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Wednesday, June 15, 2022
Monday, May 30, 2022
Sour Jar for Reproductive Freedom
If I am being completely honest, the last couple of weeks have been extremely difficult. I feel like every day the news gets worse and I am deeply concerned. I've spent a lot of time purposely distracting myself with work, exercise, and video games while I attempt to process. I am angry, hurt, and, honestly, scared. The most recent news includes the leak of the draft to overturn Roe vs Wade by the Supreme Court. No matter your views on abortion, overturning Roe vs Wade will have cataclysmic consequences in the United States, of which includes the loss of our right to privacy. I strongly support our right to choose what is best for ourselves without government interference. I am also a firm believer in the use of baneful magic to fight social injustices and as such thought this was the perfect time to pull out the big guns, magically speaking.
Since the full moon eclipse, whose chaotic energies are still going strong, I have been putting together a series of four sour jars for reproductive freedom, one for each of the Supreme Court justices who signed the draft to overturn Roe vs Wade after lying to the public in order to be confirmed. This spell is best performed during the waning or dark moon and requires constant attention until the draft goes public...if it ever makes it that far. My hope is this spell, along with others and public outcry, will help stop it dead in its tracks.
Please note that I do not believe in the Rule of Three nor am I a love and light witch. Decolonizing witchcraft includes understanding the value of baneful magic as a tool against oppression. If baneful magic is not something you are into, simply move along and find other ways to fight for reproductive freedom.
What You'll Need
- Paper
- Pen
- Knife
- Lemon
- Cayenne Pepper, Red Chili Flakes, or Chili Powder
- Poppy Seeds
- Five Whole Cloves
- Twine or Black Yarn
- Jar with Lid
- Vinegar
- Three Nails or Pins
- Spanish Moss (optional)
- Wasp or Wasp Nest (optional)
- Onyx (optional)
- Black Sealing Wax, Black Yarn, or Twine
What to Do
Before you begin this spell, cleanse and consecrate your space using your preferred method. I also encourage you to set up general protections to ensure the spell does not inadvertently cause you undue harm.
Begin by writing the full name and birthday (if you have it) of the person you wish to bind and curse. I went with Clarence Thomas (June 23, 1948), Neil Gorsuch (August 29, 1967), Brett Kavanaugh (February 12, 1965), and Amy Coney Barrett (January 28, 1972). If you are cursing more than one person, make a separate jar for each.
Fold the paper several times, making sure to fold it away from you. Cut a slit on top of the lemon and place the folded paper into it. Cover with cayenne pepper, red chili flakes, or chili powder and poppy seeds. Poke nine cloves into the lemon and wrap the entire lemon closed with twine or black yarn five times. As you wrap the lemon say, "I bind you, [insert name], from taking action against reproductive freedom. May you be unable to decide and your discussions are fraught with discord. May your life be full of strife until this bill is dead."
Place the lemon in the jar and cover it with vinegar. Add the three nails or pins, Spanish moss, wasp or wasp nest, and onyx to the vinegar and seal. If using wax, melt the wax and pour it over the lid. If using yarn or twine, warp the jar five times while repeating the same mantra as before. Shake the jar vigorously, filling it with your rage and discontent. Visualize the target being filled with confusion, strife, conflict, and the inability to take action against reproductive freedom. Place it in a dark spot, away from prying eyes. Shake daily, recharging the jar with your intent, until a verdict is reached.
After the initial construction of the jar is complete, perform a cleansing ritual to remove any residual negativity from yourself. I suggest showering after this particular spell and using an uplifting smelling soap, such as grapefruit or rose. Smoke-cleanse your work area with an uplifting and banishing incense such as rosemary.
When you are satisfied with the results of this spell, dispose of the sealed jar in the trash.
Why You Did It
Understanding the why's of a spell are just as important as performing it. It helps you understand the process so you can modify the spell or ritual to suit your needs and helps guide you to write your own. It's my intention that by providing these explanations, you can build a better understanding of how spells are written and executed so you can modify and build your own spells (the goal of my Spellcraft Series).For this spell, we used a number of sour and unpleasant ingredients to bring unpleasantness to our target's life. The first thing we did is write the name and birth date of our spell's target on a piece of paper. This acts as the "tag" for the spell. Just as a gift tag makes a present for you, a spell tag designates who the spell is intended for. This way you don't unintentionally harm someone else. By folding away from you, you are sending the energy out away from you. This acts is both protective and activating, directing the energy into the universe instead of toward you. Banishing and binding energies as sent away (folded out) while abundance and prosperity energies are drawn in (folded toward you).
The tag is placed in a lemon to sour the life of the recipient. Cayenne pepper, red chili flakes, or chili powder is used to heat up the spell, burn the recipient, and sew general discord and discomfort. Poppy seeds, on the other hand, sew discord between people, making it difficult to come to an agreement. Whole cloves, which look like pins, are used to prick and poke, making the recipient uncomfortable, as well as to tear down their walls, making them susceptible to the curse. This is all then wrapped five times with twine or black yarn to fully bind the person from causing further harm. Black is associated with banishment and binding, while the number five is associated with discord, struggle, and conflict.
The bound lemon is then placed in a jar to contain and stop the recipient's actions further. It's covered in vinegar to further sour their life, while the three pins or nails prick and poke, the wasp/wasp nest stings, Spanish moss sends bad luck, and the black onyx brings mental strife, nightmares, and breaks up relationships and bonds. All of this is sealed in black wax, black yarn, or twine to bind.
By storing the jar in a dark place, you are bringing darkness to the recipient's life, making it difficult for them to see clearly and make decisions. Shaking the jar empowers the spell and promotes turmoil by shaking up whatever plans the recipient had.
Finally, this spell is best performed on the waning or dark moon, which is associated with cursing and binding. However, this spell can be performed during any moon phase. If performing during the waxing or full moon, put more emphasis on bringing something into the person's life, in this case, discord and strife. The great thing about spells is that they can be performed successfully in any moon phase, you just have to get a little creative.
Wish to break this spell? Simply dismantle the spell jar, unbind the lemon, and remove the tag while saying, "This curse is broken. It shall no longer hold sway over [insert name]." Dispose of the remains in the trash.
Remember to record this ritual on your ritual/spell worksheet or in your Book of Shadows for reference later.
***
In all of my years of practicing witchcraft, I have only ever cast two curses. Know that I do not take such work lightly, and spend a considerable amount of time weighing my options before taking such actions. Again, I am not a love-and-light witch, nor do I believe in the Rule of Three. I do, however, believe strongly in justice and using the necessary means to fight systems of oppression. I am a Libra after all and I will not sit idly by as our rights are stripped away from us. I hope you won't either as this is so much larger than whether or not abortion should be legal. Stay safe out there.
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Tuesday, May 24, 2022
Book Review: Baba Yaga's Book of Witchcraft by Madame Pamita
Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase. I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I have been looking forward to reading through this entire book since I was given a chapter sample a couple of months ago. I knew, before even reading the sample, that this would be a book I needed on my shelf based entirely on the title alone. While I do not have any Slavic ancestors (that we know of, although there is ancestry from Germany so there is a chance), I have a yearning deep within my soul begging me to learn more about Slavic witchcraft and folklore. This is the same yearning I have for Nordic and Scottish witchcraft and folklore, from which I know beyond a shadow of a doubt my family hails. So when I was graciously sent a copy of Baba Yaga's Book of Witchcraft: Slavic Magic from the Witch of the Woods by Madame Pamita from Llewellyn I immediately dove into the contents.
The first thing you will notice about this book is the beautiful exterior and interior design. The cover is a beautiful portrayal of Baba Yaga's famous house, while the inside is adorned with traditional Ukrainian red and black stitching. This is hands down one of the most beautifully detailed books on my shelf, and the design adds to the magic within.
Unlike other books, Madame Pamita combines story and practical magical advice to teach the reader about Slavic witchcraft. Each chapter is divided into three parts: story, the voice of Baba Yaga, and practical information. The story, which opens each chapter, is a mix of folklore and modern invention that follows the life of Vasylyna, who seeks out the help of Baba Yaga after being cruelly turned out by her stepmother (sound familiar?). This story reveals a bit of Slavic witchcraft, which is discussed in detail later in the chapter. The story is followed by the voice of Baba Yaga, who shares her rough and gruff wisdom with the reader. I looked forward to reading the tale in each chapter and found myself sometimes skipping ahead to see what would happen to Vasylyna next. This is certainly an entertaining way to introduce each chapter and engage the reader. There is nothing else like this on the market, at least to my knowledge, making it new and refreshing. When you read as many occult books as I do, the same format over and over again gets redundant and boring. This was pleasantly surprising, unique, and thoroughly engaging. Furthermore, the stories helped with the flow of content. Without it, the information would seem disjointed and unrelated.
Overall, this is a fairly lengthy book at almost 300 pages and twenty-one chapters. Madame Pamita introduces the reader to the different practices of Slavic witchcraft including stitch work, poppets, the crossroad, nature spirits, the spindle and loom, decorated eggs, and even the bathhouse. She includes practical spells, rituals, patterns, recipes, and advice any witch can use in their practice. This is a book I know I will be returning to again and again. There is so much useful information and I found myself taking extensive notes while reading. It's been a while since a book has had such a profound impact on my personal practice and taught me something new.
There is absolutely nothing I did not love about this book. It is culturally sensitive, inclusive, and open. In the wake of recent events, preserving, honoring, and respecting Ukrainian culture, folklore, and witchcraft is incredibly important. Madame Pamita does an amazing job honoring her ancestors and Baba Yaga in Baba Yaga's Book of Witchcraft: Slavic Magic from the Witch of the Woods. I know they would be so proud of her accomplishments.
I encourage you to pick up your own copy of Baba Yaga's Book of Witchcraft: Slavic Magic from the Witch of the Woods by Madame Pamita and help preserve and support Ukrainian and Slavic culture. I also encourage you to take other actions such as volunteering, donating, and supporting the efforts in Ukraine. If you are unsure where to start, check out Care.org. They are looking for donations and volunteers to help Ukrainian refugees in Poland and other surrounding areas. You can also support small Ukrainian-owned businesses such as Aleksandra (@madame_ionesco) who offers tarot readings. If Baba Yaga taught me anything, it takes a village, even when we practice in solitude.
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Wednesday, May 11, 2022
How to Record Your Spells
So you have written your spell, cast it, and disposed of the spell remains. Now what? You need to record it! When casting spells and performing rituals, it is extremely important to keep a detailed record of what you did, including the purpose, timing, ingredients, and even what you did with the spell remains. Why should you keep such a detailed log of your magical workings? Well, first of all, keeping track of your spells allows you to reflect on your successes and failures as a witch. If a spell is particularly successful, you may wish to use it again in the future. If a spell fails miserably, looking back at what you did may give some insights into where you messed up so you can improve, allowing you to troubleshoot potential pitfalls, a topic that will be covered at the end of this series. However, one of the most important reasons to keep a detailed record of your magical workings is in case the spell backfires or you wish to reverse it. Sometimes spells come back and bite us in the ass or have unintended results. Having a detailed record of your magical workings allows you to easily reverse the spell. This won't, of course, reverse the damage, but will at least allow you to stop it from harming you or others further.
How and where you record your spells is entirely up to you, but it should include the following basic information:
- Ritual or Spell Name
- Purpose/Goal
- Date, Time, Moon, and Length of Spell
- Ingredients
- Deities or Spirits Called Upon/Worked With
- Actions Performed and Words Spoken
- Unusual Occurrences Before, During, and After
- Spell Remain Location
- Loophole to Break Spells
- Results
You may also want to include additional notes including any messages received during the work. Again, this information will allow you to track your successes and failures, break spells if needed, and ultimately grow as a witch. Witchcraft is a craft, not a religion, and takes continuous practice to master. Recording your spells promotes such growth.
Most witches record their spells and rituals in a Book of Shadows, which is a journal of a witch's journey. If the spells are particularly successful, they are then transferred to a Grimoire, which is a book of knowledge and spells. However, not all witches keep both a Book of Shadows and a Grimoire or even call their journals/books by such names. There really is no right or wrong way to record spells other than that you are keeping track. With that being said, not all spells have to be recorded. Sometimes we work quick little spells throughout the day for protection, luck, relieve stress, or even jinx. These quick little spells, rituals, and prayers needn't be recorded, but you are most certainly welcome to record them if you remember them.
A couple of years ago, I put together a free Spell & Ritual Worksheet/Log that includes everything you need to record. You can snag your free, printable copy here.
***
For the next spell you cast, practice writing everything down. Find a system that works for you and run with it. Be open and willing to change this system, and recognize that as you grow as a witch, what worked originally may not work any longer.
Interest in the rest of the series?
Spellcrafting Series
Looking for more information about writing your own spells? Check out my posts on the topic:
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Monday, May 9, 2022
Magical Properties of Sunstone
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