a guide to common outdoor items and their magickal uses.

acorns- luck, protection, wisdom, power

walnuts- healing, protection, self care

pinecones- fertility, masculinity, growth, nature

pine needles- cleansing, healing, strength, banishment

pecans- employment, protection, success, abundance, prosperity

grass- growth, learning, healing, new beginning, grief, recovery

maple leaves- feminine, travel, change, decisions, healing

oak leaves- truth, justice, knowledge, steadfastness, protection, guidance

birch leaves- protection, cleansing, fertility, purification

dandelions- calling spirits, divination, healing

dandelion seeds- divination, wishes, manifestation, dreams, luck

dandelion leaves- defeating negativity, steadfastness, growth, purification

2 leaf clovers- love, luck, courage, cleansing

3 leaf clovers- protection, luck, fidelity, divination

4 leaf clovers- spirit work, luck, psychic ability, attraction

5+ leaf clovers- wealth, luck, attracting money, sanity

wild clover flowers- animal magick, blessings, breaking curses, luck, love

apple seeds- love, secrets, knowledge, gateways, divination, prosperity

tree bark- protection, binding, banishment, cleansing, purification

rocks- many rocks have crystals hidden inside, the most common is quartz types. if unsure, rockcs can represent strength, stability, protection and banishing. if you suspect its a crystal, look it up and discover the correspondences that matter to you!

[insert heathen drumming rythm]

This post is 100% UPG (unverified personal gnosis), meaning that while other people may also do it - I came up with these methods myself and don't claim that they are the only way to do it!

TL;DR at bottom!

Spirit work:

Animal bones are a great way to connect to the spirit of that animal.

Before removing bones:

Some spirits/souls want to be acknowledged and let go, some have something to teach you, some want nothing to do with you and others may be happy with whatever. And it’s our duty to do our best to respect that. I figure this out before moving the bones. I also give an offering to the animal regardless of whether or not I’ll be working with them further!

I consider bones as being the key to an animal’s soul and spirit, or a tether that connects them to the physical realm after the rest of their body has joined the soils. It’s like having two cans on a string, with one end going to the animal’s spirit and soul. Often when I reach out to that animal’s spirit it’s not right there, I have to do a bit of reaching to call it back. It’s often easier to reach out with a skull than with other bones. 

More on spirit work/respecting the spirit in this post.

Holding energy:

I've found that bones (especially ones the animal is not longer tied to) are great at holding energy in a way that is long-lasting and doesn't need to be recharged often.

It is powerful and transmits the energy with strength and subtlety.

I use water or soil to aid me, and while holding the bones in my hands, fill them with energy.

Using the animal's energy:

Once I've established a bond with the animal's spirit and feel comfortable with it, I will use the animal's energy to aid me.

Some examples...

Deer bones for things like finding my way, moving quietly, awareness.

Antlers for strength, standing my ground, being intimidating.

Rodent bones for having a low profile, and more specific correspondences based off each species.

This involves either holding them and absorbing the energy or carrying them with me in a little pouch or bottle.

Using as wards:

Once I'm confident the bones are ready to hold energy, I perform a ritual to make them part of my wards.

It usually involves some combo of sigils, smoke cleansing, herbs, and the elements.

I then bury the bones or hang them in my room or the trees. (I make natural cordage if I hang them in the trees, when it breaks it shows I need to redo that part of my wards).

Connecting to their home:

As a nature-loving chronically ill person, I often am trapped inside.

These bones carried an animal over a part of the land for the animal’s entire life.

I'll use bones to transport me to where they laid before I found them or where the animal frequented (using visualization).

Other ideas:

I do not do these, but they're worth mentioning!

"Throwing the bones" divination.

Making a bone into a wand.

Using as a sigil amplifier.

Enchant them.

Use to connect to deities.

Utilize correspondences/energy for curses.

Quick note: Please ensure your bones are ethically sourced (don't support people who get them using methods harmful to animals basically). ALL of mine are ones I found myself in the forest because that's what feels best to me! And PLEASE read the animal parts laws info I’ve linked below!!

Related Posts:

On finding (animal) bones

On cleaning bones

On cleaning, cleansing + respecting the spirit

Animal parts laws (external site)

TL;DR:

Spirit work: before removing bones, ask permission and respect the answer given. Give an offering to honor the animal.

Holding energy: vacant bones are great at holding the energy you put into them.

Using animal’s energy: after bonding with the spirit, the bones may help you use their energy.

Using as wards: bones can be utilized as a part of your warding process, and represent a physical aspect of your wards.

Connecting to their home: the bones helped the animal connect to a certain part of the land.

please note that while i go into a bit of depth about some animals, most of these can also have characteristics added regarding the species of animal they come from (such as crow wings vs bluejay wings)

cat claws- protection, hunter energy, stealth

rabbit foot- luck, speed, money, 

bird foot- protection, prosperity, luck

rat foot- determination, innovation, confidence

feet in general- movement, travel

legs- similar to feet, 

fox fur- cleverness, warmth, stealth

cat fur- stealth, healing, cleanliness

fur/pelts- camouflage, protection, warmth

skins/molts- change, renewal, fresh beginnings, letting go, banishing

antlers- sexual attraction, victory, protection

horns- dominance, power, sexuality, fertility

fangs- protection, survival, victory, intimidation

molars/nonfangs- abundance, prosperity, defense

claws/claw husks- protection, spiritual defense, deflection

cloven hooves- sex, desire, fertility, prosperity

equine hooves- power, strength, beauty, capability

turtle shells- protection, divination, order, justice, fortune, strength

snail shells- protection, strength, love, sex, fertility

crustation shells-protection, strength, power

ears- truth, knowledge, language, learning

eyes- truth, healing, seeing the bigger picture, dreams

tounges- communication, kindness, hexing liars

brain- thought, communication, dreams, health, wisdom, intuition

hearts- love, emotion, heartbreak, healing

whiskers- luck, protection, wishing, manifestation, secrets

wings- communication, spirit communication, intellect, knowledge, ideas, messages

feathers- similar to wings but can have lesser energy attached rather then the whole wing. can use color magick with these and whole wings!

crow feathers/wings- death, divination, spiritual connection, swiftness

tails- communication, travel, stability

spinal column/vertebrae- intuition, communication, clear thoughts, protection

entrails- divination

blood- binding, hexing/cursing, banishing, devotion

urine- communication, attraction, hexing/cursing, protection

eggs- protection, fertility, banishing, divination, wishes, growth

misc bones- divination, life, death, ancestry, honor

skulls- connection to the animal it belonged to and its properties