A Little Background Info...
The main reason I decided to start practicing witchcraft was that I could see the potential for its use as a self-improvement and self-empowerment tool. I have struggled with chronic depression, anxiety, and addictive behaviors for years. I’ve been on several different anti-depressants and a couple different anti-anxiety drugs, I’ve done some therapy and I was mostly managing my mental conditions until early 2016. My depressive episodes started getting more severe and lasting longer. About 6-8 months ago the anxiety really started increasing, especially with social situations and even just being out in public. I needed to do something. Through my own research I came across the concepts of shadow work and core beliefs and I devised a spell (which I did on the recent Summer Solstice) to draw out the negativity and instill self-love.
Self-Love Spell
My self-love spell was a 2-part spell. I wanted to remove the negative energy but I also recognized the need to put something positive in the space that would be left.
Part 1: First I wrote down the negative core beliefs that I have (so far) identified. Then, I held a smoky quartz piece to my forehead while meditating on those beliefs. I visualized the negative energy as a sickly, muddy green sludge being drawn out of my brain into the smoky quartz. Then I burned the paper I had written on in the flame of a black candle and let the wind take the ashes away.
Part 2: After a breather, I started the second part of the spell. I wrote down self-love affirmations and the things I DO love about myself. Then, I held a piece of rose quartz to my heart while meditating on self-love and self-acceptance. I visualized a pink beam of love going from the stone into myself. Next, I rolled up the paper with the affirmations and sealed it with wax from a pink candle. I keep this paper in my nightstand drawer to be with me while I sleep. The stone has been turned into a pendant which you can see in the picture below.
Self-Love Crystal Grid
In the crystal grid above, I have smoky quartz pieces on the outer ring to protect and remove negative energy. The inner ring is rose quartz pieces for love. In the center is a smoky quartz point. While researching crystal grids, I saw grids with a candle in the center and also some with a quartz point in the center. I like both of those ideas and I couldn’t decide which one I wanted…..so I did both! Hey, why not? My thought was that the candle “heats up” the energy and helps it all mix and blend together (sort of like how you can dissolve more in hot water than in cold water…well, it made sense to me) and then sends it through the quartz point on up into the universe. Under the quartz point is a piece of paper on which I wrote “I LOVE MYSELF” in pink. You can also see the rose quartz that I turned into a pendant. It’s wrapped in black hemp cord and the necklace is braided leather and hemp cord. I wear this necklace during the day as my personal amulet.
I will keep this grid up for a while and charge it every Friday. It might even be a permanent grid. I will probably do more spellwork relating to this as well. I am noticing a difference already; I am experiencing less negative self-talk and depressive feelings. However, since these are very deeply rooted problems I feel that this is not going to be a one-and-done thing. It’s going to take work and ongoing effort…but it will be worth it in the end.
Thanks for reading and Blessed Be!
Aranea <3
