cinder-sparks
Ashes and embers
Hi, I'm Ember and welcome to my blog!
This is a pretty casual space for me to post anything witchy or the like.
If you want to see my more formal stuff check me out on my professional blog:
Chance-and-Choices
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the other side of 25
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I almost went to sleep, but then Hermes said this:
"Avoiding your gods because you feel unworthy is the beginning of a downward spiral. We improve what we touch, and make worthy those whom we love."
So, if you got there in your head, too, just an FYI.
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If you play your cards right, you too can summon Clefable with some glitter and pink frosting!
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“The Arthurian wizard Myrddin or Merlin can be seen as a form of the Green Man or the Wild Man, the medieval woodwose or tree spirit also associated with Robin Hood, and the ‘Lord of Animals'. After witnessing a fierce battle in which several of his companions were killed, the Arthurian wizard reportedly went insane. As a result he became a recluse in the Caledonian Forest in Scotland, living there as a ' wild man' or ‘man of the woods’ among the animals and birds. It is said Merlin tamed and rode a stag and even shape-shifted into the form of that animal. This state of returning to nature and the wilderness after suffering a traumatic experience can be seen as a form of ‘divine madness' where those afflicted find they can communicate with the Otherworld and exhibit the gift of prophecy. Merlin Sylvester or ‘Merlin of the Wood' can also be linked with Rex Nemorensis, the ‘king of the woods', the priest-king who was the guardian of the sacred grove of the goddess Diana near Lake Nemi in Roman mythology.
Merlin is described as ‘being without father or mother’, a coded term referring to the strange circumstances of his birth and indicating someone who is of an Otherworldly origin. In fact Merlin is said to be the offspring of a liaison between a Welsh princess and a 'tall dark knight’ who visited her bedchamber while she was sleeping. Other versions of the birth say that the ‘knight' was in fact a daimon or demon of the incubus type who live ‘between the Earth and the moon' . It is therefore suggested that Merlin is of the elven or faery blood. In modern traditional witchcraft he is seen as a guardian spirit and magical protector of the Blessed Isles of Albion, a position also taken by King Arthur as the Pendragon (from the Welsh 'head chieftain'). In Welsh this is illustrated by an old name for Britain, Clas Myrddin or ‘Merlin's Enclosure'. In the Old Craft 'merlin' is a generic term for somebody belonging to an ancient bloodline of priests who takes that role and is a magician.”
—
Liber Nox:
A Traditional Witch’s Gramarye
Chapter 6: ‘Mayday’
by Michael Howard
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if you call greek myths fanfiction i am not going to listen to anything you say
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Prayers to the gods are traditionally spoken aloud. In fact, the word for prayer euchesthai also meant to boast and to let out a victorious cry of triumph. The gods will always hear even the softest of entreaties, but a loud prayer is a way to draw attention to oneself.
There were three ways to pray to different gods:
Ouranic (Olympian) Gods: standing with arms outstretched and palms upward
Oceanic Gods: standing with arms outstretched toward the sea, palms turned toward a cult image (statue, item, figure etc)
Khthonic (Earthly/Underworld) Gods: on the ground, pounding the earth with fists
Kneeling down to pray is unusual. The gesture of entreaty is outstretched arms. To invoke the heavenly gods, both hands are raised to the sky with upturned palms; to call on the gods of the sea, the arms are extended out to the sea; the hands are also stretched toward the cult image. […] Special measures are required, however, if the dead or the gods of the underworld are to be reached. Poets describe how the suppliant hurls himself on the ground and hammers the earth with fists.
- Greek Religion, Walter Burkert
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I'm the modern Oracle of Delphi but instead of breathing in ground vapors to bring about visions I just drink an extra large french vanilla iced coffee and vibrate until I am tuned in
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Please, I am genuinely asking where this “you can give The Folk TM your name, but don’t give your name away” lore came from. I see so many posts along the lines of, “if asked for your name by Someone in the woods, make sure to clarify you’re not giving it to them before you tell them what it is, to be safe.”
The True Name lore you’re referencing has never been about giving away your name as you would a physical object or an oath. It’s that simply knowing someone’s True Name gives another power over that person, period.
I don’t know where this new lore cropped up, but in its specific context as I’ve seen it on this site, generally in reference to the Irish Other Crowd, it’s historically incorrect. I’m not saying y’all can’t make up New folklore. It is, after all, Folklore. But if you’re Genuinely trying to avoid, you know, True Name issues,
BE CAREFUL
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“A list of the shared characteristics that faeries of European nations almost always possess:
1) Spinning and weavings
2) Associated with megaliths
3) Beautiful, with hair flowing freely
4) Combing the hair with golden comb
5) Changeling children
6) Taking mortals away
7) Being taken away by mortals, sometimes by the theft of a skin or feathered garment
8) The circle dance-often with fairy ring, sometimes mushrooms. This feature is less discernible in the English-speaking material available from the Basque province where they are instead associated with "faerie holes" that are doorways in hedges. Though a closer analysis by a Basque speaker may yield different results.
9) Wearing white or green. If not in these colours they may be naked
10) Associated with forests, bodies of water, hollow hills or mountains
11) Shapeshifting, particularly into birds or possessing bird feet or wings. If not this then some oddity like a hollow back, or other abnormality will be found somewhere on their body
12) The liking for milk and clean houses
13) Usually nocturnal or associated with threshold times like twilight and dawn, in-between states
14) Closely associated with Fate and the ability to control the fortune of worthy humans
15) Honesty is valued, they may like True Thomas possess the "tongue that cannot lie"
16) Time is skewed and back to front once you enter Faerie
17) If you eat or speak there you must stay forever
18) Singing and Music
19) Elf-shot
20) Ambivalent moral character.
21) Sleeping near one of their trees, mounds or rivers is potentially dangerous
22) More females than males, female-appearing creatures often in charge
Here are some shared narrative features that come up frequently but are not quite so prevalent:
1) Importance of the faerie's true name
2) Small or changeable stature
3) Inverse emotional behaviour laughing/crying
4) A need of mortals for certain services involving birth, sex and death, especially in the Celtic and Basque regions
5) Things other than emotions held in reverse, such as gifts of gold are ashes, ashes can be gold.
6) Bells and processions of light such as carrying candles
7) Having an ointment that can make mortals see them but may blind those to whom they haven't given permission
8) Dislike of iron
9) Respond badly to being mimicked, mocked or watched without their knowledge
10) May own fairy cattle which are never dry of milk
11) May tell you not to look back when you leave their presence
12) May cause elf locks in horse's manes
13) May be associated with crossroads
14) A faerie garment may give you control over them”
Sounds of Infinity,
—by Lee Morgan
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If we created our gods, it does not make them less powerful. It could even make them moreso, when you consider it.
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I have no idea who made this, but I want them to know I love them.
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i know theres differentiation between worshipping and being devoted to a god, but i feel there needs to be a third category of "god i do not worship but do let into my house and treat like a beloved guest because i like them and we are chill with each other"
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“Remember why you became a polytheist. Perhaps you prayed and Someone unexpected answered. Perhaps a Goddess tapped you on the shoulder and said “you’re mine.” Perhaps you realized that the world is better explained by many Gods of limited power and scope than by one all-powerful God and you decided that following Them was the best way to order your life. It’s hard to be spiritual when your roof is leaking. If your current situation has dampened your enthusiasm for the Gods, Their virtues, and Their work, it’s understandable. And usually, They understand too – They tend to have a longer and wider perspective than we do. But whatever your reason for becoming a polytheist, it was valid then and it’s still valid now.”
— John Beckett “Polytheism in Difficult Times“
(via intaier)
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Pharmakos (by J C West)
i:
we pin the blame where we feel the most grief
and name our capras after the guilt in our bones
as if the sins from our past
wash away like the blood from our hands
ii:
you walked out that night
and i didn’t have the strength
to ask you to stay
is it your fault or mine
that this ruined altar tastes
of liquor and lies
and a stranger’s lips that will never be enough
because they are not yours
iii:
i keep destroying myself, over and over
claiming you’re the one who did this to me
sacrificing myself so i don’t have to face the truth:
i am hurting and you do not care
i am hurting because you do not care
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17 for 17
Tagged by @whorlsofwitcheryandcunning on my shop account <3
1) Nickname: Ember
2) Zodiac: Stubborn and filled with cake
3) Height: 5'3"
4) Hogwarts House: Hufflepuff
5) Last thing I googled: ‘not made from wheat made from oats instead abix‘ Was tryna show my friend an old Oatabix advert
6) Song stuck in my head: Horror and the Wild - The Amazing Devil
7) Number of followers: [IDK noise]
8) Amount of sleep: 10+ hours
9) Lucky number: 16
10) Dream job: Voice Actor
11) Wearing: Just a shirt because I’m louinging around the house
12) Favorite song: At the moment probably also Horror And The Wild - The Amazing Devil
13) Favorite aesthetic: Black and White Minamalist OR Fae Forest Castle
14) Favorite author: Brent Weeks
15) Favorite instrument: Violin
16) Favorite animal noise: Cat purr - Though a lot of bird noises are really soothing. Especially the ones over in the states.
17) Random: I tried to make Plum Jam for the first time today and have somehow made something that tastes like a cross between Golden Syrup and Honey.
I think everyone I know in the witchy circles has been tagged so if you see this feel free! And also chat with me so I know more witchy people!
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Religious drabbles: Helios’s forgotten aspect as an oath keeper
Helios’s aspect (or well, helios himself :p) as an oath keeper is something I never seen spoken about. Usually, they refer to him as he is: the Titan and personification of the sun. He is the ultimate creative force behind our beloved star, the one that drives the four-horsed chariot. His role as the sun is well known to those who have heard of his name.
But, Helios as an oath keeper — there’s something we have forgotten here. The ancient Greeks swore upon him, shining Helios, that they would not break those oaths. He oversees promises, making sure they are not broken. Helios watches… and he awaits.
And that is powerful.
Helios has been there for me, when he thought I got too close to breaking mine, he gently reminded me, as if he patted my shoulder and whispered “Don’t forget your oaths; okay Adrian…?” And, while I never truly got close to breaking it: Helios cared. He cares so much.
When someone wrongs you, breaks a promise, shatters an oath, Helios can come to your aid. He’s there, so close - he’s always been there. We see him travel across the sky everyday: Helios is so close. And he’s easy to reach out to.
When the sun is shining, you can cry out to the tireless god — when you sob, his rays are there to comfort, him being a delight to mankind, and when you are wronged — the wrath of the sun can be invoked. Helios watches, distant yet close, awaiting a call for action.
Remember that the sun — the tireless god, he of freedom, Helios Eleutheros, and as a saviour, Helios Sôter — the sun is both a benefactor to all, but also the shining power of fire that burns on. He nourishes life, but he is also a god of fire and heat — for he can nourish, but also scorch and burn.
But there is one thing I know for certain about our tireless god: he cares. And he cares so, so much.
To learn about oaths in Ancient Greece, here’s an article upon it: https://chs.harvard.edu/CHS/article/display/3963.8-the-oath-in-greece
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Opening a tarot booster pack i got 4 common Towers and one holographic Death
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