Simple Magick: Birthday Cake Candles

Birthday cake candles! One of the best magickal tools around (imho).

They are:

Small

Perfect for spells, they’re quick to burn down. This means you’re not waiting around for ages to see your spell through to completion. Great for magick in a hurry/emergency.

Cheap

Much cheaper than dedicated spell candles. Some say they haven’t been made with magick in mind, but I disagree - what else is a birthday wish?! Can you truly say those mass-produced spell candles are?

Accessible

Find them at the supermarket. Easy and convenient. Say no more!

Colourful

You can find every colour online. Black, metallics, and even brown if you look hard enough.

Under the Radar

Kept in the kitchen drawer, the witch still firmly in the broom cupboard will remain there.

Versatile

The perfect tool for numerology spells (use as many as you need), to create a sigil, and in spells associated with to happiness and innocence, to name but a few.

Do you use birthday cake candles? I’d love to hear!

NEXT - Simple Magick: Candle Replacements
NEXT - Simple Magick: Birthday Rituals
NEXT - Simple Magick: Kitchen Candle Magick

Simple Magick: Storing Tarot Decks

I have accrued so many tarot decks over the years that I no longer have room (or the inclination!) to keep them boxed and shelved. I know that traditionally they are wrapped in silk, but when you have 20+ decks that becomes somewhat unsustainable.

Of course, if you prefer to wrap yours in silk that’s ok, too! As with all aspects of the Craft it’s really important to do what’s right for you.

My go to method is the drawstring bag. They’re quick and easy to make - or cheap to buy - and stored in this method they’re kept clean and safe. I find that I can recognise each deck by the material of the bag, and their position in the basket that I keep them in. The drawstring bag method is also brilliant if you like to travel with your decks. I have put one in my handbag many times.

How do you store your tarot decks? Did you have a preferred method that you had to abandon once you accrued a certain amount? Where do you keep all the boxes? What is your favourite tarot deck? 

NEXT - Simple Magick: Candle Replacements 

NEXT - Tarot Method: Wren's Year Ahead Spread 
NEXT - Simple Magick: The Threefold Law

Fabulous Folklore: Oak Galls

Galls are defined as a growth on a plant that are caused by another organism. In the case of the Oak marble gall (pictured) found on pedunculate oaks, they are caused by a tiny wasp, Andricus kollari, which measures about 1.5mm long.

Around May or June a sexual female lays her eggs in the developing buds of an oak tree, usually in an immature or unhealthy specimen. Chemicals from the adult and the developing wasps cause the formation of the gall.

Oak apple galls are caused by Biorhiza polliza, and oak knopper galls are caused by Andricus quercuscalicis; two other types of wasp, producing two other types of gall.

Until the early twentieth century, oak galls were used in the production of ink. The Book of Magical Charms, a handwritten manuscript written in England in the seventeenth century, containing numerous passages regarding charms for things such as healing toothache, was written in oak gall ink.

Oak galls could also be used for divination. Three galls were dropped into a basin of water to see if a child was bewitched. If they floated, the child wasn’t enchanted, but if they sank, the child was.

They were also used to predict the weather. If a maggot was found inside on St. Michaelmas Day (29th September) the weather ahead would be pleasant. If a spider was found, ruined crops, if a wasp was found, moderate weather, and if nothing was found serious disease would occur all year.

Oaks are associated with my home town. I’m going to buddy these galls with some peridot to make a necklace or bracelet.

NEXT - Fabulous Folklore: Oak Apple Day

Simple Magick: The Pendulum

It’s Week Two of @witch.with.me ‘s Divination Month and I thought I’d show you guys my pendulum, which I’ve had for about twenty years. If you look closely it’s set in metal which has rusted in that time, which I really wish I could replace ~ any ideas?

I chose a piece of Rose Quartz for my pendulum. It’s such a caring, calming and nurturing stone that I felt it would serve me well; only giving me answers that were necessary and true. I don’t use it on its own very much; I tend to use it in conjunction with my tarot cards when something is unclear and I need clarity.

We have a sort of mutual respect; I only use it when really necessary, and in return it never lets me down. To some, it might be strange having a relationship with an object, but this pendulum of mine is very much an old friend! I think I have been lucky in not having a huge amount of disposable income over my adult life; which means I have only ever really had one of something, and so a deep connection with my tools has developed.

I’ve heard that the general consensus within the spiritual community is that using a wooden pendulum on a thread is the preferred option for receiving the greatest clarity because crystals and metals tend to absorb energies which could cloud or influence information. What do you think?

Do you have a pendulum? How often do you use it? What is it made of?

NEXT - Simple Magick: 10 Easy Witchy Self-Care Activities
NEXT - Tarot Books: Sunday Witchstack
NEXT - Tarot Method: Wren's Year Ahead Spread

Simple Magick: Using Black, Pink & White Salt in Witchcraft

“Salt! Salt! I put thee into the fire, and may the person who has bewitched me neither eat, drink, nor sleep, until the spell has been broken”.

In the 19th Century it was believed that the power of a witch could be destroyed by sprinkling salt into the fire nine mornings in succession.

There’s an old folk saying “salt does what you tell it to”. Salt is commonly used in Witchcraft, it has endless uses.

White Salt is often used for circle casting (indoors only!), cleansing and purification:

Some use it to represent Earth as it is a mineral and can be found on Earth. 

Some use it to represent Water as it also comes from the sea.

Leave it in a bowl on a windowsill under a Full Moon to charge it.

Check your salt - salt with added Iodine is considered impure for ritual use.

Pink Salt is often used for purification, protection, and spiritual awareness:

Use for ritual bathing.

Use in magick pertaining to love, friendship, harmony, romance, emotional healing, spiritual healing, devotion, faith, self-love and compassion.

Use it to remove unwanted love spells or love curses.

Beware that pink salt can sometimes stain.

Black salt is often used for banishing, protection, repelling negative and toxic energy:

Sprinkle on to your doorstep to keep away negative energy and unwanted guests.

Keep a small bag under your pillow for protection at night.

Use around the home to dispel negativity.

Add to spring water for scrying during the Dark Moon. 

Use in spells for protection from known enemies.

Hide a small bag in the office or workplace to absorb anger, moodiness and gossip.

You can make black salt easily by using charcoal, salt, incense ash and other magickal materials such as herbs. Each witch has their own preferred recipe usually.

Do you use salt in your practice? Do you use all three colours?

NEXT - Simple Magick: Protecting The Integrity of Your Spells on Social Media
NEXT - Fabulous Folklore: Salt 

Simple Magick: Using Eggshells

Crushed eggshells are known by some as Cascarilla. Eggshells have been used in magickal practice for hundreds of years to cleanse negative energy and bring positive occurrences. The eggshells are dried and ground into a powder and are not to be confused with the plant Croton eluteria, which is also known as cascarilla, and is a plant native to the Caribbean.

Eggshells can help block non-corporeal entities from a psychical space - benign or malevolent - so you might want to think carefully about their use, but you can use them to put a ring of peace and protection around your sacred space or home. They can be mixed with herbs to create magickal powders for specific intentions and goals, and they’re often used in spells related to setting boundaries.

Use eggshells with other ingredients (eg. Holy Water) for cleansing; use in a protection bath, or as a floor wash. Some witches use powdered eggshells to wash their hands, rub in their hair, or to mark ritual symbols on their bodies or animals for protection.

Cascarilla is simple to make. Boil the eggshells for ten minutes to protect yourself against Salmonella. Leave them in a bowl or on a piece of kitchen towel on a warm windowsill to dry. When they are completely dry, crush them with a pestle and mortar.

I grind my eggshells down further as part of my spellwork. In the meantime, these have been bottled and consecrated.

NEXT - Simple Magick: 11 Tips For Beginner Witches 

Tarot Method: Wren's Year Ahead Spread

Usually at the start of the year I take a bit of a break, read the slips of paper from my Gratitude Jar, and do a simple tarot spread for the year ahead. Thanks to a reminder from @thewitchesstone this week, I’ve done it. Even if I am a little late.

I lit a green candle for good luck, success and prosperity, and let it burn while I shuffled and picked the cards; blowing it out before doing the big reveal.

I used @the_embroidered_forest tarot, which I absolutely love and was so over the moon to win just before Christmas - thanks Alicia! If you’re wondering about this deck it’s absolutely incredible. The images are enchantingly beautiful, and one of the best things about it is the fabulous quality cardstock and snazzy silver edges.

I had a pendulum by @wiccawolfie on standby just in case I needed further clarification.

While I was shuffling the cards a famous quote by Abraham Lincoln sprang to mind: “The best way to predict your future is to create it”, and so I made the intention in that  moment to keep pushing myself this year.

As many of you know, I have been floating ideas for a shop and creating a Patreon, but I have been doing this very slowly due to chronic illness. As part of my manifestation process, and the long term spell work I have been doing to aid these plans, the moment must be absolutely right.

Do you carry out some sort of New Year’s divination? If so what type? What are your plans for this year? What would you like to manifest? 

NEXT - Tarot Method: Unblocking with Chase The Ace
NEXT - Tarot Method: Storing Tarot in Drawstring Bags
NEXT - Natural Remedies: Meadowsweet Foot Soak

Witchcraft Books: Witchy Resources

It’s #witchbookwednesday (@witch.with.books) and Week 3 “Witchy Resources” of #witchwithSeptember (@witch.with.me) so today I’m sharing one of my favourite resources - BOOKS!

First up is Magical Aromatherapy by Scott Cunningham with a foreword by Robert Tisserand. Basically a dream come true for a Clinical Aromatherapist Witch! This is a fab book charting the magickal properties of aromatic plants and herbs.

An ABC of Witchcraft Past & Present by Doreen Valiente is a book I’ve had for many years, but I love it so much I like to thumb through it whenever I can.

Jams & Preserves by Eve Parker is the perfect autumn friend when the hedgerows are bursting with gifts.

Agar to Zenry by Ron Freethy is a little gem I found hidden in the back of a magickal supplies shop in Glastonbury. It’s a beautiful book of plant uses, names, and folklore. My unusual maiden name features in the title, so this book always makes me smile.

I love all of these books because you can just dip in and out as necessary. What are you currently reading?

NEXT: Witchcraft Books: Beautiful Books
NEXT: Review: Do I Have To Wear Black? by Mortellus

Simple Magick: The Witch’s Stang

You don’t need many - or any - tools for working successful magic, and there are very few tools I am attached to, but I love my stang.

Throughout the ages, characters of a magickal, spiritual, or religious nature have often been depicted with a staff of some kind. As well as being a magickal tool, and a weapon for self-defence; it acts practically as a support.

The stang can be made of any type of wood, and they can be large or small. The traditional witch projects their power out their body through the stang. As well as being taken out on lovely walks to absorb the energy of the land, they are primarily used for casting spells, as a conduit for calling up spirits and deities, for laying a compass - the traditional witch’s ritual circle - and as a bridge between worlds.

This stang is from our local woods, and as such it helps me connect to the magic of our Earth through the local landscape. Despite being an open person I am also quite private, so I debated on whether to share such a personal item or not! 

NEXT - Simple Magick: Magickal Beliefs & Attitudes 

Simple Magick: The Mind

It’s Tools Week over at @witch.with.me and so I thought I’d talk about the most important tool of all: the mind.

Whilst tools can be super helpful for setting mindset in certain types of magick, or for ritual purpose, and certainly a necessity within certain traditions; a disciplined witch can create magick with her mind alone.

Whilst pondering over tools, the mind, and magickal practise, the “Magician’s rule” sprang to mind: “to know, to will, to dare, to keep silent.”

To know: knowing exactly what we want, and getting clear on magickal intention, so that unwanted effects may be avoided. We must also know our true selves before we can know our true paths, and we must understand that a spiritual journey of learning is never-ending.

To will: the understanding that we must apply the full force of our being to our magickal intentions, without fear or doubt, to bring about the changes we seek. Our “will” is the mental, spiritual, physical and emotional energy that we direct at our goals, to the exclusion of all other thoughts. It is our determination for a cause, and our dedication to it.

To dare: putting our thoughts and intentions into actual action - getting organised, and making it happen. Preparing mentally for the outcome, as well as preparing physically to undertake the work. Daring to manifest what we desire.

To keep silent: there are several parts to “to keep silent” but in terms of working magick and using the mind as a tool, this refers to not diluting the energy of your magickal workings by discussing them. I like to keep focus by keeping shtum.

I think it is important for magickal practitioners to have certain attitudes, beliefs, and ways of thinking to benefit them in their magickal practise, but that is a post for another day.

What is your favourite magickal tool? 

NEXT - Simple Magick: Altar Dressing 

Fabulous Folklore: Crystal Balls

I’m catching up on a little reading today inspired by Crystal Week over at @witch.with.me and thought I’d share some Crystal Ball facts.

A modern crystal ball is known as an orbuculum, and is made from glass or crystal. Early crystal gazers - or specularii - used a polished sphere of beryl, well known varieties including Emerald and Aquamarine.

Crystal gazing was commonly practised by the people of Yucatan, the Persians, the Egyptians, the Chinese, and the Incas, to name but a few.

The mythical Merlin supposedly carried a beryl sphere to provide King Arthur with readings whenever he needed them.

Crystal gazing, crystal seeing, crystallism, crystallomancy, gastromancy, and spheromancy are all terms to describe the method of ‘seeing’ by gazing at a crystal, which is a form of Scrying.

As well as being popular in the Middle Ages, and made more visible by travelling Roma, the Crystal Ball became a favourite of stage magicians and ‘Mentalists’ in the early 20th Century.

The Crystal Ball is iconic and has appeared in books and films - off the top of my head I can think of Labyrinth, The Lord of the Rings, and the Wizard of Oz. The Crystal ball has also featured in artwork; most notably The Crystal Ball (1902) by John William Waterhouse.

Do you have a Crystal Ball? Give me your favourite Crystal Ball films and books n the comments. 

NEXT - Fabulous Folklore: Witch Balls

NEXT - Fabulous Folklore: Norse Magick

Tarot Method: Unblocking with Chase The Ace

Today I’m sharing my ‘Chase the Ace’ method. You can use this with any of the four suits to represent something in your life; to see where blockages or issues lie, and to see how to move forwards.

For example, I use the Ace of Swords to represent what may be causing me conflict in life. The card below the Ace is what’s causing the issue, the card above the Ace is how to move forwards.

The Ace of Swords could also represent communication - the card below the Ace to represent what’s impeding communication, and the card above the Ace to represent how one could communicate better. Or clarity; what’s obscuring one’s vision, and how to see more clearly. And so on.

Swords:
Action, movement, mental matters, spiritual matters, communication, issues, conflict, clarity, struggle.

Pentacles:
Money matters, the material or external world, career or work concerns, health, physical matters, manifestation, proof, prosperity.

Wands:
Ideas, growth, ambition, expansion, passion.

Cups:
Emotions, family matters, creativity, love, connections, intuition, healing, desires, experience, Spirit.

You could go a step further and use each suit as a Season; using the card below the Ace to represent things to watch out for, and the card above the Ace as positive things that will happen within that period.

Please have a go! And let me know below what Ace you used, and how it went. 

NEXT - Simple Magick: Storing Tarot Decks
NEXT - Simple Magick: The Pendulum
NEXT - Simple Magick: 10 Easy Witchy Self-Care Tips  NEXT - Word Magick: Defining The Words Witch & Witchcraft

Tarot Method: Storing Tarot Decks in Drawstring Bags

“The desire to create is one of the deepest yearnings of the human soul” ~ Dieter F. Uchtdorf

Though Craft Week at @witch.with.me is coming to a close, I wanted to share these bags I made for my Tarot cards.

A lot of Tarot decks come in really big boxes and I was running out of space. Now my cards take up less space and they’re portable - they’re handbag ready.

I’ve tried many crafts over the years and they all have one thing in common: their therapeutic effect. I love the meditative process of crafting.

NEXT - Tarot Books: Sunday Witchstack
NEXT - Simple Magick: Offerings - What Are They? 
NEXT - Simple Magick: Disposing Spell Remains

Personal Magick: Favourite Witchcraft Tool

One last challenge before the #witchwithme challenge on Instagram starts properly on 1st February. Today’s prompt is favourite witchy tool. 

You might expect me to say runes or wand or some other obvious tool, but for me it’s actually reference books.

Some 6 or so years ago I developed a couple of chronic conditions which really affect my cognitive function. When I am trying to write a ritual or spell and my brain is blank they give me a framework, or when I know what I want to say about a particular subject but am struggling to find the words, reading about the subject helps to kick start my brain. When I can’t remember something, I can look it up.
And when I am really having trouble, I can just follow what someone else has written instead.

It used to make me frustrated, but now I just go with the flow. I know that my intention setting and practical spell work are strong enough for this not to matter. And if we’re honest it’s actually no different to referring to a cookbook or dictionary.

As a disabled Witch I am so grateful for books.

NEXT - Personal Magick: Home
NEXT: Simple Magick: The Witch's Stang
NEXT - Simple Magick: The Mind