Many symbols that relate to occultism, paganism, spirituality, witchery, magick, and the like, are often labeled as "evil" or "demonic." Sadly, it's to be expected. What often surprises me, or catches me off-guard, I should say, is when people WITHIN one of these "spiritual" communities perpetuate narratives that are not only false but actually harmful.
Recently, this has come up specifically with the symbol of the ouroboros, and I felt that the only way to appropriately address this was to unpack what I have been seeing said vs. what is actually true about this symbol historically, metaphorically, and mystically.
Since everyone may not be familiar with the ouroboros, as everyone's path, knowledge, and connection with various symbols will differ, I want to start with unpacking what it is first.
Ouroboros is typically pronounced: OR-OH-BOR-OS and while the word Ouroboros has its origins in the Greek language (literally meaning tail-eating), representations of the symbol itself have been documented as far back as the 13th and 14th centuries BCE in ancient Egypt.
Sometimes depicted as a snake eating its own tail and sometimes depicted as a dragon eating its own tail, the meaning remains the same—it expresses the unity of all things, material and spiritual, which never disappear but perpetually change form in an eternal cycle of destruction and re-creation. This aligns with what we understand as the First Law of Thermodynamics: energy cannot be created or destroyed, only converted from one form to another.
"Energy cannot be created or destroyed, only converted from one form to another."
Linked with the imagery of the goddess, Hekate, the Ouroboros and Anima Mundi are related philosophical and alchemical concepts, both representing cosmic unity, eternity, and cyclical creation. The ouroboros is the image of a serpent eating its own tail, symbolizing eternal cycles, while anima mundi, or "world-soul," is the concept that the universe is a single living organism with a soul that animates and connects everything within it.
All throughout Astarte's Temple, The Mystic's Journey, and the books and articles I've authored (Kate Jade), you'll see me harp on the importance of paradoxes, symbolism, and infinite expansion.
So, let's unpack each one of these.
With the idea of infinite expansion, which I link to the Fibonacci Sequence (Golden Ratio) and its reduction down to the number 117, it directly connects to the goddesses Astarte and Hekate. In relation to the goddess of wisdom and the cosmos, Astarte, she has 117 manifestations that she takes on that make way for infinite possibilities in the universe, just like the infinitely expanding sequence of numbers discovered by Leonardo of Pisa, also known as Fibonacci. Infinite expansion is only possible through energy constantly taking on new forms as old or smaller ways of existing are transformed into new or bigger ways of existing. This is the cycle of death and rebirth, which is really just energy changing states infinitely as it expands and evolves.
If you think of the shape of the Fibonacci Sequence or Golden Ration (the spiral that infinitely expands), you can overlay the Ouroboros on it and see how every time the snake comes around to eating its tail again, it is shedding the old and growing bigger into a new form. This pulls in the imagery of the Anima Mundi, or Hekate, the goddess of magick, mystery, and liminal space because all of this exists within the fabric of the universe in a way that animates all of it and yet is nearly undetectable from the human perspective and experience. The ouroboros, though, will always come back around to the same point again but with expansive lessons and greater ideas that allow it to stretch into the vastness of the infinitely expanding universe we exist in.
This leads right into the heart of the symbolism of the Ouroboros for spiritual practitioners. Magick is in EVERYTHING whether people are capable of seeing it or not, and whether they choose to connect with it or avoid it. It's energy. And more specifically, it's energy that's being intentionally directed, literally moved in order to act as a catalyst for change and evolution. For witches, healers, empaths, shamans, and mystics, this is the point of all. The Ouroboros is the symbol for every step we take in infinitely expanding spiritually, psychologically, and physically. Every choice we make to learn, expand in wisdom, and integrate all of life's lessons into who we are as we pursue authenticity, balance, and joy.
Without the ability to alchemize and change, we would stay forever stuck in the same cycles and way of living with no hope of evolving. And that is where the nature of paradoxes comes into this, as well, because in the same way that the Ouroboros can eat its own tail as a process for evolution, it can also eat its own tail in a never-ending, self-sabotaging cycle when the individual refuses to learn or grown.
This leads me to the current problem I've been seeing from "New Age" and "Lightworker" pages that have been recently speaking out on the Ouroboros symbol. They've labeled it evil. They've said it represents toxic cycles. And they are encouraging their followers to "stop eating their own tail" and "avoid being like the ouroboros"...and if you've been listening to this rhetoric, I hate to break it to you, but this is the same harmful narrative that is perpetuated by religious circles, monotheistic organizations, and suppressors of the divine feminine.
For the same reason it is problematic to say that the "Yin" portion of Yin-Yang energy is "evil" or "bad", which I have sadly seen circulating around the internet coming from "light focused" spiritual pages, saying that the ouroboros is evil and a symbol of toxic cycles is equally as harmful.
Maybe you're nodding your head right now saying, "Yes! How could someone think that?" Or maybe, you've gotten to this point in the article, and you're asking, "Wait. What? I thought it was bad..."
Here's the thing. If "Yin" energy is "bad", then here is what else you have to label as evil:
If the Ouroboros is "bad", then here is what else you have to label as evil:
So, why are people today in spiritual communities perpetuating the narrative that the ouroboros is evil? Great question. My guess is either ignorance to the weight of what they're really stating, which is anti-woman, anti-goddess, anti-change, anti-growth, and anti-balance OR they are intentionally hoping to keep people stuck in the mindset that what people don't understand should be feared and the darkness, Yin energy, and goddess energy that is waiting to be tapped into is somehow "evil" and a part of the problem, rather than a necessary piece of existence motivated to help humanity find wisdom and infinitely expand.
Join The Mystic's Journey in-depth pathworking program today! Through this 3.5-year program, you'll learn about the seven threads of magick that comprise the fabric of our universe, how to work with these threads to weave your own fate, and truly step into your authentic and unique spiritual path with confidence, clarity, and direction.
Every time a student enrolls in The Mystic's Journey program I've built, they're not only accessing everything I have created and learned, but they're also making it possible for me to continue teaching full time.
What YOU get access to:
Coursework to learn about mysticism
Rituals, journal prompts, meditations, and more
Free downloadable grimoire pages
Side quests to learn 42 types of magick
Engaging community forum
Earn crystals as you complete coursework
Beginner and advanced resources
App for convenient learning on-the-go
Enroll TODAY and join an incredible community of witches and spiritual practitioners that are motivated by wisdom, embody their magick, and trust their intuition.
Much like how one may be "in the closet" with their sexuality, when they are not environments where they feel safe and confident to express who they are, in the realm of magick and witchery, we label this similar phenomena as being a "broom closet witch."
Simply meaning, family, friends, co-workers, or others in the your life may not be safe people for you to express your pagan practices, mystical beliefs, or witchcraft rituals with.
This could be due to cultural differences in belief, locational regulations or societal norms, or modern religious or political views that label paths that veer from monotheistic or conservative lifestyles as heretical, blasphemous, or evil.
Of course, I cannot continue writing an article like this without interjecting a few things that you may need to hear, dear broom closet witch. First off, though, you may hear the labels of heretical, blasphemous, or evil being thrown around, they are misplaced attacks on what the masses do not understand and what religious and political leaders are often happy to further perpetuate as sinful or treaturous.
Let's get some facts out of the way.
Mystical Practices Far Pre-Date Monotheistic Religion
Long before there was Christianity, Judaism, or Islam, there were people who lived in sync with Mother Nature, who directly communed with the spirit realm, and understood the power of intentions and directed energy. They knew the earth, they understood the seasons and cycles, they honored the life that was found all throughout every type of being, and they practiced healing and magickal arts.
These practices were rooted in the Spirit. They knew her as Mother. They venerated her as God(dess).
Only when greed, fear, and a need to control people arose, did these common practices become synonymous with wickedness. The feminine view of the divine was all-but-erased from history. The people were separated from the very nature they were meant to coexist within. The earth-based practices were labeled pseduo-science, evil, or woowoo.
In its place, a masculine view of the divine was deemed the only acceptable spiritual practice. The people were shuffled into costly neighborhoods where they must slave their lives away to pay the bills, never having enough time to bask in the beauty and healing energy of Mother Nature. The natural progression of disease and illness became "treatable" with medication and inevitable side effects.
The real villains are not those drawn to the mystical, but those who have tried to erase it and offer fake cures and religious dogma to those who have magick in their bones simply awaiting to be unleashed.
Since the nature of our modern world, though more accepting than other points in history, still despises the healing power of the divine feminine and the mystical nature of her people, broom closet magick is often a safe transitionary practice. This means that for as long as you need to practice your magick SAFELY, you can do so. And when the time comes for you to exit the broom closet and practice your magick freely, you can transition to doing so then, too.
Hidden in Plain Sight
The beauty of magick is that no physical tools are required, and because of the power of your own magick, intuition, energy, and intentions, you can choose what you want to physically use in your craft.
If it isn't safe to have obvious pagan or occult symbols in your home, on your clothes, etc., you can deem other symbols to be "stand-ins" instead.
For example, if it isn't safe for you to use the ouroboros (snake eating its tail) as a symbol of death and rebirth, you could choose a stand-in, such as a butterfly, that also can symbolize death and rebirth but is highly unlikely to be recognized as a form of witchery or receive any condemnation.
Alternatively, you could also still use your preferred pagan or occult symbols, but you could implement them in a way that is invisible or hidden from view. For example, you can use water or oil to draw symbols on mirrors, walls, or floors for protection so that they won't be easily detectable. If you paint your nails, you could draw the symbols in paint first and then add a solid coat overtop of the symbol to hide it. The same can be done with painting your ways, carving candles, or anything else by concealing with an additional layer.
Tips & Tricks to Keep You Safe
At Astarte's Temple, if you order anything from us and are a Broom Closet Witch, you can mention this in the comments of your order, and we will leave off any identifying labels, stickers, tags, or other packaging elements that may indicate what you've purchased if it were to be intercepted by parents, roommates, or anyone who may be opposed to your practice.
Crystals become "just rocks"...
Deity oils become "just wearable perfume"...
Ritual candles become "just candles"...
Spell herbs become "just tea"...
Enchanted pendants become "just necklaces"...
Divination pendulums become "just decorative ornaments"...
Etc...
Broom Closet Altars
Whether you're divining into venerating your ancestors, your higher self, or deities and spirit guides, broom closet altars can be hidden in a shoe box, chest, or other type of trinket container that can have your candles, photos, or other items for your altar. When it's safe for you to practice, you can pull the box out and set everything up, and when it's time to tuck it away again, you can place everything back inside and keep it wherever feels safest and natural to you.
Broom Closet Rituals
Rituals are a big portion of many spiritual practitioners craft. The beauty of rituals, as well as spells, wards, and other elements of your path, are that they can often be done in mundane ways in your everyday routine. No one has to know that when you're brewing your coffee or tea that you're speaking your intentions into the water, or that you're adding cinnamon, spices, and other ingredients that you're creating a drinkable protection and abundance potion.
Lighting a candle and taking a bath can appear entirely mundane and normal on the surface, but with each choice you make as you run the water, add bath salts and dried flowers and herbs, you pour in your intentions to cleanse and heal.
Having a fire outdoors or in the fireplace, again, can be just a cozy way to warm the house in winter or enjoy a beautiful summer night, but you can set your intentions to burn away what no longer serves you with each stick or log added to the blaze. Even burning trash, which is common in rural areas, can be a covert way to burn letters or other ritualistic things that serve as a metaphor for release.
Join The Mystic's Journey in-depth pathworking program today! The app currently is called Xperiencify and on the surface does not resemble anything witchy, so you can learn when you're on-the-go and when it's safe for you to do so away from prying eyes. You can also let Kate know that you're a Broom Closet Witch, and she can assist with any accommodations to ensure you have what you need and are safe along the way.
Every time a student enrolls in The Mystic's Journey program I've built, they're not only accessing everything I have created and learned, but they're also making it possible for me to continue teaching full time.
What YOU get access to:
Coursework to learn about mysticism
Rituals, journal prompts, meditations, and more
Free downloadable grimoire pages
Side quests to learn 42 types of magick
Engaging community forum
Earn crystals as you complete coursework
Beginner and advanced resources
App for convenient learning on-the-go
Enroll TODAY and join an incredible community of witches and spiritual practitioners that are motivated by wisdom, embody their magick, and trust their intuition.
Bone casting is one of countless forms of divination that people can practice. I especially love bone casting because it based in nature, and though the name indicates working with bones, bone casting sets do not have to be comprised of bones exclusively. Osteomancy is divination solely through the use of bones, whereas bone casting sets can include a range of natural or found items, such as antlers, buttons, acorns, twigs, keys, teeth, coins, feathers, crystals, rocks, arrowheads, and so on.
Your connection to each item in your bone casting set ultimately drives the way that you'll throw the items and interpret the results. At Astarte's Temple, the bone casting sets we sell have many found objects and are a great starting point for anyone new to the practice, but can elaborately be built onto as you find items and trinkets that hold symbolic meaning to you.
Here are some of the traditional elements that may be included in your bone casting set and ways that you can choose to assign meaning to the item for your readings.
Bones
Historically central to bone casting, actual bones (often small animal bones) represent ancestral wisdom, mortality, and life’s cycles. They act as powerful conduits for guidance from the spiritual realm. Different bones and their lengths, color, markings, or proximity to one another can all have assigned meanings.
For example, a long bone might symbolize travel or journeys because its form suggests movement and distance. Conversely, shorter bones could indicate issues close to home or matters requiring immediate attention.
Relating to the color of the bones, darker bones may be associated with mystery, the unknown, or deep emotions. Lighter bones can signify clarity, truth, or spiritual insight. Some practitioners even use bones from different animals specifically for their color and what that animal represents in various cultural traditions.
Markings on the bones—whether natural or intentionally added—can add another layer of meaning when focusing on the appearance. A bone with a distinctive notch might be interpreted as a warning or a sign of interruption in one’s path. Lines and patterns could suggest timelines, progressions, or connections between life events.
The proximity of one bone to another during a reading is crucial. Bones that land close together might indicate relationships or events that are intertwined; perhaps two areas of your life are influencing each other in ways you haven’t noticed. In contrast, bones far apart could signal separation, distance, or unresolved issues needing attention.
Coins
Coins symbolize wealth, opportunity, and luck. Their presence in a reading might point to financial changes or decisions involving resources. The different faces of a coin can also represent duality—such as risk versus reward. It's important to intentionally assign the meaning to each side of the coin if that will be a factor in your readings and then consistently stick to that.
In our bone casting sets at Astarte's Temple, we specifically include a coin that has YES and NO on either side of it to aid in divination questions that require a precise, definitive answer on a question. This can also be interpreted as positive and negative or even Yang (Masculine/Giving) and Yin (Feminine/Receiving) depending on the symbolic needs of the nature of your readings.
Antlers
Antlers stand for strength, growth, and renewal. They suggest resilience in adversity or the need to assert oneself. Their branching structure can also signify new directions or opportunities. Paying attention to what cardinal direction the antler is pointing toward can also give insight into specific directions or even the classical element that is associated with each direction.
Keep in mind different traditions may associate these things with varying sets of rules, so pick which system you're following and stick with that. For example, if you're following a system that associates the elements and directions as East for Air, South for Fire, West for Water, and North for Earth, be consistent in utilizing that same association every time.
Acorns
A symbol of potential and growth, acorns remind us that great things often have small beginnings. In readings, they may indicate new ventures or ideas ready to take root. You can also assign meaning based on if the acorn has a hat or a stem or other variable factors that could play into the readings.
Buttons
Buttons are connected to themes of relationships and unity—how things come together or fall apart. They may highlight social bonds or situations where things need 'fastening' or resolving. If the buttons have colors, artwork, are made of a certain material, or have a set number of holes, all of those things can be utilized in how you interpret the results.
Similar to coins, you can also assign different meanings based on which side of the button is facing upright as well.
Dice
Dice are classic emblems of chance and fate. Including dice in your set calls attention to elements beyond your control, reminding you that sometimes outcomes are determined by systems of motion on a grander scale in the cosmos.
Additionally, if the dice have numbers or other symbols on them, those can become important factors in the reading as well. For example, dice with numbers can correlate to the symbolic meanings of the number or even dates, times, ages, or other things that have numerical values attached.
Seashells
Seashells evoke emotions, intuition, and journeys—especially those related to personal transformation or healing. Their presence encourages looking beneath the surface for deeper truths. Since shells come in so many different sizes, shapes, colors, and formations, these factors can all play into the meaning you assign to each item.
Brightly colored shells often bring messages of joy, vitality, or creativity. Whites and creams might signify purity or new beginnings; dark hues could point to mystery or challenges yet to be uncovered. The vibrancy or subtlety of color within the cast can influence whether the message is loud and clear or requires deeper introspection.
Markings are equally essential. Natural patterns—spots, lines, swirls—can act as metaphors for life’s complexities. A shell with many intricate lines might suggest that a situation involves unexpected twists and turns; spots could mean scattered opportunities or multiple influences at play.
Shells closely grouped together may signify community support or converging influences in your life. Isolated shells often suggest independence—or perhaps loneliness—while two shells touching might indicate partnership, collaboration, or even conflict if their shapes clash.
Arrowheads
Historically, they represent not only physical protection but also spiritual guidance. When an arrowhead appears in a cast, its position can indicate the need for focus or a clear direction in life. For example, an arrowhead pointing outward from other objects may signify new opportunities or journeys ahead. If an arrowhead lies close to a bone, it could indicate a need to protect the self, loved ones, or resolve family issues. Broken or chipped arrowheads could warn about unresolved conflicts or the necessity for healing. All of these things, though, are ultimately determined by the meaning you assign to each aspect of it.
Crystals & Rocks
Crystals are another common addition to bone casting sets, each offering its own energetic properties. A piece of rose quartz might symbolize love and emotional healing; amethyst can represent intuition or spiritual guidance; and clear quartz could magnify the meaning of nearby objects. The color and type of crystal add layers to the interpretation.
For example, if a protective black tourmaline lands near a bone symbolizing family, it could suggest that the you should shield themselves from negative influences within their domestic sphere.
Whether you're buying a starter set (like from us at Astarte's Temple) or 100% collecting and building your own set, the most critical aspect is assigning meaning to each item. The easiest way to do this is by dedicating a journal to your casting and drawing or describing each item. Spend time holding the item and inspecting it and allowing any insights for what the item's potential is to flow to you. Take notes on all of these aspects so you have a reference point as you're getting to know your set.
Buy your Bone Casting Set here from Astarte's Temple!
Much like tarot, oracle, pendulums, or other forms of divination, cleansing your set energetically and establishing a spiritual connection to the tool is important to ensure clarity in your readings. This can be done by keeping in on a personal altar, carrying with you throughout the day in your pocket (if small enough) or in your bag, or keeping it under your pillow or on your nightstand while you sleep.
For me, I often dream and see my divination tools in the astral state and that's how I know I've really bonded with or established a powerful connection to my tool(s). If you have something similar for you that indicates when you're energetically connected to something, utilize that as your frame of reference.
The next step is specifically trust-building with your set. Practice tossing all of the items or randomly pulling a handful of items and casting them on a surface that won't break or chip any of your items. Set your intentions on questions you already know the answer to, such as what you accomplished the day prior or the nature of your job. Pay attention to what items are in front of you, how close they are together, if they're clustered, if there are any outliers, etc. Then shift your focus to the individual items allowing messages to flow toward you as you interpret the results.
Experiment with how you cast, what feels natural, and how you interpret things. And as with anything, practice, practice, practice.
Taking notes on your readings, including what items were tossed and how you interpreted them is a great way to build your reference point for how you understand your readings in the future too.
And remember, your set can constantly evolve. Add or remove items as you feel needed. Assign new meanings or change meanings as you feel you need to as well. This set is wholly yours!
Happy casting!
Join The Mystic's Journey in-depth pathworking program today! Through this 3.5-year program, you'll learn about the seven threads of magick that comprise the fabric of our universe, how to work with these threads to weave your own fate, and truly step into your authentic and unique spiritual path with confidence, clarity, and direction.
Every time a student enrolls in The Mystic's Journey program I've built, they're not only accessing everything I have created and learned, but they're also making it possible for me to continue teaching full time.
What YOU get access to:
Coursework to learn about mysticism
Rituals, journal prompts, meditations, and more
Free downloadable grimoire pages
Side quests to learn 42 types of magick
Engaging community forum
Earn crystals as you complete coursework
Beginner and advanced resources
App for convenient learning on-the-go
Enroll TODAY and join an incredible community of witches and spiritual practitioners that are motivated by wisdom, embody their magick, and trust their intuition.
We often get asked how to go about using ritual oils in a person's practice—and in all honesty, the beauty of magick is that there are infinite ways to go about it. Here are a few of our favorite ways to use ritual oils, though.
For starters, the way a ritual oil may be used is going to depend on both the intention of the oil itself and the practitioner who is using the oil. Many of the ones we craft and sell through Astarte's Temple are intended to help people connect with specific divine beings, such as Hekate, Lilith, or Aphrodite.
Daily Wear
If the ritual oil is skin safe (as ours are), they could be dabbed onto the wrists or neck to connect with its energy as you go about your day. This could be added with intention, meditation, or prayer asking for protection, wisdom, or guidance of the respective divine being that the oil is for.
Some ritual oils may also be intention based rather than for a specific divine being, such as Protection Oil, Abundance Oil, etc. and these can be worn to draw in that energy throughout the day.
Rituals
One of our favorite ways to use ritual oils is in a ritual itself. We like to use the oils to anoint candles or other ritual tools as part of the working. For chime or pillar candles, the oil can be dripped onto the outside and then rolled in dried herbs. For candles contained within a jar, the oil can be dripped around the outside edge and then dried herbs can be sprinkled in away from the main wick.
When working with Hekate, we especially love to use her ritual oil to anoint a candle for her and include some of her favorite herbs like mugwort, wormwood, and damiana.
Spellwork
In spellwork, oil could be added to a spell jar or spell candle to include its energy in the working of your intention. For example, a spell to open pathways and opportunities could utilize a ritual oil for Hekate, as she is the Goddess of crossroads, thresholds, and liminal space.
Simmer Pots
Ritual oils can be added as an ingredient to a simmer pot to draw in its energy into your home as part of a hearth magick working. Additionally, it could be used to anoint and bless the doorways and walls of your home to provide additional protection and support when cleansing and protecting your living space.
Protection Work
Ritual oils are also great for protection and healing workings, such as locking mirrors in your home, anointing your candle in a cord cutting ceremony, returning negative energy back to its original sender with a baneful ward. At the end of the day, your magickal craft is solely your own, and there countless ways to use all spiritual tools.
The biggest things to consider are what your intentions are, what the intentions of the ritual oil are, and if applicable, things like if the oil is skin safe, safe around pets and children, safe to burn, and so on. Happy crafting!
Explore our available hand-crafted ritual oils.
Join The Mystic's Journey in-depth pathworking program today! Through this 3.5-year program, you'll learn about the seven threads of magick that comprise the fabric of our universe, how to work with these threads to weave your own fate, and truly step into your authentic and unique spiritual path with confidence, clarity, and direction.
Every time a student enrolls in The Mystic's Journey program I've built, they're not only accessing everything I have created and learned, but they're also making it possible for me to continue teaching full time.
What YOU get access to:
Coursework to learn about mysticism
Rituals, journal prompts, meditations, and more
Free downloadable grimoire pages
Side quests to learn 42 types of magick
Engaging community forum
Earn crystals as you complete coursework
Beginner and advanced resources
App for convenient learning on-the-go
Enroll TODAY and join an incredible community of witches and spiritual practitioners that are motivated by wisdom, embody their magick, and trust their intuition.
WOW! The big day is finally here… The Mystic’s Journey Program is now LIVE!
I am absolutely honored that you've considered potentially joining The Mystic's Journey Program. And if you still feel you’re meant to join, I hope that you receive all the confirmation(s) needed to nudge you forward toward joining.
In 2011, I first began taking my spiritual path seriously. I started teaching on estoeric wisdom nearly every night of the week in 2018, and after a near-death experience that winter and then countless paradigm shifts in my understanding of just how vast and complex our magickal universe is, I paused everything I was teaching in the Fall of 2022 to better structure and share everything I had come to understand in a way that honored the goddesses and gods of old.
This program, The Mystic’s Journey, is the culmination of everything I've learned over these last 14 years and is a living, breathing, multi-faceted program that will continue to evolve as we all collectively come to understand the mysteries of the universe in a greater capacity.
The Mystic’s Journey is structured like a spider’s web. Imagine yourself at the center of the web, starting on your journey and making your way around it in a spiral formation that expands outward and upward infinitely. This is your journey, and it is the path of weaving your own fate as you learn, heal, and grow as a mystic.
The definition of a mystic: a person who seeks by contemplation and self-surrender to obtain unity with or absorption into the Deity or the absolute, or who believes in the spiritual apprehension of truths that are beyond the intellect.
Sound like you? Then you’re in the right place.
There are three “realms” that this web spans, connecting together the key layers of the human experience. As a mystic, you’ll make your way through each realm beginning with the physical realm, then the psychological realm, and ending with the spiritual realm.
There are seven “threads” of the web that align with the colors of the rainbow and act as the web’s framework, giving everything in existence order and structure. As a mystic, you’ll encounter each thread along the way beginning with the thread that defines the fundamentals of life to the final thread that showcases the outcome of your evolution as a mystic. These threads ultimately empower you to weave your fate, so proceed intentionally.
Each place on the web where one of these three realms and seven threads intersects create 21 areas of “liminal space” where the sparks of magick in the universe are born. These sacred areas are crossroads that carry heightened energy and endless possibilities. They align with the 21 archetypes that The Fool encounters on their journey through the Major Arcana in the Tarot. The first archetype is one that will introduce you to magick on the microcosmic scale and the twenty-first and final archetype is one that will show you the world on the macrocosmic scale.
Each of these areas of liminal space also corresponds to a couple broad categories of magickal practices, resulting in 42 “trails” for practitioners to venture down. Some may find interest in one specific area of magick; others may eclectically embrace multiple in their personal path. These areas of magick that you’ll learn to dabble in span from Ancestral Magick at the start to Cosmic Magick at the end, and often play a role in how mystics choose to identify elements of their craft, though labels are never necessary.
As part of the infinite spiral expansion of the web (like that of the Fibonacci sequence), there are 117 paradoxical, yin-yang energies that practitioners partner with on their mystical journey. Using a nonary system, the sum of the Fibonacci sequence is 117, which links this number with exponential growth in the universe and the limitless possibilities that a mystic may tap into as they weave their own fate. These 117 energies can be thought of as epithets of wisdom, channels of energy, or even personified energetic beings, such as deities, angels, infernals, or spirits.
At the end of the program, you’ll have an arsenal of tools that will empower you on the rest of your lifelong journey as a mystic to tap into esoteric wisdom as ancient practitioners did to weave your own fate.
Enroll in the program HERE!
Whether you’re experiencing short-term or long-term disability, living with a chronic illness, or learning to navigate balancing your health and your craft—I see you.
You’re not a failure as a practitioner because you’re dealing with health concerns. You’re also not any less magickal because your body or your mind are different from what’s considered “common” or “normal” clinically speaking. You’re not letting anyone down by prioritizing rest and self-care. You’re not doing something wrong or deserving of a life of sickness or disability.
What you are is a person. One who is learning what works best for you in a given season, month, week, day, or hour. You are capable of greatness despite any medical issues you are simultaneously learning to navigate.
So, how do you go about practicing magick despite disability? You learn to pay attention to your physical body. You learn what your inner self is asking of you. You lean into what your spirit is whispering.
Your physical body constantly tells you what it needs. It tells you when it needs more time to rest, more nutritious food, things that bring comfort, and the like. You feel it in your stomach, joints, head, hands, legs, and all the usual places that flare up when your body is saying, “Hey, today’s a low-energy day.” Or “Today, we’re struggling and need to move more slowly and intentionally.” Or “We don’t have anything extra to give today.”
Listen to it.
Your inner self and your spiritual self call out in similar ways. They send signals to say they’re sad, distressed, angry, grieved, frustrated, confused, fatigued, smothered, worn down, and everything in between.
Listen to it.
Magick, energy, witchcraft, intentions—they all go hand in hand. If your energy is low, the best thing you can do is rest and recharge. If your body is in pain, the best thing you can do is tend to its aches. If your magick is asking to be practiced in a modified way, accommodate it. If the witchcraft you want to practice is draining you, change it.
No one looks to a peach tree and demands it produce cherries. No one plants orchids and demands that they look like sunflowers. No one adopts a dog and wonders why it isn’t a cat.
If disability is a part of your life, adapt your magick to fit what works for you.
Don’t have the time or energy to listen to frequencies or meditations during the day? Listen to them using headphones while you’re sleeping. Headband headphones are super affordable and make it comfortable to wear while laying down. Alternatively, you can also play them on YouTube or Spotify from your TV in the background while you’re resting or doing other things.
Don’t have the mental capacity to sit and read everything you want to research? Listen to audio book versions or use an app that will convert text to speech so that you can play back audio of what you want to learn.
Don’t have the flexibility to go outdoors to ground your energy? Copper wire can be used to ground your metal frame, or earthing mats can be put under your mattress. Alternatively, you can also ground yourself by running your hands under the faucet or sitting on the floor in your home.
Don’t have the strength to get yourself out of bed to take a cleansing shower and need to reset your energy? Visualize bright light surrounding you and cleansing your aura of any negative or stagnant energy.
Don’t have the ability to pull together offerings and altars for deities you want to honor? Talk to them instead. Or sing. Or think about them. Or watch YouTube videos about them. Or read about them. Or write their name on your hand to connect with them. Or light a candle in their honor. Simple is always fine. Free is always fine.
Don't have the capacity to craft potions as you might typically? Stir your coffee, tea, or other beverage with intentions before sipping.
Don't have time to do any rituals or spells because it's treatment or doctor day? Wear crystal jewelry to connect you with nature and frequencies that resonate with rest, healing, self-care, or any other intentions you may have.
Don't have your hands free to craft when navigating using canes, walkers, braces, oxygen, or other medical support devices? Discreetly draw runes, sigils, or other symbolic icons on your items using moon water.
Magick and creativity go hand-in-hand. Adapt as needed. Embrace what you can do with the resources and capacity you have on any given day.
Though I live in Texas, the short window of time where it actually feels like winter and we have access to snow and ice is magickal nonetheless. Of course, I'm all for cozying up in my favorite sweatshirt and blanket by the fire, but at the same time, I deeply love the quiet, peaceful, and cleansing magick of snow during the death season of the year.
Winter magick is a seasonally based practice centered around the "death" portion of the year and the tools that are readily available, such as snow, ice, frost, etc.
During this season, the days are shorter and nights longer, inviting reflection and inner work. It's a time for spells focused on protection, healing, and endurance, drawing upon the stillness to foster clarity and insight. The energy of winter aligns with the themes of rest and renewal, making it perfect for setting intentions for the coming year. Rituals that harness the power of the earth's dormancy can help in shedding old habits and preparing for rebirth in the spring. Winter's quietude also supports divination practices, allowing practitioners to tap into deeper wisdom.
With Snow
Make Snow Water — Collect fresh snow, let it melt, and charge it under the moonlight. Use this water for purification rituals, as water for painting or creating art, as an offering in your magickal practices, or whatever you might traditionally use moon water for.
Take a Cleansing Snow Bath — Collect snow and add it to a ritual bath with the intention of melting away anything that is no longer serving you. If it is actively snowing outside, you can also stand in the flurries and visualize the snowflakes carrying away anything that is no longer serving you to its final resting place on the ground.
Create Snow Sigils — Draw sigils in the snow with a stick or your finger. Focus on your intention as you create each symbol and visualize the energy being absorbed by the snow.
Make Food with Snow — Use snow melted into water if you're cooking or baking OR make snow cream (similar to ice cream but made with fresh snow, milk, vanilla, sugar, and salt all mixed together). Food made with snow can symbolize sustenance during the winter season, an abundance of food and wealth, and internalizing the energy of rebirth, purification, and peace.
With Ice
Perform an Ice Meditation — Gather ice from outside and hold it in your hand while meditating on its transformation from solid to liquid. Set your intentions on strengthening your own ability to change and adapt in life.
Do an Ice Ritual — Write down anything you wish to release during the death season on slips of paper and place them outside (while it's freezing temps) in a jar of water to freeze overnight. Set your intentions throughout the evening on what you're releasing turning to ice, freezing them in time, unable to affect you in the future.
With Frost
Cast a Frost Spell — Cast a spell based on your intentions outdoors in the cold air so that you can see your frosty breath. Visualize your intentions dispersing into the universe as your breath vanishes once again.
Make Frost Sigils — Draw sigils in the frost on the windows around your own home to protect it through the weather, the winter season, or whatever your specific intentions are.
Other Winter Symbols and Tools
Pinecones — Symbolizing longevity and wisdom, pinecones can be used in spells for protection and prosperity.
Holly — Known for its protective qualities, holly can be incorporated into charms or wreaths to ward off negativity.
Evergreen Branches — Representing eternal life and resilience, these branches are ideal for creating altars or decorations that invite strength and renewal.
Cinnamon — Often associated with warmth and abundance, cinnamon can be burned as incense or added to potions for prosperity.
Ginger — Adding ginger to rituals can invoke energy and stimulate action, perfect for overcoming winter lethargy.
Crystals — Stones like clear quartz for clarity, garnet for grounding, and hematite for protection are powerful allies during the winter months.
Get creative! Magick requires the practitioner to tap into creative, raw energy—so if you have a word, idea, or picture come to you for how you can use frost, ice, or snow in your craft—do it!
Join The Mystic's Journey in-depth pathworking program today! Through this 3.5-year program, you'll learn about the seven threads of magick that comprise the fabric of our universe, how to work with these threads to weave your own fate, and truly step into your authentic and unique spiritual path with confidence, clarity, and direction.
Every time a student enrolls in The Mystic's Journey program I've built, they're not only accessing everything I have created and learned, but they're also making it possible for me to continue teaching full time.
What YOU get access to:
Coursework to learn about mysticism
Rituals, journal prompts, meditations, and more
Free downloadable grimoire pages
Side quests to learn 42 types of magick
Engaging community forum
Earn crystals as you complete coursework
Beginner and advanced resources
App for convenient learning on-the-go
Enroll TODAY and join an incredible community of witches and spiritual practitioners that are motivated by wisdom, embody their magick, and trust their intuition.
Recently, I was asked to put together a series of resources for grounding, especially during extreme weather that may prevent a person from walking barefoot outdoors (such as during times when there are storms, snow, etc.), so this article is the beginning of many resources to come.
Grounding keeps your energy rooted and connected to the appropriate surrounding sphere. Grounding physically means we are maintaining a connection with our body and the earth around us. Grounding emotionally means we are maintaining a connection with our feelings and the realm of emotions around us. Grounding spiritually means we are staying connected with our spiritual self and the realm of energy.
Grounding keeps us anchored in a way that can minimize the risks of having our heads too far in the clouds, so to speak. While it is important to remain open-minded throughout this process, it is also necessary that we move forward in a manner that is also logical and rational, which requires a degree of grounding. Just because we have an idea or thought pop into our head doesn’t make it true or reliable information. Grounding helps us process incoming information and navigate how to appropriately sort the information so that we can best observe and analyze it. If at any point during your routine or studies, you feel disconnected from your physical body or the surrounding world, disengaged from your emotional self or the realm of feelings, or out of touch with your spiritual self and the energies around you, it’s a good idea to ground.
Often, people ground their energy by walking barefoot in nature, but what happens when it isn't safe to be barefoot outdoors? In places with snow, ice, and low temperatures, being barefoot outdoors isn't really option. Same with places that experience extremely hot temperatures, detrimental storms or natural disasters, and more. So, what alternatives are there?
Grounding with earth during extreme weather
This is most people’s default understanding of grounding and often looks like walking barefoot in nature or sitting on the floor. Since spending time outdoors isn't an option in extreme weather, alternatively, you can sit on the floor inside your home, use a grounding or earthing mat, or even ground your bed by connecting a copper wire to your bed frame and running it out the nearest window and into the ground with a metal stake.
Grounding with water during extreme weather
This can be done by bathing or showering and feeling the water all around you similar to how feeling the earth under your bare feet can ground you but while connecting with the element of water. If a bath or shower is unavailable, you can even run your hands and arms under a sink faucet.
Grounding with fire during extreme weather
This can be done through heat or warmth, or creative or artistic exercises. Spending time in a sauna or with a heated or warm fuzzy blanket can help ground you. Painting, drawing, coloring, journaling, or writing can be creative outlets that can ground you as well.
Grounding with air during extreme weather
This can be done through breathing exercises, listening to grounding frequencies, or meditating to balance the root and sacral chakras. Spending time focusing on your breath, expressing gratitude for the air you inhale and exhale, and allowing the sounds you hear to keep you grounded can make a tremendous difference.
Grounding with spirit during extreme weather
This can be done through visualization and meditation, such as envisioning your spirit sprouting roots like a tree and growing deeply into the earth beneath you regardless of whether or not you're outside.
May you walk your path with wisdom and prudence. Blessed be on your journey of spiritual growth and healing.
Join The Mystic's Journey in-depth pathworking program today! Through this 3.5-year program, you'll learn about the seven threads of magick that comprise the fabric of our universe, how to work with these threads to weave your own fate, and truly step into your authentic and unique spiritual path with confidence, clarity, and direction.
Every time a student enrolls in The Mystic's Journey program I've built, they're not only accessing everything I have created and learned, but they're also making it possible for me to continue teaching full time.
What YOU get access to:
Coursework to learn about mysticism
Rituals, journal prompts, meditations, and more
Free downloadable grimoire pages
Side quests to learn 42 types of magick
Engaging community forum
Earn crystals as you complete coursework
Beginner and advanced resources
App for convenient learning on-the-go
Enroll TODAY and join an incredible community of witches and spiritual practitioners that are motivated by wisdom, embody their magick, and trust their intuition.
The human body is composed of various energy centers, also known as chakras, which are associated with different colors and aspects of our being. Understanding these energy sources can provide valuable insights into our overall well-being and help us achieve balance in our lives.
Crystals have long been used for their healing properties and can be a powerful tool in balancing and harmonizing the energy sources in our bodies. Each energy source, also known as a chakra, corresponds to different aspects of our physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being.
Root Energy Source
The first energy source is the root energy source, which is linked to the color red. It represents our sense of stability, security, and connection to the physical world. This energy center governs our basic survival needs and grounds us in the present moment. This energy source is located at the base of the spine, and crystals such as carnelian can be placed over this area to promote grounding and stability. Red carnelian is believed to enhance courage and motivation. An easy way to remember this is by utilizing the rainbow order of colors (red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, violet) since these match up with the order of the energy sources in the body (sometimes clear or white is used alternatively to violet). Crystals that correspond with these colors are an easy way to link to energetic properties of the crystal with the body—so since red represents the root energy source in the body, it’s easy to remember that crystals like red carnelian or red jasper can help bring healing and balance.
Sacral Energy Source
The sacral energy source is associated with the color orange and relates to our creativity, passion, and emotional well-being. It influences our ability to experience pleasure, form healthy relationships, and embrace change. Located just below the navel, crystals like orange calcite, citrine, orange carnelian, or sunstone can be used to stimulate creativity and passion in the sacral energy source. These crystals are thought to help balance emotions and increase vitality.
Solar Plexus Energy Source
Moving up the body, we have the solar plexus energy source represented by the color yellow. This center is connected to our personal power, self-esteem, and confidence. It influences how we assert ourselves in the world and take control of our lives. The solar plexus energy source, found in the upper abdomen area, can benefit from crystals like citrine, yellow jade, yellow tiger's eye, or golden quartz. These stones are said to boost self-confidence and personal power.
Heart Energy Source
The heart energy source corresponds to the color green. It represents love, compassion, forgiveness, and emotional balance. This center governs our ability to give and receive love unconditionally while fostering harmonious relationships with others. For the heart energy source located in the center of the chest, chrysoprase, green aventurine, and green calcite are popular choices. It is known as the stone of love and compassion, promoting emotional healing and harmony.
Throat Energy Source
Next is the throat energy source associated with light blue or turquoise. It relates to communication, self-expression, truthfulness, and authenticity. This center enables us to express ourselves clearly while listening attentively to others. The throat energy source corresponds to communication and self-expression. Crystals such as blue sodalite, blue lace agate, or lapis lazuli can be placed over this area to support clear communication and enhance self-confidence.
Third Eye Energy Source
Moving further up is the third eye energy source represented by indigo or deep blue. This center connects us to intuition, wisdom, inner guidance, and spiritual insight. It allows us to tap into higher consciousness and perceive beyond what meets the eye. This energy source is located between the eyebrows, lepidolite or amethyst crystals are often used. These stones are believed to enhance intuition and spiritual insight.
Crown Energy Source
Finally, we have the crown energy source at the top of the head symbolized by violet or white light. This center represents a spiritual connection with universal consciousness or higher power. It transcends individuality as it connects us with divine wisdom and cosmic awareness. Located at the top of our heads, clear quartz or amethyst can also be used to strengthen this energy source in the body. These crystals are associated with higher consciousness and spiritual connection.
Understanding these seven energy sources and their corresponding colors can help us identify areas of imbalance or blockages in our lives. By harmonizing and balancing these energy centers, we can enhance our overall well-being, emotional stability, and spiritual growth.
New to using crystals? Here are a few simple ways you can incorporate crystals into your daily life to bring about energetic balance, healing, and an overall sense of well-being. Crystals have long been used for their healing properties, and they can be a powerful tool for energy healing.
One popular method is to place crystals directly on the body. This allows the crystal's energy to directly interact with your own energy field. For example, if you want to balance the root energy source in the body, you might feel drawn to place carnelian or red jasper directly on this part of the body while meditating or listening to healing sound frequencies. You can also wear crystal jewelry that promotes energy balance in the body.
For many people, they may intuitively choose a crystal either being drawn to it energetically or based on its appearance. Black crystals, such as obsidian or tourmaline, are often used to protect your energy and shield a person from negative energy. Clear crystals, such as quartz and selenite, can help neutralize, cleanse, and charge energy, including other crystals. Other colorful crystals may be chosen based on which energy sources in the body need balancing, strengthening, etc.
We have multiple crystal products available for sale! All of our crystals are ethically sourced and each order is sound-cleansed before it is shipped out to ensure that you receive your metaphysical tools in a neutral energetic state ready to be used in your practice. Shop here.
Join The Mystic's Journey in-depth pathworking program today! Through this 3.5-year program, you'll learn about the seven threads of magick that comprise the fabric of our universe, how to work with these threads to weave your own fate, and truly step into your authentic and unique spiritual path with confidence, clarity, and direction.
Every time a student enrolls in The Mystic's Journey program I've built, they're not only accessing everything I have created and learned, but they're also making it possible for me to continue teaching full time.
What YOU get access to:
Coursework to learn about mysticism
Rituals, journal prompts, meditations, and more
Free downloadable grimoire pages
Side quests to learn 42 types of magick
Engaging community forum
Earn crystals as you complete coursework
Beginner and advanced resources
App for convenient learning on-the-go
Enroll TODAY and join an incredible community of witches and spiritual practitioners that are motivated by wisdom, embody their magick, and trust their intuition.
Recently, I was asked to put together a series of resources on crystals, and specifically within the energy work category, so this article is the beginning of many resources to come.
When we hear the word "crystals," we usually think of pretty colored minerals. But those are not the only types of crystals. Graphite in pencils, table salt, and snow are crystals, too. What all crystals have in common, though, is an extremely well-organized molecular structure.
Believe it or not, we rely on crystals every single day of our lives. We use crystals to write, keep time, season our food, operate our phones and laptops, build our homes, and tons more. Throughout history, people have used crystals in ancient medicine and spiritual practices, believing they could balance the body’s energy centers or chakras, and they are also used in magickal ways to this day beyond their mundane uses.
Scientifically speaking, all matter, including crystals and the human body, is composed of atoms vibrating at specific frequencies. These vibrations, often referred to as Dominant Oscillatory Rates (DORs), determine the energetic signature of each entity. In the case of humans, our bodies consist of trillions of cells, each vibrating at its own unique frequency, collectively contributing to our overall vibrational state.
This intricate interplay of cellular vibrations represents the biological processes essential for life. In contrast, crystals exhibit a remarkable simplicity in their vibrational makeup, typically resonating at a single dominant frequency. This uniformity in DORs allows crystals to maintain a stable energetic signature, making them potent tools for harnessing and amplifying specific energies within their environment.
The molecules in a crystal are arranged in a fixed repeating pattern. Unlike humans, this structure makes crystal energy highly stable allowing them to easily maintain their DOR. When we bring crystals into our energy field the process of entrainment begins. Entrainment is when the rhythm of a more stable energy causes another to gradually synchronize with it. This is the Universe’s way of bringing energies into balance.
Crystals, with their stable molecular structures and precise vibrational frequencies, serve as incredible resonators and transducers of electromagnetic energies. But what exactly does that mean?
A resonator is like a tuning fork for energy. It vibrates at a specific frequency when energy is applied to it. This helps to amplify or enhance that energy. Imagine them as organized blocks vibrating in harmony, creating stability. When introduced to our energy field, they synchronize vibrations, a process called entrainment. This alignment mirrors the balance and harmony in nature.
A transducer is a device that converts one form of energy into another. In the case of electromagnetic energies, a transducer can take electromagnetic waves and convert them into another form of energy, such as sound or mechanical movement, or vice versa. Essentially, it's like a translator between different types of energy.
Because of their stability, crystals are used in various everyday technologies, from timekeeping in watches to transmitting data via radio waves and powering solar panels. They're essential as resonators and transducers of electromagnetic energies in numerous applications.
There are many ways to use crystals. Many people choose to carry them or wear them to keep the energetic frequency of the crystal near their energy field to embrace its metaphysical properties. Others may choose to meditate with them or use them in their home or sacred spaces to create a certain atmosphere that aligns with their intentions and craft. For example, someone who wants to embrace a greater degree of self-love or attract love into their life may choose to wear or work with rose quartz. Here are a few quick reference guides for crystals and some of their metaphysical benefits.
A lot of this comes down to personal preference. Like any spiritual or energetic practice, crystals are best used in a way that feels supportive and healing for you. Here are some ideas:
There are countless ways to cleanse your crystals (and none of them are "right" or "wrong" but the main piece of advice we have is checking if your crystals are water safe so they don't deteriorate).
May you walk your path with wisdom and prudence. Blessed be on your journey of spiritual growth and healing.
Join The Mystic's Journey in-depth pathworking program today! Through this 3.5-year program, you'll learn about the seven threads of magick that comprise the fabric of our universe, how to work with these threads to weave your own fate, and truly step into your authentic and unique spiritual path with confidence, clarity, and direction.
Every time a student enrolls in The Mystic's Journey program I've built, they're not only accessing everything I have created and learned, but they're also making it possible for me to continue teaching full time.
What YOU get access to:
Coursework to learn about mysticism
Rituals, journal prompts, meditations, and more
Free downloadable grimoire pages
Side quests to learn 42 types of magick
Engaging community forum
Earn crystals as you complete coursework
Beginner and advanced resources
App for convenient learning on-the-go
Enroll TODAY and join an incredible community of witches and spiritual practitioners that are motivated by wisdom, embody their magick, and trust their intuition.
