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Spirits are fluid, and move as such. The devil you met in the woods will not be the same as when you called him into your home, will not be the same as when he took your hand at the river banks. They are not wholly separate, just different.

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Hi!

What did you mean by an oath to your God(s) can change everything?

Thanks :)

I mean exactly that. When you swear an oath to an entity there is the possibility that everything and anything about your life might change to better suit that oath. Now I don't mean that you'll finish your ritual and suddenly -boom- everything will suddenly be different. But swearing an oath comes with a relationship, and that relationship over time is where the changes come from. I'm going to grossly simplify my buddy @windvexer's beautiful analogy here: Think of yourself as meadow, beautiful and lush with grasses. Think of your practice as the rain, it falls down and feeds the grass, keeps it green. Now if you've sworn an oath, think of that as planting an acorn. Maybe it never really grows, maybe it becomes a sweet little sapling and that's about it, but maybe everything goes right for that acorn and it grows for hundreds of years, drinking that rain, and becomes a towering tree. That tree can fundamentally change the meadow it grows in, it can crack rocks, reshape hills, it's shade will change what grows under it's bows, it's nuts will attract animals. The entire ecosystem of the meadow is different after the oak tree reaches maturity. And here's the important thing. Even if the oak tree were to be cut down, the meadow would never be the same again. Sometimes your entities will require work from you, you'll be asked to learn new skills, that new skill will change your cosmology, which will change how you interact with the world, which if you do it long enough means your personality changes. This happened to me. I started learning how to be a psychopomp because of my oath to Brona. That changed my cosmological views on death and the after life and how spirits work. As a result of that I start becoming much more intentional about my production of waste in the world. Eventually that mindfulness and intentionallity has just become part of who I am. Sometimes other relationships in your life will change, not necessarily because your entity does anything to the relationship, but because your priorities might shift. You might be prioritizing the responsibilities of your oath over other things, and people around you might not like that or understand that. I've lost friends, other practitioners I thought would be life long companions, after I took my oath to Oisin. They said I had changed in ways they didn't like. I said I was holding to my oath. You can try to protect certain parts of your life, mitigate the changes to them, by carefully constructing your oath, but a person's life is such a complex interconnected web that I've found it's impossible to complete prevent change. If you are the thing that is changing everything that you touch is going to feel some of the effects. I know this can seem scary, but I don't want to dissuade anyone from making an oath that they've been seriously thinking about. I just want to dissuade people from doing it without thinking about it. Because, if we go back to Chicken's amazing metaphor, not every acorn grows to be a towering giant oak tree. Maybe you plant the acorn it grows a foot tall, and that's it. But every acorn has the potential to be a 100ft giant, so don't plant it if you aren't ready for that possibility.

[intotherosegarden]

The "Stuck Heart": A Protective Fiber Talisman/Charm For Your Home

Note To Reader: This working was inspired by Gemma Gary's Charm from her book "The Black Toad". And this inspiration was for a recent project that I did for a Magickal Fiber Class. Plus, working with fiber is a more humane and sanitary option than actually having decaying organs within your home. However, if that's your jam, then go for it!

The protection of our homes and loved ones is of utmost importance to all of us. We go to great lengths to secure our homes, install security systems, and even perform rituals to ward off any negative or malevolent energies. However, have you heard of the powerful charm of the stuck heart?

The stuck heart is another charm that has been used for centuries to protect homes and its inhabitants from the influence of malevolent spirits and ill-wishers. It is believed that the hearts of horses or other large animals, stuck with thorns and pins, possess a strong energy that can keep our homes safe from any harm.

Traditionally, the stuck heart is placed within the chimney or hung within the roof space of a home. This is done in secret, without the knowledge of the occupants, for the charm to retain its protective powers. It is believed that if the stuck heart is disturbed or removed, its effectiveness diminishes.

The symbolism behind the stuck heart charm is quite intriguing. The thorns and pins represent the obstacles and negative and malevolent energies that may come our way. By trapping them within the heart, we are effectively shielding our homes and loved ones from their harmful influence, while returning the sent energy back upon the sender.

The charm is not limited to just homes, but can also be used to protect businesses and other properties. In fact, a stuck heart hanging in a shop or office can safeguard it from envious competitors or any negative energies that may affect its success.

While the exact origins of the stuck heart charm are unknown, it is a testament to the belief in the power of positive energy and the need to protect our homes and loved ones from any harm. So the next time you feel the need for some extra protection, consider using the traditional and potent charm of the stuck heart.

Fiber "Stuck Heart" Charm

The possibilities for this charm are endless, limited only by your imagination, creativity, and practice. There isn't much in the way of instructions, but if you choose to hand stitch, I highly recommend using "Print-Stitch-Dissolve" paper for a smoother stitching process.

For my charm. I opted to use felt for its thickness and ease of handling. To secure the pins I stuffed the heart with poly-fill (but you can use whatever you have). Additionally, I incorporated the symbol of a spider's web designed in a clockwise direction to not only trap any harm but also enhance the power of the incantation. Don't hesitate to add your own symbols of strength and significance to make this charm truly yours.

Lastly, feel free to enchant this charm in any way you see fit, but I enchanted my charm over Frankincense and Myrrh smoke while saying this incantation I wrote:

A charm of power, a heart that's stuck A shield against the spirits of ill luck A talisman of protection, strong and bold Against the malevolent, it will hold For what is normal to a spider's web Is chaos to a fly, caught in its dread And so it is with this charm of mine All harm and danger, it will confine

Let those who wish to cause me pain Be trapped in this web, their efforts in vain For as they try to break through its hold Their own harm shall be the price they'll behold With every thread, I spin with care A layer of protection, I will declare And as the malevolent try to creep They'll only find themselves in a tangled heap Let them be caught in this web of mine And let their ill-wishing fall upon themselves in time

For I am guarded by this powerful charm And their attempts to harm me will only disarm So let the spiders spin their webs of fate For I have my own, and it's not too late To protect myself from those who wish me harm With this talisman, I am safe from their charm.

[intotherosegarden]

Witches Compass, the Barebones Basic Guide:

What is it, Why would I use it, Is it for me?

Introduction

This is an aspect of my path that I'm currently exploring more deeply, and as I learn to navigate it and reveal more ways it's useful to me I've noticed an increasing passion towards the subject. I'm by no means an expert on the subject, but I hope I can provide a post that helps explain the concept to those who are curious.

Reccomended Sources

The Crooked Path: An Introduction to Traditional Witchcraft by Kelden

Besom, Stang, and Sword: A Guide to Traditional Witchcraft, the Six Fold Path & the Hidden Landscape by Christopher Orapello and Tara-Love Maguire

Traditional Witchcraft: A Cornish Book of Ways by Gemma Gary

The Witch Compass by Ian Chambers

I'd like to note that of the books I don't have copies of the first three listed sources, but when I was initially on my journey I had access to them digitally and they opened my eyes to the concepts I'll be speaking on. All of my written information will be paraphrase from my grimoire as a result.

What Is The Witches Compass?

I honestly would divide it into two different answers, there's a long answer and a short answer.

Generally I'd say: The Witches Compass is a means similar to casting a circle that allows you to traverse the Hedge (perform astral work), work with spirits to perform spells, and to harness the powers of the directions to tap into your abilities.

The more 'esoteric', long answer I'd give: The Witches Compass is both a tool and a method comprised of symbolism, story telling, and allegory. These three elements allow the user to tap into their "unconcious mind" so they can better perceive the spirits and world around them. To put it short, the Compass is an inherent part of us-- seeing as it's a part of our perception --and it's up to us to use the tool as we see fit-- whatever symbols and stories we attribute to it is up to us.

How does the Compass differ from casting a Circle?

I have some Key Ideas based on observation and what I've read:

A circle intends to keep out Spirits, the Witches' Compass generally does not

A circle is intended to raise energy, The Compass generally is about focusing and maintaining energy

A circle is usually ritualistic in intent; focused on consecrating a space, a Witches' Compass isn't nessicarily ritual focused.

Similarly, a Circle usually is opened with specific steps and must be closed with a specific set of steps, the Compass (while having steps from others you may want to follow) doesn't always have to follow specific rules and has a lot less to do when closing it.

This one is a little more personal, but I generally relate the Circle to tapping into Higher Powers, and I likewise attribute the Witches' Compass to tapping into Earthly Powers (though it's not mutually exclusive).

I highly reccomend you explore both methods and try them out, Circle Casting is definitely still a very useful skill that you can use.

Why Would I Use It?

I'd highly reccomend giving it a try if you fit into the following categories:

You Like/Want to explore. . .

Hedge Work

Spirit Work

Forms of Folk Magic

Animist forms of Spirituality

Challenging yourself with differing or new concepts

Visual based workings

There's a lot of ways for you to learn to incorporate it into your beliefs. If you're concerned about wanting to adapt it into your practice and you have a baseline understanding on the subject, I highly reccomend looking at the last book in the reccomended list because it gives you a lot of exercises that will help you broaden your understanding of the Witches' Compass.

How Do I Tap Into the Compass?

These are some baseline ideas on how you might begin your journey to tapping into the Compass. These are exercises I do to help me better understand it.

Meditating on each direction was one of the first steps I ever took. I focused on sounds (both imagined and literal), visuals, and feelings as I faced each cardinal direction. I then wrote them down so I could further investigate what it means to me.

Finding out what I correspond with each direction helped me out a lot too. That can include elements, tarot card courts, colors basically anything that you place high importance on. It should be noted that in the reccomended sources they do give ideas on correspondences, but I reccomend you explore your own ideas so you can better understand it.

Creating a story for each direction is an idea I've been planning for a while. I want to basically tap into each element in a meditative state and create a short story inspired by my deities, my practice, etc. as a means to better explore how the Compass fits into my faith. You can also attribute stories already known to the Compass as well.

Tying into the previous idea, you can use stories to apply deities, archetypal figures, etc. to each cardinal direction for guidance. Be careful and mindful if you do so, that way you can be respectful with whatever you work with. As a celtic pagan, I've been finding ways that the deities I worship can represent each direction as a means to better interpret and I've found its helped me develop a better understanding and relationship with the deities I worship as a result. Of course, you don't have to incorproate deities, you can even use nameless beings if you want. What matters is you have a representation of each facet.

Practicing laying the Compass is self explanatory. I will say, there are differing methods out there and as you become comfortable you may build your own method to do it. Generally, I'd reccomend a trying a more well known method first so you can get an understanding of the symbolism, general vibe, etc. After the first couple of times if it really doesn't mesh well with you, then I'd say you can definitely explore more into what you'd like to do. You don't even have to do anything too significant either if you don't want to. Try it for simple spellwork, try it for meditative purposes, whatever you feel will ease you into it.

Try to interact with spirits of the land (if they're willing), especially since a part of the Compass is forming working relationships with the landscape around you I'd recommend it heavily. If you're like me and you can't freely or safely explore at random I recommend going places you know you're safe (even if it's as simple as your backyard!) and find a way to covertly do so. For example: instead of visibly laying a Compass and going into a clear trance-like state you can draw one out in a notebook and pretend to be writing in it while connecting with spirits.

Overall. . .

I covered some basic definitions, differences between casting a circle and using The Compass, and some ideas on how you can start your work. Now it's time for you to do some research given that you have an idea on what the Witches Compass is!

This post is merely skimming the surface and there is much more for you to uncover.

[intotherosegarden]

The Witch Father

In traditional witchcraft, we often come across mentions of the enigmatic Witch Father. His Folklore is scattered, and there is little consensus to who He is. The mythology of Witch Father folklore is spread across centuries, hidden in tales of the Devil and in the transcripts from witch trials. He is a multifaceted being who rules over life, death, initiations, knowledge, and the untamed wilderness lurking at the edges of society.

The Witch Father is an archetypal Divine Masculine Spirit that illuminates life and is a lord of death. Witch Father is a catchall title for the myriad spirits witches have historically contracted with and have since been omitted by the witch trial transcripts across Europe. 

He is most commonly known as the Devil in today’s craft. As we know him, The Witch Father is an initiator and holds the keys to our disinhibition towards pleasure. He opens the way to occult knowledge and gives us the opportunity to explore (legal) pleasures without the need for guild or shame. Walking with the Witch Father allows us to dive into the hidden realms and learn the Occult Arts to change our lives. He also allows us to revel in primal human desires. 

As the Initiator into Witchcraft, the Witch Father takes on the mantle of the Light Betwixt the Horns. He comes into our lives and offers us the choice to go down this path and walk with Him. He grants us an understanding of magick, nature, and pleasure. He empowers us to uncover our Truth and the Truth of the World. As the initiator, some see the Witch Father as Lucifer. He is also the Serpent who revealed to Eve that the fruit from the Tree of Life will not cause her to die but will grant the wisdom of the universe.

The Witch Father allows space for us to free ourselves from the inhibitions placed on us by general society, and especially the church. He encourages us to rebel, sing, dance, and uncover wisdom. He leads the Witch’s Sabbath, which grants us a place to revel in the freedoms offered there. By leading us to this sacred experience, He fills his role as an emanation of the untamed wilderness, the primal subconscious of our most human desires. He gives us the Church of Nature. Taking the liturgical prayers of the Church and the Book of Psalms, mixing that with more ancient pagan animism, we are given access to a hidden power through His teachings.

Now, while I talk as if the Witch Father is a God, he is not. He is an ancient and powerful spirit who has led witches over the centuries and demands reverence. He is not all-powerful and is not a creator. He works his charms through magic and shapes the world. He is not a distant, impersonal being. He is immediate to us and is a mentor for us. 

Disinhibition

At the Witch’s Sabbat, our spirits fly away to commune with Our Devil, other witches and spirits in His retinue. It was a place to mix business and pleasure. At the Sabbat, witches would learn new spells, come together to work rituals, learn new forms of magick from the Witch Father, and of course partake in enjoyment. 

The Sabbath is a place of Initiation for new witches and also a place for learning new aspects of the craft. Once the business concludes, the Sabbat becomes a celebration. We may forget the staunch rules of mundane society and revel in our animalistic and beastial joys. There is singing, dancing, food and drink. We can indulge in these desires and these delicacies. All of which is orchestrated and gifted to us by the Witch Father. 

The Wild

There is a deep connection between the Witch Father and Nature. They are ‌synonymous with each other. He is an emanation of the land and its spirits. As Christianity became the dominant religion, and as society shifted further away from living in harmony with Nature, the figure of the folkloric Devil grew. He calls to us to return to the untamed lands and to forget the society that weighs us down. He offers liberation instead of our oppression. 

The Witch Father, as Nature, holds a duality over life and death. He is life itself and the bringer of light. But he is also the Lord of Death and of shadows. As the year turns, we see both aspects and the cyclical nature of them. Death giving way to new life and of life giving way to death. He is destruction and creation. Death and resurrection. 

Even His iconography and the existing descriptions that we have of the Devil show the immense connection He has to the Land. He is a shapeshifter comfortable in being a recognizable animal, a humanoid form, or even a hybrid. He reminds us of our baser instincts and that we are not above animals or the land just because we, as humans, have subjugated them for centuries. 

He is the Horned one, the light betwixt the horns, Terra Pater, Primus Magus. And he has revealed himself to us in so many other forms throughout the centuries. It’s hard to pigeonhole the Witch Father as any one being, or to even say “this is what he looks like.” He’s shown us he is comfortable changing his shape on a whim. He takes on the mantles of mentor, guide, and is a safe space for us to let our guard down and find enjoyment outside of our mundane lives. 

Old Scratch

Old Scratch is a more antiquated term for The Devil or Satan primarily found in the Southern United States and the South Midlands. This name has been memorialized in Faustian Folklore such as “The Devil and Tom Walker” and “The Devil and Daniel Webster” where our protagonist sells his soul to the devil for prosperity. 

This reinforces the theme that our Witch Father, the Folkloric Devil, offers us a chance to change our luck and our lives. Now, in these stories, the protagonist is taken away and dragged into the fires of hell, but in the living practice of Traditional Witchcraft, it doesn’t happen that way. We see these stories as what happens when trying to break deals with the Otherworld. Contracts and Pacts made with Spirits should be kept up with. It’s imperative. 

Black Shuck

In East Anglian folklore, Black Shuck is an omen of death. If you see him, it is said that you will die before the year is up, and if you meet his eye you’ll be dragged away. 

The first mention of the Black Shuck is in “The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle” in 1127 where He is affiliated with a Wild Hunt that was in Petersborough from Lent through Easter. Later on, in the 1500s, he is said to have broken into a church and killed two paritioners while kneeling in prayer. 

Here we see the Chthonic side of the Devil. He is a psychopomp taking souls to the Other Side. He is a shepherd of the dead, warns us of impending doom, and teaches us about life, death, and ways to travel between the Worlds.

[intotherosegarden]

Sacred Animals & Their Correspondances

by autumn sierra

Dogs, Hounds & Wolves

Symbolize hunting, healing, loyalty, the otherworld, protection, courage, war

Irish Filidh (seers) chewed dog meat to gain prophetic vision

Deer & Stags

Symbolize regeneration, grace, the untamed wild, hunting, the quest for enlightenment

Deer and stags were believed to be messengers of the under and other worlds

Snakes

Symbolize healing, feminine power, reincarnation, rebirth, knowledge, eternal life, wisdom, fertility

Horses

Symbolize fertility, journeys to the otherworld and underworld, good luck, travel, bringers of fortune

Cattle

Symbolize wealth, strength, fertility, protection, love, nurturing

Salmons

Symbolize wisdom, fertility, abundance, shape shifting, prosperity, renewal

Ravens

Symbolize war, death, ancient wisdom, dreams, darkness, magick

Ravens were said to be guided to the otherworld and dreams, harboring secrets of creation and destruction

Seals

Symbolize creativity, transformation, protection, innocence, imagination, play

Selfie stories are linked to longing, the otherworld, and displacement

Killing a seal results in misfortune

Bees

Symbolize good omens, souls, leaving the body after death, messengers between the living and the dead, wisdom

Boars & Sows

Symbolize war, prosperity, strength, motherhood, fertility, abundance, valor

Bears

Symbolize warrior hood, strength, courage, compassion, wisdom, cycles (of time)

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helen “trans people are perpetuating gender steriotypes” joyce is now upset that the scientific american is writing about how women were hunters too back in the day, not just mothers and caretakers. feminist win!

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sex workers are workers, and we support workers

Keep reading

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collection

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Guillaume Geefs The Genius of Evil (Lucifer from Liege) (1848)

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Hello everybody.

Please share resources and don’t keep silent about Palestine. Dedicate your day for them today. Do not ignore them, do not let their voices go unheard.

Here are some resources you can share around:

daily click

esims for Gaza

call for a ceasefire

donate feminine hygiene kits

learn about Palestine

Education, sources, donations

Shut it down for Palestine

Please do not ignore this post, share as much information and resources as you can for Palestine.

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Something I made while dealing with my own stuff and hoping drawing this would pick me up somehow. Maybe it worked.

FT my cat. His name is Mischief

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Reblog In 5 seconds for good luck

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Stuff kids on tumblr better relearn

1. You are responsible for your own media experience. 

2. There is such a thing as a healthy level of avoidance towards topics that make you feel unwell or even (in a real-life clinical definition of the term) trigger you - but you are the one to actively take care of what you view.

3. Avoiding does not mean policing others.

4. You have no right to tell artists to censor themselves - you may criticize what others do, you may dislike it, that’s fine - but actively asking for censorship when you could easily unfollow or block a person just makes you look incompetent in your use of the internet.

5. Do not give people on tumblr or /any/ website the responsibility for your emotional well-being. Because these people do not even know you so no, you have no right to ask them to take care of you.

[intotherosegarden]

The Horned Woman (maybe Elen of the ways) at Glastonbury Festival of Beltane

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THE ARS GOETIA

TAROT CARD ASSOCIATIONS

April 19th, 2023

1. King Bael: Two of Wands

2. Duke Agares: Three of Wands

3. Prince Vassago: Four of Wands

4. Marquis Samigina: Five of Pentacles

5. President Marbas: Six of Pentacles

6. Duke Valefor: Seven of Pentacles

7. Marquis Amon: Eight of Swords

8. Duke Barbatos: Nine of Swords

9. King Paimon: Ten of Swords

10. President Buer: Two of Cups

11. Duke Gusion: Three of Cups

12. Prince Sitri: Four of Cups

13. King Beleth: Five of Wands

14. Marquis Leraje: Six of Wands

15. Duke Eligos: Seven of Wands

16. Duke Zepar: Eight of Pentacles

17. President Botis: Nine of Pentacles

18. Duke Bathin: Ten of Pentacles

19. Duke Sallos: Two of Swords

20. King Purson: Three of Swords

21. Earl/President Marax: Four of Swords

22. Earl/Prince Ipos: Five of Cups

23. Duke Aim: Six of Cups

24. Marquis Naberius: Seven of Cups

25. President/Earl Glasya-Labolas: Eight of Wands

26. Duke/Duchess Bune: Nine of Wands

27. Marquis/Earl Ronové: Ten of Wands

28. Duke Berith: Two of Pentacles

29. Duke/Duchess Astaroth: Three of Pentacles

30. Marquis Forneus: Four of Pentacles

31. President Foras: Five of Swords

32. King Asmoday: Six of Swords

33. President/Prince Gaap: Seven of Swords

34. Earl Furfur: Eight of Cups

35. Marquis Marchosias: Nine of Cups

36. Prince Stolas: Ten of Cups

37. Marquis Phenex: Two of Wands

38. Earl Halphas: Three of Wands

39. President Malphas: Four of Wands

40. Earl Raum: Five of Pentacles

41. Duke Focalor: Six of Pentacles

42. Duke/Duchess Vepar: Seven of Pentacles

43. Marquis Sabnock: Eight of Swords

44. Marquis Shax: Nine of Swords

45. King/Earl Viné: Ten of Swords

46. Earl Bifrons: Two of Cups

47. Duke Uvall: Three of Cups

48. President Haagenti: Four of Cups

49. Duke Crocell: Five of Wands

50. Knight Furcas: Six of Wands

51. King Balam: Seven of Wands

52. Duke Alloces: Eight of Pentacles

53. President Camio: Nine of Pentacles

54. Duke/Earl Murmur: Ten of Pentacles

55. Prince Orobas: Two of Swords

56. Duke/Duchess Gremory: Three of Swords

57. President Osé: Four of Swords

58. President Amy: Five of Cups

59. Marquis Oriax: Six of Cups

60. Duke/Duchess Vapula: Seven of Cups

61. King/President Zagan: Eight of Wands

62. President Volac: Nine of Wands

61. King/President Zagan: Eight of Wands

63. Marquis Andras: Ten of Wands

64. Duke Haures: Two of Pentacles

65. Marquis Andrealphus: Three of Pentacles

66. Marquis Cimejes: Four of Pentacles

67. Duke Amdusias: Five of Swords

68. King Belial: Six of Swords

69. Marquis Dacarabia: Seven of Swords

70. Prince Seere: Eight of Cups

71. Duke Dantalion: Nine of Cups

72. Earl Andromalius: Ten of Cups

Source: Aleister Crowley’s Illustrated Goetia