Familiars As Gifts

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.

I Was Wondering About Your Thoughts On Familiars? 🐍🦍🐆🐺🦉🐈🦚🦔🐇😁

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

Herbal Correspondences for Vegan Witches (Or any Witches really)

Activated Charcoal- cleansing, purification, grief, health (banishing serious illness)

Allspice- determination, money, luck, healing

Almond- fertility, Goddess energy, beauty, self-love, prosperity, addiction, abundance

Anise- protection, warding against evil, preventing nightmares, psychic ability, happiness

Basil- money, beauty, protection, love, warding

Bay Leaf- money, motivation, protection, psychic powers, wish fulfillment, success, purification

Black Pepper- banishing, protection, exorcism, healing (from a serious illness/banishing said illness)

Brewer’s Yeast- motherhood, femininity, warding against illness

Cashew- money, creativity

Cardamom- lust/libido, love, fidelity

Cayenne Pepper- catalyst, lust/ libido, confidence

Celery- fertility, psychic powers, healing (especially of the bladder, kidneys, and urinary tract), weight loss

Chamomile- sleep, stress relief, love, beauty, friendship, meditation, luck, libido (mostly women)

Chia Seed- protection, health

Chili Powder- protection, hex breaking, love, fidelity

Chives- protection, weight loss

Chlorella- purification, cleansing, health

Cilantro- money, protection, peace

Cinnamon- catalyst, spirituality, beauty, love, lust, romance, healing, strength, protection, psychic ability

Clove- catalyst, beauty, love, protection (especially for children)

Cocoa Powder- beauty, health, love, self-love, grounding, romance, sex, powder, enhances hot herbs

Coconut- strength, love, beauty, protection

Coffee- grounding, protection, spirituality, energy (if caffeinated), dispelling negativity

Coriander- love, health, protection, easing pain of a broken heart,

Cumin- energy, protection, exorcism, protection from theft, love, fidelity, masculine energy

Dandelion- communicating with the dead, health, weight loss, wish fulfillment, divination, luck

Dill- money, prosperity, luck, lust, protection (especially the home)

Dulse- lust, harmony, sea magick

Fennel- health (especially digestion), protection, money, banishing, strength, vitality, libido

Fenugreek- health (women’s issues), friendship, happiness, calming, feminine energy, libido, money

Flax Seed- fertility, health, protection (especially from sickness), divination, money

Garlic- health, banishing, protection, purification, warding, willpower,

Ginger- catalyst, energy, adventure, health, confidence, lust/libido, prosperity, success, protection

Hemp- fertility, intuition, motivation, peace, harmony, stress relief

Hibiscus- health, love, beauty, heart

Holy Basil- opens heart to love, stress relief, healing, balance, grounding

Jalapeno- energy, catalyst, money, abundance

Kelp- health, money, weight loss, sea magick

Lavender- stress relief, sleep, anti-anxiety, meditation, love, depression, peace, harmony

Lemon- health, beauty, love, lust, cleansing, purification, sun magick, removing negativity,

Lemon grass- psychic cleansing, opening the Third Eye, focus, mental clarity

Licorice- love, lust, fidelity, communicating with the dead, health (digestive system)

Lime- purification, protection, harmony, calmness, tranquility, strengthening love

Maca- fertility, vitality, energy, balance, love

Maple- love, friendship, luck, happiness, wealth

Marjoram- beauty, luck, wealth, grief, cleansing, purification, warding, strengthening love, protection

Mint, Pepper- health, protection, ward off migraines, wealth, bringing about change, love, abundance

Mint, Spear- health, protection, happiness, wealth, communicating with spirits

Miso- health, prosperity, communicating with the dead, friendship

Mustard- courage, faith, endurance, success, luck, happiness

Nettle- grouding, health (especially allergies), banishing negativity, cleansing

Nori- health, harmony

Nutmeg- beauty, prosperity, money, luck, hex breaking, mental acuity

Nutritional Yeast- health, happiness, love, addiction

Oat- fertility, health, earth magick, sacred to Brighid

Onion- protection, health, banishing, warding, bad habits, prosperity

Orange- energy, emotional healing, beauty, health, love, friendship

Oregano- health, beauty, joy, energy, strength

Paprika- catalyst, energy, hexing (I don’t hex, but you do you)

Paprika, smoked- power, see Paprika

Parsley- money, luck, success, health, weight loss

Pecan- employment and career, success, security,

Red Pepper- catalyst, love, lust, confidence

Rice- rain, fertility, money, protection

Rose- beauty, love, honoring the dead, friendship, happiness, healing

Rosemary- mental clarity, focus, memory, health, love, lust, purification

Saffron- happiness, mental health, love, lust, psychic ability, addiction, weight loss

Sage- cleansing, purification, grief, wisdom, spirituality, mental clarity, protection, grounding

Salt- cleansing, purification, grounding, protection, banishing, earth magick

Sesame Seed- money, lust, passion

Soy- spirituality, psychic ability, fertility, intuition, grounding

Spirulina- health, wealth, energy

Sugar- beauty, sweeten attitudes, love, sex, drawing spells

Tamarind- love, health, happiness, family, protection (from illness)

Tea, black- energy, strength, courage, confidence

Tea, green- energy, health, weight loss, beauty, confidence

Tea, white- beauty, harmony, peace, health, tranquility

Thyme- money, protection, luck, grief, honoring the dead, grounding, glamours, confidence, loyalty

Turmeric- health (especially dealing with serious illness), happiness,

Vanilla- beauty, love, friendship, passion

Vinegar- protection, warding, weight loss, hexing, banishing illness

Walnut- connection with the divine, spirituality, mental strength, divination

Watercress- health, sex, lunar magick

19K notes View Post

pussymagickk

4 years ago

🍲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

8K notes View Post

pussymagickk

4 years ago

BIG OL WITCHY MASTER LIST

POSTS BY ME ARE ITALICIZED!

This is by no means completed, up-to-date, or the only way you can view or perceive witchcraft. These are just some posts, found on my blog, put together in a list for easier access.

This is also being updated as I go through my archives, and whats on the list as of [Sept 22nd, 2018] is from start - August 2018. This list will be updated as often and as quick as I can possibly manage.

I PREVIOUSLY HAD MY DAILY WITCH TIPS ON HERE, I DELETED THAT SEGMENT.

This isn’t really as organized as I would like it, but I broke it down into categories and alphabetical order such as:

Moon Shit:

2017 Lunar Calendar

August 2018 Lunar Schedule

Full Moons Of The Year

Lunar Eclipse Dates

Lunar Phases

Magick Of The Moon Phases

Moon Magic

Moon Magic Grimoire

Moon Phase Runes

Top Stargazing Events of 2018

Herb Shit:

5 Herbs Every Witch Should Have In Their Garden

Anti-Anxiety Herbs

Big Witchy Guide On Herbs And Flowers

Dangerous Herbs

Gardens Of The Witches

Herb Masterpost

Herbs For Hexing

Herbs For Protection

Indoor Plants For The Space Conscious Witch

Poisonous Herbs

Reasons Herbs May Not Work

Sacred Herbs Of The Gods

Top 10 Magical Herbs

Crystal Shit:

Crystals Every Witch Should Have

Gems For Depression

Taking Care Of Your Crystals

Emoji Spells Shit:

Easy Sleep

Spells Shit:

4 Free Spells

A Method To Cleanse And Ward After Unsavory People Leave

Anti-Anxiety Charm

Anti-Anxiety Jar

Bad Habits Tarot Spread

Bad Luck

Bandage Sigils

Banishing Nightmares

Bath For Sunburns

Belladonna’s Spell Page

Celestial Nail Polish Magic

Change Your Luck

Crow Bone Hex

Curse A Bitch

Dreams and Nightmare Protection

Easy Cleansing Ritual

Elemental Ideas

Forest With Me

From My Grimoire

Glamour Enchanted Jewelry

Hail The Glow Cloud

Hex For 2017

Icelandic Staves

Increasing Emotional Tolerance

Lavender Self Love Jar

Love Enhancer

Love / Protection

Memory Aid

Mermaid’s Breath

New Year Purification Bath

Peppermint Spell

Recharging

Return To Sender

Ritual For Positive Thoughts

Ritual Of Gratitude

Self Love And Healing Jar

Seven Useful Powder Spells For Every Occasion

Sew Closed Your Heart

Simple Protection

Simplicity

Sleep Spells And Sigils

Steps To Strengthen A Romantic Relationship

Stop Nightmares

Using Glitter In Spells

Ward Types and Components

Warmth In Winter

Advice Shit:

10 Common Misconceptions of Baby Witches

10 Daily Witch Things

10 Plants To Survive A Zero Sunlight Bedroom

10 Terms Every New Witch Should Know

26 Activities To Help Your Mind, Body, And Soul

A Collection Of Witch Tips

A Long List Of Ways To Spiritually Protect Yourself

Astral Temple Meditation

Aura / Energy Colors & Meanings

A Secret Witches Guide To Concealing Your Craft

Back To School Magic

Basics Of Kitchen And Cottage Witchcraft

Beginner Masterlist

Beginner Witchcraft

Being A Witch

Blood Magic

Breaking Astrology Down

Candle Uses & Meanings

Charging/Activating Sigils

Cosmic Witch Masterpost

Daily Witchcraft

Discreet Little Witchy Things

Discreet Witchcraft

Earth Element Correspondents

Enchanting Items

Everyday Magic Is Easy

Faerie List

Fire Safety

Hearthandhold Reading List

How I Draw My Sigils

How Runes Work

How To Learn Witchcraft

How To Make Your Own Sigil

How To Use A Sigil Wheel

Imbolc

Incense Uses

Inexpensive/Free Witchcraft

Jarring Tips

Keeping Yourself Protected

Knot, Thread, and Cord Magic

Little Tips For The College Witch

Low Energy Tips

Magic For School/Education

Magical Herb

Modern Polytheism

Modern Witches

My Advice For Baby Witches

New Witch Budget Tips

Nik’s Tips For Discreet Witchcraft

Reading Tea Leaves

Rose Water Is My Religion

Salt & Witchcraft

School / Work Grounding

Some Things To Track

So You Want To Talk To Spirits?

Spell Books

Stoner Witch Tips

Succulents

Tarot Cheat Sheet

Tech Witches

The Wiccan’s Glossery

There Comes A Time When You Need To Stop Researching And Just Practice

Tips For Discreet College Witches

Tips For Writing Incantations

Types Of Witches

Types Of Witches And Witchcraft

Understanding Concepts In Witchcraft

Urban Witch 101: House and Home

Violets Witchcraft Masterpost

Ways To Start Feeling Again

Water Magic

Witchcraft In The Shadows

Witchcraft PSA

Witch Resources

Witch Tips For City Witches

Witches With Depression

Witchling Endeavors

Witchy Grimiore Ideas

Witchy Podcasts

Witchy Tips

Recipe Shit:

Anti-Nightmare Pouch

Apple Cider Love Bringing

Black Salt

Budget Witch DIY

Calming Sugar Scrub

Charming Lip Balm

Cleansing And Calming Salt

DIY Gemstone Necklace

Drawing Out A Latent Talent Pouch

Drying Out Roses

Infused Water Magic

Milkshake Magic

Moon Spell Cakes

Moon Water

Peaceful Sleep Sachet

Potion For Sleep

Rose Water

Smoothie Potions

Soothing Dreams Sachet

Communication Shit:

Crystal Hand Of Prosperity

Dead Dash

Earth Witches Reblog…

Hey There

Like/Reblog if you…

Looking To Follow

Money Bear

Money Pentacle

Witchcraft Asks

Witches

Witches reblog if…

Witches Reblog If…

Witchy Asks

Wonderful Weekend

21K notes View Post

pussymagickk

4 years ago

Do other witches dream of a fully functional tea garden of their own? Grapefruit mint is the prettiest mint I have ever grown, and also one of the tastiest. It’s nice to see it mentioned somewhere!

The-Wiccans-Glossary

5K notes View Post

pussymagickk

4 years ago

Interacting With the Fae!

Going along my path of working with the Fair Folk, I have tweaked some of my own guidelines when interacting with them. I had a post about Faery Etiquette that I decided to remove because looking back on it, many of the tips should’ve have been elaborated on so this is my new and improved tips for interacting with faeries.Theses guidelines have come from folklore, books and my own experiences!

Expressing Gratitude

One of the hardest things for beginner fae workers to understand is the rule of not saying “Thank You” to the Fae. There are many theorised reasons why you shouldn’t say this particular phrase because it might be taken as you are being dismissive or you admitting debt to them. Now, this doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be grateful towards them, instead of quickly saying “thank you”, take your time to express gratitude towards them. One method is to pay back what they have blessed you with! This means setting out an offering of small trinkets, food or drink with the intention of showing gratitude. If you find yourself unable to set aside an offering or you would rather be short and sweet, try rephrasing “Thank you” in other words like “I appreciate this gesture….” or “I’m very grateful for…”

Names

It is best to not tell the Fair Folk your full name and this goes for any spirit. Names hold power and you wouldn’t go around giving just anyone the ability to hold power over you. If you go by a name different than your birth name, I still wouldn’t give them your current name. When they ask for an introduction you can give them a nickname or false name but phrase it so you aren’t technically lying about your name, for example “You may call me *insert new name*”

Honesty and Politeness

Faeries are very different beings from us humans so you should treat them with the utmost respect as to not upset and get yourself into a tricky situation. The Fair Folk are very honest beings and respect the truth so they expect us to be just as honest as they are, so do not lie! There is the belief that fairies cannot lie but it is unsure if that is myth or not. Although the Fae are very honest, they are very skilled at twisting their words and speaking in rhymes so make sure that you do not take everything they say as the straightforward truth. I would not recommend that you try at twisting your words when talking to them because that may get you into some trouble also so it is best that you either speak the truth or keep quiet. Apologies are very important but just like the rule with “Thank you” you shouldn’t say “Sorry”!!This can also be confusing but just show your apology in different way because the phrase can be seen as lazy or dismissive so try setting out an offering to appease them.

Visiting their Realm

If you find yourself visiting the Faerie Realm, always err on the side of caution!!!! This goes for any spirit or astral work! You are stepping into a land that is unknown to you and has many of it’s own rules and customs. Take the countries of our own realm for example, North American countries are very different when it comes to countries in Europe or Asia and it is expected when you visit a different country you try to learn and follow those customs to be polite. Be polite and respectful of the beings that live there but also be cautious of their intentions. Fae workers must realize that not all fae have good intentions but then again not all fae are malicious so be wary when interacting! When visiting have your spirit guides or a trusted fairy guide you through the realm so you don’t get into trouble.

Food & Gifts

Many old folk tales describing interactions with the fair folk often warn against the consumption of food in the spirit realm. For example in the story of Hades and Persephone the pomegranate Persephone eats ties her to the Underworld or in Japanese legend the goddess, Izanami was trapped in the Underworld because she had consumed the food there. Folk tales from the British Isles say that the food of the Faerie realm tastes heavenly but is often enchanted so that whoever would eat it would be placed in a trance. But who knows if these tales are true so as I said before, always be cautious with faeries. Morgan Daimler states in her book Fairycraft, that “When in the Irish Otherworld it is a bad idea to eat or drink anything, and if its offered to you find a way to very politely decline; on the other hand if in one of the Norse Fairy Worlds- ljiossalfheim or svartalfheim, for example-it is acceptable to take food and drink and is worse to refuse than accept it. Should you be in a Fairy world that is not Norse or Celtic try to learn the expected customs first..” (Daimler, 2016)

Fairy Gifts are a very tricky subject I find but here is how I go about it! Trust your intuition when accepting gifts! Declining gifts from the Fae can be considered disrespectful to them so if you receiving a gift from a trusted faery then accept but if you are unsure about the side effects of accepting then either kindly decline or accept it and cleanse the gift. Just be wary that the faery may expect something in return for the gift so be prepared to give them an offering.

-Moonlight 🌙

Sources:

Daimler, Morgan. Fairycraft: Following the Path of Fairy Witchcraft. Moon Books, 2016.

4K notes View Post

pussymagickk

4 years ago

Starting Out in Spirit Work

·̩̩̥͙⭑･ﾟﾟ･*:༅｡.｡༅:*ﾟ:*:✼✿　　✿✼:*ﾟ:༅｡.｡༅:*･ﾟﾟ･⭑

Spirit Work is a branch of Death Magic. Neither one is for new witches, but at the same time I can’t stop you so here is a small list of things that will help you succeed.

·̩̩̥͙＊*•̩̩͙✩•̩̩͙*˚　　˚*•̩̩͙✩•̩̩͙*˚＊·̩̩̥͙

Mirrors are a great tool to help you. I personally don’t use mirrors cause I don’t have a good one to use but there are some requirements for mirrors

Lock your mirrors. You can make a locking spray, sigil, anything. Just lock them. This prevents negative entities from using your mirrors to travel around. Mirrors only have to be locked in they have gold, silver, or bronze backings. The mirror you picked up from CVS doesn’t need to be locked. The mirror that you got from your great great grandma? Yeah, lock it if you’re not using it.

If you are going to use mirrors in spirit work, be ready for what you might see. This can be used for both spirit communication or scrying.

Salt. Always have salt on you. It banishes negative energies if you charge it correctly. You can never go wrong with salt. (And no, it doesn’t really matter what kind of salt. You can use the salt in your cabinet if you wish)

Theres nothing wrong with using ouija boards, as long as you do it properly. Don’t use them in your house, but you can use them outside. Make sure you say good bye before putting it away. Cast a circle before you start to keep bad spirits away from the board. Just use common sense.

Make sure you set up some house rules if youre going to allow spirits to use your house like a hotel. Examples include: Spirits are not allowed to scare the pets, spirits are no allowed in your bedroom without permission, etc. Just rules to set boundaries in your home. Remember to be respectful.

If you are going to “summon” a spirit (don’t do that unless its a spirit of your family and even then, just invite them. Don’t summon them) you best have some food or drink to give them in return.

Learn to cleanse, banish, and vet the spirits. If you have an negative entity trying to pass off as a positive entity, you need to learn how to catch that to keep everyone safe.

Talk with the spirits in your house. This can be via pendulum (easiest) or any other divination types. Get their input and say on things regarding them.

You can bind spirits to objects, but I don’t recommend it. You would need their permission and have to do a whole ritual on it. its messy and time consuming. How ever, if you have a really bad negative entity in your house that you have to get rid of, try cleansing first. Then banishing. Binding is always a last resort.

·̩̩̥͙＊*•̩̩͙✩•̩̩͙*˚　　˚*•̩̩͙✩•̩̩͙*˚＊·̩̩̥͙

And there you go! Those are some basic points for spirit work. Remember to remain respectful and never demand spirits to do anything. Stay safe guys!

146 notes View Post

pussymagickk

4 years ago

Shadow People

☽⦁──────── ⦁⧊⦁ ────────⦁☾

A shadow person (also known as a shadow figure, shadow being or black mass) is the perception of a patch of shadow as a living, humanoid figure, and, interpreted as the presence of a spirit or other entity by believers in the paranormal or supernatural.

☽⦁──────── ⦁⧊⦁ ────────⦁☾

Paranormal Veiwpoints

Shadow people are dark figures associated with nighttime visitations and some haunted places. Shadow people appear as solid black figures who are darker than darkness. Most appear to be male; some wear coats and hats.

They are usually six-and-a-half feet in height. They have substance and form and can interrupt light and block objects from view. Shadow people rarely communicate, but many seem intensely interested in human beings.

Shadow people fall into several categories :

Bedroom Watchers

These figures are discovered standing by a bedside or in a corner of the room when a person awakens in the night. They seem to stare at people in bed, even though they have no visible eyes or facial features. Most do not behave in a threatening manner, though their presence is often terrifying.

They can remain for long periods of time and when observed, disappear suddenly or melt through walls and ceilings. Some act aggressively toward people, causing choking sensations similar to the Old Hag.

Shadows On Walls

These figures appear suddenly as dark human outlines on walls, which detach from walls and move about rooms.

Moving Shadows

These figures appear abruptly and move quickly through a room, as though on a mission. They come through walls and melt into walls. They may seem to pay no attention to people present or else watch them intensely. They may be seen out of the corners of the eyes or in full view.

Background Visitors

These figures usually are not seen, but are captured in photographs. They appear in backgrounds, their forms noticeable on walls, doors, and so forth.

Haunting Presences

These figures appear in places known or thought to be haunted. They move about, act with intelligence, and appear and disappear suddenly. They may follow people. In some cases, shadow people are associated with bad luck

Video : The Truth About Shadow People : https://youtu.be/Yw6yl4nb0_0

☽⦁──────── ⦁⧊⦁ ────────⦁☾

The Hat Man

The Hat Man appears much in the same way that Shadow People do, but unlike the phenomena that was made popular by Art Bell and Thunder Strikes, the Hat Man encounters bear a few striking differences that set it apart. When he appears, often during the night, the Hat Man is always seen wearing a wide-brimmed hat, and though most people are unable to make out any distinct facial features, he is usually described as a solid black mass. Witnesses are often unable to describe the Hat Man’s lower body, as if he seems to float silently above the ground.

The phenomena seems to center around basements and, according to the experiencers, appears to manifest in situations of intense negativity and family disfunction. In fact, many times if one person in a household has started experiencing visits by the Hat Man, it’s almost guaranteed that another family member will begin seeing the strange shadow man soon afterwards.

Video : The Truth About The Hat Ma : https://youtu.be/lLzaFhFHL2c

☽⦁──────── ⦁⧊⦁ ────────⦁☾

Other Speculations

However, shadow people cannot be equated with the old hag syndrome. An explanation favored by some researchers is that shadow people are interdimensional beings. They find ways into the physical world and seem to have the purpose — unknown—of observing humans. They may show up as bedroom visitors because the nature of human sleeping or dreaming consciousness enables an entry for them.

Their appearance may be a form they deliberately assume, or it may be the only way they can manifest in the physical realm. Many experiencers feel shadow people are a type of nasty spirit, even a deamon, because they sense evil or trickery radiating from them. Almost all experiencers are deeply frightened of shadow people, even though they are not harmed by them.

Shadow people are sometimes associated with turbulent emotions. For example, many people who have had significant shadow people experiences can link them to states of emotional upheavals, such as anger, sadness, loneliness, and so forth.

Other people may be psychically open in such a way as to perceive shadow people more easily than others. Some haunted places where shadow people are prevalent, such as the Waverly Hills Sanitorium where thousands of people died, may be permeated with thought-forms of negative emotions.

☽⦁──────── ⦁⧊⦁ ────────⦁☾

Scientific Viewpoints

Several physiological and psychological conditions can account for reported experiences of shadowy shapes seeming alive. A sleep paralysis sufferer may perceive a "shadowy or indistinct shape" approaching them when they lie awake paralyzed and become increasingly alarmed. A person experiencing heightened emotion, such as while walking alone on a dark night, may incorrectly perceive a patch of shadow as an attacker.

Many methamphetamine addicts report the appearance of "shadow people" after prolonged periods of sleep deprivation. Psychiatrist Jack Potts suggests that methamphetamine usage adds a "conspiratorial component" to the sleep deprivation hallucinations.

One interviewed subject said that "You don't see shadow dogs or shadow birds or shadow cars. You see shadow people. Standing in doorways, walking behind you, coming at you on the sidewalk."These hallucinations have been directly compared to the paranormal entities described in folklore.

☽⦁──────── ⦁⧊⦁ ────────⦁☾

Sleep Paralysis

Sleep paralysis is when, during waking up or falling asleep, a person is aware but unable to move or speak. During an episode, one may hallucinate (hear, feel, or see things that are not there), which often results in fear. Episodes generally last less than a couple of minutes. It may occur as a single episode or be recurrent.

The condition may occur in those who are otherwise healthy or those with narcolepsy, or it may run in families as a result of specific genetic changes. The condition can be triggered by sleep deprivation, psychological stress, or abnormal sleep cycles. The underlying mechanism is believed to involve a dysfunction in REM sleep. Diagnosis is based on a person's description. Other conditions that can present similarly include narcolepsy, atonic seizure, and hypokalemic periodic paralysis.

Between 8% and 50% of people experience sleep paralysis at some time. About 5% of people have regular episodes. Males and females are affected equally. Sleep paralysis has been described throughout history. It is believed to have played a role in the creation of stories about alien abduction and other paranormal events.

Video : Scary Sleep Paralysis Stories : https://youtu.be/kBPS6RgHrAw

☽⦁──────── ⦁⧊⦁ ────────⦁☾

Article Sources :

https://occult-world.com/shadow-people/ https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shadow_person http://weekinweird.com/2016/08/31/investigating-the-link-between-the-shadow-man-phenomenon-and-the-terrifying-hat-man/ https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sleep_paralysis

Image Source : https://pin.it/1JjVkwL

Note : I do not claim any of the text or images to be mine. I am simply sharing information for the purpose of learning. I have listed the sources.

963 notes View Post

pussymagickk

4 years ago

fire salt 🧂🔥

used for protection, banishing, power, cursing/hexing, chaos magic, or as a strong symbol of fire for a spell/alter.

sea salt

chili powder

black pepper

cinnamon

red chili flake

crush everything till combined in mortar & pestle, charge with candles before use if desired to reawaken your salt

earth salt [x] - air salt [x] - water salt [x]

3K notes View Post

pussymagickk

4 years ago

What is a Dæmon?

Disclaimer: As it always is in witchcraft, this depends on the witch you ask. This is my personal interpretation of what a dæmon is and what it means to have one. Also I’m in one fucking big hurry, gotta go meet stranded family. So I’ll probably edit this later but I didn’t want to keep accumulating asks about it!

I tend to go down the Pullman path, and if asked, I would say the dæmon is the soul of the person simply shaped as another creature, all of what someone is plus what they need to be.

Mostly everyone would choose to see their dæmon as an animal, and I think it’s the most direct and honest approach to them.

Simply put, a dæmon is like a combination between what you would normally consider a familiar, a shadow self, an anima/animus, a totem, a patronus, a spirit animal, a fylgja, your soul, and your conscience all together (without the cultural background or connotations). It’s a non-appropriative term that is used to describe your soul in the shape of an animal.

As I’ve said before, I choose to use pop culture references sometimes to avoid cultural appropriation. The concept of the dæmon as I choose to understand is made by Phillip Pullman and then modified to my own needs.

A dæmon is the externalized visualization of your own spirit in the form of an animal. This animal changes as you grow up, and settles permanently the day you mature and become an adult (at around 14 to 20 years old). It can change again, someday, after experiencing extreme trauma or an event that would transform who we are in the deepest part of ourselves altogether.

Personally I have a bear dæmon (Aeneas), a magpie familiar (Semiramis), and a cat fylgja (Samhain). They don’t hold the same importance nor help with the same thing. I don’t really communicate in many ways with my familiar or my fylgja, I just know they exist.

However Aeneas is an integral part of my everyday life. I talk to him constantly, when things get overwhelming he helps me clear my mind.

I visualize Aeneas walking by my side, warding off bad spirits, giving me strength…

In my loneliest times, Aeneas never leaves me alone.

How to reveal your Dæmon?

1. The Gender

The gender is probably the easiest part of the dæmon’s identity. Usually it’ll be the opposite of the person. I’m female, so Aeneas is male.

Some consider, however, that this rule doesn’t always apply to people. It’s been said that LGBT+ people can have a dæmon that’s their same assigned gender.

This is, I’ve found, especially true for non-cisgender people, not so much for gay, lesbian, bi, etc. people. And sometimes when someone is gender fluid or NB or something along those lines, the dæmon will most likely reflect it. Animals that change their coats across the seasons, animals that change their genders, animals that are more than one gender at once.

One of the most emotive dæmon reveals I’ve been a part of was uncovering a gyandromorphic butterfly for a bigender person. We cried for like half an hour.

2. The Name

The name is arguably just a tiny bit easier than revealing the animal itself. When I found Aeneas’ name it hit me like a ton of bricks. I was minding my own business when someone said it and I opened my eyes wide and whispered “that’s… that’s it! That’s his name!”

If you don’t know the name, neither does the dæmon. After all, they know just as much as you do, they just tend to interact different with that knowledge.

My best recommendation is: don’t hurry it.

3. The Animal

This is it. The big question. What’s my animal?

Well, there’s not one way of uncovering a dæmon. The reveal can take years. Aeneas, for example. I’ve known he was a bear since 2012 but I still don’t know what kind of bear. A polar? A grizzly? Shit, maybe I’ll never know!

When I do dæmon reveals we agree from the get go that I can’t point out an exact animal. One of the most recent reveals I did uncovered just that the dæmon was in the mustelidae family!

It can take years, and attempt after attempt.

But I do maintain firmly that discovering your dæmon must be a mind blowing experience.

You can doubt at first, but when you do sense it you’ll go “oh… oh! OOOOH! YES! THAT MAKES SO MUCH SENSE!”.

You’ll feel it. Once you process it there will be no hesitation whatsoever. If a few weeks later you feel like it’s not your animal, then it never was your dæmon.

My method for revealing a dæmon involves a LOT of question and several days of narrowing them down.

You can do it yourself without help, but, again, it can take years.

If you’re reading this, the chances that you’re a bird dæmon is really fucking high. People that care about these things are usually bird people. Someone with an ant or a primate soul you wouldn’t catch dead trying to find out who their dæmon is.

Mostly always you’ll find that there will be three animals you’ll end up saying “yes, that’s EXACTLY my dæmon,” although it won’t be so in two of those cases (and deep down, you’ll know it).

The first one will be the animal you want to be. This first level is encompassed almost solely of beautiful, cute, or badass animals. Yes, we all want to be a stag, an eagle, a raven, a wolf, a lion, or a cat. But… most of the times we aren’t. We just are animals we don’t find ‘cool’, because it’s… it’s us. It’s banal.

Only once I’ve unveiled a tiger, never a lion, never an eagle. I’ve unveiled I think… two or three wolves. Wolves, btw, tend to belong to order enforcers or soldiers.

There are ant dæmon. And frogs, and mosquitoes, and all kinds of ‘ugly’ things. Sometimes people aren’t happy. Once I unveiled a tortoise and the person almost yelled at me. Another time I unveiled a hyena and the person basically told me to go fuck myself and then a few weeks later came and said I was right and that they had to learn to live with it. This animal usually represents who we want to be, instead of who we are.

And of course, there comes the ricochet effect.

The second animal is usually the exact opposite. It’s where the “bad” dæmon start to show up. People focus solely on their defects and the animals that they hate are the ones that they think will define them.

Eventually you reach a balance. And that balance is your dæmon.

A few pointers, though: trauma survivors tend to have dæmons with means to carry them away and escape or with the means to defend themselves. Usually a survivor has wings or claws or venom.

The MBTI personality test is one hell of a useful tool, although it doesn’t have the last word.

If anyone is interested, I do dæmon reveals (for as long as it takes, until we pin it down) for $25 in my shop and I also trade them for goods or services! It tends to take at least two or three days of constant personal questions, but it can extend up to months! So please don’t hire the service if you don’t have the time or the patience!

If you cannot afford to have a reveal, check out the daemon forum! Their method and mine aren’t the same, but they’ll surely be able to help you! There are other daemonists who also perform reveals for free!

Happy unveiling!

1K notes View Post

pussymagickk

4 years ago

Healing with Herbs

How to make a tincture

Making a tincture involves steeping the herb or root in alcohol, extracting its oils, minerals, alkaloids, and glycosides so that it is in its purest form. You can use vegetable glycerin or apple cider vinegar instead, particularly in tinctures intended for children, but they aren’t quite as effective at pulling out the good stuff. You’ll need strong alcohol, at least 80 proof. Everclear works well, as does vodka or brandy. You’ll also need a pint jar to fill with the herb or plant you want—any of the herbs listed above will work here.

Chop the herb up a bit or bash it around with a mortar and pestle to help it break down. You’ll want the jar to be full, but not pack your herbs in too tightly. Then fill the jar completely with the alcohol. (If you’re using dried herbs or roots, you need only put in enough to reach halfway, and then add the alcohol up to the top.)

Seal the jar tightly. Label and date it, and let it rest in a cool, dark place.

For the first week, shake it once a day, then let it rest for five more weeks. At the end of the resting period, use a layer of muslin or cheesecloth held tightly over the jar to strain out the liquid. Decant the tincture into one of those small, dark glass bottles, preferably one with a dropper, and keep it stored away from direct sunlight. It should last for five to ten years.

How to make herbal oil

It’s more trouble than it’s worth to make your own essential oils. A true essential oil is extracted by boiling the herb in question and skimming the oil off the top—that’s a task best left to the professionals. But you can make your own herbal oil. It may not be quite as distilled, but it can still be effective, and it’s a great way to preserve herbs for use long into the winter. The nice thing about creating your own oils is that you can use any combination of herbs that you desire. You might mix calendula, catnip, lemon balm, marshmallow, mullein, plantain leaf, and yarrow for an oil that is particularly effective for skin care, or lavender, vervain, lemon balm, and yarrow for a soothing oil to rub on the temples. Chop or bruise your chosen herbs and place them in a jar. Fill the jar with the carrier oil of your choice (olive or almond oil works well), covering the herbs by one inch, and leaving one inch of space at the top. Close the jar tightly, and allow it to sit in as much sunshine as possible for a month. Strain the oil through a cheesecloth on an as-needed basis, leaving the rest to continue steeping.

How to make a poultice

A poultice is a soft, moist mass of herbs, cloth, and other ingredients, and it’s an excellent tool for treating topical infirmities. A hot poultice is excellent for drawing out infection, as with bee stings or draining abscesses, while a cold poultice will help reduce inflammation. Gather the herbs you want to use, either fresh or dried. If they’re fresh, you may want to mash the herbs up in a mortar and pestle (the traditional way) or blitz them through a food processor (the modern way). Even if you’re planning on making a cold poultice, add a couple of tablespoons of hot water to your herbs to awaken them, before letting them cool. You can add medicinal clay powder, Epsom salts, or baking soda and combine with water until the mixture becomes a thick paste. For ailments like congestion or insect bites, you can place the poultice directly on the skin, making sure, of course, that it isn’t too hot. To treat a burn or something that could easily become infected, place a clean cotton cloth between the skin and the poultice.

Common herbs and their uses

Ashwagandha: The name translates to “smell of horse.” This herb is hard to find fresh, but powders, pills, teas, and extracts are available. Benefits: Increases energy, boosts the immune system, antiinflammatory, reduces anxiety. Suggested use: Stir ¼-½ tsp. powder into warm milk and honey before bed. Concerns: May increase thyroid hormone levels and lower blood sugar.

Black cohosh: This member of the buttercup family could be grown in a garden. Dried roots, capsules, teas, and extracts are also available. Benefits: Relieves menstrual cramps and arthritic pain. Eases symptoms of menopause. Suggested use: Drink as a tea or mix with honey as a syrup. Concerns: May cause upset stomach, so consider taking with food.

Calendula: Also known as marigold, this herb could be grown in a garden, but is also available as teas, oils, and creams. Useful for dyeing and food coloring as well. Benefits: Helps heal cuts. Good for diaper rash or other skin irritations. Calms an upset stomach. Suggested use: Steep petals in just below boiling water for ten minutes, then drink as a tea. Add dried flowers to coconut, almond, or olive oil as a salve. Concerns: None known.

Catnip: It’s not just for cats! Catnip is easily grown and also available as a capsule, tea, extract, and essential oil. It is also handy as an insect repellent. Benefits: Anti-inflammatory. Good for insomnia, upset stomach, menstrual cramps, headache, and treating the common cold. Suggested uses: Steep for tea, sprinkle essential oil into the bath or rub it on the temples, use in cooking (it’s a member of the mint family, so its flavor is better than some). Concerns: None known.

Cranberry: Easily obtained fresh or frozen and also available in pill form, this herb is a great source of vitamin C, fiber, and vitamin E. Benefits: Most frequently used to treat and prevent urinary tract infections. Also shown to reduce risk of cardiovascular disease, slow tumor progression in cancer, and help prevent gum disease. Suggested uses: Because they’re so tart, cranberries often come with a lot of sugar. Try to buy reduced-sugar dried cranberries and stay away from most cranberry juices. If you can manage it, drink the unsweetened juice to relieve a UTI, and certainly try making your own cranberry sauce at Thanksgiving. Concerns: None known.

Dittany: This is one of those herbs with a long history. It is also known as “burning bush.” Easily grown, it is hard to find in dried or tea form. Benefits: Antibacterial, antifungal, and antimicrobial. Good for the skin and the intestines, and is thought to be an aphrodisiac. Suggested uses: Steep in hot water for tea, but use sparingly. Use as an antibacterial balm or poultice. Concerns: If you’ve put some on your skin, stay out of the sun, as it can increase the risk of sunburn.

Elderberry: This herb has been used to battle a flu epidemic in Panama as recently as 1995. It can be grown, but is also available as a pill or an extract. For your personal garden, look specifically for Sambucus nigra, as other elderberry varieties can be toxic. Benefits: Boosts the immune system, treats sinus infections, lowers blood sugar, acts as a diuretic and a laxative, good for skin health and allergies. Suggested uses: They’re delicious! Can be made into a syrup, jams, or jellies—even wine. Concerns: Don’t pick and use wild elderberry unless you’re absolutely certain the plant is Sambucus nigra. Always cook the berries to remove any toxicity.

Feverfew: This is another herb with a long history. Easily grown and available dried, it is most frequently found in capsule form. Benefits: For centuries, it was used to relieve fever, to assist with childbirth, and for fertility. Now it is most frequently used to prevent migraines. It can also help with tinnitus, nausea, dizziness, asthma, and allergies. Suggested uses: It doesn’t taste good, so not recommended even as a tea. Instead, make a tincture or purchase capsules. Concerns: If you do drink it, feverfew can cause irritation in the mouth. If taken in large quantities on a regular basis, stopping can cause withdrawal symptoms, so use only as needed. May cause the uterus to contract, so don’t take while pregnant.

Horse chestnut: This is not the kind of chestnut you’d want to roast on a fire, but it is still useful. It is not recommended for personal processing, as the seed contains esculin, a poisonous substance. Purchase an extract or pill instead. Benefits: Shown to be extremely effective against varicose veins. Also good for hemorrhoids and frostbite. Suggested uses: 300 milligrams of horse chestnut seed extract twice daily. Concerns: Don’t consume raw horse chestnut seeds, bark, or leaves.

Lemon Balm: This member of the mint family has a distinct lemony scent. It is also known as “melissa.” It is easily grown, but also available in tea, extract, and essential oil forms. Benefits: Calms anxiety, encourages restful sleep. Good for the skin, improves mood and mental clarity. Suggested uses: Steep fresh or dried to make tea, use in cooking, use to flavor honey or vinegar, use in a hot bath. Concerns: None known.

Marshmallow: Sadly, these are not the things we put in hot chocolate. The root is available dried, as well as in powder, extract, capsule, and tea form. Benefits: Aids with dry cough, represses inflammation in the lining of the stomach, good for chilblains and sunburn. Suggested uses: Drink as a tea, add to a base oil for a salve. Concerns: May cause low blood sugar.

Milk thistle: This herb is easily grown, as it’s pretty much a weed. It’s available as an extract, pill, or tea. Benefits: Milk thistle can protect your liver from toxins—say, for instance, alcohol. It can even be used to treat cirrhosis and jaundice and helps with environmental toxin damage. Suggested uses: Steep in hot water or make a tincture. Not recommended for use in cooking. Concerns: May cause diarrhea.

Mullein: This is the clear quartz of herbal healing. It is easily found and grown and available both dried and in capsule form. Benefits: Known particularly for respiratory relief, including cough, bronchitis, asthma, and pneumonia, it’s also good for earache, fever, sore throat, migraine, and to heal the skin. Suggested uses: Apply a tincture to relieve ear infection, drink as a tea, use as a salve to heal wounds and bruises. Concerns: None known.

Plantain leaf: Pretty hip these days, as herbal remedies go, plantain leaf is easily grown and available dried or in capsule form. Benefits: Great for the skin, particularly in relieving insect bites, poison ivy, and sunburn. Lowers cholesterol, helps clear up bladder infections, relieves constipation or diarrhea. Suggested uses: Make poultice with clay and water or make a salve with a base oil. Infuse vinegar to spray on the skin to provide pain relief. Drink as a tea. Concerns: None known.

Rue: This herb is also known as “herb of grace.” Easily grown, it is also available dried, in capsule form, or as an essential oil. Benefits: Used to promote menstruation, it provides a sense of calm and well-being and is good for relieving gas, mucus, and arthritis. Suggested uses: As an oil or poultice it can relieve croup or chest congestion. Drink as a tea to ease anxiety. Concerns: This one is serious—it can cause a miscarriage. Use in small amounts, regardless of whether or not you’re pregnant.

Valerian: This is an attractive addition to any garden, with a pleasing scent, but it is the root which holds the good stuff and that does not smell good. Easily grown, this herb is also available in tea, capsule, and extract forms. Benefits: Valerian is very effective against insomnia. It also calms anxiety and depression, and helps with ADHD and headache. Suggested uses: Drink a tea made from the leaves for a mild sedative, or steep the roots for something stronger. Add a tincture to a bath for a gentler, child-friendly alternative. Concerns: None known, but obviously don’t operate heavy machinery.

Vervain: Usually blue vervain is used, but other types seem to work just as well. Easily grown, vervain is also available dried or as an extract. Benefits: Helps with anxiety and sleeplessness. Also provides pain relief, eases tense muscles, and promotes an overall sense of wellbeing. Suggested uses: Steep in hot water as a tea. Not recommended in cooking, though it smells nice, so add a little to a bath. Concerns: May cause nausea.

Yarrow: This member of the sunflower family is easily grown—and quite lovely— and available dried or as an essential oil. Benefits: Relieves fever, as well as cold and flu symptoms. Relieves cramps, provides a sense of calm and relaxation, and aids in restful sleep. Suppresses the urge to urinate (say, during a UTI). Use topically for a rash or small cuts. Suggested uses: Drink as a tea in the evening to induce sleepiness or relieve cold and flu symptoms, or make into a salve for external use. Concerns: None known.

Keep reading

10K notes View Post