🕓 Weekly Witchy CHALLENGE ~ Catch-Up!

[Ostara]

**Weekly Witchy Challenge Catch up-Entry #2- Fairies & Fae

I have always wanted to work with fairies, but was a little afraid. Yesterday when I got off work I went to Dollar Tree. I was scoping out Ostara decor for my Ostara altar. Lol! They are starting to put out there Spring décor, including Fairy Garden things. I couldn’t help myself and yes, I spent to much money. It has been raining all week, but the sun is supposed to shine today. When it dries up some I will head to my outdoor sacred space and set up a garden for the fairies. I studied up some on the fairies, and one thing I read is you should not ask the fairies for anything for at least 6 months. I don’t think I will ever ask them for anything. Being able to honor them is enough for me. I am going to write a letter to the fairies and bury it outside in the fairy garden along with an offering of honey. I will add a pic of the garden when I’m done.

I’ve had this poster for years. Maybe this is why I’m a little afraid of the Fae. Lol!

[Ostara]

Weekly Witchy Challenge Catch up-Entry #3 -Trying something new.

I have this wonderful book that I started reading last week. It’s called The Modern Witchcraft guide to Runes. It’s been sitting on the bookshelf for over a year collecting dust, but the Universe told me it was time to read it.
I have been on my witchy journey for a little over 2 years, and what a wonderful and crazy ride it has been. I feel like I know a little about everything, but not a lot about anything. So I started my adventure with Runes again. Some of you know about the problems I have been having at work. Basically, I’m working with 2 bitches that want me out, up to the point that my work is being sabotaged by them. I came across a spell in this book. I haven’t done black magick because of the karma deal, but there was a spell (Hex) in this book that called to me. I have a set of Witches Runes, but never used them until last weekend. This is simply returning the negative energy back to its source.
You will need
• The Eye, Flight, and the Scythe runes, painted on stones
• Shallow dish, such as a 6” plate
• Dried rosemary leaves
• Pushpin, needle, or tack
• Black candle
Directions

1. Assemble your ingredients on your altar. Place the three runes in a triangle pattern on the plate with Eye at the apex, the Scythe on the side mirroring your dominate side, and Flight opposite the Scythe.
2. Scatter the rosemary along the center of the dish.
3. Using the pushpin, needle, or tack, scribe the word “hex” on the black candle.
4. Light the candle and drip some of the wax onto the center of the plate. Fix the candled on the melted was so that it stands alone. The Eye will serve as your protection. Flight will send your intention to its target. Scythe will sever the flight path so that any negative energy will not return to you, and even if it did, the Eye would ward it off.
5. Allow the candle to burn and discard the remains.
   So, did the spell work? Let’s just say that both of them had a really shitty week. Lol! I think I’m going to do this spell every weekend.

[tracyS]

@Ostara

@Ostara

So, did the spell work? Let’s just say that both of them had a really shitty week. Lol! I think I’m going to do this spell every weekend.

Oh my days, that made me smile. .

[Sivonnah]

@georgia I love that you chose your birth name as your witch name! I’m so happy you’ve been able to overcome so much “BS” for lack of a better term! I’m also glad your journey brought you here! You have so much love and wisdom to share and I’m honored to be a recipient

@Ostara Love your challenge entries! Looks like you learned a lot and I appreciate you sharing with us! I had no idea sound was so beneficial! I’m going to find a sound bath near me to try it out! Thank you!

[MeganB]

Alright, I took to my random number generator to pick the challenges I’ll be doing this week

Fairies & Fae – Friend of Fairies
Hedge Magick: Into Other Realms – Hedge Witch
Handwritten Magick – With Hand and Heart

Let’s see if I can manage a challenge entry for each of them each entry will be its own post!

[georgia]

@Sivonnah

You have so much love and wisdom to share

So do you!

I’m glad to be here, and ever so happy to have the chance to bask in your Light!

[Ostara]

Thank you Sivonnnah.

@Sivonnah

I had no idea sound was so beneficial!

I didn’t know how beneficial it was either. Maybe I did on a subconscious level because I have wind chimes everywhere outside.

[Sivonnah]

CHALLENGE ENTRY #2 Magickal Names

I never really thought about a witch name before I came here. Well, I wasn’t really a witch until I came here. I didn’t even have to think about it…Sivonnah…just felt right.
How did I pick the name Sivonnah? When I was pregnant with my younger son, I was convinced he was a girl. I found the name Sivannah in a baby name book, but I pronounced it with a soft O vs A. With the A its pronounced like Savanah, Georgia. But, I liked my pronunciation. Needless to say, I didn’t name my son Sivannah
My husband and I used to play D&D and my characters name was Sivannah. So when I came here, I knew what my name would be. I changed the spelling from the a to an o because that’s how I pronounce the name. I never really thought about a witch name. I knew Sivonnah was right

[Sivonnah]

@georgia you are too sweet

@Ostara I wonder if there’s a “perfect” song for each of us that puts all those aspects in balance I know specific notes can do that, but could we create a song?

[Ostara]

I’m not that talented. Lol!

[Sivonnah]

CHALLENGE ENTRY #3 Handcrafting

At least some of you know I’m a crafter! I love painting, although I’m not much of a freehand painter, I’d say I have a gift. My husband says I “bring life” to what I paint. Art, in general, has always been magickal to me. My mom loved to paint and create things. My dad did a lot of leather crafting when I was younger. He carved The Last Supper into a piece of leather. He was so meticulous and detailed in his craft, it was reflected in this piece as he even carved their toenails and fingernails!
Currently my dad and brother make cigar box guitars of very fine quality. They get orders from around the country. My brother is quite crafty with creating art using technology. My dad also makes bottles stoppers, bowls and candle holders out of wood on the lathe. My husband is pretty crafty as well. We work in tandem to create. He cuts items out of wood and I paint them. He developed his own technique for cutting. As you can see crafting has been part of my life for a long time.
Enough bragging …

Why did I find art magickal? I couldn’t understand how people could create such beautiful things from their imagination. I found it in paintings, architecture, sculptures, etc… Also, painting and crafting has always brought me joy, as well as serenity and calmness. Very therapeutic!

How do I incorporate magick in my art today? I use correspondences and mindfulness. I use correspondences in regards to the season, colors, incense, flowers, etc…
I practice mindfulness by appreciating where the wood came from. It’s smell, it’s feel, how it looks. I appreciate the colors and how they were made and the people that made them. I frequently use flowers and animals so I visualize those to select colors and paint technique. I think about the feelings these things evoke.
So here’s some of my magickal handcrafted art!

[Artemisia]

Challenge Entry #2 - Reading Auras

@BryWisteria

Reading Auras – Aura Reader

Reading auras has never been in my practice nor a skill that I have had. But I thought I’d try it out for this challenge.

I wasn’t sure where to start to learn how to see auras but after an online search I picked this video to start

AURAS: Practice & Exercises to see them! - HOW TO SEE AURAS -

I started the first exercise last night but felt I was too tired to really concentrate so I tried again this morning. Holy heck!!! I was able to see a blue aura around my hand. I was blown away!

Blue
Those with blue auras are emotionally sensitive and are self-expressive. They may be shy in letting their innermost feelings be known, which means you should listen when they do speak. Source

If You Have A Blue Aura, You’ve Probably Been Called An Empath Once Or Twice
Because of how empathetic you are, you’re highly susceptible to accidentally taking on other people’s energies, especially out in public and in large crowds. “Blue’s natural state is to be calm, serene, and in its essence,” explains Hill. “But if they go out into the world and they’re not spiritually protected, they will be bombarded with [other aura colors].”
source

Boy is this spot on.

I’m still practicing on the second exercise with trees. It’s a work in progress!

[Ostara]

You’ve done a beautiful job! I wish I had talent. Lol!

[Ostara]

I’m going to try this out. Thanks for sharing!

[Artemisia]

Challenge Entry #3 - History of Magick

@BryWisteria

History of Magick – History’s Heir

I have to admit this one is harder for me to do than the other entries. While I love to research and compile information in my pursuit of knowledge, it’s been yeeeeeeeears since I’ve routinely written a research paper. That skill has left the building

I chose to informally write about Robert Graves and his impact on Magick.

Robert Graves (1895–1985), a prominent British poet, novelist, and scholar, played a noteworthy role in influencing modern witchcraft. Born on July 24, 1895, in Wimbledon, London, Graves came from a literary and artistic family background.

Published in 1948 “The White Goddess” explored Graves’s theories on mythology, goddess worship, and the poetic inspiration drawn from the feminine divine. Despite its controversial nature and lack of historical grounding, Graves’s poetic and symbolic reinterpretations, particularly the Celtic Tree Calendar, gained traction within some magickal circles.

Celtic Tree Calendar: Graves popularized a version of the Celtic Tree Calendar in “The White Goddess,” associating each lunar month with a specific tree, Ogham symbol, and poetic meaning. While his interpretation is more imaginative than historically based it has been influential.

Triple Goddess Concept: Although not originating from Graves, he contributed to the popularization of the Triple Goddess concept – maiden, mother, and crone – which has become a significant archetype in Wiccan and magickal traditions.

While I have personally struggled with trying to reconcile that there are recent additions to the much older historical practice of magick, I am becoming more comfortable acknowledging and accepting Robert Graves’s lyrical reinterpretations and esoteric insights into my practice.

[AIRAM]

CHALLENGE ENTRY
finding your magickal name

https://animagia.gr/2022/08/11/μάγισσες-της-σμύρνης-λίγα-λόγια-για-τη/
I got my magical name from the Witches of Smyrna, an excellent Greek series
From the fortune-teller Maria who, when she acquired the gift of fortune-telling from the great Mystria of the Attartis series, named her Airram
is the reading of the name Maria backwards from the end to the beginning

[starborn]

Challenge entry #1 – Dream Magick

Weekly Witchy CHALLENGE- Dream Magick!

Warm greetings to all! Thank you once again to all those who reached out and connected with the earth in last week’s challenge: Earth-Friendly Witchcraft! After immersing ourselves in the energy of nature, it’s time to go even deeper- this time, within ourselves! The theme for this week’s challenge will be… [fantasy-4040384_1920] :thought_balloon:Dream Magick! This challenge is all about venturing into and exploring th…

I’ve done the Eurynomous ritual described by Tracy here:

https://forum.spells8.com/t/dead-and-breakfast-virtual-witch-bar-cafe-alcohol/47058

And so, I would like to take this moment to talk about my dreams a little. The magick itself is contained in the above post.

As for my experiences…

I did this one with my partner. We have a little shelf where I’ve put some auspicious items and we are collecting ancestral items there as well. In front of it, I had placed a long cushion meant for making benches more comfortable to sit on and that is where we sat for this.

Following this ritual, my dreams have been… It’s hard to me to talk about them because I feel that the small details are important, but they don’t really mean anything unless I give a book load of backstory.

But I can that that it feels as though I’m going through a journey of what has been and what could have been. I’ve seen these lives in different contexts, with similar people or even the same people. I can feel the build-up before making decisions that have a great impact on myself or those around me, and I can feel the weight of those choices as I enact them.

Whether these experiences are merely dreams or glimpses into past/future lives, I can’t say. But they resonate deeply. As though my soul is going on a journey through another life and coming back with lessons learnt.

And so, I shall continue to dream. Dream the dreams of infinite potential trapped in an insignificant glass vessel, bounding through the universe with but a glimpse of the totality that exists beyond.

[starborn]

Challenge entry #2 – Witch Brews & Potions

Weekly Witchy Challenge - Witch Brews & Potions

Merry meet! Thank you once again to all those who joined in for last week’s Weekly Witchy Challenge - Handwritten Magick No break for our hands this week- but set down the pens and ink, as it’s time to stir and pour and mix instead! The theme for this week’s challenge is inspired by the witchy season and is… [Witch Brews Potion Making Challenge Spells8] Witch Brews & Potions Double double toil and troub…

I would like to share two combinations that I have been using over the past year. Both of these are for working with the crown and third-eye chakras. These blends are designed for spiritual connectivity and nurturing a deeper connection with the higher self.

Hair Oil

The first is a topical oil that is designed to help with hair growth and tapping into psychic abilities. The idea is that hair acts like a bunch of tiny antennas, picking up and sending out subtle energy. This oil combines various plant-based ingredients and oils to connect hair and mind with a kind of light energy.

This energy is special because it can move through anything, carrying energy, info, and even consciousness between different places. This is believed to be a key factor in how telepathy works.

• 180 ml (approximately 3/4 cup) unrefined coconut oil
• 180 ml (approximately 3/4 cup) cold-pressed olive oil or another carrier oil of your choice
• 180 ml (approximately 3/4 cup) castor oil
• 15 ml (1 tablespoon) cold-pressed neem oil (this is optional)
• 118 ml (1/2 cup) ground fenugreek seeds (also optional)
• 45 ml (3 tablespoons) henna powder
• 45 ml (3 tablespoons) amla powder
• 5-20 ml (1-4 teaspoons) MSM powder (optional)
• 7-10 drops of rosemary oil
• 7-10 drops of peppermint oil
• 7-10 drops of lavender oil
• 7-10 drops of tea tree oil

Massage this oil into your hair roots weekly, focusing on the scalp, to stimulate the crown chakra and enhance hair health.

Bath Ointment

This blend serves as a luxurious bath or massage ointment, incorporating dried herbs and flowers, each selected for their spiritual and therapeutic properties.

• 240 ml (1 cup) sunflower seed oil
• 30 g (2 tablespoons) beeswax
• 15 g (1 tablespoon) dried European mandrake root
• 15 g (1 tablespoon) dried mugwort
• 15 g (1 tablespoon) dried blue lotus flowers
• 15 g (1 tablespoon) dried pomegranate flowers
• 15 g (1 tablespoon) dried rose flowers
• 15 g (1 tablespoon) dried lavender flowers

Here, you can substitute dried ingredients with their oil equivalents where possible for a more concentrated blend. (I do, where I can.)

It is ideal as a massage oil or added directly to bathwater for a spiritually enriching experience.

Preparation methods

Infusion Method: Combine ingredients and allow them to infuse for several weeks. This method is particularly effective for the hair oil blend.

Heating Method: Gently boil the ingredients for a few hours, then strain the mixture into a jar. This faster method is suitable for both blends.

Either way you go, keep your homemade blends in a cool, dark place to preserve their potency.

Safety Reminder: Always conduct a patch test before using new skin products, particularly when using potent ingredients like European mandrake root. These blends are for external use only.

[Ostara]

I decided to put the fairy garden in my herb garden for now. Fairy’s love Thyme and Rosemary and (thank the gods and tarps) mine are doing good through this winter. There are these crazy looking mushrooms growing from all the rain last week. They look kind of alien. I have been trying all day to get a decent pic, but the sun is in the wrong place. So here is one of the not so decent pics. This is the temporary winter home.

[Ostara]

I just realized there is a kitty sleeping in the background. I didn’t see it when I took the pic. Lol!