Ladylynx36 - Blessed Be - Tumblr Blog

Full moons always bring a little extra joy to my heart.

Thank you for following my cottagecore blog. I really enjoy all your witchcraft tips. I will be posting these around my other blogs. #mystical-witchcraft #hedgewitch-homestead #pagan-seeker-witch #folkmagiclore Blessings for the New Year.

Your very welcome. Sharing the knowledge is what it's all about. And thank you for helping share that know. Blessed be.

Many blessings of prosperity and good dreams. May your ancestors guide your path and may you live a good life full of adventures.

My triple fur babies. On the right it's Bright eyes middle is Tips and left is Nex. (My kids named them) We found these babies under our shed we caught mama too but was far too feral to keep inside. A shame too she is a beautiful mama.

Lavender Syrup!

I know there are a ton of recipes out there, but this one's mine. I put in a lot more lavender personally.

- 2 cups sugar

- 1 1/2 cup water (here's an opportunity to use moon water for extra energy. Full moon water can boost the lavender correspondences for psychic awareness and love, while water charged in phases leading up to the new moon can boost lavender's ability to banish/protect from depression and anxiety)

- 4 tablespoons lavender- Peace/anti-anxiety, happiness, love, sleep, psychic awareness/ability, creativity, protection from ill treatment.

- purple food coloring (optional)

Instructions:

Warm the water and sugar, mixing till it dissolves, then add the lavender and mix well. When the water is boiling, lower it to simmer, cover, and let it simmer for about 10-15 minutes. If you leave it for longer, it will become bitter. Then strain into a bottle, and THEN add the food coloring if you want. This syrup is not meant to be very thick, so that it mixes easily with cold drinks just as well as warm. If you want it to be thicker, add more sugar.

Localizing Your Practice

So much witchcraft emphasizes how important it is to honor and work with the Earth, but then teaches us spells with ingredients we basically have to import using locations we don’t have access to. It’s rare to find an existing grimoire or guide book that actually works with where we live. We can still use them, but it doesn’t enhance our connection to our local land, which to many can feel important. Here are some tips for localizing your practice and working with the land you actually live on.

See what nature exists around you. Explore your own backyard with a critical eye. What plants can you actually go and pick yourself? What are those plants associated with? Do you have access to a creek or river? What does your local land actually have on it? If magic correspondences for your local plants haven’t been written about, you may have to do your own research. Example: I grow several plants on my back porch which I can potentially use for magic.There are magnolia trees and rhodedendrons on the grounds of my apartment complex. My parent’s neighbors have chickens in the backyard, so I have access to some feathers when they shed. 

Check out local folklore, legends, etc. This is one of my favorite parts, but can also be the hardest. What are the stories of your area, both on a local and cultural scale. Example: A West Virginian may incorporate legends of the Mothman. Everyone says that one building on my old college campus is haunted (and they’re right.) People talk about that liminal-space feeling when you drive down that one road at night.

Find the magic spots. Sometimes the urban legends will tip you off to these (usually in a bad way) but other times you can find them on your own. A place where the energy is just right for some reason. A place you can go to be closer to nature, or a place you could host a ritual if needed. Sometimes it’s just a place where you can feel your mind open a little bit. Example: The shady corner of a public park. The tunnel downtown. That weirdly-perfect circle of trees in the woods behind Wal-Mart.

Meet your land wights. Spirits of the local land. This could be the fair folk, but also house spirits, the spirits of the trees near you, the nature spirits of wherever you are. They’re there. Be good to them and they’ll be good to you! Note: Some spirits and wights will not be interested in working with you, and that’s okay. I generally think it’s good to at least leave a polite offering to just be on general decent terms even if you never work with them more directly beyond that. 

Check in with your Seasons. Harvest holidays generally don’t have actual lifestyle importance to most people reading this. The seasonal shifts other people write about may be from a very different climate than yours! Figure out a calendar that works for you. It doesn’t have to be detailed, but something that ties you to the seasons as you actually experience them. I also love working in any fun annual festivals nearby, if any.

A spell for positive energy. Simple magic.

I'd like to take a moment to talk about this trend going on about labeling yourself as certain kinds of witches. I know the following will not be popular opinion, but I feel it should be told to those new to witchcraft. I'm not a great blogger, but I hope the info is still helpful....

"I'm a ______ witch!"

Self-labeling like this is limiting like no other. If you don't want society to put you into a box based on your appearance, then why do it to yourself with something so sacred?

True, it's good to eventually work on having a specialty or some areas you are especially talented in, but this doesn't determine who you are as a witch.

Doing tarot readings does not make you a "psychic witch". Liking or connecting with crystals doesn't make you a "crystal witch", etc.

These are aesthetics,not types of paths of the witch. Crystals have been used for centuries by witches and cunning folk (select ones, mind you) but in no way were crystals used on their own without being an ingredient to a spell. And it didn't make them crystal witches.

"Green witch" is probably one of the more ludacris of the labels. Every witch is a green witch. We all use herbs, trees, wood, teas, herbalism, flowers, etc and it doesn't make anyone a green witch. The earth is part of witchcraft in every way.

To address the label "astrology or zodiac witch", I will simply say that astrology is not witchcraft in any way shape or form. It is used in witchcraft, yes but it is not witchcraft on its own.

The same goes for tarot. Anyone can do tarot readings and it is in no way witchcraft nor does it make you psychic. The only way it is technically witchcraft is if you use your cards to chanel someone or something like you would a spirit board with a long and potent process. Otherwise, It is a tool to manually divine the future, but it doesn't mean you are using psychic abilities. And psychic abilities are not the same as witchcraft.

I guess what I'm trying to get at is this trend of creating labels and aesthetics is damaging to the craft. There is a deeper part of this that I think is being missed. And not everything that you do is inherently witchcraft. Mysticism, energy work, light work, new age, and more are all other paths of spirituality that are valid if they are for you, but they do not automatically make one a witch.

A witch is not just someone who the church would have burned. They burned tons of people who were in fact not witches at all, but were Cunning Folk, which meant they were christian mystics and healers almost always.

A witch is someone who heals and also harms and who is tied to the dark as they are the light forces of this world and many other worlds. They work with spirits, demons, the damned, and the holy. They work with the process of creation, death, and rebirth. They are not good and they are not bad. Although, historically a witch was someone you went to for aid in harming. But they can be both.

In the long run, no I have no right nor would I attempt a futile mission of trying to strip you of the title of witch. But as I am followed by many Beginner witches, I want to share my knowledge as much as I'm able. And I feel like this aesthetic thing that has taken over the internet is very damaging to the spirituality of the path of the witch.

Most of all, a witch is someone who has The Bond. This bond is with a variety of deities, depending on the region and the witch's personal beliefs, but this bond is with someone or something ancient and dark and powerful.

And this bond is a pact made in blood.

Disclaimer: worshipping deities is fine for all levels of witches or pagans. But do not make a blood oath bond to any of them until you are ready and it is time. It is very hard if possible at all to undo and should not be done by beginners of any kind of path in my honest and humble opinion.

Ralph Waldo Emerson

Limited Hand Mobility + Witchcraft

For folks who have limited mobility in their hands due to pain, weakness, shakiness, or anything else. These are a range of ideas, not all of them may work for each person, but hopefully they’ll spark something that will! 

Looking for broader low energy, low mobility or bedridden ideas? Check out my bedridden witch series (click here!)

Tarot:

Tarot apps are a great way to pull a card with a tap or two (Labyrinthos and Galaxy tarot have been recommended). 

Place your deck in your lap. Feel for any loose cards, then pull them. 

Split the deck (doesn’t have to be even). The cards on either end of the split are the cards for your spread. 

Spread the deck on a flat surface, and move your hand over to pick (let your hands sense the energy), or pick based on intuition. 

If gripping/managing thin paper is tricky, some people use other objects for tarot readings. I’ve seen jewelry charms as a common one, but the possibilities are endless (cardboard, wooden blocks, etc.). >Here are some printable decks!<

You can do more than readings with your cards. Pick one per day and just spend time with it. Look at the art, pay attention to how it makes you feel. Learn the meanings of the card. 

This post may have more ideas: Bedridden witch: Divination edition

Pendulum: 

I have had success with using a pendulum while dealing with shaking hands. 

Let something else do the work! Hang it by an open window, focus your energy and let the wind move the pendulum for you. 

Use a pendulum jar/stand.

Use a shorter pendulum that can be used with one finger. A string with a small crystal bead will do. 

Prop your arm/hand on a pillow.

You could also use other parts of your body to hold the pendulum (like your mouth or toes… wouldn’t recommend switching between the two though!)

Bedridden witch: Divination edition

Other Divination:

Runes may be easier to hold/use than tarot cards.

Use rune apps (runic divination was recommended).

Scrying (using a mirror or bowl) is hands-free.

For more ideas: Bedridden witch: Divination edition

Spells and Energy Work:

A lot of witches use their hands to focus energy during spellwork and other magical doings. While this may be helpful, it’s not necessary!

Focusing energy can be helpful. Use a crystal or other object and touch it in some way (with your hand, have it in your lap, whatever works for you). Use the crystal/object to help channel and amplify your energy.

I usually draw energy up from the earth (even while in bed) by placing my palms flat(ish) towards the earth by the sides of my body. So if I was lying down, my arms would be at my sides with my palms facing down.

Use visualization! A LOT of my magic involves visualization. 

Candles and Incense:

Himalayan salt lamps are a great way to bring a similar energy that a burning candle would.

I honestly really like electric candles, but I know they’re not everybody’s thing. Plus sides: if you forget about them they simply run out of battery, can be decorated–tape with color correspondences, sigils, spells, etc. (you could even print something and tape it on). 

Reed diffusers. Get the yummy smell that candles or incense brings without the flames and smoke. Plus you can ignore it for months!

Essential oil diffusers. Great way to get the correspondences that incense often holds. (please use safely and not around your pets).

Room spray. Store-bought or self-infused natural sprays are a great way to add good smells and/or correspondences. 

Recording information:

Voice text or dictation software are often accessible, though not always perfect. It is a great way to get things down that you don’t want to forget/want to reformat later.

Typing can sometimes be easier than writing, and journals/grimoires in documents are easy to organize, and to read. 

I’m a very tactile person and enjoy writing (even if it hurts/is difficult). My tarot journal is filled with terrible handwriting, random shorthand, and codes I came up with to shorten things (ie. a little symbol for each suit, then the card number). It doesn’t have to be an all-day process. 

I’d imagine that some tarot apps record which cards you’ve pulled, or have an option to save it. 

Odds and Ends:

Use compression gloves or other gear to support your hands? Add sigils or enchant them!

Same goes for any lotions, creams, balms or medications used to help; sigils, charging, enchanting, etc. are all great ways to incorporate magic. 

Teas are an easy way to get multiple herbs + their medicinal values without needing to do anything!

Into kitchen witchcraft? Using electric mixers can be very helpful.

Create sigils using a phone app (touchscreen) and your fingers rather than holding a pen. 

Other posts you might like:

Bedridden witch series

Chronically ill witchcraft: For your symptoms

Spoonie witch masterpost

Do none of these posts meet your needs after perusing? Send me an ask, I’m always looking to fill the gaps when it comes to accessibility and witchcraft!

With suggestions and contributions from:

@useless-bisaster​, @crowxwitch​ and anonymous. Thank you!

**Do not repost or share on other platforms - reblogging is okay!**

”Lazy” Witchcraft To Keep You Motivated

I’ve been struggling so hard with witchcraft lately (and all my other hobbies and interests) because of bad mental health. Usually witchcraft helps me cope but I haven’t even had the energy to do my daily oracle card reading.

And I know I’m not alone about this, so I figured I could share the small lazy witchy things I still do to stay motivated and spiritual.

🌙Burn incense

So simple and it always makes me a little more motivated. As soon as I see the smoke it makes me wanna cleanse my whole room!

🕯Light candles

Another small thing that makes me feel more connected to the universe. It feels like I’m telling the universe that I’m still here and I’ll be back soon, if that makes any sense.

🫖Drink tea

I try to drink a cup of tea before bed every night, picking what tea to drink depending on what herbs are in it and what i need at the moment always helps.

💫Learn something new

I love using pinterest for some lazy witchcraft browsing, it’s quick info about anything you wanna know. Learn about the next new moon or full moon, the next astro period, your zodiac chart, the sabbats, some history- whatever you feel like! Learning something new always keeps me motivated.

🍂Treat yourself

If you have some extra money, get yourself something new for your craft. I absolutely love treating myself with a new book, a new crystal, some new herbs, something for my altar etc. You deserve that lil treat.

I hope you guys are okay even though it’s a weird time of life. Stay safe and trust the universe, everything’s gonna be okay🖤

One thing I love about witchcraft is it's your practice so you can make it personally unique. No rules as to how you do it. Freedom to choose. I love my craft. 💖

Resources for Mending Clothes

We toss out over 80 pounds of textiles each year. These textiles are often made of plastic materials (polyester, nylon), made in unethical conditions, dyed with harsh dyes that often get put into the rivers, etc. Even a single cotton shirt releases carbon emissions and uses tons of water. 

So the best thing to prevent the unsustainable growth of the fashion industry is to make sure that your clothing lasts as long as possible. To do so, mending clothing is a must. So here are some resources to help you learn how to do various things, such as sewing a button, to tailoring clothes, or even upcycling old clothing into new styles. 

* How to sew on three different types of button

* How to hand sew on a patch on a torn pair of jeans

* How to sew up a hole in an old shirt

* How to sew a simple T-shirt

* How to upcycle old clothing into new clothing

* More upcycle and sewing techniques

* How to repair a damaged sock

* How to do an invisible stitch

* 3 different stitches to work with for different results

* How to make a T-shirt smaller so it fits you better

* How to make repairs to your shoes

These are just a few of the things that you can do in order to make sure that your clothing lasts for a long time. Nobody wants to keep buying new clothing, as it is expensive and wasteful. 

So making alterations to your clothing, or fixing small holes hen you see them can be hugely beneficial to your wallet, to garment workers, and to the environment in the long term. 

I like to make my own things in witchcraft. Not that I have anything against buying and supporting other witchy shops. Just it feels right for me to put in that extra effort to make it on my own. So far I made my own staff, wand and protection lantern. I'm excited to start a mural of Odin and Frigg as well as my shield.

For witchcraft practitioners who work with plants, be it in spells, charms, being tactile in nature or gardening, this list contains some of the plants that can bring harm if used incorrectly or have a high level of toxicity.

Always be cautious and so research on any plant or herb you’re planning to utilize or grow.

Rosary Pea (Abrus precatorius) • Ingesting a single seed can kill an adult human. Symptoms of poisoning include nausea, vomiting, convulsions, liver failure, and death, usually after several days.

Wolfsbane (Aconitum spp) • All parts are poisonous, if ingested, it usually causes burning, tingling, and numbness in the mouth, followed by vomiting and nervous excitement. Even casual skin contact should be avoided. Symptoms include numbness, tingling, and cardiac irregularity.

White Baneberry (Actaea pachypoda) • All parts are poisonous, especially the berries, the consumption of which has a sedative effect on cardiac muscle tissue and can cause cardiac arrest.

Arnica • Poisonous in great quantities. Symptoms of poisoning include gastroenteritis, fever, nausea, dizziness, abnormal cardiac frequency, diarrhea, skin reaction and internal hemorrhage in the digestive system.

Azalea (Rhododendron simsii) • If ingested it is poisonous. Continued contact should be avoided. Symptoms of poisoning are nausea, depression, respiratory difficulties, coma. It is rarely lethal.

Anthurium (Anthurium spp) • Prevent getting in contact with the sap. Symptoms are skin irritation and eye irritation.

Cedronella canariensis • Can cause skin irritation, indigestions. Should not be used or touch by pregnant people or lactating people.

Belladonna (Atropa belladonna) • Extremely poisonous, it is lethal and it can be absorbed through skin. Symptoms of poisoning are fogged vision, staggering, loss of balance, dry mouth and throat, headache, skin eruptions, constipation, confusion, hallucination and convulsion.

Lamprocapnos spectabilis • Can be poisonous in big quantities, which causes convulsions and other symptoms in the nervous system.

Iris versicolor • Symptoms pf poisoning include nausea, vomit, mouth and throat irritation, irritation on the digestive system, skin irritation, headache and epiphora.

Bryony • All parts are poisonous and any type of contact causes death.

Ranunculus • If ingested, the juice can cause serious damage to the digestive system.

Acorus calamus • Toxic in big quantities, can cause hallucination, nausea and vomit.

Physostigma venenosum • Extremely toxic, can cause intense sweating, extreme salivation, nausea, vomit, diarrhea, irregular cardiac rhythm, change in blood pressure, confusion, convulsion, coma, muscular weakness, paralysis, respiratory difficulties and death.

Cinnamomum camphora • Skin rash, itchiness, respiratory difficulties, mouth, eyes, face or lips swelling.

Ricinus communis • Poisonous. Can cause burning in the mouth and throat, abdominal pain, bloody diarrhea. At a long period of intoxication, can cause dehydration, low blood pressure. If not treated, death will occur in 3 to 5 days

Daphne • Poisonous. Causes burns in the mouth and digestive tract, followed by coma. Can cause death.

Vinca • Must not be ingested, causes nausea, vomit, loss of hair, loss of hearing, dizziness, bleeding, nervous difficulties, convulsions, liver damage and death.

Asclepias tuberosa • Cardiac difficulties, nausea, vomit and skin rash.

Agave spp • The juice of a number of species causes acute contact dermatitis, with blistering lasting several weeks and recurring itching for several years thereafter.

Columbine (Aquilegia spp) • Seeds and roots contain cardiogenic toxins which cause both severe gastroenteritis and heart palpitations if consumed, columbine poisonings are easily fatal.

Mercurialis perennis • Symptons happen after some hours, they include vomit, pain, gastritis, renal inflammation and sleepiness.

Colocasia • All parts are poisonous and cause mouth and tongue irritation. Can be fatal.

Gelsemium • Extremely poisonous, even in low quantities. Causes headache, problems with vision, difficulty swallowing, dizziness, muscular complications, convulsions, respiratory complications and low blood pressure.

Laburnum • Causes excitation, loss of balance, convulsions and coma. Can be lethal.

Helleborus • Dangerous if ingested or applied on the skin. Cause irritation in the mouth and throat and low blood pressure. Big quantities can cause vomit, diarrhea, difficulties swallowing, nervous system complications, blindness, convulsion, paralysis, respiratory complications and death.

Ilex aquifolium • The fruits can be lethal and the leaves cause diarrhea, nausea, vomit, stomach and intestine complications.

Hedera helix • Causes stomach pain, respiratory complications and possible coma.

Impatiens capensis • Dangerous when ingested in big quantities.

Datura stramonium • Don’t inhale or ingest. Causes dry mouth, extreme thirst, vision complications, nausea, vomit, constipation, tachycardia, hallucinations, fever, convulsion, loss of conscience, respiratory complications and death.

Convallaria majalis • Causes irregular blood pressure and cardiac rhythm, indigestion and confusion.

Mandragora officinarum • Fogged vision, dry mouth, difficulties to urinate, headache, tachycardia, vomit and hallucinations.

Viscum album • Gastrointestinal discomfort, diarrhea, low blood pressure, convulsion. It is rarely lethal for humans.

Morning glory (Ipomoea tricolor) • Diarrhea, indigestion, disorientation, loss of apetite, ataxy and hallucinations.

Artemisia vulgaris • Prolonged contact may be fatal, so it’s best to use in a open and ventilated place.

Oak (Quercus): In big quantities is poisonous and affects the renal kidneys.

Nerium oleander • Causes cardiac complications, indigestion and can cause death.

Taxus baccata • Fatal. No symptoms come as a warning.

Hypericum perforatum • Causes fatigue, dizziness, confusion, dry mouth and can affect medicaments.

Angel’s Trumpet (Brugmansia spp) • All parts of this plant contain toxins and are often fatal. Effects of ingestion may include losing connection with reality and hallucinations.

Foxglove (Digitalis purpurea) • The leaves, seeds, and flowers are poisonous. These cause irregular heartbeat, general digestive upset, and confusion; can be fatal.

Hyacinth (Hyacinthus orientalis) • The bulbs are poisonous, causing nausea, vomiting, gasping, convulsions, and possibly death. Even handling the bulbs can cause skin irritation.

Hydrangea (Hydrangea spp) • Hydrangeas are moderately toxic if eaten.

Frangipani (Plumeria spp) • Contact with the milky latex may irritate eyes and skin.

“Heat of the Flame” Fire Jar Spell

A jar spell to empower your passion and motivation to reach for your goals and work on your talents.

You Will Need:

🔥 A Jar with a lid/cork 🔥 Cayenne Pepper Flakes 🔥 Cinnamn 🔥 Basil 🔥 Bay Leaf (crushed) 🔥 Rosemary 🔥 Red Glitter 🔥 Garnet (recommended to use chips) 🔥 Calcite (recommended to use chips) 🔥 Orange Glitter 🔥 Sigil for Passion 🔥 Sigil for Motivation 🔥 Red Candle 🔥 Fire Safe dish/bowl 🔥 Mortar and Pestle  🔥 Red Ribbon, String or Cord Steps:

🔥 Cleanse yourself and your space before beginning spell. Drink black tea or coffee to energize yourself before hand if needed. Prepare yourself however you like

🔥 In your mortar and pestle grind up all of your herbs especially your bay leaf until they are well mixed and fine. While grinding them up focus on your intent to motivate yourself and your passions

🔥 Add them to your jar

🔥 Draw your sigils onto paper, preferably with red ink if you can, and carefully light them on fire using a candle, matches, lighter etc. Place them in the fire safe bowl so they burn down to ash.

🔥 As they burn chant: “The burning strength of fire motivates my heart, motivates my soul, so I shall achieve my goal.”

🔥 Carefully add the ashes to the jar once no more smolders are left. On top of the ash add your crystals before sealing your jar tightly

🔥 Place your candle on top and light it and let it burn down until it properly seals the jar (don’t leave it unsupervised please)

🔥 Snuff or blow out your candle if needed then tie your red ribbon around the jar or the stub of the candle

🔥 Keep the jar in your favorite room or on your desk to help motivate you and keep your passions alive

Note: Recharge in the sun occasionally, cleanse with smoke or incense occasionally before charging. To break spell either break jar (safely) or break its seal.

Teshuvah Tarot Spread

Putting things into tarot spreads helps me process and understand them better, so this spread was born! Especially with Yom Kippur coming up, this felt good to share. Teshuvah is a Jewish process of repentance, designed to aid us in confronting our own wrongdoings, making right on them, and working to make sure we are better people in the future. Gentiles are welcome to use this spread for their own self-improvement, but please do not use it for a profit!

CARD ONE- Going astray. Identifying the wrongdoing, the harm we have caused, and where we have strayed off the path of doing the most good. This can be used to identify a transgression you might not be aware of. If you are reading for a specific wrongdoing, treat this card as a “why?” card; what troubles or toxic elements led us to act this way? Is there a larger problem that needs addressing?

CARD TWO- Making right. Card two doesn’t necessarily have to go before card three in this spead, both “occur” at the same time. It’s important to try and help repair any damage we caused, apologize, and make things right, if possible. This card guides us on how we can best do so, what actions we can take to restore the balance.

CARD THREE- Casting away. It’s not enough to just address the aftermath of our actions; we must also look at the root. We looked at where the harm came from in card one; how can we distance ourselves from that place? What actions can we take so that we won’t it again?

CARD FOUR- Prepare for the future. They say the real test of repentance is not the apology, but changed behavior, aka how you act the next time a similar situation comes up. This is advice for that moment: when life goes on and we find ourselves faced with the same demons/temptations/conflicts, what lesson should we keep in mind?

CARD FIVE- Honor your path. We are all working to be the best versions of ourselves. What can we do to continue down that path? What actions can we take to welcome in more truth, more loving-kindness, more balance, and more opportunities to do good? How can we best honor our journey of becoming the kind of people we want to be?

I hope you enjoy and please feel free to let me know what you think! If you like this spread, consider getting a reading from me (@will-o-the-witch) or buying me a ko-fi! 

The Magick of Rosemary

Rosemary is associated with Hebe and Aphrodite.

Rosemary can be used to ward to ward off evil spirits and nightmares.

In France, Rosemary was burnt with Juniper berries to purify the air in hospitals.

During the Middle Ages, it was hung around the neck to protect from the plague.

Carrying a sprig of rosemary protects from the evil eye.

Rosemary attracts Faeries and good luck.

A bundle of rosemary is hung over cradles to prevent Faeries from stealing infants.

Rosemary is an embalming and sacred herb in Egypt.

Rosemary is also sacred to Greeks.

Rosemary can be used in spells for fidelity and remembrance as well as to get rid of jealousy.

Rosemary can be used for ritual baths and for making herbal water for ritual cleansing, blessing, and purification.

Taking a rosemary bath will enhance your memory.

Burn rosemary incense when you are meditating or doing dream work.  

Place rosemary under your pillow to help you remember your dreams and to keep away nightmares and any unwanted night visitations.

Rosemary is a protective herb and can be used to make a protection wreath that keeps evil out.

Rosemary is also associated with love, friendship, and remembrance.

Use rosemary in spells that help boost your memory.

In England, it was burned in the homes of those who had died from illness, and placed on coffins before the grave was filled with dirt.

Burn rosemary to rid a home of negative energy, or as an incense while you meditate.

Hang a bundle above your door to keep evil and unwanted visitors out of your house.

Sources: Witchipedia.com, paganwiccan.about.com.

==Moonlight Academy==

Add Some Oomph to Your Spells with Magical Timing

Like herbs, oils, and crystals, you don’t need to work with magical timing for your spell to be successful. You can cast a spell at any time, no matter your intention, and get your desired results. However, working with the energy of the sun, moon, and days of the week can add an extra power boost to your magic.

Think of it this way: certain energies are dominant at certain times. Those energies are easier to connect with because they are closer at hand, so to speak, so you can bring them into your life and your spells more easily and in a more powerful way. That doesn’t mean you can’t call on other energies during these times — it just means that you may not connect to them quite so easily.

If you choose to work with magical timing in your spells, there are several yearly, monthly, weekly, and even daily cycles you can align your spells with.

The Cycle of the Sun: Solstices and Equinoxes

These are the turning points that mark the solar year, and are associated with the relationships between day and night, light and dark, summer and winter. Each solstice or equinox marks the end of one season and the beginning for the next. Because they are so rare and so potent, these days are a great time for your “big picture” spells or for spells that need a big power boost.

Winter Solstice. The winter solstice marks the shortest day and longest night of the year, and falls between December 20 and December 23, depending on the year. In some pagan traditions the winter solstice, or Yule, marks the beginning of the new year — you may choose to set intentions for the coming year on this solstice. After the winter solstice, the nights start getting shorter and the days start getting longer — so spells related to healing and bringing things into the light are especially effective at this time of year. The winter solstice marks the end of the “dark half” of the year and beginning of the “light half” of the year; at this point, our focus turns from inward reflection to outward manifestation. You may choose to think of the time between the winter solstice and spring equinox as a “planning phase,” where you examine yourself and your desires, decide what you want to work on in the next year, and make plans for manifesting what you want.

Spring Equinox. An equinox occurs when the day and the night are exactly the same length, representing a perfect balance between light and dark. The spring equinox marks the beginning of spring and occurs between March 19 and March 22. The Christian holiday of Easter and the pagan holiday of Ostara are both related to the energy of this equinox. At this time of year, the natural world is coming back to life as winter begins to fade. Plants are beginning to grow, and baby animals are being born. This is a powerful time of year for fertility magic and any magic related to new beginnings. You may choose to think of the time between the spring equinox and the summer solstice as a “planting phase,” where you “plant the seed” of the things you want to manifest and begin doing the work to make it happen.

Summer Solstice. This solstice marks the longest day and shortest night of the year. It occurs between June 19 and June 23. As I am writing this post, we are coming up on the summer solstice (June 20, 2020). Life, fertility, and growth are at their peak during this time of year, which makes this solstice a perfect time for big manifestation spells. At the same time, this marks the end of the “light half” and beginning of the “dark half” of the year, so after the summer solstice our energy shifts from outward manifestation to inward contemplation. You may choose to think of the time between the summer solstice and fall equinox as the “harvest phase,” where you reap the results of your hard work and manifest your desires in the physical world.

Autumn Equinox. This is the other time of year when the day and night are perfectly balanced. The autumn equinox occurs between September 19 and September 23 and marks the beginning of autumn. This is traditionally the time of year when crops are harvested, and many pagan groups celebrate harvest festivals around this time. Nature is beginning to die or go into hibernation in preparation for the coming winter. This is an especially powerful time of year for shadow work or for magic related to endings and transitions. You may choose to think of the time between the autumn equinox and the winter solstice as the “reflection phase,” when you retreat from the outside world to rest, focus on yourself, and do your inner work and self-healing.

Important Note: This post lists dates for the solstices and equinoxes in the Northern hemisphere. In the Southern hemisphere, the seasons are reversed. If you live in the Southern hemisphere, you would observe the winter solstice in June, the spring equinox in September, the summer solstice in December, and the fall equinox in March.

The Cycle of the Moon: Lunar Phases

If you don’t have time to wait for the appropriate solstice or equinox, you can still connect with the cosmos in your magic. One of the biggest pros of the lunar cycle is that it happens roughly every month — so you never have to wait very long for the next full moon. The moon is also associated with magic and spirituality in several traditions, which makes it an especially powerful astral ally for witches.

New Moon. The new moon is when the moon is completely invisible in the night sky, and is the phase opposite the full moon. The new moon is a powerful time for shadow work (because it deals with things that are hidden) and for magic related to new beginnings.

Waxing Moon. The moon is waxing when it appears to be growing in the night sky; this is the phase between the new moon and full moon. This is a powerful time for any magic that deals with drawing something in, building something up, or strengthening something that already exists.

Full Moon. Many witches believe that the full moon is the most powerful time of month for any kind of magic. This is a good time to cast any spell that needs a serious power boost. The full moon is also an especially powerful time to release what no longer serves you or to work healing magic.

Waning Moon. The moon is waning when it appears to be shrinking in the night sky; this is the phase between the full moon and new moon. This is a powerful time for any magic that deals with sending something away, banishing negative energy, or bringing something to an end.

Dark Moon. The dark moon is the three day period immediately before the new moon. In some traditions, it is believed to be bad luck to cast spells during the dark moon. Other traditions hold that the dark moon is the best point in the lunar cycle for destructive magic, such as curses and hexes. Many modern witches don’t recognize the dark moon as a separate moon phase at all. I personally like to use the dark moon as a time for self reflection, and may focus on shadow work during this time.

Magical Correspondences for the Days of the Week

The days of the week also have their own unique magical energies, and each day is linked to a certain planet and to certain deities.

Sunday. Sunday is, of course, connected to the Sun and solar deities. Sunday is the best day of the week for any manifestation magic that needs an extra boost. Its energy is also associated with healing, personal growth, power, and success.

Monday. Monday is associated with the Moon and lunar deities. Monday is a quiet, introspective day, and can feel very ethereal. It’s the best day for magic related to intuition, nurturing, and shadow work.

Tuesday. Tuesday is associated with Mars and with gods and goddesses of war and action. (It is named for the Norse/Germanic god Tyr/Tiw.) Tuesday is a very “active” day, and is good for magic related to action, activism, victory, or finding courage.

Wednesday. Wednesday is associated with Mercury and with gods and goddesses of wisdom, learning, and communication. (It is named for the Norse/Germanic god Odin/Wodan.) Wednesday is all about mental activity. It’s the best day of the week for magic related to thought, travel, communication (written, spoken, or digital), and learning/study.

Thursday. Thursday is associated with Jupiter and with gods and goddesses of prosperity, wealth, and protection. (It is named after the Norse/Germanic god Thor.) Thursday, like Jupiter in astrology, is all about outward expansion. It’s the best day of the week for magic related to career, prosperity, and wealth.

Friday. Friday is associated with Venus and with gods and goddesses of love, fertility, and sensuality. (It is named after the Norse goddess Freyja, or perhaps the goddess Frigg.) The energy of Friday is fun, lighthearted, and sexy. It’s the best day of the week for magic related to love, beauty, and sex/sexuality.

Saturday. Saturday is associated with Saturn and with time and wisdom. (The day and the planet are both named after the Roman god Saturn.) Saturday is practical and wise, but it does have a little bit of a dark side. It’s the best day of the week for magic related to banishing and protection.

Magical Times of Day

Okay, so you’d like to start working with magical timing, but what about emergency magic and last-minute spells? What if you don’t have time to wait for the next full moon, or even the next Sunday? You can still align your spell with magical timing! There are several moments of power each day, and each has its own magical associations.

Sunrise. Sunrise is, of course, the birth of the new day. This makes it the perfect time for spells related to new beginnings or expanded possibilities.

Noon. This is the peak or high point of the day. This is a powerful time for healing magic.

Sunset. Sunset is the end of the day, and forms a gateway between light and dark. This is a great time for spells related to accepting endings, releasing that which does not serve, and moving on from the past.

Midnight. If noon is the peak of the day, then midnight is the peak of the night. Midnight has a very ethereal, transformational energy. Like with the full moon, some witches believe that any spell will be more powerful if cast at midnight. This is a powerful time for both banishing and attraction magic.

Resources:

You Are Magical by Tess Whitehurst

Green Witchcraft by Paige Vanderbeck

Wicca for Beginners by Thea Sabin [specifically the chapter on the sabbats]

Qabalah Made Easy by David Wells [Note: Qabalah is based on an appropriation of Jewish mysticism, and I am NOT endorsing its practice. However, much of the magical timing associations used in modern witchcraft is shared with Qabalah and other forms of ceremonial magic, which is why it’s referenced here.]

Old norse words for beginners

Ek = I Thu = you Mi = My Vel = well, good Un = not Gingu = go\walk Ginga = Went\ walkt Lif = life Skogh = forest Widu = Wood Laguz = water Stain = rock That = that Thaousi = thees, those Er = are Folkir = people Okk = and

Ek er ( name ) fra ( place ) = I am ( name ) from ( place ) “Ek er Ludvig fra Neriki”

That er un vel = that is not good.

That er skogh Mi = thats My forest.

Thaousi er un stainir Mi = those are not My rocks.

Ek lif a ( Place ) = I live in ( place ).

Not officially moon cookies but they were made with lots of love and I had fun.

Magical Rituals without Tools

I’ve been too strict with myself throughout my witching career. I convinced myself that rituals are most effective with a ton of preparation and picking just the right tools. While magic certainly works this way, it can also work if I perform them spontaneously. This year, I’m focusing more on spontaneous, simple rituals performed with little or no tools, that are still effective in their own right.

To clarify, when I say “no tools”, I’m talking about a situation where you wish to perform a ritual but have none of your witchy supplies on you (divination sets, magical herbs, candles, instructions etc.). In most cases, you may be outside or traveling. Say you went to the beach, or a park, or cemetery, and wish to honor the spirits or cast a spell. How would you do so?

Recently I’ve been brainstorming these methods using outdoor rituals I’ve performed in the past as reference. As a disclaimer, these correspondences (for lack of a better term) are highly personal to me. Since these rituals are usually spontaneous, you’ll have permission to alter the significance of these as you see fit.

Gestures 

Hands on the ground can ground you, stabilize your energy, and focus on your energy mingling with the energy of the earth.

Raising your hands towards the sky helps you harness and absorb energy from the sky, and celestial powers. You can also just face your palms towards the sky if you want to remain inconspicuous.

Pointing is a powerful gestures used to direct energy. If you want to charge an object, for instance, you can point at it or tap it. 

Your palms facing away from your body can act as a protective gesture, cutting you off from outside forces. You can also sweep your hands across areas to isolate them, brushing unwanted energies away from the space.

Your palm pressed to the ground or an object directs energy into it. Not only can this ground you, but it releases a lot of energy, activating a spell. You can also raise your own energy by pressing your hand to your heart, or even hugging yourself. 

Grabbing helps you pull in and trap energies.

In the same vein, opening your hand releases energy.

Extending your hand, as if to give a handshake, is a welcoming gesture that invites forces to come to you. This signals to spirits that you welcome them, and that you request to work with them.

Sitting still allows you to listen and meditate. If you want to hear a response or a sign, it is best to remain still.

Dancing releases energy and raises the vibration of the energies around you. You can collapse to the ground when the energy has reached its peak, and needs to be released.

Breathing techniques are a staple in magic, but since I’ve already made a post about them, I’ll link that post here.

Music / Sounds

Certain words and sayings hold great power when stated and chanted. I won’t list any because there are too many to count, but memorizing a hymn or repeating whatever persists in your mind can have great effects.

Similarly, singing raises the power of these words. It can be used to conjure, harness and build energy, sanctify and invite.

Clapping, or otherwise banging objects together, creates a lot of energy. This can cleanse ritual spaces, raise power, and release power.

Whistling and humming helps you resonate with the energies around you. It can also help you attain a meditative state, and attract spirits.

Silence allows you to listen and inspect.

Handling the Ground (Such as Dirt or Sand)

Drawing or marking a circle gives you a designated ritual area. Although this isn’t necessary, I find it useful to mark an area that I can raise energies in. You can draw it in the dirt or sand, or mark the area with stones, flowers, leaves or sticks.

Drawing symbols in the dirt can drastically change the energy of a ritual area. It can be part of a spell or an offering. Hearts, sigils, words and phrases–your options are flexible here.

Burying objects releases it from your control and your sight. This can be done for offerings, banishings, and letting go spells.

Sticking objects into the dirt or sand allows the object to absorb the earth’s energy, without being entirely released from your control.

Concerning Objects Available to You

If you’re performing a ritual outside, chances are you have some natural items available to handle, such as stones, grass, leaves and perhaps water. What you do with these objects depends on the purpose of your ritual. Rituals without tools tend to be spontaneous, meaning that you’ll have to determine the use of each object on the spot. 

If you’re conducting a ritual with no tools, that most likely means that you won’t have a grimoire or correspondence list with you. You’ll have to use what you know about that object, and what you feel is best by speaking to it. In fact, I almost didn’t include this section because unprepared rituals are so uniquely you that I cannot instruct them.

I’ll list some things I’ve done in the past as examples. But remember that your intuition will guide you the most. When it’s your turn, you won’t have this post to guide your actions.

Stones stabilize energies and provide a focal point. I’ve place stones in the middle of my ritual circle as a centerpiece. I’ve also held them to ground myself and meditate. You can also make noise and music by banging said stones.

Leaves have multiple uses, but I often use them as energy directors. They can outline a ritual circle, be used to make symbols, and point to objects. They can also be infused with energy, and then crumpled, buried or ripped.

Sticks direct energy, similar to wands. They can draw symbols, mark circles or outlines, or funnel energy into a specific point.

Water cleanses, blesses, and invigorates with life. Use on yourself or your makeshift ‘tools’.

Wind cleanses, releases, and sweeps away energies, whereas celestial bodies such as the sun and moon charge things with energy.

I won’t include anymore, because these kinds of rituals rely on your good judgement. But hopefully this gave you some ideas on what you can do if you’re ever out somewhere without your tools. 

The Twelve Houses

House 1 - The House of the Self

Includes personality, physical body, appearance, and self-image.

Corresponds with Aries, Mars, and Fire.

House 2 - The House of Worth

Refers to money, possessions, values, and self-esteem.

Corresponds with Taurus, Venus, and Earth.

House 3 - The House of Intellect

Refers to communication skills, understanding of the world, relations with surroundings.

Corresponds with Gemini, Mercury, and Air.

House 4 - The House of Home

Refers to a literal home’s location and looks, along with what makes it a home.

Corresponds with Cancer, Moon, and Water.

House 5 - The House of Love

Refers to romantic love, creativity, self-expression, and pleasure.

Corresponds with Leo, Sun, and Fire.

House 6 - The House of Work

Refers to a job and other general work, along with work to maintain the body.

Corresponds with Virgo, Mercury, and Earth.

House 7 - The House of Partnership

Refers to marriage or work relationships, where one works with another to reach a goal.

Corresponds with Libra, Venus, and Air.

House 8 - The House of Transformation

Refers to how we exchange money, physical sex or reproduction, any change.

Corresponds with Scorpio, Pluto, and Water.

House 9 - The House of Understanding

Refers to intellect in a philosophical sense (dreams, ethics, rituals, ideas).

Corresponds with Sagittarius, Jupiter, and Fire.

House 10 - The House of Status

Refers to how we excel professionally and within a community, knowing how we are seen.

Corresponds with Capricorn, Saturn, and Earth.

House 11 - The House of Friendship

Refers to community, how we relate and become part of a group.

Corresponds with Aquarius, Uranus, and Air.

House 12 - The House of the Subconscious

Refers to the self that we cannot always recognise, dreams, intuition, secrets, sorrows.

Corresponds with Pisces, Neptune, and Water.

Where the planets and signs fall into each house can tell us a lot about important aspects of our lives.

Planets describe “what” will manifest, signs describe “how” the planetary energy is manifested, and the houses describe “when” the energy will be manifested.

If a house is empty on a natal chart, it can describe what we lack or have difficulty with.

Herbal planetary baths

Sun Baths

Herbs: calendula, chamomile (if you know you do not have allergies), eyebright, juniper berries, Saint-John’s-wort, angelica, bay laurel

Oils: frankincense, calendula, juniper, bay laurel, heliotrope

Moon Baths

Herbs: white sandalwood, camphor, fennel, lotus seeds, watercress, jasmin

Oils: white sandalwood, jasmin, fennel, lotus, myrrh, cucumber, hyacinth

Mars Baths

Herbs: ginger, safflower, basil, gentian, patchouli

Oils: ginger, basil, geranium, patchouli, wormwood

Mercury Baths

Herbs: lavender, white sandalwood, horehound, marjoram, thyme

Oils: lavender, white sandalwood, marjoram, anise

Jupiter Baths

Herbs: pine, cinquefoil, cedar, poplar

Oils: pine, cedar, sage, oak moss

Venus Baths

Herbs: rose, vervain, catnip, raspberry leaves, myrtle

Oils: rose, catnip, verbena, violet, coriander

Saturn Baths

Herbs: patchouli, rosemary, dill, agrimony, comfrey

Oils: patchouli, cypress, myrrh

Neptune Baths

Herbs: willow, lobelia, skullcap, poppy seed, orange blossom

Oils: orange blossom (neroli), lotus, tarragon

Uranus Baths

Herbs: nutmeg, anise, coffee, ginseng

Oils: nutmeg, anise, elemi

Pluto Baths

Herbs: galangal, saw palmetto, yohimbe, wormwood

Oils: opoponax, myrrh, patchouli, wormwood

source -herbal alchemist handbooks

always research how big doses you should take as a lot of herbs and plants are dangerous in large doses.