#Native American Witch

[basicallyanotherwitchesthing]

ARIZONA Highways, magazine, Vol. LI No. 5, Arizona Department of Transportation, May 1975

[themoonandthedogstar]

Just saw people in the tiktok comment section trying to deny that Klaus is half native american because ‘he doesn’t look it’ ?? whatever that means ??

[butterflytarot]

The DANGERS of Godspousals

Aside from the sexualization of the gods / spirits, godspousalships pose genuine dangers to the mortals (adults and minors) for reasons that not a lot of people think about. From possessions (spirit attachments) to sex trafficking, this topic can get pretty serious and risky real quick. Please treat this as informational (but not educational), and as an alternative perspective on a trending topic.

As a disclaimer, this is my belief. I am speaking on this because I believe it to be genuinely harmful and I have personal experiences related to this. If you believe otherwise or that this doesn't align with your spirituality and you're not open to changing your views, that's okay, this post is simply not for you. I am not trying to hate on anybody by making this, just simply spread awareness utilizing the knowledge and experiences that I have, on my personal blog. Thank you /gen.

Note: this post includes potentially triggering and mature themes.

Firstly, I want to talk about possessions. Possessions, in my practice and many others, are defined as spirit attachments. This is when a spirit is attached to you. It's not always out of malice, but a lot of the time the spirit means you some form of harm.

Getting an attachment is easy - it can even happen by accident - but when it comes to deity worshippers, often times it's because you ran into a "trickster." I use the term trickster loosely because it's a common buzzword so you'll understand what I mean, but tricksters are more nuanced than what a lot of people think. You can read about tricksters here. Additionally, I want to clarify that tricksters may lie or pretend to be someone else, but spirits in general don't have to trick you to get attached to you. Some do, some don't. Some you just misinterpret as a deity and they roll with it because you don't ask properly. Some get attached unrelated to spirit work, deity worship or improper vetting. You can learn about vetting here, but the main point I'm trying to make is that spirits - negative and neutral usually - may possess you for various reasons and in various ways, it's not always a trickster situation even though it often is.

Now, something I'd like to talk about is miasma. Miasma is in various cultural and spiritual / religious beliefs, not just Greek Polytheism / Hellenism, but miasma is the Greek word for it. A lot of new ageists mis-define miasma, and the word might specifically has nuanced meaning due to linguistics, regional differences, familial traditions, etc. The miasma I'm referring to is a specific concept, a specific thing, so though this is a definition of miasma, keep in mind that this topic can be referred to as something else and miasma is sometimes referred to other things as well.

Miasma is what's left behind when a spirit touches your body, any of your bodies (spiritual, physical, etc). As a living person, which we all are here, that is dangerous, sickly and unsanitary. Miasma can weigh you down physically, it can make you feel sick or make it difficult for you to connect with the good energies around you, etc. It does two other things as well that are important to note: Firstly, it can hide you - when you're covered by miasma, it's difficult for various spirits (in some cultures, deities, or fae, but other spirits too) to recognize you. This is dangerous if it's a trickster because it limits who's available or willing to help you (though sometimes it prevents more spirits from targeting you, the spirit on you may expose you to others like it - not always the case, but does happen). Miasma also acts as a shield - though it feels sickly and no good, it creates a barrier between you and the spirit touching you. You can think of it like this: If you're covered in diseased mud and someone touches you, they're going to come into contact with the mud, not your skin. And though you can wash the mud off, the other person in this case is a spirit and can't wash it off for you (this is because miasma is good for spirits, all of them have it, it's related to death).

Reiterating: You can wash off miasma, but they can't, so even though the mud is no good for you, they still can't touch you underneath it. It's a shitty protection, I advise you to not rely on it, but this is still important to know in my opinion.

Why is all of that relevant?

Well, spirits (like tricksters, but others too) give you miasma simply by touching you. It's not something they do in order to harm you, it just happens because all spirits have it (as described above). This is sickly and dangerous, and part of why godspousalships are unsafe. Being covered in the energy of spirits or the dead is really no fun, trust me. Even in new age Hellenism, miasma and similar concepts are something most people try to wash away and cleanse.

You can cleanse yourself of miasma, but if a spirit is attached to you or even just touching you a lot trying to get attached to you, it doesn't matter if you wash it away because you're just continuously getting miasma on you. Even spirit guides won't touch you like that, in my beliefs. Depending on your culture, deities will only touch your head in small amounts as a sign of endearment and respect, not enough to get bouts of miasma on you. In other cultures, deities won't touch you at all because the head is considered sacred traditionally in those cultures.

A lot of people do believe in the concept of spirit spouses, and let me be clear - I also believe this! I just think there's a fine line of boundaries that is important to not ignore. Here's a little bit of how I personally view it...

Even if you have a spouse as a spirit, you are not currently a spirit. You are a living person living a lively life. You are not a spirit right now, even if you have a spirit, because you also have a physical body, psychological body, etc. Because of this, many spirit spouses and families will actually leave their living partners alone to let them live their life (not always the case, but often times). Additionally, it's difficult to vett whether or not a spirit is actually your spouse, so it's to keep you safe from things like tricksters like what I mentioned above.

Next, even deities could have spirit spouses, yes. I know this can be true firsthand. I also know that if they're your spouse, they don't want to put you in harm's way, and they still carry out the duties of being a deity even if you're a mortal. Respecting their position is highly important to respecting your relationship (values of love, protection, consent, etc) and respecting who they are (as your spouse or not as your spouse) - getting frisky in bed with your boss is looked down on, right? Getting frisky with a god can be seen in the same negative light. In fact, it's non-consensual, which is why it's looked down on to sleep with your boss. Being sexual with someone in a position of power over you is not okay in this manner (you can read about that here, here, here, here, here, here, and here). Though I do believe we each have our own power, most of us can't perceive spirits like we can the average human walking on the street (visually, spacially, audio, touch / sensations, etc) and some of us don't have strong & healthy enough intuitions & nervous systems to point out dangers, so these spirits do have an advantage over people who don't have this information and/or don't know how to properly protect themselves.

Additionally, I find it important to add that a lot of people find out about their "godspousalships" because the spirit just begins touching them, or assumes their relationship should match how it is as spirits and don't sit down and discuss boundaries or consent with them. This is not consensual, and not okay! You deserve a right to learn more and you deserve the opportunity say no, spouse or not. (Side note: I will likely post about consent in a later post so you can learn more.)

A lot of people who don't know this, hear the concept of "godspousal" or read it online, and don't do any deep research, and end up just running with it. This is understandable, but unwise. I've witnessed grown adults talk to minors saying, "well maybe you're Apollo's muse!" and this is dangerous. Youth and minors should not be exposed to this without being taught protections, cleansing, how to adequately research and verify sources, how to be in touch with their bodies and their own soul and energy, etc etc etc. They deserve guidance, not being mislead, because spirituality is not commonly talked about for a lot of people, so it's easy to make mistakes or not get the full information or know what to do. I've seen grown adults tell five minors at once "you're all muses of Zeus" and those minors, initially having concerns of possessions or genuinely having no idea, are then not receiving the support they need to either remove possessions or learn how to come to their own conclusions about mature ideas like this (that in my opinion, they shouldn't even be hearing about at such a young age). This is not safe and if it was a physical person they were introducing the youth to like this, they'd be in prison for sex trafficking. Spirits are no different than humans, and when they are, it creates a power imbalance that is non-consensual (all of this explained above). There's more examples and experiences, but this post would be much longer if I included them all lol.

Lastly, I want to talk about cultural appropriation and why godspousalship is dangerous mundanely. "Godspousal" is actually a Hindu tradition, it relates to sacred worship / work. When romance and sexuality come into the picture (which is not always the case), it is often done ritualistically or at least with many safety precautions - this practice is not reflective of how new ageists use the term currently, which is harmful and erasive. It is a serious practice that deserves respect. In some traditions, it is also done while others are around to ensure your safety (physical, mental, spiritual, etc), and in some traditions it is a practice reserved for those who have gone through the necessary rituals, precautions, or even status-earning. (You can learn more about it here, here, here, and here from a deleted post where people are talking about their own experiences . . . but know that not all practices can be understood with a few blogposts and you might need to talk to some traditional practitioners to learn about it fully. You can also learn about some of it through another traditional + cultural lens here.)

A lot of youth and even adults are online and don't know how to research (here's a guide on research), which is why I found it important for me to make this post. Again, this is not to throw shade, I simply want to share warnings based on my own beliefs, research, personal experiences, and experiences of people I care about within my communities. If you don't agree with this post, that's fine - please scroll.

Thank you for reading. I hope this helps somebody out there somewhere. To reiterate one more time, this post is not meant to bash anyone or their beliefs, it is simply a different viewpoint. You can believe what you want, but if this resonates with any of you, then it has served its purpose: to help, and to share. If this post comes off aggressive, I apologize - I've been up all night and I'm trying to be articulate with my words, I seek not to sugarcoat but I do not seek to be aggressive either. Thank you for understanding!

Getting Help

If you're concerned about a possession, please make sure you reach out to support. Look into discernment and psychosis, but don't be afraid to look into things like possession removals either.

If you'd like, you can contact me regarding a possession removal. It is a service I offer. Prices are negotiable, sometimes free depending on the situation. I work with a few spirit friends to get these done, but sometimes I can also teach you some methods of removing certain spirits yourself. I also provide deity / spirit IDs to see if you're talking to an actual deity or someone else, which are even cheaper and prices also negotiable.

You can also find other people who provide this service. If you're Native American and they're accessible, contact your local Medicine Man. If not, you can find a shaman. You can find a psychopomp or priestess online too (like me), just be mindful of scams as there's a lot out there.

I know how scary possessions can be. But you're never doomed, and it feels much better to have that connection severed. There is also hope for a better outcome than never being free. Life is beautiful, and we all deserve to see it that way, in a genuine and authentic matter.

No matter what you choose, I wish you all the best moving forward. To contact me, send me a message, or contact me on Discord or Instagram or Tiktok (linked in my bio or click here). Even if I can't help you, I can try to give you more info or find someone for you who can help you, such as an Oracle friend of mine. Thank you!

[amalgamasreal]

SOURCE

Leonard Peltier, an Indigenous activist imprisoned for the 1975 killings of two FBI agents, faces a parole hearing, potentially his last chance for freedom.

Peltier, now 79, faces failing health, with his attorney warning that a denied parole request could delay another chance for freedom for a decade.

Despite claims of falsified evidence and staunchly maintaining his innocence since his 1977 conviction, Peltier has faced rejection for parole and clemency in the past.

[cookie-lore-keeper]

Cookie Profiles: Crowberry Cookie

Full Name/True Name: Crowberry Cookie

Species: Shapeshifter (Cookie that can turn into a crow)

Ethnicity: None (baked by witches)

Element: Dark (headcanon)

Ingredients: Organic white sugar, Butter, Flour, Strawberry jam, Life powder, Sparkling crowberries, Crow feathers, Mysterious ornate necklace (made of rock candy) Lavender eyecing

Age: 34

Pronouns: She/it

Occupation: N/A

Sexuality: Pansexual

Birthday: November 3

Family: None

Alignment: Neutral

Status: Alive

(//headcanon territory)

Crowberry Cookie was made by the witch after she had found a crowfeather on her window sill, still very pristine and gentle. An interesting thing about this crowfeather was that it wasn't from a dessert creature, but instead, a crow from our world; it must've somehow gotten into the cookie world (a witch somehow managed to get into the cookie world and build a home btw. Mentioned that in an old post). The witch then crafted an ornate necklace made of rock candy to go along with it, and these ingredients were then used to bake Crowberry Cookie. Because of the crow feather, Crowberry Cookie is able to shapeshift into a crow.

Crowberry stayed with the witch in her house, hiding from her and collecting all the shiny objects she could find. But, after she had witnessed the witch eating a cookie, Crowberry Cookie quickly fled, not wanting to be eaten herself. Though, she made sure to take her treasures with her. She then moved into an abandoned castle (not THE Witch's Castle) near the witch's house.

Crowberry Cookie spends her days collecting treasures and happily "rehoming" treasures from other cookies. Her favorite hobby includes flying around the forest, looking for any treasures she can find.

[astra-ravana]

Beware The Skinwalker

Understanding Skinwalkers

The Skinwalker (Yee Naaldlooshii) originates from Navajo (Diné) tradition and is considered a witch or shapeshifter capable of transforming into animals and manipulating energy for malevolent purposes. In Navajo culture, Skinwalkers are not just mythical beings but are deeply feared and believed to be real, dangerous, inhuman witches who use their power for harm.

From a Pagan perspective, especially within witchcraft and animistic traditions, the concept of Skinwalkers can be understood through the broader lens of shapeshifting, spirit work, and the ethical use of magic. However, it is essential to approach this topic with deep respect for Indigenous traditions, as the Skinwalker legend is not a general folklore story but a sacred and protected part of Navajo spiritual belief.

Traditional Navajo Belief

Skinwalkers are corrupt witches who have violated sacred laws to gain their shapeshifting powers, often through acts of extreme taboo (such as harming a close relative). They are feared for their ability to transform into animals, possess people, and use dark magic to cause illness, death, and suffering. Talking openly about Skinwalkers is often avoided in Navajo culture, as it is believed to attract their attention.

Shapeshifting in Paganism and Witchcraft

Many Pagan traditions incorporate shapeshifting in a spiritual or symbolic way, but these practices are often very different from the Navajo Skinwalker legend:

• European witchcraft & folklore – Many historical witch trials accused witches of turning into wolves, cats, hares, or owls (similar to the "werewolf" legends).

• Norse Seiðr & Berserkers – Some warriors and witches were said to take on the "spirit" of animals in battle or ritual.

• Animism & Totemism – Some Pagan traditions involve spiritual shapeshifting, where a witch enters a trance to take on an animal’s essence.

Unlike Skinwalkers, these traditions usually do not involve harmful intent or the violation of sacred laws.

Not Just A Shapeshifter

Many Native American tribes, including the Navajo, do not openly share their spiritual practices with outsiders. Skinwalker lore is not meant for non-Navajo people to practice or claim.

Pagan & Witchcraft practitioners should avoid using "Skinwalker" as a casual term for shapeshifting, incorporating Skinwalkers into modern witchcraft practices, or treating the legend as just another cryptid or folklore story. These creatures are a serious threat and should be regarded as such.

Instead, practitioners interested in shapeshifting should learn about ethical shapeshifting practices within their own spiritual traditions. Study animism, hedge riding, or astral projection as alternative methods. Always respect Indigenous boundaries and listen to Native voices on the subject.

The Skinwalker is a serious and sacred belief within Navajo culture, and it should not be used, claimed, or practiced outside of its cultural context. Unlike folklore creatures such as werewolves, Skinwalkers are real entities within Navajo belief and are associated with dark magic, breaking sacred laws, and bringing harm to others. They are feared within the Navajo community, and their existence is not taken lightly—discussing them openly is often avoided, as it is believed to attract their attention.

According to legend, Skinwalkers gain their abilities by committing an extreme taboo, often involving harm to a family member or violating spiritual laws. This act severs them from the natural order, allowing them to take on animal forms, move at unnatural speeds, and manipulate energy to cause illness, death, or fear. They are known for their ability to mimic voices, control minds, and bring misfortune to those who cross them. Their transformations are said to be more than physical; they embody the animal’s spirit, making them highly dangerous and difficult to detect.

Unlike common shapeshifters in folklore or witchcraft, Skinwalkers are not considered a neutral or positive force—they are a corruption of spiritual power. In Navajo culture, there are healers and medicine people who use magic for good, but Skinwalkers represent the opposite: those who have chosen a path of destruction and selfish power.

What to Do If You Encounter a Skinwalker

Encounters with them are not to be taken lightly, and traditional Navajo teachings advise avoiding, escaping, or protecting oneself spiritually rather than engaging directly.

1. Do Not Acknowledge or Speak About It

• Naming or acknowledging a Skinwalker can draw its attention. Navajo teachings suggest that speaking about them too openly—especially at night—can invite their presence.

• If you suspect a Skinwalker is near, stay calm, do not call out to it, and avoid mentioning it by name.

2. Leave the Area Immediately

• If you see a creature that looks unnatural (e.g., a strangely proportioned animal, glowing eyes, or something moving unnaturally fast), leave as quickly as possible.

• Do not chase or follow it, even if it seems injured or calling for help. Skinwalkers are known for using mimicry to lure people in.

3. Avoid Eye Contact

• Skinwalkers are believed to have the ability to control or curse individuals through eye contact. If you see something unsettling, do not stare directly at it—look away and remove yourself from the situation.

4. Protect Yourself Spiritually

• If you are Navajo or have knowledge of traditional protection rites, use sacred herbs like corn pollen, cedar, sage, or juniper to cleanse your space and create a barrier.

• In broader witchcraft or spiritual traditions, protective talismans, iron, salt, or fire-based protections can help ward off negative entities.

• Prayer, chanting, or calling on protective spirits or deities can strengthen your spiritual defense.

5. Do Not Engage or Try to Fight It

• Skinwalkers are dangerous entities, and most accounts describe them as having inhuman speed, strength, and resilience.

• Weapons are believed to be mostly ineffective, except for sacred or blessed objects. Some stories say that a bullet dipped in white ash can harm them, but this is not a guarantee.

6. If You Are Being Targeted

• If you believe a Skinwalker has cursed or marked you, seek guidance from a Navajo medicine person or an experienced spiritual practitioner.

• In witchcraft or pagan practices, strong banishing and uncrossing rituals (such as salt baths, fire cleansing, or binding spells) may be used, but respect Indigenous teachings and do not try to appropriate Navajo practices.

Skinwalkers are deeply feared within Navajo culture, and encounters are taken seriously. The best course of action is to avoid, leave, and protect yourself spiritually rather than engage directly. If you are in the Southwest or near Navajo land, respect local beliefs and avoid seeking out Skinwalkers, as doing so can invite danger—whether physical, psychological, or spiritual.

[ghostriderslade]

The Paranormal Potpourri Files #4 - Skinwalker outside Amarillo Zoo.

[autismsupermusicalassassin]

can we make a Native American Fiyero a thing please? Because I haven’t seen a version of Fiyero portrayed by a Native American actor yet on stage or in art

[tvstvnvkke]

White sage

Contrary to popular belief, white sage, or even sage in general, was not used by every tribe. White sage has developed into the go-to "smoke cleansing" plant. However, this has led to a number of problems.

For the Muscogee tribe Sage as a plant was not commonly used. Cedar, Tobacco, and Ginseng were more commonly smoke cleansing plants. The word for Sage that I was told was "Vpvketv" which also means to add something. White sage would be "Vpvketv hvtke".

Today, white sage is commonly used to smudge. Packages can be purchased with a shell, feather, and a sage bundle to burn. Smudging, in the sense of using a shell to burn in and a feather to guide the smoke, was mostly a Dakota and Ho-chunk practice from what I know. With white sage specifically being native to lower modern-day California. The Cahuilla and Kumeyaay tribes are two who often use this plant. Smudging and white sage have both been taken up as practices among modern witches, pagan, Wiccan, and other spiritual groups. However, to anyone doing the practice, I highly recommend caution in continuing.

The modern practices of white sage harvesting are often harmful. The practices often leave the local environment poorly cared for. The plant is overly harvested by people generally paid very little and often with no consideration to the local communities that normally use the plant. The over harvesting has led to fears that the plant may go extinct if proper growing and harvesting techniques are not taken into consideration.

Another important aspect to consider is the spiritual aspect as well. If you are using white sage to purify the air, I would assume the hope is to clear away negative spirits or energies. I can not speak for all communities that smoke cleanse, but when smoke cleansing, you should use plants you were gifted or gather yourself. The intention when the plant is harvested affects whether or not it will clear away bad things. If you harvest it yourself thinking of how grateful you are for the plant, it will clean. If your friend harvests it thinking of how this will hopefully help someone, it will clean. If the person harvesting your plant is mistreated, in bad conditions, over harvesting a plant just to be underpaid. I feel like that may do the opposite of cleanse.

All around, it's just not a good idea. Be very mindful of who your practices come from and who your items come from. Look for answers online as to whether those communities welcome outside practicer or if your version of their practice is actually harming their ability to continue it.

I've heard debate on whether it's okay to purchase white sage from indigenous farmers. I would say if you're going to purchase it, that would be the best. I'm sure there are many indigenous people who sell it.

Be mindful of your practices. They could be harming you and other people.

[phantamic-moriori]

I deadass thought klarion's ssov story took place in Gotham/new jersey...

only to now find out via melmoth's wiki page that it's meant to take place in Manhattan.

[moonlit-escape]

damn. i just realized i dont have like any personal hcs for lucinda. not enough to make like a proper post at least

that pretty lady is just too perfect </3

[dazzlen-the-clown]

HEY YOU!

Are you religious and respectful??

Are you looking for a community?

Then come join the Xenia Station!

We are an inclusive, system, POC and LBGTQ+ friendly servers for pagans new or old, witchcraft practitioners, as well as luciferians, and satanists, Christians, Aboriginal faiths, Voudou, Hinduism, Buddhists, Jewish, Muslims, Atheists or Omnists who are simply curious, and Christopagans.

We also have channels for non-religious chatter, so you can have varied experiences here!

We are welcoming of other faiths as well, just make a suggestion in our suggestion channel and we’ll add it!

We are almost at 50 members 43/50 members!!

[melmedardasworld]

What was Inadu's purpose? She was this big hope meant to bring her parent's tribes together. They did all sort of rituals and blessings, it seems, and that resulted in her coming as some pure evil devil child out of the womb.

Why?

Does having or getting power turn witches crazy or something?

Why is that the default the writers always go to? Is it the power rush or their 'dark' desires get heightened or something similar to vampires. There is no explanation at all.

Qetsiyah, Dahlia, Eva, Bonnie... they were all wronged. I think the only one witch that didn't really have that until Elijah killed her was Celeste. But also, punishing them cough... cough... Bonnie... for choosing what they want to do and showing that agency. Even with Davina, her ancestors punished her cause she wanted to reach her goals, and she had to beg them to help her because... what? They could demand that from her? Those dead witches were bitter ass hell, I'll tell you that.

Back to Inadu, it's also unsettling how they white washed the werewolves in modern times. They were Native Americans, and the only thing we get for that is a NA girl as this evil witch who just destroys stuff and wants to be revered cause... why? It was never explained. Ansel, Klaus, etc. Shouldn’t they have been NA? Like, realistically? I understand how ancestry works, so I’m not discussing that, but to see none at all?

It reminds me of people claiming NA ancestry when they aren't for... reasons... because then Inadu's (yt) descendant(s) were the only ones to stop and kill her because Inadu was after Hope and wanted to be this revered being that was horny on death and destruction. It was one of the worst storylines, and it got dragged out until S5. The show should've stopped at S3 and be done with it because things just went downhill and the writers were clearly ot of ideas and just fucked up the established lore they set up in TVD (it started around when Silas cam back alive, which I have my qualms about).

[butterflytarot]

Witchy Book Recommendations

Whether it be a beginner's guide to spells, a devotional to a Hellenic deity, a novel explaining the scientific and cultural teachings of plants that come together into a spiritual philosophy, or even a good read on scrying with crystals, these are some witchy book recommendations! Please enjoy!

Disclaimer: I haven't read all of these in their entireties, but I was able to verify them as good sources in general with that in mind. Some of these stories lean towards specific cultural philosophies or religions, but all can be learned from in the world of witchcraft, so I included them! I have lots of resources (books, websites, videos, and more) not included in this post that are about various religious and spiritual practices, and witchy crafts, which I'll post in the future, so please send me any requests or follow to stay tuned! Thank you so much, have a good time reading!

Crystal Vision Through Crystal Gazing by Frater Achad

You can read it free here.

Fixed Star Signs & Constellation Magic by Christopher Warnock

You can buy it online here.

Angel Tarot Deck Guidebook © U.S. Games Systems, Inc.

You can read it free here.

Zolar's Encyclopedia & Dictionary of Dreams by Zolar

You can read it free here.

Hermes, the Thief: The Evolution of a Myth by Norman O. Brown

You can read it free here.

Aphrodite (Gods and Heroes of the Ancient World) by Monica S. Cyrino

You can find it on Amazon here.

Hekate Liminal Rites by Sorita D'Este and David Rankine

You can find it on Amazon here.

Ferryman of Souls: A Devotional to Charon by Galina Krasskova (Bibliotheca Alexandrina)

You can find it on Amazon here.

First and Last: A Devotional For Hestia by Bibliotheca Alexandrina (edited by Terence P. Ward)

You can find it on Amazon here.

Classical Myth (9th Edition) by Barry B. Powell

You can read it free here.

If Not, Winter: Fragments of Sappho by Sappho (translated by Anne Carson)

You can find it at Barnes & Noble here.

Classical Mythology 12e by Morford, Lenardon, Sham

You can learn about it here.

Orphic Hymns 1-40 translated by Thomas Taylor

You can read it free here.

Orphic Hymns 41-86 translated by Thomas Taylor

You can read it free here.

Homeric Hymn to Demeter translated by Gregory Nagy

You can read it free here.

Hymn to Hestia translated by Hugh G. Evelyn-White, Ed.

You can read it free here.

Flowers and Their Meanings: The Secret Language and History of Over 600 Blooms (A Flower Dictionary) by Karen Azoulay

You can find it on Amazon here.

Gathering Moss: A Natural and Cultural History of Mosses by Robin Wall-Kimmerer

You can find it on Amazon here.

The Serviceberry: Abundance and Reciprocity in the Natural World by Robin Wall-Kimmerer

You can find it on Amazon here.

Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge and the Teachings of Plants by Robin Wall-Kimmerer

You can find it on Amazon here.

Encyclopedia of Herbal Medicine by Andrew Chevallier

You can read it free here (Google Drive version). You can also read it free here (PDF version).

Crystal Medicine by Marguerite Elsbeth

You can read it free here.

Plant Ecology by Schmiedel, U., Jürgens, N.

You can read it free here.

Sea Magic: Connecting with the Ocean's Energy by Sandra Kynes

You can learn about it on Goodreads here.

DREAM WITCHERY: Folk Magic, Recipes, & Spells From South America For Witches & Brujas by Elhoim Leafer

You can learn about it on Tumblr here.

Water Witchcraft: Magic and Lore from the Celtic Tradition by Annwyn Avalon

You can find it on Amazon here.

The Witch's Way: A Guide to Modern-Day Spellcraft, Nature Magick, and Divination by Shawn Robbins & Leanna Greenaway

You can find it on Amazon here.

天道 - The Way of Heaven translated online by the Chinese Text Project, James Legge)

You can read it free here.

The Birmingham Qur'an by the University of Birmingham, UK

You can read it free here.

A Living Library of Torah by Sefaria

You can read it free here.

Conflict Resolution for Holy Beings by Joy Harjo

You can buy it online here.

Happy reading!

Please send me a message if you'd like to see any resources about any specific practice! I have lots of resource lists coming out soon and I am consistently finding more resources all the time (these resources respectfully highlight various cultures, sciences, spiritualities, and religions)! There is also a large resource list (and resources clusters) in the Real Witchcraft community discord server if you'd like to check it out! Lastly, there is also this Hellenism discord server with Hellenism-exclusive resources, and this Roman Polytheism & Ancient Rome discord server has Roman-specific resources!

Thanks so much! Stay tuned for more!

[truetotradition]

Big rainbow obsidian knife by Chumash artist Steven Saffold

[aisling-saoirse]

Plant Profile: American Witch Hazel - Hamamelis virginiana

Today's plant is better known for its use as a facial toner but this year I've witnessed a mass-bloom (the yellow dots in the image above) so I want to re-introduce you my ultimate late fall favorite!

Witch-Hazel refers to members of the Hamamelis family, containing about five species, 3 of which are found in the eastern US and the other two in Asia. Our species of focus is the American Witch Hazel, a wide growing, often dominate understory shrub/tree common throughout forests of the American East. The plant has a lovely arching growth habit (Image 2 above), alongside trails in older-growth tall mountain forests, one always can spot witch hazel by a tunnel effect along the trails framed by its branches.

For a quick technical analysis, Witch Hazel has oval alternate leaves that are asymmetrical and have rounded lobes along the sides (image 3 of pressed leaf). The bark is a grey or reddish brown with small lenticels (image 4 of 'trunk') and typically grows in clusters sprouting from deep roots. Typically the plant reaches about 20' in height and 20' in width, as I usually only see specimens this large in very old portions of woodland my assumption is that it takes many decades to achieve this stature.

The flowers themselves are divided into 4 portions with yellow ribbon-like petals present from October-December (image 5, 6, 9). The flowers are extremely fragrant in wet weather and mornings, the scent usually fades in drier conditions. Flowers lose their ribbons and recede into this hardened portion connected to the stem called a calyx (it looks like a rounded pod which can have about 4 seeds in it). The seeds actually shoot out of this pod as a dispersal method around the next fall.

I brought up flowering because like many species in the northeast, there is never a consistent year for these things, while I see witch-hazel flowers every year I don't encounter blooms prolifically unless it's exposed to a lot of sun light. From my experience, a mass-bloom (in which every tree has noticeable blooms like image 1) occurs every 5 years about, I've noticed this in my forest since childhood but others may have more frequent encounters than me.

American Witch Hazel has a large range and is found throughout the Eastern US. The Northern limit of its range is Nova Scotia to Wisconsin staying mostly east of the Mississippi River south until its South Western Limit in East Texas and Northern Florida to the East. Allegedly disjunct populations also exist in Lost Maples Texas and the Eastern Sierra Madres of Mexico but those are fairly isolated from the main range.

There are two other Hamamelis species located within the same range. H. vernalis: Ozark Witch-hazel, which is a common horticultural specimen due to its reddish yellow blooms coming out just before spring and is naturally restricted to the Ozarks. H. ovalis: big leaf witch-hazel is a new species discovered in 2004, found only in one watershed in Mississippi and Alabama; this species has much larger leaves and red mid-winter blooms. Most people are unlikely to encounter these in the wild at all.

Hamamelis virginiana can grow in both acidic and alkaline conditions, though I tend to find the densest populations on protected north facing slopes in mature forests near where water travels. I've also found it on pure rock on mountain top balds in New York before (image 7 above). This is because in the North, American Witch Hazel isn't as limited in habitat as in the Southern portion of it's range where it's generally restricted to only cove forests and bottom lands. generally there is an association with the Witch Hazel and decent moisture.

Speaking of moisture, Early English settlers (shown by Native Americans) used witch hazel branches as dowsing rod to find underground water sources. Sticking branches in the ground, and watching which portion bent upon encountering streams. It's likely the name 'Witch' in Witch Hazel derives either from Middle English 'Wiche' for 'lively' or Anglo-Saxon 'Wych' for 'bend' describing this use. [Info from US Forest Service].

Witch Hazel is also a protector of the forest following disturbance. In a Canadian Journal of Forest Research Study by Taylor Benton, analysis found that where large scale canopy loss was present H. virginiana was found to increase it's basal area growth (think spread) by over 300%. This indicates that in the presence increased light and nitrogen, the dominate understory species are able to protect seedlings by increasing canopy shade!

In my own forest I've noticed this where Ash has died back, the Witch Hazel flowers more prolifically and frequently as well as becoming denser (Image 8 Witch-hazel in flower above a stream)

Now what are the ecological relationships associated with American Witch Hazel? This species specifically provides one of the last insect oriented pollen sources prior to winter (other witch-hazel species often bloom in early spring), so species like the owlet moth which are active in winter, and late season bees get a food source from it. The leaves are occasionally predated by a gall wasp which forms many odd tents on the leaf in favorable conditions.

Propagating Witch-hazel for those crazy like me should be aware it is not an easy plant to start. The seeds require a period of moist cold stratification, then warm, then another cold (think 90 days of fridge, 90 days in warmth, 90 days in fridge) then it'll begin to germinate. If you have a full specimen you can attempt layering (which is covering a low branch in soil allowing it to root). You can take softwood cuttings in spring but they have to be kept frost free the next winter.

Finally Landscaping advice! Witch-Hazel is best utilized in partially shaded non-south facing or moist areas in partial sun. While it loves total shade in its natural environment it really preforms much better in a garden with some sunlight. American Witch-Hazel also is a better performer in the scent category rather than a showy floral display, most horticultural specimens are derived from hybrids between Chinese, Japanese, or Ozark Witch-hazel (image 10 of possible H. vernalis cultivar above) as their coloring is much more interesting compared to our local powerhouse. However it must be said that American Witch-hazel is resilient and has some flower color variation (oranges and pinks) which are absent in other species.

So this has been my plant profile on American Witch-Hazel, please go into the woods and smell the haunting yellow blooms while the mass-bloom is still occurring. Happy Hunting to my Eastern American followers :)!