Book Of Shadows - Blog Posts

Correspondences of: Carrier & Essential Oils

This is a long post, the correspondences are under the cut.

Carrier Oils: Carrier oils, known also as base oils, are used to dilute essential oils before they are applied topically. They serve as the base for oil blends. 

Essential Oils: Essential oils are concentrated liquids that contain the volatile (”the tendency of a substance to vaporize") aromatic compounds of plants. They are obtained via distillation and the oil alone should never be applied to the skin directly as some a reactive to heat, and light, and some will give you chemical burns. You are likely to have a reaction to essential oils.

Carrier Oils:

ALMOND OIL, SWEET (Prunus Dulcis) Ruled by Mercury and the Element of Air. Sweet Almond Oil makes a great carrier oil for blends that deal with prosperity, money and wisdom.

APRICOT KERNEL OIL (Prunus Armeniaca) Ruled by Venus and the Element of Water. This makes a great carrier oil for blends that deal with love or emotions.

AVOCADO OIL (Persea Americana) Ruled by Venus and the Element of Water. This makes a great carrier oil for blends that deal with love, lust or beauty.

CASTOR OIL (Ricinus communis) Ruled by Mars and the Element of Fire. Castor oil makes a great carrier oil for blends that deal with protection and absorbing negativity.

COCONUT OIL (Cocos Nucifera) Ruled by the Moon and the Element of Water. Fractionated Coconut Oil makes a great carrier oil for blends that deal with purification and protection.

GRAPESEED OIL (Vinis Vinifera) Ruled by the Moon and the Element of Water. Grapeseed Oil makes a great carrier oil for blends that deal with fertility money and strengthening mental abilities.

HEMP SEED OIL (Cannabis Sativa) Ruled by the Moon and Saturn and the Element of Water. Hemp Seed Oil makes a great carrier oil for blends that deal with healing, love, psychic ability and meditation.

JOJOBA OIL (Simmondsia Chinensis) Ruled by the Moon and the element of Water. Jojoba Oil makes a great carrier oil for blends that deal with healing and love.

OLIVE OIL (Olea Europaea) Ruled by the Sun and the Element of Fire. Olive Oil makes a great carrier oil for blends that deal with healing, peace, fertility and protection. In many traditions Olive Oil is an all purpose oil.

SUNFLOWER OIL (Helianthus Annus) Ruled by the Sun and the Element of Fire. Sunflower Oil makes a great carrier oil for blends that deal with protection, fertility, health and wisdom.

Essential Oils:

AMYRIS (Amyris balsamifera) Anointing, astral projection, attraction, blessing, consecration, exorcism, healing, love, meditation, protection, purification, sacral chakra, spirituality.

ANGELICA ROOT (Angelica archangelica) Exorcism, protection, healing, visions.

BASIL (Ocimum basilicum) Business success, conscious mind (stimulates), happiness, lust, money, peace, prosperity, protection.

BAY LAUREL (Laurus nobilis) Banishing, exorcism, luck, psychic ability.

BENZOIN (Styrax benzoin) Purification, prosperity, attracts customers.

BERGAMONT (Citrus bergamia) Business success, happiness, money, peace, physical energy, prosperity, protection, sleep.

BIRCH SWEET (Betula lenta) Protection, purification, exorcism.

BLACK PEPPER (Piper nigrum) Courage, physical energy, and protection.

BLUE TANSY (Tanacetum annuum) Water, Venus, immortality, youth, longevity.

CAJEPUT (Melaleuca cajeputi) Purification, protection, dispel negative thoughts and energies, break habits.

CAMPHOR (Cinnamomum camphora) Celibacy, crown chakra, physical energy, psychic energy, purification.

CARDAMOM (Elettaria cardamomum) Love, lust.

CARROT SEED (Daucus carota) Grounding, fertility.

CATNIP (Nepeta cataria) Cat magic, love, beauty, happiness.

CEDARWOOD (Cedrus atlantica) Blessing, health (maintain), heart chakra, meditation, money, protection, psychic energy, purification, self-control, spirituality, unhexing.

CHAMOMILE (Matricaria recutita & Anthemis nobilis) Meditation, peace, sleep.

CHILLI SEED (Capsicum annum) Protection, exorcism, fidelity, hex-breaking, love.

CINNAMON (Cinnamomum burmanii /cassia /zeylancium) Astral projection, base chakra, business success, health (maintain), luck, lust, magical energy, meditation, money, physical energy, prosperity, protection, psychic awareness, purification, spirituality.

CITRONELLA (Cymbopogon nardus / winterianus) Exorcism (exterior use), health (maintain), purification, unhexing.

CLARY SAGE (Salvia sclarea) Vivid dreams.

CLOVE BUD (Eugenia or syzgium aromaticum) Balances chakras, business success, courage, divination, exorcism, healing, heart chakra, love, money, prosperity, protection, psychic awareness.

COFFEE BEAN (Coffea arabica) Grounding, Earth magic, Mars, ritual stimulant.

CYPRESS (Cupressus sempervirens) Longevity, healing, comfort, protection.

ELEMI (Canarium luzonicum) Mental and psychic ability, spiritual balance, solar plexus chakra.

EUCALYPTUS (Eucalyptus globulus) Healing, health (maintain), protection, psychic energy, purification.

FIR NEEDLE (Abies sibirica) Mind clearing, memory, communication, purification before ritual, , protection, hex removal.

FRANKINCENSE (Boswellia serrata / carterii) Blessing, consecration, courage, exorcism, meditation, protection, purification, solar plexus chakra, spirituality.

GERANIUN (Pelargonium graveolens /x asperum) Happiness, protection.

GINGER ROOT (Zingiber officinale) Attraction, business success, courage, love, lust, magical energy, money, peace, physical energy, prosperity, purification, sex.

GRAPEFRUIT (Citrus paradisi) Purification.

HELICHRYSUM (Helichrysum italicum) Creativity, intuition, invoke spirits, scrying, channeling, awareness, calm, patience.

HO WOOD (Cinnamomum camphora) Cleaning, banishing, subdue sexual desire, celibacy, chastity, psychic power, dream work.

HYSSOP (Hyssopus officinalis) Purification, protection.

JUNIPER BERRY (Juniperus communis) Protection, anti-theft, love, exorcism, health.

LAVENDER (Lavandula stoechas/angustifolia/latifolia /hybrida) Balances chakras, business success, celibacy, conscious mind (stimulates), happiness, health (maintain), love, peace, protection, purification, sleep, third-eye chakra.

LEMON (Citrus limonum / limon) Balances chakras, health (maintain), love, physical energy, purification.

LEMONGRASS (Cymbopogon citratus /flexuosus /schoenanthus) Psychic awareness, psychic energy, purification, spirituality.

LIME (Citrus aurantifolia) Physical energy, protection, purification.

LITSEA (Litsea cubeba) Energy, rejuvenation, letting go.

MARJORAM (Origanum majorana) Celibacy, happiness, peace, sleep.

MUGWORT (Artemesia vulgaris) Moon, divination, lucid dreaming, prophetic dreams, protection.

MYRRH (Commiphora myrrha) Astral projection, attraction, balances chakras, blessing, consecration, crown chakra, exorcism, healing, meditation, protection, psychic energy, spirituality, unhexing.

MYRTLE (Myrtus communis) Love, good luck, fertility, and Venus, feminine and water aspects.

NIAOULI (Melaleuca quinquenervia) Purification, healing, protection, clearing negative energies, aura cleansing.

NUTMEG (Myristica fragrans) Luck, magical energy, meditation, money, physical energy, psychic awareness.

OPOPANAX (Commiphora guidotti) Death/resurrection, divination, Pluto, Scorpio, change.

OREGANO (Origanum vulgare) Happiness, tranquility.

PALMAROSA (Cymbopogon martini) Healing, love.

PALO SANTO (Bursera graveolens)

Luck, cleansing, air element.

PATCHOULI (Pogostemon cablin) Attraction, banishes negativity, growth, love, luck, mastery, money, peace, physical energy, prosperity, sex.

PEPPERMINT (Mentha arvensis / piperita) Conscious mind (stimulates), exorcism, health (maintain), protection, purification.

PETITGRAIN (Citrus aurantium) Conscious mind (stimulates), protection.

PINE (Pinus sylvestris) Exorcism, grounding, healing, health (maintain), magical energy, money, physical energy, protection, purification.

ROSEMARY (Rosmarinus officinalis) Conscious mind (stimulates), exorcism, health (maintain), heart chakra, longevity, love, protective, remembrance, third-eye chakra, vitality.

ROSEWOOD (Aniba rosaeodora) Mars, Moon, Venus, spirit element, fire element, intuitive health, beauty, divination, scrying, healing rituals, maturity, wisdom, femininity.

SAGE, DALMATION (Salvia officinalis) Conscious mind (stimulates), exorcism, money, purification, wisdom.

SAGE, WHITE (Salvia apiana) Cleansing spaces and magical objects, banish negative energy.

SANDALWOOD (Santalum album) Anointing, astral projection, attraction, blessing, consecration, exorcism, healing, love, meditation, protection, purification, sacral chakra, spirituality.

SPEARMINT (Mentha spicata) Comfort, healing, sleep (for protection).

SPIKENARD “JATAMANSI” (Nardostachys jatamansi) Good luck, fidelity, and health.

STAR ANISE (Illicium verum) Psychic power, luck.

SWEET ORANGE (Citrus sinensis) Balances chakras, divination, happiness, joy, love, luck, magical energy, money, physical energy, psychic energy, purification, sacral chakra.

TANGERINE (Citrus reticulata) Magical energy, purification.

TEA TREE (Melaleuca alternifolia) Purification.

THYME (Thymus vulgaris) Conscious mind (stimulates), courage, health (maintain), purification.

TURMERIC (Curcuma longa) Purification, protection.

VALERIAN ROOT (Valeriana officinalis) Love, sleep, purification, protection.

VANILLA (Vanilla planifolia) Love, lust, mental power.

VETIVER (Vetiveria zizanoides) Divination, exorcism, love, money, peace, protection, unhexing.

WINTERGREEN (Gaultheria procumbens) Protection, healing, hex-breaking.

YLANG YLANG (Cananga odorata) Love, lust, peace, sex, throat chakra.

[Sources: [X] [X]

Photo Credit: [X]

SOUND CLEANSING

HOW IT WORKS

Sharp, sudden sounds—often metallic ones—vibrate on a frequency beyond what our ears can detect, compelling the objects and atmosphere to resonate in harmony and neutralize the energy in a space.

METHODS

you don’t need to splurge on expensive instruments to cleanse your home. You can use pretty much anything that makes a noise, even if it’s just your hands.

A bell

a sound bowl

coins in a bag

drums

tapping on a table

flicking an empty wine glass

If you just have your hands, you can clap

look at what you have. Try experimenting with different household items and see which type of sound resonates the most with you

STEPS

Head to the room or place object you want to ~cleanse~ close to the sound source (and open the windows so the negative vibes can clear out).

Then make your noise! Start in the center of the room, then move to each corner. It’s important to listen to the tone of the sounds you create. The duller the noise, the denser and more clogged up that area is.

You may need to make the sound several times before you notice the tone becoming higher, clearer, and cleaner.

EFFECTS

Over time, as you use sound tools more often, you’ll develop a feel for the kind of sound that chases out the negative energy. But most importantly, when you next enter the room, you’ll notice a lighter and purer quality to the air. Or to the object

This is really just a simple breakdown of sound cleaning! If you’d like to add anything please do!! 🥰 I am currently shadow banned right now so if you have any questions please feel free to send them via asks while I get the situation sorted! 💕 MERRY MEET! ~B ✨

Follow for more

In preparation for my next post, have…

The Theban Alphabet

It will be used in my next post! Think of it as a secret alphabet for all you in the broom closet!

love to see it happen irl 🥰

i bought an ipad for school and to start my virtual grimoire! I’m so excited to start it up!

i wanna find a cute little table or tray for these crystal jars and use them for moon water or oils.

Going out to harvest some rosemary, basil, and other herbs in the garden today!

I think my first goal of the second year of witchcraft is to get better at meditation. Ive been pushing it off and I know I can get away from it forever

I have been practicing witchcraft for a year now! While I am still a beginner in my craft and spirituality, it’s crazy to see and feel the impact of witchcraft has had on my life. I can’t wait to figure out and write out my goals for this next year! I constantly want to learn about witchcraft and it’s many aspects especially what path I am on. I am planning to post more on here but it depends on my work schedule. I’m excited to see what the year holds for me

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💗Lovely offerings to Aphrodite💗

Roses: all roses are sacred to Her.

Dark chocolates: known to be an aphrodisiac

Vanilla: organic is best

Sweet fruits: especially apples

Seashells: of all kinds

Sand: collected from the beach if possible

Seawater: if you don’t live near the ocean, make your own saltwater for Her

Olive oil: olive oil is liked by many deities

Golden honey: honey is another liked gift by many gods

Sweet perfumes: offer Her the whole bottle or wear some as a devotional act

Poems and hymns: make them about Her or about someone you love

💗Sweet devotional acts💗

Practice self-care and self-love

Feeding birds, bees, and fish and taking care of nature

Dancing

Enjoying the beauty of the world

Masturbate in Her name if you feel comfortable doing so

Music, either your own or a playlist that reminds you of Her

Remember to tell the ones you are close to your love

Do a little extra for yourself - a spa day, new clothes, go a little extra on your makeup even if it is just a normal day for you, etc.

💗Cute altar ideas💗

An altar to Aphrodite should be as beautiful as you can make it. Decorate it with ocean motifs, roses (real or fake), flower garlands, nods to Her sacred animals (doves, swans, dolphins,) art of Her or erotica, rose quartz, pearls, and bright colors that capture feelings of love and the sea. An altar beside a window, on a windowsill, a vanity stand, or somewhere with a mirror. If you need to keep it secret or wish to keep a travel altar, try to keep her altar in a pretty box adorned with floral or sea decorations or something like a makeup pouch.

Having an outdoor garden altar is also a perfect option for Her - make it bird and bee friendly, use organic products (ones without pesticides) on your plants, have bird-feeders around, and have a little place where you can safely light a candle or incense for Her along with an offering bowl and a place for you to sit and enjoy the beauty she brings to you.

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Starting Honoring Your Ancestors: A Guide to Ancestral Veneration by Mallorie Vaudoise today! Ive only read the introduction so far but I love the idea of journal prompts at the end of each chapter!

I’ve taken a break from working with deities at this moment and near future. I’m feeling such a call to nurture my relationships with my guides and my ancestors. Ive been trying to get into a rhythm before I began posting about my craft again. I’m excited to post about my craft!

I’ve finally sat down to read my ‘Italian Folk Magic’ book and I can feel my chest getting warm and almost heavy in way that feels like a hug. Im excited and grateful to go on this journey with my ancestors

Modern Offerings for Ares

Some of these are things I’ve personally given him and some are ideas for the future. As always, you know your relationship with him best.

Olive oil

Hot sauce

Chocolate pudding with a sprinkle of cayenne

Raspberries

Jalapeno peppers

Some of your fitness drink

Drinking alcohol (beer/fine wine)

A cinnamon stick

Beef jerky

A bite-sized slice of steak

Black coffee

Chips and spicy salsa

A fried egg

A can of soda

Caramel

A safety pin (for showing support to minorities)

An energy bar

Broken glass (please be careful!)

A piece of sushi

Maraschino cherries

Storm water

Dark chocolate

Flowers

Chia pudding

This list refers specifically to things you can put on his altar. Feel free to reblog with any offering ideas you have!

Lady Artemis and Lord Apollo have stepped away for right now and I am beginning to work Lord Hades and Lord Ares. I am grateful for this opportunity to work with both of these Gods. I have begun research on devotionals and offerings so I create relationships with both of my deities. I am excited to see how I will change after working with these two Gods. 

A lovely little Tarot Cheat Sheet I put together.

Tarot Basics

What is tarot?

Tarot is a method of divination. It is used as a tool to project and unravel our inner self, our thoughts and feelings. Each tarot card symbolises something different. When seen together in a reading, they tell a story. This story relates to our lives and can influence the way we see our future.

How do the cards work?

There are 78 cards in a tarot deck. 56 of the cards are part of the ‘Minor Arcana’ and the other 22 are part of the ‘Major Arcana’.

Each card in the Major Arcana represents a stage in the journey from ignorance to wisdom. They represent different archetypes and which archetypes are in play for each reading. The cards are part of a progression and therefore it’s important to remember where each card comes from and where it goes.

The 56 cards of the Minor Arcana deal with specifics rather than the big picture. Once again, each card represents a point in a pathway. However, unlike the Major Arcana, the Minor Arcana is spilt into 4 suits and therefore there are 4 paths.

What are the cards of the Major Arcana?

The Fool, The Magician, The High Priestess, The Empress, The Emperor, The Hierophant, The Lovers, The Chariot, Strength, The Hermit, The Wheel of Fortune, Justice, The Hanged Man, Death, Temperance, The Devil, The Tower, The Star, The Moon, The Sun, Judgement and The World.

What are the cards of the Minor Arcana?

There are four suits in the Minor Arcana. They are the Wands, the Cups, the Swords and the Pentacles. Each suit has the cards 2-10 as well as an Ace, a Page, a Knave/Knight, a Queen and a King.

What do the suits represent?

The Wands represent creativity, desire and will. Their realm is physical. Their element is fire. They are active.

The Cups deal with emotions, relationships and love. Their realm is spiritual. Their element is water. They are receptive.

The Swords represent reason, logic, action and intellectual endeavours. Their realm is spiritual. Their element is air. They are active.

The Pentacles relate to worldly things: the body, finances, sensuality. Their realm is physical. Their element is earth. They are receptive.

How do I get a tarot deck?

You can be gifted one, you can buy one or you can make one. It’s up to you.

Are tarot decks oracle decks?

No. Tarot decks and oracles decks are both methods of divination but they are not the same. Neither is better than the other; you’ll just have to see what you prefer.

How do I bond with a deck?

You can sleep with it, interview it, shuffle it or just use it.

What do I do if I have more questions?

You can google them, message me, travel half way around the world to find the answer, climb onto my window ledge at 3 am etc etc. Basically, do whatever works for you to find the answer.

What do I do if I want a version of this post but on Instagram?

Never fear! I admin on a witchy Instagram account so if you go to @witchbitchditch on Instagram and scroll to 6th February 2018, you will find all the info in this post PLUS some tips and more info. :))

Traveling Witchcraft

As I’m beginning to plan for my future, my girlfriend and I agree upon one thing: we want to travel. We want to buy a bus and go just about everywhere. But if my life is spent on the road how do I fit in witchcraft? Well, here’s my four R’s.

• Research! Research about where you’re going. Find out about the history, plant life, animal life, weather, etc.

• Respect. Don’t even think about practicing anything from a closed culture that’s not yours. Respect the local wildlife. Remember that you are merely a visitor. If you’re performing a spell somewhere don’t leave anything behind (including energy) pick up and cleanse after yourself. The list goes on but just remember your manners.

• Resourcefulness! You don’t need super expensive tools to practice witchcraft. Travel altars, homemade tools, and the like are just as powerful!

• Routine. Start a routine you can take with you anywhere. Meditation, visualization, affirmations, gratitude, and so many other tools will help you create an routine that you can keep with you wherever you go.

Comment with any other tips you have! Happy witching!

My third round of candles have been my best yet!! Minimal disruption from the drying process and the wicke aren’t immediately burning down! Imy deities seem to like them so far!

I made my own candles today!!

I apologize for being MIA for a bit, I haven’t had too many spoons as of lately which has affected my craft.

A quick little update of my past couple of weeks has been accepting Lord Apollo into my craft alongside his sister, Lady Artemis. Its been interesting to say the least but I always notice him or what he wants me to pay attention to as I get warm very suddenly. He’s not as subtle as his sister which I love. I’ve also bought a bunch of soy wax to start making my own candles which I cant wait to make my deity candles!

Apollo Offerings/Devotional acts

Hey everyone! I’m Roy, and i finally have my pc so the just witchy things posts are done for now. So, i want to work with Lord Apollo in a future, im still a “baby” witch and i now im not ready for Him, but i do wanna research for when I am… so here is a list of some offerings to Him! (Lord Apollo devotees please correct me if im wrong, this is just research jsj) 

Plants/seeds

laurel tree 

(branches or leaves)

lily of the valley

sunflower

apple tree

the poplar tree

the palm tree

cypress

hyacinths

pomegranates/pomegranate seeds,

Crystals

Sunstone

Citrine Amber

Carnelian

Yellow topaz

Sapphire

Food/Liquids

Honey

Golden cakes

Apples

Sun water

Olive oil

Chocolate with orange flavors

Aloe vera

General

Lyres

Swans

Music

Poetry

Art in general

Sun things in general

LGBT+ flags

Devotional acts

Every 7th of the month play your favorite/devotional song while watching the surnrise

Pray to Him

Sing to Him because he likes musiccc

Take care of yourself, im sure he likes that.

Donate to LGBT/Needed causes

Make a devotional journal for him!

(i’ll be doing more for other deities from the hellenic pantheon even tho im not inclined into working with them! hope this helped someone huhu. blessed be all of you!)