#witch stuff

did you know that st john's wort can induce serotonin syndrome? which is life threatening (and very painful!!) btw

did you know that red raspberry leaf can worsen hormonal imbalances and irregular menstrual cycles?

did you know that ginger (yes!! that ginger!! the one that's in every other tea recipe out there!!) can thin your blood? which can be life threatening for people with certain conditions

and there's so much more this community as a whole should be aware of, especially when considering herbs to consume or apply to the skin

the resource i use most often is just this wikipedia article, although you should do individual research just to double check

Apartment rules edition

Many people live in apartments where you have a shit ton of rules to follow. Here are some tips <3 (coming from a witch who is prepping to move into one)

No candles/open flames/smoke? You can use fake candles for the vibe, wax melts for the smell (can be decorated like you would a candle), just spray air fresheners (you can make your own for cleansing, using moonwater, vinegar, and certain herbs), or cleanse with sound (using bells, music, singing, incantations, etc)

Use command strips/hooks to hang your decor.

No/limited window space? If you're trying to charge via moon or sun, you can sit the things in your car (if it is safe to do so)

Simmer pots are a great tool as well, they smell great, no flame, no smoke and you could even toss them in a slow cooker and not have to watch it.

Hang cinnamon above your doors/windows (or put a single stick on top of the frame) to keep out negativity

WITCHES BELLS ON YOUR DOOR. This is a safety thing. My mom hung a bell on a string for our dogs to ring to use the bathroom, and it's stuck with me, because if anyone tries to open your door, you will hear it. Make it witchy by doing witches bells for protection.

Cleanse and ward your space, lock your mirrors and your windows and your doors (spiritually and physically)

Sprinkle salt on your doorstep to keep negativity out

Windchimes/suncatchers to keep energy positive

Paint or draw sigils on the underside of your rugs/decor/artwork to keep your space safe

Sweep from the inside out, start at the far end and go to the front door, that way you're moving the stale energy out of your place.

If the weather is nice and you feel safe enough, open the windows/blinds and let the air/sunshine/moonlight in. Let it cleanse or charge your space.

MASLENITSA

Very soon (February 16 - 22), Maslenitsa will be celebrated in Russia, Belarus, Ukraine, and some other Slavic countries!

Maslenitsa is one of the most vibrant and archaic holidays in Russian folk tradition, deeply rooted in pre-Christian symbolism that was later reinterpreted within the Orthodox calendar. It is much more than just a "pancake week"; it's a complex ritual cycle connected to seeing off winter, welcoming spring, commemorating ancestors, and ensuring a future harvest.

This was not just a dressed-up doll but an anthropomorphic image of the holiday, Winter, and death itself. It was created, honored (paraded, "fed" blini), and then ritually killed—burned, drowned, torn apart. This rite aimed not just to "see off winter" but to ensure the rebirth of life through sacrifice, echoing ancient rituals of a dying and resurrecting deity.

Each day of Maslenitsa week had a specific name and strict ritual purpose:

· Monday – "Meeting" (Vstrecha): People built snow hills and forts, dressed up a Maslenitsa effigy (the embodiment of Winter/the holiday itself), and paraded it on a sleigh around the village. Baking of blini began.

· Tuesday – "Flirting" (Zaigrysh): Festivities started in earnest. Young people went sledding, men flirted with girls looking for brides, and merry play-acting took place.

· Wednesday – "Sweet Tooth" (Lakomka): Sons-in-law visited their mothers-in-law for blini. The mother-in-law's pancakes were a folklore symbol of special feast and hospitality.

· Thursday – "Revelry" (Razgul, "Wide Thursday"): The peak of public festivities. This included the "Capture of the Snow Fortress" (a symbolic battle of Winter vs. Spring), fistfights "wall against wall" (a ritual fight to "awaken" the earth's force), and horse-drawn sleigh rides ("combing" the earth to make it fertile). All restrictions were lifted; ritual chaos reigned.

· Friday – "Mother-in-Law's Evening" (Tёshchiny vecherki): Now the son-in-law had to invite his mother-in-law to his home, demonstrating reciprocal respect.

· Saturday – "Sister-in-Law's Gatherings" (Zolovkiny posidelki): The young wife invited her husband's relatives, especially his sisters, strengthening family bonds.

· Sunday – "Forgiveness Sunday" (Proshchenoe Voskresen'e), the Farewell to Maslenitsa: The most important day in terms of folk magic. People asked each other for forgiveness to enter Lent with a pure heart. The climax: The burning (or sometimes tearing apart and scattering across fields) of the Maslenitsa effigy. Its ashes were often spread on fields—a classic ritual of "returning" the symbol's power to the earth for fertility. Old junk was sometimes burned too, symbolizing the disposal of the old.

Maslenitsa doll.

ℌ𝔬𝔴 𝔱𝔬 𝔟𝔯𝔦𝔫𝔤 𝔪𝔞𝔤𝔦𝔠 𝔦𝔫𝔱𝔬 𝔱𝔥𝔢 𝔢𝔳𝔢𝔯𝔶𝔡𝔞𝔶 𝔪𝔲𝔫𝔡𝔞𝔫𝔢

Daily Affirmations: Start your day with positive affirmations or spells to set your intention.

Morning Ritual: Incorporate meditation or a grounding exercise into your morning routine.

Herbal Tea: Brew herbal teas with magical correspondences for specific needs (e.g., chamomile for calm).

Crystal Carry: Keep a small crystal in your pocket or bag for daily energy boosts.

Incense and Smudging: Light incense or smudge your space to cleanse and energize it.

Moon Water: Use moon water (water charged under the moon) for washing, drinking, or watering plants.

Sigils: Draw or carry sigils for protection, luck, or other intentions.

Altar Space: Create a small altar or sacred space in your home.

Candles: Light candles with intention, choosing colors that correspond to your needs.

Tarot or Oracle Cards: Pull a daily card for guidance.

Journaling: Keep a magical journal for spells, dreams, and reflections.

Nature Walks: Spend time in nature, collecting items like stones, leaves, or feathers for your practice.

Kitchen Witchery: Infuse your cooking with intention and use magical herbs and spices.

Charmed Jewelry: Wear jewelry that has been enchanted or charged with specific intentions.

Lunar Phases: Plan activities and spells according to the lunar phases.

Weather Magic: Use the energy of different weather conditions in your spells and rituals.

Mindful Cleaning: Clean your space with intention, using magical cleaning solutions.

Bath Rituals: Take ritual baths with herbs, salts, and oils for cleansing and manifestation.

Gratitude Practice: End your day with a gratitude practice or prayer.

Sacred Music: Listen to music that uplifts your spirit or has magical significance.

Writing Spells: Incorporate spellwork into your daily writing, such as emails or notes.

Daily Offerings: Make small offerings to your deities or spirit guides.

Visualization: Use visualization techniques throughout the day to manifest your desires.

Plant Magic: Care for plants and infuse them with your magical intentions.

Energy Shielding: Practice energy shielding techniques to protect your aura.

Creative Art: Use art and creativity as a form of magic and expression.

Spiritual Reading: Read books, articles, or blogs on witchcraft to expand your knowledge.

Community Connection: Connect with other witches online or in-person for support and inspiration.

Crafting: Make your own magical tools, such as wands, sachets, or charms.

Ritual Dress: Wear clothing or accessories that have been enchanted for specific purposes.

Daily Devotions: Spend time each day in devotion or meditation with your chosen deities.

Intentional Breathing: Use breathing exercises to center and ground yourself.

Astrology: Incorporate astrology into your daily planning and decision-making.

Digital Magic: Use apps or digital tools designed for witches to keep track of moon phases, spells, and more.

Rune Work: Draw a daily rune for guidance and reflection.

Harmonize with Elements: Incorporate the four elements (earth, air, fire, water) into your daily life.

Affirmative Speaking: Speak with intention and awareness, using positive and empowering language.

Gardening: Create a magical garden with plants that have specific correspondences.

Mindful Eating: Bless and infuse your food with positive energy before eating.

Putting Together Your Grimoire/Book of Shadows

Over my time putting together my grimoire, I’ve seen a lot of different people put together their lists of “everything you need in your grimoire”. While I don’t believe that everyone needs to write a world-renowned magical encyclopedia (see the linked post below by @queer-tech-seer), I do want everyone to have a good idea of where to put the information that they do put in their grimoire.

I'm a girl

I like pants

I can read

I have freckles but not too many

I'm weird

I like animals

I don't like the outside world

I like making weird faces

Fantasy is my favorite genre

Dragons are cool

I'm blunt

I'm sarcastic

I'm sassy

1 like books

I rarely wear skirts or dresses

ADHD

I have a brain

I don't faint at the sight of an attractive man

I'm aro/ace