Night 🥰

The Viking's Journey

Awhile back while meditating on the runes, I realized that the Elder Futhark could be read as a personal development path, much like the Fool’s Journey in the Tarot. I call it The Viking’s Journey because it models the path of someone who is ruthless in the pursuit of getting their life in order and individuating. Like the Fool’s Journey (or the Hero’s Journey or the Girls Underground Journey), events in this sequence don’t necessarily happen in order. They loop back and around and sometimes—like Hagalaz—they jump out and snag you unawares.

Fehu: The journey begins with abundance. You have enough wealth and good fortune to be able to think about who you are and who you could be. You know that you are worth investing in, and you intend to do it.

Uruz: You develop knowledge of yourself at the animal level. You know where you end and where others begin, and you do what’s necessary to protect your boundaries. You trust your gut. You assert your right to your own space. The will to be pumps through your veins like fire.

Thurisaz: You don’t have the time or energy for bullshit. You are ruthless about dealing with unresolved conflicts. The conflict can either be resolved, or the people involved can go. You are pruning your life of people and things that aren’t good for you, even if it hurts.

Ansuz: When the things that have held you down in the outer world are dealt with, you discover that the worst bonds are still undealt with. They are the bonds in your mind. As you deal with mental patterns that have you stuck dealing with the same old shit, you find your voice.

Raidho: Nothing is holding you down anymore, so you just go. You’re done with your hometown. It’s time to see the world.

Kenaz: You have plunged into the unknown and find yourself in darkness, but you have a torch that lights your way. As you explore, you gain knowledge of the world around you, but also, most importantly, of yourself.

Gebo: You make a wish, and it is granted. You receive a gift. In gratitude, when you’re done with what you’ve received, you give it away. In doing this, you learn that nothing really belongs to you. You just carry it around for awhile. In learning to share what you have, you discover the power of community.

Wunjo: No longer defining yourself by your possessions, you begin to see yourself more clearly. You are beautiful and worthy of joy.

Hagalaz: Loss comes suddenly like hail from the sky. As you survey the devastation and try to salvage what you can, you realize that not every cloud has a silver lining. Sometimes the sky is a solid mass of gray that broods. Want your life back? You’ll need to descend to the underworld and ask it from Hel herself.

Naudhiz: You are nothing but need. There is no room for anything optional. There is only the next thing you have to do. Now. As you work, you slowly begin to notice that you’re not alone. You are surrounded by people who have suffered the same losses as you. You are stronger together.

Isa: You get things together enough to breathe, and then you freeze. It’s like you’re back at the beginning, caught in bondage and bullshit. The allies who helped you while you were in trouble are satisfied enough with just getting by. You know that you can do better than that, but you can’t force anyone to change. You need to shut everyone out in order to strategize an escape.

Jera: The wheel turns, and you’re ready to move on. You’re binding up your wounds, reevaluating the mistakes you’ve made in the past. How did you get here? Why do you keep getting tied down? How do you make sure you never get here again?

Eihwaz: You begin to realize it’s not just about you. The world itself is bound by illusions. Everyone around you is following scripts handed out to them by society. Seeing the strings gives you power. To find out who you really are, you have to journey within.

Perthro: When you were a child, you knew who you were. In connecting to memories, bringing this old knowledge of yourself forward into adulthood, you are reborn. Your luck returns.

Elhaz: You are new and fragile. You can feel in your bones that your old ways of protecting yourself are inadequate. New, more sophisticated boundaries are needed—less like armor, more like skin that grows with you.

Sowilo: The sun comes out and melts away your icy shield, but that’s okay. You don’t need artificial barriers keeping you from others anymore. You are enough to keep yourself safe.

Tiwaz: You are tested, and there is only one right way to go. You have been in this seemingly choiceless place before, but this time it’s different. This time it is not the outerworld that is forcing your hand. It is your inner code of ethics. There is only one way to go and remain yourself. You weigh the cost and accept it. Nothing is worth betraying your integrity.

Berkano: You have been wounded while doing your duty. It was your choice, and you take responsibility, and that means owning your healing, too. You retreat for a while to lick your wounds.

Ehwaz: When you can’t run, you crawl, and when you can’t crawl, you find someone to carry you. (Yeah, Firefly!)

Mannaz: You are ready to start pulling your own weight, and you begin to form a partnership with the person who carried you. Balance is hard, but you soon develop a relationship of equals.

Laguz: In cooperation, you learn that gaining more power and forcing your will on the world isn’t the only way to manifest your desire. One can be strong. Many flowing together are stronger. You learn to lead.

Ingwaz: Night falls, and you begin to long for home. You look back at how far you’ve come, and the thought of having to walk back all that way fills you with dread, so you find a way to make a door and just…step through.

Othala: You have returned home. You realize that home is not just a place to hang your hat. It’s part of you, and now you can give your home the same care you give yourself.

Dagaz: The end credits roll, and the lights come on, and you realize that even this journey is an illusion, a metaphor to help you find your way, a metaphor you no longer need. You rise and leave the theater.

An old woman of ambiguous South Asian heritage went through my check lane a few days ago. One of her items was a red onion, which she’d already skinned inside the produce bag. I mistook it for two different onions; she corrected me, and then explained why she’d already skinned it.

“If you make tea with onion skins,” she said, with the air of an old woman sharing her secrets, “and drink it before bed, it’s good for the bowels. Boil the water and leave the skins in for ten minutes. It will clean you right out.”

I finished scanning her items and she continued to share. “Before you get out of bed in the morning, eat a spoonful of mashed garlic and honey, keep it in your mouth for ten minutes and stay lying down, and you will be awake and healthy.” 

She tapped her nose gently, a conspiratorial smile gracing her lips. “It’s old magic. Natural remedy. Better than any medicine.”

Money/Prosperity/Fortune spells I usually do:

Foods:

Oatmeal, pinch o salt, milk, brown sugar, cinnamon, allspice

Diced potato, finely cut beef, salt paprika, basil, lemon zest, scrambled egg

Tilapia & Shrimp - salt, cilantro, lemon, paprika, chilli powder, basil

Steamed white rice, salt, brown sugar, cinnamon, allspice, milk

Green tea with lemongrass, lemon, & mint

I usually use sea salt, but whatever

Jar: Basil, Bay, Carrot, Egg shell, Lemon slices, pennies, sealed with green & yellow wax, I used Chinese lucky coins tied to a ribbon to tie around the jar. 

Altar: Gold cloth, 2 green taper candles, 1 yellow chime candle, a crap load of foreign currency, pennies, serpentine, carnelian, jasper (yellow or greenish colors), dragon’s blood scent, fehu rune and/or the Sun card from shadowscapes, and some of the wands cards depending on context

Galdr: chanting “fe fe hu” for about half an hour, sometimes I mix in, depending on context fehu with uruz or ansuz and so on, and/or ansuz (the z sounds can conflate between uruz and ansuz, and the u sound can conflate hu all three, imo)

Listen to your favourite song about the subject, use lyrics like a chant. Dress up during song. Wear jewelry or clothes like a body altar (gold and green colors, brown and copper are pretty good, coins and currency signs, etc) to invite prosperity to you.

Enchanting a coin, a favourite coin, and wearing it (in your shoe, in your pocket, on a necklace, in your wallet is preferred tbh - you can even shake it to help “activate” it) 

A Hearth Witch's Security System - Boundaries and Entrances

A Disclaimer: I am one person and my opinions (which I have in abundance) may not reflect the opinions of other witches, in general, or other people who call themselves hearth witches. In fact, they probably won’t, because I’m an asshole. I have a bizarre sense of humor that doesn’t convey well in text and I rant about shit I don’t like. A lot. If you don’t think you can handle that, maybe don’t read anything I write. Ever.

Protecting the Home, Protecting the Family 

Let me preface this post by saying, I am exhausted, so probably nothing I write here is going to make sense to anyone but me. Also, that has just been my luck lately, but we’ll see how it goes anyway. 

If you read my blog, you’ll know that I do a lot of stuff to protect my railroad cottage. Not just because I live here, but because I literally use my house as a symbol of my household and family. So, in a witchcraft sense, protecting my home is protecting my family. And, because that’s the witchcraft I write about most on my blog, that’s what I get a lot of questions about (spirit work aside, because that’s what I get the most questions about). 

So, this post is going to be about various ways to protect your home and (hopefully) prevent nasties from creeping inside. 

Rule Number One: Keep a Clean House

I know that sounds really boring. I know you’re like, “Emma, that is not witchcraft. Those are chores and I hate you. Did my mom put you up to this?” But, actually, there are two good reasons that’s Rule No. 1: 

It’s not easy to cleanse a house that isn’t clean. Part of protecting your home is being prepared to go into battle for it. Now, witchcraft is known to make a house a little cluttered. If you’ve got ribbons falling out of your sewing box and stockpiles of tea on your counter. Don’t worry. You’re normal. But it’s possible for a house to be both cluttered and clean.

Cleaning a house regularly is a fantastic way to magically take ownership of the property—which I’ve discussed here. 

Obviously, I’m not saying you’re house has to look like something from Good Housekeeping. My own cottage has four rooms and is home to more than four people. It’ll never be as neat as we want it to be. But’s it’s clean. And that’s what matters. 

Rule Number Two: Good Fences Make Good Neighbors 

I’m not talking about real fences—but those too. I’m talking more about magical boundaries. Like a witch fence. This can be set up in or outside of ritual, using a real fence, other objects, or using visualization. 

So, let’s talk about putting up this fence, huh? The method I use  is, of course, the “Gross Method”—and, by gross, I mean no one wants to do it or talk to me they’ve found out I’ve done it. It uses a pre-existing fence to create the boundary, which means that what you’re actually doing with this method is enchanting or reinforcing your standing fence. It’s supa supa easy. Like really, children could do if you let them. Only probably don’t let them because it’s probably a health hazard. 

For this method, you will need 1) a fence, 2) something to mark your stake-points with, 3) some bodily fluids—i.e. menstrual blood, piss, spit, sexual fluids, etc., 4) your bad ol’ self

Step One: Walk around your property and decide where you want your stake-points to be. I refer to them as stake-points because what you’re actually doing is kind of like putting up a magical tent rather than a fence. These are the strength points of your enchanted fence. You’ll want at least one in every corner of the existing fence. Mark these places. You can do this by scratching or painting on the fence, tying something to the fence, or sticking something in the ground there. In my case, I used the support posts for my pre-existing fence as my stake points, so I didn’t have to mark them because I knew where they were. 

Step Two: Collect fluids. (Unless you’re using spit, which you have.) You can water any of these fluids down if you need to—except probably spit. 

Step Three: Using a paintbrush, herbs, your hands, a spray bottle, or whatever, apply the fluid to the INSIDE of your fence where your neighbors won’t be touching. As you do, visualize the stake-points linking together as they’re placed. I tend to visualize something like a barbed-wire fence going up between my stake-points, but white light works too if you’re into that. **If you’re going to forget, mark where you started.

Step Four: When you’ve completed the fence and connected your last stake-point to your starting point, visualize the tent going up. In my visualization this is something like a deer-skin version of a Circus tent, but I am a legit freak of nature, so your probably wont be. 

Now, you can be done here, or you can write something to say to tweak the spell to your style. If you have Property Spirits that you work with, you may also want to ask them to guard the fence at this point. 

Rule Number Three: Gardening = Ammo 

While we’re still outdoors, let’s talk about ‘defensive gardening’. One of my favorite things to do with my garden is to reinforce my boundaries by planting protective herbs. Not only does it add punch to your enchanted fence, but it provides ammunition should you need to banish something later. 

This can be done directly in the ground, in hanging planters at/on your stake-points, in windowboxes, in planters by the door, etc. 

Some good protective herbs to start are:

Aloe

Rosemary 

Roses (thorny for offensive magic, rosehips for defensive magic)

Mint

Lavender

You may also want to include banishing plants

Garlic 

Sage 

Sweeatgrass

Thyme

As well as flowers, trees, and shrubs to the same effect (like holly, cedar, etc). 

Rule Number Four: Wards/Wardings Aren’t As Hard As They Sound

Come with me to the porch and let’s talk about wards! *runs to the porch, points at wards* Wards are awesome! There are so many different kinds and they can range anywhere from decorative to practical to invisible! 

When you’re warding your doorway, like a lot of witchcraft, intent is super important. Really, it doesn’t matter what kind of ward you use as long as you have the intent. And, with the bucket load of types of warding, you should be able to find one to fit your needs.

My favorite way to ward a door or window is with a decorative ward, which was something we did in my family for years and then I finally saw it outside of our house in an Ellen Dugan book (which I bought JUST for that reason). This one isn’t mine, but it’s a good example of one:

These hang above doors and windows to ward off evil, ill will, etc. and can be made out of dried flowers and herbs (like above), fabric (such as a warding banner), carved into the wood above a door, or any other way you prefer. 

I usually go with the pictured method. Typically I

Start with a base. For year-round wards I like to use wheat and dried grass (which you can find at a craft store—but not Hobby Lobby, because they areevil). 

I face half of my base one way and half the opposite way—so that the cut ends are together and you have the awesome wheat/grass/evergreen ends facing out. Over lap the two halves a few inches and tie them together. (I usually use twine for that, but you can use whatever you like.

Next, go you your second layer, which is the actual warding part. For this, my favorite things to use are lavender (which grows wild in the neighborhood I work in), and rosemary. But there are plenty of other possibilities, too—sunflowers, rose, baby’s breath, holly, pine, mint, etc. These can be tucked into the tie you’ve already made, glued on, or tied on separately. 

To finish mine off, I usually add a bell, to symbolize a signal, which sort of makes the ward into an alarm. Sometimes, when trouble is around, I’ll hear a bell even though it’s not ringing. Sometimes it actually rings. 

The ward can go above your door, window, fireplace, or anywhere else you feel you want to hang it. 

Of course, there are a lot of other ways to ward your doors and windows. 

With energy and visualization. 

With water or oil (drawing protective symbols on them with the water/oil) 

Warding Wreaths

Other hangings (like photographs of deities or saints, Brigid’s crosses, horseshoes, strings or bells)

Salt lines and brickdust (I tend to mix these together)

Hanging herbs by or above the door (I typically dry my herbs next to the door so I never have a shortage of door-based protection)

Whatever

The most important thing is that you make your intent clear. Whether you want to ward off evil spirits or unwelcome mortal visitors, make your intent clear. If you need to do this by putting your warding into a big ritual, do so. If you need to activate your wards out loud, go ahead. 

Rule Number Five: Everything You Need to Strengthen Your Protection is On/In You

Spit

Urine

Menstrual Blood

Sexual Fluids 

Sweat 

and so on

These are all totally useful supplies for witchcraft in general and for protection in specific. A touch of one of these on a window, door, doorknob, etc is fantastic for strengthening a boundary and clearly marking your territory to anyone who might wander inside. Surface cleaning with remove germs, but not the intent or the warning.

Rule Number Six: Never Let an Outsider Make Your Forget Whose House This Is

The conviction of ownership is pretty important to home protection. Don’t let an intruder scare you into believing that they own your home. They don’t. It’s yours. The people inside it are yours. 

A Yule Ritual

Spell originally by Cassandra Eason.

What you need:

12 white candles or tea candles (in a circle)

A red candle in the center

Festiveness around the candles (greenery, baubles, etc.)

Timing: Between December 21-23 in Northern Hemisphere; June 21-23 in the Southern Hemisphere (Yule’s timing)

1.) Light the red candle and from it the circle of candles. Say “I walk into the darkness without fear at the turning of the year, knowing the light will return. Candles no more burn.”

2.) Extinguish the candle circle so only the central candle flame remains. Say “ Let the old sun die, carrying away what must go, the illusions, the excuses, the inertia, and open the door to a new tomorrow.”

3.)After a few minutes relight each candle in the circle, clockwise from the red candle, saying “ The sun is reborn and light returns to the world. The dark times are ended.”

4.) Let the candles burn and use the decorations around the home (keep an eye on the candles so you don’t burn down the house :D )

Lammas

Here’s a brief overview of the holiday Lammas. [LAH-mahs] Some people use the name Lughnasadh. [LOO-nah-sah] They are both names for the same holiday–the celebration of the first harvest–, however they are not necessarily interchangeable. 

Lughnasadh is the Gaelic name for this occasion. It celebrates the waning of the sun god Lugh as the summer gives way to fall. The year’s crop is ready for harvesting. Lammas is the modern name. It has minimal connection to the Gaelic sun God, so if you don’t believe in the God, you would use the term Lammas. Both terms recognize the power of the sun God infusing his blessings into the first year’s harvest, however Lughnasadh credits a Gaelic God while Lammas credits a more general sun God. Lughnasadh is the more traditional name, so you can choose to use that term if you want without having any affiliation to Lugh. 

Lammas is celebrated on August 1st (Northern hemisphere) or February 1st (Southern hemisphere). 

Spellwork

Lammas is a time of giving thanks, so be sure to leave offerings to your deities. It’s custom to use something from your harvest (if you harvested anything) as your offering. Spells involving blessings or guidance are going to fare well during this day. 

Correspondences 

Symbols: Sunflower, Wheat, Baskets, Creative Tools (pen, paintbrush, microphone)

Colors: Deep green, orange, burgundy deep reds

Herbs: Vervain, Sunflower, Rosemary

Food/Drink: Grain, Honey, Nuts, Berries, Beer, Cider

Incense: Frankincense, Rosemary

Crystals: Tiger’s Eye, Obsidian

Ways to Celebrate!

Use this holiday to celebrate the things in life granted to you. Share your talents with others. Go for a walk in nature. Have a feast. 

Yule/Midwinter/Winter Equinox

Overview and History

Winter Equinox, Midwinter or Yule as it’s more commonly known is the period of time where we celebrate the Sun’s rebirth and entry into a new year full of light. 

This year’s Yule starts on the 21st of December for the Northern Hemisphere.

Most of this information is for the Northern Hemisphere but can still be celebrated in the Southern, I personally still celebrate but have a personal celebration for the new year on the last day of the year.

This year’s Yule starts on the 21st of June for the Southern Hemisphere.(Hey! That’s me)

Until the 16th century, most cattle owned were slaughtered to prevent the need to feed them during the long and dangerous winter, therefore it was a time of feasting and where meat was plentiful.

In pre-Christian Scandinavia the “Feast of Yule” lasted 12 days and it was common place to burn a “yule log”. 

In ancient Rome the winter solstice was celebrated at the Feast of Saturnalia, a feast to honour the god Saturn, it lasted about a week and was a period of gift-giving, easting and debauchery.

One of the most famous celebrations of the winter solstice in the world today takes place in the ancient ruins of Stonehenge, England. Thousands of Druids and Pagans gather there to chant, dance and sing while waiting to see the spectacular sunrise.

Activities for Witches

One of the most important Yule practices revolves around the Yuletide altar, which consists of three main parts: the Yule log, candles and greenery. All three are symbols of bringing the outside in and welcoming the rebirth brought by the Sun. Greens, such as holly and the evergreen trees that are decorated in silver, gold, reds and greens, symbolize rebirth — a miracle that they prosper in the harsh cold while other plants are barren. For new-age pagans, the festively coloured candles are a safer way to bring the warmth of the sun into the home without risking fires that could be caused by burning the ceremonial log. Traditionally, the ceremonial log is ash. It is decorated in seasonal greens, doused in ale and dusted with flour before being set aflame and left to smoulder for 12 days. 

Easy Activities

Kiss someone (who gives permission) under some hanging mistletoe

Give gifts to those you love

Have a feast with family and friends

Make spell wreaths and hang them around your space

Use cinnamon and pine smudges

Decorate a living outdoor tree

Use natural materials to make yule decorations then decorate your room/altar

Make seed covered apple treats for birds

Clean your pets space and re-decorate

Have meals by the fireplace (roast marshmallows)

Buy some new warm blankets to keep you warm

Knit sweaters for your pets, and scarves for your friends

Sing and dance under the moon (while wearing several layers)

Light cinnamon incense 

Show love to everything deserving of your love

Reset your sleep cycle

Make some goals

Ask your tarot for some advice

(optional) Thank your gods for bringing a new year

💰Abundance Pesto💰

Here is a recipe that is dear to my heart. I’ve been doing it for years and it has always attracted me the liitle extra that I would need in difficult times!

✨Ingredients

75g basil leaves (that’s a lot, be prepared to buy accordingly)

50g pine nuts

2 garlic cloves

50g fresh grated parmesan

100mL extra virgin olive oil

1.5 tsp salt

Pepper to taste

✨Prep time: 10 minutes

✨Equipment

A mixer robot

✨Spell Setting

Usually when I do kitchen witchcraft I like to keep it casual, but this time I feel like I should go the extra mile. Disclaimer, this is the way I do it. If there is things you want to add: prayers to you deities, meditations, crystals, anything that makes sense to you, please do! Magical practices are really personal, and I strongly encourage you to make it this spell setting your own by adapting it tou your needs!

First I burn some incense to purify the space. Then I setup some nice music that makes me feel good and entered. I love to listening to soft happy piano jazz or bossa nova. Here is a youtube channel that I like to listen when I cook. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJhjE7wbdYAae1G25m0tHAA

Before I start prepping the food, I like to setup an altar on my windowsill. I am going to bless the food and ask for abundance. To do so I light 2 or 3 tea lights, I nicely arrange all the ingredients around them. If you want to work with tarot cards you can place the cards around too, same for crystals, charms, deities representation. As for myself I like to work with The Queen of Pentacles because I strongly identify with her and she represent abundance in the home.

I like to sit in front of my window and take a few deep breath, thanking the food for all the good things it will bring to me. I’ll also take this time to visualize what I want as precisely as I can, usually I want financial abundance, but it can work for other things as well!

✨Magical intents

Basil: Protection and Money

Pine nuts: Money

Garlic: Protection

Olive Oil: Protection and Luxury. To me, olive oil represent the abundance, the luxury you want to attract in your life. So I implore you to buy extra virgin olive oil (or the best that you can afford). You will thank me for the the taste and you’ll step up your vinaigrette game!

✨Recipe

Grate the parmesan

Roast the pine nuts in a dry pan (no need to add oil). Be careful they burn quickly

Roughly cut the garlic cloves

In the robot, add the basil leaves with garlic and pine nuts. Blitz for a few seconds until chopped.

Add the parmesan and blitz again

Add the oil and blitz again

Store in the fridge in an air tight container for 2 weeks

✨Tips:

Don’t use dry basil for this recipe

You can use the sauce with pasta, but it’s also good with an omelette, or as a spread on a toast or a focaccia.

Happy witching!

English vs French Lavender

While it’s well known that lavender has a calming and soothing effect, (I’ve seen it used a lot in sleep spells and drinks, etc) I’ve only recently found out that it’s not true for all varieties.

English lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) in the picture on the left is your go-to for those soothing bed-time vibes. This is the more common variety.

French lavender (Lavandula stoechas), the tufty flower on the right, actually has an invigorating effect. It’s also brilliant for cuts and grazes to prevent infection and promote healing, but if you’re growing this plant to help you sleep it will not have the desired effect in your bed-time tea/pillow sachet!