Timing: Sabbats

Blood Magick 101

One of the most common things I am asked besides how to begin in witchcraft is, “What is Blood Magick? Is it real?”

The short answer is…yes, but not in the way you think. Please keep in mind while you read this that a lot of closed religions use blood as an integral part of their practice and how it affects their practice is usually very different from how it affects the general open practices. This post does not apply to those closed packages as I do not practice them or possess any in-depth knowledge of how they work, but rather the general open practices with blood. If you are a member of one of those closed religions, however, please feel free to add onto this post with your experiences!

What is Blood Magick?

When we hear the phrase, “Blood Magick”, we might think of sacrifices, cutting our hands open with sacrificial blades, or, if you’re like me, you think of the big “no-no” practice that universally brands you as evil in the video game series, Dragon Age. This is all a result of popular media displaying this magick as such. In reality, blood magick is not as exciting as it is portrayed in media and can, in fact, be totally painless! General Blood Magick is when you use blood as a source of energy for your spell, ritual, charm, etc. It can reap benefits, but it very unstable and your results might not be what you expect. While the blood used is usually your own, it doesn’t need to be. I have known witches who have used game animal blood! Wherever you get your blood, it is important to receive it ethically!* 

How can I be safe when using Blood?

It is important for you to use certain protocols when dealing with blood, before any magick is in involved. Here are some general ones I’ve learned from a phlebotomist:

Never reuse needles

Never share needles

Do not attempt if you are anemic or you have any blood clotting disorder/ are on any blood-thinning medication such as Plavix

Always dispose of needles properly so that there is no chance for children, animals, garbage men, or even yourself can get poked. They actually make containers for you to dispose needles in. 

If you use a sharp object to acquire blood, ensure that the area you are using it on is clean and the needle is always sterile beforehand

Always know the source of the blood you are using, but also be sure to never get blood in any open wounds, cuts, or in your eyes. If this happens with blood you are not familiar with, immediately go to an emergency room to get preventative care. 

DO NOT INGEST BLOOD. IT IS DANGEROUS AND CAN LEAD TO A LOT OF DISEASES PLUS POISONING

It’s actually preferable if you use sanitary disposable gloves when handling blood, but at the very least, thoroughly clean any skin that got blood on it immediately.

If, at any time, you can not control the bleeding, go to the emergency room. You might need stitches. 

Do not try to acquire blood from any vein or vessel nor should you use any sharp object near one.

DO NOT HANDLE A SHARP OBJECT WHILE INTOXICATED IN ANY WAY. Look, I drink and don’t judge others who do so or like to get high. I know a lot of witches incorporate drugs into their craft. However, never use a sharp object when intoxicated. Your control and judgement will be compromised and you could seriously injure yourself without knowing. If it is absolutely necessary, collect the blood beforehand. 

Why would I use Blood Magick?

Blood magick is used when you need to infuse your very essence or a small part of your life energy into a spell, if using your blood, or the essence of a particular animal or their life energy. It is one of the most powerful ways you can charge give energy to a spell. If you are not very experienced in this, you should only use it in very desperate circumstances when all other options have been exhausted. I have seen witches use deer blood in a spell calling upon Artemis, the Greek God of the Hunt (among other things) and I have a friend who used blood magick when trying to save her house from foreclosure when she was told there was almost no chance she could save it, even with the proper budgeting and payments. 

Wait, you said I should only use it regularly if I was very experienced in it… what are the Magickal dangers of it?

Think of using Blood Magick as if using rocket fuel in a normal car. If you are an engineer, you might be able to build a car that can use rocket fuel reliably, but, if not, you most likely would build a non-functional or unreliable car, or worse, a car that just explodes. 

When you use blood, I mentioned that you are putting your very essence and energy into the spell. This very much ups the chance that you will be directly affected by the outcome of the spell, even if it was done for or on someone else. This goes double with any curses or hexes. It is also possible that you might get too much of the result you wanted or your result way too soon. If you are using animal blood, it is possible that it’s correspondence won’t agree with the purpose of the spell or the animal’s essence is just plain unwilling to cooperate. 

If you use unethically-sourced blood, you also open yourself up to the negative energies of the source including unsavory paranormal activity. It might take several rounds of cleansing to get rid of that energy. 

How much blood would I need for most spells?

Usually the tiniest drop of blood is necessary, if even needed. It would be equivalent of a finger prick when checking blood sugar levels. 

How would I use the blood?

It depends on the spell and the caster! I’ve seen it dripped on paper where the incantation is written out and I’ve also seen it mixed in a bowl of herbs (not for consumption). Generally, if you ask me, I will tell you that you most likely don’t need it for the spell you are doing. 

Please be safe, everyone!! 

*Ethically sourced is a very broad phrase, but I am referring to blood that is retrieved either from yourself, a willing participant who know what you are using it for and has given consent, animals that have respectfully and lawfully been hunted and consumed, or animals that have been respectfully and lawfully hunted and honored. You should never poach animals or steal blood from any scientific/medical institution, deceased persons, or receive the blood from a living human who is misguided or unknowing of your intentions with the blood.

Cleansing Morning Simmering Potpourri

This morning I opened all the windows and made a cleansing simmer potpourri to clean and refresh my home with new energy!

Here is what I did -

Open the windows and sliding doors to let the breeze in.

Get a small pot ready on the stove

Add 1 - 2 cups base liquid - usually purified or distilled water

Add bruised/crushed herbs - I used 1 TBSP lavender for cleansing and peace

Add essential oils and/or larger items - I used the peel of ½ pink grapefruit, for cleansing, self love and energy, and I added ½ tsp of pure vanilla extract for peace and happiness

Bring to a simmer then lower the heat then as low as it goes while still being on

Enjoy the simmering potpourri while cleaning, dusting, or helping your house in some way.

Keep an eye on the pot. When almost all the liquid has evaporated turn off the stove and remove from heat.

Discard remants in a compost bin or trash. If any liquid remains you can use in a bath, or a hand or foot soak to keep the spell with you all day!

I hope you have a relaxing, cleansing morning as well! Happy (witch) crafting!

House Claiming and Warding

You will need:

Four small bowls

Frankincense oil or tears

Myrrh oil or tears

Vervain oil or plant matter

Yarrow oil or plant matter

Salt

In four small bowls, in four corners of the house, place one tablespoon frankincense, one tablespoon myrrh, one tablespoon vervain, one tablespoon yarrow, and surround each bowl with a circle of salt.

Sitting in the center of the house, you then surround yourself with a circle of salt, and seek your own power. This is your home. It is your territory. You are the power of this place and it is your temple. It has meaning because it is yours. It is a home because you make it one. 

Seek feelings of security, stability, and confidence within yourself, remembering your home as a place of safety and rest.

When those feelings are strong within you, cast a claiming and warding.

The claiming and warding I prefer is quite simple, “This house is mine. I have claimed it with frankincense, that there may be riches within it. I have claimed it with myrrh, that evil cannot enter here. I have claimed it with vervain, that it may be a sacred space, a temple for my earthly flesh. I claim it with yarrow, that only good health may enter here. This house is mine.”

But you use whatever warding affirmation you prefer.

Gather each ingredient from the four bowls and place them in a container of your choice. Place this somewhere in the home – the mantle of the fireplace, inside your chest of drawers, on your altar, etc. Gather the salt from the circles and scatter it around the outside of the house, reinforcing your warding, for example, saying: “This house is mine. This house is mine. This house is mine.”

Cautionary Note: If you are using pure essential oils rather than infused oils, please be careful touching them, as they can cause chemical burns.

If you are panicking because you think you’ve missed Imbolc, it’s ok. While the 1st of February is the traditional date, the astrological date is always when the sun reaches 15° in the sign of Aquarius. This year, the astrological date is the 4th of February. So take a breath, and do what you can when you can. You haven’t missed anything.

Edited to add:

The other major Sabbats fall astrologically as such:

Beltane: Sun at 15° Taurus

Lughnasadh: Sun at 15° Leo

Samhain: Sun at 15° Scorpio

The minor Sabbats fall astrologically as such:

Winter Solstice: Sun at 0° Capricorn

Spring Equinox: Sun at 0° Aries

Summer Solstice: Sun at 0° Cancer

Autumn Equinox: Sun at 0° Libra

Daily Spell: June 13th

Shoe Protection Spell

You’ll need:

Your favorite pair of walking or running shoes

A black permanent marker

This season, before it gets too hot, is a great time of the year to go outdoors and getting some exercise, and that could mean you’ll spend a lot of time on your feet. If you’re a hiker, backpacker, jogger, or if you just try to get in a few laps around the neighborhood, do the spell on your shoes to protect you as you travel.

Flip over the shoes, and on the bottom of the left one, write the word SAFE. On the right, write SOUND. Put the shoes on, and sit on the floor, knees bent and to the side, so the souls are touching each other. Say “I may walk around the world, but I’ll always come home safe and sound. I walk for miles both far and near, hale and hearty when I returned here.”

Wear your shoes when you go walking or running, and be sure to check the souls periodically to see if you need to refresh the words.

-

“Daily Spellbook for the Good Witch: Quick, Simple, and Practical Magic for Every Day of the Year,” by Patti Wigington

Flameless Hearths & Devotions

Ideas for Hestia devotees/worshippers who are unable to use a fireplace or flames in their worship. Welcome for all who find this helpful!

Using flames safely and/or discreetly:

(For the occasional need)

Use a tea light or lighter outside; on a fire-safe surface such as concrete or gravel.

Burn objects over your sink or a bowl of water.

Outdoor fire pits or grills. 

Creating your hearth:

Your hearth should feel like a central, focused place that represents your home. Someplace where you feel calm and safe. Traditionally, this was often in the kitchen; but it can be anywhere in your home. It can also be in multiple places, or small and contained. 

My shelf altar. I keep it clean and tidy. It contains items that remind me of home, and offerings to Hestia. It represents hearth and home, and is a space I can visit when I wish to feel connected to her. 

My dedication wall. I used to have a wall with a dried marigold garland, soothing poetry, devotional poetry, artwork and prayers on it. This is an excellent way to have a discreet (if you so choose) dedicated space that doesn’t take up much surface area. 

My stovetop. Each time I put the kettle on for tea, I feel connected to Hestia. I offer the first sip to her. I simmer pots of water with herbs, spices or other scented things (such as orange peels) to spread a beautiful aroma around my home. 

Don’t have a stove? An electric kettle and microwave will do!

My oven. Each time I bake (both the preparation and the baking itself) I feel connected to her and give a portion as an offering.

My woodstove or outdoor firepit. It is worth noting that because I have these things (and use my woodstove as a primary heating source) I do often use these as my hearth and burn offerings here. 

Flame and candle alternatives:

What feels right to you? What matches the energy/warmth of fire and flame?

Electric candles, especially ones that flicker and have warmer colors.

Electric tealights in candle holders. 

Solar charged lanterns

Fairy lights in a jar

Himalayan salt lamp

Wax or oil warmers (with heat bulbs).

Electric fireplace

Flame ambiance videos

Scents:

For me, certain smells embody home. And this is wonderful, because we can control them–even without candles or incense!

Essential oil or reed diffusers 

Wax or oil warmers

Scented electric candles

Potpourri 

Scented sachets

Room/pillow sprays

Pot of water on the stove with scented things

You  may also like:

Resources for Hestia devotees - a masterpost

Hestia small devotional acts

Bedridden devotion to Hestia

common outdoor items & their uses

a guide to common outdoor items and their magickal uses.

acorns- luck, protection, wisdom, power

walnuts- healing, protection, self care

pinecones- fertility, masculinity, growth, nature

pine needles- cleansing, healing, strength, banishment

pecans- employment, protection, success, abundance, prosperity

grass- growth, learning, healing, new beginning, grief, recovery

maple leaves- feminine, travel, change, decisions, healing

oak leaves- truth, justice, knowledge, steadfastness, protection, guidance

birch leaves- protection, cleansing, fertility, purification

dandelions- calling spirits, divination, healing

dandelion seeds- divination, wishes, manifestation, dreams, luck

dandelion leaves- defeating negativity, steadfastness, growth, purification

2 leaf clovers- love, luck, courage, cleansing

3 leaf clovers- protection, luck, fidelity, divination

4 leaf clovers- spirit work, luck, psychic ability, attraction

5+ leaf clovers- wealth, luck, attracting money, sanity

wild clover flowers- animal magick, blessings, breaking curses, luck, love

apple seeds- love, secrets, knowledge, gateways, divination, prosperity

tree bark- protection, binding, banishment, cleansing, purification

rocks- many rocks have crystals hidden inside, the most common is quartz types. if unsure, rockcs can represent strength, stability, protection and banishing. if you suspect its a crystal, look it up and discover the correspondences that matter to you!

will add more as i can, feel free to add your own!!

Did my 1st simmer pot yesterday, setting intentions for the new year.