please be respectful of cultural boundaries when working with mermaids from various cultures and traditions, and be mindful not to intrude.
đ Rusalkas – slavic in origin, disturbed spirits of the âunclean deadâ, ghosts of women who died violent deaths, with a penchant for drowning young men. they live only in rivers and lakes, and are known to have green hair like aquatic plants, only appearing in the night.Â
đ Melusina – a mermaid that walks among humans, but returns to their two-tailed form during baths and when they bathe their children. often a water spirit of a nearby lake or river. french origin.Â
đ Siren – greek mythology. servants and companions of persephone, whom searched for her when she was abducted. they are known to sometimes have the body of a bird, and for their song, which lured sailors to their doom. cannibalism implied folklore. have the power of prophecy.Â
đ Merrow – irish mermaid. known to have green hair and webbed fingers. particular noted love of music and their red cap, which when stolen, they will live with the thief until they find it, and then return to the water, leaving even a whole family behind.Â
đ Ben-varrey – from the isle of man, known to bless those that are kind to them with prosperity, gifts, and even the location of treasure.Â
đ Aicaya –Â
Caribbean mermaid, humans who become mermaids when they are shunned from their community and go to live in the sea.Â
đ Amabie – japanese merpeople, with birdlike torsos and three legs and scales. they are gifted with prophecy, usually foretelling abundant harvests or epidemicsÂ
đ Ningyo – âhuman faced fishâ known to have golden scales, that brings bad weather and misfortune when caught, but when their flesh is eaten the consumer is granted youth and beauty, even agelessness.Â
đ Finman / Finwife – magical shapeshifters that disguise themselves as sea creatures or plants to lure humans, unlike most mermaids they kidnap people from the shores to be their spouses or servants. they have a greed for jewelry and coins, particularly silver, and prefer humans over other finfolk.Â
đ Sirena Chilota – considered the more friendly mermaids, caring for all fish life and rescuing drowned sailors to restore life to them. known for their human-like beauty and youth, according to legend they are the child of a human and a âking of seasâ, tears are a powerful substance. from chilote mythology.Â
đ Cecealia – sometimes known as âsea witchesâ, they are half human and half octopus. origins in native american and japanese mythology.Â
đ Sirena / Siyokoy – the philippine version of mermaid and merman respectively. also called âmagindaraâ, they are known to protect the waters from raiders, and protect the boy moon from sea monsters. Siyokoys can sometimes have legs however, covered with scales and webbed feet
đ Sea Mither – scottish/orcadian mythology, a spirit that personifies the sea during spring and summer, battles along scottish isles using storms to bring the summer about. a mother figure to all aquatic life.Â
đ Ceasg – a fresh-water mermaid, specifically half-salmon, said to grant three wishes if captured. sometimes called maighdean na tuinne (maid of the wave) or maighdean mhara (maid of the sea). scottish.Â
đ Selkie – though somewhat different from the typical mermaid, as they are not cold-blooded, have the body of a seal in the water and are human on land. in legends their skins are often stolen and they are kept by fishermen as spouses, or become lovers to fishermenâs wives who shed tears into the sea. Â
I keep getting this question in my inbox so I figured Iâd post the answer publicly so I can refer to it instead. First of all though, there are tons of posts about this already and if you do a quick search through the âwitchcraft communityâ tag or âwitchcraft 101âł youâll find a lot of great advice already circulating. What Iâm going to outline here is my personal recommendation, and as for all my posts this is the âYMMVâ disclaimer (your mileage may vary, i.e. do what works for you and donât take this as absolute in any way).Â
Step 1: Pick a spell. Any spell. Seriously, it doesnât matter. Well⌠okay, maybe donât like⌠try to conjure Baphomet into your living room or something, but pick any rando spell that you feel like doing. Donât worry about what it is, or who wrote it, or how âauthenticâ it is. Do these things matter? Sure, maybe, depends on who you ask, but you can figure this stuff out later. For now, just pick a spell. The only real guideline Iâll give here is that it should ideally be something with a measurable result within a reasonable timeframe. Iâll get to why later.
Step 2: Bake a cake. Donât actually bake a cake (unless you want a cake, in which case by all means please bake a cake), but this is the part where you gather whatever it is you need for the spell and perform it as itâs written. Spells can in some ways be considered recipes in that you want to try following the directions first, and make your changes afterwards. This is especially true for a beginner or someone who doesnât know what theyâre doing yet.Â
Step 3: Mouth feel. The spell is done, congrats. You probably feel⌠nothing, tbh, maybe even vague disappointment. Why? Because this wasnât really your magic yet, and thereâs very likely something (maybe even a lot) missing. This is the most crucial part of your process. What were you expecting? What did you like, not like? Itâs time to write this down, and if youâre the type of person who wants to keep a grimoire this is a great first entry. Were you hoping for more ritual? Maybe ceremonial magic is what you should look into. Did you want there to be more bubbling cauldrons? Try looking into hearth magic or herbal magic. Were you missing a chant, a poem? Look more into spellcraft and the power of words. Some key subjects you can look up: crystal magic, herbal magic, hearth magic, cosmic magic, spirit work, death magic, healing magic, bane magic, divination, folk magic, chaos magic, technomancy, sigilwork, spellcraft, hedge walking, deity worship, sex magic, blood magic, etc. If any of these sound appealing to you, do a google search and read about them a little more so you can decide whether or not you want to delve in a little further.
Step 4: The cake is a lie. This is where we drop the food metaphors, and get back to that thing I brought up in step one: measurable results within a reasonable timeframe. This is the part that seems to get lost the most in all the advice going around, and in my opinion itâs the second most important (the first one being that practicing magic feels good/right to you). Grimoires arenât just supposed to be pretty lists of spells and correspondences, theyâre supposed to contain spells that actually work. The key here is to figure out what feels right to you as far as method, and then to refine that method to achieve tangible results. If you already feel great doing magic, let me tell you⌠youâll feel pretty fucking amazing when your magic starts having an actual effect on the world around you, and it shouldnât take years of mastery for that to happen. Small magics and simple spells can be done effectively by beginner witches, and these are the things you build upon to form your craft. If your magic isnât getting results, itâs not magic: itâs ceremony.
Step 5: Rinse and repeat. For most people there is a specific facet of magic that attracted them to it before they ever cast a spell, and while some people might know what it is straight off the bat most people donât, and thatâs fine. You donât need to know what youâre doing right at the start, and making mistakes isnât going to curse your house or open up a portal into the dark realms by accident (still assuming youâre doing beginner stuff and not trying to invoke dark spirits to do your bidding or something). The witchcraft side of tumblr can often look really serious and like everyone knows exactly what theyâre doing all the time, but the truth of the matter is thereâs a lot of trial and error and thatâs exactly what magic is supposed to be. If youâre looking towards magic as something to provide all the answers for you, youâre gonna have a real bad time. Itâs about looking at how other people have gotten to where you want to go, and forging your own route from there.
On a final note, Iâd just like to add that if anyone claims to be an absolute authority on any given topic of witchcraft or occultism, be extremely fucking wary. If anyone is saying you need to pay x amount of money or buy x number of things to be a âreal witchâ, be extremely fucking wary. Witchcraft existed before money, before capitalism, before industrialization and consumerism.Â
As always, my inbox is open if you have any questions about this (or anything else). If I donât know the answer, I can usually point you towards someone who does or at least give you a direction to search in. Happy witching!
REMEMBER THAT THE SPECIES BEING EDIBLE DONâT MEAN THE SPECIMEN IS EDIBLE! PESTICIDES AND OTHER CONTAMINANTS CAN BE DANGEROUS! IF YOU CANâT BUY THEM, GROW THEM YOURSELF TO MAKE SURE THEY ARE SAFE (itâs very easy!)
Y’all seem to be really interested in spells like these and Iâve gotten so many requests to post more stuff like this. So, here are some of my best tips and tricks Iâve accumulated over the years to make spells like this work best.
In my experience, I have had the most success with black, purple, and red candles. Purple is used for domination spells often as it symbolizes power. Black absorbs all other colors and can be used as a stand-in for any spell. Red is often used in love spells but is underrated and under- utilized in domination and other defensive spells like tapa boca (shut up) ones in my opinion and for me has proven very successful.
If you are using a doll or person representation in a spell where you are trying to dominate someone, turn the doll upside down on its head. By putting your doll upside down it puts pressure on the target to bend to your will as well as shows them they are in your control and you have them turned upside down.
Cloves. While they resemble nails which is a plus (nail someone down/pinning someone down=controling them), they are a powerful agent in domination and defensive spells alike. In a glass-encased candle, I typically stick 5 on top, but powder can be used around a candle as well.
Alum works really well for sour jars and shut up spells, it is essential for me in these types of works.
High John the conquer oil, tame sheep, and bend over oil are all oils you can make or buy at a reputable botanica. These are my favorites to use, but it all depends on the type of work your doing. if it is a love domination spell, for example, you might be better off using something like bend over if you want your partner to be submissive to you.
Keep the petition with the personâs name that it is already dressed with your oils in your shoe. Now the person is literally beneath your feet as you assert your position over them.
These are just a few tips/tricks I have picked up over the years that I thought would be helpful. Happy casting!
Check out local plant societies to see what activities they have planned. Some of them offer free plant walks that will help you to get to know your local plants
Start experimenting with your (safe) local weeds first. For many of you, this means sorrel, dandelion, plantain, violet leaf, and ground ivy.
Get your warnings and safety information from reputable books and herbalists, not social media (tumblr). There are many rumors on this site about what is and isnât poisonous, please donât believe everything you read!
Keep a few materia medica books on hand to check for contraindications and safety instead. My go-to books for checking whether an herb is okay with me are located in the recommended books post above
Pick 1 herb a month to really focus on. Keep in mind that you can do a lot with a few herbs, some of them have dozens of uses
Learn about your herbs by tasting and using them, not just reading! Personal experience is more important than book knowledge (except when it comes to safety)
Equipment
JARS (check the thrift store for cheap finds)
Alcohol – I usually use 80 proof vodka for tinctures but you can also use brandy depending on what youâre making
Oils- I like grapeseed oil and coconut oil
Funnels
Cheese cloth for straining herbs
Kitchen scale
French press (easy way to make loose leaf tea)
Idea of what to start making with herbs
Bruise/injury salves
Bug sprays
Calming tinctures/teas
Digestive tinctures/teas
Pain tinctures
Fomentations
Poultices
I probably forgot a lot of stuff so Ill be adding more in the future!
(Please research herbs before using them, not all the posts are very informative about all the effects herbs may have! ESPECIALLY if youâre on meds.)
Iâd like to request that you keep gender out of any comments that you make on this. People of various gender identities get periods (or donât), lets be inclusive here!
Theurgy, and thaumaturgy are two types of categories of magick. These terms are used to show the difference between the results of what you will accomplish from certain types of magick, along with what you will be impacting. They are not meant to be limiting in any form of thought, or idea, or even show superiority in any sort of fashion. These are two terms that are very important for understanding the concepts of magick, and should be at least known and understood by the people who practice it.
Theurgy:
Theurgy also known as high magick is a type of practice that is more focused on manifesting higher forms of understanding, and spiritual enlightenment. Theurgy comes to us from the Greek word Î¸ÎľÎżĎ Ďγίι meaning God working. It usually pertains very highly to the gods, and the higher divine realms, because of this it is highly associated with religion, and usually calls upon the help of other spiritual beings. This type of magick is used in order to help the practitioner reach a state of apotheosis in their spiritual life, and experience. People that would do this type of magick would technically get the title of a theurgist. Theurgy gives the theurgist a higher connection to the divine, and other higher consciousness is in order to press their own growth through the act of experiencing, and interacting with these forces. The thought process of theurgy was greatly expanded on by the neoplatonist, and many other philosophical, and  religious schools of thought. Theurgy is a lot more focus on higher purpose, evolution, and change of oneself, and is a much more spiritual type of magick.  It is used to grow, and learn through the act of connecting with the divines, higher spiritual realms, other entities, and unseen forces. It is powerful magick for spiritual awakening, and unlocking the subconscious mind allowing the practitioner to grow, and expand spiritually, and mentally with their practices. There are a lot of magickâs that fit into this certain type of mold, such as most forms of ceremonial magick, divination, meditation, praying, invoking, and envoking, along with many others. This may also bring on more of an internal effect.
Thaumaturgy :
Thaumaturgy also known as low magick is a type of practice that is more focused on manifesting basic human desires. The word thaumaturgy comes to us from the greek words θιῌΟι thaĂťma meaning âmiracleâ or âmarvelâ, and áźĎγον ĂŠrgon meaning âworkâ. Thaumaturgy is said to work off the capability of the practitioner in order to manifest their will, and desire upon the planes of existences. People that would do this type of magick would technically get the title of a thaumaturgist. Thaumaturgy is a much more practical type of magick, and it is used to call about your desires into the physical world, so that you can manifest them through your will. This magick is not exactly focused on spiritual growth, or awakening your consciousness, but much rather getting some form of physical, spiritual, or mental effect that can better your life, and some form of fashion. This type of magic would affect such things as love, money, health, luck, and career, among many other things one may desire. This may also bring on more of an external effect.
These are a couple theories on how magick works from different practitioners understandings. By understanding these theories you will be able to get a better grasp on magick as a whole through the understandings that people have found magick to react, and/or be initiated by. None of these theories are wrong, or right, and may just be parts of the same understanding, so getting to know them in their ins, and outs will not only allow you to help understand the paradigms that use them, it may also help you better your own practice by allowing you to look at things you might have missed. These are in no shape, or form all of the theories, but they are at least the more popular ones.
Theories on how magick works:
Energetic Theory:
Energetic theory has the understanding that magick works by raising specific universal spiritual energy through the act of using tools, the practitionerâs inner power, or even the energies from other entities, and that the practitioner will be able to gather it, and use their intention in order to give it instructions on what it should do, or manifest. Just by taking this energy, and intending, and directing it towards our goal will allow that gold to manifest. This theory is also very connected to the understanding of a spiritual energy that permeates throughout all of existence in every single construct, and entity, and that this energy can be manipulated, or worked with through intention. In this theory any entity that has intention can harness, and control energy to do magick.
Consciousness Theory:
Consciousness theory has the understanding that magick works by focusing the will of our consciousness upon what we desire, then reality will move in that direction, and will allow it to manifest, because of our connection to consciousness as a whole. All consciousness is seen as connected, and by setting forth are will in that consciousness we will be able to manifest our realities. Whatever thoughts that the practitioner holds in their mind will affect not only the practitioner, but the world around the practitioner. By focusing and mastering the mind one can tap into their consciousness, and subconsciousness to imprint focus upon certain desires, so that they will manifest in the world around them. This understanding is also very connected to the understanding of the universal mind, collective consciousness, and the idea that everything is consciousness. In this theory any entity that has consciousness can focus it to do magick.
Entity Theory:
Entity theory has the understanding that magick works by gaining favor with, or appeasing certain entity, or entities in existence, one will be able to manifest their will, if the entity, or entities, so choose to help the practitioner. These can be any form of entity, or entities that can be communicated with such as deities, angels, demons, spirits, ancestors, animistic spirits, source, and/or the universe. Once these entities are appeased, or that the practitioner have favor with them they are said to go through the act of acting out their will. In this understanding there may be a hierarchy of entities where the top would send entities from the bottom to actually manifest the desires. In this theory any entity that can communicate with higher powers, or other entities will have the potential to do magick.
Psychological Theory:
Psychological theory has the understanding that magick works through the act of deceiving, or redirecting how the practitioner thinks, or believes about something in order to push the practitioner towards there desire. This is based on the premise in which once reality is changed completely based off what they think, and/or believe. By thinking, or believing certain things their reality changes allowing their will to be achieved through a different train of thought. One would use spells and rituals in order to create new mental thought patterns which would allow the practitioner to bring forth, or push themselves towards their desire. One may use magickal items to remind them of what their will is, and to imprinted in their conscious, and subconscious mind. Some may even see this as a form of self hypnosis, or as a way to trigger the placebo effect in themselves. Tools are seen as a way of focusing their will upon their intention, and will be things that will draw the practitioner to thinking, or acting in a way in order to align themselves with their goal. In this theory any entity that has a mind, and can change how that mind thinks, or believes can do magick.
Biological Theory:
Through the act of controlling our emotions, thoughts, and physical factors one will initiate chemical reactions that will allow the practitioner to trigger the release of specific physical energies which will then be able to go forth, and manifest oneâs goal. This would be like wanting to be able to go to sleep easier, so the practitioner would focus on sleep allowing the melatonin in their body to be triggered, and activated allowing the practitioner to go to sleep easier. This understanding sees magick is all biological, and created by controlling biological forces in the body from different chemicals to the bioelectromagnetic field around the practitioner. In this theory any biological entity has the potential to do magick.
Quantum Explanation Theory:
Quantum explanation theory has the understanding that magick works by using the will to interact with the mechanics of the universe in order to manifest the desire of the practitioner. The mind of the practitioner is used in order to interact with, and change the behavior of subatomic particles, and energy fields within space/time. Through interacting with the fundamental quantum mechanics one will make changes on the very basic level of being which will in turn react with the greater whole of existence in order to manifest oneâs desires, and will. In this theory any practitioner who can access, and interact with quantum mechanics of the universe through their will has the potential to perform magick.
Faith Theory:
Faith theory has the understanding that magick works by having faith, and by believing that something will manifest, if the practitioner thinks about it positively. This theory is based around the premise that all the practitioner needs to do is believe in order to manifest anything. In this theory any entity that can have faith in what they are doing will be able to manifest their magick.
Eclectic, and Syncretic Theory:
Eclectic, and syncretic theory has the understanding that magick works through a combination of multiple, or all other theories, whether it is through bringing them all together to form an amalgamation of the theories, or if it is done through paradigm shiftings. This theory encompasses all, or some theories of how magick works, and uses them together or separately to explain its mechanics.
Candlelight-magick 