Pixiehellpuppy

I couldn't find the caramelldansen base in this post, but here is a version that should work just as well.

Here is the original lick icon base.

To save these and have them be usable, you have to click the "free download" button underneath the image.

Some other good bases:

Dance Icon

Caipirinha

Run Run Run

You can find many other bases like these through DeviantArt.

How to make them into a GIF:

Step 1. Edit the base however you like (I used MSPaint)

Step 2: Crop and save each frame individually as PNGs (Note for the lick base: It's best to crop them to include the black boarder. This makes the GIF 50x50, which is the standard DeviantArt icon size and can easily scale larger if need be.)

Step 3: Go to ezgif.com/maker and upload all your frames

Step 4: Set "delay time" to 10, then click "Make a GIF!"

Step 5: Right-click the result and save it. Congrats! You used a GIF base!

I've covered warding recently in my protection post. But here I will go into more detail on what warding is, the most popular ways to ward and how to create them as well as when to know when a ward is no longer useful or has been broken. I will also go into baneful warding and what it is.

What is warding?

Warding is a form of defensive magick which acts as your first line of defense against negativity. Be this baneful magick from another practitioner or negative entities and general negative energy. There are multiple ways to ward with each practitioner warding differently to the other. Wards come in all shapes and forms, and there is no limit as to how much warding you should do, you protect yourself as you see fit.

What is baneful warding?

Baneful warding is a form of warding in which the negative that hits a ward gets sent back to its source. Baneful warding is seen as a more "advanced" form of magick, however not too advanced for a novice to do with the appropriate amount of research. Baneful warding can come in the same forms as normal warding would.

Warding jars

Perhaps one of the most common wardings on this post, warding jats usually contain ingredients charged with the intention of warding. These ingredients usually range from herbs to bodily fluids such as saliva or blood. These jars are either buried on the practitioners property, left above entryway, left on an altar, or are carried with the practitioner when they want protection on the go.

A warding jar might contain: ashes of a warding sigil, bodily fluids, herbs and plants, crystals, bones, warding or protection oils, spices, metals, glass shards etc. These jars are then sealed with black or white wax (or are sealed in any other way, with glue, tape or simply just with intention).

When a warding jar is broken, you might find the contents of the jar to become moldy, the jar shatters, the seal might break or the contents of the jar to go off, you also might feel that the jar no longer has its power. When this happens, if the jar is intact, break the seal and empty the contents into the bin/trash or return them back to the earth. You can then cleanse the jar with your preferred method of cleansing and reuse the jar for another ward or spell.

Talismans and symbols

Talismans are objects which are charged with the intention fo protection or warding. A well known example would be the Nazar, known to ward off the evil eye.

Symbols are used to represent something or represent an intention example would be the pentacle/pentagram, a well known protection symbol. Another example could by the Eye of Horus, a symbol used by the Ancient Egyptians for protection, health and restoration.

You can create your own talismans and symbols to aid in warding. These might be used to ward against a specific thing, or can be used as a general ward to all negativity.

A talisman or symbol might break or feel like they're no longer useful once theyve done thier job. If this time comes, you can simply dispose of the old one and create a new one.

Sigils

Sigils are created and can be programmed with any purpose necessary. May this be warding ot cursing, they can be used for almost any working.

Sigils can be burnt to activate them, with the ashes being used in spells to add extra power. Sigils can be put up around your house or around your room for warding. These sigils can look like anything, simply draw them with the intention of warding.

Crystals

Crystals can be placed above entryways or in windows to act as a ward. Crystals can also be added to spells to give a desired effect or worn as jewellery to act as warding or protection on the go.

Some examples are: black obsidian, black tourmaline, clear quartz, amethyst, hematite.

When a crystal ward has been broken, the crystal might shatter, or go missing. Or you may feel the crystals energy feels different than usual. With crystals you cam simply cleanse and recharge the crystals to be used again!

Spells

Warding spells can be as simple as a dressed candle, or can be a complex ritual. Warding spells differ from practitioner to practitioner. Similar to warding jars, these spells might include the use of herbs, bodily fluids, crystals, plants etc. The methods of creating a warding spell vary, as there is no one way to create one.

When a ward breaks down, you might feel the ward break, or if it does what is intended, you might feel something bounce off the ward. Depending on the negativity sent your way, the ways in which you might feel a warding spell break down vary, this could range from feeling sluggish or nauseous to downright feeling psychic attack. (Whenever this happens, please consult a doctor, mundane before magical. What you may feel is a magical occurrence could be explained by illness, so please consult a doctor of you feel this way constantly)

tall/strong flame: lots of energy; barriers coming down; quick, happy results are likely. small/steady flame: less energy (still good!); positive results likely/may be delayed. stay focused on your goals! small/weak flame: flickering and bending is generally a sign something is not working; timing may be off; asking for something unfavorable; if flame falters and dies, it's a sign your spell won't be granted at this time. high/dancing flame: possible chaotic energy; successful spell, possibly with some complications/other wills may be working against you. rapidly flickering: dims and brightens; spirits are present; usually indicates success and that your message was heard. blue flame: a sign of spiritual presence; higher spiritual beings have taken an interest in your spell; power added to the spell. popping and stuttering: noisy candles indicate that outside forces are present; communication w/spirits; can mean interference or sending a message to you/increase concentration on the spell. flame suddenly goes out: spell has been extinguished by outside forces; usually means spell did not work; sit and rethink/meditate longer. candle won't light: possible wick issue or this spell won't work for your purposes; the outcome is outside your control; try again after reconsidering your intention and cleansing/smudging your space. -- black pieces in wax: (unintentional) black debris signifies unintended consequences; more spell work may be required; karmic baggage/guilt. Try some cleaning up. black soot on glass: signals negative energy/interference. black soot on top of the jar only: negative opposition has likely been overcome. black soot entire/majority of jar: spell unsuccessful; may need to cleanse and repeat work another time. white soot on glass: rare, represents spiritual communication and assistance. candle forms tunnel/crater in middle: incomplete candle burns w/lots of leftover wax isn't a good sign; will/focus too weak; ineffective energy to complete the task; spell blocked. candle explodes/container breaks/cracks: dramatic endings in candle magick are a sign your spell has been stopped by a higher power and you shouldn't be doing that spell work; reconsider intention/spell.

Types of Candle Magick:

Elemental Candle Magick (European)

Representation Candle Magick (North American)

Elemental Candle Magick:

Focuses on the flame. Multiple candles are typically used in a ritual to represent quarters (directions) also used to represent different elements or colors. Typically used to represent the element of fire and bring that energy into a working. The color, the scent and the size does not really mean much in the European tradition. Plane white dinner candles are used most often, but it could be any type of candle, what is important is the element of fire. The elements in European style candle magick is very significant. When someone sits down to do a European style candle magick, there is typically a lot of chanting, a lot of rhyme and rhythm. and repetition. Often it's the idea of channeling your energy into that flame so that flame will release that energy into the world to receive a magickal response.

The element of fire is the most active element of them all. It's has very specific properties and associations that really aids spell work and ritual, it's the element of action. It's the element of doing, of progress, of power, of passion. So a lot of people will use the element of fire in specific spell work to aid this energy and intention. So if you want to do a spell to get yourself motivated a candle spell is likely a much better option then an earth based spell. A spell for passion is probably much better done with a candle then with water. A lot of people will choose to use candle magick in specific instances rather then doing it all the time. So you'll find elemental practitioners will specialize in certain elemental workings for different intentions. So this draws even more on the idea that you're using the element of the candle; the flame, the fire, rather then the candle itself. In European witchcraft the candle is kind of non important, that's why people will often re-use their candles in European witchcraft.

North American Candle Magick:

This candle magick is more representational, it's a very tactile form of candle magick that works less with the chanting and repetition and trance work that you see in the European candle magick, and more with the representation and symbolism and like attracts like.

Representational magick, it's the idea that like attracts like. if you undertake a working with items that represent what you're trying to achieve, it's believed that you'll assist in manifesting it faster.

In representational magick there are many layers to think about. So what kind of candle do you want to use? The maine two are often 7 day candles or 5 day candles. They're designed to symbolize what you want to represent.

Figures:

Figural candles are figures of what you want to achieve. They're used to represent your goal your desired outcome. The most common are skull candles, they're used to represent the mind. They're great for domination work, and head work. Male and female candles are used to represent individuals. Either you or someone else. They act as a doll a poppet that you add into a working to represent an individual. You also have shamrock candles that are designed to attract good luck, heart shaped candles to attract love, and Gargoyle candles to attract protection.

Colors & Scents:

Now we have the color of candles which represents what you want to achieve. Each choice of color is specific for that working. The scent matters too, for instance if you want love you choose rose, if you want goodluck you'd choose lemongrass. It depends on what you want to achieve.

Candle Size:

Another thing that goes into representational candle magick is the size of the candle. The smaller the candle is the less energy it can store and the less time it burns for and the smaller the results. The bigger the candle the longer it burns for the more energy you can put into it and so bigger the results might be. Also a technique with this style of candle magick that you will charge one candle with your energy, you'll fill it to the brim with energy and you'll burn it down once a day everyday for certain ritualistic days, for example 5 days or 7 days. If you have a 5 day candle you'll charge it then burn it down and release the energy everyday to manifest your results.

Energy work:

People will often carve things into the candle such as their affirmation and dress it with oil that represents their intention. They'll cover it with herbs that represent their intention or put powder on it, and charge it with their energy for however long, maybe hours to weeks and months, then you burn the candle all the way down to release that energy. That includes your 5 day candles, your 7 days candles, your figural candles. You want them to burn all the way down to release all of that energy. Don't forget you can pre-charge your candles for specific days in the week, month, or year.

Blowing out or Snuffing?:

Can you blow out a candle? You can blow out a candle if you're solely using it for the element. Once you thanked the element for assisting with that working, then you can blow it out like normal. In representational magick it is believed that if you blow out a candle then you are blowing away the energy and intention that you have put into it. So it is important to snuff the candle in this case.

Reusing Candles:

Can you cleanse and re-use candles used in a ritual? You can in elemental candle magick as you've only worked with the element, and not the candle itself. Where as in representational magick if you have chosen a candle specifically for protection, such as a black gargoyle candle that is carved with sigils, symbols, and representations and dressed with protection oil, and protection herbs, and sprinkle sachet powder on it for protection and you spent 21 days charging it with energy and it's surrounded by crystals, then you'd never want to take that candle and use it in another ritual as you've put a specific energy into that candle.

What to do with the remains?: