The New Portland Button Works Site Is Up! I Now Have A Dedicated "Witch Shop" For All The Witchcraft

Energy Work: Introduction to Fields Exercise

I want to start sharing more of my energy practice, here, and felt the best way to start doing that was to post an “introductory primer”. This meditation is designed to familiarize you with energy and its tactile properties. You can get some use out of this exercise regardless of your experience level (I still practice it, today), and it’s a great entry point for someone who’s never even dabbled before. All you’ll need to enjoy it is a comfortable, quiet place where you’re unlikely to be disturbed for roughly 30 minutes.

Tip: Don’t try to follow along with this text as you perform the exercise. Instead, read it in its entirety before you begin. This way, you can avoid the distraction of scrolling or flipping pages during your meditation. That will kill your focus dead.

Step 1:

To begin, sit or stand in a comfortable position. Shake yourself out, paying particular attention to your shoulders and wrists. Do this until you feel loose and relaxed. Now, take a deep breath in, filling your lungs to the largest capacity possible. Hold the breath for a count to three, then exhale slowly, through your mouth. Concentrate on your breathing for as long as necessary to make it deep, slow and even. As you inhale, focus on the weight in the middle of your chest. Feel all the tension leave your body as you exhale. Draw your focus inwards, and feel your pulse as it travels through your body. Be still, quiet, and whole. Remain here until you are grounded and focused.

Step 2:

When you feel relaxed and grounded, raise your arms so that your elbows are up and away from your body. With your hands open, turn them so that your palms are facing each other in front of you. The palms of your hands should be roughly one foot apart, and one foot away from the core of your body.Feel your focus slowly travel from your chest, to your shoulders, and down through your arms. Sweep it down past your elbows and wrists until you are focusing on the palms of your hands. You may notice a tingling sensation, or a hyper awareness, in your fingers. Push this feeling out until you are focused on the space between your palms.  The keyword is ‘push’. Feel a pressure building up between your hands; focus until that pressure is a dense weight.

Step 3:

With your attention still on the space between your palms, physically push them together. You should feel a slight resistance, or “bounce”. Bring your hands together and back apart rhythmically, getting a feel for that resistance. Play with the energy you have gathered there, growing it, condensing it, passing it back and forth between your hands. Get a feel for its properties. This is “you” energy. Get to know it. Take as long as you need.

Step 4:

When you are finished, draw your hands back towards the trunk of your body. Press the tension you have built up against your chest and “breathe” it back in until nothing is left externally.

Repeat the earlier breathing exercise — inhale deeply, hold for three seconds, and slowly exhale through your mouth. Focus on your breathing until it is deep and regular. Bring your focus from your hands, back to your chest. Feel the weight there.

Slowly, begin rolling your shoulders. Roll your head on your neck, and shake out your arms, dispersing any tension. Shake your wrists and hands until they are loose and free. Feel yourself slowly wake from the deep relaxation you enjoyed earlier.

When you’re finished, engage in some mundane grounding activity, such as washing up, eating, or drinking. You might enjoy journaling your experiences so that you can reference them later on.

Mabon * urban witchcraft * some tips from traveling mystic *

Autumn is a special time for me when I stay in the mountains - at remote villages, wandering in the forest and climbing mountains to gather last herbs. And now to find myself in the heart of chaotic Hanoi, it’s completely different experience… 

These are the ways to celebrate autumnal transition, Mabon while staying in the chaos of city life:

***share the blessings*** 

open free tarot readings at your favorite coffee shop

volunteer your skills for project \ organisation which inspires you

invite your friends to sit together in autumnal moon light and share some food and stories

give away things  

***slow down and turn your mind towards meditation***

don’t rush for new projects

cut off senseless noise (music, small talks and messaging)

drink more water and keep healthy diet, enjoy the fruits of the season

walk with awareness, breath with awareness

burn candles in the evening while drinking your tea and reflecting on your accomplishments, goals, approaches to the things, journal about that

***do magic***

sigils on balance, healing, letting go old things, get rid of blockages  

do shadow work with tarot cards, journaling or create shadow altar and explore its opportunities

to dive into the energy of this time, pray, dream, visualize and do other witchy things - create a space filled with autumnal leaves, fruits, sweet gifts of nature, put there some ancestor photos, add symbols of death and old age

***have  long walks in parks and around city lakes, watch old people and kids***

***de-clutter your house or backpack, finish old projects***  

***share stories with travelers you meet on the road***

***drink local tea***

***use crystals: carnelian, lapis lazuli, tiger eye, amber, serpentine, amethyst, clear quartz 

and herbs: rose hips, chamomile, yarrow, marigold, sage, saffron***

50 Tips for Tarot Novices and Masters Alike!

Always make sure your deck is shuffled and cleansed.

There is no one way to shuffle, find what works for you.

Cards that fall out when you’re shuffling may hold extra important meaning.

Learning from books is good, but use your own intuition as well. 

Thank your deck after a reading.

Be sure to charge your cards and be nice to them.

Using a cheat sheet or a book is not a bad thing.

Biddytarot is great for learning basic card meanings.

If you don’t have a tarot deck, you can use regular cards or make your own.

Tarot and Oracle are NOT the same thing.

There are a few tarot apps to help you learn (golden threat, galaxy, etc)

Watch for multiple cards from one suit.

Pay attention when a card follows you through multiple readings, it is usually trying to tell you something.

Find the card that matches with your birth-date/you feel a significant connection to. Use it in personal readings to help strengthen them.

Always be sure you’re using a deck that works for you!

Pay attention to the symbolism and art of the cards.

Interview spreads are great for getting to know a new or old deck.

Divination is not specifically witchcraft and is not always tied to it.

Don’t let anyone but you touch your cards unless doing a reading and you want them to touch them- messes with energy.

If someone besides you does touch them, make sure to cleanse.

Decks have different personalities, don’t be bummed if one doesn’t work out for you.

Be prepared for a deck to get sarcastic and give out riddles.

Keep a journal/notebook/google doc of different spreads. You can even organise them by type. 

Daily draws are great, but don’t knock yourself if you can’t do them every day.

Meditating before a reading can help gain clarity. 

An easy way to cleanse your deck is to put them all in order then shuffle them again. 

Flash cards are good to memorise meanings.

Bonding with your deck can help readings be more accurate. An easy way to do this is sleep with them under your pillow.

Cleansing/charging your deck can be as easy as leaving them in a windowsill, or as intricate as a ritual.

You can have as many or as few decks as you want. 

Making your own cards does NOT make you less of a diviner.

Readings are not set in stone, take them with a grain of salt.

Reversals are not always bad.

Upright is not always good.

The death card does not mean death. 

Keep a journal to record your readings.

Try to remember one keyword/idea for each card to help you learn.

Make sure your deck fits in your hands comfortably.

If you’re just starting out, use simpler spreads. 

Past/present/future is great for beginners.

Amethyst is a good stone to have around.

But, letting your deck choose it’s favourite crystal is also important.

Using a tarot cloth can help keep unwanted energy off of your deck, especially if divining in a public place. 

Tarot bags are easy to make, just find a drawstring bag tutorial and edit the measurements to fit your deck. 

Playing music while doing readings can help you focus. 

It’s okay to redo a reading if you don’t feel it’s right, but keep the first one in mind. 

If you practice witchcraft, you can use tarot in various spells. 

You don’t have to read reversals!

If tarot doesn’t work out for you but you still want to use divination, try other forms such as oracle, scrying, pendulums, cartomancy, and more. 

Practice!!!

Italian traditional folk magick

There is a rich history of traditional magic in Italy, some of which dates back centuries.

Here are a few examples:

The Evil Eye: The belief in the evil eye, or "malocchio," is prevalent in Italian culture. It is said to be caused by someone looking at you with envy or ill will, and can bring about bad luck or misfortune. To protect oneself from the evil eye, some Italians wear red coral jewelry or carry a small horn-shaped charm known as a "cornicello."

Tarantism: Tarantism is a traditional healing ritual that originated in Southern Italy. It involves music, dance, and the use of tarantula venom to cure people who have been bitten by the spider or who are suffering from a variety of ailments. The dance is said to release the toxic energy from the body and restore balance.

Stregoneria: Stregoneria is a form of Italian witchcraft that has been practiced for centuries. It involves the use of spells, charms, and divination to influence the natural world and bring about desired outcomes. Stregoneria practitioners are said to have a deep connection with the earth and the spirits that inhabit it.

La Befana: La Befana is a traditional Italian figure who brings gifts to children on the night of Epiphany (January 6th). She is often depicted as an old woman riding a broomstick and carrying a sack of toys. Legend has it that she visited the baby Jesus on his birth and has been giving gifts to children ever since.

Cimaruta: The cimaruta is a traditional Italian charm that is said to provide protection against evil forces. It is shaped like a sprig of rue, a plant that has long been associated with protection and purification. The charm often features symbols of the moon, stars, and other celestial bodies, as well as images of animals and other nature spirits.

HELLO OLD FRIEND - A DEITY SPREAD

For understanding new or existing deities that have presented themselves in your life. It invokes an understanding that the relationship flows both ways, hence the focus not only on them but you. This can equally be used for spirit communication/angel communication/etc. 

Crystals to use: 

Amethyst 

Clear Quartz

Black Tourmaline 

Lapis Lazuli 

**When contacting spirits/deities, please take the necessary precautions (cleanse the room, salt circles, ground yourself.) At ANY time where you feel like the reading is out of your control or that you are in danger, politely end the reading and cleanse your space once again. Be safe, know your limits, and don’t feel bad for politely declining a deity/spirit in which you feel like you can’t serve with where you are at this point in your life. 

!!!

Calling My Jewitches

I would love to hear some other Jewish polytheist’s and Jewish witches opinions on/experiences with Lilith. I’m trying to gain a more nuanced understanding of her but a lot of research is clogged and saturated with appropriation and traditional occultism, so I’d love to just talk to some other Jewish folks directly and pick their brain a little bit about who she is and what she means to *you!* Feel free to message me :3

Drunk Witchery

Anything and everything that involves witchcraft and alcohol. Please drink legally and responsibly! And please tag this appropriately for those who avoid alcohol.

Correspondences of…

Wine types in witchcraft

White wine

Red wine

Rosé Wine

Champagne

Beer brands and witchcraft

Booze correspondence table

Making…

Blackberry gin

Booze witchcraft (making gin)

Tonic wine recipes

Mulled wine

Yule buttered rum

Hot toddy

Moon vodka

Infuse your booze

Using in witchcraft…

Vodka luck spell

Lucky night shots

Simple spell for warmer weather

Hot toddy (for good health and cheer!)

Love spell cocktail

Simple love potion

Witchy whiskey

Use of alcohol in a ritual

Get that bartending job spell

*Multiple links were pulled from this post*

Celebrate Midsummer

Outside:

Collect Herbs and Flowers

Make Sun Tea

Build a bonfire

Have a sunrise or sunset picnic 

Sunbathe

Leave out honey offerings for the Fae

Cleanse and charge your magical items under the sun

Watch the sun set on the longest day of the year

In the Home:

Let in as much sunlight as you can

Make crystal or botanical suncatchers

Burn incense of sandalwood, frankincense, rose or myrrh

Try fire divination, or scrying with the flames 

Make pressed flower candles

In the Kitchen:

Make Honey Mead Bread

Eat a spread of fresh summer fruits and vegetables

Make Midsummer Mead

Brew Chamomile Tea

Bake Pumpernickel bread

Make fruit & herb infused water

In the Bath:

Soak in a golden honey bath

Scatter sunflowers through your bathwater

Bathe around fiery solar colored candles

Treat yourself to a chamomile Tea Bath

On your Altar:

Represent the sun using colors of yellow, orange or gold

Incorporate solar imagery

Decorate with green stones like jade or emerald

Try decorating with woods of oak and pine

Use golden candle holders and decorations

Incorporate dried or fresh picked herbs

The aesthetic of my Grimoire has been inspired by the Owen’s spellbook from the movie, Practical Magic. Just thought of sharing some of the things written on them that has been shared as well on my page.