waterbug-boy

[waterbug-boy]

A comforting thought

Five thousand years ago, the Sumerians called the night ngi, the stars mul, and the moon Nanna.

Four thousand years ago, the Akkadians called the night mūšu, the stars kakkabū, and the moon Sîn.

Three thousand years ago, the Hittites called the night išpanza, the stars haštereš, and the moon Arma.

Two and a half thousand years ago, the Greeks called the night nux, the stars astra, and the moon Selênê.

Two thousand years ago, the Romans called the night nox, the stars stellae, and the moon Luna.

Kings and queens and heroes looked up at them. So did travelers coming home, and little children who sneaked out of bed. So did slaves, and mothers and soldiers and old shepherds, and Sappho and Muršili and Enheduanna and Socrates and Hatshepsut and Cyrus and Cicero. In this darkness it didn’t matter who they were, or where they stood. Only that they were human.

Think of that tonight, when you close your window. You are not alone. You share this night sky with centuries of dreamers and stargazers, and people who longed for quiet. Are you anxious? The Hittites were too: they called it pittuliyaš. Does your heart ache? The Greeks felt it too: they called it akhos. Those who look up to the stars for comfort are a family, and you belong to them. Your ancestors have stood under Nanna, Sîn, Arma, Selênê and Luna for five thousand years. Now its light is yours.

May it soothe you well.

[waterbug-boy]

Sun Tea

so, one thing my family does is make sun tea! and as it's getting warmer, there's more and more of it out on the porch. so here's how to make it/what it can be used for:

How To Make Sun Tea

what you'll need:

depending on what kind of tea/strength you want, gather anywhere from 5-15 bags of tea

a sunny forecast

optional: put some honey in it, put some herbs in it, literally anything you want

directions:

-boil enough water to fill a large mason jar

-steep tea in the pan

-add extras if desired

-transfer tea into mason jar (with bags)

-set on the porch for the whole day

-there you go it's sun tea

optional steps:

-put in the fridge after for some iced tea

-leave out in the moonlight for ~moon tea~

-charge it with (sun safe) crystals

-hug it tightly bc it's been in the sun all day and warm

so there you go! i personally prefer cinnamon/ginger tea with honey as it gets closer to the litha, and iced for extra pizzaz :-)

[waterbug-boy]

🌻🌞Litha🌞🌻

🌻 Midsummer, or summer solstice

🌻 Art By: Lanajay_Art on instagram https://www.instagram.com/lanajay_art/

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🌞 When Is Litha?

🌻 Northern Hemisphere:

20-24 June

It is typically celebrated on the longest day and the shortest night of the year

🌻 Southern Hemisphere:

20-24 December

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🌞What Is Litha?

🌻 Litha is the celebration of the longest day and the shortest night of the year. The sun god is thriving and at his most vibrant peak, giving warmth to the earth and growth all around. We are celebrating the potential and successes that surround us. From now on the days will begin to become shorter again and darkness will begin to take over. The summer and warmth are still sticking around for a while, though, and it is still a very happy occasion. We are celebrating the pregnancy of the Triple Goddess with the Horned God. The Oak King is currently ruling the waxing half of the year while the Holly King is ruling the waning half of the year. The Holly King and the Oak King are battling with each other and the Holly King will eventually overrule the Oak King. Litha is a time for important magick and major spell work that needs to be put into action; It’s the best time to complete any huge magickal workings that need tackling. Before the darker days return, we must celebrate.

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🌞How To Celebrate It

🌻 Litha comes at such a positive time of year and your celebrations will reflect this.

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🌞Activities

🌻 Tackle the most challenging and most anticipated spells and rituals at midsummer, the ones that require the most energy from you; what better time to do it than when the world’s energies are at their peak! It’s the best time of the year for rituals to do with fire,faery magick, love, passion, energy and luck for the warmer times to come.

🌻 It’s also a good time to renew any tools or create or purchase any extra magickal tools you may require.

🌻Throw a midsummer bonfire or have a fire ritual. Or organize an outside gathering to simply enjoy the sun! There are loads of different ways that you can do this, a traditional midsummer bonfire would (obviously) be outside, although if this is not an option, a wood burner inside would also be fine. Burn pieces of old oak, light them on the evening before midsummer, then let them burn out as they reach the morning. It is also common to scatter herbs on the fire. Some Wiccans also burn the nine sacred types of wood (birch, rowan, ash, alder, willow, hawthorn, oak, holly and hazel) to bring them good luck and a good harvest. During the midsummer bonfire they would jump over the fire, then let the fire burn down completely and sometimes collect ashes from the fire and scatter them on the fields or on their herb garden to bring good fortune in the harvesting season coming in the near future. You could also keep some ashes for luck within spell work or rituals.

🌻 Create a god’s eye: it is typically made from wool or string and its purpose is to give protection and luck for the darker and colder days to come. Hang the god’s eye above your altar or on your door.

🌻 Go for a walk and enjoy the peak of summer! Collect things from the natural world that you need for magickal workings and to place at your altar. Have a picnic or barbecue or even just go to the beach or go for a bike ride.

🌻 If you work with the fae or just like to appreciate them, midsummer is the time for the faery rede. At this time, the fae will be riding magickal animals across the countryside, so hang out, either outside your house or in a nearby field, Bells and offerings such as sparkly decorations and food can be used to create the perfect area for the fae.

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🌞Altar Ideas

🌻 Light green, yellow, gold and red candles to represent the sun god at his peak and the green earth at its fullest.

🌻 Decorate your altar with summer flowers such as sunflowers, carnations,poppies and hydrangeas.

🌻 Place a ring of flowers around your altar or around specific items for protection.

🌻 Pictures of the sun or ornaments symbolizing the sun honour the sun god being at his peak.

🌻 Oak leaves represent the Oak King, who has been ruling for this hald of the year, but will be laid to rest soon. Oak in different forms can be relevant to Litha.

🌻 Gold, yellow and orange ribbons and cloth can be draped at your altar.

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🌞Food And Drink

🌻 Warm-colored vegetables such as butternut squash,sweet potatoes, carrots and tomatoes are all great to eat around this time of the year. They represent warmth and the wonderful produce we receive from the summer.

🌻 Home-grown or locally produced leafy green vegetables

🌻 Spicy foods

🌻 Curries

🌻 Spiced cakes

🌻 Spiced punch and rum

🌻 Anything with honey or as an alternative golden or maple syrup- bees are another representation of Litha, the midsummer full moon is acutally also known as the honey moon!

🌻 Barbecued food or flame-grilled food is good to eat too; once again it represents the heat and the sun’s energy.

🌻 Ice cream- not only is it cooling in the summer months, it also represents the colder days to come.

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🌞Crystals

🌻 Relevant crystals to carry around with you this time of the year, to meditate with, to use in divination and spell work, and to place at your altar are:

Emerald

Sunstone

Citrine

Yellow Tourmaline

Yellow Topaz

Calcite

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🌞HERBS

🌻 Seasonal fresh herbs are great of Litha, as is anything that represents heat, flavour and greenery and ties in with Litha’s celebrations.

Mint

Basil

Rosemary

Sage

Honeysuckle

Carnation

Paprika

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🌞INCENSE

🌻 Good incense to use during casting circles and burning at your altar around Litha time and for cleansing and consecrating, as well as for magickal workings, are:

Lavender

Citrus scents, such as orange and lemon

Musk

Pine

Rose

Summer Flowers

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[waterbug-boy]

[waterbug-boy]

Artist: WolfSkullJack

https://www.redbubble.com/people/wolfskulljack/works/13137929-may-your-demons?asc=u&card_size=4x6&p=greeting-card&rbs=09da05e3-15d7-4f94-bcc4-ad657e7c0674

[waterbug-boy]

Smoke Cleansing With Wood

Smoke Cleansing. For most of us, Our first thought, Or go to would be white sage And While sage is great to use, It is to often relied on as the cure all and the only option. There are so many other herbs, and barks around us to use for their cleansing smoke that they are easy to overlook.  

My favorite wood to use is Palo Santo (Holy Wood from Peru) But not everyone has access to that. And for this reason, I present to you all, (SOME) common Woods, And their magical correspondences.

Also note that the fallen leaves from these trees can also be used to smoke cleanse. Grind them up, And burn on charcoal. 

Birch-  Purification, Blessing, Protection, Expel negative Spirits

Cedar- Cleanses negative atmospheres

 Holly-  Purity, strength, Protection

Hawthorn- marriage, love and protection.

Juniper- Protection, and clears negativity 

Oak- healing, strength, money

Pine-  Purification, health, fortune, fertility, and prosperity

Willow-  Healing, protection, enchantments

[waterbug-boy]

The Elements and their correspondences

E A R T H

Earth represents strength, grounding, prosperity, the material, wealth, success, foundations, death and rebirth. Focus on this element if the goal of your spell is about fertility, prosperity, business or stability. Earth spells may take longer to work, but they’re also more firm and are good if you’re looking for long-term solutions.

GENDER: Feminine SEASON: Winter DIRECTION: North HOUR: Night

COLOURS: Green, Brown, Black ANIMALS: Bears, Deers, Wolves, Badgers HERBS/PLANTS: Ivy, Ash, Vetiver, Wheats, Oats INSTRUMENTS: Drums (Percussion instruments)

STAR SIGNS: Taurus, Virgo, Capricorn STONES/GEMS: Jade, Onyx, Emerald, Salt RITUAL TOOLS: Stones, Dirt, Bones, Pentacle, Salt, Crystals  RITUAL FORMS: Burying, Planting, Imprinting to soil or sand TAROT SUIT: Pentacles

A I R

Air represents intellect and the mind, wisdom, knowledge; logic as well as abstract thought, intuition and higher consciousness. If you’re seeking freedom, travels, or to enhance your memory and focus - focus on Air spells! Air is whimsical and amiable, personally I haven’t found it useful for more serious spells, but it does wonders for my studies. 

GENDER: Masculine SEASON: Spring DIRECTION: East HOUR: Dawn

COLOURS: Yellow, White, Sky Blue, Pastels ANIMALS: Birds, Spiders, Butterflies HERBS/PLANTS: Lavender, Birch, Vervain, Dill, Aspen INSTRUMENTS: Flute (Wind instruments)

STAR SIGNS: Gemini, Libra, Aquarius STONES/GEMS: Amethyst, Opal, Alexandrite, Beryl RITUAL TOOLS: Incense, Wand RITUAL FORMS: Fanning, Tossing into air, Suspending in a high place  TAROT SUIT: Swords

F I R E

Fire represents energy, passion, purification, love, inspiration, desire, will, courage, power, leadership, sexuality. In spellcraft, focusing on Fire is good for purification, healing and love spells; it’s the best element for quick, strong spells. Although, Fire is fierce in essence, and Fire spells are susceptible - they should be well thought out.

GENDER: Masculine SEASON: Summer DIRECTION: South HOUR: Noon

COLOURS: Red, Orange, Gold ANIMALS: Snakes, Lions, Horses HERBS/PLANTS: Cacti, Cinnamon, Pepper, Basil INSTRUMENTS: Guitar (Stringed instruments)

STAR SIGNS: Aries, Leo, Sagittarius STONES/GEMS: Amber, Citrine, Ruby, Tiger’s Eye RITUAL TOOLS: Athame, Candles RITUAL FORMS: Burning, Smouldering, Heating TAROT SUIT: Wands

W A T E R

Water represents purification as well; though it’s focused more on the soul and the subconscious rather than the physical, material world. Water stands for emotion, intuition, wisdom, eternal movement, reflection, lunar energy. Focusing on the Water element is good for psychic abilities, getting in tune with your inner self, mysteries, friendships, love, dreams and sleep.

GENDER: Feminine SEASON: Autumn DIRECTION: West HOUR: Dusk

COLOURS: Blue, Indigo, Silver ANIMALS: Otters, Fish, Sea Mammals, Frogs HERBS/PLANTS: Lotus, Water Lilies, Aloe, Gardenia INSTRUMENTS: Cymbal, Bell (Resonant instruments)

STAR SIGNS: Cancer, Scorpio, Pisces STONES/GEMS: Moonstone, Aquamarine, Pearl RITUAL TOOLS: Cauldrons, Chalices, Seashells RITUAL FORMS: Diluting, Placing into water, washing away, bathing TAROT SUIT: Cups

[waterbug-boy]

10 things any new witch should know

Metaphysical shops/ new age shops are way over priced. Convenient, but expensive. Check out Etsy, farmers markets, thrift stores and grocery stores first.

Garden sage works just as well as white sage.

Spells can take a day, a week or even months to show. Be patient and don’t feel like you have to do the same spell again go get results.

Always, always protect yourself while doing any spell. Draw sigils on yourself or have a talisman of sorts on your person. Always.

If you’re using a spell book for your rituals, switch them up and make them personalized to your craft.

White or black candles can take the place of any colour candle. And rosemary can substitute for many herbs.

You can have certain books ( Wicca, pagan, occult, etc.) send to your local library for free.

You can cleanse your tools or crystals by moonlight and charge them by sunlight.

Always listen to your intuition.

Many “common weeds” can be used for magical purposes ( mugwort, yarrow, dandelion, etc.)

[waterbug-boy]

The witches code, and the code I live by.

Much love, Leaf 🍃

[waterbug-boy]

🖤

[waterbug-boy]

Unconventional & Affordable Ingredients for Spells

Here is a list of unconventional and affordable ingredients that can be used in spells and witchcraft along with their correspondences; good for witches “in the woods” and witches on a budget. Many of these can be easily found for inexpensive prices or at home.

Acorns/Acorn Caps: security, abundance, longevity, good luck, youth and brings good health

Animal toys/stickers: relates to correspondences of that animal

Artist’s Charcoal: banishing negativity, protection; cursing

Baby Powder: cleansing, beauty, youth

Baking Soda: cleansing, purification, protection

Birthday Candles: wishes, joy; color magic and number magic depending on their color and/or what number they display

Black Tea Bags (used): earth magic, grounding, strength, stability, banishing negativity; ending, death 

Bottle Caps: prosperity, luck, material gain

Bubble Bath: self-love, relaxation, emotional healing, serenity; plus whatever scent the bubble bath is affects correspondences

Bubbles/Bubble Liquid: wishes, joy, whimsy, imagination, fantasy

Buckeye Nuts: luck, sexual energies, warding

Butter: femininity, flattery, friendship, warmth, happiness; good for fae work

Candy Bars: love, romance, happiness, lust, fertility, emotional healing, healing of the heart, forgiveness, friendship

Candy Corn: courage, imagination, endurance, energy, motivation, happiness, celebration

Candy Foil: sweetness, secrets, protecting one’s emotions; color magic

Chocolate Syrup/Milk: happiness, love, lust, romance, sweetening relationships

Cocktail Swords: strength, assertiveness, competition; cursing, revenge; ending rumors

Cotton Balls: beauty, gentleness, warmth, sleep

Cotton Swabs: cleansing, purification

Dice: chance, opportunity, luck; number magic

Dirt: grounding, earth magic, growth, prosperity, patience, home and family; cursing

Dish Soap: cleansing

Duct Tape: binding, storing energy, cursing

Egg Shells: cleansing, protection, warding

Energy Drinks: energy, motivation

Envelopes: messages, communication, protection during travel

Epsom Salts: purification, cleansing, protection, pain relief, serenity, comfort, stress relief

Fake/Play Money: wealth, prosperity

Fish Sauce: prosperity, water magic, curses

Foil: glamour, protection, storing energy, binding

Glue: sealing, immobility, binding, curses

Googley Eyes: vision, divination, scrying, creativity, protection, imagination; curses, paranoia, nightmares

Grass: growth, nature, learning, healing, new beginnings, recovery from loss

Hand Soap: cleansing, curse removal

Hole Punches: good for cursing

Hot Sauce: motivation, lust, confidence; cursing, anger, revenge, emotional pain

Koolaid: youth, sweetness, happiness; color magic, corresponds with flavors as well

Lip Balm: glamour, confidence in speaking, honesty, beauty

Lollipops: sweetness, innocence, ending rumors and lies, lust and sexual energies, love

Lotion: protection, beauty

Laundry Soap: cleansing, purification

Marshmallows: friendliness, comfort, gentleness, fidelity, sleep and dreams

Metal Crafting Wire: binding

Modeling Clay: poppets, earth magic, grounding, balance, stability, creation, change

Mud: grounding, earth magic; curses

Muslin: poppets, change, creativity

Noodles: Longevity, good health

Pompoms (craft): gentleness, comfort, love, sleep, dreams

Paper Clips: balance, focus, organization; curses, binding

Pennies: luck, wealth

Pickle Juice: curses to sour things

Plastic Bags: protection; binding

Plastic Ribbon (wrapping): happiness, glamour, delight; binding; color magic

Plastic Wrap: binding

Popsicle sticks: poppets

Scissors: offensive magic, curses

Seltzer Water: purification, removing negativity; curses

Sewing Needles: curses, pain

Shaving Cream: cleansing, softness, patience, calmness

Stamps: travel, communication

Sour Cream: cursing

Soy Sauce: protection, banishment; cursing

Sticky Notes: communication, memory

Strawberry Milk: love, self-love, beauty, sweetness, friendship

Syrup: joy, sweetening one’s emotions

Taco Sauce: Focus, Energy, motivation

Taffy: joy, flexibility

Thumbtacks: curses

Tissue Paper: softness, serenity; color magic

Toothpaste: cleansing

Toothpicks: curse

Walnut Shells: protection, warding

Wasabi: Energy; curses, anger, envy

Whipped Cream: beauty, light-heartedness

Whistles: communication, attention grabbing, warding

Other Tips:

Recycle bottles, jars and medicine bottles for jar/bottle magic

Reuse tea bags (though not too long after use) in bath magic

If you do wish to use herbs, it is cheaper to order them online in bulk rather than the supermarket. Trust me, supermarkets and grocery stores really over price most herbs. You can get triple the amount for 2 dollars less online

Make up and toiletries are great for glamours

Its fine to use kitchen knives if you can’t afford am athame

Look at the ingredients in food you eat to see what is in it and determine that food’s correspondences, quick and easy kitchen magic

Crayons, colored pencils, markers and pens are good for easy sigil and color magic

Binders are cheaper than blank books and make great grimoires

[waterbug-boy]

abt me, sorta

hi! my names bug and i've been a practicing witch for at least 5 years. i come from a huge line of witches, and i wanted to make a blog that would sorta serve as a grimoire as i don't have a physical one yet. although i've been practicing for many years, i'm just not getting active enough that i do things more than once or twice a month :-)

my areas of expertise are:

🌲energy work/magic (my #1 thing)

🌲kitchen/hedge witchery

🌲divination and scrying

(i'll add more as i get better at stuff)

i am a male witch, and i prefer either witch or warlock until (and if) i find a better label

my DMs/asks are always open to answer questions about anything, i'm pretty good at the things listed above but i've done almost everything. black magic, blood magic, fancy rituals, meditation, astral/celestial stuff, you name it. i'm always down to talk :-)