Witchcraft Archives - Otherworldly Oracle

Gemini Personality Explained Including in Love and the Workplace

kitty fields — Wed, 09 Nov 2022 15:54:29 +0000

If you’ve ever wondered what the Gemini personality is like and what traits they possess, then this article will answer your questions. The Gemini is often easily identifiable because of their strong personalities. If you know a Gemini, you know a Gemini. This article will provide information about Gemini’s unique characteristics, so you can learn more about yourself and others born under this mutable zodiac sign. Exciting Gemini Personality and Traits Explained: The Good and the Bad First, Gemini is an Air sign, which means they take on the qualities of this particular element. Gemini personality traits inherited from the Air element include musical ability, the gift of communication in spoken and written words, artistic ability, and intelligence. Many air signs are highly adaptable to change and are frequently called “free-spirited”. In addition, Gemini is a mutable sign which means they might even thrive on change. And as you’ll soon see, these air and mutable traits manifest easily in Gemini. The zodiac sign Gemini is based on the constellation Gemini, a.k.a. The Twins. Just as twins are seen in the stars, a sort of “double” personality may be seen in the Gemini individual. In many ways, this is a good thing because it gives them the ability to fit in with many people and situations. Though sometimes it’s a bad thing, if it manifests in the individual taking on “two-faced” qualities. Either way, there may be a few sides to Gemini making them complex beings. Geminis are curious. Gemini is an air sign, so it’s no surprise that they are curious about everything. They’ll only be able to sit still and do something for a short time because there are always new things to learn and explore. The Gemini loves asking questions because it helps them better understand the world. Geminis can’t imagine not knowing something, or being bored with life, so anytime something new comes along—a hobby or a person—they are excited by it at first and immediately long for more information on the topic. Gemini Personalities are adventurous. Gemini is a sign of communication and connection, meaning they’re incredibly social. They are also highly creative and often have an eye for design and fashion. As a friend of a Gemini, you can expect to be invited to many events and treated with great gifts (especially if you’re close to them). Geminis love company and are likely to invite you over for coffee or lunch on the weekend so they can catch up with you. They’ll want you around because they like talking about exciting things in their lives—and yours too. Gemini loves meeting new people and hearing about their adventures; this makes them excellent conversationalists who know how to keep a conversation going without ever running out of things to say. Geminis like to make people laugh. You’ll often find Geminis cracking jokes and making people laugh. They like to make people smile and are usually pretty good at it. They are naturally funny without trying too hard, which makes them even more endearing than they already are. However, sometimes Gemini’s humor can be taken in the wrong way. Sometimes they can seem offensive in their jokes but underneath they’re just trying to have fun. Don’t be fearful of asking a Gemini what they truly mean or by putting them in their place when they get carried away. If you’re dating a Gemini who has a wild sense of humor, you should know that this isn’t necessarily something you should worry about or get offended by. Just speak up when you need to. Geminis usually have strong opinions and something to say. Gemini is the sign of communication, so you can rest assured there will be many conversations. They are also very curious and love being at the center of attention. This comes in handy when it comes time for debating ideas with others—Geminis may not be as good at listening as other signs, but their ability to speak up when they have something to say makes them notably persuasive. Having a Gemini Personality means you rarely get bored. If you’re friends with a Gemini, you can count on them to be curious and adventurous. They might want to try new things, go to different places, or eat unfamiliar foods. You can also count on them to make you laugh—Geminis love playing the clown and making people smile in almost every situation. Because of their inquisitive nature, Geminis strongly oppose specific topics (like politics or religion). They have a lot to say about whatever subject is of interest at the time and don’t mind sharing it. If you ever meet someone who is bored by Geminis, it’s probably because they’re not interested in talking about anything more profound than the weather. As for being easy-going: well…that’s pretty much what makes them so lovable! Nothing fazes these people; from your wildest ideas to your deepest fears—if it involves emotions then chances are they’ll handle it just fine. Geminis are easy to talk to. Geminis are easy to talk to because they are very open-minded and like to hear about other people’s experiences. You can talk about anything, and Geminis will listen. They’re often good at listening because they’re curious and want to learn more about you – they’ll ask questions if they don’t understand what you’re saying, but otherwise, they have no problem just listening. At the same time, if they are bored with the conversation, you may find them drifting off and looking for someone new to talk to or something new to discuss. Geminis have fun quirks. Geminis are some of the most entertaining people you’ll meet. They are full of wit and have a strong sense of curiosity and appreciation for the quirky and unusual. They’re also known for verbal sparring matches, which makes them great conversation partners and fun arguments. But that’s not all—they get along well with everyone, from their best friends to complete strangers. Geminis can be fickle. Gemini is a sign that […]

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Apple Magical Properties, Lore, and Ways to Use in Your Witchcraft

kitty fields — Fri, 21 Oct 2022 19:24:44 +0000

An apple a day keeps the doctor away. Or so they say. Apples are one of those fruits, that if fruits were people, they would be the ruler of the fruit kingdom. One of its names is the “fruit of the gods”, for crying out loud. Why are apples just so freaking magical? And why are they such a universal symbol of the Autumn and Winter seasons? In this scrumptious post, we explore the apple orchard and define apple magical properties. As well as bite into apple folklore and traditions, PLUS provide you with ways to harness apple energy in your witchcraft practice. First, What IS An Apple Anyway? Apples are the fruit of the apple tree, scientific name Malus domestica. They are grown worldwide today but have ancient origins in Central Asia. Although we do know they’ve been grown in Europe for thousands of years and were brought to North America with European immigrants over the past few centuries. The apple is an edible fruit (if you didn’t already know that) and one that’s well-loved worldwide. Interestingly, farmers claim growing apple trees from their own apple seeds tend to produce an entirely different tree and fruit than growing more apple trees from clonal graftings. Today apples are eaten and used in culinary dishes including savory and sweet foods and beverages. They’re covered in caramel, nuts and candy at Halloween and put on a stick for children (or adults) to eat. And they’re even featured in Disney fairy tales (think the Evil Queen in Snow White who poisons an apple and feeds it to the unsuspecting princess). Apples are a true symbol of Autumn and Winter, and likely because they’re harvested in the Fall. And because they’ve been part of Fall and Winter festivals for thousands of years. Now for the Apple in Ancient Myth and Lore Apples are featured in SO many myths that it would likely take a book to present them all to you. Luckily, I’m compiling my favorite apple myths and bits of lore here, beginning with the apple in ancient mythology. Eve and the “Apple” in the Garden of Eden I can’t talk about the apple’s magical history without mentioning the biblical story of the first woman, Eve, and her fall from grace. Basically it involves Eve, a “serpent”, and a bite of the fruit from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. According to Christian lore, Eve wasn’t supposed to ever eat the fruit from this ONE tree in paradise. God had asked her not to. Well, the old trickster serpent in the garden tempted her into eating from the one forbidden tree. And so she did. In more recent centuries, that fruit has been depicted as an apple…pretty religiously (pun intended). But in all actuality, it likely wasn’t an apple if indeed this was an actual event. And if it’s just myth, it still more than likely wasn’t originally an apple. The point here is this: the apple is associated with WISDOM and an otherworldly place – the Garden of Eden. Take a mental note of that. There seems to be a link between the biblical character Eve and the ancient Sumerian goddess Inanna. Some scholars believe the story of Eve descends from this goddess’ origins. In one story, the goddess Inanna “leans against an apple tree” and beholds her own vulva and believes it beautiful. I can’t help but see a parallel between Eve and eating the apple that gave her knowledge and Inanna beholding her own “apple blossom” and knowing of her own power. Norse and Celtic Apple Magic and Legends The apple is an integral ingredient or magical item in of many Norse, Germanic and Celtic myths and folklore in later centuries. In the Prose Edda, the goddess Idunn is the guardian of an apple orchard that grows apples of eternal youth a.k.a. immortality for the gods. Loki is made to lure her out of the garden and she is then taken by a Jotunn for his own evil purposes. In Celtic myth, the beautiful fairy woman (who is also a goddess) Cliodhna offers apples of healing and immortality to journeying heroes in the Celtic Otherworld. In the Old Norse tradition, the alfablot was a sacrifice to the elves/alfar, and one fruit in particular frequented the offerings – the apple. It was considered a food of the dead. Interestingly, that goes along nicely with the Celtic Samhain and it’s other name: Feast of Apples. In Celtic lore, a magical apple branch called the silver bough allowed the person who held it to pass into the Otherworld safely. In a post-Christianized Germany, it was customary to bring an offering of apples and eggs to the cross on Easter morning. Author of Celtic Folklore Cooking, Joann Asala, claims this is likely an ancient pagan custom that was adapted and carried on in Medieval Times. Apples in Ancient Greek and Roman Religion The golden apple is a recurring theme in many myths worldwide including in ancient Greek and Roman mythos. One ancient Greek tale tells of Zeus throwing a wedding party in which one particular goddess wasn’t invited, Eris the goddess of discord. So, as disgruntled deities of chaos do, she threw a golden apple into the mix that read “to the most beautiful goddess” and watched as three deities tried their damn-dest to claim it: Hera, Athena and Aphrodite. To the Ancient Romans, fruits and in particular apples were so important that they had a goddess who guarded and presided over them – her name is Pomona. Sadly, we don’t have a ton of information on Pomona as a deity but know that she is a virginal nymph of the woods who married the personification of Autumn named Vertumnus. Because the two were a lusty match, they ensure a bountiful, fertile apple harvest on an annual basis. And at the Festival of Diana, apple boughs were carried around for luck and prosperity. Apple Magical Properties Depending on the tradition and […]

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Aquarius Sign Explained: Characteristics, Air Element and More

kitty fields — Mon, 10 Oct 2022 17:21:24 +0000

Everyone thinks they know what an Aquarius is like. They think it’s a sign of boundless imagination, wild ideas, and the desire to change the world for the better. But those people aren’t wrong- they’re just missing some key parts of the Aquarian personality that make everything possible. In this post, we’ll look at what makes up the personality traits of people born under this sign in detail so you can get to know them better. Including what it’s like to have Aquarius as a friend. Aquarius: Element, Planet, and Key Characteristics The water bearer represents Aquarius, an air sign (the maiden pouring out water). The air element represents thought, communication and learning. Aquarius is one of three zodiac signs associated with the air element. Aquarius is ruled by Uranus, also known as “the planet of innovation.” It brings some very interesting traits to your personality; for example, it may make you have a great imagination or curiosity about things others don’t seem to care much about. This can be good and bad because, on the one hand, it means that you’re able to think more creatively than other people, but on the other hand, it might make other people view you as weird or strange sometimes because they don’t understand what exactly goes through your mind when they talk with you. The best thing to do is to use your imagination positively; for example, you could use it as an artist or writer. If you feel something missing in your life and no one understands what that might be, then Uranus will help you find the answer. Aquarius is one of three zodiac signs associated with the air element. The air element is symbolized by the color yellow, which you’ll see in the Aquarius mascot. The mascot is a personified zodiac sign which, in this case, is an eternally youthful, smiling woman. She floats above a planet and looks about 20 or 30 years old. The elements are a broad classification for astrology and an organizing principle that makes up the Chinese calendar. They are also used as a framework for understanding personality types. In this case, most people with an Aquarius sun sign can be described as “air” types. There are 12 total signs in astrology; they’re grouped into four categories: air, water, Earth, and fire. It was believed that these four elements influenced every person on Earth. In ancient times, people believed certain elements were more dominant than others during certain times of the year. For example, during winter months, when snow fell, it was assumed that water was the main element. Gemini and Libra are the other two air signs. Gemini is the sign of the twins, and its symbol is two people walking side by side. This sign is curious and intellectual, always seeking knowledge about others or themselves (which can sometimes lead to gossip). A set of scales represents Libra because it’s about balance in all things—and if anything gets out of balance, Librans will do what they can to ensure everything is equal again. Aquarius Sign Can Be Stubborn, Knowledgeable, and Great Problem Solvers Aquarius people are stubborn when they think something’s right; that doesn’t mean they’re pessimistic people, just that once their minds are made up on an issue, it takes a lot to change them. But this stubbornness also has positive effects: Aquarians are loyal friends who stick together through thick and thin; they’re always willing to help others with no strings attached. They believe everyone deserves happiness regardless of social status or personal wealth level. They’re also likely well-educated due to their curious nature, which makes them seek knowledge wherever possible (even if this means reading articles online). Aquarians are also adventurous people who love going on road trips, camping, and hiking; they’re usually up for anything that allows them to explore new places. They’re also very curious about the world around them and may even have a tendency to get lost in thought (which can be good or bad, depending on how you look at it). They’re also very intelligent and tend to have a lot of knowledge on various topics. They may be interested in science, technology, medicine, history, or any other subject that captures their interest. Aquarians are adept at problem-solving and come up with creative solutions when faced with challenges. Since Aquarius is an air sign, which affects your mind, knowledge, and communication The zodiac sign Aquarius is an air sign that affects your mind, knowledge, and communication. Aquarians are very intelligent, analytical, and intellectual. They are especially interested in education, philosophy, humanitarian work, and science. They love to talk about ideas for hours and enjoy debating because they are also very good at it. The air element also means that they are often outgoing. They love being surrounded by people and being involved in groups, clubs, or organizations where they can share their knowledge with others. If you have a friend who is an Aquarius, you’ll always have something interesting to talk about with them. They are quite eccentric and can be quite unpredictable. Sometimes you might not have any idea of what they might say next or what kind of crazy invention they’ll come up with. But that’s one of the things that makes them so interesting to be around. Air signs, like Aquarius, tend to be more flexible and changeable in nature. Air signs are also “mental” signs because they like to keep their options open and be on the cutting edge. They are quick-thinkers, making them more likely to jump on board with new trends, but it can also lead them to jump off board when they get bored of something. When communicating with other people, air signs always think about what’s happening in the world around them. You’ll often find your Aquarius friends talking about politics or current events at dinner parties (and sometimes loudly). Air Signs Think a Lot. Air signs also like talking about ideas from work or school. […]

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Winter Solstice Blessings, Yule Spells and SNOWY Divinations

kitty fields — Tue, 04 Oct 2022 23:32:03 +0000

As the nights grow longer and a chill permeates the air, we begin to settle in to our homes and warm blankets more and more. I absolutely love this time of year. When stringing lights from every rooftop and tree isn’t extravagant, it’s welcomed and sometimes expected. When drinks turn hot and warm us up from head to foot. And there’s a magic that can’t quite be described. It’s also the perfect time to offer Winter Solstice Blessings. Here we provide you with a few of our favorites. In addition, a few simple and beautiful Yule spells and divination methods perfect for the Winter holiday season. Winter Solstice Blessings for All: No matter your beliefs or the individual’s beliefs, it’s never a bad thing to wish Winter Solstice blessings on someone. Especially during the holiday season. I’ve never once had a problem with someone wishing me peace and happiness over the Winter. Truly, it’s through the Winter that most people struggle with depression and loneliness, so wishing blessings on our loved ones can only serve to uplift their spirits. “Joyfully bring out the holly and ivy, Feast with the Holly King.Kiss under the mistletoe, Oh what will this Yuletide bring?Peace and prosperity ever-flowing.” ~ Otherworldly Oracle “Dress the Yule tree, light the hearthfire, invoke the Ancestors.May you be blessed with all you desire this Winter Solstice.” ~ Otherworldly Oracle “May this Winter Solstice season bring you peace, love and relaxation.We wish you a good book to read, a blanket to keep you warm,a hot drink in your cup and friends with whom to weather any storm.” ~ Otherworldly Oracle Winter Solstice Yule Spells for Protection, Prosperity & Peace When Yule or Winter Solstice comes around, we see specific themes popping up in our lives and in our magical practice. As witches and pagans, we flow with the changes all around us in nature. And many of us tend to feel those changes VERY intimately. Some of those themes you could consider working into your Yule spells include darkness and shadow work, death and rebirth, moon magic (since the nights are longer up until the day after the Solstice when they grow shorter again), sun magic (since we are encouraging the sun’s return), fire magic, feasting and abundance, divination, and dreams. 1. A Witch Ball Yule Spell for Protection To our Northern European and Germanic ancestors, Yule is as Samhain is to the Celts. Meaning the ancestors, gods, and spirits were thought to be ever-present during the Winter season. So, just as you can be visited by unwanted spirits at Samhain, so too can you be confronted by the dead during the Winter Solstice (and truly the whole Winter season). A Yule spell for protection may be necessary. Try our witch’s ball below. Here’s what you’ll need: Here’s how to cast the Witch’s Ball Yule Protection Spell: 2. A Simmer Pot Yule Spell for Prosperity Yule and Winter Solstice is truly the season of abundance. Unfortunately, many of us end up spending more than we truly have and so sometimes a Yule spell for prosperity is helpful. I’ve found my prosperity often comes from being thankful, so here I provide you with a simmer pot spell I’ve used with good results. Here’s what you’ll need: What to Do: 3. A Yule Tea Spell to Have Peace and Quiet I’m an introvert, and I’d venture to say most of the witches I know personally also have introverted personalities. This means we crave the quiet. We need alone time in order to recharge our batteries. Too many people around all of the time scatters our energy. And we all know how crazy Yule can be with visitors, parties, feasts, etc. So if you need some peace and quiet, here’s our cozy Tea Spell for a serene Solstice. Ingredients for this Yule Spell (Be prepared for Winter Solstice Blessings of Solitude) What To Do: Winter Solstice Yule Divination Methods Whether you live in a place where there’s snow or a tropical climate with palm trees and sand, the Winter Solstice gives us a time to intimately connect with the Winter Yule spirits. And how do we do that? Through divination, of course. We recommend divining in a way that you feel most comfortable, but around the sabbats trying out sabbat-themed divination tools and practices. Like incorporating snow or ice into your ritual. Snow and Ice Divination for Yule Divination by snow is called nivimancy and divination by ice is cryomancy. There’s different ways to do this. First, if you live in a place where you get snow, simply watching the snowflakes falling and allowing your mind to clear. Then letting images, words, numbers, symbols pop into your mind. If you can go out in the snow, watch the flakes and notice their patterns, how the wind blows them, etc. Ask the Winter gods, ancestors, and spirits to give you messages through the snow. If you don’t live in a place with snow, I recommend the shaved ice method. You can purchase a shaved ice machine (sno cone machine, as they’re sometimes called). Or purchase shaved ice, then allow the ice to melt and read the shape, size, etc. of the puddle made. In addition, you can gaze into the puddle and water scry. I feel the Winter spirits enjoy sending messages through the elements which includes snow, ice, mist and hail. Bake a Yule Loaf and Aleuromancy One of my favorite things to do on the holidays is bake bread. Not only can you make your loaf of bread into a spell for prosperity, health, etc. BUT you can also read the patterns in the flour on the counter. Some folks even enjoy putting little charms inside the bread (don’t feed to little kids and warn folks that there’s charms inside!) while others determine readings based on who takes the largest slice, what crumbs are left on their plates and more. Reading patterns in flour and bread is called aleuromancy. 12 Days of Yule […]

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Protection Runes: 10 POWERFUL Symbols to Fend Off Enemies

kitty fields — Fri, 23 Sep 2022 19:43:28 +0000

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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Witchy Kitchen: How to Enchant & Decorate Your Hearth

kitty fields — Thu, 25 Aug 2022 17:48:24 +0000

I’ve been practicing kitchen witchery for years, and the first tip I can give you is this – make your kitchen a magical place where you’ll WANT to cook and make magick. A witch’s kitchen shouldn’t be a drab, boring place. It should be the heart of the home, filled with the aromas of bread baking in the oven, incense burning on the altar, and tea brewing on the stove. The walls should be covered with images of herbs, potions, and ancestors. Here, I teach you how to decorate your hearth and make your witchy kitchen a sacred sanctuary. First, What is a Kitchen Witch? Maybe you’ve stumbled across this article by chance and you’re wondering what a kitchen witch is. Let me explain it in simple terms. A kitchen witch is a person who makes magic in their kitchen: in the meals they cook, in the desserts they bake, in the teas they brew, and in any other way they like. Basically, it’s a witch who does most of their practice in the kitchen. Kitchen witchery tends to consist mainly of magical cooking and baking but truly can be any practice or work done hearth-side. Often practices that revolve around the home are included like household protection spells, herbal remedies for the family, and ancestor work. But, again, a kitchen witch can be anything they want to be and practice any way they choose. There are no set rules. Now, For the Fun Part…Witchy Kitchen Themes Are you ready to make your kitchen a magical, sacred sanctuary? A place where you feel the most magical and can make magick any time of day? There are many simple ways to add magic to your kitchen space, but if you’d like to do a complete witchy kitchen overhaul, I recommend choosing a decorative theme to start: Quick and Cheap Ways to Shift the Vibe in Your Kitchen You don’t have to spend a ton of money on creating your perfect witchy kitchen. Sometimes it just takes a simple change to shift the vibe and make it feel like a magical cooking sanctuary. Here’s some cheap, quick ways to do so: Places to Shop for Witchy Kitchen Decor: Witchy Kitchen Tools and Appliances Let’s say you’re on a budget. But you still want to bewitch your kitchen and make it feel magical. Consider the tools and appliances you currently own and use. Are you able to replace any of them with something witchy? For example, simply by adding wooden spoons with the elements or witchy sayings literally amplifies the magical vibe in the kitchen. And these are fairly affordable. If you already have wooden spoons, consider carving symbols and sayings in them yourself. A few of the witchy tools I can’t live without in my kitchen include wooden chopping boards, a mortar and pestle for grinding herbal concoctions, an old school tea kettle, a tea diffuser, and stand mixer. My heavy stockpot has been turned into my cauldron. My chef’s knife is a boline. The key here is this – don’t just think of your kitchen tools and appliances as mundane things. Think of them as magical things – spoons become wands, the oven is your hearth, etc. Cookbooks and Grimoires for the Witchy Kitchen I have an entire shelf in my kitchen dedicated to holding my favorite cookbooks, recipes, and kitchen grimoires. Some of my most treasured heirlooms are cookbooks passed down through my family. If you have any of these, you should treasure them too. In addition, I keep a kitchen grimoire (or Book of Shadows) that consists of herbal magick, magical correspondences, spell recipes, witchcraft history, folklore and much more. If you don’t have one, consider starting one. You can use a composition book, spiral notebook, binder with sheet protectors, or even a fancy leather grimoire. Some of my favorite witchy kitchen cookbooks and references include: Organization, Purification and Cleanliness Truthfully, before you start redecorating, I think it’s super important to declutter, clean and organize your kitchen space. When we declutter, we allow for fresh positive energy to move in and old stale energy to move out. And when we physically clean our kitchen, we also remove negative energy. Plus it’s just nice to live in a clean, decluttered space. When my kitchen is clean and organized, I feel the freedom to make magick. Instead of worrying about cleaning it. We typically do a deep-clean of our kitchen once a season (think Spring cleaning). After you’ve cleaned and decluttered your witchy kitchen, we recommend a purification ritual. Smoke-cleansing is a popular and effective choice, but you can also make a simmer pot. I like t o turn high-vibrational music on during these rituals – Celtic flutes, Norse drumming, meditation music, etc. Use cleansing ingredients like lemons, rosemary, sage, etc in your simmer pot. Then save the remnants of the simmer pot and spray/sprinkle it around the kitchen. Kitchen Altars Many witches enjoy setting up and maintaining altars. For the kitchen witch, altars in the kitchen are a place where we honor ancestors, gods, and household spirits. Keep in mind, your kitchen altar can be as elaborate or as simple as you want. A shell on the wall, the corner of a counter, a shelf in the cupboard all work as space for your kitchen witch altar. Clean, cleanse and add to it whatever you feel drawn to. My kitchen altar is actually a pretty wooden tray on which I keep candles, incense, an offering cup, stones and figurines. When I’m not using my altar, I place it on top of my fridge to keep it sacred and safe. Space for Household Spirits and Fae Not every kitchen witch, but many that I know including myself, like to work with household spirits like ancestors and household fairies like kobolds, brownies, etc. A great way to honor and make household spirits welcome is to keep a separate, quiet space for them. For instance, clean off a shelf high in the pantry […]

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Egg Cleanse: How To Do An Egg Cleansing & Read the Meaning

kitty fields — Wed, 24 Aug 2022 22:02:44 +0000

In recent years, a practice called an egg cleansing ritual has gained popularity in the online witchcraft community. One might think this is a new, modern practice but in reality, the egg cleanse dates back centuries. And its origins are spread out across cultures. Eggs are a powerful tool in any witch’s or magical practitioner’s repertoire. Here we teach you why eggs are a potent ingredient in removing negative energy. PLUS how to do an egg cleansing ritual and how to read the egg afterward. First, Why Are Egg Cleansings A Thing? I am one that believes certain practices of our ancestors are passed down over generations, and certain practices are just ingrained in our DNA and spiritual memory. Either way, we have our ancestors to thank for these powerful rituals. One such ritual is called the egg cleanse. We all know how important it is to cleanse yourself and your space regularly. But why is an egg used as a purifying tool? Egg Magick & Oomancy First, we have to look at the magick of the egg itself. Typically when we say “eggs”, we are mostly referring to a chicken’s egg. But there are eggs from other animals that can also be used in magick and cleansing rituals. However, we recommend sticking to the chicken variety. And here’s why – the chicken in and of itself has a gods-given ability to keep evil at bay. Many cultures and traditions believe chickens “scratch” away evil spirits and/or scare any that are near. So, yes! It is good luck and a great natural warding device to have chickens in your yard or on your property. Eggs = Protection That being said, eggs by default are also protective. But think of their actual physical make-up: the egg yolk and whites are contained in a hard, protective shell. Egg magick is both protective and can be used to increase fertility. Eggs actually have a long history of being used in folk magic from various traditions including: African diasporic, Mesoamerican, Romani, German Folk Magic (Pow Wow), and were even used by the ancient Greeks, Romans and Celtic Druids. Oomancy…Ohhhh Eggs Oomancy is a form of ancient divination in which the individual “reads” eggs as messages from the gods. There were various ways of doing this including cracking an egg into water and reading the pattern of the whites and yolk. Some people read the lines, cracks, and color of eggshells. I know today we have mass-produced chicken eggs that are all mostly of pure white color. But back in the day, and on free ranging farms, eggs took on different colors, shapes and some were even speckled. Speaking of eggshells, when you’re done reading them, you can use them as flying vehicles. Witches in Medieval Times were said to fly around in empty eggshells, as were fairies. Most people discarded their eggshells quickly so as not to encourage mischievous magic-makers from taking them. How to Do An Egg Cleansing Ritual What You’ll Need: How to do an egg cleansing on yourself or another person: PLEASE NOTE: if the evil eye or malefic magick is suspected, don’t crack the egg right away to read it but place it under yours (or the person’s) bed for at least 24 hours. Then continue with the steps below (cracking in water and reading). Kitty Fields, Otherworldly Oracle Reading Egg Cleanse Meanings Once you’ve rubbed the egg all over your body, the next step in the egg cleanse process is to read the egg yolk, whites, and the patterns therein. Like so: 8. Crack your egg over a clear glass, half-filled with water.9. Let the yolk and whites settle, then gaze through the glass from the side.10. You’ll begin to see shapes, patterns, strings, colors, and more. Here’s how to interpret different meanings behind your egg cleanse. When reading an egg cleanse, the yolk is representative of you and the whites symbolize others. Kitty Fields, Otherworldly Oracle Patterns, Symbols, and Colors in Your Egg Cleanse Cup You’ve Read Your Egg Cleanse Meaning, Now What? Maybe you’ve read the meaning of your egg cleanse and received certain results. What do you do with this information? First of all, if your egg showed mostly clear or somewhat cloudy, this is a good thing. It means you’ve cleansed yourself well enough already. But if you feel out of sorts still, cleanse yourself again by some other method (bathing ritual, smoke-cleansing ritual, etc.) If you noticed you have attachments or cords, it’s truly up to you to figure out who these people or spirits are, and whether you want to cut those cords or not. Remember, not all energetic cords are harmful. Learn to cut the cords here. If there’s blood or a bad smell… When there’s blood in the egg, extreme cloudiness, or a foul odor, this means someone is working magic against you or that you have an evil spirit nearby. What do you do in this case? There’s a few things you need to do: cleanse your space and yourself, lay wards around your property, call in your guides to protect you, and start wearing a protective amulet. In addition, some folks might consider a reversal spell (return to sender), as well as crafting and burying a witch bottle on the property. Cobwebs and Double Yolks… In addition, if you find you have cobwebs in the egg or an eye, you have folks who are envious of you. Taking extra precautions to shield yourself from jealousy and the evil eye is necessary at this point. Wearing an evil eye amulet like the nazar or a hag stone is a powerful way to keep envious vibes at bay. As far as double yolks after an egg cleanse, this is typically interpreted in different ways depending on the person’s situation. If pregnant or trying to conceive, a double yolk could mean twins for the expecting mom. But if pregnancy is out of the question, a double yolk could mean one’s soul was […]

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Samhain Spells, Blessings and POWERFUL Forms of Divination

kitty fields — Sun, 21 Aug 2022 23:39:02 +0000

Every year, when Samhain rolls around, my urge to create, craft, and communicate with the spirits becomes almost too much to bear. So what do I do? I give in to the urge, of course! I cast Samhain spells for purification and prosperity. Also offering Samhain blessings to my witchy family members and friends. And I engage in Samhain divination that allows me to easily communicate with my ancestors, gods, and elementals. Come with me, and you’ll be prepared to make your own POTENT magick this Samhain too. First, What is Samhain? Samhain, pronounced Sow-en, is an ancient Celtic harvest festival that occurs annually beginning the night of October 31st through November 1st. The name of this holiday, Samhain, actually means “Summer’s End” and was also once considered the new year to the ancient Celts. It was a time when the last crops were harvested and Winter preparations began. In addition, they believed spirits of the dead and the fairy folk wandered the earth on this night. The “veil” between the living and the dead was at its thinnest, making visitations from the spirit world commonplace. Today, modern pagans celebrate Samhain by honoring their ancestors, feasting with other pagans, friends and family members, lighting bonfires, and more. Since Halloween is the modern holiday with its roots in Samhain, many pagans will also throw Halloween parties, go trick-or-treating, and engage in Halloween activities. They may even cast Samhain spells and divine for messages from the gods and ancestors. If you’d like to learn more about the history and traditions of Samhain, click here. Samhain Spells for Purification, Prosperity and Increasing Power Samhain was considered the end of Summer in older Celtic times. Which also meant it was the end of the old year and new one was starting. Our Celtic ancestors believed performing ritual and casting Samhain spells for purification and prosperity was appropriate for this time of year. It was tradition to symbolically purify their cattle by walking them between two great bonfires on Samhain Eve. People would also walk between the fires, or (more dangerously), jump over a smaller bonfire. The fire was believed to purge the soul and the physical body of negative spirits and bad luck. So that everyone and every animal was purified and healthy for a new year. You don’t have to jump a fire (and please don’t hurt yourself), so here’s our Samhain spell instead: Bonfire Release Spell for Purification This is a simple Samhain spell that utilizes the traditional sabbat bonfire. If you have a firepit or fireplace, this spell for purification is a powerful symbol to the universe. You tell the universe and the gods that you are finished with a toxic habit or person in your life, and release it in the flames. Here’s what you’ll need for this Samhain Spell: Paper Pen Source of fire (bonfire, fireplace, candleflame) Gather your materials and sit by the fire. Take a few minutes to just listen to the fire crackling. Gaze into the flames and connect with this powerful element. Next begin to think about what habit or person you are releasing this Samhain. Think about why you’re purifying your life from this thing or person. Then write the habit or person down on the piece of paper. Fold it away from you 3 times. Hold it in your hands and allow all of the negative thoughts and energies inside of you to “drain” out of you and into the paper. Then throw it in the fire and say, “after this Samhain, never again. Never again. I release _________ from my life by the power of the Samhain fire. So mote it be.” A PUMPKIN Spell for Prosperity One of my favorite Samhain spells for prosperity utilizes an inherent symbol of the season – a pumpkin. And a little paint. Go to the pumpkin patch (or local store) and select a pumpkin. Or let the pumpkin choose you. Bring it home and paint prosperity symbols on it – money signs, runes for prosperity (Fehu, for example), or harvest glyphs (whatever means prosperity to you). Then place by your front door to invite prosperous vibes into your home this Samhain season. DRESS for the Job: A Costume Spell to Increase Your Personal Power You’ve heard people say dress for the job you want, not the job you have? This Samhain spell is FUN and no one will even know you’re casting a spell. In this spell, you’ll be wearing your magick. The first step is to decide on your intention. For example, let’s say I want to increase my witchy abilities and personal power. Then I put together a costume in which exudes witchy power and ability: i.e. a witch, sorceress, fairy queen, goddess, etc. Another example, if you’d like to draw prosperity or fertility to you, dress as an earth goddess or the Green Man/Woman. Yes, you can buy a costume for this spell but I feel the more effort you put into creating it yourself, the better the outcome of the spell. For example, I might go to the thrift store and find a black dress. I bring it home and alter it just a big by cutting the sleeves into strips at the end. Then I find a witch’s hat at my local craft store and add cobwebs, feathers and charms. Add accessories like my own personal amulets, ripped fishnets, and my favorite pair of black boots. The entire time I’m piecing my costume together, I’m visualizing or saying out loud my intentions. Then when I wear my costume on Samhain, I’m telling the gods who I aspire to be in the coming year. Samhain Blessings for Your Friends and Family For me, one of the best things about Samhain is being with my family and honoring my ancestors in the process. But, unfortunately, not all of my family lives near me. Some are hundreds of miles away. So, in these cases, I always try to send them a card or […]

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Pepper Magick: 8 Types of Pepper, Witchy Uses & Properties

kitty fields — Wed, 17 Aug 2022 23:27:49 +0000

As a kitchen witch, my magick is stoked by the hearth fire. I find beauty and power in the seemingly mundane ingredients in my pantry, refrigerator, and herb cabinet. What one witch might pass off as simply a food staple, I see as a mighty ignitor to a potent spell and key to the Otherworld. One of our most popular articles here at Otherworldly Oracle is all about Salt Magick, the types of salt and how to use them in your witchcraft. In THIS post, we explore the often-underrated but formidable power of the different types of pepper, pepper magical properties and their many witchy applications. First, What is Pepper, Truly? (TIP: Don’t Skip This Section) First of all, I’ll be speaking specifically to the herb or spice known as peppercorn that we refer to as “pepper”. I will not be going into the magical properties or applications of hot peppers like cayenne, chilis, etc (but maybe in a future article). Pepper. It’s one of those pantry staples in the United States (and elsewhere) that I believe we take for granted. Black pepper is on nearly every restaurant table in a glass or cheap shaker, sometimes in such a condensed, expired form that it’s lost its actual flavor. It’s thrown unceremoniously onto a table as a prop. A requirement. When I see such a magical substance like pepper abused in this way, I shudder. Yes, I’m serious. Here’s why. Sure, witches are all about that salt life, but we tend to forget pepper is just as useful an ingredient. It flavors food, but do we really know what pepper truly is and where it hails from? As a long-time kitchen witch, I typically start at the beginning when I’m learning to use ingredients of any kind in a magical way. And in pepper’s origins, we find it’s true magical strengths. Mystical Pepper Origins: Ransom Payments, Guardian Snakes, and Black Gold Pepper is part of the Piperaceae family of perennial climbing plants, hailing from its native Southern Asia. We know that it’s been used as a medicine and as a spice for at least four thousand years, with our earliest documentation circa 2000 BCE near the city of Kerala, India. Two types of pepper were commonly used in ancient times – Piper longum (long pepper) and Piper nigrum (black pepper). The pepper plant itself is a perennial climbing vine with a stonefruit referred to as a drupe. Each fruit ripens to a dark red color with the stone inside and a single pepper seed inside of that. So, scientifically speaking, pepper is a fruit. Pepper Magick in the Ancient World Ancient cultures like the Romans, Egyptians and Mesopotamians engaged in pepper trade with the people of South India. In fact, the history of the spice trade including black pepper is a lengthy but fascinating read. We will keep it brief here. Pepper became so popular throughout the ancient world, that eventually people began using it as currency or as collateral. For example, according to World Food History, the fierce Visigoth King Alaric sacked Rome in 410 CE. Only when the emperor gave in to his demands did he leave, which included a pay out of fleece, silk, silver, gold and 3000 pounds of pepper. Only three decades later, Attila the Hun demanded 1.5 tons of black pepper on his siege of Rome (BG Daily News). Pepper was in such high demand in the Medieval Ages, people began calling it “black gold”. If you had even an ounce of pepper in your household, you were likely a wealthy individual. Pepper was used to freshen your breath, since toothbrushes and toothpaste weren’t invented until the eighteenth century. And rumors spread that black pepper was extremely difficult to harvest because the plant itself was guarded by poisonous snakes. Then, in the 1600s, trade of pepper increased with the Dutch and it became more accessible than ever before. Eventually decreasing it’s monetary value. But, as I said, it’s magical and culinary value hasn’t been lost on this witch. Pepper Typically Comes in the Following Forms: Whole peppercorns Ground, coarse pepper Finely ground (powdered) pepper Pepper essential oil Black pepper extract 8 Types of Pepper and Their CULINARY Uses To learn of the types of pepper and their magical uses, scroll to the next section. But here I feel it’s important to give you all a brief overview of the different types of pepper and their culinary uses (since many of us do enjoy making magick with our edible creations). Black pepper: roasted vegetables, chicken dishes, steak, Italian, savory breads, and bloody marys White pepper: Chinese cuisine – soups, sauces, stir-fries and more Pink pepper: fish, meat, vinegar, risotto, wine and bakery sweets Rainbow pepper: cheese, seafood, meats, desserts and as decoration Green pepper: French, Creole and Thai cuisines utilize this type of pepper Long pepper: fried rice, masala, vindaloo, and other Asian cuisines Red pepper: South American cuisines i.e. Brazilian Szechuan pepper: Sichuan Chinese cuisine wontons, hot and sour soup, chicken, etc. Basic Pepper Magic Properties (By Type) Black Green White Red Pink Rainbow Long Szechuan Warding Youth Purification Ancestral Protection Self Love Purification Shielding Warding Prosperity Growth Clarity Passion Self Preservation ALL Intentions Warding Passion Purification Young Love Banishing Preservation Friendship Decoration Vitality Protection 8 Types of Pepper, Their Magical Properties & Witchy Uses What you decide to do with your herbs and spices is entirely up to you. Some kitchen witches only ever use pepper in their food preparations. I enjoy coming up with new and exciting ways to put pepper magical properties to use in my practice. More on those with the types of pepper and their magical uses below. 1. Black Pepper Magic Properties & Uses Black pepper is the most common type of pepper in the Western world and found in nearly every grocery store. According to the late Wiccan author Scott Cunningham, black pepper can be worn in “amulets to protect against the evil eye. Wear it to squash […]

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Freezer Spells: How to Cast POWERFUL Binding Spells

kitty fields — Sun, 07 Aug 2022 20:23:14 +0000

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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