner layer filled with light to keep you cleansed, or burn negative things or blind them

Fire layer to burn whatever approaches you with negative intent

Wind to blow things away

Brick walls to keep things out

Wall of thorny vines

Wall of daggers daring anything to come near

Inner layer of warm blankets to give you comfort

Exterior layers of mirrors to reflect things back

Exterior layer of shadow to keep you hidden

Layer of mist/fog/clouds

A physical blanket or your favorite clothes!

Perfume/cologne

Jars

Fill jars with ingredients that can protect you. Go with your gut. But here are some ideas:

Pine needles

Nails

Teeth

Iron

Thorns

Cactus needles

Holly

Thistle

Sewing needles

Mirrors

Glass shards

Pins

Egg shells

Tree bark

Wards

Protective stones in every corner of your home or room

e.g. labradorite, iron, obsidian, tiger’s eye, etc

Salt

Egg shells

Stuffed animals charmed to be guardians

Statues charmed to be guardians

Sigils in corners or over doors

Ask the stars to protect you, for they are ever watchful

Candles/fire spirits

Light bulbs! Their light has kept you safe as a child, ask and they will do the same for you no matter your age

Wind chimes

Sea shells (especially pointy ones)

Sea glass

Bells

Your plants! Be they potted indoor plants or outdoor guardians!

Glass spheres (AKA witch balls. Bad things go in, they don’ come out, put them in the sun and they burn up)

Empty bottles and jars (same as witch balls)

Windows! Let in that protective light!

Amulets

Witch’s ladders

Evil Eye jewelry

Sigils that can be made into jewelry

Enchanted stones

Just jewelry. Any jewelry. 

Enchanted knots (to tie protection to you)

 Your shoelaces, your braids, your bowtie, your tie-tie, your barrettes, etc

Friendship bracelets

Little charms for you to carry around in your pocket. Can be anything from wood to glass to stone. Marbles could be a good amulet! Get color magic involved.

Runes

Feel free to add anything!

"I don't want to be mean" me right before I say the cuntiest thing imaginable

passive and active energies.

the passive and active. they are opposites, but there is a part of each within the other; both energies exist in all things.

for everything, there is an equal and opposite reaction. 

energy is not created or destroyed, it is only changed. 

this is to say, all energy is one and the same; expressing and manifesting itself through different lenses, in different forms.

the passive. moon. earth.  empathy. external. value of others. shield. existence. tranquility. allowance. creativity. silence.

the active. sun. heaven. strength. internal. value of self. sword. action. strife. control. logic. expression.

neither energy is more or less important or valuable.

if you have more empathy than strength, you bring harm unto yourself.

if you have more strength than empathy, you bring harm unto others.

what is expression without creativity?

what is creativity without expression?

balance is essential.

application to the craft:

most importantly, in my opinion, is learning that balance in all things comes first from balance within. this is something that can- and often does- take a lifetime to attain. to err is human, to err with one energy is natural. but finding an overall acceptance of both energies in and around your life can help bring understanding and peace.

use energies to inform intentions, to guide focus. an active intention may require more activity in your thought, whereas a passive intention may require more tranquility.

use the natural energies of elements and existences around you to help manifest your intentions. use the passive or active phases of the moon to inform and amplify your intentions.

Tools of the Craft: The Book of Shadows

Oh, the beautiful working altar! It is a place of magic, with lots of shiny and smelly things on it which make me feel at home. But to the new witch, it can sometimes seem daunting, and even downright scary to look at - almost as if it came right out of some dark fantasy story.

But there’s nothing to be afraid of. Each object on the altar is merely a tool to help visually direct energy. In witchcraft, every tool has its significance and its own symbolism, and it often helps to understand what makes these tools so important. In this series of articles, I will endeavor to lift the shroud of mystery from these tools and assist in helping you understand what each tool is used for, where it comes from, and why we use it.

The Book of Shadows

We’ve all seen various shows that portray witches with various spell books, from the massive tome in Sabrina, The Teenage Witch to the living spell book in Hocus Pocus. It sometimes seems as if the book is as inseparable from witchcraft as the broom, pointed hat, and black cat! However, unlike how they’re portrayed in media, spell books, or Books of Shadows, are unique to each individual, and may have spells, correspondences, references, or may simply be a journal.

Ultimately, the Book of Shadows (hereafter, “BoS”) is a repository of knowledge pertinent to your practice. It’s your reference guide and a measure of your growth as you progress and learn more.

As many experienced witches who teach can attest to, one of the most frequent questions we get is “How to I make a BoS?” or “What do I need to do to get a spell book?” And this question is tricky not because of complexity, but because of its simplicity. So let’s take a look at the different types of BoS, and what could go into them!

Hard Copies, Media Files, and Oral Tradition

Every witch has his or her own aesthetic, preferred method of going about things, and pocketbook. As such, the types of BoS out there vary depending upon the witch! The most stereotypical BoS is the hard copy book. Durable, long lasting, and with a rather gorgeous look, it’s no surprise that from the get go, many of us will reach out to take hold of one of those faux-leather-bound blank journals lining the back wall of Barnes & Noble. 

However, when first starting out, jumping straight to these often expensive books is not necessarily practical. The reason for this is that like our practice, our book will likely change and evolve over time to reflect our growth. As such, it isn’t uncommon early on to tear pages out, reorganize, and add pages to incorporate what suits you.

That said, it’s often recommended for the new witch to start simple. And for that there are a couple of options! First is for those who prefer hard copies. In the .gif above, the keen eye might notice that the BoS shown is a simple graph paper notebook. This is not uncommon, and while some may initially fear having a BoS that looks “tacky,” remember that the book will change over time, and as you practice more and find aspects that you know will not be going away anytime soon, you can incorporate them into another more aesthetically pleasing BoS (there’s no rule that says you can’t have more than one! I have several, and for different aspects of my practice). 

Far less expensive is the digital BoS. Earlier on, I addressed Technopaganism and how it relates to paganism and witchcraft. In it, I acknowledged that one rather practical aspect to technopaganism is that witches who adopt this philosophy will often set aside files on their devices specifically for witchcraft. For instance, on my computer, I have a folder dedicated to witchcraft, with subfolders that have word files for notes, rites and spells, my blog articles (yes, my articles go in my BoS!) pictures, and correspondences. Though many witches prefer to cast spells and blessings on their BoS and may scoff at the thought of having a digital BoS, remember that in technopaganism, it is not uncommon to bless and cast spells on the device or drive that has the files in question, just as one would bless and cast a spell on a physical book.

Some witches who like the digital aspect even create public BoS’s here on Tumblr! Blogs are often a great repository for spells and notes regarding witchcraft, so it’s good to keep your eyes peeled for a good BoS page!

Lastly, there is another type of BoS that often goes unrecognized and treated less carefully because it’s not a physical object, and that’s oral tradition. Many of our ancient ancestors who did not have a written language passed their traditions, spells, and rites down to one another through strictly oral means. And some who had a written system maintained a mostly oral tradition as well (take, for instance, the Celts and Norse - both had written systems but maintained their traditions orally). The message here is that if you don’t feel that having a BoS is necessary or desired, you are not a lesser witch for it. Even today, some families maintain an oral system, passing their faith and traditions down from one generation to the next with the spoken word. 

Compilations, Dreams, and Magic

So we’ve seen the different formats used for a BoS. But… what goes into it? Well, the simple answer is anything you want! And much to the frustration of many new witches, that’s exactly the answer they get. So let’s take a look at what commonly goes into a BoS, and how it can be varied.

Spells: This one’s the most common subject. After all, many witches prefer a repository of their successful spells for future reference. So many include a section in their books dedicated specifically to spells. (If the book were dedicated solely to spells and rites, it is often referred to as a grimoire instead of a BoS, though this is mostly a matter of preference).

Rites: This varies from tradition to tradition, as some partake in full rites whereas others don’t. But a section devoted to rites will likely include rituals for the Wheel of the Year, other holidays and sabbats, esbat (lunar) rites, and even initiation and dedication rites for covens.

Correspondences: If you rely heavily on correspondences, be they for astrology, color, runes, plants, or otherwise, it is often recommended to have a reference or resource where you can look up the proper correspondences for your tradition. As such, many witches who work with such correspondences will have a section dedicated appropriately.

Recipes: Giggle as you may, but kitchen witches often joke about their BoS being a cookbook. And some legitimately have a cookbook as a BoS. Regardless, those who work magic into their cooking may prefer to have some good go-to recipes on hand! Need an example? One of my books is dedicated solely to Foodie Friday recipes, and I do consider it to be a BoS!

Journals: Whether it be a dream journal, or a diary, there are many witches out there who incorporate their journals into their BoS. This has a couple of benefits: the first is that it is an excellent way of tracking growth; the second is that it provides a cross reference, so if you forget something in another section of your BoS, you could have it in your journal. It is also an excellent way of providing a personal narrative regarding your development and relationship to the gods, if that is part of your path.

Notes: Let’s face it, as a new witch (or even an experienced witch), you probably do a lot of note-taking, jotting down new information or spells or philosophies for your craft. The BoS is an excellent repository for these scribbles!

There is plenty more that can be added to a BoS, but these are the most common subjects. Is there a proper order to have in a BoS? Only if you feel you need one. However, for me, I have found that if I were to establish a table of contents in my BoS, it would be rendered null rather quickly as I add and remove subjects. Instead, sticky notes, tabs, bookmarks, or ribbons can be used to separate sections so that you can easily page through your book!

Custom Made!

Many new witches might see a lot of those rather gorgeous home-made books out there. Though your book need not be pretty to be functional, it is encouraged to make your book your own. If you’re artistically inclined, bend that toward your book and create a BoS that doubles as a masterpiece! Some will create wood bindings, while others may simply draw and decorate the edges of their pages. It can be as complicated as that, or as simple as adding a ribbon with a crystal on it. The book is yours, so do what you’d like with it!

So Josh, what kinds of BoS do you have?

Well, I have several. The first is my aforementioned digital BoS. Though I don’t use it for spellcasting, it is a backup repository of my notes and articles, as well as a place where I can write out new spells and rites as needed before printing them for coven work (because my handwriting isn’t exactly the easiest for others to read). The second is the aforementioned Foodie Friday Notebook. The notes and recipes that I write down are later shared with all of you, and I keep it all for future reference and for my own work! Third is my coven BoS. This is a hard cover blank journal in which I write down all of the rites and spells that we do together, as well as where I write down any notes that may be pertinent to our practice. Fourth is my personal BoS, which is a faux-leather-bound journal in which I write my finalized aspects to my practice.

It’s likely that I could end up with new books in the future, and my BoS’s will continue to change over time!

How can I make my own BoS?

Use everything we’ve covered above as a guideline in crafting your personal BoS. Remember that if affordability is an issue, you can always start small and later on build up to something you’d prefer. Whether it be a digital file, a spiral bound notebook, or a blank journal, remember that your BoS is your reflection and repository! Treat it with care and as much respect as you would any other tool for the craft!

And as always, Blessed Be! )O(

crystals and gemstones by intention

(all credit goes to the stone app, i just took the info and put it in this list as a witchblr resource. the app is amazing and has descriptions of each crystal as well)

☽ balance ☾

azurite, copper, emerald, green calcite, jasper, lemon quartz, tiger eye, turquoise

☽ calm ☾

amazonite, aquamarine, azurite, blue calcite, green calcite, lapis lazuli, rose quartz, smoky quartz

☽ clarity ☾

amethyst, aquamarine, blue calcite, flourite, quartz, smoky quartz, tourmalined quartz

☽ cleansing ☾

amber, amethyst, aquamarine, black tourmaline, bloodstone, quartz, tourmalined quartz

☽ communication ☾

amazonite, blue kyanite, chrysocolla, danburite, tektite, turquoise

☽ confidence ☾

citrine, honey calcite, malachite, pyrite, tiger eye, titanium quartz

☽ courage ☾

bloodstone, carnelian, desert rose, rhodochrosite, ruby

☽ creativity ☾

blue calcite, citrine, garnet, malachite, pyrite, orange calcite, rose quartz

☽ dreamwork ☾

azurite, barite, blue calcite, moonstone, sodalite

☽ focus ☾

bismuth, flourite, howlite, pyrite, titanium quartz

☽ grounding ☾

apache tears, black tourmaline, copper, hematite, jasper, jet

☽ insight ☾

barite, blue kyanite, chrysocolla, desert rose, flourite, lapis lazuli, meteorite, moldavite, moonstone, sodalite

☽ intuition ☾

blue calcite, barite, blue kyanite, celestite, citrine, meteorite, moonstone, sodalite, tanzanite

☽ joy ☾

danburite, kunzite, labradorite, lemon quartz, tanzanite, rhodochrosite

☽ love ☾ 

amazonite, citrine, emerald, green calcite, kunzite, rhodochrosite, garnet, ruby, rhodonite, rose quartz, tanzanite

☽ manifestation ☾ 

bloodstone, citrine, garnet, hematite, honey calcite, peridot, pyrite, serpentine

☽ motivation ☾

ametrine, carnelian, epidote, honey calcite, ruby, selenite, vanadinite

☽ passion ☾

carnelian, citrine, garnet, orange calcite, pyrite, ruby

☽ protection ☾

amber, amethyst, apache tears, black tourmaline, blue calcite, celestite, dalmatian stone, ruby, smoky quartz, tibetan black quartz, tourmalined quartz

☽ strength ☾

bloodstone, carnelian, chrysocolla, jasper, lemurian quartz, malachite, pyrite, ruby, tiger eye, titanium quartz, turquoise 

please let me know if i made any mistakes!

✨🌙Moons of 2022🌙✨

🌕Full Moons

Jan 17 in Cancer

Feb 16 in Leo

Mar 18 in Virgo

Apr 16 in Libra

May 16 in Scorpio - Lunar Eclipse

Jun 14 in Sagittarius - Super Moon

Jul 13 in Capricorn - Super Moon

Aug 12 in Aquarius

Sep 10 in Pisces

Oct 9 in Aries

Nov 8 in Taurus - Lunar Eclipse

Dec 8 in Gemini

🌑New Moons

Jan 2 in Capricorn

Feb 1 in Aquarius

Mar 2 in Pisces

Apr 1 in Aries

Apr 30 in Taurus - Solar Eclipse & Black Moon

May 30 in Gemini

Jun 29 in Cancer

Jul 28 in Leo

Aug 27 in Virgo

Sep 25 in Libra

Oct 25 in Scorpio - Solar Eclipse

Nov 23 in Sagittarius

Dec 23 in Capricorn - Super Moon

Mental & Emotional Health Protection Spell Jar

D’you ever get those days where enough is ENOUGH and you just have to spell jar the shit out of a protection spell (shuddup that totally makes sense)? Well, that was how I felt his morning.

This here is actually my first spell jar, one to protect my mental and emotional health.

My method and ingredients are mainly based off this protection spell bottle by @greekwitchchild​ with a couple of minor changes.

I don’t have oak leaves to hand, so I used chamomile flowers in their place for protection, peace and happiness.

Instead of writing my sigil on a piece of paper, I wrote it on the bay leaf I used in the jar. Full disclosure - the leaf was brittle and did crumble a bit as I inserted it. So, on the fly, I added though the sigil be broken, my intent remains whole into my “spell” (saying out loud the purpose of each ingredient as I added it to the jar).

The partially burned candle and jasmine incense stick were left from a circle casting I did while meditating a couple of days of ago. So I used them again to cast my circle and purify my space while I worked.

I shall be carrying this little beauty with me as I visit my boyfriend for the next 7 days or so. Negativity can fuck right off <3

online grimoire.

credit goes to all the original blogs who made these posts. i just want to organize all my reblogs for myself <3 blessed be

[crystals]

essentials

what harms which crystal

[curses]

red heart

masterlist

[deities]

asatru

contact

devotional tips

norse small devotional acts

-> Artemis

period dedication for artemis

-> Loki

loki masterpost

-> Rán

bedridden witch: ocean

rán devotional acts

rán prayer

rán // rán

ráns runes

[divination]

runes study

scrying mirrors

[misc]

alternatives for lavender

BOS tips

colours

depression

dictionary

herbs and oils substitutes

housewarming

jar alternatives

masterlist

mentally ill

substitutes

water types

[potions]

beauty

glamour

rose water

self love

[pouches]

anxiety relief

money

panic attack relief

[recipes]

poppy seed tea bread

orange honey cake

honey lavender bread

lemon lavender cookies

[sabbats]

-> imbolc

info

-> ostara

-> beltane

prepare

info

-> litha

-> lammas

-> mabon

-> samhain

fall decorations

info

[spell jars]

anti depression

attracting positive things

attract love

confidence/good luck

curse jar

good outcome

honesty

kindness

luck and fortune

luck and protection

manifestation

masterlist

positive energy

protection

self love/happiness

[spells]

anger masterlist

anger

cramming for a test

depression and anxiety

depression and anxiety masterlist

love removal

health/wellness spells

self love and healing

sickness

[tarot]

compass spread

deity identification

inverted heart

mind body spirit self care

planets spreads

samhain

self care tarot spread

tarot timing

the sun trick

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