(from a seriously superstitious Chinese-Nicaraguan family)
Eat 12 grapes at the stroke of midnight for 12 months of good luck.
Throw bowls or buckets of water out of the house to get rid of the tears and troubles of the past year.
To encourage travel, take your luggage for a run around the block or a few trips up and down your stairs. Be sure to pack for the kinds of trips you want to have.
Eat long noodles for luck and longevity.
Make as much noise as possible to ward off bad spirits/energy. The best way is to go outside and bang your pots and pans together and yell.
Clean your house. If you don’t want to clean your whole house, just sweep everything out the front door. You’ll be cleansing your house of both dust and bad juju.
Write a list of the things you want to forget from the past year and then burn it.
And to tell the future you can crack an egg open into a glass of water. The whites and yolk will form an image of your future in the new year.
Always remember that each witch’s journey is a different one. You certainly do not have to research all of these in one go. Or all of it for that matter. Take your time and explore the possibilities of witchcraft, even if it’s one subject at a time. Witchcraft isnt strict on rules, find what suits you, there’s a place for everyone. And remember, always keep learning! :)
I tried to organize it somewhat (not really) Im going to start a series of master lists like this one for different types of witches too! So stick around for those but for now…
Enjoy!
the history of witchcraft
types of witchcraft
types of magick
types of spells
types of witches
types of divination
types of herbs
types of energy
talismans
deities
seals
alphabets
crystals
sabbats
altars
basic tools
lunar phases
candle magic
planetary correspondence
tarot cards
incense and oils
Animals and what they represent
cleansing
meditation
astral projection
celestial bodies
spirituality
familiars
edible plants
toxic plants
the tea sis
wheel of the year
Zodiac signs
moon/sun water
banishing
binding
sacred items
sigils
cleansing
grounding
witchy symbols
witches/wiccans terminology
witching on a budget
what is satanism and why do people confuse it with witchcraft?
Leo season is the time to let your inner light shine! With the heavy emotions from Cancer season finally fading away, we can find ourselves feeling free at last. It’s time to be yourself, to the fullest extent. Allow yourself to let loose, at least until Virgo season!
You may be feeling more brave, strong, and excitable. This is good! Use these feelings to do something you’ve always wanted to do, so that you’re in a better place a year from now.
To Do:
✨ take a vacation
✨ make new friends
✨ go hiking
✨ dance!
✨ allow yourself to take up space
✨ be loud, be seen
✨ reevaluate yourself - make sure your actions lead you closer to your purpose
✨ take singing lessons, dancing lessons, ANY lessons
✨ laugh your heart out to your favorite comedy
✨ tell someone how you really feel, whether it’s good or bad
Leo rules the heart, spine, and upper back. Don’t forget to stretch, and practice good posture. Your body will thank you.
Hope you all find this useful. Love and light always.
I just realized that a crystal I’ve had for *years* is actually a pendulum crystal made of amethyst. I cosplay and make general-purpose costumes, and I had used it for adornment in a MAGIC STAFF for a MAGE’S COSTUME based on one of my characters from one of my stories…who happens to be really good at divination.
Maybe “Someone Upstairs” has been trying to tell me something all these years?? My head’s spinning a little bit right now. I don’t even know anything about pendulum readings. Is there someone out there who can help me out?
Funny thing, too, when I first found the crystal, it was amidst a huge-ass rock collection that a friend of my dad’s had given to us, and there was a single chain attached to it. I know that because I remember taking a pair of pliers and taking that chain off. I don’t know where the chain went, but the crystal has stayed with me through…um, probably more than a dozen moves (literally), and even one across multiple states. This is kind of a little freaky…
Anyone who can help me with learning about pendulum readings would be very appreciated! Thanks, lovelies~
These are my basic interpretations for each of the runes of the Elder Futhark. While these explanations may reveal the basic meanings of these symbols, at least according to my own research and experience, they only scratch the surface of the layers of wisdom that can be found in the runes. For deeper study, there are many wonderful books out there that expand on them. I would personally recommend Diana Paxson’s Taking Up the Runes as a great starting point.
As a personal aside, I would consider myself a fairly conservative interpreter of the runes. I feel that the best basis for them can be found in reliable sources, such as existing lore and the rune poems. As such, I attempt to adhere closely to these sources when it comes to explaining the meaning of each symbol.
Fehu: Fehu means cattle and signifies wealth, but it is a wealth that is best used when moving through the community generously. The rune cautions against hoarding wealth and cites the discord that can result.
Uruz: Uruz stands for aurochs, which was a species of horned cattle common to the ancient world. As such, it is a rune of primal strength and determination. The rune can also mean rain.
Thurisaz: Thurisaz represents the giants of the Norse tales and is a rune of chaos and unrest. It could also be interpreted as a rune of Thor, which would turn the symbol into one of protection against those same chaotic forces.
Ansuz: Ansuz is the rune of Odin, which makes it a rune of wisdom. In the Anglo-Saxon rune poem the symbol also represents the mouth, lending an additional meaning of wisdom through communication and messages.
Raido: Raido means ride and is a rune of travel. While the journey may be swift and joyful, the rune poem warns of the toll the journey will take on the horse. This suggests that one must take care of those who help us along the way.
Kenaz: Kenaz is the torch that illuminates the way through darkness to a warm hearth and good company. However, as the fire burns for warmth, it can also cause pain and may indicate illness.
Gebo: Gebo signifies the rune of gifts and generosity. The rune also represents the cycle of reciprocity and the right-relationship that results when maintained.
Wunjo: Wunjo denotes the rune of joy. It is a bliss that can spring from prosperity, overcoming anxiety and sadness.
Hagalaz: Hagalaz represents hail, making it a rune of destruction and painful transition. All is not for naught however, for the ice seed will melt, giving water and growth to the hardier crops that survived.
Naudhiz: Naudhiz means need, and is a rune of constraint, oppression, and hard work that goes unrewarded. This is a challenging symbol, but the rune also indicates that lessons could be learned from the experience.
Isa: Isa stands for ice, fair to look upon but dangerous to traverse. This is a rune whose message is one of caution in situations where a particular decision seems desirable, but could be perilous. On the other hand, Isa can suggest stability and calm.
Jera: Jera is the rune for year and the harvest. It is manifestation of the rewards for hard work, with prosperity and abundance that sustains the individual or the community.
Eihwaz: Eihwaz is the symbol for the yew tree and can mean strength that is drawn from the line of ancestors. Eihwaz is also interpreted as the rune of Yggdrasil, which implies connection to the cosmos.
Perthro: Perthro is the dice-cup, the vessel from which the lots are cast, and the rune of chance. Perthro can represent uncertainty in everything from light-hearted gaming to the vagaries of fate.
Elhaz: Elhaz is the rune of the elk and the sedge. The shape of the rune resembles that of the antlers of the elk and the thorn of the sedge, making this a symbol of protection.
Sowilo: Sowilo represents the sun, making it a rune of illumination, victory, and power. The rune can also mean guidance, as one can always depend on the course of the sun to lead them to the end of their journey.
Tiwaz: Tiwaz is Tyr’s rune and is a symbol of justice and truth, potentially at the cost of self-sacrifice. Tiwaz also has an aspect of guidance in that right-action will always set you on the correct path.
Berkano: Berkano is the rune for the birch tree, indicating feminine strength and resourcefulness. From this meaning, it can be a rune for nurturing, healing, and regeneration.
Ehwaz: Ehwaz means horse and expresses the relationship between the horse and the rider. It is a rune of partnership, with attention given to those who help us along our journey. Naturally, the symbol can also represent movement and travel.
Mannaz: Mannaz is the symbol for “man” or “human,” and emphasizes the interconnected nature of human relationships. Mannaz can show the spectrum of these relationships, from comfort in good company to the more negative aspects of the human condition.
Laguz: Laguz is the rune for lake, making this a symbol for water. As such, this is a rune of potential and change, perhaps with the suggestion for flexibility through various situations. It can also mean the unconscious mind and the hidden wealth that lies beneath the surface.
Ingwaz: Ingwaz is Freyr’s rune and takes on the domains of the Vanic god as a symbol of fertility, productivity, and abundance. The rune can also symbolize masculine strength and the transforming cycles of life.
Dagaz: Dagaz means day and is the rune of new beginnings. With the day also brings hope, and is a welcome rune when life has been difficult. Dagaz can also signify the present moment and a call to “seize the day.”
Othala: Othala is the rune of the home and encompasses everything that entails, from the physical homestead to familial relationships of blood and heart. Othala also symbolizes the connection to the ancestors, from genetic inheritance to physical property passed on through the family line.
In Wales, often used in predicting love, weather forecasting, as well as protection from spirits and the tylwyth teg. We have a lot of rituals and superstitions tied to them, and being a lover of using flowers in spells I’ve spent some time compiling an introduction to Welsh flower divination/magic use…
NOTE:These associations are geared to Welsh traditions. I think taking bio-region and culture into account is important when using flowers in magic, so yours might be different.
Bluebell(hyacinthoides nonscripta)
Spring. Enchantment and subsequent danger. The faerie realm. Do not venture in a wood to pick bluebells or you may be led astray. A field of bluebells indicates faery magic is at work, and the ringing of the flowers is a death omen. Take great care when working with them for they are prized among the folk.
Daffodil(narcissus poeticus)
Early spring. Water. Association with two Saints; Saint David and Saint Peter. In some areas they are called “babies’ bells” but only babies and children can hear their ringing, suggesting connection to the faerie realm. It is bad luck to see one blooming alone.
Daisy(bellis perennis)
Spring. Water. Returning innocence and cleansing burdens. Known as llygad y dydd, “eye of the day”.Used in matters of love, especially in the youth. One will pluck a daisy with a question in mind, and with each removed petal chant, “much- a little - devotedly -not at all”, with the last petal determining the question. It is said those who die young are reborn as daisies.
Forget-Me-Not(myositis species)
The Moon. Earth. Prosperity. Hidden wealth. Powerful when used for talismans and wealth spells. Unlucky for lovers. Do not trust faeries or apparitions who hold them in their hand.
Foxglove(digitalis)
Summer. A sacred and deadly plant associated with the Ellyllon, the Welsh grove faeries. Known as “meng ellyllon” as they and their Queen Mab wear the blooms as gloves. Used as offerings to earn their favour.
Lilac(syringa vulgaris)
Water. Predicting rain, working with rain. Ill omen if brought into the house. Guarding the dead. Mourning. The colour is said to bring on madness if gazed at too long.
Marigold(calendula)
Sun. Fire. Extroverted manifestation. Predicting storms, as they close when it will rain. Hang a garland on the doorknob to protect from evil spirits. Can used for yes/no or other picking choices in divination.
Meadowsweet(filipendula ulmaria)
Late summer. Death, eternal slumber, as well as brides. Gwydion and Math used meadowsweet (alongside oak and broom) to form the maiden Blodeuwedd. Useful in love spells, especially if done before the flower blooms in the wild.
Pansy(viola tricolor)
Water. Love. Marriage, partnership, all matters of the heart. A flower associated with brides. Do not gather on sunny days as it will rain and disappointment will follow.
Primrose(primula vulgaris)
Winter and early spring. Youth. A cure for pain and frenzy. Used in love drinks and potions, which become dangerously potent. They indicate the presence of faeries and can be used as offerings, but seeing them bloom in the summer is a bad omen.
Scarlet Pimpernel (anagallis arvensis)
Spring and Fall. Predicting rain. Known as “ploughman’s weatherglass” for their weather-predicting abilities. Said to cure melancholia and keep sad thoughts from those who wear them. Useful for sleep spells or banishing lower spirits.
Sources and further reading:
The Physicians of Myddfai
Britain’s Wild Flowers, Rosamond Richardson
Folk-lore and folk-stories of Wales, Marie Trevelyan
British Goblins: Welsh Fairy Folk-lore, Fairy Mythology, Legends and Traditions, Wirt Sikes
In my previous post, I outlined numerous examples from Jewish scripture about the magic of dreams. Today I build on that research as well as my general witchcraft practice to present a Jewitch’s guide to inducing meaningful dreams, dealing with nightmares, and interpreting dreams. (more…)
Welcome to the ARCHIVES—a collection of thousands of resources for witchcraft, spirituality, paganism, and the occult! Our content ranges from books & audiobooks, to videos, apps, and community made guides. We also feature resources for LGBTQ+ users and spoonies!
@bau-gremlin, I hope it’s okay that I respond like this, my thoughts are a little too long winded for a standard reply….
I do want to preface this by saying, neither tarot, nor pendulum are my preferred methods of divination, and while I have used them in the past I don’t really use them that much anymore, and I rely more heavily on other methods of communication and divination in my personal practice.
General Divination Tips:
My general advice in regards to divination is to not worry to much about “shoulds” and to focus instead on your actual experience with the tool. Don’t worry about if you should cleanse the tool, if you should go through elaborate bonding rituals, if you should store it one way or the other, none of that really matters when it comes to learning a divination tool. You’ll figure out your own ideas and practices for all of that stuff as you practice and develop your understanding of the tool. What I do think is worth focusing on when you start learn a divination method is consistency and nuance.
You will be the one interpreting all of the divination you do, so you’re free to understand any particular card, rune, or pendulum motion however you want, but you have to be consistent. If you decide that, say, The Tower tarot is less the indicator of impending disaster that it is popularly portrayed as, and more an indicator of rapid change that’s your prerogative. But if you’re wishy-washy about it and go back and forth on what you think The Tower means you’re likely to end up confusing yourself. It’s perfectly natural to have your understanding of things grow, deepen, and change, but as you develop more understanding of your preferred methods you have to be careful, in my opinion, to not fall back on old habits and understandings.
It’s also important to keep the situations and contexts that you’re divining about in mind. No divination or reading happens in a vacuum, no single card is an island, the best diviners remember that and link each aspect of the reading not just to other aspects of the reading, but to the context around them. This may be something that needs a bit of practice, or it may come naturally to you. Either way being able to approach your divination as part of a holistic solution or view into a matter will help you keep the nuance of a situation. In my experience nothing in magic or spirit work is black and white, or two dimensional, keeping that in mind will help you add depth to your readings.
Tarot Tips:
Don’t worry about memorizing card meanings - I’ve been using tarot for almost 20 years and I haven’t memorized anything. Instead try to become familiar with the symbolism of your deck and use the imagery for broad understandings, and the guide book for details.
Some decks have strong personalities - I personally ascribe this to each deck having its own spirit - I’m an animist, everything has a spirit. But that personality may also come from the different art styles and chosen symbolism, and how you as a reader react to that. Some decks may be nice and gentle with their style of communication, others may be a bit spicy.
Tarot doesn’t necessarily predict a garunteed future, as it is often depicted to do. When used to interpret the future it is giving suggestions of what *may* be, what *could* be, not what *will* be. No divination method has a a 100% prediction success rate, so don’t expect exactly what you read to happen. I recommend looking for similarities, themes, and symbolism that line up.
Pendulum Tips:
A pendulum is great for quick divination sessions, but unless you set up some letters or a board it’s primarily a system of “yes,” “no,” and “maybe.” There is a lot less nuance I find with a pendulum than with other methods of divination, they don’t really have the capacity for “Yes, but…” or “No, because” type answers. Asking complex questions with a pendulum can take a long time, and those questions, as well as longer form communication may be better suited for a different method.
To build on that, it’s best, in my opinion, to establish what movements mean what answers at the beginning of every session. Start the pendulum swinging and ask it to show you a “yes,” and then pay attention to how the pendulum swings. Do the same for “no.” You can do the same for “maybe,” or I usually interpret anything that is sort of like a “yes” movement but also sort of like a “no” movement as “maybe.”
Be aware of the ideomotor response - this is a psychological phenomenon that causes the human body to make micro-movements unconsciously. It’s the effect that makes Ouija boards/spirit boards work, and it is in effect with pendulums too. Decide how those micro-movements of your might play into your understanding of how the pendulum works, or remove them from the equation entirely by hanging your pendulum from a stand. (It’s very easy to make a pendulum stand from a large glass or jar, a pencil/stick, and your pendulum string or chain.)
I’m going to plug @archives-discord here, as there are so many resources on divination in that server for your reading pleasure, check out the channels on general divination, tarot, and pendulum for e-books on the subject.
I’ll be using the Rider Waite deck for these readings, and I’ll be selling in 4 categories.
$6 and under
$8-10
$10-12
$15-20
Price goes up with the amount of cards and how much energy it takes to do each reading. Payments are through PayPal.
Some spreads include:
Celtic cross
Simple and in-depth past life readings
3 different levels of general readings
In-depth love spread
Week/month/year ahead
Various ancestor spreads
Compas spread
And many more!!
Please send me a DM for all additional information!
COVID-19 has hit us all hard, and I’m selling these readings to help pay for some unexpected college expenses. I sincerely thank anyone who has the money to help me out
If nothing else, please reblog this post!! Thank you all so much for your support!!
If you are in need of spiritual guidance please consider purchasing a reading from my super intelligent, intuitive and lovely coven mate Hazel. Stay safe everyone!
I have a tiny 1 bedroom apartment and the only permanent altar I have is a devotional on top of a drawer, so any divination or spellcraft gets done on my portable altar.
this is just a cheapo folding lap desk from Target for like 25$, it even has USB ports if you have electric wax warmers or if you like to use LED lights on your altar. useful for the spacially limited witch, or even a broom closet witch ♡
all the bones & teeth are ethically sourced (aka I found them in the woods) and the herb bundles all came from my garden (rosemary, juniper, mint).
Purging; purification; an apotropiac. In Christianity, it signifies penitence; humility; its purgative properties depict innocence regained, hence baptism.
Lead has long been used in magic. In ancient Greek times tablets of this metal were ritually charged and inscribed with ‘words of power’. These tablets were generally used in negative spells because the lead ensured the spell’s long continuance.
In India during the 11th century, charms and figures designed to cause conception or to increase the fertility of gardens and orchards were engraved on lead tablets.
Magical Uses:
Lead is a heavy metal which causes death when it’s absorbed by the body. The ancient Romans discovered this by using lead dishes and cooking utensils.
A curious divination, recorded in the 1800’s in Italy by Charles Godfrey Leland, uses lead. Take three rose seeds (remove them from the “hip” that forms after a rose has lost its petals), three nettle leaves, two rue leaves and three cumin seeds. Put these on a metal plate along with a small quantity of lead.
At midnight, while clearing your mind of needless mental clutter, burn two yellow candles and light a fire. Place the metal plate over the fire. Then fill a large basin with water. Once the lead has melted, pour it, along with the herb ashes, into the water.
When the lead nodule has cooled, remove it from the water and gaze at its shape. The ritual and the lead itself should allow access to your psychic mind. If nothing comes to you, place the nodule beneath your pillow and let your dreams guide you.
Lead is worn or used in protective spells and also plays its part in defensive magic. It can be placed near the entrance of the house to prevent negativity from gaining access.
[Source: Cunningham’s Encyclopedia of Crystal, Gem, & Metal Magic by Scott Cunningham]
If you try this spread out to see what happens in 2020 please share your answers! I am curious to see what all readers pick up on for the upcoming year.
I love reading tarot. I find it very relaxing and illuminating. This is what I believe about this practice and how I answer some of the frequently asked questions about tarot and other forms of divination.
How does divination work?
I believe divination is a chance to learn something about yourself. When you lay the cards down and see the archetypes and stories before you and find yourself in them, you learn something new about yourself. You may not learn the future, but you will find something true in yourself there. Divination is illumination.
Can we really tell the future? How?
We can see possible futures, but nothing is for certain. The future we see is a possible future based on our guesses about what the future might hold.
Is it wrong for Christians to practice divination?
Christians have practiced divination since the time of Jesus. When it came time to fill Jesus’ and Judas’ spots at the table, they cast lots, knowing that God would work through that medium to illuminate their future.
Many Christians believe that it is inappropriate to ask about the future, believing only God should know that. I disagree, though I do not often ask about the future. Christians also do not tend to practice seeking omens as it is expressly forbidden.
Does a spirit control the deck?
I do not believe spirits control the deck or any other form of divination. I believe spirits can reach out to touch them, but this is easily solved by warding and cleansing.
People in the Tanakh often “inquired of the Lord”, sometimes asking about the future, so I don’t think it’s forbidden. I just personally wouldn’t do it because if it was negative then that would terrify me. I would rather just get advice to take with me into the future, than know what the future is.
I also don’t like looking into the future a lot due to anxiety, but one of the great things about tarot is that instead of just fortune telling, you can use it to look deeply into the current reality of a situation for help in decision making. I read something once that was like, “when the pictures of your life are before you, you get a more objective view and can make clearer decisions.” In this way tarot can become a kind of wisdom tool.
These are both fantastic point! I honestly don’t mind asking about the future, but I’m never sure how helpful it is because I believe the future is ever changing. I am not sure what it says will be accurate tomorrow.
Boil the water in the teapot and put the tea leaves inside. Leave it for a while so the tea leaves can release their flavor. Poor the tea in the teacup or the mug and do not strain the tea as you poor in.
Part of the ritual of this form of divination is to sit down and enjoy the tea and the company of your fellow drinkers before you get started.
