tiistai 16. heinäkuuta 2019

C for Cottage Witch


“From a golden broom pluck five long straws, 
Light them as tapers at the fire;
Carry them through the house, and cause
Their subtle smoke to thicken the air–

Then summon good fortune with this spell:

Wraiths of the house,
Take heart and live:
To every chamber
This light I give,
To every corner 
This breath I send–
Approve and favor
My willing hand

If you would please them doubly well,
Sprinkle the floor with leaves of tea
And orris powder and grains of salt–
Then sweep with the broom, until you are free
Each crack and crevice from speck or fault.”


— From Crone’s Book of Magical Words  by Valerie Worth 





Cottage / Hearth - (A slight variation from kitchen) Magick that is weaved, worked, or someone who is into mundane tasks around the house or for loved ones. Cottage/Hearth magick may be worked into daily tasks such as cleaning, cooking, or any hobbies. A Cottage Witch is a witch whose magickal practice focuses mainly on the home, similar to a Kitchen Witch but with less of a specific food/kitchen focus and more of a general home focus. A Cottage Witch considers her home sacred space and housekeeping a sacred act. A Cottage Witch may follow any religious or spiritual path or none.

Do you respect your home? Do you take care of your home? Home is our sacred place, where we let in only the ones we want to. It is our safe haven  from the world outside. It is the place where we spend most of our time and we should make it to feel our own, make it feel that the word "home" has an actual meaning.

What to tell about Cottage Witch? It´s my jam. Like Kitchen Witch is also, I made another post about Kitchen Witchery, so just wait a while for more information if this interested you. Anyway, what Cottage/Hearth mean to me, is my basic lifestyle. You can be a cottage witch no matter what kind of place you live, you can live in a mansion or in a tent, it´s all fine. 

I am not that ritualistic witch, I like to do little things in my life that has magic in them while making it, such as cleaning and decorating my home. So my rituals are in the making, in living, in every day life. I think our kitchen is very magickal and I do a lot of cooking and baking, I dry herbs and I want to kitchen to be the heart at my home. I have little kitchen altar (I also have bigger altar in the bedroom, which I use in my rituals and I decorate to match each Sabbat) and I believe in home deities and I often leave gifts for them. I love feng-shui, I need to do more with it again, I need to put it on my to do list... I think it is very important to keep things in your life that only brings you joy or you actually need. When everything has it own place and things are in certain order, the energy in the home will flow more fluently. It will effect on your mood and energy level. It also makes you stress less.

So make your home your own, care for it, so you can also care for you too.

Today´s outfit, all from Flea market except the shoes


Small Town Hearth Witch Aesthetic

Has an apron for every outfit.
Knits while waiting.
Does not know of a problem that can’t be solved with the right magical tea blend.
Soft and round at the edges.
Favorite movie is Little Women.
Hair always smells of woodsmoke.
Big sweaters and wool socks.
Has lost count of the bird feeders in her backyard.
Everything she owns is old but loved and well-maintained.
Laughs a lot.
Long, meandering walks.
Collects Depression era glassware, like the kind her Grandma always had.
Favorite month is October. 

Hella cozy

Basics of Kitchen and Cottage Witchcraft

Kitchen witches believe that the kitchen is a sacred place where all of the magick happens. They focus on the use of edible ingredients and kitchen tools.  A cottage witch is a witch that brings magick into the house and are protectors of the hearth and home. They bring cheer and warmth to every room they enter. Their focuses are on the family, home, and daily needs. Both the cottage and Kitchen witch believe that by honoring the home it honors the Gods and Goddesses. They bring magick into everyday life and daily chores.



Cottage Witch things to do

-Create a kitchen altar
-Stock your shelves with herbs and spices
-Bring maximum feng-shui to your home
-Keep the home physically and spiritually clean
-Paint the house walls in colors that bring happiness, warmth, and coziness
-When making a sandwich put mustard or mayo sigils on it
-When making meals add herbs that correspond to your magickal needs
-Decorate the home according to the sabbats
-Brew some special teas
-Make your own candles, salves, and tinctures.
-Make offerings to Gods and Goddesses of hearth and home.  
-Ask your deities to keep your house safe and healthy.
-Create your own recipes and add your own touch of magick to them
-Put intent into everything you cook and clean
-Make an incantation or short song to sing while you stir.
-Inscribe your wooden spoons with sigils  
-Carve your wooden shelves with sigils - carve them at the bottom of the cupboard to remain discreet
-Craft oils, incense, soaps, potions, and salves.
-Make herbal remedies
-Chant while cleaning or preparing a meal
-Use numerology in your practices by the number of times you stir or the number of times you knead dough.
-During the mead moon, brew mead with magickal intent.
-Decorate the home with your own art or art done by your children, poems, knits, woodcraft’s, paintings, quilts, diy’s, or tapestries.
-Enchant your crafts.
-Use weather magick, candle magick, ribbon charms, and anything else used to add magick to your home.
-Honour the ancestors.
-Bless the home.
-Start a garden and will it with organic and in season fruits and vegetables.
-Charge herbal oils by moonlight or candlelight to heal, bless the home or to clean and protect the woodwork she polishes with it.
-Scatter charm bags, witches ladders, chimes, and bells around the home.
-Grow an indoor jungle
-Learn herbal remedies to treat MINOR injuries
-If you work with meat make sure to thank and honor the animal it came from.
-Sing or play music to raise good vibrations
-Bake and cut cookies in shapes to match your intentions
-Provide someone in need with a free meal
-Volunteer at a local soup kitchen to bring magick into it
-Sweep with a broom (besom) regularly. To the mundane eye, you’re clearing away dust and crumbs, but any witch knows you’re really spiritually cleansing and charging your home.
-Put a line of salt on your windowsill for protection.
-Forage fallen sticks to tie into a pentacle with twine. Hang as a wreath on the front door.
-Candles in every room.
-Call it “aromatherapy” if you’re still a secret witch, but utilize scent as the powerful thing it is! Burn incense. Have asthma? Try essential oils and scented candles. Budgeting? You can always put herbs and teas into the wax of a melting pillar candle to release the scent.
-Bake bread. Knead it with intention, cut a sigil in the top before baking, indulge in the act of creating.
-Open windows to bring in the element of air and purge your home of bad or stale energy.
-Collect and display little things from nature: pinecones, stones, crystals, dried flowers, acorns, feathers (if you’re permitted). Altars don’t need to be obvious, they can just be things that make you grounded and glad.
-Live. Always remember that anywhere a witch lives is magical, whether you feel it or not. Do these little things for yourself, to cherish feeling connected, but witchcraft is not about pressure or conforming.
-Burn a candle on your stove (or wherever you consider to be the heart of the home) to symbolize the hearth fire of ages past. This can be used a daily ritual to connect to your ancestors, those who came before us, and (if you have any) your deities, especially if you have a patron home and/or hearth deity. It also fills the home with love, warmth, and intent. Feel free to match the color and scent with your desired intent! 
Not in a position to burn candles? Have no fear! You can absolutely use a battery powered candle, or one of the LED ones. After all, the intent is what makes this meaningful.

What their altar may display:

Candles
Tools used for sacred use
Four elements
Statues of the honoured deities
A doll weaved of corn
A kitchen witch’s altar is often displayed in the corner of the kitchen and is not permanent
Food made by the witch left as an offering

Some beliefs followed:

-Magick is not used to inflict pain on others or block anyone’s free will
-Believe in living simple lives
-Believe in using organic items, products that aren’t animal tested, recycling, and composting.
-Creativity is a form of devotion
-Keep peace in the household
-May the home always contain good food, good talk, and good company
-Welcome guests into the home with open arms

Cottage and Kitchen witch superstitions/wives tales:

-Stir clockwise to bring good luck
-Never stir with a knife as it is considered bad luck
-Place a piece of amethyst near the stove top to make the food cooked there tastes better
-If an apple bursts in the oven while baking it means good luck is on its way for the cook
-Eggs that are cracked while they boil is a sign that visitors are on their way
-Dropping silverware means that company is coming
-Spilling water on the table cloth means that rain is on its way
-Seeing a spider in the house is good luck, killing it is bad luck
-Wild animal tracks in the snow encircling your house is a sign of good luck and protection
-When your cupboard doors are left opens it means that people are gossiping about you
-If a broom drops across the doorway it means that you will soon head off on a journey
-If you spill salt throw it over your left shoulder to undo any bad luck
-To keep evil spirits away chop an onion in half and place it on the window sill



Chosen tools:

Wooden spoons
Knife
Bowls
Cooking pot or cauldron
A ritual knife used to only cut spiritual ties
A Fire place
Broom
Mortar and pestle
Kettle
Jars and bottles
Sewing kit
Cook books

Spells are cast to bring:

Healing
Prosperity
Protection
Abundance
Happiness
Fertility
Harmony
Peace

Howl´s moving castle
Energy Cleansing Through Cleaning

Have you been feeling down? Too tired to get up and do things? Try these:

Vacuuming - Oh the smell of a room after it’s been vacuumed. Cleaner but also a little empty. Vacuuming is a good “lets whip the slate clean of everything”. It sucks up the energies in your home leaving it clean and blank.  After a good vacuuming is a perfect time to do some home blessings and protections!

Sweeping - Banishing! Now go go go, the broom shrieks as you brush away dirt and old leaves. Sweeping is a perfect way to banish energies. Not suck them up and get ride of them. Oh no, banish them. Forcibly remove them from your place cuz those nastiest aren’t allowed to stay around. You can also put charms on the broom so it lays down goodness as it banishes the not so good stuff.

Window Cleaning - Opening the mind to inspiration and clear thinking. Whipping away the muck from the windows allows the home to be charged and energy flow in smoothly. It also can bring in more inspiration and clearer intuition. 

Cleaning The dishes - Time to help harmony move around. Spreading love and charm with eat spoon, plate, and bowls. Allowing fulfillment of the stomach and the soul! Wipe away the muck of the day, and bring in time to for better days!

Enjoy your cleaning!

Vintagehoneybees on Tumblr

Witchery for the hearth.

-Lay thorny branches on your doorstep to drive away evil.
-Put thyme in your last meal of the day to have pleasant dreams.
-Place coins and cedar chips in a box for an easy money spell.
-The bark of the willow tree is a natural painkiller.
-Put almonds in your pocket to recover a lost object.
-Light candles throughout the house regularly.
-Sprinkle oats over your garden (especially herbs) to ensure good growth.
-Honey is a natural antibiotic and antibacterial. Got a cold sore? Put that stuff all over that. Got a cold? Eat a tablespoon every few hours.
-Place lilacs all over the house to get rid of unwanted spirits.
-Drink cranberry juice to get a good detox when in need of grounding.
-Hang dill over your door to keep people who wish ill on you out.
-Place half an onion in the room with someone who is sick to draw out disease.
-Place morning glory seeds inside your pillow to get rid of bad dreams.
-Pour salt in your bath (or shower floor if you don’t have a bath) to cleanse and ground yourself.
-Use chili peppers to break a curse.
-Plant rosemary next to your front gate or door for a little good luck.

Laundry magic

-Charm your washing machine, or your favorite machine in your building or at the laundromat.
-Put a water and heat safe object in your pocket before you put it in the laundry. You can cleanse while you clean.
-Laundromats are serious crossroads. A great place to spread or dispel.
-Use a washable marker to write a sigal on a dryer sheet.
-Or on your detergent.
-Sprinkle your detergent into the washer counter clock wise.
-Divine using the window in the dryer. 
-If you use a laundromat try divining other people’s fortunes using the window in their dryer.
-Detergent scents are based on herbs and flowers and they have great names. I use Gain for money, Tide for luck, Snuggle for love, Bounce for resilience and OxyClean for confidence.
-Always remember there is magic in the mundane.

Washing dishes

-Dip your finger in dish soap, draw a sigil in the sink, fill sink to activate sigil.
 -Sing a song or whistle while you work.
-Open the nearest window while washing dishes for double cleansing via water & air.
-Practice mindful breathing.
-Make an offering of your chore any way you choose.
-Wash your dishes by candlelight. This is super Witchy feels if you add music + wine!
-Listen to a Witchy podcast.


asf-arte from Tumblr

Domestic or hearth goddesses from various mythologies include:

European
Aitvaras in Lithuanian mythology
Berehynia (originally a river spirit, since 1991 has become a hearth goddess in Ukrainian Romantic nationalism)
Brighid, a goddess in Celtic paganism
Brownie or Urisk in Scottish folklore
Bwbachod in Welsh folklore
Cofgodas in Anglo-Saxon paganism
Domovoy in Slavic paganism
Frigg, a goddess in Norse paganism
Gabija, a goddess in Baltic paganism
Haltija, or Haldjas in Finnish paganism, Finnish folklore, and Estonian folklore.
Heinzelmännchen in German folklore
Hestia, a goddess in Greek paganism
Hob, Lubber fiend, and Puck in English folklore
Jack o' the bowl in Swiss folklore
Kobold in German folklore
Lares in ancient Roman religion
Lutin in French folklore
Matka Gabia, a goddess in Slavic paganism
Monaciello, Monachiccio, Mamucca, Lu Laùru, Aguriellu, or Mazapegol in Italian folklore
Pūķis in Latvian folklore
Tomte, or Nisse in Scandinavian folklore
Trasgu in Spanish folklore and Portuguese folklore
Vesta, a goddess of traditional Roman religion, both state and domestic

African
Bes, a god in Egyptian paganism
Ekwu, a god in Igbo Odinani

Asian
Anito in prehispanic Filipino culture.
All Gashin, the most prominent being Teoju, Seongju, Jowang, or Samshin.
Kamui Fuchi, a goddess in the Ainu folklore in Japan
Hearth God in Chinese folklore
Ông Táo in Vietnamese folklore
Tudigong in Chinese Folk Religion
Zashiki-warashi in Japanese folklore

North American
Chantico, a goddess in Aztec mythology

Witch house from Moomins


Cottage Witch Tips

For those among us who, value the simple little things we can do to keep our homes and hearths happy, healthy, and still magical!

• Make a spray of salt, water, vinegar, and herbs you associate with protection (pepper, lemon, and rosemary- and a variation of Thieves oil, if you’re interested in also cutting down on germs and such) to use when cleaning to add a magical boost to protecting your home.
• Through many of us don’t have the traditional old school hearth setup, I like to light a candle to symbolize the hearth fire burning in my home. I use this ritual to honor my gods and their presence in my home. This also helps me feel connected to the hearth fires of old and to all those who came before me, allowing me to be here.
• Timing your chores with moon cycles can be an effective way to get witchy and remember to actually do certain chores, which we all forget from time to time (no? Just me? Alright then.)
• Enchanting your throws, blankets, and miscellaneous comfy things to be loving, comforting, and reassuring for those who need it is always a nice touch.
• Making a charm for a healthy, happy, and protected home! I made a little witch ball out of a plastic Christmas ornament and some items that matched my intent and it’s been good.
• Don’t underestimate the magical nature of mundane chores. Sweeping? I like to visualize that I’m sweeping out all of the gross energy and vibes along with the grime. Vacuuming? Same deal. Airing out the house? Inviting in clear and flowing energy. As long as you make it meaningful, it is.
• If you’re into home decor, switching out wreathes and interior decorations is a good way to stay in tune with the feel of the season.
• Warding your home! This can take many forms, such as a witch ball, wind chimes, a rock guardian, or whatever else you see fit!
• Adding charged water to your cleaning supplies can really help intent and usher in the seasons. I like to use solar water with some lemon to welcome in the spring and summer and moon water with some chai spices to welcome in fall and winter. Some people like to use this method for a magical mopping scenario, I just use it for the front door.
• Laundry magic is real, y'all. Even if you don’t make your own detergent or fabric softener, you can buy scents that correspond with certain intents (citrus for joy, lavender for relaxation, etc).
• I enjoy working my crystals and plants in my home decor. Our little rock and plant friends are great for keeping a home feeling happy and healthy. They raise the energy of the home, but also make it a bit more inviting in feeling and appearance.
•Stir your food clockwise to banish negative spirits.
•When cleaning, sprinkle salt on the floor and go do something else. Come back to the salt after a while and sweep, so that all the negative energy is gone.
•Put dried rosemary in your home to purify and cleanse the space.
•Need your fridge to stop smelling bad?
Leave a saucer of baking soda on the bottom shelf to absorb odor or cut a lemon in half, stab the halves with a fork a few times, place both halves in the fridge. It will absorb all those nasty smells!

Kitchen and Cottage witch
Cottage witchcraft

Blessed be my dear darklings!

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