For Those Looking To Start Witchcraft

sad that I’m not living in an enchanted forest

Cottagecore but make it dark

🌾 You are allowed to unlearn parts of you that do not align with who you are now 🌾

💌 You are allowed to re-evaluate your beliefs

🍃 You are allowed to change your mind

🦋 You are allowed to redefine your identity

☀️ You are allowed to let go of behaviors and habits that hinder your growth

Things I’d Advise You NOT To Do

Seriously…Don’t. These are things that I have stupidly done, or I have seen someone else do. It would be wise to listen.

 Do not give spirits your name: To many people and cultures, your name holds a lot of power. I may not know much of anything about the fae or fae witchcraft in general but I have read many witches are not a fan of giving out their name. Lots of witches go by their ‘witch’ name for this reason. I’ve even read you have to say you may call me (insert name here). But I don’t even like the idea of calling people by their name when we suspect spiritual activity. Imagine hearing a malicious entity calling you by your name. Growling it. Whispering it in your ear. I don’t even like when people here know my damn name when they’re alive. Imagine unseen forces having you, having power over you by your name. Don’t give them your damn name.

Do not challenge a spirit without knowing what you’re getting into: I stupidly called out a poltergeist in my spouses family home and I called it verbatim, “a little bitch”. Talk shit get hit still applies and I got socked in the eye. My eye was aching and burning for minutes after I said what I said. The spirit didn’t want to be seen and I was threatening it. Be prepared for anything to retaliate. Cause it just might.

Never Panic: I don’t care that you’re scared. I’ve been scared. I’ve been choked. You. Don’t. Panic. You’re going to do nothing but feed the damn thing that’s scaring you and that is no good. You won’t think straight when you panic, you won’t be rational if you panic and you can’t communicate well when you panic. It is okay to take a deep breath even right then and there. And just try and calm yourself. It’s okay to be scared, but do not panic.

Don’t be afraid to stand your ground: Let them know you’re not to be fucked with. Don’t falter to them. Speak your piece and be firm and kind. If they are posing an issue, you let them know you’re not going to stand for it. Stand your ground.

Don’t just assume the ghost you called for is there: Spirits are just as capable of lying just like you are. You ever hear your name with a voice you’re familiar with? You ever hear whispers in your ears that sounds like someone. Make sure you know you’re speaking to who you wanted to speak to.

ok kids repeat after me

vinegar and bleach makes chlorine gas, which is highly toxic

ammonia and bleach makes chloramine, which is highly toxic

rubbing alcohol and bleach makes chloroform, which is highly toxic

hydrogen peroxide and vinegar makes peracetic/peroxyacetic acid, which can be highly corrosive

be careful about your cleaning products and dont get yourself injured or potentially killed ok

Witchy Self-Care

*pulls out draft from over a year ago* ENJOY

Hi! this is a list of witchy self-care things you can do. Most of these are pretty basic on account that i wrote this ages ago but they definitely still work. Anyways, I hope these help :)

Do the dishes and dedicate it to your house spirit (if you have one) or a deity (if you're religious)

sweep/mop your floor in the shape of sigils

add rosemary (or rosemary water/essential oils) to the water you mop with to set an intention of cleansing

taking ritual a bath/shower

cleansing your energy. it's so basic but I forget more than i'd like to admit

dedicating time to yourself. it's just as important as dedicating time to your deities/other spirits

light shadow work or going to therapy. bettering your mental health also betters your spiritual.

go outside and ground yourself

take a nap (less witchy, more, I love naps. rest is important)

work out/stretch and dedicate it to an entity

do some gratitude

take 5 minutes to just sit and turn off your devices. you can use this time for anything, just take a second to get off screens and connect with the world around you

meditate. if you can't sit still long enough to meditate, just focus on taking 3 deep breathes

when you wash your face, draw sigils on your face with the cleanser and moisturiser

^do the same as above but with your body wash and when you wash your hair

say some affirmations/manifestations while brushing your teeth

just check in with yourself and see how you're feeling spiritually, psychically and emotionally. sometimes we don't actually know how we're feeling until we sit down and actually ask ourselves.

If anyone has any more to add please comment. I'll add them to the list (with credit of course)

Simple Moon Cycle Spread

Best performed on a New Moon or Full Moon, or any time you are checking in with yourself and your practice. All answers are designed to be relevent within the span of one moon cycle. 1. Full Moon- What Gives You Power? What fills your cup, gives you energy, and keeps you moving forward? What do we want to make sure we keep around and nurture? Where can we draw strength from during this time?

2. Waning Moon- What Needs Letting Go? What are we carrying that no longer serves us? What can we release to make room for new things? What are we transitioning out of? 

3. New Moon- What Is Ready To Begin? Every moment is a new beginning for something. What is waiting to break the surface? What needs a fresh start? What have you been putting off that you are now ready for? What new energy is coming into your life?

4. Waxing Moon- What Can You Develop? What can you best manifest during this time? What needs your attention in order to grow? What things are headed your way, but need a little help reaching their full potential? 

Your craft is more than your tools

I see a lot of posts on #witchblr for baby witches saying you need to collect this and that when you are starting out. (So many lists!) As though you can't make magic without a particular starter kit of cups and cards and crystals. I don't think this kind of materialistic approach is useful.

Now, I'm not saying that it's not nice to have shiny rocks and floral potpourri, but it is not necessary. Tools can help focus and enhance spell work, but the spell comes from within first and foremost.

So my advice to baby witches is to not run around and spend all your coin on the aesthetic, but instead invest your time into research, reflection and meditation.

This will give you a much better idea of the things that will actually help you get the most out of your workings—instead of accumulating seasonings that will rot in your pantry—if you even feel you need anything at all.

Finally, if you research well you will probably find that what you have in your home and/or neighbourhood is all you need (markers, paper, salt, flour, matches, water, cups, books, playing cards, birthday candles, perfume, text articles and PDFs on the internet, rocks, leaves, etc.) in terms of tools.