Witch Tea: Going To Class

@crhserenity my formula that I use for digits is 1. State your intention 2. Put the sentence backwards 3. Get rid of all of the vowels 4. Get rid of all repeating letters 5. Take the letters you have left and connect them all into one solid picture 6. Add little dots and lines and swirls where you want them

I hope this helps a little, and I will try to mix some social stuff in for you!!

orriculum’s witchcraft 101 masterpost ✨

✨ basics:

unpacking witchcraft - spell types ✧ some basic terms to know ✧ methods for spells ✧ grounding, a quick how-to ✧ how to write your own spells - resources ✧ when to cast a spell - by weekdays ✧ when to cast a spell - by time of day ✧  low effort witchcraft ✧ how to cleanse

✨ tools:

tools of witchcraft overview ✧ a witch’s wand ✧ building a broom/besom ✧correspondence resource  ✧  on making moon water  ✧    understanding herb associations with rosemary  ✧   herbs for spells : grocery store vs. home grown vs. edible wilds  ✧   grounding  ✧  disposing of spell materials  ✧  nullifying spells  ✧ how to substitute in a spell

✨ you should know:

“to be a witch” falsehoods ✧ other witches and you ✧ witchcraft and the law ✧ difference between a witch and a herbalist ✧ self care for the witch ✧ when your spell fails ✧ tarot and pendulums can get it wrong

Aphrodite Antheia, the friend of flowers moodboard 🌹

All pictures from Pinterest !!

Was It A Sign?

Well, maybe. Maybe not. Here are some little things that may help you figure out if it was really a grand message or not! The more of these you have, the more likely it is.

🦉It’s unusual. Let’s say you saw a deer. Sweet! That’s cool, but if you live in a wooded area and deer are really common, it’s really not that profound. It could be a message, or it could just be a deer.

🦉You asked for a sign. If you asked the universe or a certain deity for a sign, perhaps this is the follow through! For this type of thing, it’s usually good to ask for something specific enough that you couldn’t expect it every day, but not so much that it’s impossible. (My go to is a rose or a purple feather.) That way, you know that X thing is your sign without worrying too hard about it!

🦉It felt… different. Maybe the event isn’t terribly wild on its own, but it just really hit you, or the feeling was incredibly profound. Especially after doing research, and seeing how many things are symbols, your brain will make connections really quickly. That means sometimes we make something out of nothing. A strong emotional response is a good sign of a sign.

🦉It immediately felt like a sign. Let’s say you see a rainbow, and it’s really pretty. You enjoy it for a few minutes then go back inside. Later, you think, “Hm, that could have been a sign.” Maybe. But it also could be your brain going hey, I know things associated with rainbows! (In my opinion, this is the most important one. I feel like if you have to wonder if it was a sign, it wasn’t a sign. You might not know what it’s a sign of, but you will know it’s a sign. That’s just my UPG, though.)

🦉Any post-research lines up. If you get a neat vision and run the details through Google, you may find details that line up with certain lore. Maybe you knew this before, maybe not. If you didn’t, and connections keep happening with surprising accuracy, it’s a pretty good indicator!

🦉Think of why you want it to be a sign, if you do. There’s a big narrative that everybody involved in magic, Paganism, etc. is constantly having these profound religious experiences. This simply isn’t true. There’s no shame in wanting a story to share, or to feel special, or to “fit in” by getting signs from the universe. Sometimes we want signs for the sake of receiving signs, so if you’re trying to manufacture them by pulling on every little thing, you’re distracting yourself from enjoying the world exactly how it is. Don’t worry about signs and enjoy yourself. Animals and rainbows and all that are still pretty great even if every little thing doesn’t have a personal meaning.

Hi, it’s me Rosalie! I’m still looking for a new home and someone who will love me. I’m a bit shy but I think we’ll be friends soon!

I’m waiting for you!

✨ 🌟 You can find me on etsy 🌟 ✨ :

https://www.etsy.com/listing/536362691/sale-custom-monster-high-doll-repaint?ref=related-3

Masterpost of Resources for Hellenic Polytheism

I made a masterpost in April, and updated it again today… and then I realized it was in desperate need of organization. Instead of separating my resources from everyone else’s, because that honestly doesn’t do anything, this is a more organized version with mine mixed in, too. Let me know if you find any good resources you think I should add to this list!

Khaire, everyone!

                                   Last Updated 1/21/19

Household Worship & Getting Started

Basic Supplies for Hellenic Polytheism - @breathing-in-gilded-dust​

Building Your Worship - @pomegranateandivy​

Sacredness of a Home - @baringtheaegis​

Household Gods - @hearthfirehandworks​

Getting Into Hellenismos (Dorms) - @baringtheaegis​

Rituals, Offerings, and Prayers/Praise

Why You Should (Probably) Eat That Offering - @songbirdspells

Note on ‘Proper’ Offerings - @poemsandmyths​

How to Pray to, Praise, and Worship the Theoi - @breathing-in-gilded-dust​​

Tips for Worshiping the Theoi When You Are Non-Verbal - @breathing-in-gilded-dust​​

(Modernized) Ancient Ouranic Offering Ritual - @breathing-in-gilded-dust​

(Modernized) Nekromanteion Ritual - @breathing-in-gilded-dust​

Why You Should (Probably) Eat That Offering - @songbirdspells​

Note on ‘Proper’ Offerings - @poemsandmyths​

Why Worship a God of War? - @honorthegods​

Communication With the Theoi, and Why It’s Okay to Not Receive Signs/Messages - @pomegranateandivy​ 

Offering DIY: How to Make Recycled Paper - @breathing-in-gilded-dust​

Recipes for the main 13 (part one) // (part two) - @breathing-in-gilded-dust​

​Recipes for Other Theoi (part one) - @breathing-in-gilded-dust​

Epithets of The Theoi

My Personal Unique Epithets for the Theoi - @breathing-in-gilded-dust​

My Personal Epithets for Persephone - @breathing-in-gilded-dust

My Personal Epithets for Haides - @breathing-in-gilded-dust​

Epithets and Titles of Aphrodite - Theoi.com

Epithets and Titles of Apollon - Theoi.com 

Epithets and Titles of Ares - Theoi.com   

Epithets and Titles of Artemis - Theoi.com 

Epithets and Titles of Asklepios - Theoi.com

Epithets and Titles of Athena - Theoi.com 

Epithets and Titles of Demeter - Theoi.com 

Epithets and Titles of Dionysos - Theoi.com

Epithets and Titles of Haides - Theoi.com

Epithets and Titles of Hekate - Theoi.com

Epithets and Titles of Hephaistos - Theoi.com 

Epithets and Titles of Hera - Theoi.com

Epithets and Titles of Hermes - Theoi.com

Epithets and Titles of Hestia - Theoi.com

Epithets and Titles of Persephone (mainly worshiped alongside Demeter) - Theio.com

Epithets and Titles of Poseidon - Theoi.com

Epithets and Titles of Selene - Theoi.com

Epithets and Titles of Zeus - Theoi.com

Lyma & Miasma

The Debate on Daily Purification and the Difference Between Miasma and Lyma - @sisterofiris

A Follow Up on Pollution and Purification - @sisterofiris

How we Pick Up Lyma and a Note on Binding/Veiling - @sisterofiris

Festivals 

Hellenic Revivalist Calendar - @pomegranateandivy​

Hellenic Polytheism Festivals and Information - @pomegranateandivy​ 

Hellenion.org (Site for reconstruction of the Hellenic Polytheistic religion with festival calendars, ritual ideas, and more… highly recommended)

Link to their 2019 calendar page

Link to their festival directory

Elaion.org (Another group for Hellenic Polytheists with rituals, festival calendars, etc. Very wonderful as well)

Link to their 2019 calendar page 

Link to their Resource Page

Arete and Other Values

Hellenic Polytheism and Depression - @breathing-in-gilded-dust​

The Pillars of Hellenismos - @honorthegods​

Veiling

Amaranta’s Guide to Basic Hair Binding and Veiling - @breathing-in-gilded-dust​

Hellenic Veiling - @pomegranateandivy

Books, Academic Posts, and Other Resource Masterposts

Tons of Great Books for Hellenic Polytheists (with free PDFs) - @breathing-in-gilded-dust​

Hellenic FAQ - @pomegranateandivy

Magic in Ancient Greece and Rome - @bayoread​

Harvard’s Center for Hellenic Studies - @songbirdspells​

Recommended Books About Hekate - @teawitch​ & @the-witching-tree​

Information and Tips About Persephone’s Worship (And some for Aphrodite as well) - @honorthegods​

Free Academic Resources Masterpost - @secondgenerationimmigrant​

Site for Learning Ancient Languages - @witchofeindor​

Information About Hekate - @baringtheaegis 

Theoi.com (a site full of information about all of the gods and goddesses that we really know about. Good for basic information. Not the end-all-be-all, and as with any site, can sometimes be inaccurate, though usually great for beginner things, epithets, etc.)

The Monster Compilation of Free Online Resources for Classical Studies - @honorthegods​

Ancient Greek Mountain Cultus - @sisterofiris​

baringtheaegis.blogspot.com (This a wonderful, wonderful blog) - @baringtheaegis​

Two Book Recommendations with Free PDFs - @nessotropheion​

Great Sites for Research - @pomegranateandivy

The Greek Alphabet Oracle (similar to Nordic rune-casting) - Apollonius Sophistes

Sisterofiris’ Resources and Tags Page - @sisterofiris

How I Personally View the Idea of Destiny and Free Will as a Hellenic Polytheist - @breathing-in-gilded-dust

Hymns/Prayers Masterposts

My Hymns, Prayers, and Poetry (WIP) - @breathing-in-gilded-dust

Prayers and Devotionals - @pomegranateandivy

Blogs I recommend:

@pomegranateandivy

@honorthegods

@sisterofiris​

@songbirdspells​

@baringtheaegis​

@thepastelpriestess​

🧙🔮🧙Does anyone have any favorite witchy youtube channels? I’ve been poking around a bit, but I’m wondering if you all have any favorites that you’d recommend! 

Witchcraft 101

So you want to be a witch! Here is my own mini guide to help you get started~

First, ask yourself: 1. What are my interests? How could these interests be incorporated into my personal craft? For example, if you love to cook or bake, kitchen witchery may be something you’d like to explore. If you have a passion for nature, you may like to explore green witchery. The list is endless. If multiple paths interest you, explore them all! You don’t need to pick just one. You may be an eclectic witch. Eclectic witches incorporate many different paths to form their own unique path!

Types of witches include (but are not limited to): kitchen, green, sea, cosmic, hedge, urban, traditional, elemental, eclectic, weather, chaos, divination, etc.

There is also Wicca. However, ignore everything by Silver Ravenwolf.

In addition, there is Druidry, Celtic polytheism, Norse polytheism, Hellenic polytheism, Kemeticism, Christian witchcraft, and more.

You do not have to be religious to be a witch! Many see witchcraft as a skill. Not all witches worship Satan. Witches are not “good” or “evil.” Take everything you read, by anyone, with a grain of salt. Witchcraft is highly personal, and there is a lot of misinformation floating about. Not everything will be factual.

Fancy tools are not a requirement! Tools you make or find by yourself in nature will work just as well (and usually better!) Make your wand from a stick you find on a hike, for example! Then you can customize it however you wish. Add crystals, ribbons, glitter, just make it YOURS! The same thing goes for your Grimoire. You can just use a normal notebook, or binder, and personalize it. You don’t have to spend big money on a book (unless you want to). Witchcraft can be as simple or elaborate as you want it to be. There is much more to explore than in this post alone, so stay tuned for additional posts on a variety of topics! Feel free to shoot me an ask if you have any questions! Stay spooky, be safe, and HAVE FUN!

DIY: Herbal Salves

Salves are such a simple, effective, and useful medicine! They can easily be slipped into a purse, pocket, or first aid kit.  Although semi-solid at room temperature, salves soften once applied to the skin, making them less messy to apply than oils.  They also make great gifts and are an easy and approachable way to introduce newbies to the medicinal properties of herbs.  Plus, salves can be crafted for a wide variety of topical uses.  The addition of beeswax offers additional benefits including protective, soothing, emollient, nourishing, and healing properties.

Part 1: Make Herbal Infused Oil

To make salve, first craft your herbal infused oil(s).  This will take several weeks, but once finished, the rest of the salve making process will only take minutes!   You can also purchase pre-infused herbal oils if needed or if you wish to skip the process of infusing the oil.

Solar Method: When making herbal infused oils, we prefer the solar infused method.  Place dried botanicals into a dry and sterilized glass jar.  Some herbalists coarsely crush or grind herbs first, while others finely chop herbs and leave delicate flowers whole.  Cover with Extra Virgin Olive Oil (or other carrier oil of choice with a stable shelf life) leaving at least 1-2” of oil above the herbs to allow the herbs to swell.  Cap the jar tightly and place in a sunny, warm window.  If desired, the jar can be covered with a bag or box so that the oil is not exposed to direct sunlight.  Shake the jar once or twice per day, or as often as you remember. If the herbs absorb the oil, then add more oil so that they are always submerged.  Allow to infuse for 2-6 weeks, or until the oil takes on the color and aroma of the herb.  Once the oil is ready, strain using cheese cloth, and bottle into dry and sterilized amber bottles for storage.  Make sure to squeeze as much oil as possible from the herbs so that you do not waste any precious oil!  Herbal oils will keep for approximately a year if stored properly in a dark and cool place. Vitamin E Oil may also be added to prolong the shelf life.

Quick Method: Another way to infuse oils, which is sometimes necessary when herbal oils need to be created in a pinch, is the quick method which utilizes heat.  Much care needs to be taken when creating herbal oils this way because you do not want to deep-fry your herbs!  Place herbs in crock-pot, double boiler, or electric yogurt maker, and cover with Extra Virgin Olive Oil (or other carrier oil of choice) leaving at least an inch or two of oil above the herbs.  Gently heat the herbs over very low heat (preferably between 100 to 140 degrees Fahrenheit) for 1-5 hours until the oil takes on the color and scent of the herb.  Some texts recommend heating the oil 48-72 hours at a controlled temperature of 100 degrees Fahrenheit.  Turn off heat and allow to cool. Once that the oil is ready, strain using cheese cloth, and bottle into dry and sterilized amber bottles for storage.  Store in a dark and cool place, Vitamin E Oil may also be added to prolong the shelf life.

Part 2: Turn that Oil into Salve!

• 8 oz herbal infused oil(s) of your choice.  Choose one or a combination. • 1 oz Beeswax (use Carnauba Wax for a vegan salve) • Vitamin E Oil (optional) • 10-20 drops essential oil of choice (optional). Some essential oils commonly used are Lavender and Tea Tree. • Glass Jars or Tin Containers

Place Herbal Infused Oils and Beeswax over a double boiler, and gently warm over low heat until the Beeswax melts.  Remove from heat and add the essential oil and Vitamin E Oil (if using).  Quickly pour into prepared tins or glass jars and allow to cool completely.  Salves should be stored in a cool location where they will remain semi-solid and will not continue to re-melt and re-solidify.  If stored correctly, salves will last for 1- 3 years. Yields 8 oz.

Note:  The consistency of salves can easily be adjusted depending on your preferences.  Use less Beeswax for a softer salve and more Beeswax if you’d prefer a firmer salve.  You can test the consistency by placing a few spoons in the freezer before making your salve.  When the Beeswax melts, pour a little salve onto one of the cold spoons and place it back into the freezer for 1-2 minutes.  Once cooled, you can make adjustments by adding more oil (for a softer salve) or more Beeswax (for a firmer salve).

Herbs for Salve

You can make salve with a single herb or multiple herbs, depending on your needs.  It’s useful to make a variety of herbal infused oils so that you can easily craft salve whenever you need it!

Arnica flowers: Can help treat physical trauma, bruises, strains, and occasional muscle pain. Use immediately after strenuous exertion or injury to prevent, relieve, and reduce swelling, bruises and pain.

Burdock root: For skin infections.

Calendula flowers:  Wonderfully healing with all-around healing properties useful for a wide variety of skin irritations and conditions including wounds, insect bites, rashes, scrapes, abrasions, cuts, and much more.  Suitable for sensitive skin and babies.

Cayenne Pepper: Warming, good for occasional sore muscles, alleviates occasional pain, and itching.

Chamomile flowers: Minor abrasions, cuts, scrapes, and wounds.

Chickweed: Soothing, helps with skin conditions, minor burns, and other skin irritations.

Comfrey leaf and/or root: Relieves occasional pain, swelling, supports muscle, cartilage, and bone. Assists with healing a wide variety of conditions.

Echinacea herb and/or root: Beneficial for minor sores, wounds, insect bites, and stings.

Ginger root: Warming, use for occasional sore muscles.

Goldenseal leaf and/or root: Useful for treating minor wounds and skin conditions.

Lavender flowers: Soothing, calming, relieves occasional pain, has healing properties beneficial for minor wounds and numerous skin conditions.

Myrrh Gum powder: Used for cuts, scrapes, scratches, and abrasions.

Nettle leaf: An effective herb for many skin conditions.

Oregon Grape root: Skin disinfectant for minor wounds.

Plantain leaf: Helps speed the recovery process, relieves and soothes insect bites and stings, poison ivy, itching, minor sores, bruises, blisters, and damaged skin.

St. John’s Wort: Craft the deep red-colored oil from fresh flowers. Beneficial for minor wounds, cuts, bruises, insect bites and stings, nerve support, scrapes, and minor burns.

Thyme: Used for cuts, scrapes, and occasional sore muscles.

Yarrow Flowers: Apply to bruises, minor wounds, cuts, scrapes, and areas with swelling and bleeding.

Please note that this is only a partial list, many other healing herbs can also be incorporated into salves.

For educational purposes only This information has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.  This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

Source: herbal-salves

Friendly reminder not to bury glass or plastic jars or throw them in the ocean :)

Environmentally friendly options include:

-seed starter pots

-bell peppers

-paper towel rolls

-toilet paper rolls

-tissue paper

-wrapping paper

If you have any suggestions or concerns please let me know and they will be added