Latest Posts by the-horned-raven - Page 4
life is for taking therapeutic walks and being in your own bubble and reading books in bed and drinking iced beverages and eating fruit and gaining new experiences and dozing in sunlight and finding love in everything and not letting guilt consume your life actually
growth in witchcraft as shedding of snake-skin
Sort of obvious, but I had to learn it (like everything else) the hard way. And as spooky season approaches and people may be revitalizing their practices after breaks, I want to say something that might end up saving a couple folks from a lot of frustration and heartbreak:
Just because it worked that way for you in the past, doesn't mean that's how it works for you now.
I mean this in a literal, making-stuff-happen with magic and sorcery way.
You guys have heard the adage that some spirit guides are with you for life, some for short periods, some for just one lesson, etc., right?
Well, the same can be said for sorcerous techniques.
I don't know if I just shed techniques like hermit crabs shed shells or what, but this happens to me a lot. Here's the kind of thing I mean:
You used to do readings with a specific little ritual involving a prayer and incense, but now that technique seems to produce incorrect readings. It feels flat and you can tell you're not connecting.
You used to be able to tie intent into knots and carry the thread around with you all day to conjure specific little occurrences, but now it barely seems to work and manifestation is spotty.
You used to be able to converse with spirits by going into a deep meditation, but now when you try you can hardly connect and it's like their messages are getting blotted out.
And I think sometimes when these things happen, people tend to process this with:
self-blame (I'm not a devoted enough witch, I brought this on myself!),
scapegoating spiritual allies (I used to pray to Hekate before divination but now my divination doesn't work, so Hekate must be mad at me), or
developing personal doubt (I used to think magic worked but now I can't replicate my own results).
When the reality is, if you're a magical snickity-snek and you've shed your skin, you might be slithering about in the soil trying to do the little old things that no longer fit the bigger, better you.
Sometimes this "shedding" is very obvious and we can feel and taste it. "Shedding" may come before, during, or after a period of intense personal transformation. It may come in a numinous moment when you hear a single phrase, or view a single image, that makes you become the Hanged Man and see reality in a whole new way.
But it can also happen without us really noticing it. I might put down my tarot cards for a couple months, pick them up again, and suddenly the ways I used to read don't work for me any more.
It's not because I'm a bad reader, or that the spirits have abandoned me, or that magic isn't real.
It's because what used to work for me doesn't any more, and now I just need to find new techniques.
So if you're trying to pick up what used to work and it just doesn't seem to be helping any more, consider that it's just like outgrowing an old set of clothes. Nothing is wrong with you, or the clothes. It just doesn't fit any more.
Since I think it'd be frustrating as hell to read a post like this without some actionable steps, below the cut are some ideas that might help you develop new techniques if your old ones seem to be failing you.
Start with your beliefs
Examine your own rituals and see if what you're doing still matches what you believe. Let's say you used to pray to Hekate and light incense before divination, but now you do that and your divination doesn't work.
Do you believe Hekate is allowing your divination to be possible? Do you believe she's the best goddess to seek aide from at this time?
What role does the incense play? Is it an offering to Hekate? Is it to feed the ancestors who supply you with interpretations? Is it just to set the correct tone and atmosphere?
Maybe you've grown in your relationship with divinity, and you now believe it's more proper to call on gods with formal prayers - but your divination ritual still uses a simple, improvised prayer.
Maybe your understanding of Hekate has changed and it feels more suitable to call on different powers.
Maybe you feel strangely about constantly "paying" gods to help you, when they say they don't need it - and lighting the incense makes you feel awkward.
Change what you're doing to match what you believe. That's always a solid first step.
Examine your own emotions and reactions
Try performing rituals (from the smallest ritual of stirring intent into coffee, to full-blown compass-casting affairs under the full moon) mindfully.
Be aware of what you're doing as you do it, but also try to examine your own reactionary thoughts and feelings.
Suppose my ritual of stirring my coffee seven times clockwise to manifest a desired emotion doesn't work any more. It used to work great, for years, so I do it quickly. But now it doesn't work, so I do it mindfully.
And while I'm stirring, I watch a few thoughts pop up to the surface: why am I doing this seven times? I'm stirring my coffee for too long and staring into it like an idiot, and it's embarrassing. What if someone thinks I'm weird?
If any individual step of a ritual makes you feel embarrassed, stressed, or avoidant, or if you feel relief from not having to do that any more - that technique is probably not serving you very well.
Seek out methods that make you feel excited, hopeful, empowered, or interested. Or, at the very least, ones that don't make you feel bad.
Be open to shifting your paradigm entirely
Going back to the stirring coffee thing, maybe I think stirring seven times is too much. So I try to stir my coffee three times. But that still feels clunky.
Then I get into left-handed vs right-handed stirring, because someone might have said that doing stuff with your right hand is for blessings.
Then I try out a new little inner mantra while I stir X times with Y hand.
But it's just not working. No matter what I try, it feels like walking barefoot on a gravel road.
So maybe I just need to do something entirely different.
Maybe numerology isn't my thing any more. Maybe now, I just need to embrace my inner divine creator.
Maybe I should think about the ultimately powerful creative energy within rich, black soil - and as I pour my coffee, I can imagine that I'm pouring pure creative energy into my divine cauldron. When I sprinkle in a little sugar, I'm seasoning that creative power to my personal tastes - and no matter how many times I stir it, when I drink that creative power, a new reality blossoms from within me.
No numbers. No memorized chants. No left hand/right hand stuff. Just me, imagining myself as a planet, drinking pure creative energy that will bloom out of my aura as wildflowers bloom in the spring.
Ask for help
I'm not called fool for no reason, and after a couple years of being unable to astral travel - after having successfully done so for years - I finally sat down and asked my spirits for help.
The answer was immediate and simple. So simple, in fact, that I was confident it wouldn't work at all.
Well, of course it worked. I spent years trying to figure out the problem on my own, trying time and time again to use an old technique that I was confident would work. It took a goddess like four seconds to tell me the new way it worked for me.
Even if you're not in communication with spiritual allies, you can still perform divination to help troubleshoot your own magical skills. Try asking a series of questions: what doesn't work for you any more, what you should try, and what you should avoid trying.
When divining, consider the different "levels" of application. A reading that means "don't use excessive force" might refer to high-level life stuff, like, you're working too hard on all your responsibilities right now, learn to relax and the magic will come. But, it might also be referring to something very specific, like, you're trying to raise huge amounts of energy in individual rituals, break them up into smaller spells where much less force is required for each one.
life is for taking therapeutic walks and being in your own bubble and reading books in bed and drinking iced beverages and eating fruit and gaining new experiences and dozing in sunlight and finding love in everything and not letting guilt consume your life actually
A Lesson for Young Witches
If you cannot find representations for a given element, remember…
You are supported by a rigid skeleton made of minerals. You are earth.
Your body is over 70% fluid. You are water.
Your lungs take in and expel breath. You are air.
Your blood is warm and your brain runs on electrical impulses. You are fire.
Your essence, however you describe it, resides within you. You are spirit.
You are composed of gifts from every element, and every element is given marvelous life in you.
Never feel that you are insufficiently magical for lack of icons or accoutrements or accessories.
You are ALWAYS magic. You are ALWAYS enough.
witches ladder
a witches ladder is a knot magick spell. you can make it into a bracelet, put it on your wall, give it to a loved one, etc.
you say/think each phrase while tying a new knot.
you will need:
a piece of string/rope
focus
intention
this spell is pretty flexible and can be used for many things. all you need to do is think about/visualize your goal while tying the knots. you can also write down your intention. make sure to protect yourself before and during the spell.
i would like to note that there are multiple versions of this spell, this is the one that resonates with me.
spell:
by knot of one, the spells begun
by knot of two, the magick comes true
by knot of three, so shall it be
by knot of four, the power is stored
by knot of five, my will shall drive
by knot of six, the spell i fix
by knot of seven, the future i leaven
by knot of eight, by knot of eight, it will be fate
by knot of nine, whats done is mine
“Find meaning. Distinguish melancholy from sadness. Go out for a walk. It doesn’t have to be a romantic walk in the park, spring at its most spectacular moment, flowers and smells and outstanding poetical imagery smoothly transferring you into another world. It doesn’t have to be a walk during which you’ll have multiple life epiphanies and discover meanings no other brain ever managed to encounter. Do not be afraid of spending quality time by yourself. Find meaning or don’t find meaning but ‘steal’ some time and give it freely and exclusively to your own self. Opt for privacy and solitude. That doesn’t make you antisocial or cause you to reject the rest of the world. But you need to breathe. And you need to be.”
— Albert Camus, Notebooks 1951-1959
Fernando Pessoa, from The Book of Disquiet
“Maybe you don’t go to hell for the things you do. Maybe you go to hell for the things you don’t do. The things you don’t finish.”
— Chuck Palahniuk, Lullaby
Hey, so I understand that your intentions are good, but if we've never really talked, I'd appreciate you not sending me overly familiar asks, such as roleplaying physical affection. I don't know you, and if I ran into you in person I would not want to have physical contact with you.
This isn't directed at any one person -- I've had a few such asks at this point, and at least one fairly unsettling parasocial situation, so I'm asking folks to respect this boundary.
Beginner Witch advice
-You don't need a whole bunch of expensive stuff. A few 3$ Tarot decks off of Temu,Thrift store candles and some Salt is enough.
-Start off slow. Try practicing a few times a week and spend more time on research
-It doesn't have to look aesthetically pleasing
-Spend more on stuff your ACTUALLY gonna use rather than cute little decoration
-You can use Jewelry as Pendulumms
-Books from the 90s are really useful
-Visulisation is super useful when doing Spellwork
-You don't need throwing bones for divination
-Recycle your spell jars
-Red is the color of Protection
-Runes are super useful
-Use Wine Bottles if you don't have a Candle Holder
ᕼᗩᑭᑭƳ ᗯᎥ丅ᑕᕼᎥᑎǤ
Here's a more pragmatic approach to getting started in witchcraft:
Understand Your Intentions: Witchcraft is deeply rooted in intention. Start by identifying your reasons for wanting to explore witchcraft. Is it for self-improvement, healing, personal growth, or something else? Knowing your intentions will help guide your practice.
Learn About Various Practices: Witchcraft is incredibly diverse, with numerous traditions and practices. Research different aspects of witchcraft, including herbalism, crystal work, meditation, and symbolism. This will allow you to choose the aspects that resonate most with you.
Focus on Self-Discovery: Witchcraft is often a journey of self-discovery. Embrace practices that help you understand yourself better. This might involve journaling, meditation, or working with self-reflective tools like Oracle cards or even psychology-based cards for wisdom, learning and introspection rather than interpretation or meaning.
Embrace Practical Tools: Rather than focusing solely on magical tools, consider practical tools that align with your intentions. For example, if you want to enhance your mental well-being, explore mindfulness techniques or cognitive-behavioral tools. Self-empowerment does not have to be a "mystical" thing,
Explore Symbolism: Symbolism plays a significant role in witchcraft. You can incorporate symbols into your daily life to help reinforce your intentions. For example, wearing specific colors or jewelry that symbolize your goals can be meaningful.
Work with Crystals: Crystals are versatile tools that can be used in various ways, even without traditional spells or rituals. You can carry crystals with you, place them in your environment, or use them for self-reflection and intention setting, or reminders of what resonates with you.
Focus on Mindfulness: Developing mindfulness is a powerful practice in witchcraft. Being present in the moment, practicing gratitude, and connecting with nature can all enhance your craft and personal well-being.
Build Your Own Practice: Witchcraft is highly personal. Don't feel pressured to conform to specific traditions or practices. Instead, build your own unique practice that aligns with your values and goals.
Be Skeptical: Maintain a healthy level of skepticism and critical thinking. Question and analyze what you encounter in the world of witchcraft to ensure it aligns with your pragmatic and self-empowered approach.
By taking this pragmatic approach, you can create a meaningful and self-empowering witchcraft practice that is grounded in reality and tailored to your specific needs. This guide encourages you to explore, question, and create a path that resonates with you.
Things to put in your book of shadows
Of course, only put in your book of shadows/grimoire what you want. If you don't want to put certain subjects in your book then that's fine. It's your book, utilize it how you want. This is just a masterlist of ideas that I've put together. Feel free to add anything else to the list that I may have missed, because there's absolutely no way I included everything.
And for the love of all the gods, if you come across a closed entity or practice, don't try to work with the entity or practice if you're not already part of that group or tradition. You can research it but don't practice it.
+ A blessing and/or protection
+ A table of contents
+ About you:
Your current path
Your personal beliefs
Your spiritual journey
Favorite crystals/herbs/animals
Natal chart
Craft name
How you got into the craft
Astrology signs
Birthday correspondences (birth tarot card, birth stone, etc)
Goals (if you have any)
Anything other relating to your personal practice
+ Safety
Fire safety
What NOT to burn
Plants and oils that can be toxic to your pets
What crystals shouldn't be in water, sunlight, etc
Things that shouldn't be put out in nature (salt, glass, etc)
Potion safety
How to incorporate blood safely
+ Core concepts:
Intention and how it works
Directing energy
Protection
Banishing
Cleansing
Charging
Shielding
Grounding and centering
Visualization
Consencration/Blessing
Warding
Enchanting
Manifestation
+ Correspondence
Personal correspondence
Crystals and rocks
Herbs and spices
Food and drink
Colors
Metals
Number
Tarot card
Elemental (fire, water, air, earth)
Trees and woods
Flowers
Days
Months
Moon phases
Zodiac
Planets
Incense
Teas
Essential oils
Directions (north, south, east, west)
Animals
Local plants, animals, etc
Dream symbology
+ Different practices
Practices that are closed to you (some examples below)
Voodoo and Hoodoo **Closed**
Santeria and Brujeria **Closed**
Shamanism and native american practices **Closed**
Wicca and wiccan paths
Satanism, both theistic and non-theistic paths
+ Different types/practices of magick
Pop culture magick
Technology magick
Chaos magick
Green witchcraft
Lunar magick
Sea witchcraft
Kitchen magick
Ceremonial magick
Hedge witchcraft
Death witchcraft
Grey witchcraft
Eclectic witchcraft
Norse witchcraft
Hellenic witchcraft
Animism
+ Deities
The deity/deities you worship
Different pantheons (the main five are Celtic, Roman, Greek, Egyptian and Norse, all open)
Deities and pantheons that are closed to you
Common offerings
Their epithets
Their mythology
Their family
Deity worship vs deity work
Prayers and how to make your own
Deity communication guide
Devotional acts
Ways to get closer to them
+ Other spiritual entities
Angels
Ancestor work
Spirit guides
The fae
Demons
Familiars
House spirits, animal spirits and plant spirits
Other various folklore entities
Spirit etiquette
Cemetery etiquette
Setting boundaries with the spirits
Communication guide and etiquette
Grounding, banishing, protection and cleansing, aka: "Spirit work safety guide"
How they appear to you
Common offerings
Circle casting
+ Divination
Tarot cards
Oracle cards
Tarot and oracle spreads
Pendulum
Numerology
Scrying
Palmistry/palm reading
Tasseography (Tea leaf reading)
Rune stones
Shufflemancy (Shuffling of a playlist)
Dice divination
Bibliomancy (Randomly picking a phrase from a book)
Carromancy (Melted wax)
Pyromancy (Reading flames)
Psychic abilities
Astrology
Aura reading
Divination via playing cards
Lenormand
Sacred geometry
Angel numbers
+ Other types of magick
Candle magick
Crystal magick
Herbalism/herbal magick
Glamour magick
Hexing
Jinxing
Cursing
Weather magick
Astral work
Shadow work
Energy work
Sigils
Art magick
Knot magick
Crystal grids
Color grids
Music magick
Charms, talismans and amulets
+ Spellwork
What makes a spell work
Basic spell structure
What NOT to do
Disposing of spell ingredients
Revitalizing long term spells
How to cast spells
What to put in spells (See correspondence)
Spell mediums- Jar spells, spoken spells, candle spells, sigils, etc
Spell timing
Setting up a ritual
Taglocks: What they are and how to use them
+ Holidays and Esbats
Yule
Imbolc
Ostara
Beltane
Litha
Lughnasadh/Lammas
Mabon
Samhain
The 12 full moons (Esbats)
How to celebrate
Deity specific holidays
+ Altars and tools
What they are
The different types and their uses (travel altar, working altar, deity altar, ancestor altar, etc)
What you can put on your altar
What you use your altars for
Common tools in witchcraft
How to use the tools
Food and drink
Common herbs in recipes
Sabbat recipes
Moon water: What it is and how to use it
Potion bases
Tea magick
How to get your herbs
Foraging
+ Mental health and self care
Bath magick
Affirmations
Burnout prevention
Aromatherapy
Stress management
Mental health coping mechanisms
+ History of witchcraft
+ Dream records
+ How to differentiate between the magickal and the mundane
+ Calendar of celestial events (Esbats, retrogrades, etc)
+ How to dry herbs and flowers
+ What chakras actually are and how they work within Hinduism
+ History and traditional uses of reiki
+ The witches' alphabet
+ The runic alphabet
+ Common witchcraft terms
+ Common symbols in witchcraft
+ Your own witch tips
+ Good witchcraft books and authors to avoid
+ Any online resources you utilize often
“no matter how badly you think you’re doing it, someone else has done it a lot worse and been fine” is applicable to a wide, wide range of things and i say it to myself all the time
Autumn Healing Brew
(Standard Disclaimer: I am not a physician. This is purely a suggestion and is not meant to circumvent, supersede, or replace modern medicine. Please consult your doctor before trying any new medication or treatment and take all proper mundane measures to care for your health. Avoid or replace any ingredients to which you are allergic.)
This is my favorite recipe for recovering from cold and flu. I made a batch of it this morning for some of my officemates who haven't been feeling well and I thought I would share in case anyone needs a pick-me-up.
You will need:
Black tea (I usually use Earl Grey for this recipe)
Honey (local is best if you can get it)
Ginger paste
A fresh orange
Cinnamon stick (if desired)
Brew the tea on the strong side and fill your favorite mug about 2/3 of the way. Add a pea-sized amount of ginger paste plus honey to taste and stir well. Slice the orange into wedges. Select a piece and prick the rind with a fork before adding it to the cup of tea. Macerate the orange a little to release the juice and pulp. If you want, you can also add a cinnamon stick for flavor.
Breathe in the steam while the tea is hot, then sip slowly once it's cooled to a drinkable temperature. It's best to drink it while it's hot. I find this really helps with cough and sore throat, plus it's tasty and comforting. Nothing like a good cuppa to put oneself right again.
Pro-Tip: If you want to make a decongestant version, add a pinch of cayenne pepper. Your nose will run like a faucet, but it helps.
Happy Witching! 🤧
Tips for when you’re considering Paganism
For my lovely friend @whoooooisthis!! I hope this helps love!
First things first, learn the basics. Cleansing, Warding, Banishing and Protection.
Cleansing: You should cleanse when you’re having a bad day, are/were sick, after a breakup or loss, after arguments, during a major transition in life (graduation, birth, etc) and when you feel you need to. Cleansing cleans up the energy around you and keeps you safe. You can cleanse by lighting incense and passing the smoke around an object or room, bathing yourself or an object, burying an object, with salt (just don’t put it near dirt and plants!!), setting something in moonlight or sunlight (Make sure you keep track of which moon phase to cleanse on), with sound like bells or singing bowls, clapping, cleaning, burning sage or candles, using holy water or a protection spray, and touching each corner of a room and saying a prayer for each one.
Warding: Wards are spiritual shields that keep you safe. There’s two types of wards - spacial (for spaces and rooms) and personal (for objects and the self). You will need to maintain wards by charging and clearing them. You can ward by using enchanted jewelry or objects, sigils (magical symbols with purposeful energy), energy shields, magic circles, spells, protective crystals, protection spell bottles, anointing the corners of a room and window and door sills with holy water or another warding substance. I personally like to drill holes in peach pits to wear as necklaces, they work quite well for warding.
Banishing. There are tons of spells online that will teach you how to banish negative entities. If an entity is fucking with you, bad things keep happening or things just feel off, don’t be afraid to banish. Letting spirits know you’re not to be fucked with is incredibly important.
Protection. Light a black candle. Use salt and pepper for warding. Learn banishing and warding spells. Use protective sigils. Protection is incredibly important when concerning spirits, so educate yourself on this thoroughly.
Now onto the fun stuff…
- Talk to things! Your house, your trees and plants, your spirit guides. You can do this out loud or in your head. And remember, even if they don’t respond, they’re probably still there. Just trust me on that
- It’s alright to forge your own unique path. I personally am Autistic and have terrible memory, so it’s important for me to forge my own craft. If something doesn’t work for you, don’t be afraid to change it. Substitutions can always be made.
- Meditate. Everyone says this, but it’s very true. Meditation not only calms the mind and body, but it opens you and your intuition/senses up to new forces
- Don’t ask for things without giving something in return. I lost my pillbox once and couldn’t find it anywhere. I walked out of my room, politely asked for it to be returned, and a few minutes later it was right there on my desk in plain sight. I left a little dish of honey out for whoever (or whatever) returned it. It’s always polite to approach with an offering and give one either before or after asking for something. You can do this with something as simple as picking a flower, always ask permission.
- Make it an everyday thing. That doesn’t mean you have to do daily rituals or meditation sessions. Simply talking (again, in your head or out loud) to your spirit guides, practicing mindfulness and doing little spiritual things here and there are enough. This could be meditation, interpreting a potential sign you got today, saying good morning to the spirits you work with, leaving an offering (especially if you’re asking for something or something has already been done for you) and plain researching to expand your craft and knowledge.
- Write it down. In witchcraft/paganism, almost everybody is journaling. It’s the best way to keep track of signs, experiences, feelings, omens, knowledge that may pertain to your craft, dreams, anything that might seem important. Many witches have a grimoire or book of shadows where they keep their witchy knowledge stored. These are often very personal, can be online or written by hand, and are entirely unique to you. You don’t need a 50 dollar designer spellbook. My grimoire is almost entirely online and printed out into a binder. You don’t have to be fancy. - Research!! Keep finding white feathers? Look up what that means! You want to give an offering? Look up what nature spirits and specific deities prefer! Make sure you’re knowledgeable about what you do.
- Incorporate what you know and what you’re used to. I grew up in a Polish family in an Eastern Orthodox church. Many of the practices I learned from my family and culture have carried on into my craft. Such as knocking on wood to prevent jinxes, wearing clothes backwards to see spirits and keep them from messing with you, and little cultural tricks like stepping out of a room and asking for lost items to be returned when you can’t find something. Keep it familiar.
That's really all I can think of for now, love. If you have any more questions, just let me know in a relog!!
My favorite simple wards to guard the home
Hanging rosemary above the doorstep, and/or above doors of the house for protection.
Sprinkling a line of dried red pepper on a windowsill, to counter a curse.
Placing a mix of dried & ground eggshells and black pepper in every corner of a room to keep out unwanted spirits.
Placing a decoration representing a witch in the kitchen, to keep away illness and to favor health.
Crafting an effigie (no matter how crude!) and make it into the guardian of your home by charging it with your intent of protection and placing it near the front door.
Crafting small witch ladders to hang around the house.
Just me?
Get the job spell & charm
I used this spell right before my interview.
What you’ll need for the spell
Green candle
Olive oil
Rosemary
Lavender
Cinnamon
Bay leaves
Cloves
Pen and paper with edges ripped off
Plate or bowl
Performing the spell
Best on a Thursday or waxing Moon.
Dress the candle in olive oil and melt the wax underneath to stick it to your plate or bowl.
Write on the paper your name and birthday three times, and turn it to your right. Write over your name short details(I will be hired at (company name) in the position of ____, the management will see I am perfect for this job, I have all the skills and more to bring to this position, (company name) will be a positive environment, I will revive a high pay of ____, etc.).
Anoint the paper five times in the four corners and the middle. Fold your paper towards you, turning clockwise as your fold each side.
Add each herb around the candle clockwise, telling each herb what you want it to bring to the spell. (I charge this cinnamon to bring speed into my spell, to bring the new job/interview/job offer to me as soon as possible). Do this for each herb.
Ask your spirits or deities for assistance if you wish as you light your candle.
Charm bag
To carry with you during the interview.
A coin
Tigers eye
Citrine
Rosemary
Ask Mercury for his assistance in communication during the interview. Be sure to leave him an offering afterwards.
And there you have it! I hope this helps you guys get the job! Best of luck!
2023 Witch's Calendar
For all my witches out there, here's a handy list of the 2023 dates for the major holidays, full and new moons, and special events. I've listed my sources at the bottom. Dates and times for all events are calculated for Eastern Standard Time, USA, Northern Hemisphere. Adjust for your location as needed. Enjoy!
WOTY Holidays and Solstices
February 1-2 - Imbolc
March 20 - Spring Equinox / Ostara
May 1 - Beltane
June 21 - Summer Solstice / Midsummer
August 1 - Lughnasadh
September 23- Autumn Equinox / Mabon
October 31 - Samhain
December 21 - Winter Solstice / Yule
Full Moons
January 6 - Wolf Moon ♋
February 5 - Snow Moon ♌
March 7 - Worm Moon ♍
April 6 - Pink Moon ♎
May 5 - Flower Moon ♏
June 4 - Strawberry Moon ♐
July 3 - Thunder Moon (aka Buck Moon) ♑
August 1 - Sturgeon Moon ♒
August 31 - Blue Moon ♓
September 29- Harvest Moon ♈
October 28 - Hunter's Moon (aka Blood Moon) ♉
November 27 - Frost Moon ♊
December 26 - Cold Moon ♋
Fun Fact: The title of Harvest Moon is given to either the September or October full moon, whichever falls closest to the autumn equinox. In 2023, as in 2022, that month will be September.
New Moons
January 21 ♒
February 20 ♓
March 21 ♈
April 20 ♈
May 19 ♉
June 18 ♊
July 17 ♋
August 16 ♌
September 14 ♍
October 14 ♎
November 13 ♏
December 12 ♐
Special Events
February 20 - 2nd New Moon in lunar month
April 20 - Solar Eclipse
May 5 - Penumbral Lunar Eclipse
August 30 - Blue Moon
September 29 - Penumbral Lunar Eclipse
October 14 - Solar Eclipe (Annular)
October 28 - Lunar Eclipse (Partial)
Mercury Retrogrades (in case you need them)
Dec 29, 2022 - Jan 18, 2023
April 21 - May 14
August 23 - September 15
Dec 13, 2023 - January 1, 2024
SOURCES:
Moon Info - Full Moon 2023
Calendar-12.com - Moon Phases 2023
Full Moonology - Full Moon Calendar 2023
Moon Calendar - Full Moons and New Moons in 2023
Yearly Horoscope - Mercury Retrograde 2023 Dates and Times
Your Zodiac Sign - 2023 Astrology Calendar
The Pagan Grimoire - The Wheel of the Year: The 8 Festivals in the Wiccan Calendar
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EDIT: Updated Jan 6, 2023 to correct full moon signs and include additional celestial events. Enjoy!
Pagan Wedding Flowers (and other plants) Cheat Sheet
Flowers have been associated with weddings for almost as long as humans have been getting married. In fact, the use of flowers in ritual may actually be older than humans! Neanderthal graves in Iraq suggest that Neanderthals buried their dead with flowers. There are mentions of flowers in our earliest recorded accounts of weddings, such as in Egypt, Greece, and Rome.
Historically, couples would have used whatever flowers were available to them. While some cultures had flowers they preferred for weddings because of their symbolism, couples would have been limited by what grew in their area and by what was in bloom at the time of their ceremony. To be truly as historically accurate as possible, consider using flowers you grew or foraged yourself. Bonus points for native blooms!
For those who aren't into growing or gathering your own wedding flowers, modern florists and greenhouses allow us to choose from a wide range of flowers, many of which aren't native to our homes. This makes it much easier to choose flowers based on their symbolism, history, or cultural meaning.
Historic Wedding Flowers + Plants
Roses have been the flower of choice for Western weddings pretty much forever, and with good reason. The rose is associated with several ancient goddesses of sex, fertility, and/or romance, such as Inanna, Ishtar, Aphrodite, and Venus. (Later, medieval Christians would also associate this flower with the Virgin Mary.) Including the goddess's flowers in a wedding may have been a way of invoking her blessing on the union. Sappho called rose "Queen of the Flowers."
Roses are held in a high regard in pretty much every culture with access to them. They're strongly associated not only with love, but also with beauty, wholeness, blessings, and even spirituality.
Rose was included in wedding celebrations in Ancient Hellos (Greece) and Rome. It is associated with the planet Venus and the water element.
Wheat was also a popular inclusion in weddings in ancient Greece and Rome. Hellenic brides would carry sheaths of wheat or another grain to invoke fertility and good fortune. Wheat was strongly associated with agrarian goddesses like Demeter, Persephone, Ceres, and Proserpina. Carrying wheat may also have been a way of expressing a wish for the marriage to produce many children. Pliny the Elder explicitly says in his Natural History that wheat was included in weddings to honor Ceres.
In modern occult systems, wheat is associated with fertility, the conception of children, and wealth. It is associated with the planet Venus and the element of earth.
Olive branches also featured in Hellenic weddings. Olive was an important crop in the ancient Mediterranean, and olive branches were a symbol of peace and friendship. Olive was also used in the victors' crowns in the Olympic Games. In Athens, the olive tree was a symbol of Athena. It was also carried by worshipers of Apollo when they visited the Oracle at Delphi. Olive was also important to the Romans, who associated it with Mars in his aspect as a protector of peace.
In modern magic traditions, olive is associated with beauty, healing, stamina, wealth, fertility, protection and of course, peace. It is associated with the sun and the fire element.
Orange blossoms were included in Hellenic weddings as a sign of happiness. These strongly scented white flowers also sometimes appeared in Roman weddings. Thousands of years later, Queen Victoria wore a crown of orange blossoms at her wedding, but for her they were a symbol of chastity.
In modern systems, orange is associated with joy, partnership, sweetness, and good luck. It is associated with the sun and the fire element.
Hawthorn appeared in weddings in ancient Rome. Pliny the Elder said that Roman bridal processions included a hawthorn torch dedicated to the goddess Ceres. In Rome, hawthorn was more generally associated with love and good luck.
In Celtic cultures, especially Ireland, hawthorn was believed to be a fairy tree. For this reason, cutting a hawthorn tree or bringing hawthorn branches inside was considered bad luck.
The blooming of hawthorn trees was used to determine the date of Bealtaine, and hawthorn boughs were often decorated with flowers, ribbons, and egg shells to make a May bush, which was placed by the front door for good luck. In Britain, hawthorn wood was used to carve maypoles. Hawthorn flowers may be especially appropriate for a May wedding or handfasting.
In modern occultism, hawthorn is associated with protection, healing (especially healing the heart), romantic love, fertility, granting wishes, and happiness. It is still strongly associated with weddings and marriage. It is associated with the planet Mars and the fire element.
Lotus may have featured in ancient Kemetic (Egyptian) weddings. The lotus was an important symbol in Kemetic religion, and was associated with the sun, rebirth, and the creation of the world. Lotus flowers featured in festivals to honor Hapi, the androgynous god of the Nile. The lotus is used in art to represent Upper Egypt. An Egyptian poem from 1100 BCE connects the lotus to marriage.
Lotus flowers were also popular in ancient Chinese weddings, and they're still used by some Chinese couples today. In Chinese culture, lotus represents purity, honor, and long life.
In modern traditions, lotus is associated with protection, spirituality, and blessings. It is associated with the moon and the water element.
Yellow flowers were used in pre-Christian Ireland for blessings and protection. The exact flower used for these rituals is not specified, so it seems like the color was what mattered. Modern pagans looking to carry on this tradition have lots of yellow flowers to choose from. Some popular choices include yellow roses (see above), yellow amaryllis (associated with creativity, playfulness, and joy), chrysanthemum (associated with long life, optimism, and protection), marigold (associated with happiness, rebirth, and vitality), and/or daffodils (associated with love, fertility, and luck).
Modern Wedding Flowers
We've gone over some of the flowers that were popular in historic pagan weddings, but it's also easy to pagan-ify the flowers that are most popular in modern weddings. Here's a quick rundown of some popular wedding blooms and their neopagan and occult symbolism:
Peony is associated with purification, healing, prosperity, and success. In ancient Rome, peony was believed to be sacred to Mars. It is associated with the sun and the fire element.
Dahlia is associated with mystery, occult wisdom, and transformation. It is associated with the moon and the water element.
Lilac is associated with balance, peace, romance, protection from evil, and attracting friendly spirits. It is associated with Venus and the water element.
Sweet Pea is associated with comfort, charm, and sweetness. It is associated with Venus and the water element.
Hydrangea is associated with healthy boundaries, breaking negative patterns, hex breaking, and protection. It is associated with water and with both the moon and Neptune.
Tulip is associated with beauty, desire, gratitude, love, prosperity, and simplicity. It is associated with Venus and the earth element.
Orchid is associated with beauty, elegance, sexuality, fertility, and romance. It is associated with Venus and the water element.
Lily is associated with spirituality, beauty, harmony, and protection from the evil eye. It is associated with Venus and the water element.
Carnation is associated with beauty, love, rebirth, strength, and healing. Carnations are associated with same-gender love and especially love between men because of Oscar Wilde's fondness for them. They are associated with the sun and the fire element.
Gardenia is associated with love, peace, healing, and spirituality. It is associated with the moon and the water element.
Resources:
"New Neanderthal remains associated with the ‘flower burial’ at Shanidar Cave," Cambridge University Press
"History of Wedding Flowers" by Benna Crawford
The Roman Wedding by Karen K. Hersch
"The Olive in the Ancient Mediterranean" by Mark Cartwright
"The History, Mythology, and Offerings of Hawthorn" by Meghan Pivarnik
Where the Hawthorn Grows by Morgan Daimler
Temple of the Cosmos by Jeremy Naydler
The Magic of Flowers by Tess Whitehurst
The Magic of Trees by Tess Whitehurst (see my disclaimer about Whitehurst's books, but these are some of her better ones)
Cunningham's Encyclopedia of Magical Herbs by Scott Cunningham
✨Witchcraft and Weaving✨
Good morning loves! In so many religions - new and old - handcrafts are used as a devotional act or magical process. In particular, weaving and braiding are meditative exercises, making it easy to add magical workings to the process. Fibers, in one form or another, have been around for thousands of years, so it makes sense that they've would've been used in ritual work as well. Deities and spirits have also been depicted as weavers and sewers. For example Frigg, in Norse Mythology, is depicted as a weaving goddess; in Sweden and some parts of Germany, the asterism of Orion's Belt is known as her distaff or spindle.
Color! This is probably the most recommended thing you’ll read online and that’s because it’s easy to do and to the point. Consider what you’re weaving and why. Is it a rug to protect your home? A wall hanging to bring in prosperity? Once you know why you’re weaving you’ll be able to narrow down to the colors you need to use. I made a basic list for reference! You can also combine colors for your set purpose. For instance, I have a wall hanging I made that’s a variation of greens and browns in honor ofJörð and to help bring good health to my plants.
Red: passion, love, creative energy, heat, fire, aggression, warmth, comfort, boldness, power, Yellow: joy, summer, the sun, fertility, harmony, hospitality, optimism, improve concentration and communication White: cleansing, inviting in good energies, repels negativity, peace, spirituality Green: prosperity, good health, healing, abundance, fertility, freedom, nature, renewal, reassurance, safety Orange: vitality, innovation, energy, fun, friendliness, attract positivity, welcoming Blue: calmness, clear mind, intellect, good for studying, tranquility, refreshing, can also be cheerful like a clear summer sky Purple: divination, magic, peace, intuition, luxury, calming, knowledge, intuition Black: protection, shielding, repelling negative energy, honoring the dead, stability, magic Brown: grounding, evoke nature, relaxation, stability, protective, comfort, fertility, ancient wisdom, centering, warmth, comfort Pink: love, refreshing, self care, youth, compassion, peace, playfulness, harmony Grey: neutrality, balance, calm, empathy, quiet, cleansing
Devotional Work! You can create pieces to hang in your home, car, altar, to honor a god you work with. You can also spend the time weaving as a devotional act. Every time I weave I do it in devotion to Frigg, it’s a way to show her my love and appreciation for the things she’s taught me. You can also make it part of ritual if you’re choosing to weave something small that’s only going to a minimal amount of time(aka not days).
Patterns! This accounts for a variety of things, for one you can weave sigils, runes, or staves into your piece for a direct magical purpose. You could weave circles to amplify energy, half circles to bring in energy, and lines to move energy. Weaving images that correspond to your intention is another option. For example, if you want to bring in prosperity you could weave images of barley, wheat, mint, or calendula.
Incantations! These don’t have to be complicated or long it can be a simple word for each line you make, or “knot” you weave. I usually think of a small spell to say in the beginning and at the end depending on the works purpose. You could sing a song! Be creative with this but honestly you don’t have to do it at all if that’s not your not craft.
Witches Ladder! Its intent is similar to that of a rosary – it's more or less a tool for meditation, prayer, and ritual, in which different colors and items are used to show one's intent. It can also used as a counting tool, for in some spell work there is a need to repeat the process a particular number of times or to keep count of something. It's also popularly used for knot magic. Also, if you have a strong connection to the moon, you can create a Moon Braid to honor the three different phases of the moon.
You can weave in other materials. This can be a variety of things; a birch twig for fertility, a pine cone for protection, amethyst for divination, the options are infinite! I personally enjoy weaving with twigs and dried herbs the best as they can make your home smell wonderful and they tend to be easier to work with!
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im calm because i know whats coming and i deserve it
Psst, come here, I have a secret to tell you:
The people who are gonna judge you for believing in magic don't care that you ruled out every possible mundane reason for something odd happening before you say it's ghosts or something, they're still gonna judge you so just let yourself believe without having to try and find scientific evidence to support your beliefs.
-fae