I Find Lost Things

“I Find Lost Things”

Draw this on your dominant hand while you’re looking for something and/or cleaning the space you’re in

“I Don’t Hesitate When Necessary”

Meditate with this as needed or carry it with you

Practical Magic Tech: Spellcasting Altars Are a Powerful Tool For Sticky Situations

This post is part of a series of animistic, spirit-oriented spellcasting for beginners. Go to the masterpost to see them all.

In this other post, I was talking about two ways to think about spellwork: continuous magic, or one-shot magic. But our goal in this series is not to learn how to just cast single spells like a cook reading out of a recipe book. Our goal is to learn how to be a chef that can manage a kitchen and its staff.

So, real talk: Very often, aspects of our lives are not going to be solved with one spell.

Yes, it's really good to be able to cast a spell and have it manifest. But, more real talk: Getting spells to do something is actually pretty easy.

The real problem with practical spellwork doesn't lie in getting together some magic and causing stuff to happen. The real problem is situations resolving in the way you want, especially complex situations that are resistant to change or that require a lot of change.

In this other post, I talked about the virtue of a general spellcasting altar; one that you use to handle most any spell you need to sling.

In this post, let's talk about specific spellcasting altars, built to address one area of your life, or one important situation, that requires close monitoring and regular, active spellwork.

An Altar With a Goal

When I build a general spellcasting altar, I align it towards my method of spellcasting in general. I might invite a god or goddess of witchcraft to oversee the altar. I will probably store my tools and components near there that I use for spellcasting. It might be my good-vibes spiritual center that reflects my current path and progress.

In contrast, I build goal-oriented altars to very specifically reflect their purpose:

An altar to assist me in divinatory power might be dressed in indigo, silver, and violet; have figurines of mermaids or ravens, be decorated with mirrors, stuffed with amethyst, and drizzled with wormwood.

An altar to aid my finances and prosperity might be covered in green and gold, have stacks of fake money and dragon figurines, jars of coins, nuggets of jade, lodestone weighing down paper money, and just loads of chamomile and basil as far as the eye can see.

An altar to assist with bringing peace to my home might be decorated in soothing pale blue and white, filled with plates of cream and honey, decorated with a figurine of Hestia or Eirene, and sprinkled with aquamarine and blue chalcedony.

Most importantly for me, any such altar has space to hold one-shot and continuous spells as they work unto my needs. This may be in the form of a digital altar where spell cards are stored, or in a physical surface or container where components are held.

Goal-Oriented Altars Can be Like Hyperspells with Many Intents

I support limited, focused intent for individual spells. This means that any single situation may require a variety of spells to be cast upon it to achieve my goals.

Suppose I want to bring peace to my household. Depending on what's going on, I might need to cast a few different spells:

Reducing arguments

Increasing loving communication

Reducing feelings of anger

Increasing feelings of wellbeing

Keeping an instigator away from the home

Drawing enjoyable, healthy experiences into the home

If I build and consecrate an altar unto the purpose of peace in my home, that altar becomes like a hyperspell slowly storing and building up all these intents, until my purpose is finally achieved.

Certainly, one single spell might do - but we don't need to build altars for situations easily resolved with one spell. If your situation is being resistant to spellwork, or it's something you know will need ongoing maintenance, consider an altar instead of a series of independent spells.

Using Goal-Oriented Altars

Remember at the beginning of the post, when I was saying the real challenge to practical spellwork is resolving complex situations to your satisfaction?

Your situational altar is the command center for addressing a sticky, tough-to-manage situation.

Perform divination about this situation nearby

Store one-shot and continuous spells effecting that situation on this altar

Keep a detailed record of what you've tried so far

Use this altar as a platform for hosting complementary, simultaneously cast spells

Light candles or incense on the altar, or feed it with direct energy work, to charge all spells stored within it

As you continuously store spells and magics related to your situation in this one altar space, it will accumulate and gain power. That power will become more nuanced and more finely honed to your purposes with each spell you store in it.

With enough active focus and work, this altar will become a source of power in and of itself. Each successive spell will coast on the crest of the one before it, and amazing progress can be made in ways not as easily seen with spells individually and stored outside of an altar's nexus.

The types of spells you cast should be specially chosen based on how you need the energy to move in the situation.

A major benefit of a goal-oriented altar is that it lets you see your current, ongoing efforts - and past, completed efforts - all in one place. You can walk by your prosperity altar and see that your debt-banishing candle is nearly burned away, you have a whole pile of incense ashes for your cash-drawing petitions, and that you've already given the spirits an offering today. In a real way, it carves out space in your life to give important issues the attention you want to give them.

This also gives you a chance to consider the types of spells you're using and whether you need more or less variety, or more or less effort applied to a specific end.

Maybe the problem with your situation is a specific blockage that won't be overcome by more conjuration type spells; maybe you need a banishment-type spell to bust open the way forward.

The post that details that isn't in the queue yet, so if you don't see something like "spell categories #2" in the masterpost, remind me to write it. There's a ton of information to get down and sometimes stuff gets lost in the stampede.

Setting Up A Goal-Oriented Altar

Set up a goal-oriented altar with any methods used to consecrate a spellcasting altar (methods will be in the masterpost... if you're far enough into the future).

Keep a goal-oriented altar as long as you need it. For some people, altars for prosperity or protection might be kept indefinitely, as these issues are often ongoing for most.

Other altars might be extremely specific, like "help me get into a new housing situation with room mates I gel with," and will be relatively short term.

Take down the altar when you're done with it. It's not like you have to, keep that bad boy for as long as you want. But you don't need to keep the altar up once your purpose has been served.

This post is part of a series of animistic, spirit-oriented spellcasting for beginners. Go to the masterpost to see them all.

Sasha’s Emotional Strength Spell (Neopets Inspired)

“In her hometown, a fierce storm ravaged the long-awaited festival, but Sasha danced away, striking hope and inspiration into the hearts of the villagers.” -Neopets Altador Hall of Heroes

A spell to help you endure even the most brutal of emotional times and hold some strength when you need it most. This spell is one best done before hard times hit for it, like many spells, does require focus and energy put into it. 

You Will Need: 

🎵 Tea Leaves/Black Tea (strength, courage, energy)

🎵 Mugwort (strength, courage)

🎵 Mullein (courage)

🎵 Thyme (courage, determination)

🎵 Rosemary (mental protection, emotional strength)

🎵 Celery Seeds (mental strength, focus)

🎵 Sesame Seeds (hope)

🎵 Rose Quartz (emotional strength, hope)

🎵 Clear Quartz (energy, power, hope, focus)

🎵 Red Candle (small)

🎵 Jar or Tightly Closing Container

🎵 A Playlist of Songs that Make You Feel Powerful and Courageous

Set Up:

To set up this spell clean and clear an area, cleanse it as needed to prevent energy contamination. Make sure your playlist is set up and ready to play whether it’s through headphones or over some speakers from a phone or computer. If needed, put it on loop to ensure it plays the whole duration. Make sure you set up proper fire safety for this spell does require burning a candle down and over the container so make sure if needed there is wax paper or newspaper to catch any loose drips and that you aren’t working over carpet. Tie back all loose hair and roll up sleeves, due to motions that will take place near the flame. 

The Spell:

🎵 Turn on your playlist, if using speakers be courteous to any neighbors or roommates you may have and try not to have it too loud (especially late at night - don’t be that person)

🎵 Set up the jar or bottle you will be using and add in your herbs. The more herbs the stronger it is - though if it is a smaller container be sure to keep it from overflowing.

🎵 Once your herbs are layered in as desired add in your gemstones or shards

🎵 Screw the lid on tightly and place your candle on top, make sure as it burns it is able to melt over the lid of the container to seal it. Light it 

🎵 Once lit focus on the music playing and the energy it gives you, hold your hands to either side of the jar or container and focus that energy from the music through your body into the jar. Focus like this until wax is well melted from the candle on the jar lid and until you feel satisfied

🎵 If needed blow out or snuff out flame

🎵 Store somewhere safe but nearby. In times of dire trouble take far in hands or arms, hold it close without damaging or risking break to it and feel the energy from it enter you once more.

**spell is from my personal grimoire. Like what I post? Want to support me or buy me a delicious coffee? Feel free to check out my Ko-Fi Page!

Taelia’s Winter Cleansing Spell (Neopets Inspired)

This spell is to help cleanse oneself of negative energies and help uplift any minor hexes or curses one may be facing by using the energy and element of Winter. Note: This spell may require going into cold weather - be sure to be dressed appropriately.

You Will Need:

❄️ White Candle (Pillar or Candlestick is best)

❄️ Sigil for Cleansing

❄️ Outdoor area you can go out in (preferably with snow or cold weather if possible)

❄️ Toothpick or Pencil or Other Tool for Carving in Candle

Set Up:

This spell is best done in the evening or night time, preferably with a clear moon if possible but not mandatory. If you live somewhere with snow or its cold be sure to dress warmly before heading outside. Make sure the candle you will be holding is tall enough and sturdy enough you can hold it safely in hand while outside without risk of it dripping or burning your hands. If it is windy or poor weather out - best not to do this spell. 

On your candle using your tool, carve a snowflake on one side of it near the top preferably but not too close to the edge. On the other side near the top carve your cleansing sigil. 

The Spell:

❄️ Once properly dressed head outside with your candle, gage the weather while doing so - make sure its safe conditions for you

❄️ Once outside find somewhere you have some space and are comfortable in, make sure its not somewhere you can risk tripping or slipping while doing this spell, it does require some walking. If needed set up some lights if it is dark out to avoid any tripping hazards.

❄️ Light your candle once you have found your spot, the sigil and snowflake should already be carved into the candle from the set up above

❄️ Once lit hold your candle up in both hands high, though not directly over your head (hot wax is not fun) 

❄️ “Snow of the North, Snow of the Night, Lift this darkness from my life” 

❄️ Lower your candle to be held comfortably in front of you, not too close to risk burns or flare ups but not too far out that it feels awkward or strains your arms.

❄️ Begin walking in a circle as best as you can, your choice the size of the circle, I usually do one of about 4 to 5 foot radius, but whatever is comfortable for you to do safely 

❄️ While walking chant “Winter snow, cleanse me”. Walk this circle however many times you feel comfortable I personally usually do about 5 to 6 times.

❄️ Once done raise the candle up one last time as you did before “Snow of the North, Snow of the Night, thank you for giving me the light” And blow out the candle

❄️ Head back inside where it’s warm and take a good rest

**spell is from my personal grimoire. Like what I post? Want to support me or buy me a delicious coffee? Feel free to check out my Ko-Fi Page!

Practical Magic Tech: Microcosm Method of Altar Building

This post is part of a series of animistic, spirit-oriented spellcasting for beginners. Go to the masterpost to see them all.

I'm a very big believer in intuitively building altars. But that doesn't mean people who can't or don't want to build an altar intuitively should be left hanging.

This post is part of a series on practical spellcasting. In this series, a spellcasting altar is defined as something pretty specific with specific uses. So this post is not meant to address all spellcasting altars everywhere, but just the style I'm describing for this series.

One method of building an altar is to make it like a map of the metaphysical cosmos. This is where we can utilize our elements/directions correspondences, if you're into that sort of thing!

In this post I'm only speaking about my own understanding of the metaphysical cosmos, as it is the only one I'm qualified to speak on. If your understanding is much different, I believe the same concepts apply; your altar would just look a lot different than mine.

Pros of microcosm altars:

Just as a poppet of a person contains their essence, a map of the otherworld contains it's essence. It's a good way to link yourself to the powers you seek to work with.

If you're really into correspondences, microcosm-type altars are going to help sort and categorize them for you. Each correspondence goes somewhere on the map you create with your altar.

If you're not vibing with your intuitive flow, a microcosm altar is a safe bet. Put the representations down and be done with it.

A microcosm type altar can help you visualize what's happening metaphysically: these elemental building blocks and powers are feeding into a central cauldron, and once the spell is done brewing it can be drawn into our world through the axis mundi

Cons of microcosm altars:

If you don't have a concept of the metaphysical cosmos that you believe in, you're going to have to either just accept what someone like me says, or you're going to have to sit down and figure it out. And sometimes these beliefs can be elusive and not so easy to just hash out.

Just copying someone else's microcosm isn't going to necessarily work for you. I put Fire in the East, Earth in the South, Water in the West, and Air in the North. But just because that works for me doesn't mean it's going to work for you. There may still need to be some intuitive modifications, or extra research, before it clicks.

This method can feel stilted or excessively formal.

Here are some example altars I built for the purpose of demonstrating the microcosm method:

In this first altar, the microcosm is represented by the three worlds. I may visualize power coming from each world and running through the antler into my charm bowl where I work over my spells. This altar might be much improved by painting my central bowl to represent the four directions and their corresponding elements.

[Photo Description: A picture of an altar containing tarot cards, antler tips, a small dish with a charm bag inside of it, and a cup of coffee. Text from top to bottom: "Coffee and coffee warmer (very important)", "Lower Middle, and Upper worlds represented by tarot cards and antlers", "Tarot card used as a focus point to represent intent of spell", "Central bowl holds charm bag to bee worked over; it can hold offerings too", and "Tarot cards that represent personal authority and the ability to change the strands of fate".]

In my second altar, the microcosm is represented by the four roads and trifold Hekate. I once again have a central bowl which I use to gather power. Objects can be left in this bowl to charge. It can also be used to send offerings, or to help spirits imprint on vessels (among many other things). Hekate is brought to this altar because her power, if she chooses, will open the four roads. The four roads themselves are represented by decorated wooden tokens.

[Photo Description: A picture of an altar where a figure of Hekate overlooks wooden tokens surrounding a stone bowl. There is a clay figurine, nails, and bay leaves within the bowl. Two candles are near the Hekate figurine. Text from top to bottom: "Figuring to the goddess Hekate (elevated to show respect)", "Hand made directional tokens used to open the four roads", "Devotional candles", "Central stone cauldron holds ingredients, spirit vessels, and offerings", "(No altar cloth)".]

In my third altar, I've chosen simple colorful stones to represent the four directions and the central Spirit which collects and combines their powers. The rabbit-skin altar cloth only covers part of the working space, mostly to ensure it isn't damaged by nearby candles and salt water.

[Photo Description: A picture of an altar composed of five rocks arranged in a diamond pattern, a clay frog figurine, and a nearby container for salt water. A candle holder on a fire safe dish is located next to two small plastic containers labeled "Cloves" and "Chamomile." Text from top to bottom: "Candle and offering dish away from flammable surface on fire safe dish", "Spell ingredients nearby", "Salt water used for cleansing", "Frog figuring acting as a spirit vessel", "Altar cloth only covers a portion of the working space", and "Colorful stones represent the four elements and four directions".]

In my fourth altar, the decorated altar cloth (a casting board repurposed for this picture) does most of the heavy lifting. The ritual wand is placed nearby. This altar would be much improved if the spirit vessels were placed in their appropriate corners (fire and water respectively).

[Picture Description: A picture of an altar. The altar cloth is painted with a circle divided into four sections. Planetary symbols are on the outside of the circle. A wand lays across the altar and a bottle of salt and candles are nearby. In the middle of the altar cloth is a clear quartz tower standing on a wooden disc. Text from top to bottom: "Common spell ingredients", "Spirit vessel", "Quartz tower represents the axis mundi", "Decorated altar cloth indicates elements, directions, and planetary powers", and "Spellcasting tools are stored nearby".]