a foray into the forbidden

ー

Rocks or seashells that catch your eye.

Wildflowers, berries, or herbs that grow where you live! Please ensure they are not poisonous or endangered and do not consume them.

Recycled glass jars and bottles! Think jars from pasta sauce, jam, jelly, etc. These can be used for offerings, as vases, for holding herbs, etc.

Origami animals and hearts.

Hand-drawn sigils or diagrams (the wheel of the year, the lunar cycle, etc.) or hand-written words of power.

Mini potions in old lip balm containers.

Homemade candle holders constructed of painted recycled jars.

A special dish, plate, bowl, or cup.

A DIY incense holder.

Charged waters you have collected (moon, sun, river, etc.).

Cork animals!

Your own creations. These can include paintings, music, illustrations, poetry, pottery, stories, plays, songs, recipes, knitted/crocheted items, a scrapbook, your book of shadows, etc. Everyone is an artist in their own unique way.

Feathers or bones found naturally occurring in nature. Do not harm any animals to obtain these.

Spells you would like to cast written on index cards, organized like a recipe box.

A deck of playing cards, a weighted necklace, or runes drawn on foraged stones for divination.

Photographs or intriguing articles cut from magazines, books, and newspapers. You can also print out online versions from your local copy store or library.

Free booklets from hardware stores, plant nurseries, or farm stores. Sometimes you can find very helpful herb/plant or recipe guidesbooks!

Mundane substitutions for magical tools. A letter opener or kitchen knife for an athame, a foraged stick for a wand, a heat-safe bowl or pot for a cauldron, etc.

Birthday candles from your, a friend's, or a loved one's past birthday. Very helpful for creating a witch atmosphere or candle magic as they burn quickly! Note: Some witches and practitioners believe you should always use a fresh candle when performing candle magic, never one previously burned for another purpose. You can decide if you would like to follow this based upon your personal beliefs.

Anything you feel called to! Never place anything on your altar that feels off or wrong.

Midsummer altar, Mabon altar

Brigid altar, God and Goddess gratitude altar

Pan altar, wiccan Yule altar

Altar to Ishtar, Lammas Altar

You don’t need any physical objects to do magic.

Magic isn’t only sympathetic.

Energy work may be a little difficult to research, but there are resources out there. My blog included.

You can do workings only using spirits.

If you’re a fan of the psychological model, there’s always thought association and sigils made with the Spare Method.

Develop your psychic abilities. Claircognizance is an invaluable tool.

You don’t need an altar to do magic.

You don’t need a divine being, or faith in such, to do magic.

Study mathematics.

Study chemistry.

Study physics, both Newtonian and Theoretical.

Download or use Khan Academy to study. It has almost any subject you can think of.

Research your local herbs

Research modalities of witchcraft outside of larger traditions such as Wicca or Ceremonial magic.

Talk with other witches about magic. Connect with practitioners of as many different paths as possible.

1. We will not use the terms "black magic" or "white magic" as they are rooted in racism.

2. I don't care if you don't like the left hand path. I don't like uwu love and light toxic positivity. Nobody's requiring nor requesting you to be here.

3. I don't believe in the Rede, or in the Rule of Three, or in karma. See point 2.

4. I may answer asks, but I will not answer anons.

5. One of the foundational beliefs of magic as I practice it is that magic is bound by natural law. Therefore there is light and dark. Neither exists without the other, but they do not always exist in equal measure. Neither is good or evil.

6. Another foundational belief is that you always choose the right tool for the job. You don't take antibiotics for the flu. You don't grab a welding torch when you need a soldering iron. You don't use a kitchen mop for a flood.

8. I do not support or believe in ceremonial magic as it is rooted in racism, sexism, and colonialism.

9. Every. Single. New Age practice is absolute bullshit and will not ever accomplish anything other than gaslighting yourself.

10. There are laws of magic, and you can see them in the currents that all types of magic follow.

11. Not one single spell you can find on the internet is reproducible as the author intended. None of them contain enough information.

12. Endogenic systems are not welcome here because they are garbage humans.

13. I am pro-trans and TERFs can die as far as I care.

14. You do not need a tradition to do magic. You can literally forge your own practice if you follow the laws of magic.

15. There is no “One True Way,” but there are types of “magic” that will not work and are literal horse shit.

16. Energy work is 100% necessary to do magic.

This is the page that I use to keep track of important spiritual entities in my practice. I primarily use it to keep track of my thoughtforms and entities that I have contacts with.

I’ve finished DIY Magic by Anthony Alvarado. Loved it. I can’t wait to try out some of the tips that I learned. I would recommend this book to just about anybody because it doesn’t adhere to any specific subjective beliefs–for the most part, this book offers psychological tricks to help you in life (which, to be honest, is basically how I currently define magic). 

Main takeaways:

1. I found Alvarado’s explanation of tarot cards to be refreshingly rational compared to the belief that the cards retain some kind of mystical power. He compares the use of tarot cards to sprinkling white sand over invisible objects–there is knowledge retained by our subconscious that we can only access when prompted, right? It’s kind of like when you smell something and it reminds you of something you haven’t thought about in years. The tarot cards help sprinkle the sand over the invisible objects of your subconscious, giving them form and shape. The power was in you the whole time, the cards are merely a method to bringing it out. He writes that “the placement of the cards is completely random. If we allow no sentience or autonomy to the way the cards land, then the information derived from the cards is not inherent in the cards themselves but in the interpretation given to the random spread of symbols.” Alvarado also compares the use of tarot cards to getting a friend’s perspective on something. Sometimes the friend merely helps by allowing you to see something from an angle that you haven’t thought of yet.

2. The book recommends “time travel” by choosing a time period and using only objects that were available in that year/age for an afternoon or a day. I thought this would be a really cool way to get some insight on how people from different time periods might have felt.

3. Automatic writing–Alvarado recommends writing without thinking, which could serve as an antidote to writer’s block if you are able to turn off your inner critic and just write whatever words come to you in the moment. I think this is just a pretty cool creative exercise in general.

4. Ornithomancy: bear with me here–this is technically divination but similar to Alvarado’s earlier explanation of how tarot cards work. Ornithomancy is simply deriving ideas or creative insight from observing birds. That’s right, I said birds. Of course, as I’ve been saying, the magic is inside you already–the birds merely inspire. For this one, I urge you to stop taking yourself so seriously and just observe some birds. See what happens.

5. Burroughs’ Invisibility Technique: In public, give everyone around you the first look–subtle and firm, intentional but disinterested. It works to establish a power dynamic and makes other people far less likely to notice you.

6. Ganzfeld Technique: The scrying of sensory deprivation–this one is a little odd but I still want to try it. Similar to how Eleven in Stranger Things uses sensory deprivation, the Ganzfeld technique involves putting halves of ping pong balls over your eyes and playing white, brown or pink noise through headphones.

7. Bibliomancy: We’ve all probably done this one at some point. Bibliomancy is where you ask a question and then flip to a random page and sentence in a book you own (particularly a good one). 

Quotes I liked from DIY Magic:

I. “It you want to do something, the first step is to imagine yourself doing it.”

II. “You must sidle up to reality gently, like a friendly kitten. Like attracts like.”

III. “Magic works via power of imagination. Imagination works by metaphor.”

IV. “The mage seeks out the truth, that which works, in the high and low, in the commonplace and the obscure, with equal diligence.”

Know the meaning of your correspondences.

Most of the posts on tumblr related to correspondences are long lists of different herbs, flowers, crystals, etc, and their associations. They are almost always personal to the poster. I don't think these are bad posts (my content is usually personal and can be a little vague). I also think it's great to get a glimpse into individual practices and associations.

However, this has led to some beginners using those lists as a reference without questioning why those correspondences exist in the first place. If your plant or crystal associations are basically just copied and pasted into your grimoire, they're going to lack substance and your spells won't work as well.

Here are a few tips for getting to know your correspondences:

Choose what you want to work with.

You can dig yourself into a hole trying to learn about all of the correspondences for everything. Whether it's moon phases, weather, flowers, herbs, gemstones, the list goes on. Choose a few things that you're already drawn to and leave the rest. You can always come back to it later. For example, I rarely use rocks and crystals in my practice, so I don't pay attention to their correspondences. But I'm gaining interest in mineralogy, so that might change in the future.

Start small.

Let's say you want to work with herbs. Pick a few to study and incorporate into your practice. This will narrow things down and make research much easier.

Expand your learning outside the realm of witchcraft.

Let's use plants as an example again. Learn about their history, folklore, uses, chemical components, cultivation, etc. Increasing your knowledge of a chosen subject is crucial for writing your own correspondences.

Get local.

Researching local plants, minerals, and animals can be very rewarding and will lead to some rich and interesting correspondences. Avoid plants and associations sacred to closed cultures.

Read different posts about correspondences.

I think it's important to read posts other practitioners have written about their personal correspondences. Take notice of trends and patterns. For example, does everyone seem to associate amethyst with spiritual protection? Try and research why. Ask them personally, if you're comfortable doing so.

Write your correspondences and apply them to your practice.

At some point, you have to just start. After you've done some reading, write down your correspondences and the reasons behind them. Apply them to your spellwork and take note of what works and what doesn't. Witchcraft is a constant learning experience and new information will change your perspective over time.

This is all based on my personal opinion and I'm sure I haven't covered everything, but I hope this post is helpful. Feel free to add your own viewpoints if compelled.

Witchling tips

Witch Tip (knitting, etc)

DIY Witchery Resources

9 Easy-to-Find Ingredients every Aspiring Witch Needs

A Masterpost with a TON of resources

Reminder about the term “Spirit animal”

A Witch’s Library

Witchy Tip (if you have visitors)

How to Hide Altars (Also Travel Altars)

A Secret Witches Guide to Concealing your craft

100 Secret Witch Tips

Witchy uses for your phone for the frugal or secret witch

Tarot for the Secret Witches

10 Clever Places to Hide Your Pendulum

Alter Ideas for Secret Witches

secret witch tips

A Tip for Secret Witches or Witches with Minimal Supplies

How to hide/disguise Wiccan/Witch Supplies

A Secret Witches Guide to Concealing your craft

10 discreet witch ideas ~

~witch tip!~

WITCHES OF TUMBLR, I need your help! ( good information but its all in the reblogs)

secret witch tips

From @witchthatiam

Spells

Equalizing Rain Spell

Weight Loss Spell

Protection Ring Enchantment

Aggressive Curse and Banishing Spell

Money Injection Spell

Cloaking Spell for Witches

Beauty Reflection Spell

Geminino Spell (HP Inspired)

Quick Accio Energy Spell (HP Inspired)

Summoning Your Patronus (HP Inspired)

Alohomora Spell to Unlock Your Potential (HP Inspired)

Aguamenti Cleansing Spell (HP Inspired)

Growth Spell for Beltane

Leo Spell for Warmth and Joy

Cancer Spell for Sensitivity and Intuition

Best Friend “Success” Spell(Corpse Bride Inspired)

Pepper and Dish Soap - A Binding and Banishin Spell

Spell to Reduce Cutting Urges

Charms

“Unbreakable” Charm

Charm for Beauty

Sigils

I Will Not Be Caught in My Acts of Witchery

I Channel the Energy from the Constellation ‘Leo’ easily

I Scry Easily and Accurately

I Channel the Power of My Star Sign With Ease

I Stay Alert and Focused Throughout the Day

I Love Deeply

Truth

I Do Not Fear The Future // My Sleep Schedule is Balanced

Tools/Tips/Advice

My Wand and How I’m Blessing It

My Secret Alphabet

DIY Quill

Harry Potter Inspired Grimoire Covers

Enchanted Luna Lovegood Glasses

DIY Pill Wards

Witchy Items For Your Altar

What’s on My Altar

Make Your Own Crystals

Salt Dough Wards

Grimiore Tip

10 Clever Places to Hide Your Pendulum

Scrying Ball

Mini Circle Casting

Visualization

My Favourite Crystals for BPD

Witchy Crafts

Witchy Crafts II

What to Do With 5 lbs. of Violets

A Few Tips for Getting Started

Witchy Tea Tips

How to Charge Sigils With Fidget Spinners

Somewhat Witchy Beauty Tips

Divination

Cartomancy Meanings

Pensieve Scrying (HP Inspired)

Marauder’s Map

Triwizard Tournament Cup/Sorting Hat Divination (HP Inspired)

Star Scrying

How to Scry

True Self Mirror Gazing

How to Smoke Scry

Tips for Scrying

How to Wax Scry

How to Do A Stichomancy Reading

How to Do A Nephelomancy Reading

How to Do a Shufflemancy Reading

How to Make Your Own Cartomancy System

DIY Pendulum

How to Deal With A Negative Reading Done for Someone Else

Divination Chants

Types of Divination

Teas for Divination

Respect, Courtesy, and Manners

How to Cleanse Your Tools

Ill be adding more secret witch resources and secret witch help as I find them and storing it on my online Grimoire. For more secret witch help HERE

Follow me for more secret witch help and more <3

My witchy iOS apps.

Wow! I’ve never gotten more than MAYBE 15 notes in my many years on tumblr. Thanks, witch fam!

UPDATED*** Here are some app links for @valicorne​ and others who requested. They should all be free. Some of these are also in the Android Marketplace, and for those that aren’t, there are comparable ones.

And my mom has a baller sigil making app on Android I envy: Sigil Automatron. Anyone know of a comparable one for iOS? (I don’t want just a paint or photoshop-like app, but one specific To making sigils)

Not all the full names show in the screenshotted app view, which is why some of you struggled to find them. Sorry!):

1. Tarot Card Memorizer: Pretty self explantaory. This is a nice reference when you’re trying to learn card meanings.

2. Pendulum Charts Free - a plethora of charts. I like using that on my iPad, not super useful on a smaller screen, aka my iPhone. Can also use to reference for making your own charts on paper, or woodburning like I’m working on.

3. Golden Thread Tarot - Really nice free eversion of great physical deck. Nice for witches on the go, or witches on a budget.

4. Crystals And Gems - Handy reference guide for both physical and metaphysical attributes.

5. Mighty Timer - temperature, time, and amount of tea you need for the perfect cup. Great kitchen witch app, especially if you grow some of your own herbs for tea, like I do.

6. TimePassages - Free daily horoscopes, meanings, planetary bodies glossary and then some paid options for chart downloads.

7. Herbs Guide - Herbs for health and cooking. ***never take any information found on the Internet or via apps as medical advice. Seek professional medical help if you have an issues. This witch is very pro-science and modern medicine, despite making teas, tinctures, and herbal salves. Those are merely supplements to help relieve symptoms.

8. Dreamboard - my favorite digital dream journal

9. Runes - pocket advisor - Get one, two and three rune readings. Also helps you learn the meanings of elder futhark runes. 10. SkyView Free -This overlays constellations and other astronomical information when you open the app and point it at the night sky. Uses your camera and GPS to know what it’s looking at. Works inside, too. I impress the heck out of people when I whip this out at stargazing events.

11. Best Essential Oils and Aromatherapy Guide Pro - This app, containing six broad sections - guides, application, single oil, oil blends, aromatherapy and weight loss. Again, this is not to be used in place of proper nutrition and medical attention, and be very careful when using essential oils. All need to be diluted with carrier oils, and some are dangerous if you’re pregnant, etc.

12. Spellcaster - tarot cards, horoscope and pre-written spells. Not my favorite, but fun to flip through.

13. Celeste -LOOOVE. Celeste allows you to calculate a natal chart, which you can view on a zodiac wheel. You also get a description of all the planets in signs, not just the sun sign.

14. Star Chart - This is similar to skyview. I haven’t played with it too much so I can’t vouch for it quite yet. I think I prefer the skyview interface.

15. Free Candle - Different candle options, and you cna blow them out. Great for on the go candle magick/meditation, and for those who aren’t allowed to use candles in apartments/dorms/etc.

16. The Pocket Pagan - “This unique Pagan app includes a map of the USA and Canada filled with Pagan, occult and New Age stores, a handy correspondence guide for quick magickal look-ups, and a calendar that shows you the next full moon and Sabbat dates. Quick links can help you find the latest news, blogs and videos too. One little widget shows the real-time moon phase too.”

17. Moon - current moon phase - Love this. Very simple interface for when you JUST want basic full, new, waxing, waning moon info.

If you’re not Native American, its not smudging its smoke cleansing.

If you’re not Native American, its not a spirit animal, it’s an animal guide, patronus or daemon. (And no it’s not a totem animal either.)

If youre not African American or Afro-Carribean, it’s not a voodoo doll it’s a poppet.

Incorporating the elements

Air

Draw the sigil in the air using incense

Draw the sigil on your body and go for a walk

Energetically trace sigils in the air and let the wind carry and charge them

Draw the sigil on paper, rip it up, and let the wind blow it away

Draw the sigil onto a flag, let it blow in the wind

Trace the sigil in the air with your hand, push it away

Draw or attach the sigil to a windchime

Leave the sigil outside during a windstorm

Water

Draw the sigil on your body and take a shower

Draw the sigil on a piece of paper, submerge the paper in water, let the water evaporate

Carve the sigil into a bar of soap and wash yourself with it

When taking a bath, draw the sigil in the bottom of the tub with soap/bath salts/baking soda

Draw the sigil on a stone with water and wait for it to evaporate

Draw the sigil on you hand, then wash it away

Breathe on your window so that it fogs up, then draw the sigil on it

Draw the sigil on any surface using water

Sew the sigil into your clothes, wash them

Draw the sigil on paper and put it under running water

Draw the sigil on a beach, let the ocean wash it away

Draw the sigil on a rock and throw it in a river/ocean

Flush the sigil down the toilet (make sure it’s on biodegradable paper)

Draw the sigil on paper and place in in a jar, add salt and water, then shake it up (Optional: add a drop or two of essential oil matching intent)

Leave the sigil outside during a rainstorm

Put the sigil in a pot of boiling water

Draw the sigil onto a coin and toss it into a fountain

Earth

Draw the sigil on a piece of paper and surround it with crystals that match the intent

Draw the sigil on a piece of paper and bury it in the ground

Place the sigil with a plant

Draw the sigil on the ground

Draw the sigil on a rock and leave it somewhere that makes you happy

Draw the sigil on paper and put it in a jar of salt

Put a crystal that matches the intent on top of the sigil 

Trace the sigil with a crystal matching the intent

Tape the sigil onto a window during a full moon

Trace the sigil in dust/dirt, then blow it away

Use herbs matching the intent of the sigil, draw the sigil on paper and mix everything together, paper included

Burn herbs matching the sigils intent, pass the sigil through the smoke

Fire

Draw the sigil on a piece of paper and burn it 

Carve the sigil into a candle and burn with intent

Draw the sigil on the bottom of a tea light candle, let it burn out

Pass the sigil through smoke (any smoke works, but incense is best)

Draw the sigil on paper, leave it in sunlight

Carve the sigil into a candle, let it melt away

Sigils In everyday life

Eating and Drinking

Carve the sigil into your food before eating it

Draw the sigil under your kitchen table

When drinking tea, draw the sigil in the bottom of your mug with honey

Trace the sigil on the bottom of a pot before cooking with it

Draw the sigil on the bottom of your favorite cup

If you’re at a bonfire/cooking over a flame, carve the sigil into your food with a toothpick before you roast it (Hotdog, mashmallow, etc.)

Draw the sigil on a piece of bread, toast it

Draw the sigil in a pan with cooking oil, then cook

Draw the sigil out of ketchup on your food

Put pancake batter in a squeeze bottle, draw your sigil in the frying pan with the batter

In Art and Music

Incorporate the sigil into an art piece that has to do with the intent

Paint the sigil over a picture that didn’t turn out the way you wanted

Draw the sigil anywhere on your body and draw a pattern around it, don’t wash it off, let it fade on its own

Trace the sigil onto a pair of headphones/speaker with your finger, listen to music that matches your intent

Draw the sigil on the inside of your sketchbook cover

Draw the sigil and scribble it out

Draw the sigil on paper and tape it to the bottom of your laptop/tablet/phone if you write, draw, or make music digitally

Place the sigil in front of music speakers

Draw the sigil onto a CD that you love, and play it

Imagine the sigil in your mind while dancing

Draw the sigil on a dry erase board and erase it

Draw your sigil on the ground with chalk 

To Keep it With You

Draw the sigil on a piece of paper and put it in your purse

Draw the sigil on the bottom of your shoe

Sew the sigil into your clothing

Draw the sigil on paper and keep it in your wallet

Draw the sigil on your skin with water/oil/marker/etc. depending on intent

Tattoo the sigil onto your body (This only applies to certain sigils)

Draw the sigil on the back of a necklace you always wear

Draw the sigil on your nail, then paint over it with nail polish

Draw the sigil on your car steering wheel

Draw the sigil on your face with concealer, then blend it in

Put the sigil in a locket and wear it

Technology

Take a photo of your sigil, then delete the picture

Draw the sigil on paper and place it under a charging device

Draw the sigil inside your phone case

Set the sigil as your phone lockscreen, charge the phone

Draw the sigil on paper and tape it to the bottom of your laptop/tablet/phone

Download a sigil app

Directing Your Own Energy

Body Energy and Visualization

Visualize the sigil in your mind, think about the intent of your sigil

Draw the sigil on the ground/write it on a piece of paper and sit on it while meditating

Exercise while visualizing the sigil and your intent

Leave the sigil under your pillow during acts of passion

Masturbate while thinking about the sigil

Draw the sigil on a vein (wrist works well)

Recite a chant that goes with the sigil’s intent

Draw the sigil on paper and rub it between your hands

Draw the sigil somewhere on your body, tap it when you think about it

Draw the sigil on paper and stab it

Draw the sigil with blood as ink (controversial, not recommended)

Draw the sigil on your palm and clap your hands

Other

Draw a sigil on the corner of your homework assignments

Spell a day-Day 1

Description: A glamour meant to transform you into the likeness of Jesus Christ so that he might shine through you as you go about your day.

Materials

Basil

Holy Water

Lighter

Mirror

Wood

Notes:

Basil is for confidence and you will only need a couple leaves. Please dry your leaves before use.

The larger the mirror the better.

Wood can be from any tree and is meant to symbolize the cross. You do not need much for this spell. A twig will do. I will be using Monterey Cypress as it also symbolizes death.

Instructions

Perform any pre-spell rituals.

Burn the basil and wood in a fire safe container until they are ashes.

Drop in a small amount of Holy Water. A drop or two will suffice.

Stand before the mirror with mixture.

May I never boast of anything except the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.

As you continue to look in the mirror, draw a cross on your body with the soot. Visualize the energy in the soot radiating over your entire body, until you see your image change into that of Jesus.

Thank God for transforming you.

Notes

You can keep the ashes that are left and perform steps 1, 4-6 whenever you like.

Try to hide your cross. We are not supposed to advertise our faith as Christians. Your faith should be evident in your actions, not in symbols you have etched on your body.