As somebody with ADHD as well, how do you balance a secular witchcraft practice and deity worship? Also, ty for showing me that I can separate the two!!
Good question! UPG and secular witchy things ahoy.
The way I see it, my witchcraft and my pagan practices are pretty much two separate things. When I'm venerating my deities or making offerings, that is Bree the Pagan doing the thing. While there may be special occasions where magical ritual as part of that, like around Samhain, it's not the focus.
When I'm creating or casting a spell, 99% of the time I'm not asking for divine aid, I don't require it, I don't think about it. I'm relying on my own resources and tools to make things happen. And while there may be some special occasions where I invoke my patrons for aid, usually for protection, that's not the focus.
So I'm a witch who also happens to be a polytheist pagan, rather than a polytheist pagan witch, if that makes sense. When I talk about my witchcraft, I talk about magic and technique and theory and such, but not my deities. When I talk about my paganism, I talk about my deities and veneration and my experiences with them, but not my witchcraft.
Surprisingly, my ADHD doesn't really affect my ability to compartmentalize in this way. I rather feel like it makes it easier to say The Witchcraft Is Over Here and The Paganism Is Over Here. Separating the two also helps eliminate a source of anxiety for me. Relying on the input of others to help me accomplish my goals has, historically speaking, been fraught with disappointment. So if I'm just relying on myself, it's easier to fully invest my energy and determination into the working, without the distraction of worrying whether the additional aid will come through or if I'm doing something "wrong" with regard to the inclusion of a deity or annoying them by asking for help.
So yes, it is perfectly possible to separate the two things. You can be a witch without being a pagan or a pagan without being a witch. Or you can be both without putting chocolate in your peanut butter, as it were.
Hope this helps!
bring back tumblr ask culture let me. bother you with questions and statements
Busy mums
🧘🏿♀️🧚🏿♀️ for the ask game! 🫶
Do I look up to a spiritual leader/guru? Kinda, Mama J that owns my favorite witchy shop. The only thing with this question, is that I do find her more credible then some others I have been around, but I still question and do my own research on whatever topic we happen to discuss. Because, just because it works for her, may not for me.
Have I had a supernatural experience? Plenty, the college cafeteria that I worked at for 7 years, was pretty active. Pots would fly off shelves, not fall, fly. The clock would float off it's nail, like someone was trying to take it down to change the time, and then drop on the floor. Lights would turn off unexpectedly, not because of power issues or tripping the breaker. And of course, when I would be alone for my weekend breaks, I could hear some of our heavy ceramic plates rattle as if someone was grabbing a stack. And our dishwasher would start itself, even though you had to push something through to hit a switch to activate.
Hello! You might be attuned to the magic of solar magic, a vibrant and dynamic practice that harnesses the energy of the sun to fuel spells, rituals, and spiritual growth. The sun, with its warm embrace and life-giving energy, has long been revered as a symbol of power, vitality, and enlightenment. Incorporating solar magic into your practice can illuminate your path to self-discovery, empowerment, and manifestation.
Phases of the Sun 🌅🌞🌇
Just like the moon, the sun has different phases that can be used to amplify your magical workings:
Sunrise: A time of new beginnings, renewal, and fresh starts. Perfect for setting intentions and starting new projects.
High Noon: The peak of the sun’s power. Use this time for spells related to health, physical energy, and wisdom.
Sunset: A moment of transition and release. Ideal for banishing negativity, stress, and confusion.
Magical Properties of the Sun 🌞🔮
The sun’s energy is incredibly versatile and can be used for various magical intents, including:
Success and Ambition: Channel the sun’s power to achieve your goals and dreams.
Empowerment: Boost your confidence and personal strength.
Health and Vitality: Enhance your physical and mental well-being.
Creativity and Fulfillment: Ignite your creative spark and find joy in your passions.
Creating a Sun Altar 🌞🕯️
Setting up a sun altar can help you connect with solar energy. Here are some ideas for your altar:
Sun Symbols: Incorporate sun-shaped items, such as sunflowers, sun charms, and golden decorations.
Colors: Use yellow, orange, and gold to represent the sun’s vibrant energy.
Herbs and Crystals: Include sun-linked herbs like rosemary, chamomile, and sunstone crystals.
Making Sun Water 🌞💧
Sun water is a powerful tool in solar magic. To make it, simply place a glass jar or bowl of water in the sunlight to charge. You can use sun water in spells, to cleanse tools, or add it to your bath for a refreshing boost of solar energy.
Sun Plants 🌻🌿
Grow and use plants ruled by the sun in your magical practice. Some sun plants include:
Sunflowers: Symbolize positivity and strength.
Rosemary: Enhances memory and protection.
Chamomile: Promotes relaxation and healing.
Sunbathing for Energy 🌞🧘♀️
One of the simplest ways to absorb the sun’s energy is through sunbathing. Spend time in the sunlight to recharge your physical and mental health. Remember to wear sunscreen and stay hydrated!
Solar Spells and Rituals 🌞🔮
Here are a few ideas for solar spells and rituals:
Sunrise Meditation: Greet the day with a meditation session at sunrise. Focus on your intentions and visualize the sun’s energy filling you with positivity.
Solar Candle Magic: Light a yellow or gold candle during your spellwork to invoke the sun’s power.
Sun Charm: Create a sun charm using sun symbols and carry it with you for protection and empowerment.
Remember, solar magic is about embracing your inner light and shining brightly in the world. Trust in the power of the sun to guide you on your journey of self-discovery and empowerment. 🌞✨
Attracting
fill a small jar with honey and add a written statement of intent to the jar - seal and set the jar in direct sunlight to manifest your intent
stir your morning coffee or tea in a clockwise motion while focusing on the intent of what energies you wish to attract for the day
fill a jar with herbs and crystals that represent what you want to attract and add a statement of intent
charge a crystal and wear on your person to attract certain energies
create a sigil and either draw it on yourself or on paper and keep in your pocket
create a talisman, charge it, and wear it to attract various energies
Banishing
take an item that represents what you wish to banish and: throw it in the trash, flush it down the toilet, burn it, bury it, drown it
burn the item and sweep the ashes out the back door or bury them
carve the name of what you want to banish into a black candle and let it burn down completely - bonus points if the candle is anointed with herbs or a binding oil
transmute negative energy into a stone (preferably a black stone like onyx) and throw it over the fence in your backyard (or whichever direction is south in reference to your home)
stir your morning coffee or tea in a counter-clockwise motion while focusing on the intent of what energies you wish to banish for the day
using incense that is associated with banishing negative energy, walk around your space in a counter-clockwise motion with the lit incense in your hand
Binding & Sealing
wrap a string around a poppet or other representation of the target or item you wish to bind
put the poppet or other representation in a plastic bag filled with water and freeze it
place the item in a black box and seal it - store in a dark place or bury the box in your backyard
write the item you want to bind on paper and seal with wax - keep safe until the bond is broken
perform a tie-breaking spell
Blessing & Consecrating
anoint an object with holy or blessed water/oil
use spring water to bless objects
place the object in a dry bath of herbs or flowers that are known for blessing
pass the object through incense smoke that is associated with blessing
use a censer to consecrate a place or a room
Cleansing
leave the item in the path of direct moon, sun, or starlight
place in a dry bath or herbs or flowers that are associated with cleansing
place the item in a bowl of sea salt
pass the item through incense smoke that is associated with cleansing
pass the item through running water
anoint the item with a cleansing oil or charged water
bury the item in soil for 3 days so it may be “reborn” when unearthed
place a cleansing crystal on top of or next to the item
hang a wind chime outside of your home to negate negative energies before they have the chance to enter your home
physically clean and freshen your space - dust, mop, open the windows and let some fresh air inside (you can view this as an "out with the old and in with the new" situation)
Cursing
fill a poppet with baneful herbs and crystals, seal it, and store in a black box
add baneful herbs and crystals to a jar with a piece of paper that states the target’s name or a description of them and seal it
create a poppet or other representation of the target and destroy it (commonly by burning)
utilize martian or saturnian energy for baneful magic
stab the poppet with pins and needles
curse an item and "gift" it to the target
Dreams & Sleep
fill a sachet with herbs associated with restful sleep and peaceful dreams and hang above your bed
place the sachet under your pillow
wash your bedsheets and sleep clothes with a few drops of lavender or chamomile essential oil
alternately, choose fabric softener that is lavender scented to wash your sheets or sleep clothes with
create a sigil for peaceful dreams or dream recall, charge under the light of the moon, and place it under your pillow before you go to sleep
utilize lunar or neptunian energy in dreamwork
mugwort, peppermint, or valerian root tea before bed for vivid, lucid dreams
chamomile tea before bed for restful sleep
lemon verbena (vervain) tea before bed for dreamless sleep
when bathing at night, create a sachet that matches your intent and place in the bath or shower
Glamours
utilize energy from venus and pluto for beauty and transformation but also neptune for illusions, mysticism, and confusion
anoint the containers of beauty and hair products with venus (beauty) or pluto (transformation/metamorphosis) water/oils/herbs
leave the item you wish to cast a glamour on under the full moon
charge a talisman with the effect you wish to have on others and wear when you go out for the day
add pluto water/oils/herbs and moon water to a bath for a full body glamour (write your intent with bath crayons on the tub or shower wall for an extra boost)
create an energetic shield over yourself in which the outside mirrors what you want others to perceive of you
Goal & Wish Manifestation
write your intent on a bay leaf and burn it
turn your intent into a sigil and store it in a jar filled with herbs or other items that represent said intent
place a written description of your goal or wish in the center of a crystal grid using stones that are associated with manifestation and power
place a coin in moon water while focusing on your wish or goal (leave container under direct moonlight overnight so that it may charge)
light a candle whose color matches your intent and while focusing on your goal or wish, blow out the candle
add a catalyst to your spell
use energy from mars (power) or jupiter (luck)
Personal Power & Effects
create or enchant a talisman that represents your intent, charge it, and wear it on your person
add herbs that are associated with personal power to a ritual bath
create a potion from herbs associated with power and drink in the morning for a boost during the day (think caffeine)
use a catalyst in the aforementioned activities
utilize whichever planetary/cosmic energy you see fit
Warding
sprinkle a mixture of protective herbs around the perimeter of your home while walking clockwise
leave protective crystals at each corner of your space
hang a protective amulet above the door to your space; wear a protective amulet for personal protection
create a protective witch bottle and bury near your front door
plant herbs or flowers that are associated with protection outside at each corner of your home
draw a protective sigil or symbol on the outside of your front and back door with saturn or protective water/oils
hang witch balls or a witch’s ladder near your front door
create an energetic shield and place over yourself, your loved ones, or your entire home
Wealth, Prosperity, & Luck
craft a money bowl and place it at the farthest left point away from the entrance of your home
involve mercury or jupiter in your spellwork (luck, money)
anoint candles with mercurial or jovian oils and/or herbs and burn on wednesdays or thursdays (ruled by mercury and jupiter)
use prosperity/luck runes or craft sigils to carve into candles
on the first of the month, you can do the following: say "rabbit rabbit" for good luck all month and let that be the first thing you say when you wake up; blow powdered cinnamon into your front door from the outside or place a cinnamon stick above your front door for prosperity
craft a crystal grid using prosperity/lucky crystals - where you place it is up to you
Please be wary: - of putting essential oils directly on the skin or on items that your skin may come in contact with - of leaving crystals in prolonged sunlight (might fade) or exposed to liquid (might dissolve, might become toxic when dissolved) - of blowing cinnamon into a home or using incense that has pets, or humans with respiratory issues - ingesting/burning/touching herbs/plants/etc. that you are not familiar with (could be toxic, could affect the efficacy of your prescribed medications, could be harmful for pets or other members of your household)
compiled from my personal grimoire & based on my personal associations & research
© 2024 ad-caelestia
Crystals are often thrown out because of their New Age ubiquity, but what I think a lot of people don’t realize is that they had uses before the New Age movement. Crystals are just shiny rocks. And as rocks– as a part of the earth– they have a documented place in folkloric witchcraft.
If you want to start looking into classical crystal stuff, get a copy of The Curious Lore of Precious Stones by Kunz and save yourself the headache of sorting through nonsense. In it, I was able to locate uses for various stones that were historically backed-- onyx separates lovers, moonstone arouses passion, bloodstone could be used to raise a tempest, etc.
I will admit that store-bought crystals aren’t my favorite things in the world. I find that usually the rocks around my neighborhood get the job done for free.
There’s rocks with quartz inclusions by the river’s edge. These make excellent spirit houses.
Smooth stones can anchor glamours and illusions.
Hagstones can give protection and Sight.
Jagged stones can be a great base for a hex.
I have about 2 or 3 crystals that I use on a regular basis– one because it’s the first magic item I ever bought, and one I received as a particularly uncanny omen. But that doesn't mean I disregard the whole field. Like I said, anything is useful if you know where to look and how to use it.
I just really love this little cameo. There’s no electricity due to Magneto’s EMP, but surgery can’t stop so Stephen’s performing surgery under CANDLELIGHT. That’s insane, ohmygod. Plus he can’t even perform surgery normally due to his hands so he’s doing it with magic but he still has to do it because he’s, first and foremost, a doctor.
Greatly inspired by @khaire-traveler's wonderful subtle worship series, which can be found here.
Honor your ancestors/souls that have passed
Visit cemeteries; leave flowers at graves (with permission); or help clean up gravesites (if allowed)
Learn about and uphold Ma'at
Make a playlist or listen to songs that remind you of him or you think he'd like
Make a collage/moodboard/pinterest board/similar collection of photos and images you associate with him, especially if some of the images are your own
Wear a piece of jewelry or other clothing item that reminds you of him
Light a candle or incense that reminds you of him (safely)
Carry a picture of him in your wallet, pocket, phone case, etc. or as a phone or computer wallpaper
Have jackal, wolf, dog, or scales imagery
Allow yourself to mourn over difficult changes or the end of relationships; allow yourself to miss people
Become comfortable with change; take new risks, try new things, accept difficult changes
Hold onto any family heirlooms; keep items from people who have passed in your life
Support humanitarian organizations, especially funeral funding or suicide prevention ones
Learn about death; acquaint yourself with the idea of death; figure out what you believe happens after death
Learn about different mummification practices especially Egyptian ones
Hold others and yourself responsible for their/your actions; apologize or make amends when possible/appropriate
Let go of people or things that do not contribute to your life in a positive way
Remember that rest is productive; take breaks when you need them
Practice truthfulness and keep your promises
Don't feel obligated to forgive people; you do not have to forgive them even if they've apologized to you
Make charms/other items for deceased loved ones especially protective ones or ones with his image and leave them on their gravesites (if possible) or on an ancestor altar
Help out those who are grieving (cook them a meal, help pay for funeral services, be a shoulder they can cry on, etc.)
I may add more to this list in the future. Suggestions are always appreciated.
Link to the Kemetic Subtle Worship Masterpost