Month: December 2017

Goodbye 2017!

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I don’t know about you but I’m really happy to show 2017 to the door. I had a great year but it’s been SO FREAKIN’ BUSY. I’m so ready for a fresh start.

While I’ve spent the last few days finishing up business and setting up the things for next year. I figured set up a rock solid January rather than randomly posting throughout December.

Quickly, so you can get ready for your new year’s parties, here’s some highlights for 2017 for This Crooked Crown.

Pros:

  • Published my first novel Spirit Walker
  • Published the free online sourced correspondence lists.
  • Fantastic solar eclipse
  • Won a Camp NaNoWriMo and NaNoWriMo (meaning I wrote two books)
  • New eyeglasses & met some fitness goals
  • Got a new monitor and hard drive for the shop
  • Renovated my mom’s kitchen
  • Had some really great spells, crafts, and baking results.
  • Read so many books.

Cons:

  • Absolutely terrible year socially and politically in my part of the world. (Elsewhere wasn’t haven’t a fantastic time either)
  • Broke my schedule for posting online
  • Had to push back a major thing for the third time.
  • Wasn’t able to put out a few projects I wanted to complete.

 

So it’s actually been a pretty good year on the surface for me but there’s a lot of back end stuff that didn’t happen. That being said, I expect that 2018 will be far better as several projects are coming to fruition there.

Before you go, here’s some last minute witchy ideas to ring in the new year:

  • Use a sugar or salt scrub to “wash away” the old year and enter the new year with “fresh skin”.
  • Wear a color that represents what you want the new year to be like tonight. Wear sexy red pajamas to bring more sex or romance into your life. Wear black and blue to protect yourself or green and gold for wealth and prosperity.
  • Make the first meal you have in 2018 something that you want to eat all year. So if you plan on hitting the gym, snag a celery stick instead of a chip for that first bite.
  • Stir your drinks towards you to bring things towards you after midnight but stir away from you before midnight to send things away.
  • Spend the first day of the new year how you want to spend the rest of the year, if you can.
  • Set up full moon rituals in advance, rolling them together so each full moon has a little of that newness power to it. The first is also the first full moon of 2018.
  • No special someone to kiss in the new year? Place that first kiss on a pet, platonic consenting friend, or on an idol for your deity or spirits.
  • Ring a bell at midnight to dismiss the old year (and all its negativity) and bless the new year.

Happy new year! I’ll see you tomorrow in 2018!

5 More Ways to Bewitch Your Holiday Shopping

We’re back for round three of the Bewitch Holiday Shopping. Check out Bewitch Your Holiday Shopping and Bewitch Even More of You Holiday Shopping for more tips. Well, here’s some more.

01 Enchant Your Soles

If you aren’t already doing this, then this is the chance. Enchant the soles of your most comfortable shoes with a guiding spell. Ideally, the spell should lead you towards the things you’re looking for.

02 Clear Mind

Have you ever been shopping, with a list of things to get, and about halfway through you’ve completely lost your head? I do all the time. I’m easily distracted so I usually loose my head halfway through a shopping list unless I have few errands or a very strict list.

Get a glass or plastic bottle, or even a ziploc bag, and put a quartz crystal, rosemary, citrine, apple slices, coffee, and cinnamon. Eyebright, green tea, or gotu kola are good additives too. Carry this with you when you go out to keep yourself focused.

03 Money Savings

Want to save some extra cash? Carry some basil, clover, and mint in your wallet or purse. When you add them to your wallet or purse, envision putting money into your walet instead of herbs.

04 Make and Pack a Snack

Making granola bars is actually extremely easy. You just need the ingredients, a dish, a bowl, a spoon, a knife, cling wrap, and a fridge. The ingredients are usually peanut butter, oats, honey or agave, and additives, like diced chocolate or nuts. There’s TONS of recipes for granola bars so do a quick google search for a good recipe that you like. Once you have a recipe, you can start the magic.

As you stir the ingredients, say, sing, speak, think, or envision you having fun and getting your goals accomplished in your shopping trip. When you spread out the granola, pat it down and pack it in nicely. As you pat it down, think of you patting your full wallet at the end of the trip. Chill the granola for at least an hour before cutting. Store in a plastic bag and carry with you when you go out.

05 Protect Your Purchases

Theft of items from vehicles is really common during the holiday season. There’s so many expensive items being bought that are desired under the tree. So it’s really important to protect your purchases and vehicle. Place protection charms, amulets, and spells over your vehicle and purchases. THe best way to make sure that your stuff’s protected is to set up a spell ahead of time. Maybe the spell’s been cast and every time you relock the door, the spell gains strength. There’s a lot of things you can do and it’s definitely something to consider, depending on what you really want to use on a daily basis.

So what do you think? What witchy techniques do you use to make your holiday shopping easier?

Fire Protection Spell

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Fir e protection and fire safety is huge for me during this season. There’s tons of forest fires right now and there’s increased household fires due to people cooking more and Christmas light issues. Heaters can go wrong, fireplaces can be blocked, and people can put items too close to fire and heat sources. Essentially, fire safety and protection is really impotant during the winter months because we rely on it so much.

This spell is not about preventing fires. It’s not about fire safety. It is about protecting items from being on fire. So this spell is ideal for the rug that’s nearby the fireplace or the chair closest to the room heater. Use this spell in conjunction with fire safety and fire prevention spells to really shine.

What you’ll need:

  • Paper
  • Paintbrush
  • Ash or lampblack
  • Water
  • Colorants (optional)

First cut a piece of paper down to five inches by five inches or less. You cna make the shape or size whatever you want by five by five is a good size.

Next, lightly brush water over the paper on both sides and let air dry. The paper shouldn’t be soaked or sopping by rather lightly damp. Make sure it is dry completely before moving onto the next step.

Take your ash or lampblack and mix it with a little water so it’s a paste with paint-like thickness. Do a little at a time so you can control the consistency.

With the paintbrush, paint the following sigil or your own sigil style for fire protection. Let the sigil dry in between if there’s multiple layers to the sigil (like the X over the fire, for example).

My sigil is based loosely the Gylph of Warding from Dragon Age: Origins. I do many different styles of sigils so feel free to alternate to a sigil design that you prefer. Your sigil will not have color unless you add colorants like paint, mica, dried herbs, or other coloring ingredients.

Once the sigil is drawn, let it dry completely. When dry, place the sigil under, on, or near the item you want to protect. If you want to protect the rug from the fireplace, for example, then place this sigil under the rug.

Notes:

  • You can use a fixant spray, if you like, or put the sigil in a plastic bag to keep the sigil from damage.

Witchy Shopping Gift Guide

Wondering what to get your witchy pals for Yule? Need to grab some gifts for your coven or are clueless about what to place under the tree for that crazy new age boho hippie aunt? Or maybe you have a little spare cash to get yourself a gift from Santa. Almost all of these gifts are perfect year round so refer back to this list and these shops for Beltane or your bestie’s birthday.

I’ll be honest, many of these items are customized or made to order. They’re all indie artists or small businesses from around the world, including shops in New England.

Under $10

Bunny and Bird Tarot Deck Bag

Tumblrite Cracked Amethyst is known for their decks and art but they also make deck bags. I highly recommend grabbing the Amethyst Oracle deck while you’re there because it’s amazing.

Skull and Succulent Enamel Pin

If you haven’t seen Evil Supply Co. I don’t know what to tell you but you’re missing out. They started as a stationary company and have expanded to mugs, pins, and shirts. They’re also responsible for an incredibly popular tumblr blog. If you read my tumblr blog, you’ve seen Evil Supply Co’s work. I recommend them entirely and I actually had a hard time to find something that wasn’t under $10.

Winter Court Tea

Dryad Tea sells loose tea blends by the ounce. Inspired by fairies, books, and musicians (such as pagan musician S.J. Tucker and Jim Butcher’s Dresden series), these teas are great for fans and practitioners alike. Be sure to check out the shop fo the whole selection.

Horn Hair Comb

Hair is often considered sacred within various religions and practices. Horn combs help distribute your hair’s natural oils an can help reduce static in your hair. This comb is handmade in Vietnam by local artisans there and sold by those same artisans. Plus, you can get this comb for under $10 – including shipping. Pick up some other horn jewelry as well. Remember, horn was a traditional crafting material so it can make a lovely offering or representive piece to the gods.

Brass Die

A solid brass die hand made in Poland and reconstructed from an actual historical find in Lowick, England. The rest of Sulik’s shop is full of treasures hand crafted after actual archaeological and historical finds. Perfect for your reconstructionist pagan friends, LARPers, or board game fans.

Under $15

Magician Tarot Card Necklace

Made of brass, this necklace is perfect for your card slingin’ buddies. It can be personalized. Check out the other shop items as there’s lots of other tarot card goodies, Soloman seals, and other pagan symbols to adorn yourself with.

Pastel Skull Candle

You totally read that right. Soy candle made in your choice of scent and color. You can grab a matte black or plain ivory white if you’re feeling less pastel. Grab a larger skull for your ancestor altar too.

Mandrake Enamel Pin or Krampus Holiday Enamel Pin

I couldn’t decide which one to showcase so you get both! The Krampus and the adorable mandrake come from New England neighbor The Bower Studio in Massachusetts. Check out the shop for beautiful plantable nature art prints and cards. There’s also scarves and other goodies. If you’re in Pulham, Mass. check out their store since they’re herbalists too!

Meditating Do Not Disturb Door Hanging Sign

Have you ever shared a house with someone and you’re trying to meditate and they either knock or just barge right in, completely ruining your mood? Yeah me too. Hang this sign up to let people know to come back later. Check out the shop for more signs like yoga, reiki, or praying in progress. Ther’s also “don’t let the cat out” which for anyone with indoor guests and lots of visitors. All perfect for shared spaces.

Under $20

Crystal Grid Board

Double sided birch cystal boards are perfect for your crystal loving friends. Also check out the shop’s large boards, altar pieces, and crystals.

Moon Phase Mortar & Pestle

Hand painted triple moon mortart and pestle. Ceramic mortars and pestles are great because they’re easy to clean. They’re also accessible and good for most grinding purposes.

Salem Witchcraft Trials Candle

Burke & Hare Co is a Rhode Island local like myself and makes fantastic occult inspired candes. Burned At the Stakes, oujia board, death tarot card, and other delightful candles. Definitely check them out if that’s your thing.

Petite Water Moon Lights

OK, these are actually $20 but they are waterproof, LED glowing lights. So tiny and cute and shaped like the moon. ALSO for all you Welcome to Night Vale fants, the same shop TheCloudLady has hanging glowing cloud lights so you can hail the Glow Cloud.

Divination Classroom candle

Frostbeard candle company specializes in creating soy candles to mimic book lovers’ favorite settings. Harry Potter fans will adore Divination Classroom, Headmaster’s Office, and Wizardy Buttery Drink among others. There’s many other lovely scents and they’re all made in small batches in Minnesota.

Under $30

Wooden Magic Wands

Gray Magic might be the next Ollivander’s. The wands here are so beautiful, each unique with such character. Oh, and they’re handmade and WOOD, making them absolutely perfect for magic. One of a kind too which makes them very special.

Tabletop glass fireplace

It’s pretty much a Sterno gel fuel but with a great wooden and glass base as well as sand and lava rocks. Great for when you want a fire but don’t have the space for a fire pit or firepace. Remember your fire safety!

Pressed Flower Pendant

This artisan makes really beautiful earth pressed glass, crystal, metal, and earth-based jewelry. It’s actually very fairy tale forest feeling. Delicate, refined work. Perfect for your green witches and crystal hoarders. But there’s something nature inspired for just about everyone.

Scrying Mirror Grimoire Bookmark

Lovely metal bookmarks that are perfect addition for your grimoire. Pewter, glass, brass, and onyx are combined to create something worty of touching your sacred grimoire.

Under $40

CinniBird

This is a tiny handheld device that allows you to create elaborate designs with powdered spices. It’s suppose to be used for making fancy lattes or baking but let’s be for real here – it is literally perfect for witchcraft. Make a sigil out of powdered cinnamon for money or draw a middle finger with cursing powder as a less-than-subtle fuck you curse.

They also have another device called the HocuSpoon on the same website that uses stencils to create images with powdered spices.

DIY Coffee Reading Kit

Tea leaf divination, or tasseomancy, is well-known but you can divine with coffee grounds too. This DIY kit allows you to do just that. Coffee not your thing? There’s lots of DIY kits from Arterno from DIY soap, lip balm, tea, mugs, and more.

Map Cuff Bracelet

Perfect for urban practitioners and witches who work with the local environment. I can definitely see using this bacelet to connect to your homeland or a sacred place where you’ve had amazing experiences in.

Clear Quartz Mini Skull Pipe

Smoking herbal blends is very common in new age practices. If that’s your thing, then you may want to pick up a crystal pipe. Rose quartz are the most popular but there’s a lot of choices of there to choose from.

Under $50

Corked Constellation Ceramic Jar

This is a beautifully created ceramic jar with zodiac constellations on it. Witches love jars so a jar is always a beloved gift. These jars, and the rest of the shop for that matter, are perfect for someone who is looking for a special altar plate or a jar to hold something treasured.

Persephone Pomegranate Seed Earrings

Sterling silver pomegranate seed earrings are absolutely beautiful way to honor Persephone, the dead, and the realm of spirits in general. This shop has fantastic fairy tale and elven inspired jewelry.

Deer Antler Hair Pins set

Hand made brass hair pins turn you into a wood nymph. Their shop had beautiful brass jewelry, hair pins, and spoons inspired by forests in the Ukraine.

Japanese Koi Statement Necklace

Painted and gold, this layered wood necklace is beautiful. The rest of Birch Please is gorgeous too. Seriously, I absolutely love this jewelry artisan. Check out the florals or the adorable Axolotl necklaces too.

Under $100

Moon Phase earrings

Shout out to local Rhode Island artistian jewelry maker AlmanacForJune, these sterling silver set has four adorable post earrings. Match your jewelry to the moon. Also check out the rest of the shop for more moon phase goodness and other new age-y preciouses.

Urin the Gingerbread Mandrake Root Plush

The Beast Peddler sells adorable stuffed mandrakes and other familiar friends. Some of these plushes are seasonally based like this mandrake root and there’s also clothing for your new companion. Each one of a kind, they go fast so be sure to check out their tumbr and social media for posting updates so you can acquire a new friend.

ASK the Cards leather tarot card holder

If cloth isn’t good enough for your cards, or you spend a lot of time travelling with your cards, a hevy duty pouch is a must. This leather tarot card holder has a locking clasp to keep your cards nice and safe and can be customized to add a belt loop or colors as desired. Check out the shop for other deck holders like this one or some unique belts, purses, or other oddities.

Irridescent Stain Glass Aura Quartz Crystal corner piece

Deck your halls with stain glass crystals for the corners of archways and we-never-close-this-door-why-do-we-even-have-a-door-here places. Check out the shop for different colors, spider webs, or moon phase garlands of glass. They’re absolutely beautiful.

$100 +

Moth Wing Cape

Costurero Real creates beautiful butterfly wing capes, velvet capes, skirts, deer antler headbands, and more. I actually selected one of the more expensive items in their shop. You can find some beautiful items here for under $40 but they’re well-known for their butterfly capes.

Folium Oak Wood Pendant

Hand-carved from wood. I can’t even with this artist. I’m convinced they’re actually some sort of tree spirit come to grace us with beauty. Definitely one of a kind.

Crystal Ball Necklace

Quartz crystal balls are lovely for scrying so this necklace not only doubles as a beautiful jewelry piece, it’s also a really low-key divination tool. Perfect for diviners on the go or witches still in the forest (not public or out with their practice).

Diarn Xaghnis

Beautiful hand made wire jewely made with unbeleivable skill. Lunarieen makes so many beautiful pieces worthy of queens.

Hobbit Hole

Ever watch or read Tolkein and think, “damn, I wish I lived in a hobbit hole”? Well, now you can. Kind of. With this kit, you can build your own playhouse, shed, workshop, or chicken coop shaped like a hobbit hole. For about the same cost of a regular shed (or slightly more), you can build your hobbit hold complete with round door and windows. I’ll be honest, I’m eyeing one of these for myself down the road.

Hope the list helps give you some inspiration for your gift giving! Oh, and don’t forget to pop into my own shop This Crooked Crown for one of a kind charm bottles among other magical goodies.