Here's another~ I thought this would be a good thing for most death witches as it's a simple foundation layout. However you do you!

If you'd like to tip me for my work you can here https://ko-fi.com/katrinanebula

With all of the berries we’ve been harvesting from our Deadly Nightshade, I’ve been thinking a lot about one particular thing I love to do with the berries; making ink.

On top of being a gorgeous color, this ink is really great for use in things like Chthonic Magic and Necromantic Rites. Particularly, I have had good experience using this ink in Spirit Work, for Astral/Oneiric magic, and to invigorate the petitioning of certain liminal entities, such as Hekate. Additionally, however, I have found it to be a potent additive in magics meant for Binding and Hexing.

Recipe:

Are These Necromantic Rites Practical or Necessary?

I love necromancy. I LOVE it. But due to the lack of actual practitioners, there’s very little information about modern necromancy. Many of the techniques listed seem … questionable to me at best. I’m going to logically examine some of the rites I see listed over and over again, and argue with my own opinion as a death witch whether they’re necessary.

Breath Stealing

Breath stealing is the idea that you should be present when someone dies, and breathe in their last dying breath, in order to allegedly achieve knowledge on the symptoms of life and death. Having spoken to many death witches, I know I’m not the only one who believes that this is disrespectful as fuck.

Unless you are a medical professional or a priest, most people won’t want you around in their last dying moments. They’ll want to be around friends and family–not some stranger who’s doing this for a necromantic rite.

The only way I can see this working is if you were around a friend or loved one who is dying, and even then–would you really want to use their last moments as a necromantic rite? Anyone can do what they want; but to me, even the thought of that feels terrible.

Is it Necessary? While it is certainly a unique experience to be present during a death, I do not believe that this rite is necessary one bit. No one knows the symptoms of life and death. And that’s okay.

Grave Sleeping

Grave sleeping is the rite of sleeping in a graveyard/cemetery overnight in order to lose your fear of death and familiarize yourself with death energy. The rite is harmless in itself, but it’s the practicality of it that makes me wonder.

Most cemeteries and graveyards close during the night in order to prevent graverobbing and vandalism. You’d have to get permission of the cemetery caretakers or possibly the town you’re in to be able to sleep there overnight.

I have seen people say that you need a blanket, some incense, and/or a weapon in case you need to fight off people (which seems highly unlikely). I’ve never seen anyone recommend that you bring a pad to sleep on, a pillow, a sleeping bag, a flashlight, matches and holders for the incense, water and food, and make doubly sure that you’re sleeping there on a dry clear night. This makes me wonder if the people claiming this have ever actually done the rite themselves.

Also, I’ve seen some claim not to bring cell phones into the cemetery, because the cell waves will scare the spirits away or some shit that I’ve never once experienced myself. Please bring some method of contact with you in case anything happens. This isn’t “disbelieving” or “cowardly”, it’s self-care.

Some necromancers and death witches have recommended sleeping in a coffin as an alternative to grave sleeping. This is certainly plausible if you can gain access to one, and way safer. Just make sure you can breathe in it if you keep the lid closed.

Is it Necessary? Actually, there are very credible alternative techniques for familiarizing yourself with death energy and reducing your fear of the dead. I can make of post of some if people are interested. That being said, if you’re interested in grave sleeping and have the means to do it, go for it. I’m sure it’ll certainly be affective!

“Bring a shovel into a local cemetery …”

??????

Literally never bring a shovel into a graveyard or cemetery. If you’re caught, people will assume you’re graverobbing, and you’ll be in A LOT of trouble.

Also, why would a necromancer, who ideally cares about the well-being of the dead, desecrate their resting place by digging it up for their own gain? Even if you dug a hole in the path or nowhere near a grave, I imagine it’d still upset the spirits dwelling there. The element of earth is directly linked with spirits of the dead, after all, and you’re digging up their earth. I’ve never seen any spell require a deep hole; any hole you dig can be carved out with your hands.

Is it Ne– No. 

“Place this very specific herb/stone/whatever on a grave as an offering.”

This is more of a precaution than anything, but if you’re looking into death witchcraft, I recommend researching different cultures’ burial traditions. In some cultures, people don’t put flowers or herbs on their graves. These graves will sometimes be in a culture-specific cemetery or have specific markings on their graves. Be careful not to disrespect any soul.

Is it Necessary? It is necessary to leave an offering, especially for the collection of graveyard dirt. Just be respectful and thoughtful about what you offer.

“The life of a necromancer is a lonely one. People may leave you, but allow them to leave. Necromancy requires devotion and pain and destruction of the self.”

This mentality stems from a very common viewpoint of necromancers and death witches. In order to completely embrace death, you’ll need to accept spiritual deaths in your life as well. This could possibly take the form of people leaving, because they don’t accept a part of your life that’s helpful for you. Unfortunately, that tends to happen to a witch.

That being said, witchcraft should never be self-destructive. Perhaps this is a naive opinion of mine, but even if people tell me not to believe that, I will tell that that they’re wrong every single time. If you’re abandoning too much to pursue this path, pause and consider re-organizing your life. Witchcraft should improve you and reward you, spiritually. That’s why people become witches.

In addition, becoming a death witch has not made me a loner. Quite the opposite. I have met many wonderful people and interacted in wonderful communities due to my craft. Any craft carries the potential of bringing people together. I hate to rip apart some peoples’ dark edgelord persona, but the necromancer path is not inherently lonely. It’s not necessary.

I’ve been itching to make this post for a long time, if only to reassure people who are interested that you don’t have to do these rites. I will try to make more necromancy and death witch posts in the future, since I know a lot of people are interested, and there are very few resources on tumblr. As always, you can send me any ask, opinion or correction. Have a beautify day! (✿◠‿◠) /

To me, working in necromancy means

Also

i found the fae

as a toddler with my teddy bear -

living in the lilac bush at the end of the yard

it was my grandmothers house

(this was before the desert got too dry, before all the green disappeared, and the flora vanished.)

the sprinkler system to the right

there were always toads,

a road leading to nothing behind it -

a corner, a crossroad, a circle,

i got lost every day one spring, one summer, one autumn, one year.

my mother made me wear dresses

but the fae didn’t mind the bruised knees

they taught me music, and how important water will always be.

— 𝔉𝔯𝔞𝔫𝔨𝔦𝔢 𝔛.

Spirit Guides In Death Magic

Originally from my website.

I’m not fond of the term “spirit guides” because it implies some special status that every magician needs. Depending on how you define the term “guide,” every spirit can guide you in some way. Here, I define a spirit guide as a soul who can lead you to answers, messages, or pathways you were previously unable to reach. Although some people assume that they can only have one spirit guide, rest assured that most spirit workers contact multiple. Here’s how spirit guides help you in death witchcraft. Although spirit guides are often over-emphasized in generic spirit work books, they’re frequently overlooked in necromancy. In death magic, spirit guides can lead you to the afterlife, connect you to other souls, and deliver messages from other entities. They may aid you in certain divination techniques such as scrying, or they may appear in your dreams to point you in the right direction. Finding your spirit guides takes time. Although many authors write rituals to summon your spirit guide, I personally don’t like these. I think that calling out “who’s my spirit guide?” to the void is a perfect opportunity for spirits to take advantage of people, especially new practitioners. Don’t force it. Guides always come as you expand your craft. If you are interested in death witchcraft or necromancy, start how most of us did: by contacting souls through divination, graveyard dirt, or bones. Over time, you’ll find a soul who is willing (often eager) to show you secrets and paths you never dreamed of. You don’t require a spirit guide to practice; you just need yourself. How do you know if a spirit is your guide? Figure it out yourself. Is the entity reliable? Have they answered your questions correctly? (Asking them something you already know is a good way to verify divination.) Do you have good reason to trust them? Have you worked with them before? Often, a spirit becomes your guide before you even think to apply the label. As with all things spirit work, let this happen organically. Your death will flourish from it. 

Skulls in Death Witchcraft

I want to correct a statement I made on my blog earlier. I don’t remember when I made it, but I’m positive that I did. I said that skulls work simply as other bones and connecting to death energy in death witchcraft and necromancy, which is blatantly not true. I’m sorry about that. Please allow me to correct this by sharing what I’ve learned about some uses of skulls in death magic:

The vague “skull” is used in most of these spells, implying that any skull may work. Few specify which skull is needed.

Thanks for coming to my TED talk

💀death witch’s cupboard

🖤apache tear + gentle form of obsidian, useful for mending sorrow and grounding + legend states this stone formed when the tears of weeping apache women fell to the ground as they mourned their dead warriors

🖤calendula (marigold) + often used in funerals and remembrance ceremonies, eases sorrow + closely tied to samhain and día de los muertos

🖤cemetery dirt + used in a variety of death rituals and spells + contacting the dead, banishment, protection, astral protection + various types have different effects, research ethical collection first

🖤copal + resin often burned for purification, grounding, exorcism + closely tied to día de los muertos

🖤cypress (tree of death) + used to honor the dead and mend associated sorrow + chips may be sprinkled over a grave to ease the pain of loved ones left behind and help the departed soul move on + classic symbol of mourning, commonly found in cemeteries 

🖤frankincense + resin burned for consecration, exorcism, communing with the dead

🖤mullein (corpse candles) + can be used as a substitute for cemetery dirt + stalks are often used as wicks for homemade candles + used to invoke spirits and for divination 

🖤myrrh + resin burned for purification, exorcism, healing sorrow + increases power of any incense, often paired with frankincense 

🖤patchouli + can be used as a substitute for cemetery dirt + powerful, earthy musk when burned, useful for grounding in rituals

🖤poppy + suitable offering for the dead and many deities associated with such + brings peace to the deceased and loved ones

🖤rowan (mountain ash) + may be worn or planted near homes for protection + planted on graves to prevent haunting by departed spirits

🖤violet + legends tell of violets blooming on graves of virgins and saints + appropriate offering for the graves of children

🖤willow (witches aspirin) + traditional symbol of mourning as it “weeps” similarly to humans + used for protection and to commune with spirits + often found in cemeteries to soothe departed spirits

🖤wormwood + often used to summon spirits and commune with the dead + burned with sandalwood at night in cemeteries to conjure spirits

🖤yew + used for protection from evil and contacting the dead + often found in cemeteries and used in ancient roman funeral pyres

dish left on my altar for a tiny spirit who joined me for meditation quite a while ago. offer us no ill will, little one, and you will find a home here.