While this list is by no means exhaustive, it can be a good place to start when you want more information to guide you on your path.
The Best Books for Beginner Practitioners
August 4, 2022
Published by covencloud
Category: Spirituality
Numerology: What Your Life Path Number Means
July 19, 2022
Published by covencloud
Numerology is the study of numbers and how they influence your life. Your life path number provides information about you and your personality, your skills and abilities, and your strengths and weaknesses.
What Is A Green Witch?
June 2, 2022
Published by covencloud
Is your home a veritable jungle, awash with beautiful plants, flowers, and greenery? Do you feel more at home outside in nature than you do anywhere else? Do you feel a deep connection to the flora and fauna that Mother Nature provides?
If you’ve answered yes to these questions, then you might be a Green Witch. If you don’t know what a Green Witch is or have never heard the term, don’t worry, we’ll get down to the nitty-gritty for you.
What Exactly Is A Green Witch?
Green Witches are also often called forest witches or garden witches. Though many Pagan religions revere nature, a Green Witch’s practice is solely focused on it. They are connected to the earth and all living things, and they draw on those energies for their craft.
Most Green Witches are surrounded by nature in whatever form they can be. Whether that’s filling their homes with plants and herbs, or tending to a massive outdoor garden. They have the “green thumb.” They get comfort and energy from the nature that surrounds them. Their magickal tools are often crafted from things they’ve found in nature. They grow their own herbs for spells, and many Green Witches practice herbalism. They craft teas and tinctures, spices and salves that help promote healing and healthy lifestyles. They’ll often have others come to them for healing.
The Green Witch is a wild witch, communing with nature and all its gifts that the Mother Goddess has bestowed upon this earth. Her practice, where possible, takes place outdoors. She communes with animal guides and plant spirits. The Green Witch is grateful for the gifts Mother Nature has given, and she thanks the spirits of nature for their use in her craft. She leaves offerings for the animals and the spirits of the forests.
“You are the sister to the wolf and friend to the hawk. You know in your heart the language of the plants and the songs of the wind. You have an innate connection to the wild edges. You know the beauty of the bee in flight, and hear the call of freedom on the horizon. And yet, as you go through your day today, it may be easy to miss the drum call of the Earth.” – Anni Daulter, Wild Woman.
Five Signs You May Be A Green Witch
If you’re still unsure about whether or not you may be a Green Witch, that’s okay. Not every witch needs a title. But if you’re intrigued and want to learn more, here are five signs that you may be a Green Witch.
- You have a green thumb. This isn’t a necessity for Green Witchery, as the ability to care for plants can be a learned one. But many Green Witches simply have an innate ability to care for greenery.
- You’re intrigued by herbalism. The thought of healing yourself and others with homemade teas, salves, tinctures, and spells is what gives you life in your craft. You’re a natural healer and want your craft to reflect that.
- Adding onto number two: Most of your practice revolves around herbalism. You spend more time studying healing plants and herbs than any other aspect of your craft. Your home is filled with fresh and dried herbs, plants and flowers loaded with healing properties, and other gifts nature has bestowed upon you.
- You revere and respect nature above all else. While this is true for many Pagan traditions, it is especially true for the Green Witch. You practice your craft in nature where possible. You’re in tune with the vibrations of the earth and the changing of the seasons. As Mother Earth falls ill, you can feel it and wish to do all you can to heal it. You express gratitude for nature’s gifts in everything you do.
- You’re drawn to working with the elements. While most paths work with the elements of Earth, Air, Fire, and Water, not all of them also tap into the element of Spirit. You tap into Spirit as well, as the Spirit of Mother Nature is what gives you your gifts. The elements are in all that you do. Pretty stones catch your eye. You sleep with the window open even in the winter to hear the winds calling as you sleep.
How did you stumble upon Green Witchery? Have you always known that was your path or is this something new? If you’re interested in learning more about Green Witchery, check out these resources, and then visit coven.cloud to join a group of like-minded individuals who want to hear all about you, and who are striving to learn and hone their crafts with one another. Welcome home.
The Many Faces of Lucifer
April 13, 2022
Published by covencloud
By Vehemence
In many faiths, Lucifer is an evil being who brought about the fall of humankind and has no redeeming qualities. In paganism, however, Lucifer can take on different roles depending on the religion or tradition you’re practicing. In some cases, he’s not even considered the bad guy; he’s seen as another deity in the pantheon that has gotten a bad rap over time, or simply isn’t regarded as evil at all but rather serves a positive role in your spirituality.
An introduction to “Satan” aka Lucifer
According to historians, the name Lucifer predates Christianity. The word comes from the Latin for light bringer and means truth. It was applied to the morning star, Venus, as a reference to its brightness in the sky. This is what probably started all these associations with Satan. In Christian folklore, Lucifer was an angel who fell from heaven after rebelling against God. He became known as Satan and was condemned to hell where he would rule over demons for eternity. There are many pagans that have different stories about Lucifer or Satan. For example, some believe that Lucifer was cast out because he wanted more power than god allowed him. Others say that there were two gods; one good and one evil. They both created humans so they could see which one they liked better. My personal view is that capital G “God” has a big ego (as is obvious from naming himself the one true god) and when Lucifer wanted to “bring light” (truth) out, God cast him down to earth to taint his credibility. Whatever you believe, there is long documented history and mythology associated with the name Lucifer, both good and bad.
Etymology of Lucifer
The name Lucifer comes from a Latin word meaning light-bearer. The root for all these terms is based on a specific interpretation of Isaiah 14:12, which states, How art thou fallen from heaven, O day star, son of the morning! As mentioned above, it’s thought that Venus was seen as a bringer of light in ancient times and so was associated with early forms of worship. As such, it’s possible that Lucifer may have been an earlier form of Venus that was later demonized and transformed into Satan.
History and Myths of Lucifer
Lucifer, AKA Satan and other aliases, has been a popular figure in history for many centuries. According to some scholars and myths, it was one of God’s greatest Angels who represented light and goodness before his fall from grace. Later in Christian mythology it came to represent rebellion and evil. In truth, he was an Angel created by God whose sole purpose was to protect humanity. He became disillusioned with what he perceived as unfair treatment by humans and rebelled against God. Another myth comes from Jewish lore where Lilith, also known as Adam’s first wife, left him because she refused to be subservient to him. One thing that Christians do not understand about Lucifer is that when he fell from heaven he did not become an evil entity. Some believe Lucifer chose to leave heaven, to be with Lilith. Some will say Lucifer tempted Cain into killing Able while others say that Cain killed Abel out of jealousy over their father’s favoritism. Still others say that Eve ate fruit from a tree while they were both in Eden and offered some to her husband; but he declined, knowing full well its consequences. The figure of the demon Lucifer is also found within Islam, though he is not thought of as synonymous with the figure of Satan. In Islam Lucifer is associated with the sin of wrath and was thought to have been formerly called Azazil or Uzayzil prior to his downfall.
In any faith, or mythology, stories evolve with time, and it can be hard to find “truth” or consistency. I find it best to reflect inward on what resonates!
Usage in Pop Culture and Politics
As pop culture gains popularity, so does public knowledge about all things Pagan. This has spurred many positive changes, like full inclusion in society for Pagans, but it’s also led to some misconceptions. Lucifer is a very important deity within Paganism and modern worshipers have been doing their best to clear up misconceptions about him and his role in popular media.
How People View Lucifer Today
Religious and non-religious folks alike tend to view Lucifer as Satan—the embodiment of evil, a diabolical and cruel character who does everything he can to ruin mankind. Lucifer’s evil status is derived from his fall in Christian theology, when he defied God by refusing to bow down to Adam, who was created after him. In some branches of Satanism, believers pay homage to both Jesus Christ and Lucifer at their ceremonies.
Megan Killion, aka Vehemence, is an entrepreneurial baby witch, who’s spent the last 15 years kicking ass and taking names in the B2B tech world. Megan has felt the calling of magick since she was a small child and found comfort and healing in energy work. The deeper she explored the more she felt she had “finally found a spiritual home”. Navigating the complex world of witchcraft wasn’t easy and eventually, she felt driven to create a safe place for spiritual nomads. She is committed to making Coven Cloud a place where spiritualists of all backgrounds can feel safe, included, and supported.
Smoke Cleansing
April 5, 2022
Published by covencloud
By Justine Lieberman
When most people walk into my home, I watch them drop their shoulders, inhale, and smile. It’s like they just walked into a sanctuary or spa. Even with my small dogs barking their greetings, my guests seem to relax almost immediately. Clients, friends, and family have repeatedly commented on how calm and peaceful they feel in my home. My house is not outwardly calm, between the dogs barking, the three teenagers, the robot vacuum choking on a sock, the game blaring on the TV, and the dishes in the sink, you might be thinking, “CHAOS!”. Sure, those things could be chaotic, and yet, my guests feel perfectly at ease. This is because my home is smoke cleansed regularly, and strongly energetically protected.
Have you ever walked into a home that just felt heavy, dark, or gave you the heebeegeebees? Are there places that just feel off to you? I remember having a sleepover at a friend’s house in 6th grade, and her house just felt uncomfortable. I never slept over again, but as an adult, I visited her home, and it still felt off. Almost like I was cold, even though it wasn’t cold at all. This really struck me because as a tween, I didn’t think much about it, I just recognized my discomfort. As an adult, I recognized the same feelings I had felt all those years ago. I felt validated but also concerned. I wondered why her house felt so uncomfortable. I wish I had the tools then that I have now because I would have offered to smoke cleanse her house.
All spaces carry energy, whether it’s a home, office, bathroom, church, hospital, school, park, or alleyway. The energy may be so subtle that you don’t feel anything at all, or it may be strong. It can be strong in a positive, or peaceful way, and it may be strong in a negative or even scary way. Just as human beings have the capacity to take on other people’s energy, most commonly noted in empaths, this whole world experiences energetic imprinting. We don’t have to suffer from the intensity or even minimal low vibe energy. In my last blog, “Protect Yourself, Your Home, and Your Peace”, I shared ways to create energetic barriers for your personal aura. Today I want to dive into doing the same for your home.
Smoke Cleansing is an ancient tradition that has been used in many cultures throughout history and is still a common practice today. We are familiar with Indigenous people in America who use smoke to not only cleanse but also open portals to the spirit world, however, burning herbs to promote cleansing and spiritual connection has been practiced since ancient times all over the world. Biblically God commands the use of incense as early as Exodus, and the wise men who came to witness the infant Jesus after his birth brought frankincense and myrrh as offerings, two herbs that are still used to smoke cleanse and protect to this day. Egypt has been known to burn herbs to purify their homes and help the inhabitants to sleep well. Temples across China and Asia have burned herbs, such as mugwort to support emotional wellness. Africa and India have both been known for smoke cleansing as well. Even Australian Aboriginals and Islanders use different herbs to cleanse with smoke. European witches were put to death for using herbs as salves, remedies, and smoke cleansing.
You may be wondering if Smoke Cleansing is cultural appropriation. It is a highly controversial subject. As witches, it is important to touch on this subject as we strive to be as ethical as possible. I do not intend to lecture anyone, however, I do find that skirting around it just because it’s uncomfortable is privileged and disrespectful. I have shouted from the rooftops about the injustices to witches, and the 13 million women who were tortured, kidnapped and murdered by drowning, hanging, burning, and countless other insidious ways. Therefore I would be remiss to skirt over the 56 million indigenous men, women, and children who were brutally murdered in the Americas by European settlers. This was a successful holocaust. Hideous extermination of human beings, their religions, customs, and culture. It’s truly tragic.
“Smudging” is a term used by Indigenous people for smoke cleansing. While Smoke Cleansing is not exclusive to Indigenous people, the term “Smudge” is. The other issue we run into is that many people use white sage to smoke cleanse because of its magical properties, and popularity. Smudging, and all Indigenous religious practices were banned in the United States until 1978. This type of oppression is abhorrent, and the reason it is argued that it is inappropriate for non-natives to adopt these customs. I have made this error myself, and until recently I used the term “Smudge” when discussing Smoke Cleansing, not realizing that the word is not for me to use. In addition, I have used white sage to smoke cleanse, however, this sage was picked wild for me by a dear friend who is Indigenous and has been one of my beloved teachers. I felt panic in regards to using white sage, but just as my dear friend invited me to a Sweat Lodge, I was informed that being invited, and gifted these items and experiences means that in these circumstances I have the honor of participating in these sacred rituals. It would, however, be inappropriate for me to buy and burn sage, just as it would be inappropriate for me to create a Sweat Lodge, according to my Indigenous friends. In addition, white sage has been over-harvested, and therefore it is unethical to purchase unless you can guarantee that it has been sustainably harvested.
So what is acceptable to burn while smoke cleansing? First, I would suggest feeling deeply into yourself, your practices, and your ancestral roots. Due to my modge podge of ancestry, I have looked into the cultures of my bloodline ranging from Ashkenazi Jew to Swedish, to Scottish, Irish, French, German, and Brazillian. For most of my life, I only had a real connection to my Jewish lineage, so I chose to start there. A quick Google search can help you to discover herbs and other powerful plants that your ancestors may have used.
Others believe that it is most ethical to choose to use herbs that grow native to the area where you live, on the basis that the energies where you live are more connected to the plants that naturally grow in that region. Ultimately it is up to you to feel into what speaks to your heart and keeps you aligned. Lavender, rosemary, cedar, mugwort, and juniper are all effective alternatives to white sage, or palo santo.
Smoke Cleansing is a tried and true method for dispersing negative, stagnant, or stale energy. It’s surprisingly simple, but a somewhat tedious task when performed with intention. You will find that different cultures have different rituals. I encourage you to do your own research and find a ritual that feels good to you. Personally, my preference for Smoke Cleansing whenever the energy in my home feels heavy, or tense, as well as after we have had guests, is two rounds of smoke cleansing, using two different herbs. The first to banish the old or negative energy, and the second to fill my space with fiercely protective love. I begin by opening everything, all the windows and doors, and each and every cabinet, and closet. I bless and command the first herb by saying “I command you to banish all negative, unwanted, and unhealthy energy from this space, and so it is.” then light my herbs in a bowl or heatproof container, and begin at my front door. I use a small broom or hand fan, and wave the smoke, moving the bowl counterclockwise (to banish), I walk counterclockwise through the entrance of my home, fanning the smoke from top to bottom, making sure not to miss corners, and other hidden places, like underneath desks and shelves. I continue this way, moving from room to room, always starting from the entrance, and paying special attention to enclosed spaces, like cabinets. Afterward, I command my second herb (which is often some type of flower) by saying, “I command you to fill this space with fierce protective love, and repel any and all negative or unwanted energy from this space.” Then I begin again, only this time I move clockwise to bring in positive loving energy. Love is my “religion”, so I choose to use love as my protector, and nurturer. If you have a special connection to specific deities, you can call on them as you command your herbs.
After I have Smoke Cleansed the entire house, I light a candle to seal the deal, then close all the doors, windows, and cabinets. Before lighting this candle, I meditate on its purpose, and command it to bring calm, gentle, loving, and protective energy into my home, and anoint it with specific essential oils. Any candle will do, as long as it has never been burned before. Unless you have designated a larger candle for this purpose, in which case, you would still meditate on its purpose before lighting the candle, and rather than blowing it out, I suggest snuffing it out.
There are many practices for smoke cleansing, we would love to hear yours! And don’t forget that you can smoke cleanse any item that comes into your home, as well as your vehicles! For more on protecting your home with symbolism, check out my previous blog, “Protect Yourself, Your Home, and Your Peace”.
A Brief History of the Demonic Mother: Lilith
March 23, 2022
Published by covencloud
The origins of Lilith, the demonic mother of all evil spirits, can be traced back to ancient Mesopotamia – the land between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers in modern-day Iraq. This time period predates the biblical figures we are more familiar with such as Adam and Eve, Moses, Jesus, and Muhammad by thousands of years. These ancient Mesopotamians believed in an unseen force behind all of creation that was both masculine and feminine at once, Lilith.
Lilith in Ancient Hebrew
According to ancient Hebrew mythology, Lilith was a young woman who became Adam’s first wife after he helped her to slay her would-be rapist. However, when she decided she wanted to have children, Adam refused, explaining that God had told him not to have any. Enraged by his defiance and incensed by his willingness to bow down to authority, Lilith ran away in despair. She then became Satan’s consort and gave birth to countless demons—including Samael and numerous Lilin; both are associated with vampires today. As punishment for her actions, God sent three angels—Senoy, Sansenoy, and Semangelof—to chase down Lilith; they succeeded in capturing her but only managed to render her sterile before freeing her once again.
Lilith in Ancient Mesopotamia
One could argue that even as early as Babylonian demonology (circa 6th century B.C.), traces of Lilith can be found in Mesopotamian depictions of Inanna’s demonic alter ego, known as Lilith or Lilitu. Inanna was an important goddess with a multitude of responsibilities and duties within the ancient Sumerian culture. As patron of both sexual activity and fertility, she controlled women’s sexuality—but her husband Dumuzi was meant to take control after marriage. The demons Lilith, Ardat-Lili, and Irdu-kug were all considered by scholars to be evil counterparts to these roles of Inanna; it is from these texts that we get our modern image of Lilith as being a dangerous succubus. Interestingly enough, however, much like how depictions of zombies over time are quite different from their original concepts (primarily because zombies didn’t exist), there is not necessarily a direct connection between what we call demons today and those mentioned in ancient Mesopotamia. For example, although Michael Jordan’s Air Jordan sneaker brand may be called a demon shoe in casual conversation today, as some people believe that he has supernatural powers when wearing them on his feet, demonology refers instead to Biblical demons (disembodied spirits). This alone illustrates just how intertwined religion and philosophy have been throughout history. Religion isn’t necessarily science but does have scientific roots. Demonology hasn’t necessarily changed much either: very few practices have become more commonplace than speaking ill of another behind their back—and somehow somebody always finds out about it! Of course, we think you know better than to use your negative remarks towards others negatively. Right?
Lilith in Talmudic Literature
The Talmud, a central text in Jewish studies, includes not one but two stories about Lilith—the first female human, made from dust like Adam; and a demonic succubus who was responsible for death in childbirth (among other things). It’s perhaps no surprise that Babylonian demonology—and Mesopotamian culture at large—would be steeped in misogyny. But it is interesting that so many ancient civilizations had their own form of Lilith myths. Maybe it makes sense, though—after all, sometimes even moms can make your life a living hell. What better way to explain misfortune than by blaming it on an evil woman?
Lilith as a SuccubusSuccubi are often said to have sexual intercourse with sleeping men, thus producing demon children. Succubi are a standard feature of medieval European demonology. It was once believed that women could become succubi by performing evil acts in life; modern myths state that they are born as succubi, or can be turned into them by demons or devils. The incubi and succubi were thought to be servants of Satan, and may appear during a demonic ritual or in a place where an act of heresy has been committed.
Lilith as an Incubus
Lilith’s earliest depictions come from Mesopotamia, where she was believed to be a demon who would steal babies from their cribs. Ancient Near Eastern cultures thought that if a woman were to become pregnant, but did not want to raise a child, then she would employ a daimon—which is what scholars believe incubi and succubi are—to father her child.
The Origins of the Name Lilith
Where does a demoness get her name? Though little is actually known about Lilith, she’s considered to be one of two things. First, there’s a Judaic origin tale from before 1000 BCE in which a female entity named Lilitu fell from heaven and slept with men while they were sleeping, causing them to have unwanted pregnancies. She also was said to have caused other evils in society such as disease and death.
Protect Yourself, Your Home, and Your Peace
March 23, 2022
Published by covencloud
We lock our doors, set alarms, double-check the windows, and charge our Ring doorbells, but how do we protect ourselves and our homes magickally?
Guru Pathik’s Wisdom
January 15, 2022
(updated February 4, 2022)
Published by covencloud
Avatar: The Last Airbender (ATLA) aired between 2005 and 2008 in the USA. The cartoon has been heralded as one of the greatest of all time. The story of a young boy discovering who he is and how to wield the power given to him by his ancestors and mentors is one that resonated with the magical community back then and still does to this day.
A specific episode in Book 2, episode 19 to be exact, featured a man named Guru Pathik. He met young Avatar Aang at the Eastern Air Temple to teach him how to cleanse and energize his chakras. At the time, Aang knew absolutely nothing about chakras. What Pathik taught him was actually a very wonderful [basic overview of how our chakra systems work.] https://youtu.be/StrbppmsZJw
“So chakras are pools of spiralling energy in our bodies?” Aang asks after Pathik shows him an example using pools of water in a river, blocked by moss and other plants. After joyfully confirming the boy’s observation, Pathik clears one of the pools which allows the rest of the water to flow easily. This is an easy way to visualize chakras if you’re having difficulty seeing it.
In the show, the names of the chakras have been changed but not the basic meanings or the bodily placements. Pathik walks Aang through opening all seven of his, in a style that can easily be copied and applied to real life. No onion and banana juice required!
The Root chakra, Muladhara, is named the Earth chakra in ATLA. It deals with survival, and is blocked by fear. This takes the root chakra down to one of its very base meanings, and although it ignores the connection and community aspects, it’s still technically correct. If you are allowing yourself to be blocked by fear in everything you do, you will never allow yourself to connect to anything. You have to release and overcome your fears in order for your root chakra to truly thrive and activate.
The Sacral chakra has been renamed the Water chakra from Svadhisthana. It deals with pleasure and is blocked by guilt. This is, again, an extremely basic interpretation. Pleasure, emotions, creativity, intimacy, these are all things ruled by the Sacral chakra. Guilt that you have over enjoying or experiencing any of these things will weaken your Sacral chakra and likely cause you to think you don’t deserve any of the nice things that happen to you. Going further down the line, that train of thought will also shadow and sour your relationships. Forgiving yourself for mistakes you’ve made, doing your best to make amends and potentially even repent, will free you from your guilt and allow your sacral chakra to thrive. In doing so, you’ll be more comfortable accepting and enjoying the things that bring you joy and pleasure.
Manipura, the Solar Plexus chakra, is called the Fire chakra in ATLA. It deals with willpower, and is blocked by shame. There isn’t a better word for the solar plexus than willpower, even though it also rules personal power and confidence. If you are ashamed of any aspect of yourself, you’re not allowing your own personal power to shine. You need to accept and love all aspects of what you are to allow this chakra to thrive. This could involve some intense shadow work, therapy, or other psychological help. Whatever you need to do to no longer feel ashamed of yourself will be worth the personal power and confidence you will gain when your solar plexus chakra is activated and energized.
The Heart Chakra, called Anahata in our world, is simply referred to as the Heart chakra in the show. It deals with love, and is blocked by grief. The heart chakra is absolutely the seat of love, in all its forms. Unconditional, platonic, romantic, familial. It’s blocked by so much more than just grief, it can be blocked by hatred or betrayal, or any other type of hurt that targets your love or someone you love. Guru Pathik tells Aang to lay all his grief out in front of him, and reminds him that the love he had for his people is not lost. It is an energy, and energy cannot be created or destroyed, only changed. In this case, it’s a line from WandaVision that makes the most sense. “What is grief if not love persevering?” If you allow yourself to change with the energy running through you, your heart chakra will thrive and energize. Grief just means you still have love to give.
The Throat chakra, Visuddha, is called the Sound chakra. It deals with truth, and is blocked by lies. The Guru specifically points to lies that we tell ourselves or to others. A common epithet that tends to go along with the throat chakra is “speaking your truth.” Releasing your denial about things and allowing yourself to see the truths of yourself and others is how you can activate and energize this chakra. Another way, not mentioned by Pathik, is allowing yourself to speak up when needed. Allow yourself to set boundaries and speak them. Telling people your truth is one of the strongest ways you can nurture your throat chakra.
For the third eye chakra, Ajna, it is given the name of the Light Chakra. It deals with insight, and is blocked by illusion. The key is allowing illusions that you’ve let stay fade away. Similar to the throat chakra, a common epithet with this one is “knowing your truth.” Peeling back learned behaviors and coping mechanisms that are the result of other people’s treatment of you will allow you to see your own true self. Knowing who you are and what you stand for is a prime habitat for a strong third eye chakra. Once you have that, insight will flow. In the witch community, this chakra is strongly tied to psychic abilities and divination. Second guessing yourself is another form of illusion. Trusting your instincts and whatever you think of first while doing a tarot or other divinatory reading is you relying on your third eye chakra.
The Crown Chakra, Sahasrara, is named the Thought chakra. It deals with pure cosmic energy and is blocked by earthly attachments. With this specific wording, it sounds a bit more like we’re dealing with The Force and its Jedis from Star Wars. Allowing yourself to release attachments sounds like you have to live without friends and family at first glance, as Aang thought when told to release his. However, what’s more likely is that we are being told to release the idea of who we are in relation to our earthly attachments. Labels such as spouse, partner, sibling, child, parent, these are all things we use to describe ourselves in relation to our earthly attachments. To allow ourselves to think differently, to think of ourselves as a whole person without those types of labels, allows us to release the earthly attachments. We are all whole beings on our own, and recognizing that will help activate our crown chakras and open up the direct line to the universe, to spirit, to whatever form of divinity you work with.
Aang wasn’t able to release his earthly attachments, and therefore didn’t properly activate his crown chakra. This was a lesson he had to deal with for the majority of the series, as he was then cut off from his very powerful Avatar State. We may not have our own avatar states, not in the same way at least, but we can unlock the untapped power and energy inside of us and harness it in a similar fashion. Clearing your chakras allows healthy energy to flow between them. Think of it as a river with small pools, like the demonstration Guru Pathik gave. Fresh, running water is some of the safest to drink. Why wouldn’t fresh, running energy be the safest as well? (This does not apply to electricity, of course.) Keeping our chakras and the pathways between them open and clear can help us learn to balance our emotions in a healthy manner, keeping us tapped into our own great potential.
A basic outline of the chakras and how they’re represented in the show
– Root/Earth Chakra
Deals with survival, blocked by fear.
Let your fears flow down the creek.
– Sacral/Water Chakra
Deals with pleasure, blocked by guilt.
Accept the reality that things happened, but don’t let them poison your energy. Forgive yourself.
– Solar Plexus/Fire Chakra
Deals with willpower, blocked by shame.
Accept and love all aspects of what you are
– Heart Chakra
Deals with love, blocked by grief.
Lay all your grief out in front of you (what is grief if not love persevering?)
– Throat/Sound Chakra
Deals with truth, blocked by lies.
Release your denial and accept the truths about yourself/others.
– Third Eye/Light Chakra
Deals with insight, blocked by illusion.
Step through the fog and allow yourself to see clearly.
– Crown/Thought Chakra
Deals with pure cosmic energy, blocked by earthly attachments.
Let your attachments go, let them flow down the river.
Written by Divinaytion
Magick 101: How to Cast a Circle of Protection
November 19, 2021
(updated December 22, 2021)
Published by covencloud
Casting a circle before performing magick is an important part of spellwork, whether you’re trying to make your goals manifest or banish an evil spirit from your home. There are many different techniques for casting circles, but they all serve the same basic purpose of creating an area free from the negative energies of the outside world that allow you to focus on your spell work undisturbed. If you’re looking to begin practicing magick, knowing how to cast a circle of protection will help give you confidence and make it easier to perform spells effectively and safely. Here’s how to do it!
Tools you will need:
Candles: White can work in a pinch, but colors representing the elements work best.
Green – Earth
Yellow – Air
Red or Brown – Fire
Blue – Water
Crystals:
Earth – jasper, moss agate, onyx, aventurine, black tourmaline
Air – opal, aventurine, citrine, tiger’s eye, turquoise
Fire – amber, fire opal, fire agate, carnelian, sunstone
Water – amethyst, aquamarine, pink tourmaline, lapis lazuli, coral
Something to cast the circle with: an athame, chalk, salt, smudge stick, earth-charged water, paint, rope, etc.
1) Prepping your space
With all of your tools set out, stand in front of them and visualize what you want your finished product (your circle) to look like. Close your eyes, take three deep breaths and make sure you really see it in your mind’s eye before opening them back up. You can even draw out what you want it to look like if that helps. Once you have an image clear in your head, grab one of your tools—it doesn’t matter which one—and start drawing it where you’d like on the floor or on some other surface that will be safe for paint or chalk. When you’re done with that, add another tool and keep going until you fill up your space.
2) Drawing your circle
The purpose of casting a circle is twofold—protection and focus. For protection, it’s important that you create an unbroken space around yourself. This means drawing your circle in one continuous motion. If you stop, even for just a moment, you break your circle and invite outside energies into your protected space. If all else fails, use physical barriers like salt or chalk (or rope for very large circles) to form your perimeter. Remember, when casting your circle, it is important to do so while walking deosil (clockwise) around the perimeter of your circle. To release the circle after your spellwork is done, walk widdershins (anti-clockwise) three times around the perimeter.
3) Invoking energy
To start, you must be open and receptive to new energy. To do so, take some deep breaths while focusing on your chakras. Start with your root chakra (near your tailbone) and draw energy from there up through your sacral chakra, solar plexus chakra, heart chakra, throat chakra, and third eye chakra, until you reach your crown chakra at the top of your head. If something feels wrong, stop and take more deep breaths until it feels right again.
4) Verbalizing the ritual
First, give an overview of what you’re about to do. This is basically telling your audience (whether it be yourself or actual people) that you are about to perform magick. Focus on safety, protection, and asking for blessing from whatever deities/spirits/guardian angels you believe in; ask these forces for protection during your rite. You can make up your own blessings or say something easy and non-denominational, if you’re just beginning, such as “Elements/Spirits of Earth, Air, Fire, and Water, I call on thee together. Attend my rite and protect and consecrate my circle, above, below, and within.”
THE MOON
Ancient people gave the moon many names as it moved through the months and seasons. A Common list is below:
January (also Wolf Moon): protection
February (also Hunger Moon. Strom Moon, Snow Moon): Cleanse and clean your space
March (also Worm Moon): creativity, inspiration, and growth, plan
April (also Pink Moon): start something new, put your plan into action
May: love fertility and friendship (including self-love!)
June (also Strawberry Moon, Honey Moon): dream magic
July (also Buck Moon, Thunder Moon): divination, connect with your inner self, self-regulation
August (also Sturgeon Moon, Grain Moon): balance, celebrate summer as winter encroaches
September: abundance and gratitude
October (also Hunter’s Moon): connect with ancestors and honor the dead
November (also Ivy Moon): preparing for winter and letting go of what no longer serves you
December (also Cold Moon, Oak Moon): reflect on all that has passed, last preparation for winter and isolation
Moon Phases:
Dark Moon: banishing, cleansing, alone time, letting go, reflection, soul searching, finding direction, peace, contemplation,
New Moon: setting intentions, moving forward, taking action, exploring new opportunities, beginning new projects, focus on how to manifest goals
Waxing Crescent: determination, following first steps, redefining goals, gaining momentum, pushing forward
First Quarter: being pragmatic, finding balance in your goals, concentrating on growth and expansion
Waxing Gibbous: pushing boundaries and extreme growth, re-examining and re-adjusting plans, cultivation of actions
Full Moon: completion/ manifestation, gratefulness, psychic work, charging, cleansing, letting go
Waning Gibbous: eliminating negative habits, re-evaluating goals, giving thanks, decluttering (donate old clothes or old items)
Last Quarter: practice forgiveness, finding time to relax, cord cutting and getting rid of unhealthy addictions,
Waning Crescent: rest an surrender, make rooms for the new, do things you love, charging yourself and dispelling the negative
