Tarot Card Reading Except I Just Make "ooo" "ah" And "wow" Sounds The Whole Time Instead Of Telling You

Chalkboards In Witchcraft

So, a couple of years ago around Halloween, my local crafts store was selling cute small wall-hangings that functioned as chalkboards. My first idea was to doodle silly things, but right after that I thought “wouldn’t this make a perfect and practical way of writing and hanging sigils on my wall? I could change the sigils whenever I wanted. And it was totally reusable and movable. Now, it’s become a staple of protection magic in my craft. You can enchant chalk and use different colors of it for different sigils. I’m going to show you a standard one I used to use (not showing you my current protection sigil on the chalkboard for privacy reasons).

It’s so practical! Lmk if you try this!

Best of luck witches! (Also, a pack of these boards only cost me a few dollars).

Everyday Witchcraft

1. Meditate - still the mind, the breath, the heartbeat, open a channel through which the spirits can communicate if they wish to, listen.

2. Walk - honour the genii loci, notice the changing seasons, observe signs and omens, traverse the kingdoms of humanity, flora and fauna, give aid where it is needed.

3. Divine - build relationships with divinatory tools, sharpen skills, train intuition, ask questions, receive answers.

4. Invoke - the presence of spirits to assist in tasks, to protect on journeys, to grant guidance, maintain connections and uphold contracts.

5. Craft - use the hands to create, to construct, imbue each creation with spirit and purpose, a meal, a potion, a carving, a weaving, enchant the mundane and material.

6. Sing - the old songs, the power songs, the prayers, the chants, to heal, to awaken, to enforce, to ward, sing the sun to sleep and the moon to rising, sing in the bath, at the hearth, in the heart.

7. Read - widely and deeply, old and new, academic and popular, across boundaries and taboos, slowly and with full attention, take notes, research, reflect.

8. Write - record experiences, practices, thoughts. keep journals and grimoires, spellbooks and scripts, remember, elucidate, illuminate.

9. Draw - sigils and runes, symbols and signs. Carve, paint, scratch, blacken, redden, scrawl, in the sand, with salt, in the air, with chalk, ink, blood, charcoal, the mind.

10. Collect - herbs, woods, stones, feathers, bones, teeth, soil, the raw materials of natural magic, fill jars, boxes, bags, gather, forage, wildcraft, thrift, take that which is discarded, value the found over the bought.

11. Observe - the cycles of moon, sun, planets, stars, take heed with the eyes as well as the almanac, feel the sap rise, the birds migrate, the bulbs awaken, the leaves wither.

12. Renew - old spells, old wards, protections, and boundaries. Clean what is obscured, recast what has weakened, maintain what is working, replace what is lost. Tie up loose ends.

13. Communicate - with everything, stones, trees, spirits, the dead, that which grows in the garden and that which visits it, other practitioners, mentors, students, seekers, the younger self, the higher self, the wyrd. 

Deity Non-specific Altars - What they are and how to use them

What it is: A deity non-specific altar is exactly as it sounds - it is an altar that is not dedicated to any specific god or goddess (though it can be connected to say, a general concept of god/goddess). It is a place that is an altar for your craft, using your power, your passion, your energy, and any ancestors, spirits, or a general concept deity you may call upon.

What do you put on it: Anything that you have a strong personal connection to. Spell jars or other products, decorative pieces that you're passionate about (looking at you, fellow artists and art lovers), pictures of your loved ones, your favorite rocks, crystals, plants, or (ethically sourced!) bones, jewelry with sentimental value, your favorite books or resources, your tarot or oracle decks, your pendulum, positive affirmations, things that remind you of your own power, your own passion, your own personal craft. Almost like your bedroom, but with a more divine feeling.

Here's an example of mine:

As you can see, I've got bones, a spell jar, a heart plush I used in a spell (can post that spell later if you're interested), pictures of my boyfriend, things he's given me, a sailor moon ouija board because that was and is my comfort show(ironically it's the best quality one I own, too), a ouija board I got as a display piece, a coffin shaped vase for when I pick my flowers, a seashell ring holder that I put a severed porcelain baby arm in to hold it open, and a display piece to express my love of horror movies. Does all this amount to a single deity? Does it all scream ~*witchcraft*~ ? Not at all, because it doesn't have to. It just has to be me. My own resources for my rituals are all over my home because I've been practicing for a long, long time, but for newbies and baby witches, you can put your resources on or near it if you please.

How to use it: Well, you practice your craft with it, just without calling upon any specific god or goddess. This is an altar for you, your energy, your power, and for your craft, not a place of worship for a specific diety. If your rituals or spells require more space, you don't have to practice directly on it. But it should be a place you look at (preferably every day) and think, "this is me, this is mine, this is a product of my own divinity." If it doesn't feel empowering, it's not right. Don't worry about being "aesthetic", worry about making it a place that you love and feel connected to.

How to Do the Major Arcana Grand Tableau

This spread uses all the Major Arcana to give you an overview of your whole year ahead. It is best performed on your birthday or on New Year’s Eve.

STEP 1: Lay out the Major Arcana in order.

Line 1: The Fool to The Lovers Line 2: The Chariot to The Hanged Man Line 3: Death to The Star Line 4: The Moon to The World

STEP 2: Shuffle the Minor Arcana.

As you do this, ask your higher power to show you a glimpse of your destiny for the upcoming year.

STEP 3: Draw a Minor for each Major.

One by one, take 21 cards from the top of the deck and place them over the Major Arcana, starting with The Fool. Then take the card at the bottom of the deck, and place it over The World.

STEP 4: Read the Minor against the Major.

The Major Arcana represent the important aspects of your life. The Minor Arcana reveal what will take place within these aspects.

The Fool – What will begin in your life?

The Magician – What dream will manifest?

The High Priestess – What secret will be uncovered?

The Empress – What will you harvest?

The Emperor – What will you have control over?

The Hierophant – What will remain unchanged?

The Lovers – How will your love life be?

The Chariot – What will make you victorious?

Strength – Where will you find strength?

The Hermit – What will you need to reflect on?

Wheel of Fortune – Where will you find luck?

Justice – Who will avenge you?

The Hanged Man – What will you have to sacrifice?

Death – What will be reborn?

Temperance – What will bring balance into your life?

The Devil – What will you be most passionate about?

The Tower – What will trigger a profound change?

The Star – Where will you find hope?

The Moon – What will stay clouded?

The Sun – What will bring you joy?

Judgement – Which of your oppressors will be punished?

The World – What will give you a sense of accomplishment?

Sample Interpretation:

The Four of Pentacles on The Lovers – “Your romantic partner will be very protective of you, maybe even to the point of being possessive.”

The Ace of Wands on The Hanged Man – “You will need to sacrifice a part of your career or pause a project you are passionate about.”

The Ten of Cups on The Devil – “You will be focusing all your attention and energy on starting or expanding your family.”

If we tie it all together, we arrive at: “You will get pregnant this year, prompting you to leave your stressful though fulfilling job, so you could focus instead on ensuring you have optimal health to carry the baby to term. During your pregnancy, your spouse will be taking care of you even more than before.”

STEP 5: Identify the court cards.

The Kings, Queens and Knights are the people who will play a vital role in your life, positively or otherwise.

King of Wands – Leo (Fixed Fire)

Queen of Wands – Aries (Cardinal Fire)

Knight of Wands – Sagittarius (Mutable Fire)

King of Cups – Scorpio (Fixed Water)

Queen of Cups – Cancer (Cardinal Water)

Knight of Cups – Pisces (Mutable Water)

King of Swords – Aquarius (Fixed Air)

Queen of Swords – Libra (Cardinal Air)

Knight of Swords – Gemini (Mutable Air)

King of Pentacles – Taurus (Fixed Earth)

Queen of Pentacles – Capricorn (Cardinal Earth)

Knight of Pentacles – Virgo (Mutable Earth)

Sample Interpretation:

There are two couples here — the King and Queen of Wands and the King and Queen of Pentacles: “You and your other half will be highly supportive of each other. You could be a Taurus and they could be an Aries, or vice versa. Either way, you will strongly feel the love and passion in your relationship.”

STEP 6: Notice the dominant suit.

Wands – Passion will overflow.

Cups – Emotions run the show.

Swords – The battle is in your mind.

Pentacles – Finances will be bright.

Sample Interpretation:

There are nine Wands and nine Pentacles each: “Your year will definitely not be lacking in passion and stability — materially and emotionally.”

STEP 7: Note the numbers that appear at least thrice.

Aces – A year of beginnings

Twos – A year of dilemmas

Threes – A year of affairs

Fours – A year of stability

Fives – A year of changes

Sixes – A year of harmony

Sevens – A year of challenges

Eights – A year of labor

Nines – A year of completion

Tens – A year of harvest

Sample Interpretation:

No number appeared more than twice. There is no discernible theme, numerology-wise.

STEP 8: Observe the ruling colors.

Black – Loneliness, regret, obstacles, purging

Red, Yellow, Orange – Passion, love, happiness, power

Blue, White, Green – Spirituality, logic, innocence, intuition

Sample Interpretation:

Red, yellow and orange are the ruling colors: “Your year will be filled with a passionate love that will bring you joy and a strong sense of control over your life.”

STEP 9: Record your grand tableau.

Take a photograph of your spread, and write down your interpretations of it.

STEP 10: Review your grand tableau.

At the end of each quarter, note which predictions have come true. By the end of the year, compare your interpretations to how the spread manifested. Doing so allows you to reflect on your past year, and improves your divination skills.

hi chicken, i think the idea of setting an indicator of the spell working is cool. do you maybe have anymore thoughts on that or how to actually do it? i like the idea im just not sure how to actually like.. set that intention and make sure it actually indicates

We're in reference to this I'm sure, the hematite ring bit I believe.

Easy as pie. You want something that has a chance to spontaneously change its physical state, but not a guarantee; a thread tied around your wrist that could snag and snap, or fall off; a brittle hematite ring that can shatter; in the past I've used something precariously stood up (a medical creme tube stood upright on its small cap) and set it in a sheltered place, the indication being whether or not it fell over on its own. (It did, in the middle of the night, and spooked me)

Place it with the other parts of the spell. Bake it into the same pie, as it were.

Candle be thou a candle likened to Money Marge herself, cash me out, stuff my hair with dollar dollar bills; And you, green thread, you are the oracle that sees; you are the chain that falls when the link is broken; you are the canary in the coal mine that falls away to sound the alert. You, my far-seeing helper, keep your eyes affixed upon Money Marge: and when [the last traces of power fade away/ when my spell has found its target/ if the spell fails before it can manifest] then you will show me it has happened by breaking, or snapping, or unraveling, or in any manner whatsoever falling away from my wrist.

Ensure you have thoughtfully chosen an indicator that could happen randomly, yet is not guaranteed or likely to happen (an indicator with a 50/50 chance of 'going off' anyways is not useful)

Through ritual action, words, or by any means, link and involve the indicating object to the spell; consecrate them together, energize them together, soak them in the same bath of energies

Clearly define what role the indicating object is playing. Poetry serves well, in my opinion. Also see if you can't get the poetry to match the action and theme (falling away thread = chain that snaps, canary that falls -- indicator for a ward being breached, "you are the war horn that sounds the alarm")

Clearly define the conditions under which the object will perform that indicated action ("when Money Marge has grabbed money for me and is rushing back to my side.")

From that point onwards such indicator objects may be considered to be a taglock of the spell, and a useful connection to be able to 'check in'. Very handy little things for practicing psychism and energy reading.

It's reasonable to assume that you are functionally enchanting an entire second object, and therefore this might be significantly more draining than one might expect at first glance. My recommendation is to ensure the primary function of the spell gets all it needs first, and any indicator object comes second; also, there's perhaps no need to go ham on the indicator at all.

Gentle witch little things

Simple things you can do to bring more love and positivity into the world:

enchant the bus or train you’re on, so that everybody has a pleasant day or a safe travel home

paint protective sigils in the misty windows of buses or shops when it rains, and leave words of encouragement and praise on public bathrooms’ mirrors

bless passing ambulances and firefighter trucks with speed and safety for their patients/destination

wear an enchanted lipstick/gloss for your smile to brighten the day of everybody you meet

enchant your spare change so that it gives luck to the beggars you donate it to; they need it, don’t they?

actually, just enchant your money, so that retail and low-wage workers can have a better day when they serve you

leave blessed acorns and harmless trinkets in various places like buses or waiting rooms; give other people something to wonder about and make their day, and kids an item to roll in their hands mindlessly

bless food and leave it for stray animals; let birds be messangers of hope and miraclous event for everybody that sees them

whisper encouragement to trees and grass you pass by; let them know someone cares, someone sees their beauty, and awaits their bloom

smile at children and pets; provide them with the positive energy that the world is trying to kill in them

leave motivational notes, praise and silly drawings charged with love and hope on post-it notes as you go; they can brighten the day of those that find them

btw you should absolutely read stuff you don't agree with. you should think critically about it. you should reflect and find different stimuli and maybe even form your own thought based on or opposed to it. ideas aren't contagious and reading words someone else has told you are "bad" won't infect you like a virus and make you "evil". read with your own brain.

Love it when a reading is full of major arcana, it's like tarot's version of an all caps Facebook post about the end times coming

Putting the craft in witchcraft by making a hole in a coin to make a charm but the coin is refusing to let me make any progress other than a little dent, bending three nails in defiance

You can and probably should buy your first tarot deck!

My first deck was gifted to me by friends on my birthday, following the tradition by all means and then some. It was my first real tarot deck, I loved everything about it and it was a very thoughtful gift by very good friends. A couple of years later, I came across another one I really liked and after some time of contemplating if I needed two decks (lol) I gave in and bought it

The connection I have with the deck I personally chose and got for myself is not even close to the connection I had with the gifted one

The gifted one would often "short circuit" and give random cards that had no correlation to my question and formed no answer, just pure nonsense. The energy would also feel heavy and thick like trying to run through a swamp. I tried everything to fix it with no result, eventually deciding it was because I was not very experienced but no, even after all this time it's still the same

The deck I chose hasn't given me any problems at all so far. The energy feels welcoming and refreshing, all the cards I pull work in perfect harmony with each other and the answers are clear as day

There's a lot of reasons why people gifted others their first tarot deck back in the day. People's views on witchcraft and divination meant it could be dangerous for you to buy a deck because everyone would know about it and assume stuff. Things were also more expensive and not (as) mass produced or easily accessible so a deck could be a family heirloom of sorts that was handed down to you

Things are certainly different now and at the end of the day, your deck is a tool and you have to vibe with your tools to use them effectively