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.
Witch hysteria began in Salem in January of 1692 when two young girls, Elizabeth Parris and Abigail Williams, fell ill. Betty, as Elizabeth was known, was the daughter of Reverend Samuel Parris, and Abigail was his niece. They had fits that included uncontrollable outbursts of screaming and violent bodily contortions. After a doctor couldn’t diagnose their illnesses, he told Reverend Parris that they had been the victims of witchcraft. Between January 1692 and the spring of 1693, over 150 people were accused of witchcraft, and 19 of them were hanged. When the hysteria was at its peak, almost anything could get you accused of being in league with the devil. Below, we’ll talk about some of the sillier things that would qualify you as a witch in 1692.
Having a Vagina
Yes, simply being in possession of a vagina made you 80% more likely to be accused of witchcraft than someone without one. This was because it was believed that women were more susceptible to sin, and thus more susceptible to the devil’s trickery and temptations.
Being Too Poor
If you sometimes have trouble supporting yourself and have to resort to asking your community or friends for help, you could have been a suspected witch in 1692. One of the first women hanged for witchcraft in Salem was Sarah Good, a poor woman who often begged her friends and neighbors for food, and was thus disliked and distrusted by the community. Due to this, they accused her of witchcraft.
Being Too Rich
Are you self-made without the need of a man or family to help you financially? If yes, then you’re obviously a witch. In the 17th century, it was believed impossible for a woman to be financially comfortable – or even stable – without the help of a man, which meant she had to be in league with the devil.
Having No Friends
Are you an introvert? BURN HER! BURN THE WITCH! Women who were shy or had trouble making friends were often accused of witchcraft because they were easy targets. With no one to stand up for them, the trials were a breeze, and off to Gallows Hill they were marched.
Having Too Many Friends
On the flip side, if you are an extreme extrovert with a whole squad of awesome women surrounding you, you’re also a witch. The famed Witchfinder General, Matthew Hopkins, started this rumor after he happened upon a group of women chatting together and having a good time. He called them a coven and accused them of chanting incantations. They were executed.
Being Too Old
Older women were an easy target for witch hysteria. Whether married or not, it was believed that only the work of the devil could help a woman get to an advanced age, and so seniors were often accused of witchery. Rebecca Nurse, a septuagenarian, with a husband, children, and many grandchildren, who was also a respected member of the community, was hanged for witchcraft because of her advanced age.
Being Too Young
Are you starting to see a pattern here? Quite literally, no one was safe from the accusations of witchcraft in 17th century Salem. Dorothy Good, daughter of Sarah Good, was accused, at the ripe old age of four, of witchcraft. Her accusers claimed she bit them and attacked them like an animal. After being interrogated for two weeks, Dorothy broke down and admitted to whatever her accusers were saying. She was imprisoned for four months, an ordeal which left her with permanent and extreme psychological damage.
Having Too Few/No Kids
Being married and having no or too few children was grounds for execution for witchcraft. The devil must have cursed you and your unholy womb with infertility. Additionally, if any of your neighbors who had a lot of children found themselves with problems, it was obviously because the childless crone next door had put a curse on them due to jealousy.
Having Too Many Kids
Of course, on the other hand, if you had too many children, you were obviously performing witchcraft and stealing the babies that would have been born to the infertile couple next door.
Being Kind to Animals
You better not let anyone see you cooing to the cute dog down the street, or petting the stray cat behind your house because everyone knows that people who are kind to animals are witches! Believing in the idea that all witches had familiars – animals that would help them in the devilry – this meant that any woman caught talking to or paying attention to an animal would automatically be assumed to be a witch and put on trial.
Being Eccentric Or Loud
Talking to yourself, being different from the rest of society, or even being too loud and sassy was a surefire way to get you put on trial. Women in the 17th century were supposed to be quiet, calm, submissive, God-fearing Christians. If you displayed any kind of characteristic that went against these traits, you qualified as a witch.
Being Able To Swim
The ability to swim was not as widespread in 1692 Salem as it is now. One of the reasons trial by water became so popular during witch trials was because it was believed that if a person, once dropped in water, was able to make it back to the surface, evil forces had to be at work.
You Made Someone Angry
At the height of the Salem Witch Trials, people were accusing each other left and right. All it took was for you to upset someone, or make someone angry, or, in the case of Rebecca Nurse, accidentally bump into someone at church, and they would accuse you of witchcraft.
You have birthmarks
Called the Witch’s Mark, any birthmark, or mole, or scar, or tiny skin imperfection you had was all it took for you to suddenly be a suspected witch. It was believed that through these Witch’s Marks, the witch would feed her family her blood.
You Had Spoiled Dairy Products
During the Salem Witch Trials, something as simple as your butter or milk spoiling could qualify you as a witch. Essentially, anything out of the ordinary that happened in everyday life that the people of the time couldn’t understand was blamed on witchcraft, including spoiled dairy products. Several people claimed that their butter had gone bad in the presence of a witch on trial. This was considered evidence against her.
1692 was a dangerous time. Literally, anything could be misconstrued or misunderstood and that would automatically qualify them as a witch. To learn more about the witch trials, check out our blog about the weird tests they performed to prove someone was guilty of witchcraft in the 17th century.
We all know that the Roman Empire attempted to rid the world of Paganism in favor of Christianity. It’s not a secret that Pagans were persecuted by Roman Emperors
witches come in many shapes and sizes. Each person’s journey is different, and while some witches embrace the craft for a lifetime and beyond, others are only in it for a season. And that’s okay
The concept of witchcraft and magic has been around for thousands of years. There is evidence that people in Africa, Egypt, and China practiced forms of magic as far back as 3000 BC
Greek mythology has given us many of the most enduring figures in Western culture, from Zeus and his wife Hera to the tragic figure of Prometheus. But who were these Gods and Goddesses? How did they rise to power? This list of the most important deities in the Greek pantheon will help you understand their power, personality, and divine responsibilities.
Moon water has many wonderful and magical uses that can be incorporated into your daily rituals and practices. Moon water, also known as rose water, provides much more than just hydration and flavor to your food and drinks; it can be used in self-care practices and to cleanse sacred spaces as well as use in your beauty routine. In fact, many people make their own moon water because it’s said to be more powerful than store-bought varieties because it’s been blessed by the moon herself. These are 20 moon-worthy ways to use moon water!
Floating Candles Whether you’re practicing candle magic or just want a convenient way to light your home, floating candles are perfect for illuminating any space. To make moon water floating candles, fill a clear glass vase with moon water and place a white tealight in it. Position it somewhere in your house where it will reflect the moonlight. The best times of day for using moon water candles are from dawn until noon because they absorb sunlight energy during these hours and emit it during twilight. It’s important to be careful when lighting because most contain combustible materials that can cause fires or burns if not used correctly. Don’t burn candles directly under anything that can catch fire, including curtains and rugs.
Use In Watercolors Moon water can be used in many ways during meditation. Some use it in their baths, while others use it in rituals or when making magic. And, of course, there are those who simply love how moon water feels on their skin when they’re relaxing. If you want to reap these benefits, you’ll need a small bottle of pure moon water with which to paint—or at least have on hand for easy access. Though it may seem difficult, creating your own moon water is actually quite simple! All you need to do is leave water out underneath the moon. That’s it!
Infuse with Fruits, Crystals, and Herbs Infusing moon water with all sorts of ingredients is a great method for use in your daily rituals. You can infuse moon water with fruit crystals, herbs, leaves, peels, and flowers. The combinations are endless! Try these ideas for starters:
– Honeydew Melon and Raspberry with Aventurine, Rose Quartz, and Withania Somnifera for fertility, love, beauty, protection, abundance, and lunar magic.
– Strawberry, Lime, and Cucumber with Peridot, Topaz, and Rosemary for love, chastity, fertility, healing, fortune, peace, and protection.
– Raspberry, Rose Petal, and Vanilla with Jasper, Amethyst, and Basil for love, protection, divination, healing, psychic abilities. happiness, and lust.
Moon Water Scrying To clear your mind, put a small amount of moon water in a bowl and light some candles around it. As you inhale the fragrant smoke, cup your hands around your eyes and look through them into the bowl. Be mindful not to focus on any one thing; instead, let all thoughts go as you simply gaze into it. You’ll be amazed at what arises—just make sure to jot it down later!
Cleansing Spray Cleaning yourself and your living space with moon water can help you prepare for your next ritual. A few drops of lemon essential oil and a couple of sprigs of rosemary-infused in a spray bottle are all you need. Add about 2 ounces of water and 1 teaspoon of kosher salt to mix it up, and feel free to adjust as needed and enjoy! If you’ve made an infusion with herbs or fruit crystals, keep it in a dark cabinet—like one used for storing food—for continued potency.
Diffuse Essential Oils Not only do essential oils have aromatherapeutic properties, but adding them to your moon water allows you to select a scent that fits whatever mood you’re in. This is one of my favorite ways of using moon water—particularly on full moons, which are also good times for cleansing rituals. The relaxing properties of lavender, peppermint, and chamomile are great for unwinding after a long day.
Bless Sacred Space Moon water is believed to cleanse, bless, and protect people, places, and things. If you’re looking for an effective way to bless sacred spaces—whether that be your home or garden—try making moon water. It has subtle energy that makes it perfect for cleansing space with intention. There are many different ways of using moon water.
Open Third Eye The Full Moon (when it’s shining directly overhead, making its light stronger and more intense) is an ideal time for opening our third eye. If you’re not familiar with your third eye (also known as your inner eye or mind’s eye), it is simply your brain stem (the bottom part of your pineal gland). The full moon can be used as a tool to open that portion of our mind, helping us connect to our intuition.
Put In Flower Vase Maybe you love your usual floral arrangements, but they don’t always stand out in a small space. So, what about using moon water in place of actual flowers? You can add moon water to any existing floral arrangement or create your own with just moon water and vases.
Cleanse Scrying Mirror It’s said that a mirror becomes clearer and more reflective after it’s been cleaned with moon water, making it a powerful tool for scrying—the art of seeing your future by gazing into a still or running body of water. All you need is a glass mirror, two drops of moon water, and a bowl of still water. Place your face close to the bowl, dip a towel in moon water, then gently wipe away any dust or dirt from your mirror.
Make Ice Cubes Make a big batch of moon water and put it in ice cube trays. Label and freeze them for the next time you need a drink or want to use moon water for a spell. If you do not have trays, no worries. You can place your moon water into individual Ziploc bags, label them, then place them into your freezer until ready to use.
Water Plants As we’ve already discussed, essential oils and flower essences can be easily infused into water. It’s a great way to get more of these superpowers inside your body without having to take capsules or swallow pastilles. Another fun use for moon water is keeping it in an open vase on your kitchen table or living room floor, where you can glance at it throughout the day and get a subtle dose of your favorite plants and herbs with every glance. What better way is there than that to stay in tune with nature?
Apply to $$$ to Promote Prosperity Whether you’re putting it in your tea, bathing with it, or making an offering, moon water is a traditional way of harnessing magical powers for prosperity. And luckily, there are a few ways to spend $$$ that bring more luck than giving it away! The next time you want some quick cash in your pocket (or maybe in your purse—who knows), try blessing yourself and someone else with moon water—it’s one of many fun ways to empower yourself through ritual.
Charge Sigils Depending on what you’re doing with your moon water, you may want to charge your sigil beforehand. In an empty glass jar, dissolve a tablespoon of white sugar in 2 cups of water. Add one tablespoon of salt and stir well. Let it sit out overnight with a sigil or intention written on a piece of paper taped or tied around it under a light source, such as a candle or incandescent bulb. Keep it under light for at least 24 hours. This is a simple way to charge any sigil, whether it’s related to moon water or not!
Add to Smoothies Smoothies are a great way to include fresh fruits and vegetables in your diet, especially if you don’t like to eat them on your own. They can be used as meal replacements or snacks. Combining ingredients with high water content (like melons) and some that release lots of water when cooked (like cucumbers) creates a beverage that is light and healthy, perfect for hot summer days. Throw in a little moon water charged with intention and not only is it a healthy snack but a blessed one!
Add to a Bath (my favorite) Whether you believe in its restorative powers or not, most of us can agree that taking a bath is one of life’s most luxurious rituals. The soft lighting of candles, music playing—it’s easy to see why it’s an activity almost universally cherished by all humans. A bath is also a great place for reflection and inspiration. So when you combine these two activities together, what do you get? Something truly magical. You can immerse your whole body in the wondrous magic of moon water, by adding it to your bath!
Add Lavender for Toner The scent of lavender can be relaxing, but it’s also cleansing and purifying. Add a few drops of lavender oil to your moon water (and any other water you use throughout your day) for a soothing aroma. Likewise, sage is considered beneficial for spirituality; boil some in your tea or use it as an essential oil diffuser scent. For glowing skin, try adding lemon juice to your water; it’s said that lemons are healing for both body and spirit.
Cleanse Crystals and Tools Crystals are important tools for magick, but they also need regular cleansing. To cleanse them, first dissolve 1 tablespoon of sea salt into 4 cups of moon water. Soak your crystals in it for 2 hours before drying with a soft cloth. This will clear away negative energy and return your crystals to their original shine.
Make Tea (or coffee) One of the best ways to get started with moon water is to make a cup of tea (herbal tea works too!). If you’re not sure what types of herbs you like (or where to start), don’t worry! Start out by mixing things together and see what flavors you like; there are thousands upon thousands of combinations that will give you different effects based on your magical practice.
Make Your Own Soap Traditionally, moon water is made by soaking herbs in water under a full moon and letting it sit until it attains a pale color. It’s said that moon water should only be used during blue moons, but don’t worry—there are ways around that. The first way is to infuse your herbal mixture with natural dye made from fruit crystals or floral oil, which will give it pigment.
Charge Water-Loving Crystals It’s a well-known fact that water is absolutely crucial for life on Earth. Thanks to its unique molecular structure, our planet’s abundant H2O makes it possible for life as we know it to exist because it creates an environment where cells can thrive. Our bodies are made up of up to 60% water; so, you might say there’s nothing quite like having some nearby! Luckily, crystals love H2O as well…especially these crystal essences! But not all crystals love water! Don’t get any of these wet: amber, turquoise, red coral, fire opal, moonstone, calcite, kyanite, kunzite, angelite, azurite, selenite. A good rule of thumb: Many stones that end in “ite” are not water-friendly.)
Do you use moon water for anything in your practice? Let us know in the comments!
Cailleach Bheur, or Blue Hag in Scottish Gaelic, is the Irish goddess of winter, represented as an old hag with blue wrinkled skin who carries a hammer, distaff, and spindle
The moon is a powerful symbol that has been used since ancient times for guidance and illumination. Tonight, the moon will be in the sign of Taurus, which is a perfect opportunity to do some self-care! Taurus energy can help you slow down, find peace, stay grounded, and listen to…
