theivoryserpent

[theivoryserpent]

“[Trickster gods] are the lords of in-between. A trickster does not live near the hearth; he does not live in the halls of justice, the soldier’s tent, the shaman’s hut, the monastery. He passes through each of these when there is a moment of silence, and he enlivens each with mischief, but he is not their guiding spirit. He is the spirit of the doorway leading out, and of the crossroad at the edge of town. [��] In short, trickster is a boundary-crosser. Every group has its edge, its sense of in and out, and trickster is always there, at the gates of the city and the gates of life, making sure there is commerce. He also attends the internal boundaries by which groups articulate their social life. We constantly distinguish—right and wrong, sacred and profane, clean and dirty, male and female, young and old, living and dead—and in every case trickster will cross the line and confuse the distinction. Trickster is the creative idiot, therefore, the wise fool, the gray-haired baby, the cross-dresser, the speaker of sacred profanities. Where someone’s sense of honorable behavior has left him unable to act, trickster will appear to suggest an amoral action, something right/wrong that will get life going again. Trickster is the mythic embodiment of ambiguity and ambivalence, doubleness and duplicity, contradiction and paradox. That Trickster is a boundary-crosser is the standard line, but […] there are also cases in which trickster creates a boundary, or brings to the surface a distinction previously hidden from sight. In several mythologies, for example, the gods lived on earth until something trickster did caused them to rise into heaven. Trickster is thus the author of the great distance between heaven and earth. […] Boundary creation and boundary crossing are related to one another, and the best way to describe trickster is to say simply that the boundary is where he will be found—sometimes drawing the line, sometimes crossing it, sometimes erasing or moving it, but always there, the god of the threshold in all its forms.”

— Trickster Makes This World: Mischief, Myth and Art by Lewis Hyde (x)

[theivoryserpent]

[theivoryserpent]

dionysus and ampelos 🍇🌿🐆

[theivoryserpent]

Romantic gothic candles.

[theivoryserpent]

[theivoryserpent]

🌱🌿ALL ABOUT MINT🌿🌱

Mint is an easy to source and easy to grow herb, making it amazing for witchcraft! You can use it in foods, drinks, decorations, scent pouches, and it can even be found in personal products like hair and skin care and cosmetics. It comes in many different varieties as well and they're all fairly hardy making them a perfect starting herb for people as well!

Mint brings many properties into workings, most notably a boost in energy. It's very lively and has a strong, uplifting, energetic scent to it. This also makes it great to cleanse the mind and space as well and call forth more positive energies.

Its vigor also makes it great for bringing in healing and protective energies as well. The roots of mint plants are very durable and some even say that it can completely take over an area if you're not careful. When I transplant mint, I am not the most delicate with bound roots because it will flourish regardless.

Being associated with the air element, it also makes it great to include in any workings dealing with communication. It can help stimulate better communication and give strength to your communication. Being associated with air also lends it a helping energy for travel workings and spells as well.

Even for the mundane, mint is very useful when sick or anxious. It is believed that mint can help calm anxiety and help ease brain fog. Mint tea is also a popular drink for colds and sore throats. Mint extracts are even used in medicines for all sorts of purposes.

Certain people should not consume various types of mint though. People who have GERD or organ transplants for example are advised to not ingest mint. As with everything, always consult medical professionals if you are unsure of any drug interactions, even if they seem harmless. Coming from personal experience of almost putting myself in a coma due to interactions with a common anti-depressant and common pain relievers, always double check!

Happy witching!!

[theivoryserpent]

Connection is not a feeling.

With some of the responses I've been getting on my post about connecting with nature, I realized I needed to write about this.

Folks have got to understand that connection is not a feeling. "I feel such a deep connection with-" nope, that's not connection you're feeling; that's fascination.

Whether it's nature, or a culture, or anything at all, connection isn't transcendent. It's something you build with actual physical effort. It's a relationship.

Let's say there's a stray cat outside, and I want to have a connection with it. So I go inside my house and meditate on the cat, visualizing myself sending out rays of love to the cat. I look at pictures of cats on the Internet. I collect cat memorabilia and pray to cat goddesses. But when I go outside and try to pet the stray cat, it runs away.

This is because I never built a genuine connection, or relationship, with this cat. I'm a parasocial admirer, at best. To the cat, I'm a weird stranger.

But let's say I put cat food outside, and I stay out there while the cat eats, and slowly get closer to the cat as it becomes more comfortable with my presence. Finally, I give the cat light touches, and it gradually learns that I am safe. And we become friends.

Now I have a connection with the cat, because we have a relationship. I feed the cat, the cat eats my food, and we're in each others' social networks.

"But what if I can't build relationships like this?"

It's okay if this is impossible for you right now. You're not going to be a Bad Pagan or a Bad Witch because you can't do something that is literally impossible at the moment.

But, if a connection is something you want to have, at some point? Get studying. You want a connection with nature at some point? Okay, then start studying ecology. Learn about the rain cycle. Learn about environmental damage. Find materials about the plants and animals in your area.

What about a culture? Okay, go learn about its history, go learn what kinds of problems its people are currently facing, and work on perceiving them as real, complex people instead of whatever stereotype you have in your mind right now.

And above all, remember: that's not a mystical connection you're feeling, that's fascination.

[theivoryserpent]

Witch Crafts: How to Make A Scrying Mirror

• WHAT IS A SCRYING MIRROR? •

A scrying mirror is one of a variety of tools that can be used in the divination method that is scrying [click here for more information on scrying].

WHAT YOU WILL NEED:

A photo frame with glass.

Matte black spray paint (it doesn't need to be spray paint, but I find this easier!).

Glass cleaner (if you want to use a vinegar and water solution instead, that's fine!).

Clean cloth.

Microfibre cloth (optional).

HOW TO:

Firstly, remove the glass from the photo frame and set the frame aside as you'll be popping the glass back inside later.

Using your glass cleaner and cloth, thoroughly clean both sides of the glass and try to avoid leaving smears or smudges. You can use another clean, dry cloth (microfibre for best results) once the mirror is dry, to go over the glass and buff it/remove any dust.

Allow the glass to dry completely, then take it to a ventilated area, lay the glass on a piece of paper or fabric you're not too attached to, and use the spray paint to coat one side of the glass. Allow the first coat to dry, then add a few more layers ensuring that the coverage is as even as possible, and opaque.

Leave the glass to dry in a safe place.

Once the paint is dry, reinsert the glass into the picture frame with the unpainted side facing you.

*OPTIONAL: you can embellish your frame, or the edges of the glass if you wish. It's your scrying mirror, so make it yours!

You are now ready to scry your heart out! Make sure the glass is smudge and mark free before you scry, as to not skew anything you may divine from the mirror.

If you like my content and would like to help me keep providing free stuff for my gorgeous Ghoul Gang, you can tip your witch here: [Paypal].

[theivoryserpent]

The gut feeling pulling you to divination should never be overlooked or neglected. You never know what (or who in) the universe is trying to tell you.

[theivoryserpent]

I love uninstalling shit. Get out of my computer.

[theivoryserpent]

If you need it:

It’s okay not to be okay. It’s okay to struggle. It’s okay to have hard days.

It’s okay if you can’t give much. If you haven’t made offerings in a while. If you struggle to pray. The Gods don’t hate you, you’re not doing anything wrong.

I’m proud of you. I’m proud of you if you managed to get out of bed today. I’m proud even if you can’t. You’re doing wonderfully. I believe in you.

[theivoryserpent]

Why did the Ancient Greeks create statues of their gods? Simply put-- so they could see them and know them, and comprehend them. In a similar way, a child will make drawings of their parents.

This logic also applies to modern practitioners of Hellenic Polytheism. We make, shape, and give form to the gods, who are ultimately formless beings whose natures we cannot fully comprehend-- and we make cult images and icons of them. We wash them, clothe them, offer them food and drink, because their icon represents their physical presence in a sanctuary or sacred space. We give form to the formless and seek to know that which is unknowable.

[theivoryserpent]

Graveyard etiquette from a cranky traditional witch:

-Leave shit at the gate (coins, cigarettes, eggs, flowers)

-If alone go in silence, if with others speak in a hushed tone

-Wear a hat or head covering to prevent possession or bringing home unwanted spirits.

-Bring bells and/or rattles to wake the dead if desired

-Smoking in the graveyard or carrying a flame is an easy way to get the attention of the dead at night.

-Bring a knife or object made of iron should things get hairy (always bring a knife). Canes are also excellent tools for working with the dead

-have a way of gathering occult materia without being noticed by people or spirits (invisibility charms work best)

-If you're bringing spirits home with you (intentionally), don't turn around until you're across the threshold of your home

-Upon leaving the cemetery, say a prayer for the dead and wild things that inhabitant there

-When home, spread white powder (flower, salt, ect...) at the door to keep unwanted spirits out. A colander over a key hole works too.

[theivoryserpent]

*through gritted teeth* the world is GOOD. people are kind. Humans are NOT inheritly selfish. you will make it through this year. recovery is possible. people you don't know yet will love you. You are going to do things you can't even imagine right now. You are going to read a rlly good book. You are going to eat some rlly good food. You are going to experience joy again. Things can get better. Situations can change. You can choose to be kinder. The world can change for the better.

[theivoryserpent]

Reblog to give mutuals a break from whatever they're been going through

[theivoryserpent]

Daily Gratitude Ritual

Hi dear friends, today I wanted to share a simple yet effective ritual to add to your witchy nighttime routine, adapted from a spell by SoulBlissNow. Daily gratitude journaling has been an important part of my life ever since I began therapy over ten years ago. My mantra is, “it’s green where you water it,” so by showing gratitude, it tells my Spirit Guides that this is what I want more of. Feel free to customize this, and all of my spells, as much as you’d like.

Here’s what you need:

A Thank You note or piece of stationary & pen

An yellow candle

Clear Quartz

Here’s what you do:

After a meditation of at least 5-minutes, light the yellow candle. Begin writing on the stationary three things you’re grateful for in that moment, and why (ex. I’m grateful for [x], because [y]).

When you’ve finished writing, read what you’ve written out loud, adding a “thank you” after each sentence. Feel the joy that gratitude brings. It may be small if you’ve never practiced gratitude before, but overtime the love you feel will fill your entire body.

Present the stationary as an offering on your altar. While holding the quartz in your right hand, pray sincerely that your Spirit Guides (or whomever you’re giving thanks to) receive your gratitude. An incantation example could be,

“Gratitude flows, joy is near, Happiness & abundance I hold dear. With each blessing, may more please come, My heart is filled with joy. It has begun.”

See, so easy! If you want to add other offerings, such as incense, food, or drink, go for it. This is your time to connect. Sometimes I even play guitar for my Guides to show even more gratitude. Blow out your candle once you’ve finished with your devotional time.

As always, if you try it, let me know how it goes. This spell is best performed daily, so if you’re interested, I challenge you to try it every day for a month and see how your life changes for the better. 🧚🏽‍♀️

Cheers,

S 🌞

[theivoryserpent]

Three Swans in Flight by David Lloyd Evans