Throwback to last Bealltainn when I left offerings for the fair folk in the hopes that they wouldn’t eat me…. I don’t know if I should do the same this year for the spirits in the wood (because they have taken an interest in me) or if I should just hunker down and not draw attention to myself… I’ll definitely be visiting the ancient yew trees though. #beltane #bealltainn #mayday #offerings #fairfolk #scottishfairfolk #thegoodfolk #spirits #witch #witches #witchesofscotland #witchesofinstagram #witchesofinsta #witchesofig #witchywoman #folkwitch #folkpractitioner #folkwitchesofinstagram #folkwitchesofscotland #folkwitchesofig #thebarefootwitch
The Barefoot F*cking Witch’s guide to Authentic f*cking Witchcraft; Part 1. Aesthetics. Myself and many other practitioners have noticed that as social media platforms such as Instagram and Tik Tok, many witches are trying to conform to a certain “witchcraft aesthetic”. There seems to be two; the cottagecore hobbit/medieval tavern wench, and the Wiccagoth aesthetic. Now if cottagecore is something that sings to you; regardless and outside of witchcraft, then great. BUT there is no requirement to conform to any specific type of aesthetic because… there is no such thing as a witchcraft aesthetic! Witches come in all shapes, sizes, ethnicities and styles. Some of the most knowledgeable and dedicated witches I know dress in sportswear and bright colours. So, if you’re feeling pressured to fit into a particular style, in order to feel like a witch, remember that witchcraft is authentic (and therefore effective), only if you are authentic to yourself. #bettruetoyourself #authentic #beauthenticallyyou #authenticwitchcraft #realwitchcraft #witch #thereisnowitchcraftaesthetic #witchaesthetic #witch #witches #witchesofinsta #folkwitch #folkwitchesofig #folkwitchesofscotland #thebarefootwitch
The results of my candle making. I’m really pleased with how he (I dunno why but I feel he’s a he) turned out. I love how some of the herbs settled in a misfit like mohawk. Going to light it at midnight… #candle #candlemaking #skullcandle #skull #newyears #newyearseve #liminaltime #liminality #witchcraftin #witchcraft #witches #witchesofinstagram #witchesofig #folkwitch #folkwitchesofscotland #folkwitchesofig #thebarefootwitch
Instructions below 🖤🧙⚘️ Thankyou @the_barefoot_witch_ Posted @withregram • @the_barefoot_witch_ To silence an enemy/stop gossip Take an indigo (used in colour magic to silence gossip) or white piece of cloth and cut two out human shapes. I use a permanent marker to draw on a face, and any distinguishing features such as tattoos. Sew the two halves almost all the way together and stuff the poppet with stuffing (cotton wool, or teddy/cushion stuffing works perfectly for this). I also include herbs such as slippery elm, and licorice root (slippery elm is good for stopping gossip and licorice root is great for controlling a situation and gaining the upper hand). Place a piece of paper with the target’s name/date of birth etc or any other tag locks that you have inside the poppet (I try to place the tag locks in the chest). Cut the mouth open, then finish filling the poppet and sew it all the way shut. Breath life into the poppet. “You are (target’s name). I breath life into you. What is done to you is also done to (target’s name).” Then exhale onto the poppet, visualising a golden energetic link between it and the target. Stuff the mouth with slippery elm, STFU powder, and licorice root (whatever you have, i also dripped some banishing oil into the mouth), whilst telling the herbs what they need to do and telling the poppet what will happen “you will keep your mouth shut, you will not speak about (the person they have been gossiping about). You will say nothing! You are silent as the grave!” You could also write this on a piece of petition paper, fold it up small and stick it in the poppet’s mouth. Then take some thread (black or red is ideal) and sew the mouth shut, repeating to the poppet what is going to happen. I also added pins. This poppet can be buried or hidden somewhere where it is unlikely to be discovered (somewhere no one can hear it). #poppet #poppetdoll #poppetmagic #poppetmagick #silencegossip #spell #spellwork #spellcraft #ritualwork #witch #witches #witchesofinstagram #witchesofig #witchesofinsta #folkwitch #folkwitchcraft #folkwitchesofinstagram #folkwitchesofig #folkwitchesofscotland #thebarefootwitch
To silence an enemy/stop gossip Take an indigo (used in colour magic to silence gossip) or white piece of cloth and cut two out human shapes. I use a permanent marker to draw on a face, and any distinguishing features such as tattoos. Sew the two halves almost all the way together and stuff the poppet with stuffing (cotton wool, or teddy/cushion stuffing works perfectly for this). I also include herbs such as slippery elm, and licorice root (slippery elm is good for stopping gossip and licorice root is great for controlling a situation and gaining the upper hand). Place a piece of paper with the target’s name/date of birth etc or any other tag locks that you have inside the poppet (I try to place the tag locks in the chest). Cut the mouth open, then finish filling the poppet and sew it all the way shut. Breath life into the poppet. “You are (target’s name). I breath life into you. What is done to you is also done to (target’s name).” Then exhale onto the poppet, visualising a golden energetic link between it and the target. Stuff the mouth with slippery elm, STFU powder, and licorice root (whatever you have, i also dripped some banishing oil into the mouth), whilst telling the herbs what they need to do and telling the poppet what will happen “you will keep your mouth shut, you will not speak about (the person they have been gossiping about). You will say nothing! You are silent as the grave!” You could also write this on a piece of petition paper, fold it up small and stick it in the poppet’s mouth. Then take some thread (black or red is ideal) and sew the mouth shut, repeating to the poppet what is going to happen. I also added pins. This poppet can be buried or hidden somewhere where it is unlikely to be discovered (somewhere no one can hear it). #poppet #poppetdoll #poppetmagic #poppetmagick #silencegossip #spell #spellwork #spellcraft #ritualwork #witch #witches #witchesofinstagram #witchesofig #witchesofinsta #folkwitch #folkwitchcraft #folkwitchesofinstagram #folkwitchesofig #folkwitchesofscotland #thebarefootwitch
Barefoot book review. “Yew: A History” by Fred Hageneder. I’d recommend this book for anyone wanting to work with yew trees, tree lovers, woodland lovers, botanists and those who are just curious. It’s a fantastically detailed book on everyhh to ing ypu could wish to know about yew trees; and the photos are stunning too. #yew #yewtrees #fredhageneder #book #barefootbookreview #bookreview #books #trees #themagicoftrees #witch #folkwitch #folkwitchesofinstagram #scottishwitch #folkwitchesofscotland #folkwitchesofig #thebarefootwitch
As much as I don’t want to quote the mother of Wicca (because I am not Wiccan), she has a point here! You can read a thousand books on the subject; but unless you actually practice, you won’t understand what magic and witchcraft practice actually is. So this is a gentle push to put down the books; get your ass out of your armchair and start to actually practice. Immerse yourself in the local landscape, get to know her; the rocks, the trees, the plants, the water and most importantly; the spirits. #witch #witchcraft #animism #witches #witchesofinstagram #witchesofig #witchywoman #doreenvaliente #folkwitchgolkwitchesofinsta #folkwitchesofinstagram #folkwitchesofscotland #folkwitchesofig #thebarefootwitch
NOTE: AUSTRALIA THIS IS NOT A POST FOR YOU. YOU GUYS JUST DO YOUR THING. Just a reminder to my NH friends; that as the weather gets colder, that you will see an increase in spiders in your home. This is totally normal (abet horrifying to those of us that aren’t fans). This is also a reminder NOT to kill them. They eat other bugs and are an important part of the eco system. I’d rather have a spider in my corner than an infestation of something else… #nature #spiders #spidersarefriends #spidersareessential #dontkillspiders #nature #witch #witches #witchesofinstagram #witchesofig #folkwitch #folkwitches #folkwitchesofinstagram #folkwitchesofig #folkwitchesofscotland #scottishwitch
NOTE: AUSTRALIA THIS IS NOT A POST FOR YOU. YOU GUYS JUST DO YOUR THING. Just a reminder to my NH friends; that as the weather gets colder, that you will see an increase in spiders in your home. This is totally normal (abet horrifying to those of us that aren’t fans). This is also a reminder NOT to kill them. They eat other bugs and are an important part of the eco system. I’d rather have a spider in my corner than an infestation of something else… #nature #spiders #spidersarefriends #spidersareessential #dontkillspiders #nature #witch #witches #witchesofinstagram #witchesofinstagram🔮🌙 #witchesofig #folkwitch #folkwitches #folkwitchesofinstagram #folkwitchesofig #folkwitchesofscotland #scottishwitch #🕷 #🕷️🕸️ #thebarefootwitch
My sister asked me “can I put this in the playroom or will it attract fairies and things?” She’s had this fairy door for years, and I have always hated it, because although it may seem innocent; it’s a portal. As a friend said “it’s a big f*cking open invitation”. The fair folk aren’t literally going to climb through this door (they’re not tiny little pixies), but they Do love to find a loophole and exploit it. Of course you can do whatever you want, but personally, I’d advise against placing a fairy door in your home for the same reason I wouldn’t put down a doormat that says “welcome”. #fairydoor #fairies #seeminglyinnocent #dontinvitethefae #dontinvitethefairfolkintoyourhome #dontpissoffthefae #fairfolk #thegoodfolk #portal #portals #witch #witches #witchesofinstagram #witchesofinsta #witchesofig #witchesofscotland #witch #witchcraft #folkwitch #folkwitchesofinstagram #folkwitchesofscotland #scottishwitch #scottishwitches #folkwitchesofig #thebarefootwitch
Some of my favourite things to offer the spirits are whisky, chocolate/candy, pastries (not pictured) and cheese (in this instance; goats cheese). I find that “luxury items” such as these always go down well, but if a piece of bread is all you can spare; that’ll do. It’s the gesture that counts. #offering #offerings #offeringstothespirits #foodofferings #honouringthespirits #spirits #witch #witches #witchesofinstagram #witchesofinstagram🔮🌙 #witchesofinsta #witchesofig #witchywoman #witchylife #witchyvibes #witchythings #witchery #folkwitch #folkwitchesofinstagram #folkwitchesofscotland #folkwitchesofinsta #folkwitchesofig #scottishwitch #thebarefootwitch
Hello October you magical b*tch. #october #fall #autumn #hellooctober🎃 #fallvibes #octoberishere #halloween #witch #witches #witchesofinstagram #witchesofinstagram🔮🌙 #witchesofinsta #witchesofig #scottishwitch #folkwitch #folkwitchesofinstagram #folkwitchesofscotland #folkwitchesofig #folkwitchesofinsta #thebarefootwitch
The other day I did a review of a “witchy” cookbook. In that review I said that I absolutely believe that food can be magical. And here is one of the ways in which it can be. In Scottish folk magic, we predominantly work with Spirits, and we foster a deep connection to the land, plants, trees and animals. One way we can do this is through eating locally sourced food. This is venison stew. The venison was shot about 15-20 miles away, and bought from a local butcher. The carrots, onions and potatoes were all grown locally and purchased from a local business. The only thing that wasn’t locally grown was the mushrooms. By eating food that’s local and “of the land” I am building a connection with the land. The land nourishes me, and in turn I tend and take care of it (I litter pick and leave offerings of wild bird seed). This of course isn’t the only way that food can be magical, but it’s a really easy way to start incorporating witchcraft into your food. Whilst making dishes made from local ingredients; you should thank the organic ingredients (meat, fish, herbs and vegetables) for their sacrifice and their nutrients. And you can of course stir your intentions into your food. But we’ll go into that more in depth in another post. #venison #locallysourced #locallysourcesfood #connectionmatters #eatlocalgrown #foodismagic #foodismagical #folkwitch #folkwitches #folkwitchesofinstagram #folkwitchesofig #folkwitchesofinsta #folkwitchesofscotland #scottishwitch #scottishwitches #scottishfolkmagic #thebarefootwitch
Warning; pictures 2&3 are of the felled tree and might be upsetting for some. I was shocked, angry and upset by the news that the iconic, 300 year old sycamore tree in the dip at Sycamore Gap near Crag Lough in Northumberland, was found felled early yesterday morning. Seemingly in an act of senseless vandalism. The police are asking the public to stay away from the area whilst they conduct their investigation, although a 16 year old has been arrested in connection. A lot of people are understandably very angry and upset that such an iconic tree has been cut down in a senseless act of vandalism. I share their anger. I’ve had a few people contact me and suggest a group cursing. Here’s why I don’t think it’s necessary, or even a good idea. Firstly sycamores are associated with protection (due to their ability to withstand harsh conditions and protect animals and buildings from high winds). It’s considered bad luck in general to cut down a healthy tree, but in English folk magic (the tree is located in England) they’re associated with a connection to the spirit world and to eternity. Trees are connected to the land and the sky; and not only are they connected to the spirits of the place, they often have their own spirit. Such an important and old tree undoubtedly has it’s own spirit. So to cut down a tree that is connected to the spirit world and eternity (I’m going to interpret this as the afterlife) is to sever that connection. Boy you ain’t getting into heaven. Whoever cut the tree down will have undoubtedly pissed the tree and the land spirits right off; and I’d also like to mention that sycamores were the choice wood for making gibbets. So you’ve essentially messed with a hanging tree… I feel pretty confident that whoever cut this tree down is now destined to die an early, unnatural death and wander between the worlds, as he’s severed a connection to the afterlife. He might have even earned himself a nasty generational curse. Witches sometimes we don’t need to curse; sometimes people bring it upon themselves. Big thanks to @marget.inglis_witchcraft for letting me pick her brain over this topic.
I’ve been ill for the last two weeks, and am inly just getting round to posting the birthday cards and gifts that I’m so very late posting. Writing a long, hand written letter to a friend was a really quiet, therapeutic way to spend an hour. It’s made me consider having a “slow” autumn. #slow #slowautumn #hobbitwriting #slowdown #taketime #letters #letterwriting #mindfulness #witch #witches #witchesofinstagram #witchesofinstagram🔮🌙 #witchesofig #witchywoman #witchylife #witchyvibes #witchythings #witchery #folkwitch #folkwitchesofinstagram #folkwitchesofscotland #folkwitches #folkwitchesofig #thebarefootwitch
I have been talking to a friend about altars and offerings this morning. As you know I recently downsized from a 1 bed bungalow with a front and back garden, to a 1 bed, open plan flat. Very little space for an altar. So my practice has adapted. I used to leave offerings of cakes and candy on my altar; now I’m leaving woodland seeds (foxgloves in particular) and handfuls of wild bird seed in the forest behind my house. I don’t have an altar where I do my workings (my altar was more like a desk where I worked), instead I use the slate placemat and mini cast iron skillet on my kitchen counter top. It doesn’t feel wrong or disrespectful to use a mundane space for magical working; after all it wasn’t common of the folk practitioners of hundreds of years ago to have altars set up; in fact it was unheard of. #witch #witches #witchesofinstagram #witchesofinstagram🔮🌙 #witchesofinsta #witchesofig #witchywoman #witchylife #witchyvibes #witchythings #witchery #witchcraft #folkwitch #folkwitchesofinstagram #folkwitchesofscotland #folkwitchesofig #altarsandofferings #thebarefootwitch
So far I’ve found nettles, foxgloves, yarrow, lilacs, blackberries and wild raspberries and strawberries growing around the town I now live in. I’d still like to find heather, gorse, thistles and rowan… #plants #wildplants #foraging #themagicofplants #plantmagic #greenwitch #botanicals #plantspirits #witch #witches #witchesofinstagram #witchesofinstagram🔮🌙 #witchesofig #witchywoman #witchylife #witchyvibes #witchythings #witchery #witchcraft #folkwitch #folkwitchesofinstagram #folkwitchesofscotland #folkwitchesofig #thebarefootwitch
Anyone else see the mermaid in the candle wax? Either a mermaid or the maiden found on the prows of old ships. #omens #mermaid #candlewax #shapesinthewax #messagesinthewax #wax #ceromancy #candlemagic #witch #witches #witchesofinstagram #witchesofinstagram🔮🌙 #witchesofinsta #witchesofig #witchywoman #witchylife #witchyvibes #witchythings #witchyways #witchery #folkmagic #folkwitch #folkwitchesofinstagram #folkwitchesofinsta #folkwitchesofig #folkwitchesofscotland #thebarefootwitch
The smoke sending messages to my familiar spirits… #smoke #familiars #familiarspirits #readitinthesmoke #bones #spiritvessels #spiritwork #witch #witches #witchesofinstagram #witchesofinsta #witchesofinstagram🔮🌙 #witchesofig #witchywoman #witchylife #witchyvibes #witchythings #witchery #witchcraft #folkwitch #folkwitches #folkwitchesofinstagram #folkwitchesofscotland #folkwitchesofig #thebarefootwitch #capromancy
I’ve been having a lot of conversations with other folk practitioners about the Clootie incident. The thing about a lot of folk practice (not all, but a lot and this definitely applies to Scottish folk belief) is that they’re rooted in animism and keeping in good practice. Animism is the belief that every natural thing has a spirit; the water, the rocks, trees, plants, the earth and the animals all have a spirit or spirits connected to them. So we treat all these things as sacred (because they are). Now what do I mean by keeping in good practice. This means working hard to create and maintain good relationships with those spirits, and having good habits when practicing (not leaving plastic in nature for example). So this is a friendly reminder to please keep good habits; don’t litter/leave offerings that are harmful to the environment, and try not to piss off the spirits… #friendlyreminder #animism #bekindtonature #nature #natureissacred #witch #witches #witchesofinstagram #witchesofinstagram🔮🌙 #witchesofinsta #witchesofig #witchywoman #witchylife #witchyvibes #witchythings #witchythoughts #folkwitch #folkwitches #folkwitchesofscotland #folkwitchesofinstagram #folkwitchesofig #folkwitchesofinsta #thebarefootwitch
Some interesting shapes in the smoke last night. #smoke #fire #smokegazing #firegazing #fullmoon #fullmoonfever #witch #witches #witchesofinstagram #witchesofinstagram🔮🌙 #witchesofinsta #witchesofig #witchywoman #witchylife #witchyvibes #witchythings #witchery #folkwitch #folkwitches #folkwitchesofinstagram #folkwitchesofinsta #folkwitchesofig #folkwitchesofscotland #folkwitchcraft #thebarefootwitch
Plans for tonight. Sit out in the garden at dusk and light the fire pit. Gonna burn this burr and some things I need to let go of. #fullmoon #outdoorritual #fullmoonritual #firepit #firegazing #garden #fullmoonplans #witch #witches #witchesofinstagram #witchesofinstagram🔮🌙 #witchesofinsta #witchesofig #witchywoman #witchylife #witchyvibes #witchythings #witchery #folkwitch #folkwitchesofinstagram #folkwitchesofinsta #folkwitches #folkwitchesofig #folkwitchesofscotland #thebarefootwitch
Candle lit for a family member that is passing. Burning some of my “crossing over” incense blend on a charcoal disc. #simpleritual #crossingoverritual #crossingover #passingon #theafterlife #psychopomp #witch #witches #witchesofinstagram #witchesofinstagram🔮🌙 #witchesofinsta #witchesofig #witchywoman #witchylife #witchyvibes #witchydeeds #witchythings #folkwitch #folkwitches #folkwitchesofinstagram #folkwitchesofinsta #folkwitchesofig #folkwitchesofscotland #thebarefootwitch
For my planty witches out there; here are some books I’d recommend; • “Brilliant & Wild; A Garden From Scratch In A Year” by Lucy Bellamy. This book is absolutely beautiful and has really helped me as a novice gardener. It focuses on “wild gardens” rather than ornamental or cottage gardens though. • “Kew Garden’s a “Witch’s Garden; Plants in Folklore, Magic and Traditional Medicine” by Sandra Lawrence. This one is great for learning about the folklore and magical properties of plants, and one I refer to pretty much constantly. • “Wild Magic: a seasonal guide to foraging with healing recipes & self care rituals” by Fern Freud. This is a new release, and one I am currently working through; but it is beautiful, and the recipes look absolutely devine. It’s one I’d recommend for those who forage rather than garden. • “Familiar Wild Flowers” this an older book, not sure if it’s still in print, but if you can find a copy, it’s well worth a read. #barefootbookreview #books #bookstack #bookstagram #naturebooks #witchybooks #greenwitch #greenwitches #themagicofplants #plantmagic #bookstack #witch #witchesofinstagram #witchesofinstagram🔮🌙 #witchesofinsta #witchesofig #witchywoman #witchylife #witchyvibes #witchythings #witchery #witchcraft #witcheswhogarden #folkwitch #folkwitches #folkwitchesofinstagram #folkwitchesofscotland #folkwitchesofig #plantwitches #thebarefootwitch
We had a good, windy thunderstorm here a couple of days back, which means my 8 rosebushes out in the yard dropped quite a few petals. I went out and collected just a few from two of the bushes today to replenish some stock. Perfect timing as well with the blogs I'm writing at the minute... 🌹 #witch #folkwitch #witchcraft #rosepetals #witchesofinstagram #witchesofig #witchesofinsta #folkwitchesofinstagram #folkwitchesofig #folkwitchesofinsta #witchery #flowerpower
Come for a night of song and poetry to honor the Queen of Scottish Witches herself, Isobel Gowdie! 27th of May 2022 - 21:00 GMT 'Honouring Isobel Gowdie' - presented by @scottishcunningways (author of 'the Black Book of Isobel Gowdie and Other Scottish Charms & Spells') - is a live fundraiser event, all proceeds from which will support the filming of a documentary on Isobel Gowdie, to be filmed this summer. Tickets can be purchased on etsy.com/shop/scottishcunningways AND you can enter the giveaway to win a free ticket over on @scottishcunningways profile (where you will also find a link to the etsy shop in the bio). The winner will be announced on the 25th, so you still have time to enter! A number of great performers will be featured, including: Inkubus Sukkubus - @inkubussukkubus1647 Cunning Folk - @george_hoyle Old Corpse Road- @oldcorpseroad Diovane Vincenzo- @diovanevicenzo Morvoren- @morvoren.music Gemma Gary - @gemma.gary Ex Reverie Helen Wright Jemima Nicholls - @themakedowitch Plus many more! Help honor Isobel Gowdie's memory by seeing her story is told and preserved! #honouringisobelgowdie #isobelgowdie #scottishwitchcraft #scottishwitches #scottishculture #scottishhistory #scottishcunningfolk #witches #folkwitches #folkwitchesofig #cunningfolkofinstagram #folkmagic #folkwitchcraft #folkwitchesofinstagram #scottishfolkmagic