I ordered some things from The Cottage Witch Co. The crystal pyramid, the triple moon and pentacle altar cloth & the athame. As cute extras they sent me a wax melt that smells divine, a tumbled labradorite crystal, a little sign and an agate bracelet. Feat TamLin inspecting my purchases

Adventuring conjurer

It’s easy to underestimate how good a conjurer is at traveling or spy work. They can summon animals for companionship or battle and keep their gear and bags completely hidden by magic

mama-witchery:

A familiar is an animal or mythological creature that is spiritually connected to the individual witch and can aid them in their magic/practices. The most common familiar is a cat, especially the black cat. As cliche as it might be, many witches draw power from black cats based solely on the fact that there is much superstition and folklore surrounding the animal.

Many witches do not have familiars. Some witches prefer not to work with animals, have no spiritual connection to animals, or have no use for animals. Remember that there is nothing wrong with these witches just as there’s nothing wrong with those who have multiple familiars. While some of us may have only one familiar, others may have many, including mythological familiars.

I’ve known my familiars since I was a young child. (If you don’t want to read my personal experiences with familiars, you can skip to the next paragraph now.) When I was about six years old, I found a bat drowning in my grandmother’s pool while visiting. I remember frantically running for the pool net on the other side of the yard to save the tiny animal. Once I scooped it up out of the water, I grabbed it out of the net and held it to my chest. I’ll never forget the strange jolt of energy I felt as soon as I pressed it to my heart. I got butterflies, much like one does when they’re in love. I cried while I yelled for my mom to bring me a towel, hoping the animal would survive. I helped care for it for several days until I knew it was ready to be released (which was beyond difficult for me to do.) Many years later as a teen living in the Arizona desert, I would sit on the edge of the canyon at the back of my yard during sunset and let the cave bats fly and flutter around me. It was one of my happy places. Of course, I was teased for this…called a freak and a weirdo, but I didn’t care. When I was about eight years old, I met a wolf. I was playing outside with my cousins one afternoon and several of them screamed and shouted, “Coyote!!!” (Coyotes are extremely popular in the area.) They all started running for the house, but all I could do was stare at the animal. I thought to myself, “That’s a wolf…” and, as I did with most new canines I met, I got into a submissive kneeling position and stuck my hand out while making kissy noises. Just as the wolf approached me and nudged my hand with its nose, I heard my mother scream and shout from the house in horror, but I didn’t look back. I kept my eyes on the wolf. It sat down and let me pet it. I felt the same jolt of energy and butterflies as I did with the bat a couple years earlier, and I smiled. My mother was behind me now, whispering for me to slowly get up and walk to the house. Just then, I heard a woman giggle and I looked up to see a little old Native lady placing her hand on the wolf. “She won’t bite. But she I’ve never seen her come up to a child like that.” She explained to my mother that, by law, Natives are allowed to own wolves in most areas, and that she was a very well trained animal. As they were talking, I stood up and started playing and running around. For a moment, I thought I was going to die. I looked to my side and the wolf was running at me full speed. She raised up and pushed me over with her front paws and I fell to the ground. But instead of viciously ripping me to shreds, she nibbled me. It tickled and pinched all at once, so between my laughs were a few “ow"s. I heard my mother gasp, and the lady say, “Strange.” I knew then that this wolf, a beast bigger than myself, was my new friend. I started playing with her almost every day after school. Tag was our favorite. I’d run from her and she’d chase me and nip at my butt or thighs. I’d turn around and chase her, lightly tugging her tail when I caught her. I’d feed her my leftovers and lay in the sun with her. Then one day, she was gone. One of the neighbors said the lady moved to Alaska and took my Wolfie with her. Of course, I was devastated. Almost two decades later and I still miss her. I wear a wolf’s tooth around my neck to remind me of her and because it helps me draw power from the animal it belonged to. Several years later, when I was 15, I volunteered at a small local zoo. I had special access compared to most people, and got to work with the big, exotic, and dangerous animals. Sure, I was drawn to the lions and tigers, the bears and baboons made me happy… But the wolves and the predator birds were my favorite. The first time I went into the large bird habitat, I once again felt the electric jolt and the butterflies. I knew I was going to get along with these birds. Owls, eagles, ravens, vultures, hawks. I was almost let go one day for holding the eagle against the manager’s orders. But I had to. As the eagle perched itself on my forearm, she gasped, and gave me a strange look. She put her hand up and quietly said, “He is MEAN. Carefully put him back in the cage.” Hesitantly, I started to let him go and he gave out the loudest squawk I’d ever heard, and clung onto my arm. I raised him back up and he pressed his head against mine, much like a cat does when they want to be pet. He kept it there for almost a minute, while the owner shrieked in surprise because “he’s never done this”. Of course she lectured me, but I got ballsy and decided to hold the other birds one day while she was out. With all of them, I felt so happy, so energized, so powerful. I knew that predator birds, like bats and wolves, understood me on a deep level. I often have dreams about these animals; very vivid and meaningful. And I usually have these dreams in times of high stress or upset. I absolutely believe these animals watch over me and are drawn to me. They give me comfort and power in a way that most humans have never been able to.

So how does a witch find their familiar? It’s more simple than most think:
-Are there any individual animals or species you are desperately drawn to, whether you’ve seen/touched them in real life or not?
-Do you have recurring dreams about any animals?
-Are there any animals that give you happiness and hope in times of stress or depression?
-Do you feel as if a piece of your being belongs to/with a certain animal?
-Are there any animals that make you feel physically different in a positive way?
-Do you think you were an animal in a past life?
-Are there any mythological creatures you believe to be real (now or in the past), like unicorns, dragons, etc?

If you’ve answered yes to any or all of these questions and can name the animal(s) without any difficulty, you may have found your familiar.

Remember, you don’t need to meet or own these animals for them to be your familiar.

I’d also like to remind everyone that “Spirit Animal” is reserved for Indigenous/Native Americans and that “familiar” and other terms are open for non-Native magic workers.

the-clever-cupboard:

Correspondence: Birth Trees

• Dec 23 to Jan 01: Apple Tree
• Jan 02 to Jan 11: Fir Tree
• Jan 12 to Jan 24: Elm Tree
• Jan 25 to Feb 03: Cypress Tree
• Feb 04 to Feb 08: Poplar Tree
• Feb 09 to Feb 18: Cedar Tree
• Feb 19 to Feb 28: Pine Tree
• Feb 29: Poplar Tree
• Mar 01 to Mar 10: Weeping Willow Tree
• Mar 11 to Mar 20: Lime Tree
• Mar 21: Oak Tree
• Mar 22 to Mar 31: Hazelnut Tree
• Apr 01 to Apr 10: Rowan Tree
• Apr 11 to Apr 20: Maple Tree
• Apr 21 to Apr 30: Walnut Tree
• May 01 to May 14:Poplar Tree
• May 15 to May 24: Chestnut Tree
• May 25 to Jun 03: Ash Tree
• Jun 04 to Jun 13: Hornbeam Tree
• Jun 14 to Jun 23: Fig Tree
• Jun 24: Birch Tree
• Jun 25 to Jul 04: Apple Tree
• Jul 05 to Jul 14: Fir Tree
• Jul 15 to Jul 25: Elm Tree
• Jul 26 to Aug 04: Cypress Tree
• Aug 05 to Aug 13: Poplar Tree
• Aug 14 to Aug 23: Cedar Tree
• Aug 24 to Sep 02: Pine Tree
• Sep 03 to Sep 12: Weeping Willow Tree
• Sep 13 to Sep 22: Lime Tree
• Sep 23: Olive Tree
• Sep 24 to Oct 03: Hazelnut Tree
• Oct 04 to Oct 13: Rowan Tree
• Oct 14 to Oct 23: Maple Tree
• Oct 24 to Nov 11: Walnut Tree
• Nov 12 to Nov 21: Chestnut Tree
• Nov 22 to Dec 01: Ash Tree
• Dec 02 to Dec 11: Hornbeam Tree
• Dec 12 to Dec 21: Fig Tree
• Dec 22: Beech Tree

Apple Tree
Love
Of slight build, lots of charm, appeal, attraction, pleasant aura, flirtatious, adventurous, sensitive, always in love, wants to love and be loved, faithful and tender partner, very generous, scientific talents, lives for today, a carefree philosopher with imagination.

Ash Tree
Ambition
Uncommonly attractive, vivacious, impulsive, demanding, does not care for criticism, ambitious, intelligent, talented, likes to play with fate, can be egotistic, very reliable and trustworthy, faithful and prudent lover, sometimes brains rule over the heart, but takes partnership very seriously.

Beech Tree
Creative
Has good taste, concerned about its looks, materialistic, good organization of life and career, economical, good leader, takes no unnecessary risks, reasonable, splendid lifetime companion, keen on keeping fit (diets, sports, etc.)

Birch Tree
Inspiration
Vivacious, attractive, elegant, friendly, unpretentious, modest, does not like anything in excess, abhors the vulgar, loves life in nature and in calm, not very passionate, full of imagination, little ambition, creates a calm and content atmosphere.

Cedar Tree
Confidence
Of rare beauty, knows how to adapt, likes luxury, of good health, not in the least shy, tends to look down on others, self-confident, determined, impatient, likes to impress others, many talents, industrious, healthy optimism, waiting for the one true love, able to make quick decisions.

Chestnut Tree
Honesty
Of unusual beauty, does not want to impress, well-developed sense of justice, vivacious, interested, a born diplomat, but irritates easily and sensitive in company, often due to a lack of self confidence, acts sometimes superior, feels not understood loves only once, has difficulties in finding a partner.

Cypress Tree
Faithfulness
Strong, muscular, adaptable, takes what life has to give, content, optimistic, craves money and acknowledgment, hates loneliness, passionate lover which cannot be satisfied, faithful, quick-tempered, unruly, pedantic, and careless.

Elm Tree
Noble-mindedness
Pleasant shape, tasteful clothes, modest demands, tends not to forgive mistakes, cheerful, likes to lead but not to obey, honest and faithful partner, likes making decisions for others, noble-minded, generous, good sense of humor, practical.

Fig Tree
Sensibility
Very strong, a bit self-willed, independent, does not allow contradiction or arguments, loves life, its family, children and animals, a bit of a social butterfly, good sense of humor, likes idleness and laziness, of practical talent and intelligence.

Fir Tree
Mysterious
Extraordinary taste, dignity, sophisticated, loves anything beautiful, moody, stubborn, tends to egoism but cares for those close to them, rather modest, very ambitious, talented, industrious, discontented lover, many friends, many foes, very reliable.

Hazelnut Tree
Extraordinary
Charming, undemanding, very understanding, knows how to make an impression, active fighter for social cause, popular, moody, and capricious lover, honest, and tolerant partner, precise sense of judgment.

Hornbeam Tree
Good Taste
Of cool beauty, cares for its looks and condition, good taste, is not egoistic, makes life as comfortable as possible, leads a reasonable and disciplined life, looks for kindness and acknowledgement in an emotional partner, dreams of unusual lovers, is seldom happy with its feelings, mistrusts most people, is never sure of its decisions, very conscientious.

Lime Tree
Doubt
Accepts what life dishes out in a composed way, hates fighting, stress, and labor, dislikes laziness and idleness, soft and relenting, makes sacrifices for friends, many talents but not tenacious enough to make them blossom, often wailing and complaining, very jealous but loyal.

Maple Tree
Independence of Mind
No ordinary person, full of imagination and originality, shy and reserved, ambitious, proud, self-confident, hungers for new experiences, sometimes nervous, has many complexities, good memory, learns easily, complicated love life, wants to impress.

Oak Tree
Brave
Robust nature, courageous, strong, unrelenting, independent, sensible, does not like change, keeps its feet on the ground, person of action.

Olive Tree
Wisdom
Loves sun, warmth and kind feelings, reasonable, balanced, avoids aggression and violence, tolerant, cheerful, calm, well-developed sense of justice, sensitive, empathetic, free of jealousy, loves to read and the company of sophisticated people.

Pine Tree
Particular
Loves agreeable company, very robust, knows how to make life comfortable, very active, natural, good companion, but seldom friendly, falls easily in love but its passion burns out quickly, gives up easily, everything disappointments until it finds its ideal, trustworthy, practical.

Poplar Tree
Uncertainty
Looks very decorative, not very self-confident, only courageous if necessary, needs goodwill and pleasant surroundings, very choosy, often lonely, great animosity, artistic nature, good organizer, tends to lean toward philosophy, reliable in any situation, takes partnership seriously.

Rowan Tree
Sensitivity
Full of charm, cheerful, gifted without egoism, likes to draw attention, loves life, motion, unrest, and even complications, is both dependent and independent, good taste, artistic, passionate, emotional, good company, does not forgive.

Walnut Tree
Passion
Unrelenting, strange and full of contrasts, often egotistic, aggressive, noble, broad horizon, unexpected reactions, spontaneous, unlimited ambition, no flexibility, difficult and uncommon partner, not always liked but often admired, ingenious strategist, very jealous and passionate, no compromise.

Weeping Willow
Melancholy
Beautiful but full of melancholy, attractive, very empathetic, loves anything beautiful and tasteful, loves to travel, dreamer, restless, capricious, honest, can be influenced but is not easy to live with, demanding, good intuition, suffers in love but finds sometimes an anchoring partner.

Little boy

Day27

Familiar

Black Rabbit

RainyDay