bhakti + rootwork

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☀ SHRI LAKSHMI DEVI ॐ ☀

I’ve really been trying to strengthen my spiritual practice into something more regular these past few months. As I’m trying to prepare myself eventual chaplaincy training, it’s forced me to identify what really adds to my spiritual practice and what just distracts me. 

Here are the habits that have really restored my spiritual life over the past few months. My hope in talking about them is to help you evaluate what practices are your spiritual pillars in your life. 

Prayer

Prayer is something I wind up doing everyday. I usually pray to my goddess and my spirits. I also regularly pray to my ancestors. I used to use some pagan prayers I memorized but I haven’t lately. I might go back to it for morning and evening prayers. 

On a mundane side, this lowers my stress quite a bit. Prayer reminds me I have folks looking out for me. I’m not going it alone. Which helps me feel less helpless and more connected to the world at large. On the spiritual side, this helps strengthen my ability to communicate with those beings - a skill I’m definitely still working on. While my goddess comes in loud and clear, I’m still learning to listen for my ancestors and other spirits. 

It’s so practically and spiritually helpful, I don’t tend to forget this one. I’m still getting comfortable praying in my own style which I don’t think enough people talk about. I don’t like praying out loud unless I’m leading a ceremony or circle and I’ve come to accept that. I don’t think it’s any less powerful because in many ways it’s more me. 

If you haven’t liked praying in the past, switch it up. Prayer beads, ancient hymns, modern poetry, freestyle, out loud, in your head - it’s all valid. 

Offerings

I usually put out a stick of incense and some water most days on our home hearth altar. I miss some days but it’s deeply gratifying for me so it’s right below prayer for me. 

Offerings just help me feel closer to the spirits I work with. In the same way, when you invite friends over and cook for them you tend to feel closer to them - it’s like that for spirits. I like “having them over” and my prayers feel like they’re received a little better when I make it clear my relationship is reciprocal. 

They’re also just so distinctly different from what I did when I was raised Christian so it helps me feel like I’m actively participating in my own separate path. They really do help fill me up spiritually. 

Journaling

Journaling is something I do at least once a week but often more. I focus on shadow work journaling but I’m opening up to other forms too. It’s just such a needed way to process what I’m going through in a way that doesn’t overburden my support system. It’s not that I can’t talk to people in my life about stuff, it’s that they’ve got stuff going on in their lives and I want to take things that I properly can’t figure out on my own to them. It’s a good faith effort so to speak. 

This goes for spirits too. My goddess works with thousands of people all over the world and she’s got plans of her own. I only really want to go to her with the stuff I really need her help with. Since she’s a goddess of sovereignty, I think it helps me feel like I can stand on my own and I think she’s grown to trust me with more work as I’ve gotten more emotionally independent. 

Journaling really has been key with that. Your brain is for having ideas, not for storing them. And I get kind of “emotionally backed up” if I don’t journal regularly so this is a practice that has stayed. 

Tarot

I’m kind of in a tarot slump at the moment but I still find it a useful tool. Instead of drawing cards, I’ll sometimes just use a card as a point of focus to center my journaling or prayers. Tarot is more than a divination system to me, it’s a way to understand life. 

I find myself relating my experiences back to tarot cards and using the system as a whole to work out what the best course of action might be. If I’m feeling stuck, I think about what reversed card best embodies my situation and then think about what clues the upright card might give for breaking through. 

There’s really not a day that goes by where I don’t interact with the tarot in some way but it’s not always in the form of divination. So it’s stayed now that I better understand the place it holds in my practice - it’s a tool, not a performance.  

Study

I’m embarrassed to say it but properly studying is pretty new to me at the moment. I’m still learning how to do it well. I’m really lucky I have cool friends who can point me in the right direction and the internet is so full of great resources. 

Right now I’m working on studying the myths of my goddess more. I’m working my way through a reading list to know her more fully. I’m still new to it but it really has helped. I feel more grounded in my relationship with her. I feel closer. 

There really is a form of intimacy that comes from studying the lore deeply that you can’t necessarily get from unverified personal gnosis alone. I see this becoming a real solid pillar for me going forward.

Conclusion

I think it’s worth evaluating what small forms of practice you get the most out of. It’s really helped me cut down on shoulding myself and I reframe it as I want to do this and I can. This isn’t all I do, to be clear. It’s because of these things that I’ve had the knowledge and the energy to pursue my interest in traditional witchcraft more and get hands on practice casting spells. It’s made learning new forms of energy work way easier and helps me when I need to act as a spiritual intercessor for others. These practices are my foundation that allow the rest of my practice to flourish. 

‘Do not get excited or impatient in your efforts to find God. Be wholehearted, but not anxious about getting results. Be patient. Move toward your divine goal ever calmly, with tranquillity.’

A guide on protecting yourself and your home. 

Note: this is a long post! 

Personal Protection

Wear an amulet on your person - can be made from man-made or natural materials so long as its intent is to protect

Keep a protective crystal in your pocket

Craft a small protective spell jar and keep on your person

Anoint yourself with a protective oil

Place an energetic shield around yourself 

Place a glamour on yourself to go unnoticed in the presence of harmful or negative energies

Carry a piece of iron on your person

Bathe with a wash made from protective herbs

Sleep with a sachet of herbs under your pillow or hanging above your bed to prevent nightmares

Prayers and offerings to your patron deity

Hang a protective amulet from the rearview mirror in your vehicle for safe travels

Home & Hearth Protection

Hang rose stems with thorns intact above the entrance of your home

Hang an upside down horseshoe above the entrance of your home (some lore states you should hang the horseshoe right-side-up)

Hang wind chimes or bells outside of your home

Create a “Witch Bottle” and bury in your front yard, or in a potted plant on your porch

Create a “Witch’s Ladder” or “Witch Ball” and hang it either inside or outside of your home

Hang imagery of protective symbols outside or around your home

Burn protective incense in your home

Create a room spray made from protective oils and spray around your home

Create a protective wash and use it to clean your windows, door frames, and tile/wooden floors 

Use the wash mentioned above to “paint” symbols of protection on the outside of your front door, on your porch, etc. 

Place a protective crystal at each corner inside your home

Place a small glass of salt at each corner inside your home

Hammer 3 iron nails into your front door

Create a protective powder and sprinkle around the perimeter of your home - alternately, sprinkle outside of your front and back door

Create a sachet filled with protective herbs and crystals - keep inside or outside of your home, in your vehicle, etc.

Hang mirrors inside of your home

Place a crystal grid at the center of your home using protective crystals

Call upon your patron deity to protect your home and those who reside in it

Protective Symbols & Items

Pentacle

Triquetra 

Witch’s Knot

Algiz (Elhaz) rune

Vegvisir

Helm of Awe

Mjolnir

Glyph of the Moon, Mars, or Saturn

Eye of Horus

Ankh

Crossed Swords

Iron nails

Railroad spikes

Thorns

War Water

Flying Devil Oil

Third & Fifth Pentacle of Saturn; Third & Sixth Pentacle of Jupiter; Sixth Pentacle of Mars; Second, Third, & Fifth Pentacle of the Moon

Crystals

Agate

Amethyst - protection against psychic attacks and while traveling

Angel Aura Quartz - spiritual protection

Apophyllite

Aqua Aura Quartz - protection against psychic attacks

Aquamarine - protection while traveling via water

Astrophyllite

Aventurine

Beryl - protection while traveling

Blue Goldstone

Bowenite

Bronzite

Bustamite

Catlinite - spiritual protection

Carnelian - protection from negative emotions

Celestite - emotional protection

Chalcopyrite

Chrysoberyl

Citrine - protection from nightmares

Clear Quartz

Diamond

Dravite

Eudialyte

Fire Agate

Fluorite - protection against psychic attacks

Galaxite

Garnet

Indicolite

Infinite Stone

Jade

Jasper

Jet

Lapis Lazuli

Lepidolite

Malachite - protection during pregnancy and childbirth

Moonstone - protection during pregnancy, childbirth, and while traveling via water

Mother of Pearl - protection for children

Nuumite

Obsidian

Onyx

Peridot

Pyrite

Rose Quartz - protection during pregnancy and childbirth

Ruby - protection of the home and hearth

Salt

Schorl

Shungite

Smithsonite

Smoky Quartz

Snowflake Obsidian

Sugilite

Tanzanite

Tiger’s Eye

Turquoise

Vauxite - protection from nightmares

Botanicals

Acacia, Aconite, Acorn (protection from lightning), African Violet, Ague, Alder (protection for the deceased), Alfalfa (protection from hunger and poverty), Alkanet (protection from snakebites and the fear of snakes), Aloe (protection from household accidents), Amaranth (protection from bullets), Amber, Angelica, Anise Seeds, Ash (protection from drowning and while traveling), Aspen (protection against thieves), Bamboo, Barley, Basil, Bay Laurel (protection from lightning), Bay Leaf (protection for your home and family, protection against baneful magick), Belladonna, Bergamot (protection from illness), Bilberry Bark, Birch (protection from lightning and infertility), Black Cohosh (protection from accidents and sudden death), Black Haw, Black Pepper, Blackberry, Bladderwrack (protection while traveling), Blessed Thistle, Bloodroot, Blue Violet, Blueberry, Boneset, Brimstone, Buckeye (protection against arthritis), Buckwheat, Cactus, Calamus, Calendula, Carnation, Caraway, Cascara Sagrada (protection against baneful magick), Catnip (protection while sleeping), Cedar (protection from lightning), Celandine, Chia, Chives, Chrysanthemum, Cilantro (protection for gardeners), Cinnamon, Cinquefoil (protection for loved ones on a journey), Clove (protection for babies), Clover, Coconut, Comfrey (protection while traveling), Coriander, Corn, Cotton, Cramp Bark, Cranberry, Cumin, Curry, Cypress, Daisy (protection for babies), Dandelion Root (protection while sleeping), Datura, Devil’s Bit, Devil’s Claw, Dill, Dogwood, Dragon’s Blood, Ebony, Elder (protection for the deceased), Elm (protection from lightning), Eucalyptus, False Unicorn Root (protection during pregnancy and childbirth), Fennel, Fern, Feverfew (protection against accidents and cold/flu), Figwort (protection for your home), Flaxseed (protection for your home, protection against baneful magick), Fleabane, Foxglove (protection for your home and garden), Frankincense, Gardenia, Garlic, Geranium, Ginger, Ginseng, Gorse (protection against baneful magick), Hawthorn (protection from lightning), Heather (protection against violent crimes), Heliotrope, Henna (protection from illness), Hickory, High John the Conqueror, Holly, Horseradish, Hyssop (protection for property against burglars and trespassers), Irish Moss (protection while traveling), Ivy, Juniper, Kava Kava, Lady Slipper (protection against baneful magick), Larch (protection against theft), Larkspur, Laurel, Lavender, Leek, Lemon, Lemon Verbena (protection of your home, protection from lightning and storms), Lettuce, Lime, Lotus, Lucky Hand Root (protection while traveling), Mandrake, Marigold (protection while sleeping), Marjoram, Marshmallow Root, Mimosa, Mint, Mistletoe (protection from lightning and fire), Mullein (protection from nightmares and baneful magick), Nutmeg, Oak Moss, Olive Leaf, Onion, Papyrus, Parsley (protection for your home), Peat Moss, Peony, Periwinkle (protection against snakes and poison), Pimpernel, Pine, Pineapple, Plantain (protection from snake bites and jealousy), Quince, Radish, Raspberry Leaf, Red Clover (protection for pets), Rhubarb, Rice, Rowan, Rue, Sage, Sandalwood, Saw Palmetto, Sea Salt, Sheep Sorrel (protection from heart disease), Slippery Elm, Snapdragon, Solomon’s Seal, Spanish Moss, Spearmint, St. John’s Wort (protection from baneful magick, lightning, and fire), Straw Flower, Sunflower, Tangerine, Thistle, Toadflax, Tonka Bean (protection from disease), True Unicorn Root (protection from baneful magick), Valerian, Venus Fly Trap, Violet, Willow, Witch Hazel, Wood Aloe, Wood Betony, Woodruff, Wormwood (protection against dangerous roads while traveling), Yerba Santa, Yew, Yucca (protection of your home)

Metals

Chromium

Lead

Iron

Nickel

Pewter

Steel

Titanium

Zinc

Lunar Phases

Waxing - to attract protective energy and positivity

Full - generalized protection 

Waning - to banish negativity, thus protecting the caster

Planets

Moon

Mars

Saturn

Days of the Week

Monday

Tuesday

astrological clocks of venice. torre dell'orologio/palazzo ducale

Hello all! It’s that time again for another giveaway!

This time around, I will be giving away The Universe Has Your Back Oracle deck, The Crystal Wisdom Healing Oracle deck, and the Zombie Tarot deck!

This giveaway is in no way affiliated with or in anyway in alignment with Tumblr or it’s staff.

Here are pictures of the prizes! 3 winners will be chosen for this giveaway, please look past the pictures at the rules!

Prizes:

The Universe Has Your Back Oracle deck:

The Crystal Wisdom Healing Oracle deck:

The Zombie Tarot deck:

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Each winner will also get the bandana that the deck is featured on!

Rules:

1. Must be following me. I will check!

2. Must reblog this post. Likes do not count as entries for the giveaway.

3. You can reblog as many times as you want, but only one reblog per day counts as an entry.

4. Winners will be chosen at random, but if the winner is a bigot of any kind a new winner will be selected.

5. Side blog entries will count, but again, only once per day.

6. If you are selected as a winner from a side blog you have to be willing to give me your main so I can check if you’re following me.

7. If you win, you must be willing to give me your full name and shipping address so I can send you your prize!

8. There is no age requirement, but if you are a minor I would not suggest entering into the giveaway if your parents would look down of tarot or oracle cards!

9. If you are the winner you will need either your ask box open or to have PM’s from blogs you don’t follow allowed. I will give each winner 48 hours to respond (from the end of the giveaway) before picking a new winner!

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The giveaway will be ending July 20th at 12:00pm EST! So there is a full month from now (June 19th) to get your entries in!

Please do not tag this as a giveaway, as it will mess up the notes.

🌼💕☄☇SUGAR JAR [ROOTWORK] (a faster alternative to honey) Sweetening jars are used in hoodoo to like make your target like and favor you more, compell them, do you favors, give you promotions, make your lover come back to you, to sweeten your own life, to make people stop disliking you…..there’s a lot you can do with them. You can use things like honey, karo syrup, molasses, maple syrup…and sugar, white or brown or cane sugar…just anything sweet! I had heard from others that sugar jars tend to work faster then the thicker liquids like honey or molasses so I was like word…and whipped this up bc I was tired of my dumb ass uncle and his mouth and laziness lol

Ive been working on this for a bit.

🕷Purpose was to get my problematic uncle to shut the fuck up, stop being so angry and an asshole to everyone ESPECIALLY my mother, and to give my mother more money considering he’s a bum who doesnt do shit. I basically wanted him to be more considerate of others, feel love for my mom enough to help her, etc 🌝

Its been working really well for me and I keep being asked about it so I decided to share!

Ingredients:

⚘Compelling oil - bc give us the fucking money ☄White sugar - bc he light skin ⚘Rosemary - i get a really motherly protective but assertive energy so ye ☄*Cloves* - dominating his mind/ego ⚘*Black pepper* - idk it felt like it fit, i get protection but i also get speeding up the work and also helping the dom factor ☄*Petition*- put his name on it and crossed over what i want from him ⚘*Pink himalayan salt* (outside) - to protect my work ☄*Dried Hibiscus* (outside) - to surround him with love ⚘Blue/green duochome glitter - i associate it with like for one, calming him the fuck down, and also moneyyy. Plus its pretty.

☇💀👻Spirits worked with: ancestors and specifically my grandmother.👻💀☇

Creation can come in many, many forms, depending on so many factors in relation to the 5th - such as what sign the 5th is placed in, where the Sun is, where Leo is, what heavenly bodies are placed in the 5th, etc.

The Moon in the 5th is much more tied to the creation of children, for example, than Mercury in the 5th House; on the other hand, Mercury in the 5th is much more likely to inspire the native to create through writing.

The 5th House in Aries brings out the competitive and athletic aspects of this creativity - think sports, dance, etc. The 5th House in Gemini or Sagittarius may present, for example, as creation through teaching, in a sense, as in creating awareness or knowledge within another person.