Latest Posts by moss-pond - Page 7

Ostara French Toast & Tea Infused Syrup

Hi lovelies! I hope you’re having a wonderful day/night! I have decided to make another Ostara recipe. This is based off of my mother’s French Toast recipe. Remember to have fun with cooking! You don’t have to follow this recipe exact, experiment and have a good time! Please let me know what you all think! I’d love to hear your feedback! On to the recipe!

🌸Ingredients for French Toast:

🍞1 pan that can fit at least two pieces of bread. A griddle works well too 🍞1-2 sticks of butter 🍞A half a loaf of bread. I use Texas Toast. Any bread will do. 🍞2 eggs 🍞4 cups milk 🍞A LARGE splash of vanilla extract 🍞A little bit of almond extract

🌸Ingredients for Syrup:

🍞3-4 cups of your favorite syrup 🍞3 lavender tea bags (you can use dried lavender or other herbs and spices, about 3 Tbs total) 🍞Pot to hold everything 🍞Cheese cloth or tea infuser of using loose herbs

🌸Instructions for French Toast:

🍞Turn pan onto low- medium low heat 🍞Whisk eggs, milk and extracts together. 🍞Soak 1-2 pieces of bread at a time 🍞Add butter to the pan 1-2 tbs and let melt 🍞Add bread to the pan, brown on one side, flip, and brown on the other 🍞Soak your next batch while browning the first 🍞 in-between batches, of your butter turns brown, wipe it off and add more. 🍞Continue reading this until they are all browned. Then serve

🌸Instructions for Syrup:

🍞Add herbs and syrup to pot over medium-low heat 🍞Let come to a simmer then remove 🍞 Let steep for 20 min or more 🍞Serve with French Toast

Okay guys I hope you enjoyed this! Remember to have fun! If you make this, I’d love to see and hear about it!

Love and light Cait ✌

Ostara and The Spring Equinox

March 10th 2016

     Ostara is coming up! It is on March 20th 2016 this year. Spring is a time of rebirth, regrowth, and renewal. Ostara was essentially named after the German spring Goddess, Eostre. Ostara is a time of fertility and and sowing seeds.   

Ways to celebrate:

Take a walk through a local park.

Lay in the grass.

Press some flowers. (Note: Be mindful, take only what you need.)

Take some pictures of spring. Make a collage with them or place some pictures on your Altar.

Plant a tree, Give back to nature.

Go for a walk and bask in nature.

Collect stones, feathers, leaves.

Celebrate in you coven. (If you have one.)  

Decorate your altar according to Ostara.

If you are a solitary witch do your own ritual.

Send a prayer to thank nature.

Pray to the Spring/Nature God or Goddess. 

Pay attention to the birds, the blooming flowers, the leaves growing on trees.

Stare up at the sky.

Meditate in Nature.

Paint Ostara eggs in bright spring colours.

Incense:

Jasmine

Rose

Frankincense

Myrrh

Sage

Symbols:

Rabbits

Eggs

Spring flowers (Snowdrops, Crocuses)

Butterflies

Colours:

Pale Green

Yellow

Light Pink

White

Light Blue

Ostara Deities

Persephone

Blodeuwedd

Eostre

Aphrodite

Athena

Cybele

Gaia

Hera

Isis

Ishtar

Minerva

Venus

the Green Man

Cernunnos

The Dagda

Attis

The Great Horned God

Mithras

Odin

Thoth

Osiris

Pan

Artemis

Plants and Herbs:

crocus flowers

daffodils

jasmine

Irish moss

snowdrops

ginger

Sources: thewhitegoddess.co.uk, 13 moons.com, paganwiccan.about.com.

Have a Happy Ostara!

==Moonlight Academy== 

Ostara Honey Cake

This will be my first Ostara so I’ve been putting together my recipes for the event. The following recipe is a dairy and egg free cake with a hint of honey; a simple recipe I’ve modified. It can even be gluten free if you substitute a gluten free all purpose flour (I personally like Bob’s Mill) Perfect desert for the sabbat! It’s simple, not overly sweet, and I’ll be putting a light lemon glaze on top, but it would be wonderful plain. A perfect finish to bring in Spring/Summer.

3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour 1 cup granulated sugar 1 cup honey, warmed 2 teaspoons baking soda 1 teaspoon salt 2 tablespoons white vinegar 1 ½ tablespoon vanilla extract 1/2 cup + 2 tablespoons oil 2 cups water

Directions:

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Grease 2 – 9 inch round cake pans then dust with flour. Warm honey in 10 second intervals in microwave until it moves around bowl like a liquid (DO NOT let it boil) Add the flour, sugar, honey, baking soda, and salt to a large bowl. Add the water, oil, vinegar, and vanilla. Mix with a whisk until well-blended. Do not over beat. It will still turn out even if there are a few small lumps. Divide the batter between the 2 greased cake pans. Bake on a middle rack of oven for 35 minutes or until an inserted toothpick comes out clean. Let cool before frosting, dust with powdered sugar, or dive in while warm with a fork. Mmm, tasty!🐰🐥🐏🍰

Ostara (March 21st)

Ostara, also spelled as Eostre, is the first day of Spring. Ostara symbolizes new life and is represented by rabbits and eggs. A wonderful day to celebrate the changing of the warmer season and celebrate the fertility of Earth.

Herbs

Lavender

Thyme

Lemon Balm

Rose Hips

Spring Flowers

Colours

Light Green

Light Purple

Light Yellow

Light Pink

Light Blue

Crystals

Clear Quartz

Rose Quartz

Jasper

Aquamarine

Food

Egg Dishes

Seeds (Sesame, Sunflower, Almonds, Pecans, etc.)

Lamb Dishes

Leafy Greens

Wine

Celebrating

A nature walk to see the changing season

Decorate eggs/ painting them

Plant seeds/ working on a garden

Herb work of any type

Pick/buy some flowers (make sure to ask permission before picking flowers and to thank them afterwards)

✨The Magic of Ostara✨

Ostara is a time for change. It’s a time for celebrating rebirth and renewal and it’s a time for thanking the universe for the magic that is earth. Sometimes you just need to switch things up and have fun with life. Luckily, I have put together the list to conquer all lists: How to Have Fun on Ostara.

• Bake food! Ostara is all about making new things and the coming of newness, so why not make some new things yourself? Honey cakes, soda bread, flowery teas, moon cookies, and other magical foods are sure to provide a fun and yummy Ostara. 🍵

• Watch nature documentaries. Binge watching movies and TV shows has always been a passion of mine. However, Ostara isn’t really the greatest time for staying inside and doing nothing all day. Don’t worry, cause boy do I have a solution for you! Nature documentaries celebrate Spring and just nature in general, and the amazingness of earth itself. Watch them and feel the magic of spring and nature. 📽

• Go outside. Ostara is 100% all about the outdoors and the changing of the seasons. Collect some type of water, go for a walk/hike, collect plants and “artifacts” for your witchy wonders, and just have fun. Try inviting some other friends to enjoy the outdoors with you, so you can be in the company of others. 🍃

• Gather some friends and have an Ostara ritual. Cook up some lavender + vanilla popcorn, wrap yourselves in some fluffy blankets, and sit around some tarot cards or a crystal altar and charge your minds with the energy of Spring. 🔮

• Just dance. Dancing is a great way to cleanse and renew yourself and what better day to cleanse things than on Ostara? Having a dance party, either alone or with friends is energizing, refreshing, fun, and most importantly, not harmful to the environment. 💃

• Make a fairy shrine. This one leads back to my childhood. If you are a supporter of the fae and love fairytales, then you will love this idea. Gather leaves, flowers, herbs, scraps of cloth, and so on in order to create your shrine. Little colorful beads, shards of glass, crystals, or even just some cute rocks are great starters! 🍄

• Ground yourself! By ground yourself, I mean really, physically ground yourself. Take off your shoes, go outside, and bury your feet in the dirt. Not only does this connect you with nature, it is also scientifically proven to rid your body of unnecessary electricity and it can prevent static electricity. ⚡️

• Open some windows! Letting the outside in is a great way to honor Ostara and invite the changing weather in without having to get all prepared for a nature walk or hike. Also, fresh air is a million times better for you than indoor air, as it is freshly cleaned by trees and it hasn’t been cycling around your house for hours. 🌬

• Write a love letter. Write a love letter to yourself, to the earth, to past witches or future witches, to fellow witches or your enemy witches, to your deities or the universe. Write a love letter to whomever you please, and don’t be shy about it. Spill out your thoughts and focus on every word. Slip it in a grimoire or notebook, maybe your diary or a special box. Honor this love letter, as it is a reminder of nature and Ostara. 💌

• Start a nature grimoire. If you already have a grimoire for spells, theories, magic, and mystery, then why not start one entirely dedicated to nature? Write about what you’ve observed in nature, your theories about nature, herbs, drying plants, and gardening. Have fun with it! 📖

• Do a seed-casting ritual. Simply put, gather all of your favorite plant seeds and combine them. Dig a small-ish hole in the ground and sprinkle the seeds into the hole while walking around the hole chanting, “I wish it be, I wish it may, grow in the ground fiercely today, have the strength to make it through, the evil and the twisted, so this chant shall do”. I came up with this as a personal way to encourage my plants to grow and flourish whenever I plant them. If you want more info, just message me! 🌹

• Play classical music for your plants! This has been proven to increase plant growth phenomenally, and there’s no doubt that you can sing to them too. Helping strengthen plants is a great way to celebrate Ostara. 🎼

• My nighttime Ostara ritual. As you can probably tell by now, my rituals and I are pretty tight-knit. I do this ritual to signify the leaving of an old life and the beginning of a new one. I also do this to cleanse my heart of any negativity. Getting rid of the sluggish feelings of Winter and bringing forth the new ones of Spring is really important. Simply light as many candles as you can and say, “This is my life, the life I give, to the air to the dirt to the sky to the night, this is the life I live. Twitching and twirling is the wand of my past, no longer it is mine. So I say goodbye to the wrinkled and old, and hello to the fresh and magical”. This chant simply states the purpose of the activity and has no real connection to Witchcraft other than to signify the official act of moving on. After reciting the passage, blow out each candle in quick succession! 🕯

I hope all of you enjoy my masterpost of Ostara activities! If you have any questions or suggestions, please message me anytime. Hope you all have a wonderful Ostara and happy bewitching 🌞

I don’t know if ya’ll would be interested, but Cheerios is giving away 500 wildflower seeds for free (per person). I’m not sure where all they’re sending to, but its free and its to save the bees! http://www.cheerios.com/bringbackthebees/form I also did not even need to pay for shipping

Potion Herbs & Ingredients

From my personal grimoire

How to Make & Use Potions

Potions are usually made with a liquid base of either water, milk, syrup, or other. Depending on the intent of the potion, a spell can be [ritually] recited over the cauldron or pot during the brew, while stirring either clockwise (to direct energy) or anticlockwise (can be used to reverse spells). Unlike magickal tea, a potion can be either drunk on its own or a few drops added to another beverage. During the brew, visualise the intent of each herb or ingredient added, and state its use.

Afterwards, pour the liquid into a vial and use the potion within a span of one to three days, depending on the ingredients used. A potion can be left to charge overnight in the light of the moon to add more spiritual power. 

For beauty potions:

Honey.

Rose.

Vanilla.

Roman Chamomile.

Milk.

Evening Primrose.

Orange.

Yerba Santa.

Catnip.

Cherries.

Lemon Verbena.

Strawberries.

For love potions (use responsibly) :

Apples.

Yarrow.

Sugar.

Lavender.

Fennel.

Juniper Berries.

Chocolate.

Jasmine.

Cinnamon.

Pommegranite.

Violet.

Lemon.

For psychic development potions:

Mugwort.

Skullcap.

Sage.

Ginger.

Blue Cornflower.

Lemon Balm.

Rosemary.

Blue Lotus.

Star Anise.

Nettle.

Thyme.

Hawthorn Berries.

For protection potions:

Basil.

Heather.

Pine.

Clove.

Bergamot.

Hyssop.

Garlic.

Caraway Seeds.

Bay Leaves.

Dill.

Vervain.

Agrimony.

4 Things To Do Before A Spell (With Examples)

1. Clear your intention: Think about what it is that you want. Be clear with your wants. and desires. Example: If you’re doing a spell to help find a job. Be clear with what kind of employment you’re looking for. Consider distance, profession, pay. Don’t just ask the universe to hand you a “Job”

2. Clear your space: Clear your space of negativity and distractions. Example: If you’re doing a luck spell, Don’t just wing it. Cleanse your space with herbs, reduce noise, clutter, or things that will get in your way. This could also mean people. Meaning, If there is company, or people around you who are not involved in the spell try to find a calm peaceful space where they won’t effect the outcome. 

3. Improvise premade Spells:  If you’re using a spell from a book, Or online (Tumblr) switch up the spell to make it personal and doable for you. Example: If the spell calls for lavender and you don’t have it use other calming ingredients like salt, Or your favorite calming incense. 

4. Protect Yourself: No matter what spell you are doing, Always protect yourself before during and after. Example: Before your spell wear protective crystals or draw sigils on your body. During the spell create a protective circle, And after take a cleansing and protective bath with herbs and salt. 

Blessed Ostara

So what is Ostara? 

Ostara is a celebration of the Spring Equinox (March 21) celebrated by many practicing Wiccans, Pagans, and Witches. It marks the day when night and day are equal and balanced. The Sun God’s strength increases and the Goddess celebrates her fertility. Together they bring us Spring.

Ostara is a time for the celebration of fertility and balance, But fertility can be many things. It can be a new beginning hope, Or a fresh start. A goodbye to the harsh cold Winter, And a hello to the change Spring brings us. 

Eggs are commonly used for symbolism on this day as they have always been a symbol for fertility and life.

Ostara is very similar to the Christian holiday, Easter where followers celebrate the resurrection of Jesus. Both are celebrating life. 

Eggs are commonly used for symbolism on this day as they have always been a symbol for fertility and life. 

 So what can you do to invite this change and fertility into your life?

Take some egg shells, And hollow them out The idea is to make little “Pots”. Once that is done, Hold them, And think of what you need in your life. A new love? Peace? Healing? What ever it may be write your wishes for the Year on your shells and use them as planters for seeds. Water them, Take care of them and know that as your seedlings grow, They are pulling nourishment from the shells. They are being infused with your own intention. They’re bringing your spell to life.

Once they outgrow there little homes, Plant them outdoors so that they can be a reminder of what Spring brings to you.

how do you ground yourself?

This post has a whole list of different ways.

I think it really depends on the person, some things that work for me don’t work for others and vise versa, in my opinion it’s usually a little bit of trial and error to find what works best for you!

Incense Blending: A Guide

Blending your own incense can be a very powerful tool for pagans, no matter what path they choose to practice. A blend you have made has the benefit of being filled with your intentions and power, as well as the more mundane (but no less important) benefit of knowing what has been put into it. This guide is for making cone incense, as it’s easier to form than stick incense and in my experience, burns longer. 

Items Needed (the recipe I’m using is mine for my Samhain incense; the steps are the same for all cone incense, but the recipe differs). 

Mortar and pestle: don’t use the same one you do for grinding herbs for tea or food, incense is not meant to be ingested and in some cases can be harmful.

¾ tsp. Makko or another natural incense base: Makko is a common incense base most notably used in incenses of Japanese origin. 

1 tsp. Myrrh resin: This has a very pungent aroma, but works very well at holding all the parts of the incense together. There are other resins that work just as well for other blends (i.e benzoin gum).

1 tsp.crushed mugwort leaves: You want them to be small enough to stick to the Myrrh resin

1 tsp. Frankincense tears: tears are small chunks of resin, If you grew up in a Catholic environment (like yours truly) you’ll likely recognize these as the incense from funeral masses and Christmas/Easter/Lent.

2 tsp crushed Rosemary Leaves.

Pipette or eyedropper for water.

1. Combine your ingredients in a small bowl. and mix them together, making sure they’re all nicely crushed up.

2. Begin to add small amounts of water to the mixture. Using a pipette or an eyedropper prevents you from adding too much. remember, you can always add more….you can never take it back out.

3. Stir until the blend reaches the consistency of play-doh.

4. Once that happens and your blend has formed a paste, you can begin to form incense cones with your hands, make sure the cones are flat on the bottom.

Once you’ve formed your cones….let them dry for 24-48 hours and they’re ready to go!

Animal Release Spell

You will need the following items for this spell:

Sandalwood incense

1 Brown candle

2 Black candle

1 White Candle

Picture of your lost pet

Quartz Crystal

White sage

Bowl of Water

Bowl of animal food

Set up your altar as you see fit, in the case of this rite, it should be mellow as for a proper funeral. When ready invoke the gods of your pantheon. In this case, gods of the afterworld and gods of animal protection. (Never invoke gods that are not of your faith nor gods you know nothing about) Light any candles you wish to use as illumination. Perform first prayers and gift your offerings and then the white sage. Take up the brown candle and hold it tight. Infuse the candle with images of the pet you lost. As you do say the following:

__(Pet name)__, I love you so much And I miss you so much Know that even though you are gone, You will always be in my heart. This candle I light is a part of you. As this candle burns slowly away, I set you free from the mortal world And yet, we will always be together

Rest a minute and when read light the two black candles and say the following:

My lord and Lady of the afterworld, may you make the journey of __(Pets Name)__ to the Isles of the Blessed swift and sure. I ask that the blessing of the Spirits of the Ancestors, of Time and of Place, and of the journey be blessed. I ask that the Blessing of the Spirits of North and South, East and West be with you. I ask that __(Pet name)__ be blessed with Fire and with Water, with Earth, with Air, with Soul, with Spirit and with Balance. I ask for the blessing of the Lord and Lady of the Animals and the Woods, the Mountains and the Streams. I ask that the Blessing of the Lord and Lady of the Wildwood may always be with you.

Take a minute and light the white candle and say the following:

By the beauty of the fields, the woods and the sea, by the splendor that is set up on all that is, we send you our own love and blessings, dear __(Pet Name)__. As the sun rises in the East and sets in the West, so too are each of us born and so too do each of us die. But as the sun returns anew each day, so too do we return to earth, refreshed and renewed.

Now take a moment and relax. Play some music for a minute. When ready say the following:

You’re free to go now, Little One. Rejoice and play the time has come For your spirit to be on its way. Have fun, be happy your love will stay!

Pick up the stone and say the following

So long as this stone is close to me, together we shall always be. And though I may gain another pet in time to come you can never be replace, you hold a special place in my heart. And when it is time for me to step on the shores of evermore, We will once again be together…for-ever-more.“ Seven days, Seven days the gods have allotted all spirits and souls, to travel the world and say goodbye to those we loved in life. I open my windows and open my door for these seven days that we may be together one last time, for one last kiss.

Let the brown and white candle burn out on its own. Blow out the black candles only afterwards speaking "With loves sweet kiss.” Never pinch out a candle, as it is dangerous and rude. Whatever is left of the wax place in a jar with the picture and a pinch left of the white sage. Burn it in the hole along with the bowl of food and water. (Use a old tin for the food and water.) Then bury them all and if possible with your pet.

How can I tell if someone has put a hurtful spell on me?

That’s a good question.. I’ve never had that experience, so I can’t really say. But I can probably help you figure it out. Maybe ask yourself a few questions:

-Do you know any witches? Cause if not, then it’s unlikely that they put a spell on you. It’s easier to do spells for people that you know, especially bad ones. Also, if you do know a witch, do he/she have experience with cursing others?

-What makes you think you have had a spell put on you? Having bad luck? Really sick and not getting well?

-When did this start happening? a week ago, a month ago? Sometimes spells can wear off after a while. Was it right after you pissed someone off (someone who might be a witch)? Was it right after you received a necklace/keychain/doll/other item from someone? They could have put the curse of that item. 

If you really believe you have had a spell put on you and believe it comes from an item, destroy the item or throw it away. If you think you know who did it, politely ask them to lift it. Or you could go to someone you know who is a witch and see if they can figure out if you had a harmful spell put on you and get rid of it for you. (If the person knows you well enough or is a very experienced witch, they can tell by feeling your energy).

You can also refer to my Evil Eye posts on what the Evil Eye is, how to test for it, and how to get rid of it. There are other ways to get rid of it too, which I think I posted in another post. I’m not sure if the Evil Eye is different than any other harmful spell/curse, as I’ve never had any experience with these kinds of spells. But you can try that and see if it helps. I also have other spells for lifting curses which I will post soon, but I would not perform those spells unless you are absolutely sure that a curse has been placed on you. You would just waste energy on a spell that did nothing for you.

This is all I can really do for you. I’m sorry if it doesn’t help. Good luck!

Types of Potions

Philtre - water-based, delicate ingredients

Infusion - water-based, delicate ingredients

Decoction - for immediate ingestion, concentrated, sturdy ingredients, reduce to remove excess water

Tincture - alcohol-based, keeps for up to a year, time needed for preparation, highly concentrated, dilute

Vinegar - vinegar-based, masks ingredients, highly concentrated

Syropp - ingredients preserved in sugar solution, very sweet

Poultice - chopped plant material, compress, can be infused with potions

Formentation - clothes dipped in potions, compress

Salve - oil- or fat-based, thick and creamy, for external application

Elixir - alcohol-based, very pure

Tisane - hot water-based herbal extract

Macerate - cold water-based plant infusion, requires up to 12 hours

Essential Oils - diluted extracts

Inhalation - vapor from a potion

Tips for building mind spaces

Other posts of the series: * Tips on Shadow spaces * On Spiritual Bilocation

Mindspaces, also referred to as inner temples, are a great step between meditation and astral travel experiences. However, they are an amazing multi-purpose standalone tool as well. Especially for undercover witches who need to keep their practice secret!

I divide them into two types: basic mind spaces and shadow spaces. This post is about the basic mind spaces.

Basic mind space.

This is essentially a bubble in the space between this plane and the astral planes. It belongs to you and you can change it around as you see fit. Those are like your accounts in dropbox. Just like dropbox or other cloud services, those are password protected etc etc; you get to keep stuff there, its not 100% break-in proof, but safe enough. And you can generate a link to the bubble and send it to a friendly spirit/deity/any entity really, that you want to hang out with.

This place is great as a safety retreat - you can rest here should things get tough. I feel that energy work and practice can be done easier in the mind space, and you can study the energy more directly and it flows much easier than in physical. There’s also spirit work to a done here.  Invite your spirit friends over, meet with your deities for a cup of coffee, so much potential for fun~  There is a lot of room for experiments, spell casting and learning. And finally you can set up a passage that’ll take you straight to astral planes.

Your mind space is very flexible and it can look like anything. It can be a room, a garden, a house, a mountain top, a metro station, an underwater location, a formless blob of darkness. Anything YOU want. Coming back to energy work - it is easier to work with and shape energy, hence its easier to build structures in your space that allow for anything you can think of. Kind of like Rose’s room in Steven Universe. Although it takes more than a wish to make that structure stable.

Here’s a great post to check out by @stsathyre

How to build a mind space.

An important point to keep in mind is that mind spaces can be re-shaped easily, so just go ahead and try things out! You can always adjust things and make them different/better as you go :)

Think of what purpose it is going to serve. Are you going to mainly use it for spellwork? Is it going to be a safety retreat? It has to be practical for whatever your goals are. Should it have lines of shelves for books and magical tools? A large table for mixing up herbs/energies? A number of seats for guests you are going to invite? An extra door that would take you out into the astral planes?

Sketch a layout. Yes, take a pencil and a sheet of paper and just plan out your space. Do you want that river to pass through the middle of the room? Behind the building? Do you want that huge boulder to be in the middle of the clearing where you can set up your mind-space altar? Think of how it would be most comfortable and appealing. Include some leisure areas, a pile of pillows, a pile of soft autumn leaves, a soft floating cloud you can rest on - it’s always nice to have that :) I would discourage from going into greater detail on your furnishings at this point - you want to go gradually. Plan for a door through which you will enter.

Think of the door and safety reinforcements. I would suggest that your door have some sort of authentication mechanism to check that it is, in fact, YOU who is trying to come in. The best way is probably to include something that would read in your energy signature - while it is possible to fake that, it is hard. And in the majority of cases, there isn’t going to be many beings out there who’d go through much trouble to break in.

Pick your technique for actually GOING there. I should probably make this a bigger point, but.. There are many ways to travel and there are many degrees of depths to it. In other words, depending on what you like, you can go into a deep meditative state and go full-in. This way, your experiences will be intense, you will strongly feel all the sensations. Sometimes there are situations where you might not have enough time or good enough circumstances to go that deep. For such situations, a form of a spiritual bi-location might come in handy, which will make your sensations duller but will enable you to actually do things in physical while you also work in your mind space. (this is my favorite way of handling these things because life circumstances can be a bitch). I am sure duskenpath posted about doing this but I can’t seem to find the post now. 

Use the technique and start working on that door! Seriously, if you still haven’t - go check out this post. Use your technique and take yourself to that door. The basic frame should already be there. Examine it and work with it. It helps to touch and feel the material, contemplate the color. Geez just go read that post x)

Work on one thing at a time. I would advise to start gradually. When you go in, focus on one thing at a time. Shape your item. Make the structure strong, then move on to the next item. Work out all the details of the item, feel it, hell - smell it! Those structures are like wine. Older is stronger. After you create a couple of things - let it rest. Exit the space slowly and go on to do your daily business. Let it sit for a day or two, think of what you’ve completed in your space once in a while, keep it hanging in the back of your mind but do not actively go there. Let it gain strength. When you feel like it’s pretty set, go back in. See how it looks, see how it holds up. You might need to revisit your first structures and add some energy in there, reinforce them. To give you an example: I decided I needed a forest. I started working on it, the general sketch, the basic layout of the forest. I let it sit. When I came back, what was more like a sketch became more of a real thing. I did not have to consciously keep them there or make them work - they were rolling on their own.

A warning of foggy vision. When you are setting up the space, you focus on the details and pay much attention to each item. However, I’ve found that for me, being in the mind space - especially during bi-location feels kind of foggy. It is mostly a problem of focus, since I am working in two places at once. It feels like I should be wearing glasses but I don’t have them on. The details of the objects are gone unless I specifically work with the particular object. Even then sometimes it is cloudy. And you know what? That does not stop me from getting things done in the space. It might slow me down. But it is perfectly fine. For me that is a fair trade-off. I either go there without the really deep submersion, and everything is foggy, OR I don’t go at all. So that’s just something to keep in mind too

Sigils as a structure reinforcement and a gateway. If you feel like giving your space and structure an extra boost, you can make a sigil to represent the space and the changes you made to it. I know, usually the tutorials say to work with words. Apply the same approach to the little layout plan you sketched before. Take the basic shapes you used for your tables, chairs and other itmes and combine them into a sigil. Make changes until you feel that the sigil is a good representation. That same sigil can be used as a point of focus if you have trouble reaching your mental space. However, I would suggest keeping that sigil very and very private. You wouldn’t want to let anyone know your bank account password, neither would you want to let anyone have your apartment keys :)

A bit more on what you can do

You can do witchy business right there. You can cast spells from your mind space. You can set up your altars and shrines there if you have to keep your work/worship hidden. You can also do shadow work by accessing your subconscious more directly (if anyone is interested I will write a post about shadow spaces). You can brew tea and enjoy quiet evenings near a fireplace. You can use your space as a station to create servitors and experiment with energy structures. There are so so many possibilities!

If you have anything to add or questions to ask, my ask box is open and I’d be happy to discuss/help out! :)

is it important to know how to reverse spells?? bc idk how but i still want to do them ah

You can still start doing spells without knowing how to reverse them right away. It’s a useful skill to have, but not necessary until required; if you want to know it as a sort of preemptive thing, that’s still okay. For the most part, you really only need to know how to reverse a spell if something goes wrong, but for the most part they should go off without a hitch. I didn’t learn how to reverse spells before I started casting them, is really my point, and nothing came up. So, unless something comes up, it isn’t too big of a concern, but if you want to have that knowledge beforehand, just in case, that’s up to you.

Sometimes you may decide you just want to undo a spell you’ve cast, maybe because you don’t need / want it anymore, or perhaps you even have second thoughts about casting it. I have only had to break one spell, and it was a jar spell, so it was super easy to do. 

For a lot of spells, doing the spell backward or in reverse can break it. Literally breaking the spell down in most cases is enough. Jars just need to be emptied and cleaned / cleansed. Candles can be snapped or the remains thrown out. Sigils are destroyed or have their energy released. Knots are undone. Poppets are opened and thrown out. Even a very thorough self cleansing can remove the effects of a spell. Some spells even come with reversals attached to the bottom, which is handy.

There are lots of other methods that can be used to reverse spells. I can give you some resources on that if you want, so you can look at them and have an idea, just if you want to be secure in that knowledge before you begin.

[To Break a Spell You Have Cast]

[To Break a Spell You’ve Cast]

[Disenchanting Bath] (tw: gif)

[Dispelling Spells]

[Easy Reversal of a Buried Spell Bottle]

[For Breaking Spells]

[To Reverse a Spell]

[To Remove an Object’s Power]

[Reversing a Spell You Have Cast (Second Method)]

[Spell Purge: A Spell to Dispel Spells]

[Spell-Removal Spell]

[A Spell to Break a Spell You Have Cast]

[Witch Tip - Reversing Candle Spells]

I hope those give you some ideas, or can help you. Good luck!

Crystals that are NOT suitable for placing in water / making gem water

This list will explain common stones that are either toxic to use for drinking in gem water or stones that are soluble in water. :)

Alunite: Non toxic but soluble in water

Anglesite: Toxic and slightly soluble in water

Arsenopyrite: Potentially toxic

Azurite: Harmful

Azurite-Malachite: Harmful

Azurite-Pseudomalachite: Harmful

Bunsenite: Toxic; allergen; avoid skin contact

Calomel: Possibly hazardous to health

Cerussite: Toxic

Chalcanthite: Harmful; easily soluble in water

Cinnabar: Very toxic!

Cinnabar-Opal: The cinnabar stored in the opal is toxic

Crocoite: Toxic 

Cuprite: Harmful

Durangite: Potentially toxic

Eclipse Stone: Limestone with orpiment, toxic

Eilat Stone: Harmful

Erythrite: Potentially toxic

Fiedlerite: Toxic

Fluorite, Antozonite variety: Potentially harmful

Galenite: Toxic and slightly soluble in water

Gaspeite: Harmful; allergen; avoid skin contact

Greenockite: Toxic

Halite: Not toxic in small quantities, but dissolves easily in water

Iron-nickel Meteorite: Harmful; allergen; avoid skin contact

Jamesonite: Potentially toxic

Lemon Chrysoprase: Potentially harmful; allergen; avoid skin contact

Lopezite: Very toxic! Hazardous even through skin contact

Malachite: Harmful

Millerite: Toxic; allergen; avoid skin contact

Minium: Toxic

Nickeline: Toxic; allergen; avoid skin contact

Olivenite: Potentially toxic

Orpiment: Toxic

Proustite: Potentially toxic

Psilomelane and Pyrolusite: Harmful

Pyromorphite: Potentially toxic

Rauenthalite: Toxic

Realgar: Toxic. Store in dark, securely locked place.

Scorodite: Potentially toxic

Sphaerocobaltite: Harmful; allergen; avoid skin contact

Stibnite: Harmful

Tetrahedrite: Potentially harmful

Ulexite: Non toxic but slightly soluble in warm water

Valentinite and Senarmontite: Harmful

Vanadinite: Toxic

Wulfentie: Potentially toxic

Learning the Court Cards is difficult for a lot of us, but I’ve found that elemental associations have made it much easier to understand and remember the personality traits of Court Cards.

Suit Associations:

Wands - Fire Cups - Water Swords - Air Pentacles - Earth

Court Personality Associations:

King - Air Queen - Water Knight - Fire Page - Earth

Remember that the suit’s elemental association will have a stronger influence than the personality element. (example: The King of Wands is ruled predominantly by Fire; Air is the secondary element).

Combining a Court Card’s suit and personality elements will help you remember personality traits for that card. Some tips:

Double elements (i.e. King of Swords) will take a suit’s traits to the extreme.

Complementing elements (Fire/Earth and Air/Water) indicate a balanced approach

Opposing elements (Fire/Water and Earth/Air) mean unpredictable behaviors with extreme polarities.

I put all this info into the graphic above for those of you who are visual learners and/or people who might want to save it for reference.

[heuristic tarot tips]

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How to Witchcraft: Knot, Thread & Cord Magic

It’s a funny thing. I use knot/cord magic A LOT but I don’t think I’ve ever seen a book devoted to it (I like Scott Cunningham’s chapter on it in Earth Power, pg.91). It’s so versatile though that there SHOULD be more about it.

As a newer witch, knot/cord magic is something I HIGHLY recommend. Especially if you are in the broom closet/can’t light candles or have a fire to burn herbs. It’s easy to do and it’s inconspicuous. There are so many ways to incorporate it too. 

First let’s talk about the different kinds of knot/cord magic:

Braiding: Used for long term, braid three or more colored cords while focusing on your intention and use when necessary. 

Knot 1:  Tie 9 knots on a colored cord while focusing on your intention and place some place where it will not be disturbed (by storing it, burning it or burying it- so the knots will never be undone).

Knot 2: Tie 9 knots on a colored cord while focusing on your intention to store energy. Release knots one by one in the order they were tied to release the energy when needed, once a day consecutively.

Crochet/Knitting: Use to imbue intention into the item so that the wearer benefits (e.g. warmth, self confidence, protection, etc).

Cross Stitch/Embroidery: Used to imbue intention into the item. Especially useful with sigils. 

How to do it:

There are a few methods known when working with knot & cord magic.

Braided cords typically do not get undone, and are stored for long term use. While braiding the cord (typically in 9’ or 9” measurements but if you don’t follow the threefold law this is irrelevant— unless your deity is a triplicate that you plan to invoke). To Do: Concentrate on your intent while braiding the cord, visualizing/thinking about it coming to fruition. Once you’re finished braiding consecrate the cord and put it away until you need it. This isn’t meant for an every day thing, just an as needed cord.

Knots can be harnessed in a few ways but the gist is that you’re using the knots to store power related to the intention of your spell. 1) Where you don’t ever untie them, 2) When you untie them as power is needed, or 3) when you untie one knot each day for consecutive days.

Typically you would tie a bead onto one end of the cord so that you know what your starting end is. You can also melt the ends with fire to prevent fraying. To Do: Pass the cord through a candle flame or incense to cleanse it while saying the words of your spell (i.e. the REASON you’re doing this) then you begin tying the knots in the cord you want to say the following while focusing on the intention/the type of power you are storing:

By knot of ONE, the spell’s begun By knot of TWO, it cometh true By knot of THREE, so mote it be By knot of FOUR, this power I store By knot of FIVE, the spell’s alive By knot of SIX, this spell I fix By knot of SEVEN, events I’ll leaven By knot of EIGHT, it will be Fate By knot of NINE, what’s done is mine

Generally knots are tied in this order: 

1———6———4———7———3———8———5———9———2

But I have seen other variations, I just find this one easier to follow because it doesn’t start in the middle so you have a reference point for which end contains the 1st knot (the bead). You can also tie things INTO the knot to strengthen the magic even further (hair, wood, stones/gems, etc) just make sure to destroy or bury those items if you choose to untie the knots. Some people use knotted cords as a powerful talisman and don’t untie the knots, if this is the case you want to store it where it won’t be disturbed, burn it so it will never physically be untied or bury it where it will disintegrate in the earth and also never physically be untied. I have done all three methods of handling and I can’t say I prefer one over the other. The really great thing about storing energy is that it’s raised when it will be the most powerful (increases, like success or protection, would be sometime from the new moon to full and decreases, like a binding, would be sometime from the full moon to new) but the power is now stored for use whenever you need it. 

Crocheting/Knitting is something I consider part of knot and cord magic because you can purposefully stitch your intention into the item you’re making. A lot of time, if for friends/family, I weave warmth and protection into things I make for them. So I might say something like:

With every stitch that I make, the wearer of this item will be protected and warm, but as the need arises they will be alert until they get to safety. Never too hot, but not cold either, This item will keep them comfortable. By earth, air, flame and sea, as I say, so shall it be.

And I’ll focus on that while I continue to make the item. Off topic, but notice how I put a clause in there that they will be alert if the need arises until they reach safety. I don’t want them to be so warm and comfortable that they neglect their own safety. 

Cross-stitch/embroidery: You can embroider sigils using color appropriate cloth and thread! You can cross stitch spells into your work (like cross stitching an acorn and imbuing it with luck and protection, which actual acorns can represent). There are so many different things you could do, let your imagination do the work!

Color in knot & cord magic:

White: purity, truth, sincerity, spirituality, the goddess, peace, higher self, virginity(as in the woman’s mind is owned by no man), a substitute for any other color. Red: strength, health, vigor, sexual love, energy, passion, courage, element of fire, career goals, fast action, lust, blood of the moon, vibrancy, driving force, survival Light Blue: tranquility, understanding, patience, calm, gently moving, wisdom, good fortune, opening blocked communication Dark Blue: impulsiveness, depression, changeability, protection, spiritual inspiration, reassurance, creativity Green: finance, fertility, luck, Earth Mother, physical healing, monetary success, abundance, tree and plant magick, growth, Element of Earth, personal goals Gold: wealth, The God, promote winning, safety and power of the male, happiness, playful humor Yellow: The Sun, intelligence, accelerated learning, memory, logical imagination, breaking mental blocks, selling yourself Gold/Yellow: attraction, persuasion, charm, confidence Brown: hesitation, uncertainty, neutrality, influence friendships, special favors Pink: honor, romantic love, morality, Planetary Good Will, healing of emotions, peace, affection,romance, partnerships of emotional maturity, caring, nurturing Black: loss, discord, confusion, protection, repelling negativity, binding, shapeshifting Purple: tension, ambition, business progress, power, influencing people in high places, third eye, psychic ability, spiritual power, self assurance, hidden knowledge Silver/Grey: cancellation, neutrality, stalemate, telepathy,clairvoyance, intuition, clairaudience, psychometry, dreams, astral energies, Female Power, communication, The Goddess, moon magic Orange: encouragement, adaptability, stimulation, attraction, business goals, property deals, ambition, career goals, general success, justice, legal matters, selling, action Copper: passion, money goals, professional growth, fertility in business, career maneuvers

(Color correspondance Source, please note this is one of many sources on this)

Queen Grimhilde’s Glamour Jar For Intimidating Looks

You can carry this with you for whenever you need to have that “intimidating look,” ex.) walking down a dark street late at night. 

What you’re gonna need: 

A jar, particularly a smaller one

Storm water 

A thunderstorm 

Black glitter

Cayenne pepper 

Green food coloring 

A wine glass (for theatrical effect) 

Collect the storm water in whatever container is convenient, then pour it into the wine glass. Add the cayenne pepper, food coloring, and black glitter. Hold the glass and visualize the image you wish to project. Go outside and recite the following while holding the glass:

“I cast this spell on this stormy night, 

fill this glass with a ghoul’s fright! 

May my appearance turn them all away, 

keep those that wish to cause me ill at bay. 

A thunderbolt, to mix it well. Now begin thy magic spell!” 

Produce your best evil, witchy cackle, then pour the mixture into the jar. Just pull it out & shake whenever you need to feel intimidating. 

For some reason tumblr insists on ruining the quality, but if you click on the image it is fine!

MAGIC MEMORY AID

Sprinkle ground cinnamon and cloves into some honey—rosemary honey, if at all possible.

Add a few drops of pure vanilla extract.

Inhale the fragrance and let the dish sit beside you for a minimum of an hour while you’re studying.

Just before the exam, slide a sprig of rosemary through the scented honey and rub it against the back of your neck.

Taken from Judika Illes’s Magic when you need it.

Misophonia or not?

It’s always been an odd feeling when I hear a sound and I’m just like, “that sounds gross,” but it’s an entirely different experience from a misophonic trigger reaction…and being afraid that it’ll eventually morph into a trigger sound :|

Crystal and Gemstone Correspondence Masterpost

A

Agate- competition, eloquence

Agate (Bluelace)- composure, calm, balance

Agate (Botswana)- understanding, recuperation

Agate (Dendritic)- balance, energy, steadiness, recuperation

Agate (Moss)- assertiveness, renewal, meditation, self-awareness

Agate (Tree)- organization, management

Alexandrite- investment, growth

Almandine- inspiration, tolerance, affection

Amazonite- self expression, insight, growth, study, clarity, success, stabilizes emotions

Amber- career, accomplishments, uplifting, depression, relieves stress

Amethyst- sleep, calming, relieves stress, inspires happiness, addictions, positive feelings

Ametrine- resolution, teaching

Andalusite- moderation, memory, enlightenment

Angelite- bravery, abundance, balance, communication

Anhydrite- concentration, co-ordination

Antimoany- intellect, progress

Apatite- calms, helps business, will help you speak up

Apophyllite- tranquility, honesty

Aqua Aura- dexterity, the arts

Aquamarine- insight, love, growth, calms nerves, brings peace, promotes truth

Aragonite- energize

Astrophyllite- confidence, insight, intellect

Augelite- contemplation, justice

Aventurine- judgement, relieves tension, prosperity

Azurite- meditation, concentration, spirituality

B

Barite- writing, decisions

Beryl- determination, calms, stability, reduces stress

Bloodstone- temperance, kindness, courage, wealth, confidence

Blue John- renewal, strength

Blue Coral- balance, protection from negativity

Bowenite- intelligence

Brazillianite- enhances relationships

C

Calcite- comfort, inspiration, calm, balance

Carnelian- passion, sensuality, sexual energy

Cassiterite- endurance, contentment

Cats Eye- inner vision, security

Celestite- calm, relaxation, meditation, eases worries

Cerrusite- confidence, nerves, insomnia, calms

Chalcedony- stamina, energizes, awakens, stimulates the mind

Chacopyrie- perception, intuition

Charoite- assertiveness, inspiration

Chiastolite- stability

Chrysocolla- self awareness, self-expression

Chrysoprase- passion, beginnings, friendship, sensuality, prosperity, good luck, physical love

Chrysotile- partnerships, generosity

Cinnabar- stability, independence

Citrine- calm, uplift, dreams, intuition, psychic ability

Colemanite- loyalty

Corundum- awareness, confidence

Covellite- communication

Crocoite- action, industry

Crupite- awareness, teaching

D

Danburite- social grace, dignity, confidence

Desert Rose- perception, intuition

Diamond- abundance, courage, prosperity, business, strength

Diopside- love, partnership, commitment

Dolomite- optimism, hope, belief

Dumortierite- patience, calm

E

Eilat Stone- spirituality, balance, mediation

Emerald- prosperity, intellect, truth, psychic ability

Eudialite- management

F

Fluorite- grounding, meditation, spiritual awareness

Franklinite- imagination

Fuchsite- teamwork, productivity

G

Galena- dedication

Garnet- creativity, charm, charisma, attract love

Geode- growth, psychic ability, inspired dreams

Goethite- perseverance

Goldstone- optimism

Granite- balance, stability, determination

Graphite- achievement

H

Hematite- calm, serenity

Herkimer Diamond- opens the mind, learning, study, enhances dreams

Hickoryite- adventure, imagination, creativity, removes negativity

Hornblende- wisdom, insight, communication, balance

Howlite- resilience, competition

I

Iolite- control, management

Irnamite- calm, rational, judgement, inspiration, emotional balance

J

Jade- longevity, providence, attract friendship, calm the mind, benevolence

Jasper- attract what you desire

Jet- dispels negativity, empathy

K

Kunzite- balance, stability, communication

Kyanite- energy, strength, finance

L

Labradorite- charisma, improve relationships, release hidden qualities

Lapis Lazuli- spirituality, protection, truth, wisdom, mysticism, abundance, integrity, attracts wealth

Larimar- meditation

Lavakite- intellect, learning, adaptability, achievement

Lazulite- serenity

Lepidolite- recharge, peace, balance

Leucite- clear thinking, protection

Lodestone- communication, teamwork

M

Magnetite- composure, learning

Magnesite- enlightenment, emotional balance

Malachite- business prosperity, plant growth, optimism, spells

Marble- renewal, compassions

Marcasite- ambition

Meteorite- intuition, communication, benevolence, adventure

Moldouite- insight, sensitivity

Mookaite- responsibility

Moonstone- attracts love, safe travel, devotion, beauty

Morganite- intellect, commerce

Mtorolite- serenity, capability

Muscouite- inspiration, energy

N

O

Obsidian- dispels negativity, creates tranquility

Onyx- spiritual alignment, harmony, tranquility, peace of mind

Opal- creativity, prosperity, power, luck, abundance, attraction

Opalite- invention

P

Peacock Ore- mind stimulant

Pearl- creativity, certainty

Peridot- invention, wealth, career, protection, abundance

Phenacite- intellect, insight

Pietersite- objectivity, organization

Prehnite- insight, intellect

Purpurite- prosperity, leadership

Pyrites- truth, awareness

Q

Quartz (Clear)- healing, energy

Quartz (Rose)- love, happiness, peace, harmony

Quartz (Rutilated)- passion

Quartz (Smokey)- removes negative energies

Quartz (Snow)- relaxation, serenity, meditation

R

Rhodochrosite- comfort,love friendship,balance,stability

Rhodonite- communication

Rhodolite- stability

Rhyolite- marketing, stability

Rubellite- prosperity

Ruby- luck, fortune, contentment

S

Sapphire- love, protection, partnership, power, inspiration

Sardonyx- forgiveness

Satinspar- insight, calms disputes

Scapolite- strength, achievement

Schalenblende- attraction, abundance

Scheelite- awareness, balances relationships

Schorl- balance, practicality

Seftonite- learning, relationships

Serpentine- meditation, enlightenment

Siderite- loyalty, intellect

Silicone- attraction

Silver- perception

Smithsonite- harmony, consideration

Soapstone- loyalty

Sodalite- confidence, meditation, self-assertion

Spessartine- renewal

Sphalerite- career, integrity

Spinel- energy, intellect

Staurolite- focus, awareness, integration, brings all the elements together

Steatite- adventure, communication

Stichtite- loyalty, creativity

Stilbite- creativity, understanding

Sugilite- insperation, co-operation, co-ordination, peace of mind, psychic awareness

Sulphur- protection, intellect

Sunstone- insight, regeneration, sexuality

T

Tanzanite- vitality, movement

Thulite- meditation, concentration, aligns mind and body

Tiger Iron- endurance, clarity

Tiger’s Eye- insight, integrity

Topaz- legal matters

Tourmaline- success, abundance, luck, confidence

Turquentine- comfort, tranquility, protects the home

U

Ulexite- contentment

Unakite- strength, stability, enhancement

Uvarouite- joy, vitality

V

Vanadinite- friendships, socializing

Variscite- writing, meditation

Verdite- friendships, partnerships

Vesuvianite- intuition, partnership

Violan- insight, vitality

W

Williamsite- truth, tranquility

Wollasonite- meditation, grounding, moderation

Wulfenite- relationship balance, harmony

X

Y

Z

Zeolite- independence, clear thinking

Zinc- loyelty, joy

Zircon, clarity, rest, sleep

Zoisite- attraction

🌙 Making Moon Water 🌙

🌙 how do i make moon water?

get some water, leave it out under the moonlight, for as little as an hour to as long as all night, as long as it feels charged. bottle it before it touches direct sunlight, keep it in a shadowy place. 

🌙 what can i use moon water for?

moon water is called for in a lot of spells, but it can also be used in potions, cleansing, bath spells, anything you might need the moon’s power for.

🌙 does it have to be done during the full moon?

it can be done during any phase, but keep in mind, each phase will rend different properties. full moon water will have different magical properties than moon water made during the new moon or a quarter moon, or a waxing or waning moon. here’s a quick guide on each phases’ meanings

🌙 what can you put it in and what can’t you? 

you can put herbs in it if you like, i would avoid putting crystals in it because that can damage them and make them dissolve and it could make the water toxic, etc. most edible herbs are fine though!

🌙 does it need direct moonlight at all times?

it does not need to be direct moonlight constantly, after it’s charged, if you don’t need to recharge it unless you can’t feel its energy anymore.

🌙 does being in the sun negate the moon water’s magic?

according to some witches it doesn’t, but according to others being in the sun will make it sun water, or sun&moon water. ultimately this is up to you.

🌙 there’s light pollution/something blocking the moon, will it still work?

thankfully light bounces off stuff, including the moon’s! it might not be as possibly potent as you could make it, but in which case you could leave it out a little bit longer. 

🌙 can you use snow/rain/storm/etc water to make moon water?

you can use whatever kind of magical water you want to make a combination of waters, snow-moon water, storm-moon water, etc. however, keep in mind it may give the moon water a bit of an extra magical quality. 

🌙 do i have to use a clear bottle/jar? 

if the light can shine through it, it’ll work.  you can make it with whatever kind of bottle you like as long as the light can touch the water in some ways.

crystal shape meanings in my grimoire. 

Witchcraft and the Placebo Effect

A few days ago, an anon asked multiple witchcraft blogs, in short, “isn’t witchcraft/magic just the placebo effect?” I understand some witches’ hostility towards this question (some witches may involve appeals to a deity in their craft, etc). But it’s worth noting that some witches- myself included- actually embrace this notion. American psychologist, author, and self-described agnostic mystic Robert Anton Wilson said “Magick has many aspects, and can act as a dramatized system of psychology.“ An appeal to your conscious mind in the form of, let’s say, a spell to start a new habit or a spell to get over someone, if done with sincerity and a clearly expressed course for change, can be helpful in making these changes a reality. Pagan therapy is an emerging field. So, yes, there are many systems for magic, but devaluing one system– this “dramatized psychology”– isn’t helpful to the discussion. After all, doesn’t the placebo effect prove that we can heal ourselves? It can help us to effectively reprogram our own minds. This can be a valuable tool for personal healing– and to some witches, even a sacred tool.

For those with anxiety.

What to do if witchcraft suddenly gets way too intense

1. FINISH WHAT YOU ARE DOING.

► DO NOT walk away from an uncompleted ritual

► DO NOT walk away in the middle of a spell

Grab your notes and close everything down. Dismiss any spirits or entities you are working with. Close down the circle. End the ritual. Diffuse the energy of the spell and close it down. If you were enchanting an item, announce over it that it is closed and nothing more may come in or out.

Spells and rituals are little portals of power; if you leave one open without closing it, all sorts of things could get screwy and come through.

2. End any spooky/witchy atmosphere immediately.

Blow out all the candles.

Put out all the incense.

Turn on all the lights.

Turn off spooky chanting music. Turn on some happy music or better yet, a non-supernatural television show or movie you love.

If you were enchanting an item, immediately put it in salt.

3. Don’t destroy the items/notes you will need later.

Trust me, do not throw away the spell you wrote or the objects you were working on. If things go wrong in the future you will need these to fix the problem.

► Immediately write down exactly what happened. Write down every deviation from the spell that you did. Write down exactly what you said and saw during any visualizations. Write down exactly when things started to get freaky.

► If you were enchanting an item, keep it in a black bag filled with salt until you are ready to deal with it.

4. Cleanse.

Use an energy cannonball to purify the space you were working in. Burn rosemary and bay leaves to fumigate the area, or spritz a premade water solution if you can’t have smoke. Pay special attention to all ritual tools.

If you feel the need to, cleanse yourself by visualizing the power of the smoke enveloping you and driving away any bad vibes; or take a shower if you really feel something has gone wrong.

5. Get out of the area you were working in.

Go to another room. Leave the house if possible. Seek the company of others or turn on the television if you are alone.

6. Do mundane things for a while.

Eat a nice meal. Drink a big glass of water. Go for a jog. Do some chores. Put anything magical totally out of your head. Absolutely do not focus on how weird things just got.

7. When you are ready, return to the area you were working in.

Relax yourself and judge the energies within the room. Are things still ‘creepy’? A heavy-duty cleansing is in order. Do you feel as if someone else is there? Open a window and command it to leave - if it does not, more fumigation or a banishing is required.

Judge your ritual tools and determine if they will need additional cleansing. If you were working on an object, determine if it has been corrupted or if anything is wrong with it. If so, put it back in the salt and deal with it as soon as you can.

8. Take a break from witchcraft for a couple of days.

9. Figure out what went wrong.

Fear is never a good thing. There is a difference between embracing the darkness and being afraid.

► Fear can be caused if an entity showed up you were unprepared to deal with.

► Fear can be caused if your intuition (or perhaps a spirit ally) was warning you that what you were about to do was a really bad idea.

► Fear can be caused if you tap in to powers that overwhelm you.

You need to figure out what went wrong. It isn’t a situation where you can say “oh well” and try something else later - because you screwed up, and next time you may not get an adequate warning before things go to hell.