Post originates from my website. Headstone is from Julian Pioneer Cemetery.
In the death work community, most people emphasize gathering graveyard dirt and bones. Yes, these tools are significant: they connect us with the deceased when we’re outside of a cemetery. But in my practice, I rarely collect graveyard dirt when I visit the dead’s resting place. Instead, I practice other forms of devotion, spirit communication, and magic.
I don’t recommend packing up grave dirt during your first trip to the cemetery for a couple of reasons:
you don’t know the cemetery yet;
you need to be absolutely sure that you want to work with a certain spirit, because once you collect the dirt, you’re responsible for dealing with that spirit afterward.
I’ve received a lot of questions about how to contact the dead in a cemetery without using a divination vessel. Like any method of spirit work, this connection with the deceased develops through practice. The best way that I can answer this question is to respond with what I, personally, do in graveyards. Every death witch practices differently. Hence, this post is just here to give you ideas about how to advance your death witchcraft.
When I enter a new cemetery, here’s what I’ll do.
I explore. I can already hear the chorus of “duh” echoing from across the computer screen, but allow to explain what I’m looking for. Most cemeteries have sections that may or may not be clearly labeled. Older headstones tend to huddle together; babies and young children often get buried in one area. Depending on your path, you may want to focus on one specific section.
I am silent. I listen. If you’re familiar with energy work, this is the time where you want to focus on your own energy and senses. Sometimes, a particular soul or plot will jump out at you, or even call you towards it. To catch these signals, you must concentrate. This is not the time to chat or take pictures (although I understand how tempting picture-taking is).
I may meditate within the cemetery. If you have a hard time connecting to the graveyard’s energy, you’ll want to practice a meditation technique. I usually do this under a tree, because these spirits understand their graveyard well, and may inform me on where to go. In my experience, the best technique is to enter a meditative state, and connect your energy to the earth. Once you have a feel for the earth, sense the wind. Both elements are strongly tied to ghosts and will link you to the graveyard.
I donate offerings and tidy the area. Because we can’t take every grave’s dirt home, we need to communicate with the dead in other ways. This is a great way to communication with the deceased. For offerings, I usually give coins, small candles, and herbs. But you can also offer flowers and stones as well. Personally, I like granting offerings to effaced or destroyed grave sites: the Forgotten Dead. I also throw away trash and brush off dusty or mud-covered headstones (WITHOUT moving any offerings already present). The deceased usually appreciate the sacrifice and inform me about their lives.
I may sit with one grave for a long time. Once you explore the cemetery exhaustively, you’ll likely locate a grave or two that peaks your interest. I usually remain by these graves for the bulk of my cemetery time–listening, cleaning, gifting, honoring.
Even if I don’t bring home graveyard dirt, I may perform magic for the spirit once I get home. Depending on my interaction, I may give the spirit further offerings, or perform more magic to help the soul heal or move on. Later on, I’ll return the cemetery to confirm whether my spell worked.
While we’re talking about cemetery trips, here are some etiquette/safety tips to keep in mind:
DO NOT sit on top of headstones. It’s rude and unsafe.
If you see a fallen headstone, DO NOT try to upright it yourself. These stones are incredibly heavy and require several people to repair. Instead, contact the cemetery’s staff members.
DO NOT throw away offerings that are already on graves, including dead flowers. Leave that to the cemetery caretakers. However, you may upright a flower pot if it has fallen over.
If a staff member asks you to move or leave, do as they say.
DO NOT burn candles or incense inside the cemetery. It may start a fire.
DO NOT interrupt other peoples’ mourning time.
I hope this post inspires you to view cemetery visits as more than a way to gather tools. These visits allow us to communicate with the dead, advance our abilities, and build a reliable reputation with the spirits. I wish you best of luck in your path.
Already am ❤️
Trying to prove something to myself
with the rise of chatter about whatever the hell is going on over there on tik-tok, i figured it might help to throw together an etiquette list for baby witches who may be struggling to navigate through deities/energies/spirits/etc
[ spirit work ]
- ouija boards are only dangerous if you don’t know what you’re doing! and they’re very dangerous if you don’t. these can safely be used for divination after you’ve properly cleansed your space and board & warded yourself up good; and just source a good board. make sure you say goodbye, cleanse and banish when you’re done, be respectful, don’t press their boundaries. i mean really spirit work is so tricky just you really need to do your own research here i could just keep going on and on. there’s so much that goes into spirit work so please read up plenty on it before trying to talk to anything in any way. really really heavily recommend picking up a mentor here before getting into spirit work.
- graveyard visits. honestly as a baby witch i used to walk along the paths in graveyards and leave trinkets and little flowers for headstones that felt particularly ‘heavy’ to me, i don’t know why after a while that started not to sit right with me but.. if anyone has input on that comment below. anyway, don’t step over graves, always be respectful, don’t be loud and don’t f*ck in here, don’t get drunk and litter your f*cking cigarette butts or whatever, this is a resting place. i’m personally a magnet for spirits and have a tendency to take things home with me so i always cleanse after a visit, i strongly advise the same! when collecting graveyard dirt always always always ALWAYS stay away from the actual. grave. sites. let me say this one more time. do not. ever take dirt from above someone’s resting place. under any circumstances. not even for a hex/curse. this isn’t something to debate, it’s disrespectful, it’s distasteful, and it’s gonna bite you in the ass. take from the sides areas or just wherever there isn’t a grave right there. still ask permission, and always give thanks & leave something behind. remember to still be mindful of c*ps, please don’t get arrested or worse for your craft.
[ fae ]
- to touch on.. hexing.. the fae. i don’t. i don’t really know what to say here. if you hex the fae you’re going to d*e or literally be cursed the rest of your life i mean you’re just asking to be screwed over in the most dangerous and ruthless way possible i don’t understand the purpose i don’t understand the motivation or mindset behind this but please for the love of everything do not? do not f*cking do this. don’t hex the fae, don’t cross the fae, don’t neglect the fae if you choose to work with them, it’s not hard to understand a basic level of respect and give/take to be able to create a safe and enjoyable relationship with the fae. ofc there’s plenty of other research to be had before working with fae but, anyways
- commanding fae? again, these beautiful beings are so.. so much stronger than us? they’re not of this realm, you trying to ‘command’ fae will get you into deep sh*t and again just don’t be a j*ckass why do i even have to make this post right now. they’re not your pets or playthings to toss and boss around, wtf? there’s no ‘leashing’ fae and while i’m here; you can’t f*ck fae either??? i’ve seen two posts saying tik-tok witches claim to, and no. you cannot. no.
[ taglocks ]
- burning taglocks, and burning your own.. taglocks. so, understand that burning a photo/chunk of hair/whatever of someone’s is a big deal, it’s serious juice so really make sure you know what you’re up to and that this person deserves what’s coming to them. that being said it’s also the perfect explanation why you should absolutely never ever burn your own f*cking taglocks. i think i saw that this was recommended for dysphoria and growth spells or something? whatever, it doesn’t matter just please don’t burn your own taglocks. it’s only outcome will be destruction and chaos.
- know that what i’m about to say absolutely doesn’t apply if you’re hexing/cursing an abuser or something along these lines; always get consent before collecting and using a taglock for the subject at hand, nothing really more to add here just don’t cast non-consent love spells for example or whatever else you’re using the taglock for, let them know what’s up and make sure they’re cool with it.
[ deities ]
- deities can call upon you and show interest in working with you- absolutely! what they will absolutely never do is scoop you up and force you into offerings and devotion. they don’t choose you and suddenly you have to do “x, y, x” and certainly if these instructions are coming to you “through another witch”. they’re scamming you, or it’s a demon. get out.
- you don’t have to do an offering every single day to work with deities, communicate well however you can, leave what you can when you can and just do your best, they see your intentions and as long as youre not greedy, hold your own, and you’re respectful, you’ll have a great relationship with really any deities youre working with :) closed practice deities are ofc off limits so please make sure you’re researching well before trying to delve into something that isn’t yours to reach out to!
-
i’m sure there’s so much more to say but this is just off the top of my head here, please stay safe witches, always do research on new areas of your craft!
For this Strawberry Full Moon on June, you can still make great spells during these weekend. Spells about friendship are ideal! (it can also be about breaking them, or making new ones) but this one here is about blessing a friendship. It´s important to make it in the nights close to the time of the full moon, wether its before or after, when the moon is at its brightest and use only candles as source of light.
You will need Dill Powder, 5 things that you both like (it can be between a large group of friends too), and rope or a thread.
First make a circle with the rope and start placing the things around it (not inside) , then spread the dill powder all over them. Once its done, each of the involved have to say why the friendship is important to them.
In the end , both say how long you wish your friendship to last and blow the candles out.
Want to create a religion for your fictional world? Here are some references and resources!
General:
General Folklore
Various Folktales
Heroes
Weather Folklore
Trees in Mythology
Animals in Mythology
Birds in Mythology
Flowers in Mythology
Fruit in Mythology
Plants in Mythology
Folktales from Around the World
Africa:
Egyptian Mythology
African Mythology
More African Mythology
Egyptian Gods and Goddesses
The Gods of Africa
Even More African Mythology
West African Mythology
All About African Mythology
African Mythical Creatures
Gods and Goddesses
The Americas:
Aztec Mythology
Haitian Mythology
Inca Mythology
Maya Mythology
Native American Mythology
More Inca Mythology
More Native American Mythology
South American Mythical Creatures
North American Mythical Creatures
Aztec Gods and Goddesses
Asia:
Chinese Mythology
Hindu Mythology
Japanese Mythology
Korean Mythology
More Japanese Mythology
Chinese and Japanese Mythical Creatures
Indian Mythical Creatures
Chinese Gods and Goddesses
Hindu Gods and Goddesses
Korean Gods and Goddesses
Europe:
Basque Mythology
Celtic Mythology
Etruscan Mythology
Greek Mythology
Latvian Mythology
Norse Mythology
Roman Mythology
Arthurian Legends
Bestiary
Celtic Gods and Goddesses
Gods and Goddesses of the Celtic Lands
Finnish Mythology
Celtic Mythical Creatures
Gods and Goddesses
Middle East:
Islamic Mythology
Judaic Mythology
Mesopotamian Mythology
Persian Mythology
Middle Eastern Mythical Creatures
Oceania:
Aboriginal Mythology
Polynesian Mythology
More Polynesian Mythology
Mythology of the Polynesian Islands
Melanesian Mythology
Massive Polynesian Mythology Post
Maori Mythical Creatures
Hawaiian Gods and Goddesses
Hawaiian Goddesses
Gods and Goddesses
Creating a Fantasy Religion:
Creating Part 1
Creating Part 2
Creating Part 3
Creating Part 4
Fantasy Religion Design Guide
Using Religion in Fantasy
Religion in Fantasy
Creating Fantasy Worlds
Beliefs in Fantasy
Some superstitions:
Read More
Gonna charge my crystals under my kitty from now on 😂
(Source)
For when you’ve moved into a new living situation or are ready for a new start <3
Cleansing:
Room cleansing
To clear negative energy from a room
Summer house cleansing
Herbal wall/floor wash + witchy cleaners
Home cleansing brew
Thoroughly clearing spaces
Crystals to cleanse the home
Home cleansing tips
Cleansing your space without smoke
Energy cleansing
Warding + Protection:
A crash course on warding
Warding (methods)
To ward the home
House claiming and warding
My home is protected spell
Home protection steam spell
Simple home protection jar spell
“Little lurkers” home protection spell
Room/home protection
Check out the sigils below!
Sigils:
“For a magical and happy home”
“Sospidonum”
“This space is full of life, light, and bright energy”
“I have a clean living space”
“No fighting in this home”
“My home is safe”
“This home is safe for all”
“This home is a safe and healthy environment”
“My house is protected from unwanted influences”
“My home is protected”
Witchin’ it up:
Happy home spell jar
Home sweet home spell jar
Cozy home open spell jar
Doing the dishes the witchy way
Homemade laundry detergent recipe
Laundry magic
Pleasing household spirits
When a bad guest leaves
Odds and ends:
Magic, and power, in homemaking
The history and creation of witch bottles
Cottage witch tips
Hearth witch tips
The basics of kitchen and cottage witchcraft
You may also like:
Bedridden witch: garden / stale energy / kitchen edition
Spells for job seekers
Travel witchery
Resources: Wicca Herbal Magic by Lisa ChamberlainCharms, Spells and Herbs by Esteban PortelaThe Green Witch by Arin Murphy-HiscockGrimoire of a Kitchen Witch by Rachel PattersonOne of you requested a reversed version of this list, so it’s here!.
ABUNDANCE: tulip, violet
AFFECTION: thyme
CALIRVOYANCE: artemisa, lavender
CALM NIGHTMARES: thyme, violet
COMMUNICATION: pansy
CONCENTRATION: lilly of valley
CONFIDENCE: yarrow
COSMIC ENERGY: carnation
COURAGE: black pepper, geranium, lilly of valley, marjoram, thyme, yarrow
DESIRE: sandalwood
DISEASE: carnation
DIVINATION: artemisa, bay, dandelion, hibiscus, jasmin, mimosa, mugwort, pansy, rose, verbena, yarrow
DREAM: artemisa, hibiscus, jasmine, mimosa, mint, mugwort
ELIMINATION OF HEXES: lily
ENERGY: carnation, cinnamon, jasmine, sunflower
FERTILITY: daffodil, geranium, mint, mugwort, poppy, sunflower, voilet
FIDELITY: caraway
GLORY: laurel
GOOD FORTUNE: bay leaf, dill
HAPPINESS: basil, calendula, chamomile, geranium, hyacinth, levander, lemon, lilly of valley, manzano, marjoram, nutmeg, pansy, sunflower, tulip, water lily
HARMONY: calendula, chamomile, gardenia, iris, jasmine, lavender, rose, violet
HEALING: allspice, bay leaf, carnation (white carnation), chamomile, cinnamon, clove, comfrey, eucalyptus, fennel, gardenia, geranium, ivy, lavender, lemon balm, nettle, pine, rose, rosemary, sandalwood, yarrow
HEALTH: caraway, comfrey, eucalyptus, marjoram, nutmeg, pine, sage, sunflower, thyme
HOPE: daisy, violet
IMMORTALITY: sage,
INCREASE ENERGY: allspice,
INNOCENCE: daisy
INTELLIGENCE: caraway (yellow caraway), coffee,
INTIMACY: cardamom
INVISIBILITY: poppy
JOY: marjoram, mint
LONGEVITY: fennel, lavender, romero, sage
LOVE: allspice, basil, calendula (red calendula), chamomile, cinnamon, daffodil, daisy, gardenia, geranium, hibiscus, hyacinth, iris, jasmine, lavender, lemon, lemon balm, lemon verbena, lilas, lily, magnolia, mimosa, mint, narciso, nardo, nutmeg, pansy, poppy, rose (white rose), rosemary, tulip, violet, yarrow
LOYALTY: thyme
LUCK: allspice, carnation, cinnamon, daffoil, elecampane, nutmeg, poppy, rose, star anise, violet
LUST: dill, hibiscus, mint, mugwort, nettle, parsley, rosemary
MAGIC: carnation, star anise
MEDITATION: jasmine, lavender
MEMORY: lily, rosemary
MENTAL ABILITIES: caraway, clove, lilly of valley, rosemary
MONEY: basil, bay leaf, herbabuena, lavender, manzano, nutmeg, patchouli, poppy, saffron, salvia
OVERCOMING OLD PAINS: jacinto (love pain)
PASSION: cardamom, carnation (red carnation), cinnamon, lavender, rose(red rose)
PEACE: azucena, basil, carnation (white carnation), chamomile, gardenia, iris, lavender, rose (red rose), star anise, violet,
PROGRESS: azucena
PROSPERITY: basil, calendula, chamomile, cinnamon, comfrey, dill, herbabuena, jasmine, mint, nutmeg, parsley, poppy, romero, tulip, verbena
PROTECTION AGAINST NEGATIVITY: caraway, elecampane, lilac, sage, snapdragon, valerian, verbena
PROTECTION: angelica, basil, bay, bay leaf, birch, black pepper, carnation, cinnamon, clove, comfrey, cumin, dill, elecampane, fennel, garlic, geranium, hyachinth, ivy, lavender, lilac, lily, majoram, mint, mugwort, nail, nettle, nutmeg, parsley, rose, rosemary, sage, snapdragon, tulip, valerian, violet
PSYCHIC POWER: calendula, mugwort, nutmeg, rose, saffron, star anise, thyme
PURIFICATION: angelica, basil, bay leaf, birch, cinnamon, clove, fennel, lavender, lemon verbena, lilas, mint parsley, peppermint, romero, rosemary, sage, valerian
RELAXATION: lemon balm, mugwort
SEDUCTION: jasmine
SENSUALITY: jasmine
SENTIMENTAL IMPROVEMENT: azucena
SEX: cardamom, carnation (red carnation), jasmine, parsley, sandalwood, vanilla
SLEEP: lavender, poppy, violet, rosemary
SPIRITUALITY: cinnamon, dandelion, elecampane, incense, jasmine, rose (white rose), salvia, star anise
STRENGTH: bay leaf, carnation, parsley
SUCCESS: bay
SUCCESS: basil, bay, bay leaf, cinnamon, laurel, lemon balm, mint, sunflower
TANQUILLITY: basil, dill, lavender, mugwort, poppy, rose, salvia, star anise, violet
VALOUR: iris
WELFARE: rose (red rose)
WISDOM: bay, iris, rosemary, sage
WISHES: dandelion, sage
ANTI INFLAMMATORY: calendula, meadowsweet, poppy
ANTIDEPRESSANT: lemon balm
ANTIMICROBIAL: cinnamon, sage
ANTIOXIDANT: hawthorn, poppy, sage,
ANTI-RHEUMATIC: meadowsweet
ANTISEPTIC: mimosa
ANTIVIRAL: lemon balm
ASTRINGENT: chichweed, cinnamon, meadowsweet, sage
BLOOD PRESSURE: hawthorn (lowers)
CALM ANXIETY: sage
CALM HEADACHE: chamomile, mimosa, poppy, verbena
CALM NERVES: chamomile, poppy
DEMULCENT: chichweed, mimosa (mild)
GOOD FOR COLD: ginger
GOOD FOR HEARTH: hawthorn
GOOD FOR LIVER: dandelion
IMPROVE DIGESTION: angelica, dandelion (mild laxative), mimosa, poppy, sage
RELIEVE STRESS: chamomile, lavender, verbena
RELIEVE WIND: cinnamon, lemon balm, mimosa
SKIN IRRITATION: calendula (like eczema, bruises, scars, scrapes), chichweed ( relieve itchiness, cooling)
SOOTH STOMACH PROBLEMS: chamomile, ginger, lemon balm (antispasmodic), mimosa (antispasmodic), meadowseet (antacid), poppy (antispasmodic)
STIMULATE CIRCULATORY: poppy
Resources:
Wicca Herbal Magic by Lisa Chamberlain
Charms, Spells and Herbs by Esteban Portela
The Green Witch by Arin Murphy-Hiscock
Grimoire of a Kitchen Witch by Rachel Patterson
50 Tips for Tarot Novices and Masters Alike!
Always make sure your deck is shuffled and cleansed.
There is no one way to shuffle, find what works for you.
Cards that fall out when you’re shuffling may hold extra important meaning.
Learning from books is good, but use your own intuition as well.
Thank your deck after a reading.
Be sure to charge your cards and be nice to them.
Using a cheat sheet or a book is not a bad thing.
Biddytarot is great for learning basic card meanings.
If you don’t have a tarot deck, you can use regular cards or make your own.
Tarot and Oracle are NOT the same thing.
There are a few tarot apps to help you learn (golden threat, galaxy, etc)
Watch for multiple cards from one suit.
Pay attention when a card follows you through multiple readings, it is usually trying to tell you something.
Find the card that matches with your birth-date/you feel a significant connection to. Use it in personal readings to help strengthen them.
Always be sure you’re using a deck that works for you!
Pay attention to the symbolism and art of the cards.
Interview spreads are great for getting to know a new or old deck.
Divination is not specifically witchcraft and is not always tied to it.
Don’t let anyone but you touch your cards unless doing a reading and you want them to touch them- messes with energy.
If someone besides you does touch them, make sure to cleanse.
Decks have different personalities, don’t be bummed if one doesn’t work out for you.
Be prepared for a deck to get sarcastic and give out riddles.
Keep a journal/notebook/google doc of different spreads. You can even organise them by type.
Daily draws are great, but don’t knock yourself if you can’t do them every day.
Meditating before a reading can help gain clarity.
An easy way to cleanse your deck is to put them all in order then shuffle them again.
Flash cards are good to memorise meanings.
Bonding with your deck can help readings be more accurate. An easy way to do this is sleep with them under your pillow.
Cleansing/charging your deck can be as easy as leaving them in a windowsill, or as intricate as a ritual.
You can have as many or as few decks as you want.
Making your own cards does NOT make you less of a diviner.
Readings are not set in stone, take them with a grain of salt.
Reversals are not always bad.
Upright is not always good.
The death card does not mean death.
Keep a journal to record your readings.
Try to remember one keyword/idea for each card to help you learn.
Make sure your deck fits in your hands comfortably.
If you’re just starting out, use simpler spreads.
Past/present/future is great for beginners.
Amethyst is a good stone to have around.
But, letting your deck choose it’s favourite crystal is also important.
Using a tarot cloth can help keep unwanted energy off of your deck, especially if divining in a public place.
Tarot bags are easy to make, just find a drawstring bag tutorial and edit the measurements to fit your deck.
Playing music while doing readings can help you focus.
It’s okay to redo a reading if you don’t feel it’s right, but keep the first one in mind.
If you practice witchcraft, you can use tarot in various spells.
You don’t have to read reversals!
If tarot doesn’t work out for you but you still want to use divination, try other forms such as oracle, scrying, pendulums, cartomancy, and more.
Practice!!!
To anyone who needs this post, I am sending gentle and loving energy your way. Know that grief is meant to hurt, and with time it WILL get easier (but may not go away, and that’s okay). Please utilize this post only as a supplement, and talk to a therapist or loved ones if you need to.
Grief powder
Sage drops spell
Relieving grief
Jar of grief spell
Ease the grief spell jar
Honoring the dead
Ritual of grief
A remembrance spell
Remembrance spell/ritual
A spell for grief and moving on
A spell for passing and mourning
“Grief seed” pop culture spell
Grief over death is easier for me and effects me less
My grief does not control me
I grieve in peace
To bring aid in times of crisis and grief
Funerary spell
Animal Release Spell
Pet Farewell Ritual
Pet Funerary Spell
Emoji spell to bring comfort to those who are grieving
Tarot spread to ease grief
Norse spells/prayers for grief and death
Crystals in death magic (includes some for grief)
Crystals for PTSD (includes some for grief)
Masterpost for overcoming heartbreak
Rejuvenating witchcraft
Magic to replenish energy
#Moving on spell + #Moving forward spell + #Letting go spell
#Mental health sigils + #Mental health spell
#Self love magic + #Self care magic
#Release spell
Witchcraft is to be used in addition to proper medical care, treatment and medication, not as a sole alternative.
Links updated May of 2020, please inform me of broken links via askbox!
This is perfect for those who want to cleanse the area before spellwork but can’t/don’t want to burn sage or palo santo! It’s also a great little pick me up and it’s very useful for grounding and centering if you use himalayan salt.
You Will Need:
- a spray bottle
- himalayan salt (protection, cleansing, grounding & centering) or sea salt (protection, cleansing, purification)
- preferably moon water but tap water is ok
- optional: dried rose petals (protection)
- lavender essential oil (purification)
- clary sage essential oil (protection, clarity, cleansing)
- tea tree essential oil (protection, purification and aura cleansing)
- definitely not optional: witch hazel (removing negativity, hexes and general dis-ease) - also makes the essential oils mix with the water. do not leave it out!!
sidenote - if you want to use this spray on you or your clothes, dilute the essential oils first to make sure you don’t develop a sensitivity!
How To Make:
1. mix a teaspoon or so of whichever salt you chose with your water and wait for it to dissolve before pouring it into a spray bottle.
2. add witch hazel in a 2 parts water 1 part witch hazel ratio
3. add a few drops of lavender essential oil, clary sage oil and tea tree oil depending on the strength of the scent you like
4. add a few dried rose petals if you want to!
5. put the lid on the bottle and give it a good shake before each use!
I personally use this for meditation, grounding & centering, before spellwork and to help me get to sleep.
Remember to always be safe with your essential oils!
💗
EDIT: be careful if you have cats because lavender is toxic to them! make sure not to spray too much or omit lavender oil from the ingredients if you want to be totally safe.
thanks for the reminder @rainbow-lava