• Divination Articles

    Road to Runes

    Road to Runes: Making a Rune Set Runes have been used for divination for many years, and are often incorporated into Norse-inspired magic and spiritual practices. While there are many digital tools for drawing runes, it’s normal to want to have a physical set of your own if you want to use them regularly. That way, you can draw a rune wherever you are, even if you’re in the middle of the woods or high up a mountain—although perhaps don’t go as far as to try and use them while hanging from a tree!     One of the cheapest and most satisfying ways to get your own runes is…

  • Crafting Articles

    WitchCrafting: Crafts for Witches

    Shell Wind Chime   Merry meet!   This issue’s WitchCrafting column is connected to a favorite summer activity: collecting shells at the beach. I have a difficult time not filling my pockets with these marine mollusks. Holding them, I can feel the energy of earth, water, fire, and air.  Litha is a special time for capturing the essence of summer, in this case with a wind chime. I used shells that had naturally occurring holes, but instructional videos can be found for drilling them. Thin wire, dental floss, cotton twine, and other fibers can all be used to tie the shells into strips. Arrange them any way that pleases you.…

  • Crafting Articles

    WitchCrafting: Crafts for Witches

    Crafts for Witches: Fire Starters Merry meet. Beltane is one of the fire festivals. The word Beltane translates roughly to “bright fire” and in Celtic tradition, the most important ritual was the sacred community bonfire lit at sunset the evening before. (Celtic days went from sundown to sundown.) Festivities focused on casting off winter’s darkness and celebrating the start of summer. It’s also a time of celebrating fertility You can start your fire with items you likely already have on hand. Perhaps the easiest and least expensive fire starters are made by filling cardboard toilet paper tubes with loosely packed dryer lint. Use two or three to start a fire.…

  • Crafting Articles

    WitchCrafting: Crafts for Witches

    A Wheel of the Year     Merry meet. Samhain and the end of the pagan year is a good time to create a Solar Wheel using Indian corn, a common seasonal decoration. Gather eight ears of corn that are the same length and have husks. To represent the quarters, pick four that are similar in color, and select another color for the cross-quarters. Using all one color, or a random selection can also represent the eight sabbats. A wire wreath form, bent metal hanger, grapevine wreath, or circle of sturdy cardboard can serve as a base. You’ll also need a small cardboard circle. Attach two ears of corn opposite…

  • Crafting Articles

    WitchCrafting: Crafts for Witches

    Protection Door Hanger Merry meet. I was inspired to make protection door hangers by first fashioning twigs and vines into small wreaths that would fit over a doorknob. Then I collected up as many small objects as I could find that had protective powers, including bells, pentacles, tiny jars of salt, hag stones, sweet gum tree seed pods, tarot card charms, goddesses, crystals (black tourmaline, black obsidian, clear quartz, amethyst), evil eyes, rune symbols, dried herbs, and spirals. I attached these to the bottom of each wreath with embroidery floss, ribbon, twine, or string.   Other objects that offer protection include angel wings, the Hand of Fatima, the triquetra, dreamcatchers,…

  • Crafting Articles

    WitchCrafting: Crafts for Witches

    Crafts for Witches: Hag Stones     Merry meet. This month’s column looks at hag stones, also known as fairy stones, holey stones, witch stones, Odin stones, and eye stones. They are rocks that have naturally occurring holes, worn by water over long periods of time. Because it’s commonly believed magic cannot work on moving water, hag stones are valued because they would be immune to the effects of magic, adverse energies, and enchantments, yet possess water’s powerful protection and healing energies.     The oddity of the stones has made them a focus of folk magic. For centuries witches have used them in spells and rituals for everything from…

  • Crafting Articles

    WitchCrafting: Crafts for Witches

    Walking With Magick     Merry meet. This month’s column features a job I commissioned by Kerry Bower of Kerry’s Creations. I knew what I wanted, but I didn’t have the materials, patience or artistic ability to turn shoes and boots into works of Pagan Art.     First she cleaned the shoes with Angelus brand leather cleaner.     Using Angelus brand paint, she freehanded her designs. There are other brands of acrylic-based paints created specifically for leather you can use. Do not mix brands, and never apply heat to help the paint dry.     “The key to bright colors is to paint multiple layers and let each…

  • Crafting Articles

    WitchCrafting: Crafts for Witches

    Crafts for Witches: DIY Dishes Merry meet. When you can’t find a dish with the wheel of the year on it, a plate with the moon, a coffee mug with the right words, or a trivet with a pentacle on it, you can make it yourself. This one was made for me from an unused child’s craft kit, adding some acrylic paints before baking it.     Typically, you’d use Sharpie or dry erase markers. Cotton swabs, and rubbing alcohol or a dry marker eraser will be needed to remove mistakes. Non-toxic ceramic paint and pens can be used on microwave-safe dishware, making it safe for serving food. Clean your…

  • Crafting Articles

    WitchCrafting: Crafts for Witches

    Crafts for Witches: Black Salt     Merry meet. Witches use black salt to absorb unfavorable energies, boost protection spells and guard against negativity. It is also used in cleansing, healing and banishing, making and breaking hexes, and casting powerful circles. I consider its energy somewhat stronger and different than that of white or pink salt. While you can buy it, it is better if you make your own. Most recipes for black salt are very much the same, and all will draw off negative energy and provide protection.     You’ll want a mortar and pestle in which you will grind together your ingredients. I used a small cast…

  • Crafting Articles

    Hekate Doll Transformation

    So my one friend loves Hekate & I decided to make her a gift that she would love. I make custom dolls, but for some reason had never made a god or goddess, just creepy random dolls. But, I was up for the challenge. I used three different dolls to make up this one. I took the head from a snarky looking Barbie, the body of a Monster High doll that was missing her hands and then hands from a different Barbie.     The first things I had to do was strip the doll doll down to it’s core. I removed the face with acetone and cut the hair…