Why Your Spells Don’t Work

You set your intention. You had all the correct correspondences. You even timed your spell with the appropriate moon phase. And yet – no results. What gives? 

Failed spells happen to the best of us, and for a variety of reasons. But a spell gone wrong doesn’t necessarily mean that magic isn’t real or that you’re bad at witchcraft. Magic is complicated, and there are a lot of reasons it might not behave the way you want it to. Here are some of the most common causes of ineffective spells: 

1. Lack of real-world follow through

Magic is meant to be used as a tool to supplement your mundane efforts – not as a substitute for them. How can you expect your job hunting spell to bring in results if you aren’t applying for jobs? 

Magic does not exist in a vacuum, and it can’t make something out of nothing. If a spell doesn’t bring you the desired result, make sure that your non-magical actions are aligned with what you are trying to manifest. 

2. What you’re trying to manifest isn’t a realistic possibility

Wait, what? Isn’t magic supposed to be, well… magic? Shouldn’t you be able to ask for whatever you want and get it? Yes and no.

Magic is simply a way of directing energy. Magic can’t defy the natural laws of the universe. It can’t make something happen unless it was already a potential possibility.

If your intention is unrealistic for where you are right now, try splitting it up into a multi-step process. No spell is going to make you a billionaire overnight, but magic could help you get hired at a better paying job… and then get promoted… and then get offered a profitable side gig… etc. Starting small and working your way up is always going to produce stronger results, because you laid the foundation first.

3. Your intention was either too vague or too specific 

Whether you use written petitions or spoken incantations, clearly stating your intention is an important part (maybe THE most important part) of any spell or ritual. A good intention is specific enough to get you the results you want, but open enough to let those results manifest naturally.

Let’s say you do a money spell, and your intention for the spell is simply, “I have more money.” If you find a penny on the ground the next day and pick it up, technically that is more money than you had before. A better alternative would be to use an intention like, “I have enough money to buy ___,” or “I have enough money for everything I need and want.”

Using an intention that is too specific creates the opposite problem. Let’s say you want to manifest a scholarship to a specific school. You do a candle spell with the intention, “I have been chosen for the John Smith Scholarship at Jane Doe University.” But maybe the John Smith scholarship had already been awarded by the time you did your spell. Maybe there’s another scholarship at the same school that would be a better fit for you, or maybe you’re eligible for a grant that would make tuition more affordable. A better intention for your spell would be “I have enough financial aid to easily and affordably attend Jane Doe University.”

Magic always follows the path of least resistance, so you want to make sure that your intention is specific enough to give your magic a clear direction, but open enough to allow it some flexibility. 

4. Lack of focus/concentration

We all know the struggle. You’ve been planning this ritual forever, and it’s finally the full moon, but you’ve got a really full schedule today. If you hurry, you can probably squeeze it into the thirty minute window between school and work, right? 

If you say a few quick words and burn some incense before you head out the door in the morning, that totally counts as a spell, right? 

Not so much. Rushed, lazy, and/or half-assed spells rarely, if ever, work. Spells revolve around the raising and direction of energy, and that requires two things: a clear intention (see above) and intense focus on that intention. If you don’t have the time/energy/mental capacity to focus, it’s best to take a break, have a self care day, and come back to your spell some other time. 

5. You’re subconsciously blocking your own results OR you did a spell for someone else who isn’t open to it

I decided to lump these two together, because they’re different variations of the same issue. 

Whenever you are doing magic on yourself, it’s important that your mindset is aligned with your intentions. You can do love spells all day long, but if deep down you don’t believe that you’re worthy of love, that belief is going to block your spells from working. This is why mindfulness, psychology, and self care are all such important parts of a successful witchcraft practice. It’s also why I recommend doing the mental work before you sit down to ritual. 

If you did a spell on yourself, or are trying to manifest something for yourself, and it just isn’t working, I highly recommend setting some time aside for journaling and meditation and asking yourself 1.) if this is really what you want, and 2.) if you truly believe that you can have it.

The whole mindset thing gets even more tricky when you’re doing magic on behalf of another person, because their energy is also at work in the situation and could be at odds with yours. For example, if you do a spell to help a friend land a job, but that friend believes that they’re totally underqualified and could never get it, they probably won’t get the job even if you did everything “right” in your spell. 

This should go without saying, but it is extremely unethical to use magic to mess around in someone else’s head. Even if you think you know what’s best for them, they need to be open to it. If someone is blocking the spells you do on their behalf, all you can do is try to be supportive and find other ways to help them out.

Other (Rare) Reasons for Failed Spells

If a spell goes wrong, it will almost always be for one of the above reasons. But maybe you did everything “right” – you did the mental work first, had a strong, realistic intention, put lots of focus into your spell, and followed through in real life – and you still aren’t seeing results. There are a couple of other things that could be blocking your spells, but they’re very uncommon so I’m not going to talk about them in as much detail. These may be things you want to look into if you really, genuinely can’t think of any other cause. 

Cat Whiskers in Witchcraft

Cat whiskers are very magical! They can be used in any spell to give it a huge magical boost! They are also very good for good luck, and protection.

A cat uses it’s whiskers to keep itself safe- they let the cat know if it can fit into a tight place or not. Therefore, cat whiskers an be used for protection. Especially when traveling, in this or the Otherworlds- cats are said to walk between the worlds, after all. Since they are quite thin and hard to spot when not on the cat- and therefore difficult to find- they also have the properties of good luck and fortune.

You can also burn a whisker to boost manifestation. There is even an old wives’ tale that says if you burn a cat whisker and make a wish, that your wish will come true!

Keep a few in your car for protection and to avoid accidents. (I put mine in a little baggie or in a sealed labeled envelope in the glove compartment.)

Some other interesting magical uses based on what a cats whisker might mean to you: Using them to make sure that something fits, gets past obstacles, or for an extra pit of perception (since this is the use of a cat’s whiskers). If it’s a black whisker, it could be used for something you want to remain a secret. Putting good luck and perception thoughts together, use them to help find lost items.

Remember, never cut a cat’s whiskers! It can be very confusing and stressful for the cat because it’s a part of their natural senses. Wait until they’re shed naturally :) I find it helpful to search in my cat’s favorite spots, or just keep an eye out for them before vacuuming. A bright flashlight can help you find them easier!

Don’t have a cat? There are witchy kitty owners who sell their cats’ naturally shed whiskers on Etsy!

Herbs for Productivity

To halt procrastination:

To create confidence, courage, personal capability, and excitement to do the work:

To inspire mental clarity/free the mind of distractions and create the ability to clearly see the tasks that need to be done:

To complete tasks:

🌙 Showering - As every witch knows, it’s important to cleanse your space often! A daily shower is a perfect way to cleanse yourSELF! Ritual baths are amazing, but when life gets busy, we don’t always have time to sit and soak. Use your alone time in the shower intentionally. Clean your body while imagining all of the negative energy of the day washing off of you. Use certain soaps or bath products in conjunction with specific intentions. (Rose for universal love, peppermint for wealth, chamomile for purification, etc.) Remember to be intentional in your thoughts as well. Showers are a great place for meditation and manifestation!

🌙 Applying makeup/doing your hair - These are things we typically do in front of a mirror. A mirror is the perfect gateway to connect with ourselves for a bit of reassurance. Use this time to state positive affirmations or mantras.

🌙 Cleaning your home - Cleaning our sacred spaces is another great way to banish negativity and protect our energy. Use certain scents around your home to match certain intentions, and listen to high frequency music while cleaning to keep your energy lifted.

🌙 Falling asleep - If you’re anything like myself, having noise in the background while you’re getting ready for bed can be very comforting. However, it is extremely important to be intentional about the things we watch or listen to, even subconsciously, before laying down. The alpha and theta brainwave states of consciousness we enter before bed are heavily influenced by our surroundings. Try to watch or listen to TV shows or movies with positive or uplifting messages that are light hearted, or even better yet, try guided meditations!

🌙 Working - This one is so much easier said than done. Sometimes when we are working, our mind tends to wander to things we’d rather be doing instead. Alternatively, if you struggle with happiness or contentment at work, try to avert your thoughts into a positive direction. Think about your dream job. Think about how you’ll achieve your career goals, and how what you are doing now will help you progress forward with these motivations. The universe is always listening. Instead of thinking about how you dislike your job, even if you do, instead think about how much you’d LOVE to do your dream job. This will bring you much closer to your end goal a lot more quickly. Always remember: Positive attitude = positive results!

online grimoire.

credit goes to all the original blogs who made these posts. i just want to organize all my reblogs for myself <3 blessed be

[crystals]

[curses]

[deities]

-> Artemis

-> Loki

-> Rán

[divination]

[misc]

[potions]

[pouches]

[recipes]

[sabbats]

-> imbolc

-> ostara

-> beltane

-> litha

-> lammas

-> mabon

-> samhain

[spell jars]

[spells]

[tarot]

☽ little tips for witches ☾

here I will leave some very useful tips for those who have been in practice for some time, as well as for beginners. I hope this text will illuminate and help each one on their way! ✨

❀❀❀❀❀❀❀❀❀❀❀❀❀❀❀❀❀❀❀❀❀❀❀❀❀❀❀❀❀❀❀❀❀❀❀

• to do energy cleaning in your home, put in a glass: water, coarse salt and charcoal. position it behind the entrance door.

• bury egg shells in a pot or in your home garden to ensure abundance and fertility in your home.

• do not put the ashes left over from the incense out, they can be reused in making the black salt.

• burn dry rosemary to attract protection, purification, psychic abilities and openness for healing.

• to attract positive energies to you, spread several mirrors around your home, just avoid those with sharp details on your edge. they also help to clear the mind.

• to ward off any bother that is bothering you, write the key words of the situation on a white candle. light the candle and ask the fire beings to burn this evil that you want to destroy.

• make a wreath with chamomile flower and hang it on the door to protect the environment throughout the year from physical and spiritual damage.

• use cinnamon to improve your individual skill with prophecy through divination, channeling and working with oracles.

• when making your own oils, use olive oil and dried herbs of your choice.

• press and store rosemary leaves in your books. this will increase your wisdom during your studies and your memory, making you learn more easily.

• burn some thyme on your altar to clean up your magic space. thyme when burned with incense strengthens psychic power.

Too much light! 🌿 🌿

Spell jars 🏺

Correspondence: Birth Trees

Apple Tree Love Of slight build, lots of charm, appeal, attraction, pleasant aura, flirtatious, adventurous, sensitive, always in love, wants to love and be loved, faithful and tender partner, very generous, scientific talents, lives for today, a carefree philosopher with imagination.

Ash Tree Ambition Uncommonly attractive, vivacious, impulsive, demanding, does not care for criticism, ambitious, intelligent, talented, likes to play with fate, can be egotistic, very reliable and trustworthy, faithful and prudent lover, sometimes brains rule over the heart, but takes partnership very seriously.

Beech Tree Creative Has good taste, concerned about its looks, materialistic, good organization of life and career, economical, good leader, takes no unnecessary risks, reasonable, splendid lifetime companion, keen on keeping fit (diets, sports, etc.)

Birch Tree Inspiration Vivacious, attractive, elegant, friendly, unpretentious, modest, does not like anything in excess, abhors the vulgar, loves life in nature and in calm, not very passionate, full of imagination, little ambition, creates a calm and content atmosphere.

Cedar Tree Confidence Of rare beauty, knows how to adapt, likes luxury, of good health, not in the least shy, tends to look down on others, self-confident, determined, impatient, likes to impress others, many talents, industrious, healthy optimism, waiting for the one true love, able to make quick decisions.

Chestnut Tree Honesty Of unusual beauty, does not want to impress, well-developed sense of justice, vivacious, interested, a born diplomat, but irritates easily and sensitive in company, often due to a lack of self confidence, acts sometimes superior, feels not understood loves only once, has difficulties in finding a partner.

Cypress Tree Faithfulness Strong, muscular, adaptable, takes what life has to give, content, optimistic, craves money and acknowledgment, hates loneliness, passionate lover which cannot be satisfied, faithful, quick-tempered, unruly, pedantic, and careless.

Elm Tree Noble-mindedness Pleasant shape, tasteful clothes, modest demands, tends not to forgive mistakes, cheerful, likes to lead but not to obey, honest and faithful partner, likes making decisions for others, noble-minded, generous, good sense of humor, practical.

Fig Tree Sensibility Very strong, a bit self-willed, independent, does not allow contradiction or arguments, loves life, its family, children and animals, a bit of a social butterfly, good sense of humor, likes idleness and laziness, of practical talent and intelligence.

Fir Tree Mysterious Extraordinary taste, dignity, sophisticated, loves anything beautiful, moody, stubborn, tends to egoism but cares for those close to them, rather modest, very ambitious, talented, industrious, discontented lover, many friends, many foes, very reliable.

Hazelnut Tree Extraordinary Charming, undemanding, very understanding, knows how to make an impression, active fighter for social cause, popular, moody, and capricious lover, honest, and tolerant partner, precise sense of judgment.

Hornbeam Tree Good Taste Of cool beauty, cares for its looks and condition, good taste, is not egoistic, makes life as comfortable as possible, leads a reasonable and disciplined life, looks for kindness and acknowledgement in an emotional partner, dreams of unusual lovers, is seldom happy with its feelings, mistrusts most people, is never sure of its decisions, very conscientious.

Lime Tree Doubt Accepts what life dishes out in a composed way, hates fighting, stress, and labor, dislikes laziness and idleness, soft and relenting, makes sacrifices for friends, many talents but not tenacious enough to make them blossom, often wailing and complaining, very jealous but loyal.

Maple Tree Independence of Mind No ordinary person, full of imagination and originality, shy and reserved, ambitious, proud, self-confident, hungers for new experiences, sometimes nervous, has many complexities, good memory, learns easily, complicated love life, wants to impress.

Oak Tree Brave Robust nature, courageous, strong, unrelenting, independent, sensible, does not like change, keeps its feet on the ground, person of action.

Olive Tree Wisdom Loves sun, warmth and kind feelings, reasonable, balanced, avoids aggression and violence, tolerant, cheerful, calm, well-developed sense of justice, sensitive, empathetic, free of jealousy, loves to read and the company of sophisticated people.

Pine Tree Particular Loves agreeable company, very robust, knows how to make life comfortable, very active, natural, good companion, but seldom friendly, falls easily in love but its passion burns out quickly, gives up easily, everything disappointments until it finds its ideal, trustworthy, practical.

Poplar Tree Uncertainty Looks very decorative, not very self-confident, only courageous if necessary, needs goodwill and pleasant surroundings, very choosy, often lonely, great animosity, artistic nature, good organizer, tends to lean toward philosophy, reliable in any situation, takes partnership seriously.

Rowan Tree Sensitivity Full of charm, cheerful, gifted without egoism, likes to draw attention, loves life, motion, unrest, and even complications, is both dependent and independent, good taste, artistic, passionate, emotional, good company, does not forgive.

Walnut Tree Passion Unrelenting, strange and full of contrasts, often egotistic, aggressive, noble, broad horizon, unexpected reactions, spontaneous, unlimited ambition, no flexibility, difficult and uncommon partner, not always liked but often admired, ingenious strategist, very jealous and passionate, no compromise.

Weeping Willow Melancholy Beautiful but full of melancholy, attractive, very empathetic, loves anything beautiful and tasteful, loves to travel, dreamer, restless, capricious, honest, can be influenced but is not easy to live with, demanding, good intuition, suffers in love but finds sometimes an anchoring partner.

Many of us, witches, lightworkers, spiritual practitioners, etc., are empaths. We are giving without expecting something back. In our mundane life, where we have plenty of responsibilities, we try our best to be there for those we care about the most, make them happy, and often we forget about ourselves.

Why does self-care so important?

Without it, we might feel drained and “out of magik”, after we have spent so much energy on others and didn’t take good care of ourselves to fill our energy reservoir. Without proper self-care, we might feel uninspired and maybe even lazy. Remember, to make someone else happy, you should first make yourself happy; you can’t give from an empty space.

Some ideas for self-care:

Of course, do what works the best for you, but here are some suggestions of self-care activities that work for me, fill me up with inspiration and encourage me to take my power back.

Yoga

Activating my body improves blood flow and energy flow in it. It makes me feel more vital and connected. Of course, any other physical activity will do the same.

Meditation or just relaxation session

You may light candles, burn incense, make the right environment for yourself, and take some time for yourself to heal.

A walk outside, preferably in nature

If you feel disconnected, nature is the answer. Go outside into the loving arms of nature. It truly heals. If you live in a big city, a walk in the local park will do the work also. Notice the nature around you even in the urban environment, the trees, the flowers, the birds, or other local animals.

Self-love bath

Make it as enjoyable as possible. You might use candles, self-love crystals (like pink quartz), rose petals, burn incense, add essential oils to the water (for me it’s Lavender, so magical and healing, and also good for skincare), and any other thing that feels right to you. Let the water wash away your heaviness and empty space for new, good vibes.

Herbal tea with intent

Make yourself a nice cup of tea and fill it with the intent of what exactly you need right now. Drink it mindfully and joyfully.

Journaling

Sometimes, I feel like I don’t know what exactly I need to feel good, so I do journaling. Write down what bothers you and where do you feel a lack. Then write down a positive affirmation for each aspect you have spotted and let the good manifest into your life.

Music

It’s no secret that music is a healer. It may be 432HZ music (healing tone), classical music, or even heavy metal (although it’s considered as “low vibe” music), whatever works for you and makes you feel good and empowered.

Take good care of yourself and blessed be 💜✨

Personalizing Spell Jars

Spell jars are very easy to make! Especially since you've already got a lot of ingredients in your home or backyard already. It's all about personalizing. You don't have to follow a recipe exactly either. You can make a spell jar unique, just for you! Here are some ways to personalize your new jar:

Do your homework and read up on what you want to add to your jar. Explore topics that resonate with you. Keep a Book of Shadows/Journal to keep track of what you're learning. A few good places to check out to learn about the uses and meanings of herbs and crystals is:

https://coven.thethriftywitch.com/pages/magickal-uses-of-herbs

https://wicca.fandom.com/wiki/Crystals

https://witchcraftandwitches.com/

Check out some of these simple spell jars:

I've made a lot of these ones for myself and other people:

Spell jar purposes vary. You are basically keeping the magic concentrated and preventing anything from escaping before the spell is complete. Traveling is another great reason to make a jar. You can take it everyhwere with you or sleep with it under your pillow, place it on your fireplace, in your cabinet, or put it on a chain and hang it in your car.

Thanks for reading! Enjoy these Random Witch Tips:

~Enchanting Nova~

Wheel of The Year ✧ Yule (December 20th-23rd) ✧ General meanings: winter solstice, new beginnings, rebirth Crystals - Bloodstone, Clear Quartz, Emerald, Ruby, Garnet, Diamond Animals - Bear, Boar, Deer, Eagle, Owl, Tiger, Wren Herbs - Chamomile, Ivy, Mistletoe, Peppermint, Rosemary, Sage, Cedar, Cinnamon, Cloves, Frankincense, Juniper, Myrrh, Orange Deities - Odin, Ra, Isis, Brighid, Demeter, Gaea, Diana, Mithra, Lugh ✧Imbolc (February 2nd✧ General meanings: candlemas, hearth, and home Crystals - Amethyst, Bloodstone, Garnet, Onyx, Ruby, Turquoise Animals - Burrowing Animals, Bear, Deer, Groundhog, Lamb, Sheep Herbs - Acorns, Angelica, Basil, Bay, Blackberry, Chamomile, Crocus, Jasmine, Lavender, Rosemary Colors - Green, Brown, Red, White, Pink, Yellow Deities - Brigid, Triple Goddess, Eros, Osiris, Pan, Herne, Aradia, Athena ✧Ostara (March 20th-23rd)✧ General meanings: spring equinox, renewal and duality Crystals - Amethyst, Aquamarine, Clear Quartz, Agate, Jasper, Moonstone, Rose Quartz Animals - Butterfly, Chick, Rabbit, Lamb, Robin, Worm Herbs - Clover, Daffodil, Honeysuckle, Iris, Jasmine, Lemon Balm, Lilac, Lilies, Mint, Peonies, Tulips, Sandalwood, Tangerine, Ylang-Ylang, Geranium Colors - Pastels, Gold, Light Green, Blue, Pink, Yellow Deities - Eostre, Astarte, Aurora, Kore, Osiris, Dionysus, Ares, Adonis, Venus, Aphrodite, and Narcissus ✧Beltane (May 1st)✧ General meanings: may day, love, and fertility Crystals - Emerald, Garnet, Malachite, Rose Quartz, Tourmaline Animals - Bee, Cat, Cattle, Dove, Frog, Goat, Leopard, Rabbit, Swallow, Swan Herbs - Coriander, Crocus, Curry, Daffodil, Dandelion, Dragon’s Blood, Fern, Flaxseed, Hawthorn, Nettle, Paprika, Primrose, Snapdragon, Peach, Rose, Vanilla Colors - Bright Greens and Blues, Purples, Yellow and Red Deities - Bel, Pan, Maeve, Tanit, Flora, Gaia, Danu, Herne, Aphrodite, Artemis, Brigid, and Diana ✧Litha (20th-23rd)✧ General meanings: summer solstice, warmth, and the sun Crystals - Amber, Carnelian, Citrine, Diamond, Jade, Lapis Lazuli, Tiger’s Eye Animals - Bee, Butterfly, Cattle, Horse, Robin, Sea Creatures, Snake, Bird Herbs - Basil, Calendula, Chamomile, Heather, Heather, Mugwort, Wild Thyme, Peony, Roses, Daisy, Sunflower, St. John’s Wort, Cedar, Clove, Lavender, Mint, Pine, Sage Colors - Blue, Gold, Red, White, Yellow, and Green Deities - Aphrodite, Astarte, Freya, Hathor, Ishtar, Venus, Athena, Artemis, Dana Kali, Isis, Juno, Apollo, Helios, Ra, Sol, Zeus, Prometheus, and Ares ✧Lammas (August 1st)✧ General meanings: first harvest, abundance, and gratefulness Crystals - Citrine, Golden Topaz, Lodestone, Moss Agate, Obsidian, Peridot, Aventurine Animals - Calf, Pig, Rooster, Salmon, Crow Herbs - Apple Leaf, Basil, Clover, Goldenrod, Heather, Ivy, Marigold, Peony, Poppy, Rose, Rosemary, Vervain, Sunflower, Sandalwood, Frankincense Colors - Bronze, Green, Gold, Light Brown, Orange, and Yellow Deities - Lugh, Demeter, Ceres, Corn Mother, and John Barleycorn ✧Mabon (September 20th-23rd)✧ General meanings: autumn equinox, feast, and bounty Crystals - Amber, Citrine, Cat’s Eye, Lapis Lazuli, Sapphire, Yellow Agate Animals - Eagle, Blackbird, Owl, Salmon, Stag, Wild Goose, Wolf Herbs - Bittersweet, Chamomile, Marigold, Rue, Sage, Yarrow, Cinnamon, Myrrh, Frankincense Colors - Brown, Gold, Orange, Red, Yellow, and Green Deities - Mabon, Inanna, Demeter, Persephone, and The Horned God ✧Samhain (October 31st)✧ General meanings: new year, spirit, and potential Crystals - Aquamarine, Bloodstone, Carnelian, Jet, Obsidian, Onyx, Smokey Quartz Animals - Bat, Black Cat, Cat, Owl, Raven, Crow Herbs - Allspice, Calendula, Chrysanthemum, Deadly Nightshade, Mandrake, Mint, Nutmeg, Rosemary, Sage, Thistle, Wormwood, Hazel, Benzoin, Sweetgrass Colors - Black, Gold, Orange, Purple, White, and Silver Deities - Crone Goddesses, Hekate, Hel, Lilith, Kali, Ishtar, Arianrhod, Rhiannon, Persephone, Baba Yaga, and Isis

Moons, Holidays, and Retrogrades 2022

Figured I'd get a head start on this since I'm taking tonight's full moon as an opportunity to clean/cleanse my apartment, have a little wine, and update my calendar with witchy events through the end of next year. :>

As always when I make these kinds of posts, if the peak of the full or new moon is in the wee hours of the morning on one day, I enter it into my calendar as the day before, since that is the night I will be celebrating even though it technically falls on the next day.

Sources this year are my trusty Simple Moon Phase Calendar app for Android, www.pagangrimoire.com, and horoscopes.astro-seek.com

~January~ 2nd - 🌑 New Moon in Capricorn 14th - Mercury retrograde begins 17th - 🌕 Full Moon in Cancer->Leo 18th - Uranus retrograde ends 29th - Venus retrograde ends 31st - 🌑 New Moon in Capricorn->Aquarius

~February~ 1st - 🕯Imbolc🕯 4th - Mercury retrograde ends 15th - 🌕 Full Moon in Leo->Virgo

~March~ 1st - 🌑 New Moon in Pisces 17th - 🌕 Full Moon in Virgo->Libra 20th - 🌸Ostara🌸 31st - 🌑 New Moon in Pisces->Aries

~April~ 16th - 🌕 Full Moon in Libra->Scorpio 29th - Pluto retrograde begins 30th - 🌑 New Moon in Taurus

~May~ 1st - 🔥Beltane🔥 10th - Mercury retrograde begins 15th - 🌕 Full Moon in Scorpio 29th - 🌑 New Moon in Gemini

~June~ 3rd - Mercury retrograde ends 4th - Saturn retrograde begins 13th - 🌕 Full Moon in Sagittarius->Capricorn 21st - ☀️Litha☀️ 28th - 🌑 New Moon in Gemini->Cancer, Neptune retrograde begins

~July~ 13th - 🌕 Full Moon in Capricorn 27th - 🌑 New Moon in Leo 28th - Jupiter retrograde begins

~August~ 1st - 🌾Lughnasadh🌾 11th - 🌕 Full Moon in Aquarius 24th - Uranus retrograde begins 26th - 🌑 New Moon in Virgo

~September~ 9th - 🌕 Full Moon in Pisces->Aries 10th - Mercury retrograde begins 22nd - 🍂Mabon🍂 25th - 🌑 New Moon in Virgo->Libra

~October~ 2nd - Mercury retrograde ends 8th - Pluto retrograde ends 9th - 🌕 Full Moon in Aries 23rd - Saturn retrograde ends 24th - 🌑 New Moon in Libra->Scorpio 30th - Mars retrograde begins 31st - 🖤Samhain🖤 (Witch's New Year)

~November~ 7th - 🌕 Full Moon in Taurus 23rd - 🌑 New Moon in Scorpio->Sagittarius, Jupiter retrograde ends

~December~ 4th - Neptune retrograde ends 7th - 🌕 Full Moon in Gemini 21st - ❄Yule❄ 22nd - 🌑 New Moon in Capricorn 29th - Mercury retrograde begins

🕯️Celebrating Winter Solstice🕯️

This is the way my partner and I have chosen to celebrate the winter solstice and the days of darkness that occur before the sun's path across the sky moves northward again on the 25th.

I thought I would share in case anyone finds this helpful in guiding their own celebration for this time of year.

🕯️In the weeks before:

-decorate a solstice tree with sun and light themed ornaments. If you wrote your intentions last year (see below) begin reflecting on these.

🕯️21st (winter solstice):

-set up altar (other posts share helpful information on how to do this, so I won't go into that here)

-place candles around home to use later that night. Use only candles for light once night falls

-hold a solstice feast and give thanks for everything good that came to you this year. If your intentions from last year manifested, give thanks for this.

🕯️22nd-23rd:

-reflect on things to let go of. Write down everything to release and let go of onto tiny scraps of paper. Continue to write down every hurt, every perceived injustice, all judgments against self or others, no matter how big or small it may seem. Put these in a jar as you write them for these two days.

🕯️24th:

-burn the yule log. One by one toss in your scraps of paper to let these things go. Visualize these dark things burning and becoming the light.

-If you have your intentions from last year (see below) reflect on what manifested, and what still remains to be done, then toss this in too to give yourself a clean slate.

-once the log finishes burning, sit down and write your intention(s) for the upcoming year on a piece of paper. Fold this paper, seal it with wax, then hang it on your solstice tree. Pack this paper away with your solstice decorations when putting them away for next year. Next solstice you can reflect on the past year's solstice intentions when unpacking decorations and setting up your tree.

The Eight Sabbats and The Wheel of the Year: My Digital Grimoire Series

I just ordered my honeycomb cake mold off of Amazon. Super excited to try my first Litha recipe! What are you guys doing to celebrate the summer solstice?? 🌼🌾🍯🐝🌞

Compiled List of Elder Futhark Runes and Their Meanings.

A list of runes and their meanings that I compiled from watching EVERY video in the runic series by Arith Harger. All credit goes to him and his youtube channel.

Fehu ᚠ: Power, luck, fortune, cattle, feminine, fire, life, New beginnings, nourishment, comfort, luck (Norse positive energy,)sexual energy.

Inverted: failure, loss, greed, bad luck, infertility, negativity, loss of a loved one. 

Uruz ᚢ: Aurochs (giant bull,) strength, health, endurance, vigor, persistence, courage, male, rage, warrior spirit. Thor(his uncontrollable rage,) unconscious power, fury resourceful, manifestation, endurance. Tread lightly with power. New beginnings, change, growth. Your true self and getting to know you. Overcome your wild nature. Overcoming, healing, inverted, weakness, physical and mental fatigue, health issues, see a doctor. Change your lifestyle. Your own power used against you. 

Thurisaz ᚦ: Chaos, destruction, defense, strength, protecting without strategy but with rage. Boundaries. Know your limits. There are barriers you’ll overcome later. Potential risks. Snakes. People betraying you. Regenerating, fertilization, breaking barriers. Inverted: Sexual and menstrual problems. Take no action. Possible trap. 

Ansuz ᚨ: Odin, creation, breath, intelligence, communication, speech, poetry. Reversed: Miscommunication. Unable to be heard. 

Raido ᚱ: Journey, other worldly or physically. Travel. The need to find the right path. Reaching a goal. Evolve, sleipnir, spiritual journey, shamanic sacrifice. Prepare for journeys. Evolve. 

Inverted: Don’t take the advice of others, think for yourself. Feeling stuck. Accept the inevitable. Trouble will pass. 

Kaunaz ᚲ: Torch, intellect, knowledge, power, ancestral knowledge, creation, self control, inner strength, will to create, magic, energy, passion, lust, vitality, protection. Heimdallr. Warmth, friendship, love, 

Inverted: Lost: love, friendship, destruction. 

Gebo ×: Giving, taking, trade, gift for a gift, sacrifice, gift from the gods, gift from Odin, give to the poor, compensation, give with an open heart, be yourself, soon feel honor bound to help but don’t help TOO much. 

Wunjo ᚹ: Joy, hope, harmony, happiness, family, kinfolk, attraction, like mindedness, favor from the gods, will to live, fulfilling life, good news, relationships will work. Finding yourself. 

Inverted: Be guarded emotionally, use logic, sadness, fear, be patient. 

Haglaz ᚺ ᚻ: Hail, violent change, long term good, inevitable, bad news, catastrophe, destruction in life, chaos, obstacles that can’t be overcome. Disruption, fate, heed the warning, ymir, norns, harsh cold, unpredictable weather, your limitations, the unexpected, harmony, death. Rethink plans. Hope. 

Naudiz ᚾ:  Need, necessity, hard times are coming/here, poor life choices in the past, take action, limitations, constraint, obstacles, learning through necessity, control negative emotions, recognize limitations.

Isa ᛁ: Ice, focus, self preservation, concentration, self control, being in control of our ego, facing harsh reality, self reliance, aware of our existence, our own hidden power, will, defense against our emotions, pulling ourselves from the darkness, emotional fragility.

Jera ᛃ: Year, end of the cycle, reap what you sew, cyclical actions, you’ll be rewarded for your actions, arising, becoming better, becoming greater, reward for honorable actions, when life is tough…dig deep and stay strong, favorable moment, harvest.

Eihwaz ᛇ: Yew, gaining spiritual knowledge by going up and down the world tree, learning rune mysteries of life and death, sharing knowledge, trees: apple yew and ash, connection between realities, life from death, circle of life, past growing into the future, mysteries of death, hidden secrets, movement towards enlightenment. Set yourself free of the fear of death, Yggdrasil. 

Pertho ᛈ: The unknown, interacting with fate and the norns, the web of the wyrd, Norns, events yet to happen, having to guess due to lack of knowledge, limitations beyond your control, free from worry, let the universe decide, good omens, joy, stagnation that you can turn to your advantage. 

Algiz ᛉ :  Elk/moose, protection, higher self, connection to the gods, listening and being attentive to that beyond the physical world, awakening, spiritual, defense, cosmic stags eating at the needles of Yggdrasil, being in contact with the divine, human life reaching for the divine.

Sowilo ᛋ:  Sun positive, success, light, strength to move forward, guidance, hope, knowing our own power and strength, faith in ourselves and the choices we’ve made, the seat of the soul.

Tiwaz ᛏ:  Justice, Sacrifice, balance, wisdom from a higher state of rationality, self sacrifice for the well being of the whole, something bigger than you, the greater good, denial of selfish actions, righteousness, rationality, victory, faith, fairness, empathy, no justice without empathy and rationality, spiritual warrior, honor, bravery, 

Berkano ᛒ: Birch goddess, growth of the self, rebirth, change, end of a cycle, throw away what no longer has a purpose, life and renewal, (all mental spiritual) let go of old mentalities, Female (blossoming of the true self), motherhood, let go of the past, be happy, taking care of life.

Ehwaz ᛖ:  Horse, team work, trust, solidarity, common goal, trust, cooperation, unity, friendship, finding real value in friendship, harmonious connection, movement, journey, travel, wild inner self, hunger for change, filgia, relationship between body and spirit, rational and magical, shaman.

Mannaz. ᛗ: Higher reasoning, mankind, true essence of the human, divine spark in the structure of human intelligence, thought and memory, the difference between the human spirit and everything else, cycle of everything, connection of the anima and animus, male and female consciousness (trans?) balance between conscious and the subconscious, the memories of the ancestors.

Laguz ᛚ: Water, fluidity of life, the ocean, lakes, waterfalls, the underworld, afterlife, movement, voyages, source of life, fluid water, beginnings, evolutionary process, primordial life, origins, cyclical existence, wisdom, history of mankind, instinct, psychological power, depths of our conscious, what lies buried in our mind, collective wisdom. 

Yngwaz ᛝ: Earth god, fruitful attributes in male sexuality, agriculture, growth, male growth, masculine magic, break social rules towards gender, opportunity for men to come in contact with the supernatural, male spirituality, male potential, male role in the origin and continuation of life, gestation of male abilities, peace, wealth.

Othala ᛟ:  Homeland, ancestral roots, evolution, leave a legacy, learn, spreading knowledge, individual growth, wisdom, reach out and help people reach wisdom, better world through knowledge spreading, property, right to shelter, family, protection, finding your roots, creating a safe space for others, respect peace, hope, hearth cult.

Dagaz ᛞ: Dawn, day, light, end of a cycle and beginning of a new era. Creation, birth, life, development, experiences. Settling down, rest, coming home, our roots are deeper than the illusion of identity. Our true roots of the mind. New cycle, rebirth, a new hope.

pretty shitty how baseline human activities like singing, dancing and making art got turned into skills  instead of being seen as behaviors

so now it’s like ‘the point of doing them is to get good at them’ and not ‘this is a thing humans do, the way birds sing and bees make hives’.

I know I’ve posted this before, but it bears repeating.

This is a thing humans do; you don’t have to be good at it to enjoy it.

I’m adding writing specifically because humans have been telling stories since we invented language, and our loved of it should not be taken away from us by the invention of money.