august scream queen: nancy downs, the craft edition

Aug 16
2 min read

Perhaps no one is better suited to embody Leo Season than Nancy Downs from The Craft.. She was main character energy before anyone knew what to call it.

She doesn't ask for attention.

She commands it as if it's her birth right. She doesn't wonder whether she's too much.

In fact, she ensures she is absolutely extra and makes no apologies for it.

There is something deeply and intrinsically powerful about that kind of mentality—the unapologetic belief that you were born to be seen. To take up space. To walk into a room like the room has been created for you.

Within her coven, Nancy represents the element of fire turned to flesh.

She is the match struck in the dark. The heat rising beneath your skin. The girl whose coal-lined eyes say you should be looking at me.

And perhaps that's the lesson hiding inside all that fire:

You do not have to ask permission to shine.

You do not have to soften your edges to make other people comfortable.

You do not have to apologize for wanting to be seen.

Sometimes the most radical act of magic is simply deciding that you are worthy of the light—and stepping directly into it.

So this month, channel a little Nancy.

Wear the dramatic thing. Take up the space. Say what you mean. Let yourself be witnessed.

And if someone thinks you're being a little too much? Ask yourself:

What would Nancy do?

#WWND

With love & lore,

Ashley xo

THE RITUAL: Return to Sender

For the moments when hexing someone sounds a little too appealing... This spell leaves your karma clean while still giving someone a taste of their own medicine. In essence, you are returning their very energy back to them. Whether that's for better or worse depends entirely on them.

You’ll need:

Incense of your choice
One black candle (for banishing and protection)
A small pocket mirror
Protective oil (olive oil is perfectly fine!)
A safe dish or plate

Instructions:

Cleanse the area with incense of your choice. Take three deep breaths and calm your mind. You want to work from a place of clear intention rather than panic or anger.
Place the small mirror flat inside your dish, reflecting upward.
Carve the words "Return to Sender" into the black candle. Anoint the candle with your protective oil from the middle sliding outward to push away negativity.
Light the bottom of the candle just for a moment. Use the melted wax to place the candle upright on top of, or directly next to, the mirror.
Light the candle. Picture any ill intent or draining energy moving away from you, and back to it's source. The mirror acts to ensure the target sees the full scope of the harm they've caused.
Recite this incantation:

“With this flame and mirror bright, send back what is not mine by right. Hurt and malice sent to me, return to where it came from-so mote it be.”
Let the candle burn down safely. Dispose of any wax remnants away from your home.