Praise for Witch Life “Emma Kathryn writes from a mixed background and doesn’t disappoint with her ability to talk about complicated aspects of witchcraft in an easy-to-understand fashion. She absolutely fills this book with rituals and recipes while having something for the beginner to the experienced practitioner.” —Erika Fortner, headmistress and owner of the House of Twigs “Witch Life is easy to read, but don’t let that deceive you; it is full of powerful magick with practical application. Emma writes in a way that gives readers permission to make their path their own and doesn’t shy away from topics like baneful magick or banishing methods. It felt as if Emma were speaking directly to me and offering her best advice for life as a witch.” —Whiskey Stevens, author of Rise of the Witch “Witch Life is a wonderful book to pick up if you are just dipping your toes into the world of witchcraft. From Sabbat holidays to the tools of witchcraft, this is a wonderfully simple guide to integrating the elements of witchcraft into your day-to-day life. Divination, plant work, healing, and spellwork—you get a taste of it all.” —Tonya Brown, author of The Door to Witchcraft, host of The Witch Daily Show podcast, and editor in chief of Witch Way Magazine “This book is a great companion guide to anyone interested in practicing intuitive witchcraft. The included resources provide a map of Emma’s unique foundational practice while encouraging all witches to build their own practices based on their own individual styles, interests, and experiences. Emma puts that connection with the Earth and that divine feminine presence held there within at
the center point of her practice. What emerges is a flowing, living practice from which anyone can be inspired to build their own magic as they move on their path.” —Jessica van Waardenburg, cohost of the Magikcool podcast
witch life
© A.C. Peate
About the Author Emma Kathryn (Nottinghamshire, UK) is a staff writer at Witch Way Magazine, The House of Twigs blog, Stone, Root, and Bone blog, the Spiral Nature blog, and Gods & Radicals. She has spoken at a number of UK Pagan events, including Magickal Women Conference in London, and she has been interviewed on The Witch Daily Show podcast.
Llewellyn Publications Woodbury, Minnesota
Witch Life: A Practical Guide to Making Every Day Magical © 2022 by Emma Kathryn. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever, including internet usage, without written permission from Llewellyn Publications, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews. First Edition First Printing, 2022 Book design by Samantha Peterson Cover design by Kevin R. Brown Interior art by Llewellyn Art Department Llewellyn Publications is a registered trademark of Llewellyn Worldwide Ltd. Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Names: Emma Kathryn, author. Title: Witch life : a practical guide to making every day magical / Emma Kathryn. Description: First edition. | Woodbury, MN : Llewellyn Worldwide, Ltd, 2022. Identifiers: LCCN 2021043436 (print) | LCCN 2021043437 (ebook) | ISBN 9780738768649 | ISBN 9780738768786 (ebook) Subjects: LCSH: Witchcraft. | Magic. | Occultism. Classification: LCC BF1566 .E46 2022 (print) | LCC BF1566 (ebook) | DDC 133.4/3—dc23 LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2021043436 LC ebook record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2021043437 Llewellyn Worldwide Ltd. does not participate in, endorse, or have any authority or responsibility concerning private business transactions between our authors and the public. All mail addressed to the author is forwarded but the publisher cannot, unless specifically instructed by the author, give out an address or phone number. Any internet references contained in this work are current at publication time, but the publisher cannot guarantee that a specific location will continue to be maintained. Please refer to the publisher’s website for links to authors’ websites and other sources. Llewellyn Publications A Division of Llewellyn Worldwide Ltd. 2143 Wooddale Drive Woodbury, MN 55125-2989 www.llewellyn.com Printed in the United States of America
Other Books by Emma Kathryn Reclaiming Ourselves (Gods & Radicals Press)
For my family, living and dead, blessed are we for the bonds we share.
contents
Disclaimer … xv Introduction … 1 One: Basics … 5 The Altar 6 To Cast or Not to Cast 9 Meditation and Trance Work 12 Rituals & Spells 16 Ritual Baths 17 Tools & Supplies 17
xii — Contents
Two: The Sabbats … 23 Imbolc (2nd February) 24 Ostara (20th–23rd March) 34 Beltane (30th April) 43 Litha: The Summer Solstice (20th–23rd June) 53 Lughnasadh/Lammas (1st August) 62 Mabon: The Autumn Equinox (20th–23rd September) 73 Samhain (31st October) 84 Yule (20th–23rd December) 93 Three: Moon Magic … 103 Dark Moon Magic 105 New Moon Magic 113 Waxing Moon Magic 119 Full Moon Magic 126 Waning Moon Magic 133 Four: Elemental Magic … 143 Elemental Correspondences 144 Understanding the Cardinal Directions 145 The Elements and Y our Emotions 148 Earth 153 Water 155 Air 158 Fire 160
Contents — xiii
Five: The Tarot … 163 Understanding the Tarot 164 The Major & Minor Arcana 164 Daily Tarot: One Card Pull 169 Tarot Spreads 169 Tarot for Life 183 Six: Casting, Dowsing, Scrying & Writing … 185 Shell Casting 186 Throwing Lots 189 Pendulum Dowsing 190 Automatic Writing 192 Mirror Scrying 194 Seven: Amulets & Talismans for Protection … 201 Amulets 202 Talismans 205 Other Protection Spells 209 Eight: Baneful Magic, Banishing & Binding … 217 Baneful Magic 218 Banishing 227 Binding 228 Nine: Healing & Health … 233 Self-Care 234 Sleep Care 241 Natural Remedies for Coughs, Colds, and Pain 246
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Ten: Plant Magic … 253 A Magical Herb Garden 254 A Witch’s Garden 257 Moon Phase Gardening 258 Harvesting and Drying Plants 260 Love-Drawing Practices 265 Working with Spirits 269 Flower Essences and Waters 272 Conclusion: As We Will It, So Shall It Be! … 277 Adapting Spells 277 Further Reading … 281 Glossary … 283
disclaimer
The information given in this book is in no way intended to replace professional and medical help and support. You should always consult your doctor or healthcare professional before using any treatments given in this book.The publisher and the author of this work cannot accept any responsibility for any consequences incurred from following the instructions and recipes contained within.
xv
introduction
Hail and welcome, fellow seeker! Witchcraft and magic are old and ancient, their histories entwined with our own, inextricably so; and yet, they remain strong, constant. Ancient and modern. Because witchcraft is so varied and brimming with the richness of diversity, this book isn’t one of instruction along a particular path or tradition; therefore, this book can be used by anyone. Look at me, a mixed-heritage woman practicing traditional British witchcraft, Obeah—and a Vodou initiate to boot! My heritage is an important aspect in my own path. My father came to the UK from Jamaica as a child with his parents during the Windrush era, and Jamaican culture has always had an influence on my life. As a biracial woman with Caribbean and British ancestry, I always had a nagging feeling that whatever path I 1
2 — Introduction
was interested in, one or other aspect of my heritage was being ignored. Since incorporating all aspects of my heritage into a unique blend of traditional British witchcraft and Obeah, those nagging doubts have disappeared and I’ve felt more confident in myself and my witchcraft.The blend has also focused my craft and acted as a springboard into other areas of the occult. I guess what I am saying is that you have the power to choose your own magic, and this book allows for that individual style and indeed encourages it. After all, we are witches, capable of willing our desires into concrete existence. It is also my hope that this book will help make witchcraft more accessible. I drew on my own experiences of trying to forge a deep and meaningful practice while also raising a family and going out to work. After coming to terms with what my craft would look like and what I would like to include, I still had all those daily life things to contend with! The truth is that finding the time to practice witchcraft in a way that is meaningful can be difficult. We all have constraints, those things that mean we only have limited time and space to get down to the nitty gritty of actually doing something. In writing this book, I hope to share some of the rituals, spells, and different ways of making magic that I have found useful in my own work. This book is not witchcraft by numbers but rather one to inspire and renew your practice; a book that brings magic back into the realm of the everyday. It brings the focus back onto practical magic, of doing the work and putting in the effort. In doing so you will develop a practice that is strong and sound, based on your own lived experiences, all of which will ultimately make your own witchcraft meaningful and powerful. Within these pages you will find spells, rituals, incantations, meditations, and more for each day of the year, all designed with
Introduction — 3
the aim of bringing magic into our daily lives. You may wish to read it cover to cover (and I must admit I am a devourer of books, especially those with a magical edge!) or you might instead wish to dip in and out as and when needed. I often say when it comes to magic, take what works for you and adapt that which does not, for witchcraft has always been adaptable, ready to roll with the challenges and change accordingly.To evolve. As such, this book is for everyone no matter what crooked path you walk. The truth is that witchcraft is unique to the witch. There’ll be things you do that are similar to the way others practice, and there will be others that are totally your own; but having a good understanding of some key concepts and basic workings will help you decide what is right for you and what isn’t. When I think back to my own first serious foray into nonWiccan witchcraft, I remember feeling lost. Where to start? The internet is full of conflicting information and advice, so it can be difficult to know what to believe. A good start is for the seeker to discern what is fact and what is opinion. Learn to trust your instincts. If something sounds like a pack of lies, then it probably is. Do not be afraid to question everyone and everything. The more you do this, the keener your instincts will become. Your gut feeling is often never wrong—something I think everyone has learnt through experience at one time or another. How many times have I done something even though it just felt wrong? Countless! Learning to trust your instincts is hard: We have been conditioned our whole lives to rely on logic and reason alone. So give yourself time and learn from your mistakes. As my boxing coach often says, a loss isn’t really a loss if you learn from it and come back better and stronger. He also says there’s no such thing as a champion who’s never lost, and these both apply to witchcraft
4 — Introduction
too! There’s no such thing as a witch who’s never had a working or ritual go wrong or not work, for whatever reason, or had a bout of lack of self-belief, but it’s all a learning curve! Witchcraft is a lifelong path, and I truly believe that we never stop learning, that we never stop seeking. It is easy to feel lost, to find the way covered in the detritus of those who came before, but we are witches.We have the power to forge our own path, our own traditions. It doesn’t matter whether you are just beginning on your journey and are perhaps looking for a little advice or direction, or whether you are a seasoned spell caster on the lookout for new ideas and inspiration—all are welcome here. So grab a brew or something stronger and let’s make our days overflow with magic!
one
basics
Whatever your beliefs, interests, and practical experiences, whether you are totally new to witchcraft or not, there are those things that will give a foundation to your magic. Most of these things span traditions and practices and can be seen as the bread and butter of magical practice. In this first chapter we will explore the basic concepts and practices of witchcraft, from setting up and using an altar to circle casting and sacred space.These basics of the craft will give you a solid foundation from which to build your own witchcraft practice, leaving you in good stead to pursue magic in all its forms. In common usage, the term “basic” has become something of a slur, especially on social media with trends such as #basicwitch. The truth is though that these basics are the most important aspects of witchcraft no matter your tradition, and a failure to understand them and master them will leave your practice hollow. Nothing 5
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strong can be built on weak foundations and this is certainly true when it comes to witchcraft. For more experienced witches, re-examining the basics with a seasoned eye and deeper practical understanding can shed new light on old ideas, which can lead to a more meaningful craft.
The Altar An altar is an important part of a practical witchcraft practice and as you work though this book, you will be asked to set up an altar or spend time at your altar frequently, whenever you do ritual and spell work. It acts as a focal point—somewhere you can go for focussed work, helping you to get into the right mindset for magic. An altar is also somewhere you can keep your ritual tools safe, and it may even be a permanent consecrated or sacred space. Altars can be either a permanent feature, or something more temporary. If you have enough space in your home and want a permanent altar, then great! Choose somewhere that has enough space for you to work in and enough space for you to keep your altar items and tools—a clear shelf or dressing tabletop is perfect. However, having a permanent altar is not always possible. Perhaps you live with others in a shared space, or maybe you are not in a position to be totally open with others about your witchcraft. Maybe you simply do not have the space for a permanent setup. Whatever your reasons for choosing a permanent or portable altar, each option is totally viable and doesn’t mean that one way is better than the other. Witchcraft is adaptable and witches are the queens of making things work for them!
Basics — 7
You Will Need
• A box or an empty tabletop (an empty shelf will work well too) • Representations of the elements (Earth can be a pot of soil; Air is represented by incense—any kind you like the scent of is perfectly acceptable for altar incense; Water can be a bowl of water; Fire can be a candle) • An altar candle (this can be any type of candle to which you have access, though tapered or pillar candles will last longer than tealights) • An offering bowl • A chalice or glass for liquid offerings These are really the basics of what you need for an altar, however, if you are interested in working with a particular deity, you might want to include a statue or picture of them. You may also wish to keep any items that hold a special or significant meaning to you on your altar, including stones, crystals, or seasonal decorations. Method
There is no wrong or right way of setting up your altar and much of it will depend on your own aesthetic tastes. A basic method though is to set the element representations up by placing Earth to the North, Fire to the South, Air in the East, and Water to the West with an altar candle in the centre along with any stones and statues. Play around with the design until you are happy with it. Keep your altar clean. For a portable altar, all you need is a box or container in which you can keep your altar items. There will be some differentiation
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though, because the idea of having something more portable or temporary is that it can moved around as needed—so tealight candles are perfect for a portable altar, as is a shot glass instead of a chalice. When setting up your portable altar, simply unpack your items and set them up using the same directions given for a permanent altar. It’s also worth mentioning that altars can be set up for working outside or when away from home. If you have a portable altar, then you may wish to take it with you and set it up in the area you are working in. If you have a garden or outdoor space, then you can set up an outdoor altar easily enough by choosing somewhere that is private.You can use natural items and decorations to represent the elements; for example, a suncatcher can represent Fire, a string of pinecones or nuts for Earth, a windchime for Air, and a birdbath for Water. Crafting an Altar Box
Not everyone has the space or inclination to have a permanent altar in their home. Perhaps you only have a small living space. Maybe you travel often and don’t have the time to maintain a permanent altar. Whatever the reason, crafting an altar box is a great way of keeping your ritual tools safe as well as providing a portable altar. Plain wooden boxes can be bought cheaply at craft shops, or you can scour secondhand shops and flea markets for old pre-loved ones.You can even use an old shoe box. There is no right or wrong way to decorate your altar box, but it will add to your practice to use symbols, colours, and materials that mean something to your practice. In addition to my permanent altar, I have a couple of altar boxes at home.These were plain
Basics — 9
wood when I first got them, so I decided to use pyrography to decorate them, burning veves into them. If you wish to stain your wood, then a coffee stain works particularly well and is full of magical correspondences. Dissolve two tablespoons of coffee in a little water and use a brush or sponge to apply to the box. Test your wash first and add more coffee to darken and more water to lighten. When your box has dried, mix beeswax with coconut oil and rub it into the wood (to help bring out the grain and seal it), buffing with a dry, soft cloth. If you want to add colour to your altar box then I suggest using acrylic paints as the colours stay bright and vibrant, and once dry they are pretty permanent. Decoupage is another way of adding colour and images and can be used on wood or cardboard. To decoupage, find an image you like on paper and cut it out carefully, removing as much of the background paper as possible. Using PVA glue, stick the image down and cover the whole surface in a layer of glue. PVA dries clear so don’t worry about obscuring the image. When it has dried, apply another layer and continue to do this until you have built up a thick, lacquered look and you can no longer feel the outline of the image. There is no right or wrong way, so allow your personal tastes to reign free and allow your creativity and flair to flow!
To Cast or Not to Cast To cast a circle is to create a sacred space in which to do spell work, ritual, and so on. That is one of the first things we learn when it comes to practical witchcraft. Why the need for sacred space? There are a number of reasons —for example, to create a safe working environment, one that you control, a space where negativity has been banished. Casting a
10 — Chapter One
circle also acts as a barrier between the mundane, everyday world and yourself. This barrier keeps any raised energy condensed within it until the witch decides it is time to send her energy and will out into the world. A circle is also a good way of inviting the upper and lower realms into ritual. Though we say “circle” casting, in truth, it is really a sphere, a bubble that includes the under world, sometimes referred to as the realm of the dead, as well as the upper realms which include the celestial and spiritual realms. I would definitely suggest a protective circle for any spirit or necromancy work, at least until you are proficient and can recognize those spirits with which you work and have built up a trusting relationship. With all that said, the need to cast a circle doesn’t always arise, and will be largely dictated by the working itself and where it will be held.When at home (and again, unless working with spirits), or in the woods, I do not usually cast a circle.These places are already sacred to me, and so, if the aim of the circle is to create sacred space, it is a waste of time and energy. Ultimately, it is up to each practitioner to decide what is best for them. I also suggest practicing basic circle casting techniques, even if you have decided they are not for you. You never know when an emergency may arise. It’s better to have that knowledge and skill set and not ever need it than to not have it and find yourself caught short. If anything, a witch should always be prepared! There are many ways of casting a circle, no doubt as many as there are traditions! If you like high magic, then a good Wiccan casting method is more than adequate. If that seems a bit like too much for what is needed, then a basic circle casting is fine. I do welcome the elements, and describe what each element means to me, and how they enrich my life, thanking them for the
Basics — 11
gifts they give freely and recognising them within myself. I call to the features that dominate my landscape, the river and the woods, the elder tree in my garden, and the old walnut tree just a few streets from my house. Make your circle casting mean something to you, call what feels natural and relevant to you. Use your own wildness and the wildness where you live to inspire not only your circle casting, but your witchcraft itself. You may wish to mark out the circle visually, perhaps using cord, candles, soil, salt, or cornmeal, making sure you have everything you need for your spell or working set up inside the space, including an altar. Alternatively, you can use your ritual knife, athame, or even your index finger to mark out the circle. As you cast the circle you may wish to chant: This sacred space I dedicate, Filled with love and never hate. Next, invite the elements into the circle. You can do this by simply naming them, though I like to say a few words to describe what these mean to me. If you wish to invite a deity or spirit into this space, then call to them and do so. When the working is finished, it is time to let down the circle. Doing so not only is a way of psychically cleaning up after ourselves but it also releases the power of your working into the wider world.The simple act of tidying away the spell elements is a way of letting down the circle, or you can do this by walking the circle anticlockwise and saying: The work is done and so am I, Circle released, my power may fly.
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Tidy away any candles or other markers if used and leave the space as you found it.
Meditation and Trance Work I have heard many people say that no matter how much they try, they just cannot meditate. Meditation is such a valuable tool in any witch’s arsenal and, like most things worth having, it takes time, effort, and patience. There is a common misconception that meditation aims to silence the mind, so it’s no wonder so many people “fail” at what they are told meditation should be. Meditation does not seek to silence the mind; instead, the aim is to focus the mind, to organise those chattering voices so they are occupied, thus allowing our subconscious mind time and space to do what it is we want to achieve with meditation. Meditation is a vital skill for any magic worker. It aids in almost all aspects of the craft. It focuses your mind, your will, and condenses it into its purest essence. It gives you space to detach from the mundane world, the world where you are many things to many people, the world where you spend most of your time not really being you. You might be a parent, a lover, a worker; there are many masks we must wear in our everyday lives, and meditation allows you to find yourself again. When I first started out on my own crooked path, my mediation skills were nonexistent. Try as I might, all the information I had dredged through—books and dusty corners of the internet— were of no use. Nothing worked. I thought I just couldn’t do it, that this was one thing this witch would just have to do without. But master the skill I did. So if you feel like you just cannot med-
Basics — 13
itate, then here are some tips and techniques that have helped me to overcome my own troubles. First things first, for the initial attempts, you don’t really want to be trying for longer than five minutes, ten at a push. I know it doesn’t sound like a great deal of time, but it can seem endless when the task at hand is difficult. I once read somewhere (thank goodness I can’t remember where!) that one should aim to practice for around half an hour at a time. Half an hour! How soul destroying when you can’t even meditate for a minute or two. So, I advise practicing for no longer than five or ten minutes at first. As you progress, you will naturally want to meditate for longer periods, but at first, five minutes is a good time to aim for. So you’ve probably tried the different breathing techniques, the ones where you have to inhale for five seconds, hold for five seconds, then exhale for five. When I tried this, it just felt like I was going to suffocate! Instead, a good method for the beginner is to just let yourself breathe naturally. Listen to your breathing, feel your lungs as you breathe, just pay attention to the bodily sensations of breathing. What sensations can you feel as you inhale and exhale? Are your breaths short, long, or a mixture of both? Notice each breath and the feelings and sensations that come with it. When you can do this short meditation, perhaps then you will be ready to meditate through breath work, that is, controlling your breathing to induce meditative states. You might breathe in normally, then hold the breath for however long is comfortable, say five or six seconds, then exhale. Keep doing this, again, for five minutes at first, gradually extending the time you meditate for. I like this method because it keeps the mind, the conscious mind, busy with the task of keeping track of the time between breaths. Perhaps you find the silence of meditation unnerving. If so, then playing music softly in the background can help. I do know
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of some who like to meditate to hard, loud music, but perhaps for the beginner, playing some music just loud enough to break the silence, or to mask the sounds of everyday life, is perfectly fine. I particularly like to meditate to drumming. Drumming has been shown to actually alter brainwave patterns, and so it makes sense that it can be used to good effect in meditation. Spend some time beforehand finding the correct music. Do not be dismayed if it doesn’t work to meditate to a track you have listened to before; it’s just like that sometimes. It does take time, effort, and some trial and error before you start to get to know what works for you and what doesn’t. Meditation doesn’t necessarily have to be done sitting still. If, having tried the tips I’ve outlined here, the meditative state is still elusive, then perhaps you may be more suited to dancing meditation. At first this can make you feel quite self-conscious, even when doing it alone, but that feeling will quickly dissipate. Let yourself feel the music, let your body move any way it wants to the music. Feel yourself moving to the rhythm, feel the rhythm as it moves through you. Lose yourself in it. Exercise is also a good way at allowing your body to become ready for meditation. Physically tire your body, do whatever exercise you enjoy, and give it your all. The point of this is that the body will be physically exhausted and will be more than ready to relax. Exercise also makes you feel good—at least when it’s over anyway—flooding the body with endorphins, so it lends an extremely agreeable state for meditation to occur. Meditation is also very useful because it naturally leads to trancework. A trance, in the occultish sense of the word, often has negative connotations, like loss of control, or possession. The truth is trance is neither of those things. Everyone experiences being in a trance. Whenever you “lose” yourself in something, whether that
Basics — 15
be monotonous work, exercise, whatever—whenever you describe yourself as “being in the zone,” that is trance. Have you ever been so narrowly minded, so involved in something you were doing, that when someone speaks to you, you don’t even hear them? That is being in a trance. Trance can have a profound effect upon a practitioner’s craft. It is when in trance that the spirits speak more clearly, when you can truly feel the life of the land. In trance, you focus entirely on the spell or working or ritual. In trance, the seeker can travel at will between the worlds. The seeker, when in trance, can commune easily with their spirits, with their deity. Those who are natural daydreamers will come easily to trance work, for a daydream and trance are very similar things. The only difference is that you often find yourself daydreaming without realising you were doing so.When you enter a trance state, you do so because you make the conscious decision to do so. So, how can one enter a trance? When you can easily enter a meditative state, that is when I believe you will be ready to work seriously on trance. Get yourself into a meditative state, however you so choose. A particular method that works well for me for inducing trance, is to utilise the death stare. I know it may sound a bit creepy, but it simply means fixing your sight on a particular spot but without “seeing” what’s there. Visualisation is also a good method at entering trance. Get yourself into a meditative state and when you are ready, visualise yourself walking down a staircase. Let your imagination loose. When I do this, my stairs are at first wooden, with the feeling of descending a narrow tower. Eventually, the wood gives way to
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stone in a dark tower and the dark tower to the grey early morning light of a forest. It’s okay to start with an idea of how you want things to progress, but when unplanned things, images, feelings, and the like arise, accept them. Like everything in life, the more you practice, the easier it becomes to enter trance.You’ll find that you slip into trance more easily each time. The biggest learning curve comes from our failures, so make a note when a particular technique doesn’t work for you. Ask why it didn’t work; try to pinpoint what was a turn off for you and then go from there. Trancework and meditation add an extra dimension to your witchcraft.With that said, give yourself the time and space to learn because it does require both. As you work through the book, you will come across a variety of guided meditations and visualisation exercises. It might be helpful to make a recording of the meditation before doing it so that you can play it back during the meditation.
Rituals & Spells Rituals and spells are an important part of witchcraft and magic and quite often you might hear these terms used interchangeably as synonyms. Indeed, there is often an overlap between the two. Spells can be performed in a ritualised way, and this is often found in high magic. Some of the common elements include the creating of sacred space and the setting up of an altar. However, there are some important differences. Rituals can be done for a number of reasons, which may include tapping into the energies of a place or time.They can be repeated at set times, such as a full moon ritual each month, or they
Basics — 17
can be one-offs. Rituals are also formal affairs and can be held as celebrations. The benefit of a ritual or a ritualised setting is that it can help you slip into the right mindset or mental space much easier. Spells on the other hand can be formal or informal, done any time to suit the individual practitioner. Perhaps the biggest difference between spells and rituals is the purpose of spell work. Whenever we do a spell, we are wanting to affect some sort of change. This might include attracting love or money, or binding and cursing, but whatever the reason, we are using our will to make a desired event happen.
Ritual Baths As you work through the book, you’ll notice some instances where a ritual bath is called for. A ritual bath differs from just having a bath or shower in that you are bathing for a purpose other than to simply get clean. When preparing for a ritual bath, you will use botanical ingredients to help strengthen your intuition, concentration, and for whatever reason you’ll be conducting ritual or spell work. For instance, if conducting a spell to attract love into your life, you might choose to have a love-drawing ritual bath that uses rose petals and oils along with milk and honey. In essence, a ritual bath helps to set the intent for the spell or ritual to be performed.
Tools & Supplies No matter the type of witchcraft or practice you are interested in, you will need some basic tools. Here we will explore the very basics of what you might need.These include items—such as candles, incense holders and incense, a cup and a bowl—that you will
18 — Chapter One
use on a regular basis, whenever you set up your altar or set time aside for altar work. Candles
When it comes to candles, there are so many to choose from: scented or unscented, white or coloured, small tealights, spell candles, and larger pillar candles.There really is no right or wrong type of candle to use, but with that said, there are some things you might want to consider when it comes to selecting candles, not only for your altar but for your spell work as well. First, let’s consider size.Your altar candle can be lit and put out and then relit whenever you are at your altar, so don’t be put off by larger candles.When working on specific spells where you may need to wait for the candle to burn out, you can buy smaller spell candles that are around 10 centimeters (about 4 inches) in length and 1 centimeter (about one half inch) in thickness. These burn down rather quickly, so they are perfect for individual spell work. But what about scented candles? If you want to burn something that smells pleasant, then you might opt for scented candles. If this is something that appeals to you, then I suggest opting for those that use natural perfumes rather than synthetic as they are better for the environment and for your own health. You might also wish to make your own candles. Doing so is a great way of adding your own intent as well as herbs and oils. There are many sets and kits you can buy that simplify the process and contain everything you need. But all you really need are the wicks, wax, and a container or mould. Simply melt the wax and place the wick in the container or mould and fill with the wax. Take a toothpick or even a straw or knitting needle and wrap the
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excess wick around it and let it rest across the top of the mould or container. This keeps the wick in place until the wax has set. You can also make candles by dipping them in molten wax. This method gives you longer candles and even though you really only need the wick and the wax, this method does take longer. You can make the candles so that each layer is a different colour. This method makes two candles at the same time. Hold the wick in the centre so that you have equal lengths of wick on each side. Holding it at this point, dip the wick into the wax and hang to dry. When it is thoroughly hardened, repeat over and over until you have the required thickness.You can snip the wick at the centre point, giving you two separate candles. Hand rolling candles is perhaps the easiest, quickest, and tidiest method of making short spell candles that do not take long to burn. Sheets of thin beeswax are perfect to use. Cut the wax sheet to size using a sharp knife and cut the wick to the required length. Place the wick at one end of the wax so it is just on the edge and roll the wax to form the candle. The wax is thin enough so that it becomes malleable just by your body heat, so there is no need for melting it. It really is as simple as that! Incense and Incense Holders
As with candles, incense comes in many forms and each one has pros and cons to be considered before using. Incense cones and sticks are perhaps the most accessible and easiest to use as they need nothing besides a holder or heatproof dish. These come in a whole host of scents and are cheap to buy. If choosing cones and sticks, then avoid artificial scents and those using synthetic herbs and resins. Really there is not much difference in terms of cost to using those made with genuine herbs and resins.
20 — Chapter One
You can also use loose incense. The benefit with this is that you can use as much as you need in one go, whereas cones and sticks must be burned until they are used up.The downside is that you will need a fireproof dish and charcoal discs onto which you sprinkle the loose incense. When it comes to making your own incense, loose incense is by far easier to make than sticks and cones. Loose incense can be made by simply grinding dried herbs and powdering resins and sprinkling onto the charcoal disc. When making your own incense it is important you use dry plant matter: The water content of fresh plants means they will not burn! Bowls, Cups, and Glasses
These items are essential for holding food and drink offerings and libations. Some will advise that tools such as cups and bowls need to be special items used only for this purpose, and it is nice to have something special or separate, however it needn’t be so. If finances are a struggle and you cannot justify such purchases, then using those items you have in your kitchen cupboard is more than acceptable. Alternatively, you can find ornate pieces by scouring junk shops, flea markets, and antique shops. Ritual Knife
A good ritual knife is important and can be used in the place of an athame. An athame is slightly different; it isn’t sharp and is more of a visual tool to help you focus your intent. So why a knife? I use my ritual knife in the place of an athame in ritual but also in the harvesting and processing of plants and herbs that I will use in my spell work.
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Wand
Not everyone will want to use a wand and that is fine, but if you do, then choose one you like the look of that is made from natural materials. Wands made from natural materials hold within them some of the essence or power of the original items and can add extra potency to your craft. Cauldron or Fireproof Dish
Small cauldrons can be bought cheaply and make a nice addition to an altar, but a fireproof dish works just as well. You can use these for burning incense, herbs, and paper. Jars and Bottles
These can be used in spells or for the storage of herbs, liquids, and other items. You can buy empty jars and bottles, but why waste your money when you can reuse and recycle those that come with foodstuff in them? There’s nothing wrong with buying an ornate jar or bottle, but for the most part a clean sauce jar is perfect for spells and within which to keep important items. Almost any mundane item can be used in witchcraft and as you progress along your path you will become more confident and secure in your own knowledge and intuition when it comes to using such items. You might also wish to craft or forage for ritual items. For example, if you do use a wand, then you might simply gather a fallen stick from a tree and use that. You could go even further and carve it or use an array of items such as crystals and ribbons to embellish it.
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