Spellcraft - 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 🌙

How to Write Your Own Spells

There are lots of ways to create spells, from planning everything to the minutest detail ahead of time to absolutely flying by the seat of your pants in the moment. If you'd like to write your own spells, either for use in your craft or as a creative exercise, here are some suggested steps that I use in my own practice:

1) Determine the intent or goal of your spell. Decide, first and foremost, what you want the spell to do. Refine your goal if necessary and try not to be too nebulous. Your intent tells the spell what it's meant to do. A more focused goal may increase the chances of success.

2) Determine how you want the spell to manifest. Decide how the spell should work and what the result should look like. This is a good time to build in a sign of success, especially for spells that may not work in an obvious or visible way.

3) Determine what or whom the spell will affect. If the spell is to have a target, be it a person or a place or an animal or an object, decide what that should be and how they or it will be represented in the casting.

4) Determine how long the spell is meant to work. If your spell is timebound or has a deadline, decide what that will be. If the spell is meant to work long-term, you may want to check in and refresh it from time to time. (Not every spell will be timebound. Many spells will simply expire when they have fulfilled their purpose or if they are blocked or circumstances are not favorable.)

5) Determine the timing of the spell, if applicable. Not everyone uses celestial or astrological timing for their spells, but if you do, look into the prevailing conditions and decide on an advantageous time for your casting. (Please note that magical timing can only enhance your spell and casting something on the "wrong" day will not necessarily cause it to fail.)

6) Determine what methods and materials you want to use to cast the spell. Decide how you're going to go about performing the casting, whether you're doing a ritual or making a charm or just using energy. If you're going to need a ritual space or physical components, plan that out and make sure it fits with what you want to do.

7) Determine the words, if any, which will empower the spell. If you want to include a prayer or a petition or a song or an incantation with your spell, decide what that should be. This is not strictly necessary and the words need not be spoken aloud. (Rhyming incantations are not required, but if you prefer them that way, you can certainly do so.)

8) Prepare the materials for casting the spell. Get all your necessaries together ahead of time. Make sure you have everything you need, that tools and components are in good and useable condition, prepare your workspace, and make sure everything is within easy reach so you don't have to stop and search for things in the middle of your casting. (And for goodness sake, if you're working with open flame, observe fire safety and tie your hair and sleeves back.)

9) Finalize details and perform the casting. When you're ready to begin, try to eliminate as many possibilities for distraction or interruption as possible. Go over your spell and components one more time, then proceed with casting the spell.

10) Record the particulars for future reference and to determine how well the spell worked. Make a record of the spell, including your goal, how it should manifest, the words and components used, the date of the casting, the casting method and procedure, and how the casting went. If there are any additional details or observations that seem important, include those as well. This will serve as a useful learning tool in the future and will allow you to check your work if the results make themselves known.

It's useful to write spells from time to time if the inspiration strikes you, in order to better understand how they fit together and how they work. Plus it's a fun and creative journaling exercise and recording the spells you cast a great way to measure your progress later on.

For additional tips on writing your own spells and helpful tricks for using timing and available materials to your advantage, check out my podcast, Hex Positive, Eps. 006-007, "Come In For A Spell, pt 1 & 2."

(And if you’re enjoying my content, please feel free to drop a little something in the tip jar or check out my published works on Amazon or in the Willow Wings Witch Shop. 😊)

Happy Witching! 🔮✨

Participating in the BLM movement comes in various forms, and regardless of what's contributed, we need you.

For those in the front line, risking your lives every single day to ensure that black voices are heard— I stand with you. You are brave, you are change, you are revolution. Be safe, be smart, cover your identifying aspects, research ways to counteract police attacks safely. Use sigils, use protection, BE protection. We see you, we hear you.

For those that cannot be there in the protests, I urge you to be loud. Share verified information, donate to organizations that contribute to the cause, support your local black owned businesses (they need us more than ever), join the July 7th boycott. You are just as important as these protestors.

Witches, these protestors and the like need us. June 5th, on the full moon, there will be a mass casting. Do your part. Spell jars, hexes, jinxes, curses, sigils, candle lighting, whatever you can possibly contribute— I urge you to do it.

No Justice. No Peace.

We fight for the silenced.

BLM ✊🏻✊🏼✊🏽✊🏾✊🏿 ACAB

i really gotta spend more time with my grimoire

we parted briefly. she's a messy one.

Herbs and their uses 🌿

Basil: Money, luck, prosperity, Happiness

Bay leaf: Energy, cleansing, can be charged with almost any intention

Camomile: Caring, kindness, luck, growth, self-love growth, confidence, avoiding negativity, happiness

Cinnamon: Passion, quick success, fire magick (put some cinnamon in your hand, set an intention, blow it into your home for wealth or prosperity)

Chia seeds: Growth, health, kindness, property

Chili flakes: Pride, confidence, power, strength, passion

Cumin: Courage, bravery, protection, loyalty

Dandelion: Wishes, charisma, success, good luck

Dill: Sexual love, luck, protection

Eucalyptus: Cleansing, healing, purifying, relaxing, comfort

Fennel: Hate, anger

Flax seeds: Prosperity, growth, new beginnings

Ginger: Fiery passion, success, personal power

Jasmine: Love, dreams, sensuality, luxury, kindness

Lavender: Love, attraction, purification, relaxation, restful sleep

Nutmeg: Luck, health, fidelity, love, prosperity, comfort. loyalty

Oregano: Comfort, love, warmth

Paprika: Pride, confidence, power, strength

Parsley: Cleansing, purification

Peppermint: Healing, purification, love, energy, prosperity

Poppy seeds: Protection, intuition, self-assurance, hexing and cursing

Rose: Love, beauty, harmony, romance, attraction

Rosemary: Cleansing, purification, wisdom, protection

Sesame seeds: Prosperity, growth, health, nurturing

Spearmint: Love, cleansing, renewal, blessing

Sunflower seeds: Happiness, growth, joy

Thyme: Beauty, strength, courage

Turmeric: Confidence, creativity, energy

Vanilla: Love and sexuality

Planning for the Taurus full moon (10/28) I know that I want to do a financial stability ritual and house protections. But I haven’t reallyyyyyy planned.. I’m very excited to though!

I will post updates, also still have tarot pulls I want to post. ✨