Protection Archives - Otherworldly Oracle https://otherworldlyoracle.com/topics/intentions/protection/ For modern witches and pagans seeking magick and connection with ancestors, gods and goddesses. Sat, 29 Oct 2022 16:46:54 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.1.1 https://i0.wp.com/otherworldlyoracle.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/cropped-Copy-of-kitchen-3.png?fit=32%2C32&ssl=1 Protection Archives - Otherworldly Oracle https://otherworldlyoracle.com/topics/intentions/protection/ 32 32 193303739 Protection Runes: 10 POWERFUL Symbols to Fend Off Enemies https://otherworldlyoracle.com/protection-runes/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=protection-runes https://otherworldlyoracle.com/protection-runes/#respond Fri, 23 Sep 2022 19:43:28 +0000 https://otherworldlyoracle.com/?p=9433 Symbols carry much power. We use them to communicate with others, to warn, direct, and convey emotion. Among many other things. In the magical world, symbols are that much more powerful because they are also believed to induce change in the spiritual. And, in my opinion, runes are the best to use for almost any purpose. Here we provide you with 10 potent protection runes that will ward off negative energy, enemies, and illness. First, What Are Runes? The word rune means “a mark or letter with magical significance”, according to the Oxford Dictionary. While I agree with this very simple definition, I would tell you the runes are much more than that. I don’t think they can truly be defined or even fully understood by any one person or practitioner. Odin had to give up his own eye in order to receive the knowledge of the runes, for gods’ sake. For this article, we are specifically referring to the Elder futhark system of runes. An “alphabet” of sorts or collection of symbols that have been in use since at least 150AD and stem from the Germanic peoples of Europe. While each rune represents a letter or phonetic sound, it’s also said to represent physical, mental, and spiritual concepts and actions. Many pagans and witches today feel drawn to the Elder futhark runes and use them in their personal lives for protection, love, vitality, and to connect with the old gods. Why Do We Need Protection In a Spiritual Sense? This world is so focused on the physical…all the things we can see, taste, touch, feel, smell. But we frequently forget there’s another world all around us. The spirit world. And just as people and the environment in the physical world can affect us, spirits and the spiritual world can also affect us. Whether you believe in spirits or not, there is energy. Everything is made up of energy, as are we. Therefore, we are affected by the energetic vibrations that we come into contact with on a daily basis. These people, energies and/or spirits can bring good things or bad things. They can bring health or illness, joy or sadness, safety or danger. Just as you protect yourself when you are out in public or protect your home from physical dangers, you should also consider protecting yourself from spiritual dangers. Protection runes are a great way of shielding yourself, family, and home from outside influence and malevolent forces. Be they physical or spiritual. The elder futhark runes have been used for centuries to ward off enemies, illness, and misfortune. You can use them in this way too. 1. ALGIZ, A Widely-used Protection Rune If you google protection runes, typically the first that will pop up is Algiz. Most people think of this rune when we hear protection rune. Well, it’s for a good reason. Most scholars and modern Norse pagans associate algiz with protection because the symbol itself is in the shape of elk antlers. Elk use their antlers to protect themselves from enemies, be they from their own species or predators of another kind. In addition, Algiz connects us to the divine, as we see its points or antlers reaching up to the sky…to the home of the gods. According to Tyriel on Runesecrets.com, the Algiz rune is intricately “connected to the Valkyries (otherworldly psychopompic warriors) and because it connects us to the gods, it also grants us higher instincts”. And obviously the sharper our instincts the better we sense danger coming. 2. TIWAZ: Tyr’s Protection Rune Tyr is the Norse God of justice and is also known as a spirit warrior. He sacrificed his arm in order to protect the other gods from the ferocious wolf Fenrir. Tiwaz is Tyr’s rune and therefore is employed in times when protection is necessary. It’s particularly helpful in protecting one’s family and loved ones from harm. If it’s justice you need, then justice you will get with Tiwaz. Sometimes justice is required in order to protect ourselves from outside threats. And if you are in need of clarity in a cloudy or confusing situation, this rune works wonders. 3. THURISAZ: Thor’s Rune Some folks shy away from using this rune and assign negative meaning to it because it is often seen as a “thorn”. I don’t see thorns as being bad necessarily, as I’ve used them in protection magick over the years with palpable results. Therefore, thurisaz is a potent protection rune when viewed as a thorn protecting those who mean to harm us and come to close. In addition, Thurisaz is Thor’s rune and represents his hammer. And just as Thor uses his hammer in battle, we too can use this protection rune in our personal battles. Whether that’s with an enemy, illness, or some other danger that threatens our wellbeing. If you work with the god of thunder, this is an even more powerful rune. 4. ANSUZ: Odin’s Rune of Protection I can’t tell you how many times I’ve utilized this protection rune in my own practice. It doesn’t just bring protection, it brings lessons, healing and comfort. Interestingly, most sources don’t tell you it can be used for protection. But because I work closely with Odin in my practice, and I use this rune to invoke him, I’ve found it is indeed effective in shielding and warding practices. It’s also considered the voice of the Allfather. So if you’re in danger, this rune will allow Odin to speak to you and warn you directly. Remember, the gods want us to be able to defend ourselves too. 5. Ehwaz: The Horse Rune for Protection and Speedy Escape Ehwaz is a symbol that resembles a capital M, but it actually represents two horses’ heads touching noses. Or the full body of a horse, depending on how you look at it. Either way, it is the Horse rune, and is imbued with protective qualities because of its link to one of man’s trusted companions. According to Cassandra Eason in “A […]

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Freezer Spells: How to Cast POWERFUL Binding Spells https://otherworldlyoracle.com/freezer-spells/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=freezer-spells https://otherworldlyoracle.com/freezer-spells/#comments Sun, 07 Aug 2022 20:23:14 +0000 https://otherworldlyoracle.com/?p=9022 Freezer spells have become all the magical rage in recent years. They are an extremely effective form of magick, working quickly and succinctly. In addition, freezer spells are great for multiple intentions including bindings, to “pause” or put a situation on hold, to bring peace or even to stop a person in their tracks. Here we will dive into the history of freezer spells and why it’s okay for you to cast one when done mindfully. Plus we provide you with two freezer spells to try including a lemon freezer spell and a freezer binding spell. Let’s get our chill on. First, What is a Freezer Spell? The Basics A freezer spell is exactly how it sounds – a spell that utilizes the freezer in your home and its freezing capabilities. In recent years, they’ve become popular among the witchcraft community. So much so that you’ll even hear people say that doing a freezer spell is a “closed” tradition. We don’t believe that it is, if you truly make it your own and use your ingredients and words mindfully. History of the Freezer (And Why It’s Important Magically) For those who say only a specific magical tradition can use freezer spells in their magick, this is what I say to them. Should I also stop using my stove or oven in my spell work? How about candles, are they a certain magic tradition too? The point here is there are some freezer spells that utilize techniques from the Hoodoo folk magic tradition including sour and sweetening jars. If you want to stay away from appropriating, simply leave those ingredients and methods out of your personal freezer magick. From Ice Boxes to Modern Freezers There’s no doubt in my mind our ancestors who made magick, cast spells, and gave out remedies used what they hand on-hand. That includes any of the appliances or features of their home at their disposal. When I say our ancestors, I mean ALL of our ancestors. There were and are magical folk from every culture who have been casting powerful spells for centuries. But if they didn’t have a freezer, what did they have? According to Swirl Freeze, the fact that ancient humans learned how to freeze food for preservation is just as important to humanity as the use of fire to cook it. For people who lived in colder climates, they first learned to preserve food by placing it directly on the ice. Gradually, there came icehouses, which were small buildings where ice was placed and food placed within to freeze it. Then ice boxes in How Do Freezer Spells Work? Freezer spells work in a few ways. Let’s break down the magical mechanics, shall we? First, the freezer essentially does one job – freezes things. And freezing = preservation. But when we think of various intentions for spells, this is when the freezer’s MAGICAL abilities vary. For example, let’s say you’re working at a job that has become dangerous. A co-worker has made it a hostile environment, and you are even sometimes fearful for your life. You’ve gone to the boss but nothing has been done. So you decide to do a freezer binding spell on this coworker. It will work, but you have to consider the length of time you plan to keep the spell going AND how long you plan to keep the binding spell in the freezer. Next, let’s just say you are at a point in life where something is moving too fast for your liking. And is causing you significant stress, anxiety, or pain. Is there a way to slow the process down or even stop it in its tracks? Yes…freezer spells are perfect to do this magical job, as well. And when you’re ready to allow the natural time to flow again, you remove the spell from the freezer and let it “defrost”. Think of it like this – whatever you want to freeze in place or PRESERVE, a freezer spell will be powerful. There are MANY Intentions for Freezer Spells Most of my research on freezer spells prior to writing this article yielded the same intention – to bind a person or situation. This is probably the most popular intention for a freezer spell but definitely not the only way a freezer can be utilized in one’s magical practice. There are a number of intentions, and more specifically when we use the freezer in place of ice spells another world is opened to us: Freezer spells are great to preserve love And friendship To preserve a job opportunity or salary To stop time from moving too fast Preserve one’s health Bind a dangerous person or situation from causing harm When using ice in our spells, promotes stillness Self Control Focus and concentration Learning how to adapt to abrupt change Cooling a “hot” situation off (the refrigerator is actually better for this depending on the severity of the circumstances) Extreme purification In god/goddess dedication rituals (particularly of a Northern pantheon from colder climates) The “Magical Morals” of Casting Freezer Binding Spells I guess at this point, it’s time for me to step in and talk about magical morals when it comes to casting freezer binding spells. You’ll hear a lot of people tell you when you mess with free will, you’re messing with something you shouldn’t. To leave these things to the Universe or gods to work out. But here’s the problem with that – sometimes the universe/gods expect US to protect ourselves. And if we’ve done everything we can in the physical but still feel threatened, we have the magical to help us through. So I say, if you feel that binding spells of any kind are against your morals, don’t do them. But if you feel the need to protect yourself or others, I won’t tell you what’s right or wrong. Ingredients and FUN SPELL Methods I’m sure you’ve figured out the main 2 ingredients in freezer spells: water and the freezer itself. But don’t discount […]

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Protection Sigil: How to Make Your Own Symbols for Shielding & Warding https://otherworldlyoracle.com/protection-sigil/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=protection-sigil https://otherworldlyoracle.com/protection-sigil/#respond Thu, 17 Feb 2022 22:48:44 +0000 https://otherworldlyoracle.com/?p=8089 Safety is the 2nd base on Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs pyramid model. Only second to physiological needs like water, clothing and food. Therefore, safety is key to our survival as human beings. It’s also crucial for us to feel whole as individuals – feeling protected allows us to focus on other needs like love and self esteem. So how can magick support one of our basic human requirements like protection? In many ways, and especially when we put our energetic intentions into it. Here we show you how to design your own protection sigil for spiritual shielding, warding and banishing purposes. First, Why Do We Need Spiritual Protection? Just as we need a home in which to live and be shielded from the elements, we also need spiritual protection in a world with chaotic energies lurking behind every corner. This is especially true for people who engage in spiritual and magical practices like shamans, healers, witches, empaths, psychics, mediums, and magical practitioners of all kinds. We tend to pick up energies from all around us easily including other people’s energy as well as energy from animals, events, weather patterns, seasons and moon phases. We feel spirits around us. This means we may unknowingly absorb these energies – both good and bad. Setting up spiritual shields is just one part of the protection process, but one that is often forgotten. How A Sigil Protects You So how does it work, exactly? Do you just draw or paint a protection sigil and boom, you’re protected? There’s a little more behind the magical mechanics of symbols. First, the intention must be there. Then the creation process which literally pulls the energy from the ether (be it through gods, ancestors, guides or the Universe). Finally, the activation and use of that sigil in alignment with your intentions. The entire creation process draws energy into the sigil…the thought, movement, and use is what fuels the symbol into action. These symbols can be used to ward off negative energies, evil spirits, hexes, the evil eye, illness, and bad luck. Next, What is a Protection Sigil, exactly? Put simply, a protection sigil is a symbol that you create with the intention to protect yourself, others, or a specific space. Sigils have been used for centuries to represent specific deities, invoke spirits, and delineate sacred space. In modern times, chaos magic makes frequent use of sigil creation which has trickled into the witchcraft community at large. But creating one’s own personal power symbols is no new tactic. Consider bindrunes, for example. Runes that are combined with other runes into one symbol based on the practitioner’s needs or desires. As mentioned before, we use protection sigils to ward, banish, bind, and shield (all different forms of protection magick). How to Make Protection Sigils While you can use protective sigils you’ve found online or in a book, it’s always most potent to create your own. There’s different ways to do this. One way is to take common pagan symbols and turn them into a protection sigil for yourself. For example, drawing a cross with the rune Algiz and encircling the symbol. Each symbol within this sigil carries its own unique vibrations. Another way is to make bindrunes, which we’ll go into in detail in the next section. And the third way, which is based on chaos magic, is to combine letters of a word that defines your intention to create the sigil. Which is what we demonstrate below: What You’ll Need: Pencil Eraser Paper Optional: paint and paintbrush, oils, markers, etc. How to Draw Your Protection Sigil Gather your supplies Get into a relaxed, open state (via music, drumming, incense, candlelight, etc.) and call in your guides/gods/angels/ancestors (whomever you work with in magickal space) At the top of your paper, write (in pencil) the letters P R O T E C T I O N Visualize, sing, chant (whatever method you prefer) your intentions for this sigil. If I can’t visualize, I enjoy chanting or singing my intentions out loud. Continue to visualize/sing/chant throughout the entire process. Next, cross out all of the vowels (a, e, i, o, u), so that you’re left with P R T C T N Following, I also prefer to cross out any repetitive letters. In this case, we’ll cross out the second T so we are left with P R T C N Lastly, combine the letters P R T C N into one symbol. Sometimes the sigil will flow immediately, while other times it might take you a few sketches to get it right. Don’t be discouraged if you have to erase anything or start over, etc. Let the energy flow and the sigil will follow. (see our example below). Note: I don’t recommend erasing your letters at the top of the page. These serve as your initiation of the ritual. You may erase your sigil sketches, if you’d like. Once your sigil is created, meditate on it for a little while (look at it, soften your gaze, let it speak to you, be open to any messages) Then thank the energies present and, at this point, you may solidify the sigil with paint, oil, marker, etc. (this is optional but I feel it adds to the energy and pushes your intentions into the ether further). How to Make Protective Bindrunes I’ve known quite a few people to go online and pull bindrunes off the screen for use in life and magick. I don’t recommend this. The reason being – runes are an extremely personal journey. They’re not just a form of divination, ancient alphabet, or symbols you find online. Runes are a form of communication with the divine. They’re a map to our wyrd (fate) and to the other realms. They’re not to be taken lightly. Each rune speaks to the individual similar to a friend speaking to a friend. What a rune means to me might mean something else entirely to you. Therefore, crafting your own personal bindrunes is best. And […]

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Witches Bells: Their History, Lore and How to Use Them https://otherworldlyoracle.com/witches-bells/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=witches-bells https://otherworldlyoracle.com/witches-bells/#comments Mon, 08 Nov 2021 13:35:00 +0000 https://otherworldlyoracle.com/?p=7567 Want more cowbell? Not me. I want more witches bells! These pretty little decorations are much more than simple décor for a witch’s home. They are powerful protective wards. In this article, we define witches bells, discover their centuries-old origins, PLUS learn how to use them in your home to ward off negative energy and spirits. What Are Witches Bells? Put simply, witches bells are a handheld-size set of magical bells hung from a doorknob or a nail in their home. Witches mostly use these bells to ward off negativity in a home, but they are also pretty to look at and listen to! This magical ringing device has ages-old origins, and I can’t help but notice the correlation to the modern doorbell and musical instruments. Where did these jingly little charms come from? And why do witches use them today? Witches Bells Origins: Church Bells, Cow bells, and More Bells have been used for centuries for spiritual and mundane reasons. First, let’s look at the physical aspects of the bell and its uses through time. Bells are typically made of metal and consist of a hollowed out vessel with a dangling piece inside called a clapper or uvula. The clapper hits the walls inside and produces a ringing sound upon movement. The word bell literally translates to mean “to roar” or “to make a loud noise” (think bellow). The first bell was invented in the 3rd millennium BC in Neolithic China, as archaeological evidence suggests (Wikipedia). By Medieval Times, bells were a prominent tool used by churches, farms, and business owners. According to Judika Iles in the Encyclopedia of Witchcraft, “bells derive from ancient sacred images of human genitalia. The bell’s body represents the vulva, while the clapper represents the penis. Sometimes the bell’s body represents the womb while the clapper represents a child within.” Bell Uses Over the Centuries So why did our ancestors use bells? Bells were a means of sounding an alarm, so to speak, to gain attention to a situation. For example, soldiers at city gates might ring a large bell to let everyone know there were invaders on the horizon. Farmers hung bells from the necks of their cattle and dogs to alert them to their animals’ whereabouts. Attaching a bell to the door of a business allows its owner to know someone has entered the shop. And what about churches? Churches have used large bells for centuries to announce the commencement of service OR in celebration of special holy-days like Christmas, Easter, etc. They have also been used as musical instruments over the centuries. From the church also comes the custom of wedding bells – when a couple is married, the church rings its bells to scare away evil spirits and welcome prosperity to the newlyweds. Iron and Loud Sounds After 1000 AD, people made bells from iron. And, according to European lore, iron scares off or, at the very least, agitates faeries. So much so that folks kept iron horseshoes above the doorway to ward off the fae and evil spirits and employed iron bells as protection in various ways. In addition, church bells scared off trickster spirits. And traditionally loud sounds, like those from bells or chimes, scare off ghosts and demonic entities. Is it the iron the bells are traditionally made of that has a cleansing, protective effect OR is it the purifying sound waves sent through the air that wards off the evil? Truly, I believe it is both of these things. Quotes About Bells How to Make Witch’s Bells (Or Where to Purchase Them) Truly you can make your own witch’s bells using any items you’d like. But here’s a few necessary items you’ll need: How to put your bells together and add MAGICK: Listen, we can’t all be artistic and crafty. So if you don’t want to make your own set of witches bells, you can always have Melissa with Stamp It Out Loud make them for you. And I couldn’t be happier! I use them as a magical “lock” or warding device on my witchy cabinet. The mirrors act as portals and so I needed some kind of ward to keep spirits at bay. Mel’s bells have been powerful and protective for this need. And I couldn’t have added the special touch that she did. How to Use Witches Bells (Many Different Ways) Bells in general have magical properties of protection, purification, joy, alarm and celebration. Use your set of bells in whatever way resonates with you; however, there are a few ways I recommend trying. Keep in mind, you can use your set of witch’s bells for any ritual that requires a bell in general. Want to learn how to practice witchcraft YOUR way? Read our NO NONSENSE Guide to the Craft here: Listen to Our Podcast on Witch’s Tools in Which BELLS Are Discussed:

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Herbs for Protection: 20 of Our Favorites to Keep Negative Energy Away https://otherworldlyoracle.com/herbs-for-protection/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=herbs-for-protection https://otherworldlyoracle.com/herbs-for-protection/#comments Fri, 18 Jun 2021 01:20:42 +0000 https://otherworldlyoracle.com/?p=7052 Whether you’re dealing with a creeping ex, an intrusive ghost, or just plain want to block negative energy, spiritual protection is a must-do. On Otherworldly Oracle, we preach often about having a personal protection magick routine. Cleansing, invocation, sealing and warding are all essential steps to protecting your home and yourself. Salt, powders, oils, symbols and herbs are all helpful in securing your safe, sacred space. So, in this article, we focus on our favorite 20 herbs for protection. And hope that you can use them in your practice too! Herbs for Protection There are literally hundreds of herbs for protection on the market, growing in gardens, and growing in the wild. Walk out your front door and I guarantee there’s at least one tree or plant with protective properties growing near your home. Walk down the spice aisle at your grocery store and you’ll find a plethora of helpful herbs right at your fingertips. Here’s just a few of our favorites: 1. Rosemary: My FAVORITE Herb for Protection! Rosemary, Salvia rosmarinus, is one of my personal all-time favorite herbs for protection. As the Aunts in Practical Magic say, “keep rosemary by your garden gate.” There’s a reason for this – it protects your garden from pests and your home from spiritual intrusion. Rosemary is purifying and when burned in the home acts to banish negative energy and unwanted spirits. Add rosemary to the bath to cleanse your aura. According to Scott Cunningham, “place rosemary beneath the pillow to ensure a good sleep and drive away nightmares.” 2. Thorns While not necessarily one particular herb, thorns from any plant or tree are great for protection spells and charms. The thorn itself physically protects its plant from harm. Therefore when thorns are used in magick, they have the same effect. Add thorns to witch bottles, spell jars, bags and amulets. Harvest your thorns from rose bushes, bougainvilleas, cacti, honey locust trees, citrus and hawthorn trees. 3. Oak The oak tree is strong and is regarded as protective by many cultures. The Druids are named for the Oak and believed it to be sacred. Use oak tree bark, leaves, and acorns in your protection magick. Three oak leaves added to the bath will cleanse away negative attachments and bring wisdom. Place three acorns in a small bag and tie to your front door to protect the home. This herb for protection also wards off illness and bad luck. 4. Rose Witches love roses, as do muggles. They are beautiful, seemingly fragile flowers that produce a lovely aroma. But, surprisingly, the rose is also a potent herb for protection. Think of the thorns that grace the stems on either side, protecting the bush itself from pests and the elements. The rose will do the same for you and your magick. Add rose thorns, hips, or petals to your workings of all kinds. Drink rose hips and buds in a tea for protection of self. Add rose thorns to bags, bottles, amulets, etc. 5. Black Pepper: An Unexpected Herb for Protection Black pepper is often overlooked as an herb for protection. Heck, it’s overlooked as a magical herb in general. But here’s the thing – black pepper is just as potent as red pepper with keeping spirits and negative energy at bay. It’s connected to the fire element and to the planet Mars. Traditionally, peppercorns have been used to ward off the evil eye. Add pepper to your home protection powders and sprinkle over your thresholds and windowsills. 6. Salt While technically not an herb, salt is one of the most powerful ingredients to use in your protective magick. Witches use salt to encircle their property, mark the boundaries of a magical circle, and more. Salt sprinkled over your threshold is a powerful way to absorb negativity and ward off spirits. There’s a reason grandma threw salt over her left shoulder if the salt was spilled. Pink, red, and black salt are all effective for protection spells and rituals. Learn more about salt magick here. Listen to our PROTECTION Magick Podcast here: 7. Red Pepper: HOT Herb of Protection Red pepper is a powerful warding herb for protection. This includes red pepper flakes, chili powder, cayenne pepper and whole chili peppers. A string of red peppers hung by the front door wards off negative energy and brings prosperity. Encircle your protection candle with chili powder to send negative spirits away. Mix red pepper into home protection powders, add it to spell jars, and add it to your meals for extra protection. 8. Rue I’ve grown rue in my garden for a few years now and never regret having it on hand. Ruta graveolens, also called herb of grace and rue, which has been used medicinally and in cooking for centuries in ancient Rome, Greece and Africa. In mythology, rue was the only plant the basilisk couldn’t destroy. Rue can be harmful to the skin, so be careful if you plan to use it topically. It can cause lesions if applied and then going out into the sun. Rue is powerful in banishing rituals to rid yourself of unwanted spirits and attachments. 9. Agrimony I’m not kidding when I say I go agro for agrimony. One of my absolute favorite herbs for protection, agrimony is a powerful warding herb when sprinkled around the property. Traditionally, agrimony protects the wearer from malevolent fairies, tricksters, and evil of all kinds. This herb for protection is also great to use in reversal spells, when a witch has sent a spell on you, send it back to them. 10. Angelica: Angels’ Herb of Protection Connected to and named for the angels, angelica is another herb for protection that’s effective in ritual and spellwork. It’s been used for centuries in good luck workings including for gambling, and in doing so wards off bad luck. Grow it on your property to keep negative energy at bay. Add to the bath to break hexes and cleanse the aura. 11. Dragon’s Blood Dragon’s […]

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Spiritual Protection: How to Protect Yourself Against Negative Spirits https://otherworldlyoracle.com/spiritual-protection/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=spiritual-protection https://otherworldlyoracle.com/spiritual-protection/#comments Mon, 28 Dec 2020 05:05:42 +0000 https://otherworldlyoracle.com/?p=6155 Be it an individual who doesn’t like you and is throwing magical shade or be it an unwanted spirit, witches HAVE to learn how to protect themselves from spiritual attack. I’ve been through it all with spirits and witches trying to attack my psyche. Here’s how I get rid of unwanted entities and protect from all sorts of spiritual intrusion on a regular basis. It’s something I like to call protective magical maintenance. 3 Important Steps for Spiritual Protection 1. Cleansing (Your FIRST Step for Spirit Protection) Cleansing is so important to keep you and your home free of negative energy build-up. Negative energy builds and stagnates. And if it’s not removed spiritually, negative energy causes all sorts of problems in the home: depression, discord (arguments), illness, and it attracts malevolent spirits. Negative energy leaves you more susceptible to psychic attacks. It weakens your shield. How often should I cleanse my house and self? Some people think one smoke-cleansing ritual in their house is enough to protect them from future intrusion and attacks. Sorry, folks. One cleansing ritual isn’t enough. I recommend cleansing your home once a month. Or after illness, death, or other tragedies or intrusions of any kind. If you sense an unwanted spirit is in your house, cleansing combined with banishing is required (see below for more info. on how to eradicate a spirit). Cleansing your space with smoke is one of the most effective methods, but not everyone can use smoke. Other cleansing rituals include using sound (bells and high vibe music), sweeping with your besom, and/or spraying a cleansing infusion all over the house. Here’s our full article on the various cleansing methods, if you need to learn more. Cleanse yourself AT LEAST once a month. Once a week is better! It’s as easy as taking a cleansing ritual bath OR shower. Or smoke-cleansing with an herb bundle of your choice. I prefer rosemary but sage, palo santo, cedar, sweetgrass and juniper are also great options. 2. Laying Wards (And Re-charging Them) Once you’ve cleansed your home and self, it’s time to lay wards around your home and/or property. What is a ward? A ward is a magical object that’s job is to “ward off” negative energy, spirits, and dark magic. Your choices for powerful wards include: 4 pieces of black tourmaline or obsidian, OR 4 small statues of a protective god/spirit/angel. Yet another option is to use rocks from your property and paint or draw protective symbols on them. Charge your wards with your intentions to protect your property and home. Hold them in your hands and visualize your intentions. I anoint my wards in protection oil to give them an extra kick. Place your wards in the 4 corners of your property, praying or invoking your gods and guardians over each ward. Bury them. Then I like to visualize negative energy trying to intrude on my property and see my 4 wards creating a fiery shield around my home. When the negative energy tries to come in, the shield extinguishes it or shoots it off into space. How often should you re-charge or replace your wards? Once you’ve laid your wards around your home, don’t forget they need a re-charge or to be replaced every 3 months. If you used a perishable stone or crystal, replace the crystal entirely. A stone with protective symbols, dig them up and draw the symbol back onto the wards. If they were statues, dig them up, clean, cleanse and re-charge by whatever method you prefer. Lay your wards on your altar and ask your gods and/or ancestors to bless them and charge them with protection. 3. Sealing Something my mom and I call sealing is an important part of spirit protection maintenance. Sealing refers to a magical ritual that symbolically “locks out” negative energy and entities. There are two ways I seal my home: by drawing symbols on my windows and doors AND/OR by spreading salt or some other protective powder over my thresholds. The salt absorbs negative energy that’s lingering in the doorways AND keeps negative energy out. The symbols drawn on your windows and doors act as a spiritual lock. Only YOU should know what symbols you use to protect your home. When should you seal your home or refresh your seals for spirit protection? Every Waning Moon, I cleanse my house and seal my doorways and windows with symbols and salt. Sometimes I use my own recipe for home protection powders instead of salt. Or red brick dust. Change it up and see which ones you feel are most effective for spirit protection. Spiritual Protection: Banishing Spirits Banishing. Eradicating. Exorcising. Whatever you’d like to call it, sometimes spirits slip through our defenses. Sometimes spirits are sent to us to torment us by other witches or malevolent practitioners. Wherever the spirit came from, now it’s in your space and bothering you. Maybe even harassing you or your family members. How do you get rid of unwanted spirits? Go back to step #1: cleansing. But while cleansing, you’re going to tell the spirit it’s not wanted in your home. That it’s NOT invited and not welcome. That it must LEAVE immediately and never return. Be stern and stand your ground. Once you’re done, call on positive energy to replace the negative in your home. I typically invoke my ancestors and guides’ presence. Then move along with laying your wards and sealing your home, etc. In addition, a cleansing bath to free yourself of negative energy is important. I also recommend trying a cord cutting ritual to make sure there are no harmful attachments to others. Other Means of Spiritual Protection My way is by no means the ONLY way to protect yourself against negative spirits. But it has served me well. But be aware, even if you do everything you can to protect yourself sometimes things slip through. That’s why it’s important to know how to banish an unwanted spirit. If you cleanse, ward and seal […]

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How to Make Black Salt + What is Witches Black Salt Used For? https://otherworldlyoracle.com/witches-black-salt/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=witches-black-salt https://otherworldlyoracle.com/witches-black-salt/#comments Tue, 28 Jul 2020 01:50:43 +0000 https://otherworldlyoracle.com/?p=5390 Salt is the most magical ingredient you have in your kitchen. Hands down. Sea salt, kosher salt, black lava salt, red salt and Himalayan pink salt are all great for protection and purification and so much more. But have you heard of witches black salt? Here we teach you how to make black salt on your own and its many magical uses. Plus how to preserve it and the difference between our recipe and the edible kinds. What is Witches Black Salt? Witches black salt is a mixture of regular salt and one of two things: ashes or cast iron scrapings. This is not to be confused with exotic Indian black salt. There are different ways to make this powerful mixture, and many ways to use it. First, let’s learn how to make it. How to Make Black Salt: Easy Witch’s Recipe Here’s what you’ll need: Sea salt (one half cup) (note: you can use any type of coarse salt you prefer) Ashes (1/4 cup): collected from your firepit, fireplace, OR smudging remnants OR cast iron scrapings (1/4 cup): from your cauldron or cast iron skillet (the second option if you don’t want to use ashes) Black pepper (1 tsp): OPTIONAL Black powdered food dye OPTIONAL: some witches like to amplify the color of the salt and add powdered black food dye. I prefer to keep mine as natural as possible, so I typically leave this out. My mixture is already lack without it. BUT it’s up to you! How to make it: Put all ingredients into your mortar. Mix and grind your salt and ash or scrapings together in a clockwise fashion, while visualizing your intentions. Chanting, singing, and praying over it also works wonders. You may need to add more ash or scrapings, depending on how black you want your salt to look. Bottle it, label it and use it at will. Watch Our Tutorial Here: What is Witches Black Salt Used For? First, because the salt is black, color becomes a part of the magic. The color black represents mystery, but in witchcraft is used for banishing, binding, protection, and warding. Black also represents the occult and ancient mysteries in witchcraft. If you added black pepper to your witches black salt mix, this amplifies the black color magic within. Notice a pattern with the ingredients below? To answer the question, what is witches black salt used for? Put simply: purification, protection, and warding. Among many other things. Each Ingredient’s Magical Properties After you’ve learned how to make black salt, it’s time to make magic. Let’s look at each ingredient and define its magical properties. All of which have either purifying or protective qualities: Sea salt: used by witches for years to purify, protect, and ward off negative energy and spirits. Made by the sea and therefore carries the power of the sea Kosher salt: alternative to sea salt; this salt’s been blessed by a Rabbi which adds to its protective power Table Salt: you can absolutely use table salt if you have no other salt form. It still carries magick within it Ashes: if you use the leftover ash from your smudging rituals, this ash contains the purifying power of whatever herb it came from (sage, rosemary, lavender are some examples). Ashes are also used in healing rituals – when a forest burns to the ground, the ashes heal the earth and encourage new growth. Cast Iron Scrapings: iron is a traditional tool for protection. Fairies are warded off by iron, as are evil spirits. It’s a strong, grounding metal, and therefore adds these properties to the witches black salt. Black Pepper: black pepper is similar to salt in its properties. It’s purifying and protective. When added to the recipe, it amplifies the vibes. Ways to Use Black Salt in Your Magic You know how we love to use salt for nearly every magical reason under the sun? Witches black salt isn’t much different! But remember – you can’t eat this kind of black salt!!! There are SO many uses for this powerful mixture. Here are just a few: Spread over your thresholds and windowsills to protect the home from negative energy and dark magic Encircle a candle to contain the energy within OR to amplify your intentions: best for banishings, bindings, reversals Add to banishing, binding, and warding spell bottles, bags, jars, and sachets Draw a circle around you on the ground/floor during ritual for protection Keep bowls of it around the home to ward off negativity and spirits Use as a floor sweep (sprinkle all over the floor then sweep/vacuum it up) to remove stubborn negative energy or spirits Offer to Underworld deities or dark goddesses including Hecate, Hades, Hel, Kali, Loki and more Offer to fire elementals and ancestors A great ingredient for any Dark Moon ritual Add to the bag in which you keep your reversal mirrors or black mirrors for scrying If you use Himalayan pink in your recipe, add to love and self-love spells A True Story About the Magick of Black Salt The first time I ever used this recipe in my magick, I added it to a candle spell for protection. A loved one of mine was experiencing problems at work with a person unnecessarily harassing her. She dreaded going to work, and eventually asked me to help protect her from this bully. I carved protective symbols into a red candle, then rolled the candle in oil and protective herbs. I put my petition under the candle and encircled it with my black salt. Within a week, the bully didn’t just stop harassing my loved one, she left the job altogether! This stuff is powerful. Can You Eat It? Folks, there is a type of salt that is edible but it’s NOT this one! There’s ashes in this recipe…you wouldn’t eat the ashes out of an ashtray or from the bottom of your fireplace or firepit, would you? So DON’T use this in your meals or foods of any […]

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Home Protection Spells: 3 Simmering Potpourri Recipes https://otherworldlyoracle.com/home-protection-spells/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=home-protection-spells https://otherworldlyoracle.com/home-protection-spells/#comments Thu, 23 Jul 2020 19:19:22 +0000 https://otherworldlyoracle.com/?p=5256 Potpourri is double purpose: it makes your house smell good AND packs a magical punch. This isn’t your mother’s kind of potpourri – it’s your witchy great aunt’s. And…she used it as a means to bless and protect the household. Ready to learn how to make 3 EASY simmering potpourri recipes that serve as home protection spells? Autumn Aromas: A Simmering Potpourri Home Protection Spell #1 This simmering potpourri recipe is my favorite. You can make it in the Autumn season OR any time to fill your home with the spicy, warm aromas of Fall! And the best parts about it are – it’s easy to make and fills your home with protective blessings! Spell Ingredients: orange peel (from 1 orange): dried or fresh. For happiness and family bay leaves (2 or 3): for protection cinnamon sticks (2): for protection whole cloves (a tablespoon): to repel the evil eye A cup+ of water: as the conduit (bonus points if the water is storm water or moon water) Home Protection Spell Instructions: 1. Put all ingredients in saucepan. 2. State out loud what each ingredient represents. Pour water over top. 3. Simmer and allow the protective and soothing aromas to fill your house, banishing negativity and illness. 4. When done, let cool, strain and bottle remnants. This can then be used to spray the exterior of the home for extra protection. Peaceful Simmering Potpourri Recipe: Home Protection Spell #2 This simmering potpourri recipe is perfect for any time the family and household needs to chill out. If the vibes are chaotic, and you need some peace, try this recipe out. Bonus: it purifies and acts as a home protection spell from negativity. Ingredients: Lavender (1 tablespoon): for peace, soothing vibes and purification Rosemary (1 tablespoon): for protection and love Lemon (1 slice): for purification Cup+ of water: as the conduit Peaceful Simmering Potpourri Recipe Instructions: 1. Put all ingredients in saucepan. 2. State out loud what each ingredient represents. Pour water over top. 3. Simmer and allow the protective and soothing aromas to fill your house, purifying and promoting peace. 4. When done, let cool, strain and bottle remnants. This can then be used to spray the rest of the home for peaceful vibes. Energizing Simmering Potpourri Home Protection Spell #3 Now, if you’re a fan of coffee, this simmering potpourri recipe is for you. Also, we should be best friends. Did you know how magical coffee beans are? In addition to being energizing, they are also purifying. Ingredients: Roasted coffee beans (1 cup): to wake up the household, energize and purify Cinnamon stick (1): for protection and amplification Nutmeg (1 whole, crushed): for prosperity and protection. You can use your mortar and pestle to crush the nutmeg slightly. Cup+ of Water: as the conduit Instructions: 1. Put all ingredients in saucepan. 2. State out loud what each ingredient represents. Pour water over top. 3. Simmer and allow the purifying and energizing aromas to fill your house, banishing negativity and illness. 4. When done, let cool, strain and bottle remnants. This can then be used to spray the exterior of the home for extra protection. More Kitchen Witchery: Basil Magic: 12 POWERFUL Ways to Use Basil in Your Craft Magical Cleaning: How to Enchant Your Chores in 5 Witchy Ways Honey Magic: Ancient Medicine, Magic and How to Make a Honey Jar

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Reversal Candle Spells: Return to Sender FULL Tutorial https://otherworldlyoracle.com/reversal-candle-spells/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=reversal-candle-spells https://otherworldlyoracle.com/reversal-candle-spells/#comments Fri, 03 Jul 2020 04:56:53 +0000 https://otherworldlyoracle.com/?p=5148 Tread lightly. You’ll often hear that phrase when asking about reversal candle spells. But I’m going to tell you NOT to worry about treading lightly. You’ll find out why here. Also, I will teach you how to do an effective return to sender spell and when it’s necessary or not. Let’s jump in! What is a Reversal Candle Spell? A reversal candle spell is a form of magic cast with the use of a candle to reflect negative energy off of the caster and back to its original source. I think of it as the old adage: “I’m rubber, you’re glue. Whatever you say bounces off of me and sticks on you.” There is one easy, effective way to do reversal candle spells that involve a candle and a mirror that we will teach later on in the article. But first… Why Are Reversal Candle Spells Frowned Upon? The Morals Some folks in the witchy community believe reversals are “gray area”, while others will tell you flat-out they are wrong. But my thinking and experience is this – if an individual is casting black magic your way or the evil eye, where is that energy going to go? Either A. you’ll take the brunt of the bad energy being thrown at you. B. you’ll banish it and send it gods know where. Or C. you reflect it off of you and send it back to its original source – the person that threw it at you to begin with! I’m not Christian and my magical and mundane morals don’t revolve around “turning the other cheek”. If this is how you do your magic or work your life, that’s fine too! To each their own. However, I believe in self-defense and protecting my family and what I’ve worked hard for. SO…reversal candle spells are necessary. If I decided to simply block and banish the bad energy thrown my way, then I’m sending it randomly into the ether, where it could attach to someone else who doesn’t deserve it. Instead, I feel it’s more than justified to return it to its sender. When Should a Reversal Candle Spell Be Done? Not everyone will feel a reversal candle spell should be a regular part of their practice. And others might feel reversals are required once a month or more. How do you know when a reversal candle spell is right? There’s a few basic qualifications, in my opinion: If you’re a well-known witch in the community and have lots of witchy friends, you may also pick up an enemy or competitor along the way. Regular reversal candle spells are necessary to deflect any jealousy or dark magic thrown at you. If you feel you’ve been “crossed” or “hexed” in some way (here are the signs), a full cleansing and a reversal candle spell is necessary. If someone is outright threatening you, do a reversal. ALSO if you feel someone has given you the evil eye, unknowingly or knowingly, do a reversal! Even if your luck seems to have run out or you’re dealing with a string of bad luck, a return to sender spell may be helpful. A Simple, Effective Reversal or Return to Sender Spell Here’s our favorite reversal candle spell that’s simple and effective. I recommend doing this once a month for high-profile witches and as needed for others. What You’ll Need: A black candle (I prefer quick burning candles like spell or tea lights) and holder/plate A small, cheap mirror (you will only use this mirror for reversals. You can find one for a dollar at your local dollar store!) Matches/lighter What To Do: First, cleanse your space and yourself. Take the black candle and rub it in a downwards pattern from the top of your head to the bottoms of your feet. This is picking up any negative energy or bad juju thrown at you. Set on top of the mirror. Light the candle and say, “Black as night. Candle burn bright. Burn away the magic thrown my way. Return it to its sender tonight.” Repeat the phrase 13 times. Let the candle burn down all the way. Gather up the remnants in a bag and dispose of it far from your property. If you choose to keep the mirror for future reversals, cleanse it once more and put it in a bag and in a dark, undisturbed location. Herbs and Tools for Return to Sender Spells If you choose to create your own return to sender or reversal spells, you might choose ingredients like herbs, stones, glass, and other objects. Truly the way in which you cast your magick is up to you and can be anything you want it to be. I find some of the best things to use in reversals are herbs and tools that have purifying, warding, and protective properties like: Salt: table, sea salt, gray salt, etc. Witch’s black salt Hot peppers Black pepper Garlic Cinnamon (specifically essential oil. Be careful when handling as it will burn you topically, but in that also lies its power) Rue Rosemary Basil Lemon Dragon’s Blood Angelica Onion Thistle Wormwood Red brick dust More Candle Magic: All About Binding Rituals DIY Oils for Candle Magic Seven Day Candles

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Binding Rituals: What Are They, When & How to Bind https://otherworldlyoracle.com/binding-rituals/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=binding-rituals https://otherworldlyoracle.com/binding-rituals/#comments Wed, 06 May 2020 03:06:07 +0000 https://otherworldlyoracle.com/?p=4985 Binding is one of those hot terms in the witch community. Some people do them, others proclaim against them. In this article, we’ll dive into the basics of binding and answer your questions: what are binding rituals? When should we cast a binding spell? And give you a few examples of how to bind a person, event, or thing. What Are Binding Rituals? First of all, let’s define the term binding in the magical sense. What you’re thinking when you hear the word binding is probably already correct. Binding means to tie or adhere two things together OR to bind something/someone to itself. Some people believe binding rituals get into gray magic and go against universal magical laws. Others claim binding rituals are effective and should be used when necessary. We’ll get into the ethics later on. 2 Kinds of Bindings There are two kinds of binding rituals. The first is binding something or someone to itself. If you get the metaphorical image of a rope tied around someone or something to keep it in its place, then you’d be right. Magically speaking, witches and magicians use this form of binding ritual typically to prevent someone or something from causing harm to other people/things or to themselves. The second kind of binding ritual binds two people or two things together. An example of a binding ritual of this kind is a pagan Handfasting ritual in which two people swear their love to one another for a year before deciding on marriage or not. This is a voluntary binding when both parties are willing. A more dangerous form of this is to bind a person to you without them knowing. Ancient Binding Magic There is evidence to suggest binding rituals are as old as time. While there are many ways to do a binding, originally it was done with knot work, ribbons, and ties. Hence the name binding. The ancient Egyptians used knot work in their rituals and magic, indicating they were engaging in some form of binding rituals. Sea Knot Magic: “Binding the Wind” Sailors across the world believed in the power of knot magic. They often employed witches and other magicians to “bind the wind” with knots in a magical rope. Then when the sailors were stuck at sea with no wind, they would un-tie the knot to summon the wind. This form of sea knot magic could also be used to summon a storm and overturn an enemy’s ship. The Magic in Cloth and Linen-making Think of how clothing and linens have been made over the centuries. Weaving, knitting, sewing, etc. are all forms of binding one material to another that then create something new from it. Many witches also knew how to weave or make clothing, and as they performed their craft they would imbue each stitch or braid with intention. Essentially binding their magical goals into the fabric itself. This is why witches in Medieval paintings and artwork are sometimes depicted riding a distaff instead of a broom. Braiding, knotting, sewing, etc are all powerful forms of binding rituals when done with intention. Bonding and Binding One to Another There are many other magical traditions that use different methods of binding rituals all over the world. Hoodoo, a form of American folk magic, uses binding often to bind one person to another. In ancient Ireland, a man would braid his hair into a bracelet and give it to his love. If she accepted, they were bound together by his gift. The binding of an object like bracelets, knot work, and more, gives way to the metaphorical bonding of one person to another. In modern times, we pledge ourselves to our partner and place a ring on our finger…this is a form of binding! When Should Binding Rituals Be Done? Morals and Suggestions The topic of magical morals always comes up with binding rituals. But why? When we look at why people bind other people or things, we see sometimes it’s for selfish gain. For instance, when someone binds another person to themselves in love without the other person knowing or consenting. We may pine for someone’s love, but if that person doesn’t love us in return, and we do a binding ritual to force them to…it always turns out bad. For both parties. What if that person turns out to be abusive and you’ve bound him to you for life? And what of the person’s free will? When Binding May Be Necessary… Next, if we choose to bind someone from hurting themselves or others. I always think of that scene in the movie The Craft when Sarah is “binding” Nancy from doing harm. She has a photo of Nancy, the target, and she’s wrapping a black ribbon around her while chanting, “I bind you Nancy from doing harm, harm against other people and harm against yourself.” In this case, Sarah is trying to defend herself, Nancy and other people from Nancy’s violence. Sometimes work like this is justified. But you have to be darn sure it’s justified in that there’s no other way to help the individual before performing a binding of this nature. Binding Rituals for Illness and Bad Habits What about binding things such as illness, bad habits, or even ourselves? You can absolutely bind an illness or a bad habit; however, keep in mind that you’re not necessarily getting rid of those things by binding them. In these cases, a banishing ritual followed by protection rituals are best. This way you’re exiling that habit or illness from being anywhere near you and then shielding yourself from its return. You might also choose to do a cord cutting ritual, to cut the ties between your soul and that bad habit or illness. Binding Yourself: Not Advised Someone once asked if they could bind themselves from doing a bad habit. While you can choose to do whatever you’d like to yourself, in my experience binding yourself magically is never a good idea! While you may […]

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