Hopefully-soon-smol - Lil Lady

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

Recommended Reading

Death Witchcraft: Volume 1 (mine)

A whole list of recommended reading

My ‘death witch’ tag

If not, feel free to shoot me an ask! As you can see I love answering questions  (ﾉ◕ヮ◕)ﾉ*:･ﾟ✧ 

OP’s Note: You may notice that a lot of these answers are mine. That’s because this post reflects my views on the craft, explicitly. I will also be updating it as I receive more asks and make more posts in the future.

Updated 5/28/18

at the ed clinic i went to i overhead this one girl saying "when jesus doesnt eat for 40 days its called a miracle but when i do it i get sent to an ed clinic"

When I think I’ve been succeeding at restricting & exercising more but my eating disorder be like

Bedroom Witch Tips

🌿Herb sachets hung above your bed (request herb sachet recipes from me if you’re interested).

🌿Hang Dry herbs upside down in your bedroom (Lavender helps for anxiety and depression… it is very calming or Mugwort for dreams. Mugwort is very invasive, you can find it growing everywhere).

🌿Herbs placed inside your pillow sheet (I place Mugwort leaves inside to active lucid dreams).

🌿Setup an Altar near your bed: add elements of earth, fire, water and air. You can also use your windowsill as an altar.

🌿Place Black Tourmaline under your bed: shields you energetically by taking the electromagnetic frequencies, and instead of absorbing them, tourmaline changes, redirects, cleanses, and purifies the energy. This is how it handles negativity, even energies of psychic attack too!

🌿Place Sigil writings or powders for protection and restful beauty sleep under your mattress.

🌿Keep a dream journal under your pillow! Dreams can help us get a glimpse into our subconscious and the more dreams you write the easier it becomes for you to remember them.

🌿Unless you are allergic, sleep with the window halfway open or cracked to let good energy move around and circulate in your room and keep skin hydrated during the night.

🌿Drink herbal tea before bed each night. (Request free herbal tea recipes from me if interested) Mugwort tea is great to have in the evening before bed to reach high levels of lucid dreaming

🌿Smoking Herbs before bed is great as well. I recommend this book for further reading: Smoke Plants Of North America by M.R. Ross. (Request free Smoke Blend recipes from me if interested). With reverence, Rosemary Milk 🌹

Lemon Test

Have I been cursed? Only one way to find out! The lemon test, much like the lemon curse, uses a lemon to find out whether or not you have been cursed: Buy one lemon. Anoint a black slow burning candle with an oil with a scent that reminds you of the person who you believe is cursed. Cut the lemon in half and write the name of the person on a small piece of paper and place it on one half of the lemon. Lemons that are cut and left out of the refrigerator only last one day before they start to go bad. leave the lemon halves on the table next to the anointed candle that is burning. Be very concise and ask if the person has been cursed and then leave the candle to burn with the lemon next to it. When the candle burns out, if the lemon with the small piece of paper on it is significantly more “decayed” than the other half of the lemon. Then there is a curse. If they look the same, you’re fine. When you are done with the lemon, rub it in salt and dispose of it. This won’t get rid of the curse if there is one. Just helps with determining.

How To Tell If You’ve Been Cursed

The Egg Test

Simply take an egg (obviously from your own chickens is best but uh, Im going to assume most of you dont have one so store is fine), and carefully pass the egg through the flame of a white or black candle to “draw out the bad” and set intent. Then crack into a white bowl.

If you find blood: You’re cursed! Blood is never ever a good thing to find in your eggs, but especially during The Egg Test.

If you find big white clots: The bigger the clot the bigger the problem. It usually means some kind of blockage or obstruction in your life. Sometimes from some form of bad energy. Note: white clots in eggs is very very normal. Only take notice if they are unusually large

If you find egg shell: (Now if you’re really bad at cracking eggs maybe ignore this one) but this is a sign of your generic brand Bad Luck.

If you find a broken yolk: Take notice of your internal and subconcious self. The root of your problems comes from a disturbance within.

If you find something unusual: Listed above or otherwise, cleansing methods (such as a salt bath) will usually clean up most problems. Do your own research for cleansing methods of choice. I would advise not to eat the egg, but rather to pass the egg one final time (in the bowl) over the white flame before disposing off it outside. If you do cook it (because hey, I get it) use protective herbs like basil or rosemary and don’t forget to salt!

If you find nothing unusual: chop onions, mushrooms, and spinach up while heating an oiled pan on medium low. Add the egg to the pan, when a yellow film forms around the side and the egg can be separated easily, fill the center with toppings and flip half over to form an omelet. Cook through, flipping as needed. Season with salt, pepper, fresh herbs, and tomato (salsa if you’re frisky). That’s my favorite way to cook an egg!

When I walk past any reflective object and am assulted with the sight of my body.

-angel🦆