{Art by Julia Nikita}
The sabbats are holidays celebrated throughout the year on solstices, equinoxes, and the midpoints between them. These sabbats form the Wheel of the year.
There is a controversy surrounding the dates of these holidays, as people celebrate them all over the earth, not only in the northen hemisphere but in the southern too.
One viewpoint is that the Sabbats should be celebrated as they were originally created to be… in other words, Samhain is October 31st, regardless of where you live. In the Southern Hemisphere, even though you are just gearing up to summer on October 31st, this perspective says that you celebrate the cleansing and releasing, the honouring of the dead just as you would if you lived in the Northern Hemisphere. The other viewpoint (the one I personally agree with) is that you should celebrate when you feel like the season corresponds with the holiday, in other words, your craft, your rules. So if you live in the southern hemisphere, you have the choice.
I’ll be writing the dates for each holiday starting with the northen hemisphere and then the dates that many people celebrate them in the southern hemisphere
🌲𝐘𝐔𝐋𝐄
{December 21st//June 21st}
Yule focuses on rebirth and renewal as the sun makes its way back to the earth. It’s all about new beginnings, reflection and embracing warmth. Much like Christmas, many celebrate with a feast, gift giving, being cosy and appreciating the good.
↟Nature: cedar, frankincense, myrrh, mistletoe, pine, birch, ivy.
↟Foods//flavours: ginger, cloves, cinnamon, nutmeg, wintergreen, apple, dried fruit.
↟Stones: citrine, ruby, garnet, alexandrite, green tourmaline.
↟Activities: decorate your altar with incense associated with Yule, burn ash wood for prosperity, bake using Yule flavours like ginger or cinnamon, make wreathes to hang around the house, spend time with loved ones.
🕯️𝐈𝐌𝐁𝐎𝐋𝐂
{February 1st//August 1st}
Imbolc focuses on celebrating the nature that is preparing to grow and renewal, also known as “candlemas” and the “Feast of Pan”.
↟Nature: basil, blackberry, heather, celandine, iris, wisteria, vanilla, bay, yellow and white flowers.
↟Foods//flavours: pumpkin and sunflower seeds, poppy seeds, peppers, onions, spices, and herbal teas.
↟Stones: amethyst, bloodstone, garnet, ruby, onyx.
↟Activities: decorate with candles and sun decorations, go hiking, have a bonfire, bake foods with poppy seeds, and burn any leftover winter herbs.
🌼𝐎𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐑𝐀
{March 21st//September 21st}
Ostara focuses on manifesting creativity and love. As the days become longer, energy becomes stronger.
↟Nature: ash, alder, daffodil, honeysuckle, narcissus, primrose, violet, jasmine.
↟Foods//flavours: olives, maple syrup, honey, edible flowers, chocolate, pine nuts, nettle or lavender tea, local fruits and vegetables.
↟Stones: amethyst, rose quartz, moonstone.
↟Activities: gardening and planting seeds, bake breads with olives or honey for example, start new projects, talk to plants, do some painting, decorate with wildflowers.
🌰𝐁𝐄𝐋𝐓𝐀𝐍𝐄
{May 1st//November 1st}
Beltane focuses on fertility, love and abundance. Also known as “may day”, on this sabbat many celebrate with dancing, bonfires and many high energy activities, including enjoying themselves sexually with a partner or even conceiving children.
↟Nature: frankincense, lilac, ivy, marigold, woods, rose, thyme, mint, yarrow.
↟Foods//flavours: oats, leafy greens, fruits, breads, honey.
↟Stones: malachite, amber, fire opal, red jasper.
↟Activities: dance, decorate with florals and symbols of the sea, go to the beach, go hiking, have a bonfire, feast on fruits, vegetables and grains, laugh and let your hair down. And if you’re trying to conceive or simply would like to have sex, Beltane is a wonderful time to do so.
🦋𝐋𝐈𝐓𝐇𝐀
{June 21st//December 21st}
Litha focuses on growth and celebrating the longest day of the year and the sun, before the shorter days begin.
↟Nature: fern, yarrow, sage, rose, oak, mugwort, lavender, chamomile, myrrh, pine.
↟Foods//flavours: herbed bread, honey, sunflower seeds, iced herbal tea, lemon, vanilla.
↟Stones: lapis lazuli, amethyst, malachite, tiger’s eye.
↟Activities: make or buy a sun catcher, surround yourself with warm tones, watch the sunrise and sunset, make sun water, spend time outdoors, make use of herbs.
🌾𝐋𝐀𝐌𝐌𝐀𝐒//𝐋𝐔𝐆𝐇𝐍𝐀𝐒𝐀𝐃𝐇
{August 2nd//February 2nd}
Lammas, or lughnasadh focuses on celebrating the first of the three harvesting sabbats and taking time to really feel the positivity in different aspects of life.
↟Nature: cornstalks, heather, acacia flowers, hollyhock, oak leaves, wheat, myrtle, spices.
↟Food//flavours: grainy bread, corn, potatoes, nuts, blackberries, wine.
↟Stones: amber, agate, citrine, clear quartz, obsidian, tiger’s eye.
↟Activities: bake bread, make corn dolls, visit a sunflower field, spend time in nature, acknowledged what you are grateful for, journal.
🍁𝐌𝐀𝐁𝐎𝐍
{September 21st//March 21st}
Mabon focuses on honouring the change of the seasons, balance and peace.
↟Nature: sage, pine, marigold, thistle, acorns, milkweed, oak leaves, myrrh.
↟Food//flavours: cinnamon, nuts, beans, dark fruits, pies, soup, butterscotch.
↟Stones: citrine, carnelian, clear quartz, sapphire, yellow agate.
↟Activities: collect pine cones, donate food and old clothes, meditate, dry herbs, spend time with loved ones, speak to the nature around you.
🎃𝐒𝐀𝐌𝐇𝐀𝐈𝐍
{October 31st-November 1st//April 30th-May 1st}
Samhain focuses on celebrating life, and honouring those who are no longer with us.
↟Nature: heather, sage, pumpkins, straw, flax, patchouli, myrrh.
↟Foods//flavours: apples, cider, pumpkin, pies, soups, stews, potatoes, ginger.
↟Stones: amber, black obsidian, fossils, onyx, sandstone, bloodstones.
↟Activities: honour the deceased, spend time with family, make a hearty comforting meal, make or buy a scarecrow, spend time practicing divination.
𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐝𝐨 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲 𝐬𝐚𝐛𝐛𝐚𝐭
↟Do a tarot reading relevant to that sabbat.
↟Spend time in the moonlight, charging your crystals and tarot cards, as well as meditating.
↟Bake something using at least one traditional food of that sabbat to share with others.
↟Sage cleanse your living space and any of your magickal items.
↟Write down how you’re feeling and how you’d like to feel in the weeks to come.
A diy pendulum paper I made to use until I get a board 🌿 my green witch heart is vibin
I often use crystals when practising dream work and find them very powerful when used in meditation or under my pillow while I sleep. They can also be used in sachets, elixirs or to hold when recalling dreams.
Rainbow Moonstone- induces lucid dreams, astral travel, activates spiritual awareness.
Labradorite- stone of mysticism, astral travel, enhances clairvoyance, protects aura, past life recall and accessing Akashic records.
Lepidolite- induces prophetic dreams and lucid dreaming, dream recall and improves psychic ability.
Sodilite- prevents nightmares (make grid under bed), opens third eye
Lapis Lazuli- induces dreams of past lives, vivid dreaming and opens third eye.
Blue Kyanite- enhances psychic ability, spiritual awakening, lucid dreaming and astral projection.
Amethyst- induces prophetic dreams, lucid dreams and astral travel. Keep one near your bed to prevent nightmares, cleanse and charge regularly.
Obsidian- very protective, prevents nightmares and helps one channel their higher selves.
Blue Calcite- calming, helps with anxiety induced insomnia, clairvoyance and induces prophetic dreams.
Celestite-connects to higher, angelic and celestial realms, clairvoyance and connect with spirit guides.
Selenite- protects from nightmares and negative astral beings, connects to angelic realms and improves psychic ability.
Moldavite-high vibration *be careful when working with it because it is very powerful*, connects to higher realms, spiritual awakening, lucid dreaming and astral travel.
Clear Quartz-opens one up to receiving messages from higher realms, clears the mind during meditation, astral projection.
{Note: the following post is heavy UPG based upon over a decade of personal experience, research and observation.}
The problems with dream dictionaries is they are based on the premise of “universal symbols”. The issue with this is while dreaming does operate in the language of symbolism it’s overlooks the personal elements. Dreams speak through the languages of symbols and emotions, and these symbols are highly personal. Picture that when you dream you are putting on a play but here’s the kicker, you are everything in the play, from the other actors (in includes family members and people you know), the backdrop, the props, scenery, the animals, monsters - it is all you. Everything is a message from your subconscious to you., and it your job as the dreamer to learn the language. So how do we go about interpreting the dream? Well I’ll get to that but first things first. Dream journal. Now I know you will see pretty much every dream relate thing telling you to keep a dream journal, and their absolutely right. A dream journal is vital for your dreamwork, it is the link between worlds. By keeping a record of your dreams you are creating an open dialogue with your deeper mind. And it’s oaky if you can’t remember your dreams, even if you wake up with just a vague impression or just an emotion, even the weird dreams that seem to make no sense at all, write it all down. You are learning a new language from first hand experience and creating your own translation guide. By journaling you are encouraging and strengthening your long-term memory, it just takes dedication.You will begin to notice the pattern and reoccurring themes in your dreams when you go back and review your entries. So how do we interpret our dreams? This my 4 step process:
First Step - How do you feel over all in the dream?
Second Step - What parts of the dream stood out to you the most?
Third Step - What do these things personally represent to me?
Fourth Step - How do these things make me feel?
Like I mentioned above everything in your dream is a representation of some part of you, and how you feel about it is a vital part of understanding what it means. Just remember nothing is what it seem, nothing is literal. It is important that you take your time when working with a dream, you can carefully and attentively peeling away the layers to expose the core, and thus the meaning of the dream and it’s message. And don’t feel discouraged if you don’t get it write away, some dreams takes days, weeks, months, even years to understand, which is another reason why keeping a dream journal is so important so that you can keep revisiting these dreams as you grow and changes as a person.
A while ago I devised a simple divination method of casting stones on a board and interpreting where they fell. I ended up writing an entire ritual around this concept and performed it as a public ritual after teaching a class on the magical properties of crystals and stones. If I’m going to be teaching class and running a ritual afterward I like to tie the ritual into the subject covered in the class, so people can apply what they learned.
I decided to divide a reading area into three sections, for the physical, mental, and spiritual aspects of the Element of Earth, which would be marked with the colours associated with those aspects - green for physical, brown for mental, and black for spiritual. To really drive the Earth symbolism home I put the alchemical symbol for Earth on the centre of the reading board, and decided that if a stone fell inside that triangle then it had a stronger influence in the reading.
The three areas would break down as follows: Physical (green): The body, the home, physical concerns, structure, ‘real life’, wealth and finance Mental (brown): Control of thoughts, memory, discipline, patterns of thought Spiritual (black): Religious community, buildings, heirarchies, grounding, obedience and duty, moral and ethical issues, foundations
In order to make the board I went to Michaels and got the biggest wooden disc I could find, then carefully determined the centre and divided it into thirds which I painted with acrylic paint. I wanted the brightest colours possible, as I’d be doing this by candlelight. Two coats did the trick. At some point I may varnish them.
I gathered some of my collection of stones and decided to go with tumbled ones to minimize any possible damage. I wanted a wide variety of possible meanings for each reading, so my choices on what stones to use was heavily reliant on the symbolism I attach to them. I went with the following:
First row: Clear quartz: Clarity, power, wisdom Carnelian: Fire, strength, physicality, the body Hematite: Grounding Second row: Lapis lazuli: Divinity, the Gods, the sky Moss agate: Friendship, growth, the Earth Fluorite: Peace, inner calm, structure, learning Third row: Abalone: Inner beauty, secrets, Water Tiger’s eye: The Sun, power, protection, strength Moonstone: The Goddess, motherhood, the Moon, the psyche, magic Fourth row: Malachite: The Earth, growth, love Rose quartz: Love, pace, acceptance Amethyst: Sleep, dreams, peace, magic, the psyche Fifth row: Labradorite: Dark Moon, hidden secrets, new perspectives Amber: The God, the Sun, strength, power, healing Jet: Earth, night, grounding, stopping negativity
A sample reading: Physical: We have lapis lazuli, malachite, and jet, although the jet is partly on the spiritual side as well. Note the carnelian rolled off the board and as such doesn’t matter for this reading. The lapis is far from the centre, so has a weak influence here - the Gods and Their worship are not primary concerns for you right now as there are more important things going on. The malachite right on the Earth triangle tells us that growth is on the way, probably financial - the querent would have what they need to be fulfilled. As for the jet, its placement here implies that Earthy concerns are currently important to the querent, and it’s possible that they are feeling ‘in the dark’.
Mental: Abalone, right on the Earth triangle. There’s a foundational part of your self and psyche that you’re not revealing to others because you’re afraid to do so.
Spiritual: Moss agate outside the triangle tells us that the querent is making spiritual connections, be that to Gods, Elementals, some form of spirit, or connections in a religious or spiritual community. These connections lead to growth, but not in a spectacular way. The borderline position of the jet between physical and spiritual shows that the querent is a little uncertain about the connections they may be forming.
Of course, the stones used could be different, or a different reader may have a different interpretation of each stone, but still, I found it to be a useful method of divination and others seemed to appreciate the readings.
DON’T YOU DARE PUT SALT IN THE GROUND.
DO NOT CAST SALT CIRCLE IN THE DIRT. DO NOT SALT THE GROUND TO CLEANSE IT. DO NOT BURY SACHETS THAT INCLUDE SALT.
STOP SALTING THE GROUND.
YOU WILL MESS UP THE SOIL AND HURT THE PLANT LIFE. USE SOMETHING ELSE.
books on chaos magic: once you complete your sigil, it’s very important that you forget about it.
me, a very absentminded witch: my time to shine has frickin come
a quick guide on grounding with storms for storm witches
☔ to be done during a storm
☔ stay in a safe place when you practice this form of grounding. only allow yourself to get wet if your health allows, and please avoid places that would get you struck by lightning.
☔ have a view/hearing of the rain to the best of your ability
☔ visualize:
each thunder strike rattles you to the core, and leaves nothing there. each drop of water brings energy that replenishes and re-energizes you.
every drop is one of millions, but every drop has importance. each one soaks into you, cold and bright. it fills you
every sound of every drops rebuilds you from the inside out.
each lightning bolt ignites within you, calling up new energies and instilling a calm in its wake.
☔ when you are ready, let the storm fade its hold on you. you are not severing the ties harshly, only letting them fall away, the way rain dissipates and the storm calms down.
To see any updates to this post, click [here]. I’ll likely update it.
Disclaimer No single witch knows about all these things or has answers to all these prompts. This is just a reference list. Don’t get overwhelmed and focus on what interests you and relates to your path when making a grimoire or book of shadows.
Does your grimoire have an index for organization? Make one!
Write about the history of witches, the occult, Paganism, ect.
What is witchcraft?
What is intent? What is your will? How do they work?
What types of spells are there?
What are some methods for spells?
What types of witches are there?
What is cleansing? Why is it important? How is it done?
What is charging? Why is it important? How is it done?
What is grounding? Why is it important? How is it done?
What is shielding & warding? Why is it important? How is it done?
What are circles? Why are they important? How is it done?
What is visualization? Why is it important? How is it done?
What methods are there for divination? How can it be used?
What is consecration? How do you consecrate tools?
Write about energy, energy work basics, how is energy used?
What methods of meditation are there? Have any favorites?
Write about any tips for meditation you know of!
Make a list of terms commonly used in reference to witchcraft
How to write your own spells
How to make moon water
How to make sigils
How to dress candles
The wheel of the year. What is it? How do you celebrate it?
Make a pendulum board
Write the entire Theban Alphabet
Taglocks. What are they? How do you use them?
The Elements
The directions - North, South, East, & West
Moon phases
Zodiac signs
Planets
Days
Times of day
Numbers
Colors
Tarot cards
Runes
Herbs & Spices
Flowers
Trees/Wood
Other plants
Essential Oils
Incense
Teas
Seashells & other things from the sea
Crystals & Metals
Gods & goddesses
Spirits
Angels
Fae
List pantheons/deities
Basic spirit work
How to protect yourself from spirits
How to bind and banish spirits if something goes wrong
Fae etiquette
Types of Fae
List ways to communicate with deities/spirits/Fae
Information on constructs, servitors, tulpas, ect.
Page of tips/reminders
List practices, topics, deities/spirits of interest
How did you discover witchcraft?
What kind of witch are you, if any labels apply besides witch?
Why do you do witchcraft?
What inspires your practice?
Is your practice based on any certain culture, religion, ect?
Is witchcraft spiritual for you? How so? Are you Pagan, Wiccan, ect?
What is special about your practice? Do you have any unique methods, ideas, systems?
How do you believe magic works?
What has being a witch taught you?
Do you have any rules for your path? What are they? Why do you have them?
Write about your goals relating to witchcraft.
Do you have any familiars, deities or spirits you work with? Write about them.
Are there many witches, occultists, Pagans, ect that inspire you? Who? What about them is inspiring?
Make a correspondence page for you. Your natal chart, birth tarot card, numerology, elements or signature ingredients you connect to, ect.
Draw a chart of symbols you use in your practice. This could be alchemical symbols, sigils, runes, ect.
Offering ideas for your deities/spirits
Plants you have and how to care for them
Do you have any witchy drawings or doodles? Add them! Make some!
Write about folklore, especially personally significant or local folklore
Write about any myths or folk tales you like
Write about local animals, plants, in your area
Witchy recipes, crafts, projects, ect that you wanna do
Tarot spreads you like
Other spreads you like, oracle, runes, ect
A section or separate book for readings/spells/rituals you do
Witchy places you like, that be it woods, cemeteries, shops, ect
A witchy wishlist, tools, ingredients, ect that you want
Witchy books you have and witchy books you want
Astrology
Astral projection
Auras
Crystal grids
Dream interpretation
Familiars
Herbalism
Lenormand
Runes
Sacred geometry
Scrying
Symbols
Tarot cards
Oracle cards
Palmistry
Pendulums
new moon: setting intentions. active energy.
waxing crescent moon: resting, focusing. passive energy.
first quarter moon: taking action. active energy.
waxing gibbous moon: trusting, holding faith. passive energy.
full moon: acknowledging. active energy.
waning gibbous moon/disseminating moon: receiving, expressing gratitude. passive energy.
last quarter moon: returning, giving thanks. active energy.
waning crescent moon/balsamic moon: reflecting, resting, restoring. passive energy.
new moon: the moon is literally new. a rebirth. use this moon for intentions to do with fresh beginnings, starting again, cleansing.
waxing moons: the moon is increasing its size, it is opening; use these moons for intentions about gaining, growing or expanding.
full moon: the moon is at full charge, and can be the most powerful phase in the moon cycle. use this moon for intentions to do with power, clarity, or psychic ability.
waning moons: the moon is decreasing its size, it is closing; use these moons for intentions about ridding yourself of something (or someone), or purging.
application to the craft:
focus is the most important aspect of bringing an intent to manifest itself. focusing your energy can be made simpler by working with a compatible energy in the world as you focus that intent.
if the world around you is releasing an energy complementary to yours, it can be easier for that energy to find its way into reality; as opposed to facing any natural adversity.
cast passive energy intents in passive phases of the moon. (tranquility, creativity)
cast active energy intents in active phases of the moon. (strength, control)
this, in my opinion, is the concept of “the power of thought.” when more than one person thinks a thought, that thought holds more weight. this could explain why people practicing or praying together can often yield stronger, or more immediate results. it is a similar reasoning as incorporating tools and ritual into magick, as well.
your energy is a power in itself. but using the power of the elements, the environments, and the world can serve to add to that power.
Can someone explain how you burn an herb? If something calls for mugwort, how do I burn it? Do I need it to be in oil form?