lunagapi

[lunagapi]

Dodekatheist concepts

Hubris/Being “hubristic”:

Hubris is arrogance, feeling superior to the Theoi. It is translated as��“overconfidence” or “pride”. In some myths hubris was punished like in the myth of Arachne. 

Miasma/Being miasmic: 

Miasma is a difficult concept to define, as it depends on the way each one defines it. It´s similar as making a definition of “love” because each person will tell you different things. 

Miasma is translated as “pollution” and some of the Theoi find it really gross and maybe avoid it. I have to say that this is not the same as “sin” as this word is purely (I think, I don´t know too much about christianity, sorry) christian. It´s like when you were a kid and played in a really dirty place and then coming back home where your parents told you to take a bath before dinner. 

Miasma is the distraction from the Theoi and being mortal, and we need to cleanse ourselves before praying or giving Them offerings. 

This purification could be taking a bath and washing your teeth, cleaning the place where you are going to pray/give offerings/libations or it could be washing your face and hands before doing all that stuff. Take into consideration that some Deities don´t care too much about miasma and other care TOO MUCH about it and it all depends in the person too. 

For example, Hades doesn´t care about me being miasmic as He deals with human mortality 24/7 (maybe He´s used to it) but with other Deities like Apollo I have to clean myself because it looks like He avoids it. 

Sophia:

(One of my favorite concepts ^-^)

Sophia is the pursuit of knowledge, learning about things that we like. Staying curious about everything and trying to be more and more wise each day. Again, how to practise this concept depends on each person, for example, learning languages is a way of practising this, also questioning everything that happens in the world and trying to understand it.

Why is this important? Well apart from fulfilling a part of our life and achieving personal growth, I think it´s important to achieve Arete (I will explain this later)

Eusebia:

Eusebia is praying, giving offerings and pouring libations. It´s the relationship with the Gods and Goddesses.

Eusebia is being curious about a Deity and taking your time to research about that certain Deity.

Kharis:

Kharis is the relationship that the Theoi have with us. When you ask for something to the Theoi and then you give Them offerings in return, that´s kharis.

Xenia

Xenia is taking care of our hosts, it´s hospitality and having good manners with them and also being a good guest. This not only applies in your house or in other´s house, but also in a restaurant or in other place where there´s people. It´s known that the Theoi punished those who treat their host badly.

By the way, you don´t have to treat them well if they are a toxic person or someone who bullied you somehow. 

Also, you don´t have to practise this concept just to only please the Theoi, but to be a decent human being. 

Khernips

Khernips is lustral water that you use in formal rituals, and you just need a match, letting it extinguish in the water. Some people dedicate more time and add other things, but I personally use water and the match. (Please, be careful!!)

Libation

Libation is a liquid offering, can be water or wine or juice. Or you can pour water into a bowl as an offering. And, depending on who you ask, you can drink it or leave it there and respectfully clean the bowl. 

I don´t drink the libations, I simply pour water in a plant pot after a prayer as it is discrete. 

Arete

Using those other concepts like Sophia, Xenia, Eusebia and Kharis you can reach arete. It´s trying to reach your full potential, honouring the Theoi by doing so. 

[lunagapi]

[lunagapi]

Spiritual protection in the Greco-Roman world

This was this week’s hot topic, so I’m using the opportunity to make some things clear from a purely hellenic and historical perspective. Needless to say I am tired of seeing modern magical concepts being slapped on ancient beliefs and I am not writing this post unbiased.

Amulets Etymologically, the word amulet probably means “something that can be carried”. It’s, personally speaking, my favorite type of protection. Technically speaking, an amulet could, therefore, be a lot of different things as long as they serve two main purposes: tutelage (protection) and prophylaxis (preventive).

Let’s go through some of the most common types:

Bulla: typically given to male roman children 9 days after birth. It is worn like a locket where other amulets are placed (typically phalluses).

Lunula: a crescent moon pendant worn by little and young roman girls until their mariage.

Fascinum, tintinnabula and other phalli: the symbol of protection par excellence, found in many shapes and forms. The tintinnabula is more potent, as it also has bells, which are considered apotropaic as well. Bells could also be put around children’s and animal’s neck for a similar protective effect.  

The Eye (mati): still widely in use, it appears as soon as the 6th century BC on Greek cups. Sometimes added on the phallus for a double protective effect (also true for wings).

Gorgoneion: Often worn simply as a pendant and easily found a bit everywhere, from house thresholds to carved on bullae.

Hercules’ Club:  late Antiquity amulets shaped like wooden clubs and most common in Roman Germany between the 2nd and 3rd centuries AD. An examplary speciment bears the inscription “Deo Herculi”, thus confirming its link to Hercules hero worship.

Amulet strings: Mostly seen for Athenian children. It is a cord with several amulets attached to it that is worn diagonally (or on the chest) instead of around the neck so the child can’t choke on it.

Garter and waist amulet strings: Mostly worn by Greek women. Their function is debated, but it seems that amulets that were worn this way might have had something to do with easing childbirth, menstruation and sexuality in general (eg. to avoid miscarriages or, the opposite, as a contraceptive).

Coiled snake ring/bracelet: Common protection for young Roman women. 

Depiction of gods on medaillons and other objects: quite a straightforward way to put yourself under the protection of a deity. Helios and Semele together seem to both have been a popular choice.

Coins: Especially old reused coins, sometimes pierced in the middle but not always. This is especially the case for coins which have the image of a deity or hero (Alexander the Great got very popular for this function). Other notable examples include Fortuna, Nike or Helios. The image on the coin matters more than the coin itself.

This is not even an extensive list, but it’s worth noting that when we’re talking about the ancients, we’re talking about people who have been put under some kind of magical protection since their first days of life. I personally have used 2 types of amulet cited above so far, a silver coiled snake ring which I worn until it broke, which I replaced by a fascinum. This one travels with me, as I keep it with my apartment keys but I have 2 consecrated phalli in my apartment that also serve a purpose: one to Dionysus and one to Priapus. The latter being by definition, a protective deity. 

Protection starts at the threshold

I know this can be hard to pull off, but in ideal conditions, you’d want to have a small altar or shrine by the main door of your place. Amulets are meant to follow you around, but protecting your space is just as important. In one of the ridiculous arguments I’ve witnessed this week, someone said, and I paraphrase, that “you could have negative entity living in your house and fucking your life up” when trying to honor the gods, which is “why you should banish“. The problem here is banish against what? If the answer here is “negative spirits”, then, by hellenic standards, this is a whole other process that: 

1) Doesn’t happen at the altar 2) Protects the household on the long term instead of a one shot thing

This, alongside other elements of ancient greek theology, is why you don’t need to “protect yourself when you approach the gods” and other ridiculous claims I’ve seen. If you need to protect yourself in such manner, it means you never either 1) developped kharis with a deity to protect you or 2) took care of protecting your place. 

The first protection for a typical greek door would be an aniconic pillar dedicated to Apollo Agyieus aka “of the street” because that pillar was outside of the house. This Apollo, protector of entrances is also called Thyraios in later sources: 

Apud Graecos Apollo colitur qui Θυραῖος vocatur, eiusque aras ante fores  suas celebrant, ipsum exitus et introitus demonstrantes potentem. The Greeks worship Apollo under the name Thyraios and tend his altars in front of their doors, thereby showing that entrances and exits are under his power.

-Macrobius, Saturnalia 1.9.6

It’s important to note that the same epithet is attested for Hermes, which makes total sense since he and Hekate are also traditionally linked to the protection of thresholds (represented by hekataia and herms). 

Why am I insisting so much on doors? To quote Johnston: 

“Divinities who guard the entrances to cities or private dwellings would be expected to avert all sorts of dangers that might threaten those dwelling within, from burglars to mice, but in ancient Greece (like many other places), they were particularly expected to ward off unhappy souls and other demonic creatures, who were believed to congregate at entrances for two reasons. First, because inhabitants vigilantly used protective devices to keep them out, these creatures were imagined to lurk near entrances, patiently awaiting those rare moments of laxity when they might dart back inside.”

It’s important to note that the protection granted by threshold deities, whether it is Hecate, Hermes or Apollo is that it concerns both the mundane and the spiritual, restless spirits are one thing but it seems to extend to general ills.

Conclusion

I should add, before wrapping this up, that there is an evolution in time with how the Ancients considered their protection to work. As such, between the 8th and 5th centuries BC, amulets weren’t so prevalent. The gods were considered the only ones who had the ability to protect. After the end of the 5th century onwards, there is a gradual shift towards a more “DIY” approach to protection, where human action is considered impactful, thus making the use of atropopaic amulets relevant. 

Further reading: 

Faraone C., The Transformation of Greek Amulets in Roman Imperial Times, 2018

Habib R. R.,  Protective Magic in Ancient Greece: Patterns in the Material Culture of Apotropaia from the Archaic to Hellenistic Periods, 2017

Johnston I. S., Restless Dead: Encounters between the Living and the Dead in Ancient Greece, 1999

Kerr M. D., Gods, Ghosts and Newlyweds: exploring the uses of the threshold in Greek and Roman superstition and folklore, 2018

Porto C, V.,  Material Culture as Amulets: Magical Elements and the Apotropaic in Ancient Roman World in: Philosophy Study, 2020

[lunagapi]

Greek Mythology: Unfortunately, Zeus was horny.

Norse Mythology: Unfortunately, Loki was bored.

Egyptian Mythology: Unfortunately, Set was envious.

Japanese Mythology: Unfortunately, Susanoo was rude.

[lunagapi]

For witchcraft practitioners who work with plants, be it in spells, charms, being tactile in nature or gardening, this list contains some of the plants that can bring harm if used incorrectly or have a high level of toxicity.

Always be cautious and so research on any plant or herb you’re planning to utilize or grow.

Rosary Pea (Abrus precatorius) • Ingesting a single seed can kill an adult human. Symptoms of poisoning include nausea, vomiting, convulsions, liver failure, and death, usually after several days.

Wolfsbane (Aconitum spp) • All parts are poisonous, if ingested, it usually causes burning, tingling, and numbness in the mouth, followed by vomiting and nervous excitement. Even casual skin contact should be avoided. Symptoms include numbness, tingling, and cardiac irregularity.

White Baneberry (Actaea pachypoda) • All parts are poisonous, especially the berries, the consumption of which has a sedative effect on cardiac muscle tissue and can cause cardiac arrest.

Arnica • Poisonous in great quantities. Symptoms of poisoning include gastroenteritis, fever, nausea, dizziness, abnormal cardiac frequency, diarrhea, skin reaction and internal hemorrhage in the digestive system.

Azalea (Rhododendron simsii) • If ingested it is poisonous. Continued contact should be avoided. Symptoms of poisoning are nausea, depression, respiratory difficulties, coma. It is rarely lethal.

Anthurium (Anthurium spp) • Prevent getting in contact with the sap. Symptoms are skin irritation and eye irritation.

Cedronella canariensis • Can cause skin irritation, indigestions. Should not be used or touch by pregnant people or lactating people.

Belladonna (Atropa belladonna) • Extremely poisonous, it is lethal and it can be absorbed through skin. Symptoms of poisoning are fogged vision, staggering, loss of balance, dry mouth and throat, headache, skin eruptions, constipation, confusion, hallucination and convulsion.

Lamprocapnos spectabilis • Can be poisonous in big quantities, which causes convulsions and other symptoms in the nervous system.

Iris versicolor • Symptoms pf poisoning include nausea, vomit, mouth and throat irritation, irritation on the digestive system, skin irritation, headache and epiphora.

Bryony • All parts are poisonous and any type of contact causes death.

Ranunculus • If ingested, the juice can cause serious damage to the digestive system.

Acorus calamus • Toxic in big quantities, can cause hallucination, nausea and vomit.

Physostigma venenosum • Extremely toxic, can cause intense sweating, extreme salivation, nausea, vomit, diarrhea, irregular cardiac rhythm, change in blood pressure, confusion, convulsion, coma, muscular weakness, paralysis, respiratory difficulties and death.

Cinnamomum camphora • Skin rash, itchiness, respiratory difficulties, mouth, eyes, face or lips swelling.

Ricinus communis • Poisonous. Can cause burning in the mouth and throat, abdominal pain, bloody diarrhea. At a long period of intoxication, can cause dehydration, low blood pressure. If not treated, death will occur in 3 to 5 days

Daphne • Poisonous. Causes burns in the mouth and digestive tract, followed by coma. Can cause death.

Vinca • Must not be ingested, causes nausea, vomit, loss of hair, loss of hearing, dizziness, bleeding, nervous difficulties, convulsions, liver damage and death.

Asclepias tuberosa • Cardiac difficulties, nausea, vomit and skin rash.

Agave spp • The juice of a number of species causes acute contact dermatitis, with blistering lasting several weeks and recurring itching for several years thereafter.

Columbine (Aquilegia spp) • Seeds and roots contain cardiogenic toxins which cause both severe gastroenteritis and heart palpitations if consumed, columbine poisonings are easily fatal.

Mercurialis perennis • Symptons happen after some hours, they include vomit, pain, gastritis, renal inflammation and sleepiness.

Colocasia • All parts are poisonous and cause mouth and tongue irritation. Can be fatal.

Gelsemium • Extremely poisonous, even in low quantities. Causes headache, problems with vision, difficulty swallowing, dizziness, muscular complications, convulsions, respiratory complications and low blood pressure.

Laburnum • Causes excitation, loss of balance, convulsions and coma. Can be lethal.

Helleborus • Dangerous if ingested or applied on the skin. Cause irritation in the mouth and throat and low blood pressure. Big quantities can cause vomit, diarrhea, difficulties swallowing, nervous system complications, blindness, convulsion, paralysis, respiratory complications and death.

Ilex aquifolium • The fruits can be lethal and the leaves cause diarrhea, nausea, vomit, stomach and intestine complications.

Hedera helix • Causes stomach pain, respiratory complications and possible coma.

Impatiens capensis • Dangerous when ingested in big quantities.

Datura stramonium • Don’t inhale or ingest. Causes dry mouth, extreme thirst, vision complications, nausea, vomit, constipation, tachycardia, hallucinations, fever, convulsion, loss of conscience, respiratory complications and death.

Convallaria majalis • Causes irregular blood pressure and cardiac rhythm, indigestion and confusion.

Mandragora officinarum • Fogged vision, dry mouth, difficulties to urinate, headache, tachycardia, vomit and hallucinations.

Viscum album • Gastrointestinal discomfort, diarrhea, low blood pressure, convulsion. It is rarely lethal for humans.

Morning glory (Ipomoea tricolor) • Diarrhea, indigestion, disorientation, loss of apetite, ataxy and hallucinations.

Artemisia vulgaris • Prolonged contact may be fatal, so it’s best to use in a open and ventilated place.

Oak (Quercus): In big quantities is poisonous and affects the renal kidneys.

Nerium oleander • Causes cardiac complications, indigestion and can cause death.

Taxus baccata • Fatal. No symptoms come as a warning.

Hypericum perforatum • Causes fatigue, dizziness, confusion, dry mouth and can affect medicaments.

Angel’s Trumpet (Brugmansia spp) • All parts of this plant contain toxins and are often fatal. Effects of ingestion may include losing connection with reality and hallucinations.

Foxglove (Digitalis purpurea) • The leaves, seeds, and flowers are poisonous. These cause irregular heartbeat, general digestive upset, and confusion; can be fatal.

Hyacinth (Hyacinthus orientalis) • The bulbs are poisonous, causing nausea, vomiting, gasping, convulsions, and possibly death. Even handling the bulbs can cause skin irritation.

Hydrangea (Hydrangea spp) • Hydrangeas are moderately toxic if eaten.

Frangipani (Plumeria spp) • Contact with the milky latex may irritate eyes and skin.

[lunagapi]

heart warming potato soup

- 🌿🍲🐌🍄✨

this soup.. is a cure all. break up? bad day? lazy day? rainy day? stormy day? repressed all your feelings for too long and now they’re coming to the surface far too rapidly to get a grasp on and this was all you could manage to pour yourself into as some form of healing spellwork.. day? try this soup! aha

originally when i made this i was slugging around the kitchen throwing sh*t in the pot but i think i retained enough to slap a recipe together so here goes!

[ potato soup ]

• 2 medium yukon golds (or 3 small)

• salt

• thyme

• pepper

• 1/4 sm onion

• 2-3 cloves of garlic

• butter

• flour

• 1 tbs sour cream

• handful of sharp cheddar

[ steps ]

cube up and boil your potatoes in some salted water, throw some thyme and pepper in the water too, do the toothpick/fork thing and when it’s time to strain save maybe a cup of the liquid for later, throw the potatoes back into the pot a sec to sautee up with your onion and garlic and some butter for a sec, just enough to infuse the flavour

chuck it into a food processor or blender to get it smooth with about 2 tbs of butter or substitute and however much of that reserved liquid it takes to get it just smooth enough to blend nice

now! get your butter and flour and make a little roux real quick, just adds a nice texture and flavour density to the soup but you could omit, from here stir in your potato sludge and more liquid as needed to reach your desired consistency

add a little more salt pepper and thyme, maybe some more garlic powder if it needs it, stir in a handful or so of sharp cheddar and about a tbs of sour cream; ofc you can omit or sub both of these if you’re vegan/lactose, let the soup simmer and serve up with a sprinkle of thyme and/or fresh cracked pepper :)

[lunagapi]

𝕿𝖍𝖊 𝕰𝖑𝖊𝖒𝖊𝖓𝖙𝖘

The Elements are the forces of Nature and life, and are incorporated into ritual and magick. Every aspect of existence is bound up in Earth, Air, Fire, and Water. And the fifth element which is Spirit (or also deemed Aether), which is present in each of the other four. Each of the four classical Elements is associated with one of the four cardinal directions; North, East, South and West.

There are also energetic associations, that add great depth to interpretations of how people with different zodiac signs interact with each other, for each sign is associated with an Element, and each Element is different.

𝐄 𝐀 𝐑 𝐓 𝐇

↟Direction: north

↟Energy: ♀

↟Rules: grounding, strength, healing, nature, stability, foundations, empathy, fertility, death, rebirth, and wisdom.

↟Season/time: winter/midnight

↟Zodiac: Taurus, Virgo, and Capricorn.

↟Ruling Planets: Venus, and Saturn.

↟Colours: green, brown, black, white, and gold.

↟Plants: cedar, cypress, honeysuckle, ivy, magnolia, grains, primrose, oak, sage, and nuts.

↟Crystals: emerald, tourmaline, quartz, granite, dedrock, peridot, onyx, jasper, and amethyst.

↟Tools: pentacle, salt, crystals, dirt, herbs, wood, plants, and flowers.

↟Virtues: patience, truth, dependable, thorough, focused.

𝐀 𝐈 𝐑

↟Direction: east

↟Energy: ♂

↟Rules: mind, clarity, knowledge, logic, abstract, wind, consciousness, intuition, and memory.

↟Season/time: spring/dawn

↟Zodiac: Gemini, Libra, Aquarius.

↟Ruling planets: Mercury, Jupiter, Uranus.

↟Colours: yellow, gold, white, and light blue.

↟Plants: acacia, anis, aspen, clover, frankincense, lavender, lemongrass, pine, and vervain.

↟Crystals: topaz, amber, citrine, jasper, and agate.

↟Tools: feather, wand, staff, incense, pen, broom, and bell.

↟Virtues: intelligent, practical, optimistic.

𝐅 𝐈 𝐑 𝐄

↟Direction: south

↟Energy: ♂

↟Rules: energy, will, destruction, courage, strength, self-knowledge, power, passion, sexuality, self-healing, divinity, light, and flame.

↟Season/time: summer/noon

↟Zodiac: Aries, Leo, Sagittarius.

↟Ruling planets: Sun, and Mars.

↟Colours: red, orange, gold, and white.

↟Plants: allspice, basil, cinnamon, garlic, juniper, hibiscus, nettle, onion, poppies, peppers, and thistles.

↟Crystals: ruby, garnet, red jasper, bloodstone, quartz, tiger’s eye, and agate.

↟Tools: candle, lamp, athame, dagger, and burned herbs.

↟Virtues: courage, enthusiasm, willpower.

𝐖 𝐀 𝐓 𝐄 𝐑

↟Direction: west

↟Energy: ♀

↟Rules: emotion, intuition, psychic, love, deep feelings, the unconscious mind, fertility, tides, reflection, lunar energy, and healing.

↟Season/time: autumn/twilight

↟Zodiac: Cancer, Scorpio, and Pisces.

↟Ruling planets: Moon, Neptune, and Pluto.

↟Colours: blue, aqua, silver, and green.

↟Plants: aloe, apple, chamomile, ferns, gardenia, jasmine, lemon, lily, lotus, moss, seaweed, rose, thyme, and willow.

↟Crystals: amethyst, aquamarine, beryl, blue tourmaline, lapis lazuli, opal, pearl, and sodalite.

↟Tools: seashells, ocean water, seaweed, moss, stones, chalice, and cauldron.

↟Virtues: love, compassion, receptivity, and flexibility.

[lunagapi]

strawberry juice 🍓

ingredients:

- 8 frozen strawberries

- 2 tbsp of honey

- 2 tbsp of lemon juice

- 4 cups of water

- mint leaves

- ice

instructions:

boil the water in a medium pot! when the water starts to boil add six of the frozen strawberries

let them boil for about ten minutes, then remove the strawberries with a fork! add honey to the strawberry water and let it sit for about 2 minutes

strain any strawberry bits out of ur juice (that part is completely optional) and then pour it into a cup/jar! add lemon juice and two frozen strawberries and let it chill in the fridge for a few hours

remove the strawberries, replace them with ice, and garnish with lemon slices and fresh or frozen strawberries and mint leaves!

most important step: take pictures and send them to me or reblog them onto this post!!

[lunagapi]

Days of the Week and Witchcraft ✨

A good way to plan when to do your spells

Sunday - The Sun - Solar power, success, personal empowerment, material wealth, health, beginning anew. 

Monday - The Moon - Lunar power, purity, spiritual cleansing, astral work, divination, psychic ability.

Tuesday - Mars - Physical power, passion, sexuality, drive, ambition, achievement, masculine power, activate protective talismans, reverse hexes and psychic attacks.

Wednesday - Mercury - Knowledge, money, communication, the arts, change, acceptance, adaptability.

Thursday - Jupiter - Luck, growth, fulfillment, worldly power, justice, authority, health, and prosperity. (Mercury brings quick cash, but Jupiter governs the long term accumulation and preservation of wealth.)

Friday - Venus - Fertility, love, money, prosperity, healing, charm, goodness, blocking, glamour, self-care, feminine power.

Saturday - Saturn - Binding, banishing, stopping, ending, loss, renewing, transforming, protection.

— Just a thing from my grimoire

[lunagapi]

Shadow Work

Origins, Meaning and Utility

The Structure of the Mind

Carl Jung theorized the existence of three levels/spheres in the human psyche: the Ego, representing the conscious mind, the Personal Unconscious where memories are contained and the Collective Unconscious, where all knowledge and experiences of the species are shared.

Each Sphere has in it a certain number of Archetypes, used to better describe the components of those structures, and the Shadow is one of them.

What is the Shadow

The shadow can be seen as a instinctual or primitive part of ourselves, it exists as part of the unconscious mind and is composed of repressed ideas, weaknesses, desires, instincts, and shortcomings.

It is this archetype that contains all of the things that are unacceptable not only to society, but also to one's own personal morals and values, normally going against social norms and rules as well as what we personally consider right.

The Shadow is often described as the darker side of the psyche, representing wildness, chaos, and the unknown, and it is common for people to deny this element of their own psyche and instead project it on to others.

The Shadow in Witchcraft and Benefits of Shadow Work

Art: Unknown

The Shadow, in witchcraft, can represent The Unknown, hidden depth of ourselves. Speaking in terms of energy, this is an area that can be a deep source of energetic issues, because it’s locked up in the dark and always striving to reach the light.

To not work with one’s Shadow is to make it greedy and aggressive, as well as denying a big part of oneself, making everything a half of a whole.

Through that brief explanation, we can already establish the importance and role of the Shadow in witchcraft, and with that in mind, comes the concept of Shadow Work.

Shadow Work can be seen in a number of practices, meditation, trances, inner journey’s, lucid dreaming, astral travels, spells and divination.

The method can change, but the principle is simple: Centering your intent to self discovery, self knowledge and self acceptance.

Working with one’s Shadow is not only beneficial to one’s craft, as it allows one to get in touch with their intuition as well as allows for easier connection with one’s guide/guides, but it also allows for healing and acceptance of one’s feelings and needs.

Think of all aspects of life as a wheel. If there is one part bent, the wheel can turn, but with more effort. If the owner spends time fixing that bent part, the wheel will turn in a much more smooth manner.

That is what happens when you take the time to do Shadow Work, you have to put in effort, and most of the time it’s not easy, but once done, all other components on the wheel of your life will be relieved to move on without that obstacle that makes their job harder.

The Shadow is not evil, as evil is just a moral compass invented by humans. It is a part of one’s nature, and to deny it is to supress a connection with yourself.

Take the time to know and accept your shadow, and you’ll see that life will be a little easier.

References:

A Natureza da psique (Structure & Dynamics of the Psyche) by C.G. Jung

The Archetypes and the Collective Unconscious by C.G. Jung

[lunagapi]

The Green Well Method

The Green Well Method is a meditation method typically used to recall memories of past lives, though I expect it can be used for more. There are actually two methods, the Green Well and the Green Ladder.

The Green Well: Begin your meditation however you normally do, whether you sit or lie down. This is flexible but I find that it is much easier to do this exercise with closed eyes to enhance the visualization and remove distractions, but do it how you please. Now, envision where you are sitting or laying. This does not mean everything, simply the thing you are sitting or laying on, for example, the bed or the couch or a rug. If you are directly on the floor, I don’t think you need to envision anything but the following. Envision where you are sitting or laying, then envision that thing on grass. You can envision your environment however you wish, just don’t make it too detailed, details are not important and distract you. Simply envision a well in front of your space now. Get up (in this grassy space, of course) and walk over to the well. Beginners, you may not be able to envision how it feels, but more advanced people may be able to imagine how the stones feel, how the water reflects, but do not get discouraged if you cannot. Look down into the well, then stand on the edge. Jump into the water. Those who are uncomfortable with this idea may move to the Green Ladder. Swim down through the water, then you will find that you surface on the same side, or so it seems. Climb out of the well and envision yourself dry again. Turn around to see the biggest tree you have ever seen, with its roots stretching out over the grass, covered in doors of all sizes. This is the Tree of Memories. “Close” your eyes now, and ask to see what you would like to see (ie “show me (important event in your past lifetime)”). “Open” your eyes again and see the door standing before you. No matter what door this is, it will always be the right one. Open the door and witness your memory. When you are done, or if you would like to leave early, you need only to turn around. The door will be there. Simply walk out, thanking anyone that may have kindly narrated the scene for you. Close the door behind you and walk or teleport to the well that is now so far away that it is a mere speck. Dive through the well again, surface on the side where you originated, and resume your position on your space. “Close” your eyes, and open them in the physical world, ready to record what you have seen in detail.

The Green Ladder: Replace the well with a hole in the ground, a ladder rising out of it. Replace diving into the well with climbing down the ladder and somehow finding yourself climbing up into the side with the Tree of Memories.

Tips:

Keep in mind beforehand to not worry about whether or not the memory is real until after you have ended the session. This will only distract you and let in even more thoughts.

Don’t get discouraged if you can’t envision anything very clearly at first, it takes practice. Just keep at it, and soon you will realize that you are doing much better than you thought!

Mirrors without reflections act as doors as well, but you just walk right through them.

Happy meditations!

@erynn-lafae here is the Green Well method, explained

[lunagapi]

herb masterpost

master post of herbs <3 if anyone has any new herbs that they’d like me to add, comment / repost and i’ll add suggestions!

acacia : protection, psychic powers, money and love spells adam & eve roots : love, happiness adders tongue : healing african violet : spirituality, protection agaric : fertility agrimony : protection, sleep ague root : protection alfalfa : prosperity, anti-hunger, money alkanet : purification, prosperity allspice : money, luck, healing almond : money, prosperity, wisdom aloe : protection, luck aloes, wood : love, spirituality althea : protection, psychic powers alyssum : protection, moderating anger amaranth : healing heartbreak, protection, invisibility, anemone : health, protection, healing angelica : exorcism, protection, healing, visions anise : protection, purification, youth apple : love, healing, garden magic, immortality apricot : love arabic gum : spirituality, purify negativity and evil arbutus : exorcism, protection asafoetida : exorcism, purification, protection ash : protection, prosperity, sea rituals, health aspen : eloquence, anti-theft aster : love avens : exorcism, purification, love avocado : love, lust, beauty bachelor’s buttons : love balm, lemon : love, success, healing balm of gilead : love, manifestations, protection, healing bamboo : protection, luck, hex-breaking, wishes banana : fertility, potency, prosperity banyan : luck, happiness barley : love, healing, protection basil : love, exorcism, wealth, flying, protection bay : protection, psychic powers, healing, purification, strength bean : protection, exorcism, wart charming, reconciliation, potency, love bedstraw, fragrant : love beech : wishes beet : love belladonna : astral projection benzoin : purification, prosperity bergamot, orange : money, success be-still : luck betony, wood : protection, purification, love birch : protection, exorcism, purification and cleansing bistort : psychic powers, fertility bittersweet : protection, healing blackberry : healing, money, protection bladderwrack : protection, sea spells, wind spells, money, psychic powers bleeding heart : love bloodroot : love, protection, purification bluebell : luck, truth blueberry : protection blue flag : money bodhi : fertility, protection, wisdom, meditation boneset : protection, exorcism borage : courage, psychic powers bracken brazil nut briony : image magic, money, protection bromeliad : protection, money broom : purification, protection, wind spells, divination buchu : psychic powers, prophetic dreams buckthorn : protection, exorcism, wishes, legal matters cabbage : luck cactus : protection, chastity calamus : luck, healing, money, protection camellia : riches camphor : chastity, health, divination caper : potency, lust, luck carawy : protection, lust, health, anti-theft, mental powers cardamon : lust, love carnation : protection, strength, healing carob : protection, health carrot : fertility, lust cascara sagrada : legal matters, money, protection cashew : money castor : protection catnip : cat magic, love, beauty, happiness cat tail : lust cedar : healing, purification, money, protection celandine : protection, escape, happiness, legal matters celery : mental powers, lust, psychic powers centaury : snake removing chamomile : money, sleep, love, purification cherry : love, divination chestnut : love chickweed : fertility, love chicory : removing obstacles, invisibility, favors, frigidity chili pepper : fidelity, hex breaking, love china berry : luck, change chrysanthemum : protection cinchona : luck, protection cinnamon : spirituality, success, healing, psychic powers, lust, protection, love cinquefoil : money, protection, prophetic dreams, sleep cloth of gold : understand animal languages clove : protection, exorcism, love, money daffodil : love, fertility, luck daisy : lust, luck damiana : lust, love, visions dandelion : divination, wishes, calling spirits datura : hex breaking, sleep, protection deerstongue : lust, psychic powers devils bit : exorcism, love, protection, lust devils shoestring : protection, gambling, luck, power, employment dill : protection, money, lust, luck dittany of crete : manifestations, astral projection dock : healing, fertility, money dodder : love, divination, knot magic dogbane : love dogwood : wishes, protection dragons blood : love, protection, exorcism, potency dulse : lust, harmony dutchmans breeches : love ebony : protection, power echinacea : strengthening spells edelweiss : invisibility, bullet-proofing elder : exorcism, protection, healing, prosperity, sleep elecampane : love, protection, psychic powers elm : love endive : lust, love eryngo : travelers luck, peace, lust, love eucalyptus : healing, protection euphorbia : purification, protection eyebright : mental powers, psychic power fennel : protection, healing, purification fenugreek : money fern : rain making, protection, luck, riches, eternal youth, health, exorcism feverfew : protection fig : divination, fertility, love figwort : health, protection flax : money, protection, beauty, psychic powers, healing fleabane : exorcism, protection, chastity foxglove : protection frankincense : protection, exorcism, spirituality fumitory : money, exorcism fuzzy weed : love, hunting galangal : protection, lust, health, money, psychic powers, hex-breaking gardenia : love, peace, healing, spirituality garlic : protection, healing, exorcism, lust, anti-theft gentian : love, power geranium : fertility, health, love, protection ginger : love, money, success, power ginseng : love, wishes, healing, beauty, protection, lust goats rue : healing, health goldenrod : money, divination golden seal : healing, money gorse : protection, money gotu kola : meditation gourd : protection grain : protection grains of paradise : lust, luck, love, money, wishes grape : fertility, garden magic, mental powers, money grass : psychic powers, protection ground ivy : divination groundsel : health, healing hawthorn : fertility, chastity, fishing magic, happiness hazel : luck, fertility, anti-lightning, protection, wishes heather : protection, rain making, luck heliotrope : exorcism, prophetic dreams, healing, wealth, invisibility hellebore, black : protection hemlock : destroy sexual drive hemp : healing, love, vision, meditation henbane : love attraction henna : healing hibiscus : lust, love, divination hickory : legal matters high john the conqueror : money, love, success, happiness holly : protection, anti-lightning, luck, dream magic, balance honesty : money, repelling monsters honeysuckle : money, psychic powers, protection hops : healing, sleep horehound : protection, mental powers, exorcism, horse chestnut : money, healing horseradish : Purification, Exorcism horsetail : Snake Charming, Fertility houndstongue : tying dog’s tongues houseleek : luck, protection, Love huckleberry : luck, protection, dream magic, hex breaking hyacinth : love, protection, happiness hydrangea : hex breaking hyssop : purification, protection indian paint brush : love iris : purification, wisdom irish moss : money, luck, protection ivy : protection, healing jasmine : love, money, prophetic dreams jobs tears : healing, wishes, luck joe-pye weed : love, respect juniper : protection, anti-theft, love, exorcism, health kava-kave : visions, protection, luck knotweed : binding, health ladys mantle : love ladys slipper : protection larch : protection, anti-theft larkspur : health, protection lavender : love, protection, sleep, chastity, longevity, purification, happiness, peace leek : love, protection, exorcism lemon : longevity, purification, love, friendship lemongrass : repel snakes, lust, psychic powers lemon verbena : purification, love lettuce : chastity, protection, love, divination, sleep licorice : love, lust, fidelity life everlasting : longevity, health, healing lilac : exorcism, protection, beauty lily : protection, breaking love spells lily of the valley : mental powers, happiness lime : healing, love, protection linden : protection, immortality, luck, love, sleep liquidamber : protection liverwort : protection liverwort : love looestrife : peace, protection lotus : protection, lock-opening lovage : love love Seed : love, friendship lucky Hand : employment, luck, protection, money, travel mace : Psychic Powers, Mental Powers maguey : Lust magnolia : Fidelity mahogany, Mountain : Anti-Lightning maidenhair : Beauty, Love male Fern : Luck, Love mallow : Love, Protection, Exorcism mandrake : Protection, Love, Money, fertility, health maple : Love, Longevity, Money marigold : Protection, Prophetic Dreams, business and Legal Matters, Psychic Powers marjoram : Protection, Love, Happiness, health, Money, Healing master Wort : Strength, Courage, Protection mastic : Psychic Powers, Manifestations, lust may Apple : Money meadow Rue : Divination meadowsweet : Love, Divination, Peace, happiness mesquite : Healing mimosa : protection, love, prophetic dreams, purification mint : money, love, luck, healing, exorcism, travel, protection mistletoe : protection, love, hunting, fertility, health, exorcism molukka : protection moonwort : money, love moss : luck, money mugwort : strength, psychic powers, protection, prophetic dreams, healing, astral projection mulberry : protection, strength mullein : courage, protection, health, love, divination, exorcism mustard : fertility, protection, mental powers myrrh : protection, exorcism, healing, spirituality myrtle : love, fertility, youth, peace, money nettle : exorcism, protection, healing, lust norfolk island pine : protection, anti hunger nuts : fertility, prosperity, love, luck oak : protection, health, money, healing, potency, fertility, luck oats : money olive : healing, peace, fertility, potency, protection, lust onion : protection, exorcism, healing, money, prophetic dreams, lust orange : love, divination, luck, money orchid : love oregon grape : money, prosperity orris root : love, protection, divination palm, date : fertility, potency pansy : love, rain magic, love, divination papaya : love, protection papyrus : protection parosela : hunting parsley : love, protection, purification passion flower : peace, sleep, friendship patchouly : money, fertility, lust pea : money, love peach : love, exorcism, longevity, fertility, wishes pear : lust, love pecan : money, employment pennyroyal : strength, protection, peace peony : protection, exorcism pepper : protection, exorcism peppermint : purification, sleep, love, healing, psychic powers pepper tree : purification, healing, protection periwinkle : love, lust, mental powers, money, Protection persimmon : changing sex, healing, luck plot weed : protection pimento : love pimpernel : protection, health pine : healing, fertility, protection, exorcism, money pineapple : luck, money, chastity pipsissewa : money, spirit calling quassia : love quince : protection, love, happiness radish : protection, lust ragweed : courage ragwort : protection raspberry : protection, love rattlesnake root : protection, money rhubarb : protection, fidelity rice : protection, rain, fertility, money roots : protection, power, divination rose : love, psychic powers, healing, love, divination, luck, protection rosemary : protection, love, lust, mental powers, exorcism, purification, healing, sleep, youth rowan : psychic powers, healing, protection, power, success rue : healing, health, mental powers, exorcism, love rye : love, fidelity saffron : love, healing, happiness, wind raising, lust, strength, psychic powers. sage : immortality, longevity, wisdom, protection, wishes sagebrush : purification, exorcism st. johns wort : health, power, protection, strength, love, divination, happiness sandalwood : protection, healing, exorcism, spirituality sarsaparilla : love, money sassafras : health, money savory, summer : mental powers scullcap : love, fidelity, peace senna : love sesame : money, lust shallot : purification skunk cabbage : legal matters slippery elm : halts gossip sloe : exorcism, protection snakeroot : luck money snakeroot/black : love, lust, money snapdragon : protection solomons seal : protection, exorcism sorrel wood : healing, health southern wood : love, lust, protection spanish moss : protection spearmint : healing, love, mental powers spiderwort : love spikenard : love squill : money, protection, hex breaking star, anise : psychic powers, luck stillengia : psychic powers straw : luck, image magic strawberry : love, luck sugar cane : love, lust sumbul : love, luck, health, psychic powers sunflower : fertility, wishes, health, wisdom sweetgrass : calling spirits tamarind : love tamarisk : exorcism, protection tansy : health, longevity tea : riches, courage, strength thistle : strength, protection, hex breaking, healing thistle, holy : purification, hex breaking thistle, milk : snake enraging thyme : health, healing, sleep, psychic powers, love, purification, courage ti : protection, healing toadflax : protection, hex breaking toadstool : rain making tobacco : healing, purification turmeric : purification turnip : protection, ending relationships urva Ursa : psychic workings valerian : love, sleep, purification, protection vanilla : love, lust, mental powers venus flytrap : protection, love vervain : love, protection, purification, peace, money, youth, chastity, sleep, healing vetch, giant : fidelity vetivert : love, hex breaking, luck, money, anti-theft violet : protection, luck, love, lust, wishes, peace, healing wahoo : hex-breaking, courage, success walnut : health, mental powers, infertility, wishes wax plant : protection wheat : fertility, money willow : love, divination, protection, healing wintergreen : protection, healing, hex breaking winters bark : success witch grass : happiness, lust, love, exorcism witch hazel : protection, chastity wolfs bane : protection, invisibility wood rose : luck woodruff : victory, protection, money wormwood : psychic powers, protection, love, calling spirits yarrow : courage, love, psychic powers, exorcism yellow evening primrose : hunting yerba mate : fidelity, love, lust yerba santa : beauty, healing, psychic powers, protection yew : Raising the Dead yohimbe : love, lust yucca : transmutation, protection, purification

**some of these herbs ARE toxic. i didn’t mention which ones were/weren’t, please do some further research before consuming any of these herbs!!** 

[lunagapi]

Lavender Syrup

This recipe is great for a syrup to add to your tea or coffee for a little sweetness and flavor. It’s really good for simple spells as well and can be put out as an offering to fae and spirits alike. I like to add it to my tea at night for visions while I sleep. I also have started using it as an offering to one of my spirit companions and they love it. 

1 cup water

2 cups white granulated sugar or sugar substitute

3 tablespoons - ½ cup lavender*

STEPS

Place water and lavender into a saucepan and bring to a boil.

Add in sugar or sugar substitute; stir until the sugar has dissolved completely before turning down the heat and allowing simmering for 15 minutes

Make sure to stir it every so often as to make sure nothing on the bottom burns

Remove from heat, cover, and allow the syrup to cool for ½-1 hour. The longer that you let it sit the more intense the flavor it will be.

Once it is cool, strain of the lavender and transfer into a jar. Store in the fridge

*The more lavender that you add the more intense the flavor will be as well. I personally use ½ cup of lavender for a more intense smell and flavor. As well as let it sit for an hour in the pot as it cools. The longer that you let it seep the darker the color will be too. It turns out to be a lovely purple color regardless.

Depending on the type of tea you use too will depend on

[lunagapi]

Witch Aesthetic

(Credit Ig: waterofwhimsy)

[lunagapi]

💰Abundance Pesto💰

Here is a recipe that is dear to my heart. I’ve been doing it for years and it has always attracted me the liitle extra that I would need in difficult times!

✨Ingredients

75g basil leaves (that’s a lot, be prepared to buy accordingly)

50g pine nuts

2 garlic cloves

50g fresh grated parmesan

100mL extra virgin olive oil

1.5 tsp salt

Pepper to taste

✨Prep time: 10 minutes

✨Equipment

A mixer robot

✨Spell Setting

Usually when I do kitchen witchcraft I like to keep it casual, but this time I feel like I should go the extra mile. Disclaimer, this is the way I do it. If there is things you want to add: prayers to you deities, meditations, crystals, anything that makes sense to you, please do! Magical practices are really personal, and I strongly encourage you to make it this spell setting your own by adapting it tou your needs!

First I burn some incense to purify the space. Then I setup some nice music that makes me feel good and entered. I love to listening to soft happy piano jazz or bossa nova. Here is a youtube channel that I like to listen when I cook. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJhjE7wbdYAae1G25m0tHAA

Before I start prepping the food, I like to setup an altar on my windowsill. I am going to bless the food and ask for abundance. To do so I light 2 or 3 tea lights, I nicely arrange all the ingredients around them. If you want to work with tarot cards you can place the cards around too, same for crystals, charms, deities representation. As for myself I like to work with The Queen of Pentacles because I strongly identify with her and she represent abundance in the home.

I like to sit in front of my window and take a few deep breath, thanking the food for all the good things it will bring to me. I’ll also take this time to visualize what I want as precisely as I can, usually I want financial abundance, but it can work for other things as well!

✨Magical intents

Basil: Protection and Money

Pine nuts: Money

Garlic: Protection

Olive Oil: Protection and Luxury. To me, olive oil represent the abundance, the luxury you want to attract in your life. So I implore you to buy extra virgin olive oil (or the best that you can afford). You will thank me for the the taste and you’ll step up your vinaigrette game!

✨Recipe

Grate the parmesan

Roast the pine nuts in a dry pan (no need to add oil). Be careful they burn quickly

Roughly cut the garlic cloves

In the robot, add the basil leaves with garlic and pine nuts. Blitz for a few seconds until chopped.

Add the parmesan and blitz again

Add the oil and blitz again

Store in the fridge in an air tight container for 2 weeks

✨Tips:

Don’t use dry basil for this recipe

You can use the sauce with pasta, but it’s also good with an omelette, or as a spread on a toast or a focaccia.

Happy witching!

[lunagapi]

Shrines: A Moderately In-Depth Look

So, many people have asked me how to go about starting to set up shrines and how to take care of them and use them. So here’s a big long post!

What is a Shrine?

A shrine is a devotional altar set up for a specific deity or spirit. It is a place, area, or table where you make offerings, pray, and commune with that entity. Shrines are helpful because not only do they help show your devotion to the gods or spirits you venerate, but also having a physical space to routinely make offerings can help keep you in the habit of regular offerings to build your relationship. 

Setting Up a Shrine

Location:

A good way to start setting up a shrine is to pick a place or an area to set it up. It’s important to keep in mind what locations are appropriate for what beings. For example, if you’re setting up a shrine to your ancestors, it’s probably best to do so in a space of modesty (i.e. not a place where a lot of nudity or sex takes place). Furthermore, think about spaces that might be holy to the god or spirit you are setting it up for. For instance, a shrine to your ancestors in a common family room, a shrine for Hekate by a doorway or threshold, a shrine for the spirits of the land in an outdoor setting. All of these things can factor in choosing a location. While none of these are necessarily ‘requirements’, all of these considerations may help you feel more connected or even grant you better access to communicating with your deity or spirits when worshipping at your shrine. 

Picking a Table:

Now that you’ve chosen a location, it’s time to start actually setting the shrine itself. Really anything can be used, an end table, the top of a dresser, a dedicated table, even an entire room if you have the means. However, even the type of structure might lend itself to different deities or spirits. If you’re making a shrine to an underworld or nature deity, perhaps a table that’s closer to the ground, or a shrine to Athena on top of a bookcase. Once you’ve picked your shrine table, it’s important to cleanse it. If you’re going to be setting up a shrine for a deity or spirit, it should be fit for them to present. Then, consecrate the shrine. This can be done by saying a blessing over the table, smoking it with incense, and/or anointing it with sacred oils.

Decorating the Shrine:

Once you’ve picked your table, cleansed, and consecrated your shrine, it’s time to start decorating. A good starting place is deciding whether or not you want an altar cloth. After you have or haven’t placed an altar cloth on the table, start with basics. A good starting place is placing any statues you may have of the deity or spirit on the shrine. Then I like to place any candles I have made for the deity or spirit on the shrine. Next steps could include any sacred items such as bones of animals sacred to the deity or spirit, other candles, flowers, crystals, jewelry, etc. It’s then important to leave space for offerings. One of the main purposes of a shrine is to have a space to leave offerings dedicated to the entities you venerate, so leaving a bowl or a plate and some cups on the shrine to leave offerings in is a great idea. Extra decorations could include things like art of the spirit or deity. Purchasing art from other practitioners or devotees is a great idea. But if you’re on a budget it’s understandable that purchasing prints or comissions might be difficult. I am personally against printing out art that people are selling, and I think that’s theft. But if the artist is dead and it’s a classical painting I say go for it.

For me, the aesthetic of a shrine is important. Colors and themes evoke feelings, and you ultimately want the shrine to bring you closer to the god or spirit you’re worshipping, so making the aesthetic of the shrine match the way the spirit or deity makes you feel is helpful. Furthermore, crafting an aesthetic for your shrine that matches the energy of the deity or spirit is a great plan to help that closeness and show your devotion. For instance, my Hekate shrine is dark but warm. Mixing dark imagery and black with warm, red accents. On the other hand, my Pan shrine features lots of animal parts and goes for a more rustic look to mirror Pan’s divine qualities. You can take any direction you want with your shrine, as long as it evokes the feelings you need it to in order to feel close with your spirit or deity. 

Decorations for a shrine also don’t have to be fancy or expensive. I get a lot of my decorations from thrift stores and the dollar store. Also, taking the time to make your own decorations can be a further devotional act. It’s all about doing what works for you and putting effort and care into making a space for your deity or spirit to commune with you. There’s no one way to organize a shrine, so whatever is done with genuine devotion and care is what is right to do. 

Dedicating Your Shrine

The next step is to perform a ritual of dedication to devote the shrine to the deity or spirit. Light the candles, make some offerings (incense, food, wine) and invite the spirit or deity to accept them and inhabit the shrine. This is an important final step in the initial setting up of the shrine.

Shrine Up-Keep

The shrine isn’t meant to be static, but instead a routinely used and maintained space of worship. That being said, it’s wise to do consistent work on it. 

What to do With Offerings:

Making the offering is pretty straightforward. You leave it on the shrine in whatever receptacle and then pray to your spirit or deity. But what do you do with it afterwards? I usually let perishable offerings sit for no more than a week and usually no less than three days. These offerings can then be disposed of ritually and replaced with new ones. Non-perishable offerings can be left on the shrine and can add to the decorations (art, talismans, sacred objects) or be left in a bowl or plate (i.e. a bowl of money, jewelry, and/or crystals, etc.) on the shrine. 

Adding to the Shrine:

The shrine is meant to reflect your relationship and devotion to a spirit or deity, and therefore should shift with that relationship. Starting out, your shrine will probably be pretty straightforward and simple, but as you grow and build your relationship with your deity or spirit, you should add to your shrine. If you find something at a store that you feel fits your deity or spirit, add it to the shrine! If you begin relating to the deity or spirit in a new way, the decorations can change and you may even feel the need to remove some of them. This is natural and is an important part of any relationship with the divine. When removing decorations, make sure that you ask first and do so respectfully, especially if it is something that has been used as an offering. Overall, the important part of shrine upkeep is that it doesn’t become a place of stagnation, but of growth and transformation.

Cleaning the Shrine:

As shrines are meant to be a space of active worship, they’re going to get dirty sometimes. Incense ashes may fall onto the altar cloth, wax might drip onto the shrine, your statues or decorations might get dusty. If you’re consistent in your veneration of the spirit or deity, the shrine is going to get dirty. So, cleaning your shrine and making sure it is fit for worship and for your god or spirit to be present at is important. It doesn’t have to be an every day thing, or even weekly, but it should be done as a sign of respect and care. I tend to clean my shrines in preparations for holy days or rituals, I try to make sure I do it just generally at least once every month or so.

In Conclusion

Shrines can be an important part of your relationship with a deity or spirit, but it can be hard to know where to start. This post is not meant to be definitive or authoritative in any way, but to help those who might need guidance find some starting points for their practice. Shrines can be anything from a transportable set up, to a whole room, but they are all equal. What’s important to remember is that size, intricacy, or expensiveness is not equivalent to devotion. Any shrine made in genuine care and devotion is equal to another. So when constructing a shrine make sure to do it from the heart and you should be headed in the right direction. It can be really discouraging to see fancy shrines as a beginner, and they can be pretty overwhelming, too. So, always remember that a shrine is to show your devotion to a spirit or god, not to compete with others. As long as you put the effort and care in, you’re golden. I’ve included some pictures of my shrines as examples of how they can differ in their design, and hope that can show that they can be anything you want them to be. I hope this post is helpful and can give some people a way to start their devotional practice. 

[lunagapi]

motivational tea potion

🌅☀️🌿💫🕯

this potion is wonderful first thing in the morning before a busy day, right before a work shift or school day, before you have to do a bunch of cleaning, even before spellwork! just all around a great tea to light a fire under you whenever you may need it

[ what you’ll need ]

2 cups sun water

motivation, energy, healing, comfort, focus, communication

2 tsp black tea

grounding, energy, prosperity, motivation

1 stick of cinnamon

comfort, healing, motivation, energy, prosperity, communication, good luck, communication, protection against negativity

1 whole clove

prosperity, grounding, longevity of energy, good luck, communication

2 sprigs of rosemary *

rolls negativity off you, focus, compassion, motivation, energy, good luck, prosperity

1 - 2 black peppercorn

high energy, motivation, grounding, good luck, protection

honey to taste

communication, abundance, gentleness, good luck, energy, motivation, focus, comfort

maybe a tsp or so if you’re using dried, can be subbed out for thyme *

-

this is meant to be a recipe for a drinkable tea but you could also pour this potion into a bath or just bottle it up and keep it on your desk/nightstand, etc! as always feel free to send in any questions, happy witching :)

💛🕯☀️🌿