baybeeleaves

[baybeeleaves]

for anyone interested, i updated the about page for this blog just a bit!! :] not much was added, but i figured id update jic

[baybeeleaves]

just some rambling relating to life and lughasadh/lammas

being a system and falling in and out of witchcraft is sometimes really difficult but oh my god im like. getting so excited to celebrate lughnasadh we usually plan a bunch of things or wanna do a lot and maybe do like. one thing, if anything at all, but i wanna start being okay with that. we’re in a rocky situation and disabled and sometimes we dont have the energy

that being said, i know we like taking walks and i think going out and collecting stuff would be really fun. and if we’re able to bake a loaf of bread for the first time, that would be really nice!! we’ve always been wanting to bake bread but have been intimidated by it. im also tossing around the idea of trying to get back into tarot, while also limiting it to holidays only because we’re intimidated by that as well.

feeling just!! pretty optimistic about it, i think. maybe come august, we’ll be too tired or busy, but it’ll be okay. we should also try to not be so hard on ourselves for not doing it the day of. august first is a bad day? do it next week! i really dont see how it would be a bad thing to do, and if anybody says it does, i dont think had the compassion to understand why its being delayed.

i do hope we Can do something, though. i think itd be really fun and it would give us a much needed mini celebration

[baybeeleaves]

Witches Sabbats: Lughnasadh

Autumn draws near and with it, comes Lughnasadh.

Lughnasadh, pronounced “LOO-nah-sah” and known also as Lammas, is a Celtic festival that occurs from the 31st of July through into the 1st of August. It was observed fervently throughout Ireland, Scotland and the Isle of Man and marks the beginning of the harvest season.

Also called: Lúnasa (modern Irish), Lùnastal (Scottish Gaelic), Luanistyn (Manx Gaelic).

Lughnasadh is the celebration and ritual of the first harvest of fruit, wheat, and grain. This festival both acknowledges and celebrates the waning of light - Lughnasadh is the initiation of Winter preparation.

It is named for Lugh Lámhfada. and is in honour of his step-mother, Tailtiu who perished of exhaustion after clearing the fields of Ireland ready to be planted, sowed and seeded. Lughnasadh was originally a set of rituals, gatherings and funerary games (named Tailteann Games, or Áenach Tailteann) in honour of Tailtiu’s death and sacrifice. 

Some Symbols of Lughnasadh:

Wheat

Corn

Barely

Oats

Onions

Grapes

Straw dolls/straw bales

Corn dolls

Wood

Tarot (strength)

Runes (Eihwaz)

The Colours of Lughnasadh:

Yellow

Orange

Red

Violet

Dark green

Brown

The Stones & Crystals of Lughnasadh:

Carnelian

Cat’s Eye

Citrine

Marble

Sale

Granite

Lodestone

The Herbs of Lughnasadh:

Heather

Blackberry

Rose

Sandalwood

Goldenrod

Important/Celebrated Foods of Lughnasadh:

Bread

Apples

Corn

Beer/Ale/Mead

Grapes

Onions

Apricot

Pear

Activities to be done during Lughnasadh:

Baking/Cooking: Sharing food is a good thing to do with each sabbat, especially those with agricultural ties. If you incorporate seasonal foods, and foods associated with the sabbat itself, it can be seen as an offering or as being done in honour of what you’re celebrating.

Take some time to enjoy nature: Lughnasadh is a time when the seasons are changing, so take this time to walk and enjoy the last that summer has to offer. Collect things whilst you walk to put on your altar if you have one.

Construct an altar: if this is something you do, decorate your altar with some of the items mentioned in the list above. If you’re pagan and have a deity who corresponds with this holiday, leave an offering on your altar. In Lugh’s case, he is a god known for his skills in craftmanship and His ability to turn His hand to anything. He is also known for playing the harp, so anything you have crafted or that has taken skill to create will be well received by Him.

Decorate your home: if you like, small decor changes can really get you in the mood and act as a celebratory act.

Bonfires: Invite friends and/or family to a bonfire. Not only is Lughnasadh a celebration of waning light and of the god Lugh, it is a celebration of fire. Share plans to remove negative habits or influences from your life with your loved ones, burn representatives of negativity, drink to future prosperity and toast to Lugh.

Light a candle and do the same, if you are not yet an outed witch.

Craft: as mentioned before, Lugh is a god of craft and skill. Make something! Finish a project you’ve been putting off! 

If you don’t want to do something in Lugh’s name, you can make dolls out of corn (a very traditional activity) and they can be left on an altar if you have one, used as decoration or turned into a poppet.

Acts of athelticism: The funerary games of Lughnasadh were its primary reason for creation. To honour this, you can do something on a small scale, such as jogging or yoga, or going to the gym, if you are able.

Trading: Bake some bread and give it to your friends/family/coven in exchange for herbs, or some canldes! That’s just an idea. but you get the gist of it.

Lots of trading took place at historic Lughnasadh celebrations, as they assembly for this season festival was always large.

Feasting: Ties into the baking/cooking aspect, but using things that come from the first harvest is a good way to honour Lughnasadh and Tailtiu.

[baybeeleaves]

Lughnasadh

Lughnasadh is coming up soon so I thought I’d share a bit about it for those who are new! Lughnasadh (Lúnasa in irish) is a Gaelic festival marking the beginning of the harvest season and also the beginning of Autumn. Lúnasa is the modern irish word for the month of August! The festival itself is named after the Irish God Lugh Lámfada (Lugh of the long hand) and celebrations included religious ceremonies, ritual athletic contests (most notably the Tailteann Games), feasting, matchmaking, and trading.

A common misconception about this holiday is that Lugh is the central figure to be honored, however this is not necessarily the case. Lugh created the festival of Lughnasadh “Lugh’s assembly” in honor of his foster-mother Tailtiu, who had died of exhaustion while clearing the land of Ireland for agriculture. Tailtiu was possibly an earth or harvest goddess and Lugh dedicated this festival to her. Funerary games, celebrations and feasting were held in her honor, so we shouldn’t forget Tailtiu when celebrating this holiday, the whole reason Lugh created it in the first place!

People have also incorrectly referred to Lugh as a sun god, to try and relate him to this holiday given it is named after him. Lugh’s name possibly means “Flashing light”, which might be why he began to have sun associations in the Victorian Era, comparing him to Greco-Roman Apollo. Though in my opinion, this is an incorrect association. Lugh is more likely to be associated with storms and particularly Lightning “Flashing light”. It was said that lightning storms were a recreation of Lugh’s battle with Balor. Lugh’s spear “The Spear (Sleg) of Assal” was unbeatable in battle and could take the form of lightning when thrown. His epithet Lámfada (of the long arm) probably references his famous spear.  The tale of Lugh defeating Balor, seems to represent the overcoming of blight, drought and the scorching summer sun. Lugh’s association with storms, and in turn the rain and clouds, could indicate that he is associated with the protection of the harvest, to ensure the crops are watered enough to grow. Any sun association with Lugh could be more so the red sun of sunrise, the morning before a storm “Red sky in the morning, shepherds warning”. Other than storms, Lugh most definitely is associated with skill and mastery in multiple disciplines, including the arts.  He is also associated with oaths, truth and the law, and therefore with rightful kingship.

Overall, Lughnasadh is a celebration of the successful harvest, giving thanks to the earth and beginnings of preparation for the coming winter. How to celebrate Lughnasadh: Honoring Lugh and Tailtiu are great ways to celebrate this holiday. Light candles for them or give an offering to the earth (food, seeds, feed the birds etc). You can also honor any harvest, sun or earth deities at this time. Feasting is another great way to celebrate! The baking of bread is common around this time of year as Lughnasadh is heavily associated with the grain harvest. Here’s how to make traditional irish soda bread: https://www.bordbia.ie/recipes/desserts-and-baking-recipes/traditional-brown-soda-bread/ Topped with irish butter and jam? YUM! Music and dance are always part of irish celebrations! Coupled with a bonfire would be great if you can manage it, or just simply lighting a candle and dancing around with some music from spotify is enough! My Celtic music playlist on spotify: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6wn6JE21kehC0EM0KZHmQe?si=f0a736ac9e0249b2 Lughnasadh is the beginning of Autumn and nature sure shows it. Take a nature walk and see if you can spot any changes in the plants around you, or do you notice any autumnal plants and fruits arriving? Mushrooms? Blackberries? Pumpkins?? (I’m growing pumpkins this year, they’re doing great! :D) And finally, take this time to prepare for the coming winter, whatever that looks like for you! Happy Lughnasadh to you all! Enjoy it :D

[baybeeleaves]

Celebrating Lughnasadh in the kitchen and at home

August 1st is the first hovers holiday. We celebrate the harvest of corn and wheat. Lughnasadh is known to be The Bread holiday™-

I gathered some videos and recipes about bread and other delicious food that you can bake on this day! I also found activities that can be done inside and at home for those (like myself) who are still isolating!

Youtube videos

🍓 Strawberry and Wine🍷 Tarts, the perfect dessert for Lughnasadh / Lammas - Kitchen witchery https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CU4qu2KlWAs

Baking a Brioche for a sabbath on a stormy day // Slow living approach. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1uKI1VwDoB8

Lughnasadh Bread Magick 🌾 Lammas Bread Recipe 🍞 Kitchen Witchcraft https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kk0OiPRo3Ok

Braided Bread Recipe || Lughnasadh Recipe || Kitchen Witchery https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r7VH8O9nrs8

Lammas recipe | Lughnasadh Honey Lavander Bread & Wild Berry Jam https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ubT3i-LQWU

Tumblr recipes

Making Jam https://witchy-kitchen-craft.tumblr.com/post/623437754808827904/strawberry-and-rosemary-jam-for-joy-luck-and

Baking a Brioche https://witchy-kitchen-craft.tumblr.com/post/619474744633360384/baking-a-brioche-on-a-stormy-afternoon-a-slow

Making Fruit Pies https://witchy-kitchen-craft.tumblr.com/post/624711718492340224/strawberry-and-wine-tarts

Lammas/Lughnasadh tea

Lughnasadh Bread Recipe 🍞✨

🍁 Soda Bread for Lughnasadh/Lammas 🍂 https://andreja-luna.tumblr.com/post/176533425247/happy-lughnasadh-everyone-i-hope-everyone-had-a

honey lavender bread https://grimoireprxject.tumblr.com/post/187210413073/honey-lavender-bread

Perfect Bread: https://bloomingnova.tumblr.com/post/183592875156/i-absolutely-love-this-recipe-the-bread-is-soft

Activities that you can do at home

🌿Lammas Activities🌿

Subtle Witch Tips - Lammas / Lughnasadh

Food Correspondance

If you don’t want to follow a recipe but still want to celebrate.

Bread

Corn

Potatoes

Nuts,

Wild Berries

Strawberries

Apple,

Rice,

Squash,

Oats,

Grains,

Elderberry wine,

Ales,

Fruit pies

Also now is the time to work on your abundance spells since we are celebrating the harvest and all the abundant food!

It’s also the time to start thinking tidying up the house, start making preserves and jams in prevision of the darker months to come. In the same spirit, it’s time to finish some big projects to be clear during the darker months.

Deep cleaning your house is always a good idea, get rid of things that you don’t use to make space.

I hope you’ll have fun on this holiday. Let me know what you are planning to do!

[baybeeleaves]

☾ m o o n s a l t  ☽

☾ What is moonsalt?  ☽

I knew moonsalt since I was a little kid, and I  had no idea that it was witchcraft. thing. Basically moonsalt = salt+ash+oil. Of course you can add wahtever you want to  this is just a base.

☾ What i need to make it?  ☽

★ 1 or 2 teaspoons of salt (normal or sea salt, I prefer normal)

★ piece of paper and a pen

★ some oil (I use lavender oil)

Write a sigil on the paper. I mostly use protection or balance sigil. Then burn the paper (be carefull!)

Mix ash, salt and oil and keep it safe in a tiny bottle. You can carry your moonsalt in your bag for protection or keep it in your house for balance. 

☾ Why moonsalt? ☽

I was a kid when I called it like that, probably because of its colour. 

☾ Moonsalt will help you to keep balance in your life and its really simple to do even for baby witches ☽

[baybeeleaves]

🔥 Room Healing Spell 🔥

A spell that can be cast at any moon phase or any time of the day to turn your room into a magick-inducive environment. The perfect spell for baby witches who want to start with spellwork. I created this when I was 12 (2006) and it has been 11 years since then and it’s still effective.

Recommended to Cast During: Any moon phase at any time of the day.

Colors: Black and White

Needed: 

🌿 2 Candles (either white or black)

🌙 An Athame (or any pointed object for engraving a candle)

🌿 A Wand (or any stick that is made from any natural material such as twigs, pencils, wooden chopsticks, selenite crystal, clear quartz wand)

To Cast:

🌿 Light one of the candles.

🌙 Start engraving a protection sigil or any symbolism that you dedicate with strength and protection on the unlit candle.

🌿 Twirl your wand around your engraved candle and say,

“Go away negativity and sway away. Positivity, if you wish to enter, you may.”

🌿 Light the engraved candle and carry it.

🌙 Bring the engraved candle with you and light the four corners of your room moving clockwise (start with north)

🌿 Meditate for 5 minutes after (chakra meditation is recommended or plain floor grounding is alright; that is to lie down completely on the floor)

What To Expect:

🌿 Your room will turn into a much more relaxing environment.

🌙 Negative energy that was collected through time will be diminished.

🌿 Better sleep, better naps, better magick.

🌙 Stronger magick especially for healing and love.

[baybeeleaves]

happy Samhain to everyone btw!!

[baybeeleaves]

🌹 Rose Quartz Healing Tears 🌹

inspired by steven universe, a spell to help heal what is hurt (emotionally)

“I need you to know that every moment you love being yourself, that’s me, loving you and loving being you. Because you’re going to be something extraordinary.”

🌹 gather: full moon water, a piece of rose quartz, pink salt, lemon balm

🌹 mix the pink salt and lemon balm into the moon water. let it soak.

🌹 dip the rose quartz into the water

🌹 let the water from the wet rose quartz drip onto your skin, like tears.

🌹 let it work. let it out. things often hurt before they can heal.

[baybeeleaves]

🚀🍻 “Nuka-Cola” Potion 🍻🚀

inspired by fallout 4′s health potion, “nuka-cola”, here is a frosty potion recipe for emotional healing and positive disposition.

🚀 gather: coke (or some root beer related soda), vanilla (happiness), caramel (love/kindness), orange peel and blackberry garnishes (healing), a red stone/gem.

🍻 fill the glass not completely with the soda. 

🚀 add in caramel to taste

🍻 add in ice cream and cover. let it sit 5 minutes, letting the ice cream melt.

🚀 place the red stone over the lid of the drink while you wait for the ice cream to melt, letting its energies mix with the drink

🍻 uncover and stir. add garnishes. enjoy!

🚀 keep the red stone for whenever you need the potion’s magic again.

[baybeeleaves]

🌊 Arms of the Ocean 🌊

bath spell inspired by florence and the machine’s song, arms of the ocean, for comfort and assurance in one’s self. 

perform on a night that the moon is out, in any phase that you can see.

gather:

- a few drops of ocean water (if you have none, just put in some beach sand) - sugar - rosemary - lavender - thyme - two mirrors, facing each other and a white candle between them. 

let the moonlight shine onto the bathwater and charge before you get in. if you have no window for moonlight, charge some moonwater beforehand and pour that in the bath. mix in sugar, lavender, rosemary and thyme. light the candle, listen to the song. bathe until the water is cold. feel the water support you and strengthen your heart. chant along to the music if you like. 

Looking up from underneath Fractured moonlight on the sea Reflections still look the same to me As before I went under

And it’s peaceful in the deep Cathedral where you cannot breathe No need to pray, no need to speak Now I am under all

[baybeeleaves]

💏 💔 ‘Lover to Lover’ Spell 💔 💏

inspired by florence + the machine’s “lover to lover”, a spell for when you feel you’ve been messing up and need a fresh start and reassurance

There’s no salvation for me now, no space among the clouds, And I feel I’m heading down, but that’s alright

💏 best performed outside, under clouds, or near your bed, a pair of shoes. 

💔 gather: black candle, red candle, crossroads dirt/stones. something to represent your heart and  something for the soul. 

💏 light the candles, one in front of each shoe. 

💔 place the heart and soul pieces, one in each shoe.

💏 rub crossroads dirt on the bottom of each shoe. 

💔 blow out the candles

💏 let the shoes sit under you bed for the night. 

💔 play the song while you perform the ritual, dance and sing along if you like. 

[baybeeleaves]

🌹RoseQuartz Shielding Spell 🌹

inspired by “steven universe”, a shielding spell that both protect you from nearby people’s negativity, and dispels peoples’ negativity to a state where they feel loved, safe, and non-combative. 

“No more questions. Don’t ever question this. You already are the answer.”

🌹 gather: rose quartz, coffee beans, an acorn, and thread/string

rose quartz for love and good feelings, healing

coffee beans for protection and banishing negativity

acorn for happiness

🌹 craft a charm you can have on your person out of the materials

🌹 if you want to, while, listen to Love Like You, to craft the charm with intent

🌹 charge and cleanse the rose quartz before using, to increase effectiveness

[baybeeleaves]

Restful sleep & sweet dreams ⠀spell bottle or sachet

☽ Dreams be sweet⋆Dreams be kind ☼ ☼ Bring me rest ⋆ And peace of mind ☾

⠀☾ Herbs ☼ ↟ Lavender ↟ sleep, peace, dreams, relaxation, protection, happiness, healing, anti-stress & anxiety ↟ Rosemary ↟ sleep, peace, dreams, protection, healing, anti- stress, wards off bad dreams & negativity ↟ Sea salt ↟ protection, banishing, cleansing, purifying ↟ Hops flowers ↟ sleep, healing, anti-anxiety, stops restlessness ↟ Sugar ↟ for extra sweetness ↟ Jasmine ↟ calming, relaxation, prophetic dreams, love ↟ Chamomile ↟ sleep, peace, protection, healing, relaxation, anti-stress & anxiety, wards off bad dreams & nightmares ↟ Mugwort ↟ dreams, protection, healing, astral projection ↟ Willow leaves ↟ protection, peace, love, healing ↟ Thyme ↟ sleep, dreams, healing, protection, wards off bad dreams ↟ Peppermint ↟ sleep, dreams, healing, protection, happiness, anti-stress & anxiety, purification ↟ Valerian ↟ calming, protection, deep restful sleep ↟ Vervain ↟ peace, protection, wards off bad dreams & nightmares

⠀☼ Crystals☽ ↟ Amethyst ↟ peace, calming, relieves insomnia, wards off bad dreams & nightmares, prevents oversleeping, stabilizes physical, mental & emotional being ↟ Blue lace agate ↟ peace, calming, healing, calms the mind, reduces stress & anxiety ↟ Smoky Quartz ↟ protection, calming, relieves insomnia, wards off bad dreams, nightmares & negativity ↟ Fluorite ↟ peace, protection, protects against stress & negativity, stabilizes emotions, calms the mind ↟ Rose Quartz ↟ calming, peace, healing, calms emotions & rids of negativity, deep & restful sleep, relieves insomnia, relaxation, brings sweet dreams

♡ Mix any of these herbs and crystals in a bottle, sachet or pillow to make it right for you. Seal with candle wax (or a ribbon for those who can’t have candles) in whatever color feels best for you (I like blue or lavender!) Feel free to use my incantation as well! ♡

[baybeeleaves]

On Worshipping Hades

There are a ton of posts out there for signs and symbols, offerings and all that. Regardless, I’m making this post because Hades is the God I receive the most asks about, and this post was highly requested.

The Basics

Offerings:

Coins & other money (traditionally gold or brass, but all money works)

Stones, especially dark, jagged stones

Alcohol, especially wine

Honey

Milk or Water

Tobacco

Herbs: cypress, mint, myrrh, patchouli, bay, pumpkin, yew, wormwood, cinnamon, lavender, willow, oak

Flowers: marigold, dandelion, rose, lily, daisies, rowan, poppy, daffodils, calendulas 

Oils, especially olive oils and vinegars

Salts and spices

Shells or bones of the earth

Teas, especially blacks and oolongs

Breads or cakes

Fruits, such as apples and pomegranates

Meat (especially lamb)

Incenses: frankincense, myrrh, wormwood, sandalwood, cinnamon, rose, pomegranate

Candles: black, grey or silver

Symbols:

Dogs (Cerberus, specifically), black lambs, serpents and screech owls

Precious jewels, money, metals

Cypress, white asphodel, mint, narcissus

Drinking horn

Sceptre

Key

Helm of darkness

Black, grey, silver, gold

Nighttime

Autumn and Winter

Cemeteries, crossroads, forests, caves and mines

Ideas for the Altar:

Black mirror

Black cloth

Dark stones, such as hematite, onyx, obsidian, jet and the like

Shells

Dirt from outside, or graveyard dirt

Black, grey or silver candles

Flowers (dried works well too)

Bones (ethically sourced)

Representations of any of His symbols, listed above

Money, especially rare coins

Silver, or other precious metals

Family heirlooms

Active Practice

Worship Etiquette:

As with all chthonic deities, offerings are usually poured down. Offerings that float up (such as incense) are less common, but can be used.

Food offerings are usually buried instead of eaten. However, if need be, you may eat them.

Offerings are often buried, poured down the drain, or into the trash. This is done to ‘complete’ the offering.

This is very traditional, but I want to include it for extra information. In a temple with a roof, offerings would often be left by His feet all day and then during at night. Also, since the Mycenaean period, priests of Άδης would rhythmically pound their hands on the ground whilst praying to Him. I will sometimes tap (not pound) my head to the floor while praying in honor of this tradition.

As always, be polite. Hades will forgive any mistakes with a forgiveness offerings and continued respect.

Ideas for Active Worship:

Saving money, and spending it wisely

Cleaning litter from cemeteries, and tending to old graves

Offerings to the dead, as well as money to the spirits of the dead to let them pass on, and donating the physical change

Collecting crystals and stones

Making an altar to tend dead spirits

Studying other cultures’ burial methods and cemetery rites

Donating to burial, mortuary or funeral services

If you communicate to spirits, treat them kindly and help them move on

Ancestral worship

Praying

Devotional poems and artwork

Dedicating items to Him, such as jewelry, a wand, or a specific bone

Working with death energy and dying plants during autumn and winter

Caring for dogs kindly

Reflecting on your thoughts and emotions on death 

Helping others who have experienced loss

Frequently Asked or Requested Information

Hades can help with:

Fears about death or dying

Suicidal tendencies

Chronic illness

Money and business

Creativity

Moving on 

Releasing regrets, guilt, and past relationships

Seasonal worship and practice

Earth magic and herb work

Recovery from trauma

Spirit work, namely spirits of the dead

You DO NOT need to:

Be a spirit worker or death worker in order to work with Him

Swear an oath with Him, unless you’re 110% sure to commit

Be a devotee in order to worship Him

Only worship Him

Speak super formally to Him

Be someone you’re not in order to worship Him

You DO need to:

Honor Him

Be respectful

????

PROFIT

More Questions I’ve Answered

What are more DO’s and DON’T’s?

How do I know it’s Hades and not someone else?

I want to devote! How can I?

What if I can’t give extravagant offerings?

I can’t bury His food offerings

I feel like He’s not listening

I think I’ve fallen in love with Hades

Easy ways to start worshipping

I’m closeted, and want to devote

More tips for closeted worship

What are some modern things Hades would like?

How does Hades feel about cursing?

I was taught to fear Hades … 

What do I even say to Him?

Do you have any tips or advice for someone wanting to become more involved with death magic and Hades?

Are there any Gods Hades wouldn’t want to be worshipped alongside?

How do you pray to Him through journal?

Advice on devoteeing

For more information on worshipping Hades–espeically devoteeism and oaths–you can check out this zine I published about Him, Pleading to Hades.

[baybeeleaves]

#5 witchy tip

If you have excess wax that you would like to use for homemade candles but you don’t have the stem thing, you can use one of these thingys from clementines or mandarins:

Cut the top off

Put it in a old tea candle metal part

Fil it with melted wax…

BOM candle

[baybeeleaves]

Ok the essential oils thing is getting out of control. I was getting coffee and at the counter where people put the sugar and straws in, this woman took a bottle of essential oil out of her bag and just eyedropped a bunch in???

Please do not. I dont care what the pyramid schemes tell you about big pharma, dont ingest them, they’re not meant to be eaten