🏆 Weekly Witchy CHALLENGE - Catch-Up! [Challenge #200]

[bj1]

Challenge Entry - Handcrafting - Handy Witch

Travel Altar Version 2

After the hinge snapped on my travel altar box, made out of a recycled necklace box, I was looking for a new container. One of the three dollar stores in our area had a closing out sale and I found a tiny wooden suitcase for half price!

I painted it antique gold and lined the top and bottom with gold holographic star patterned cardstock.
Because it is taller than the necklace box I was able to replace the tealight and matches with an LED tealight.
I added a rune set made from painted wooden cubes (also half price).
I made a tile set for the 4 elements and Spirit, and the triple goddess and horned god.
In addition to the original contents there is also room for a besom, a compass, a vial of sea salt, and an image of a red dragon on Aida cross-stitch fabric.

I think I am ready for just about any event while on the road! Did I just jinx it?

[mary25]

My Challenge Entry: Magick in the Arts Thank you Bry for the Catch Up Challenge. I don’t claim to be an artist but I did draw 20 oracle cards. I looked for a Strawberry Moon Oracle deck and not finding one, I decided to make one. I used craft paper, felt tip pens and my mini-Tarot deck card as a template. The cards are a mix of strawberry and full moon symbols. (Strawberry Moon, Strawberry, Strawberry Quartz, Moonstone, Green Aventurine, Gemini, Cancer, Pink Candle, Summer, Nature, Abundance, Wish, Harvest, Intuition, Creativity, Meditate, Gratitude, Release and Sweetness of Life.) I’m having so much fun with this. I plan to make a Blue Moon deck for myself, too. Here’s a pic. Thanks!

[bj1]

Challenge Entry – Symbols & Sigils – Wielder of Symbols

Symbols in Finnish Magic

My maternal grandfather was born in Karelia, Finland, which is now part of Russia, since WWII. I am studying the use of symbols in Finnish magic.
Talismans to attract good luck and amulets to dispel bad luck are common in Finnish magic. The mage prefers natural objects. The objects are carried in a leather pouch. Often herbs are included.
The line drawings could be worn or placed on objects.
The hannunvarkuna or kapalikko is a very old symbol. There is an example carved on a fragment of a wooden ski that is 1000 years old, putting it in the Finnish pre-Christian period.
I created 3 amulets and 3 talismans on wooden disks.

The amulets on the left from top to bottom are:

1. to protect from ghosts and evil spirits
2. to ward off the negative and protect from enemies
3. to prevent others from planting an evil spell.
   The talismans on the right are:
4. to heal sickness
5. a love charm
6. to put under the pillow to make dreams come true.

Now I need to make a leather pouch to store them in!

Source: Finnish Magic: a nation of wizards, a world of spirits, 1999, by Robert E. Nelson.

[bj1]

Challenge Entry – Luck Magick – Lucky Witch

Green Aventurine Bracelet

I have a tumbled stone of green aventurine and a vial of chips, but I have always wanted a piece of jewelry to wear. This week I found it in, of all places, Walmart! This bracelet will bring luck, prosperity and success. It has a gold charm that is engraved “lucky”.

The info card that came with the tumbled stone I purchased at my local metaphysical store said:
“Aventurine is a very positive stone of prosperity, luck, and success. It has a soothing energy that helps to protect and heal the heart. It aids in resolving any emotional blockages, allowing one to release old habits and welcome personal growth and opportunity. Aventurine helps to calm nervousness and dissolve the stresses of everyday life. It increases motivation and creativity while reinforcing one’s decisions, bringing out natural leadership. It teaches you about yourself and guides you to understand your universal purpose.”
On The Citrine Circle website green aventurine is called “the stone of opportunity”.
Green aventurine is a form of quartz with Fuchsite. It is found in Italy, Brazil, China, India, Russia, Tibet and Nepal.
Its associations are Aries Taurus, Water, Earth, Mercury, the number 3, and all the Chakras.
It has a hardness of 6.5 to 7 and is usually not UV reactive.

Now I have to enchant my new bracelet!

[mary25]

I love this soooo much! the runes! the tiles! I used an electric candle in my travel kit, too. very cool and creative!

[Mystique]

This is fabulous! I didn’t know anything about Cassiopeia so this is wonderful new information for me! Thank you

[Medea]

This cannot be happening at a better time! I hope to get caught up… Blessed Be all my Witch Sisters

Medea

[Mystique]

Fabulously collection of wands!

[Medea]

Mary 25…such talent! I can draw stick people like a professional… lol.

Great work and Blessed Be
Medea

[mary25]

My Weekly Witchy Challenge Catch Up Entry #2: Spell Bags & Pouches – Spell Bag Builder

When I travel, especially by ship, I create a charm bag for extra protection.

Mermaid Protection Charm Bag

Make a palm-sized pouch from a square of cotton fabric. I use a mermaid design. To the bag add:

• A piece of paper on which you have written your name and destination (taglock).
• A moonstone (the Traveler’s Stone) and an aquamarine crystal.
• A small amount of any combination of the following protective herbs: sea salt, comfrey leaf, lavender and/or feverfew.
• A small mermaid charm, shell, silver coin or mermaid image.

  Hold the bag to your heart and say: I call upon the power of the sea and the spirit of the mermaid to lead us to adventure, keep us safe on our journey and bless us with good memories, with love and gratitude.

  Sew the pouch closed and place it in your suitcase. When you return home, open the bag and cleanse the charm(s) and crystal(s). Discard the rest. Make a new bag for each trip.

[mary25]

WEEKLY WITCHY CHALLENGE #3 Magickal Creatures – Favored by the Fantastical == Link (long entry): Weekly Witchy Challenge Entry (catch up) #3: Mermaids thanks, Bry! stocking up on badges

[mary25]

Weekly Witchy CHALLENGE entry #4 - catch up - The Bestiary - Cryptozoologist LINK: (long entry1) Weekly Witchy CHALLENGE - The Bestiary / Catch up #4: Unicorns Thanks, Bry

[Phoenix_Rose]

challenge entry

A Witch’s Intuition

Along with regular tarot use, I have done the purple candle meditation to open up my third eye and listen to my guides.

[bj1]

Thanks! I love working in miniature.

[bj1]

Thanks! It was nice to get out in nature after a wet spring and talk to the trees.

[stavroula]

Finaly, it is hereeee! So many to choose from, but here is my first one

Challenge entry, Wheel of the Year: Pagan Holidays – Year-Round Witch

For me this a bit of mix and match, as I watch the wheel of the year mostly as the change of seasons rather than sabbats, some times adjusting the days with other local holidays that make it easier to celebrate. And of course, adding some extra flair of my path.

This is what I usually do for the festivities

YULE

This is kind of a month-long celebration as Christmas are close, and hold a lot of significance to family and friends, so there is a mix of all that.

At the first or second weekend of December I do a deep clean and I cleanse the house and then I invite some of my friends, and while listening to Christmas songs and eating Christmas delicacies, we decorate the tree and the house.

On winter solstice I do very simple things like a meditation, or going out for a walk and watch the sun rise.

On Christmas, we have a family dinner, and I am in charge of making the salad and the dessert, so I fix some stuff with solstice significance like a salad with mixed greens, apples, cranberries, nuts etc and lately I am making a yule log for dessert.

Imbolc

I have a lot of tension around this holiday, as it falls during the semester exams and my mind is all over the place, so very simple things like a nice stew soup, oat meal and some related music

Ostara

This is my favorite festival. Deep spring cleaning, changing the house décor and flowers everywhere. How do I celebrate it, well, with a big fat Birthday party for me and my cat, with cakes, egg salads, bunnies, fruits and happy music.

Beltane

If the weather is good, I will go out for picnic with friends, gathering flowers, but generally, I dedicate this day to Aphrodite, so I redecorate her shrine, offer her flowers, food and wine, thanking her for her presence in my life.

Litha/Lammas/Mabon

Usually, the weather is good here during this period, so I try to celebrate them in nature mostly. I live in a big city, so reconnecting with nature is important. I try to find a quiet spot, and give offerings to nymphs.

Samhain

I believe I am more of a light worker, so this is a heavy festival for me. I love all the Halloween-y stuff, but this is a far more special day than carving pumpkins, but is an energy I find uncomfortable to work with, however, I deeply respect. So, I deal with it as just the last day of the year, thanking all who have helped me this year, doing some grounding meditations and reflecting to what I have learned.

Apart from this, I try to keep up with the esbats, as I feel a connection to the moon and the stars (actually, the only altar I have is for the moon, lol) and celebrate the 4th day of each lunar month as it is Aphrodite’s birthday according to the Hellenic Calendar.

[bj1]

Challenge Entry – Heed the Call of Crystals – Crystal Collector

Snowflake Obsidian

This tumbled stone called to me the last time I was in my local metaphysical shop and I had to have it.

The owl and athame are black obsidian, but the one in the center is snowflake obsidian.
Snowflake obsidian is a volcanic glass with a mineral called Cristobalite. It is found in Australia, Africa, and the USA. It has a hardness of 5 to 6, and is not usually UV reactive.
Its associations are: Earth, Virgo, and the Heart, Throat, and Root chakras.
Llewellyn’s Book of Correspondences has the following intentions for snowflake obsidian: awareness, concentration/focus, confidence, energy (spiritual), needs, negativity, protection (from energy drain), purification, and wisdom.
The info card that came with the stone said:
“Snowflake obsidian is a stone of the self, bringing protection, grounding, and balance to the mind, body and spirit. It clears any negativity from a person as well as the space it is used in. It makes you feel calm and supported, helping to remove fear, pain and worry so that you can stay focused in times of chaos. It helps to bring logical thinking, allowing one to retain new information and remember what is important. It helps turn weaknesses into strengths and heals harmful thought patterns, bringing a feeling of security to who you are. It helps you achieve what you want in life by inspiring hope and positive ideas, while helping you to see opportunities you may not have in the past.”
I am hoping my Snowflake Obsidian will help quiet my mind during meditation and enhance my connection to the spiritual realm.

[Amaris_Bane]

Oh, I love catch up time! I’ll have to make a list of what I’m missing and see if any call out to me. If not, random generator!

[bj1]

Challenge Entry – Magickal Inks and Oils – Craftswitch

Alder Ink

I wanted to research the alder because I read that my ancestors, the Sami, used the dye made from alder bark to scribe the shamanic symbols on their reindeer skin drums.
A Wikipedia article stated “The Laplanders are said to chew the bark, and use their saliva to dye leather.” It also said ingesting it could blacken the tongue! The shoots, if cut early, produce a yellowish or cinnamon-coloured dye, the catkins a green dye, and fresh cut wood a pinkish-fawn coloured dye.
Patricia Telesco claims in her book, that one could extract crimson dye from the bark, brown/black from the twigs, and green from the leaves.
The green dye is supposedly what faeries and Robin Hood used in their clothing so they could blend in with their surroundings. It is best to gather the bark in the spring.
The species in my neck of the woods (Ontario, Canada) is Alnus incana rugosa, the grey alder, also known as the tag alder or speckled alder. It is a shrub that grows in riparian areas. The species in northern Finland is also the grey alder, a subspecies called Alnus incana incana. These are not to be confused with the tree, Black Ader (Alnus glutinosa) , found in southern Finland and an invasive species in Ontario.

I decided to see if I could extract a dye from the bark and maybe dye a small cotton bag and then use the remains to make a red ink.
I strolled down the street to a creek bed and gathered a dead branch and a live twig from a grey alder.
I debarked the dead branch and soaked the dark red bark in moon water. Twenty-four hours later I had dirty water but nothing approaching a dye. On to the compost heap it went.
Plan B: repeat with fresh branch. Immediately it was noticeable that the white wood began to darken as it was debarked. The bark lining was green, not red as in the dead branch. The bark darkened and when the moon water was added, yellow colouring of the water was quickly noted.
I soaked a canvas favour bag in the liquid overnight and got a light brown colouring on it giving it an aged look.
For the ink, I scratched some myrrh incense into the liquid, added some crushed star anise for scent, and some burnt sienna water colour paint which has gum arabic in it. I filled a jar half full of the liquid, and topped it up with witch hazel. I left it in the sun for several hours.
I tried the ink with a nib pen, and a paint brush. The only thing magickal about it was the disappearing act it did. It is much too light to be of use as an ink, but it might help to age papers as an overall wash or edge treatment.
All was not lost because I got a nice wand from the dead branch. It has an interesting veining pattern on it. Apparently it is easy to get the pith out, so I could put a core of copper or something else inside.

The alder has many intentions associated with it including: authority, banish, battle/war, clarity, concealment, control, death, destruction, divination, freedom, guardian, guidance, healing, intuition, knowledge, magic (aggressive), power (of water), prophecy, protection, rebirth/renewal, transformation, truth, visions, and witches/witchcraft.

Sources:
The Herbal Arts: a handbook of gardening, recipes, healing, crafts, and spirituality. 1998 by Patricia Telesco.
A compendium of herbal magic. 1998 by Paul Beyerl.
Whispers from the woods; the lore & magic of trees. 2006 by Sandra Kynes.

[MeganB]

Challenge Entry - Spell Bags & Pouches – Spell Bag Builder

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We’ve started playing D&D in the last few weeks and I’ve been having terrible dice rolls. Rather than creating a spell bag for a specific purpose, I decided to turn my dice pouch into a spell bag – is that cheating? Who knows?

For this, I created a sigil to place inside my dice pouch with the intention phrase: My dice will roll what I want. Then, I started drawing it out and then let my intuition guide me. The sigil probably doesn’t use all the letters or even have any of the shapes from the original phrase, but that’s where my hand took me so it’s what I’m sticking with.

I cut out a small version of the sigil and popped it in my dice pouch!