Into the Underworld: Psychopomps and Deities of Death

Death. The prospect of death – the word alone – has stirred fear and discomfort amongst the vast majority of people since mankind first came to understand mortality. Death isn’t simply death, but a time when something meets its end, when a light is dimmed, when a door has closed. Death, whether literal or figurative, plays a role in many magical practices and customs, including (though not limited to) divination, spirit work (in its many forms), ritual work, and spell crafting. It is no surprise then that, as death plays so significant a role in magical practice, there are countless folkloric, religious, and mythological deities, spirits, and figures that are associated with (or represent) death, figures that are often also associated with magic in some form or another. This post will explore some of the many deities, spirits, and figures of death, their roles in the crafts of many magical practitioners, and how death deities and figures are incorporated in different practices associated with spirit work.

Folklore, Misc., Spirituality & FaithKeziahDecember 1, 2023pagan gods, deities, death, death deities, psychopomps, spiritwork, spirit work

Connecting with the House Wights: Using Tarot to Connect with Your Household Spirits

Practitioners of cottage magic possess a deep connection to their homes and the land around it. Although some may think of this as a connection to the beams and bricks that make up the house itself, many cottage witches also seek to build a connection with the rich spiritual energies that reside in their homes. For those who acknowledge the spirit realm and seek to walk in step with it, household spirits can be a source of peace and comfort as well as powerful magical allies.

The Spirits of the House: Honoring Your Household's Spirits

When we discuss the link between spirits and witchcraft, we often focus on the practitioner’s connection with spirits of nature or the spirits of the dead. While it is certainly true that we should celebrate our connection to these spiritual forces, there are many other types of spirits that are deserving of our attention. During the autumn months, when the cooler weather entices us into the warmth of our homes, it is also fitting for us to take time to connect with the household spirits that reside with us in our homes.

Crystals for Divination & Spirit Work: Enhancing Your Practice When the Veil is Thin

When the veil between the physical and spiritual realms becomes thinner, practitioners of magic are presented with an opportune time to enhance their divination and spirit work practices. Whether you are a seasoned practitioner or just beginning your journey, crystals and gemstones can be powerful allies in connecting with the spiritual world and gaining deeper insights into the mysteries of the universe.

Study & Practice, Divination, Curios of MagicJohannaOctober 18, 2023crystals, gems, stones, spirit work, spiritwork, divination

A Remembrance Altar: Using Sacred Space to Honor Your Ancestors

As the month of October unfolds and the daylight hours grow shorter, many witches and other practitioners of magic begin to turn their thoughts to honoring their ancestors. One practice that allows us to express this desire to reconnect with our honored dead is the creation of an ancestral altar or shrine. Creating an altar dedicated to honoring one’s ancestors is a magnificent way to connect with your roots, remember loved ones who have passed, and tap into the themes of death and remembrance associated with the autumn season.

Exploring & Creating Personal Symbolism for Power-Raising, Divination and Spellwork

In the practice of magic (just as it is in literature, theater, and artwork), symbolism is a vehicle for deeper understanding. It is a language that expresses things which may not be as impactful or powerful if we were to lay them out in plain speech. It allows us (with or without the use of words) to convey messages of spirit, power, energy and emotion that are otherwise beyond description. Our understanding of these symbols can manifest as complete thoughts of which we are aware and cognizant—but it can also manifest as bodily sensations, shifts in one’s mental or spiritual energy, or the alteration of one’s perception.

Elements of Spirit Work

Spirit work is a set of practices adjacent to—but not necessarily the same as—mediumship, spirit communication, spiritualism, astral practices and spirit-based magic. Note that I said they are not necessarily the same; but they can be used in tandem. There are many mediums, for example, who also practice a form of spirit work or who would identify their psychic practice as being spirit work. There are also many advocates of the Spirit Theory of Magic, practitioners of spirit-based magical paths who would say that spirit work was merely a part of their magical tradition rather than a standalone practice for them. They can be the same. They can be used together. They are not always.