hi!
i found your blog and i was wondering if you could help me. i'm a baby witch and i'm having a hard time trying to find books to read about fae. i do not want to begin fairy work right now, i believe i'm not ready, but i'm obsessed with them since my childhood and i want to learn more. do you have any books recomendations? or even other sources of fae and fae work. if you don't, that's fine.
even if you just read this, thank you very much! i hope you have a nice day.
Hey there! I will tell you, my journey into fae work started like yours, and at some point, the fae will make themselves known, wether you’re ready or not, so knowledge is important. I have always liked faeries too, and I ended up researching the fae in various folklore- brothers Grimm, traditional Scottish and Celtic folklore, whatever I could get my hands on.
Unfortunately, the vast majority of my collection of folklore is inherited from various grandparents and great grandparents, so a lot of them are incredibly old or out of print.
HOWEVER! There IS the Spiderwick Chronicles! Before you laugh at me, hear me out: one of the authors is Holly Black, and that lady does her research!
This is a companion to the series- and a lot of the lore in here checks out; if not the types of fae specifically. Turn your clothes inside out if the fae confuse you? In there- and that’s pretty obscure. Start here, is my recommendation, or the folklore section of your library!
These are also herbs and things commonly found around the spice cabinet, especially if you’re like me and your family cooks at home a lot, even when it’s not the time of the virus. It’s great for closet witches like me!
When you’re first getting started with witchcraft or another magical practice, it can be easy to get caught up in all of the material stuff involved. Witchy hashtags on social media are filled with pictures of huge sparkly crystals, gorgeous handmade ritual tools, and beautifully elaborate altars. Many spells in books or online call for a long list of herbs, some of which are expensive or hard to come by. For baby witches, it’s easy to feel like you can never be a “real” witch unless you have money for these expensive tools and toys.
This is not true. As we’ve talked about in previous chapters of this series, you don’t need any tools or material components to cast a spell — however, harnessing the energy of plants, crystals, and imagery can be a helpful way to add energy to your work. This doesn’t mean you need to spend a lot of money. In fact, many of the most powerful and useful magical tools can be found on the spice aisle in your local supermarket, or even at the dollar store.
For example:
Salt. Salt is a witch’s best friend. It can be used for cleansing, banishing, protection, grounding, or to neutralize energy. Surrounding something with a circle of salt will protect it [Note: do NOT make salt circles outside, as salt will kill plant life!], and washing something with salt water will cleanse its energy. I often include salt in any spell that I feel needs an extra layer of protection.
Sugar. Just as salt banishes unwanted energy, sugar attracts the things you want into your life. Sugar can be used for any and all attraction spells, whether you’re looking to attract love, money, success, or something else. It can also be used to “sweeten” a situation, or make it more favorable.
Cinnamon. There’s pretty much no positive spell that doesn’t benefit from cinnamon. Cinnamon has associations with healing, love, success, and material wealth, but is also strongly associated with protection. I love burning cinnamon as incense — it fills the whole room with warm, cozy energy.
Cayenne. Cayenne is often used for banishing or binding spells, but a lesser known use is for getting things moving. Cayenne is a very fiery plant, so any spell dealing with passion, motivation, or drive can benefit from its inclusion. Cayenne can be used to “light a fire” under someone to motivate them to action. However, cayenne is a more harsh energy, so I often pair it with lavender or another soothing herb.
Coffee. I most often use coffee for grounding or to anchor things to the physical world. For example, I might include it in a prosperity spell to make sure the results manifest in my everyday life. Coffee is also energizing and brings mental clarity, and can enhance psychic abilities. Brewed coffee is also used in some traditions as an offering for spirits.
Bay leaves (Bay Laurel). Bay leaves are one of the most popular spell components because of their association with granting wishes. You’ve probably heard of the practice of writing a wish on a bay leaf and burning it to manifest your desire. I often include bay leaves in manifestation magic for this reason. Bay leaves can also be used for purification, cleansing, and exorcism.
Ginger. Ginger adds power to any spell it is included in. Ginger tea or gingery food can also give you a personal energy boost. I add ginger to any spell that needs some extra “oomph.” It is also associated with success.
Basil. Basil is very commonly used in money spells. Carrying a basil leaf on your person is believed to attract wealth. It also has associations with protection.
Peppermint. Peppermint is another herb that can add power to virtually any spell. It can bring healing and purification, can remove obstacles and free up stuck energy, and can enhance psychic abilities. Peppermint is a common ingredient in dream pillows. You can find peppermint tea at virtually any grocery store, and many stores also carry the essential oil.
Lavender. Lavender is my favorite herb for bringing peace to a situation. It’s very good for healing magic and for soothing difficult emotions. Lavender is also associated with love, and I especially like to use it in spells for self love. Most stores carry lavender essential oil, and you can also find herbal teas that include it as an ingredient.
With the above herbs at your side, you’ll have everything you need to cast virtually any type of spell. Honestly, even if you just have salt, sugar, and maybe some white candles, you can create powerful spells for dozens of different intentions, from protection to self love to getting a job. Remember, what matters isn’t so much what you have — it’s your intention.
These are also edible, so they can be incorporated into magical recipes for different intentions. In fact, most of the ingredients you cook with every day have magical associations and can do double duty as powerful additions to your spells. For more information about the magical uses of common household herbs and spices, I highly recommend the book A Green Witch’s Cupboard by Deborah J. Martin, which is where most of the info for this post came from.
Other useful magical items that you can pick up at the grocery store include:
Olive oil. Olive oil can be used as an all-purpose anointing oil for candles, ritual tools, or your body. It can also be used to dilute essential oil, or as a base for custom magical oils.
Tealight candles. These small candles are perfect for candle spells. White tealights can be used for any intention.
House plants. Many common houseplants have magical associations. For example, aloe brings protection and healing. You can also grow some witchy herbs, like peppermint or rosemary, indoors.
Epsom salt. Epsom salt is a great base for bath spells. You can add essential oils and herbs to make custom bath salts — just be sure to research oils and herbs ahead of time, as some can cause skin irritation. [Note: Epsom salt is not actually salt, and cannot be substituted for salt in spells.]
Notebooks. Writing things down is an important part of witchcraft. Keeping a record of your spells, divination, and magical experiences makes it easier to keep track of everything.
Again, I want to stress that you don’t need a specific set of tools to be a witch. In fact, you can do highly effective magic without ever working with herbs at all. But if you want to gather some items to add power to your spells or help you feel more witchy (after all, there’s nothing wrong with wanting to set the mood!), you can get everything you need for a few bucks at the local supermarket or dollar store. Remember, our ancestors worked magic with what they had — not with expensive crystal collections or exotic herbs.
A sigil of creativity! It is also inscribed on my sketchbook, so I will never lack for artistic inspiration!
I’m restarting my blog from scratch, after a too-long hiatus, and I figured an introduction was in order.
I go by Mai on this blog, and I recently came out of the broom closet in a family of (very accepting) Christians. I’m a faerie witch, and I love plants and excel at divination. This blog will focus on those and basics, and the grimoire. That being said, this is a safe place, so no terfs, no racists, etc. Fight me.
My hobbies are drawing, writing, and making jewelry. I live in that one awkward part of the US where we aren’t really the South, but aren’t really Midwest either. I’m currently trying to balance 97 different things during this pandemic (including the pandemic 🥲).
I am here for any witches who need me, or are in a situation similar to mine- broom closeted, or trying to transition out of it. Feel free to drop an ask!
Edit: I have created a Silmarilion sideblog, so if you enjoy my Silmarilion content, go there. @mai-youdumbass
Love it when my oracle cards are ominous.
Lol.
Also look at my beautiful solstice candle that my parents got me!! My Catholic dad made himself go into a witchy shop to get it.
Sigils are little symbols that can channel intent to do spells or help in rituals. I find sigils are very low energy, and good for witches in the broom closet- or however you categorize being a secret witch. Stick these bad boys on the bottom of your shoe, as a doodle in a notebook, on a random sheet of paper, and no one will ever know!
There are several methods for making sigils. I’ll make a post covering each. Today, we’re covering the 1-9 Method! (If there’s an actual name for that pls tell me)
The 1-9 Method is a method where you assign each letter of the alphabet a number between 1 and 9 to make a sigil.
The first step is to take the alphabet and put it into a chart, with 9 columns, each labeled 1-9, so it’s organized something like this:
Once you get that all finished, pick a word or a phrase; I’m going to use “protection”.
This is where things get a little dicey. Some people say you have to drop all repeat letters. Some say repeats and vowels. I personally view that as garbage; doesn’t mean it isn’t a valid way to make a sigil. I just think that we organized the whole damn alphabet into 9 columns, so we should use the whole damn alphabet! I drop my repeats, so “protection” looks a like this:
Protection = Protecin
After that, we match every letter with its number on the table.
Protecin = 79625395
Now draw a circle. Divide it into 9 pieces, and start with your first number; in my case 7. Find point 7, and move to point 9, then 6, so on and so forth. Here’s how my circle started out versus how it ended:
I tried to include arrows, but it looks a bit confusing……. *sigh*
I am readyyyyyyy
True true. I need to put an actual silmaril card in there. Ya know, as the equivalent of the Tower in tarot.
Why are my Silmarilion oracle cards such pessimists? Are they okay? Did the Feanorians find you?
Jar Spells & Pouches
“Bubbly Friend” Protection and Cleansing Jar Spell
“Tough As A Nail” Protection Spell
“Portable Barricade” Spell Jar
“Protect My Ass” Spell Jar
“Stay The F*ck Away From Me” Protection Jar
Jar Spell for Protection
Witchywoman’s Protection Jar
Shiroinightmare’s Protection Bottle
Gender/Sexuality Protection Jar Spell
Sea Witch’s Protection Bottle
Stormy Protection Spell Jar
Elemental Protection Jar Spell
Dragon Protection Jar
Protection Jar Against Bindings & Hexes
Basic Warding Jar
Making A Witch Bottle (Charm)
Witches Bottle for Protection
Potent Protective Witch Bottle
Blood Magic Protection Jar
Mini Protection Vial
Ares Protection Pouch
‘Sweet Tooth’ Spell Sachet
Protection Pouches
Protection Pouch
Protection Sachet
Protection Sachet for School
Amulets
Simple Protection Amulet
“Untouchable” Charm Ward
Subtle Protection Amulet
Coral Protection Amulet
Sunglasses Enchantment
Ways to Make Amulets
Simple Protection Necklace
Strength & Safety Amulet
Protection Vial Necklace
Wonder Woman’s Bracelets
Sword & Shield Graveyard/Spirit Jewelry
Nasty Witches’ Brew Protective Jewelry
Bath/Shower Magic
“Armour of Love” Protection Bath
Powerful Cleansing Bath
Simple Purification and Protection Scrub
“Master Protector” Body Scrub
Gossip-Stopping Scrub
Shower Disks for Protection
Pine Protection Balm
Kitchen Witchcraft
Purification and Protection Soup
Fondant Potatoes for Protection & Prosperity
Self Love & Protection Recipe Spell
Abundant Apple Pie Cookies
Grandma’s Pumpkin Bread
Potions
Cleanse & Protect Spray Potion
Rose Shield Potion
Protection Potion
Pisces Protection Potion
Return To Sender Vigor Potion
Bucking Bronco Vigor Potion
Charge Vigor Potion
Spells
Bravery/Protection Spell
Aroma Veil Spell
Protection Spell for Queer Folks
Spell For Protection While Coming Out As Trans
‘Hiding Secrets’ Spell
Stronger Than You Spell
Protection Against Bullies
“Belittlement Barrier” Spell
Expecto Patronum
Substitute Spell
Curse Decoy
LoZ Magic Armour Protection Spell
Riddikulus Charm
Snowdrop Protection Spell
Method for Protection Against Undesired Spirits or People
Evergoing Spell
Rose Quartz Shielding Spell
Protection Candle Spell
Protection Chant
Night Protection Spell
Night Protection Spell #2
Protection Against Curses, Hexes & Bad Energies
Maka’s Black Blood Dress
Mars Celestial Fire Surround
Plutonic Protection Spell
‘Dark Dome Close’ Sailor Pluto Spell
Moon Tiara Magic
Jupiter Thunder Crash
Mind Blast Spell
Metal Claws Spell
Expelliarmus
“Back To You, B*tch” Protection Spell
‘Return To Sender’ Spell
‘Backfire’ Curse Repelling Enchantment
Engraved Hourglass Nebula Curse Return Spell
‘Trainer Chose Squirtle’ Spell
Black Salt Spell for Protection & Absorbing Negativity
Protection Spell Against Negative People & Psychic Vampires
Wards/Rituals
‘Don’t Go In The Dog Park’ Ward
Nail Polish Ritual
PC Magic Warding Ritual
Positive Energy/Banishment of Evil Incense Ritual
‘Fire Rose’ Healing & Protection Ritual
Protection Ritual for the Downtrodden
Sigils
I Am Shielded From Acts of Violence
I Am Protected From Unwanted Spiritual & Physical Entities Who Would Do Me Harm
Protection From Evil Spirits
I Am Safe
I Am Safe At Work
I Am Aware of My Surroundings & Protected
I Am Protected From All Negativity
I’m Protected From Negative Vibes
No Negative Energy Can Affect Me
I Repel Ignorance and Negativity
Protection From Bad Intentions
Protection From Unwanted Eyes
I Am Safe From Fascists
I Am Safe From Transphobia
Those Who Would Harm Me Suffer Their Own Ill Intentions Turned Back On Themselves
I Am One With The Forest
Earth Protection
Protection + Happiness
Ace/Aro Protection Sigil
Protection Sigil/Charm
No Evil Can Touch Me
Sigil for Protection Against All Forms of Magickal Attack
Sigil to Protect One Against All Forms of Possession
Sigil of Protection
Protection
Protection
Spell Jars
Simple Home Protection Jar Spell
“I Don’t Know Sh*t My Dudes” Protection Jar
My Home Is Protected Spell Jar
House Protection Jar
Home Protection Spell Bottle
Peace & Protection Bottle
Peace & Protection Spell Jar
Home Purification/Protection Spell Jar
Sleeping Beauty House Protection Jar Spell
Mama Cat’s Evil Eye Protection Jar
Sprays & Washes
House-Warding Spray
All-Purpose Cleansing Spray
Protective House Wash
Protective Floor Wash
Rituals
Protecting Yourself And Your Home (Basic Ward Ritual)
Three Elements Home Blessing & Protection Ritual
‘Protect My Space’ Pouch & Ritual
Wards
Quick Protection Ward
Prickly Protection Ward
Protective Storm Ward
Patronus Ward
“Let Only Good Energy In” Horseshoe Ward
Moonbeam Ward
“The Hedgehog” Green Witch Ward
Pumpkin Wards
Complex Bramble Ward
Weaving Protection Wards (ADVANCED)
Spells
Simple Protection Spell
Simple Herbal Protection Spell
Simple Hearth & Home Protection Spell
Home & Body Protection Spell
Clearing Negative Energy from a Room
Home Protection Steam Spell
My Home Is Protected Spell
“Protect My Home” Spell
Home Protection Spell
Home Protection Charm
House Protection Spell
Spell to Protect Your House
House Protection Charm
Threshold Protection Spell
Protego Totalum (Harry Potter Spell)
Four Shells Protection Spell
Pine Cone Prosperity & Protection Spell
“Little Lurkers” Home Protection Spell
Home Protection Spells
A Series of Protection Spells
Strong Home Protection Spell
Home Protection Tip
Home Protection Tip
Sigils
My Home is Protected
My Home Is Protected
This Home Is Protected
Sigil for Protecting One’s Home
Protect This Home
My Home Is A Safe and Healthy Environment
The House I Come Back To Is Safe For Me
Only Positive Energies May Enter My Space
Negative Forces Do Not Enter Here
Spells
Simple Protection Jar For Your Grimoire
Grimoire Protection Spell
Hidden Object Charm
The Serpent’s Lock/Serpent’s Key
Sigils
Protection From Prying Eyes
All Prying Eyes Are Diverted; This Grimoire Is Cloaked In Invisibility
This Item Will Not Be Found
I’m Safe. This Object Is Safe.
The Book in Which This Sigil Is Written Cannot Be Lost or Stolen
This Grimoire Is Protected
This Grimoire Is Protected
My Grimoire Is Protected
Grimoire Is Protected From Those With Ill Intent
This Book of Shadows Is Protected
This Book Is Protected
[part 2]
• Mai • They/them • 18 • A safe space for witches who are in the same boat I was, not super long ago. Divination, plants, and faeries are my specialties!
131 posts