The Evermore Grimoire: Witches
Technopagan is a modern term for those who wield the power of technopathy. It's also a term that was coined by the older generation of witches who refused to acknowledge any of their own kind out of fear that they would become too powerful and uncontrollable. However over time the term "Technopagan" has slowly changed from being a stigma to one of empowerment and freedom against outdated stereotypes that no longer fit into today's society. Even those who don't wield this unique power may identify as a Technopagan as it could align with their own beliefs surrounding gender and sexuality. This also includes a desire to create safe spaces for young witches and warlocks as well modernise witchcraft as a whole in order to reflect the world of today. One things for sure, they're here to stay because they're the future of the magical community that must be nurtured in order to survive any future battles.
artwork by Małgorzata Motyka-Karnas
Umbra Playlist
Umbra Witchcraft FAQ
The Umbra
Connecting to your Umbra Guardian
The First Umbra Guardian
Umbra Guardians cont.
The Umbra and Me
Shadow People/Umbra Spirits/Guardians
Rogue Umbra Guardians
A realization
Umbra Paths
Traveling to the Umbra
Part of the Dark
Umbra Energy Lesson
My First Shadow Encounter
The Figure
How to Umbra Cloak
Shadow Meld/Darkness Discovery
Umbra Grounding
Summoning a shadow orb
Summoning a Shadow Person
Drawing and using Umbra Energy
Detecting your own energy
Umbra Witch Self-Care Tips
Connecting to the Umbra
Umbra Witchcraft: Tools & Associations
Cartomancy Series
Darkness as an Element
Overview
Prayers from the Umbra Pantheon
Twelve Olympians
Prosperity Spell
Don't Notice Me Ward
Mirrored Empath Shield
Negative Bomb
Penance Stare Curse
Umbra Dart Curse
Dead Like Me Curse
Anon Hate Curse
Crystal Master post
Life and Death (lockscreens)
Supernatural (Moodboard)
My Personality (Moodboard)
Ancient Egypt (Moodboard)
Fire and Ice (Moodboard)
Hades and Persephone (Moodboard)
Mimir (Moodboard)
Scorpio Rising (Moodboard)
Capricorn Rising (Moodboard)
Zeus (Moodboard)
Melancholy Thoughts (Moodboard)
Dragons & Mermaids (Moodboard)
Mermaids (Moodboard)
Umbra Witch (Moodboard)
Artemis & Aphrodite (Moodboard)
Goddess Nyx (Moodboard)
Order of the Autumn Snowflake
Sigil Alphabet
Thrones of the Fae Courts (Wombo Dream)
Thrones of the Umbra Pantheon (Wombo Dream)
Snowy Meadow (Wombo Dream)
Elemental Banner (Social Media Banner)
☀️SUN WATER TIPS☀️
☀️You don’t have to add herbs, flowers, or crystals to charge your water! Just the sun is enough!
☀️That being said, feel free to add charges! I’m encouraging you to experiment! Find a “vibe” to charge your sun water with (ie, pink roses to quell anxiety, carnelian to enhance creativity, etc.)!
☀️You can use your sun water to dispel bad vibes! Intent has a lot to do with the vibe of your sun water. If your intent is good, then you can use your vibe-charged sun water to dispel bad vibes!
☀️Don’t forget to ask your deity to bless the water! This isn’t a necessary step, but it may not only improve your relationship with your deity, but your deity might also make your sun water more effective!
Meeting a Dragon (Guide, Guardian, or Otherwise)
Disclaimer: the information I give is a mish-mash of personal experience, research, experience in study groups and other people's accounts. I don't claim to know the absolute truth. I'm just here to help!
Just like any other type of spirit work you do, to connect with the right type of spiritual being you'll need to be in the right mindset. The more powerful and high frequency the spirit is at, the harder it can be to attune to their vibration.
For connecting with dragons I reccomend you do some heavy work on cleansing the environment and yourself, as well as make sure you have strong protections (how to do that is a matter for another post). Offerings prior to any ritual are also a great idea.
And after all the cleansing you will need to keep your negative thoughts and emotions in check as to not energetically upset the balance you have achieved. Of course, it's impossible to never experience these, so when you do it will be good to remind yourself to keep calm and return to a state of peace.
You may wonder - do I even have a dragon guardian? Maybe, maybe not. Either way, if you want to connect with any dragon willing to help you out you will need to do some introspection and evaluate things such as:
If I meet a dragon, what will I do with that information? What is my purpose? What is my goal with all of this?
Knowledge for the sake of knowing it is useless. You are far more likely to get a response from any spiritual being if you intend to do something with the information you're asking for, otherwise you're just wasting their time and energy to entertain a selfish curiosity.
After you have aligned your goals, energy, environment and mindset it's time to actually try to get in touch.
Do keep in mind that how successful you are can vary a lot depending on how keen you are to sensing energies, experience, whether the technique works for you and whether the dragon actually thinks if you're ready to meet them or not.
I recommend you try to "set the mood". You definitely DON'T need to do all of these or get a lot of supplies, but if you think you can get your hands on these things they may help you connect more easily:
Turn on music that you think matches the draconic energy you are looking for.
Gather elements of nature such as rocks, plants, branches and crystals that you feel are right for what you are doing. Remember to always ask for permission when taking anything from nature and make sure it's legal!
Gather the four elements. Light a candle, an incense, get a glass of water... for earth you can use crystals but I personally like having living plants.
You can turn off the lights to help your mind slow down. You can focus on the candle, or close your eyes so that you can pay more attention on what you feel rather than what you see.
Dress for the occasion. No particular outfit needed, just try to make it feel special.
You can gather and use any personal tools you have, like a wand, athame, or sacred necklace.
It is preferable to have a protective token with you, if you have any. If you don’t a protection circle will do!
Please remember you can connect with spirits without any of these, and you can have all of these and still feel nothing. These are things that usually HELP, but it's YOU who makes it happen.
When I met my dragon guide it was through a tarot reading. I didn't even have my own cards, I used a website to draw my cards and after I did I felt the need to close my eyes and just "feel it". I was not yet ready to work with this dragon (damn, it took me almost a decade), and even though I doubted it when the time came it turned out my odd attempt at tarot reading was actually VERY accurate.
I did not use a specific spread as far as I remember. I was never a spread type of reader. I just pulled the cards with the intention of figuring out the energy of the dragon and the meaning revealed itself with each card drawn, as well as their collective energy.
Some ideas of what to look for in your divination session are:
Is there a particular element, symbol or environment this dragon is associated with?
What can they teach me?
What should I do to connect and work with them?
Do they think I am ready? If not, what should I do?
What are they like? Big and bulky, or slender and gracious? Do they have limbs? How many? What colors do they like most?
What do they expect from how? How are you supposed to behave around them?
These answers may come to you in the cards (literally) or through your intuition (subjectively). Both are valid, don't restrict yourself just to what you see.
Remember no two readers read the same way. If you are already into divination, work with whatever you have the most affinity with. If you like tarot spreads or boards, that's awesome! If you're more of a intuitive reader don't be afraid of trusting yourself either. As long as you are prepared, you're good to go.
If you're not a reader and would instead like to get someone else to do the divination for you, make sure you are familiar with the reader. What do they usually read? What is their moral compass like? How do your guts feel about them? And even after the reading, it's important you trust what your own intuition says about it all.
Meditation means different things for different people.
For some it can be a state of relaxation and observing ones thoughts and feelings. Feeling energy. If this is the route you want to take, before you start the meditation you can invite the dragon to come and let you feel their energy.
You can also kind of turn this into a prayer/conversation kind of thing by talking to them either verbally, or through sharing with them your thoughts and/or feelings. I really like doing it this way because it feels very personal and emotions can get very strong. However, it is basically impossible to do if you are struggling with negative feelings or feeling very anxious. Unfortunately if you're not at balance and you can't bring yourself back to a relaxed state feeling them is going to be really hard.
The other way to do meditation is through guided meditation. With this technique you will have someone else being your guide and taking your mind on a journey. This is very beginner friendly and something I enjoyed a lot when I was first getting into meditation.
You don't have to restrict yourself to everything your guide says. They are there mostly to help you stay in the right mindset and remind you of what you're doing, plus facilitating your connection.
There are a few dragon-specific meditations online. Unfortunately there aren't many, but if the ones there are don't work for you you can either improvise with a more general guided meditation or use ones aimed at spirit guides and deities.
I'm using the word prayer to describe "establishing some sort of dialogue with a spiritual entity". If you'd like you can write your own prayer and treat it more as a sort of reverence to the dragons, this can definitely deepen your connection.
But prayer can be as simple as sitting in silence, in a peaceful mindset, and talking to your dragon guide. I would avoid unimportant mundane matters... It is best to have a dialogue that can actually help you connect with the dragon. Telling them your goals, your thoughts, asking about them... then just pay attention to how your body feels, and what thoughts come up. You may wish to avoid talking about problems right away if your focus is to get to know them.
This sort of direct-ish communication doesn't necessarily require anything fancy. If you are able to tune in, you can do it anywhere. But as I mentioned before, certain tools can help you with that, and it's always a good idea to make sure you are protected.
Be specific about it and ideally set a time period for it to show up. If you ask for a sign that is too easy to come up and easily explainable by physical causes then anything can feel like a sign and lead you into delusion. If it's too complex it can take a long time to manifest in the physical world.
Also keep in mind a sign can come in a more subjective way. For example, if you ask for a rainbow apple to confirm a sign from your dragon perhaps you'll not get a literal rainbow colored apple, but instead a crazy music video with psychedelic rainbow aesthetic and random apples (as well as other objects) thrown around. Yeah this has happened to me - but regarding Loki.
Overall I'm very very careful with signs and I'd rather try the other methods a few times before asking for this one because it's way too easy for your mind to get in your way (either making you doubtful or leading you into finding your signs) or you asking for things that are too out of this world. For the average person asking for signs is not healthy or trustworthy. Plus, it rarely gives you any further insight into the dragon.
After you're done make sure to thank the dragons for their time and energy however you like. It is a great time to give them an offering if you haven't already.
If you did not feel anything, keep trying. Keep this off your mind for a few days then try again, or try the next few weeks once per week. If you are still unsuccessful you can ask the dragons why they are not showing up, or what is blocking you from feeling them.
If you felt something but still couldn't figure out much about the dragon, be patient. There could be a number of reasons why. You may ask them for clarification!
In any case, the keyword is Patience. It can take years for you to be truly ready to work with them. Sometimes they are willing to work with you, but even when you think you are ready, you end up backing away... and that's okay. They are rarely in a hurry, and neither should you.
Thank you for reading!
I’ve gotten this question before, from other witches and myself: what do you do when your main power source sets for the night?
Nighttime is for shadows, things that are fundamentally different from who I am. The moon is my friend but also not my patron, so what’s there for me to draw strength from?
Well, like most things, it’s complicated. Every witch is an individual, and every sun witch will cope with the disappearance of the sun in a different way. Some will charge sigils or crystals during the day and use that as a back up until the sun rises.
Personally, I transfer my energy from the sun to the stars. All energies have at least some form of duality in their nature, sometimes many more facets than just duality.
The sun is no different, and for me, the star girl comes to life at night.
The stars are her cold light from eons away. I can feel weaker, true, but I accept that darkness is a welcome part of our being, and necessary for us to rest. I feel like some separation from the sun mother is good for me to recharge.
The stars are a much more gentle energy, cool and refreshing. I shine with a colder, white light, and I am much less grounded mentally. This is the time to think about the vastness of the universe beyond us, perhaps about how small we are, also shining like stars in the dark with our different energies.
The only time I am uncomfortable at night is when clouds cover the moon and stars. When I look up a see nothing but a black void bearing down on me. I become uncomfortable with no lights in the darkness.
I’d love to hear from other sun witches about what they do at night! Do you transfer your power to the moon? Do you just wait it out? Or don’t even think about it at all? I’m curious!
-Solarian
Hello World! (hehe)
Ive noticed a lack of information on techno-magic and what being a tech witch might entail! Tech magic is the use of modern-day technology in our magical practices! This can be a secular practice OR someone may pair other aspects of theology into it! There is also 'Technopaganism' which is the merge of neopaganism and digital magic. Some people may worship tech and its energy or some people simply use it as a tool for ritual magic!
In this post I wanted to showcase a few ideas to get you started in the tech practice! The first section being common tools, the second is common tech practices, and the last is about how to take steps into your new tech practice and advance forward!
First: The tools To get started here are some amazing apps people might get on their phones to carry magic anywhere
The Moon is an iphone based calander with a bunch of free information about the phases of the moon and even crystals and intentions related to the phase!
Rune reading on the Google Play Store this is a divination app in relation to runes!
Citrine Circle is a great crystal data base to keep track of crystal you either have or want to get
Time Passages is a free chart reader that will read your whole astrological chart!
Labrynthos is a free tarot app that not only gives you access to free tarot, oracle, and lenormand decks, but it teaches you how to read them
Next are physical or digital items you can use in your craft, I will go in more detail in the sections to follow!
Computers, phones, tablets
Mouse
Keyboards
Applications and websites
coding platforms
Second: The Practice
This section is all about creating ideas to use for your craft! This section is all about how to integrate common witchy things into your craft! There are thousands of ways to do this so it would be impossible for me to share every idea but hopefully, these get your creative juices flowing
Cleanse using music or beats you enjoy over a speaker
Use mechanical processes in your spells (for example your cars computer could be a green light charm if you hate waiting in red lights)
Create digital grimoires on places like notation or google docs
Create altars on places like Pinterest or sandbox games
Play video games with intentions, like tycoon games for prosperity and FPS for warding
Use autotune during chants to add more power to your voice
Use screens for scrying or intuition practices
Shufflemancy is when you shuffle through a playlist and get a song as a form of divination
Use the energy of a crystal on your screen if you don't physically have one
create digital sigils and hide them around your electronics
Learn a coding language and mess around with enchanting code
Third: How to move forward
So now that you have a few recommendations how can you advance? first research, check out some of these sources for even more information
Tech Magick for Digital Witches
Other Community tech posts
Wiki on technopaganism
Cyber Spell books (Note this was written in 2002 so it is very outdated, however it is actually one of the more recent ones I see online)
Now, Research is going to be the backbone of any practice, however, tech magic doesn't have definite rules so experimentation is going to be your best friend so here are my top tips
If you learn about a new practice ask yourself how you can make it digital (like crystals and the crystals in your phone)
Look deeper into the practice, as you explore how your computer works ask yourself 'why' frequently and question how things work
look into superstitions coders and virtual friends have in relation to computers, are they rooted in anything?
I think that is all for today friends! I hope you all enjoy and if you have any questions feel free to post them in the comments!
commission for Alibastaire on twitter
[Title]: Taglocks: How to Target a Person or Place
Related to Taglocks
Introduction
A taglock stands as a fundamental element of spellcasting, bridging the material world with the energies, places, and people practitioners seek to influence. A taglock is, at its core, a tangible object that establishes a direct link to a specific target. This object serves as a conduit through which energy can be directed, manipulated, or harnessed in various spellwork and ritualistic practices.
The term "taglock" itself is derived from the concept of 'tagging' or marking something with a specific identifier, and 'lock,' which implies securing or anchoring a connection. Thus, a taglock effectively anchors the essence or energy of a person, place, or thing to the practitioner’s ritualistic focus. This tangible item could be something inherently connected to the target, such as a personal belonging or a biological sample, thereby ensuring that the magical workings are precise and targeted.
History
The use of objects to establish a connection with a person, place, or entity is a practice that can be traced back to ancient civilizations. The principles underlying taglocks are fundamentally tied to the broader concepts of sympathetic magic and animism, both of which have been integral to human spirituality and ritualistic practices for millennia.
Mesopotamia and Egypt: In ancient Mesopotamian and Egyptian cultures, magic was an integral part of daily life and religious practice. Objects such as amulets, talismans, and personal artifacts were often used to protect, heal, or curse individuals. These items were believed to carry the essence or influence of the person or deity they were associated with. For instance, in ancient Egypt, hair, nails, or pieces of clothing were sometimes used in magical rituals to exert influence over an individual, embodying the early concept of taglocks.
Greece and Rome: The Greco-Roman world also embraced the use of personal items in magic. The Greek Magical Papyri, a collection of ancient magical texts, includes numerous spells that call for the use of personal objects such as hair, nails, and garments. These items were believed to create a sympathetic link to the target, enabling the practitioner to influence them from a distance. This practice reflects the underlying principle of sympathetic magic, where "like affects like," a foundational concept for the use of taglocks.
Folk Magic and Witchcraft: In medieval Europe, the use of personal items in folk magic and witchcraft was widespread. Cunning folk, wise women, and witches often employed objects belonging to their clients or targets in their spells and rituals. These objects served as conduits for magical influence, much like modern taglocks. For example, poppets (dolls representing individuals) were frequently stuffed with hair, nails, or clothing scraps from the person they were intended to influence.
Grimoires and Magical Texts: The grimoires and magical texts of the Renaissance period also provide evidence of the use of personal items in magic. The "Key of Solomon," a well-known grimoire, includes instructions for using personal items in rituals to bind or influence others. The "Malleus Maleficarum," a notorious witch-hunting manual, documents the belief in and fear of witches using such items to cast spells.
African Diasporic Traditions: In various traditional religions and spiritual practices, the use of personal items for magical purposes is common. For example, in Vodou and Hoodoo, personal items such as hair, clothing, and personal effects are used in rituals and spellwork to create a link to the target. These items, often referred to as "personal concerns," function similarly to taglocks by establishing a direct connection between the practitioner and the individual they wish to influence.
Asian Traditions: In Asian cultures, particularly in traditional Chinese and Japanese practices, the use of personal items in magic and healing is also prevalent. In Chinese folk religion and Taoist magic, personal items are used in rituals to heal or protect individuals. Similarly, in Shinto practices in Japan, personal items can be used in purification and protective rituals.
Contemporary Witchcraft: The modern revival of witchcraft, particularly since the mid-20th century, has seen a resurgence in the use of taglocks. Contemporary practitioners draw on historical and cross-cultural practices, adapting the use of personal items to fit modern magical frameworks. Books on witchcraft and magic frequently discuss the use of taglocks, emphasizing their importance in creating a tangible link to the target.
Neo-Pagan & Occultist Movements: Neo-Pagan movements, such as various forms of Wicca, have incorporated the concept of taglocks into their practices. These movements often emphasize the importance of personal connection and the use of physical objects to ground and direct magical energy. While these practices have evolved, they continue to reflect the ancient principles of sympathetic magic and the use of personal items to establish a magical connection.
How do Taglocks Work?
In the practice of traditional witchcraft, the efficacy of a taglock lies in its ability to establish a connection between the anchored spell and the target. This connection is primarily rooted in the principles of sympathetic magic, a foundational concept that posits that objects can influence one another through their inherent similarities or direct associations; as well as energetic entanglement, the process through which identical energetic compounds can interact without direct spatial contact.
Sympathetic magic operates on the premise that a taglock, due to its intimate connection with the target, acts as a proxy or representative. The energy directed towards the taglock is believed to transfer seamlessly to the target, facilitating the intended transformation or influence. This is often articulated through the maxim "like effects like," underscoring the principle that items connected by similarity or direct contact can impact each other even when physically separated.
The energetic link established through a taglock is akin to an invisible thread that connects the practitioner’s will to the target. This thread is not a physical entity but an energetic conduit through which influence flows. The strength and clarity of this connection depend on the nature of the taglock and the amount of genetic material it carries. For instance, a strand of hair or a piece of clothing with trace amounts of skin cells creates a more potent connection than a mere photograph or written name. This is due to the energetic compounds that are unique to each person’s genetic sequence and their higher probability to be energetically entangled. While a sympathetic connection works well in most situations, having an energetic connection is significantly more reliable.
Anchoring is a necessary step in the utilization of taglocks, involving the establishment of a lasting connection between the taglock and the target within a spell. This process entails affixing the taglock firmly to the desired magical outcome, thereby ensuring that the energy directed through the taglock manifests effectively in the target’s life. Anchoring is not merely about physical attachment but the energetic binding of the taglock to the spell's energetic design.
To anchor a taglock, the practitioner must first select a taglock that has a strong and clear connection to the target. The effectiveness of anchoring is directly proportional to the relevance and potency of the chosen taglock. The next step involves ritually preparing the taglock. This can include cleansing the taglock to remove any extraneous energies, thereby ensuring that it is a pure conduit for the spell’s purpose. Common methods of cleansing include using elements like water, fire, or salt, each method tailored to the nature of the taglock and the spell.
Once cleansed, the practitioner imbues the taglock with the desired energy through a ritual. This may involve chanting, the use of symbols, or the invocation of natural forces to charge the taglock. The ritual acts as a ceremonial binding, infusing the taglock with the energy necessary to enact the spell’s purpose. During this process, the practitioner focuses intensely on the connection between the taglock and the target, reinforcing the energetic link.
Finally, the taglock is integrated into the spell structure. This can be achieved by pulling an energetic conduit from the taglock and into the spell’s anchor. This way, a solid circuit can be established. The key is to position the taglock in a manner that aligns with the natural flow of energy, ensuring that the spell’s influence is directed towards the target with minimal resistance. Just placing a taglock into a jar with other elements has a chance of establishing its own energetic connection, however it is not very likely.
Unbinding Taglocks
The most effective method of unbinding a taglock is energetic dismantling, which requires the careful and deliberate dismantling of the energetic connections that have been established during its use. Energetic dismantling is a method that involves consciously deconstructing the energic structures and pathways that link the taglock to its target. This process ensures that the influences exerted through the taglock are effectively neutralized, preventing any residual effects from lingering.
The practitioner utilizes their energetic awareness in order to visually and mentally map out the energetic connections emanating from the taglock. This step is crucial, as it allows for a clear understanding of how the energy has been structured and directed. Once these connections are identified, the practitioner then introduces energetic compounds that are of the opposite frequencies of the energetic connections. This will cause the energetic connections to cancel out and become inert.
After all the connections have been severed, the practitioner proceeds to cleanse the taglock to remove any residual energy. This can be done using elements such as water, salt, or incense, depending on the nature of the taglock and the preferences of the practitioner. The cleansing process ensures that the taglock is fully neutralized, rendering it inert and free from any remaining influence.
Anchor destruction is a more direct and often physical approach to unbinding taglocks. This method involves the literal destruction of the taglock itself, effectively dismantling the anchor that connects it to the target. Anchor destruction is particularly effective when the taglock is a physical object that can be easily manipulated or disposed of.
The first step in anchor destruction is to identify the nature of the taglock and choose an appropriate method of destruction. For physical objects, this could involve burning, breaking, or burying the taglock. Each method carries its own symbolic significance and energetic impact. For instance, burning a taglock in a fire ritual symbolizes purification and transformation, reducing the object to ashes and dispersing its energy into the air. Breaking the taglock into pieces represents a forceful severing of the connection, while burying it in the earth signifies grounding and neutralization.
During the destruction, the practitioner may recite incantations or prayers to reinforce the unbinding process, so long as they do not cause the practitioner to break their state of gnosis. This could serve to solidify the practitioner's will and direct the energy towards severing the connection. As before, cleansing is also recommended afterwards.
Cord cutting is a technique used to sever the energetic cords or ties that bind the taglock to its target. These cords represent the strings of fate, or channels through which energy flows, maintaining the connection established by the taglock. Cord cutting is a powerful method for releasing these ties, allowing both the practitioner and the target to move forward unencumbered.
To perform a cord-cutting ritual, the practitioner begins by grounding and centering themselves, creating a stable foundation for the work ahead. The taglock is then placed before the practitioner, and a clear intention to sever the energetic cords is set. This intention is crucial, as it directs the focus and power of the ritual.
A common tool for cord cutting is a ritual knife or athame, though other tools such as scissors or even one’s hands can be used depending on the practitioner’s preference. The practitioner then uses their awareness to feel for the energetic cords extending from the taglock and uses the tool to cut through these cords. Each cut is made with deliberate precision.
During the process, the practitioner may also employ visualization techniques to enhance the effectiveness of the ritual. This could involve imagining the cords dissolving into light, evaporating like mist, or being absorbed back into the earth. These visualizations help to solidify the disconnection on both an energetic and psychological level so long as one is aware that visualization in and of itself is not a spell nor energy work.
After the cords have been cut, the practitioner performs a cleansing ritual to purify the space and themselves. This ensures that any residual energy from the cords is fully cleared away, preventing any unintended consequences or lingering attachments. The taglock, now devoid of its energetic ties, can be safely disposed of or repurposed as desired.
Cord cutting not only releases the target from the influence of the taglock but also frees the practitioner from the energetic investment in the spell. This liberation allows for a fresh start, unburdened by the previous connections, and opens the way for new magical endeavors.
Taglock Alternatives
Taglock alternatives are useful in situations where obtaining a physical item linked to the target is impractical or impossible, such as when working at a distance or in covert operations. Methods like visualizations, sigils, memories, elemental representations, and astrological correspondences may still establish a sympathetic link to the target. However, these alternatives often lack the direct energetic connection that taglocks provide, making them less efficient. The inherent uncertainty and reduced potency of these methods can lead to weaker or less reliable spell outcomes, requiring greater effort and near flawless spell design from the practitioner to achieve the desired effects.
Sigils and Symbols: Creating a unique symbol or sigil that represents the target can be a powerful tool. This symbol can be charged with energy and intent to direct the spell's effect.
Visualization Techniques: Instead of using a physical object, practitioners can employ detailed mental images of the target. This involves deeply focusing on the target’s attributes and characteristics during the spellcasting process.
Memories of an individual or location: Using specific memories that encapsulate the essence or identity of the target can serve as a focal point. Repeatedly recalling or chanting the target’s name or a descriptive phrase can help direct the spell.
Elemental Representations: Associating the target with a particular element (earth, air, fire, water) and using that element in the spell can establish a connection. For example, water could be used to represent a person with a flowing, adaptable nature.
Astrological Correspondences: Using the astrological sign, planetary influence, or birth chart of the target can provide a non-physical link. Aligning the spell with specific astrological times or planetary hours that correspond to the target can enhance the connection.
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Too many people who are interested in Dionysus worry that he'll reject them if they aren't some flavour of alcoholic, so I say this gently:
PLEASE RESEARCH HIM
Dionysus is so much more than a drunkard wine god who requires your inebriation (he isn't and he doesn't). He's a god of the oppressed, of insanity, of liberation, of death and rebirth, of fertility, and yes, of wine
Dionysus is violence, love, the calm before the storm and the rage within one, the breath before you scream and your roar of victory, communion, ecstasy, dance, utter stillness, anger, joy...
And he will love you no matter what
This post has been rephrased from the original
Welcome to energy work 101, the beginner course. This course is for those who are new to energy work, as well for those who know some of the basics but wish to brush up some more before moving on to more advanced things. This crash course will take you over the basics, and give you exercises to practice with so you improve and become more confident incorporating energy work into your everyday practice. In this course you will learn the following things……
Grounding & Centering
Breathwork
Warding
Shielding with energy
Chakra History & the western system (Energy Centers/Points)
How to create energy balls
How to feel your own energy
Basic Knowledge of the energy body (Subtle Body)
So without further ado lets get started!
How to feel your own energy
How to feel your own energy?- I put this one last because i didn't want anyone to be overwhelmed especially if your just now starting to get into energy work. For some bringing their own energy to the surface and feeling it can come naturally, for some not so much. Some might find it easier to draw energy from outside sources rather than using their own. So whatever the reason may be, we are here to help you in the journey to feel your own energy.
Exercise 1-
Lay down in a comfortable position, or sit in one, which ever is more relaxing for you.
Still your mind. Mindfulness is a wonderful tool, helping bring focus and inner peace. Take big slow breaths, in through your nose and exhaling through your mouth. Do this until you feel your body relax. Allow whatever thoughts that may arise, to come in go, do not heed them much attention.
Then in your mind, will your energy to rise. You can say an affirmation, or focus on your breath. You might start to feel tingly or you may feel very little. It can vary from person to person.
Next, if you feel anything focus on that feeling. What does it feel like? Is it only on part of your body, or all over? Can you direct all to one spot? If so congrats, you are feeling your energy.
Practice this everyday. Energetic awareness is a very important skill to learn, and is used by even the most advanced energy practitioners.
What is Grounding and Centering and how do you go about it?
Grounding- Grounding is a practice that involves and encourages the release of excess energy that does not serve us, by connecting the kind body and spirit with the earth. This exercise is also a great way to replenish energy.
Centering- Centering is the intentional act of bringing your energy back into alignment, bringing balance and focus to your inner self. This is usually done after setting an intention for centering.
Exercises-
Spend time out in nature, barefoot.
Practice mindfulness. Close your eyes, and only focus on your breathing. Allow thoughts to come and go, do not pay them to much attention, Don't fret if this is difficult at first, it will get easier with practice. 5-10 minutes is a good amount of time to start out with daily.
Grounding Meditation Exercise- Sit down anywhere that is comfortable for you, and close your eyes. Take slow deep breaths in and out, calming your body. Once you feel calm enough, visualize, roots coming out of you, connecting to the earth. Visualize them connecting deep beneath the planets surface. Then visualize anything negative you feel about yourself, or anything that is weighing you down, being absorbed into the earth. Continue to do this until you feel satisfied. Thank mother earth for providing assistance.
Black Hole Grounding- One of my favorite exercises is the black hole grounding technique. So what you do is you find a comfortable place, preferably quiet, and relax. Take slow deep breaths, followed by slow exhales. Then Visualize yourself in space, surrounded by stars and planets. You’re just floating there in place. The visualize a black hole above your head. Imagine that all the negative thoughts and feelings or anything else that is troubling you has turned into silver particles of energy that started at the base of your spine and are traveling upwards, escaping through the top of your head into the black hole. Do this until you feel grounded.
Breathwork, such as the 4,7,8 breath. Breath in for 4 counts, hold for 7 counts, and exhale for 8 counts. This helps the vagus nerve, which is responsible for quite a lot in the body. This technique helps calm the body, relieve anxiety and stress, while helping you focus on the present/present task at hand.
Visualization- Close your eyes and visualize a bright warm sun above you. You’re laying in a field of soft grass, surrounded by your favorite plants. A light breeze is blowing through. The sun is shining down its warmth. Now visualize the sun rays flowing through your body, in a bright light. Rejuvenating you, allowing you to feel calm and at peace, your inner self finding balance and focus. Continue to do this until you feel the need to stop.
Movement- Movement such as Dancing, Yoga, Working out, or even a simple walk, no matter the distance can help you center yourself.
What is Breathwork?
Breathwork at the barebones is a technique that has its deep roots in yoga, and is designed to help you release excess anxiety, stress and toxins from the body. The anxiety, stress and toxins are released when you breathe out, and its believed that when you breathe in you’re nourishing your body.
Breathwork Exercises-
4-7-8 Breath- Breathe in for 4 counts, hold your breath for 7, and breathe out for 8 counts.’
Diaphragmatic Breathing-
Lay Down on your back your knees bent, and a pillow underneath your head
Place one hand on your chest, and the other underneath your ribcage
Slowly take a deep breath through the nose, letting your belly expand
Do not move your hands as you slowly exhale through your mouth
Equal Breathing-
Sit down in a comfortable position
Breathe in and out through your nose slowly
Making sure each breath is even, count during your inhale and exhale
Add a comfortable pause after each inhale and exhale
Do this 5 minutes daily
Deep Breathing-
Get into a comfortable standing or sitting position
Deeply inhale through your nose
Retain your breath for 5 Counts (You can do more if you have good lung capacity or feel comfortable doing so)
Slowly release your breath by exhaling through your nose
Resonant/Coherent Breathing-
Inhale for 5 counts, laying, sitting or standing’
Exhale for 5 counts laying, sitting or standing
Repeat for as long as needed (Preferably for a few minutes a day)
What is Warding?- Wards are a type of Magical defense or protection spell cast with the intention to guard against negative energies, entities, or other forms of harm ranging from spiritual, emotional to physical. When casting a ward, it can be used on a person, place, or object. Wards are usually created using different symbols, words, items, rituals or energy. Now you maybe thinking, how do i ward? Or how do i ward if i am a closeted practitioner and im going to show you.
First you need to cleanse or purify your space of any unwanted energies. Some things that are good for this are lavender, lilac, cedar, cumin, dragons blood (my personal fave), garlic, onion, basil and more (Research into herbs for banishment and pick and choose what you feel will work best for you)
Set your intention. Setting your intention is an extremely important, as it allows you steady and focus your mind on the task at hand. It also helps set up the ward for any energies you don't want slipping through.
Choosing your tools! Another important step! It can range from anything really. Sigils, crystals, wands, chalices, athames, a cauldron, your own energy even.
Maintaining your wards is the next step after intention and choosing your tools. This can be done in various ways. Putting water charged with the energy of a celestial body, such as the moon, sun stars etc above and around doorways, and windows, drawing sigils with a specific intent around the doorways and windows, placing crystals at the four corners is another way. Another way is an energetic boundary.
Cleanse and take care of your wards. Charge your crystals, redo the sigils, use more charged water.
Warding with a space with your energy-
Sit in comfortable position
Close your eyes steadying your breath
Will your energy to come to the surface, do not force it. Let it surface on its own.
Visualize your energy expanding outwards with the intention (whatever your intention maybe) surrounding and protecting you and your space.
Do this until you feel the need to stop. Make sure to rest and eat healthy as this ward is tied to you. You are the catalyst the energy source for keeping the ward going. Make sure you are taking time to keep your energy field clean.
What is shielding?- Shielding is a way to protect yourself from psychic, mental or some kind of magical attack. Its creating an energy barrier around yourself, one that people cant penetrate or get past to cause you any harm.
How to Shield yourself-
Get into a calm, preferably quiet environment. Calm your mind and focus
Once this is done there is multiple ways to shield. If you want to use your own energy, will it to the surface. If you are using an outside source, such as the sun, moon, or another celestial body, ask for them to lend their energy.
Once you have gathered up energy, visualize it being weaved together, like a basket, or like a spider weaving a web. Visualize it forming a protective bubble around you, allowing nothing to penetrate it.
Continuing visualizing until you feel the shield is complete. Make sure to check on your shield every so often, as it can wear and tear if the energy is not kept up with.
History of chakras- The chakra system was said to have originated in India sometime between 1500 and 500 BC in the oldest texts called the vedas. Evidence of chakras, spelled cakra, is also found in the Shri Jabala Darshana Upanishad, the Cudamini Upanishad, the Yoga-Shikka Upanishad and the Shandilya Upanishad. According to the author Anodea Judith, who wrote in her book titled the “Wheels of Life” knowledge of the chakra system was said to have been passed down through oral tradition, from the indonesian people to the european people also called Aryan people. The chakra system was traditionally Eastern concept until new age western authors, liked the texts, and appropriating the culture made it more “accessible”
Chakras are small spinning wheels or disks that run along the spine in the human body. The main 7 are the most known ones, but it has been mentioned that there could possibly be up to 114.
Western System- The western system “expanded” upon the Energy centers. These ways are not the ways the chakras were have said to be practiced in ancient times. The western system has also expanded how many energy centers there are in general. The transpersonal energy centers are ones that are believed to lie outside the body, below the feet and above the head. The main 7 energy centers are also commonly used. The western system also practices that each energy center or point has a color. These being the colors of the visible light spectrum. The western system teaches that if you wear a certain color or eat a certain food, or wear a certain crystal that pertains to that energy center or energy centers, that the energy will flow. This system has practices the energy centers can be closed off, or unbalanced.
7 main energy centers
Root
Sacral
Solar Plexus
Heart
Throat
Third Eye
Crown
These are the energy centers that run up and down your spine. The root is said to sit on the bottom or base of the spine, the sacral sitting on the naval, the solar plexus in the diaphragm area below the rib cage but above the belly button, the heart at the center of the chest, the throat in the middle of your throat, the third eye above the brow where the pineal gland sits and the crown is believed the rest on the top of your head.
How to create energy balls- Energy balls are a fun beginner practice and a great way to really feel and shape your own energy (and energy from outside sources) So how do you start?
Start by getting into a comfortable positon where you can relax. Will your energy to the surface (This may take a couple of tries).
When you feel you got a good hold of your energy, visualize it traveling down to your hands.
Once you feel it in your hands, hold your hands together
“Trapping the energy” In between them. Slowly move them apart, and as you do, will it into the shape of a ball. Again this could take multiple attempts and requires focus, so do not be disheartened if at first you don't get it.
Once you have a grasp on your energy ball, take notice of how the energy feels, Does it feel heavy or light? What color is the energy? If you cant tell these things right away, again that is fine.
Toss the energy ball back and forth in your hands. Play around with the energy, and overall just have fun. This is a fun beginner exercise and something that even if you get it on the first attempt should be practiced daily.
What is the Energy body and why is it important?- The energy body is said to be between the physical body and the emotional body, and is composed of 5 layers, going from the “gross” to the most “subtle”. The five bodies are….
The Physical Body
The Energetic Body
The Emotional Body
The Mental Body
The Subtle Body
The energy centers, energy channels (meridians) and the aura all play a key part in the Energetic Anatomy of the body. The 5 bodies alongside the different parts of our energetic anatomy are said to be a key part (especially in holistic energy medicine) of helping us maintain wellness, of the body mind and spirit.
I hope you have enjoyed this small energy work 101 beginners guide. I hope this helps you get started on your energy journey, and heres to hoping that you practice everyday, and continue to learn and evolve as you do so. Remember, the only thing holding you back is yourself, and by reading this guide, and putting into practices the exercises contained within it, you’ve already taken the first step, in your amazing journey
-Davie