Mon, 13 Jul 2026 07:52:01 -0700WeeblyMon, 13 Jul 2026 01:26:14 GMThttps://www.shadowmaven.ca/blog/july-12th-2026Have you ever read a book or heard a theory that started out promising/interesting, but then, as you get deeper into it, it starts to grate on you? Maybe it is a slow process that, over time, you feel a disconnect with that train of thought, or perhaps it is a sudden realization that you no longer vibe with what is being said. However it happens, I believe in following one’s intuition, even when everyone else seems to think it is a good idea. In my posts, and in many of the reviews I have written over the years, I have always said to take what feels right to you and leave the rest.
 
There will be times when we learn or hear something that sounds good on the surface, but a deeper look makes us second guess. There will also be times when it out right repulses us. When this happens it usually results in the person closing the book, refusing to listen, or even arguing/debating/ranting about it. As (what I call) a completionist, I will always finish the book (which is what happened recently, which is what sparked this post). I like to think that I am open to debate/discussion on any topic, even when I feel the other opinion goes against what I believe or currently know to be true. That said, I also know I am quite stubborn, so this is a factor too. Most people I know do not read the books I do, so there is not usually someone to debate these topics with, though some ranting may happen (just ask my friends).
 
What I think is important at these times is not so much the topic we are so against, as the way we react to it, or rather, the motivation behind that reaction. When I find myself reacting so strongly to a topic I have to wonder why. What about this topic has struck a nerve? Is it simply contrary to my current knowledge or beliefs? What am I objecting to, the information, the person presenting the information, or how the information is being presented? Am I opposed to all of the information or just part of? Is my disapproval based on my own morals/values, my religious/spiritual practice, or personal experience? Do I really oppose this information, or is my reaction based on views/opinions other people I respect or care about think/have expressed?  These are all valid and, in my opinion, important questions to ask. The answers can tell us much about ourselves, and our shadow side.
 
Recently I read a book that made me feel some kind of way. At first the theories presented seemed rather sound, but as the book went on it started to feel…inauthentic. I did question whether my initial reaction had to do with one of the people who wrote part of the introduction, as I am not particularly fond of them. While I did not enjoy that part, I like to think I gave the book itself a fair chance. At first it felt like the author was describing a spiritual path that seemed reasonable. In fact, it sounded much like many spiritual books you would likely find on any shelf in the bookstore. However, as the book progressed, it described beliefs and techniques/exercises that absolved the reader/practitioner of accountability for their actions, asking them to deny or repress their feelings and their shadow side, all under the guise of enlightenment. If you have been reading my posts, you know that this kind of theory/practice would not sit well with me. It would, in fact, fall under one of my recent posts about spiritual bypassing. I almost did not want to finish the book after getting a little over half way through it. Particularly after writing that post. However, I did finish it, regardless of my opinion of it.
 
It is difficult to expand and grow as a person if we do not expose ourselves to new and different thoughts, beliefs, and experiences. We are certainly not going to agree with everything we hear and see, and that is ok. We all have our own path. However, I do think it is important to listen to and discuss these differences. You never know what kernels of truth you may find for yourself. That doesn’t mean you have to finish every book you start, or participate in discussions/debates that will ultimately lead no where except anger and frustration. I am simply saying that when we come across the ones that rub us the wrong way, we should question why they do. Perhaps we could also ask ourselves what different morals/values, upbringings, cultural beliefs, and personal experiences could they have had that led them to this opinion/theory that is so contrary to our own. These questions could help us understand not only ourselves, but others as well. It is ok to agree to disagree, and to travel our own paths however we feel is right. That said, a little understanding can go a long way.
 
Have you ever read a book or participated in a spiritual debate that really got under your skin? Did you stay/continue reading, or did you distance yourself from it? What is your first response to dealing with uncomfortable or opposing topics, argue, retreat, or just listen and not participate/ignore? Do you question why you feel a certain way about things, or just accept that you do? I would love to know. 

]]>Mon, 06 Jul 2026 02:21:00 GMThttps://www.shadowmaven.ca/blog/spiritual-bypassingSpiritual Bypassing
In a few of my previous posts I have written about the power of positive thinking, and its effects on magical/spiritual endeavours. Usually, this is a very positive thing, however, there are limits to this. Sometimes it can be taken too far. The point where it crosses the line between positive thought over to spiritual bypassing.
So what is spiritual bypassing? Well, this term, coined by transpersonal psychotherapist John Welwood in the 1980’s, refers to when a person uses an extreme positive mindset as a long term solution to avoid facing emotional discomfort. While it is not uncommon to distance ourselves from a difficult situation in the moment to alleviate some of the stress and anxiety, allowing ourselves some time to evaluate the situation, and to act accordingly rather than react rashly, avoiding it all together can have negative consequences. This is why shadow work is so important. Those emotions we deem negative do serve an important purpose. Emotions like anger, fear, shame, grief, are both natural and healthy when not taken to extreme or allowed to fester. They can alert us to danger, provide needed context, and allow us to process difficult situations so we can grow emotionally and spiritually. If we suppress, ignore, or avoid them, they can turn toxic. Indulging in spiritual bypassing can not only stunt one’s personal growth, it can cause other issues like emotional confusion, codependency, or the acceptance of otherwise unacceptable behaviours like over stepping boundaries.
There are a few ways that spiritual bypassing behaviour can be recognized within oneself or in others. These can include:
Forced Positivity: I am sure many, if not all, of you have heard the term “toxic positivity”. I am not a huge fan of this term, but it does provide an accurate visual. You may know or have met someone who always seems so happy and positive all the time, and look like they have their whole life put together, with never a negative thing to say. You may recognize some of these familiar phrases that are often used by people during stressful or uncomfortable situations like “everything happens for a reason”, or “just send it/them love and light”, or “just think positively and it will all be ok”. While these can be comforting in the moment, it can be damaging to simply dismiss how you feel about something/someone, or feel that in order to be a spiritual person you must “rise above” your feelings rather than acknowledge, accept, and process them. Not every terrible or traumatic event is “just” a learning experience from the universe.
Emotional Numbing: This can mean being numb to your own emotions, or those of other people. This is usually done by suppressing or denying those emotions using something like meditation or prayer as an escape.
Detachment from Reality: This one is like stepping out of the self and looking in. Detaching from the situation under the guise that the current experience or one’s physical/emotional needs are not important; that as spiritual beings we are above such things, and therefore, they are irrelevant.
Faux Forgiveness: Forgiveness is important, but sometimes we rush to say we forgive someone before the situation has been fully processed. One might do this in order to avoid thinking about the person/situation all together, or so that we seem more enlightened or “spiritually superior” (an “I am the better person because I took the high road” mentality).
You might be wondering how all this relates to the metaphysical or the practice of your craft. Well, spell craft can be used to aid in spiritual bypassing. Using spells to gain what we might deem as justice for ourselves/others, cursing/hexing, or just simply trying to “let go” before we have fully processed what has happened and how we are feeling can all play a part in spiritual bypassing. Again, it is important to do the shadow work and really process those thoughts and emotions before reacting or trying to “just move on”.
Now this is not to say that many of these things, in moderation, can’t be helpful along our spiritual journey. Sometimes we do need to avoid a possible emotional overwhelm in the heat of the moment. I can definitely say I have been guilty of many of these, especially before studying psychology/shadow work as much as I do now. Many of you can probably say the same. There is no shame in that. Recognizing and acknowledging it, and seeking help when we need it are steps in the right direction on any spiritual path.
So, have you experienced spiritual bypassing? Do you know/have you met someone who is like this? What was your impression/experience? I would love to know.  

]]>Mon, 29 Jun 2026 01:54:36 GMThttps://www.shadowmaven.ca/blog/cycles]]>Mon, 22 Jun 2026 02:33:31 GMThttps://www.shadowmaven.ca/blog/oomancy-and-other-egg-magicOomancy and Other Egg Magic
Eggs have a long history of being used in magical workings. These days, when we usually associate eggs with spring and fertility. However, in the past, throughout many cultures, including the ancient Greeks, the Druids, as well as many in Latin America, and South East Asia, eggs were used in both divination and healing rituals. In ancient times, people didn’t have a lot of “things”, and certainly items like cards or other divination tools would not be readily available to everyone. However, food, like eggs, apples, cabbage, etc.. were, and were often incorporated into magical workings because they were readily available to anyone.
Regardless of if they were used in healing or divinations, there are a couple of basic generally accepted practices regarding their use. These include always using fresh raw eggs, they should be room temperature, and warm water is generally (but not always) used. The egg is rolled over the body to absorb energy, and the person rolling the egg focuses on the intent at hand. This could be regarding what healing needs to be done, what blockages or energies are causing the disease/imbalance, or, from a divination perspective, the career of a future mate, or the outcome of a situation. When the work is done, the egg should always be properly disposed of away from home/sacred space. If it is buried, it should be buried deep so that animals can not dig it up and eat it. Otherwise it can be burned or flushed away.
When it comes to divination, called Oomancy (a term coined by the Greeks), there are a few ways eggs were used. Again, always fresh raw eggs in water.
The first way was (possibly) Scottish in origin. It was called the Venus Glass. It was used by young ladies wishing to learn the occupation of their future husband. This method uses only the egg white, which is separated from the yolk and then slowly poured/dripped into a glass of water. The patterns and forms made by the egg white are read much like tea leaves would be. The reader looks for familiar shapes made, like a castle (possibly a soldier), tools or animals (could represent a farmer, blacksmith, or other trade/labourer), or other shapes that may indicate a job/career. This kind of divination has also been done with wax.
Other types of divination were focused on the energy surrounding the person or situation. After rubbing the egg on the body, the first method uses only the egg whites. The reader would poke a hole in one end of the egg and pour it into the warm water to read the shapes and patterns formed. The reader would look for patterns like cobwebs that would indicate the querent being trapped in a situation or by the energies of someone else. Spokes or towers would represent obstacles or spiritual blocks, while clear/smooth shapes would show good fortune, a clear path, or other good energies.
Another method used the whole egg, cracked into a bowl. Again, the egg white patterns and shapes formed around the yolk. Bubbles and strands represent heavy energies, anxiety, or stress that were absorbed when the egg was rolled on the body. A cloudy halo around the yolk could mean the querent is being watched by someone with Ill intent or is surrounded by negative energy. Blood spots or a dark yolk could indicate a serious health blockage or a curse.   
Like many other cultures, shamans also used eggs for healing purposes. I have read books where Shamans and healers used eggs for diagnosing patients before performing psychic surgery. While the process is similar to that for divination, Shamans often use 2 eggs. The first was rolled on the body to collect the negative energies stored in the body and cracked into water to determine the state of the patients health. What needed healing or clearing, and the cause of disease or imbalance. Once the egg is in the water, the shaman would read how the egg white moves in the water in relation to the yolk, again, looking for shapes and forms that would indicate the issues. Once this was done, this first egg was disposed of properly. Then, the second egg was rolled over the problematic areas of the body that indicated imbalance or disease until it was fully collected by the egg. Sometimes the Shaman would also use smoke or “blow” the disease/imbalance into the egg, before disposing of this egg as well*.  In some healing practices, only one egg was used, and it was placed under the bed for 24 hours so that it could absorb all the negative energies, before being read and then disposed of.
Personally, I have never used eggs in healing or divination (certainly not with the cost of eggs these days), but I would be very interested in hearing your thoughts or experiences with them if you have. I may just give this one a try for myself. Have you used them for healing or divination? Or both? Did you ever, as teen/young adult try using eggs (or maybe wax) to divine your future mate’s occupation? Was it accurate? I would love to know.
*You can read more about one person’s personal experience with this method here: HTTPS://www.collectiveinbooks.com/blogs/moon-books/eggs-in-shamanic-healing/
​
]]>Mon, 15 Jun 2026 02:51:56 GMThttps://www.shadowmaven.ca/blog/the-clairsWhen it comes to psychic gifts, there are plenty one can either be born with or develop through practice and patience. Of those, there is a group of gifts that most people know, at least by name. These are The Clairs. Most people are familiar with the most popular ones like Clairvoyance, and Clairaudience, but there are more Clair gifts that are used to access glimpses of the (possible) future, communicate beyond the veil, and alert us to possibilities and opportunities we might not otherwise be aware of. There are 8 such Clari gifts.
 
Clairvoyance: Clear Seeing – The most popularly known of the Clairs. This gift presents as visions or mental images. These can occur within the mind/mind’s eye, or be seen, eyes open, as if they are happening right before one’s eyes. Remote viewing can be categorized under this heading as well.
 
Clairaudience: Clear Hearing – This is when messages are heard, either as sounds, music, or words. This can include (but is not limited to) hearing the message as if someone is speaking to you, hearing the lyrics of a song at just the right time that answers a question or provides relevant insight, or ringing, pressure, or burning of the ears.
 
Clairsentience: Clear Feeling – This is when messages or information is presented through sensations in the body. It might be felt externally, like goosebumps when a spirit is nearby, or a feeling in the body part that indicates how a spirit died or what a health issue in that part of the body. It can also be internal, like an unexplained sense of dread, or feeling like “something is coming” (good or bad).
 
 Claircognizance: Clear Knowing – This is often compared to “mother’s intuition”. It is when messages or information present themselves as abstract concepts or intuitive downloads suddenly pop into your head, that prove to have significance to the reading or mediumship work being done; either in the present or later.
 
Clairgustance: Clear Tasting – this one is a little less popular than most Clairs. It is the sensing of psychic information through taste. It could present itself as a particular taste to mean a particular situation has occurred or will occur, such as tasting blood when a fatal incident has or will happen. It could also be a taste that represents a person or memory the person the reading/medium work is being done, sent by the communicating spirit. This Clair, like a few others, is most often used during mediumship work, though that is not strictly the case.
 
Clairsalience: Clear Smell – Like Clairgustance, this Clair is most often used in mediumship work. However, it involves one’s sense of smell, rather than taste. The same applies to it though. It could be the smell of something that triggers the memory of a particular person, place, or other memory. It likely signals the presence of a familiar spirit with a message.
 
Clairempathy: Clear Emotional Feeling – This Clair also involves feelings, but unlike Clairsentience, this is felt on an emotional level. While that may sound like simple empathy, there is a distinct difference. Empathy itself is feeling the emotions of those around you, while Clairempathy is receiving psychic information or messages through your emotions. These feelings can come over a distance, through the veil (like sensing the emotions of spirits that are present or wanting to communicate), or before an event even happens, not just from the people/animals around you in the present.
 
Clairtangency: Clear Touch – This is what I would have classified as psychometry. It is the receiving of information or messages from the energies/vibrations of an object. This can include its history, the people connected to it, and even the energies of significant events it was involved in (strong emotional energies can imprint on objects).
 
Anyone can possess these gifts at birth, or achieve them through practice. There are plenty of books and websites out there to help one learn how to do this. While inherent talent may make it easier to develop such a skill, they are a skill like any other. You must use and practice them to hone and control them. One could also possess more than one of these skills at a time. While these skills are often used to aid in divination or by Mediums to bring messages across to loved ones (or help spirits cross over), they do have other uses as well. Many of them, like Clairsentience, Claircognizance, and Clairempathy would be greatly useful to healers in their practice. Whether that healing is physical, mental, or spiritual. Any one of them could be helpful in a spiritual wellness/guidance setting, such as a spiritual counsellor or a death doula. They can all provide a way to help bring comfort, understanding, and peace to the user or the one they are using them for.
 
Do you possess any of these gifts? Have you used them to help yourself or others? Have you consulted someone with these gifts for your own personal healing or spiritual journey? Would you want to learn one of them yourself? I would love to know. 
]]>Mon, 08 Jun 2026 02:34:03 GMThttps://www.shadowmaven.ca/blog/questioning-the-divineThe future can seem rather uncertain, especially these days. It is constantly in flux depending on the decisions we make and the actions we take. Sometimes, to get a little clarification, we will consult some form of divination. There are many forms we can choose from, but the basics are much the same. Consider the situation we are concerned about, decide what we need/would like to know, form the question to receive the answer we are seeking, focus, and consult our chosen oracular system. Whether we choose to do the reading ourselves, or have someone else do the reading for us, the steps are pretty much the same.
 
If you are a beginner reader, or consulting a reader for the first time, it can be difficult to figure out exactly what we want to ask, or how to ask it.  Unless we are consulting a pendulum, we are often advised to refrain from asking yes or no questions. There are, of course, ways to use most any divination system to answer such simple questions, however we are going to focus other kinds of queries for this post. Generally speaking, the usual questions revolve around love, money, health, or career. More specifically, the questions usually cover things like when we will find or receive something, when something will end or heal (particularly when those areas of life are being negatively impacted), or what will the outcome of the situation be. These kinds of questions reflect the common perception that we are searching for a definitive answer to a current problem that concludes sometime in the future. We should be aware that whatever the cards (or any other divination tool) show us, it is only a possible outcome. It can reflect what will happen if we stay on our current path, or what will happen if we change that path (depending on what we are asking).   
 
However, to really utilize your divination tool, especially tarot or oracle cards, you can try a slightly different approach. Restructuring the question to reflect the energies of the situation, the possibilities rather than the outcomes, or your part in how it all plays out can change how the reading unfolds, and give us a clearer picture of what is going on. Doing this, however, can also call us out on some things, make us reflect on ourselves in way we may not want to, or open us to more than what we originally considered. So, be forewarned.  
 
For instance, if you are wanting to know the possible outcomes of a situation you could ask questions like:

• What happens if I stay on my current path?
• What do I have to change in order to change that path?
• What is the likely/possible outcome if I change “X” behaviour or decision. (Note: there are specific spreads that can show you/allow you to ask about two or more outcomes to a situation as well)

 
If you are looking to see how you are affecting the situation*, or how you can otherwise affect it you could ask:

• What am I not seeing about this situation?
• What patterns are influencing this situation?
• What learned/subconscious patterns are influencing my decisions?
• What truth(s) am I avoiding?

 
Or you can ask something like:

• What energies are surrounding this situation?
• What energies or outside forces are affecting this situation that I do not see?
• What needs to shift in order to change the situation?

 
These kinds of questions can be the main part of your reading, or asked as clarifying questions to enhance the reading you are already conducting. They are particularly good for divination systems like tarot and oracle cards, but could also be used with others like runes, playing cards, I-Ching, and others. If you are using cards, depending on the deck you use, you can get some pretty straight up (and sometimes harsh) answers. Decks like the Lantern Orace, the Dark Mirror, or Draconis Loqui can provide some harsh truths, but sometimes we need that kind of perspective to make real change. There are, of course, much gentler decks to choose from. You do what you feel is right to you in the situation.
 
So, my question is, how do you question the divine (or your higher self, however you see it)? Do you ask the same kinds of questions? Do you use ones like those provided above? Would you try them? What are your favourite questions to ask? I would love to hear about your experiences.
 
 
*You can change the words “this situation” to be more specific to your circumstances rather than just referring to it as “the situation”
]]>Mon, 01 Jun 2026 02:23:46 GMThttps://www.shadowmaven.ca/blog/soil-and-sorcery]]>Mon, 25 May 2026 03:37:34 GMThttps://www.shadowmaven.ca/blog/fate-vs-destinyMany people, myself included at one time, consider concepts like Fate and destiny to be interchangeable. When you read their definitions online, you will even find that they include both words to mean the same thing.
Many cultures had similar deities that ruled over a person’s life. You may be familiar with the Norms (Norse/Germanic) Urdr, Verdandi, and Skuld. The Greeks had the Moirai Atropos, Clotho, and Lechesis, and the Romans had their Parcae named Nona, Decima, and Morta. Each of these triads represented a part of the life and death cycle. The past (the beginning of the life), the present (their fate and the measurement of their lifespan), and the future (the moment and manner of the end of that life). This is often represented by the spinning, weaving, and cutting of the thread of life. There are so many more, spanning many cultures (not all are triads); too many to name here, but I think this imagery suits the theme well.
While the interchangeability of these two concepts seems pretty widespread, it is not absolute. I was reading a book on shamanism the other day, and it presented a different perspective. What if they are not the same, or at least not entirely so.
Fate is considered the predetermined inevitable direction and outcome of any situation, including one’s life (as a whole). In order to believe in or accept that something was “fated”, one must first give up the idea of having free will. Accepting that, no matter what, the final outcome was “beyond your control”. This explanation focuses solely on the final destination of the situation or of life.
On the other hand, Destiny, as explained by the shaman* in his book, focuses more on the journey. It encompasses the choices we make and the actions we take to achieve the desired outcome. This definition suggests the existence of free will, and the idea of individual power and sense of purpose.
Given these definitions we can look at these two concepts in a couple of ways. First, that they are two separate theories that involve choosing whether we believe we have free will or not. This could be overall, or on a situational basis. Second, they could be seen as two parts of the same system. That our overall Fate is determined by a “higher power”, but how we get to that fated destination is up to us. It would seem it would all boil down to one’s beliefs in free will.
So, do you see Fate and destiny as the same thing? Do you believe in either Fate or destiny, or a combination of both? Is it situationally dependent? I would love to know.
 
*The shaman and author was Alberto Villoldo.
]]>Mon, 18 May 2026 03:28:14 GMThttps://www.shadowmaven.ca/blog/may-17th-2026We all have times in our lives when we feel as if everything is always going wrong, as if bad luck follows us wherever we go. We complain, pray, second guess ourselves, and maybe even question our faith. In these times it is common, if it has been going on long enough, that we might question if we have been cursed.
Curses are a popular topic in novels, movies, and TV shows. They really do make for some interesting plot lines. However, they are not as common as fiction writers would have you believe. A really effective curse requires an emotional investment in the situation, and, therefore, the outcome. The specifics of a curse depend on what harm the spell crafter wishes to do. It may include chronic bad luck, great loss (money, love, health), or other hardships. Curses are usually very personal. Due to the wide spread belief in the rule of three (what you send out comes back to you 3 times stronger), as well as karma, most people who practice magical traditions avoid cursing all together. (I will not be covering generational curses in this particular post. Maybe in a future one). 
That doesn’t mean, however, that people don’t (or won’t) send negative energies your way, which can be just as harmful. The difference here is that a curse is more of a carefully curated spell designed to do specific harm to someone, usually a specific someone or group of someone’s. Sending negative energies can be directed to target someone specific (the evil eye is a good example of this), or just out into the universe generically. It can be done specifically and with intention, in a moment of anger or frustration, or even by accident. When sent out in a generic way it can land anywhere, affect anyone close enough to catch it (whether they have anything to do with the situation or not), and cause more wide spread harm.
There are some signs/symptoms that may lead you to believe that you are being targeted by some very nasty energy . These can include* (always make sure you have ruled out a medical explanation for any of the following “symptoms” first):

• Drama or “bad luck” seems to follow you everywhere
• Feeling of being watched
• Chronic and consistent fatigue
• Unexplained anxiety or sudden mood swings
•  Spacing out or disassociating for seemingly no reason
• Frequent nightmares (particularly reoccurring ones or ones with consistent themes)
• Technology constantly glitches/turns off or on when you are around

 
Remember that these things should feel “out of place”/not normal for you, and not have any other plausible reason for happening, medical or not.
If this seems familiar to you, there are things that you can do to help protect yourself. You can choose one or more of the following, depending on what feels comfortable and “right” for you. This by no means a comprehensive list, but it is a good start.
First, keep in mind that even if someone is sending you harmful energies/wishes, it will not have nearly as much power behind it if you don’t let it. I have said in a few other posts that words have power, and they do, but they can only have the power over us that we give them. You can choose to not let it bother you, and keep living your life. Much like a grudge, it is more likely, in the long run, to hurt the person sending that energy than it is to hurt the one it is directed at. Here is where the power of positive thought also comes in handy. You are not just surrounding yourself in positive energy, you are refusing to take on negative energy as well.
Remembering to shield yourself daily is both a protective and preventative measure. The more you practice shielding yourself, the easier it becomes to do, and eventually, it may just “pop up” when needed, without you having to work at it. There are many good sources available online and in print to help you learn how to shield yourself, if you don’t already know how.
Regular smudging, clearing, and/or cleansing of your space and your person are also good ways to help get rid of those negative energies. This can be done through smoke, bathing (herbal or salt baths work well, and there are special soaps available for this purpose as well), sprays, or any other method you prefer.
There are plenty of herbs that are used to dispel negative energies/entities or curses**. These can be carried in a small pouch on your person, placed around your house at entry points like windows or doors, or burned like incense. Always use caution when carrying or burning herbs. Be sure they are not toxic and that you are not allergic to them. The first herb we usually think about is sage, however the following list, though not comprehensive, offers some other common plants that can be used.

• Vetivert: Silences those who are speaking badly about you
• Nettle: Believed to be a curse breaker / wards off fear and evil
• Anise: Works against the Evil Eye
• Cayenne: Drives your enemies away from you
• Chamomile: Believed to remove curses

 
Another effective tool for dealing with negative energies is crystals*. Again, definitely not a comprehensive list, but these should be relatively easy to find, and can be carried on your person (in your pocket, in your bra, etc..) in a bag, or not, placed around your home or office at entry points like windows or doors, or set out like decorative pieces (protection hidden in plain site).

• Smokey Quartz: Absorbs and transmutes negative energy
• Jet: Absorbs malicious energies
• Black Tourmaline: repels negative forces / protects against bead intentions
• Tiger’s Eye: Used against Evil Eye
• Onyx: protects against negative energies and promotes mental toughness
• Sardonyx: Repels negative energies/entities (can help prevent them from following you home)
• Hematite: Intercepts dark energies
• Fluorite: Acts as a psychic shield against attacks, and unconscious attachments to negative forces

If you can find one, a Vogel Crystal (a specific cut of a crystal from the quartz family like clear quartz, smokey quartz, citrine, or amethyst) can help remove negative energies and entities when placed on the body; a technique used by some healers.
Symbols and Sigils afford the user the same kind of protection. They are easily carried (in a pocket, on a keychain, drawn on the body, etc..), worn (privately or publicly) as jewelry or as tattoo (permanent or temporary), drawn into your aura energetically, written down and burned, displayed or written on windows or in doorways, or any other way you like. The blue Evil Eye charm so popular in metaphysical stores is a great example. Others include:

• Pentacle or Pentagram
• Witches Knot
• Triquetra
• Runes or Bindrunes
• Cross or Solar Cross
• The Eye of Horus
• The Helm of Awe
• Hexagram (6 pointed star)

 
There are so many that span many cultures. You just need to choose one that resonates with you and your beliefs. You can create your own sigils for protection as well. I did cover that in a previous post, but there are plenty of written and digital tutorials available as well. You can enhance its protective qualities by charging the symbol with that intent before wearing/carrying/using it.
If you are using crystals or symbols/sigils remember to cleanse and charge them.
A couple of  last options. If you know who is sending you the curse or bad energy your way, you can always try a cord cutting. There are people who will do this for you for a fee, but you can do them just as effectively yourself. I did write a blog post about this back in 2024 on Oct 21st if you would like to read it. As always, there are written and digital tutorials out there. Before you go to sleep at night you can also ask your guides/angels/etc.. to protect you from any negative energies, entities, or astral travelers that may wish to do you harm. I found this particularly helpful after leaving a rather toxic relationship and was having troubled dreams and terrible sleep. The final option I will provide is Reiki. If you are a practitioner you can perform a healing session on  yourself, however, if you are not, there are plenty of practitioners out there. You should be able to easily find one in our area, and if not, it can be done over distance. Just be sure to do your research on them.
If you are uncertain if it is a curse, negative energy being thrown your way, or just a run of “bad luck”, you can always consult your pendulum, tarot/oracle, or other divination technique you fancy. You could also consult your guides (maybe ask for a sign), the trusted reader or psychic of your choice, or other spiritual group/leader/professional you trust. Sometimes it helps to just talk it through with an impartial and subjective second party.
So, have you ever thought you were cursed? Have you been the target of negative energy from someone you knew or a random entity? I was once attacked in my sleep. It was a dream within a dream. The oddest experience I have ever had. I would love to hear your story, if you are willing to share.
 
*Extrapolated from https://yourhomeofwellness.com/blog/holistic-therapy/what-crystals-to-wear-for-protection-from-evil/
** Extrapolated from https://waxspiritual.com/herbs-roots-poweders-resin-guide/
 
 

]]>Tue, 12 May 2026 17:24:11 GMThttps://www.shadowmaven.ca/blog/symbolic-evolutionBefore we used symbols or markings to communicate, approximately 350,000 years ago, people used pigments made from things like ochre or manganese to communicate family or social ties/groupings. 250,000 years later, they upgraded to personal adornments, such as jewelry, to help communicate these concepts. By approximately 40,000 years ago our ancestors were creating 2 and 3 dimensional objects to depict the world around them. By 8,000 years ago man had begun creating basic symbols to communicate, which developed into the complex written languages we have today.* Many ancient cultures, like the Egyptians, the Norse, and Eastern cultures, used symbols that not only were used to write words, but also had deeper and more extensive, even magical, meaning as well.
Since then, the symbols we recognize and use have changed and evolved with us, our experiences, and our needs. Some have evolved to expand their meaning, some have had their meaning completely changed, and others have or are becoming irrelevant in our current world. Some symbols are pretty much universal. If someone says the word heart, your first thought is likely the symbol we are taught to draw from childhood, rather than the anatomically correct version that beats within us all. If you drew what we know to be a tear drop shape and coloured it blue, others would recognize it as water, however, colour it red, and they would likely think blood instead. We can use these kinds of symbols to communicate general concepts to people, even when we do not speak the same language.
We don’t usually consider the origins of the symbols we use, especially the ones we use every day, like the alphabet we write with. However, despite our daily use that can make them feel common and not that significant, they do have power, which we can tap into. We know that worlds have power, and not just when spoken. We use the written word in spell work every time we write a spell ourselves, write something down and burn/bury/carry it to manifest or let go of things, etch it into a candle, or however else you use words in your practice. If you create sigils you may be using letters or symbols to form them.
Some symbols, while having a generally accepted meaning (to which there are many books available on the subject depending on your use), can also have more personal meaning that depends greatly on your own personal beliefs and life experiences. This is especially true in dream interpretation. For instance, two people may have a similar dream about a spider, but the first dreamer may be afraid of spiders and see this as a symbol of being trapped or caught in a web of deceit (being lied to), while the other dreamer may not mind (or even like) spiders, not be afraid, and interpret it as a sign that they are “weaving” their own destiny, or to take control of their own fate. The emotions that a symbol or sign elicits has a direct affect on how it will be interpreted by the seer/user of it. This is why some symbols that have been deliberately changed or “hijacked” by certain groups have evolved from a more positive or neutral state to now evoke a strong negative response instead. A prime example of this is the swastika. This symbol, derived from the Sanskrit word svastika, is at least 7,000 years old. Originally it represented prosperity, fortune, and well-being, and was used in many religions including Hinduism, Odinism, and Buddhism, and was even found on pre-Christian European artifacts**. It is extremely unfortunate that this beautiful symbol has been used to represent such vulgar and despicable crimes against humanity. I hope one day that we can cleanse it of this negative connotation, and help it reclaim its former peaceful vibration.
There are plenty of magical alphabets out there that one can use in their practice as well. While these symbols have been created by others, and may not have any significant meaning to us at this time, if we learn them and use them consistently we can create a bond with them that will only deepen over time. That said, we can create these bonds with any symbol we use consistently and with intent. Choosing to learn a magical alphabet can also help keep your work private, even if you use or wear them in public, as well.
I really enjoy working with symbols. I love using my runes and rune cards, I quite enjoy sigil magic, and, as you may already know, reading and writing are passions of mine, so symbols are a very important part of my life as well as my practice. How do they fit into your life? Your practice? Do you give much thought to how you use them in your practice, or are they just a form of communication for you? Do you think symbols, warped over time, can regain their positive vibrations after being used to represent such heinous acts? I would love to know.
 
 
*Info taken from https://humanorigins.si.edu/human-characteristics/languages-symbols
**Info taken from https://encyclopedia.ushmm.org/content/en/article/history-of-the-swastika
 
 
 

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