This article is part of a series: Divination & Decks
When most people think of witchcraft and magick, they think of elaborate spells, dramatic rituals and complicated rites. I don’t blame them. After all, isn’t that what movies and TV have shown us for decades? Big splashy spectacle makes for ratings and reviews, so the pop culture version of magick is always a little “extra” – impressive and even a bit excessive.
For people who are new to a magickal practice, the flipside of all that pageantry is that it becomes intimidating and feels inaccessible. If you’re like me, big complicated things have a habit of getting put on the back burner for when I have time. Those important dramatic displays have their place, but the reality is that the vast majority of people who practice magick and witchcraft do small rituals every day that keep us connected to our beliefs and our practice. If you or your customers are new to witchcraft, I suggest getting started in ways that are easy and do-able.
POTIONS
Do you need eye of newt and toe of frog like MacBeth’s witches to make an effective potion? Well, actually you do. Those descriptives were actually the folk names of medicinal herbs. Eye of newt is mustard seed and toe of frog is buttercup. While you probably don’t want to drink a cocktail made of mustard and buttercups, you can make your own potion simply by looking in your collection of herbal teas.
So many of the herbs that are tasty to drink also are believed to have magical properties. For example, chamomile is great for bringing in prosperity, while hibiscus is thought to invite a sexy passionate love. When you pour your cup of tea, hold your hands over the steaming cup and focus on what you want to bring into your life through a visualization or by speaking your wish out loud.
Want to dive deeper? Grab a book on magical herbs, like Cunningham’s Encyclopedia of Magical Herbs or a specific potions book like Blackthorn’s Botanical Brews and look up the meanings of the herbs and get to brewing.
OILS
Plants are traditional support for our wishes and intentions. We even see this in non-magickal beliefs – roses representing love, for example. Essential oils are the concentrated essences of plants and one of the most versatile tools for supporting our magick.
Essential oils are too strong and concentrated to be used at full strength, so if you’re going to use an essential oil in a spell, be sure to dilute it in some way. Add a few drops to the water of a bath or to a lightbulb diffuser, for example. If you’re going to apply essential oils to your skin, use a carrier oil such as sweet almond oil, apricot kernel oil or jojoba oil in a ratio of 9:1 – 9 parts carrier oil, 1-part essential oil.
If you want to take the research and guesswork out of the process, you can also purchase essential oil blends that are formulated for specific magickal intentions such as Abundant Prosperity, Powerful Protection, or Magnetic Attraction. Oils made by reputable manufacturers have been blended with real herbs and essential oils and are generally safe for applying to skin.
As you are getting ready to start your day, apply a few drops of these oils to your palms and apply to your skin with a prayer or affirmation for your good outcome. For example, you can apply Grand Success oil to yourself with the affirmation, “All my endeavors today are successful”.
SOAPS
Liquid or bar soaps are another almost effortless way to bring magick into your day. Choose a soap made with real botanical herbs or add an appropriate essential oil to a liquid soap or shampoo for a magickal concoction that will cleanse your body as well as revive your spirit.
Lemongrass soap is excellent for clearing and cleansing negativity, lavender soap can be used for inviting peaceful love, and peppermint soap can be used for intentions of prosperity and protection. Whenever you wash your hands, hair or your body, imagine all the negativity of your day-to-day life washing away and the power of the plants infusing you with the blessings aligned with the herbs.
Remember that witchcraft and magick are not a religion. People of any spiritual path can begin taking back their own power and creating powerful and positive change in their lives. These tiny rituals can easily be incorporated on a regular basis without breaking the flow of your day and with daily practice can even make a bigger impact than big showy magick done once a season.
Author: Madame Pamita
Madame Pamita is a Tarot reader, spellcaster, teacher, author, and a Maker of Magic, music, and mischief. She is the author of The Book of Candle Magic recently published by Llewellyn, and Madame Pamita's Magical Tarot published by Weiser Books. She is also the owner of an online spiritual apothecary, the Parlour of Wonders and lives in Santa Monica, California. You can find her at:
Website: https://www.parlourofwonders.com
