The Afternoon Began With Wild Collecting For My Besom.

The afternoon began with wild collecting for my besom.

After soaking the bristles to make it easier to tie them in a bundle, it was time to assemble them.

Plastic ties made the job relatively easy. I then wound wire in between the gaps beside the ties, tucking the ends of the wire into the bundle. Then I cut the ties carefully away so as not to cut the bristles. Finally, I wet some twine and tied that around the bundle, evenly spaced. I found a branch already cut and whittled at the ends in the woods by the river, it was as if someone had played around and fashioned a sort of spear with it and then just left it there! It made for the perfect handle for my besom. Jammed that handle in the middle of the bundle hard, and that sucker isn’t going anywhere!

I put blue ribbon over the wire to make it look pretty (I think my Goddess likes blue, as it comes up a lot in different things lately) also, dammit, if I am going to own a besom, it is going to look pretty because I deserve it! Cost of my besom? $4.00 for plastic ties and ribbon from the dollar store, that’s it! And of course, the time that it took to gather the bundle from the wild, and search for a handle, all in all it took roughly 2 hours. Not too shabby, if I say so myself.

Now I just have to cleanse the besom (with some sandalwood incense) and ask the God and Goddess to bless it.

I feel it’s relevant for Wiccans and Witches to know you CAN make your own broom at home with just a few things collected from nature. No, you don’t have to be very good at putting craft projects together, and this honestly was very easy to assemble.

It really bothers me when I hear of others involved in the craft who have literally spent a couple hundred bucks easy on a besom/broom they bought online. Unless you WANT to spend that money because it saves time, etc., fine. But otherwise, I feel you are being taken advantage of because no one has told you the steps to make your own.

You will need:

Twigs, straw, whatever for the bristles

Long plastic ties

A small hand saw, or as in my case I used a bread knife to cut the grassy-like straw

Craft wire

Scissors or garden clippers to cut straw/twigs

Branch for the handle

Blade to whittle point in the branch

Twine

Ribbon

If you have ANY questions, please message me. It must be mentioned, this was the first broom I’ve ever put together, so if I can do it, you can too.

~Blessed be.

Ghost Hunting

Ghost hunting in media

In media, ghost hunting is portrayed as an activity just anyone can do, which isn’t true at all. Ghost hunters are people who go out seeking evidence supporting the existence of paranormal activity at locations that are reported to be haunted by ghosts.

According to Wikipedia, “Ghost hunters use a variety of electronic devices, including EMF meters, digital thermometers, both handheld and static digital video cameras, including thermographic and night vision cameras, as well as digital audio recorders. Other more traditional techniques are also used, such as conducting interviews and researching the history of allegedly haunted sites. Ghost hunters may also refer to themselves as ‘paranormal investigators.’ “

Let’s dissect this, and I’ll explain what I heave learned through my research as well as my personal experiences with people who investigate the paranormal.

False Ghost Hunters

False ghost hunters are people like those you would see on popular sites like YouTube who are looking for views/clickbait. I am talking about YouTubers such as the ones doing those “3 AM” challenges or the “Do not do [this activity] at [this ‘haunted’ time of night like midnight, 3 am, or 11:11]” Videos like these are based on facts, but they aren’t based in reality in any other ways. For example, there are certain times of the day/night that have magickal benefits and other properties, but no ghost will haunt you if you, for example, calling Mickey Mouse at 3 AM (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pkCZxuJof3I).

However, what does anger spirits is entering sacred places like graveyards and being disrespectful. In the following video displaying just that, I can already tell they may very well have angered something real. Just in the first few seconds I can see that they are stepping off the trail and directly next to some gravestones, which means they are probably stepping on top of the deceased, and they definitely didn’t ask to approach. This is not only disrespectful to the families, but also to the spirits/guardians of the graveyard. They are using some tools real ghost hunters use, however they don’t have respect for the ghosts they may be finding.

Graveyard Etiquette According to Princess Rae on The Pagans & Witches Amino

1. Bring coins as offerings to the gatekeepers. As well as protection of yourself before coming to the graveyard.

2. Leave coins at the entry way for the gatekeeps.

3. When walking around the yard, DO NOT step on headstones. If you do apologize, and clean it up if you made it dirty.

4. Leave an offering by a tree or away from the headstones themselves as offerings to the spirits.

5. Clean up neglected headstones. This is out of respect for the dead.

6. Before you leave, make sure you haven’t littered or made a mess of anything you shouldn’t have. As well as thanking the spirits for your time if you came to communicate.

7. Leave the way you came.

https://aminoapps.com/c/pagans-witches/page/item/graveyard-etiquette/7eop_a5jCNIag20g8LYnY0wJ5z8anWBYL85

Hired witches and practitioners

Witches throughout history have been chastised for communicating with the dead, and it is one of the main pieces of evidence used against those suspected of witchcraft, since withcraft was originally viewed as the act of being a servant of the devil.

Witches today do communicate with the dead, however it comes in the form of talking to, honoring, and otherwise working with one’s own ancestors.

According to Ancestor Communication Spell For Ancestor Worship By Emma Kyteler , “Through prayer, sacrificial offerings, meditation, and ritual, you can bring your ancestors to the table and gain their insight on your life. Intuitively, we sense the presence of our ancestors in our lives. And the wisdom they hold from life and death is a valuable resource for any witch.”

Furthermore, Kyteler states that “Ancestor worship is a means to assure their own immortality, as well. When a family stays together and venerates their ancestors together, one can go into the afterlife knowing they will be respected and remembered in the same way. Some believe ancestor worship could be the world’s oldest religion. The belief that the dead continue on after death is so common, and that belief is what creates more formal ancestor worship. When an ancestor is angry, it can be a fearsome force that causes misfortune, bad luck, and may jeopardize ones own place in the afterlife.”

Witches are typically hired for spell casting, as you’ll see on places like fiver and Etsy. This includes banishment spells and home protection spells, which can be used to get rid of unwanted spirits. This is what can be seen as “getting rid of ghosts”, because it is similar in a way.

https://witchesbrewtours.com/2018/11/26/brief-history-ghost-hunting/

https://blogs.loc.gov/law/2017/10/communicating-with-the-dead-can-the-unknown-be-regulated/

https://www.cantonrep.com/article/20120319/BLOGS/303199919

https://eclecticwitchcraft.com/ancestor-communication-spell/

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magickandcoffee

3 years ago

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magickandcoffee

3 years ago

honestly, if you don’t know why something is part of your craft, maybe it shouldn’t be there.

if you don’t understand why you cleanse a space, why are you doing it? are you cleansing away something that might be necessary to that space? if you have no connection to the wheel of the year, why celebrate the sabbats and esbats?

there are so many witchcraft resources and books that will just dump a whole load of unsourced things into your craft, and when you’re just starting you might feel like you need to build your craft up quickly, take on all these things. but it’s important to examine every aspect of your craft, whether it’s deep research of a few minutes of contemplation.

if you don’t know how it got there, or if it should even belong there at all, maybe you need to marie kondo that shit

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magickandcoffee

4 years ago

˳✧༚ ☽ witchy activities to strengthen your craft & relationship with yourself ☾ ˚✧⁎

☾ perform literally any type of self care! our energy is constantly being drained either in spellwork, studying, or everyday life. you deserve it. (take a shower, drink some water, make some food, etc. don’t underestimate the power of taking care of yourself!)

☾ get some air dry clay and have fun with creating! you can make witchy items such as a pendulum, pendants, offerings, amulets to write talismans/sigils on, etc. and it’s even better because you’re making it with your own intent!

☾ when stressed, take a moment to connect with mother nature. this can be done wherever, even inside. imagine you are sitting in the grass. your roots are intertwined with those in the earth. they are giving you energy and strength. remind yourself everything is in divine timing.

☾ decorate your bos/grimoire and make it more ‘you’! remember, perfection is a completely made up term to make people overwork themselves. it doesn’t exist. what works for you, is perfect. what’s made with your hands, and your mind, is perfect.

☾ create a witchy playlist for when you’re doing spellwork/studying witchcraft! music can be incredibly uplifting. i’ve even created a witchy playlist for my blog! (check it out if you want hehe)

☾ wake up with the sun, go to sleep with the moon. have daily conversations with them both. realize they are your friends and are always there for you.

☾ record when you make mistakes magically! i know, this sounds like a nightmare to most neurodivergents. but you can use this to your advantage! you will learn from them, and eventually figure out what’s works for you and what doesn’t. knowing what works for you will empower you.

☾ carve sigils into your furniture for further protection! (and i mean your furniture, not your parents, roommates or siblings. please don’t vandalize things that aren’t yours)

☾ don’t stress yourselves out over labels. it can be fun to be this and that, but there is absolutely NO obligation to call yourself a certain type of witch! i have some witch friends that simply vibe, and practice all types. you can simply be a witch if you’d like.

☾ create your own set of rules/reminders/moral code to follow (ex. bible). although a lot of witches that i’ve met usually all follow the same type of moral code; if you’re not hurting anyone/anything, or meddling in anyone’s life, do what you please.

☾ cleanse your room/home! you’ll feel better, and sleep better. you can do this with incense, sunlight, sound, or herbs (please only use white sage if you’re native or if it has been gifted to you by a native person).

☾ don’t let ANYONE tell you how to do magic! it’s your craft! it doesn’t concern anyone else but you. if someone tries to tell you you’re doing something wrong, pay them no mind. (unless they are telling you that you are appropriating a culture, or something of the sorts then LISTEN!!!!)

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magickandcoffee

4 years ago

Just A Few Things On My Shop, Hopefully Adding A Bunch More Soon! O(^▽^)o

Just a few things on my shop, hopefully adding a bunch more soon! o(^▽^)o

hopefully opening art commissions as well!!

Ways to Celebrate Samhain

Since ancient times people have celebrated this wonderful fall holiday. However, the way it is celebrated has changed many times over the years. So how do you celebrate this spooky season?

What is Samhain?

Pronounced SAH-Wen. In case you missed it, I have a post explaining what Samhain is here. :)

How do witches and pagans celebrate?

There are many ways to celebrate this fire festival. This list consists of the ways I personally celebrate Samhain, as well as ways that are commonly practiced in the witchcraft community.

Have a bonfire! One of the more common and ancient ways is to have a bonfire with your community! This could mean your neighborhood or just you and some of your friends and family.

If you're more of an introverted type having a little hearth fire or even lighting a candle can work just as well to embody the spirit of Samhain!

Cooking and baking fall foods, especially if you use things you've harvested yourself works wonders for a Samhain celebration.

Making mulled wine or spiced cider (virgin options are just as good here).

Have a feast with the wine/cider and foods you're making! Invite your friends and family over. Remember, they don't have to witches to enjoy a good meal and some homemade BOOze.

Decorate your altar with fall items like leaves, acorns, pinecones, a cool stick, whatever calls to you!

Make a temporary altar for the Samhain celebration for offerings.

Speaking of which: Give offerings to your deities, ancestors, spirits, or other deities that are associated with the season.

If you're comfortable and experienced, talk with the dead. Whether it's your grandma or that nice ghost chilling near your home, say hello! The veil between our world and theirs is thinner this time of year. Invite them to join in on your feast. Catch them up on your life events or the latest drama!

Cleanse your space-literally and metaphysically. You don't need to do a deep clean, but taking a broom or the vacuum to your floors and dusting off your shelves is a great way to make you feel cleaner on the inside too! Take an incense, incense spray, or smoke bundle (of appropriate herbs) and use them accordingly to cleanse your house. DO NOT USE CLOSED PRACTICES OR THEIR HERBS unless you're apart of that culture. Do research on the herbs you have if you're not sure.

You can also find plenty of wonderful rituals, spells, or recipes online, just make sure you do research on herbs and practices so that you don't hurt yourself.