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: Witchcraft
Witchcraft’s Roots In Midwifery
August 2, 2022
Published by covencloud
In a time of very little power for women, female healers used their natural resources to heal and control the body and played an integral role in women’s health. When men wanted to dominate in the field of medicine, these once helpful and healing women were branded as evil and destructive witches.
Abortion & Midwifery: A Glimpse into the History of Witchcraft
June 28, 2022
Published by covencloud
In the days before medical science was advanced enough to safely and effectively terminate pregnancies, women would turn to their midwives or herbalists, or witches to procure herbs that would help them safely abort their pregnancies.
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.
Top 12 Witches in Pop Culture
May 19, 2022
Published by covencloud
For years, popular culture has represented witches in such a negative light that they’ve become one of the most vilified groups of people throughout history. In movies and literature, they’re portrayed as evil creatures who desire nothing more than to use their magic to harm innocent people; in real life, however, witches are nowhere near as scary or dangerous as the average movie would have you believe.
#12 – Walpurga
Walpurga is a witch from Grimm’s Fairy Tales, appearing in The Warlock’s Child. Her father had also been a warlock and was so skilled he could travel through time. He ran away with his wife to escape being executed for witchcraft by their town’s Prince. A few years later, Walpurga was born. When she turned 15, her mother died of natural causes but her father knew she would be killed if anyone found out about her powers. So he sent her to live with an aunt who lived far away. When she turned 16, she met a young man named Hans who loved her despite knowing about her magic abilities. They were married soon after meeting each other and shortly after that Walpurga became pregnant with twins – one boy and one girl. One day while they were walking near a riverbank they saw two swans swimming together in the water and suddenly they heard something fall into it – it was Walpurga’s aunt!
She tried to stop them but it was too late – she was already dead. The family asked Hans to look after their children while Walpurga mourned her aunt’s death, and then they all travelled back home.
#11 – Winifred Sanderson
A good witch by any other name is still… Winifred Sanderson. The 1988 movie Hocus Pocus tells a tale of three witches: Winnie, Mary and Sarah, who return to life after 300 years to get revenge on those who did them wrong (namely Max). Winnie, played by Bette Midler in her finest hour, brings them back by hypnotizing Max and sucking out his soul. (No duh!) Max, along with Allison and Thackery Binx, manage to break free just as Hocus Pocus are preparing for their big party. What ensues is classic fun—and my personal favorite Halloween movie of all time.
#10 – Sybill Trelawney
Sybill Trelawney was a professor at Hogwarts and is widely considered to be one of its best teachers, especially for Divination. She taught from at least 1971 until June 1996 and died sometime before 2020, as she was not among those attending Harry Potter’s funeral. In her classes, Trelawney often speaks cryptically and makes very elaborate predictions based on seemingly trivial events. She also has a great fondness for tea and cakes, or biscuits as they are known in England. The Inner Eye is Trelawney’s specialty subject. In 1992 she predicted that Harry Potter would have great fame if he survived his ordeal with Voldemort, which later proved true when he defeated Voldemort himself.
#9 – Zelda Spellman
Zelda Spellman is a witch who appeared on Sabrina: The Teenage Witch. Zelda is clever and can be quick on her feet when she has to be, but she’s also sometimes self-centered and lazy. She’s not very good at magic, either—but that doesn’t stop her from trying. She also tends to get bored easily and seeks out new things to do or people to meet. Her character arc shows that while you don’t have to be perfect at something (or even good at it), you should still try your best at whatever you do. You might surprise yourself!
#8 – Bellatrix Lestrange
Bellatrix Lestrange is one of Voldemort’s most loyal Death Eaters and she would kill anyone for him. Bellatrix is pure evil and her favorite spell, which she casts frequently, is Crucio. Bellatrix loves torturing her victims before finishing them off. It was thanks to Bella that Sirius Black died because she tortured him into madness before killing him with a knife in Azkaban Prison. She could also be jealous as well; when Harry Potter defeated Voldemort at Hogwarts, Bellatrix started screaming Traitor! after his death as if he had ever actually cared about her or anyone but himself. The point we’re trying to make here is: Don’t get on her bad side!
#7 – Morgana Pendragon
The ‘not so evil’ version of queen from King Arthur. Morgana is a character on ABC’s Once Upon A Time. She is portrayed by Bailee Madison and made her first appearance during episode 2 of season 1, The Thing You Love Most. She is based on characters from Disney’s The Sword In The Stone, and Maleficent from Sleeping Beauty. Morgana was cursed to be half-giant when she was born, due to Uther (the king) not marrying Igraine (the queen). This forced Uther and Igraine to marry under threat of war or dishonor.
#6 – Paige Matthews
Charmed (1998 – 2006) The third of four sisters, Paige is a no-nonsense realist who is completely out of place with her eccentric sisters. Unlike them, she’s not a witch—she just has to pretend she can do magic whenever they run into trouble. As such, it’s rare that we get to see Paige in full wicked witch mode… but when we do? She’s phenomenal. While Phoebe and Piper are often able to resolve their magical problems by themselves, Paige’s skills as a Whitelighter give her an edge over even those pesky Elders!
#5 – Bonnie Bennett
Doppelgänger and witch of fire, Bonnie Bennett is a character on The Vampire Diaries. She is a love interest for Jeremy Gilbert and, eventually, his girlfriend. She is also somewhat compelled to kill Stefan Salvatore as she was created by Esther with Klaus’s blood through magic. As Klaus’ doppelgänger, Bonnie shares several of her brother’s supernatural abilities including flight and siphoning abilities from other supernaturals. As a witch, she possesses telekinesis, empathy and pyrokinesis but has yet to master these powers.
Bonnie Bennett, is a fictional character from The Vampire Diaries and its spin-off series The Originals, portrayed by Katerina Graham. Created by writer Kevin Williamson, she first appeared in The Night of the Comet, as a witch trapped in Mystic Falls at her 18th birthday party who uses her powers to save Elena Gilbert’s life. She is portrayed as having great power with regard to witchcraft but not being able to control it. Bonnie has a positive outlook on life and often sees good things even where none exist.
One of the strangest things about Bonnie is that she eventually ends up being best friends with Damon Salvatore.
#4 – Willow Rosenberg
Willow is #4 on our list of best witches from pop culture because she was a gentle witch that was sometimes annoying, but had a heart of gold. Also, her Wicca phase was cool. In season five, Willow moves from San Francisco to Sunnydale to attend college at UC Sunnydale and leaves Oz behind. She joins Buffy’s Scooby Gang, where she has a girlfriend relationship with Tara Maclay. After experimenting with magic during her Wicca phase (it ended when Tara almost died), Willow later becomes addicted to black magic in order to keep Tara alive after an attack by Warren Mears’ vampire minions.
#3 – Hermione Granger
The heroine of one of our most beloved book series was just as brave and brilliant as any Harry Potter fan could have hoped for. Her magical talents made her a perfect match for The Boy Who Lived, but we wouldn’t be surprised if she had been a contender to top his list, too. Plus, she started it all—her love of magic led Harry to discover that he was also a wizard at Hogwarts. Even though JK Rowling created an entire universe complete with rules and spells, Hermione always defied them (except when it came to exams). The movie version got her right: smart and quick-witted with a soft side to boot. Her BFFs Ron Weasley and Harry Potter were both lucky to have her on their side.
It’s not just her intelligence that makes Hermione so amazing—it’s her bravery, too. When she learns that she can never go home again after leaving Hogwarts at age 17, she doesn’t whine about it—she drops out of school to continue fighting for wizarding rights. She remains an inspiring example for young witches everywhere, especially girls who need to hear that they don’t have to be perfect to be excellent.
Hermione is one of our ultimate role models for nerdy girls. She’s a brainiac who loves to read, study, and learn new things—in fact, she applies to be an intern at The Ministry of Magic just so she can spend time in their library.
#2 – Rowena Ravenclaw
The Ravenclaw section of our list brings us to Rowena Ravenclaw, featured prominently on Pottermore as one of its History of Magic teachers. Tragically (and indirectly) responsible for the death of her daughter Helena, Rowena is a witch whose popularity soared thanks to being a character people could relate to – even if they didn’t want to. Cursed into insanity by her Muggle-hating ways, history has only revealed her as a small footnote, but Rowling has confirmed that she will be more prominent in future Wizarding World content – specifically, we’ll see more of what happens with Helena’s story. It remains to be seen whether we’ll get an explanation for just how brilliant Rowena is – but at least we know she exists!
And the top witch is… Helga Hufflepuff!
While she may not have been onscreen for very long, Hufflepuff was instrumental to Voldemort’s defeat. After Harry is forced to leave Hogwarts, Dumbledore is left to stand alone against a wizard he knows full well is stronger than him. The headmaster’s only hope: enlist Hufflepuff’s help as a spy within Voldemort’s ranks. While it is unfortunate that we were unable to see more of Hufflepuff on screen, her performance in Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows serves as proof of her magic prowess. How many witches can say they defeated Lord Voldemort? Only one: Helga Hufflepuff!
Top Five Ways to Celebrate Beltane
April 29, 2022
Published by covencloud
Beltane, also known as May Day, is one of the most ancient holidays known to humans. Its origins can be traced back to Neolithic times when it was an important seasonal marker in the lives of our ancestors. A celebration of fertility and the arrival of spring, Beltane is celebrated in different ways today. Here are five of the most common ways people choose to celebrate this holiday!
- Plant a Tree
You don’t have to live in an area with a temperate climate or a home with a backyard in order to plant your own tree. Trees are planted by community groups and can be placed anywhere in order to beautify an area. Be sure that you select trees that will thrive in your climate, as planting trees that won’t grow well can do more harm than good. You should also select plants for your area; no matter how hardy they are, if they’re not native to your region, then they could face problems from local pests. Keep these factors in mind when deciding which species of tree you want to plant. A quick Internet search can help point you toward nearby organizations that provide free or cheap trees through planting programs.
- Have an Outdoor Picnic
The month of May brings pleasant weather, blooming flowers, and renewed hope. Take advantage of these elements to plan a festive outdoor picnic! This holiday is all about celebrating life, so why not gather friends and family for a meal al fresco? You can make a picnic even more memorable by creating an activity-filled itinerary. Remember: The goal here is fun!
- Enjoy the Spring Weather
One of our favorite ways to celebrate Beltane is by enjoying a beautiful spring day, especially if it’s sunny and warm. Whether you’re taking a walk through your local park or going for a picnic in the backyard, enjoying some fresh air is always a great way to get back in touch with your natural side. Plus, fresh air releases endorphins which have been shown to have a positive effect on mood! It’s true what they say: outdoor activities can be just as fun as indoor ones, so long as you dress warm enough (and don’t forget an umbrella). And hey, maybe you even spot an iridescent fairy or two…?
- Decorate Your Home with Handmade Items
Since ancient times, people have gathered around fires and decorated their homes with hand-made decorations. While there’s a reason for that, you don’t need to spend a ton of money on decorations! Look through your local thrift store or garage sales for holiday decorations, then create some yourself. Homemade bunting is one great option: Just cut the cloth into squares and tie them together with string or yarn. If you want something fancier, look up instructions online; making things like lace pennants is surprisingly easy. You can also use these homemade adornments as gifts or hostess gifts during your family get-togethers. No matter what you make (or buy), spread it throughout your home so that everything looks festive.
- Go On a Hike
The great thing about a hike is that anyone can do it. It doesn’t matter if you are 5-years-old or 95; hiking is a great way to relax and enjoy some fresh air. Make sure you stay safe by making your hike a fun family activity and keep an eye on everyone’s health and safety at all times.
Looking for a group to get together with during holidays? Check out local covens on http://www.coven.cloud by navigating to “Covens” in the dropdown menu!
A few must-know spells for witches
April 28, 2022
Published by covencloud
When it comes to magic, there are quite a few things you can do that don’t require more than just your intention and perhaps the use of some common items from around your home. If you’re just getting started with practicing witchcraft, here are a few simple spells to get you on your way! These spells should be practiced in the evening when the moon is out. They can work by themselves or in conjunction with each other to achieve different results.
Protection (ALWAYS START HERE)
Onions are believed to act as an effective and lasting protection charm against black magic, bad spirits, curses, and evil influences.
Instructions on how to create an onion braid
Here is a simple charm to hang in your home for protection. It is also a very calming and magical task. Basically, it’s being fulfilling of the ordinary and the mystical all at once. You’ll need about three dozen onions and four feet of heavy twine. Take a large knot, just as though you were going to tie your shoes, and pass the top of the twine through it. Lay a piece of twine on a flat surface, and then lay an onion with the greens to one side, such that the other two lengths of twine act as one side of the onions three strings.
With the two free lengths of twine and the onion stem, make a tight braid. Keep repeating this process until the onion is safely in place. Proceed by repeating the process with the rest of your onions, weaving them in and out between the other stalks and the two strands of twine. Continue to focus your intent as you do so. Onions are tied to a protection-related branch of magic, so you can braiding the onions and say an incantation to weave it in to whatever kind of protection you want. A few incantations might be:
For protection of a home:
“Onions wrapped around a braid,
This charm for my home I have made,
Keep negative energy away from me,
As I will, so it shall be.”
For protection of a person:
“Layers and layers of onion skin,
Layers of safety for those within,
Layers to make all harm stay out,
Keep (name) safe, without a doubt.”
If you’d like to learn how to make protective Black Salt, check out the Coven Cloud Spell Book, available in the shop!
Abundance
To perform this candle magick ritual, one should first perform it as a series of rituals on the new moon, and perform it daily or weekly until the full moon. The best days are Wednesdays, ruled by Mercury for luck and money-drawing. On Sunday, ruled by the sun and a day good for anything change, wealth, and hope.
When planning your ritual space, collect materials that will make you feel like you’ve never had it so good. Dress like you can’t wait to be alive and feel happy and accomplished. Pictures of friends and family will give you more of a sense of belonging.
With the candle lit, try connecting with it by sitting in front of it and holding it in your hands. Focus on what you have, as opposed to what you don’t have. How are you rich right now? Gratitude is twice as valuable when combined with an attraction to more. You could have all the money in the world and still not feel satisfied. We should find that happy medium of desired items and being grateful for what we have.
When you’re lighting the candle, focus on the life you want and want to manifest. Give a specific goal. Focus on your senses and truly see, taste, smell, and feel what it is like to live this life. While it might seem goofy, as you talk, you’ll feel something let go inside of you. The more you talk, the more your words drift into the flame. Pretend they’re adding kindling to the fire. Keep your mouth near the candle without getting burned. In order to get your word and breath to make it to the flame, speak and breath the things you desire.
At the end of a run of thoughts and speech, simply remain silent for a few minutes with your eyes closed. Allow yourself to feel the earth under your feet. Let your surroundings inspire you. This is a step up from meditation or visualization. I want you to feel you are experiencing an abundant life. When you take your time and look for all the possibilities, you’ll realize that if you opened your eyes, you’d be exactly where you wanted to be.
Sitting with the candle and journal at this time will allow you to reflect on the meaning of abundance for you, thank your deities or the universe for what you have, or write a list of affirmations. Blow out the candle, feel the pent-up energy dissipate.
When the candle has burned out, don’t discard the stone–leave it on your altar or keep it with you in your pocket. The stone contains the energies of the ritual and it can function as a talisman, if desired.
Self-Love
Cast a spell on yourself and bask in your own wonderfulness. You’re lovely! You deserve great things! To remind yourself of this you can dress a pink candle with Smoky Quartz, Rose Quartz and Garnet for crystals. Also add Lavender, Jasmine, Rose, Thyme and Rosemary.
Light your candle with emotion and intention.
The crystals may be cleaned off, put in a sachet, under you pillow/bed, in an office drawer, buried, etc. do what speaks to your for your situation.
Never burn a candle on or near anything that can catch fire. Keep burning candles away from furniture, drapes, bedding, carpets, books, paper, flammable decorations, etc. Keep burning candles out of the reach of children and pets. Trim candlewicks to ¼ inch each time before burning.
You can burn the candle in multiple sessions, whenever you feel yourself feeling down. Repeat as needed. I am enough, I am worthy, I am loveable. Set your intentions every single time before you relight the candle.
Please snuff out your candle, do not blow it out as it may offend certain deities.
Banishing Negativity
Black candles work like a charm when you need to banish negativity. Candles can be used to cleanse your energy and dispel bad spirits. Here’s how to perform a basic black candle spell.
The main reason a black candle spell is effective for removing negativity is because the color black absorbs any light. It’s said that this is how black formed in the first place–it was when light was removed. However, black absorbs all the light. This makes the color black very powerful in spellwork, especially black candle spells.
Oil Of Anointing Supplies
Collect the ingredients and other tools you’ll need for this black candle spell. Inject essential oils into the anointing oil to give the candle extra power and your spell more potency. Choose an anointing oil, such as olive, almond, or coconut. In a shallow bowl, mix together the following essential oils.
1/8 cup carrier oil (vitamin E oil or fractionated coconut oil are best)
1 drop lemon essential oil
1 drop peppermint essential oil
1 drop sage essential oil
Other Spell Supplies
1/8 tsp coarse ground black pepper (destroys negative energy)
Black candle
Candle holder
White paper
Black ink pen
Fireproof bowl
Matches or lighter
Disposable plastic gloves
Instructions
1. Create a protection circle before starting spellwork. Wear disposable gloves.
2. Anoint the black candle with prepared anointing oil.
3. Place your black candle in a candle holder.
4. Set paper down on an altar or table.
5. Light your black candle while repeating, “Ward off all negative forces, and absorb all the negativity surrounding me. Transform negative intentions into positive ones.”
6. Sprinkle black pepper into candle flame (be careful not to inhale to avoid sneezing).
7. Allow the black candle to burn down and self-extinguish.
8. Place the remnants of your spell in a glass jar with a lid. (or take and bury at a crossroads)
Restful Sleep
To make moon oil, you will need to use Sandalwood and Jasmine. Both of these items can be found at your local metaphysical supply store or online. Make sure you purchase 100% pure essential oils (the ingredients should read 100% sandalwood oil or 100% jasmine oil) to ensure they are safe to use in magic spells. You will need: 2 tsp sandalwood oil and 1 tsp jasmine oil. Mix with fractionated coconut oil and rub on your skin before bed!
Focus
As a witch, your focus is to know yourself and to know your own power. The focus spell is designed to do just that. To perform it, you will need to draw an image of yourself (or use your actual self). Then write down what you want out of life, such as love, money, health or a new job. Next, craft your favorite color around it and picture all of those things coming true. Finally burn some lavender incense and envision everything happening in a glowing violet light.
Healing
This spell is used to heal cuts, burns, rashes, and other minor wounds. To cast it, begin by lighting a white candle on your altar or another place where you feel most in tune with magic. Take your index finger and draw a circle over the area of your body that needs healing; repeat three times while focusing on drawing out negative energy. You can either chant Negative energy be gone or focus on visualizing negativity being drawn from your body and into a ball of light.
Blog by Vehemence
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.
Why Did Feminists Turn to Witchcraft?
November 22, 2021
(updated December 22, 2021)
Published by covencloud
Throughout history, witchcraft has been an esoteric religion practiced mainly by women. In medieval times, witches were persecuted and executed – often by being burnt at the stake or hung – because they didn’t conform to society’s expectations of women. Today, while witches aren’t persecuted, they do face some challenges from the men in their community who accuse them of not being real feminists. In this article, we’ll explore why witchcraft still appeals to many feminists and why others can’t accept them as real feminists because of it.
1) Witches were seen as subversive troublemakers by the ruling class
They were typically women, after all, and they challenged many of society’s dominant norms. Once accused of witchery, any transgressions or perceived problems could be blamed on having a familiar rather than their own actions. In other words, it was easy for those in power to portray antisocial behavior as a kind of witchcraft. This fear wasn’t without its merits—the widespread belief in witches at that time led to violence against those who dared step out of line. The most famous example is probably that of an estimated 40,000 women killed during the infamous witch trials of 14th century Europe.
2) Feminists saw witches as symbols of female agency
The origins of modern Wicca lie with a man named Gerald Gardner. Prior to Gardner crafting his own path, dubbed Gardnerian Wicca, witchcraft was performed among secret covens in England in the early 20th century. Gardner was initiated into the New Forest Coven by Edith Woodward-Grimes in 1939. He eventually left the New Forest Coven to begin his own, originally called the Bricket Wood Coven. In the early 1950s, Gardner recruited his friend, Doreen Valiente, and together they crafted a new religion using bits and pieces from various other traditions, which eventually became the Gardnerian Tradition. What emerged was an earth-based faith that celebrated female power, derided Christianity for its patriarchal origins, and drew much of its imagery from pagan pre-Christian religions. In many ways, witches were seen as symbols of female agency in a world that had traditionally been dominated by men—and also symbols of sexuality in an era where women were often seen as sexless wives and mothers.
3) This is what feminism looks like
In an age of trigger warnings and privilege-checking, many of us fear for feminism’s future. But there are signs that new generations are doing things their own way – from witchcraft to self-care – and it’s not all bad. 2021 has seen women take back their agency, fight against the patriarchy, and oppose toxic masculinity. Women have begun to shout out loud at those who would quiet them, and stand up to those who would have them sit down. All of this is feminism. All of this is witchcraft. In the words of the late, great Wiccan High Priestess, Margot Adler, “If you are a woman and dare to look within yourself, you are a Witch. You make your own rules. You are free and beautiful.”
Stand up, speak loud, and embrace your witchery at the Coven Cloud.
What do Different Candle Colors Mean in Witchcraft?
November 19, 2021
(updated December 22, 2021)
Published by covencloud
Colors play an important role in the practice of magick and witchcraft. They also appear frequently in different types of spells and rituals, as well as in the tools used to practice such crafts.
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.”
