TEA – To consume. Steep herbs, flowers, or roots in hot water. Vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants found in herbal teas provide many short and long-term health benefits. Used for colds, immune system, digestive system, inflammation, anti-aging, stress, anxiety, or skin health, among other treatments.
TINCTURE – To consume. Herbs that have been stepped in alcohol or vinegar in process of extraction, creating a concentrated liquid form of a herb. Preserve and concentrate the properties of the herb, making them more effective and longer lasting. Fill glass jar with dried herbs. Filling half full will make a stronger (don’t pack down.) Pour boiling water to just dampen all of the herbs. Fill the rest of the jar with vodka and stir. Store the jar in a cool/dry place, shaking daily, for at least three weeks and up to six months. Strain and store in blue or amber dropper bottles (or clean glass jars.) Take 2-3 drops daily.
POULTICE – Topical application. Moistened herbs formed and patted down over area where needed (like herbal band-aid). Place whole or powdered herbs in a bowl and add hot water to stick together. Apply topically and use medical gauze to hold in place. Good for: stings, bites, wounds, broken bones, infection, boils, in-grown issues, acne, or anything that needs to be drawn from the skin.
FOMENTATION – Topical application. Strong steep infusion of herbs (typically stronger than what you would drink). Infuse, strain, and soak cloth in infusion, applying to area where needed. Useful for wrapping a body part or treating large area.
TOPICAL WASH – Topical application. Similar to fomentations, but instead infuse herbs and strain then soak affected body part in the infusion. Direct contact allows herbs to penetrate in unique way.
HERBAL OIL – Topical application. Herbs are “baked” in base oil such as: olive, sweet almond, apricot, jojoba, avocado, grape seed, or hemp. Can use fresh or dried plant material and sun or Oven as heat source. Heat extracts the oil soluble healing components of the herbs to create the healing oil. Herbal oil often used to make other products such as salves, lotions, or creams but can be used on their own.
SALVE – Topical application. Treatment with the consistency of a balm or ointment. Made by adding beeswax to a herbal oil until desired consistency. Used to sooth skin after a burn, bite, sting, abrasion, or other surface problems.
Informational Posts
Recommended Reading List
Common Misconceptions of Hekate
What is Hekatean Witchcraft?
Hekate as the Cosmic World Soul
Crowned with Snakes and Branches of Oak: Hekate Brimo
Hekate as a Witch Goddess
Hekate’s Plants/Herbs
Offerings for Hekate
Signs From Hekate
Crossroads and Hekate
Hekate Oil Recipe
Small Ways to Incorporate Hekate Worship/Devotion into Your Everyday Life
Zeus and Hekate
Hekatean Home Protection
Hekate Prayers
Prayer to the Many Faces of Hekate
Hymn to Hekate Pharmakeia
Prayer of Devotion to Hekate
Prayer to Hekate on the Dark Moon
Prayer to Hekate for Vengeance and Justice
Medea’s Invocation of Hekate
Prayer to Hekate for Guidance
Nightly Prayer to Hekate
Prayer to Hekate Soteira
Prayer to Hekate of the Foxes for Guidance
Prayer to Hekate When Crossing Thresholds
Prayer to Hekate to Avert Evil Spirits
Spells and Rituals
Hekatean Circle Casting
Full Moon Ritual
Hekate’s Deipnon and Dark Moon Ritual
Rite of Dedication to Hekate
Invocation of Hekate for Rites of the Dead
Invocation of Hekate and Helios for Aid in Witchcraft
To Prevent an Enemy’s Progress and Success
Hekate’s Open Pathways Spell
Hekatean Witchcraft Curse
Ritual to Banish a Malignant Spirit
Introduction to Worshipping Medeia
Medeia Epithets
Prayer to Medeia for Women’s Empowerment
Prayer to Medeia for Aid in Witchcraft
Prayer to Medeia for Vengeance
Prayer to Medeia for Guidance
Offerings for Pan
Invocation of Pan for Aid in Witchcraft
To Pan in the Fall
To Pan in the Winter
Prayer to Pan for Easing Depression
Pan’s Love and Sex Charm
Shrines: A Moderately In-Depth Look
Witchcraft History Book Recommendations
Deities, Worship, and Magic
Prayer Candle Divination
On Substitutions
A Note on Priesthood
Witchcraft and Hellenic Polytheism
A Cunning Man Who Liked Men: A Bit About James Thomas
Kirke’s True Colors Spell
Rite of Blood
To Curse a Bigot
Halloween Ritual
To Strengthen a Distant Relationship
Stop Gossip Spell
For Protection Against Witchcraft
Gay Love Spell: To Conjure Love from Another Man
(To be continuously updated)
Casual ways to connect with your deities
-Pray to them or just just talk with them and tell them about your day
-Light a candle and say your thanks
-Offer your meal/snack to them or bake/cook with them or for them
-Watch a movie in their honor
-Offer your morning drink to them or make a cup for them
-Assign them a plant and take care of it as a devotion to them
-Listen to music that reminds you of them
-Say good morning/good night
-Thank them for the things you see that you consider beautiful
Many of these misconceptions can be very popular, but have no historical backing.
-She is a “crone goddess”
This misconception probably comes from more recent literary representations of her. In Ancient Greek religion she was always portrayed as a young maiden.
-She is a “triple goddess” or the Triple Goddess
The Triple Goddess is a purely modern creation/belief. This concept of deity was created in the mid 1900s along with Wicca. Since Hekate predates Wicca and neo-pagan movements by about 2,000 years, she couldn’t really be the Triple Goddess. She is not a Wiccan deity, so therefore, she would not be defined or characterized by a Wiccan concept of deity. While she is commonly portrayed as three women, that was only to depict her domain over the three way crossroads, unlike the Triple Goddess whose aspects each represent a different thing.
-Hekate is not a witch goddess
This is so far from true. Even if this role isn’t one of her original roles, such as the ones described by Hesiod, this aspect did become quite prevalent later in the Hellenic world. The evidence of her role as a witch goddess is very commonly portrayed in Ancient Greek literature and mythos. Kirke and Medea, arguably two of the most popular witches ever, were both priestesses, or in some cases daughters, of Hekate. Whenever witches performed their magic such as necromancy, binding spells, curses, image magic, and other spells, they called on Hekate. This relationship between witches and Hekate is not only shown in Greek literature but in Roman literature as well such as the tale of the witch Erichtho is Lucan’s Pharsalia.
-Hekate is JUST a witch goddess
Though her role as a witch goddess is probably the most popular in literature and with neo pagans and Wiccans, this is far from her only aspect. As described by Hesiod, she was a goddess of the heavens, the earth, and the sea, and a child protector. She was also known to be a goddess of the crossroads and the dead. She guards the gates to the underworld and holds dominions over the daemones (spirits) and ghosts. She also later became a goddess of the moon and is celebrated every dark moon at her Deipnon.
-Hekate is evil
This is more of a modern literary misconception. The Ancient Greeks did not believe in gods of pure good or pure evil. Each deity had aspects of both. The power to create or destroy. To bless or to curse.
The following spell counters gossip, slander, and testimony against you. It is most powerful if performed standing at the center of a crossroad, however it may also be accomplished standing at a window. A sudden gust of wind is an extremely auspicious omen.
Blend a pinch of white sugar, a pinch of flour, and a pinch of fine ground salt.
Hold the powder in the palm of your hand while visualizing your desired outcome. Direct your petition to the deity of your choice, if necessary. (If you’d like spiritual assistance but are unsure who to beseech, the archangel Michael and the orisha Ogun, warriors who despise lies, are recommended, as is Ma’at, Egyptian dispenser of ultimate justice.)
Chant: I am innocent of the accusations! [Deity’s name] protect me!
Allow the powders to fly out of your hand.
(from The Element Encyclopedia of 5,000 Spells by Judika Illes)
Aphrodite is the Greek Goddess of Love, Beauty, Desire, Fertility, and more.
Correspondences:
Colors: Red, pink, seafoam green, aqua.
Element: Water.
Day of the Week: Friday.
Stones and gems: Diamond, rose quartz, pearl, aquamarine, sapphire, garnet.
Incense and essencial oils: Rose, myrrh, vanilla, cinnamon, jasmine, ginger.
She’s related to:
Doves
Bees
Swans
Geese
Dolphins
Pearls
Mirrors
Roses
Apples
Scallop shells
Conch shells
Ocean
Hares
Cats
OFFERINGS (typical and original)
Roses (could be fake, in a jar of water, planted or in a bush - it don’t matter)
Scallop shells / Conch shells / Sea shells - just shells
Sweets, candy and desserts (She loves chocolate!)
Natural honey
Abandoned beehives
Dead bees (make sure they died of natural causes, please don’t kill bees)
Something you created (could be drawings, poems, knitted decoration, whatever you did while thinking of her!)
Something someone else created (always ask for permission to use someone else’s art and don’t ever make it pass as your own, She’s not stupid and will be pissed if you do)
Statues of her or anything She’s related to, as stated above
White feathers / dove feathers
Pearls of any color
Mirrors
My personal favorite: a golden apple (learn how to do it here)
Diamonds and the stones listed above
Lingerie
Sex toys
Jewelry
Sea water
Fish scales
Wine or champagne
Nuts
Aprodisiac scents/foods
Silk
Myrrh or some incense listed above
Starfish (grab a dead one from the beach, don’t buy one because they usually take living starfish and kill them to sell it as decor or souvenirs)
Beach sand
Coffee beans or ground coffee
Fruits like strawberry, cherries or grapes
Vanilla sticks
Cinnamon sticks
Cat whiskers (please don’t cut a kitty’s precious whiskers, wait for them to shed naturally - look for them mostly during Summer and on the places your cats spend most of their time)
Blood (it could be your period blood or blood you deliberately took to give it to her - I use a menstrual cup and have a rose bush, so what I do is I take that blood and feed it to the roses, they LOVE it)
Himalayan salt
See also: Tip to start deity work and Devotional acts for Aphrodite
I found these awesome crystal bullets at the flea market today so I gave them to Lord Ares
Family/Loved Ones Protection Jar
Quick Protection Spell
Full Moon Protection Spell
“I Send You Safety” Spell
Knitting Spell (For Protection)
Ayano’s Theory of Happiness Spell
Ritual To Protect Loved Ones
“This Person Is Under My Protection” Sigil
“This Person Is Safe & Happy” Sigil
“My Significant Other Is Happy & Safe From Harm” Sigil
“My Child Is Safe From All Harm” Sigil
Pet Protection Spell Jar
Pet Protection Spell Bottle
Pet Protection Spell
Pet Protection Spell
Protective Chant For Dogs
Protective Chant For Cats
Cat Protection Bag
Cat Blessing/Protection Spell
Animal Blessing Spells
Animal Protection Spell
Animal Candle Protection Spell
“Watch Over Me” Pet Protection Guardian
“Always Come Back To Me” Spell
“My Dogs Will Be Safe and Happy” Sigil
Pet Protection Powder
Protection Against Nightmares
Protection During Sleep
Nightmare Warding Stuffed Animal Spell
Ghost Nebula Protection In Sleep Spell
Protection While Travelling
Jar Spell for Safe Travels
Protection For Travellers Spell
Roadtrip Protection Charm
Empath/Emotional Protection
Calcified Heart Spell
Empath Protection Jar
Other
New Job Protection Pouch
Corvid Safety Spell
Emoji Spell for Protection Against Extreme Weather
Cleansing & Protection from Mind-Altering Spells
Dragon’s Bite Powder
Sweeping Powder for Protection & Energy
Dark As Night Protection Powder
Anti-Curse Powder
Archer’s Protection Powder
Protection Powder Recipes
Fire Salts
Black Salt
Empath Protection Oil
Demonwitch’s Hellcat Oil
Flying Devil Oil
Moon-Infused Protection Water
Storm Witch’s Ward Water
War Water
Circles, Shields & Wards
Casting a Circle for Beginners
Methods of Casting Circles
Personal Shielding
Basic Protection
Keeping Yourself Protected
The Basics of Wards & Warding
A Crash Course In Warding
Top Ward Mistakes I
Top Ward Mistakes II
Threshold Magic 101
Charms
Charms, Amulets & Talismans
The Rowan Cross
Grass Charm
Hag Stones
Moon Snails
Protection Wreaths
Protection Chimes
Elemental Protection Charms
Folklore Charms for Home Protection
Tech Magic
Turning Your Wifi Into Wards
How to Anti-Taglock Pictures of Yourself
Simple Email Protection Spell
Technomagic Ward
Cyber/Tech Protection Ideas
Servitors
A Basic Guide to Servitors
An Introduction to Servitors
How to Create a Protective Servitor
Meditations
Spell and Meditation for Calming, Serenity and Peace Within Self
“Warrior of Light” Guided Meditation (YouTube)
Correspondences
Protection Correspondences
Protection Correspondences
Quick Protection Magic Reference Guide
[part 1]
To work with the rainbow in magic is not much different as either using colour magic, or the magic of other natural phenomena such as the Sun and Moon. Rainbow energy can be raised by the homemade rainbow methods above, and then channeled into the working. Nevertheless, here are some ideas on how to use rainbows in magic.
Charging: Charging your tools, amulets, jewellery, journals, plushies, decks, and whatever else you can think of with rainbow energy. This can be done by placing it in rainbow light, charging them when there is a rainbow, or on a charging plate. You can also first cleanse your tools or items in the rain, before charging them with rainbow energy.
Candles: Candle magic using seven candles in the individual colours, or using rainbow coloured candles. There are also drip candles, which are white on the outside and drip in rainbow colours as they burn. These are great for revealing magics, where the "true colours" are revealed as the candle burns down
Poppet magic: Poppets are often made from fabric, yarn, wheat, or clay, the last of which can be coloured. Making a poppet of rainbow fabric or draping a rainbow across the poppet can be used to bring rainbow energy into someone's life, or bring joy, wonder, and happiness.
Sachets or envelopes: Making sachets or envelopes in rainbow colours to make talismans, or put photos and petitions in them to charge with rainbow magic.
Rainbow water: Charging water while there is a rainbow, in the same way you would make moon water. Another way to make rainbow water is to place a bottle or glass of water on a charging plate, letting it soak up those good rainbow vibes. Another way is to divide your water up into seven, and use food colouring to colour it. Drink those colours!
Clothes: Bring some rainbow magic into your life by wearing rainbow clothing, jewellery, or accessories.
Meditation: Use meditation to connect with the magic of the rainbow. Sit in rainbow light, or drape a rainbow scarf or piece of fabric around you. Meditate while there is an actual rainbow outside. You can also try and find the end of the rainbow in meditation. You can meditate on the rainbow as a whole, or on the individual colours. For example meditate on one colour every day and see what this colour brings you. Or do a breathing meditation where with each inhale, you inhale a different colour of light.
Body: Makeup and face paint are another way to practice rainbow magic. There are some really cool rainbow makeup looks out there (like I wore to my wedding!), or you can use facepaint to draw sigils, symbols, or just a whole rainbow on you. If you want it to be more permanent, there are so many beautiful rainbow tattoo designs out there. Use this to bring in rainbow energy in general, or focus it on specific spots for some extra healing and oomph. Nailpolish is also a great way to carry a bit of rainbow with you.
Kitchen Witchery: Rainbow foods. Just, rainbow foods. I have a pinterest board. They are so cool and fun.
Crystals: Above I mentioned some crystals which look like captured rainbows. Use them in magic, or use seven different stones for the seven colours of the rainbow. My favourite set is garnet, carnelian, citrine, aventurine, turquoise, sodalite, and amethyst.
Fabric Arts: weaving with colours, braiding seven colours together, knot magic with different beads knotted in the yarn, crocheting with rainbow yarn, rainbow friendship bracelets, there are a lot of ideas here.
Time: Not something I personally use, but there are seven days in the week, and seven colours in the rainbow. These facts can be combined to make magic.
Visionboards: Making visionboards are a great way to tap into rainbow magic and bring it into your life, especially if you also incorporate the words of the associations you want to use.
Inner Child work: Ever notice how so many toys are multicoloured and fun. How crayons and pencils come in the colours of the rainbow with a few added ones. Practice inner child work by playing. Just play, let out you inner gremlin and create or play without fear or shame.
Altar: Create an altar for your rainbow magic, rainbow entity, or just a "wonder altar" in general. Add things that bring that same burst of joyous wonder that you feel when you see a rainbow. Some ideas for your rainbow altar are rainbow candles, statues of rainbows (tip: Christmas ornaments!), pictures or art, unicorns, golden coins, pride flags, prisms, rainbow lights, rainbow roses (real or fake), crystals, art supplies, and bubble wands.
Music: Why are there so many songs about rainbows? (I had to) But Kermit was right, there are many songs about rainbows so why not make a playlist for your rainbow magic?
Sigils: Draw sigils with a rainbow pencil (remember those?), layer the different colours over one another, or draw pieces of the sigil in different sparkly pens to make them rainbow.
Galaxy Jars: These are jars filled with cotton balls, water, glitter, and food colouring. By packing the cotton tight these jars look like a galaxy. You can use one jar per colour, or make a layered jar with all the colours of the rainbow. I like to hide little pouches with herbs, sigils, and crystal chips in my galaxy jars to make them spell jars.
Natural dyes: Using dyes or inks made out of herbs, flowers, vegetables, plants, minerals and fruits can draw the energy of those materials into your rainbow magic as well.
Queer Magic: The rainbow has been inextricably linked to the queer community. Therefore rainbow energy can also be used in queer magic. for example in community protection spells, pride flag spell bottles (using Gilbert Bakers colour meanings), charming pronoun pins, and queer tarot spreads.
[Part of a Rainbowmancy series, masterpost here]