lailoken

[lailoken]

Elderwood Stang Comission

This is stang I sold recently, which was crafted using a limb of wood harvested from a traditionally propitiated black Elder tree.

After removing and allowing it to fully dry, I set to carefully smoothing the surface of the wood until ot was silky smooth to the touch. Once I was satisfied with the texture of the piece, I went on to stain it with multiple layers of an earthen pigment, which I polished with consecrated Linseed Oil to achieve an almost marbled appearance. I then sealed the whole stave with a ritually crafted wood varnish made from an array of precious and potent arboreal resins, such as Dragon's Blood, Storax, and Black Frankincense.

I share it here as an example of the sort of work I offer. If interested in a similar sort of piece, keep an eye out for other listings on my Shop, or feel free to contact me to arrange a Custom Commission.

[lailoken]

Hello, I hope you're doing well!

I have a question I'd appreciate your advice on if you don't mind

I'm about to move into a new house, and it has two saplings, Cottonwood and Maple, growing right up against the house and we've been advised to remove them before they turn into trees with trunks that ruin the foundation.

My question is, how would you go about doing this respectfully to the spirits of the saplings and what would you do with them once you dug them up. I'd be hesitant to replant the cottonwood somewhere else in the backyard because they're notorious for falling over in storms and we get a lot of those here.

Any advice you have I'd greatly appreciate, thanks :)

Hello there, and apologies for the delay. I'm not sure how long ago you sent this, but I imagine you've had to deal with it already by now. On the off chance you haven't, though, or just so that others with similar concerns might see it one day, I will still give the best answer I can.

I think your concern and willingness to consider these trees speaks volumes and is probably felt by the trees in question, at least to seem degree. That being said, some things just must be done as part of our navigation through human life, and this sounds to be one of them. Particularly considering that these trees are young and haven't been part of any spiritual focus or practice, I think moving them is completely understandable. Simply express your need and intention in a heartfelt way and be as careful physically to the plants as you can, and you have already done plenty, in my opinion.

As for the cottonwood, if there is some other location you feel comfortable transplanting it, you could do that there, but they can spread a bit over-enthusiastically at times, so that is worth taking into consideration. Should you need to let the sapling die, take tome to thank it for providing its resources to the world, and allow yourself to extend presence and loving gratitude to the spirit of the plant as it begins its death journey. If you are able to make some use of the wood, leaves, etc. after it dies, then that is all the better a way to honor and remember it.

[lailoken]

Some extremely belated pictures of our crowning of the Summer Queen from this last Gathering Day solstice.

[lailoken]

"I walked where twilight leans against the stone—

The cloister's breath; the hush before a prayer.

There, time withdrew its hand and left me lone

With only dusk and questions in the air.

A single bell, far off, began to speak

As if it summoned something in my chest—

A distant need I never thought to seek,

A nameless ache that never came to rest.

O' Gods, I am the chalice and the thirst,

The song unsung, the silence it requires.

Shape me, not with mercy, but with first

And final flame:

A vessel for your fire."

—

'A Holy Vessel'

by Lucien B. Hale (2025)

[lailoken]

The setup and conclusion of a very interesting Cord Cutting ceremony I performed. This particular ritual actually ended up teaching me some things about Cord Cutting in general.

[lailoken]

Here is some additional insight to the anon who originally sent me this question!

What do you think of the current Pluto in Aquarius transit until 2043-2045? I'm honestly scared. I've never felt a shift as intensely as this one so throughout the winter I've felt heavy depression and what not, or even wonder if I'll survive. Am I alone in this?

I wish that classical astrology was more of a forte of mine, but it's something I've never really developed a close kinship with or understanding of. I can say, however, that I've experienced a lot of intense and overwhelming shifts recently myself, as well as multiple other people I know.

I wish you the very best, and I hope you can find your way out of this funk soon. ♡

[lailoken]

Good morning! Do you have any thoughts on utilizing dead plants? I've heard conflicting opinions, either that in their dead state they have a different property because of it, or that once a plant dies it is more or less magically useless and not unique. What do you think?

I actually answered a question that touches on this subject a while back! ×

[lailoken]

Guidance from a Trickster

On my way to a bad decision, I ask aloud to my Witch Father;

"You who guides all paths and ways, is the road that I now take one of wisdom? Am I deluded?"

I feel the chill run through my body, and I see the trickster at the threshold, staring at me with a lesson in its eyes.

I turn aside and take a different path.

[lailoken]

I found these pillars topped with stones and pennies at the perimeter an old cemetery, which seemed to have pretty clear ritual significance to me. Not too far from this spot was also the grave of 19th century baby that appears to have received tokens of propitiation over time.

I love seeing things like this.

[lailoken]

Dionysian Rosary (SOLD)

Amethyst Beads, Spalted Ivy Wood Counter Beads, Ox Horn Bracket Beads, Ivy Motif Centerpiece Connector, & Vintage Sterling Silver Articulated Focal Pendant

This unique set of fine-quality devotional beads was created and consecrated in the name of the Hellenic god Dionysus, also known as Bacchus—who rules over Wine, Vegetation, Fertility, Festivity, Theatrics, and Religious Ecstasy.

It was constructed from beads of Amethyst (a stone strongly associated with both Wine and Dionysus in Greek myth), with counter-beads made from Pine-Harvested Ivy Wood (both woods coming from plants that are sacred to the god), which are bracketed with small Ram Horn beads (an animal closely associated with his traditional mysteries and offerings.) There are also a drop-bead made from lathe-turned Pine Wood and a pewter centerpiece connector depicting an Ivy Motif. The focal pendant is a vintage, articulated, sterling silver grape cluster.

Once the whole piece was assembled, it was then consecrated in the name of Dinoysus and the Bacchian Mysteries.

This piece measures approximately 19 inches/48 centimeters long, and all connecting rings and pins are made from silver-plated steel. If interested in acquiring it, please feel free to reach out here or visit my shop, Wending Wares.

[lailoken]

sending you my warmest wishes and hugs if desired/needed. please take it easy! tumblr should definitely not be your priority now for sure.

Thank you, belatedly, for this kind message. 🫂

[lailoken]

Hello Lucien, I hope all is going well over on your side of the hedge! I have a question for you regarding a piece of terminology, if you're able to provide some insight.

Have you ever defined the term "Spirit Kith" for us here? If you have, is there any chance you could point me in the direction of said definition? I've done some searching myself, but alas, tumblr search is notoriously awful.

If you haven't and you're able, would you be willing to elaborate on what you mean when you say Spirit Kith? Thus far I've taken it to mean "spirits with which you, the practitioner, have fostered a close relationship, and often call upon for assistance in magical workings or intercession." A sort of spiritual bond or friendship/association that isn't necessarily familial (as a word like "kin" would imply) but are just as strong and meaningful. Would you say that's an accurate definition, or are there misconceptions to it that should be corrected?

As a followup, I know there's certain terminology you've spoken about originating from you/the Wending Way that you'd rather not be divorced from their origin. Is Spirit Kith one of those terms, or is it more a term that someone is free to use if they find it resonates with their experience/craft?

Thank you as always for your time and energy, and sorry this ask got so long! I absolutely adore learning about the many phrases and terms people use in their Craft, especially ones I haven't seen before, and I wanted to make sure I have a good grasp on what things mean to the people speaking about them.

Thank you for being so thoughtful and considerate about this; it really is appreciated.

Put simply, Spirit Kith is a term that essentially denotes one's spiritual retinue. When I was growing up, my mom occasionally referred to what she called my "spiritual kith & kin," which described the spirits of my ancestors, as well as other spiritual allies. Over time, I grew to isolate that terminology more, and use Spirit Kith on its own.

As for others using this term, I won't deny that there is a part of me that feels a little protective of a term that originates in my adolescent magical upbringing. But at the same time, when used in good faith/understanding by others, I think it's a term that makes as much sense to utilize as spirit allies, spirit helpers, etc. I know that when my friends and colleagues make use of the term, it never bothers me.

[lailoken]

this isn’t a question but an invitation to get your observation on something. I initiated myself to the Devyl around ten minutes ago how i felt was right, and a spider came and crawled on my bare chest around ten minutes after doing so. Who do you believe is listening to my words? The Devyl who is sending a spider as an Imp? Or the spider, offering itself?

There is a lot there to unpack, without much real context. By now, I assume you've started to feel this out for yourself, but if not, I would strongly recommend divination to look into the matter.

It's been a while since you first sent this, so I hope things have gone well in the interim.

[lailoken]

Custom Elderwood Stave Commission

This is an example of a Custom Stave that I was commisioned to craft on behalf of another practitioner, and which I share here now with their permission. The design of this piece was entrusted almost entirely to me, though the client specified the inclusion of a hagstone, bone, and a feather.

For this piece, I was inspired to harvest and prepare a tridental stave from a propotiated Elder tree, which I then proceeded to shape, dry, de-bark, and smooth. Once I was satisfied with the texture of the wood, I then stained it using Black Walnut Shell and smoothed it even further, revealing a mottled coloration to the wood. After that, I sealed and conditioned the piece using a ritually empowered wood varnish that I make myself using tree resins. Finally, it was simply wa matter of affixing the tokens specified by tne client, which I installed using placements that evoked the concept of Above (feather), Within (hagstone), and Below (bone).

Custom creations such as this are wonderful challenges that I love to undertake, and I am always honored and happy to be given such an opportunity. I continue to take on commissions for a wide variety of Craft Implements, so if you are interested in acquiring a similarly unique handmade item, please feel free to inquire with me here or on my website (x).

[lailoken]

What do you think of the current Pluto in Aquarius transit until 2043-2045? I'm honestly scared. I've never felt a shift as intensely as this one so throughout the winter I've felt heavy depression and what not, or even wonder if I'll survive. Am I alone in this?

I wish that classical astrology was more of a forte of mine, but it's something I've never really developed a close kinship with or understanding of. I can say, however, that I've experienced a lot of intense and overwhelming shifts recently myself, as well as multiple other people I know.

I wish you the very best, and I hope you can find your way out of this funk soon. ♡

[lailoken]

Hello, I have a question regarding the invisibility charm you shared some time ago. Would an alder leaf work as a substitute for a fresh bay leaf?

Regaridng this: x

I am honestly not sure, and I think you'd have to experiment to really know. But I think the chances are much better if you have a working relationship with the tutelary spirit of Alders. What I can say is that there is a well established use for Bay Laurel in this charm, and I know that it can work well if it is properly employed.

[lailoken]

Ritually dying cordage with Ochre, Madder, and Human Blood is all fun and games until the stench of your own rotting gore begins to take hold. 🥲