#creative witchcraft

after sitting with the prompt & musing on my initial thoughts, i pulled cards for each of the 4 parts--a little extra magic for you witchy types--they were all swords!--as well as for mickey & ian's journeys through each chapter. figured it could be fun to share that process with y'all. a little ✨creative witchcraft ✨ if you will.

chapter one: four of swords

the swords suit: air, mental energy, thoughts, brain chemistry

the number four: foundations, safety & stability, building & planning

the four of swords: rest, meditation, "a little death," time out of time

truly the perfect card for a chapter that begins with a death, a manic episode & then meets both boys in a liminal space of sorts, this particular four of swords--from the tarot del fuego by ricardo cavolo--also inspired the palmistry bit with mandy/not mandy. a literal cutting palm, which is actually a thing! maybe you have one? (i do!)

You dont need all these herbs and crystals and different color special candles to be a witch. You can use almost anything for magic.

Found a pretty rock outside? It holds power. Pretty flower growing in your yard? What a great ingredient for that self love spell! Got some crayons? Melt them and make a colorful candle. You dont need money to be a witch. You only need creativity and passion for what you do.

Of course you can! I have a pre-written incantation for motivation and energy here if you are interested!

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For creativity and motivation:

I spark a match, ablaze with light,

Burning brightly day and night.

From these hands, creation forth,

east, west, south, and north.

Colors burst and nature sings,

Divinely guided,

A muse it brings.

Endless wealth of weaving power,

I call upon your grace this hour.

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For extra help, light a candle or match, and hold citrine or carnelian crystals in your hand.

Where spells meet stories, and the past is held sacred. Let’s be honest—when most people picture a Book of Shadows, they imagine a moody leather tome filled with inked spells, pressed herbs, and ancient secrets. And hey, that’s beautiful. But in my house? Our Book of Shadows has glitter glue on some pages, crayon doodles of crystals, and photos of our kids dancing around the fire pit. And…