What Is Lupercalia?

How to Write Your Own Spells

There are lots of ways to create spells, from planning everything to the minutest detail ahead of time to absolutely flying by the seat of your pants in the moment. If you'd like to write your own spells, either for use in your craft or as a creative exercise, here are some suggested steps that I use in my own practice:

1) Determine the intent or goal of your spell. Decide, first and foremost, what you want the spell to do. Refine your goal if necessary and try not to be too nebulous. Your intent tells the spell what it's meant to do. A more focused goal may increase the chances of success.

2) Determine how you want the spell to manifest. Decide how the spell should work and what the result should look like. This is a good time to build in a sign of success, especially for spells that may not work in an obvious or visible way.

3) Determine what or whom the spell will affect. If the spell is to have a target, be it a person or a place or an animal or an object, decide what that should be and how they or it will be represented in the casting.

4) Determine how long the spell is meant to work. If your spell is timebound or has a deadline, decide what that will be. If the spell is meant to work long-term, you may want to check in and refresh it from time to time. (Not every spell will be timebound. Many spells will simply expire when they have fulfilled their purpose or if they are blocked or circumstances are not favorable.)

5) Determine the timing of the spell, if applicable. Not everyone uses celestial or astrological timing for their spells, but if you do, look into the prevailing conditions and decide on an advantageous time for your casting. (Please note that magical timing can only enhance your spell and casting something on the "wrong" day will not necessarily cause it to fail.)

6) Determine what methods and materials you want to use to cast the spell. Decide how you're going to go about performing the casting, whether you're doing a ritual or making a charm or just using energy. If you're going to need a ritual space or physical components, plan that out and make sure it fits with what you want to do.

7) Determine the words, if any, which will empower the spell. If you want to include a prayer or a petition or a song or an incantation with your spell, decide what that should be. This is not strictly necessary and the words need not be spoken aloud. (Rhyming incantations are not required, but if you prefer them that way, you can certainly do so.)

8) Prepare the materials for casting the spell. Get all your necessaries together ahead of time. Make sure you have everything you need, that tools and components are in good and useable condition, prepare your workspace, and make sure everything is within easy reach so you don't have to stop and search for things in the middle of your casting. (And for goodness sake, if you're working with open flame, observe fire safety and tie your hair and sleeves back.)

9) Finalize details and perform the casting. When you're ready to begin, try to eliminate as many possibilities for distraction or interruption as possible. Go over your spell and components one more time, then proceed with casting the spell.

10) Record the particulars for future reference and to determine how well the spell worked. Make a record of the spell, including your goal, how it should manifest, the words and components used, the date of the casting, the casting method and procedure, and how the casting went. If there are any additional details or observations that seem important, include those as well. This will serve as a useful learning tool in the future and will allow you to check your work if the results make themselves known.

It's useful to write spells from time to time if the inspiration strikes you, in order to better understand how they fit together and how they work. Plus it's a fun and creative journaling exercise and recording the spells you cast a great way to measure your progress later on.

For additional tips on writing your own spells and helpful tricks for using timing and available materials to your advantage, check out my podcast, Hex Positive, Eps. 006-007, "Come In For A Spell, pt 1 & 2."

(And if you’re enjoying my content, please feel free to drop a little something in the tip jar or check out my published works on Amazon or in the Willow Wings Witch Shop. 😊)

Happy Witching! 🔮✨

i love you birdsong at 1am i love you cherry blossom petals on the street i love you golden light lengthening and lengthening i love you coatless evenings i love you wood pigeons crooning spectacularly outside my window i love you new leaves and new leaves and new leaves i love you magpies gathering nest materials i love you rosebuds finally arriving i love you first bees of the season going absolutely wild in the dandelions

STORMS IN WITCHCRAFT

RAIN STORM: GROWTH AND REBIRTH. SHEDDING OLD SKIN

LIGHTENING STORM: POTENT MAGICAL POWER HEXES AND CURSES

SNOW STORM: PURITY, ENDINGS, CHANGE, HOME AND HEARTH WORK

TORNADO: ERRATIC BUT POWERFUL ENERGY FOR ANY RITUAL, CAN BE UNPREDICTABLE

WIND STORM: POTENT ENERGY FOR A FAST-ACTING SPELL, MENTAL MAGIC

some fae facts from lore

‘fae’ range from anything like goblins and imps to the little pixies with the wings that everyone associated with fairies to the seven-foot tall members of the royal courts. some even consider the banshee to be fae. (also trolls, gnomes, elves, djinn, dwarves, leprechauns, will-o-wisps, etc.)

some think the fae are evil, some think they are fallen angels, but most are considered to be a chaotic neutral force. some might call this ‘whimsically evil.’

honey makes them drunk.

iron poisons them, as it does many magical beings.

some were-creatures were probably just fae in disguise, since fae can assume any form.

they sometimes lure humans with music that makes them want to follow and dance. they have to dance for what feels like a year and a day but it actually only seconds.

true names of the fae have power over them. they often use aliases when dealing with non-fae.

some people are gifted with fae sight, which allows them to see the fae and also sometimes peeks into the future through their dreams.

cats hate the fae, and the fae hate them back. 

iron horseshoes over the door can act as a fae deterrent.

they sometimes kidnap human children and leave their own children or elderly behind. these are called changelings.

fae are generous with gifts, especially for polite people, but prefer gifts in return.

that being said, better to avoid accepting gifts. you probably don’t have enough to pay them back. by saying ‘thank you,’ you acknowledge that a gift was given and that you now owe something in return. being indebted to the fae = bad time

fae can’t lie, but truth and honesty aren’t always the same.

asking for a favor will cause offense. make it seem like it’s their idea to help you.

most things offend them, actually.

some fae can smell a lie. there’s no way of knowing which ones unless they tell you.

fae use ‘glamour’ to hide their appearance or habitations around humans. ‘glamour’ can be gifted for use by humans.

it’s better for fae to have half-breed children than no children at all, so relationshops with humans are fine. it just rarely works out fine for the human.

A neurodivergent witch's guide to starting a grimoire 🌿✨️

I remember when I was first starting out with building a grimoire and getting frustrated with how few resources there are on what a grimoire is supposed to be. I wanted clear directions and examples of what to include, but I mostly found YouTubers giving vague descriptions and repeating over and over again that it's extremely personal and private so they wouldn't say anything specific. As a neurodivergent person, it was very frustrating to try to figure out what to do from that. It took me a while to figure out what my own specifics were, so for any beginner witches out there, here are some specific ideas for starting off! Once you get more used to it, it'll get easier and easier to figure out what you do and don't want to include.

I'd recommend researching sigils and creating one to protect your grimoire; I placed mine on the second page after I dedicated the notebook for it, but you can put it wherever you feel like

Dates of moon cycles/information on how they affect your practice

Wheel of the year/sabbats if you celebrate them

Record rituals for sabbats if you choose to do anything for them, that way you have a reference for next year

Information on the elements- earth, air, fire, water, and/or spirit depending on your practice

Information on herbs or crystals you have- I like to print out pictures to include with the correspondences and leave space to write down specific things I use them for

Also, a quick reference list of ways you can care for individual crystals will be very helpful if you use them! Pay extra attention to which ones are sensitive to sun or water, it'll save you crystals later on

Basics of tarot, runes, or other divination methods

Color correspondences!

Information on zodiac signs; I printed out my star chart and put it in

When you do spellwork, write down everything you did and date it. Later you can come back and update whether it worked, what the effects were, and tweak it if necessary- basically treat it like a magic recipe book

A grimoire is not the same as a journal- if you want to write down personal reflections on meditation or your emotional experiences, I would suggest using a separate notebook for those things.

While I understand why people are so hesitant to show their grimoires, I have no qualms with showing a few pages for example purposes. However, I would suggest that you don't share anything that is personalized to your craft to others unless you can 100% guarantee that they won't cause you harm with it.

The only reason I'm ok with putting pictures on here is because they're full of basic information that anyone with Google could find and nothing that's specific to me.

With that being said, here are a few examples from my own grimoire as a reference!

A Prayer to Aphrodite Areia

Dear Aphrodite Areia,

Protectress of those who fight for what they love

Of women who murder their abusers as an act of self love

Hear my prayer!

I'm praying for you to help me fight against external and internalized homophobia

I'm kindly asking you to help me and my loved ones love themselves

O Smiling Aphrodite,

Please help me get through my mental health problems, so I can smile genuinely again.

With love,

Ligea 🥀

@beautyofaphrodite , this is my submission to the 200 Followers Event.

A Complete Guide to Celebrating Imbolc

Date: February 1st – 2nd Themes: Renewal, light, fertility, inspiration, purification Deity Association: Brigid (Celtic goddess of poetry, healing, and smithcraft)

1. Understanding Imbolc

Imbolc is a Celtic festival marking the halfway point between the Winter Solstice (Yule) and the Spring Equinox (Ostara). It celebrates the first signs of spring, fertility, purification, and the returning light. Traditionally associated with Brigid, Imbolc is a time to cleanse, set intentions, and welcome inspiration.

2. Preparing for Imbolc

Declutter and Cleanse Your Space

Do a deep cleaning of your home (similar to spring cleaning) to invite fresh energy.

Use smoke cleansing (sage, rosemary, or incense) to purify your space.

Open windows and doors to let in fresh air and new energy.

Create an Imbolc Altar

Colors: White, red, green, gold

Symbols: Candles, milk, seeds, flowers, Brigid’s Cross, lambs, sun imagery

Crystals: Amethyst (intuition), citrine (light), garnet (passion), clear quartz (clarity)

Herbs & Plants: Chamomile, bay leaf, rosemary, snowdrops, and early spring flowers

3. Traditional Imbolc Rituals

Lighting Candles

Since Imbolc is a fire festival, lighting candles symbolizes the returning sun. You can:

Light a candle in every room at sunset.

Arrange candles in a circle and meditate on the growing light.

Use a red, white, or gold candle to represent Brigid’s presence.

Brigid’s Blessing & Invocation

Invocation of Brigid: "Brigid, goddess of hearth and home, Bless this space where I now roam. With fire and light, your warmth impart, Renew my spirit, heal my heart."

Leave a piece of fabric outside overnight to absorb Brigid’s blessings, then use it throughout the year for healing or protection.

Water & Milk Offerings

Pour fresh milk or water outside as an offering to Brigid and nature spirits.

Place a small bowl of milk on your altar as a symbol of nourishment and fertility.

Fire & Candle Ritual

Write your intentions or wishes for the year ahead.

Burn them in a fire-safe bowl or fireplace while focusing on renewal.

Meditate on the warmth of the flame, visualizing the return of light and inspiration.

4. Imbolc Feasting & Food

Traditional foods focus on dairy, grains, and warming spices:

Milk-based foods (cheese, butter, custards, yogurt)

Breads & grains (oatcakes, bannocks, soda bread)

Spiced foods (cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger)

Herbal teas (chamomile, peppermint, rosemary)

Hearty stews with root vegetables and lamb

Imbolc Recipe: Honey Oat Bannocks

Ingredients:

1 cup oats

1 cup flour

½ tsp salt

¼ tsp baking soda

2 tbsp butter

½ cup buttermilk

2 tbsp honey

Instructions:

Mix dry ingredients in a bowl.

Cut in butter until crumbly.

Stir in buttermilk and honey to form a dough.

Roll out and cut into rounds.

Cook on a greased skillet over medium heat until golden.

5. Imbolc Activities

Make a Brigid’s Cross

Weave a Brigid’s Cross from straw, rushes, or paper.

Hang it over doors or hearths for protection and blessings.

Plant Seeds or Bulbs

Start indoor herbs or flowers as a symbol of new beginnings.

Snowdrops, crocuses, or daffodils are perfect for Imbolc.

Divination & Reflection

Use tarot, runes, or scrying to gain insight into the year ahead.

Journal about your goals, creativity, and what you wish to manifest.

Outdoor Nature Walk

Look for signs of early spring: budding trees, returning birds, or sprouting flowers.

Gather natural items (fallen twigs, stones) for your altar.

6. Closing the Celebration

Gratitude Ritual

Thank Brigid and the spirits for their blessings.

Bury or compost food offerings to return energy to the earth.

Snuff out candles (rather than blowing them out) to preserve the magic.

Meditation & Quiet Reflection

Sit in stillness, embracing the warmth of the candlelight.

Focus on inner renewal and the new cycle ahead.

7. Modern Ways to Celebrate Imbolc

Take a warm cleansing bath with herbs like rosemary and lavender.

Donate to a charity (honoring Brigid’s healing and generosity).

Write poetry or create art to invoke creativity and inspiration.

Craft a protection charm using red and white thread.

Final Thoughts

Imbolc is a time of hope, renewal, and inspiration. Whether through fire rituals, feasting, crafting, or quiet reflection, embracing the light within and around you is the true essence of this festival.

Blessed Imbolc! 🌿🔥

“Becoming a witch is an awakening, a remembering, an initiation. It’s a chant to ‘come home, come home, come home’, because even when you feel like you’re lost, you’re not.”

— Gabriela Herstik, from “Craft: How to Be a Modern Witch,” released c. 2018