galaxy-of-witchcraft

Latest Posts by galaxy-of-witchcraft

Bedridden witch: Discreet edition

I realize not every witch has the luxury of being open about their craft, and this can be doubly hard when you’re restricted to your bed and often reliant on others. Not all of these may work for you, but may they inspire you all the same!

*If you are reliant on a caregiver who may not approve of witchcraft, please be extra cautious.* There are plenty of ways to practice that don’t put your care and health in jeopardy, and some of the things listed may put you at risk. Please use common sense! <3 

Online:

Keep your grimoire in a document or on the notes in your phone.

Make an altar on Pinterest, a tumblr sideblog, in a video game, etc.

Apps! Keep track of the lunar cycle, look at the night sky, use a candle app, pull some tarot cards, draw some sigils.

Emoji spells.

Witchy playlists.

Cleansing:

Open your window

Let the sun or moon wash over you

Manipulate the energy with your hands

Burn incense (or a scented candle), as the smoke wafts around the room let it push away any unwanted energy.

Visualization.

Listen to music that makes you feel calm, channel that. 

Lots of ideas on this post (Bedridden witch: Stale energy edition)

Warding:

Draw sigils using water

VISUALIZATION + energy manipulation

Make a witches bottle that looks like something else

Make/enchant a room spray that boosts protection (and smells good!)

Keeping magic items nearby:

Slowly changing your interests can allow you to have many things without raising suspicion. (Herbal remedies/tea blending = access to herbs, geology + the love of pretty rocks = access to crystals, jars of dirt, etc.). Additionally, the New Age/witchcraft aesthetic seems to be all the rage these days, which normalizes it as a thing many people just incorporate into their interior design!

Keep sigils in your pillowcase or under your mattress

Keep crystals in your pillowcase or nearby (crystals are becoming a common thing to just have/decorate with)

Herb/spell sachets under your pillow/nearby. I used to have one that was stuffed full of lavender but had crystals and sigils hidden in the center.

Make and keep sun/moon water in a waterbottle.

Ways to connect to the elements (often through decorating/mundane objects) can be found in this post!

Candles are great, real or fake! I like the fake ones because if I forget about it/don’t have the energy to access it, the worst thing that happens is the battery dies.

EO diffusers and Himalayan salt lamps.

Plants!!

Performing magic and the like:

Meditation, dream magic, astral projection.

Energy manipulation: Keep an energy source nearby and draw from it when you need it/to cast small spells, enchantments, blessings, etc. Manipulate the energy in the air.

Visualization can be a powerful thing. 

Enchant items in your room.

Plant magic! Bedridden ideas in this post.

Drink magic and enchantments are great, and teas often have correspondences already based on their blends!

Divination:

Tarot: use a mini deck, an app, playing cards or small two card spread that are easy to conceal under a blanket.

Scrying: use a small picture frame with a black background, a small bowl of water or your phone screen. 

Pendulum: they can be pretty easy to conceal! But you could also use one that doesn’t look like a pendulum, a necklace, or anything tied to a string.

You could also do automatic writing, shufflemancy, dice divination or stitchomancy.

Lots of ideas for bedridden divination in this post!

You may also like:

Bedridden Witch Series - All of my bedridden witchcraft posts!

Chronically ill witchcraft: For your symptoms

Mentally ill witchcraft: For your symptoms

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

Spoonie witch masterpost - contains all of the spoonie posts I’ve made so far!

A spoonie witch is...

A spoonie who practices witchcraft. Simple!

A spoonie is someone who for whatever reason (usually a physical illness/disability - but it can also be due to a mental illness) doesn’t have as much energy as everyone else. The Spoon Theory [X] is a handy way to explain this to others and remind us of our limitations. It also shows us that we can ration our “spoons” (energy) to a certain extent. An important thing to note is that identifying as a spoonie is a choice, not all ill/disabled people do.

Bedridden Witch: The Setup

A revamp of my very first bedridden witch post, which now pales in comparison to all my themed ones! This post is all about setting up your bedroom/space to aid in witchcraft while bedbound. See my other bedridden posts for ideas on performing witchcraft while bedridden (click here!).

The Bed:

Pillow:

Pillowcase color correspondences

Sigils in pillowcase

Scented (or not) sachet under pillow

Crystals under pillow or (small ones) in pillowcase

Tarot cards under pillow

Mattress:

Sheets/bedding color correspondences

Sigils under mattress

Spray with scented mist (I have one from a local lavender farm)

Wash with scented (or not) detergent that has specific correspondences/components

Under the bed:

Tie a sachet underneath the bed

Place/secure a physical tie for your wards under each corner–if you spend a lot of time in bed, reinforcing the wards specifically on your bed can be helpful

Keep a crate/drawer of frequently used witchy supplies you can easily access; crystals, herbs, divination tools, spell components, etc. 

Keep a stack of witchcraft books you want to read

Bedside table:

Store supplies: crystals, books, sprays, etc. 

A surface for candles; flame or electric, or a Himalayan salt lamp. Wax melters are also fantastic.

A surface for a EO or reed diffuser

Keep a charging board there for the crystals you use

Keep your favorite divination tools nearby

A nice spot to keep your grimoire/journal

Create a small altar

Spell jars

Walls:

Hang….

Herb and/or spell sachets

Artwork that relates to your craft

Devotional work/prayers

Star and moon phase charts

Witches ladder

Herb/flower/plant garlands

Plants to dry

Fairy/twinkle lights along the top of the walls

Physical tie for your wards in each corner

A hanging altar

Window/Windowsill:

Curtain color correspondences

Hang a rainbow prism to let the sunlight scatter through your space

Place some houseplants or herbs on the windowsill

Hang windchimes outside

Hang bird feeders outside

Place a rain gauge outside 

Other: 

Decorate with seasonal things (flowers, leaves, paper snowflakes, etc.)

Keep jars of the different elements and/or their correspondences (water, earth, air, fire)

Keep spell bottles nearby. 

Having a bed tray (typically used for food) can make a great working surface

Technology can also help tie everything together: ambiance tracks, videos of things like a fire crackling, snow falling, a stream, a forest, etc. 

This post remains fairly neutral/vague, but designing your space with a certain theme can influence your craft!

You May Also Like:

Bedridden witch series (all of my bedridden witch posts)

Bedridden witch: Stale energy edition

Bedridden witch: Discreet edition

Spoonie witch masterpost

Housewarming magic

Making your room magical

**Do not repost or share on other platforms - reblogging is okay!**

Bedridden witch: Garden edition

Now, I know what you’re thinking: “Being bedridden and having a garden are two things that don’t mix”. And you’re right, it does make it hard to have a traditional, outdoor garden. But, there are plenty of ways to bring the garden in!

Bringing bits of your existing garden in:

Jars of your garden soil.

Give the smaller, weaker plants you pulled a second chance!

Make a terrarium using soil, rocks, water and plants from your garden.

Dry flowers and herbs from your garden in your bedroom.

Keep containers of seeds from your plants nearby.

Creating an accessible garden (inside):

If you don’t have good lighting, get a grow light. There’s bulbs that screw into normal lamps if you don’t have space for one of the bar lights. [X]

The seed-starter trays are a super simple system and often have trays underneath so it’s okay if you miss a day of watering.

Also consider: Eggshells

Window garden boxes are awesome, but not realistic for a lot of people (including myself). 

Planting your plants in plastic pots can be an easy way to control their environment and ensure they’re getting enough root space (plus if you’ve done any gardening before you’ll have tons, please don’t go out of your way to buy plastic products!).

Place a bowl or tupperware container underneath each pot/planter so water doesn’t drip and you can fill them up so the plants become self-watering.

Self-watering pots also exist.

If a watering can isn’t realistic, use a pitcher or a gallon jug. 

What to grow?

These plants can (easily) regrow in a couple inches of water: Scallions, Lettuce, Garlic Sprouts, Basil, Lemon Grass. 

These herbs do well inside: Basil, Lemon Balm, Mint, Chives.

These herbs do okay inside: Oregano, Parsley, Rosemary, Sage, Thyme.

These flowers do well inside: Begonias, Jasmine, African Violet, Christmas Cactus, Mini Roses.

These flowers do okay inside: Marigold, Pansy, Geranium, Impatiens.

Cacti, succulents and air plants are all very low maintenance as long as you have enough lighting!

Witchy things to do:

Influence seedlings with different energies and see which grow fastest.

Use sigils to help your plants grow well.

Using correspondences, make a tea or cold-infusion with herbs based on your needs. 

Put crystals with your plant babies.

Make bouquets with your flowers based on their magical properties, and enchant them! You can dry them too.

Water your plants with different types of water (moon, sun, rain, stream, storm, etc.)

Let watering/caring for your plants help nourish you.

Make infused oils. 

Make a terrarium that mimics your home/garden and use it to bless/ward your home.

Decorate your pots/containers with color correspondences, sigils and witchy art!

Use your plant’s energy to help gain growth, warmth and energy from the sun and soil.

Plant seeds when starting new things and to bring change into your life.

When you tend them, focus on what they represent.

When you’re ready to move on, or take the next step - harvest the plants if that’s realistic. If not, allow them to be a reminder of what you’ve worked for. 

Allow the magic of growth and life to enter your home!

Other Helpful Posts:

@witch-of-the-dragon has a really cute “Domestic Garden Witch” series. These ones seem relevant to this post: [X] [X] [X] [X] [X] [X] [X]

Researching Herb Safety

Tips and tricks for growing herbs inside

Bedridden witch: Nature edition

Bedridden witch: Kitchen edition

Click here for all my other posts in the series!

Bedridden witch: Weather edition

Keep jars of water from different types of weather nearby.

Create a page of sigils, one for each type of weather.

Try to guess the forecast for the day, then check it!

Burn rain scented candles, or ones that remind you of certain types of weather.

Utilize herbs and woods that are connected to weather magic [X].

Draw energy from whatever weather is happening outside.

Read/write poetry that makes you feel the weather.

Hang wind chimes and flags outside your window so you can easily tell the changes in wind.

Put a rain gauge in sight of your window.

Enchant a snow globe to bring snow.

Listen to ambiance tracks that sound like the rain or a storm. 

Use the raindrops on the window as a form of divination.

Make a file with videos and gifs of different weather and pull it up when you need to.

Use a glass of water to summon/dispel rain.

Make bottles for types of weather, shake to bring it and tap to dispel it.

Watch YouTube videos on different types of clouds and how they’re formed.

Use different weather’s waters for scrying, cleansing, or flinging something into manifestation. 

Use a super in-depth weather app.

Leave small offerings to weather/storm deities if it fits your craft.

Create a terrarium that resembles your area, and add things to manipulate the environment. 

Open your window!

Use a map to draw weather certain places.

Create art for your favorite types of weather.

Related posts:

Bedridden witch  - Nature edition

Bedridden witch - Elements edition

Bedridden witch - Winter edition

Bedridden witch - Ocean edition

All current bedridden witch posts can be found here!

Bedridden witch: Elements edition

Little ways to connect to the elements while you’re bedridden or stuck inside.

Earth:

Keep jars of dirt from special places.

Grow cacti or succulents.

Make a mini sand garden.

Hang macrame with crystals or stones.

Keep a bouquet of flowers.

Hang herbs from your walls/ceiling.

Get a little plant starter kit, keep seedlings by your window.

Keep some books on plants and geology around.

Watch nature documentaries.

Keep pebbles and crystals under your pillow.

Make a miniature garden/landscape using fake or real plants!

Reach down and feel the energy of the earth below you. Sometimes this is easier on the floor.

Burn candles that smell like the earth/forest/your favorite place.

Drink herbal tea.

Water:

Get a mini waterfall or fountain.

Keep plants that grow in water.

Get a water essential oil diffuser.

Make a spray from infused water.

Open windows when it rains.

Set up a bird fountain outside.

Fully savor your next glass of water.

Keep blues and sea green colors around.

Watch videos or documentaries on aquatic/marine life.

Watch the raindrops or condensation on your window.

Keep a bowl of water around. 

Listen to water/rain ambiance.

Burn candles that smell like the ocean or the rain.

Use a washcloth to wipe down your face/body.

Keep jars of water from your favorite places.

Air:

Open your window.

Use room spray/mist.

Burn candles that smell like the wind.

Hang wind chimes.

Listen to air/wind ambiance.

Get a small fan for some air flow.

Burn incense and watch the smoke move through the air.

Use your breath.

Hang feathers in your room.

Hang scarves and cloths around your room, watch the breeze sway them around.

Get some air plants.

Use an app that lets you see the sky/night sky.

Watch the clouds from your window.

Meditate, allow your senses to explore the air around you.

Fire:

Burn candles/incense.

Hang red or orange curtains.

Get a Himalayan salt lamp.

Use a wax melter.

Get an electric candle.

Use a heating pad or electric blanket.

Listen to fire ambiance. 

Use the heat of your body.

Watch gifs/videos of fire.

Keep a lighter nearby when you need a little flame. 

Place a little tealight in a fireproof vessel near your bed.

Feel the warmth and strength of the sun.

Build up energy with your hands, imagine it’s fire.

Drink tea with warming spices (cinnamon, cloves, etc.)

Click here for my other posts in this series!

Thanks to @healing-water-witch for giving me the idea and contributing!

Bedridden witch: Stale energy edition

Anyone who’s been stuck in bed knows how quickly that stale feeling can build up! Here’s some tips (both witchy and non) for clearing some of that unwanted energy. Thank you @tealeavesandpapertrees for requesting this post!

Open a window.

Hang wind chimes outside.

Hang a rainbow prism by your window, let the light cleanse your room.

Keep a small fan.

Flip over your blankets and pillows.

Use a Himalayan salt lamp.

Clean one area per day (can be minuscule or massive)

Let the moon wash over your room.

Burn candles, let the flame burn away any unwanted energy

Make a spritz with scented herbs or infused water.

Let the weather cleanse your room, no matter what it may be.

Manipulate the energy with your hands.

Do at least one hygienic thing per day.

Set out a bowl of water to absorb the energy, dispose accordingly.

Wash all of your bedding, place some cleansing sigils or herbs underneath your mattress.

Wash yourself, even if it’s just with a cloth.

Speak out loud (or communicate in some form) what things you would like to invite into your space.

Use a wax melter with some cheery scents.

Get a bouquet of fresh flowers.

Play music.

Burn incense, as the smoke wafts around the room let it push away any unwanted energy.

Visualize a light clearing out the energy.

Switch which side of the bed your lying on.

When it rains, imagine the rain washing away or drawing out the energy.

Laughter is the best medicine. Watch a funny or heartwarming movie that makes you feel content.

Keep a jar and write down anything you want to let go of. Destroy accordingly.

Change what clothes you’re wearing every couple of days.

Hold a crystal and imagine it sending out positive energy.

So many, many other things!

Click here for my other posts in this series!

Bedridden witch: Divination edition

Ideas for practicing divination while bedridden: Varying in energy + mobility required - please don’t push yourself, hopefully there’s options for everyone! Quick note: I’ve only included forms of divination I personally do.

Tarot:

Tarot apps are a great way to pull a card with a tap or two (Labyrinthos and Galaxy tarot have been recommended). 

Spread the deck on a flat surface, and move your hand over to pick (let your hands sense the energy), or pick based on intuition. 

Do a two-card (or more!) spread - you don’t have to lay it out if you can’t sit up, you can hold them in your hand or place on your lap.

Sleep with the deck under your pillow.

Pick one card that represents what you want from the next day and slip it under your pillow or mattress for the night, or place on your altar.

Memorize the meanings of the cards.

Make or buy a mini deck for easier use.

Do the easy “find this card and whatever is above or below it =X” spreads.

More limited mobility suggestions here

Scrying:

Use a black mirror or picture frame with black cloth/paper behind it.

Get a mini scrying bowl and fill with water, cradle it in your hands.

Pendulum:

Wear it around your neck.

Shorten the string so you don’t have to sit up.

Prop your hand on a pillow if you need the strength/steadiness.

Use off of the side of your bed if it’s too long (this can be a bit awkward)

Keep it under your pillow.

Use a mini pendulum or a necklace as a pendulum.

Make a simple board or don’t use one at all, just condition your pendulum with basic movements.

*You CAN use a pendulum even with shaky hands, it just takes a bit of bonding and conditioning.*

More limited mobility suggestions here

Tasseomancy:

Get a mug with two handles.

Keep in a sealable container until you’re ready.

Put a towel over yourself in case you spill.

Use a Tupperware container. No shame.

Runes:

(With a huge thanks to @adragonspath for compiling a list of suggestions!)

Sleep with your runes next to you.

Memorize their meaning.

Draw one rune and meditate on their meaning and how you can manifest them in your life.

Charge them with sun/moon light by your window.

Study their origin and reading methods.

Crystal and wooden runes: connect with the element Earth and the intent corresponding to the crystal/type of wood.

Other materials: meditate on the origin and development of that material. Connect with the corresponding element and intent.

Other ideas + Posts

Automatic writing

Astragalomancy - Divination using playing dice

Oneiromancy - Interpretation of dreams in order to predict future.

Stitchomancy - Get a book. Ask question, then open book to random page and read what pops out to you.

This awesome post

Bedridden witch: Nature edition

Bedridden witch: Worship edition

All my bedridden witch posts

Limited hand mobility + witchcraft

Bedridden witch: Worship edition

Sometimes as someone who is stuck in one spot, it can be hard to feel connected to your gods/goddesses/deities. However, it’s not as hard as you may think to find some solid methods! Please note that your deities understand your situation and don’t expect you to suffer for them or consistently do things for them!

Burn candles or incense that remind you of them. If you are unable to do this, try an oil diffuser or room spray.

Use blankets, sheets, pillows, etc. that have colors you associate with them.

Make an online devotional blog or altar. I do this [X]

Chat with other people who work with them. 

If your body is okay with it, eat foods that are sacred/connected to them.

Hang pictures or decorations that correspond with their sacred animals, plants, or what lessons or teachings they present to you.

Write devotional poetry, or make drawings for them.

Draw sigils for them and hang them on your walls, ceiling, or put under your mattress.

Find a stuffed animal that you feel captures their essence or reminds you of them, and hold it close when you need the support.

Research them/browse their tag on tumblr.

Keep stones and crystals you associate with them near you – on a bedside table or under your pillow.

Use astral travel or dream magic to connect with them.

Listen to music that makes you feel closer to them.

Watch shows or movies that remind you of them.

Pray to them, talk to them, write them a letter. Stay in communication with them, especially in times of need.

Meditate.

Drink something warm or cool that helps you connect with them.

Make a spell bottle/jar that you feel captures their essence. Charge during good days, use for connection and support during the not-so-good days.

Make emoji spells to feel more connected to them.

Expose yourself to natural light (or gentle artificial light) or complete darkness, depending on the deity.

Devote small, everyday tasks to them. (Example for the Greek + Roman pantheon.)

Read books about them, or that remind you of them/their values.

Make herb sachets for them, keep them under your pillow or hang on your wall.

Wear scented oils, perfumes, lotions, or pick a shampoo with a scent or ingredients that make you think of them.

@thewitchofthenorse also has a post on this here!

And here is a post about nature connection while bedridden, which is great for nature deities!

Again, please note that you don’t need to do anything to be connected to your gods/goddesses/deities. They know and understand what you are going through, and are patient. 

Click here for the other posts in this series!

Bedridden witch: Nature edition

Let’s be honest here. Most of us bedridden peeps don’t have an awesome bed setup like this, and our nature exposure can be limited. However, here’s some tips and tricks to staying connected to nature while stuck in bed, with contributions from myself (@heatherwitch), @thewitchofthenorse, @spooniewitches, @persephoneandthepomegranates & @theepagangrace!

Open a window, or crack the curtains

Hang rainbow prisms in your window

Keep a houseplant nearby

If regular houseplants require too much energy: Try cacti, succulents, lucky bamboo, or spiderplants!

Hang nature/forest/plant artwork around

Get air freshener or room spray that reminds you of the outdoors

Watch a nature documentary or shows with people exploring nature – check out nature (photography) videos on Netflix for calming videos

Listen to forest soundscapes [X] 

Set a nature scene as your screensaver

Keep a jar of soil around

Talk with any nature deities you work with

Follow nature blogs

Get sheets, blankets, or pillowcases with leafy designs, flower designs, etc.

Get a star map app on your phone to be more connected to the night sky

Have a vase of flowers (real or fake)

Keep crystals around that remind you of nature (Moss agate, petrified wood, onyx, selenite, agate geodes, etc.)

Use sigils designed to connect you to nature

Use air conditioning or a fan to make it less stuffy in your room

Read and write poetry about nature

Press plants/flowers or hang dried herbs by your bed

Spend some time looking outside of your window

Burn a nature scented candle or incense (Irish moss, myrrh, frankincense, opium, and lavender)

Use astral travel or dream magic to get to outdoor areas

Watch livestream videos of outdoor areas

Make a sachet of grass, oak bark (or whatever tree you like), quartz, and salt. Hang it near your bed.

With help from others:

Get someone to collect rainwater for you, and use it to wash your face

Ask a friend to take some pictures of cool places they go in nature and send them to you

Have someone collect rocks/plants/feathers etc. from each day and bring them back for you 

Have someone pick wildflowers for you

Drink some herbal tea

Have someone you trust harvest wild edibles/berries for you – or at least bring fresh fruits and veggies!

Skype or video chat with someone while they’re outside

Take the scenic route/detour to some natural areas the next time you need a car ride

Click here for the other posts in this series!

Bed magic (for my spoonie witches):

Note: this post inspired an entire series that goes into far more detail! Click here!

The setup: 🌟-Sigils placed under your mattress for pain-free rest and anything else you need! 🌟-Place crystals under your pillow (or in the case) for restful sleep or a specific use. I often place amethyst and Quartz under my pillow for headaches! 🌟-Hang herb sachets above your bed. 🌟-Keep any supplies you want nearby in case you become bedridden.

Bedridden witchy things: 🌸-Play with spare bits of energy in the room. 🌸-Listen to music that makes you feel witchy/powerful. 🌸-Wash your face with a pre-prepared cleansing spray (add herbs and such). 🌸-If possible, open a window for at least five minutes and soak in the sensations of the outside world. 🌸-Read a witchy book/write in your grimoire. 🌸-Hold your crystals or keep them near you. 🌸-Washing your sheets/blankets/pillow case = the ultimate cleanse. 🌸-Meditate and work on breathing. 🌸-Spend some time with your tarot cards or pendulum (you don’t have to use them though!). 🌸-Do some dream magic. 🌸-Drink some herbal tea.

Remember, your witchiness isn’t based on your ability to practice all the time. It’s perfectly acceptable to take as long as you need when you aren’t feeling great.

(This is okay for everyone to reblog and use btw.)

So, you want to be a witch? #6

Click here for all the other posts in this series!

This post is all about how the mundane can broaden your craft, and what topics you might consider researching!

Why bother with the mundane?

The mundane is the base for witchcraft. It includes basic skills, information and abilities. One must have an understanding of these things before influencing them/incorporating them into magic. For example: you need to know your way around the kitchen if you want to be a kitchen witch.

It tends to be less biased. Any resource with information on witchcraft will be influenced to some degree by the person’s experiences, view of the world, and the way they built their craft. It can sometimes appear that there is only “one true way” to be a witch—this is not accurate! There is great value in learning from experienced witches, but there is also great value in learning things for yourself.

Where to research?

Please do not rely on tumblr for accurate information! It’s an excellent place to hear about personal experiences and to get ideas, but it often lacks sources.

How to find credible sources: (here) and (here). (Links are for finding academic sources, so they may be a bit more strict than what you need)

Websites

Published books

Videos (Online lectures, YouTube, TedTalks, etc.)

Free classes/information sessions

Are you a student? Be strategic with which electives you choose!

Also consider: clubs, talking with people who are experienced on the subject, etc.

What to research?

This highly depends on you and where you want to take your craft! These are just a few starting points to get the ideas flowing. I always recommend starting with whatever called you to the craft, and letting it naturally flow from there!

The natural world:

Learn local plants (natives, “weeds”, etc.), and how to ethically forage them.

Get a small calendar and note the dates of phenological changes. This can be helpful if you use the plants in your craft/life.

Where to research plants (apps, websites and field guide suggestions)

Learn local wildlife. Get to know your neighbors! Look at range maps.

Do they stay all year or move with the seasons? Some animals make startling noises. Do you have any of those in your area? (Think: wildcats, owls, foxes)

Learn geology, or at least how to identify some common rock types in your area.

Here’s a post on using rocks you find in your craft.

Learn weather patterns and some ways you might predict them.

Find a moon phase calendar for the year. Learn the moon phases and the science behind them if you aren’t familiar with it!

Same with the sun! What time does it rise and set? Where will it be in the sky this time of year? Learn the science behind it.

Constellations, and which ones you’ll see as the seasons change.

What natural phenomena might occur in your area?

Do you live near the ocean? Find some tide charts. What knowledge gaps do you have?

Live near a different type of water? Where is its source? Can you trace it on a map?

Do you garden? Pay attention to your zone and frost dates. Learn which plants are beneficial for your area and which may be invasive. How can you benefit the beings in your area with your garden?

What is the natural history of your area?

In the home + odds and ends:

The basics of tea: how to make your own blends, what temperature the water should be, etc.

Herbal remedies: how herbs can boost your health, which ones can already be found in your kitchen, and herbal interactions/side effects.

Cleaning and tending your home: learn how to safely make your own cleaning supplies, create routines to keep your home feeling clean and comfortable.

How to fix things and build things, how to use basic tools (hammer, screwdriver, etc.), how to mend clothes and simple sewing.

Crafts: learn how to make your own supplies (candles, wands, etc.)

Kitchen: learn some basic cooking and baking skills.

Crystals: how to identify them, how to ethically source them (and their properties).

The flow of your world; familiarize yourself with the routines of life around you. Orient yourself, begin creating a map in your mind of the area. What routines do the birds have? The people around you? The bus schedule?

What is the human history of your area?

How much do you know about your personal/family history?

LAWS: know what’s legal and what isn’t. Can you harvest here? Is it okay to have those animal bones or feathers? Are you allowed to be in certain areas? It’s on you to be informed.

There are so many more things I could’ve included, but I didn’t want this post to go on forever!

Hopefully this has given you some ideas; you may be surprised by how much newly acquired information can begin to influence your craft. Go forth, and enjoy learning something new :)

So, you want to be a witch? #5

Part one talks about spells, wards, sigils, cleansing, divination and more!

Part two talks about grimoires, crystals, wands, altars and more!

Part three talks about this vs. that for a lot of the common terms you hear!

Part four talks about types of witches, deities and more!

It can be easy to feel super overwhelmed when you’re first starting off. This post is for very new witches who have limited knowledge and would like a broad overview! These are my opinions, feel free to disagree but be polite about it. *And please note that you do not have to do every thing I listed, this is just an overview of basic terms/things some witches do.*

This post is a little different than the other ones, it’s all about casting spells!

Grounding and cleansing yourself:

It often is harder to focus on a spell if you are stuck in your own thoughts or have the energies from the day on you. I’ll often start with cleansing myself, by burning a sage or cedar herb bundle, and then sit and take some focused breaths and becoming present in my body.

Casting a circle:

Many witches cast circles as a way to protect themselves from outside energies or unwanted spirits while they’re performing magic. You can use the elements, a salt circle, invoking a deity, etc. Click the links to learn more!  [X] [X] It is recommend you stay in the circle until you finish the spell and close the circle.

Drawing energy from something:

(So you don’t draw all the energy from yourself, which can be draining). Energy can be drawn from the elements, from crystals, deities, and many other things. This can be done by visualization and energy work or by asking. 

Casting the spell:

This is when you use your ingredients and the guidelines of the spell. It is best to be completely focused so try to avoid having distractions (like your phone) and have everything you need ready to go. 

Closing any loopholes:

Often, this is not included in the written spell so this is up to you. I usually write a list of loopholes I want to close before starting this process, so it’s handy when I’m finished with the spell! If it’s a spell you want to come to light in a certain way or by a certain time, this is when you clarify that. This post has more info [X]

Completing the spell and dispelling any energies:

Once you have finished with the loopholes, finishing the spell can be as simple as “this spell is now complete”. I recommend dispelling any energies you called on and returning them to where they belong. If you didn’t cast a circle, now is the time to rid of anything you may have attracted by performing your spell.

Closing the circle:

Closing a circle is fairly simple! All you have to do is the reverse of how you cast it. (If it was with smoke for example, you would then undo the circle by burning the bundle in the opposite direction).

Cleansing and grounding:

Cleansing here is optional, depends on the spell, how you’re feeling, and if you want to do it. Grounding is highly recommended. This can come in many forms. I often use water, putting drops on the key points of my face (forehead, eyelids, cheeks, nose, lips and chin) and sit while taking focused breaths.

Other considerations:

Consent: If you are casting a spell on a specific person and they do not know or they have not given you permission, you do not have their consent. Spells cast to bring a general thing (to attract love instead of to make a specific person fall in love with you), with permission, or on yourself don’t need consent/already have it!

Ingredients: Ingredients are often an important part of the spell and are included for a reason. They either represent a part of the spell, what the spell is trying to accomplish or are something you can draw energy from.

Alternative ingredients: If you can’t get your hands on a certain ingredient, you can almost always use a substitute ingredient. Just use correspondences and trust your gut while searching for the perfect substitute. Many people believe: Clear quartz = any crystal, Rosemary = any herb, Rose = any flower. But really, look at what that ingredient is meant to bring to the spell, then find an alternative that still brings that!

Discarding used ingredients: (Click me)

Belief: If you don’t believe the spell is going to work - it probably won’t. To combat this, take the time to find a spell you really believe will work and write a list of ways you might expect it to present in your life.

Intention: Similar to belief. I’ve performed magic only using a pen, paper, and my powerful intentions. The more powerfully you want something and bring it into your life, the more likely it is to appear. Intent is the end goal, why you’re casting the spell. 

Deities: I do not use deities in my spellwork (or witchcraft at all). There is a huge amount of respect and connection-building that is required before asking a deity to help with your spell. I tend to avoid spells where a listed ingredient is a deity. (If you do have a connection with a deity, by all means ask them to help you out if that feels right to you!)

Energy: It is common to feel drained after casting a spell. Grounding yourself, casting a circle and drawing energy from other things all help with this, but allow yourself some time to recover. [X]

When your spell fails: (click me)

Nullifying your spell: (click me)

Writing your own spells: [X] [X] [X] [X]

Related posts: [X] [X] [X] [X] [X]

(Click here for the other parts in this series!)

So, you want to be a witch? #4

Part one talks about spells, wards, sigils, cleansing, divination and more!

Part two talks about grimoires, crystals, wands, altars and more!

Part three talks about this vs. that for a lot of the common terms you hear!

It can be easy to feel super overwhelmed when you’re first starting off. This post is for very new witches who have limited knowledge and would like a broad overview! These are my opinions, feel free to disagree but be polite about it.

Types of witches:

As witchcraft grows more popular on the internet, it’s become helpful to categorize what your practice looks. This helps to share it more easily and find others who have similar practices.

That being said, it isn’t necessary to categorize yourself! If you were to pick a type (or few), here’s some things you’d look at:

What your lifestyle is like. Does where you live affect your practice? (city, country, beach, etc.). Does what you do affect your practice? (work, hobbies, etc.).

What you draw power from. Being outside? Baking in the kitchen? Making your house a home? Exploring the city? Being at the ocean? Etc. Etc.

What you like to do in your craft. What things call to you?

Outside influences. For example, I have a chronic illness so I call myself a spoonie witch. 

If you feel like you’re a lot of different things, you can call yourself an eclectic witch (as in, a mix of types) or simply be a witch!

Gender:

Gender and body type does not affect your ability to be a witch. Anyone can be a witch. It literally doesn’t matter. You want to be a witch? Congrats you can be a witch! Don’t fall for the gatekeeping shit.

Gods, Goddesses, Deities:

There is a common belief that you must incorporate divine beings into your practice. While that is certainly okay to do, it is not required in witchcraft. Nor is it required to believe in them. Religion is not an inherent part of witchcraft!

Many witches are also polytheists. For some, these mix and become a hybrid of witchcraft and worship. For others (like myself), the two stay relatively separate.

Some witches have patron deities/have devoted themselves to a deity. While this can be a very powerful connection, I encourage witches to explore their craft secularly first and build their connections over time. There’s absolutely no rush!

Some witches call upon the powers of the gods to boost their magic. Do so with respect, gods are not spell ingredients.

There is far more to be said on this topic, but this is the overview!

(Click here for the other parts in this series!)

So, you want to be a witch? #3

Part one talks about spells, wards, sigils, cleansing, divination and more! 

Part two talks about grimoires, crystals, wands, altars and more!

It can be easy to feel super overwhelmed when you’re first starting off. This post is for very new witches who have limited knowledge and would like a broad overview! These are my opinions, feel free to disagree but be polite about it.

Please note: Some sections contain information from other posts. All are sourced and linked both within the post and at the bottom!

Coven vs. Solitary?

It is a common belief that you must join a coven to be a witch, but that is not always true.

Many witches are solitary, meaning they primarily do witchcraft on their own. They may however do it with a friend or two on occasion! I am a solitary witch myself.

“Covens are a group of practitioners with like minded interests, ethics, and beliefs. They gather together to perform rituals, to connect, and to learn. They often celebrate sabbats and create their own traditions.” [source]    

There are benefits to being solitary, and to being in a coven. It is often a matter of personal preference!

Secular vs. Religious?

Another common belief is that witchcraft = religion.

Witchcraft certainly CAN be a religion for you.

It also can be tied into whatever religion you are already practicing.

However, witchcraft is not inherently religious, and you can keep witchcraft and your religion separate.

Additionally, witchcraft isn’t inherently spiritual, and that also falls under the category of secular.

You can practice witchcraft without worshiping or believing in deities!

Paganism vs. Wicca vs. Witchcraft?

Trust me, this is about as simplified as I can make it while trying to keep it accurate and informative! Basically, people may identify under one of these categories alone, or multiple. They are all valid. 

Paganism. Was used as a blanket term for everything that didn’t fit into a tidy box of “main world” religions (anything pre/non-Christian). The phrase paganism is now used to describe anyone who follows ancient religions. It is often connected to nature worship as well. [external source] 

Wicca. “A form of Neo-Paganism. The practice of Wicca places religion and magic together. They are linked together and cannot be separated. If you practice traditional Wicca, you cannot do magic without attaching religious reference to it, usually in the form of calling on their Goddess and/or God. There is also a set of rules that many practitioners follow.” [source] 

Traditional witchcraft. “Often serves as a reconstruction of what we believe, from the sources of folklore and history we have, witches did and the roles they served. It is based in and inspired by the lore of witches in the Early Modern Period.” [source]

Witchcraft. Is a bit of a blanket term. Although by definition it falls under paganism, not all witches identify as being pagan. There is a diverse group who chooses this label, and some may follow certain rules and guidelines, while others do not. 

Curses vs. Hexes vs. Jinxes?

You do not have to do these if you don’t want to. I personally don’t, but fully support those who do perform curses/hexes/jinxes.

Curses. Curses are long-term, potentially life ruining things. They hold the power to do a lot of harm.

Hexes. Often considered a weaker version of a curse, designed to make all the little things go wrong, and are long-term.

Jinxes. More of a momentary, short-term thing. Designed for the target to have all the little things go wrong or have a touch of bad luck.

Enchantments vs. Charms?

The terms can be interchangeable and it is a matter of personal preference. My personal opinion is….

An enchantment is what you DO to an item. It can also be done to a person.

A charm is the end result (an item being enchanted).

Blessings vs. Spells?

Blessings are typically short term and nice little things. A blessing could be “may every light be green for you today”. 

To bless something with certain intent is kind of a mix between a blessing and a spell, and can last a long time.

Spells can range in length and intent, and are basically everything not already covered in this post!

Sources: [X] [X] [X] [X]

So, you want to be a witch? #2

Part one talks about spells, wards, sigils, cleansing, divination and more!

It can be easy to feel super overwhelmed when you’re first starting off. This post is for very new witches who have limited knowledge and would like a broad overview! These are my opinions, feel free to disagree but be polite about it. 

Grimoires:

A grimoire is a book/notebook here you store witchcraft related information! It can be highly personal and doesn’t have strict guidelines at all.

Grimoires can be a place to store personal spells, records of your craft, and journal how things went, or cheat-sheets and charts on correspondences and anything you want to remember.

You could also fill it with usable pages, like one that becomes your altar, a pendulum board, a page to charge your crystals, etc.

It’s basically anything you’re interested in recording, and in whatever format/method suits your fancy!

Crystals:

Crystals are lovely, and usually quite beautiful! While you do not NEED to have crystals, it is a draw for many.

Crystals are often used based off of the correspondences they have, or the energies they give off. Amethyst, clear quartz and rose quartz have versatile energies, and clear quartz can substitute any crystal.

How to use them. Crystals can be used in a variety of ways! They can be part of a spell’s ingredients, used in a crystal grid, or simply put in your pocket or worn as jewelry. 

How to cleanse and charge them. Crystals should be cleansed and recharged every once and a while. This can be done by using the elements, the moon, incense smoke, meditation, and more!

Wands:

Let’s face it, wands are pretty freaking cool and are often closely tied with magic! 

How to make them. Wands are highly personal, and can be made out of practically anything. Some people use wooden spoons, pencils, crystal points and other pre-made things. Other’s make their own, often using things like wood, leather or string, crystals, bones, and more! 

How to use them. Wands are for channeling your energy and magic!

Altars:

Altars are another one of those things that can be highly personal and totally up to you! They can also look a variety of ways.

What they look like. Altars can be on a table, shelf, dresser top, or the floor. In an altoids tin, a closet, a book or a drawer.

Who/what to make them for. Whoever or whatever you want! Some people dedicate them to deities, some to the seasons, an element, a mood, and more.

What to put on them. Many people have an altar cloth that marks that space as being an altar. You basically put anything on it that reminds you of what that altar is for. You could include an offering bowl, where you place things as an offering to whatever the altar is for. 

General note:

Tools do not have to be expensive or fancy. You don’t have to keep the same one if your want to upgrade later. 

Athame = a kitchen knife

Cauldron = a kitchen pot

Chalice = regular glass

Besom = a broom

You get the idea! Witchcraft is all about using what you have in my opinion!

Finding tools on a budget

Here is a list of tools recommended for beginner Wiccans.

(Click here for the other parts in this series!)

Low energy cleaning + cleansing

I make a lot of posts for bedridden witches, but many of us aren’t bedridden all of the time or have varying energy levels. This post contains a range of ideas and suggestions for keeping your home both clean and cleansed with low or unpredictable energy. While I do refer to energy levels, it is also applicable to pain levels. 

Setting yourself up for success:

Quick note: these are things I do, you may not find the same things to be overwhelming or necessary, as discussed later in the post! 

Multiple waste baskets. I keep two under my bed, for garbage and recycling. This makes it easier to throw things away when done with them, rather than letting them become an overwhelming pile.

A box or tray for used dishes, cups and water bottles. This keeps the piles from feeling overwhelming, and makes them easier to move to the kitchen when that’s do-able. 

Extra blanket to protect the bedding.  It’s easier for to move/wash one blanket when food spills, rather than wrangling with a comforter. 

Fitted vs. flat sheets. Fitted sheets are exhausting to remove/put on. Flat sheets can be easier! (Also, I recommend having two sets of sheets, so you can switch them out right away and have clean bedding whether or not you have the energy to do laundry.)

Clean and dirty laundry hampers. A way to avoid piles and stay organized without needing to fold laundry or put it on hangers. Simply have a hamper for each (or lots of baskets if you want it more organized).

Cleaning supplies in each room/area. That way, when the motivation to clean arises, you don’t need to spend that energy walking across the house to get the supplies.

Bedridden witch: The setup

Focus on the main areas:

My bedroom is my number one focus, as this is the room I spend the most time in. The others are my bathroom, living room and kitchen. There’s no point in having a spotless spare room if you’re overwhelmed by the rest of the house. Prioritize the places you spend your time in.

Do what you can, when you can:

The excellent thing about having a good setup is it means when you do have more energy, you don’t need to do as much to catch up (which often involves paying for it later by overdoing it). You know your limits, do what you can. 

Have no energy? Do your best to do the things I listed above. With this setup its okay if you can’t do it right away, when you feel able to, its there. Maybe today you can get the tissues in the waste basket and tomorrow you put the dishes in the box.  

Have a bit of energy? Empty your waste baskets, bring the dishes to the kitchen, move your dirty laundry into the washroom, etc. One step closer to helping your future self.

Have a lot of energy? Now is an excellent time to do some dishes or get some laundry started. Hopefully this is now manageable because of the steps your past self took. 

Along these lines, you don’t have to do everything at once. Because I have cleaning supplies in each area, I can clean whenever I feel like it. 

Perhaps I feel really motivated to scrub the toilet. That doesn’t mean that I also have to wipe down the counter and the tub, shake out the mats and sweep the floor. Each of those things can be separate. Cleaning something partially is better than not cleaning at all (or overdoing it) in my opinion.

Take breaks! It’s okay if things take you longer than that rude inner voice says it should, or if you need to take multiple breaks. 

Create a routine:

Here’s a glimpse at my daily routine (which is the ideal; when my health doesn’t allow for all of these, I do what I can):

Bedroom: Open the curtains and the window to let light and fresh air in. This also lets my bedding air out. After a few minutes I do a quick sweep of the floor and make my bed (which I can do while sitting on it).

Bathroom: Every few days I’ll sweep it and empty the trash + laundry hamper.

Kitchen: Sweep the floors each morning. Empty the dishwasher or load any new dirty dishes into it. Also feed the cats and check their water.

Living room: Whenever I get up to go to the kitchen, I bring any dishes or garbage. Each evening I tidy up and put things back.

I almost seem obsessive over cleanliness because I constantly do little things. Done using the kitchen counter? Wipe it down. Dirty plate? Rinse it and load in the dishwasher. My energy is very unpredictable so I do little things whenever I can so that when I crash, everything is taken care of.

Prioritize:

Sometimes the ideal and the practical aren’t compatible. 

What MUST happen? For example, my cats come first. They have no control over their food, water or litter boxes. I ensure all of their needs are met early in my day. 

What will have negative long term effects? Shit happens, and it doesn’t always line up with our ability to handle it. Sometimes you must clean up a water leak or remove the gross thing, even if you pay for it with a flareup later or it results in other things not getting taken care of for a while.

Ask for help. I understand that not everyone is lucky enough to have a support system, but if you can, ask a friend or family member for help when you need it. Sometimes things get to overwhelming, and a little help can go a long way. 

Make a list:

Figure out what key things make the space feel clean or dirty to you. What would you like to maintain? What feels more manageable when you do it each day? What are you going to prioritize? 

Figure out the ideal frequency of each task. I’ve given examples of my daily routine, but what about the bigger tasks such as changing your bedding, or vacuuming the carpet? What about dusting and getting the cobwebs in those hard-to-reach corners? How often would you like to do those? Having a list can be helpful for your higher energy days so you know what to focus on. 

Cleansing:

For me, a lot of my cleansing ties into physically cleaning + having a clean space. This can be a bit tricky when you don’t have the energy to keep an entirely clean home, which is why I focused so much on that side of things! Do the best you can and prioritize the places you spend time in. 

A few basic methods:

Bedridden witch: Stale energy edition (lots of small tips for cleansing and changing the energy in a space). 

Smoke cleansing. Can be done with a variety of plants.

Steam cleansing. An excellent alternative if smoke isn’t your thing, boil the plants instead and allow the steam to act the same way smoke would.

Cleansing spray. Similar to steam. Be aware that some plants may stain surfaces, and avoid using undiluted essential oils. You can also buy natural room sprays if making one feels unmanageable. 

Sound cleansing. This is often done with instruments, but can also be done with song.

Visualization.

Elements. Open your curtains and windows, let the wind, the rain, the sunshine, the full moon, etc. do its work.

Absorbing. Sometimes we can’t open a window or actively cleanse, this is when having things that absorb negative energy can help, such as a Himalayan salt lamp, a bowl of salt, etc. 

Negativity absorbing buddy

Salt bowls to absorb negative energy

You may also like:

Home cleansing tips

Bedridden witch series

Spoonie witch masterpost

Witchcraft for the chronically fatigued

Housewarming magic

So, you want to be a witch?

It can be easy to feel super overwhelmed when you’re first starting off. This post is for very new witches who have limited knowledge and would like a broad overview! These are my opinions, feel free to disagree but be polite about it. 

Spells:

It’s okay to start by using other people’s spells and build the confidence to write your own! Spells can be spoken, or thought (in my opinion). Sometimes speaking spells into existence isn’t always possible.

Casting circles. Many witches cast circles to do spellwork. It involves calling energy from the four directions and building the “omph” to preform the spell. Most of these involve calling upon a deity/deities but you could easily alter them to avoid this, it is not necessary. 

Ingredients. The most important ingredient for a spell is… you! Most spell ingredients can be substituted with more common ingredients, following correspondences. What did that ingredient bring to the spell?

I’ve written a whole “so, you want to be a witch?” post on spells!

Names:

Many witches feel names hold power. 

I personally choose to not share my birth name/everyday name for both this reason, and to protect my privacy. A lot of witches choose a witch name (mine is Mouse!)

Wards: 

Wards are something that I feel are very important for any witch to have. They can be on your being and on your home, and protect from undesired energy and spirits. Picture them as a shield. 

Warding yourself. For me, my wards are my armor. I envision armor forming around me with specific forms of protection and use my energy to make it so. You could also view your ward as a bubble of energy! If you have a hard time with envisioning things, carry something physical (a necklace, crystal, etc.) as your ward.

Warding your home. Again, you could envision it (however you like). I picture light washing over the floors, walls, and ceilings and use my energy to guide it. I also have physical wards. An example would be to make a paper pocket, fill it with herbs, crystals, and sigils, and place in the four corners of your home.

Sigils:

I simply adore sigils, they are like little spells in a physical form (symbols). It’s okay to use sigils created by others.

Sigils are created with a certain phrase in mind, such as “I am happy”. You can then draw them on yourself or on something to carry with you.

Once drawn, you’ll need to do something to activate it. This can be done by forgetting about it, using your energy, or fun things like using the elements or your favorite song. To keep the sigil working, you’ll need to charge it every once and a while. This is the same idea as activating it!

Cleansing:

The ability to cleanse your space and yourself can be extremely valuable, whether it’s in preparation for a spell, or to get rid of the funk of a bad day.

Smoke cleansing. Can be done with sage, bay leaves, or any type of incense. Waft the smoke over yourself or your space.

Water cleansing. I enjoy making a spray with some lovely herbs (like lavender and mint) and spritzing my room or myself. 

The elements/natural world. The wind, the moon, the sun and many other things can act to cleanse as well. 

Divination:

Divination can be overwhelming at first - there’s so many different types! You don’t need to practice divination to be a witch, and you certainly don’t need to learn all of the ways!

Tarot. Tarot cards are cards that have drawings on them and an assigned meaning (usually more than one). They are often used as a way to get advice. The average deck has 78 cards, and a lot of us still use cheat sheets!

Pendulum. Pendulums are often depicted as a crystal hanging from a string, but they can be anything hanging from a string. Different movements mean yes, no, and maybe. Some people use them to communicate with spirits, but this only happens when you invite them.

Runes, scrying, and tasseomancy are also common forms of divination, but ones I am less familiar in! 

Tools:

Crystals, candles, tarot, incense, herbs. All tools. 

They all can boost your abilities and aid your craft, but are not needed. You have all the tools you need in yourself, and in your life. Don’t feel pressured to spend a lot of money on fancy tools right away! It can be beneficial to build your abilities without them, in my opinion!

Using your intuition can lead you to finding/creating some really awesome tools and methods! Let your instincts guide you. 

(Click here for the other parts in this series!)