the blog of an ecclectic witch

All of my spoonie, disabled, chronically ill, mentally ill, accessible and low-energy witch posts!

These are meant to supplement medication, medical care, and professional treatment. You do not have my permission to use these as a sole alternative for those methods. Please be responsible with your health.

”What’s a Spoonie Witch?”

Spoon theory

~Updated July, 2020~

Click the original post to check for updates!

Bedridden witch:

Bedridden witch - Original edition

Bedridden witch  - Nature edition

Bedridden witch  - Worship edition

Bedridden witch - Divination edition

Bedridden witch - Stale energy edition

Bedridden witch - Elements edition

Bedridden witch - Pastel edition

Bedridden witch - Kitchen edition

Bedridden witch - Winter edition

Bedridden witch - Ocean edition

Bedridden witch - Love edition

Bedridden witch - Weather edition

Bedridden witch - Garden edition

Bedridden witch - Bath edition

Bedridden witch - Wheel of the Year edition

Bedridden witch - Discreet edition

Bedridden witch - The setup

Bedridden witch series (all linked in separate post)

Tips and tricks:

Witchcraft in the Hospital

Witchcraft & Meds

Tips for taking meds

Low energy devotional tip

Bath magic made easy

Witchy things for spoonie students

Cleansing (via your phone)

Charging crystals: My version [X] Simple version [X]

For when you can’t sleep

My daily routine

A tip for using salves

Chronic migraine relief

Brainfog lifting

Limited hand mobility + witchcraft

Witchcraft + Aphantasia

Nonverbal witchcraft

Witchcraft for the Chronically Fatigued

Low energy cleaning + cleansing

Other:

Chronically ill witchcraft: For your symptoms

Mentally ill witchcraft: For your symptoms

Spoonie sigils: (Pain and Symptoms) / (Energy/Motivation and Mental Illness) / (Healing and Misc.)

Spoonie sigils: previous version

Small devotional acts (for the Greek + Roman pantheon)

Some gentle reminders [X] [X]

How I recovered from depression influenced by chronic illness

Dealing with the emotions that come with a diagnosis and some advice I wish I’d gotten

Low energy plants

Magic to replenish energy

Periods suck. Witchcraft helps.

Sick witchery

A WITCH’S COZY BUTTERNUT WINTER SOUP

This soup is sooooo good! It really puts me in the spirit for yule, and the ending of fall, into the transition of winter. Stir in a clockwise motion to bring cozy vibes into your houses atmosphere and dance to some winter songs to release stagnate energy from a days hard work! P.S. Yule Log Cake recipe coming up in a few day so look out for that !

Ingredients:

1 large butternut squash

1 large yellow onion

2 tbsp brown sugar

1 red pepper

2 cloves garlic

Salt and Pepper

1 tbsp tomato paste

1 sweet potato

3 cups chicken stock 

Sprigs of thyme and rosemary

2 (28 oz) cans whole tomatoes 

2 tbsp olive oil

1 tbsp cinnamon

½ tsp ground ginger

¼ tsp ground cloves

½ tsp cayenne pepper

Directions:

1. Preheat your oven to 375 F. Cut your butternut squash in half and scoop out the seeded part. Do the same for your red pepper and sweet potato. Brush with olive oil and season with the spices listed above. Bake for 1 ½ hours. 

2. In a deep large pot, cook your onions and garlic until fragrant and translucent. Transfer that into a large food blender and add your tomatoes, pepper, flesh of your butternut squash and the insides of your sweet potato. Blend until very smooth and transfer back into the pot.

3. Add more seasoning to taste, chicken stock, and your sprigs of thyme and rosemary. Bring to a boil over high heat. Then turn it down to a lower heat, cover, and let simmer for at least 30 minutes. 

Yule bannock were cooked during the Winter Solstice in Scotland. They were shortbreads made in the shape that reminded the sun. We use to eat them during the shortest day of the year to celebrate the return of the Sun and that from that day the days are growing longer again! I discovered this recipe in a very old book "Scot's Kitchen by F McNeil" and I took the liberty to adapt it to make it magical as well. I added orange zest for joy and love, whisky to help banish negative energies for the upcoming new year and oats for money and prosperity!

For 8 persons

Preparation: 15 minutes

Cooking: 50 minutes

Ingredients

200g room temperature butter

100g sugar

1/2 teaspoon salt

200g flour

50g rice flour

50g oatmeal

Zest of 1 orange finely grated

1 tablespoon of single malt whisky (works with brandy or rhum as well)

Recipe

Pre-heat oven 160°C/ 320°F

In a big bowl mix flour, rice flour salt, orange zest and oatmeal together.

In an other bowl mix the sugar and the butter together until well combined. Then, add the mix to the flour and add the whisky. Mix everything quickly with your hands until roughly combined in a ball.

Line a baking tray with baking sheet (or just use butter) then with your hands make a disc of roughly 20cm diameter and 2cm height. I like to use a tart cercle as guide but it's not mandatory. Then I pinch the edge between my thumb and index to make some imprints.

Cook in the oven for 10 minutes at 160°C/ 320°F then 50 minutes at 140°C/ 280°F

As soon as the shortbread is out of the oven, use a ruler and divide it in 8 with a knife but don't cut through it to keep the bannock round.

Let it cool on a rack and eat it!

Notes

🌲Yuletide Simmer Pot🌲

I know I’m a few days early but I wanted to welcome the season in a little earlier than usual; plus I wanted to do some spell work too after the week I’ve had at work so yeah!

❄️ Ingredients ❄️

Winter has arrived! It can be a beautiful time of year for many, full of festivities and the Solstice. It is also an invitation for colder and darker days, seasonal affective disorder, and isolation. This is a list of stones I think work nicely in battling the winter blues. Happy holidays and new years everyone!🤎🌟

Carnelian / positive thoughts, courage, and vitality

Chrysocolla / communication + expression of self, gentleness + power, calms + cleanses ones energies

Citrine / abundance, manifestation, personal will, mental strength + clarity of thought

Emerald / setting boundaries, compassion, healing + transformation

Green Aventurine / good luck, optimism + aids in embracing challenging issues, vitality, growth

Hematite / protective shield, vibrational ascension, grounding + balance

Larimar / good for stressful situations, calming + cooling, soothing to the spiritual + emotional self, enhanced communication

Lepidolite / alleviate depression, emotional healing + balance, serenity, purification

Peridot / harmony, compassion, increase of joy + emotional well being, prosperity

Pink Tourmaline / relationship building, emotional healing(tourmaline in particular is great for older wounds), soothing energy, aids in releasing stress, worries, depression + anxiety

Pyrite / gratitude, manifestation, creating harmony, vitality + willpower, confidence + ambition

Rose Quartz / emotional healing, release of tension + stress, love, gentleness + compassion, calming

Sunstone / happiness, benevolence, expanded consciousness, abundance of blessings, strength

Sources: The Book of Stones[Revised + Expanded Edition] by Robert Simmons + Naisha Ahsian

An online collection of pdf books, feel free to send or add more links!

Cunningham’s Encyclopedia of Wicca in the Kitchen

The Whole Enochian Dictionary

Dubuis, Jean - Mineral Alchemy (volumes: 1, 2, 3, 4)

Buckland’s Complete Book of Witchcraft

Hyatt, Christopher S. - The Black Book volumes + more

My craft changed significantly following my ADHD diagnosis almost 4 years ago. I was suddenly given this new frame of reference that helped me understand that I wasn't struggling because I was wrong/bad/lazy, but because I wasn't using the right tool set. With this new awareness, I was able to adjust my practice in order to best fit my brain, rather than exhaust myself trying to do things the way you're "supposed to".

Important Note: I'm ADHD, specifically the combination inattentive/hyperactive presentation. But I do experience a lot of the symptoms that fall under the overlap between ADHD & autism. That's why this is deliberately called 'Neurodivergent Witch Tips' and not simply 'ADHD Witch Tips'.

Tip #1: Use Medication as an Anchor Point

It's difficult for ND brains to maintain consistent routines, but daily medication can be a great way to establish a daily habit within your practice. It's much easier to form a new habit by linking it to one that already exists.

So when you take your meds- pull a tarot card, pray, practice grounding, make a libation or other offering, set your intention for the day, etc. Start small, don't try to do an entire ritual every time you take your meds. Once that habit is strong, you can add more onto it.

I also intentionally leave my medication on my altar. Apollo is a God of healing and medicine; by taking my medication at His altar, it's my way of showing devotion by taking care of myself in the best way possible. Our deities want us to thrive and our mental health is part of that.

Tip #2: Integrate Hyper-fixations & Special Interests

ND brains don't really have a meh setting. We're either fully invested or not interested. As a result, we can pick up new skills and knowledge fairly quickly. We have a wide range of interests and tend to know a good amount about a lot of different things.

And witches are curious by nature. We're always studying, always developing ourselves and our craft. So what aspects of that hyper-fixation could you use in your practice?

"Kate, are you seriously suggesting I try to integrate Minecraft or insects or cross-stitch or true crime into witchcraft?"

Hell yeah! I love playing Dungeons & Dragons- so why can't I do luck spells on my dice or draw protection sigils on my character sheets or create spells to amplify my creativity and storytelling? Why not? Imagine how much more powerful your magic will be when you're working with things that are truly meaningful to you.

(Side note- for my neurotypical witches, ask your ND friend to tell you about their special interests. Listen and ask questions. Getting to talk freely about something that we're excited about without worrying if we're being annoying or "too much" is an absolute gift.)

Tip #3: Design Your Practice to be ND-friendly

One of my favorite Youtubers has a running theme of how to make our lives and homes ADHD friendly, which you can watch here. And this idea of building our craft around our brain makes a huge impact by removing the limits of 'how' we can practice.

Break spells or rituals into more manageable parts if you're worried about maintaining focus for that length of time. Include your fidgets or sensory aids in your ritual materials. They are just as sacred- using what you need will not negatively impact the spell.

If you struggle to regularly maintain wards or protections, try using protection sigils with masking tape or sticky notes. I really like using these for sigils in general because I can move them easily and stick them anywhere I need. And if they no longer stick, that's a good sign that they need to be redone.

This can take a lot of trial and error to find what really works for you, but it is worth it. Please don't get discouraged or frustrated with yourself.

Almost everything in our world is built in a way that actively goes against how our brains are structured. Your spiritual practice should be something you don't have to fight with your brain to participate in. It should remove stress, not increase it.

These adjustments don't make you a lesser witch, it doesn't make your magic less effective. On the contrary, using your strengths and making the best choices for you is an incredibly powerful mindset for a witch.

I hope this helps! If any other neurodivergent witches have tips, please share through reblogging or send me a message because I'd love to hear them and maybe try them for myself.

Jo Brown

Biologist and artist

Because everyone gets sick, even witches! Witchcraft is to be used in addition to proper medical care, and please be cautious when using herbs and do your research*

Teas and potions:

Sore throat potion

Sore throat sage tea

Cough/cold tea

Cold banishing potion

Us witches get colds too

Magick sick tea

Feel better tea spell

Fire cider recipe

Sick witch’s brew

Flu and cold buster

Milly’s “the flu can f*ck off” brew

Soothing tummy tea

Vitamin C healing potion

Syrups:

Easy DIY cough syrup

Soothing lemon cough syrup

Simple elderberry syrup

Magic cold syrup

Food:

Swamp’s immunity boosting noodles

Faye’s patchwork soup

“I am not getting sick!” broth

Spells:

Simple sickness spell

Simple healing spell

Christian witch healing spell

Bath magic:

Anti-nausea bath

Healing milk bath

Healing bath

Shower meditation

Odds and ends:

Cold remedies and tips

Common cold healing

Lil’ witch tips for sickness

Immune system sigils

Herbs for a sick witch

Onions

Coriander seeds

Eucalyptus 

Basil

You may also like:

Chronically ill witchcraft: For your symptoms

Witchcraft and meds

Witchcraft in the hospital

My spoonie sigils: (1) (2) (3)

Spoonie witch masterpost

*Resources for herbal interactions*

Beltane is a Gaelic holiday celebrating the first day of may and also as the transitionary period between spring and summer. It's held half way between the Spring Equinox (Ostara) and the Summer Solstice (Litha). It was traditionally celebrate in Ireland, Scotland, and the Isle of Man. While there are many major Wiccan and Pagan holidays throughout the year, according to The Wheel of the Year, Beltane is one of the four SEASONAL holidays (along with Samhain, Imbolc, Lughnasadh). Beltane's history goes way back, mentioned in some of the earliest Irish literature and plays important roles in most of Irish mythology. It marks the beginning of summer and also the time to drive cattle out into the summer pastures (at least in Ireland for the latter part).

Beltane has come to be known by several names, most commonly Beltane, May Day, and Walpurgisnacht. Walpurgisnacht can be translated to "Walpurgis Night", where Walpurgis doesn't have a direct translation most thing it's an old German word for "magic user". So most translate it to "Witch's Night" even if it's not entirely correct it gets the general message out.

Beltane is celebrate at sundown of April 30th and continued to be celebrated until sundown of May 1st. Most celebrations in modern era include bonfires, feasts, music, dancing, and just general livelihood outside as you dance under the moonlight. It's meant to bring good fortune and good times in the coming summer for plentiful harvest, or if you don't live in Ireland, plentiful success. It was around the 18th century that real records of Beltane started being upkept. In the 19th century, a folklorist by the name of Alexander Carmichael started collecting songs that had to do with Pagan holidays. One such song was a Beltane folksong called Am Beannachadh Bealltain (The Beltane Blessing) which he recorded in his Carmina Gadelica. This is the song:

Beannaich, a Thrianailt fhioir nach gann, (Bless, O Threefold true and bountiful,) Mi fein, mo cheile agus mo chlann, (Myself, my spouse and my children,) Mo chlann mhaoth's am mathair chaomh 'n an ceann, (My tender children and their beloved mother at their head,) Air chlar chubhr nan raon, air airidh chaon nam beann, (On the fragrant plain, at the gay mountain sheiling,) Air chlar chubhr nan raon, air airidh chaon nam beam. (On the fragrant plain, at the gay mountain sheiling.) Gach ni na m' fhardaich, no ta 'na m' shealbh, (Everything within my dwelling or in my possession,) Gach buar is barr, gach tan is tealbh, (All kine and crops, all flocks and corn,) Bho Oidhche Shamhna chon Oidhche Bheallt, (From Hallow Eve to Beltane Eve,) Piseach maith, agus beannachd mallt, (With goodly progress and gentle blessing,) Bho mhuir, gu muir, agus bun gach allt, (From sea to sea, and every river mouth,) Bho thonn gu tonn, agus bonn gach steallt. (From wave to wave, and base of waterfall.)

Aside from bonfires, flowers are also an integral part of celebrating Beltane. Particular the yellow flowers associated with May: hazel, primrose, hawthorn, rowan, grose, and marsh marigold. These flowers are usually hung above doorways and windows as well as worn by dancers around the bonfire. Holy wells and sacred springs are frequented during Beltane.

As it pertains to Wicca, a Beltane altar should include green, white, and light blue candles to invoke the spirits of Summer and bring forth fruitful pastures or fruitful success. The Goddess may be placed as the figure, but I recommend using a figure statue of Gaia or a nymph since they are tied to nature. Place the yellow flowers around the altar and use a green or yellow altar cloth. I recommend using a wooden bowl and pestle and earthier ingredients versus the more liquid ones. But every witch's altar is their own. Do with it what speaks true to you, these are just my recommendations.

black salt is well-known for its protective and cleansing properties. for the witch, it repels negativity but it can help in banishing or hexing as well.

my jar was nearing empty, so i got around to making more today! here's what i used

× salt (any kind will do)

× ashes (from rituals, incense, smoking, etc.)

× charcoal (in powder)

× black pepper (for an extra kick)

mix all of the ingredients together while stirring counterclockwise. you can also chant, say an incantation, or use visualization techniques if you want

i usually leave it to charge on my altar for 3 days before using

Closing the circle should be done after you have completed your magick practice. It allows any energy you have manifested to be released and for the spell work to be completed. It is relatively simple.

This is done by thanking the deities or elements you used by opening the circle. This is a brief guide, based on my casting circle spell.

Start standing in the circle. Facing north, pick up earth’s representation. Walking anticlockwise around the circle three times. Give thanks to the element for the protection and energy it has given you.

Then place earth’s representation back down at north. Turning east and picking up air’s representation. Walking anticlockwise around the circle three times. Give thanks to the element for the protection and energy it has given you.

Then place air’s representation back down at east. Turning south and picking up fire’s representation. Walking anticlockwise around the circle three times. Give thanks to the element for the protection and energy it has given you.

Then place fire’s representation back down at south. Turning west and picking up water’s representation. Walking anticlockwise around the circle three times. Give thanks to the element for the protection and energy it has given you.

Emptying the oregano jar and using it to store mandrake root, then forgetting to relabel it - yeah, Grandma’s in danger*

Owning a moldavite crystal - nah. Grandma’s good

Years ago I was told that taking a certain level of training (shadow work)  in my tradition meant someone near me would die. I felt the person giving the information might be a bit unbalanced, so I went to the teacher of the class and told them. They were appalled.  More so when someone else said “yeah, I was told the same thing.” So now we’re part if tradition cautionary lore - be careful who you listen to.

Warning us “someone will die!” was a way to get attention. It wasn’t even particularly unique. Stick around witchcraft long enough and you’ll have a collection of “don’t do this or someone will die” tales.

Or go watch witchtok (tik tok witchcraft) and you can save yourself some time by collecting all the tales faster - before you’ve even had time to fully understand what witchcraft is and found a good group to bounce warnings off of.

The latest craze appears to moldavite crystals which will apparently clear everything out of your path to transformation, even it if has to kill people.

Yeah, not so much. Oh, yes moldavite is a crystal known to kick off dramatic transformation. In the same vein, shadow work is a process that can lean to dramatic transformation. But that transformation comes from within you. What we actually see are changes like people changing jobs and leaving bad relationships. People tackling new challenges and finding greater creativity. The change happens to you, not Grandma.

You must remember that the people in your life have their own energy, their own path and their own transformations to go through. Their path and yours will intersect and interact. And yes, we will lose people along the way. But I assure you, your purchase of a “transformational crystal” did not kill Grandma.

I love this artwork, it belongs to @paperwitchco 🎃

Hi, witches.