Reblog Daily For Health And Prosperity

Reblog daily for health and prosperity

Hex Positive, Ep. 051 - Weather Witching with Marci the StormBornWitch

As so many of us are watching the weather reports with no small amount of anxiety, I sat down with my good buddy Marci (aka StormBornWitch from tumblr) to talk about her particular brand of weather magic and how a weather witch gets things down in a biome that looks very little like the one upon which the ubiquitous Wheel of the Year is based.

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witchcraft podcasts witchblr witch community spirit work energy work west texas local land local practice

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thewitchycowpoke

1 month ago

How to Work with Nature Spirits

Warning: Long Post under the Cut!!

Before getting into this, I want to preface that this is heavily based on my experiences and UPG. This is intended to be a helpful guide for anyone not sure on where to start but my Number 1 piece of advice will always be: Just go for it. Your experiences will be different from mine and that's a good thing! Be respectable and figure out what works best for you. With that in mind, let's get into it.

First, let's define 'nature spirits'. Nature spirits may conjure a number of associations and concepts depending on your culture, religion or practice! For the purpose of this post, 'Nature Spirits does not refer to any nature-associated deities or entities such as The Fae, Dryads/Naiads/Oceanids/etc, Elves etc - while many of these practices could be applied, each of these entities has specific cultural and religious etiquette attached that I'm not going to get into!

In this post, Nature Spirits are the spirits of all natural things, following the animistic view that everything has spirit. Plants, animals, rocks, metal, landscapes, etc. This is an incredibly broad definition, that can be narrowed or adapted however you see fit, nature is not an easily defined box. You can create your own categories or definitions, if that makes it easier to understand. For example, I may categorise certain spirits by a dominant element, or biome, or breadth, but these categories will always only ever be guidelines. (Note: at some point I want to make a post about different nature spirits along with some personal experiences. Will link here!)

Which brings us to the next point: accept that nature is not neat, and neither are the spirits. There is a level of overlap between different spirits that cannot be easily discerned - there is no clear, easily drawn line between the spirit of The Forest and the spirit of the Trees. The Spirit of that One Particular Crow is not entirely separated from the Spirit of Crow, but they are also not the same. The Spirit of the Stream will flow into the Spirit of The Ocean and you cannot pull them apart, yet you can still work with one but not the other. It is all a tightly interwoven web of spirit, it mirrors the balance and entwinement of the complex ecosystems all around us. Spirits and energies can shift and change with each meeting because of the changing seasons, the time of day, the influence of the landscape around it, or just because. Some spirits can be particularly variable, and it's important to recognise this! When working with nature spirits you must be open minded and adaptable, meet them as they are.

So how do you actually work with them?

This can largely depend on your goal, so I'll break this into two categories; A one time or "casual" relationship, or building a long-term relationship. I have both of these types of relationships - it would be impossible for me to have a long-term relationship with each individual spirit, but sometimes I want to ask them for help. My long term relationships are with Nature itself, and a handful of plant/animal/land spirits, the rest of my practice is made up of much shorter-term relationships that are made much easier by my long-term relationship with Nature. Again, figure out what works for you!

Working with Nature Spirits Once/Casually

Maybe you have a specific spell or petition that you think a nature spirit would be PERFECT to help you with. Or you want to add an extra bit of oomph to your spellwork by working with the spirit(s) of your ingredients. Or maybe, you just want to give (nature) spirit work a go. Whatever the reason, sometimes we just want a short-term relationship with a spirit. This can also be a helpful approach if you want to take something from nature* (i.e. a tree branch to be your wand, some flowers as spellworking ingredients, etc) and want to ensure it's permitted and you respect the spirit.

The best way to approach this, from my experience, is to be honest with the spirit, and respectful. Some Nature Spirits have no interest in helping someone they don't have a relationship with, and some spirits don't want to help period. Leave an offering for the spirit (expanded upon in the Offerings section further in the post), call upon them and ask them if they would be open to what you need. It really can be as simple as:

"Spirit of Oak, I ask you humbly if you would aid in my enchantment. I give you this offering and ask if I may take one of your many branches. I ask that you may allow your magic and wisdom to stay with it and empower it to be my wand. Thank you."

You may get in an answer through divination such as tarot or runes, through your clairsenses, or you can ask the spirit to provide a sign. If they say no, respect that. Thank them and leave. If you aren't willing to hear no, you should not be working with spirits.

If they say yes, but give certain requirements - i.e. "Yes, but only so much. Yes, but I want an offering of xyz in return. Etc" respect that and consider if you're willing to oblige. If not, thank them and leave. Spirits do have preferences and requests, and sometimes they change over time! I.e. in Summer, Oak may be happy for you to take one of his branches, but in Winter, when he and his wards (Oak, in my experience, is a very protective and familial spirit, often charging himself with protection of the land he lives on) are struggling, he may only allow you to take it if you agree to leave some extra bowls of water as an offering.

This doesn't just have to be a one-off, even for short-term relationships. If you are asking for quite a lot or something significant, you should leave multiple offerings over time before asking for permission - especially if the spirit you're working with might be a bit less welcoming.

*If taking something from nature, always ensure you are taking no more than you need and, if applicable, leave more than enough for that resource to survive (unless it is invasive to your area). Respecting the mundane balance of nature is the most important thing. Also, check any laws in your area regarding collecting feathers, certain plants, bones etc!!

Building a Long-Term Relationship

If you want to build a longer relationship with Nature Spirits, or connect more deeply with nature as a whole, there's a few 'steps' I would recommend:

Research and learn about your local area! What plants are you most likely to find? What animals and trees? How do the seasons change and impact the land? What patterns can you find? Do they align with your personal experiences? Join local Birdwatching or foraging groups, pick up localised wildlife books, take online courses! Learn about the world around you!

Get outside and experience it! Get a nature journal to record what you notice - when do you notice the bees coming back after Winter? What are the first plants to sprout in Spring? When do the first Autumnal leaves fall? What animals do you see most? What trees? Sit outside with no intent other than to *feel*. Sit in the forest and let your energy merge with everything around you; feel how the tree roots stretch beneath the soil, and intermingles with stretching mycelium, feel the flap of insects wings and the wind on your skin. Feel the energy of the spirits around you. Like when trying to befriend a crow or stray cat, you must give them time to adjust to your presence.

Leave offerings on a regular basis. This can be done on your altar at home, but often the most effective offerings are ones that aid the physical side of the spirits of well!

Talk to them (without necessarily expecting a response). Say good morning to the magpies on your way to work, tell the trees about your day. Even if you are trying to build a relationship with one specific spirit, it never hurts to connect to nature and its other spirits - sort of like being polite to the in-laws. All of nature is connected, if you're trying to befriend Lavender but throw litter out the car window, it's gonna be much harder to forge a connection.

Ask the spirit if they want a working relationship with you! And respect their answer if they say no. If they say yes, ask them how you've been doing so far - is there something you've been doing that they don't like? Or that they wish you would do more? Do they have any preferences? Requests? Some spirits don't like to communicate through tarot, others have specific times of day they prefer to talk. Some of this can be discerned through research (i.e. nocturnal animal spirits might prefer nighttime communication) but much of it can only be learned by *asking the spirit*.

Keep it up. This is it. This is what a relationship with spirits is: consistent communication and respect. What you choose to do with this relationship, and how it evolves and changes is entirely up to you! Nature is not a religion, these spirits are not a part of a specific tradition or culture (though you are more than welcome to incorporate your own culture/traditions/religions into your relationship with them) and so there are no pre-set prayers, offerings, rituals etc; it is up to you to build a unique and personalised relationship with them!

If you ever want to end it, be respectful and polite. Thank the spirit for everything, provide them a final offering and say goodbye.

Offerings for Nature Spirits

Here are some suggestions of offerings for Nature Spirits, but they are just suggestions and recommendations from my own experiences; come up with your own and figure it out *with* the spirit!! I've divided them into physical and non-physical offerings:

Water (a classic, hard to go wrong)

Wildlife Safe food (this will require research and will be very dependant on your area. HOWEVER, it should not be done regularly, and ideally should be in your garden rather than a public or "wild" area - bird feeders, feeding hedgehogs etc Feeding wildlife can cause more harm than help a lot of the time).

Coins, tobacco, crystals etc (some 'traditional' spirit offerings in many cultures. These are best for any indoor altars rather than outside.

Picking up Litter or other acts of service (an amazing offering, often highly appreciated)

Removing Invasive Species!

Physical touch (NOT for animals or potentially dangerous plants. Do your research. This may be a hand in the river, a hug to the tree, bare feet on the soil.)

Time (a simple, yet much appreciated offering)

A poem, artwork, prayer

Donating to their conservation/aid

Other parts of nature (laying flowers at the foot of the tree, berries for the crow spirit, dressing a fox skull in leaves)

In my experience, acts of service or creation are often much more appreciated than physical offerings! Art in their name, cleaning the local stream of litter, calling your PM to pressure more conservation policies etc are far better than leaving a - potentially disruptive and harmful - piece of food.

What NOT to Do?

This is also UPG based, but there are some things I would really NOT recommend.

Not doing your research. You wouldn't jump into a relationship with a deity without learning anything about them, why do the same for nature spirits? Just because they don't have specific religious lore surrounding them, doesn't mean you shouldn't learn. Pick up a field guide or book on local folklore.

Leaving human food outside. You baked a tasty brownie and want to share it with the Fly Agaric spirit you're building a relationship with? Great - leave it as an offering but TAKE IT BACK HOME WITH YOU. Let the spirit take the energy from it it wants/needs, and then remove it. Do not leave human food outside. If you INSIST on leaving a form of food offering, it MUST be safe for the local wildlife.

Littering. Doing a spell with Birch? Cool. Make sure you don't leave anything behind. Ideally, use compostable or wildlife safe ingredients (i.e. beeswax candles, toilet paper tubes instead of spell jars etc)

Graffiti/Carvings on trees/rocks etc. Sigils and art can be a great tool/offering but PLEASE don't graffiti or carve into trees/rocks/natural things. It does damage them. Write a with your finger in sand or on your palm or recreate it with branches instead.

Taking more than you need. Don't collect every shell you see on a beach, don't pick up every skull or bone your find in a forest, don't pick every mushroom or herb in a patch. Take what you need, ask permission, leave more than you take.

DO NOT GO INTO FORAGING/BONE COLLECTING/HIKING/LITTER PICKING WITHOUT PROPER SAFETY PRECAUTIONS. Know the laws in your area. Know the trails and paths. Have a map if the area if large enough. Know what plants are safe to touch, if you're not sure - DON'T TOUCH IT. Know what is safe to forage, ideally have an expert to confirm, if you are not 10000% certain, LEAVE IT (and I mean 100000% certain. Not 99%). Wear proper hiking boots, be aware of the weather and any risks in the area. Keep up with weather warnings. Know if there's any traps in the woods. Going litter picking? Make sure you're aware of any local vaccination attempts, as the devices used to help vaccinate wild animals may look like rubbish. Be sensible, be SAFE.

General Tips and Advice

Use common sense and critical thinking.

Notice how I kept saying "local" in this post? That's because it's ideal for a nature-based practice to be localised to your surrounding area! I live in the UK, so whats the point in me trying to build a relationship with spirit of Bald Eagle? It has no roots in my land, nor in my heritage or craft. It is much easier to connect to a nature spirit that you can actually, physically visit, or that has a deep connection to your culture/religion/heritage than one that you thought "seemed cool".

Take it slow, and take it easy. There are no strict rules besides don't be a jerk. The best expert on any particular spirit is that spirit!

However, its important to be safe. Know how to protect yourself and how to banish. Don't call on any spirit you can't get rid of. Not all nature spirits are friendly.

Nature spirits are also not a monolith. They overlap, they blur and twist together but working with Bramble is an entirely different experience to working with Lavender. Be prepared. You can typically get an idea of a spirit's personality through research - it peeks through in the science and ecology, as well as the folklore.

Practice energy work! Nature spirits, in my experience, love to communicate through energy. Sit with yourself for a while, learn what thoughts are yours, what sensations are your own, so that you can differentiate from others. Get used to the feeling of nature and its spirits - they will guide you and help you, they will teach you knowledge you cannot imagine.

You're allowed to say no, and so are they.

Do not be deterred by your circumstances. You live in a city? There's still nature spirits there, a lot of them. (Will link my post about Urban Nature Spirit Work here when posted). Struggle to get outside regularly? Get a Houseplant (will link houseplant post too) watch nature documentaries, find a way to connect to nature and it will find a way to connect to you.

Remember that YOU are a part nature. You are not an onlooker, you are not an outsider, YOU are a part of the ecosystem, apart of natural history and the complex beauty of evolution and change. YOU are an animal and you are so much more similar to the foxes and bears and flies and butterflies than you think.

I hope this post has been helpful to some! Please feel free to add any of your own points/experiences or ask questions/suggest future posts!!

Praise Mother Nature 💚🌿🪲

Tags

witchcraft witchblr energy work nature spirits nature work

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thewitchycowpoke

1 month ago

Just a reminder...

As a witch, and especially if your practice is anything like hands-in-the-dirt, wading into rivers, bones and teeth folk witchcraft, you don't have to settle for anything.

You don't have to wait for good things to happen to you out of the random walk of life. You don't have to be a passive vessel in your own life, either.

You've got magic. Make shit happen.

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thewitchycowpoke

4 months ago

Queer witches have always been here

We all know the gays love tarot and astrology, but did you know that the connection between witchcraft and queer sexuality goes back to ancient times?

Throughout history, cultures all around the world have believed that queer people have special spiritual or magical abilities. While "queer" and related labels like "gay," "lesbian," and "transgender" are modern terms, all cultures have people who exist outside of mainstream gender and sexuality norms. These people with non-normative identities are sometimes believed to have a special connection to the world of spirits.

(I am using the word "queer" as a convenient umbrella term for all of these complex identities, but I do recognize that this isn't historically accurate.)

In some cases, such as some parts of Europe, these queer people were explicitly called witches or magicians. "Deviant" sexual behavior was often part of accusations during the English witch trials, for example.

In other cultures, queer identity is connected to other special spiritual roles. Some examples include:

Ancient Mesopotamian sal-zikrum (literally “women-men,” priests of Inanna)

Ancient Roman galli (male priests of the goddess Cybele who were castrated as part of their initiation)

Old Norse vitkar, men who practiced a feminine magical art called seiðr and were sometimes accused of having sex with other men

It's interesting to note that many cultures assign a special spiritual role to people who fall outside the categories of "man" and "woman" -- people we might identify today as nonbinary or genderfluid. In other cultures, magic was associated with homosexuality or bisexuality.

And then, of course, we get into modern occult movements with figures like Aleister Crowley who, as hateful as he may have been in some ways (and he was), was also unabashedly queer in his practice and his writings. If you follow any magical path influenced by Crowley's writings, including Wicca and Wicca-inspired witchcraft, you are borrowing from the work of a queer sorcerer.

Several of the most notable witchy and pagan authors of the 20th century were/are also queer. Scott Cunningham, who pioneered ecclectic Wicca as we know it today, was a gay man. Starhawk, who wrote The Spiral Dance and founded Reclaiming, is bisexual. Stewart and Janet Farrar, who published some of the first widely available books about traditional Wicca, were in a polyamorous triad with Gavin Bone. (Stewart has passed away, but Janet and Gavin are still together.) If you read any popular book on witchcraft or occultism published in the last 50 years, it probably cites at least one queer author.

Witchcraft has always been queer. We have always been here, and we're not going anywhere any time soon.

Tags

queer witchcraft history queer history witchblr aleister crowley queer witch scott cunningham

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thewitchycowpoke

6 months ago

Ash’s Original Witchery Posts MegaIndex!

Below are all my original posts on witchcraft & witchery sorted by subject. I’ll be adding to / editing this post each time I post something new - stay tuned!

BOOKS

Reading List: Secular & Wicca-Based Basic Books

Favorite Spellbooks

The Witches’ Workbook

CHARGING

Charging 101: The Quick Basics

CIRCLES

Three Simple Ways to Cast a Circle

Delineating the Boundary: Ways to Line your Circle

Circle Casting Clinic 101: What’s Wrong With My Circle?

Anatomy of a Circle-Casting: Circle Casting Structures

CHEAT SHEETS

Candle Magic Cheat Sheet

Spell Jars: A Guide & How-To

Moon Phase Cheat Sheet

Expanded Moon Phase Cheat Sheet

Celtic Tree Calendar Cheat Sheet

CLEANSING

A Basic Home & Apartment Cleansing

CONSECRATION

Consecration Basics

The Lazy’s Witch’s Ring Consecration

Consecrating a Tarot Deck

DIVINATION & PSYCHIC MATTERS

Getting Started with Tarot

Dice Divination

Make an Emergency Tarot Kit

The Types of Psychic Power

Herbs for Psychic Ability

ENERGY WORK

How to Raise, Move, and Throw Energy

GREEN WITCHCRAFT

“My Throat Is Trying To Kill Me” Ginger Brew”

A Basic Wishing Spell, Green Witch Edition

Cauldron Tips & Tricks

HELLENIC PAGANISM & PAGANISM

Non-Conventional Ways to Worship Artemis

MEDITATION & VISUALIZATION

Starting Meditation

Exercises for Beginning Visualization

MOON MAGIC

A Witch’s Full Moon Traditions

Moon Phase Cheat Sheet

Expanded Moon Phase Cheat Sheet

The Movement of the Spheres: All About the Moon, its Movements, Phases, and Celebrations

PROTECTION

Simple Methods of Protection

Basic Shielding

RECIPES

“My Throat Is Trying To Kill Me” Ginger Brew

Lemon Cayenne Wakefulness Potion

A Green Witch’s Herb Bread

Things to Do With Rose Oil

…and Tea Tree Oil

Herbs for Psychic Abilities

RITUALS

Ritual of Announcement - for Witches Starting their Path

A Basic Home & Apartment Cleansing

A Witch’s Full Moon Traditions

The Tea Ceremony

SAFETY

Safety Tips for Witches

SPELLCRAFT

Attraction and Banishment in Spellcraft

Charging: The Quick Basics

Candle Magic Cheat Sheet

Cauldron Tips & Tricks

Circle Casting Clinic 101

Spell Jars: A Guide & How-To

Moon Phase Cheat Sheet

Expanded Moon Phase Cheat Sheet

Celtic Tree Calendar Cheat Sheet

Magical Timing: The Sun & Moon in Witchcraft

Amelioration: Using Honey in Spells

Using Dirt and Ash Without Being Appropriative

What to Do With Dyed Glass & Fake Stones

SPELLS

Three Simple Ways to Cast a Circle

Enchanting a Necklace for Courage

Enchanting a Soap or Cleanser to Help Clear Skin

The Lazy Witch’s Ring Consecration

Getting It Done: A Virgo Moon

Simple Methods of Protection

A Basic Wishing Spell, Green Witch Edition

Wards for Resisting the Power

Rapid Fire Summoning

TOOLS

The Athame

Cauldron Tips & Tricks

Athames VS Wands

WANDLORE

How to Fix Up & Set Up a Stick as a Wand

WARDING

Wards for Resisitng the Power

Technomancy Warding for Blogs & Sites

WHEEL OF THE YEAR

Let’s Talk… Imbolc

Let’s Talk… Litha

Let’s Talk… Lammas

WITCHCRAFT 101 / WITCHLINGS

Witch Starter Kit: First Year Supply List

Witching on the Cheap: First-Year Supply List II (Redux)

The Difference Between a Book of Shadows, a Grimoire, and a Witches’ Almanac

The Difference Between Witches, Wiccans, Magic, and Magick

The Difference Between A Hex, a Curse, and a Spell

The Difference Between Magic and Magick with a K (one more time!)

Why Do You Seal Off a Spell Jar?

Making Witchcraft a Daily Practice

On Reading Off Spells

Tips for Newbies Starting Spellcraft

WITCHY TIPS

Recharging Tattooed Sigils

Witchery and Mental Illness

Five of My Favorite Witchy Tools

Holy Crap, Ghosts, Leave Me Alone

Circle Casting Clinic 101

The Science of Spellcraft

[Ask Ash || The Witches’ Workbook]

You guys help me keep TheoryofMagick running and bring major appreciative vibes to this happy Green Witch! :>

Tags

books moon candles recipes spells meditation divination tips spell jars green witchcraft energy work celtic hellenic cleansing circles rituals charging consecration

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thewitchycowpoke

4 months ago

Anyway, daily reminder from a culturally isolated Romani person.

Gypsy does not mean wanderer.

It literally means ‘people from egypt’ or similar, as europeans believed Romani people were from Egypt. It has become known similar to nomad due to how our ancestors have been forced to be nomadic due to racism and ostracization, but it is a SLUR.

Romani people are STILL being forcibly sterilized.

Romani people are STILL being forced into ghettos.

Romani people are still facing violence and danger in countless European countries- and recently, I’ve seen the beginnings of the extremes in the United States.

Have a little fucking respect and DON’T USE A SLUR THAT’S BEEN USED FOR CENTURIES AGAINST US.

And for the love of whatever’s up there, ESPECIALLY do not use it to describe your witchcraft. It is playing on the ‘magic gypsy’ trope, and is EXTREMELY insulting.

non romani people, please reblog this.

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thewitchycowpoke

2 months ago

We have 30 days until the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) laws are rescinded. This is the 50-year bedrock of American conservation. Normally, these actions take years but the administration has provided 30 days for public comment gutting clean water and clean air. Drop what you’re doing, before you make any more calls or read any more social media posts, please populate the Federal Register with dissent.

A. Go to https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/02/25/2025-03014/removal-of-national-environmental-policy-act-implementing-regulations

B. Click on the green rectangle in the upper right corner ("SUBMIT A PUBLIC COMMENT") .

C. Fill in your comment, and info at the bottom, and SUBMIT COMMENT.

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thewitchycowpoke

2 months ago

Love is your gf offering you a glamor when you’re getting ready to go out and do a big thing🥺

I’ll share info on the big thing as soon as I can, though it’s not witchy! I do have this pic as a sneak peek of what I was out doing