Witch Balls: How To Make One, History, and Folklore

Winter is the best time of the year to find glass ornaments so I thought, hey, let’s make a witch ball together! Witch balls have a long and interesting history, and while they’ve changed over time, the magickal concept of how they work remains. Let’s explore witch balls and I have a video where I put one together step-by-step. 

How witch balls look and how they’re made has definitely changed through the ages. While these ornamental charms were traditionally used as protection wards, modern witches have been inspired by this very old magick and transformed witch balls into charms created for every magical purpose under the sun and moon! 

 According to History Daily (I’ll leave a couple links below this post for more reading on the subject) these glass balls started being used around the same time that we see witch bottles being used, as early as the seventeenth to eighteenth century and they had a similar purpose, to ward away malign energies from homes and families.  Yep, I made a witch bottle too, here’s the video. 

Both witch bottles and witch balls were used as magickal protection against witchcraft being cast against the owner of the ball or bottle, although they were made differently. Witch bottles were either glass or clay containers and filled with sharp or tangled items like glass shards, nails, bent pins. A witch bottle also included a marker or taglock such as spit or urine so that the bottle would be a stand-in for the intended victim of curses, hexes, or ill-intentioned spells. The spell would hit the bottle instead of the actual target; getting trapped inside, cut, stabbed, and rendered useless. Witch bottles have been found by archeologists buried under the front step or hidden beneath floorboards or built into the foundation of home from that time.

In contrast, Witch balls (sometimes called watch balls) were hung in the open, usually in windows, they were made of glass, and were often magickal on their own without adding anything inside. The idea was that the malevolent spirit, hex, or curse would be attracted to and absorbed inside the hollow ball and dissipate once sunlight hit it. According to the Philadelphia Archeology Forum the origin of witch balls go back to the 1600’s when people used glass balls for storing salt hung by the fireplace to keep the salt dry. Breaking one would have been bad luck since salt was very valuable back then.

 In the early seventeenth century fishermen used hollow glass buoys on their nets, the weighty yet hollow glass would always float to the surface. Years later the practice of trying suspected witches by dunking them in water started being used. The unfortunate suspect was bound and tossed in the water, sinking (and drowning) meant they were innocent of the charges, if they floated, they were found guilty of witchcraft. Of course it was an illogical system but it served the witch hunters and accusers well, too bad for the accused who were in a no-win situation.

Apparently, witches floated and hollow glass balls floated too. Does this mean the two were related? Maybe.  I will say Sailors tended to be a pretty superstitious bunch at the time, probably because their livelihood and very lives depended on circumstances beyond their control.  Those beautiful glass floats may have seemed like a way to counteract baneful witchcraft by matching like to like or fighting fire with fire. Wives of fishermen began hanging a float in the window of their home as a talisman to protect the fishermen while out at sea to ensure their safe return. It probably wasn’t long before the ball became a talisman considered to protect the home while the fishermen were away as well. Glass blowers saw a market so in addition to the fishing floats, they began making spherical bottles with corks that people could fill with holy water. There’s a fascinating article by Kathryn Kane on The Regency ReddingGoat blog that I’ll leave in a link at the bottom of this post.

Eventually the practice spread and soon glass blowers were making witch balls regularly. They were now sealed spheres had strands of glass inside meant to trap and entangle aggressive spirits or spells like a web. It was the first item created when a new glass shop was opened and was hung in the shop as protection from baneful spirits and to bring good luck and prosperity. 

Witch balls were items that could be easily turned out at the end of the day when the rest of the work was complete. NailSea glassworks in Bristol took them to the next level adding more colors and patterns. If you were looking for a witch ball in the late seventeen hundred Nail Sea was top of the line.

There are many traditions about witch balls, some say it must hang in the east window of the largest room in the house. Some said it should be dusted regularly to re-empower it. Some communities expected every home to hang a witch ball in order to protect the whole community from misfortune. In areas where a village witch or cunning person was relied on, that local magical practitioner would enchant the witch balls for the community. In areas where witches (or whatever title the village magic users were going by were maligned the witch balls were expected to protect against all magic. (but of course witch balls are magic as well!)  

In later times witch balls were made reflective by silvering the interior of the ball, in the same ways mirrors were silvered, this created a mercury glass magick mirror of sorts that would reflect negativity away. These became the beautiful Victorian gazing balls seen in homes and gardens of the time. I talk about these in my book The Witch’s Mirror.

Modern witch balls can be found in all of the old forms, fishing floats, hand blown masterpieces, and reflective glass orbs. Many modern witches have taken to creating our own witch balls. Since glass blowing is a very specific set of skills and equipment, many witches opt to using tree ornaments and filling them with their own magickal items and enchantment. These would be similar to the old ones that were made with a cork and were intended to be filled. Traditionally witch balls were used for protection, but modern witches have begun making witch balls for every purpose including luck, money, love, it’s completely up to the imagination!  After all, witchcraft is a living practice, changing with the times and often shifted by the inspiration of the witches who practice their craft. 

References:

History Daily: https://historydaily.org/protection-against-witches-how-ornaments-used-to-ward-off-evil-spirits

Philadelphia Archeology Forum: https://www.phillyarchaeology.net/philly-archaeology/artifactindex/past-artifacts-nov11/

Article about Witch Balls on Regency Redingote Blog: https://regencyredingote.wordpress.com/2016/10/28/glass-witch-balls/

GORGEOUS HAND BLOWN WITCH BALLS: The ones I showed in the video are made by these really nice artisans on Etsy, 2 Sisters Artisan Glass: https://www.etsy.com/listing/966896188/2-sisters-artisan-glass-limited-edition

Witch Bottle Article: https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-northamptonshire-50186758

How to Organize Kitchen Witch Herbs

Oh my gosh, it was such a mess, but now I have everything organized!

I'm going to show you how to organize your kitchen witch herbs, but first look at the mess I had going on! We're going to take the corner of my kitchen counter from cluttered mess to organized witchcraft at my fingertips! I also have these labels in a free download so that you can have them too, either use the same ones I did or use the one without text to add your own herbs either by hand or in Photoshop (like I did) Eventually I'll be doing this with my non-culinary herbs too so watch for that.

Blessings!

Mickie

Halloween Protection Talisman, Samhain Cross / Parshell and GIVEAWAY WINN...

I'm sharing how I make a Halloween Protection Talisman called a Samhain Cross or Parshell. This traditional bit of old folk magick comes from rural Ireland and have such old roots that no one really knows it's origin. I wrote about these in my book Llewellyn's Little Book of Halloween and I illustrated one for Diana Rajchel's book "Samhain" which is part of Llewellyn's Sabbats Essentials series. I hope you enjoy learning about this great little bit of Halloween magick and how to make and use it.

These protection amulets are traditionally made on Halloween or Samhain and hung over the front door on the inside of the home. A new one is made every year. When the old one is removed it's important to shout "Fonstarensheehy!" Then the new one takes it's place. The ones from previous years were often hung in the barn to protect the livestock and farm equipment, a modern alternative is to hang them in the garage. They can also be burned.

I'll walk you through step-by-step in the video while I make one.

Happy Halloween and Blessed Samhain!

HALLOWEEN BOOK GIVEAWAY! October Ghosts and Autumn Dreams: More Poems fo...

I've got a Halloween Book Giveaway! Here's a peek into October Ghosts and Autumn Dreams: More Poems for Halloween by K.A. Opperman (Jackanapes Press, October, 2021) and a giveaway of this beautiful book which is a sequel to the one we enjoyed here last year! I wanted you to get a little treat, so here's some Halloween inspiration and a giveaway that I'll be announcing the winner of on Halloween night! HOW TO ENTER: Subscribe to my channel, like this video, comment on this video. Winner chosen by random drawing on Oct. 30 15:00 pm CST, to be announced Halloween: Sunday, 10/31/2021

October Ghosts and Autumn Dreams: More Poems for Halloween by K.A. Opperman: Autographed copies available here: https://www.jackanapespress.com/product/october-ghosts-and-autumn-dreams-more-poems-for-halloween-strong-preorder-strong

Below are the Official Rules, I know it sounds like a bunch of legalese, (which is what it is) but it’s there so that this giveaway is in compliance with the law and YouTube’s guidelines. OFFICIAL RULES NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. 1. Eligibility: October Ghosts Poetry 2021 Giveaway (the “Giveaway”) is open only to legal residents of the United States (excluding its territories and possessions) and Washington D.C. who are at least 18 years of age at time of entry (“Entrant"(s)). Void in Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands and where prohibited. The Giveaway is sponsored by K.A. Opperman (“Sponsor”). 2. Prize: The Giveaway allows Entrants to enter random drawings, as described below, on the www.youtube.com/c/MickieMuellerStudio YouTube Channel (the “Channel”) for a chance at a copy of October Ghosts and Autumn Dreams: More Poems for Halloween by K.A. Opperman and publishers bookmark (“Prize”). The average retail value (“ARV”) of the Prize is $15.99 The total ARV of all Prizes is $15.99. THE ODDS OF WINNING THE PRIZE DEPENDS ON THE TOTAL NUMBER OF ELIGIBLE ENTRIES RECEIVED. No Prize substitution or cash alternative is allowed except at the sole discretion of Sponsor. If a Prize cannot be awarded due to circumstances beyond the control of Sponsor, a substitute prize of equal or greater retail value may be awarded. The Winner will be solely responsible for all federal, state and/or local taxes, and for any other fees or costs associated with the Prize received. 3. Giveaway Period: The Giveaway shall begin at 12:01 a.m. Central Time ("CT") on 10/26/2021 and shall end at 5:00 p.m. CT on Saturday 10/30/2021 ("Giveaway Period"). 4. How to Enter: To enter the Giveaway you must (a) subscribe to the Channel, (b) “like” the video HALLOWEEN BOOK GIVEAWAY! October Ghosts and Autumn Dreams: More Poems for Halloween (“Video) and (c) place a comment (“Comment”) on the Video (together the “Entry”). Entries must be received during the Giveaway Period. ONLY ONE ENTRY IS PERMITTED PER PERSON. 5. Winning: The winner of the Giveaway (“Winner”) shall be chosen by the Sponsor at a random drawing. The Winner shall be chosen within 5 days of the end of the Giveaway Period. 6. Prize Claim: The Winner will be notified within 3 days of the drawing via reply to the winning comment or Instagram/Facebook DM if applicable. The Winner may be required to execute an Affidavit of Eligibility, a Liability Release, and (where legal) a Publicity Release (collectively, “Prize Claim Documents”) within 3 days of notification, or as directed by the Sponsor. The failure to respond timely, to the notifications and the failure to provide the Prize Claim Documents will result in forfeiture of the Prize and, in such case, the Sponsor may declare an alternate winner, based on another random drawing. If a Prize goes unclaimed or is forfeited by the Winner, the Prize may not be re-awarded, in Sponsor’ sole discretion. Other restrictions may apply. 6. Rights of Sponsor: Sponsor, shall have the right, at its sole and absolute discretion to refuse any Entry whatsoever made by Entrants which it finds to be in violation of these Official Rules or which it finds in its sole discretion to be otherwise objectionable for any reason. 7. YouTube Policies a) Your participation in and entry into this giveaway must be in compliance with YouTube’s own Community Guidelines. Entries which don’t comply with YouTube’s Community Guidelines will be disqualified. b) YouTube is not a sponsor of this Giveaway. By entering this Giveaway, you release YouTube from any and all liability related to this Giveaway.

October Events for 2021 Join Me Live!

 I'm so excited to share two really special and unique events with you for October! I want to keep everyone safe but also give us an opportunity to hang out and celebrate Halloween and Samhain so I have two live virtual events in October and I hope you can attend either one or both!

Wed. Oct. 13  6:30-8:30 pm CST I’m doing a Zoom class about working with the symbols of Halloween for my old friends at Pathways Books in St. Louis Here’s the link for that: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/symbols-of-halloween-with-mickie-mueller-tickets-186275052697

Sun. October 24 6:30-8:30 pm CST I’m having a virtual book signing and shopping event on Facebook Live at my cousin’s shop (yep witchery dances in the fam) Aquarian Herbs in St. Charles MO. Here’s the link for that event:

https://www.facebook.com/events/900250440697149/

I’m doing a unique spell for each event with a printable download: Halloween’s Guardian Lantern Spell at the Pathways Books Zoom event and Pumpkin Spirit Gate Spell at the Aquarian Herbs Facebook Live! I’m really glad to be able to offer these events this year!

Blessings!

Mickie

WEALTH AND SUCCESS Candle Spell, DIY Candles and Giveaway Winners

I'm sharing a wealth and success candle spell using one of my DIY candles that look super witchy, but first, I'll share who the giveaway winners are, they're announced in my YouTube video!

These spell candles look amazing, they can also be used for witchy decor and make beautiful gifts for friends. I'll show you how to make them step-by-step adding your magickal intention as you go. You can simply burn the candle on it's own, add more spell elements, or include the candle in any wealth, success, or money spell of your choosing, get creative!

DESIGNS INCLUDED IN FREE DOWNLOAD (found in the description of this video over on my channel)

Wealth & Success Sigil: Use this for any money spells, wealth, prosperity, job hunting, career advancement. Raven: Spells for courage and knowledge of your inner-self including but not limited to shadow work. Also good for and divination magick unlocking the subconscious mind. Use for spells to overcome any obstacle. Perfect for a Morrigan altar. Snake: Great for healing as seen on the caduceus symbol used to represent health. The snake is also a symbol of transformation and rebirth because it sheds its skin and is reborn anew. The snake is a powerful guardian and also is the energy of fulfilling ambition, dreams, and creative forces. Perfect for a Hecate altar. Pentagram & Moon: This is an all purpose design, use this to boost energy for any spell, love, money, luck, healing, protection, you name it! Studio Coven Cicada: Great for any spells to boost creativity, or to break a creative block. Also use for spells for harmony, community, transformation, and embracing your inner voice.

I hope you enjoy learning how to make these cool candles, will you use them in spellwork or for decor? They make really nice gifts too and they're budget friendly!

Be Your Magick!

Mickie Mueller

WITCHES' BREW and Ten Thousand Subscriber Giveaway 2021

I’m doing my biggest giveaway ever, there will be ten winners to celebrate the milestone of my channel passing 10,000 subscribers! I also wanted to share a beautiful kitchen witch spell to share the joy with you! We’ll be brewing butterfly tea flower tea lemonade, enchanting it with intention, and I’ll share some of my bartender tricks to make it a beautifully layered drink! This is the kind of thing that fun to make, and magickal to share with loved ones, friends, or a coven. Let the celebration commence!! Whoop-whoop!!!

HOW TO ENTER: Subscribe to my channel, like this video, comment on this video with your Instagram handle. Winners chosen by random drawing to be announced Saturday August 14 2021.

Below are the Official Rules, I know it sounds like a bunch of legalese, (which is what it is) but it’s there so that this giveaway is in compliance with the law and YouTube’s guidelines.

Scroll down for OFFICAL RULES

OFFICIAL RULES

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY.

 

1. Eligibility: WITCHES' BREW and Ten Thousand Subscriber Giveaway 2021 (the “Giveaway”) is open only to legal residents of the United States (excluding its territories and possessions) and Washington D.C. who are at least 18 years of age at time of entry (“Entrant"(s)). Void in Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands and where prohibited. The Giveaway is sponsored by Mickie Mueller (“Sponsor”).

2. Prize: The Giveaway allows Entrants to enter random drawings, as described below, on the www.youtube.com/c/MickieMuellerStudio YouTube Channel (the “Channel”) for a chance at a one of the prizes listed (“Prize”). The average retail value (“ARV”) of the Prizes are listed below. The total ARV of all Prizes is $173.95. THE ODDS OF WINNING THE PRIZE DEPENDS ON THE TOTAL NUMBER OF ELIGIBLE ENTRIES RECEIVED.

 Prizes (to be awarded randomly) and average retail value:

1.      Llewellyn’s Magical Almanac 2021 $14.99

2.      The Witch’s Wand by MacLir $15.99

3.      The Witch’s Altar by Mankey & Zakroff $15.99

4.      The Witch’s Mirror by Mueller $15.99

5.  The Eclectic Witch’s Book of Shadows by Blake (to be delivered when the book becomes available from publisher) $19.99

6.      Two Lavender Wands handmade by Mickie Mueller $20.00

7.      Black Salt handmade by Mickie Mueller $10.00

8.      Palmistry Hand handmade by Mickie Mueller $20.00

9.      Wooden Pendulum Board and Crystal Pendulum handmade by Mickie Mueller $26.00

10.   Iridescent Metal Cicada Pendant $15.00

No Prize substitution or cash alternative is allowed except at the sole discretion of Sponsor. If a Prize cannot be awarded due to circumstances beyond the control of Sponsor, a substitute prize of equal or greater retail value may be awarded. The Winners will be solely responsible for all federal, state and/or local taxes, and for any other fees or costs associated with the Prize received.

3. Giveaway Period: The Giveaway shall begin at 12:01 a.m. Central Time ("CT") on 8/6/ 2021 and shall end at 11:59 a.m. CT on Friday August 13 2021 ("Giveaway Period"). 

4. How to Enter: To enter the Giveaway you must (a) subscribe to the Channel, (b) “like” the video WITCHES' BREW and Ten Thousand Subscriber Giveaway 2021(“Video) and  (c) place a comment with Instagram OR Facebook handle (“Comment”) on the Video (together the “Entry”). Entries must be received during the Giveaway Period. ONLY ONE ENTRY IS PERMITTED PER PERSON.

5. Winning:  The winners of the Giveaway (“Winner”) shall be chosen by the Sponsor at a random drawing. The Winner shall be chosen within 5 days of the end of the Giveaway Period.

6. Prize Claim: The Winners will be notified within 3 days of the drawing via reply to the winning comment. The Winner may be required to execute an Affidavit of Eligibility, a Liability Release, and (where legal) a Publicity Release (collectively, “Prize Claim Documents”) within 3 days of notification, or as directed by the Sponsor. The failure to respond timely, to the notifications and the failure to provide the Prize Claim Documents will result in forfeiture of the Prize and, in such case, the Sponsor may declare an alternate winner, based on another random drawing. If a Prize goes unclaimed or is forfeited by the Winner, the Prize may not be re-awarded, in Sponsor’ sole discretion. Other restrictions may apply.

6. Rights of Sponsor: Sponsor, shall have the right, at its sole and absolute discretion to refuse any Entry whatsoever made by Entrants which it finds to be in violation of these Official Rules or which it finds in its sole discretion to be otherwise objectionable for any reason.

7. YouTube Policies

 

a)      Your participation in and entry into this giveaway must be in compliance with YouTube’s own Community Guidelines. Entries which don’t comply with YouTube’s Community Guidelines will be disqualified.

b)     YouTube is not a sponsor of this Giveaway. By entering this Giveaway, you release YouTube from any and all liability related to this Giveaway.

 

How To Prevent Nightmares with a Lavender Wand Spell

Have you been having trouble sleeping? Lots of people have. I'll show you how to prevent nightmares with a lavender wand spell. You can turn this Victorian craft into a witch craft and take charge of your bedtime ritual. Weave a talisman with me using lavender, ribbon and crystals filled with your intention and use it to cast a protective circle around your bed while you sleep. This simple nighttime ritual works great for bad dreams, nightmares, night terrors, insomnia, and can protect you from psychic attack and may even help with sleep paralysis while asleep too.

SUPPLIES NEEDED: 7 stems of fresh lavender (or any odd number) Ribbon ¼ inch thick, 2 yards long Scissors Spoon toothpick Small crystals of your choice for sleep/protection, I used amethyst and black tourmaline, but you can also use quartz, moonstone, labradorite, lapis lazuli, selenite, charoite, prehenite, smokey quartz, lepidolite

All the instructions for creating an enchanted lavender wand and adding a circle casting to your nighttime routine are in the video! Enjoy!

Be Your Magick!

Mickie

The Eclectic Witch's Book of Shadows Sneak Peek

This is the moment that I held the book I illustrated for Llewellyn, The Eclectic Witch's Book of Shadows in my hand for the first time ever!! LOL 

I'm literally such a dork!

Blessings,

Mickie

Witchy Home Decor, DIY Palmistry Hands Witchy Crafts

I've had a weird creepy hand in my studio for a couple years and I finally got around to turning it into a palmistry hand and then I made two more! I love adding witchy stuff to my decor because I weave magick into every area of my life. I'm not super experienced at palmistry, when I was in a coven ages ago we did a couple "Palm Sunday's" where we would analyze each others palms while reading out of a book to determine what all those lines, bumps, and stuff meant. Our hands are with us all the time and according to palmistry they're also a roadmap to be deciphered.

Palmistry Hand Copyright Mickie Mueller 2021

Palmistry hands are a cool witchy aesthetic trend, but it can also be a tool for learning a new skill for your witches tool box! Sure you can buy one, but if you make your own you can put your own energy into it and learn about those symbols by purposely drawing them on yourself.

If you love witchy crafts, this one is for you! I made three of these hands, one from a store display hand and two that I cast from plaster myself, I'll show you how I made them step-by-step! Also included in the video description on YouTube is a free download of a printable Palmistry Guide with the symbols and lines to use as a reference so you can make your own palmistry hand too and make sure it's accurate.

I hope you join me in my studio where I'll show you that it's easier than you think to make something beautiful and magickal for your home.

Be Your Magick!

Mickie

Quick Witch Tips: Star of Bethlehem Magick #shorts

Dan was getting ready to mow and we had Star of Bethlehem popping up in the yard so he suggested I go gather them up, I totally did and got inspired to make a new YouTube #short! Star of Bethlehem flower can be used as a spell ingredient and I'm sharing three ideas in under one minute in this video!

Star of Bethlehem flowers are good for Balance, harmony, healing shock and trauma, hope, inspiration, honesty, recovery from grief

Do not ingest Star of Bethlehem flower or plant.

Element: Water

Planet: Moon

Energy: Projective

In some areas they’re considered weeds, they only bloom for a short time, watch for them in April or May.

Sprinkle dried flowers on a candle surrounded with citrine to boost hope in the future. Dab olive oil on your favorite incense then roll it in dried Star of Bethlehem flower. Its smoke encourages the truth to be revealed! Use it in a spell bottle for healing past trauma. I included lavender, amethyst and a Pecos diamond I had on hand, but you can use any ingredients for healing trauma that you like.

If you want to work with the energy of Star of Bethlehem but it doesn’t grow in your area, it’s a popular plant used in flower essences such as Bach flower remedies, you can use a couple drops of that for any of these quick spells.

Unboxing SPIRITUAL GOODIES BOX Dragon Healing March 2021

Free Mental Health Resources

 Most of what I talk about here on my blog is witchcraft, today I want to share something that is important to anyone who wants to stand in their power and become the best version of themselves that they can be. That is one of the goals of witchcraft, but it's also important to all human beings on the earth no matter what your path is in life, what I'm talking about is your mental and emotional health. I've noticed many of my online friends (are there any other kind in 2021?) are struggling, and I wanted to share some resources with you that might help. My blog just seemed like the easiest way to do that.

I know it's been the most challenging year that most of us have ever faced. The pandemic has made everything including big overreaching problems and little minor things that go wrong in our lives seem to be magnified. As someone who was diagnosed with PTSD shortly before the pandemic started and continued therapy remotely throughout this past 12-plus months I get it. So many of us are just completely overwhelmed and getting so tired.  

We've tried to do whatever we could to protect our communities, families, and ourselves. If you've decided to be part of the solution instead of adding to the problem, I thank you from the bottom of my heart. We've faced our inner demons, we've discovered implicit biases hidden inside and felt outrage at the hate, racism, willful ignorance, and violence that humanity seems to have been steeped in for far too long. We want to face the world with compassion and wisdom, but how can we help others if we haven't done the work to help ourselves? You can't pour from an empty vessel.

I know, you're tired, frustrated, tattered and torn. So am I. You miss your families, friends, and being together in the world. You're mourning the lives lost this year to the virus, to violence, systemic racism, suicide, and reasons too many to count. Sometimes life hurts. I get it.

The truth is, I'm concerned for all of us, dear reader. I can't tell you how many times I was so grateful after talking with my therapist about how I've been feeling. It really helps. I know that I really lucked out with her and that many people don't have the privilege to be able to get therapy, years ago I didn't either. With all that we as individuals and a society are facing right now, I'll tell you something, those feelings you're having...they're normal given the circumstances we're living in, you shouldn't have to face those feelings alone. You deserve better

To that end, I wanted to share some resources, most are free, some of the apps have in-app purchases, but if you’re on a limited budget you can get a lot out of the free versions. None of these apps or companies have paid me to share these with you, these are some that I found on my own or that were recommended. If you find one or more that helps you then you have another tool for managing and maybe you’ll share it with someone else in need. Let's destigmatize and normalize mental health treatment. Together, I hope we can go from simply surviving to eventually thriving.

Important Note:

These applications explicitly do not replace the diagnosis by a mental health care provider, but can aid treatment. These applications explicitly do not replace psychotherapy. I've provided links so that you can research these apps on your own, most (I think all) are available for iPhone and Android.

Resources For Mental Health

The Mighty- Free

The Mighty is the world's largest digital health community. We're people who talk about what health is really like — from mental health to chronic illness, disability, rare disease, parenting, neuro-diversity, care-giving and so much more. Find and foster the human connections that will help you navigate your health journey, no matter what you or your loved one is going through. We're here for you.https://apps.apple.com/us/app/the-mighty/id1432324582

MindDoc: Your Mental Health Companion- Free

Top mental health app with over 3,000,000 downloads and 4.7 stars out of 26,000+ reviews.
Developed by clinical psychologists in close collaboration with leading researchers for those who want to learn about emotional well-being or who suffer from mild-to-moderate mental illness including depression, anxiety, insomnia, and eating disorders. https://mymoodpath.com/en/

7 Cups: Online Therapy & Chat- Free with in-app purchases, They also offer counseling with licensed therapists for $150 per month.

Thanks to thousands of volunteer listeners stepping up to lend a friendly ear, 7 Cups is happy to say, "We're here for you!" No matter who you are or what you're going through, this is a place where you'll be heard and cared for. We might be strangers on the surface, but underneath we're just the friends you haven't met yet. https://www.7cups.com/

 CPT Coach -Free

CPT Coach is for Veterans, Service members, and others with PTSD who are participating in Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) with a professional mental healthcare provider. This app contains support materials for a complete course of CPT to help you manage your treatment, including between session assignments, readings, PTSD symptom monitoring, and mobile versions of CPT worksheets. CPT Coach is not intended to be used as self-help without the guidance of a professional mental healthcare provider.https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=gov.va.mobilehealth.ncptsd.cptcoach&hl=en&gl=US

ACT Coach -Free

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) aims to help you live with unpleasant thoughts, ACT Coach was developed for Veterans, Servicemembers, and other people who are in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy in consultation with a therapist. It offers exercises, tools, information, and tracking logs so you can practice what you’re learning in your daily life. In ACT, you are encouraged to commit to actions so that you can live your life by your values, even in the face of these unpleasant experiences.https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=is.vertical.actcoach&hl=en

 

CBT-i Coach-Free

CBT-i Coach is for people who are engaged in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia with a health provider, or who have experienced symptoms of insomnia and would like to improve their sleep habits. The app will guide users through the process of learning about sleep, developing positive sleep routines, and improving their sleep environments. It provides a structured program that teaches strategies proven to improve sleep and help alleviate symptoms of insomnia. CBT-i Coach is intended to augment face-to-face care with a healthcare professional. It can be used on its own, but it is not intended to replace therapy for those who need it. https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=gov.va.mobilehealth.ncptsd.cbti&hl=en&gl=US

 

What’s Up? A Mental Health App - Free- In-App Purchases

What's Up? is a fantastic free app utilizing some of the best CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy) and ACT (Acceptance Commitment Therapy) methods to help you cope with Depression, Anxiety, Anger, Stress and more! With a beautiful, modern design, simple heading and easy-to-follow methods, you can get to what helps you the most in seconds! https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.jacksontempra.apps.whatsup&hl=en&gl=US

Bloom- Free- In-App Purchases

Bloom is the easiest & most affordable way to do therapy. Train your mind with over 500+ exercises from cognitive-behavioral-therapy (CBT). Do therapy yourself and get personalized daily mental health coaching sessions to manage stress and anxiety, improve sleep, build better habits, foster stronger relationships and improve the quality of life. https://apps.apple.com/us/app/bloom-cbt-therapy-self-care/id1475128511

Calm Harm- Free

Calm Harm is an award-winning app developed for teenage mental health charity stem4 by Dr Nihara Krause, Consultant Clinical Psychologist, using the basic principles of an evidence-based therapy called Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT). Calm Harm provides tasks to help you resist or manage the urge to self-harm. You can make it private by setting a password, and personalize the app if you so wish. You will be able to track your progress and notice change. https://calmharm.co.uk/#row1

 

DBT Coach - Free- In-App Purchases

This is the most comprehensive DBT app that exists today with easy to follow visual tools.
Learn and practice DBT skills using video lessons and fun animations which helps you to remember skills longer. Features over 100 videos and 200+ animations. You can also take notes on these lessons for future use. https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=co.swasth.dbtcoach&hl=en_US&gl=US

SuperBetter -Free

Join nearly a millon people who have played SuperBetter so far to build resilience, achieve goals, and tackle challenges including anxiety, depression, stress, chronic pain, concussion recovery, and more. This app is fun and encouraging and backed by science. Created by game designer Jane McGonigal, SuperBetter is powered by the Live Gamefully® method; a framework that activates the psychological strengths of game play to build resilience and success in real life. Proven results in just minutes a day. https://www.superbetter.com/

 

Meditation Apps

Waking Up: Guided Meditation - Free- In-App Purchases

Waking Up is a guide to understanding the mind, for the purpose of living a more balanced and fulfilling life. Join Sam Harris—neuroscientist, philosopher, and New York Times best-selling author—as he explores the practice of meditation and examines the theory behind it. https://wakingup.com/

 

Insight Timer Free- In-App Purchases

Insight Timer offers 90,000 free guided meditations. We believe everyone deserves access to a free daily meditation practice. Which is why we publish the world's largest collection of free guided meditations, with over 90,000 titles. There are meditations for almost any topic you can imagine and even meditations for children. https://insighttimer.com/

Liberate -Free- In-App Purchases

Liberate is the meditation app for us, by us that is Black-owned. We’re not only just a meditation app, we’re a safe space for the Black community to develop a daily meditation habit. Anyone is welcome to use Liberate, we just want to be clear who we’re here for.

With popular meditations and talks like The Joy of Gratitude, Mindfulness of Healing, and For The Ancestor In You we offer a meditation journey that speaks to the realities of being Black in the modern day. Our carefully-curated library of over 260+ titles is led by teachers of color representing a wide range of experiences and lineages in their practice. https://apps.apple.com/us/app/liberate-black-meditation-app/id1451620569

The Tapping Solution Free- In-App Purchases

After 540,000 plays of our “Releasing Anxiety” Tapping meditation the average reported reduction of anxiety was 41% in just 9 minutes. Tapping, also known as EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique), is a powerful stress relief technique. Tapping is based on the combined principles of ancient Chinese acupressure and modern psychology. This is because stress is linked to anxiety, weight gain, sleep problems, lack of motivation, chronic pain, stomach issues, and depression. Tapping is proven to reduce stress, lower cortisol, improve sleep, reduce anxiety, relieve pain, increase productivity, and so much more! https://www.thetappingsolution.com/tapping-101/

 

Headspace -Free, In-App Purchases

Headspace makes meditation techniques available online so more people could experience the benefits of meditation anytime, anywhere. With this app you’ll find: guided meditations, animations, articles and videos, all in the distinct Headspace style. There are also useful articles on the website and a show on Netflix about meditation. https://www.headspace.com/

 

Calm - Free, In-App Purchases

Sleep, Meditation and Relaxation, with over 100 million downloads and over 1.5M+ 5-star reviews. We’re honored to be an Apple BEST OF 2018 award winner, Apple's App of the Year 2017, Google Play Editor's Choice 2018, and to be named by the Center for Humane Technology as "the world's happiest app". https://www.calm.com/

I hope you find some resources here that are helpful. It might also "break the seal" on the idea of looking for help. You might even find more if you search for apps on your phone. If you want to get in person mental health treatment (and many are doing telehealth these days too.) You can visit Psychology Today https://www.psychologytoday.com/ and they have a great search where you can find all kinds of mental health professionals in your area. If you're on a tight budget some even offer a sliding scale. I know it's scary, but if you've read this far then I know you're thinking seriously about it. It's going to be ok. If you had a broken arm, you would go to the doctor, this is no different. I believe in you!

Love and Blessings,

Mickie

Spring Witchcraft, How To Make Wildflower Seed Bombs

I'll show you some spring witchcraft, here's how to make wildflower seed bombs for manifesting anything! This was inspired by one of my articles in the 2017 Llewellyn''s Sabbats Almanac. Seed bombs are perfect for harnessing the power of spring to break inertia and manifest any goal you want. These are really easy to make with stuff you already have around the house. This easy spell is budget friendly and great for new witches and experienced witches alike. Great for celebrating Ostara/spring equinox, Earth Day, or celebrate all spring! Seed bombs are often used to toss into empty lots in order to beautify the area and help pollinators. I do want to give you a little word of caution and make sure that you check your local ordinances or with the owner of the lot because I don’t want anyone to get in trouble for vandalism. Never toss seed bombs onto privately owned property (unless you’ve checked with them first, a conservation area, or land used for agricultural purposes. If in doubt, just use them in your own yard.

Ostara Altar Tour: Why is There Coffee on My Altar?!

Safe Travel and Car Protection Spells Collab with 1fitbruja

Bay Leaf Spells and Witch Book Haul Giveaway

I finally got more work done on the book illustrations for The Eclectic Witch's Book of Shadows: Witchy Wisdom at Your Fingertips, so I had a little time to do a new video!

I did the art for the cover of this lovely book, and I'm also doing the interior illustrations, it's going to be full color you guys, and it's coming along so nicely! I can't wait to share it with you when it's finished!

Anyway, in my new video I decided to offer you three easy bay leaf spells plus I have a witch book haul giveaway for you guys! Three lucky viewers will win one of these books or the calendar, I contributed articles for each, so I'll sign them for the winners too.

HOW TO ENTER: Subscribe to my channel, like this video, comment on this video. Any comment can win, but if you tell me in the comments which prize you prefer I'll do my best. Winner chosen by random drawing to be announced Wednesday February 24 2021.

IMBOLC FIRE AND ICE SPELL

I've decided to share some content from the craft articles that I wrote for the 2017 Llewellyn’s Sabbats Almanac. Since it's Imbolc, I created a Imbolc Fire and Ice Spell that uses the ice lantern DIY from the Imbolc craft I wrote. This is a beautiful way to celebrate Imbolc, for new witches or advanced magical practitioners. You can easily alter the idea too, so that it can work for Yule or any full moon in the colder months.

We had lots of ice earlier this month, it coated everything in sight. I don't like to drive on it, but it's enchanting to see everywhere else. I took some video footage of it and decided to add it to this video to use as an example of the magical properties of ice.

I’ll show you how to make these beautiful and easy to make ice lanterns and use them for a spell to remove the obstacles in your path!

Witchy Tip: If you make them in advance of your celebration, you can empty the water out of the frozen balloon shell and leave the balloon in place, keep it in your freezer until you’re ready to use it! Witchy Tip II: Add a drop or two of food color to your balloons before filling them up if you wish to add color correspondences to this spell! Witchy Tip III: Or….you could add an herbal infusion to the water when you fill your balloon to add extra magical correspondences!

Anyway, I hope you enjoy this beautiful spell and have a safe and happy Imbolc!

Be Your Magick!

Mickie

IMBOLC FIRE AND ICE SPELL

I've decided to share some content from the craft articles that I wrote for the 2017 Llewellyn’s Sabbats Almanac. Since it's Imbolc, I created a Imbolc Fire and Ice Spell that uses the ice lantern DIY from the Imbolc craft I wrote. This is a beautiful way to celebrate Imbolc, for new witches or advanced magical practitioners. You can easily alter the idea too, so that it can work for Yule or any full moon in the colder months.

We had lots of ice earlier this month, it coated everything in sight. I don't like to drive on it, but it's enchanting to see everywhere else. I took some video footage of it and decided to add it to this video to use as an example of the magical properties of ice.

I’ll show you how to make these beautiful and easy to make ice lanterns and use them for a spell to remove the obstacles in your path!

Witchy Tip: If you make them in advance of your celebration, you can empty the water out of the frozen balloon shell and leave the balloon in place, keep it in your freezer until you’re ready to use it! Witchy Tip II: Add a drop or two of food color to your balloons before filling them up if you wish to add color correspondences to this spell! Witchy Tip III: Or….you could add an herbal infusion to the water when you fill your balloon to add extra magical correspondences!

Anyway, I hope you enjoy this beautiful spell and have a safe and happy Imbolc!

Be Your Magick!

Mickie