FIVE YEARS WITH THE GODS: What I've Learned

Sea witchcraft

Sea witchcraft, also known as sea magic or ocean witchcraft, is a type of witchcraft that is centered around the sea and its energies. It is a form of nature-based spirituality that draws upon the elements of water, air, and earth, and the rhythms of the tides and the moon. Sea witches may focus on healing, divination, or protection, as well as working with sea creatures and the spirits of the ocean.

Here are some key practices and beliefs associated with sea witchcraft:

Connection to the Sea: Sea witches believe in the power of the ocean and its ability to heal and transform. They may feel a deep connection to the sea, and incorporate its energies into their daily practice.

Working with Water: Water is a central element in sea witchcraft, and sea witches may work with it in a variety of ways, such as using sea water in rituals, collecting rainwater for use in spells, or working with water crystals or gemstones.

Moon Magic: The phases of the moon and its connection to the tides is an important aspect of sea witchcraft. Sea witches may perform rituals or spells during specific moon phases, and use lunar correspondences in their practice.

Sea Creatures: Sea witches may work with the spirits of sea creatures, such as dolphins, whales, and sea turtles. They may also use shells, coral, or other oceanic items in their spellwork.

Protection Magic: Because the ocean can be dangerous and unpredictable, sea witches may focus on protection magic, using spells or charms to ward off negative energies or to protect sailors and fishermen.

Divination: Sea witches may use various forms of divination to gain insights and guidance, such as tarot, runes, or sea shell readings.

Weather Magic: The sea and the weather are closely connected, and sea witches may work with the energies of storms, wind, and rain. They may perform rituals to calm storms or to bring rain during droughts.

Sea witchcraft can be practiced both on land and at sea. Some sea witches may work by the ocean, incorporating natural items like shells, driftwood, and seaweed into their practice, while others may incorporate the essence of the sea into their practice by using items like sea salt, seashells, or sea-themed decor in their homes.

Sea witchcraft is a beautiful and powerful way to connect with the energies of the ocean and nature, and to deepen your spiritual practice.

‘serpentine’ a new his dark materials novella following teenage lyra and her dæmon returning to the arctic will be released this october.

Being a Witch IS Political

Witchcraft and spirituality are inherently political. To embrace these paths without acknowledging their history and ongoing struggles is to reduce them to mere aesthetics. True witches—and spiritual practitioners—understand that the essence of these practices is rooted in resistance, justice, and transformation.

Historically, witches were the wise women and healers of their communities. They tended to the sick, midwifed births, and served as the keepers of ancient knowledge. Their craft connected them deeply to nature, the cycles of life, and the unseen forces that govern our world. These practices often placed them on the fringes of society, not because they were wrong or dangerous, but because their power defied the status quo.

These women (and men) were political figures simply by existing. They challenged patriarchal systems, capitalist greed, and authoritarian control. When they provided herbal remedies or midwifed safely outside the church's purview, they defied institutions that sought to monopolize power over life and death.

The witch trials of history were political acts, targeting those who threatened established hierarchies. Witches were scapegoated for plagues, famines, and dissent, often accused because they stood up for their communities, demanded justice, or refused to conform to societal expectations.

Even today, to identify as a witch or spiritual practitioner is to take a stand. It is to honor the marginalized, to value the Earth over profit, and to seek balance in a world obsessed with domination. It is to embrace healing, not only for ourselves but for others and the planet—a deeply political act in a culture that prioritizes profit and power over people and ecosystems.

Being a witch means advocating for what is right, even at risk to our comfort or safety. It means standing against oppression, environmental destruction, and systemic injustice. To claim this path is to reclaim the legacy of those who came before us—the wise women, healers, and rebels who walked this path at great personal cost.

If you are drawn to witchcraft, spirituality, or paganism, understand that this is more than crystals and candles. It is a call to action, a commitment to live authentically and fight for a better world. Anything less is a disservice to the courageous souls who paved the way for us.

I’m reading His Dark Materials by Philip Pullman for the first time and it just occurred to me that like…. my depression would be alleviated so much if I had a daemon??? Like imagine having a physical manifestation of your soul that has known and loved you since birth reassure you when you’re alone and scared and sad because you’re never actually alone… like most people, my depressive episodes are always worst when I’m alone in my room with no one and nothing but my cruel depressive thoughts. That depression prevents you from reaching out to people and telling them how you’re feeling and prevents you from really hearing or believing people when they try to help you but imagine having a daemon there to hold you and comfort you and tell you that your cruel thoughts about yourself aren’t true and they should know because they know you better than anyone. Having a physical voice there to contradict those cruel thoughts would be so amazing like wow I always sort of wish I had a daemon from a “who wouldn’t want a talking animal companion!” perspective but now I wish I had one because it would make my whole life better to never have to be completely alone with my own thoughts.

Witches, I need to say something.

Why is there such an emphasis in the modern witchcraft community on "finding your path/type of witchcraft"??

Everywhere you look online, there's always people telling baby witches that they have to decide whether they are a green witch or a kitchen witch or a grey witch or an elemental/sea/celestial/etc witch. I literally see so many young baby witches asking "can I be both [random label] and [other random label]?"

Like yes, of course you can, this isn't fucking Avatar! You can master all the elements! And it's even worse when people who naturally practice more than one narrow path are all lumped together as their own label, eclectic, even if we're trying not to use labels. It feels invasive sometimes.

I get that for some people, labels make them happy. And that's fine. Call yourself a kitchen witch or a fire witch or whatever if you want to. That's not a problem at all.

The problem, in my opinion, comes when we start telling everyone who's interested in witchcraft that "this is how it is, you have to choose a label of your 'path'."

This can be so limiting for baby witches, not to mention the fact that these labels didn't even use to be a thing. They're a modern invention I only ever see on things like Tumblr and tiktok. It's NORMAL to study different "paths". That's what spirituality is about-- learning-- not boxing yourself in so you can fit a specific aesthetic.

We need to stop burdening baby witches with this idea that they have to choose.

Possible Signs of Mental Illness/Neurodivergence in a World With Dæmons

a dæmon that’s always asleep

a human and their dæmon always needing to touch somehow, even if it’s not convenient

a human and their dæmon that never touch, unless they absolutely have to

a dæmon that never speaks, even to their partner

conversely, a dæmon that never stops speaking

a human and their dæmon constantly fighting

a dæmon that can’t ever sit still

a dæmon that just can’t muster the energy to move 

a dæmon that keeps hurting their human (and vice versa), even when they don’t mean to

a dæmon that’s always criticizing their partner

a dæmon that constantly switches spontaneously between hyperactive and lethargic

a dæmon that’s always hiding, even when they’re around people they trust

Has anybody talked about Sense8 and Daemons though?

HDM: 1x03 - The Spies

Ma Costa is a gem.

Until episode 3, we didn’t know much about her, apart from the fact that she is Billy Costa’s mom, that his disappearance shattered her and that there’s no way in hell she’s gonna stop looking for her son. When the Gyptians rescued Lyra and brought her to their boats, Ma Costa took upon herself to look after Lyra. Her generous and nurturing spirit immediately kicked in and she acted like a surrogate mother, which is ironical because Lyra never had a mom until now. 

There’s a distinct opposition between Mrs. Coulter and Ma Costa throughout this episode. Where Ma Costa is soft and warm, Mrs. Coulter is tough and cold. Ma Costa encourages Lyra to make choices and encourages her to be whoever she wants to be whereas Mrs. Coulter forced her will on Lyra and tried to turn into a smaller version of herself, with the hair and the dresses. A perfect copy.

Ma Costa tried to earn Lyra’s trust by telling her the truth about her mother. Mrs. Coulter constantly lied until she blurted out a truth because Lyra got under her skin and she lost control. Mrs. Coulter wished for Lyra to be quiet and to fully obey her and physically assaulted Lyra when she didn’t obtain obedience. Ma Costa gave Lyra the opportunity to speak, to yell, to let out her emotions and to express her feelings without resorting to punishment. Ma Costa allowed Lyra to keep her agency while Mrs. Coulter wanted to rob her of it.

Ma Costa was able to reclaim her status as a nurse/caretaker for Lyra almost immediately, while Mrs. Coulter was unable to act like a proper caretaker/mother because it was never in her nature. She failed Lyra where Ma Costa succeeded.

Ma Costa and Mrs. Coulter share similarities in their desperate quest to find their respective child. Ma Costa understands the length Mrs. Coulter would go for Lyra because she would do the same for Billy. However, while Ma Costa’s love may be pure, Mrs. Coulter’s seems to be rooted in toxicity. Ma Costa’s love doesn’t consume her. She is still a functional and stable person. She has people to support her and to keep her on the right path. 

In this episode, we see Mrs. Coulter slowly heading toward a downward spiral.  There’s a sense of hopelessness, frustration, and anger that surround her. She has no friends and no family, she drinks while wearing her pyjamas and is feeling suicidal. Control is slipping out of her grasp, but she ultimately remains mission-oriented and is set on getting Lyra back. 

We can also point out certain differences between the Gyptians and Mrs. Coulter. The Gyptians live in very small spaces where everything is compressed together which differs from the spacious apartment where Mrs. Coulter lives. However, there is this idea of tight places bringing people together, like a community, a family while Mrs. Coulter is all alone in her home with a daemon she keeps abusing. The Gyptians are seen in the daylights with the vast nature surrounding them. The whole setting allows Lyra (and the audience) to breathe, to appreciate the renewed freedom. In comparison, Mrs. Coulter’s apartment, in a certain way, feels oppressing and suffocating with the bright, almost blinding colors and the monkey constantly lurking around.

I love what they did with Ma Costa and I’m hoping to see more of her in the future episodes.

PS: I didn’t talk about John and Will Parry because just thinking about them makes me go into full screaming mode. I’m far too excited for Will, I can’t think properly.

Water Energies

Moon Water

It could energize crystals

Perfect for a magical bath

For bless yourself, your home or magical tools

Spring Water

Good for Fae work

Excellent for abundance

Used in love or fertility spell

Used in subtle magick

Snow Water

Recommended for spells that focus on purity endings and change

For slow working spells

Rain Water

Multi-purpose

Excellent for growth and rebirth spells

Good for spells that you want to keep gaining power over time

River Water

Recommended for rituals and spells that has to do with moving on.

Focusing energy

Breaking through rough times

Warding

Good for activating tools

Ocean Water

Good for cleansing

Healing

Banishing

Used for protection rituals and spells

Cleansing crystals

Thunderstorm Water

Add a magical boost to any work

Good for spells and rituals that has to do with emotional strengthening, confidence and motivation

Virtuous for hexes and curses

Conspiracy theory : it was Lord Boreal who left the Starbucks cup in game of thrones’ world after crossing the wrong window