Grounding and Centering, A Witchcraft 101 Essential Practice

Everything feels so stressful right now, and I had mentioned to my awesome therapist that I had felt a bit out of my head lately and even had moments of feeling disconnected where things didn't seem real. Looking back I realized that this has been an ongoing problem. Everyone doesn't feel this way? Because I've been doing it from time to time much of my life. She said it sounded like dissociation/depersonalization which is a stress response that helps our brain to deal with trauma. She then proceeded to teach me some grounding techniques, ones I wasn't familiar with. I told her that's also a technique used in witchcraft...yes my therapist knows I'm a witch, did I mention she's awesome?! So I told her how we witches do it and described the tree/root method, one that she didn't know about. It occurred to me that I have fallen out of some of my basic practices and also that there are many practices that we only use in spell-work, ritual, or circles that we can also use in our everyday life! I also thought to myself that the grounding techniques she taught me that are used in psychology can also be applied to witchcraft, and that is how this video came about.

Grounding and centering is a witchcraft 101 technique that every witch should know. These practices are witchcraft essentials to help you to be able to focus better on the outcome of any spell, and send more energy towards that outcome. I have simple meditative methods, herbs for grounding, stones and crystals for grounding, and even foods that can help.

New witches, baby witches, and seekers will want to take notes, seasoned witches will probably benefit from new ways to look at tried and true practices. If you want to cast more powerful spells, it's not about the spells, it's about your ability to make it all happen, these methods will help get your mind, body, and spirit ready for spiritual work of any kind. You can also use these methods for everyday life to help you stay focused, balanced, and in touch with yourself.

Revisiting this mainstay of witchcraft with new eyes has really helped me in this crazy difficult time, maybe it will help you too.

Be Your Magick!

Mickie

Nosferatu Lenormand Deck Unboxing and Walkthrough

Nosferatu Lenormand Deck Unboxing and Walkthrough. I found this really cool and creepy deck just in time for Halloween on Etsy from the shop Crones Bones. What is Lenormand anyway? What is Nosferatu? Why do I keep calling the vampire Nosferatu when I know his name is Count Orlok? I’ll answer these questions and show you this beautiful little deck that I’m just in love with based on the old silent film Nosferatu. Since these are traditional times of the year for divination, I decided to bring you close up views of a couple decks this October. Due to coronavirus (Covid-19) lots of people are talking about Halloween being canceled this year, but I maintain that even if some events and even Trick or Treating is canceled, the spirit of Halloween can't be cancelled. I have lots of upcoming videos to help us all keep Halloween going in our hearts.

This video was extra fun to edit because I usually (always edit on my iPhone, but I finally picked up a little piece of software so I can edit on my computer now! It's Wondershare Filmora, it's really a pretty cool program. It was a bit of a learning curve, but I think I've got at least some of it figured out. I love the filters and the text has a lot more options!

I did miss a little problem, when I first rendered it, I found out that I had scootched (technical film term) some footage over in the editor and left a blank spot in my intro! Ahhhhhh!!!! Anyway, I figured out how to clip that little bit out in the YouTube editor, which I've never done before, so I felt really relieved and was able to share the video with everyone.

I hope you enjoy it!

NOSFERATU LENORMAND Deck by Crones Bones on Etsy: https://www.etsy.com/listing/734921909/nosferatu-lenormand-deck-lenormand-cards THE ESSENTIAL LENORMAND: Your Guide to Precise & Practical Fortunetelling BY Rana George: https://amzn.to/3kuyvNa LOVE MY NOSFERATU MUG? Get it here: https://www.etsy.com/listing/522045629/nosferatu-15-oz-coffee-mug GET A SIGNED COPY of Llewellyn’s Little Book of Halloween plus a fabric bookmark and Halloween ornament here: https://www.etsy.com/listing/626013152/llewellyns-little-book-of-halloween-by SUPPORT YOUR AUTHORS If you buy it from Amazon or Etsy, please consider writing a short review, it really helps the book or deck get seen in searches, you rock, thank you SO much! MY SHOPS & SOCIAL MEDIA: https://linktr.ee/mickiemueller

Nightmare Before Christmas Tarot Walkthrough

Nightmare Before Christmas Tarot just came out so I decided to do a walkthrough of this fun deck! This deck is by Minerva Siegel and Abigail Larson and I'm so excited to share it with you. My family sings the songs from this Tim Burton classic When we’re decorating for Halloween/Samhain and Yule as well. Since these are traditional times of the year for divination, I decided to bring you close up views of a couple decks this October.

Due to coronavirus (Covid-19) lots of people are talking about Halloween being canceled this year, but I maintain that even if some events and even Trick or Treating is canceled, the spirit of Halloween can't be cancelled. I have lots of upcoming videos to help us all keep Halloween going in our hearts.

A Reading From Llewellyn's Little Book of Halloween

I ventured out to the local state park because I wanted to do a reading of the introduction to my book Llewellyn's Little Book of Halloween and I knew of the perfect spot! There's these great old stone  stairs that lead down from a parking lot but don't go particularly anywhere, for that reason since they're off the beaten path I thought it's the perfect place to shot a video. I love the vibe back there too, it has such ambiance. I put on my wonderful witchy garb grabbed my tripod and filled a bag full of pumpkins, what more could I need?



I think it turned out pretty nice. I do think some better equipment might have helped. I also got there about an hour before sunset because I was trying to clear enough room on my phone, which is where I shoot and edit all my videos. The light wasn't the brightest, but it did lend a supernatural glow to everything which I quite liked. My biggest challenge was the trucks going by on the highway! I barely noticed them when I was there...until I got home and started to edit. Yikes!



So I'm thinking about some better equipment in my future, maybe a good camera, though they're really expensive and my phone is good quality. I might also invest in some more mobile lighting options, and probably most importantly, a better mic for my current setup.



At any rate, I hope you enjoy this reading of the introduction for Llewellyn's Little Book of Halloween as much as I enjoyed shooting it. It was a really fun location and it brought me right into that magickal Halloween state of mind!



Blessings,

Mickie

Autumn Equinox Ritual for Balance and Self Care

Today I'm sharing an Autumn Equinox ritual for balance and self care,
this is the Sabbat also known as Mabon. 

OMG's you guys, I appeared in part of the video with no makeup on, this is part of my shadow work, facing my face with nothing on my face! LOL I never go out without makeup even if I'm running to the store. Although these days, half of my face is covered in a mask anyway! But yeah, this was a real challenge to me and very vulnerable, but also kind of empowering too.

I performed a simple self care ritual
for bringing more balance into my life and I thought you might like to use my
ritual as inspiration for your own. We all need to bring balance into our
lives, now more than ever. What areas in your life needs some care? Is your
work-life balance out of whack, too much time on social media or watching the
news? Maybe you’re trying to balance your health in ways that are safe and that
you love. Whatever you need to bring balance to, this ritual is a good jumping
off place. I also embraced my authenticity, washed away inhibitions about
communicating my true will, and worked on releasing influences, agreements,
trans generational influences and dissolving energy cords. What a great Autumn
Equinox practice, I might have to start doing this one every year.

Anyway, I hope you enjoy it!

Blessings!

Mickie

How to Use a Pendulum, Free Printable Pendulum Board

I was so excited to reach 4,000 subscribers on YouTube and I had just gotten a box of author copies of my Llewellyn Almanacs and Calendar so I decided a giveaway was in order.



I did the drawing for the winner but you know, I always want everyone to have something special. I decided to make a simple free printable pendulum board for everyone, but then it evolved into a gorgeous piece of art! This is seriously my favorite free printable on my YouTube channel yet.



I shared several methods for using pendulums and also ideas for makeshift DIY ones too. It's seriously one of the most simple and useful tools out there. If you're looking for a quick yes or no answer, the pendulum might just be what you need, and if you want to do it in style, go check out my video and grab the free printable pendulum board, you'll find the link in the description of the video over on YouTube.

Trauma Healing Spell and Herb Magic Witchcraft Book Giveaway Winner

I had so many technical difficulties with this video, but I finally overcame them and here it is! 



Maybe it was the full moon/lunar eclipse energy along with all the harsh, raw energies in the world right now, but I just kept getting tech snafus, but it's ok, in the great scheme of things, my video problems are minor. 



I'm announcing the winner from last week's giveaway  I’m announcing the Herb Magic Witchcraft book winner! Herb Magic An Introduction to Magical Herbalism and Spells by Patti Wigington, was reviewed last week as part of the Witch’s Studio Book Nook Series. The spell featured in this video is Spell for Post Trauma Healing written by Patti Wigington, I altered it slightly for the supplies that I had on hand, I hope I did this beautifully powerful spell justice. You can find this spell in Patti’s book Herb Magic An Introduction to Magical Herbalism and Spells, featuring 75 transformative spells and rituals. Special thanks to Callisto Media for sponsoring this giveaway!



Enjoy,

Mickie