divi-witch

[divi-witch]

Depends on what's best for you. Most of mine are in my head because my practice is very private to me.

Saying it out loud can help with focus.

The issue I think could with doing spell work in your head can lead to accidentally manifesting/cast/or attract things unintentionally.

That one's going to depend on who you ask.

Wait hold on, do spells have to be said out loud or can you say them in your head? Genuinely asking

[divi-witch]

This ^

I burn herbs, incense, and candles, but not everyone can do that! It's especially important to recognize sensory issues and allergies to me as I have both.

Besides, there are plenty of other ways to cleanse. If you think burning is the only way to go about it, you'd be wrong!

maybe don't call people who have sensitivities to sage smoke toxic people with negative energy @ every witch everywhere

[divi-witch]

maybe don't call people who have sensitivities to sage smoke toxic people with negative energy @ every witch everywhere

[divi-witch]

Honestly, I don't know why people fake disability. I don't know your experience so I'll go off my own, but I do hope you are well!

Like, I kinda like having autism, aside from sensory issues and serious rejection sensitive dysphoria. Why would someone want the more disordered parts of autism?

Adhd is one I have, that's alright. But the brain fog, waiting mode, and paralysis suck.

I have some chronic pain as well, I'd rather be without it.

Not the point!

But yes, faking it is super wrong! Plus, it can be hurtful for us to find accommodation and acceptance. Also, depending on how act when pretending can spread major misinformation!

Ie: how tics look, how stims look, impulsive thoughts vs intrusive thoughts, etc etc

People have very much abused these terms and have blurred the definitions of multiple psychological terms for their own gain! It makes it very difficult to tell the differences between terms now.

Not to mention, I don't understand why people want to fake chronic illnesses or disorders.

Completely valid. I'm tired as well.

As someone with five chronic illnesses, two being mental disorders, I must say this:

I’m kinda tired of seeing so many people want attention so they pretend they are disabled. It’s a mockery to those of us who actually are, AND it makes others group us all together.

If you’re not disabled or have a mental illness, that’s a GOOD THING. Don’t pretend you do just to get into a club.

[divi-witch]

As someone with five chronic illnesses, two being mental disorders, I must say this:

I’m kinda tired of seeing so many people want attention so they pretend they are disabled. It’s a mockery to those of us who actually are, AND it makes others group us all together.

If you’re not disabled or have a mental illness, that’s a GOOD THING. Don’t pretend you do just to get into a club.

[divi-witch]

What is Visualization?

Visualization is the ability to imagine shapes and images. The ability to do this exists on a spectrum. 1%-3% of people have what is called aphantasia, and about the same percentages have what is called hyperphantasia. Aphantasia is when an individual finds it difficult or near impossible to create mental images. Hyperphantasia is when an individual can visualize so thoroughly that it is almost difficult to differentiate between the visualization and reality. In most cases, the difference is in the ability to visualize three dimensional forms and rotate them in space.

What is Conceptualization?

Conceptualization is to take an idea or understanding of a concept and project it into a workable application. Whether the application is social, creative, intellectual, and/or physical is irrelevant. This process is the key mechanism to coming to thorough understandings of abstract concepts like in math. The ability to conceptualize is the primary bridge between memorization and understanding. Like visualization, there is a disorder that prevents some people from conceptualizing. This disorder is called Ideational apraxia. .0001%-.01% of the population is affected by this disorder, significantly less than those with aphantasia. Statistically, there is roughly less than 0.000001%-0.000000001% chance that these two disorders will occur in a single individual. 

Which is more useful in magic?

In the grand scheme, conceptualization as it is the bridge to understanding and therefore creativity and innovation. Visualization is useful for when a plan has been drafted, but not so much for creating a plan. This is especially evident in practices such as conscious energy work.  

Applications of both in Magic.

It is a very common trend within the witchcraft community to lean HARD on visualization. This is not only ableist, but also not inherently magical. Visualization is a tool. Like all tools in witchcraft, they aren't magic, they are used to channel or process spells. Visualization is most effective in the planning phase of spellwork. What is the ritual going to look like? How is the process going to aid in maintaining headspace? What are the energetic constructs going to look like? If you had to assign a visual representation to energy work, how would it look? All of this should be done before a working. 

Conceptualization is extremely beneficial for performing mental experiments on the magical mechanisms that will be manifesting your magic. Conceptualization can contain very complex ideas within a single mental dimension. This allows for the seamless monitoring the empirical and logical comparisons. An example of this is taking a concept found within STEM and finding ways for it to be applicable in witchcraft. Like applying topology to energy work, spirit work, and astral projection. Building off of complex understandings of concepts within our universe also allows the practitioner to be more aware of cognitive bias, something visualization actually causes. 

A skilled practitioner employs both for spellwork and developing their craft. Building a solid conceptualization of an idea also allows for a more complete visualization for those who are able. Realizing that neither of them are magic and are not viable ways of spell casting is the first step to branching out of  fanciful magics like those found in Wicca and modern Tradcraft, a lot of which is very prevalent on the internet. Magic is aggregate and personal. It is a skill, not a talent. Some learn the skill at a young age when they are more open to it. Magic is never complete, and neither is our understanding or applications of it. The possibilities are endless. There are only two limitations: the laws of physics and yourself, disabilities included.

You can read more about Visualization and why its contemporary applications are problematic and generally not even magic here.

If you’d care to read more about me, check out my content, request content, commission a Sigil or divination reading, or leave a tip click here.

[divi-witch]

Smoke Cleansing

One thing you will find virtually every practitioner talk about is cleansing your space of negative energy. In fact, smoke cleansing not only clears negative energy from your house, it can also clear up your mindset. Having a calm and clear space has been linked to much more positive outlooks on life, which in turn can help your mental and physical health.

Smoke cleansing is the the act of burning incense or dried herb bundles with the intent to remove negative energy from a person or space. In nearly every culture dating back to the Ancient Egyptians, smoke cleansing has long been believed to remove negative energy, heal, protect and boost defense against disease. Smoke cleansing is not the same as smudging done amongst the Indigenous peoples or saining done amongst the Scots, as they are specific rituals and should only be practiced by those within those practices because they are CLOSED PRACTICES. A closed practice doesn’t mean only those with that background can practice, it just means you have to be initiated and accepted by that community to learn these rituals.

The most common way to smoke cleanse your space is with a sage bundle, however there are other methods as well. As I stated before, incense and dried herb bundles of any variety are effective as well. Do be careful with what you are using, as it can either be an over harvested one or simply toxic to any animals you have. Before you ask, yes. White sage is used specifically by the Indigenous peoples of America, so unless you are growing your own, DO NOT USE IT. Pablo santo is not a gatekept tree, but understand that new age withcraft and consumerism is destroying the rainforest where it grows. This means the cultures that have been using palo santo for centuries are having a harder time getting it. Instead, I am going to give you some alternatives to use in your own practice so you can still practice and be respectful at the same time.

*Please be careful when burning anything.*

Some basic rules when smoke cleansing your house are be mindful not to light your incense or herb bundle near anything flammable, open your windows and be careful when waving the incense or bundle around as embers can set things on fire. I use an abalone shell to catch the ash and embers from my bundle whenever I smoke cleanse. Always have a fire extinguisher or water nearby whenever you are smoke cleansing.

(I know this seems like common sense knowledge, but as someone who has received ACTUAL firefighting training in both the civilian and military sectors, you’d be surprised how many people don’t understand the fire triangle.)

So when should you smoke cleanse your space?

This will vary from person to person so pick a day and time that works best for you, however you should aim to be cleansing your space on a regular basis. Some prefer to do it on the first of the month or around sabbats/holidays. I prefer to smoke cleanse my house around the lunar cycle (so on the new/full moon). I recommend doing it at least once a month, but you can do it as often as you feel like.

What should I use?

This is also another personal preference based on what you enjoy and can afford. Incense sticks are just one method and you can buy these online or in an actual store. They come in a variety of sizes and smells, just find the one that connects to you the best. As I mentioned before, nearly any dried herb can be used for smoke cleansing. A good alternative to white sage is common sage, rosemary or even lavender. Do not use lavender if you have pets, it is toxic to them. Don’t want to use one of those and prefer something like palo santo? Juniper and birch are good alternatives. PLEASE DO YOUR RESEARCH TO MAKE SURE YOU ARE NOT ACCIDENTALLY BURNING SOMETHING THAT IS POISONOUS! I personally use common sage dipped in dragon’s blood (it’s a tree resin and has a POTENT smell to it, definitely not for those who don’t like spicy smells).

I am a firm believer in supporting small businesses, so check Etsy or your preferred website if you prefer to shop online. Just be careful to read the description of the product, some businesses will have white sage mislabeled as regular sage. Wanna actually go into a brick-and-mortar store? Check to see if there are any metaphysical shops in your area. You can also find different witchcraft groups on Facebook that will share info based on the city, town or state you live in. While I don’t use it often, I am a part of a FB group that shares different shops in various places across the state I live in so if I travel to one of those places, I know where to go.

[divi-witch]

Tarot reading prices

Yes or no sample: free

1 card sample: free

3 card reading: 5$

4 card spread: 7$

5 card spreads: 10$

Celtic cross: 25$

The samples are one time only.

I’ve been doing tarot reading since I was 14!

I’d love to share my wonderful witches tarot deck with everyone.

For the reading I’ll only need a name to call you (doesn’t necessarily need to be real, but it helps) and what you desire to be read. (No love readings.)

[divi-witch]

As someone with chronic conditions, no you are not the only one that cares. The issue with going into the metaphysical is there is a lot of predatory marketing! Sadly, people fall for it a lot as you can see. 

I want to vent.

So I love crystals, right? Well I believe that they may or may not work, but they’ve always made me feel good, so I’ve used them.

The thing is, I use them for protection, grounding….stuff like that. What makes me beyond mad is when people try to tell you they will HEAL YOUR ILLNESSES. I mean people actually advertise this, that they will cure it.

I’ve mentioned before that I’m a spoonie. I haven’t said what I personally have, but I will tell you one of them, so you have an idea.

Epilepsy. Yeah. It sucks.

As I was scrolling on Etsy to find epilepsy related stuff, you know, like pins to put on my medication bag, I saw this.

Maybe I’m the only one who cares, but there’s a difference between someone selling a stone for you to use in spells or something and selling one preying upon those with chronic illnesses who will do anything to feel better.

It makes me sick. And not in the way I normally am.

[divi-witch]

Burning rosemary

Hope some practical witchcraft will help with the roaches lol!

[divi-witch]

I would! I’ll advertise it to my own witchy server if you go through with it.  <3

Before i take the trouble to build it, would there be any interest in a discord specifically for people working with conpantheons, unrecorded pantheons, and unnamed gods?

[divi-witch]

Poppets

The word "Poppet" was a Middle English (approx 1100 - 1250CE) word used to describe a doll, and that's all they are… They are magical tools in the form of a doll.

Poppets are an open practice that exist in many different traditions and many types of practices. One important note: They are not voodoo dolls. All Voodoo dolls are poppets but not all poppets are voodoo dolls. I have also heard that the term "voodoo doll" was a phrase used by white men to demonize those who practiced hoodoo and voodoo. I am unsure on the validity of this but let's just carry on to talking about how to use poppets.

What is a Poppet? Poppets are a personification of your target. They can be made of wax, felt, material, yarn and sticks, they can be a barbie doll, anything you want with one head, two arms, and two legs (or two heads, if they are two-faced or just a Gemini - just kidding... but you could lol).

How do you use a Poppet? They can be used to cause harm and to bless and heal, depending on what your intention with the poppet is. Give it a massage, or give it a nice cleansing bath (without purposefully drowning it), or beat it up and give it a swirly in the toilet. The possibilities for this are endless. whatever is done to the poppet will be energetically transferred to the target.

I have personally used a poppet to whisper sweet nothings into its ear and make the target dream of me. They later said they dreamt of me for months for no apparent reason. Woops lol.

Activating your Poppet: To activate the poppet, give it a heart and two eyes. insert a taglock into the poppet to give it life, or show the poppet who they are supposed to be and they will represent that person. I like to breathe onto/into mine to give it life, like the breath of life and it works perfectly. It's up to you on how you want to activate it. There is really no wrong way.

Accidents Happen: If you accidentally drop your poppet or do something you didn't mean to do, it will be fine. Everything done to the doll must be done intentionally and with purpose.

To Undo: Thank your poppet for its service and help in your magical workings and mentally/verbally release the person from the poppet or attachment. Start to undo and disassemble it, this is done usually in reverse order of how it was initially put together, and dispose of the materials as you see fit. If the doll is biodegradable, you may opt to burying it, burning it if it is safe to do so, or just pitching it in the trash.

[divi-witch]

Fetches, Familiars, and Fylgjur

These titles have seemed to have been blurred or the meaning completely lost in modern day because they are conflated to mean the same thing when they are not the same things at all. So this post is gonna clear all that up.

Fetches:

A fetch is in Irish and English folklore, the term for one’s Double, an apparition of a living person. The fetch is also called a “co-walker” in England. Seeing a fetch is a sign of ill-boding, although in Irish lore, to see a fetch in the morning means one will have a long life. When seen at night, however, the fetch is believed to foretell a person’s death.

Fetches are seen by persons with clairvoyant ability, or by friends or family of the living person just prior to, or at the moment of, that person’s death. As such, the fetch is the equivalent of certain crisis apparitions, a term applied in psychical research and parapsychology. Sometimes the fetch is witnessed by the person who is to die several days or weeks prior to his or her death. As such, it is similar to the Germanic doppelgänger and to some conceptions of the British wraith. Francis Grose associated the term with Northern England in his 1787 Provincial Glossary, but otherwise it seems to have been in popular use only in Ireland.

Corresponding to its contemporary prominence in "national superstitions", the fetch appeared in Irish literature starting in early 19th century. "The fetch superstition" is the topic of John and Michael Banim's Gothic story "The Fetches" from their 1825 work Tales by the O'Hara Family and Walter Scott used the term in his Letters on Demonology and Witchcraft, published in 1830, in a brief reference to "his … fetch or wraith, or double-ganger".

Familiars:

Familiars are (usually animal) spirits that can guide us and aid our magical practice and rituals. They can appear in the form of animals we are partial to and will change their form to be a more comforting animal for us.

In European folklore of the medieval and early modern periods, familiars (sometimes referred to as familiar spirits) were believed to be supernatural entities that would assist witches and cunning folk in their practice of magic. According to records of the time, those alleging to have had contact with familiar spirits reported that they could manifest as numerous forms, usually as an animal, but sometimes as a human or humanoid figure, and were described as "clearly defined, three-dimensional… forms, vivid with colour and animated with movement and sound", as opposed to descriptions of ghosts with their "smoky, undefined form[s]".

When they served witches, they were often thought to be malevolent, but when working for cunning folk they were often considered benevolent (although there was some ambiguity in both cases). The former were often categorized as demons, while the latter were more commonly thought of and described as fairies. The main purpose of familiars was to serve the witch or young witch, providing protection for them as they came into their new powers.

Since the 20th century some magical practitioners, including adherents of the Neopagan religion of Wicca, use the concept of familiars, due to their association with older forms of magic. These contemporary practitioners use pets or wildlife, or believe that invisible versions of familiars act as magical aids.

(familiars are almost NEVER physical, so that cat you adopted from the shelter is almost certainly not your familiar. I have only ever seen one physical familiar in my entire life and it is an EXCEEDINGLY rare circumstance)

Fylgja:

Fylgjur (plural of Fylgja) (pronounced "feel-hyur" & "feel-hya" respectively) are supernatural guardian spirits, bound to a family line, who are said to accompany a person throughout life. Like many concepts in Norse mythology, the Fylgja is sometimes hard to comprehend or explain.

Fylgja, translated from Old Norse, means "someone that accompanies". They can appear in two ways.

The first is an animal form, which can be described as an extension of an aspect or characteristic of a particular family. They seem to embody the spirit, and guide the one they choose, or work deeds for them.

Maria Kvilhaug translated and summarised Professor Else Mundal's academic paper on the topic, “Fylgjemotiva i norrøn litteratur” (Fylgjur Motifs in Norse Literature):

"The animal fylgja motif is sometimes blended with the húgr-motif. [Húgr (masculine singular) means “intent”, “desire”, “thought”, “soul”, “heart” and seems to have been a part of the human soul that could move outside of the body in animal shape]. Manna hugir ["the intents of men"] sometimes replace the term manna fylgjor [the “followers” of men] and usually then appear in the shape of wolves. Wolves, being associated with fierce passion and desire (or greed and hunger) are closely connected to the húgr. The other animals appear as manna fylgjor."

The second description from “Fylgjemotiva i norrøn litteratur” explains how Fylgjur are female entities. They act as a guardian for a family, and attach themselves to an individual at birth, following through the generations down a certain lineage. They are likely to represent an ancestral mother. We know that the mothers were celebrated, with female ancestral spirits being described as "Dísir" (meaning "Ladies"). These female spirits are bound to a family of which they are matriarchal ancestors, and can be both benevolent or malevolent.

In the Anglo-Saxon and later English superstitions, an animal Fylgja became known as a fetch. Whether this was originally the same creature that appears in Icelandic literature, or whether this is a similar concept, it is hard to tell. A fetch in the British witchcraft tradition is an animal spirit, or living animal, that would allow its "owner" to travel with it or send it on errands for magical workings or spirit travel.

It is more common for us to see the witch's fetch depicted as a familiar; a physical animal that aids the practitioner in her works. Many folk tales describe how these animals might also be the witch transformed, and physical injuries suffered by the animal matching those of the witch once she is restored to human form. This shape-shifting also appeared as a Norse concept.

In modern reconstructed Heathen spirituality, a Fylgja can be seen as an attendant female spirit or animal, which may visit you in dreams, or appear if you are practising Seiðr, trance-working, or going on a spirit journey. People sometimes feel that their Fylgja has run on ahead of them when travelling in a physical sense.

[divi-witch]

Chord Cutting Spells 101

Chord cutting spells are spells done to separate yourself or cut ties from a person, place, habit, mental state, or addictions. They separate you from that which you want to escape. Now, this will work ONLY if you put in conscious effort to separate yourself from it as well. Magic without action is useless. This is especially the case in chord cutting rituals. You cannot do a chord cutting ritual to separate yourself from your ex and still text them "i miss you bby" and bullshit like that. If you do this, the spell WILL NOT WORK and you were better off never even having cast it in the first place. If you do a chord cutting for an addiction (say… cigarettes or alcohol), and you continue to do the thing that you want to be unbound from, your spell will not work. If you want to do a chord cutting from your parents and you still live under their roof, it WILL NOT work…. that connection is still there because you live under their roof. Contact is still made and contact is keeping that thread from you to them in tact. If you don't live with your parents and you wanna do a chord cutting, you need to go zero-contact and cut them out of your life for the spell to work. It takes conscious effort on your part to assist the spell in its success.

AS A DISCLAIMER: you CANNOT do a chord cutting with your depression, anxiety, mental disorder, physical ailments, disabilities, chronic illnesses, or anything else that is of the body. These are intrinsically YOU and cannot be banished or separated from you. It's kind of like they are bound to your DNA and cannot be separated from you.

Now, How do you do a Chord Cutting Ritual?

What you will need:

Candles

Twine/string

lighter or matches

herbs (optional)

Take a candle that will represent you (most people use white or black but you can also use your favorite color or whatever you have on hand, the color of the candle really doesn't matter) and carve your name into the candle.

If you are cutting ties from multiple people at once (exes, parents, multiple siblings, multiple habits, etc) get one candle per person/thing. Carve their names into each candle (one for mom, one for dad / one for the feeling of "worthlessness" or "unconfident" / ex #1, ex #2, etc) (i suggest doing one "theme" at a time. don't do a bunch of chord cuttings for a bunch of shit simultaneously, it will make things harder on you when it comes to interpretation or remembering what was what)

You may also want to secure the candles in little candle holders or just melt the bottom and stick them to a fire safe plate or surface so they won't fall over unexpectedly or prematurely.

Secure the candles with some twine that wraps around both of them. It shouldn't be so loose that it falls off the candle, or be so taut that you can strum it like a guitar string. Just loose and secure is fine. Secure the string to the candle around the top third of the candle.

You can add herbs around the candles if you want to do so. You could add herbs around your candle for healing, strength, protection, etc., and to the other candle(s) for banishing. If you are cutting ties from a shitty person, add some baneful herbs around their candle for a little sprinkle of "fuck you" energy. Do NOT dress your candles as it will be a fire hazard and it will fuck up your wax reading after the fact.

Light both candles at the same time and let them burn. Watch the candle and twine and how it all falls apart to interpret what energy may still lie in the relationship.

INTERPRETING THE RITUAL

Interpreting the ritual is the MOST important part of the spell. It tells you what is happening currently, what can be done, what needs fixing, and what the other person's energy and attitudes may be towards you.

Their Candle Wax moving toward Your candle means they are still reaching out and wanting that connection (maybe for manipulative purposes, maybe they just aren't ready to let go yet, maybe they dont want to lose control)

Your candle wax moving towards their candle may mean you are not ready to let go of them and you may have a sense of dependency on them or toxic codependency. Don't go back. Don't do it.

Their Candle wax touching Your candle means that they still have power or some semblance of control over you and they are not done with you yet

Chord burning cleanly means that the separation was successful

Chord snapping and burning their candle can mean they are now being given the burden of the ending of the relationship and they are now dealing with the fallout and the bullshit

Chord snapping and burning YOUR candle can mean you are being consumed by the fallout of the relationship and you need to overcome it and not let it destroy you

Chord snapping and burning BOTH candles can mean you both are now having to deal with the fallout and the desolation of the relationship that needs to be remedied so you do not destroy yourself in the healing process. Fuck them, they can deal with it however they will. In this moment, you can see how your candle and the flame responds to the burning chord near your candle and how you will deal with it as seen in the candle interpretation.

seeing figures in the flames (taking a series of photos) can indicate the energy of the candles, like a pompous person, a child, an arm reaching for the other, a goddess or deity may be seen as they can assist with these spells for your own growth, you may see figures, people, animals, or shapes. Interpret them however you will, whatever they mean to you may be significant to the spells interpretation.

Chord not snapping or burning at all means that the ritual failed and you will have to do it again… as many times as it takes… it might be a few times.

Look for any imagery in the wax, remaining wicks, any herbs you may have used, anything that can make shapes and shit… You may see a figure turning away from the other and the second person reaching out and extending toward them, you may see a woman crying, you may see the shape of flames, or flowers, or anything else. Interpret these however YOU want to. Everyone will see these things differently so you just have to observe the remnants of the spell and see what images are left that may lend more understanding to if the ritual worked or what else might still linger.

Good Luck, and Happy Witching.

[divi-witch]

Bad pic of a burnable sigil to promote healing

[divi-witch]

Common Misconception For New Pagans

so one thing i see floating around a lot is "deity work isnt for beginners!" i think this caution has good intentions. working with deities is serious and can have more serious consequences (usually just repairing the harm you've done) for messing up. But,

theres a huge difference between worshipping, doing occasional work for, asking for help from a deity, and entering contract.

i dont know about other traditions, but in mine (irish paganism) "contracts" are when you make a specific and detailed, time sensitive agreement with a deity. for example "from bealtaine to samhain i will set up a food donation drive in the dagda's name in exchange for his mentorship on my path during this time." these are heavily negotiated, enforceable, and NOT FOR BEGINNERS!

what is for beginners is developing a meaningful relationship with a deity that might eventually lead to that. praying every day, leaving offerings, reaching out for advice. these are all super important for beginners to do. and some lifelong pagans will never feel called or comfortable with entering contracts!

the only way to be pagan is to actually Be pagan. you dont need to wait months to pray or set up an altar. do your research on the deity you want to contact, then contact them. an exception here is working with malevolent deities who might be easy to offend. save that stuff for when you really know your shit.

toddlers worshipped our deities. dont be too scared of getting started.

[divi-witch]

I'm a disabled artist, I don't like the idea that other artists art were used to train the AI. I find it dishonest that artists work were used for free.

For the copyright thing? Mixed bag tbh depends on the AI. Some will still have signatures on the mish-mash of art pieces sewed together. Others change it enough for it not to be considered the same art work. Doesn't mean I think it should be commercialized though.

Now that one guy that posted AI in a art competition as digital art? Hate that dude.

At first it stressed me but then I saw the memes of how derpy it really is. (And well racist as well)

If anything if you avoid the toxic techies, it's a funny experience with a side horrific cringe.

Took make this short:

I don't like how the data was gathered to "train" the AI.

The AI is kinda silly and horrendously racist.

As long as the AI changes the art to where it's unrecognizable from the original pieces then it falls within the law.

It could be used as a tool but I don't want to use it at its current state. If it was made using more honest practices then I would consider.

Hey, all! Looking into writing a piece about the use of AI in art in the Pagan/witch sphere. I would especially like to hear from abled and disabled artists regarding how this impacts them. Please share around/reach out!