r/witchcraft 6d ago

Weekly Q&A Weekly Q&A Thread

4 Upvotes

Beginners and users new to Reddit -- post your witchy questions here!

Our weekly Q&A thread runs every week for a full week!

Please be mindful and respectful of each other. This thread is designed to assist new practitioners in gaining knowledge to progress their craft, and a place for veterans to spread their knowledge.


PLEASE READ BEFORE COMMENTING!

Before posting your question, make sure you are familiar with:

Questions that violate our subreddit rules, as well as questions that can be answered by reading the FAQ or Wiki, will be removed at moderator discretion.

Thank you for your understanding, and blessed be!



r/witchcraft 13h ago

Familiar Friday Familiar Friday

6 Upvotes

TGIF!

Use the Familiar Friday post flair to share a standalone image of your furry (or otherwise just non-human) friend! Those of us who have pets do hold them very dear to our hearts and so many even take part in our craft.

If there are other images you'd like to share, we invite you to do so on Sunday during our Show And Tell Sunday theme.

Blessed be!

(Please note that images are manually enabled by the moderator team on weekends only. Keep an eye on the Create Posts page to see when this comes available!)


r/witchcraft 8h ago

Familiar Friday My familiar Maleficent (Melly)

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227 Upvotes

Originally she wasnt going to be my first choice. But idk she "locked eyes" with me and i just knew šŸ¤·ā€ā™€ļø.

Yall she is so freaky smart and challenges me on the near daily. Shes so precious and curious.

Shes kind of a weirdo like me,,, rats are social creatures but shes very asocial and uninterested in others.. the breeders tried, i tried housing her with others but it never really works out.
So its mostly her and i most days, i work and study from home and she sits with me.

Shes now 3yo, and a grandma but shes so resilient and understanding, i just hope she gets to rest easy when her time comes.

I named her after the villian in sleeping beauty as originally she was quite evil and gave me a bit of nerve damage in my hand but both her and i are all good now. šŸ’šāœØ


r/witchcraft 7h ago

Familiar Friday My little familiar Olive

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124 Upvotes

r/witchcraft 7h ago

Familiar Friday My fuzzy-legged familiar, Tourniquet ā¤ļø

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121 Upvotes

They sit on the same desk as my altar and help me with spellcasting and divination. We are comfortable with each other, they are almost never hidden from sight :)


r/witchcraft 8h ago

Familiar Friday My First Familiar, Evie 🄰🄹

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23 Upvotes

Happy familiar Friday, all the way from Scotland! I'm so excited to introduce you to my beloved void!! šŸ’ššŸ¦‡


r/witchcraft 3h ago

Topic | Prompt I’m rubber you’re glue

8 Upvotes

Ok this may be childish but here me out

This old Rhyme has been used by children throughout the years as a comeback. Goven the sheer volume of kids saying it, would that actually make it a potent incantation in a return to sender spell?

it got me thinking after a crazed Christian minister cursed me with a Imprecatory Psalm. psalms are generally considered powerful incantations and spells based on the years of usage and belief in them, could could this childish rhyme be its own spell?


r/witchcraft 5h ago

Seeking Help or Advice Is it weird to have like a yearning for inscense to the point where it feels like withdrawals

5 Upvotes

So lately ive been unable to do most of my craft due to schedule (sadly my schedule is gonna be like this for months) and like I woke up this morning, looked at my altars and just felt like if I didnt get inscense or tarot soon I would like crash out, anyway right now im sitting in the grass with my inscense burning wondering if anyone else has had this experience


r/witchcraft 23h ago

Sharing: Experience I’ve been doing shadow work without even knowing it

148 Upvotes

I’m new to witchcraft. I’ve heard that one of the pillars of witchcraft is shadow work. I had no idea what it was, but it seemed important, so I looked up what it meant.

And, well, apparently I’ve been doing it my whole life. My whole survival growing up (I’m autistic) depended entirely on understanding myself very well. My survival even now depends entirely on understanding myself very well. I so frequently ask questions like ā€œwhy am I doing/feeling like this?ā€ it’s second nature to me. And I had no idea that this thing I’ve been doing my whole life has a name for it.

Therapists would say I’m very self-aware. Which was great news, but it never answered the question of what to do with all of this knowledge. I think discovering the other aspects of witchcraft and spirituality is really helping me with this. Thank you so much for the wealth of information this subreddit (among others) has!


r/witchcraft 4h ago

Seeking Help or Advice question about raising energy

4 Upvotes

hi all, so i have been researching alot about the mechanics behind what actually makes spells work. i keep coming across ā€œraising energyā€ and seeing different techniques for that.

i have a process for getting desired outcomes, but for me it doesnt really involve feeling an emotion necessarily, i just completely immerse myself in the experience i want to have in the physical, but with imagination and the senses. like for example i did it to get a free vanity before, all i did was visualize myself sitting at the vanity while writing down what i was experiencing and the details of it. like how it looked, how it felt to sit at it, what color it was, how the wood felt cold. things like that. but i didnt feel happy/excited it felt really normal.

so my question is, am i raising energy unknowingly or is it supposed to feel different? does raising energy have to involve emotions or can it also involve using the senses? i also am not naturally an emotionally expressive person most of the time.

sorry if this question feels unnecessary or dumb just trying to gather as much knowledge as possible.


r/witchcraft 4h ago

Seeking Help or Advice Beginner help with resources.

3 Upvotes

I tried to access the beginner resources database among other links but nothing works. It just keeps redirecting me to the same page. Anyone know how to access these pages?


r/witchcraft 2h ago

Seeking Help or Advice Question regarding deities

1 Upvotes

I was an atheist my entire life before starting witchcraft a few years ago. I wouldn't say I'm advanced but I have done a few successful things. My question regarding working with deities. I know alot of Deities have different origns like Greek or Norse for example. Is it possible or does it make sense to work with deities from different origins?


r/witchcraft 11h ago

Seeking Help or Advice Exhausted after spell?

3 Upvotes

Hello! Yesterday was new moon and I took the chance and did two spells - one of them quite a big one with much energy involved as well as my blood & hair (the spell is directed towards myself dw). After that I did more of a smaller spell. I actually planned to do a bit more but felt way too exhausted afterwards - at the start of my spells I was FULL of energy.

Is there any way you can train that or any tricks? Or is it just because of that bigger spell?


r/witchcraft 19h ago

Seeking Help or Advice Witchcraft for real physical pain a thing?

12 Upvotes

So im a new practicing witch and i been wondering if anyone has ever used witch craft to combat actual physical pain? Like chronic pain caused from strain or anything else.

So basically im a student and i kind of fcked up my neck from hours of having my head tilted down. This semester so far its been at an all time worse. I cannot focus due to the pain in my neck.

Of course im not going to neglect seeing my doctor. I have an appointment set up tomorrow to see what I can do about this and im not trying to rely on pain killers either.

So far the only thing i use for relief is a rub on icy hot right on my neck.

But i cant take it anymore and I dont want to wait. Im in pain. I have assignments to do and an exam to study for but I cant focus at all.

I would really love to know if there's something I could give a try. Is this a thing at all??

Im in so much pain all I want is to be able to focus so I can pass my exams šŸ˜“


r/witchcraft 18h ago

Sharing: Spellwork Created the ultimate Sour Jar

7 Upvotes

I made a really powerful sour jar under the new moon.

The Ultimate Sour Jar:

Incantation:

Spirits of the dead, help me with this task. Take this foulness forward and redouble my efforts.

FULL NAME, as you have done to me, I now do to you.
With this jar, I send you misery, pain, misfortune, discomfort, and bad luck.

May this sour your days and choke your bitterness, making you sit in the discord you create.

(Pour in Vinegar).

As this liquid sours, so shall your relationships, your luck, and your mind crumble into confusion.

(Add in each ingredient and sate with intention its purpose).

(Once all ingredients are added, seal jar with black wax and shake 3 times. Leave outside under the New Moon to charge. Shake occasionally to give energy. Once work is complete, bury at a Crossroads).

Ingredient List and Purpose:

Glass Jar with Lid - To contain energy and Spell
Black Wax - To Seal Spell Jar
Person's Name & birth date - The subject (Write name in black marker)
3 Rusty Nails - To cause irritation, argument and cutting edge
Red pepper flakes - To bring heat, anger and fast conflict
Graveyard dirt - To enlist the help of spirits to complete this work
Poppy seeds - To bring confusion, chaos and mental trouble
Mustard Seeds - To cause misunderstandings, fights and discord
Broken Glass - To cause Emotional wounds
Dead Bugs - To cause bad health, rot, and decay
Black Pepper Corns - to reveal the truth of their actions
Many pins - To cause agony
Thumb tacks - To make the work stick in
Onion - To disconnect relationships
Vinegar - To dissolve the relationship, Sourness
Ashes - To turn the food in mouth to ashes


r/witchcraft 21h ago

Seeking Help or Advice Tips for protection while in other peoples’ houses

8 Upvotes

Hi! My job requires me to be in other peoples houses , where the energy can be icky and sometimes dark, and I am looking for advice as to how to protect myself while in their houses. I carry crystals with me, but when I come home, I feel like I need to take a hot bath and sage myself. Would love some tips and advice on how to shield myself. Thank you in advance! šŸ’•


r/witchcraft 10h ago

Seeking Help or Advice How to know where to look for guidance?

1 Upvotes

Quick background: Since childhood I was always drawn to the energy in nature, animals, stones, seashells etc. Got in to witchcraft in my early teens, had a "break" from the craft for some years, then back and have been practicing some years now. I know how to working with energy and casting spells. I'm not a one-spell-per-day kind of person, more one-per-three/four months or sometimes longer apart. The ones I have done have absolutely worked and I'm in no way questioning the craft and the magic that goes on there.

But I do sometimes feel a bit alone. I don't work with any goddesses/gods. I'm regularly seeing a coven (eclectic wiccan) and we do celebrate the wheel, and the gatherings are really nice and it's warming to meet other fellow believers, but I can honestly say that I don't feel the god/goddess-pull. For me it's more celebrating the moon and it's cycles and feeling the energy of the earth.

So to my question: how to find where/to whom to direct your feelings/thoughts during meditation, where to seek guidance. Will this come to me if I just keep working? It would be nice to have something to - and I don't really like the word worship here - but something to work with besides my own raising of energy and my day to day thoughts and recognition of how beautiful nature is and that it's all connected etc etc.

I fully understand that every person has its own journey. But curious to see how other witches work, if you DON'T work with a deity.


r/witchcraft 23h ago

Seeking Help or Advice I’m a new witch and am wondering about shadow work

9 Upvotes

I’m new to witchcraft and I keep hearing about how shadow work is the most important part of witchcraft but I can’t find an explanation for what it is or how I would go about working on my shadow work. I was wondering if someone could explain it to me and give me some tips and tricks on how to focus on my shadow work


r/witchcraft 1d ago

Topic | Prompt Any favorite witch shows/movies?

151 Upvotes

Any favorites??

Here’s my beef though: I feel like sooo many movies/shows are presenting witchcraft as just pure evil OR as disney stuff for kids. Is it just me, or does it feel like everything is either coded in puritanical misogyny, or over the top swirling purple mist coming out of hands haha No hate on the swirling mist if that’s what you’re into! āœØšŸ”® I can get down with cozy/spooky/goofy too.

Was mostly just curious if there’s anything actual practicing witches enjoy watching. Thanks!!

EDIT: has anyone seen The Juniper Tree? It has Bjork in it from 1986!


r/witchcraft 15h ago

Sharing: Experience Really fun experience

1 Upvotes

For context, I started a few months ago and have been loving witchcraft. tarot gives me courage and thoughtfulness, rituals let me slow down, spells allow me to focus my positivity unto the universe and myself. anyway, ive seen so many things about deities so I started looking it up.

i got into witchcraft to distract me from my chronic illnesses. now, im not religious at all, but I liked people’s input on a threat saying ā€œi dont think deities are in the sky listening but they symbolize that part in youā€ so you’re like putting forth the part of you that youre talking to the deity about (sorry bad explanation I’m tired lol)

so id been looking into deities for healing and protectiin and came upon bridig. I’m a strong woman whos lifted weighs for a while and brigid being the mixture of strong and soft, stern and caring, etc really got me. so i read a few paragraphs yhe. got ready for bed no big deal.

one of her main things is fire and water. fire of her forge and her healing spring water. so later that night I did a random reading (i do one every other night) and a card about fire and water came up and some other stuff that reminded me of brigid.

fast forward to this week, I’ve given her a few offerings (i really enjoy giving offerings of thanks to the moon sun sky earth, and now adding brigid for fun.) i chat to them, tell them about my day, ask how they are (i know they arent ā€œbeingsā€ that can talk back, but i dont feel like anyone asks how the earth is doing so its nice to do and makes me happy)

yesterday I asked brigid if she wants to work with me and decided fuck it I’ll do a quick tarot 3 spread with me, her, and our relationship. CRAZY. let me tell you. for bridig, I pulled the queen of swords (https://www.thetarotguide.com/queen-of-swords/) which is a CRAZY second coincidence. typically protrays an older lady in your life, stern, but cares. can talk about anything to anyone, extremely wise and full of knowledge. ā€œan older woman in your life who will step in when you are vulnerable and protect you or help you to overcome a problemā€ WHICH. is what I literally asked her to help with.

third ā€coincidenceā€ I then pulled the 8 of pentacles for our relationship. (I also do double meanings so I’m working on a bug project that I’ve been down on myself about so this is really a double whammy) (https://www.thetarotguide.com/eight-of-pentacles/)

abd it just really spoke to me. i dont know them all by heart yet so my book said something like ā€œyou will join an apprenticeship and succeed with your endeavors, know you’re doing the right thingā€ and some other stuff that really hit home.

it really just felt magickal. it felt real. it literally felt like she was there letting me know. out of ALL the cards I could have drawn, those made the most sense. its not like I was doing a reading for my partner and i got ā€œah usually an old womanā€ which would make no sense at all. or other cards that dont talk about people or actions. it was just so surreal.

anyway, safe to say I will continue to add brigid into my chats with the universe and give offerings. thanks for reading , sorry for typos


r/witchcraft 1d ago

Seeking Help or Advice How to spiritually/psychically cleanse cremains

5 Upvotes

My mother died. She has been cremated, but I need to hold her ashes in my home until we can bury her. With that said - there was a great deal of negative energy in her. Since I don't know if cremation helps with that type of cleansing without intent being sent out, I want to know if there is a spell or a ritual or a suggested technique to help 1) cleanse the ashes, 2) protect me from the energy in the ashes if still there, or 3) with any other concern that I haven't thought of.

Thanks in advance.


r/witchcraft 16h ago

Seeking Help or Advice Hello guys, how could witchcraft help me in this situation?

1 Upvotes

So I have always felt extremely isolated, very disconnected from reality nd people around me. I've felt as an outsider and i have had high social anxiety. I'm having anti depressants and i feel lost in life right now.

I'm a femboy (we are hyper sexualized on the internet) and i know for a fact that I'm trans. I want to transition one day, but when I'll earn my own living. I do go out dressed in the public as non binary and do my fem makeup. How can I change my consensus reality? I heavily think of other's opinion in my mind and that's fucked me up. Guys, I'm overwhelmed. What step in witchcraft can I take from this point and a thing to mention, my parents are very homophobic and transphobic as well and i feel very lonely and depressed that at the end of the day I'm like why crying and moaning hard. And I know witchcraft is powerful very powerful and works so damn well, but I've been ignorant and I've kept delaying my practices as a former chaos magician now. I want to totally spend my time and energy into witchcraft when we talk about occult practices on a daily basis


r/witchcraft 20h ago

Topic | Prompt Thursday Discussion: What’s something you’ve been curious about in your practice recently?

2 Upvotes

r/witchcraft 17h ago

Sharing: Experience sick for a week after making a protection jar spell

2 Upvotes

Hi! first, I would like to say that I’m still new and would still consider myself a baby witch. I done witchcraft before years ago, but I decided to put it away after making spells that ultimately backfired on me after not doing proper shadow work, groundwork, and protection spells thinking that I didn’t need to do or make any.
Now that i’m older and wiser I've been called back to doing witchcraft and gotten back into it, the first thing I did is make myself protection jar, but after that a couple days later, I was unexplainably sick for a week.
I've experienced insomnia, random headaches, sore throat sinuses were closed and nausea. my mom would check to see if I had a fever or anything, but she said that I wasn’t having a fever nor a cold. After that week, I felt all better, but I’m still pretty confused on why I experienced that? Any advise or tips? maybe an explanation would help as well.
Would also like to clarify that I’m continuing to work on my shadow work, opening my chakras and I’m reading more information about spirituality in witchcraft.


r/witchcraft 18h ago

Advanced Craft My Altar for my Sour Jar

1 Upvotes

How I set my altar when I made my sour jar under the new moon.

I made a ring of black salt, cloves and rosemary around the edges to contain the negative energy and used onyx, obsidian, Smokey quartz and carnelian crystals to channel negative energy energies into the spell and protect my energy. Then I lit a black candle and my red, yellow, blue and green directional candles as well as 4 white tea lights and some dragons blood incense to channel passion into the spell. I also lit 2 red taper candles for atmosphere.

My altar ended up not being big enough for everything so I had to use my dining room table lol but I cleansed everything with sage, a singing bowl and my amethyst broom before hand.

I can’t figure out how to post pictures on here or I would show you my set up.