You may already have an altar to your deities, but what about the human spirits that have made you who you are? An ancestor altar is a sacred space that honors your deceased loved ones and can be used for prayer, offerings, and spells. Creating an altar is a beautiful way to remember your ancestors […]
Everyone knows that witches throw the best parties…but what do you pour when witches gather? No dry-ice Halloween cocktails or gummy snakes or blood-red punch on this list. We’re interested in the real top-shelf mojo: Bottles with a witchy heritage, the patronage of a Pagan deity, or mind-bending botanicals. Whether you’re stocking your bar for […]
Haste makes waste. Garbage in, garbage out. In witchcraft, as in life, taking too many shortcuts often leads to underwhelming results. However, fast magick doesn’t necessarily have to be sloppy magick. Few of us have time for hours-long rituals, but we can still find ways to fit spiritual practice into our busy lives. Here are […]
Welcome to the world of woods! As a wand-maker (or wand purchaser), you may wish to know more about the different woods that lend their character to your magickal tools. This list is alphabetical and includes many of the most common wand woods. The woods on this list are drawn from three broad categories: The […]
Of the many laws of magick, there’s a few that you’ll never see on a T-shirt or affirmation board. Here, we’ll cover some of the tough stuff: The harsh, the unsettling, the ambiguous facts of living an enchanted life. This article was inspired by some recent discussions of false positivity—that is, the habitual repetition of […]
Human beings, it seems, have an irresistible attraction to the color red. Rubies are the most precious of all gems, wearing red has been shown to increase attractiveness in dating studies, and marketing experts tell us that red-hued ads get more clicks than any other color. It should come as no surprise that red candles […]
“I don’t really believe in it, but I’ll do it just in case.” That’s the definition of a superstition. Even though such practices seem quaint or illogical, some part of you feels that you should heed them…just in case. Superstitions are remnants of old occult beliefs preserved in folklore for the rational age. If you […]
The blank rune is a curious appendage to most rune tile sets. Called the “Wyrd rune” or “Odin’s rune,” this mute little tile is the topic of much debate among rune readers. The 24 Elder Futhark runes are—among other things—an archaic alphabet and a divinatory system. Each character has three broad levels of meaning: a […]
Wisdom, dreams, and psychic vision. That’s what it says on the product page for our Basic Purple Candle. But what if you want to know more? Welcome to the first installment in our advanced color magick series. This article takes a long look at aaaaaallll (well, most) of the things you can do with a […]
A row of little potions with colorful names and indescribable fragrances: Uncrossing Oil, Black Cat Oil, Four Thieves…where did they come from, and what are they used for? Most of these oils have their origins in American rootwork, Hoodoo, or Conjure. They were developed by magick workers in rural and minority communities, and the recipes […]
Freshen up your life with the cleansing power of herbal incense! Smudging questions are some of the most common ones we get around the shop, so I’ve put them together in little bundle (heh). We cover why and when to smudge, some popular smudging herbs, and other questions people ask about smudging and space cleansing […]
Looking for stones for your magickal toolkit? Here’s a crash course in 40 of the most commonly available crystals and gemstones. Working with crystals can improve your personal energy, amp up your spellwork, and help you create the life you desire. This handy guide will help choose the right crystals for you, whatever your goals […]
Candle magick is an incredibly popular and effective form of spellwork. But as any experienced witch will attest, spell candles sometimes seem to have a mind of their own. A dancing, fluttering flame seems to be communicating something…but what is it trying to say? A bunch of traditions have sprung up around observing burning candles […]
Before there were fidget spinners and mind-numbing mobile games, there were worry stones. It’s just about the simplest form of natural medicine! Read on to learn about worry stones and what they can do for you. What’s a Worry Stone? A worry stone is a smooth rock used to soothe stress and anxiety. It is […]
Seashells are a very special magickal material—a beautiful gift of Earth and Sea. Shells are found in the secret space between these two kingdoms, which is revealed only during the change of tides. They are treasures from an invisible world. Whether plain brown or white, or cascading with a rainbow of colors, each shell brings […]
A handy key to the herbs of witchcraft. Each of the herbs listed has its own character and magickal properties. They are revealed to the Witch through study, meditation, and practice. For this glossary, we’ve limited the description of each herb to a few words. Many herbs have their own articles with more in-depth information, […]
What’s sweet and golden and comes from bees? Nope, not honey! Today, we’re taking a closer look at a versatile magickal ingredient: Beeswax. Beeswax may serve the Witch in a number of ways. Beeswax is crafted into candles, poppets, talismans and seals. It is an ingredient in ointments and natural body products. It has the […]
The silver (or silver-plated) chalice is an important ritual tool for many Wiccans and Pagans. The chalice represents the feminine principle and is also used to hold beverage offerings. On a Wiccan altar, the chalice stands for the Goddess, as the athame stands for the God. Although a ritual chalice can be made of practically […]
A chakra stone set is a small collection of gemstones, in which each stone corresponds to one of the body’s subtle energy centers. You’ve probably seen them for sale in metaphysical shops and online. Chakra stones are used in energy healing and meditation. Witches and Pagans may also use them for spellwork or divination. To […]
What ritual tools are required to practice Wicca? Theoretically, none at all—as the Witch’s will is the most important tool. But Wiccans, it may be said, rarely travel light. This article looks at the traditional altar tools that are used in the Gardnerian tradition of Wicca. Gerald Gardner, who first described and named the Wiccan […]
Magickal stuff is all around us, and some of it doesn’t cost a thing. The thrifty Witch knows that successful magick doesn’t need to be expensive. Here are nine easy ways to stock your altar without even touching your wallet: 1. Scrap paper Paper has endless magickal uses. Filling a Book of Shadows, recording affirmations, […]
Thinking about taking up the runes? Mastery of the runes can take many years, but it is not difficult for a beginner to learn the basics. (Much as young children can quickly learn their ABCs.) The first learning tool you’ll need is a rune set of your own, to begin familiarizing yourself with this ancient […]
Grown in a Witch’s garden, picked at midnight with a silver sickle, mixed 39 times by hand, and so on. Magickal incenses can be a potent, personal tool with infinite variations. But sometimes you just need an incense that smells good and is in accord with your magickal purposes. An incense that doesn’t require a […]
I have an old photo of my little sister and me at home, playing witches. I’m about six years old in the picture. My sister is wearing a diaper and peering unsteadily into a big black cauldron. I’m hovering over her in a black pointy hat and tattered dress. It must have been Halloween because […]
Michelle Gruben 