Witchy Blog

Warning: this post contains a fair amount of UPG (they will be italicized). He seems to like it when I give Him certain things that aren’t necessarily mentioned in the sparse history we have on him. So, it’s really just a list of my successes through trial and error.

Coins. Particularly valuable ones. Don’t be stingy. He’s a god of wealth and finances. He’ll pay you back with interest.

Oak leaves and pine cones. He’s also associated with the Wilds. Outdoorsy things are nice to have.

Antlers. Loves them. Probably because…you know, the antlers.

Sex and/or pleasure. …What? He’s got fertility too. He is a god of many colors. But gods typically associated with fertility approve of consent and pleasure. If it’s not fun for you, it’s not fun for Him. Make sense. Oh goodness, I’m a little red. Let’s move on.

Flower crowns. This is a recent discovery. I have no idea why He loves it so much. Real or fake flowers seem to work just as well, either way.

Trees. This one is a bit complicated, I guess. Whether you buy a baby tree or just use one in your yard, simply dedicate it to Him. Bring offerings and things to the base of the tree. Nurture it. Love it. It basically becomes an outdoor shrine/altar.

Wine. I didn’t find anything that says this was a common offering to Cernunnos specifically, back in the day. So, I’ll just put it in as UPG just in case. But good, red wine is a pretty nice gift on occasion.

Food. I’m pretty sure this is a jack of all trades type offering. Everyone likes food. Just a matter of preference. Cernunnos is a hunter so, venison, rabbit, some kind of game bird, etc. These are all good to give. Best done with outdoor shrines. And don’t worry about stray dogs or scavengers coming around and eating it. I was told that that was just one way the gods accept offerings. Maybe not do it too often, though. Wouldn’t want to develop a problem with the local coyotes, now would we?

Hunting weapons. You don’t have to actually use them for hunting, but the sentiment is nice. Personally, I’m saving up to get Him a bow. I plan on giving him an offering out of the first buck I kill. 

Animal Pelts. Following previous logic, dear pelts and things make lovely altar cloths. 

Bones. He’s got life and death in His jurisdiction too. Skulls are probably a favorite of mine to give.

Aside from the usual things that pretty much every being likes, this is about it. At least, from what I’ve gathered through research and experiments. Pretty much anything you gather from outside, with respect to nature, is good in His book. Also, I feel I should probably mention that not everyone who worships Cernunnos has to go out hunting every season. It’s not for everyone. So, no pressure.

Yule {Fantasy} Feast

Wow I’ve finally reached the end of this trend!! This is the last fantasy feast and sorry if I took a while to release it, this is such a hectic and busy month it took some effort to set aside time to finish this. Anyway!! This is continuing the tradition of making fantasy feasts that one day I will get to enjoy for real! You can check out all the previous ones here (also let me know which is your favorite!) Have a happy new year! (Imbolc, Ostara, Beltane, Litha, Lughnasadth, Mabon, Samhain).

The Winter Solstice is the celebration of togetherness during the darkest time of the year, generosity and sharing love, joy and wealth that was reaped after the harvest season, and endurance for the harsher season ahead. The themes of the food will be very hearty and wintery, refreshing with pine or peppermint or creamy and rich. You can look at my post of personal correspondences for more info or follow my Yule tag!

Starters: Winterberry Sourdough Bread - I have a feeling it’s more of a fruit cake that’s pictured but I would bake sour dough bread coated in flour with currants, walnuts and cranberries in it. We have a baguette like that at the restaurant I work at it’s fucking delicious.  Pomegranate Goat Cheese Ball Cranberry Brie Bites  - They are box shaped like presents so I love them more for it.

Sides: Festive Winter Salad  - I would definitely add more winter greens especially to balance out the sweet.  Creamy Garlic Parmesan Mashed Potatoes

Main: Rosemary Roast beef with Red Wine Sauce

Dessert: Yule Log Cinnamon Rolls Poached Pears Red Velvet Salted Caramel Whoopie Pies Peppermint Toads - especially to dunk in milk and make minty hot chocolate) Not Pictured: Christmas Rum Pudding

Drinks: Creamy Rum and Kahlua Eggnog Cranberry Ginger Spritzer with Rosemary Feuerzangenbowle - a flaming mulled wine

My witchy friends really liked this. It took some effort to put together and a pine tree to give offerings and appease to 😩 But it’s gin infused with pine so it tastes refreshing like a wintery tree, mixed with a peppermint liqueur made with 1/3 gin I infused with spearmint I found growing in my garden and 2/3 simple syrup I made with boiled peppermint tea; then ginger zest and fresh currant garnish of course with a huge block of ice to keep it cool. It’s refreshing and reminds you of childhood Christmas tree shopping lol.

A simple spell to ward off danger from a loved one.

What You Need:

A white candle

Pen and paper

Something that belongs to the person you are trying to protect (optional, but highly recommended

The Spell:

Light your candle and write the name of the intended person on the paper.

Focus on that person as you chant:

Dancing flame in front of me Keep this person safe as can be Protect (her/him/them) from any harm Keep (her/him/them) safe, keep (her/him/them) warm

Put the paper to the flame. Envision the warmth from the flame protecting the intended person, like a forcefield from harm.

If you have an object of theirs, hold it to you as the paper burns, breathing your energy into it.

Once the paper has burned completely, blow out your flame, and thank it for its warmth.

A little tarot spread for when you have a string of bad things happening, we have a little magic ritual on patreon as well to go with this one.

Make a tarot spread in a clockwise circle, trying to attract light into your situation, which is the first step to get out of it.

1) You in the middle of this situation, a little about your feelings and position in the problems.

2) Your main support could be those around you or an enviroment or place you can still go to be safe.

3) The root problem could be something you need to learn or be aware of, such as your own feelings, your environment or someone else’s involvement

4) The near future could present itself with more bad news or with a light at the end, either way be prepared.

5) Your hope for the future starts to tell you about the lesson and final light of your ordeal.

6) Lastly this card should show you your power & focus to overcome your problems.

Worryingly Asbetos is being made into homepoathic wands and reki stones. Most worryingly claiming to cure CANCER, which Asbestos causes.

Being sold to many people under the intentions of “bring a bonding action between one and the subject of one’s desires“ and claiming that it’s the “etheric blueprint to correct imbalances and blockages that could manifest as physical disease and to heal cellular memory, one of the best stones for rousing the kundalini energies“  Chrysotile a type of Asbestos is quickly becoming one of the most requested minerals in reiki and crystal healing.  And it’s not the only type of Asbestos being sold as a healing crystal.

Above is Richterite, it’s known to be as dangerous as any of the other Asbestos in the six categories and is being sold to people promising ironic cures for liver, pancreas, kidney or breast cancer.

Above is Tigers Eye, everyone knows it looks cool but it is also Asbestos and although polished Health Protection Agency in the U.K., claim these are still dangerous. 

While some types of asbestos may be more hazardous than others, all are dangerous. Leading health agencies, including the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the EPA and the International Agency for Research on Cancer, classify all types of asbestos as cancer-causing substances.

The following are all a type of asbestos: chrysotile, amosite, crocidolite, tremolite, winchite, suglite, richterite, actinolite and anthophyllite.

If you’re going to get into crystals for any sort of therapeutic (or even just for the shiny!) purposes, please do some basic research if you plan to be handling them a lot, or using them with clients.

Here’s a fairly comprehensive list of possibly toxic crystals:

https://sacredhealingnyc.com/toxic-crystal-list/

CANDIED CITRUS PEEL

I just recently acquired a sunburn and this bath has helped sooth the burn and keep my skin hydrated.

Ingredients 1 cup of oatmeal 1 cup of baking soda 1 tbsp. of aloe essential oil (optional)

Mix the oatmeal and baking soda together and pour into a luke warm bath. Add the aloe oil. Soak in the bath for 15-20 minutes. Pat dry the burned areas.

I’ll be going camping with the fam till mid next week, so I’ll leave you with some Midsummer/Litha celebration ideas for until I get back.

-It’s the longest day of the year, so you can create an altar for light, fire, and/or the sun with candles, a fire bowl, sparklers, stones and herbs associated with the sun, reflective objects, a gold altar cloth, etc.

-If you’re more into night and darkness, wait for sunset and do a little ritual to welcome the returning night, as now for the next six months, the nights will be growing longer and the days shorter. Light a gold candle shortly before sunset and extinguish it when the sun is gone, bury it and replace it with a black or silver one. Leave offerings and prayers for dark deities. 

-The sun enters Cancer this day, which is a water sign, so you can honor that too by swimming, visiting the ocean, pegging water balloons at those who have wronged you, taking a ritual bath/shower…

-Drum circles and other music making. (You can also include making the drums and shakers in your festivities, especially if you have kids).

-Making and leaving treats for the fairies because either a.) you genuinely like them, or b.) to give them a peace offering so they won’t hide your stuff or fuck up your house.

-Do research on sun deities.

-Meditate on the Sun’s energy. (*whispers* work on your tan.)

-This year it’s on the same day as the full moon, so take advantage of this glorious blend of solar and lunar energy. Work magick to promote harmony, healing, bringing much needed motivation, energy, or inspiration into your life, bringing in new relationships, or strengthening already existing bonds. 

-Watch Avatar: The Last Airbender, Book 3: Fire, Chapter 13: “The Firebending Masters.” I’m not entirely joking, this episode gives a nice commentary on the properties of fire and the sun.

-Wildly dance around the bonfire like the heathen you are.

-BURN DOWN DONALD TRUMP’S MANSION

-Gardening.

Summer is around the corner! Here are some great things to do to get you into summer magic! Summer is the time of abundance and prosperity!

Make Fragrance Oils, Extracts or Waters You can use summer flowers and herbs like honeysuckle, mint, basil, oregano, and lavender to infuse in oils, make flavor extracts with 100 proof alcohol or some like rose and honeysuckle you can simmer and make into a water that makes great flavoring to foods or a toner. Also basil soothes mosquito bites. I rub the crushed leaves over the bites and they don’t itch horribly. I looked it up to see if it was just my weird family methods or if this was a thing but it is kind of a thing. Mint too. Aloe also helps!

Nature Trips!! Go to the beach! To the woods! To the mountains! To the lake! Collect stuff there for your craft! Make cool things into runes like seashells, fallen sticks and branches, mountain rocks or lake stones. I like Bree’s simple runes cause its simple and you can be very creative with it. Make those cool things I just said into talismans, necklaces, here’s a simple guide on how to wire wrap. Go camping in those places, bring some witchy friends! Make a bonfire (if it’s legal). Leave offerings to the fae or mermaids where ever you go, leave offerings to nature.

Use Aloe and Mint in your Bath Witchery and Beauty magic Aloe is soothing for sunburns and moisturizes the skin while it’s not a heavy substance so you feel light. It is also very cooling. Mint cools as well but remember to dilute mint essential oil or else it will leave an icy burning feeling!! Be careful not to put it in any open crevices. Add herbs like citronella, sweet grass, catnip etc in your body oils to ward insects and Mosquitos! (The three herbs also smell super summery like camping trips and freshly mowed lawn lol.)

Witchy Friends!!! And attraction spells A lot of witchy meet ups happen in the summer!!! July 9th is the 5th Annual Witch Festival in Astor Place Manhattan.  Go to meetup.com or find ways to meet other witchy friends! I made tons of witchy friends this time of year last year! Also network! People are out and about and looking for people during the summer. Its easy to connect with people that can help you in your career! Its a great time to meet people in general so attraction spells are fantastic now.

PROSPERITY!!!! Summer is a time of Prosperity! BOOST THE PROSPERITY SPELLS AND MONEY SPELLS you see that green all over the newly sprouted trees?? USE THAT SUMMER GREENERY AS MOTIVATION TO GET SOME GREENERY IN YO POCKETS But seriously, this is the time of year that brings wealth for some reason. It has always been for me personally until I realized in some pagan lore this is the time of year of working hard, advancing career and gathering wealth. Maybe its because the sun is exerting the most of it’s energy on the land and it is bringing forth a lot of potential. Use that potential and energy, and people being about to bring about wealth in your life. This Summer Solstice (June 20th, next Monday) is also on a FULL MOON so that day will be a powerful day for prosperity magic!

Tend to your garden If you are lucky to have a lovely garden make sure to tend to it as summer can dry it out easily. If you tend to it well and lovingly it will return the love during lammastide which is the time of reaping what you sow and benefiting from your hard work.

Grow Aloe Plants if you can Having indoor plants is great as well but growing and tending to an aloe plant can be very beneficial this time of year to help the skin. It’s also fantastic to drink as it is very hydrating and great for the hair.

Make a bee fountain and sanctuary! Bees are wonderful and are working pretty hard this time of year. Here’s how to make a little bee fountain! Here’s how to make a little bee house! (Warning for people with tropophobia. It can look quite holey..) Both are easy! Here’s a butterfly fountain too if you are interested.. 

Make these honeypots for unwanted insects and Mosquitos These jars use yeast to create CO2 which attracts them but they get stuck inside. Working with yeast can be tricky. Hopefully this guide is helpful and straightforward

Make Summer Candles with Citronella and Sweet grass Mosquitos hate that. It also smells wonderfully summery. Add fragrances like cedar oil and sandalwood to give it a summer woods and bonfire fragrance. 

Enchant a glass bottle to use as your water bottle. It’s important to use glass or stainless steel cause on incredibly hot days plastic leaks into the water. If you a bougie witch here’s a water bottle with a crystal inside. If you’re a crafty witch you could see that it’s just a glass bottle with a glass capsule inside full of crystals and you could just get a big mason jar, or recycle a voss glass water bottle, buy one of those small glass jar capsules, fill it with crystals, find a sanitary way to attach it to the lid of the jar and bam. Your own, not $100 costing crystal water bottle. 

Gathering energy by sunbathing If you love sunbathing, take a moment to absorb the sun’s rays and convert it into energy! If you love working with sigils then cut out some sigils with a piece of thick paper and stick it to your body and let the sun charge it with it’s energy. As you tan the sigil will be tattooed into your skin!

✧ .・ ☀️Summer Solstice Soul Food☀️ *✧

People that eat soul food and were raised around it know how magical soul food is. It’s filled with comfort, culture and magic. Here are a few recipes of others and my own and tweaked simple ideas I put together for summer solstice! Bring it to a witchy gathering or if you are solitary you can eat one of these dishes by yourself and pass out C: .

Saffron Seafood Rice My recipe is very long but it comes close to paella so I linked a paella recipe. My recipe is basically Paella with tumeric and shelled crab meat instead of chicken!

I found this crab recipe while looking for the rice recipe!

Truffle Oil Seafood Mac n Cheese Similar to this recipe but with added truffle oil and added chopped oyster mushrooms!

Spicy Smoked Bacon Mac n Cheese Set oven to 350 degrees. Get shallots, bacon, an egg, macaroni, gruyere, munster and pepper jack cheese. Shred all the cheeses. Caramelize the shallots first then set aside. Cook the bacon with some brown sugar and add some bourbon to taste. Boil pasta with salt, pepper and olive oil. Strain and add to pot with butter and milk and the shredded three cheeses. Once melted add egg then mix up again. Then add the shallots and bacon (cut up the bacon into pieces but leave a bit on the side). Mix in paprika, chili powder and red pepper flakes. Top with some more shredded jack cheese and bacon and put into the oven. It’s done once it’s nicely baked!

Matouk Calypso Hot Sauce (not a recipe, just a recommendation. Pairs ahhhmazingly with seafood!)

Mustard BBQ Sauce Recipe

Pulled Pork

Baked Firecracker Chicken

Fried Plantains Especially sweet and ripe. Slice them long and thin to represent the sun’s sweet rays!

Sweet potato fries covered in paprika Shave or keep potato skin (up to you). Set pan to heat. Slice up the potato into home fries chunks. lightly coat in coconut oil then make a mix of paprika, cayenne pepper and some salt and shake it up in there. Cook in pan and when done coat with some more seasoning and chopped cilantro.

Summer Solstice Curry A vibrant yellow-orange, heavily tumeric-based curry with cumin, orange, red and yellow bell peppers, carrots, ginger, cayenne, cubed sweet potatoes coated in paprika, coconut milk, a little bit of brown sugar, lemon juice, red pepperflakes, garlic, onion and yellow tomatoes simmered in coconut oil.

Lemon Loaf Cake

NATURALLY-SWEETENED CANDIED LEMON PEELS (AND LEMON SIMPLE SYRUP