pagans-are-us

[pagans-are-us]

baby witches: there are LITERALLY no rules.

don’t feel like sandlewood is really all that cleansing? does jasmine just FEEL like it works better for you? bam. jasmine is a cleansing incense. don’t feel like quartz is your end all be all “works for everything” crystal but amethyst is? bam! then that’s it.

the posts on tumblr are not rules. they are GUIDELINES. “this worked for me so maybe it will work for you!” if something doesn’t feel right then it ISNT. it works the same with tarot.

you are a witch. the strongest part of your power is your intuition. it’s in your blood ❤️

[pagans-are-us]

My Divination Cleansing Methods

I am often asked about the cleansing methods I use before and after client reading sessions. While this is not an exhaustive list by any means, I have decided to share with you my favorite methods of cleansing. I must be honest, I do not always ritualized my cleansing. There are times when I go with what I am intuitively feeling and call it good but other times I am pulled to do something more elaborate. I encourage you to experiment safely and find what works best for you. In the effort for full disclosure I have not included the divinatory cleansing methods from my spiritual elders, or any of the sacred cleansing ritualized practices and services passed down from those channels. 

Note: Some of the methods I use for cleansing are Afrolatinx in nature while others are more of a modern approach. Please be mindful and respectful of these practices, their origin, and spiritual uses.

Long Distance Readings:

These are the readings I do through video conference, phone, private video delivery and e-mail.

Before A Reading:  

Self Cleansing: I like to fumigate my body with a blend of frankincense and myrrh incense. It’s amazing at removing negative energies, attachments, entities etc. I then like to wash my hands with lemon verbena soap and sea salt. I then spray Florida water on my body, mark my head. chest and feet with cascarilla and cover my head with a white head-wrap.  

Space Cleansing: I like to cleanse my space with loud clapping, Maracas, and burning palo santo. I keep a bowl of water on my table to help filter out energies and a white lit candle to pull energy from and illuminate my guides and ancestors.

Deck Cleansing: Before a reading, I put my working deck in a bowl offered to my ancestors to bless and cleanse. I shuffle and allow them to spiritually shuffle the deck.

After A Reading:

Self Cleansing: I like to end a reading with some nice peppermint tea. It helps me cleanse my spirit and uplifts my mood as sometimes readings can be draining. If I have the time, I try to take a shower right after my client readings are over. This helps me let go of any and all excess energy from the reading.

Space Cleansing: After a reading session, I say a light prayer, open the windows and release the energy. I often light an additional candle as an offering to my ancestors and their wisdom and spray some colonia natural for an additional cleansing measure.  

Deck Cleansing: After readings I put my working deck back in my ancestral space to be cleansed with an offering of coffee to be charged for twenty-four hours.

In Person Reading Method:

These are readings I do face to face with a client in a public setting.

For in person reading methods where I am meeting a client face to face, I strive to meet at a scent free zone as well as let all clients know of my scent free preference. I also encourage my clients to also participate in this prior to and during our time together. We live in a world where not everyone is comfortable or able to smell or be around certain scents from fragrance oils, scented lotions, perfumes, colognes or essential oil blends because of things such an scent sensitives, allergies, or other health concerns. I make sure that I as well as my client are safe in all aspects of their reading experience as best as I possibly can. There are some times when I cannot control the scent signature of a meeting area such as reading in a coffee shop or local bar but the client is made aware ahead of time of the reading space and I always do my best to provide any additional accommodations if and when they request it before the meeting.  

Before A Reading:

Body Hydration And Release: I like to drink a full cup of water before a reading to hydrate my body and wake myself up. This also serves as a way to cleanse myself. I also make sure to do a small meditation and release anything that may not serve me or my clients highest good. 

Protective Means: I like to keep on my person a protective eye amulet that my mother hand made for me and blessed for protection and to cleanse any wayward energies that I may come across. 

Hand Washing: I like to wash my hands with fragrance free anti bacterial soap and coarse sea salt.  Not only is this for hygiene purposes but this also helps purify my hands as well as remove any dirt and oils from them.

Crystal Cleansing: I like to keep a small selenite crystal on my person. I also ask my clients before hand if they have a cleansing crystal they prefer for the reading and bring that to set on the reading space.

Deck Cleansing: I like to keep a clear quartz and amethyst with my deck to cleanse the energies while on the go.

Space Cleansing: I carry a small spritz bottle filled with blessed water, and a few pieces of crystal quartz. I usually spray down the table and my chair and ask the client if it is okay if I do the same to their chair, being respectful of their choices and beliefs.

After In Person Readings:

When I go home, I take a cleansing bath* to remove any residual energies and refresh my spirit.

*I usually have this bath set up the night before to use the following day after reading marathons. Please make sure the ingredients provided in this post are safe for you to use.

Cleansing Bath Recipe

To a tub or a gallon of water mix Equal parts of

Coarse Sea Salt

Sliced lemons with peels intact

Baking soda

Cascarilla

Florida Water

Pray or affirm to be cleansed with this mixture. Submerge yourself from the neck down seven times.

Post Notes: Please do not remove the captions. Title: My Divination Cleansing Methods Copyright:  © Ivan Ambrose 2018 Deck: Rider Waite Smith Disclaimer: This post in no way, shape, or form intended to tell you how you should approach cleansing or if you should even incorporate cleansing into your practice. The intention of this post is to share some things I do. What I find useful may not be useful or of interest to you and vice versa. I encourage you to do what you are comfortable with and to tailor any advice provided henceforth to your specific needs and individual situation. As always check the full disclaimer at the link below.  Navigation: TOC | FAQ | Contact | Disclaimer

[pagans-are-us]

Oh it's been such a long while since I've last posted on here and so much has changed!

I was still very much pregnant and was planning my wedding. Now I'm going on 2 years with my partner and our child is turning 2 this summer! It's my goal to return to this page. I can see that in my absence, people have still found this place useful and I want to cultivate that!

So to everyone here, hello and welcome to my humble abode! I have been practicing wicca and withcraft for many years. I still find new and exciting things everyday! I'm eclectic but leans more towards being a home/kitchen witch. I don't have specific dieties that I work with, but I do like to dabble with dragons and the fae.

[pagans-are-us]

the magick of coffee

enjoying your coffee, latte or mocha in the morning can be a small ritual of its own. coffee as a fruit, as well as what flavors and milks you choose to enjoy with it, all have magickal properties that can work well together.

coffee magick

the magickal properties of coffee include: grounding, peace of mind, overcoming negativity, and breaking curses. it is also commonly used as an offering to ancestors, spirits and deities. 

coffee can also be used for divination; it’s said that bubbles in your cup of black coffee are a sign of good luck (and extra luck if you can catch the bubbles with a spoon and eat them!). 

coffee and espresso are also a great way to fertilize your garden and charge your herbs with higher energy!

flavor magick

sugar: used to “sweeten” both literally and magically! brings positivity.

vanilla: promotes happiness, calmness and love

hazelnut: brings you spiritual

chocolate: emotional release, prosperity

cinnamon: attracting wealth, passion

milk magick

cow milk (comfort, protection), almond milk (good luck), soy milk (psychic awareness), rice milk (blessings, prosperity), coconut milk (purification, protection), cashew milk (money), oat milk (prosperity, wealth)

[pagans-are-us]

magick smoothie recipes

it’s actually quite easy to make a smoothie full of magick, as fruits and nuts typically have their own meanings and powers. here is a list of smoothies and the magick their ingredients possess.

milks: cow milk (comfort, protection), almond milk (good luck), soy milk (psychic awareness), rice milk (blessings, prosperity), coconut milk (purification, protection), cashew milk (money), oat milk (prosperity, wealth)

☾ triple berry blend

    ☼ blackberries: abundance, prosperity

    ☼ raspberries: love, fertility

    ☼ blueberries: protection, strength

☾ strawberry banana

    ☼ strawberries: overcoming barriers, good luck

    ☼ bananas: resilience, wealth, luck

☾ chocolate peanut butter

    ☼ cocoa powder: grounding, love, prosperity

    ☼ peanut butter: opportunities, wisdom

☾ summer peach-mango

    ☼ peaches: wisdom, love

    ☼ mango: romance

    ☼ bananas: luck, fortune

☾ raspberry orange

    ☼ raspberries: love, fertility

    ☼ orange juice: divination, wealth, luck

☾ cantaloupe lime

   ☼ cantaloupe: comfort, healing

   ☼ lime juice: purification, cleansing

☾ apricot almond butter

   ☼ apricot nectar: love, elegance

   ☼ almond butter: success

☾ pineapple coconut

   ☼ pineapple: luck, money

   ☼ coconut shavings: protection

☾ spinach apple banana

   ☼ spinach: money, prosperity

   ☼ apple juice: beauty, divinity

   ☼ bananas: resilience, fortune

[pagans-are-us]

the magick of acorns

acorns are a cute, perfectly-sized magick charm to carry in your pocket. they represent the energy of the beautiful oak tree, which has long-held associations with strength, endurance, courage, generosity and honesty. for this reason, it has “kingly” attributes; it’s said that king arthur’s round table was made from a cross-section of a big elder oak tree’s trunk.

each acorn on the oak tree is believed to have its very own faerie watching over it. keep this in mind before you pluck an acorn from its tree; when harvesting acorns, it’s best to forage for fallen ones so as not to bring about fae mischief.

☾ using acorns as charms

carry an acorn in your pocket for health, abundance, prosperity and luck.

plant an acorn in your garden under a full moon to cultivate happiness.

use an acorn at your altar to represent the earth element.

wear an acorn around your neck to bring beauty, youth, and protection.

place an acorn in your purse or wallet to attract financial security.

an acorn at your desk inspires patience and long-term success.

☾ a simple acorn spell for strength during hardships

light a red candle, which represents strength, survival and endurance. hold an acorn in your hands and look at the flame, meditating on the hardships you’re going through and your wishes to overcome them. remind yourself that you are strong and resilient. visualize the end to the situation. warm the acorn over the candleflame, kiss the acorn, and place it under your pillow.

☾ kitchen witchcraft: acorn maple shortbread cookies

these cookies are delicious and rustic, celebrating the oak and maple trees. the cookies have powerful spiritual healing properties. here is a recipe for how to make acorn flour, which involves a couple days of labor and requires a food processor. the end product, however, is a delicious dark gluten-free flour that has chestnut flavor notes. for the cookies (makes 12), you will need:

2 sticks unsalted butter, at room temperature (8 ounces)

½ cup sugar

¼ cup maple sugar

½ teaspoon vanilla extract

A pinch of salt

1 cup all-purpose flour

1 cup acorn flour

1. Combine the butter, sugars and vanilla extract in a bowl and whisk together with a fork.

2. Mix the salt and flours together with a whisk in another bowl, then pour the mixture in with the butter/sugar. mix with a fork just enough to make a sticky dough with no butter chunks.

3. shape the dough into a large disk, wedge between parchment paper and freeze for at least two hours, so they maintain their structure in the oven.

4. preheat the oven to 350°F. flatten the dough disk to about ½ inch and use a cookie cutter to cut out the cookies.

5. place the cookies on an ungreased baking sheet and bake for 23-26 minutes (or until the edges are beginning to brown).

☾ an acorn-top faerie offering

to make an offering to nearby fae and good spirits, place a ring of acorn tops on a tree stump, and fill the acorn tops with wine. leave a pile of rose petals in the center of the ring. 

[pagans-are-us]

Life Updates

I want to apologize for how quiet things have been around here lately. Things have been rough and there have been many major life changes happening in my life. I am on the verge of getting married to my partner of 5 years, as well as expecting our first child.

Pregnancy has been a roller coaster experience for me so far and I still have many months ahead to prepare before this little bundle is here. I am going to be doing my best to reorganize this blog. If you have any ideas or would like to contribute, PLEASE let me know! I love you all and have a blessed day/night/weekend/week!

[pagans-are-us]

Change is in the air and I'm preparing for Fall. This year, the dragons are out in full force.

[pagans-are-us]

“I am free of stress” sigil for anonymous

Sigil requests are currently closed

-Mod Pyre

[pagans-are-us]

GRIMOIRE IDEAS

💖 BEGINNING/PERSONAL

🔮Personal Birth Chart

🔮 Personal Star Sign Overview

🔮Personal Practise

🔮Goals

🔮Dream diary

🔮Personal Numerology

🔮Sacred Days you Participate In

🔮Familiars

🔮Personal Patronus Animal

🔮Deities - what deities you follow, how you honor them etc.

🔮Altar Layout

🔮 Protective Sigil (to keep your grimoire out of sight of prying eyes)

💫CORE CONCEPTS

🔮Meditation

🔮Intent

🔮Visualisation

🔮Manifestation

🔮Cleansing

🔮Charging

🔮Grounding and Centering

🔮Protection

🔮Banishment

🔮Warding

🔮 Magickal Tools - list and uses (wands, sigils, etc)

🔮SPELLBOOK

🌱NATURAL/PLANTS/HERBOLOGY

🔮 Aromatherapy

🔮Herb index + correspondences

🔮Drying herbs and Flowers

🔮Flower correspondences

🔮Essential Oils - uses, safety.

🔮Tea Uses and Correspondences

🔮Natural Remedies - recipes for salves, tinctures, etc.

🔮 Gardening

🔮Plants Index, Correspondences and Care

🌌ASTRONOMY

🔮Planetary correspondences

🔮Planetary/Stargazing Events

🔮Constellations

🌙 MOON MAGICK

🔮Moon phases and guide

🔮Gardening by the phases of the moon

🔮Moon rituals

🔮Charging through the Moon

💞 CRYSTALS

🔮How Crystals Work - Energy etc.

🔮Crystal Index and Uses/Correspondences

🔮Crystal Cleansing Methods

🔮Charging Crystals

🔮Crystal Safety + Maintenance. How NOT to charge and cleanse some crystals.

🌻DIVINATION

🔮 Tarot Cheat Sheet

🔮Palm Reading

🔮Numerology

🔮Pendulum Reading

🔮Tasseography (Tea Leaf Reading)

🔮 Scrying

🔮Rune Stones

🔮 Dream Divination

🔮Dowsing (with sticks, etc)

👑 BEAUTY/SELF CARE

🔮Bath Magic

🔮Sleep Rituals/Magick

🔮Glamour Magick

🔮Natural Beauty/Pamper Recipes - face masks, body scrubs, hair masks, bath bombs etc.

🔮Self Care/Pamper Checklist

🔮Stress Management Methods

🔮 Mental Health Coping Methods (if applicable)

🏡 MAGICKAL HOUSEKEEPING

🔮Kitchen Witchery - Recipe Book

🔮Natural Cleaning Product Recipes

🔮Cleansing Rooms and Spaces

🔮Cleaning Checklist

🌹MISC

🔮The Five Elements

🔮Reiki

🔮Chakras

🔮Auras

🔮Candle Magick

🔮Colors and Correspondences

🔮 Superstitions

🔮Wheel of The Year + Rituals (If followed).

🔮Mythology/Legends and Religious Teachings

🔮Faeries

🔮Knot Magick

🔮Angels

[pagans-are-us]

“I am protected from spirits with bad intentions” sigils for @ghostilda

Sigil requests are open !

-Mod Pyre

[pagans-are-us]

Money and Prosperity Spell Jar💰

Salt 

Strawberry Leaves 

Vervain

Bay Leaves (lightly burned)

Honeysuckle (lightly burned)

Clove (lightly burned)

Fehu Rune 

Coin 

Green Candle Wax

[pagans-are-us]

⟡ witchling kit ⟡

one or two good books - here are some of my faves:

practical magic - nikki van de car

green witch - arin murphy-hiscock

wiccapedia - shawn robbins

the book of tarot - danielle noel

a couple crystals 

i recommend buying a basic “chakra healing” set since they have crystals for a variety of purposes!

if you only have enough for one crystal, clear quartz is a great all-purpose stone

 a tarot deck / palmistry book / pendulum

some form of divination is always good! 

the rider-waite deck is the go-to tarot deck for anyone who’s not sure of what to get

some herbs

you should probably have some already in your cabinets! these can be used in spells and charms. 

or you can research some herbs based on the kinds of effects you want to produce (ie. rosemary for mental clarity)

candles in all colours

these are pretty essential for me. i always reach for them in spells!

again, if you can’t purchase all colours, go for one that fits the kind of effect you want!

some form of aromatherapy

incense, candles, and essential oils are always nice! you can use them in spells or simply use them if you need an extra boost of energy

salt / sage / smudge stick / etc.

i do stress this! any form of purification is quite necessary in working with energy

remember: you do not need any of these items to practice witchcraft!! these are only what i wished i could start out with ~ blessings!

[pagans-are-us]

The Houses as Procrastinators

[pagans-are-us]

My Divination Cleansing Methods

I am often asked about the cleansing methods I use before and after client reading sessions. While this is not an exhaustive list by any means, I have decided to share with you my favorite methods of cleansing. I must be honest, I do not always ritualized my cleansing. There are times when I go with what I am intuitively feeling and call it good but other times I am pulled to do something more elaborate. I encourage you to experiment safely and find what works best for you. In the effort for full disclosure I have not included the divinatory cleansing methods from my spiritual elders, or any of the sacred cleansing ritualized practices and services passed down from those channels. 

Note: Some of the methods I use for cleansing are Afrolatinx in nature while others are more of a modern approach. Please be mindful and respectful of these practices, their origin, and spiritual uses.

Long Distance Readings:

These are the readings I do through video conference, phone, private video delivery and e-mail.

Before A Reading:  

Self Cleansing: I like to fumigate my body with a blend of frankincense and myrrh incense. It’s amazing at removing negative energies, attachments, entities etc. I then like to wash my hands with lemon verbena soap and sea salt. I then spray Florida water on my body, mark my head. chest and feet with cascarilla and cover my head with a white head-wrap.  

Space Cleansing: I like to cleanse my space with loud clapping, Maracas, and burning palo santo. I keep a bowl of water on my table to help filter out energies and a white lit candle to pull energy from and illuminate my guides and ancestors.

Deck Cleansing: Before a reading, I put my working deck in a bowl offered to my ancestors to bless and cleanse. I shuffle and allow them to spiritually shuffle the deck.

After A Reading:

Self Cleansing: I like to end a reading with some nice peppermint tea. It helps me cleanse my spirit and uplifts my mood as sometimes readings can be draining. If I have the time, I try to take a shower right after my client readings are over. This helps me let go of any and all excess energy from the reading.

Space Cleansing: After a reading session, I say a light prayer, open the windows and release the energy. I often light an additional candle as an offering to my ancestors and their wisdom and spray some colonia natural for an additional cleansing measure.  

Deck Cleansing: After readings I put my working deck back in my ancestral space to be cleansed with an offering of coffee to be charged for twenty-four hours.

In Person Reading Method:

These are readings I do face to face with a client in a public setting.

For in person reading methods where I am meeting a client face to face, I strive to meet at a scent free zone as well as let all clients know of my scent free preference. I also encourage my clients to also participate in this prior to and during our time together. We live in a world where not everyone is comfortable or able to smell or be around certain scents from fragrance oils, scented lotions, perfumes, colognes or essential oil blends because of things such an scent sensitives, allergies, or other health concerns. I make sure that I as well as my client are safe in all aspects of their reading experience as best as I possibly can. There are some times when I cannot control the scent signature of a meeting area such as reading in a coffee shop or local bar but the client is made aware ahead of time of the reading space and I always do my best to provide any additional accommodations if and when they request it before the meeting.  

Before A Reading:

Body Hydration And Release: I like to drink a full cup of water before a reading to hydrate my body and wake myself up. This also serves as a way to cleanse myself. I also make sure to do a small meditation and release anything that may not serve me or my clients highest good. 

Protective Means: I like to keep on my person a protective eye amulet that my mother hand made for me and blessed for protection and to cleanse any wayward energies that I may come across. 

Hand Washing: I like to wash my hands with fragrance free anti bacterial soap and coarse sea salt.  Not only is this for hygiene purposes but this also helps purify my hands as well as remove any dirt and oils from them.

Crystal Cleansing: I like to keep a small selenite crystal on my person. I also ask my clients before hand if they have a cleansing crystal they prefer for the reading and bring that to set on the reading space.

Deck Cleansing: I like to keep a clear quartz and amethyst with my deck to cleanse the energies while on the go.

Space Cleansing: I carry a small spritz bottle filled with blessed water, and a few pieces of crystal quartz. I usually spray down the table and my chair and ask the client if it is okay if I do the same to their chair, being respectful of their choices and beliefs.

After In Person Readings:

When I go home, I take a cleansing bath* to remove any residual energies and refresh my spirit.

*I usually have this bath set up the night before to use the following day after reading marathons. Please make sure the ingredients provided in this post are safe for you to use.

Cleansing Bath Recipe

To a tub or a gallon of water mix Equal parts of

Coarse Sea Salt

Sliced lemons with peels intact

Baking soda

Cascarilla

Florida Water

Pray or affirm to be cleansed with this mixture. Submerge yourself from the neck down seven times.

Post Notes: Please do not remove the captions. Title: My Divination Cleansing Methods Copyright:  © Ivan Ambrose 2018 Deck: Rider Waite Smith Disclaimer: This post in no way, shape, or form intended to tell you how you should approach cleansing or if you should even incorporate cleansing into your practice. The intention of this post is to share some things I do. What I find useful may not be useful or of interest to you and vice versa. I encourage you to do what you are comfortable with and to tailor any advice provided henceforth to your specific needs and individual situation. As always check the full disclaimer at the link below.  Navigation: TOC | FAQ | Contact | Disclaimer

[pagans-are-us]

My favorite method to clarify a tarot meaning: spin the card.

Instead of pulling additional cards, I prefer to spin the unclear card on my tarot table. With my eyes closed, I then stop the card with my index finger. The detail my finger lands on clarifies the message. 🕯️

For example, let’s spin The Hermit from the Rider-Waite Smith!

My finger lands on the snow beneath him, emphasizing emotional isolation and detachment in the context of my reading. I now know which aspect of the card to focus on.

What I like about this method is that it allows the card to clarify itself, in its own voice.

The small details of our cards can speak loudly too.

🔮

[pagans-are-us]

Interviewing my new tarot deck ♥️