Celebrating Mabon 🍂

A little treat for the kitchen witches 🌿

The Witch Ball

This is a rewrite of one of my first posts.

One of my favorite ways of warding the home is with a traditional glass witch ball. There are many kinds of witch balls, but here I am referring to the blown glass variety. Many witches will fill an empty Christmas ornament with herbs or nails or something and use it as a spell. Very crafty. But my preferred variety of witch ball is the blown glass sort with threads of glass in the middle.

These were traditionally made by glassblowers as a way of ending their work day. They were historically made from scraps of glass, which is why so many of them are multicolored. They’re simple blown glass balls with threads of glass in the center, made by sticking metal objects (such as knitting needles) in the still-molten glass ball. The witch ball is placed near a window or a door, usually on a cord made of knotted rope or leather. The wise homemaker cleans her witch ball regularly, as this cleans it of dark spirits.

The witch ball may be descended from glass fishing floats, which are often sold in seaside tourist towns as decorative gifts. The first glass witch balls were most likely developed in England in the 17th or 18th Century and were inspired by these glass buoys.

According to popular belief, the witch ball represents the witch who has been tried and hanged. A witch ball will float in water, like a witch thrown in a body of water during a trial. It was believed that witches were rejected by bodies of water because they were too impure. By this logic, witches, like the glass fishing floats of yore, were unable to sink. Glass fishing floats, and later witch balls, were tied up in nets or left to dangle from ropes, not unlike a witch sentenced to die at the gallows. For these reasons, the witch ball serves as a symbolic warning to all witches who dare enter one’s home.

The ball’s inner threads work by means of fascination. Witches and dark spirits are drawn into the ball because they cannot resist playing with its threads. They are entranced (or “fascinated”) by them. They wind themselves through the ball’s threads until the ball is cleaned by its owner. When the owner cleans it and wipes away the dust, she also wipes it free of evil spirits. Many other spirit traps work by a similar principle - the witch bottle, the dream catcher, even a handful of rice thrown toward a malevolent entity - they all work by fascination.

Many older witch balls have a mirror glaze. Some believe the large gazing balls that decorate gardens throughout the country may have their origin in the smaller, more magical witch ball. The mirror glaze is yet another fascinating thing about the witch ball.

No matter their origin or how they work, the witch ball is at the very least a delightful and rustic objet d’art. I find witch balls to be very effective, however. They can last for generations and are, in my opinion, one of the most aesthetic ways to ward a home.

🛡 Warding 🛡

Disclaimer: This is all based on my research, path, opinion & experiences! Intro: I really was holding out on doing this post because it’s such a big, important topic to cover and I really don’t want to mess it up or get anything wrong. This post needs to be done though, people have asked if I have such a post and an anon suggested it. So finally, here it is.  - What Is Warding? Warding is a type of magick, it is the act of creating an energetic barrier around you, your home, an object, ect. They can be temporary or permanent, although typically they are cast with the long term in mind. They can banish or turn away whatever you choose. Warding is an excellent skill to have because it can keep you, and even others safe and with practice you can do it anytime with just about whatever you have on hand.  When Should I Ward? Whenever you want an energetic barrier around you, most people consistently ward their home, themselves or their place of practice. Some people even ward their space every time they prepare for a spell. It should be done consistently in any area you want protected, but exactly where and how often is entirely up to the practitioner.  What Should I Do Before? Cleanse, a ward is a barrier of energy and in the same way that it keeps things out it also keeps things in. You don’t want to trap anything inside of it. Cleanse yourself before you ward yourself. Cleanse your space before you ward your space!  Tips Before You Ward- Phrasing Keep the phrasing in mind! You don’t want to keep anything out that you want in, or let something in that you want out. If you’re chanting or using sigils ect keep in mind exactly what you want to keep out both in your methods and in your mind. Covering everything Make sure to cover everything, a ward is useless if there’s a weakness in it or if the ceiling & floor aren’t probably covered. Be super thorough!  Layering Your Wards One small little wimpy barrier? Ha, the spirits say as they scramble into your home to wreak havoc! You need to layer your wards, don’t just use one method one time, there’s no such thing as too much warding.  What Are Some Ways That I Can Ward? Now we’ll get right down to the methods you can use to ward yourself and your space! Remember that warding is important and needs to be effective, don’t try anything that you don’t have experience with for warding. At first, focus on the stuff you know. If you like sigils, use sigils at first and slowly work your way into using other more complex methods or methods that solely rely on your abilities. Circle Casting You cast a circle by summoning the four elements to protect & energize what is in the circle.  - Here’s my post about circles & how to cast them  Chanting/Speaking Come up with a protective chant you can use to ward your space. This chant could be someone else’s or your own as long as you feel it’s effective. Speak it aloud and visualize a layer of energy protecting your space.  Incense Burn a protective incense in the space you’d like to ward and visualize a barrier protecting your space. Athame Draw out the line of your ward with your athame, visualize the wall appearing, covering everything with a thick layer of energy.  Spraying Spray a mix of blessed/magickal waters and or herbs with protective properties in the space you want to ward.  Sigils Create a sigil using your favorite method with the intent to “ward” or “protect/protection.” Then charge and activate it as a layer of protection! Here’s my post on sigils if you’re interested in that: - Sigil Post Jar Spells You could mix up a jar spell for warding, set it in your house and forget it as a layer of warding.  - My protective jar spell post Anointment Anoint the doorways of your space, you could also anoint the ceiling, floor, walls, corners, honestly go for it.  Salt Sprinkle salt all around the edge of your home or space. Make sure to sprinkle salt on the INSIDE of your harm as salt can harm plants & wildlife if used outside. If you’d like to make a barrier on the outside of your home, you can use dried & crushed eggshells in place of salt. - Post on how to make eggshell powder here -  Hag stones Hag stones are stones with holes in them that have been corroded into the stone because of rushing water. It is believed rushing water is protective & cleansing so if you wear a stone that sat in it long enough to have parts corroded away, that the stone will maintain and keep those properties with it. It’s a great way to personally ward yourself, and an excuse to go out in nature.  They look like this! 

Energy Manipulation If you’ve got a knack for manipulating energy, you can create a barrier through work and visualization that surrounds yourself or your space. This isn’t recommended for beginners though! Links: - Horse Warding Charm By @anothersusurrus - House Warding Spritz Mixture By @seleneblackwell Both of these are great if you’re looking for specific spells, types of magick, correspondences, sigils, ect! - Protection Magic Masterpost Part 1 By @auricwitch - Protection Magic Masterpost Part 2 By @auricwitch Personal Wards Also remember not just to ward your space but yourself, if you layer your home with wards, what happens when you leave? Exactly. Keep yourself safe too! Circle casting & hag stones are great methods I mentioned above that are good for personal warding.  Can I Ward Specific Things And Not Others? Absolutely! I mentioned this in the phrasing section of this post, keep in mind exactly what you want to keep out when you’re warding. I like words like “negative” or “harmful” or “with ill intent” because they don’t necessarily keep out the Fae or positive/neutral spirits but it does keep out anything that wants to harm you in general. Just think about it ahead of time, find wording or a phrase you like and keep that in mind as you ward.  What If I Live With People? If you’re out of the broom closet, explain to your family/roommates what you’re doing and why you’re doing it and make sure they’re cool with it and are aware of what’s going on. If you’re not out of the broom closet, you may have to resort to only warding yourself/your room, & that’s okay!  I hope this helps someone or teaches them something new! Enjoy! Have a lovely day 💖

do you know any simple and discreet ways to protect a doorway from harmful things coming through it?

Threshold Warding Powder:

At twilight (ideally on a Saturday,) grind together Salt, Yarrow, Eggshells, Fennel, and Red Brick Dust within a Cast Iron vessel.

When the mixture has been satisfyingly pulverized, step outside and sprinkle the powder along the threshold of the doorway, from right to left. Having done this, walk backwards through the doorway, making sure not to touch your feet to the threshold. Once inside, close the door and turn the lock three times (i.e. lock it, unlock it, lock it again, unlock it again, lock it once more, and unlock it once more.) Thereafter, repeat the ritual as needed (when the powder is in need of replacing.)

There are innumerable ways to ward a threshold, from hanging certain talismans above the door, to sowing certain plants near the entryway, but this particular method is quite inconspicuous and fairly straightforward. I will also try and post a more in-depth warding rite soon, which calls on Janus to secure the threshold, should you, or anyone else, want a slightly more involved method with similar elements to this one.

I haven’t sent you an ask in ages, so... Do you know any herbal remedy recipes with catnip, spearmint, rosemary, or lavender in them? Not tea, other stuff

Biiiitch, you know I do! Ok some of these (most of these) aren’t recipes really and some are spells but you get the basic idea lol and maybe might get an idea? You get everything thrown at you. ;)

Catnip:

A Little Spell to Bless a Cat

Cat Cuddle Comfort Spell

A Shiny Glamour

Drawing out Latent Talent Charm Bag

Catnip & Lavender:

Get Up & Go New Moon Ritual

Daytime Rest Satchel

Witch’s Salve

Attract a Friend

Catnip, Rosemary & Lavender:

Happy Home Jar Spell

Jar Spell to Attract Love

Sweet Scent

Bath of Renewal

Spearmint:

Spell for Confidence and Beauty

Money Jar

I don’t have a whole lot for spearmint because I am mildly allergic.

Spearmint & Lavender:

Divination Jar

Calming & Anxiety Relieving Simmer Pot Spell

Anti Stress Incense

Rosemary:

Ok you aren’t getting everything for rosemary & lavender because I would be here all fucking day.

Earth Milk Bath

Floor Wash

Curse Removing Wash

Purification Bath

Banishing bath Spell

Spiced Rosemary Sea Salt Brownies

Cleansing Spray

Home Wash

Rosemary Sugar Scrub

Rosemary & Lavender:

Bath Spell for Peace & Clarity

Sleep Sachet

Lavender-Rosemary-Lemon Shortbread (pls send some if you make them kthx)

Good Night’s Sleep Oil & Bag

Third Eye Anointing Oil

I am Majestic Bath Ritual

Lavender:

Safe Travels Powder

Love Drawing Soak

Lavender Fairy Wine (non alcoholic)

Self Love Spray

Candles

Faery Bath

Faery Queen Sugar

Ice Witch Milk Bath

Lavender Sugar Scrub

Honey Blueberry Lavender Ice Cream

Stress Fix Bath

Lavender & Honey Feel Good Potion

Peaceful Night Potion

Fruit & Herb Infused Water

Love Everlasting Oil

Beauty Bath

Lavender Wine

Cheers! Have fun, stay safe, and don’t do anything I wouldn’t do. Which I would do pretty much anything so…..

Love you!

Herb Substitutions 🌿

****These are used as Suggestions****

Rosemary can be used in place of other herbs

Rose can be used in place of any other flower

Frankincense or Copal can replace gum resin

Sage in place of any mints

Tobacco in place of any poisonous herbs

Acacia substitute Gum Arabic

Aconitie substitute Tobacco

Arabic substitute gum ,gum mastic or frankincense

Allspice substitute cassia, cinnamon, cloves ,mace or nutmeg

Balm of gilded substitute rose buds or gum mastic

Belladonna substitute Tobacco

Benzoin substitute Gum Arabic or gum mastic

Camphor oil substitute Eucalyptus oil or lavender oil

Carnation substitute rose petals anointed with a few drops of cinnamon oil

Cassia substitute cinnamon

Castor beans substitute for a few drops of castor oil

Cedar substitute sandlewood

Cinquefoil substitute clover or trefoil

Citron substitute equal parts Orange & lemon peels

Clove substitute mace or nutmeg

Clover substitute cinquefoil

Copal substitute frankincense or cedar

Cowbane substitute tobacco

Cypress substitute juniper or pine needles

Deer tongue substitute tonka bean, woodruff or vanilla

Dittany substitute gum mastic

Dragons blood substitute equal parts frankincense and red sandlewood

Eucalyptus oil substitute camphor oil or lavender oil

Euphorbium substitute Tobacco

Frankincense substitute copal or pine resin

Grains of paradise substitute black pepper

Gum bumelia substitute copal, pine resin or dragons blood

Hellebore substitute tobacco or nettle

Hemlock substitute Tobacco

Hemp substitute nutmeg or damiana

Henbone substitute Tobacco

Hyssop substitute lavender

Ivy substitute cinquefoil

Jasmin substitute rose

Juniper substitute pine

Lavender substitute rose

Lemon Grass substitute lemon peel

Lemon verbena substitute Lemon grass or lemon peel

Mace substitute nutmeg

Mandrake substitute Tobacco

Mastic substitute gum, gum Arabic or Frankincense

Mint substitute sage

Mistletoe substitute mint or sage

Mugwort substitute wormwood

Neroli oil substitute orange oil

Nightshade substitute Tobacco

Nutmeg substitute mace or cinnamon

Oakmoss substitute patchouli

Orange substitute tangerine peel

Orange flower substitute orange peel

Patchouli substitute oakmoss

Peppermint substitute spearmint

Pepperwort substitute grain of paradise or black pepper

Pine substitute juniper

Pine resin substitute frankincense or copal

Red Sandlewood substitute sandlewood with a pinch of dragons blood

Rose substitute yarrow

Rose geranium substitute rose

Rue substitute rosemary with a pinch of black pepper

Saffron substitute orange peel

Sandalwood substitute cedar

Sarsaparilla substitute sassafras

Spearmint substitute peppermint

Star Anise substitute bay

Sulfur substitute tobacco, club moss or asafetida

Thyme substitute rosemary

Tobacco substitute bay

Tonka bean substitute deer tongue

Trefoil substitute cinquefoil

Valerian substitute asafetide

Vanilla substitute woodruff or deer tongue

Vetivert substitute calamus

Wolfsbane substitute tobacco

Wood aloe substitute sandalwood sprinkled with ambergris oil

Woodruff substitute deer tongue or vanilla

Wormwood substitute nutmeg

Yarrow substitute rose

Yew substitute Tobacco

Honoring the elements as a sea witch:

The Sea is water. She shapes the coast and carries us to new places and old comforts.

Underwater volcanoes are fire, forging new land deep below the waves, hot vents giving life well beyond the reach of sunlight.

Sand and the seafloor is the earth, cradling the Sea and meeting her head on, even at her most fearsome.

The wind that drives the waves is air, kissing her surface and aiding her wrath on the land, but also rippling her when she is still, making her beauty sparkle in the sun.

strawberry juice 🍓

ingredients:

- 8 frozen strawberries

- 2 tbsp of honey

- 2 tbsp of lemon juice

- 4 cups of water

- mint leaves

- ice

instructions:

boil the water in a medium pot! when the water starts to boil add six of the frozen strawberries

let them boil for about ten minutes, then remove the strawberries with a fork! add honey to the strawberry water and let it sit for about 2 minutes

strain any strawberry bits out of ur juice (that part is completely optional) and then pour it into a cup/jar! add lemon juice and two frozen strawberries and let it chill in the fridge for a few hours

remove the strawberries, replace them with ice, and garnish with lemon slices and fresh or frozen strawberries and mint leaves!

most important step: take pictures and send them to me or reblog them onto this post!!