#tips from a friendly witch

[magical-glimpse]

Hexing, evil eye and everything harms

So, I recently got hexed and talked about it, and I think this is a great time for me to talk about what hexes are and how to protect yourself from them, as a continuation of my two protection posts.

First, what is baneful magic ?

In the dictionary :

Baneful : Causing harm, ruin, or death; harmful. Portending harm; ominous. Having poisonous qualities; deadly; destructive; injurious; noxious; pernicious.

Usually, what people call baneful is actually super relative to culture, religions and individual practice. it can includes : hexes/curses/jinxes, love spells, domination spells, blood magic, binding, banishing etc. There is a lot of rhetoric from different people that try to keep people away from these spells. For example the rule of Three, which states that everything you put out comes back three times, is a Wiccan religious belief that is in no way applicable to all witches. Some people's views of "karma" or other "universal justice" ideas. I am personally of the opinion that, if your guide and your moral compass agree, there is nothing wrong with giving universal justice a little boost with a bit of a reasonably measured hex. But as a general thing, it should take place in an informed, cultivated practice and not just a "i'm mad at my ex so i'm gonna pick this random tiktok spell i saw and write his name on it". No. That is the best way to get yourself in trouble.

What is a hex ?

A hex is, at its core, someone sending negative or unwanted energy your way. We can commonly see a few types of hexes:

The Evil Eye, the most common, easiest one, that everyone probably got at one point in their life. At its core, the Evil Eye is about people wishing ill intent on you from seeing you succeed. As an example, I made eye contact with someone that was jealous of me while i was on stage and i almost tripped on a floor that had no reason to make me trip. It is usually considered to be easy solved by not showing your achievements you know are jealous, basic cleansing, throwing salt over your shoulder, using a talisman etc. I'm pretty sure most if every culture has a concept of evil eye so look into what you resonate with best (in the limits of what is open to you).

The Jinx: it's almost the cute version of an hex ? It's like causing a bit of a bad luck, like missing the bus, breaking your phone screen, missing an appointment etc. it tends to not last very long, a few hours or so.

The hex: it is both a general term and what people tend to do. It's the " can't keep one up with a new gf", "have constant bad breath", "flat tire", "might lose your job" one. it can wildly vary in intensity depending on your current protection, how close the target and practionner are and the nature of the spell. The Curse: This is when shit goes DOWN DOWN. Generational trauma typa shit, illnesses might pop up typa shit, divorce typa shit. To this day, I have never seen anyone being truly cursed. Usually the energy ends up being transformed into lessons for the descendants or the target after a while, and its goal it to point out specific toxic behaviors or issues rather than just cause chaos.

How to cast a hex ?

I am pretty sure i answered a ask about this once, my goal here is not exactly to give a recipe for all hexes but at least guidelines so you know how to start and where to look. Hexes, just like all spells, are about creating an energy and sending it. In this particular case, it is about creating "mud" and throwing it at someone. Here is the thing: you cannot throw mud without getting your hands dirty. How dirty your hands get depend on what you are throwing, if you are taking precautions and how much you are cleaning after. I know it gets told time and time again, but don't do a hex as your first spell if you dont have a good handle yet on protection and cleansing spells. The reason why they are recommended for beginners is because they are easy, don't typically explode in your face easily, and they are diverse, therefore allowing you to test out what you vibe with and don't. Also, they teach you necessary skills. Otherwise, it works as any other spell. If you do it with leeway for the universe (and you take precautions and cleanse) the cost for you will probably be energy, headache etc. If your goal is to specifically make a certain situation happen for someone, it will require a sacrifice on your part, that you may not have control over. I am currently being coached and taught about spellwork, so in a few months I might revisit this post and explain things differently and add more info.

How to know you have been hexed ?

If bad shit starts happening out of nowhere, it might be worth asking the question.

Here is a list of things I have experienced or have seen people experience from being hexed:

nightmares

sleep paralysis

bad luck

fire alarms going of at specific hours

people being unusually mean or intolerant to you

getting weird or scary visions (VISIONS, not hallucinations, if you are not intuitive this does not apply, if this is not already in your belief system this does not apply)

stuff falling, breaking, not working, getting lost etc

having difficulty reading, channeling

feeling blockages

getting sick, nauseous, getting a migraine, getting a crisis of an already existing illness

getting into arguments

protections and wards acting weird

pets acting weird

The thing is, any number of those things can happen for a hundred reasons that are not even remotely spiritual. If there is another possible explanation, check it first. I promise you it is a lot more likely than someone hexing you.

Okay, so now i know i got hexed what do i do ?

Congrats you got hexed.

Start by not panicking.

Even though it sounds scary, it is probably a lot easier to get rid of it than you think. You can start by checking my protection 101 and protection 102. Cleanse deeply yourself, your room and your spirit and add some protections. Once it is done, if you still feel negative energy around, you can try cleansing one more time, or it may mean your guides are inviting you to look into yourself and heal some parts of yourself that the hex brought out.

After you got hexed

This is the official point where you can start throwing hands with the person that sent you the spell. No, i'm kidding. Okay, maybe not. But yeah, it is a point where you restore your protections and can pat yourself on the back for succeeding at getting rid of an hex. Good job!

[breelandwalker]

Magical Oil Recipes - Baneful Blends Edition

For anyone looking to brew up a potion with a less-than-friendly bent, here are some recipes I've created that you might find useful.

To prepare them, blend the ingredients in such proportions as feels correct for your purposes (or as supplies allow). Use dried material except where indicated. Place a few spoonfuls in a mason jar with a screwtop lid and fill the jar with a bland oil of your choice. (Vegetable oil of the sort you would buy for cooking works fine.) Screw the lid on tightly and shake well to combine, then leave the jar in a dark dry place for 2-4 weeks to steep.

Once steeped, prepare a clean storage bottle (also with a secure lid) and label with the type of oil and the bottling date. Strain the oil through paper towels or cheesecloth to remove the plant material, then bottle immediately. Store away from sunlight and heat for up to one year. Use for spellwork as you see fit.

(Please note that NONE of these potions are meant to be taken internally by any means. Observe all proper safety measures related to glass, fire, and potentially harmful plants as necessary during preparation.)

*- Ingredient is potentially harmful if inhaled or ingested. **- Ingredient should not be used or handled if you are pregnant or nursing.

All-Purpose Hexing Oil For general hexing, cursing, and baneful magic.

Dried Chili Pepper

Fresh Lime Peel

Lemongrass (dried or fresh)

Rusted Nail (place in bottle with finished oil)

All-Purpose Hexbreaking Oil For general negation of baneful spells cast by oneself or others.

Agrimony**

Cinquefoil

Fennel

Vervain

Solomon's Seal Root (place in bottle with finished oil)

Backhanded Blessing Oil For blessings that are anything but benevolent.

Burnt Cinquefoil

Bay Leaf

Pine Needles

Bayberry Root NOTE: Prepare as you would a blessing oil, then twist the blessing into a curse, i.e. May You Get Everything You Deserve.

Done in the Dark Concealment Oil For secrecy, confidentiality, and general deception.

Juniper Berries

Licorice Root

Black Hemp (Dogbane)

Ferns or Dried Seaweed Note: For the final ingredient, use whichever is easier to obtain. Both bracken and seaweed work well for basic concealment spells.

Eye of Newt Disruption Oil For disrupting and confounding magical efforts against you.

Black Mustard Seeds

Bloodroot**

Nettle Leaf

Garlic (1 clove, bruised)

No Rest For The Wicked Hexing Oil For punishing one's enemies.

Chili Pepper (any)

Horseradish Root

Cramp Bark

Bayberry Root

On Your Own Head Retribution Oil For counter magic and revenge hexes.

Elderberries*

Bloodroot**

Devil's Shoestring**

Vetiver

Tangled Shoelaces Binding Oil To impede someone's ability to move or act against you.

Pine Needles

Devil's Shoestring**

Scullcap**

Coffee Grounds

Iron Nail in master bottle

Wicked Witch Heavy-Duty Cursing Oil For occasions when a regular-strength hex just won't do.

Wormwood* **

Ghost Chili Pepper (or the hottest chili you can get)

Lemon Seeds

Lobelia* Note: Use With Extreme Caution And Cover Your Ass.

Witchbane Warding Oil For repelling and countering harmful spells.

Bay Leaves

Elderflower

Star Anise

Birch Bark

Should the reader require supplies, I recommend the following:

Penn Herb Company

Starwest Botanicals

Bulk Apothecary

Mountain Rose Herbs

Specialty Bottle

Image Credit - Shaiith

All recipes are (c) 2017 Bree NicGarran, published in Pestlework: A Book of Magical Powders & Oils. Please check out the book if you would like more recipes.

If you’re enjoying my content, please feel free to drop a little something in the tip jar, tune in to my podcast Hex Positive, or check out my published works on Amazon or in the Willow Wings Witch Shop.

[darkficsyouneveraskedfor]

Just Friends: Can I Take Your Order?

My warnings are not exhaustive but be aware this is a dark fic and may include potentially triggering topics. Please use your common sense when consuming content. I am not responsible for your decisions.

Character: Bucky Barnes

masterlist

Summary: Bucky pays you a surprise visit.

It’s giving

As usual, I would appreciate any and all feedback. I’m happy to once more go on this adventure with all of you! Thank you in advance for your comments and for reblogging ❤️

Your work isn’t hard per se, but it can be chaotic. Still, your tips more than make up for all the running around, but not necessarily the ridiculous attire. You’re not entirely unhappy, it’s exciting even if it can be stressful. 

The diners always keep you on your feet. Literally. You run around, table to table, that night dressed as the infamous Dorothy who’s too far from Kansas. Somewhere around their, a lion, scarecrow, and tinman are taking orders and entertaining children at their seats. 

The themed restaurant isn’t really the place you would go, but it’s a family-friendly venue in a city overcrowded with more adult attractions. The money keeps a roof over your head. You won’t complain for that. 

The Oz room is overflowing and you can see more customers in the lobby. Please send them over to Mary Poppins’ Pop-In. You don’t have time to dread the new wave of diners as you bring a tray of desserts to a table with three blustering toddlers. You could never. 

“Anything else?” You ask as you put out the stemmed cups of banana pudding pie. 

“The check--” the father demands before he’s hit in the face with a stray straw. He grits back his agitation and forces a smile, “thanks.” 

You pick up the straw and leave him. As you do, you pass Graham, that night’s scarecrow. He lowers his voice as he follows you to the till. 

“Can you get the next table, please? I’m dying for a smoke. Any longer and I’m going to smack one of these brats,” he mutters. 

You smile at him. You find the nights go by quicker without breaks. “No problem! On it. I just need to get this bill printed out.” 

You toss the straw and tap the till. You pull up that table and print it out, tucking it into one of the little folders. You grab a handful of hard candies and sweep back across the dining room. 

“Here ya are, enjoy your desserts,” you say and carry on. 

You peer around, searching for the new diners. Right there in the corner. You head over in your pig-tailed wig and red shoes. As you near, your chest flickers. You think you know the back of that head. No, it’s not. He wouldn’t be here... 

You’re all but assured of your suspicions by the golden hair of the man across from him. A third to round out party. You cringe before you muster a smile and come to the side of the table. 

“Welcome to the Land of Oz,” you recite your mandatory introduction and avoid looking at Bucky, “don’t stray too far or you might find a wicked witch or flying monkey to carry you off. May I start you with some drinks?” 

“You got cocktails at a joint like this?” Bucky scoffs. 

You refuse to look at him, “the menu’s right there.” You point beside the centerpiece. He chuckles. 

“This is cute, how’d you find this place, Buck?” The blond asks. The man better known as Captain America. 

“Hmm, this place would be fun to you two geriatrics,” their other companion says. That’s the Falcon. 

You can feel Bucky watching you. He’s smirking. You know it. At least when you see him, you only ever have your stupid dress on. You take the wig and makeup off before you go home. It attracts less weirdos. 

“So, we do have beer, despite what you might think,” you offer. 

“Got prune juice? These two need it--” Falcon, rather Sam Wilson, chortles and receives an elbow to the ribs. 

“We have cranberry,” you suggest. 

“Where’s Toto?” Bucky asks. 

You hold back as sigh and finally meet his eyes, “no dogs allowed.” 

“Damn, sounds like you should go then, eh, Buck,” Sam adds. You grin as he cackles. 

“Hey,” Bucky sneers. “Just water for me.” 

“No milk to keep your bones strong?” The Captain, or Steve, kids. 

“You’re a year younger, shut up,” Bucky huffs. 

“I’ll get a water too,” Steve smirks. 

“Get me a Miller,” Sam says, “please.” 

“No problem. I’ll be back with that and some menus.” 

You spin and strut away. It feels good to see him getting teased because you know he only came here to mock you. You can’t exactly follow him to his work and make fun of his arm. Not that you would. 

You get the water and beer and return to the table with menus under your arm. You hand them all out and give them some time to look over it. You check in with your other tables before you go back again. 

“So, have we made up our minds?” You smile. 

Steve smiles at you, “uh, can I ask what kinda fish it is?” 

“Cod, sir,” you answer as you lean in to see where he points on the menu. 

“Ah, thanks.” 

“You got any recommendations?” Sam asks. 

“I usually go straight to dessert,” you smile, “but the spaghetti is yummy. And you can get it spicy.” 

“Oh, you like it spicy?” Bucky snickers. 

You look at him and Steve clears his throat, “Buck.” 

“Yikes, dude. You got lines, huh?” Sam teases. 

“No, I just--” he gets flustered and rolls his eyes. “Can I have the cheeseburger and fries?” 

“Sure thing,” you take out your notepad. 

“I’ll have the fish and chips,” Steve says, “is it possible to add an extra filet?” 

“Yeppers,” you nod and jot it down. 

“Think I’ll get the meatball sandwich,” Sam says, “apparently, I like meatballs.” 

Steve scowls again and Bucky sighs. You tap your pen on the pad, “alrighty. I’ll go put your order in.” 

“Thanks, doll.” Sam winks at you. 

You smile and as you turn, you hear Bucky hiss, “doll? Since when do you call anyone doll?” 

You make a face but don’t pay much mind to their arguing. He did mention his other friends could be a bit much. Based on that interaction, you’d say he’s just as bad. 

You put the ticket in the window and turn back. As you go back to the family to get the bill and your tip, your eyes snag on Bucky. He cranes around to see you and waves at you with two fingers. Oh, you have to get him back for this. 

[fluidity-stupidity]

Random Witch Tips

Just a few things I've learned from being in a practice for over five, going on six, years now:

Sigils are a lot more powerful than everyone really knows, they're a beginner friendly spell waiting to be had.

Scroll Spells: Putting a sigil on a piece of coloured construction paper tie it up with a (preferably) different colored string, seal the string in wax, is the easiest spell to ever do. (Kind of inspired by Naruto)

Speaking of Naruto: I have little Pop Funko key chains that I've picked up at travel household guardians. I also have one of MCU Loki that the Norse Deity Loki has taken an offense to (ping me or send me an ask for a storytime)

Divination can be used and done everywhere, the little sayings on Stevia packets, having your phones wallpaper change different colors are base it off of the colors, music (shufflemancy), are all just little ways to use divination.

Making altars not just for divine individuals. I have an altar set up for the zodiac sign of Scorpio (my stellium is set in Scorpio and Sagittarius) and an altar set up just for self-care. (Please remember the differences between altars and shrines.

Baking ingredients are an underrated spell jar ingredients, sometimes you just don't really feel like kitchen magic and/or in a tough bind for time, energy and just want something a bit more big and powerful than a scroll spell.

Scrying mirrors were always a bit of a hassle for me, it hurt my eyes and I had to get the angle just right, having to sit in one position for too long was a wreck on my unmedicated ADHD self. I learned how to do open-eye scrying by relying on my snow vision, having 3D glasses was able to help me out as well.

Speaking of the 3D glasses: any common every day object can be used in your practice. Using that limited edition Sprite Cranberry would be a good spell ingredient or even as an offering for a deity/divine individual.

Divine individuals will ask you to put things like jewelry or keys on their altar so that they know whenever you go out on a drive or out with friends. Especially if you don't go out very often. They just like hanging out with us sometimes, they're not just here for fun and games however, you have to put in the work and have the motivation to get better for them to get more comfortable with you.

Divine individuals have a life outside of witchcraft, their own society and workload outside of our physical plane. Please keep this in mind. They are not always here with us. Lucifer has paperwork, Poseidon has a kingdom to rule over, An Morrigan has children to take care of, make certain to respect these.

[maliktomlinson]

🌿 Take Me Higher Than I've Ever Been by crimsontheory @ireallysawanangel [51k]

Harry is pretty simple. He goes to work everyday, comes home, then watches Netflix with his cat. And if he happens to have a tiny little crush on his coworker, then that’s just his own business.

🌿 Crave** by dimpled_halo @comebackassholes [90k]

All eyes are on Louis Tomlinson to bring new talent to save Hanover Records from the mess the previous executive left behind. His newest artist, Harry Styles, is charismatic and everything Louis needs to revive the label. It’s up to Louis and his team to make Harry the star he was born to be. When Harry and Louis come face to face, it isn’t the first time they’ve met, and their worlds are about to be turned upside down.

🌿 Young Gods by sincewewereeighteen [77k]

“Why don’t you stay?” Harry looked down at him and snorted. “What?”

“You’re not my type, Louis”, the boy rolled his eyes sitting on the edge of the bed to put on his boots.

“Says the man you just had sex with”, Louis pointed feeling smart, but Harry was one step ahead of him, with the answer on the tip of his tongue.

“You see, if you were my type, I wouldn’t have”, Harry winked, cheeky as hell. “I would’ve gotten to know you first.”

“Bullshit”, he accused the boy not letting it show how intrigued he was. “How can you know I’m not your type if you don’t know me?”

“How about I list five things about you to prove I’m right and if any of them are false I’ll lie down again.”

“Ok. Go.”

the one in which Louis is a model and Harry's supposed to be a normal guy... Until he isn't

🌿 School Of Extraordinary Lovers by @stylinsoncity [191k]

harry is a third-year witch and violinist at Laitswold, the only magical academy in the UK, with dreams of taking on the world, and hopefully breaking the centuries-old curse on his family while he's at it. he does not dream of facing off against his childhood rival and duet partner, but louis is back in town after six years abroad, so that's exactly what happens.

🌿 One Last Time by @smittenwithlouis [24k]

“I mean it, Harry, this is the last time,” Louis breathes out as Harry kisses down his neck.

“Sure,” Harry mumbles into his heated skin.

The action makes Louis shudder. He hates how good it feels. He knows he should be revolted. Disgusted. But god does it feel so damn good.

Or: Louis is a werewolf, and Harry is a vampire. They’re supposed to hate each other, but they’re too busy fucking to care.

🌿 Where I Burn To Be by pleasinglouis @pleasing-louis [143k]

“That’s right. I do own the skies. And you wanna know why?” he sneered. Without his boots on, Louis was a fair bit shorter than Harry, his eyes pretty much level with Harry’s chin and his socked toes bumping into the boots of the other man, close enough that Louis could make out the tiny scar on Harry’s brow and the individual shades of emerald in his irises. He was handsome, but that only made Louis hate him more. Heart thumping heavily against his sternum and his hands balled into fists, Louis lifted his chin defiantly and plastered a coldhearted smirk across his lips. “Because I’m the best goddamn pilot here.”

aka the Top Gun AU

🌿 Like A Melody In My Head by sarcasticinfluentry [60k]

A college marching band AU in which Harry is just trying to get through his first semester of college while pining over the hot drum major, Louis is trying to ignore his feelings for a certain curly-haired freshman, Zayn is trying to become less guarded, Liam is trying to be patient, and Niall is trying to make his dad proud.

🌿 Now You Know Me (For Your Eyes Only) by nadinecestmoi [77k]

au where harry and louis are solo artists and they’re not exactly friends per se but they’re friendly, know each other from industry parties and things like that and there’s always been this weird unspoken sexual tension between them and louis’ always kinda confused bc isn’t harry the biggest ladies’ man in the industry?? and one day harry asks louis to collab with him and of course louis says yes even tho he’s kinda surprised and harry plays the song for him and louis is completely blown away by how beautiful it is and it’s a love song and he’s like damn whoever this is about is lucky as fuck bc it’s clearly written from personal experience so they spend all this time together recording and it’s super bittersweet bc they click right away and it takes louis about three seconds to realize he has a huge fucking crush on harry but on the other hand harry clearly had someone in mind when he wrote the song so the last day of recording comes and louis’ like “thanks for having me on the song” and harry just shrugs and is like “well it just seemed fitting bc the song is about you”

🌿 Cold As Ice by larryspillows [76k]

Two famous boys, one passion. Two hearts, one home: the ice.

Or, an ice skating ff where the two most famous skaters in the world are forced to skate at the same rink. The only problem: They hate each other. What could go wrong?

🌿 take my hand (and my heart and soul)** by bananasandboots @anylessreal [45k]

The one where Harry hasn't spoken to his best friend in sixteen months and can't remember why.

Total Fics Read: 10

** rereads

[ladyiristheenchantress]

What im actually doing as a college witch

Hello! I have finally settled into university after a long couple months getting all my affairs in order, and I wanted to do an update post to my university witch series and tell you about tips and tricks that worked for me, and ones that didn't work so much. I am a transfer student, living in campus apartments, and here are some things im doing to keep the magic alive in my life :)

Things that work

I brought a couple decks with me, but I mostly have switched to online formats like using online rune casters or even using a random wheel picker to do things

I have been using a lot of water magic, using crystal elixirs and rue water (no one is allergic!) to protect my apartment in a college friendly way

I dont really have space for wands or candles, so instead I enchanted my room spray for certain goals, created an academic perfume oil for tests, and enchanted my medications

I use a lot more makeup magic, so certain shades of eyeshadow for test days, using under eyeliner

Created a sigil for testing calm, and another one to help draw anxiety out from me and you just throw it away to keep it away from you

Nap magic has become a really big part of my life, my favorite spell has been saying a prayer before my nap to be fully recharged so I can retain information better

Doing little bits of divination here and there

Nature magic! My campus has a lot of spaces to check out plants and walk with history, so that’s been very grounding

“Sleep magic” so before bed I like to honor water by going to a sacred space in my mind and using wave noises to sleep, it’s a way to have a sacred moment every day easily!

HAIR MAGIC!!! Vailing, braiding, and other stuff with my hair has been amazing! I keep a crystal in my bun, cover my hair for certain observations, and braid it when trying to do stuff. Plus it’s been a great way to connect to my culture

Honest to god baneful magic saved my ass when I got into some hot water so I’m keeping that close to me

What hasn’t worked for me

Daily meditation, I just lack the time to actually sit down and do it, so instead I’ve been integrating it into my mornings and lunch time by eating outside to ground myself

Essential oil magic, as much as I love it, a lot of people are sensitive to scents so I try to just enchant my perfume and body spray instead and pair with a sigil of the day

“Study magic” in general can be really tedious especially when you need to lock in, I would recommend pre-enchanting your notebooks for retention, and just focusing on the content

Any physical items like crystals are great at home, but because I am in so many labs and lectures they tend to just be left home, instead just try to integrate what you can

Really intentional “self care” stuff, like affirmations and such can be really hard to remember, so instead take some time before showers or self care time to just breathe and reflect, and that can be a good enough reset!

As I think of things I hope to include more of my experience as a college witch! I wanted to be transparent in what things worked and what things didn’t, so this was a wonderful check in! Feel free to leave your college magic tips or opinions in the comments!

Fair winds!

[butterflytarot]

Research Tips for Beginners (WITCHCRAFT)

A common question I see being asked is, Where do I start with researching witchcraft?

Well, here's a brief guide for beginners! This is all my personal recommendations based on research, cultural teachings, experiences, etc. Hope it helps some of you somehow! (MODS- This is NOT advertisement! Just sharing knowledge, experience, etc!)

This is going to be more of direction & guidance for you! I will be going over what I recommend looking into first (in order), cleansing research tips, and a little bit about how to verify a resource!

Before we get started though, I do want to say: It's your path, so it's up to you! If you’re serious about your practice (which you probably are if you're reading this), take these tips from a more experienced practitioner... When I was first starting out, I never would’ve made it to where I am now without guidance and tips. If you’re someone who’s curious, you want to find what really resonates with you and/or seems logical, and want to find your own path, this post is going to give you some starting points to begin your research. Spirituality and witchcraft are NOT one-size-fits-all, but these are some general things I recommend you do in-depth research on to find what really works for you. Some of these things are for your own safety, as well as the safety of others. Additionally, make sure you’re getting to the root of these points. Don’t stop at a few blog posts, find the history and peoples who shaped each of these things and concepts and beliefs and so on, as you will find new information by doing so that will change your entire outlook.

List of Essentials: What to Consider Researching First

This list includes some of the most important things to research, or at least where you should start initially. Developing your craft involves a lot of research, and there’s a lot of practices out there that are either meant/not meant for you or are safe/dangerous for you, so understanding these topics is crucial moving forward.

How to read critically and cross-reference

How to verify the legitimacy of a source

Witchcraft vs paganism (similarities, differences, definitions)

You can also search Wicca vs Witchcraft vs Paganism too!

Protection & cleansing practices

Closed practices & exceptions to closed practices (and how to respectfully approach or know when not to approach)

Cultural appropriation & cultural appreciation

History of witchcraft in various cultures, regions & communities

Discernment / Mundane vs magical / Religious and spiritual psychosis

List of Interest-Based Essentials: What to Consider Moving Forward

Witchcraft and spirituality isn’t as easy as just talking to a spirit or pulling a tarot card. Within various practices, you’ll want to read the safety and dangers of each.

Vetting / verifying a spirit (such as a deity) is who they say they are

Dangers of various herbs & how plants behave / perceive

Working with nature as someone of your ethnicity (an Indigenous person will have a different relationship with the land or land spirits as a non-Indigenous person - it's important to form respectful and friendly relationships with nature spirits, but if they don't recognize you or your family, it's on you to introduce yourself as a non-threat)

How to respectfully communicate with various spirits

Values and beliefs at the core of your craft & motivations

Alternative traditional uses for tools, symbols, etc

Alternative or unique beliefs, familial vs culture traditions, etc

Energy work, intentions, manifestation, etc

Variations of cultural, religious, etc practitioner work

Pet safe (and unsafe) practices

Lists of Interests: Pick What Interests You!

There’s no one way to practice witchcraft or spirituality. However, there are traditional, cultural, ancient, modern, etc, versions of most practices. Research these topics fully to see what fits you best!

“Types” of witches & practitioners (or opposition to a label)

Types of magic & practices

Types of spells, customs, holidays & rituals

Tools

Altars

Ancestor work, spirit guides, etc

Types of spirits or beings (fae, deities, ghosts, etc)

Symbols, sigils, and visual signs

Associations with various items / animals / deities / etc

Dream interpretation

Beginner shadow work, journaling, and meditation

Enchanting items

Grounding & breathwork techniques

Grimoires

Hexes and curses (or alternatives, as well as how to break them)

Divination (variations and techniques in various practices)

Cleansing Research Tips

Cleansings are a very popular topic, so I thought I'd add its own section here!

White sage & smoke cleansing alternatives

White sage is a closed practice, partially due to over-harvesting

Smoke cleansing (like with incense) is NOT recommended for beginners without hands-on guidance in my experience

Seek to understand salt, black salt, salt water, and moon water

Salt is cleansing (it absorbs negative energies). Look into how to perform a salt bath in detail

Look into how to utilize moon water in minimal cleansings (be careful to watch the moon phase if drinking the water! I recommend using it for non-drinking purposes until you're confident in your knowledge, such as cleaning items or giving offerings)

Sound cleansing is more than banging pots or strumming a guitar

Research intentions and energy work

Understand how to fully protect yourself and what spirits are allowed to stay in your home

Research sound cleansing throughout various cultures

Verifying Sources

As mentioned above, I recommend looking into how to efficiently verify a source. However, I thought I'd share the following helpful information with you just to get you started.

Verifying the legitimacy of a source takes forever. You gotta look at who published it and when, who wrote it and when, where they got their info, you gotta look out who wrote the info they got, you gotta find sources that match, then you gotta talk to the people of the given culture / practices / etc to make sure the journalists / etc got it right, and so on.... So much goes into verifying sources.

Below, I have attached a couple images of things you can use to learn about verifying sources, but you'll want to do more research into it.

Quick tip: Searching "how to actually verify the credibility of a source" is a great start to learning more!

I hope this helps some of you and good luck on your journeys! <3

[charmandabear]

Blood and Brandy

Summary:

Astarion and Jaheira both need a little bit of a release after the events with the Elder Brain.

Pairing: Astarion/Jaheira Rating: Explicit Word Count: 3.3k Tags/Warnings: outdoor sex, piv, cunnilingus, vampire bites, praise kink, pet names

She's writing again! And this one was particularly fun to write, thank you @whispering-depths for the commission! I've gotten into the gif making game, so here are a few more inspired by this fic. Also, huge shout outs to @githyankidanky, @danse--macabre, and @sanguine-sunlight for championing the Jahstarion tag, y'all are the real heroes of this fic.

Read it on AO3.

Astarion comes swaggering into the Elfsong, waving down Alan for his usual post-hunt wine. It’s rarely a pleasant taste, but after the thrill of taking down an elk twice the size of him, he needs something to help him settle down enough to trance. He has no idea what time it is, only that it’s after midnight, so he’s surprised to see Jaheira sitting in an armchair in the corner, nursing a brandy and reading an issue of The Baldur’s Mouth. After swiping his wine glass off the bar, he makes his way over to her, hoping that his gait is more of a saunter than a stumble.

“Well if it isn’t the noble Jaheira,” he croons, perching himself on the arm of her chair and leaning his elbow onto the back. “Don’t you know that the Witching Hour is only for vampires and the deeply lonely?”

“How convenient, then, that you are both,” she lobs back at him, keeping her eyes on her newspaper.

Astarion gasps dramatically, clutching invisible pearls at his chest. “Jaheira, I’m hurt! How can you call me lonely when I have such lovely company right here?” He leans over her shoulder and her musky fragrance mixes with the spice of brandy, the intoxicating combination going directly to his head.

Jaheira drops her paper slightly, looking up at Astarion over her reading glasses. “I am not fooled by your theatrics, Astarion, I saw your little pout when you learned that Tav went to Avernus with Karlach.” She folds up her paper and smirks. “It isn’t easy seeing your ex and their new beau together.”

Astarion bristles slightly before slipping the mask back on. “Nonsense, Tav and I both agreed it was for the best to remain friends back at Last Light, I couldn’t be happier for them and Karlach.”

“Uh-huh,” Jaheira deadpans, thoroughly unconvinced. “And after they helped free you from your old master’s control, your feelings about intimacy did not change?”

Astarion sweeps over to the chair across from Jaheira, dropping himself into it and crossing his legs. He studies her for a moment, simultaneously discomforted and intrigued by her surprisingly accurate read on him. She smirks, the skin around her striking hazel eyes crinkling, and Astarion shifts under her penetrating gaze.

“Why do you ask, are you interested?” His tongue darts out to wet his lips, although whether from nervousness or simply old habits, he’s unsure. 

“A cute young thing like you?” Jaheira barks out a laugh. “I’m not sure if I could keep up.”

Astarion giggles, a little surprised by the giddy twinge that shoots through his core. “Jaheira, I’m older than you, by a good century.”

“And yet your skin is so smooth and supple. You must tell me your skincare secrets.” She narrows her eyes mischievously, crossing her legs and taking a sip of her brandy.

“A steady diet of the blood of the innocents will do wonders for your complexion,” Astarion grins, flashing just a hint of fang. Jaheira’s smile widens.

“Lucky for me, then, it sounds like I’m safe,” she retorts, and if she didn’t know any better, she’d almost think that the tips of his ears tinge pink.

The two quickly lose track of time, their comfortable banter and friendly jabs making it pass quickly. It’s only when Alan announces last call that they fully take stock of just how empty the Elfsong has become.

“Ah, the life of an insomniac isn’t an easy one,” Jaheira sighs. “Would you care to join me on my nightly walk to find the sandman?” She stands and stretches, and Astarion can’t keep his wandering eye from traveling down her figure.

“I can think of a few ways to tire you out,” he offers, making little attempt to hide the seduction in his voice. It’s a bit of a clumsier proposal than he’s capable of, but honestly at this point, he knows they can both use a release.

“I’m sure you could, cub,” she chuckles as she crosses over to him and pats his cheek, enjoying watching him try to hide the flustered look that creeps onto his face.

The night air is refreshing, and the city streets feel almost eerily quiet. They stroll aimlessly past darkened windows, neither really paying attention to where they’re going, until they find themselves wandering into the graveyard. Astarion surprises himself when he realizes that he’s subconsciously led Jaheira to a distantly familiar ivy-covered headstone. He pauses in front of it, his eyes tracing the faint outline of his name.

“Two hundred years,” he says quietly, and Jaheira peers over his shoulder. He looks back at her and chuckles, “That’s longer than you’ve been alive, gran.”

“Don’t remind me,” Jaheira groans. She looks on contemplatively, then adds, “You know, I don’t think I fully expressed how proud I am of you for stopping Cazador’s ritual.”

Astarion makes a noise somewhere between a scoff and a giggle. “You’re just trying to make me blush, aren’t you?”

“Maybe as a nice little side effect, perhaps,” she says coyly, sliding her eyes over to him. “But truly. With how much you have suffered, it takes a lot of strength to turn down all that power. And now, with a tadpole free brain, you can’t even go into the sun anymore.” She taps on his forehead to emphasize the point, and he swats her hand away playfully. Then her eyes unfocus slightly, and Astarion realizes she’s gone somewhere else entirely. “In my youth, I don’t know if I would’ve been strong enough.”

He studies her profile, brow furrowed as she loses herself in her memory. “I wouldn’t have expected the Great Jaheira to be tempted by something so base as a little power,” he says, punctuating his statement with that high pitched giggle of his. 

She returns to reality and flashes a grin at him. “You’d be surprised what I was tempted by when I was younger.”

Astarion’s eyebrows disappear into his well-coiffed hair. “Oh really? Do tell.”

“Another Rite of questionable morals,” she says with a humorless laugh. “Although admittedly, fewer sacrificed souls in the process. The Rite of Timeless Body, an old druidic ritual practiced by some of the more esoteric circles, allows the practitioner to extend their life span well beyond its natural reach.” 

Astarion crosses his arms and nods approvingly, taking a step back to get a renewed look at Jaheira. “Walking away from immortality takes some steel, I’m impressed.”

She shrugs noncommittally. “It feels a little less impressive when I’m standing in a graveyard in the last few decades of my life with a handsome young vampire who is a hundred years older than me.”

“If you want me to make you feel young again, you only need to ask,” Astarion grins salaciously, and Jaheira barks out a laugh.

“I might be younger than you, but I’m far too old to fall for your lines, cub,” she says, patting his cheek again. He grabs her hand, suddenly but not forcefully, and presses his lips to the inside of her wrist.

“Then maybe you can teach this old dog some new tricks,” he breathes against her skin, looking at her through heavy lidded eyes. She bites down on her tongue to keep her breath steady.

“So hungry now that he’s free,” she smirks, letting her hand cup his cheek. The stark contrast in temperature makes both of them shiver.

“Don’t tell me it’s not what you want,” he coos. “It’s been too long since Khalid, hasn’t it?”

“Oh, so this is for my benefit?” She lets herself step a bit closer to him, his bergamot perfume clouding her senses. “How very selfless of you, Astarion.”

He pulls on her wrist to close the distance between their bodies, putting her hand in his hair but keeping their faces a few inches apart. Waiting for her to make the final move. Surprisingly considerate, she notes to herself. She feels him pressed against her, his sinewy muscles pleasant against her soft flesh. His breath on her lip is cool, almost refreshing, with just a hint of lingering wine.

She leans in to kiss him, rough and unsteady, and his hands quickly move to her hips and squeeze her tight. He pushes her back until she’s up against a tree, pressing his knee up between her legs as he kisses along her jaw and down her neck.

“Don’t think you can get a free meal out of this,” she warns, but the sharp edge of her statement was dulled by her breathlessness. Astarion laughs against her skin.

“I wouldn’t dream of it, darling,” he hums between kisses, his fingers nimbly undoing the buttons down the front of her tunic. She arches her back into him as he slides his hand around her waist, his palm cool against her flushed skin.

“Ah-ah,” she slows him, pushing his hand away from her waist. He pulls away, wondering if she’s suddenly changed her mind, but she appears to be listening intently. “Not here, it’s too–”

“Close to civilization?” he smirks, raising an eyebrow.

“I was going to say sacred, but I suppose that’s true too,” she laughs. He grabs her hand and pulls her to the city wall on the outskirts of the graveyard. After a moment of struggle, he clambors to the top of it, looking down at her with an extended hand.

“Need help?” he asks and she rolls her eyes, smoothly shifting into her panther form and leaping over the wall with ease. She shifts back and looks up at him smugly as Astarion pinches his lips together, breath slightly uneven, his cock already pushing into the fabric of his pants. He drops down on the other side and she pulls him in by the collar for another messy kiss. 

“I’m starting to think you’re the one who can’t keep up with me,” she murmurs into his lips, giving his hair a quick tug. She delights in watching him struggle to keep his composure, hiding his want with a disaffected smile.

It doesn’t take long for them to find a grassy outcropping on the side of the mountain below the city. Jaheira shrugs off her tunic as Astarion makes quick work of removing his blousey linen top. Once they’re both shirtless, they crash back together, skin against skin, their mouths working hungrily against one another. Astarion pushes her up against a steep rocky slope of the mountain, palming her soft freckled breast in his hand. She inhales sharply as he flicks his thumb over her nipple, feeling it harden in the cool night air. 

She grabs him by the hair and pushes him down so that his lips line up with the sensitive pink flesh. He smiles as he swirls his tongue around the pert bud, and she sighs as her head falls back against the rock behind her. She holds onto his shoulders, unabashedly digging her nails into his skin. He ever so slightly teases her nipple with his front teeth, and he’s delighted when her hips buck into him.

“More interested in a bite than you first thought, eh Jaheira?” he hums, and she glares down at him.

“On your knees, vampire, and we’ll see,” she growls, and the tone of her voice makes Astarion’s cock twitch. He happily complies, and he can already smell her arousal through the cotton of her trousers. She might be able to feign apathy in her expression, but the heat of her cunt gives away how much she really wants him. He slides his fingers into her waistband and pulls her trousers down to her feet, which she quickly kicks off. He kneels forward to taste her but she stops him with the ball of her foot on his chest.

“You too,” she commands in a husky voice, her eyes flickering to the bulge in his leathers before locking back on his blood red eyes. His lips curl into a smile as he slides down his pants, maintaining eye contact with her. She breaks it when his cock springs free, only half hard and already impressive.

He digs his fingers into her hips and licks a stripe up her slit. She slides her fingers into his hair and drapes a leg over his shoulder, pinning him into position so she can maintain control. He laps up her arousal that’s pooling on her lips, threatening to drip. She quickly loses her hesitation to make noise, and her breathy moans as his tongue dives in and around her folds make his cock ache. He tries to subtly stroke himself as he continues to work her with his tongue, but she looks down and catches him.

“So needy, aren’t you, cub?” she purrs, and the noise he makes in response to the pet name is frankly a bit embarrassing. She laughs but it swiftly dissolves into a moan as he flicks his tongue across the hood of her clit. She tightens her hands in his hair and he increases the pace of his tongue, trying to keep up with the rutting of her hips against his face. The sounds of her pleasure as she gets closer to release, now unrestrained, only serve to spur him on further. He darts his tongue in and out of her, stopping only to lightly suckle on her clit.

“Ah– gods— Astarion!'' She shouts his name as she climaxes and he continues to lick her through her orgasm, feeling her pussy throb against his lips. He clutches her thigh as she slowly comes down, panting, and then eventually she releases the tight hold she had on his hair, ruffling it lightly.

“Well done, you know what you’re doing,” she says breathlessly, and he uses his palm to wipe his mouth clean.

“What can I say other than years of practice?” he smirks, standing and pressing his body to hers, his erection thick against her thigh. “I’ll give you a minute to recover, you old crone.”

“I’m ready for round two when you are, pretty boy,” she vaults back, pulling him in for another sloppy kiss. He slides his hand under her inner thigh and pulls her leg up, pinning her knee to the rocky cliff face. He positions the tip of his cock at her entrance, pausing just long enough to tease her into another growl. She squeezes a hand in his hair and he takes the hint to slide into her, their groans of pleasure mingling in the night air. 

He begins to pump in and out of her at a steady pace, her walls squeezing around his cock with every thrust. He drops his head into the crook of her neck, breathing hard and inhaling the sweet scent of her sweat. He peppers her flesh with desperate kisses, nipping at her skin without breaking it. She knows he won’t bite without permission, but he’s also not bothering to hide how much he wants to. She grabs his hair and pulls his ear to her lips.

“Just once,” she hisses, and he lets out a shuddering moan. “Somewhere I can cover, and no drinking.”

“Yes ma’am,” he groans, and bites down into the flesh where her neck meets her shoulder. She clenches around his cock at the sudden pain, but he quickly follows it with soothing licks to the bite mark. 

“Good boy,” she pants as he laps at her neck, and the praise causes him to push into her even harder, until a particularly jagged rock hits her spine. She puts her hand to his chest to get him to stop. “Astarion, wait.”

He pulls away from her, and she finds his dazed expression with his hair falling into his eyes to be surprisingly charming.

“Get on your back,” she hums, jerking her head towards the soft grass nearby. He lets out a visible sigh of relief before quickly positioning himself on his back, resting on his elbows to watch as she saunters over to him. She stands over him for a minute, appreciating the light flush across his normally very pale skin. He wets his lips as she gets to her knees, teasing him with her cunt in revenge for his earlier cheekiness. 

She sinks down onto him as he raises his hips needily to meet her. He grabs her thighs as she rides him, his fingers dimpling the soft flesh. She braces herself on his chest with a hand, her nails digging into his skin as she rocks her hips into him.

“Gods, Jaheira, you’re–” Astarion pants, the words getting caught in his throat. His head falls back into the soft grass and he arches his back into her. 

“Finally speechless, eh, Astarion?” she chuckles, and he shoots a glare back at her that quickly melts into a whimper. She pulls his face up to hers, treating him with another sloppy kiss before pushing his lips back to her tits. He eagerly takes her into his mouth, licking and sucking the sensitive skin. He ruts his hips into her as she grinds down on him, eagerly chasing her second release. He grazes his teeth against her breast and she shudders before yanking him back by his hair.

“Don’t be a brat,” she hisses through gritted teeth, and Astarion flashes her a self-satisfied grin.

“No need to keep up appearances. It’s clear that you want me to. No one will see it, and we both get what we want.” He lightly brushes her nipple with his tongue and she grunts as she tries to stifle her moan. “Come, Jaheira, let me make you purr,” he hums into her skin, nipping to punctuate his sentence.

“Fine,” she grumbles and lets go of his hair. “But one wrong move, vampire, and I’ll keep you pinned here until sunrise.” He grins and eagerly bites down, puncturing her skin but keeping his promise not to drink. He laps at the dark red drops that drip down the curve of her breast and she groans, arching her back and pushing her tits further into his mouth. He takes her encouragement and bites again, making a twin mark on the other side of her chest. She claws into his shoulders, bracing herself rather than telling him to stop.

The contrasting sensations of the ice cold shard of pain with the cool balm of his tongue afterwards is unlike anything Jaheira has ever felt, and she can feel the pressure building in her core. She moves her hand down to her clit and begins rubbing small circles in time with Astarion’s upward thrusts. He smirks and increases his pace, spurred on by her pleasure. 

“That’s it, cub, keep going,” she moans, and his balls begin to tighten at the praise. He grabs onto her hips, pulling her down onto him hard as he continues to fuck up into her, rapidly losing control of his speed. “Come for me, cub.”

It’s all he needs. A burst of pleasure rockets through his core as he spills into her, feeling her walls clench and throb around him as her own orgasm tears through her body. Her unabashed cries of pleasure only heightens the feeling, riding out the long waves of her climax with his rapidly softening dick.

When the ripples finally settle and the two of them are left breathing hard, Jaheira pulls off him and Astarion admires the sight of his thick seed dripping down her leg. She catches him looking and chuckles, “Just be grateful I’m too old to bring any dhampirs into this world.”

Astarion guffaws, still a little giddy from his orgasm and struggling to parse what the fuck just happened. “Trust me, no one needs that less than me,” he says with a breathless laugh. 

They clean themselves up in a comfortable silence, carefully picking up their swiftly discarded garments and redressing. They briefly make eye contact before bursting into sudden laughter.

Jaheira shakes dirt out of her hair and says, “Well this most certainly will not happen again.”

“Absolutely not,” Astarion agrees, but he can’t stop himself from smiling when he sees the light flush bloom across her freckled cheeks. They lock eyes on one another again before quickly looking away.

It’s a long walk back to the Elfsong.

@marvellover-12 @marlowethebard @pursuitseternal @imjiminiebean @gylving @beepersteeper

[thatsmzbitchtoyou]

Sugar Mama Chapter 1

And another one! New story involving #sugarbabybucky Summary: Bucky is overworked and struggling to get by.  The bills are piling up and he’s consistently in the red with no end in sight.  Y/N is a billionaire’s daughter, entrepreneur and philanthropist having a hard time finding true friends or love.  She has a proposition for him. 

bucky barnes x curvy!reader Warnings: eventual smut, sexual assault (not from Bucky)

Next chapter

Bucky was exhausted.  He had been working three jobs for four years now just trying to get by, and this was his sixth sixteen hour day in a row.  Student loans and credit card debt was eating him out of house and home, in the most literal sense.  Even living in a rent controlled building wasn’t helping with the bills piling up.  He had gone to college for architecture and interior design, which he was doing now working as an assistant during normal working hours for one of the many local interior designers.  Then he would go straight to his second job as a waiter in a high end restaurant in downtown Manhattan, then at the end of the night go home and do a few more hours of online tutoring.  He had ended his 20s and entered his 30s feeling like an old man, with no end in sight of ever getting a break or being able to break even with his debt.  Forget about dating or having a family someday.  That all seemed like a ridiculous pipe dream now.

“Heeeeyyyy Buckaroo?” Steve sidled up to him as he was cleaning off wine glasses.

“No,” Bucky cut him off.  

“But it’s just–”

“Steve, it’s Friday night, I’d really like to go home and get in bed at a normal time tonight,” Bucky interrupted him, the dark circles under his eyes that he tried to ignore looking more prominent by the day.

“I know, I know, I’m sorry.  But Peggy has been hounding me about going to that new burlesque club that just opened and I told her I was working but we haven’t had a date night in a long time–”

“Ugh, fine.  But I’m not sharing tips,” Bucky sighed, rubbing his face as he pulled a 5 Hour Energy out of his apron pocket and quickly downed it like a shot.

“Those are bad for you, Buck,” Steve gave his friend a worried look.

“Well maybe a heart attack in my 30s will put me out of my misery,” Bucky half-joked.  Steve was silent.  Bucky turned to him and scoffed.  “It’s a joke.  Go, I’ll take the closing shift.  Say hi to Peg for me.”

“I’ll take your next closing, I promise.  Thanks punk,” Steve gave him a quick hug.

“Yeah whatever, jerk,” Bucky laughed.  As Steve went to the back to change, Bucky went to the host stand and figured out who was his next table.

“Whatcha got for me, witchy woman?” he leaned against the stand.  Wanda gave him a quick glance.  

“I told you to stop calling me that,” she sighed, looking back down at the list.

“It’s not my fault you got witch eyes.  And I never said that was a bad thing,” Bucky said, wiggling his eyebrows.

“Yeah whatever,” she rolled her amber eyes.  “You’re gonna love this one.  A Wall Street investment heiress, with some famous friends,” she gave him an unimpressed look.

“An heiress, huh?  Well maybe she’ll be my next sugar mama,” he joked, giving her a wink as he adjusted his apron.

“You wouldn’t know how to be a sugar baby even if you tried,” she sassed back at him.  “Table 42.  She’s all yours.”

“Thanks babes,” he sing-songed at her before heading towards his section.  As he approached table 42 he tried to see who the heiress was, but she was unfortunately facing away from him.  Her friends, though, he easily recognized from some of the most recent films that had just hit theaters: Clint Barton and Natasha Romanov.  Jackpot, he thought with a wry smile.

“Good evening, folks, welcome to Marea.  My name is Bucky and I’ll be your server tonight.  Could I get you started with some drinks?  Or a review of our wine list?” He gave them all a friendly smile as he looked each of them in the eye at least once.  The actors gave him quick smiles and glances before ordering generic wines and waters, then the heiress caught his eye.  He almost did a double take once he realized who she was.  Y/N Y/L/N, the daughter of Wall Street Tycoon Gerald Y/L/N.  She was set for life and beyond.  Her father was the investment king, knowing just when to buy in or sell out.  She had taken on his legacy by doing the same but instead of investing in huge corporations she was investing in smaller businesses and projects, being the key investor until the business could truly thrive, giving her investment a return and getting a chance to grow in an area like New York City.  She was the reason the new burlesque club opened that Steve was going to with Peggy.  Not only was she wealthy, she was beautiful.  Short in stature and plus size, she was an anomaly surrounded by her tall and slim friends, but she embraced her size and used it as a way to both literally and figuratively take up space in the industry and bring attention to the issues of body image, fatphobia, and investing in plus size companies and designers who she exclusively worked with for clothing her for events. 

Bucky tried not to ogle and quickly gave her his best flirtatious smile.  “And for you?” he asked her.

Y/N gave him an appreciative smile and her bright Y/C/E eyes seemed to really look at him rather than a passing glance like her friends.  “I’d like to hear the wine menu, please.”

“Wonderful, we have a…” As he listed off the wines Y/N watched him intently, her eyes searching his face.  He felt like he was the one being ogled and yet he persevered, trying not to sound nervous while serving some of the most influential and popular people in the world.

“It all sounds delicious, but I’m a creature of habit, so I think I’ll stick with my favorite Rose, the Billecart-Salmon.  And I’ll also have water on the side.”

“Excellent choice, ma’am.  Give me a moment and I’ll get those drinks out to you all,” he glanced at them all again before slipping away to the bar for the drinks.

Y/N watched him leave, a small smile on her face, before turning back to her friends.  They eyed her ruefully with mischievous smiles.  “What?” she asked.

“He’s cute,” Natasha commented, one eyebrow raised at her.

“Very cute.  One could even say hot,” Clint added, watching Bucky walk back to the bar.  “He’s got a great ass.  Too bad he’s working here.  He’d look divine in a Prada campaign.”

“You two stop it,” Y/N whispered, giving them a wide eyed glare.  “Yes he’s cute.”

“You gonna go for it?” Natasha asked, her grin twisting into something conspiratorial.

“Oh do it!  If you won’t, I’ll try my luck,” Clint shifted in his seat as he continued watching Bucky.  “See if he goes both ways.”

Bucky was walking back with the drinks on a tray.  Y/N narrowed her eyes and made the gesture for them to zip it.

“Alright, here are your drinks!  Your waters, and the Sauvignon blanc for you,” he set it in front of Clint, “the Stella Artois for you,” he set it in front of Natasha, “and the Billecart-Salmon Rose for you.”  He delicately set it in front of Y/N giving her another warm smile.  She reciprocated it as she reached for her wine.  She took a quick sip and her eyes fluttered shut.  

“Perfect, thank you Bucky,” she said as she licked her lips.

Bucky’s eyes widened slightly before he caught himself.  “Well, would you like to start with any appetizers?  Or jump right into the good stuff?” he huffed a laugh.

“I’d like the lobster with the salad,” Clint ordered.  “And could you make sure that the lobster is really big and thick.  I like them meaty.”

Y/N’s eyes widened at him and his not-so-subtle innuendo.  Bucky knew what he was doing and just let it slide, nodding in agreement.  “I’ll put in a good word with the chef.”  

Natasha next to him giggled before ordering.  “I’ll just take the scallops and shrimp.”

Bucky nodded before turning to Y/N.  “I’ll have the crab cakes and risotto, please.”  He nodded again and gave her a smirk.

“My favorite,” he gave her a wink, making her blush. “I’ll get those in and come back to check on you all in a little bit,” he swept the table with a smile before walking back to the kitchen.

“Stop it, don’t embarrass him,” Y/N chastised Clint.  “I’m sure he and the other servers get enough grief from creepy patrons all the time.”

“Oh it was just a little fun.  Besides, he’s all eyes for you, honey, he barely even looked at me,” he shot back at her as he sipped his wine. 

“It’s true,” Natasha said, then gave her an exaggerated wink. Y/N rolled her eyes.  “I think you should ask him out.  Or maybe he can be your next sugar baby.”

“Oh don’t bring that up again,” Y/N groaned.  “It was a one time thing and ended badly.  I just wanted to try it.”

“It ended badly because he was an ass, not because of anything you did.  You gave him charity and he gave you an attitude.  This guy seems sweet, nothing can hurt from just asking,” Natasha chided her, reaching out and pinching Y/N’s arm lightly.  

Y/N considered her words.  She had wanted to try out the lifestyle of being a sugar mama to a sugar baby.  She had a lot of events to go to throughout the year, and as much as she enjoyed spending time with her friends and networking with people, she was getting really tired of these high-class, ridiculous men who thought that just by being famous or wealthy that she would throw herself at them.  They wanted to use her for her name and connections.  They never really cared about her.  So she had tried being a sugar mama to a man who wasn’t famous, down on his luck, and just trying to get a leg up in life to escort her to these functions and give her companionship.  But once he’d gotten his debts paid off by her and a taste of luxury he quickly became influenced by the rich douchebags around him and started treating Y/N disrespectfully, so much so that he’d made front page news of some tabloids and embarrassed her.  She kicked him out after that and blacklisted him from any upcoming events.  If there was one thing that she would never condone it was when others tried, directly or indirectly, to humiliate or embarrass her.

Bucky did seem nice, and very tired.  The dark circles under his eyes and his shirt not being as ironed as some of the other servers were small giveaways that he was struggling.  She didn’t want to embarrass him either by asking to be her sugar baby and assuming that he was struggling financially.  

“He is very handsome,” she conceded, a larger smile spreading across her face.

Natasha squealed, clapping her hands joyfully.  “Do it!”

The night dragged on as they ate their delicious meals and ordered more glasses of wine.  Other patrons were clearing out as it got later and closer to closing time.  As tired as Bucky was, doing his nightly closing duties quietly and discreetly so his table couldn’t see, he was banking on their tips.  High end restaurants meant high end clients meant high end tips, and he had rent coming due next week.  He packed on the compliments to Y/N and her friends, gave them warm and flirty smiles, offered complimentary items, and gave all his attention to them exclusively.  Y/N had asked to compliment the chef and when he came out and talked to her table she whispered something to him that he quickly agreed to and jogged back to the kitchen.  Bucky gave him a questioning glance but the chef waved him off.

Bucky watched carefully until he saw Y/N’s hand raise and her eyes searched for him.  His cue for the check, which he quickly grabbed and brought it over to her.  As he glanced at the insane price he noticed an extra meal that wasn’t supposed to be on there as he got to the table.

“Oh, I’m sorry Miss Y/L/N, there seems to be a mistake on the bill, I apologize, let me go–”

“No mistake, Bucky,” Y/N reassured him just as the chef came back out with a doggy box.  He handed it to her and thanked her for coming.  Y/N shook his hand and slipped something into it before  he disappeared back to the kitchen wearing a rare smile.  “Thank you,” she reached for the bill and slid her black American Express into the folder.  

“Oh, alright, I’ll be right back then,” Bucky composed himself after the mini heart attack he just had from thinking the bill was wrong as he walked back to the stand to take her payment.  Once everything was paid he brought back the folder, this time seeing her friends standing and putting on their coats while she stayed seated.  

“Thank you, Bucky,” Natasha said his name seductively as she passed him.  Clint gave him a little wave and a smirk as he left with her.  

“Have a good night!” He called after them.  He approached the table as Y/N was opening her wallet.  “Here’s the receipt Miss Y/L/N.  Thank you for coming in tonight.”

“No thank you for such excellent service, Bucky,” she complimented him as she took the folder again.  “Will you sit with me for a moment?”

Bucky’s eyebrows raised and he glanced back at the bar.  The manager, Pietro, and Wanda motioned to him to do as she asked.  “Yes, of course,” Bucky accepted and sat himself in the chair across from her where Clint sat previously.  

Her gaze flicked over him as she opened the folder, took the pen provided and filled out the parts of the receipt meant for her.  She closed it and slid it over to Bucky who thanked her and placed it in front of himself.

“I have a proposition for you, Bucky.  And please understand when I ask this that you are under no obligation to accept it and I don’t mean to embarrass you,” she started, looking a little nervous.

“Okay,” Bucky stated lamely as he watched her.  

Y/N cleared her throat and put her fidgeting hands down in her lap.  “I would like to offer you a type of job.  As an escort, a sugar baby, to me.”  Bucky’s eyes widened comically as he processed what she said. “I know it’s a strange request.  But it’s something that I enjoy trying and it helps others…sometimes.  I don’t want to assume anything of you, but I can tell when someone is struggling, and you look like life has not always been the easiest or kindest to you.  I mean no offense.”

“None taken,” he replied automatically.  “I…yes,” he looked down as he confessed to her.  “It’s been, uh, rough, to say the least.”

“Hm,” Y/N hummed.  She reached a finger out and pointed to the closed folder.  She gestured for him to open it.  He did and took a look over the receipt, nearly choking when he saw the amount on the tip line.

“No, no Miss Y/L/N, this is too much,” Bucky protested as he stared at the number. 

“That’s what your service was worth.  You are worth every cent, and more,” Y/N praised him.  “You don’t have to decide tonight, Bucky, but in the meantime, here’s my card,” she slipped a business card over to him. “Think about it,” she said as she stood up.  Bucky quickly stood up with her.  Y/N stepped closer to him and reached for his hand.  They shook hands and she leaned in and whispered to him, “By the way, you’re very handsome.”  Bucky’s eyes bulged and he swallowed hard as she gave him a quick kiss on the cheek then turned and left.  Bucky realized as he watched her leave that she had slipped something into his hand.  He opened his hand to find a small folded wad of one hundred dollar bills in his palm.  “Oh and that’s for you!” She called out and motioned towards the doggy box still sitting on the table.  “Your favorite.  Dinner’s on me,” she said and gave him a wink then twirled back around and out the door.  

After she was out of the restaurant and beyond hearing Wanda and Pietro ran up to him.  “How much did she give you?”  Wanda squealed as she looked at the bills in his hand.  He quickly counted it.

“$1000,” he whispered as he gawked at the money.

“Give me that,” Pietro demanded as he took the folder from Bucky.  He opened it and gasped.  “She gave you a $2500 card tip??  What did you do, Barnes, give her and everybody at her table a blow job?”

“Wow…I don’t know if I want to be her or be on her,” Wanda said wistfully as she looked back out the glass door where Y/N had already gotten into her car and drove off.  

Bucky felt like a weight had been lifted off his shoulders as he stared at the bills, the $2500 floating around in his mind.  He was not comprehending just how much she had given him.  He looked at her business card again and knew he had to at least meet with her and find out what she was offering.  But to become an actual sugar baby?  To have a sugar mama?  To have his debt disappear?  To be taken care of?  He smiled as his fingers touched where her lips had been. 

**this picture has me SALIVATING. This is what I imagine sugar baby!Bucky to look like in this. Hope y'all like it!**

[slippinmickeys]

Familiar (16/?)

“Like you?” Dana echoed.

Fox nodded. “She’s a familiar.”

She looked up into the darkening sky, heart pounding, her breath growing shallow and thin with fright. The last scraps of daylight were bleeding out over the horizon, the kind of bruised gold that meant the sun was truly gone now, and a few stars had begun to prick through the velvet overhead like pinholes in the fabric of the world.

“How do you know?”

“I know.”

Dana was still wrapping her head around this. Not just the idea of another familiar, but the implications of it. Another animal-bound soul. Another person—creature—thing—that lived by the strange and shifting rules of magic. Of fate. And if there was one… how many more were out there? Was the raven watching her? Was it tracking Fox? Or something worse?

A cool wind rippled through the stalks of wheat, whispering against her legs and lifting strands of hair from her braid. Her fingers curled into the fabric at her sides, grounding herself. The day had already been long. Her mind ached with unanswered questions and the weight of not knowing who to trust. And now this—something ancient and winged and clever, watching them from the skies.

Fox crouched down into the wheat, and she mirrored his movements instinctively, the dry stalks crackling softly around her legs. Her eyes swept the sky, searching for the dark speck that had followed them all this way. She didn’t see it now. But that didn’t mean it wasn’t there.

Still, somewhere behind her ribs, a small cup of hope tipped into her chest.

“What if she’s friendly?” Dana whispered, turning toward him, her voice softer now, touched with something like wonder. “Maybe her witch can teach me something.”

It was a genuine thought. Not born of naivety, but of a hunger—for answers, for guidance, for someone who could finally explain the path she’d been blindly feeling her way through. Someone like her. Someone who understood.

But Fox’s face was solemn in the last light. “If she were friendly,” he said, voice low and certain, “she wouldn’t be hiding. She wasn’t trying to be seen.”

Dana’s mouth went dry. She swallowed hard, the optimistic flicker in her chest guttering. Of course he was right. A creature like that didn’t follow strangers through fields for fun. There was intention behind its silence. A purpose.

“So what do we do?” she asked, already dreading the answer.

“Go into the city,” Fox said. “A bird’s easier to lose in a city than a forest.”

She nodded slowly. It made sense. Out here, they were exposed. Wide fields. Open sky. They couldn’t outrun wings—not in a place like this. But in the city? Maybe. There would be awnings and buildings and crowds and cover.

“Can we get in?” she asked, glancing toward the distant outline of the city walls, though the gates were out of sight behind the curve of the hills. Even before he answered, her shoulders tensed.

“No,” he said, his breath finally slowing from his run. “Not until morning.”

She pressed a hand against her ribs, trying to still her own breath. Her chest felt tight, as if the air around them had grown thinner.

"If we make it through the night," he added, though the words felt unnecessary. The dread curling in her belly had already told her that.

The wheat whispered around them, swaying gently in the cold wind. They could not start a fire. Dana pulled the blanket from her pack and wrapped it around her shoulders, but it was thin and worn. The breeze bit at her ankles.

Fox looked equally miserable, sweat quickly chilling in the wind, arms crossed tight over his chest. He didn’t complain.

"Come," she said softly. "We’ll share our warmth."

He hesitated for just a breath, then crossed to her side. They sat together at first, shoulders brushing awkwardly, but it wasn’t enough. The wind kept finding the gaps between them.

Dana shifted the blanket, held it open in invitation. Fox slid under it beside her, his movements slow and cautious.

She lay down first, curling onto her side in the matted wheat. He followed, careful, and after a few minutes of stiff repositioning, his arm came around her waist.

Her back pressed to his chest, and her head tucked beneath his chin. It was warmer immediately. But it was also… something else. Something strange and delicate.

His body was solid behind her. Strong. Steady. The shape of him wrapped around her own like they had done this before. Like her bones had learned him in some forgotten life.

She could feel the press of his hand against her ribs, the warmth of his breath at her neck.

The sounds of the field surrounded them: the rustle of stalks, the occasional hoot of an owl, and something more distant—metal against metal, echoing faintly from the city’s far side. The wind carried the scent of crushed grain, cold stone, and Fox. He smelled like earth and pine and something just a little wild.

She lay there, silent and very carefully still, for what felt like an eternity. She swallowed.

"I can’t sleep," she whispered.

His voice was quiet behind her. "I know."

A pause. The beat of her heart pounded in her ears.

"I keep thinking she’s watching us," Dana said. "Even now. I keep expecting to look up and see black wings above us."

"She might be," he said. "But she hasn’t made a move. Not yet."

Dana closed her eyes. "Why would another familiar be after us?"

"I don’t know." His hand shifted slightly at her side. Not to pull her closer, but to settle her. Steady her. "But she has to belong to another witch. I don’t think she’s working alone."

Dana opened her eyes. The moon had risen higher, painting silver shadows across the wheat. The city glowed faintly in the distance, a halo of yellow light.

She turned her head slightly. "Do you think we’ll lose her? In the city?"

His breath was warm at her temple. "I think we’ll have a better chance there than we do out here."

Her body slowly began to relax. Not from safety, but from exhaustion. But closeness, the steady weight of him, calmed something in her.

"I don’t want to go in without you," she said softly, thinking she’d like to have a human hand to hold while walking through the unfamiliar streets. 

"You won't be," he said. "Not really."

And for a little while, they said nothing. Just breathed together in the dark.

Eventually, sleep found her. Not deeply, not fully—but enough.

Just before dawn, Fox nudged her awake.

"Time."

The air was colder than before, the sky washed in slate blue and pale gray. Dew had crept into the blanket, hardening into frost, and her boots were damp.

They went over the plan.

She would enter the city at first light. Buy a large burlap sack. He would climb in. She would carry him through.

Neither of them liked it.

Dana was just about to argue, voice low and hesitant, when she heard it:

The caw-click-click-click of a raven’s call.

Her blood ran cold.

And then—

Light. From both sides of her. The sun. And the man. 

Fox shimmered. Changed.

She sat upright, breath caught. The transformation was faster this time, but no less jarring. One moment he was a man. The next—fur, teeth, golden eyes. Small, silent.

She stared, struck dumb all over again.

Then the city bell rang.

Once.

Twice.

The toll for the morning gate.

She scrambled to her feet, heart pounding, pack clutched in her hands.

And ran.

[magical-glimpse]

A summer salt to prepare for the summer solstice

Hello hi ! Since it is the month of June it is to prepare, for Pride yes, but also for the summer solstice on the 21st of June. This day is the one with the most daytime in the year, and it therefore perfect for manifesting completion, achievements, joy, happiness or big milestones, especially with others. In order to help you prepare for this, I am sharing with you my summer salt recipe. It is great as a dedication to summer or fertility deity, to bring sun or summer energy into a spell, or to help you connect to the energy of the sun in times of night.

Summer salt recipe:

Ingredients :

salt ( coarse will probably work better)

crushed eggshells

dry peels of lemon, lime, orange etc

dried tomato leaves

dried grains of lemons

You can pre-crush these by hand, but make sure to not get hurt ! Else, you can use a mortar. Stone mortar tend to be better but also more expensive. I use a wooden one which really isn't that good but it was cheap and more or less does the job.

How can you use it after ?

This salt would work wonders in spells or rituals linked to the sun, to accomplishments, to going out, to abundance, to joy ang general enjoyment. For me it works quite well for inner child work too. You can use it for spells dedicated or done with sun deities and their attributes. Examples :

make a circle with a salt, write your affirmation on a paper, put the paper inside of the salt and burn a candle on top it.

Make a summer powder without the salt, put the powder in an eggshell, bury the eggshell

bury a paper with your affirmation or sigil in a jar will the salt in it. DO NOT BURY THE JAR, keep it until the manifestation is done.

Charge the salt under the sun for even more potency.

Thank you for your time and happy witching !

[alberichfanpage]

FROMSOFT WITCH HATS

The most important part of any magic build is the drip. I thought it would be fun to look at all the witch hats available to us across the different souls games and discuss how rad (or not) they are.

DEMON'S SOULS

Three Cornered Hat: Lost some of its edge with the remake but makes for a very versatile hat that can compliment many outfits. Difficult to obtain if you don't know what you are doing (Pure White World Tendency in Latria). Loses some points for being gender locked.

DARK SOULS

Witch Hat: Not a huge fan of the straw detailing, but the silhouette is nice. Nothing really matches the purple outside of the corresponding set. Can be obtained from killing The Four Kings which can done at various points in a playthrough. Big Hat: Lives up to name. Perfect if you don't want to see your hollowed face. Very expensive hat (183,000 souls) mid-to-late game. Lovely.

DARK SOULS 2

Black Witch Hat: Is purple. Very iconic look but the purple makes it hard to pair with other pieces. The ornamentation on the tip of the hat is fancy. Can only be bought pretty late-game from the bipolar guy. I can look past a lot of that for providing Zullie lore. Moon Hat: Whimsical. Also pretty difficult to pair with other stuff and also can only be bought late game. I like the little moon charm at the top though.

DARK SOULS 3

Worker Hat: Yeah sure I will include this one. The brim is a little lacking but for a super early game drop, a witch can deal with it. I did have to farm for this one, though, so that is always annoying. Sage's Big Hat: Absolutely excellent. The brim is beautiful, the veiled crow mask is inspired and you can get this 2 bosses into the game. 2nd favorite witch hat on this list. Karla's Pointed Hat: The perfect traditional witch hat. The black matches with almost everything and has a great angled silhouette. Unfortunately, can only be bought after you save Karla late in the game. Worth the wait, though. Black Witch Hat: Still purple. Not many things purple to pair this with but great for nostalgia. Found deep within the second DLC, very late game loot. I am glad this hat doesn't obstruct the neckline of the matching set like in DS2. Welcome back Zullie.

BLOODBORNE

Bone Ash Mask: A combination of a witch hat and skull mask = perfection. Very fun silhouette with creepy eye details on the mask. You do have to go a couple chalices deep into the Pthumeru Chalice Dungeons after fighting Blood-Starved Beast, so it can be obtained with plenty of game left to play. People like to pair this with the Charred Hunter set but I cannot condone that decision due to the clipping that ensues. This is my top favorite witch hat on this list.

ELDEN RING

Spellblade's Pointed Hat: A versatile hat for friendly and evil mages alike. The brown leather makes it easy to pair with most pieces and has a nice little pendant for ornamentation. Can be looted at a variety of points in the game after a certain pretty boy kicks the bucket. Rest in peace. Snow Witch Hat: Perfect for an ice magic build but impossible to pair with anything. Mid game acquisition after doing most of Ranni's questline. Honestly, Ranni is the only one who can pull this off. Alberich's Pointed Hat: Wonderful black and red color scheme. Unfortunately, it is meant to be worn with high collars, so it looks a little awkward on most clothing. Acquired late in the game at the capital. Missed opportunity to have the altered version glow with the Erudition gesture. 3rd favorite hat on this list for obvious reasons. Honorable Mentions: Preceptor's Big Hat and Queen's Crescent Crown were both up for consideration but the lack of a point on the former and a lack of a brim on the latter, I could not include them in good conscious.

In conclusion, DS3 has the best selection whereas Elden Ring has the biggest variety in vibes. I hope this has helped to inform all future fashion decisions for your intelligence builds.

[askwoodsman33]

// putting this in a new starter so it doesn’t get too long! :D also tiny timeskip!

Finding their way back to the Sacred Hollow was an easy enough task, really. It was a path they had taken before, a path that they had grown familiar with - even if only walked once before. Their ears twitched and swiveled every few moments, picking up the sounds of various wildlife as they trekked. Birds, crickets.. a handful of others as well.

Soon enough however, they’d found their way to the Sacred Hollow. Now, it just came to the matter of ascending to the very top.. a more tedious task then simply walking to the Sacred Hollow itself.

Nonetheless, it was a task they could manage. Murmured hellos and greetings were given to the Woodsmen they came across, friendly faces that they couldn’t just ignore. They were never malicious to them - rather, the opposite. A smile and a hello was the least they could provide. Soon enough however, they’d found their way to the top. Right where Brad would be. Or, where they’d assume he’d be. Shaking themselves out briefly, tail a bit more fluffed out, they went to begin forward.

“Hello?”

@foxkin-hero

Opening the door, it's not very hard to see that Brad is... fine?

You immediately see him, with a few bandages on, merely playing video games as if nothing ever happened. A few leaves and stems poke their way out from the sleeves of his shirt, his collar, and his shorts. The room is as you remember, his pet gorilla in the cage his father was in, except with... more junk in it. He's settled in here much more than he was before, so that means he's moved in all of his belongings as well. He seems to be quite comfortable, here.

The unmistakable stench of Witches Brew that's been sitting out for a few days is... very noticeable. You have to tip toe over cans strewn onto his floor to even get past the door.

He doesn't seem to notice you, and his gorilla is asleep.

[magickkate]

What Are Oracle Cards?

Oracle cards are decks of illustrated cards used for divination, self-reflection, and spiritual guidance. Unlike tarot decks, which follow a strict structure of 78 cards with specific suits and archetypes, oracle decks are more freeform. Each one has its own theme, number of cards, and unique system of interpretation.

They can feature anything from angels to animals to affirmations, making them an accessible and intuitive tool for beginner witches and seasoned practitioners alike.

Why Use Oracle Cards in Witchcraft?

Oracle cards are a powerful and user-friendly gateway into divination. They help you connect with your intuition, spirit guides, or subconscious mind and offer clear messages for clarity, healing, and personal growth. Their flexibility and diverse themes make them ideal for tuning into your spiritual path, checking in with your energy, or even enhancing your spellwork.

For witches, oracle decks can be used to:

Reflect on daily energy or intentions

Gain insight before casting a spell or ritual

Receive messages from deities or guides

Work through emotional or spiritual blocks

Beginner Tips for Using Oracle Cards

Pick a deck that resonates. Choose artwork or a theme you connect with.

Cleanse your deck. Use smoke, moonlight, or intention before your first use.

Ask clear, open-ended questions. Instead of yes/no, try “What do I need to know about…”

Pull a card daily. Builds familiarity and strengthens your intuition.

Keep a journal. Note the card, your interpretation, and any follow-up insights.

Read the guidebook, but don’t rely on it forever. Your intuition is the main tool here.

Cautions and Ethics

Avoid “double-pulling.” Don’t keep pulling until you get the answer you want.

Don’t read for others without permission. Respect boundaries, always.

Watch for emotional overload. Some messages can feel heavy. Take time to ground afterward.

Don’t let it replace your inner knowing. Use oracle cards as guidance, not gospel.

How to Incorporate Oracle Cards into Your Practice

Morning energy check-ins with a single card.

Ask for deity or guide messages during altar time.

Draw cards to inspire spells, meditations, or journaling.

Use in rituals by placing a drawn card on your altar to focus energy.

Include them in moon or sabbat work for deeper reflection.

My Experience and Notes

Oracle cards were my entry point into divination, and they’re still one of my favorite tools. I love how adaptable and gentle they are, especially during emotional or transitional times. Some decks feel like a conversation with a mentor; others are more like chatting with a best friend. Each has its own voice and personality.

Over time, I’ve learned that my clearest readings happen when I’m calm, grounded, and open, not when I’m desperate for an answer. Trust is everything in this practice.

⸻

Anything I missed? Add some tips and more info below!

Anything you’d like for me to cover? Send me an ask or a message!

[buggywiththefolkmagic]

Only YOU Can Prevent Witchy Fires

Hello witches, workers, and all in between! Your friendly neighborhood Granny is here to teach you a few things about fire safety!

Yes, yes, I know. “But Buggy, this is tumblr! And you're on a boring witchcraft blog! What do we need a lesson on fire safety for? We aren’t in kindergarten!” But trust me! More than one witch has accidentally singed their hair or set their own altar on fire before! Sometimes we get so into the spiritual that we forget to be mindful of the reality around us.

I’m going to go over a bundle of good tips to keep in mind for making a wax seal over that spell jar or burning a few bay leaves or ingredients to release that nonsense into the air! Even a section for the kitchen witches!

Indoor Safety:

*Those annoying fire alarms? Make sure they are operational okay? Change those batteries at least once a year, preferably twice. (If it is something you are in control of.)

*Always use a fire-safe candle holder for candles! Trim down that wick before lighting! I know it seems silly to use a pair of scissors or a wick trimmer, but trimming down that wick will always make that flame much easier to manage. And that flame? If it gets big enough to cause black smoke ALWAYS put it out.

*Always keep the candle in your line of sight, no meditation with an open flame going okay? Also if your candle is big enough to burn for more than four hours...put it out at the 4 hour mark.

*The longer a candle burns the more carbon gathers on the wick itself and that can make the flame get bigger and more unstable. Those ultra-wobbly flames that flicker and waves like one of those wacky inflatable arm flailing tube men? That is something you don’t want.

*Putting out a candle: We don’t recommend putting it out with your fingers no matter how cool it looks. Use a candle snuffer, or blow it out. I promise blowing out a deity candle won’t insult them!

*Another crucial tip is to keep anything that could catch fire a minimum of three feet or 91 centimeters AWAY from the fire source. That includes carpeted flooring, cloth, hair, rugs, altar cloths, papers, books, all sorts of things! Always wear your hair back when working with fire, and wear close fitting clothing that won’t hang or drape into the fire with your movements.

*Another tip given straight from the NSC is to NEVER use candles or other fire sources while tired or inebriated! That means no 2 am spell jars if you are half asleep! ALSO never EVER leave a candle WARM or actively BURNING! Same goes for any items you are burning down like bay leaves. Burn them in a fire safe bowl that is much bigger than you think you need. Toss the debris around and soak in water to ensure they are safely doused.

*IF you are using wax to seal off spell jars I highly suggest getting a wax sealing kit! Wax sealing kits come with a little spoon that you drop bits of wax into and ‘melt’ them down over something like a tea candle. An example is this: Which you can find on Amazon for roughly $10 USD!

The spoon is perfect for pouring and there’s less likelihood of the candle you would sit on top of the jar from falling off because...there is no candle! If you only have a candle to work with...please don’t burn the candle on top of the object you are sealing, put the candle in a safe holder and hold it over the object once warm to let the wax drip down. Have the object you are sealing sitting on top of a safe ceramic plate or bowl in case of drippage!

But what do I do if a fire starts?

Good question! That depends on the type of fire it is! Here’s a breakdown of the types and methods to put them out: Ordinary Fire: An ordinary fire is caused by candles, papers, cloth, plastics, that sort of thing!

The good news is these types of fires respond amazingly well to plain old water! It’s always advised that you keep a bucket or pitcher full of water within reach whenever using candles just in case!

Electric Fire: Electric fires are caused by a source of electricity, like wires getting crossed and arching.

NEVER use water on an electrical fire! If you do, you'll just electrocute yourself. If it’s safe to do so...unplug the object from the outlet. Turn off the electricity in your house’s electric breaker box. Smother the flames by pouring baking soda onto them.

Chemical Fire: Chemical fires have a chemical as a fuel source, like rubbing alcohol, nail polish & polish remover. Even your nails near a candle can produce a small chemical fire if you aren’t careful! (Dry those nails up good before using candles.) These fires can only be put out with a fire blanket OR pouring a LARGE quantity of baking soda or sand onto the fire.

Cooking Fires: Cooking fires are the most common form of household fire. It can be caused by grease, burning food, or burning cooking oil. Water will NOT work on any fire oil or grease based, it may seem like a first instinct to grab the pan and toss it into a sink with water...DON’T.

That will cause the oil to splatter and can injure you and make any flames spread further! It the fire is small enough and contained within a pot or skillet, have a lid or baking sheet handy and throw that onto the top of the fire, this will smother it out. A fire blanket can also be used for this. Do NOT swat at the flames, this is just a fanning motion and will give the fire more oxygen to grow with! Pour a large amount of salt or baking soda on top of the fire. MAKE SURE it is not flour, as flour will cause the fire to grow quick enough to even explode! Turn off any heat source.

And if the fire is in the oven or microwave? Leave that door CLOSED. It seems super scary but the fire will smother itself out when trapped in a small box. (Of which both cooking items are.)

Outdoor Safety:

Never burn outdoors if it is windy or extra dry! Do not burn general trash, only burn natural dry vegetation/herbs. Always check your local ordinances and make sure there are no burn bans in your area currently active!

If you are going to burn outside, clear away a circular space for the burning items. Far enough away from overgrowth, houses, powerlines, and other such things. The burning site should have plenty of dirt or gravel around it, usually around 10 feet, 304 centimeters circular if burning a campfire-size burning space. Make sure the dirt and gravel is well doused in water to prevent any spreading.

Always stay around the fire until it is completely out. Turn the debris from your burn a few times and douse it hard with water. NEVER leave dry ash on the ground, embers could be still warm enough to catch on the inside of the ash! Keep checking on that burn area for a few days or a few weeks to make sure nothing is left, especially during warmer or dryer months. Don’t toss matches or other lighting instruments just anywhere! Those can still be warm and still catch grass alight.

And there you have it! A crash course on being safe with fire while doing your thing and slinging your spells!

[galacticnikki]

100 Witchcraft Tips in 100 Days!

Day 13 - Making Your Own Candles On a Budget

Witchcraft commercialism is a big problem I've noticed. Witchcraft has slowly started to become commercialized and it's detrimental to the people who can't afford it. Witchcraft doesn't have to be some expensive practice where you spend your life savings on supplies. Candles is one of the most accessible way of getting into witchcraft and over time can get very costly.

Collecting Your Wax

Whenever you burn down a candle there always tends to be some leftover wax. It might not be much but over time it slowly adds up and if you keep these leftovers you'll find you've built a solid collection. This collection usually is a blend of various colors, scents, and types of wax. You can combat this by organizing your scrap wax from the start by color, scent, or wax type. This will be the most budget friendly way of collecting wax. If you're lucky enough to own a beehive you have another wonderful method of collecting wax.

Making Your Wick

There are generally two main types of wick; wooden and standard. Most standard wicks are made of braided cotton which is good because it means we can easily make some ourselves. There are two materials you can make your budget wick out of. These materials are cotton yarn and twine and are easily accessible in bulk. In order to make a strong, well burning wick you're going to want to braid it or make a tight crochet chain. Once you've made a tight crochet chain or braided your fibers you'll want to stiffen your wicks. This can be done by filling a shallow pan with enough water to cover your wicks and adding 2-4 tablespoons of salt. You'll bring this mixture to a boil and allow all the salt to dissolve almost as if you're making a brine. Once the salt has dissolved turn off the heat and drop in your wicks allowing them to sit in this mixture for 5-10 minutes. Then using a spoon or tongs remove the wicks and place them somewhere safe and straighten them. Let them cool overnight and by morning you'll have plenty of wick.

Making Your Candle

You have your wax, you have your wicks, now it's time to make your candle. First you're going to want to choose your container or mold. You'll need to consider factors like size, how easy it will be to add the wick, and if it's temperature sensitive. Ideally you'll want something relatively small that's easy to set up the wick. For the budget witch this could simply be reusing old tealight candle containers. First you'll want to secure your wick to the bottom of the container. You can do this by melting some candle wax over the bottom and letting it solidify then draping it across a chopstick, popsicle stick, or other object placed across the top of your container or mold. Then fill a shallow pan halfway full of water and bring it to a boil. Place a smaller bowl in the boiling water and add your leftover wax. Make sure as your wax is melting that you stir it so the wax is evenly heated. Once your wax is melted feel free to add any herbs or scents that you'd like to include in your candle. Then carefully pour it into your prepared containers or molds and allow it to set and cure. The cure times vary between wax types. If using paraffin wax allow your candle to set for 24-48 hours. For soy wax allow your candles to set for 3-4 days. Once set trim your wick a quarter to a half inch above the top of the wax. With that your candle should be done and ready for your next ritual or spell.

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