Spellbound-savvie - Witch Mom

@elbavdh

Familiars

What is a familiar? A familiar is an animal whom you have a spiritual connection with. A witches companion. You call upon them to help you with your practices. They can be physical or spiritual beings. They are healers and guardians but above all, a loyal companion. Provides the witch with psychic protection as well as negative energy. They do not have to be your ‘pet,’ any animal that you use symbols of can also be your familiar but on a more spiritual level. Animals are chosen as a familiar because of their connection with nature and innocence. They protect on many spiritual levels as well as the home and property of the witch. They become able to communicate together in dreams and during meditation.     

History of Familiars In Europe during the witch hunts familiars were thought of at demon like entities sent to do a witches bidding. It was believed that they were cats, dogs, and toads possessed by demons. Thus, during the witch hunt era many animals were hunted and slaughtered because of their connection with witches. Familiars were supposedly given to the Witches from by the Devil. It was believed that they were fed from the witches blood.

In some Scandinavian countries familiars were thought of as fearies, elves, pixies, dwarves, sprites, and elements of nature.

In shamanistic practices the familiar is in fact not a physical being rather it is a spiritual entity. It protects in the astral plane and from any psychic attacks.

In England and Scotland familiars took form of toads.

Familiar Misconceptions:

Not every witch has a familiar. In fact some are quite happy working alone. Some witches may even be allergic.

Cats are not the only animal used as a familiar.

No familiars are not possessed by demons or the devil.

Not all pets are familiars!

Types of animals to used as familiars: 

Any animal can be used as a familiar! The most common are cats (especially black) and dogs.

How you know it is your familiar and not just a pet:

It chose you.

You have a bond on a spiritual level.

You put more trust in it then anyone/anything else.

Takes an active role in your rituals.

Sits politely while you are casting being sure not to be a bother.

Loves to lounge in your magick work space.

You feel a boost of energy whenever they are near you.

Watches the window constantly watching for any unwelcome beings. 

Trails you like a shadow.

Hates to be separated from you

How to find your Familiar:

Cast a spell to bring clarity on your familiar.

Meditate on it.

Ask a form of divination about finding you familiar.

Ways to bond with your Familiar:

Provide it with a collar, halter, leash, etc that has protective crystals and herb sachets sewn into it. 

Carry a piece of a NATURALLY shed item from your familiar in a sachet or tied together with ribbon.

Provide them with the best food and housing you can afford.

Always place them before yourself.

Spend lots of time together.

Provide them with their own protection.

Speak to it.

Brush or stoke it. 

Treat them and reward them for their help.

Treat them with the kindness they deserve.

Honor them.

Provide them with an altar.

Give them offerings.

Familiar uses: 

Provide you with physical and spiritual protection.

Provide you the uttermost loyalty and respect

Benefits your emotional well being.

 Helps you connect with nature.

Enhances are physical and psychic abilities.

Protects home and property.

When to work with a Familiar:

When you want to attune with nature

Meditation

Healing magick

Dreamwork

Astral travelling 

Divination

Scrying

Spirit communication

Welcome them to join you when power is being raised and spells are cast. 

Respect a Familiar deserves:

Let it accompany you on its own accord and make sure it is willing to participate, NEVER force them to join in on a ritual. They are very sensitive to psychic power and vibrations. Treat them with kindness and the same respect you would give to a human being. Be sure to treat them as an equal and not something you own. This is very important if you want to create and maintain a connection with your familiar. Familiars are living beings and should never be treated like an athame, candle or an object for spell casting. Make sure to be cautious with the type of tools you are using during your casting with a familiar. Be cautious of candles or any toxic herbs!   

Names for familiars:

Instead of you choosing a name for them, ask them what their true name is.

References: Paganwiccan.about.com, pagancentric.org

What type of Familiar do you have?

I have a horse and a cat as my familiar! 

May the moon light your path!

☾ Moonlight Academy☽  

References: Paganwiccan.about.com, pagancentric.org

(via)

good 4 u, olivia rodrigo // mr. perfectly fine, taylor swift

Death Witchcraft Masterpost

-Beginner Death Witchcraft

-Unusual Death Witchcraft

-Spring Death Witchcraft

-Lost Cost Death Witchcraft

-Safe Crossings for Someone Who’s Passed (pet-friendly as well)

-Massaging the Bones (attuning tools and bones to your space)

-Web of Protection (symbiotic/deathwork based ward)

-A semi-theistic Prayer for Passing/Grief

-My Humorous Retelling of “Koschei the Deathless”

Graveyards:

-Ways to Bond with a Graveyard

-Graveyard Dirt Uses

-Graveyard Alternatives

-Graveyard Dirt Alternatives

-Subtle Graveyard Offerings

-Bereavement Traditions

Spirit Work/Ghosts:

-Spirit Work 101

-Autumn Spirit Work

-Communication with Ghosts

-Non-verbal Spirit Communication

-Using a Spirit/Ouija Board

-Spirit Work Techniques: Keys

-Spirit Work Techniques: Energy Directives

-Spirit Banishing Tip

Recipes/Spells:

-Spirited Jack O’Lantern

-Safe Crossings Jar

-Baked Apple Offerings

-Pumpkin Seed Offerings -Underworld Powder Series- Styx

-Underworld Powder Series- Lethe

-Underworld Powder Series- Cocytus

-Underworld Powder Series- Phlegethon

-Underworld Powder Series- Acheron

-Contacting a Loved One

-Death Witch Tip

-Death Witch Tip 2

Houses- Astrology Notes #21

1st (Mercury, Helm)- self awareness, personality, identity, self image projected onto others, self expression, outer expression, appearance, attitude, approach to life, beginning, life, health

2nd (Gate of Hades)- finances, livelihood, jobs, resources, money, resourcefulness, self esteem, values, material security, attitude towards possessions, income, daily routine, work ethic, priorities, habits, possessions

3rd (Moon, Goddess)- mindset, thinking and speaking style, communication style, siblings, social activity and interests, learning, interactions with siblings, learning, neighbors, travel

4th (Subterranean)- home, private life, roots, heritage, family, self-care, femininity, parents, emotional foundation, subconscious patterns, mother, children, women

5th (Venus, Good Fortune)- creativity, procreation, entertainment, romance, love, fertility, self-expression, joy, drama, sex, pleasures, enjoyment

6th (Bad Fortune)- health, fitness, systems, pets, work habits, illness, subordinates, organization, services given, sense of usefulness, injury, work, self improvement, employment, work routines, nutrition, duty

7th (Setting)- relationships, partnerships, marriage, one on one relationships, alliances and conflicts with others, legal matters, other people, contracts, business partners, sense of equality, sharing, interpersonal style in relationships and friendships

8th (Inactive)- renewal, transformation, sex, death, rebirth, merging, intimacy, shared finances, inheritance, taxes, partner’s resources, joint ventures and goals, loans, money of others, assets, deeply felt experiences, deep interactions, growth and change

9th (Sun, God)- travel, wisdom, foreign places, higher education, journeys, philosophy of life, learning, ethics, religion, cross cultural relations, search for meaning, higher education, mind expansion

10th (Midheaven)- career, achievement in the world, public life, recognition, long term goals, structure, reputation, masculinity, men, fathers, expertise, advancement, superiority, status

11th (Good Spirit)- groups, friends, social awareness, group involvement, collective endeavors, humanitarianism, technology, ideals, alliances, hopes and wishes, the future

12th (Bad Spirit)- self-sacrifice, endings, healing, loss, closure, self-transcendence, service to humanity, spirituality, solitude, retreat from the world, enemies, karma, old age, afterlife, what’s hidden, limiting benefits, unacknowledged parts of oneself, subconscious

*Note to add that I’m using traditional domiciles for the houses (Whole Sign House, not Placidus) and the rest of these notes will be using the WSH system. WSH doesn’t affect most of my notes, but the house domiciles I used here typically aren’t used in modern astrology. I do believe certain houses (11H being Aquarius or 2H being Taurus, for example) does affect the energy expressed in placements. If you’ve got a house domicile though (1H Mercury, 3H Moon, etc.) you’ve got some incredible raw energy of what that house represents. 

Readings are open!

Let's start a helpful thread:

What do you do to protect yourself and your energies?

I:

Wear protective jewellery such as jewellery incorporating protective crystals

Visualise a white impenetrable light around me

Chants and affirmations

Avoiding situations that I get negative feelings about

🌽 Celebrating Lammas 🌽

LUGHNASADH | August 1

🕯️ Decorations: cornucopia, bread basket, corn dolly, sunflowers

🌿 Incense: peppermint, chamomile, eucalyptus, rosemary

🥧 Food: wild berries, bread, beer, cider, corn, grains, potatoes, rice, grapes, pears, nuts

It is now high summer and the union of sun and earth has produced the first harvest. It is a time of gathering in and giving thanks for abundance. Feasting, market fairs, games and bonfires are the order of the day. Active growth is slowing and darker days are coming…

Rituals to celebrate:

🥳 With people, have a popcorn party.

🍽️ In the kitchen, bake your own bread and brew your own beer.

🎨 Get crafty, by making beeswax candles to keep some warmth and light in the coming cold seasons.

💃 Dress up, with fire-safe clothes in colors of yellow, orange, green, brown, or red.

📜 Write in your journal, about what you are harvesting in your life at the moment.

🔮 Meditate, about how hard you’ve worked this year and rest on your accomplishments.

Other ideas to celebrate:

Learn how to preserve the harvest, from drying herbs to canning fresh produce.

Toast the sunset to honor the sun before it starts resting.

Make corn dolls out of cob husks.

Enjoy the fresh air and nature while you still can.

Dance around a bonfire.