⚠️⚠️ WORK IN PROGRESS ⚠️⚠️
Enchantments (and charms, amulets, and talismans) Incense
Astral projection
Divination
Traditional magic
Storm magick
Healing magick
Dragons
Religion
Days of the week (correspondences)
Demonolatry
Candle magick
Moons of the year
Intention
Superstitions
Magical practices around the world
Low cost magic
Spirit work
Closed practices
Seasons
Wand making
Magical terminology
Deities
Symbol/image magick
Banishing
Green magick
Salts
Petition magick
Low energy magic
Colour magick
Intuition
Witch's alphabet
Fae
Devotional practice
Common herbs (in the craft)
Spirituality
Local myths, cryptids, or legends
Clairsenses
Prayers
Binding
Constellations
Charm bags
Foraging calendar
Shadow work
Crystals
Poisons
Ancestors
Tools
Astrology
Types of witches
Spirits
Natural remedies
Plant identification
Witch's ladder
Sea/ocean magick
Spells
Symbols
Past life exploration
Circle casting
Hex/curse breaking
History of witchcraft
Magical philosophy
Baneful magick
Herbology
Grounding
Types of moons
Energy work
Knot magick
Lunar cycle
Kitchen magick
Warding
Mythology
Witchy DIY
Protection magick
Historical witches
Herbalism
Weather Historical spells
Witch bottles
Chaos magick
Cleansing
Alchemy
Auras
Affirmations
Teas
Times of day
Waters
Hearth magick
Rituals
Art magick
Familiars
Meditation
Tarot spreads
Sigils
Glamour magick
Elements (traditional greek elements)
Sustainable lifestyle tips
Sachets
Recipes
Magical theory
Tech magick
Magical technique
Sabbats
Altars
Essential oils
Dream journal (Dream interpretation and Dream work)
Spells
Tools I developed for my practice
Divination stuff
Maps (of places with cool energy)
i did a thing
Personal correspondence charts
Local plants
My shadow work
Wish List
💀Osteomancy Masterpost💀
Author's Note: Most of these may not come from Tumblr.
What is Throwing The Bones? (ladyalthaea)
Introduction to Osteomancy (spellsofmagic)
Bone Reading Intro & Starting Guide (archaichoney)
How to Make and Read Your Own Osteomancy Set (otherworldlyoracle)
How To Make And Use A Powerful Bone Throwing Divination Set (thetravelingwitch)
How to Divine by Throwing Bones (deathwitchenvy)
Bone Divination (learnreligions)
Throwing The Bones: Finding Your Future (spiritualityhealth)
Learn to Read Bones (coursecraft)
Bone Throwing (aminoapps)
Witches who practice bone throwing, what is in your set and what meanings do they have for you? (reddit)
Bone Correspondences
Say a small prayer or do a short meditation before you get out of bed in the morning.
Write down dreams or visions you had.
Stir your first cup of coffee or tea counterclockwise to banish negativity and bad luck or clockwise to bring positive energy.
Draw daily tarot or oracle cards (you can also use a pendulum) for guidance.
Cleansing yourself and home using sound or smoke.
Ancestor or spirit offerings
Pick out your clothes, shoes, jewelry... ect with intention.
Write a sigil or petition paper and burn it.
Take a ritual shower. You can spice it up with candles, herbs, and crystals, or you can simply step under the water and imagine all the negativity and bad energy washing off you. You can also recite a chant.
Every time you look into the mirror, say an affirmation
Take a walk outside and ground yourself to Mother Earth.
Dance!! Dancing is an excellent way to rise the energy, and it helps with opening the sacral and solar plexus chakra and getting in touch with the inner child.
tip jar
Not all spells that go wrong are “backfires.” A backfire occurs when a spell’s result is antithetical to the result you wanted to cause — it causes a negative outcome, often coming back onto you as the caster, but sometimes creating the opposite effect as was desired on the target. For example, casting a money attraction spell and losing a wallet full of cash as a result would be considered a backfire. A spell that fizzles, does nothing, or produces an unexpected (but not negative) side-effect wouldn’t be a backfire (in my opinion, that is).
Most spells that go wrong aren’t backfires. In general, you’re likelier to have a spell that acts unexpectedly or that simply fizzles than one that blows up in your face somehow. You shouldn’t be anxious about a backfire. But, as someone with lots of experience in the realm of worrying about worst-case scenarios, I understand the impulse.
The solution is to understand what can go wrong, how to prevent it, and what to do in the event of an actual worst-case scenario. My goal with this post (and with this WWGW series) is to help you feel less anxious about spells going wrong and more prepared to deal with whatever comes your way.
So, let’s start from the beginning.
Risk assessment, mitigation, and management. Fellow corporate drones (former or current) will know exactly what I’m talking about here. The idea is to predict possible ways that things can go wrong and either prevent them entirely or put strategies in place to deal with them ahead of time. It’s damage control before the damage occurs.
Now, the key here is to not go overboard. Fellow chronic worriers will know the horrible allure of going down every possible path of anxiety, only to find ourselves paralyzed entirely by the fear that something will go wrong. Remember that most spells do not backfire. In most cases, the worst thing (and most common negative outcome, in my experience) that can happen is that nothing happens. The next most common is unexpected side effects, but those are usually easily dealt with.
The goal is to ensure the success of the spell. For example, when you’re looking for a new place to live, you don’t want to just look for the number of bedrooms and the finishes in the kitchen. You want to account for the appliances, the heating/cooling systems, the quality of the flooring, signs of water damage, signs of mold… all sorts of things.
A similar concept applies to accounting for backfires/failures in spellwork. You want to close loopholes and think about the outcomes you specifically don’t want — and then incorporate ways to prevent those things from happening.
The spell fully backfires. By “fully backfires,” I mean that it completely fails and creates the exact opposite outcome to what you were going for. Using a love spell as an example, this could include the target leaving your life, forming negative opinions of you, or becomes interested in someone else (particularly if you were trying to pull attention from that someone else onto yourself).
The spell is bounced back to you. This is more unusual than you think! I often see the warning about spells being redirected back at the caster in arguments against hexing and cursing others. I’ve had exactly one spell reversed back at me, and it was because the target was 1. A witch, and 2. Expecting it.
The spell’s primary result is unexpected. Not necessarily bad, just not what you meant to do. For example, casting a spell to get a promotion at work and discovering that your close friend is getting a promotion instead.
The spell has unexpected side effects. Like casting a spell for good luck on yourself and having everyone around you experience good luck, too. Or casting a spell that successfully improves your workplace’s vibe, only to find out that the mean coworker nobody likes finally got fired, and that’s why everyone is more relaxed and cheerful. Or, more negatively, you do get that promotion you cast for, but now you’re saddled with more work than you can handle, because your bosses think you’re highly capable of it all!
The spell does absolutely nothing. Perhaps one of the more common ways a spell can go wrong, this is exactly what it says on the tin. You put the energy in, you did all the steps, but the spell just… doesn’t go anywhere. In other words, it fizzles and simply doesn’t work at all.
As with most topics in witchcraft, there’s an infinite amount of nuance to apply here. There are more ways spells can go wrong, and not all of these things would necessarily be considered “going wrong.”
It may be worth deducing why the spell went wrong. Was it the materials? The petition or incantation? A lack of energy, or maybe an overabundance? Spirit influence? Protections surrounding the target? Knowing what exactly went wrong can help you prevent the same issues in the future, but it can also help you to better fix the spell in the moment.
The particulars are going to depend heavily on your personal practice, the type of spell you’re doing, and how detailed you want to get. These suggestions are based on things I personally take into account when I’m trying to close loopholes and prevent unwanted outcomes.
Be specific in your wording. Especially if your spell has any kind of spoken or written component, be as specific as you can. “Draw money to me” is a general sentiment that could absolutely work, but what money is it bringing in? A bonus at work? A dollar on the street? A gift from grandma? Inheritance? It could be anything at that point. “Draw good, repeat customers to my small business to help me reach my profit goal of $10,000 before the end of the year” is specific, focused, and measurable. There isn’t much room for surprise side effects.
Choose ingredients carefully. Work with ingredients whose purposes you know. In my spell recipes, I list every ingredient’s correspondence, because in my practice, those things matter. Ensure that the “active ingredients” in your spell align with your goal properly. Rogue elements create rogue effects!
Include failsafe measures. As in, create ways you can cancel the spell at any point. This can have the side effect of making your spells easier to undo, particularly if your target is also a witch who understands how you construct your spells. If doing this, it’s best to create a method that is obscured and unique to you.
Add ingredients or instructions specifically to avoid particular side effects or outcomes. Find a component or two that can protect your working from unwanted effects, backfires, and interference. Include instructions for the spell for things it shouldn’t do. For example, trying to create issues for one particular person at work shouldn’t harm their innocent teammates.
The first step to consider is undoing the spell. Not all paradigms allow for this, so it may not be possible for you. For me, it depends on the particular spell and how much change it’s created. The bigger the impact, the less likely a simple undo will work.
Still, it’s worth a try. Undoing a spell might take a few forms, depending on how you originally cast it:
Take the spell apart. Disassemble the spell into its components and cleanse them of the spell’s energy.
Destroy the vessel and components. Burning, tearing, burying, flushing, throwing away, and so forth. Be careful to not bury things that could harm the earth, animals, or people — including glass, salt, and plastics. Compost and recycle when you can.
Dismiss spirits working within the spell. End the contract around the spell’s working and request that the spirits stop powering it. You could also request their assistance in undoing the spell. You may have to make offerings either way, depending on the terms of your agreement.
Perform the spell in reverse. This includes speaking incantations backwards, performing all actions backwards, taking components apart, re-cleansing, and putting things away where you originally got them from.
Draw the spell’s energy/effects out of the target’s body and/or the affected area. Using energy work, absorb the spell’s energy into a vessel. Capture it and either allow it to dissipate or bottle it up to keep it in check. I don’t recommend absorbing the energy into yourself, as that may draw the spell’s unwanted effects to you (or make them worse).
I typically employ a combination of strategies to undo a spell, if it’s possible in the first place. If it’s a simple spell, performing it in reverse is the easiest method. I’ll then cleanse, destroy, and dispose of the materials.
But when it isn’t possible to simply undo the spell…
…The answer might be to cast another one. In my mind, there are several ways to do this.
The first is to cast a spell to negate the original’s effects completely. I would approach this method the same way as any other spell. Focus on the effects you’re looking to negate, and cast accordingly. A banishing spell would work well for this to shoo away the spell’s energy, but a cleansing spell to clear the target would also work. Or, you can get more specific. For example, if a spell has generated a string of unlucky events, you could cast a spell for good luck in order to nullify the bad luck of the first spell. The goal would be to cancel out the original spell’s effects in some way.
The second way is to cast a spell to adjust the original’s outcome. There are a lot of ways to do this. You could directly modify the original spell by adding or removing ingredients that might’ve caused the negative outcome, redo written or spoken incantations/petitions, or cast a “companion spell” to redirect the original’s energy to a more favorable end. For example, in a money spell that’s giving everyone else good fortune, you could place a magnet with your personal information on it atop the spell vessel to draw money to you rather than the people around you. The idea here is not to end the original spell, but to realign it to your particular needs.
Another way is to cast a spell specifically to control side effects. Sometimes, a spell can’t be undone, and you can’t easily modify the main outcomes (particularly true if the negative events caused by the spell happen quickly or outside your control). Or maybe the bulk of the spell worked properly, but there’s one or two minor negative side effects you don’t want to continue. The method for this would be similar to adjusting the original spell’s outcome, but on a smaller scale and in a less direct fashion. For example, your job spell got you that promotion, hooray! But now you’re stressed out by training someone to take your place, and you’re learning your new position. You can cast a spell to reduce stress or prevent people from piling additional work on you while you adjust, controlling the side effects of the promotion.
A way I use for high-stakes spells is to cast wards or other protections before casting the main spell to prevent backfire or unwanted effects ahead of time. I often do this for spells surrounding situations that are delicate or that need extra care. In my case, it’s a general, long-term ward against bad luck on a wider scale, and it catches negative spell side effects as part of its job. You can set up temporary wards if you prefer, or make them for very specific purposes. Whatever works for you.
Cast the same spell again. This isn’t my usual go-to, unless I’m trying a new spell method or ingredient I’m unfamiliar with. I’ll usually recommend trying the same spell again when the first casting does absolutely nothing, since multiple castings can make a spell stronger and more effective. However, if a spell backfires or otherwise causes undesirable effects, I wouldn’t really recommend it, as the negative effects can compound, too, if it misfires again.
If the problems caused by your spell are too big for you to handle on your own, it’s okay to reach out for help! Whether you’re looking for suggestions and advice or hands-on assistance, knowing when and how to ask for help is a critical skill.
Ask the witchcraft community (or your witchy friends) questions. Join a Discord, forum, Tumblr community, or other witchy space. Make a post to explain your situation and request suggestions, advice, and ideas to deal with the situation at large. Not all suggestions will be entirely helpful, but you’ll at least get some new perspectives to shed light on your situation. If people you know directly (in real life or online) practice witchcraft, see what they think.
Chat with spirits. Especially if you already work with spirits or if spirits helped you to cast/power the original spell, this can be a solid way to come up with a solution that will work. Use your preferred method of communication to discuss the situation. If possible, see if they’ll help you either undo or mitigate the spell’s unwanted results.
Ask non-witchy friends for advice. Their advice will probably be mundane, but sometimes, those are the best solutions. Outside perspectives are useful to recontextualize problems and come up with solutions you wouldn’t have otherwise considered.
Find books, videos, tutorials, blog posts, and other resources on the subject. When all else fails, or when you’re a little shy about asking for help directly, there are still resources out there to help you solve your dilemmas. Just remember to vet your sources before naively following instructions given to you.
Sometimes, there’s just nothing for it. Whether you don’t have time and energy or you’ve already tried more magic and had it fail, there are times when you have to turn to the mundane. Depending on the severity of the situation you’re in, solutions will vary in their successfulness. And honestly, that’s just how it is sometimes. Sometimes, things don’t wrap up nicely and easily and neatly.
With that said, here are a handful of mundane responses and solutions I’ve turned to after spells went wrong (and couldn’t be otherwise fixed):
Come clean and apologize. Particularly applicable when you’re doing a spell on or for another person, sometimes, there’s just nothing else to do but admit you fucked up. If the person impacted by the spell’s effects, directly or indirectly, isn’t a magical practitioner themselves, you could simply apologize for meddling in the situation. On the other hand, if you’ve harmed or offended a spirit with your spellwork, you might make an offering to apologize for the trouble you’ve caused.
Come up with mundane strategies for damage control. Depending on how severe the spell’s negative effects are, the level of effort for this is going to obviously vary. It could be anything from redoing your household budget to breaking out the toolbox for repairs to building an actual fence to making dinner. Your solution is going to depend on your problem. Think strategically.
Seek out new, improved coping mechanisms. Whether you’re looking to resolve feelings that are caused by the spell’s backfire or ones that made you cast in the first place, sometimes, a bit of self-care is the best solution. Consider why you cast the spell in the first place — lack of control, poor self-worth, low confidence? Or was it just because you felt it could help you with a little boost to the work you were already doing? It’s worth thinking about. What mundane safety nets do you have in place?
Let it go. Perhaps the most difficult option: Just letting the bad result be. Moving on from it. Taking the lumps and the lesson, and walking away. Giving up is a skill. It’s not a moral failing to let things go. If fighting will only make things worse, or if you’re tired of trying to fix it, it’s okay to just… let it be a failure.
Again, this is far from comprehensive. The suggestions here are basic ideas to help inspire you to form your own opinions and solutions. It’s smart to consider these things in advance! As my mother always says, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.
I have plans to expand the idea of “When Witching Goes Wrong” into a wider series of posts, each focusing on a very specific problem, spell type, or solution (like a post just about ways to undo a spell, for example). Those are likely to include true stories about things I’ve personally fucked up… which are always the best witchy stories, in my opinion. Lol.
If you're interested in more WWGW entries, check out the masterpost.
Anyhow! If you got something out of this post or my other work, consider tossing a couple dollars in my tip jar. Support goes toward bills and keeping our household fed and healthy, so it’s very much appreciated. Supporters got to see this post a full week early!
If there’s a particular subject you want to see covered, feel free to send me an ask or leave a comment on this post (or any of the posts in the series!). As long as it’s something I actually have experience with, I’m happy to cover just about anything.
- poetry (or art of any kind)
- self care in his name!
- a dedicated candle dressed with herbs that are associated with Him
- prayer in the evening, trusting Him to sit by your side until you fall asleep
- prayer in the morning for a good outlook on the day
- music! playing music, writing music, listening to music,…
- therapy
- taking your meds
- sharing a drink with Him (coffee, tea, wine, anything)
- shadow work!!!
- watching the sunrise
- any kind of magic in His name
- divination
- trying out new things and getting out of your comfort zone
- human rights activism
- focusing on yourself
- questioning authority and standing up for yourself
- enlightenment, learning and pursuing the arts
- studying philosophy
- befriending your local neighbourhood crows
- getting Him scented candles that smell like His associated herbs
- making Him a Pinterest board
- making a playlist with songs that remind you of Him
- learning how to properly ward and protect yourself (magically)
- dedicating a piece of jewellery to Him (and asking Him to bless it)
- making a journal for Him (digital or analog) with prayers, tarot spreads, offerings and information about Him (I recommend this for every deity, honestly it’s really useful and a great way of showing devotion)
- learning more about Him and common misconceptions associated with Him (especially in Christianity)
- wearing clothes that radiate His energy and make you feel confident
In the end, any offerings you give Him are valid and will be appreciated, as long as you put some thought into it. Don’t worry if you can’t give Him the things you’d like to give Him, He will accept anything that comes from a place of love and devotion.
Do not use this spell unless your intention is to cause complete havoc. There is no reversing the spell, so make sure that this is a last resort, and you will not regret doing it later.
When you begin this spell, think about all the pain and suffering this person has caused you (or someone close to you). Visualize chaos attacking them from all sides.
MATERIALS AND PROCEDURE:
You will need a 9″ piece of black yarn.
Tie 3 separate knots as you chant the following:
“With this knot I seal this hex you will not sleep, you will not eat, you will not rest dark knots of anger, dark knots of hate This black cord with knots brings you your fate As I tie this second knot this makes two As complete black darkness falls over you Slander, chaos, evil too I send the darkness straight onto you With this third knot, yes I bind Complete horror and chaos into your mind Hex of anger, hex of hate Bring (SPEAK THE PERSON’S NAME) down, I will not wait. I have spoken it and so it shall be. I have spoken it and so mote it be!”
Douglas Hensley, A Book Of Magic Spells And Hexes
Charcoal is what is left over after burning wood in a fire or other plant material that has been used in not only witchcraft but medicine and art for centuries. This ingredient is often a well forgotten or overlooked one, but it is truly an easy obtainable ingredient to harness for your craft.
Elements: Charcoal is often related to 3 main elements- Fire, Earth and Air. Often it is related to earth due to the charcoal being created from wood, air due to the porous light nature and its relation to smoke and to fire due to fire being the energy that creates and transforms it. Though often most associate charcoal with fire.
Correspondences: Unity, Purification, Banishing, Cleansing, Protection, Warding, Concentration
Colors: Black, Gray, Ashen White
In Witchcraft
In witchcraft charcoal was often used for ink making to write in grimoires by mixing the charcoal (or ash) with water and vinegar. Sticks of charcoal were used for drawing, inscribing and warding. Crushed charcoal would be mixed into salt to create black salt and casted about the home or property to absorb negative energies and ward against negative entities. Lining windows or doorways with charcoal dust was said to keep away illness and misfortune and cleanse those who entered the home.
In Medicine
Charcoal has been used in medicine for centuries, some of the latest uses dating to the times of Pharaohs in Ancient Egypt. In ancient times it was often used to prevent wounds from festering by pressing charcoal into the wound and wrapping it with clothe. Egyptians and Native Americans both have history of grinding up charcoal into dust to mix with water (or milk) to drink to cure a number of ailments including food poisoning, influenza, stomach cramping and other digestive issues.
Throughout Europe charcoal was used as a ‘cure all’ for numerous ailments including epilepsy, seizures, contraception and infection. Though charcoal definitely isn’t a cure all, it was popularly used to help settle upset stomachs, calm vomiting and aid in digestion. Later several doctors discovered the use of charcoal to counteract poisons by ingesting it with a poison, greatly nullifying the effects of the poison making them minimal in nature. During the 1800s was when activated charcoal became the main type of charcoal used for medical purposes.
In Witchcraft
Modernly, charcoal is still used for many of the same things. Witches of all kinds use charcoal for sigil drawing and for circle casting and a sorted few still use charcoal to create ink and paint for their grimoires and spell writing.
Black Salt is still popularly made by witches by mixing salt with charcoal (1:1). Black salt is used to absorb negative energy, banish out negative entities and to ward against unwanted guests entering your home. Black salt is often used to line entry points of the home or the outlines of the property to ward and to cleanse a room or home spreading it about the home then sweeping or vacuuming it up after about an hour is the popular technique. Often charcoal is used in sachet spells to help boost their energy and prevent them from getting ‘dirtied’ by negative energy too quickly similar to adding salt to a spell sachet or even jar spells. It can also be placed or used in a spell to represent the element of fire or upon an altar for the same purpose.
In Cosmic Witchcraft it is common to use charcoal to align with the planet Saturn and sometimes Jupiter. Often it is used in spells related to justice, cleansing and ridding oneself of negativity. The blackness of charcoal can also be used to represent the blackness of the night sky itself or to represent black holes in negativity removal spells.
In Bath magick it is popular to use charcoal face masks, charcoal soap or charcoal bath salts to help cleanse oneself and remove negative energies tied to them. Glamor spells using charcoal often are for concealment and to vanish from the gaze of those who you wish not to see you such as protection at night or protection from judgement. In these cases charcoal is often added to sachets or small travel jar spells for invisibility or used for drawn sigils held on the person.
Artist’s charcoal can be used to replace standard charcoal in spells such as making black salt or for the purpose of sigil making. Though artist’s charcoal should never be used in cases of bath magick or to be ingested due to safety reasons. Grilling charcoal should never be used in place of natural charcoal due to it being often mixed with gasoline or other lighting fluids. It is not safe to get onto the skin and certainly not to ingest under any circumstances.
Medical Purposes
Charcoal is still used today for medical uses of calming stomachs and easing digestive issues though mostly activated charcoal is used now. One should not ingest wood charcoal straight from a fire! Especially not if lighter fluid or kerosine was used in the fire. If one wishes to use charcoal for medical use at home purchase it properly from a pharmacy. Charcoal is still used in hospitals for its properties of absorbing toxins ingested such as when a person has alcohol poisoning or believed to have ingested poisons, this again tends to be a mix of activated charcoal.
Health and Beauty
In skin care charcoal is used to replenish and cleanse the skin, often used for clearing out pores of bacteria, dirt and sweat to help fight and prevent blackheads and acne. It is often used in facial masks of varying kinds due to its properties of clearing out the skin, these types of masks include but are not limited to: charcoal peeling masks, charcoal mud masks, charcoal cotton masks, charcoal bubbling masks and more. This is also why charcoal soap is quite popular for those wishing to cleanse their skin. The charcoal used in these beauty masks is a type of activated charcoal though it is often mixed with several other ingredients to fight acne and blackheads.
To enchant an item is to infuse it with magical energy. This energy can come from a variety of sources, including celestial bodies, elements, crystals, herbs, or even yourself.
Some individuals use the words “enchant” and “charm” synonymously as a way to describe the process of infusing something with energy, but for the sake of this post and due to my own beliefs, you enchant something and it then becomes a charm. Alternately, a charm can be something with its own innate energy, like a crystal or herbal amulet.
Enchanting items to turn them into magical objects involves more than just intent - you must learn to channel and manipulate energy, and direct it into that item for enchanting to be successful.
Although, the process of enchanting is extremely versatile and there are many ways to do it.
Here are a few ideas on how to enchant items, in no particular order:
Surround the item with crystals of corresponding intent
Surround the item with herbs of corresponding intent
Place the item in a jar filled with herbs that represent your intent
Place the item in front of a candle and meditate on your intent
Anoint the item with an oil, charged water, or crystal elixir of corresponding intent
Hold the item in your hand(s) and visualize it filling with the appropriate energy
Hold the item in your hand(s) and speak or sing your intent aloud
Craft a symbol to keep near the item in an envelope or sachet
Sew, stitch, or carve a symbol into the item
Write your intention on paper and keep in an envelope with the item
Pair the item with a corresponding runestone or tarot / oracle card in an envelope
Take the item and put it in a box with other items that represent your intent such as crystals, herbs, talismans, amulets, etc.
Bury the item in soil with herbs and/or crystals that match your intent (please don’t put salt on your lawn though, unless you want dead grass)
Pass the item through incense smoke that matches your intent
Pro Tip: Time your enchantments with the appropriate planetary hour, day of the week, time of day, or lunar phase to increase your chances of creating a successful charm.
© 𝟸𝟶𝟸𝟺 𝙰𝙳-𝙲𝙰𝙴𝙻𝙴𝚂𝚃𝙸𝙰
This is how I've decided to organise my grimoire now that I'm digitising it. I thought this may be of some benefit to other autistic/dyslexic practioners by sharing how my brain likes to formulate things. The trick is to categorise.
I have one large category I'm calling the chapter and every chapter has a number of categories within it and smaller sub categories underneath each one.
So my brain basically works like a russian nesting doll or like a very messy spider diagram. Organising it this way helps me to stay on track and stops me from getting overwhelmed. (I used this method in all my university essays and it helped push my grade up a lot).
I'm not writing it in any specific order but here's a list of what I've completed so far. Please feel free to take any of these. I hope this helps you with your own grimoire writing.
Terminology
Paganism: historical context. Modern context. Core values.
New Age Spirituality: Development. Capitalism. Modern Example.
Cultural Appropriation: What it is. How it happens. How to avoid it. List of closed practices and red flags.
Wicca: What it is. How it's practiced. Gerald Gardner. Criticisms.
Thelema: Aleister Crowley. Development (egyptomania). Criticisms.
Conspiracy Theories: Development (root cause). Dangers. Examples. List of spiritual conspiracies. List of antisemitic stereotypes and propaganda.
Cults: What are they. How are they dangerous. How to recognise one (B.I.T.E model). List of religious/spiritual cults.
Satanic Panic: Historical development to our current satanic panic. The 1980's moral panic. Christian persecution complex.
KJV: Who was King James. The creation of the KJV. The KJO movement (evangelical and Christian fundamentalism. American Folk magic)
Witches in context: The modern witch. The post-modern witch. Historical context (England. Ancient Greece. Ireland).
Cats in context: Modern context. Familiars. Historical context (Egypt. Greece. China. England).
Transphobia: the idea behind terfism. How to recognise a terf. Examples of Terfism in spirituality (Lister). Dispelling myths and Misinformation.
Queerness: Erasure and queerphobia. Why queer people gravitate to witchcraft/paganism/Wicca. Examples (intersex. Gay relationships. Lesbian relationships. Asexuality).
Terminology
Health and Safety: Fire. Smoke. Essential Oils. Toxicity. Wound Care. Biohazards.
How to make a magical space: What they are. Different types. Tools and their uses.
Grimoire/Book of Shadows: What they are. The differences. Different Formats. The Front cover.
Cleansing: What it is. What its used for. Examples.
Grounding: What it is. What its used for. Examples.
Protection: What it is. What its used for. Examples.
Intuition: What it is. What its used for. Developing it. Examples.
Discernment: What it is. What its used for. Steps of discernment (from a Christian perspective. From a secular perspective). Psychosis.
The Year and the holidays: Samhain. Yule. Wassailing. Imbolc. Spring Equinox. Beltaine. Summer Solstice. Lughnasadh. Autumn Equinox. (Historical development. How they're celebrated).
Deity Worship: Scientific Context (Neuroscience of Religiosity). Spiritual Context. Worship Vs working with. Finding a deity. Your religious rights. Critiquing your religious path. For example ↓
Hellenism: Historical context (Wars. Colonisation. Slavery. Citizenship. Pederasty). Modern Context (White washing. Transphobia).
Your Deities (if you choose to have any): Iconography. Mythology. Associations. Offerings.
Spirits: Ghosts. Shadow people. Demons (what they are. fear and labelling. History Vs pop culture). The Warrens (history. Criticisms). Other folklore.
I have a lot more planned for this section).
Terminology
Divination: What it is. What its used for. List of types and tools. For example ↓
Tarot: Structure of the tarot deck. Historical context. Modern Context. The fool and you.
Basic Astrology: What is is. Historical Context. Signs. Planets. Houses. Reading a natal chart.
Colour Magic: Basic colour theory. Symbolism. Practical application.
When there's a long list of items and spiritual meanings/applications I keep it in this section at the back of my grimoire.
Colours
Symbols
The Classic Elements
Astrology
Stones
Herbs and Spices (kitchen cupboard specific)
Common plants in your area (invasive and non invasive)
Seasonal fruit and vegetables
Baneful Spellwork positive post
There are so many valid, reasonable, understandable things that would warrant a practitioner casting a baneful spell against someone else.
Your biggest ally in a baneful working: GIVE YOUR SUBJECT AN "OUT"
a change in behavior, a sincere apology, returned items. Whatever your reason is for your working, give them a way to break it themselves.
Pavlov that fucker into righting their own wrongs. "If you're honest, genuine, & kind, things will start to go your way again. If you continue in your malice, your life will fall apart."
In my personal practice, I don't follow any bastardized karmic retribution, or a rule of three. I believe that the Universe is a perfect balance of positive & negative forces, and it isn't fond of anything throwing that balance too far off kilter.
Without a "breaker" built in, your spell will eventually start to backfire. And it will backfire in the direction it came from.
Sun Magick
The Sun (also called Sol) is the one and only star in our solar system. Throughout the time almost every culture has worshiped the Sun as either a God or Goddess. Ancient Shamans used the power of the sun to heal the mind. The Sun is associated with life, health and healing. The light of guidance and illumination is an important magickal symbol. Solar energy helps you center in your own power, like the center of the solar system. Planet Earth orbits around the Sun. Other bodies that orbit the Sun include other planets, asteroids, meteoroids, comets and dust. Generally, the primary stellar body around which an object orbits is called its "sun", and stars in a multiple star system are referred to as the "suns" of bodies in that system.
Associated deities: Aditi, Ah Kinchil, Ama-Terasu, Apollo, Aten, Brighid, Dhatara, Frey, Helios/Sol, Itzamna, Lucifer, Mithra, Mystere, Nitten, Paiva, Ra, Savitar, Apollo
Colors: Orange, amber, gold, yellow, red
Animals: Lion, Sparrowhawk, Griffin, Hawk, Bees
Incense: Cinnamon, clove, pine, citrus, Benzoin, Pine, Frankincense, Labdanum, Olibanum
Crystals: Sunstone, Goldstone, Ruby, Carnelian, Amazonite, Citrine, Tiger's Eye, Golden Topaz, Fire Agate
Sun Associations: Success, Empowerment, Ambition, Enlightenment, Goals, Generosity, Spirituality, Male energy, Health, Vitality, The Gods, Joy, Freedom, Leadership, Matters of the heart, Creativity, Friendship, Growth, Personal fulfillment, Self confidence, Wealth, Individuality, Pride, Energy, Power
Plants and Herbs: Sunflower, calendula, marigold, daylily, orange, citron, saffron, pine, mistletoe, rosemary, buttercup, heliotrope, bay laurel, daisy, walnut, acorn, maize, wheat, hops, cloves, cinnamon
Sunrise
when the sun wakes up and peers over the horizon. This phase is all about new beginnings, changes, health, employment, renewal, resurrection and finding the right direction.
The Morning
the sun is growing in strength, so it brings the magical power for growth, positive energy, resolutions, courage, harmony, happiness, strength, activity, building projects and plans, prosperity and expansion of ideas.
High Noon
When the sun reaches its peak in the sky at midday – work magic for health, physical energy, wisdom and knowledge. It is also a good time to pop your tools or crystals out that need charging. (Note: some crystals can fade in strong sunlight so check first before putting them out).
Afternoon
This is a time to work in your communication, clarity, travel, exploration and professional matters
Sunset
As the sun takes itself off down below the horizon, work magic for removing depression, stress and confusion, letting go, releasing or finding out the truth of a situation.
Sun water is very similar to moon water. But rather than being charged by the moon, it’s charged by the sun. Sun water can be especially useful for helping boost the energy of a spell, to help an intention grow, and to cleanse.
Instructions:
Get a glass bottle
Fill it with any type of water.
Leave the bottle with water out in the sunlight or shade (indirect sunlight) during any time of day and for your preferred amount of time.
Tip Jar
20, He/Him, eclectic witch, anxious but friendlyThis blog is meant to be a list of resources for myself and others!If anything I repost isn’t accurate pls let me know!
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