​Channeling energy through one’s hands is a basic practice for witches, healers, and other energy workers alike. This practice is as natural to us as breathing and there is no right or wrong way to do it. It all comes down to whatever feels “right” or natural to you. That said, one thing I keep hearing is that the flow of energy during magical work is “in to” (received by) the nondominant hand (usually the left), and “out of” the dominant hand (usually the right)*. I have read this theory in numerous books. It is quite popular in witchy “how to” books. While this does sound practical, it isn’t going to be the case for everyone. Recently I watched a video regarding the meaning of itchy palms which basically stated that the right was your receiving hand and the left was the  power hand. Again, this may be the case for some, but not all. My issue with either theory is two-fold.
My first issue, as I stated above, is that it is really about what feels right for the individual. Each person would have to discover for themselves what works for them; experimenting with how energy feels, how it flows within and through themselves. Many print and media sources give channeling instructions as if they are the way things are done. This is very misleading to new practitioners.
My second issue is that, as any energy healer can tell you, energy flows through them and out through both hands. Energy healers also run hands over a body to find temperature or energetic discrepancies that may be locations healing energy needs to be focused on. That would imply that either or both hands can be used to receive and direct energy. While it is possible one hand may be more efficient at either task, both are capable. If you have learned an energy healing modality like Reiki or chakra healing you may be aware that there are many chakras (energy vortexes) in the body, including in the hands. Energy is said to move both into and out of the chakras, which supports this as well.  
I guess my issue over all with this kind of thing is how information is passed to new practitioners or curious people as though that is the way it is. I do not agree with that myself. It has been my experience that working with energy for any reason is a personal thing. While basic general knowledge can be passed to get one started, experience is really the best teacher. One should take everything they read or learn with a grain of salt and trust their instincts/intuition.
What have you been taught? Do you generally favour channeling in one hand and out the other? Did you figure it out for yourself, or were you taught the way that works for you? 
 
*Note: These theories have nothing to do with energy vampirism, which is an entirely separate topic I may touch on another time. This is about channeling, not feeding.

​It is difficult to mention witchcraft without conjuring visions of bubbling cauldrons over an open flame, potions brewing, sisters chanting and cackling over the proceedings. I know, it sounds rather cliché, but here we are. The fact is, cauldrons are just one of many tools that can be used by witches to practice their craft. Like all tools, they are not a necessity, but they do come in handy, and their symbolism is rich.
Generally we think of cauldrons as being made of something like cast iron, however, they can be made from things like brass, aluminum, or copper as well (to name a few). One doesn’t have to own a specially made cauldron to do the work either. As long as the vessel is heat resistant and won’t leach unwanted chemicals into your brew (like a stock pot or something similar), it’s all good.
Symbolically, the cauldron is generally accepted to represent the feminine aspect; receptive. It can symbolize the womb, the power of creation or transformation, and used to channel or amplify power. In some cultures it also represents the underworld. They can be used ritually to brew potions, combine spell ingredients, burn spell components, manifest, scry, or whatever else you can think of. They are typically thought to correspond to the element of earth as they are a working tool, but could also be considered to correspond to water (when replacing the chalice). 
The cauldron appears in stories, myths and legends such as Shakespeare’s MacBeth with the three witches, Cerridwen’s cauldron that grants knowledge and inspiration, the Norse gods were said to feast from a cauldron called Eldhrímnir, and The Cauldron of the Dagda, also known as the coire ansic ("the un-dry cauldron") , from Irish Mythology, was said to represent generosity and “plenty”, sort of like a cornucopia.
Cauldrons are mentioned in many books about practicing witchcraft, Llewellyn even released an entire book all about them as part of a series on magical tools. It is called The Witch’s Cauldron. The Craft, Lore, and Magick of Ritual Vessels by Laura Tempest Zakroff. This book is quite informative if you want to learn more about the use and history of cauldrons than most craft guides provide. That goes for any of the books in this series. Knowing the history of the tools you use, while not strictly necessary, is never a bad thing.
The use of cauldrons as both cooking vessels and ritual tools was wide spread among many cultures. Like today, many every day household items can and did double as ritually used items. While it is nice to be able to separate your tools, that is not always practical, or financially possible.
Do you use tools like the cauldron in your practice? Have you read the stories about them? Do they conjure good or scary images for you? Do you like to learn the history of the tools you practice with?

​Most people are familiar with Holy Water made by Christian priests which is used in some rituals for cleansing or healing. However, it is not a strictly Christian concept. There are many religions/spiritual practices around the world that use blessed water in their practices. Practitioners or Buddhism, Shintoism, Sikhism, Hinduism, and Mandaeism (just to name a few) also include sacred waters in their practices. As you probably already know, this list also includes witches.
Some things that all these practices have in common is that these Holy or Sacred Waters are made when practitioners (usually a priest or priestess of some sort) chants over the water, infusing it with energy and intent. Sometimes the type of water is important, like moon or solar water, or water from a particular kind of source like a river or stream, or even a specific river or well could be considered important. In some cases it is all about the ritual involved which purifies and sanctifies the water for ritual use.
Some sacred waters include things like herbs, oils, crystals, or salts, though some are simply infused with energy/prayer. Some religions/spiritual practices require that only an initiated member of that religion like a priest/priestess has the ability to bless water in this way. As a witch, this is not necessarily true. While some practices require initiation into their inner circles, self-initiation or dedication is also possible (and quite common these days). As a witch, I believe in the power within all of us to do great things and make great change. We are born with it, and only need to claim it to live it. Thus, I believe anyone can bless water (or any other tool) for their own purpose.
Regardless of how it is made, and by whom, sacred or “holy” water is used in rituals and practices to purify, cleanse, bless, and banish anything; from people, to objects, and even places. The objective is to call on deity, Spirit, your God/Goddess, the Universe, or whatever spiritual entity you call upon, to bless the water for your intended purpose, thus creating a powerful tool for your work. Regardless of your spiritual practice/religious inclination, this kind of magic provides a connection to our world, the elements, and to each other. It is no coincidence that varying cultures created similar practices around the natural elements we all need to live. Personally, I don’t believe you have to be initiated into particular religion to make effective sacred water. As Dr. Masaru Emoto pointed out, water is the “blueprint of our reality”, a reality we can change with our own thoughts and emotions.
What are your thoughts? Do you make your own sacred waters, or do you prefer they come from another source? Do you even use them at all?

​Different cultures around the world use knots in magical workings for different reasons. Chinese and Buddhist tradition has the Mystic Know (or Pan Chang Knot) that symbolizes prosperity, longevity, as well as representing the cycles of nature. Knots in Celtic cultures reflected their belief in the soul’s eternal journey with endless loops representing life, death, and rebirth. The Egyptian’s used the Knot of Isis (the tit or tyet symbol) for protection in the afterlife, and possibly as a symbol of fertility, menstruation, and the female anatomy. (Its exact interpretation is uncertain). Odin’s Valknut , sometimes called the “knot of the slain”, which is similar in style to the Celtic triskele, is thought to symbolize the god’s power to bind and unbind. As a god of death, this could mean the fate or soul of men. Each of its 9 points are said to represent one of the 9 worlds.
Today, many witches use knots to either bind, banish, or manifest. There are many already established spells one can use. The Witches Ladder and the 0 Knot Spell are often used to manifest dreams or wishes. Charms can be made of knots that are then unknotted during ritual/spell work (either all at once or over time)to banish something or someone. Knots have even been used to protect against possession, to heal the sick, and to confuse the devil. One old superstition had nurses tying knots in bedsheets to protect their patients. Another common use for knots us during a handfasting ritual, which can be done by a couple to “tie the knot” (get married), but also by a coven to bind its members together in solidarity and secrecy.
We can buy any number of already made knots for magical workings or every day wear. Celtic, Norse, and Egyptian jewelry is quite popular online, and Buddhist and Chinese good luck/prosperity charms can be bought just about anywhere these days. That said, I doubt many of us even think about knots as magical things when we tie our shoe laces, or our ties for work, but these could be used in every day magic to manifest a good day, that promotion at work, a good workout, or whatever else we can think of. Not all magic requires ritual or a lot of preparation. Maybe next time you leave the house for a walk/run you say out loud, while tying your shoes, that you will have a safe and fun run/walk. Perhaps the next time you tie your tie, or that bow in your hair, or whatever other knot you can incorporate into your outfit for the day, that you will get that job, that promotion, or recognition for your work, or maybe you just want to have a good or not so stressful day. Just remember to talk in positives and fill that knot with your intent (really mean it).
 Do you use knots in your every day magic? Do you wear knot symbolic jewelry? Have you used knots to cast spells before? Are you thinking about it now?

​I am sure you have seen the pretty little resin pyramids filled with crystals and other things in metaphysical stores, online, and other places. These are called Orgonite pyramids. While it may seem like a newer “new age” idea, it was actually an idea brought about by a man named Wilhelm Reich in the 1930’s. He proposed a kind of energy called orgone energy, much like life energy known as prana, chi, or qi, that derived from the “purest expressions of love such as orgasms”*. His initial “discovery” (in the sense that he first realized it) of this energy was within the body, but eventually he realized it also existed out side the body, everywhere. This realization caused him to experiment with building mechanisms capable of accumulating and manipulating this energy. One of the first of these inventions was called the Bacquet of Mesmer. It was a crude first draft, but it did effectively accumulate orgone energy. His inventions were described as “an enclosure formed of a layered arrangement of metallic and non-metallic materials which result in a concentration of energy within the enclosure”*. When the materials used were layered properly they would act as a magnet for the orgone energy, which he claimed could heal a person of various diseases, including cancer. The medical community, including the FDA took exception to this, “investigated” him and his claims, and he was subsequently imprisoned, which is where he died.
Orgone pyramids are a pretty and portable way to harness this energy for oneself. Not just a decoration, these little pyramids (and other forms) are made from metals, gemstones, and crystals inside a resin form, and are used to harness, harmonize, and amplify this energy. The materials used would change the focus of the healing, as different metals, gemstones, and crystals have different healing properties. They are said to have a healing affect on all levels (physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual), and that they transmute lower vibrational energy (negative) to a higher vibration (positive), and promote balance by helping the subtle energy bodies become whole/align with the physical body. While just having them around in your home or office can be helpful, purposeful meditation or healing sessions with them would also be quite beneficial.
Depending on who is making them, the resin used can be either polyester, epoxy, or tree sap. I have found no information about which one (if any) is more effective, but this may boil down to personal preference.  I have heard people question about whether the resin encasing the crystals and other materials would hinder their energetic properties (and therefore diminish if not negate their healing abilities). I would like to point out here that resin actually has electric and thermal conductivity properties. I would say that this information should allay any such concerns.
Have you used orgonite before? Do you have one of these little energy powerhouses? Did you know what it could do? Would you buy one now, after reading this?
 
 
*All quotes were taken from crystaldreamsworld.com

​Keys may seem like rather uninteresting things, but like many other “everyday” objects they can have greater meaning, and are useful in witchcraft. As a magical object used in spells its symbolism is two-fold. It can either help one open the door/path to something they want/need, or it can be used to close and lock a door to something they wish to leave behind. This makes it great for spells for new beginnings or for letting go. While it doesn’t really matter what kind of key is used, antique skeleton keys give off mysterious/witchy vibes which make for a good visual and set a nice tone for the work. Being more visually pleasing can make them easier to carry or wear out in the open if the spell caster feels it is necessary, without calling a lot of attention other than maybe some “how cute” comments.
In dreams, keys can represent the solution or needed “thing” to solve a problem, overcome an obstacle, or attain a desire (represented by the lock).  On a more personal level, keys can represent one’s thought, feelings, or new attitudes needed to “unlock” hidden knowledge or memories/experiences that could lead us to opening up our true selves not only to the world, but to own self as well.
In the realm of Gods and Goddesses there are few who are related to keys. Portunus (Roman) and his counterpart Janus (Greek) are considered the Gods of keys. They are both the God of doors and keys in their respective cultures and are both often depicted with two opposing faces. In Rome, keys also were a symbol used to show a traveler he or she had found safe harbor. Possibly more well-known today is Hecate. She has her own special association with keys. As the goddess associated with the underworld and the key-holder to the gates of Hades, death itself, and possibly to the cosmos, it is no wonder she is often depicted with keys. She is also associated with boundaries, which can also suggest the need for a key; though maybe not always a physical one.
Beautiful antique looking skeleton keys can be found pretty much anywhere these days, from occult shops to Amazon, but your average house, bike lock, or handcuff key can be used just as effectively. Like any other spell work material, you don’t have to spend much, if an, money to work your magic. So, do you use keys in your magic? Have you considered the magical potential of this simple object you carry every day? Are you carrying a spelled key as you read this?

​If you are a practicing witch chances are good you have at least heard of a book of shadows and a grimoire; you may even have one or both yourself. There are countless books on witchcraft available that reference one or both of them, sometimes using them interchangeably. However, they are not actually the same thing.
A grimoire contains the knowledge you have gained as a witch. This can include spells, recipes, rituals, general knowledge, and so on. Kind of like a personal reference book or manual. This could be information handed down from other witches, read in reference books/papers, or found through other sources. A grimoire may be passed down, shared with others, or kept to oneself; it is up to the individual. It is simply knowledge.
A book of Shadows is much more personal. While it may contain some of these things, it is more of a record of a witch’s personal journey in his or her craft. The spells, rituals, recipes, etc.. that it contains would be ones that have been tried, pertinent information like moon phase, season, timing, and other such things recorded, and the results documented. It may include personal notes or changes to make improvements or things to try next time. This personal  record is not generally shared with others, unless it is one created by a coven for group use.
Either of these books can be made as personal as the creator/user would like. They can be nicely decorated books or plain for easy concealment, handwritten or typed, totally organized or organized chaos, whatever works for the witch in question. Not every witch will have one or both of these books. With easy access to so many books on witchcraft, one could have a whole library of resources that replace a grimoire (I may be guilty of this lol). Not every one likes to record every spell or ritual they do; some people are just not into writing anything down at all. While it would be helpful to remember what you did, when, and how it turned out, it is not necessary, and certainly doesn’t make you any less of a witch if you don’t. Both can be helpful, but neither are necessary to be a practicing witch.
So, do you have either or both of these? Do like to record, or just do? Do you have a grimoire, or more of a personal library?

Sigil magic is one of my favourite kinds of magic to use. There are two main trains of thought on sigil creation that I would like to talk about here.
The first way, the way I use most, involves coming up with a short sentence that outlines what you are trying to accomplish or manifest. This sentence should be a complete thought, expressed in as few words as possible, and be in a positive frame. So, if you were in a financial bind you would use something like “I attract money” rather than “I am not poor”, or if you were being bullied you could say “I am protected” rather than “My bully can’t harm me”. This positive phrasing goes for any manifesting really. The universe does not see the negative (words like not, doesn’t, or won’t), and so you would likely end up attracting what you didn’t want in the first place by using that type of phrasing. Next you would write that sentence down and cross out all the duplicate letters (leaving the first instance of it). So in the case of “I am protected” you would be left with the letters *I a m p r o t e c d*. Next you would take these letters and combine them together into one symbol. It does not matter if the letters are sideways, upside down, and once you have created that symbol you can leave it as is (as I do), or add some embellishments to make it look more “magical”. Whatever works for you. It might look something like this:

​The second way is to combine symbols that correspond to the message you are trying to convey. You could look up symbols and their meanings in various books like The Element Encyclopedia of Secret Signs and Symbols by Adele Nozedar, but using ones that have special meaning to you is a better way to go to make your sigil more personal. To do this, you would make a list of all the concepts you need for your sigil like love, family, home, money, protection, man/woman etc.. and combining those symbols rather than letters. It would definitely be a good idea to write these symbols and what they mean to you in a journal or your grimoire for quick and easy reference in the future. It would also not be a bad idea to write down the sigil you created and its purpose somewhere as well, so that you can use it again if need be, and to keep track of what worked for you and what didn’t. If you want to learn more about this type of sigil magic I recommend Sigil Witchery by Laura Tempest Zakroff.
Now that you have created your sigil, you need to do something with it. You could write it onto paper, paint or etch it onto a crystal, burn or etch it into wood, paint it on your (or someone else’s) body, or anything else you can imagine that will help your spell work or manifestation. When you are ready to activate your sigil, you will then ground and center yourself, raise your energy however you normally do this (connecting your crown chakra to the universe, visualizing a white or coloured light stemming from your power center, connecting to the earth through your root chakra, etc.. whatever works for you) and you will bring this energy/power to your hands so that you can use it to trace out the sigil. If you used the first sigil making method you would trace out the letters in the sigil in the order they appear in the sentence, saying the sentence word by word as you do. This sets your intent. If you chose the second method you could trace out each symbol in the order they are needed for your intent to be laid out. So if you are a woman and your intent was to attract love and you chose symbols to represent a man, a woman, a heart and something for attraction, then you could trace them in the order of woman (representing you), the symbol for attraction, the symbol for man, and then the heart, while stating “I, (your name), attract a man to love, who will love me”. The same could be used for same sex attraction. I do recommend, however, that if you intend to do any kind of love spells, that you ask only to attract love to you, and not a specific person. Not only would this interfere with free will, it could backfire on you badly, and the universe may have a better plan, you never know. Always ask for these and other things “for your highest good, and to harm none”, unless you are cursing someone, but that is a whole different story.  
So, have you used sigil magic before? Which method did you use? Which one do you prefer? After reading this, would you try sigil magic (if you haven’t before)?

​Animism is a popular concept in metaphysical circles; however, this is not the only subject it holds meaning for.
In psychology, part of Jean Piaget’s cognitive behaviour theory attributes animism to the way children (usually ages 2 through 7) project life like qualities to inanimate objects. So, for example, how they may feel their toys are alive and have their own thoughts and feelings, or how an object may not “like” them if they fall or stub their toe. Carl Jung also used the term animism; however, he used it to describe the dual archetypal images of the feminine and masculine aspects of our subconscious. He described the anima as the female aspect of a man’s subconscious which he attributed to qualities like empathy, emotion, and sensitivity. The opposite of this, then, was the animus, which he described as the masculine aspect of a woman’s subconscious which displayed qualities like intellect, exploration, and activity. It is important to note that every person has both feminine and masculine aspects. The quality we most often display can depend on each person, to varying degrees, and for various reasons. We express these aspects through our hobbies/talents/interests, and we can use them to gain new perspectives and knowledge about ourselves, our environments, and other people. He proposed that each person needed to develop and express both of these aspects in order to continue to “grow” as a person.
Spiritually speaking, animism suggests that everything, whether it is an animal, a plant, a place, or an object, has a “soul” or spiritual essence. If you practice any kind of pagan or earth-based practice, then this is kind of a given. We tend to treat all living things with respect, recognizing them as conscious sentient beings. We may also recognize the spirit of place (genius loci), the spirit of plants (particularly when we are growing them, or harvesting from them), and that everything has its own vibrational frequency, which could be considered its “spirit”. Which is why we talk to our animals and plants, leave offerings/gifts when we take from nature, and keep totems/figures of animals we wish to connect with/learn from, and voice our needs and desires to the gods/goddesses and the universe itself, because yes, it also has consciousness.
Psychology and spirituality are both topics I read/research regularly and in depth. Though I am aware of the concept of animism from both points of view, and have been for a long time, I always sort of took it for granted as “the norm”. I talked to animals and plants as child just as much I did my favourite toys. It never occurred to me that they didn’t answer back/communicate with me in some way. I still talk to animals and my plants. Did you do this as a child? Do you still do it? Did you know that that was what it was called? Do you come across this term/concept in your reading often?

​While not specifically metaphysical terms, the words microcosm and macrocosm are often used in metaphysical books and conversations. While some texts helpfully explain what these concepts are, not all are so accommodating; possibly leaving the reader (or conversation partner) a little confused or without context. What may sound like a couple of five-dollar words, are actually fairly simple concepts. A microcosm is simply  a smaller part of something that has the same qualities/features as the larger whole, which is the macrocosm. They are the same, separately and together. So, for example, a country can hold specific laws, values, history, cultural beliefs/standards, etc..(representing the macrocosm), and each town would still hold those same qualities, but in smaller form (a town, not the whole country). On a larger scale, the universe is made of many particles, substances, and energies, which are also contained in our galaxy (one small portion of the universe as a whole). We can even say that our solar system contains those same particles, substances, and energies, which makes it a microcosm of our galaxy, or the universe itself. As you can see, pretty much anything can be listed as a microcosm, as long there is something with the same feature/qualities larger than it that is the macrocosm.
In metaphysical books, these terms are usually used to describe the universe and man (as they say, we are all made of star stuff). Also, as I see it, as the human race we are one collective, all connected (whether we choose to believe so or not), made up of the same basic parts. As individuals, we are still part of that collective, but with our own thoughts, feelings, and experiences. The individual within the crowd, the microcosm within the macrocosm. Sometimes it is also used to describe our relation to the divine. As spiritual beings we all hold the divine within us.
Before today, had you heard these terms before? Did you have a good understanding of what they meant? If not, was this helpful? (I hope so!).