Ive Been An Anxious Human Lately, So I Thought Id Share A Trick One Of My Old Therapists Gave Me To Help

I’ve been an anxious human lately, so I thought I’d share a trick one of my old therapists gave me to help keep myself grounded.

The Rainbow Method

If you feel yourself getting lost in your anxiety, take a moment to slow down and take a breath. Look around the room your in. Find things that are the colors of the rainbow, and work through them in order. 

Start with something red, then orange, yellow, etc. Repeat as many times as you would like/need to. I like to make it a challenge to see if I can keep finding new things that are those particular colors.

I find it is really helpful at bringing me back into a physical space rather than getting lost in a mental one. I hope this is helpful for some of you!

True Love Tarot Combinations My Grandma Taught Me

Death + Ace of Cups

Love that lasts a day after forever

Six of Pentacles + Five of Pentacles

Love that asks for nothing in return

Knight of Wands + King of Wands

Love that makes a boy into a man

The Tower + Four of Wands

Love that can withstand any earthquake

Seven of Wands + Knight of Swords

Love that will fight and die for you

Six of Wands + The World

Love that puts you on a pedestal

The Moon + The Sun

Love that consumes you night and day

The Devil + Four of Pentacles

Flaming love that engulfs you

Ace of Cups + Ten of Cups

Love you never have to shed tears for

Two of Cups + The High Priestess

Love you recognize at first sight

Six of Cups + Two of Cups

Friendship that blooms into love

The Hermit + The Fool

Love that outlasts time itself

Death + The Wheel of Fortune

Love that can resurrect a dying soul

Ace of Wands + The Sun

Lust that matures into love

The Hermit + Strength

Love that grows stronger each passing day

Five of Pentacles + Ten of Pentacles

Love that makes lords out of beggars

The Hierophant + Four of Wands

Love no storm can conquer

Tips for writing spells:

If you want to keep something close, bury it in your back yard. If you want to attract something, bury it under the front door step If you want to destroy its influence, burn it. If you want it to move away and sink, throw it in running water If you want to disperse it to a distance, throw it into a crossroads If you want to fix its influence, inter it in a five-spot pattern If you want it to work by means of spirits, bury it in a graveyard If you want to hide its point of origin, conceal it in a tree If you want it to work in secret, give it in food or drink If you want it to work by stealth, hide it in clothing or on objects If you want its influence to begin or strengthen, throw it East If you want its influence to end or weaken, throw it West If you want its influence to rise and fall cyclicly, float it in a tidal estuary

“Where Do I Start?” |  Baby Witch Q&A

Introduction/Disclaimer 

This is all based on my path, opinion, research & experiences.  Now onto the rest of it.  I get a lot of you saying you don’t know where to start, you feel you don’t really know what you’re doing. Here’s a quick tip, none of us do either! Let me stop you there, and tell you now, witchcraft is not an easy path. You have to make decisions, the path is not set in stone. There is no right way, or wrong way, you just have to decide and be confident in your choices and interests. 

That being said, this is some advice that I’ve picked up from answering a lot of questions & hearing a lot of horror stories. It is an outline for anyone that is new, regardless of path. I hope you find it useful. 

The Basics 

What is witchcraft? 

My favorite explanation of witchcraft is,

“Witchcraft is the practice of manipulating energy through various means to produce a desired result.” - Skye Alexander 

But my dear newbies, you will find that each witch may define witchcraft a little differently. Overall, that quote is meant to simply give you a vague idea of what witchcraft is so that you will know if it may be a path you’re interested in.  What don’t witches do? | Misconceptions 

Now we shall go over what witchcraft is not. Here’s a few quick facts for you. 

Witches do not worship Satan (Most of the time.)

Witchcraft is not a religion, Wicca is. 

You do not need to work with deities/spirits or be Wiccan to be a witch. 

You do not have to be a woman, or be any certain gender, culture, race, age, ect to be a witch. Anyone who tells you so is full of shit. 

You don’t have to born a witch, or have some special magickal experience to be a witch. 

We do not always wear dark clothing.

We may or may not curse you.

You can be any religion & still practice witchcraft. 

What do witches do? 

If you’re looking into witchcraft knowing absolutely nothing, a curious outsider who wonders if witchcraft is for you. Here are some things witches do.

Spells & Magick Of course, this is one of the first things that come to mind when you think of witches. Even one in a movie or fairy tale. Here are some fun examples of types of spells and magick:

Candle magick  Any magick that involves candles, some examples of this are using candles based on color, you can also cover them with herbs, oils, or care sigils and symbols into them. 

Sigils I mentioned these in the last section! Sigils are symbols imbued with the magickal intent of a witch. In other words, they’re a symbol that means something specific. You charge (fill with energy) and activate the sigil. Sometimes people just draw them places too, but charging and activation give them more power. 

Potions  Yes! Witches do actually make potions. In cauldrons too! They’re exactly like in the movies. Mixtures of liquids, oils, herbs, ect. 

Glamours  A glamour is a spell that alters your appearance or energy! Often people use them to hide, to appear more attractive, or to intimidate others. 

There are many, many more types of magick and spells available to witch. Those were just a few examples. 

Divination  Defined as “The act of seeking information or insight by supernatural means.” There are hundreds of methods of divination but a common example of divination is tarot cards. Ever see an old lady pull a few cards for past, present, and future in a movie? Those are tarot cards.

Communication with deities, spirits, or fae Did you ever love ghost stories as a kid? Or read greek mythology? Were you ever obsessed with fairies? I certainly was. Many witches believe in, and work with these beings.  Energy work Really any witchy work that involves energy is, no surprise, energy work. Some examples of this are using crystals to manipulate or attract certain kinds of energy. Manipulating energy with a wand, yes we use those. Cleansing, warding, some even practice energetic healing!  Astral projection Astral projection is a purposeful out-of-body experience where you, well, project a version of your consciousness (also known as an astral body) to a location that is separate from your physical body. I haven’t tried it yet, this is just an example of something that some witches do.  Celebrate the wheel of the year  Primarily celebrated by Wiccans, but some non-Wiccan witches like myself celebrate it too. The wheel of the year is a series of 8 holidays, called Sabbats, that are based on the changing of the seasons & nature.  

In addition to this, pretty much every witch I’ve ever met has had a strong connection to nature & the beings/energies that are a part of it. This is one thing so far I’ve found to be universal to witches everywhere. 

Of course I would recommend you look into all of these yourself, which is what the next section is about. Also, not all witches do all of these things. Once more, this is just to give you a vague idea so you know if spending time researching the craft more seriously is important to you.  

If witchcraft seems like it’s for you, here is how you continue! 

The First Step - Research 

Research is the most important thing you will do as a baby witch! The most important advice I can give is research lots & don’t jump into anything. If you’re new, this is the best place to start. 

I’ll be going over a list of topics I find necessary for every witch to research. No matter the circumstances, path, or interests of the witch. 

Types Of Witches

Types Of Magick

Cleansing

Charging

Grounding

Warding

Meditation

Closed cultures

Finally I’d recommend you look into your ancestry. There are a lot of magickal practices relating to certain parts of the world/certain cultures. There might be one relating to you that will interest you, so that’s definitely a topic to be looked into. However if it doesn’t interest at all, it’s not essential like the other topics are.  In addition to these, I strongly recommend you follow your own interests. Do you know that a family member practiced the craft? Look into how. Do you want to get into that obscure form of divination? Do it! Even if you’re interests are just things like tarot or sigils. Go for it. 

How Do I Research? 

A very common question I get is what online resources/books/tumblr blogs would I recommend & I feel since I mentioned research, answering this question goes along with “Where do I start?” so here are some links that should help you find resources in whatever form you may prefer.  Tumblr blogs A list of witchy tumblr blogs I’d recommend! 

@lunaesteria @orriculum @underworldariel @heatherwitch @moonlightacademy @urbanspellcraft @witchofapollo @teaspellsandsecrets @theladymorganlefay @scarletravenswood

Websites [Exemplore] Tons of articles on basic witchy topics!  [Witchipedia] They have just about every witchy term/topic defined & explained. Lots of links to further reading on said terms/topics too.  [LearnReligions] Although the title may be misleading I’ve found a ton of useful articles on there! [Labyrinthos] Information on tarot.  [AstroCharts] Website I use for astrology stuff! 

Youtube Channels  Here’s a few witchy youtube channels I loved to watch when I was starting out.  [The Witch Of Wonderlust] [Harmony Nice] [Scarlet Ravenswood] [Magickians]

A few more recommendation lists

[Witchy/Spiritual/Paranormal Youtubers] [More Witchy Youtubers] [Youtube Witches]

Books  [Witchy Books I’d Recommend]

A few more recommendation lists

[Beginner Witch Book] [Beginner Wiccan Books] [Witchcraft Books] [Magickal Books] [Book Recommendations For Witches]

Finally I’d like to suggest this!

[All Of My Posts | A Guide For Baby Witches]

It’s a directory of all of my posts. You will likely find information there regarding many of the subjects I mentioned above, such as cleansing. 

Advice For Researching When you’re researching ANYTHING relating to witchcraft no matter the source, no matter how you found it, or rather if you hear it’s good/bad, PLEASE think critically. Learn to pick out the bad bits. Ask yourself things like could this be biased? Does this make sense? Do I agree with this? Is this one sided? Could it be appropriation? Ect. If you do find bullshit, remember that doesn’t mean everything in the book is useless. In addition if you tend to find the same answer in vastly different places it is likely to be true. 

In addition, if a book says any of these things I am suspicious of all unknown information presented by said book: 

Wicca is the only way/Wicca and witchcraft are the same.  Very commonly implied in Silver Ravenworm’s books, which are bullshit by the way. If a book implies this I don’t even bother to read it. 

Three fold rule  Once more, if a book implies this I don’t bother. 

Look out for appropriation 

If there’s talk of gypsies, chakras, dream catchers, ect ect I’m usually suspicious of a person’s prospective or ethics. 

White magick I personally do not believe magick is white nor black so this is something I avoid because it’s bullshit to me. Might not be true for everyone! 

Those are just my beliefs, still even if you believe the 3 fold rule. if someone tries to shove it down your throat, they are likely questionable. Once again this does not mean all books like this are useless, because some don’t have the means to be as picky about books as I am. You should also always be suspicious of new witchy books and especially authors. These are just red flags for you.  Now we will be moving onto where you will put the information you collect! The next section is all about grimoires. 

What is a grimoire? 

What is a grimoire?  A grimoire is a collection of information to be used by a witch. A witchy journal, if you will. A collection of information or notes from research. 

Why do I need one?  Witchcraft has a lot & I mean a LOT of information to be learned. It will prove to be very difficult to practice effectively & keep track of said information without a place to store it. 

How do I start one?  Do not worry about having anything fancy or organized if you are new. Just have a space, that can be on your laptop, in a notebook, in a binder, or other location that you are storing information on witchcraft. When I’m researching I like to have a page dedicated to the topic, with the date I wrote the information & where I got it. This will prove very useful later. 

For more tips on grimoire making see this post,  [Grimoire Tips] 

I feel like I’m gonna mess something up… | Common Mistakes To Avoid

A lot of people, particularly young people that are new to witchcraft seem to be worried they’ll “mess something up.” I get questions/concerns relating to that a lot. So, here’s a few things to not do, no matter who you are. It’s also an opportunity for me to lecture and forewarn you, which is much needed. 

Research & think critically I know I already covered this, I will likely cover it more, but I had to remind you anyways. Research anything you do to make sure it is not part of a closed culture, and make sure it is safe, advisable, and necessary.

Always cleanse & ward I have said this a million times & I mean it. 90% of the problems/bad situations I am presented with could be solved by simply returning to the basics.

Don’t jump into spell/spirit work The other 10% of problems could be solved by listening to this. Don’t jump into this stuff. It’s not a toy. It is a tool. It is powerful. You are powerful.

Research herbs/crystals before use Don’t just go foraging for, ingesting, burning, or rubbing things on you that you know nothing about. Same goes for crystals. Some crystals are sensitive to water, sunshine, ect. If you put a crystal in your water it could dissolve and render the water very toxic. Be careful. 

Practice fire safety Yes it’s a problem. Be aware. Research anything you burn, do not leave it & keep a glass of water nearby in case things get out of hand.

What tips do you have for babies? | Some Extra Advice 

Intuition  Follow your intuition. If it tells you to do something or change something about a spell, do it. Learn to distinguish it from everything else. It will prove useful in the years to come. 

Routine A lot of witches, particularly new ones are young & have school or a job or both keeping them busy. That’s why it’s very important you work witchcraft into your routine. It makes it so much easier to feel accomplished & like you’re advancing. For more tips on that, see these posts:  [Everyday Magick Tips] [Are You A Busy Witch?]

Witch Type / Path  A lot of people are going to try to convince you that you have to pick a certain path. Finding interests of your own is great & very important, but here’s a hot take, you’re likely not a crystal witch. Most witches are eclectic in some form. Your interests & what you focus on will change & that’s okay. Don’t feel any pressure to stick to one certain thing. If you want to be a hedge witch or a ceremonial magician, go right ahead, this is for those that feel restricted & stressed out by the idea. It’s okay if your path changes, too. Most people have different interests throughout time, it makes sense the same would apply to a spectrum of topics as broad as witchcraft.  Supplies Another common question is what supplies are essential for a baby to have? If you’ve come this far & the contents of this post are new to you, then you aren’t ready for supplies yet. Just keep researching & learning about your interests. When it’s time for you to go buy something, you’ll know what to get.  People have different ideas  Another important tip, a lot of information and specifically methodology you see is just a person’s personal method or opinion. Many of the asks I receive can be answered with “Well some people think that, others don’t” so learn that most of the time if you want to do something differently, you can.  This post took 2 weeks to finish. It’s finally done! 

I hope this post helped you or you learned something new!  Enjoy! Have a lovely day 💖

The Worst Tarot Cards Give the Best Advice

Some find it confusing when a difficult card falls in the advice position. Death is not asking you to die. But the Five of Cups wishes you would cry.

Death

Purge your soul of what no longer serves you. It will only be more painful if you wait for life to force you.

Three of Swords

Acknowledge your pain. The wound will fester if you keep denying its presence. Healing begins only with acceptance.

The Devil

Dive into it with all your might. Do not go gentle into that good night. It will all be worth the fall.

Five of Cups

Cry till the tears run dry. Till the darkness has gone, leaving only the light. Then turn around for a wondrous sight.

Two of Swords

You will never be completely certain. No one is in life. All you can do is follow your heart. It will lead you to what is right.

Five of Wands

There is a time for peace. But it is not today. You have to fight for your beliefs. Let nothing stand in your way.

Seven of Swords

Leave your morals at the door. This is no place for principles. What matters is survival. Time to think like a criminal.

Ten of Wands

You are walking through fire, and the pain is unbearable. But give it one more minute. The hurt will all be worth it.

Eight of Swords

You look at yourself and see a prisoner. And yet the ropes are loose and the lock is open. Stop acting the victim.

Five of Swords

So you lost. Cry for a while. Then dry your eyes and try again tomorrow. No need to drown in sorrow.

Nine of Swords

Turn your fear into fuel. Do not sit there waiting for destruction. Fight with all your might to escape annihilation.

Five of Pentacles

If you bother to look up, you will notice a shelter. Enough with the self-pity. Time to outsmart the weather.

Nine of Wands

As things stand, it is not safe for you to love. This is not the time to fall. Protect your heart, and build a wall.

Ten of Swords

Some pains demand to be felt. So feel them. Give them their deserved recognition. Then banish them to oblivion.

The Tower

Let it end. Watch calmly as it comes crashing down. You have to eradicate the old before you can build a new town.

🗡️ Jinxes, Hexes, & Curses 🗡️

🗡️  JINXES -  quick-lasting, harmless but mean-spirited.

nox - a spell to end a source of light or positivity

your heart in my hand -  to send someone nightmares and to feel a general sense of being lost in life

burn your wishes - a simple curse to destroy someone’s wishes

spell of shattered sight -  a spell that makes a person only see the most ugly aspects of themselves and others around them

🗡️ HEXES - mal-intended spells with temporary effects. 

burst your bubble -  a simple curse to destroy someone’s ego/hope

hex for a player -  a curse from scorned lovers to the one breaking hearts, to give them difficulty finding anyone to be with romantically/sexually

cerberus hex - attacks what hurts things under plutonic protection spell

breezeblocks curse -  to affect someone you resent for leaving

pumpkin head - seasonal hex to “burn” those who wrong you

bad moon rising - a revenge curse, general misfortune for a month

🗡️ CURSES - intense, powerful and long lasting.  

to sink a sailor -  to symbolically drown someone 

marooned sailor curse -  a curse to strand them alone in life. 

avada kedavra - a curse not to kill, but to make the target feel death’s presence in their life. 

imperius curse -  to make the intended feel helpless, that things in their life are out of their power and control

cruciatus curse  - to create pain in the life of the intended, whether physical or emotional

seven devils curse -  a curse to burn the kingdom of and haunt the target

thorn in my side - a curse for abusers

red in your ledger - to return the hurt someone has done

if you take issue with cursing, jinxing, or hexing, that is your craft, but please do not add onto this post telling witches not to curse because “karma”, “the three fold law” or whatever.  mind your own craft.