Craft: How to Be a Modern Witch - Gabriela Herstik 2018

The Veil of Glamour: Fashion Magick

When you want to feel powerful, magickal or like a witch who knows what she wants… what do you put on? Maybe you wear a vintage blouse that your mother gave to you. Maybe you slip on your cosiest oversized black tee. Perhaps you’ll put on some leather, or something that makes you feel unstoppable.

To deny the power in clothing is to deny its own special magick, not because of what it looks like or because it’s designer. Simply because we wear clothing every day, and many of our ancestors did too. And if they didn’t usually wear much clothing, whatever clothing they did wear was sacred.

Much like magick, fashion has to evolve to stay relevant. Even if we’re not into fashion, even if we don’t care much about style or the happenings in the fashion industry, we’re still surrounded by it and exposed to it by our peers, social media, the internet and so on. Magick is similar. When it doesn’t evolve with the time and its people, it ceases to be relevant, to be necessary and to be as impactful as it might be. And if our magick is about more than the spells and rituals we cast, if it’s actually the way in which we live our life and how we relate to those around us, and if we live our life in clothing, wouldn’t it make sense to combine the two?

fashion magick

Fashion magick works at the intersection of style, beauty and glamour. Fashion magick means being intentional with your clothing, and using magick to infuse what you wear with some energy. It doesn’t mean you have to get dressed up every day. It just means you see your clothing as an opportunity to imbue magick further into your life, and to connect with your own ancestors in yet another way.

glamour as more than glamour

While we may be used to hearing the word ’glamorous’ to describe someone who’s dressed to the nines, looking all sorts of posh, the truth is this word itself is historically rooted in magick and enchantment. A ’glamour’ is a veil that disguises what lies beneath, concealing the real version of something. Faeries are said to use glamour when they appear to us as something other than their true selves.

And the truth is, glamour as we know it isn’t far off the glamour of magick. When I fill in my eyebrows and draw on a cat eye so sharp it can kill a man, I’m casting a glamour. When I swipe on some rouge and some bright red lipstick, I’m casting a glamour. By curating how others see me, by deciding how I want others to see me, I’m casting a glamour. When I wear my favourite black netted dress with my Vivienne Westwood ’Sex’ bag and my favourite high heels, I am casting a glamour; one that says: ’I am powerful, I’m in charge and you do not want to mess with me.’ You cast a glamour in the same way every time you put on something that makes you feel more powerful and more embodied than without it. Maybe sexy is powerful to you, maybe high femme is, maybe no makeup and all denim is; it doesn’t matter what you wear as much as the feeling you get when you’re dressed in a true-to-you look.

fashion as spiritual armour

As women and femmes, we face battle every day we step outside our homes. For some reason, men think that they’re entitled to tell us what they think of us, cat-calling us with ’compliments’ that we’re supposed to appreciate. Goddess forbid we wear something vaguely revealing or unusual. Then they really feel entitled to give us their opinions.

Fashion as spiritual armour means wearing an outfit because you want to, regardless of what anyone else thinks. It’s wearing that spiked choker and grabbing your tourmaline when you don’t want anybody to mess with you. It’s wearing a sheer blue slip and silver eyeliner when you want to channel the Moon and the ocean. It’s drawing protective symbols on the labels of your clothing to keep you safe as you travel to faraway places.

Magick is all about how you feel, and so is fashion. Everyone knows how it feels to slip into something that makes them feel amazing. It’s powerful. By combining this with a healthy dose of magick, we’re able to infuse our everyday life with more power. See your style as a form of spiritual armour that you can take with you anywhere, anytime.

your fashion chakra

I like to think of working with fashion magick as being like working with your fashion chakra, although in some respects the fashion chakra is more like your aura, lying closest to your skin. When you start to work with fashion as a conscious manifestation of your inner magick, you’ll notice subtle pushes about what to wear or whether to embody something. Suddenly, you’ll want to wear everything in the colour orange — but only with red lipstick on. Maybe you’ll feel the urge to embody the assertiveness of the leather jacket. As you allow yourself to explore your style in a way that permits it to evolve and change cyclically like you do, you’ll notice that you’ll become surer of yourself, more confident, more assertive in who you are.

Your fashion chakra isn’t fed by money or designer labels. She’s fed when she’s dressed and loved intentionally; when the perfect piece finds her at the thrift store, or when a gift finds its way to her. Work with your fashion chakra by experimenting with your style. Try wearing a new colour or new silhouette. Look into vintage styles, clear out your closet and go thrifting. Experiment and keep your findings in a journal for future reference.

a magick morning routine

Each day, we have the opportunity to set ourselves up to live from a place of effortless unfolding. Although it can be really hard sometimes to wake up and find the motivation or the time to get ready before going to school or work, if you turn your morning routine into a ritual, it becomes easier. Think of each morning as being like an offering to yourself and to the Universe. If you set your day up to be infused with magick, then the Universe has no choice but to answer that call.

cosmic inspiration for your day

Two of my favourite ways to infuse my day with magick are, to see which astrological sign the Moon is in and to draw my daily tarot card as inspiration for my outfit and makeup. I also like to match my makeup or outfit to crystals and flowers for some extra Earth energy. To help you decide where to draw your inspiration from, you might also find it useful to be aware of which sign the Sun is in, as well as what you’re feeling each morning.

THE MOON

The Moon rules over our emotional body, our unconscious mind and the Divine Feminine in each of us. She pulls at the ocean of our souls and whispers secrets into our hearts. By finding out which astrological sign the Moon is in (see Chapters 6 and 7), you will have a cosmic blueprint of the energies of the day ahead, and can draw additional inspiration for whatever look you want to create based on what you feel. I use the app ’TimePassages’ to keep track of the Moon signs, but there are plenty of other apps and online sources to help you keep track of her too.

For example, as I’m writing this, the Moon is in the sign of Cancer. Cancer is ruled by the Moon, and its symbol is the crab. Cancers are emotional, sensitive and feel things very deeply. I’m also PMSing, so I’ve been feeling extra emotional as well. To combat this, I’ve decided to wear silver eyeshadow to channel the Moon, and my favourite long-sleeve black dress with my pentacle necklace as a way to protect myself from any extra emotions that aren’t mine. I also wear a lot of pink when the Moon is in a water sign (read: tender hearted and emo af).

TAROT

One of my favourite ways to connect to the tarot is to use it for fashion and beauty inspiration. In the morning after waking up, I’ll take some time to breathe and connect with my guides as I shuffle and pull my daily tarot card or cards. I’ll use this as inspiration for my makeup or my outfit.

There’s no wrong way to connect with the cards, so be creative with your interpretation of whichever card you pull, focusing on the energy, or a detail in its artwork. By embodying the energies of your daily tarot cards through what you wear you’re sure to form a strong relationship with them.

CRYSTALS

You can also find makeup and outfit inspiration through working with crystals (see Chapter 7). Whether you wear a sheer pink dress with a stellar highlight and blush lipstick to channel the love of rose quartz or an entirely black ensemble for protective tourmaline, Mother Earth can become your muse. You can also wear the stone whose properties you’re embodying or carry some around with you to really work with this energy.

colour code it

Besides finding fashion inspiration in the tarot, Moon and the natural world, you can also find it in the colours of the clothing and makeup you choose to wear.

makeup as ritual

If fashion is resistance, then beauty is ritual. For me, my skin care and makeup routine are the first thing I do in the morning after waking up. I wash my face, brush my teeth and start on my face. Usually, I know where the Moon and Sun are, and I’ve already started to feel the energy of the day. Doing my makeup is the first piece of putting on my glamour. Do I feel like channelling an open heart, or working with a fierce attitude? Do I want to wear gold to attract abundance, or do I want to wear red to feel dangerous? Sometimes you don’t have enough time to be this intentional and that’s totally okay! There are no rules — and we are cyclical too, remember?

If you wear makeup, try honouring the process of putting it on as a ritual. Turn on some music, burn some incense, spray on some perfume and get to work. You can also create a beauty altar in your bathroom, or on a vanity table, as further ways to channel energy. Try adding crystals, photos of style icons, old starlets or family members to this; there’s no wrong way to do it.

The first thing to ask when beginning your makeup ritual is ’what do I feel like today?’ For example:

” A cat eye, drawn with eyeliner, is a perfect glamour for when you don’t want people to mess with you.

” A silver eye is the ultimate way to honour the Moon.

” Dark green and gold eye makeup can help you channel Mother Nature in an organic way.

” A kiss of blush can help attract love and sex, since blush mimics the flush of an orgasm!

You can also work with the colours from the chart above and then get creative. If you like, think about what sort of makeup the women in your family — either chosen or blood — wear. Want to channel your mother’s confidence? Why not wear her red lip? How about your aunt’s spontaneity? Try wearing her green eyeliner, or whatever her signature look is.

And if you want to infuse some extra blessings into your makeup routine, try using mantras while you’re working on your makeup routine. You can create your own mantras (which I encourage since this is YOUR path) or use one of the following, listed below. You can also sit for a second once your makeup is completed, visualising whatever it is you hope your day holds. Hold this in your third eye for a second and then imagine it turning into a bubble that floats into the Universe. So it is!

spiritual style

One of the amazing things about fashion is that there’s always something waiting to inspire you. Whether it’s the silhouette of a palm tree against an ice-blue sky, a barrier-breaking runway show, an ethereal piece of art or an animal, all you have to do is open your third eye and wait for the Universe to guide you. You can turn this inspiration into a spiritual practice by creating a spiritual style of your own — one that helps you embody who you want to be physically, emotionally, spiritually and mentally. And by picking a style archetype, aka a fashion spirit guide, you’ll have some cosmic guidance for your style choices.

the archetypes of fashion

Would you like to find a style muse? Someone you can call upon and channel whenever you walk into a room and need to feel confident and have presence? By working with a fashion archetype, you can draw inspiration not only from that person themselves, but also from the archetype and energy the person embodies. Whether you’re looking to tap into your inner queen or your sacred sexuality, think of your style archetype as a style spirit guide to call upon and channel for some extra glamour.

Take the time to search the web, magazines and bookstores for someone who catches your eye. Take special note if this person appears more than once; they could be calling to you. Go on Pinterest, visit a museum, look at old books — get creative.

THE QUEEN: VIVIENNE WESTWOOD

Dame Vivienne Westwood embodies the power, elegance and strength of the Queen archetype. Vivienne Westwood is a British fashion designer who helped pioneer the punk movement. After splitting from her creative and romantic partner Malcolm McLaren in the 1970s, Vivienne went on to establish her own fashion house. Known for its expert use of corsets and silhouettes, its unapologetic style and its extensive references to art and art history, Vivienne’s work is both eccentric and purposeful, with an underlying theme of rebellion that she’s carried with her since her punk days. Today, Vivienne, who was made a Dame by Queen Elizabeth II, makes sure each of her runway shows has a political message, whether it’s to stop fracking or to switch to sustainable energy. Vivienne uses fashion as a way to start conversations and incite true reform. Even now, in her late seventies, with her head of fiery red hair and fierce spirit, Vivienne isn’t slowing down anytime soon. If you need a reminder that age doesn’t mean shit, that it’s fun to wear crazy outfits and that you can use what you love to make a difference, then call on Queen Viv.

To channel Vivienne’s energy and style: embrace tartan; safety pins; tutus; Doc Martens; hair dye, your own personal style and activism as fashion.

THE MOTHER: BEYONCÉ

Is there anything Beyoncé can’t do? Yes, she’s also a Queen in her own right (which is where I was going to put her originally), but she’s also the Empress and the Mother. She is passionate, she’s vocal, she’s sexual and she’s unapologetic. Many of us are taught that once we have kids (if we have kids), we’re supposed to turn off our sexuality and turn on our maternal instincts. Queen B proves this isn’t necessary: you can have both and then some. With her jaw-dropping looks, her sultry dance numbers and her refusal to stay silent in the face of injustice, Beyoncé is the ultimate Mother. Not only is she protective of her kin, she’s protective of herself and her own needs, not to mention her fans and their needs too. She’s also a vocal activist, has incredible style and is an amazing mother; so why wouldn’t you want to channel her?

To channel Beyoncé’s energy and style: wear contrasting patterns and strong colours; embrace your femininity at any age and show it off with sensual and strong silhouettes.

THE SEXPOT: DITA VON TEESE

If there’s anyone who knows how to use glamour and unabashed sexuality to make a statement, it’s Dita Von Teese. The stripper turned burlesque performer is as known for her Swarovski-encrusted outfits as she is for her tiny waist. Dita has made a name for herself with her elaborate burlesque routines and shows that are theatrical, sexy and oh so Hollywood. Dita literally gets paid to take her clothes off and she embraces it. In her mid forties, she’s still at the top of her game, using dance, theatre, fashion and her signature makeup to cast a glamour. Dita’s sexual and sultry — and she’s unapologetic about it. If you want to channel your inner Sexpot, put on some beautiful lingerie and your favourite record, and do a strip tease for no one except yourself, or whoever else you deem lucky enough to watch.

To channel Dita’s energy and style: wear lace; satin; corsets; vintage lingerie; silks; pin-up-style clothing and your own signature hair and makeup look.

THE ARTIST: PATTI SMITH

Patti Smith is the embodiment of what it means to be an Artist through and through. After moving to New York as a teenager in the 1970s, Patti worked odd jobs, eventually making a name for herself after her debut album, Horses, was released. Not only is Patti a poet and musician, she’s also a writer and an artist who lived in the iconic Chelsea Hotel. Patti’s known for her laid-back style. She’s the ultimate muse and Artist archetype because she doesn’t only create art, she embodies it. No matter what she’s wearing, Patti embodies a sense of freedom that many of us are still looking for today.

To channel Patti’s energy and style: use a special item of clothing such as a certain tee every time you paint; write love letters on your clothing; listen to her music; think messy hair, white tee shirts and her wardrobe staple — the leather jacket.

THE WITCH: STEVIE NICKS AND ERYKAH BADU

Both of these women embody the energy of the witch; they’re fearless, magickal, glamorous and entrancing. Every woman in this section has their own magick about them, but Stevie and Erykah have a specific way of weaving their essence into their art that is unparalleled. While Stevie has talked about her love of witches, though never publicly identified herself as one, Erykah has openly embraced the title and her own form of the craft. Both women are more than musicians, using their brand of magick to create personas that embody the mystical. By working with fashion and costuming, they’ve created a divine essence that is more than just a performance. They truly live their magick, and it’s seen in what they wear, what they sing and the art they create. These women remind us that sometimes all we need to stand in our power is a bewitching outfit and an air of mystery.

To channel Stevie and Erykah’s energy and style: wear floaty dresses; kaftans; loud headscarves; use tambourines as accessories; dress in loose and flowing silhouettes.

THE LOVER: MORTICIA ADDAMS

Is there really anyone who embodies the essence of the lover more than Morticia Addams?

Even though she may be a mother and a wife, Morticia still takes pleasure in pleasure. Not just open in her desires, she’s vocal about them too. Does Morticia want Gomez to frighten her like a demon? Does she want to play in the dungeon? Absolutely, and she’s not afraid to say it! Morticia is aware of her power; she simply has to speak French and Gomez loses his mind, kissing up and down her arm as he continues to fall even more hopelessly in love with her. The two together are like the Lovers tarot card, showing the yin and yang of a relationship and the love that must come from both sides. Morticia reminds us of the power of the black dress, as well the power of developing your own signature style. She also reminds us the power of living with an open heart, and open mind. Call on her when you want to embody the energy of the Lover or to develop a signature style of your own.

To channel Morticia’s energy and style: wear a black dress; rose perfume; red lipstick; anything that makes you feel like your own lover.

THE GODDESS: VENUS

If you ever want to feel like the otherworldly creature you are, just think of Venus. Birthed from the sea foam, this goddess spends her days being tended to, fed, cared for and adored. Venus is beauty embodied; she reminds us of the pleasure and pure energy of sensuality. She asks us to step into our bodies and honour them simply because we exist. She also invites us to turn our lives into a ritual, honouring the divine inside of us that is reflected in the Universe. Venus is soft; she’s loving, curvy, full and beautiful. She reminds us that there’s no shame in loving our own bodies, and dressing ourselves in the offerings of the Earth. Venus is beauty personified, and she can serve as a wonderful muse for anyone looking to connect their sensuality and beauty to their everyday life. Stand at the edge of the ocean and call on Venus for her blessing. Open your heart a little more each day to channel this goddess archetype.

To channel Venus’s energy and style: wear shells; the colours of the sea at sunset; tulle; ocean jasper; pink lipstick and blush.

accessorise your look

talismans

As I mentioned in the Introduction, another way to literally wear your magick is by working with talismans. This is perfect if you already have jewellery that’s of sentimental value to you and which you wear all the time. And even if you don’t, you can still create a talisman. A talisman is a protective amulet that you keep with you throughout the day. It serves as a focal point for energy as well as a protective barrier against negativity.

Think about what you need more of in your everyday life. Whether you need to be more vocal and assertive, or more calm and Zen, you can find a talisman that fulfils your intention. If you’re combining a necklace with a crystal or pentacle, or a pendant with some other spiritual motif on it, then that energy will also be incorporated into the talisman. You can bless this jewellery the same way you might bless your clothing (see here). To charge your talisman, see the instructions here, and pick whatever intention you want, infusing that into your piece.

honouring your ancestors

We carry the story of our ancestors in our bones. We are here because of those who came before us. We are built on the shoulders of the women and men who allowed us to be where we are today. A really beautiful way to give thanks to our ancestors is by working with heirlooms and talismans. I love jewellery because it’s easy to wear regularly, and because it’s so often passed from generation to generation, but this sort of talisman can take the form of anything you can wear or carry with you: a vintage purse, a coin purse from a foreign place, a pin or brooch, a beloved jacket.

Do you have a ring of your grandmother’s that you can wear when you need to be reminded of her resilience? How about a necklace passed down for generations in your family? What about your mother’s vintage purse or your great-grandpa’s pocket watch? Even if your heirloom or talisman isn’t given to you by a blood relative, these pieces can still offer support and guidance. They are a reminder that we still carry the spirit of our loved ones with us and that all we have to do is call on them, or wear these pieces, when we need them.

You can charge these pieces the same way as a talisman or an item of clothing, and add them to your altar. This would be an especially appropriate practice for the festival of Samhain, as a way to channel the energy and spirit of your loved ones. However, you can create an altar to honour your ancestors at any time you wish. Place the pieces that connect you to your ancestors on your altar and incorporate them in the setup by thinking about what this person liked. If they had a favourite flower, candy, liquor, herb, scent or colour, you can decorate your altar accordingly.

my story

Part of my journey with witchcraft — specifically with fashion magick — is very personal. Fashion and fashion magick are in my blood. I wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for my family’s relationship with clothing and textiles.

My paternal grandmother, Rose Weis, survived three years in the concentration camps because of her work as a seamstress. As fate would have it, she had the same name as the head seamstress’s niece at Auschwitz and, because she was actually trained in sewing, was able to stay in the seamstresses’ quarters of the camp, sewing and repairing uniforms for the Nazis and their families. She was able to get work for her sister Edith as well. She wrote a memoir about her experiences, and from it I learned that her father and uncle owned a fur business.

After the war, Rose met my grandpa, Harry, when he was training her in how to load anti-missile cannons for the Haganah, the Jewish paramilitary organisation that went on to become the Israel Defence Forces. Apparently, the first thing he ever said to her was, ’If you don’t mind me telling you, soldier, your fly’s open.’ Before Harry was sent to the concentration camps, which he also endured for three years, he had been apprenticed in Prague to become a master weaver.

On the other side of the family, my maternal grandparents escaped Poland before the war and fled to Mexico City, where they started a store that sold things like gloves and tights. Eventually they started a zipper factory, as well as a family.

My background is in fashion writing, and I am very passionate about using clothing as a way not only to express myself, but to connect with my soul purpose. As someone who’s ethnically completely Jewish, I shouldn’t be here. Yet I still am. I honour this by connecting to my ancestors through what I wear and by incorporating fashion into my magick. I am so thankful to be able to continue this through this book.

A BLESSING TO PROTECT YOU AND YOUR CLOTHING, AND YOUR ACCESSORIES

Most mornings, we put on our clothes and face the world head on, heart open. Yet regardless of your spiritual practice, there are days when you might just need a little extra support and guidance. We can ask the Universe for help whenever we need. And we can bless our clothing for extra protection as well.

The best time to do this blessing is in the morning, before you put this item of clothing on. You can also charge your clothing by placing it on your altar the night before and placing crystals like labradorite (to cleanse and protect your aura) and selenite (to absorb negativity), amethyst (for healing), rose quartz (for love) and clear quartz (to enhance the other stones) on it.

Step 1: Cleanse.

Smudge your clothing with palo santo, sweetgrass, mugwort or sage. You can also wave a selenite wand around it to absorb any negative energy. Take a second to breathe and ground into your feet, connecting with your root chakra.

Step 2: Bless it up.

Take a few deep breaths, asking for connection and guidance from your ancestors, spirit guides, masters, deities or whatever other beings you work with. Breathe into this place of connection and knowing. Place your hands on what you’re charging and then say something along the following lines as you imagine white light seeping into the clothes:

’I bless these clothes on this day; may they help me move safely. May the Universe provide for me clothing that protects and heals my energy. May my ancestors hear my call to bless these garments and the skin they lie upon. By the blessing in me, so it is and so it shall be.’

Remember, these words are only a suggestion. Say whatever feels most powerful to you! Take a second to breathe into this space, ground your energy, and then put your clothing on. Voilà!

If you like this blessing, you can buy a special candle to light whenever you do it. A pillar candle would be perfect.

FIRE WALK WITH ME: A SHOE SIGIL SPELL FOR PROTECTION

This spell works by placing a protective symbol called a sigil on the sole of your shoe. This charms the shoe for protection, allowing you to navigate both familiar and unfamiliar territory safely.

This spell is best done on a new, full or waxing Moon. This is an especially good spell to do before travelling to a new place or environment.

You will need: a pair (or multiple pairs) of shoes; a black Sharpie or a permanent marker; herbs to smudge with; a pencil and paper; salt.

Step 1: Ground and centre.

Take a second to ground. Breathe into the space at your root chakra, feeling this energy extend into the soul of the Earth. Imagine feeling safe and supported and protected, like harm cannot befall you no matter what. Then breathe this energy into your feet. Imagine white light flowing directly from the Earth into your soles, protecting you whenever you take a step.

Step 2: Cast the circle.

Cast your circle, as described here, imagining a white sphere of protective light surrounding you. Take a moment to sit with this energy, asking the Universe and whatever deities, angels or beings you work with for their protection, safe travels and compassion.

Step 3: Making the sigil.

With your pen and paper, write out your statement of intention or what you hope this spell will bring. It’s best to begin a statement with phrases such as ’I wish’ or ’it is my will’, for example:

’It is my will to move through my day safely, with ease and protection.’

’I wish for travel that is safe, effortless and enjoyable.’

’This is my wish to move through my day safely, easily and comfortable.’

Once you have your statement, cross out any repeating letters. Then, using the letters that remain, combine them to create a symbol. This symbol is supposed to look weird and not like the actual letters it’s made from. Your subconscious mind will attach to this symbol, allowing your conscious mind to forget about the words behind it. Then the magick is able to manifest. You can also make multiple sigils for each part of your intention and combine these into one greater sigil.

Step 4: Charge the sigil.

Once you have your symbol, it’s time to infuse it with energy — or charge it. This is like raising a cone of power for the symbol. Keeping the symbol in your mind’s eye, or placed physically in front of you, raise the energy, infusing this into the symbol. Once you hit the peak of your energy raising, look directly at your symbol to help charge it.

Step 5: Draw the sigil.

Using your marker, draw the sigil on whatever pair or pairs of shoes you’re blessing. You can draw the sigil on the inside or outside of the shoes (making sure the ink dries before placing them on the floor or wearing them). Once you’ve drawn the sigil, take a second to close your eyes and infuse your shoes with protection. You may also place your hands on the shoes and say something like the following:

’I charm these shoes with protection; may they lead me in a safe direction. With the blessing of the Universe, I cast on thee, protect me from point “A” to infinity.’

Step 6: Visualise.

Once you’ve physically drawn the sigil on the shoes, visualise yourself moving safely through different areas: your home and neighbourhood, and random places both real and imagined. Imagine a white sphere of light protecting you, with golden-white energy seeping out of your shoes.

Step 7: Close the circle and ground.

When you’re finished charming your shoes, close the circle and ground your energy. You can press your forehead into the Earth, imagining all the excess energy returning to her.

Wear your shoes whenever you need some extra protection. You can also re-touch the sigil if it starts to fade, infusing more protection into the shoes as you do so.