Ah, magickal inks. Yes. Okay, well, you do have the main three already: Dragon’s Blood, Bat’s Blood, and Dove’s Blood inks are all used for various types of magickal writing. Some lesser known inks, but still in this same generic category, are:Butterfly’s Blood, Black Nightshade, and Lampblack inks.
Butterfly’s Blood Ink is made from saffron, alcohol, gum arabic, and dragon’s blood ink. The final ink will be a deep golden yellow. This ink is usually used for holy writing, inspiration, change, and healing magick. As it dries to a nearly imperceptible yellow, Butterfly’s Blood is also good for sigils where you want to capitalize on low attention processing.
Black Nightshade Ink is typically used for works involving the dead, cursing, and binding. For those who dabble in Planetary Magick, Black Nightshade Ink is useful in most works involving Saturn. The ingredients for this ink are almost all poisonous on some level, and some versions even call for ashes of the dead; out of all the generic inks, this is one I feel safe advising most people to avoid.
Lampblack Ink is made from lampblack, alcohol, and gum arabic. For this type of ink, the lampblack is collected by holding a silver spoon over the flame of a candle. It is time-consuming to collect enough lampblack for this ink, but none of the other generic inks give you as much flexibility in aligning the ink: by collecting lampblack from specifically dressed candles of various colors you can very easily align the ink to specific magickal uses. In general, however, lampblack ink is great for magick involving wisdom and knowledge.
“Metaphysical Shops” / “New Age” shops are way over priced. Convenient, But expensive. Check out Etsy, Farmers Markets, Thrift Stores, and your Grocery stores first.
Garden Sage works just as good as White Sage.
Spells can take a day, A week, Or even months to show results. Be patient, And don’t feel like you need to do the same spell again to get results.
Always, Always protect yourself while doing any spell. Draw sigils on yourself, Or have a talisman of sorts on your person. Always.
If you’re using a spell book for your rituals, Switch them up and make them personalized to your craft.
White, or Black Candles can take the place of any colored Candle, And Rosemary can substitute many herbs.
You can have certain books (Wiccan, Pagan, Occult, New Age, etc) sent to your local Library for free.
You can cleanse your tools, Or crystals by Moon Light, And Charge them by Sunlight.
Always listen to your intuition.
Many “Common Weeds” can be used for magical purpose. (Mugwort, Yarrow, Dandelion, etc)
Just came across this cool site that has over 100 different vintage inspired botanical illustrations for use with common & botanical names for your herbal grimoires!
After many requests, I’ve made a rebloggable version of my ‘Weather Magic’ page. Here you will find heaps of resources to help you with weather/storm craft. If you’ve read some of my previous posts about weather magic you will notice some similarities – that is because this is a collection of every weather witching post that I’ve ever posted compiled into handy resources post.
Weather Magic
The term “weather magic” or “weather witching” has been used to mean anything from divination and forecasting of weather to actual control and manipulation of the weather itself. From calling up treacherous storms to destroy another’s crops or providing fair winds for those at sea, witches (and even those who do not consider themselves to be such) have always been involved with weather magic. When you consider that most forms of magic are based around an agricultural past, the ability to affect and predict the weather was considered an invaluable skill. After all, if your family’s livelihood depended on the success of your crops (or the ability to find water as it did in my family’s case), weather magic would be an extremely handy thing to know.
Why the url Storm Born Witch?
I am quite fortunate, as the gift for weather related magic comes easily to my family. For generations, the men in my family have been dowsers or water diviners. However, it wasn’t until after I displayed an aptitude to weather related magic that I was told about my family’s history with it. My grandfather was the last water diviner in the family and he died when I was very young so I was never taught how to divine for water. My grandmother was the one to teach me what little she knew about weather magic – the rest either occurred naturally or I picked up along the way.
Calling Up A Wind – Whistling Up A Wind
This is the most common form of weather magic and has been practiced for hundreds of years. Depending on the pitch and tone of the whistle a witch can create a gentle breeze or a sharp gust of wind. Traditionally, if the skill of whistling up a wind does not come naturally to you the option of making a ‘wind whistle’ out of willow or alder wood is available.
Here in Australia, whistling up a wind is probably the most common form of magic I do. I honestly do not go a day without whistling up a cool breeze. It’s bloody hot here and sometimes a cool breeze is just what you need.
Storm casting is the art of creating storms. There are many different methods to creating storms and bringing rain. The method used by my family is to fill a jug with water and while sitting outside (or facing a window) pour the water into a basin or bowl. Dip the tip of your pointer finger into the water and slowly make five clockwise circles in the water (if you have a pendant necklace this can be used instead – just above the water in the bowl). As you are making the circles call the wind to bring in a storm by blowing (or whistling a continuous low note – the sound of wind over the mouth of a glass bottle) over the water in the basin.
Ways to Stop a Storm (Dispersing, Binding & Preventing)
There are multiple ways to stop a storm. The most common are dispersing or binding storms. However there are also ways to prevent storms from coming by directing them away from where you are. This is great if you’re holding an event outside and you need good weather.
Dispersing
This method involves spreading the storm out over a large area thereby minimising its effects. You can disperse a storm by calling winds to blow it away (or in a certain direction) or if you favour using weather maps you can draw the low pressure system moving away and gradually dissipating.
Binding (Storm Catching)
This method is also called ‘storm catching’ and involves catching a storm and binding it within an object (usually a bottle or knots) so it can be released gradually at a later date by pulling out the cork or undoing the braid/knots.
Storm catching or “reeling in a storm” is even more difficult than storm casting so it’s always wise to think before you cast. Too much energy put into a storm and it will go on for weeks (and cause some flooding – basement incident) or it will be extremely violent and knock down power lines and tree branches. Too little energy and all you will get is a 5 minute shower of rain.
However, if you wish to prevent a storm from forming, you’re going to have to pull out the weather maps. To make a weather map all you need to do is to print out a map of your local area or the area you’re trying to keep a storm away from.
Just use google maps and don’t make the area too big or you might seriously strain yourself magically. Then laminate the map – now you have your own ‘whiteboard’ to draw weather symbols on to generate certain types of localised weather.
Once you’re ready, find out what the weather is predicted to be and draw it on your map. Now draw the high/low pressure systems moving so that the area you’re trying to protect doesn’t get rain. This method can also be used to bring rain to a certain area.
The trouble with weather magic by skychild1989 – This post outlines some of the things you should think about before performing weather magic (i.e. think about the possible consequences of your actions and evaluate you capabilities before messing with things you don’t know that much about). This is a really good reminder.
The Difference between Storm Water and Rain Water by stormbornwitch – This post highlights the symbolic differences between storm water and rain water and also discusses the properties the water can take on when it is collected at certain times of the year (i.e. particular lunar phases/holidays/sabbats/esbats/solstices etc).
Storm Water by stormsorceress – This post is great and outlines the associations and uses of storm water in witchcraft.
Rain Water by stormsorceress – This post outlines the different types of rain water, their associations and uses in witchcraft.
Storm Water by fumbletongue – This post highlights and gives ideas for the many uses storm water can have in one’s craft; from protection to cursing.
Storm Witch’s Power Bath by brynja-storm – This post gives the ingredients of a power bath which is designed to give you the energy of a storm; great for when you’re in need of a recharge or before you perform a big spell.
The Storm Witch’s Hurricane Curse by brynja-storm – This curse traps its target in an eternal storm with all the gale force winds, rain, lightning and debris associated with a hurricane.
A Light in the Storm by stormsorceress – This spell is meant to be used to aid in the healing of seasonal depression. Other uses of this spell include aiding in the healing of sadness, grief, and anxiety as well as providing a ‘guiding light’ to people you wish to protect while travelling.
And as always my ‘weather witching’ tag will have links to every single post that I’ve posted which has anything to do with weather magic.
When I started out, I had no idea there even were Hellenismos 101 books and went straight to academic texts. It proved a steep learning curve, but I did rather enjoy the sudden submersion. In general, that is the way in which I take on any new subject: go straight to the hard stuff and let myself be overwhelmed until things click in my head.
Once I finally discovered there were 101 books, I was beyond them and found most of them to be biased towards personal preference and low on general information on ancient Hellas to explain why our modern practices are as they are. Because I had my own personal preference by then, going through modern texts about Hellenismos became grating really quickly. I only read Timothy Jay Alexander’s ‘A Beginner’s Guide to Hellenismos’ fully. I have some others but I only leafed through those.
It is my firm belief that when you start out, you should invest in neutral sources. Hellenismos is not standardized. There are huge differences in belief and practice between practitioners from various countries and even between various groups. Learn about ancient Hellas and the ancient practices, then get in touch with the community—perhaps through 101 books—and merge the two. I gave out my source book list a while back, and it’s not odd my favourite ‘101’ books are on there as well. Personally, I would say invest in three books (in this order) when you think this might be the religion for you:
Kindt, Julia – Rethinking Greek Religion Who marched in religious processions and why? How were blood sacrifice and communal feasting related to identities in the ancient Greek city? With questions such as these, current scholarship aims to demonstrate the ways in which religion maps on to the socio-political structures of the Greek polis (‘polis religion’). In this book Dr Kindt explores a more comprehensive conception of ancient Greek religion beyond this traditional paradigm. Comparative in method and outlook, the book invites its readers to embark on an interdisciplinary journey touching upon such diverse topics as religious belief, personal religion, magic and theology. Specific examples include the transformation of tyrant property into ritual objects, the cultural practice of setting up dedications at Olympia, and a man attempting to make love to Praxiteles’ famous statue of Aphrodite. The book will be valuable for all students and scholars seeking to understand the complex phenomenon of ancient Greek religion.
Mikalson, Jon D. – Ancient Greek Religion Ancient Greek Religion provides an introduction to the fundamental beliefs, practices, and major deities of Greek religion. It focuses on Athens in the classical period, includes detailed discussion of Greek gods and heroes, myth and cult, and vivid descriptions of Greek religion as it was practiced, ancient texts are presented in boxes to promote thought and discussion, and abundant illustrations help readers visualize the rich and varied religious life of ancient Greece. The revised edition includes additional boxed texts and bibliography, an 8-page color plate section, a new discussion of the nature of Greek “piety,” and a new chapter on Greek Religion and Greek Culture.
Burkert, Walter – Greek Religion In this book Walter Burkert, the most eminent living historian of ancient Greek religion, has produced the standard work for our time on that subject. First published in German in 1977, it has now been translated into English with the assistance of the author himself. A clearly structured and readable survey for students and scholars, it will be welcomed as the best modern account of any polytheistic religious system.
Kindt’s work is easily accessible and is a venerable fount of practical information. ‘Rethinking Greek Religion’ will help you form a realistic image of ancient religious practices and give you the understanding you need to get through any further scholastic reading. It doesn’t tell you much about modern Hellenism, but once you have read this book, you should be able to understand why certain modern practices exist. Mikalson’s text is more linear and condensed. It attempts to explain the whole of ancient Hellas in one breath. You could switch between reading either Kindt’s or Mikalson’s work first, but I have found that it’s much easier to nuance Mikalson’s words if you have read Kindt’s work first.
Burkert is a phenomenon and ‘Greek Religion’ is quite a step up from the previous two works in complexity and academic speech. Still, in his attempt to make an exhaustive whole out of the ancient Hellenic religion, Burkert provides a framework to base a practice off of like no other has managed to do before or since. It’s a hard read, but so worth it.
All in all, this collection will set you back about $100,-. That’s a fair investment, but well worth it, I promise you.
Astral traveling has been a part of my path since the first day I started and has only grown. I am able to meet and speak with the spirits and gods I work with, do spell work, do healing, and a large amount of other work in the astral. I worked almost every night before bed, unknowingly to me at first, to get where I am at now. I was going to make a long “how to” on astral travel, but simplicity is better. If you have any questions or need me to elaborate on anything, please don’t be hesitant to send me an ask. I could write ten pages to better explain how I work in the astral but no one will read that, so asking for me to elaborate is definitely fine with me!
Before you start:
Astral traveling does not equal astral projection.
In astral projection you fully leave your body but while astral traveling you do not.
In astral projection you view everything with crystal clear imagery but while astral traveling you do not.
Have you ever done a guided meditation? Did you know you were pretty much astrally traveling? In fact, if you have never astrally traveled before, try out a guided meditation so you can get an idea of what you should be “seeing” in your mind’s eye. The next step will be to drop the guided meditation and do it for yourself.
First, learn how to visualize. If you can’t visualize, you can’t travel in the astral. There are no ways around it. This website is the most clear and concise way to learn how to visualize. The level three exercise there is what you will need to learn how to do in order to travel in the astral. If you have a hard time visualizing, start at the level one exercise. Once you have learned how to visualize, try the exercise below.
Easy starter method for dipping your toes into astral traveling:
Make sure you are comfortable and in a room where you will not be distracted
Set up the protection you need around you
Ask any spirits you want to accompany you to do so
Think of what you want to do in the astral. If you want to meet a spirit, specify that. If you just want to explore, you don’t have to think about what you want to do and you can just enjoy exploring.
Get on YouTube and look up “forest sounds”. Find one you like and put it on with headphones.
Close your eyes, ground, center, breathe – do whatever you do to get into a meditative state.
Now start to imagine that you’re in a forest. The sounds you are hearing from the video are the sounds the forest is making.
Walk around and explore. As you continue, stop forcing your imagination to see where you’re going and start letting your mind’s eye truly start viewing where you are at on it’s own. If you wanted to meet a spirit there, ask it to meet you there. Don’t worry if you don’t end up seeing the spirit you want to meet there. Sometimes they will be around just through a feeling and will want to let you explore the astral on your own without visually distracting you.
When you feel you’re done, thank any spirits that were involved with the process (if they were) and wiggle your fingers and toes. Open your eyes and head off to eat or drink something to ground yourself.
Yes, that’s literally it. It is truly that simple. Get used to visualization and get used to wandering around a space in the astral you have created. For instance, the forest you were just in within that exercise is yours. These are the foundations you need to learn and get comfortable with. Soon you can visit places that truly exist in the astral, rather than creations of your own.
What can you do in the astral?
You can create a sanctuary, visit with spirits, heal your own energy – the amount of things you can do is unlimited. Do you want to do a spell in the astral? Craft the ingredients out of the energy around you. Yes, this seriously works! Spells done in the astral are just as potent (if not more potent, if you know what you’re doing) than spells we do on our physical plane. The most important thing is to not doubt what you are doing and have true intent. I have done some heavy spell work in the astral that worked extremely well to gain results on our physical realm. The exciting thing about doing spells in the astral is that you can actually have your spirit companions or gods visually next to you to aid you. You can also craft up offerings and altar spaces for your gods and spirit companions there.
You are not limited while you are in the astral. You can take on any form you want in the astral (this is called your vehicle). You can surround yourself with the elements and weather you want in the astral. Do you need it to be storming while you do a spell? You can make it storm. The stronger your visualization skills are, the more you can do. That’s why you have to work at it often. Within your own created space, you can allow spirits to visit. You can ward your sanctuary and allow your spiritual guides and friends to visit. There are no limits! Just be smart about it.
Useful links to further illustrate what I’m talking about:
Khernips, or Lustral Water, is a mixture used in Hellenic Polytheism to ritually wash away miasma. It is not hard to make, and is an incredibly rewarding addition to any ritual.
To make it you’ll need a few things on hand:
Fresh water (I use tap water, but if you can manage spring water is even better)
Sea Water (if you don’t have this, you can use a sea salt and water mixture)
Dried herbs (I sometimes don’t have access to herbs, and just use a lit match)
A lighter/match
Bowl
Towel
So to make it, you mix together your fresh water and sea water, and then you light your herbs and drop them in. Some people use incense opposed to matches or herbs as well.
“When throwing in the lit item, one can utter
‘Xerniptosai’ (pronounced ‘zer-nip-TOS-aye-ee’) which translates as ‘Be
purified’.“ Source: Baring the Aegis
After you’ve finished preparing it, you can choose to ask one of the Theoi to bless it, especially a water/sea related Theos. Then you wash your hands in face with it, and dry off.
sharing private moments for my own healing and wandering eyes
me doing some spellcrafting and writing on beaver moon // documenting ritual for upcoming personal art project
blessings4all
This was so cool, if I was this involved with my craft I’d want to do this too! Its so cool to see other people’s rituals. Thanks for sharing!
Thank you a million times for sharing your private circle with us! It was an amazingly comforting and centering time and space. And it was awesome to see reflections of my own practices in what you did. I found comfort in seeing you walk thru the steps I usually find myself doing. Sometimes I wonder if I am witchy enough, magical enough, not theatrical enough, but it is centering and helps me and is enough for me. Thank you again. This was a beautiful moment and I missed my sacred space moments that haven’t been coming as often as often used to.
That was fucking amazing holy shit
Thank you for sharing this, so lovely to see! You have a beautiful altar. And i’m glad that i’m not the only one that pulls out 50 reference books while i’m in the middle of it all.
What a priceless privilege it is to witness magic in others practices.
You remind me of someone I know, actually. And this video is awesome- thank you for doing it!
This was lovely to watch! Thank you so much for sharing. You have a gorgeous set-up, and the entire energy of the space and this video is incredibly comforting.
Whew, finally back from school! Now that I’m free, it’s time to reassemble one of my best
school essentials for next quarter—tiny, reusable packets of herbs that are
perfect for spells on the go (or spicing up a dull meal…what’s the difference,
really?).
While I love the look of tiny bottles for portable ingredients, they’re
not as space-saving as these repurposed straws. So though my best staples get
bottled for easiest refills, I like to keep the odd ingredient (or extra
backups of the classics) rattling around in my pockets like this! Some things to keep in mind:
Only melt the ends as they’re separated from the herbs by
the pliers/tweezers—food safe plastic or not, you still don’t want that melting
on your ingredients!
Most straws work for this, but thin plastic straws may
warp and bubble further up the tube before the ends seal shut; try a few tests,
and heat with care.
While I always carry around a pen knife, if you don’t,
consider keeping these in a little pocket tin with a razor blade for easy
opening. Cutting the small notch in the end is pretty effective for
fingers-only opening, but may cause leaks in fluid-filled packets and should be
avoided in those cases. Small, neat incisions with a knife also make for easier
sealing for reuse!
EDIT: while I didn’t touch on it too much here, I also use these to prepare ready-made spells. If you’re doing this, consider matching the color of the candle and straw to the spell intent!
The Carving Witch 