Hey guys so sorry for not updating I kinda was going through some things and now that school break has started and I'm a few days in I'll be compiling a bunch of posts on my two accounts to then schedule out so that they can be uploaded in a timely manner
Anyways hope you guys find this helpful!!
Tarot is one of the most well-known forms of divination, or the practice of seeking insight through spiritual or intuitive means. It uses a deck of structured cards to explore questions, situations, emotions, and potential paths.
Let’s break it down:
A traditional tarot deck has 78 cards:
22 Major Arcana cards, which reflect big themes, lessons, and turning points
56 Minor Arcana cards, which deal with everyday events, thoughts, feelings, and challenges
Minor Arcana are split into 4 suits (like playing cards):
Wands – Passion, creativity, energy
Cups – Emotions, relationships, intuition
Swords – Thoughts, conflict, communication
Pentacles – Career, home, material life
Each card has a meaning—and those meanings can shift based on the question, the position in the spread, or even whether it’s upright or reversed.
People use tarot for a bunch of reasons:
Self-reflection
Gaining clarity on a situation
Exploring possibilities
Spiritual guidance
Working with deities or spirits
Creative inspiration
Journaling prompts
Fun and curiosity!
It’s not about predicting the future with 100% accuracy—it’s more like holding up a mirror and seeing what comes up.
Tarot and oracle cards are not the same thing, though they’re both tools for divination.
Tarot follows a set structure (Major Arcana, Minor Arcana, suits, etc.)
Oracle decks have no standard format—each one is different depending on the creator’s design.
Think of it like this: 🔮 Tarot is like learning a language with grammar rules. 🌈 Oracle is like free-form poetry.
Both are valid, powerful, and can even be used together!
You don’t have to be psychic to use tarot
You can read tarot for yourself
It’s okay to use guidebooks and notes when learning
There’s no “one right way” to read—intuition plays a big part
You don’t need to be a witch or follow a specific path to read tarot
Whether you’re using it for spiritual connection, decision-making, or just exploring your own mind—tarot is a beautiful and flexible tool. Trust yourself, take your time, and let the cards speak.
one of the largest misconceptions in witchcraft is that you constantly have to be doing huge elaborate rituals and spells that take lots of preparation
💤 emoji spells. they might feel ridiculous, but posting them somewhere safe or texting them to yourself or a friend can be a nice little boost
💤 don’t have the energy to create a sigil? sigilscribe.me creates them when you type in your intent
💤 music. perhaps you don’t have the energy or time to dedicate to writing your own chants for a spell. music can both add energy to a spell for you, and have the words you wish to use.
💤 your daily rituals have power to cleanse. from brushing your teeth to washing your hair, even clipping toenails. little moments of self care can be magical if you do them with intent
💤 scented soaps can be used in place of herbal baths if you have neither the time nor energy to do a full on bath.
💤 stir drinks in clockwise to increase a quality, and counterclockwise to decrease something.
💤 choose drinks or food with correspondences, and each bite has intention.
💤 sleep with your tarot deck, shuffle the cards. doing so will help bond you with the cards, even if you don’t have the energy to do a full reading.
💤 hold onto your favorite crystal, whether its wearing it or keeping it in your pocket. a little energy work can go a long way to keeping you magic in shape
💤 if you enchant your makeup on a good energy day, you can use those enchanted objects every day after.
💤 if you need a curse but don’t have the energy to perform anything elaborate, the evil eye works in a pinch.
💤 cleansing an area can be a heavy task, setting up the herbs to burn or spritzing salt water can be more effort to prepare than it should be. ringing bells to cleanse and area works just as well.
There are so so so many ways to experience the gods.
There is no right or wrong way. There is no blunt way. Its all feeling and ephemeral.
If you’ve felt warmth, if you’ve had a dream, if you’ve seen a crow that stares at you for too long, if something inexplicable happens and you’re lucky suddenly, if you’ve caught eyes with a stranger and felt like you knew each other. If the candle flickers a certain way, if one time when you’re singing your voice sounds gorgeous in a way you weren’t expecting, these are all the presence of a god.
God phoning is popular on witchtok but half the time what they’re saying is bullshit. I’ve very very rarely heard a voice and every single time it was my own voice, just suffused with something, saying something I normally wouldn’t say. Or maybe I would. I’ve never heard a clear, distinct, audible voice. Its an invisible world we’re connecting with, its a different plain. We cannot experience it the same way we experience every day life.
We’ll never sit down at a coffee table across from the physical manifestation of our god, and know that its them, not until after. And even then we can never be sure. That’s the nature of it. There are no absolutes, there cannot be. That’s what makes it beautiful. That’s where belief comes in. It isn’t about being good enough or worthy enough or devout enough, that doesn’t exist. That isn’t what its about at all. You are worthy even if the divine doesn’t manifest in a way we’ve been told is the only real way, and you are connecting even if you cant see it now. My most intense spiritual experiences are never something I realize are happening in the moment, its always only after that I can see it clearly.
The gods are all around us.
Collecting And Utilizing Magick Charms
My personal charm collection.
Magick charms are small, enchanted objects used for protection, luck, attraction, and spiritual power. Witches, shamans, and mystics have used charms for centuries to enhance spells, manifest intentions, and guard against negative forces. This comprehensive guide will help you collect, store, and use charms effectively in your witchcraft.
A magick charm is any object infused with energy or intention to create a desired effect. Unlike talismans (which attract energy) or amulets (which repel energy), charms can do both, depending on their purpose.
Uses of Magick Charms in Witchcraft:
• Protection – Shields against negative energy, hexes, and harm.
• Luck & Prosperity – Draws fortune, money, and success.
• Love & Attraction – Enhances self-love, relationships, and passion.
• Healing & Wellness – Promotes emotional, physical, and spiritual health.
• Psychic Abilities & Divination – Strengthens intuition, dreamwork, and spirit communication.
• Manifestation & Goal Achievement – Focuses energy on specific desires.
Magick charms can be found, crafted, or gifted. The key is choosing objects that resonate with your energy and intention.
Where to Find Charms:
• Nature – Stones, feathers, shells, acorns, bones, dried herbs.
• Thrift Shops & Antique Stores – Old jewelry, keys, trinkets, coins.
• Personal Objects – Lockets, rings, buttons, meaningful tokens.
• Handmade Charms – Sigil-carved wood, cloth pouches filled with herbs, inscribed coins.
• Cultural or Spiritual Items – Religious symbols, runes, lucky talismans.
Protection Symbols & Charms:
• Pentacle/Pentagram – A five-pointed star within a circle, symbolizing protection, balance, and the elements.
• Hamsa Hand – A hand-shaped amulet with an eye in the center, used to ward off the evil eye and negative energy.
• Ankh – An Egyptian symbol of life, protection, and divine energy.
• Eye of Horus (Wadjet) – Offers protection, health, and wisdom.
• Algiz (ᛉ) – A rune of protection and higher guidance.
• Triquetra – A three-interwoven loop symbol representing the triple goddess (maiden, mother, crone) and protection.
• Bindrunes – Custom symbols made from Norse runes for specific protective purposes.
• Hexagram (Seal of Solomon) – Used for divine wisdom and spiritual protection.
• Blackthorn (Saining Rod) – A charm in Celtic magic for warding off evil spirits.
Love & Attraction Charms:
• Heart Symbol – Represents love, passion, and emotional connection.
• Venus Symbol (♀) – Associated with love, beauty, and feminine energy.
• Claddagh Ring – An Irish symbol of love, loyalty, and friendship.
• Red String – A Kabbalistic charm for protection and attracting love.
• Rose Quartz – A stone of love, harmony, and emotional healing.
• Apple (Sacred Fruit) – Used in love spells and fertility rites.
Wealth & Prosperity Charms:
• Coin – Standard charm of wealth, success, and prosperity.
• Maneki-Neko (Lucky Cat) – A Japanese charm for attracting fortune and prosperity.
• Four-Leaf Clover – Brings luck, success, and good fortune.
• Fehu (ᚠ) – Manifests wealth, prosperity, and abundance.
• Cornucopia (Horn of Plenty) – A symbol of abundance and wealth.
• Chinese Coins (Tied with Red String) – A feng shui charm for prosperity.
• Citrine (Merchant’s Stone) – Attracts wealth and financial success.
• Elephant with Trunk Up – A charm for good luck and financial stability.
Power & Strength Symbols:
• Thor’s Hammer (Mjölnir) – A Norse symbol for protection and personal power.
• Dragon Symbol – Represents strength, wisdom, and magickal power.
• The Lion (Solar Power) – Represents courage, dominance, and royalty.
• Oak Leaf & Acorn – Strength, endurance, and longevity.
• Sowilo Rune (ᛋ) – Represents the sun’s power, success, and victory.
• Phoenix – A symbol of resilience, transformation, and rebirth.
Wisdom & Knowledge Symbols:
• Key – Unlocks new opportunities, wisdom, and secrets.
• Ouroboros (Serpent Eating Its Tail) – Represents infinite wisdom and cycles of renewal.
• The Owl – A symbol of wisdom, intuition, and the unknown.
• Merkaba (Star Tetrahedron) – Represents spiritual ascension and higher consciousness.
• Celtic Awen – Three rays representing divine inspiration, wisdom, and creativity.
• Feather – A symbol of knowledge, communication with spirits, and travel.
• Shell – Connection to water energy, emotions, intuition.
• The Labyrinth – A journey of self-discovery and enlightenment.
• Spider Web Charm – Symbolic of creativity, patience, weaving fate.
• The Book (Grimoire Symbol) – Represents arcane knowledge and magickal wisdom.
Healing & Health Symbols:
• Caduceus (Staff of Hermes) – Often confused with the Rod of Asclepius, it symbolizes healing and balance.
• Rod of Asclepius – A staff with a serpent, representing medicine and healing.
• Chalice/Grail – A symbol of spiritual nourishment and healing.
• Dove Symbol – Represents peace, purity, and emotional healing.
• Green Aventurine – A crystal associated with heart healing and vitality.
• Healing Hand (Reiki Symbol) – Used in energy healing practices.
Magick & Spiritual Symbols:
• Triple Moon (Waxing, Full, Waning) – Represents the triple goddess and the phases of magick.
• Yin-Yang – Balancing opposing energies, duality, and harmony.
• Infinity Symbol (∞) – Represents limitless potential and eternal cycles.
• Spiral (Sacred Geometry) – Represents cosmic forces, spiritual growth, and energy flow.
• Alchemical Symbols – Such as Sulfur (fire), Mercury (transformation), and Salt (earthly existence).
• The Sigil – A personal or created magical symbol for manifesting desires.
• The Triskelion (Triple Spiral) – A Celtic symbol of motion, progress, and spiritual evolution.
Death & Afterlife Symbols:
• The Scythe – Symbol of death, transformation, and the cycle of life.
• Anubis (Jackal-Headed Deity) – Egyptian guide of the dead and protector of souls.
• Raven & Crow – Messengers of the spirit world, associated with death and prophecy.
• The Skull – Represents mortality, spiritual protection, and wisdom.
• The Black Rose – A symbol of endings, transformation, and mourning.
Proper storage keeps charms energetically charged and ready for use. Here are some ideas for how to store your charms:
• Charm Bracelet – Wear daily for constant energy.
• Key Ring – Carry for protection, luck, or travel safety.
• Necklace or Amulet Pouch – Close to the heart for emotional or psychic work.
• Pocket Charm Bag – Small pouches with multiple charms inside.
• Altar Bowl or Plate – Keeps charms cleansed and charged.
• Wooden Box – A sacred space for unused or rotating charms.
• Glass Jars – Store charms by category (protection, love, luck).
• Hanging Charms – Over doorways, windows, or in cars for protection.
Once stored, activate your charms to align them with your energy and purpose. Here are some methods for charging charms:
• Full Moon Light – Best for charms related to psychic abilities, intuition, and love.
• Sunlight – Increases vitality, confidence, and empowerment.
• Fire Energy – Hold over a candle flame to strengthen power (use fire-safe materials).
• Earth Energy – Bury in soil or place on a crystal for grounding.
• Anointing Oils – Rub with essential oils that match the intention (e.g., rose oil for love, peppermint for clarity).
• Breath & Spoken Word – Whisper affirmations or spells into the charm.
Example Activation Spell:
"By earth, air, fire, and sea,
A charm of power this shall be.
Blessed with magic, strong and bright,
Guided by love, luck, and light."
Protection Magick:
• Wear as Jewelry – Carry protective charms like pentacles, hamsas, or evil eye symbols as rings, necklaces, or bracelets.
• Hang Above Doorways – Place charms like iron horseshoes, pentagrams, witch bells, or bindrunes on doors to keep negative energy away.
• Pocket or Pouch Carrying – Keep a small charm (such as a rune, hexagram, or protective sigil) in your pocket or mojo bag.
• Car Charm for Safe Travel – Hang protective symbols like an Eye of Horus, hag stone, or hamsa in your car.
• Candle Spell with Protective Symbols – Carve protective sigils or runes onto candles and burn them for shielding energy.
Love & Attraction Magick:
• Charm Bags for Love – Create a sachet filled with rose petals, cinnamon, and love-drawing charms to carry with you.
• Embedding in Jewelry – Enchant a piece of jewelry with attraction energy and wear it to enhance romantic appeal.
• Love Candles – Use pink or red candles and tie love charms to them for love spells.
• Bath Ritual with Love Charms – Place rose quartz or heart charms in bathwater to charge yourself with loving energy.
• Knot Magick with Charms – Tie a ribbon around a love-attracting charm while focusing on your desire.
Prosperity & Success Magick:
• Prosperity Jar – Fill a jar with green aventurine, bay leaves, wealth charms and coins to attract wealth.
• Keep Money-Drawing Charms in Wallet – Carry a citrine crystal, Chinese coin, or prosperity sigil inside your wallet.
• Tie Wealth Symbols to Candles – Use green or gold candles and adorn them with symbols for financial success.
• Charm Your Work Desk – Place a charged prosperity charm on your workspace to attract career success.
• Bury a Charm for Long-Term Growth – Plant a coin or lucky charm in the soil with a new plant to manifest sustained wealth.
Healing & Well-being Magick:
• Crystal Healing Charms – Wear or carry stones like amethyst, jade, or lapis lazuli for mental and physical healing.
• Drink Infused Herbal Water – Charge a charm with healing energy and place it beside a cup of herbal tea.
• Create a Healing Amulet – Anoint a small token with essential oils like lavender or rosemary and carry it for health.
• Under-Pillow Charms for Rest – Place a dream charm or amethyst under your pillow to promote restful sleep.
Divination & Psychic Enhancement:
• Pendulum Work – Use a small charm as a pendulum for dowsing and spiritual guidance.
• Charms with Tarot Cards – Keep psychic-enhancing charms with your tarot deck for clearer readings.
• Crystal Ball or Scrying Mirror with Charms – Keep a pentagram, labradorite, or a third-eye charm near scrying tools.
• Create an Intuition Talisman – Carry a charm or rune (such as Algiz or Ansuz) to strengthen intuition.
• Anointing the Third Eye – Use a charm to draw anointing oil onto the third eye for spiritual awareness.
Spirit Communication & Ancestral Work:
• Ancestral Altar Offerings – Place a charm representing your ancestors on your altar to honor and connect with them.
• Use Spirit Keys – Enchant an old key as a tool to unlock communication with spirits.
• Bone or Shell Divination – Keep a charm or marked bones for spirit-based divination.
• Spirit Sigils - Use name sigils or symbols of spirits to connect with them.
• Carve Names on Candles – Inscribe an ancestor’s name on a candle along with a symbolic charm for guidance.
• Use a Spirit Bottle – Fill a small bottle with herbs, salt, and charms to aid in contacting spirits.
Shadow Work & Personal Growth:
• Shadow Work Charm Pouch – Keep black tourmaline or obsidian, a moon, a skull, etc. charm in it for deep introspection.
• Mirror Work – Put a shadow work charm on a mirror and use it for self-reflection rituals.
• Create a Personal Power Amulet – Enchant an item with affirmations for self-empowerment.
Warding & Banishing Negativity:
• Black Salt & Charm Mix – Combine black salt with a protective charm and sprinkle it around your home.
• Smoke Cleansing with Charms – Pass a protective charm through incense smoke to empower it.
• Candle Banishing Ritual – Carve a banishing sigil onto a black candle and burn it while focusing on removing negativity.
• Mirror Magick for Reflection & Deflection – Charge a small mirror charm to send negativity back to its source.
Elemental Magick Uses:
• Earth Charms – Bury a stone charm in soil to manifest long-term goals.
• Air Charms – Hang charms in trees or use feathers to enhance communication and wisdom.
• Fire Charms – Burn symbols in fire to release intentions or perform fire scrying.
• Water Charms – Place charms in a bowl of water under the moonlight for cleansing and intuition.
Dream Magick & Astral Travel:
• Dream Charm Under Pillow – Use an amethyst, moonstone, or dreamcatcher to encourage prophetic dreams.
• Charm on Bed Frame – Put a charm under your bed or mattress to enhance dream recall and astral travel.
• Silver Cord Charm – Carry or wear a silver cord for protection during astral projection.
• Anointing with Mugwort Oil – Use mugwort-infused oil on a charm to enhance dream visions.
If a charm loses its energy, becomes damaged, or is no longer needed:
• Bury It – Returns energy to the earth.
• Burn It – Safely burn wooden or biodegradable charms.
• Release It into Water – If eco-friendly (e.g., shells, stones).
• Gift It – Pass it to someone who may need its magic.
Magick charms are versatile, powerful tools that enhance spells, offer protection, and bring luck. Whether worn, carried, or placed in a sacred space, they infuse your life with magick while keeping your intentions aligned.
being obsessed with your god’s domain before you started worshipping is so reassuring…
like what do you mean you’ve been here the whole time? that you’ve always been a part of me lying in wait? that you, the divine, has innervated & enriched my life long before i acknowledged you were divine? SICK!!!
I am happy to present my own Wamily’s version of finding your signifier card using a Tarot deck. (Wamily, just in case you don’t know, is a witch family.)
Please keep in mind that this is a practice passed down and developed by a handful of witches related to me, and isn’t the process that every cartomancer uses. I hope this helps you on your witchcraft journey!
My own signifier card was found when I was a wee little witch. I chose the Chariot (which, if you know me personally, is Salt through and through.) My strengths and limitations are very much found in this card and I am drawn to its imagery indefinitely.
Comment with your signifier card once you find it! I am excited to see what you receive.
the poll that i put up the other day (which i know isn't even done yet) has dictated that this post shall be about devotional jewelry/prayer beads! which honestly, i'm really excited for this, i've been meaning to get an excuse to show these off
btw i did provide image descriptions but if they're missing something or you have suggestions please don't be afraid to comment them!
(SOME) EXAMPLES
japa mala: hindu. usually consists of 108 beads (separated by a larger one at the beginning/end), these are used to keep track of mantras/prayers/sacred phrases recited during meditation
mala: buddhist, most commonly tibetan. likely adapted from hinduism, these also have 108 beads (ending in a tassel or amulet), used to count mantras or direct breathing during meditation
prayer rope: eastern orthodox. usually made of 33, 100, or 300 knots ending in a cross (also made of knots) and/or a tassel. used to count repetitions of the Jesus Prayer
rosary: catholic. arranged in five decades (sets of 10 beads) each separated by a larger bead and ending in a strand with a crucifix on the end. traditionally, a person does three cycles, saying Hail Marys on the small beads and different prayers relating to the mysteries on the larger beads
misbaha/subha: islamic. three groups of beads totaling to 99, each section with a different prayer separated by imams and ending in the yad (used as a handle), used in dhikr after regular prayer
ANCIENT GREECE: as far as i can tell, prayer beads were not in use in ancient greek worship. however, jewelry was a somewhat common offering at temples, and a large part of archeological findings have depictions of deities on them. these are my favorite
HADES (left) -red/gold glass beads: reminds me of pomegranate seeds
-gold: association with wealth (Plouton)
-silver: association with wealth
-snowflake obsidian: protection, associated with the underworld
-smokey quartz pendant: protection, association with the underworld
PERSEPHONE (right) -unakite: association with nature/the earth
-rhodonite: pink to remind me of spring
-flower beads: association with her Roman form Flora
-hematite: protection, association with underworld
APHRODITE (left) -pearls: association with the ocean (i venerate her strongly as an oceanic deity)
-shells: association with the ocean
-art deco style beads: opulence and beauty
-mint quartz: it's kinda a sea green, reminds me of the ocean where i live
ATHENA (right) -sodalite: intuition, complex thought (wisdom, some might even say)
-lapis lazuli: intuition (also associated with zeus)
-blue aventurine: just fit the theme lol
-obsidian: protection (like against enemies)
-sword pendant: representative of her war aspect
DIONYSUS (left) -aventurine: prosperity, fortune (similar to fertility, kinda?)
-fluorite: just fit the theme
-amethyst and pendant: bc of the story of rhea curing his madness with an amethyst
this was one of the first pieces i made, so i didn't have as big a variety of beads to work with
HEKATE (right) -garnet: associated with Persephone, a companion of Hekate
-labradorite: magic
-bloodstone: the underworld/the dead
-skull beads: underworld/the dead
-tarot cards: representative of her domain of the sky, earth, and seas, also divination/magic
-black tourmaline pendant: the underworld
i chose specifically three skulls on the short section to represent her tripartate depiction
APOLLO (left) -tree agate: nature and hunting
-wood beads: nature
-bells: music (yes they actually make noise!)
-the sun tarot card pendant: he's the god of the sun AND oracles/seers, which this kinda represents
this is one of my faves but i never wear it just bc the bells can be obnoxious in public lmfao. i know most people wear yellow or orange for him but tbh i don't really enjoy those colors and it's important to me to explore his other aspects
ARTEMIS (right) -lepidolite: aids in transitions
-moss agate: nature
-obsidian: protection (i see her as a personal protector)
-labradorite: looks like the moon
i actually went shopping for this one specifically (i had another set for her i wasn't happy with) so that's why there's so many plastic and glass beads (i got them from a craft store). the old set had howlite cause howl=wolf=lykeia and blue aventurine for the sky
personally, devotional jewelry is my first go-to when i have low spoons and need to spend the day in bed. i can wear it taking a nap, making my lunch, taking a walk, whatever! i don't always wear it though, since i try to keep it meaningful. this may differ from person to person, but that's just the way i do it
you can also use them as prayer beads and count each bead as a set prayer or phrase to your deity OR use them to help you focus on relaxing during meditation
for those who are devoted to one deity/oathbound/etc., this could also be your way of showing your faith, like you would in a romantic relationship (although you don't need to be godspoused)
they also work as a great altar decoration, you can wear it while doing prayer and put it back after
but also, at the end of the day, i got a lot more value out of the making of these than wearing them (i forget oftentimes), and it was a great devotional activity for me
for my specific pieces i used a style that's commonly seen in modern rosaries--the bead(s) on separate but connected pieces--but you can use whatever style you like
here's an example of what my friend's looks like:
and my brother's:
if you want them all on one strand like these, i say go ahead! if you want them all separate bead by bead then do that! if you want plastic, stone, wood, shell, seed, whatever, go ahead!
ultimately i make my devotional jewelry personal to me and my relationship with the deity, and i encourage you all to do the same. don't worry about what other people are doing (although im always down to provide suggestions!)
MATERIALS I USE -pre looped pins OR bead stringing wire
-a kit like this if using wire string (crimp the small beads or the vertical rectangle with the loop on top instead of tying the wire)
-just jumprings if using pre looped pins
-a round and flat pair of jewelry pliers
-a one step looper (optional)
-whatever beads and pendants i can five finger discount from stores or find at home
if you want recommendations for what crystals or colors to go with you can see my common crystals post and my altars for series. i choose crystals related to the domain of the deity, or ones that show up in their myth
techniques or materials may vary depending on what piece of jewelry you're doing. if you're doing earrings ofc you won't need the wire string and you'll need a different kit with earring backs
don't have the dexterity, materials, tools, or money to make your own jewelry? here are some ideas: -thrifting/buying them pre made
-thrifting beads
-using old jewelry you already own and just consecrating it for a specific deity (ill make another post about that)
-making something other than a necklace, like friendship bracelets, kandi, earrings, or even a knotted rope
but ultimately, you don't have to have or wear devotional jewelry. it isn't necessarily a vital part of my craft, i just really enjoyed making them. if you don't enjoy making them or can't, don't! you don't need to stress about forcing it into your practice
SOURCES
britannica
wikipedia on misbaha (briefly)
[[before you expand: LONG text post!!]]
I got diagnosed only a couple months ago, but I have been practicing witchcraft for a little bit now. So in retrospect, here is stuff that I realized I have been doing to cope the whole time, and some new things I'm tinkering with :) Please feel free to leave your own tips or thoughts!
Just do not promise to give daily offerings! JUST DON'T DO IT. If you struggle with upholding a regular routine, do not promise gods or spirits you will uphold a routine for them. You should only promise things you are confident you can deliver. ((If you identify as a beginner witch it's my personal belief that you should not be promising anyone anything.))
Delete from your mindset that all witches are supposed to uphold rigid routines.
Give yourself breathing room: if you want to give scheduled offerings, maybe do one on the full moon. Or, plan it to coincide with other activities that interest you, and that you're likely to show up for.
Unless you have a few hours a week to devote to your practice, you should probably not be dedicating yourself to doing daily anything.
Rigid routine is not the only way to get regular experience with magic, build relationships with gods or spirits, or improve in your craft! You simply do not have to promise yourself or anyone else that you will do X actions at Y times.
Maybe there are some really important things in your practice that you want to do on a regular basis. Maybe these are things like:
Quick personal shielding
Acknowledging and honoring spirits
General offering
Prayer for guidance
Instead of saying "I'll do shielding for 5 minutes every day after breakfast, then of course my offering ritual-", you can put a streamlined (short, easy) ritual together where you do all four of these things at once.
Deep breaths, acknowledge and honor the spirits, ask for assistance in raising a shield, offering excess raised energy to them, and praying for guidance in the upcoming task.
It should take maybe like, 2 minutes tops.
Then, slot this streamlined ritual in before most practice activities. Like:
Before other energy work
Before divination
Before spellwork
Or, use it as a sort of 'generic' access point of connection and perform this ritual:
When you shower, to calm down from the day
When you're on transit to prepare for the upcoming day
When you're feeling grateful and want to share the moment with the spirits
When you're feeling sad and need support
Instead of forcing important actions into routines that may be hard to follow, find a way to carry these actions around with you in an accessible ritual, like carrying snacks around in a bag. This way you can use other exciting activities, or other life events, as a reminder to practice your ritual of important things :)
Maybe you have alarm blindness, forget to do divination, forget to check in with spells - so asking for omens can be a huge help. They are spontaneous messages that catch your eye. Helpful!
Research cultural omens
Research omens in your magical tradition
Journal and brainstorm personal omens
Write out, for yourself, a short list of personal omens.
Solid black pigeons mean a spirit wants attention. Seeing your favorite tree species means a spell was successful. Three gray dots means a spell failed. The scent of cinnamon buns means fortune is headed your way.
Perform a ritual announcing your chosen omens to the Powers That Be. Invite those Powers, Yourself, Life, the Universe, and Everything to send you true, accurate, and helpful messages through these omens.
Working with omens in this way is a skill that evolves over time. Your personal omen system will evolve over time if you use it. Think of it as another form of divination!
(Tip: Combine symbols with colors for an advanced system that's easy to remember. Oak trees are prosperity, but black means slow movement, red means powerful, and white means failure. After a spell you see a plumbing truck with a red oak tree logo; powerful prosperity. Etc.)
Employ foresight and:
Encode retirement/shutdown functions into your spells!! Do you want the spell to burn out completely and leave the vessel hollow so you don't have to deal with the vessel later on? Specify that! Do you want the spell to go to 'power saver mode' and hibernate so you can save the vessel and recharge it later? Specify!
ENCODE OMENS INTO SPELLS TO REMIND YOU TO TAKE ACTIONS! "This spell brings me financial benefit, and when it runs low, I will see my omen of slow growth - a solid black tree."
Assume that you are going to completely forget that you're able to take care of this problem, so encode the spells assuming you will never remember to deal with this again:
Spell for people that will remember they want to deal with Monica (they will also be working with wards, divination, and subtle cunning): "Stop Monica at the front desk from assaulting me with her dark energies, or else limit how much of her energy can reach me."
Spell for people that are going to completely forget this is an issue they can take care of and won't do another spell on it for maybe 18 months: "Stop Monica from assaulting me with her dark energies, or reveal to everyone in the office her dark nature, but if neither of these things is possible, change something in the office so that we never interact again."
Build a spellcasting altar, or a spell recharging altar, where you store up all your vessels. Recharge them all at once, as often as you remember to.
Poor plan: "And when this vessel runs down I will recharge it with the waxing moon as I stand under the orange tree-" More tenable plan: "And when this vessel runs down let it drink energy from my altar; let it take up any energy that suits it; let it feed on what is available to it, according to its needs."
Focus on learning how to tie spells to external energy sources so they will stay charged for way longer.
For easy deconstruction, set blanket conditions for every vessel that it be undone and the magic erased if you take a simple action. This is called a kill code. You bake it into spells and it makes deconstruction way easier.
Try developing a barbarous word of undoing and using it every time you want to undo a vessel or a spell; this word will gain power and can become very helpful in other ways.
Once again, plan spells with the foresight that it will be difficult/unlikely for you to re-engage for formal deconstruction procedures. So, anticipate your future needs during spellcasting: "And if I ever open this jar and take out the things inside it, let this spell be released and return to the earth, let it fade away without trouble and nourish anything around it as fallen logs nourish the forest floor." This way, you know that if you accidentally forget about a spell or just take it apart, the magic already has instructions to safely dissipate and you don't have to worry.
This folds in real nice with a personal omen system!!
Use a combination of colors, established symbols (planetary, alchemical), and personal symbols to develop a visual conlang that helps you keep track of what things are.
If applicable, decorate or modify spell vessels so you can tell at a glance what the spell is for (violet symbol of Venus next to a paw: a spell to improve relationships with the spirits that help you with psychism)
Build a system that makes intuitive sense to you, perhaps folding in with your color correspondence associations, magical headcannon, or any other mnemonic device:
All the spells in jars are protective
Everything that's tied into a witch's ladder is about prosperity
If it has a red X on it, that's a hex
If it has a 7-pointed star, it involves your dragon guide
If you store it in a bag that has blue on it (blue print, blue button, blue tie-string) then that object is related to cleansing
Your personal visual language will gain its own power over time if used regularly, in the way that egrigores or sigils can gain power if used consistently over time :) It can become a real magical tool, not just a mnemonic device!
When you conjure/talk to/pray to gods, spirits, or anything, address the fact that your communication/rituals/etc ARE going to be sporadic. Explain yourself and ask the spirits to extend understanding.
Some spirits/gods/etc are going to demand regular routine. AND IF THEY EXPECT THAT, then you guys need to get on the same page ASAP as to whether or not that's possible.
Spirits can be incredibly forgiving and understanding, but unless you tell them why you are sometimes around and sometimes not, they do not necessarily know what's going on.
Your spirit guide may have not read the DSM-5. Obelon the Fox-Man might not be up-to-date with the 2025 diagnosis criteria for ADHD, and Obelon might not recognize that you are struggling with a disorder that can mimic inattentiveness. Obelon might be asking why you appear to be so enthusiastic, and yet only call for him once every 5 weeks.
Just explain!! Explain what you are comfortable explaining. Give them reassurances and ask them to not misinterpret your ability to be present.
If the way you talk to yourself about your path sounds like someone struggling with unhealthy dieting, maybe it's time to readjust.
"I just need to do my daily offerings, on schedule, for two weeks. Then I will have earned researching tarot spells."
Maybe it's not a good idea to intentionally include witchcraft in a cycle of reward and denial that will ultimately drain joy from the process until your passion is a withered husk.
Witchcraft isn't going to force your brain to change any more than Stardew Valley was going to force your brain to change. Or that time you got super into succulents. If your time spent studying wool quality in heritage European sheep breeds didn't cure your disorder, witchcraft won't either.
Witchcraft, I think, deserves to be something that is a part of your joy - not a part of a system of stressful attempts at making yourself into someone you're not because "real witches" all do such-and-such routine (I assure you, they do not) so you must force yourself to do it too.
(Incidentally, if you have a 'streamlined ritual for the important stuff' and it becomes a barrier that prevents you from practicing, then maybe that's not a good idea for you - or maybe it's not as simple and streamlined as you need it to be)
There is SO MUCH to learn in witchcraft. It's never-ending. The more you learn, the more doorways open for you with more things to learn behind them.
This is not college, you do not have to declare your major. You don't have to wait to decide on your 'magic specialization' before you start learning.
This is not college, you don't have to take semesters of boring general ed classes before you're allowed to start studying what interests you.
Unless you are getting into very serious initiations, learning stuff, advancing your skills, and building your path is not going to shut doors and prevent you from getting into something else.
If something excites your interests, GET INTO IT! Don't force yourself to ignore what you're passionate about because you think serious, responsible witchcraft is supposed to be rigid, boring, and tedious. (It isn't!)
Avoid declaring your major. As in, maybe the idea of energy glamours is super exciting, so on day 1 you create a lesson plan that will realistically take you 70 weeks to complete. Based on your history, is it reasonable that you will maintain this specific interest in glamours for over a year?
Avoid making lesson plans that intentionally slow you down and make shit boring for no good reason. If energy glamours interest you, are you (*scrolls up*) using energy glamours as a carrot to force yourself to engage in a tedious magical workout routine? Is the reason the lesson plan takes 70 weeks because you decided to spend weeks slowly moving through each phase so you have time to spam energy work exercises?
You know yourself better than I know you. Maybe wanting to slow down and engage in your focuses in a new way is the goal. Of course, listen to yourself first!
But if you have a temporary burst of energy and focus to learn a new skill, and learning that skill won't require you to make unhealthy personal or financial decisions, why not just lean into it and explore it moment by moment, wherever your interests take you?
I think you'd probably learn a lot more doing and undoing 20 glamours in a week, because you're freaking out about how fucking cool it is, than if you practice 1 basic glamor exercise once a day because that's what real disciplined witches do, and then 11 days later you forget it once and never do it again and now your interest has faded because glamouring is just another boring chore.
How often do you need to recharge your wards to keep them functioning normally?
Once you've explained your own needs and limits, how often do your spirits actually request offerings?
Are you 100% sure the spirits you're working with expect offerings in the first place?
Are those offerings expected to be physical, or do thoughts and prayers suffice?
How often should you perform a personal cleansing to keep yourself feeling magically refreshed?
Feeling anxious or guilty over whether or not you're supposed to be taking certain actions is NO FUN.
It is much less fun if you don't actually know how often you need to do these things. Then it's just all guessing, all the time, and nothing is ever good enough.
If at all possible, avoid putting yourself into a situation where you feel that you are supposed to be doing something responsible in your practice, but you're never sure exactly what it is.
Spend some practice time, learn some skills, and make notes, to discover whether or not you do have any minimum engagement requirements in the style of practice you want. And most importantly, having clear 'deadlines' so you don't have to keep guessing at what you're forgetting about this time.
follow-up to this post
I'm calling it, "how to do magic as if you are magical and the whole of nature is listening"
say = think, sign, write, or any vehicle of communication
presence of energy = candle, incense, sunlight, moonlight, breeze/wind, running water, yourself while you're already feeling those emotions/thoughts/beliefs, etc.
Cleansing object: blow on object, wipe it off
Cleansing object: wash it in the sink
Cleansing self: take shower
Cleansing self: change clothes
Cleansing self: listen to music
Cleansing space: light a candle in the room
Cleansing space: open a window, let air flow through
Cleansing space: sweep/clean floors
Blessing object: look at the object. say, "you are special." also mean this in your heart. give it a lil kiss or a lil pat with your thumb
Blessing space: pat door frame. say, "you are a special room." feel how the room is special and good. tell the room you love it
Charging object: bring object into presence of energy and ask it to fill itself up. tell energy you would like it to fill up the object. leave the two to their privacy
Charging space: exactly as "Charging object" but you cant move the space so you gotta find a way to get the energy to it
Dedicating object: tell object to prepare itself for its new life. tell it that its fate and destiny are about to be forever changed. speak to whomever object will be dedicated to. say, "this is for you. i give it to you. you own it now"
Enchant food or beverage: tell food or beverage what you want it to do. realize you will spend some of your energy to enchant it. say, "I spend my energy to craft my reality." stir food or beverage for a few moments until you suddenly feel more tired. say, "this is magical now, and whoever consumes it will absorb that magic"
Enchant object: tell object exactly what you need it to do. tell it you will feed it energy so it can be born to its new purpose. bring object into presence of energy and ask it to fill itself up. tell energy you would like it to fill up the object, specifically to fulfill the objects new purpose. leave the two to their privacy. when you return, tell object, "i have captured power in you, you are magical now, and you will be forever." (optional: repeat daily for 3 days)
Cast spell 1: exactly as "Enchant object," but object is a candle, incense, or sigil. Once enchanted, burn into ashes. dispose of remnants in a strange way
Cast spell 2: put together a lot of little objects into a container, instructing each one to its purpose. then tell the entire container its master purpose. then enchant the entire container exactly as "Enchant object"
Cast spell 3: take some string into the presence of energy. tell the string it will hold some magic in knots. tell the energy you will capture it in knots. tell yourself what you will capture in the knot. tie the knot. say, "I have captured power." repeat until there are enough knots
Curse others: exactly as any "Cast spell," but your purpose is always to harm another
Curse self: much easier than "Curse others." all you need to do is speak bad words about yourself to others
Undo spell: exactly as "Cast spell 1," but its purpose is to be the exact opposite of the unwanted spell, so they equalize each other
Undo spell: exactly as "Cast spell 1," but its purpose is to be a little knight who rides across the land to slay the first spell-dragon
Undo enchantment: say to object, "yesterday was the last day of forever. it is time for you to go back to your old life. let go of the magic within you, and return to your long sleep." bury in salt or earth for 3 days.
Binding: exactly as "Cast spell 3," but instead of [energy], take the string into the presence of what is to be bound, and tell the string to tie it up and hold it so it can never be let go
Glamour self: your aura is a constant projection of everything you currently are. breathe in how you want to be perceived and breathe out how you will be perceived. your breath coats your aura like steam on glass. it will also fade like steam on glass. repeat every day the glamour is desired
Close yourself off to spirits: say, "i do not want to be in contact with any spirits. no thank you." believe this in your heart also
Mega close yourself off to spirits: say, "i do not believe in spirits actually, even more than that, they are not real at all; so i have no concerns in coming into contact with them." believe this in your heart also
Open yourself to spirits: say, "i am actually quite fine with being in touch with helpful spirits, or at least neutral ones, but definitely ones that mean me no harm"
Banish spirits: say, "i am the only witch in this house, and i choose what energies are here and what spirits may stay. someone else may have invited you, but they do not have the right to invite you, and i am telling you now that you must go. leave now as a friend or be destroyed as an enemy" believe this in your heart also
Banish humans: exactly as "Cast spell 1," but instruct the consumable object to chase the human far away as its released
Pray: say things, but to someone who isnt in the room with you
Build a shrine: make a mood board dedicated to that being, but instead of digital pictures its physical objects, and all the objects are in one little area. then, perform "Dedicating object" over entire space
Build a spellcasting altar: exactly as "Build a shrine," but the vibe is things that remind you of power and your own power. then, perform "Dedicating object," but you dedicate it to yourself
hey i saw you across the room at the devil's sacrament and loved your vibe
the most convenient way for me to stir up a little trouble for someone who needs a little push in the right direction:
- grab a small jar (or large, it doesn’t matter)
- fill it a quarter way with vinegar
- add any type of brutal pepper and salt
- write out a person’s full name on a scrap of paper
- drop the paper into the jar while stating the intentions
- seal the jar with either a lid or cloth and string
this way the person of interest drowns in their own negative energy until they learn from their mistakes