Spirit Work - Blog Posts
Liminal Spaces in Witchcraft
First of all, what is a liminal space? A liminal space refers to a place or time that is in a period of transition between two phases. These are usually places where reality feels altered because you are neither moving forward or backward, like a rest stop. The word liminal originates from the Latin word limens, meaning threshold. These places often give off a sense that time stands still and that you are experiencing some sort of reality shift.
In magic and witchcraft these spaces are considered to be the boundary between our world and the other, it is known as “the in-between”. These places are considered areas of great magic because it is believed this is where the veil is thin. These places are great for divination, spirit work, meditation and astral travel; they are ideal for hedge witchcraft.
Times & Spaces of Liminality:
crossroads manmade or natural
river, creek or lake shores/ beaches
hallway/corridor/stairwells/landings/doorways
graveyards
dawn, dusk, afternoon, midnight
valleys
forest glades
many more!
Samhain/Halloween is considered the best time to communicate with spirits and faeries because of its liminality, it is a time of transition between autumn and winter. Irish folklore tells that this is the day faeries and ghosts come out to play because of the veil thinning. The equinoxes and sabbats like Beltane and Imbolc are also days of liminality because the time of day and night are equal (equinoxes) or it is a transition between seasons.
Mental states of liminality are also times of spirit communication. While being in a meditative state we are in a state of transition between our concious and sub-concious minds, this is where we sometimes experience astral projection or messages from spirits. People often experience spirit while falling asleep because this is another state of liminality.
In my craft I often practice in liminality in order to connect with the faerie realms.
-Moonlight 🌙
Death Witchcraft Masterpost
-Beginner Death Witchcraft
-Unusual Death Witchcraft
-Spring Death Witchcraft
-Lost Cost Death Witchcraft
-Safe Crossings for Someone Who’s Passed (pet-friendly as well)
-Massaging the Bones (attuning tools and bones to your space)
-Web of Protection (symbiotic/deathwork based ward)
-A semi-theistic Prayer for Passing/Grief
-My Humorous Retelling of “Koschei the Deathless”
Graveyards:
-Ways to Bond with a Graveyard
-Graveyard Dirt Uses
-Graveyard Alternatives
-Graveyard Dirt Alternatives
-Subtle Graveyard Offerings
-Bereavement Traditions
Spirit Work/Ghosts:
-Spirit Work 101
-Autumn Spirit Work
-Communication with Ghosts
-Non-verbal Spirit Communication
-Using a Spirit/Ouija Board
-Spirit Work Techniques: Keys
-Spirit Work Techniques: Energy Directives
-Spirit Banishing Tip
Recipes/Spells:
-Spirited Jack O’Lantern
-Safe Crossings Jar
-Baked Apple Offerings
-Pumpkin Seed Offerings -Underworld Powder Series- Styx
-Underworld Powder Series- Lethe
-Underworld Powder Series- Cocytus
-Underworld Powder Series- Phlegethon
-Underworld Powder Series- Acheron
-Contacting a Loved One
-Death Witch Tip
-Death Witch Tip 2
Liminal Spaces:
Places where the veil is thin due to reality feeling distorted. These are usually spaces of transitional energy and are excellent for meditation, divination, astral work, etc.
Examples of Liminal Spaces:
the beach at night
any time after midnight but before sunrise
abandoned places
cemeteries
tunnels
underneath bridges
convenience stores after midnight
empty parking lots at night
airport terminals
waiting rooms
laundromats
empty classrooms/schools
*Reminder*: if you choose to visit any of these places please remember to make your safety your top priority. Liminal spaces are meant to feel like reality is distorted, but if you have any actual bad feelings or fears about a place, listen to them.
Shout-out to my spirit family. 🫶🏻 I love all of them.
I feel so blessed getting to know each and every one.
Spoken like a true hero (and ally.) 😌 Point made, loud and strong.
As someone who works a lot with Infernals and some other more “taboo” deities and subjects, I am SO glad to see this. I think we can all learn a thing or two from keeping an open mind.
can ppl stop shitting on demons please
Hell is, like, really, really big. And diverse. There are as many kinds of demons as there are spirits in general.
Not all of them are evil. They don’t all want your soul, or to tempt you, or to deceive you.
JUST LEAVE MY FRIENDS ALONE OKAY
Well I guess I should introduce myself
Howdy, I’m Roan. I can’t say I have a label for my practice, but I think eclectic is the best one. I practice kitchen and hearth craft, as well as spirit, energy, ancestral work and folk magic.
I have a strong interest in equine magic, as well as magic that applies to my area and connecting with the land around me. With this, I’m also always looking at ways I can incorporate my practice into my daily life, either through leatherwork or with my horses.
Follow along for the journey, I hope to post what I learn and offer it to others✌️
I think this has been my favorite episode to date, thank you for posting! Living in west Texas, which is mostly desert, the Wheel of the Year doesn’t apply to me, and the world around me is brimming with medicinal and culinary food but no one talks about them, locals included.
I’ve been doing my own research about how I can include the local land and spirits into my practice, and it gets tricky!
Hex Positive, Ep. 051 - Weather Witching with Marci the StormBornWitch
As so many of us are watching the weather reports with no small amount of anxiety, I sat down with my good buddy Marci (aka StormBornWitch from tumblr) to talk about her particular brand of weather magic and how a weather witch gets things down in a biome that looks very little like the one upon which the ubiquitous Wheel of the Year is based.
Further Reading by Marci:
Marci’s Weather Witching Tips
The Importance of Understanding Your Environment
Connecting With The Land – Australia
Marci’s Australian Seasonal Calendar Project
Communing With Spirits To Create Personal Correspondences
=
Follow Marci on Tumblr!
Register for the January 11th CritWitch Brew event!
Donate to the American Red Cross to aid with ongoing California wildfire relief efforts!
Visit the Willow Wings Witch Shop on Shopify and check out this month’s featured items and Upcoming Events. Make sure you also visit the Redbubble page for even more cool merch!
Check my Wordpress for full show notes, as well as show notes for past episodes and information on upcoming events. You can find me as @BreeNicGarran on TikTok, Instagram, and WordPress, or as @breelandwalker on tumblr. For more information on how to support the show and get access to early releases and extra content, visit my Patreon.
Proud member of the Nerd and Tie Podcast Network.
MUSIC CREDITS
Intro & Outro – “Spellbound” & “Miri’s Magic Dance”
Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/
crystals in death magic
ajoite - overcome sorrow, emotional healing
amethyst - eases grief and sadness
andalusite - crossing over into the afterlife
apophyllite - spirit communication
bixbite (red beryl) - eases grief
black tourmaline - eases grief
bloodstone - to strengthen ties with ancestors or loved ones who have passed on
blue lace agate - connection to the spirit world, eases passage into the afterlife
calcite - emotional healing, peace
carnelian - eases sorrow, protection in the afterlife
celestite - spirit communication
charoite - eases passage into the afterlife
cuprite - spirit communication
halite - dispelling negativity, protection
hematite - grounding, peace, transforming negativity
jade - protection in the afterlife
jasper - safe passage into the afterlife
jet - eases grief and mourning
kunzite - eases heartbreak
labradorite - spirit communication
lapis lazuli - spiritual connection
obsidian - healing, deflecting negativity, grounding, protection
onyx - grounding, protection
pink tourmaline - emotional healing
quantum quattro silica - eases grief
quartz - safe passage into the afterlife
selenite - spirit communication, eases passage into the afterlife
sunstone - spirit communication
tanzan aura quartz - spirit communication
tsavorite - connection to the spirit world
turquoise - spiritual attunement
violet flame opal - spiritual awareness
© 2024 𝚊𝚍-𝚌𝚊𝚎𝚕𝚎𝚜𝚝𝚒𝚊
Honoring the Spirits of Home: Creating Sacred Spaces for the Unseen
Welcome back, Seekers! Within my local coven, we are journeying through the mysteries of Spirit until Winter Solstice. Today, I introduced the art of crafting Spirit Houses, and I thought it would be fitting to share a bit of that here. I like to keep these crafty posts simple and open-ended, leaving space for the practitioner to add their own touch. The best magick often arises from just diving in and letting your intuition guide the way. May this inspire you to connect, create, and explore! 🌙✨
As witches, we work with spirits every day, whether we realize it or not. Our homes, like ourselves, are steeped in the spirit world, alive with layers of unseen inhabitants that have their own roles, wisdom, and stories to tell. For many of us, it’s a quiet understanding that a witch’s home should be haunted—not in the fearful sense, but filled with life that pulses in harmony with our craft. From ancestral guides and house spirits, to the land’s ancient beings, these entities weave themselves into the very fabric of our spaces, enriching them with energy and presence.
Regardless of whether a home is newly built or weathered by decades, each dwelling becomes imbued with spirit. There’s an existing ecosystem of energies that connect to the land itself, the history of the area, and the layers of life that once lived or passed through. These spirits, sometimes subtle, sometimes profound, thrive within the space we call home, coexisting with us and enhancing our magick. But it is up to us to nurture a balanced and harmonious relationship with them.
Why Connect with the Spirits of Your Home?
Developing a deep, reciprocal relationship with the spirits of your home doesn’t just benefit your craft; it offers blessings for everyone under your roof. When these spirits feel acknowledged and respected, they offer protection, lend strength to your magickal workings, and create an atmosphere of peace and nourishment. A home can truly feel like a sanctuary when the spirits that dwell within it are in harmony with those who reside there in the flesh. This connection turns your space into an anchor—a place of personal power, healing, and resilience.
Building Friendships with Spirit
Nurturing relationships with spirits requires time, care, and a commitment to reciprocity. Just as with human friendships, there is a cycle of giving and receiving. Spirits respond to sincere attention and intention, as well as the gifts and gestures we offer them. One meaningful way to foster this connection is by creating a spirit house or a dedicated space where spirits can feel welcomed and honored.
A spirit house is both a physical symbol and a spiritual anchor. It becomes a place where offerings can be left, and it serves as a gateway for interaction with the spirit world in a respectful and clear manner. It’s a way of saying, “You are welcome here, I honor your presence, and I seek your guidance and protection.”
Creating Your Spirit House
Designing a spirit house is a creative, personal process. It need not be elaborate; sometimes, the simplest gestures carry the deepest respect. You may choose a small altar, a shelf, or even a discreet box placed in a peaceful corner of your home. Consider using natural materials—wood, clay, or stone—as they tend to resonate well with spirits of place. Personalize it with items like stones from your land, soil, dried herbs, or even water from a local stream. Each addition builds a bridge between your energy and the spirits you invite into your home.
When crafting your spirit house, remember that offerings and gifts can strengthen this relationship over time. Spirits, like friends, appreciate time, energy, love, and tokens of appreciation. Remember, spirits are aware of intention as much as they are of the physical offering, so approach this creative expression with reverence and sincerity.
For my spirit house, I’ve chosen to weave in unsea, or “old man’s beard,” gathered lovingly from my mother tree, a sacred link to the ancient and wise energies of the land. I've placed birds within the space, their forms standing as messengers and symbols of spirit, guiding and connecting with the unseen. Mushrooms, too, find their place here, embodying my bond with the natural world—grounded yet reaching into hidden realms. They carry the magick of spiritual growth, reminding me of the mystery and connection to realms beyond. Each piece breathes life into the space, deepening my relationship with the spirits I honor… and I placed a bell at the entrance, placed with the hope of hearing it softly chime as the spirits pass through.
A Lesson for Young Witches
If you cannot find representations for a given element, remember…
You are supported by a rigid skeleton made of minerals. You are earth.
Your body is over 70% fluid. You are water.
Your lungs take in and expel breath. You are air.
Your blood is warm and your brain runs on electrical impulses. You are fire.
Your essence, however you describe it, resides within you. You are spirit.
You are composed of gifts from every element, and every element is given marvelous life in you.
Never feel that you are insufficiently magical for lack of icons or accoutrements or accessories.
You are ALWAYS magic. You are ALWAYS enough.
One moment I'm questioning the reality of my own practice, wondering if anything I learned about my craft from internal or spiritual sources is wrong because it never feels quite real enough, and the next moment I do a reading that is so fucking clear and defined and tells me the exact information I was looking for and I'm just looking the universe deeply in the eye and asking
Am I a fucking joke to you? Is this funny?!
A Simple Conjuring
Take a small taper candle and stick nine pins in it, top to bottom. At twilight, go into an empty room (or go outside, if the weather permits) and light it.
"Silver chime of falling pin,
let the sprites and spirits in."
This rhyme may be supplemented with further conjurations describing the spirit you seek. They shall appear when the last pin falls.
(You'd be wise to bring some sort of scrying device with you so that they can give you a visual.)
Hello everyone! Arcane Academia is a Discord server in which we have discussions about topics pertaining to spirit work, witchcraft, and anything in-between. Our server is open to anyone with any level of experience, as well as people who are interested and/or curious. If you are looking for advice or need some suggestions on what resources to read up on, our server can also provide in that area! Aside from the arcane, we also have channels for more general topics. The Arcane Academia is always open to branching out and looking for more members to join, so don’t be shy and pop in! We look forward to meeting you!
🌈 Spirit work isn’t all sunshine and rainbows 🌞
You can get bad spirits through, which you’ll need to know how to banish.
Sometimes, you’ll have to deal with angry spirits where you’ll have to keep control of the situation.
Always make sure you are protected before connecting with spirit, otherwise you’ll put yourself at risk.
Spirit is amazing, and they’re great to work with, but just be safe and smart about it.
If you’re protected, you’re fine.
If people actually protect themselves they don’t have to worry about trickster/negative spirits. If those type of spirits have scared people off from doing spirit work then, maybe spirit work isn’t for them. You need to know what you’re doing in spirit work to be able to do it safely and effectively. I once had to deal with a Djinn which took a lot of energy, but it didn’t put me off spirit work. People need to be aware of trickster spirits coming through so they know how to deal with them.
i will never forgive the witch community for implanting the idea of trickster spirits into other people's heads. even when no one's talking about it as much nowadays (thankfully due to plentiful debunking) the sheer amount of damage it's done to practitioner's sense of safety even now is too much. religion and/or deity work is supposed to be a beautiful thing, and all this has done is made people afraid to explore that beauty. i'm not saying tricksters aren't real, but they're not going to hunt you for sport for wanting to say hello to a deity.
Talk to your house
Your house is a sentient being with it’s own spirit and soul. Some people identify this spirit as their household deities or friendly house spirits. But some people have altogether forgotten how important the spirit of their house is. Talk to your house. Houses that have been ignored tend to be dull, tired and susceptible to hauntings and negative energies. So talk to your house, listen to its aches and pains, say hello. Tell it that you come in peace, tell it that you are there to listen to it speak. Be grateful to your house. And watch the energies of your home transform themselves into joy.
Making some seiðr/hedgeriding glycerite today. I love bearberry so much.
Seidr / Hedgeriding Tincture:
Bearberry - 90%
And:
Cedar
Wild rose petals & hips
Saskatoons
Burdock root
Elder flowers & berries
Horsetail
Rowan
Steep for a day or two in the fridge after tea is cooled.
Glycerin 60%
Tea 40%
Reminder that if you're asking spirits to help you with something long-term (i.e. protecting your home, bringing in job opportunities etc) it's good practice to have an agreement on "rest" and "finished" commands. I.e.
"When I tell you that it is time to sleep, return to your vessel and rest until I ask you to continue again."
"When I tell you that your work is done, I will thank you with an offering and our relationship is completed so you may leave my space."
Signed, someone who forgot to do this and had an unhappy spirit asking where their offerings where because I forgot to say that I now *had* job and didn't need them bringing me more!
All About: House Spirits
Well, it's about time I brought them up once again, in their own post. This guide may be on the lengthy side, but it's here to explain what they are and how to begin working with them.
What the hell is a house spirit?
House spirits come from all different cultures and folklore. Known as, you guessed it, guardians of the home. They protect the house itself, the land around it (they get along with the land spirit(s) most of the time), and they also protect the family if treated right. A home certainly doesn't feel like one without these presiding spirits helping. In fact it gives the home a life of it's own.
What do they look like? Are there types?
Across many cultures, there are these spirits and the folklore varies for each. In my tribe, we consider them to usually be little dwarves or goblins that must be appeased, otherwise they will cause bad luck or even resort to curses. Regular offerings are required. Then there are the land spirits, which is a whole other topic. If given regular offerings and respect, we believe that they will not only generate good luck and events for us, but protect us and help with our daily lives. For the witches of the tribe, they will often assist in rituals and spells. That all being said, this has carried over into my personal beliefs. Many cultures describe house spirits assisting with the same things and if they are displeased, bad occurrences following. As far as looks go, it depends on the folklore surrounding your area and your cultural background(s). You may believe in one or two types or an entire spectrum of house spirits from the realm of the fair folk. You could have one house spirit or twelve. It's entirely up to your home. In some cultures, there are door spirits (yes, that guard the doors) and ones that work in the kitchen, among others for different functions of the home.
Okay so, I live in an apartment building. Can I still work with them?
Yes. When I used to live in apartments, I found it was an either/or situation regarding how many were there. Some buildings have only a few that roam around, sometimes only one that protects the entire building, or there may be multiple hanging out in one apartment. Most complexes have multiple however. And then for the lucky buildings that have one for each apartment...those are nice. I've included a short offering ritual at the end of this post, which you can use to ask questions about whatever you wish to know, including how many there are in the building.
What kind of offerings do they like?
Milk, honey, bread, and herbs are a safe bet. They especially like bread baked by you, as they see it as a labor of love and that your energy is in there. Taking time to tend to the garden and taking care of your property & home in general are things they like to see. Don't leave the house a huge mess, as many prefer a tidy atmosphere. Not an offering per say, but important to mention nonetheless.
What should I put on their altar?
I keep my altar for them in the kitchen, as it is in a place that is undisturbed and can't be torn up by my land shark (aka, my dog). I also feel that most of the house spirits I have worked with in my life enjoy hanging out in this area of the home. They seem to like assisting in kitchen magic and cooking in general and the warmth of the stove. You may also want to include a small area near the front door if you believe that there are separate spirits for there. I'd recommend a shelf, as it won't take up as much space in the entryway.
Okay, back on track. Plants (if the space gets enough light), a cauldron, candles, offering bowls, a chalice, glass, or mug of some sort. A special spoon to stir the drinks or potions with. Decorative pieces from nature. Things you craft by hand.
How can I begin working with them?
Anytime, in reality. However, you do have to develop an actual relationship with them. This can take time and the more you speak to them, give offerings, and invite them in as you cook or clean, the more they will be willing to help with your spellwork, wards, and healing. Try the introduction ritual I've included. See what happens. Document it. Try again another time the following week. And just...keep going. Make sure that they know you haven't forgotten about them by leaving a small nightly glass of milk out before you head to bed. It doesn't have to be filled to the rim (hey, cost of living is ridiculous right now). It can be a splash with a squirt of honey added. Or a sprinkle of herbs on their bowl. Or maybe a small helping of what you whipped up for dinner. Point is to show them that you acknowledge and respect their presence. That will be the biggest component. Do the ritual once a week until you start seeing signs of contact. Once you do, make your own ritual with them. Incorporate them into your daily life. Ask them to help with blessing your cooking. Ask them to make sure your wards are in tact. Ask the door spirit to purify the energy of anyone that walks in & make bad people resist coming by. Start seeing if they'd like to sit in on a ritual, if you feel comfortable with that idea. Ask for a blessing when you clean the house & to assist you in removing all the bad energy.
Brief introductory ritual
To introduce yourself to your house spirits, I recommend sitting in your kitchen. If you consider your hearth to be the living room, you can choose to do it there. Make sure to bring offerings with that you feel will be applicable. Freshly baked bread (from your own hands) and some milk with honey stirred in would make a wonderful first treat. I usually introduce myself in a new home by bringing these treats to the location of choice, and start by speaking my intention aloud which goes something like:
"Spirits of the home,
Guardians and Protectors of this dwelling,
Please come sit with me and enjoy these offerings.
I wish to have a working relationship where we can honor, respect, and help each other."
I usually spend about ten-twenty minutes meditating after this is spoken aloud. Sometimes you will feel a strong presence. This is the time I take to set up my kitchen altar as well. If there is a place that I am able to create a mini-altar by the front door, I do so there for the door spirits. The land spirits get their own little thing out in the backyard. I've found in the many places I've lived, they almost always work together and some house spirits spend quite some time out there too!
From here on out, you'll develop your relationship with regular offerings and take it from there!
Some of the research I have been doing, has been revealing some interesting results. The connection between my ancestor Mikael and I is interesting and sort of complex.
At the base of it all, it's a spiritual attachment. Our emotions are separate, and I am aware of how he feels during certain situations. And under stressful situations, I can choose to fully channel him. I rarely do this, because my posture, tone, attitude, etc. changes due to Mikael. Mikael is a no bullshit kind of man, I mean he's a 800 year old mercenary, I expect nothing less. When it's like this the best way I can describe it like Eddie Brock and Venom. I'm aware with my hands on stand by, but he is very much present.
Now, most of the time it's just communication via dreams and automatic writing, and he can communicate through channeling as well. This isn't a 24/7 occurrence, it is tiring and I have to keep snacks on deck. For the clearest results, I do need to be in a calm/relaxed state.
When I was in the kitchen, I did partial physical channeling. Mostly to help me be ambitextris, I'm right handed, he's left handed, and he would help give me a boost of energy if needed. But that would be taxing for the both of us, and we both would need a rest. Also, I noticed some mental perks. Other family members that don't believe in the esoteric, noticed I have a calmer, more serious demeanor, but also great at giving sound advice.
As an addendum: I talked to my therapist about spiritual psychosis, because I've had visions, and I have a therapist, and she had some thoughts.
If you are noodling over what kinds of spiritual experiences are psychologically healthy and not, Abraham Maslow wrote a book called _Religions, Values, and Peak Experiences_ that you should probably read.
Psychosis comes with compulsions. If you have an experience and still feel free to choose for yourself what you do and do not do, religiously speaking, it's not spiritual psychosis. Spiritual psychosis is psychosis with spiritual window dressing. It is spiritually themed, but not actually spiritual in nature, if that makes any sense. If your visions are threatening, and you feel like you can't say no to them, that is spiritual psychosis. If Hekate appears and tells you everything is going to be ok, but you should probably work on being nicer to people (and you think about that, and tell her maybe, but that's really hard, and you don't know if you can do that) that isn't.
Another problem, also with spiritual window dressing, but far more common, is spiritual bypassing. This is when you use spiritual ideas and practices to sidestep or avoid facing unresolved emotional issues, psychological wounds, and unfinished developmental tasks. So, if you take a theological position that the gods hate everyone who does X because it triggers your trauma, that is spiritual by-passing. If the gods comfort you when you are hurting, that is not.
Edit: If you want to know what causes psychosis, here is an article. Funky religious and spiritual practices aren't on the list.
Water, the flow, the womb, the origin of life, the element that is in constant movement and transformation. Water flows through our bodies and across the earth; we depend on it for life. As far back as we can remember, humans have been intimately connected with water, both physically and spiritually. According to the theory of evolution we emerged from aquatic sources and ancient creation stories from around the globe told us life on earth originated from waters. Ancient Civilizations around the globe built the first cities near water sources. Water is deep, receptive, and purifying, and represent both the life giver and the death bringer.
Some of the most common water spiritual correspondences are:
Orientation: West
Qualities: Emotion, Intuition, Flexibility, Receptivity
Magical Weapon: Cup, Cauldron, Mirror, Comb
Rituals: Divination, Purification, Healing, Blessings, Transformation
Places: lakes, springs, streams, rivers, beaches, oceans, seas, wells, fountains, waterfalls
Natural elements: rain, thunderstorms, snow, ice, fog, seashells, starfish, pearls, dolphins, seahorses, frogs, toads, fish, turtles.
Tarot: Cups
Rune: Laguz
Zodiac Signs: Cancer, Scorpio, Pisces
Spirits: Naiades, Nereids, Mermaids, Oceanines, Nymphs, Kelphis, Each uisge, Gwragedd Annwn, Morgens, Nixie, Jenny Greenteeth, Peg Powler, Crinaeae, Limnades, Pegaeae, Sirens, Camenae, Asrai, Karkinos, Charybdis, Cetus, Grindylow, Kraken, Pistrice, Selkies.
Deities: Aphrodite, Venus, Mefitis, Diana, Thetis, Leukothea, Ino, Amphitrite, Hapi, Sobek, Neptune, Poseidon, Oceanus, Sabrina, Melusine, Acionna, Boann, Bormana, Dylan Ail Don, Llyr, Sinann, Sequana, Nefti, Khnum, Tefnut, Anuket, Abzu, Enbilulu, Achelous, Anapos, Nereus, Pontus, Scylla, Proteus, Thalassa, Coventina, Fontus, Juturna, Danu, Proteus, Tiamat, Triton.
The Ultimate Deity Journal Guide
Similar to my grimoire guide, this is a guide on deity journals.
What Is A Deity Journal?
A deity journal is a journal dedicated to a deity. It’s filled with information, offerings, devotional pieces, etc. If you like journaling or can’t give other physical offerings (like food, libations, etc.), it’s one of the best offerings out there.
What Do I Use For It?
Usually deity journals are physical journals and notebooks. Binders and folders work as well. I have seen deity journals online, using things like Notion or Google Docs. Those are a little harder to format, but are great if you don’t have a notebook or aren’t a fan of physical journals.
So, What Do I Put In It?
Devotional Artwork
Devotional Playlists
Pressed/Dried Flowers or Herbs
Prayers
Devotional Poems or Stories
Myths
Recipes
Stickers
Experiences or Dreams
Photos
The Basics (Name, Epithets, Domains, Family, Associations, Holidays, Symbols, Sacred Days, Sacred Animals, Etc.)
Spells/Rituals That You Want To Or Have Done With Them
Offerings And Devotional Act Ideas
Journal Prompts
Magazine/Book Cutouts
Hymns
Shopping List (Things You Want To Buy For Them)
Fabric Scraps
Letters To Them
Divination Readings With Them
Coins Or Other Currencies
How You Celebrate (Or Plan To) Holidays Or Sacred Days With Them
UPGs
Altar Plans (Drawings Or Descriptions Of Altar Ideas)
Incense, Herb, And Oil Blends
Drops Of Wax, Wine, Etc.
Seed Packets
Blessings
Charms
Charm/Spell Bags
Travel Plans (Places You Want To Go For Your Deity)
Maps That Remind You of Them
Sigils Dedicates To Them
Superstitions Related To Them
Research On Their Birth Place
Devotional Jewelry Charging Station
Affirmations Dedicated/Influenced By Them
Small Sticks Or Branches
Book Annotations
Divination Techniques Related To Them
Relationship Goals (Better Communication, More Signs, Etc.)
Their Associated Rune/Tarot Card/Etc.
Teas And Tea Blends
Folklore/Mythology Entities Related To Them
Vision Board
Goals
Diary Entries And Rants
Taglocks
Paper/Straw/Etc. Dolls
Doodles
References/Further Reading
Pagan Prayer Journaling Prompts
Have you ever wanted to try Pagan journaling? If you don’t know where to start, here are a few prompts that you can read for inspiration.
Daily Check-Ins:
These are journaling practices that you can do on any given day, or daily if you choose.
Write down five things you’re grateful for, and thank the Gods for them.
Meditate for two, five, or ten minutes. Write about it afterward.
If you remember last night’s dream, record it and what you think it might mean.
Tell the Gods about your goals for the day.
Read one chapter of a book each morning and write notes.
Record the weather. How does it make you feel? Would you thank your deities for the weather or season?
Cleanse with smoke or crystals and then write down how you feel afterward.
Perform divination--draw a tarot card, pull a rune, or scy for a bit. What was your question? What was your answer?
Talk to the Gods about what is bothering you.
Find an inspirational quote. What do you like/not like about it? How does it relate to your practice?
Choose one symbol, crystal, herb, or divination tool. Research its correspondences and note how you can use it in your practice.
Contact a spirit you’re familiar with. What method did you use? Divination, meditation, or something else? How did it go?
For a Pantheon/Religion:
These prompts can help you learn about a religion/pantheon or explore your own beliefs.
Are there any major holidays coming up? If so, how can you prepare for them?
Study how the ancients practiced this religion, and take notes. What can you include in your practice? What will you exclude?
Look up the tenets of your religion, if applicable. Do you agree or disagree with these rules? How can you include them in your practice?
Give an offering to the Gods, such as a candle, incense, coffee/tea, or even water. How do you feel afterward? Is any particular deity grabbing your attention?
Talk about your favorite or least favorite myths from this religion.
Jot down a general prayer for all the deities, such as “Gods, I thank You all for ___.”
If you are interested in any other pantheon, study it and take notes.
Research a deity in your pantheon Whom you don’t know as well. What did you learn about Them?
How do you feel about this religion’s view of the afterlife?
Does your religion have a holiday calendar? If so, write about it.
Are there any local legends or folklore where you live? Study and write about them.
Why did you choose this religion or pantheon?
If you are eclectic or still choosing a Pagan religion, write down what you are looking for in a belief system.
Write down anything you love about your religion/pantheon.
Record your worship goals. In the next month, season, or year, look back at your list. What have you accomplished?
Are you thankful to this religion for any positives in your life? If so, write those down.
For 65 Pagan journaling prompts, read the full blog post.
I honestly believe the gods want you to be independent. They do not want you calling on Them five times a day. They are not constantly hanging over our shoulder, telling us "make the bed, eat healthy, don't skip breakfast, work out, try harder on that math question, take the water instead of soda, do your homework right after school, shower, brush your teeth, go to sleep on time, etc"
We should be able to manage ourselves. They are there to support us, and They might help in certain areas, like if you have an ED then yes maybe They do push a little harder for you to eat healthily, but for the most part no. They are gods, not our parents.
If you rely on Them too much throughout the day, if you keep calling on Them out of loneliness and needing someone to tell you to make the right decision, you've got
✨ A co-dependent relationship ✨
Which means if that deity leaves, takes a break, or if your connection is severed for some reason, you will completely break down. That is not sustainable. That is not healthy.
And no god wants that for Their worshiper.
I don't know if I just haven't encountered it yet, but I haven't really seen anyone talking about or acknowledging something that's neither Unverified Personal Gnosis or Shared Personal Gnosis, but rather a third thing: Personal Group Gnosis.
PGG emerges from a small group of people having similar experiences to each other, which may or may not resemble anything that people outside of the group are experiencing.
This isn't inherently a bad thing. But among those who lack critical thinking skills, it can lead to some real trouble if they conclude that their similar experiences means that they're uncovering an actual objective truth, regardless of whether it's congruent with anything anyone outside of the group is experiencing.
One thing that many people fail to account for is the fact that they and their group generally share many of the same preconceptions and biases. For example, a group of younger Wiccans are very likely to believe in now-debunked ideas such as the great goddess hypothesis and the witch cult hypothesis. They'll believe in the existence of pagan gods, but they'll probably have a Christian-influenced understanding of divinity and morality, with little to no comprehension of the role that animism played in the development of pre-Christian traditions, nor with any real appreciation for how different values influenced the stories that people told about gods and other spirits.
They might even be exposed to similar media, which gives them all similar ideas about gods, spirits, and history. Even if they don't directly engage with the most popular media, it can still reach them through second or third hand exposure.
They're also likely reading the same spiritual, occult, and esoteric writers; or at least, reading people who have very similar ideas to one another.
And finally, since they're most likely friends and therefore trust each other, they are naturally biased toward accepting each other's experiences as valid, and working them into their own mental maps of the spiritual or metaphysical world.
In short, they're all primed to have very similar experiences to each other.
Without awareness that exposure to similar ideas can influence similar mystical experiences, it's very easy for a small group like this to generate a sort of shared map of reality that they feel justified in regarding as absolutely, objectively true.
It's at this point that people begin to feel confident telling you that if you just talked to your gods about what they're claiming, your gods would absolutely confirm them to be true. And if they don't, you were never really talking to those gods.
Having one's entire internal map of reality dictated by Personal Group Gnosis can be incredibly dangerous. It alienates you from the rest of the world by making you feel as if the only people you can trust are those who agree with your PGG. It can make you see outsiders as spiritually inferior, especially if they disagree with you outright. It can even encourage conspiracy thinking, because attributing what outsiders believe (or apparently believe) to the actions of a malicious conspiracy is a very common rationalization.
In other words, this is how you get a cult.
Now, a lot of people won't recognize it as a cult (and some will vehemently deny it's a cult) because it might not have a clear leader (though there's almost certainly a small number of people who have the most influence), and it probably doesn't have a financial goal. However, the destructive capacities of small groups of people living in their own reality cannot be denied. Members who don't go along with the group's accepted model of reality are often treated harshly, and are frequently targets for harassment. They may say that if you don't like it you can just leave, but let's be real, that's no simple matter if you believe that these are the only people with a real grip on reality, or if these people are basically your only friends, or even just your only friends who share your spiritual beliefs.
(If you're in this kind of situation? My advice is to start making more friends outside of this group. You don't have to cut yourself off from this group cold turkey; you can just start hanging out with other people more.)
Now, I'd like to emphasize that none of this is to say that PGG is inherently bad; I am only pointing out that it can be incredibly dangerous for people who lack knowledge, perspective, and critical thinking skills. Additionally, a group where there's a lot of this going on can be very dangerous for those who desperately just want to belong and get along, and push themselves to adopt their groups popular beliefs for fear of consequences.
Just like a single person's UPG doesn't dictate reality for everyone, neither does a single group's gnosis. PGG isn't inherently any better or more "correct" than UPG.
Today I'm thinking back on the discovery that people get freaked out by animism because it makes them feel like everything is alive and judging them. Here's something that hopefully helps with that.
You know pets? Love 'em. Probably if you've had a pet you've done stuff like change clothes and fart in front of that pet. Normal stuff that you probably wouldn't do in front of just any human, but your pet doesn't judge. It just figures you're doing normal human stuff. Because that is exactly what you're doing.
That's how I figure most spirits see us, if they're even paying attention to us. Just an animal going about its business.
Does this help?
Learning the history behind your Gods is one of the easiest ways to dismantle the allure of “danger” that being raised monotheistic sometimes places on the very concept of syncretic worship.
Like, for example, when you realize how many gods of the Greco-Roman Pantheon(s) are borrowed or heavily influenced by other cultures you’ll realize that there’s no concept of “true” Hellenic or Roman worship. You’re worshipping a bunch of Gods only some of whom are rooted in only-Greek or only-Italic concepts and cultural ideas. A lot of Them are Syrian, Celtic, Iranian, Egyptian, Sumerian, Anatolian, etc. - or are influenced enough to lose this “purity” of self.
Worshipping this religious cluster is by definition being syncretic, I would say. Because Greek and Roman Pantheons are by definition syncretic. You’re fine. You’re not “disrespecting” anyone by doing this.
Do you know anything about trickster Spirits pretending their deity's?
I don't have much experience with that, sorry.