There's nothing like trying to be responsible by not putting food offerings outside so the local wildlife doesn't get in to it, only to have your cat eat it.

It was only seasoned pumpkin seeds, but damn kitty, why?!

categories of offerings within witchcraft

This has been on my mind a little bit and recent magical shenanigans (magnanigans?) have brought it again to mind so here is a concept that you might make sense for your style of practice (using the relationship with the familiar spirit for examples)!

Basically, we might be calling too many things "offerings" when in reality there could be a variety of discrete functions that need to be fulfilled, and doing one doesn't automatically fulfill them all.

Here are some examples of different things that I think are all lumped into the category of "offerings" even though IMO they aren't even that related:

Devotional and relationship-building offerings, offerings meant to provide metaphysical energy, and offerings meant as gifts.

Devotional and relationship-building offerings may be better reframed as acts of connection.

Example: Making art with your familiar. Meditating with your familiar. Going on a long walk and asking your familiar what it thinks about the landscape.

These acts of connection aren't replaced by simply giving gifts (anyone ever had an absent person in their life that replaced real connection with gift-giving?).

The true "exchange" here is not moving around sorcerous energy, but rather the exchange of a healthy interpersonal relationship.

Offerings meant to provide metaphysical energy can be reframed as feeding or charging.

Example: Offering your familiar a delicious sandwich so it gains the dense, earthly energy required to carry out your will.

As opposed to devotional offerings, these offerings need to contain actual metaphysical energy, because if they don't, the function of the offering remains unfulfilled. Here, a long walk with your familiar is not a suitable offering when they require sorcerous energy in order to work on your behalf.

These offerings may not even be considered "gifts," because they are necessary in order to perform various acts of sorcery. Your boss isn't giving you a gift when they sign off on your paychecks.

It's for this reason that we see offerings within spellwork often contain consumable substances like food, water, alcohol, tobacco, incense, and candles, which are often considered to be spiritually consumed by the spiritual forces present for the spell, so that they are empowered to get the work done.

And finally for this short list of examples, there can be offerings which function as gifts.

Such offering often include things which A) aren't spending time with that entity, and B) don't provide the entity with direct energies to consume.

Example: Buying a very fancy, ornate altar cloth for your familiar's shrine. Speaking well of your familiar spirit in public so they gain desired fame. Adding something enjoyable to your familiar's spirit home.

Such gifts certainly show appreciation and gratitude, yet in and of themselves they are neither direct communication and connection, nor feeding that entity.

Even so, such signs of appreciation may be necessary in order to establish and develop important spiritual relationships.

Additional examples can include payment for services rendered, which may include paying an entity with something it may find value in, but does not consume (such as coins or artwork).

Anyway,

This post is not meant to be a guide on how to interact with spirits or dictate how they should be approached, but rather is only trying to demonstrate that "offerings" may be an umbrella term that couches separate acts which may overlap, but are not interchangeable.

Offerings are a way of showing goodwill and honoring spiritual beings. Even more than that, taking some time to give an offering also means you are dedicating a moment of your day to thinking about them, which makes attuning to their energy easier and keeps the relationship you have with them alive.

Offerings are versatile and personal. Today I thought to share my own POV on giving offerings to dragons.

So remember: this is just my experience (or "UPG"). Other folks may have different insights!

_________________♡♤◇♧_________________

In my own experience dragons seem to like a variety of things, from simple to shiny, which to me reflects both their humble wisdom and love for beauty.

Natural beauties seem to captivate them most: pearls, crystals, metals, colorful patterns. Anything that gleams and projects lively colors.

They also seem to enjoy humbler natural offerings, such as stones (bonus points if they are an interesting shape or from an important place) and wood from powerful trees, such as willow or oak.

Offering Elements (like fire, water) feels pretty powerful especially when doing magical work. If the dragon in question is associated with a particular element, offerings of that element feel best but they seem to accept all elements still.

Food can be a great offering, but I feel like they don't make it such a big deal. To me, offering elements feels the best.

I'd try to figure out what they like before offering anything specific. If you can't, go for something more generalist until you get to know the dragon better. To me, it feels like food is a bit less essential to them when compared to other spiritual beings.

If you decide to work with them long term, it may be good to dedicate a space for them and do weekly or monthly offerings.

Overall, as I have mentioned in another post, the dragons I work with don't really make a fuss about offerings. I give them because I want to share with them.

I do however use offerings in our magical work together, usually to power up the ritual, and on that note, offering corresponding elements feel the best.

Be mindful that whenever you want to take anything from nature you must ask the local spirits for permission and make sure it's legal in your region.

You don't want to be taking anything too important for the survival of the ecosystem (even a fallen branch can be crucial for some organisms), and you also don't want to leave behind anything that could harm it.

I mentioned shells as offerings — unfortunately, taking them does have an impact in the ecosystem so I disencourage it. Their calcium is important for the ocean's chemical cycles and the shells themselves are used by other organisms, so be mindful of that.

There is not really too much to say about this, really. That is because offerings are very personal things.

One man's junk can be another man's treasure.

One dragon may like simple offerings, another one may like something fancier. You can offer an old necklace which has a deep meaning to you, or a simple food offering.

What matters is that you make your offering special for you and the dragon, and if you're unsure about what they like, by all means ask!

Or adopt the good old trial and error method.

And lastly, do take the opportunity to connect with your dragon. Don't just say "here you go" and call it a day. Make it special! Spend some time with them!

They'll enjoy it more if you put more time, effort and meaning into it.

Thank you for reading!

Offerings for Dragons

Dragon spirits are actually pretty varied and there doesn’t seem to be many good sources at all in working with them.  So this is a little write up on things you can offer to your scaly guide!  These are just things I have either heard of or experienced myself.  You may find other options as well in your own journey!

Incense

As a whole for spirit working in general, incense is a pretty solid, simple and basic offering.  I’ve even offered incense to my tarot cards before!  But incense is something easy that you can offer to whatever dragon spirit you are working with.  Dragon’s blood is one of my favorites, to be honest, because of the wonderful smell it has.  But I have others as well like Sun incense by Hem.  Each dragon may have its own preference so as you get to working with them more, you’ll learn which ones they like more!  I also like to try and find an incense holder or box that appeals to my dragon guide!

Wax and oil burners

This is an alternative for incense if you need a flameless solution to give a scented offering!  They also come in a variety of styles so you could very easily pick something that appeals to your dragon!

Candles

Candles are very good offerings as well to light in honor for your dragon.  They are also great for fire dragons!  Electric candles are also an option for those of you who need flameless solutions!  Candles are pretty versatile and you could even anoint the candle with an oil or something for your dragon!  One of my favorites is to use storm water!

Gems or Stones

It’s no secret that dragons like shinies!  Gems are usually a safe bet all around but you may have some that do not really have a burning desire for them.  Every dragon is different but so far for me, gems have always been appreciated.  You can even get a nice looking box to keep them in and place on the altar.  One of the great things about gem stone offerings is that when you are heading out but you want some extra strength or comfort, you can ask your dragon and take one of the stones with you if they are ok with it!  I’ve done this quite a few times and it’s really comforting to have.

Wine

Obviously, this is going to be for when you are of age.  But wine has been a good go to offering for me with my dragons.  A nice red would likely be good for fire and earth dragons and a white wine would probably be good for air and water dragons.  But this can also all come down to unique taste.  You can leave it on their altar for a while or you can drink it in their honor/with them!

Tea and Coffee

This is the one I tend to use the most since I drink one or the other everyday.  It’s pretty basic and nice to leave!  Coffee is my biggest one but I like to use tea when I’m looking to calm down.  Especially wrapped in blankets and when I invite my dragons to curl up with me.  

Food

Some dragon spirits like little treats, sweets, snacks and food.  One of my previous dragon guides had a penchant for Nutty Bars.  However you can do something as simple dedicating your dinner to them before you eat.  This is something that you can do anywhere, even when you are far away from your altar.  Some dragons may not so big into this one but it is definitely an option!

Music

This is something that I really like to offer to any spirits I’m working with.  You can play something from your ipod for them, you can play an instrument for them or you can sing for them.  Singing is one of my favorite things to do for my dragons.  I do have a bamboo flute I might play around with but I can’t really play it.  But still, my dragons have usually appreciated the gesture.  I know a few tiny tunes I can play for them.  :3

Spells

You can work spells for them and in their honor! I have found this is a great way to feel closer to dragons.  You can also ask them to help you with a spell and work side by side.  You can do a few things with this idea and that means it could also be very personalized!

Energy

I personally feel like this is a more close, serious offering.  Intimate is not quite the word but for lack of a better one, it will do.  You are, in essence, offering up a art of yourself so that is highly personal and I think this is something that should be done when you are REALLY close to your dragon.  You may disagree but that is my opinion.  But energy is a viable option.  

Crafts / Extracurricular Activities

If you have a hobby, be it painting, drawing, running or anything you can make something for your dragon spirit or you can dedicate your time towards the things you love in honor of them.  I like to dedicate walks to my dragons and ask them if they would like to accompany me.

Miscellaneous

There are alot of things that could be given in offering.  Sometimes they will tell you something specific that they want or point out to something that they like and want.  It can be a random object they see, a song or something else.  My dragon, Rivaz, actually likes for me to play video games for him.  It started when he heard Skyrim music and he liked it and he wanted to know where it was from.  So now I sometimes game it up for him!  Just talking with your dragon can really help you learn more about what they want and feel closer to them.

I hope these were of help!

Safe Travels

My dragon friend likes fried things (especially fish sticks), fish, mice (tho she explicitly was like "DONT KILL MICE FOR ME HUMAN" cuz she doesn't like violence), leafy greens, flowers, and I give her pieces of fruit. She's pretty smol tho

TO THE PAGANS IN A PINCH WHO CAN’T AFFORD FOOD TO THE DEITIES

Not everyone is so lucky to have food that they can make or give specifically to the deities. Sometimes, great financial burdens come upon us and we don’t even know when our next meal is, much less when we should give to a deity. There is nothing wrong with not being able to afford food for deities, and having to nourish your body first.

OTHER TYPES OF OFFERINGS

-Drawings, doodles, chicken scratches that are done with the intent of honoring the gods

-Some type of arts and crafts, like sewing, weavings, handmade jewelry or statues

-Play your favorite song that makes you think of them or make up your own. Your hands and voice are all you need to make music

-Poetry, stories, hymns and anything creative

-A glass of water. Consecrate and bless it, then offer it up to a deity

-Volunteer your time at places that would please that specific deity. Clean up the forests and sides of the road for Gaea, or the beach for Aphrodite, or help out at an animal shelter for Artemis.  

IF YOU’RE DEAD SET ON USING FOOD

Dedicate a meal or supper to them that you are eating. With every piece of food, tell the gods that you are dedicating this meal to them and eating it along side them, that as it nourishes you, so it nourishes them. It would be a good idea to see what foods they like and to try and get those types, if you can.  

These are also good for spoonies when you really don’t have the spoons to do a really elaborate setup. YOU’RE best is really what matters. This also goes for spirit companions. I drew a portrait of my spirit friend and she really liked it

Witchy Tip: Offerings

If you leave your offerings outside for your deities or creature friends, here are some good guidelines:

•certain types of fruit and most types of other foods such as breads and sugars are harmful to animals. birdseed is a good alternative to a food offering and deities almost always appreciate when you are considerate of wildlife. •found flowers, sticks and leaves are good •quartz and rose quartz crystals are good •coins can be harmful to the environment ESPECIALLY a water source, use quartz crystals as an alternative, as they are water friendly •plant bee friendly flowers and herbs as an offering •if making an offering of sweets, alcohol, wine, meat, bread or any other food that is harmful to animals, it is recommended that you make the offering indoors and then consume the offering yourself, so as not to be wasteful and not harm the wildlife on your area.