Henlo, Beautiful

Welcome welcome to the 2024 Grimoire Challenge! Time to really get started everyone! This week will have a lot of stuff all jammed in. So buckle up, grab your grimoire and your supplies, and let’s get to work!

Monday

Name your book - this may seem silly and you definitely don’t need to name your book. Not properly at least. Other than “my grimoire” or “book of shadows” or what have you, which is totally fine. But some of us might feel the need to give it a proper title. “The Basil Grimoire” or “Hazel’s Handwritten Workings” something, anything, that ties the book to you and your craft. Make a title page! If you feel so inclined. If not, that’s fine too.

Definitions (New Page) - ritual and spell. Let’s define a few things. Make a page specifically for definitions, that we’ll add to through the challenge. Let’s start with a couple simple definitions. Define spell. And define ritual. Within the confines of magic, witchcraft and your practice. What is a spell? What is a ritual? What are the differences?

Study (herb) - Pick another herb from that list we made, and dig into the details. Make a page for it on its own, or add its info to another page! Whatever works for your craft. The questions to ask for these study prompts are going to continue to remain the same. Where did it come from, where does it grow, how does it grow, what are its mundane and practical uses. What are the myths and legends and stories surrounding the herb? What are its magical properties and why/ how do you think the other information you've learned about it have influenced its magical associations?

Tuesday

Outline/ index (New Page!) - it helped me a great deal to have an index or outline to my grimoire. I started this as a file on my computer as my grimoire grew and changed I could more easily manage it and rearrange it as I saw fit. Then eventually I could make it into a handwritten copy.

Study (gem) - Like our herb prompt, the gem prompts are going to always use the same outline and questions. Where does the gem come from? What is it used for in a practical and mundane sense? What are its physical properties? What are any myths, legends or stories? Where and how does it form? How does all of that relate to its magical correspondences and what does the herb mean to and for you in your craft?

Spellwriting 101 (New Page!) - make a new page dedicated to spellwriting. This is going to be one of those prompts that is focused on you and your craft. How do you write spells? How do you set them up? What components do you use? What is the format? How is it done? What does it require? From materials to timing and circumstances? Write it all out in your lab notebook. Make it a work in progress. Not all spells are going to work out the same or function the same as you perform them, but having a general layout and method helps to focus your practice.

Wednesday

Common tools - What are the common tools in your craft? That is, you don't need to have a list of every single tool ever used in witchcraft, just the tools that you use in yours. Both regularly and less regularly. What are they used for specifically? What purposes do they serve in the magical and practical sense? Are they ceremonial and symbolic or do they serve an actual physical purpose? (i.e. a wand used to direct energy serves many purposes, while an incense burner could literally just be that, an incense burner)

Year outline/ calendar - not everyone celebrates the same days, holidays or even the same holidays the same way. What are the special occasions and days in your calendar? Mark them and when the proper season/ holiday comes around, we can make pages dedicated to those days. This week this will simply be a list of these days, while later we will actually make pages for them individually. Think of it like the Wheel of the Year, Yule to Midsummer and so on. What days are important to you and your practice? Are they actual holidays? Or simply days of power like the full moon? Or is it simply days that are significant for other reasons, like the anniversary of the day you began practicing witchcraft?

Practical - tool usage - practice using your tools. For example if you use a wand. Practice using it to direct energies or whatever it is you utilize it for.

Thursday

Altar design/ work space (New Page!) - make a page dedicated to your altar and its setup. Why are things where they are? The reasoning can be simple as “that’s where it fits” or you can give it a more meaningful reason. Candles in front of or behind something to represent some purpose. Do you have items that represent the elements? Deities? Different sources of power or directionality? Different colors for different meanings? Why is your altar the way it is?

Practical - cleansing space - practice cleansing your space and tools. This is of course a physical and 'energetic' cleansing. Tidy it up, redecorate your space, clean the tools if they have dust or ash or anything on them. Sometimes it is good to have a clean start.

Friday

Personal practices - this is just a thought provoking prompt tied in with the Journal prompt below. What are some of your personal practices that you've brought into your witchcraft? Anything from little habits from your every day life to things brought from religion or family traditions. No matter how hard we try, we carry within us echoes of things not related to our practices into it. And that is totally okay. Recognizing them, acknowledging them, and truly incorporating them can be a huge step toward understanding ourselves, our beliefs and our practices all around.

Journal/ introspective/ meditations - Think about the above and write any of it down that you come to terms with. Self understanding is important in and outside of witchcraft.

Thank you all and I hope this week's prompts aren't too overwhelming! Stay tuned next week for the next set of prompts!

- From my Grimoire

A Preface

Something that I don’t think enough people cover when it comes to The Craft, is how to keep yourself protected when doing spells and rituals, or communicating with spirits. This is a very basic aspect of witchcraft, so I’d like to take a moment to go in depth on the topic to make sure that as many people as possible, can find something that will work for them! Of course though, there will be some methods that I either don’t have experience with or may have simply forgot to mention. Find what works best for you and your practice, and look at some other articles or books as well!

Centering

First off, what is centering? This is basically you preparing yourself and getting in the mindset of doing a spell/ritual. This is taking a moment to yourself to make sure you’re intentions are in the right place, and everything is set up and ready to go. Centering isn’t too difficult to do, so there’s honestly not too much to say on the topic.

Method I like to begin centering with meditation. Relax yourself and get into the “witch headspace”, if you will. Cleanse yourself, and maybe even take a shower or a bath. Next thing is to gather your thoughts, write some questions down on a piece of paper or on your computer and answer them. Things like “What is my motivation?” “What outcome do I want” “How do I want to do this?” If you really take a moment to understand what you’re doing and where your heart lies, your spell will be at it’s most effective.

Grounding

Grounding is an important thing to do after any spell you perform. While it doesn’t necessarily hurt to do before a spell, it can limit your meta-physical performance. Grounding is connecting you back to the earth and bringing you back to your physical body, getting your head out of the clouds if you will, and sometimes when performing a spell that’s where you want your head to be. If you’re working with any earth based magick though, this can greatly help, so just figure out what works best for the kind of spell you’re doing.

Methods

Roots - This is my covens favorite method to ground. This is basically where you have a meditative moment, plant your feet on the ground, and “sink your roots in”. First thing you wanna do is get in some kind of contact with the ground or floor, just anything that is a solid foundation. Plant your hands or feet flat and start by breathing deeply. You wanna really take in the energy from the earth, pay attention to all of your surroundings and take in the moment. Next close your eyes and start focusing your energy at your hands or feet. (You may feel your hands start to tingle or even go mildly numb) Lastly, release that energy and push it into the earth. Let it soak in deep, and if visualization helps, imagine your roots growing down.

Going outside is another very good method to reconnect with the Earth. If at all possible, I like to go outside barefoot and feel the grass on my feet. Really connect to the earth, take in your surroundings and walk around as much as you feel comfortable.

A Dump Stone - Just about any stone will work, but generally stone that come from bodies of water, have holes, or are green or black tend to work the best. Basically just hold the stone in your hand and let any and all negative energy flow out from you into the stone. Stones can handle quite a bit of negative energy so don’t be afraid to let it all come out. After you’re done though, you’re immediately going to want to cleanse your crystal with whichever method works best for you. I prefer to let mine sit in salt overnight, or until the feel done.

Drinking a cold glass of water, splashing cold water on your face, or even taking a really quick cold shower is also a really good way to ground yourself. It’s all about being present in your body, and nothing can bring you back into the now like some cold water can.

Shielding and Wards

Shielding yourself is important when it comes to any kind of magick, because there truly are negative entities and energies out there that like to take advantage of people. It’s a sad truth, but this is why we learn to protect ourselves spiritually. Putting up a shield or ward isn’t difficult, and sometimes you do it without even realizing!

Shielding Methods

Visualization - This is my favorite method to teach beginners because it doesn’t require any tools just you, and yourself. The begin, start by getting into a calm relaxed state, maybe even meditate before hand. Next, imagine a ring of light around yourself starting at your feet. This light can look like anything, be any color, and be any shape so the only limit is your imagination. Once you have the ring of light, imagine it slowly coming up around your body, let it fill your heart with warmth and let it remind you that you are safe spiritually and no negative entity can harm you. Once it has made a complete bubble around yourself, say some affirmations and remind yourself that you’re strong and can handle anything. The more you believe in yourself, then the stronger this shield will become. 

Smoky Quartz or any other black stone, when kept on the person or placed at the feet can create a ward as well. For those less imaginative, this is a very good alternative because you have the crystal to support you as well. 

Magick Circle - There are many ways to open a magick circle, but heres a really simple method. Hold one of your hands out, palm up and focus your energy in your hand. (You may get that warm, tingly, or numb feeling, if not though thats okay!) Really let it bubble up into your fingertips, and once there, point a finger out and draw a circle around yourself and say some simple affirmations of safety and peace. Just like the visualization method, this works best the more you have faith and believe in yourself. 

Simply stating that you are, or feel safe is another way to shield yourself spiritually. You remember how when you were little and alone in your room at night and you thought you heard something scary? You covered your head up with a blanket right? Do you remember how safe you felt after doing that, like how nothing could get you? That was quite literally you putting up a shield. Remember your intentions and feelings are the most important thing in magick, always keep that in mind!

Warding Methods Wards are another variation of shields, but these are things you put on the physical plane rather than a spiritual one. 

Runes/Sigils - A really good way to set up a ward is to carve or draw some runes either into the side of a doorframe, a candle, or even on a piece of paper to burn later! If you’re going to carve them into wood or draw them, charge the tool you’re going to be doing it with. If your going to use a candle, burn the candle whenever you feel like you need it most! And as for burning paper, keep the ashed around and maybe even sprinkle them into every corner of the room.

Salt - Put lines of salt on the top of your door and window frames, and sprinkle some in every corner of the room.

Stones - Certain stones are said to be warning stones and will break if danger is near by. Malachite is one of these stones, and is fairly easy to get your hands on. Place this stone above door and window frames as well. 

Holy/Blessed Water - A drop placed in every corner of the room creates a barrier around the room.

Brooms/Staffs - Place in the corners of rooms, and said to fall over if danger is near by.

How lovely to hear! I’m flattered. Hope you don’t mind if I combine this ask a bit. Here are some tips for starting on the path to witchcraft! And welcome to our community!

You are the witch you decide to be. You can be inspired by types and paths you see on Tumblr or other blogs run by other witches; but ultimately the title is yours to claim in the method that works best for you!

Research is your best friend! Not just as a new witch but all throughout your path. Never stop! It will make you more confident and more competent!

Use what you have. This applies to tools (glasses, bowls, candles, scissors, spices, herbs you already have are perfect to build on) as well as your hobbies and interests. Build off hobbies of drawing, knitting, cooking, gardening, gaming, etc. It will merge you better with your craft from the beginning!

Start with protection and energy work. Don’t know where to begin? Start by researching and working on methods of protection, warding/shielding, and energy raising. Those are your basic witch tools that almost everything is built around.

Some beginner spells to look into: healing, protection, self-love/bath spells, safe travel charms, glamour magic.

Keep a journal! It doesn’t have to be a grimoire to begin with, but a journal of thoughts and ideas is a good habit to have as a witch. There’s a lot of personal examination and thought into building a craft and writing things down helps!

Thrift stores, dollar stores, flea markets and garage sales are you friends! If you have to have some of the tools and supplies inspired by other witches blog, start at the cheap places first! The fancy aesthetic is pretty to look at but doesn’t inherently make you a better or more powerful witch.

You are the magic. You are the power. You are the witch. All the rest is just filler. It can help you focus, yes. But you are the seat of your power. Don’t forget that.

As an extra treat- here’s a simple protection oil you can likely find the ingredients to in a decently stocked kitchen!

Simple Protection Oil

Small bottle (an old spice or pill bottle would work fine)

Carrier oil (olive, almond, grapeseed)

Ground cinnamon

Ground nutmeg or clove

Ground black or cayenne pepper

Salt

CRYSTALS

- Crystal care

- Ways to use crystals

- Crystals grouped by use

- Crystal Correspondences

OTHER CORRESPONDENCES

- Colour correspondences

- Colour correspondences II

- Week days / deities correspondences

- Days of the Week for Spells and Rituals

HERBS

- REALLY BIG POST: Herbalism correspondences

- Herbs masterpost

- Common Kitchen Herbs

- General Tree Associations

- How to Keep Plants Alive

- Green Witch Tips

SPELLS

- Cleansing Masterpost

- Simple Luck Spell

- Masterpost of Luck Spells

- Seven Deadly Sins Spells

- Creating Spell Jars

- Inspir-ACE-ion Spell

- How to Enchant an Object

- A Simple Spell for Enchanting Objects

- Anti-Anxiety Jar

- Your Negativity Does Not Affect Me Spell

- Simple Honey Spells

POTIONS, WATERS AND ELIXIRS

- Masterpost of simple potions

- Floral tea magick

- Fruit tea magick

- Rose Water

- Waters

CANDLE MAGICK

- Candle Colour Meanings

ASTROLOGY

- Moon Phases

- Moon Phases II

- Moon Signs Descriptions

- Houses of the Birthchart

- Signs, planets and houses

- Birth Chart Guide

TAROT

- Tarot Spreads Masterpost

- Cleansing the Cards

- Tarot in Spells

- Tarot Tricks

- Tarot Cheat Sheet

- Tarot Cheat Sheet II

DIVINATION

- Pendulum: How To

- Name Numerology

SABBATS

- Beltane Resource Masterpost

DIY PROJECTS

- DIY Sustainable Spell Box

MISC

- Other witchy masterpost

- Beginner Witchcraft Resources Masterpost

- Familiars

- How to Return to the Craft

- Witch Safety Tips

- Recommended books

What does enchanting an object means?

When you enchant an object, you put your energy and intent into something, giving it a purpose. It can be anything: protection, attract general love, relaxing or even cursing.

Cleanse the object before enchanting How to set an enchantment Echanting an item tips Enchanting an object  Enchanting + ideas More about enchanting How to enchant How to enchant with cosmic energies Useful links + tips  Enchating with touch Enchantments:

Aside from being a careful and confident driver, turning off your cell phone, not drinking and driving, and keeping your car in good condition- there’s a simple way to add more protection when you’re behind the wheel.

Sigils, written on index cards and placed under floor mats, are easy, discreet, and give you some extra magical help during your travels. Charge/redraw them before long trips or difficult journeys. I also place one in my pet carriers when my animals travel with me.

A simple bath spell for when you feel at your lowest.

You will need:

Rose Quartz

Rose Petals 

Mint

Tea Lights (any candles would work though)

This spell is best performed at night, before bed.

Draw yourself a bath, and light your candles. Set them (safely!) around your bathroom and turn off any harsh lights. Sprinkle in your mint (for starting fresh) and your rose (for self love) and get into the bath. 

Take your rose quartz and hold it close. Pour your emotions into it and visualize the steam from the bath rising through the crystal and taking them away. Breathe in the scent of the mint and rose and feel yourself being filled with positive emotion. Meditate on these feelings for a moment before getting out of the bath.

Basic Components

🌸 Bath Salts - when you want the thing to be immersed into the water, cleansing, the subconscious mind

🌸 Bubble Bath - when you want to be immersed IN the thing, manifesting, the conscious mind

🌸 Bath Bombs - when you want the thing to explode into existence, move rapidly, high energy

🌸 The Water - the carrier of your intent, cleanses, helps imbue the intent into you

🌸 Soaps - carry and spread the intent to your body, good for carving sigils, good for long term use

🌸 The Drain - carries away the bad things when you are finished, or sends your intent out into the world

To Enjoy With Your Bath:

🌸 White Wine - fresh starts, clearing

🌸 Red Wine - indulgence, sensuality

🌸 Fruit - refreshing, sweetening, celebration, blooming

🌸 Chocolate - enjoyment, self love, richness, abundance

🌸 Tea - relaxation, meditation, correspondence of the tea itself

🌸 Hot Chocolate - warmth, friendship, self love, winter

Amplifiers:

🌸 Music - can be used to create a magical atmosphere that matches your intent

🌸 Crystals - amplify and aid the intent (check water safety, don’t immerse your crystals that can’t handle it, if you choose to immerse them at all)

🌸 Candles - relaxation, illumination, each color or scent carries its own respective meanings (floating candles as well!)

🌸 Flowers / Flower Petals - color associations, good for aesthetic and mood-setting, imbues the correspondence of the flower into the water

Bonus Object: Rubber duck - a very Powerful friend

✨🌸 Go Get Witchy 🌸✨

Death Witchcraft Masterpost

-Beginner Death Witchcraft

-Unusual Death Witchcraft

-Spring Death Witchcraft

-Lost Cost Death Witchcraft

-Safe Crossings for Someone Who’s Passed (pet-friendly as well)

-Massaging the Bones (attuning tools and bones to your space)

-Web of Protection (symbiotic/deathwork based ward)

-A semi-theistic Prayer for Passing/Grief

-My Humorous Retelling of “Koschei the Deathless”

Graveyards:

-Ways to Bond with a Graveyard

-Graveyard Dirt Uses

-Graveyard Alternatives

-Graveyard Dirt Alternatives

-Subtle Graveyard Offerings

-Bereavement Traditions

Spirit Work/Ghosts:

-Spirit Work 101

-Autumn Spirit Work

-Communication with Ghosts

-Non-verbal Spirit Communication

-Using a Spirit/Ouija Board

-Spirit Work Techniques: Keys

-Spirit Work Techniques: Energy Directives

-Spirit Banishing Tip

Recipes/Spells:

-Spirited Jack O’Lantern

-Safe Crossings Jar

-Baked Apple Offerings

-Pumpkin Seed Offerings -Underworld Powder Series- Styx

-Underworld Powder Series- Lethe

-Underworld Powder Series- Cocytus

-Underworld Powder Series- Phlegethon

-Underworld Powder Series- Acheron

-Contacting a Loved One

-Death Witch Tip

Hey Moon Babies. So before I add this into my Grimoire I wanted to share this Bath Ritual with you, one that I’ve done many times, and is super great for a self-love pick me up or if you want to honour/devote yourself to Aphrodite.

You Will Need:

White Candles

Fresh Rose Petals ( Pink for Love, Red for Passion, White for Purity ). This is dependant on what you have on hand and what you feel like adding.

Rose Quartz

Lavender Essential Oil ( Vanilla is another good oil to add too ).

Coconut Oil

Almond Oil

Honey ( Offering to Aphrodite )

Moon Water ( Not compulsory but this will give your bath an extra oomph )

What To Do:

Run a bath.

Decorate around your tub with as many white candles, and rose quartz as possible.

Once the bath is finished running, add a few drops of essential oil, a few drops of almond oil, and a teaspoon of coconut oil and honey. Add a small cup of moon water. Mix the ingredients well.

Sprinkle in rose petals.

When in the bath and once relaxed, ask your mermaid brothers/sisters for guidance in your journey of self-love, peace and acceptance. Devote your body to Aphrodite.

When you’re finished and ready to come out of the bath, thank Aphrodite and the mermaids for their guidance.

Drain bath. ( I would recommend cleansing and re-using the rose petals for a glamour spell or something of your choice )

Enjoy!!

Selenite

Jade

Calcite

Pearl

Hematite

Malachite

Tangerine quartz

Charoite

Angelite

Rhodocrosite

Lodestone

Gypsum

Fluorite

Azurite

Celestite

Lepidolite

Himalayan salt rock

A Crash Course in Warding by @elvenwitch​

“Let Only Good Energy In” Horseshoe Ward Charm by @anothersusurrus

House-Warding Spritz by @seleneblackwell

Simple Tips:

Sleep with your favorite protective crystal under your pillow or your favorite protective herb in your pillowcase

Flip your pillow over to avoid nightmares if they’ve been plaguing you

Do a quick saltwater cleansing of your room by spraying salt water in all of the corners

Burn (non endangered) sage in your home or room for a smoke cleansing

General Warding Herbs and Crystals

Amethyst - nightmares

Alder - the unseen

Ash - the dead

Bay - the lightning

Birch - the evil eye

Blackthorn - the forceful

Carnelian - misfortune

Fire - the wandering

Hawthorn - the cunning

Iron - the fay

Jasper - the trickster

Lobelia - the storm

Magnolia - the unfaithful

Mirror - the spell

Mistletoe - the flame

Rowan - the magician

Silver - the lurking

Salt - the spirit

Snail shell - the witch

A Basic Warding Ritual: Submitted to Witchesofthecraft.com and full of wonderful info!

The following warding ritual is based on one my high priest teaches our coven. I have used it for several years with excellent results.

Aw, man! We're in the middle of a pandemic but a sabbat is approaching! What the heck are we gonna do??? Let's take this step by step...

Some traditional Beltane practices

Bon fires

Flower gathering

Nature walks

Dancing around a May Pole

Sexy time

Volunteer work

Jumping broomsticks (or fires but just promise me that you'll be careful)

Washing your face with morning dew

Making Beltane bread

Colors, incense, flowers, and all that good stuff

Red, white, green, purple, yellow

Fertility symbols (eggs, antlers, seeds, things that look like ding-dongs)

Spring flowers - daffodils, hyacinths, forsythia, daisies, tulips

Flower crowns

Summer/spring fruits - cherries, mangos, strawberries, etc

Incense - patchouli, jasmine, frankincense, rose, (one of my roommates last year got one that was just labeled "Sex incense" I don't remember what all was in it, but it was great for beltane!)

Crystals - Emerald, Malachite, Amber, Orange Carnelian, Sapphire, Rose Quartz

"I want to celebrate Beltane, but because of quarantine I don't have..."

The correct incense - Solution: Use whichever one is closest or whatever you're feeling that day. The universe will still recognize your efforts

Any incense - Solution: Look through your herb cabinet, research each one, & try burning some herbs either in a cauldron or another safe location.

Flowers - Solution: If it is safe/legal in your area, go for a nature walk & pick up any fallen petals or flowers you may find on the ground. If it is not safe for you to go outside right now, try your hand at drawing the desired flowers for your alter/decorations or just print out pictures from the internet. It's the thought that counts.

The traditional colors of candles or clothing or ribbons or ANYTHING - Solution: Just use white, it's all the colors & therefore can serve as a replacement for anything.

The right crystals - Solution: Clear quartz can work as a substitute for any other crystal. If you don't have that or if you don't have *any* crystals at all, it's okay. You don't have to work with crystals to be witch.

Any fruit - Solution: Try out an online shopping service (I use Imperfect Foods) you can also use canned or frozen fruit in a pinch.

Access to the outdoors - Solution: Set up your alter in a windowsill. Open all the windows of your space. Take some vitamin D. Practice fire-safety when lighting candles. Jump over a broomstick instead of a candle or bonfire.

Have a bonfire - Solution: Use a candle as a substitute. Extra small bonfire.

Have a May Pole - Solution: Hang ribbons on a tree or stick!

Have access to ribbons - Solution: You can use thread, yarn, or strips of fabric if you want!

And finally, a section I feel is important to add:

Quaran-tane for the Broom-Closet Witch

I understand this has to be an extremely difficult time for you and your practice. You know better than anyone what's safe for you to do and what isn't. You can implement as many of the above suggestions as you feel comfortable doing. You know what's best for you. I'm not going to sit here & give you tips on hiding your practice or sneaking outside or anything like that. You do whatever feels right for you. Instead, I'm gonna tell you some things I feel it's important for you to remember during this time:

Your safety & wellbeing need to come first.

You're still a witch even if you're in the broom closet.

You're still a witch even if you don't celebrate the sabbats

If all you feel safe doing is lighting a candle, then you light that candle & don't let anyone tell you that your celebration isn't "good enough."

You won't always have to hide who you are.

Thanks so much for reading all of this! Stay safe out there & have a blessed Beltane ❤💚💜💛

Beltane is in about a week and as most of us realized right now, most of as are going to spend Beltane inside in quarantine. I though I would write a small post to give you some ideas to celebrate at home.

Baking

To me this is the easiest way to celebrate Beltane while locked inside. I gather some recipes that need few ingredients.

Beltane Oats and Honey Scones

Beltane Tea Potion

Beltane Breakfast

Beltane honey-lemon vanilla madeleines

Sweet Earl Grey Lavender Ice Cream with a Blackberry swirl You will need an Ice cream maker for this one!

BELTANE STRAWBERRY LEMON PASSION BARS

Beltane Sangria

House Cleaning

You can easily incorporate cleaning into a very simple ritual, especially on a sabbath day. 

Light a candle

When you clean, be mindful on how you feel. Try to be grateful of your house and imagine that you are getting rid of all the bad energies

Open the windows if possible to let all the good things come into your life and your home

When you are done, take a few big breath and thanks your home for all the good things it brings you

Light an incense stick and let it burn a bit in every room for a final cleanse

Leave an offering to the faeries

If you have a garden or during a stroll (while respecting social distancing) you can leave a bit of milk and honey for the fae! It is there celebration day too, they will appreciate!

Yoga

Try to do a few sun salutation right after getting out of bed. Dedicate your practice to your deities if you have some or just for to Spring that is in full swing right now.

Here is another great post of what to do for Beltane in Quarantine or Quarantane

Some great ideas for the witches in quarantine and the spoonies over here!

An other great Ask about what to do for Beltane in quarantine here too!

Also, I am sure it can help some people around here:

quarantine tips for people who deal with mental illnesses

There is plenty of other activities to do, if you wish you can add them too after this post! Let’s gather a great list to celebrate, the quarantine will not stop us! <3

This ritual was initially read and crafted for the Nightshade Network on March 16, 2019.

Opening

Grounding and Shielding

Rebirth Ritual

Intentions

Deity Work

Offerings

Divination

Supplies:

-Pen and journal -Offerings for your deities and/or spirits if you so choose. -Candles (i like four tea lights. You can use -battery operated ones if you’d like. I also like white coloured ones or pastel colours for Ostara) -Optional: sage or cleansing incense. -Tarot cards, runes, etc. -Representations of the elements (earth, water, fire, air).

Note: the parts that are bolded, speak out loud.

Opening:

Spirits of this place, ancestors that watch over us, and deities that assist us in this work. Today we use this space for our sacred rite and as we use this land, we acknowledge you. We share with you. We invite you. Stay if you will and go if you must.

We’re gathered here on Ostara as the Earth turns from the Winter to the Spring to celebrate the cycle of life and rebirth. On this day, we honour the spirits and deities of rebirth and renewal.

After this step is finished, light your candles on your altar or your ritual space. I like to configure them according to North, East, South, and West. You can now cast your circle if you’d like. This is completely optional since not everyone casts a circle.

Hail to the watchtower in the North. The element of Earth. We call upon you to protect this space.

Hail to the watchtower in the East. The element of Air. We call upon you to protect this space.

Hail to the watchtower in the South. The element of Fire. We call upon you to protect this space.

Hail to the watchtower in the West. The element of Water. We call upon you to protect this space.

As you face the directions and call upon the watchtowers, visualize a protective circle around you and visualize it raising up. Nothing can pass your barrier, nothing that you don’t want in your space.

Grounding and Shielding:

For grounding and shielding myself, I like to take a moment to cleanse myself and my energy with some sage or any form of cleansing incense (rosemary works well). After I finish this, I take a moment to take a breath and breathe in for a count of 7, hold for 7, and exhale for 7. While I do this, I visualize roots extending out of my body and linking me to the ground as my energy forms a small bubble in my solar plexus. As I become more grounded, I visualize my energy cocooning me and hardening, making this little protective bubble that won’t break.

Rebirth Ritual:

Today is the time of the Spring equinox. Ostara is a time of equal parts light and dark. Spring has arrived and it is a time of rebirth. The planting season will soon begin and life will form once more within the Earth.

As the Earth welcomes new life and new beginnings so can we be reborn in the light and love of the universe.

[Here, sprinkle your earth element over your altar.]

With the blessings of the Earth and life within the soil, we are reborn.

[Here, take your air element and place it on your altar.]

With the blessings of air, may knowledge and wisdom be brought to you on the winds.

[Here, take your fire element and place it on your altar]

May the fire of the spring sun bring growth and harmony into your life.

[Here, place your water element on your altar.]

With the blessings of water, may the chill and darkness of winter be swept away by the warm spring rain.

Now focus on the energy that’s been raised. Allow the elements one by one to wash over you. Sit in their energy. Take the next 5 minutes to breathe in the 7-7-7 pattern and think about the balancing energy of Ostara. Think about the polarity of Spring and how that can be reflected in your own life.

Intentions:

Take your journal and just meditate on what Ostara means to you, how you celebrate it, and what you want to experience throughout this ritual. You can write this however you want (I use full sentences but if shorthand works for you, use it!). I have a ritual journal where I record all of this but if you do it on your phone, that’s perfectly okay as well.

Once you’ve written down your intentions, close your journal, lay a hand on the cover, and close your eyes. Visualize some of the energy going from yourself into your intentions. I visualize the words coming off of the page and disappearing into the air around me. You can visualize how these words go out into the universe however you want. If you want to take the paper and tear it up, go ahead. If you want to burn it, go ahead (just be sure to practice fire safety!).

Once this step is completed, feel free to share your intentions. You don’t have to if you don’t want to.

Deity/Spirit Work:

Take a moment to re-center yourself and your energy. This is where I like to put on a playlist that helps me relax. Once I feel re-centered I focus on the song that’s playing and start doing my 7-7-7 breathing pattern again. I open my mind to my deities and spirits and allow their energy to come and visit me and ask them questions I have or let them teach me something. Allow 5-10 minutes for this. If you need longer, that’s fine.

Once you’ve come back from speaking with your deities and/or spirits, take a moment to just sit in the information you’ve received and write it down in your ritual journal.

Offerings:

Once you’ve written down your final thoughts, set out your offerings for your deities and/or spirits and thank them for their help in your work tonight. If you’d like you can sit in their presence a little longer.

Once you feel like the offering has been received, you can either consume it or dispose of it — whatever you feel is right.

Then I typically like to let my candles burn down but you can extinguish them how you see fit.

Omen:

A gift calls for a gift. As we have offered our deities and our spirits praises and sacrifices we now ask for their response to us. Open our hearts and give to us of your blessings.

The format for the divination while be a 3 spread: Past, Present, and Future.

Once your cards or runes etc are drawn or cast, take a few minutes to meditate on their meaning. Log them in your journal.

Ending: