spellwork

Visual Spells

This post was inspired by a comment from Kiki on a mutual witchy discord about using vision boards as spells.

Vision boards, for those of you unfamiliar, are generally a physical collection of items representing your goal, usually tacked onto a cork board (magnets on a whiteboard or anything similar would work as well). For example, if you were doing a vision board about getting your dream house, you might include a picture of what you want your house to look like, a list of features you want in the home, and an image of the sign welcoming you to your preferred neighborhood. The images could be from a magazine, printed from online, drawn by yourself (traditional sketching, or watercolor, or digital art, whatever it is you do), or from any other source you have available. You can also use symbols, or really anything else you want.

What Kiki did was write affirmations of the back of the images before putting them on the vision board, picture side facing the world. A very clever idea! This started a short conversation that got me thinking. With a little help from Kiki, my brain started whirring and has ended up with this list. The digital ones take up a lot less space, and you can put the affirmations as text on the images, or as the file name. You could use sigils in the place of affirmations, and if you prefer, could have them visible instead of hidden.

  • Pinterest board variant of the spell (It can be a ‘secret’ board if you don’t want others seeing it or able to follow it.)
  • desktop background version (Kiki first mentioned this in our conversation)
  • screensaver version (perhaps as a collage, or as a slideshow screensaver)
  • phone background
  • phone lock screen
  • within a game (any game that would allow you to build such a thing)
  • book version! A scrapbook, 3 ring binder, images glued into any sort of book, any sort of ‘book’ you can think of for this. Affirmations could be on the backside of images or next to the image.
  • photo collage in a picture frame (size of your choosing), affirmations on the back of the collage or the individual images

So, lots of options! Some things to keep in mind and potentially influence your decision on which version to pick:

  • space available for a physical board
  • how important you feel it is to see the board often
  • how you might charge/keep charged any sigils you might use
  • how you feel about affirmations or sigils permanently affixed to a page (in versions that involve gluing images with the affirmation on the back)
  • how you feel about sigils as opposed to affirmations in this context

Okay, I think that’s everything for these ‘visual spells’, as I’ve been calling them, since they are based in images you look at. One of my favorite aspects of this is that with hidden affirmations, this looks like a completely mundane vision board (or adaptation thereof)–perfect for secret witches! Gratitude again to Kiki for the inspiration.

micah speaks

Magic During a Pandemic

I don’t need to say that the world is not currently in its usual state. I don’t need to remind anyone why everyone is staying home as much as possible.

This can mean more time for our Craft. Perhaps that’s from working from home and having your commute time available, or postponed get-togethers with friends that leave more time, or something else. Regardless, it seems like an opportunity to use that extra time wisely. That could be many things, maybe learning a new skill, or taking extra time for self care (we all seem to need that right now), or perhaps it could be used for magic.

This isn’t necessarily easy. Those trapped at home with others who are disapproving of witchcraft now may find themselves with no alone time to safely bring out their tarot decks or spell ingredients. So I’m going to give a list of some ideas of how to keep your Craft alive when you have to hide it. The world is not ending due to this pandemic, and your Craft doesn’t have to, either.

So some ideas:

  • meditation
  • energy work (I have a resource page here)
  • spend extra time with your spirit companions, if you have any
  • learn to use playing cards for divination
  • divination through means that are not obviously witchy, such as scrying with a mirror, smoke, etc
  • do research related to your Craft
  • tech magic (especially if it can be done on your phone or a personal computer, where no one might come across it accidentally)
  • sigils, hidden or destroyed so no one else will find them
  • work on your grimoire
  • shadow work (resource page is here)
  • create a travel altar you can tuck away when not in use
  • create/plan new spells you will be able to do after quarantine/lockdown ends (it won’t last forever, even if it feels like it)
  • past life work (resource here)
  • offerings or prayers, if they apply to you
  • working magic into a hobby, such as knot magic into any sort of fiber arts, working sigils into artwork, or any other way of combining magic and your hobbies

There are probably many other things you can do to quietly continue your magical practice while in lockdown with whoever you might live with. I hope this gave you some ideas on how to keep your magic alive in the midst of this pandemic.

Feel free to add to this list!

Stay healthy,

Micah

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Nik’s Tips for discreet witchcraft

arccitius:

I know there are a lot of young witches who need to be discreet about their craft, so I’ve made some tips for how to practice witchcraft and still be discreet. Just putting a little disclaimer, I don’t practice all of these myself (like the color magic) but I thought they would be useful to include, nor do I claim to know everything, I constantly learn just like everyone else.

Witch Tips

1) keep a small notebook/sketchbook 

     A pocket sized notebook is helpful for any witch but expecially for being discreet. Drawing sigils and writing spells in the notebook is a way to cast spells in the open with no one noticing. The pocket notebook is also a great system for artists and writers as drawing and creative writing everyday really improves skill, and if someone happens to look inside the book doesn’t scream witchcraft.  I personally like using my own leather bound pocket book but the mini composition notebook also works and is less noticeable. A tip for doing the sigil or spell magic is when you write or draw imaging you intend in order to charge it and draw a circle around it to cast it (you don’t have to do this but it helps some witches). Putting a charm or sigil of hiding on the notebook will also help it not be too noticeable

2) Use online books

    The Internet is an all around helpful source, but it’s expecially helpful for discreet witches who want to do reasearch. Getting hard copy books are great but can easily be seen lying around your room. It’s much easier to just use online books and you can find more subjects than just in a library.  If you’re worried about someone looking through your history you can always use incognito mode or simply delete the history and cookies after you’re finished.

3)Wearing simple crystal jewelry

    Crystal jewelry may seem like it’s obviously witchy but with current fashion trends crystal necklaces are pretty common. Stones and crystals are used in magic all the time and have their own meanings, while it’s not uncommon for people to know that crystals have meanings it’s easy to brush off wearing crystal jewelry as just a fashion choice.  When getting crystal jewelry don’t buy from stores in the mall like hot topic or forever 21. These stores sell fake crystals, some places claim that their real but 99% if the time fashion stores sell glass instead of crystal(unless you go to an actual crystal/spiritual store, these are usually real).

4)Do rituals outside

   The practice of rituals can be hard to do if you’re trying to be a discreet witch. Doing rituals outside help with not getting caught in the middle of a ritual. There is still a chance someone could catch you but it’s a very small chance and they’re most likely a stranger you’ll never see again. If you use incense in rituals being outside helps the smell not linger where people can smell and become suspicious as well. Being out in nature while doing rituals also helps green witches with spiritual energy.

5)Use scented candles for candle magic

   Having lots of candles can raise suspicious with some people, scented candles fix this. Having one or two scented candles doesn’t seem abnormal and is pretty common. Yankee Candle has a great variety of color and scents, you can pick by a color you commonly use or by scent. Herbal scents such as rosemary and lavender double as color magic and scent magic. Make sure when you pick out candles pick a scent you like and that the smell won’t give you a headache.

6)Keep a small magic box

   Having a small box is good for storing little witchy items and because the box is small it can be easily hidden. Keeping a candle, lighter, a few small crystals and some herbs, are a few basics that can usually fit in a small box. You can get a small wooden box at craft stores for about a dollar and decorate it or keep it plain, or even use an empty Altoids tin.  Another way to keep it hidden is putting a charm or sigil of hiding. Small magic boxes are also helpful for transportation to outdoor rituals.

7)Use color magic when getting dressed

    Using color magic when getting dressed is a simple form of magic and no one can tell you’re doing witchcraft. When putting away your clothes you can easily charge the clothing with the intent so it’s ready for when you wear it. If you’re like me and wear the same color everyday you can write small sigils on the tags of clothing.

8)Write sigils in lotion

   Writing sigils onto your skin with lotion or make up foundation are a great form of discreet witchcraft. Once you write the sigil and rub it into your skin it can no longer be seen therefore no getting caught. Rubbing the sigil into your skin helps imbue the magic into you. This practice is great for glamour spells.

9)Use whatever is in the kitchen for herb magic.

    Buying or drying your own herbs could possibly raise questions, if you’re doing herb magic just try to use whatever herbs you have in the kitchen. The best way to do this is to just put the herbs in meals you’re having. When taking herbs from the kitchen just remember not to do it too often and get caught.

10)Avoid making an alter

     This is kind of an obvious thing not to do. Having an alter is a very easy way to get caught and you don’t need an alter to perform witchcraft. If you insist on having an alter you can make a pocket alter which is basically the same as the small magic box in tip #6.

11)Pocket stones

     Discreet or not pocket stones are useful. Pocket stones are just stones or crystals you keep in your pocket or in a pouch throughout the day. Most people won’t be going through your pockets so it’s good for a discreet crystal witch.

12)If you want to collect crystal also keep a rock/mineral book

     Crystals are a fairly witchy thing but just adding a rock guide book makes it look like a simple collection which is pretty common. Whether your a discreet witch or not rock guide books are a good things to keep around if you want to learn.

13)Herb magic potpourri

     If you make herb pouches use nicely scented herbs to have the pouch double as potpourri. If the pouches double as potpourri they’re more inconspicuous. Places the pouches around dirty laundry or in drawers, placement helps the pouches look more like potpourri and less like witchcraft.
~
I hope these tips are helpful to some people and if you have any questions feel free to ask!

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stardustskinned:

Covert Sigils: School Edition

Hey! So people seemed to enjoy the original post, but honestly I felt it was lacking a lot more places to hide them! So I thought- why not make another post? This one is about places at school you can hide them!

Places to hide them:

  • In your locker
  • Inside a pen
  • Inside a tie
  • In your sock/shoe (Run to activate!)
  • Blend into your make-up
  • Underneath of a button
  • Clothing labels
  • On hair ties
  • On a rubber (Use to activate)
  • Underneath nail polish
  • Inside a pencil sharpener
  • Inside pencil case
  • Underneath of a waterbottle cap

As always, there are obviously way more! These are just simple ways to hide them at school.

Happy witching!

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stardustskinned:

Covert Sigils

Hello! Hopefully this’ll be helpful for those both in and out of the broom closet! Plus, I love sigils, so what better to talk about?

Easy ways of hiding sigils:

•Between you phone and the case

•On clothing labels

•On parts covered by clothes

•Inside a locket

•Carve them into your lipbalm!

•Draw them on your make-up and blend

•Hide them in artwork

•Draw them on the inside of glasses frames

•Under your pillow

•Behind the sticky labels on items

•Inside the stuffing of a toy (If you can bear it)

Obviously there are way more, especially around the house, etc. These are just some easy methods to hide them, mostly on your person.

Happy witching!

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My family is like crazy strict and religious. They force me to go to church with them and pray with them daily. I know that’s not what I want to do. And if I ever told them that I’d basically be a disgrace. So yeah, I’m a secret witch. But how do I hide it without them noticing anything strange?

wolfofantimonyoccultism:

There’s many ways to go about practicing while hiding your craft my friend, though you will probably have to shape your craft around things that are less noticeable. Because, of being hidden, you will not be able to have much tools, so you will have to figure out how to improvise, so that you will still be able to practice, while also not being found out.

  •  You could Practice sigil magick, which simply look like doodles to other people.
  • You could practice kitchen magick, which to everyone else would look like you’re just getting into cooking.
  • You

    could

    practice energy work, because it does not take any tools and it’s pretty unnoticeable.

  • You would be able to meditate before bed by laying down like you were going to sleep, which would give you time to focus your mind without anyone being suspicious that you were doing it.
  • You could practice tea magick, but to everyone else it would look like you are just getting into tea, and it would give you herbs to work within your practice.
  • You could practice more forms of pop culture magick, which would make people think that you are just a big fan of a particular media.
  • You could get into crystal magick and tell everybody that you’re just into Gem and Crystal collecting and that they’re just pretty rocks.
  • You could learn how to Journey meditate, and practice your craft in an astral Temple.
  • You could get electric candles and tell people that you like them for mood lighting.
  • You could use the top of a dresser, or nightstand as an altar by putting all the things that have to do with your practice, and that are important to you there, to other people it would look like it was just a fancy dresser, or nightstand top.

You would also have to keep up the charade during church, holidays, and while they force you to pray. There are really many things that you could do my friend, you just have to be careful, and be smart about how you go about it. Eventually you will learn how to hide your magickal practice better from experience, and everyone will think the things that you have decided to pick up are just “normal” things that you like. I hope some of this information can help you in your practice my friend. Thank you for the question, I appreciate it.

– Wolf Of Antimony

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reine-patate:

I made witchy balls for Yule!
Here are the ingredients I used :
– Kosher salt
– Lavender
– Rose petals
– Hyssop
– Sage
– Vervain
– Chili flakes
– Baby’s breath
– Mountain laurel seeds
– Some non descript plants I gathered with my boys on our last strolls, and that are filled with love and happiness

I put them in various amounts according to where I put them in the house to have the following effects:
Kitchen: creativity, love, psychic abilities, protection
Main room: protection, cleansing, love, creativity, happiness
Master bedroom: love, honesty, dreams, sleep, serenity

It’s a pretty cheap and easy way to practice the craft and to protect and put good vibes in your house. Also, it’s really cute and is pretty easy to fit in a secret witch regimen, if your relatives celebrate Christmas ☺️

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Secret witch ideas for moving

frances-anne:

the-innocent-thief:

So I got some tricks up my sleeve and I’m sure it sucks to have family members help you move so I got shit to help y’all


 – Get a box, and add a couple clothes in there, then put a couple of your witchy shit in it, and cover with another layer of clothes. continue and repeat! 

 – Only bring what you need, I realized I was hoarding a bit when I was moving and finding whats necessary to bring over. NOTE: If you’re going to use it more than once, bring it.
 

What I bring:

  • Herb jars
  • bells & metals 
  • Crystals
  • Books
  • expensive shit

 Leave:

  • Things you can buy at the new home for less than $10 
  • Candles
  • Biodegradable shit
  • Common herbs (shit you can get at the grocery store) 

 – Give as much as your witchy shit that you don’t need away (I gave a lot to my friend)

– Selling takes too much time but if you want to have at it, more money in your pocket 

¯_(ツ)_

 – Have someone be your storage unit until you’re settled in! (let my friend hold my cauldron) 

 – Another hiding idea: get a shoebox and fill it with your small witchy shit (tealight candles, bells, etc.) then wrap it with a shirt/blanket, then put into different, bigger box with more clothes n such. 

 – Pack your tarot in a tarot bag it helps keep them from being snoopy (for added effect, add a hidden from prying eyes sigil or something)   

– Pack the less obvious witchy shit (something someone wont think wtf when they see it) and hide the more obvious (ya know, grimoire, your wand, etc.)

Also put your stuff in a backpack that you will carry around with you so that way you can make sure that people won’t notice your stuff

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Tips For Subtle Witchcraft

anachromystique:

There are plenty of places & times when you may feel that openly being a witch will negatively affect your quality of life. Whether that be because of a hostile work environment, living with roommates who may not appreciate altars and spellwork, or something else.

For witches who can’t afford to have physical representations of their work / beliefs, here are a few tips:

🌰 Paint a sigil for beauty on your face with foundation before blending it into your skin.

🌰 Stir a sigil or your intention into a cup of coffee and drink to experience the results.

🌰 Charge water in a windowsill and use for anointing candles, doorways, or cleansing spaces by sprinkling a few drops.

🌰 Research popular folk beliefs / superstitions that you can co-opt into spells – think sprinkling some salt.

🌰 Learn to read playing cards – folks will assume you’re playing some kind of elaborate solo game.

🌰 Make use of meditation as a time to practice and ground.

🌰 Go out into nature and make use of your time with the wise old trees and friendly squirrels.

🌰 Explore kitchen witchery and herblore as mundane-friendly practice methods.

🌰 Use art as a mode of practicing. Paint sigils into your work, create images in place of an altar, and draw your intentions into being.

Don’t forget that you don’t need fancy tools, or physical objects to witch. You just need focus and a healthy dose of creativity.