Articles
Guest Post: How To Forage for Herbs for Witchcraft
Posted by Guest Author on

What's better than shopping for witchy herbs? Why, foraging them yourself, of course! There are so many plants out there that have beneficial properties, and gathering them in the wild can be a great way to connect with nature and your craft. Whether you’re a beginner witch looking to get started or an experienced practitioner looking to expand your knowledge, here’s how to get started collecting your own herbs. Some people assume that nothing grows in the city besides useless weeds, but that is definitely not the case. Even humble or common plants can have amazing spiritual properties. Think of...
- Tags: 2023, guest post, herbs
Mightier Than the Swords: How to Deal with a Bad Tarot Reading
Posted by Michelle Gruben on

If you’re an avid reader of Tarot cards, then you know that no matter how experienced or knowledgeable you are, not all readings will be positive. Sometimes, the cards will show something that you weren’t expecting—something negative. But what should you do if this happens? How can you make sense of a negative Tarot reading? Read on to learn how to “win” your Tarot reading when you’re dealt a bad hand. 1. Assess and Interpret As tempting as it may be to throw the ominous cards in a pile and re-shuffle the deck, it’s worth pausing for a second to...
- Tags: 2023, beginner, divination, tarot
3 (Big) Wishes for 2023
Posted by Michelle Gruben on

The fake tree is glittering, the stockings are hung. It's time to reflect on the end of the season. Because we are approaching both the Winter Solstice and January 1, this post is one part Yule wish list, one part New Year's resolutions. I've been thinking about what I would wish for the Pagan community if I could have anything at all—and also, what I might be able to do to bring it closer to reality. Everything on this list is a pretty big ask. That is because it is Solstice Eve and getting dark at 4 PM, and I...
Just a Witch Shop: How I Made Humility the Cornerstone of My Business
Posted by Michelle Gruben on

It’s a wise person who can say, “I don’t know”—or better yet, “Let’s look that up.” But in the world of Witchcraft, there’s a lot that’s unknown (or unknowable) and not so many reliable ways to look things up. As a result, our community too often falls back on easy answers, bad science, flashy titles, clichés, and cults of personality. How do you work as a professional Witch without preying on the vulnerable or credulous? This is something I’ve grappled with since the first day I decided to start an occult business. The struggle is real—the tension between the weird...
Create an Ancestor Altar for Samhain: 7 Easy Ways to Celebrate Your Honored Dead
Posted by Michelle Gruben on

You may already have an altar to your deities, but what about the human spirits that have made you who you are? An ancestor altar is a sacred space that honors your deceased loved ones and can be used for prayer, offerings, and spells. Creating an altar is a beautiful way to remember your ancestors and to show them how much you appreciate their presence in your life. YOU can make an ancestor altar! Yes, you--even if you happen to be spirit-deaf, very busy, or hate your family. If you're not sure how to get started, here are seven easy steps for...