saysarasspells

[saysarasspells]

Remembering Salem

It was on this day in 1692 that the events we now know as The Salem Witch Trials officially began with the arrests of Tituba, Sarah Good, and Sarah Osborne. The accusations had been brewing for most of the preceding month, and the legal proceedings would not begin until June, with the convening of the Court of Oyer and Terminer with Lt. Gov. William Stoughton as Chief Magistrate. (Cue the resounding chorus of booing and hissing.)

By the time the mad whirl finally ceased, 130 people had been arrested. Here’s how the major statistics break down:

19 convicted, sentenced, and executed by hanging

1 pressed to death for refusing to enter a plea

5 died in prison

10 escaped from prison

2 evaded arrest

10 pardoned

13 never officially indicted, including Tituba

In October 1692, Governor William Phips finally stepped in to quell the madness by dissolving the Court of Oyer and Terminer, but only after immense public pressure and the accusation of his own wife by one of the plaintiffs. The legal proceedings related to those already arrested and imprisoned were conducted by the Superior Court of Judicature and these officially ended in May of 1693. 

Today, we remember the victims of Salem as a testament to the necessity of reason and due process in legal proceedings, and as an example of the high price of moral panics and religious mania.

The Salem Witch Trials also remind us that it is important that we remember our history from a practical standpoint and not allow events to become overly mythologized. However comforting it may be to stylize ourselves as the descendants of the witches they failed to burn, it is more important…and more accurate…to remember that we are the inheritors of a legacy steeped in bigotry, social misunderstanding, cultural ignorance, gender bias, classism, and racism. And this must not be carried into our modern communities, pagan or otherwise.

If we take anything from the events in Salem, let it be this:

Salem is what happens when people allow their biases to run wild, when reason and logic are overturned by zealotry of one kind or another, and when those who have the power to intervene stand back and do nothing.

Do not give power to moral panics. Fact-check before you react. Debunk where you can. Encourage compassion and understanding, rather than a puritanical rush to judgment. And when faced with injustice, do not be silent and, for the love of all things good in this world, do not stand by and do nothing.

For more information, check out Season 1 of Aaron Mahnke’s “Unobscured” for a deep dive into the events surrounding the Salem Witch Trials.

[saysarasspells]

Write your Witchcraft

The thing is, we change. We are not the same person we were five years ago. Hel, a lot of us are not even the same people we were last week. We change, and our beliefs, favourites, thoughts and the way we see ourselves changes with it. 

The same is true for our witchraft, religion and spiritual beliefs. This is why I have a list of question that I like to answer for myself every couple of years. I first started this when I came across a list of questions by Juniper from Walking the Hedge (site no longer in use) in 2008, yes, over ten years ago. Every few years I filled in the questions and looked back at the answers I gave before. Some never changed, some changed quite a lot. 

When our coven started a new lesson plan, I gave out the list of questions as well. We sealed our answers in envelopes and plan to fill them in again, once we finish our lessons. Then open the envelopes and look at the answers side by side. To see how we have changed. 

I looked at the list last week and found it actually lacking a bit. The questions were very deity- and spiritual based, so I was missing some more questions about my personality and witchcraft. So I decided to make my own list of questions! 

Since I wanted to make this more a weekly journaling/grimoire prompt for myself I put together 52 questions. These can be answered weekly (maybe every year) or you can work through the list in one go and repeat that every few years or so. 

Some notes on the wording: I consider myself both a witch and a pagan, but to keep it easier to read I only used wording like “witch” and “witchcraft”, they can however be substituted for “pagan”, “paganism” or even “my path”, should that fit you better. When I talk about “sacred space” this can both mean a ritual space like a temple or casting of a circle, but also just your home or outdoors witchy environment.

I’d love it if you would tag anything you feel comfortable with posting online with the tag #writeyourwitchcraft!

What draws me to witchcraft?

How do I see the divine?

What in witchcraft makes me happy?

Do I want to follow a path that has to do with a little nature, or a lot of nature?

What areas of witchcraft would I like to learn more about?

Where do my witchy talents lie?

What kind of deities, if any, do I want to honor?

How do I believe magic works?

Simple or elaborate spells/rituals? Why?

What are my views on cursing/hexing?

Do I want to practice something similar to my ancestors?

What are the basic morals and ethics I feel I should live by?

What in nature am I drawn to; the ocean, animals, the trees, etc?

Which (witchy) holidays, if any, would I like to celebrate and how?

How do I believe divination works?

Would I like to work with a group some of the time, all of the time or not at all?

Which aspects of witchcraft appeal to me most, which the least?

What do I believe happens to us when we die?

How do I see mythological creatures?

When do I feel most magical?

How much is witchcraft woven into my daily life; is this too much, too little or just enough?

What kind of witch do I feel I am?

Which texts/quotes best describe my current path?

Do I like research and gathering info, or do I like things handed to me?

Which things about witchcraft worry or scare me?

What is my favourite element?

How do I see gender (roles) in witchcraft?

Am I interested more in magic, or spirituality?

Do I like to be told how to do things, or would I rather figure it out on my own?

What rules, if any, do I live by when it comes to witchcraft and magic?

What do I gain from witchcraft and magic?

Formal or informal rituals/spells? Why?

What subject do I love to study?

What is my favourite type of magic; candle, sympathetic, sigils, etc?

What would my perfect witchy day be like?

Would I want to be dedicated/initiated?

Who do I honor (ex: deities, ancestors, myself, etc), and how do I, or would I like to, honor them?

How do I create a sacred/witchy space?

What do I believe is needed for a succesful spell/ritual?

Which cultures do I draw from in my witchcraft?

What is my learning style; books, websites, videos, more hands-on?

What, if anything, in my mundane life influences my witchcraft?

What are my hobbys, how do I (or can I) incorporate them in my witchcraft?

Where do my non-witchy talents lie, how do I (or can I) incorporate them in my witchcraft?

What would my dream witchy life look like? What steps can I take to work towards it?

What would my dream sacred space/witchy home look like? What steps can I take to work towards it?

What symbols correspond with me; runes, animals, flowers, gemstones, etc?

Am I an open and proud witch, or do I (need to) hide my craft?

What are my favourite witchy items/tools; divination tool, ritual tool, décor, clothing, etc?

What is holding me back in my craft?

What is my pre-spell/ritual routine?

What are my ultimate witchy goals and how can I work towards them?

[saysarasspells]

Really hoping 2020 has taught y’all that the law of attraction is absolute fucking bullshit

[saysarasspells]

Yule Ritual: The Rauhnacht Ritual

by u/raindropcatcher on reddit

The Rauhnacht Ritual

Maybe a lot of you know this one already, but I figured I'd share it anyway. I learned about this little ritual from a friend in Berlin last Summer.

The Rauhnächte are the nights from the 25th of December to the 6th of January and they mark the longest darkness of the year (in the northern hemisphere) and the time when the vail between the worlds is the thinnest.

The ritual makes use of these special circumstances. I'm sure there are many different ways of doing this, but I like minimalism, so here is, what I've learned about and how I will go about it.

And all you really need, is some paper, a pen, a flame and some time to reflect.

First, before the 25th, have some time to yourself. Rip the paper into 13 pieces. On each piece you write one wish for the next year. You get 13 in total.

Fold the wishes so you can't read them anymore and put them into a bag box, jar or alike.

On the night of the 25th you go somewhere outside, preferably into nature. You can bring a candle or just a lighter. Maybe a few herbs to smudge. Make sure you stay safe.

Pick a random sheet of paper and burn your first wish, letting it go to the universe/source energy/gods.

Repeat this for 11 following nights. Until the 6th of January. You should be left with one sheet of paper.

The 12 wishes you burned, will be dealt with by the spirits you gave them to. The 13th is your's to deal with.

That doesn't mean you shouldn't keep an open eye and heart for the first 12. They will come true within the next 12 months. Supposedly one per month. Make sure to be ready to receive and - if necessary - to give. Keep your eyes open and work on your 13th wish.

Make sure to show appropriate appreciation for every wish come true.

Have a happy new year, fellow witches 🧡

[saysarasspells]

Art by - Julia Nikitina

[saysarasspells]

The Witch, 1893 by John Maler Collier

[saysarasspells]

23.09.2019 Autumn equinox.

[saysarasspells]

Bill Mayer - Summer Solstice

[saysarasspells]

“Witch is a political term. It was forged by political forces. It was a word that got you killed if you were called it. If you call yourself a witch you have a duty to stand in solidarity with all those who face oppression today.”- Sarah Lyons (via Twitter)

[saysarasspells]

The Moon

The Phases Full Moon - cleanse your tools, restore your energy, give thanks, love magicks, beginnings, enhance psychic ability, power, healing, divination, enlightenment, banishing Blue Moon - divination, focus, achieving goals, wishes Waning Gibbous - expel negativity, releasing, undo bindings and curses Third Quarter - Forgiveness, letting go, releasing, reaking bad habits Waning Crescent - rest, cleansing, balance, success, wisdom, atonement Dark Moon - banishing, retreat, self reflection, justice, rest, stillness, observation New Moon - fresh starts, new beginnings, banishing, divination, healing, hope, openness Black Moon - manifestation, power, wishes Waxing Crescent - attraction, spells of intention or hope, luck, friendship, growth, wealth First Quarter - overcoming challenges, action, making decisions, balance Waxing Gibbous - making adjustments, refining, prosperity, motivation, good health, positivity, success What are the Blue, Dark, and Black Moons? A Blue Moon is an “extra” full moon that occurs in the same month. Or, it is what occurs when you get four full moons in one season. A Black Moon is just the opposite, an extra new moon to occur within the same month as another, or when four new moons happen in the same season. It can also refer to a month in which there is no full moon, which can only occur in February, as the lunar cycles run over 29.5 days. A Dark Moon is what you call the waning crescent just before the new moon and the start of the waxing phase. The duration ranges from 1.5 to 3.5 days. Full Moons January - Wolf Moon/Cold Moon/Spirit Moon February - Snow Moon/Hunger Moon March - Worm Moon/Sap Moon April - Pink Moon/Fish Moon/Egg Moon/Sprouting Grass Moon May - Flower Moon/Milk Moon/Corn Planting Moon June - Strawberry Moon/Rose Moon/Hot Moon July - Buck Moon/Thunder Moon August - Sturgeon Moon/Green Corn Moon September - Corn Moon/Harvest Moon/Barley Moon October - Hunter’s Moon/Travel Moon/Dying Moon November - Beaver Moon/Frost Moon December - Cold Moon/Long Nights Moon Why are they named? They are essentially nicknames that were traditionally used by Native Americans to track the seasons. Used as timing for growing and harvesting crops, keeping track of when certain animals would be around for hunting, and so on. Not all tribes used the same names at for these moons, or even count the same number of seasons. The names for the moons are largely localized to what grows, what animals are around, and how the mild or harsh the weather is in that area. Some tribes may only use a few names, where others may use the same name at a different time of year. Each tribe had their preferences. Colonial Americans later adopted some of the Full Moon names from the Native Americans and applied it to their own calendar. Where is the Harvest Moon??? Well, the Harvest Moon can occur in one of two months, September or October. It is the Full Moon that occurs the closest to the Autumn Equinox. It is named so, because the closer to the equinox, the later the sun sets, thus giving farmers more time to harvest their crops. What about the Supermoon? This occurs when the (New or Full) Moon is at it’s closest point in orbit to Earth, when it’s at it’s perigee. The Moon appears much larger than normal, and moreso when it’s lower in the horizon when it has just started to rise. This can happen at any point in the year. (NOTE) - we have 3 full supermoons occuring in a row in 2020… March, April, and May. image credit thebohomystic.tumblr.com

[saysarasspells]

Hey, me again. Sorry to bother you again but recently, I've been feeling dizzy and with headaches. I can't go to the doctor right now because of the quarantine and all. So I wonder if you have any recipes for me, maybe something like tea. Thank you and apologies for bothering.

You can bother me anytime you’d like ^_^ Hmmm, let me see what I have. Well! I do suffer from chronic migraines so I do have quite a few. But please keep in mind I am not a licensed medical professional, and please do not take this advice as medical treatment. The last thing I would want is one of you to get really sick under my word. So please once you can, see a doctor immediately. 

HEADACHE RELIEF TEA RECIPE

Ingredients

1 cup of water

1 bag green tea

1 tsp lemon juice

1 tsp ginger (best if fresh)

1 sprig of peppermint

2 tbsp honey

Directions

Steep in hot water for 10 minutes before drinking. Mix in honey.

[saysarasspells]

Hello! So, I’m extremely new to all things witchy, and I had a question regarding tarot. Where exactly should I get my cards? I know it is important to hold a connection with the cards, but I’m not sure where to find them to begin with.

Hi, petal!

There are loads of places to get your Tarot Cards from. You can find decks in metaphysical shops, Amazon, or their websites directly. The most important part is you pick a deck that resonates with you, so find one you like! I currently have the Mystic Mondays Tarot Deck, but have a look through https://www.tarot.com/tarot/decks and research the ones you like!

I hope this was helpful!

- Sage <3

[saysarasspells]

The Twin Cards in Lenormand and Tarot

Tarot’s The Tower and Lenormand’s Tower may share the same name, but the former is shocking while the latter is tame.

Rider and the Pages

Both bring messages.

Clover and the Six of Wands

Both speak of luck and wins that are soon gone.

Ship and the Three of Wands

Both are about commerce, yearning and distance.

House and the Ten of Cups

Both refer to the ones who stay through your downs and ups.

Tree and Temperance

Both speak of spiritual and physical balance.

Clouds and The Moon

Both spell confusion and darkness that can form a typhoon.

Snake and the Seven of Swords

Both warn of deceitful acts and manipulative words.

Coffin and Death

Both speak of an ending that leaves you without breath.

Bouquet and the Six of Pentacles

Both announce surprise gifts and other pleasant spectacles.

Scythe and the Knight of Swords

Both warn of swift defeat or biting words.

Whip and the Knight of Wands

Both speak of a sexually adventurous man.

Birds and the Nine of Swords

Both represent anxieties that may attack in hordes.

Keep reading

[saysarasspells]

Hello Diana! Can you teach us the Lenormand grand tableau? I did the Major Arcana one which seemed to be successful. You said the lenormand one is harder to do but my lenormand cards will arrive soon and i really want it to be my first reading with them. Also does it matter if i do it now? even if my birthday is in december?

HOW TO DO THE 12-STEP LENORMAND GRAND TABLEAU

This spread uses all 36 cards to give you an overview of your life for a full year. It is best done on New Year or on your birthday, but can also be performed anytime. You will need:

2 standard-size Lenormand decks

Reading table that measures at least 75cm x 75cm

Velvet tarot cloth, to make picking up the cards easy

Minimum of 2 hours to interpret and record the spread

STEP 1: Prepare and begin.

Using the first Lenormand deck, lay out the backdrop. All cards should be in order from the first one (Rider) to the last one (Cross). Make 4 rows of 8 cards, and place the remaining 4 cards in the middle of the 5th row.

Shuffle the second Lenormand deck while asking, “What will happen to me in the year ahead?”

Lay out the cards over the first deck, dealing from the top.

STEP 2: Note the significators.

There are two significators, Gentleman and Lady. If you are male, you are the former; female, the latter. The other is your lover.

If the significators are facing each other, the love is mutual. If you are single, you will meet someone soon.

If the significators are facing away from each other, a breakup is possible, or a relationship is impossible.

If only one significator is facing away, that is the person who is less committed or uninterested in the other.

STEP 3: Read the first 3 cards as the urgent message.

String the cards like a sentence. You will find the instructions here. Keep referring to it for the next steps.

STEP 4: Read the corner cards as the main theme.

In the example above, the corner cards are Sun, Letter, Anchor and Crossroads — the 4 that form a box. Read them like a sentence in that order.

STEP 5: Read the heart cards as the secondary theme.

In the example, the heart cards are Moon, Fish, Bear and Key — the 4 in the middle. Read them like a sentence in that order.

STEP 6: Read the fate cards as the immediate future.

The fate cards are the last four: Lilies, Ship, Cross and Whip. Read them like a sentence in that order.

STEP 7: Read your past, future and present statements.

Look at the significator. If it is Lady…

Whatever is to your left is a statement about your past (Sun, Heart, Gentleman, Ring, Coffin, Snake).

Whatever is to your right is a statement about your future (Letter).

Whatever is on the same column as you is a statement about your present (Stars, Mountain, Bouquet).

Read cards in the past as a sentence, in the order I have listed. Do the same for the future and the present.

STEP 8: Read the mini spreads within the tableau.

Look to these cards for these subjects:

Heart for Love

Gentleman (or Lady) for Lover

Moon for Work

Fish for Finances

Tree for Health

House for Home

Ship for Travel

Every card that is beside a subject card should be read. These are called touching cards. A subject card, along with its touching cards, form a mini spread within the grand tableau.

For the Love spread, the subject card is Heart, and the touching cards are Sun, Gentleman, Clover, Garden and Mice. For the Work spread, the subject card is Moon, and there are more touching cards this time: Gentleman, Ring, Coffin, Mice, Fish, House, Bear and Key.

To interpret every mini spread, read its cards horizontally first, then vertically. As always, read them like a sentence.

Then mirror them. Mirroring means pairing the card with the one that is opposite to it in the mini spread. Read the two cards as a sentence.

In the Love spread, Sun and Gentleman mirror each other. Clover and Mice do too. In the Work spread, here are the mirrors: Gentleman and Coffin, Mice and Fish, House and Key, Gentleman and House, Ring and Bear, Coffin and Key.

STEP 9: Read the cards against the houses.

This is where you will need the backdrop — the first deck underneath your spread.

Read every single card, from Sun to Whip. Read them in pairs (as with mirrors), with the card as the first part, and the one beneath it as the second.

In the example, Sun has Rider (the first Lenormand card according to the proper order) beneath it. And Heart has Clover. 

Take note of cards that fall in their native house and cards that fall in each other’s native house. If you find Anchor beneath Anchor, it means that card’s meaning will manifest strongly in your life. The same is true if you find Fox beneath Snake and Snake beneath Fox. Make sure you remember those two cards.

STEP 10: Count round by 9 to find 5 cards.

Starting from your significator, count 9 cards. Note which card that is. Keep counting and noting the 9th card until you have 5 cards. Always start the next count from the last card selected.

Read these 5 cards like a sentence. Then read the mirrors: Lady and Gentleman, Stars and Bouquet.

Add the playing card values to get the Lenormand card number.

Ace is equivalent to 1, 6 is of course equal 6, and so on. But Jack is 11, Queen is 12 and King is 13.

In this example, the values are : 1 + 6 + 8 + 12 + 1 = 28. The 28th Lenormand card is Gentleman. Read that card as a message you need to remember.

If the sum is greater than 36, simply add the two digits.

STEP 11: Summarize and record the reading.

Repeat to yourself and note down:

The urgent message

The main theme

The secondary theme

The immediate future

The future statement

The cards that fall in their native house, if any

The cards that fall in each other’s native house, if any

The message found by counting round

STEP 12: Note down any date predictions.

Remark any possible date predictions by looking at the house where the subject cards from Step 8 have landed.

In the example, Fish — the subject card for Finances, landed in the house of Child. That is August. Whatever the Finances mini spread revealed could happen in that month.

For the full list of timing values for Lenormand, refer to this.

To see this spread’s simpler equivalent in tarot, here you go.

[saysarasspells]

hello! do you have any tips regarding lenormand?

Hello! Sure, here are a few!

Where is Lenormand Better than Tarot?

Shallow but essential questions — “Should I stay at home tonight? If I attend this party, will I have fun?” “Should I bring an umbrella? Will rain overpower the sun?” Tarot knows the answers too, but it prefers questions of a profound nature over little things like the weather.

Mindless gambling and betting — When there’s a sports match I want to bet on but I’m not a fan of either players or teams, tarot will never answer me correctly, because it will feel that I’m not invested emotionally. Lenormand won’t care. It will tell the truth fair and square.

Quick yes or no — When tarot answers a yes or no question, it sometimes attaches a thesis as to why it is so. But people’s intentions, a situation’s history and my own motivations do not always interest me. So I ask Lenormand instead for a snappy decree.

How to Predict Timing with Lenormand

January - Fish

February - Snake

March - Stork

April - Paths

May - Woman

June - Ring

July - Man

August - Child

September - Rod

October - Heart

November - Clouds

December - House

Soon - Rider

Temporarily - Birds

Quickly - Clover

Suddenly - Scythe

A long time from now - Anchor

About a year from today - Tree

Yes or No with Lenormand

Hearts - Yes

Clubs - No

Diamonds - Could Be

Spades - Unlikely

How to Do a Line of Five

STEP 1: Lay out the cards.

Get the first 4 cards from the top of the deck.

Use the card at the bottom of the deck as the 5th card.

Note that the middle card is the theme.

STEP 2: Read the cards.

Read them like a sentence, from left to right.

Then read them as a string, with the leftmost card as the subject, and the succeeding ones as adjectives.

Mirror them: 1 + 5, 2 + 4.

Note any possible date predictions. (See above.)

STEP 3: Read the playing card inserts.

Note the suits for yes or no. (See above.)

Add the playing card pips to get the Lenormand card number. (Ace to 10 is 1 to 10, Jack is 11, Queen is 12, King is 13.) If the sum is more than 36, add the two digits.

Then read the Lenormand card that your calculation led you to as the one message you need to remember, if you forget everything else.

When to Do a Grand Tableau

1) On December 31st, or on your birthday, to ask about your whole year ahead.

2) At the beginning of every quarter, to ask about your next three months.

But just choose one or the other. Don’t do them both together.

Recommended Lenormand Decks

The Blue Owl — This classic deck is the equivalent of a blue box vintage Rider-Waite. It is complete with playing card inserts and has no-nonsense images.

Pixie’s — As a Rider-Waite reader, I find this one great to use side by side a tarot spread. It has Pamela Colman Smith’s art, so together, they’re nice and seamless to look at.

Seventh Sphere — The perfect crossbreed between modern and classic. In look and design, it is no doubt new. But just like the older decks, it speaks clear and true.

How to Master Lenormand by Yourself

If you are the type who deeply values tradition and prefers to read almost purely through intuition, buy Andy Boroveshengra’s book, “Lenormand Thirty Six Cards”. It teaches the Near and Far method — perhaps the oldest and most valid way of reading this system.

If you are a technical learner and reader who is a stickler for the rules, look to Caitlín Matthews’ masterpiece instead: “The Complete Lenormand Oracle Handbook”. It treats Lenormand as Linguistics. You would feel like you are taking a college course.

But… if you do not wish to take Lenormand so seriously, that is, if you do not care to learn everything about it entirely, simply download the “Seventh Sphere Lenormand” by Labyrinthos from the App Store. It will teach you all the basics, though perhaps nothing historical and classic.

Have fun with Lenormand!

[saysarasspells]

I photoshopped a magpie and a killer whale together

[saysarasspells]

See also: Counting Crows (Witchipedia)