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Imbolc Altar Ideas & Correspondences

Imbolc, also known as Candlemas or Brigid's Day, marks the halfway point between the winter solstice and the spring equinox. It's a time to celebrate the returning light and the awakening of the Earth.

Altar Decorations:

Candles: Imbolc is strongly associated with the element of fire. Decorate your altar with candles in shades of white, yellow, and light blue to represent the increasing daylight.

Brigid's Cross: Craft or purchase a Brigid's Cross, a traditional symbol associated with the Celtic goddess Brigid. Hang it on your altar as a protective charm.

Seasonal Flowers: Place early spring flowers like snowdrops, crocuses, and daffodils on your altar. These symbolize the first signs of life returning to the land.

Herbs: Incorporate herbs such as rosemary, thyme, and cinnamon for their purifying and invigorating properties. Bundle them together with a red or white ribbon.

Seeds: Represent the potential for growth by adding a dish of seeds to your altar. Consider seeds associated with early spring crops like wheat or herbs.

Imbolc Symbols: Include symbols like lambs, ewes, and the sun to capture the essence of this seasonal transition.

Candle Holders: Choose unique candle holders or lanterns to enhance the ambiance. Consider using candle holders in the shape of suns, stars, or nature-inspired designs.

Divination Tools: Add divination tools like tarot cards or runes to your altar for seeking guidance during this transitional period.

Symbolic Stones: Integrate crystals such as citrine for abundance, aquamarine for clarity, and moonstone for intuition. Arrange them aesthetically around your altar.

Feathers: Symbolizing air and spirituality, feathers can be incorporated to invoke the energy of the season. Choose feathers from birds associated with the goddess Brigid, like swans or owls.

Artwork: Display artwork or illustrations that resonate with the themes of Imbolc. This could include depictions of Brigid, snow-covered landscapes, or symbols of growth and renewal.

Imbolc Incense: Craft or purchase incense blends with scents like frankincense, myrrh, and chamomile to fill your sacred space with a soothing and purifying aroma.

Correspondences

Goddess Brigid: Imbolc is sacred to Brigid, the Celtic goddess of hearth, home, and inspiration. Invoke her energy for healing, creativity, and protection.

Colors: White, yellow, light green, and light blue are associated with Imbolc. Use these colors in candles, altar cloths, and decorations to align with the festival's energy.

Stones: Crystals such as amethyst, garnet, and clear quartz resonate with Imbolc's energies.

Foods: Dairy products, especially cheese, and foods made with seeds like bread or muffins are fitting for Imbolc. Set offerings on your altar or incorporate them into your celebration feast.

Water: Imbolc is also associated with the element of water. Include a small bowl of water on your altar to symbolize purification.

Creativity Symbols: Imbolc is a time for inspiration and creative endeavors. Include symbols of your creative pursuits, such as a paintbrush, musical instrument, or writing quill.

Anointing Oils: Create or purchase anointing oils infused with herbs like lavender, rosemary, and frankincense. Use them to anoint candles, tools, or yourself during Imbolc rituals.

Animal Representations: Incorporate figurines or images of animals associated with Brigid, such as lambs, cows, or swans, to honor her connection to the animal kingdom.

Wheat or Corn Dolls: Craft small dolls from wheat or corn husks, symbolizing the harvest to come. Place them on your altar as a representation of the Earth's fertility.

Bell or Chimes: Hang a bell or wind chimes near your altar to symbolize the awakening of nature and the stirring of life. Ring it during your Imbolc rituals to mark significant moments.

Decorative Cloth: Choose an altar cloth with intricate patterns or symbols related to Imbolc, such as suns, wheels, or Brigid's crosses, to add a touch of magic to your sacred space.

May you find warmth in the returning light. <3

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2024 Witch's Calendar

January

11th: New Moon

25th: Full Moon (Cold Moon)

February

2nd: Imbolc

9th: New Moon

24th: Full Moon (Quickening Moon)

March

10th: New Moon

19th: Ostara / Spring Equinox

25th: Full Moon (Storm Moon) / Lunar Eclipse

April

1st: Mercury Retrograde

8th: New Moon / Solar Eclipse

22nd: Earth Day

23rd: Full Moon (Wind Moon)

25th: Mercury Direct

May

1st: Beltane/May Day

7th: New Moon

23rd: Full Moon (Flower Moon)

June

6th: New Moon

20th: Litha / Summer Solstice

21st: Full Moon (Strong Sun Moon)

July

2nd: New Moon

21st: Full Moon (Blessing Moon)

August

1st: Lammas/Lughnasadh

4th: New Moon

5th: Mercury Retrograde

19th: Full Moon (Corn Moon)

28th: Mercury Direct

September

2nd: New Moon

17th: Full Moon (Harvest Moon) / Lunar Eclipse

22nd: Mabon / Fall Equinox

October

2nd: New Moon / Solar Eclipse

17th: Full Moon (Blood Moon)

31st: Samhain

November

1st: New Moon

15th: Full Moon (Mourning Moon)

25th: Mercury Retrograde

December

1st: New Moon

15th: Full Moon (Long Nights Moon) / Mercury Direct

21st: Yule / Winter Solstice

30th: New Moon

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“Our Bond Will Not Weaken From Distance” Okay, so there’s two good ways and one iffy way I can think of using this. Say, you and a person you are very close with are going to be separated for whatever reason, be it from moving, death, or not being allowed access to eachother. Good Idea: You and the other person can carry this on your person or keep it with you in general. Good Idea: You can draw this on a picture of you and that person. Iffy Idea: Or you can draw this sigil and have both of you put a drop of your own blood on it.

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Prompts for your Grimoire: About You Page.

─── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ───

✦Your name.

─── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ───

✰Your correspondences✰ ✦Your zodiac signs (Sun, Moon, rising, Venus, etc.!) ✦Your birth chart ✦Your Element ✦Moon phase on the day you were born. ✦Birthstones/ birth gems. ✦Tarot cards associated with your birthday ✦Your numerology ✦Crystals associated with your birthday or birth month ✦Herbs associated with your sun sign or birthday/month ✦Colors ✦Symbols (example: scale for libra) ✦Runes associated with your birthday

─── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ───

✰Extra Ideas✰ ✦Deity/Deities you worship ✦Spiritual beliefs ✦Type of witch you are/want to be.

─── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ───

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#dreamaltar #dreamhome

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THE BASICS OF LEARNING MAGIC

If you want to learn magic but aren't sure where to start, this post will cover what I consider to be the basics of what you should research.

Eventually, most or all of these will be links to posts we make, this is still a work in progress!

Some of these things are considered essential, while others are more optional. I have put things fundamental for safety at the top of the list, as they should be researched first.

This list may be updated as I think of more to add, but I consider this a good starting point for now.

CLOSED PRACTICES

MAGIC SAFETY

UNDOING SPELLS

ENTITY AND DEITY ETIQUETTE

PROTECTION

BANISHING

CLEANSING

GROUNDING

CENTERING

INTUITION

MANIFESTATION

MEDITATION

CHARGING

BINDING

SETTING INTENT

DIRECTING ENERGY

TYPES OF SPELLS

INGREDIENTS FOR SPELLS

HOW TO MAKE YOUR OWN SPELLS

SPELLCASTING

ALTARS

GRIMOIRES

BOOK OF SHADOWS

SHADOW WORK

DIVINATION

DEITIES AND PANTHEONS

SPIRITS AND ENTITIES

OFFERINGS

MAGICAL PATHS

CORRESPONDENCES

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weekly spread in my hobonichi 🧃

i haven’t been able to post as much since i’ve been struggling with some health issues, but i thought i’d share another weekly spread in my hobonichi using nicole josephine’s printables/stickers! 🍎

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Candle substitutes

(This is to answer an ask but because I go on forever, I've made it its own post)

Because I've seen this become contentious in the past, I'm going to start with a little witchy secret - if you've been to a public ritual or event where there were candles burning on the altar and you didn't see them lit - they were probably battery operated and being used to adhere to the fire regulations. Sometimes witches are practical.

For me the answer to candle substitutes comes down to - why would I be using the candle? Because different reasons might have different answers.

Altar or Shrine

On an altar or shrine to represent fire or honor a deity, a battery operated candle or even small attractive lamp might be what you're looking for. Some witches do not want electrical cords or similar intruding into their magical space so lamps would be out. I figure at this point, with wifi and such flowing through air, nothing is really without interference. But if that is the case, you could even just hold up an unlit candle or a wand to signify air. (I've never had a deity object to a really cool lamp in their space.)

Cleansing

Incense and smoke cleansing substitutes. I don't think we give enough credit to the ability for sound to cleanse spaces. It could be a bell or, more popular than people realize - play really loud head-banger rock music to clear the space then something gentler to reset everything at a calmer tone.

If you want a scent-based solution, there are diffusers available but you can also just do a simmer pot of the stove. Or buy one of those mini-crockpots and use it. Or put a bit of scent in a spray bottle and spritz the space.

Fountain Foggers Misters - cheaper than you'd expect on Amazon or your local Halloween store. Put one in attractive bowl or container and add a bit of scent. It will create a wonderful mist that you can watch swirl above the bowl.

The Emergency Tea Solution. This is my hotel room trick when I check in only to find the room feels a bit off. It also works in any place that gets very restrictive about what you can do - no candles, no warmers, no diffuses, etc. Make a cup of hot water and drop a tea bag or your favorite loose herbs into it. Walk the space using your hand to waft the steam around the room. Repeat as needed. (I've used the free Earl Grey tea provided by the hotel for this and it works. Free hotel coffee is probably horrid enough to scare away anything.)

Spells

Rewrite the spell or write a different spell. The purpose of burning things in a spell is to send energy out (or up). If you burn something, you transform the energy in that thing into spell energy. You just need another way to do that.

Breath and speech are vibrations. So chanting or speaking the words of spell will send their energy out.

Write the words on something that will biodegrade and tie it to a tree. Or for something long-lasting, like protection, write it on a windchime and hanging it in the wind.

Write the words themselves in water or alcohol and let them evaporate into the air.

And there's nothing like speaking or chanting the words while pouring a libation (alcohol is good if available) on the ground. Most gods, guides and spirits appreciate a drink now and then.

(Oh, the whole candle colors thing is fairly modern because candles being easily obtainable in a wide variety of colors is fairly modern. So feel free to be creative in your color use.)

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Journaling Prompts that make you think deeper

What is something you're passionate about, and why does it matter to you?

Describe a recent challenge you faced and what you learned from it.

Write about a person who has had a significant influence on your life and why.

What is your biggest fear, and how has it affected your decisions?

If you could change one thing about your life, what would it be, and why?

Explore a time when you felt completely in the flow or "in the zone." What were you doing, and how did it feel?

Write a letter to your future self, reflecting on your hopes and dreams.

What are your core values, and how do they guide your choices?

Describe a recent moment of gratitude and what brought it about.

Write about a book, movie, or piece of art that had a profound impact on you.

Explore your self-care routines and how they contribute to your well-being.

Reflect on a mistake you've made and what you learned from it.

What do you love most about your current life stage, and what challenges come with it?

Write about a place that holds special memories for you and why it's meaningful.

Explore your relationship with time. Do you often feel rushed or present in the moment?

Write a bucket list of experiences and accomplishments you hope to achieve.

What role does self-compassion play in your life, and how can you cultivate more of it?

Describe an aspect of your identity or background that has shaped who you are today.

Reflect on your career goals and what motivates you in your professional life.

What are your favorite ways to express creativity, and how do they make you feel?

Explore your dreams and aspirations. Are there any recurring themes or patterns?

Write about a moment when you stood up for something you believe in, and how it felt.

Reflect on your relationships. Are there any patterns in the people you are drawn to?

What are your daily habits, and do they align with your long-term goals?

Write about your most treasured possessions and the stories behind them.

Explore your response to adversity. How do you cope with difficult times?

Describe a perfect day in your life. What would it look like from morning to night?

Write about a goal you've achieved and the journey to get there.

Reflect on your environmental and sustainability values. What small changes can you make to align with them?

Explore the concept of happiness. What does it mean to you, and how can you cultivate it in your life?

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September 2023 witch guide

September 2023 witch guide

Full moon: September 29th

New moon: September 14th

Sabbats: Mabon September 23rd

September Harvest Moon

Also known as: Autumn moon, falling leaves moon, song moon, leaves turning moon, moon of brown leaves, yellow leaf moon, wine moon & Full corn moon

Element: Earth

Zodiac: Virgon& Libra

Animal spirits: Trooping Faeries

Deities: Brigid, Ceres, Ch'ang-o, Demeter, Freya, Isis & Vesta

Animals: Jackal & snake

Birds: Ibis & sparrow

Trees: Bay, hawthorn, hazel & larch

Herbs/plants: Copal, fennel, rye, skullcap, valerian, wheat & witch hazel

Flowers: Lily & Narcissus

Scents: Bergamot, gardenia, mastic & storax

Stones: Bloodstone, chrysolite, citrine, olivine, peridot & sapphire

Colors: Browns, dark blue, greens & yellows ( Earth tones)

Energy: Balance of light & dark, dietary matters, employment, health, intellectual pursuits, prosperity, psychism, rest, spirituality, success & work environments. Also cleaning & straightening mentally, physically & spiritually.

Technically, the Harvest Moon is the Full Moon closest to the September equinox around September 21st. The Harvest Moon is the only Full Moon name determined by the equinox rather than a month. Most years, it’s in September, but around every three years, it falls in October.

In September, the Full Moon is the Corn Moon from the Native American tribes harvesting their corn. It can also be the Harvest Moon, which corresponds with the Anglo-Saxon name, while Celtic and Old English names are Wine Moon, Song Moon, and Barley Moon.

Mabon

Also known as: Autumn Equinox, Cornucopia, Witch's Thanksgiving & Alban Elved

Season: Fall

Symbols: Acorns, apples, autumn leaves, berries, corn, cornucopia (horn of plenty), dried seeds, gourds, grains, grapes, ivy, pine cones, pomegranates, vines, wheat, white roses & wine

Colors: Blue brown, drk red, deep gold, gold, indigo, lead green, maroon, orange, red, russet, violet & yellow

Oils/incense: Apple, apple blossom, benzoin, black pepper, hay/straw, myrrh, passion flower, patchouli, pine, red poppy & sage

Animals: Dog, goose, hawk, swan, swallow & wolf

Stones: Agate, amethyst, carnelian, lapis lazuli, sapphire, yellow Agate  & yellow topaz

Foods: Apples, blackberries, blackberry wine, bread, carrots, cider, corn, cornbread, grapes, heather wine, nuts, onions, pomegranates, potatoes, squash, vegetables, wheat & winw

Herbs/plants: Acorn, benzoin, cedar, corn, cypress, ferns, grains, hazel, hops, ivy, myrrh, oak, pine, sage, sassafras, Salomon's seal, thistle, tobacco & wheat

Flowers: Aster, heather, honeysuckle, marigold, milkweed, mum,passion flower& rose

Goddesses: Danu, Epona, Modron, Morrigan, Muses, Pomona, Persephone, Sophia & Sura

Gods: Esus, Green Man, Hermes, Mabon, Mannanan, Toth & Thor

Issues, Intentions & Powers: Accomplishment, agriculture, balance, goals, gratitude & grounding

Spellworks: Balance, harmony, protection, prosperity, security & self confidence

Related festivals:

• Sukkot- is a Torah-commanded holiday celebrated for seven days, beginning on the 15th day of the month of Tishrei. It is one of the Three Pilgrimage Festivals (Hebrew: שלוש רגלים, shalosh regalim) on which those Israelites who could were commanded to make a pilgrimage to the Temple in Jerusalem. In addition to its harvest roots, the holiday also holds spiritual importance with regard to its abandonment of materialism to focus on nationhood, spirituality, and hospitality, this principle underlying the construction of a temporary, almost nomadic, structure of a sukkah.

• Mid-Autumn festival- also known as the Moon Festival or Mooncake Festival, is a traditional festival celebrated in Chinese culture. Similar holidays are celebrated by other cultures in East & Southeast Asia. It is one of the most important holidays in Chinese culture; its popularity is on par with that of Chinese New Year. The history of the Mid-Autumn Festival dates back over 3,000 years. The festival is held on the 15th day of the 8th month of the Chinese lunisolar lunisolar calendar with a full moon at night, corresponding to mid-September to early October of the Gregorian calendar. On this day, the Chinese believe that the Moon is at its brightest and fullest size, coinciding with harvest time in the middle of Autumn.

• Thanksgiving- This is a secular holiday which is similar to the cell of Mabon; A day to give thanks for the food & blessings of the previous year. The American Thanksgiving is the last Thursday of November while the Canadian Thanksgiving is celebrated in October

• Festival of Dionysus- There were several festivals that honored Dionysus, the God of wine. It was a time of fun, games, feasting & drinking wine.

Activities:

•Scatter offerings in a harvested fields, Offer libations to trees

• Decorate your home and/or altar space for fall

• Bake bread

• Perform a ritual to restore balance and harmony to your life

• Cleanse your home of negative energies

• Pick apples

• Have a dinner or feast with your family and/or friends

• Set intentions for the upcoming year

• Purge what is no longer serving you

•Take a walk in the woods

• Enjoy a pumpkin spice latte

• Donate to your local food bank

• Gather dried herbs, plants, seeds & pods

• Learn something new

• Make wine

• Brew an apple cinnamon simmer pot

• Create an outdoor Mabon altar

•Adorn burial sites with leaves, acorns, & pinecones to honor those who have passed over & visit their graves

Many cultures see the second harvest (after the first harvest Lammas) and equinox as a time for giving thanks. This time of year is when farmers know how well their summer crops did, and how well fed their animals have become. This determines whether you and your family would have enough food for the winter. That is why people used to give thanks around this time, thanks for their crops, and animals, and food. 

The name Mabon comes from the Welsh God, who was the son of the Earth Mother Goddess. However, there is evidence that the name was adopted in the 1970s, and the holiday was not originally a Celtic celebration.

Some believe Night and day are of equal legth and the God's energy & strength are nearly gone . The Goddess begins to mourn the loss she knows is coming, but knows he will return when he reborn at Yule.

Sources:

Farmersalmanac .com

Wikipedia

Llewellyn's Complete Book of Correspondences by Sandra Kines

A Witch's Book of Correspondences by Viktorija Briggs

Mabon: Rituals, Recipes & Lore for the Autumn Equinox Llewellyn's Sabbat Essentials

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In case anyone is wondering....

"When does the full moon next coincide with...."

Candlemas / Imbolc - February 2026

Leap Day - February 2048

Vernal Equinox - March 2038

Beltane / Mayday - May 2025

Summer Solstice - June 2062

Lughnasadh / Lammas - August 2042

Autumnal Equinox - September 2029

Halloween / Samhain - October 2039

Winter Solstice - December 2094

"When is the next blue moon?"

August 19, 2024 (seasonal)

May 31, 2026 (calendar)

May 20, 2027 (seasonal)

December 31, 2028 (calendar) - plus total lunar eclipse

August 24, 2029 (seasonal)

August 21, 2032 (seasonal)

May 22, 2035 (seasonal)

January 31, 2037 (calendar) - plus total lunar eclipse

(Phases calculated for Northern Hemisphere and are subject to slight changes by time zone. Southern Hemisphere dates may vary.)

[Sources: The Old Farmer's Almanac, Everyday Calculation, Wikipedia, Forbes.]

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This is something I’ve been feeling hard lately. A lot of spells or suggestions are mostly about BURNing.

Instead I’ve been trying to figure out art magic instead.

Gaaaaaaah I hate that so much of witchcraft is centred around candles/fire and herbs. Like I can't access herbs/plants and candles for reasons, and I feel like my magic is lacking bc I can't use these seemingly fundamental materials

Pls help?

#i have cats #I am also incredibly clumsy #witchcraft

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Everyday witchy tips

Not everyone has time for daily spells or rituals, here are some witchy acts to incorporate a bit of magic into your day!

Glamour magic while getting ready for the day, while washing your face first thing in the morning imagine washing away all negative thoughts. Draw sigils with sunscreen/daycream/foundation on your face, incorporate color magic (eyeshadow, lipstick, nails). Braid your hair with an intention for the day (being protected against harm, attracting luck etc.)

Color magic while getting dressed; red for confidence and strength, yellow and orange for happiness and energy, green for attracting luck and abundance, blue for focus and communication, pink for (self)love, purple for intuition and wisdom, black for protection, white for purity and protection. Gold jewelry for the sun, succes and prosperity, and silver jewelry for the moon and intuition.

Drinking herbal tea, start the day with a warm cup of tea. This can be made with fresh herbs from the garden, or from tea bags. Stir clockwise with a teaspoon or the teabag it self to put an intention in your tea for the day.

Crystals in pockets, bags, even your bra. Choose an crystal for the day, charge it with it’s intention and carry it with you.

Shielding from negative energies, imagine being surrounded by a white light that protects you. Or have a short mantra that you can say to yourself or in your head when needed, this can be as simple as 'I am protected against negative energies in any shape or from'

Showering, washing any lingering energy, thoughts or negative feelings away from the day. If you have trouble imagining negative energy washing off you in a color, see the soap you are washing off as this energy. Watch it flow away from you into the shower drain.

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Retrograde Tarot Spreads

Before I delete them I figured I’d share these retrograde spreads for most of the current retrogrades.

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😍😍 I love these. And now I want to save my extra papers to make my own.

Lately I do this thing where I take whatever paper scraps I can find and doodle miniature notebook spreads on them. Still have no idea what to do with the drawings.... maybe use them to decorate journal pages?

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As I’m starting a deep dive into my research, I’m tempted to start a commonplace journal. My only question is do I start a new journal completely or do I use my current bullet journal which is already on page 110 for just September?

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Start a commonplace book. It's an outlet for writers who are too busy to work on any big project. It's a loose form of journaling for people who aren't a fan of the typical date-event-feelings format. It can be a way to feel grounded if you're struggling with your mental health. Poets, daydreamers, anyone who wants somewhere to put their thoughts, would benefit from a commonplace book.

If you wanna start, here's a little inspiration

What I put in my commonplace book:

Things I hear: song lyrics, quotes, expressions I like, a new song I've discovered and what it means to me

Things I read: book quotes, cool imagery, new words, book reviews, poetry

Things I see: sketches, things from my current surroundings, little observations

Things I think: random thoughts, ideas, lists, childhood memories, things I'm grateful for

Things I imagine: stories, plots, characters, maps, bad poetry, my weird dreams

Things I experience: favorite moments, people I've met, movie reviews, little things that make me happy

Things for the future: books to read, places to go, things to buy

It's been such an amazing outlet for things too private or messy or personal for Tumblr, a way to get my mind and heart on paper without any need for it to be perfect.

So please, start a commonplace book.