azar's witchy archive

Alternate title: How Can I Be Confident My Readings Don’t Suck?

This is mostly written with tarot in mind, but I think the sentiment can apply to any type of in-depth divination or metaphysical readings. Here’s some things to look for in readings, and if you are charging a set price for your own readings, things to demand from yourself. 

The information provided in a reading should be…

Relevant to the querents’ needs. If somebody comes to you asking about a specific question or topic, the reading should be designed to reflect that. This may mean using a different spread or focusing on details of meaning more relevant to the question than the traditional baseline meaning. (Example, if a querent is asking about money and I’m picking up signs of a new romantic relationship coming soon, it shouldn’t turn into a love reading. Rather, how might entering a new relationship affect ones’ finances?)

Abundant. Anybody can go online and find a random tarot card picker with a general description or some key words. If you’re providing a compensated service, your interpretation should have more meat than that. Allow yourself to explain your thought process or speculate on a deeper meaning, instead of regurgitating key words. After all, that speculation and personal insight is what they’re paying you for, otherwise they’d just find the bot! (For reference, I’m trying to give each of these points about the same amount of depth I would want to see in a really good tarot reading for each card.)

Nuanced. A lot of us are afraid to get into the details and specifics of an answer because we’re afraid of being wrong, so we just stick to being vague. Throw that out the window. Right now. Being specific HELPS your reading be more accurate, believable, and helpful, because if we’re too conservative with our details it gives the querent nothing to grab onto. Go for the specifics, the details, the things that make the querent say, “okay, I know exactly what that’s talking about.” (Example, what sounds better: “There’s conflict in the future” or “There’s conflict here, my gut says probably butting heads with an authority figure you’ve known for a while. Neither of you is right or wrong, but you’ll just keep wasting your time if you don’t compromise.”)

Understandable. Keep in mind that most of your querents will probably not practice the service you’re providing, or if they do they may just be beginners. Don’t shroud your reading in convoluted, arcane talk. If you can, explain some of how you’re getting the answers you getting. That doesn’t mean divulging secrets to your practice, but something like, “These runes are so close together, which to me means they’re working together, and the synthesis of their meanings could mean X.” Really helps a querent feel involved and more confident in your skills as their interpreter. 

Applicable. Give the querent knowledge they can walk away with. If you’re doing all of the above steps this is probably happening anyway, but it’s important to keep in mind. You should always be able to answer the question: “What is the best next step for the querent to achieve their goals, once they leave this reading?”  What can they do right now to develop themselves, prepare for success, repair that relationship, etc? Do they have a game plan? Basically, they should be able to take the insight you have provided them with and apply it to their life in a productive way.  

i’m tired. i’m scared a lot of the time. i want community & inspiration to help keep me going, so i reach for something like a zine that bills itself as an inclusive mix of queer & trans voices on witchcraft, resistance, activism - because it’s a group of marginalized folks, i (maybe foolishly) have this expectation of seeing myself in it, or of the editors being conscious of the many forms of cultural appropriation that happen in these spaces & working to educate about them

but what i’m finding, over and over, is two things: the first is that despite the fact that we exist in greater numbers than i’d ever have expected, there are no Jewish voices in any of the witchcraft-focused publications (indie or otherwise) i’ve ever encountered. the second thing, that cultural appropriation of Judaism & other forms of pervasive anti-semitism DO exist in these publications, just makes the lack of Jewish perspectives more glaring

so in the interest of being direct, here are a few things the queer & trans witchcraft community (i’d like to ask the ENTIRE witchcraft community, but i am speaking to people with whom i share something right now) can do & think about to help:

include us. if you didn’t think that any Jewish folks were involved in witchy communities, ask yourself why! is it because you thought Judaism was a religion only? or incompatible with ideas about magic? Judaism is an ethnicity & a culture - or more truthfully, a group of ethnicities & cultures - with long & complex histories of magic, mysticism & folklore. some of it is considered traditionally “kosher” & some of it isn’t! our relationships to that are individual, fascinating, & worth being shared!

stop throwing around the words “Abrahamic” & “Judeo-Christian” - especially when you want to talk about cultural values or historical oppression. 9 times out of 10, you just mean Christianity. yes, we share some text, but we have VERY different relationships to it. plus, if you’re talking specifically about the persecution of people believed to be witches, that’s the history of Jews being murdered by Christians. honestly just do us a favor & remove “Judeo-Christian” from your vocabulary, there’s almost no context where it’s an accurate description of anything.

educate yourself about appropriation. i should never have to see someone mention “practicing Kabbalah” in a zine that includes no Jewish people. our mysticism is connected to our culture, our history, our faith - not only do you have no business taking it, what could it possibly mean to you without its context? 

understand that anti-semitism runs deeper than current appropriation - if you engage at all with any Western occultist or “ceremonial magic” literature or practice, you need to learn its history. what does it mean that the 15th century grimoire you’re drawing inspiration from contains Hebrew & calls itself Solomonic, but has no actual connection to Jewish people? what does it mean that the person who created the most iconic image of Baphomet, something beloved by a lot of queer & trans witches for being androgynous, gave himself a fake Hebrew name? i’m not asking you to throw all of these concepts & traditions out entirely - i have something of a love/hate relationship with ceremonial occultism myself, i collect vintage & antique things related to it & some of it is really interesting - but please at the very least educate yourself about it. specifically, educate yourself about how medieval Jews were treated while non-Jewish occultists were incorporating (often misunderstood or mangled) Jewish mysticism, language & folk practices into their frameworks. 

if you’ve stayed with me this far, i appreciate it - i know this post is long & that confronting this stuff can be difficult, but i urge you to do some reading & listening before you push back. i’m writing this because i want to see things change - i want to see communities where people connect meaningfully to their own heritages & participate in actual cultural exchange & learning based in equity & mutual support. 

i’m speaking to my own experience, but all of this goes for ANY marginalized culture/tradition being “drawn from” in witchcraft communities without actually including members of said culture. 

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)

A Disclaimer: I am one person and my opinions (which I have in abundance) may not reflect the opinions of other witches, in general, or other people who call themselves hearth witches. In fact, they probably won’t, because I’m an asshole. I have a bizarre sense of humor that doesn’t convey well in text and I rant about shit I don’t like. A lot. If you don’t think you can handle that, maybe don’t read anything I write. Ever.

Introduction to Altars, Shrines, and Workspaces

In most of the Pagan and Witchy world, the word ‘altar’ is pretty much used to describe any place of devotion as well as your workspaces. But that definition irks me a little, because there are actually some differences between altars and shrines (and some others between those and workspaces). So…for the sake of the next three posts (or, actually, all of my posts), these are the definitions I’m going to use. 

Altar - A blessed workspace, usually the center of ritual. Some people only set up altars during ritual and otherwise keep ritual tools put away. Many religious and spiritual traditions call for altars to be placed in certain directions during ritual. The most common of these are the East and the North (or in the center of a Circle, facing one of those directions), but this can vary depending on tradition and the goal of work. (For example, some teachings of my culture associate the West with death an finality, so I might erect my altar in the West when working with the Spirit Lands. Currently, my altar faces the South to focus my work on gaining new understanding and ability since my spirituality is currently in shift.) Some traditions have rules about what materials an altar should be made of (natural materials, no metal, ect) Common features on an altar might be candles, tools, element representations—well, I say common, but that’s kind of up to you; and the content of the altar, too, will differ based on the ritual, time of year, personal preference, tradition, etc. An altar is something that will change and grow with time. It will change from ritual to ritual. It will be moved from location to location. You’ll spend time with it. Perhaps keep your tools there and perform rituals there. A person can have as many altars as they choose, but many are not necessary. I keep one in my room permanently as well as one outdoors, which I take down when not in use. 

Shrines - Rather than being the focus of ritual, a shrine is actually the focus of worship or devotion. A shrine can be erected for a specific deity or group of deities, you ancestors, spirits you wish to work with, an element with properties you wish to call into your life, the Fae, household spirits, or anything else you wish to offer devotion to. A shrine is both a place to make offerings and an offering in and of itself. In many cultures, my own included, having a place for your ancestors that you keep cleaned and fresh is considered the same as taking care of your ancestors; and that idea does carry over into a much of my spiritual life and practice. A person can keep as may shrines as they need—for directions, deities that want their own space, the Fae, etc. 

Workspaces - Literally, any space in which you work. It doesn’t have to be blessed or cleansed or anything. You don’t even have to use the same one from project to project. Typically, I work in my kitchen or at my desk. Unless what I’m doing is part of a spell or ritual that needs to be done at an altar, I really don’t see the point in cluttering up my ritual space. Aside from that, it’s much safer and more practical for me to do much of my magic in the kitchen, where fire is safely accessible (and water is nearby, in case I set something ablaze). 

Creating a Safe, Convenient Workspace

(source)

We’ll start here, because my workspaces are honestly where I am the most in my house. Now, I live in a very small railroad cottage with several other people. That means that, in addition to being safe for me and convenient for my work, they also have to be in rooms that are used by the rest of my family, safe for the kids in the house, and relatively clutter free. 

A few things to look for when creating your own work environment are:

Comfort & Space - Let’s face it, a lot of witchcraft involves crafty craft. We’re very hands on people, for the most part. So, you’re going to want to find a place where you can have a flat surface like a counter, table, or desk. If you work with urine, blood, fire, etc; you’ll probably want to work somewhere without a lot of upholstered furniture. You’ll want to make sure there is room for you to spread your projects out, preferably somewhere that you won’t be in the way while someone is making dinner or putting away groceries—but you can always schedule your witchcraft around those events, too. 

Room For Supplies - Apart from your ritual tools, it’s kind of ideal to keep your supplies in or close to whatever workspace you’re going to use them the most in. For example, most of my herbs are in the kitchen, whereas my sewing machine and ribbons are in my bedroom. 

Safety - Are you going to be working with fire? If so, consider putting your workspace in a room with running water (or buying a fire extinguisher). If you plan to make soap with lye or transport a lot of boiled water, make sure your workspace will be in a room where these activities are safe, at a time of day without a lot of people traffic. If you need to work with things that put off a lot of fumes or smoke, you’ll need to be in a place with good ventilation and windows you can open for air. 

Like I mentioned before, it’s a good idea to keep your supplies in or close to your workspace. If you live with your family, like I do, or have already-cluttered cabinets, it can be a little difficult to find space for those supplies. So, here are a few of my favorite solutions:

Rolling Kitchen Islands

There are variations of these all over the place, with a pretty wide range in price. If your supplies are safe to keep in the open, something like this might do:

If not, there are options like this:

These are super handy both because they can be moved around and because they double as a work surface. Many of them have wheels that lock, so you don’t even have to worry about it rolling away with your curse bottles.

Closet Organizers

I know what you’re thinking. Emma, those are shoe hangers. I know they are. But they are also awesome! A friend of mine starting using this to organize her pantry. Not long after that, I discovered how handy they were to store yarn, candles, lighters, paints, brushes, tarot decks, feathers, and a ton of other stuff I needed for witchcraft. (It’s always the well-meaning non-witch friends that make witchcraft easier for you, isn’t it?) And the best thing about these is that you can hang them behind any door. If you need to hide your supplies, they can go in a closet.

Tackel Boxes, Cosmetic Boxes, and Sewing Boxes

I don’t think I need to explain myself here.

Pegboard

I have a book list of witchcraft books I do own (which is currently outdated and needs a revamp), but I also have a ton of books from the library I have reviewed as well! There are many I have posted, but not all of them are actually books I would recommend to others, so let me compile the ones I would actually like to get the word out about here: 

Books I genuinely like:

Grovedaughter Witchery , which I liked so much that I bought it and then gave away and then bought again

Crystal Ball Reading for beginners by Alexandra Chauran

Glamour Magic by Deborah Castellano

Her Hidden Children, Chas S. Clifton

HausMagick by Erica Feldman

Traditional Wicca, Thorn Mooney (Which I don’t think I wrote a review for)

Of Witchcraft and Whimsy, which I also liked so much that I gave it to a circle-sister as a gift

The Magickal Family, Monica Crosson

Things Your Elders Never Told You, Katherine Clark

And for the Kemetic Polytheists out there, Nefer  and Dancing for Hathor :)

Books I recommend for historical/context value, but don’t enjoy:

Doreen Valiente’s Collection

The Triumph of the Moon, Ronald Hutton

Aradia, or the Gospel of the Witches

How do I judge books?

I have the full post linked above, but tldr, I look for things that provide helpful, accurate information, are able to convey their point in the midst of and enjoyable experience, and aren’t racist, transphobic, or ableist. Like the Beschdel test, I am surprised how many books just don’t pass.

This is not the full extent of all the books I have reviewed or that I like, but I don’t have an easily distinguishable tag, so here’s the down low. Take it and run.

(I’m not putting the K in just because Aleister Crowley thought it should be there.)

The first time I ever saw a correspondcence list it came with candles I’d just bought (before I realised white candles are the blank scrabble tile of the Craft). I disagreed with nearly every colour, and anyone who has an understanding of colour association in therapy can tell you why. 

The connections you make to each colour, plant and oil are individual to you.  Mostly. I’m not saying there’ll never be any crossover, because there will. The reasons a lot of people seen green as a colour of wealth and prosperity, but also harmony and peace, are the same reasons many green crystals share that reputation. Jade, for example. Green aventurine, green calcite… 

Depending on how you’re identifying the properties of a colour, plant, oil, or even an item, then it’s possible not a single one with be a match for the other. For example, I have two mint plants - one outside and one indoors. Three, if you count the one that grew itself by the pond. They each grew in very different conditions, received different degrees of attention from me, but they are still mint. 

Specifically, mentha spicata.

I can’t stress how important it is that you know exactly which plant you’re dealing with before you start working with it, and very few seem to note this down for others.

Now, a background in herbalism helps me a fair deal in identifying what mint is used for, but then there’s the growth conditions to consider, and any history/folklore surrounding it. And, perhaps most importantly, the energy of the plant itself. My indoor mint has received the most care from me and is visibly healthier as a result. It is my go-to for teas. However, my outdoor mint has had the most natural care, the most rainwater, and although it’s potted it’s in the middle of a nature-friendly garden. The pond-side mint is truly in its element, which is mostly why I have left it alone to be happy. 

Three plants of the same species, with very different growth conditions and energies. Meditating on your colour associations is easier, I grant you.

Nevertheless.

Zodiac Archetypes Tarot Spreads

Aries the Ram (Pioneer) 1. Hindleg–What is holding you back 2. Horn–What to continue doing 3. Horn–What to start doing 4. Nose–Future

Taurus the Bull (Nature Spirit) 1. Head–Obstacle 2&3. Horns–Potential outcomes 4. Shoulder–How to proceed

Gemini the Twins (Oracle) 1&2. Hearts–2 conflicting desires 3. Head–Advice 4. Feet–Future/how to proceed

Cancer the Crab (Mother) 1. Shell–What you hide 2. Eyes–Environmental responses 3. Claw–Past 4. Claw–Future

Leo the Lion (King) 1. Mane–Pride 2. Teeth–Fierceness 3. Body–Your effect on others 4. Tail–Adaptibility

Virgo the Virgin (Healer) 1. Head–Logical path 2. Heart–Emotional obstruction 3&4. Hands–Potential futures

Libra the Scales (Peacemaker) 1. Base–Issues influencing you 2. Fulcrum–Advice for decision 3&4. Scales–2 choices

Scorpio the Scorpion (Witch) 1. Tail–Where your power lies 2. Head–How to confront issues 3. Pincer–Past 4. Pincer–Future

Sagittarius the Archer (Explorer) 1. Arrow–Destination 2. Bow–Discovery 3. Man–Where to find strength 4. Horse–How to stay grounded

Capricorn the Water Goat (Father) 1. Tail–Past influences 2. Body–Current issue 3. Head–Advice from the spirit 4. Horns–How to address the issue

Aquarius the Water Bearer (Rebel) 1. Vessel–What you hold back 2. Woman–How you are viewed 3. Water–What to express 4. Snake–Temptations

Pisces the Fish (Dreamer) 1. Head–First option for path following 2. Tail–Outcome if followed 3. Head–Second option for path following 4. Tail–Outcome if followed

Hi! I have developed a personal method of dice divination using the standard set!! (The dice used are d4, d6, d8, d10, d12, and d20!) My method is below the cut!!

This is less of a definitive guide and more documentation of how I take notes on decks I work with. I’m always interested to see how other people do it so I wanted to show my process. I hope some of these ideas will inspire folks to develop their own systems and share! 

Why Take Notes

I don’t take notes on every deck I own. For some, I received them at a time when there wasn’t much free time to dig into them or I just knew it wasn’t going to be a deck that would see heavy usage so it wasn’t worth the time. 

But every now and then I get a deck and immediately know I’m going to relying on it. In those cases, I find it really valuable to study the deck as deeply as I can. There’s a learning curve with any deck, but studying it head on really makes that go easier in my experience. 

But more than that - it’s just fun! 

For those of us who don’t use Books of Shadow and the like, divination notes and a divination journal can be a really rewarding way to spend time with our spirituality.  My Microsoft OneNote System

This is the system I’m currently working on with the Numinous Tarot I just got. I’m incredibly in love with deck and wanted to do something more involved for it. Also, my disability has been flaring up again and greatly impacts my ability to use my arms and hands so I needed it to be digital so I could update it more consistently. 

As you can see, I set up a new notebook just for this tarot deck. I have a tab for general notes and then one for each of the major sections of the deck. 

This is one card I finished my first pass with. I took a picture of it with the best light I could manage on my phone and then pulled it into here. I put my personal references in clearest view. I do that so I can begin to make and trust my personal associations. Since it’s digital I can update this as I do more readings and make more connections. 

This deck also came with a digital guidebook, so I copy pasted the information here so I can compare it to my evolving understanding of the card. 

Further down are where I have a few prompts I use when I’m trying to dig deeper into a card. They’re not filled out yet because I’m still in the beginning stages with this deck. But if I see this card turn up a lot in my readings, I’ll come back and do the journal prompts. 

My Microsoft Excel System

I’ve written before about using an Excel sheet to make notes on tarot cards. I’ve played around with it some since writing that post but I will admit that it doesn’t produce nice neat notes so here’s a screencap of a blank Rider-Waite one. The download links on that post are still good by the way so you can still save yourself a little work if you want. 

The major pro of this system I’ve found is that it forces me to keep notes brief. It’s makes me boil cards down to a few keywords. I use this more for decks that I already know and just want a reference for or for decks I don’t think I’ll be working with much. 

I really like the visual nature of this set up. It fits more with how I picture the deck in my head when I’m working with it and that’s really helpful. It’s also pretty easy to search this set up for cards but also for keywords which is nice when I’m doing certain types of readings where I need to select a signifier ahead of time. 

My Handwritten System

My dream handwritten system would be to hand bind a booklet and fill it with the same information I have in my OneNote system. But I’ve yet to have a situation that allows for that. So I mostly use my handwritten system for SOAP Journaling and daily draws. Since I do this mostly in my bullet journal, I can look up readings I do in the index of by day if I did them as a daily. 

Note: Lots going on here, I know. It’s my personal diary, be kind. <3

It’s not perfect and I think I’m going to try putting them in a dedicating tarot journal just to see if I like that any better. I’m still figuring out what place a bullet journal has in my life at this point so that’s part of why my tarot journaling is kind of muddled at the moment. 

Well to be fair, I’m still figuring out what place tarot journaling has in my life too. Everyone extols the virtue of doing something everyday but as someone with a chronic disability, ADHD, and other sensory processing issues that’s just Not Going to HappenTM. I really like doing a couple prompts in a challenge at a time and then putting it aside and then picking it up again when I can. 

Conclusion