⚖ Weekly Witchy CHALLENGE - Magickal Equilibrium: Balance

[BryWisteria]

Merry meet!

Thank you once again to all those who joined in for last week’s Weekly Witchy Challenge - Pagan Paths

After a bit of enlightening introspection upon our chosen paths, we are looking up this week to find that the world is also reaching a point of reflection on its journey- this is the time of the equinox, a moment of perfect balance and time of equilibrium, peace, and harmony

As such, the theme for this week’s challenge honors the occasion and is…

Magickal Equilibrium: Balance

Using magick to right wrongs, achieve balance, and stabilize peace in our lives

Every force and influence in the world is like its own note When they intersect and come together, these “notes” can sound like a cacophony of chaos or they can blend together in beautiful harmonic symphony- as one who wields magick, the power of change and control, you are the conductor of your life’s symphony

This week is a time of balance - look to the First Quarter Moon , the Equinox in both Hemispheres and the start of Libra season, Scales of the Zodiac . Opportunities are aligning for you to master your chaos, right wrongs, and bring balance to situations of over- or under-abundance in your life It’s just a matter of making it happen- and your magick is that key!

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This week’s challenge is all about balance and harmony - but as always, how you do so is up to you!

So are you ready? Because it’s…

CHALLENGE TIME!

From Pixabay

STEP 1 : A Time of Balance

This challenge is all about magical balance and equilibrium - but how you choose to take on this theme is up to you!

Still not sure where to begin? To help you get started, here are a few ways in which a witch might approach this challenge.

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Increasing, Attracting, and Growing

Take a step back and observe- in the fields and pastures of your life, are there any areas that seem barren or malnourished? Are some places going without the things they need and are thus unable to thrive? Whether it is love, care, opportunities, a career, finances, health, or anything else- use this opportunity to nurture the places that are lacking and help them become healthily stable.

Too little of something + a spell for increase/growth = balance

How to Make a Wish Box to Manifest Your Dreams

Riches Pledge: A Simple Money Manifestation Spell

Spell for Spiritual Growth

Job Spells: Find Your Dream Career and Rise to the Top

Cinnamon Abundance Ritual

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Reducing, Banishing, and Decrease

Have you ever heard the saying “too much of a good thing”? Even the best things in life can become stifling or problematic when overindulged. Or perhaps it wasn’t a good thing to begin with, and has now grown out of control! This week, consider looking at your current situation for things that are overflowing- by decreasing these things, you can achieve balance and regain stability.

Too much of something + a spell for decrease/banishment = balance

Far & Away: Jar Spell to Banish a Toxic or Negative Person

Banish Evil and Negative Energies

Cord Cutting Spell to Release Negative Energies

Fire Spell to Remove Obstacles

How to Break a Hex or Curse on You

Bully-Be-Gone: Witch Bottle to Stop Bullying

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To Right a Wrong

Injustice and unfairness tip the scales in a negative direction and destroy the established sense of harmony- this week, you might consider exploring your beliefs around justice. How might you, as a practitioner of magick, encourage or call upon harmony and fairness in your life? From deities of justice to karmic spells or rituals of righteousness- feel free to explore!

Hekate’s Justice Devotional Prayer

Return to Sender: Easy Karmic Justice Spell

Tarot: Justice

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Other Spells for Balance

Whether you have favorite spells for balance, harmony, and stabilization, or want to try writing your spells this week- feel free to share them for your entry!

Black Candle: Karmic Balance and Protection Ritual

Garnet for Emotional Balance - Crystal Meditation

Emerald for Harmony and Divine Love - Crystal Meditation

Tiger’s Eye for Inner Balance - Crystal Meditation

Herbal Harmony: Tea Spell for Friendship and Love

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… And More!

The suggestions above are just a few ideas to help kickstart your creativity- if you feel called to explore magickal balance in another way, please feel free to do so!

As always, all witches are encouraged to embrace their own unique practice with how they explore the challenge theme

From Pixabay

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STEP 2 : Share Your Experience

Click here for a note about challenge inclusivity

Everyone is welcome to join the challenge by practicing magick in line with the current theme. For lurkers and those who don’t feel comfortable sharing, it is absolutely okay to follow along with the challenge but keep your entry personal. Feel free to join in spirit and do what feels most comfortable for you!

That being said, please know that if you would like to receive a prize and a public shout-out, it is required that you share your experience.

Getting Your Credit

In order for your entry to be counted, all you have to do is write/share about your experience and label it as your challenge entry. There is a lot of chatting here (which is awesome- chatting and discussion are very welcome!) so please clearly write that it is your entry so I know to count it!

Where Should I Share My Entry?

Click here to learn where to share your challenge entry

You are welcome to post it right here- just click “reply” to this post and write your experience in the text box that pops up!

Alternatively, you could create a new post in the forum (this is good for when you have a lot to share and/or would like to discuss aspects of your entry not related to the current theme)

Note : If you do choose to create a new thread, please add the “challenge-entry” tag and/or add a hyperlink back to this post so that it can be easily found- thank you!

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Deadline

This challenge will close in 6 DAYS

To join in, please share your experience by:

Tuesday, September 26 at 7:00 AM EDT (Eastern US Time)
2023-09-26T11:00:00Z

(Note that the time zone is ET- if you don’t see your time displayed above, you can use this time zone calculator to check for your time zone!)

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Prizes

For their efforts, all participants will receive a special shout-out and a small prize!

Acknowledgments will be given in a Props and Presents Post that will appear in the forums on Tuesday.

After the challenge closes, you are still very welcome to post but please be aware that no additional prizes will be given. This discussion will remain open for about a week after the challenge finishes.

From Pixabay

A warm reminder that the challenges are designed to be very open- everyone is encouraged to participate in a way that honors and reflects their unique practice

If you have any doubts about if something is acceptable to post or say, please double-check with the Forum FAQ and/or reach out to your friendly Moderator Team.

And for those new to challenges- welcome! Know that the goal of these activities is to help you further diversify and strengthen your abilities and to bring together the Spells8 forum family to inspire and support one another in creative ways

From Pixabay

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When your cup overflows, pour some out
When your cup is not full, add some in
You hold the vessel, the lock, and the key-
By sun, moon, and equinox,
Be balanced and free

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Blessed Be!

[Kasandra]

I think a ritual with cinnamon will do for this challenge. ‘Tis the season!

[Shadeweaver]

tis the seasoning, hahaha

[Amaris_Bane]

@BryWisteria, how do you keep doing this? I was just thinking I need to refocus on the balance of light and darkness in my practice. I’ll have to see what I can come up with.

[Nixi]

She’s really good at it @Amaris_Bane I made a missing ingredient list last night for a few things that I plan to do in the near future, all of which are perfect for this challenge

[devin6]

Balance is so hard to find. Recently, I’ve had such strong confidence and joy in a spell I’ve done but then my divination tools tell me that things will fail. I’m thinking they are wrong and just being poops because I know my intentions and energy is strong. How do you balance negativity when you feel such positivity?

[TheMuslimWitch]

Balance is exactly what i need atm. I feel perhaps a banishing spell for evil and negative energies will do the trick, or even removing obstacles would be good. It is true too much of a good thing can be problematic and i have experienced this on both negative and positive terms so perhaps removing obstacles will be the way to go. I will sit and think on it for a short while and be back with an entry if time allows it…

[Sivonnah]

Oh boy…I’ve been feeling quite lost and all over the place! This is an excellent challenge for this week!

[BryWisteria]

@Kasandra That sounds wonderful, and agreed! It’s the season of wonderful spices and cozy magick

@Shadeweaver Load up for the season of seasonings- bring out the pumpkin spice!

@Amaris_Bane Hahaha the equinox gets all the credit for this one- I think the theme of balance is in the air and all around!

@Nixi It always sparks joy when I hear we’re on the same page! Good work on your ingredient list- wishing you all the best with your plans!

@devin6 I know the feeling- it’s frustrating and can be offputting when spells and divination are showing what seem to be contrasting messages. Does the divination tool you used usually give you straightforward and clear answers, or does it read with an “attitude”? I have a deck that sasses me almost every time- sometimes it’s worth trying a different tool. And divination readings aren’t set in stone (at least in my beliefs)- they tend to show only the path right in front of you. Perhaps, if you feel confident about the reading, more spellwork is needed to help push the scales and get where you want to be? Just a thought!

@TheMuslimWitch Wishing you all the best- blessed spellwork!

@Sivonnah Sorry it’s been turbulent for you, Sivonnah- I hope the energy of the equinox and any balance work you choose to do this week can help to get things right and help you stabilize! So mote it be!

[tracyS]

CHALLENGE ENTRY

I didn’t know quite how to approach this, as in my magical life, I don’t have control or balance, or perhaps I should rephrase that, I choose not to have control but let chaos flow freely, therefore balance comes and goes. My spells/rituals are developed, unplanned in the moment depending on need and what I have available, they work because I believe in them, if they fail, it’s normally because my heart just wasn’t in it, so the chaos just wasn’t in it either

In my divination life, I accept readings both good and bad as I feel the chaos allows me to manoeuvre my day to ensure the bad, if I do this manoeuvring well, turns positive at best, and if I don’t manoeuvre it well, well a life lesson is learnt or disaster avoided at worst.

So I decided to approach this challenge from a spiritual balance, as that’s where I struggle.
Spiritual balance for me includes, making time for meditation, rest, calm thinking, prayer, travel with Loki. I’m pretty haphazard at all of this except my offerings which I do without fail, and my daily chit chats with Mr Chaos himself, (I make a coffee, he gets a coffee and a candle)

So to balance, for me, in this part of my life, would be to Not Allow the chaos to reign. To work at daily meditations, even if its just 5 minutes, in the morning, or the evening (I have them right here on the Spells8 app, so there’s really no excuse ). And to remember to sit and be still, with nature, with spirit, and Stop Chaos, from rattling my brain with a , "hey let’s try this, what about that, how about adding so and so to this tea you’re drinking, etc etc ".

Don’t get me wrong, I live in the moment and love it, but the moment and balance don’t always work well together and very often, my state of equilibrium is anything but. It’s not stress, no. It’s a sense of almost falling off the planet, but not quite, something pulls me back. Sits me down, gets in my face and yells STOP.

So, with this challenge, it’s helped me to see where Chaos doesn’t work. Where routine and order is better, for me, and where I have alot of work to do. Then, I think my head may be less fuddled, I may be less tired, and it may even make the chaos more (yes, it can be more!) exciting, as I will have missed it.
Blessed be

[Jeannie1]

I can’t wait I live this challenge out, the Truth is I could do every meditation and at the end of the day I am the conductor like one said, there are so many amazing spells to choose from!!!
I like the wish box this can help me list out my goals in life! It’s important to now what you want! There are so many opportunities but in my world I would like to really get my mental health in control! I need spiritual growth and guidance! Changing my career? I really don’t feel fulfilled sometimes!
I want to stick with my journaling too!
“I want to be sustained”

I could use them allI need Balance”
“I want balance”
“ I am the sustainer”
“I have the keys”

So I need rest!
A vacation!!!
All my witches out there what’s up with it?? “We are the Witches”
Kassandra, ShawdowWeaver, AmarisBane, Amethyst,
Devin -keep telling yourself good things!! Stay positive!
Muslim Witch- This is an excellent example to consider in our lives huh We must take the appropriate change that we need to be balanced with the light and dark! I really hope we can reach our resources to consider the needs that we all have!! Make those meaningful task and give it speacial attention!

I found this tarot spread O thought maybe tomorrow I will do a tarot spread for the fall equinox!
Listen to Lisa Thiel
And grab a guitar and now is the time of Mabon!
MabonThe Wheel Turns

Jeannie

[kimi]

You sound just like me friend!

Best of luck finding that blessed balance, I’m hoping to find her too this Season⚖️

[Amaris_Bane]

I shared the ritual I plan to use to honor Persephone’s return to the Underworld, and the balance of light and darkness, life and death, that working with Hades and Persephone has provided me.

Ritual of Equilibrium: Honoring Persephone and Hades

I celebrate Persephone’s descent into and ascent from the Underworld on the equinoxes. Since the equinox is Saturday, I have created a small ritual to honor Lady Persephone, the Queen of the Underworld, Lord Hades, the Ruler of the Afterlife, and the balance represented by their union. I will update with pictures after I perform the ritual on Saturday. You are more than free to use this ritual or adopt it to your own needs, no matter what path you follow or deities you work with. I would love …

[starborn]

Challenge entry.

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In a world of cycles, harmonies unfold,
Where equilibrium’s tale is beautifully told.
First Quarter Moon, a celestial guide,
Bridging light and shadow, the cosmic divide.
Equinox arrives, in both hemispheres the same,
Balancing day and night on the earthen plane.
In Libra’s embrace, the Scales we find,
Weighing deeds and dreams of every kind.
Situations of excess or scarce supply,
Are measured with justice as time passes by.
So embrace the rhythms, the cosmic flow,
In this dance of balance, let your spirit grow.
With each passing phase and each changing sign,
In harmony and balance, your path will align.

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I started this with a visualisation from the book “Tantric Kali – Secret Practices and Rituals” by Daniel Odier which was graciously recommended to me by @CelestiaMoon. (Thank you! )

Partly influenced by the scorching heat of recent days, my mind gently meandered to a serene coniferous forest in the midst of autumn. The ground, refreshingly cool beneath my feet, beckoned me to trace my hand along the rugged bark of a nearby tree, savouring the rough texture under my palm. The moon gracefully pierced the forest canopy, casting ethereal beams of light upon the forest floor, painting a mystical scene. In that enchanting ambience, I embarked on a silent hunt.

I found it interesting that the instructions suggested beginning with the cruellest individuals. It seems logical to accumulate the energy, releasing it at its peak strength and gradually diminishing over time. Yet, there’s an undeniable fury that wells up in response to the visceral nature of these actions. This anger is, in part, fuelled by the internal horror one feels towards the acts themselves. Even after the necessary steps have been taken, and despite any physical exhaustion, it takes time for this rage to dissipate. Anyway, just a curious thought I had.

Afterwards, a sense of calm did wash over me, almost as if my pursuit of justice had been temporarily appeased. However, it looks like I’ll need to engage in this a few more times to assess my progress and how well it works for me.

@CelestiaMoon seemed to sense how beneficial this could be for me and I do think she’s onto something here. You see, when I embarked on my spiritual path, I was seeking balance by releasing some of the pain I had carried within me for so long.

I grew up with the familiar struggle of being a naive, quiet introvert, always trying to be kind to everyone and internalising not only my own issues but also the mistreatment I endured. It was as though I absorbed all the negativity like a sponge. Eventually, like a pendulum, I swung to the opposite extreme, venting everything outward.

However, thanks to my partner, who bore the weight of it all, I quickly came to realise my mistake. I hold eternal gratitude towards my partner for standing by me during those darkest times in my life.

They are also the reason I began to realise that I had been affording those who had hurt me with far too much dignity. They emphasised that these individuals didn’t deserve even a fraction of my care. Initially, I grappled with this advice, concerned about the person I might become if I followed it. But I think there is some truth to their words: why should I treat good people as generously as I do bad people? It’s not fair to the good people.

Now, in the manner of a pendulum’s gentle sway, I’m striving to discover the equilibrium I need to thrive. It’s about releasing the pent-up pain, including the anger I held towards those who had hurt me or those dear to me, and discovering that delicate balance where genuine healing and personal growth can flourish.

In any case, I believe I can muster the strength to forgive and release many transgressions, acknowledging that the wrongdoers are victims of violence in their own right. However, since I generally hold the belief that life ends with death, and our energy melds back into the universe, erasing all traces of personal identity, death feels significantly more absolute to me. There might be some things I cannot find it within myself to forgive as a result, but my journey is far from over.

Although, perhaps I don’t necessarily need to offer forgiveness. Instead, my focus can be nurturing inner peace and continuing to harness any negativity as a wellspring of strength to confront injustices. After all, we’re exploring the delicate balance here, and excessive contentment might lead to apathy — a path I wish to avoid. What I truly desire is the enduring passion and drive to leave every space I enter better than I found it. I aspire to be a catalyst for positive change.

But if that’s the case, it appears that I’ve largely attained my desired state this year, and my path ahead involves continued practice and refinement. There are numerous avenues for improvement, after all, including enhancing my ability to shield myself from the negative energies of others.

Now that I put it so explicitly, it’s not that I had an issue requiring fixing, is it? Instead, we continually aspire to improve ourselves, even when faced with varying levels of challenges. What I’ve come to realise tonight is that the significant personal obstacles are now in the past, and ahead of me lie numerous opportunities, from further personal growth to projects.

Happy weekend, and love to you all.

[Phoenix_Fire]

The irony of my life is being a libra which is represented by scales. But balance is always a struggle for me. Its either too much or too little. Whether it relates to my adhd or autism or generally being neurodivergent or because of trauma response or maybe a flaw in my personality i dont know but ive yet to figure out the trick to finding balance lol esp with times of hyperfocus or other times of total lack of focus. Just for example. This will be a good challenge to look into this challange ( lol a weekly challenge to find a solution for a life time challenge)

[Artemisia]

Well, I’ve finally had time and energy after getting back in the country and home at 11pm last night and have a few ideas of things to do for my challenge. I’ll take some time this weekend or Monday to get them done and look forward to getting back to my regular schedule again!

[lisa67]

Love the @BryWisteria spell to burn away obstacles! I think I am in my own way! EEISH! This’ll be perfect!

[CelestiaMoon]

Challenge Entry

I found this beautiful spread for the equinox on a mailing list that I’m on, and it was calling to me
The questions on it were (as translated from Finnish)

1. What has grown / been growing?
2. What is worth keeping?
3. What is it time to let go of?
4. What is it time to receive?

I was feeling good about my new Mahabharata deck for this one
These are the cards

1. What has been growing? Satyavathi – Ambition

This card suggests that overzealous ambition has a price. Use caution and consideration to follow your desires. Ponder carefully the decisions that you make toward achieving your goals. Consider the consequences of your choices before executing those decisions to avoid destructive results. There may be a feeling of frustration and discontent. Are you overcome by your obsessions? It may be time to ruminate, reexamine the situation, and reassess your goals.

Ambition can be a powerful motivator and source of energy when used consciously though, I feel. The lack of the “conscious” part is where the obsession and destructive results come in. Fire is a good metaphor… it can bring many good things, but left unchecked it will grow, become more hungry and consume everything.

2. What is worth keeping? Shakuntala – Patience

This card appears to signal the need for patience. One needs to wait for the kettle to boil instead of watching it. Do not rush unnecessarily; wait for things to progress with time. If you are in a holding period, trust that things will work out. Patience has great rewards.

Earth element to balance and contain the fire of ambition and other passionate forces.

3. What is it time to let go of? Kripa – Gratitude

This card indicates displaying an expression of indebtedness, a return of kindness. We can acquire all the things that should make us happy, but unless we feel grateful for being given these things, happiness may elude us. Gratitude has a double blessing; the benefits of thankfulness are far reaching. Acknowledge the beautiful gifts you have received, the wonderful people in your life, the daily blessings that bring you joy. By expressing gratitude, it replenishes love and attracts more blessings. Receiving kindness, gifts and favors is a wonderful thing, but it must be accompanied by an expression of gratitude.

This felt a little strange at first… let go of gratitude? The other cards shed some light on how this might be meaning though. I’ve been enjoying quite a bit talking with @starborn recently, so it’s no wonder we are in sync again (Loved your entry by the way! )

@starborn

After all, we’re exploring the delicate balance here, and excessive contentment might lead to apathy — a path I wish to avoid. What I truly desire is the enduring passion and drive to leave every space I enter better than I found it. I aspire to be a catalyst for positive change.

It’s a balance of yin and yang – contentment and inner peace, and passion that drives us forward on our respective paths. I’ve been focusing a lot on the yin, the restorative, the grateful, and for balance and self-actualization, it seems some more yang is needed. Being firmly established and grateful of what we have already, driven by ambition, kept in check by passion, next we get to…

4. What is it time to receive? Ghatokcha – Super Power

Representing superpower, this card indicates that a powerful transition is happening to strengthen and empower you greatly. You could be provided with the means to juggle events or circumstances to your favor. This signifies transforming yourself into a figure of power and challenge, becoming physically or mentally strong and confident. Finding yourself at an advantageous position, a godfather may suddenly appear, a very powerful backer having an indomitable strength, or a group of supporters at your disposal. You can call upon this support to aid you and relieve you of any distressing situations or difficulties.

This card makes me feel really good about my plans for this and the next year! For a few years, I’ve been gathering strength and healing from traumatic and stressful events that had left me raw and vulnerable, and building on that brutally honest and vulnerable place, finding new forms of self-expression, getting in touch with my intuition, and building beautiful and meaningful connections. It’s been very safe and contained, very yin, nurturing that new, vulnerable part in me.

It’s time to start spiralling out again, realizing that superpower which has been in me all along, and making use of it for the benefit of both myself and others. Working to extend that same healing outwards more and more now that my own cup is full, even if it means becoming visible and open to challenge again. It’s not the same as it was before, the same things that worked before to hurt me no longer have an effect on me.

And hey, some interesting and familiar themes here…

Ghatokcha could assume many forms and totally confuse the enemies. […] He was half-human and half-demon and could call upon other demons for support […]

With Lilith and the powers of chaos on my side… I’m feeling pretty good

[Jewitch]

Challenge Entry

For my entry this week, I want to achieve balance in several ways. First, I have been feeling a lot of negative energy surrounding me lately, so I am going to burn a black candle to absorb and transform my negative energy through the flame so I can call that now-positive energy back to me.

Next, the past few days I have been making much more of an effort to develop a two-way relationship with my ancestors. Before, I mostly just called on them and asked them to be with me and watch over me without really doing anything for them in return. The other day, I offered water to my ancestors and left it on my altar. That night, I had the most vivid dreams of my late grandpa showing me how proud he was of me, even though he had never really expressed that fondness while he was alive. Needless to say, I will most definitely be making more of an effort to provide for them because I’ve felt them more prominently in my life altogether, not just in my dreams <3

[Nixi]

@Phoenix_Fire

ive yet to figure out the trick to finding balance

You’re definitely not alone in that

@Phoenix_Fire

lol a weekly challenge to find a solution for a life time challenge

I was thinking the same thing

@CelestiaMoon excellent spread and I’m loving your new deck