āTrying to find my deityā
I see a lot of beginner pagans posting about this and I think thereās been a serious miscommunication of information from us more experienced pagans to the new generation.Ā
This is an organic process
Working with deities is more like making friends or finding a passion. You donāt just go embark on some kind of spiritual quest to determine which deity is yours. Itās not a personality quiz. Itās also not like unlocking some kind of secret engraved on your soul or anything like that. In my personal opinion, thatād be a little creepy and would take the choice out of things.Ā
How do I say hi?
Choose a deity that you feel drawn to or share interests/values with and invite them for a meal. Give some offerings based on the information you know about them. Talk to them. If youāre still struggling to rely on your intuition with proper discernment, pull out a divination method to talk to them and get to know them. If it goes well, continue to invite them over, invite them to participate in activities with you, etc.Ā
What if Iām not thrilled with the first deity I pick?Ā
If at any point you become uncomfortable with their presence or youāre just not vibing with that deity, let them know and move on. Deity work shouldnāt be scary or intimidating. If it is, then maybe thereās some unprocessed trauma from Christian culture. No relationships with deities should be fear based.Ā
Can I work with multiple deities?Ā
Forming relationships with multiple deities is normal, thatās why we call it polytheism. Our deities arenāt jealous or possessive like in monotheism. You can even work with deities that may not have gotten along great in the canon mythology too. Weāve been doing so for literally thousands of years, that system isnāt gonna break down now. Itās typical to have a few main deities that you work with the most just like a close circle of friends and then your other friends and coworkers. Throughout my life and my practice I usually bump shoulders with and talk to the entire Norse pantheon but I have my main deities; Hel, Odin, Skadi, Syn, and Eir.Ā
Are there any deities I should stay away from until Iām more experienced?Ā
Nope. In my experience, deities are here to form positive and mutually fulfilling relationships with mankind. Iām not quite sure where this rumor got started that you should stay away from any specific deities or that any deity willĀ āfuck your shit upā or any of that nonsense. Tbh it reminds me of similar fearmongering around spiritwork. In magic, metaphysics, or in paganism if you hear people saying toĀ ājust donātā with anything without providing information about how to do it safely, itās probably a projection of that personās own fears and insecurity. There may be specific deities that a specific practitioner doesnāt get along with, and thatās okay. But their experiences shouldnāt deter others from forming fulfilling relationships with those deities.Ā
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āIn fact, the first figures ever worshiped in human history were small statues of the Goddess that were kept near the hearth and within the home...
Joseph Campbell, in his famous PBS series The Power of Myth, said that the Biblical tradition really took great pains to wipe out the religion of the Goddess and replace it with a patriarchal deity, or Biblical God that we are familiar with today...
Could it be that the Biblical traditionās distaste for the ancient religion of the Goddess shaded the number 6, and by extension the number 666, as being the number of the abomination?ā (source)
This was my Dunkinā coffee order this morning. I decided to do a little research, good vibes after all!
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[source]
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Support Black witches
Support Black healers
Support Black tarot readers
Support Black occultists
Support Black astrologers
Support Black magicians
Support Black pagans
Support Black spiritualists
Support Black spirit workers
End racism in spiritual and occult communities.
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It bothers me to see Freyja declawed.
Seriously bothers me.Ā
A lot!
Okay soā¦ there are a lot of different neopagan and heavily christianized influences in modern international heathenry. These influences actually litter the greater heathen community to such a degree that there are a lot of little things that annoy me, but there are some things that just plain anger me to no end.Ā
One of these things is the declawing of Freyja.Ā
What I mean by that is that Freyja is often described primarily as a goddess of love and beauty and many of the images and icons created by and for heathens depict her as this gorgeous woman in a supple, soft, even gentle pose.Ā
Iāve even seen a statue of Freyja that looks a lot like a virgin mary statue with a fresh coat of paint.Ā
Freyja is associated with cats and cats are elegant and beautiful and soft little murder machines and this association is spot on.Ā
Freyja is described as incredibly beautiful, yes, but also as incredibly powerful (magic wise, and incredibly violent.Ā
She is the leader of the valkyries, which arenāt justĀ āsheild maidensā or women i fantasy-rpg-style armor cheering on the sidelines.Ā
They choose who lives and who dies.
They choose where you go when you die.Ā
And they ride point into battle and Revel in the sheer bloodlust and carnage.Ā
If it was raining blood from the heavens, Freyja would dance and sing in the rain.Ā
This aspect of her is important.Ā
Itās an equal measure of everything she is.Ā
Beauty, power, wisdom, and fucking bloodlust.Ā
When we speak of her as a goddess of love it feels disingenuine.Ā
Sheās more to do with the raw, the carnal, lust.Ā
Sheās not found in a cute and harmless flirt with that cute person.
Sheās found in fingers reaching, grabbing, hot breath, wordless sounds of pleasure, two hearts beating hot, hard, and in tune with one another.Ā
She has less to do with a kiss on a cheek, and more to do with an orgasm.Ā
But this too, this hunger is lost as her active role is downplayed, her sword and spear taken from her hand, her sensible armor and cloak of hawkās feathers with which she can literally fly into battle, her battle chariot, her wild boar, everything stripped away from the fierce and proud goddess, and sheās declawed, and turned into something soft and sweet and gentle.Ā
It frustrates me to see her declawed and turned into a synonym for the virgin mother.Ā
It angers me to see the female fury of my ancestors turned into a polite, christian, crush.Ā
And most of all, it angers me to see heathens use this watered down, declawed, christianized version, to explain how women should be.Ā
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by Asako Eguchi
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āThose Whom I Despise Will Burnā
Write this on a piece of paper and burn it while visualizing those you despise
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Guided by bright golden light I am sinking more and more into depths of my being. I am on my way home, finding my inner sanctuary and a season of my own.
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Does it make me a bad Pagan if I dread this Sabbat bc it's too hot and there are bugs
Letās Talk Litha!: Celebrating the Summer Solstice
June 21st marks this yearās Summer Solstice - the Sabbat known as Litha (or Midsummer)! If you celebrate the Wheel of the Year, Litha is one of the key points in the calendar: The summer solstice marks the Sunās peak of power, and also marks the longest day in the year!
Litha, or, The Summer Solstice
Litha marks the longest day of the calendar year - the Summer Solstice - and is positioned at the bottom, Southernmost quarter point in the Wheel of Year. Traditionally, this is a great time to commune and connect with the Sun, do solar magic, and use the Sunās peak power to spellcast, charge, and cleanse.
Colors:Ā Red, orange, and other fiery, bold tones
Incense & Scents: Dragonās blood, orange, musks (personal correspondences here - use your own for max results!)
Altar Setup: Find stones and crystals that have washed up on the summer shore, local flowers, seasonal fruits, and plenty of candles. A bonfire is traditional (a red candle is practical!)
The Litha Feast:Ā What would a Sabbat be without a feast? Litha is a perfect time to eat outdoors (if possible!). Traditional foods include herbed breads and pastries (baked!), desserts and dishes with summer fruits (try berries, stone fruits, or citrus, depending on whatās local to you!), cold cooked poultry for our omnivore witches, and flower or berry wines. More modern foods for Litha could include potato salads, dishes made with lavender or sorrel, peppery foods, or dandelion greens.
Litha Traditions:
Light a bonfire and jump over it (if itās small enough!) to cleanse yourself of past ills.
Stay up on Midsummer Eve to wait for the rising sun.
Dispose of old amulets in the Litha fire.
Work magic with stone circles.
Make speeches to Fortuna, the lady of Fortune (is my Hellenic Revivalism showing?).
Phone past friends and invite them over.
Honor the Oak tree by paying one a visit in your local neighborhood.
Lead the way to your Litha celebration with a torchlit procession (or lantern or sparkler-lit, as it were!).
Magic for Litha: Healing, purification, cleansing, fire, protection, rebirth, power, sun magic, magic with stones and crystals, reaffirmations, and oaths.
Have at it, witches! (and link me to your Litha altars/plans/feasts! Iām a sucker for peeking on all your aesthetics & magics :>)
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š¾šššššš
The sabbats are holidays celebrated throughout the year on solstices, equinoxes, and the midpoints between them. These sabbats form the Wheel of the year.
There is a controversy surrounding the dates of these holidays, as people celebrate them all over the earth, not only in the northen hemisphere but in the southern too.Ā
One viewpoint is that the Sabbats should be celebrated as they were originally created to beā¦ in other words, Samhain is October 31st, regardless of where you live. In the Southern Hemisphere, even though you are just gearing up to summer on October 31st, this perspective says that you celebrate the cleansing and releasing, the honouring of the dead just as you would if you lived in the Northern Hemisphere. The other viewpoint (the one I personally agree with) is that you should celebrate when you feel like the season corresponds with the holiday, in other words, your craft, your rules. So if you live in the southern hemisphere, you have the choice.
Iāll be writing the dates for each holiday starting with the northen hemisphere and then the dates that many people celebrate them in the southern hemisphere
š²šššš
{December 21st//June 21st}
Yule focuses on rebirth and renewal as the sun makes its way back to the earth. Itās all about new beginnings, reflection and embracing warmth. Much like Christmas, many celebrate with a feast, gift giving, being cosy and appreciating the good.
āNature: cedar, frankincense, myrrh, mistletoe, pine, birch, ivy.
āFoods//flavours: ginger, cloves, cinnamon, nutmeg, wintergreen, apple, dried fruit.
āStones: citrine, ruby, garnet, alexandrite, green tourmaline.
āActivities: decorate your altar with incense associated with Yule, burn ash wood for prosperity, bake using Yule flavours like ginger or cinnamon, make wreathes to hang around the house, spend time with loved ones.
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{February 1st//August 1st}
Imbolc focuses on celebrating the nature that is preparing to grow and renewal, also known as ācandlemasā and the āFeast of Panā.
āNature: basil, blackberry, heather, celandine, iris, wisteria, vanilla, bay, yellow and white flowers.
āFoods//flavours: pumpkin and sunflower seeds, poppy seeds, peppers, onions, spices, and herbal teas.
āStones: amethyst, bloodstone, garnet, ruby, onyx.
āActivities: decorate with candles and sun decorations, go hiking, have a bonfire, bake foods with poppy seeds, and burn any leftover winter herbs.
š¼šššššš
{March 21st//September 21st}
Ostara focuses on manifesting creativity and love. As the days become longer, energy becomes stronger.
āNature: ash, alder, daffodil, honeysuckle, narcissus, primrose, violet, jasmine.
āFoods//flavours: olives, maple syrup, honey, edible flowers, chocolate, pine nuts, nettle or lavender tea, local fruits and vegetables.
āStones: amethyst, rose quartz, moonstone.
āActivities: gardening and planting seeds, bake breads with olives or honey for example, start new projects, talk to plants, do some painting, decorate with wildflowers.
š°ššššššš
{May 1st//November 1st}
Beltane focuses on fertility, love and abundance. Also known as āmay dayā, on this sabbat many celebrate with dancing, bonfires and many high energy activities, including enjoying themselves sexually with a partner or even conceiving children.
āNature: frankincense, lilac, ivy, marigold, woods, rose, thyme, mint, yarrow.
āFoods//flavours: oats, leafy greens, fruits, breads, honey.
āStones: malachite, amber, fire opal, red jasper.
āActivities: dance, decorate with florals and symbols of the sea, go to the beach, go hiking, have a bonfire, feast on fruits, vegetables and grains, laugh and let your hair down. And if youāre trying to conceive or simply would like to have sex, Beltane is a wonderful time to do so.
š¦ššššš
{June 21st//December 21st}
Litha focuses on growth and celebrating the longest day of the year and the sun, before the shorter days begin.
āNature: fern, yarrow, sage, rose, oak, mugwort, lavender, chamomile, myrrh, pine.
āFoods//flavours: herbed bread, honey, sunflower seeds, iced herbal tea, lemon, vanilla.
āStones: lapis lazuli, amethyst, malachite, tigerās eye.
āActivities: make or buy a sun catcher, surround yourself with warm tones, watch the sunrise and sunset, make sun water, spend time outdoors, make use of herbs.
š¾šššššš//šššššššššš
{August 2nd//February 2nd}
Lammas, or lughnasadh focuses on celebrating the first of the three harvesting sabbats and taking time to really feel the positivity in different aspects of life.
āNature: cornstalks, heather, acacia flowers, hollyhock, oak leaves, wheat, myrtle, spices.
āFood//flavours: grainy bread, corn, potatoes, nuts, blackberries, wine.
āStones: amber, agate, citrine, clear quartz, obsidian, tigerās eye.
āActivities: bake bread, make corn dolls, visit a sunflower field, spend time in nature, acknowledged what you are grateful for, journal.
šššššš
{September 21st//March 21st}
Mabon focuses on honouring the change of the seasons, balance and peace.
āNature: sage, pine, marigold, thistle, acorns, milkweed, oak leaves, myrrh.
āFood//flavours: cinnamon, nuts, beans, dark fruits, pies, soup, butterscotch.
āStones: citrine, carnelian, clear quartz, sapphire, yellow agate.
āActivities: collect pine cones, donate food and old clothes, meditate, dry herbs, spend time with loved ones, speak to the nature around you.
šššššššš
{October 31st-November 1st//April 30th-May 1st}
Samhain focuses on celebrating life, and honouring those who are no longer with us.
āNature: heather, sage, pumpkins, straw, flax, patchouli, myrrh.
āFoods//flavours: apples, cider, pumpkin, pies, soups, stews, potatoes, ginger.
āStones: amber, black obsidian, fossils, onyx, sandstone, bloodstones.
āActivities: honour the deceased, spend time with family, make a hearty comforting meal, make or buy a scarecrow, spend time practicing divination.
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āDo a tarot reading relevant to that sabbat.
āSpend time in the moonlight, charging your crystals and tarot cards, as well as meditating.
āBake something using at least one traditional food of that sabbat to share with others.
āSage cleanse your living space and any of your magickal items.
āWrite down how youāre feeling and how youād like to feel in the weeks to come.
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Hey tasseography beginners! Hereās a quick guide on cups in tea leaf readings; more specifically on how to pick one and what the different part of the cup relates to. Iāll be posting a lot more basic guides on Tarot, Tea Leaf, and Rune Stone Readings in the coming weeks so keep an eye out for those! As always, feel free to message me with questions, to book a reading, or to simply chat and say hi š
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Pendulums š§µ
Disclaimer
This is all based on my research, experiences & opinion.Ā
IntroductionĀ
I got sent an ask referring to pendulums & although I use pendulums & have made a post before it was quite short & poorly written so here we are again with a new one!Ā
Defining & Acquiring A PendulumĀ
What is a pendulum?Ā
The mundane definition of a pendulum is-Ā Ā āA weight hung from a fixed point so that it can swing freely backward and forward, especially a rod with a weight at the end that regulates the mechanism of a clock.ā While this is simply the mundane definition, it gives you a good idea of an object or creation that might qualify as a pendulum. From a witchcraft perspective, a pendulum is a small item that hangs from a string/thread/chain that can be used for divination.Ā
Why use a pendulum?
Many forms of divination require a bit of in depth analysis & arenāt very useful for simply or yes/no questions while a pendulum is perfect for this. It is also fairly simple, beginner friendly, closet witch friendly, cheap & portable!Ā
Where do I get a pendulum?Ā
I got mine at a shop that specializes in crystal jewelry but you can make a pendulum, use a necklace, or buy them at crystal, metaphysical, or witchy/pagan supply shops.Ā
How do I make one?Ā
You can make a pendulum out of really any small object and a string/thread/chain. A common way to make one easily is by using a needle on a thread. There a lot of options though depending on what you have access to, how much time you want it to take, how much knowledge you have & how witchy you want it to look. If you want to make a pendulum that is anything but simple then google pictures!Ā
Where can I get a pendulum? | How do I pick?Ā
If you would like to buy a pendulum instead of make one there are a wide variety of things people use to make pendulums but a common one is crystals. Mine is opalite! The type of crystal or other material the pendulum is made out of will correspond with the uses the pendulum has. Ex: a rose quartz pendulum is good for questions relating to love. Other materials may carry correspondences too, such as wood or metal.Ā
How do I use a pendulum?Ā
Cleansing & ChargingĀ
As you do with all items you intend to use for witchcraft, cleanse the pendulum before you use it! You can also choose to charge it, especially if its crystal but this isnāt as deeply essential as cleansing.Ā
Method SelectionĀ
You can either ask the pendulum toĀ āshow you yes/no/ectā and watch/record the way it swings or use a pendulum board (good idea to google one so you get a better idea what Iām referring to.) A pendulum board hasĀ āyes/no/ectā written on it and you hold the pendulum above it. It swings & its answers are indicated by the board below. I have always used the first method personally but itās entirely up to you!Ā
Basic QuestionĀ
Now that youāre prepared, ask the pendulum several questions you already know the answers to. You could also chose to interview the pendulum as you would other divination tools such as a tarot deck. This is entirely up to you though.Ā
PracticeĀ
Practice makes perfect! If you want to get used to using a pendulum, practice a lot. Ask it diverse questions & record your results!Ā
Tips & RemindersĀ
Pendulums are best used for yes/no questions.Ā
If you canāt come up with a question, think of something thatās been troubling you & how you can turn that into a question. This also works with other forms of divination.Ā
If you use the method where you ask the pendulum toĀ āshow youā yes or no, it is advised you donāt just ask it to show this on the first reading & record results but ask it before each reading. Some pendulums are consistent, some are not. Some witches are consistent, some are not.Ā
I hope this helped you or you learned something!Ā
Enjoy!Ā
Have a lovely day š
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Natalia Drepina (@yourschizophrenia)
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Never step into a fae ring unless you want the faes to take you but who knows maybe you do.
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š³Trees in Witchcraftš³
Wood and leaves collected from trees can be used for wands, spells, and more. Make sure to thank the tree, and don't go around yoinking branches off.
AlderĀ
Healing
Balance
Courage
Ash
Healing
Divination
Creativity
Aspen
Purification
Rebirth
HealingĀ
Birch
Love
Healing
Protection
Cedar
Grounding
Protection
Longevity
Elm
Death
Love
Strength
Fir
Abundance
Rebirth
Energy
Hazel
Wisdom
Knowledge
Divination
HollyĀ
Luck
Strength
Protection
Maple
Love
Luck
Longevity
Oak
Divination
Strength
Protection
Pine
Healing
ProtectionĀ
Purification
Redwood
Protection
Creativity
Healing
Rowan
Protection
Divination
Creativity
Willow
Healing
Love
Creativity
Yew
Death
Change
Rebirth
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