Everyones Secret Spirit gifted me these items in exchange for a YouTube review so here it is. Actually loving some and liking others but no bad items in my experience. Very fast shipping and delivery (which is free to UK from their website or ebay) all very well packaged and well watch the video for more information.
---------------------------
Find mii: The best way to find me is through my website @ https://missimoinsane.webs.com/ which has all the links. But I'll quick link some here for you :3
Recorded: By me
Edited: By me
Graphics: Mostly by me & altered royalty free internet finds.
Recording software / CAMERA : SAMSUNG GALAXY S7 EDGE & HUAWEI P20 PRO.
PC: Custom rig built by me.
Video Editing Software: Camtasia Studio
Graphic Software: Photoshop CS6
Disclaimer. The goods featured in this video were given to me in
exchange for this honest review of their products from Sev @
www.everyones-secret.co.uk / Everyones Secret Spirit.
(All links to their various shops and social media will be in the YT video description box) enjoy xo
Prompt 23. Sunday 23rd September 2018 - The 23rd prompt will be.. Where and What Supplies to buy!
Supplies I’m back! I mean surprise!! But this particular blog entry is going to be about Supplies.. What I use and where I get it from..!! And perhaps even why!!
Full disclaimer 1. You absolutely do not need to buy anything to practice Magick, Witchcraft, any form of Paganism such as Wicca, Druidry, Shamanism etc. These are all Earth Based Religions / Practices / Faiths etc meaning that our ancestors wouldn’t have gone out and purchased their tools and supplies; in fact most of them couldn’t afford to! Supplies were picked and grown from our lands while tools would have been shaped, carved and created from trees, bone, antler, clay etc. Although granted some would have been traded or purchased. - I am in no way encouraging you to spend money. 2. I’m from England UK and so I will try and reference international sources but keep that in mind.
I have been asked by a few people on Facebook, Instagram and a few other Social Media haunts as to where I get my supplies from.. What I use, how I got my Altar and how I have accumulated so much stuff… Do I use it all? Absolutely not! But I’m a creature of hoarding, collecting and materialistic things – especially if I can find them very inexpensively, make them myself or support independent businesses. - Though I am no stranger to chain stores etc either.
Since magick is all around us everywhere and in everything we are not restricted to how we practice nor what we use.. Although that said let's take a look at some of the more common tools and supplies aka the "basics"?!!
First I'll look at more stereotypical witchy items and then Wiccan and then a few other general items you may wish to practice with..
So when we think of witches aside from the typical crooked nose, warts and green skin we also picture the conical hat, besom (or broom as it's more commonly known), a cat or other witches familiar, spell book, cauldron and perhaps a few other noticeables such as a black cloak or cape, potion bottles, spell ingredients such as frogs legs and eye of newt etc. So let's break down some of these more stereotypical witches items; though while I can't do much for your completion I'm sure there's some interesting makeup or special fx gurus on youtube who will aid you in the tips and tricks of cosmology.. So let's look at the more material things shall we..
Besom/Broom: The besom as I said a besom is more commonly known as a broom or a witch's broom. These items are much more symbolic or for metaphysical use than literally functional. They are very much traditionally made brooms made for sweeping though these brooms are more for sweeping away negative energies and to cleanse a space spiritually /magickally / metaphysically than it is for literally sweeping dirt. (SPOILERS!) Besoms/brooms are also noted as the witch’s mode of transport however I don't personally know any that actually fly!! Besoms can also be purchased around Halloween, at specialist stores including Etsy.com and some antique shops or made yourself – I made mine from upcycled Poundland Halloween costume props and a large fallen branch I obtained in the woods. Besoms are also incorporated into some wedding or handfasting ceremonies and/or ritualistic dance and traditions.
Cat/Familiar: A cat or other witches familiar I have done a blog covering this so will link it HERE. Essentially a pet that chooses you and lends its energies to you and your workings among other things.
Cauldron: While having a cauldron is nice it's also not necessary at all. Cauldrons were the cooking pots of the day. If you think of a big pot of stew bubbling over an open fire then that was how food would have been cooked back in the day. Today our traditions would be the equivalent to a pan on a stove. Cauldrons / cooking pots and pans would be used to brew tea, potions, ointments, medicines etc.. As well as cooking food or preparing ingredients. While it's not impossible to find cauldrons you're definitely going to pay a pretty penny especially for a heavy cast iron one. I myself have quite a few small ceramic, brass and cast iron cauldrons which I believe I purchased them all from ebay. Again second hand shops / charity shops / thrift stores around Halloween, Antiques places, car boots (or yard sales for our international friends) are just a few places to look. Equally as mentioned a cauldron is not essential any heatproof cooking pan will suffice and even better if it has a lid. I even know some people who use oil burners or fondue sets and again I have both.
Witches Hat: The conical hat is a pointed hat worn in many styles, fabrics and traditions throughout the ages however one belief of the witch is that it was believed that energies would manifest almost like a lighting conductor and be attracted and conducted as they hit the point of the hat and then be magnified as they’re protruded down the cone shape to the brim which then expels down into the witch surrounding her in an invisible cylinder of energies. Conical hats are not terribly difficult to make even out of paper although typically they're made of stiff fabric. They're also not terribly expensive to buy especially around Halloween where a cheap one could be purchased for use or even altered to adorn other elements and be customised to his or her tastes (as said Witches can be male or female). I actually stole mine from my kid Sisters Halloween costume some 4 years or so ago since she was throwing it out. I believe originally it was purchased from Wilkos for a few pounds or even Poundland.
Cloak/Cape/Robes: A cloak or cape can easily be made or purchased at places such as eBay which is where I got mine. This is much more ceremonial or symbolic. Part of the attire almost like a uniform however not essential nor important. The colour(s) may also be symbolic or carry values. I did a blog on some colour correspondences HERE. Alternatively some practices are done Skyclad (naked).
Bottles/Jars/Vials/Containers: Potion bottles themselves are easy to come by depending on type, size, colour etc Pound shops, wilkos, ikea carry them but see second hand / charity shops / thrift stores. Also check out crafting sections of chain stores, craft shops or repurpose other bottles or food containers, again ebay, etsy, aliexpress etc and then fill the empty bottles / veils etc with your desired supplies, potions, poisons, tinctures, specimens, oils etc..
Spellbooks: Spellbooks can be purchased from specialist shops, book shops, ebay, amazon etc or even passed down. The majority of my books, including my spell books, came from ebay.co.uk as I'm no stranger to second hand goods especially when you apply the three C's (cleanse, consecrate and charge). Book of Shadows or Grimoires are typically made yourself or handed down.
Spell Ingredients: Spell ingredients such as herbs, spices, resins, bark etc can be purchased from specialist shops, food/grocery shops/stores, spice shops, herbalist shops etc etc they can also be home grown, traded, harvested from the wild etc - I also want to point out that back in days of old when spells used 'wing of bat' and 'tongue if dog', 'eye of newt' etc these were nicknames given to herbs a lot of these herbs we still use today check out this website for some of those more obscure old world names HERE.
In Wicca on a Wiccan altar you have a god and goddess side. Typically the altar will be also split into element representative quarters. There are a few set ways of laying out an altar and the items which should be upon it for use in various workings, rituals, spells, etc.. However the silver rule of do what feels right to you strongly applies here.
Altar: An altar can be made in any space. Traditionally this would be wooden like a wood table - this is an earth based connection. However some of use, like myself, get a little more creative with our secret shoebox altars or our grand room dedicated spaces, our inconspicuous shelves etc.. I myself have a glass display cabinet for the simple reason my cats (or my cat and my familiar) like to get into everything!! Altars can be created and altered from many mundane items; purchased or sourced for free preloved / second hand or new from places like Ikea, Argos and other furniture sellers. Feel free to get inspiration here: http://fuckyeahaltars.tumblr.com/
Altar Cloth: Said altar would usually be covered with an altar cloth (but not always) - this is both for protection and also the colour of the cloth or any pattern can be symbolic to the season, dedication, user, path etc. I have a piece of black velvet which works nicely as simple and Gothy looking. Other ideas are off cuts of fabric, scarves, tapestries, shawls, blankets, towels, prayer mats, table mats, ceramic tile, cushion covers, chopping board etc..
Athame: An athame (athame is pronounced as 'a thor may') it is a ritualistic or ceremonial knife. This knife is not for cutting physical objects. Traditionally black handled double edged blade that doesn't have to be metal if can be carved wood, bone, antler or stone even plastic if you so wish. It is used to direct energy, cast/recalling circles and cut metaphysical or energy ties. This is dominantly a male/masculine object. Personally my athame isn't black handled its pink handled, double edged letter opener I got on ebay.
Bell: Bells are used for many a purpose from clearing negative or bad energies, dismissing of spirits or elementals, cleansing, as a signifier to starting/ending working/spell/prayer/ritual etc or as a representation of the element air. A bell is a feminine object. I personally don't have a bell. I do however have some thumb symbols, a singing bowl and a few other high frequency sounding items. None of which are on my altar top.
Besom/Broom: I've already covered ^.
Boline: Another kind of knife is a boline this is a curved blade almost like a small scythe. They're typically very sharp and are used for cutting herbs or engraving candles. I got a carpet cutting tool on ebay with a curved blade and wooden handle.
Candles: I have a fair few blogs about candles including types of candle andcandle colours. Typically any white candle can be used in place of a colour. Candles can be a shape or type to represent the working/ritual/spell etc or be engraved. They can be anointed with oils or herbs. I typically get my chime/spell/wish (birthday)/Hanukkah candles from ebay, tea light candles from Wilkos and any time I see a great deal on candles I get them plus I also make them myself such as my skull candles, votive and other specialist candles. In Wicca candles are used to represent the god (usually gold, red or black) and the goddess (usually silver, green or white). They can also be used to represent the elements or mark the quarters, spirit, as a working candle, fire etc. Fire is a male item.
Chalice/Cup: A Chalice or Cup has multi functional properties firstly it is a feminine object as its represented as the womb. It is a ceremonial object in which wine or water (or other liquids) can be poured and shared with the divine, spirit, deceased etc as an offering. It can be as simple as a cup or glass or as complicated as a forged goblet or chalice.
Cauldron: I've already covered ^.
Dishes: Dishes as I mentioned before about various dishes and such forth some are for specific tasks such as a libation dish which is typically a small bowl, dish or cup/chalice that is used to place offerings in (see my blog post on offerings HERE).
Divine / God and Goddess representation: You may wish to get some figures, sculptures, pictures or some other representation. You may also want to do this with ancestors, spirits, demons, angels, symbolism of people etc. I myself have a wooden male and female sculpture I use to represent male and female. Again purchased from ebay. I also have some crow figures as one of my goddesses is The Morrigan. - The Divine lives in all things!
Feathers: Feathers are a representation of air and also of angels. Feathers can be obtained from parks/woods or craft stores. Be aware that some countries such as America it is illegal to own animal parts including bird feathers.
Mortar and Pestle: A Mortar and Pestle set is used for grinding ingredients these can be obtained in the as mentioned shops.
Pentacle or Pentagram Altar Tile: A Pentacle or Pentagram this is another symbol which I've covered in many blogs so click HERE for more information. However in Wicca typically a Pentacle/Pentagram would be used as the centre of the altar. I myself have a white wall tile with a silver and black Pentacle drinks coaster on top. The tile I had laying around but the coaster was from ebay.. Salt/Salt Water: Salt / Salt Water is pretty self explanatory. There's various salts from sea salt to Himalayan pink rock salt and epsom salt. Salt is pretty much used as purification among other things. It can be used as a representation of water.
Spellbooks: I've already covered ^. Sword/Dagger: Some people also like to have swords or daggers as part of their arsenal of tools though this lends itself more towards weapons. - I personally haven't looked into this however.
Stones/Crystals: Stones or crystals can be used for many of their metaphysical or magickal properties.
Wand: A wand can be used instead of an athame. Typically this will be a wooden stick. Tree associations and properties are usually used here. Alternatively crystal wands (and their properties), clay or even your index finger or dominant hand will suffice. I made my wand for more information on this go HERE.
Working book: Some people like to have a separate notebook for their planning which they copy finalised and successful recipes etc into their Book of Shadows / Grimoires later.
Working knife: Working knife unlike the athame this is used to cut, carve, chop, draw, engrave etc it's a multi tool knife. Traditionally this knife would be white handled. I myself have a penknife as my working knife which I believe I got from an army stall on a market.
I hope that gives you some ideas of things you'd like to obtain. Most ritualistic tools while dedicated to one's craft would still be made from mundane items; as said a lot of things traditionally would have been made from found objects gathered from nature including a lot of clay sculpted, wood carved or woven creations etc. Wands would have been carved from sticks and knives from sticks, branches, bone, antler etc. Even mortar and pestle would have been a rock and a bigger rock or stone surface. Incense would have been made from scratch ingredients (plants, resins, bark etc). A lot of herbs, resins, bark etc would have been picked fresh and dried then stored for use. Today we're lucky in that we can pop to most grocery stores to find basic herbs; pre-dried and bottled ready for our use. Specialist shops inc ebay and etsy sellers may carry more obscure items. - I also recommend keeping your magickal and cooking supplies separate just encase!!
Other things you might like to buy are more personal to the user such as jewellery pieces especially those which are amulets, talismans, trinkets etc (I did a blog on these and what's the difference between them HERE). Of course you can make your own or purchase them. Mine are a mixture of what I made myself and inexpensive AliExpress jewellery. This then falls into our curio items (curiosities); so unusual and obscure items like skulls, taxidermy, legs, wings etc.. Which is usually more for decor purposes than functional in modern day practices. You may also want to buy, alter or make trinket boxes, dishes, drawstring bags, silk cloths etc.. Or other items such as dreamcatchers, evil eyes, wards, signs, wall hangings, windchimes, suncatchers etc
And of course not forgetting all the different kinds of divination tools.. I've written about Divination and some Divination Tools such as Tarot Cards, Dowsing Pendulums and Scrying Mirrors HERE. I'd like to point out how you can draw or print your own tarot cards / oracle cards / fortune cards / sigil cards / angel cards / iChing cards / rune cards etc etc.. Likewise you can sculpt with clay or engrave wood, stone, bone, antler etc to make your own rune set be it Elder Futhark Runes, Witches Runes or some other Runic set. You can very easily make a Dowsing Pendulum, Crystal Grid, etc, you can make your own Spirit Dice (or do as I did and repurpose a boggle set!) etc. Again you can scry into a bowl of water, paint the back of picture glass to make your own black mirror or use a number of other items. You can make your own ouija board. Tasseography / tea leaf reading can be done in almost any cup. You're not limited to spending a fortune on premade divination tools and items..
You may also want to purchase or make notebooks, diaries or journals for recording experiences such as spells, rituals, dreams, communications etc.
Next weeks blog is going to be about sourcing supplies / tools / materials for free / very cheap as a "Practice for the budget/broke practitioner!" plus it will include some completely free practices which really work and cost nothing to do!!
Activity..
Look at ways to make your own supplies.
Buy a herb plant.
Book Activity..
(Optional) Copy down any information from above you think you will find useful.. and/or any further information you find out.
Thank you all for the support. For anyone wishing to share, ask for help, talk about BoS / their book and relevant content (or for more information, ideas and unmissable blog posts go to the Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/BookOfShadowsPrompts/
Imogen x
Next Blog: Sunday September 30th's BoS Prompt: Real Dangers of Stones, Herbs and Essential Oils!
Thank you all for the support. I've now made a dedicated facebook page https://www.facebook.com/BookOfShadowsPrompts/ so if you go there turn on all notifications you won't miss these blog posts!!
Prompt 16. Sunday 11th March 2018 - The 16th prompt will be.. Deity Offerings & Fae Offerings (another more hands on).
Advanced note. If you don't know what Deity is you might want to check out this blog post HERE also if you want to know more about God/Goddess check out this blog post HERE and finally if you want to know more about the Elements & Deity check out this blog post HERE. If you've already read those posts or are not a beginner you'll probably want to skip those blog posts!!
Another one completely open to your own interpretation and beliefs. It is important to note this is my take and my understanding.. A lot of people have different views and similar views and the same views in fact.
Offerings.
This blog post looks at SOME different types of offerings not just Fae & Deity offerings. I also want to point out that this blog is not just for those believers
in the fantasy, mythical and even legendary beings we’re not looking at The Fae, Fairies, Pixies, Gnomes, Elves etc.. Nor Mermaids or Sirens,
Unicorns or Griffins in these blog series (so feel free to look into any of that at your own leisure!) This week
we will be looking at offerings with a mention of The Fae, God, Deity, Ancestors, Spirits, Beings, Other
Realm Dwellers etc..
For the purposes of this blog post I will be referring to ALL ‘little people, pixies, elfs, elves, gnomes, fairies etc.. etc..’ as Fae or The Fae.
So this week is a lot more open
focused. I know not all Pagans follow
this kind of belief / system, nor do witches, other spiritual people, mundanes etc partake in offerings of any kind. Some take part in multiple kinds of offerings depending on beliefs and views same with Religious people..!!
There are many different types of
offerings throughout religious and non-religious faiths and cultures. Often offerings are given to honour, show thanks, respect, gratefulness, appreciation etc and in hope to continue being watched over and receiving
luck, love, money, good health, abundance, guidance etc.
Some offerings are made almost as a payment for their requests it's like a good faith payment in
hope that a certain Deity / Deities / Being will lend themselves and/or their specialities to the situation
at hand. Some offerings are made in the
name of others. Offerings can be made in
exchange for physical items too such as when you take something from nature be
it a herb, shell, pebble, flower, feather, stone, water etc.. be it for any
reason, but especially if you’re hoping to use it in magickal workings, it’s a
kindness to leave something in return. Offerings would also be given by Tribes to their Spirit Animals, Spirit Guides & Totem Animals and such. - You can read more about them in my blog post here.
I personally have left 1 pence coins, 1
pence coins with pentagrams/pentacles drawn on them, light a
candle (but do not leave fire unattended), incense, herbs, left fruit and drink, another idea I
have done is to buy a bag of small semi-precious stone chips or beads and leave one of
them, seeds you have purchased (planted or left), baked Fae stones (I’ll leave
some YouTube links further down this blog!), bread or other baked goods and I'll go on to mention a few others.. Offerings aren't always left in exchange for goods while out and about though! Some offerings are done at home, a place of worship and/or other locations..
This can be anything from a kind
gesture such as donating your time, goods or finances to a worthy cause to aid others.
This could be putting out bird seed in your garden / planting seeds in your garden or planters in your home for The Fae, birds and other creatures. Planting seeds and flowers could also be an offering to Deity(s) / God(s) or even ancestors and other beings. - I know in my garden I have planted some Sweetpeas and some Livingstone Daisies because they were always in my Nana & Granddads gardens, they loved them and since sadly both are deceased I thought it would be a lovely way to keep them alive. So honouring my ancestors in a way as well as the sustenance they provide to a variety of creepy crawlies. – Plus I harvest them (and other plans such as Lavender and Rosemary that I have planted myself) for incense and other ingredients. – Sweetpeas that I know of have no noted magickal properties but from what I have read they do have connections to Fairy magick and offerings plus the sweet airy fragrance has correspondences with Air element.
This could be to the Elements or using the Elements! Some creatures / beings / deities may have certain elemental correspondences or like certain smells so your could leave an elemental type offering with water such as perfume, oils, sharing of ingested items wine, tea, fruit juice etc.. It could be a fire offering such as cooking something over a fire, lighting a candle, cauldron offering. It could be a wind offering such as something made or purchased such as wind chimes, bells, incense (which could also represent Earth and/or Fire), feathers etc. Finally it could be an Earth elemental offering such as herbs, or as mentioned incense, flowers, seeds, planting etc. There are many many types of elemental offerings. I think by far lighting candles or herbs and/or incense are the most common though.
Other offerings may include sharing of foods such as ‘breaking bread’, soup kitchen, setting a meal place for the dead, sharing of the harvest, food donation, sharing what you have with deity, pouring wine on the ground or in the sea..
Offerings to The Fae may include honey, fruit juice, fruit, and other sweet tasting food and drink. Some people offer bird seed, other seeds and/or nuts. Smaller items like setting up a fairy house, garden, nook. You could make miniature furniture or other items to give to them in offering as gifts that aren’t food or drink based, or that as dedicated to containing said food and drink. I mentioned earlier Fae Stones / Offering Stones which are biodegradable, green for the environment and can be made in a multitude of ways. I prefer to use all natural products including edible glitter as opposed to real glitter which is tiny shards of glass that can damage and hurt animals and other creatures.
Offerings to deity, ancestors, spiritual beings and entities, etc.. May include things I’ve already mentioned other material items such as dedicated items, trinkets, personal or sentimental items, jewellery, altar space, your time, your thoughts, your energy, your thankfulness, artwork / crafted items and the list goes on..
Some people set up whole altars dedicated to an ancestor, deity, the dead, etc.. as an offering. These may be added to over time, sat at while praying, giving offering, showing respect or doing workings etc.. Some place fresh flowers or herbs or food/drink daily or fresh candle burnt daily. I absolutely love looking at Tumblr blog 'Fuck Yeah Altars' and also pinterest for altar ideas, offering ideas, or just to see what everyone else is making and doing. Not that I like to copy but I love new ideas, learning and seeing what other people are doing. - You can see my main altar and other things I post on my main Instagram @ https://www.instagram.com/missimoinsane/.
I also mentioned before about Gardens and how setting up a Garden could be an offering. You could also set up a Moon Garden (as mentioned in my Moon blog post) in a dedication / offering to The Moon - A Moon Garden, in this sense of the term, is a garden created using white plants and/or white flowering plants only. So as the white reflects the glow of The Moon. - You could also follow the Perpetual Moon Calendar which would make this Moon Garden dedication / offering a lot more personal. I also have a free printable I designed on that blog I just mentioned.
Note. Some Gods / Goddesses, Saints, Beings, Entities, Fae etc etc may be dissintereded, dislike or even offended by your offering so it really does pay to do your research. While I'm sure MOST would appreciate any natural gesture that came from your good will and intentions some may like it even more if you took the time to do the research and find out what they like.. It may bode well in your favour.
Activity..
Research about various types of offerings.
(Optional) If you have a Deity or particular Faith / Religion / Belief why not look up what your particular God/Goddess/Belief correspondences are for types of offerings they might like to receive.
(Optional) Create / Buy some offering pieces.
(Optional) Journal about your offerings / thoughts and how they worked out.
Book Activity..
(Optional) Copy down any information from above you think you will find useful.. especially offering ideas, types of offerings and if you did the research on your particular Deity/Deities or other beings that you work with and found out what they like and don't like it might be a good idea to note that.
Interact with me Activity..
(Optional) Share your offering ideas and experiences in the facebook group and/or with me.
Thank you all for the support. For anyone wishing to share, ask for help, talk about BoS / their book and relevant content (or for more information, ideas and unmissable blog posts go to new Fb group https://www.facebook.com/groups/BoSPrompts/ Also as previously mentioned you can go on the website version of this blog over on the left there’s a ‘subscribe by email’ so you don’t miss a single post from me. If you’re on the mobile version scroll right down to the bottom and click ‘view as website’ and that should take you to the website version where you can expand, navigate to the left and subscribe by email :) I will continue to share this on my Patreon *for free* and also on my Twitter and in various facebook groups.. & Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/BookOfShadowsPrompts/
Imogen x
Next weeks prompts No.17 - Different types of Witches.
Prompt 3. Sunday 3rd December 2017 - The 3rd prompt
will be... Pentacle / Pentagram meaning & The 4
Elements: Earth, Air, Fire, Water.
A much shorter read for you this week but more research and activity for you to do for yourselves.. So this week we are looking at the Elements - This week touched on symbolism and I just wanted to note that I will be doing more on symbolism soon, however some of that crosses over in this section.. In Fact throughout there will be cross over information. Where possible I'll try and band like subjects together throughout these prompts.. Enjoy..
Thank you all for the support. I've now made a dedicated facebook page https://www.facebook.com/BookOfShadowsPrompts/ so if you go there turn on all notifications you won't miss these blog posts!!
P3A: What is a
Pentacle / Pentagram:
A
pentagram is a five pointed star which has lines that cross each other, also it has one point facing up. A pentacle
is said same star with a closed circle around it - The circle is said to contain and protect what is within. Each point represents a different element,
each line a different attribute and the direction the lines are drawn have
opposite meanings.. The best way I can
show you this is with the following diagrams.
I Collaged These Images Together From Royalty Free Images on Google.
A
Pentagram/Pentacle is one of the most powerful symbols to Pagans, especially
Wiccans, but also witches and similar spiritual and magickal folk. – As a symbol it can be used as a marking or
a sign of magick. It can be used for
protection as it consists of all the elements.
It’s a symbol of nature, a symbol of Pagan/Wiccan path, a magickal
symbol, it enhances with the power of (a spell, ritual, blessing, working etc) all 5 elements, It can be used as a number 5 and the list goes on.. Please feel free to do some research of your own.
The
pentagram can also represent the Microcosmic Man with his arms stretched out. The pentagram can also
represent the 5 points in which Jesus Christ was crucified. (Hands, Feet and Crown).
Side
note/ A Pentagram/Pentacle upside down (inverted) is often what gives us a bad
name and associates the good with the bad.
Upside down is actually known as a key symbol of Satanism (Satanic
followers) and was actually misused to give witches/pagans a bad representative. It is said to symbolise that of a
goats head or the god Baphomet and known commonly as evil – but that’s not
really for here; feel free to look into this if you wish, also feel free to
look into the term Occult which means ‘secret society’ and not the same
tarnished with the blood dripping paintbrush as Satanists give the upside (inverted) pentagram/pentacle to be. Much like how the Nazis
took a symbol of peace and turned it into the swastika we all know today!
I Collaged These Images Together From Royalty Free Images on Google.
Activity:Writing in your book time - I know it's scary but you're doing so well I promise!! So here's some ideas for what you might wish to do in your book.. You could dedicate a page to the pentagram / pentacle (or other symbols that mean something to you) and then colour them. - I know YouTuber Rhomany has a video where she shows you colouring techniques for symbols in her BoS and she colours a pentacle. If you wish you could then use the information I gave you here (and also do your own research) to write about this. - This may be especially useful if you forget which way is invoking vs banishing and/or which point is which element..
Speaking of Elements, if by some freaky coincidence you completely missed what the 4 elements are by now then we might have some issues here!! But.. Let me refresh you.. Earth, Air, Fire and Water (the fifth being Spirit). In all honesty I'm unsure what it is I can tell you about these elements.. It's a mixture of 1. The obvious traits, qualities, signs, feel, touch, smell etc.. and 2. Your personal relationship, correspondences and feelings towards / with / of these elements. - A few years ago I wrote a blog post based on TipToeChicks series on spending time getting to know the elements and what element(s) work best. We are all born with an Element. If you did last weeks prompts you may also know that we have a Western Zodiac Sign & and Chinese Zodiac Sign (mine are Sagittarius - Fire and Dragon - Earth, That said personally I feel the only element I don't really resonate with is Air!) But I shall list that series here if you wish to check it out.. My Blog Containing TipToeChicks video advice. Plus a whole bunch more on Elements!
Activity: 1. Go do some research on Elements. Perhaps follow TipToeChick's activity and spend time getting to know each one personally.. Even if you've been on your path for some time it honestly, speaking from experience, is such a fun activity!! Perhaps even journal about this experience.. Yes in your book! 2. You might want to include the symbols for each element and/or the directions; The way I remember it is.. Earth is above (North), Fire is below (South), Water and West begin with a W which leaves Air in the East. (Yes it's right up there with Wax on and Wane off: New to Full, Full to New!) 3. You might want to dedicate one or two pages of your book per element. Write, draw, stamp, paint, colour, collage.. Anything that corresponds for you with that particular element. I know YouTuber Seka's Broom Closet has 2 amazing videos on her channel where she does some stunning art to match the elements she has a page for water with a mermaid, air with a fairy, fire with a dragon and earth with a gnome. Title and Earth Pages and her Water, Fire and Air Pages 4. You can always leave space to come back to this section, add more over time as you work with the elements.. I know some people have used these pages to include physical pieces of that element. I think that was a YouTuber Molly Roberts prompt. 5. If you don't wish to dedicate 4 - 10 pages on this subject you could simply have just one simple page. A Pentacle/Pentagram at the top and a list of element inc their star position, element symbol, element directional position and some very basic information on each. It could be quite a stunning simple minimalist one page or a big full colour multiple pages with lot of information and images, again it's your book. - This more simpler single page is what I am working on in my book.
Picture stolen from Instagram / Hemlock Grove
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Thank you all for the support. For anyone wishing to share, ask for help, talk about BoS / their book and relevant content (or for more information, ideas and unmissable blog posts go to new Fb group https://www.facebook.com/groups/BoSPrompts/ Also as previously mentioned you can go on the website version of this blog over on the left there’s a ‘subscribe by email’ so you don’t miss a single post from me. If you’re on the mobile version scroll right down to the bottom and click ‘view as website’ and that should take you to the website version where you can expand, navigate to the left and subscribe by email :) I will continue to share this on my Patreon *for free* and also on my Twitter and in various facebook groups.. & Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/BookOfShadowsPrompts/
Imogen x
Next weeks prompts No.4 - Tree of Life / Grounding Meditation / Whiteroom /Prayer
Sigils are used not just by witches and magickal practitioners but by everyone! Yes even the mundane and in truth you've been seeing and using them your whole life without realising it. Sort of. In the past Sigils have typically been given a bad representative, associations with demonic and none benevolent beings, or bad/dark magickal practitioners. I know when I first saw them / heard of them I strayed away and indeed for the longest time believing they're not a good thing. Oh how wrong I was. Sigils are not just bad, not just used in Alchemy, Dark Occult practices or in Malpractices by other Magick wielders! They are used literally for everything, even in the mundane world unrecognised.. In this blog I hope to clarify what they are, how to use them and in fact how easy it is to write your own!
The world Sigil comes from the word 'seal' - Think of 'wax seals' and how they were (and sometimes still are) used for sealing envelopes and often stamped with the family crest, official logo, professional title, royal emblem etc.. This sealed closure traditionally was used to not only show who the letter/goods were from but also of its/their importance and indeed that the envelope/package had not been opened by an intervening source nor had the contents been seen or tampered with and this seal was very much the security for the contents of the package. Thus in that respect it's like the power of said seal preventing people from sneaking a look as the wax seal show if someone broke in, literally! There for by adding this wax seal it signs our intentions and desired goals to keep the contents private and away from prying eyes. And ensures our receiver gets the contents in tact, as sent.
Signs and Symbols - Think of logos - the word logo comes from the Greek word logos meaning to create or the word of God (eg "let there be light"), brands, traffic symbols, even alphabets and numbers! Whenever you think of these your brain no doubt floods with associated imagery to a known 'thing'. Think of McDonald's - You can associate the sign, logo, what their brand / product is. Now think of a love heart - The shape, what it means to every school girl doodling about her crush right through to the congratulations on your wedding card. Now think of universal road signs like stop, no entry, go, danger... Think of the Zodiac signs, Monarchy Royal Stamp, The President's.. All those physical signs/symbols are associated with mental imagery and comes with a familiar attachment. - This is why one of the key goals for people employed to create logos is to create memorable simple imagery that sticks with us. But that's for another day.
Sometimes these Signs, Symbols and/or Sigils can come to us in our dreams - I will do a blog on this as part of my BoS / Grimoire Book Prompts Blog Series.
On the whole Sigils are often an image drawn, burned, painted, sketched, printed by what ever means of a visual creation. But some also theorise that sound can be a Sigil could be sound as sound has associations and feelings and empowerment. We are able to recall memories, feelings, physical associations, movies, parties, people, theme tunes.. This music could be electronic music, mantra, singing bowl, voice recording. I know YouTuber Kelly-Ann Maddox touches on this in her about Sigils video. She also suggests how Sigils have associations and in this way we could use scent also by use of perfume, incense, oils etc to create our own personal scent for workings - I know I like to mix my own oils and incense when I'm doing workings. I go find out their correspondences or what herbs/oils work best for my intention (same with candle colours, stones etc..) so in theory they too can be Sigils? Sorry I've detoured - but there's some food for thought!
That said putting Signs and Symbols etc aside Sigils are often created for a one time use, I'll explain how to create later. Though some are designed to be used over and over again and I'm know there's some ready for you to cookie cut and use for yourself - these can be found in books, the internet etc. Though this can come with a stigma. On one hand is the commonly used Sigil more powerful because of all the energies of all the people who have used it? Or is the energy from that Sigil spent from being over used again and again? Is a brand new Sigil more powerful because it's new (created by you hopefully) or is it weaker because it's never been used?
What can I use Sigils for?
As said Sigils can be used for Demonic practices and associations but also for Angelic correspondences too. Also as mentioned Sigils can be used in Alchemy and the Alchemy Table and Sigils can be commonly known/used or personal and designed specifically for you as a one off use or reused; I shall explain..
Sigils can be used as words, to sum up a meanings, as an alphabet all on its own such as hieroglyphics. It could be used in prayer, ritual, spells.. and various other workings. Sigils can be used by themselves as empowerment, as logos and/or brands and/or symbols, As a signature (your mark associated with just you), to seal.
How do I write my own Sigils? How do I use Sigils?
There are a number of different kinds of Sigils and Sigil creations, perhaps the most common two being 1. Sigilisation/Sigilization - The Austin Osman Spare method. 2. To Witches Sigils.
Let's briefly look at the Witches Sigils first, since this is not the method I use but one worth mentioning, I guess. The Witches Sigils is made up of a chart. Decide on a word that sums up your desire, for me and this example I used the word "Protection". Starting at the first letter follow the sequence of letters along drawing straight or curved lines to the next letter. - Some say you should draw a circle at the first letter and a cross at the last letter but I have seen it most commonly done without. As said this is not my prefered way of creating Sigils. Perhaps you might want to draw/print out this chart and stick it in your Books (Book of Shadows, Grimoire etc etc..) then use tracing paper over the top to draw your Sigils..
- In all honesty I'm not practiced or even well studied in this area. So a lot of the study for this you'd need to do yourself. Though the following information may help you and is the most common way of creating Sigils.
The Austin Osman Spare - Sigilisation/Sigilisation method is the more commonly used when creating Sigils.
Austin Osman Spare was born and died in London, England 1886 - 1956. He was an English Artist and Occultist. Today he is known for many things as he was greatly influenced by Symbolism and Art Nouveau and is recognised for his art which usually included a great deal of lines, mosters and sexual imagery. There are also a few Tarot decks featuring his working. And of course he is also known for creation method of Sigils which as mentioned is known as Sigilisation/Sigilization.
Austin Osman Spare - "It is not important whether a Sigil is the 'correct' one or not, but it IS crucial that it has been created by the magician and is therefore meaningful to him/her. Because s/he has constructed it for personal use, the Sigil easily becomes a catalyst of his/her magical desire, and sometimes it will even awaken this desire in the first place." - Book of Pleasures.
Austin Osman Spares method was simply to create a 'fusion and stylisation of letters to formulate a desire in a sentence'.
There are a 5 key points to this method.
1. The Intention
Note. Decide if this Sigil is going to be for 'mechanical' and thus created for one time use or if the Sigil is going to be for 'repetitive' magickal use for multiple use possibly used throughout your practice. If it's the later you may wish to write down your recipe of the Sigil and its meaning.
Step 1. The statement of intent is to be written in present or past tense, even if it is a want, desire, wish, future coming. Creating that you want something will only increase a want for that thing and not the thing itself. Creating that you have said thing will cause manifestation to occur properly - I touched on this in my 'how to make a manifestation box' blog.
So don't write "I WILL BE POPULAR BY THIS TIME NEXT YEAR." simply write "I AM POPULAR AND I CONTINUE TO BE SO." - Another don't write "I WISH TO HAVE LOTS OF MONEY" but instead "I AM WEALTHY AND MY MONEY CONTINUES TO GROW" - Another don't write "I WANT TO PASS MY EXAMS" simply write "I HAVE PASSED MY EXAMS, I DID AND CONTINUE TO DO REMARKABLY WELL".
2. The Creation
Step 2. Once you have your 'Power Sentiment/Statement' of intent simply write it out in all capital letters. I ABSOLUTELY LOVE MY CAULDRON FAMILY AND THEY ARE BLESSED- This is then where hairs are split. Some say remove all vowels (A, E, I, O and U) others leave them in. I personally remove them as this is the way I originally learnt and what I feel works best for me. This is your choice..
Step 3. Once the above is done simply cross out any letter that repeats itself leaving the original letter. Write out the remaining letters. Now here's the fun (and in my opinion addicting) part. First let's take the English Alphabet. Each letter you're left with you use to draw a Sigil. These letters can be drawn any size and any way up and are to form more of a weird picture. Now keep in mind some letters you don't need to be re-draw. For example if you have a "T" you already drew the "I" and an "L". Using a "B" which can also be a "D", "P", "I", "C". Drawing an "M" also covers you for "N", "V" and "W" I shall show you...
I ABSOLUTELY LOVE MY CAULDRON FAMILY AND THEY ARE BLESSED IABSOLUTELY LOVE MY CAULDRON FAMILY AND THEY ARE BLESSED BSLTLY LV MY CLDRN FMLY ND THY R BLSSD
BSLTLY LV MY CLDRN FMLYNDTHYRBLSSD BSLTY V M CDRN F
B S L T Y V M C D R N F
Step 4. Some people like to encase their Sigil in a circle - being that it contained, protected and gives power, plus it focuses the energy on what's inside excluding anything outside the circle.
Another way to do this is to match the English remaining letters from your sentence with the equivalent of another alphabet such as Elder Futhark Runes, Elvish, Witches Alphabet but to name a few which is when your creativity kicks in, it's how we have the super pretty Sigils which don't resemble English at all and that is very much the point of Sigils as you'll see in the next steps.
3. The Forgotten
Step 5. If you opted to write this somewhere as a future reuse Sigil then that's fine. But this point is where you put the Sigil away and let it manifest. Perhaps even in your manifestation box!! Maybe create a manifestation box just for your Sigils!! Put it somewhere where you won't see it, won't think of it, but when you do see it it will add to the growth of it's power. Allow it to do it's thing for however longer desired time. Some people skip this step entirely, others allow a day, a day and a night, a week, one lunar cycle.. The the idea is basically 'out of sight and out of mind your subconscious takes over causing things to grow. Plus by creating this you put your intentions out there to the universe anyway!!
4. The Charge
Step 6. Now congratulations you've drawn a Sigil. You may or maynot have hidden it away for a length of time. But this is an important step as you need to 'Activate' it.. So here's a few ways we can do this..
Meditation: You can meditate on the created Sigil.
Getting to know: Sleep with it, keep it on your person, look at it, give it life.
Sex: You can think of the Sigil or not during sex but most importantly during climax.
Masturbation: You can think of the Sigil or not but most importantly during climax.
Heightened Emotions: Like climax high state of emotions such as:
During grieving a loss, great sorrow.
Dring great happiness.
During fear / scared (watch a horror movie or those screamers on YouTube).
During hysterical Laughter.
During heightened anxiety.
Asphyxiation: (please practice responsibly) Hang upside down; Do not strangle yourself or anyone - this especially goes against the "and harm none" at the point of Asphyxiation look at the Sigil. <-- I don't recommend No. 6 but I'm putting it out there as there's people that do!
Exhaustion: Go for a run, do some exercise, the part of the brain that kicks in as we strive to stay awake use that to focus on the Sigil.
Etc..
5. The Destruction
Step 7. Use it for it's intended purpose but this should result in it being destroyed (or at least this copy if you wrote down the Sigil recipe to use again) To destroy you can..
Burn (fire)
Flush away (water)
Send it out to sea (water)
Bury it in the woods (earth) or at the beach (water/earth) - away from your home if that's what your working requires.
Bury it in a planter (earth) or in your garden (earth) - at home if that's what your working required.
If you drew it in pencil you can simply erase the image or if you drew it on a white board.
You can shred the paper into pieces and put it in the bin.
Etc..
Finished!
An alternative for entire destruction, those that wish to reuse, may wish to do so in a productive way.. Some simply write it and/or the recipe in their Books (Book of Shadows, Grimoire, Spell Book, Witches Journal etc etc..) and some like to make a bigger use of it like drawing it and having it framed on a wall (especially good for protection), carve it into wood and have it as a statue in your home, write it on paper and roll it up and put it inside a witches ball and gift to a friend, have it tattooed (please tattoo responsibly) - make it such a permanent thing in your homes that it becomes part of the furniture so you don't see it any more; you know like that new figurine for your collection you keep smiling and looking at then after a few weeks you don't even really notice it any more as you're now occupied with your new wall hanging..
