I use oils to a certain extent, but not as often as straight-up plant matter. (If you’re interested in recipes for magical oils, there are a bunch in Grovedaughter Witchery and Pestlework.)
When making substitutions for herbs, I generally examine what the herb is being used for in that particular spell. Mugwort can have a few different uses depending on your intent, so start there. What kind of spell are you seeking to cast, and what is the function of the Mugwort within that spell? Dreams? Visions? Divination? Protection from malevolent spirits? Polishing your psychic abilities or astral travel skills?
Once you’ve figured that bit out, you can usually substitute another herb with the same magical effect. Catnip is a common substitution, since it has several properties in common with Mugwort. You can also use a blend of two or three herbs to achieve the desired effect, if it doesn’t over-complicate the recipe.
Here’s my personal list of substitutions for certain potentially dangerous plants:
Aconite
(Wolfsbane) – Angelica Root or Solomon’s Seal Root
Belladonna –
Blend of Witch Hazel and Catnip
Hemlock – Blend
of Lobelia, Pine Needles, and Lime Peel
Mandrake Root –
Whole Ginger Root or Apples
Mugwort – Blend
of Jasmine and Hops
Rue – Any other
herb for Warding or Banishing
Wormwood – Blend
of Crushed Lemon Seeds and Tea Leaves
So if you followed my live video, you know a huge part of the video was discussing selenite, and talking about how I use selenite to raise my vibrations to communicate with my guide. I also use it in my readings, which I’ve found to be very successful. Essentially, raising your vibrations is putting yourself on a higher plane so that you may experience more, see more, hear more, etc.. At least that’s how I see it, and selenite is a gemstone used to do just that. and I wanted to share with you all my techniques.
That said, this is based off of personal experience! These are methods that work for me! So they may not render the same results for you as they do for me, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t try:
Meditation Method: as you mediate. You can meditate either sitting up or laying down, the choice is yours. After taking a few deep, relaxing breaths and getting into a meditative state, you’ll want to acknowledge the selenite in your hand. Focus on it, and know that it is there. As you continue your meditation, you may start to feel tingling or warmth in your hand. I usually feel tingling. After that, I drift off into a deeper meditation, when I begin to feel strong tingles all over my body.This—in my opinion—can be done without the selenite, but I believe the selenite increases it.
Energy Work Method: Essentially, you’re taking the energy from the selenite and absorbing it into your own. Or, more importantly, you’re opening yourself to the energy of the selenite. I see the selenite energy as pure, angelic energy, swirling in my palm, going up my wrist, arm, and then through my entire body. It’s not a quick process, because you want to ensure that the energy gets to every part of your body. Naturally, you will feel your body tingling as the selenite’s energy infuses with yours.
Ask your crystal to raise your vibrations: granted, this should be done after you’ve formed a relationship with your crystal first. At least know its name! Before I do a reading, I preform an energy reading, I always ask my crystal if she can help raise my vibrations. Always make sure to thank them afterwards, and do something kind for it afterwards (I put mine on the windowsill for the entire day, as she’s a selenite and she likes it :D)
-You don’t’ always feel your energy tingling, you don’t always feel “vibrations”, at least not all the time.
-Don’t expect to start hearing a spirit’s voice right away, it’s a slow, gradual process. I only know my guides name and how he looks, but even now, conversation is hard! Things will come slow, but be persistent.
-Look for signs that a spirit is around you. Some say you may hear bells, smell different scents, or see different things in your mind. Anything that seems random may not be so random. For me, it’s been a combo of all three and then some.
-Know what spirit you’re calling out to! Don’t open the door for just any spirit to communicate to you, only ask to speak to spirits that would benefit you, that would be pure for you (at least that’s what I do)!
-When you are finished, thank the spirit, and send them away. Thank your crystal as well, and do something nice for it.
If you have any questions, feel free to ask! Remember, this is all my practice and my experiences! I encourage you to try, but results may vary!
Of the divinatory techniques with which I am familiar, bones
are my personal favorite. Yes, they have that very witchy vibe – but it’s more
than that; the bones are honest. They don’t sugar coat, and while they have to
be interpreted, once you know how to read them – there’s little room for interpretation.
They are very direct and are much better suited to answering yes or no questions than tarot. With a
little imaginative methodology, there few questions the bones can’t answer. And
even fewer they won’t answer (as tarot cards can be known to do). A few
examples of things I think the bones are better at answering than tarot:
questions involving time, questions regarding health, sickness and maledictions;
they present a broader grasp to any given situation – incorporating things
outside of the question presented and how these things relate to the question
or the reading, showing the interconnectedness of life – and how these things
all relate back.
Our countless cultures have countless methods for collecting
and reading the Bones – and I can only rightly attest to my own methodology: one
in which the Bones need not necessarily consist solely of bones, but a
collection of gathered trinkets and curios, all with their own meaning, their
own story and their own energy. My collection consists of: bones (bare and
painted), coins, stones, shells, jewelry, twigs, buttons, animal teeth and
other squabbles. The only rule I implement is that the item can be easily
gathered and (safely) tossed without breakage or injury (save your razor-blades
and glass shards for witches’ bottles!).
Collecting the Bones and Bobbles
Most any small bones will do, though its recommended that
you use bones that haven’t been cooked, as cooked bones have a tendency to get
very brittle – especially in the case of chicken, which is quite common. In my
collection I have a number of different animal bones: most are chicken, but I
also have some raccoon and possum bones, as well as teeth and claws. I built a “base”
of bones, but am continuously adding or replacing as I see fit.
A short list of “Bones” I like to include – most of which
serve as my “base” bones:
Self Bone – used for the reader
Other Bone – used to represent another person or the person
you are reading
Magic Bone – represents the need for or use of magic
“Evil” Bone – malicious or hateful acts, disadvantageous
behavior
Love Bone – represents romantic love
Male Bone – represents male fertility, masculinity,
sexuality or a man
Female Bone – represents female fertility, femininity,
sexuality or a woman
Health Bone – represents physical or mental health
Wealth Bone – represents financial standing or monetary
issues
Family Bone – represents familial connections or a family
member
Fate Bone – represents destiny and your lifepath (I use a
shell for this: open side up means an event can be altered, destiny is not set
in stone; open side down, this path must be walked – prepare in lieu of fighting)
“Key” Bone – (I actually use a small key) which represents
the key to any given situation, the remedy or problem at hand and its cause
This list is by no means comprehensive and I have many more
bones in my collection with more menial meanings. This is simply a small list
of options to be added to and adapted by whosoever casts the bones.
Reading the Bones
There is no right or wrong way to read the bones, there is
simply your way and their way. Below I will dictate how it is that I do a
general reading – again, this is just an example of one way, take and adapt to
fit your own unique style or tradition!
Begin by collecting your bones into your hand. I keep mine
in a leather pouch, but don’t like to toss them directly from the bag as it
doesn’t allow for much control – i.e. the bones fall out either in a massive,
unreadable pile or they fly out in such a scattered way nothing is close enough
to read. Throwing them from the hand allows for a rather contained casting, and
one that can be read easily. I do not include the Self or Other bone, instead,
the Self Bone is placed before the caster and the Other Bones is placed either
in front of the person you’re reading for or simply in the middle of the
casting area. When reading for yourself,
place the Self Bone in the center and discard the Other Bone.
Throw the Bones. This can be done on a square of cloth on
which a circle (or any number of complex shapes) has been drawn or simply upon
a flat table. If throwing in a circle, discard all bones that fall outside of
it. These bones are null for the reading, though they can also be read as “far
from the person’s mind/current situation.”
Interpret the Bones. This is done by noting the location and
connection of the bones present. For instance, note the Love Bones proximity to
the Other Bones and the Male Bone. This could be interpreted as being the male
love of the querent – but if the “Evil” bones is introduced, this could symbol
ulterior motives or a hostile or explosive relationship. Read based on both
their proximity to the Other Bone – the closer, the higher priority the matter
is – and their relation to one another. It’s very much like investigating a big
puzzle, putting it together piece by piece to form a comprehensive
understanding of their life or situation. Also not their relation based on the
third dimension: x bone seems to be overlapping y bone – is the x issue
eclipsing an underlying problem or truth represented by y? It depends. Only
through practice will you find clarity.
Convey the message. I always like to spend a few moments
making a variety of “hmm” noises when reading for others – it builds up their
anticipation. Or you can throw in the occasional gasp or snarky smirk. Their
responses are usually hilarious – even more so when yours are genuine! If you
are reading on your own, it may be a good idea to sketch out a general map of
the readings as opposed to taking a picture as often bones overlie others, which
makes for a rather misleading photo representation. You might also find jotting
down notes rewarding, especially in synthesizing a cohesive read.
Once you’ve garnered all the information you can from that
particular toss, feel free to specify: take the bone/situation you wish to
examine and toss the rest again over it/them, reading the others through that
particular lens. I.E. Who is this person
mentioned? What are their qualities? What is the nature of this love? What
magic is being referenced here? Follow that rabbit hole as far as you wish,
building your understanding.
Do not be afraid to adjust your style! Want to narrow down a
time frame? Make a sort of timeline with the bones. Wish to determine the
source of an ailment? Shape the bones into the form of a body. I find the bones
allow for far more creativity and ingenuity than cards. And above all – TRUST
YOUR GUT.
Photos: These are photos of my “base” bones when I first started reading; since then they have probably doubled (if not tripled) in number and do not incorporate my other animal bones, claws or teeth.
Holy fuck yes
Never tried this. Posting for future reference.
Reposting bc bones being thrown my way and I’m rereading this!!!!
✧˖° TAURUS ZODIAC POTION ˖°✧ *:･ﾟ✧ TURN OF FATE ✧･ﾟ*:
When things have been going south for a while, when you need a fresh start, take advice from an old tree to have the willpower to change and start again.
*This potion is special for Taurus but anyone can use it, check the other potions for the other signs here.
If you want more tutorials, illustrations and magic, head over to our Patreonand consider donating to help us keep creating and growing in exchange for some cool exclusive content!
This is a small little reading I wrote up when I was feeling foggy about my spiritual path. I didn’t know where I was or what to do, I felt clouded in my mind and in my heart. I hope this can help anyone else who may be feelings this way or even if you just want to explore your spiritual path further!
The First Card: This represents where you currently are on your spiritual path. Are you feeling lost? Perhaps you’re confident in where you are but want to know how far you are from a spiritual goal? Where am I currently on my spiritual journey?
The Second Card: Sometimes there are things holding us back, a relationship, a feeling, or something else entirely. Even when things are going well there’s often something we can improve upon or work towards. What is hindering my spiritual growth?
The Third Card: This is my favorite card to pull! This is going to help you grow and heal, it can be an act of self care, something you need to let go of or whatever it is you need to grow. What can help me grow spiritually?
The Fourth Card: This is similar to the previous card because sometimes it’ll pop up as another card of self-care or something to move on from. But it describes your next step forward, a step to healing or a step towards your goal. What is the next step on my spiritual path?
The Final Card: This card best represents what you gain from your spirituality, it speaks of your potential and all the boundless wonderful possibilities. What is my ultimate potential?
You can see some of my readings and spreadshereand you can get your own reading by mehere. 💖
to help you gain victory against all that fights you whether it be illness, work, or humanity at large. call the hounds to hunt and your steed to bear, for you will not return bloodless and empty-handed.
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