Question Everything

What you need:

Blood letting tool

Ink

Release a bit of your blood (a drop) into a pot of ink.

Uses

Sealing magic: you can seal anything from a letter to a book of shadows.

Spells: use it to write a letter spell. Such as love letter spells or curse letter spells.

Sigils: use it to write sigils.

Scrying: dump the ink in a bowl of water to scry

“Blood” and Dirt Binding Spell

This spell is ideal for when you’re unable to do anything practical to make a harasser stop, or other efforts have failed. This works as both a binding and banishment. No harm befalls the target by doing this, unless they attempt to harm you or your loved ones (the negative energy will be sent back to them).

Materials:

black cloth and scissors

needle and thread 

dirt

black candle

black ribbon, string or cord

dragon’s blood resin (for banishing, powdered is ideal) – you can also use your blood for a very strong kick to the spell (see How to Use Blood Magic Safely)

(optional) photograph or sample of handwriting of the target

Cut two layers of black cloth in the shape of the person you wish to bind and sew together to create a small poppet. Leave part of the head unstitched. Fill the poppet with the dirt and dragon’s blood. If you have a photo of the person, fold it into the poppet.Light the candle. Hold the poppet in front of you and say:

I name you, (name).No more shall you do me harm,No more shall you torment me,No more shall you spread lies,No more shall you interfere in my lifeNor in the lives of my loved ones.As I will it, so it shall be.

Wrap the poppet with the ribbon, leaving no space unwrapped, and say:

I bind your feet from leading you to harm me.I bind your hands from reaching out to harm me.I bind your mouth from spreading lies to harm me.Should you do so, (name), let all negative energy be directed right back at you. You will infect yourself with your own venom should you try to harm me.As I will it, so it shall be.

Tie off the ribbon and wrap the poppet in a piece of black cloth and tie it again with black ribbon. Let the candle burn out while the poppet sits at its base. Finally, bury the poppet and the candle remains in the ground. If you wish to undo this spell for whatever reason, dig up the poppet and burn it.

As far as I can tell there are two types of spirit workers – those who are always available and those who set time aside. I value myself of being the latter. I like my place and I like it free of disturbances, as such I have always been very thorough when setting my perimeters. I don’t just bar the main doors, I would bar every doorway – just in case should someone break through one, there would still be containment so that I could manage the issue without worry. While this is a great defensive, I find that communicating with spirits in my home can be somewhat difficult – even when given permission to enter. Given my recent move, I elected to try a new strategy – which so far has paid off quite well so far. That is a selectively permeable boundary, through which those who share my blood/spirit (ancestors) or given my blessing may pass. Now, you can rest assured that my bedroom will still be spelled up like Fort Knox, but at least I’m becoming a little more hospitable, right?

I digress.

To Perform the Ritual, gather:

Brick Dust

Salt – a half/half blend of black and white

White Chalk – and/or Cascarilla

Sulphur

Vinegar

Saliva

Blood

Optional: to add a little more fire to those who might try to pass the boundary – add in a blend of used coffee grounds, chile powder, black pepper, iron oxide and dark rum (pine tar is a great addition, too, but it’s hard to find)

Don’t waste your time on any ceremonious nonsense for this one, just combine your dry ingredients first and then the wet and toss/churn/shake your concoction aptly. Your ratio and consistency is dependent on your preferences, but I like more of a dry paste. It really depends on how fine your brick dust is – for chunkier, hand-broken bricks, you’re not going to have a paste one way or another and that’s completely fine, just dampen your ingredients. For a very fine dust, you want to add a bit more to ensure your powder will hold once dry: a bit more vinegar can remedy an overly dry mix.

Take your paste and run it along the base of each entrance to your home. After each has been door has been dressed, read the following incantation as you “close” the door:

Mind these words – for they bear weight and consequence: Those of blood and spirit blessed – yet kinsman all the same, For it is they whose lines I tie, And they who govern fate; But to the wayfarer and the miscreant, No tiding favor found, These walls be charmed These doors be crossed The ill might find no solace; By witch’s blood – By witch’s word – By witch’s will – ‘Tis I who mark the Gates

To close the door, place both index fingers together at the middle of the frame overhead. As you read, trace your fingers along to the corners, down their respective sides, then closing them together at the base of the door. I like to then walk through the door and “cross” it from inside. That’s been the hardest habit to break, as every time I walk through the door, I was used to ‘X’ing it immediately.

Good luck and good barring!

A spell to protect you from negativity and weakness, to reinforce your emotional armour. To protect you from harm that comes from within.

Ingredients:

Black pepper, lime, garlic

Red pen

Red cloth

Red ribbon (or scrap of cloth, elastic, string)

Needle and thread (or staples, glue)

Blood/red paint/red ink

Method:

Cut a square of fabric and sew it into a pouch. While sewing, focus on your intent. Stuff the pouch with your herbs, and sew it shut.

Sew or otherwise attach a length of ribbon to either side of the pouch. You should be able to tie them together around your forearm. 

This is your first shield.

Write the phrase “My blood is armour” in a circle around your non-dominant arm (left, for most people) where you will tie the shield. Repeat it if necessary.

Along the back of your arm, smear the blood/paint/ink, preferably into a rough square shape.

The blood and words together form your second shield.

Tie the cloth shield in place, over the blood shield, while repeating the words “My blood is armour”, and focusing on being protected from negativity and weakness.

Oakie cool that’s the spell. Let me know if you have thoughts. I realize the phrasing is a little obscure and definitely use a different chant if you prefer. I used this chant because of the idea of having armour under your skin, having armour to protect you from within. 

You will need:

Herbs: 3 tsp Dragon’s Blood, ¼ garlic clove, 4 White Sage Leaves, 3 Bay Leaves, 1 tsp Angelica.

Stones: 1 Onyx, 1 Amber, 1 Moonstone, and 1 Obsidian.

Candles: 1 Black Candle

1 Jar with a Lid

1 drop of your own blood

Instructions:

Burn one of the sage leaves in the empty jar until it goes out, make sure it does extinguish before adding the other herbs. It doesn’t have to be fully burned, but the jar should look murky/cloudy with Sage smoke. Drop the other herbs in while pushing your energy into the jar with them, including the rest of the Sage leaves. Put the stones in, putting your energy into each as well. Once full, place the lid on top. Light the candle, and wait for the wax to melt enough to add a black seal to it. Prick your finger and dab one drop of blood to the top of the lid.

You can decorate the bottle with charms, sigils, or whatever you see fit to make this as potent as possible.

Here is a spell, to help loosen your head and make you see the brighter side of things.

You will need the following items for this spell:

1 White candle

Needle

Full moon

Ingredients

salt (either sea salt or pink himalayan salt)

small `healing crystals (I chose bits of angel aura quartz and a tangerine quartz point, but it’s up to you)

small items from your childhood (I used a tiny figurine from an old littlest pet shop set and one of my baby teeth)

a drop of your blood (optional)

herbs or scents that remind you of your childhood (I used vanilla extract and dried lavander)

raw honey

a string colored a color that reminds you of healing or protection

Ritual

Cleanse all your ingredients with incense, sunlight, or the full moon

Put the salt in your jar

Layer the crystals and the items from your childhood on top of the salt

After that, drop in your herbs/scents and your blood (again, that’s optional)

Pour in honey

If desired, pour in more of your herbs/scents on to of the honey

Before putting the lid on, recite this spell: “Took from me my childhood, I can never have it back; But with this spell of happiness, I will get my life on track”

Put the lid on your jar and tie the string around it in a bow

A way to commune with your ancestors.

Gather: - Rosemary for remembrance - Yew for spirit calling - Cypress for longevity - Yarrow Root for contacting relatives - Anisette Liqueur for ancestor summoning - spring water

Let the name of the loved one be repeated by the preparer of the spell. Burn the herbs in a cauldron and spill the liqueur into a glass of pure spring water. Lay in the cauldron a treasure of the loved one, should one be available.

Using safe, sterile equipments prick your finger and add your blood to the cauldron, calling the name of your ancestor and saying:

Salt

Rosemary

Lavender

Grind in a pestle and mortar until the herbs release their fragrance.

Although the dead may not heal, the living may. Let the spirit rest, and let those left behind remember them, and rest peacefully as well.

For someone who’s really. really done you wrong and you want them to put them through some real hell. 

Materials:

Personal item of victim/hair/anything of theirs you can get

Items to represent things they favor

Firepit

Something to get the fire started

Red thread (Optional)

Picture of target (Optional)

Your own blood or tears

1. Get your hands on one of their personal items such as a shirt, skirt, stuffed animal, stuff like that. The more of an emotional attachment they have to it, the better. But if you can’t get anything like that, try for maybe a cup that they last drank out of or something. 

2. Know what they like/love. He loves to go on road trips? Get a picture of his car or of the exact model. She loves making music? Get a representation of the instrument she plays, the sheet music to her favorite song. You get where I’m going with this. 

3. You’re gonna wanna take some time to focus, sink, center, whatever you want to do and try to think of this person. Get a clear picture of them in your mind and depending on how well you visualize things, you’ll want to visual a stream of energy from the target to the item of theirs, linking them together. If you can’t visualize this or have a hard time with it, you can physically link the two together with the red thread. 

Spend a lot of time and energy establishing this, it’s important. 

4. Get your fire started and once it is, watch the flames. As you watch them, think of what the target has done to you and the kind of punishment you want them to endure. Let these feelings take over you as they do, get your blood or tears and smudge them all over the items they love. 

“May what you’ve done to me stain and ruin all you love you will experience my pain ten fold and lose what most brings you joy. By the power of my fury, by the light of this fire, by the flames of Hell.” 

5. Throw all that shit in the fire. Watch that mother fucker burn. 

“I was burned by you once, now it’s your turn.” 

Ingredients needed:

Rain water, preferably collected during a thunderstorm. If you don’t have this handy, tap water can suffice.

Bits of glass, wood, gravel, any unpleasant debris you want flung around your target.

Blood, spit or any other personal tidbits you want to add in order to give the curse a little extra oomph.

A picture or something belonging to your target that you can burn

A jar or bottle

A grey, white or black candle

A lighter or matches

Add the water, sharp pointy things and personal tidbits to the bottle or jar.  Burn the photo/object that pertains to your target. Add the ashes to the jar or bottle, then seal that sucker up with the wax from the candle that you’ve chosen.

Then shake it. Shake the fuck out of it. Use any storm-related thought forms or incantations you want to further express your intent. Visualizing the contents of the curse breaking down your target is especially effective.  Store the curse somewhere within reach, and give it a shake whenever you want to reinforce the spell.

I’m going to preface this by saying I in no way encourage light-hearted use of blood magic, unless the method you use to acquire blood causes you no harm (ex. using menstrual blood, or randomly getting a nose bleed and collecting the blood). However, this is not a fear-mongering post. I’m not going to tell you to only use blood magic as a last resort. Why not?

Because this is a post about paradigms, and that makes all the difference. 

For anyone who hasn’t yet heard of paradigms, I’m afraid I’m horrible at defining things. So instead of giving you a definition I’m going to give you an example: There are two witches. One of them believes the Threefold Law will harm them if they curse. The other doesn’t believe in curse backlash. These are two different paradigms that effect how the witches view magic and the decisions they make.

The most common paradigm in relation to blood magic is surprisingly not that it’s evil; we seemed to have evolved that far in the community. No, the most common paradigm in relation to blood magic is that blood is very powerful and therefore should be used sparingly in magic.

The problem is, not every user of blood magic believes that it’s inherently powerful. The belief that blood is powerful comes from, of course, the fact that we need it to survive. But there are humans who don’t put much stock in the living world. Some magic users that work with death sometimes view the living world as a temporary home but not where they belong (I can’t believe I just quoted Carrie Underwood in a post about blood magic). There are those who view death as being significantly more important than live. And there are plenty of magic users who suffer from depression and just don’t feel their life is worth much. (I know some of you were probably hoping I would skip the topic of depression, but I’m afraid I can’t do this post justice without mentioning it; as someone who suffers from depression I understand the impact it can have on a person’s paradigms, and it would be foolish of me to ignore it.)

(Side note: not all who work with death view death as being more important than life. Some do, some don’t. The same can be said for most other practices.)

While magic users who hold the above beliefs may still view blood as powerful, there’s always the chance that they don’t view it being as powerful as others, or they don’t believe it’s powerful at all. Do these paradigms render blood useless? Absolutely not. We still need it to live. But it could potentially “weaken” it’s magical potential.

Posts floating around about blood magic will have you believing that a drop of blood can summon demons from the darkest depths of hell, “so be sure you’re ready for the consequences before doing it!” but that’s a paradigm. It may be the most popular paradigm, but that doesn’t change the fact that blood magic just won’t work that way for all users.

Lemme give you a personal example:

I have a natural acceptance of death. I know it’ll happen someday and when it does I’ll welcome it, because that’s where I belong. Because of this, I don’t really value blood in the life-saving way as much as most people do. I’ll donate blood whenever I can because I know it saves lives and blood is important (and necessary) for so many others, but for myself? If I end up in a hospital nearly dead due to blood loss don’t give me someone elses blood. That shit can be used on a child, or someone who values the living world more than myself.

Because of all this, I just don’t feel blood magic is as powerful for me as it is for others. I don’t feel one drop is going to bring hellish nightmares to my doorstep, nor do I believe there will be “natural consequences” for me using blood magic. I can do it as much or as little as I like. However, I do believe it’s very personal. I use blood to consecrate objects or to bind them to myself. I use blood to dedicate myself to a practice or a deity. I may not think it is “demon summoning” powerful, but I still feel it’s very useful for personal magical connections. And it’s powerful for those uses.

This is my paradigm. It effects the way I use my magic and the decisions I make, and I know I can’t be alone in this.

Which is the entire reason I’m making this post. I love the posts tumblr users are making about blood magic, but what I don’t love is the fear-mongering that often goes hand in hand with those posts. If you want to talk about how dangerous blood magic is, talk about how not to collect blood. Talk about how careless collection of blood can be harmful to someones health. Talk about things that are actually dangerous regardless of magical paradigms, because those are what people interested in blood magic need to read! They need to know they can’t just stick a needle wherever when they want to do blood magic. They need to know what areas on the body to avoid when collecting blood. They need to know about safety.