General Witchery by Shace

First picture made with new tablet? Has to be Loki, of course. 

I did not come up with every layer of this on my own. Some of the elements are from friends, that I’ve incorporated into this!  I’m mostly publishing it as a dedication for myself to do it, but I figured other people may be interested in it! This is also a challenge, and is designed to be quite difficult on purpose. I don’t recommend involving any sort of dedication or oath at the beginning if you think there’s a big chance you’ll fail; that’s the fastest way to piss off a deity. I’d recommend doing it with a deity you already have a relationship with and want to strengthen that bond with, but you do you! So. The challenge lasts for thirty days. In those thirty days I will accomplish the following:

Write an invocation to the deity, inviting them to join you and stay within you for the duration of this challenge. As a friend put it, “you’re going on a walk with them.” This is the first and initiatory event of the next 30 days. Time starts now.

Daily offerings. Yes, daily. My personal catch they must be different offerings every time, forcing you to get creative and really dig. Variations upon a theme is fine, but no direct repeats.

Daily meditation on the subject of the deity, or an aspect of the deity.

Seek out their domain as much as you can. This can involve learning/performing acts and skills sacred to the deity, going to locations sacred to a deity, or anything else that brings you closer to them. For example, a nature deity could be honored by going on a hike, or even a botanical garden.

Keep a journal to record and reflect on every step of this journey. Write what questions you have, what lessons you learn, and any epiphanies. Write down your thinking process as you decide what actions to take. Just document it!  

Y’all asked for it so y’all gonna get it! I’mma start off with the barebones essentials and work my way to basic definitions. Sit down on something comfy and get yourself your warm beverage of choice and maybe grab a notebook because here goes.

What are runes?

Runic alphabets have been around since about 150 AD and used as a writing system by a lot of Germanic languages. These systems were eventually phased out, slowly but surely, with the progressive Christianisation that started around 700-1100 AD. The three most commonly known (and used?) Are the Elder Futhark, the Younger Futhark and Futhorc.

Runes aren’t, themselves, broadly meant for divination, thought there are a few passages in the Eddas that mention Odin “finding” and using them.

Alright, so which alphabet should I use?

Whichever one you want! I prefer using the Elder Futhark, because it’s the first alphabet I learned and got familiar with, but that doesn’t at all stop you from using the Younger Futhark or Futhorc. I’d heavily suggest making sure you read up on the differences in each alphabet though; Ansuz, for example, won’t look the same, mean the same or even be called the same from one alphabet to another. 

Familiarize yourself with each of them if you want/can, and choose based on your own preferences and criteria. Always work with what feels best for you!

But I’m not really familiar with Germanic traditions / I’m a baby witch, should or can I use runes for divination?

This is the concept that got my goat real good the first time. You do not, in any way, shape or form, need to be experienced to cast runes. This is a notion that is outdated and perpetuated by gatekeepers and exclusionists. No one gives a flying flip how long you’ve been practicing witchcraft, or if you even practice at all!

Divination should be seen as a tool to further yourself and/or your craft. It can be used by itself or in conjunction with other activities, practices or beliefs. I was 15 when I started learning about runes (dear god that was literally over ten years ago) and I had no idea what I was doing back then. I read up as much as I could about the system I was wanting to use and, once I was comfortable with it, I started doing small readings.

It shouldn’t matter how new or familiar you are to divination, rune casting or Germanic traditions. If rune casting feels right to you, you are more than free to use whatever divination method feels right to you.

What should I do before I start a reading?

As a Norse Pagan, I usually invoke my patron deities (Baldr and Loki, in this case), as well as Odin and Freyja, sometimes Gullveig/Heiðr because reasons. I have no idea whether or not this has any actual bearing on the reading itself, as mine were as accurate before I converted as they are now.

Making sure you’re in a quiet and/or comfortable space is also a good idea, even if that just means popping in some earphones and listening to something that makes you focus and feel calm.

This is also a good time to mention that cleansing your runes (stone, bone, wood or otherwise) is a very good idea. I typically do this with candles, incense, a bowl of water and a point of quartz for each element. I don’t do this nearly as often as I probably should, since most people suggest cleansing them after each reading… but, whatever, being lax with that hasn’t bitten me in the ass so far. So if you’re a spoonie, don’t worry: cleanse your runes when you feel they need to be cleansed, and that’s it.

Alright, I think I’m ready; how do I start reading?

Let me start by saying that the bullshit about never reading yourself? It’s just that. Bullshit. Do readings on yourself if you want to. Who the hell is going to stop you. Do whatever you want.

On that note, there are a few ways to cast runes, though these probably aren’t close to being the only ones: 

Intuitively choosing the stones Lay the runes down on a flat surface and let your hand hover over them and pick out the ones that feel right. You can either pick them in order of the spread you’re using, or place the runes where you feel they belong on the spread.

Throwing the stones Make sure you have a large flat surface to work with (preferably the floor honestly) where you won’t drop, scatter or lose a rune. You can use a mat underneath, and read the stones that fall on the corresponding positions in the spread or circle. (You can find many of these with a quick google search, or make your own mat!) Otherwise, you can take the first stones you see facing up and lay those out according to your spread.

Picking them blindly Either you or the person you’re reading pull stones blinding out of a pouch, bag or other container, and lay them out according to the spread you’re using. Pretty straightforward.

If you can think of another method, literally nothing is stopping you from using that instead. The runes are acting as a universal translator for whatever it is you’re tapping into. They’re just a tool to receive a message. How you choose to receive that message is completely up to you!

So I’ve got my runes laid out, now what?

Now comes the fun part. I can only really give you a good run-down of the Elder Futhark, and though it’s a good starting point, I would highly advise you do your own research on whatever alphabet you want to use. Wikipedia is a great place to start, but don’t stop there: look at several different websites and lists and compare. Combine and condense the information for yourself, and get to learn the definitions and meanings for yourself!

ᚠ Fehu • catle wealth, money, hard work paying off, can represent spiritual wealth reversed: effort gone to waste, natural and/or financial loss, greed

ᚢ Uruz • ox physical strength and speed, great energy, courage, masculine reversed: physical weakness, illness, violence, misdirected aggression

ᚦ Thurisaz • thor reactive, destructive and/or defensive force, tendency towards change reversed: dangerous compulsions, betrayal and malice, lies, spite

ᚨ Ansuz • of the Æsir  revelations, intuition, signs and signals, wisdom, power of words/names reversed: misunderstandings, delusions and vanity

ᚱ Raido • chariot physical/spiritual journeys, transition, seeing the bigger picture reversed: crisis, maybe due to stagnation, unwanted disruption

ᚲ Kaunan • torch creativity and inspiration, power of transformation, power of life reversed: instability, lack of creativity, false hope revealed, disillusionment

ᚷ Gebo • gift gifts in the form of sacrifice or generosity, contracts, partnerships reversed/opposed: greed, isolation and dependence, over-sacrifice

ᚹ Wunjo • joy comfort, pleasure, companionship, possibility of going over the top reversed: sorrow and alienation, growing distance, raging frenzy

ᚺ Hagalaz • hail wrath of nature, destruction for the sake of creation, natural order reversed: natural disasters, powerlessness, suffering

ᚾ Naudiz • need strength/growth from hardships, survival, determination reversed: deprivation and emotional starvation, constraints/restraints

ᛁ Isaz • ice challenges and frustration, psychological block, anticipation reversed/opposed: can oppose other runes with malice and treachery 

ᛃ Jera • good year hard work is fruitful, peace, happiness and relief, breaking the cycle reversed: sudden setbacks and bad timing

ᛈ Pertho • vagina secrets, mysteries, undiscovered abilities, choosing your own path reversed: stagnation, isolation and loneliness

ᛇ E/ihwaz • yew tree strength, stability, endurance, trustworthiness, your goal is realistic reversed: confusion, dissatisfaction and weakness of the mind

ᛉ Algiz • elk shield, the instinct to protect yourself/others, connection to the gods reversed: hidden dangers, loss of link to the divine, turning away

ᛊ Suwilo • the sun success and goals achieved, you have the power you need to succeed reversed/opposed: deception, false goals, gullibility, divine wrath

ᛏ Tiwaz • tyr honour and leadership, authority, success in competitions reversed: artistic block, over-analysis and sacrifice, imbalance/conflict

ᛒ Berkana • birch tree fertility in a broad sense, personal/physical growth, new beginnings reversed: family/relationship issues, anxiety over loved ones, abandon

ᛖ Ehwaz • horse steady and gradual progress, teamwork/loyalty, relationships reversed: reckless haste and its consequences, restlessness

ᛗ Mannaz • mankind the self, the human race, your attitude toward others and vice-versa, social awareness, altruism reversed: mortality, self-deception, cunning and manipulation

ᛚ Laguz • water literal/metaphorical flow, imagination, the unknown, chance of loss reversed: confusion/uncertainty, may be making the wrong choice

ᛝ Ingwaz • probably freyr warmth and love in general, tying loose ends, relief, freedom to move reversed: moving without change, fruitless effort, helpelessness

ᛞ Dagaz • dawn breakthroughs and clarity, security, power to change and grow, the ideal reversed/opposed: endings and coming round full circle

ᛟ Othila • inheritance ancestral property, what is most important, spiritual heritage and safety reversed: slavery, homelessness, bad karma, what one is unwillingly bound to

Phew! What a list. These are just brief descriptions and meanings that I’ve been able to compile and condense over the years.

But, what does “opposed” mean?

I see where you’re coming from. As a baby diviner, I, also, was confused by this. But let me explain how I’ve come to understand it! 

Sometimes, if you’re doing a set spread, you’ll have a spot for things like, “what will oppose you”, or “what you need to avoid”. Things like that. If, say, a rune like Suwilo was found in something like that, you’d want to try and keep a sharp mind to avoid deceptions or letting yourself be too gullible.

When runes don’t have a reversed form, their position in your spread will usually determine what they mean. (Though really this is true for literally any rune.)

Anything else I should know?

The best advice I can ever give anyone is to always do what you feel is right. If you find yourself wondering, “Should I do this? Is this right?” If you question yourself at all, you should probably not to the thing and go with something else.

It’s also important to mention that the names I have for the runes may not be the ones that you’ve learned to know them by; a lot of runes can go by different names depending on who you ask and where you look. Do your research, and know the runes by the names you feel are best! (And preferably historically accurate.)

As always, if you have any questions regarding runes and how to read them, please ask me! My ask box is literally always open and almost always empty.

Here’s a simple card spread I developed the other night when I decided to try to reach out to one of the four gods in my pantheon the other night, with absolute success

Like humans, you can’t peg dragons as “good” or “evil.” Their personality is influenced by their (occasionally tragic) backstory and culture. That said…

Study the lore, but don’t be overly reliant on it. Lore is not law. For example, Slavic zmeu dragons are stereotypically villainous, but I have one as my knight/familiar, and he’s a very good man. Likewise, zmaj dragons are stereotypically heroic, but I met a dangerous trickster zmaj I eventually had to put down… hilariously enough, with the help of the zmeu.

Some dragons, like spirits, don’t belong in any human culture. Think of it as encountering new, undocumented species. Some of them even come from different planes and dimensions altogether.

Be careful how you treat them. This is related to the first and second points. For example, Chinese dragons are water and weather gods. Don’t treat them like pets or servants. Juvenile Chinese dragons can cast death curses simply by wishing death upon the offending human. The adults are capable of much, much more. Do not screw with them. You will get wrecked.

Most dragons are proud creatures. No, this is not to say that they’re arrogant or will need to be buttered up with praise with every single sentence. This means that they will not let you stomp on their dignity. Yes, even the chill ones. They will fight back.

Don’t put yourself down, either. Many cultures see dragons as great creatures. Some people may see themselves as “puny humans” or “lower lifeforms” compared to them and some dragons might encourage this viewpoint. For your own safety, I strongly recommend against doing this. You are still wonderful and capable. If a dragon is abusive or demeaning towards you, don’t let it slide no matter how powerful or knowledgeable they are. Besides, putting yourself down gives room for other dragons or spirits in general to make YOU their pet/familiar.

All dragons are individuals. Get to know them personally, know what they like and dislike, as well as their strengths, weaknesses, etc. And while our experience with one individual of a species is knowledge, it is not law.

tree of yggdrasil rune / tarot spread

midgard - your current situation

niflheim - what is unclear to you?

jotunheim - what could hurt you?

vanaheim - what will heal you?

muspelheim - a danger to look out for

svartalfheim - what do you need to work on?

helheim - consequences of the future

alfheim - hope to hold on to

asgard - positive outcome / your future

this is a rune / tarot spread i designed based on the tree of yggdrasil. it’s not truly known where each of the nine realms lies on the branches, but this is my personal idea of the world tree. i hope you enjoy using it as much as i have!

please don’t repost or claim as your own - i worked hard on this

a fun little game for the witchblr community, taking place OCT. 1st - NOV. 1st.

please tag all answers or related posts #trick or treat so people can blacklist the tag if they want to avoid it

how it works:

reblog this to let people know you’re participating!

you can stop at any time though, and please don’t feel pressured to answer all of them if it becomes overwhelming.

when you receive an ask that says “trick or treat”, reply with either a “trick” or a “treat”, perhaps use a random generator to decide which.

TREATS:

sigils, tarot reading, shufflemancies, drawings, simple spell or charm, witch tips, or whatever you can!

TRICKS:

silly gifs, cat pictures, rickrolls, random pictures, memes or whatever.  please don’t use gore, flashing, or sexual images!

This is something I see and even experience all the time. Tell me if this sounds familiar; You’re scrolling through tumblr, and come across this wand that someone hand made.. It’s beautiful, carved and engraved, with intricate copper wire wrappings and even a perfect, seamlessly attached quartz point to top it off. You make googly eyes at it, then look over at your wand, a meager oak stick you found in your yard and painted crude symbols on. Your heart breaks a little and you think to yourself, “Maybe if my wand looked like that I’d be a better/awesome/powerful/____ witch” 

If the above scenario brings back memories full of tears and angst, then this post is for you. I present; Five Ways To Stop Doubting Yourself and Your Practice.  Read on witches!

GET OFF TUMBLR

Yes it’s an awesome resource with tons of knowledge and a great way to connect and share ideas. It’s also a great way to waste time, distract yourself, and make yourself feel bad all at once. Stop looking up aesthetic posts and pictures of other peoples altars. 

Focus on what you can do, not what you can’t. 

If you keep thinking about everything you can’t do (I can’t cast this spell, I can’t make this charm), you’re going to limit and hold yourself back. Focus instead on what you ARE able to do. Don’t look for a spell online or in a book, and be torn down when you don’t have that 5000 year old rare herb and the 323rd hair from a camels thigh. Instead, think about what you do have, and how you can use that to make your spell work! 

Also side note that you cana literally subsitute just about any ingredient in a spell or charm for something else. So just because you don’t have rose hips doesn’t mean you can’t cast that love spell. It just means you should use rose petals or even rosemary instead. 

Start forming you own craft!

So often we get discouraged because we find a path that we think will suit us, and we start to go down in, only to discover that parts of it just don’t click. You don’t believe in this tenet, you don’t feel right when you use this method. Instead, figure out what you are comfortable with, what you do like, and what you’re capable/willing to do, and build a practice that is unique and entirely your own! Not only will this benefit you, but if you ever get the point where you’re comfortable sharing it, then it’s going to be you that others are sighing, trying to learn from, instead of vice versa! 

Stop Thinking You Aren’t Good Enough

There is no rule book to being a witch. There’s no code of conduct for practicing witchcraft. There’s absolutely no standard, and there’s no bar that you have to meet. If you practice, study, experiment, dip your toes in, or even just side eye witchcraft curiously, you can call yourself a witch. That’s all there is to it. And you’re doing a great job at it. 

Don’t forget that witchcraft is 110% customizable

I wanna see that there are others out there like me who struggle with a mental illness and also practise 🔮📿🕯

rosemary

feathers

amethyst (optional) 

writing utensil - i drew the element of air on the satchet but if you want to you can draw it on a feather, or a piece of paper and add it in there

anoint it with an oil of your choice or water - i used full moon oil in taurus

leave it to charge under an energy source of your choice - i left mine under the sun