Protection and Boundary Spells as Pleasure Magic

To take to your roots is the practice of visiting that which grounds you, that which allows you to be connected both to the source of your magic and your livelihood. Where your roots grow you will find the foundation your life is built on; not a static, concrete slab that will never move but rather a mutable shapeshifting base that allows you to flourish and grow. By noticing the details of the foundations, the values that anchor you, the pillars you reach for on a regular basis and the things you choose to prioritize, you are creating a magical practice that grows, shifts, and morphs as a kaleidoscope of wondrous being. There are two threads of foundational magic whose main purpose is to help you thrive: boundaries and protection. Your magical practice is intricately intertwined with the life you live, which means when you are contemplating how pleasure exists you must too examine how boundaries and protection exist in your magic. By bringing this mindfulness to the front you are infusing the roots of your magic again with your values, which makes it more readily available in your everyday life.

Boundaries can simply be defined as creating the separation of self + other, a magical muscle that gets flexed every time you examine and define the parameters of you. When you are practicing boundary magic you are engaging with intentional ritual and spell creation that have the intentions of defining your parameters of self. Protection magic is a general term for the spells, rituals, and other tools you use to create a barrier of safety, often for yourself or your living space. When you are practicing protection magic you are engaging with rituals and spells that are created with the intent purpose of offering safety, reducing harm. Boundaries and protection have quite a bit of overlap but they differ with intentions. You might think of it as: boundary magic is a way to tend to your physical, personal existence and protection magic extends beyond the concept of you— although you are an important part of it!

What's pleasure got to do with it? Understanding the concept of pleasure magic is an important place to start. Pleasure magic is the practice of tending to the feeling of enjoyment; when you are practicing pleasure magic you are engaging with spells, rituals, and other tools with the intention of creating enjoyment. The phrase 'pleasure magic' is a commonly sexualized one — and if that's your flavor of magic, amazing! — but it certainly doesn't have to be. Pleasure magic is about creating space for you to embody, stoke, and receive joy.

Boundaries and protective magic are practices often born out of need, and while we are navigating that space it isn't always intuitive to consider the pleasure component of the spell. Work with this blog as a resource when you are needing to make a shift in your life but want to root into the pleasure of existence too. Below are common boundary + protection practices and ways you can incorporate pleasure magic into those rituals.

Common Boundary Practices

Using grounding techniques to reconnect to your physical body.

How to infuse it with pleasure: engage your senses! You might try misting yourself with an aura spray for a quick grounding moment, noticing the way the mist shimmers over your skin. For more in depth magic, try a ritual for anointing the parameters of your skin.

You will need:

• 15 minutes uninterrupted
• your favorite body oil + favorite smoke cleansing tool
• a spelled candle that supports Embodiment.
• Optional: a glass of water

Start by finding a place you can be both cozy and sprawled out. Light your candle and cleanse your space, focusing on your intention; I call in that sense of knowing that lets me understand my boundaries. When you are ready, get cozy and let yourself unfurl as much as feels comfortable. We'd recommend undressing as much as feels comfortable. Let your fingers slowly trace over your skin and notice the way your body is contained. Offer yourself affirmation and praise, treating your body as a place of worship. You might explore sensation here, offering yourself a firmer or lighter touch, maybe using your nails. Trace all the parts of your body you can comfortably reach and let yourself fall into the rhythm of a slow and steady breath. When you have completed this first round, put a dropperful of oil into your hand and start a self massage. Alternatively, if you desire a lengthy and luxurious ritual, first dip your fingers into the water and trace those drops over your skin, basking in the sensational experience, and then incorporate the oil as a third step. As you massage the oil into your skin, pay special attention to your skin itself. Marvel at the way it holds everything you need to be an operating, functioning human. You are contained in this flesh, this physical boundary supports you on the journey of existing. Let yourself celebrate the way this inherent boundary supports you, and consider the other boundaries you weave just as integral to your existence. When you have massaged your self as fully as feels good, thank yourself and your intuition and blow out your candle.

Common Protection Practices

Cleansing the energy you carry or the energy of the space you exist in.

How to infuse it with pleasure: get creative with engaging your senses! A quick and easy way to shake off energy that comes home with you is by simply washing your hands. Charcoal Detox is a witch favorite for its magical cleansing properties; banish the weight of your thoughts into the lather your hands create and watch them wash down the drain. For more in depth magic, a cleansing ritual can sumptuously be incorporated into your showering routine.

You will need:

• A salt scrub
• a shower steamer (if you're a DIY witch, try making your own with a pumice stone and your favorite essential oil blend! Add a few drops to the stone, place under the direct stream of the shower, and we enveloped in amazing smells. You can use this over and over again, its amazing!)
• optional: your favorite body oil

Begin your ritual by placing the shower steamer into the water so that its aromatherapy can start working. Take two deep breaths and step into the water. Focus only on the sensation of the water for a minute, letting the rhythm of the stream bring you into the moment. Tend to yourself as you regularly would in your shower routine. When that is complete, grab the salt scrub and imagine the salt exfoliating away the stories that are clinging to you. Gently release what you no longer wish to carry, and imagine them disappearing down the drain. Offer the intention: I get to decide what stories I take with me. With these suds I let go of the stories I no longer want. As you rinse your body think of what you'd like to call in instead; what story is your truth when you emerge from this cleansing? When you step out of your shower you might take a moment to intentionally moisturize your skin, using the power of scent magic to manifest what comes next (Lavender or Deep Light if you are seeking calm clarity, Exotic Fields or Sweet Musk if you want a little bit more spice and spark in life). Finish this ritual by writing a love note on your steamy mirror.

Protection magic can take many different forms. This ritual is a great example of energetic protection in the form of cleansing, but you might be inspired to incorporate protection magic seasonally too! Here is a bite sized menu of different protection spells that might speak to you as the wheel turns:

• For the Fall Equinox you might turn towards a hearth spell, creating balance and equilibrium in the spaces you call home.
• During the Winter Solstice- You might begin working with ancestors for protection, incorporating wise earth into your practice
• The Spring Equinox is a great time for renewing your talismans, reconnecting with plant allies and leaning into that fresh spring energy
• For Summer Solstice, turning attention to physical vessel in the form of drinking enough water, keeping yourself cool + comfortable, connecting with your feet as the grounding source.

Pleasure magic is a root that stretches deep, from the boundaries you create to the protection spells you weave. It's true that in a plant's life cycle the outer nuances will go through different phases of existence, but the roots hold it down always. Give yourself something to stretch into when you need it or when the outer parts of you are feeling unsourced. Root into boundaries and protection as a source of pleasure, and remember that everything can be a spell: sometimes all it takes is whispering "the only thing invited to this moment is me, and I am safe here". And that is enough.