When you think feminine power or masculine power, what does your mind go to? Does it lean toward the societal constructs built around assigned gender roles, such as feminine people being caretakers, whereas masculine people are providers?
Reclaiming your feminine power starts with rewiring how we understand divine feminine energy. The concept of the divine feminine and divine masculine in modern times is often rooted in binary gender concepts, but when we look to the divine beings in countless cultures and traditions, over and over we see gender fluidity and gender-nonconforming deities.
This is in stark contrast to the images of the divine depicted in modern monotheistic religion, which slants towards eliminating the divine feminine and feminine qualities altogether. When we speak to reclaiming feminine power, it is by no means an attempt to erase masculine qualities, but merely to restore balance to what has long been suppressed, silenced, and diminished.
A good example of this is the concept of Yin-Yang energy. Both Yin and Yang energies play an important role in maintaining balance in the universe. There is a natural ebb and flow between the two. Neither is good nor bad. They simply are. They also are not separate from one another but contained within all things.
We think of Yang as the energy that sends, activates, is based in logic, and is positively charged. This is the energy that we consider “masculine”, and it is obvious, direct, loud, and light.
Yin energy is the opposite, and it receives, is passive, intuitive-based, and is negatively charged. This is the energy we consider “feminine”, and it is hidden, winding, quiet, and dark.
Modern belief systems look to these general concepts and quickly label Yang energy as good because it is associated with “life” and then turn to Yin energy and claim it’s evil because it is associated with “death”. But the two cannot exist independent from one another.
What happens when people try to portray Yin energy as evil is a domino effect.
If Yin is “evil” then they must also label nighttime, the womb, the moon, women, and everything else aligned with this energy as evil, and often they do. Women and feminine people’s voices become silenced. Men and masculine people are severed from their emotions and nurturing qualities. Practices that honor the earth, its cycles, and intuition become demonized. And all of it is ultimately a war on the divine feminine, and this negatively impacts everyone.
Some of my favorite examples of reclaiming feminine power are maintained in the stories of the gods and goddesses of old.
Kali
In Hinduism, Kali is far from what modern society would tell you is “feminine” and yet she is the ultimate feminine and transformative power of the divine feminine, destroying negative forces and embracing her ferocity.
If Kali was told to sit down, keep to herself, and be quiet, as many women throughout history have been told, they would have been in for a rude awakening and likely met with intense rage. Something that is necessary when there are injustices and imbalances occurring. Society would have you believe, though, that rage and such behaviors “aren’t ladylike” and should be abstained from, but only an imbalanced masculine force gains anything from femininity being watered down and quietly erased.
Lilith
Lilith, whose origins are sometimes attributed to Judaism or Mesopotamia, refused to conform or be diminished as a person simply because she was a woman. She demanded equality, something necessary in the context of feminine and masculine energy in the universe. When told to be subservient to her masculine partner, Adam, in the Jewish myth, she reiterated that they were meant to be partners of equal status.
She refused to be property, less than, or in submission to someone she was made to be in balance and harmony with, just like the energy of Yin and Yang once again. Through the religiously biased tellings of these stories, it’s easy to stray and fall into the trap that femininity is weaker and less important—but imagine if Yang energy told Yin that it was less valuable. There could be no life without death, no spring without winter, no dawn or morning without the night. The two are inextricably linked and one cannot dominate the other indefinitely. Balance is mandatory for existence to continue.
Ishtar
Ishtar of Mesopotamia, often syncretized with Lilith, was described as being gender-fluid, androgynous, or gender-nonconforming. She had both masculine and feminine traits, even described as being a bearded goddess of war while also being a goddess of fertility.
Those who followed her often were considered non-binary or transgender in modern interpretation, and they too understood what it meant to simply be. That they didn’t have to adhere to societal expectations or box themselves in, but could embrace Yin and Yang, and that life was more harmonious when they accepted that.
Now, this doesn’t mean everyone has to be transgender or nonbinary in order to embrace femininity and masculinity in their lives—but it does mean it’s worth reflecting on the areas in your life where you’ve been mistaught what feminine energy and masculine energy truly are. It also is an excellent opportunity to reflect on what energy you lean toward in your personal energy, and what steps can be taken to be more balanced.
For example, I lean heavily toward masculine energy. For much of my life I was go, go, go. I constantly had to be doing things. I lived in my work. Constantly putting in hours, hustling, and grinding to be successful. What I lacked in these seasons of my life was stillness. Presence. Connection. For me, reclaiming feminine power meant accepting and embracing Yin energy, like the unknown, chaos, transformation. It meant choosing to listen to my intuition when I had been trained to be logic driven. It meant allowing myself to dive into the shadows to heal, instead of maintaining a false sense of light and positivity. It meant reconnecting with my emotions rather than being disconnected and “all business” like how they want us to be in corporate America.
Feminine power as we see reflected in countless deities is knowing when to war and when to keep peace. When to cast and when to retreat. When to speak and when to be silent. It is about duality and being everything all at once instead of fragmenting our reality into separate compartmentalized boxes.
Ask yourself if your energy is typically more passive or active. Do you typically send energy, constantly doing things, or receive energy, and being still. Do you easily move between the two? If you have difficulty moving between the two, ask yourself if it’s related to suppression of your feminine power. A fear of being seen and heard. Of being too loud or angry. Of being too aggressive or dramatic. Ask yourself where those labels came from… Who slapped them on you or made you feel like you had to dilute yourself, shrink, or make yourself more palatable for a world that is at war with the feminine nature of reality.
Ask yourself what power you must hold in your bones if at every turn people in power have demonized ancient goddesses who were once beloved by their people, erase the divine feminine from religion and spirituality, suppress the voices of women by stripping them of their rights to vote, own property, or make decisions about their own body without the sign-off from a man… Ask yourself what power you have inside you that is waiting to be unleashed once you realize you were never too much, you were never evil, you were never too emotional, you were never fill in the blank…
After all, the ones who reinforced that narrative were disconnected from feminine power themselves and hated all of the aspects of life that could’ve brought them balance, growth, and expansion, instead of having to constantly fight tooth and nail to maintain their grip on their power over the people.
Ask yourself if you’re ready to reclaim your feminine power, and if so, what are you going to do first to lean into the receptivity, unknown, shadows, nighttime, lunar cycles, womb, oceans, chaos, stillness, rest, transformation…
So, how do we go about reclaiming feminine power?
This is the switch from survival and hustle mode to presence.
Being instead of Doing — Pay attention to your thoughts when you sit down to eat, take a break during your busy day, or lay down for bed at night. Thoughts that constantly tell us we are lazy, not doing enough, aren’t productive enough, didn’t perform well enough in a social setting, didn’t check enough things off our to-do list, etc., are rooted in DOING.
They are performance driven instead of presence driven.
This will take time to rewire, but if you sit down for a meal, “doing” looks like I need to continue checking emails while I eat, whereas PRESENCE looks like “what does my body need right now?” Food. To nourish myself. And then taking the time to eat something that satisfies what the body actually needs in this present moment. This isn’t inactivity, but it is intentional activity that isn’t rooted in performance, appearances, anxiety, etc., but rather in being in the present moment, listening intuitively to what is actually needed for you to be balanced and capable of all of the other things you want and need to do in your daily life. You don’t have to earn the ability to eat, rest, or sleep.
Embracing the Unknown — The unknown is chaotic, terrifying, and filled with what-ifs. Masculine energy aims to control, preserve itself, and avoid or eliminate that which it doesn’t understand. It operates from logic and is resistant to change and the scary possibilities that come with not being in control of the future or a specific situation.
Feminine energy leans into the darkness, the wildness, the infiniteness of what is possible when we relinquish control, surrender to the universe, and open the door to the mysteries of life.
Pay attention to WHY you make choices throughout your daily life. If you’re making choices to control every possible outcome of an interaction with a friend, operating from survival and self-preservation mode, moving through life in fear of what might happen, it’s time to reclaim feminine power by surrendering to the elements of life you cannot control, by regulating your nervous system and becoming more self-aware of what is actually motivating you. Centering and grounding, aiming to be less reactionary, and holding space for things coming and going in your life without tightening your grasp on them is the best way to lean into the feminine in your life.
The Mystic's Journey Wisdom School is an in-depth 3.5 year program that is currently offered virtually through The Star Village website and is coming soon to the physical location of The Star Village that we're building. Through this Wisdom School, you'll have access to learn more than 40 types of witchery alongside the ancient esoteric wisdom of the goddesses as viewed through multiple pantheons and spiritual traditions.
Unlike many virtual classes or courses, The Mystic’s Journey is an interactive gamified quest where you earn crystals as you learn, discover and unlock easter eggs throughout the platform, embark on side quests to learn about specific topics in a deeper way, and be a part of a forum to engage with other spiritual practitioners.
In addition to The Mystic's Journey Wisdom School, Kate Jade also offers a mentorship program called The Death Witchery that exclusively focuses on death magic.
Inner Child Healing is something that all people, regardless of their spiritual beliefs, can benefit from exploring. For spiritual practitioners, though, healing the inner child is especially important as it helps us reclaim the things we were naturally drawn to in adolescence, which is often inextricably linked with our unique spiritual paths as adults. This article walks through a baseline understanding of what goes into healing the inner child to help you along the way on your path.
What exactly is the inner child? This is the "part" of you that is developed from birth through age 12. When wounds are developed during this early time period when our brains are actively forming, this can create a "wall" or "box" around younger you in an attempt to protect or shield you from further harm.
As adults, when things come up in our day to day life that are sensitive to our wounded inner child, we may react in a child-like manner, as though we are experiencing the current scenario as our younger self. To work through these cycles, navigate our triggers, and restore that part of ourselves, requires going back in time to love, heal, and be there for little us.
Rejection — Our childhood is a constant state of learning, and when we're in environments where we're made to feel weird, different, abnormal, or like something is wrong with us, this can cause a great deal of stress in our formative years when we're merely trying to survive and fit in.
Bullying — Bullying is a very common and yet awful experience that has heightened rates in middle school and can create long-lasting effects on how we interact with others, view ourselves, and behave in social settings.
Instability — When our childhood is filled with an overabundance of change, crisis, or instability, this can create trust issues, difficulty creating and maintaining friendships, and more leading to long-term issues in adulthood.
Parentification — Being forced to act like an adult at a young age can be very damaging to children because it forces them to grow up too soon, carry responsibilities that are above their age level or capacity, or put them in roles to have parent their parents or even their siblings, all of which have lasting negative impacts in adulthood.
Abuse — When children experience physical, psychological, sexual, verbal, emotional, or spiritual abuse, whether that be at the hands of a family member, in a religious setting, or in a harmful relationship, this can be severely damaging, altering how we embrace love, understand family dynamics, or what we believe we deserve in relationships as adults.
If your inner child felt unsafe, unseen, or overly criticized, it's time to navigate healing this part of ourselves. When you start healing your inner child, you give yourself permission to remove the "walls" or "box" that was built to protect yourself back then. This is done through provide nurturing, validation, or comfort, leading the inner child that once felt ignored or unloved to be seen and accepted.
Benefits of Healing Your Inner Child
Magic to Heal Your Inner Child
Shadow Work Prompts to Heal Your Inner Child
The Mystic's Journey Wisdom School is an in-depth 3.5 year program that is currently offered virtually through The Star Village website and is coming soon to the physical location of The Star Village that we're building. Through this Wisdom School, you'll have access to learn more than 40 types of witchery alongside the ancient esoteric wisdom of the goddesses as viewed through multiple pantheons and spiritual traditions.
Unlike many virtual classes or courses, The Mystic’s Journey is an interactive gamified quest where you earn crystals as you learn, discover and unlock easter eggs throughout the platform, embark on side quests to learn about specific topics in a deeper way, and be a part of a forum to engage with other spiritual practitioners.
In addition to The Mystic's Journey Wisdom School, Kate Jade also offers a mentorship program called The Death Witchery that exclusively focuses on death magic.
Inner Teen Healing has been coming up over and over lately for the collective of spiritual practitioners. This article is meant to give a baseline understanding of what goes into healing the inner teen to help you along the way on your path.
What exactly is the inner teen? This is the "part" of you that is developed when between ages 13 and 19. When wounds are developed during this window of time as a result of trauma, bullying, heartache, fear, instability, and the like, this can create a fragmented aspect of yourself that stays "frozen in time" at the age you were when the wound occurred.
As adults, when things come up in our day to day life that are sensitive or provoking to our inner teen, we may react as though we are the age we were when a similar themed incident occurred when we were younger. For example, if we felt we were abandoned by a family member, parent, or friend at the age 14—in adulthood, if we find ourselves in a similar scenario where we fear someone leaving us behind, we may react in a similar manner to how we did when we were 14.
To work through these cycles, navigate our triggers, and restore that part of ourselves, requires going back in time to love, heal, and be there for little us.
Rejection — Our teen years are filled with desperation for social acceptance, feeling normal despite dramatic changes with our body and minds, and making friends. When we experience rejection, it can rewire our brain to act differently, change who we are, etc., to attempt to prevent that from happening again. Rejection and fear of rejection can lead to anxiety and feeling weird, both of which can have a lasting impact well into adulthood if these wounds aren't processed and addressed.
Bullying — Bullying is a very common and yet cruel experience that can occur in our teen years. Bullying can be physical, verbal, or happen on social media. Bullies often target other teens based on their appearance, gender, sex, race, or beliefs, and can lead to mental health concerns, low self-esteem, trust issues, and academic decline—all of this is important to heal and process and actively work to prevent in future contexts.
Instability — Moving, switching schools, divorce, deaths, car accidents, serious illness, and the like can all create a great deal of instability in our developmental years when we crave routine and safety. Being introduced to such heavy topics, feeling responsible for the crises that occurred, or not having the capacity for fulling understanding why certain things are happening can be traumatic for teens.
Parentification — Being forced to grow up too quick, take responsibility for parents' emotions and behaviors, help raise and care for the other siblings in the household, or take on adult concerns at a young age is a heavy burden for a teen to carry the weight of, especially when a parent is absent, incarcerated, battling addiction, immature, or unreliable.
Narcissism — When teens are raised by people with narcissistic tendencies, who use fear-based discipline tactics, withhold love and care as punishment, use manipulation or control, gaslight or lie, or intentionally make teens feel like they're never enough, this can be incredibly detrimental and damaging.
Abuse — When teens experience physical, psychological, sexual, verbal, emotional, or spiritual abuse, whether that be at the hands of a family member, in a religious setting, or in a harmful relationship, this can be severely damaging, altering how we embrace love, understand family dynamics, or what we believe we deserve in relationships.
When our inner teen felt unheard, misunderstood, or pressured to fit into roles that weren’t truly us, it's time to navigate healing this part of ourselves. When you start healing your inner teen, you give yourself permission to welcome that part of you back into your whole self. This is done through cultivating self-acceptance and giving yourself the love you might have craved back then, revisiting past experiences with compassion instead of shame, identifying the needs that weren’t met and finding ways to meet them now, and acknowledging any limiting beliefs that formed during that time and working to release them.
Benefits of Healing Your Inner Teen
Magic to Heal Your Inner Teen
Shadow Work Prompts to Heal Your Inner Teen
The Mystic's Journey Wisdom School is an in-depth 3.5 year program that is currently offered virtually through The Star Village website and is coming soon to the physical location of The Star Village that we're building. Through this Wisdom School, you'll have access to learn more than 40 types of witchery alongside the ancient esoteric wisdom of the goddesses as viewed through multiple pantheons and spiritual traditions.
Unlike many virtual classes or courses, The Mystic’s Journey is an interactive gamified quest where you earn crystals as you learn, discover and unlock easter eggs throughout the platform, embark on side quests to learn about specific topics in a deeper way, and be a part of a forum to engage with other spiritual practitioners.
In addition to The Mystic's Journey Wisdom School, Kate Jade also offers a mentorship program called The Death Witchery that exclusively focuses on death magic.
For weeks the phrase “sacred sorrow” has echoed in my mind. My heart aches as it remembers the pain of every time it was told to “get over it.”
Move on.
Stop thinking about it.
Just be happy.
Choose joy.
They’re meant to nudge us in the “right direction” and force us to push past what we’re feeling. To abandon the raw emotions festering inside us in pursuit of “peace” and “comfort”.
But my body doesn’t hold this sorrow because it is inherently sad. It absorbs this sorrow because it empathizes with the world around it.
And that type of sorrow is undeniably sacred because it’s the same burden of grief that the goddess holds within herself as every person a part of her network of consciousness and life moves through the universe.
In a perfect universe, if there could ever be such a thing, love is the primal energetic channel that connects everything. In our universe, though, there are people who move through it operating as conduits of hatred, violence, and greed. They take and they take and they take. They create rules and systems to oppress.
And the result?
Suffering.
Terror.
Affliction.
And for that, I will always feel sorrow.
Sacred sorrow recognizes when voices are being silenced.
Sacred sorrow understands the inhumanity of forcing people to live the same, love the same, look the same, and worship the same.
Sacred sorrow weeps within our bones when we can’t logically grasp the lack of compassion toward Mother Nature and all her inhabitants.
Sacred sorrow cries out for us to do something, even if it’s only holding space for those who are being targeted and oppressed.
Sacred sorrow isn’t something we’re meant to get over. It isn’t something that we need to move on from or stop thinking about. Happiness and joy are systematically being distanced from people who don’t fit society’s mold — and how dare someone say that their problems are not our problems.
That is the voice of oppression.
The voice of the goddess, though, is angry. Rage screeches through her teeth at the mistreatment of her people. “Their problems,” she hisses, “are ALL of our problems.“
Every shot aimed at one of her people, she feels like an arrow to the heart. You feel it too when that sacred sorrow creeps in, begging you to care; demanding that you don’t ignore it any longer.
After all, that sacred sorrow is her.
The Mystic's Journey Wisdom School is an in-depth 3.5 year program that is currently offered virtually through The Star Village website and is coming soon to the physical location of The Star Village that we're building. Through this Wisdom School, you'll have access to learn more than 40 types of witchery alongside the ancient esoteric wisdom of the goddesses as viewed through multiple pantheons and spiritual traditions.
Unlike many virtual classes or courses, The Mystic’s Journey is an interactive gamified quest where you earn crystals as you learn, discover and unlock easter eggs throughout the platform, embark on side quests to learn about specific topics in a deeper way, and be a part of a forum to engage with other spiritual practitioners.
In addition to The Mystic's Journey Wisdom School, Kate Jade also offers a mentorship program called The Death Witchery that exclusively focuses on death magic.
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.
The Mystic's Journey Wisdom School is an in-depth 3.5 year program that is currently offered virtually through The Star Village website and is coming soon to the physical location of The Star Village that we're building. Through this Wisdom School, you'll have access to learn more than 40 types of witchery alongside the ancient esoteric wisdom of the goddesses as viewed through multiple pantheons and spiritual traditions.
Unlike many virtual classes or courses, The Mystic’s Journey is an interactive gamified quest where you earn crystals as you learn, discover and unlock easter eggs throughout the platform, embark on side quests to learn about specific topics in a deeper way, and be a part of a forum to engage with other spiritual practitioners.
In addition to The Mystic's Journey Wisdom School, Kate Jade also offers a mentorship program called The Death Witchery that exclusively focuses on death magic.
Recently, I was asked to put together a series of resources on spirit communication, specifically with ancestors or deceased loved ones, so this article is the beginning of many resources to come.
What exactly is the veil? The veil refers to the liminal space or "in-between" energetic barrier that separates the physical world from other spiritual realms, such as the realm of the ancestors, the realm of the gods and goddesses, the realm of the fae, and so on.
During certain times of the year (and even certain times of day, such as dawn or dusk), the veil is often described as being "thinner" than other times of year, resulting in heightened energetic happenings as spirits come and go more freely than at other points during the year. While this may not impact practitioners who are more accustomed to interacting with spirit realms, for those who are less in tune with other realms or newer to interacting with energy, it can be incredibly intense to experience.
Life is a cycle of birth, death, and rebirth, meaning that spirit never dies, just as physics teaches us that energy is never destroyed only transformed. The family unit is composed of both the living and the departed, the essence of the departed is ever-present and as such can be activated anytime. Whilst the ancestors are no longer present in the physical they still can communicate and act as spiritual guardians to their descendants by offering support and guidance along their life to help overcome challenges and tap into one’s potential.
While countless ancestors have come before us and are a part of our heritage and family lineage, that does not mean that they are all inherently good people, have our best interests in mind, or are energy that we want to carry forward with us. Ancestors who perpetuated patterns of abuse, trauma, and harm, not only do we want to be intentional to avoid carrying the negative aspects forward with us, but we also want to ultimately unwind and break the generational cycles that have been created. That doesn’t mean that those who were not good people should be discarded, as they are still a part of us. But instead, we can send them love, cleansing, and healing energies while maintaining boundaries to protect ourselves and future generations.
This is why, as practitioners, we are intentional about calling forward our protective ancestors or protective loved ones in our workings, communications, and rituals. This communication can take place in various ways including through meditations, dreams, visions, synchronicities, nature, signs, sounds, and so on. The most important thing to understand about connecting to and communicating with your ancestors is the power of your intention. Once you make the decision to connect with your protective ancestors or loved ones, you will find that the pathway of communication opened.
Below I have put together a simple ritual for connecting with your protective ancestors or loved ones. As with most rituals I perform, I start with protective and grounding exercises and then carry out the ritual using a form of representation of the spirit(s) being connected with, a beacon or fuel source to guide and honor the spirit(s), and the magical power of my intentions to carry out the actual working.
What you'll need:
While there are many methods for carrying out the below ritual, I am only going to highlight how I perform this ritual myself. You are welcome to replicate it in its entirety or modify it using your own preferred methods of protection, representation for your ancestors and loved ones, preferred candle method, and so on.
Protection
Start with sitting on the ground. If you have a designated altar space for the deceased and/or your ancestors, sit in front of that setup with your representative item, candle, and offering. Close your eyes and envision a bright light surrounding you completely. Let this light permeate every inch of you until you feel warm, safe, and grounded.
Welcoming
Facing East, speak: "Thank you to the East and the element of Air for protecting and allowing me to be present in this window of liminal space. As I access the ancestral realm, I welcome my protective ancestors (or loved ones), and I thank you for helping guide them to me. Hail and welcome!"
Turning right and facing South, speak: "Thank you to the South and the element of Fire for protecting and allowing me to be present in this window of liminal space. As I access the ancestral realm, I welcome my protective ancestors (or loved ones), and I thank you for helping guide them to me. Hail and welcome!"
Turning right and facing West, speak: "Thank you to the West and the element of Water for protecting and allowing me to be present in this window of liminal space. As I access the ancestral realm, I welcome my protective ancestors (or loved ones), and I thank you for helping guide them to me. Hail and welcome!"
Turning right and facing North, speak: "Thank you to the North and the element of Earth for protecting and allowing me to be present in this window of liminal space. As I access the ancestral realm, I welcome my protective ancestors (or loved ones), and I thank you for helping guide them to me. Hail and welcome!"
Representation
Place the item (I'll be using my grandmother's class ring that is engraved with her initials) that represents your ancestor(s) or loved one(s) beside the black candle and offering.
Beacon
Light the black candle intended to guide your ancestors to you and place the cup or bowl of water beside this beacon.
Offering
Place out the offering (I'll be using red wine and pie since that was my grandmother's favorite thing to make) for your ancestor(s) or loved one(s) around/beside the black candle to feed them and honor them.
Connecting
Sitting and closing your eyes, envision a doorway opening and your protective ancestor(s) or loved one(s) coming through the gate toward you. Ask that any messages they may have for you be clearly received and state any other intentions you may have, such as honoring them, getting to know them better, etc.
Once you feel that they are with you, allow any messages they have to flow toward you. If you are not yet skilled at receiving messages through clairaudience, claircognizance, or the like, focus on how the present energy feels. Sit quietly with these feelings, allowing your body to take it all in and then gently release it. If you feel drawn to use a form of divination to communicate with your ancestor(s) or loved one(s), you may do that as well.
Closing
When you are ready to end the ritual and communication with your ancestor(s) or loved one(s) for now, thank those who came forward and allowed you to connect with them, and then visualize them all leaving through the same gate they came through. Once gone, envision the doorway closing and fading away.
Stand up and facing North, speak: "Thank you to the North and the element of Earth for protecting and allowing me to be present in this window of liminal space. I say goodbye to my protective ancestors (or loved ones), and I thank you for helping guide them back to the ancestral realm."
Turning left and facing West, speak: "Thank you to the West and the element of Water for protecting and allowing me to be present in this window of liminal space. I say goodbye to my protective ancestors (or loved ones), and I thank you for helping guide them back to the ancestral realm."
Turning left and facing South, speak: "Thank you to the South and the element of Fire for protecting and allowing me to be present in this window of liminal space. I say goodbye to my protective ancestors (or loved ones), and I thank you for helping guide them back to the ancestral realm."
Turning left and facing East, speak: "Thank you to the East and the element of Air for protecting and allowing me to be present in this window of liminal space. I say goodbye to my protective ancestors (or loved ones), and I thank you for helping guide them back to the ancestral realm."
Interested in connecting with your loved ones on the other side? Book an appointment NOW with Kate Jade. Kate is a psychic medium and death practitioner and is passionate about helping people connect with their ancestors, loved ones, and spirit guides through mediumship.
The Mystic's Journey Wisdom School is an in-depth 3.5 year program that is currently offered virtually through The Star Village website and is coming soon to the physical location of The Star Village that we're building. Through this Wisdom School, you'll have access to learn more than 40 types of witchery alongside the ancient esoteric wisdom of the goddesses as viewed through multiple pantheons and spiritual traditions.
Unlike many virtual classes or courses, The Mystic’s Journey is an interactive gamified quest where you earn crystals as you learn, discover and unlock easter eggs throughout the platform, embark on side quests to learn about specific topics in a deeper way, and be a part of a forum to engage with other spiritual practitioners.
In addition to The Mystic's Journey Wisdom School, Kate Jade also offers a mentorship program called The Death Witchery that exclusively focuses on death magic.
I’ve been there…and while modern religion has a ton of flaws and the way it came into existence is riddled with tragedy and deception, we still carry SO MUCH baggage from the indoctrination even though we can clearly see the issues (and have walked away or are in the process of doing so). So, let’s unpack some of it...
Religion taught me:
Let’s break down the flaws, unwind what we’ve been taught that’s false, and replace it with a more open-minded perspective. In many examples, I may reference Christianity specifically, since that is my personal background, but this information isn’t intended to be limited only to people deconstructing from that particular modern religion.
Crystals are naturally occurring mineral formations from the earth. To say crystals are inherently evil would be to say all crystalline formations are evil and that would include salt and all kinds of fundamental elements that are necessary to sustain life and the planet. We rely on minerals to survive and literally use them all throughout the day, often without even realizing it. For example, almost every clock, phone, computer, etc. that you use has quartz in it. Most modern kitchens have quartz countertops. Most hair dryers and flat irons have tourmaline. And the list could go on and on.
Magic is simply the ability to utilize your will or intentions to direct energy for a particular outcome. To say magic is inherently evil requires saying working toward any type of goal or with any type of energy is evil. And energy is necessary for how we fuel our bodies with food, get around via transportation, and so on. We work with energy and our intentions every time we drink a cup of coffee to help us wake up, make a cup of tea to ease a sore throat, or take a walk outdoors to clear our minds.
From a biblical perspective, Jesus taught his disciples about preaching, teaching, and healing, all of which require an intention to help others by transferring our own energy to another by directing our will. So, why would it be evil to work with energy or “magic” to heal ourselves and others when that’s what Jesus did and taught his followers to do? He may not have used the word “magic” in any of his parables, but when we’re talking about using our own intentions, faith, and energy to heal—is that not conceptually the same thing in different terminology?
Witches are simply “wise women” or “wise people” who work with or are devoted to Wisdom (or the pursuit of it). To say witches are evil, requires us to say anyone who pursues greater depths of wisdom or knowledge is evil, including philosophers (philo=lover, sophia=wisdom, philosopher=lover of wisdom), scientists, pastors, shamans, healers, doctors, researchers, and so on.
From a biblical perspective, Wisdom is a figure recognized throughout the Old Testament in Psalms, Proverbs, Song of Solomon, and Isaiah, and is discreetly revealed in aspects of the New Testament in Matthew and Revelation. So why would it be “evil” to pursue this great Wisdom figure (who is a woman by the way—goddess alert, anyone?) when Solomon himself was recognized as the greatest king for asking for Wisdom above all else?
Tarot is simply a teaching/learning method for understanding hidden wisdom in a pictorial form. The same wisdom mysteries that are hidden in the esoteric aspects of the biblical book of Matthew (and Isaiah) can be found in the major arcana of tarot and used to give insight into an individual’s spiritual journey, areas that need transformation through wisdom, and so on. To say tarot cards are evil is to say all forms of pictures, playing cards, or forms of communication with the divine (which is prayer in its simplest form) is wrong.
From a biblical perspective, tarot isn’t directly mentioned anywhere in the canon, but the same types of imagery of priests, priestesses, judges, chariots, and so on that occur in the ancient temple traditions of the time (and throughout most older religions, spiritual paths and cultures), are reflected in the imagery of the cards and can be utilized in the same two-part parable teaching method that was native to rabbis and their students.
Incense is simply a fragrant material that is burned either for its aroma, to honor the divine, to set intentions for prayer or meditation, or for other spiritual purposes. There are endless ways to use incense and a wide variety of available scents. To say incense is evil is to say that anything utilizing herbs, smoke, candles, etc. is evil, and we literally use and eat herbs on a daily basis, create smoke when we light a candle or cook food, and so on.
From a religious perspective, incense is found throughout many sacred texts, the Christian bible included, as a way to honor the divine in the temple, for a ceremony or ritual, or as part of a prayer or meditation. Frankincense (notice the second part of the word: incense) was even gifted to Jesus at his birth, so it’s no surprise that burning incense is a lovely way to honor divinity, regardless of what spiritual path you are following.
Spells are simply language taking a directed form by having intentions put into them. Spells can bring life and healing energy, or they can bring death and destruction based on the intentions of the person speaking. A spell cannot be inherently evil until the intentions put into it are to cause harm to someone or something without cause. We cast “spells” every time we say affirmations, verbally remind ourselves that we are brave or capable of doing something, wish that something would happen, pray, and so on.
From a religious perspective, the creation story in the Christian bible demonstrates a divine being speaking things into existence. This same bible also reminds its readers that life and death are in the power of the tongue, meaning people have creative power through their speech. Scientifically speaking, multiple studies have been done that show the difference between plants that are spoken to positively versus negatively and how the words and energy directed at the respective plant shape its ability to thrive.
Polytheism is more complex than many realize because polytheists often recognize that there is one “Source” of life and energy, but that it comes to life through many different personified beings who together make up the grand puzzle piece of divinity. Most (and I say most because I tread lightly with speaking in absolutes since there are always those who diverge from the majority) view there being a Source (also referred to as God, Universe, EL, etc.), and then there being many, many, many gods and goddesses who are the extensions of that original Source of energy and life, not all that different from how someone in Christianity might understand angelic beings, but for polytheists they recognize many different divine beings of god- or goddess-like status who rule over or are different energies in personified forms, including lesser beings that are not gods or goddesses but have more finite roles in the universe, such as angels, fae, elementals, etc.
If polytheism isn’t for you, that’s perfectly fine. Many may choose to only recognize there being a singular God figure or no god figure at all. However you choose to view and connect with your spiritual path is entirely your own.
Energy work is any form of healing, meditation, reiki, or prayer that utilizes the energetic field surrounding the body and the energy centers within the body. We are naturally energetic beings and understanding what our body needs on an energetic level can help us in the physical, emotional, and spiritual spheres of our lives. To say energy work is evil would be to say that any form of healing using energy, whether it be through plants, herbs, medicine, sound, frequencies, light therapy, color therapy, etc. is evil.
From a religious perspective, the use of prayer, spoken words, playing instruments, eating or abstaining from certain foods, and so on are all linked to methods of healing and drawing closer to the divine. Energy work methods are vast and vary across belief systems and cultures, so find what you’re drawn to, what is effective for you, and what resonates.
The Mystic's Journey Wisdom School is an in-depth 3.5 year program that is currently offered virtually through The Star Village website and is coming soon to the physical location of The Star Village that we're building. Through this Wisdom School, you'll have access to learn more than 40 types of witchery alongside the ancient esoteric wisdom of the goddesses as viewed through multiple pantheons and spiritual traditions.
Unlike many virtual classes or courses, The Mystic’s Journey is an interactive gamified quest where you earn crystals as you learn, discover and unlock easter eggs throughout the platform, embark on side quests to learn about specific topics in a deeper way, and be a part of a forum to engage with other spiritual practitioners.
In addition to The Mystic's Journey Wisdom School, Kate Jade also offers a mentorship program called The Death Witchery that exclusively focuses on death magic.
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 crystals of every kind available in our Crystal Shop through the Mystical Marketplace of The Star Village, including raw, carved, and tumbled pieces. We also have crystal pendants, pendulums, bracelets, earrings, and more that are hand crafted. 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.
If you don't see what you're looking for, send us a message and we can try to source a specific kind of crystal for you or custom-make a piece of jewelry for you that's aligned with your energy and intentions. Explore all of our crystals here. Don't see what you're looking for? We custom source crystals—just ask!
The Mystic's Journey Wisdom School is an in-depth 3.5 year program that is currently offered virtually through The Star Village website and is coming soon to the physical location of The Star Village that we're building. Through this Wisdom School, you'll have access to learn more than 40 types of witchery alongside the ancient esoteric wisdom of the goddesses as viewed through multiple pantheons and spiritual traditions.
Unlike many virtual classes or courses, The Mystic’s Journey is an interactive gamified quest where you earn crystals as you learn, discover and unlock easter eggs throughout the platform, embark on side quests to learn about specific topics in a deeper way, and be a part of a forum to engage with other spiritual practitioners.
In addition to The Mystic's Journey Wisdom School, Kate Jade also offers a mentorship program called The Death Witchery that exclusively focuses on death magic.
Recently, I was asked to put together a series of resources on rituals, including cord cuttings and this article is the beginning of many resources to come.
Cord cuttings, often referred to as a "Cutting the Cord" ritual, are intended to sever the energetic cord between you and another person. People who are inexperienced with energy work may opt to have a more experienced practitioner perform the work for them, but many people choose to perform this ritual on their own as the steps you walk through can be very therapeutic and releasing feelings. This is especially true if the person you are cutting off was someone who brought a lot of trauma, harm, abuse, or toxicity to your life.
Keep in mind that when you are performing any type of ritual or spellwork, your intentions are the most important thing, so take time to meditate on and determine what your goal for the working is. It might be to move on from an ex, heal from a toxic friendship, or move past the abuse of a family member. At the end of the day, what your end goal is has to be clearly defined by you.
Another important thing to keep in mind is that cord cuttings are intended to be permanent, so if the person you are "cutting the cord" from is someone you think you might return to being in a relationship with later on in life, this may not be the ideal ritual for that situation.
Additionally, I like to always encourage people to practice safely when dabbling in energy work because our intentions hold a great deal of power, and sometimes things we set in motion through our will can have consequences that are outside the scope of what we thought might occur or happen as a result of our working. This makes it especially important to focus our intentions on separating the other person's energy from ourselves, and not doing things on other people's behalf without their explicit permission.
If there are multiple people that you desire to cut the cord from, I've found it most effective to perform the ritual for each individual scenario, rather than lumping them all together into one singular working.
The most powerful tool at your disposal is always your mind and your intentions. To physically perform the ritual with tangible ingredients, which can help you stay focused and aligned with the outcome of the ritual, here are some useful tools:
Grounding before rituals is important as it ensures that you are connected to your body, the material realm, and very much present for the working. You can ground your energy in several ways including, spending time in nature, walking barefoot on the grass or soil to feel the connection to the earth, sitting crisscross on the ground to connect your root energy source to the earth, imagining roots growing from your feet into the earth anchoring you firmly, practicing intentional breathing exercises, and more. Remember that grounding is a personal practice, so feel free to explore different techniques and find what works best for you.
To cleanse the energy of your space before a ritual, you can smoke cleanse with sacred dried herbs, sound cleanse with bells or singing bowls, or utilize energy-clearing sprays like Florida water or other cleansing blends. Each method has its unique way of clearing energy and creating a positive environment for your divination session, so use whatever method is easily doable and works best for you. Remember to be intentional through the process, so if you are going to cleanse with burning dried herbs, for example, do not simply wave the burning herbs and smoke around, but set your intentions and focus on cleansing the space you’ll be working in of any negative or stagnant energy so that you have a neutral starting point.
After cleansing the space to bring it to a neutral state energetically speaking, you’ll then want to protect yourself and the space from any additional unwanted energies from entering during the ritual. This is a critical step as it helps minimize the risk of any disturbances. Protection can be implemented by setting an energetic boundary, such as casting a circle, if this aligns with your spiritual path and beliefs, wearing protective crystals, such as black obsidian, black tourmaline, or hematite, or casting a protection spell.
You can protect your space and create a protective circle with the support of the elements using the steps below.
Facing East, speak: "Thank you to the East and the element of Air for protecting and assisting me with this cord cutting. Hail and welcome!"
Turning right and facing South, speak: "Thank you to the South and the element of Fire for protecting and assisting me with this cord cutting. Hail and welcome!"
Turning right and facing West, speak: "Thank you to the West and the element of Water for protecting and assisting me with this cord cutting. Hail and welcome!"
Turning right and facing North, speak: "Thank you to the North and the element of Earth for protecting and assisting me with this cord cutting. Hail and welcome!"
Recently, I was asked to put together a series of resources on creating wards, so this article is the beginning of many resources to come.
After effectively grounding yourself and cleansing and protecting the space you’ll be working in, here is a step-by-step method for performing a simple cord cutting. Remember, after the cord cutting is created, you will want to close out the ritual in reverse order by re-protecting yourself and your space, re-cleansing yourself and your space from any lingering negative or stagnant energy, and re-grounding yourself to diffuse built-up energy from the working itself. AND THEN taking plenty of time to rest and recharge your energy.
Take the candle that is going to represent you and gently carve your name into the side of it infusing your intentions that this is connected to your energy. Take the candle that is going to represent the person you are cutting the cord from and gently carve their name into the side of it infusing your intentions that it is connected to the energy you want severed from yourself.
Stand your candles on the fireproof tray a couple of inches apart. I find it helpful to slightly heat up the bottoms of the candle so the wax starts to slightly melt so that they'll adhere to the dish without following over. Tie them together with the string (see photo example.)
Surround the entire set up of the working and/or the individual candles themselves with salt to symbolize the grounded intentions of this working and that you intend to protect yourself and the other person from harm, but while still severing the energetic cord that links the two of you.
Light both of the candles and state the following:
“As the cord is cut and the candles burned, I cut all ties with that for which I yearned.
I release what no longer serves me. As I will it, so mote it be”
Sit and meditate as the candles burn and the cord is cut, and visualize your energetic attachment to the person being severed. Feel yourself becoming detached, empowered, and able to move on without them in your life. Pay close attention to the moment when the cord catches fire and dissolves between the two candles. Allow the candles to burn all the way down or until you feel drawn to snuff the candles out, but make sure this is after the cord is burned through.
Safely dispose of all of the ritual components.
After the cord cutting is performed, take a moment to close out the protective circle that was created with the support of the elements. These steps will be done in reverse order from how they were first performed.
Stand up and facing North, speak: "Thank you to the North and the element of Earth for protecting and assisting me with this cord cutting and allowing my energy to return to me cleansed and recharged. Thank you and farewell."
Turning left and facing West, speak: "Thank you to the West and the element of Water for protecting and assisting me with this cord cutting and allowing my energy to return to me cleansed and recharged. Thank you and farewell."
Turning left and facing South, speak: "Thank you to the South and the element of Fire for protecting and assisting me with this cord cutting and allowing my energy to return to me cleansed and recharged. Thank you and farewell."
Turning left and facing East, speak: "Thank you to the East and the element of Air for protecting and assisting me with this cord cutting and allowing my energy to return to me cleansed and recharged. Thank you and farewell."
To cleanse your energy (and space if you feel it’s necessary) after the cord cutting, you can utilize the same method you did at the beginning of the ritual, such as smoke cleansing with sacred dried herbs, using sound cleansing with bells or singing bowls, or utilizing energy clearing sprays like Florida water or other cleansing blends.
Alternatively, you also might opt for something that’s more personal to cleanse yourself, such as a ritual cleansing shower or bath. Remember to be intentional through the process, so if you are going to cleanse with burning dried herbs again, for example, do not simply wave the burning herbs and smoke around yourself or your space, but set your intentions and focus on cleansing your energy so that you feel clean, refreshed, and energized.
Grounding after cord cutting is incredibly important as it ensures that any excess energy is redirected back to the ground/earth. You can ground your energy utilizing the same method you did at the beginning of the ritual, such as spending time in nature, walking barefoot on the grass or soil to feel the connection to the earth, sitting crisscross on the ground to connect your root energy source to the earth, imagine roots growing from your feet into the earth anchoring you firmly, practicing intentional breathing exercises, etc.
May you walk your path with wisdom and prudence. Blessed be on your journey of spiritual growth and healing.
The Mystic's Journey Wisdom School is an in-depth 3.5 year program that is currently offered virtually through The Star Village website and is coming soon to the physical location of The Star Village that we're building. Through this Wisdom School, you'll have access to learn more than 40 types of witchery alongside the ancient esoteric wisdom of the goddesses as viewed through multiple pantheons and spiritual traditions.
Unlike many virtual classes or courses, The Mystic’s Journey is an interactive gamified quest where you earn crystals as you learn, discover and unlock easter eggs throughout the platform, embark on side quests to learn about specific topics in a deeper way, and be a part of a forum to engage with other spiritual practitioners.
In addition to The Mystic's Journey Wisdom School, Kate Jade also offers a mentorship program called The Death Witchery that exclusively focuses on death magic.
Recently, I was asked to put together a series of resources on creating wards, so this article is the beginning of many resources to come.
Wards can best be thought of as a magical barrier intended to either keep something in OR keep something out. Many practitioners solely focus on warding something out of their home, space, or life—but there are many powerful uses for warding things into a home, space, or life.
Personally, I like to think of wards as a type of “force field” created through directed energy and intentions that are fueled by an energetic force and anchored to something to give them stability.
For example, if I wanted to create a ward to keep unwanted energies or entities OUT of my house, I would create a ward that acted as a barrier surrounding my home, potentially fueled by the magical plants growing in my garden (such as rosemary, basil, or lavender—all great protective energies) and anchored to the land the house sits on to stabilize and maintain the placement of the ward.
Who typically creates wards?
Wards are often a go-to practice of many different spiritual practitioners who need heightened levels of protection for themselves and their families. Wards are especially necessary for anyone dabbling in magical arts, working with energy on a frequent basis, performing rituals or healing practices on a regular basis, or those who find themselves frequently attracting or interacting with outside energies.
Wards require a significant amount of directed energy and intentions, so newer practitioners may find themselves feeling tired, drained, or fatigued after crafting a ward, but generally speaking, creating wards shouldn’t have a tremendous toll on you if you’re properly grounding and taking care of your physical, emotional, and spiritual health.
For me, I also take into consideration the size and nature of the ward in order to properly prepare beforehand, rest and recharge, etc.
Wards are not evil. They are a spiritual form of protection that can be found within nearly all spiritual and religious practices under different names. For example, a ward in Christianity is created when people pray to their higher power for protection for their church or building and anoint the walls with oil. Can it be dangerous? If not performed correctly, there can be a false sense of security that could have negative consequences, and with baneful wards, there can certainly be dangerous outcomes for those who violate the boundary that has been cast. But is it inherently dangerous or evil? No, not at all.
While it can be scary to perform a new type of spiritual practice, it is much scarier to be unprotected from energies and entities, including other practitioners, who have ill intentions. To overcome fears surrounding wards, start with simple wards for your house or personal space, and then branch out as your confidence grows.
If you're ready to welcome all that comes with diving into wards, the following practice is one you can explore in alignment with your intentions and goals.
When people begin the process of warding, they are tapping into a large supply of energy within themselves and can quickly become susceptible to being drained, exhausted, fatigued, etc., so it's incredibly important to take warding VERY slow. It’s best not to craft multiple wards in a short period of time without taking the proper time to rest, recharge, and prepare.
Grounding before any form of warding is incredibly important as it ensures that you are connected to your body, the material realm, and very much present for everything that is to follow. A lot of times, when we have experienced great deals of resistance in the spiritual space or had frightening encounters with parasitic entities, we may want to quickly jump to creating a ward for greater protection, but crafting in a frazzled state can result in undesirable outcomes, so be intentional with grounding and take things slow. You can ground your energy in several ways including, spending time in nature, walking barefoot on the grass or soil to feel the connection to the earth, sitting crisscross on the ground to connect your root energy source to the earth, imagining roots growing from your feet into the earth anchoring you firmly, practicing intentional breathing exercises, and more. Remember that grounding is a personal practice, so feel free to explore different techniques and find what works best for you.
To cleanse the energy of your space before performing any type of warding, you can smoke cleanse with sacred dried herbs, sound cleanse with bells or singing bowls, or utilize energy-clearing sprays like Florida water or other cleansing blends. Each method has its unique way of clearing negative energy and creating a positive environment for your shadow work, so use whatever method is easily doable and works best for you. Remember to be intentional through the process, so if you are going to cleanse with burning dried herbs, for example, do not simply wave the burning herbs and smoke around, but set your intentions and focus on cleansing the space you’ll be working in of any negative or stagnant energy so that you have a neutral starting point.
After cleansing the space to bring it to a neutral state energetically speaking, you’ll then want to protect yourself and the space from any additional unwanted energies from entering during the ward creation process. This is a critical step as it helps minimize the risk of any disturbances or accidentally warding something into your space that shouldn’t be there. Protection can be implemented by setting an energetic boundary, such as casting a circle, if this aligns with your spiritual path and beliefs, wearing protective crystals, such as black obsidian, black tourmaline, or hematite, or casting a protection spell.
You can protect your space and create a protective circle with the support of the elements using the steps below.
Facing East, speak: "Thank you to the East and the element of Air for protecting and assisting me with this ward and allowing me to create a powerful barrier of protection. Hail and welcome!"
Turning right and facing South, speak: "Thank you to the South and the element of Fire for protecting and assisting me with this ward and allowing me to create a powerful barrier of protection. Hail and welcome!"
Turning right and facing West, speak: "Thank you to the West and the element of Water for protecting and assisting me with this ward and allowing me to create a powerful barrier of protection. Hail and welcome!"
Turning right and facing North, speak: "Thank you to the North and the element of Earth for protecting and assisting me with this ward and allowing me to create a powerful barrier of protection. Hail and welcome!"
After effectively grounding yourself and cleansing and protecting the space you’ll be working in, here are a few different methods that I have personally used to craft a ward. Remember, after the ward is created, you will want to close out the ritual in reverse order by re-protecting yourself and your space, re-cleansing yourself and your space from any lingering negative or stagnant energy, and re-grounding yourself to diffuse built-up energy from the working itself. AND THEN taking plenty of time for resting and recharging your energy.
Start by identifying exactly what you are wanting to ward, and the energies you're intending to ward IN and/or the energies you're intending to ward OUT. It is important to be very intentional and specific in order to create an effective ward.
How do you actually create the ward itself? There are multiple ways to go about it...
After the ward is created, take a moment to close out the protective circle that was created with the support of the elements. These steps will be done in reverse order from how they were first performed.
Stand up and facing North, speak: "Thank you to the North and the element of Earth for protecting and assisting me with this ward and allowing me to create a powerful barrier of protection. Thank you and farewell."
Turning left and facing West, speak: "Thank you to the West and the element of Water for protecting and assisting me with this ward and allowing me to create a powerful barrier of protection. Thank you and farewell."
Turning left and facing South, speak: "Thank you to the South and the element of Fire for protecting and assisting me with this ward and allowing me to create a powerful barrier of protection. Thank you and farewell."
Turning left and facing East, speak: "Thank you to the East and the element of Air for protecting and assisting me with this ward and allowing me to create a powerful barrier of protection. Thank you and farewell."
To cleanse your energy (and space if you feel it’s necessary) after creating a ward, you can utilize the same method you did at the beginning of the ritual, such as smoke cleansing with sacred dried herbs, using sound cleansing with bells or singing bowls, or utilizing energy clearing sprays like Florida water or other cleansing blends.
Alternatively, you also might opt for something that’s more personal to cleanse yourself, such as a ritual cleansing shower or bath. Remember to be intentional through the process, so if you are going to cleanse with burning dried herbs again, for example, do not simply wave the burning herbs and smoke around yourself or your space, but set your intentions and focus on cleansing your energy so that you feel clean, refreshed, and energized.
Grounding after creating a ward is incredibly important as it ensures that any excess energy is redirected back to the ground/earth. You can ground your energy utilizing the same method you did at the beginning of the ritual, such as spending time in nature, walking barefoot on the grass or soil to feel the connection to the earth, sitting crisscross on the ground to connect your root energy source to the earth, imagine roots growing from your feet into the earth anchoring you firmly, practicing intentional breathing exercises, etc.
May you walk your path with wisdom and prudence. Blessed be on your journey of spiritual growth and healing.
The Mystic's Journey Wisdom School is an in-depth 3.5 year program that is currently offered virtually through The Star Village website and is coming soon to the physical location of The Star Village that we're building. Through this Wisdom School, you'll have access to learn more than 40 types of witchery alongside the ancient esoteric wisdom of the goddesses as viewed through multiple pantheons and spiritual traditions.
Unlike many virtual classes or courses, The Mystic’s Journey is an interactive gamified quest where you earn crystals as you learn, discover and unlock easter eggs throughout the platform, embark on side quests to learn about specific topics in a deeper way, and be a part of a forum to engage with other spiritual practitioners.
In addition to The Mystic's Journey Wisdom School, Kate Jade also offers a mentorship program called The Death Witchery that exclusively focuses on death magic.
