★ STUDIO GHIBLI HOMES ★

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Witchcraft - Where do I start?

I wrote this for a server but I felt that this should also be on here(: Beginning your practice can be overwhelming, especially with the vast amount of information available. I recommend starting off with:

Learning about yourself

Finding out what interests you is the best place to start. What reaches out to you? Do you connect with the elements? The cosmos? Do you have an affinity for any particular thing? Explore the topics you feel drawn to, do thorough research, and practice. Develop your own personal set of beliefs and practices.

Discernment

Learn to recognize magickal events and signs from mundane phenomena. (I'll reblog with a separate research and discernment post).

Reading & Research

Read! Read blogs, articles, and anything else you can get your hands on. Become knowledgeable in practical topics as well as theories behind the many aspects of witchcraft—knowing how things work in the physical realm will help you understand and better apply things in the metaphysical realm.

What should I begin researching?

The Essentials

History & Culture

Think about the things you want to include in your craft, and learn about its history and the cultural context behind it. Asking questions like, “Is it open to me? How did the people before me practice?” shows respect for its origins and to the people who practiced before you.

Learn to become socially aware. Learn about why using certain terms (such as smudging, spirit animal, totem, g*psy, etc.) is harmful and something you should never do. Learn about cultural appropriation.

Family History

Finding out about your family history can be difficult for some. If you are able, ask your family members what regions they come from. Ask them about family beliefs and practices.

If you are unable to trace your family lineage, knowing what region your family comes from and researching the beliefs and practices of that region is a good place to start.

Safety

Physical safety: fire safety, and ingredient safety (toxic substances, toxic mixtures and combinations, edible and inedible plants, etc.)

Spiritual safety: protection, cleansing, warding, psychic protection, etc.

Other beginner friendly topics

Basics of witchcraft

Intent and visualisation

Cleansing and warding

Clairs

Meditation

Herbology

Elemental magick

Candle magick

Correspondences: Learn the correspondences for herbs, ingredients, colours, numbers, and anything else you plan to use in your craft.

Vetting resources and reading critically

(guide will be reblogged!)

Read critically: remember to always look for hidden intentions in resources. Ask yourself:

Is the content informational?

What does the author/organisation stand for?

Is this site/author trying to sell me something?

Reminders

Respect that other practitioners have their own beliefs and own ways of doing things.

It’s okay to make mistakes! Mistakes are valuable learning opportunities.

10 Herbs For Basic Natural Remedies

Aloe: Soothing and highly moisturizing, a mask made from Aloe is absolutely heavenly. Mix Aloe with Honey and Seaweed to soothe, moisturize and detoxify your skin. Aloe is also known to treat wounds such as scrapes and burns but is also good for general dermatitis. When buying the gels in store, be careful to read the label to make sure there aren’t any harsh and/ or cosmetic additives in it.

Basil: A wonderful detoxifier and circulation promotor, crush a handful of leaves and brew a hot tea for a few minutes. Let cool. Once cooled, splash your face or wipe it down with a cotton pad or face cloth.

Burdock: Burdock does wonders for dry, itchy skin, especially on the scalp.  Like Catnip, it aids with relieving dandruff and promotes healthy scalp skin. For best results, purchase Burdock in its oil form and massage a bit onto your scalp after you wash your hair, while your hair is still damp. The fatty acids and phytosterols will keep your scalp happy and healthy.

Chamomile: A very gentle cleanser for oily skin especially when combined with Thyme. When combined with Fennel and brewed as a tea, it aids in digestion, relieving nausea, diarrhea, vomiting and indigestion.

Lavender: Like Aloe, Lavender is very soothing and an antiseptic. Wonderful for burns, treating infections, and in general dermatitis. A mild antidepressant and sedative, Lavender is also known to alleviate symptoms of depression and anxiety.

Mint: Mint gum and toothpaste? There’s a reason for that! Antibacterial and anti-inflammatory, Mint is wonderful for oral health. Mint also aids in digestion, improves respiratory conditions like asthma, and aids in relieving water retention. When used as an astringent, Mint coolly freshens up the skin and aids in getting rid of acne. Also aids in relieving headaches and migraines.

Rose: A very gentle astringent when applied topically and is a wonderful anti-inflammatory and reducer of acne. Full of a variety of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, Rose is a well rounded addition to any herbalist’s repertoire.

Rosemary: A rise made from Rosemary adds beautiful shine to hair, strengthens damaged hair and soothes dry scalps. A rich source in antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds, Rosemary is also known to boost the immune system and improve blood circulation. Also known to be a cognitive stimulation, Rosemary can also aid in improving memory performance and quality.

Sage (Kitchen): An astringent of Sage mixed with Witch Hazel or even Apple Cedar Vinegar cleanses the skin efficiently yet gently due to it being rich in anti-inflammatory and antioxidant compounds. Also aids in supporting oral health (reducing plaque), easing menopausal symptoms and aids in promoting brain health, improving mood

Turmeric: A brisk, cleansing mask, mix together turmeric powder, rice flower and plain yogurt. Let sit on the face for 15-20 mins (or until dry) and then, while rinsing off, gently scrub in circular motions. Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory.

Here’s an updated version of my throwing divination set. I’ve added some new pieces to it and stitched some more symbols on the cloth mat for more specific readings <|:^)

↓↓↓ ⁂ Longer Process and Information Post Below! ⁂ ↓↓↓

If you don’t feel like reading, you can keep scrolling a bit :)

The stitching on the mat is definitely not the prettiest work I’ve done, the fabric is from an old shirt so it was kinda stretchy and annoying to work with. Also, I ended up having to usejust regular brown string, since I ran out of proper embroidery thread that matched the previous brown lines I stitched on a while ago, so that made things a bit rougher to sew with. I’m also not the best at freehand embroidery, but I’m still alright with the result  ʕ •ᴥ•ʔゝ♡

I’ll list the pieces and symbols and their meanings below, for my sake since I don’t have a final paper copy, as well as if anyone has suggestions on any more pieces for other meanings I should maybe add later ¯\_(●’◡’●)_/¯ 

·₊˚☆☽ ⚘ 𐐪𐑂 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐋𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐌𝐚𝐭 𐐪𐑂 ⚘ ☾☆˚₊·

***The mat has two circles, items landing within the inner circle are more directly involved, important or sooner in the reading. Items landing in the outer circle are less directly involved and items landing outside of both circles bear little to no involvment or relation.

It is also divided into the four seasons, which could literally realate to the season itself, or what the season represents: 

Snowflakes ❅ Winter- Solitude, potential negativity, death, standstill, rest, self reflection

Flowers ❀ Spring- Opportunities, potential, beginnings, life, renewal, hope, love, action, growth

Sun ☼ Summer- Positivity, joy, energy, power, productivity, full potenital, enjoyment, freedom, acceptance, love

Leaf ༄ Autumn- Abundance, work paying off, reaping benefits, wealth, change, maturity, gratitude

·₊˚☆☽ ⚘ 𐐪𐑂 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐏𝐢𝐞𝐜𝐞𝐬 𐐪𐑂 ⚘ ☾☆˚₊·

***Some pieces are coins or are two-sided items, which means they have different meanings depending on which side is facing up. Here’s the full list of pieces with meanings: 

Twine Person- The self, represents whoever the reading is for, set at the centre of the inner circle

Green Shell- Positive, affirmative, yes

Barnacle Shell- Negative, no

Acorn Caps- Wealth, materials, possessions

Black Crescent Moon- Emotions, feelings

Acorn Bottom- Growth, development, movement, process, work

Walnut- Wisdom, intelligence, matters of the mind, thinking, motivation, inspiration

Key- Truth, motives, true desires, true meanings, honesty

Penny (Tail Side)- Fate, unchangeable, established 

Penny (Head Side)- Your decision, changable

Shark Tooth- Old, ssociated with the past, known, returning

Brown Pattern, Black-Rimmed Shell- New, involved with the future, unknown

Orangey Brown Pattern Shell- Love, sexuality, romance

Green Rock- Health, safety

Brown Rock- Realstionships, family, friends

Small, Stick Figure- Others, people, humanity

Black, Speckled Shell- Masuline, “masuline” traits

Brown, Pointed Shell- Feminine, “feminine” traits

Twenty Cent Euro (Person Side)- Few, less, weaker, milder

Twenty Cent Euro (Twenty Side)- Many, more, intense, stronger

Ammonite (Spiral Side)- Far, distant, slow, more time, approaching slower

Ammonite (Blanker Side)- Near, fast, approaching quicker, close, less time

Screw- Action, decisions, work

☽O☾ Take Care, Stay Safe and Have a Good Day! ☽O☾ ｡⋆₊˚ଘ(୨୧ᵕᴗᵕ)˚₊⋆｡

make sure to eat something today! it's important to nourish your body! 🍓

I'm loosing it

Cat Lovers Mug Set by BrewNSteepCo

The moon, and her different phases🌙

#let nature heal us