Elliott's witchcraft blog

As summer is approaching, I thought I'd post about my witchcraft practice at the beach...

🐚 Use the sea water to cleanse your body and soul. Breathe in deeply, dive in, and spend a few seconds underwater to recite in your head "I'm getting rid of anything that isn't serving me, and release it all to the ocean".

🐚 Draw sigils onto the sand. It's a simple one, but can be quite powerful, especially if you keep on drawing it repeatedly as you sunbathe.

🐚 Whisper a protection spell as you apply suncream. This isn't just about protecting yourself from UV light. This simple act of self-care can ward off much more than that.

🐚 Collect shells for your altar. I think this one is my favourite. I'm always on the lookout for small items with strong significance to decorate my altar. Shells are the perfect items to have in preparation for Midsummer.

🐚 Sand has a strong association to time. Use it for any spells that require you to slow down and be in the present. Depending on where you are, the sand between your hands may be a thousand years old!

🐚 Meditate at sunrise, facing towards the ocean. Repeat wishes and manifestations while breathing in the salt air. If you ask something of the waves, you might just get it.

on may 31st, we have a full moon in sagittarius [♐︎] which is both a micromoon and a calendrical blue moon - "calendrical" being defined as "the second full moon to take place within a single calendar month." this event only occurs once every ~30 months or so!

"once in a blue moon," most recently in our history, is defined as "very rare" and that's the definition we will utilize for this post.

did you know that the phrase "once in a blue moon" did not originally mean "rare?" in fact, that definition has only been popular within the last 25 years according to this article at skyandtelescope - the author does a deep dive on the various definitions of "blue moon" throughout the years. check it out.

commonly, the elusive blue moon is associated with wishes, manifestation, dreams, divination, illumination, achievement, and focus as well as reflection, reinvention, and reminiscence. micromoons further support the correlation between this lunation and pinpoint focus. personally, i feel that blue moons can also correspond with abundance and excess considering their presence as an extra full moon in a month's time.

magical ideas:

wear blue colored clothing or jewelry

burn blue candles

spells for wishes or dreams

spells for "once in a blue moon" or rare opportunities

spells for renewal or for situations where dedication and focus are required

spells for gain or for removing what is overly or unnecessarily excessive

spells for spiritual enlightenment or to illuminate the truth and unveil secrets

dreamwork, divination, and exercises to improve intuition

meditation

blue moon altar:

a celestial themed or blue altar cloth

star maps

the moon's magic square or kamea / lunar sigils

lunar imagery including the moon tarot card

pearls, seashells, beach sand, ocean imagery

blue / deep purple flowers (lavender, lotus, blue water lily, indigo, etc.)

other lunar herbs such as mugwort, jasmine, anise, and lemon balm

crystals such as labradorite, selenite, iolite, black moonstone, dumortierite, blue quartz, blue aventurine, sodalite, blue lace agate, azurite, kyanite, etc.

libations of butterfly pea flower tea, moon milk, honey, blueberry wine / mead, other blue colored beverages, etc.

food offerings of blueberries, melon, cucumber, mooncakes, crescent rolls, etc.

considerations:

what might you need to revisit and reevaluate? relationships, career choices, maybe even that old project you put down and never saw again?

what are some things in your life that deserve a "second chance?"

have you been given any second chances recently? how did you respond?

what do you have too much of? what can you afford to let go?

what would you like to manifest in the time between this blue moon and the next one in a few years?

have you been given any "rare" opportunities lately?

what secrets need to be unveiled? how can you illuminate the truth?

what are you overly focused on right now? is it conducive to your wellbeing or interests?

where have you lost focus and what can you do to get it back?

the moon micromoon magic

“With East Anglia having such a long coastline, it would be expected that the region abounds in traditions of magic and mystery concerning the denizens of the deep, namely mermaids and their kin. With one notable exception (which I will describe below), this is however not the case. It may be that these tales have now been lost, as there are many church pews and bench-ends carved into the likenesses of mermaids by the mediaeval craftsmen that made them, or it may be that, not having a wild and rocky coastline, these stories never developed as they did in other areas. However, East Anglia does have a tradition of 'land-based' mermaids, continuing the theme of a living landscape and the magic thereof begun in the previous chapter, and these are known as 'Meremaids' or 'Merewives'.”

—

The Devil’s Plantation:

East Anglian Lore, Witchcraft & Folk-Magic

Chapter 2: ‘Mermaids, Giants and Spectral Hounds’

- is an idiom for being overworked or attempting to do too much with too little time, and is related to the term "burnout."

magically speaking, literally burning a candle at both ends can be an effective method to:

accelerate a process or manifest quick results

end delays and stagnation

represent duality and balance

represent past, present, and/or future

represent compromise

represent speed, time, or urgency

use as a timer

use as a catalyst

force an outcome or decision

add double the energy

but can also be used malefically to:

waste a target's time

delay gratification or progress

rush something along or cause premature results

cause career or scholastic burnout

physically exhaust a target and induce fatigue

*consider that even though a candle burning at both ends may add double the power to a working, it also burns twice as fast.

🪞🐐 Laughter-Loving Aphrodite 🦪🕊

"Of Cytherea, born in Cyprus, I will sing. She gives kindly gifts to men: smiles are ever on her lovely face, and lovely is the brightness that plays over it. Hail, goddess, queen of well-built Salamis and sea-girt Cyprus; grant me a cheerful song. And now I will remember you and another song also." -Homeric Hymn 10 to Aphrodite

"Heavenly, smiling Aphrodite, praised in many hymns, sea-born, revered goddess of generation, you like the nightlong revel and you couple lovers at night, O scheming mother of Necessity. Everything comes from you; you have yoked the world, and you control all three realms. You give birth to all, to everything in heaven, upon the fruitful earth and in the depths of the sea, O venerable companion of Bacchos. You delight in festivities, O bridelike mother of the Erotes, O Persuasion whose joy is in the bed of love, secretive, giver of grace, visible and invisible, lovely-tressed daughter of a noble father, bridal feast companion of the gods, sceptered she-wolf, beloved and man-loving giver of birth and of life, with your maddening love-charms you yoke mortals and the many races of beasts to unbridled passion. Come, O goddess born in Cyprus, whether you are on Olympos, O queen, exulting in the beauty of your face, or you wander in Syria, country of fine frankincense, or, yet, driving your golden chariot in the plain,you lord it over Egypt’s fertile river bed. Come, whether you ride your swan-drawn chariot over the sea’s billows, joying in the creatures of the deep as they dance in circles, or you delight in the company of the dark-faced nymphs on land,(as, light-footed, they frisk over the sandy beaches). Come, lady, even if you are in Cyprus that cherishes you, where fair maidens and chaste nymphs throughout the year sing of you, O blessed one, and of immortal, pure Adonis. Come, O beautiful and comely goddess; I summon you with holy words and pious soul." - Orphic Hymn to Aphrodite 

Dionysus Androgynos

a guide on protecting yourself and your home. [very long post]

personal protection

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

keep a protective crystal in your pocket

craft a small protective spell jar and keep on your person

anoint yourself with a protective oil

place an energetic shield around yourself 

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

carry a piece of iron on your person

bathe with a wash made with protective herbs

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

prayers and offerings to your chosen deity

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

home & hearth protection

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

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

hang wind chimes or bells outside of your home

plant rosemary near your front door

create a “witch bottle” and bury in your front yard, or in a potted plant on your porch

create a “witch’s ladder” or “witch ball” and hang it either inside or outside of your home

hang imagery of protective symbols outside or around your home

burn protective incense or candles in your home with scents that are associated with protection

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

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

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

place a protective crystal or small glass of salt at each corner inside your home

hammer 3 iron nails into your front door

create a protective powder and sprinkle around the perimeter of your home; alternately, sprinkle outside of your front and back door (be wary of sprinkling salt on grass!)

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

hang mirrors inside of your home to trap negative energy, entities, or spirits (not facing each other)

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

call upon your chosen deity to protect your home and those who reside in it

protective symbols & items

pentacle

triquetra 

witch’s knot

algiz (elhaz) rune

vegvisir

helm of awe

mjolnir

glyph of the moon, mars, or saturn

eye of horus

ankh

crossed swords

iron nails

railroad spikes

thorns

mars water / oil

third & fifth pentacle of saturn; third & sixth pentacle of jupiter; sixth pentacle of mars; second, third, & fifth pentacle of the moon

crystals

agate, amethyst (protection against psychic attacks and while traveling), angel aura quartz (spiritual protection), apophyllite, aqua aura quartz (protection against psychic attacks), aquamarine (protection while traveling via water), astrophyllite, aventurine

beryl (protection while traveling) blue goldstone, bowenite, bronzite, bustamite

catlinite (spiritual protection), carnelian (protection from negative emotions), celestite (emotional protection), chalcopyrite, chrysoberyl, citrine (protection from nightmares), clear quartz

diamond, dravite

eudialyte

fire agate, fluorite (protection against psychic attacks)

galaxite, garnet

indicolite, infinite stone

jade, jasper, jet

lapis lazuli, lepidolite (protection from manic depression)

malachite (protection during pregnancy and childbirth), moonstone (protection during pregnancy, childbirth, and while traveling via water), mother of pearl (protection for children)

nuumite

obsidian, onyx

peridot, pyrite

rose quartz (protection during pregnancy and childbirth), ruby (protection of the home and hearth)

salt, schorl, shungite, smithsonite, smoky quartz, snowflake obsidian, sugilite

tanzanite, tiger’s eye, turquoise

vauxite (protection from nightmares)

botanicals

acacia, aconite, acorn (protection from lightning), african violet, ague, alder (protection for the deceased), alfalfa (protection from hunger and poverty), alkanet (protection from snakebites and the fear of snakes), aloe (protection from household accidents), amaranth (protection from bullets), amber, angelica, anise seeds, ash (protection from drowning and while traveling), aspen (protection against thieves)

bamboo, barley, basil, bay laurel (protection from lightning), bay leaf (protection for your home and family; protection against baneful magic), belladonna, bergamot (protection from illness), bilberry bark, birch (protection from lightning and infertility), black cohosh (protection from accidents and sudden death), black haw, black pepper, blackberry, bladderwrack (protection while traveling), blessed thistle, bloodroot, blue violet, blueberry, boneset, brimstone, buckeye (protection against arthritis), buckwheat

cactus, calamus, calendula, carnation, caraway, cascara sagrada (protection against baneful magic), catnip (protection while sleeping), cedar (protection from lightning), celandine, chia, chives, chrysanthemum, cilantro (protection for gardeners), cinnamon, cinquefoil (protection for loved ones on a journey), clove (protection for babies), clover, coconut, comfrey (protection while traveling), coriander, corn, cotton, cramp bark, cranberry, cumin, curry, cypress

daisy (protection for babies), dandelion root (protection while sleeping), datura, devil’s bit, devil’s claw, dill, dogwood, dragon’s blood, ebony, elder (protection for the deceased), elm (protection from lightning), eucalyptus

false unicorn root (protection during pregnancy and childbirth), fennel, fern, feverfew (protection against accidents and cold/flu), figwort (protection for your home), flaxseed (protection for your home, protection against baneful magic), fleabane, foxglove (protection for your home and garden), frankincense

gardenia, garlic, geranium, ginger, ginseng, gorse (protection against baneful magic), hawthorn (protection from lightning), heather (protection against violent crimes), heliotrope, henna (protection from illness), hickory, high john the conqueror, holly, horseradish, hyssop (protection for property against burglars and trespassers)

irish moss (protection while traveling), ivy, juniper, kava kava, lady slipper (protection against baneful magic), larch (protection against theft), larkspur, laurel, lavender, leek, lemon, lemon verbena (protection of your home, protection from lightning and storms), lettuce, lime, lotus, lucky hand root (protection while traveling)

mandrake, marigold (protection while sleeping), marjoram, marshmallow root, mimosa, mint, mistletoe (protection from lightning and fire), mullein (protection from nightmares and baneful magic), nutmeg

oak moss, olive leaf, onion, papyrus, parsley (protection for your home), peat moss, peony, periwinkle (protection against snakes and poison), pimpernel, pine, pineapple, plantain (protection from snakebites and jealousy), quince, radish, raspberry leaf, red clover (protection for pets), rhubarb, rice, rosemary, rowan, rue

sage, sandalwood, saw palmetto, sea salt, sheep sorrel (protection from heart disease), slippery elm, snapdragon, solomon’s seal, spanish moss, spearmint, st. john’s wort (protection from baneful magic, lightning, and fire), straw flower, sunflower

tangerine, thistle, toadflax, tonka bean (protection from disease), true unicorn root (protection from baneful magic), valerian, venus fly trap, violet, willow, witch hazel, wood aloe, wood betony, woodruff, wormwood (protection against dangerous roads while traveling), yerba santa, yew, yucca (protection of your home)

metals

chromium, lead, iron, nickel, pewter, steel, titanium, zinc

lunar phases

waxing - to attract protective energy and positivity

full - generalized protection 

waning - to banish negativity, thus protecting the caster

planets / days of the week

moon / monday

mars / tuesday

saturn / saturday

as always, don't steal from other cultures, don't put salt on your grass, don't handle or ingest toxic metals or plants, and don't burn your house down! it's up to you to discern how to practice safely and ethically.

Because you shouldn't have to buy a single thing to practice magic.

No crystals. No candles. No herbs. No fancy tools.

Just you, your intention, and 60 seconds.

Here are 10 spells you can do right this second:

1. The Invisible Shield Breath Take three deep breaths. Visualize a protective bubble forming around you with each exhale. Say: "I am protected." Use before stressful situations.

2. The Threshold Protection Stand in a doorway. Place a hand on each side of the frame. Say: "This is the boundary. Only what serves me crosses this line." Step through with intention.

3. The Mirror Visualization Close your eyes. Imagine you're covered in tiny mirrors facing outward. Any negativity bounces off and returns to sender. Use when dealing with gossip or jealousy.

4. The Grounding Breath Count Breathe in for 4, hold for 4, breathe out for 4, hold for 4. Repeat 3 times. Imagine roots growing from your feet into the earth. Use for anxiety.

5. The Posture Spell Stand up straight. Roll shoulders back. Lift your chin. Say: "I am powerful. I take up space. I belong here." Hold for 30 seconds. Use before anything that scares you.

6. The Cord Cutting Visualization Imagine an energetic cord connecting you to someone draining. Visualize cutting it. Say: "I cut this connection. Your energy is yours, mine is mine." Use after toxic interactions.

7. The Open Hands Spell Hold hands out, palms up, like you're receiving something. Say: "I am open to receiving. Money flows to me easily. I have enough." Use for financial anxiety.

8. The Five Senses Grounding Name 5 things you see, 4 you can touch, 3 you hear, 2 you smell, 1 you taste. This pulls you out of your anxious brain and into your body.

9. The "No" Practice Spell Say "no" out loud 10 times. Say it different ways: firmly, kindly, loudly, quietly. Feel how it sits in your mouth. You're practicing the spell of refusal.

10. The Crisis Mantra Say: "I have survived 100% of my worst days. I will survive this too." Repeat until you believe it. Use during panic or bad news.

These are just 10 of the 50+ no-supply spells I wrote about. Want the full guide? Read it here: https://www.edgeandaltar.com/post/no-supply-spells-magic-without-buying-anything

Look outside. That's it - just open the curtains and see the sunlight, find the trees outside your window and watch the birds.

Put on a documentary or youtube video about a cool animal, ecology, the natural world etc

Talk to nature - whisper, talk out loud, say it in your head - just talk. Compliment pretty flowers, chat about how creepy but cool you think spiders are, picture light dancing off morning dew.

Trace the shapes of leaves/flowers/animals etc on your bed sheets or skin - try to see how many different shapes make up the natural world, find the patterns and fractals within them

Learn the name of one new local plant a week! Just one a week! If you have the energy, research a little about their ecology, history or medicinal uses

Make a flower crown/daisy chain/leaf crown

Take up nature photography - you don't need a fancy camera, jsut your phone!

Collect some shells/rocks/bones etc!

Just sit outside! can be just outside your front door, next to an open window, or in the woods (whatever you can manage)

Take your daily activities outside!! Read in the garden, eat your breakfast under the sun etc

Create art from nature - paint rocks, press flowers, create patterns using feathers or leaves as paintbrushes/stamps

Cloud watching!

More High Energy Activities:

Go for a walk or hike outside and take some offerings. Introduce yourself to the trees and plants and streams and leave them a gift.

If there's one nearby, visit a local farmer's market and buy some local produce; honey, meat, vegetables, fruit, etc! Chat to the sellers and talk about their practices and produce

Do a small spell outside! Find a secluded, comfortable spot and invite the spirits to observe your spellwork - let them get used to your energy and way of working

Make a small diary of your time outside! Don't worry about filling it in regularly, just whenever you have the energy! Write down when the bees start coming out or leaves return after winter. What plants stay during the cold season?

Research local plants and come up with your own correspondences based on their ecology/medicinal use/folklore etc

Go on a walk to see what plants and animals exist in your area! Research them - are they native? Invasive? What is their ecology? Medicinal uses? Even the most urban areas tend to have some wildlife!

Join a local facebook group for birdwatching!

Research your area and figure out what plants or animals would be native, or used to live there - create artwork or something to honour and remember them

Research gardening groups nearby - some cities will have volunteer gardening projects or local groups that help maintain natural spaces! See if any would be feasible for you to join and get out there

Join a local allotment or community garden if you have the means - do some weeding, plant some tomatoes, say hello to the coal tits nesting in the old shed!

If you have the means - invest in a hardy houseplant! Name it, research its care and talk to it! Make a ritual out of watering and talking to it.

Take an online ecology course! Free courses exist and can be super interesting!

Watch youtube videos on a favourite taxa and make notes - build your own knowledge at a pace you're comfortable with on the things you're interested in!

Invite some nature spirits in for a meal - cook something you enjoy and set the table (if you can) for the spirits. Enjoy a meal with them.