discovering

It's seed catalog time! One of my favorite times of year, honestly. While my garden mostly sleeps, full of dry leaves and fluffed-up birds and cold breezes, I'm indoors contemplating tomato varieties and telling myself that *this* will at last be the year I get the peas in on time.

As it is that appointed time, my usual yearly reminder: don't buy from Baker Creek!

Baker Creek are racist, fascist assholes! They intended to platform Cliven Bundy at their yearly conference, and Native seedkeepers have said that Baker Creek stole from them (and sell the product of that theft). They did a For Ukraine fundraiser that actually went to a far-right Ukrainian organization invested in obliterating LGBT rights.

Baker Creek might have some fun varieties of seed, but I can very nearly guarantee that if you see something there you want, I can find it or an analogue for you somewhere else.

Here's a selection of seed companies I personally have bought from, or people I trust have recommended; there will be a secondary and possibly tertiary reblog, since Tumblr only allows me to do ten links at once. If there's a company you've bought from and liked, please leave a review for them in the comments! What did you get, what did you like, how was the germination? Native Seed Companies: (please, please feel free to add more in comments to this post)

Companies Specializing in Native Pollinator Plants and Seed:

New to me last year, but HIGHLY RECOMMENDED seed preservation company (they have an incredible selection! My 2023 germination of their seed was like 98%! But they only accept paper order forms):

Cool weird nightshades, I got a bunch of dwarf tomato seeds from them last year and THEY didn't suffer from peppergate because they're a small company that does a lot of their own seed:

Want to try just a few of something? Seedsnow is *really cheap*.

I got my first real year of tomato seeds from Totally Tomatoes, and a full decade on I'm still getting germination from packets I bought that season:

HUGE selection of most every kind of bean you might want to grow:

And then we come to the best holiday of them all - October 31st, good old Samhain. Seriously, if you don’t like Samhain or Halloween, I’m just not sure we can be friends. We all know how it’s celebrated - ghost stories and guising and good times. And lots of witchcraft. So much. All the witchcraft. -cackle-

Samhain is the third and final harvest festival, the harvest of flesh. This is when animals would be slaughtered, and sacrifices would be made, and the dead would be remembered. This is the night that the veil between the mortal world and the spirit realm is rumored to be at its’ thinnest. I mean, it’s always pretty thin, it’s a VEIL, after all, not a theatre curtain, although that’s another good analogy. But around Samhain, the dead travel more freely. They’re moving toward their final rest, if they haven’t found it yet, or perhaps they’re coming back for a visit. Día de Muertos is another holiday that celebrates this, with feasts and marigold garlands and family altars called ofrendas.

So first and foremost, Samhain is a time to remember those who came before. I think this is going to be sadder and more poignant in the next few years than it might have been before. We’ve all lost so much. It’s nice to have one night in the year when we’re encouraged to remember the dead fondly and laugh about the good times, even though it might be hard at other times. Honor your deceased loved ones with a cemetery visit or a gift of food or flowers. Commune with the dead, if you wish to do so. Just remember to hang up and cleanse the house after, so no uninvited guests stick around.

And it’s not just your immediate family you can call on, but your more distant ancestors too. Remember that ancestors aren’t just your blood relatives, but also people who inspire you or bring you insight. Honor the witches who came before as well, and the ones who were called witches but weren’t and suffered for it.

Put out some fruit offerings - I usually use apples - or a few shots of alcohol or a dish of salt. Another tradition calls for carving the names of the deceased into apples or potatoes and tossing them into water as an offering. I think this one might be an offshoot of the old “bobbing for apples” party time, but it’s not a precursor.

Bobbing for apples is a throwback to older traditions where partygoers would use apples and other party food to perform simple divinations. An apple peel taken off in one strip would be tossed over the shoulder and the shape it formed when it landed was supposed to show the initial of your future spouse. Dishes like barm brack and colcannon would have little charms hidden inside that were supposed to tell the fortune of the person whose portion contained them for the coming year. So if you’ve got divinations to do, especially for love or fortune, this is the time. Cast your predictions for the coming year.

Carve pumpkins and make baked pumpkin seeds. Tell the tale of Jack O’ Lantern and his glowing turnip. Learn about the history of Halloween and Samhain and where they intersect.

Samhain is a holiday that pretty much demands bonfires. Between burning leaves and the symbolic sacrificial pyre, a towering pile of flaming branches is something that’s pretty ubiquitous in cooler climes. When I lived in Pennsylvania, there was always a farm somewhere that would host one, usually alongside other spooky seasonal festivities.

If you have the opportunity to visit another harvest festival or a Halloween fair or a haunted attraction, go and have some fun! It’s a time of year for celebrating the spooky side of life, the scary things that remind us just how alive we are. So put on those scary movies, decorate your home, and scare your friends and neighbors. Tell your favorite ghost stories and bump Spooky Scary Skeletons loud enough to disturb folks in the next county. However you celebrate your spooky side, indulge it as far as you’re able.

On Samhain, we let our witch flags fly. It’s the one time of year that even those of us still witching in secret are sometimes able to get away with living in the open, or at least, a little less in hiding. Celebrate your life as a witch, even if you must do so in private. Revel in the pop culture visibility that’s giving us more of a foothold in the “normal” world.

On a personal note, this is the time of year that I do my annual home warding. Part of it has to do with the need to refresh them because of the increased spirit traffic, and part of it has to do with Samhain being an easily-markable holiday. I perform a full altar cleaning, an offering with fire and whiskey to honor my ancestors and my patrons, plus whatever spells I need to do for divination or immediate needs. Then, I do a full ritual to unravel the old wards, clean the place out, and weave new protections that will last until the following year. I do patch them in the interim sometimes, if they need it.

If you have something big to do with your craft, Samhain is a good time for it. Or, if you need a break, it’s a fine time for that too. You’ll know what’s best for you at the time.

This is a season of remembrance. In addition to honoring those who came before, study the history of your chosen craft and of witches in general. Think about what brought you to the craft in the first places, and what keeps you going. If you feel like your inspiration is waning, it’s a good time to find ways of reinvigorating yourself.

Meditate on the year so far. What knowledge have you gained? What do you want to learn next? What do you wish you’d done differently? What has passed out of your life that you’ll miss? What do you remember most fondly?

Meditate on the nature of disguise. What metaphorical masks do you wear? When and where do you feel most like yourself? Is there some part of yourself that you feel compelled to hide, and if so, why? What face would you like to be able to show to the world? Is it maybe time to find ways of living more in the open, or is it safer to keep your mask on for now?

- Hex Positive, Ep. 011, "Secular Celebrations" (November 1, 2020)

Other Posts In This Series:

Imbolc

Spring Equinox

Beltane

Midsummer

Lughnasadh

Autumn Equinox

Samhain

Yule

If you’re enjoying my content, please feel free to drop a little something in the tip jar or check out my published works on Amazon or in the Willow Wings Witch Shop.

(Standard Disclaimer: I am not a physician. This is purely a suggestion and is not meant to circumvent, supersede, or replace modern medicine. Please consult your doctor before trying any new medication or treatment and take all proper mundane measures to care for your health. Avoid or replace any ingredients to which you are allergic.)

This is my favorite recipe for recovering from cold and flu. I made a batch of it this morning for some of my officemates who haven't been feeling well and I thought I would share in case anyone needs a pick-me-up.

You will need:

Black tea (I usually use Earl Grey for this recipe)

Honey (local is best if you can get it)

Ginger paste

A fresh orange

Cinnamon stick (if desired)

Brew the tea on the strong side and fill your favorite mug about 2/3 of the way. Add a pea-sized amount of ginger paste plus honey to taste and stir well. Slice the orange into wedges. Select a piece and prick the rind with a fork before adding it to the cup of tea. Macerate the orange a little to release the juice and pulp. If you want, you can also add a cinnamon stick for flavor.

Breathe in the steam while the tea is hot, then sip slowly once it's cooled to a drinkable temperature. It's best to drink it while it's hot. I find this really helps with cough and sore throat, plus it's tasty and comforting. Nothing like a good cuppa to put oneself right again.

Pro-Tip: If you want to make a decongestant version, add a pinch of cayenne pepper. Your nose will run like a faucet, but it helps.

The use of ginger paste here is a personal preference, since it gives the brew a more zesty flavor and you also get bits of fresh ginger in your cup. It can make the tea a little spicy for some, so definitely season to taste, but fresh ginger is excellent for sore throat, congestion, and sour stomachs.

Lavender Witchcraft

Crafting Queer Magical Practice

Step into the magic of your own identity and embark on an affirming spiritual practice.

For thousands of years, various cultures around the world have drawn connections between magic, spiritual power, and LGBTQ+ identity. This guidebook retraces these ancient connections and weaves them into a secular witchcraft practice deeply rooted in modern queer history and culture. Hands-on practical exercises and thought-provoking discussions serve as guideposts to help queer witches and allies create a spiritual path that is authentic to them, no matter how they identify. Topics covered include elemental magic beyond binary gender, queer planetary magic, spiritual allies for all identities, sample holiday rituals, and more. Through this work, we cast a magic circle inclusive of all bodies and identities.

Coming Aug 25, 2026 from Moon Books. Preorder the paperback here! (Ebook preorders coming soon!)

What people are saying:

'Extremely solid debut from Sam Wise that adds flavor & glitter to even the most well-rehearsed magical rituals. I absolutely loved it and you will too!" 

- Cassandra Snow, editor of Tarot in Other Words and author of Queering Your Craft and Queering the Tarot

"My first impression of this book was that I had stepped into a safe, welcoming space that was inclusive for all. Sam Wise, the author, makes some great points about the dearth of resources for fully queer-friendly spirituality and paganism, which is one of the reasons this book is such an essential read. Sam then lays the foundation with some queer history, showing that a lot of today’s challenges aren’t new at all — as too many members of the queer community know. From simple ways to bring queer energy into your working to understanding the roles of queer magic practitioners throughout history, this book is packed with methods for embracing magic and divinity without indulging heteronormative practices or beliefs.

I love the exploration of liminality as a crossover point between witchcraft and queer being. Witches are on the edge of things as are queer people, both experiencing “othering.” As a queer, autistic witch, I relate to this deeply. As Sam says in the introduction, the metaphorical table everyone wants to be at needs to be bigger so more people can sit and be welcomed. This book takes an important step toward that goal, with one critical aspect being its secular nature; this witchcraft is not faith- or path-specific, but describes practices anyone can enact. Truly, this volume has been an inspiration to embrace my own identity more firmly and hold safe space for those who need it, however they identify or experience love — or magic."

-Mabh Savage, author of Practically Pagan: An Alternative Guide to Planet-Friendly Living and the upcoming The Magic of Birds

"Sam Wise's Lavender Witchcraft serves as a helpful introduction for anyone first embarking on a Witchcraft path, or for those already established upon it who seek examples of how modern Witchcraft can be practiced outside of binary frameworks. This is something that is of benefit to all, regardless one's own identity.

Wise's book is a breath of fresh air for readers within the LGBTQ+ community who yearn for a practice that is inclusive and cognisant of our sacred place in modern witchcraft and how our identities are reflected in the magical natural world around us. This book is also valuable for those outside of the LGBTQ+ community,  highlighting important considerations that anyone in an intentionally inclusive community should be aware of. "

- Olivia Church Ph.D, author of Pagan Portals Isis (2021), Sekhmet (2022), and Osiris (2026)

"This volume is both an approachable introduction to queer Witchcraft and a love letter to queer Witches. As a queer Witch myself, I found myself affirmed throughout the book, and I also found myself thinking about new ways to continue queering my own practice. Sam Wise gives readers a little taste of everything -- from recipes to astrology info to personal stories -- and definitely whets the appetite for more exploration of the queerness of Witchcraft and the Witchiness of queerness."

- Susan Harper, author of Pagan Portals: Feminist Witchcraft

Samhain Altar Ideas & Correspondences

Samhain is the Celtic festival that marks the end of the harvest season and the thinning of the veil between the living and the spirit world. It's a time to honor your ancestors, connect with the spirit world, and plan ahead for months of darkness.

Altar Ideas

Altar Cloth: Choose dark, earthy colors like black, deep purple, or dark green to set the foundation for your altar.

Candles: Black or orange candles represent the energies of Samhain. You can also include white or silver candles for purification and connection to the spirit realm.

Seasonal Fruits: Apples, pomegranates, and grapes are commonly associated with Samhain and can be offered as symbols of the harvest.

Fallen Leaves: Gather fallen leaves, especially those with vibrant autumn colors, to represent the changing seasons and the cycle of life and death.

Acorns and Nuts: These symbolize the potential for new beginnings and growth and can be placed on your altar to honor the harvest.

Pumpkins and Gourds: Decorate your altar with small pumpkins and gourds, which are quintessential symbols of autumn and Samhain.

Ancestral Photos: Include photographs of deceased loved ones to honor and connect with your ancestors.

Ancestral Mementos: Heirlooms, jewelry, or items that belonged to your ancestors can serve as a link to their energy and presence.

Divination Tools: Samhain has historically been a time for divination to predict the upcoming year. Tarot cards, runes, a crystal ball, pendulum, or scrying mirror can be placed on your altar for Samhain divination and communication with the spirit world.

Crystals and Gemstones: Obsidian, onyx, amethyst, or garnet.

Broom (Besom): Place a besom on or near your altar to symbolize the act of sweeping away negativity and making room for positive energy and transformation.

Incense and Smudging Materials: frankincense, myrrh, or sage.

Offering Dishes: Use special dishes or bowls to hold offerings for your ancestors or spirit guides, such as food, drink, or tokens of appreciation.

Seasonal Flowers: Add fresh or dried flowers that are in bloom during the fall, like marigolds, chrysanthemums, asters, or dried lavender.

Personal Letters or Messages: Write letters or messages to your deceased loved ones, expressing your thoughts and feelings. Place these on your altar as a form of communication.

Symbols of Death and Rebirth: Skulls, bones, or representations of the God and Goddess in their transition from one phase to another.

Bells or Wind Chimes: These can be rung to invite and communicate with spirits, serving as a way to signal your intentions and presence.

Samhain Correspondences

Colors: Black, Orange, Red

Deities: The Morrigan, Hecate, Persephone, Cernunnos

Herbs: Mugwort, Cinnamon, Rosemary, Tobacco, Pumpkin Seeds, Rue, Wormwood.

Foods and Offerings: Apples, nuts, pumpkins, mulled cider, pomegranates. A silent dumb supper may be held to celebrate the harvest and connect with departed loved ones.