Urgent Notice. Hey my lovelies I know I'm only just back with the second part of my Book of Shadows Prompts etc however my circumstances have taken a hit and I will be postponing all future BoS prompts pending what happens next. I'm now being made homeless, I have found somewhere to live but will struggle to finance the move.. Can you help? TIA paypal.me/missimoinsane
---xo---
Link to previous prompts: http://ppwwmm.blogspot.co.uk/2017/11/cauldroneers-bos-prompts.html
FYI: There is now a dedicated facebook page for you to follow so as to support these blog posts @ https://www.facebook.com/BookOfShadowsPrompts/
Prompt 26. Sunday 14th October 2018 - The 26th prompt will be.. The Urban / Modern Witch supplies!
If you haven't yet checked out prompt 23. Where and What Supplies to Buy. 24. Real Dangers of Stones, Herbs and Essential Oils! 25. Practice for the budget/broke practitioner! blog posts which are all aimed at supplies then you might want to read them plus maybe my other blog prompts which contains imo useful information.
This weeks focus is going to be more towards to modern witch including techno witches and also urban (city/town) witches.
Any time I refer to Witch, Witches, Witchcraft etc please also know I'm talking about all practitioners of Magick, Earth based religions such as Wicca, Druidry, Shamanism and other Pagan practices, Spiritual practitioners etc etc.. Please do not be offended I am well aware that not all everyone associates themselves as Witches or consider themselves to practice Witchcraft. - Thank you.
Witchcraft like many other earth based practices, studies, faiths, beliefs and/or religions etc is growing in numbers of practitioners. While witch hunters are not gone it's far more acceptable today to be a Witch, practice Witchcraft, be a Pagan or some equal practitioner. In fact modern day actually show us it's hip and cool to be a witch (and not just for Halloween) especially those of us who are more darkling inclined such as some of the gothy types, those with more morbid curiosities or just interests in paranormal and the unknown etc. There for it's not hard to believe that witches come in all shapes, sizes, genders, and even habitats.. While witches would perhaps have traditionally have live in woodland areas making it easier to grow or obtain supplies todays woods are more concrete jungles than your nostalgic typical cottage in the woods.
Urban (meaning a person or character from a city or town) witches may have a harder time going out and foraging for their supplies from the usual woods, fields, beaches, gardens etc, But does this mean they're not a real witch? NO! Does this mean they can't practice? NO! Does this make them any less of a witch than someone who does live in a cottage in the woods? Well maybe but generally speaking NO! - I myself get much more inspired by my surroundings and I dare say if I lived in a cottage in the woods I'd feel much more witchy than if I lived in a block of high rise flats in the city (oh how I'd hate that!) But this doesn't mean I practice any less, work harder or would be better off in the woods! Even living in this house near a town I'm not far for the park, woods and beach and I still feel witchy and still get to practice and still use the internet to gather most of my supplies although I sometimes do go scavenging in the woods and at the beach.. However some of us do live in big cities nowhere near parks, woods, forests, beaches, lakes etc etc.. And don't have gardens or access to space and their space is very minimalist and valuable. Nearly all their supplies will be sourced online for ease as the supermarkets and grocery stores are busy places and while a lot of them lend themselves to a great many herbs and spices the internet is a much better resource and possibly even cheaper too. Plus as a disabled person shopping online is pretty much my go to.
Is a techno witch someone who gets their supplies online? Yes and No! A techno witch is a witch who uses technology primarily in their practice. Also feel free to also look into Techno-Paganism as well but here's some basics https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Technopaganism.
These days modern technology has become the everyday norm for most of us. We have access to various devices from computers to laptops, mobile phones (cell phones) to tablets and all usually with internet access via home wifi, 3G/4G, internet caffe, school network, hotspots, friends/families wifi and the list goes on.. Meaning that it's now much easier to be a Techno-Witch, Techno-Pagan even a Neo-Pagan thanks to internet access and the growing and developing technology, web and people on the internet!!
The internet is a huge library of false, true and manipulated information. It carries a vast knowledge of information on witches (Pagans and other religions, faiths and practices) history, traditions, book of shadow content, correspondances, information on stones/crystals, candles, essential oils, herbs, tools, rituals, prayers, spells, meditation, magickal and metaphysical correspondence ect all at the press of a few buttons. Crazy! Once upon a time the only information we had was pass down in books (probably a Book of Shadows) or taught from eldgers/experienced witches etc. But Techno Witch is more than finding out correspondences or shopping for tools and supplies online. It's also an opportunity to meet and network with hundreds and thousands of practitioners from all walks of life right across the world/internet. The internet can be an amazing resource as I've said MANY times before especially if it saves time on you growing and/or harvesting your own herbs, having to aimlessly walk around hoping to stumble upon some kinda metaphysical or witchy shop or meet like minded people without looking up a shop location on google maps or joining some kinda of internet group or even just trading which is much easier online especially since it can open up your clientele with a larger customer base for selling the things you made, grew, sourced.. I touch on this in my last blog about practice for the budget / broke practitioner.
Spells too can be sourced online although some amaze me how people waste their time writing such gibberish where as others there's so real gems in there. I myself prefer to look up the properties of my ingredients to choose what would work best for my working be it stones, herbs, oils or other items and sometimes I use the internet for guidance. I believe I wrote a blog on how to write your own spells. I often exercise common sense or get creative such as using pins or burning paper (I typically use cigarette papers) or making my own candles and such. But is it possible to use a PC for this? Well why not? There's many websites out there that will generate a tarot deck reading.. Many that will generate a rune reading. Chain mail is possibly a form of magick given the intention behind it - be it pass this on and you'll have luck or an angel is watching over you if you share or your best friend will die a midnight if you read and don't pass on this... Yeh. Perhaps I'm a little skeptical but what is the difference between a good health wishes chain letter sent via email or IM vs me lighting a candle and saying its to wish X person to have good health? Where is the difference between me randomly selecting cards on a PC screen and randomly selecting a card from my deck (other than the connection you personally build with your deck, apparently). What is the difference between writing on paper and burning it vs writing on pc and deleting it - ok there is that physically writing brings more of a physical connection and same with physical fire but if your not allowed to start a fire, keep getting yelled at for clogging the toilet with paper (tip write on toilet paper), or don't have any means of "destroying" a handwritten note (especially if witchcraft is something you're still very much in the broom closet about) then why note type it on your phone, say a few words, imagine it being destroyed as you erase it. There's also candle simulations on PC for those of us who aren't allowed to burn candles or fire - it's almost like that placebo fireplace where if you put it on a large screen and stare at it you feel you're getting warmer https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L_LUpnjgPso because of our human associations of fire to be warm/hot. Ok maybe we can't add herbs to a cauldron on a device or make tinctures or medicinal stuff but we can write out a recipe for it or even find one on the internet.
Urban Witches, like any witches, could also set aside a sunny window, balcony, or spot in their home to grow some herbs themselves. If you grow herbs which can also be used for your cooking as well as your witchy brews, tinctures, spells, rituals etc then you're definitely being a frugal Urban Witch at that. There's always a way and of course check out the medicinal properties as well as possible side effects I touched on this in this blog: Real Dangers of Stones, Herbs and Essential Oils!
But what do we do if we actually don't have internet access at all? What do we do if we actually do live an Urban life in the city? Or what if you move a lot from once city to another. How do we practice? Well if you don't have internet then no matter where you live you should be able to source some traditional books.. Frequently hitting book stores and second hand book shops, charity shops, thrift stores etc in hope to source helpful materials. Sometimes you can even get lucky with libraries.. But then if you're traveling perhaps carrying huge books around isn't so bright, travelling and practicing is a whole other blog post I'm sure but traveling altars (such as this one I made for myself https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CDkG0gGDPTA&t=550s is made up of some very basic things possibly you may have or can source cheaply in town, assuming you cant get online). Travelling is probably when the internet becomes a great resource again especially on a smartphone , tablet or laptop type device as most libraries and internet cafes have this, some even have their own computers/devices!! For the none internet users looking for herbal supplies perhaps check out food shops, grocery stores and specialist shops/stores that cater for Indian cuisine as they may carry more rarer herbs and spices. As for stones well these days you can find stone pendants and bracelets in most touristy shops, some homeware shops may carry much larger amethyst pieces or coasters made of sliced agate, some garden stores (I know unlikely you have a garden if you live in say New York City lol) but some of them do chip stones that are semi precious stones! Some second hand shops as mentioned in my last blog get donations of jewellery, random stones or items which the stones can be cannibalised from they also may have other items along side books and stones such as candles, cauldrons, goblets, glassware, crockery, cutlery, weaponry, knives, and a whole host of other tools. Then how do you meet like minded people? and start a coven? join a coven? etc.. Well to meet like minded friends you might want to try visiting physic events or new age spiritual churches to hopefully find some of these people who at the very least can tell you about all the hidden gems in your area.. Perhaps you even know some people who could lend you their books or point you in the right direction for finding books and other supplies. And as mentioned in blog 23 and 25 mundane everyday items CAN be repurposed into magickal items.
This weeks focus is going to be more towards to modern witch including techno witches and also urban (city/town) witches.
Any time I refer to Witch, Witches, Witchcraft etc please also know I'm talking about all practitioners of Magick, Earth based religions such as Wicca, Druidry, Shamanism and other Pagan practices, Spiritual practitioners etc etc.. Please do not be offended I am well aware that not all everyone associates themselves as Witches or consider themselves to practice Witchcraft. - Thank you.
Witchcraft like many other earth based practices, studies, faiths, beliefs and/or religions etc is growing in numbers of practitioners. While witch hunters are not gone it's far more acceptable today to be a Witch, practice Witchcraft, be a Pagan or some equal practitioner. In fact modern day actually show us it's hip and cool to be a witch (and not just for Halloween) especially those of us who are more darkling inclined such as some of the gothy types, those with more morbid curiosities or just interests in paranormal and the unknown etc. There for it's not hard to believe that witches come in all shapes, sizes, genders, and even habitats.. While witches would perhaps have traditionally have live in woodland areas making it easier to grow or obtain supplies todays woods are more concrete jungles than your nostalgic typical cottage in the woods.
Urban (meaning a person or character from a city or town) witches may have a harder time going out and foraging for their supplies from the usual woods, fields, beaches, gardens etc, But does this mean they're not a real witch? NO! Does this mean they can't practice? NO! Does this make them any less of a witch than someone who does live in a cottage in the woods? Well maybe but generally speaking NO! - I myself get much more inspired by my surroundings and I dare say if I lived in a cottage in the woods I'd feel much more witchy than if I lived in a block of high rise flats in the city (oh how I'd hate that!) But this doesn't mean I practice any less, work harder or would be better off in the woods! Even living in this house near a town I'm not far for the park, woods and beach and I still feel witchy and still get to practice and still use the internet to gather most of my supplies although I sometimes do go scavenging in the woods and at the beach.. However some of us do live in big cities nowhere near parks, woods, forests, beaches, lakes etc etc.. And don't have gardens or access to space and their space is very minimalist and valuable. Nearly all their supplies will be sourced online for ease as the supermarkets and grocery stores are busy places and while a lot of them lend themselves to a great many herbs and spices the internet is a much better resource and possibly even cheaper too. Plus as a disabled person shopping online is pretty much my go to.
Is a techno witch someone who gets their supplies online? Yes and No! A techno witch is a witch who uses technology primarily in their practice. Also feel free to also look into Techno-Paganism as well but here's some basics https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Technopaganism.
These days modern technology has become the everyday norm for most of us. We have access to various devices from computers to laptops, mobile phones (cell phones) to tablets and all usually with internet access via home wifi, 3G/4G, internet caffe, school network, hotspots, friends/families wifi and the list goes on.. Meaning that it's now much easier to be a Techno-Witch, Techno-Pagan even a Neo-Pagan thanks to internet access and the growing and developing technology, web and people on the internet!!
The internet is a huge library of false, true and manipulated information. It carries a vast knowledge of information on witches (Pagans and other religions, faiths and practices) history, traditions, book of shadow content, correspondances, information on stones/crystals, candles, essential oils, herbs, tools, rituals, prayers, spells, meditation, magickal and metaphysical correspondence ect all at the press of a few buttons. Crazy! Once upon a time the only information we had was pass down in books (probably a Book of Shadows) or taught from eldgers/experienced witches etc. But Techno Witch is more than finding out correspondences or shopping for tools and supplies online. It's also an opportunity to meet and network with hundreds and thousands of practitioners from all walks of life right across the world/internet. The internet can be an amazing resource as I've said MANY times before especially if it saves time on you growing and/or harvesting your own herbs, having to aimlessly walk around hoping to stumble upon some kinda metaphysical or witchy shop or meet like minded people without looking up a shop location on google maps or joining some kinda of internet group or even just trading which is much easier online especially since it can open up your clientele with a larger customer base for selling the things you made, grew, sourced.. I touch on this in my last blog about practice for the budget / broke practitioner.
Spells too can be sourced online although some amaze me how people waste their time writing such gibberish where as others there's so real gems in there. I myself prefer to look up the properties of my ingredients to choose what would work best for my working be it stones, herbs, oils or other items and sometimes I use the internet for guidance. I believe I wrote a blog on how to write your own spells. I often exercise common sense or get creative such as using pins or burning paper (I typically use cigarette papers) or making my own candles and such. But is it possible to use a PC for this? Well why not? There's many websites out there that will generate a tarot deck reading.. Many that will generate a rune reading. Chain mail is possibly a form of magick given the intention behind it - be it pass this on and you'll have luck or an angel is watching over you if you share or your best friend will die a midnight if you read and don't pass on this... Yeh. Perhaps I'm a little skeptical but what is the difference between a good health wishes chain letter sent via email or IM vs me lighting a candle and saying its to wish X person to have good health? Where is the difference between me randomly selecting cards on a PC screen and randomly selecting a card from my deck (other than the connection you personally build with your deck, apparently). What is the difference between writing on paper and burning it vs writing on pc and deleting it - ok there is that physically writing brings more of a physical connection and same with physical fire but if your not allowed to start a fire, keep getting yelled at for clogging the toilet with paper (tip write on toilet paper), or don't have any means of "destroying" a handwritten note (especially if witchcraft is something you're still very much in the broom closet about) then why note type it on your phone, say a few words, imagine it being destroyed as you erase it. There's also candle simulations on PC for those of us who aren't allowed to burn candles or fire - it's almost like that placebo fireplace where if you put it on a large screen and stare at it you feel you're getting warmer https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L_LUpnjgPso because of our human associations of fire to be warm/hot. Ok maybe we can't add herbs to a cauldron on a device or make tinctures or medicinal stuff but we can write out a recipe for it or even find one on the internet.
Urban Witches, like any witches, could also set aside a sunny window, balcony, or spot in their home to grow some herbs themselves. If you grow herbs which can also be used for your cooking as well as your witchy brews, tinctures, spells, rituals etc then you're definitely being a frugal Urban Witch at that. There's always a way and of course check out the medicinal properties as well as possible side effects I touched on this in this blog: Real Dangers of Stones, Herbs and Essential Oils!
But what do we do if we actually don't have internet access at all? What do we do if we actually do live an Urban life in the city? Or what if you move a lot from once city to another. How do we practice? Well if you don't have internet then no matter where you live you should be able to source some traditional books.. Frequently hitting book stores and second hand book shops, charity shops, thrift stores etc in hope to source helpful materials. Sometimes you can even get lucky with libraries.. But then if you're traveling perhaps carrying huge books around isn't so bright, travelling and practicing is a whole other blog post I'm sure but traveling altars (such as this one I made for myself https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CDkG0gGDPTA&t=550s is made up of some very basic things possibly you may have or can source cheaply in town, assuming you cant get online). Travelling is probably when the internet becomes a great resource again especially on a smartphone , tablet or laptop type device as most libraries and internet cafes have this, some even have their own computers/devices!! For the none internet users looking for herbal supplies perhaps check out food shops, grocery stores and specialist shops/stores that cater for Indian cuisine as they may carry more rarer herbs and spices. As for stones well these days you can find stone pendants and bracelets in most touristy shops, some homeware shops may carry much larger amethyst pieces or coasters made of sliced agate, some garden stores (I know unlikely you have a garden if you live in say New York City lol) but some of them do chip stones that are semi precious stones! Some second hand shops as mentioned in my last blog get donations of jewellery, random stones or items which the stones can be cannibalised from they also may have other items along side books and stones such as candles, cauldrons, goblets, glassware, crockery, cutlery, weaponry, knives, and a whole host of other tools. Then how do you meet like minded people? and start a coven? join a coven? etc.. Well to meet like minded friends you might want to try visiting physic events or new age spiritual churches to hopefully find some of these people who at the very least can tell you about all the hidden gems in your area.. Perhaps you even know some people who could lend you their books or point you in the right direction for finding books and other supplies. And as mentioned in blog 23 and 25 mundane everyday items CAN be repurposed into magickal items.
Personal story side note - I know when I was growing up I lived in Horncastle England a small village type town surrounded by lots of villages and fields and among a plethora of antique, junk and charity shops all which yielded bottles, boxes, books, trinkets, jewellery, nic nacs, and more.. As a teen I lived in Scunthorpe England a large steel work industrial town that had a gothy type shop but a few nights a week a psychic did readings there and they also carried a few oddities, incense, incense burners, dream catches, wind chimes, worry dolls etc.. A witchy shop opened up across the carpark it mostly carried handmade clay wands with faces, hand painted wishing stones, large expensive overpriced crystals, smaller crystals and stones, dreamcatchers, incense, incense burners, fragrance oils, tarot decks, books, tarot bags and other small cloth bags... ok it was the perfect witchy shop however due to lack of advertising and peoples interest it closed down after a few short months. As a young adult I lived in Cornwall England literally next door to a witchy shop which sold a plethora of gothy/pagan/witchy clothes, home decor from coffins and vampires to dragons, goth girls, fairies, fae, witches and more. All the usual items you could expect and more. I believe the store is still open it's on Riverside Mevagissey they have a whole bunch of garden ornaments outside. If you're in Meva though why not swing round to the pirate shop too you'd be surprised what they carry especially if you like skulls, chests, nautical and unusual items. Where I'm living now as an adult in Blackpool England I know of a fair few magick, metaphysical, witchy etc shops such as The Wand Factory on Dickson Road which carries incense and burners of varying kinds, clay handmade figures and items, wands that are clay sculpted mostly with faces I believe, stones, ornaments that lean towards fairy and fae lovers mostly and a few more unusual items.. friendship things and cute keepsakes and whimsical things. I know a few touristy shops in town such as Sea Life Centre gift shop sells stones and animal shaped stones too. And I believe there's a few shops in town which sell Nemesis now and similar gothy and I suppose witchy stuff. Another shop down near the pleasure beach on the sea front that sells Swords, Daggers, Guns, Apparently Cross bows and other Archery gear they also sell dreamcatchers, stones and crystals, ornaments and figures, a lot of touristy stuff like your name on a bracelet but they had some semi precious stone ones just not my name sadly. I digress.
Going back to the idea of Techno Witches using PC's etc another idea would be to use it as a Book of Shadows (Grimoire, Mirrors, Angels, Reflections etc etc) You don't necessarily need to have an internet connection to write what you know, write what you've learnt, copy down things you like from books (especially if they're borrowed books such as from a library or friend). Don't forget to backup all digital work either onto a seperate harddrive, external usb/harddrive or print it out and put it in a binder or BoS etc.
There's also a ridiculous amount of amazing, good and absolutely terrible apps out there for you tablet and smartphone users. Some of my favorites include apps that have moon widgets that show the moon phase and information where I live. Some almanac apps that carry similar information. You can find ones like Pagan / Wicca radio. There's apps for information, spells, herb library, stone correspondences, you can get apps like Facebook and Amieno which both have Pagan and Witchy Groups.. In fact MANY and some may be local based too for example on Facebook here in Blackpool there's the Blackpool Moots group which is mostly composed of Druid, Wiccan, Shaman, Witches and a few others. I haven't been to any of the talks (I have anxieties) but I watch the groups posts from time to time. Other internet haunts may include (but are no way limited to) YouTube, Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest, Patreon, Bloggers blogs such as this, Podcasts and more..
Ok so where do we buy online? I have mentioned Ebay and Etsy and I absolutely love supporting independent businesses. Sometimes you have to wade through a lot of overpriced crap to try and find the legit decent stuff and bonus if they're a bargain. I have seen a lot of people buy stuff on aliexpress (which is another great place to shop especially for jewellery and such) then sell it for double, triple if not more on these other sites. Another app to check out is DePop and of course Shpock, local sale groups and apps and freecycle / gumtree / craigslist depending on where you live. Amazon too and then specialist websites or wholesale dealers again as mentioned before mundane items even cheap mundane items from Poundshops / Dollarstores can be used. Sometimes look for job lots and always search in 'everything' not just specific categories yes it might take longer but that misslisted gem / bargain could be yours. Also don't be afraid of purchasing from China yes it takes longer but you can get some amazing deals and items. Failing that you could sign upto a subscription box such as The Witches Moon, Witch Casket, House of Rituals, Goddess Provisions, Enchanted Crystal and Box of Shadows just to name a few I've heard of but never subscribed to any so don't know what the deal is there. I do however subscribe to DeAgostini's Enhancing Your Mind Body Spirit Magazine of which I do unboxing reviews on my YouTube Channel.
Before I go I did just want to mention that if you live in a City this is no way you and your life. Equally if you do buy everything online you absolutely do not need to associate yourself with and / or call yourself a Techno Witch (nor Pagan etc) you can be absolutely be anything you wish to be you can be an Urban-Techno-Princess-Gypsy-Jedi-Witch if that is what you wish to be lol I'm just hoping that this was just a helping aid to those of you who don't have easy access to tools and supplies, was curious what an Urban Witch or Techno Witch was and information. Also for those of you who love your internet and devices you may wish to check out some apps.. Again check out those previously mentioned blogs.
Also there won't be a blog for the foreseeable due to my homelessness situation.
Activity..
Just be the best you that you can be.. and light a candle for me if you can't help financially I know not many people can but wish they could and your thoughts and kindness means the world to me. Until next time, keep safe and be magickal.
Book Activity..
- (Optional) Copy down any information from above you think you will find useful.. and/or any further information you find out.
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Imogen x
Next Blog: PENDING.
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