Guidelines and Terms of Use

Digital Sages gathers the correspondences, lore, and practices of the world's esoteric traditions into one place. Please read these guidelines before you use what you find here. By using the site you agree to them.

What this is Not medical, mental health, legal, or financial advice Plants, potions, salves, and brews Candles, incense, and fire Animals, minerals, and protected materials Ethics of practice Living traditions Sources and accuracy Email and privacy Terms of use Safety notes by entry

Updated October 2026

spirit

What this is

Digital Sages is a reference and a teaching tool: the correspondences recorded by traditions such as the Golden Dawn, Agrippa, traditional astrology, Kabbalah, Norse rune lore, Christian mysticism, and modern Wiccan and pagan practice, alongside the Arkedalia, a modern mythos from the world of EXILLVS.

Where traditions disagree, we choose one answer, the Signature, and show the others beneath it. Every correspondence describes what a tradition teaches. None of it is a promise of results.

not_advice

Not medical, mental health, legal, or financial advice

Healing associations for colors, stones, plants, and planets are complementary practice. They never replace a doctor, a therapist, or medical treatment. If you are unwell, see a qualified professional.

Nothing here is legal or financial advice. Ritual can accompany a court case, a business decision, or a fertility journey, but talk to a lawyer, an accountant, or a doctor about the real thing.

If you are in crisis or thinking about harming yourself, please contact a local emergency number or a crisis line right away.

plants

Plants, potions, salves, and brews

In our recipes a potion is something you make and charge with intention, then keep, pour out, or offer, not something you drink. A salve goes on the skin. A brew is something you drink, and we will only ever suggest one when every ingredient is a known culinary or tea herb.

Many plants in the old correspondence tables are poisonous, among them yew, nightshade, belladonna, hellebore, hemlock, and mandrake. Never eat, drink, or burn a plant unless you are certain it is safe. Treat old texts as history, not as a pharmacy.

Some common herbs are not safe for everyone. Mugwort, for example, should be avoided during pregnancy and nursing. Check with a doctor or a qualified herbalist before taking any herb, and patch-test anything you put on your skin.

Keep herbs, oils, and resins away from children and pets.

fire

Candles, incense, and fire

Never leave a burning candle or incense unattended. Burn on a fireproof surface, away from curtains and anything flammable, with a window open for smoke. When a working says to burn paper, use a fireproof dish and make sure the ash is cold before you dispose of it.

materials

Animals, minerals, and protected materials

Some materials named in the traditions are toxic (mercury, lead, cinnabar) or protected by law. In the United States, feathers and parts of most wild birds are protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, and many countries restrict ivory, coral, and parts of endangered animals. Use images, symbols, or ethically sourced substitutes instead.

Animal correspondences are for contemplation and symbolism. Never harm an animal for a working.

ethics

Ethics of practice

Work on yourself and your own life. Love workings are for attracting love, never for overriding a named person's free will. Binding works on harmful actions, never on a person's wellbeing. Protection workings are not a substitute for real safety: if someone threatens you, contact the authorities or a support service.

Divination, whether tarot, runes, or anything else, is a tool for reflection. Use it to think more clearly, not to hand over important decisions.

traditions

Living traditions

Several of the traditions here are living faiths. Jewish Kabbalah, Christianity, and Norse Heathenry each have their own communities and teachers, and what Digital Sages presents is the esoteric and correspondence-based reading of them that grew up in the Western mystery tradition. We present them with respect, and we encourage anyone drawn deeper to learn from those communities directly.

sources

Sources and accuracy

Correspondences are drawn from published sources, including Crowley's 777, Agrippa's Three Books of Occult Philosophy, Barrett's The Magus, the rune poems, and widely shared modern practice. We work carefully, but traditions disagree and mistakes happen. If you find one, tell us.

Moon phases and the Moon's sign are calculated in your browser and are accurate to within minutes, which is more than enough for practice but not for navigation.

Email and privacy

If you sign up for emails, your address is stored with our email provider, Kit, and used only to send you Digital Sages rituals, lore, and updates. Every email has an unsubscribe link. We never sell your address.

The site does not ask for an account and does not use advertising trackers. Your birthday in the Prime Element reveal is worked out in your browser and is not sent anywhere.

use

Terms of use

The text, design, and the Arkedalia and its elements are the work of Digital Sages and EXILLVS. You are welcome to use what you learn here in your own practice and to share links. Please do not copy the site's content wholesale or republish it as your own.

Digital Sages is provided as is, for education and entertainment, without warranties. You are responsible for how you use what you learn here. We may update these guidelines; the date above shows the latest version.

safety_tags

Safety tags on herbs and stones

Every herb and stone carries the tags that apply to it. Here is what each one means.

Deadly poisonous: Never ingest or burn it. Handle with gloves and keep it away from children and pets. Work with it symbolically, by name or image.
Poisonous if swallowed: Never eat or drink it. Keep it away from food, children, and pets.
Not for internal use: Safe to handle and carry, but don't eat it or make tea from it.
Toxic to pets: Harmful to cats, dogs, or horses. Keep it, and any oil made from it, out of their reach.
Avoid in pregnancy: Don't take it internally or use its oil while pregnant or breastfeeding.
Can irritate skin: Dilute oils well in a carrier and patch-test before using on skin.
Burns skin in sunlight: The juice or oil can cause burns or blisters when skin is exposed to sun afterward.
Common allergen: Daisy-family or other common allergy. Skip it if you react to ragweed or similar plants.
Interacts with medications: Can change how medicines work. Ask a doctor or pharmacist before taking it.
Poisonous look-alikes: Easily confused with dangerous plants. Buy from a trusted supplier; don't forage it unless you're certain.
Harsh smoke: Burn only small amounts with good ventilation, and never around pets or anyone with asthma.
Choose a sustainable source: Overharvested in the wild. Buy cultivated or ethically sourced, or use a substitute.
Not water-safe: Water can dissolve, rust, or dull it. Cleanse it with smoke, sound, or moonlight instead.
Toxic dust: Contains copper, lead, sulfur, or similar. Don't sand or grind it, never use it in a drinkable elixir, and wash your hands after handling raw pieces.
Fades in sunlight: Long exposure to direct sun bleaches its color. Charge it by moonlight instead.
Soft or fragile: Scratches, chips, or cracks easily. Store it apart from harder stones.

safety_notes

Safety notes by entry

Specific cautions for the plants, stones, metals, colors, intents, and workings that need one.

Bat · Animal: Never handle wild bats; they can carry rabies. Work with images, not the animal.
Crow · Animal: In the US, crow feathers are protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act; keeping found feathers is illegal. Use images or ethically made replicas.
Eagle · Animal: Possessing bald or golden eagle feathers is illegal in the US without a federal permit. Use images.
Magpie · Animal: In the US, magpie feathers are protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. Use images instead.
Swan · Animal: Swans are protected in the US and UK; do not collect their feathers from the wild.
Black · Color: Color healing is a complementary practice; it doesn't replace medical care.
Blue · Color: Color healing is a complementary practice; it doesn't replace medical care.
Brown · Color: Color healing is a complementary practice; it doesn't replace medical care.
Crimson · Color: Color healing is a complementary practice; it doesn't replace medical care.
Electric Blue · Color: Color healing is a complementary practice; it doesn't replace medical care.
Gold · Color: Color healing is a complementary practice; it doesn't replace medical care.
Green · Color: Color healing is a complementary practice; it doesn't replace medical care.
Orange · Color: Color healing is a complementary practice; it doesn't replace medical care.
Pink · Color: Color healing is a complementary practice; it doesn't replace medical care.
Purple · Color: Color healing is a complementary practice; it doesn't replace medical care.
Red · Color: Color healing is a complementary practice; it doesn't replace medical care.
Scarlet · Color: Color healing is a complementary practice; it doesn't replace medical care.
Sea Green · Color: Color healing is a complementary practice; it doesn't replace medical care.
Silver · Color: Color healing is a complementary practice; it doesn't replace medical care.
Yellow · Color: Color healing is a complementary practice; it doesn't replace medical care.
Nature · Element of Arkedalia: Nature work supports wellbeing; it doesn't replace medical care.
Air · Element: Ventilate the room when burning incense or herbs, and avoid it around anyone with asthma.
Fire · Element: Never leave a candle or fire unattended, and burn paper only in a fireproof dish.
Water · Element: Don't drink moon water left outdoors unless it was covered and is safe to drink.
Binding · Magical intent: Bind actions, never a person's free will or wellbeing. If someone is threatening you, contact the authorities or a support service as well.
Dreams · Magical intent: Avoid mugwort if pregnant or nursing; lavender is a gentle substitute.
Emotional Healing · Magical intent: Complementary practice: it supports, but never replaces, medical or mental health care.
Endings · Magical intent: Yew is highly poisonous; use a picture or a fallen sprig only, never handle it carelessly or burn it.
Fertility · Magical intent: Ritual can be a source of hope, but it is not a substitute for medical care; talk to a doctor about fertility concerns.
Healing · Magical intent: Complementary practice: it supports, but never replaces, medical or mental health care.
Justice · Magical intent: Ritual can support a legal matter, but it is not legal advice; talk to a lawyer about real cases.
Love · Magical intent: Never work love magic on a named person to override their free will.
Protection · Magical intent: Spiritual protection is not a substitute for real safety measures; if you are in danger, contact the authorities.
Psychic Ability · Magical intent: Avoid mugwort if pregnant or nursing.
Purification · Magical intent: Burn herbs only with good ventilation, and never leave smoldering herbs unattended.
Sleep · Magical intent: Herbal sleep aids don't replace medical care for ongoing insomnia, and some interact with sleep medication.
Vitality · Magical intent: Complementary practice: it supports, but never replaces, medical or mental health care.
Lead · Metal: Lead is toxic, especially to children. Avoid handling it, melting it, or using it in ritual; use symbols or substitutes.
Quicksilver · Metal: Liquid mercury and its vapor are highly toxic. Do not use real mercury in any ritual; use symbols or substitutes.
Allspice · Plant: Allspice oil irritates skin; dilute it well.
Aloe · Plant: Topical gel is generally safe; aloe latex taken internally is a strong laxative and not advised.
Angelica · Plant: Angelica can make skin burn in sunlight. Wild angelica looks like water hemlock, which is deadly; buy it rather than forage. Avoid in pregnancy.
Anise · Plant: Don't confuse anise with Japanese star anise, which is poisonous. Avoid anise oil in pregnancy.
Belladonna · Plant: Belladonna is deadly poisonous in every part. Never grow it where children or pets can reach it, never ingest or burn it, and wear gloves if you handle it.
Black Pepper · Plant: Pepper oil and powder irritate eyes and skin.
Catnip · Plant: Avoid catnip tea in pregnancy.
Cedar · Plant: Cedarwood oil can irritate skin and should be avoided in pregnancy. Burn cedar only with good ventilation.
Chamomile · Plant: Chamomile can cause reactions in people allergic to ragweed and daisies.
Cinnamon · Plant: Cinnamon oil burns skin; never use it undiluted. Avoid large medicinal amounts in pregnancy.
Clove · Plant: Clove oil irritates skin and is toxic to cats.
Comfrey · Plant: Do not take comfrey internally; it contains compounds that can damage the liver.
Damiana · Plant: Damiana may affect blood sugar; check with a doctor if you're diabetic.
Dandelion · Plant: Dandelion is in the daisy family and can trigger allergies.
Elder · Plant: Raw elderberries, leaves, bark, and stems are poisonous. Only fully ripe, cooked berries and the flowers are eaten.
Elecampane · Plant: Elecampane is a daisy-family allergen. Avoid it in pregnancy.
Eucalyptus · Plant: Eucalyptus oil is poisonous if swallowed and is toxic to pets. Keep it away from small children's faces.
Gardenia · Plant: Gardenias are mildly toxic to cats and dogs.
Geranium · Plant: Geranium plants are toxic to cats and dogs.
Hawthorn · Plant: Hawthorn interacts with heart and blood pressure medicines.
Heliotrope · Plant: Heliotrope is poisonous to people and pets.
Henbane · Plant: Henbane is deadly poisonous. Never ingest it, burn it, or inhale its smoke.
Hibiscus · Plant: Avoid hibiscus tea in pregnancy; it can lower blood pressure.
Holly · Plant: Holly berries are poisonous to people and pets.
Honeysuckle · Plant: The berries of many honeysuckle species are poisonous.
Hops · Plant: Hops are very dangerous to dogs.
Hyssop · Plant: Hyssop oil can trigger seizures. Avoid it in pregnancy and with epilepsy.
Juniper · Plant: Avoid juniper in pregnancy and with kidney disease. Burn it with good ventilation.
Lemon · Plant: Cold-pressed lemon oil can burn skin in sunlight.
Lemongrass · Plant: Lemongrass oil can irritate skin.
Licorice · Plant: Licorice raises blood pressure and interacts with heart medicines. Avoid it in pregnancy.
Lily · Plant: Lilies are extremely toxic to cats; even the pollen can kill.
Mandrake · Plant: Mandrake is deadly poisonous. Never ingest it or burn it. Handle it with gloves and keep it away from children and pets.
Marigold · Plant: Calendula is a daisy-family allergen. Only Calendula is used in teas; Tagetes marigolds are ornamental.
Mistletoe · Plant: Mistletoe berries and leaves are poisonous to people and pets.
Mugwort · Plant: Avoid mugwort during pregnancy, and use it sparingly if you are sensitive to ragweed-family plants.
Mullein · Plant: Mullein's leaf hairs can irritate skin and throats; strain teas through fine cloth. The seeds are toxic.
Narcissus · Plant: All parts, especially the bulbs, are toxic if eaten; keep away from children and pets.
Nettle · Plant: Wear gloves when harvesting fresh nettle.
Nutmeg · Plant: Nutmeg is poisonous in large amounts. Use only a pinch in food, and avoid it in pregnancy beyond culinary use.
Orange · Plant: Cold-pressed orange oil can burn skin in sunlight.
Parsley · Plant: Parsley is safe as food but should not be taken in large medicinal amounts in pregnancy.
Peony · Plant: Peony roots and seeds are poisonous if swallowed.
Peppermint · Plant: Peppermint oil is toxic to cats. Never put it on an infant's face.
Rosemary · Plant: Avoid rosemary oil and large medicinal amounts in pregnancy or with epilepsy.
Rowan · Plant: Raw rowan berries can upset the stomach; they are only eaten cooked, and the seeds should not be eaten.
Rue · Plant: Rue sap causes severe blisters in sunlight; wear gloves to handle it. It is poisonous if swallowed and must never be used in pregnancy.
Sage · Plant: White sage is overharvested and sacred to some Indigenous peoples; garden sage works well and is easy to grow.
St John's Wort · Plant: St John's wort interacts with many medicines, including birth control and antidepressants, and can make skin sensitive to sun. Ask a doctor before taking it.
Star Anise · Plant: Only Chinese star anise is safe to eat. Japanese star anise looks almost identical and is poisonous; buy from a trusted spice supplier.
Tiger Lily · Plant: All parts of true lilies are highly toxic to cats, even the pollen.
Valerian · Plant: Don't combine valerian with alcohol or sleep medication.
Vervain · Plant: Avoid vervain in pregnancy.
Wolf's-bane · Plant: Wolfsbane is one of the deadliest plants known and can poison through the skin. Never touch it with bare hands, ingest it, or burn it.
Wormwood · Plant: Wormwood is poisonous if swallowed. Never use it in pregnancy, and burn only small amounts with good ventilation.
Yarrow · Plant: Yarrow is a daisy-family allergen. Avoid it in pregnancy.
Yew · Plant: All parts of the yew except the red flesh of the berry are deadly poisonous; never burn or ingest it.
Amazonite · Stone: Some amazonite contains traces of lead; don't use it in drinkable elixirs.
Amber · Stone: Amber is soft and melts in heat; keep it away from hot water and perfume.
Black Tourmaline · Stone: Raw tourmaline splits along its length; handle it gently.
Fluorite · Stone: Fluorite is soft and splits easily. Keep it out of water and strong sun.
Hematite · Stone: Hematite rusts in water; cleanse it with smoke or sound instead.
Howlite · Stone: Howlite is soft and porous; keep it dry.
Jet · Stone: Jet is soft and chips easily.
Lodestone · Stone: Lodestone rusts in water.
Malachite · Stone: Malachite contains copper; never grind it or use it in elixirs, and wash your hands after handling raw pieces.
Obsidian · Stone: Raw obsidian edges are sharp enough to cut; handle unpolished pieces carefully.
Pyrite · Stone: Pyrite contains sulfur and rusts in water; don't use it in elixirs.
Selenite · Stone: Selenite dissolves in water and scratches with a fingernail.
Sodalite · Stone: Avoid long soaks in water.
Tiger's Eye · Stone: Polished tiger's eye is safe to handle; don't sand or grind raw pieces.
Justice · Tarot card: Ritual can support a legal matter, but it is not legal advice; talk to a lawyer about real cases.
The Devil · Tarot card: If something you feel bound by is an addiction, ritual can support recovery but is not a replacement for professional help.

112 notes