Witchcraft 101

🔔 BELLS IN WITCHCRAFT 🔔

Bells might just be the earliest form of superstitious practise that I remember. My baba attached three sakura-patterned suzu bells on my schoolbag as a kid, purportedly for good luck and protection from evil spirits – and Japan is far from the only place to have associated bells and bellringing with mystic practise. They’ve been used worldwide to ward off evil and carry messages – and in a more metaphysical sense, sound is the movement of energy through substance. Sounds have the potential to work powerful magic.

Here are some of the ways I’ve found utilising bells to be helpful to my craft. While I’m more likely to use traditional suzu type bells, your own background, path and culture will likely have its own types of bells – and as ever, bells can be ornate antiques or they can be a bottle cap in a tin can, as long as they’re used with intent.

GETTING STARTED

🔔 As with so much of the craft, if you’re new to the witching bell, it’s a matter of exploration and experimentation. Get a “feel” for what works for you and the specific bell you’re using.

🔔 It’s good practise to ensure that the bell itself is cleansed, warded and protected – you don’t want anything nasty tapping into that power. All witching tools can do as much harm as good, intentional or accidental.

🔔 A good way to begin incorporating bells into your craft is infuse them into any typical ritual that you’re comfortable with, or even just a prayer or moment of contemplation at your altar if you have one.

🔔 Give the bell a soft ring while focusing on the energy it’ll ripple and move, try to track the movements it creates and what it touches. The tone it’s sending out.  The most primal and versatile use of the bell – and what many of the below come down to – is simply another manner of physically channelling energy, giving it shape and direction.

PROTECTION

🔔 “Passive” bells such as windchimes or small bells attached to belongings you don’t want disturbed are a starting point. They will scare off some forms of spirit all by themselves, especially if appropriately blessed, charmed or enchanted. Or cursed.

🔔 Gently tolling can draw energy into a ward or circle you are forming and enforce its protective properties, or for a simple cleanse, letting the sound travel to every corner of the area you are protecting. It’s a little more “cutting” than a smoke or incense cleansing, which I view as more “gentle” forms of cleansing. Both have their uses.

🔔 Harder tolling is, in my opinion, one of the most powerful ways in which to enforce a banishing – however, it’s best to you know what you’re doing with the bell before you go bashing it about.

DISCERNMENT

🔔 Bells can have quite the effect on your perception and awareness. Ringing and then stopping, listening to the silence left in its wake, can bring you new perceptions or make things you’d previously missed obvious. Let it attune your mind and senses to something new, whether that’s in your thoughts or something with a little more presence. Visualise travelling with the sound, taking heed of the energies it touches and disturbs. Take note of the echoes – you’ll learn what they mean with experience.

🔔 A set of windchimes can let you know if something is passing through or if there’s some unusual energy afoot – and, yes, it may also just be letting you know that it’s a particularly breezy day, but that’s witchcraft for you.

CONJURING

🔔 This can be as simple as calling good energies to witching tools, spell jars, tarot decks, crystals, altars and shrines, your favourite teddy bar, anything at all.

🔔 With spirit work, it can truly help to magnify your “calling”. This can range from gently bringing your latest offering to the attention of your friendly neighbourhood house spirit – all the way to trying to catch the attention of something more. Be mindful, however. As I said, I consider bells pretty powerful tools and a call that’s too loud is not good spirit work practise for the spirit worker’s own sake. It can really help coax something out of hiding if you’re gentle with it, though.

COMMUNING

🔔 Some use bells to mark the beginning and end of a ritual, and I’ve read that in Wiccan practise an altar bell can be used to invoke the Goddess, although as a non-Wiccan, I’ll welcome corrections on that if I’m wrong.

🔔 In my experience, very simple forms of communication via bell work a lot better than anything too complex – “come here” and “stay away” have already been covered, and other than that they can serve as greetings or signals of a start or end of some practise or ritual, the opening or closing of a door, etc.

🔔 They can also serve as a warning or a litmus test regarding spirits, a signalling of your presence and awareness, lack of fear, or willingness to defend – but be prepared to deal with whatever responses these garner.

BINDING

🔔 Bindings are where you most often see that famous (clockwise) circular motion of the bell, embodying the meaning of the spell. This can be a simple binding to seal a spell or charm or enchantment, or a spirit-binding.

🔔 Personally, spirit-binding is something I do as little as possible simply due to my beliefs holding the autonomy of spirits in very high regard. However, sometimes situations arise that call for it, and I’m aware that not all bindings are unwilling. Far from it – and some spirits are dangerous when unbound.

🔔 As an animist (believing that all things, including inanimate objects, contain a spirit of their own), I consider gently nudging a spirit back into its physical form a sort of semi-binding, and that can be useful.

I’ll leave you all with a note that I am an urban apartment-dwelling witch through and through, so I understand that we can’t all be jangling away at all hours. I myself have a glass windchime in my front window that makes a distinct but muted sound when disturbed by passers-through, and highly recommend wooden ones also. I also only use my small and relatively quiet suzu bell for my crafting – one given to me by my baba herself.

Feel free to add any of your own findings, and happy tolling.

My Grimoire

Updated September 20th, 2016

This is my online Grimoire, complete with my spells, the spells of others, and masterposts. Feel free to use this as your own Grimoire, or take bits and pieces from it.

Moon Phases

Cathy’s Super Easy Guide to Using the Moon by @cathysbookofshadows

How To’s and Basics

How to Write Spells by @cunningcelt

Spell Writing Challenge to Build Your Grimoire

How to Dress Storebought Candles by @thespiritwitch​

Wire Wrapped Spells by @lunacascabelera​

Cursing 101 by @recreationalwitchcraft​

Candle Magic Omens by @windvexer

Types of Witches by @rainy-day-witchcraft​

Spirit Work

House Rules by @urbanspellcraft

Spirit Companionship FAQ Pt.1 by @urbanspellcraft

Spirit Companionship FAQ Pt.2 by @urbanspellcraft

Necromany Masterpost by @technicallyirondick

Selective Spirit Door Bar by @qedavathegrey

Dealing With Dead People - Banishing and Exorcism by @breelandwalker​

Budget Witchcraft

Where to Buy Crystals, Herbs, and Essential Oils for Cheap by @paegan-witch

Where to Buy Cheap Herbs by @cryxtalstardust

Cheap BOS/Grimoire Options by @starfleetwitch

Budget Witchcraft Supplies by @witchtips

Properties of Herbs. Crystals, Etc. & Tools

Cauldron Tips by @theoryofmagick​

Rain Water Uses by @witchy-words

Herbs to Use in Sleep Magick by @athamerror

Witchy Things You Didn’t Know Could Be Witchy

Witch’s Ladder by @low-budget-witches

Taglock Idea by @patchworkwitchcraft

For the beginning witch, Herbal Chart By Use and How To Use Them by @rawniesway

DIY Incense by @the-grey-ether A Kitchen Witch’s Oils by @eclecticwitcheryafoot

Incense and Their Uses in Green Witchcraft by @eclecticwitcheryafoot

DIY Altar Pentacle by @secretworkings

What to Use When in Witchcraft by @dog-rose

Magical Properties of Common Fruits and Vegetables by @cunningcelt

Properties of Sand by @rainy-day-witchcraft

When to Cast a Spell by Weekday by @orriculum

Spells

Financial Spells

Pay Your Debts Poppet

Love Banishment Spells

No More Spell by @reckless-scholar

Stupid Cupid Spell by @oldmotherredcap

Cleansing Spells

Cleansing Candle DIY 

Crystal Cleansing Spell by @crystals-andstones​

Cleansing Ritual

Love and Relationship Spells

Promise Ring Love Spell

Sapphic Love Attraction Powder

Achillean Love Atrraction Powder

Love Spell for Kitchen Witches

Protection Spells

Four Shells Protection Spell by @lakefaerie​

Protection Spell

Pop Culture Spells

Rose Quartz Healing Tears Spell by @orriculum

Healing Spells

Healing from Selfharm Poppet

Misc. Spells

Hair Growth Spell by @bohemian-witch​

Ask a Spider Spell by @phunockery​

Quiet My Mind Focus Jar by @witchy-woman​

See the Unseen Spell

Get Things Done Spell

Spell to Boost Your Memory

New Home Blessing (Elemental)

Necklace Enchantment Courage Spell

DIY Magical Shower Disks by @recreationalwitchcraft

Curses. Hexes, and Jinxes

The Pumpkin Curse

The Curse of the Skeleton

Within the Well Curse

Burn Your Wishes Curse by @orriculum​

Masterposts

Cultural Appropriation

“Smudging” by @breelandwalker​

Your Book on Witchcraft is Bullshit if… by @recreationalwitchcraft

Other Grimoires/Pages

Recreational Witchcraft’s Grimoire by @recreationalwitchcraft

Mad Diviner’s Grimoire by @maddiviner

Money Spells by @magic-for-the-masses​

Protection Spells by @magic-for-the-masses

Beauty Spells by @belladonnaswitchblog

School/Essay Writing Masterpost of Spells by@bibliophilicwitch​

Beauty Spells by @belladonnaswitchblog

Cum on some licorice, call that a jizzler

❣ Skincare Magick ❣

(Gif from this video)

Every so often, use some moon water to wash your face.

Avoid using essential oils directly on your face, they can clog your pores.

Apply body wash or soap to your skin in clockwise circles to open your body up to positivity.

Enchant your moisturizers, acne creams, and cleansers for an added boost.

Draw sigils in your face cream.

Try adding herbs and herb-based products into your routine. Witch Hazel is very popular for treating skin related issues.

If you use pore-cleaning masks, use them to pull the negative energies from your skin.

Use your ring finger to massage products into your skin to ground yourself.

Brew Black tea and then refrigerate it until it’s cool. Then apply it as you would astringent.

Use coconut oil to easily remove makeup. Cleanse and wash after.

Rub a sliced orange on elbows and heels to soften rough and cracked skin. Rinse when finished.

Massaging your face is a wonderful way to ground yourself or begin meditation.

Better get your kids vaccinated so they don't catch

these hands

how to write your own spells resources 🌟

intent of the spell

🌟 list of intents to pick from (x)

spell components

🌟 herbs, crystals and materials by correspondences (x)

🌟 crystals by shape (x)

🌟 what tools you’re going to use (x)

pick a time:

to some witches (not all) the time, day of week, junction of zodiac signs, or moon phase makes for better casting, and even strengthens their spells, here’s a quick summary of the best sort of spells to cast then

🌟 by week day (x)

🌟 by time of day (x)

🌟 by moon phase (x)

🌟 by planet influence (x) (x)

🌟 by zodiac sign (x)

performing the spell:

🌟 chose how you will perform the spell (x)

🌟 choose what methods/other tools you use (x)

Green Witch's Guide to Easy to Find Plants and Stones and Their Basic Uses

Psychicism//

Plants:

•dandelion •willow •peppermint •jasmine

•cinnamon •ivy •fern •blueberry •carrot

Stones:

•amethyst •aventurine •citrine •fluorite

•labradorite •moonstone •calcite •pyrite

Protection//

Plants:

•basil •bay leaf •parsley

•cayenne pepper •lavender •sage

•bamboo •garlic •onion

Stones:

•agate •carnelian •citrine

•Jade •Jasper •jet •moonstone

•obsidian •onyx •sunstone •tigers eye •tourmaline

Sleeping and Dreaming//

Plants:

•peppermint •thyme •jasmine •lavender •chamomile

Stones:

•amethyst •citrine •jet •labradorite (recalling dreams) •moonstone

Purification//

Plants:

•lavender •parsley •sage •bamboo

•peppermint •grapefruit

Stones:

•Amethyst •Calcite •Citrine

Love//

Plants:

•ginger •ginseng •lavender •parsley

•spearmint •peppermint •strawberry •catnip

Stones:

•agate •rose quartz •jade •moonstone •tourmaline

Good Luck//

Plants:

•daisy •bamboo •strawberry

Stones:

•aventurine •jet •tigers eye

Gardening//

•moss agate •jade •moonstone •malachite

Grounding//

•hematite •obsidian •tigers eye •tourmaline

Healing//

Plants:

•ginseng •onion •thyme •peppermint

Stones:

•agate •amethyst •aventurine •carnelian

•hematite •jade •jasper •quartz •sodalite •tourmaline

Divination//

Plants:

•bay leaf •dandelion •willow

Stones:

•hematite •jet •obsidian

Peace//

Plants:

•chamomile •lavender

Stones:

•amethyst •labradorite •agate

Wishes//

Plants:

•bay leaf •dandelion •ginseng •sage •bamboo

Stones:

•tigers eye •quartz •obsidian •onyx •jasper

Stormcraft//

Plants:

•heather •pansy •saffron

Stones:

•pietersite •azurite •blue lace agate •labradorite

Hello!! Want to start off by saying thank you, I hope this isn’t too long, and I love your work! I really enjoyed From Where the Land Meets the Sea and I regularly check The Places You Shouldn’t Be for updates. I’m used to writing long papers for school so sorry if this comes out long! Also I’d like this matchup to be romantic, I’m always so excited and intrigued to hear who others would arrange my marriage to lmao. My Quotev username is Rosemary/SteelOatmeal in case you need it!

Basic info: I’m 19, I use she/her/hers pronouns, and I am bisexual. Astrologically, my big three are pisces, pisces, gemini, and my chart is mostly water and air signs so I’m just a big mess internally :’). I’m an enneagram type 4 and INFP. I’m a big ole introvert but I will let loose and get wild around close friends. I’m a psychology major and I absolutely love learning about how people work; I’m also in marching band bc I’m a big loser /j.

Likes: I like sorting things into categories (as I’ll do with the rest of this essay lol) so I hope that helps you too! I am pagan so I love nature and all that good shit, but I don’t go outside that much bc it’s hot and I’m very lazy. I have a large collection of candles bc I love to set the mood of my space, as well as decorate it with art prints, random shit, and my own paintings. In general, I like my space and clothing to be as comfy and cozy as possible while also being aesthetic and cool. Hand-written notes from loved ones are one of my favorite things and I keep every one I get to look through when I’m sad. I absolutely adore cats, I like to knit/crochet, I consider thrifting a sport (that I do often), I read a lot but only fanfics lmao, my signature look is winged eyeliner, my favorite band is Car Seat Headrest, and I drink large amounts of herbal tea.

Dislikes: Obviously bigots, racists, misogynists, capitalists, and anything-phobes are getting their shit rocked for being scum. I have misophonia so I have to flee my room/put in earbuds often which REALLY sucks and affects my life a lot. I greatly dislike people being judgemental towards others for no good reason (ie cringe culture). When I was younger I was often made fun of for the things I liked and it really did a number on me so it makes me very mad when I see others getting the same treatment. Also raw tomatoes can suck it.

Good traits: I would describe myself as both the funny friend and the cool funky aunt. Also VERY anxious and flighty but sneaky and mischievous; I love some light trespassing and shenanigans. I care a lot about my close relationships and always try to be as helpful as humanly possible for them. I often give people advice and try to be there for them in any way I can (listening, cheering up, encouraging, etc.). It takes me a long time to open up but I consider myself a cool person to talk to and hang out with once you get to know me. I’m very accepting of others, as long as you’re not a bigot or just a dick we’re cool.

Less good traits: I often let my anxiety get in the way of opportunities (social, romantic, events, etc.). It also holds me back from being at all vulnerable with people. I am very paranoid and concerned with safety/not getting caught so I’ve been told I sometimes hold other people back from doing their thing out of my own anxiety. I’m kind of a hermit and incredibly lazy, always have been. I am terrible at confrontation and will avoid it at all costs because I am totally a coward and not afraid (..the irony) to admit it. I can be bossy bc I like having authority, control, and having things done my way.

Fun story!! This is my favorite story to tell, I hope you enjoy! A few years ago I was hanging out with some friends in their neighborhood and we found a storm drain exit hole (??) so we decided to walk in. I’m like 6 feet tall but I only had to crouch a bit to walk the roughly 100 feet into the concrete tube until we reached a small room beneath the manhole/storm drain cover. We all sat in the little room having fun, playing cards, and trying not to be scared of the quiet black tunnels behind us that led further into the drain. A few of the people with us leave to go to the surface. The rest of us are just having a good time when suddenly an extremely loud, thunderous BOOM echoes all around us. I have never felt such immediate, intense, primal fear in my life. I thought either the tunnel was collapsing or pennywise was coming to demolish our stupid teen asses. We briefly share a horrified look before scrambling up and booking it out of the tunnel, me scraping my head and hitting a few spiders on the way out. When we got out, shaking and gasping, we were greeted to the laughs of the guys who left earlier. They had thrown a large rock onto the metal manhole/storm drain cover to scare us. Assholes. Fun to look back on now though lmao.

Thanks again and take care!! :)

Your matchup is… Jane!

In General:

I have said it once, twice and I will say it again, you guys are SO GOOD at making me ??? With who I want to put you with!! And once again, this is just because I find you so interesting and just chef’s kiss with so many different people. SO why did I match you with Jane? Honestly I love Jane and I see her getting along with Pisces and everything about you just vibes with her but I will get into that! I think what genuinely pushed me in that direction over some of the other characters than ran through my head (as in, Hoodie, EJ and maybe,,,,,, just maybe,,,,,,, Toby,,,,,,,) was your hobbies and good traits. but over all sorry I love Jane and I think she would be the best girlfriend ever for you.

Things she likes about you:

Jane has such a sense of justice about her, at least, that’s how I tend to see her. She’s an ambivert leaning towards extroversion and is often the life of the party but I think she genuinely loves how cozy you are because it’s so calming and relaxing to her. She finds everything about you so SO peaceful. She’s also a bit artistic herself so ofc, she loves your artwork. She also finds your personality so admirable because it’s like the perfect balance of doing fun shit and taking it slow. She needs that ngl. The shenanigans like light trespassing? She’s 100% up for that, like literally just going to explore stuff with her if that’s your thing, she’d hold your hand the entire time and probably bust out some history of the place because lowkey, I think she’s into history. I think you also mentioned you’re tall so like she’s into that. I like to think she’s a tall girl too and wears heels just to tower over people lol like Lady D, but make it Jane. She’s here for that. Jane also really likes that you’re helpful/and willing to lend an ear because she has an unhealthy habit of bottling stuff in until it explodes, but I think you’d put her in such a peaceful/safe space that she’ feel willing to let that stuff out healthily and at a good pace rather than waiting until it explodes. Jane doesn’t like cringe culture either - genuinely the only thing she hates is Jeff. Like that’s it. Everything else is just tolerable (but she adores you omfg). She also really likes that your makeup,,,, which leads me to-

General cute stuff:

By the gods let her do your makeup and you do hers. I can just see the two of you sitting on the floor, candles all around, maybe a ring light giggling and doing each other’s makeup. Her hands gently touching your face, caressing you and just telling you how pretty you are like I am weak. Also you mentioned liking cats she likes cats too! At one point she would ask you to knit her something with a cat-- like you two probably have a cat together or something she’s soft. Also, I think she’s the type of girl to send legitimate letters to her GF! Like she would totally just send actual handwritten letters to you, busts out a fountain pen, and then kisses it with her black lipstick with a dash of her perfume and eagerly waits for you to get it. She’s the type of girl to put polaroids too,,,,,, and take an astounding amount of polaroids with you and string them up on her wall or have a “our adventure book” kind of deal. She’s also really perceptive? So, if a situation is ever too much and you need to retreat, she’s got you 100%. If you need your space? That’s totally cool she’s just really understanding of you and everything going on in your orbit. I also like to think she’s that kind of partner that would just exist in a room with you? Like she doesn’t even need to be talking with you to enjoy her time with you (or maybe I really like those pleasant silences lol). She’s also really supportive of everything you do, regardless of what it is because she hates that people hurt you when you were younger. She wants you to absolutely thrive and she will help you do that. Jane also likes,,,,, those nap dates? I mentioned it in another matchup, like "let's take melatonin and sleep together" like that. Just let her hold you while she cuddles you. She likes simple contact. Jane would also join in your hobbies and learn about them if you'd let her. She'd also teach you some things too - mostly protection related because she wants you to stay safe at all times.

You two as a couple:

Thrift dates are a must. No questions asked. Like, she would be so happy to go with you and just do normal stuff and thrifting is just super cute in her opinion? She’s not judgmental at all when it comes to you. Once again, the only person she seems to really dislike and throw any judgment on is Jeff, so like, that might flare up once and again. I also think that in her relationship with you, she’s just really understanding, attentive and willing to go the extra mile to make you feel safe and secure and follow your own guidelines and boundaries when doing so. She’s big on the respect thing. You two are always laughing too? Like, just giggling at everything because it’s always such a fun, wholesome time together. Interestingly enough, Jane can be quite bossy too and likes having total control as well, but she’d work on compromising more just to make you happy (and because compromise is a mostly good thing). Honestly I’m just going to stress communication, but that goes for any relationship really. She also takes a bit to open up in a relationship but that’s because of y’know her history and stuff. But once she does open up? You have a best friend and a solid girlfriend. I also think she’s protective of you. She just wants to make sure you’re safe, happy and healthy on all facets (emotional, physical and mental) and will do whatever she can to make sure you’re in those safe zones. Jane is admittedly a bit of a go getter so sometimes being a hermit won’t mesh entirely well with her, but she gets it. She might encourage you, but let her know if it’s annoying or makes you upset because she will pull back. I think Jane would hope for you to become more open with her as the relationship goes on, but it’s not like she’d actively force you either. Other than that, she’d probably take you to gardens and stuff just to appreciate nature with you. Lil walks out in the woods, looking for fun mushrooms, all that cottagecore stuff lmfao. She would deadass weave flowers into your hair and just bring in pretty flowers because "they remind me of you" y'know? Idk how else to say this woman loves everything about you. She melts in her entirety just by looking at you.

Closing Thoughts/Other Stuff:

I am just here to say I LOVE EVERYTHING ABOUT YOU. You are a psych major? Me too! Hate raw tomatoes? Absolutely! And your story is SO FUN like omfg I wish I had friends to go into Pennywise’s storm drains with smh. Also a fellow pagan hi!! I always get so excited to see others thriving out here. You wrote me a perfect amount and broke it up for me, that is so thoughtful, like I swear I could cry that’s exactly what I want when y’all send me your essays. And you are SO SWEET like I might legitimately cry lmfao. Im soft. You are such a sweet human being I cannot stress that near enough, I hope for nothing but good things, light, and many blessings to come your way. I just adore you, and Jane ABSOLUTELY does too.

Anyways, I hope this was good and that you like it! Lmk what you think, thank you for sending it in! <3

Witch Tea: Going to Class

this is a tea i make to help motivate me for class, i usually brew it and bring it to class with me in a big thermos. I have 6 hour studio classes that require a lot of focus, creativity, innovation and hard work. So this brew is aimed for those heavy work days when you need that extra boost of mental power.

Materials Needed:

3 parts Green Tea

1 part Black Tea

½ part Rosemary

½ part Mint

½ part Orange Peel  

¼ part Rose Petals 

boil water then while focusing on your intent pour the water over herbs, let steep. sweeten with honey to taste for a nice extra boost.

-by HoneyCoyote-

Misophonia or not?

It’s always been an odd feeling when I hear a sound and I’m just like, “that sounds gross,” but it’s an entirely different experience from a misophonic trigger reaction…and being afraid that it’ll eventually morph into a trigger sound :|