👐 Weekly Witchy CHALLENGE - Making Magickal Offerings

[BryWisteria]

A warm welcome to all!

Thank you once again to the trailblazers who set the stage and charged ahead as part of last week’s Weekly Witchy Challenge- Passage Into the New Year

After setting the stage for the year to come, it’s time to set out something else- a common and often key part of many magickal practices

The theme for this week’s challenge was suggested by the generous @Amethyst and is…

Making Magickal Offerings

From burying successful spellwork remains, to a plate of favorite foods left at the grave of a lost loved one, to leaving sacred items on the altar for your patron deity- these are all forms of offerings that may be part of a witch’s practice!

For this challenge, we are exploring the world of offerings and how they may play a role in your magickal practice

Picture from Learn Religions: Ideas for Pagan Offerings to the Gods

What Is An “Offering”?

Offerings come in many different forms and may mean something different to different people- and that’s okay! For the sake of this challenge, an offering is something you are giving as part of a ritual or gesture. It does not matter if the item leaves your ownership or not, nor does it matter if you are giving it freely or expecting something in return.

Offerings can be material things such as food for ancestors , a present for someone dear , spell ingredients for the success of a spell , tokens of appreciation to deities , offerings to nature , etc.

Offerings can also be non- material things. A song or prayer for a deity , a goodwill prayer for the earth , or loving wishes that someone feels better soon could also be considered as offerings.

Before embarking on this challenge, you may want to take a moment to reflect on your own practice.

→ Have you used or do you currently use offerings in your magickal practice?
→ What kind of offerings do you give? Is there a kind of offering you would not give?
→ To whom or what do you offer?

Note that you do not have to give an offering to join the challenge this week if doing so goes against your practice- simply exploring the concept of offerings is plenty enough!

The world of offerings is a vast one- so let’s jump in!

Are you ready?

Because it’s… CHALLENGE TIME!

Picture from Wicca Daily: What You Need to Know When Offering to Your Deities

STEP 1: Exploring Offerings

There are so many ways that you might approach the challenge this week- through making an offering of your own, researching offerings to deities, or theories about offerings. The choice is yours!

To help you get started, here are a few suggestions for how you might pursue your challenge entry this week…

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Make an Offering

A great way to explore offerings is to give one!

You may give offerings to deities, spirit guides or animals, your guardian angel, a force of nature, the universe, fate, higher powers, ancestors, spirits, etc. Any force, person, or being that you can call upon or interact with may be worth giving an offering

For inspiration, check out:

• Offerings at Home
• Help With Offerings to Multiple Deities
• Beef Jerky Offerings?
• How Do Offerings Work?
• How Can I Do a Blood Offering?

Corn Doll: The Power of Deity Offerings

Wiccan Tea Blessing and Offering

What to Put on an Ancestor Altar? Ideas and Pictures

After the Offering- Disposal Methods

Some offerings are eaten or buried- but what about the ones that linger? How and when do you know to dispose of them? And how do you do so respectfully?

This week, you might consider examining and sharing how you dispose of offerings in a way that aligns with your magickal practice, or perhaps try a new disposal method!

For ideas, you can check out:

• How to Dispose of Spell Remains
• Disposal of Spell Remains for a Closeted Witch
• How Can I Safely Dispose of Salt?
• Water Disposal After a Spell or Ritual
• How Long Do You Keep an Offering?

Research Offering Correspondences

At the Sabbats, what are the best things to offer? What offerings does the deity you work with prefer? Are there certain things that would cause a higher power’s disapproval or rage?

By doing research into offerings, you can explore a new way to work with higher powers and connect with your deity at a deeper level.

Some places to begin your research:

• About Faerie Offerings
• Cernunnos Offerings
• What Kind of Offerings Does Saint Francis Like?
• Offerings for Minerva
• Offerings to Deities Who Like Flowers
• An Offering to Goddess Isis
• Samhain Offerings

…And More!

From journalling about offerings, to exploring theories or the history of magickal offerings, to sharing a fond memory and more- this challenge is yours to explore!

As always, you are free to be creative with your entry about the theme this week- good luck!

Picture from The Wisdom of Odin on YouTube: How to Give Offerings as a Norse Pagan

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STEP 2 : Share Your Experience

Click here for notes about challenge inclusivity

Everyone is welcome to join the challenge by practicing magick in line with the current theme. For 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.

To participate in the challenge, please share:

1. How you explored magickal offerings this week

For your entry to be counted, please write about your experience in the comments below and/or create a new thread in the forums.

Note : If you choose to create a new thread, please tag the challenge by adding a hyperlink back to this post so that I can easily find it- thank you!

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This challenge will close in 6 DAYS

To join in, please share your experience by:

Tuesday, January 11th at 7:00 AM EST (Eastern Standard Time)
( 2022-01-11T12:00:00Z )

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.

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Picture from Pixabay

A warm reminder that all 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

Picture from Pixabay

An offering as a gift,
Or a gift as a wish-
Your power guides your intent.
With offerings on your altar
And candles alit,
What shall you ask for,
And what shall you receive?

Blessed be!

[Amethyst]

I’m looking forward to reading everyone’s offerings for offerings. Might give me some ideas!

[debra2]

Hmm, as I was reading these, offerings, think I need to meditate and focus on what I’m going to do.

[theloneblkwolf]

I have two altars.

On my main altar, I always leave a cup of water. Refreshing it as my intuition tells me to. When I plan to spend a good amount of time at my altar I will share my coffee/tea and whatever treat I pick that day. (I always make something warm to drink before sitting) I treat this as a “tea/coffee date”. I will casually chat with my familar/ancestors/any spirits in my house/my house itself, giving thanks and just tell them about how my week has been going. If I work any magic I leave a small plate of whatever I cook/bake. Or if im planning on cooking within the next few days I will put in an IOU. (I have not forgotten to share on these days cause I don’t want to know what happens if I forget, lol. ). I normally dispose of offerings in the trash. I tend not to leave food offerings long because I have had ant issues in the past and I where I live its best I not do offering outside in my backyard.

For my money bowl whenever I get a sudden boost in my finances I always give a little bit to my money bowl in thanks (cash or coins). I recently needed to dip into my bowl, but I didn’t take everything out. I make sure there is always a few dollars or coins in there to keep the energy of my bowl flowing. I make sure to give it a good shake every once in a while to to “wake it up”

[Kasandra]

I’m thinking of doing something different (and a bit daring, for me) and give some burnt herbal offerings to Tysteal. For as long as I’ve practiced, I’ve been hesitant to burn anything for fear I might set off the fire alarm in my apartment. But if I burn a small amount in my fire proof cauldron, it shouldn’t create too much smoke, right?
I still have plenty of plantain left, and as an herb of protection, I think it would perfect for a dragon shepherd goddess.

[theloneblkwolf]

Is there a window you can open? It cann help circulate the smoke out so it doesn’t set off your smoke alarm. Or do it over your stove if it has an exhaust fan.

[Kasandra]

Well, it’s cold now, so opening a window isn’t really an option. Maybe I could do it in the bathroom away from the alarm?

[Susurrus]

@kasandra the bathroom would be good if it also has an fan in there! Good luck with your offering!

@Amethyst I am going to have to think about how to approach this one.

Challenge Entry

When I honor Brighid I leave her offerings around Her statue until either the candle is burnt out or overnight. I leave her crystals, coins, use a copper spoon for Her incense that I made up, & a white candle.

When I release spell remains I empty the contents either in the fire in our fire pit or I burn them on a charcoal disc outside. Depends what was in the spell.

I have also buried a bread that I made for the God Lugh during Lughnasdah. I actually buried this by my garden.

I buried a petition from a spell, I have a spot in my backyard where I tend to bury things.

I have offered the Oak tree in our yard water after it was damaged in a storm. We had also buried a baby bunny at the base of the tree that was exposed to the elements too soon & passed in its nest. I wanted it to be safe when it crossed over because it was so young & planted Nasturtium Climbing flowers at the base.

I actually seem to use quite the amount of offerings being used in my practice.

When I honor the Morrigan, I use her incense that I made up, a red juice or potion, Her statue, acorns, cranberries, crystals & a red & black candle.

Now I save the incense ash, but before I would empty them in my yard & I spill the contents or pour them from the chalice outside too.

If I write a letter to an ancestor or want to release any past tarot readings or journals, I always have a fire in the fire pit & burn the pages/papers so they go where they need to so they are released.

I don’t know if it counts, but we have a place in the corner of our yard where we can leave like, gourds, pumpkins or jack o lanterns for the wildlife to eat. It’s out of the way of the parts where people frequent so they can go to it at any time. Then when it con no longer be picked at, if possible we put the leftovers in the compost pile.

I use several different methods, it’s usually whatever I feel called to do with them & the urgency.

[jessica72]

Challenge Entry:

Following along with my thought process from last week’s challenge I really would like to work on learning more about my guides (who or what they are, what they can teach me, ECT) and working with them in my journey forward post narcissistic scumbag. I don’t necessarily want to walk all on my lonesome so I have been looking more into the different Goddesses. Morrigan really struck a chord with me.

I have been really keen to work with Morrigan for a little while now. So I had a looky-loo in the section of Morrigan on the Spells8 website and I decided that a simple offering of crow feathers (humanely collected) and a piece of Black Tourmaline and Black Onyx in offering to Morrigan would be a nice way to start.

Incense used in offering to Morrigan: Dragon’s Blood
Candle Colour: Black

Morrígan: Goddess Offerings, Signs, Symbols & Myth

I also had a peep in one of my newer books in my collection ‘Dark Goddess Magick: Rituals and Spells for Reclaiming Your Feminie Fire’ by C. Ara Campbell

Matters Associated with Morrigan:

• Death and Re-birth
• Finding Courage
• Protection
• Invisibility, shielding and cloaking
• Truth, prophecy and clarity
• Dealing with life’s battles
• Triumph over enemies
• Dreams, visions and nightmares
• Sexuality, love and passion

Morriagn Invocation:

“Morrigan, I beseech thee, stand beside me in my battles. Give me the courage to make the choices that I need to make and the strength to act upon them. Give me your protection and your guidance as I walk forward. Gift me your sight so I may see the path ahead that serves me best. Oh great goddess, guide me as I walk in the unknown.”

I also tried enchanting a crystal offering to Morrigan with an affirmation:

While holding a piece of Black Obsidian in my dominant hand I recited the following Morrigan affirmation:

“I am courageous.
I am strong.
I am capable of handling all that comes my way.
I weather all storms that enter my life.
I am shielded from the self-serving intentions of others.
I embrace the messages that flow to me.
I open to my intuition and inner guidance.
I honour the dark mysteries that flow within me.”

Edit:

I was having a flip through ‘The Little Book of Earth Magic: Connect to the Magic of the World around You’ by Sarah Bartlett - yup I take my spell books to work to read on my lunch break - and I found these if anyone would like them: I thought they fit the bill…

’Basil Ritual of Thanks’

To help balance the cycle of nature by giving back as much as you receive, perform this ritual at night under a Full Moon.

You will need:

• 1 Basil plant

1. Pluck five basil leaves from your plant and place them in a moonlit spot to draw down the lunar energy and also to offer as a symbol of your fidelity to the universe.

2. In the morning, take your leaves to a natural body of water - if this isn’t possible, a jar of spring or mineral water will do the trick - and shred them into the water to enhance your connection to nature.

’Lavender Ritual of Thanks’

The best time to perform this ritual of thanks is when the lavender bush is in bud or flower.

You will need:

• 5 stems of lavender or an image of lavender bushes
• 1 small bottle of lavender essential oil
• 1 white candle (if using an image of lavender)

1. Take your lavender oil and anoint the five lavender flowers or buds, five being the magical number of Earth magic. If you are using an image, anoint it with 5 drops of the oil and then place the image beneath the lit white candle.

2. Repeat the following affirmation as you cup the stems in your hands or gaze at your image: ‘I give my healing spirit back to the herbs of love and protection in all things, and join all of nature with my magic words.’

3. Bow your head in thanks to the lavender and your positive spirit will be returned to the botanical world.

I think that these would count as offerings as its a ritual of thanks back to nature.

[Susurrus]

@jessica72 I have done a lot of research on the Morrigan & have made a couple of posts about her & some really great resources for learning her stories.

• The Morrigan: Celtic Goddess
• The Morrigan - Goddess School
• The Morrigan - Druidry.org

There is a great series through Pagan Portals. Available in book & free with Kindle Unlimited by Morgan Daimler. Stephanie Woodfield is also another great resource for her. I did a lot of reading & you will find contradicting correspondences, but if you read her stories through the Tuatha De Danaan & The Ulster Cycle you also have to remember to take her correspondences & modernize them because ancient times was recorded more by word of mouth & it wasn’t until Christianity essentially moved in that the Celts/Druids practiced in secret that didn’t change over to Christianity coming through. The Romans were the first to start writing recordings of the Celts as they were a prominent culture. It’s a little complicated at times. I would just say be careful where you get the information from about the Morrigan & her sisters & find supporting information for anything that is from a secondary or tertiary source.

• Pagan Portals: The Morrigan: Meeting the Great Queen - Morgan Daimler
• Pagan Portals: Raven Goddess: Going Deeper with the Morrigan - Morgan Daimler
• Celtic Lore & Spellcraft of the Dark Goddess - Stephanie Woodfield

I’m happy that she found you.

Off the top of my head:

• black & red candles
• red meat
• pomegranate
• crows/ravens
• Samhain
• Dark Moon
• sequences/the number 3

I’m not trying to discourage you, because I know that call from the Morrigan. If you have any questions or would like to talk about it, just send me a message. I am constantly looking into her & her aspects. The more you learn & Honor her, she will make herself known to you. It’s happened to me more than once & out of the blue when I needed some guidance moving forward & through the holidays.

[BryWisteria]

@Amethyst I’m sure the creative coven will have lots of offering ideas for you to consider, Amethyst! Thanks again for sharing such a great challenge theme!

@Debra2 May your meditation help to reveal ideas for you, Debra- happy meditating and I wish you good luck!

@theloneblkwolf I love your practice of having a tea/coffee date with your ancestors and spirits- what a great ritual to do! That’s a good point about being mindful of how long the offerings stay out for, especially when ants are a concern. And the ongoing money bowl is a great financial practice to have in place! Thank you so much for sharing, Lunairess!

@Kasandra Good for you for being daring, Kasandra- I’m sure Tysteal will appreciate such a thoughtful offering You are smart to be cautious about burning- start small and make sure there isn’t a fire alarm nearby (sometimes they can be hidden out of sight) that any smoke would set off. Good luck and I hope it goes well for you!

@Susurrus Thank you for sharing how you make your offerings to your different deities, Siofra- it seems like you have unique practices for offerings to Brigid and the Morrigan. And I can tell you put a lot of thought and care into your spell remains and offering disposal- thank you for sharing your methods!

@jessica72 Congrats on deepening your bond with the Morrigan, Jessica- I’m so excited for you! Thank you for sharing the correspondences you uncovered and also for the lovely crystal offering you did- I think adding in an affirmation is a wonderful boost to the spellwork- great job!
(And I smile everytime I read one of your fun words- “looky-loo” is officially going into my vocabulary )

[Garnet]

Weekly Witchy CHALLENGE - Making Magickal Offerings
An offering to your God/Goddess means many things to many people.
Most organized religions ask an offering during their services. In reality this offering is to support the building. Electric, repairs and maintenance plus the support of the priest/preacher. This is in not in any way wrong, just perhaps mislabeled.

An offering, to me, is a sincere gift to your Deity.
When I had a hibiscus hedge, as they bloomed, I would pick the biggest and prettiest flower, offering it with a bow on my altar. When it had withered, it was removed, disposed of and another one chosen.

My son thought it was disrespectful to give back a gift that had been given to me.
I explained, "If Goddess granted me the beautiful flowers, the very least I could do was to offer the prettiest bloom as a thank you to Her. "
When the flowers no longer bloomed, I offered the change in my pocket, a cup of coffee, a cigarette, what ever I had that was meaningful to me.

Again, my son said, “So what do you do with the change?”
I told him “Nothing, it belongs to Goddess.”
“What if I take it?” He asked.
“Then it would be gone, wouldn’t it.”
“Then your offering is void.”
“No, sweet boy. If an offering leaves the altar, my opinion is that it was Her will.”
“But I stole it.”
“Did you? Or was it Goddess’ Will?” I told him. “And before you ask, when the coffee is cold and old, I remove it and replace it with something else.
Life is a circle, my son, life is a circle.”

He may not believe as I do, but as I never pushed any specific religion on him, he accepts what I believe. Not for him, but for me.
And you know what? That’s alright by me.

By the grace of the Goddess,
Be safe, Always
Be blessed, Always
And know you are loved, Always.
So mote it be!
Garnet Trailblazer

[Susurrus]

@Garnet

He may not believe as I do, but as I never pushed any specific religion on him, he accepts what I believe. Not for him, but for me.
And you know what? That’s alright by me.

I am the only practicing pagan in the house. I have 1 son in denial, but loves Norse Mythology & reads about ancient/old Norse ways, Vikings, Scandinavia & that area, all of it.

It’s his concept of what paganism is that he isn’t sure about, so I have a book about Paganism for Beginners, just so he has some idea of what it is & how the Gods & Goddesses related to concepts of the Wheel of the Year, Solstices, Astrology/Divination. I’m not pushing him, but I answer his questions honestly & if he does ask about anything on my altar or what I’m doing, I am open with him about what it is I’m doing & why. I told him that it’s fine if what I do isn’t what he also does, I told him to do what feels right to him, but to take his time.

I love your entry Garnet, I can really relate to that experience.

[jessica72]

@BryWisteria You are most welcome to add that one! I would say that I could put it down to 16 years of being in the same job - child care. I try and make things fun for the kids. But it’s a worry when the kids that I have looked after for years come out with ‘me mannerisms’. Just yesterday I had one come out with “oh well it isn’t going to fall any further” when she dropped something on the floor. I couldn’t help but laugh at that one. I love my kids. I don’t have any of my own - thankfully not to him anyways so it’s a blessing really. to do the job I do.

But I have always been a little different and well and truly had my own vocabulary even before I started in this job. I think it’s a perfect fit really. I’m a little strange and I don’t mind being a little silly to try and make someone else smile.

@Susurrus Thank you so much for sharing that. I will for sure check out your posts on Morrigan! I don’t feel discouraged, not at all. I’m grateful that you took the time to think of me to share it. I’m still very new to all of this and I would never want to disrespect anyone who works with the deities and has far more experience than I do, or even the deities themselves by not taking full advantage of all the wisdom offered to me.

It was that one line that I found in my Dark Goddess book within the Morrigan affirmation when I was having a flip through “I am shielded from the self-serving intentions of others” that was my ah-ha! moment . If that one line doesn’t sum up my relationship with Mitch then I don’t know what else can.

[Susurrus]

I’m happy for you!

@SilverBear has a meditation for Meeting Macha, she is 1 of the sisters that are part of the Morrigan.

Anything else, please feel free to ask.

[LadyAuld.ofChico]

I love baking and I love baking as offering. My favorite go to is Honey Cakes. I have a recipe that is similar tasting to a spice cake. Depending on the Diety I will put different fruit on top or customize in other ways. Gaia specifically loves Honey cakes. When I offer to her I will also leave a cup of milk sweetened with honey.

I am more familiar with the Celtic Gods and Goddesses, but I feel most comfortable with Gaia. Something about being able to step outside of my door and put my hands on her, the physicality of Gaia that is hard to find in Diety.

It is my usual practice to leave offerings out overnight. I am an evening ritual witch. Once everyone is tucked in I can get to work. Also the evening atmosphere gives a magical quality to my spells. My family is very respectful of my space so I do not worry about it being disturbed before I wake up. In the morning I will walk the offering outside to my garden, lawn or usually compost. I will take a few deep breaths and thank the Diety, say a few words to them as friends and bury the offering. One of the links referred to a discussion on how long an offering should be left out. Many suggestions were given and ultimately all the answers were right. Maybe in the future I could bring my pendulum out and consult how long I should or could leave the offering.

I have yet to work with any offering other than food. I totally absorbed all of the links above. Pages of notes were written in my book on this topic. I love the idea of offering to more than God and Goddess, like my house spirit! I love my house spirit, how fun to say thank you to them.

The offering can be more than food. I liked the idea of a kind gesture or planning a date with the Diety, like a monthly nature walk date with Gaia. Yes Please! That is happening from now on. I have a gratitude song that I regularly sing to the God and Goddess. I had no idea that was considered an offering to them. But it makes so much sense! Really anything that shows loyalty and love is an offering.

This was such a fun week. Thank you so much for inspiring me to research a little bit. Sigh, If only I put forth this much effort in high school.

[christina4]

CHALLENGE ENTRY

I have a few altars but the altar I’m going to talk about is my Bast altar. She is the daughter of Ra and Isis. (I also worship Isis). I have a Bast statue surrounded by offerings of crystals (jet is her favorite), catnip, 2 candles, 2 incense holders for incense cones, perfumes, balms (specifically healing balms are her fav.), oils and flowers.

I researched before I placed and offerings. She also loves when humans dance, listen to music and I leave her a little bit of whatever it is I’m drinking at the moment.

[BryWisteria]

@Garnet Beautiful exploration of what offerings mean in your practice, and how important they are in your life as a whole! The interaction with your son was very powerful to read- you are so wise, Garnet! I really admire your strength of heart and faithful love to your Goddess And lovely chant too- thank you!

@Jessica72 Hooray! You have so many really fun words- I ought to start a collection and try to use them more, they add a bit of fun spice to language and yes! Fun words like that do bring smiles for everyone Child care sounds like a great fit for you, and I have no doubt at all that the children adore you- even through just text I can tell you have such a bubbly and fun personality!

@LadyAuld.ofChico Your Honey Cakes sound amazing! Thank you for sharing your methods of giving offerings, and I’m really glad if some of the links proved to be helpful for you! May you enjoy finding fun ways to make offerings (be it food, time, or lovely dates!) and may your deities continue to watch over and smile upon you Great job!

@Christina4 I know you’ve been building up your bond with Bast, Christina- thanks for sharing how you like to give offerings to Her! I am sure all of your very thoughtful gifts are appreciated- and I love the note about Bast enjoying when people dance! Well done!

[Kasandra]

Success!
I took a small amount of plantain, and burned it in my cauldron in my bathroom apartment with the fan on. I put it near my crimson dragon statue that represents Tysteal. As an added bonus, I mixed the burned plantain with all the crushed ends of my burnt matches that I’ve yet to throw away. I lit a red candle, made myself some sweet berry tea and sat by my draconic altar for a few minutes. Lately, the nights have been bitterly cold (in the single digits) and snowy (3-4 inches of snow yesterday), so it’s the perfect time to ask the dragons for warmth and protection!

[Magdelina]

As a ritual and spiritual practice, I make deity offerings daily. The first deity is my spirit guide Isis. She revealed herself to me as Isis in an oracle reading with my new Gateway of Light Activation oracle 2 weeks ago. Since then I have honored her with rose petals and buds, favorite flower incense and 2 red candles. I printed up her image and put it in a frame until I can purchase her statue. The second deity is the daily deity Bast. Her offering is black tourmaline and amethyst in a small cork jar ( make these myself for each daily deity I honor) and light a white candle that burns all day. I also offer Bast’s favorite incense and when it is a special day or if I have received a special gift I offer her one of her favorite foods if I have it on hand. Both deities are honored with mediation and prayer throughout the day and at the end I try to remember to thank them for their guidance and gifts. Below is a picture of my altar today.

Blessed be