2022grimoirechallenge

[2022grimoirechallenge]

Okay friends! I will be skipping this weeks post. But I am feeling better finally!

We will pick up the challenge this coming Monday! I’ve had time to get better and to work ahead on the challenge so that this doesn’t happen again! There are several posts made up and queued for the next month or so, giving me time to continue to work ahead!

Apologies again for no post this week! But the challenge goes on. As always, if you wish to make posts about your progress tag this blog in the post so that I get a notification and can share your work!

Thank you all so much for being a part of the challenge! Wishing you all the best!

-Mod Hazel

[2022grimoirechallenge]

Apologies for the lateness of this weeks post. Kiddos have the Covid and I’m not feeling the greatest myself.

I’ll get the post up by tomorrow guys!

[2022grimoirechallenge]

Wait, is there only one mod for this challenge? I thought there were two, but I only ever see one person signing off on the 2022 posts.

Yes there is just one mod! I’m all on my own this year. :)

-mod Hazel

[2022grimoirechallenge]

May Week 3: Celestial Bodies

Apologies for a lack of informational posts between the prompts this month, its been a pretty hectic one for me. But, the prompts are still coming! This week, we’ll be looking into more astrology and other celestial bodies within witchcraft and paganism in general. 

Monday: Sun, Moon, and Stars

Research/ New Page(s)- Today is all about those beautiful things we see in the sky every day and night. Look into scientific information about the sun and moon (chemical makeup, size, etc). Think about how they interact with us as humans and the earth itself in a natural way. What do we gain from the sun and moon? And the stars? Then think about them in the realm of witchcraft. What deities, powers, items, plants, animals, myths, legends and types of magic are they associated with? Likewise in the realm of paganism. 

Practical/ Journal- Perform a short meditation in the sunlight and in the moonlight. What do you feel from these celestial bodies? What connection do you have with them? What do they do for you? Journal your emotions, physical state, and general information about your meditation after it is done. 

Tuesday: Asteroids, Meteorites, Comets, Black Holes oh my!

Research/ New Page- Look up the magical and mundane associations of asteroids, meteors and meteorites, comets and black holes! What do you associate with them? How can these bodies be used for magical purposes? What kinds of magic and myths do they represent? Add these to a new page or to your general planets page!

Practical- Let’s do a spell! I’m sure we’ve all got spells we’ve seen or written that we haven’t performed. Let’s take a break from all the study and do something with our hands and get them dirty. Find a spell or write a spell that you want to perform, and do the thing! 

Journal- After you’ve performed the spell, add to your journal about the experience and the result. How do you feel? Did it work? How did it work? Do you have to tweak the spell for use later?

Wednesday: That damned retrograde

Research- Alright, we’ve looked into general information on all the planets, but let’s look at their movements today. What ways do the planets move? For example, what is retrograde? Define it, and its effects. What does each planet going into and out of retrograde mean? How does it influence us, our lives, and our magic? In what ways can we call upon these planets for power and magic? Add this information to each of the planetary pages you’ve already made. 

Practical/ Journal- Look up the current planetary movements. Are there any currently in retrograde? If so, what does this planet being in retrograde mean? Are there ways you are influenced by this? Have you felt it? Meditate on this fact and journal about it!

Thursday:Astrological Aspects

Research- Look into the aspects of the various astrological signs. Conjunction, Sextile, Square, Trine and Opposition. The aspects are the way your energies will play out within the signs, and the connections between two or more planets. Add the information you find out about these to each planet’s page.

Practical- Again, I strongly suggest looking up your natal chart and mapping it all out yourself. You could be surprised what you find out about yourself and the way you interact with other people and the world around you.  

Friday: Rest Day/ Catch Up

Happy friday witches! There was an awful lot of stuff packed into this week’s prompts. So use today to catch up and or take a rest from the jam packed study of this week!

Awesome. Another week down! I hope we’re all doing well and enjoying the prompts! If I’m missing any information about celestial/ space/ planetary magic and astrology, please feel free to message us and or send in submissions and asks with suggestions!

-Mods Basil and Mango

[2022grimoirechallenge]

May Week 3 - Shadow Work and Retrograde

Hello hello everyone and welcome to another week of the 2022 Grimoire Challenge! This week we’re gonna be looking into Shadow Work and its part in our personal lives and in our practice! As well as that dreaded Mercury Retrograde, along with some other fun topics!

So, without further posturing on my part, let us begin!

Part 1 - What is Shadow Work?

Make a page in your lab notebook, or journal, whichever is fine, where we’re going to define shadow work. What is it? Where did it start? Who coined the term? What are ‘shadows’? Dig deep into what shadow work is, before jumping into doing it.

Now that we know what it is, how do we perform shadow work? What are some methods for doing it? How does one go about facing their shadows? What can we learn and unlearn from doing shadow work? What things can be helpful or harmful when performing shadow work?

The more you know about shadow work, the world you live in, and yourself, the better you’re going to be at performing shadow work. This can be a heavy topic and a difficult thing to perform. Make sure you’re ready to truly observe and look at yourself and your life/ choices before you jump into the next part.

Part 2 - Facing the Shadows

Now that you know what shadow work is, and a little about how to go about it. This part of the challenge is going to be to start some shadow work. I say start, because doing shadow work isn’t a one off, one time, one day thing. It is a process that can take days, months, or even years.

So after looking up what shadow work is, what things in your life do you need to work on. What shadow work do you need to do in your own life?

Start the process now, or whenever you feel ready. We’ll circle back to this topic a few times through the rest of the year to see what progress we have all made!

Part 3 - Meditation/ Journal

This goes along with the above. When you start your shadow work, meditate on it, and then journal where you’re at mentally, physically, emotionally and spiritually at the start of this process. How do you feel? Why do you feel that way? Where do your thoughts and emotions linger? How do your actions follow suit and/ or need to change?

Take time to do this. Sit with yourself, truly sit with yourself and look long and hard at yourself in the mirror both literally and metaphorically, in an attempt to better understand yourself.

Growth and change happens slowly over time, both good and bad, and in order for our shadow work to be successful we must take the time to look inward and outward to see ourselves in our personal world and in the greater world and the effects those two things have on one another and how they influence each other.

Part 4 - That Damned Retrograde

So this doesn’t have to be specific to Mercury Retrograde, but since it is currently in the stars, why not look it up. What is it? What does it mean? How does it work? What/ who does it affect and how?

How often does it occur? Do you feel it? Or are you only aware of it when someone else mentions it?

What stock do you take in astrology, if any? Do you feel the stars truly influence us or is it all arbitrary? I’m not one to judge anyone’s beliefs about anything, and this challenge is about helping you form a basis to grow from within our craft. So, use this as a baseline to build on to your beliefs, a place to start or continue learning from. The more we understand about ourselves, the better.

Part 5 - Navigating Planetary Changes

How do you navigate changes in the planetary alignments? Do they influence your life at all? Is it an actual thing, or do you feel a belief in the thing creates the chaos it inspires?

What other planetary movements do you know of? What others do you wish to know about? Make a list and look them up. What planetary alignments do you feel most connected and drawn to? How do they influence you?

Take your time with this one. Astrology is a huge topic to cover. So don’t feel obligated to limit this to one single day, or even one single page!

Part 6 - Fun activity

Since summer is basically here, get outside. Pick some flowers, Take a walk. Go for a swim! Plant something in your garden if you have one! Eat some fresh fruit. Lay in the grass and feel the sun on your skin. Just go enjoy being outdoors for a few minutes.

Enjoy this week’s challenge prompts and look forward to more!

-Mod Hazel

[2022grimoirechallenge]

May Week 2: The Planets

Hello witches! Let’s dive in to this week with some positivity, cause it’s gonna be packed! This week is all about the planets! Their movements, their placements in astrology, what they symbolize, and how they can influence us and our magic! Each of the days this week will encompass multiple planets, and you’re free to make a single page for each one, and add the overall chat and list to your general astrology page!

So let’s open with the origin of planetary correspondences! Look up the astronomer Agrippa, and his insight and all he did for modern concepts and ideas regarding planetary correspondences. Are there other astronomers or scientists through the years who have helped and added to these?

Monday: Mercury, Venus, Earth

Research/ New Page(s)-  Alright these prompts are gonna be packed with research, so buckle up friends. Look up the science of each planet, their chemical makeup, physical properties, colors, their orbit times and rotation times, how many moons they have. Now think in the metaphysical, magical, mythical and astrological aspects. Are these planets related to any deity? What role do these planets play in astrology?  What types of magic, myths, legends, stories are associated with this planet? What is the planet named for? What does this planet represent within your beliefs and practice? What is your personal relation to this planet? Are there herbs, stones, tools, or other things that are typically associated with this planet? What, if any, are the negative aspects of the planets (scientific, magical, and myth and legend)? What does each planetary house represent?

Meditation/ Journal- If you haven’t done so already in the earlier prompts where it was mentioned, look up your natal chart and all of your planetary placements. Meditate on all of your placements and planetary connections. Look deep, do you feel these are all accurate representations of the various aspects of yourself?

Practical- After each day, look up at the sky and look for each planet! But Basil, how do I do that? Well my friends… there’s an app for that! (or if you don’t have a smart phone or tablet, just enjoy this website. The app is called Night Sky and it shows a great deal about the planets, constellations, and lets you look through VR/ AR where they are. 

Tuesday: Mars, Jupiter, Saturn

Research/ New Page(s)-  Alright these prompts are gonna be packed with research, so buckle up friends. Look up the science of each planet, their chemical makeup, physical properties, colors, their orbit times and rotation times, how many moons they have. Now think in the metaphysical, magical, mythical and astrological aspects. Are these planets related to any deity? What role do these planets play in astrology?  What types of magic, myths, legends, stories are associated with this planet? What is the planet named for? What does this planet represent within your beliefs and practice? What is your personal relation to this planet? Are there herbs, stones, tools, or other things that are typically associated with this planet?  What, if any, are the negative aspects of the planets (scientific, magical, and myth and legend)?  What does each planetary house represent?

Meditation/ Journal- Think about the planets, the way they move, how and why they represent what they do, do you connect more strongly with one planet or another? What is it and why? 

Practical- Once again, with or without the app or website, just go look at the sky. Appreciate your place in it all. Your connection to it all. All those lights you see are MILLIONS of miles away, yet even from that distance we can see them. How does that make you feel? Add to your pages! Draw or sketch the planets, their symbols, anything that relates to that planet!

Wednesday: Jupiter, Saturn

Research/ New Page(s)-  Alright these prompts are gonna be packed with research, so buckle up friends. Look up the science of each planet, their chemical makeup, physical properties, colors, their orbit times and rotation times, how many moons they have. Now think in the metaphysical, magical, mythical and astrological aspects. Are these planets related to any deity? What role do these planets play in astrology?  What types of magic, myths, legends, stories are associated with this planet? What is the planet named for? What does this planet represent within your beliefs and practice? What is your personal relation to this planet? Are there herbs, stones, tools, or other things that are typically associated with this planet?  What, if any, are the negative aspects of the planets (scientific, magical, and myth and legend)?  What does each planetary house represent?

Practical- Again, look up! Magic is everywhere. We’re as connected to the planet we’re on as to the ones so far away. Today, think about any of the planets. If you work with them in your craft, write a chant or invocation to ask for a specific planet’s aid in your working. 

Thursday: Uranus, Neptune

Research/ New Page(s)-  Alright these prompts are gonna be packed with research, so buckle up friends. Look up the science of each planet, their chemical makeup, physical properties, colors, their orbit times and rotation times, how many moons they have. Now think in the metaphysical, magical, mythical and astrological aspects. Are these planets related to any deity? What role do these planets play in astrology?  What types of magic, myths, legends, stories are associated with this planet? What is the planet named for? What does this planet represent within your beliefs and practice? What is your personal relation to this planet? Are there herbs, stones, tools, or other things that are typically associated with this planet?  What, if any, are the negative aspects of the planets (scientific, magical, and myth and legend)?  What does each planetary house represent?

Practical/ Journal- STARE AT THE SKY! If you live in a place with too much light pollution, take a walk, or a drive. Go somewhere safe where there is no smog or cloud cover, or light pollution and you can just really look at the sky. Just breathe deep, slow, even breathes. Relax. Let the starlight, the moonlight, the planets and everything out there feed your soul. After you do this, journal about it. Think about ways to incorporate the planets and stars and everything into your practice. 

Friday: Pluto (Planetary wrap up)

Research/ New Page(s)-  Alright these prompts are gonna be packed with research, so buckle up friends. Look up the science of each planet, their chemical makeup, physical properties, colors, their orbit times and rotation times, how many moons they have. Now think in the metaphysical, magical, mythical and astrological aspects. Are these planets related to any deity? What role do these planets play in astrology?  What types of magic, myths, legends, stories are associated with this planet? What is the planet named for? What does this planet represent within your beliefs and practice? What is your personal relation to this planet? Are there herbs, stones, tools, or other things that are typically associated with this planet?  What, if any, are the negative aspects of the planets (scientific, magical, and myth and legend)?  What does each planetary house represent?

Research- If there’s anything else you can think of to add to any of the pages for any of the planets, look it up! Research as much as possible! Animal associations, historical facts, pictures, anything! The more you know, the better your connection to the planet. Look into the movements of the planets in relation to each other and how they might effect one another, both physically or metaphorically. How do the various planets interact, through their myths and legends, physicality or even just in relation to each other in an astrological sense. How do they influence each other, as they influence us? How do they work in conjunction? How do the planets relate to the zodiac signs?

Whew! That’s a lot. But hey, there’s a lot to learn about the planets in any sense that you begin researching them in. There’s more out there, in space magic and in astrology and we will be looking into those in later weeks! 

Good luck and Happy Casting Witches!

-Mod Basil

[2022grimoirechallenge]

May Week 2 - Mash it Up

Okay everyone, this week’s prompts are gonna be a little all over the place, but it’s got some fun stuff packed into it. Let’s dive in.

Part 1 - Make A New Spell

Look back at all the things we’ve studied already (method, ingredients, purpose and so on) and make a new spell for yourself. Is there something you need a little extra help finding? Something you need a little extra help doing? Whatever it is, make a spell to help get yourself over whatever hump you’re facing. Write it out in your lab notebook. Go over it a few times, rework it, act it out, then perform it!

Whatever suits your needs at the current moment, go with it! This week is all going to be some practical things along with study topics.

Part 2 - Magic and Morality

Where do morals come into play in magic? Is it okay to cast spells on others without consent, whether it is to help them or not? What roles do gender play in your magic, if any? What are some of the moral codes you stand by when it comes to magic? Are there certain rules you follow personally? Where did those rules come from? What is your take on sex and love magic? Hexes and curses? Teaching and learning magic?

These are some deep questions that you may or may not immediately have answers to, and that’s okay. Write out either in your lab book or in your journal the answers to these questions or just use them as a topic for a self discussion type entry where you write out where you stand and why to each of those topics.

It’s important to know who we are, and where we stand on all these and other topics. Knowing our moral boundaries is as important to our magical practice as it is to our everyday lives.

Part 3 - Project 2 Cover and Title

Alright so this isn’t so much a study topic as a fun one. If you haven’t already, find a nice piece of paper or a notebook, or whatever you’re using for your grimoire now (or whatever you’re going to use for it in the future) and make a cover for it! It doesn’t have to be super ornate or fancy, and if it is in a leather journal or other book with a pre made cover, just do a title page.

Come up with a title for your grimoire. Mine is so eloquently titled “The Hazel Grimoire” simple and to the point.

Whatever you do with the cover, if you want to fancy it up, add pictures, letters, paint, anything to make it yours and claim it as a piece of your practice!

Part 4 - Notes, notes and more notes

Look back at your magical notes, wherever they are, be they paper, notebooks, or even files on your computer.

And I know... I know... Its gonna sound terrible

BUT ORGANIZE THAT SHIT

Not necessarily a table of contents, but make a list of the topics you already have notes on as you organize them, so they’re easier to come back to when you decide to start learning more, or for when you need to look back for reference. Nerdy as it is, my grimoire has a table of contents at the front so I can easily find the pages I’m looking for

While doing this, if you notice any topics missing, make a second list of topics you intend to start studying and finding information on, that way you have a direction of where to go when you have a little time to study again!

Part 5 - Take a Break

This week was a lot of stuff that takes a lot of energy, so use whatever day this week during your challenge work to take a break from it. Set it aside and just exist, breathe, be. Don’t let this challenge be a stressful thing. Even if you’re not actively participating and saving these prompts for another day, take a break!

That’s all for this week, at least until we start getting into the bonus prompts ;) look forward for those. Thank you all so much for participating.

As always, tag this blog with any progress posts you have so that I can more readily see them, and if you feel obliged to tip me via cashapp for running the challenge, my cashapp is in the description on the desktop site.

Thank you all, my friends, and enjoy the challenge!

-Mod Hazel

[2022grimoirechallenge]

Hi loves! My name is Della and I run Mrs. C's School of Witchery , a completely free online school for Witchcraft and Paganism.

Unlike a lot of spiritual organizations, we teach non-denominational magick mean both "Light" and "Taboo" as well as Theistic and Nontheistic. The vision in general was to create the most organized higher learning facility where practitioners could see all the traditions and types of Witchcraft they could choose to follow. What's even better? If the school does not provide curriculum on the topic you're looking for, let us know and the staff will happily lend a hand.

While we do have school wide rituals, we choose not to function as a Coven where all members follow the same faith. Everyone is welcome no matter their belief system.

I've currently got 2 other Witchy professors teaching alongside me as we attempt the great challenge of giving all who enter a chance at extra guidance in walking whatever path they choose. We're always looking to promote other Witches in the community or collaborate on work so please shoot me a message if you've got any questions or would like to work with us! 🖤

[2022grimoirechallenge]

Love it!! Thank you so much for sharing!

Ranger Signs

From the Zeta Witchbook volume 1, my book for the @2022grimoirechallenge, on the subject of Ranger Signs for May Week One:

[under the part 2 entry]

The Ranger Signs are from the 2010 Nintendo DS game "Pokemon Ranger: Guardian Signs". They can be used to summon or invoke the power of specific Pokemon.

[under the part 3 entry]

The Ranger Signs (aka Involiths or Emblems) are drawn on the ground to summon previously captured Pokemon allies to help with specific challenges.

In magical practice, these could be used to channel/invoke a specific Pokemon to fulfill something.

[2022grimoirechallenge]

May Week 1: Intro To Astrology

Hello hello! Welcome to another month of the 2019 Grimoire Chellenge! This month is all about those amazing and beautiful celestial signs in the sky, the planets, the stars, the sun and the moon. Let’s start this month off with a basic intro to the zodiac and astrology in general. We’ll work with the western zodiac (though if you work with a different zodiac, feel free to adjust the prompts to fit your practice and beliefs.)

Also, beginning with this month, there will be additional bits in the prompt lists. Divination, Journal prompts, practical prompts, research prompts, and new pages. It will seem like a lot, but don’t feel obligated to do all of them. This is simply a guide. For this month, if you recall and have done it previously, we will be using the natal chart we mapped out in a previous month’s bonus prompt. If not, now is the time to map your natal chart! We will be delving into the houses and their meanings/ placements later this month. 

Monday: Other Zodiacs/ Overall Definitions

There are a plethora of other zodiacs or similar charts and symbols out there. From the Celtic tree zodiac, to the Chinese zodiac to many others. Feel free to look into any of these in place of or as a supplement to the above, as not everyone uses the same zodiac.

Research/ New Page- For whatever zodiac you’re using, we need to define a few terms and explain how things work. So, let’s define and get into the grit of the following terms.

Define Zodiac and explain its purpose and uses

Define Astrology and explain its purpose and uses

Define and outline what the zodiac encompasses (elements, animals, dates, etc.)

This can be a whole page on its own, or it can be added to any other page you see fit. Add pictures and symbols and anything else you feel like to make the page feel like it is truly yours.

Tuesday: Fire Signs

Research/ New Page- Aries, Leo and Sagittarius. Look them up, learn about them. What are they? What do the constellations look like? What do they represent? What dates do they fall under? Are there myths or legends behind them? What are those myths? How do these signs (as a sun sign) influence a person? What are the major aspects of these signs? What are some of the things both magical and mundane associated with these signs? What are the symbols for each sign and where do those symbols stem from?

Wednesday: Air Signs

Research/ New Page- Gemini, Libra, Aquarius.  Look them up, learn about them. What are they? What do the constellations look like? What do they represent? What dates do they fall under? Are there myths or legends behind them? What are those myths? How do these signs (as a sun sign) influence a person? What are the major aspects of these signs? What are some of the things both magical and mundane associated with these signs?  What are the symbols for each sign and where do those symbols stem from?

Thursday: Water Signs

Research/ New Page- Cancer, Pisces, Scorpio.    Look them up, learn about them. What are they? What do the constellations look like? What do they represent? What dates do they fall under? Are there myths or legends behind them? What are those myths? How do these signs (as a sun sign) influence a person? What are the major aspects of these signs? What are some of the things both magical and mundane associated with these signs?  What are the symbols for each sign and where do those symbols stem from?

Friday: Earth Signs

Research/ New Page- Taurus, Virgo, Capricorn.  Look them up, learn about them. What are they? What do the constellations look like? What do they represent? What dates do they fall under? Are there myths or legends behind them? What are those myths? How do these signs (as a sun sign) influence a person? What are the major aspects of these signs? What are some of the things both magical and mundane associated with these signs?  What are the symbols for each sign and where do those symbols stem from?

Alright friends! That’s our intro to astrology this month. We’ll dig deeper into other aspects of it as we progress through this month! Most importantly, remember; Good Luck and Have Fun!

-Mods Basil and Mango

[2022grimoirechallenge]

May Week 1 - Understanding Magical Symbols

Apologies for the lateness of this post! I’ve been working some overtime and dealing with a lot of personal and family issues. But I am working ahead on everything this week so the posts will be done and queued!

This week’s focus is on magical symbols of all kinds, their origins, meanings, how to use them and so on. Without further ado, let’s dive in!

Part 1 - Lab Notebook

So let’s make a list of the various types of symbols we already know about. Think about them. Runes? Sigils? What other magical symbols do you know of? The alchemical symbols? Put this list on a separate piece of paper inside your notebook. Expand it as necessary when you find more types of symbols to add.

On a page in your notebook, dedicate one to the symbols listed below.

alchemical symbols

runes

sigils

the ogham script

One each of those pages, write out what you already know about each of those, then expand on that and learn a little more about each one of them. For the sigils page, write out how you have learned to make them or, all the methods to making them, as there are various methods.

Dig deep with these, but also, give it your personal touch. I have created my own magical symbol that I place on things for various reasons, but mostly for protection.

Part 2 - Origins, Meanings, Adaptations

Look into the origins of the runes (example: the elder futhark runes), sigils, and alchemical symbols. Add this information to your pages. Along with that, look into the meanings of the various symbols and make a list of them if you choose, that you can look back on for reference or study and memorize. Continue further and look into various adaptations of these symbols through history. Let this be the bulk of this week’s study, learn as much as you can!

Part 3 - Use

What are the purpose and uses of these symbols through history and today? How have they changed or stayed the same? And why do you think that is? How can you incorporate any or all of these into your own practice?

Part 4 - Practical: Make Some Sigils/ Runes/ Symbols

Using the methods you have learned about, make some symbols of your own to use in your practice. Anything from a single symbol to a small set of them, or even an entire alphabet! Have fun with this. Incorporate color and other elements in the creation of your sigils to give it purpose and personal power! Feel free to share these if you like!

Part 5 - Meditate/ Journal

It is spring! The rain is falling, the sun is shining and the plants are growing. Let’s continue to meditate and journal on spring, the idea of rebirth, growth and abundance in our lives and in our practice. What does spring mean to you? What does it bring or take away from you? What can you learn from the natural world around you as spring embraces the world completely?

Okay! That wraps up week one! We will continue with more prompts next week and stay tuned this week for another bonus prompt!

-Mod Hazel

[2022grimoirechallenge]

I haven’t forgotten this week’s post! It will be posted tomorrow morning! Some things came up over the weekend and I’m playing catch up with a lot of my projects! Stay tuned and apologies!

-Mod Hazel

[2022grimoirechallenge]

Spring Magic Ressources 🌱

The spring witchcraft basics

Building a spring equinox altar

Correspondences for Aries season

Grimoire journaling prompts for spring (divine feminine-oriented)

Mystery box botanical set for spring 2022 (as a gift to yourself bc why not)

Reawakwning ritual

The basics of botanicals

How to make your backyard safe for wildlife

Earth-oriented songs and chants  Listen I just adore them

Solitary witch Beltane activities

Astrology predictions for the upcoming season

Garden Witchcraft book by Ellen Dugan (on amazon)

Dream seed craft for the current full moon

[2022grimoirechallenge]

April Week 4: Elemental Wrap Up

Hello everyone, and thank you for sticking through this heavy month of prompts. For this week we will be wrapping up the elements pages we’ve worked on with some emotional introspection, using the elements for self improvement, and decoration based on the way we feel about the elements. 

Monday: Fire and Water

Research/ Introspection- What emotions do Fire and Water represent to you? (as an example water is typically associated with emotions and the way that they flow from one into another.) Once you have that figured out, think about how you can use and incorporate those elements and the emotions that they represent to you to improve yourself, your magic, your craft and your environment?

Decoration- Somewhere on your page for these two elements, add some decoration, some colors, stickers, pictures, anything that relates the element and the information you learned to the element. Have fun with it, be as creative as you can!

Tuesday: Earth and Air

Research/ Introspection- What emotions do Earth and Air represent to you? (as an example earth is typically associated with stability.) Once you have that figured out, think about how you can use and incorporate those elements and the emotions that they represent to you to improve yourself, your magic, your craft and your environment?

Decoration- Somewhere on your page for these two elements, add some decoration, some colors, stickers, pictures, anything that relates the element and the information you learned to the element. Have fun with it, be as creative as you can!

Wednesday: Spirit/ Secondary Elements

Research/ Introspection- Think about the fifth element (if you work with one or acknowledge one) as well as any secondary elements and what emotions they represent to you. As above, think about how working with these elements and emotions we can work towards self improvement, and improving our spiritual or magical paths and workings. 

Decoration- Again, use your imagination and creativity to decorate these pages as much as you can!

Note from Mod Mango: The two following days may seem a bit repetitive from the prompts earlier this week, however they are very good for introspection and self-searching!

Thursday: Earth, Air, and Fire

Research/Introspection- research qualities that are represented by the elements of earth, air, and fire. Particularly, symbolism of these elements and human qualities (i.e. fire with creativity and motivation, air with wisdom and the soul, and earth with your foundations as a human and fertility if that’s of interest to you). After that, reflect on how working with these elements will improve the qualities you identified earlier and brainstorm particular ways to improve said qualities with the help of the elements.

Friday: Water, Spirit, and Secondary Elements

Research/Introspection- this is the final day of your deep introspection week! We’ll be going over essentially the same things as yesterday, but this time with Water, Spirit, and Secondary Elements if you focus on any. Again, research qualities of humans represented by these elements (i.e. water with the subconscious and psychic abilities and spirit with potential and energy). As yesterday, reflect on how working with these elements will improve the qualities you identified earlier and brainstorm particular ways to improve said qualities with the help of the elements.

This is a very personal week of work and your personal connection to the elements. We hope that it isn’t too heavy of a topic, but if it is, there is no rush to get through all of this in a single week. Our practices grow and change over time, so do we. The entire challenge we are running is meant as a stepping stone for you, an inspiration and a start to building your own knowledge through prompts, study, observation and introspection. This month’s focus on the elements especially so. We look forward to more followers and submissions of your progress!

-Mods Basil & Mango

[2022grimoirechallenge]

April Week 4 - Doing the work

Hello again and apologies for this being late! Some things got rearranged and lost on my computer so I was having trouble finding my master schedule and outline for the challenge! But I found it and made a few changes! That said, let’s dive into this week’s prompts.This week is going to be a lot of lab work.

Part 1 - Continue Ritual Project

Grab that ritual project we’ve been working on, and dive back into it. Look at the steps you’ve put in, the ceremonial acts, the tools and ingredients, the timing. Everything. Does it all line up? Does it all feel right?

Walk through the ritual without /doing/ it. Walk through the motions and the chants and pretend to light your candles and incense. Does it all flow? Does it sound and feel right?

If not, continue to edit it and work on changing it until it all feels and flows right. Continue to look back at this and rework it as you need to until you feel like it is perfect.

Part 2 - Lab Notebook - Spell

Alright so we’re gonna do a spell! Find one or make one up. You know the drill, write it out, check and edit it. Now, when you add this spell to your lab notebook, take the time to really write it out, with room for changes and improvements. Whatever style your write it in, make sure to leave space around it for notes on how to fix it, change it or re do it.

After that, we’re going to meditate on the results of our spell, and journal about it. How did we feel? How did it go? What is the result you’re seeking? What is the result you got? Why do you think or feel it went that way?

Part 3 - Altar Work

Take the time right now to clean, rearrange, add to or take away from your altar. Is there a new piece you’ve had your eye on for your altar? Something you’ve wanted to add to it? Something that doesn’t quite fit any longer? Do the work and take care of that! Buy that new piece, or make it. Take away the old. Sweep up the ashes and candle wax. Wipe down the space. Wash your tools. Cleanse and protect it. It’s an important part of doing our work that we take care of our workspace.

If you feel so obliged, feel free to submit pictures of your altar here! Or tag this blog (or my main @thehazeldruid ) and I will share your pictures here!

Once you’ve gotten your altar cleaned and rearranged, write out a page in your lab notebook specific to your altar! Map it out, number the objects on it, and write out a list with their purpose and function.

Part 4 - Take a Walk

Okay, don’t judge this one. It is as important as any other part of this challenge.

Go outside, even if it is just for a few minutes, and take a walk. Weather permitting. Sometime this week, when the sun is out and you’re feeling up to it, get some sunlight. Don’t think specifically about anything, just enjoy the fresh air and sunshine. Let your mind wander and don’t linger too much on any one thought. Let them flow freely while you walk. If anything, focus on steady breathing. Exercise your mind and your body this way.

Then when you arrive back home, shower and relax. If you feel like it, journal about where your mind and heart took you, as well as where you took your walk. What did you see? Hear? Smell? Feel? All of it.

There is no part 5 this week, but feel free to add in any extra studying you’d like to do! There are more changes coming to the challenge, but many many more prompts! Thank you all for your patience and kindness and for participating in this challenge!

-Mod Hazel

[2022grimoirechallenge]

Todays post will be up this evening!

I’ve made some changes to my original schedule for the rest of the year and have rearranged some posts and the order of a few things.

There will also be more informative posts throughout the weeks, as well as more project posts. Stay tuned and apologies!

-Mod Hazel

[2022grimoirechallenge]

Correspondences for Death (Necrobotany)

FLOWERS

Dandelions, ideal for connecting with certain spirits

Roses, to show your love for the deceased

Calendula, for blessings and love

Marigolds, perfect for ancestral worship

Lilies, for a sense of security and togetherness, ideal for deceased children

Orchids, for balanced emotions and adoration, ideal for deceased lovers

Daisies, also ideal for deceased lovers and lost family members

Tulips, to spread happiness

Carnations, a common funeral flower, especially in France. Used in The Netherlands to remember fallen veterans specifically

Heather, said to conjure ghosts and open portals between worlds. Can be used to heal deceased warriors, as it’s said to only grow where no blood has been shed. Heather also marks the resting places of fairies

Holly, often planted in graveyards to protect both the dead and mourners

Hyacinth, helps souls cross over the veil after death

Bluebell, used to comfort those who are mourning

Cowslip, associated with death and rebirth

HERBS

Lavender, for peace in passing on. Used to heal the dead, aid with divination and dreams, and protect the home. 

Thyme, to give peace to those who died in violence. Use to contact both the dead and fairies

Rosemary, for remembrance

Chervil, often used in rituals for the dead

Mugwort, usually used to aid in divination and communication with the dead

Bay, usually used to aid in divination and communication with the dead

Lemon Balm, for peace and healing

Wormwood, to strengthen communication with the dead, as well as for healing and revenge

Basil, used in purification and cleansing rituals, a common symbol of sorrow in Ancient Greece. Use to aid in divination, hedgecrossing and spirit communication

Cinnamon, can amplify divination magic, and was used in the Ancient Egyptian mummification process. It’s commonly associated with spirit and deity work

Dittany of Crete, burned to manifest spirits, also valued as a symbol of love and healing

Fennel, a protective and purifying herb used to prevent spirits from entering your home

Juniper, guards against ghosts and illness, used in healing and purification spells. Juniper berries make good offerings for the dead

Mint, a popular funerary herb in Ancient Greece, also used for healing and protection during travel

Mugwort, used in spirit work

Mullein, can help one see spirits of the dead and the afterlife

Oregano, it was believed that growing oregano on graves ensured the dead were happy

Parsley, has a strong association with the dead, also has protective qualities

St John’s Wort, used in spirit work and divination

Marsh mallow (Althea), associated with death and rebirth, marsh mallow can be used in departing rituals and to honor those who have passed

Foxglove, used for contacting the dead and underworld deities

TREES

Cypress, heavily associated with death and spirits, as well as being sacred to Hades and Persephone. Makes a good offering for the dead

Hawthorn, associated with death, and serves to drive away unfriendly spirits. Was also said to be a portal to the Otherworld and is sacred to fairies, so don’t mess with it

Hickory, associated with mourning and death

Poplar, is sacred to both Zeus and Hades, and represents death and rebirth. Often used for Samhain, ancestral rites, funerals and ceremonies involving the underworld

Willow, a common symbol of death, even being a popular ornament on gravestones. Sacred to both Hades and Hecate, as well as being associated with ghosts and spirits

Yew, represents death and rebirth, and is sacred to Hecate. Runes, Ogham sticks and Ouija boards are commonly made from Yew wood

Elder, used in death rituals and funerals

FRUITS

Apples, a common Irish symbol for the dead

Pomegranates, to represent various Death and Underworld Deities

INCENSE

Myrrh, commonly used in death magic to give off good energy

Frankincense, a traditional incense to offer the dead

Dragon’s Blood, burned to aid in spirit work and protection

Sandalwood, burned to support spirit work, protect a space and consecrate tools

Wormwood, develops psychic powers, carried to provide protection, and hung to ward off malicious spirits

LIQUIDS

Water, a traditional offering for the dead, often left out for passing spirits

Wine or other alcohol

Juice, namely pomegranate or beet

Oils, such as olive oil, pomegranate oil, coconut oil, almond oil, etc. 

OTHER

Coins

Grains, especially brown bread

Darkly-colored or Earthy-tone Candles

Foggy Weather

Marsh Water

Snow, especially snow collected from graveyards

Cleaning up graveyards

Songs and Music

Anything personal to the person you’re giving an offering to

DEATH DEITIES

Anubis, Egyptian God of Death, Mummification and the Afterlife

Arawn, Celtic ruler of the Otherworld, Leader of the wild hunt, and God of Death and The Underworld

Baba Yaga, Slavic Goddess of Death and Rebirth

Cernunnos, Celtic God of the Wild as well as Liminality and the transition to the afterlife

Cerridwen, Welsh Goddess of the Moon, Rebirth, Transformation, Death, The Underworld and Magic

Ereshkigal, Mesopotamian Goddess of Death and the Underworld

Hades, Greek God of the Underworld

Hel, Norse Goddess of the Underworld and Death

Morana, Slavic Goddess of Winter and Death

Odin, Norse God of Wisdom, War, Poetry and Death

Osiris, Egyptian God of the Underworld, Death and Resurrection, Fertility and Agriculture

Oya, Yoruba Orisha of Weather, Death and Rebirth, Patron of the Niger river and a Psychopomp

Persephone, Greek Goddess of the Underworld

Santa Muerte, Mexican folk goddess of the Afterlife, Healing and Protection

Thanatos, Greek personification of Death

The Morrigan, Celtic Goddess of War, Magic, Death and Rebirth, Sovereignty and Fate

Veles, Slavic God of The Underworld, Earth, Water, Music, Magic, Trickery, Cattle and Wealth

WHAT TO DO WITH OFFERINGS

Write a message on an herb or flower and burn it to “send” the offering

Leave coins, flowers and herbs on the grave

Pour liquid into the ground, or leave them out in a bowl (make sure it won’t harm the local wildlife)

Leave them out as “standing offerings” for any dead who pass by