Atana Me

Bibliomancy

This is the art of using a book as a divination tool for advice or to receive information for the future.

How to Build Your First Altar — A Gentle Beginner’s Guide

Altars don’t have rules — they’re sacred spaces you create for connection, comfort, and intention. Here’s how to make one without stress, pressure, or perfection.

✨ 1. Choose a Space That Feels Safe

Your altar can be:

a bedside table

a shelf

a corner of your desk

a windowsill

even a small box you open when needed

It doesn’t need to be permanent or fancy.

🌿 2. Start with the Basics

You only need a few things, such as:

a candle

a crystal

a bowl of water

something from nature (leaf, stone, flower)

That’s it. An altar grows with you.

🕯️ 3. Add Meaningful Items Slowly

Consider including:

photos of ancestors

deity statues (if you work with any)

feathers, shells, branches

tarot cards

spell jars

offerings

Only choose things that feel right — not what you think you “should” have.

🔮 4. Set a Purpose

What will this altar be for?

meditation?

daily magic?

self-love?

a deity?

manifestation?

Let the purpose shape the vibe.

🌙 5. Keep It Alive

Altars are like gardens — they love gentle tending. You can:

light a candle

refresh water

clean dust

change items seasonally

add offerings

Small touches go a long way.

Your altar is a reflection of you — not a trend. Let it be simple, personal, and comforting. Build it slowly. Let it evolve. It will become a space where your magic breathes.

Mar 24, 2026 Today I'm reading an excerpt from my book Tales from the Labyrinth: Modern Minoan Myths. This is a fully illustrated collection of modern Minoan-themed myths based on the pantheon and wheel of the year that we've developed in Ariadne's Tribe. In other words, it's our modern lore. Up today: The Blooming Time, a beautiful short sacred season in the spring, with connections to several of our beloved deities.

When cooking or making food, add herbs that match intention (making hamburger? Add a bit of salt and pepper for protection)

Sit outside and talk to the moon or sun

Listen to a witchy playlist! I personally love this one

Sit outside for a while in the nature

Self care! You might not believe it, but taking care of yourself (showering, brushing teeth, skincare, sleeping) can be extremely empowering, especially if you’re in a funk

Charge your jewerly on your altar/with moonlight/by your deities and wear it

Carry crystals with matching intentions

Make moon/sun water

Praying to your deities, if any

Light a candle or incense

start with one of her titles, epithets {aidios - ethernal, basileia - queen, potheinotati - beloved}

"dear; beloved; warm; everpresant lady hestia"

state what you want to thank for "thank you for help with...; for giving me...; for being there for me..."

state your affection, be thankful and grateful to be practising with her

write a line of one of her hymns that fits the situation/gift

close with a final "thank you"

You don't need fancy tools to practice the craft, hell you don't actually need anything at all to make magick happen. But if you're anything like me, sometimes you just need to do something with your hands to feel like you're doing anything at all. That's why I keep an emergency sewing kit in my bag, even though I can't sew for shit lol. How I use it:

1. Thread

I’ve never found a spell I haven’t been able to do with just a single piece of thread.

Every color serving its purpose, corresponding to various aspects of our lives; green for money, red for love and desire, yellow for friendship, blue for communication, purple for magic, brown for grounding, etc.

And if you’re limited to the barest of basics? That’s okay too. Black or white will do in a pinch.

Black for anything that I want to protect, banish, stop, or relate to Hekate’s domain as my patron deity.

White for healing, or anything I want to draw into myself.

Just cut your piece of thread and focus on your intent while tying your knots to solidify your will. If you’re familiar with numerology and how it relates to what you’re trying to do, feel free to apply that knowledge. Or just tie them until you feel confident it is done. Personally, I'm fond of sets of 3.

2. Scissors

Aside from their practical use, can be consecrated and used to sever the ties of old habits, cut toxic people from your life, or set you free from anything holding you back from being who you want or having the life you want to live. If the thread is symbolic of fate, the power to change that fate can be found in a pair of scissors.

3. Buttons

These can be enchanted to be anything you need, from protective shields to good luck charms. They can act as amulets you can sew into your clothing, or carry like worry stones to remind you of your goal or power.

Alternatively, they can be eyes for poppets, or wards to place in your home; inconspicuous little guards to keep your space and energy clear of negative influence.

4. Safety Pins

Not too different from buttons in that they’re another convenient, inconspicuous way to carry a protective amulet.

Worried about losing your magical button?

Don’t know how to, or even want to sew something into a garment?

Enchant your safety pin and secure it in place for as long as you need it with you. Take it off at the end of the day. You can even recharge it for the next time you need it.

I also love using them as little nets to trap negativity before it can touch me, similar to your traditional evil eye amulets, though a bit more accessible.

5. Sewing Needles

Just as versatile as the other tools, if not more so. You can use them to inscribe your intent into candles. You can use them as protective wards by placing them, crossed, into your curtains, or under your doormat at the entrance of your home.

Enchant them with your intent before using them in mundane ways too; like for comfort and safety before using one to repair a hole in your child’s favorite stuffed animal.

Banishing herbs

St. Johns Wort - Burn to banish spirits. Cloves - Burn to banish hostile/negative forces. Dragon's blood - Burn to banish negative influences. Black pepper - Spread in home to banish negative energies. Thyme - Burn or hang in home for banishing and purification. Basil - Keep in sachets to drive off hostile spirits. Bloodroot - Place in windows and doorways to banish evil spirits and curses. Chrysanthemum - Grow in garden to banish evil spirits. Clover - Sprinkle around the home to remove negative spirits. Hawthorn - Keep in a house to repel ghosts and evil spirits. Vetiver - Burn to banish negative energies and ward off harm.

for instance, green tea, freshly steeped and served without additives, is hot and dry, and therefore has an aspect of fire.

a mocha, on the other hand, while hot, is sweet, and therefore wet, and thus has an an aspect of air.

lemonade, which is wet and cold, has a water aspect.

Yule Altar Ideas – Cosy, Witchy & Easy to Set Up

Yule altars don’t need to be elaborate — winter magic loves simplicity, warmth, and intention. Here are some beautiful ways to build a Yule altar that feel magical without requiring a lot of energy or money.

✨1. The “Return of the Sun” Altar

A minimal altar celebrating the light coming back.

Include:

A gold or yellow candle

A sun symbol (drawn, carved, or on jewellery)

A bowl of water to reflect candlelight

A piece of clear quartz or citrine (or any bright stone)

Add a simple charm: Light the candle at sunrise or sunset.

2. The Winter Forest Altar🌲

Perfect for nature-based witches.

Include:

Pinecones

Small branches or twigs

Evergreen sprigs (or faux greenery)

Dried orange slices

A green candle

Optional: Write a wish for the new year on a small piece of bark or paper and place it beneath the candle.

Warm, comforting energy for winter.

Include:

A cluster of candles (real or LED)

Cinnamon sticks

A soft cloth or scarf in warm colours

A mug of tea or cocoa as an offering

Perfect for: Witches who want Yule celebrations that feel like self-care.

4. The Minimalist Yule Altar (for low spoons)❄️

A small altar that takes under 2 minutes to set up.

Include:

A white candle

A pinecone or stone

A sun or star symbol

That’s it — clean, simple, sacred.

🌙5. The Dark-to-Light Altar

A symbolic altar for shadow work and rebirth.

Include:

One black candle (the longest night)

One white or gold candle (the returning light)

A small mirror or reflective surface

A handwritten intention for the new year

Light the black candle first, then the white one to symbolise rebirth.

6. The Herbal & Citrus Altar🍊

For kitchen witches and scent lovers.

Include:

Dried oranges (the Yule sun symbol)

Cinnamon & cloves

Bay leaves (for wishes)

A green, orange, or gold candle

A small jar of honey (sweetening magic)

Write a wish on a bay leaf and place it beneath the candle.

🧊7. The Ice & Snow Altar

Perfect if you love a winter aesthetic.

Include:

White, silver, and blue items

Clear or frosted glass

Snowflake decorations

A bowl with ice or cold water (temporary offering)

Moonstone, selenite, or quartz

Use this altar for: Cleansing, clarity, and stillness.

8. The Divination Altar🔮

For Yule tarot, intuition, and winter messages.

Include:

Your tarot or oracle deck

A deep blue or black cloth

A candle for illumination

A crystal sphere or reflective object

A feather or bell for air element clarity

Do your annual Yule reading here.

🎁9. The Abundance & Blessing Altar

Inspired by traditional Yule feasts.

Include:

A small basket or bowl of fruit (apples, oranges, nuts)

Green or gold candles

Coins, runes, or sigils for prosperity

A warm drink as an offering

Perfect if you want the coming year to be stable and prosperous.

10. The “Portable Yule Altar”⭐

For witches who share spaces, travel, or need to stay low-key.

Items to use:

A tiny jar with a pine sprig

A tealight

A mini sun sigil folded into your wallet

A stone from outdoors

A small ribbon in seasonal colours

Just a quick compilation of the posts I've made about exercises to help improve your craft. These can be used as journaling prompts, inspiration for activities, or as methods for pulling yourself out of a slump and recharging your witchy inspiration.

Witchcraft Exercise - Quantifying Your Craft

Witchcraft Exercise - Dig Through The Ditches

Witchcraft Exercise - The Book of Lessons

Witchcraft Exercise - Home Brews

Witchcraft Exercise - Witchy Inspo Journal

Witchcraft Exercise - Spring Cleaning

Witchcraft Exercise - Creating Correspondences

Witchcraft Exercise - Creating Your Own Runes

Witchcraft Exercise - How to Write Your Own Spells

Witchcraft Exercise - Shakespearean Witchcraft

Witchcraft Exercise - Music To Witch By

Related Prompt - Music to Witch By

Witchcraft Exercise - Annual Review

Most of these are also available in the May 2021 bonus episode of Hex Positive (check your favorite podcatcher).

Happy Witching!

You don’t build a fire by yelling “burn.” (or maybe you do?)

So let’s talk about why some spells flop. It's not because your desire was weak. Not because the moon was in the wrong position. But because you built a magical toaster and forgot to plug it in.

You can have a brilliant, spicy spark of intent, but if it has nowhere to go? No structure to hold it, no current to carry it, no ritual act to release it? That energy just... sits there. Fog in your chest. Static in your bones. Sometimes it loops. Sometimes it leaks. Sometimes it just becomes ✧vibe soup.✧

This isn’t about perfection. Or control. Or doing it “right.” It’s about structure and the subtle architecture that lets magic move.

Let’s break it down.

"We based the process on the Kamea model blended with the standard phrase model. We used a circle instead of a square as it creatively worked better, and as a nod to the Goetia."

Lately I been trying to improve my Rune/Charm/Bone casting by using some kind of cloth with quadrants but the ones I saw online were just… not my thing, they are usually too simple and is like they always need a little something. So, since I’m a “make your own shit but make it cheap” kind of witch, I made a template that’s a bit more complex. And of course, I share with everyone, in case someone find it useful.

Disclaimer: Complex. I will explain EVERYTHING, so this will not be a small post. Yet I will not explain super basic things like “what represent the moon”. That’s your job!

So, here is the idea:

Is made in a A4 very thick rough paper, which allow the runes and charms (I use both at the same time) to slide to their designated parties and don’t bounce back like can happen with cloths. This template is made in a way that you can interpret the different questions in different ways without need an entire new design.

Sections:

The Pentacle is affected by 3 circles. The inner one is the inner self, the desires, the very much core of the person/problem (I will say “topic” from now on), the main issue, the very most important thing. The one that pass between the tips of the pentacle are the closely related things that affect directly the topic. The outside circle is the context, these external things that maybe affect indirectly. Out of it, whatever that barely affect the topic, the societal and cultural aspect sort to speak, the rumors.

The page is divided by 4 pointed vertically and horizontally lines in the middle, making the Left and Right, the Up and Down sides. The Left is affected by the Moon and all what implies, specially as the “not evident stuffs affecting the topic”, as the Right is affected by the Sun and its characteristics as the “at plain sight issues”. That’s why the two suns and moons on the corners.

The Up and Down sides are to represent what’s “closer” to the person who made the question or cast the Runes (It depend on what you prefer). The down part is usually closer to me because I’m seeing that page as how this looks. It also can be used to yes/no questions, being the “special item” tossed and answering depending if is up or down the line, or if is closer to you.

The four sides of the paper represent the 4 Elements and their corresponding Cardinal Point, separated by these sword-like lines between the moon/sun and the pentacle. My Elements are related to geological cardinal points by my particular location, so let’s say that North is Fire in my case, so, they look like this (yours should and can look different by the layout of your elements/cardinal points):

So anything that falls into each one of these quadrants, will be affected by the correspondent element. So a Rune on Water, will be more linked to emotions; and an economic charm on Earth will be a great sign of good cash! The center can be affected by these or it can represent the spirit aspect, as you prefer. Each quadrant will be touching 2 other quadrants. So in my case, Fire can be touching Earth and Water, so anything that stand right in the line between them, is a conjunction of both.

Now, as you can see, each element is also separated on 3. Past, Present and Future to each Element. A charm or item that represent a Block, for example, in Past Water, can hint about emotional issues that still affect the topic now, like traumas. And an item that represent luck on Future Air, can represent an exam with a good grade.

These conjunctions can be interpreted as 4 “time mix”. In this case, you have 4 Past/Future (Which Element will affect which other should change accordingly the position of your elements). This “time mix” are exactly the line that separate each element, and can indicate effects or direct consequences. For example, in a self-cast I made, a stone (that represent blocks) and a shell (water symbol of hidden things and slow progress) fall together like a pair on the Past Water – Future Fire. This is easy to read: The consequences of your mental health and past emotions will affect directly your future passion and actions (Plot twist, I have chronic depression and my future plans are non-existing).

Disclaimer: This last text and image was fixed because I made a mistake yesterday, was 1:40 am, brain can't brain XD

For the rest, you can add or take whatever you need. Like, you can choose if the elements also affect inside the circles of the pentacle itself, or not.

If you want, you can also use the template as a tarot spread, using the Past/Present/Future Elements, the Up/Down, the Right/Left and the Pentacle like answers of a question.

Decorate it as much as you want! Mine is ultra simple or my ADHD head will get distracted with the drawings. I can suggest you make it on a perfectly squared paper/cloth, but if you make it in a A4 paper like me, if you use a ruler and pick the exact center, then the 4 quadrants will be quite the same (they look different because they are elongated in different ways, but the content is pretty much the same).

practicing witchcraft can be extremely overwhelming, whether you're a brand new witch or a seasoned witch who is revisiting the craft after taking a break.

most recently, i was the latter - scrambling to solidify the way i prefer to do things, which felt a lot like this. ⇣⇣⇣

so i wrote that shit down in the format of a q&a.

how do you cast a basic spell?

what scents do you like?

what energies do you like to draw from the most?

does burning something destroy or manifest?

when you get something brand new, how do you cleanse or consecrate it?

do you like to use herbs or crystals? which ones?

when would you choose a pendulum versus tarot cards for divination?

etc.

i have an entire outline of my practice laid out in an easy to access place for reference, and when i come up with a new methodology, i add it to the list. :)

this has been really helpful in keeping my neurodivergent brain on track and to solidify the practice i have been building since i was a kid.

hope this helps!

inspired by an ask that @crazycatsiren recently received