Death Witchcraft FAQ + Masterpost

I realize that others have written up posts on death witchcraft, but I decided to write one as resources on this craft are scarce and I know many are curious. Note that every witch practices the craft differently, and for different reasons; these are just my personal experiences based on myself and the death witches I’ve spoken to.

What is death witchcraft?

I personally define death witchcraft as using death to empower you rather than dishearten you. I reflect a lot upon the concept of death, come to terms with my own death, and work through spiritual “deaths” in my life, such as the death of friends or jobs of an aspect of my personality. Death witches work with and honor spirits of the dead (ghosts, ancestors) as well as the power of death itself (endings, resurrections). I embrace death as a new beginning, and a pivotal point in the cycle of life.

Does this answer sound familiar? Because I’ve said it before, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, and here. I get this question a lot, you see, which is why I’m making a post about it. (⌒_⌒)

Why do you do it?

As with many paths, every witch does it for different reasons. For some, it’s a fear, or similar fascination, with death and its inevitability. Some practice it to find peace with death, and the dead. Some combine it with chthonic worship. And some just think it’s cool shit. No matter the reason, death witchcraft is one of the more emotionally tolling and obscure crafts out there. So if you’re interested, be prepared to commit.

What do you do in the craft?

A lot of spirit work, mainly caring for the dead. Ways I do this include tending to graveyards, giving offerings to the dead, helping the dead pass on, and helping people through mourning. I do a lot of shadow work, where I face my fears about death and the “deaths” in my life, and come to terms with accepting it. I also honor ancestors, honor different cultures’ funeral rites, and necromancy.

Other witches combine the craft with vulture culture, or becoming a mortician or funerary holder. I personally do not.

What is necromancy?

Necromancy is divination through the dead. Basically–talking to the dead to receive insights into the present or future. Necromancy can be performed in many different ways, including but not limited to summonings, bone throwing, pendulum readings, and other rituals. No, there’s no reanimating of the dead; many necromancers are strictly against that, if it is at all possible.

Some necromancers are death witches; some are not. I know many death witches who incorporate divination into their path, but would not call it necromancy. The lines seem to be blurred here. But because I receive so many questions on it, I figured I’d include it in the FAQ.

Is death witchcraft religious?

Well, uh … yes and no. Considering how much work death witches do with the spirits of a dead, a general belief in the afterlife is common among death witches. However, I do know some death witches who engage in past life work as an aspect of their craft instead of working with ghosts. Death witchcraft has the capability of neatly fitting into most kinds of religious belief, if necessary.

Is death witchcraft a “dark” path?

No. In my opinion, at least, no. The only thing “dark” about death witchcraft is that it involves, well, death, an idea which many people are uncomfortable with. And it can be a hard and draining path. But, dark? Or unethical? Not at all.

Are there any rules to death witchcraft?

The only rule I can think of that I would ever even think to enforce is to respect both the dead and the living. The dead are not your slaves, they’re not there to give you power; they’re just as valuable as we are. Respect them, and they’ll respect you.

I’m interested! How can I get started?

Check out these posts ~

Tools for the death witch

Magical uses of graveyard dirt

Graveyards in Witchcraft by @witches-of-ouroboros

The Proper Collection of Graveyard Dirt by @raven-conspiracy

Offerings for the dead

Altar ideas

My protection techniques (there are many others, but these work for me)

If you’re interested in necromancy

Guide to worship for chthonic deities (if applicable)

List of chthonic deities (if applicable)

Emotional death spells

Death witches to follow

Crystals in death magic by @cosmic-witch

Spirit communication with animal bones

Seeing past lives (if applicable)

Substitutes for your own blood (if applicable)

Substitutes for graveyard dirt (if applicable)

More on what death witches do by @snake-scale

I have more questions!

Is it one of these? ~

How can I conquer my fear of death? ~ Part Two ~

Does long-time exposure death energy affect you?

How do you know you are making a difference?

Being a death witch vs. being a spirit worker

Death walker vs. spirit worker

Are certain necromantic rites necessary? (imo)

Do you need to be a necromancer to be a death witch?

I’m a secret witch! What should I do?

I’m freaked out of spirits. Any tips?

On the death of a familiar

Do I have to use real bones?

What does it mean to “pay the gatekeeper”?

Praying for roadkill

How can I contact a dead relative?

Do I have to use a ouija board?

When speaking to the dead, are language barriers an issue?

Using ashes of the dead

On ghosts of separated bodies

Letting go of a lost relationship

There’s a spirit in my house??

What’s with this ‘raising the dead’ stuff in necromancy?

What are death energy exercises?

Combining death and glamor magic

I’m a secular witch. Can I still practice?

On miscarriages

On suicidal tendencies

Uncommon tools in death witchcraft

Do ghosts only hang out by their bodies?

Can souls feel pain after death?

Can I worship the concept of death?

I have a stranger’s graveyard dirt. Now what?

What do I say to the dead?

For the beginning Wiccan and death witch/necromancer

Springtime for the death witch

Doppelganger’s Masterlist

Hey guys! I have spent literally almost all afternoon composing a masterlist! This masterlist contains subjects I find important to a chthonic witch myself (earth and spirit), and a little extra stuff I also study.

Updated on 8.30.19

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💀Death Magic💀

Offering Tea For Spirits

Banishment Wash

Essential Oils in Death Magic

Basic Offering Ideas For Spirits

Warding 101

Basic Understanding of Conjuring Spiritual Entities

Samhain Spirit Summoning

Controlled General Summoning Spell

House Rules

Grief Vessel

To Receive a Message From a Loved One

Death Meditation

Honoring the Dead

Vulture Culture

Etiquette for the Dead

Graveyard Superstitions

Building a Magical Nexus

Blood Magic 101

Blood Salt

Wells

Bone Correspondences

Death Omens in Polish Folklore

“Malignant Spirits Begone” Sigil

Important Spirit Work Shit

“I am protected from spirits with bad intentions” Sigil

Skulls in Death Witchcraft

Water in Necromancy

Uses for Graveyard Dirt

Offerings for the Dead

Safe Crossings Spell

Spirit Work Incense

Storing Death Energy

Death Energy Shield

Simple Spirit Work

Graveyard Tip

Crystals in Death Magic

Unusual Death Witchcraft

Getting to Know a Cemetery

Death Witch Self Care Tips

“Farewell and Last Words” Spell

“Throw Away the Key”- a Spell to Banish Grief

Spell For Passing and Mourning

The Elements Within Death Work

Spirit Work Red Flags

Basic How to Banish

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🕷Devotion🕷

Why learning Hellenic Polytheism (or really any other pagan current) on Tumblr aint a good idea

Chthonic Worship Etiquette

Persephone Devotional Acts

Persephone Altar Ideas

Nyx Offering Suggestions

Who is Hecate

Hades Devotional Activities

Persephone Devotional Activities

72 Adorations to Persephone

80 Adorations to Hades

Hymn to Persephone

Prayer to Hades and Persephone

Chthonic Devotionals

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🌿Green Magic🌿

Actions of an Herbalist

Green Magic for the Home

Baneful Herbs

Herb and Plant Listing by Purpose

Big Witchy Guide on Herbs and Flowers

What’s Wrong With Your Plants?

Plant Care 101

Magical Folk Names for Herbs

Edible Flowers and their Properties

Herbal Amulets

Plant Chant

Fruit Magic

Herbs You Can Grow Indoors

Remember to Love Your Houseplants!

Cacti and Succulent Correspondences

Everyday Plant Magic

Dirt Correspondences

Lullaby to Aid a Dying Plant

Succulent Magic

Don’t Forget!

Fern and Succulent Care Guide

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🔮Tarot🔮

Playing Cards as Tarot

Tips, Tricks, and Shit to Remember

Court Cards and Who They Represent

What NOT to Ask

“WTF is going on?” Spread

Tips for More Effective Tarot Reading

Major Arcana Numerology

Beginner Tarot Tips

Huge Tarot Masterpost

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🌠Cosmic Deathcraft 🌠

Plutonian Magic

Plutonian Death Magic

Plutonian Moon Magic

Death Magic Constellations

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👻Folk Magic👻

Appalachian Folklore, Wives Tales, and Superstitions

Appalachian Folk Beliefs

Southern Folk Magic

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🦌Slavic Witchcraft🦌

Slavic Polytheism and Magic Notes[Intro and basics]

Slavic Polytheism and magic notes [Spellwork]

Evil Eye

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Reblog if your dick is big

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5 years ago

Cursing: When, How, and Why

So, you want to learn more about curses? Now, I can only share my own knowledge and experience, but hopefully it helps to clarify things for you.

Let’s start with the basics

A curse is a spell specifically designed to cause harm to someone in the long term. It’s often confused for a hex, which also causes harm, but often less and with a shorter duration. A curse can cause bad luck, illness, and even death. It’s not something to be trifled with. That’s why I wanted to make this informative post.

When to use a curse

There can be various reasons for cursing someone, ranging from heartbreak to abuse and everything in between. Everyone has their own reasons to curse someone, so I can’t name them all. I can, however, name reasons why you SHOULDN’T curse someone.

When NOT to curse someone:

- When you are emotionally unstable: maybe the event just happened, and your anger/sadness wil subside. Cursing when you are not your stable self usually causes more harm than intended. How hard it may be, try to distract yourself and calm down. Then, you can make the decision whether you want to curse that person or not.

- When a hex/jinx will do the trick. Like I’ve said before, curses are powerful and not to be trifled with. If a hex or jinx can do the trick, why curse someone? A hex or jinx costs less energy and often are simpler too.

- Out of malice. You don’t like someone, even though they haven’t done anything wrong per sé. Again, a hex or jinx would be better to use in this case, or nothing at all. Just because you dislike someone, is not a reason to curse them.

- When you wish death upon someone. No matter how bad a person is, wishing death upon someone is incredibly harmful and irreversible. Whether the curse fails or works, you will notice the effects on yourself too. Also, wouldn’t it be better to just make their life harder and watch them suffer, rather than to watch them die? If what they did was unforgivable and illegal, you should get authorities involved rather than to take matters into your own hands.

How to curse someone

There are various ways to curse someone. The best way is to create your own curse. There is nothing wrong with using a pre-existing curse. However, I found that creating your own adds a dash of power to it that a premade curse doesn’t have.

You can use as many or as little ingredients as you’d like. When you use spices, my rule is: the spicier, the better for curses. Sour ingredients, like lemon juice, vinegar, or pickle juice also work well. Salt, like in supernatural series, works well for banishing.

You can also use herbs, berries and flowers. For berries, I found that the darker the berries, the better their effects in curses.

You can also use animal products, like bones, feathers, teeth, or even spit, blood, and feces. However, I haven’t used those ingredients yet so I can’t vouch for them.

I haven’t gotten a great guide on magickal curse properties of various ingredients. However, you simply have to find a suitable intent for the ingredient. For instance, you can reverse the properties of lavender by adding it in a curse. So, when you want your recipient to lose sleep, you can add lavender with the intent of losing sleep to your mixture.

The best way to curse someone is by either burying the mixture, by burning it, or a combination of the two. Try to stay as environmentally friendly though. So, if you plan on buying something, do so in an untreated cardboard box and don’t bury plastic items.

Paper is the way to go when writing down someone’s name and burning it. It can also be used to write down your intentions and burn those too. And you can put all the anger you have towards this person into the writings, now IS the time to get reared up and unleash your fury!

I prefer to add the spices to cover the name of the recipient, bind the paper with safe-to-burn rope and to burn the paper. Then, I place the ashes along with the other ingredients in a jar, and cover it with dirt. I let it sit for an hour before flushing it down the toilet. The flushing symbolizes sending the curse on its way, away from the sender. It helps to flush away the thoughts from my mind too.

Why would you curse someone?

Cursing is not something every witch feels comfortable doing. I’m often a very peaceful and non-confrontational person. However, I absolutely detest injustice. So whenever something like that happens, and the offensive party does is not on speaking terms/just throwing out hate, a curse is my way to go. Also, when someone does harm to someone or something innocent is when I get reared up. Still, I always make sure to calm down before deciding to cast a curse.

If you don’t want to use curses, that’s fine! There are plenty of other ways to go about it. For others, however, it’s a great way to seek justice.

I hope this post helped you! PLEASE be careful though and never curse someone if you’re not 100% sure. Also, make sure to ground and cleanse yourself both before and after casting a curse, otherwise, there may be some remnants left on you and you don’t want that to bite you in the butt.

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If a planet falls in your (house),

1st House: it becomes part of your persona

2nd House: it is what you hold onto for security

3rd House: it expressed in your communication

4th House: it is made private

5th House: it colors your self-expression/creativity

6th House: it needs daily work

7th House: it is what you look for in a partner

8th House: it'll go through drastic changes

9th House: it colors your worldview

10th House: it is made public

11th House: it'll advance socially

12th House: it's embedded in your subconscious

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2 years ago

🙃

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4 years ago

The Secluded Village Of Zalipie In Southeastern Poland Is Home To A Charming Tradition. Over A Century

The secluded village of Zalipie in southeastern Poland is home to a charming tradition. Over a century ago the women of the village began to paint their houses.

HH: Look at that cute little dog house.

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