I Didnt Dedicate A Journal, But I Would Write "dear _" Letters At The Start Of My Encounters. Id Like

Flameless Hearths & Devotions

Ideas for Hestia devotees/worshippers who are unable to use a fireplace or flames in their worship. Welcome for all who find this helpful!

Using flames safely and/or discreetly:

(For the occasional need)

Use a tea light or lighter outside; on a fire-safe surface such as concrete or gravel.

Burn objects over your sink or a bowl of water.

Outdoor fire pits or grills. 

Creating your hearth:

Your hearth should feel like a central, focused place that represents your home. Someplace where you feel calm and safe. Traditionally, this was often in the kitchen; but it can be anywhere in your home. It can also be in multiple places, or small and contained. 

My shelf altar. I keep it clean and tidy. It contains items that remind me of home, and offerings to Hestia. It represents hearth and home, and is a space I can visit when I wish to feel connected to her. 

My dedication wall. I used to have a wall with a dried marigold garland, soothing poetry, devotional poetry, artwork and prayers on it. This is an excellent way to have a discreet (if you so choose) dedicated space that doesn’t take up much surface area. 

My stovetop. Each time I put the kettle on for tea, I feel connected to Hestia. I offer the first sip to her. I simmer pots of water with herbs, spices or other scented things (such as orange peels) to spread a beautiful aroma around my home. 

Don’t have a stove? An electric kettle and microwave will do!

My oven. Each time I bake (both the preparation and the baking itself) I feel connected to her and give a portion as an offering.

My woodstove or outdoor firepit. It is worth noting that because I have these things (and use my woodstove as a primary heating source) I do often use these as my hearth and burn offerings here. 

Flame and candle alternatives:

What feels right to you? What matches the energy/warmth of fire and flame?

Electric candles, especially ones that flicker and have warmer colors.

Electric tealights in candle holders. 

Solar charged lanterns

Fairy lights in a jar

Himalayan salt lamp

Wax or oil warmers (with heat bulbs).

Electric fireplace

Flame ambiance videos

Scents:

For me, certain smells embody home. And this is wonderful, because we can control them–even without candles or incense!

Essential oil or reed diffusers 

Wax or oil warmers

Scented electric candles

Potpourri 

Scented sachets

Room/pillow sprays

Pot of water on the stove with scented things

You  may also like:

Resources for Hestia devotees - a masterpost

Hestia small devotional acts

Bedridden devotion to Hestia

Some herbs and their magical properties from Cunningham's Encyclopedia of Magical Herbs 🌿

Book of Shadows Ideas that Aren’t Basic

A local specific myth, cryptid, or legend

An obscure historical witch or an old historical spell

A map of your neighborhood with locations that appear ghostly or have interesting energy

Your personal associations to colors, plants to supplement traditional correspondence charts

A chart detailing information of spirits you have communed with

A guide to sailor knots for knot magick

Sustainable and eco friendly lifestyle tips

Magickal practices around the world

Obscure magickal tools or tools you invented

Varying viewpoints in magickal philosophy and technique

BLACK SALT (also known as WITCH’S SALT) is used primarily for protection, banishing, and repelling.

Those uses aren’t exclusive—it has also been known to feature in baneful magics, and can be used in uncrossing rituals.

WAYS TO UTILISE BLACK SALT

To protect your property from negative spirits, people with ill-intent, unwanted visitors, and negative energy: sprinkle black salt around the perimeter of your property.

To both banish any residual icky energy that a person may have left in your home, and prevent them from returning: sprinkle black salt on the front step and sweep it away. If you’re feeling more traditional (and brave!) you can throw black salt at the back of someone that is leaving your home also.

To prevent nightmares: use in a sachet and keep beneath your pillow.

To repel negativity, unwanted visitors, and rumours/gossip: sprinkle generously across windowsills and doorways.

To cleanse your home and keep nasties from entering: add black salt to a floor wash and go ham on your floor. Focus especially on high traffic areas.

To undo a curse, hex, or other form of malignant magic that has been cast upon you: use in an uncrossing oil or powder. Learn more about uncrossing [here].

To alleviate any negative thoughts and feelings that you are carrying: add a pinch of black salt to your bath, or to an oil with a similar purpose that you anoint yourself with.

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How Are My Wards Doing Spread

A tarot spread to check and see what part of your wards could use some repair. Useful to those who find sensing energy difficult.

Do not repost. Image made using Krita.

It’s SO obvious that some of y’all are incredibly mad that my wizard hat is bigger and supremely balanced.

🧿 Cleansing + Recharging Your Protections and Wards 🧿

Keeping your wards and protections in top shape is essential for maintaining a positive and safe environment. By keeping your wards and protections cleansed and recharged this helps maintain a harmonious and safe space. Here are some guidelines to help you determine how often to cleanse and recharge them!

Your Hatred Is Your Own (Curse Jar)

A spell jar to isolate the negative energy of a person.

Ingredients – Red pepper – Ginger – Dirt (as dry as possible) – Common rock – Name sigil of the intended victim

Steps 1. Collect your ingredients and prepare your workspace 2. Find or create a name sigil for the intended victim. Write it on a paper. 3. Add the ingredients to the jar. 4. Crumple up the sigil paper or burn it and add the ashes to the jar. 5. Seal with a white candle.

Elemental Wards

A follow-up to my Crash Course on Warding. I’ve been thinking of different ways to do energy wards lately, rather than just “here’s an energy barrier that keeps X out.” If you like working with a particular element, here are a few ideas.

Fire

Burn away impurities as you enter your home (stress, worry, etc.)

Burn anything that would wish you harm

Add warmth to your home

Water

Wash away negativity

Wash away residual energies from work, etc. so you don’t bring your job home with you

Drown anything that would wish you harm

Air

Blow away negativity

Keep the energy in your home circulating to help avoid a stale, stagnant atmosphere

Lift you up to a happier state as you enter your home

Earth

Ground as you enter your home and reconnect with the earth

Negativity falls through cracks in the ground

Vines trap anything you want to keep out