Herb's Properties

When to spell: time of day

So these are my correspondences from my grimoire for times of day, plus my reasoning, which may or may not coincide with other associations. I focus on my personal associations, but also the practicalities of doing certain spells depending on how light it is (based on autumn in my region of the UK). Since my focus is on how light it is, I’m not distinguishing “morning” from “afternoon” and such. 

Night:

The sun is asleep and it’s totally dark. This is a good time for preparation: preparing for the next day, an upcoming spell or ritual, an upcoming event. It’s also a good time to do anything involving secrecy, especially once everyone’s asleep and the house is quiet. 

Spells for: understanding, cleansing, magical powers.

Dawn:

The sun is starting to rise. Light is returning and the day is beginning, but it’s not totally light yet. This is a good time to work with beginnings and goals for the day ahead. Since the day is beginning to get brighter and brighter, this is also a good time to start spells that you intent to grow throughout the day.

Spells for: motivation, confidence, luck.

Day:

The sun is high in the sky. This is a good time to focus on your daily responsibilities, and everything associated with them - relationships, habits, and skills.

Spells for: fertility, relationships or communication, improving skills and knowledge.

Sunset:

The sun is setting, and the day’s almost over. There’s still some light left, so this is your chance to finish off anything needing done each day as well as reap the rewards of your efforts. As daylight hours are decreasing, this is also a time to do work with banishing or breaking.

Spells for: dedication, success, prosperity, banishing or breaking. 

Spells throughout the day:

You could include aspects of each time of day into a day-long spell. Taking a luck spell as an example:

Night: cleanse anything you intend to use and incorporate understanding to help you understand the effects of the spell on yourself and others. 

Dawn: begin “growing” the spell, and incorporate luck. Make sure your goal (intent) for the spell is clear.

Day: incorporate aspects of your daily routine that you need the luck for. (Charge the spell after class if you need luck for an upcoming test, for example.)

Sunset: incorporate success to help the spell work well, incorporate banishing to banish unintended effects and complete the spell. 

The spell is now complete, and can be cast at any time. Of course, you could include any combination of these times (though I’d only include times that follow one another - so I wouldn’t just skip dawn and do night and day, for example). 

Spells throughout the seasons:

Since this can be season dependant, it can be adapted if that suits you better. It might be better to start a luck spell at night and charge it while you sleep if dawn is at 3am, for example, or you could just do it during the day. 

Other posts:

When to spell: moon phases

When to spell: days of the week

Sour Jars

So I usually post works and spells that would generally be considered “light” and positive but it is worth noting that Hoodoo is definitely not always these things. So today I am posting how to perform a sour jar. This is 100% a curse friendly blog and I will not tolerate any curse shaming in the notes. There are a million reasons people may feel the need to curse and it is not my place to judge. This is a defensive and potent work and it will fuck someone up so make sure this is what you want. The only rule to cursing and my personal advice on it is to feel NO guilt and be absolutely certain you justify your own actions. From my perspective, the universe grants us what we ask for and the concept of “deserve” does not exist. There are plenty of truly vile pieces of shit who will never be punished for the things they do and have done. There are just as many wonderful and amazing people who suffer for no good reason. The world is an unfair place, and as witches, conjure wo/men, brujas, magicians, etc in some form we seek to make it a bit sweeter for ourselves, our clients, and those we love. Cursing sometimes is a part of that.

A little history:

Sour jars are used to literally sour someone’s life. Sour jars can be used on one single person but are also often used to sour and break up relationships be it romantic, familial, or otherwise. Sour jars are considered defensive magic and aim to make the targets life miserable, sour, and otherwise destroyed. In my experience, most sour jars I have come across have bases of vinegar (*four thieves, white, and apple cider, all depends on the preference of the person). The great thing about sour jars is that they are highly customizable and like most folk practices, cheap. All you actually need is a jar, vinegar of your choice, a petition with the targets name, and your intention. In place of a petition, some people opt to use dolls but that’s up to you. Of course, there are tons of other things you can put in sour jars that make them even more potent but it is your intention and energy that make your works manifest.

Things you can use

 *some of these items I highly recommend using gloves to handle. Also, some of these are not for the faint of heart. Hoodoo uses animal products so please don’t come at me in the comments. I always recommend obtaining animal products ethically.*

Hot peppers/Hot sauce- you can use whole chilis, chili flakes, Tapatio, literally anything spicy. You want this person to be burning and irritated. Spicy stuff adds great oomph to defensive works

Urine- take this one as you are literally pissing all over this person’s life.

Cat and Dog hair- This one would be specifically if you were making a jar to break up a couple because you want them to fight like cats and dogs.

Nails- in Hoodoo coffin nails are often used in defensive work and you can get these from your local or online botanica or hoodoo shop. If you don’t have any way of getting coffin nails you can use regular ones. In the vinegar, they will rust and give more power to the jar.

Spiders/Insects- These are often used in darker works for added negativity. You can imagine spiders and insects covering this persons life as it decomposes and falls apart.

Mustard seeds-excellent for making couples or people fight and also causing fights and misunderstandings in the persons life.

Poppy seeds-causes confusion and chaos in the mind of the target and can also cause nightmares.

Sulfur- be extremely careful with sulfur and I always recommend using gloves when handling it. You only need a little bit as this stuff is POTENT. It will cause a bubbling reaction in the vinegar and this is why a lot of people use it. It makes it look like there is literally a fight in the jar. Sulfur is also just traditionally used in a lot of hoodoo defensive work like hot foot powder.

You can use 1, 2, or all of these. I have had a lot of personal success with many of these ingredients. When I am working my jars I work them for 7 or 9 days and burn candles on the top of the jar. I usually use black if it is a revenge or curse jar like I’ve described. I burn a candle each day and let them burn out. I also shake the jar every day to keep the energy moving. I also usually wrap my jars in aluminum foil so no light gets in. You want the targets life to be dark and despairing and for them to have to look at all the destruction with no way out in sight. After my 7 or 9 days, I discard the jar. This is traditionally done by leaving it in a river or a body of still water. I have in the past just thrown the jar in the trash because that’s what the person is to me: garbage. Some people interpret this as “throwing the magic away” and I get that but living in a city now nature is hard to come by and folk practice is about making things work for you so to each their own. While I am performing the spell I make sure to cleanse myself before and after with cleansing baths or showers. I also do a cleansing and protection work after the 7 or 9 days. Happy cursing!

Bone Divination (Osteomancy) is an ancient practice of fortune telling used throughout many cultures. It’s important to find personal pieces that you deeply connect with.

List of objects commonly used in Bone Divination sets: - Old Coins - Crystals and Stones - Dice - Seashells - Animal Claws - Small animal Jaw bone - Animal feet - Nuts - Seed Pods - Skeleton Keys - Beads made of glass, wood, animal horn or bone - Metal Charms - Personal Jewelry such as rings or pendants - Any items that hold a personal meaning for you

Taking care of your divination set: - Regularly cleanse your pieces with White Sage - Keep them with you during the day to form a deep bond with the pieces - If unable to keep them near during the day, keep close to you at night - I find that most pieces like to rest on natural surfaces- wood, moss, etc - Charge them under the Full Moon when possible, especially crystals or stones - Meditate with the pieces and listen to what they have to say - Occasionally bury the bones lightly in an indoor flowerpot for a short time (or outside in the garden if not raining). Bones tend to like being in the ground. It allows them to rest.

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Easy Witchy Things to do

-Spelled bath salts in your night bath to lift mental and physical exhaustion of the day. I recommend a recipe with frankincense, geranium and rosemary in it as they aid in purification of body, spirit and soul but you can customize for your needs. You can do SOOOOO  many things in the bath. Imma do another post on this.

-Rose hip tea before bed to bring prophetic dreams.

-Rosemary/athame placed beneath the pillow to protect from nightmares and psychic attacks.

-Incense of lavender. Or a candle dressed in lavender oil. Or lavender fragrance oil on your pulse points. Whatever is more feasible to you. Lavender, promotes peaceful sleep.

-Keep a dream journal. Meditate for a few as soon as you wake up and record everything you recall in the journal for reflection.

-Do a card pull for the day ahead. Tarot or oracle. Your choice.

-Brew tea in the morning. I like green tea. Its simple. Its available. Most importantly, its cheap.

-The house you live in is an entity too. Clean it up a little. It can be something as simple as vacuuming, floorwash, dusting windows, changing curtains, letting in some sun, hanging wind chimes, vastu or feng shui, sprinkling infused water, smudging…..you get it. 

-Water your plants. Talk to them. Sing to them. See if anyone is sick and needs attention. Plants like that. Bond with your plants and they will aid you more.

-I like to shower in the morning  (I’m Indian and terrified of my mother. Also. Hygiene.) Visualize the water infusing you with its flow and clarity to help you flow and be clearheaded throughout the day.

-Eat breakfast with intention. You are what you eat. Do not put trash in your tummy. It messes with your frequency. I like to stick to apples and milk/coffee. 

-Wear clothes with intention too. Colors are a massive force in our lives and aid in our purpose. Wear red for passion, confidence, sensuality and resoluteness. I like to wear at least one red item everyday.

-Nail polish, if that’s something you’re into. You can incorporate color magic by doing this too if you do not wish to wear colored attire or if its not your style.

-Put a fragrance oil/itr (pronounce:EEH-tr) on you with. I like to put jasmine on me. It corresponds with divination, sensuality, confidence and luxury.

-Jewellery. Period. Rings, pendants, earrings, bracelets, anklets…intention people. Intention is your best friend. For my broom-closeted witches, this is an excellent way to mask your crystals in plain sight. Crystals are pretty and jewellery goes unsuspected. Amethyst ring? Lapis studs? Pearl bracelet? Obsidian pendant? Crystal magic!!!

-Enchant your makeup if you use any.

-Put pre-energized yantras/glyphs on the inside of your laptop bag/school bag/work bag to promote clarity and fluidity in work.

-Enchant your pens/brushes/pencils/tools of trade for productivity and efficiency.

-Carry snacks with you. Dried drupes, berries and fruits are fulfilling and keep you in touch with earth. Also, cuz they’re snacks.

-Eat your food.

-When you get back home, shed you’re clothing and visualize all the weight of the day going with it.

-I like to have a post-work day shower too. Again, visualize the water carrying away your woes with it.

-Brew your post-work tea. Chai is a very good option. I brew it in milk and add a host of powders/roots to it. Nutmeg, cinnamon, mace, grated ginger and cardamom are my favorites in any season. They promote positivity, good energy, relaxation, healing and peace.

-Listen to your favorite music.

-Do something artistic. Maybe paint, sculpt, write, sing out loud, freestyle….whatever you like.

-Read and research. I like to update by grimoire everyday. I, like many other witches, believe that my grimoire is a living entity and needs attention in order to flourish. You don’t have to do a lot. Just research for a couple minutes and write down your notes in it. It don’t have to be fancy.

-Bathe

-Tea! Again!

-Incense

-Sleep my little birdie.

Binding someone’s mouth.

objective: to make it someone can’t talk about you, too you, or at all depending on what you want. This can be with a real physical poppet, but it can also be done as a quick visualization in your head. It has been effective for me done both ways.

Get a poppet to represent the person you are binding. It’s better to make it yourself and fill it with things that represent/symbolize that person to make it more personal to them.

Put red thread on a sewing needle and start sewing the mouth of a doll. Chant, “Open lips say too much. So i seal your mouth; I bind it shut.”

 Tie off the thread at the end of the mouth. Hide the poppet away somewhere it won’t be bothered or messed with.

To remove the binding cut the thread from the poppet’s mouth.

How to Write Your Own Spells

There are lots of ways to create spells, from planning everything to the minutest detail ahead of time to absolutely flying by the seat of your pants in the moment. If you'd like to write your own spells, either for use in your craft or as a creative exercise, here are some suggested steps that I use in my own practice:

1) Determine the intent or goal of your spell. Decide, first and foremost, what you want the spell to do. Refine your goal if necessary and try not to be too nebulous. Your intent tells the spell what it's meant to do. A more focused goal may increase the chances of success.

2) Determine how you want the spell to manifest. Decide how the spell should work and what the result should look like. This is a good time to build in a sign of success, especially for spells that may not work in an obvious or visible way.

3) Determine what or whom the spell will affect. If the spell is to have a target, be it a person or a place or an animal or an object, decide what that should be and how they or it will be represented in the casting.

4) Determine how long the spell is meant to work. If your spell is timebound or has a deadline, decide what that will be. If the spell is meant to work long-term, you may want to check in and refresh it from time to time. (Not every spell will be timebound. Many spells will simply expire when they have fulfilled their purpose or if they are blocked or circumstances are not favorable.)

5) Determine the timing of the spell, if applicable. Not everyone uses celestial or astrological timing for their spells, but if you do, look into the prevailing conditions and decide on an advantageous time for your casting. (Please note that magical timing can only enhance your spell and casting something on the "wrong" day will not necessarily cause it to fail.)

6) Determine what methods and materials you want to use to cast the spell. Decide how you're going to go about performing the casting, whether you're doing a ritual or making a charm or just using energy. If you're going to need a ritual space or physical components, plan that out and make sure it fits with what you want to do.

7) Determine the words, if any, which will empower the spell. If you want to include a prayer or a petition or a song or an incantation with your spell, decide what that should be. This is not strictly necessary and the words need not be spoken aloud. (Rhyming incantations are not required, but if you prefer them that way, you can certainly do so.)

8) Prepare the materials for casting the spell. Get all your necessaries together ahead of time. Make sure you have everything you need, that tools and components are in good and useable condition, prepare your workspace, and make sure everything is within easy reach so you don't have to stop and search for things in the middle of your casting. (And for goodness sake, if you're working with open flame, observe fire safety and tie your hair and sleeves back.)

9) Finalize details and perform the casting. When you're ready to begin, try to eliminate as many possibilities for distraction or interruption as possible. Go over your spell and components one more time, then proceed with casting the spell.

10) Record the particulars for future reference and to determine how well the spell worked. Make a record of the spell, including your goal, how it should manifest, the words and components used, the date of the casting, the casting method and procedure, and how the casting went. If there are any additional details or observations that seem important, include those as well. This will serve as a useful learning tool in the future and will allow you to check your work if the results make themselves known.

It's useful to write spells from time to time if the inspiration strikes you, in order to better understand how they fit together and how they work. Plus it's a fun and creative journaling exercise and recording the spells you cast a great way to measure your progress later on.

For additional tips on writing your own spells and helpful tricks for using timing and available materials to your advantage, check out my podcast, Hex Positive, Eps. 006-007, "Come In For A Spell, pt 1 & 2."

(And if you’re enjoying my content, please feel free to drop a little something in the tip jar or check out my published works on Amazon or in the Willow Wings Witch Shop. 😊)

Happy Witching! 🔮✨

Laurel’s Easy Sabbat Planning Guide

For all of the witches who struggle with Sabbats sneaking up on them, here is a guide to help whip up an easy celebration so you never have to miss out on Sabbats again!

A Sabbat is a seasonal festival mostly celebrated by Pagans and Witches. Sabbats are like any other holiday, except these are normally celebrations of the changing of the seasons, or the “turning of the wheel.” Each person will celebrate each Sabbat differently, as each season is completely personal to you.

⛤ The First Step

The first step I recommend to planning a Sabbat celebration is to figure out exactly what the Sabbat is to you. Figure out how you feel about the sabbat and what you naturally associate each one with. This can take some time to work through, especially if you are new to sabbats or if you tend to avoid nature at all costs.

⛤ What to ask yourself:

- What does this Sabbat mean to you? - What is the Earth doing right now? What does it look like outside your window? - What is in season (this includes foods, herbs, flowers and decor)? - How do you feel this time of year? How does this particular Sabbat make you feel? Is this normal? - What sort of things make you feel “witchy” or connected to this Sabbat? - Why is this day special to you?

⛤ Things to Do:

- Perform a ritual. Rituals can be as elaborate or as simple as you want them to be. Sometimes all you have to work with is a tealight candle and a week old pack of cookies.

- Cook. Some of us feel connected to the world around us when there is food involved. After all, it’s not a party unless there is food. Try out a new recipe with in-season foods, or make your favorite comfort food dish.

- Go outside. The easiest way to celebrate the changing of the seasons is to go outside and experience them. Even if it’s a short walk (because not many people want to go for long strolls in the dead of winter), take a moment to step outside and experience nature and observe what it’s currently doing. If you are able, plan a day trip to somewhere special or new to explore.

- Decorate. Nothing gets me in the holiday (or Sabbat) spirit like decorating. As a child decorating for Christmas was the best because that was the only time we put up decorations. Now, as an adult, I use whatever I have handy to decorate for every Sabbat I can to make me feel more festive.

- Offerings. If you work with spirits of deities, you may wish to put together some sort of offering for them when you celebrate. This can be food, special rocks or flowers from outside, or something you’ve made yourself.

- Spells. Sabbats are prime times to do spells for me. The spells I cast are reflections of the coming season and what I want from them.

- Crafts. There are a ton of different little projects for Sabbats floating around on the internet. Get creative and make something! If you are on a budget, make something with what you have, or modify a craft to include what you have. I like to make something new each year for the Sabbats (it’s an easy way to get “decorations” too!)

- Divination. Nothing says celebration like a good old fashion look into the future. Choose any form of divination that you’d like and do a reading for yourself. 

- Journaling. Sometimes the easiest way to celebrate and connect is to get into your own head. Let the Earth inspire you. Stare out a window (or sit outside if you can) and just watch what happens around you. Let it inspire you to create. Journal about your own feelings, write a freestyle poem or sketch and paint what you see.

⛤ Creating a Ritual

Not all rituals have to be long and elaborate. Some of my favorite rituals are just sitting around in sweatpants with a hot cup of cocoa and my journal, reflecting on the season and my life. Ask yourself these questions to help piece together how a ritual would be best done for you.

- What am I celebrating? How can I celebrate this? - Who am I worshiping? - How much space do I have? - How much time do I have? - Why am I celebrating this Sabbat? - What do I/can I buy for my celebrations?

The important thing for Sabbats isn’t how grand your ritual is, it’s all about gaining something from it, whether that be a nice warm fuzzy feeling or a great insight into your life. 

⛤ Reflection and Meditation

After each Sabbat day, I find it helpful if I reflect upon what I did that day and how my celebration went. This is when I do most of my journaling, but you don’t have to write anything. You can simply sit and rest and meditate on the day if you wish. Use this time to unwind.

- What did I do today? How do I feel about it? - What ideas do I have for next year? - What did this year’s Sabbat teach me? - What was my favorite part of today’s celebration? - What was my least favorite?

Happy Celebrating! ~L <):)

A Deep Room Cleanse

The state of my room is extremely important to me. It’s a direct reflection of my mental health, so when it’s messy, my energy levels are low and I just feel yucky. There’s no way I’m getting any kind of work done, magical or mundane. When it feels good and clean to be in, it’s a lot easier to deal with my symptoms and be productive. You don’t have to do every step every time of course, but each step has helped me so I figured a list like this might help someone. 

Change the lighting. Use natural sources of light (like pulling back the curtains and letting the sun in) over artificial ones. If you have salt lamps to turn on, those are still very nice. If you need artificial light to keep it from being too dark, try to prioritize light bulbs you like the color of, and ones that don’t whistle quietly when they’re on.

Change the airflow. Open a window, if you can. Often our rooms feel yucky because the air is stale. Get some fresh air moving. If it’s too cold, it’s okay to only keep it open for a few minutes or put on a coat while you work because you’re stubborn like me.

Change the sound. Put on your favorite cleansing music. Let it soak into the room. I tend to go or ambient spa stuff, or playlists that sound built for a rainy day. (Note: the music that helps you cleanse the best may not be the same as what you like the most. The playlist should keep you focused/uplifted while you work and reflect the vibes you want your room to have.)

Change the smell. Take out the trash, maybe refresh the sheets on your bed. Light a scented candle, some incense, heat up some oil, something to make your room smell distinctly different from the mucky-feeling room from before. (If your method of choice is something short like a room spray, I actually like doing it at the very end.)

Actually clean and organize. Nothing junks up the energy of a room more quicker than actual junk. Organize everything as much as you can (this might mean finally gutting your closet, even if you can close the door and hide it.) Wipe down any surfaces that need it, get everything fresh and functional again. Do some laundry while you work. If you have clothes or trinkets that are just collecting dust, extra points for purging them! 

 Cleanse any sacred spaces by themselves. A lot of us have altars or shrines in our rooms. A sacred space can also be just an extra important area of your room, like a reading nook.  Make sure to give them extra attention! You don’t need to wipe the board energetically (and probably shouldn’t), but taking a little extra time to clean surfaces, straighten up, and make sure everything feels okay on them goes a long way.

Cleanse in your regular way. Bust out the herb bundles, the bells, the ribbons, the broom, whatever you usually do to cleanse a space! The room is SUPER primed for it now, most of the negative energy probably already feels removed if not broken down. A good once-over with your favorite cleansing method should finish it off nicely. 

Refresh any wards or protections. Self explanatory. If you maintain energy borders in your room, now is a good time to check in on them and zhoosh them if needed. Keep the space clean for longer! 

Practice self-care. Take a shower, a nap, eat some food, whatever you need. You’ve put in a lot of work and you deserve it. 

How to Enchant Items

To enchant an item is to infuse it with magickal energy. This energy can come from a variety of sources, including planets, crystals, herbs, or even yourself. 

Some individuals use the words “enchant” and “charm” synonymously as a way to describe the process of infusing something with energy, but for the sake of this post and due to my own beliefs, you enchant something and it then becomes a charm. Alternately, a charm can be something with its own innate energy, like a crystal or herbal amulet. 

The process of enchanting is extremely versatile and there are many ways to do it successfully, so long as you keep your intent clear in your mind. My personal preference when it comes to enchanting items is to allow 12-24 hours (overnight or a full day) for the item to be infused with energy and become a charm - although, this is completely left up to the individual spell-caster. 

Here are a few ideas on how to enchant items, in no particular order:

Surround the item with crystals of corresponding intent

Surround the item with herbs of corresponding intent 

Place the item in a jar filled with herbs that represent your intent

Place the item in front of a candle and meditate on your intent 

Anoint the item with an oil, charged water, or crystal elixir of corresponding intent 

Hold the item in your hand(s) and visualize it filling with the appropriate energy 

Hold the item in your hand(s) and speak your intent aloud

Craft a sigil or symbol to keep near the item in an envelope or sachet

Write your intention on paper and keep in an envelope with the item 

Pair the item with a corresponding runestone or tarot / oracle card in an envelope 

Take the item and put it in a box with other items that represent your intent such as crystals, herbs, talismans, amulets, etc. 

Bury the item in soil with herbs and/or crystals that match your intent (please don’t put salt on your lawn though, unless you want dead grass)

Pass the item through incense smoke that matches your intent 

Ultimate Grimoire or book of shadows checklist✨📓✒️🔮

Hey beautifuls,

I’ve compiled a checklist in booklet format of pretty much anything I could think of or find online that you could include in your Grimoire/book of shadows. Please note that this is a very very broad list and you do not need to include absolutely everything listed. Pick and choose what matches your craft!

also if you would like a non-watermarked PDF print version (digital file) I’m offering this for just $3 AUD. You can direct message me here on tumblr or on my Insta account “@beautifulvalleywitch”.

Otherwise enjoy this free version lovely’s 🥰🥰

*copyrighted, please do not share without credit or claim as your own*