Magics For Animals, Pets, And Familiars

I think the first step towards the life you want is often to just say yes to more things. Accept that coffee invitation from your coworker even if it seems awkward. Sign up for that free class at the library that you're not sure you'll like. Join that club. Book that tour. Say yes to as many things as you can and kill the part of your brain that gut-reacts with a no.

Small Things To Contact Spirits About

…If you want to flex your communication muscles but don’t want to be cutting deals or making things complicated for now. Just little things to try.

Let me hear a love story

Show me a song from your people

Tell me something you did today that you are proud of

Let me draw a portrait of you

Tell me a little about your culture

Ask me any questions you may have about human culture (and I will answer them, if I can.)

Look at this song/story/poem I wrote, tell me what you think.

Tell me my local reputation, if I have one.

Tell me your story (and if desired, I will record it and pass it on for more to see.)

Share a joke.

Let me admire your beauty/grace/powerful appearance/plumage/scales/wings/great personality

Tell me about your friends

What is your one big token of advice?

Teach me how to make my home more welcoming for you (while still being safe for me.)

how to read candle flames

How to read candle flames  

High steady flame: yes 

Low steady flame: no 

Dancing flame: reground and put more focus towards your spell/question 

Violent flickering flame: strong no do not reattempt this spell or ask this question again 

Sputtering crackling flame: there is a more complex answer than a yes or no it could mean maybe or possibly 

Dual flame: thinking, wait for the answer 

Left leaning: yes 

Right leaning: no 

Will not light: try another time 

Will not go out: you are not done with your spell or question yet 

Candle goes out before you are done: wait now is not the right time  

)O( WITCH TIP )O(

Hello my fellow witchlings! I just wanted to shout a reminder about mortars and pestles and spell work! Note: mortar and pestles are usually made of stone or wood. WOOD IS ONLY FOR HERBS. Stone ones–soap stone or otherwise–is use for crushing resins and even fresh garlic! I would recommend having one stone one for your kitchen for kitchen magic, and one stone one exclusively for resins. You’ll see why in a moment. If you’re a witch who likes grinding things into powder (oh hi!) please remember the following: - Use 2 separate mortars and pestles, one for resins and one for herbs. - Resins get gummy the more you pulverize them and it’s been my experience that myrrh in particular is sticky/gummy and WILL leave a bit of a sticky residue in the mortar. There will always be a bit of resin stuck in the rougher mortars. It’s life. But it’s also why you should keep it separate from herbs. Too sticky. - Use wooden mortars and pestles for crushing and mixing herbs and oils. Always crush herbs before adding oil (or essential oils). Wood is used because oil doesn’t soak into it like it will in stone. - Remember that churning your pestle in a clockwise direction stirs IN magic and positivity. Counter clock wise banishes negative energy. A mortar and pestle is a great way to practice focusing and raising your energy if you’re new to spell work! Find an incense recipe you want to make, ground and center, then get comfy in your magic kitchen or in a space you’ve deemed magical (or sacred). put on music that’s calming or upbeat (but no words), whatever your preference! I usually listen to Gaelic or even Hawaiian music when I do this!  Take each plant and hold it for a moment. Feel it’s energy. What does it feel like? Thank the herb and put it in your mortar and begin to crush it, focusing on putting your energy into each crush and turn, on the reason why you’re making this incense (protection? Luck? Love? Happy home?). Do the same for each herb (and then oil) you use. Feel the energy raising and flowing from your hand to the plants, from the plants to your hand, building energy in the mortar.  When you feel its done/ready say “so mot it be”. Your incense is ready to use!

10 Magic Herbs You Can Find at the Grocery Store

When you’re first getting started with witchcraft or another magical practice, it can be easy to get caught up in all of the material stuff involved. Witchy hashtags on social media are filled with pictures of huge sparkly crystals, gorgeous handmade ritual tools, and beautifully elaborate altars. Many spells in books or online call for a long list of herbs, some of which are expensive or hard to come by. For baby witches, it’s easy to feel like you can never be a “real” witch unless you have money for these expensive tools and toys.

This is not true. As we’ve talked about in previous chapters of this series, you don’t need any tools or material components to cast a spell — however, harnessing the energy of plants, crystals, and imagery can be a helpful way to add energy to your work. This doesn’t mean you need to spend a lot of money. In fact, many of the most powerful and useful magical tools can be found on the spice aisle in your local supermarket, or even at the dollar store.

For example:

Salt. Salt is a witch’s best friend. It can be used for cleansing, banishing, protection, grounding, or to neutralize energy. Surrounding something with a circle of salt will protect it [Note: do NOT make salt circles outside, as salt will kill plant life!], and washing something with salt water will cleanse its energy. I often include salt in any spell that I feel needs an extra layer of protection.

Sugar. Just as salt banishes unwanted energy, sugar attracts the things you want into your life. Sugar can be used for any and all attraction spells, whether you’re looking to attract love, money, success, or something else. It can also be used to “sweeten” a situation, or make it more favorable.

Cinnamon. There’s pretty much no positive spell that doesn’t benefit from cinnamon. Cinnamon has associations with healing, love, success, and material wealth, but is also strongly associated with protection. I love burning cinnamon as incense — it fills the whole room with warm, cozy energy.

Cayenne. Cayenne is often used for banishing or binding spells, but a lesser known use is for getting things moving. Cayenne is a very fiery plant, so any spell dealing with passion, motivation, or drive can benefit from its inclusion. Cayenne can be used to “light a fire” under someone to motivate them to action. However, cayenne is a more harsh energy, so I often pair it with lavender or another soothing herb.

Coffee. I most often use coffee for grounding or to anchor things to the physical world. For example, I might include it in a prosperity spell to make sure the results manifest in my everyday life. Coffee is also energizing and brings mental clarity, and can enhance psychic abilities. Brewed coffee is also used in some traditions as an offering for spirits.

Bay leaves (Bay Laurel). Bay leaves are one of the most popular spell components because of their association with granting wishes. You’ve probably heard of the practice of writing a wish on a bay leaf and burning it to manifest your desire. I often include bay leaves in manifestation magic for this reason. Bay leaves can also be used for purification, cleansing, and exorcism.

Ginger. Ginger adds power to any spell it is included in. Ginger tea or gingery food can also give you a personal energy boost. I add ginger to any spell that needs some extra “oomph.” It is also associated with success.

Basil. Basil is very commonly used in money spells. Carrying a basil leaf on your person is believed to attract wealth. It also has associations with protection.

Peppermint. Peppermint is another herb that can add power to virtually any spell. It can bring healing and purification, can remove obstacles and free up stuck energy, and can enhance psychic abilities. Peppermint is a common ingredient in dream pillows. You can find peppermint tea at virtually any grocery store, and many stores also carry the essential oil.

Lavender. Lavender is my favorite herb for bringing peace to a situation. It’s very good for healing magic and for soothing difficult emotions. Lavender is also associated with love, and I especially like to use it in spells for self love. Most stores carry lavender essential oil, and you can also find herbal teas that include it as an ingredient.

With the above herbs at your side, you’ll have everything you need to cast virtually any type of spell. Honestly, even if you just have salt, sugar, and maybe some white candles, you can create powerful spells for dozens of different intentions, from protection to self love to getting a job. Remember, what matters isn’t so much what you have — it’s your intention.

These are also edible, so they can be incorporated into magical recipes for different intentions. In fact, most of the ingredients you cook with every day have magical associations and can do double duty as powerful additions to your spells. For more information about the magical uses of common household herbs and spices, I highly recommend the book A Green Witch’s Cupboard by Deborah J. Martin, which is where most of the info for this post came from.

Other useful magical items that you can pick up at the grocery store include:

Olive oil. Olive oil can be used as an all-purpose anointing oil for candles, ritual tools, or your body. It can also be used to dilute essential oil, or as a base for custom magical oils.

Tealight candles. These small candles are perfect for candle spells. White tealights can be used for any intention.

House plants. Many common houseplants have magical associations. For example, aloe brings protection and healing. You can also grow some witchy herbs, like peppermint or rosemary, indoors.

Epsom salt. Epsom salt is a great base for bath spells. You can add essential oils and herbs to make custom bath salts — just be sure to research oils and herbs ahead of time, as some can cause skin irritation. [Note: Epsom salt is not actually salt, and cannot be substituted for salt in spells.]

Notebooks. Writing things down is an important part of witchcraft. Keeping a record of your spells, divination, and magical experiences makes it easier to keep track of everything.

Again, I want to stress that you don’t need a specific set of tools to be a witch. In fact, you can do highly effective magic without ever working with herbs at all. But if you want to gather some items to add power to your spells or help you feel more witchy (after all, there’s nothing wrong with wanting to set the mood!), you can get everything you need for a few bucks at the local supermarket or dollar store. Remember, our ancestors worked magic with what they had — not with expensive crystal collections or exotic herbs.

When to spell: time of day

So these are my correspondences from my grimoire for times of day, plus my reasoning, which may or may not coincide with other associations. I focus on my personal associations, but also the practicalities of doing certain spells depending on how light it is (based on autumn in my region of the UK). Since my focus is on how light it is, I’m not distinguishing “morning” from “afternoon” and such. 

Night:

The sun is asleep and it’s totally dark. This is a good time for preparation: preparing for the next day, an upcoming spell or ritual, an upcoming event. It’s also a good time to do anything involving secrecy, especially once everyone’s asleep and the house is quiet. 

Spells for: understanding, cleansing, magical powers.

Dawn:

The sun is starting to rise. Light is returning and the day is beginning, but it’s not totally light yet. This is a good time to work with beginnings and goals for the day ahead. Since the day is beginning to get brighter and brighter, this is also a good time to start spells that you intent to grow throughout the day.

Spells for: motivation, confidence, luck.

Day:

The sun is high in the sky. This is a good time to focus on your daily responsibilities, and everything associated with them - relationships, habits, and skills.

Spells for: fertility, relationships or communication, improving skills and knowledge.

Sunset:

The sun is setting, and the day’s almost over. There’s still some light left, so this is your chance to finish off anything needing done each day as well as reap the rewards of your efforts. As daylight hours are decreasing, this is also a time to do work with banishing or breaking.

Spells for: dedication, success, prosperity, banishing or breaking. 

Spells throughout the day:

You could include aspects of each time of day into a day-long spell. Taking a luck spell as an example:

Night: cleanse anything you intend to use and incorporate understanding to help you understand the effects of the spell on yourself and others. 

Dawn: begin “growing” the spell, and incorporate luck. Make sure your goal (intent) for the spell is clear.

Day: incorporate aspects of your daily routine that you need the luck for. (Charge the spell after class if you need luck for an upcoming test, for example.)

Sunset: incorporate success to help the spell work well, incorporate banishing to banish unintended effects and complete the spell. 

The spell is now complete, and can be cast at any time. Of course, you could include any combination of these times (though I’d only include times that follow one another - so I wouldn’t just skip dawn and do night and day, for example). 

Spells throughout the seasons:

Since this can be season dependant, it can be adapted if that suits you better. It might be better to start a luck spell at night and charge it while you sleep if dawn is at 3am, for example, or you could just do it during the day. 

Other posts:

When to spell: moon phases

When to spell: days of the week

Pendulums 101

As requested by @birdsofthestrangestfeather, here’s my own little pendulums 101!  🌙✨

What is a pendulum?

In short, it can really be anything, as long as something is hanging from a chain or string and is able to swing. It can be a fancy crystal pendulum from Etsy or a local witchy shop, a necklace you already own, a pocket watch, or even something as minimalist as a string and bead/needle! Get creative; it doesn’t have to be fancy, any particular material, or bought, just as long as it works as a pendulum.

What do you do before you use a pendulum?

Cleanse, cleanse and cleanse! Unless you made it yourself (which if you did, you don’t have to keep reading unless you want to!) your pendulum has probably been through a lot! I’d recommend leaving it out in the full moonlight for some hours or overnight, running your pendulum a few times through sage or incense or even visualizing a white, cleansing light around your pendulum! Other options include letting your pendulum cleanse in sunlight, dirt and water. 

Do a little research if you have a crystal pendulum to see what would suit that crystal best and otherwise trust your intuition on what would be the best way to cleanse your new pendulum!

How to program your pendulum?

Just like people, pendulums have different ways of working. My pendulum swings back and forth for yes while yours may circle around! To figure out or establish how your pendulum says yes, no, maybe and unknown/I don’t know, you have to program your pendulum. 

If you want your pendulum to show you, ask it basic, obvious to answer questions. I’ll ask, “Am I six foot tall?” and my pendulum swings no so hard it nearly breaks! But when I ask, “Am I five foot three?” it goes straight to yes. Repeat this sort of thing until you figure out how your pendulum works so you’ll know when asking questions how your pendulum is answering!

If you’re more comfortable telling your pendulum how it’s going to answer, then go right ahead! Tell your pendulum to swing a certain way for maybe and another way for no, etc, etc. Make sure to test out the way you programmed your pendulum afterwards with basic questions!

Also, there’s always the option of using a pendulum board, which is a visual yes/no/maybe/unknown guide for your pendulum, to help program. You can also use these boards later on, if it’s your preference. Even when using one, though, don’t forget to test your pendulum and make sure it’s answering correctly with obvious questions.

How do you use a pendulum?

It’s quite simple and easy to use a pendulum! You simply hold the top of the pendulum between your fingers (I usually hold with my pointer finger and thumb) and keep a very steady hand. You don’t want to be shaky or moving it because this will obviously interfere with the actual answer. Once your hand and the pendulum is steady, keep it suspended above any surfaces and away from anything it would knock into. Then, go ahead and ask your question and wait to see!

How to read a pendulum?

Back to the programming of a pendulum, it depends on how you did that. Just be sure to give your pendulum plenty of time to settle into the answer and make sure it’s truly swinging or circling in the direction you think it is. If you’re not sure, you can always ask again!

Extra tips & uses for your pendulum 

Congrats!! If you’ve reached this point, you know a lot about pendulums! Buuut, I do have a few more points to make…

🌙 Start off with harmless questions. It’ll take some time for the pendulum to really be in sync with your energy, so gradually build up from things like, “should I eat this for breakfast?” or “would purple be a good color to wear today?” to the stuff that actually impacts your life.

🌙 Once you get in tune with your pendulum, you can expand your uses for it. You can ask for advice on things you’re indecisive about, talk to your spirit companions or guides, do readings for people and even talk to your gods. They’re very useful all the way around!

🌙 Again, always make sure to let your pendulum have enough time to answer you!

🌙 Whenever your pendulum is acting up, not answering like it usually would or the like, give it a good cleanse. Just like other witchy tools, pendulums like to be cleansed often, especially if you do readings with it!

Thank you for sticking around and reading this super long post. I hope you enjoyed and found this information useful! 

I absolutely adore my pendulum and use it often, so I definitely recommend that every witch give it a go! 

Also, thank you to @birdsofthestrangestfeather for asking me to put together this post! 🌙✨

A Deep Room Cleanse

The state of my room is extremely important to me. It’s a direct reflection of my mental health, so when it’s messy, my energy levels are low and I just feel yucky. There’s no way I’m getting any kind of work done, magical or mundane. When it feels good and clean to be in, it’s a lot easier to deal with my symptoms and be productive. You don’t have to do every step every time of course, but each step has helped me so I figured a list like this might help someone. 

Change the lighting. Use natural sources of light (like pulling back the curtains and letting the sun in) over artificial ones. If you have salt lamps to turn on, those are still very nice. If you need artificial light to keep it from being too dark, try to prioritize light bulbs you like the color of, and ones that don’t whistle quietly when they’re on.

Change the airflow. Open a window, if you can. Often our rooms feel yucky because the air is stale. Get some fresh air moving. If it’s too cold, it’s okay to only keep it open for a few minutes or put on a coat while you work because you’re stubborn like me.

Change the sound. Put on your favorite cleansing music. Let it soak into the room. I tend to go or ambient spa stuff, or playlists that sound built for a rainy day. (Note: the music that helps you cleanse the best may not be the same as what you like the most. The playlist should keep you focused/uplifted while you work and reflect the vibes you want your room to have.)

Change the smell. Take out the trash, maybe refresh the sheets on your bed. Light a scented candle, some incense, heat up some oil, something to make your room smell distinctly different from the mucky-feeling room from before. (If your method of choice is something short like a room spray, I actually like doing it at the very end.)

Actually clean and organize. Nothing junks up the energy of a room more quicker than actual junk. Organize everything as much as you can (this might mean finally gutting your closet, even if you can close the door and hide it.) Wipe down any surfaces that need it, get everything fresh and functional again. Do some laundry while you work. If you have clothes or trinkets that are just collecting dust, extra points for purging them! 

 Cleanse any sacred spaces by themselves. A lot of us have altars or shrines in our rooms. A sacred space can also be just an extra important area of your room, like a reading nook.  Make sure to give them extra attention! You don’t need to wipe the board energetically (and probably shouldn’t), but taking a little extra time to clean surfaces, straighten up, and make sure everything feels okay on them goes a long way.

Cleanse in your regular way. Bust out the herb bundles, the bells, the ribbons, the broom, whatever you usually do to cleanse a space! The room is SUPER primed for it now, most of the negative energy probably already feels removed if not broken down. A good once-over with your favorite cleansing method should finish it off nicely. 

Refresh any wards or protections. Self explanatory. If you maintain energy borders in your room, now is a good time to check in on them and zhoosh them if needed. Keep the space clean for longer! 

Practice self-care. Take a shower, a nap, eat some food, whatever you need. You’ve put in a lot of work and you deserve it. 

Do you have any spell to make friends?

I have a few.

[To Assist in Making Friends] (an ask)

[Attract a Friend] (tw: gif)

[To Attract a New Friend] (an ask)

[Attracting a New Friend]

[“Faithful Friends” Spell]

[First Day Friendship Spell] (for starting school)

[Friendship Charm]

[Friendship Spell]

[Happy Friendship Spell]

[Positive Friendship Jar Spell]

[Simple Friendship Charm]

[Snow White and Rose Red: A Spell to Find a True Friend]

[Spell to Find Friends]

Related:

[To Attract Others of Like Mind]

[Spell for Attracting Positive People]

Also maybe try some [glamours]?

Best of luck!

Herbs and Flowers Magic Properties(tbc)

Rosemary - memory, anxiety, sleep, cleansing, purifying, learning, healing, love, lust, protection, wisdom, mental power

Turmeric - healing, strength, vitality, purification, abundance, joy, prosperity

allspice - healing, energy, love, luck

pepper - courage, protection

sage - health, immortality, longevity, protection against negativity, protection, purification, wisdom, wishes, anxiety

bay - divination, good fortune, healing, anxiety, money, prosperity, peace, protection, happiness, purification, love, tranquility

oregano - peace, love

parsley - protection, power, strength, lust, purification, prosperity

garlic - protection against evil eye

cinnamon - aphrodisiac, passion, love, luck, prosperity, success, spiritual vibrations, energy, purification, healing, protection

cayenne - healing, removing blockages, protection, strength, motivation, courage

clover - fidelity, protection, love, money, success, animal protection, luck

pine - health, healing

nutmeg - money, prosperity, good luck, protection, psychic abilities, happiness, love, health

cloves - healing, love, friendship, cleansing, protection, abundance

thyme - health, courage, eliminates nightmares, attracts loyalty, affection, psychic abilities

ginger - energy, speeding things up, love, prosperity, success, power, healing

mint - avoid jealousy, dreams, protecting, prosperity, joy, fertility, purification, love, success, lust, travel, money, luck

chamomile - love, healing, stress-relief, calming, sleep

lavender - purification, concentration, love, healing, sleep, dreams

jasmine - divination, innovation, attraction, dreams, love, beauty

mugwort - psychic powers, protection, lust, fertility, prophetic dreams, divination, relaxing, tranquility, banishing, consecration

peach blossoms - luck, prosperity, romance, love, passion, affection, harmony, peace, health, longevity

peony - protection from hexes, luck, prosperity, business success, attracts fairies

rose - divine love, self-love, friendship, healing, domestic happiness, lasting relationships, closeness with nature, divination, tranquility, harmony, psychic ability, spirituality, protection, luck

lemon grass - openness, communication, clear mind, love, luck, libido, psychic abilities, calming

chrysanthemum - longevity, mental clarity, optimism, protection, solving mysteries, soothing grief

pink Himalayan salt - purification, grounding, abundance, prosperity, self-love, cleaning, growth, protection, peace, calming

palo santo - cleansing, positivity, good fortune, creativity, love

sweet orange - optimism, charisma, confidence, restoring aura, attracting love, fertility, abundance

bergamot - protection, purification, calming

ylang ylang - sexual attraction, persuasiveness, peace, love, anxiety and depression relief, fairy magic

geranium - prosperity, happiness, healthy pregnancy and fertility

eucalyptus - purifying, cleansing, good health, protection, negativity

sandalwood - calming, anxiety, purification, protection, healing

anise - peace, tranquility, awakening of psychic awareness, luck, spiritual connection, psychic and magic power

jojoba - healing, protection, purification, grounding, meditation, love

frankincense - cleansing, energy, uplifting, inner peace, balance

peppermint - mental clarity, prophetic visions, success, prosperity,

cedarwood - love, growth, longevity, psychic powers, healing, money

tea tree - cleansing, protection, uplifting, energy, memory, love

vanilla - sex, calming, good luck, love, empowerment, happiness, growth

catnip - beauty, happiness, attraction, love, friendship