i sing, yes — i sing to thee, hades! dark god who sits upon the throne, may my song reach  you and give you relief from the sighs of the  dead. for you gleam & are radiant in splendor even in the heavy shadows of your realm.  o great god in the dark  and hidden places, i ask  for the wisdom of the thousand. may my eyes catch the glitter of blessing, may my hands  always be willing to put forth and hold fast  that which is dear to me. may my heart be  steadfast & beat every second that i am given. let no fear capture my spirit — for only to your  iron-fast hands am i bound. you are unbreakable  & i wish to stand as you do — brow unbent by  the shadows, my feet unshaken by the miserable  blows of others. show me how to take hold of  my path, to trace the workings of the lock, to  move the obstacle that stands in front of me. may i arrive at your court satisfied with the life i’ve made. 

Tips on divining for others

As someone who has been giving free readings on the internet for a modest while, I have some tips to share if you want to sharpen your skills.

🌿 Find your audience If reading for friends and family is not an option, there are many forums, Discord servers and other social platforms for you to practice on strangers and then cut all contact if it gets too weird or embarrassing! (Try not to ghost people too much though, you should practice your communication skills as much as your divination).

🌿 Get clear on your goals This is kind of obvious I guess, but instead of just “practice divination”, decide on some clear achievable goals like: – Practice a particular divination tool X amount of times – Practice a particular spread X amount of times (because each spread brings its own style of interpretation to the reading) – Get X number of positive feedback from querents – Make X number of brave predictions about the querent (and get X number correct!)

🌿 Experiment This is the ideal environment to try out something new. Mixing up different divination tools, breaking in a new deck, changing up your divination style, trying a new pre-divination ritual, and making brave predictions about people’s past, present and future! Every success will build your confidence, every failure will teach you something – if you reflect on it patiently and mindfully.

🌿 Be humble and accept mistakes graciously You will get things wrong and be totally off. This is okay and happens even to advanced diviners. Be upfront about the fact that you are doing this to practice, and if you get it wrong – be light-hearted and have a laugh about it!

Ask questions, get the correct answer, and relate it back to your divination tool. Then diagnose the reason why you misinterpreted. You didn’t cleanse your deck recently, you’re having a bad day, you’re distracted, you didn’t vibe with the querent, etc. Next time, tweak your pre-divination preparations and see if things change.

🌿 Ask about the querent’s existing knowledge This will save you time. If you are doing a romance reading, ask if the querent is dating. If you are reading for career, ask about the querent’s education and career path. You don’t need much detail, just enough to help you interpret what comes out of the reading. There is no point in you spending time divining knowledge the querent already has! (Unless you’re doing this specifically to practice and get quick answers about your accuracy). Instead, just ask them, and focus on divining the things your querent isn’t clear on, so they come out of it with a little more perspective. This is the goal of divination.

🌿 Be firm about receiving constructive feedback You spent all this time and effort constructing a thoughtful reading aaand… the querent just goes “thanks, that resonates”. This will not help you develop your skills, and it is also the querent lacking in manners. Expect reciprocation! Deal with this as professionally as you can. For instance:

If they do not give constructive feedback, kindly explain what it is:

And if they still do not reciprocate, blacklist them. If they attempt to contact you again, simply say:

If you are giving a reading about the future, of course the querent can’t tell you much about what they think of it. In this case, it is a good idea to check in with them at a later date and ask them how things went. This is a small request, one the querent should be happy to honour, and will help you very much.

🌿 Sometimes querents just want to vent This happens especially when querents ask about their relationships, especially romantic ones. You will very likely come across the “what does my ex think of me” crowd or the “advice on my love life” crowd when giving readings.

Usually these kinds of people won’t listen to you unless you tell them what they want to hear. They might thank you for the reading but continue riding the disaster train. You might even get an essay on someone’s entire life story and all their relationship drama. It’s up to you whether you want to moonlight as an amateur therapist (or if you are a professional therapist, you ought to be paid for it!)

If you’re doing divination with the desire to help people, then a few kind words will suffice. Thoughtful and practical advice is great if you can provide some. Divination services can attract some very desperate people who just want someone to give them the answer. Your readings are a puzzle piece in the mystery and an opportunity for the querent to receive help from a kind stranger, but you cannot fix someone’s life for them. Wish them luck and send them on their way.

🌿 You don’t have to read for everything Get clear on what subjects you’re willing to read for, and what you want to avoid. Legal matters, pregnancy, medical health, spirit/deity contact, death, ex-partners – these are common ones people don’t want to read for. You can if you want to, but make sure you’re not liable for any advice you give (especially if you charge money for your services). Tell people not to take you too seriously. A common disclaimer is “this is purely for entertainment purposes.”

Similarly, you have no obligation to read for querents that are rude, unresponsive, rambling endlessly, or just… asking weird questions.

🌿 You are paid for your effort This is for those who do paid readings. Personally I have only ever done readings for free (that may change) but don’t feel guilty about charging money, even if the reading was not the quality they expected. You are being paid for your time, and for performing a service. And if the querent accepts this transaction, it was their choice to do so. Make this clear at the very beginning.

Bay leaves, which are the leaves of the bay laurel tree (Laurus nobilis), have been used for various metaphysical purposes in different cultures and belief systems.

Here are some examples:

HOW IT WORKS

Sharp, sudden sounds—often metallic ones—vibrate on a frequency beyond what our ears can detect, compelling the objects and atmosphere to resonate in harmony and neutralize the energy in a space.

METHODS

you don’t need to splurge on expensive instruments to cleanse your home. You can use pretty much anything that makes a noise, even if it’s just your hands.

look at what you have. Try experimenting with different household items and see which type of sound resonates the most with you

STEPS

EFFECTS

This is really just a simple breakdown of sound cleaning! If you’d like to add anything please do!! 🥰 I am currently shadow banned right now so if you have any questions please feel free to send them via asks while I get the situation sorted! 💕 MERRY MEET! ~B ✨

Follow for more

Reposting some of my older content today.

Phae🤍

Guides for Beginner Witches: Incense Cleansing, Banishing and Warding

Incense is a common tool and ingredient in a witch’s arsenal - commonly used for spellwork, meditation and its relaxing properties. These good smelling sticks of fragrance are also often used in practices for cleansing spaces, warding off negative energies, banishing negative forces and even yes breaking and weakening curses. Let us cover that today!

Incense Cleansing

Incense is commonly used for cleansing purposes as it is a type of smoke cleansing. There are a few different methods for this. For cleansing one’s space, lighting a stick of incense and carefully walking a room with it is probably the most common (please ensure you are using something to catch the ashes). Lighting some incense near an open window and letting it waft through a room or space is the most hands off method, though be sure to keep an eye on it. 

For cleansing oneself before or after spellwork place some lit incense, either stick or cone form, upon a table or surface and carefully waft the smoke towards you. Run your hands through the smoke and up your arms. If you have the tool, a hanging incense burner pendant can be a wonderful alternative for cleansing oneself or cleansing another - carefully swing it as it is directed (most come with instructions) around your immediate area or around the other person you are cleansing. 

For cleansing one’s tools, crystals and other objects light some incense and run the items through the smoke very similarly to how you would run your hands through it for self cleansing. Be thorough with the object to ensure it is fully cleansed, this should take a few minutes.

Incenses commonly used for cleansing: Benzoin, Citronella, Lavender, Pine, Cedar/Cedarwood, Copal, Dragon’s Blood, Eucalyptus, Jasmine, Lemon, Myrrh, Thyme, Rosemary

Incense Banishing

Banishing is a bit different than cleansing, while cleansing is removing mild negative energies or unwanted energies to help maintain purity of items, spaces and tools - banishing is the aggressive assertive act of forcefully removing and pushing out unwanted energies, entities and forces. This would include banishing out the baneful magic of others, such as hexes and curses, from yourself, others or objects.

Incense banishing is similar to the process of cleansing though it is much more assertive - when banishing unwanted forces, arm yourself with your incense, stick form or swinging pendulum tool is best. If using a stick for cleansing place it into a jar or container with salt and if possible charcoal - both strong banishing ingredients. Walk the space you are banishing and forcefully and strongly state “I banish you” in a chanting manner but very firmly, while you ensure the smoke of your incense spreads around thoroughly. 

If banishing negativity or possible baneful magic from yourself or another, like cleansing use the smoke to ‘bathe’ yourself or the other. While you do this state firmly as many times as you want “I banish you from me/them, I send you away, I push you away and break your ties. I banish thee, I banish thee” or any other chant you feel comfortable doing. Continue this for several minutes preferably. 

Incenses commonly used for banishing: Myrrh, Pine, Sage, Sagebrush, Basil, Citronella, Clove, Dragon’s Blood, Fern, Frankincense, Juniper, Mint, Vetivert, Peppermint, Sandalwood, Vervain, Yarrow

Incense Warding

Warding is less assertive than banishment and it is more so putting up barriers and protections to prevent negativity from entering your space or home in the first place. Warding should be done regularly every month or so - maintaining your wards is like maintaining a fence to keep away annoying unwanted neighbors.

For warding, it is a bit more hands off when it comes to incense. You can repeat the walk around method like in cleansing. Though a popular way to ward using incense is to fill a bowl with salt, dried sage and dried rosemary, mix well. Stick your incense stick at an angle to so it doesn’t catch any herbs on fire but so its ashes still fall into the bowl. Light your incense and let it burn down to the stick - warding your space. Repeat this as necessary. This is also a little ‘recipe’ for some warding salts if you wish to stir in the ashes and bottle them.

Incenses commonly used for warding: Citronella, Lavender, Sage, Benzoin, Frankincense, Myrrh, Damar, Rosemary, Ylang Ylang, Peppermint

Incense Safety

Please use incense responsibly! Incense is still using fire and heat, make sure you have an ash catcher or a fireproof dish to catch the ashes and embers in. Never leave incense burning in your home without supervision, do not leave your home unoccupied with lit incense. Keep it away from anything flammable such as fabrics and curtains. 

Do not burn incense in rooms with small mammals or birds - it can cause them breathing distress and can cause them serious health concerns! When burning incense around cats or dogs, keep it in a ventilated area with open windows and airflow and do not burn it for too long. If you are using it around cats or dogs, research to ensure the type of incense you are using does not upset or cause negative effects to animals. If your cat or dog has a respiratory issue such as asthma do NOT burn incense around them.

When burning incense for self cleansing or cleansing another, keep your hair tied back. Do not let your hair fall onto the incense at risk of it catching fire or being singed. Do not wear long flowing sleeves or scarves with using incense in this manner. 

When disposing of incense, ensure to clean up the ashes if you are outside, do not leave your trash or sticks behind. Ensure your incense has either been thoroughly snuffed out or burned out before disposing. Do not throw away still smoking incense.

For those in apartments or dorms, check your rules and leases - many apartments do not allow the burning of incense. Do not risk losing your deposit or getting in trouble - there are other ways to cleanse, banish and ward without smoke. 

Like what I post? Want to support me or buy me a delicious coffee? Feel free to check out my Ko-Fi Page!

Types of spells

I honestly think my introductions annoy people and… will continue doing them uwu. Hi witches around the world! While trying to create a spell (im a baby witch, i do not create spells at all) i remembered that types of spells exist so here is your types of spell post!

Incense Spell

This spells don’t last long, for realizing them you have to burn incense and when it finishes burning its done. Generally its used for yourself but doing it for other people might work too.

Candle Spell

One of the most common spells out there, basically you use candles and should consider colors and sizes! (post about color magick: here)

Sigil

Is a drawn magick that puts your intentions in a paper, generally you can create them or if lazy you can look in tumblr for some other witches sigils!

Spoken Spell

This is a chant, phrase, etc with intention in mind. Even though it doesn’t sound really powerful, if you put energy in it… it would be big!

Energy Spell

Is basically putting all your energy into an intention, it could drain you a little bit so if you’re doing it, give you a self care time after.

Bag/Bottle Spell

This spells are the type of jars/bag/bottle full of different things, they can last longer and you can take them with you to anywhere!

Crystal grid 

A crystal grid is basically placing different crystals in an specific way for all their energies to work together. 

That was basically it! Hope it helped someone jsj

Prayer to Aphrodite Areia

Oh, Aphrodite Areia, goddess of love and war, whose power and grace we deeply adore, we call upon you with reverence and might, to guide us through battles of the heart and strength to fight.

In matters of love, you hold the divine key, navigating passions with profound empathy. Grant us the strength to face love's fires, to find beauty and joy within its burning trials.

Aphrodite Areia, fierce and alluring, bless us with love that's enduring in the battlefield of romance and desire. May your wisdom ignite the passionate pyre.

Guide our hearts as we seek love's embrace, grant us courage to confront vulnerability's grace. With your divine guidance, we'll stand tall, and navigate love's tumultuous call.

In times of conflict, both fierce and grave, as we face battles that love may engrave. Empower us with your courage and might to fight for love, with honor shining bright.

Oh, Aphrodite Areia, goddess so fair, wrap us in your love's tender care. Help us forge bonds that are strong and true, and embrace love's journey, in all that we do.

With gratitude and devotion, we pray to you, Areia, each and every day. Guide us through love's triumphs and strife, for in your embrace, we find love's eternal life.

Dearest Aphrodite,

Great Goddess of love may you bless me

May you grant me your blessings

May you help me to be confident and radiant

Lady Ourania may we sing your praise for all years to come

Our hearts beat for you

For it is in your name that I pray,

Amen,

So mote it be,

Thank you.

What is a Taglock? -  A taglock is a component of a spell designed to target that spell to a specific person, persons, or concept. -

Traditionally taglocks are often physical things like blood, hair, or fingernail clippings from that specific person, but there are many ways to link a spell to a person, and these are just some options. Often it can be difficult to acquire such personal links, and so other methods can be easier to obtain, and can be used together to strengthen the spell's link to your target. Forms of taglocks include: Blood of the person (keeping in mind that blood can be difficult to store, hard to obtain safely, and behaves differently when not fresh.) Other bodily fluids (saliva, sweat, semen, urine etc,) Hair (cut or plucked or from a brush,) Nail clippings Teeth (kept baby teeth or teeth pulled as an adult and kept) A photograph of the person (arguably the most commonly used taglock because it's easily accessible) A signature A maker's mark, personal sigil or any other glyph the person uses to represent themselves The person's full name (preferably in their own hand,) Clothing that the person owns and has worn (preferably unwashed) Used gum Cigarette butt (be certain it was smoked by the person)  A poppet can be used to represent a person in place of a taglock, or one can be used in combination with a taglock / taglocks, usually by incorporating the taglock/s into the creation of the poppet. This list is of course not at all exhaustive, please feel free to add on any other forms of taglocks that you like to use, and if you disagree about the value of any of these in forming a link between a spell and it's target that's okay, all our practices are different.

How to Write Your Own Spells

There are lots of ways to create spells, from planning everything to the minutest detail ahead of time to absolutely flying by the seat of your pants in the moment. If you'd like to write your own spells, either for use in your craft or as a creative exercise, here are some suggested steps that I use in my own practice:

1) Determine the intent or goal of your spell. Decide, first and foremost, what you want the spell to do. Refine your goal if necessary and try not to be too nebulous. Your intent tells the spell what it's meant to do. A more focused goal may increase the chances of success.

2) Determine how you want the spell to manifest. Decide how the spell should work and what the result should look like. This is a good time to build in a sign of success, especially for spells that may not work in an obvious or visible way.

3) Determine what or whom the spell will affect. If the spell is to have a target, be it a person or a place or an animal or an object, decide what that should be and how they or it will be represented in the casting.

4) Determine how long the spell is meant to work. If your spell is timebound or has a deadline, decide what that will be. If the spell is meant to work long-term, you may want to check in and refresh it from time to time. (Not every spell will be timebound. Many spells will simply expire when they have fulfilled their purpose or if they are blocked or circumstances are not favorable.)

5) Determine the timing of the spell, if applicable. Not everyone uses celestial or astrological timing for their spells, but if you do, look into the prevailing conditions and decide on an advantageous time for your casting. (Please note that magical timing can only enhance your spell and casting something on the "wrong" day will not necessarily cause it to fail.)

6) Determine what methods and materials you want to use to cast the spell. Decide how you're going to go about performing the casting, whether you're doing a ritual or making a charm or just using energy. If you're going to need a ritual space or physical components, plan that out and make sure it fits with what you want to do.

7) Determine the words, if any, which will empower the spell. If you want to include a prayer or a petition or a song or an incantation with your spell, decide what that should be. This is not strictly necessary and the words need not be spoken aloud. (Rhyming incantations are not required, but if you prefer them that way, you can certainly do so.)

8) Prepare the materials for casting the spell. Get all your necessaries together ahead of time. Make sure you have everything you need, that tools and components are in good and useable condition, prepare your workspace, and make sure everything is within easy reach so you don't have to stop and search for things in the middle of your casting. (And for goodness sake, if you're working with open flame, observe fire safety and tie your hair and sleeves back.)

9) Finalize details and perform the casting. When you're ready to begin, try to eliminate as many possibilities for distraction or interruption as possible. Go over your spell and components one more time, then proceed with casting the spell.

10) Record the particulars for future reference and to determine how well the spell worked. Make a record of the spell, including your goal, how it should manifest, the words and components used, the date of the casting, the casting method and procedure, and how the casting went. If there are any additional details or observations that seem important, include those as well. This will serve as a useful learning tool in the future and will allow you to check your work if the results make themselves known.

It's useful to write spells from time to time if the inspiration strikes you, in order to better understand how they fit together and how they work. Plus it's a fun and creative journaling exercise and recording the spells you cast a great way to measure your progress later on.

For additional tips on writing your own spells and helpful tricks for using timing and available materials to your advantage, check out my podcast, Hex Positive, Eps. 006-007, "Come In For A Spell, pt 1 & 2."

(And if you’re enjoying my content, please feel free to drop a little something in the tip jar or check out my published works on Amazon or in the Willow Wings Witch Shop. 😊)

How to Vet Authors in Witchcraft-The Buggy Way!

So you’ve found an aesthetically pleasing cover for a book in your local New Age section and you want to know if they’re worth that $25 price tag? You’ve come to the right place! Vetting witchcraft books can be super tricky...especially if you don’t know what to look for! 

My process for vetting is pretty simple, but it covers enough bases to see if it might be something to glance at. 

And there you have it! My quick and easy, google-able vetting process that when mastered only takes a few minutes while standing in a bookstore instead of wasting money on books that don't suit what information you are looking for! It isn't foolproof, but it should help you avoid some of the bigger let-downs.

Resources

Mystic Mysfits Resources

Together with my husband and our friends we have been compiling a list of our resources on magic and witchcraft, as well as a list of red flags and conspiracies to watch out for. We also have links to shops for supplies!

Not every source on this page is perfect but this is to at least serve at a jump off point. This is still very much a work in progress. We are trying to cover as many bases as we can, however, not everything is included (if you have something you'd like to add PLEASE let us know!)

The website is crunchy because we don't have a domain, but feel to browse around (the services and products are also available), and if something is GLARINGLY WRONG don't be afraid to message me on here or through the website with your source!

Mystic Mysfits Resources

Reblog if your blog is a safe space for

- witches of color - male witches - lgbtqpiad+ witches - non religious witches - young witches - beginner witches - plus size witches - disabled witches - witches suffering mental illness

SUPER Low Energy Witchcraft

I’ve been seeing a lot of low energy witchcraft posts, but every one I read isn’t really low energy. When I think ‘low energy,’ I think something I can do on my lowest of low days. Days I can’t get out of bed or even think sometimes. So here it is. The SUPER Low Energy Witchcraft Guide.

Obviously this isn’t a large list, but I cannot emphasize the ‘simply rest’ part enough. As practitioners, we tend to want to do more when we’re sitting bored in bed. But remember, safety first. The quicker you recover, the quicker you can get back to your craft.

“I can’t do glamour magick. I don’t have the tools!”

Tools?

Shampoo- cleanses your hair of negative energy

Conditioner- restores/adds positive energy

Body wash- restores/adds positive energy

Scrubs- cleanses and removes negative energy

Face wash/cleanser- removes negative energy

Moisturizer- protection, restores positive energy

Sunscreen- protection

Lotion- depending on scent, it can help with plenty of things

Contacts/eye drops- insight, wisdom, to see what others can’t

Hairbrush- negativity remover

Mascara- to see what others don’t tell you

Lipgloss/lipstick/lip stain/chapstick- to speak smoothly and clearly, to have a way with words, to improve your voice

Toothpaste and toothbrush- cleansing, to help watch your words

Tongue scraper- to get rid of past regrets from past words, to stop gossiping

Concealer- to conceal what others should not know/what you do not want them to know

Foundation- protection

Setting spray- calmness, peace, good luck

Nail Polish- match them to your intentions!

Cuticle oil/hair oil- growth, improvement, new beginnings, letting go

Here are some herbs, plants, teas, foods, and recipes that will help rejuvenate energy:

La Mort. Art by Nicholas Kahn and Richard Selesnick, from the Tarot of the Drowning World.

Day 2 of the Witchy Art Challenge; an altar!