Bang in the middle of Mercury Retrograde and just after the seasonal shift of the seasons, we have a chance for new beginnings and transitions with the New Moon in Libra.
The New Moon in Libra is on 25th September 2022 and will reach its peak at 10:55am BST.
What is the New Moon?
The New Moon marks the start of the Lunar cycle and is sometimes also knowns as the Dark Moon as during this point the moon isn’t visible to us, but she is still there.
What does the New Moon mean in Witchcraft?
The New Moon is a new chapter, a time for new beginnings and a time for intention setting.
What are the themes of the New Moon in Libra?
Libra is ruled by Venus (the planet of love, romance and relationships) so now’s the time we can review existing relationships or even aim for a new one. This particular moon will also be directly opposite Jupiter (planet of luck, fortune, favour and blessings) so there will be a spark in the air, almost as though the power of the moon and the changes around us have been magnified. It’s going to be fit.
Being Libra, we should also look at the areas of our life that need more balance, can something be lost or gained to help you through the rest of the year in more equilibrium.
What herbs are related to this moon
Rose will be your best friend right now because not only is rose associated with the moon but it’ll also work well with Libra and its ruler, Venus.
Elderberry (which is in season right now if some grows near you) and thyme from your garden or spice rack will also go down a treat.
What can I do during the New Moon?
Intention setting ceremony
As we reach the New Moon start your intention setting, write down what you desire as though you have already achieved it. Fold the paper three times towards you to welcome these things into your life. Burn the paper in a fire-safe place to release those intentions into the universe and be ready for the next steps in your moon work.
Ritual bath / Shower
A ritual bath or shower can help cleanse the body, mind and spirit from the cycle before. Set your vibe with incense and candles of your choice (I use rose incense and pink candles for this moon) and add the following either directly to your bath or into a fabric bag and tie it to the shower head if you don’t have a bath:
– Rose petals / Rose Essential oils to represent the Moon and Venus – Salt (I use Pink salt but any kind you have is perfect) to ground yourself – Lemon slices to cleanse and purify – Thyme for courage to strive for your intention and to protect you during the cycle ahead
As you bathe, think on your intention and all you hope to achieve during the next cycle. As you wash, picture yourself washing away any hurt, pain or discomfort from the previous cycle, your past mistakes will literally go down the drain.
Use a sieve to collect the remaining ‘bits’, thank them for their help and dispose of them.
Moon tea latte
All you need is rose tea and milk of your choice… make the tea almost like an espresso so either steep in a small amount of water from the kettle for 5 mins OR boil in a saucepan. You can add sugar or Agave / Honey to your taste. Strain the water into a glass and top with heated milk (yes, it’ll be a pink latte). Stir three times with your intention for the cycle, seal this moment by tapping the rim of you cup three times with a spoon and relax with a tasty rose latte.
Shadow work
Use this moment to reflect on the past cycle or even the year so far and find moments you need to change, adapt or improve. Here are some prompts you can use:
– What is no longer bringing me joy? – How can I open myself up to new relationships? – Are they any relationships I can give more to? – Are there any relationships I give too much to? – In what ways have I grown over summer? – How can I love myself more? – In what ways can I start to rest more during autumn and winter? – What was my previous intention and how did I do?
But, even if you just wanted to sit in a comfy cocoon and have an early night, that’s OK too. All practices are different so you don’t need to do all of the above if that’s not for you.
AJ shares one of her morning rituals, which is perfect for the beginners or for witches looking for some inspiration
A new day is here and you feel MAGICAL AF, how best to start your day than a a simple ritual?
Now, don’t get me wrong, we are NOT a Disney Princess, we do not wake primed and perfect and ready to tackle our day. Sometimes it takes every ounce of energy to just sit up.
Here, I have broken down a nice ritual you can do as and when you feel like you can, don’t feel guilty if you don’t do it everyday, i can guarantee I don’t! However, I do notice that my better days have always been those where I have done some kind of ritual. Could just be though!
Your morning caffeine kick
Whether it’s tea or coffee, even a glass of water, whatever your choice of beverage is first thing in the morning, let’s make it magical.
AJ’s favourite mug
I add honey (to sweeten my day) to my coffee (grounding) and stir the cup three times as I set my intention for the day. Sometimes out loud, sometimes in my head. Whatever my intention is, i speak it as though it has already been achieved.
e.g.
“I have had a productive day”
“I have had a happy day”
“I have achieved everything I wanted to achieve”
“I completed that report”
” I have absolutely smashed my day because I am a badass”
After the third stir, I tap my spoon three times on the rim of my favourite mug to ‘seal’ the intention for the day. Instead of a spoon, you can also use a cinnamon stick for extra abundance and magical energy!
Light a candle / some incense
This can be made even better when you use a candle / colour or scent to compliment your intention for the day. For example, if you want to stay relaxed, use lavender.
Here’s a wee correspondence chart if this is all new to you
Vibe
Colour
Scent
Happy
Yellow
Frankincense or orange
Creative
Orange
Cinnamon
Relaxed
Blue
Lavender
Romance
Reds and Pinks
Rose or cherry (dragonsblood is great for love magic, wink wink)
Lucky / wealth
Green
Pine
Visualise your day
As I have a 9-5, it’s pretty easy to predict how my day is going to go but I also visualise how i want my day to make me FEEL. Maybe I have a big presentation that i’m nervous about it, as I get dressed i picture myself absolutely smashing it and celebrating in the pub afterwards. It’s warm, inviting and the air is abuzz with delight.
Draw a card of the day
This is a nice and simple thing to do if you’re still learning tarot, want to brush up your skills, are experimenting with a different deck or even just want to start incorporating more divination into your daily routine.
The Supernatural Tarot Deck
Questions to ask as you shuffle your deck:
“What challenges may I see today”
“How do I approach that presentation I have”
“How do I communicate my feelings with X:
“How can i make my day brighter’
“What good news in in store today”
Seal your day
As the ending to my little ritual of the morning, I like to seal it with a bit of glamour magic. I have a favourite enchanted lipstick (or a chapstick of you’re not feeling the effort… you know), pop that on while speaking a final affirmation to the mirror. For me, that final affirmation is usually ‘you got this, AJ’.
Aj discusses all things witch altar in todays post. What do you have on yours?
If you’re new to the world of witchcraft and have been feeling confused when you see things like ‘time to change up my altar’ or ‘left an offering on my altar’, don’t worry because we got you.
not your typical witch altar
What is an altar?
For many people, an altar is used as a place to centre their practice. Almost like a holy place. Where they can worship their deities, where they can craft their spells and conduct their rituals and, for some, pray. Sometimes, I feel like a terrible witch because I do not have an altar, and that’s OK! You don’t necessarily need one, especially if you’re not open about your craft.
They can be a little table, a bookcase, a travel tin for witches on the go or those ‘in the broom closet’ as we say.
Even though I don’t really have an altar, i imagine mine is my entire house, especially the kitchen as kitchen witchery is a part of my every day practice.
What do I need on an Witch altar?
This depends entirely on you and your practice but typically you will have:
Candles (can include dedicated candles for your deities)
Your book of shadows
Basically, your altar will need to be PRACTICAL and have the tools you will need to perform your magic and rituals. You don’t need to make them over complicated but, if this is within your practice, you can make them seasonal as the Wheel of the Year turns.
How do I represent the elements on my Witch altar?
This is a lot simpler than you think:
Air = Incence
Water = a jar / glass of water (i even have seashells around to represent water)
Earth = a plant pot of earth, a dish of sand
Fire = a candle
“BUT AJ”, I hear you cry, “how can i not be obvious about it”? Take a little a vase and put in some herbs and flowers:
If you don’t have the finances to keep refreshing the herbs or flowers then a drawing of each is enough, even a drawing of the elemental symbols will do! Witchcraft doesn’t need to cost you any money when there is power and creativity in you too.
What do you have on your altar? Let us know in the comments.
If you want more from AJ, you can find her on TikTok
It’s the 8/8 which means it’s the Lions Gate Portal! Here is how to use it to super charge your manifestations.
Top Level:
Key Date:8th August 2022 is considered the Peak of The Lions Gate Portal.
Magick:Is a great time to manifest your goals dreams – if using the moon is the moon phase will be Waxing Gibbous in the sign of Sagittarius. (Also see spells below)
Ends:12th August ends.
What is The Lions Gate Portal?
Put simply, The Lions Gate Portal is considered one of the strongest magickal periods of the annual astrological calendar. It celebrates the alignment of Earth, The Sun in Leo, Sirius (The dog star, the brightest star in the sky and not the Harry Potter Character but he does have the star as his namesake) and the constellation Orions belt. This alignment happens every year and at the same time, from 28th July to 12th August.
The activation happens on the 8th of August and is believed to be when the period is at its peak for manifesting and spell work. Yey!
Why is The Lions Gate portal important to witches and spiritual practitioners?
We can use this energy to empower our manifesttaions and spell work. 8th August can often be refered to as the luckiest day of year, so it’s a perfect time to try your luck by going large with your manifestations. Dream house? Go for it. Perfect job change? Make it happen. Want love? Attract that energy to you.
The key to this period is keeping that energy up and truly believe that anything is posible and making sure you’re intent and desires are clearly expressed. Don’t chase, attract, honey!
Astrology:
The Sun is the ruler of Leo, therefore when The Sun enters Leo every year to mark Leo season, this creates really positive and powerful energy which is hypercharged during the Lion’s Gate Portal period.
Leo is a sign of ‘self’: ego, of understanding yourself on the inside and how you present outwardly, self-confidence, confidence and bravery. Basically, it’s a perfect time for manifesting the dreams and desires that are associated with you and your goals. Go big or go home is certainly an apt phrase for Leos and their approach to life and also this period energetically. Therefore, it’s a great period to manifest career or life goals.
Locate where Leo is in your birth chart and what house it is in, this will guide you in where you should be focusing your attention when it comes to manifesting goals during this period.
Numerology:
8/8 is considered a very powerful number in numerology meaning: Abundance, luck and growth. The number 8 is considered lucky and powerful in cultures throughout the world.
Symbology:
The infinity symbol ∞ equals 8 and is considered the symbol for manifestation. As above, so below.
How can I use it for my magick?
Some start from the 28th July and build up (like me!) but the peak period is considered to be the 8th of August (8/8) to use this energy in spell work is very simple, so for those just starting out below is a simply but effective way to manifest your desires.
Perfect for beginners:
The Everyday Extra Empowerment:
Meditating in the Sun – and visualising what you desire in detail is fabulous way to use that strong the Sun in Leo energy.
Journaling – every morning with prompts to help progress you towards your goal.
Affirmations – choose 8 affirmations that present what you wish to achieve over the next year and say them to your self in the mirror. I recommend doing an affirmation in mirror every morning anyway.
Pen or pencil..hey, why not even use a quill, add some drama!
Paper (or parchment…you see where I am going here!)
Method:
What is your dream life? No really, what is your dream life and if you were to live your dream life what would you be doing in a day of that desired existense, say, in a years time? Really visualise this and do not hold back. This is your absolute dream. Really think about it and visualise the reality of living it for a few minutes. This will help setup your vibration and help you performed the next step:
Get your paper or note book and write the date as a year from now: 8th August 2023
Under the date begin to write a diary entry as if you were living your dream life on that day in a years time. Be detailed, the more detail the better.
Once completed, release the intention of what you have just written into the universe, speak out loud or silently to yourself that you are accepting it as done and thank the universe for sending that desire to you.
Seal up the letter if not in a notebook and store somewhere safe and don’t open/read for a year.
Open in a year and see how much as come true – honestly, I have done this a few times and have aways been surprised!
If you like this method you can regularly keep up entries in your books of spells, grimore or similar. I personally keep a separate manifestation journal which keep writing in to help me maintain focus on my goals and allow me to look back at my progress.
Some of us love to use ingredients in our spell craft , or we just like a bit of drama, some of us it’s both…I certainly love to make things ceremoinial! The Lions Gate Portal is a perfect time to make to add extra ingredients to your usual manifestation methods such as candle, herb and craft magick. The below if simple but effective way to use fire (Leo’s element family) in your manifestion practices.
You will need:
Bayleaf – you can get this fresh but store brought is fine, and the one we mainy use at Digital Coven (We should invest in stocks the amount we use it to be fair)
A Candle (lighter or matches if you don’t have a candle to hand..all witches run out!)
I personallylike to do these spells in the moon light and outside if posible. I have also lived in a flat and shared houses so rest assured, if you can do either of the things, your magick will be just as potent – this is all about your intent and belief of course…you’re the main ingredient for this spell!
Get a Bay leaf and hold it close, envision the intention/dream/desire that you wish to attract
You have to visualise this as if it has already happened making sure to really envision how you will feel when you receive this desire and all the things that you will do with it.
Write your intention onto the Bay leaf and burn in the fireprool bowl (or cauldron) . You can use any colour pen but if you have Silver or Gold marker I would recommend using this to further highlight your goals.
Release your intention into the universe and give thanks to universe for it abundance. Then, wait and trust the process (it works quicker than you think!)
So Coven, hopefully we’ve got you all excited about the Lions Gate Portal? If so,will you be using the Lions Gate Portal to manifest your dreams and goals this year? Let us know below or on our social channels.
Happy practising, darlings…may your dreams come to pass ❤
If you’re new to the craft you may have started spotting new celebrations you have never heard of starting to appear on your News Feeds, especially on TikTok. Don’t be fooled by thinking the Wheel of the Year is something only used by Wiccans but also, if you don’t want to follow the Wheel of the Year, you don’t have to either. Everyone’s practice is personal.
As you’re here at Digital Coven to learn and discover, it would have been remiss of us to not at least introduce you to the sabbats. As a caveat before we get into the nitty and gritty, the dates I’ll be using are for the Northern Hemisphere as that is where I am and is what I know and I wouldn’t want to get anything wrong.
The Wheel of the Year, is a medley of fire festivals, chief solar events, equinoxes and solstices. Almost a calendar for the working pagan / witch / Spiritual Person™ . The Sabbats and a lot of Magic is seasonal and an easy way to connect to your path as a beginner, especially if you’re still not open about your craft yet.
This post in particular is more of a ‘starting point’ or a snapshot to the sabbats and the Wheel of the Year, throughout the year we will include more detailed posts for you so you can learn as much as you can in one place.
Now, let’s get cracking.
Yule – 21st December
Everyone knows this one. Associated with Christmas, the Wild Hunt, the deep midwinter. It’s actually a 12 day long celebration too so no need to worry if you miss the first day.
Witch making a wreath and Yule
Here are a couple of starters for ten in terms of rituals and celebrations:
Bring green into the home. If you’re still in the broom closet that can simply be a wee christmas tree. At this point of the year, there is little to no natural growth so bring that life inside to encourage a healthy winter. Also, some pagan traditions suggest that by bringing in a tree to your home, you’re providing somewhere warm for the woodland spirits during the winter and they will thank you with abundance in the spring.
Personally, I like to gather local holly and hang it through my home.
Welcome back the sun. As Yule starts on the Winter Solstice, this is the beginning of the astrological winter (in the Northern Hemisphere) and the point where the nights can reach their darkest.
Light candles, hang fairy lights, I like to light a candle as I cook.
Yule Log: There are actually a couple of variations of this.
If you have an open fireplace, you can burn a specially chosen log on Christmas eve. You can ‘scent’ with cinnamon as well for the vibes and protective qualities.
You can create a Yule Log display for your altar / space. Find a log, decorate it how you feel with candles, greenery runes and sigils.
Eat a chocolate Yule log, great if you’re still not open with your craft.
Imbolc – 1st February
Meaning ‘in the belly’, imbolc is a celtic festival originating in Ireland and represents the stirring of new life. This is where the earliest signs of rebirth appear, sometimes in the form of new leaves and buds. The world is getting ready to wake up again.
Snowdrops on the mossy ground
Imbolc is also associated with the Goddess Brigit / Brigid/ /Brighid Bríg. Some may already know her as St Brigit. Brigid is a fire goddess and often associated with protection, healing, smithcraft, and poetry.
In the Christian calendar, this date is also marked by Candelmas so some of the traditions may be the same or similar.
Things you can do to celebrate imbolc:
EAT: As with all festivals of the Wheel of the Year, this is a time to feast. Foods associated with imbolc are those that would traditionally be available when it was still winter. Dairy products like milk, cream and butter as this would be the time of the ‘first milk’ since winter, baked goods, dried foods. What you would have been able to store in your pantry to get through until spring.
Bake bread, pies and cakes and look for foods that are associated with sun and rebirth, eggs are a nice easy one if you’re low on energy you can just scramble an egg in the microwave as a way to honour the festival.
Leave an offering for Brigid: traditionally the first milk would have been poured on the ground for Brigid.
When it comes to food offerings, especially in the current climate where the cost of living is soaring, this may not be the most practical. Instead, pour yourself a glass of milk (plant based counts too), or make some buttery toast. Toast Bridgid before you consume instead of leaving out / pouring away. This way she has been thanked and you have been nourished at the same time.
Plant seeds: This is the time to start sewing your seeds (but do look at an Almanac to be sure depending on what you’re planting). If you’re like me and don’t have access to an outside space,I treat myself to a herb plant around this time or try and regrow things from scraps (leeks, ginger and garlic are really easy to do this with).
Beltane – 1st May
Beltane is the first Fire Festival of the year and where celebrations really start to begin. Beltane originates in Ireland from the celtic god Bel. Traditionally, bonfires would be lit to honour Bel and also to celebrate the return of the sun and spring with longer days coming ahead. You may also be thinking May Day and May pole and you’d be correct!
Maypole dancers gather around the Maypole
Beltane is around the time of year where everything has really sprung to life and as such is also associated with fertility and the idea of ‘everlasting’.
The bonfires lit for Beltane were often public bonfires that people would ‘jump’ for protection and fertility and before they were extinguished, the people would take some of the fire with them to light their hearths.
Things you can do for Beltane:
Have a BBQ / Bonfire if you have the space: You can’t really have a fire festival without fire, can you? If this isn’t possible for you, lighting a candle works just as well.
Dress in Beltane colours: Green, red, white. Green for regrowth, fertility and abundance, red for passion and vitality, white for cleansing and clearing of negative energy. Now’s the perfect time to practice your colour magic.
Make a flower crown: Even a simple daisy chain will do!
Summer Solstice: 21st June
Probably the most famous solstice, the one you see on the telly every year where people flock to Stonehenge to take in the vibes. This is Midsummer (like Yule is midwinter) and also the longest day of the year. Many will make a pilgrimage to Stonehenge or other spiritual sites, but if this is not possible for you, there is plenty you can do at home too.
Stonehenge at night with starry milky way sky on winter solstice.
Sunrise and Sunset: As the longest day, we celebrate the sun. Watching both the sunrise and sunset means you can experience the most of the day. To be honest, even opening your curtains and staying in bed can work too if it’s not possible for you to be up and about at this time.
Sun Symbols: a simmer pot or even food made from lemons and oranges as we honour the return of the sun. I make an orange drizzle cake (mostly because i don’t really like the taste of lemon!) and you can easily buy things like lemon cakes if you can’t make them.
Colour Magic: dress, display or even use coloured candles in your rituals. Yellow for the sun, green for the earth and blue for the sky.
Lammas / Lughnassadh – 1st August
Lammas literally translates as ‘loaf mass’ and is the time we celebrate the first grain harvest (basically, the first of many harvest festivals). Lammas is also known as Lughnassadgh and Lugnasad.
bread on a wooden table
As with many dates on the wheel of the year, particularly those that follow Lammas. This is a time where we give thanks for the harvest and feast as well as honouring Lammas, our harvest queen.
Things you can do for Lammas:
Eat bread: Whether you have baked it or bought it, just… bread.
Make a corn dolly / mother: these are traditionally made out of wheat but this isn’t always easy to come by, especially if you live in a big city. If you can’t access wheat you can use straw, which you can find in pet shops, or even draw one for your altar.
Colour Magic: Dress in oranges golds and yellows to represent the harvest
Autumn Equinox / Mabon – September 19th – 22nd
Another transitory time where the days start getting colder and shorter. The leaves are starting to turn red and orange, occasionally there will be a little bite in the air… Autumn in my favourite.
Misty wood
The Autumn Equinox is also known to some as Mabon, you’ll see this more often in American Wicca or witchcraft practices. This is the time of Mid-Harvest, particularly for fruit. As the seasons change we would traditionally start preserving food for the winter and long night ahead.
Things you can do for the Autumn Equinox:
Jam: like to go to my nearest woods to gather blackberries around this time and make jam with them. I like to plan the foraging and making around the full moon where I can as well. If you don’t have access to blackberries, buy the fruit you like and make some from that. If you can’t make jam, get some jam for jam on toast… Say jam again.
Decorate your altar: Basically lots of Autumn-y things! Acorns, pine cones, leaves, the colours of autumn! Also, if you happen to find an acorn during this time… save it for Imbolc and plant it under the first tree that blossoms.
Stew and Kitchen Witchery: Autumn is the time the Kitchen witch THRIVES. Making stews with seasonally appropriate food, ‘canning’ for the winter and basically living our best lives. I have previously shared my ‘mabon’ casserole on TikTok, and Emma has her own go-to stock recipe that can be utilised at this time. Anything hearty and warming. As you cook, you can include your intentions and wishes for the season too.
Samhain / Hallowe’en – 31st October
Also known as AJ’s Christmas… Samhain is the point where the nights are at their darkest, the veil is thin and spirits can wonder again, not only that… it’s the Witches’ New Year.
pumpkin
Any Scorpios here, this is where you are at your most intuitive. Some of us feel the energies of the spirits as they come and go, we can celebrate the cycle of life and death as the Witches’ year and the nature around us has ‘passed’.
Samhain has its roots in Celtic practices, particularly in Ireland. We have the legend of Stingy Jack and how he lead to the creation of the Jack-O-Lantern, bonfires would be lit and costumes would be worn to ward off unwanted spirits.
Anyway, surely you know a lot about Samhain / Hallowe’en so let’s get down to what you can do…
Jack – O – Lanterns: It would be remis of me not to include these, sure they seem a little obvious but let’s remember they have been used for centuries as a way to light the path home for family spirits and also to ward off unwanted energies. As you carve your pumpkin, you could make it a ritual. I like to ‘set a vibe’ with incense and music as I turn my pumpkin into a protective ward for the evening. No energy or ability to carve a pumpkin? That’s OK. I have a collection of Pumpkin tealight holders that work just as well, they’re only £1 from Poundland!
Soul Cakes: Soul Cakes are generally a gift for the spirits and can be left as offerings on Samhain night. I have used my own amended version of this recipe for a couple of years now. Baking not possible for you? Get yourself your favourite cookies or biscuits. You can even get some of those little icing pens and add sigils to them or even names for the dearly departed you’re leaving them for.
Bonfire on a dark night
So, there we go. A little snapshot into the Sabbats, be sure to add them to your diaries and celebrate the old ways with us.
If you want to follow Aj check out her fabulous social accounts:
If you like to use smoke to cleanse, enhance a ritual or even just set a vibe, when you’re just starting out it can be confusing to work out which is best for you and your purpose.
In all honesty, it really is a personal choice but some can really enhance your magic and your rituals when you choose the correct correspondences.
Image credit: Caroline Attwood via Unsplash
Peace and tranquillity
Lavender
For calming vibes, especially to help with sleep and stress, lavender is your best friend. Lavender in general has a lot of magical properties from healing to sleep and really helps you step back and just *be*.
Love, self love and romance
Rose
Rose is actually one of my favourite incense types. It smells and feels positive and like everything is lit up (for me). I use rose for a lot of my self-love rituals, bonding with tarot decks and so much more.
I have also previously used rose incense as part of a ritual to enchant a piece of jewellery so I can have a confidence boost throughout my day, but more on that another time.
Cleansing
Sandalwood
Sandalwood is an old favourite and has been used in ritual practices for thousands of years from the ancient egyptians to modern day pagan and buddhist practices.
You can use sandalwood to cleanse your space and your self and prepare your tools for rituals and spell work. Personally, I use Sandalwood for almost everything.
Sandalwood is also used in Ayurvedic practices but as this is not my practice, it’s not something I can teach you so do look out for Ayurvedic teachers if you want to learn more about this realm.
Protection
Dragons blood
Protection magic, healing magic and cleansing are three things you should master before you delve into anything more serious on your witchcraft journey and it’s because of this that Dragons Blood incense will be your best friend.
It has long been used for protection and banishing rituals and is also great for cleansing if there’s an energy sticking around that you don’t vibe with.
Glamour Magic
Rose
Yes, yes, I know we have already mentioned rose but it is really an all rounder. PLUS, glamour magic and self-love go hand in hand so it only makes sense that we can use rose here as well.
With my glamour magic, I use rose incense to not only ‘cleanse’ my face products but also keep it burning while I get dressed and ‘put my face on’. You’ll be surprised at how much power a little bit of rose can have on your morning routine.
As mentioned, selecting your incense is always a personal choice depending on your practice and your preferences. If you have pets, always check the incense you’re using is suitable as some kinds can be toxic so our furry friends.
So you have got your first Tarot Deck, hooray! What a journey you are going to have.
One of the main questions we have received over the years is ‘how do I connect with my cards’ and, in all honesty, that’s entirely up to the reader. You can go as big or as small as you want and it really doesn’t HAVE to be complicated.
Image Credit: @SoulfulStock via UnSplash
Cleanse your deck
You don’t HAVE to do this one straight away but I like to so i can set a vibe with my cards. I (AJ) pass my cards through rose incense smoke as I love my cards and I’m sure they’ll love me too. If you want to go ‘all out’, Emma has a whole New Tarot Ceremony too!
If you don’t use smoke to cleanse you can use crystals. I have a piece of clear quartz in my tarot box and I give them a shake in the morning / when I’m ready to read.
No crystals? That’s OK too. Just knock three times on the cards and say hello.
Witchcraft and Tarot don’t need to be expensive, use the tools you already have.
Intro yourself
Introduce yourself to your cards. While you’re having an initial shuffle, tell them your name, how you want to work with them, what your favourite colour is, does pineapple really belong on pizza?
Tarot cards are more than just a tool, they can become a life-long friend and they need to know you as you, not just as a tarot reader.
Card of the day
If you’re new to the cards in general, a card of the day is a simple way to learn and become familiar with not only your deck, but all the little nuances of each card.
Draw one card of the day, and before you even look up the meaning in a book or online, really look at the scene presented to you, what do you see? Are there any plants, are they alive or dying? Any animals, are they standing alert or lying peacefully by the subject’s feet?
This can help you work out what you see before you read, so make notes of all of these in your book of shadows / grimoire / random notebook with the nice pages and then write down the meaning descriptions from books / online. Highlight the areas that match between the two and learn those parts first. Then you can start looking into beginner tarot spreads and build your skill, knowledge and intuition from there.
Carry your cards with you
All of my friends, family and colleagues know I always have a Tarot deck on me. This isn’t just so they’re always available if someone needs a reading at the office Christmas Party but it’s also so my cards *know* what has happened throughout my day, they come with me on every journey so they know each feeling I have.
This method is particularly useful if you want to do readings on self growth because the cards will have experienced everything you have.
Sleep with your cards under your pillow
When we sleep and when we dream, we are our most intimate and vulnerable selves. Sharing this part of you really helps your connection with the cards, in my experience, and is also recommended by many other readers. If you’re unable to carry cards around with you everyday like I do, maybe this is a better solution, especially for a ‘still in the broom cupboard’ witch.
And there you go, a handful of ways I like to bond with a new deck, do you have any more recommendations? Let us know in the comments or on my social channels:
How art thou? I know we’ve been quiet for a ‘wee’ bit as our beloved North London Witch would say but we assure you it’s because we’ve been manifesting some fabulous projects to share with you.
Our first project, Witchy Type, is very close to our hearts as we are both avid readers and learned the majority of our knowledge about the craft via books. Both of us have curated extensive libraries of Witch related material throughout the years and these are available for loan to Digital Coven Followers over on the Witchy Type Book Depository along with ourWitchy Type Book Club List.
We will be performing regular book reviews on titles that we simply love and recommend that you read alongside newer releases. We will make sure to highlight when these books are gifted or if there are any affiliation links featured.
Will we be reviewing anything else? Of course, Tarot and Oracles decks will be featured alongside other fabulous printed witch products. If you have any recommendations, let us know!
Find out more about our Witchy Book Reviews here
Witchy Type Book Club
Well, this is a Coven after all and we don’t want to be doing this on our own as that would be rather boring! So we will be holding regular book clubs on zoom for selected titles where we can all discuss the book and share ideas. Want to take part? Just fill in this form and we will email you details we will of course be sharing all dates via our digital coven social channels.
Want to submit a book for review? Simply email us the details to digitalcovenuk@gmail.com or leave a comment below.
We’re super excited to share this with you and make sure to let us know your thoughts and ideas below in the comments or you can always reach out via our social channels:
Bayleaf is one of the ultimate Magickal herbs, find out why!
My mother was obsessed with Bay leaf – it was put into everything she made when and it was quite common for me as a child to accidentally eat it whenever I ate her cooking. This didn’t put me off, although I certainly don’t recommend eating it! This early introduction created a strong bond between me and bay leaf and it’s one of the most common herbs that I use when it comes to magick and Kitchen Witchery. Below are some really useful insights into how you can use Bay leaf in your Witchcraft and spell work.
Wet and dry Bay leaf
Bayleaf magickal properties:
Bayleaf is one of those core magickal herbs that has so many uses and works well when used with other ingredients but it can also be extremely powerful when just used on it own. It would certainly be top of the list in my Baby Witch beginner stock cupboard recommendations. Some of it’s key attributes are:
Victory and success – Bayleaf laurel was used in victory crowns and also by deities such as Apollo
Love
Wealth and Abundance
Protection
Creativity
Psychic abilities
Wishing and manifestation
Good health and healing
When doing deeper spell work here is some key info on Bay leafs other associations:
Zodiac: Bay laurel is governed by the planet Sun and under the dominion of the sign Leo
Deities: Apollo, Daphne, Gaia and Peneus (Greek)
Planet: Sun
M/F: Whilst I don’t really follow this in my craft (Queer Witch right here, honey!) traditionally it’s associated with the divineMale.
Bayleaf in Kitchen Witchery
As previously mentioned on this blog, Kitchen Witchcraft is one of the simplest ways to bring the craft into your everyday life. I mean, we all have to eat right? So making sure that you add your herbs with intent when you are making your daily meals can be incredibly powerful, as you are literally taking the magic within you. Nice!
Bay leaf in a stock
Quick Kitchen Witch Spells:
Want to Cleanse yourself- Boiling anything such as veg or pasta? Add salt and Bay leaf to the water with intent and stir anti-clockwise to banish negative energies and stir clockwise to bring positive energies towards yourself. It’s that simple!
Sauces, stocks and gravies – I don’t know about you but I add a lot of herbs to my cooking so when I am making anything sauce-based I like to make sure that I include some herbs with magickal intent to help me with whatever spell or thing I am manifesting. I always make sure to add an intent for each Bayleaf that I add. Making sure to stir and visualise what I am working towards.
Bay leaf in Mulled wine
Mulled Wine and Cider – A lovely way to get some extra magick into your life with an added boozy kick. I like to add Bay leaf to any mulled wine or hot toddies that I make and the smell is devine!
Quick Spells to use Bayleaf:
Cleansing your space: Add Bay leaf to your mix of cleansing herbs depending on your practice. Personally, like to use Bay leaf, Lavender and Rosemary to cleanse my space as it smells lovely. Just roll them into a bunch that you can burn safely, or in a fireproof bowl and burn as a magickal Potpourri. Never leave unattended, ever. Trust me on this one 😉
Burning herbs for cleansing
Manifesting Money:
Get a Bay leaf and hold it close, envision the money that you wish to attract and how soon you need it by.
You have to visualise this as if it has already happened making sure to really envision how you will feel when you receive this money and all the things that you will do with it.
Then write your intent and the financial amount onto the Bay leaf and burn. You can use any colour pen but if you have Silver or Gold marker I would recommend using this to further highlight your goals.
Success: The ancient Greeks used to use Laurels and ay leaves on crowns for sports winners as they were associated with success. Bay leaves can also be great for protection, so I like to carry one around with me in my purse wherever I go.
Victors Crown
Protection: Ground up alongside eggshells, Bay leaf can be used as protection dust to be sprinkled by your windows and door frames or when casting a circle. I’ve also been working on a project with Thatdressupmood where we add this dust to jewellery to give it extra protection properties. You can add salt to it for extra protection properties but make sure not to use it on the ground if you do as Salt can damage the soil.
Simple connection cutting spell: If you wish to cut the cord with someone a great spells which you can do daily if required is to take a Bay leaf, visualise the person you wish to cut the cord with, set the intent into the leaf and then break up the leaf to signify the breaking up of the connection with this person and then burn the Bayleaf to release the energy. I personally love doing this when I am anxious as well, envisioning having that power over the negative feelings really helps me feel empowered.
Magickal Herbs
Sleep time Psychic enhancement: I like to use a Bayleaf under my pillow to help with my dreams and with astral projection. I mix it with lavender and put it in a little pouch that is stored in my pillowcase. Sweet dreams, indeed!
In conclusion:
So, have I inspired you in the powers of Bayleaf – or have you always been using it in your spellwork? Let me know below or on the digital coven social channels as we’d love to keep the conversation going!
Shadow Work. Some of the media creators may have made you believe that this is a scary thing. It doesn’t have to be though.
Shadow Work. Some of the media creators may have made you believe that this is a scary thing. It doesn’t have to be though.
Now, don’t get me wrong, it can be deep. It’s a way of unlocking even the deepest parts of you. Obviously, if you have past experience of trauma, it may be tricky and i wouldn’t recommend diving straight in, but it can be one of the most useful parts of beginner witchcraft as it can help you truly know yourself, your energies and your triggers.
I use Shadow work sporadically, mostly because I have a silly grown-up job and I don’t always have the time, but every time I do it, even if I’m not 100% happy, I feel a weight lift off myself. Sometimes, you really just need to write things down to get them off your mind and understand what is truly going on with you.
The TLDR definition of Shadow Work is basically journaling. Which doesn’t sound nearly as scary, does it? Also, you don’t need to be an excellent writer reeling off paragraph after paragraph, bullet points will do! Never base yourself on what another can do, only do what works for you
Some basic Shadow Work prompts
Witchcraft / Your path
Why does this matter to me?
How will this change me? (what will i think of myself if i pursue this)
What beliefs would I like to centre on?
What practices would I like to learn and harness?
What guidance do I need?
Where can I find this?
Things that make you happy
What qualities do i have that i am most proud of?
What part of my day brought me the most joy?
What made me smile today?
What am I grateful for?
When was the last time I felt energised?
In what parts of my life do I find strength?
Your fears
Am I more scared of trying and failing, or not trying at all?
In what ways do I alarm myself?
What am I scared of?
Which parts of my journey frighten me?
Personal Growth
How would I like the next chapter to go?
What progress would I like to see?
Why am I trying this?
What would I like to discover about myself?
How am I strong?
How can I slow down?
What do I need to let go of?
Now, these are all just starters for 10 and you can adapt them as you wish. The most important thing is that you focus on you. You are the most important thing in this world so you need to discover all of the above and more. If you ever feel like it’s getting a bit much, just put the pen down, pop the kettle on and come back to it later. It’s not something you’re being graded on and you can do it all in your own time.
If you’d like more tips on how to get started with witchcraft or would like more Shadow Work prompts, you can follow me at @NorthLondonWitch on TikTok and Instagram.
Digital Coven 