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chuas-chuas · 4 months

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Beautiful candle-shaped cake that would be amazing for Imbolc or Candlemas🕯️

image credit: @i_am_natia

#food #imbolg #imbolc #candlemas

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chuas-chuas · 5 months

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Localizing A Magical Journal

When I was starting out, every book I read on the subject of witchcraft seemed to contain a long list of crystals and imported herbs. Many of these were not easily accessible and didn't fit into my personal practice. Magic came easier to me and became significantly more meaningful after I started localizing my practice.

It has also made writing my magical journal that much easier. Even after over a decade of practice, I still found the task of writing a grimoire to be a daunting one. Adding more local and personal elements to my practice has helped me to organize my journal, making the act of actually writing in it much less strenuous.

If you're looking to localize your grimoire and don't know how to get started, here are a few ideas:

Sections for Native and Invasive Plants

This section can include folklore, culinary uses, medicinal uses, cultivation, a planting calendar, which animals/insects they attract, and a personal correspondence list. I would write one chapter for invasive plants and another for native ones. Additionally, you could add a section for garden crops if desired. I would also add notes on toxicity to humans and pets.

Why work with invasive plants? Because they're abundant! Foraging them helps reduce their population and we get the benefit of a new plant to use in our practice. In fact, mugwort, a popular herb among the occult community, is an invasive plant where I live.

Local Animal Symbolism Section

I organize my animal symbolism section by mammals, reptiles, birds, amphibians, and fish. These chapters can include folklore, physical characteristics, behavior, habitat, diet, and correspondences/symbolism.

Entries can be made more personal by observing animals and recording experiences (just no hand feeding or interacting). I also like to include different forms of veneration. This can be spiritual in nature, like leaving offerings, or mundane, like installing a nesting box for birds.

A chapter on bugs and insects is also a good idea. This could be helpful if you keep an outdoor garden and want to record information on common pests and pollinators.

Local Stones and Crystals

One of the least ethical occult practices, in my opinion, is the use of crystals. The rising popularity of crystals is the cause of a lot of suffering. Does that rose quartz really promote love when it was sourced through child labor? It's important to know where your crystals come from and how they are harvested.

One way to localize your stone and crystal collection is to research which are specific to your area and where to find them. For example, there are certain rivers in my area that contain agate, jasper, and quartz. If you can't go out and search for them yourself, finding an ethical distributor to purchase from is more than sufficient.

Entries can include their composition, how they are formed, what they are used for, and personal correspondences.

Family Recipies and Local Edible Plants

I imagine that having a recipe section would be very important to a practitioner who performs most of their workings in the kitchen. I love to cook, but it rarely makes its way into my practice unless I'm preparing an offering of some sort. Either way, I think that having even a small section of culinary recipes can be beneficial, because it adds a personal element to a grimoire.

I would include your favorite recipes, family recipes, and even dishes that can be made from locally foraged plants. Correspondences can also be noted for each dish and recipes can be specific to certain deities, holidays, or workings.

Urban Legends and Local Superstitions

Urban legends and local ghost stories can be a fun addition to any personal grimoire. You can research the origins of these stories, read the personal experiences of others, and record them in your journal. You can also visit places associated with urban legends (only if it's safe and legal to do so) and record your own experiences.

Another way of localizing your grimoire is to research common superstitions in your area and where they come from, or record your own family superstitions.

Local Spirits and Places of Importance

For spirit workers, research local spirits and entities, their associations, appearance, and origins. In addition to this, write individual entries on spirits that you work with personally. I would include their assumed appearance, location, personality, how to call them, preferred offerings, and areas of strength/weakness. You can also add a section on thoughtforms, if you use them in your practice.

It's also important to think about which local areas are significant to you personally. Is it a river? A clearing in the woods? A hiking trail? Your own backyard? Make a list of areas that inspire you. How can you get there? What grows there? What kind of animals live there? Are there spirits? Would you perform specific workings in these areas?

I hope this was helpful! Please keep in mind that these are just ideas that I've used in my own personal practice. My experiences and opinions are not universal. Feel free to take what works, leave what doesn't, and modify what you need to.

🌙

#grimoire #book of shadows

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chuas-chuas · 2 years

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Alright, since this post is, for some reason, still circulating, I'm gonna mention this in hopes that it makes it to a least one or two metaphysical shopkeepers:

Burning incense in your shop creates an accessibility issue for some of us, which is preventing potential customers from coming in or staying long enough to buy anything.

I'm talking about (some) people with asthma, sensory issues, migraines, and probably other conditions that I'm not aware of.

I know you've got a witchy vibe to maintain, but there are other ways.

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chuas-chuas · 2 years

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Follow people who practice differently than you.

You'll say a lot less ignorant things, you'll learn a little bit more about how other people think and practice, you'll also most likely be inspired and encouraged to branch out and adapt things for your own.

Stop following only people who practice the same as you do.

You're doing nothing but oversaturating your craft and surrounding yourself with people who more than likely honor the same holidays and Beings as you do in similar if not the same ways.

Follow more people from different religions, practices, spiritualities and craftspeople.

A community is nice to have but the people who will really change your practice/cause a huge shift in your beliefs are likely not it.

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chuas-chuas · 2 years

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Loving yourself, nurturing yourself and taking care of yourself, is one of the greatest offerings you can offer to the deities. They all want to see you happy, healthy and cherished.

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chuas-chuas · 3 years

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Basic things to do as offerings from a pagan who's always tired:

1.A short morning prayer or even just saying good morning to the gods when you wake up.

2.Opening your curtain/window,and greet the Sun.

3.Preparing your breakfast in their honor(this can be great for deities such as Demeter,Eos or Hestia)

4..Basic hygiene,things like brushing your teeth or washing your face(great for deities such as Hygeia and Aphrodite)

5.Wearing a piece of jewelry dedicated to them or that reminds you of them.

6.Just talk to them!Say how you feel outloud,thank them for your opportunities!

And Remember,you're not a bad devotee because of the physical or mental challenges you face.

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chuas-chuas · 3 years

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A Clash of Tales: How to Reconcile Conflicting Myths

Greek mythology is full of contradictions; Aphrodite was born of the sea, primordial, daughter of Ouranos; but she was also the Olympian offspring of Zeus. Reconciling vastly differing myths can be a headache!

Let me tell you three stories.

A highly skilled musician, Linus, son of Apollo by the nereid Psamathe, or the son of Urania and Amphimarus, entered a musical contest with the gods or with just Apollo and won. The god of music, furious he was bested, killed Linus.

Psamathe, daughter of Crotopus, King of Argos, bore a son by Apollo. Terrified of her father's wrath, she hid the boy Linus amongst sheep hoping the shephards would find him, but he was torn apart by sheepdogs. Her grief gave away her secret and her father put her to death. Apollo acted in vengeance and sent a plague to Argos which was only lifted when Crotopus was banished.

Herakles travelled to his hometown Thebes to learn the lyre from famed musician Linus, brother of Orpheus. Somehow Linus was provoked to strike at Herakles who, in a fit at rage, hit and killed him with his own lyre. (Apollodorus Library 2.4.9)

So.

Which myth is true?

They all are.

But they are not ALL believed by ALL people. The Boeotians believed in their Linus, a man grown who was killed by Apollo for his excellent musical skills. Later still they believed in their Linus who taught music and was killed by their favoured hero, Herakles. The Argives believed in their Linus, a child hidden amongst the sheep and torn apart by dogs, avenged by a mourning mother and a furious Apollo. They could all be the same Linus, or they could all be individual figures, but all are named the inventor of the mourning dirge, the Linus-song, all are entwined with the skill of music or Apollo, and all died tragic deaths after which they were mourned as heroes.

So, how to reconcile conflicting mythos? You don't. Or you accept that they're all true, choose one to accept as your personal belief, and move on.

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chuas-chuas · 3 years

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would any more experienced practitioners be willing to give me a quick rundown on how to cast a circle?

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chuas-chuas · 3 years

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chuas-chuas · 3 years

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do you ever think about how if you dive into the ocean and go deeper and deeper you will pass through layers of darker and darker blue until everything is black and cold and the pressure will be so intense that it will kill you without protection but if you keep going you will find little glowing specks of light, and if you go up into the sky and go higher and higher you will pass through layers of darker and darker blue until everything is black and cold and the pressure will be so intense that it will kill you without protection but if you keep going you will find little glowing specks of light

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chuas-chuas · 3 years

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White witches are not persecuted. Modern witchcraft among white people is not what women were persecuted for during witchcraft trials. You being judged by monotheistic religions has nothing to do with the mass executions of innocent people, largely women, well before even your grandparents were born. I hate to tell you but most of those women didn’t practice witchcraft. They were considered witches or under “the devil’s spell” because of sickly partners, the death of their infants, false accusations by people who didn’t like them, etc. You don’t have centuries of generational trauma when the “oppression” of white witches is extremely modern.

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chuas-chuas · 3 years

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Midsummer with Children

(Thanks to my daughter for creating the “still life” photo 😊)

Here are some ways to celebrate the summer solstice with youngins (or those young at heart!):

Collect dandelions to make a flower crown. Enchant for prosperity and luck for the coming year.

Collect seeded dandelions and make wishes.

Draw with chalk! Suns, flowers, clouds, stars, coins, ice cream, and sandals are all some common summer images to draw. But abstract symbols and marks are good too!

Use paintbrushes and water to “paint” on the ground. Add food coloring or (food safe) herbs to give it pizzazz and specific associations.

Eat something cool outside- ice cream, berries, watermelon, chips/veggies and dip, a charcuterie board, etc.

Make fresh lemonade with the youngins! Include extra things like cut strawberries, fresh mint, a cup of sparkling water.

Bake! Shortbread, honey cakes, lemon bars, and berry-frosted cookies are my favorite seasonal bakes.

Make handprint art with non-toxic paint outside!

Turn on a hose or sprinkler, enchant it for cleansing, and run through it!

Braid each other’s hair. Tuck flowers, ribbon, and leaves into the weave.

Identify cloud shapes- make a simple beginners divination game out of it!

Stack rocks and stones into towers near your door or porch for luck and blessings.

Point out wildlife like birds, bees, rabbits, etc. Discuss what they do for the ecosystem and ask about the youngins’ favorite summer critters.

Leave offerings for the Fae and nature spirits outside.

Feel free to reblog and add additional ideas!

#litha #sabbat #midsummer #summer solstice

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chuas-chuas · 3 years

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The witch experience is just

“Oh shit is it the full moon today”

“What do you mean the sabbat is tomorrow?”

“Did I miss the new moon again?”

“I forgot what day the solstice is, wait it’s today???”

“I need to this at exactly midnight, 1am already??”

#meme

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chuas-chuas · 3 years

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🌿🍊Litha Orange Honey Cake🍊🌿

Hello my greenies! Happy Litha! I hope you’re all enjoying the summer sun and nature. Even during quarantine, if you’re able to take a walk in nature without contact with others, I highly recommend doing so. If you’re unable to go outside, I recommend taking the time to bake and maybe listen to some nature sounds on youtube. Those have helped me during these times. I wish you all the best with this yummy cake! I hope you all like this recipe:)

Ingredients

2 cups all purpose flour

½ cup softened unsalted butter

2 eggs

1 ½ tsp. baking powder

½ tsp baking soda

¼ cup granulated sugar

½ cup milk

½ tsp salt

¼ cup brown sugar

2 tbsp fresh orange juice

2/3 cup honey

1 tbsp vanilla extract

around a tbsp of orange zest

Optional Glaze

½ cup honey

¼ cup brown sugar

some lemon juice

juice of 4th of orange

couple pats of ground cinnamon

dash of vanilla

½ cup (maybe.. I never measure this out)sliced almonds

Mix until syrup state.

Directions

Preheat Oven for 350°F and coat pan with non-stick or other alternative. I honestly don’t know what size my pan is…so I’d say eyeball it and see how much you can fit? Lol

In medium bowl, mix dry ingredients (including the orange zest). Set that to the side while you mix the other ingredients in a larger bowl.

Sift the dry ingredients into the bowl with the other ingredients in batches. So, sift a little in and mix then repeat that until all the dry ingredients are mixed in.

Pour the mixture into the pan and cook for about 28 to 35 minutes. Check with a long toothpick:3 After you take out you can pour over an optional syrup that I think is amazing!

There’s no particular chant I do for this recipe, I mostly just pray for the sun and for the health of those I care for. I like to visualize the sun and its heat and color wrapping me in an embrace and that same warmth infusing the cake.

I hope you call have a lovely Litha and special time with those you love a care for.

- Kenzie

#litha #food #food tw #sabbat #midsummer #summer solstice

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chuas-chuas · 3 years

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Full moon 28/03/2021

#lunar calendar 2021 #moon calendar

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chuas-chuas · 3 years

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So I just found out that sculptures of baby Dionysus hanging out with satyrs was a thing back in ancient Greece and Rome

and…

this

is

so

wholesome???

which is a word I’d never thought I’d use in the context of Dionysus and satyrs

#dionysos

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chuas-chuas · 3 years

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Would it be possible to get a devotional to Hestia? (And maybe a couple references too if you have them?)

I actually don’t have any resource posts on Hestia as of yet. So I’m going to link you to Her page on >theoi.com

Hestia Presides Over:

the residential hearth

the municipal hearth

the offering/sacred fire

the construction of houses

preparation of home/family meals

preparation of communal feasts

sanctuary for guests

Hestia’s Symbols:

veil

kettle

the chaste tree (big flowering tree with purple blooms)

Hestia’s Sacred Animals:

pigs

calves

Here’s my >Morning/Evening prayer set

And here’s a new devotional for you as well

Sacred Hestia,

With blessed smile full of warmth,

I give portion to You,

and Pray for Your protection.

I hang purple flowers across Your threshold

And give to You sweet aromatics,

That You may fill my home with warmth,

With generosity and kindness,

That You may keep my house safe from ills,

That I may be well, and

So give to others in my bounty.

#hestia

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