(Source: historyofromanovs)
S1, Ep. 20: Blood Brothers (2010)
The Vampire Diaries (2009-2017)
A witches dictionary
Ever hear some things? Not sure what they mean? Check out this mini witches dictionary with a few of the most basic witchcraft terminology!
Altar: a place to do and practise Magickal things like spells and rituals or meditation. Also used for inspiration and honouring the deceased
Astral projection: projecting your spirit out of your body in order to be somewhere else. Often done by dreaming, can be very dangerous *only to be practiced by experienced witches
Athame: a Magickal tool/object in the shape of a knife or sword, not used for real harm, only symbolic
Balefire: a fire that has been lit/made for Magickal purposes like spells, rituals etc.
Besom: a witches broom used to banish negativity and negative energy
Book of shadows: also known as a grimoire that contains spells, rituals and anything else that is important to the witch who owns it
Call: a term used that means the same as invoking
Cauldron: represents the goddess when doing spells and rituals and is often filled with water or flowers
Cleansing: removing negative energy from yourself, others or spaces you are in
Coven: a group of at least 3 witches who get together and practise spells and rituals and celebrate sabbats or Esbats together
Covenstead: the meeting place of which a coven will meet
Divination: to be able to see into the future using psychic powers or tools and other methods such as scrying, tarot cards etc.
Elements: the 5 elements of the world. Air, fire, water,earth and spirit
Esbat: a gathering/celebration of witches that is not on a sabbat
Familiar: an animal that is connected and used by a witch in their witchcraft, the animal is thought to have Magickal abilities and a strong bond with the witch
Handfasting: a pagan wedding! Time for celebration!!!!
HPS and HP: short for high priestess of a coven (hps) and high priest of a coven (hp)
Intent: a goal/purpose of a spell/ritual/Magickal working
Patron deity: a specific deity you feel a connection with and prefer to use in your magick
Pentacle: a five pointed star representing the elements and is enclosed in a circle and is a symbol for protection on witches and Wiccans that is used a lot
Pentagram: a 5 pointed star much like a pentacle except not enclose in a circle, despite popular belief the pentagram is not a symbol of satanism
Runes: ancient symbols from an ancient Nordic alphabet often used in witchcraft
Sabbat: 8 festivals in the wicca/pagan/witchcraft community that happen every year and are a time for celebration and honouring
Scry: look deeply/gaze into an object in order to see a Magickal effect, when being used it is called “scrying”
Sigil: a magick symbol placed on an object as a seal and needs to be charged in order for the power to manifest
Samhain: probably the bigger sabbat celebration in the calendar marking the pagan/witchcraft and wicca community’s new year. The best time for divination work and contacting the deceased as the vein is very thin that night between the spirit world and the human world, so it is also appreciated to celebrate the dead on this night, also know as “Halloween” and is celebrated on the 31st of October - 2nd of November
Please add on more :) 🖤
No matter what path you follow as in witchcraft are, chances are you have some sort of sacred space. If you are a witch whose practice is part of your religious beliefs, this might be a place to communicate with your deities. If you work with spirits, this could be a place where honor your ancestors. Non-religious witches like myself often use altars as a space where they can connect with their magical and spiritual sides. Even though we all share this desire to have a place all our own dedicated to our craft.
That doesn’t mean we all need the same type of space. Whether you are a new witch who can’t show off your craft publicly (we’ve all been there) or just a witch who isn’t really into the more standard altar table setup, there are plenty of options for customizing and creating an altar space that meets your needs.
Window Altars
One easy way to create an altar is to take up a windowsill. Depending on the arrangement of the room you’re using, your personal preference, and the space available, the size of this type of altar varies.
This generally small altar space can be good for witches in the broom closet and green witches who like to keep their altars populated with plant friends. Because it is literally a window to the outside, these altars are also great places for charging things like crystals, spells, and water under the light of the moon.
Benefits:
- Good for altars that are heavily planted (hello, sunlight!)
- Generally discreet
- Keeps your altar space contained (for all us witches that do not know when to quit)
Garden Altars
While pretty much any altar can include plants, there is something else to say for an altar that is almost completely plants. If you have some space indoors, why not design a witch’s garden that doubles as an altar space?
A small tray planted with succulents with offering bowls and candle dishes set into the soil and crystals scattered around can be a unique, and even moveable altar! You could also use potted plants so that you can change the arrangement or plants out whenever you need a refresh.
Benefits:
- Deeply connected to nature and the earth
- Pluck herbs for spells right off your altar
- Generally pretty moveable
Bath Altars
If you love bath magic as much as I do, you’re a water witch, or your bathroom is one of your most sacred places (self-care anyone?), a bath altar could be the perfect thing to give your craft a physical home.
We’ve all seen those pictures of wooden tray tables for baths surrounded by eucalyptus and candles. Add a statue of your deity (or a symbol of something important to your craft), some crystals (check how your crystals are affected by water and humidity first!), and some jars of your favorite things to mix into bath spells, and your bath altar is set.
Benefits:
- The perfect place to combine witchcraft and self-care
- Perfect for witches that incoroporate the water element in their craft a lot
- Magic really does belong in every room in the house
Travel Altars
If you tend to practice on a whim rather than waiting to be in a specific place or if you need to be able to stash your altar quickly, a travel altar is perfect. These altars can be fit into matchboxes, Altoids tins, jewelry boxes, and even hollowed out books! If you can carry it with you and find supplies small enough to fit, anything goes. (I’ve even seen locket altars!)
Some witches will create multiple travel altars for different purposes or focuses, but don’t feel like you need to collect them if that’s not your thing.
Benefits:
- Small and discreet, it’s hard to make a mess with these
- Very customizable (and easy to have multiples of!)
- Perfect for witches in the broom closet
Virtual Altars
Tech witches, I haven’t forgotten you. If you’ve been following me for a bit, then you might know that I threw out the idea a while ago about a altar lockscreen/wallpaper for your phone/tablet/etc. Now that I’ve talked to some tech witches, I know this is actually a pretty sound idea!
Whether you commision an artist or design one yourself, a lock screen wallpaper for an electronic device (you could even go as big as a laptop with a touch screen!) could make the perfect altar for a tech witch. Even if you decide not to use it as a wallpaper, designing an image that serves as an altar and opening it in GIMP or Photoshop where you can create additional layers for placing other virtual elements could be useful.
Benefits:
- Travel friendly
- Can be synced across devices, so your altar is always with you
- Easy to change and “redecorate” throughout the year
Paper Altars
(This incredible paper altar was created by Stella Witchcraft! Please click here to check out their full post and their blog!)
Similar to a virtual altar, a paper altar is a portable, customizable altar. Many witches choose to include paper altar setups in their grimoires, but there’s nothing stopping you from making larger paper altars with poster paper that can be rolled up and stored away.
If paper altars are attractive to you, don’t be deterred if you aren’t an artist! Minimalism in paper altars is perfectly fine. You can always outline your altar with symbols or even words alone. If you’re happy with it, it is perfect. You don’t have to meet any requirements for aesthetic or any other witch’s expectations.
There you have it! Of course, there are so many more types of altars, and even table altars can be created to fit your own personal needs. If you’re attracted to more than one of these, why not try combining the elements that call to you to make something entirely your own? The possibilities are endless.
Looking for more? Check these out: 6 More Alternative Altars for Bored Witches
Crystals
~ What are Crystals and what are they used for?
Most crystals ( in this case including gems, rocks, precious stones, semi-precious stones, and simple stones) are of mineral origin. Crystals, like amethyst, come out of the ground naturally faceted and don’t need to be changed in anyway. Diamonds, for example, come out of the ground equally as rough, but are usually polished and cut into intricate styles.
For many years, crystal have been used as a tool to aid spiritual healing, psychic development, and meditation.
~ How can I incorporate Crystals into my everyday life?
You can carry around your crystals. This way you can feel your crystals energy when needed. Place them in a little sachet or pouch and they are ready to go!
Infuse your water with your clean crystals. This is a fast way to feel your crystals energy.
Decorate your magickal space and/or surroundings with crystals.
Meditate with your crystals. Just spend a minimum of 30 seconds with each crystal. Hold it in your hands, close your eyes, and feel its energy soaking into your skin.
How Crystals Can Help You
Agate
~Banded: help you feel grounded, remain focused, and banishes fears.
~Blue Lace: helps you adjust and adapt.
~Moss: refreshes spirit, brings peace of mind, helps to develop intuition.
~Tree: aids meditation and clear thinking, reduces stress.
Amazonite ~ soothes the nervous system, increases self-esteem and confidence.
Amber ~ relieves depression and lifts your spirits.
Amethyst ~ the great healer of mind, body, and spirit. helps the development of psychic abilities and intuition.
Apache Tears ~ brings good fortune and positive energy.
Apatite ~ aids in motivation and communicative powers.
Aquamarine ~ helps you during hard decisions and times. promotes compassion and empathy.
Azurite ~ relinquishes harmful beliefs.
Bloodstone (aka Heliotrope) ~ calms fears, and dispels confusion and obsessive ideas.
Calcite ~ boosts energy and provides amazing psychic protection.
Carnelian (aka Sard) ~ banishes jealousy and inspires courage. aids perception.
Celestine ~ helps with communication and good thoughts.
Chalcedony ~ balances emotions and lifts your spirits.
Chrysocolla ~ eases stress and promotes self-confidence.
Citrine ~ helps steady emotions and give inspiration.
Coral ~ strengthens and protects emotions.
Desert Rose ~ promotes love and stability in relationships.
Diamond ~ assists in your connection with the universe.
Emerald ~ strong healer with both physical and mental problems.
Fluorite ~ helps with rationality and combats anxiety and worries.
Garnet ~ protects against melancholy and depression. encourages perseverance and patience.
Hematite ~ helps with psychic development and building self-esteem.
Jade ~ a very useful healing stone for both the body and spirit.
Jasper ~ aids with stress relief and grounding. promotes tranquility.
Jet ~ keeps evil spirits at bay and strengthens character.
Kunzite ~ helps align emotions. provides security.
Kyanite ~ helps to align and heal chakras.
Labradorite ~ aids with strong development of psychic powers.
Lapis Lazuli ~ helps develop your sixth sense. stimulates intuition. promotes creativity.
Lepidolite ~ great for relieving stress and dispelling negative emotions.
Malachite ~ used for healing when dealing with negative emotions.
Moonstone ~ restores harmony and emotion balance.
Obsidian ~ helps you to focus on the paranormal, used for protection and a scrying tool.
Onyx ~ instills a protective psychic shield.
Opal ~ helps with rationalizing emotional states.
Pearl ~ aids self-respect, stability, and self-esteem.
Pyrite ~ opens the mind to new ideas.
Quartz ~ channels and aids in meditation. a powerful healing stone.
Rose Quartz ~ aids in anything love-related. instills comfort, relieves grief, and promotes harmonious relationships.
Rutilated Quartz ~ releases energy blockers.
Rhodonite ~ helps with assurance and confidence.
Ruby ~ purifies love, promotes spiritual knowledge and to be realistic about situations.
Sapphire ~ aids in mental clarity, clearing your inner eye, and bringing good fortune.
Smoky Quartz ~ filters out negative thoughts and emotions. helps with telepathy.
Sodalite ~ heals damaged emotions, and aids in restful sleep.
Tanzanite ~ helps you to accept change.
TIger’s Eye ~ a powerful aid in those seeking knowledge about past or future lives. promotes persistence and protection.
Topaz ~ allows you to transmit your visualizations as universal messages. an aid in telepathy.
Tourmaline ~ repels all negative energy and is a powerful stone for protection.
Turquoise ~ an aid in luck, love, money, and protection.
Unakite ~ heals the psyche, helps you realize your higher self.
Crystal Care Tips
Some crystals shouldn’t be left in direct sunlight. These include: Amethyst, Ametrine, Aquamarine, Celestite, Citrine, Fluorite, Kunzite, Opal, Rose Quartz, Smoky Quartz, Topaz, and Turquoise.
Some crystals shouldn’t get wet. These include: Celestine, Desert Rose, Lapis Lazuli, Lepidolite, Malachite, Selenite, and Sodalite.
Click here to learn about Crystal Shapes.
source: Crystals by Cass & Janie Jackson
* If there is anything we missed or you’d like to add, just let us know! *
I hope this is useful! xx ~ @chlovoyant
Beginner Herbs
Lavender:
Antiseptic / anti-inflammatory properties. Useful for treating minor burns, anxiety, insomnia, bug bites & depression.
Rosemary:
Helps alleviate muscle pain, improves memory & concentration, boosts the immune & circulatory system and aids digestion.
Basil:
Supports digestion, liver function & helps detoxify the body. Aids depression, skin problems, diabetes & promotes a healthy gut.
Thyme:
Reduces blood pressure, preserves foods, supports yeast infections & treats skin problems.
Mint:
Speeds / eases digestion, relieves pain and discomfort from gas and bloating.
Sage:
High in nutrients & antioxidants, supports oral health, brain function & menopause, reduces blood sugar levels.
Lemon Balm:
Reduces stress / anxiety, promotes sleep, improves appetite, & eases pain and discomfort from indigestion.
Catnip:
Improves relaxation & boosts mood. Reduces anxiety, restlessness & nervousness.
Eucalyptus:
Helps colds, respiratory problems, fungal infections & wounds. Repels insects and offers dental care. Stimulates the immune system and assists with pain.