November 2023 Witch Guide

November 2023 witch guide

Full moon: November 27th

New moon: November 13th

Sabbats: None

November Beaver Moon

Known as: Digging(or scratching) moon, Deer rutting moon, Frost moon, Whitefish moon, Mourning Moon, Dark moon, Blotmonath, Fog moon, Mad moon, Moon of storms, Herbistmanoth & Freezing moon

Element: Water

Zodiac: Scorpio & Sagittarius

Nature spirits: Subterranean faeries

Deities: Astarte, Bast, Black Isis, Hecate, Kali, Lakshmi, Mawu, Nicnevin, Osiris & Saraswati

Animals: Crocodile, jackal, scorpion & unicorn

Birds: Goose, owl & sparrow

Trees: Alder, cypress & hazel

Herbs: Betony, blessed thistle, borage, cinquefoil, fennel, grains of paradise & verbena

Flowers: Blooming cacti & chrysanthemum

Scents: Cedar, cherry blossom, hyacinth, lemon, narcissus & peppermint

Stones: Beryl, cat's eye, citrine, yellow sapphire, topaz & turquoise

Colors: Blues, grey, sea green & silver

Energy: Deity communication, cooperation, death, divination, focus, passion, healing, preparation, secrets, sex matters, taking root & transformations.

The Beaver Moon gets its name because it is the time of year when beavers begin to take shelter in their lodges, having laid up sufficient food stores for the long winter ahead. During the fur trade in North America, it was also the season to trap beavers for their thick, winter-ready pelts. 

Other celebrations:

• Lunantishees

November 11th

Also known as: The day of the Sidhe

This day celebrates the Lunantishee Faeries & honors the sacred blackthorn tree that they protect. It is said these faeries dance around their host blackthorn tree or bush by the light of the full moon in which they worship. The Lunantishee are closely associated with moonstone as their name of Moon-Sidhe or moon faeries suggest. These faeries are intensely protective guardians who highlight to us the need to protect our homes & our personal energies/ourselves.

In some traditions people would leave offerings like cakes, milk, honey or ale to avert any mischievous behavior from the faeries & if you had a blackthorn tree leave blackthorn blessings upon you.

During this time it is advised to not pick, cut or prune these plants under any circumstances or else misfortune would be placed upon them.

•Night of Hecate

November 16th

Though many choose to honor the Goddess Hecate during this day, there doesn't seem to be any historical evidence suggesting this particular day has any traditional associations or events & likely was mistaken from Hekate's Deipnon which takes place during the dark phase of the moon. However modern practitioners use this day to honor Hekate despite this.

Some celebrate by having a feast filled with wine, mushrooms, bread & more while also leaving some at the threshold of their front door to symbolize the crossroads between indoors and outdoors.

Sources:

Farmersalmanac.com

Llewellyn's Complete Book of Correspondences by Sandra Kines

A Witch's Book of Correspondences by Viktorija Briggs

Llewellyn's 2023 magical almanac: practical magic for everyday living

Wikipedia

If you're seeing this, it's a sign to claim your energy ✨️ hit like & claim your manifestations ☆

((My first post :>>))

Next month is Yule!! Time to learn, my beautiful lovelies,

What is Yule?

Yule is one of the first holidays celebrated, originating from Pagan Traditions, things such as the Christmas Tree, Yule Log and Yule singing were originally Yule celebrations. Christmas is a Christian-ized version of Yule, it's celebrated same time, depending on who you ask, or your opinion, it can be celebrated same day as Christmas, from the 21st-23rd, or from the 21st-1st of January. There's no specific reasons on these different dates, besides most witches in the Broom Closet (meaning they hide their craft, rather for personal reasons or because of where/how the they live) when a witch is in the broom closet it might be easier to celebrate more across more days, for those who have to keep their craft and celebrations a secret. With more Wiccan traditions it celebrates the Oak and Holly King belief, that the Oak King takes half of the year (Spring and Summer) and the Holly King takes the other half (Autumn/Fall and Winter) some say they battle all year, and Summer and Winter Solstice is when each respecting brother is the strongest. Some say they're battling for the Goddess, other say they're fighting for their part of year, other's say it's just them being rivals. In more Pagan Traditions it celebrates Odin, as that's also were Santa Claus originated from. Odin lead the Wild Hunt through the Sky

"As far as practitioners of nature spiritualities are concerned, the Wild Hunt offers an initiation into the wild and an opening up of the senses; a sense of dissolution of self in confrontation with fear and death, an exposure to a 'whirlwind pulse that runs through life'. In short, engagement with the Hunt is a bid to restore a reciprocity and harmony between humans and nature."

— Susan Greenwood.

Not only this, but it also celebrates the new year (if you go by traditional new year) it's about preparing for the new year, a fresh start

How to celebrate Yule?

There's many ways to celebrate Yule, I recommend you do your own research or ask your family or friends (if you have any) about their beliefs and celebrations, but here's some ways

You can have a Christmas like tree, but instead put orange peels on the tree for celebration of a new year, and the close return of the Oak King. You can write wishes or spells on bay leaves and put it on the tree as well, the star originated from putting candles on the tree, BE CAREFUL though, obviously can be dangerous if you light the candles. You can also put bells on the tree to let Spirits know it's a safe place to stay, and to make their presence aware (not all spirits are bad) you can decorate your altar with things like colors associated with Yule or Christmas if you have experience with Christmas, like red, green, Gold, Silver and maybe even white. Pine cones, snow water, or pine needles from your tree(s) it's also common to make Vision Boards for the new year and do shadow work for the new year on Yule. It's also common to make a bonfire, write all you want to release on paper or bay leaves and throw it into the bon fire. If you can't have a bonfire you can also just a fire safe container and candle, I recommend a Yule colored candle if possible. You can also make the very famous Yule Log, rather it be the actual thing, a tiny version using a stick, or making a Yule Log pastry/dessert.

(Image not mine) I always provide an image with information in case of those who are into Witchcraft, Paganism or Wicca, and have select internet options or they lose this post. They can download this image and have portable knowledge even if they're in a place without internet, or they lose their Tumblr account, or many other things.

That's all for now!!

I think you learn that you’re a witch in the way that you learn that you’re an artist, a baker, or a writer, etc.

One day something makes you wanna try it out. Then something clicks and you’re like “yeah, yeah this feels right.”

No one is born a witch just as no one is born an artist, a baker, or a writer.

ORANGE GARLAND

Take 4 or 5 oranges and slice them into circles; thinner slices make it easier to dry

Place slices in rows on a baking sheet

Place sheets into 200° F oven

Check and flip slices every hour until dry

Let cool, then use a needle, chopstick, or something similar to push two holes through the flesh of the orange (NOT THE RIND! It will fall apart)

String the oranges onto a piece of string or jute

You now have a complete Yule orange decoration! String it on a tree, hang in front of a window, or use as an altar decoration. You can also save it for next year, compost, or give to the birds when the season is over!