I'm really interested in hearing from you guys about what you do before beginning spell work. Altar? Circle casting? Visualization? Candles/other tools?
Please be as detailed as you care to share about how you prepare to practice your craft!
Ok so first of all I grab a cup of tea to drink while I separate my materials, and some water for when I'm done (also I mostly use candles, so it's good to prepared for any emergencies). Then I'll put on some witchy atmospheric tunes (something with a rhythm that I can shimmie to) and light some candles for ambience and a stick incense, which I'll use to cast my bubble (smoke helps me visualize the energy. I do all my stuff at my altar which is like a coffee table at the corner of my bedroom, then if I feel like it, I'll dance a little in the middle of the room. For me it's like my bubble follows me around even if I don't visualize it all the time, so I don't feel the need to open a door in the circle if I need to leave. Hope I helped somehow! I'm not super experienced but these are the things that feel natural to me.
I like to take a shower before any bigger spells and have ambient/instrumental music to vibe with while I cleanse my body and get myself in the mental space I want for whatever working I'm doing. Sometimes I'll even match my choice of body wash with my intention. I put on something that makes me feel powerful and comfortable, a lot of the time that's something black and silky and/or a color to match my intention as well. I light a white and black candle as my masc/fem representation, smudge my space and tools, light my incense, and meditate on cloaking myself in light. Once I feel centered, I'll begin my working. I do mostly candle magic, with some herbs, crystals, and essential oils. I don't always cast a circle unless I feel especially called to. I only work with the elements and the moon, typically, and I'm fairly new to serious spell work but this is what has worked best for me to get me in the right headspace! My strongest and most fruitful manifestations are always after this routine, but sometimes it's as simple as just meditating for a few minutes, and lighting my candle with my intention in mind while holding a corresponding crystal :p
for rituals from northern sources, face north chant futhark being used ask required god for assistance then proceed in divination or other runic practices, for rituals from medieval sources collect supplies, meditate on intention light candles cleanse with smoke if needed, open circle if needed then proceed with ritual (remember if circle is opened to always close when done) enjoy,
Ok so first of all I grab a cup of tea to drink while I separate my materials, and some water for when I'm done (also I mostly use candles, so it's good to prepared for any emergencies). Then I'll put on some witchy atmospheric tunes (something with a rhythm that I can shimmie to) and light some candles for ambience and a stick incense, which I'll use to cast my bubble (smoke helps me visualize the energy. I do all my stuff at my altar which is like a coffee table at the corner of my bedroom, then if I feel like it, I'll dance a little in the middle of the room. For me it's like my bubble follows me around even if I don't visualize it all the time, so I don't feel the need to open a door in the circle if I need to leave. Hope I helped somehow! I'm not super experienced but these are the things that feel natural to me.
I like to take a shower before any bigger spells and have ambient/instrumental music to vibe with while I cleanse my body and get myself in the mental space I want for whatever working I'm doing. Sometimes I'll even match my choice of body wash with my intention. I put on something that makes me feel powerful and comfortable, a lot of the time that's something black and silky and/or a color to match my intention as well. I light a white and black candle as my masc/fem representation, smudge my space and tools, light my incense, and meditate on cloaking myself in light. Once I feel centered, I'll begin my working. I do mostly candle magic, with some herbs, crystals, and essential oils. I don't always cast a circle unless I feel especially called to. I only work with the elements and the moon, typically, and I'm fairly new to serious spell work but this is what has worked best for me to get me in the right headspace! My strongest and most fruitful manifestations are always after this routine, but sometimes it's as simple as just meditating for a few minutes, and lighting my candle with my intention in mind while holding a corresponding crystal :p
for rituals from northern sources, face north chant futhark being used ask required god for assistance then proceed in divination or other runic practices, for rituals from medieval sources collect supplies, meditate on intention light candles cleanse with smoke if needed, open circle if needed then proceed with ritual (remember if circle is opened to always close when done) enjoy,