blessed be ♡

The Self-Exploration Tarot Spread

Who I Am Right Now

My Short Term Goals

My Interests and Passions

My Emotions

My Inner Demons

My Fears

My Drive

My Long Term Goals

My Future Self

Reblog this if y’all wanna talk. It’s honestly so hard to find Christian witches and we need to unite! Idk what will happen with this, but I just want a stronger Christopagan community.

Christian witchcraft

Abrahamic witchcraft

Chaos magick

Folk magic

(I’m trying to become a Christian again, and I kind of feel like I have no idea what I’m talking about or what I want to do here,,, but yeah I want to be more of a Christian witch? If anyone has advice or help, do that too.)

Being a new witch is terrifying.

Some of us start early and don’t realize it until much later.

We where the little children that dug up worms and gathered flowers and collected nice rocks and that read to many books and didn’t belive a single word we read in the Bible (This last thing is a personal statement and experience). And then with sixteen, eighteen, twenty, twenty-five we rediscover magic as a part of our lives.

Some of us don’t start untill we think that it is already to late to start with something new.

We have been doing the same practice for over a decade and it never felt quite right. We have a start-stop relationship with magic. We think it might just not be for us at all.

But now we want to start again from the very beginning and do it right this time.

Meybe you recognize yourself in those statements? Or meybe not.

Whether the above stated fits you down to the blood or not at all. A fact is that you want to be a witch.

You want to practice magic. You want to walk the crocked path. You want it with all your soul. Right?

When you are at this point of knowing that you want to be a witch but not knowing how to be a witch then the internet is your best friend and your worst enemy.

Everyone has their own opinion, their own instructions, their own rules. And none of them feel entirely right.

Don’t curse, curse all you like. Use crystals, use wands, use this, use that. Have an altar, have a garden, have a cat/toad/bird.

But few people ever tell you to start with what you have. To do what feels right for you. To use what is at hand.

Ask yourself: what do I have?

Can I practice openly?

Do I want an altar?

Do I care about any gods? Do I want to worship any gods?

Do I want to use … in my craft?

Is this really what I want to work with or who I want to work with?

Do I really believe this/that will work?

Ask yourself these questions and more! Question everything. Only use in your craft what feels right to you.

Write it down in your diary, your book of shadows, your grimoire, your whatever. Just write it down.

Write: This is awesome! I love it! It works so well for me! I’ll incorporate it into my craft from now on! Have to learn more! Research! Research! Research!

Or: That was terrible! Never again! Not my thing! Oh hell to the no! Nope! Nope! Nope!

Experiment. Fail. Try something else.

Be ready for the failure. Not everything is going to work for you. It doesn’t matter if it works for every other person on the planet, if it doesn’t work for you it doesn’t work for you.

Not everything is going to be available to you either.

You shouldn’t try to force your way into something that’s not meant to be for you. That doesn’t mean you have to be dense about it tho.

Knowledge is attainable. Talent or The Right to something is not.

(Be respectful please. Some aspects of a closed practice or religion should not be used unless you are a part of it)

Also be ready for the Argument™.

Some people will tell you that everything you do is wrong and that the only way to do it right is to do it their way or not at all.

This can be discouraging especially if you are just starting out.

Always remember that people that say things like that aren’t relevant or important.

They don’t want to help you, they just want to be right about something for once in their life.

The point of this post is to tell you that you don’t need a garden full of herbs if you can’t have one. That you don’t need a wand if you can’t make one. That you don’t need 30 different herbs or crystals if you can’t afford them. And that a pot will do just as good a job as any cauldron ever will.

Also:

My pointers for new witches as an overview

Work with what you have

Do what feels right

Use what feels right

Follow your own path

Be ready for failure

Be ready for the Argument ™

It’s never Your craft vs. Someone elses craft

Follow your star, or don’t

Your craft, your choice!

Now go out there and be a witch.

🌿Here are all my cleansing techniques for my deck!

🌻Sorting: sort your cards and let them rest in their suits to ‘reset’. Let them rest for as long as you think they need!

🌿Shuffling: shuffling your cards with no questions in mind helps filter out previously collected energy. I shuffle my cards while watching a movie or listening to music!

🌻Knocking: less common form of cleansing, shuffle your cards and ‘knock’ or tap on the back of the deck! I do this 3 times before using my cards again.

🌿Sun/Moon Cleansing: shuffle or sort your deck and let it rest in sun/moonlight! *Be mindful of bleaching if you leave it in direct sunlight*

Masterpost of Free Gothic Literature & Theory

Classics Vathek by William Beckford Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë The Woman in White  & The Moonstone by Wilkie Collins Carmilla by Joseph Sheridan Le Fanu The Turn of the Screw by Henry James The Monk by Matthew Lewis The Phantom of the Opera by Gaston Leroux Melmoth the Wanderer by Charles Maturin The Vampyre; a Tale by John Polidori Collected Works of Edgar Allan Poe Confessions of an English Opium-Eater by Thomas De Quincey The Mysteries of Udolpho by Ann Radcliffe The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson Dracula by Bram Stoker The Castle of Otranto by Horace Walpole The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde Frankenstein; Or, The Modern Prometheus by Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley

Short Stories and Poems An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge by Ambrose Bierce Songs of Innocence & Songs of Experience by William Blake The Rime of the Ancient Mariner by Samuel Taylor Coleridge The King in Yellow by Robert W. Chambers The Legend of Sleepy Hollow by Washington Irving The Yellow Wallpaper by Charlotte Perkins Gilman

Pre-Gothic Beowulf The Divine Comedy  by Dante Alighieri A Journal of the Plague Year by Daniel Defoe Faust by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe The Tragical History of Doctor Faustus by Christopher Marlowe Paradise Lost by John Milton Macbeth by William Shakespeare Oedipus, King of Thebes by Sophocles The Duchess of Malfi by John Webster

Gothic-Adjacent Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen The Wendigo by Algernon Blackwood Jane Eyre & Villette by Charlotte Brontë Lyrical Ballads, With a Few Other Poems by Coleridge and Wordsworth The Mystery of Edwin Drood by Charles Dickens The Idiot & Demons (The Possessed) by Fyodor Dostoyevsky The Man in the Iron Mask by Alexandre Dumas Moby-Dick by Herman Melville The Island of Doctor Moreau by H. G. Wells

Historical Theory and Background The French Revolution of 1789 by John S. C. Abbott Shakespearean Tragedy: Lectures on Hamlet, Othello, King Lear, Macbeth by A. C. Bradley The Tale of Terror: A Study of the Gothic Romance by Edith Birkhead On Heroes, Hero-Worship, and the Heroic in History by Thomas Carlyle Demonology and Devil-Lore by Moncure Daniel Conway Ancient Pagan and Modern Christian Symbolism by Inman and Newton On Liberty by John Stuart Mill The Social Contract & Discourses by Jean-Jacques Rousseau Feminism in Greek Literature from Homer to Aristotle by Frederick Wright

ok u little twerps I get asked this sm I’m making a master post for this

Basics

Beginner Witch Tips

Witch Terminology

Basics of Astrology

Rituals of Power for the Eight Sabbats

Star Signs

How to do a sigil

Important Lists

Poisonous Herbs

Tarot cheat sheet

Moon Magick Prompts

A List of Basic Herbs

A-Z Incense List and Usage Spell

Witch Tools Meanings, Correspondences, and Uses

Witchy Sources

Christian things (bc the dood who asked me to do the thing is a Christain witch and I don’t wanna make two posts)

Imbolc verses for Christian Witches

Prayers for the Christian Witch

Correspondences

Candle Scent Correspondences

Colors in Magic

Random Stuff

Write Rhymes Easy Peasy

DIY Essential Oil

Grimoire Organization Ideas

How To Clone Your Herbs

Easy Beginner Spells 

A School Spell Jar

Masterpost of Simple Beginner Friendly Potions

Ways to feel more energized

Witch Tip

Memes

Christian Witches be Like:

-The counting or divining of birds in real life or dreams to predict future outcomes for oneself or others

☼ Magpies

Possibly one of the more well known birds to count and divine from especially in the British Isles. Saluting magpies or acknowledging them is a sure way to make sure they do not pass on bad luck to you as they are proud and temperamental creatures.

A popular rhyme to determine how your fate or that of those around you by counting how many magpies you see in a day is as follows: One for sorrow, Two for joy, Three for a girl, Four for a boy, Five for silver, Six for gold, Seven for a secret, Never to be told. Eight for a wish, Nine for a kiss, Ten a surprise you should be careful not to miss, Eleven for health, Twelve for wealth, Thirteen beware it’s the devil himself.

Magpies may also represent these attributes or signs both in dreams and in real life: cunning, resolution, good luck, love, deception, pride, thievery and gossip.

☼ Crows

Likely the most well known bird to divine from, crows have been used in literature, poetry and plays to signify a great many things (though not many of them pleasant). However, seeing a crow or hearing its call may not always be a bad omen- as you will see below.

Crows typically symbolise the following (keep in mind that different cultures view crows in different ways): magick, mystery, death, bad luck, rebirth, change, intelligence, overlooking something, lingering sadness and solitude.

Hearing a crow’s call in the morning may indicate trouble ahead in the day, in the early afternoon indicates a fortuitous day, in the late afternoon it may mean that there is something crucial in the day you have forgotten, in the evening it may mean they are bringing you messages from the spirits and at night it may mean that bad luck is headed your way.

☼Pigeons and Doves

Perhaps the most endearing birds on the list (and personal favourites of mine), pigeons and doves are often overlooked because there are just so many of them around- especially if you live in a city. However, their presence and behaviour is notable when you see them where you might not expect or if they seem particularly keen on being close to you.

Pigeons and doves typically represent the following characteristics, however they are seen as a pest in many cultures so these have been derived from more ancient ideas: adaptation, resilience, meekness, modesty, purity, peace, love, devotion, kindness, embarrassment, sacrifice and discomfort.

If a pigeon or dove is near to you or if one appears seemingly from nowhere, it is typically a good omen and likely means that people have thought positively of you that day. If you see two pigeons or doves fighting however it can indicate that whilst good intentions were meant, a situation has become sour due to misunderstanding and a sacrifice must be made on both sides.

☼Hawks/Birds of Prey

Hawks and BoP are a really common bird in the countryside and wooded areas, although they can sometimes be seen in cities that are close to these areas too. These birds have been used in literature and in divination for a long time and in many cultures represent messengers from the spirit world.

Hawks and Birds of Prey are often thought to represent the following in divination: spirituality, connection to the earth, focus, clear vision, intuition, precision, unseen knowledge, danger, wiseness and elders.

Typically if you see a hawk or BoP it might signify that you are close to gaining knowledge and intellect that was previously unknown to you- that you will likely gain this knowledge through your own intuitive means. However, this knowledge may be dangerous and could lead to unwanted scenarios and situations so caution is advised.

☼ Owls

Owls are sure signposts in divination as they are usually quite rarely seen due to their behaviour. For this reason, seeing an owl can often give you a very straightforward glimpse into future events and emotions. Despite this however, owls are incredibly spiritual birds so making sure to understand their message fully is vital to proper divination and respect for owls.

Owls in tradition and literature have typically been viewed as showing the following things: wisdom, clarity, knowledge, retribution, deceit, a battle in one’s mind, change, death, illusion and transformation.

It is likely that if you see an owl you have been given a special insight through the spirit world to hidden information and wisdom that will guide you for the rest of your life. Omens such as death and deceit should, however, also be noted as key factors in whether your future with this new knowledge will be pleasant or a battle yet to be won.

☼Robins

Robins are beautiful and often shy birds that are found across the world. They often have a beautiful red coloration on their chest and have deep spiritual meanings and connections.

Seeing a robin may indicate the following: good luck, passion, bravery, fleeting love, an accident, a secret admirer, good news, new beginnings, honour, joy, patience and renewal.

If you see a robin it is likely that there is positivity to look forward to in the future, especially in love and in your own self. Expect good news soon that will transform your life, even in the smallest ways, and make it a whole lot better. Although, it is possible that with this positivity comes loss of something dear such as a lover leaving or movement from a path you were sure you would take.

☼ Swans

Swans are another example of birds that are frequently used to divine from, simply because of their clear connotations and meanings. Although they can be temperamental, these birds are very much intertwined with fate and divination as a whole.

When you see a swan it is likely that it may mean one of these things: motherhood, love, devotion, partnership, loyalty, youth, children, pride, dreams, strong emotions, creativity, purity, transformation, jealousy, arrogance and stubbornness.

Swans in dreams and in real life usually mean that a relationship with someone is strengthening or changing in some way, whether it be for better or for worse. Whilst swans do show the positive side to relationships with traits such as loyalty and devotion, they can also show the negative side where jealousy and stubbornness can halt the progress of a blooming connection as doubt becomes the main thing on someone’s mind. Therefore, it should be noted that caution should be taken in divining from swans as all may not be as it seems.

☼Storks

One of the few birds that everyone knows has one meaning in particular. Birth, children, fertility etc show a clear pattern in the meaning behind a stork. Storks however, have some other surprising meanings that may show how ungeneric a stork can be.

Aside from the aforementioned meanings, storks can also represent: regality, longevity, fidelity, purity, prosperity, protection, good luck, renewal, moving on, femininity, war, greed, theft, sin and cleansing of sin.

Many of a stork’s meanings have to do with key traits we typically want to see in ourselves. Storks may represent what we long for in life and that eventually, we will achieve it. Its negative meanings may show what we have to go through in order to get to where we want to be with ourselves as we learn how to overcome adversity and challenge ourselves to be better. Tossing aside negativity, prejudice, hate and fear seem to be the goals that storks typically entail.

These are just a few birds you can divine from but there are so many more with lots of different meanings like hummingbirds, kingfishers, cuckoos etc.

I hope this brief list has helped and if you have any questions please feel free to ask.

Crafts

quilting

embroidery

cross-stitch

knitting

crochet

sewing

Cooking and Baking

homemade bread

homemade butter

homemade extracts

dandelion jelly

Canning

26 canning recipes

canning jars 101

60 canning recipes

Gardening

edible trees to plant

what to plant to save the bees

cure and braid garlic

save seeds for next year

braid onions for long term storage

build a greenhouse

Animals

homemade chicken feed

raising mealworms for chickens

why to raise nigerian dwarf goats

Outdoors

starting a fire with sticks

trail signs

knotting

find true north without a compass

Medicine

homemade neosporin

So I was looking out my window and saw two birds and the idea of making a list of symbolism associated with types of birds came to mind. My mom always taught me if you see an animal -especially if they are doing something out of the ordinary- you should take it as an omen. So here’s a list of some basic birds, some of the associations are personal but I hope you like it!

Blue Jay-the truth will be revealed, high energy, playfulness, clarity and communication.

Cardinal-hope, joy, good health, some associate them with angels or deceased love ones, passion and warmth.

Crow-often associated with magic and witches, transformation, power, intelligence and mystery. 

Duck-friendships, new friends, happiness, good fortune and protect against negative energies “water off a ducks back” :)

Dove-peace, harmony, joy, love, might be telling you to break away from a toxic situation, think positive, often associated with Aphrodite or Jesus or Angels

Eagle-power, leadership, freedom, adventure, breaking free.

Hawk- common as spirit guides, courage, protection, and awareness. 

Hummingbird- I adore hummingbirds and often associate them with faeries. Creativity, joy, love and beauty. Can be a sign that you are moving too fast in life and need to take a break.

Magpie-Magpies represent duality because seeing them can be really good or really bad, I know it’s confusing :/ Seeing a magpie can be a good luck omen and new oppurtunities will appear. They also represent illusion and trickery, maybe someone is being a two-faced friend to you. 

Owl- wisdom, associated with the goddess Athena, intuition, spiritual exploration, change, observation and intelligence.

Raven- associated with the nordic god Odin, mystery, magic, fae magic, knowledge, mischieve, and can be seen as a death omen (but can also mean change) 

Robin- luck, prosperity, good things will happen, joy and your hard work will soon be rewarded. 

Sparrow- associated with Aphrodite, new love and relationships, fertility, team work, time of productivity and stop procrastinating.

Stork-long life, prosperity, fertility, new life, wisdom, take time to relax, motherhood and luck.

Swan- also associated with Aphrodite and Apollo, gracefulness, beauty, music, poetry, creativity, loyalty, and long lasting relationships.

Vulture-death, cleaning up other people’s messes, renewal, patient, use your resources and be perceptive.

Woodpecker- hard work, take advantage of new oppurtunities, attention, progress and determination.

So I’m at the beach right now and all week I have seen this older man walking up and down the beach. He wears the same blue green shorts and is always looking in the water for something although he never picks anything up. His skin is so tan and wrinkled from (probably) years on the beach and he has a white trimmed beard. And he never interacts with ANYONE. My family and I kept joking that he was going to be “important for my quest”.

So today, I saw this fish that I wasn’t really sure what it was and I was discussing it with my brother and mom. The old man stopped and told me what type of fish it was (saltwater catfish). He also let me know that the fish was dying because it was probably hit by a larger fish. He didn’t acknowledge anyone but me, and was so kind about it. I said thank you and continued on about my day.

So as I walked down the shore I kept seeing dead fish. Which as someone who is privy to the Universe sending signs I was freaking out a bit. Which let me say, at this moment, I no longer saw the old man.

Later in the afternoon I decided to go paddle boarding. One thing you should know about me is that I have extreme thalassophobia, which is the fear of the ocean or deep bodies of water. I try really hard to get over this all the time but it is extremely hard. I thought that paddle boarding was a fun way of helping me overcome this fear. Lemme say I was so wrong lol.

So I’m on the board and I am failing to paddle. I am a very small and weak girl who enjoys movies, not exercise. So this was a struggle. The waves kept pulling me out and I was starting to panic because I couldn’t see the bottom. I was on the verge of a panic attack it was so bad. 

Then out of fucking nowhere, the old man calls out to me. He’s telling me how to paddle (although I am still failing). Then he starts walking out to sea to meet me, and it was the most magical thing I have ever seen. Most people walk out in the ocean and have to balance themselves against the waves. This man was one with the water. He walked through as if the water wasn’t there. Then he got to me and held the board completely still among the waves. Not to mention the water had quite a few jellies and not one stung him. I noticed he wore a necklace with three charms, although the only one I really made out looked like a compass.

He taught me how to paddle, and spoke of the gondolas in Venice and the Native Americans canoes and how they would row hundreds of years ago. It was like he had been there. I am generally very wary of older or strange men, but there was something about him that was unearthly and calming. 

I thanked him profusely and he continued to walk down the beach after that. I later found so many whole sand dollars it was almost unreal. 

Writing this I realize how fantastical it sounds, and I am still in awe that this happened. I think before I leave I want to talk to him one more time, because I strongly believe he was something special. 🌊

In case you guys need proof:

~into beauty magick, glamour magick, or love magick

~somewhere between 14-25

~teenage witches

~worship hellenic dieties; especially Aphrodite, Athena, Persephone, or Hecate

~lgbt+

~into sigils, tarot, crystals, candles, altars