BoS Prompts 17: Types of Witches..

Link to previous prompts: http://ppwwmm.blogspot.co.uk/2017/11/cauldroneers-bos-prompts.html

There's now a dedicated facebook page to support these blog posts @ https://www.facebook.com/BookOfShadowsPrompts/

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 17. Sunday 18th March 2018 - The 17th prompt will be..  Types of Witches.

This week is perhaps a slight cop out for me..  As it’s a lot of work for you and well not so much for me!!

First lets say that this week is focused on witches..  I understand not everyone is interested in this subject.  Some of you are here as Pagans.  However even if you're not interested or think you already know everything there is to know yourself please still read..  I believe it's important to learn and view other peoples opinions and perhaps increase your education and knowledge.  Or recap and refresh your memory.  I know personally when I first started getting into Witchcraft I was in my element as I hadn't realised the things I'd done for years was actually a real thing and not just pretend in the movies..  Education always defeats ignorance..  Even if you still don't believe in the end at least you know exactly what it is you don't believe so you can hold a better opposing argument.  As said I encourage you to read and go study further (even if you already have) I know a lot of people, like myself, consider themselves to be a Pagan of sorts as well as a Witch of sorts and yes you can be both, one or neither.  Now we have that cleared up a little let's delve in..

Please note the following is written from my personal education and thoughts, I am happy for you to disagree with me.. in fact I encourage you to converse with me about it as I'm always looking to expand my knowledge and practices too..

So what do I mean by types of Witches?

No I don’t mean good, bad, fire, water, light, dark………….  Well I suppose I could mean that if that's what you believe and/or practice but what I actually meant is there are different practices of witches; as there are witches that have different focus, practice and beliefs.  Witches that focus on herbs only, on prayer only, on fairy magick, on elemental, on Mother Earth, on only divination...  There are witches that are more focused on a Pagan practice such as Shaman Witches, Druid Witches, Wiccan Witches..  Although the two are not always the same you can be a Witch without being a Pagan.  As said that not all Pagans are Wiccans, all Wiccans are Pagans and some of these people are Witches too.

Before we go on I think it's important to mention that 'witch' is the name of someone who practices witchcraft.  This is not gender specific, you do not have to be a female to be a witch.  This is often confused and said that male witches are Wizards though this is not true (unless you wish to identify yourself as such).  Equally male witches are also not Warlocks.  In fact Warlock in old English is actually a very offensive term to label someone its meaning "oathbreaker" someone who has deceived and gone against their tribe / clan / coven / people and are now tarnished with this name and cast out.  Other names for magical people may be Mage, Alchemist or Sorcerer.  - Feel free to look up those definitions. 

So let me mention a few types of witches which might get you started..

Green Witch:  A Green witch (no we don’t mean her skin is green, thanks Hollywood!) but a Witch who is one with the Earth or more specifically who’s practice is with Nature Magick and their working are with Mother Earth.  This extends beyond just growing, picking and using herbs.  A lot of the practice would be done in the woods or lakes (or other larger bodies of water) to literally be one with the Earth throughout their practice.  A Green Witch usually makes her own tool and uses mostly items found in Nature / connected to Mother Earth in their practice.   

Flora Witch: A Flora Witch is A Green Witch who is more into the floristry side of things and who mostly uses flowers in their practice.

Herbal Witch: Much like a Flora Witch a Herbal Witch is again A Green Witch who mostly uses herbs in their practice.

Hedge Witch: A Green Witch may also be known as a Hedge Witch.  Hedge witches are most often symbolised as a type of large bird such as a raven and sometimes a goose.  It is said that the Hedge Witch has the ability to travel to and from other realms / worlds and communicate with spirits.  They’re recognised as powerful healers or even midwives.  - I have actually written a blog all about hedge witches (which you can read here) this was written some time ago as part of a class study!

Kitchen Witch: The Kitchen Witch name isn't exactly as it says on the label; as typically a Kitchen Witch is not just confined to the kitchen like some old house wife.  Although her practice is more focused on potions and brews as well as the stereo typical broth and other edible/consumable goods.  The tools are usually quite practical and mostly kitchen based and their practice usually focused on practical magick.  That's not to say they don't make the rest of their home and its surroundings magickal or practice outside the kitchen.

Cottage Witch: Cottage Witches are more focused on the Home similar to the Kitchen Witch but their practice also focuses on practical magick as well as rituals and ceremonies.  A Cottage Witch also makes practical and mundane items into their tools and also everyday tasks into sacred acts as well as being very much focused on ‘nesting’ and making her home and its surroundings a magickal place.  Often the Cottage Witches practice is focused around the home and family.

Ceremonial Witch: Some witches are more Ceremonial based these are sometimes known as Ceremonial Witches which as the name suggests they are more focused on holding ceremonies and rituals.  Their knowledge is nearly always passed down through ancestry and practiced from a ceremonial book eg a Book of Shadows.  Their practice usually calls for an archetypal figures and/or known spiritual entities that represent the kind of energy they wish to manifest. 

Gardnerian Witch: Gerald Gardner created a form of Wicca known as the Gardnerian Wiccan or the Gardner movement in the 1950’s derived from that has become a type of witch known as Gardnerian Witch whose practice I’m sure you can guess is mostly Gardner Wiccan based.

Dianic Witch: Dianic Witches stem from the most feminist of all Wiccan movements, the Cult of Diana.  The Cult of Diana focuses primarily on the worship of the Goddess.  Dianic witches are usually female 99% of the time.

Eclectic Witch: Of course you also have Eclectic Witch which basically like anything and everything ‘eclectic’ generally means not restricted to one type or takes various bits from other types.  For example my music taste is very eclectic I don’t just like rock, country, flute pan music I like bands from this type and songs from that type.  There for Eclectic Witches practice a variety of magick.  – For me I consider myself Eclectic Wiccan / Pagan and a Witch because I take different things I study and apply what appeals to me to my practice, what feels right to me.  I don’t like to stick to one set way of doing things..  I like to dabble in different kinds of spell work, ceremony, ritual, divination and other practices.  I had a deep love for herbalism and horticulture workings but I’m also a fire sign and very into my candles too.  I also love musical ritual and working with sound, sometimes I drift away from the hedge witch healer into a more cottage witch / kitchen witch as I love to make my home and its surroundings magickal as well as make use of everyday items and do daily practical magick with mundane things and other times I find myself plunging into alchemy type workings, sigils and runes, oracle, spell writing I like to write my own and I take different things I like and apply them to me and my practice / journey..  

Faery Witch: Another name for Eclectic Witches maybe a Faery Witch or at least they’re somewhat similar.  A Faery Witch is one who practices their own practice typically a lot of their practice is created themselves from what they have observed.  Rather than Eclectic that takes what it likes Faery creates from what it likes.  That said as the name may suggest their practice they may wish to communicate or have association with fae, fairy, folk and nature type spirits - As they too are known as observers. 

Shamanic Witch, Gypsy Witch, Elemental Witches, Draconic Witches, Vampiric Witches, Spiritual Witches, Psychic / Medium Witches, Techno Witch, Modern Witch, Traditional Witch, Druid…  Oh the list goes on for types of witches.  Feel free to study each and others.  


Other people believe there to be witches that practice light / white / good (positive) magick and others that practice dark / black / evil (bad / negative) magick.  Some people believe there's grey magick too which is sort of an inbetween of the two.  For me I believe that everyone is capable of all kinds of magick regardless of what type of witch they set out to be.  Doing workings to negatively affect or harm others or to bring love and peace but at what cost?  Even if your intention is to bind someone (that would be bad) to stop hurting someone (that would be good), or (and this is why I hate 'love' magick) forcing someone to love you (bad for them, good for you).  Always really think about your intentions before you set out to do any workings.  There are also people who believe in Karma and/or the three fold law / rule in that anything you do (good or bad) will come back to you / come back to you three times.  This could be it happens 3 times or is what would be considered 3 times worse or better than what you did.  - Note doing things specifically to get good Karma or good back is considered bad!!  (I won't be going into 3 fold law or Karma so feel free to look into that further if you wish.)

Open or in the broom closet witches?

I absolutely love that term derived from the gay/lesbian/bisexual/transgender etc scene being that you're still "in the closet" and not out and open about your sexuality to the world.  Being in the broom closet is much like that in that you're not open to your family, friends and/or the world as a Witch (and/or Pagan).

Some people go their whole lives in secret practice; this is sometimes because of personal choice but often it's more because of how society perceive witches and/or witchcraft, because you feeling stupid due to other peoples ignorance / lack of education on the subject (ie tarnished as a satanist, devil worshiper, idiot!).  Or because their family is highly religious and it would be frowned upon.  These days because of Social Media this has become a lot more popularised and well known.  Equally it's easy to create a persona on the internet and have a whole witchy internet life and hide it outside in the real world (think of yourself like some Witchy Hannah Montana) - This is a great time to show off your magickal name that you choose (feel free to look into that yourself) though some people keep this secret or just between their coven as there is believed to be a lot of power in a name.  Other Witches are out to close friends and family and some of us are out to the whole world and don't care what anyone thinks..!  But know even in 2018 there's still witch hunters out there who will kill anyone claiming to be a witch!!  - No Joke!!

Side Note: PLEASE NOTE I AM NOT TELLING YOU TO LIE TO YOUR FAMILY AND/OR OR DO ANYTHING THAT WOULD UPSET/HURT THEM.  TRY AND FIND A WAY TO BE TRUE TO YOURSELF BUT WITH DAMAGE CONTROL.  - There are such things as ChristoWitches / ChristoPagans (Christian Witch/Pagans)  I'm unsure how that works..  but feel free to look into it and/or ask someone that does/is!!

Some Witches and/or Pagans have altars set up permanently that they work on/from/with and add to and/or change over time/seasons/events.  I mentioned in my last blog post about the Tumblr blog "Fuch Yeah Altars" which has a lot of inspirational altars.  Equally if you're not out it might be difficult to explain why you have an Altar.  I know some people like YouTuber DragonFeather369 has a Dragon Altar (aka Draconic Altar) which when she was younger she told her family she was just really into Dragons and that was her Dragon collection.  Others (like myself for the first maybe 10 years) have pocket altars, shoebox altars, travel altars and other kinds of easy to set up and take down and hide altars.  Here's my YouTube video on my current travel altar which is in a small jewellery box I altered (I have this along side my main altar which can be seen on my @missimoinsane Instagram.) - That said it's not important to have an altar and/or tools (as a Witch or a Pagan).  The biggest tool you need is yourself.  Tools are more of a visual aid and something pretty we like to have.  While some can be more practical like say a mortar and pestle for grinding herbs it's not always essential and these things can also be easily found in nature (ie mortar and pestle = two rocks!) and some times are household items ie a wine glass can be a challice, a saucepan can be a cauldron, you could use a side plate or trinket bowl to give offerings (see more about offerings on my last weeks blog HERE). - This is just to name a few things.  Other ways to incorporate Witchy / Pagan elements are things like mundane looking jewellery which is actually an Amulet / Talisman or Charmed Jewellery (read more about that HERE).  Between Goth Decor, Vampire Decor, Bohemian Decor, Tumblr Decor, Pottery Barn Decor and oh the list goes on it's not completely unusual to have semi precious stones or crystals around your room/home nor dreamcatchers, moon phases, statues of black cats or even angels or other things like skulls or ravens or your favorite animals, deities or even element symbols, trinket boxes (containing secrets)..  A kitchen cupboard of herbs and spices oh the list goes on.  Of course if you're out it helps.  There are many subtle and not so subtle decor pieces, jewellery and items you can use as mentioned and there are many ways to keep a Book of Shadows such as on the computer such as evernote which you can link to multiple devices, a notebook or plain coloured folder or diary..  Mundane things can become ritualistic and magickal workings such as epsom salt in baths is very common for a relaxing bath but can double as a purifier to remove negative energies from yourself before working such as prayer.  Similar goes for blessing water, drinks you make such as tea or coffee stir in positive thoughts that you think while string in a clockwise (positive) or anticlockwise (negative) intentions.  If you're allowed a pet (why not get a familiar!) go to the pet store/shelter and allow one to choose you.  If price for tools, decor and/or supplies is a factor perhaps look on second hand places like Ebay, Charity / Thrift stores, PreLoved / Gumtree / Craigslist / Freecycle - depending where you live..  Also check out swap meets & groups.  You can always Cleanse, Consecrate and Charge (The three C's blog).  Other things you could do are Feng Shui (I spoke a bit about that in my colour blog).  There's a good number of books out there on everyday magick such as those by Author Deborah Blake.  Or books on Magickal Housekeeping!! - I'll be doing a blog about this and going into more details of what I wrote in this paragraph in a blog soon!!

Typically there are a few types of practicing witch.  

This also applies for Pagans and other Practitioners.

The first type is Solitary Practitioners – Solitary Witches are, as the name suggests, witches that practice alone; at least for the most part.  All their spells, rituals and other workings are done alone by themselves.  That's not to say they don't get together with others especially for the Sabbats, Esbats or other Holidays and Events.

The second type would be Coven Practitioners – There are many different types of covens.  Some include a high priest and/or priestess they often are the physical representation of Deity.  Some are very few in number (most typically 9 members or 13 members) and others are extensively larger.  Coven members usually gather together at least once a month - online or in person.  Think of them like a family.  Often if you wish to be a member of a Coven then you have to be initiated into it – this is more common for Pagan / Wiccan Covens than Witch Covens.  Typically when a coven is practicing or working attendance is mandatory.  That’s not to say that members don’t practice alone outside of the coven practices / workings.

Other types of study may be closed covens, open covens, circles, groves, couple or actual family practices and I shall not say cults.  (Feel free to research these study types and more).

Infamous / Famous witches from History?

As said in my opinion it is important to know the basics even if it’s not necessarily your interest or practice.  Likewise I deem it important to know some basics of Witch history internationally too not just Salem Witch Trials or the Spanish Inquisition.  Equally it’s important to know some basics of famous / infamous witches such as..

Tituba - An enslaved witch and died quite famously at the Salem Witch Trials.

Anne Boleyn - yes the second wife of King Henry VIII from the Tudor period of sixteen century England.

Marie Laveau – Famous Voodoo Priestess/Queen of New Orleans.

Sybil Leek - Modern historian and Author of many witchcraft books.  She was taught from a younge age and is one of Britain’s most famous witches.

Gerald Gardner - Of the as mentioned Gardnerian movement of Wicca in 1950's

Scott Cunningham – Although he much preferred to be known as a Wiccan than a Witch he is most famous for his books as on Wicca, Herbs and Incense although he wrote a few others.

Silver RavenWolf - Another famous witch and Author that is alive today is Silver RavenWolf.   

Just to name a few..

Activity..

• Research more about the different types of witches and their practices.
• Research Historical / Famous / Infamous Witches and Witch Events.
• (Optional) Research more into types of magickal people not just Witches.
• (Optional) Research and create yourself a magickal name.
• (Optional) Research more into Karma and/or Three Fold Law.
• (Optional) Journal about what type of Witch you believe yourself to be.

Book Activity..

• (Optional) Copy down any information from above you think you will find useful.. and/or any further information you find out.

Interact with me Activity..

• (Optional) on the Fb Page https://www.facebook.com/BookOfShadowsPrompts/ feel free to add any information you deem worthy..  

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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.18 -  Divination.

BoS Prompts 9: Herbs, Oils and Stones etc.

Link to previous prompts: http://ppwwmm.blogspot.co.uk/2017/11/cauldroneers-bos-prompts.html

Prompt 9. Sunday 21st January 2018 - The 9th prompt will be...  Herbs, Oils and Stones etc.

I apologise for my little outbreak last week, I am going through a bad time with my depression / mental health and disabilities / illnesses and I know that's absolutely no excuse. But I just very much feel like the people who said they would love me to do this haven't seemed to have done any of the activities and most I'm unsure if they even bother to read since they don't comment I might get a thumbs up at best.  So I felt very down.  I know I'm sharing this in other groups and other places and the support after my little outbreak last week was mostly positive - with the exclusion of the two groups I walked out on as apparently they're happy for me to share my knowledge but not happy for me to share my emotions when I'm upset.  Anyway, this was not aimed at anyone specifically I just needed a little reassurance I'm not just wasting my time here.  So thank you all for the support. - Imogen xo

There's now a dedicated facebook page to support these blog posts @ https://www.facebook.com/BookOfShadowsPrompts/

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!! 

Todays blog post will be a 3 in 1, probably more than 3 actually..  but I’m lumping these together in this section simply because this isn’t something I’m including in my BoS - but I know a lot of you might/are..  So I thought I’d cover this section purely for you guys.  Which is probably going to be long and repetitive. 

Speaking of you guys..  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 myTwitter and in various facebook groups..  OR JOIN THE NEW FACEBOOK GROUP!  https://www.facebook.com/groups/BoSPrompts/

So first of all let me mention why I’m not including this in my book.  – I may at some point I will make a seperate book especially for this stuff!!  But including this in this book would cause me somewhat distress that I took up so much book with this and/or not able to go back and add to this section due to lack of space and perhaps if I had a binder and not a bound book that would be different..?  Also basically I feel that I have a working book I keep recipes I work on in and also evernote.  But mostly this information can be found in the published books I own.  I own the crystal bibles and herb dictionaries and even essential oil books and such..  Various Grimoire, Book of Shadows and Journals.  But my go to resource for this stuff more often than not is the internet.  That’s assuming I don’t already know the properties and uses – which after a while you pick up on!!  I have my go to’s and I don’t really stray to others…  I have herbs that cover all my needs and I know their properties and uses.   I have them in dried herb form, real essential oil form, some are in tinctures or incense blends but I know their uses..  So I’m thinking of creating another book for recipes.  But you might want to include these things in your book or another book or be a complete beginner and not know what these things even are..  So let me explain!!

Stones.

Stones, gems, crystals, semi precious stones and precious stones etc – also can include metals in this section too if you like like Gold, Silver, Copper..  These are often natural (some are manmade) elements found in the earth or made from the earth for example quartz is a kind of rock that forms in various parts of the world and there's various types of quartz too.

Stones have properties and values, you can take a stone based on it’s colour (more on colours in my next blog entry), or its physical properties, it’s magickal properties and such forth.  Now a few things again it’s down to your own beliefs..  Also some stones people say have healing or powers which some of us take prescription medications for but stones, like all other things here, are not a substitute to actual medication and/or professional help. 

Stones are said to hold qualities and properties such as Amethyst has healing qualities it is said to be healing on all levels - body, mind and spirit. Amethyst raises vibrational frequency and protects against negative energies.  But what does that mean?  Well it means what you believe it to mean, if you feel as though having chunks of this stone around your home, neck or in your pocket helps with you healing process then brilliant.  If you feel like it’s a very pretty purple stone but that's it then brilliant.  If you feel this stone doesn’t have any kind of magickal properties it’s just a chunk of rock someone dug up but you get lost in peace and tranquility every time you look at it and find it to be calming and inspiring then brilliant.  Each to their own interpretation.  But this can then be used in magickal or none magickal workings for whatever properties you deem that stone to have..

Some popular uses for stones (and metals) are used in jewellery for either their properties or colour even colour properties (such as a green jade is a stone that, as far as I know, doesn't have money properties but green is a money colour so could be used in money workings).  Some are used in mojo bags, in making of oils, in workings, even added to candles, bath bombs, charms and much more..

Herbs.

Herbs are plants, mostly grown and gathered in the wild but some are farm grown and others home grown both in and outdoors.  They can be purchased in a variety of places and in a variety of ways this includes seed, plant, clippings for planting, fresh cut, cuttings, dried cuttings, chopped and ready for food, cut and ready for teas etc..

Some herbs are used in cooking or making/preparing of food and drink, others are used as decorations and some are used in makeup, medicine, perfume and a whole list of other fragranced products.  But again like stones should not be used as a substitute for medicinal use in fact you should check with your doctor and do your research.  They hold many properties literally and magickally as well as flavour.  Note: some herbs are poisonous and should not come in contact with skin, be ingested through eating, sniffing etc.  Some are poisonous to animals while they might be fine to us.  So really make sure you know about a herb before handling it!!  A lot of these starter or taster magickal herb kits include several I dispose of safely so as not to harm me or my cats.  So definitely check that out.

As mentioned much like the stones herbs have properties again down to your own interpretation of each but again some have set qualities.  For example lavender is said to be all round healing, calming and is often included in microwavable wheat bags as a calming, soothing, relaxing, aromatherapy all round good herb.  BUT not for everyone, lavender in wheat bags gives me headaches and makes me feel ill.. There’s nothing calming, soothing or relaxing about nausea or headaches..!  That said in massage oil / essential oil, raw herb, loose incense, most lavender scented candles or incense I’m fine but not air sprays, room sprays or cleaning product scents like dish soap, polish, floor cleaner etc. – that said I mostly make my own cleaning products but that’s for another blog!!

Oils.

Oils very much work on the same bases as herbs,  Essential oils or pure oils is what you're looking for as they're herbs made into a high concentrated oil. Though while I wouldn't recommend putting them in your food they can be used in oils, dressings, tinctures, incense, fragrances and more.

They can be purchased in real pure essential oil form (100%) or different variations of pure-ness.  Which needs diluting down usually with something called a ‘carrier oil’ before use.  Coconut oil, vegetable glycerine, almond oil, rapeseed oil are but a few..

Oils can also be bought in massage oil form, these are essential oils that have already been diluted.  Though most of these are synthetic fragrances and not real extract.

Oils can come in scented oils for oil burners, but often these are just fragrance oil and therefore hold no magickal properties as they’re synthetic oils as well.

Tinctures.

What exactly are tinctures?
Typically tinctures are usually made for medicinal purposes.  They're then consumed (usually a small amount is placed under the tongue).  Tinctures are often made from liquid extractions of herbs in alcohol, but they can also be extracted in some carrier oils such as vegetable glycerine or in apple cider vinegar (these are non-alcohol tinctures).   Tinctures are easy to use and make.  They’re even safe for children as only a small amount need to be consumed.  As mentioned because they are taken directly under the tongue, they enter the bloodstream much more directly than by any other means. This means that the body has a quicker reaction.  That said some may require continual use for several weeks before any real effect takes place like other medications.  - If you wish to know more about tinctures like how to make I do advise you look into this further.

Tea.

Like Tinctures herbal teas can be made, or bought, for medicinal or health benefits such as relaxation, revitalisation, sleep, energy and so on.  They can also be made for things like nausea, stomach pain, constipation and more.

Incense.

Incense typically comes in three forms: Cone, Loose or Stick.  Most cone and stick incense unless it was home made is often more synthetic smell and doesn't hold the properties and values of real herbs, real oils etc.  Most loose incense is home made and made directly using herbs and sometimes essential oils are also added.

These can be store bought or homemade.  I really recommend having a go at making your own loose incense.  This can be burnt on a disc (such as charcoal or coconut) and burnt in a fire safe container such as a sand filled cauldron, pan, specifically designed ceramic or metal burner.  I put cork coasters under for additional protection.  Note: the container will get hot and sand / salt / dirt should be used between the container and the disc.  - Always exercise fire safety and you can never be too cautious, too safe or too careful.

Etc.

These are just a few examples.  But there's some more information I wish to pawn off on you before you go..!!

First if anything says "part" such as a recipe requires 1 part lavendar to 2 parts rosemary to 1.5 part rose and 3 parts sage.  What 'part' means is 'measured amount' so be it teaspoon, tablespoon, or any other measurement.  Eg tablespoon.  1tbsp lavender, 2tbsp rosemary, 1 and a half tbsp rose and 3tbsp sage.  - A lot of people don't know what "part" means it literally stands in place of a value measurement because if you're making a one time spell amount you might want to use a teaspoon but if you were making a big batch for doing 10 candles you might want considerably more but have the same same recipe.  - I hope that makes sense!

Making potions, spells, ointments, salves and other similar stuff I haven't covered here is also so much fun.  Take a premade recipe off of the internet, a book, your mystical Aunt Sally (with permission) and make your own, or adapt it and make it your own.  We all saw Harry Potter and The Half Blood Prince (right?) "crush not cut" well that but "dragons blood not sage" don't be scared of messing up.  Don't disbelieve - belief is part of the active ingredient to all magickal workings.  Make your own.  

How to write your own recipes for eg spell work?
Easy!  Consider what you wish to achieve.  And how?  Next week I'll be looking more at candles (I have an old blog on candles) and also colour correspondences.  But consider what herbs have those properties - can you add them to a candle, loose incense, a mojo bag/sachette, what stones have the properties you're looking for?  A mixture and make it as complicated or as simple.  You could make candles, incense, write a prayer, make a bag or a box or do all of those things and it's really let your creativity run wild.  or sometimes it's a simple as a relax and concentration oil spell.  3 drops of each of the following 100%  pure essential oil; rosemary, lavender and patchouli in an oil burner with some water.. done.

Activity..

• Research and practice making a simple loose incense using your own written recipe.
• Research and practice making a simple sachette you put under your pillow containing at least 3 stones, a herb and 1 other item of your choice (poppet, feather, charm, written upon paper etc..) don't forget to write your recipe (perhaps even journal about the results).
• Research and practice making a simple anointing oil, this can include stones as well as herbs, oils and anything else you wish to infuse into a carrier oil.
• Research the above and decide what you may wish to include in your book.  Those three recipes you just researched and practice may be 3 of your own workings you might want to include if you felt they worked as intended.
• Perhaps try amending what you've previously created here to improve it or use it in other ways.  A loose incense may also work great imbued into candles. 

Etc..

Book Activity..

• (Optional) write down the properties of your most used herbs, stones, oils etc.  It would take you a very long and pointless time writing down every oil, herb and stone.  But perhaps write down the most common or your more frequently used ones.
• (Optional) create a space you can write recipes, add recipes, and such forth.
• (Optional) write notes such as what 'parts' mean in a recipe, what measurements are and their meanings, maybe create a signature incense and just write that.  Perhaps write notes on what herbs are "Herbs are plants grown....." what stones are "Crystals come from..." how tinctures are made... etc etc..
• (Optional) Any part of this blog post you thought might embellish your book and help your practice or that triggered your own thoughts and ideas for what to include.

Etc..

Interact with me Activity

• Comment on this blog, facebook post, twitter, patreon etc and tell me / us how you went about adding this section / these sections to your books..  Your thoughts and any other relevant helpful information xo

As said before for me, and I know for a few others like Rhomany, this sort of thing would take up too much space in a BoS and be difficult to add too so perhaps a separate book especially dedicated to just herbs, just oils, just stones, just recipes etc.  And for others that's the point of their BoS is to have those recipes and references.

-----------------------------------------

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.10 - Colours & Candles.

*WW / MM. Cascarilla Powder - All about it..

CASCARILLA

(Pronounced: kas-kah-ree-ya)  It is so useful in protection, purification and cleansing rites. Cascarilla also repels negative energy and the vibration of negative energies. - look at it as an essential multi-purpose weapon for your magickal arsenal. 

Food for thought: Vegans might have issues with using this due to animal by-product issues. Note also raw egg safety handling and hazards especially for pregnant women and regarding possible fatal food poisoning.

What is Cascarilla?

Eggshell powder; clean dry eggshells crushed and finely ground with the back of a spoon or with a mortar and pestle until it feels as soft as fine baby powder.  Not to be confused with the West Indian shrub, Croton eluteria aka Cascarilla or Cascarilla bark, of the spurge family, the bitter, aromatic bark often used as a tonic!

Cascarilla Powder’s origin is often mistaken as people think it comes from Hoodoo tradition!!  It actually comes from ATRs (African Traditional Religion) like Santería.  – Hoodoo practitioners work with actual talcum powder and chalk.  That’s not to say you can’t use Cascarilla in Hoodoo practice it’s just not the powders origin.

That said the main and usually the only ingredient is powdered eggshell.  It is an amazing powder with outstanding performance when it comes to protection, purification and cleansing - Cascarilla also repels negative energy and the vibration of negative energies..   Cascarilla can be found in two main forms; powder or chalk. It can, as mentioned, be made easily by crushing egg shells into the desired form (see ‘recipe how to’ further on in this document). 

Alternatively it can be purchased at most Botanica or store that caters to New Age and Magick ritual.  Most commonly found packed into what most people associate as a “ketchup cup”.  When removed from the cup, it maintains its form and can be used as one would use a soft piece of chalk.  Or, if mixed with water, you will find that the soft-chalk dissolves easily.

You can use either or both powder and chalk forms interchangeably in a variety of ways for a variation of workings throughout your practices.

Different uses:

1. Guards against and repels evil, malicious magick, harm, unwelcome beings.

2. In both chalk form and powder add to a bath or bath bomb to create a purification, cleansing, protection bath or to aid in removal of negativity and negative vibrations.

3. In chalk form it can be used to draw sigils, symbols or other markings.

4. In chalk form it can be used to draw a protection circle for magickal ritual or even sprinkled in a circle as powder form.

5. Dusting or drawing a cross on your forehead can protect you from psychic attacks such as from energy vampires if you are a form of medium such as empath, clairvoyant, clairsentient etc..

6. Reports of it being a great aid for meditation, astral projection, performing visualizations and/or other divinations. The powder can be used to dust yourself or the chalk to draw upon your relative body zones.

7. Cascarilla also keeps away non-corporeal beings (spirits, ghosts, demons, etc).  If you feel like your home may be haunted, this would be a good repellent (after a thorough house cleansing!!).  Be warned, if you have spirits around that you like talking to, you may find it more difficult to communicate with them!  Cascarilla does not discriminate between good and evil–it just provides a barrier between the physical and spiritual world.

8. House protection: use as a piece of chalk.  Going around the house clockwise, etch the sign of the cross on either side of the door, above the door and on the threshold.  When doing the windows–do above, below, and both sides of the window.  Do this with all doors and all windows of the home.

9.House protection (perimeter of home). 

Note. There are several other uses for Cascarilla, but these are a few of the main uses.

How to make Cascarilla?

{Anyway you do your magickal makings such as casting circle, invoking spiritual / divine aids, blessings, infusing your energy and intent etc.. before, during and after is down to how you work/practice. YouTuber ‘HighPriestess Kathie’ goes into a lil detail here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nBKfx93wcyE }

You will need at least 6 eggs and if possible remove the membrane (thin skin like layer often pink on the inside of the shell) here’s an awesome demonstration video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i3AGeYFYtcQ by YouTuber ‘Idaline Carthaysius’ on how she does it.

- White Cascarilla - Gather egg shells, wash and lay flat to dry. Grind said eggs in to a fine powder.

- Black Cascarilla – Simply add charcoal to the above method.

- Brown Cascarilla - Gather egg shells, wash and lay flat to dry.  Then toast them in the oven on low temperature until they turn brown (be careful when you handle them they are going to be hot) wait till cold and grind said eggs in to a fine powder.

Note. Once the powder is made you may want to leave it out to fully dry out if possible before sealing it in a jar.

- Cascarilla chalk – Take the previously mentioned eggshells powder and mix together 1tsp of flour and 1tsp of very hot water (some people use holy, blessed or other magickal property water or oils) add 1tbsp of the ground egg shell powder and mix it together until it is a thick paste – some people add additional protection herbs but this is not original Cascarilla.  Form in ‘ketchup cups’, balls, ice cube trays, cake cases, trays, moulds.. Then leave to set.

- Cascarilla powder from chalk – use the previous chalk method then crush to have those extra property boosts.

Imogen 

Credits:

I would like to thank my friend Derrie CINNAWITCH for educating and introducing me to Cascarilla Powder and also for bring it into my life..!  This I can see being of easy but powerful aid for use in my practice!!  Thank you my sister x

References:

·  Image “ketchup cup” http://voodooneworleans.com/product/protection-and-strength-2/cascarilla-eggshell-powder/

·  Information Uses https://themagickinyoursoul.wordpress.com/tag/powdered-egg-shell/

·  Information (She has recipes & spells!) https://www.magicalrecipesonline.com/2015/01/cascarilla-powder-how-to-make-and-use-it.html

·  Cascarilla origin http://thedemoniacal.blogspot.co.uk/2012/01/hoodoo-truth-cascarilla.html

·  YouTuber ‘Idaline Carthaysius’ - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i3AGeYFYtcQ

·  YouTuber ‘HighPriestess Kathie’ - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nBKfx93wcyE 

*WW / MM. Vesta Powder - All about it.. + my recipe!

Vesta Powder

Named so and used in honour and in the name of the Roman goddess Vesta.

What is Vesta Powder? 

Also Known as Flash Powder / Chasing Powder.  Vesta Powder is an extremely flammable white powder.  Vesta Powder is very powerful so use it carefully and sparingly as a little goes a long way.  Saltpetre (aka salitre or potassium nitrate) is the active spark in Vesta Powder. Be sure you have plenty of ventilation and use with fire safety caution.  Vesta Powder is to be stored in a cool, dry and safe place away from heat.  Also keep away from children and animals. Note its toxic try not to touch / have skin contact..

How is Vesta Powder made?  

Recipe:
Version 1. Equal parts saltpetre & cornmeal Powder.
Version 2. Equal parts saltpetre & cornstarch Powder.
Version 3. Equal parts saltpetre & Powdered sugar (icing sugar).

{Anyway you start your magickal makings such as casting circle, invoking spiritual / divine aids, blessings, infusing your energy and intent etc.. before, during and after is down to how you work/practice.} 

In a clean glass container add equal parts of one of the above recipes (*eg. 1 teaspoon of both ingredients).  Mix well together using a clean tool such as herb spoon.  Use only a tiny pinch in flame-retardant pot such as cast iron cauldron.  Add more saltpetre if required but never more than half a part (*eg. Half of a teaspoon).

In my experience:

I purchase 100g Saltpetre from ebay uk seller tongmaster-seasonings http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Saltpetre-Top-Quality-Highest-Purity-Food-Grade-100g-For-Curing/222191240635 for £2.99 and also 100g Cornmeal from seller htl1112 http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Grade-A-Premium-Quality-Cornmeal-Fine-Polenta-Ground-Powder-Select-Weight/272621930412 for £1.99 -  I have found 1.5 parts saltpetre to 1 part cornmeal works perfectly.  Mixed in a crystal, glass or metal bowl with smooth insides until the two parts form one non lumpy fine powder.  A small practice dedicated spoon or spatula to mix. And a clearly labelled jar to store.

How to use Vesta Powder?  

Burn it!  Always use fire safety and a long stick.  The Vesta Powder will explode with a quick flame and a fog of smoke fumes will quickly dispel any bad vibrations, spirits or evil influences. You can use charcoal tablets and a charcoal burner (cauldron).  Smaller amounts can be used to seal spells at the end of fire magick / cauldron spells.  Vesta Powder can be used to gain spiritual strength; place less than 1/4 – 1/2 teaspoon of Vesta Powder in an incense burner or metal ash tray and light with a long match. 

What is Vesta Powder used for? 

·       Fire magick.
·       Used by burning to dispel evil, negativity, bad energies and bad vibrations...  
·       It can be burnt to clear the house of bad spirits / entities.  
·       Can be used to stop sexual frustrations or sexual tension.
·       Used as a sachet it is said to help present the illusion of the wearer`s youthfulness purity and innocence.  (flammable so I wouldn’t)
·       Sprinkle around the room prior to ritual to entice the flame of brightness. (flammable so I wouldn’t)
·       Used like dragons blood resin to empower things and give that additional energy kick.
·       As an incense to gain spiritual strength
·       Invoking / Working with Goddess Vesta
·       Invoking / Working with Goddess Hestia

Vesta Powder is used to honour and/invoke the goddess Vesta.  In magick you can ask her to aid you in your fire workings, though much more powerful if your working is to do with the hearth, home of family.  Vesta powered can be used without call for the goddess as an energy spark to increase the energy put out by your working or to seal your workings.

History!

Vesta: The Roman religion believed Vesta is the virgin goddess of the hearth, home, and family.  She was rarely depicted in human form, and was often personified by the fire of her temple in the Forum Romanum.  It was said that only her priestesses (the Vestals) were permitted into her temple and it was they who tended to the ‘sacred flame’ at the hearth of her temple.  In Roman times the people worshiped the goddess Vesta; in fact they considered her a guardian.  Each year one of the most important Roman festivals, Vestalia, was held between 7th – 5th June in her honour and the sacred flame of which she manifested herself.  It was rare she was seen in human form but most often in flame – this is also how she would also come to those in need of her aid especially with pregnancy. She was the daughter of Saturn and Ops, and sister of Jupiter, Neptune, Pluto, Juno, and Ceres. Her closest Greek equivalent is Hestia. 

Hestia: – In Ancient Greek religion Hestia was also known as the virgin goddess of the hearth, home and family as well as architecture.  In Greek mythology she is the daughter of Cronus and Rhea.  It was said that Hestia would receive the first offering at every sacrifice in the household.



BB Imogen 

WW. Skull Candle Magick - How to?

Using skull candles to change, influence, affect and/or open one's mind...

First, and most common, skull candles are used to change/affect/influence someone else's mind.  For example to make someone think about you, to make someone forget you, to aid someone's memory..  And more.

Second, and less common, skull candles can be used to make changes to your mind or thinking,  bring about something you want be it memory, mental behaviour change, make you forget or remember, bring about a mental clarity.  Show a mental/psychic link between you and another.

Using a colour representation of your choice.  Though typically they are

White - all purpose / positive.

Black - negative / dark / grounding.

Red - love / affection.

Green - money / prosperity

And so on. 

I make my own skull candles.  I have a variety of skull styles and sizes.. 

But purchased ones work too.

This is how I do it:

I put in thought about what it is I want to achieve (intention).  I will select relevant herbs, oils, stones and/or other objects to infuse into my wax while melting prior to pouring.  - If you purchase your candle make sure you cleanse and consecrate, think about your intention, select the previous mentioned items to add later. 

Once the candle is made, set and ready.  {Some people like to blindfold the skull candle, so the unknowing intended can not see who is doing this working or what has been done!} 

Carve into the bottom creating a well.  This is where items can be placed..  (also known as loaded / loading candles.)  Such as writing the intention on paper 3 times folding it up and placing it inside - with the name of the person/people it's regarding and/or a photo.. description and/or personal items such as hair, fingernails, or something generally belonging to that person.  (optional add the previously mentioned to a bought candle or more herbs, oils and/or other items to a self made).  Take the removed wax and cover the well in the bottom of the candle.  Seal it all back up.  (optional.  carve the name and/or intention into the side, front or back of the skull. - most people choose back for doing working on others as they can't see the back of their head!)

Meditate, praying, ritual, spell or whatever feels right to you to add your energy, intentions and perhaps additional oils into the candle each night for a week.  Pay attention to moon phase new moon will be great for new things and positive improvements, leading up to the full moon will work best with bringing and building up positive such as making someone come to you, improving memory, aiding with mental health improvements..  The full moon is more or less an all rounder for workings of both kinds.  Leading away from the full moon works best for banishing and getting rid of negative energies, bad relationships, aiding in ending bad thoughts, removing and all those types of workings - at least in my experience and from most things I've read.

Once the 7 nights has passed or the relevant number that feels right to you or the night that corresponds best for you.. Such as there may be a night that is the perfect moon phase, it's in the person's star sign, it has all the relevant astrological aspects and requirements this would be much stronger to do on night 3 than wait until night 7 when the moon is in the wrong phase, it's astrological ratios don't corresponds with you/the intended or otherwise..  So work with what is best to suits. 

Upon the burning night you will want to (if you didn't before you might want to engrave the candle - such as the name of the intended,  usually I wait until this stage as a final this is my intention step) then dress the candle with oils, anointing. Add herbs if you so wish.  Place on a candle stand in a fire safe bowl adding sand and/or salt to the bowl for grounding and additional fire protection. 

State again what your intentions and requirements are for this candle and its contents; once again reaffirming your goals three times.

Light the candle and meditate over the flame.  Let the candle flame completely burn out.  Do not interfere with the flame.  You can put your hands around the outside of the candle a good 4-6" away making sure your skin and clothes are not near the flame.  Stare into the flame and scry or meditate while repeating the desired intention.

HERE IS A GREAT VISUAL WALKTHROUGH BY YOUTUBER Madame Pamita

(click for youtube version)

Once the flame burns out you may have seen a vision in the flame, any smoke from the paper or items, the candle may have only half burnt for example only burnt down the right side of the skull.  Look into those correspondences.. 

- Left hemisphere processes linear and sequence.  It's also the side of the brain that processes verbal information such as speech. Logical. Analytical. Objective.  (so the answer you seek may be in talking, or taking a more logical or objective approach) etc.. 

- Right hemisphere is more creative. Intuitive. Thoughtful. Subjective. (so the answer you may see may be in a creative outlet or take time to be thoughtful and perhaps meditate on the subject.  Or take into consideration that person's thoughts and what could be in their mind) etc..

Delving further into left brain, right brain functions and characteristics. Or associations. May reveal some answers.  In other situations it's a case of allowing that intent to be taken into the air, into energy force and put out those desired intentions and wait.  Not everything is black and white and you don't you get answers at once or even how you may expect.

Once done the remaining contents should be disposed of.  Correctly..

-Negative / neutral / bad energy working such as banishing or removing - toss it away in the bin, bury it at sea or generally take away from your home...

-Positive / invoking / good energy workings bury in your garden, reform into a wearable charm (such as in a vial), bury in a plantpot in your house, keep in a jar under your bed...

Another video by  Madame Pamita to get rid of spell remains https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jKA1xwqgV84

My latest experience 1st August 2017 (Blessed Lammas wishes today.)

Me I have no problem sharing this.  Tonight I put out my intentions between me and this other person and during burning I got a phone call out the blue from said person and while the candle was still burning down the right side.  We discussed our situation at hand.  And while my intention was that I wanted things to either move on and progress and develop now or end and be done with because we seem to have been at this stalemate for months where we just 'are' and it's not healthy.  As the conversation turned so did the candle as the majority right side burnt away with the paper that oddly didn't smoke or behave like burning paper at all.  Sadly it seems this has taken a turn for the worst of the two and it would appear it is the end of that relationship, I could be wrong.  But at least it is a development and not just same thing different day...  I wonder how this will unfold.

Imogen xo


2-3 Hours later (update) 
So tonight is riddled with emotional Magick. I did said skull candle spell I've been working on a while and tonight is burn night. The intention was to influence my boyfriend (long distance) to either make the effort to come see me NOW or break up with me. During the first 5 minutes he called... (out the blue) and we talked - we broke up. I'm very sad but at least it's progress one way or another.. Trying to get 'ok' with it by basically blogging and focusing on learning new things. I went to make a cup of tea and that exact area where I was sat doing the skull candle before I found a black craft feather!! I have absolutely no idea where it has come from!! No clue!! So I Googled the meaning of 'black feathers' which apparently means a spirit is watching over me and I am protected and loved and/or a sign of clarity that I'm on the right path. Now I feel somewhat emotional... Shaking.. Actually. 

Back feather meaning http://www.wishingmoon.com/what-do-black-feathers-mean/