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zirathedryad · 3 days ago

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types of spells and ideas for methods of casting [long post]

attracting

fill a small jar with honey and add a written statement of intent to the jar - seal and set the jar in direct sunlight to manifest your intent

stir your morning coffee or tea in a clockwise motion while focusing on the intent of what energies you wish to attract for the day

fill a jar with herbs and crystals that represent what you want to attract and add a statement of intent

charge a crystal and wear on your person to attract certain energies

create a sigil and either draw it on yourself or on paper and keep in your pocket

create a talisman, charge it, and wear it to attract various energies

banishing

take an item that represents what you wish to banish and: throw it in the trash, flush it down the toilet, burn it, bury it, drown it

burn the item and sweep the ashes out the back door or bury them

carve the name of what you want to banish into a black candle and let it burn down completely - bonus points if the candle is anointed with herbs or a binding oil

transmute negative energy into a stone (preferably a black stone like onyx) and throw it over the fence in your backyard (or whichever direction is south in reference to your home)

stir your morning coffee or tea in a counter-clockwise motion while focusing on the intent of what energies you wish to banish for the day

using incense that is associated with banishing negative energy, walk around your space in a counter-clockwise motion with the lit incense in your hand

binding and sealing

wrap a string around a poppet or other representation of the target or item you wish to bind

put the poppet or other representation in a plastic bag filled with water and freeze it

place the item in a black box and seal it - store in a dark place or bury the box in your backyard

write the item you want to bind on paper and seal with wax - keep safe until the bond is broken

perform a tie-breaking spell

blessing and consecrating

anoint an object with holy or blessed water/oil

use spring water to bless objects

place the object in a dry bath of herbs or flowers that are known for blessing

pass the object through incense smoke that is associated with blessing

use a censer to consecrate a place or a room

cleansing

leave the item in the path of direct moon, sun, or starlight

place in a dry bath or herbs or flowers that are associated with cleansing

place the item in a bowl of sea salt

pass the item through incense smoke that is associated with cleansing

pass the item through running water

anoint the item with a cleansing oil or charged water

bury the item in soil for 3 days so it may be “reborn” when unearthed

place a cleansing crystal on top of or next to the item

hang a wind chime outside of your home to negate negative energies before they have the chance to enter your home

physically clean and freshen your space - dust, mop, open the windows and let some fresh air inside (you can view this as an "out with the old and in with the new" situation)

cursing

fill a poppet with baneful herbs and crystals, seal it, and store in a black box

add baneful herbs and crystals to a jar with a piece of paper that states the target’s name or a description of them and seal it

create a poppet or other representation of the target and destroy it (commonly by burning)

utilize martian or saturnian energy for baneful magic

stab the poppet with pins and needles

curse an item and "gift" it to the target

dreams and sleep

fill a sachet with herbs associated with restful sleep and peaceful dreams and hang above your bed

place the sachet under your pillow

wash your bedsheets and sleep clothes with a few drops of lavender or chamomile essential oil

alternately, choose fabric softener that is lavender scented to wash your sheets or sleep clothes with

create a sigil for peaceful dreams or dream recall, charge under the light of the moon, and place it under your pillow before you go to sleep

utilize lunar or neptunian energy in dreamwork

mugwort, peppermint, or valerian root tea before bed for vivid, lucid dreams

chamomile tea before bed for restful sleep

lemon verbena (vervain) tea before bed for dreamless sleep

when bathing at night, create a sachet that matches your intent and place in the bath or shower

glamours

utilize energy from venus and pluto for beauty and transformation but also neptune for illusions, mysticism, and confusion

anoint the containers of beauty and hair products with venus (beauty) or pluto (transformation/metamorphosis) water/oils/herbs

leave the item you wish to cast a glamour on under the full moon

charge a talisman with the effect you wish to have on others and wear when you go out for the day

add pluto water/oils/herbs and moon water to a bath for a full body glamour (write your intent with bath crayons on the tub or shower wall for an extra boost)

create an energetic shield over yourself in which the outside mirrors what you want others to perceive of you

goal and wish manifestation

write your intent on a bay leaf and burn it

turn your intent into a sigil and store it in a jar filled with herbs or other items that represent said intent

place a written description of your goal or wish in the center of a crystal grid using stones that are associated with manifestation and power

place a coin in moon water while focusing on your wish or goal (leave container under direct moonlight overnight so that it may charge)

light a candle whose color matches your intent and while focusing on your goal or wish, blow out the candle

add a catalyst to your spell

use energy from mars (power) or jupiter (luck)

personal power and effects

create or enchant a talisman that represents your intent, charge it, and wear it on your person

add herbs that are associated with personal power to a ritual bath

create a potion from herbs associated with power and drink in the morning for a boost during the day (think caffeine)

use a catalyst in the aforementioned activities

utilize whichever planetary/cosmic energy you see fit

warding

sprinkle a mixture of protective herbs around the perimeter of your home while walking clockwise

leave protective crystals at each corner of your space

hang a protective amulet above the door to your space; wear a protective amulet for personal protection

create a protective witch bottle and bury near your front door

plant herbs or flowers that are associated with protection outside at each corner of your home

draw a protective sigil or symbol on the outside of your front and back door with saturn or protective water/oils

hang witch balls or a witch’s ladder near your front door

create an energetic shield and place over yourself, your loved ones, or your entire home

wealth, prosperity, and luck

craft a money bowl and place it at the farthest left point away from the entrance of your home

involve mercury or jupiter in your spellwork (luck, money)

anoint candles with mercurial or jovian oils and/or herbs and burn on wednesdays or thursdays (ruled by mercury and jupiter)

use prosperity/luck runes or craft sigils to carve into candles

on the first of the month, you can do the following: say "rabbit rabbit" for good luck all month and let that be the first thing you say when you wake up; blow powdered cinnamon into your front door from the outside or place a cinnamon stick above your front door for prosperity

craft a crystal grid using prosperity/lucky crystals - where you place it is up to you

please be wary:- of putting essential oils directly on the skin or on items that your skin may come in contact with- of leaving crystals in prolonged sunlight (might fade) or exposed to liquid (might dissolve, might become toxic when dissolved)- of blowing cinnamon into a home or using incense that has pets, or humans with respiratory issues- ingesting/burning/touching herbs/plants/etc. that you are not familiar with (could be toxic, could affect the efficacy of your prescribed medications, could be harmful for pets or other members of your household)

compiled from my personal grimoire & based on my personal associations & research

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zirathedryad · 4 days ago

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Don't Fall For These Witchcraft Scams: Red Flags You Should Know ⭒˗ˏˋ𓆩 ⚠ 𓆪ˎˊ˗⭒

The Spiritual Community Has A Scammer Problem!!

There are fake practitioners who are targeting witches, pagans, wiccans, and spiritual seekers with elaborate scams. These scammers will prey on your fears, desperation, and trust to drain your bank account, but once you know the red flags, you'll never fall for their tricks again.

Here's how you can spot them and protect yourself!

Red Flag #1 - They Claim You're 'Cursed' and Offer A Removal for $$$

Real practitioners don't create fear to make sales, and they also will not seek you out either. If someone tells you that you're doomed without their expensive curse removal, start running.

Red Flag #2 - They Promise Overnight Life Transformations

"You're soulmate will appear within 3 days!" "Lose 20 pounds in a week with this spell!" "Win the lottery this week!" Magick works on its own clock; there is no set timeline of when your spell will work!

Red Flag #3 - They Use Fear Tactics To Control You

"Something dark is attached to you!" "Your family is in terrible danger!"

Fear-mongering is manipulation! This is not genuine spiritual guidance!

Red Flag #4 - They Ask for Banking Info for 'Energy Clearing'

Spiritual work NEVER requires your Social Security number, bank details, or passwords. This is identity theft disguised as magick!!

Red Flag #5 - They Use High-Pressure Emotional Manipulation

"You MUST decide right away or something terrible will happen!" "If you don't book with me today, the curse will get worse!"

Creating panic about your spiritual safety to force immediate decisions is predatory and greedy behavior!

Red Flag #6 - Fake Reviews or Sketchy Online Presence

Brand new accounts with only 5-star reviews from blank or new profiles? They claim to be a "generational witch", but their social media account started two weeks ago?

Trust your gut when something feels produced!

Red Flag #7 - They Refuse to Explain Their Methods

"You wouldn't understand the 'ancient' secrets." "Just trust me, don't ask questions..."

Ethical practitioners educate you about what they're doing and why. Secrecy often hides their incompetence!

Red Flag #8 - If Working With A Tarot/Oracle Reader & They Copy-Paste Generic Readings

Their 'personalized' readings could apply to anyone, there are no specific details involved, it's just vague statements being made that sound mystical but say nothing!

Green Flags (Know What To Look For)

What true, ethical practitioners do instead...

They educate you about the process

They set realistic expectations

They respect your boundaries, privacy, and timeline

They have transparent pricing

They encourage personal empowerment

They have genuine reviews and testimonials

They don't use fear to make sales

Always trust your intuition, it knows if something is off!!

Want more magick in your life? Join my Patreon for exclusive spells, teachings, and monthly tarot guidance made to support your practice! Subscribe here!

Looking for a reading or spell? Bookings are available through my shop. Visit here!

If you're into daily witchcraft, spell tips, tarot, and chaotic witch energy, I'm over on Instagram and TikTok too (I am more active there)!

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zirathedryad · 5 days ago

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Meditation Doesn’t Require An Empty Mind ⋆✴︎˚｡⋆

One of the biggest misconceptions about meditation is that you need to completely clear your mind of all thoughts. This myth stops so many people from even trying!

The truth is, meditation is about observing your thoughts without judgment, not eliminating them entirely. Your mind is designed to think - that’s what it does! 🧠🧘🏼‍♀️

Want more magick in your life? Join my Patreon for exclusive spells, teachings, and monthly tarot guidance made to support your practice! Subscribe here!

Looking for a reading or spell? Bookings are available through my shop, visit here!

If you're into daily witchcraft, spell tips, tarot, and chaotic witch energy, I'm over on Instagram and TikTok too (I am more active there)!

These beautiful dividers were created by @uzmacchiato please give her account the love it deserves!

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zirathedryad · 6 days ago

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Whether you're diving into tarot, spellwork, or simply connecting with lunar energy, these tips will guide you on your spiritual journey! Happy Moon Day 🌝✨

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zirathedryad · 7 days ago

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Storm water is a powerful tool that embodies the raw, untamed energy of nature. Collected during a storm, this water can be used in various magical practices to harness and direct intense energy! Working with storm water means respecting the potent energy it carries. Here’s how you can incorporate storm water into your craft!

🫙Collection: Gather your storm water in any container you have on hand during a storm. I use a bowl to collect the water and later transfer it into a jar or glass bottle after I’ve strained particles and debris from the water.

⛈️Properties and Uses:

- Energy Boost: Storm water is charged with high energy, making it great for spells that require a strong push or quick results.

- Transformation: Use it in rituals that focus on change or transformation, as storms often symbolize significant shifts.

- Protection: The fierce energy of a storm can be used in protection spells and wards.

- Banishing: Utilize storm water to banish negativity or unwanted influences, as the storm’s energy can sweep away any obstacles.

🕯️Spell Work Ideas:

- Energy Cleansing: Add a few drops of storm water to your bath for a powerful cleanse (be sure to strain out any particles/debris that was caught in the water)

- Protection Spray: Mix storm water with essential oils like lavender or frankincense. You can also use herbs like rosemary or basil. Use this to spray around your home for protection.

- Empowerment Ritual: During a ritual, sprinkle storm water around your space to call upon the storm’s strength and vigor.

🫙Storage: Keep your storm water in a dark, cool place, preferably in a glass container. Label it with the date and type of storm (thunderstorm, hurricane, etc.) to remember its specific energy.

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zirathedryad · 8 days ago

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🌞✨ 3-3-3 Morning Ritual ✨🌞

Hey everyone! I wanted to share this amazing morning ritual I've been doing called the 3-3-3 Morning Ritual. This is flexible practice designed to set a positive tone for your day. You can either spend 3 minutes on each activity or do something 3 times, like taking 3 deep grounding breaths!

It's super simple but really powerful! Give it a try and let me know how it goes! 🌞✨

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zirathedryad · 9 days ago

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Kyracyan.design

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zirathedryad · 10 days ago

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Witchy Self-Care

*pulls out draft from over a year ago* ENJOY

Hi! this is a list of witchy self-care things you can do. Most of these are pretty basic on account that i wrote this ages ago but they definitely still work. Anyways, I hope these help :)

Do the dishes and dedicate it to your house spirit (if you have one) or a deity (if you're religious)

sweep/mop your floor in the shape of sigils

add rosemary (or rosemary water/essential oils) to the water you mop with to set an intention of cleansing

taking ritual a bath/shower

cleansing your energy. it's so basic but I forget more than i'd like to admit

dedicating time to yourself. it's just as important as dedicating time to your deities/other spirits

light shadow work or going to therapy. bettering your mental health also betters your spiritual.

go outside and ground yourself

take a nap (less witchy, more, I love naps. rest is important)

work out/stretch and dedicate it to an entity

do some gratitude

take 5 minutes to just sit and turn off your devices. you can use this time for anything, just take a second to get off screens and connect with the world around you

meditate. if you can't sit still long enough to meditate, just focus on taking 3 deep breathes

when you wash your face, draw sigils on your face with the cleanser and moisturiser

^do the same as above but with your body wash and when you wash your hair

say some affirmations/manifestations while brushing your teeth

just check in with yourself and see how you're feeling spiritually, psychically and emotionally. sometimes we don't actually know how we're feeling until we sit down and actually ask ourselves.

If anyone has any more to add please comment. I'll add them to the list (with credit of course)

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zirathedryad · 11 days ago

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𝐋𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐧𝐚𝐬𝐚𝐝𝐡/𝐋𝐚𝐦𝐦𝐚𝐬

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What is Lughnasadh?

Lughnasadh, or Lammas, is the first of the three harvest festivals of the Wheel of the Year. In the Northern Hemisphere, Lammas is celebrated on August 1st, and in the Southern Hemisphere, on February 1st, representing a time to honour the first harvest, whether that means crops from your garden or the first results of your intentions finally coming to life. Lughnasadh marks the beginning of the season where the earth starts to give back. The days are still warm, the fields turn golden, and the air carries the scent of ripening grain. Even though the sun still shines brightly and summer feels strong, this sabbat reminds us that autumn is slowly approaching. That’s why it’s important to enjoy the warmth, the gifts of nature, and to begin preparing our homes and spirits for the colder months ahead. Also, Lammas celebrates the first fruits of the land, which is a moment of joy, gratitude, and celebration. More harvests will come later, but now is the time to notice that what you’ve planted, literally or metaphorically, is beginning to grow. Lughnasadh is about trusting that what’s to come will be abundant, and taking a moment to appreciate how far you've come.

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Origins of Lammas

Lughnasadh gets its name from the Celtic god Lugh, a solar deity associated with skill, harvest, and craftsmanship. The alternative name, Lammas, comes from the Old English hlaf-mæss, meaning “loaf-mass” or “feast of bread.” Traditionally, this was a time when communities gave thanks for the first grain harvest by baking loaves of bread and offering them in gratitude, both to deities and as part of the communal celebration. Harvesting grain, gathering fruit and vegetables, and honoring solar gods were all important parts of this sabbat.

August 1st was only the peak of a much longer celebration. The three days leading up to Lughnasadh were considered especially sacred and focused on purification rituals. These days were dedicated to Ana, an ancient Irish solar goddess, older and more primordial than Lugh himself. Some believe that the entire festival may have originally belonged to her, before being associated with Lugh later on.

The ancient Romans associated this time with the rising of the Dog Star, Sirius, calling it the dies caniculares, which is where the modern phrase “Dog Days” comes from. These days were seen as the most intense and unbearable of the summer.

In early Ireland, it was considered unlucky to harvest grain before Lughnasadh. Doing so meant that last year’s supplies had run out too early, before the next harvest was ready. Waiting until Lughnasadh symbolized proper abundance and care.

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God Lugh x Lammas

Lughnasadh takes its name from the Celtic deity Lugh, sometimes spelled Lug. In Irish tradition, he is Lugh, while in Wales he is known as Lleu Llaw Gyffes, the “Bright One of the Skillful Hand.” Across continental Europe, he was called Lugos, meaning “raven,” and held an important role in Gaul as well.

Today, Lugh is often seen as a solar god and a bringer of harvest, but in ancient times, he was much more: he was a god of skill, crafts, kingship, and heroic strength. He was a brilliant warrior and wise leader, ruling over the Tuatha Dé Danann, the divine people of the goddess Danu. Danu, a great mother goddess linked to earth, water, fertility, and victory, was the ancestral force behind this divine race. With Lugh's power, her people triumphed over the Fir Bolg and the Fomoiri, former divine rulers depicted in Irish myths as wild and monstrous beings. Lugh was also revered for his mastery in many arts, and over time, he came to be associated with the Roman god Mercury, both being patrons of intelligence, travel, skill, and strategy.

During Lammas, we celebrate his energy of mastery, fulfillment, and transformation. The sun is still warm, but its strength begins to fade. Lugh, as the radiant god, now pours the last of his energy into the land, bringing forth the first harvest. He has not disappeared yet, but his cycle is shifting. The goddess, too, has changed; she is now the Grain. Her role is to dry the fields, to release the seeds that will fall into the earth and sleep through winter, waiting to rise again at Imbolc. Some sources say that four weeks are especially sacred to Lugh, the last two weeks of July and the first two weeks of August, roughly the time when the sun passes through the sign of Leo, and reaches its symbolic height at 15 degrees.

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Lughnasadh Myths

One of the older names for this sabbat is Lughnasa, often translated as “the marriage of Lugh.” And there’s a deep sense of sacred romance woven into this time. Some traditions say that during the full moon of August, Lugh, the bright sun god, and the Earth Mother renew their vows, blessing the land through their union.it represents a celebration of love, abundance, and the harmony between earth and sky.

Long before Lugh became the central figure, this time of year may have belonged to the Corn Mother and her dying son or lover. In older myths, she offers him to the land as a sacrifice so life may continue. Her grief transforms her into the Mater Dolorosa, the Sorrowful Mother, while the grain falls and returns to the soil, waiting to rise again.

But the most well-known story linked to Lughnasadh isn’t about a wedding, it’s about remembrance. Many versions of the myth speak of the funeral games that Lugh held in honor of his foster mother, Tailtiu. Tailtiu had once been queen of the Fir Bolg, and after they were overthrown, she married into the Tuatha Dé Danann. According to legend, she died from exhaustion after clearing the lands of Ireland for farming. To honor her sacrifice, Lugh established the Fair of Tailtean, a great gathering filled with feasts, contests, and community rituals. This wasn’t considered just a legend. The fair was real, held each year on August 1st in what is now County Meath, near the place believed to be Tailtiu’s grave. It was one of the most important festivals in ancient Ireland.

The word Lughnasa itself can be interpreted as “the games or assembly of Lugh.” Across the Celtic world, from Ireland to Gaul and Britain, early August was marked by great gatherings in his name. These festivals included tribal meetings, athletic games, horseracing, and ceremonies to ensure a good harvest and to open the hunting and fishing seasons. At Telltown, the Tailtiu Games included events like spear-throwing (gaelbolga), stone-throwing, high jumping, triple jumping (geal-ruith), and even a ritual wheel toss (roth-deas). These competitions likely came from much older harvest rites, later merged with Lugh’s myth as his worship spread. The final recorded Tailtiu Games took place on August 1st, 1169, during the reign of Ruraigh Ó Conchobar, the last High King of Ireland. Though the games have ended, their spirit lingers in every festival fire, every loaf of harvest bread, and every quiet moment of thanks offered to the land.

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Lammas and Corn Dollies

There was once a deep belief that the spirit of the corn must be kept safe from one harvest to the next, to ensure the fields would thrive again. The very last sheaf cut held the heart of the corn’s life force, hidden away in that final bundle. Harvesters approached it with care and respect, often calling it “The Neck” or “The Mare”, and with a steady hand and a solemn cry, “I have the neck”, they freed it from the stalks.

That last sheaf was carefully woven into a corn dolly, a little figure meant to hold the spirit safe through the winter months. This small creation was honored and protected, waiting until spring. At Imbolc, bits of corn would be taken from the dolly and planted back into the earth, breathing new life into the soil.

This tradition is ancient, stretching back thousands of years, even the Egyptians made corn dollies as symbols of life and renewal. For the Celts, these woven figures were sometimes called “holy brides of the corn”, a living symbol of the earth’s blessing.

Each region developed its own style and patterns, from shapes like chandeliers and horns to horseshoes and stars. The ribbons that tied them held their own meanings too, yellow for the sun’s warmth, red for sacrifice, blue for love, green for wisdom, and white for strength. For modern Pagans, creating a corn dolly is a sacred act of honoring the harvest.

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Life and Death of Lughnasadh

Even though August still holds the warmth of summer, Lughnasadh quietly marks the turning of the wheel, since Midsummer, the days have slowly begun to shorten. This sabbat reminds us that we are moving toward the end of the season, step by step. Lughnasadh is the first of three harvest festivals, it opens the path toward Mabon, the great gathering of abundance, and finally to Samhain, when the last of the harvest is taken in. For now, the world is still full of green leaves, tall grain, and the life of young animals, but underneath all this, there’s the first whisper of change. This is also the time when we begin to think about death, not in fear, but as part of the cycle. In one of the old myths, Lugh must travel to the Underworld to defeat Bres, the god of death, his victory brings life back to the land, just like how the grain must fall in order to feed us. The harvest is a gift, but it is also a letting go, what was once alive must now be cut, gathered, and transformed. That’s the quiet truth at the heart of Lughnasadh, life and death walk together through the golden fields. Some say that Lugh becomes the lord of the waning year, and that his steps through the tall, whispering grain are a quiet dance of death. If that's true, then it's not something to fear, it’s a reminder that all things move in circles, and that endings are always part of something beautiful.

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The August Herbs

In parts of Northern Europe, the night before Lughnasadh was seen as the perfect time to create a special charm known as the August Herbs, if gathered in the right way, this bundle of summer plants was said to bring blessings that lasted through the year, protection against storms and dark magic, support during transitions, help in love, and even comfort in birth or in letting go at the end of life.

To gather the herbs with their full power, tradition said to pick them just before sunrise, in silence, some even believed the ritual should be done bare, in full openness to the earth, though over time, many simply went barefoot and uncovered their head, letting the morning air and dew touch their skin.

What mattered most was intention, moving gently through the fields or garden, listening to the quiet, and allowing the plants to speak, the bundle would later be hung in the home, placed on the altar, or kept close as a charm, holding the light and energy of that sacred morning, long after summer has faded.

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Magic Correspondences

Planets: Sun, Mercury

Season: Midpoint between Summer and Autumn

Element: Earth, Fire

Time Of The Day: Evening

Tarot Cards: Strength, The Sun, Seven of Pentacles, Ten of Pentacles, Four of Wands, Justice, Wheel of Fortune

Colors: Gold, Yellow, Green, Brown, Red, Royal Purple, Heather Purple, Bronze

Herbs: Blackberry, Bilberry, Allspice, Basil, Fennel, Rosemary, Garlic, Bay, Wheat

Fruits: Pears, plums, peaches, grapes, apples, raspberries, blackberries, blueberries, strawberries

Vegetables: Corn, Root Vegetables, Squash, Potatoes, Cucumber, Tomatoes, Onion, Beans

Crystals: Tiger’s eye, Amber, Rutilated quartz, Citrine, Clear quartz, Golden topaz, Carnelian, Onyx, Aventurine, Cat’s eye

Runes: Jera, Sowilo, Wunjo

Trees: Apple, Hazel, Oak, Holly

Goddesses: Cailleach Bheur, Ana, Arianrhod, Artemis, Ceres, Corn Maiden, Cybele, Danu, Demeter, Diana, Inanna, Isis, Morrigan, Ops, Pomona, Persephone, Proserpina, Rhiannon, Tailtiu, Cerridwen, Brigid

Gods: Adonis, Gofannon, Hades, Hephaestus, Lugh, Mithras, Ninurta, Odin, Osiris, Set, Helios, Thor, Vulcan, Loki, Dionysus, Vertumnus, Apollo, Xiuhtecuhtli

Dragons: Fafnir

Flowers: Honeysuckle, Marigold, Sunflower, Gladiola, Poppy, Rose, Aster, Cornflower, Vervain, Lavender, Heather

Animals: Swan, Lion, Boar, Cat, Raven, Goat, Dog, Owl, Bear, Fox, Salmon, Horse, Cow, Eagle, Rooster, Ram, Snake, Stag, Hare, Bull, Wolf, Robin, Crane, Sow, Sheep, Otter

Magical Powers: Harvest, Gratitude, Abundance, Protection, Personal Transformation, Honoring Ancestors, Making Offerings, Reflection, Introspection, Discernment, Prosperity, Communication with the Dead, Renewal, Sacrifice, Death

Symbols: Corn dolly, Rowan cross, Cornucopia, Pentacle, Staff, Stang, Sickle, Flail, Wheel, Sun, Bread.

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Activities to do:

🌽 Make a Lammas loaf or other special bread. Before putting the loaf in the oven, dip a brush in milk and write on the crust what you desire most. You can also bake pastries, pies, or braided bread with solar or witchy symbols, and enjoy them while still warm.

🌾 Eat seasonal food made with ingredients like grains, fruits, vegetables, and herbs. Corn with butter is a perfect choice for this time :D

🌽 Cook something traditional and share a meal with loved ones using what you’ve grown in your garden.

🌾 Decorate your altar with seasonal fruits, vegetables, and flowers.

🌽 Practice sun magick.

🌾 Make a sun catcher to bring solar energy into your life.

🌽 Make sunflower crowns

🌾 Collect or buy some sunflowers. Dry the petals to use in spells for prosperity, luck and happiness.

🌽 Visit a farmer’s market and support local harvests.

🌾 Spend time in nature. Wake up early and take a peaceful walk, maybe you’ll hear roosters if you live in a rural area.

🌽 Tend your garden by trimming dry grass, collecting it for hay, and preparing the soil.

🌾 Harvest your first fruits or vegetables, and preserve anything you want to keep for winter.

🌽 Make a Lammas wreath using herbs, flowers, or grains.

🌾 Collect August herbs, seeds, and wild plants or berries. Let the herbs dry to use later in the year.

🌽 Face paint with bright colors, Celtic symbols, or Lughnasadh designs, or like a Celtic warrior :D

🌾 DIY a theatre mask for fun or ritual use.

🌽 Have a bonfire in the evening, and maybe dance around it.

🌾 Have a feast with your loved ones.

🌽 Make offerings to gods and ancestors

🌾 Play Lughnasadh games to honor strength and the harvest, like slap hands, horseshoes, archery, or arm wrestling. For a cozy option, play card games or board games.

🌽 Take time to connect with the dead.

🌾 Celebrate your successes so far this year, and reflect on what you’ve learned and achieved.

🌽 Do a gratitude journaling session to focus on the good things in your life.

🌾 Meditate and ground in the sun

🌽 Connect with the crystals associated with Lammas

🌾 Wear the colors of the sabbat.

🌽 Make a Lughnasadh magick jar with seasonal symbols.

🌾 Perform abundance and success spells.

🌽 Honor solar deities, especially the god Lugh.

🌾 Leave water outside for animals, and don’t forget to stay hydrated yourself.

🌽 Gather seasonal grains such as wheat, corn, oats, rye, barley, or onion to honor the harvest’s abundance.

🌾 Create a corn mother or a corn dolly using corn husks, reeds, or wheat from the first harvest.

🌽 Light a golden, orange, or yellow candle to welcome the light of the sabbat.

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Food and Drinks:

Fresh bread, soda bread, bannock, oat meal, potatoes, root vegetables, corn on the cob, sweetcorn, popcorn, wheat, rye, oats, fresh berries, apples in all forms, such as apple cider, apple cake, apple compote, apple pie, apple charlotte, mashed apples, baked apples, preserves, applesauce, fresh apples, grapes, vine leaves, fruity berry wines, fresh fruit, home-grown vegetables, soups, salads, salmon, oysters, basil, borage, fennel, summer pudding, nut pies, fruit pies, berry jams, preserves, potluck dishes, outdoor feast, peaches and apricots jams, fruit tarts, honey, tomatoes, cucumbers, mushrooms, pears, roasted meat, venison, fried meats, corn fritters, butter, pizza, barley cakes, wheat, squash, corn bread muffins, blackberries, blackberry cake, chia seeds, what beer, fruit and veggie salads, sour dough

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Sources used: Teresa Moorey, The Fairy Bible; Judika Illes, Encyclopedia of Witchcraft: The Complete A-Z for the Entire Magical World; Jean Pierre Blanchet, Blanche Magie; Melanie Marquis, Lughnasadh: Rituals, Recipes & Lore for Lammas (Llewellyn’s Sabbat Essentials #4); Anna Franklin & Paul Mason, Lammas: Celebrating the Fruits of the First Harvest; Harmony Nice, Wicca: A Modern Guide to Witchcraft and Magick; Llewellyn’s Sabbats Almanac.

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zirathedryad · 12 days ago

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💫 Why Protection Magic Is Useful (even if you have no enemies)

A lot of witches will tell new witches (baby witches) that they should start by learning and using protection magic. However, I've started to see a lot of witches say that protection magic is not as important as other witches claim it to be. Saying that they don't have anyone coming after them or an enemy in real life to warrant a spell of protection.

I think this may also be due to how I've not personally come across anyone really explaining why a witch may want to use protection magic all the time.

Now, it is true that there's no need to be paranoid all the time and have protection up 24/7. But here's a list where you may use it, find it useful, or haven't thought protection magic could be included.

An actual person -- This one is obvious, you have an enemy in real life or on the internet and you need protection magic to protect you from their curses.

A malevolant spirit -- They can come from your windows, mirrors (including tv screens, computer screens, and other reflective surfaces maybe), they seep through floor cracks, hanging onto your coats from outside, etc. Just like how you'd use garden gloves to avoid dirt up your nails being trapped there. Protection magic is just like putting on those gloves.

An energy -- Say you have a neighbour who's arguing with someone. They're yelling and screaming and it can be heard through the apartment walls. That negative energy is seeping into your home and your energy. So it may be worth protecting your home and energy from that sour neighbour's energy. (ever been scolded by your mother and your mood is sour? it's kind of like the same here.)

Your own spell -- Now a self-love spell is probably not something you should protect yourself from. But let's say you're doing a curse. It would be a smart idea to make sure you're protected before beginning such a spell. Much like how you'd wear an apron to protect your clothes from stains when cooking food. You may not always spill your food when cooking, but damn it is it annoying when you do and the stain won't wash off. It's the same with a spell.

Unintentionally -- Sometimes things can happen that's out of our control and it's a good idea to be a little prepared. A black cat suddenly running across the street? Bad luck. Someone got jealous when you told them something good? Evil Eye. Think of it as going to the store with an extra bag for your groceries. You may not need it, but isn't it handy when you at one point do need it?

Protection magic doesn't have to be elaborate or grand or be convoluted. Protection magic is powerful but also extremely simple. All you need is a horseshoe above the door, a little talisman in your pocket, a sigil for your car, etc.

So don't dismiss the importance of protection magic. It may help to improve your spellwork and your energy.

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zirathedryad · 13 days ago

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Ultimate Grimoire or book of shadows checklist✨📓✒️🔮

Hey beautifuls,

I’ve compiled a checklist in booklet format of pretty much anything I could think of or find online that you could include in your Grimoire/book of shadows. Please note that this is a very very broad list and you do not need to include absolutely everything listed. Pick and choose what matches your craft!

also if you would like a non-watermarked PDF print version (digital file) I’m offering this for just $3 AUD. You can direct message me here on tumblr or on my Insta account “@beautifulvalleywitch”.

Otherwise enjoy this free version lovely’s 🥰🥰

*copyrighted, please do not share without credit or claim as your own*

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zirathedryad · 14 days ago

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🌙 How To Build An Altar That Feels Like Home

When I built my first altar, it looked like a sad thrift store shelf, mismatched candles, half-melted incense sticks, a chipped mug standing in for a chalice. I was so desperate for it to look witchy, like the glossy photos in books. But it didn’t feel like mine. It felt like a stranger’s stage.

It took me years, and many messy, candle-wax-soaked attempts, to realize: your altar isn’t an Instagram post. It’s a heartbeat. It’s your magic’s nest. It should feel like home, because it is one.

Here’s how I’ve learned to build an altar that breathes with you, one that feels like warm floors, familiar shadows, and the exact right hush of your spirit.

🕯️ 1. Know What An Altar Really Is

Strip away the fancy words: an altar is just a sacred spot. It’s where you gather your power and your gratitude in one place.

It can be as humble as a windowsill or as grand as a dedicated room. A shelf, a table, a box, all that matters is intention.

Think of it as a tiny crossroads: your body, your spirit, and your magic meet there. The rest is just trimmings.

🌿 2. Start With What Calls You

Forget the shopping list that says you must have a pentacle, a wand, a chalice, this and that.

Ask: what do you reach for when you feel witchiest? A candle that smells like your grandmother’s kitchen? A stone you found at the river? A jar of salt?

Your altar is not a museum. It’s a nest of meaning. Let it be ugly at first. Let it be real.

🔮 3. Give It a Heartbeat

I always tell baby witches: your altar’s alive if it changes with you.

Maybe you set it up on the floor for a spell, then move it to a shelf when you get a cat who loves knocking things over. Maybe you swap the flowers every season. Maybe you leave offerings that rot a little, because magic is not sterile.

Mine has bits of charred candle wicks, a cracked seashell, and a scrap of cloth from my mother’s apron. I clean it, but I don’t bleach it of history.

🗝️ 4. Make It a Conversation

An altar is not a monologue. You don’t just speak at it. You speak with it.

When you light a candle, linger. When you place a new object, ask it, “What do you bring here?” Listen. Maybe you rearrange things when they feel stale. Maybe you sleep with a stone under your pillow before giving it a spot on your altar, so it knows your dreams.

This is the bit the books forget to tell you: your altar listens back.

🌙 5. Protect It, But Don’t Police It

It’s good to cleanse your altar, blow off dust, pass smoke over it, ring a bell if it feels heavy.

But don’t let perfectionism be your deity. I once wasted hours agonizing over where to put a feather. It’s a feather, Nyra. Spirits don’t care if it’s center-left or right.

Your hands are sacred. Trust them.

🕸️ A Few Simple Ideas To Try

Place something that represents each element, but only if it feels real to you. A rock, a candle, a cup of water, a pinch of salt.

Add one thing that smells good. Scent ties your spirit to memory.

Leave an offering to your guides or ancestors, even if it’s just a whisper of thanks.

Keep a tiny cloth or broom nearby to sweep off old energy when needed.

🌒 A Final Whisper

Your altar is not a shrine to aesthetics, it’s a mirror for your spirit.

Build it slow. Let it shift. Let it hold your tears, your giggles, your burnt matches and hopeful wishes.

One day you’ll sit at that sacred little corner, a mug of tea in hand, and think: This is mine. And it will hum back: Yes. And I am yours.

— Nyra

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