Crossroads, Graveyards, and Other Places Of Power

As you dive deeper into ritual and spell work you’ll find yourself working less at your in-home altar and more in nature. This is because the more you advance in your craft the more you're called to work out in nature. Especially if you’re working indigenous magical systems. Especially if you’ve established pacts with spirit familiars. It’s been my experience that your spells hit harder when worked in the natural environment aligned to the work you’re doing. And really, if you are petitioning spirits it only makes sense to go to them. You’re the one asking for their help after all. The following are a list of “places of power”, natural portals that witches traditionally go to to perform spells, petition spirits, and leave offerings. The common protocol when visiting such places is to be cautious, respectful, and intentional. 

Crossroads

There are actually two types of crossroads one can work at, a cross shape (+) and an uppercase “T” shape. Crossroads are portals akin to the energy of coming and going. Think of a door, opening or closing. This is where “gatekeeper” spirits reside such as Eshu, Papa Legba, etc. However it’s important to remember that gatekeeper spirits are also known for being tricksters so it’s important to be discerning when working at a crossroad. 

Crossroads are most often approached for leaving offerings and performing work connected to road opening (or closing), hexing, money, luck, and love. 

Graveyards

I personally love working in graveyards but they are the most dangerous place to visit because they house all types of spirits. And if you don’t know what you're doing something nasty could follow you home. Therefore graveyard workings are recommended for advanced witches that have been trained by an elder. Or at the very least, know the proper protocols of entering and exiting the place. 

Graveyards are lovely during the day but are the most potent at night (between midnight and 3am to be exact). Because graves are the realm of the dead the most aligned workings are those connected to death and hexing. One would most commonly visit a graveyard to collect graveyard dirt, leave offerings or workings, or make pacts with the dead. 

Railroad Tracks

Another favorite place of mine to work at. Especially since there are so many accessible railroad tracks in Atlanta. Energetically speaking, railroads are the easiest and safest place of power and is the place I would recommend novice witches to start at.Since it’s the home of the spirits of war and industry it’s most commonly aligned with hex breaking, war (offensive AND defensive), and protection work but it’s also very versatile. I’ve gone to the railroad for money, luck, a new home, business success, and many other things. 

Water Sources 

This includes all sources of water such as oceans, rivers, lakes, waterfalls, wells, creeks, natural springs, etc. One must be careful when entering the realm of water spirits because this is the house of sirens, shapeshifters, and ancestors. My personal experience is that these spirits may want to claim you and take you, or not grant you permission to leave. Especially if you are a child of water. Water spirits can be more dangerous than graveyard spirits. 

But if you can work this place of power properly then it’s wonderful for spells connected to money, abundance, fertility, love, purification and cleansing, luck, and family. This portal is also good for activating ancestral connections, mediumship, psychic ability, and divination. 

Other Places of Power

• Mountains and caves

• Forests

• Marketplaces (this is the portal where all spirits meet)

• Trees (many cultures establish outdoor altars at the base of a tree)

• Churches (this is where celestial beings tend to reside such as spirit guides, angels, etc)