​Bring Life a Touch of Witch!

 I was speaking to a friend the other day about how I live as a witch and it got me thinking, so I thought I would write an article about all the different ways that we can bring magick into our lives. Whether you are just starting out on your journey along this path or if you have been practicing for many years, there are lots of ways to add a bit of a magickal touch to our lives. And seeing as it has just been a Full Moon, I thought that this would be the perfect time for this little chat....so grab yourself a nice hot drink, get yourself comfy and lets talk all things magickal and how we can add a little witchyness to our daily lives!
 
Living a Witchy life can be so very easy and simple to do! A lot of people think that there are lots of certain objects that you need and certain daily spells and rituals etc to follow to be a Witch, and whilst this can be true, this is also not always the case. You don't need all the fancy objects that are claimed to be needed like Athames, Cauldrons, fancy Book of Shadows etc. These items can be substituted for other things that you already have that will serve the exact same purpose. Take a Witch's tools for example, I technically have each item that is stated as 'needed' for our witchy practices...yet they are not the 'official' ones!

I use a lovely ivory handled butter knife in place of my Boline (white handled ceremonial dagger used for inscribing candles,runes etc), I use a lovely silver vintage style letter opener for my Athame (black handled ceremonial dagger used for directing energies during spell casting and rituals like Casting a Circle), My wand is a small part of a tree branch that I found on the floor whilst walking in my local woods, and my Altar is all made from things that I already had lying around my house.(I also have another altar in my kitchen that is made from things I already had too) and it works perfectly for me! I love how they not only cost me next to nothing,as the only things I actually paid any money for is my crystals and other bits like that, but that they also hold my own individual personality and style too (especially as they have a bit of a vintage edge to them) I use crystal wine glasses in place of the Chalice, little crystal bowls as offering bowls and I even found a gorgeous little crystal bell in a charity shop which only cost me 50p and is just perfect for my Altar!

I love coming across gorgeous little finds like in charity shops. I love going into them and having a look at what I can find and pretty much always coming out with something unexpected or something I never even thought of buying but which I find to be utterly perfect (like my crystal bell). Great for the environment too as things are getting reused and given a new purpose.

All the tools needed to practice witchcraft can be made from scratch by yourself (if you are lucky enough to be gifted with the ability to make beautiful things)). Others can be bought from specialist occult/spiritual stores or online stores (Ebay is my favourite online place to find bits and bobs for relatively cheap prices). Alternatively you can do what myself and many other people do and use things already around the home that will serve the purpose of what you need them for. Just because we are witches doesn't mean that we have to pay a fortune to have all the things that we need! 

As well as the different tools used to practice our daily witchcraft, another way of bringing a bit of magick into our lives is through Manifestation. 'The Law of Attraction' is the process of putting out into the Universe what we desire and giving it the opportunity to come to us. In a way this is kind of like making a wish and waiting for it to come true. Ways to manifest things into our lives are talked about all over the internet and in books and magazines. The well known book The Secret is all about manifesting the things we want into our lives to make our lives more authentic to our true purposes/desires. Manifesting can be easy once you get the hang of it. It is not as simple as lighting a candle and making a wish but it can work well for people who follow the path.
 
Manifesting is all about putting out into the Universe what you truly want in your life. Happiness? Love? Money? A new home? Career? Whatever it is you are seeking for in your life, manifesting can help bring it into reality for you. This is done by not just wishing for it, or praying to the Universe to send you what you want...but by already visualising yourself with it. So if you are wanting love, visualise yourself already in the relationship and happy - imagine feeling the way it would do and thinking the way you would within that relationship. If it is a new home you are wanting, then visualise yourself already having that home, picture where all your furniture would go and see yourself wandering about in the house doing your daily life just as you are now, but in your new home!

Manifestation works by 'seeing' yourself already living your life with whatever it is you are asking for. By doing this, the Universe knows what to send you. Focus only on the positive things you want within your life. The Law of Attraction can work both ways, so if you are constantly focusing on all the negative things you have happening in your life, like debts, failing relationships, an unfulfilling job etc...then you will continue to be stuck in that negative cycle. Like attracts like... So keep your visualisations and thoughts as positive as you can and you will soon begin to notice the difference. 

You can also add a magickal touch to your daily life by bringing in some regular witchy practices. like daily protection spells for yourself, your loved ones and your homes. These can be as simple as closing your eyes and asking the Universe/Angels/deities to watch over and protect you or lighting a white candle and focusing on the flame for a few minutes. You can use Daily Affirmations to help you keep your thoughts and moods in check. Nothing can get you in a good mood more than repeating a positive affirmation to help with all sorts...from confidence issues right to specific topics like finding love, changing your career or self love etc. Affirmations can be used at any time during the day (or night) and can be as long or short as you want them to be. You can use ready-made ones you have found online or in books or you can go ahead and make up your own.

Crystals are also a fun and very easy way to add a touch of magick to our everyday lives. They are especially good for people who are just starting out or who are uncertain what to do in a particular situation. There are literally hundreds of different crystals with all sorts of uses. the main crystals that tend to pop up everywhere are ones like Rose Quartz, Clear Quartz, Amethyst, Tigers Eye, Selenite, Obsidian, Hematite, etc. These are all really simple and easy to use too, so you can easily incorporate them into your daily lives.. Crystals are a subtle way of making changes in our lives or within ourselves as we can pick the crystal most suited to our need and either use it within a simple spell or carry it with us. Some people like to use crystals within special 'spell pouches' where they add the relevant crystal (or crystals) along with herbs, spices and other objects like Rune stones or Sigils.

Crystals are very versatile. There are literally hundreds of ways that you can use them within your lives, from things like Healing, and peace baths to spells and rituals. You can also put certain crystals around your home, for things like protection, dispelling negativity or adding calming energies to each room. I have a black obsidian crystal hanging over the doorway of every room, I have Tiger's Eye and Clear Quartz crystals on each window sill and I also have a selection of assorted crystals on my mantleplace. I keep crystals on my bedroom and kitchen altars and also just generally dotted all around the home for decoration (I have a slight obsession with crystals..and books. I have them all over my house! A girl can never have too many of either!) 

 Another way of bringing a bit of magick into our lives other than crystals, spell work and home decorations, are Tarot Cards/Oracle Cards. These can be used in lots of ways, from full multiple card spreads, to simple one card readings. There are lots of different types of cards, from traditional Tarot decks, Angel oracle cards and unusual more bespoke decks like the Gothic Faerie deck. The cards can be used to gain insights into situations currently happening within our lives and to find out what the Universe has in store for us. I absolutely love using my Decks.(I have lots and more are on my wish list) I do daily card readings each morning, where I sit and shuffle the Tarot deck I am drawn to, pick the cards that call to me that day and turn them over to see what the message/advice for that day is. I also like to do this with Angel Oracle cards, as I like to tune in and see what message or piece of advice the Angels would like me to know for that day/week/situation. 

There are literally hundreds of other ways to bring magick into our lives. But the most important thing with any magickal practice is to do what feels right for you.  Find your passion for something that you can do daily and do it!  Magick is all about finding your own way and finding whats perfect for you and your life. If you can dust yourself off, laugh at your mistakes  and try it all over again...you are certainly cut out for a magickal life!

​So go have some fun creating one! 
 
Lots of Love and Bright Blessings!
Barb x

Image https://www.deviantart.com/art/pagan-poetry-735089337
 
  

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