#witch basics

you can do whatever with it. you can stitch a sigil into the cover, you could not, you could make the cover yourself or buy one, and you never have to worry about "what if its not good enough for my fancy book" and if the cover gets damaged, you get a new one.

Centering is about balancing and stabilizing the body and mind's energy along with narrowing your focus.

Grounding is bonding and exchanging energy with different elements, however to many practitioners traditionally that element is typically earth. As somebody however who worked/works with a multi-faceted deity for many years, many things can be multi-faceted a lot like grounding.

For example within DBT therapy grounding is bringing yourself into the here and now by honing in on the five senses. Connecting both yourself and your immediate surroundings within the present. For examples box breathing and pain relief exercises medically.

Grounding for me personally is stabilizing one's energy, by reclaiming it from the universe or by drawing from the elements around me. As someone with chronic fatigue I need to borrow energy for spellwork so I become less fatigued after and Earth is a great neutral resource and element.

Grounding and meditation typically go hand in hand here.

While personally Centering is about balancing the body, the mind and narrowing my focus within my intentions for the act of entering into a certain brainwave state so I can enter spellwork or manifestation.

In another post, we will discuss brainwave states and altered states of consciousness and what they can do for your spellwork from a chaos magic perspective.

Now let's get into some centering and grounding methods.

Centering

Method 1 - Energetic Center Visualization:

Closing your eyes, visualize this glowing light. It can be any colour in your core. Now, your core can be anywhere along your body, from your heart center to your sacral, stomach, and third eye. Wherever feels the most right to you.

Visualize it growing brighter and becoming the center of your being. Gently pushing and pulling your energy.

As you breathe in, feel this light expand and fill your entire body. Filling you with peace and a sense of wholeness.

Method 2 - Breathwork with the elements:

You can do whatever feels more natural within your breathwork, like adding the element of spirit, for example.

Go to an area where you won't be disturbed for a while.

Getting in a comfortable position, usually sitting, is recommended because you could fall asleep. However, lying down is fine if you have a back injury like I do or sitting is uncomfortable.

Inhale through your nose for a long, steady breath to the count of four while keeping track of each number of elements Earth, Air, Fire, Water.

Hold that breath while repeating over Earth, Air, Fire, and Water.

Exhale through your mouth, long and steady to the beat of Earth, Air, Fire, and Water.

Hold your lungs empty on the count of four Earth, Air, Fire, Water.

Repeat however long you feel necessary after it instills feelings of calm and relaxation.

Method 3 - Moving the body

Another method is movement. Movement helps us center ourselves. Exercise, stretching, dancing, hiking, etc. Not only is it spiritually healthy, it is physically healthy. It brings us back into balance when we get our bodies moving. 

If you struggle with disabilities, stretching to the best of your ability can be enough. If you are in a wheelchair, for example, you can do upper body stretches like desk stretching and artist stretches if you are able to move your upper body. However, if you are not able to do this as easily, that’s alright. You can use other methods, and you will not be left out. 

Grounding

Method 1 - Earth Grounding

Some visualization is needed for this method, however, I personally have trouble with seeing with visualization so I find myself directing myself with inner thoughts to go along with it.

Go to an area where you won't be disturbed for a while.

Getting in a comfortable position usually sitting is recommended because you could fall asleep. However, if you have a back injury like I do or sitting just is not comfortable, laying down is fine.

Let yourself fall into a natural breathing pattern. In and out, calm as possible. You can incorporate regular box breathing here if needed.

You are going to want to visualize a cord coming from the center of your being. For some people, this is from the base of their tailbone, bellybutton or heart. This cord travelling down deep into the earth, either spreading out like roots or wrapping around the earth's core.

Now what I like to do is shed down this cord any sort of gross gunk-like energy to return to the earth to be recycled. Especially energy that's not mine.

I visualize/tell this energy to move down the cords and spread back into the earth to be recycled. If I am recycling my own energy I let that energy sit for a minute with the earth, invite it back up after it is renewed back into the core of my being. You never want to personally lose your own energy as it can leave you fatigued.

This is your option to also borrow some energy if needed. Always remember to thank the earth for its generosity. You can also leave an offering for it later if you choose.

Now once you have finished remember to retract that cord and you are done.

There are so many different ways you can ground. You can ground using terrestrial energy by expanding your roots to underground caves with crystals, pockets of air, water, and lava, all for elemental work. You can even go upwards into solar energies, connecting with the cosmos. The possibilities are endless.

Blessings!

Need to find all of my posts in one place? Check out the Masterpost

What are Baneful Protections?

Baneful protections can be considered both a form of baneful magic and a form of protection magic. When beginning baneful work, this is usually what I recommend starting with. Baneful protections are protection spells that produce some sort of consequence when energy hits it. This can be done without the use of physical taglocks (like names or dates of birth) because energy is able to act like a taglock. For example, some of the baneful protections I have set up will reflect any energy that hits it back to its source while others trap that energy instead (so it can be used later on).

It is very important that even though you are protecting yourself, you aren't accidentally tethering the energy to you. In my first baneful protection, I used my saliva to tether the protection to me but instead I tethered all the negative energy the spell had trapped to me and had a horrible case of bad luck for weeks before I realized what I had done. As a rule of thumb i personally don’t include any personal taglocks in baneful protections and always make sure to include a petition that details my exact intent for the spell.

When to use Baneful Protections:

Baneful protections can be used instead of or in conjunction with other forms of protection (see my blog posts for more information on alternative forms of protection magic). I personally didn't have any baneful protections before I was hexed (for the first time) and now I have some just as a precautionary measure. Baneful protections are most beneficial (in my opinion) if you are surrounded by a lot of negative energy or work in an environment that is mentally draining. These protections can help combat the toll that it takes and prevent much of that energy from staying with you for an extended period of time.

It is really up to you whether or not you choose to incorporate baneful protections into your practice. It is worth it to note that this spell work is considered baneful magic, so those who believe in "doing no harm" may choose to forgo this and stick to regular protections instead. Whatever you choose, be sure to do your own research before attempting any new forms of spell work.

Return-to-Sender Spells:

Mirrors- mirrors have the ability to reflect an image so they are also able to reflect energy. Putting up a mirror on your altar or incorporating a piece of a mirror into a spell is very effective at returning energy to its source.

Burning the bottom of a candle- this is a common one and it is also my preferred method at returning energy. The way I do it is by burning the top of the candle like normal and visualizing the energy that you wish to return. Once the candle is flat, I will flip it upside down and light the other end of the wick, symbolizing the return of that energy to its source. This can be done many different ways so check out what other practitioners do to come up with your own method.

Petitions- petitioning is a really great tool that I utilize in most of my spell work because it is an effective way at manifesting a specific intent. It helps if you know the name of the person who sent you the energy for this method but it is not necessary. As long as you have a clear intention and some return-to-sender oil you can make an effective spell.

Running water or rivers- running water has been viewed as being able to carry energy from place to place so it is possible to use it to return energy to its source. In the shower, you can imagine the energy running off of you, down the drain and back to the person who sent it. Another method is throwing your petition into a river and having the river carry it back to its source. (This method also works with a toilet if you are feeling especially feisty!)

***if ur like me rn and too poor to buy some or to go to a church to get some, I've opted to learn how to make some. if u don't vibe with this u can keep ✨️scrolling✨️***

What is Holy Water

(from catholicace) Holy water is water blessed by the priest with solemn prayer to beg God’s blessing on those who use it, and protection from the powers of darkness

The water symbolizes purity of soul; the salt stands for prudence; the combination is a symbol of purity and immortality

Ways to Use Holy Water

✨️✨️ Holy water is often used to cleanse objects and spaces✨️✨️

other ways:

when struggling with negativity

in the mornings before morning prayers

before leaving to go somewhere

in the evenings before evening prayers

before sleep at night

blessing loved ones

blessing ur home

blessing ur food

and more!

Ingredients:

Half a glass of water

Half a teaspoon of salt

Their source does not matter, but you may prefer to use ones that come from wells and springs or are natural/organic

Methods:

In whatever way works best for you, centre yourself and connect fully with the Spirit u are calling on for protection

Allow that connection to come fully through you so that it radiates through your hands. Place the palm of your hand (right hand if right-handed, left if left-handed) over the water and sense the energy flowing into every atom and molecule of the water.

With slow and calm intention, think or say the following words:

Hello, creature of water. In the name of All That is Benevolent and Good, I bless you. I cleanse you. I exorcise you of all elements of evil and negativity, so that wherever you are scattered all elements of evil and negativity may depart

As you say these words, you can increase the potency by drawing a symbol in the water using the energy from your palm. If you are Christian, you might use the cross; if Jewish, the Star of David; if Hindu, the OM; if pagan, the equal-armed across; and so on. It is customary to draw it three times

Tarot Cards & Their Simple Meanings (Yes, No, or Undecided): The Major Arcana 0 The Fool - Yes 1 The Magician - Yes 2 The High Priestess - Undecided 3 The Empress - Yes 4 The Emperor - No 5 The Hierophant - Undecided 6 The Lovers - Yes 7 The Chariot - Yes 8 Strength - Yes 9 The Hermit - Undecided 10 Wheel of Fortune - Yes 11 Justice - Yes 12 The Hanged Man - Undecided 13 Death - No 14 Temperance - Undecided 15 The Devil - No 16 The Tower - No 17 The Star - Yes 18 The Moon - No 19 The Sun - Yes 20 Judgement - Yes 21 The World - Yes

Swords Ace of Swords - Yes Two of Swords - Undecided Three of Swords - No Four of Swords - Undecided Five of Swords - No Six of Swords - Yes Seven of Swords - No Eight of Swords - No Nine of Swords - No Ten of Swords - No Page of Swords - Yes Knight of Swords - Yes Queen of Swords - No King of Swords - Undecided

Pentacles Ace of Pentacles - Yes Two of Pentacles - Undecided Three of Pentacles - Yes Four of Pentacles - No Five of Pentacles - No Six of Pentacles - Yes Seven of Pentacles - Undecided Eight of Pentacles - Yes Nine of Pentacles - Yes Ten of Pentacles - Yes Page of Pentacles - Yes Knight of Pentacles - Yes Queen of Pentacles - Yes King of Pentacles - Yes

Wands Ace of Wands - Yes Two of Wands - Undecided Three of Wands - Yes Four of Wands - Yes Five of Wands - No Six of Wands - Yes Seven of Wands - Undecided Eight of Wands - Yes Nine of Wands - Undecided Ten of Wands - No Page of Wands - Yes Knight of Wands - Yes Queen of Wands - Yes King of Wands - Yes

some people is overcomplicating loas/manifestation too much now and starts to complain why their desires aren't showing up yet , maybe your over consuming posts here and there doing different methods like sats , void , visualizing etc. and forgot about the pink print of law of assumption (post abt this coming soon! ).

LAW OF ASSUMPTION is just assuming things into reality! you don't need to affirm every minute to get what you want just assume and know that your desire is yours already and accept it as a hard fact. The law cannot fail you and so is the god.

you don't need methods and manifestation coaches to manifest unless you assume so! but they can help you tho, but these are the only things you need to manifest you , faith , knowing and persistence the source is you! because you're god and thats a hard fact! its not bad to affirm, visualise do different methods and have a manifestation coach do what makes you feel good nothing is wrong with that but don't forget that you are the source of your manifestations you are god this is your universe!

IMPORTANT THINGS WHILE MANIFESTING

One of the most common questions I get is "Ash - how do you ACTUALLY, PRACTICALLY move, throw, and raise energy? A lot of those guides seem to be missing some key steps!" I hear you - and I'm here to break it down.

Below is my own method, slowed down piece by piece. Remember - raising and using energy is a personal matter/varies from person to person, so feel free to adjust, change, or discard any part of this guide to suit your practice!

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1. Raising Energy

With a combination of physical action, “psyching yourself up”, verbal action, or psychological methods, raise your adrenaline, emotional, or excitement levels in a way that gets more intense the more you do it. E.g., chanting until the words start to lose meaning or you get into a trance state, dancing around the circle until you get a runner’s high and start laughing/having fun and forgetting yourself, and then basically keep performing that action until your emotional/excitement/adrenaline reaches a breaking point. The best way to describe this is escalating excitement. If you’re into EDM, this is how it feels when a beat is about to drop and keeps escalating. This should feel physical and psychological - literally like hitting a runner’s high when you’re exercising, or getting so excited about a date you start to shake. The easiest way to do this is to raise energy with physical activity or chanting. You can enhance this action by doing it moving in a circle around the object you’re going to put energy into.

Many sources cite a series of ways traditionally used to raise energy, which are practical actions to be used in conjunction with the above, as a focus: Raising power with chanting (sub in your own belief system in what you choose for the chant), dance, or singing is common - you can stick with praying too, just be sure to raise and escalate, just to name a few.

2. When you’re sufficiently pumped, keep going. Now, let's THROW!

At this point, you have two options: Physically moving the “energy”, or achieving “gnosis”. (This is the beat drop.)

A) Gnosis

Gnosis is (oversimplifying) the moment when you fully forget yourself and the energy takes over. Basically, you lose sight of where you are and what you’re doing and there’s a moment where everything snaps into place. A real-world example would be, if you’re raising energy with sex magic, the moment of climax. A SFW example would be - this should feel like, when you’re staring at a magic eye painting, after a long while of staring it “clicks” to form an image. Physically IRL, this should feel like - for a split second, even - you do not have control over your energy or emotion. When achieving gnosis, look at (direct your attention to) the object you are raising energy for.

B) Moving or “throwing” the energy

Moving or Throwing is a little more abstract, but I’m going to guide you best as I can. By now, you’re buzzing with actual physical energy, like before a birthday party (nervous jitters OR excitement), or like when you’ve just finished a workout. Take a moment and feel the physical and mental effects of this. Do a body scan if helpful. (The reason why visualizing is helpful is that you can visualize this buzz as a physical thing, once you sense its effects with a body scan, for the next part.) You’ll now need to “direct” the energy. Try and physically move your body to “gather” all your energy up (moving your arms to see how far-reaching the effects of the buzz are, then experimenting by moving your body to see if it changes the scope of the buzz). Then, physically thrust your hands or arms (or your body parts of choice) at the object you’re directing energy to. Do this by performing a strong, firm, decisive physical action, and, if it helps, visualize the energy flowing from your body into the object like a giant blast of fire/light. If done correctly, YOU should no longer feel a buzz - the buzz should now be entirely within the object. If you still feel full of adrenaline, try again - perform a physical throwing movement or (sorry for the dumb example ahoy, it’s 9AM) Dragonball style kamehameha at it. You know how when you’re really upset or nervous, and you shake it off or primal scream and your energy dissipates? Do that, but this time, using a combo of physical actions (and if you wish) visualization, instead of shaking it off into the air, “shake it off” into the object. Try and repeat until you feel like you can appropriately “transfer” the energy using physical movement, and you are able to reliably A) create the physical emotional buzz, and B) use physical actions to move that buzz into something else, removing it from yourself.

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Over time, you’ll become adept at not only raising that energy, but physically sensing it and acknowledging it, and then you’ll get quite good at being able to move the energy around without using visualization at all, if you wish. It does take practice and it is rather abstract.

A great way to practice this sort of energy movement is (and I’ve seen folks bring this up on witchblr lately!) tai chi (with love, your favorite Cantonese witch). Your local park should have approximately 20 aunties doing this at any given Sunday morning.