your-local-spoon-witch

[your-local-spoon-witch]

My two witchy quarantine moods

○ Everything is going to be ok, if I have any anxiety or doubts I should meditate and/or reach out to my deity/deities. I dont have control over my enviroment right now but I can control how I respond and the will I put out into it.

&

○ WHY IS THIS HAPPENING, NOTHING IS IN MY CONTROL, I CANT DO ANYTHING, ITS NOT OK

It's been really intense lately and we may slip into catastophising and losing or simply overlooking our faith in our practices. That's ok we are not always perfect but, do realise that your practice is there for you. No matter your practice includes deities or not, or even if you dont practice rigorously, at the end of the day it is there for you 💗

[your-local-spoon-witch]

Why Your Spells Don’t Work

You set your intention. You had all the correct correspondences. You even timed your spell with the appropriate moon phase. And yet – no results. What gives? 

Failed spells happen to the best of us, and for a variety of reasons. But a spell gone wrong doesn’t necessarily mean that magic isn’t real or that you’re bad at witchcraft. Magic is complicated, and there are a lot of reasons it might not behave the way you want it to. Here are some of the most common causes of ineffective spells: 

1. Lack of real-world follow through

Magic is meant to be used as a tool to supplement your mundane efforts – not as a substitute for them. How can you expect your job hunting spell to bring in results if you aren’t applying for jobs? 

Magic does not exist in a vacuum, and it can’t make something out of nothing. If a spell doesn’t bring you the desired result, make sure that your non-magical actions are aligned with what you are trying to manifest. 

2. What you’re trying to manifest isn’t a realistic possibility

Wait, what? Isn’t magic supposed to be, well… magic? Shouldn’t you be able to ask for whatever you want and get it? Yes and no.

Magic is simply a way of directing energy. Magic can’t defy the natural laws of the universe. It can’t make something happen unless it was already a potential possibility.

If your intention is unrealistic for where you are right now, try splitting it up into a multi-step process. No spell is going to make you a billionaire overnight, but magic could help you get hired at a better paying job… and then get promoted… and then get offered a profitable side gig… etc. Starting small and working your way up is always going to produce stronger results, because you laid the foundation first.

3. Your intention was either too vague or too specific 

Whether you use written petitions or spoken incantations, clearly stating your intention is an important part (maybe THE most important part) of any spell or ritual. A good intention is specific enough to get you the results you want, but open enough to let those results manifest naturally.

Let’s say you do a money spell, and your intention for the spell is simply, “I have more money.” If you find a penny on the ground the next day and pick it up, technically that is more money than you had before. A better alternative would be to use an intention like, “I have enough money to buy ___,” or “I have enough money for everything I need and want.”

Using an intention that is too specific creates the opposite problem. Let’s say you want to manifest a scholarship to a specific school. You do a candle spell with the intention, “I have been chosen for the John Smith Scholarship at Jane Doe University.” But maybe the John Smith scholarship had already been awarded by the time you did your spell. Maybe there’s another scholarship at the same school that would be a better fit for you, or maybe you’re eligible for a grant that would make tuition more affordable. A better intention for your spell would be “I have enough financial aid to easily and affordably attend Jane Doe University.”

Magic always follows the path of least resistance, so you want to make sure that your intention is specific enough to give your magic a clear direction, but open enough to allow it some flexibility. 

4. Lack of focus/concentration

We all know the struggle. You’ve been planning this ritual forever, and it’s finally the full moon, but you’ve got a really full schedule today. If you hurry, you can probably squeeze it into the thirty minute window between school and work, right? 

If you say a few quick words and burn some incense before you head out the door in the morning, that totally counts as a spell, right? 

Not so much. Rushed, lazy, and/or half-assed spells rarely, if ever, work. Spells revolve around the raising and direction of energy, and that requires two things: a clear intention (see above) and intense focus on that intention. If you don’t have the time/energy/mental capacity to focus, it’s best to take a break, have a self care day, and come back to your spell some other time. 

5. You’re subconsciously blocking your own results OR you did a spell for someone else who isn’t open to it

I decided to lump these two together, because they’re different variations of the same issue. 

Whenever you are doing magic on yourself, it’s important that your mindset is aligned with your intentions. You can do love spells all day long, but if deep down you don’t believe that you’re worthy of love, that belief is going to block your spells from working. This is why mindfulness, psychology, and self care are all such important parts of a successful witchcraft practice. It’s also why I recommend doing the mental work before you sit down to ritual. 

If you did a spell on yourself, or are trying to manifest something for yourself, and it just isn’t working, I highly recommend setting some time aside for journaling and meditation and asking yourself 1.) if this is really what you want, and 2.) if you truly believe that you can have it.

The whole mindset thing gets even more tricky when you’re doing magic on behalf of another person, because their energy is also at work in the situation and could be at odds with yours. For example, if you do a spell to help a friend land a job, but that friend believes that they’re totally underqualified and could never get it, they probably won’t get the job even if you did everything “right” in your spell. 

This should go without saying, but it is extremely unethical to use magic to mess around in someone else’s head. Even if you think you know what’s best for them, they need to be open to it. If someone is blocking the spells you do on their behalf, all you can do is try to be supportive and find other ways to help them out.

Other (Rare) Reasons for Failed Spells

If a spell goes wrong, it will almost always be for one of the above reasons. But maybe you did everything “right” – you did the mental work first, had a strong, realistic intention, put lots of focus into your spell, and followed through in real life – and you still aren’t seeing results. There are a couple of other things that could be blocking your spells, but they’re very uncommon so I’m not going to talk about them in as much detail. These may be things you want to look into if you really, genuinely can’t think of any other cause. 

It’s possible that another witch has done magic that cancels out or blocks yours. This is not common, and it does NOT mean that someone has cursed you. It could be as simple as two witches unknowingly casting spells with opposite intentions, which end up cancelling each other out. (For example, maybe two different people both cast a spell to get the same job. Obviously, they can’t both get that job.) This is why it’s never a bad idea to incorporate a protective element into your spells to block outside interference.

There is a very, very remote possibility that someone has placed a curse on you specifically to block your magic. However – and I cannot stress this enough – this is VERY uncommon. If you were cursed you would know it, or at least know that something was very wrong in your life. If you feel like you have been cursed or hexed, I recommend looking into uncrossing spells, which are specifically designed to undo negative magic.

It’s also possible that a higher power is intervening. This doesn’t necessarily have to be a deity, although it certainly could be. Most witches believe in some form of fate or destiny, and it’s possible that your spell didn’t work because what you asked for is not in alignment with your destiny. In these situations, really the only thing you can do is surrender to the bigger picture. 

[your-local-spoon-witch]

Witchcraft does not mean you work with a Deity, god, Goddess, etc.

Working with those is a form of religion.

Witchcraft is not a religion.

[your-local-spoon-witch]

Needed this with all the uncertainty and anxiety ive been experiencing lately!

a cup of sunshine

Here is a recipe for liquid positivity to help you all through these days.

You’ll need: chamomile fresh ginger (just a little!) fresh lemon honey

optional: homemade cinnamon buns (will heal your heart with immediate effect)

Brew your tea with a bit of ginger and add a squeeze of lemon. Add the honey with a spoon and use it to stir clockwise while thinking of a happy memory. (I might have had a chant for this, but I forgot it already, and it was probably in multiple languages - pardon me, I’m a bit of mess after not leaving the house for two weeks. You can make your own chant if you’want.)

Put on a song that makes you feel good. I chose Here Comes the Sun by The Beatles.

Sit by a window and open it if possible. Breathe.

Drink up. You’re alright.

[your-local-spoon-witch]

[your-local-spoon-witch]

Energy Work Masterpost

Updated: September 2nd, 2016

General

[Basic Elements of Energy Work]

[Choosing Your Energies]

[The Elements and Energy Work] (tw: gif)

[Energetic Blockages]

[Energy Clearing and Infusing]

[Energy Feeds and Magic Fatigue] and [A Clarification]

[Energy for Beginners Part I]

[Energy for Beginners Part II: Gathering, Raising, Storing, and Casting]

[Energy Work]

[An Energy Work Primer (You Don’t Have to “Feel�� Anything)]

[Fixing Your Energy] (an ask)

[Learning to Sense Energy]

[Passive vs Active Energy]

[Protect Your Energy]

[Sensation & Direction - A Beginner’s Guide to Energy Work]

Visualization

[Different Kinds of Visualization]

[Having Trouble Visualizing?]

[How to Visualize]

[Magical Visualization - Some Basics]

[Mistakes I Made with Visualization]

[Simple Visualization Exercises]

[Visualization and Spell-Casting]

[Witchery for Tactile Learners]

Charging / Enchanting / Programming

[Charging an Object]

[Charging and Dedicating Stones and Crystals]

[Charging Objects]

[Charging 101: The Quick Basics]

[Distance Charging]

[Enchanting Objects]

[Enchanting Things with Touch]

[How to Enchant Items]

[How to Enchant Items]

[Let’s Talk Basics: Directing Energy]

[Magickal Skills: Enchanting]

[On-the-Go Enchantments]

[Sending Energy to Objects, aka Charging]

[Witch’s Guide to Programming]

Grounding

[Airy Grounding Guide]

[Grounding]

[Grounding]

[Grounding]

[Grounding]

[Grounding and Centering]

[Grounding and Centering]

[Grounding, Centering, and Shielding]

[Grounding or ‘Earthing’]

[Grounding Techniques]

[Grounding Theory and Application]

[Grounding with Your Aura]

[How Do I “Ground”?] (tw: gif)

[Rooting Meditation]

[Sea Witchcraft: “Sinking”]

[Some Favorite Grounding Visualizations]

[Witch Tips: Grounding]

[Witchcraft 101 - Grounding & Centering]

[Witch’s Guide to Grounding]

[Witch’s Guide to Grounding - Sturdy as Stone]

Centering

[Centering]

[Centering]

[Centering and Grounding]

Shielding / Warding

[Checking and Repairing Shields]

[A Crash Course in Warding]

[Elemental Wards]

[Energy Warding]

[Energy Warding Before Witching] (tw: gif)

[Energy Work: Expansion vs. Contraction] (tw: gif as blog header)

[How to Create & Use Wards]

[A Long List of Ways to Spiritually Protect Yourself]

[Making Warding and Shielding Talismans]

[Personal Shielding]

[Shielding]

[Shielding]

[Shielding]

[Shielding and its Purpose]

[Transmuting Energy: An Alternative to Shielding] (tw: gif as blog header)

[Wards and Grounding]

[Wards and Ward Accessories]

Energy Manipulation / Exercises

[Advanced Energy Manipulation: Competitive Magic]

[Animist Reset Ritual]

[Banishing the Energy of Others]

[Building Galaxies]

[Decontaminating People Before They Enter Your Space]

[Energy Balls and Programming Energy]

[Energy Exercises]

[Energy Feeds and Magic Fatigue] and [A Clarification]

[Energy Manipulation: Aura Shaping]

[Energy Manipulation: God Energies]

[Energy Polarization Habits and How to Break Them]

[Energy Protection Bubble]

[Energy Work: Energy Ball]

[Energy Work: Introduction to Fields Exercise]

[How to Send Energy to Other People]

[Personal Energy Cleanse]

[Picture-Jumping]

[Scream Jars]

[Sending Energy to People]

[Sensing Energy Exercise]

[Tips for Building Mind Spaces]

Thoughtforms / Servitors / Egregores

[A Bit on Entities and Thoughtforms]

[Creating a Servitor] (an ask)

[Creating a Thoughtform]

[Creating Positive Thought Forms] (tw: gif as blog header)

[An Introduction to Servitors]

[A Lesson on Servitors] (tw: music autoplay)

[More Information on Egregores] (an ask)

[Servitors: A Basic Guide to Artificial Entities]

[A Short Guide to Thoughtforms]

[Technowitchcraft - Thoughtforms]

[Thoughtform Masterpost] (tw: gif)

[Thoughts on Thoughtforms]

[your-local-spoon-witch]

Guided Meditation for The Morrigan

From: Pagan Portals, The Morrigan: Meeting the Great Queens, by Morgan Damiler

[your-local-spoon-witch]

Change must come. We must age and grow and change, watch as the world around us does the same. Sometimes change is fought for, but most often it is fought against.

Sometimes it comes slowly, gradually, sneaking in to the cracks before we can even notice it.

It is not always easy.

She knows change. It comes on the wind, settles beneath the roots of trees. It will wait for as long as necessary. She is the force that makes it happen.

She is the catalyst, the reason. Whatever the reason is. She begins it, remains during the struggle and will be there in the end.

[your-local-spoon-witch]

prayer to

[your-local-spoon-witch]

Morning Rituals and Self-Care ☕️

The witch’s self-care daily Morning Ritual is key to embracing the day! Remember to always:

Ground yourself

Prepare yourself

Attune yourself

Ground yourself by having your morning cup of tea or coffee and remember to stir your drink clockwise to imbue it with your intentions for the day, or stir counterclockwise to banish negativity or something else from your life. Note: adding a pinch of cinnamon to your coffee will help banish negative energies!

Prepare yourself for the day ahead by listening to your favorite music or listen to nature from an open window in a sunny, sacred space and giving yourself a tarot reading. I personally recommend drawing just one card every morning as a “card of the day” ritual. This will help you prepare for your day by giving yourself matters to consider deeper or think more consciously about throughout your day! Other readings and spreads, such as crystal guided readings or specific question readings, are fine too for the tarot enthusiasts! 🙌🏻🔮✨ Bless!

Finally, attune yourself to the positive energy around you or from within you for the day ahead by meditating in your favorite or desired space. You can meditate however suits you best, but for my morning ritual, I prefer to do reiki centered meditation and/or meet the sun in meditation or perform a positive affirmation meditation while holding certain crystals to attune my energy to them. I will go through each of my favorite morning meditations below for those interested! ✨

Meeting the Sun in Meditation ✨🌞🌿🌾

Greet the sun each morning with a thankful “Good Morning” salutation!

To receive the sun’s energy, settle yourself comfortably in a quiet, sunny spot and close your eyes.

Hold your favorite positive vibration stone in your hands as you meditate. Feel it’s energy and imagine it flowing from your hands, up your arms, and into your whole body. *For this sun meditation specifically, I love to use sunstone!

Visualize a mist rising around you and visualize plants and nature growing up around yourself.

Take deep, relaxing breaths, and each time you inhale, visualize nature’s beautiful green energy flowing into you lovingly and bringing you the sun’s warmth and comfort. As you exhale, release your tension, and let go of your stress and worries.

Be aware of the sun’s warmth on you. Receive it. Enjoy it. How is the sun making you feel? Emotionally? Spiritually? What the sun saying to you?

Stay in this positive space for as long as you’d like. Bless.

Positive Affirmation Daily Meditation: Fill yourself with Light and Love 🧘🏾‍♀️✨💕🙌🏻🕯

Start by cleansing your preferred space any way you’d like. Personally, I like to either smoke cleanse my space, burn incense, or even use my witch’s broom to sweep away the negativity and clear my sacred space before I begin.

Light two candles, one white and one purple, in your space or on your altar, for peace, purification, and harmony. Choose a clear quartz crystal to settle between the two candles for clarity and energy amplification. *Note: you could choose to meditate while holding the clear quartz crystal as well!

Settle into your space and begin meditation. Be mindful of your thoughts, but remember to breathe and relax. Release your tensions.

Recite positive affirmations to yourself as you are mindful in this space. My favorite affirmations include:

“I love the person that I’m becoming.”

“I see joy everywhere I look.”

“My work doesn’t need to be perfect.”

“I am enough.”

“Small steps are still success.”

“Everyday I am more creative.”

“My imagination inspires me.”

“I am confident and able.”

“I am loved and worthy.”

[your-local-spoon-witch]

[your-local-spoon-witch]

I know many people say this, (in fact, I reblogged a post about it the other day) but I feel like I need to say it because it is very important to remember. Witch is a GENDER-NEUTRAL TERM. That includes females, males, non-binary people, every single gender. They are all included in the word witch. I’m a trans guy that doesn’t pass well (I don’t have a binder), and I can’t stress this enough. It’s kind of weird that some people try to undermine others crafts because they don’t conform to what they think. We should all just be there for each other. We need a tight knit community. (I am not bashing women witches, feminist witches, or anyone. Im just saying that it needs to be acknowledged that we have a lot of diversity in our community and we need to accept it and be kind to each other) 😊😊🏳️‍🌈❤️❤️🌳🍁🌗☀️🌈

[your-local-spoon-witch]

An October Read That’s Within and Without

In October, Liber Coven will be adding one more thing to the list of internet activities that pop up around this time of year. Some of us will be participating in Inktober, Preptober, and even our group’s own event, Sigiltober, but our main focus this month will be a look at astrology with Juliana McCarthy’s The Stars Within You: A Modern Guide to Astrology. 

While we visit pumpkin patches, rake leaves, and collect acorns for good luck charms, we’ll also be looking up for some more insight from the stars. 

“For the first time my mind began opening to magic and the possibility that life has invisible dimensions and auspicious synchronicities.” - Juliana McCarthy

In this book, McCarthy gives us the access to astrology it seems she wished she had when she was younger. While this book covers charts and signs, it also connects astrology to her interests in psychology and spiritualism, so we hope this will be the perfect book for looking at the stars from a more magical perspective. 

“A fresh perspective on the fundamentals of astrology.” - BUSTLE

September was all about the moon, but this October we’ll be turning our eyes to something a little more distant, her siblings, the stars. 

Want to read The Stars Within You with us? Join the conversation here: https://discord.gg/3Vhz8DW

[your-local-spoon-witch]

october? here

sweaters? on

coffee? spiced

pumpkins? lit

me? thriving

hotel? trivago

witches it’s spooky season! i’ll try to be posting halloween inspired spells etc more this month! have a blessed october

[your-local-spoon-witch]

why are magic words so satisfying... arcane, tome, enchant, conjure, sorcery, spellbound, cast, charge, grimoire..

[your-local-spoon-witch]

Tea drinkers read this!!!

If you buy pre-made herbal tea blends (usually have names like Bedtime, Calm, etc) check the ingredients. I just saw a Nighttime blend that had St. Johns Wort in it, which can be dangerous when mixed with some medications. Talk to you doctor what herbs you should avoid. (Especially when you want to ingest st. Johns wort or mugwort) 

 A simple hint to remember is just because its in a food store, doesn’t mean its safe. 

[your-local-spoon-witch]

Witchtober !

Day 1 : A special brew

This is @church-of-night-coven take on "inktober", created by @🍁Autumn Rayne🍁

You can submit your entries to there blog ! Or post them on tumblr and tag church-of-night-coven to be featured!

I can't wait to see if others join in with me (even if I did my 1st drawing early lol) and other fellow witch/occult/pagan/wiccan artists !