#beginner magic

Elemental magic sometimes requires us to marry two elements into one to get our desired results, which can be a bit baffling at times. This short guide is to help with some suggestions of elemental combinations you can use to combine the power of two, sometimes opposite, elemental energies into harmony. There are likely many other combinations, these are just some of my personal suggestions - but other combos exist!

Water and Fire: steam, vapor

Water and Earth: clay, mud, roots, wood

Water and Air: bubbles, fog, clouds, storms

Water and Light: rainbows/colors, mist, reflections

Water and Shadow: ink, paint

Water and Sound: water drops, rain, rain sticks, waves

Water and Frost: ice, snow

Water and Moon: moon water, dew droplets

What is a visionboard ?

A visionboard is a set of pictures, images and phrases put together with an intention. They are mostly used in the manifestation community. Their goal is to inspire the maker into taking inspired actions towards their goals and realize their dreams.

Okay, but how does it work ?

Well, I'm guessing it depends on how much you want to believe in it. Realistically speaking, what could be the benefits ?

You know what you want

You are inspired to work, learn, explore and make decision in alignment with what you want

You are more open to opportinities

You are growing more okay with the idea of getting what you want, you have less self-esteem issues, you believe you are worth your dreams

What is the purpose of it ?

The goal is to growingly habituate your mind to see what you want to receive and achieve as possible. You see it as possible more, therefore you take inspired action more, you see new opportunities more, you start living in this world as the kind of person who would receive what you want to receive. You are inspired, you feel thankful, happy, you see the little good things and know how to enjoy them.

So, how exactly do you use it ?

Ah ! Well that is the most fun part.

Take some time for it. Don't rush it, make it a you moment. Set aside some time to make yourself feel good and let yourself dream about what you want. Light a candle, play some music, take a hot shower, whatever you like.

Choose your intention. Would you like to envision your life for the New Year ? The New or Full Moon ? A school year ? Just because ? Do you want to focus on your career, relationships or home life ?

Gather elements : quotes, pictures, tickets, screenshots... Choose intuitively and intentionally what each mean to you, and what they mean to each other in the all. Canva is a great tool for a digital one, or you can get magazines and do a crafty one by hand !

Make it present. Don't forget the file somewhere on your phone or computer, put it as a screen, print it and put it in your room, have a daily practice of looking at it while meditating, dancing, eating or listen to music. Build yourself a tiny little daily practice, so you can remember what is it you want that makes you happy, and you remind yourself of it when you need it.

1) At the very least, discern the personal and unique language of their own dreams.

And

Simple bath recipe for after a long day at work or school or a stressful situation

Lemon slices: cleansing, refreshing, happiness

Yellow Rose Petals: friendship, happiness, self love

Lavender: calming, cleansing, healing

Epsom Salts: calming, healing, amplifys other components

Sun Water: cleansing, energy, vitality, self confidence, boosts spells and intentions

Your favourite/most enticing bath salt/bomb/etc. This generally brings positivity and happiness.

Next, make sure you get a wonderful ice water with lemon slices (properties above) and drink that during your bath!!

Herbal magic is the very first that I got into, just before crystal magic. I do not tend to make potions or eat my herbs, but I make many herbal spells and jars today in other ways! I have seen everything from herbs being smelled, burned, locked up in a jar, or even just scattered, all parts of spells. I’ve received wonderful gifts of spell jars that I smelled from my lovely friend @asteri-desmevetai​ and they worked magnificently! Herbs are so versatile, but with that there are a few things to know before you start.

1. Know your safety. This not only applies to which herbs are edible, but also if the smoke from burning them or smelling them directly is safe!!! I know some herbs, such as wormwood and mugwort, can be toxic if burned!! Do research on the safety of how these herbs can be used and be thorough.

2. Check multiple sources. Just like with other crafts, check multiple sources on your facts. This is highly important with herbs, so you can make sure not only you use them the way you intend to, but safely.

3. There are many ways to use herbs in spells. Burning, eating, cooking, potions, spreading, smelling, hanging, in a jar, etc. Get creative and use your intuition to find what works best for your intent!

4. Nothing wrong with kitchen herbs. Kitchen herbs you get from the grocery store are perfectly valid and can be even safer sometimes! You can also grow your own herbs or order dried ones online.

5. Your own personal associations are just as valid if not more than a book! When casting spells, intent can be much more easily focused on when you associate the contents you use with what you are going for. If you have personal associations, they are just as valid as the ones from books!

6. Keep in mind what is endangered! Some herbs are more endangered than others, and large demand can cause them to fall into more danger of extinction. Please keep this in mind when you research.

What are my suggestions on books about herbal magic?

I have several suggestions, but these are the ones I have used.

Cunningham's Encyclopedia of Magical Herbs by Scott Cunningham

Although the book is dated, I highly suggest this one for beginners. It gives a great overview of associations and folklore with herbs. It is also not a huge and heavy book, which is a plus. Great for starting out.

A Compendium of Herbal Magick by Paul Beyerl

This book is like a fat dictionary of herbs and their associations and lore. Has three parts to it: classifying and using herbs, dictionary of herbs, and a more detailed usage of herbs in more specific moments. Has a lot more than Cunningham’s book.

The Master Book of Herbalism by Paul Beyerl

This is a little bit of a shorter book than the previous one, dividing into two parts: Using herbs for healing and using herbs for magic. It has as bunch of recipes.

Some websites you can order herbs from (at least within the US)

Mountain Rose Herbs

Monterey Bay Spice Company

Grab a few pennies (or other coins, if you’re not in the states, copper works well) and focus the intent on protection.

I like copper since it’s great for grounding!! I personally like having an element of grounding to my wards. I feel like any energy that they capture can then be released (think electricity only wires) rather than just staying in my wards.

You can even draw a sigil on the coins if that helps with intent.

For the most subtlety, place the pennies under a carpet or floorboards in the corners of a room. But a few unmarked pennies or coins in the corners (especially under furniture) probably won’t raise any eyebrows.

Air

Gather some feathers or dried leaves or dandelion. Charge them with your worries and your sadness. Imagine them manifesting all that holds you down. Then blow them away while focusing on the wind carrying away your worries where they can do you no harm

Fire

Light a black candle. Write down “sadness” on a piece of paper (or write down whatever worries you most). Fold the paper in half and kiss it with the intention of sealing that negative feeling inside the folded paper. Charge it with the darkness surrounding you. Then carefully burn the paper with the candle while focusing on the fire cleansing you from negativity and your depression literally burning away.

Water

Find a dirty stone. The stone represents you and the dirt is the negative feelings you are holding onto. Charge the stone with that intention. Then stand in front of a sink ( or another source of flowing water) and wash the stone thoroughly while focusing on cleaning your own soul. Feel yourself getting lighter and more troublefree as the stone becomes cleaner. Finally you should feel fresh and bright with all your worries washed away.

Earth

Get an uncooked egg. Charge it with negativity (and write “sadness” or whatever feels right on the egg). Go on a walk and find a spot you feel at peace at, lay the egg on the ground and smash it with your foot while focusing on stomping on the negativity surrounding you and banishing it. Stand there for a while and imagine the fresh soil giving you strength and helping you grow free of this sadness.