Confusion And Misdirection Spell Jar 

❄️ Bath Spell ❄️

For purity and cleansing.

This was very impromptu but I tried it out and I like it!

Ingredients:

Snow Water

Vinegar

Witch Hazel

Egg Shell

Ice Cube

Bay leaf

Black Salt

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Collect snow water! I left a cup outside while it was snowing for about ten minutes just to let it collect at the bottom.

Bring the cup inside and add a little vinegar. Snow water is great for purification and the vinegar adds a cleansing value to it.

Add Witch Hazel to your mixture. Witch Hazel is great for your skin IF it is alcohol-free. It has many purification values.

For the egg shells, I saved some over from when I had breakfast. I boil mine but how you clean yours is up to you. I actually think Less is More when it comes to egg shells because they’re hard to clean up sometimes.

While you fill up your bath, I would add the ice cube. The act of melting ice represents cleansing and purification.

Add your mixture in a circular motion.

Add the black salt in a circular motion.

Add the egg shells.

Add your bay leave(s). I like to bless my Bay Leaves with a kiss before adding them to anything.

Extras:

I light white candles and use clear quarts and smokey quartz to line the bath. I also use aromatherapy but it didn’t correspond to the meaning so I didn’t add it in the ingredients list.

I also lit a pink candle for Venus and gave her a seashell offering so she can enjoy the bath as well.

Let's Talk Imbolc!: The Earth Stirs

As the first proper Sabbat of the Spring and the (ostensibly, depending on your system) first Cross-Quarter of the year, Imbolc represents the time of the Wheel when the seasons begin to turn from winter to spring, snow and ice beginning to mely, and the first vestiges of life start to pop up from beneath the blanket of winter. (Your results may vary - I live in New England where everything is still metaphorically dead as doorknobs on February 1st!).

Imbolc marks the time when winter begins to seep away, when greenery first begins to poke its head through the stillness of the Dark Half of the Year, and, of course, themes of light abide throughout.

Neatly tucked between Yule (the Winter Solstice) and Ostara (the Spring Equinox), Imbolc is the transitory celebratory day positioned exactly between these two climes. Though "Imbolc" and Sabbats are typically associated with Wiccan tradition, secular & non-Wiccan witches can observe and celebrate these days as mathemetical nature festivals marking the turning of the year.

Imbolc Dates, 2022: Sunset February 1st to February 2nd

Associated Colors (for altars and decorating, etc): White, Cream, Light Blue (Periwinkle), Green & White, Silver

Symbols: Melting snows, evergreens, lights and candles, melting ice, & white flowers

Scents: Vanilla, Benzoin

Herbs: Angelica, Myrrh, yellow, white or blue Flowers, snowdrop, rowan, the first flowers of the year; to burn: basil, bay, benzoin, celandine

Colors for Ritual Wear: White

Magic for Imbolc

As a time of renewal and rebirth, these themes are key to any spellwork or ritualcraft engaged in on Imbolc. Though many might advise you that Sabbats are really days for celebrating and not a lot of heavy-lifting spellcraft ought to be done, I tend to disagree - especially, at least, when it comes to Imbolc and Litha. Here, Imbolc is the perfect time to state new beginnings and begin any cycles of renewal or rebirth you have in mind! The pull of the natural passing of the seasons (again, adjust as applicable here) is a magnificent tide for ebbing or renewal magics.

Other topics or purposes suitable for Imbolc include: Health, omen observation, animal kinship, safety, improving finances, awakening, light, fertility (not just literal - gardening or creative endeavors could fall under here), initiations and self-dedications, turning focus inward, centering power, and attending to the self.

Foods of Imbolc

As a big advocate for lavish feasts on Wheel days, Imbolc is a prime time for preparing seasonally appropriate food! Dishes or courses may include:

Dairy, milk, cheeses, creams and sour cream, peppers, onions shallots, garlic, leeks, chives, olives, raisins, breads, creamy soups, white wine, soy milk, cornbread cake, rowanberry wine, lamb, fondues, creamed spinach

Customs of Imbolc

Observing Imbolc Sabbat rituals (as appropriate to your traditions)

Wearing a crown of lights, or carrying candles/tapers, during invocations & rituals.

Renewing vows of magic, initiation, and dedication to the Craft, one's coven, etc.

Burning of the Yule Greens (for some)

Leaving buttered bread for the Fae who travel with the Lady of the Greenwood on Imbolc Eve (I personally Do Not Eff With the Fae but - for those who do!)

Place three ears of corn over the doorway for/to represent The Triple Goddess and leave til Ostara (for the Wiccans/Those Who Eff With the Triple Goddess in the room)

Cleanse your magic working area with rosemary or vervain

Walk in the snow (as applicable)

Light a candle in every room of the house, or all the lights, even just for a few moments, after sunset on Imbolc.

Take a bath of renewal

Meditate or inquire of your deities - there is a tradition amongst those who call upon a Goddess in the Wiccan fashion to inquire of them, then recieve their answer overnight on Imbolc during which no word must be uttered, which I admit is incredibly appealing (as someone who loves, loves, loves ritual!)

Imbolc is a wonderful time for peacefully looking inward and starting anew - I hope you find what you're looking for, and have a wonderful and lovely cross-quarter day! (Remember: If you're in the Southern Hemisphere, flip the Wheel - February 1st/2nd would be Lammas for you!)

Sources for this post include: Ann Moura, Deborah Blake, Scott Cunningham, Patricia Telesco, Titania Hardie, Ellen Dugan

[Part of the Let's Talk... Sabbat Series: Lammas | Litha | ]

Past Life Tarot Spread

Just in case you have a few hours free, here's a spread that will take all of them up. Have fun with your afternoon.

1: Birth

2: Parents

3: Life

4: Childhood

5: Passion

6: Friends

7: Responsibility

8: Partner

9: Work

10: Success

11: Shortcoming/Failure

12: Death

13: Children

14: Legacy

15: What I Brought To This Life

🌊Blue Seas

patience & anti- anxiety sachet spell🌊

💙 a sachet spell to encourage communication, increase patience, increase wisdom, and soothe anxiety using sea energy🏝

What you need:

🌊 a blue sachet

🐟 blue sea glass or a blue crystal

🌀 blue salt (white works as well)

☁️ a seashell

💧 sea water

🐳 a pinch of rosemary and lavender

How to make it:

🌊 put all the ingredients in your sachet, one by one *except the sea water*, focusing on the intent and imagining a calm ocean

**try listening to ocean sounds or light a blue candle to help you focus on intent if you need to

🌊 once the sachet is together, sprinkle some sea water on it to cleanse and charge it

🌊 carry the sachet with you as needed for soothing anxiety, communication, wisdom, memory, patience, calm, meditation, and understanding

As a Tarot reader….

1. What expectations do I hold for my self?

2. What special qualities do I possess that are unique to me?

3. Where do my strengths lie?

4. What holds me back from reaching my true potential?

5. What aspect of myself do I need to develop more fully?

6. How I can best connect to others through Tarot

7. How I can strengthen the bond I have with my Tarot cards.

8. A message from my Tarot cards/ A word of advice

ok maybe this is kind of a stupid question, but do you have any advice for researching and how to determine if the witchcraft information youre reading is valid? like i know the whole look up other resources about that to compare, but like if they do say different things how do i know which is right? or if either is right? (its probably a common sense answer and ive just worked myself up too much to figure it out 😅) but like any advice or tips you have for researching would be appreciated!

I was just thinking hm how have I not got any anons in days? That's a shame and here you are with a spectacular question! I've been waiting for this one.

Best tip, think critically and ask yourself questions like:

What are the qualifications, motives and biases of the person giving me this information?

Who recommended this source?

Is anything they're implying or advising here a threat to my or someone else's safety or health?

Does this line up with other things I know to be true? Like science, other factors about witchcraft, your beliefs, ect. Beliefs won't dictate fact but often in witchcraft personal belief is the only thing that will sway you towards one answer or another.

Does it make sense? Like logically does it make sense to you?

Why? Just ask yourself why. Ask them why. Ask them for sources or an explanation.

Have I seen someone say this before? How often? Apply the above questions to that source(s) as well.

Here are all my other general research tips:

Take time to take things with a grain of salt. Try not to categorize them as right or wrong until you're absolutely sure. Take time to dive into topics, there's no rush.

Understand that many things are up to personal belief and for many questions the answer will be "Depends on the witch." Both answers might be correct.

Cross reference everything you find. The answer you see the most is likely right.

Check out the library.

Use books that aren't marketed as being about witchcraft or the occult. Folklore, local flora and fauna, nature, botany, gardening, foraging, geology, these are all useful subjects. 

Don't worry about making a fancy grimoire or book of shadows or having all the correspondences in the world written out. That's the least of your worries, take notes on the essentials and things that interest you personally. Some things to include are the subject, date & source of what you're reading.

Ask real, experienced witches. Do not rely on them as your soul mentor and ideally and contact multiple witches or groups.

Let's use an example for your issue, so you can see how these will apply. Let's say you're looking into cursing and you see someone say no witches curse because of the rule of three. If you keep looking and talk to real witches you will soon come across witches who curse and such. Witches who don't believe in the rule of three. How is that logical if the rule of three is always right? If you question that person's influences, you will find their motive is pushing a belief on someone, and not your best interests. If you ask that and they had your best interests at heart they would say some witches curse and some don't and that any personal choice in relation to that is valid. So you see then you've identified their motive, and you know you can decide to curse or not to curse. Let's use another example because although the whole "depends on the witch" thing is often the answer sometimes but it's not. New example, let's say you're looking into opening your witchy senses. Intuition, sensitivity, that kind of stuff. You see someone say that taking medication like anti depressants is going to dull that. It's going to dull all your spiritual senses. You might want to say that that's just the person's belief, and you can decide, because that's so often what is true. Let me tell you why it's not though, refer to the above. That person once again does not have your best interests at heart, what they're saying does not line up with other things you know to be true, like science, or professional medical advice. It is also a threat to your safety and well being. Objectively wrong and harmful. The difference with the above is it's not harmful as long as they don't push the idea, just personal preference. Cross reference like you mentioned, the answer you see the most is likely right. Be sure to follow the tips above. Sometimes it just takes time and you will look back with more information and experience and the answer will be clear. Ask yourself questions. Talk to real life witches. You'll figure it out. Good luck on your path 💖

Help me. I made more. How did this AU come about again? I basically spent way too much time being interested in all things mythological when I was younger so it was inevitable that this happened I guess?

I’m tagging everyone that was involved in the other post as well @vikingstrash @quantumlocked310 @ritual-unions-gotme @deans-ch-ch-cherrypie @kataphine and the person that gave me the idea to begin with @ofmanderley 😊

Merman Ragnar. The idea of Lagertha catching him in a net still cracks me up.

Valkyrie Lagertha. Given her fighting nature, this was the only choice.

Witch/Siren Aslaugh. Like @quantumlocked310 I couldn’t decide which of these two she should be, but both options work for me.

Dryad Floki. A tree spirit! It makes total sense!

Minotaur Rollo. I don’t why, but it works for me.

Phoenix Siggy. Because she comes back stronger every single time. Apart from that one time that will not be mentioned.

Werebear Bjorn. He got attacked by a bear in the show so it’s basically canon.

Siren Sigurd (which has been written into existence quite excellently by @vikingstrash ❤️)

War Water

So this is one of those things I've kept on hand ever since my days as a baby witch because it's a) easy to make and b) easy to hide if you're still closeted for any reason because it doesn't really smell or anything. I mean yes now I don't have to hide so I keep mine in an old pickle jar, but it can be kept in opaque containers to hide it if necessary.

You really only need 2 things for this - some kind of metal that will rust, and water. You're essentially letting the metal rust and using the rusty water for your craft. Of course this means be very careful, don't touch this with your bare hands/don't get it on your skin (and wash up right away if you do get it on you), and any implements you use to stir it or handle it need to be washed thoroughly when you're done.

Now if you look around some people will tell you that you need very specific metals and/or water - versions where only cut nails will do, or broken pins, or something of the sort and where the water has to be rain water, snow water, set outside in the moonlight, collected only on a certain day, whatever. And I'm not saying those versions are wrong per say, but they are not universal to everyone's practice.

Mine contains any metal I know will rust - bits of jewelry chains that broke, metal rings from pendants I pried off, a few nails from old projects that would have just been tossed out otherwise, ect. And the water? Plain tap water. I haven't had the ability to set up my rain water or snow water collection systems since I moved in with my house mates, so I just use tap water.

As for uses, war water is most often associated with a form of protection. A very aggressive, offensive form of protection that is known to basically cause your enemies to war with one another while also taking those disruptive energies and taking them far away from your life. It can also be used to take a curse and throw it back at the person who sent it at you. It's a great to sprinkle across doorways and window sills outside to protect yourself, and personally I keep a small bottle of it in a woven hang by my bedroom door along with other protective elements :)

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Dove Blood Ink 🩸

Uses

Dove’s blood ink is traditionally used for any type of love, blessing, friendship, reconciliation, desire, and loyalty working/spell. This ink can be used to record spells, write petitions, create sigils, etc. Blood inks (dragon blood, dove blood, bat blood) got their names because of their dark red pigment due to the type of resin used, Dracaena Cinnabari, which causes the inks to look similar to blood.

ingredients

isopropyl 99.9% alcohol

Dracaena Cinnabari resin (medieval DB resin)

a pinch of rose petal

tsp of cinnamon/cinnamon chips

1 bay leaf

a pinch of calamus root (optional)

How to make

In a glass, air tight container, add your botanicals, and then pour isopropyl alcohol over the botanicals, stir, and seal lid tightly. Store vial in a cool, dark place for at least 24 hours.

After allowing the isopropyl to infuse with your botanicals, strain the botanicals from the isopropyl so that your alcohol is now in a separate air tight glass vial (this vial will be the one you store your ink in!)

In a mortar and pestle (preferably a separate one dedicated solely to ink making), crush DB resin into small pieces and/or powder. Make sure this is real Dracaena Cinnabari resin, as this is the only DB resin that dissolves in alcohol.

Add your now crushed resin to your isopropyl that has been strained into your ink vial, and stir. Allow your resin to dissolve for at least 3 hours minimum before using ink. If you would like to strain excess pieces of non-dissolved resin from your ink, you may do so, but I prefer to keep them in the mixture. Depending on preferred consistency, you may need to add more resin and/or isopropyl. Shake/stir before each use.

⚠️ WARNING ⚠️

Do not make this ink near/on an open flame, or near ANY heat source. Isopropyl is highly flammable. Please wear gloves and a mask when making your inks to protect yourself from fumes. Do not use rubbing alcohol as a substitute for isopropyl!!! Your alcohol must be 99.9%; any water added to your ink will ruin and harden it because water hardens resin! Any utensils/bowls/vials etc used for ink making should be dedicated purely to ink making. Please do not eat out of or use your utensils for other things that you may ingest.

Imbolc Spread

Here is a simple four card spread that you can do to welcome the changing of seasons!

Imbolc marks the halfway point between winter and summer, and is the perfect time to prepare for the coming spring. Read more about Imbolc here.

Past: What can you learn from the past season? Winter can be rough for some people, maybe you were put through the wringer this past season too. What is something you can glean from this experience so that you can learn from this?

Present: What energy do you need to bring into this next season? It’s important to learn from the past and plan for the future, but make sure you are able to stay present and grounded even as the weather is bleak. So, what energy should you bring with you into this changing of seasons that can help you to learn, prepare, and pursue what you need to?

Prepare: Anything you would need to prepare for this coming season? This is the time of the year that farmers and gardeners start to prep their lands and plant their seeds for the spring; what is something you can prepare for that you will need to grow or nurture in the springtime?

Pursue: What is something you need to pursue during this time? This could be a goal that you set earlier this year but you have yet to follow through on, is this something you could be pursuing now, during this halfway between winter and spring?

I haven't done this exact spread yet, I plan to do it the day of Imbolc. I'll share my experience with it if I feel like it's ok to share :)

Let me know if you try out this spread, I would love to know how you feel about it!!!