Wicca tips

No matter what path you follow as in witchcraft are, chances are you have some sort of sacred space. If you are a witch whose practice is part of your religious beliefs, this might be a place to communicate with your deities. If you work with spirits, this could be a place where honor your ancestors. Non-religious witches like myself often use altars as a space where they can connect with their magical and spiritual sides. Even though we all share this desire to have a place all our own dedicated to our craft. 

That doesn’t mean we all need the same type of space. Whether you are a new witch who can’t show off your craft publicly (we’ve all been there) or just a witch who isn’t really into the more standard altar table setup, there are plenty of options for customizing and creating an altar space that meets your needs.

Window Altars

One easy way to create an altar is to take up a windowsill. Depending on the arrangement of the room you’re using, your personal preference, and the space available, the size of this type of altar varies. 

This generally small altar space can be good for witches in the broom closet and green witches who like to keep their altars populated with plant friends. Because it is literally a window to the outside, these altars are also great places for charging things like crystals, spells, and water under the light of the moon. 

Benefits:

Good for altars that are heavily planted (hello, sunlight!)

Generally discreet

Keeps your altar space contained (for all us witches that do not know when to quit)

Garden Altars

While pretty much any altar can include plants, there is something else to say for an altar that is almost completely plants. If you have some space indoors, why not design a witch’s garden that doubles as an altar space?

A small tray planted with succulents with offering bowls and candle dishes set into the soil and crystals scattered around can be a unique, and even moveable altar! You could also use potted plants so that you can change the arrangement or plants out whenever you need a refresh.

Benefits:

Deeply connected to nature and the earth

Pluck herbs for spells right off your altar

Generally pretty moveable

Bath Altars

If you love bath magic as much as I do, you’re a water witch, or your bathroom is one of your most sacred places (self-care anyone?), a bath altar could be the perfect thing to give your craft a physical home.

We’ve all seen those pictures of wooden tray tables for baths surrounded by eucalyptus and candles. Add a statue of your deity (or a symbol of something important to your craft), some crystals (check how your crystals are affected by water and humidity first!), and some jars of your favorite things to mix into bath spells, and your bath altar is set.

Benefits:

The perfect place to combine witchcraft and self-care

Perfect for witches that incoroporate the water element in their craft a lot

Magic really does belong in every room in the house

Travel Altars

If you tend to practice on a whim rather than waiting to be in a specific place or if you need to be able to stash your altar quickly, a travel altar is perfect. These altars can be fit into matchboxes, Altoids tins, jewelry boxes, and even hollowed out books! If you can carry it with you and find supplies small enough to fit, anything goes. (I’ve even seen locket altars!)

Some witches will create multiple travel altars for different purposes or focuses, but don’t feel like you need to collect them if that’s not your thing.

Benefits:

Small and discreet, it’s hard to make a mess with these

Very customizable (and easy to have multiples of!)

Perfect for witches in the broom closet

Virtual Altars

Tech witches, I haven’t forgotten you. If you’ve been following me for a bit, then you might know that I threw out the idea a while ago about a altar lockscreen/wallpaper for your phone/tablet/etc. Now that I’ve talked to some tech witches, I know this is actually a pretty sound idea! 

Whether you commision an artist or design one yourself, a lock screen wallpaper for an electronic device (you could even go as big as a laptop with a touch screen!) could make the perfect altar for a tech witch. Even if you decide not to use it as a wallpaper, designing an image that serves as an altar and opening it in GIMP or Photoshop where you can create additional layers for placing other virtual elements could be useful.

Benefits:

Travel friendly

Can be synced across devices, so your altar is always with you

Easy to change and “redecorate” throughout the year

Paper Altars

(This incredible paper altar was created by Stella Witchcraft! Please click here to check out their full post and their blog!)

Similar to a virtual altar, a paper altar is a portable, customizable altar. Many witches choose to include paper altar setups in their grimoires, but there’s nothing stopping you from making larger paper altars with poster paper that can be rolled up and stored away.

If paper altars are attractive to you, don’t be deterred if you aren’t an artist! Minimalism in paper altars is perfectly fine. You can always outline your altar with symbols or even words alone. If you’re happy with it, it is perfect. You don’t have to meet any requirements for aesthetic or any other witch’s expectations.

There you have it! Of course, there are so many more types of altars, and even table altars can be created to fit your own personal needs. If you’re attracted to more than one of these, why not try combining the elements that call to you to make something entirely your own? The possibilities are endless.

 “Nature understands fire and smoke better than words.” -Alfred Savinelli, Plants of Power 

Smudging or smoke cleansing is the burning of certain herbs and flowers to create a cleansing smoke bath which is used to purify negative energies on yourself, in your home, or objects.

But which herbs/flowers can you use and what are their purifying properties? Well here is a list that I have put together for all us baby witches!

Herbs

Sage: The use of sage is for healing. The smoke is used to bless, cleanse and heal the person or object being smudged. 

Cedar:  Cedar is for protection. Cedar is commonly used to cleanse a home or place when first moving in, inviting unwanted spirits to leave and protecting a person, place or object from unwanted influences. 

Juniper: Juniper is said to have a masculine, protective energy, and is used for cleansing and prosperity. Juniper is best used for blessing a new venture or dwelling, and inviting in abundance.

Sweetgrass: It is said that this plant is the breath of the Earth Mother, bringing the blessing of the Earth mother’s love because of its sweet vanilla scent. Sweetgrass is used for healing, purification, and for bring positive energy into ones home. 

Lavender: Lavender is used to invite spirits. Some people regard lavender as a safeguard to ward against evil. Lavender is often used to bring in an air of calm.

Basil: Basil is seen as as a symbol of fertility and is considered to be the protector of family, so burning Basil will help relieve negativity from your home.

Rosemary: Rosemary clears negativity, inspires confidence, and invigorates the mind and body.  Rosemary isa symbol of remembrance and is an aid to strengthen and fortify the memory. Rosemary is also good for preventing nightmares.

Pine: Pine is used for cleansing, healing and strengthening. It also acts as a natural insect repellent, too!

Thyme: Burning Thyme cleanses your space while also inviting in positivity and courage. Smudging your home with thyme dispels melancholy, hopelessness and other mellow but negative energy.

Fennel: This seems to be an odd one for many people, but the Fennel sprigs are actually really good for smudging because of its association with longevity, courage and strength. It wards off negative energies by its purifying properties and provides protection to the human energy field while fortifying healthy boundaries.   

Mugwort: Mugwort is burned to encourage dreams and visions. When burned before bedtime, it aids in restful sleep and pleasant dreams. It is also used in purification and to bring calm energies into your home.

Frankincense:  Frankincense is considered to cleanse and protect the soul. Frankincense is said to ease depression and promote clairvoyance. 

Flowers

Roses: The roses help  with attracting love and enhancing a romantic environment. It is also used for meditation and encouraging peace. Also excellent for meditation, divination, increasing psychic abilities, contacting powers and beings in other dimensions and psychic communication.

Hibiscus: Used  in divination and psychic communication. Excellent for rejuvenating the senses and restoring one’s life force.

Yerba Santa Leaves:  Used for enhancing psychic abilities, magical protection, healing and spiritual strength. Excellent for meditation and divination.

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🌲 How to celebrate YULE  🌲

I thought to create a post about how to celebrate yule and also what you can do now that yule is approching! 

Make little wreaths out of juniper, pine, or cedar!

You can make your own christmas ornaments with oranges and apples and cinnamon sticks (along with cloves too, here’s a good tutorial on it! just click here)

Make a wishing cone! While I couldn’t find too much info on it, I believe you put wishes into the cone (you can add some herbs to enhance it) and then you light it or put it in a fire. However you could also just light a candle and put your wish upon paper and burn it. Cast it out into water and pour the water/ashes outside.

Make a witches ball for yule! And for for the coming new year so good things come!

Make yule tea, here’s a good blog that shows you how to make it, just click here

Make Cedar smudge sticks! Pine or juniper will also do, along with sage of course.

Make a yule altar

Coming to a end I have a couple of helpful links to tumblrs here!

Winter Witchcraft

witch’s harvest sangria

Yule Resource Masterpost

Magic symbol of the triple moon favorite all the witches! I often make it on the cover of the Grimoires. Do you know what it means?

🌛The maiden.

Represented by the new waxing moon. The maiden embodies purity, youth, creation, pleasure, naivety, and new beginnings. The maiden invites you to explore your spirituality, creativity, and desires.

🌝The mother.

Represented by the full moon. The mother embodies love, fertility, nourishment, responsibility, patience, power, and self-care. The mother invites you to master giving and receiving love.

🌜The crone.

Represented by the fading waning moon. The crone embodies fulfillment, endings, wisdom, death, and culmination. The crone invites you to accept that without death there is no birth.

Home Cleaning Spell

Items needed:

Bell, White Candle, Candle Container

Hearth Ash

Lavender Buds (or another herb to represent yourself)

Tea Leaves (from tea consumed by members of the home)

Dried Eucalyptus

White Pine resin

Combine in a bowl or container the dry spell ingredients. For health: Cinnamon, lavender buds. For Peace: Tea Leaves, lavender buds, (white candle), For Protection: Eggshells, pine resin (winter protection) For the home & self: Hearth ash, tea leaves, lavender buds (or another herb to represent yourself)

Using a wand or athame, stir ingredients diocile, chanting:

"Health for my home

Peace tor home

Protection for my home"

In a number of 3, 6 or 9 or whatever number feels right.

Place mixture in a candle-safe container. Rest your candle on the mixture.

If you choose to dress your candle, tea tree oil or eucalyptus are suggested.

***Be aware of fire safety! Herbs and oils can be flammable!***

As you perform normal household cleaning begin with the lowest level in your house. Carry with you the candle & bell into the first room. Light the candle and ring te bell 3 times, chanting again:

"Health for my home

Peace for my home

Protection for my home"

Leave the candle burning in a SAFE place as you clean that room, then move on to the next room. Repeat chanting and bell ringing for each room until the whole house is clean and cleansed.

When finished, either allow the candle to burn down all the way...

***Again, FIRE SAFETY!!!***

Or put it out, as you normally would.

Happy cleansing! 🖤🏡🔮

As Yule passes and the new year is beginning, I have a spell I enjoy using this time of year as it brings good things to come whilst helping to remember and learn from the past.

1) Think of what you want to manifest in your life, and the hardships that you have endured to make it as far as you have. Be proud, you’ve made it so far and will go much further.

2) Say the following:

As the sun warms my skin,

May it heal me within.

As the dark slowly leaves,

May I remember the night’s mysteries

As the wheel turns once more,

A collection of categorized links for your Yule needs! What is Yule? [X] Yule is celebrated on slightly different days depending on who you ask, but the broad spectrum is: December 20th to January 1st.

 The basics:

Elements, foods, crystals and more! / Yule correspondences

Celebrating Yule

Yule: A very merry sabbat

Yule - ‘tis the season

Yule practices

50 Yuleisms

Yule Crafts:

Yule potpourri recipe

Witch balls / more witch balls

A twelve-herb sachet for Yule

Mini herb wreaths

Yule log

Yule craft ideas

Pine protection balm

Dried orange slices

Yule Recipes:

Herbal shortbread

Bread dipping oil

Chocolate yule log

Yuletide muesli

Yule tea

Yule Punch

Non-alcoholic mulled wine

Winter sabbat wine

Yule Spells:

Merry Yule jar spell / Let it snow! jar spell

Yule bath spell

Blessed Yule - For a positive holiday season

Spell for a happy family gathering

Happiness sachet for winter

Holiday home blessings

Bringing in the season

Yule Tarot Spreads:

Yule spread (3 card)

Tarot spread for Yule (3 card)

Winter solstice spread (3 card)

Yule reflection + advice spread (5 card)

A Yuletime tarot spread (6 card)

Other:

Music ideas / Yule playlist / Winter witch playlist

Altar/celebration ideas / Yule altar guide

Yule plants / Mistletoe Lore

Yule oils/incense / Yule incense

Emoji spell for a merry Yule

Make a representation of 2016 and burn it

Perform a divinatory reading for the upcoming year

Do a spell or ritual to achieve your goals in 2017

New Year’s Spell Jar

The lunar phase on December 31st will be waxing crescent, which is great for growth, wealth, prosperity, luck, and attraction

Collect moon water during the waxing crescent moon for later use

Cleanse your space to make room for positive energy in 2017

Incense: anise, cedarwood, dragon’s blood, pine, rosemary, sage, sandalwood, thyme

Essential oils (for cleansing sprays): camphor, eucalyptus, grapefruit, lemon, lime, peppermint, spearmint, tangerine (plus any of the incense scents mentioned above that are also available in the form of essential oils)

Perform a ritual bath to cleanse yourself of any negativity from 2016 and to promote positivity, happiness, luck, and wealth in 2017

Refresh & Renew Shower/Bath Sachet

Eat cabbage and black-eyed peas for prosperity and good luck

Make a charm to promote good health and positivity for yourself and your loved ones, pets included!

Altar Set-ups

Here’s a few random altars I created to show you all some of the possible variations one might encounter, and maybe inspire some of your own ideas for altar creation.

The elements represented according to their position in reference to the points of the pentacle

From the top, going clockwise: aether/spirit, water, fire, earth, air

The elements represented according to cardinal direction: earth, air, fire, water

A more dolled up version of #2, featuring some classic magickal tools (wand, pentacle, dagger; I’m lacking a censer so I have an herb bundle in its place)

A lunar altar, primarily featuring selenite, with a silver candle on the shelf above it

The first three images show altars that are commonly seen in the Wiccan tradition, but could easily be used in a secular manner to represent elemental energy, or to represent the elements for ceremonial workings. These altars include a ball of selenite to represent aether, a jar of salt to represent earth, an herb bundle meant for besmoking or recaning to represent air, a red candle to represent fire, and a small perfume bottle filled with spring water to represent, well, water.

The last altar, the lunar altar, is one I came up with on the fly. It has no set design, but also no boundaries. I simply organized it in such a way where I used tools that represent its purpose - in this case, it could be used for spells that involve lunar energy, or lunar deity worship. Aside from that, I keep so much selenite on my altar because of its ability to absorb negative energy.

My personal rule of thumb for setting up “eclectic” altars, or altars like the lunar one that don’t follow a particular format, is to include objects that represent your intent or desire, and tools that will help you achieve your goal.

I also think that altars should be neat and clean, perhaps wiped off with moon water or blessed water before beginning any spell or ritual work. A cluttered space tends to lead to a foggy mind, which is not conducive for spellwork. You do you, but that’s my personal experience.

Cultural appropriation

don’t incorporate the practices of closed cultures into your craft - it’s not your place to do so; this includes “smudging,” the use of dream catchers when obtained from non-natives, engaging in practices that are exclusive to poc if you are not a poc, etc.

Stereotyping 

don’t buy into the idea that all witches are evil, female, worship the devil, are wiccan, etc.

on the same note, if you follow the wiccan ideology of the rule of three and “harm none” and all that jazz, don’t assume that everyone follows your path because, and this might be shocking to you, we don’t

Over-harvesting

refrain from using herbs that are endangered, threatened, or even sacred to some cultures, such as white sage or palo santo

there is always an alternative and an endless amount of herbs you can use in place of the popular ones you see floating around the internet

Purposely posting harmful information

before you freak out, hear me out: there is so much awful information out there, and part of me wants to believe that these people just don’t know any better but the other part of me knows that they legit believe in things like essential oils as a cure, and that vaccinations and healthcare providers are evil

don’t be that person

know that science and witchcraft can exist in the same world, and that you should not ignore medical advice in lieu of a magickal cure

Content theft 

even if you’re saving things for your own use at a later date, tumblr has this nifty feature in which you can “reblog” things rather than save them and reupload them yourself - don’t repost, reblog 

also please don’t screenshot popular posts and reupload them to places like instagram, pinterest, or facebook; rather, reblog our posts or find our instagram accounts to follow and support the original creators

it may seem utterly ridiculous, but believe it or not, content authors like myself put a ton of work into the stuff we post here - don’t think that because you reuploaded our work elsewhere that you’re “doing us a favor” and “helping to spread information” because you’re absolutely not

if you see content theft, please tell OP so they can report it and help put an end to the seemingly never ending content theft in this community

Gatekeeping

know that your path will likely differ from the next witch, and understand that there’s a difference between belittling someone for their beliefs and having a mature, educated discussion about it

the same goes for correcting actual misinformation or information that can be deemed harmful

it’s 100% okay to have different beliefs than what you see presented here on tumblr, just don’t be a dick about it

don’t like emoji spells? don’t use them. not a wiccan? who cares. perform curses? great!

A little anti-depression spell jar I made the other day 💕

I used:

- Roses for self-love

- Lavender for healing

- Clear quartz for balancing emotions and purifying the aura and soul

- Citrine for increasing self-esteem and focus

- Himalayan pink salt for personal empowerment, healing emotional wounds, and dissolving self-doubt

- Spearmint for transformation

- Thyme for driving away negativity

- Lemon verbena for self-improvement

Keep it somewhere with lots of light like a windowsill or porch ☀

Most people are reblogging an ask I answered long ago about offerings to give to the dead. It’s long overdue, but I’ve finally typed it up into an actual cohesive post.

~ Herbs ~ 

Lavender, for peace in passing on

Thyme, to give peace to those who have died from violence

Apple, a common Irish symbol for the dead, which I often give to my ancestors 

Pomegranates, myth of Persephone and all that

Rosemary, for remembrance

Myrrh, commonly used in necromancy, also used to give off good vibes

Chervil, often used in rituals for the dead

Mugwort, usually used to aid divination and communication with the dead. I also give it as an offering

Bay, same as mugwort (my mentality is that these herbs will help “send” the offerings to the dead)

Lemonbalm, for peace and healing

Wormwood, to strengthen the communication with the dead, as well as healing and revenge

Frankincense, a traditional herb (usually incense) to honor the dead

~ Flowers ~ 

Calendula, for blessings and eternal love

Rose petals (or the flower) for love and healing

Marigolds, perfect for ancestor worship (as well as spirit work salves and tea)

Lilies, for a sense of security and togetherness; ideal for children

Orchids, for balanced emotions and adoration; ideal for former lovers

Daisies, also ideal for former lovers and lost family members

Tulips, to spread happiness

Dandelions, ideal for connecting with certain spirits (especially when drunk as a tea)

~ Liquids ~

Water, a traditional offering for the dead, often left out for passing spirits

Wine or other alcohol

Juice, namely pomegranate or beet

Oils, such as olive oil, pomegranate oil, coconut, almond, vinegar

~ Other ~

Stones or crystals

Coins

Tobacco (I also know some people who use cigarette smoke or ashes)

Grains, traditionally brown bread

Meat

Candles, namely dark colored or earth-toned

Cleaning up graveyards, placing offerings on graves and speaking to them also makes a great offering

Song and music

Anything personal to the person you’re sending the offering to

~ What to do with the Offerings ~

Burn herbs or flowers (safely) with a written message to “send” the offering to the soul

Leave coins, flowers or herbs on the grave

Pour liquid into the earth, or leave them out in a bowl

Leave offerings out as a “standing offering” for the dead who pass through (idea from @arachnospooky)

Full Moon Dates.

🌕 Full moon : Jan 21

🌕 Full moon : Feb 19

🌕 Full moon : Mar 20

🌕 Full moon : Apr 19

🌕 Full moon : May 18

🌕 Full moon : Jun 17

🌕 Full moon : Jul 16

🌕 Full moon : Aug 15

🌕 Full moon : Sep 14

🌕 Full moon : Oct 13

🌕 Full moon : Nov 12

🌕 Full moon : Dec 12

Sabbat Festivals.

🕯 Imbolc - Candlemas : Feb 1

🌸 Ostara - Vernal Equinox : Mar 20

🔥 Beltane - Mid Spring : May 1

☀️ Litha - Summer Solstice : Jun 21

🌾 Lammas - Harvest Festival : Aug 1

🍁 Mabon - Autumnal Equinox : Sep 21

🎃 Samhain - All Hallows’ Eve : Oct 31

❄️ Yule - Winter Solstice : Dec 21

Celestial Signs.

♑️ Capricorn : Dec 22 - Jan 19

♒️ Aquarius : Jan 20 - Feb 18

♓️ Pisces : Feb 19 - Mar 20

♈️ Aries : Mar 21 - Apr 19

♉️ Taurus : Apr 20 - May 20

♊️ Gemini : May 21 - Jun 20

♋️ Cancer : Jun 21 - Jul 22

♌️ Leo : Jul 23 - Aug 22

♍️ Virgo : Aug 23 - Sep 22

♎️ Libra : Sep 23 - Oct 22

♏️ Scorpio : Oct 23 - Nov 21

From an ask I received. 

Channel lunar energy and store it in a crystal for later use

Make moon water

Perform any spells for manifestation, power, enlightenment, strong emotions, charging, cleansing, and even banishing

Leave offerings for the moon

Cleanse and charge all of your witchy stuff

Cleanse and recharge yourself in general

Cleanse your home

Put up new wards or renew wards that are currently in place

Take a ritual bath using herbs and oils that represent the moon (jasmine, lemon, sandalwood, honeysuckle, for example)

For everyone with mental and physical stuff that they have to take medication for! I’m both mentally and chronically ill and take a LOT of meds each day. There’s so much negativity about magic and meds, so let’s find a way to incorporate both into your life! <3

Pill bottles:

Charge the bottles (while empty), the bowl you place your dose in, or your pill organizer in the sun or moon

Decorate them to look more witchy! Don’t cover up important labels. [X]

Draw sigils on the bottom to help minimize side effects and so you don’t forget a dose!

Use empty bottles for anything witchy (spell bottles, herb storage, etc.) [X]

Place crystals or herbs around/on the bottle

Use color correspondences - doodle on the lid or bottom

Meds:

Keep in cool pill boxes

Whisper an enchantment or blessing over them for desired effects (easy to swallow, less side effects, doing their job, etc.)

Think or say an affirmation with each one (I say so many affirmations a day!)

Take with (drinking safe) moon water or infused water.

Also use a cool cup, could be decorated, covered in sigils, using color correspondences, and more!

Coat your pills with honey before taking them to sweeten up your life

IV treatments and injections (no needle mentions):

Listen to witchy music

Draw healing/soothing sigils

Keep crystals in your pocket or bag

Bring infused water with you (if using herbs, check for interactions)

Bring a spell bottle/sachet to your treatment for good vibes, quick healing, minimal pain, and the like.

Sigils on the band-aid!

You may also like…

This post!

“My medications work as intended” and “My medications aid me” sigils

Well being in a pill bottle spell

Spoonie witch masterpost

Chronically ill + Mentally ill witchcraft: For your symptoms

Tips for taking meds