seize-the-chaos

[seize-the-chaos]

Winter Witchcraft

(Taught in @thealexandriarchives on 1/17/20)

Winter. The solid dark earth, bright swirling snow, prickling sharp ice, stark reaching branches, echoing warm silence. It can appear in a variety of different ways around the globe depending on the local season. I shall do my best in today’s class to give inspiration and tools that apply to as many persons as possible. I apologize in advance if this Midwest USA witch is a bit too used to intense winters and forgets to adjust as much for those in more temperate zones.

When it comes to the season of winter, it is most commonly associated with snow, ice, cold, all those Hallmark style holiday card scenes with snowmen, scarves, and white covered buildings. At it’s core however, winter is really just your area’s fallow period. It doesn’t have to involve cold or snow; just the time when things are not growing (or not growing as much). Locals may tend to be more inclined to stay indoors; regardless of the weather, and just be more lethargic and measured in their time.

When it comes to incorporating winter and it’s attributes and power into your witchcraft, the main ingredients you’ll want to work with are:

Dirt: Fallow dirt is mighty! Like a hibernating bear, it’s carefully collecting all those nutrients and minerals and saving them up for spring to share in full with local flora and fauna again! It is stable, strong, and patient. A good ingredient for spellwork involving breaking a habit, defensive protection (long term wards especially!), prosperity and abundance spells; especially slowly building ones like a long term money spell, spells or glamours relating to hiding or camouflage, encouraging a relationship to remain stable and grow, and many more. Though it should be strictly collected/harvested during the winter, you can store it year round and it retains it’s Winter attributes.

Snow/Ice: The most obvious winter witchcraft ingredient, this will mostly be used in a melted water form but some examples I’ll offer use solid snow and ice and the melting of it is part of the spell. It’s a good ingredient for: cleansing, freezing a person or problem, healing, banishing, creativity boosting (especially in physical crafts). Like with winter dirt, you can only collect during specific times but can store year round. You can even refreeze in your freeze if you have a spell that requires it to melt in some fashion that you want to cast in spring or summer.
Specific types of snow and ice correspondences: https://orriculum.tumblr.com/post/ 168151692633/winter-correspondences.
My own post on using snow in witchcraft: https://stygiantarot.tumblr.com/post/181955654194/ we-just-had-our-first-real-snow-here-in-ohio-and

Stones: Stones found in winter can have a special sort of power to them. Despite being unchanged physically year round (besides temperature), stones absorb energies readily. They are attuned to what is going on in the locale seasonally despite not directly changing themselves. It is because of this physical permanence that they are more easily able to be energetically sensitive. I like to use them especially in divination work (whether directly in creating runes or oracle sets or indirectly in boosting divination power and focus). They hold that deep quiet and patience of the season deeply under their hard surfaces. They also make excellent spellwork batteries and anchors for warding or enchanting.

Sticks/Pinceones/Flora castoffs: Those things that trees and shrubs drop are especially potent in winter as well. A weathered stick, a prickly pinecone, even some nuts and seeds are cast off during the fallow season and can be used in spellwork. These tend to be good for intentions relating to growth, protection, spirit work, psychic prowess boosting, and creativity as well as associations related to the plant it came from.

Cold weather Flora: Evergreens, hearty flowers like heather, and witch hazel, and early flowers like snowbells or daphne; there are still some plants that thrive even in chilly temps or fallow growing periods. Keep a sharp eye out in your local area for what remains or becomes vibrant during your winter and you can incorporate it into your spellwork. It would have the attributes of that plant, but “jazzed” up a bit during the season of winter when it remains strong amongst other flora that wait for spring or summer.

Citrus/Spices/Seasonal kitchentry: Despite it’s bright sun and summer associations, most citrus fruits are winter growing and this is an appropriate time to incorporate them into drinks and foods to bring some sun into your fallow period. It can help with healing (anti-depression especially), inspiration, solar magic, and creativity. There are also the warmer spices like those used in mulling ciders and wine that are good to use during this season to inject warmth and power into your spellwork. Take a look at what might grow or be commonly used in cooking during your area’s fallow period and incorporate them into your kitchen work in drinks, food, even baking!


Now to build spellwork and crafting ideas. The following are from my own grimoire that you may use or be inspired by!


Snowmen poppets: draw or write a taglock on a piece of paper and put it into a snowman! The intention of the spell takes effect on the target as the snowman melts.

Snow cleansing baths: put a bit of snow in your bath for a soothing ritual bath. Imagine all your worries falling away like a gentle snowfall drifting from the sky.

Winter Jar of Dirt: collect some winter dirt into a special jar, leave a bit of room at the top and put in scraps of paper that outline things you need to have growth or be more stable throughout the year. Feel free to double down by drawing some sigils on the jar for growth and stability.

Create a tool: use a winter stone or collection of them to create a tool for your practice. This can be a divination set, a spellcasting battery, an enchanted focus stone, even a painted offering, etc!


Use that crockpot or bake!: This is the time to do something warm and slow. A soup in a crockpot, a slow roasted dinner, those favorite cookies or brownies you remember from days of yore. You can also focus on a warm drink recipe; chocolate, cider, tea, coffee, wine, etc! They all can be made intentioned with spices and flavoring additions while they warm up to toasty soothing temps!

Room and floor sprays: use a bit of snow or ice, added to standard water, along with winter focused herbs and spices infused and put in a spray bottle for room spray or fl oor wash. You can focus the intentions as needs but a good one would be a pre-cleansing treatment for that “spring cleaning” physical cleaning many do! Or an energizing or inspiration spray to keep out seasonal blues and lethargy.

Enchant a blanket: Take a favorite blanket and enchant it with comfort, warmth, and peace for you to cuddle with during chilly evenings. You can do the same with a favorite towel for after warm baths or showers!


The methodology in creating crafting and spellwork ideas is to think about that fallow period and what you can “harvest” from it; whether it being something directly like snow or dirt. Or something indirectly, like the quiet, the introspection, or even the longer nights to do more lunar focused magic. Spirit work is another strong association in winter months. The slower and quieter season allows for easier connecting often to those not of physical form. Trying visiting a graveyard, park, or museum during your fallow season and seeing what you are able to sense.

Winter is also the time to take stock of your own life and spirituality- just like the earth does during its fallow period. Catalogue and cleanse your tools while you consider if there are any more you need or any you might pass along because you no longer use them. Clean and reorganize your storage and altars or shrines. Spend some time adding to your grimoire or journal those entries you’ve been putting off. Do some shadow work or divination. Write down some clear spiritual goals you’d like to focus on this year (good to put in your Jar of Dirt 😉 ) Do extra research on that area you’ve been debating on delving into.

However, don’t let yourself become too isolated. It’s normal to want some additional space in fallow periods, both personal and seasonal. But it’s important to still have some regular times that you get out of your own headspace. Set reminders for yourself to reach out to your favorite people to at least have a chat even if you don’t have the ability to get out of the house. Connect with online friends and community. Share ideas, thoughts, stories. Go see a movie or to a museum.

Letting winter into your bones doesn’t have to be chilling- it can be like that first breeze when you step outside. A surprise, maybe you gasp for a moment. But it’s exhilarating and revitalizing and reminds you of the beauty and wonder of nature. Even when nature is quiet and stark, she’s there. Just waiting for you to reach out and find her secrets and power to lend you. Go forth and Do the Magic.

Orriculum’s Winter correspondences: https://orriculum.tumblr.com/post/153243108238/winter- witchcraft


Some other Winter inspirations:
 https://ofcloudsandstars.tumblr.com/post/153908846876/゚-winter-witchy-things-to-do

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☽Yule bottle for protection and prosperity☾

Materials

·      mistletoe – creativity, protection

·      cloves – wealth, protection

·      nutmeg – wealth, luck

·      star anise – purification, protection

·      cinnamon stick – cleansing, protection

·      fern – protection

·      ivy –luck, rebirth, protection

·      cedar – wealth, confidence

·      pine needles – prosperity, strength

·      dried orange slice – luck, love, good health

·      citrine point – happiness, carries the power of the sun

Keep on a windowsill or gift it to a friend!☾

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Yule Tea

Yule time is almost here, and as your friendly neighborhood tea witch, I’m going to give you my Yuletide tea! This tea is nice because you’ve got a lot of options, as I know not everyone has every ingredient. What you will be making is basically a ginger chai tea, but you can substitute the white tea base with a hibiscus base, or a rosemary base. Let’s go!

Yields: 1 mug

Ingredients:

½ tsp cinnamon

¼ tsp cloves

1 tsp ginger

¼ tsp nutmeg

White tea bag/ hibiscus tea bag/ 3tsp rosemary.

1 cup water

OPTIONAL: Topaz/clear quartz/rose quartz/stone of your choice.

OPTIONAL: sigil on piece of paper

Directions:

Boil water, and add ingredients. Stir clockwise to welcome in the new beginnings. Place sigil under cup, and a paper plate or other cover over the mug. Place stone on top of cover and let the tea steel for 4-5 minutes. If you want an extra kick, place in sunlight, or brew with snow water.

Enjoy!!

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Baby Witch Bootcamp Masterlist

Baby Witch Bootcamp began as a series of informational videos on my YouTube channel. This series is my attempt to meet a need for free, accessible, and well-researched information about witchcraft and other forms of magic. My background is in journalism, and this is the approach that I take with this series – I try to be as transparent as possible about where I get my information, which means including lots of quotes and sources. I also try to keep this series as objective as possible – my goal is not to convince you to practice witchcraft a certain way, but to provide you with the tools and resources you need to create a magical practice that fits your own beliefs, values, and spiritual needs.

Part 1: Basics of Magic and Energy

Chapter One: What Is Magic? Why Does It Work? [Video version on YouTube]

Chapter Two: Meditation for Witches [Video version on YouTube]

Chapter Three: How to Ground Yourself [Video version on YouTube]

Chapter Four: How to Find Good Witchcraft Books

Chapter Five: The Ethics of Witchcraft [Video version on YouTube]

Part 2: Spellcasting

Chapter Six: How to Cast Spells That Work [Video version on YouTube]

Chapter Seven: What Are Correspondences and How Do I Use Them in Spells?

Chapter Eight: Using the Elements in Your Spells

Chapter Nine: Magic Herbs You Can Find at the Grocery Store

Chapter Ten: Add Some Oomph to Your Spells with Magical Timing

Part 3: Divination and Psychic Abilities

Chapter Eleven: Tapping into Your Psychic Senses

Chapter Twelve: Divination Basics

Chapter Thirteen: So You Want to Learn Tarot

Chapter Fourteen: Psychic Protection

Chapter Fifteen: When NOT To Trust Your Intuition

Part 4: Engaging with the Spirit World

Chapter Sixteen: Intro to Spirit Work

Chapter Seventeen: Working with Spirits

Chapter Eighteen: Communicating with Spirits

Chapter Nineteen: Banishing Nasty Spirits

Chapter Twenty: Pathworking and Astral Travel

Part 5: Incorporating Witchcraft into Your Everyday Life

Chapter Twenty-One: Little Acts of Everyday Magic

Chapter Twenty-Two: Building a Magical Home

Chapter Twenty-Three: Magical Journaling

Chapter Twenty-Four: Kitchen Witchin’  

Chapter Twenty-Five: Practicing in Secret

Part 6: Controversial Magic

Chapter Twenty-Six: Using Human Body Parts in Spells

Chapter Twenty-Seven: Blood Magic

Chapter Twenty-Eight: Curses and Hexes

Chapter Twenty-Nine: Conjuring Dark Spirits

Chapter Thirty: Sex Magic

Part 7: Social Issues

Chapter Thirty-One: Cultural Appropriation

Chapter Thirty-Two: Magic vs Medicine?

Chapter Thirty-Three: Keeping Consumerism out of Your Craft

Chapter Thirty-Four: Earth-Friendly Witchcraft 

Chapter Thirty-Five: Witchcraft and Activism

Other Helpful Links for New Witches

Why the Law of Attraction Is an Unhealthy Mindset

How to Recognize a Cult or Cult-like Group

How To Find a Safe Witchy/Pagan Teacher or Group

Why Spells Don’t Work

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what to do when you’re spiritually burnt out 🌜🌻🌛

i’m sure we all have times where we feel like witchcraft is too much, too time consuming, not fulfilling enough, or we just can’t seem to get motivated to actually practice. this is especially true for my spoonie witch self! here are tips i’ve found useful for when i personally feel burnt out.

pace yourself. don’t feel like you have to get back to where you once were in your practice right away. try one tarot card a day. do some light energy work this week. schedule a day to make a tasty potion (hot cocoa potions are the bomb for this) and then watch a movie while you enjoy it.

plan in advance. maybe you can get yourself hyped for a big ritual at the next full moon! write down a day in your planner for a cool event and ration smaller preparatory tasks leading up to it.

practice passively. set a jar on your porch for when the next rain happens to fall, or throw some rose quartz in your makeup bag for your next night out. when you rediscover these things, it can really spark interest and motivation again.

explore nature in solitude. this one is huge. go for a nature walk (yes, I am a city witch and it’s possible!) and collect fallen leaves or wildflowers (cut, don’t pick) that you can use in future work. or, just soak in the awe of earth herself.

research. when you have free time, have a big research day on herbalism, crystals, your dieties, whatever. this one’s also huge for me.

glamour magick. one great active spellwork activity you can do is glamour and self love magick. #glamour magick on here, check out the tag! also recommend @orriculum for these types of spells. they really help you find peace in your craft again.

take a break from it. sometimes we need one. go out with friends and family, focus on school or work, and try your best to remain hopeful. personally, i’ve taken two of these long breaks from my craft. it helped me to rediscover why I’m a witch in the first place.

hope these helped–

until we meet again 🌜🌻🌛

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Dapper Magic

Personally, traditional glamours are too feminine for my taste because I have very personal feelings towards make-up, even though I know it’s for everybody. I even struggle emotionally to wear foundation. I’m sure others who do not wish to present feminine feel the same (either if you’re a woman, man, or somewhere in between). For this reason I decided to write up some tips for some more masculine glamours.

-Colors: Try darker colors like blacks, greys, dark blues, earth tones, and even purple. 

-Fact! Men look so great in nail polish. Try some in the above colors or mix it up!

-Go and get that pixie cut or even totally shaved head. Don’t listen to people who talk about “but your face structure!!!!” they’re just pushing society’s views of ‘feminine’ hair. For years I got told I won’t look in short hair because of ‘my face’ but when I came out as nb I got a ‘male’ haircut and I get compliments on it all the time. You will look perfect in your chosen hair cut. I promise.

-Sew the male sigil on your binder to be a sigil to represent you will be presented as male while wearing it. Or try the Nonbinary symbol for the same effect! 

-If you still choose to wear make up, draw the male symbol on your bottles or another sigil so that society won’t view it as an ‘feminine act’. 

-Charge a talisman with masculine energies. This could be as a necklace, hand watch, or even a belt. 

-People giving you weird stares as you shop in the “male” side of the store? Hex ‘em.

-For Wiccans, try wearing things that represent the masculine god. These could be antlers (fang pendants, jewelry made out of antlers, etc), earth tone colors, orange and reds

-For other pagans, pick your favorite male deity and wear things that represent them. I.e for Anubis you might opt for black and golds, symbols that represent death, etc. 

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✨ Daily rituals using the 4 elements ✨

🌪️ AIR 🌪️

→ Wear yellow colors to honor this element

→ Practice your spells at dawn to draw energy from air

→ Places associated with this element: airports, libraries, high-rise buildings, high mountains, schools, plains

→ Daily rituals:

Listen to music that makes you feel awake and energized

Open your windows and let fresh air cleanse your room

Burn incense and observe the smoke filling your space

Pick a perfume that gives you confidence

Observe birds and collect their feathers for your altar

Close your eyes and listen to birds chirping sounds

–

💧 WATER 💧️

→ Wear blue colors to honor this element

→ Practice your spells at dusk to draw energy from water

→ Places associated with this element: bathrooms, rivers, lakes, sea, swimming pools, beaches, wells, fountains

→ Daily rituals:

Listen to music that makes you feel soft and creative

Infuse your water with seasonal herbs or fruits

Draw sigils on your face when applying moisturizer

Take a ritual bath during the full moon

Focus on cleansing and healing thoughts in the shower

Close your eyes and listen to sounds of waves and the sea

–

🔥 FIRE 🔥️

→ Wear red colors to honor this element

→ Practice your spells at noon to draw energy from fire

→ Places associated with this element: bedrooms, kitchen, fireplaces, deserts, oven, saunas, volcanos, terraces, bars

→ Daily rituals:

Listen to music that makes you feel wild and strong

Turn on candles to draw energy from the flames

Move your body to feel its warmth and strength

Draw sigils when warming up your food

Meditate in the sun (or under a sun lamp if it’s not sunny)

Close your eyes and listen to sounds of crackling fire

–

🌱 EARTH 🌱

→ Wear brown or green colors to honor this element

→ Practice your spells at night to draw energy from earth

→ Places associated with this element: caves, fields, forests, gardens, farmers’ markets, parks, greenhouses

→ Daily rituals:

Listen to music that makes you feel grounded and wise

Walk barefood on the ground and press your palms on trees

Whisper secrets to your houseplants and take care of them

Use specific herbs to cure a cold or stomach ache

Buy yourself flowers or a new houseplant

Close your eyes and listen to forest sounds

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Day 24093 This is my house. I won’t allow anyone to harm it. There should have been no more intruders after the last one. I do not want these people here. They will leave-

Day 24095 They are siblings. They are loud. Always singing and talking and stomping. As if they must be louder than anything else.

Day 24106 There are bolts on the door now. Bolts and hideous, gaudy new locks. How dare they-

Night 24112 I was going to fill the night with terrors. But he woke up screaming before I began. She came running from the other room. They sleep right across the hall from each other, with the doors on a crack. …they are young, are they not, to be living on their own. Was I ever so young?

Day 24129 She has fixed the squeak in the door at the top of the stairs. It never squeaked when I still lived.

Day 24121 The noise of the doorbell scares them. But they get so many deliveries. It is a good bell. It has worked all these years- I can see one of the men coming now with his packages, trudging up to the door. …perhaps if I knock before he is here, they will come and look before he can sound the bell.

Day 24114 He is planting flowers in boxes on my windowsills. I always wished I could have some flowers.

Night 24137 She is afraid of the dark. I could see it in her eyes when she got out of bed. …I lit the lamps for her.

Day 24142 They have moved the couch to the sun spot a little to the right of the window. That is where I used to have my armchair. It is the only sensible place for it.

Day 24163 Sometimes the noises of the world are suddenly too much for him. He winces and tries not to sway his head. This is my house. …I can keep it calm and quiet for a while.

Day 24178 She just got a phone call and now they are both laughing. Laughter is a good sound, isn’t it. They said this house has been good luck…

Night 24205 They are singing in our kitchen. He found my cookbook in the gap at the back of the kitchen cabinet and now they are trying to cook. They wanted to start with the soufflé. They don’t even know how to make béchamel! I turned the page to the casserole instead.

Day 24236 This is my house. These are my boarders. I won’t allow anyone to harm them.

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💀 Celebrating Samhain 💀

HALLOWS’ EVE | October 31

🕯️ Decorations: skulls, bones, candles, cauldron, pumpkins, dark crystals

🌿 Incense: patchouli, rosemary, cloves, sage, cinnamon, nutmeg

🥧 Food: pumpkin, dark wine, cider, soups, root vegetables, potatoes, beer, hazelnut, pomegranates

Often known as the witches’ new year, Samhain is the pagan festival marking the end of the harvest season and beginning of winter. It is said that the veil between our world and the spirit world is at its thinnest. The celebration usually features a bonfire, and rituals of communion with the dead.

Rituals to celebrate:

🥳 With people, tell ghost stories or watch scary movies.

🍽️ In the kitchen, make a pumpkin soup.

🎨 Get crafty, by carving a pumpkin and lighting it at night.

💃 Dress up, as a witch and let people believe that it’s just a costume.

📜 Write in your journal, about dead relatives and loved ones.

🔮 Meditate, about the concept of death, your family tree and your ancestors.

Other ideas to celebrate:

Give offerings to the spirits by adding a plate at your table.

Harvest the last of your herbs before winter.

Use the night for spell casting, divination, and reading tarot.

Take a walk in nature, preferably near or inside a cemetery.

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Talk to Your Objects- A Guide to Light Spirit Work

This is a practice that can take a little bit to hone, but can save you a lot of time and really enrich your practice in the long run. Talk to your stuff. Like, really, talk to it. More importantly, listen to what it says back.  This idea largely stems from an animist perspective, where everything has its own soul. By that extension, even inanimate objects are something we can commune with, and through that gain a deeper understanding.

Examples of Use

Talking with a ritual tool regularly, so when you use it you’re bonded with it much more closely.

Asking a unique tool or ingredient directly how you can use it. (Hello, necklace. What kind of enchantments would you take to best?)

Asking for elaboration on a traditional correspondence (what kind of love does it attract? How strong are its protection properties? Protection from what?)

Being more mindful about everyday objects and when they need to be cleansed (such as your bed.)

Knowing when something is “up” with an object (because you’re more readily familiar with its energy)

A deeper understanding of exactly what is going into your spells and why

What You Need

Some level of comfort with discernment, energy work, personal shielding, wards, and banishing. This isn’t a guide designed for absolute beginners, so if there’s anything you don’t feel ready for yet/don’t understand, learn about that first and return to this when you do feel comfortable! 

Something to speak with (for starting, I recommend something that has meaning to you already. I don’t recommend pictures of people because that risks turning into a different kind of spirit work which isn’t what we’re here for.)

An open mind. 

And Then…

Make sure before you do any spirit work that your personal protections are up and refreshed, whatever that means for you. Find a space you can focus and sit with the object in your hands. Talk to it. Really say something out loud, directed at its essence like you would speak to another human. “Hi there. How are you feeling?”

Responses can come in a lot of different ways. You may hear a “voice” in your thoughts that sounds different from your usual thinking voice. You may have images pop into your mind’s eye. Your hands may feel energy of a certain texture, color, etc. Be open to however the message may come in. Do this regularly, and get comfortable with the way that object’s essence feels, how you receive messages, etc. Start with little, inconsequential things while you feel it out.

How Do I Know What’s Real and What’s My Imagination?

Short answer: You don’t. Do it anyway. Long answer: There’s never going to be any 100% certainty in spirit work. It’s important to remember that whether these entities even exist is up for debate in wider culture, and it’s definitely possible for a believer to delude themselves. That said, practice really really does help. Ask about things you can verify, or things you can see payoff with (aka simple signs.) Trust your gut if something feels very fake. If you’re having regular doubts, roll with a conversation in the moment and look back on it with a more critical eye later. That way, if it is real, you’re not wasting all your energy in the moment trying not to doubt yourself. Let yourself communicate comfortably, get what information you’re searching for, and review it when you’re not in the thick of it. If you make the call that something is your imagination, that’s totally fine! It still teaches you something. Now you know what that object’s energy doesn’t feel like, and can recognize that flavor of your imagination next time. 

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Who's your (professonial) patron?

In theory, your patron is the one who has patronage over your occupation or the career field you’re into. It’s a fun concept, but also something you can use when needing help for professional matters. Again, that’s not a researched post, just wrote this for fun. Note that some of them have two patrons eg. Aircraft mechanic: aircraft = Hermes but mechanic = Hephaestus. So consider the overlaps. This list is in no way exhaustive nor 100% correct, it’s just meant to help as a general guideline.

Hermes: Advertising, Sales, Trade workers, Retail workers, Marketing, Aircraft engineers/mechanic/controllers/pilots, flight attendants etc.., Postal service, Logistic workers, transportation workers (bus drivers, taxis etc.), Automotive industry workers, Communications, Broadcast and radio operators, Media, Telecommunication, IT, Surveyor, Casino workers, Linguists, Interpretors/Translators, Travel agents, Hotel workers,

Dionysus: Entertainment careers and associates (actors, producers, directors, theater/film staff), Bartenders, Oenologists, Wine and Spirits industry workers, Dancers, Psychologists, Psychiatrist, mental health workers.

Athena: Teachers, School workers, Librarians/library technicians, Archivists, Curators, Bookkeeping, Accountants, Clerks, Textile workers, Military strategists, Journalists, Urban planners, Civil engineers/technicians

Demeter: agronomists, food scientists, farmers, bakers, millers,

Hestia: Chefs, Cooks, Food Preparation workers, Restauration workers, Interior designers, Heating/air conditioning/

Artemis: Zoologists, animal care workers/vets, environmental scientists/engineers/workers, Forest and conservation workers, Logging workers, Hunting workers

Apollon and the Muses: Artists, art directors, poets, writers, dancers, musician, graphic designers, historians, physicists, astronomers, astrophysicists, Mathematicians, Geographers,

Ares: Athletes, coaches, trainers, Fitness workers, Military careers,

Asclepius: all medical professions and fields, doctors, surgeons, nurses, pharmacists etc.

Hephaestus: Mechanics, Assemblers, Fabricators, Carpenters, Masons, Electricians and electronics workers, Engineering (all of them), Metal industry workers, Construction workers, Repairmen, IT fields, all crasftmanship.

Zeus: Arbitators, Mediators, Conciliators, Judges, Lawyers, Law enforcement, Executives, Politicians, Public relations, Meteorologists, Hydrologists,

Hera: Child Care workers, Marriage/Family therapists, Wedding planner,

Aphrodite: Barbers, Hairdressers, Cosmetologists, Appearance workers, Manicurists, Sex workers, Models, Fashion designers,

Poseidon: Sailors, Marine engineers, Naval architects and workers, Fishermen, Marine biologists,

Hades: Financial careers/banking, Miners, Geologists, Petroleum engineers/technicians, Funeral service workers

Persephone: Funeral service workers, Floral designers. 

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“Witches going to their sabbath” by Luis Ricardo Falero (1878)

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An Introduction to Worshipping Medea

As a Hellenic witch, the worship of Medea is an important part of my practice. She was a witch and priestess of Hekate, possessing nearly unparalleled knowledge of magic and poisons. I wanted to write this post to give some background on who Medea is, her role as a witch and a priestess, and how I have come to honor her in my practice.

Who is Medea?

Parentage

Medea (Μήδεια) is given mainly two parentages, either Aeetes, son of Helios, and Eidyia, author of Oceanus, or Hekate and Aeetes. Hesiod offers us a description of the first, writing:

“To the tireless Sun the renowned Oceanid Perseïs bore Circe and King Aeetes. Aeetes, son of the Sun who makes light for mortals, married by the gods’ design another daughter of Oceanus the unending river, fair-cheeked Idyia; and she bore him the trim-ankled Medea, surrendering in intimacy through golden Aphrodite” (Hesiod 31)

Alternatively, Diodorus names Hekate and Aeetes as her parents, explaining:

“Perses had a daughter, Hecate, and she excelled her father in her brazen lawlessness…She was a keen contriver of mixtures of deadly drugs [pharmaka], and she discovered the so-called aconite. She tested the powers of each drug by mixing it into the food given to strangers…After this she married Aeetes and gave birth to two daughters, Circe and Medea, and also a son Aigialeus” (qtd. in Ogden 78)

Either of these parentages could make sense, but I personally observe the first.

(Art: Medea by Frederick Sandys)

Medea as the Witch Priestess of Hekate

One of Medeas most important roles in literature and myth is that she is a priestess of Hekate and a witch, being called “Medea of the many spells” (Apollonius of Rhodes 109). In most literature there is no way to separate these roles. 

She was extremely devoted to Hekate, Apollonius of Rhodes stating that “as a rule she did not spend her time at home, but was busy all day in the temple of Hecate, of whom she was priestess” (116). Euripides also writes that Medea says “I swear it by her, my mistress, whom most I honor and have chosen as partner, Hecate, who dwells in the recesses of my hearth” (Euripides 13). Clearly, the relationship between her and Hekate was very close, and it was said on occasion that she even learned magic from Hekate, Herself. Apollonius of Rhodes writes that “[t]here is a girl living in Aeetes’ palace whom the goddess Hecate has taught to handle with extraordinary skill all the magic herbs that grow on dry land or in running water” (123). Diodorus also claims this, but adds an interesting addendum that attributes to the character of Medea:

“They report that Medea learned all the powers of drugs from her mother [Hekate] and her sister [Kirke], but her own inclination was the opposite. For she continually saved the strangers that put in from dangers” (qtd. in Ogden 79)

(Art: Medea the Sorceress by Valentine Cameron Prinsep)

Regardless of the origins of her powers, they were no doubt incredible. Apollonius of Rhodes explains that “she can put out a raging fire, she can stop rivers as they roar in spate, arrest a star, and check the movement of the sacred moon” (123). In one instance Apollonius states that “the beautiful Medea spell through the palace, and for her the very doors responding to her hasty incantations swung open of their own accord…From there she meant to reach the temple. She knew the road well enough, having often roamed in that direction searching for corpses and noxious roots, as witches do” (148). This is clearly an indicator that her powers are incredible, but what is even more awe-inspiring is what Apollonius says happens next:

“Rising from the distant east, the Lady Moon [Selene], Titanian goddess, saw the girl wandering distraught, and in wicked glee said to herself: ’So I am not the only one to go astray for love, I that burn for beautiful Endymion and seek him in the Latmian cave. How many times, when I was bent on love, have you disorbed me with your incantations, making the night moonless so that you may practice your beloved witchcraft undisturbed!” (148).

Medea is said to be able to actually banish the moon Herself from the sky, an unimaginable feat. This is indicative of the degree of power she possesses, having sway over nature itself.

She is most known to have used her knowledge and powers repeatedly to help Jason, her husband, on his quest for the Golden Fleece. The first instance of this was that she made Jason an ointment which would make him invincible. Apollonius describes this in length, writing that:

“She had twelve maids, young as herself and all unmarried…She called them now and told them to yoke the mules to her carriage at once, as she wished them to drive to the spending Temple of Hecate; and while they were getting the carriage ready she took a magic ointment form her box. This salve was named after Prometheus. A man had only to smear it on his body, after procreating the only-begotten Maiden [Hekate] with a midnight offering, to become invulnerable by sword or fire” (131-2)

He continues, detailing the ritual of how she obtained the plant she used to make this ointment:

“Medea, clothed in black, in the gloom of night, had drawn off this juice in a Caspian shell after bathing in seven perennial streams and calling seven times on Brimo, nurse of youth, Brimo, night-wanderer of the underworld, Queen of the dead. The dark earth shook and rumbled underneath the Titan root when it was cute, and Prometheus himself groaned in the anguish of his soul” (132). 

Here we see a process that is depicted often, the bathing of Medea and her ritualistic harvesting of herbs. We also see her here call on Brimo (Βριμω), an epithet of Hekate, in Her role as nurse of the young (Kourotrophos/Κουροτρόφος), night-wanderer (Νυκτιπολος/Nyktipolos), of the Underworld (Χθονιη/Kthonia), and Queen of the Dead (Ανασσα ενεροι/Anassa Eneroi), indicating the importance of Hekate to her witchcraft. 

(Art: Jason and Medea by John William Waterhouse)

A similar harvesting of herbs and roots is seen in fragments of Sophocles’ play The Root-Cutters. What we have of the play states that “She [Medea] covers her eyes with her hand and collects up the white-clouded juice that drips from the cut in bronze jars…the covered chests conceal the roots, which this woman reaped, naked, with bronze sickles, while crying out and howling” (qtd. in Ogden 83). Hekate is then said to be “crowned with oak branches and snakes” (qtd. in Ogden 83). Then the women chant “Lord of the sun and holy fire [Helios], sword of Hecate of the roads, which she carries over Olympus as she attends and as she traverses the sacred crossroads of the land, crowned with oak and the woven coils of snakes, falling on her shoulders” (qtd. in Ogden 83). In this short but incredible fragment we see that Medea calls on both Hekate and Helios, her grandfather, to bless their ritual. We also see a repeat of incantations to harvest magical herbs, and an introduction of her association with bronze. 

Another one of Medea’s feats was charming the snake that guarded the Golden Fleece into a slumber. In the Argonautica, Apollonius of Rhodes writes:

“The monster in his sheath of horny scares rolled forward his interminable coils, like the eddies of black smoke that spring from smoldering logs…But as he writhed he saw the maiden take her stand, and heard her in sweet voices invoking Sleep [Hypnos], the conqueror of the gods, to charm him. She also called on the night-wandering queen of the world below [Hekate] to countenance her efforts…the giant snake, enchanted by her song, was soon relaxing the whole length of his serrated spine and smoothing out his multitudinous undulations…Yet his grim head still hovered over them and the cruel jaws threatened to snap them up. But Medea, chanting a spell, dipped a fresh sprig of juniper in her brew and sprinkled his eyes with her most potent drugs and as the all-pervading magic scent spread around his head, sleep fell on him.” (150-1). 

(Medea and the Dragon by Maxwell Ashby Armfield)

She was also said to have killed the giant Talos, a gift given to Zeus from Hephaistos, with her witchcraft, specifically the Evil Eye. In this more horrifying passage, it is said that:

“[W]ith incantations, she invoked the Sprits of Death [Keres], the swift hounds of Hades who feed on souls and haunt the lower air to pounce on living men. She sank to her knees and called upon them three times in song, three times with spoken prayers. She steeled herself with their malignity and bewitched the eyes of Talos with the evil in her own. She flung at him the full force of her malevolence, and in an ecstasy of rage she plied him with images of death” (Apollonius of Rhodes 192). 

In this passage, she calls on the Keres, and with them is able to use the evil eye to bring immediate death to a direct creation of the gods. This is a horrifying feat, not only for the power it must require, but for her ability to kill in an instant. 

Finally, she also is said to have rejuvenated Jason’s father Aeson. In Ovid’s Metamorphoses, Jason pleads with Medea to take years of his own life to give more to his father, but she rejects him saying that Hekate will not allow such a thing to take place. Instead, she offers that through her witchcraft, instead, if Hekate is willing to help her, she may rejuvenate him. Under the full moon, Medea performs the ritual. She calls on Hekate, Night, the Moon, and Helios to aid her in her task (126-7). A chariot drawn by dragons appears to her and she takes it to gather herbs harvested with her bronze scythe. After nine days and nights, she returns to Jason to perform the ritual. The ritual is extensive and is essentially repeated in full. She builds two altars, one to Hecate and one to Hebe. She also digs two ditches on sacrifices a black sheep into the ditches, also pouring wine and milk into them. She also calls on the “deities of the earth” which may mean deities of the land or chthonic deities, and Hades. Once she appeases these gods and goddesses, she spells Aeson to sleep on a bed of herbs and tells Jason to leave her to perform her magic. She then dips sticks into pools of blood and lights them with the flames on the altars, then purifying the man once with fire, three times with water, and three times with sulfur. 

She then adds many herbs, roots, and flowers to her bronze cauldron as well as “hoar frost gathered under the full moon, the wings of the uncanny screech owl with the flesh as well, and the entrails of a werewolf which has the power of changing its wild-beast features into a man’s. There also in the pot is the scaly skin of a slender Cinyphian water-snake, the liver of a long-lived stag, to which she also adds eggs and the head of a crow nine generations old” (Ovid 129). Then, she slits the throat of Aeson and replaced his blood with her potion, finally rejuvenating him. 

There is more descriptions of Medea’s magical feats throughout literature, but these are simply some of the most detailed and famous. She is clearly a very powerful witch and a significant figure within the history of Hekate worship. With her bronze cauldron and chariot of dragons, she is quite awe-inspiring.

(Art: The Sorceress by R. Willis Maddox)

Medea’s Character

One of the issues we run into with Medea’s mythos is her defamation and portrayal as a child-murdering and vengeful woman. She is indeed vengeful against Jason, and rightfully so, for he bade her to leave her homeland, murder her brother, and constantly had her aid him with her witchcraft, only to abandon her for another. However, Euripides’ tale of her brutally murdering her children has some criticisms from scholars who note that there are other versions of the tale. 

One such tale is that from Apollodorus who writes that “Another tradition is that on her flight she left behind her children, who were still infants, setting them as suppliants on the altar of Hera of the Height; but the Corinthians removed them and wounded them to death” (1.9.28). In the modern era, a scholar named Sarah Illes Johnston, author of Restless Dead and Hekate Soteira, also writes that Medea prays to Hera Akraia to make her children immortal, and Hera either declines or breaks her promise to fulfill this task, leaving the children to die (62-3). Johnston denies the implication of Medea in her children’s death, instead attributing it to circumstances outside her control or by the hand of another.

These different tellings of Medea’s story fits with the Colchian princess who aids Jason in a much more believable way than the suddenly spiteful women who murders her children. This variation is less popular, the other being popularized perhaps to demonize magic and women of power.

(Art: Medea by Eve De Morgan)

Worshipping Medea

Now that Medea’s character and mythological status has been discussed, I think it’s important to talk about how I actually go about worshipping Medea. I worship Medea in both divine and ancestral ways, which I suppose could be attributed to methods of hero worship in Ancient Greece. Worshipping Medea can be done alongside Hekate and/or Helios, as well as alongside Kirke. If you observe the Mighty Dead or Witch Ancestors, she could also be worshipped alongside them.

Offerings

Offerings for Medea can include wine, frankincense, milk, honey, food, poisons, sacred plants, bronze artifacts, candles, snake parts or figurines and dragon figurines, artifacts of witchcraft, and even Hekate iconography. One could also offer her blood, but that is up to your personal discretion. 

Names and Epithets

Names/epithets I call Medea include ‘Of the Many Spells,’ ‘Vengeful Maiden,’ ‘Witch Priestess of Hekate,’ ‘Medea of Poisons,’ ’She Who Knows All Herbs,’ ‘Giant-Slayer,’ one that could also be said of Hekate, ‘Princess of Colchis,’ ‘Granddaughter of Helios,’ ’Daughter of Sun and Moon,’ one I use to indicate her relationship to Helios and her devotion to Hekate, and Medea Pharmakeia, or Medea of Witchcraft/Magic. 

Sacred Objects

Sacred plants of Medea could include any poisons, juniper, olive, and aconite specifically. Sacred animals include dragons and snakes. Bronze is also sacred to Medea, as are cauldrons of any kind. 

Specializations

Medea can be called upon for justice and vengeance, especially for spells of justice and vengeance, witchcraft of any kind, to bless herbs, for gardening, for aid in Hekate worship, for the downfall of your enemies, for protection from harm, for protection from snakes, and for guidance in magic.

Prayers to Medea

Prayer for Medea’s Aid in Witchcraft

Prayer to Medea for Vengeance

Conclusion

In conclusion, while Medea may not be a part of the usual canon of hero worship, or worship in general, if you are a devotee of Hekate or Helios, worshipping Medea might be right for you. Likewise, any witch who observes the Hellenic pantheon should give serious thought to venerating Medea in their practice. 

Works Cited:

Medea by Euripides

Magic, Witchcraft, and Ghosts in the Ancient Greek and Roman Worlds by Daniel Ogden

The Voyage of Argo by Apollonius of Rhodes

Theogony by Hesiod

The Library by Apollodorus

The Metamorphoses by Ovid

“Corinthian Medea and the Cult of Hera Akraia” by Sarah Illes Johnston

(Art: Medea Casting Spells by Henry Ferguson)

[seize-the-chaos]

How to prep for MABON ‘20 -COVID19 edition

Hey my fellow witches! This year we have to rearrange our Mabon fest according to all the covid19 restrictions. 

I’m going to share some tips and ideas to inspire you guys to prep for this holiday & celebrate in total safety. ♥️ 

First let me tell ya what Google says for us in the Northern hemisphere:

Mabon 2020 will begin on Monday, September 21  and ends on Tuesday, September 29.

Keep in mind that the most important days are Sep 21-23. Witches in the Southern hemisphere will celebrate around March 19-22 & bookmark this post to prep at their best;)) 

SO, let’s start this journey with the right foot IN ADVANCE.  All the late witches out there yeah you heard me: IN ADVANCE. Make yourself ready BEFOREHAND. We’re going thru this together.

1. Thinking of a party? MAKE SURE WHOEVER IS CELEBRATING WITH YOU (except for close people you’ve always shared the same roof with) TESTS NEGATIVE FOR CORONAVIRUS. Force them to get tested, ESPECIALLY IF THEY WERE ON VACATION. No tests, no invitations. Be firm on this point.  > anti-covid tip: always sanitize your hands and go get tested yourself first!

***I highly recommend to spend most of this sacred time all by yourself to minimize the risk of contracting the virus. We will party together once a good vaccine or an effective cure is out and globally accessible… Let’s wait😉

2. If you have a garden, and had planted some herbs/fruit/veggies before, go pick the results of the 2nd harvest and use them to cook delicious foods during Mabon! (Lammas is the 1st harvest, yep) > anti-covid tip: gardening is an outdoor hobby that allows you to keep social distancing & breathe fresh air 

3. An Equinox is “equal”: re-establish balance in general. I’m talking about your overall ph, diet, work, feelings, home, social life… Don’t stress over useless activities, limit vices & excess, avoid fights, don’t hustle, don’t splurge, don’t push yourself in the gym, don’t let your home/room look like a junkyard, take good care of yourself, only be there for people who love you… Take this time of the year as a moment to re-gain harmony and equilibrium in all comfort. > anti-covid tip: reducing stress levels can improve your immune system

4. Apples are in season, so be creative with em! Use apples for multiple purposes, even for decorating your altar if you will. Snack on them, offer them, cook them, collect their seeds, whatever comes to your mind… > anti-covid tip: rinse your apples thoroughly, never share your apple while eating one + a healthy diet feat. apples can boost your immune system

5. Work with the element of EARTH. Here comes the spellwork my lovelies… Connect with your crystals, use herbs in your rituals, offer food, sit on the ground if you can, be out in nature, curate your garden, learn to cook, position your altar (or anything else) to the South (*Southern hemi: to the North), enhance your natural beauty, seek beauty in the simple things etc… > anti-covid tip: spending time away from the crowds does actually reduce the chances of getting infected

6. Stay hydrated, drink your water & treat yourself. Drink vegetable milk or tea to pamper yourself a little more than usual whenever you have a break (or a cozy spa night at home). I’m very into herbal teas and lemon/apple water atm, not the spicy ones tho (save them for Samhain & winter!). If you’re fully allowed to drink alcohol, sip a glass of Rosé (loads of good Pinot Noir rosé are out this season, but any rosé will do), Portuguese Tinto, or maybe Pinot Gris. As for beer, just stick to the one that you prefer or try lighter ones! *remember balance is key, drink responsibly or not at all* > anti-covid tip: never share your glass while drinking your beverages, make sure glasses & bottles are sanitized and clean

7. Get comfy within your body: love your figure, feel yourself, train your 5 senses, stretch a lot/practice yoga, look at yourself in the mirror, take selfies or photos of beautiful details, touch/massage yourself, take care of your hair, groom, apply body lotion and enjoy your earthly beauty. Mabon wants you to look bomb hun! > anti-covid tip: getting familiar with your own body can help you recognize any weird symptoms easily, as well as the smallest changes in your system… Be friendly to your body and it will thank you in so many ways later on!

8. Use a big jar to save money. A little sum everyday. Open the jar only after the sabbat of Samhain. Trust me, this month is crucial for saving money. Autumn is coming and we must prepare for all those transitional, unplanned expenses that we will have to face during the colder months. Remember to look at the jar everyday and speak some words of gratitude. Working with money, food and tangible stuff of any sort are also activities that are related to the element of Earth.  > anti-covid tip: always wash your hands after handling money

9. ALWAYS PRIORITIZE YOUR SAFETY WITHOUT FEELING STUPID OR PARANOID. This way you’ll end up saving someone else’s life, believe it or not. Leave the d16Kheads say whatever they want to say & be strong. Clean your disposable/reusable mask with disinfectant, make sure you never forget it and please stay safe… but try to minimize the waste. Avoid crowded places as much as possible, prefer open venues with plenty of room for maintaining social distancing, avoid peak hours in shops/malls/supermarket/whatever, carry hand sanitizer with you, keep your distance especially from people who might show evident covid symptoms and remember to be kind to people! Oh and SMILE a lot: your mouth is hidden but your sweet eyes are OUT! 😉

Hope this post was helpful for all of you lovelies,

xox msmoonfire

[seize-the-chaos]

I feel like in this day and age this is super important to remember. Grow at your own pace.

[seize-the-chaos]

How To Create Your Own Spells

Dedicated to @a–special–one​ Thank you so much for asking! I felt like this needed a post all it’s own ^u^

-from my grimoire

I’d like to say before anything else, and as I always say, this is not the only way to do this. There are many different ways to create your own spells, and this is simply the method that I find easiest when teaching beginners. And always remember that when it comes to crafting a spell, your intentions are whats most important.

Gathering Your Thoughts

The first step to creating any spell, is thinking about what kind of spell you want to perform, how you want to perform it, and how you want it to manifest.

Ask yourself some questions. “What kind of spell do I want to make?” “Does this need to be a very specific spell or a vague one?” “What method am I going to use to cast/create the spell?” “How do I want this spell to affect me or the person it’s aimed at?” “What kind of ingredients am I going to need?” “What time of day or moon phase would I like to perform this spell?” Anything along those lines are important questions to ask before you start working on your spell. Write the questions and answers down on paper that way you can keep track of everything!

Types of Spells

The next place you’re going to end up is choosing what kind of spell you want to do. Picking what type of spell you want to do is important because this is what decides how effective it is, how long it’s going to last, and when it’s effect will activate. This is not a list of all the types of spells out there, but simply the types that I do on a regular basis. And as another note, you can totally combine methods as well! This can easily enhance the power of your spells and make your intentions more clear and direct.

Prayer - This is the most simple form of a spell, and best to do if you’re only looking for a little aid rather than something major. A spell like this puts you in the universes hands completely.

Spoken Word - Differing from prayer because this has actual intentions in mind. This is usually a word, phrase, rhyme/lyric, or short paragraph spoken with energy. A spell like this can be very effective depending on how much energy you put into it and how much you actually believe in yourself. If you’re low on supplies and need something solid, spoken word is the way to go.

Incense Spell - An incense spell is usually directed at yourself rather than at another person, though that doesn’t mean it can’t work on another. But these are very temporary spells and only last as long as the burning incense. Usually this kind of spell is used to enhance focus.

Candle Spell - One of the most common types of spell you’re going to see are ones with candles. You can perform this spell on yourself or another person easily, and they’re very fast acting depending on the type of candle you use. When doing this kind of spell, take things like color and size in account.

Crystal Grid - A type of spell work that is done by placing specific crystals in a manner where their energies intermingle and work together to perform a task. This is a spell type that I use on a daily basis to set the mood for the day and keep me energies.

Sigil - A type of drawn magick that puts your intentions of paper. Usually these need to be charged and activated, but once that’s done, they have quite nice effects!

Bottle/Bag Spell - My personal favorite type of spell! These work well if you need a constant effect, and depending on the size of bag or bottle you use can easily be carried with you everywhere. These are very long lasting, don’t need to be charged often, and produce the best effect.

Energy Spell - Probably a more advanced technique, but this is the use of pure energy to put your will into motion. Doing energy spells takes lots of practice and in the early stages can be very unstable in whether they work or not, or whether they’ll completely backfire. This takes patience so don’t give up!

Picking Your Ingredients

Unless you’ve decided on spoken word or prayer alone, you’ll be looking for ingredients next. You don’t need expensive or fancy ingredients, and if you need to you can totally add spices and such from your kitchen ^u^ Think about correspondences carefully, and if you associate something with a feeling or ideal specifically then use it! Things that have personal meanings to yourself can be the most powerful ingredient in any spell.

Here are some of the correspondences I’ve posted about. (If tumblr wasn’t fiddly I would post links, but they’re on my blog in the “My Grimoire” and “My Tips” pages) Herbs and Spices Incense and Oils Common Crystals Colors Flowers Feathers (be mindful of the feathers you pick up, some could get you in legal trouble!)

When To Cast

Once you’ve got all your ingredients together, next thing you’re gonna wanna sit down and figure out when you want to cast your spell. This isn’t always a necessary part, and most spells can be done whenever you feel like, but taking things like Time of Day or the Current Moon Phase into account can really add to (or even take away from) the power of your spell

Here are some simple correspondences for Moon Phase and Time of Day. (I’ll go more in depth in a separate post if enough people show interest)

Moon Phases

New Moon (when there is only the tiniest sliver) - Good for sowing the seeds of new ideas

Waxing Moon - Good for healing, and growing ideas

Full Moon - Best time to perform any sort of spell

Waning Moon - Good for cutting things out of your life

Dark Moon (when the moon is not visible) - Take this time to rest and focus on yourself

Time of Day

1am-3am - Good for communicating with spirits

4am-6am - Good for planting new ideas and fertility

7am-9am - Best time to make offerings to deities or local spirits

10am-12pm - Best time for positivity and growth

1pm-3pm - Good to focus on yourself and your studies

4pm-6pm - Time to harvest and be with family

7pm-9pm - Best time to cut things out of your life

10pm-12am - Good for any magickal workings

Like I said earlier, this stuff isn’t necessary unless you really want that extra ‘umph’ in your magick, so don’t feel like you have to plan it down to a T especially if you’re in a hurry. Only plan if you want to and have the time to.

Organizing and Casting

How are you going to cast the spell? That’s probably one of the hardest parts you’re going to come across if you’re new to spell crafting. You want to think about this part carefully so you get maximum results. I can give some tips ^u^

If you’re combining methods, think about what order you want to put them in. Organize them in a way that flows naturally.

Practice your spell! Set up a play scenario and rehearse your spell a few times to make sure you get it right, and the whole process goes smoothly.

Don’t be afraid to make a mistake though, mistakes are part of life and they always tend to happen when you want them to the least. If your spell doesn’t go perfectly the way you imagined, that’s okay. Intention is what matters.

Keep all your spells in a file or in a book. Keeping records of spells is important if you ever intend to use them again, write everything down from ingredients to how you cast

Dont be afraid to experiment! Especially with random things, that’s how you make your own associations. Making your own associations is how you make a spell even stronger!

Lastly, don’t feel obligated to get fancy or over the top. Spoken word spells can be just as effective as a bottle spell, especially if it’s said every day.

[seize-the-chaos]

Hello, Diana. I’ve read through what seems like it must be your entire blog in a few short days. Thank you for sharing your knowledge and insight on so much already. I’m wondering though about what makes one spell a more effective engine than another? Can new spells still be powerful if done right, or does a spell have to be ancient to be strong? What’s the source of a really good spell?

Elements that Make a Spell Truly Powerful

The Number of Witches Who Have Used It

Ancient orisons are powerful not because they are in Latin or in another old language. But because they draw their power from all the witches throughout the centuries who have used them. Every time someone recites an incantation, it echoes with the voices of those who, ages ago, also spoke them.

The Gratitude of Those It Helped

If a spell is protective or healing, then the thanksgiving of every soul who benefited from it acts like oil that lubricates its engine, keeping it alive, and preventing it from corroding.

The Fear of Those It Harmed

If a spell is malicious or avenging, then the terror of every soul who suffered from it acts like wind that feeds a wildfire, keeping it alive and eternally spreading.

The Faith of Those Who Saw or Heard It

One reason that a modern spell can never outrank an ancient one is because almost every single mortal who came across an old spell believed in it. Feared it, cherished it or hated it. But believed in it. Priests, nuns, peasants, merchants, children, politicians. The lingering memory of their existence enhances the gratitude or the fear of those whom a spell has affected. The integrity of modern spells, on the other hand, is eternally vulnerable to the sneers and dismissal of today’s skeptics who come across them on the internet, magazines or whatnot.

The Deities or Entities Invoked for It

Ancient spells are associated with certain gods, demons, fairies or other immortal creatures. Whenever these spells are spoken or written down, the old ones can feel a presence. They draw near to the one who cast it, judging if the invitation deserves to be accepted. And then they bend the laws of the Universe to help the witch make magic happen.

The Passion of the Mortal Who Cast It

In every spell I have shared, I emphasize the importance of emotions. Exploding anger when casting curses. Caring devotion when casting protection. An elixir of hope and desperation when casting a spell of desire. Because none of the above matters when this requirement is not satisfied. Ancient words are the engine. The others are what keeps it in good condition. But it is the witch’s faith and feeling that provide the fuel to keep it running.