prettyqueerwitch

[prettyqueerwitch]

My best advice for advancing mages of any stripe: Get off of social media and out of the "New Age & Spirituality" section of the bookstore, as these things are so focused on the basic stuff. Don't hold yourself back at the 101 level forever.

Instead, find people you disagree with on how magic works. Discuss topics and enjoy your differences.

Use things for magic that other people won't understand.

Find or make up the most fucked up magic thing you can think of and work from there.

The more your craft, path, or other form of magic deviates from the "normal" 101 stuff, the better.

[prettyqueerwitch]

My best advice for advancing mages of any stripe: Get off of social media and out of the "New Age & Spirituality" section of the bookstore, as these things are so focused on the basic stuff. Don't hold yourself back at the 101 level forever.

Instead, find people you disagree with on how magic works. Discuss topics and enjoy your differences.

Use things for magic that other people won't understand.

Find or make up the most fucked up magic thing you can think of and work from there.

The more your craft, path, or other form of magic deviates from the "normal" 101 stuff, the better.

[prettyqueerwitch]

gonna be kinda inactive! im preparing for a summer dance intensive scholarship audition and wanna put all my focus into that and school ♡ love yall promise ill have some new content out soon!

[prettyqueerwitch]

if pointing out that the age of getting a phone decreasing along with the prevalence of short form video as the dominant form of social media content during the most significant collective educational gap in recent history all of which happened during one of the most significant windows of psychological development in a human lifetime has had a deleterious effect on the attention spans, self-regulation, impulse control, social skills, tech literacy, and actual literacy of zoomers and gen alpha. if pointing out that that is a real and serious problem makes me a boomer and an old crank who has fallen for “kids these days” propaganda someone find me a porch and a rocking chair so i can yell at you to get off my lawn

[prettyqueerwitch]

How do I connect with local spirits?

Most witches consider local spirits to be a cornerstone of their practice. It's much easier to cast a ward on your home when the local forest spirit will back it up. Ask five witches how to connect to spirits and you'll get seven answers and three arguments.

So I'm going to give you a foolproof answer.

If you live in the united states, your state will have a list of endangered and threatened species. It will also have a list of invasive species. Look through these. There's a pretty good chance that you'll be surprised and find something you've seen before. "I didn't know that was endangered! I've seen that in my grandma's backyard."

Great! You are now that species guardian angel.

Figure out how to protect it. Find out how to spread it. Then do it. It spreads from cuttings? Awesome! Take some cuttings and sprout them, then plant them somewhere.

You don't have anywhere to plant them? That's okay. Get a high-vis vest, pull over onto the side of the highway in a nice spot, plant them, and leave. No one questions the high-vis vest. Someone does? "I'm a volenteer at an endangered species reintroduction program." It's not even a lie, it's just a program of one. Hell, that program may actually exist and you may actually be able to volenteer for it.

"But how does this help me connect with local spirits?" You are actively protecting your local ecosystems that your local spirits are a reflection of. They will appreciate that far more than any other offering you can give.

[prettyqueerwitch]

“jesus died for you” well i didn’t ask him to do that and my therapist says i am not responsible for other peoples actions

[prettyqueerwitch]

some of my dreams are just absolutely fucking wild

#witch community #witchblr #witches of tumblr #witchythings #magick #witch

[prettyqueerwitch]

Y'all @/shuttered-gallery that posts "art" from the 1800s by Emile Corsi is all AI art. It's reblogged by tons of pagans/polytheists because of the aesthetics, which is why I'm writing this. Please stop reblogging AI art.

They disclose its AI art in tags but not in the post so that disclaimer gets lost the moment its reblogged once.

[prettyqueerwitch]

Y'all @/shuttered-gallery that posts "art" from the 1800s by Emile Corsi is all AI art. It's reblogged by tons of pagans/polytheists because of the aesthetics, which is why I'm writing this. Please stop reblogging AI art.

They disclose its AI art in tags but not in the post so that disclaimer gets lost the moment its reblogged once.

[prettyqueerwitch]

definitely been going through it this past week and a half, ill be back and posting soon with 5 books reviews (3 will be combined in one post)! got a few more post ideas but those are in the works.

recently got threads so if youre active on there my user is prettyqueerwitch (as it is on all my platforms).

been trying to get back into a routine and stuff with dance, school, etc lately

lots of love ♡ you guys all have a beautiful day

[prettyqueerwitch]

Ostara and Easter

Jewitches and Annekekatharina did a collab debunking the myths of Ostara! (With Sources!!)

Here is the Link

#witch community #witchblr #witches of tumblr #witchythings #magick #beginner witch #witch books #witchy books #paganism #witch #ostara #easter #Religious Syncretism

[prettyqueerwitch]

Just a quick reminder for those who don’t already know. Mari Silva (the “author” whose prolific collection of magic books you’ll find on Amazon) is not a person, author, or occultist. Rather, they do not exist at all.

The books are either content-farmed, or, at this point, likely LLM-generated. If that is your source for magical information, you’re likely to find disappointment. No actual occult author is publishing a book every four days.

[prettyqueerwitch]

Morals and Ethics

Hello Friends!! to preface: This post is not here to police anyone on what is the 'correct' way to practice. My aim on this post is to be culturally and magically informed, so this isnt going to be a take down of any belief or path line. Instead this post is offered up as a way to not only build your own moral frame work, but get you thinking about where you stand magically and enhance how you practice! Our moral frameworks are all unique, something that would be a faux pas in your practice might be something thats culturally common in others, so lets throw on our thinking caps and get started!

What is building an ethical and moral framework?

Building an ethical background in witchcraft involves establishing a set of principles, values, and guidelines that guide your magical and spiritual practices! In essence It helps ensure that your actions align with your moral compass (Wherever it may lie). This background can help you make informed decisions, cultivate energy, and maintain a respectful and balanced relationship with both you and your magic.

Some religions and paths have their own moral and ethical framework, for example lyma is this idea of "something to be washed away" and is a big deal when practicing within Hellenic Spaces! It would be immoral to approach an altar without washing your hands if they were dirty, but on the flip side some cultures actively encourage dirty hands like people who worship earth within their gardens. Depending on your path you might have a specific framework.

Another aspect is moral frameworks change and that is ok!! Its important we aren't stagnate and its ok to change your mind and feel like you want to change things up. That is totally reasonable and people do it all the time like with politics, religious affiliations, jobs, and more! Ethical and Moral compasses can change just like we do.

How to build an ethical framework

Self-Reflection: Start by exploring your own values, beliefs, and moral code. Reflect on what is important to you, what you stand for, and how these values relate to your magical practices. Also now would be the time to decolonize your beliefs and explore your biases. Its ok to acknowledge your bias, as long as you are working through it. If you dont know what decolonizing your beliefs is I left a helpful video above, just click 'decolonize your beliefs'

Research and Study: Deep dive into different ethical systems and philosophies. Familiarize yourself with various witchcraft traditions, such as New age spirituality, Pagan magical systems, and country/area specific + their associated ethical guidelines. Read books and articles about ethics in witchcraft whether you agree or disagree. During this time you are simply collecting as many perspectives as possible and comparing them to how you feel, don't feel pressured to follow something if you don't feel it applies to you.

Connect with a Mentor or Community: If possible, seek guidance from an experienced witch or spiritual space who can share their ethical insights and offer advice on building your own ethical framework. The best part is, different spaces will produce their own ethical codes of conduct. For example some spaces don't allow love spell discussion for example, which is an ethical guideline.

Create Your Own Code: Based on your self-reflection, research, and guidance, create your own personal code of ethics. This code should reflect your values and guide your magical practices. It might include principles like harm none, respect nature, work for the greater good, or take no shit. Wherever you feel you sit, walk with it. Whatever comes natural to you explore it. Write down what you believe as a symbol, but do so in pencil so you can change it as needed!

Regularly Reevaluate: As you gain experience and your understanding of ethics evolves, revisit and update your ethical code. It's important to grow as your spiritual journey progresses like I mentioned above. You are not a static person, allow yourself to experience your moral compass and how to bends. Allow yourself to be fluid and honest. Not everyone is 'love and light' or 'fuck authority' your allowed to be who you need to be!

Different Types of Ethics in Witchcraft:

Note: This is not every type of ethics, but rather a couple examples of the ethics you may see in your research and which group it belongs too. This area is not meant to endorse or critique an ethical guideline but instead showcase the many that do exist.

The Wiccan Rede: "An it harm none, do what ye will." This is a central ethical guideline in Wicca, emphasizing the avoidance of harm to others as a core principle. Another one is The Threefold Law, this law suggests that the energy you send out, whether positive or negative, will return to you threefold (three times what you sent out). This encourages practitioners to be mindful of their actions.

Green Witch Ethics: Green witches emphasize their connection to nature and the importance of nurturing and protecting the environment. Their ethical background often centers around conservation, sustainability, and working with the Earth's energies respectfully.

Personal Responsibility: Some witches adhere to a more individualistic code of ethics, focusing on personal responsibility and accountability for their actions.

Balancing Left hand and Right hand: For some, ethical considerations involve finding a balance between Right and Left hand magic, and acknowledging the potential consequences of working with both, one, or neither. The right and left hand path are types of magical systems that involve different attitudes towards magic, the right hand emphasizing healing and selflessness, and the left hand emphasizing individuality and shadow aspects.

Respect for Spirits and Deities: Many witches emphasize the importance of showing respect and gratitude to the spirits, deities, and entities they work with, recognizing their agency and autonomy.

Are there any absolutes that I should be aware of?

Absolutes are ethical things that you do need to make sure you are integrating! These are really important things to note when you are learning, because if you do choose to disregard these you could contribute to some really bad concepts that intrinsically cause harm to real people

Respect - Cultural awareness, avoiding appropriation, and looking out for other people can be important. Its important that you fully evaluate a moral system before indulging in it. For example: In the love spell discussion and lot of cultural practioners voices are left out of the discussion, same with baneful discussions. Its important to listen to many groups of people and take stances that dont turn peoples cultures into a monolith, demonize them, or silence them.

Hate groups and cults - Its important that you check where a belief comes from and see if it matches with any hate groups or cult rhetoric. These groups create really flashy and easy to digest claims to try and push an agenda kind of like a salesmen. Their whole job is to try and push you into their group so they can get money, power, fame, and in some cases carry out atrocities. This corresponds with that decolonization conversation from earlier, because it can help keep you and other witchy friends safe!

Nuance - Its important to keep nuance in the conversation. Don't take extremely black and white stances if you aren't knowledgeable on the subject. I think even advanced practioners need to remember to keep nuance in their opinions and keep an open mind when presented with new information or moral ideals. Keep an open dialogue when you are having conversations, and remember to keep asking yourself why you believe the things you do.

Remember that there is no one-size-fits-all approach to building an ethical background in witchcraft. Your ethical code should be a reflection of your personal beliefs and values. It's essential to be true to yourself and to strive for a harmonious practice that aligns with your own spiritual journey! Enjoy the ride :)

[prettyqueerwitch]

a piece of advice i received a long time ago that i took for granted:

history books > witchcraft books.

recently i've gotten into witchcraft + occultism history, and it is truly what has given me the best information about my craft yet. it is so fulfilling and informative to pick up a book on the history of occultism. not only do you learn about your craft, but you learn its roots, too. which i believe to be one of the most important parts. always ask WHY when you're about to do something. always know your history.

witchcraft books are perfectly fine and in no way, shape or form am i against them; i just find that history books on occultism, symbolism, mythology, and all that are just SOOO much more informative than anything a "witchcraft basics" book could ever give you.

find an author you like, maybe a specific time period or location in the world, or even a historical figure you like. and get READING.

knowledge is power. even in your craft.

[prettyqueerwitch]

this is so gorgeous what-

2024 Lunar Calendar by Duchess_of_Lore

[prettyqueerwitch]

Consumerism in Witchcraft

I've been waiting to get a chance to make this post as I feel it's extremely important for any "witch" to hear, no matter how far along in your spiritual journey you are.

I've said it before, and I'll say it again: You do not need all of these special tools to practice witchcraft.

Sure, a lot of these tools are helpful and fun, but you don't need to feel pressure to get a certain tarot deck or to spend ridiculous amounts of money on crystals that the media says you need for x y z.

The market of witchcraft is completely saturated with elitism, and I've seen too many starter-witches/baby-witches fall into this void of feeling like they aren't good enough because they don't have the resources.

There is magic in every little moment in life. You just need to find it. Nature, tea, cooking, makeup, writing, crafting, bathing, local wonders - All of these are places where you can express your spirituality and practice your craft.

Overall, I think it's important to understand that witchcraft has absolutely no rules.

[prettyqueerwitch]

books

Jes' Collection of Witch Books

I said I would make this list, so here I am, making this list.

These are all the Witchy (and witchy-adjacent) books I own and/or have read. It's a long list, so it's going under a cut!

Key of Symbols:

📗 Read

📖 Reading

📚 Not Yet Read

Books that I own

📗 Rebel Witch by Kelly-Ann Maddox (Review)

📖 A Dabbler's Guide to Witchcraft by Fire Lyte

📚 Spellcrafting by Arin Murphy-Hiscock

📗 The House Witch by Arin Murphy-Hiscock (Review)

📗 Witchery by Juliet Diaz (Review)

📚 A Witch's Guide to Spellcraft by Althea Sebastiani

📚 All That is Sacred is Profaned by Rhyd Wildermuth (edit: nevermind, he's a transphobe now)

📚 Reclaiming Ourselves by Emma Kathryn

📚 In the Midnight Hour by Anthony Rella

📗 Weave the Liminal by Laura Tempest Zakroff (Review)

📚 Traditional Witchcraft: A Cornish Book of Ways by Gemma Gary

📗 Grovedaughter Witchery by Bree NicGarran (@breelandwalker)

📗 The Sisters Grimmoire by Bree NicGarran (@breelandwalker)

📚 Witchcraft by Anastasia Greywolf or Tamsin Chamberlin (don't buy this one: here's why)

Books I read from the Library

📗 The Modern Witchcraft Spell Book by Skye Alexander (don't buy this one: here's why)

📗 Backwoods Witchcraft by Jake Richards

Zines and Pamphlets

📗 A Pagan Anti-Capitalist Primer

📗 Brainscan 33: DIY Witchery by Alex Wrekk (@upthewitchypunx)

📗 Brainscan 34: A Dabbler's Week of DIY Witchery by Alex Wrekk (@upthewitchypunx)

📗 Everyday Magic #1

📗 Everyday Magic #2

📗 Exploding the Tangerine by Clint Marsh & Oliver Bly

📗 Five Principles of Green Witchcraft by Asa West

📗 Hex Your Ex

📗 The Witchy Zinester's Pocket Book of Spells

📚 Twin Peaks Tarot Spreads

📚 Sow Sprout Grow Tarot Spreads

Charity Bundle E-Books

These all came as a bundle, so the quality will vary as it does with any bargain grab-bag. I'm not linking these unless I've read (or am reading) them because it takes a long time, and I have no idea if they're good or absolute shit. If you want to learn about these, you know how the internet works.

📚 City Magick by Christopher Penczak

📚 Consorting with Spirits by Jason Miller

📚 Herbal Magick by Gerina Dunwich

📚 Hex Twisting by Diana Rajchel

📚 Italian Folk Magic by Mary-Grace Fahrun

📚 Love Magic by Lilith Dorsey

📚 Magic When You Need It by Judika Illes

📚 Magickal Astrology by Skye Alexander

📚 Personal Magic by Marion Weinstein

📚 Plant Witchery by Juliet Diaz

📚 Positive Magic by Marion Weinstein

📗 Queering Your Craft by Cassandra Snow (Review)

📚 Reading the Runes by Kim Farnell

📚 Spellcrafting by Gerina Dunwich

📚 The Big Book of Tarot by Joan Bunning

📚 The Study of Witchcraft by Deborah Lipp

📚 The Witch's Eight Paths of Power by Lady Sable Aradia

📚 The Witch's Guide to Wands by Gypsey Elaine Teague

📚 True Magic by Draja Mickaharic

📚 Water Witchcraft by Annwyn Avalon

📚 Wicca Made Easy by Phyllis Curott

📚 Wishcraft by Sakura Fox

📚 Witch, Please by Victoria Maxwell

📚 Witchcraft Activism by David Salisbury

📚 Year of the Witch by Temperance Alden