Basic Safety Reminders

As witches work their magic, it is very easy to focus on the metaphysical and spiritual and forget about mundane safety, or worse yet, expect the magical safety precautions will protect from mundane accidents. 

Witches love candles. Candle magic is one of the most important things a witch can learn, in my opinion and some of my favorite spells involve candles. However, candles do pose a danger if not handled with knowledge of basic fire safety. 

Do not place a lit candle near flammable items such as curtains, altar cloth pieces, dried plants, feathers, ets. 

Place yoru candle in a candle holder or on a sturdy surface. 

Do not place a lit candle in a cluttered area. 

Do not place where animals or children can touch it or knock it over (yes, even familiars can do this, no matter how well trained). 

Keep candle wicks trimmed to 1/4 of an inch to reduce flickering and smoking. 

Extinguish your candle when it is not being watched! Even if its a candle to Vesta or Brigit, unless you have 9 maidens watching it continuously, extinguish it. 

Be careful of working with candles when wearing robes with long, bell-shaped, or flowing sleeves or belts, etc. They could easily catch fire if being careless around a flame. 

If you are working candle or fire magic with others, be sure to talk with them about these basic safety precautions. Group events should have a fire extinguisher readily available (you could even appoint someone as a Fire Safety attendant to keep an eye on candles, extinguisher, etc). 

The above precautions go for incense and incense burners as well. 

When working with herbs and studying herbalism/herbology remember to NEVER ingest any plant you are not 100% positive of identification. 

If you are working with known poisonous plants wear gloves and make sure your tools are not used later with non-toxic plants as the poisons can still linger. Example: have a mortar and pestle set aside that you only use for toxic plants. 

And last, but not least...

Safe Sex doesn't sound particularly witchy or magical but if you begin practicing Tantric sex or perhaps you and a partner decide to work a Great Rite, be sure to practice safe sex. 

A magic circle isn't going to protect you from STDs and, unless it is your goal, invoking the Maiden will not keep you from getting pregnant.