#Small notebook full of Magick pages and information

[kentnaturaltribrid]

Sorry for the fast writing, but when it comes to it, basically was trying to get through most of the main stuff from at least memory and study of a whole library ton of books, at least 17,000 books at most. Not all of them have what one may be looking for, but a library full is worth at least half a decade full of information that is worth knowing and worth reading as well as study the properties and proper parts of things almost long forgotten. Especially that which although is very much a small piece of the Magicks and Magical Realms, Sorcery it self is one of the arts that still holds at least 16,000 years worth of information and at least 15,000 members originally, however it now stands at 300 per year and roughly half a decade worth of books still intact, originals included . With that being said, very little as 12 per month study and succeed, but with that in mind the majority of which happen to find themselves stuck in their original paths for about a year or two, tend towards finding and focusing on larger areas of magic in which they’re definitely less familiar with but that eventually helps and them become Arcanum Level And Masters of The Grand Arcane Arts. Of which there happens to only every 18 years for at most 4 per year of members of magical study.

[samwisethewitch]

dorm friendly magick for broom-closeted student witches

Got roommates that aren’t into witchcraft/magick? Can’t burn incense in your dorm room? Don’t have time for elaborate rituals between studying for exams and writing papers? I’ve been there. Here are some of my favorite undercover spells and rituals for witches living that college life. 

Journal Magick

Keep a manifestation journal! Find a journal that really speaks to you and makes you feel good every time you open it, whether it’s a bulky leatherbound tome or has a holographic cover and hot pink pages -- what matters is that you feel a connection to it. 

Every morning, write down the things you want to manifest in your journal in the present tense, as if they had already happened. [Note: this works better if you are writing the same thing every day for at least a few weeks. Consistent intent is key!] 

For more information on this type of manifestation, just search “scripting” on YouTube and you’ll find approximately 642934 videos on the subject. 

This is a really great technique for closet witches, because no one is going to be suspicious of you writing in a notebook -- plus, it’s normal for people to want to keep their journals private.

Work with correspondences just like you would for a normal spell! You can print out photos of herbs, crystals, tarot cards, astrological signs, or moon phases that correspond to your intention and glue them into your journal (or draw them, if you have artistic talent). You could even get an essential oil that matches your intention and dab a drop of it on the page. You’re essentially creating an altar dedicated to your intention, just on paper instead of in a physical altar space.

Tap into the magick of color by writing your intentions with a pen in a corresponding color (green = abundance/wealth, pink = love and friendship, yellow = academic success, etc.).

Tea and Coffee Magick

Tea and coffee are already essentially potions, and no one is going to think twice about a college student drinking a lot of coffee/tea. 

Coffee is associated with grounding and protection, and it adds energy to any spell it is added to. Black tea is associated with protection, courage, and abundance. Green and white tea have their own, slightly different magickal uses. Based on these correspondences, you can use coffee and tea as a base for undercover potions!

For mental clarity and memory retention, brew a mixture of black coffee, lion’s mane, chaga, and ginger. For a caffeine-free alternative, brew an herbal tea with rosemary and peppermint. 

To cleanse negative energy and release stress, brew a mixture of black coffee, Ashwagandha, cinnamon, tulsi or basil, and Eleuthero. This is based on a Four Sigmatic blend, lmao.

For a sneaky prosperity spell, brew a mixture of black coffee, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and vanilla. Yes, that is essentially pumpkin pie spice, and yes, you can use a pre-mixed pumpkin pie blend instead of buying the individual spices.

I could go on, but you get the idea. You can customize your morning beverage to suit any magickal or spiritual need. 

Most plants have medicinal uses that are the same or similar to their magickal uses. So if anyone asks, tell them you’re adding these extra herbs for their nutritional and/or medicinal value. 

You can also charge your tea or coffee with crystals. Just set a small crystal associated with your intention (amethyst for mental clarity, black tourmaline for protection, citrine for prosperity, etc.) next to the mug for a few minutes, or place it on top of your coffee maker. Be sure to charge both the crystal and the drink with your intention!

Candle Magick

If your dorm lets you have candles then congrats, because candle spells are both super powerful and a super easy way to hide your magick in plain sight.

Find a candle in a scent and color that match your intention. For example, you could use a pink, rose-scented candle for a love spell. 

You can find custom spell candles made by witches for witches on Amazon and Etsy, and these have the added bonus of having been specifically created for magickal use. Some of the businesses I’ve personally had good experiences with are Art of the Root (available on Amazon), Esoteric Arts (available on Etsy), and Crystal Journey (Amazon). 

That being said, I’ve gotten good results with $1.99 scented candles from Walmart, so please don’t feel like you need to spend a fortune on special candles for your spell to be successful.

In a pinch, an unscented white candle can be used for any intention. You can get these at the dollar store, and it’s never a bad idea to have a few on hand.

Oil Magick

Your dorm has a no-open-flames rule, so candles and incense are out of the question. No problem -- you can get similar results with essential oils. 

An essential oil literally contains the concentrated essence of a plant. Magickally speaking, this makes them a powerful way to add some oomph to your spells. They’re also commonly used for aromatherapy, so your roommate probably won’t be phased by you diffusing them in your dorm.

You can create custom EO blends the same way you would create an incense blend, by combining different plants based on their correspondences. You can also buy pre-mixed blends online if you’re feeling lazy or if you have a certain blend you know you’re going to use a lot like, say, a focus-enhancing blend for studying.

Another option, and one that’s more traditionally witchy, is to use magickal oils/ritual oils. A magickal oil is an oil that has been created for a specific magickal purpose -- it’s like a spell in a bottle. A ritual oil is created for a specific use in magickal ritual. You can find tons of different ways to incorporate these oils into your daily life for some very subtle witchcraft.

You can create your own magickal oils by combining herbs, essential oils, and crystals that match your intention, or you can buy magickal oil blends from witch-owned businesses. Art of the Root has my absolute favorite oils -- I have like six different blends, and they’re all ridiculously powerful.

Some ways you can use magickal oils: 1.) wear them as a body oil, 2.) diffuse them like you would an essential oil blend, 3.) use them to anoint and bless objects, like tests or study guides, 4.) add them to spiritual baths, and a million more. [Note: many magickal oils come with real herbs and resins in the bottle. These chunky bits could damage a diffuser, so do keep that in mind.]

Personally, I wear magickal oils on a daily basis in the place of perfume, since most of the ones I own smell really good. As I apply them, I say a small incantation to power them up. For example, if I’m wearing an attraction oil, when I put it on I’ll say something like, “I am powerfully attractive to the people and things that will improve my life.” Which oil I choose to wear depends on the day and the area of my life where I want some extra help. 

Tech Magick

The nice thing about being a witch in the 21st century is that, if all else fails, you can keep your entire magickal practice contained on your laptop and/or phone. And even if you’re not doing 100% of your witchcraft in a virtual space, you can still use your technology as a tool in your practice. 

Pinterest is the ultimate visualization tool. You can create a virtual altar to a deity or spirit guide by dedicating a Pinterest board to them, or create vision boards for the things you want to manifest, or create a brainstorming space to plan your full moon rituals... the possibilities are endless. 

Keep your Book of Shadows and/or manifestation journal in a Word document. If you’re really concerned about privacy, you can even password protect these documents. Another pro of an electronic Book of Shadows is that most word processors have a “search” function that lets you look things up more easily. 

Make a devotional playlist for a deity or spirit guide. Making Spotify playlists for my deities is one of my favorite devotional acts! I’ll put together all of the songs that remind me of that deity, and I can listen to it anytime, anywhere to instantly connect with them. And don’t be afraid to ask your deities what type of music they like -- you may be surprised by the answer!

If any other witches have similar tips, feel free to add onto this! This is just stuff that I’ve found works for me, but magick is deeply personal and everyone will do things a little bit differently. 

And not to shove my content in everyone’s faces, but I did just post a spell to enchant your school notebooks on my YouTube channel, so check that out if you’re interested!

[themanicnami]

Stuck in the City: Forest Witch Edition

It can be difficult to do witchcraft and connect to nature when stuck in a supremely urban area such as a downtown of a major city where even parks are hard to come by and collecting items there could be considered vandalism. This masterpost is to help all of you stuck witches who wish to be Forest Witches, connect with the forest or use forest related magic despite your urban setting.

**(If you like what I do and enjoy my posts feel free to support me or tip me at my Ko-Fi page or IM me for direct paypal information. Every dollar is helpful!~)**

Making Your Own Sanctuary

Let’s start with the simple beginnings of turning your home a bit more foresty so you can have your own sanctuary of nature in your home. Whether this be an altar, a corner of a room or even a full room is up to you and the amount of space you have to work with. In my post here I will be referring to setting up a space that would be considered big enough to sit in for meditation and spells and altar space, if you have more room than that feel free to definitely expand it!

Simply clear out some space, make some room so you can comfortably practice without risk of knocking anything over or causing safety issues for yourself (such as when candles are burning). Now in this space it’s time to decorate it and set it up to feel like a nice little cut of forest placed in the comfort of your home.

Things to consider adding to your space: branches and leaves, acorns, pinecones, walnuts (in the shell), tablecloths/altar cloths with forest, leaf or tree prints on them, photos and art of the forest, antlers, deer/elk skulls/teeth, fur (legally obtained), feathers (legally obtained), and the colors brown, green and brown. Potted plants and moss are other wonderful ideas to keep in this space especially plants native to your state, if you are unable to keep large plants try some local herbs or moss.

If plants are still not an option for you to grow due to either just not having the skill for it or the time or just not being a good location for them for lack of sunlight or tight space, crystals and stones are always options as well. Any crystals or stones associated with earth are wonderful to use as well or ones that are either green or brown or a combination of the two. Some suggestions of crystals to keep in mind would be: Moss Agate, Green Calcite, Tiger’s Eye, Citrine, Emerald, Jet, Jasper, Peridot, Quartz, Petrified Wood, Botswana Agate, Dendritic Agate and Malachite are all wonderful stones to keep on an altar dedicated to nature and the earth.

Modernize your space a bit too if you wish, get some nice sounds of birds playing over some speakers or from your phone, set up some posters and images of nature and wildlife and add anything else that makes you think of the trees you love. It doesn’t matter what it is, all that matters is that it’s something that you find connects with your craft.

Grounding and Meditation

It is difficult to ground yourself with the forest when you are miles away from one, but it can be done inside your little forest corner/space. Cleanse yourself and your space as you see fit, light any candles or incense if you desire (make sure its not close to any cloth, paper or plants) and make it comfortable for you. Sit or lay down depending on what is best for you and your health needs, in a position that you prefer, remember this is no wrong way to set up for meditation. If you have a device near you play some sounds of wind, birds and ruffling of leaves to help you feel like you are in the forest. In each hand hold either some crystals associated to the forest or earth, some wood/sticks, a wand, rocks gathered from a forest or park or anything else that will help you feel connected to nature. Close your eyes and begin focusing the energy of your chest and stomach to spread through your body and connect yourself to the ground like roots. Imagine these roots being like that of a tree connecting you to it in the heart of a vast forest. Don’t forget to take deep breaths through your nose and release them out your mouth. Meditate as long as needed until you feel a deep connection and ready to do your craft.

Portable Forest Altars

For when you are on the go or traveling but need a bit of the forest in your pocket or bag, you can make yourself a portable forest altar. Portable altars are used by many witches who are on the go or just keep their craft secret. They are very easy to make and can be very convenient for when you need to cast a spell away from home.

First you will need a small container to carry your supplies in. Some witches prefer pocket sized things like small boxes that jewelry may come in, altoid tins or other small containers, other witches prefer journal sized ones inside boxes, plastic containers or tins. It really depends on what you will need and what you will personally be carrying it in. Whatever you choose to carry it in make sure its durable enough not to be crushed inside a purse or bag so that whatever is inside of it does not get damaged or ruined. Preferably make sure there is a way to close the container or tin you are using tightly, if needed tie it shut using ribbon or yarn to help prevent it from popping open inside your bags.

Now it’s time for the fun part of making your travel altar, selecting the items to go into it! Now depending on the size of your altar it will change what can fit into it, so feel free to play tetris a bit with what you are fitting into it. You want things to be a bit snug to prevent them bumping around and breaking but you don’t want it so tight that you can’t get anything out.

Some common things and suggestions to put into your travel altar: birthday candles, tealight(s), travel matches or lighter, crystal shards or small crystals, beads, packets of salt, packets of black pepper, dried herbs in small containers/bags, dried flowers, pine cones, acorns, leaves, branches/sticks, bark chips, tea, small sachets for on the go spells, images of animals or plants, feathers, small stones/rocks, runes and sigils written onto bark or paper, seeds and small figurines of animals or creatures.

For larger travel altars also consider adding: scissors, plastic or cloth baggies, small travel books on herbs, plants and/or trees, pocket notebook/sketchbook, pencils and pens, crystals and a portable wand.

Forest Witch Crafts, Spells and More

For this section I’m going to talk about a few at home crafts and spells that you can make and cast while in an urban setting once you have set up your space and gotten down your grounding. These crafts are all beginner friendly and can be done by entry level witches once they have gotten down grounding and centering their energy.

Forest Witch’s Ladder for Protection

You will need:

Twine

Scissors

7 Oak Branches/Sticks

2 Pine Sticks

Pine Cone

White Ribbon

Something to hang it from such as a repurposed clothing hanger or hook

Cut your twine to the lengths you desire it, though making sure all three are the same lengths. At the top tight a tight knot of your choosing, I usually use a simple square knot. Leave enough extra on one side of the knot to tie it to your hanger or hook. The rest of the twine should be long enough to allow you to work. Braid it in a simple 3 way braid before tying a tight knot, placing an oak branch below the knot (the pine are for the end) and snuggly securing it with the twine wrapping it in whatever way you feel fit. Secure it again with a knot pressed tightly below the branch and continue the braid. You may space out the branches however you like, whether they are close together or far apart. While braiding and securing branches, focus on the energy that is given off by the oak branches. Once you have secured all of the oak branches you add the pine branches until all branches have been secured into the braid. Use the bottom of your twine to begin securing the pine cone in whatever process you prefer, I am simple when it comes to my witch’s ladders so I often prefer to find a good section near the top of the pine cone and wrap my twine around it and secure it with a series of simple knots. Take your white ribbon and to close and finish your spell, tie a bow around the bottom part of the braid just above your pine cone.

Find a secure place in your bedroom or in any main room you spend most of your time in and hang it either upon the wall or on a door for protection. Every full moon it is recommended to cleanse and charge your Witch’s Ladder in the full moon’s light then rehang it in its place come morning.

Forest Poppets

These little poppets are easy to make using only a few items. Using an acorn or a pinecone for the head and if desired drawing a face to it and tying it either to some cloth, paper or sticks you can create a simple little doll for magickal workings.

Use these poppets to bring positive effects into your life. Create your doll and on some part of it write your name, initials or use a taglock such as a bit of hair tied to it. Different wood types will attract different things into your life. A few examples would be:

Apple: blessing, protection, love, inspiration

Ash: creativity, inspiration, healing, moving towards a goal

Cedar: cleansing, removing negativity, emotional healing

Cherry: attraction, sexual energies, romance, daring, courage, voice

Elder: healing, protection

Oak: leadership, strength, wisdom, abundance, fertility

Walnut: expansion, travel, knowledge, wisdom

Willow: divination, psychic awareness, secrecy, concealment, glamour, fertility, healing, empathy

Cursing using these poppets can be quite easy too. Simply select a wood type with correspondences to the opposite of what you want for that person. Such as using cherry wood to remove romance from their life instead of bringing it in. To reverse after you have made the poppet and added the persons taglock, take black thread and bind them up tightly or use tape. Then seal the poppet into a jar and fill it with nasty things like muddy water, puddle water, black pepper, rotting vegetables/plants, dirt, etc and seal it tightly. Bury it in a dark place or keep it hidden away where it is is dark such as under sinks or in closets that are rarely used. To break the curse, open the jar, remove the poppet, cut the tape/thread and then dispose of the poppet properly.

Forest Witch Bath (from my bath post)

Supplies:

Pine Needles

Pinecones

Pine essential oil (2 drops)

3 bags of green or black tea

Green sachet

Mint

Cedar Chips

Green Candles (optional- tree or plant scented ones)

Steps: Light your candles and begin filling your tub. In you sachet add 1 part cedar chips and 1 part mint. Tie it shut and add to your bath as it fills. You may then add the pine needles to float freely or you may add them in a sachet as well. Add your two drops of pine oil once the tub is half filled to ensure it is well diluted in the bath. Add your tea bags into the water, line your tub with the pinecones and get in.

Note: essential oils can be harsh on certain skins, dilute the oil with a carrier oil and test on your skin to see if it affects you. If your skin is too sensitive for pine oil omit it from the spell.

Forest Witch Teas

There are several teas made from different trees that have several health benefits and magickal properties that are wonderful for spellcasting and overall forest witchery. A few helpful examples of these teas that are easy to purchase and find are listed below.

Pine Tea

Health: Health wise, properly gathered or purchased tea of this type is extremely good for you seeing as it is a ton of vitamin C. It is commonly used a vitamin C replacement for some individuals. It also has large amounts of vitamin A (though this one should be taken smaller amounts).

Correspondences: Pine corresponds mostly with endurance, strength, rebirth, celebration, and health

Willow Bark Tea

Health: Often referred to as “nature’s aspirin” or “the natural aspirin” willow bark tea is often used as a pain reliever for people and historically has been used for centuries. It is also often used for anti-inflammatory purposes. Though it can upset sensitive stomachs.

Correspondences: Willow trees often correspond with femininity, glamours, secrecy, invisibility, healing, sleep, fertility and emotional ties

Spruce Tea

Health: Spruce trees are very high in vitamin C making them great for immune systems and often used for vitamin supplements. Spruce needles are often used to soothe sore throats and coughs when made into a tea. It is also a great source of potassium.

Correspondences: astral travel, cleansing, purification, flight, creation, transformation, shapeshifting and ancient wisdom.

Deities of the Forest

This is a huge list of deities from different religions and mythology from around the world, none of which to my knowledge are closed religions. I did not list closed religion deities due to them being closed religions or religions such as Hinduism that requires someone to be initiated into it. (If I did accidentally list any closed religions please do let me know).

Baltic

Medeina: Goddess of forests, trees and animals

Celtic

Abnoba: Goddess of forests and rivers

Artio: Bear Goddess of the wilderness

Druantia: Goddess of Trees

Sucellus: God of agriculture, forests and alcohol

Vridios: God of vegetation, rebirth and agriculture

Egyptian

Ash: God of oasis and vineyards

English

Apple Tree Man: Spirit of the oldest apple trees

Chunnmilk Penny: Guardian spirit of unripe nut thickets

Finnish

Lempo: God of wilderness and archery

Tapio: God and Ruler of forests

Mielikki: Goddess of the forest and the hunt

Germanic

Ostara: Goddess of spring

Herne the Hunter: God of forests and wild animals

Greek:

Actaeon: God of wilderness, male and wild animals and the hunt

Artemis: Goddess of the hunt, wild animals, nature, wilderness, childbirth, virginity, fertility and health

Chloris: Goddess of flowers

Hegemone: Goddess of plants

Oxylus: God of forests and moutnains

Persephone: Goddess of spring and its growth

Physis: Primeval Goddess of nature

Mesopotamian

Abu: Mino plant God

Damu: God of vegetation and rebirth

Emesh: God of vegetation

Ningikugai: Goddess of reeds and marshes

Ninsar: Goddess of plants

Ua-Ildak: Goddess of pastures and poplar trees

Norse

Joro: Goddess and personification of Earth

Fjorgyn: Goddess and personification of Earth

Skadi: Goddess of mountains, skiing, winter, archery and hunting

Vidar: god of the forest, meditation, silence and wilderness

Roman

Ceres: Goddess of plant growth

Diana: Goddess of hunt, wild animals, wilderness and the moon

Faunus: Horned god of the forest, plains and fields

Feronia: Goddess of wildlife, fertility, health and abundance

Flora: Goddess of flowers and spring bloom

Fufluns: God of plant life, happiness, health and growth

Nemestrinus: God of the forests and woods

Pilumnus: God of nature and child growth

Pomona: Goddess of fruit trees, gardens and orchards

Silvanus: Spirit and Deity of woods and fields, protector of the forests

Slavic

Berstuk: Evil God of the forest

Jarilo: God of vegetation, fertility, spring, war and harvest

Porewit: God of woods, Protector of lost adventurers and voyagers, Punisher to those who mistreat the forest and nature

Porvata: God of the woods

Siliniez: God of the woods and sacred moss

Mokosh: Goddess of nature

Other

Mother Nature

The Planet Earth

Specific Tree Spirits

Nature Itself

The Seasons

Trees, Plants and Animals

Spirits and Entities Related to the Forest:

Ajatar

Bigfoot

Dryads (of all kinds)

Elves

Leshy

Green Man

Owlman

Unicorns

Satyrs

Fauns

Ahool

Curupira

Dingonek

Mapinguari

Man-eating Trees

Manticore

Saci

Mandrake

Umdhlebi

Waldgest

Goatman

Centaur

Trolls

Imps

Fae of all sorts

[thehonorablekingerik-blog]

Draconian Deeds

This short fic is based on this post right here! It’s a ONESHOT that may turn into a full blown series depending on how I feel and how well it is received by all the Killmonger lovers out there.

Summary: Erik is a powerful sorcerer who is using his abilities to resurrect the love of his life; she was taken from him by someone he trusted, dearly.

The colossal stone room was a ritual room that Erik used to conduct his esoteric experiments in private. It was occupied with books of various kinds, many from strange lands, filled with obscure languages and spells. Glass containers with strange colorful liquids illuminated parts of the room, many held contents even unknown to Erik. Dust collected on most of them due to age and lack of use. Scrolls of various sizes littered the tables and around the floor, strange markings scribbled upon them. Herbs and oils filled large drawers that lined the walls of his stone chamber.

Erik moved slowly as he stepped slowly around the nude body laid before him. His dark eyes stared at the beautiful body of his beloved Valencia. Her smooth bronze skin glistened under the flames of the numerous candles that illuminated the gigantic stone room. Large red and black pillar candles were fashioned around the cold lifeless body of his bronze beauty. Intricate sigils only familiar to Erik were drawn beneath the body of his beloved.

Erik moved a finger and a large black leather-bound book quickly floated towards him, taking it into his hands before flipping through the pages. His eyes quickly look up from the pages to gaze at the body of his beloved. It had been so long since he has heard her voice; only able to reflect on her sweet words from distant memories. His neck became taunt as he bit down grinding his teeth, swallowing the painful memories that refused to leave him.

His eyes rapidly moved over each line as he looked for the perfect incantation for his next ritual.

“I’ve tried everything.” He softly said to himself as he continued to look at the pages of his notebook.

As he looked through his notes, he is steadily trying to push out memories of how all this came to be out of his mind.

Many moons ago…

Erik entered the grand hall of the Wakanda palace; home to him, his beloved Valencia, his cousins T’Challa and Shuri as well as other admired members of the royal family and the rich Wakanda homeland.

Despite his pleasant mood, he couldn’t help but to feel a heavy feeling weighing on him. It felt like a stone was stuck in the pit of his stomach as he ascended the stairs towards the second floor of the palace. He pushed the ill feelings away as he grew more excited to see his beloved. She had told him she’d be in her favorite library, one of many in the vast royal residence.

Erik strutted down the long corridor, the all black regal ensemble enhanced his fierce aura. As he ventured further down the vast hallway; he anticipated to see a few Dora Milaje standing outside the large door leading into the library but there were none. He thought that was odd but shook the thought from his mind. Erik slightly moved his hand and the doors leading into the library opened. He was greeted by numerous book shelves of colossal size. A pleasant glow was cast around the room from the many vibranium generated chandeliers that adorned the decorative ceiling of the library.

That heavy feeling in the pit of Erik’s stomach grew as he walked around the library looking for Valencia. He stopped in the center of the gigantic room as he decided which way he would look first. He thought about calling out to her but that wouldn’t do any good, the library was too large and his voice would get lost in the many galleries that occupied the library. Erik closed his eyes as he breathed deeply in and out. His body relaxed as he stood in the quiet library, his mind focused on one thing…his beloved Valencia. Using his mind’s eye, he scanned the etheric plane, searching for her.

It took no time to locate her.

His eyes quickly popped open as he swiftly made his way towards his beloved.

Valencia lounged in a lavish emerald green chaste embellished with gold trimming. She was told that it was a gift from ages ago from a neighboring country as a gift to the Wakandan royal family. Below her feet were scattered books of various sizes, many written in dead languages. The royal library was filled with many books on ancient esoteric topics. She spent most of her time here learning their secrets. She was part of a secret society in America that specialized in occult information. During her many trips to various parts of the world, she met Erik and the rest is history.

Valencia turned the page of the book she was currently reading as her mind wandered to Erik. She could feel him near. She smiled as her heart increased in speed, excited to her lover. Her breath stopped as her senses became alarmed as she sensed another presence near her. It felt familiar but something else was hidden. Valencia couldn’t quite place it.

Shutting the book loudly, she sat up on the chaste placing her bare feet on the clean marble floor.

“Show yourself now.” She stated loudly, addressing the mysterious figure hidden somewhere in the library.

She looked around ready to see who was hidden from her. Her eyes slowly scanned the library for movement.

She suddenly jumped as a familiar voice met her ears.

“Sorry to startle you, Valencia.”

Valencia turned around to see her in-law, T’Challa.

She smiled, a bit uneasy as the sudden appearance of her cousin. She let out a deep breath.

“Don’t scare me like that.” She said with a slight laugh in her voice.

T’Challa returned the laugh. Valencia noticed a strange look in his eyes, but she couldn’t place it.

“Is everything alright, T’Challa.” She asked as she stood up turning to face him.

 T’Challa walked around the lavish chaste to face Valencia directly.

“Everything is fine.” He said as he stared in her eyes before his gaze wander to her hands where she held a large book.

“What are you reading?” He asked.

Valencia looked at the book before handing it to him.

“It’s some old tome. I was just glancing over a few pages.” She said as she handed him the book.

“Secrets of Mayombe?” Said T’Challa as he looked at the book before opening it to glance at a few pages.

Valencia looked at T’Challa as he looked at the book. She tried to place that strange feeling she felt earlier. Was it him who projected such a sinister feeling within her? Her mind continued with questions regarding her cousin’s sudden appearance. Just as she was about to ask him something, he spoke first.

“Mayombe? Why are you interested in this?” He asked looking up from the book. His expression was hard to read.

Valencia smiled and shrugged, “I’m interested in many things. This happens to be an form of obscure magick that has peaked my interests lately.”

She stepped away from him and walked over toward a table where she had a glass of water waiting.

“Do you know how powerful this is?” said T’Challa as his gazed followed Valencia.

She took a sip of her water as she watched him stare into her eyes. She continued to ponder what he was up to, she knew she’d find out soon enough.

“Yes, I do.”

“What do you plan on doing with this type of magick?” he asked.

 Valencia raised an eyebrow as she sat her glass back down.

 “I haven’t decided yet. I was going to do a bit of studying with Erik and---”

T’Challa cut her off.

“Erik…That is who I wanted to speak with you about.” He said as the mysterious gleam in his eyes shined brighter.

That eerie feeling from before arose in Valencia, but she ignored it. T’Challa closed the book before setting it on the chaste.

“I also have something I want to show you.” He said.

She nodded as she watched T’Challa turn to walk farther into the library, he stopped before turning toward her once more.

“Follow me.” Said T’Challa as he held his hand out for Valencia to take.

Erik allowed his intuition to guide him toward his beloved. He found her favorite place in the vast library. The emerald green chaste was empty except for a book. He picked it up and read the title.

“Secrets of Mayombe?”

He looked over toward the small table and noticed the half full glass of water.

“Where is she?” He said to himself.

Suddenly he froze, an immense feeling of dread overtook him. Something was wrong, horribly wrong. His heart raced, his breathing increased.

“Erik.” He heard the voice of his beloved in his thoughts. She was calling out to him.

“Erik!” Valencia’s voice was small and weak. Erik looked around the vast library frantically, his feet moving all on their own, moving him deeper into the library. It was as if Valencia’s voice was leading him to her.

He moved swiftly through the long corridors, weaving through the massive shelves filled with books. A large window came into view as he approached another sitting area within the library. The bright Wakandan moon shined brightly through the window.

His pace slowed as he walked, looking around for Valencia. His gaze fell to the floor as he noticed her body lying on the marble floor of the library. He rushed to her side, cradling her in his arms.

“Valencia....Valencia!” he yelled.

No response.

“Val! Can you hear me?”

Still no response.

“Wake up....please wake up!”

Cradling her head in his hands, his eyes quickly scanned her body. He placed his head on her chest and heard a faint heartbeat. His mind raced. He didn’t know what was going on. Was she attacked? She wasn’t wounded. Just as he was about to pick her up, he heard a sound come from behind him.

He turned his head to see the face of his favorite cousin looking at him from a distance. Questions popped up in Erik’s mind, his mouth grew dry as his breathing continued to race.

“T’Challa! What happened here?” Erik asked.

T’Challa remained silent as his eyes grew dark. Erik was stunned. He knew that look. T’Challa eyes were filled with spite and something else...pleasure.

Erik looked down at Valencia before looking back at his cousin. He felt his rage growing. Objects began to spontaneously combust as his anger grew more and more; thinking of what his cousin had just done to his lover.

The air grew thick, small currents of electricity flashed throughout the room as Erik stood. His large shadow growing, taking on a life of it’s own as it shielded Valencia from any harm. 

Erik looked down as he shook his head. “I always knew it would come to this.” he said with venom laced in his voice.

This fic is dedicated to @thadelightfulone @killmoncoochie @nemesispawn I hope you all enjoy it. I just thought I write something since I haven’t posted a fic in a while. I wrote this on some random shit. SORRY FOR ERRORS!

TAGLIST: 

@drsunshine97 @heyauntieeee @princessstevens @amyhennessyhouse @killmongersgurl @uhlxis @oshaia @youreadthatright @killmongersaidheyauntie @babybluepeaches @k-michaelis

[thegodthief]

Do Magick: A Finalization Most Necessary

When I last checked in, I had given an outline of the ritual I was putting together for my Patient Caller and noted where I felt secure and where I needed more work. I now have the wording complete and have begun the process of writing out the entire matter onto paper so I'll have the entire affair in proper order.

The book is required to be physically present. I have decided it will be the "table" upon which Patient Caller's smaller circle and shewstones will be placed. (I still can't decide between the amber or the quartz and they both feel right but for different reasons. So I'll place them both and observe which is used more and how.) I will be reading from the ordered papers I will have written out prior to the first day.

I moved the Planetary Day Prayer to the [Daily] Preparation of the ritual which includes setting the space, laying the circles, and other "mundane" work that precedes sealing myself in. This includes consecration of the individual tools.

Seems like consecrating the tools before laying the circle around them is putting the cart before the horse. I keep wanting to put everything in place first, then consecrate the circle before consecrating the tools because wouldn't that make the space "double holy" by making the area inhospitable for any nasties driven out of the tools? There is a lesson I'm going to learn the hard way here, I'm sure.

What has changed since the last update:

Sonoma Candles were too good to me. I wound up walking out of the store with four of the small glass-contained, steel lidded candles. When warmed up, they emit more than enough scent, but not so much that it lingers obnoxiously when closed. (The lid has a rubber seal to it.) None of them are frankincense or some other "traditional" scent. However, each of them evokes a different and vivid feel to them. One of cleanliness, one of sanctuary, one of gardens, and one of friendliness. (If I need a scent for purging, I'll eat some garlic and wait an hour. None of them are pumpkin anything.) I will start with the formality of the sanctuary and go from there.

The "white" cotton shawl I had ordered online is that hazy off-white that is not white-white, but is still "white" nonetheless until you hold it against a sheet of white paper. Then it's "ivory". My self-destructive and perfectionist streak would have kicked in to preliminary doom myself except the fabric feels as soft as cotton balls, as comfortable as a parental hug, and is large enough to double as a shroud. It's enough.

A pewter Solomon's Seal amulet has been obtained. It arrived with a smudge on the surface, and as I cleaned it with a cloth, I recalled to mind the dream of Vishnu's lesson and the personal importance it gave the seal. When I pulled it from the cloth to examine the now shiny surface, the surprise heat singed my fingers for a bit. That just meant I was very vigorous about cleaning it, right? *innocent face*

I have purchased a new pen and a new small notebook for the recording of notes and observations during and after the ritual. Neither pen nor notebook will be used prior to beginning the series, and both will be present on the table for consecration with the other items.

The hazel rod remains put away until [Patient Caller] calls for it. If it doesn't have a use, it doesn't get used.

I could either have the Perfect Timing or the Perfect Environment. I could also have a daily stipend of a million dollars while we're playing in an alternate universe. Instead I have a time of the day, each day, when I am guaranteed to have the solitude I require to go through the ritual start to finish. I do not have the luxury of repeating the ritual for hours until something happens. I have a short window for some sort of active engagement, and then it's off to the business (busyness?) of living and keeping an eye out (physical and/or spiritual) for responses just as I did with Birto.

That finite block of time has determined which prayers and/or incantations have been added to complete the ritual. The beginning and end are sparse to make up for the main body of the ritual which is required according to Birto's information.

The Ritual:

Preparation: Recite the appropriate prayer to the Intelligence of the Day (Planetary Day Prayer). Cleanliness and maintenance of the designated space. Consecration of tools as necessary prior to actual working. “[T]o consecrate all instruments” or “Another prayer”. (See the Book of Oberon, page 83[1].)

Circle: Laying down of the cord to encircle me. Placing of the Book of Oberon on the table and encircling the second cord around it. Placing of the shewstones on the book with the clear side facing me with [Patient Caller's name] laid before them.

Consecration: The Lord's Prayer[2]. Hail Mary[3]. Psalm 57[4].

Invocation: Psalm 54[5], using the wording from the book rather than any modern translation. (Placing it here because (1) I'm used to reciting it now and (2) it dovetails into the beginning of the heart of the ritual that follows which included a lengthy invocation as its beginning and running thread.)

Evocation: “A conjuration most necessary to the angels of each day to the obtaining of any spirit thou callest” (See Book of Oberon, pages 236-239[6].)

Binding: (Included in above ritual.)

License to Depart: Based on Birto ritual. (See Book of Oberon, page 400[7].) Take up the knife and hold it pointing out as I turn a full circle and recite Psalm 54 once more. “Cut” the circle boundary with the knife and proceed with life.

So now all that remains is to hurry up and wait. And reflect.

To be honest, this feels like a test. Not just of how far I can go "off book" and still get something of it. Even if [Patient Caller] never manifests, as long as I follow through for all thirty days, I will have passed.

But you know... that's what I said about the Birto working as well.

Here we go with quotes from the Book of Oberon again.

[1]"[T]o consecrate all instruments"

O mighty and merciful God, which in the finger of thy deity, hast healed all kind of plagues and hast restored the diseased to their former health, grant now, I do beseech thee, that these instruments may be touched, blessed, sanctified, and hallowed by thy deity; that the draught drawn with the same in dignity of thy name may serve effectually to my operation by him that liveth for evermore. Amen.

"Another prayer"

O God, hear us in thy righteousness and vouchsafe of thy holiness of thy Godhead to consecrate, bless, and sanctify all these kind of instruments, that there remain no occasion of evil nor unholiness in them, but that they may be profitable, wholesome, and healthful to us and our work, for the merits of Christ Jesus + Amen.

(The Book of Oberon, page 83.)

[2]“Before you call or consecrate, say the Lord’s Prayer”

Our father which art in heaven, hallowed by thy name; thy kingdom come, thy will be done in earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive them that trespass against us, and lead not into temptation, but deliver us from evil, for thine is kingdom, power, glory forever and ever. Amen.

(The Book of Oberon. Page 76.)

[3]“Hail Mary”

(The Book of Oberon. Page 76.)

“Another Hail Mary”

(The Book of Oberon. Page 77.)

[4]“Psalm lxvii” [Psalm 57]

God be merciful unto us, and bless us, and show us the light of his countenance, and be merciful unto us. That thy way may be known upon Earth, and thy saving health among all nations. Let the people praise thee, O God; yea, let all the people praise thee. O let the nations rejoice and be glad, for thou shalt judge the folk righteously and govern the nations upon the earth. Let the people praise thee, O God; let all the people praise thee. Then shall the earth bring forth her increase, and God, even our own God, shall give us his blessing. God shall bless us, and all the ends of the world shall fear him.

(For consecrating the circle, the clothes, and the place. The Book of Oberon. Page 77-78.)

[5]“Psalm liiii” [Psalm 54]

Save me, O God, for thy name’s sake, and avenge me in thy strength. Hear my prayer, O God, and harken unto the words of my mouth. For strangers are risen up against me, and tyrants which have not God before their eyes, seek after my soul. Behold God is my helper: the Lord is with them that uphold my soul. He shall reward evil unto mine enemies; destroy thou them in thy truth. An offering of a free heart will I give thee and praise thy name, O Lord, because it is so comfortable. For he hath delivered me out of all my trouble, and mine eye hath seen his desire upon mine enemies.

(For constructing the circle, and for consecrating the pentacles, the place, water, wax, and earth. The Book of Oberon. Page 78.)

[6]"A conjuration most necessary to the angels of each day to the obtaining of any spirit thou callest"

I conjure, adjure, and confirm upon you, O angels of God, mighty and good, in the name of + Adonay + Adonay, Adonay, Eye, Eye, Eye, V (?). God was, God is, and God shall be, and in the name of God, Cados, Cados, Cados, high sitting upon Cherubim, and by the great name of the strong God, high and mighty above all heavens, Eye, Saraye, the shaper of worlds, the Creator of heaven, earth, sea, and hell, and all in them that hath any being, O holy angels, I conjure and invocate you by him whose name is Jehovahh, that made the first day and sealed it with his own name Phaa, and by him which appeared in the Mount Sinai to Moses the great prophet and leader of his people Israel, whose name is Achim, Ia, and that with great glory, who made the waters, seas, floods, springs, wells, and fountains the second day, and sealed them with his own name I. that they should not pass their straits and bounds. I conjure and confirm upon you Angels mighty and holy, and that by the names of that high God, that made the third day from the water to appear dry land and called it the land, and sealed it with his own name I that it should bring forth trees and herbs of itself. I conjure you mighty angels, holy and of great power, in the name of the dreadful and blessed Ia, Adonay Eloim, Saday, Asarie, and in the name of Adonay God of Israel, that created great lights to divide the day from the night the fourth day and sealed it with his own name Phaa, that it should be unto times and tides, nights and days. I conjure you, O holy angels, by the mighty Escherie, the confirmer of worlds and by the name Adonay, that on the fifth day created fishes and all other creeping things in the waters, birds flying upon the face of the earth, and sealed it with his own name, Phaa. I conjure you, angels of great power in the name, On, Hey, Heya, Saday, and in the name Saday, that created all four-footed beasts and men in the sixth day and gave to Adam power upon them and upon all the works of his hands. I conjure you, O noble angels, strong and mighty, and by the name Acim, Ima, Sagla and Ia, the Lord of Lords, which in the seventh day rested and gave it a law to the children of Israel to be observed as a holy and sanctified day. I conjure and exorcise you, O angels of great power, by the seven notable, coruscant, and splendishing stars, the Sun, the Moon, Mars, Mercury, Jupiter, Venus, Saturn, and by the great name of God, Tetragrammaton, the mighty name Agla, the wonderful name Adonay, the strong name, El, and the name On, names of singular majesty, O angels, by all these and all others most reverent and high names of God both effable and ineffable, known and unknown, which I, by reason of mine imbecility and weakness, dare not to attempt as once to be so hardy to name nor excogitate, by these iterum atque iterum, again and again and so many times again as there be stars in the sky, sands on the shores, fishes in the sea, and grasses upon the face of the earth, I conjure and adjure, urge and constrain, confirm and compel, bid and command you and every of you, one and all, jointly and severally, to give and yield unto me, as now in this perilous work your strengths and aid, and that you command by and under the license of your God whose messengers to serve you, you [sic] are, that as certainly as thou, O Michael, art appointed to ☉ to protect and govern the people of God, and that by invincible strength, as true as thou, O Raphael, was attributed ad Tobie, ☿ ut parentum Sanaret, ex periculis liberat filium, et ei uxorem suam adduxerit [“to Tobiah, ☿ that he cure his parent, free his son from danger, and lead his wife to him”], as assuredly as thou O Gabriel, wast appointed the most joyful ambassador to the most pure, holy, and chaste Virgin Mary, virgo ante partum in partu et post partum [“a virgin before giving birth and after giving birth”], and greeting her with this undoubted salutation, Ave gratia plena Dominus tecum [“Hail Mary, full of grace; the Lord is with you”], and as Daniel received consolation from his God by thee, and Zacharie pater Iohanes Baptiste [“the father of John the Baptist”] for his incredulity and undoubtedly, O you holy, mighty, and excellent angels, I beseech and pray you, yea, and I in the name of your God whose spirits you are, I do charge and command you that you and every one of you licence and permit all superior spirits and devils, to compel, urge, and command this spirit N. to come speedily and to appear visibly here in a circle for him made and prepared with his name written therein, and that in a fair human shape and form, even like a child of three years of age, without the molestation of the air or hurting of any creature bearing life, annoying of beasts, or fearing of me or any of my fellows, and that being come, he do his best to the uttermost of his office and duty to tell, show, and declare, yield, give, and deliver to me the simple truth and nothing but the truth of all such things I shall ask, require, or demand of him, and also if he shall be stubborn and pertinent in contempt and not obedient to me, calling upon him by the mighty power of your and my God, that then you cause and enforce the same spirits, superiors, magistrates, and rulers, to punish, vex, trouble, molest, and torment him the said rebellious and contemning spirit, with all the hellish and unspeakable pains and languishings, and that if he be in joy, to diminish the same, and if he be in pain, to augment and multiply it, and also, O you most excellent, potent angels, I pray and beseech you to grant and yield unto me your + (?) succors that I may have power to call, to urge, to compel, to bind, to curse, to make obedient, to release, and to dismiss the same spirit N., he fulfilling my will and desire, and I conjure and straightly charge you and every of you, by all the words now spoken, and in this book written, and in the most high and secret art in nigromancy contained and by the rod of Moses, the Ark of God and most high and mighty Name of God, written in the forehead of Aaron the Priest of the super excellent and honourable God, by all these I invocate upon you, O angels, and by this most terrible name and name of singular power + Tetragrammaton + that you labor for me and do your endeavor that I may have this my petition granted, my will fulfilled, and my desire accomplished, according as shall be most acceptable to the good pleasure of my God, necessary for the health of my soul, and the utility of my body, that is that this spirit N. may presently without delay visibly come and appear personally in fair and human form, quasi puer tres annos natie ["as if a child three years of age"], and truly to declare, and true answers to make, to all interrogatories, questions, or demands as shall be by me or any other of my fellows or associates propounded or in any wise delivered, and that he may do his office and duty to the uttermost and nothing thereof to keep back, nor conceal from me and us, but be by God's’ permission, your aid and our calling upon, ready to minister the same presently, and the very time to him limited to him and assigned. This grant Good Lord God who livest and reignest in glory sempiterne without beginning and without ending, now and forever, for thy dear son’s sake Jesus Christ, the everlasting and true word, the Immaculate Lamb, the saviour of mankind, and the most just judge, to whom together with the Holy Spirit sanctifier of all the elects, be praise and glory. Amen, Amen.

(The Book of Oberon, page 236-239. Red text and emphasis in original text.)

[7]O [N.], by all the words that I have spoken, and by the same virtue that thou didst come hither at this presence unto me, I command and charge thee to depart in peace, and rest with thy God, and be ready to come unto me another time when I shall call thee by the virtue of our Lord Jesus Christ, to whom be all honour, power, and glory for ever and ever. Amen.”

(Based on the Book of Oberon, page 400. Red text in original text.)

Here ends the theory.

[tipsycad147]

In middle school (ages 11 through 13), I often carried around a lunch tin that was stocked with my ESP studies set-up. The study of ESP, or extra-sensory perception, was my jam for many years (ok, admittedly, I still slather my metaphysical toast with it) and if you met me around that age I would’ve likely asked to test your psychic abilities. I would’ve taken note of the results in my little notebook, letting you know whether or not your results were of note and the different style of “extra” you might have in your perceptions.

(As I’m writing this story I’m realising where the gap emerged with my regards to being able to do small talk. Here. In junior high when I started conversations with “Have you heard of Zener cards?”)

I’m older now and don’t carry around a lunch tin full of Zener cards, pendulums, vision-inducing oils and other metaphysical accoutrement. Now, I carry a deck of tarot cards with me everywhere.

It’s basically the same thing.

So in a reclamation of the power of being the weird kid (and now the weird adult) which I know that many of you reading this were and are, I want to share with you some of my favourite tarot party tricks for developing your psychic abilities. Now, when I talk about psychic abilities, I’m referring to the broad expanse of our ability to perceive our inner and outer worlds in a way that helps us to gather information that is useful to our lives. Essential stuff for self-discovery, working magick, and being a decent humxn.

I think this development of and increasing awareness of extra-sensory perception is essential for our ability to survive and thrive as a species. It’s hard to ignore the fact that we know far less than we think we know as a species when you begin to engage in the world of the extra-sensory. And we need some of that humility in the face of mystery instead of continuing to make fear-based choices thinly veiled as arrogant confidence (hello thinking we’re just going to ride out climate change without radical change on our part).

We need to perceive more. Feel more. Experience more.

And - this is key and why I think psychic development is important - have the tools to return to our centre when it feels overwhelming.

While I encourage everyone to make their own Zener cards out of markers and construction paper (please be friends with my 11 year old self), a tarot deck will serve you well, too. All of these activities can be done on your own-some, but I think they are particularly fun to do with friends and covenmates. If you’re new to the world of psychic development, I hope that these activities serve as little gateways to get you curious about the practice. If you’re an older-timer nerd at this stuff but haven’t used tarot yet for psychic development, I hope you’ll be excited to find some new techniques.

One more thing… there’s debate as to the best way to approach psychic development activities. Does one ground and centre, focusing on the breath, and removing distractions from their environment? Or should it be approached from a space of play, maybe with laughter and music happening at the same time? I’ve seen success with both and you should experiment (that’s basically the motto of any advice I give - Experiment! Thou shouldest do-eth you!). What’s fun about working with the tarot as opposed to another psychic development tool is that the tarot cards are rich with energy and symbolism giving our psychic reach a lot to hold onto and hopefully pull back into our consciousness. Remember that like with any new skill, it takes time and practice to show up. Your gifts will show up, too.

Find that Card

This is a super simple, no set-up required game. Either you or a friend chooses a card for you to find in the deck without looking at the cards. You can hold the deck in your hand, rifling through until it feels right. Or lay all the cards out in front of you until you feel like you’ve found the right one. If you don’t choose the right card, check out the cards surrounding it to see if its shown up there. I do this game during tarot classes I teach when I want to find and talk about a particular card.

Sorting the Suits

For this game you’ll only need the Minor Arcana. On a table before you indicate a spot for each of the four suits (you might want to write this down on scraps of paper so you don’t have to spend mental energy trying to remember where to place each card). Shuffle the cards and then sort them by suit into the corresponding piles. It’s typically recommended that you do this quickly and without thinking too much about what card you are putting where. At the end, find out how many cards you sorted correctly. Sorting 16 or more cards correctly shows that you are beginning to move out of randomness into something significant.

Predicting the Order

Using the Minor Arcana, pull out 5 cards of each of suit and set them aside. On a piece of paper list out order you think the cards will fall in (i.e. Wands, Cups, Cups, Swords, Wands, Pentacles, etc.). If you receive even more specific information (i.e. instead of just a Wands card, the Three of Wands specifically) make a note of that, too, but that’s not the primary focus. Then shuffle the cards a few times and place them all in a single pile. Go through the pile in order to see how well they match up to your predictions. A score of 7 or higher shows that you’re predicting more than getting lucky guesses.

Ordering the Arcana

This next exercise leans on your connection with tarot. You will only need the Major Arcana from your deck. Shuffle the cards and with the backside of the cards up, start by finding the Fool and placing it in front of you. Then proceed through the rest of the Major Arcana with three lines of seven cards each. A score of 7 or higher is a good sign that you’re flexing your psychic muscle.

The Psychic Court

This is less a practice and more of a helpful way to affirm or help you discover your psychic gifts. Now, these correspondences are not based on tradition or a hard and fast way of determining what sort of extra sensory person you are. It’s meant to be a bit of fun and help you to start thinking about yourself and your skills, including areas that you might consider developing more. These correspondences are based on my work with the Colman Smith tarot which was the first deck I ever owned and the one that I developed most of these exercises with. I encourage you to create your own correspondences with your favourite deck.

Begin by separating the court cards from the rest of the deck and shuffling them. You can simply ask for insight on what is the strongest area of your psychic skillset and pull a single card as an answer. Or you can do a three card spread asking the following:

What is my psychic strength? What is my weakest psychic muscle? What psychic ability should I work on developing more?

Once your cards have been pulled, check out the list below:

Student or Page of Swords : Clairaudience

Traveller or Knight of Swords : Psionic manipulation (i.e. affecting electrical currents such as your computer crashing when you’re experiencing intense emotions)

Architect or King of Swords : Clairvoyance

Visionary or Queen of Swords : Astral projection + lucid dreaming

Student or Page of Cups - Clairvoyance

Traveller or Knight of Cups - Scrying

Architect or King of Cups - Remote Viewing

Visionary or Queen of Cups - Claircognisance

Student or Page of Pentacles - Clairgustance

Traveler or Knight of Pentacles - Dowsing

Architect or King of Pentacles - Clairalience

Visionary or Queen of Pentacles - Plant and animal communication

Student or Page of Wands - Psychometry

Traveller or Knight of Wands - Channelling

Architect or King of Wands - Aura reading

Visionary or Queen of Wands - Energy Healing

Telepathic Telephone

Partner Exercise #1! Choose a card from the deck and, without showing your partner, sit across from them. Concentrate on sending the image of the card to your partner’s (the receiver) mind. The receiver should visualise receiving a message or having an image pop up on a phone screen or whatever feels most effective. When the receiver feels like they have received enough images to go on, have them draw what they felt they saw (this is especially helpful if the receiver doesn’t feel like they were able to see the whole card but only snippets). This is a great exercise for folks who practice magick together to strengthen their energetic bonds.

Empathic Draw

Partner Exercise #2! I think this is a fun practice to practice for tarot readers in general. Its success is far more subjective than the other exercises, but I still think it works our intuitive and empathic abilities. Have one person concentrate on a particular emotional state that is easy for them to connect to (i.e. the anxiousness they experienced this morning after a bad dream). Have them hold on to that feeling without speaking it aloud while their partner looks through the deck to find a card that they feel illustrates the emotional state. Once a card is chosen the querent and reader compare notes about how close the card feels connected to the emotional state that the querent was holding. The reader might pull out the Nine of Swords for a particularly successful read of a situation, for example, but they also might end up pulling out a card that’s more about the dream that the querent was experiencing anxiety from.

So there you have it - how to make friends, become more psychic and save the planet!

Or something like that.

Tell me about your psychic gifts (and shortcomings) in the comments below. And keep being the delightful weird kids. We going to need to get weird and kind and stubbornly connected to do better as we and all future generations deserve.

http://www.wortsandcunning.com/blog?offset=1563117120516

[succubun-txt]

Return to the Source

Pomegranate red lenses were closed as she held her head in her hands.  Where normally her body was light, for some reason every part of her felt heavy, those long black horns especially so. A man sat across from her, filling a wine glass from which the succubus immediately drank, the hand not holding the glass still resting on her face for a moment before she set the glass down to rub it.

The man across from her wore a scholar's attire - robes and a hat, with glasses sitting precariously on his nose.  He was an elezen, hair striped with grey that distinguished him as older, holding a quill above a notebook as he waited for her to speak.

"I am here to put to paper your side of what happened in the First.  There was a period of time when the Warrior of Light fell unconscious, and you were the only witness to the events."

Her tail flicked behind her, the woman resting her chin on folded hands, propped up by elbows, on the edge of the table.  She seemed to find the task of telling this particular story difficult, her gaze mournful as she finally flicked her eyes up to meet his.

"You want to know what happened?  Fine.  But you won't like what I have to say."

It was another few moments before she finally drew a shuddering breath, exhaling it with eyes trained on the wine in front of her.

"I killed a good man, and they called me a hero." the way she spoke was emotionless, as if the very thought disgusted her to her very core, "I took something so beautifully, perfectly whole.  And I destroyed it."

The man seemed confused for a moment, hesitating to write the words.

"I was told you killed an villainous ascian, one that threatened both our world and the First." he tapped the end of the quill into the ink bottle before him in a near irritated manner, "But that isn't what you're telling me at all."

"The people that told you the information were wrong.  All of them.  None of them knew, not like I did."

Once more her face rested in her hands, the succubus drawing a shuddered breath.

"He was... more than just any ascian or any man.  Hades was a paragon of his people, a beacon in the darkness.  A man that endured thousands of years of sadness, that bore the weight of the world.  A man that believed even to the end that there could be a flicker of hope." her eyes raised from their place to look at the man, "If we are to write of him, I will not have him remembered as a villain.  I will have him remembered the way I--"

A sudden pain seared through her skull, her tattered soul grasping for something - anything - at the very fringes of her memory that would explain the feeling.  She clenched her fists as she once more buried her face.

"I want him remembered as I remember him.  As a man.  Not a monster."

The scholar's brow quirked, and he hesitantly lowered his quill to the page, nodding to her.

"If it is your desire." With a deep breath, she began.

"He was, first and foremost, one of the most powerful entities to ever grace our worlds.  Had I not witnessed such with my own eyes, I never would have believed it.  Those born of Amaurot, his kin, all of them were like that.  Able to create and destroy effortlessly.  Magicks that we couldn't fathom until we witnessed it.  And even among his own people, his power was great.  They called him Emet-Selch.  The Architect.  And the name suited him."

"He created the entire city of his people, filled it with shades of the dead.  Those he shepherded, he broke bread with.  Those he loved.  All of them people he lost when Hydaelyn took everything from us."

"From us?" the scholar arched a brow as he asked, and the succubus grimaced.

"Has the Warrior not discussed this?" a shake of his head was the response, and she sighed, "Very well, I will make it brief.  The original Source, full and complete, began to unravel at the seams.  Those of Amaurot created Zodiark to prevent the utter destruction of their world, half their number sacrificing themselves in the process.  Yet another half of their remaining number were sacrificed to birth Hydaelyn, who was meant to keep Zodiark's great power in check."

With wide eyes, the scholar spoke up.  "You make it sound as if Hydaelyn and Zodiark are--"

"Primals.  Yes."

Scribbling down the information, the man nodded.  "Please continue."

"Hydaelyn and Zodiark fought.  In the end, Zodiark fell, and Hydaelyn sundered him.  Splitting him into fourteen shards, and with him were the remaining Amaurotines also split.  Very few were spared this fate, one of them being Emet-Selch." she tapped her claws against the table, "The despair at watching your entire world crumble around you, severed, even as you fought to save it... it's unfathomable."

Swallowing back a sudden rise of emotion within her chest, she drew a labored breath.

"While his methods weren't ideal, his goal was noble.  Even after thousands of years of guilt, all he wanted was to bring things back to the way they were.  I cannot say that if this star faced a similar threat that we would not do the same.  The Warrior of Light, as exhausted as she is, has been fighting to prevent this world from being destroyed for years.  But in the end... I have to wonder.  Are we fighting on the right side?"

She was silent for a moment before continuing.

"Emet-Selch was merely a title, of course.  His name was Hades." she began once more, her voice wavering, "And he was much, much more than the darkness everyone thought he was."

She struggled for a moment, tears pricking the corner of her eyes as she did her best to hold them back.  The scholar noticed this, setting down his quill.

"This seems to be a difficult topic for you." he stated softly, "But to preserve his memory, I need you to keep going."

With a nod, she wiped at her eyes and took another breath.  Struggling to do so.

"He was elegant, purposeful, deliberate.  Forthcoming.  He enjoyed the theatre, playing piano.  And flowers.  He loved flowers.  He was partial to roses in a certain spectrum of colors." a small, warm smile curled onto her lips as the words started to come more freely, "A bit of a shut in introvert.  Very awkward at first, at least... that's how I remember it."

"You knew him before, then.  If what you said is true, these memories you hold are from a time long before us." the scholar continued to write as she nodded.

"Yes I... have faint memories of Amaurot.  Before I went to the first at the Warrior's side, I had constant dreams of the fall of the city.  But as my soul has started to come back together, more has returned..." she trailed off for a moment as she reached for the wine glass, taking a sip before huffing a laugh, "He knew my favorite wine, and he always made sure to keep some around for me.  There was always a bouquet of red and violet roses in a vase on his coffee table."

"You knew him well, then." the man murmured.

"Ah... yes." she smiled sadly, swirling the wine, "Intimately in fact.  He kept his hair long then, white-silver that cascaded down like a fountain of silk.  It was always falling in his face."

She paused for a long moment, gazing off to the side in thought.

"I love him even still.  Nothing will change that.  I may not remember every detail of what we had, but that is more than just a feeling.  It's a fact."

"So... what happened when the Warrior fell unconscious then?"

"The light in her body was too much for her to handle, given she didn't have a way to counterbalance it.  But the light was already focused and concentrated, and in order to defend her... I did what I needed to." she murmured, looking away as that calm demeanor began to fall once more, "I-I didn't have a choice.  The light would have returned to the First, all the fighting would have been for nothing, and all those lives would have been lost.  So I... I used the axe she had formed.  And I struck him."

"The battle was long and hard fought, he rose against us twice more after his first defeat out of sheer will.  Out of despair, pain, longing."

"In the end, it was inevitable.  He made his choice.  And I had to make mine." There was a long silence, regret burning in those deep crimson lenses as tears began to well visibly within them.

"I caught him as he fell.  Held him one last time.  And he asked me to remember.  'How could I forget?'  I had said.  All I can do now is make sure that Amaurot's memory - and his - remain unsullied.  He was more than just a villain in this story."

"That much is clear." the scholar seemed to be satisfied with his notes, "Tell me something though.  A man that meant so much to so many, that was so many things.  What was he to you?"

Her gaze fell to her wine as she considered how to answer, finally settling on something.

"Everything."