WITCHY READS TO SAVE FOR LATER 📚

Momma Bree- do you have any spells at hand that attract a better job? The one I’m at is currently Awful and it’s mostly my fault but I want something less stressful and something that pays at least a little better. Spells, powders, jars, anything you can throw at me would be appreciated, I’ll happily try it all while scrolling Indeed and refining my resume!

I've got a few things in my pocket for employment. Let's see....

-Print out your updated resume or job application and fold it up with some pinches of Basil, Orange Peel, Hawthorn, Meadowsweet, and Thyme. Seal the packet with your favorite sigil for success and a dripping of green or gold wax. You can stamp it if you wish for a decorative flourish. Keep the packet on your altar or take it with you when you go to the interview.

-Carry a bag of clover, violets, and dried orange peel in your pocket when you go to an interview or store it with your resume.

-Putting an open bottle of sesame seeds in your home draws opportunity and money. (Change the seeds monthly.)

-Put a sachet of meadowsweet and bergamot (orange mint) in your wallet or briefcase to bring success in business and financial ventures.

-Allegedly, putting a pinch of basil in the heel of your shoe before an interview will help you make a good impression and increase your chances of being hired.

And on a more practical note, when making that first impression, give ‘em a firm handshake, look them in the eye, and smile. This inspires confidence.

Hope this helps!

Medieval/Renaissance/Ancient Correspondences for Days of the Week

I do research so you don’t have to! This long list is a compilation of the information from some prominent older Grimoires and esoteric texts pertaining to the correspondences for each day of the week. I recently compiled a list of modern correspondences, so this is a list based on more traditional sources.

Guide to the Sources

The Key of Solomon - a pseudepigraphical grimoire (also known as a book of spells) attributed to King Solomon. It probably dates back to the 14th or 15th century Italian Renaissance. It presents a typical example of Renaissance magic.

Sworn Book of Honorious - a medieval grimoire purportedly written by Honorius of Thebes. The Latin word “juratus”, which is typically translated to “sworn”, is intended to mean “oathbound”. The book is one of the oldest existing medieval grimoires, as well as one of the most influential.

Heptameron, or Magical Elements - A concise book of ritual magical rites concerned with conjuring specific angels for the seven days of the week, by Pietro d'Abano and based on the Book of Raziel.

Agrippa - specifically, Fourth Book of Occult Philosophy. This is actually a collection of six works, first published in Latin in Germany in the middle of the 16th Century, about 20 years after Agrippa’s death. This translation of the six short books dates to 1655.

Raziel - Sefer Raziel HaMalakh is a grimoire of Practical Kabbalah from the Middle Ages written primarily in Hebrew and Aramaic. The Liber Razielis Archangeli, its 13th-century Latin translation produced under Alfonso X, survives.

A New and Complete Illustration of the Occult Sciences, Book 4. - By Ebenezer Sibly (1751-1800), famous 18th century British astrologer. Probably best known for his famous horoscope for the birth of the USA, published in 1787. The first three books of his New and Complete Illustration of the Occult Sciences are devoted to astrology, including many horoscopes for famous persons.

Arbatel of Magic - a Latin grimoire of Renaissance ceremonial magic published in 1575 in Switzerland.

Days

Sunday

Key of Solomon

Archangel: Raphael Angel: Michael Planet: Sun Metal: Gold Color: Yellow

Sworn Book of Honorious

Perfumes:Mastic, musk, and such like, and all other good gums of good odor, as thus, benjamin, storax, labdanum, amber armoniacum, and such like. Correspondences: Their nature is to give love and favor and riches to a man, and power, also to keep him hail and to give dews, herbs, flowers, and fruits in a moment. Their bodies are great and large, full of all gentleness. Their colors are bright like glass [or citrus], or like the Sun or gold, and their region is the East.

Heptameron, or Magical Elements

Angels: Michael, Dardiel, Huratapel Wind: North Perfumes: Red Wheat The Spirits of the Air of the Lords day, are under the North-wind; their nature is to procure Gold, Gems, Carbuncles, Riches; to cause one to obtain favour and benevolence; to dissolve the enmities of men; to raise men to honors; to carry or take away infirmities.

Agrippa

Perfumes: Saffron, Ambergris, Musk, Lignum-aloes, lignum balsam, the fruit of the Laurel, Clove, Myrrh, and Frankincense, all which being bruised, and mixed in such a proportion as may make a sweet odour, must be incorporated with the brain of an Eagle, or the blood of a white Cock, after the manner of pills, or Troches. To the Sun, all gums, as frankincense, mastic, benjamin, storax, labdanum [i.e. Cistus], amber [i.e. ambergris], and Musk. Places: To the Sun, light places, the Serene Aire, Kings Palaces [palaces], and Princes Courts, Pulpits, Theaters, Thrones, and all kingly, and Magnificent places. Colors: Golden, Saffron, purple, and bright colours resemble the Sun.

Raziel

Thure, mastic, musk and other such. And all other good gums and of good odor in all good.

A New and Complete Illustration of the Occult Sciences, Book 4.

To the spirits under Sol, being of the order of thrones, they likewise suffumigate saffron, musk, laurel, cinnamon, ambergris, cloves, myrrh, and frankincense, musk, and the balsamic tree mixed up together with the brains of an eagle, and the blood of a white cock, being made up like pills, or little balls, and put upon the Tripod.

Arbatel of Magic

Och governs solar things; he gives 600 years with perfect health; he bestows great wisdom, gives the most excellent Spirits, teaches perfect Medicines: he converts all things into most pure gold and precious stones: he gives gold, and a purse springing with gold. He that is dignified with his Character, he makes him to be worshipped as a Deity, by the Kings of the whole world.

Monday

Key of Solomon

Archangel: Gabriel Angel: Gabriel Planet: Moon Metal: Silver Color: White

Sworn Book of Honorious

Perfumes: Folium mirti, and lawlri, and leaves of good odor of all sweet flowers. Correspondences: And their nature is to change thoughts and wills, to prepare journeys, to tell words that be spoken, and to cause rains. Their bodies are long and great; their countenances are whitish dim like crystal, [or a burnished sword,] or like ice, or a dark cloud, and their region is the West.

Heptameron, or Magical Elements

Angels: Gabriel, Michael, Samael Wind: West Perfumes: Aloes The Spirits of the Air of Monday, are subject to the West-wind, which is the wind of the Moon: their nature is to give silver; to convey things from place to place; to make horses swift, and to disclose the secrets of persons both present and future.

Agrippa

Perfumes: To the Moon the leaves of all vegetables, as the leaf indum, the leaves of the myrtle, and bay tree. head of a Frog dried, the eyes of a Bull, the seed of white Poppy, Frankincense, and camphor, which must be incorporated with Menstrual blood, or the blood of a Goose. Places: To the Moon, wildernesses, woods, rocks, hills, mountains, forests, fountains, waters, rivers, seas, sea-shores, ships, groves, highways, and granaries for Corn, and such like. Colors: But all white, fair, curious, green, ruddy, betwixt saffron, and purple resemble Venus, Mercury, and the Moon.

Raziel

Folium mirti, and lauri and leaves of good odor, and so understand thou in his contrary.

A New and Complete Illustration of the Occult Sciences, Book 4.

To spirits under Luna, fumigations are offered of frogs dried, white poppy-seed, bulls eyes, camphire, and frankincense, incorporated with goose’s blood and fluxus muliebris.

Arbatel of Magic

He changes all metals into silver, in word and deed; governs Lunary things; heals the dropsie: he gives spirits of the water, who do serve men in a corporeal and visible form; and makes men to live 300 years.

Tuesday

Key of Solomon

Archangel: Khaniael Angel: Zamael Planet: Mars Metal: Iron Color: Red

Sworn Book of Honorious

Perfumes: Sandalwood, the red, black, and white, and all sweet woods as lignum aloes, cypress, balsam, and such like. Correspondences: And their nature is to cause and stir up war, murder, destruction, and mortality of people and of all earthly things, and their bodies are of a mean stature, dry and lean. Their color is red like to burning coals burning red, and their region or abiding is the South.

Heptameron, or Magical Elements

Angels: Samael, Satael, Amabiel Wind: East Perfumes: Pepper The Spirits of the Air of Tuesday are under the East-winde: their nature is to cause wars, mortality, death and combustions; and to give two thousand Soldiers at a time; to bring death, infirmities or health.

Agrippa

Perfumes: To Mars all odoriferous wood as sandalwood, cypress, lignum-balsam, and lignum-aloes; Euphorbium, Bdellium, gum Armoniack, the roots of both Hellebors [hellebores], the Load stone [loadstone], and a little Sulphur, and incorporate them all with the brain of a Hart, the blood of a Man, and the blood of a black Cat. Places: To Mars, fiery, and bloody places, furnaces, bake-houses, shambles, places of execution, and places where there have been great battailes [battles] fought, and slaughters made, and the like. Colors: Red colours, and burning, fiery, flaming, violet, purple, bloody, and iron colours, resemble Mars.

Raziel

Sandalwood, niger and albus, and all such trees and each tree of aloes and cypresse, and so understand thou of each tree.

A New and Complete Illustration of the Occult Sciences, Book 4.

They make fumigations unto such spirits of the order of powers as are under Mars, in the planetary division, with aromatic gum, bdellium, euphorbium, load-stone, hellebore white and black, and an addition or sulphur to make them into an amalgama, with man’s blood, and the blood of a black cat; which mixtures are said to be so exceeding magical, that, without any other addition, they say, this fumigation is able of itself to make spirits under Mars appear before the Exorcist.

Arbatel of Magic

Phalec rules those things which are attributed to Mars, the Prince of peace. He that has his character he raises to great honours in warlike affairs.

Wednesday

Key of Solomon

Archangel: Michael Angel: Raphael Planet: Mercury Metal: Mercury Color: Purple

Sworn Book of Honorious

Perfumes: Rinds of all sweete wood, as cinnamon, cassia ligina corticus, lauri, and macis, and all sweet seeds. Correspondences: And their nature is to give love, joy, gladness, and favor of all persons to him that works, to bring forth dews, flowers, herbs and leaves, or to take them away, and their region or abiding is betwixt the East and the South.

Heptameron, or Magical Elements

Angels: Raphael, Miel, Seraphiel Wind: Southwest Perfumes: Mastick The Spirits of the Air of Wednesday are subject to the South-west-winde: their nature is to give all Metals; to reveal all earthly things past, present and to come; to pacify judges, to give victories in war, to re-edify, and teach experiments and all decayed Sciences, and to change bodies mixt of Elements conditionally out of one into another: to give infirmities or health; to raise the poor, and cast down the high ones; to bind or loose Spirits; to open locks or bolts: such-kind of Spirits have the operation of others, but not in their perfect power, but in virtue or knowledge.

Agrippa

Perfumes: To Mercury all peels of wood and fruit, as cinnamon, lignum cassia, mace, citron peel [i.e. lemon peel], and bayberries, and whatsoever seeds are odoriferous; Mastick, Frankincense, Cloves, and the herb Cinquefoile, and the stone Achates, and incorporate them all with the brain of a Fox, or weasel, and the blood of a Pie [magpie]. Places: To Mercury, shops, schools, warehouses, Exchange for Merchants, and the like. Colors: But all white, fair, curious, green, ruddy, betwixt saffron, and purple, resemble Venus, Mercury, and the Moon.

Raziel

All woods as cinnamon, cassia lignea and cortices lauri and macis and so understand thou in other.

A New and Complete Illustration of the Occult Sciences, Book 4.

To those under Mercury, they fumigate frankincense, mastic, cinquefoil, incorporated with the brains of a fox and the blood of a magpye.

Arbatel of Magic

Ophiel is the governour of such things as are attributed to Mercury: his Character is this.

Thursday

Key of Solomon

Archangel: Tzadiqel Angel: Sachiel Planet: Jupiter Metal: Tin Color: Blue

Sworn Book of Honorious

Perfumes: All sweet fruits as nutmeg, cloves, the rinds of oranges and citrines, dry and powdered with such like of good odor. Correspondences: And their nature is to give love, joy, gladness, and favor of all persons to him that worketh, to bring forth dews, flowers, herbs and leaves, or to take them away, and their region or abiding is betwixt the East and the South.

Heptameron, or Magical Elements

Angels: Sachiel, Castiel, Asasiel Wind: South Perfumes: Saffron The Spirits of the Air of Thursday, are subject to the South-wind; their nature is to procure the love of woman; to cause men to be merry and joyful; to pacify strife and contentions; to appease enemies; to heal the diseased, and to disease the whole; and procure losses, or take them away.

Agrippa

Perfumes: To Jupiter, odoriferous fruits as nutmeg, cloves; the seed of Ash, Lignum-aloes, Storax, the gum Benjamin [benzoin], the Lazule [lazuli] stone, the tops of the feathers of a Peacock, and incorporate them with the blood of a Stork, or a Swallow, or the brain of a Hart. Places: Unto Jupiter are ascribed all privileged places, Consistories of noble men, Tribunals, Chaires, places for Exercises, Schools, and all beautifull, and clean places, scattered, or sprinkled with divers odours. Colors: Saphire [Sapphire], and airy colours, and those which are alwaies green, clear, purple, darkish, golden, mixed with Silver,3 belong to Jupiter.

Raziel

Nux muscata, gariofili and citruli and the rind of arangiarum siccarx and pulverizatarum that is the rind of oranges dry and powdered and all other fruits of good odors.

A New and Complete Illustration of the Occult Sciences, Book 4.

For Spirits under Jupiter, they take lignum aloes, ashtree-keys, benjamin, storax, peacock-feathers, and lapis lazuli, mixing the same with the blood of a stork, a swallow, or a hart; the brains being also added: the fumes are kindled in Jupiter’s hour, and in a place appropriate to his nature.

Arbatel of Magic

Bether governs those things which are ascribed to Jupiter: he soon comes being called. He that is dignified with his character, he raises to very great dignities, to cast open treasures: he reconciles the spirits of the aire, that they give true answers: they transport precious stones from place to place, and they make medicines to work miraculously in their effects: he giveth also familiars of the firmament, and prolonges life to 700 years if God will.

Friday

Key of Solomon

Archangel: Haniel Angel: Anael Planet: Venus Metal: Copper Color: Green

Sworn Book of Honorious

Perfumes: Mace, roses, violets, and all other fruits or flowers of good odor, as crocus and such like. Correspondences: Their nature is to provoke laughing, lust, and desires, to love women, and to give flowers and fruits. Their bodies are of a mean stature in all points, for they be neither little nor great, neither fat nor lean. Their countenance is pleasant, white like snow. Their region is betwixt the South and the West.

Heptameron, or Magical Elements

Angels: Anael, Rachiel, Sachiel Wind: West Perfumes: Pepperwort The Spirits of the Air of Friday are subject to the West-wind; their nature is to give silver: to excite men, and incline them to luxury; to reconcile enemies through luxury; and to make marriages; to allure men to love women; to cause, or take away infirmities; and to do all things which have motion.

Agrippa

Perfumes: To Venus, flowers as roses, violets, saffron, and such like; Musk, ambergris, Lignum-aloes, red Roses, and red Coral, and make them up with the brain of Sparrows, and the blood of Pigeons. Places: To Venus, pleasant fountains, green Meadows, flourishing Gardens, garnished beds, stews (and according to Orpheus) the sea, the sea shore, baths, dancing-places, and all places belonging to women. Colors: But all white, fair, curious, green, ruddy, betwixt saffron, and purple resemble Venus, Mercury, and the Moon.

Raziel

Maus [flores] roses violets & crocus and all other flowers of good odor.

A New and Complete Illustration of the Occult Sciences, Book 4.

The fumigations appropriate to spirits under Venus, are roses, coral, lignum aloes, and spermaceti, made up with sparrows brains, and blood of pigeons.

Arbatel of Magic

Hagith governs Venereous things. He that is dignified with his Character, he makes very fair, and to be adorned with all beauty. He converts copper into gold, in a moment, and gold into copper: he gives Spirits which do faithfully serve those to whom they are addicted.

Saturday

Key of Solomon

Archangel: Tzaphqiel Angel: Cassiel Planet: Saturn Metal: Lead Color: Black

Sworn Book of Honorious

Perfumes: All good things and well smelling roots such as costus and the herb thuris. Correspondences: And their nature is to cause sadness, anger, and hatred, and to make snow and ice. Their bodies are long and slender, pale or yellow, and their region is the North.

Heptameron, or Magical Elements

Angels: Cassiel, Machatan, Uriel Wind: Southwest Perfumes: Sulphur The Spirits of the Air of Saturday are subject to the Southwest-winde: the nature of them is to sow discordes, hatred, evil thoughts and cogitations; to give leave freely, to slay and kill every one, and to lame or maim every member

Agrippa

Perfumes: To Saturn are appropriated for fumes all odoriferous roots, as costus root, etc. and hog’s fennel; the seed of black Poppy, of Henbane, root of Mandrake, the Load-stone [loadstone], and Myrrh, and make them up with the brain of a Cat, or the blood of a Bat. Places: But amongst places that are appropriated to the Stars, all stinking places, dark, underground, religious, and mournful places, as Church-yards, tombs, and houses not inhabited by men, and old, tottering, obscure, dreadfull houses, and solitary dens, caves, and pits, also fish-ponds, standing pools, fennes, and such like are appropriated to Saturn. Colors: For all colours, black, lucid, earthy, leaden, brown, have relation to Saturne.

Raziel

All good things & well smelling rootes as is Costus & herba thuris [=hog’s fennel].

A New and Complete Illustration of the Occult Sciences, Book 4.

Thus the fumigation for spirits under Saturn, are made of frankincense-tree, pepper-wort roots, storax, and galbanum; by these the spirits Marbas, Corban, Stilkon, Idas, and all of the first order in the astringency, are appeased and provoked, when the fumes are put upon a Tripod in the hour of Saturn according to the planetary division.

Arbatel of Magic

Aratron - The governor Aratron hath in his power those things which he doth naturally, that is, after the same manner and subject as those things which in Astronomy are ascribed to the power of Saturn. Those things which he doth of his own free will, are, That he can convert any thing into a stone in a moment, either animal or plant, retaining the same object to the sight. He converteth treasures into coles, and coles into treasure. He giveth familiars with a definite power. He teacheth Alchymy, Magick, and Physick. He reconcileth the subterranean spirits to men; maketh hairy men. He causeth one to bee invisible. The barren he maketh fruitful, and giveth long life.

Death

With my job I run into death often. Sometimes we’re in the same room and I don’t even know it. It spares my life. It could easily touch me and I could go, but instead it takes the elderly I care for and make sure they’re safe.

This is a place they come to die. But I do all I can for them to live. It’s a bit bittersweet thing. I cry when they all leave. And when death is in the building I tend to look over my shoulder often. But it lets me live one more day.

I’m no longer scared of death. Instead I welcome her and ask for her to at least be civil about it, don’t let them suffer. And she agrees. These souls die in their sleep with full stomachs and and warm blankets. We hate to see them go, it’s never easy for anyone, but we continue. Reminiscing their laughter, jokes, and warm smiles.

We are the last people they usually see. Families leave their elderly and never return until the day they pass. But until then I’m reading magazines, making puzzles, passing out meds, and making sure they stay clean. I love them all. I care for them with every inch in my soul, but I know they must go. It’s morbid and macabre. But it’s life. I can’t stop it.

Maybe this is what has brought out my spiritual side. I have this pull. When you’re in this field you just know most times when someone will pass. It’s an emotion. You feel death. Although religion is not a priority of mine, there’s something there. Energy. The subconscious. It’s there.

So I embrace this side. I accept the inevitable and hope it goes fast. When I first began this job dreams of death haunted me. Dead people under my bed, me sleeping next to them, them calling for my care. Now I have listened and don’t fear it. Death spares me this time, but one day it won’t. Instead of taking mrs. Barbara it may take me. And I doubt I’ll feel it coming. But as of now, I’m okay, I’m happy.

Death you are near me constantly and energy around me grows. Thanks, and I will see you one day. There’s no way for me to know but I have cared for your victims and have handed them over in the best condition I could. Give me some mercy when it’s my turn. For now I will transfer my energy to love and magic and let it consume me until the end of my times. A deal has been granted, but I shall forever live as love.

The bisexual urge to write fanfic about every Stardew Valley marriage candidate

🍞 Thyme Focaccia, a simple spell to attract good health. 🍞 Perfect for Lughnasadh / Lammas 🍞

Ingredients

7g fast action yeast or 15g fresh yeast

1tsp sugar

200mL warm water (37°C/100°F)

350g strong white bread flour

4tbsp olive oil

1tsp grounded salt

1tsp grounded pepper

A good handful of fresh thyme (the more the better honestly)

Recipe

In a bowl, mix the yeast with sugar and warm water until frothy. Let it rest, if the foam is growing, your yeast is activated.

In a big bowl, mix flour, salt, pepper and thyme together. Make a small hole and add the olive oil and the mix of yeast and water.

Knead everything for at least 10 minutes (if you're doing it by had) or 5 minutes if you are using a robot.

Form a big ball and rub a bit of oil around it. Put in a clean bowl, recover with cling film and let it rise until doubled in size (about 1 hour - 1h30) in a warm place protected from the wind (it will not rise)

Flatten the dough into a baking sheet, cover again and let it rise again for 1 hour.

Pre heat the oven 220°C / 425°F.

Lightly press the top of the dough with your fingers to make little dimples, drizzle with a bit of olive oil. Cook for about 15 minutes, until the top is a lovely golden colour.

Magick

Lughnasadh or Lammas is known as the feast of bread, this recipe would be perfect for your celebrations!

In this recipe thyme is used to attract good health. The plant was burned by the Greeks to purify temples. It is also carried and smelled to give courage and energy. Salt and Pepper are for protection.

Don't forget to prepare yourself and your kitchen when you are doing this spell. Before preforming kitchen witchery I always meditate on my intention, take a cleansing shower. I also prepare my kitchen: I clean it and cleanse it. I also love listening to music when I am cooking. I take the time to really feel the energy of the ingredients I am cooking with. If you are working with deities, a simple prayer and a offering can help! If you don't prepare yourself and your space you are just cooking, there is nothing magical in it.

Seeing the bread rising is kind of magical in itself, it reconnect with an ancestral tradition. To me the fact of rising enhance the properties of the other ingredients.

SHADOW WORK SIMPLIFIED

What is shadow work?

If I had to describe shadow work in one word, it would be introspection. Introspection is the examination of your own mental state and is necessary in order to learn more about your fundamental nature. Although it may sound off-putting and even scary at first, shadow work is a necessary component in the process of healing. We all have aspects of ourselves that we’ve rejected and hidden away out of fear. Through shadow work, we’re able to reflect on our thoughts, emotions, and habits so that we can find the root cause of our suffering and heal ourselves. By reincorporating those aspects of ourselves that we’ve denied, we feel more fulfilled and can begin to love ourselves fully. 

Where does shadow work come from? 

The concept of the shadow self comes from Carl Jung who believed that our shadow self is the subconscious aspect, or “dark side”, of our personality that our conscious ego doesn’t identify with. However, I would like to clarify that “dark” does not imply or equate with bad. That which resides outside of our consciousness can be either good or bad, but aren’t inherently reflective of our value or “goodness” as a person. 

Although these repressed aspects of ourselves can manifest negatively, it isn’t because those parts of us are “bad”, but that the process of repression is inherently painful and toxic. This is reflected by Jung when he states, “Everyone carries a shadow, and the less it is embodied in the individual’s conscious life, the blacker and denser it is.” He believed that until we’ve merged our conscious and subconscious selves, that our conscious would be “the slave of the autonomous shadow”. This is due to the shadow self overwhelming our conscious selves by falling victim to our own self-imposed traps. 

Through assimilating this shadow self, not over-identifying with it, Jung believed we go through the process of enantiodromia, thereby integrating the subconscious by reincorporating our shadow selves into our personality and allowing us to solidify ourselves through wholeness. He best described this by stating "assimilation of the shadow gives a man body, so to speak.” However, don’t fall into the misconception that shadow work is a short-term practice. Shadow work is a continuous practice and integration of the shadow self is a will take place throughout your life.

How do I do shadow work?

In the last question, I identified that practicing self-reflection is a key component of shadow work, but what does that mean? What am I supposed to be reflecting on? Well, the first thing that you should focus on is being present throughout the day. Identify feelings that come up throughout the day and observe them objectively. What situation or interaction triggered these emotions? How did I react to those emotions? Were my emotions controlling me or was I in control of my emotions? Why did this situation or interaction cause me to feel this way? How did I cope with those feelings (self-harming, lashing out at others, communicating my feelings, journalling, etc.)? Did I punish myself for getting upset? If so, why? 

There are numerous ways to reflect on your feelings and experiences in order to get a better understanding of yourself. Through evaluating how you react to situations, which situations upset you, and how you managed those feelings, you’re able to build the foundation to understanding your emotions and bridge the gap between your subconscious and conscious mind.

Once you’ve done this, you’ll find that the emotions you feel in the present are reflective of unhealed emotions from your past. Perhaps the reason you feel that you’re unable to set boundaries as an adult is because as a child, your parents never respected your boundaries by going through your phone or diary, yelling at you when you said no to a request, forcing you into situations that made you feel you had no choice. 

By identifying the root cause of your emotional pain, you’re able to address it in the present and heal from the trauma. The simplest way that I’ve found to address them is through journalling. You can purchase a physical journal or even use your notes app, either way, you’re writing out your feelings and reflections to gain deeper insight. It’s important to remember that this looks different for anyone and that the best way to approach shadow work is by doing what feels most natural! You can choose to stick to self-reflective journal prompts, vent about whatever is upsetting you, write letters to whoever has hurt you, etc. Ultimately, you can guide yourself based off of what you feel you need and where you are in your journey.

What parts of yourself do you find yourself rejecting the most? Many of us have experienced the pain of rejection in some aspects of our lives and sometimes, it’s incredibly painful and leaves us with long-lasting wounds. We end up going through our lives carrying baggage that we don’t even know we have! Many times, I’ve found myself wondering why I felt so repulsed by aspects of myself and why I felt so strongly that they needed to be locked away forever. I couldn’t allow myself or others to see my truest self, my whole self, out of fear. I was scared of being rejected, shamed, humiliated by the people around me. I was scared of hurting other people by being myself and of being hurt by others. That’s no way to live, is it? When we tell ourselves that aspects of ourselves aren’t good enough, we end up going through life devaluing ourself. We’ve broken our own trust by rejecting ourselves, we’ve told ourselves that we aren’t good enough or worthy of love. In shadow work, you’re called to go inward and unpack everything that we’ve kept hidden for years and sometimes even decades. 

Bring the parts of yourself that you’ve repressed to the surface and nourish them with love, allow yourself to see that ALL OF YOU is deserving of love and support. For you, that could mean unlearning your unhealthy beliefs about food or eating, allowing yourself to be emotional around the people you love (despite how much you were told that you were too emotional, a crybaby, too sensitive in the past), allowing yourself to relax without feeling guilty about not being productive because you recognize your needs (even though you feel your sense of worth is tied to being productive at the cost of your own health).

Common misconceptions about shadow work?

Shadow work is evil or bad, the shadow is evil or bad 

The purpose of shadow work is healing through working with your subconscious to release repressed aspects of yourself and heal from painful, traumatic experiences. Your shadow side is simply your unconscious and to believe that it’s bad is to believe that you are bad. It’s merely the part of yourself that you aren’t aware of consciously and shouldn’t be feared. 

Certain emotions are “bad”

When you let go of the idea that emotions are either good or bad, you’ll allow yourself to just be and stop putting so much pressure on yourself to feel “good” all of the time. Happiness isn’t a constant state of being so stop expecting to be all of the time, we have a range of emotions for a reason so stop being ashamed of them. Your feelings are natural and if you feel like they’re out of control and something to be ashamed of, there is nothing wrong with that! It’s okay to feel like your emotions are controlling you because that isn’t permanent. Your feelings aren’t permanent and are completely manageable with proper guidance! The reason you feel like your emotions are controlling you is because you probably don’t have the knowledge to cope with them in an effective and healthy way. It’s helpful to sit with your emotions alone and look at them objectively without placing any judgement on them, this will help you calm down and assess your feelings. From there, you can identify what you need to relax and recover as well as acknowledge to yourself that your feelings are natural. When you stop categorizing your emotions as bad, they’re no longer shameful to experience and therefore you can see with better clarity how to cope with them and move on.

I’ve already released it so…

Why am I still upset?

Why does it still keep popping up in my head?

Why haven’t I moved on?

Why am I not making progress?

With the rise of self development and spirituality, I find that more and more people are rushing to complete their healing. Healing is a continuous, life-long cycle and not a destination. Putting the pressure on yourself to reach the place of ultimate healing is not only toxic, but it impedes your ability to actually heal anything. Healing is about love, compassion, and patience and it’s not going to happen according to a timeline. Allow yourself the time to experience your emotions, see them objectively, forgive yourself and others and move on without the pressure of expectations. 

 Another reason that you could be experiencing this is that despite the work you think you’ve done, it hasn’t been sufficient. I’ve found that a lot of journal prompts provided online are surface level at best and can be more pacifying than revealing. If you’re not feeling anything while doing your inner work, you’re not doing it correctly. Ultimately, this is about uncovering what makes us UNCOMFORTABLE and moving through those feelings. When you allow yourself to experience the sadness, hurt, anger, and/or frustration than you’re telling yourself that these feelings are okay and don’t need to be suppressed. The reality is that no matter what you’re feeling, you are allowed to experience those emotions and it’s only human! Unfortunately, many people associate lower vibrational emotions as bad, but this is a huge misconception! Telling yourself that anger, sadness, etc. are “bad” implies that you shouldn’t experience these emotions and that you have to get rid of them which is not only wrong, but unhealthy. There is no right or wrong emotions so don’t buy into the belief that you should feel a certain way, simply allow yourself to be and you’ll find that it’s much easier to navigate your emotions and needs. The only way to make it to the other side is by wading through the water, be patient and know that you’re feeling exactly what you should be. When you stop censoring yourself, you’ll discover a newfound sense of freedom and wholeness. 

 If you find yourself circling back to certain topics, for example, your ex-boyfriend than perhaps there are triggers in your environment that remind you of the situation, you have more that needs to be addressed that you may not have been ready for or aware of previously (hence why shadow work is a practice that is ongoing), or they’re representative of a deeper issue that you’re repressing. Whatever the cause is, the same methods as earlier will apply and can be discerned through your own intuition. 

What are some basic journal prompts that I can do?

What feelings come up when you think of ____?

How did that experience make you feel emotionally? How did it make you feel about yourself? How did it make you feel about the other person or people?

Write a letter to yourself, your inner child, the people who’ve hurt you, and the people you’ve hurt. Express how you feel honestly, without holding back and then forgive yourself and the other person.

If you could say anything to yourself or another person for closure, what would it be?

How have these situations and experiences impacted your mental health? How have they affected your belief system about yourself, other people, and the world?

What about yourself are you ashamed of? What about yourself are you embarrassed of? What about yourself makes you angry? What do you regret? Why do you feel this way about yourself and where do these feelings stem from?

What makes you feel most alone? What makes you feel most loved? How can you incorporate that knowledge into your life to make it better?

What’s the most hurtful thing someone has said or done to you? Why did it hurt you so much? How does it still affect you now? How can you heal from it and allow yourself to move on?

What do you need to forgive yourself for? What do you need to forgive others for?

Where do you feel you lack security in your life? Why? How does this impact your life and your relationships?

This is a list of generic prompts for you to start with, but feel free to message me if you need help with more specific topics or I can make another post altogether for journal prompts.

Minor Arcana (Part 2)

Elemental Dignities 

If same suit, they Strengthen each other

Fire and Air are active, they support each other

Water and Earth are passive, they support each other

Fire and Water are enemies, they weaken each other

Air and Earth are enemies, they weaken each other

Fire and Earth are neutral, to each other

Water and Air are neutral to each other

Strengthen: Increases the intensity of the elements. Amplifies both positive and negative. 

Support: Build one another up

Weaken: Cancel each other out. Decrease each element. 

Neutral: Don’t affect one another

Fire Element Combinations

Fire/Fire - Strengthens 

Fire/Water - Weakens

Fire/Air - Supports 

Fire/ Earth - Neutral

Water Element Combinations

Water/Fire - Weakens 

Water/Water - Strengthens 

Water/Air - Neutral 

Water/Earth - Supports

Air Element Combinations

Air/Fire- Supports

Air/Water - Neutral 

Air/Air - Strengthens 

Air/Earth - Weakens

Earth Element Combinations

Earth/Fire - Neutral 

Earth/Water - Supports 

Earth/Air - Weakens 

Earth/Earth - Strengthens 

Court Cards

Pages: As people, they often represent young, energetic people who are at the very beginning of their personal journey. They are still developing a sense of self but they approach new challenges with fervent energy and with excitement. Look forward to learning new skills. On a physical level, they represent those who are young at heart or those who are discovering a new aspect of themselves. Often seen as messengers and come to you with a new opportunity. Symbolize new stages in life.

Knights: As people, Knights are highly action-oriented. Slightly more mature, have enough experience to know what they are doing, but not the full experience; prone to being extremists. Such behavior can be either positive or negative. Always consider both sides of a knight- helpful or harmful - what is excess, what needs moderation. On a physical level, adults aged 20 and 35. Knights reflect change, movement and action. Never still but constantly on the move.

Queens: Someone who has matured and who has a deeper understanding of self and others. Tap into feminine energy - nurturing, caring for others. Provides nourishment to keep her ideas and actions going. They mastered the power of gentle persuasion; influence without anyone really knowing. People aged 30 and 50 who have a good amount of life experience. Represent creativity and ideas coming into place. Taking care of others; feminine qualities.

Kings: Considered most mature. represent the fully developed personalities of each suit. As people, Kings have full control over feelings, thoughts and actions that form part of his personality. Stable and solid, highly capable of their goals and visions. Older males, ages 40+ or dominate masculine energy. Act upon ideas; Growth and maturity. 

♡ yagogazali ♡ 

Congratulations to everyone who moved on without the genuine apology or closure you deserved. That's not easy.