#magick and myth

[rosieandthemoon]

Labyrinth \\\ via

[dionysianivy]

Dionysus Bassareus

"The Fox-God." A Thracian allonym for Dionysos. Lord of the Bassarids.

[theweightofdivinity]

We are not just students of ancient systems, we are the living manuscripts. The mystery schools are opening through us.

[vulpine111]

[astra-ravana]

The Witch's Hat

The witch’s hat is a powerful symbol in folklore, occultism, and modern witchcraft. It carries layers of meaning and magickal associations that vary depending on historical context, cultural beliefs, and personal interpretation.

Historical Origins

The classic pointed hat may have roots in medieval and Renaissance Europe, where it became associated with heretics, wise women, and practitioners of forbidden arts. Some scholars suggest connections to ancient priestly headwear, like the Phrygian cap, or even Eastern mystical traditions. The stigma surrounding witches and their hats grew during the witch trials, further cementing the association with magick and rebellion.

Symbolism of the Witch’s Hat

• Power and Authority – The tall, conical shape of the hat resembles the ancient headdresses of wise elders, shamans, and magicians. It represents a connection to divine knowledge and magickal authority.

• Channeling Energy – The conical shape is believed to help direct and focus energy, similar to a pyramid. In magickal terms, the pointed tip acts as a conduit between the witch and higher realms, while the wide brim gathers surrounding energies.

• Mystery and the Occult – The image of the witch's hat has been historically tied to secrecy, hidden wisdom, and esoteric traditions. It is an emblem of those who walk between worlds, challenging societal norms and embracing the mystical.

• Astral and Cosmic Connection – Some traditions associate the hat with the stars, the universe, and the idea of the witch as a traveler between dimensions, using knowledge and intuition to navigate unseen forces.

• Protection and Shielding – The wide brim can symbolically serve as a shield, deflecting negative energy and unwanted influences, much like a protective circle cast in ritual work.

Magickal Associations and Uses

• Enhancing Ritual Work – Wearing a witch’s hat during spellwork, divination, or ritual can help focus intent, amplify power, and create a magickal mindset.

• Crown Chakra Activation – The pointed tip aligns with the crown chakra, symbolizing the opening of one’s psychic abilities and higher consciousness.

• Talisman for Witchcraft Identity – For many modern witches, wearing a witch’s hat is a way to embrace their craft and express their connection to magickal traditions.

• Seasonal and Sabbat Rituals – In Wiccan and Pagan traditions, the witch’s hat may be used in Samhain celebrations or other festivals as a link to ancestral magick and the spirits of the past.

• Warding and Protective Magick – Some witches enchant or inscribe their hats with sigils and protective runes to guard against psychic attacks or negative forces.

The witch’s hat remains an enduring and powerful emblem of the craft. Whether viewed as a tool for energy work, a mark of wisdom, or a protective talisman, it carries deep meaning for those who embrace its mystical heritage.

[kaccvcate]

I recently added some things to my recommended reading list (in my pinned post.) I read a lot of things but only add what I find really life changing, mind opening, or feel is easily accessible to the uninitiate (for example, I've enjoyed many works by Aleister Crowley, but for someone interested in approaching his work for the first time I would probably recommend Magick in Theory and in Practice, or perhaps his "autohagiography.")

Zulu Shaman by Vusumazulu Credo Mutwa is partly autobiographical about the holy man who wrote it, and partly traditional folk stories. I had no idea that pre-Christian African religion was so similar to the native religion I was raised with. Some stories are extraordinarily similar. The way it's written most reminded me of Creek Indian Medicine Ways by David Lewis Jr., which I read a while ago, but my mind was too blown to write about it (I was always taught not to talk about religion publicly, so it also felt weirdly private, which is silly because the book was published a minute ago.)

The last book I just finished is Tell My Horse by Zora Neale Hurston, which is about the lives of voodoo practitioners Haiti and Jamaica (published in 1938). This is one of the most intense books I've ever read, her voice is so incredible, and her descriptions are so vivid. It was like being transported to another world (for me anyway.) her descriptions of race relations in Jamaica reminded me strongly of my experiences among mestizos in Mississippi, and her descriptions of rituals she witnessed are untouchably badass.

Today I picked up Voices of Our Ancestors by Dhyani Ywahoo, which is about the practices of the traditional (pre-Christian) Tsalagi/Cherokee priesthood. So far it is really far out and groovy, I'm only a few pages in. More than anything her writing reminds me of Dr. Timothy Leary or Robert Anton Wilson, or even Crowley. It has the same pervasive tone of consciousness expansion that those cats have, and she describes meditation and rituals in a similar way. I think it would be best to read this one after Myths and Tales of the Southeastern Indians by John Swanton (or similar) because she makes a lot of references to traditional mythology without telling the stories she's expanding on - maybe she gets to that later, though.

Tell My Horse I bought online at a friend's recommendation, the other two I picked up at McKay's, a used book and record store in Greensboro, North Carolina that had one of the most interesting occult sections I've ever seen.

[fallbabylon]

Jonathan Baldock’s installation at London Mithraeum Bloomberg SPACE explores myth, folklore, and ancient rituals through vibrant sculptural works made from natural materials. Central to the exhibition is a monumental Mother Goddess figure, inspired by Roman artefacts and Baldock’s own early clay sculpture, now cast in bronze and adorned with gemstones. The installation highlights themes of connection, heritage, and the unseen influences of the past on the present.- London, Uk

[kdmatheson]

"HERMES" . kd matheson

[nikkas-cottage]

Offering candles to Gaia, the oldest of divinities. 🌿

[artistxgrotto]

the badass sorceresses of greek mythology

[freadomrises]

Eris the lil instigator

[rosieandthemoon]

Antique Mythology Book

[themotherofwitches]

[theweightofdivinity]

Some are too predictable.

their patterns too typical.

No mystery to their history,

which is fine,

if you speak to walls.

But not to minds

where silence crawls,

where riddles bloom in thorned design,

and venom laces every line.

I’m not your hallway,

clean and neat

I’m spiral floors

and serpent heat.

[alephskoteinos]

Hey does anyone know about any Coil interviews from their "solar" era? I want to see how John Balance talked about the solar mysticism they were going for and see if they had any insights on chaos magick on top of that.

[thethorneverse]

Get to know the Fae of Thorne

Hidden in the cracks of our world like a sliver of glass embedded in flesh, exists Thorne. In it's ancient, fractured ways it's fiercely alive as it was long before the times of Men and Women. It is not a place either of danger or of safety. It is a place coexisting in the places where you are. It's a place of meaning and where translation is perilous.

For those of and in Thorne, shadows blossom and light tells you lies. It's where any whispered pact or disgarded trinket can carry the balance of your fate- even of Fate in general- in passing.

Poeple wander into Thorne by accident, insanity or sometimes even by explicit invitation—but they never return unchanged. Time chews you up slowly in Thorne but it's teeth are sharper too.

The fae of Thorne don't resemble your storybook pixies very often. These fairies don’t sparkle. They watch. The amuse themselves - maybe at your expense if they are having that kind of day. They barter but only with those who know the ways of the fae and ask for their favors correctly. But then if you really know the ways of Thorne? You probably would be wise enough not to try to barter with the fae at all.

A little knowledge- incomplete knowledge especially- is a dangerous thing in Thorne. Everyone knows that. If your world is roses remember what waits beneath every bloom. A Thorne.

A LETTER FROM THE SCRIBE

Dear Thorne Newbs,

Welcome! I will be posting an index of those fae of Thorne as I am able and as they become known to me.

I'll give you the survival guide to interacting with Thorne and will soon post talismans and other throne artifacts as they are available. These are objects charmed or cursed to call to or ward off specific residents of thorne. Sometimes they are charmed objects imbued with a small taste of fae magic-- just enough to repell brain funk, attract the right kind of attention of to help you remember the things you value most.

I have been nominated for the task of making introductions between the Thorneverse and the human world and I take it aeriously.

So we'll be in touch I'm sure.

Isla Cross

The archivist and scribe of thorne's human/Thorne relations dept.