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[doopscraft-wtch]

hi! ive been getting back into the craft recently and i was wondering if you have any book reccomendations that i could learn more from! (i know youve published your own, which i will be checking out soon!!)

I have a book recs tag that contains most of the titles that I regularly recommend for witchcraft studies, but there are a few I could mention by name:

History:

Drawing Down The Moon (Margot Adler)

Triumph of the Moon (Ronald Hutton)

The Witch: A History of Fear, from Ancient Times to the Present (Ronald Hutton)

The Oxford Illustrated History of Witchcraft and Magic (Owen Davies)

Witchcraft, magic and culture 1736–1951 (Owen Davies)

Witchcraft:

The Dabbler's Guide to Witchcraft: Seeking an Intentional Magical Path Seeking an Intentional Magical Path (Fire Lyte aka Don Martin)

New World Witchery: A Trove of North American Folk Magic (Cory Thomas Hutcheson)

By Rust of Nail & Prick of Thorn: The Theory & Practice of Effective Home Warding (Althaea Sebastiani)

Sacred Actions: Living the Wheel of the Year through Earth-Centered Sustainable Practices (Dana O'Driscoll)

Honoring Your Ancestors: A Guide to Ancestral Veneration (Mallorie Vaudoise)

Spellcrafting: Strengthen the Power of Your Craft by Creating and Casting Your Own Unique Spells (Arin Murphy-Hiscock)

The Magical Writing Grimoire: Use the Word as Your Wand for Magic, Manifestation & Ritual (Lisa Marie Basile)

Light Magic for Dark Times: More than 100 Spells, Rituals, and Practices for Coping in a Crisis (Lisa Marie Basile)

Sigil Witchery: A Witch's Guide to Crafting Magick Symbols (Laura Tempest Zakroff)

The Hearth Witch's Year: Rituals, Recipes & Remedies Through the Seasons (Anna Franklin)

Previous Posts:

Here are the Top Ten foundational texts that I started out with.

Here are the books I recommend if you want to work with plants.

Here are the three titles I have on the market.

Here is the Dropbox I made with free (legal) historical texts on witchcraft and magic.

And here is my personal library (slightly out of date) which might give you some more ideas!

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saying "fuck you" aloud to the cards for telling you either something you already know but don't want to admit or something you should do but don't want to do can be something so therapeutic, actually

[doopscraft-wtch]

Vetting Witchcraft Books: a Brief Guide

We all know by now that not all books on witchcraft are created equal. But when you're starting out, how do you sort the quality resources from the unreliable ones? Here are some of the strategies I personally find useful. Please feel free to add to these with your own methods!

If I'm vetting a book online

Look up a summary of the book and determine what category it falls under:

Is it covering the history of witchcraft, the writer's personal journey, information about a specific practice or tradition, a list of spells, an introduction to witchcraft, etc.

Is that topic relevant to what you're seeking right now? The witchcraft book sphere is positively littered with Witchcraft 101 style texts, which may be exactly what you are looking for! However, if you've been practising for a while now and already have several 101 style books, is another going to serve you? Will you get more instead out of a witchstory book or book on more advanced spellcraft?

Look up the author. They may not have any online presence, but if they do (a website, social media, etc), have a look.

If their book is about a specific practice or tradition, is that tradition open or closed? If it's a closed tradition, are they a member of it and are you?

Does their content tell you their clear stance on issues relevant to the community including closed practices, mental health and disability, racism and cultural appropriation? If you see red flags for this in their content, such as "taking your meds inhibits psychic ability" or other absolute bullshit, it's probable you'll see the same rhetoric in their book

In their posts, do they cite sources where relevant/possible? If they're willing to put in the extra little bit of effort to cite sources in online content, it's a positive sign they'll likely do the same in a book

Finally, you can check reviews, though reviews on online stores and places like Goodreads aren't likely to be especially comprehensive or useful. I get much more in depth insight from checking to see if anyone who does reviews as part of their content has covered it: they're more likely to give a detailed informative review. This is the least useful tool for me overall though

If I'm standing in a bookstore with the title in my hand

Take a look at the table of contents:

Are the topics listed here what I'm looking for?

Does it dedicate sections to anything that could be described as due diligence? Examples include fire safety, mundane action, ethics and justice, historical context, myth busting. Particularly relevant for Witchcraft 101 style books or books on a specific path or practice.

Check for a reference list at the back of the book:

If there isn't one at all, and the book is about witchcraft history, spellwork, a path or tradition, or an introduction to witchcraft, this is a bit concerning- I'm immediately wary.

If it's about someone's own journey, the presence of a reference list anyway is a bright green flag, though it's less necessary than all other topics.

What sources are included in the reference list? Are all the references just other witchcraft books? Ideally a reference list should contain yes, other books on witchcraft, but also other sources: look for historical primary sources, history books, academic journals, and non-fiction titles and textbooks from outside witchcraft

Check the index:

Does it include any topics addressing practical matters like fire safety, mundane action, etc. Not strictly necessary, but a green flag

Does it include references to items like mental health? If so, flip to that page and skim it to ensure the information is well-founded and safe (i.e. not discouraging discontinuation of meds, not perpetuating indigo child bullshit)

Does it include references to cultural appropriation? If so, find that page and give it a skim. This should give a clear picture of not only their views on this, but how knowledgeable/well-researched they are about the topic

Does it include something related to witch trials? Find that page and skim it. If they're perpetuating the burning times myth, it's a sign they have done vastly inadequate research when writing this book

For the final references section, to be clear the idea is not "it's a red flag if this isn't in the reference section," because that really depends on the subject of the book. I don't expect and wouldn't want every single book on witchcraft to painstakingly debunk the burning times myth. It's more "if it is listed in the references, that gives me a quick little section to skim that should give me insight into how well-researched, accurate and grounded this book is."

Final note: once again this is just a brief introduction to my method of vetting books. If this is useful to you, by all means feel free to use it. But it's not prescriptive and I'd love to hear your methods too!

[doopscraft-wtch]

my 'this but not that' tarot spread

A very simple spread my friends, to identify what the hecc is happening.

It's a three card draw - any arrangement will do.

first card - "the answer is,"

second card - "that is to say,"

third card - "..and it is not-"

example: "what are these weird vibes I'm getting from my friend?"

first card - "the answer is that your friend feels like they can't relate to your beliefs any more."

second card - "that is to say, your friend is growing emotionally in a direction that makes them question some of your beliefs."

third card - "and it's not that they think your beliefs are actually bad. they're just questioning a lot of things on an emotional level right now."

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Source: Conventum

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I often see the "How do you know magic works/exists?" question, and here's the thing . . .

As self-absorbed and full of delusions of grandeur as I am, I have no confidence in anything whatsoever because I am a nervous bunny waiting for something to fall out of the sky and kill me. I am anxious and think only the worst will happen and am usually pleasantly surprised because I am all doom all the time.

. . .

But my spells work. Despite me being a complete mess, I perform my spellwork as it is designed and put all of my concentration and focus into the process. And it works out even though I am banshee screeching my doubt and doom song until I see the results.

So . . . there's that.

Keep on keeping on

[doopscraft-wtch]

PSA:

1. If you are not silly, it is vital you become silly

2. If you are silly, you must stay silly

2. If you used to be silly but have stopped, you must make all efforts to return to silliness

[doopscraft-wtch]

common outdoor items & their uses

a guide to common outdoor items and their magickal uses.

acorns- luck, protection, wisdom, power

walnuts- healing, protection, self care

pinecones- fertility, masculinity, growth, nature

pine needles- cleansing, healing, strength, banishment

pecans- employment, protection, success, abundance, prosperity

grass- growth, learning, healing, new beginning, grief, recovery

maple leaves- feminine, travel, change, decisions, healing

oak leaves- truth, justice, knowledge, steadfastness, protection, guidance

birch leaves- protection, cleansing, fertility, purification

dandelions- calling spirits, divination, healing

dandelion seeds- divination, wishes, manifestation, dreams, luck

dandelion leaves- defeating negativity, steadfastness, growth, purification

2 leaf clovers- love, luck, courage, cleansing

3 leaf clovers- protection, luck, fidelity, divination

4 leaf clovers- spirit work, luck, psychic ability, attraction

5+ leaf clovers- wealth, luck, attracting money, sanity

wild clover flowers- animal magick, blessings, breaking curses, luck, love

apple seeds- love, secrets, knowledge, gateways, divination, prosperity

tree bark- protection, binding, banishment, cleansing, purification

rocks- many rocks have crystals hidden inside, the most common is quartz types. if unsure, rockcs can represent strength, stability, protection and banishing. if you suspect its a crystal, look it up and discover the correspondences that matter to you!

will add more as i can, feel free to add your own!!

[doopscraft-wtch]

Something I wish I was told as a young witch:

Correspondences are the most potent when it resonates with your meaning and your reality.

Yes, every old dusty grimoire says that we use the new moon for manifestation.

Every popular new age author since the 80′s says that rose quartz is used for love magic.

A lot of witchcraft bloggers say to use green candles for money magic.

But:

If your spirit tells you that the new moon is going to benefit your divination rituals that night? Trust your intuition.

If you pick up a rose quartz, and that stone tells you that it wants to help you feel protected? Listen to it.

If you associate other colors with money because your country’s paper currency isn’t green? Use the red, blue, yellow, or other color candles.

Collective correspondences are useful and have weight to them, but nothing is more effective than your own instincts.

Learn to trust your intuitive gifts, babes.

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Reminder that if you think people with autism and/or ADHD aren't capable of practicing witchcraft or magic of any kind, you're an ableist and can not so kindly fuck out of the magical community.

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Friendly reminder that if you have family, a friend or a mentor who taught you how to do something, or gifted you something, significant to their culture: it is just that. A gift, for you. Not for others. It is not permission to share with others, and it is not permission to remove that gift from its original cultural context. Either respect that you've been gifted something important to that person, or don't use it/keep it at all. Simple as that.

[doopscraft-wtch]

everyone look at my baby witch altar

[doopscraft-wtch]

The Best Magic Advice Ever

Idk if y'all can handle this. Are you ready? It's life-changing. Absolutely unreal.

⭐fuck around & find out⭐

No, really. Research only gets you so far, and will eventually start muddying the water beyond comprehension because no two practitioners are the same. Get your hands dirty, cut your teeth into a spell, take notes, and figure it out.

We act like having a Master's Degree worth of research is so critical to development, that you can't start until you know everything.

You'll never know everything, so congratulations. You'll learn daily, which is BEAUTFUL! AND SACRED! AND NECESSARY TO EVOLVE AS A HUMAN!

Go forth & get weird, friends.

[doopscraft-wtch]

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.

[doopscraft-wtch]

Simple Things Baby Witches Might Miss

I was a baby witch once, and there were tons of small, little things that went over my head until later in my practice. I'm hoping that some of these will ring a bell for those who may need to hear them.

When you're cleansing a room, especially if it's a smoke cleanse, you need to open a window. This gives an 'escape route' for what you're cleansing away and also gives the smoke somewhere to go other than sticking to your walls.

Speaking of smoke cleansing, do not smoke cleanse in a room with pets in it. It can be very, very dangerous to them.

When you're doing research, you should be cross-checking across four to six different sources. If something matches across multiple sources, it's more likely to be solid.

You can incorporate your craft into pretty much anything. Showering? You're washing off the bad energy. Cleaning? You're preparing your space. Gardening? You're encouraging growth and prosperity. And delicious tomatoes!

If you're using a smoke cleanse, you can add the burnt portion to salt to make a beginner's black salt.

Spell jars don't have to go on your altar.

Altars are not completely necessary, especially if you're in the broom closet. Work with what you have.

Every herb has benefits and correspondences. You can utilize these without spell jars, burn spells, etc. Kitchen magic is one of my go-tos - cooking with spices and herbs infuses your food with their benefits.

Ask 'dumb' questions. Reach out to people. If they laugh at you for your questions, you know they are not a reliable source of information. (P.S. - my ask box is always open!)

White wax can replace any other color of wax. Get birthday cake candles for easy, fast burning.

Clear quartz can replace other crystals.

Here's a simple color chart.

Here's a simple moon phase chart.

Here's a simple guide to flowers and their correspondences

Here's a simple guide to cascarilla

As always, do your own research. Take everything you hear with a grain of salt until you do research - yes, even from me, because I make mistakes, too. Blessed be, and good luck, baby witches!

Support your local witch on Ko-Fi or at my store, Hallow Grove!

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hello witchblr friends. a few years ago when I started my craft, a friend gifted me this smudge stick bundle. I personally haven't used it (he used it once, decided it wasn't his thing, and gave it to me to see if I'd like it) but he never told me what herbs were in it, or at least I don't remember. I'm no longer in contact with this friend so I can't ask him, and I understand that sage (specifically white sage) is used in closed practices. I'm not familiar with smudge sticks at all so I wanted to try them out, but I don't want to accidentally do something harmful. can anybody identify what kind of herb(s) are in this stick in case I accidentally intrude on a closed practice? thanks!!

[doopscraft-wtch]

Teas for…

Wake up:

Matcha

Peppermint

To Sleep:

Kava

Chamomile

Cold symptoms:

Echinacea

White tea

Digestion:

Ginger

Lemon

Detoxify:

Dandelion

Nettle

For nausea:

Fennel

Ginger

For energy:

Mint

Green tea

De-stress:

Lavender

Ginseng

Antioxidant boost:

Roobios

Black tea