Just Your Friendly Neighborhood Witch

If you have a headache, consider brushing your hair and as you brush downwards imagine the negative energies falling on the ground and disappearing. In about 4-5 mins of brushing your hair the headache will reduce.

Sea Salt: purification and cleansing

Sage: sacred purification herb, used to banish negative energies, and consecrate magical tools and spaces

Black Pepper: banishing negativity, warding off evil, and protection

Thyme: invigorates the user and inspires them to move on to new things- good for getting over losses

Rosemary: cleansing, purifying, and matters of the heart

Chamomile: money and luck, reversing hexes, and representing masculine energy

Bay Leaves: psychic powers and divination, success, money, and granting wishes

Basil: domestic harmony, home protection, purifying, and warding off negative influences

Parsley: divination, and psychic advancement, protection

Cinnamon: high levels of spirituality and psychic ability, lust and love

Cloves: drive away negativity, cleansing, and bringing prosperity

Ginger: adds strength to any working, and draws new experiences

Oregano: joy, strength, vitality, and energy

Peppermint: cleansing, peaceful sleep, bringing change, abundance, and wishes

Spearmint: healing, sleep protection, wishes, and vitality

Vanilla Bean: love, lust, passion, and restoring energy

Poppy Seeds: pleasure, heightened awareness, luck, and relief from insomnia

Cayenne Pepper: dealing with separation, speeds the effect of magical workings

Orange Peel: love, divination, money, luck, and emotional peace

A spell to send a friend or loved one protection and safety.

You Will Need:

❀ Salt ❀ Rosemary ❀ Angelica ❀ Dandelion Fluff ❀ Blue Lace Agate, Carnelian, or Garnet ❀ Name of your friend on a slip of paper ❀ White Sachet

Steps:

❀ Fill your sachet with the herbs, friend’s name and piece of crystal of your choice

❀ “I send you protection from all that may harm you, I send you the wish of safety, I send you the energies to keep you out of harms way.”

❀ Tie your sachet shut and gently kiss it it focusing on your desires to send your friend protection

With the on coming eclipse seeming to be a good time to take advantage of the power coming from the moon and suns combined event and do some magic or ritual.

ASSOCIATIONS OF AN ECLIPSE:

☀Power ☀Transformation ☀ Rebirth/Renewal ☀ New Directions ☀ Personal Growth

Pretty much any magic you want to do will be amplified, but if you dont have anything in particular in mind, here are a couple suggestions:

🌙 spell to find a soulmate

🌙 moon love spell

🌙 spell of release

🌙 frienship hnd fastening ritual

🌙 know what you have done curse

🌙 spell to break bad habits

🌙 restarting/rebirth spell

🌙 stars guide me spell

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

A potion for self love. Take as a ‘self love pick-me-up.

Ingredients: 

½ c. Strawberry Nesquick or other strawberry milk flavour (add more to taste if desired. Strawberry represents love, sweetness, passion, softness, and warmth.

1 c. white chocolate chips Chocolate represents sexual and non-sexual euphoria, communication, love, desire, and acceptance. White chocolate is a ‘whiter’ version of this.

¾ c. instant dry milk Milk represents, peace, fertility, a healthy body, and having plenty.

½ pkg instant white chocolate pudding (3.3 oz)

Instructions:

For when you need some soothing energy to calm your frayed nerves.

Items

Lemon(health)

Honey(harmony)

Cinnamon(power)

Mint(protection)

Apple(love)

Clean jar

Cast

Fill the bottom of the jar with enough honey to cover it evenly

Cut the lemon and apple into a few quarter inch slices(the amount depends on the size of the jar and how much you want to make)

Place lemon slice down on the honey(you might need to cut it in half and place it in one half at a time)

Place an apple slice on top of the lemon

Sprinkle cinnamon on the apple

Cover with honey

Repeat steps 3-6 as many times as you like

Place a few mint leaves on top

Cover with honey

Seal the jar and store it in the fridge for two days before use

Uses

Put into tea or warm milk to dispel negative energy and bring healing, protection, and harmony into your life.

Add to a sugar or salt scrub (salt/sugar, olive oil, rosemary, rose petals) to get rid of icky feelings.

V=Vegetarian

[Appetizers] 

Acorn Squash Salad -V 

Roasted Brussels Sprouts -V 

Roquefort Pear Salad -V 

Yeast Rolls -V 

Granola -V 

Stuffed Mushrooms

Stuffed Pea Pods -V 

Spicy Watermelon -V 

Toasted Ravioli -V 

Potstickers 

Turkey Lettuce Wraps 

Baked Zucchini  

[Sides] 

Glazed Pearl Onions -V 

Shredded Brussels Sprouts 

Eggplant -V

Corn Pudding -V

Broccoli Casserole -V

Lemon Roasted Potatoes

Garlic Kale -V 

Corn Casserole -V

Roasted Garlic Cauliflower -V 

[Main] 

Slow Cooker Beef Stroganoff  

White Cheese Chicken Lasagna 

Spinach and Tomato Tortellini -V

White Bean and Chicken Chili

Lemon Cream Pasta with Chicken 

Pepper Steak 

Crab and Corn Chowder

Spanakopita -V 

[Dessert]

Blueberry Lemon Bread -V 

Strawberry Chantilly -V

Blackberry Cobbler -V 

Lemon Ice -V 

Strawberry Pie -V 

Blueberry Pie -V 

Blueberry Buckle -V 

Peach Pie -V 

If you’re like me, and like to bring your earthy witchcraft with you this is the DIY for you.

cost breakdown and materials:

✨ Wood box - $2.99 from craft store (but most stores have coupons)

✨ Stain - $4.99 (a small bottle will last you forever)

✨ Moss - $5 from a craft store (I’m sure you can fine it somewhere cheaper)

(side note: I don’t recommend getting it from the ground. It can lead to mold/bugs/allergy issues)

✨ Hot glue 

✨ Acrylic Paint and brushes

Prep your box by sanding down any rough edges, removing any stickers, as well as making sure it’s dry and clean.

Stain your box. You can use a rag or brush to apply stain. Read the directions on your stain bottle, and wipe off extra stain. I love wood stain.

The latch has an eagle on it :)

After your stain is dry prep for the sky. You can prep with gesso or just white acrylic paint. This will make your colors pop more. I just dove in with painting, but if you want really crisp border lines use masking tape.

While waiting for the white to dry I hot glued in some moss. It takes the glue really well, but retains its fluffiness.

Add your night sky. To avoid having to paint tons of layers because your paint is transparent, ad a little white in. For the sky I mixed white, black, and blue, and left it a little unblended for a foggy feel.

Ad stars. I chose Cassiopeia, Polaris, and the Big Dipper. Use a tooth pic to get small dots.

For use on herbs, houseplants, gardens, etc. 

First, charge up some sun water - I used the lovely crystal goblet you see pictured above, but feel free to use any vessel you like, as long as sunlight can shine into it.

Once the water has been charged and you are ready, dip your hand into the water and sprinkle it over the intended target three times, saying as you do,

Grow hastily, Grow healthily, Grow heartily.

with one sprinkle being for each of these lines. Do the same for each plant/pot/plot/what have you.

Be aware that some plants, such as African violets, do not appreciate having water dripped on their leaves. For these, I suggest aiming for the soil or even for the item in which they are planted.

Repeat as needed. 

For extra stubborn plants, you may wish to directly water them with the sun water, pouring three times, using the same words.

May all your plants grow swiftly and strong.

So maybe you’re a college witch with limited space and money, limited to the one window in your dorm. Or, maybe you’re a witch without extensive backyard space who wants to start up a magical garden. Perhaps you’re a kitchen witch who wants the freshest herbs right at her fingertips.

For many witches, having a garden seems to be a bit of a no-brainer. After all, plants and magic go hand-in-hand. Plus, when thinking of a witch, it’s hard not to think of a cottage in the woods with a little vegetable garden out front. Unfortunately for the majority of us, our cottage in the woods is a tiny flat, and our garden out front is a windowsill with limited space.

This is when it comes time to embrace your craftiness and bring your garden indoors! Not only does it place your garden in a convenient location, it also allows you to freshen the air, recycle what would otherwise harm the earth, and embrace your witchy green thumb!

Bringing Another Element to the Garden

It’s that time of the year! Graduations are in full swing, and the city of San Luis experiences its bi-annual exodus of students coming in and out of town for college, work, and housing. Though the faces may change, one thing is definitely constant: we’ve got a lot of gardens and greenery here! One thing being somewhat less constant depending on when you’re in California is the presence of water. But with several creeks and streams cutting through SLO proper, and the presence of nearby Salinas River, Morro Bay, and… well, the ocean, we can safely say that water features are a part of what helps keep the pulse going here.

In the garden, water features are not only works of art (as many of SLO’s man-made water features are), but can also be utilitarian or spiritual in nature. From irrigating your plants in fashion to providing a space for scrying and reflection, it’s not hard to convert your garden into a beautiful and spiritual sanctuary.

I know, I know… there are some of you out there saying “But Josh, how the hell am I supposed to fit a bird bath or a water fountain on my windowsill? I live on campus for gods’ sakes!” Bear with me!

Spiritual Cleansing and Reflection

First of all, why would you want a water feature in your garden in the first place? The immediate answers that come to mind are usually something along the lines of “they’re pretty” or “they’re relaxing.” But in my opinion, they hold a bit of a deeper significance.

Water is a source of life - even succulents require water to thrive. Soil alone is not enough, and neither is light. As such, a life-giving element can also help lift the energy of a space, cleansing it through sound and appearance. Consider the emotion invoked by sitting near a fountain or a small waterfall or by a running stream. The sound of running water often inspires calm and peaceful thoughts and emotion. This is of immeasurable benefit for a witchy garden!

But moving water is not the only way for the element to be represented in a witchy context. Standing pools of water can invoke many of the same feelings due to their calm surfaces and tranquil movements when disturbed by a breeze. These reflection pools can be used for meditation or for scrying, both practices that are helpful for maintaining spiritual health and for divination.

Bringing the Magic Home

It’s extremely easy to put together the most basic water feature: a birdbath. A common method is to place a terra cotta saucer on a wire stand (such as a tomato stand or a milking stool) and then fill it with water. Other times, one can substitute the saucer with a trash can lid or other wide, shallow dish. Bless the water or set it out under a full moon if you wish to add a bit of extra magic to it! Additionally, a clear quartz crystal in the water is a great discreet way of helping maintain an enchantment on your water feature.

The fact that it attracts birds adds to the allure, helping for those who enjoy bird-watching either for pleasure or for divination. But try getting even closer with nature by adding some stones to the middle of the bath to provide a dry, sloping surface for bees and insects or as an additional perch for birds.

Water falls and artificial streams and pools can be built into a backyard for the same purposes. Consider how you can turn them into larger scale scrying pools for use during full or new moons!

Now, bringing it back to the windowsill! Some stores sell small water features such as miniature water fountains. These can be purposed much in the same way. However, if money is a factor, use a tea saucer or shallow bowl. This source of water may not help births bathe, but it will still serve as a space cleanser. In addition, if you have crystals that need cleansing, they can be submerged in this water for that same purpose!

How will you know when the water has cleansed as much as it could? Either it will become stagnant with dust and debris or it will completely evaporate - whichever comes first!

Take it a step further by turning it into a little shrine space! Many deities and spirits can be linked with water, and such a little water feature is a perfect way to honor them!

No matter the size or design, consider the many benefits water can bring to your spiritual garden!

from 8/27

“I am sleepy/Go to sleep” sigil 

“I sleep peacefully” sigil 

“Restful Sleep” Charm Bag - poppy seeds, chamomile, catnip, lavender, nettle, coffee

Candle Spell for Sleep - white candle 

Rest Easy and Dream by the Stars - jar, purple candle, blue ribbon, bowl, calming music, mugwort, chamomile, lavender, salt, sugar, calendula, coltsfoot, hyssop, rosemary

Sleep Sigil for Insomnia and Nightmares 

Peace & Comfort Pillow Sachet - anise seed, bay leaf, cardamom, catnip, coriander, lavender, lemon, mint, rose, sachet, marker

A Basic Sleep Spell - white/lavender unscented candle, oil to anoint the candle, your favourite lullaby or poem, small drawstring bag, loose herbs (lavender, cedar, mugwort), small crystal

Sleep Well Spell - amethyst/rose quartz, sachet of dried lavender/lavender essential oil

“Good Night, Sleep Tight” Sleep Aid Satchel - fabric and sewing supplies to make a pouch, herbs, crystals, ribbon/string

“Gain a Restful Sleep” sigil 

Sleepy Time Spell Bottle - jar, lavender, chamomile, thyme, rose petals, rosemary, white candle

A Spell for Getting Sleep - your voice, your energy

The Sandman’s Sleep Sachet - yellow/gold fabric pillow/sachet, sand, gold glitter, vanilla oil, amethyst, yellow/gold/purple ribbon, salt

“My Sleep is Refreshing” sigil

Dream Water - lavender incense, clear quartz, rain water

“Enchanted Sleep” Balm - lavender, valerian root, lemon balm, rosemary, coconut oil, small jar

Peaceful Sleeping Sachet - cardamom pods, sea salt, whole cloves, dried mint, dried rosemary, white, pink and silver candles, small bag/pouch

Sleep Sigil 

To Rid Yourself of Insomnia - small bag, lavender

Easy Sleep Well Spell/Ritual - bed, blankets and pillows

Sleep Charm - catnip, chamomile, jasmine, thyme, violet 

“I will fall asleep easily and wake well-rested” sigil

Lil Sleep Sachet - catnip, chamomile, rose petals, mugwort, mint

Colorful Dreams Spell - flowers and leaves, glass jar, cinnamon stick/incense, candle

Simple Sleep Sachet - amethyst, cloves, peppermint, rosemary, rose petals, lavender candle, small bag

Pouch for a Restful Sleep - pouch, dried hibiscus flower, dried lavender, dired chamomile, amethyst

Sweet Dreams and Peaceful Sleep Sigil

Sleep Chant

Sleep Spell Jar! No Nightmares! - jar, yarn/string, salt, sugar, mint, sharp things, your own hair

A Simple Sleep Spell - tea, your voice 

Emoji Spell for Sleep and Peaceful Dreams

“My Sleep is Deep and Restful” Sigil 

Deep Sleep Herbal Pillow - sachet/mini pillow, lemon verbena, rose petals, rosemary, pine needles, lavender flowers, chamomile flowers, rice

“I Will Sleep Well and Wake Feeling Rested” Sigil

“Sweet Dreams” Spell - sleepy time tea, pjs/comfy clothes, calmest cleansing ritual, stuffed animal

Ocean Calls Sleep Spell - amethyst, beach sand, satchel, sea water, spray bottle, whale sounds

“I Will Sleep Well” Sigil

Sleep Spell - blue tealight candle, quartz, amethyst, lapis lazuli

Sleep Sweetly Spell - yarrow, lavender, hyacinth, violet, rosemary, cinnamon, peppermint essential oil

“I Fall Asleep Quickly and Easily When I Lie Down” Sigil

Sleep Charm - amethyst, string, lavender, blue/purple cloth

Sleep Well and Long Bottle - chamomile, passion flower, lavender, bottle

Simple Sleeping Charm - chamomile, lavender, vanilla, light purple fabric, white thread/ribbon

Sleep Sachet - catnip, chamomile, hops, lavender, lemon balm, rose petals, rosemary, sweet marjoram

Sleep Sachet Spell - any dried herbs associated with calmness and sleep

Sleep Spell - key, dark blue candle, dark blue thread

Sally’s Sleepy Soup Tea Spell - green tea, sweetener, your favourite mug, slotted spoon

A Ritual for Restful Sleep - lavender, chamomile, tea light candle, mortar and pestle

“I Have Time to Do the Things I Need to In the Morning/I Get an Adequate Amount of Sleep” Sigils

Sweet Sleep Spell - mint, lemon, vanilla, honey, tea/water

Three Leaves Spell - 3 green leaves, lavender oil, empty nut shell, small, smooth stone, white candle, sall, white fabric pouch

“I Fall Asleep Quickly” Sigil

 “Star Sweeper” Calming Sleep Spell - fabric to make a small pillow, chamomile, vanilla essence, lavender, cotton balls, glitter/confetti, needle and thread

Other helpful things:

Witch Tip - sigils

For Restful Sleep - various tips/recipes

Herbs to Use in Sleep Magic

A bunch of fun witchy activities that can be done with friends at sleepovers or when just hanging out.

Cleanse the house using salt or incense, good thing to do before anything else witchy

Turn a recipe for food or baked goods into a magical one and make it together

Decorate cookies or cupcakes with sigils that will activate when you eat them

Make flower crowns with fresh or fake flowers

Practice tea magick and then give each other readings from the leaves (tasseography)

Practice palm reading on each other

Do some tarot readings, oracle readings or other cartomancy techniques especially if everyone brings their own deck

Get some rounded wood pieces and some paints and make yourself some homemade simple runes

Practice knot magick by making each other friendship bracelets

Use beading supplies and charms to make other types of jewelry with intent corresponding with the colors, shapes, and charms of the jewelry and then enchant them to make them even more magickal

Make your own poppets with cloth, stuffing, rice, buttons and other ingredients to be used for positive purposes such as self love

Enchant each other’s favorite plushies or stuffed animals

Make homemade bath bombs, salts, and/or bath potions

Do each other’s make up hiding sigils in it and/or practicing glamours

Do each other’s nails using color magick, sigils, and other symbols

Make homemade magickal candles

Watch witchy movies!

Decorate binders to make unique new grimoires using paper, glitter, stickers, felt and other materials

Work out each other’s natal charts 

Practice group energy work and aura reading

If everyone is comfortable make a homemade custom Ouija Board/Spirit Board and use it (please note that only do this if everyone is emotionally ready and before I get backlash for suggesting this check out @theouijagirl‘s blog)

Make homemade wands using crystals, beads, wires, and paint

Make pendulums or dowsing rods

Make sachet or jar spells for one another or together

Write a brand new spell!

Listen to music and use lyrics to write spells, incantations or chants

Do witchy arts and crafts like enchanted flower pots using sigils, rock charms, witch’s ladders, pine cone/acorn charms, acorn/seashell candles, ceremony/ritual masks, jewelry, sensory bottles/jars, enchanted slime, witch’s web, offering bowls, etc

Make a camp or bonfire and burn some (safe to burn) herbs (practice fire safety and only do this if you have a safe place to make a fire)

Soap making/carving

Make collages of things that make you feel witchy to put into your grimoires

Work on grimoires together and make custom pages, calenders, charts, illustrations, pressings, etc

Use erasers and x-acto knives (carefully) to make custom stamps of sigils, animals, words, etc

Dream interpretation the next morning

Make witchy tea and coffee together