No Sense Incense

When I visited Salem last year (like a madwoman) I purchased a jet black corn doll sold in one of their museums as a souvenir. Though I believe these are more popular to make for Lughnasadh, I'm entranced with the idea of making a version for Samhain by dyeing corn husks (sold on the international food aisle in most grocery stores) black (or orange if you prefer) during the preparatory soak. Perhaps they will take the place of a wax doll, or function as temporary watch guards in my windows. Presuming my cats don't carry them off.

Courtesy of the NC museum of history Colonial History in a box kit 

an incomplete list of things all baby witches should know or double check

always check if the herb is toxic or will interact with medications before injesting

some raw crystals and rocks are toxic (ex: raw tigers eye causes lung cancer)

some rocks and crystals can be damaged or damage you when put in water

some crystals fade in sunlight

take your time writing your grimoire. you may start over many times and that’s okay!

you. can buy. any tarot deck. you want. doesnt have to be gifted. however, you may find different decks have different personalities.

dont know what color candle to use? white is always a substitute

dont know what crystal to use? clear quartz

dont know what herb to use? good ol’ rosemary

always do a cleanse before rituals. you dont have to before spells but it is reccomended. cleanse yourself too!

athames are really good tools for circle casting. but check your state laws on what kind of weapons/knives you can own

same thing goes with bones and real feathers. check the laws.

want a dream catcher? buy a handmade one from actual native americans

stop using white sage and palos santos. i dont know if they are still endangered (and they are part of certain cultures) but there are so many other incense and herbs for cleansing. use garden/green sage. rosemary. heck i throw salt on the ground and vaccume it up to cleanse

when starting out, keep an open mind. books will tell you one thing, and the internet may tell you another thing—experiment. find what works best for your own craft

that being said, be careful of what you read on the internet. books can also be very biased

male/trans/nonbinary all are witches. dont like the word witch? warlock? sorcery? heck wizard works too

you dont need to worship any god or goddess. if you do, take your time connecting with them.

got candle wax stuck in candle holders or on glass? toss it in the freezer for a bit, it’ll pop right off

you dont need to get all the expensive crap when starting out. cheap tea light candles work for spells. store herbs in plastic bags if need be. your altar or work space can literally be on a cardboard box or the floor.

you dont need to be in a coven. but joining and connecting with other witches helps. and it certainly can be a friendship like no other

study the area of witchcraft that appeals to you the most first. develop that skill as you work in other areas of your craft

dont be afraid to talk and discuss things with more experianced witches. we are here to help!

go to the library. get witchcraft books. sit outside in nature(even if its your front lawn) and do some research.

Feel free to add more! And/or suggest different and more things about this list. It’s incomplete of course

— Nyx

Beltane is the pagan Sabbat celebrated on May 1st in the Northern Hemisphere, and October 31st in the Southern hemisphere, that celebrates fertility and the coming of summer.  Its celebrated predominately by those who practice Wicca or Celtic neo-pagan traditions, but has largely been adopted by the witchcraft community as a whole, regardless of tradition.  Beltane is also known as May Day, and is the counterpart to Samhain.  It is a day when the veil between our world and the spirit world is thin, and is a time of liminal space.  In the Wiccan tradition, it celebrates the God and Goddess consummating their marriage with The Great Rite, and the Goddess becoming pregnant.  It is a day to celebrate sensuality, passion, fertility, conception, the bounty of the earth, warm weather, the Sun, and the return of Summer!

One of the things that drew me to Wicca when I was younger was reading about Beltane.  Sex and sensuality are a big part of this holiday, and reading about traditions that celebrated our sexuality and desires instead of shaming and hiding them was so new and exciting! However, the traditional emphasis on a God and Goddess, man and woman, can be off putting to some and make them feel like this holiday isn’t for them. Well forget that! Beltane is for everyone to celebrate as they see fit, regardless of gender or the gender of their partners.  If you aren’t interested in or put off by the sexual nature of the holiday, you could simply use it as a time to thank the Earth for the wonderful abundance she’s providing us, and the Sun for his renewed strength and warmth. Celebrate in whatever way makes you most comfortable and happy.

🌱Food associated with Beltane:

seasonal spring produce

fresh fruits and veggies 

pastries

chocolate

spicy foods (connected to the element of fire)

aphrodisiacs

🌸Symbols of Beltane:

May poles, or other suggestive, phallic shapes

Cups, symbols of wombs

Faeries

Cows, goats, rabbits, chicks, ducks*

Flowers!

*Traditionally, livestock were seen as a symbol or wealth and fertility.  To celebrate a vegan Beltane, I like to incorporate figurines and pictures of animals as a way of honoring the spirits of those we stand for.

🍄My personal decorations

I just think these capture the sabbat really well, though I couldn’t find any evidence that anyone else uses them. I just like them!

Bird houses

Nests (I have really cute candle holders shaped like birds’ nests)

Glitter (reminds me of faeries)

Faeries houses

Terracotta garden pots

Plastic fruit and veggies (perfect for a permanent altar since they won’t go bad)

Rocks and moss

☀️Activities

Cooking and baking

Eat a special sabbat feast

Spend time in nature

Visit a farmer’s market

Garden

Sex (solo or with a partner(s))

Visit a body of water

Perform a spell or ritual

Make a flower crown

Make a May Pole

Light a bon fire

Decorate your altar, or create one for the sabbat

Decorate your home with symbols of the season

Practice self love and pamper yourself

Take a magickal bath

Whatever feels magickal to you!

🔮Spells

Beltane is a good time for spells relating to:

Fertility

Love

Sex

Self-Love

Growth

Always remember that each witch’s journey is a different one. You certainly do not have to research all of these in one go. Or all of it for that matter. Take your time and explore the possibilities of witchcraft, even if it’s one subject at a time. Witchcraft isnt strict on rules, find what suits you, there’s a place for everyone. And remember, always keep learning! :)

I tried to organize it somewhat (not really)

Enjoy!

🌙 the history of witchcraft

🌙 types of witchcraft

🌙 types of magick

🌙 types of spells

🌙 types of witches

🌙 types of divination

🌙 types of herbs

🌙 types of energy

🌙 talismans

🌙 deities

🌙 seals

🌙 alphabets

🌙 crystals

🌙 sabbats

🌙 altars

🌙 basic tools

🌙 lunar phases

🌙 candle magic

🌙 planetary correspondence

🌙 tarot cards

🌙 incense and oils

🌙 Animals and what they represent

🌙 cleansing

🌙 meditation

🌙 astral projection

🌙 celestial bodies

🌙 spirituality

🌙 familiars

🌙 edible plants

🌙 toxic plants

🌙 the tea sis

🌙 wheel of the year

🌙 Zodiac signs

🌙 moon/sun water

🌙 banishing

🌙 binding

🌙 sacred items

🌙 sigils

🌙 cleansing

🌙 grounding

🌙 witchy symbols

🌙 witches/wiccans terminology

🌙 witching on a budget

🌙 what is satanism and why do people confuse it with witchcraft?

🌙 witchcraft practices  (ex. circle casting)

🌙 difference between wiccans, witches, and pagans

🌙 similarities between wiccans, witches, and pagans

🌙 concoctions (potions, elixirs, brews, etc.)

🌙 good books to read about witchcraft

🌙 book of shadows and grimoires

🌙 the role of nature in witchcraft

🌙 tarots and how they work

🌙 how to consecrate items

🌙 how to take care of crystals

🌙 how to store herbs

Feel free to add on! In fact I encourage it!

The Hallowed.

a tarot spread for samhain.

1. The Coffin.

This is what needs to be buried. What in my life needs to be left behind?

2. The Grave.

Some things are written in stone and can’t be changed. What in my life do I need to come to terms with? What can’t be changed?

3. The Hallowed.

Whether you’re still in the broom closet or known to your craft, I thought I’d list some small and big activities that I plan on partaking in to celebrate Samhain! Hope you all enjoy 🖤

To honor loved ones/those who have passed:

🍂Leave photos of your ancestors at your altar! I think this is a beautiful way to honor them throughout the holiday.

🍂Visit the cemetery you’re loved ones reside at. Do it not only to see your own family/friends, but to pay respect to all the others who don’t have anyone to remember them.

🍂Leave single candles on your windowsills to let your ancestors know they’re welcome to visit you!

🍂Prepare a feast and set a place at your table for loved ones that are no longer with us! Share stories of them, listen to their favorites songs, honor them in any way you see fit.

🍂The veil is at its thinnest on Samhain. Just like old traditions, carve a jack-o-lantern and leave it at your door step to ward of negative spirits. Carve a sigil in the back for added protection!

🍂Leave food/offerings outside for those who have passed and will be walking around tonight. Burying apples is another way to give!

Other ways to celebrate:

🍂Take nature walk! Its the time where winter will soon set in, take this opportunity to enjoy what little bit of the harvest season is left.

🍂Like listed above, carve a sigil into a jack-o-lantern. Not only to protect your home, but the possible trick or treaters that may be wandering this night! Everyone can use a bit more protection.

🍂Decorate your home! Simple things like autumnal colors, gourds, skulls, candles etc are not only traditional to Halloween and won’t be questioned, but are also great ways to welcome Samhain.

🍂SELF!! LOVE!! SHIT!! As the wheel of the year comes to an end, its time for new beginnings. Make Samhain a day of reflecting on your past year and focus on how you plan to grow, renew and progress.

🍂Going with that, create face masks, teas/potions, sigils, spells, etc that are tailored to YOU and what you need a bit more of this year! For example, I’m lookin to go on a journey for a bit more self love and plan on working with some rose quartz, lavender and rose petals. There are countless posts with items and their correspondents, look around and find something that speaks to you!

🍂D I V I N A T I O N. This is the absolute best time of the year to work with any form of divination, tarot cards, a pendulum, tasseography, palmistry. I’ve heard scrying its particularly fabulous this time of year as well.

Here’s a list of things you can start researching if you don’t know where to start. One of the biggest tools you have is the internet! Use Google or whatever. There is also tons of books you can read, just go to the “Spiritual” or “New Age” section of your local bookstore or library!

✨The history of witchcraft

🔮Types of witches

✨Different divination techniques

🔮Types of spells & spell casting

✨Altars & their tools

🔮Sigils & symbols

✨The elements

🔮Color/Colour correspondences

✨Moon phases & cycles

🔮Herbs, crystals & essential oils

✨Meditation & grounding

Epsom Salt - Cleansing, purification

Acorns - Abundance, luck, health, Fae

Duct Tape - Binding, energy, curses

Dirt - Grounding, growth, Earth magick

Egg Shells - Protection, fertility

Pennies - Good luck, wealth

Birthday Candles - Wishing, color magick

Needles/Tacks - Curses, pain

Walnut Shells - Protection

(because I listened to it on audiobook while playing minecraft):

Listen, I know y’all call me Uncle Bucky when making references to my Big Blue Book, and…fine. okay? fine.

Now, Christianity is depressing and Bad, but don’t worry, I’m going to be just as rigid and finicky about witchcraft, so Do What I Say.

I’m prolly gonna be inaccurate about history here, but you won’t care because this is the same sort of inaccurate that every other book about witchcraft is, because it’s 1986 (or 2002 if 2nd edition) and let’s be real, this is Llewellyn.

I’m also gonna use the words “witchcraft” and “Wicca” interchangeably, so buckle up, because I believe witchcraft is inherently religious! If you’re not praying to the Lord and Lady, you’re doing it wrong.

So, tools: you need a bunch of them, and lemme teach you how to do some at-home metal work. Remember: if you buy an athame instead of making one yourself, you’re a fucking wimp. So go ahead, lay a knife on your stove until it’s glowing red!1 This isn’t dangerous at all!

Now that you’ve done that, give me a moment to name-drop and also talk shit about Gardner in the space of a paragraph: I was absolutely friends with him, but his Wicca isn’t ancient! Solitary witches are as valid as Gardnerians!

(Tho real talk, Alex Sanders was a bitch and stole everything from my buddy Gardner, so he sucks too.)

Anyway, go ahead, initiate yourself! But know that you’ll never get to a higher level in Wicca, and that most groups don’t like solitaries  ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Okay, on to some magick. It’s not racist to say that white magick is good, and black magick is evil - that’s just how it is! And a magician is a person who does magic but isn’t a witch, but also doesn’t do prestidigitation.2

You should be naked for this. You should be naked for everything.

If you’d rather not be naked, that’s okay. You should wear a robe…that will easily let you get naked, because psych! You’re gonna need to get naked.

I’m serious about this; you’re gonna get handfasted naked in front of your naked friends, while holding a wand carved to look like a dick. No, really.3

And now, some rituals all written out, each one beginning and ending in the same way so that you’ll start to wonder if I intended this book to be the Wiccan version of The Book of Common Prayer.

Dream symbols are useless, but still sit here while I list some for five minutes.

Here are some books to read if you want to learn more about witchcraft: Mine. My books. You should read my books. I reference and quote them in every chapter, so you know that they’re important. To me.

Speaking of, the type of Wicca you want to do is Seax-Wica.4 Why? Because I created it. That’s how you know it’s the best. Because I’m the best.

SEX MAGIC. SEXY SEXY SEX MAGIC. Truly the most wonderful thing to ever have been invented. Here, let me tell you where the penis goes. :D If you’re gay…nnnnokay. sure. I’ll allow it.

Herbs: Some of them are toxic, but even so, here’s how to make them into tinctures for you to consume. Are they safe? Maybe!

Well, here are some recipes for mead and beer, a directory of Wiccan denominations, and…that’s pretty much it.

Oh, a few final points:

The Burning Times were basically The Holocaust5

If you burn a witch in effigy for funsies at Halloween, you’re racist

Register your coven as a nonprofit group; the ULC can help

Good luck! 

Notes:

Buckland actually says this. He actually tells you to just put a knife on your gas stove and heat it up until it’s red, and then temper the metal in your fucking kitchen. Jesus fuck, Buckland, can you chill for a second? 

???? Sounds fake but okay?

No, really. He says this, I swear to god. Fun fact, there’s also a ritual for un-handfasting in that chapter. Which is useful, but not as official as divorce, so it worries me.

Yes, it is actually spelled like that. I googled to make sure.

yikes

I did enjoy reading this book, but not because it’s great quality advice. It felt kinda like reading an old science textbook where they don’t know what they’re talking about, but without them we might not have had modern technology. Like, if you’ve ever wondered “why do witches in movies do that thing?” the answer is going to be related to Gardner, Buckland, Sanders, or Cunningham.

Some of the advice is probably good, but the most recent version of this book is 16 years old, so please take all of it with a grain of salt if you decide to read it. And don’t eat any herbs without researching them first. And don’t listen to his outdated views on race, religion, and the burning times. Just…no.