Pagan Deities

Witchcraft 102 Masterpost

So. You’ve covered the basics. You know what every kind of ritual tool does, you understand all the terms that seemed alien to you before and you think you’re finally starting to get a feel for this witchcraft thing. You’re not a baby witch anymore, but… where to from here? Making the move from beginner witch to intermediate witch is a lot more difficult than it seems, purely because resources aimed at intermediate witchcraft are few and far between. But there’s a good reason for that.

There are general rules and ideas that can be applied across all of witchcraft. There’s so much to learn from other witches, but your greatest teacher will always be yourself. There is a reason witchcraft is so customisable to the individual: some things just work better for certain people. Not to mention pretty much every magick practice in history was developed by witches using their intuition! Because of this, it’s hard to create resources that tell somehow how to go from a beginner to an intermediate. However, they do exist! You’ll just find that most of them will act as prompts or scaffolds. They’ll instruct you on how to figure things out for yourself.

This next stage of your craft will involve a lot of introspection, and a lot of trusting your gut. It’s the reason you learnt all that baby witch stuff in the first place. This is where most of the personal growth happens. It can be scary, but it’ll also be magical. It’ll be a while before you actually qualify as an ‘intermediate witch’, and there’s no shame in that. The process of moving from beginner to intermediate is one that can take years, simply because witchcraft is such a deep and complex art. I myself definitely wouldn’t identify as a baby witch, but I’m still a beginner in many aspects despite having been a witch for years.

Without further ado, I present to you witchcraft 102.

GENERAL

The Problem with Sharing Advanced Magic

Using Tumblr as a Resource

How to Stop Being a Beginner Witch

How to Deepen Your Craft

Developing Your Craft Beyond Tumblr

Creating a Spiritual Calendar

SOAP Journaling: a Devotional Framework

Devotional Journal (for deity worship)

Questions for a Deeper Spiritual Practice

ORGANISATION

When reading through information, I recommend taking notes on the content, as well as your thoughts on it. Do you notice any connections to other texts or ideas? Do you have any questions you’d like to follow up? This will not only help you remember the information, but encourage you to look at it critically and see the bigger picture. Here is an example of my personal note-taking scaffold which includes some of the notes I took a while ago. I adapted it from the Cornell notes system based on my personal needs.

At TechnoCoven, a recent online witchcraft convention, there was an hour-long panel about planning in witchcraft called Spirit Papers. Here is a link to the recording. It goes over different organisation systems, notebooks, etc.

Why you should cite sources

How to cite sources

What is an annotated bibliography?

I would highly recommend setting aside a specific time every day to study witchcraft. This way, you will be improving your craft every day. Even if you only set aside half an hour, you will be doing three and a half hours of study a week. An hour a day totals to seven hours a week. If you can’t find a specific time every day, then find a specific time every week. 6pm-8pm on Tuesday and Saturday, for example, or reserve all of Sunday afternoon. This structure obviously isn’t compulsory, but with it you will advance at a much quicker pace and probably find your craft more fulfilling.

You should definitely have a grimoire already, but if you don’t, get one. It can be on paper or online, if you’d prefer. OneNote, Evernote, Microsoft Word and Google Docs are all viable digital options. You probably have lots of loose information lying around, whether its physical, in note form or on your Tumblr blog. Categorise it and order it. Then go through it. Document the important and useful parts in your grimoire.

READING

Elemental Magick in Science

Elemental Systems

The Darker Elements

History of Magick Part 1

History of Magick Part 2

History of Magick Part 3

History of Magick Part 4

How Location and History Affect Spiritual Practices

Botanical Medicine for Women’s Health (ebook)

TAROT

Stop Learning Tarot Like Flash Cards

Learning the Major Arcana

Learning the Court Cards

Reading Tarot Cards Vertically

Reading Reversed Cards

How to Take Notes on a (New) Tarot Deck

Understanding Yourself Tarot Mega-Spread

Conceptions of the Self Through Spreads

Shadow February Divination Challenge

Daily Tarot Journal Printable

SHADOW WORK

Introduction to Shadow Work

6 Phrases for Shadow Work

Safety Planning (good to have one of these if you’re doing shadow work and have a mental illness)

Shadow Working with Stuck Points

Shadow Work with Hillbillyoracle (pt. 1)

Shadow Work with Hillbillyoracle (pt. 2)

Hillbillyoracle’s Personal Shadow Work Framework

RESEARCH

Good Things to Research When You Don’t Know What to Research

Areas of Research for the Intermediate Witch

Masterlist of Journals, Articles & Books on Folklore, Mythology and the Occult

Index of Old Grimoires

Working with Plants

Tips on How to Google Correspondences

The Cornell University Library Witchcraft Collection

Sacred Text Archive

Bocastle Museum of Witchcraft

Occult Library

Hermetics Library

Project Gutenberg Paganism Bookshelf

Legal Free Ebooks Masterpost

Good Pagan & Wiccan Publishers

How to Get Use Out of Older Texts

Finding Experienced Witches

PRACTICE

What to Do When You Fall out of Practice

Making Your Own Correspondences

Pendulum Dowsing for Correspondences

2019 Grimoire Challenge (a year of grimoire prompts)

Stones for Advanced Practitioners

On Tools and Psychodrama

A Way to Astral Project

Energy Alignment Identification

Magic in the Body

Spell Circles

Irish Concept of “On the Breath”

Sky Catch

Verbal Sigils

PODCASTS

Tea With the Gods

The Hillbilly Oracle

Hex Positive

The History of Witchcraft

The Empowered Modern Witches Show

Academy of Affluence

TESTIMONIALS

A Samhain Fairytale

Foundations of Diywitchery’s Practice

Godphoning

Devotional activities

GET OFF TUMBLR (AKA GET SOME VARIETY IN YOUR SOURCES) I’ve got some examples listed here but there are definitely more out there!

Bree NicGarran’s Blog

Luna Luna Magazine (Blog)

Witchy Words (Blog)

Mumble & Things (Blog)

Down the Forest Path (Blog)

The Travelling Witch (Blog)

Prisoner’s Apothecary (Blog)

Harmony Nice (Youtube)

BOOK RECOMMENDATIONS

6 Books for Advancing Your Craft

Hellenic Polytheism Books

Walker Between Worlds by Robert Kirk (I haven’t read it so I can’t vouch for its quality but I’ve heard its a valuable resources for those wanting to learn about the fae)

The Study of Witchcraft: A Guidebook to Advanced Wicca by Deborah Lipp (I will link to my book review here; this book is essentially a study guide)

Evolution of Goddess by Emma Mildon (book recommendation) (especially good if you are looking to find a deity but are unsure of where to start)

The Occult, Witchcraft & Magic: An Illustrated History by Christopher Dell (a fantastic starting place for looking into occult history)

https://www.instagram.com/p/B_m0QLDJx6u/

The best crystals for... Part 1 🤍

Part 2

Part 3

@lovebyluna on instagram

Eco-witchery

Being a witch involves more than just the use of herbs and pretty rocks and moon water, it also includes preserving and protecting the resources that are very important to our craft and our being. Nature is our only source and needs to be respected and all her gifts used wisely.

Recycling and conserving has become the norm nowadays considering the growing shortage of our natural resources and I am so here for it. Here is my list of ways us witches can do our part:

When you boil your veggies, save the water to feed your little plant babies. Considering we are going through an intense drought for us Capetonians, this is a must. 

Use eggshells and coffee grounds to add nutrients to your soil for your plant babies.

Use old cereal, cookies or bread to feed the local feathered friends. This is especially helpful in winter when food is scarce.

Refrain from planting foreign plants, it could have a negative effect on the native flora and fauna.

Gather as much rain water as you can during the rainy seasons for watering plants. Even make moon water or enchanted water to bring prosperity and give your plant babies a little boost.

Save all your seeds!

Keep all pesticides away from your plants, especially if you plan on consuming them or using them in magic.

If you stay close to the ocean, gather some seaweed, dry it and crush it to be used on plants. It has tons of nutrients to help your lil bebes grow big and strong.

Instead of using plastic tags to mark your herbs, make your own out of twigs and just shave a spot off for writing. Get creative and make your garden look extra magical.

Plant loads of succulents, they use very little water, are super low maintenance and are beautiful to look at.

MULCHING is a water saving essential !!!

Don’t toss the weeds, find out what their properties are and how you could use it. Even if it is just for fertilizing or making a tea for your plants.

If you have any fur babies, find some plants that they like. Find out what plants they like, e.g catnip for kittens.

The same way some witches make their own wands or magical tools, why not make your own magical gardening tools from recycled or recyclable materials?

Share your reapings from Gaia with your community.

Any other suggestions?

Can we please talk about how the bridge to Coney Island is a reference to Jake, John, Harry, and Calvin?

Jake: “Were you standing in the hallway with a big cake, happy birthday”

John: “Did I paint your bluest skies the darkest grey?”

Harry: “And when I got into the accident , the sight that flashed before me was your face”

Calvin: “But when I walked up to the podium, I think that I forgot to say your name”

Maybe while re-recording, she was reminded of the moments when her past relationships went downhill. I find this all really interesting and I knew that the bridge was important but I think I see it now. I could be wrong, but it’s fun to theorize ✨❤️

So a few days after I posted this I also just realized that

“And do you miss the rogue, who coaxed you into paradise and left you there?” could possibly be about Tom!

( Edit: omg thanks for all the likes and reblogs! I’m new to tumblr I just started my account a few days ago to vent and talk about Taylor so all the love on this post is so sweet❤️ thank u all!)

The fog was thick and full of light, and sometimes voices.

Friendly reminder that the Hellenic Underworld is not the Christian Hell, and Hades is not the Devil.

~ Flowercows ♡ 🌷🐄 🍃 ♡

Witchy Playlist and Inspiring Songs for Different Spells/Curses/Rituals (Masterpost)

Jill Andrews - No One 

Donovan - Season of the Witch 

Within Temptation - Neverending Story

Kelli Ali - Psychic Cat

Local Natives - Mt. Washington

Fleetwood Mac - Gold Dust Woman   

Cocorosie - Smokey Taboo 

Within Temptation - Mother Earth 

Libana The Circle is Cast - The Earth is our Mother 

Marilyn Manson - Salem

Halsey - Garden  

Eagles - Witchy Woman

Florence and the Machine - Cosmic Love 

Alina Baraz - Maybe 

Within Temptation - Our Solemn Hour 

Son Lux ft. Faux Fix - No Fate Awaits Me 

Dolkins - Mountains 

Tove Lo - Out of Mind 

Culte de Ghoules - Children of the Moon

Gary Stadle - Fairy Nightsongs 

Amy Nuttall - Scarborough Fair 

Meg Myers - Numb 

Tori Amos - Lust 

Vienna Teng - Lullaby for a Stormy Night 

LEAVES’ EYES - Hell To The Heavens 

Florence and the Machine - My Boy Builds Coffins

Within Temptation - Memories 

Myah - Circus Freak 

Trobar de Morte - Summoning The Gods 

Denean - Angels Calling Me 

Heather Dale - Mordred’s Lullaby

Evanescence - Whisper 

Birdy ft. Rhodes - Let it All Go 

Inkubus Sukkubus - Wytches

Secret Garden - Sleepsong

Wolf Gang - Lions in Cages 

AMBERIAN DAWN - Magic Forest

Apocalyptica ft. Lacey - Broken Pieces

Florence and the Machine - Never Let Me Go

Within Temptation - Our Farewell 

The Neighbourhood - A Little Death

Russel Brower & Derek Duke - Lament of the Highborne 

Evanescence - Lacrymosa 

Peter Gundry - White Witch 

Culte de Ghoules - Vintage Black Magic

The Bird and the Bee - Witch

Nicholas Hopper - In Noctem

The Brothers Bright - Blood on my Name

Ruelle - Monsters (Acoustic Version)

Lana Del Rey - Young and Beautiful

Little May - Hide 

Within Temptation - The Truth Beneath The Rose

Emily Afton - Lost 

Sofia Karlberg - Crazy in Love 

Alanis Morissette - Uninvited 

Gothica - The Cliff of Suicide

Sparklehorse - Piano Fire

Within Temptation - See Who I Am

Lana Del Rey - Once Upon a Dream 

Lisa Thiel - Samhain

Indica - Children Of Frost

James S. Levine - La La La 

Wardruna - Fehu 

Meg Myers - Monster

Silversun Pickups - Future Foe Scenarios 

Joseph Van Wissem ft. SQURL - The Taste of Blood 

Raffertie -  Last Train Home

Halsey - Haunting 

Irfan - Invocatio 

The Civil Wars - Poison & Wine 

Olafur Arnalds - Raein

Florence and the Machine - Only If For a Night

Aurora - Under Stars

Warbringers - Jaina (Daughter of the Sea) 

Ross Copperman - Holding on and Letting Go 

Love Spit Love - How Soon is Now 

XANDRIA - Nightfall 

Angus & Julia Stone - The Hanging Tree

Loreena McKennitt - Incantation 

Marina & The Diamonds - The Outsider

Meadowlark - Fly (Acoustic) 

Omnia - Wytches Brew

Panic! At the Disco - LA Devotee

Culte de Ghoules - Storm Is Coming, Come the Blessed Madness

Deadmau5 ft. Colleen D’agostino - Seeya

Gandharvak - The Time Machine: Eloi 

Lana Del Rey - Born to Die 

Ella Vos - Down in Flames

Nouvelle Vague - The Killing Moon

Joji - Don’t Wanna Waste my Time 

Michael Holborn - Sunbird

Ed Sheeran - I See Fire 

The Cinematic Orchestra - To Build a House 

Crystal Fighters - Follow

Phildel - The Wolf 

Skillet - Hero 

Evanescence - Hello 

Calla -  Custom Car Crash

Ordo Funebris - A Witches Song

Daughter - Improve 

Blue - Birdshake (Remix) 

Evanescence - Going Under

Within Temptation - Angels 

koethe ft. Riley Hawke - Taking You There 

Within Temptation - The Howling 

Breaking Benjamin - I Will Not Bow 

Bjork - Frosti 

Within Temptation - Aquarius 

Loreena McKennitt - The Old Ways

Fleurie - Hurricane    

Corpo Mente - Scylla

Beth - Waves

Within Temptation - Stand my Ground 

Sofia Karlberg - Berlin 

Helios - A Rising Wind (Instrumental) 

Florence and the Machine - Blinding

Evanescence - Bring me to Life  

Elle Vee - Fly Low 

Koethe - Amber 

Verite - Echo

Within Temptation - Faster

Little Red Lung - 50 Fingers

Little May - Boardwalks

Stevie Nicks - Edge of Seventeen

Iko - Heart of Stone 

Beach House - Levitation 

The Moon and the Nightspirit - Ejkoszonto 

Suuns - Pie X

Austin Wintory - Bloodlines 

Loreena McKennitt - The Heart of the Witch

Lana Del Rey - Love 

Jose Gonzalez - Crosses

Peter Gundry - The Forest Queen 

Within Temptation - All I Need

Dead Can Dance - Yulunga (Spirit Dance)

Breaking Benjamin - Failure 

Lisa Gerrard - Swans

Glass Animals - Holiest

Ingrid Michaelson - Turn to Stone 

Bibio - Dye the Water Green 

S.J. Tucker - Witch’s Rune 

Siouxsie and the Banshees - Face to Face

Daughter - Dreams of William 

Bjork - Dark Matter

Within Temptation - Forsaken 

Widowspeak - Harsh Realm

Wolf Alice - Soapy Water

Erutan - Come Little Children 

Artie Shaw - Nightmare

Dead Can Dance - Summoning of the Muse (Remastered) 

Tove Lo - Habit 

Legs Occult - Breathe

Agnes Obel - Riverside

The Soft Moon - Want

Willy Moon - I Pull a Spell on You 

Fleetwood Mac - Sara

Gorillaz - Saturnz Barz

Bahari - Wild Ones

The Zombies - Time of the Season 

Evanescence - Haunted

Lia Marie Johnson - Relapse 

Ella Fitzgerald - Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered

Evanescence - Tourniquet 

The Eastern Sea - The Snow

Gabriel Rios - Broad Daylight

Maty Noyes - Haunted

Kim Petras - Boo! Bitch

Lorde - Biting Down 

Florence and the Machine - Seven Devils 

Plumb - Cut

Rasputina - Transylvanian Concubine 

Olivia Foa’i - Tulou Tagaloa

Gorillaz - Sleeping Powder

Masha - Come As You Are

Agnes Obel - The Curse

Richard Armitage - Misty Mountains

Lera Lynn - Ring of Fire

An Danzza - Hekate

Imogen Heap - Hide and Seek 

Evanescence - Lithium 

Gin Wigmore - Written in the Water

Russell Shaw - Temple of Light 

Loreena McKennitt - The Mystic’s Dream

Lana Del Rey - Black Beauty 

Marika Hackman - Deep Green

Faun - Walpurgisnacht

Agnes Obel - Stretch Your Eyes

CHVRCHES - Broken Bones

Decyfer Down - Fading 

The Weeknd - Earned It

The Changelings - Melusine

Sonic Youth - Halloween 

 Les Rita Mitsouko - La Sorciere et l’inquisiteur 

Chelsea Wolfe - Carrion Flowers

Florence and the Machine - Third Eye

In this moment - Witching Hour 

Portishead - Magic Doors

Myrkur - The Serpent

Arcade Fire - Abraham’s Daughter

James S. Levine - Violet Theme

Lauren O’Connell - House of the Rising Sun

Siouxsie and the Banshees - Spellbound 

Haroula Rose - Lavender Moon

The Chainsmokers - It Won’t Kill Ya

Hozier - Angel of Small Death and the Codeine Scene

Stranger Things - Theme Song

Eivor - Trollabundin

Carina Round - Do You 

Son Lux - Flickers

Fever Ray -  Keep the Streets Empty 

Ibeyi - River

Benjamin Wallfisch ft. DiSA - New World Coming

Emily Browning - Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This) 

Igorrr - Probleme D’emotion

Stevie Nicks & Don Henley - Leather and Lace

Whilk and Misky - Love Lost 

Amorphis - Amongst Stars

Cocorosie - The Moon Asked the Crow 

Linkin Park - My December

Nightwish - Turn Loose the Mermaids 

Black Lullabies - Black Lullabies

Florence and the Machine - Which Witch 

Kehlani - Gangsta (Harley Quinn & Joker Flashback Version) 

Sara Bareilles - Winter Song

Exxus - Glass Animals

Najwa - That Cyclone

Pierce the Veil - Tangled in the Great Escape

Dotan - Let the River In

This Mortal Coil - Dreams Made Flesh P.S.: Keep in mind a lot of these songs might not be ‘‘witchy’‘ or have ‘‘witchy’‘ lyrics but some people suggested them to me because they help them with their craft, put them in a ‘’witchy’’ mood and inspire them with certain spells for certain situations like strained/toxic relationships, breakups and heartbreaks, not feeling accepted, family problems, mental illness (although if you are feeling like you want to end your life, please talk to a professional), etc. (or curses, though I’m pretty neutral about curses and hexes.) Use the ones you like, and ignore the ones you don’t or don’t do it for ya. Thank you!  

KEEP THE SUGGESTIONS COMING SO I CAN ADD THEM AND IT GROWS IN SIZE!