Leaving Offerings for the Modern Witch

The practice of leaving offerings is a staple in deity and nature witchcraft. They can often take the shape of food, incense, gifts (crystals, talismans, symbols), and candles. Leaving an offering can be a gratitude, or a calling. As in, you can thank your Goddess by leaving one, or you can call on Her help by leaving one. I feel that offerings are very effective in receiving answers from your deity; wouldn’t you feel more inclined to help someone out after they left you some sweets or pretties?

    When dealing with deities, there are typically sources of historical context to pull from in regards to deciding what to leave as an offering. For example, Goddess Hestia was commonly associated with the hearth and home… Therefore, an offering to Hestia could perhaps be made upon the hearth or by use of flame. Research any deities you feel drawn to, and the offering ideas will pop into your head.

Some Notes for Offering Food:

Use a clean plate or bowl to offer food, and keep it placed in your “magical area,” or altar. Be sure to use good judgement as to how long it should be left out. Some deities may enjoy some decadent cheese, but it wouldn’t be wise to leave cheese to sit for too long. If it was placed during the day, take it out that evening. (Foods like nuts or herbs may last a while longer on an altar.) There is debate on whether or not it would be appropriate to eat the food that you have offered, and I think it should be avoided unless there is a dire need for it. Should there be a dire need, your deity will understand. A typical custom for disposing of ‘used’ offerings would include giving it back to nature by placing outside to nourish the ground or surrounding wildlife. Luckily, my apartment complex is placed next to a patch of field and trees but I know we aren’t all that lucky! Though it doesn’t seem ‘traditional’ or ‘all that witchy,’ offerings can definitely be disposed of in the regular, old trash can… and there is nothing to be ashamed of in that. I (along with many others) like to imagine that deities and spirits can ‘take up’ the energy of the food offerings we leave and after they’re done taking it in, we are good to throw the physical ‘leftovers’ out anyway that we’d like.

Somes Notes for Offering Candles:

When leaving a candle offering, you may wish to anoint it with a corresponding oil and pray to your deity once it is lit. Always let your candles burn all the way through, blowing it out is like blowing away your intention. Because the candle should burn through completely, you may wish to have a jar candle or small taper so it burns safely and quickly. Should there be remaining wax as it burns out, beware of placing it in nature if it is not very easily biodegradable. The best route of disposal if you are not keeping the wax for other purposes would be to place it in the garbage. Side note: my next write-up will be on candle magic, as it is a favorite of mine.

Some Notes for Nature Offerings:

There is a mantra that I always keep in mind when out in nature, when I’m perhaps swimming or hiking. It is, “Leave no trace,” and I follow it quite closely. You may show your appreciation to nature as long as you leave nothing behind that pollutes the area… like trash! Some examples of nature offerings that leave no trace include spending time in nature, spending a day at the river/beach/lake, taking a wooded walk, looking for rocks (that belong to a public area, of course), and picking flowers (same rule applies.) Meditate underneath your favorite tree, and perhaps sing a song to it. Above all, picking up litter is the best way to offer your time to nature.

Offerings may be large or small, do not be ashamed of a lack of space or resources and use what is readily available to you! Witchcraft is all about making it yourself, and no altar is just like another. Stay blessed, witches.