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
Resident Moon Witch AJ talks about Working With The Full Sturgeon Moon in Aquarius
As we pass midsummer and, despite the obscene weather we’re having right now, the seasons start their transition into Autumn, we have the Full Sturgeon Moon in Aquarius with us, and the final Supermoon of 2022.
What is a Supermoon?
A Supermoon is when a full moon is at its closest point to the Earth during its orbit and it appears larger and brighter. The point where non moon followers add ‘wow, the moon looks big tonight’ to their Instagram Stories.
When it comes to the astrology and witchcraft side of a Supermoon, allegedly a Supermoon can enhance your emotions and can make you feel more exposed. However, moments like this always make me think of my Aunt who taught me the ways of the moon:
“The moon doesn’t care whether we think she’s super or small.
The Sturgeon Moon is an interpretation of the Native American name for this full moon. It marks the time when the Giant Sturgeon of the Great Lakes were caught by Algonquin tribes.
For generations, Native Americans have marked cycles of the moon to signify certain times of the year. In August, we welcome the Sturgeon Moon – also known as the Green Corn Moon, the Red Moon, and the Grain Moon. The full Sturgeon Moon marks the time for noted ease in catching fish in Great Lakes area….The legend of the moon varies across tribes; however, something all tribes seem to have in common is the use of a lunar calendar. Tribal winter counts were done by using the lunar calendar to record notable events throughout the year — and each moon signified something different for each tribe that named it.
The English name for this moon is the Corn Moon and marks the beginning of the harvest season
The Celtic name for this moon is the Dispute Moon, highlighting the transition of the seasons and the impact on the harvest. It could be a hot and dry summer or a temperate wet summer, both can impact what we reap during harvest season.
This year, the Sturgeon Moon is in Aquarius, bang in the middle of Leo Season. With Leo being firey, excitable and creative, the moon in Aquarius can help us to take a step back and to review before we act.
I have used this moon to review my year so far, forgive any previous hurt, release what hasn’t served me for six months and finesse my plans moving forward, rather than jumping straight in.
What can I do during this full moon?
First thing’s first that I have to remind a lot of people, the full moon lasts three days… If you can’t do something for it tonight, that’s OK. You have another two days!
As the full moon is generally the time we release (see more about Moon Work in my Beginners Guide to Witchcraft), now is a good time to literally throw something away that you no longer need. Not exactly a deep clean but I use full moons to clear my work desk and start the new cycle fresh.
If you have set any intentions for the year, check in on them. How are they going? Do some require more attention? Are some not quite there and maybe need a refresh?
Check in with yourself. How are you? How is your year going? Are there any thoughts or moments you can release that you don’t want to take into the second half of the year?
What rituals can I do during this full moon?
Release Ritual:
Take a bayleaf and write what you want to release, burn the bayleaf in a firesafe place and meditate. As you meditate, imagine the thing you’re letting go of leaving your body.
Write a letter to the person, moment or thing you want to forgive, especially if it’s yourself. Burn it in a firesafe place. As the flames consume the thing that you wanted to forgive look up at the moon and thank her for giving you the strength to let go, release and move forward. As the flames die down, feel how much lighter you are.
Manifest with the Moon:
Use this moon to begin manifesting something for the remainder of the year, something more short term factoring in things like the shorter days that will come.
Write down:
What you want to achieve in the present tense as though you already had it, like an affirmation
How you achieved this thing as though you already did it
Meditate and picture that moment of success
As you’re doing this, either on a candle or in a firesafe dish, burn the cinnamon (prosperity and abundance), coffee (speed), rosemary (positivity) and spearmint (wealth and good luck)
The next morning, repeat your affirmation. Whether this is written down, said to yourself in the mirror or whispered quietly to yourself as you make your morning coffee.
Remember, with all intention setting and manifestation action is required, remember the list you made of how you achieved your goal and start putting those steps into place on the final night of the full moon.
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 <3
To celebrate the launch of ‘The Modern Craft’ Edited by Claire Askew & Alice Tarbuck and our fabulous giveaway*
The Digital Coven ‘Witchy Type Book Club’ are super excited to announce that we will be interviewing the fabulous Editors Claire Askew & Alice Tarbuck. Of course, as a coven we want to offer you the chance to ask them your question too.
We will be sending over our questions on the 30th June 2022, so make sure to send us your questions before then.
About ‘The Modern Craft’:
Offering inspiring glimpses from the brink of the contemporary Craft, these essays show how anyone, no matter who they are, can find positivity and the force for change in the subversive unknown.
Dr Claire Askew is the author of three novels: All The Hidden Truths, What You Pay For and Cover Your Tracks. A fourth, A Matter of Time, is out this year. Also a poet, Claire’s second collection How to burn a woman features voices from the European Witchcraft Hysteria. Claire’s accolades include the Lucy Cavendish Fiction Prize, a Jessie Kesson Fellowship and the McIlvanney Debut Prize.
Dr Alice Tarbuck is a writer, author of A Spell In The Wild and academic specializing in witchcraft and environmental humanities. She has been featured in Nasty Women and The Dangerous Women Project, and she has spoken on witchcraft at Scottish PEN, Freedom TV and the Arthur Conan Doyle Centre.
With courage, conviction, and a fierce love and respect for the craft, this fiery collection is poised to spark vital conversations and radical change in the world of witchcraft and beyond.
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:
Ahhhhhh we are sooooo excited to share this with you, Coven!
The Celebrate the release of the launch of ‘The Modern Craft’ Edited by Claire Askew & Alice Tarbuck we have partnered with Watkins Publishing to offer 3 lucky Digital Coven followers one of their ‘The Modern Craft’ Book Lunch Bundles.
How To Enter:
The bundles include a copy of the book which is released 14th June 2022. To enter please leave your details below (Don’t worry we won’t use them for anything else) to enter the prize draw. To get a futher entry please visit our instagram to take part in our Instagram giveaway.
Two books are on offer in a prize draw so Just fill out this form to enter. You can get a second entry into the competition by following digital coven over on Instgram and commenting on this post what The Modern Craft means to you.
An eclectic and radical collection of essays on witchcraft practice and the ethics of magic, The Modern Craft gives that much-needed modern context to timeless wisdom. It offers a fascinating snapshot of Powerful voices on witchcraft ethics and contemporary occult practice viewed through an intersectional lens.
Touching on a number of timely conversations, essay topics include:
the ethics of decolonization
meditations on what it means to honour
Mother Earth during the Anthropocene
the reclamation of agency for workingclass & queer witches through spellwork
Offering inspiring glimpses from the brink of the contemporary Craft, these essays show how anyone, no matter who they are, can find positivity and the force for change in the subversive unknown.
With courage, conviction, and a fierce love and respect for the craft, this fiery collection is poised to spark vital conversations and radical change in the world of witchcraft and beyond.
Due to popular demand, here is where Bunnypudding gets her teaware from…
Well hello there Coven, I’ve been pretty active over on my Tiktok and Instagram recently making lots of fabulous everyday witchcraft and lifestyle content and well, I hate to say this but the breakout star of my labour isn’t me. Oh no, it’s my bloody Rose Enamel Glass Tea Pot that I treated myself to as a moving in present.
Here she is in all of her glory. I call her Roseline after my grandmother and well, it has a bloody rose on it and some days I am more creative than others.
I’ve been asked about where I get my supplies and homewares on my videos and DMs so here is the list of kitchenware items used in my April Social Videos below. Some of the items are from different stores so if you are looking for a specific colour click the link below the picture 🙂
Of course, I will also be sharing recipes and how to’s for my tea blends in another post so watch this space (or check out my social media!)
Please note that there are some affiliate links on the copy on this page, this means that I get a commission for any purchases made via this post.
Tea Pots and Tea Pots Sets:
You can get my stunning rose tea pot in either red (Picture above) or blue. I am not going to lie, I want them all. It’s an issue, it really is.
One thing I need to stress though is that the tea pot is pretty small, so great for those who want to make one or two cups for tea or herbal spellwork but not so good if you are want to pour for several people at the same time. Great excuse to get two, otherwise, pay heed!
This is a rare set to get cheap, thus why I haven’t had it yet as these weren’t on offer when I was getting mine. I am truly gutted about this fact but it is also why I have two links below as I am sure they will be gone pretty quick.
Now if you really cannot help yourself, and I clearly cannot, you can also get the matching cups, and mugs (and there are even wine glasses but that is another post!) So I have listed the options for the blue and red designs below. They are honestly so beautiful and so much fun. Leave me to my life of staying at home drinking tea out of my fancy cups.
Phew! Be still my beating heart….Let me know if you have taken up any team making or decided to treat yourself to some new magick tea brewing kit below or via our social channels as we love to hear from you:
Witchcraft Around The World: The fabulous Tanja, shares her insight into Walpurgis Night.
We love learning about all different type of Witchcraft here at Digital Coven and today we have the fabulous Tanja, sharing her insight into Walpurgis Night.
Take it away, Tanja!
Greetings fellow witches! You may or may not be prepping to celebrate Beltane this weekend, so I thought I would make you familiar with what I like to call its “German goth counterpart”, – Walpurgisnacht, or the Night of the Witches, which takes place on the night of the 30th of April.
About Beltane
As you may know, Beltane is the pagan festival held halfway between the spring and summer equinox, celebrating the blossoming of trees and flowers and the days getting warmer. It takes place between 30th of April and 1st of May and therefore traditionally includes May Day celebrations which span across many different cultures – Celtic, German, Hawaiian and Greek, to name a few. They include dancing around a May Pole, making flower crowns and crowning a May queen (not to be confused with the customs of Midsommar – neither the Swedish festival nor Ari Aster’s horror masterpiece).
Beltane, from the Gaelic Bealtaine, can be roughly translated to “bright fire”. On the eve of May 1st, Pagans would gather to light bonfires and dance around them – since fire typically stands for purification and new beginnings, this ties in with Beltane’s themes of renewal and summer returning.
Like on Halloween (Samheim) and Midsummer, the veil between the realms of the living, dead and spirits is supposed to be especially thin this time of year. It is therefore no wonder the night became associated with witchcraft, its literal Dutch translation being “Heksennacht”, the night of the witches, which in German folklore became associated with a night where evil witches gather to plan their mischievous schemes.
For this negative association, we can thank the Catholic Church – as pagan beliefs did not fit in with the Christian religious ideals, during the Middle Ages they attempted to stamp out any other religion’s customs, including those of Beltane, throughout Europe. Walpurgisnacht i.e. “Walpurgis Night” derives its name from the Catholic missionary turned Saint Walpurga, who was celebrated for succeeding at putting an end to “pagan sorcery”.
Ironically, the image I associated with Walpurga until researching this date stems from a popular German children’s cartoon about a teenage witch – In this, she is the leader of the coven and looks like this:
As someone who grew up Catholic, that doesn’t look very pious to me, which goes to show that Walpurga today is associated way more with witches than she would have liked. Sorry, gal!
To give her credit, Walpurga actually did see to it that the pagan rituals didn’t completely die out: She was canonised on the 1st of May, and therefore, likely by accident, Christian and Pagan customs became entwined. Pagans could continue their celebrations without fear of being condemned, by doing it under the guise of honouring Saint Walpurga (article).
So, these practices could be continued quite freely in Medieval Germany, until the 16th century, which saw a massive hysteria about witchcraft followed by one of the most gruesome and bloody witch hunts in history taking place in Germany.
During that time, hysteria led people to believe that witches would gather on Mount Brocken, the highest peak in Germany’s Harz Mountains, to have orgies, dance, and meet with Satan to discuss how they could bring the most mischief and evil to the coming year (no, really).
According to some legends, witches would gather in the valley and then ride up to the mountain’s peak – not just on broomsticks, but even on cats or goats!
In an attempt to protect themselves from evil spirits and witches, locals would gather on April 30th to light bonfires, burn straw men and make loud noises to chase away evil. The joyous pagan rituals for fertility and summer returning therefore morphed into a gathering driven by fear. Well done, Catholic Church!
Luckily, those superstitions began to gradually die out and Walpurgis Night celebrations carried on but became more light-hearted, as people would gather around the fire, celebrate, and sing folk songs. The festival might not still be part of the German Zeitgeist today had it not been for Goethe’s famous poem Faust, published in the 19th century, which sees the protagonist travelling to Mount Brocken and taking part in the witches’ celebrations.
This poem, loathed by German highschoolers throughout the country, re-popularised Walpurgisnacht and is likely to thank for why it is still popular today.
Modern Day celebrations
Today, Walpurgisnacht remains part of German popular culture, with many other stories about the Witches’ mountain gatherings having sprung up in the century following Goethe’s Faust.
As for the celebrations, most that remains of them is the lighting of and gathering around bonfires, although this is now being celebrated under the new motto of Tanz in den Mai – “Dance into May”. Turns out, pagans, legendary witches and normal human beings alike love a bit of revelry and dancing around a fire! Due to the first of May being a bank holiday, Labour Day, people still traditionally like to go dancing at clubs which do “Tanz in den Mai” themed nights. I have taken part in many of these club nights and regardless of alcohol levels, the night has always felt special to me. Maybe there is something to the veil between the worlds being more permeable. Or maybe I just feel very seen as a witch on this holiday which is, in a way, dedicated to us.
Thanks, Tanja!
You can stay in touch with Tanja and find her shitposting and creating other digital content about drag, queer and witchy stuff on Instagram @tanjaktx and Tiktok @tanjatix
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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.
We speak to the fabulous ‘Witchy Freelancer’ and Word Witch, Emma Cownley in todays Working Witches interview!
We love everyday witchcraft here at Digital Coven and we know you do too, so we partnered with some fabulous real life witchy types to dicuss how they bring witchcraft into their daily lives. Today’s interview is with the fabulous Emma Cownley, or as we like to refer to her, The Word Witch! She is not only kicking ass in life but also in the business word, we love a Witch who means business!
Let’s get started shall we?
First, tell us about yourself!
My name’s Emma, and I’m a freelance writer from London. When I’m not busy being a pen monkey, you’ll find me playing the drums, riding horses, turning dead animals into works of art, or sitting in seat J13 at The Prince Charles Cinema.
And now…what you do and your career journey up until now
I’m a freelance writer for B2C brands in the music, fashion, and lifestyle space. I mostly write for alternative brands or super luxe brands. If I’m lucky, I’ll get a client who’s a mix of the two!
I started in a customer service role for an online aquatic retailer, and I slowly edged my way into the copywriting side of the business. Once I got a taste for writing, I went for my first proper copywriting job at printed.com.
After about four years, I realised I’d gone as far as I could with that company, and I decided to go solo. I’m a bit of a wimp and don’t have a lot of confidence, so I thought freelance life would help me own my power a bit more. And boy, has it. Trial by fire!
I’ve been freelance for five years now, and it’s been a real journey. In the best way, of course. One look at my website will show you how much of a hoot I’m having.
What is witchcraft to you?
It’s a grounding force and a guide. I’m a real dreamer — a romantic prone to floating away into space like an untethered balloon! I’m also a worrier. My practice gives me a sense of control and helps keep me rooted in the here and now. By reconnecting with nature, the cycle of the moon, and the turn of the seasons, I find firm and tangible grounding. It’s real, and it’s right there to enjoy.
Witchcraft is also a great lens for self-growth and self-examination. By moving with the seasons, journaling with tarot cards, and meditating with spirit guides, I can look at myself truthfully and gently course-correct towards being happier, kinder, and more content.
How do you use witchcraft in your day to day life?
I start the day by setting my intentions with a daily devotion (always gotta be walking in love and light!). I usually write in my dream journal each morning and I like to draw an oracle card for the day before I start work (I use The Literary Witches Oracle Deck). I also draw a tarot card at the full moon each month.
I’ll finish my day with a gratitude devotion where I think about how fucking lucky I am. I think about all the small delights I enjoyed during the day, the things that tested me and what I learned, and I take a minute to think about all my loved ones. It helps me decompress and unpack everything that happened, rather than letting each day slip past without a second thought.
My practice is mostly rooted in the practical, day-to-day side of things. I’d probably call myself a hearth witch — I’m very invested in cultivating good energy in my home and using it to help others.
Emma Cownley – Professional Word Witch
And professional life?
When I’m writing, I work with a muse spirit, and I sometimes light a candle for her. Whenever I sit down to work, I take a quick minute to think about how it feels when I’m struck by the excitement of a cool idea — your heart flips, and you get a sudden flush of energy. That’s the spirit of my muse! By making that small connection with the spirit of inspiration, I’ve ‘invoked’ her, and I’m ready to work.
I also use sigils for everything. As a writer, they’re my favourite magickal tool. I have sigils for my Filofax, for client jobs, and one that I use to ‘activate’ my home office. I’ve carved the office sigil into the side of an orange pillar candle, and I light it each morning to open up my office energies. I also smudge my office with sage once a week to clear out the nasties — I see my desk as a writing altar, so I like to keep it sacred.
How have you used witchcraft to support in shaping your career?
Tarot cards have played a huge part in shaping my career. I do a full yearly spread every Samhain and pay special attention to my business during that.
I also use Esbats and Sabbats to perform any magickal nudges needed to get me back on track. As a freelancer, a huge part of my business success comes directly from my own mindset and confidence levels. If I’m stuck in a pit of self-doubt or trapped in a scarcity mindset, I can really hurt my own progress. Magick helps me refocus and tap back into my personal power.
The Witchy Freelancer
Does your work know about your practice?
Absolutely. It’s become part of my brand at this point! Last year I came out of the broom closet by launching an mini eBook called The Witchy Freelancerand, to my delight, the freelance community rallied to support me. I was surprised by some of the people who bought it, too — people I’d never have suspected would be into all this ‘woo-woo’ stuff.
A few freelance colleagues recently called me out on Twitter asking for a witchy newsletter. After giving it some thought, I realised there actually was a lot of interest and a gap in the market for something like that. So I launched a monthly newsletter called The Copy Coven. It’s packed with writing exercises, creativity boosting ideas, and a section on the moon cycle of the month and how to work with it. I’d never have thought of the idea without my colleagues!
I’d love to make my practice a bigger part of my work life by joining forces with Wiccan and new age brands. It’s actually one of my goals for the year! Someone like Witchy would be great. I adore their products and their brand tone of voice.
How do colleagues/clients respond?
Really bloody well, actually! I try not to be preachy with my beliefs because I understand they’re not everyone’s cup of tea. I’d never want to make anyone feel uncomfortable. But, to be fair, I don’t think anyone was surprised when I ‘came out’! I even had two of my clients download my eBook — that’s how you know you’re working with the right people!
As someone who grew up Catholic, that doesn’t look very pious to me, which goes to show that Walpurga today is associated way more with witches than she would have liked. Sorry, gal!
