"A Gwarch—Welsh for "What encloses or shuts up," andcpronounced like Quark, but with a G at the beginning, and a χ at the end—is a basic form of Spell, unique to the Wending Way. It shares similarities with a Sachet, and can be used for a variety of purposes, though it seems to serve best when it comes to acts of Healing, Blessing, and Protection.

During the central corpus of the rite, the working space is cleansed and aligned, pertinent powers are invoked, and the caster's intention is encapsulated using a Sigil or composite-sigil on a small slip of sained paper. After the petition has been completed, it is folded into a tight strip that can be inserted into the opening of an ethically sourced Snail Shell, before stuffing the remainder of the shell’s interior with materials bearing virtues pertinent to the context of the pertinent Gwarch. Thereafter, the talisman is physically sealed by melting wax from a Hallowed Candle over the opening of the shell to properly secure its contents, before rousing, aligning, and fixing the arrayed virtues in ritual of consecration.

I currently offer three kinds of Gwarch, intended as talismans that help to promote Protection, Luck, and Healing, respectively (though custom Gwarch's may be available upon request). Upon receiving it, the recipient is instructed to carry the Gwarch with them for Nine Days and Nights, before burying it at a crossing of ways in order to bring the magic worked to fruition.

Be advised: Gwarchs are best used target mild to moderate tasks, but not particularly complex or dire situations. Additionally, since every shell is wild-gathered in a ritual context, no two shells look just alike. However, if you have a particular preference of some kind, please feel free to inquire about it by contacting me."

• Welcome Back, Seekers! Within my local coven, we’ve turned our focus to warding and protection magick as we prepare for the year ahead. I adore transmutation magick for warding! It’s one of my favorite ways to craft shields for myself, my work, my growth, and my success. Instead of constantly bracing for every hex, evil eye, or ill wish, this approach flips the narrative. Transmutation wards work proactively, taking any negativity sent your way and alchemizing it into fuel for your growth and power. Why waste energy defending against haters or uncovering their identities when you can let their spite feed your fire? Let them send their malice—it’ll only make you more powerful.

As always, take what resonates with your spirit and weave it into your own unique magick! My spells and workings are here to spark your creativity and inspire your craft. ✨

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Tools & Ingredients:

1 black candle (to absorb negativity)

1 purple candle (for transmutation and spiritual power)

Thread or Cord (any color)

A mirror (to summon your Fetch Spirit or reflect your essence)

1 clear quartz crystal or any charm you’re called to that can be left on your altar or within your space -  As a subtle sentinel of the ward’s power, clear quartz is a cherished ally in magick. Its ability to be easily programmed makes it a perfect vessel for your intention, while its amplifying nature ensures the energy of your working radiates far and wide. To the untrained eye, it appears as nothing more than a beautiful crystal resting upon your altar or within your sacred space—a discreet guardian cloaked in plain sight, silently weaving its protective spell.

Optional: Chalk or something to draw a circle (for creating a sacred boundary to hold the enchantment of your crystal or charm. If chalk is unavailable, let your finger become the wand. You can also use salt or any symbols you would like to use to draw out a circle.

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Preparation:

Cleanse your workspace and tools with smoke, salt water, or another method of your choosing.

Candle preparation, take your black candle and anoint it with a neutral oil, something simple like canola oil—or any oil you feel connected to for protection. Once it’s dressed in oil, sprinkle it with herbs known for protection, such as basil, bay, black pepper, cinnamon, or clove—or any protection herbs that resonate with your magick. For the purple candle, I like to use a neutral oil as well, then dress it with herbs that are perfect for transmutation, like lady’s mantle and yucca. Along with those, I often add a pinch of herbs that represent success and abundance—and don’t forget to include a bit of your hair, fingernail clippings, or something from your person to taglock the magick, connecting the work directly to your energy. Then bind the candles together with some thread or cord.

Binding the Candles:

Take the black and purple candles and begin winding the thread around them, chanting this, or create your own:

"I bind these flames, black and purple entwined,

Protection and transmutation, powers combined.

Through thread and flame, my will takes hold,

To guard my essence, fierce and bold."

You don't have to go all out like I did with those massive candles. Honestly, a couple of chime candles will do the trick if you're short on time.

3. Place your mirror above the center of your altar or working space, positioning it to reflect either yourself or the flickering flames of your candles (refer to the caption below the next picture for more context). Let it serve as a portal, amplifying the energy of your work. Arrange your candles in a fire-safe dish at the center—I often favor a trusty aluminum pie pan for this purpose.

4. Hold your crystal or charm in your hands, letting your energy flow into it. Visualize your purpose, your will, and your desire imprinting itself upon the object. Once your intention feels vibrant and alive within the crystal or charm, move it in a clockwise circle around the candles, envisioning it connecting to the fiery energy of your working—like a thread weaving them together.

5. When the circuit feels complete, place the charged crystal or charm before the candles. Now, cast a circle around the entire space, sealing in the energy. You can do this energetically, feeling the boundary forming with your will, or use chalk, salt, or symbols drawn ahead of time to anchor the space. This sacred boundary holds the power of your work, ensuring that your charm becomes fully and beautifully enchanted. And now, it's time to spark the flame on them candles.

I used a selenite tower in this picture as a stand-in to show where your crystal or charm should be placed. This isn’t the actual charm I used, but it gives you an idea of the setup. You’ll also notice my altar mirror hanging just above the space, perfectly positioned for the energy work. If hanging a mirror isn’t an option for you, no worries—simply place one in front of your working area instead. The reflection is what matters most!

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Casting The Ward:

Lighting the Candles:

With the bound candles before the mirror. Light them, starting with the black candle, then the purple, and then chant this, or create your own:

"Black flame of shadow, guard and protect,

Purple flame of spirit, energy redirect.

Before this mirror, realms align,

My (Fetch Spirit/Reflection) carries this spell through time."

Incantation of The Ward:

Face the mirror and focus on your reflection, summoning your Fetch Spirit or the reflection of your empowered self. Chant this incantation, or create your own:

"Anyone who cannot honor my essence,

Respect my growth, or stand in my presence,

Be it through disdain, envy, or intent,

Their fate is sealed, their malice spent.

Their energy flows to me, transformed,

Into strength, abundance, success reborn.

As I feed upon their misguided spite,

They are drained by their own blight.

Across all realms, my shield is spun,

Now and forever, this spell is done."

Seal the Energy:

Visualize the mirror reflecting the power of your spell into the cosmos, spreading the ward across all realms. Allow the candles to burn fully if possible, or snuff them out respectfully.

I love this picture! The flames intertwine perfectly, mirroring the energy I was aiming for in this ward of protective transmutation.

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Aftercare:

Charging your crystal or charm: Leave your charm on your altar or in your space as a representation of the ward. Each full moon, place it under the moonlight to recharge its energy, visualizing the ward growing stronger with every cycle.

Mirror Care: Cleanse the mirror after the spellwork with smoke or moon water to ensure it remains a neutral tool for future workings.

Final Words:

Maintain your crystal or charm as a talisman of your protective transmutation ward and remember that this ward will work continuously as long as you charge it and feed it with belief and intention.

Go to a churchyard. Recite this over a gravestone whilst crossing yourself:

Your Sight shall be in my Sight in whose name you rest here I will not disturb you but hoped that you in the name of peace may sleep so that I may see the Hidden and see its power hear its celebration and help in need.

Could you O Holy Ghost Give to me of your power in the name of the Holy Crucified One

Amen.

Then make crosses over your eyes. three times. over each lid. This ritual reflects the benevolent aspect of the Wise Ones. The Christian Holy Ghost (unusually, not the Holy Trinity) is reguested to enable sight of the “Hidden” (i.e. the Kingdom of the Dead).  to hear its celebrations and realise its potential to help the living.

Source: The Graveyard Wanderers : The Wise Ones and the Dead in Sweden by Tom Johnson PhD. 

That's really fucking amazing for me.

I am recalling that "waking up" might be a term I sometimes use, but I don't really know if anyone else does. So if it happened that you started from my content and are looking outwards, that is probably why you aren't finding anything based on that term.

"Waking up" is not necessary if you believe there is always present and active spiritual power within the herbs you seek to employ in magic

Waking up is not necessary if you are going to charge the plant matter with your own energy or external energy

Waking up refers to contacting the plant spirit and evoking it back into its dead physical body. When I say it like that, it sounds like necromancy. Maybe it is.

The process required to "wake up" a plant spirit is based on both skill and relationship. You can get better at doing it in general, but it also becomes easier if the plant spirit likes you and wants to help you.

Many witches believe that there are methods to carefully harvest plants under special conditions that preserve the spirit within. This may be worth looking into if you harvest your own plants.

I am not saying that I perform this entire process from start to finish every time I evoke plant spirits in spell work. However, this process covers all the bases, so to speak; it is worth trying in its entirety to see if it works, before you modify it to your experience-based specifications.

"Waking up" plant spirits, or other spirits, back into their original bodies, by preparing their bodies with magic, and then evoking the spirit to a specific purpose:

Place the plant material in a place of honor (such as on an altar, or clean and tidy surface).

Perform a gentle cleansing on the plant material with the intention to wipe away magical and psychic grime that may have accumulated on the plant matter.

Perform an opening charm. This charm seeks to open the gates between our world and the spirit world so that spirits can travel back and forth. If you do not have an opening charm, perform whatever steps you take which inserts your voice into the spirit world.

Perform, as you desire, any rites or traditions you normally employ when you commune with the spirits. This is optional.

Perform an evocation in the following order. Please consider the intention behind each step, and think critically before removing any step of the evocation:

Call out to the spirit by name and ask it to arrive at your location.

List its aspects and virtues that you are in need of at this particular time.

Ask it for help.

Explain why you think it should help. (*4)

If you have not already done so in steps 3 and 4, explain your specific needs to the spirit and fill it in on the situation at hand.

Tell it specifically what you would like it to do within this spell. (*6)

Ask the spirit to return power to its physical body, and fill up that piece of plant matter with its own power.

Thank the spirit for its time and attention.

Then, the spell or whatever will be performed as normal using the ingredient.

(*4. The explanation as to why the spirit should help includes, "because I will pay you with an offering," but can also include, "because you are generous and benevolent, and help those in need," or even, "because it would be so fucking cool if we could pull this off, right?" Just stay in your lane and be honest.)

(*6. The spirits are not mind readers and do not have access to your exact desires and plans. Please make sure you actually tell them what you want them to do.)

Once the spell is complete, but before you close the roads, again thank the spirit for its time and attention. Ask the greater spirit to return to its abode, but to leave its power and blessing within the physical material you have worked with.

Intent: To Make Someone Nicer to you or more compassionate Empowerments: Friday (Venus), additions could include planetary Hours or Moon/Ascendant being in Cancer. Green Paper could be used (I used a green marker in this rite on normal brown paper), roses are of good use here, so too is sugar water or a syrup In the latter, let an envelope also be procured to avoid messes in storage.

Items needed: A paper dolly, a green pen/marker (a green pen for the writing and a marker for the colouring preferably. It could be a highligher as well), any additional tools (depending on the method of work)

At a time that is apporpriate, take the paper in your hands and focus on the intent. See the paper as a literal embodiment of the person, their life force, their personality and so on. It helps to imagine the poppet actually breathing and taking on the spiritual shape of the person you are working on. Write the person's name on the forehead (the head is considered the seat of consciousness but it also gives room for work). You can do an empowerment ritual here to further cement this being the person you are working on, such as an incantation or consecration.

Draw a heart on their chest and below it write the petition, this could be a set of characters, symbols, a glyph, a sigil, a small bref, a galdrastaffir or a short, summarized command. For example:

Be Kinder unto Me

This can be done by way of a magical font as well such as the Theban Alphabet.

Charge the doll again with the intent and allow yourself to enter into a mild trance. This could be done through breathwork or embracing the serpent (of which there are two ways, one which I defined as the crossroads state which is the overwhelming of the senses in order to enter into a trance state, or the wanderer state, being a repetitive movement or gesture - akin to how a wanderer gets lost in their footfalls and focused on the end of getting somewhere so they becoem oblivious to the world around them). The Wanderer State is a little bit better for this one and can be achieved by mantra, chant, breathing, prayer, sedative herbs and infusions, entering the Death State (not necessarily useful in this work but is better used in arts of necromancy, mediumship and travelling), focus (staring at a glyph until the mind slows and the entirety of the self is focused on the glyph, St. Terese of Avila had made mention of a form of prayer that is higher than vocal prayer - nine levels of prayer are mentioned - in which the loving gaze of adoration becomes the prayer of the heart. In a catholic sense, this means the looking on the Sacrament, the Virgin, the Saints, the Angels or other religous symbology with a deep sense of love that overtakes the senses. One is silent but is so infused with adoration that it becomes a prayer in of itself), or things such as singing. I'll make a post describing the three states at a later point.

When the time has been taken and the state entered, take up the green marker and begin to colour in the heart while intoning chants to Venus (and/or the Angel of Cancer or simply the Ruler of Cancer) in order to bring compassion and empathy between you and the person. Again, a simple prayer:

May the forces of Venus warm your heart to me. By the Forces of Venus, be kinder to me etc. etc. etc.

When the heart has been coloured in full, you may choose to draw the symbols of Venus across the body. Thereafter, add any supplementary materials such as anointing it with rose oil or a sugar mixture. If you have used the above, to prevent a mess, put it in an envelope. You can then hide it in a secret part of the house where it won't be disturbed or place it under the bed of the person who the working is on.

Considerations

if one wishes to make this a Working Under Cancer - silver, blues and ocean colours are suitable, so too are the symbols and glyphs of cancer.

In the case of lustful works, an emphasis on things such as vanilla, catnip and red roses can be used.

A marking of the geomantic symbol for Puer (Boy) or Puella (Girl) can be used in the further defining of the person worked upon. If the person does not use the binary genders, then this is not necessary.

The symbol of Conjunctio is also useful in these types of works.

If it is the case that you are doing this to prevent someone from harming you, use ice as a facet in the ritual as well.

If it is the case that you want to overcome the person or have them wrapped around your little finger - placing it in your shoe or under a rock with your personal symbol painted on it is also a good idea.

If the above case is so but in the measure of making someone sexually infatuated with you, wearing it extremely close to the person with an emphasis on the genital or breast areas or placing it on a love altar is also useful. As to this, I give a good piece of advice learnt many moons ago - cinnamon can be used to attract a male partner (in all orientations) and angelica, a female partner.

No form of divination will accidentally manifest demons in your home.

Queering Your Craft by Cassandra Snow

Oh hon, no. Hon. Spells LOVE happening when they’re not in your best interest. Its like catnip for them. Spell enrichment. Thats a big part of spell experimentation, I think. The “fuck around and find out” part. You cast something, you get it, you realize that you should not have cast for that particular something, you learn from that, and you do it different or don’t do it at all next time.

Me, gleefully writing down the results:

Be cautious, be very careful. What tries to scare you away is oftentime less dangerous than what tries to lull you in.

I, personally, did not sought out to work with the Pale Ones. Truth be told, I tried to avoid it.

It starts with the fear.

A tale of primal dread.

I didn’t know about Witch Blood back then. About the Fae-touched. And about coming home. My Witch Fire was weak.

I had been pixie-led in Brocéliande’s forest and that was plenty enough for the young, inexperimented witch that I was.

I had a dreadful encounter one night on a side road, so vivid my eyes are still not sure today they didn’t betray me.

And I had been haunted, and hunted to death, for more than 13 years, by one of the most terrifying creature you can imagine. A warrior from the Unseelie court. Time meant nothing to Him. This very patience chilled me to the bone. I was so brutally afraid of Him I almost seriously considered not coming to live in the UK, because I knew He would caught me then - and so He did, multiple times.

Then it was the Devil’s turn.

What Faes are, is easy to misunderstand. The acceptance varies greatly from one tradition to another, from one land to another. Land spirits, old gods, mighty dead, witches and wild souls… the Fair Folks can be all of the above and more.

First thing is for you to ask yourself why you want to « work with » them. Because they are not easy. Truly, it is them who « work » you. And you might just as well not like what they do, because they are unforgiving. They do not play by human laws.

So be prepared. Learn from the land you stand on. Find the rules you need in your own country’s fairy tales and lore. The spirits that dwell in your homeland are not the same as the spirits that dwell in mine.

If you really want them to find you, know that they will. They may answer, but not in the way you’d expect it.

When you’ve got a ghost or something else that’s haunting you pretty bad, sometimes you need to take a more active approach than cleansing or praying. This is what that is for. For this ritual you will need:

-Three black candles, preferably seven day candles or 9 inch taper/pillar candles

-A banishing or cleansing oil, and a blessing oil or Hekate oil

-Wormwood, angelica root, agrimony, rue, Rosemary, frankincense, and salt

-An icon or image of the Goddess Hekate

-Two sticks of incense, or two charcoal disks with frankincense

-A bowl or a cauldron to light a flame in

-Florida water or rubbing alcohol

Begin the ritual by saying the Prayer to Hekate to Avert Evil Spirits over each ingredient. Then, light one of the incenses and carry it through each room in your home, repeating the same prayer in each room. Return to your working space and light the second incense, place it before the image, and offer it to Hekate. Sprinkle a bit of each herb into the bowl or cauldron. Pour the Florida water over the mixture and light it on fire. Then say:

“Goddess Hekate, I light this fire in your name! Drive away all that is evil and profane. Queen of Spirits, bring your light, and vanquish every soldier of night. Cleansing fire do your task, aid me in this spell I cast.”

Dress the three black candles in the banishing/cleansing oil, and sprinkle the herbs onto them as well. Light the first one with the flame you have lit in the cauldron. Then say:

“With this candle, this sacred flame, I light now in Hekate’s name, cleanse this space of evil unwanted, all malignant spirits dispelled and confronted.”

Light the second candle with the flame in the cauldron and say:

“With this candle, this sacred flame, I light now in Hekate’s name, this space be cleansed of all energies that remain from evil spirits, ill, and bane.”

Light the final candle with the flame in the cauldron and say:

“With this candle, this sacred flame, I light now in Hekate’s name, my home protected from any spirits of evil incline, and with these words this spell I bind.”

Anoint the image or statue of Hekate with the blessing of Hekate oil and say:

“This statue I annoint, this icon I bless, to stand strong in protection of this fortress. May no devil or shade prosper within these walls, for the Goddess Hekate defends these halls.”

Continue:

“In this circle these flames I light, to banish every force of night. Every specter I banish with this rite, malignant spirits now take flight.”

Leave the image and burning candles near the entrance to your home and let the candles burn completely. Leave offerings to the image by the setup to earn the favor of the Goddess Hekate.

Hekate, Averter of Evil, hear my prayers!

I call upon you now in my time of need, to protect me from that which haunts the night

Mistress of Ghosts, shield me from the dead which do not sleep, who roam the world above

May I be untouched by all specters and free of all wicked and angry spirits!

Queen of Daemons, She who rules those above and below, withdraw all those spirits less than god but more than man that might plague me

May the power of all malignant spirits that dare wish harm upon your loyal follower be made powerless in your name!

This oil can be used for a number of purposes, it can be used to anoint and bless items, anoint the self, anoint candles, and used in spells in which Hekate is petitioned. Some of the contents of the oil can be poisonous to some extent, so caution is advised. I like to do this on the full moon and let it sit and mix together until the dark moon.

-In a dry and cleansed bottle mix poppy, lavender, mayapple (actual European mandrake if you can get your hands on it), mugwort, dirt from the crossroads, snake skin, garlic, grave dirt, and black dog hair

-Fill the rest of the bottle with olive oil or walnut oil

-On the full moon, leave the bottle outside to absorb the moonlight

Take an eggshell, and suck the fluids out so it is hollow. Baptise it with some holy water and name it after your enemy.

On the dark moon, walk out to a river or sea, place the shell on the ground, and stamp on it three times, then gather up the fragments and throw them hard into the water saying:

“You are under me And I am over you With one blow I crush your malice With two I crush your cunning With three I crush your power With all my strength I cast these things into the waters And they will never be reformed”

Then turn around and don’t look back, wash the dust off your shoes when you get home, throw your clothes in the wash and take a shower.