One common controversy within the magic community is whether or not magic and spells are seen as black or white, or if they can be color coded at all. For a very long time, witchy communities have told newcomers that how you practice magic is either white (light) or black (dark), and that one has to choose sides. In this regard, magic then becomes a question of morals. Is one “better” or more morally sound than the other? This is where the Threefold Law also comes into play; almost like a magical threat to take a particular path to avoid negative consequences. I wrote a post about this back in December of 2024. This is not a theory I personally ascribe to since it boils magic down to a “good” vs “evil” dilemma, and I think it is more complex than that.
The alternative to white vs black magic is that it is neither. That one’s practice would be a mix of intentions and outcomes, and that different circumstances require different motivations, because life itself is messy and complicated.
 
White Magic would be considered any magic or spell that benefits oneself or others, does no harm, or heals. This includes mundane or passive magic that is meant to manifest positive outcomes like abundance, healing, or spiritual awakening. Love might seem like it falls into this category, however, this would only be true if the spell was generic and did not target someone specifically, thereby taking away someone’s free will. Justice spells could also fall under this category if the outcome is left to the universe to decide, and the practitioner accepts whatever that is.
 
Black Magic would include any magic or spells that are intended to harm others, benefit only the practitioner to the detriment of others, or takes away someone’s free will. This would include things like hexing, cursing, love magic that takes away free will, and binding could fit here as well. Justice spells could fit here if a specific outcome is sought and that outcome could bring harm to the target.
 
If magic is either black or white, then, theoretically, there could also be a gray area as well. Magic that falls into this category can be seen either way, depending on how you “spin” it. This could include justice, love, or other spells where the outcome could be severely negative for someone even though that was not intended. It is important to remember that just because you do a spell, and are looking for a positive outcome, it doesn’t mean you will get one. Unforeseen circumstances, whether due to spiritual interference or not, can turn even the most positive spell into something else. The universe (guides/higher self/etc..) has a way of stepping in for our best interest, especially when we may not have all the facts. What is meant to be will be.
 
While I don’t ascribe to this particular theory, and I do not pass it along to newcomers that I meet (I actually find it a good debate topic over a hot cup of tea), I know that others do believe magic works this way, and that is fine. In the interest of (hopefully) sparking good conversation, I offer this:
 
Magic and spells can help reinforce and/or amplify what we want or what is meant for us already, but
ultimately, the outcome of a spell can be vastly different than what we intended. Our motivations and intentions permeate our magic.  We all have a shadow side and it affects how we think and feel about things, and therefore our practice as well. We could, unintentionally, leak unwanted energies into a spell, altering its course and effects. Even if we cast with the best of intentions, the spell could turn out differently that we want, and, if so, would alter whether that work could be construed as “white” or “black”. So then it becomes a question of whether the outcome or the intention determines the shade of spell that was cast.
 
What do you think? Do you think the intention matters most, or the outcome? Do you believe in white and black magic? Do you believe in the Threefold Law? If so, do you believe that some circumstances require drastic measures, and those measures are worth the “price”? Do you think you have to choose one side or the other? Has your belief (or not) in this theory altered or dictated any part of your practice? I would love to know. 

This post is a bit different, and hopefully both fun and thought provoking. I have heard this theory a few times, and I would love to know what you think.
 
There is a theory, called Quantum Immortality, that states that when you die your consciousness moves into another “you” in another timeline. These realities run simultaneously, so when one ends for you, it is easy to slip into another one that you still exist in. However, as they are different realities there would likely be some differences. This, they say, is how the Mandela Effect is explained. They claim that it is not the things that have changed, it is the reality you have changed to. In this theory, the consciousness that ended in one reality remembers some things about it, but does not remember their body death.
 
Another part of this theory is about numbers. Specifically, the number of people that seem to remember these little “anomalies” because world ending events like the one predicted by the Mayan calendar, actually did happen, and Quantum Immortality explains why we think it didn’t, and just dismissed it.
 
Now, I find this theory quite interesting, but I do have some questions about it.
First, if these realities are running simultaneously, and we slip between them upon death, does that mean that there are multiple realities running at each stage of our lives so that no matter what age we die at in one reality, there is another one to slip into where we are the same age?
Also, what happens when we reach the end of a life in reality at such an advanced age that we shouldn’t be able to continue on? Are there realities where people live on indefinitely, or do we start again in a reality where we are just being born?
What about ghosts? Do they “peek through” from other realities, or are they more like echoes from past realities that have ended?
Which brings me to other energetic beings like our angels, our guides, and even our ancestors. Are they able to slip seamlessly between these realities? If so, are they our guides throughout all of them, or do they change when we change realities?
 
There are other theories that explain the Mandela Effect as people shifting timelines, or timelines being merged. These are a little less dramatic than Quantum Immortality, but raise many questions as well. There are also many theories about what happens to us/our consciousness after death. I am sure there are many more questions that could be asked, but these are the ones that came to me first. Now, it is not like these questions can be answered, or this theory (or any other) can be proved. However, I find topics like this an excellent starting point for some great conversations. What do you think about this theory? Is it plausible to you? Have you experienced the Mandela Effect? Would you discuss this over tea and biscuits? I would love to know.

Usually my posts consist of metaphysical concepts, however, this time I wanted to do something a bit more fun. I thought I would post some seemingly common sense, every day, witchy tips. I don’t believe there are any hard and fast rules when it comes to how one conducts their practice, however, there are some things that one can do to protect or enhance their practice; most of which are common sense, and you probably already know, but here we go.
 
Some of the more common witchy tips circulating today involve the materials used in one’s practice. These are usually about personal safety. These include (but are not limited to):
 
-Keep your crystal balls/spheres covered if they are anywhere near a window. They can start fires.
-If you do water magic, do not leave them in a sunny spot if they are contained in clear glass or plastic (at least not for long, and make sure you keep an eye on them).
-Keep certain crystals out of constant direct sunlight, as their colour can fade (within minutes in some cases). These include crystals like amethyst, citrine, fluorite, aquamarine, kunzite, and more.
-Keep candles out of direct sunlight or other heat sources while not in use, as they may not only fade in colour, but also melt.
-Some crystals are water soluble (dissolve in water) and should not be cleansed with water. These include halite, selenite,  and desert rose/ Others, like calcite, dissolve slower, but you may notice pitting first, and some, like pyrite and hematite don’t dissolve, but they do rust or degrade.
-Some rocks and crystals don’t dissolve, but can release toxic elements when exposed to water, and therefore should not be used to make gem elixirs using the direct method (placing them directly in the water). Thes include malachite, fluorite, chrysocolla, pyrite, and more. If you are not 100% sure, use an indirect method like placing the water filled container in a bowl and placing the crystals around it, or placing the crystals in a bag and hanging it off the bottle.
-Be careful what and where you burn. There are plenty of reasons to burn spell ingredients, but one should be careful to burn in a well-ventilated area, and don’t inhale. Naturally, if you are allergic, just don’t, and if you have asthma, be aware that it could be irritating or cause issues. Some herbs, like belladonna, yew, and oleander release toxic elements that can make someone very sick. Others, like bay leaves and mugwort can be quite irritating to the lungs when the smoke is inhaled, so they should be burned outside or with a window/door open, and, of course, don’t inhale. If you do have issues with the burning of herbs or other plants, especially for space clearing, there are some wonderful sprays available. As many of these plants are available as essential oils, you should keep this in mind when using them in a diffuser as well.
 
Other tips focus more on one’s witchy perception and practice.
 
-Talk to your plants. They are living things that help scrub the air in your home, they may provide you with medicinal or magical ingredients, they are beautiful, and they enjoy your company.
-Speaking of talking to plants, you should ask before collecting any ingredients found in nature. Ask the spirits of the plants, trees, rocks, and bones you want to collect, and don’t forget the locations you are in (the genius loci).
-You should not just “believe” everything you read. This actually goes for any subject. I highly recommend consulting multiple sources on any topic before forming an opinion.
-Experience is the best teacher, “failure” too, as is practice. Remember that not every spell may work the first time. Sometimes adjustments have to be made.
-Spell books can be a great starting point for any work you want to do, but you don’t have to follow them to a T. Do what feels right, omit anything that feels wrong. You can build your own spells by researching everything you need. A very helpful resource I would recommend is Lewellyn’s Complete Book of Correspondences by Sandra Kynes.
-You should try and make anything you need for a spell yourself when possible. Not only can you be confident of the ingredients used, but you also put your own energy into the object; making it much more personal. Sometimes this is not possible, and when it is not, I recommend supporting your local witchy or metaphysical store before outsourcing online. It helps build good communities.
-Of course, you should try and ethically source everything. A lot of online stores post where and how things are collected, and if you are buying from a local store you can ask about their sources as well.
 
And finally…
 
-Not every spell that doesn’t work as planned was a failure. Sometimes the universe has a different plan, sometimes the timing is wrong; there could be many reasons it didn’t work as planned.
 
I am sure you know many, if not all of these tips. If you know of any that I missed, I would love to hear them. Did you read anything here that you didn’t know? Are there any kinds of witchy tips (or other topics) you would like me to cover in the future? Did you find this helpful?

I have talked in a previous post about signs. What they are, how to recognize them, and how we may interpret them. In this post I wanted to break down a few examples of the types of ways signs can come to us. The first two types can include more visual aspects to them, while the last one does not. How and why any of these signs come to us is a matter of debate, or maybe of belief. Maybe they come from divine sources like the deities we believe in, our guides or spiritual guardians, the universe itself, our higher selves, or maybe our own subconscious. Any, or all, of these sources could be correct, and could be different on a case-by-case basis. In respect to the subconscious, and I believe I did address this in an earlier post; our brain does do amazing things. If our subconscious does work behind the scenes to help us process things, it is not far fetched to acknowledge that it can also provide us with information and answers in regard to the issues it tackles. Of all the millions of bits of information our brains take in through all our senses every day, if certain images or signs are constantly brought to our conscious attention, then I believe it is reasonable to assume those things have meaning and significance. That said, I don’t really think it matters so much who sends the message, as long as we acknowledge it and show a little gratitude. Even a whispered thank you can go a long way.
 
The first, and most obvious way is prophecy. This is a favourite plot line of many a movie and book. It is usually delivered by someone, a prophet, to convey a message foretelling a future event. Sometimes the recipient seeks it out by visiting someone like an oracle (think Oracle at Delphi), but often would be delivered without asking, like a spontaneous declaration of divine will or a revelation of some truth. It could happen when the person or persons involved are not even present (think Harry Potter or Percy Jackson). While this definition of prophecy seems rather fantastical, and more likely to be found amongst the pages of fantasy novel, prophecies are not relegated to the realm of fiction.
A scenario more likely to be recognized today would be prophetic dreams. I think these happen more often than people know. There are plenty of people who, attuned to the metaphysical or not, receive messages in their dreams. Not everyone sees this as a gift (I have known a few who don’t), but I think it is one of those gifts that people have, but do not talk about. Not everyone remembers (or wants to) their dreams, less of them record them. So it can be difficult to know just how many people experience this. It can also be difficult, until one is practiced at it, to recognize the difference between a vivid dream, a lucid dream, and a prophetic dream. At least until that dream comes true. Recording one’s dreams can help with this.
 
The next two definitions are less “here’s what’s happening” and more like foreshadowing. While this is still helpful for preparing and for understanding, they may be understood more in hindsight than in the moment; unless you are attuned to your intuition or on the lookout for them.   
 
The second way is the omen. This is what we would normally consider a sign. It can come in many forms. Generally we think of omens appearing visually, but this is not necessarily so. It could be a thing we see (possibly repeatedly), an occurrence that seems significant (in the moment, but sometimes in hindsight), or maybe even a sound, like the ravens that are chattering outside my window as I type this, or a warning bell, song lyrics, or a well-timed phrase. It could be something you asked for from your guides/the universe/a deity/etc.. or you could recognize it intuitively as something significant. As said above, these signs are not always recognized in the moment (especially if not asked for). The more practice one has at looking for signs, and the more in tune with one’s intuition one is, the easier recognizing them can become. It is important to remember that not everything is a sign. Sometimes things just happen, and we should not be attributing signs to every little thing. If we see every move as guided or destined we chip away at our own free will. Taking note, asking for confirmation from your guides/etc.., and watching for repeated signs of the same message can help with clarification.
 
The last I will cover today is portent. This word has a much heavier feel to it. Rather than being a thing or event that tells of something to come, it refers more to a feeling, like an intuitive warning that something significant or pivotal is going to happen. This type of sign could be attributed to phrases like “I had a gut feeling”, or “the air was heavy with X emotion/energy”. This a less direct kind of sign, and, I believe, is often the early warning sign. While it may be the only sign before something happens, it could also be the first sign of something that warns us to be more observant and, perhaps, more cautious. As I always say, trust your intuition.
 
While we usually think of these types of things in a negative light, any of them could pertain to something positive or something more unfavourable. That is something we will have to determine for ourselves. Interpreting signs can be a bit tricky. You can purchase books on dream interpretation, signs and symbol meaning, and animal guide meanings, however, I do believe they serve as a general guide,  should be consulted after you have given our own thought an intuition a chance first. While these manuals can provide some excellent general information, they do not know your own personal knowledge, experience, and emotions. Any personal connection or strong feelings about something you experience as a sign should override a book definition. After all, that sign was meant for you to understand. 
 
So, have you ever experienced these types of signs? How many? Do you even believe in seeing signs? Who do you think sends them? I would love to know.  

I mentioned in a previous post about other uses for tarot or oracle cards. This included using them for meditation or journeying, which is also something I put into almost every deck review I have written.  I thought I would take this post to break down and clarify the difference between them.
 
Meditation is a very popular part of self-care and mindful practices. First, I would like to point out that a lot of people think that meditation requires clearing the mind completely, and anything else is failure. This is one reason that people often give up on meditation as a form of self-care, and is not true at all.   
Meditation does require the person to keep an open mind, allowing themselves to keep their mind free to see or experience what is needed and then letting it pass. This can help the practitioner learn control and focus, and usually serves to clear the mind, their emotional state, and promote relaxation. In my reviews I suggest that one could focus on a specific card, using it’s artwork as a focal point to start the clearing process or to trigger certain emotions or experiences to come to the surface to be let go of. Oher visual stimuli like mandalas wonderfully as well.
 
Meditation can also be guided. This kind of meditation has structure and a specific focus. The practitioner’s mind is focused on how/where it is being guided, and the intent behind the meditation.  A pre-made audio guide (made by themself or someone else) is usually used, that has a specific purpose like manifestation, healing, or to make space for an answer or solution to a problem/query to come through. This requires the practitioner to focus on relaxation, their breath, what is being said, and being in the moment. It is also commonly used for stress relief, and relaxation. If a guided meditation sequence is used often enough, a person may be able to go through it themselves without the use of the verbal queues. Using tarot or oracle cards that depict scenes from (or similar to) the ones described in the guided meditation can help with visualization and keep focus; particularly if the person is not good with such things on their own. Practice does make progress.
 
Both types of meditation involve immersing oneself in the thoughts, sensations, and feelings that arise without seeking the story behind them. The experience is meant to allow one to acknowledge, to feel, to accept, and to let go. A process that, I believe, is important to any self-care practice.
 
Journeying is different. To journey, one enters a trance state, usually using drumming or other rhythmic sound to achieve a theta wave state. The objective is an interactive experience where one seeks out spirits/guides/power animals/deities/etc.. in order to obtain answers to a specific query. The trance state and visualization are used to journey into realms like the subconscious, or into other spiritual planes like upper or lower worlds where these beings/entities may exist. This experience is not usually fully guided, even though the beginning may be (to get things started). This is generally considered a shamanic practice, but it can be learned by anyone, whether they consider themselves a shaman, or they participate in any other shamanic like practices. Before entering the trance state, one could start with a meditation on a specific card, picture, query to set a particular intention or obtain a connection with a particular location, entity, etc.. While an intent can be made to connect to something or someone specific, journeying can take us anywhere. Like any practice, we don’t always get the answer we want, but we will get what we need. Journeying requires the practitioner to let go of the expected/desired outcome and let the story unfold as it needs to, taking one along with the ebb and flow of the journey, and can end as quickly as it begins.
 
While these practices are very different, they do have some similar elements, and they can all be quite helpful in one’s spiritual practice and self-care journey. So which one’s have you done? Do you meditate? Do you prefer guided or non-guided meditation? Have you ever journeyed before? Do you use visual tools to help you with either practice? I would love to know. 

I used to write a lot of deck reviews. When I did, my focus was on giving people the necessary basic facts about the deck that might help someone choose the right deck for them. This always included card size, type of art work (pictures included), what kind of deck it was (tarot, oracle, Lenormand, etc..), the information the companion book provided, any changes/irregularities in the deck format or content, and more. In the end, choosing a deck is a personal matter, but I felt such information is helpful when you are on the hunt for new additions to your reading experience. In the course of researching and using approximately 250 decks for review I learned a lot about the diverse ways these decks can be used, so I also started including other ways decks could be used to enhance not only one’s readings, but other facets of spiritual work as well. I also learned much about how the various spread types and reading styles can influence a reading, the reader, and one’s overall experience.
So, if you read, whether that is for yourself or for others, what’s your style?
Some people prefer larger, more elaborate, spreads (like the Celtic Cross) to glean as much information as possible, while other’s prefer smaller, less complicated, spreads. These can provide quicker, more general answers that can be elaborated on later, provide a general direction for the reader to expand on, and so on. If you are the type who likes to mix things up a little, you might choose the spread based on the question you are asking, the time you have, or the type of deck you are using.
Once you have chosen your deck and spread, asked your question, and dealt your cards, you may end up with more questions. Now you require clarification, which can be gained by drawing more cards. Some might choose to shuffle and deal again, perhaps asking the question differently or asking about a certain aspect of the previous reading. Other’s prefer to pull clarification cards. This can be done by simply shuffling and asking about that card/answer. However, there is nothing stopping one from grabbing another deck, or even from another system entirely! (Aside from cards you can also use runes, crystals, and other divination systems).
Mixing tarot and oracle cards can bring about some very interesting results. Oracle decks answer questions quite differently than tarot. Many provide information about the energies that surround a situation rather than describing the situation or the people involved. This can be quite helpful, as sometimes it can be much easier to change or enhance the energies that are influencing you or the situation than directly changing the circumstances directly.
This brings us to the other uses for the cards. Clarification does not have to end with the reading. Using the card that is causing you concern or confusion in meditation or journeying may bring you more insight. As well, meditating or journeying with a card that represents the energy or outcome you would like to manifest can also be helpful. These same cards can be used in spell work to achieve your goals or desires. If you are using your cards for shadow work, the same principles apply.
So, how do you tarot? Do you use multiple decks? Do you use only certain spreads? Have you ever made your own spread for a particular situation? Do you use your cards for something other than readings? I would love to know.

Spiritually speaking, when the topic of animals is brought up, the first thought usually goes to power, spirit, or totem animals. As a spiritual guide or companion, these can be any type of animal since no physical contact with a living creature is required. Connections with these creatures can be made through meditation, visualizations, pictures, sculptures, jewelry, or any other way you can think of. As an added bonus this means that those guides or companions can also be creatures that are either mythical or exist on other planes of existence (such as dragons, unicorns, phoenix, etc..).
 
However, there are plenty of animals that are called (or we call) to guide us, usually referred to as totem animals, that we can have physical contact with. We keep these animals as pets, companions, work animals, and sometimes familiars. When we keep animals as pets they actually perform some spiritual or energetic work for us that we may not see. They are energetically attuned to others and their surroundings in ways we may not be, allowing them to sense stagnant or unwanted energies that may be held or brought into our home and ourselves. Spending time with them or allowing them roam free within our home space can help break up these undesirable energies, allowing them to release and creating space for more positive and inviting energies to come in. Many studies have shown that owning a pet can decrease a person’s stress levels and increase physical and emotional health. The two main animals that come to mind, of course, cats and dogs.
 
Cats are a popular choice for a familiar, as they are usually known (in the spiritual community) for their ability to see and sense things humans usually cannot. Given this ability, they are often regarded as excellent spiritual protectors. In some cultures they are considered psychopomps; able to travel between the planes to guide souls or deliver messages (covered in a previous post). Studies have also shown that the frequency of a cat’s purr has healing benefits, and energy healers may consider them aura cleansers.
 
Dogs are also popular, and considered protectors, but on a more physical level. That said, I have witnessed dogs “see” things that others have not. They are, of course, considered excellent loyal companions, and can also help decrease stress levels and elevate a person’s health. Petting them, playing with them, and even talking to them can be very therapeutic. They can act like furry little emotional sponges that always seem to know when we are not well or upset. They often teach us lessons about joy, devotion, and balance.
 
Maybe you aren’t a cat or a dog person though. There are so many other creatures we can create these bonds with that probably don’t get as much credit as they should. They can perform the same energetic break up/cleansing just by being present, and also have spiritual reasons we may be more drawn to them. These include (but are not limited to):
 
Hamsters/Gerbils: As a guide they can teach about resourcefulness and cycles.
Rats: Linked to the unconscious and the shadow self.
Snakes: Always given a bad reputation, but are more accurately associated with transformation, hidden wisdom, and the primal life force.
Turtles: Teach stability and patience. As the saying goes “Slow and steady wins the race”, in this case, to wisdom.
Fish: Are linked to abundance, but, as creatures of water, which symbolically represents the emotions, they are also linked to the deep inner thoughts and emotions that area present in the quiet depths of self.
Lizards: These creatures love to bask in the sun, and therefore, are connected to solar energy. They also tech transformation and adaptation.
 
Each of these creatures can come in a multitude of varieties, each one with a more specific message, so I am speaking in generalities here, but the overall message is there. On a side note, you are not limited to physical contact with just house pets. One can create a special bond with larger animals like horses, goats, pigs, sheep, etc.. as well. You can connect with more wild energies in other ways as well, like making friends with local crows/ravens or other birds, creating bee and butterfly gardens (fairies love gardens too), or contributing to charities that support wildlife preserves or other helpful resources. It is, however, not a good idea to feed wild animals, as they may become dependent on you, or stray too close to people who would not see that as desirable (too many animals lose their lives like this).
 
There are a few reasons that animals can show up on a spiritual level in your life. Whether you choose them or they choose you, it may be as part of a soul contract. Aside from the physical health benefits, they are excellent teachers of concepts like patience, unconditional love, and presence. They can also accurately reflect or emotional state (especially dogs and cats), which is helpful in shadow work. Not to mention, as more than one school of thought teaches, the physical manifestation of ailments/dis-ease can be rooted in emotional or spiritual issues that are not dealt with. 
 
So, are you a dog or a cat person? Or perhaps you prefer some other kind of companion? Do you work with spirit, power, or totem animals that you also have as a pet? Has your pet ever alerted you to something you did not otherwise notice? Do you, like me, feel rather incomplete when you don’t have an animal companion at home? Have you ever thought of your pet as more than just a house companion? I would love to know. 

A psychopomp, from the Greek word Psychopompos, meaning “guide of souls”, is a spiritual entity that is most known for guiding souls to the afterlife. Many cultures across the world have deities and/or creatures that perform this task. These are some of the few beings that can enter the underworld and return safely on their own. Some of the most popular that you might be aware of are Hermes, messenger of the Gods and guider of souls (among other things), Anubis, the God of funerary rights and protector of graves, and Charon, the ferryman that transports souls across the river Styx. However, the Aztecs had Xolotl, The Celts have Ankou, and Haitian Vodou has Papa Ghede, to name a few more. Valkyries from the Norse tradition also fall under this category, as they are tasked with choosing the souls that are to enter Valhalla after dying in battle (though, this is not the only way to get into Valhalla. If you know, you know).
 
Spiritual entities like this are also known for delivering messages between worlds. Archangel Michael is one of these, though you may know him better as a spiritual protector rather than a messenger. Across many cultures there are also animals that are able to cross into the other world, as well as other worlds/planes, to receive or deliver messages. These include (but are not limited to) familiar ones like ravens (not just Odin’s companions Huginn and Muninn), crows, and owls, as well as other, perhaps not as familiar/well known for this like vultures, deer, frogs, bats, and dogs. While they do not guide souls to the afterlife, they are still often considered psychopomps due to their ability to cross between worlds.
 
Animals are not the only corporeal beings that have been known to survive venturing between worlds to guide souls. While we may see earthly spiritual leaders as guides of souls while they are on the earthly plane, shamans are an exception here. They are not just spiritual leaders and healers. In some shamanic practices they not only help guide souls into/towards the afterlife, but also help usher souls into life as they are ready to be reborn.
 
These spiritual beings play in important role in the life death cycle. Regardless of our belief system, we cannot know with any certainty what awaits us after our earthly physical experience has come to an end. I do not believe we are meant to. Death is not a topic most societies talk about freely and openly (though perhaps we should start?). I would hope that the thought of the existence of such powerful spiritual soul guides would be a comforting one. I am curious to know if it comforts you at all…? Have you ever encountered or worked with one of these psychopomps in your spiritual practice, or even your everyday life? Have you ever received a message from a creature or entity that is known to cross worlds like that? I would love to know.
 
Just as a little side note, a fun fact if you will. In psychology a psychopomp is considered the mediator between the conscious (ego) and the unconscious self, or maybe it is one’s Higher Self..? Sounds to me like a whole other topic for discussion. Tea anyone? 

​Our ancestors lives revolved around cycles Their very survival depended on understanding the cycles of the seasons that dictated what food would be available, and what shelter they would need. They respected the cycles of day and night. The protective life-giving light of the sun, and the mystery and uncertainty of the dark. Eventually marking the phases of the moon as spiritually significant.
These days, we don’t put as much importance on these cycles. Unless they are part of your spiritual practice, or your job (like a farmer), we don’t pay them much mind beyond what we need to wear, what the driving conditions may be like, what holidays are approaching, or what vacation we would like to book.
While we may all but ignore most of these cycles, there are two that are natural to our body. If you are a woman you are familiar with your menstrual cycle, and how it affects (or sometimes dictates) your life/schedule. We also all have a natural circadian rhythm. This is your internal biological clock that not only regulates your sleep cycles, but also other processes like the release of hormones, and body temperature. While our bodies naturally regulate these cycles for us, as humans, we spend a lot of time and energy exerting control over them, trying to bend them to our will. Whether through pharmaceuticals, technology, or just our own will power, we work to alter these rhythms to suit our needs or current lifestyles. We do this with they larger cycles too, like the seasons, creating mechanisms and evolving technology to grow crops, manufacture meat, and manipulate the weather.
While these advances have benefited us in many ways, like being able to sustain larger populations, it has also caused disconnect between ourselves and our planet, and even within our own bodies. Instead of working with/respecting the natural cycles we strive to control them, but at what cost?
What do you think would happen if we, as a society, decided to eat what our bodies needed, according to what should be available in that season, and adhere to the larger cycles of work and rest, according to the seasons? Would our physical health improve? What about our mental health? Would it cause us to have to cooperate and coordinate within our communities more? What kind of society do you think we could/would build if we listened to our bodies and lived in accordance with Earth’s natural rhythms?
There are plenty of people out there that do try to do this. Whether that is through their spiritual practice, or to create a more practical (and peaceful) lifestyle (like homesteaders and even preppers). Regardless of the reasons, more and more people are looking to reconnect to this planet and each other. Our current societal structure of 9 to 5 work days, high stress, convenience foods, and lack of self-care make returning to a “simpler”, less anxiety inducing lifestyle difficult, but not impossible. As more and more people gravitate towards this, I wonder how we, as people, and as a society at large, will evolve and change.
How about you? Do you listen to your own natural cycles? Is it a spiritual or more practical practice for you? If you have made these kinds of changes, did you notice what affects it had physically, mentally, spiritually (if any)? If you haven’t, are there changes you would or would like to make? I would love to know. 

Salt is one of the most common, yet potent, magical items in your kitchen. Over the centuries salt has functioned in a mundane capacity such as currency, preservation, and culinary uses, as well as for magical purposes. At one time Roman soldiers received salt as part of their pay because it was a precious commodity; time consuming to both mine and process. Its use as a preservative for food made it invaluable in a time before refrigeration. Eventually, as with many other mundane objects turned magical, superstition quickly surrounded it.
 
It is common knowledge today to throw spilled salt over your left shoulder, as the left side has long been associated with evil or malevolent energies. The left Hand Path is considered a dark path (though I would not consider it evil), and even some Christian beliefs say the Devil sits on your left side. However, there are plenty more superstitions connected with salt. In places like Germany, Scotland, and Normandy it was once spread in and around the butter churn to deter witches from spoiling it, and in the Ozarks it was once said that witches didn’t like salt, so if someone complained about food being too salty they were a witch. Many cultures around the world have had their own beliefs as well. In Ireland it was used in conjunction with prayer to cure those who were considered “fairy struck”, and in Egypt it was burned on hot coals in the desert to protect travelers from evil spirits.
 
Culinarily speaking there are at least a dozen types of salt. However, magically speaking there are three main types used, each with their own purpose. (These can vary between traditions and personal experience).
 
 

• Table or Sea Salt offers purification when used to cleanse/consecrate objects like altar or magical tools, crystals, etc.. and can even be added to water to cleanse one’s home (like floors and walls.) It has also been used to represent the Earth element on altars or in ritual, have a grounding effect, and used to create the sacred circle where ritual or spell work is performed.  
• Black Salt is primarily used to create a protective barrier, which is commonly done by creating a salt line across thresholds or liminal spaces like on window sills and in doorways, but can be used to create sacred circles for magical workings as well. It has also been used in spell work for banishing, warding off evil energies/entities, and breaking curses.
• Pink Himalayan salt is used for purification, but in a different way. It is meant to “purify” one emotionally, promoting emotional healing while fostering self-love and bringing harmony to relationships of all kinds (not just between lovers).

 
In some ancient cultures it was used as an offering to deities. Two such deities were the Aztec goddess Huixtocihuatl, and the Mesopotamian goddess Ninpumuna. It was even mentioned in the bible (Leviticus) that every offering of grain and animal placed on the altar had to be seasoned with salt.
 
As you can see, salt has been a big part of both mundane and magical practices for centuries. I find it interesting that some beliefs/superstitions around salt are said to repel or indicate/implicate witches (as they are said to not like it), while it is also used in many magical practices to purify and protect them. Just an observation.
 
So how do you use it in your magical practice? Do you use more than one kind? Do you keep your magical and culinary salt separate? Does salt hold any superstitions for you?  I would love to know.