Bugs and Symbolism in Spellcraft

Today’s prompt is brought to you by one of the Discord servers that I am a member of.  Just as a side note that I usually include with these discord questions… The reason I do not link these Discord servers is because each server has their own rules about if you’re allowed to share them publicly and how, and it’s a pain in the ass to look it up for each one so I just don’t share them.

On to the question… “What bug associations do you hold?

caterpillar

Like the use of crystals, and the use of herbs and plants, there are often times when bugs are used in magic.  Not just in predictions and omens, but also occasionally in spellwork and the like. This is not something that I personally do all that often, as I feel much the same about using bugs in my spellcraft as I do about using animals.  That is to say… they cannot give their consent to be used in this manner, which means it’s unfair use and disrespectful of me to do so.  That said, I do have certain associations with different bugs.  I’ve listed those below…

Ants – hard work, strength, community
Aphids – sneaky, hidden, persistence
Bees – collaborative work, success, the sun
Butterflies – rebirth, hope, renewal
Caterpillars – growth, slow organic change (usually positive)
Cicadas – deeply personal transformation, vocalization, inner truth
Cockroach – sloth, resilience, hardiness
Cricket – good luck, happiness
Dragonflies – sudden or abrupt change (not always positive)
Firefly – inner light shining bright, authenticity
Flies – filth, decay, guilt
Gnats – hunger, annoyance, persistence
Ladybugs – wishes, good luck
Locust – deceit, greed, bad luck
Mosquito – blood, medical field, usury, vampirism (energy or otherwise)
Moth – addictions, temptations, the moon, the subconscious
Praying Mantis – independence, betrayal
Pill Bugs – passive defense, being guarded
Silverfish – greed, gluttony
Spiders (most) – meticulousness, organization
Termites – perniciousness
Ticks – tenaciousness, burrowing energy
Wasps – anger, backbiting, over the top protection, warning

Keep in mind that these are my personal associations with each of the bugs listed above.  I have no idea what the “official” metaphysical associations and symbolism is for each of them, although I would imagine that I’m on the right track with most.

With that said, obviously these are not all of the uses, associations, and symbolism that these bugs can possess.  I tried to wrack my brain for as many different types of bugs as I could think of without doing an internet search for bugs, which would be sure to set off my arachnophobia like nobody’s business.

Most Used Crystals and Stones

Today’s prompt is brought to you by one of the Discord servers that I am a member of.  Just as a side note that I usually include with these discord questions… The reason I do not link these Discord servers is because each server has their own rules about if you’re allowed to share them publicly and how, and it’s a pain in the ass to look it up for each one so I just don’t share them.

On to the question… “What are your favorite crystals for your different practices/uses?

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So first, I need to explain about crystals and stones, I think. This is a very bare-bones and layman’s explanation, but essentially, crystals hold vibrations, which is a scientific fact.  Different crystals vibrate at different frequencies. These frequencies are then used in different ways to act upon energy.

Some of the ways these vibrational frequencies are used includes healing both one’s energy and/or body, enhancing your own personal vibrational frequencies that exist in our cellular make up as well as on the metaphysical plane, using these frequencies in spellcraft and ritual to enhance the energies created or stirred up in these activities, or reinforce the intentions brought forth in those practices, etc.

When working with crystals, many find they are more sensitive to the energy / vibrations / frequency of some crystals over others.  For example, I find Labrodorite extremely pleasant and soothing… some people don’t.  This means that the frequencies that labradorite emits are frequencies that mesh well with my personal energy.

So, the question here is essentially asking, what stones are you drawn to use most often in your different practices.  In reply I’ve made a short list… in alphabetical order. I was actually surprised that the short list is so long. Although, I guess that I shouldn’t be since I incorporate stones into not just my meditation and jewelry designs, but also in spellwork, ritual, tarot readings for my clients, as well as everyday purposes.

Amazonite – courage, self-awareness, integrity and truth
Black Tourmaline – protection
Blue Lace Agate – emotional truths
Calcedony – encouraging kindness and generosity
Carnelian – fostering pragmatism
Citrine – lift (sort of lightening the “weight” of other energies)
Clear Quartz – all types of general energy boosting
Amethyst – used much the same as clear quartz, but on a specifically spiritual level
Desert Rose – emotional clarity
Fresh Water Pearls – clearing the path to wisdom and enhancing integrity
Garnet – Ancestral connections and enhancing feelings of devotion
Green Calcite – encouraging compassion
Honey Calcite – optimism and a motivational boost
Labradorite – meditation (solar plexus) for calming
Larvikite – cleanse and balance the aura, and healing energy leaks
Mangano Calcite – fostering peace and a sense of well-being
Moonstone – emotional stability
Moss Agate – grounding and clarity
Opal – self expression and fostering creativity
Rose Quartz – warmth towards self and others and the softening of jagged energies
Selenite – energy purification and cleansing
Smokey Quartz – meditation (forehead) for crisp thought
Snowflake Obsidian – fosters surrender to meditative states and appreciation of beauty

These are, of course, not all of the uses for each of the crystals and stones mentioned above, but they are what I personally use them for most often. They are also not the only crystals and stones I use in my practice (whether that be my spiritual, magical, or tarot practice).  It’s simply a “short” list of the ones that I use most often.

Witch For A Day… What?

Today’s prompt is brought to you by one of the Discord servers that I am a member of.  Just as a side note… the reason I do not link these Discord servers is because each server has their own rules about if you’re allowed to share them publicly and how, and it’s a pain in the ass to look it up for each one so I just don’t share them.

On to the question… “How do you feel about “becoming a witch for a day” type of videos?

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Okay, so first… I’ve never actually heard of these videos, so I’m not speaking from a place of experience.   That said?   I do have some thoughts on this type of thing.  General thoughts and concerns, yeah?

To me, it sounds a lot like “religious tourism”. And, even though witchcraft is not actually a religion, but instead more of a practice? It feels a bit disrespectful.

I also don’t really think anyone can get a taste of what it is to be a witch in a day, or a week for that matter.  Although many incorporate witchcraft into their religion and beliefs, just being a practicing witch on its own even without religion added in still carries with it a great deal of information, belief, and nuances that you just cannot connect with in a day.  It takes time and practice and learning to find and develop these things and find what is right for you.   Witchcraft “tourism” just doesn’t give someone an opportunity to find that direction and necessary depth that would give a true experience.

I also feel that it seems a bit like “lets participate in all the witchy stereotypes for a day just for fun”…. which could definitely be harmful to the reputation of witchcraft in society as a whole.  Witches and witchcraft have trod a long, hard road to pull themselves out of a place in society filled with fear and persecution.   Taking the risk of replacing that with scoffing and disrespect seems a dangerous gamble to take.