#witch study

Until I got to the chapter on love spells.

Not every witch believes this, so please nobody who reads this think I'm coming after you or your practice, but in the version of witchcraft I've grown up learning, love spells - as in, spells specifically to deny a person their autonomy and convince them to love you - are a no. Not all of the love spells in this book were that, either! There was useful information in this section. But there were at least two instances that were that, and it didn't sit well with me.

Like, I would have much preferred to learn a spell to gain the love of a future child in my life, than a spell about how to convince my crush to reciprocate my feelings. The former was mention in passing. The latter got a whole page dedicated to it.

Magic Study - I so enjoyed making the first familiar that I decided to draw another

Let me preface by saying, even if you don't follow the wheel of the year, utilize the prompt here for whatever holiday you do celebrate, if you do! If you only recognize the equinoxes and solstices as days, use this prompt outline for those!

Next is Ostara, Circa March 20. Different cultures and spiritualities and different witches will celebrate or not celebrate this day. For those of us Pagans who do, here’s a bunch of posts. (None of these are mine, these are simply pages I’ve gathered from Tumblr at large to share here.All credit goes to the individuals who made the posts!)

Ostara Posts on Tumblr

Ostara Sounds/ Music

Ways to Celebrate

About Ostara/ Spring Equinox

Ostara

Spring Equinox/ Ostara

Celebrate

Outside Tumblr Sources

Wikipedia - Ostara & Spring Equinox

Celtic Connection

ThoguhtCo

History

Wild Hunt

These are just from a quick search. Take time to read, not only current writings and musings on the holiday and time of year, but look at historical texts and documentation of the holiday. That is where the truth of the season is.

The Prompt!

Okay! Make a new page, solely for Ostara/ Spring Equinox! 

Write out a description of the holiday. What is it? When is it? How is it traditionally celebrated? Why were things celebrated the way they were? What are the things that this holiday represents and stands for? This is the meat and potatoes of the holiday. Any and all bits of info aside from this are just the seasoning. Mine is a few small paragraphs about the holiday itself. 

Now make some lists. What are the colors used to decorate for this holiday? What are some incense/ oils/ candle scents that are commonly associated with this day? Gemstones? Herbs? Is there a moon phase or particular god/goddess associated with this holiday? What about animals? Flowers? Were there any traditional offerings left out on this holiday? And what foods were made on this day?

What are some of the activities you can do to celebrate this holiday? And what about magic and rituals. Are there any specific kinds of magic to perform on or around this day? Are there any poems or blessings associated with this holiday?

That’s a lot of info, I know. But now for the second part of the holiday prompt!

Make it your own!

Now, given all the information you’ve gathered, make your own small ritual to be performed on Ostara/ the Spring Equinox. To do this, I suggest a scrap paper to brainstorm on. Here’s some things to keep in mind and help write out your ritual. 

What is the theme/ purpose of the ritual? (Healing ritual? Cleansing? Renewal of intentions? Welcoming the light?)

What are the tools you’ll use and what is the purpose/ association it has? (candles, athame/ sacred blade, incense, gemstones etc)

What power(s) are you calling upon for the ritual and why? (elements, deities, sun/ moon, personal power, etc)

How do you set it up? Is there specific placement of the tools? Direction to face when calling the above powers? Do you cast a circle? Or do you simply light a candle and bow your head in a moment of silent prayer/ meditation?

Good Luck and Happy Crafting!

16.10.23 (monday)

reading for myself for once? with my own guide for help? lol it's been a while but it's quite therapeutic to sort my thoughts with the help of my cards instead of helping someone else sort through theirs.

Today's entry for @a-witch-named-crow's tarot study challenge!

Suit

Swords represent our mind and how we think. Their positive sides include analytical thinking, intellect, and mental resilience; negative sides include guilt and toxic thought patterns. Their corresponding element is air, season is fall, and time is weeks. Some crystals are tiger's eye, amethyst, turquoise, and lapis lazuli. (source, and Benebell Wen’s Holistic Tarot)

Upright

According to Tina Gong’s book Tarot, the upright Ace of Swords represents ideas, breakthrough, efficiency, and new perspective. An epiphany or Eureka moment, I suppose. Go forward with determination and logic, and you will find success. Clarify your goals, break them down into manageable chunks, and do what you need to do.

Reversed

Many beginner witches here on Tumblr ask the question “where do I start?” To somewhat answer that question I have created this 1-week research schedule that can be continually used to cultivate new and deepening knowledge within the many fields of witchcraft. Please note that you should have a somewhat specific topic or goal going into this process, such as “astrology” or “warding spells” rather than just witchcraft at large.