Common Outdoor Items & Their Uses

Let's Talk Imbolc!: The Earth Stirs

As the first proper Sabbat of the Spring and the (ostensibly, depending on your system) first Cross-Quarter of the year, Imbolc represents the time of the Wheel when the seasons begin to turn from winter to spring, snow and ice beginning to mely, and the first vestiges of life start to pop up from beneath the blanket of winter. (Your results may vary - I live in New England where everything is still metaphorically dead as doorknobs on February 1st!).

Imbolc marks the time when winter begins to seep away, when greenery first begins to poke its head through the stillness of the Dark Half of the Year, and, of course, themes of light abide throughout.

Neatly tucked between Yule (the Winter Solstice) and Ostara (the Spring Equinox), Imbolc is the transitory celebratory day positioned exactly between these two climes. Though "Imbolc" and Sabbats are typically associated with Wiccan tradition, secular & non-Wiccan witches can observe and celebrate these days as mathemetical nature festivals marking the turning of the year.

Imbolc Dates, 2022: Sunset February 1st to February 2nd

Associated Colors (for altars and decorating, etc): White, Cream, Light Blue (Periwinkle), Green & White, Silver

Symbols: Melting snows, evergreens, lights and candles, melting ice, & white flowers

Scents: Vanilla, Benzoin

Herbs: Angelica, Myrrh, yellow, white or blue Flowers, snowdrop, rowan, the first flowers of the year; to burn: basil, bay, benzoin, celandine

Colors for Ritual Wear: White

Magic for Imbolc

As a time of renewal and rebirth, these themes are key to any spellwork or ritualcraft engaged in on Imbolc. Though many might advise you that Sabbats are really days for celebrating and not a lot of heavy-lifting spellcraft ought to be done, I tend to disagree - especially, at least, when it comes to Imbolc and Litha. Here, Imbolc is the perfect time to state new beginnings and begin any cycles of renewal or rebirth you have in mind! The pull of the natural passing of the seasons (again, adjust as applicable here) is a magnificent tide for ebbing or renewal magics.

Other topics or purposes suitable for Imbolc include: Health, omen observation, animal kinship, safety, improving finances, awakening, light, fertility (not just literal - gardening or creative endeavors could fall under here), initiations and self-dedications, turning focus inward, centering power, and attending to the self.

Foods of Imbolc

As a big advocate for lavish feasts on Wheel days, Imbolc is a prime time for preparing seasonally appropriate food! Dishes or courses may include:

Dairy, milk, cheeses, creams and sour cream, peppers, onions shallots, garlic, leeks, chives, olives, raisins, breads, creamy soups, white wine, soy milk, cornbread cake, rowanberry wine, lamb, fondues, creamed spinach

Customs of Imbolc

Observing Imbolc Sabbat rituals (as appropriate to your traditions)

Wearing a crown of lights, or carrying candles/tapers, during invocations & rituals.

Renewing vows of magic, initiation, and dedication to the Craft, one's coven, etc.

Burning of the Yule Greens (for some)

Leaving buttered bread for the Fae who travel with the Lady of the Greenwood on Imbolc Eve (I personally Do Not Eff With the Fae but - for those who do!)

Place three ears of corn over the doorway for/to represent The Triple Goddess and leave til Ostara (for the Wiccans/Those Who Eff With the Triple Goddess in the room)

Cleanse your magic working area with rosemary or vervain

Walk in the snow (as applicable)

Light a candle in every room of the house, or all the lights, even just for a few moments, after sunset on Imbolc.

Take a bath of renewal

Meditate or inquire of your deities - there is a tradition amongst those who call upon a Goddess in the Wiccan fashion to inquire of them, then recieve their answer overnight on Imbolc during which no word must be uttered, which I admit is incredibly appealing (as someone who loves, loves, loves ritual!)

Imbolc is a wonderful time for peacefully looking inward and starting anew - I hope you find what you're looking for, and have a wonderful and lovely cross-quarter day! (Remember: If you're in the Southern Hemisphere, flip the Wheel - February 1st/2nd would be Lammas for you!)

Sources for this post include: Ann Moura, Deborah Blake, Scott Cunningham, Patricia Telesco, Titania Hardie, Ellen Dugan

[Part of the Let's Talk... Sabbat Series: Lammas | Litha | ]

An introduction.

Hi, world. I haven't been active on tumblr for a while so I'm a bit rough. I'm making a new account, where I'll actually post rather than only ever sharing others things.

A bit about me. I'm a bisexual married witch living a vanlife. I intend to be many more things, we'll see where life leads me. I do tarot readings and will talk more on that another time.

Feel free to dm me if you feel like it.

♡~easy rain spell i tried today~♡

i love rain. today, I put some dirt from my backyard, some salt (for earth, and protection, so nothing dangerous happens), and some cayenne, ( for passion in the storm) in a jar with water. i also added a little metal thumbtack, ( i have a magnet on my alter, and wanted to attract rain to me.)

i then sat in the shower with it and concentrated on rain. What would my neighborhood look like in rain, etc.

No results yet, but I am seeing some nice dark clouds... 🤞🤞🤞

Here is a little graphic I did to get people in the mood for Imbolc!

Wearable Study Bottle

Back to school means lots of stress, and even more exams. It's important to study all the time as much as you can, and this wearable* spell bottle is a neat little way to help increase your productivity.

* does not have to be worn, can be carried as usual

What you need:

The spell:

Small jar, preferably glass and corked

Sage // wisdom, mental clarity

Cinnamon // success, increased mental energy

Ginger // power booster, energy boost

Irish moss // luck

Chamomile // stress relief

Peppermint // mental clarity, success

Lemon balm // success

Lemon peel // energy booster!

Elderberry // power boost

Heather // protection, luck

Wearable charm:

Eye pin

Jump ring

Necklace/something you want to put the charm on (a second one I did, which I'll post later, is a protection charm for my keys)

What you do:

If you're going to make it wearable:

Poke your eye pin through the cork top, and bend the excess back into the cork (like a j going through the cork)

Glue the eye pin to the cork, so there's no way it can come off and break

Connect a jump ring to the eye, so now you have a way to connect your charm to whatever you want it to hang off of

Take wax or super glue, and seal shut 🖤

As you can see, I didn't have an eye pin or a jump ring, so I bent a few sewing pins using jewelry pliars into the shape I needed

For the bottle:

Layer your herbs inside the bottle, it do esn't matter what order 😊

I'm not a photographer, but I think you get the point 😊🖤

This is it when it's done.

Please remember that this will not work if you don't study. Magic can only boost, it won't make you pass the exam if you don't do the work. Happy school year!

Home Warding

I recently moved into a new flat, so now seems a good time to share my personal methods of warding!✨

DISCLAIMER - warding is a deeply personal thing - although these are my preferred methods there is no single ‘right’ way to ward - do whatever works best for you!✨

✨CLEANSE✨

Always a good idea, particularly if you’re moving into rented or shared accommodation. Normally I would have used incense smoke but as I didn’t have any to hand I did an energy cleanse.

✨The First Layer✨

My first layer of warding is an energy ward designed to Shield My Space From Unwelcome Eyes - to create this I gathered my energy and focused it on constructing a barrier (I visualise it as solid white glow) which follows the contours of my room.

✨Side note - when creating your wards, don’t forget to cover all bases - you don’t want to put all your energy into a ward that leaves gaps such as corners or the floor and ceiling ✨

✨The Second Layer✨

My second layer of warding is another, more powerful energy ward, constructed the same way but imbued with much more energy (PLEASE be very careful not to exhaust yourself) designed to Rebound Physical or Emotional Pain Aimed At Me Onto Those Who Would Cause It - this is a slightly more offensive ward and should deter malicious entities by reflecting their negative intentions back into themselves.

✨The Third Layer✨

Instead of creating a third energy ward, I reinforce my protection using a protective ‘potion’ (the ingredients can be found below) with which I annointed the doors and windows, added a range of specific sigils for protection to various spots and sprayed the perimeter.

I may add further layers of energy warding in the future but I find it best not to expend too much strength in any single session.

✨Home Protection Water✨

Rose Water

Witch hazel

Cinnamon

Salt

Rosemary

Dill

Wheel of The Year ✧ Yule (December 20th-23rd) ✧ General meanings: winter solstice, new beginnings, rebirth Crystals - Bloodstone, Clear Quartz, Emerald, Ruby, Garnet, Diamond Animals - Bear, Boar, Deer, Eagle, Owl, Tiger, Wren Herbs - Chamomile, Ivy, Mistletoe, Peppermint, Rosemary, Sage, Cedar, Cinnamon, Cloves, Frankincense, Juniper, Myrrh, Orange Deities - Odin, Ra, Isis, Brighid, Demeter, Gaea, Diana, Mithra, Lugh ✧Imbolc (February 2nd✧ General meanings: candlemas, hearth, and home Crystals - Amethyst, Bloodstone, Garnet, Onyx, Ruby, Turquoise Animals - Burrowing Animals, Bear, Deer, Groundhog, Lamb, Sheep Herbs - Acorns, Angelica, Basil, Bay, Blackberry, Chamomile, Crocus, Jasmine, Lavender, Rosemary Colors - Green, Brown, Red, White, Pink, Yellow Deities - Brigid, Triple Goddess, Eros, Osiris, Pan, Herne, Aradia, Athena ✧Ostara (March 20th-23rd)✧ General meanings: spring equinox, renewal and duality Crystals - Amethyst, Aquamarine, Clear Quartz, Agate, Jasper, Moonstone, Rose Quartz Animals - Butterfly, Chick, Rabbit, Lamb, Robin, Worm Herbs - Clover, Daffodil, Honeysuckle, Iris, Jasmine, Lemon Balm, Lilac, Lilies, Mint, Peonies, Tulips, Sandalwood, Tangerine, Ylang-Ylang, Geranium Colors - Pastels, Gold, Light Green, Blue, Pink, Yellow Deities - Eostre, Astarte, Aurora, Kore, Osiris, Dionysus, Ares, Adonis, Venus, Aphrodite, and Narcissus ✧Beltane (May 1st)✧ General meanings: may day, love, and fertility Crystals - Emerald, Garnet, Malachite, Rose Quartz, Tourmaline Animals - Bee, Cat, Cattle, Dove, Frog, Goat, Leopard, Rabbit, Swallow, Swan Herbs - Coriander, Crocus, Curry, Daffodil, Dandelion, Dragon’s Blood, Fern, Flaxseed, Hawthorn, Nettle, Paprika, Primrose, Snapdragon, Peach, Rose, Vanilla Colors - Bright Greens and Blues, Purples, Yellow and Red Deities - Bel, Pan, Maeve, Tanit, Flora, Gaia, Danu, Herne, Aphrodite, Artemis, Brigid, and Diana ✧Litha (20th-23rd)✧ General meanings: summer solstice, warmth, and the sun Crystals - Amber, Carnelian, Citrine, Diamond, Jade, Lapis Lazuli, Tiger’s Eye Animals - Bee, Butterfly, Cattle, Horse, Robin, Sea Creatures, Snake, Bird Herbs - Basil, Calendula, Chamomile, Heather, Heather, Mugwort, Wild Thyme, Peony, Roses, Daisy, Sunflower, St. John’s Wort, Cedar, Clove, Lavender, Mint, Pine, Sage Colors - Blue, Gold, Red, White, Yellow, and Green Deities - Aphrodite, Astarte, Freya, Hathor, Ishtar, Venus, Athena, Artemis, Dana Kali, Isis, Juno, Apollo, Helios, Ra, Sol, Zeus, Prometheus, and Ares ✧Lammas (August 1st)✧ General meanings: first harvest, abundance, and gratefulness Crystals - Citrine, Golden Topaz, Lodestone, Moss Agate, Obsidian, Peridot, Aventurine Animals - Calf, Pig, Rooster, Salmon, Crow Herbs - Apple Leaf, Basil, Clover, Goldenrod, Heather, Ivy, Marigold, Peony, Poppy, Rose, Rosemary, Vervain, Sunflower, Sandalwood, Frankincense Colors - Bronze, Green, Gold, Light Brown, Orange, and Yellow Deities - Lugh, Demeter, Ceres, Corn Mother, and John Barleycorn ✧Mabon (September 20th-23rd)✧ General meanings: autumn equinox, feast, and bounty Crystals - Amber, Citrine, Cat’s Eye, Lapis Lazuli, Sapphire, Yellow Agate Animals - Eagle, Blackbird, Owl, Salmon, Stag, Wild Goose, Wolf Herbs - Bittersweet, Chamomile, Marigold, Rue, Sage, Yarrow, Cinnamon, Myrrh, Frankincense Colors - Brown, Gold, Orange, Red, Yellow, and Green Deities - Mabon, Inanna, Demeter, Persephone, and The Horned God ✧Samhain (October 31st)✧ General meanings: new year, spirit, and potential Crystals - Aquamarine, Bloodstone, Carnelian, Jet, Obsidian, Onyx, Smokey Quartz Animals - Bat, Black Cat, Cat, Owl, Raven, Crow Herbs - Allspice, Calendula, Chrysanthemum, Deadly Nightshade, Mandrake, Mint, Nutmeg, Rosemary, Sage, Thistle, Wormwood, Hazel, Benzoin, Sweetgrass Colors - Black, Gold, Orange, Purple, White, and Silver Deities - Crone Goddesses, Hekate, Hel, Lilith, Kali, Ishtar, Arianrhod, Rhiannon, Persephone, Baba Yaga, and Isis

Comb of cherry wood with ancient symbol Triqert. This symbol represents the movement of the Sun in the sky.

https://www.etsy.com/listing/719548777/wooden-comb-triquerta

https://www.instagram.com/p/B1s2-7bCKYi/?igshid=1n8egn1fml8oh

Simmer Pot Spell to Make a Home Feel Welcoming

You will Need:

Large Pot

Water

Cinnamon (preferably sticks but any kinds work)

Orange Peels

Cloves

2-4 Bay Leaves

Steps:

Fill your large pot with water and place it on the stove and set it to a medium heat. Into it add your orange peels, cloves, bay and cinnamon. 

Stir everything clockwise: “I welcome you to my home, please feel comfortable” and repeat as may times as you feel necessary

Cover the pot and let it boil. Keep an eye on it so it doesn’t boil over

Once boiling you may remove lid and let it continue to boil until house is filled with the scent and positive energies