Liminal Spaces In Witchcraft

What’s your favourite kind of tea? 🍃 I hope everyone is well amidst the chaos 🌈

I was wondering about your thoughts on familiars? 🐍🦍🐆🐺🦉🐈🦚🦔🐇😁

*Cracks knuckles…prepares for the shit storm* brace yourselves…loooong fucking post.

95% of people I’ve seen talk about familiars, post pictures of their familiars and talk about how their *insert animal companion* helps them with their spell work…aren’t familiars. They are animal companions, aka pets. They also insist that because they are a witch with and animal who sits on their tarot cards, that it’s automatically a familiar.

Familiars can come in different forms (not talking about cat vs dog vs snake) but it must be reminded that familiar is shortened of “spirit familiar”. It’s not that pets can’t be familiars, it’s that the people who talk about their pets as familiars take inspiration from pop culture of what a familiar is. It’s not just an animal that follows the witch around. A familiar actively assists with the witch’s work. 

Familiars that come in the shape of animals have been around for ages, and across cultures, but the things that ties them together is they appear of their own volition or in specific ways. They aren’t purchased from a pet store, they aren’t adopted from the shelter…is it possible? Sure I guess? Pet stores weren’t really around when most of the accounts of familiar came from. Oof. I need to organize my thoughts a bit.

Familiars Spirits are traditionally intangible/supernatural entities that may or may not choose to appear in physical form whether animal, entity’s “True Form”, or even under disguise, whether as something else or even as another person. Spirit familiars may also inhabit inanimate objects such as statues, spirit vessels (fetiche) such as roots, clay or earthen figures, empty boxes etc.

Familiars as Gifts

In some accounts, a familiar is given to a witch or cunning folk by another person. 

In these cases it’s usually given by a teacher or mentor, or a family member to assist the practitioner in their path. Traditionally it’s someone with a hand in the recipients magical practice.

The spirit passed down may be the witch (or cunningfolk, but for the remainder of this post, I will refer to them interchangeably) indefinitely. The implication there is that the familiar not only is connected to the witch, but to their specific practice and thus can be viewed as a guardian of the path with the assumption that eventually, the witch will pass the familiar onto the next generation.

It may also be a personal familiar that is passed down. Personal as in this is the first time the familiar is passed on, and could become the type mentioned above (guardian style of either the path or family line) or it may be a temporary contract. The familiar may be with the witch to protect it, and assist in place of the original practitioner and may leave/disappear/die when they are able to conjure their own and enter into a pact with a new familiar (or create a pact with the old familiar).

In the case of being passed on, the relationship between witch and familiar, in lieu of a teacher, may impart certain secrets of the path. IT may also not even give the option to continue the relationship if the previous witch only extended the contract to get the new practitioner to a certain point or through hardship. 

It should also be pointed out that specifically in european traditions and some north american lore, that the spirit familiar is given to the witch or magical practitioner by yet another spirit or entity who is more powerful. This could be a spirit mentor, Faery, or as a pact with “The Man in Black” Ol Scratch, or some iteration that has been interpreted as the devil or satan. In these cases, it is both a symbol of the relationship, a representative of the pact, a gift, and a tool.

 Familiars as Animals

As mentioned and popularized both in folklore and in pop culture, familiar spirits may appear in the form of animals.

In the overly popular example of the Salem Witch trials, we see through trial records the purported importance of a “Witch’s Mark”. The mark is some bodily anomaly that supposedly was where the witch could suckle their familiar. It could be a mole, a birthmark, skintag, and was instrumental in the conviction of the accused.

Certain animals are more likely to be the form of a familiar, and that also depends on the geography of the witch as well as the culture. Example, in the US, black cats are inherently associated with witches, but in Scottland, Britain and other countries, you’re may be more likely to find a connection through hares, toads, and ravens more commonly than the black cat.

One reason that they appear as more common animals is to maintain the secrecy that envelopes the witch.

In pop culture, it’s always obvious when a familiar is a familiar because the animal is represented in stark contrast between the other animals. You will notice if a black crow flies to the same person’s house day in and day out when there are no other crows around. You would also notice if you were in the dessert, and a toad is always standing guard outside a home. The animal forms match the surroundings so it would be conceivable for the witch to deny the familiar as what it is “I found this toad in the scullery, it’s so pesky living near that damnable pond. Please wait a moment while I put this outside.”

There is also a connection and interpretation of familiars as being body doubles, or as having room for 2 spirits. Many stories about the folkloric witch hold that the animal appears throughout the town, or visits neighbors etc and is in fact the witch. Some versions hold that the familiar takes the form of the specific animal because that’s the form the witch can assume (conversely, the familiar teaches the witch to transform into a copy of it). This again maintains the witch’s anonymity because if you see the same animal around for a long time, it’s less likely to raise suspicion. It has also been alluded to that the witch enters the body of the familiar or projects their conscious into the familiar to see what need be seen and do what need be done remotely.

Animal familiar spirits in other accounts assume that shape to better serve the witch whether as lookout, intelligence gatherer or collector of needed ingredients.

Familiars also can assume the shape of multiple animals at once, but usually will be the same one, and smaller such as a cloud of flies, grouping of spiders, several small frogs, and even flocks of birds such as starlings, magpies and sparrows. Again, this depends on both the area and the witch.

Familiar Pets

This is one exception that can easily fall into the category of mundane pets and animals being considered familiars (Please note I said this is the easy exception. There may be others, but those are individual cases.)

Some animals are kept as divinatory familiars. This falls under the branch of Zoomancy - divination done through interpretation of movements actions and reaction of animals.

Ailuromancy, coming from the greek ailouros meaning “cat” is divination through…cats. How this is done varies depending on the culture and time, but it’s done by interpreting the movements, and actions of cats. Noticing how cats jump, where they land, what they do with their tales, whiskers, how they curl up, wash their faces, intonations of their meows. 

Alectromancy is the process of using hens and or roosters for divination. Sometimes its observing their movements naturally, other times it’s done by placing the chicken in a circle with different symbols and placing feed on all the symbols, interpreting the actions and choices of the chicken as the answer to the question.

Arachnomancy is the process of divining knowledge past present and future through spiders. It’s been done in multiple cultures from the Inca who kept spiders to answer questions by placing them in bowls and reading how they moved the leaves around. In China, women would collect spiders at fortuitous times in incense boxes and determine events based on if they made webs or didn’t over night. In other cultures, the keeping of spiders was done to read their webs and habits. In other parts of the world, different type of leaves, or cards were moved by kept spiders to interpret omens and fortune.

The reason that these are considered familiars is because they are used directly in the witch’s work. They are kept and fed and cared for, but they have a separate purpose from just existing, and that is as a tool.

I have nothing against pets, I’ve got three myself. I love them, I care for them, they comfort me when I am sick, or tired, or stressed, but they are mundane animals. They were adopted, they were raised, and they do dog things. I joke when I refer to my black dog Arlo as a familiar because he brings me avocados. I don’t use avocados that often in my craft and there’s a tree in my backyard so it’s nothing spiritually enriching, just adorable.

Is it possible that your pet is a familiar? Yes. But most likely it’s just a treasured animal, and familiar in this definition: One who is often seen, and well known; synonym: Companion. Alt.: in close friendship; intimate. Synonyms: Casual, friendly, comfortable, informal.

The term “familiar”, the noun in regards to witches is a different definition: a spirit often embodied in an animal and held to attend and serve or guard a person.

There is precedent to referring to pets as familiars when it comes to having animals that are integral to your craft.

While it may not do anything inherently magical, if used for magic then it is sometimes referred to as a familiar.

Using an animal/pet for a working can also be referred to as using a familiar. Some people use their pets as a conduit or even as a spell holder to deliver the spell to someone else.

Paul Huson refers to these types of animals/familiars/magistelli as a power object

Yes, I mean you can put a hex on someone through your dog. Yes I also mean you can deliver a hex to someone by them petting your dog. or a blessing…that too

Additional note…If you’ve pissed off another witch and go to their home ask if they’ve read my blog before petting their dog. They may be using it to hex you…or bless you.

What does this mean?

If your pet doesn’t attend and serve you in your magical workings, or used in your magical workings on purpose it’s not a traditional witch’s spirit familiar.

If your pet gives you attention and happiness it is familiar to you.

A witch doesn’t need to have a familiar to be a witch. Yes, the 1648 law in Massachusetts defined a witch as one who “hath or consulteth with a familiar spirit.” But even that denotation of what makes a witch was repealed in 1682, ten years before the Salem witch trials. Even the puritans recognized that not all witches have familiars, and sometimes an animal is just an animal.

Familiar Spirits additionally

Some familiar spirits may appear and be subservient or loyal immediately. No pact or contract needs to be done, it’s more just…there.

Familiar spirits may be other spirits who enter into a pact with the witch. Either appearing spontaneously, or through a summons and communication.

This pact may be for a week, a month, several years, or a lifetime…even longer (see above, Familiars as gifts).

Familiars may not always be present. Some may have a resting place the witch must go to, some reside in a different realm, plane, dimension or whatever and need to be called forth to do work. Some may be around the witch at all times, but there is still the function of the familiar.

Familiars do what witches cannot. If that’s going out, gathering items, retrieving lost things, there is an air of purpose that familiars fulfill in assisting the witch in a real way.

This real way is often either physical or spiritual, and with the exception of popculture, most times it is not in an emotional sense like pets fulfill.

Familiars are spirits, and their forms may change, but they are spirits none the less. 

Plant familiars are a thing. Most famous is the Alraune/Alrune/Alruna made from a mandrake. Other plant familiars are grouped under the title of Magistellius Flora.

Magistelli is one title for familiars, and some historians denote that the term “familiar” was passed on from the church to further pass judgement on witches for becoming familiar with the devil (through demonic servants).

As mentioned previously, spirit familiars may inhabit objects and go forth from there. The physical tether is usually cared for and attended to by the witch.

Even though the vessel isn’t living, it is fed and tended to usually as part of the pact made with the spirit.

Familiars in Pop Culture That are More Accurate than Others…

The VVitch (Movie)- the hare that appear numerous times throughout the film is a familiar. It’s not made clear if it is there as a watcher for the witch either holding the witch’s conscious, or as the witch herself. Another possibility is that the hare is a harbinger, delivering an enchantment on behalf of the witch to go unnoticed (The musket backfiring while the hare is watching). Another iteration or possibility is that the familiar is taking on the stance of protector or guard. When deep in the woods the hare is seen, and as the location of where the witch(es) live in the woods, it could be implied that it stands guard to repel interlopers, or notify the witch(es) of the presence of the puritans. The hare also, while not as widely associated with witches in the United States currently, must be recognized as still being very intensely connected to witches during the time period. The puritans immigrated to the colonies from England, and it can be inferred that the witch(es) who are at work in the woods also came from England or another European country.

The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina (TV) - Sabrina actively seeks a familiar and goes into the woods asking for a (hob)goblin to attend her as a partner. Though it’s also acknowledged that familiars can be subservient and chosen that way. Numerous times, the cat (Salem) acts as a protector for Sabrina. As mentioned above, familiars are sometimes called forth to guide and protect witches through trying times, or to be near the witch to assist with workings when other witches cannot. You also see the spirit form of the goblin before it chooses what shape to inhabit. It’s usual for the true nature of the familiar to only be visible by the witch it has a contract with, but accounts (and experience) of others being able to see flits of the spirit if not discernable details is exhibited by Salem only showing his true form to Sabrina when they enter into the pact.

Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell (TV) - Being a prime example of the British and Scottish interpretations of Spirit familiars being Fae, Faery, or the Good Neighbors, the story line includes a Faery referred to as “The Gentleman” (Further example of the relationship between fae and witches relating to the importance of names) who wishes to be the assistant, teacher, mentor of Mr. Norrell. A “common” occurence in scottish witch lore is that either the faery that the witch/cunning folk learns from in some cases is a familiar, but in other accounts bestows a familiar (lesser faery, animal spirit etc) unto the practitioner. This also is a fair representation both of the care needed when working with the fae, but also with working with spirits in general as they have autonomy, and a familiar gained through a pact, needs to be respected.

Harry Potter (Movie And Book Series) - While there are plenty of animals, fantastic beasts and witches throughout the story lines, there are only 2 (kinda 3) animals that fulfill the traditional sense of the word “Familiar”. Mrs. Norris the cat and Argus Filch have a relationship that is a parody of who people would assume is a witch (the irony being that he has no magical powers, but lives among those who do). A curmudgeonly man with a bad attitude, snarl and distaste for interacting with the general populous and a craving for torturing children with a cat (reads like a stereotypical witch). Mrs. Norris is described as having an uncanny ability to find rule breakers and an unexplainable connection to her owner. Being able to notify him when there’s rukebreaking afoot with a yowl and also being able to recognize and see through enchantments (Harry’s cloak). Nagini also fits the bill as being an animal with whom only the witch/wizard can communicate who also is able to act independently of them. Also being sent out both as scout, guard and having a connection the owner can use to see through their eyes/inhabit (Voldemort in Nagini/ the department of mysteries. Also the shapeshifting into Bathilda Bagshot and notifying her owner of Harry’s prescience.) **BEFORE YALL TRY AND GO OFF. I realize that as of the newest film, nagini can’t be considered a familiar as she’s a cursed witch blah blah blah. Before it came out, the books representation of Nagini is textbook Familiar.** Speaking of Fantastic Beasts, the Matagat are described as familiar spirits and it’s a little nod to folklore. They appear for like 3 minutes.

Bell, Book, and Candle (movie)- this film is full of tropes. It lays on some pretty thick liberties loosely based on lore surrounding traditional witches mixing it with fairy tale lore about them, namely witches being unable to love etc. But, the cat familiar Pyewacket is an accurate representation of how a familiar can act and be used. Touching on the subject of working magic through the familiar who is more cat with magic, than imp/goblin/demon/fairy/brownie in animal form, the main character uses Pyewacket as both a conduit for her spells as well as sending it forth for her bidding. It also represents the familiars ability to have autonomy and choose whether or not to listen if the pact is broken (this is shown by Pyewacket’s rejection to the main character after she rejects her powers).

Salem(TV) - Another example of familiars, with the additional Witch’s Mark lore incorporated.

Pan’s Labyrinth (Movie) - The mandrake is a textbook magistellus flora root familiar alrune piece of delicious representation.

There are others too but this post is long enough.

So….there are some of my thoughts. Also keep in mind that this is focusing on familiars in North America and European lore. There’s additional context to be had and differences when including South America, Asia, Africa and Australia. Also keep in mind, this is my view and opinions, if you call your parakeet a familiar, I don’t really care. That’s your choice and your practice and as the world adjusts so do practices, but as a traditional witch and folkloric witch myself……I could go on and on and had to stop myself from talking about Greek Genius spirits, Animism, accounts and trial records of witches and familiars, the Allegory of the Cave and more.

TLDR: Familiars are real, I work with them and they are not my pet dogs. If the only reason you call a pet a familiar is because it’s in the room while you light incense and you’re a witch…it’s probably not a traditional familiar. You can call it that sure, but it’s a different definition than is widely accepted and assumed when you say Witch’s familiar. If you do include your pet for workings then that falls in line with some of the iterations of the classical familiar.

🦇Cheers, Barberwitch

Complete Magical Herb List, taken from my own grimoire

Acorn-Luck, wisdom, youth, personal power               

Allspice- Money, Lck, Treasure, Determination

Almond- Wisdom and fruitfulness. Helps one

overcome a dependency or addiction

Aloe-Protection, Luck. Place at a grave to bring peace.

Anise-helps ward off evil, find happiness, prevents 

nightmares, good in bath spells.

Apple- Love, Immortality, Friendship, Healing. Apples

make good offerings, especially at Samhan

Apricot- Love and attracting love. 

Asparagus- masculan sex magick

   Bamboo- Hex breaking, wishes, luck.

Banana- fertility, potency, prosperity

Basil-Love, exorcism, wealth, sympathy, protection

Bayleaf-Good fortune, success, strength, purification

Beet- Love. Juice can substitute blood in rituals.

Birch-Protection, Exorcism, Putification

Blackberry-Healing and money. Berrys are sacred.

Blueberry-Protection from enemies. Can cause confusion if you throw one in the path of an enemy

    Cabbage- Fertility, Profit, good luck, lunar magick

Cactus- Chastity, banishing, protection

Carnations-Strength, healing, enhancing power, achieving balance. Burn to enhance creativity

Carrot- Lust, fertility, abundance

Catnip-Love, beauty, happiness, attracts spirits. Sacred

 to cat deities and animal magick. 

Cedar- Confidence, strength, protection, healing. Berries are good for anti theft spells and warding off snakes

Celery- Mental power, lust, male potency

Chamomile- Love, healing, reduce stress. Drink tea in 

meditation, to destress and to get a restful sleep.

.Cherry-love, divination, happiness

Chili pepper- fidelity, love, breaks hexes

Chives- protection and weight loss

Chrysanthemum- protection, grow in your 

garden to ward off evil

Cilantro- brings peace to the home and helps 

attune one with their soul

Cinnamon- Spirituality, success, healing, power, love,

 luck, strength, and prosperity.

Clove-love, money, protection

Clover- fidelity, money, luck. Love, success

Coconut- Chastity, protection, purification

Coffee- Helps dispel nightmares and negativity, helps 

overcome internal blockages, provides peace of mind and grounding. 

Corn- Protection, divination, good luck

Cotton-rain, protection, luck, healing. 

Cucumber-chastity, fertility, healing

Cumin- fidelity, protection, and theft prevention

Curry- protection. Burn curry powder to keep evil forces away.

Cypress- death and mourning, stimulates healing and helps one overcome the pain of grief

   Daffodil- Love, Luck, and fertility

Daisy- innocence and innocent love. Associated with children and newborns

Dandelion- healing, purification, wishes, and spirit work

Elderberries- sleep, releasing enchantments, protection against negative people and the temptation to harm others. Note, every part of this plant is poisonous.

Elm- love, protection from lightning. 

    Fennel seed- imparts strength, vitality, and sexual virility  and masculinity. 

Feverfew- protects against sickness and accidents. Use for healing spells. 

Frankincense- Successful ventures, cleansing, purification, productivity, concentration and meditation. 

    Garlic- healing, protection, repels vampires, purifies spaces and objects.

Ginger- Draws adventure and new experiences. Promptes sentuality, confidence, and success

Grape- fertility, money, mental strength

Grapefruit- cleansing and purification

   Hibiscus-attracting love, lust, and dreams

Hollyhock- Increases the flow of money, aids in financial flourishing.

Honey- for attraction, solar magick, and sweetness. 

Honeysuckle- Draws money, success, and quick abundance. Aides confidence and persuasiveness. 

 Ivy- Protection, healing, fertility, love.

   Jasmine- ideas,  Divination, charging, attracting a soulmate, can induce sleep and dreams. 

Juniper- promotes healing and good health, attracts healing energies and protects against theft

   Lavender- Peace, love, protection, healing, sleep, purification, and healing from depression

Lemon- cleansing, purification, removal of blockages, dealing with pain

Lemon Balm- Love, Success, Healing, spiritual growth and development. Use in healing spells for mental illness

Lemongrass- psychic cleansing and opening, use in lust potions

Lettuce- Divination, sleep, lunar magick, sex magick, love spells

Lilac- Wisdom, memory, luck, spiritual aid

Lily-renewal, rebirti, marriage, prosperity,the life cycle, death.

Lime-purification, protection, promotes tranquility, strengthens love.

    Maple-Love, money, longevity, luck

Marjoram- Cleansing, Purification, dispelling negativity, strengthening love, infuse in bath spells to aid grief

May Flowers- attracts adventure and chaos into your life

Mint- energy, communication, and vitality. Use in healing spells and place on alter to attract good spirits. 

Morning Glory-Binding, banishing. Note, this plant is poisonous. 

Mugwort- Lust, fertility, helps ease backaches and cure disease. 

Mustard Seed- Courage, faith, and endurance.

    Narcissus-  calms vibrations, promotes harmony and peace of mind. 

Nutmeg- Money, prosperity, luck, curse breaking

   Oak- wisdom, strength, to preserve youth, and increase attraction. strengthens unity, The most sacred tree.

Oatmeal- for worship, use in offerings.

Olive-Fidelity, peace, marriage, healing, potency and lust

Onion- Prosperity, stability, endurance, banishing bad habits. 

Orange-love, luck, divination, happiness, self confidence, blessing

Orchid- Concentration, strengthen memory, focus and willpower

Oregano- Joy, strength, vitality and energy.

Palo Santo- if you’ve been cursed use this herb to break it.

Paprika-Add to spell to energise it. Throw into someone’s yard to cause them problems.  Parsley- Calms and protects the home, draws prosperity and financial increase, restores a sense of well being.

Peach- Fertility, Love, Wisdom. Peach Pits ward off evil, increase love and fertility. 

Peas- Money, love

Pecan-Employment, success, security, career success. 

Pepper- courage, banishing negative vibrations. Carry to ward off jealousy.

Peppermint-healing, cleansing, purification. Burn to clear out sickness and keep under your pillow for prophetic dreams. 

Pine-promotes clean breaks, new beginnings, prosperity and success. 

Pineapple- Luck, Money, and chastity. 

Pumpkin- Health, spirit work, and lunar magick

   Raspberry- Healing, Protection, and love. Use to reduce pain during pregnancy and bathe in raspberry to keep a relationship alive.

  Rice- rain, fertility, protection

Rose- love, divine love, self love, friendships, domestic relationships and domestic peace. 

Rosemary- good health, love, good memory, prevents nightmares, wash in rosemary before healing rituals

   Sage-purification, dealing with loss and grief, improves mental stability, burned for cleansing and purification

Sandalwood- Protection, healing, clears negative energy, making wishes

Salt-purification, grounding, protection magick and circle casting

Spearmint-healing, love, protection while sleeping. Burn for healing respiratory conditions.

Strawberry- Attracts success, good fortune, and favorable circumstances.

Sugar- love spells, to bring sweetness to a sintuation, sex magick

      Tea-courage, strength, divination, use as a base for potions. 

Thyme- Loyalty, love, affection, grief, courage, purification, use in baths to cleanse and ward off nightmares.

Tomado- use in love spells

     Vanilla-Love, Lust, passion, restoring lost emotions and energy. Increases mental strength. 

Vinegar- banishing, binding, averting evil

   Walnut- access to divine energy

Willow- draws strength and love, healing, and overcoming sadness. The sacred wishing tree. Wear a sprig of willow when facing the death of a loved one. 

My own page on sacred geometry

Grimoire Ideas📖✨

   since i’m starting to work on getting my own Grimoire better organized and figuring out what i think fits best in it for me, i feel like i should log some ideas that have helped me in my journey in hopes that it could help someone else just starting out. but just remember that your Grimoire is your own and personal to you and you alone so you don’t need to put everything in if it doesn’t vibe well with you or doesn’t fit into your craft. your book should hold things that are personal to you and your craft and what you believe and you don’t need to have every bit of knowledge in your book.

✏️ an index/table of contents ✏️ a blessing ✏️ a protection sigil and/or spell to keep from wondering eyes ✏️ your personal creed or rede/the wiccan rede(if you’re wiccan) ✏️ personal goals/13 goals of a witch ✏️ personal correspondences/things personal to you ✏️ your beliefs ✏️ your daily rituals ✏️ the different types of magic ✏️ the different types of divination ✏️ any gods, goddesses, deities, or spirits you worship/follow  ✏️ information on any gods, goddesses, deities, or spirits ✏️ crystals 》 meanings 》uses 》correspondences ✏️ plants/tress/flowers 》 meanings 》uses 》correspondences ✏️ herbs 》 meanings 》uses 》correspondences ✏️ essential oils 》 meanings 》uses 》correspondences ✏️ incense 》 meanings 》uses 》correspondences ✏️ candles 》 meanings 》uses 》correspondences ✏️ chakras 》meanings 》uses 》correspondences ✏️ auras 》meanings 》uses 》correspondences ✏️ elements(earth, fire, air, water) 》meanings 》uses 》correspondences ✏️ runes 》meanings 》uses 》correspondences ✏️ magical symbols 》meanings 》uses 》correspondences ✏️ feathers 》meanings 》uses 》correspondences ✏️ crystal grid ✏️ pendulum board ✏️ sigils 》how to make them 》how they work 》how to charge ✏️ moon phases 》correspondences 》what they’re good 》what the mean  ✏️ moon phase calendar(preferable something that can be removed or changed easily)   ✏️ magical times 》hour 》day 》week 》month ✏️ moon water ✏️ sun water ✏️ zodiac 》correspondences 》dates 》characteristics  ✏️ mythology of your heritage/culture and/or area ✏️ mythologies of interest ✏️ mythological creatures ✏️ star chart ✏️ constellations ✏️ celestial events ✏️ planets/celestial bodies 》meanings 》uses 》correspondences 》mythology 》relation to magic ✏️ cheat sheets ✏️ tips/reminders ✏️ spirit works ✏️ basic concepts 》banishing 》binding 》cleansing 》grounding 》ect. ✏️ altars 》what they are 》what they’re used for 》what you need 》basic set up 》plans ✏️ familiars ✏️ tools in your practice ✏️ spirit work ✏️ spirits ✏️ personal/family traditions ✏️ animals 》which animals you connect with 》spiritual powers of animals ✏️ spirits guides ✏️ sabbats 》solstice 》equinox ✏️ recipes 》spells 》potions 》teas 》cleaning products 》natural remedies 》powders 》oils 》beauty 》 body scrubs 》ect. ✏️ spells 》self love 》curses 》hexes 》protection 》banishing 》ect. ✏️ tea 》meanings 》uses 》correspondences 》spells 》recipes ✏️ rituals ✏️ visuals 》drawings 》pressed flowers/herbs/plants 》photos ✏️ meditation ✏️ a secret code or alphabet  ✏️ gardening ✏️ list of words and phrases ✏️ books 》ones you reference & find helpful ✏️ experiences 》spell work 》divination 》spirit work 》banishing 》tarot readings 》ect. ✏️ spiritual diary ✏️ magical diary ✏️ dream log ✏️ spell log ✏️ anything else you want! literally! it’s your book and its always good to customize it to you! if you feel like it should be in your book, then go ahead and put it in your book because that’s what makes it special!

            ***correspondences =things such as 》elements, colors, symbolism, planets, astrology, anatomy, ect. really anything else important tied to something.

   obviously you can pick and choose whatever works best for yourself and your craft, and i don’t even have some of these in my own book but still thought they would be helpful to include for witches like me who are just starting out who need ideas of what their books can hold! i’ll probably start posting more about my grimorire and how i keep it organized as well!

   if you think i’ve missed anything feel free to add on more ideas to pass on to your fellow baby witches!

As my crystal collection grows so do the pages in my BOS

🍲Kitchen Witchery🍲

In Lisa Chamberlain’s book called ‘Wicca: Kitchen Witchery’ I found some good informations for kitchen witchery and I would like to share it with you so it may will be useful for someone!

🌿Basil 🌿

General Magical Uses: fosters loving vibrations, protection, wards off negativities in a home

🍃Bay Leaf🍃

General Magical Uses: protection, purification, healing, strenght, good fortune, money, success

🌳Cinnamon🌳

General Magical Uses: love, luvck, prosperity, success, raises spiritual vibration

🏵️Dandelion🏵️

General Magical Uses: divination, interacction with spirit world, wishes

🌰Nutmeg🌰

General Magical Uses: money, prosperity, good luck, protection

🍃Oregano🍃

General Magical Uses: peace, deepening love relationships, releasing old relationships

🌱Parsley🌱

General Magical Uses: protection, money, luck, lust, strenght, vitality

🌿Rosemary🌿

General Magical Uses: love and lust spells, promotes healthy rest

❁Sage❁

General Magical Uses: longevity, wishom, protection, dispels negative energy

⭐Star Anise⭐

General Magical Uses: luck, spiritual connection, psychic and magical power

🌿Tyhme🌿

General Magical Uses: attracts lovalty, affection, psychic abilities

🌶️Red🌶️

Magical Attributes: passion, courage, strangth, intense emotions

Used in Magic for: love, physical energy, health, willpower

Example Foods: apple, tomatoe, pepper, cherry, strawberry

🍊Orange🍊

Magical Attributes: energy, attraction, vitality, stimulation

Used in Magic for: adaptability to sudden changes, encouragement, power

Example Foods: squash, pumpkin, cantaloupe, carrot

🍋Yellow🍋

Magical Attributes:  intellect, inspiration, imagination, knowledge

Used in Magic for: communication, confidence, divination, study

Example Foods: lemon, corn, golden beet, banana

🥑Green🥑

Magical Attributes: abundance, growth, wealth, renewal, balance

Used in Magic for: prosperity, employment, fertility, health, good luck

Example Foods: avocado, pepper, kale, lettuce, chard, zucchini, broccoli

🍇Blue🍇

Magical Attributes: peace, truth, wisdom, protection, patience

Used in Magic for: healing, psychic ability, harmony in the home, understanding

Example Foods: blueberry, blue corn, purple potatoes (turns blue when cooked)

🍆Violet🍆

Magical Attributes:  spirituality, wisdom, devotion, peace, idealism

Used in Magic for: divination, enhancing nurturing qualities, balancing sensitivity

Example Foods: eggplant, purple carrot, purple cabbage, plum

🍄White🍄

Magical Attributes: peace, innocence, illumination, purity

Used in Magic for: cleansing, clarity, establishing order, spiritual growth and understanding

Example Foods: onion, mushroom, rice, youghurt, all milks

🍠Black🍠

Magical Attributes: dignity, force, stability, protection

Used in Magic for: banishing and releasing negative energies, transformation, enlightenment

Example Foods: black beans blackberry, chia seeds, rice

🍫Brown🍫

Magical Attributes: endurance, peace, innocence, illumination, purity

Used in Magic for: balance, concentration, material gain, home, companion animals

Example Foods: lentil, rice, wheat, grains, dark chocolate

🍑Pink🍑

Magical Attributes: affection, friendship, companionship, spiritual healing

Used in Magic for: romance, spiritual awakening, partnerships, children’s magic

Example Foods: beet, rhubarb, ginger (when picked), raspberry

🍞Bread🍞

Magical Goals: Abundance, health, security, kinship 

🍡Beans🍡

Magical Goals:  Luck, money, divination, decision-making 

🧈Butter🧈

Magical Goals: Spirituality, peace, relationships 

🧀Cheese🧀

Magical Goals:  Moon magic, joy, health, completion of goals

🥚Eggs🥚

Magical Goals:  Fertility, mysticism, Goddess magic 

🍯Honey🍯

Magical Goals: Health, happiness, love, lust, sex, purification, wisdom, stability 

🥛Milk🥛

Magical Goals:  Love, spirituality, sustenance, motherhood 

🍚Rice🍚

Magical Goals:  Money, fertility, protection, good luck 

🧂Salt🧂

Magical Goals:  Protection, grounding, purification 

🍬Sugar🍬

Magical Goals:  Love, affection, banishing gossip 

🍶Vinegar🍶

Magical Goals:  Purification, protection, cleansing (white vinegar)

🌾Earth🌾

Magical Energies:  Stability, discipline, prosperity, abundance

Tools:  Plates, spoons, baking pans, cutting board

Example Food: grains, flour, root, vegetables, cheeses, maple syrup, peanuts

🌪️Air🌪️

Magical Energies:  Intellect, communication, imagination, harmony

Tools: Forks, knives, blender, oven fan

Example Food: honey, bamboo, shoots, rice, bananas, dandelions, corn

🔥Fire🔥

Magical Energies:  Passion, illumination, transformation, enthusiasm

Tools: Skillet, oven, oven burners, grill, toaster

Example Food: hot peppers, salsa, basil, radishes, sunflower seeds

🌊Water🌊

Magical Energies:  Emotion, sensitivity, intuition, empathy

Tools: Cups, bowls, pots, sink, dishwater

Example Food: all beverages, lemons, lettuce, cucumbers, plums

👻Spirit👻

Magical Energies: All

Tools: All

Example Food: All

𝕾𝖆𝖇𝖇𝖆𝖙𝖘

{Art by Julia Nikita}

The sabbats are holidays celebrated throughout the year on solstices, equinoxes, and the midpoints between them. These sabbats form the Wheel of the year.

There is a controversy surrounding the dates of these holidays, as people celebrate them all over the earth, not only in the northen hemisphere but in the southern too. 

One viewpoint is that the Sabbats should be celebrated as they were originally created to be… in other words, Samhain is October 31st, regardless of where you live. In the Southern Hemisphere, even though you are just gearing up to summer on October 31st, this perspective says that you celebrate the cleansing and releasing, the honouring of the dead just as you would if you lived in the Northern Hemisphere. The other viewpoint (the one I personally agree with) is that you should celebrate when you feel like the season corresponds with the holiday, in other words, your craft, your rules. So if you live in the southern hemisphere, you have the choice.

I’ll be writing the dates for each holiday starting with the northen hemisphere and then the dates that many people celebrate them in the southern hemisphere

🌲𝐘𝐔𝐋𝐄

{December 21st//June 21st}

Yule focuses on rebirth and renewal as the sun makes its way back to the earth. It’s all about new beginnings, reflection and embracing warmth. Much like Christmas, many celebrate with a feast, gift giving, being cosy and appreciating the good.

↟Nature: cedar, frankincense, myrrh, mistletoe, pine, birch, ivy.

↟Foods//flavours: ginger, cloves, cinnamon, nutmeg, wintergreen, apple, dried fruit.

↟Stones: citrine, ruby, garnet, alexandrite, green tourmaline.

↟Activities: decorate your altar with incense associated with Yule, burn ash wood for prosperity, bake using Yule flavours like ginger or cinnamon, make wreathes to hang around the house, spend time with loved ones.

🕯️𝐈𝐌𝐁𝐎𝐋𝐂

{February 1st//August 1st}

Imbolc focuses on celebrating the nature that is preparing to grow and renewal, also known as “candlemas” and the “Feast of Pan”.

↟Nature: basil, blackberry, heather, celandine, iris, wisteria, vanilla, bay, yellow and white flowers.

↟Foods//flavours: pumpkin and sunflower seeds, poppy seeds, peppers, onions, spices, and herbal teas.

↟Stones: amethyst, bloodstone, garnet, ruby, onyx.

↟Activities: decorate with candles and sun decorations, go hiking, have a bonfire, bake foods with poppy seeds, and burn any leftover winter herbs.

🌼𝐎𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐑𝐀

{March 21st//September 21st}

Ostara focuses on manifesting creativity and love. As the days become longer, energy becomes stronger.

↟Nature: ash, alder, daffodil, honeysuckle, narcissus, primrose, violet, jasmine.

↟Foods//flavours: olives, maple syrup, honey, edible flowers, chocolate, pine nuts, nettle or lavender tea, local fruits and vegetables.

↟Stones: amethyst, rose quartz, moonstone.

↟Activities: gardening and planting seeds, bake breads with olives or honey for example, start new projects, talk to plants, do some painting, decorate with wildflowers.

🌰𝐁𝐄𝐋𝐓𝐀𝐍𝐄

{May 1st//November 1st}

Beltane focuses on fertility, love and abundance. Also known as “may day”, on this sabbat many celebrate with dancing, bonfires and many high energy activities, including enjoying themselves sexually with a partner or even conceiving children.

↟Nature: frankincense, lilac, ivy, marigold, woods, rose, thyme, mint, yarrow.

↟Foods//flavours: oats, leafy greens, fruits, breads, honey.

↟Stones: malachite, amber, fire opal, red jasper.

↟Activities: dance, decorate with florals and symbols of the sea, go to the beach, go hiking, have a bonfire, feast on fruits, vegetables and grains, laugh and let your hair down. And if you’re trying to conceive or simply would like to have sex, Beltane is a wonderful time to do so.

🦋𝐋𝐈𝐓𝐇𝐀

{June 21st//December 21st}

Litha focuses on growth and celebrating the longest day of the year and the sun, before the shorter days begin.

↟Nature: fern, yarrow, sage, rose, oak, mugwort, lavender, chamomile, myrrh, pine.

↟Foods//flavours: herbed bread, honey, sunflower seeds, iced herbal tea, lemon, vanilla.

↟Stones: lapis lazuli, amethyst, malachite, tiger’s eye.

↟Activities: make or buy a sun catcher, surround yourself with warm tones, watch the sunrise and sunset, make sun water, spend time outdoors, make use of herbs.

🌾𝐋𝐀𝐌𝐌𝐀𝐒//𝐋𝐔𝐆𝐇𝐍𝐀𝐒𝐀𝐃𝐇

{August 2nd//February 2nd}

Lammas, or lughnasadh focuses on celebrating the first of the three harvesting sabbats and taking time to really feel the positivity in different aspects of life.

↟Nature: cornstalks, heather, acacia flowers, hollyhock, oak leaves, wheat, myrtle, spices.

↟Food//flavours: grainy bread, corn, potatoes, nuts, blackberries, wine.

↟Stones: amber, agate, citrine, clear quartz, obsidian, tiger’s eye.

↟Activities: bake bread, make corn dolls, visit a sunflower field, spend time in nature, acknowledged what you are grateful for, journal.

🍁𝐌𝐀𝐁𝐎𝐍

{September 21st//March 21st}

Mabon focuses on honouring the change of the seasons, balance and peace.

↟Nature: sage, pine, marigold, thistle, acorns, milkweed, oak leaves, myrrh.

↟Food//flavours: cinnamon, nuts, beans, dark fruits, pies, soup, butterscotch.

↟Stones: citrine, carnelian, clear quartz, sapphire, yellow agate.

↟Activities: collect pine cones, donate food and old clothes, meditate, dry herbs, spend time with loved ones, speak to the nature around you.

🎃𝐒𝐀𝐌𝐇𝐀𝐈𝐍

{October 31st-November 1st//April 30th-May 1st}

Samhain focuses on celebrating life, and honouring those who are no longer with us.

↟Nature: heather, sage, pumpkins, straw, flax, patchouli, myrrh.

↟Foods//flavours: apples, cider, pumpkin, pies, soups, stews, potatoes, ginger.

↟Stones: amber, black obsidian, fossils, onyx, sandstone, bloodstones.

↟Activities: honour the deceased, spend time with family, make a hearty comforting meal, make or buy a scarecrow, spend time practicing divination.

𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐝𝐨 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲 𝐬𝐚𝐛𝐛𝐚𝐭

↟Do a tarot reading relevant to that sabbat.

↟Spend time in the moonlight, charging your crystals and tarot cards, as well as meditating.

↟Bake something using at least one traditional food of that sabbat to share with others.

↟Cleanse your living space and any of your magickal items.

↟Write down how you’re feeling and how you’d like to feel in the weeks to come.

Grimoire ideas

About you:

How you got started in the craft

Your spiritual journey

Things you connect to (animals, elements, plants, ect)

Types of magic you do

Your natal chart

Your deities (if you have any)

Correspondences:

Remember, you don't need to write down correspondences you will never need! So instead, write about...

Crystals you have/want

Plants you can grow yourself/already have around you. Check your spice cabinet

And list things to use those for! So that would be herb bundles to burn, salves, recipes, and so on.

Other things you can use in magic that you already have

This would be things like sea shells, snail shells, grass, dirt, candles. Get creative!

Other witchcraft stuff:

Your sigils

Planets

The sun/moon +moon phases

Zodiac signs

The elements

Symbolism (animals, shapes, and whatever else you wish to add)

Spells:

What makes a spell that works!!! This should help with making your own spells

What NOT to do

Different types of spells

Spells you will actually use

Divination:

A section on tarot cards and their meanings

How to use a pendulum

Meanings of oracle cards

Rune meanings and how to cast them

Lesser known forms of divination!!!

Mental health:

Grounding and centering

Burn out care and being energy efficient

A list of what motivates you to do your craft

Small spells for self care

Astral work:

Your astral space (a map, a description, drawings of important locations)

Your astral body, if it's any different than your physical one

A list of spirits and important information about them

Protection, sheilding, banishing, and safety

Manners when interacting with spirits and what NOT to do

Methods of projection/travel that work for you

Post-astral grounding methods

General spirit work:

How to interact with spirits and how NOT to interact with spirits

Protection, banishing, shielding, and other safety things

How to give offerings (there's more than one way!)

Methods of communicating with spirits

Signs of spirits

Ways spirits can send signs and messages (animals, dreams, and so on)

A list of different kinds of spirits you work with/have encountered

A section for research, especially if you're doing deity work.

Grounding, if it helps you afterwards

A log of interaction with spirits. This can be like a divination journal but with spirits, if that's what you do.