#my tools: earth & bone oracle

[khajiit-reads]

Hi Khajiit! I'm Guinefort (he/him), and if possible, I'd like to ask for a Beltane Maypole Strings reading.

Since last November/December, I've got a lot going on regarding my spiritual practice/paradigm(s). Some Beings decided to stay, go away, or come back after years, and my personal cultus is changing and morphing into something new, but while it may sound cool and very dynamic, I'm feeling stagnant. I tried (and am trying) my best to understand what to do, but I feel there are some things that I can't get because I'm stuck in my own brain, and maybe I need an external pov.

May I have a general reading to see if there's something I can do about it? Thank you in advance!

Well met, internet traveler!

Each deck will be tackled as I get there to reduce the post being too terribly long and chaotic.

SOTW BELTANE (Tavish, he/they) -- Wildcat

To paraphrase the book, "Wildcat appears to alert you to something that isn't as it seems". You're missing something, there's something going on behind the scenes that you're not seeing very clearly. Like you're seeing it fuzzy, like the view for the nearsighted without glasses.

Spend some time analyzing things deeper than you have now, perhaps turning to personal divination to figure out what's really going on.

HERBAL ASTROLOGY (Bonamie, she/qe) -- Reversed Dandelion

Dandelion is the "wounded healer", the wounded inner child, and represents trauma, rejected instincts, and being inactive. This card is pretty much always a call to heal these things.

Do you find yourself constantly trying to pour from an empty cup? Are you inactive in caring for yourself, instead always providing for others? It's time to mend these behaviors and fix them.

PRISM (Iris, they/xhe) -- Creativity

Time to be creative! Face the old things in new ways, instead of trying to just rely on how you did things in the past. Shake things up, try new things. Be free!

ORACLE OF PLUTO (Senka, she/he) -- Devil

Ah, Devil. The outright meanings of this card is addiction, abuse, aggression, and control. As for the advice?

Let go of some of your need for control. Let things be. After you've verified things are as they are meant to be, and that things are honest and true, just... go with the flow, y'know? Trust in who you trust, and let things change. Holding onto control of the situation will make it all the harder for you to stop feeling stagnant.

SEED AND SICKLE (Dragoslav, he) -- (Dawn) Birch

This card speaks of relying on other people to help with new beginnings. Ask other people what they do with their practice, observe others, or just plainly ask those around you what they think of what's happening and what all is going on.

BOTANICAL INSPIRATIONS (Adonis, he/she/they) -- Sweet Pea

Enjoy the little things, and the big things too. Where does it feel good? Pursue that. Stagnant feelings often come because we do not welcome enough joy, and we're just living life on an autopilot. Actively seek out positive things, and pursue them seriously.

TREE KEEPERS (Aesc, they/xe) -- Keeper of Ease

And at the same time? Have peace. Know that things will be okay. If your belief system is that everything happens that is meant to, find peace within that as well. Know that the bad leads into good eventually, in time.

MAGICKAL BOTANICAL (Bellamy, they/she/he) -- Upright Henbane

Another card asking you to view things from a new perspective than you were before. There's not much to add to this one, but try and see things from new eyes.

ENCHANTED BLOSSOMS (Caoimhe, xhe) -- Beauty

See beauty in the changes. See beauty in how things are progressing and mutating. Things are beautiful, after all, and by viewing them from a new lens, you may find there's less stagnation.

WILD MYSTIC (Chrysanthemum, they/xy) -- Upright Elephant

Hold onto your memories of the past and know that they will guide you. Yes, you feel stuck in your own head, but it's important to know that your head is you, y'know? Like. you live there.

As well, is there anything you've done in the past that you really enjoyed, but had to let go of for one reason or another? Maybe it's time to return to that.

URBAN CROW (Hartwin, they) -- Routine

Unlike the cards name implies, I'm getting more the vibe of "break up your routine". Where you normally do x, then y, then z... maybe do y, z, x? Or add b into the mix, allow things to be mixed up in the mixing bowl of life.

EARTH & BONE (Gwydion, he/they) -- Wayfarer

Another card that says to seek truth, as well as saying to provide guidance to yourself from within and contemplate. I think you've contemplated enough, so instead focus on seeking truth in your situation.

MUSHROOM SPIRIT (Amara, it/xe) -- Shiitake

Nourish yourself! What makes you happy? What brings you peace? Pursue those things. Nourish yourself with everything you have and everything you need.

GREEN WITCH (Chocolate, she/they) -- Geranium

This card is more of a... general one? It is a good time to heal. It's a great time to heal, even. This change will be healing to you, and you should pursue this change, even if you need to do some further analyzing.

HANAFUDA (Eiyuu, he/they) -- August, First Mountain

This card speaks of unexpected things and chaos. I think this goes back into the very first card, about how you're not seeing things the way you're needing to.

UNDER THE OAK (Oscar, they/xe) -- Reversed XVI the Tower

This card is the change card, but in its reversed position, it speaks of fear of change, resisting it, etc. Are you actually accepting the change as it comes? Or are you finding yourself hoping and wishing for the way things used to be?

Overall, this came out more general advice-y than anything else. I hope that is okay. As well, some things are directly contradictory (try new things versus relying on older things that made you happy), but I think things like that are mended by using discernment where you need to do which one.

Thank you so much for your patience with me performing this reading.

Reviews are helpful, but optional. You can send them in replies, my ask box, or reblogging this post. Feel free to reblog this post with your thoughts in general, or without a review! You can also reblog my guidelines post if you like. If you feel particularly satisfied with my work, you may leave a tip in my Ko-fi.

Please do not reblog this post if you are not the querent. If you want something to reblog, please reblog my guidelines post. If there’s something within the post you want, you may ask, and depending on the request, I might fulfill it! Thank you!

I hope you, and all readers, have a wonderful day!

[herbhexecrafts]

Velja Noc is a time of mystery, reverence, and transformation. It reminds us to respect the old ways, honor the spirits that came before us, and prepare for the coming light of spring. Whether by ritual, meditation, or simple acts of remembrance, this sacred night allows us to walk between worlds and embrace the lessons of the past while stepping toward the future.

“Through fire and shadow, we honor the old, By Veles' wisdom, our fate unfolds.”

Velja Noc, meaning “The Great Night,” is a significant festival in Slavic paganism, marking the transition from winter’s grasp to the stirrings of new life. It is a time when the veils between worlds are thinnest, allowing spirits and deities to move freely between realms. It is both a night of mystery and danger, as malevolent beings roam the earth, but also a time of renewal and transformation as the old is shed in preparation for the new.

During this night, Veles, the god of the underworld, magic, and cattle, battles Perun, the thunder god. This eternal struggle represents the cycle of nature—winter’s darkness against the coming light. It is said that on Velja Noc, Veles walks the earth, testing mortals, rewarding the wise, and punishing the greedy.

This night is also associated with Domovoi (house spirits), Rusalka (water spirits), and the ancestors, who may visit their living descendants. Households must show proper respect and perform rituals to honor and appease them.

Rituals and Traditions

🔥 Bonfires & Candles for Protection

Bonfires were lit in villages and on crossroads to drive away evil spirits.

In modern practice, lighting a black candle for Veles and a white candle for Perun symbolizes their eternal struggle and maintains balance.

🍞 Offerings to the Spirits & Ancestors

Bread, milk, honey, and kvass (fermented rye drink) were left out for Domovoi and ancestral spirits.

In some regions, a bowl of food was placed by the door so wandering spirits would not bring misfortune.

🌿 Herbal Protection & Warding Charms

Wreaths of juniper, vervain, and linden were hung on doors to protect against Mara (nightmare spirits) and strzyga (evil spirits).

Carrying a pouch of wormwood, garlic, and black salt was believed to protect travelers venturing out on this night.

🐍 The Ritual of the Serpent & Veles

Veles is often associated with serpents and dragons, representing wisdom and hidden knowledge.

A common ritual involved carving a serpent from wood or clay, whispering one’s wishes into it, and burying it in the earth to receive Veles’ favor.

🌲 Walking Between the Worlds

Some practitioners performed meditative journeys or dream work on Velja Noc, seeking guidance from spirits or ancestors.

In some traditions, a silent meal was eaten by candlelight, allowing spirits to dine alongside the living.

How I Will be Celebrating This Year

✨ Set up an ancestral altar with photos, candles, and offerings. My mothers (who has passed on) birthday is tomorrow 2/26 and the New Moon is 2/27 so this is a great time to do ancestor work

🔥 Perform a fire ritual—write down a habit or fear you wish to release and burn it in a flame, symbolizing winter’s end. I like to write mine on Bay Leaves, but use caution when working with fire and open flames.

🌿 Create a protective herbal sachet with juniper, wormwood, and flax to ward off unwanted energies. I don't have flax laying around so I'm going to substitute it this year with either Linden or Vervain (or both). I may decide to do this as a smoke cleanse but we shall see, but if I do a sachet, I'll hang it near my front door.

🔮 Divination practices such as tarot, scrying, or bone casting are powerful on this night due to the thin veil. I'm still learning Tarot but I am more comfortable with oracle cards so I might do both. I also finally unpacked my homemade scrying mirror but am not practiced in that tool so I may experiment with it.

🌌 Honor the spirits—leave out a small plate of bread and honey on your doorstep for wandering souls. I'm in an apartment community so I will leave it on my window sill and with my Domovoy (house spirit) or on my altar.

[wholesomesmith]

Magic broken down:

Back before modern science, it and magic were the same thing; an incantation/blessing held as much water as making salt of tartar (K2CO2).

Remember, too, not literacy wasn't as high in Europe as it was in other places, so the act of just writing showed you knew stuff many didn't.

Also, geometry (simply a way to measure things using shapes and the relationships they can make [e.g. two circles; one inside and on outside an equilateral triangle have a ration of 1:2, 1/2, or .5]) was thought to show the secrets of the universe. Stone masons in Europe used geometry as a measurement tool, which was a large component for this train of thought. The topic of geometry is for a different post

Also, spells can be anything from charms, hexes/curses/jinxes, enchantments, or blessings.

Divination: the past, present, and future are already written somewhere, depending on the topic in question; be it in the stars (astrology), the hand of the person (palmistry), the dregs in a teacup, the endtrails of an animal, a casting of chicken bones or ruinstone, or the reading of playing cards (tarot); cold reading (a psychology trick of reading people), trances (commonly used by oracles), and dream reading are all valid methods

I'm not covering witch doctors, voodoo, and other categories because this is already going to be long enough.

Oracle: someone who goes into a trance via gases, psychedelics (fumes or consuming), etc, to predict the future.

An enchanter/enchantress: Those that mainly do enchantments

Witch: herbal based studies. They're basically the doctor of the group. It's not limited to just women.

The stereotypical witch in the woods is a result of the person rejecting the city and living in isolation and rejecting the beauty standards of that day so they focus more on their studies.

Their studies were kept in a book called a Grimoir/ book of shadows.

Wizard: Academic. You're more likely to find these people pouring over a library of books with multiple charts out, dividers in one hand, and a quill in the other

These people (mostly men, but women can be wizards) study just about everything with magic: astronomy/astrology, alchemy/chemistry, or geometry itself

Warlock: someone who devoted their life to a being far more powerful than man (eldrich beings or the like), letting the being grant them magic.

This is not a cleric.

Sorcerer: naturally gifted with magic.

Cleric: the priest. Devoting their life to a deity, which grants them forms magic.

Yashwa of Nazareth (Jesus Christ) was a cleric by this definition.

Druid: a nature cleric mixed with a witch. Their spirits are of nature, and they speak to Mother Earth.

Don't confuse these with shamen, which are druids mixed with oracles

Paladin: the priest with a sword.

These are my current findings.

[buriedpentacles]

how do you communicate with Mother Earth? do you use any tools like tarot? just anything you can share about your dynamic with her would be interesting to hear 😊

So I kind of answers this here - in that post I also talk about the numerous ways I view Mother Nature. Here's the part where I talk about communication:

"I speak with Mother through my tarot cards a lot - I am good at interpreting them, it is familiar and easier for me, she has her own devoted deck. I often use oracle cards in tandem as well. However, Mother Nature is pushing me to communicate with her in more ways. I use charm casting and bone throwing with her, grateful for my new set built from the sheep (?) teeth she gifted me. She also speaks to me in much less obvious ways - I find her messages in the world around me, written on cobwebs and in the needles of thistles, her whispers echo in the rustle of leaves and the crash of waves. I feel her more than I hear or see her, images and visions flashed in my waking and sleeping mind, feelings that aren't mine, conclusions I would not reach, understanding that was previously out of my grasp."

As for our dynamic, we have quite the teacher/mentor-student relationship, as well as a mother-daughter relationship.

She is the world around me, she is my teacher and provider, but she is also something far beyond me. Typically, a teacher hopes that one day their student will outshine them, that the student will grow beyond the teacher's knowledge. Mother Nature is not like this, she knows that I can never understand as much as I hope and that my life is finite. So instead, she teaches me everything that she can, everything that I need, and she helps me find myself in the world around me and gifts me her love.

I am her devotee. Her Worshipper, her Student, her Messenger, her Daughter. And she is my divinity.

[crisishauntline]

What I once thought was a desire for death is a desire to live in a way I don’t yet have the tools for.

I want to be so much more alive tomorrow than I know how to be today.

I want to be ecstatically present in my body, Awake to every shiver that writhes resounding Through hair and skin and bone, Every humming, hyaline vein of mycelium want and give That tethers and unravels our earth.

I want to be a perfect whore and a fearsome scholar And a soft oracle of all manner of delicious nonsense— Haven, inquiry, instrument. I want to be, maybe most of all, a good lover and friend, One with the kind of patient hunger That does not prey but plants orchards.

In this moment though, I just want One more night to sleep undreaming, Close my eyes of nerveless clay, Utter yet another vow of “not today” Not to say I am not learning—I am, I swear, I decide, conclude, beg and plead and manifest: I must be meant to heal and become some other day.

[janetkadow]

A Spiritual Perspective on "Tarot" the Movie's Premise

Superstition and spirituality are frequently mistaken as the same thing to capitalize on our fears.

Popular culture has a way of emphasizing what we fear and what we revere as a society. I do my best to keep up with the latest trends and shifts as illustrated in our movies, music, and social media. Yet, I also know how to stay in my lane as far as sharing my opinions on popular topics goes. I pay attention to it but do not comment. My expertise is in the spiritual world.

Pop culture has come into my lane, so I will share my take.

I just saw that there is a movie out called "Tarot" I didn't have to look at the description to know it was a horror movie. Why wouldn't it be? Hollywood loves making spiritual practices not only weird but dangerous and even deadly.

It is a way to take advantage of superstitions and fears surrounding occult practices. I don't blame the movie makers for showing how our lack of spiritual awareness causes us to fear the healing practices of spiritual people. It is par for the course. But it seems it is time to change the course.

Note that I am only going to comment here on the premise of the movie "Tarot." On Rotten Tomatoes the premise states, "When a group of friends recklessly violates the sacred rule of Tarot readings -- never use someone else's deck -- they unknowingly unleash an unspeakable evil trapped within the cursed cards. One by one, they come face to face with fate and end up in a race against death to escape the future foretold in their readings."

Let's first talk about the use of tarot as a spiritual practice. Tarot is a guidance system that helps us navigate our lives. Most often, people use Tarot as a predictor to gain insight into where they are headed. I think of it as high-beam headlights. It allows us to look a little further down the road so we can navigate our lives better by telling us if there will be obstacles ahead. That is all. It is not strange.

Humanity has been using oracles of this nature since prehistory. Such as getting a reading on the energy patterns by throwing the bones, using runes, the yarrow stalks of I Ching, gazing at tea leaves, and such. These methods use random patterns or symbols to see what is to come. The difference with Tarot is that it is a modern oracle, fairly new on the scene of oracle history. But it follows the basic principles. The tarot itself is simply a deck of cards. No one has foreboding feelings about tea because tea leaves can be used as an oracle. Just as a deck of cards is just a deck of cards. I'm pretty sure you can't trap evil in a deck of cards.

Let us get into the "sacred rule of Tarot readings -- never use someone else's deck…" This foreboding statement is a corruption of the common practice of respecting the spiritual tools of others by not touching them without permission.

Every spiritual practitioner, of every spiritual tradition I know of, has sacred tools. From altars and chalices to stones and cards. The rosary and the jewelry of the ordained. The power tools of the medicine healer such as pipes and drums as used in ceremonies. People treat these objects with respect and acknowledge that only the owner of the objects should touch them. It is a show of respect that they are not touched unless permitted by the owner, carrier, and keeper of them. These are sacred objects because they are objects that bridge the worlds of heaven and earth. It is customary practice to show reverence even if it is not your belief they are sacred. Just like it is customary not to wear someone else's clothes without their permission. If you were to do it, it would not harm you, but it would be disrespectful.

Tarot decks are sacred objects for the serious spiritual practitioner, so no, you should not use them without the permission of the owner. But if you did, no harm would come to you other than the potential ire of the owner.

Let's move on to predicting death using tarot. Typically, people do not use Tarot as an efficient method to predict death. But even if it predicted a death, a prediction is not a fact. One reason is that the future has not happened yet. (Theoretically, but let's not get quantum.)

Correctly interpreting an oracle allows for the shifting, changing, and altering of anything it shows based on the actions that follow the prediction. When using tarot, anytime you get a prediction that is not pleasing, you can also ask tarot what you need to do to avoid that outcome. Back to the headlight analogy. Using the high beams helps avoid obstacles. You don't see a pothole and think, "Oh well, I guess my tires are goners." Knowing there is a pothole coming allows you to move out of the way. You can use tarot in the same way. Tarot doesn't predict your fate; it predicts what lies ahead so you can change what is coming based on your desires. This makes using oracles empowering and even healing for the user.

Superstition is fear-based. Spirituality is faith-based.

Unfortunately, many link the two forms of belief, not seeing that superstition has nothing to do with spirituality. And spirituality is not superstitious.

Storytellers and even religions love to keep us confused on the matter because fear makes money. Fear is big business and keeps us in our smallness. There is a great deal of money being made from fear. Think about what you give your money, time, and attention to, and seek an understanding of why it is important to you.

The greatest step forward to empowerment is self-awareness. Get an understanding of what you fear and why. Do some soul-searching. Ask yourself why you feel the way you do. Ask yourself if it is reasonable or true for you to believe what you believe. Do this with everything you believe as it comes up, focusing on what makes you uncomfortable and dive deep into it.

Once you have a greater understanding of your fears, no one, not any one person in this world, can manipulate you.

Shedding your fears means you will be free to discover your true potential through any means, practice, or belief without censoring who you are.

Imagine a world in which our movies reflected the consciousness of wholeness and not fear. What if our popular culture’s media showed spiritual practices leading us out of our fears and into the most authentic version of ourselves? Instead of raising ghouls from the underworld, what if movies showed rituals that brought healing? What if there was a plot with an oracle reading that guides someone towards their most empowering experience? What if we see spiritual practices as taking us out of the darkest fears and into the Truth?

Those movies would be something worth seeing.

Janet Kadow is a spiritual teacher, writer, and professional psychic who helps people learn how to live a spiritual life with integrity by using their natural gifts.

You can contact Janet at 619.866.4405, janet@janetkadow.com, www.janetkadow.com

Social Media Handle @janetkadow

[bones2bones]

FULL MOON LETTER/RITUAL

Full moon- super moon- strawberry moon; in Sagittarius-

Dear Universe/Consciousness/Higher power/Spirit,

I am full of gratitude with all you have provided for me and with me, along with how you have unconditionally loved, and guided me through an abundance of hardships and lessons. While still showing me light and love. I am so full of love and light, and I am ready to fully embrace and live out my purpose on this Earth. I heal people, I change lives, I love unconditionally, I learn willingly, I live fearlessly, I embrace fully. I am love, light and energy that you have given me graciously. This full moon I am taking back my power, I am calling what's meant to be mine back to me, I am learning who I am at the very core of my soul. I am taking back control. I am powerful, and full of magic. 

 Intentions:

Create high frequency energy/aura around my vessel.

Create motivation and determination within my vessel

Create a positive atmosphere where ever my vessel may go. 

Create loving and meaningful connections.

Create a foundation of knowledge based on self.

Create abundance

Embrace magic of self.

Learn

Find a healthy/creative outlet.

Release:

Negative reactions to situations outside of my control.

Feelings of inadequacy/ unworthiness

Feelings of anger.

Laziness

Fear

Judgment

HOW???

I am creating a higher frequency and aura for self by releasing negative thoughts and judgment towards myself and others, and creating a positive and loving atmosphere, shifting my energy from shitty and negative to happy and positive. Enhaancing the experience for myself and others. I am creating motivation and determination within my vessel by loving myself fully and completely and embracing who I am, I do better for myself because I love myself. I work hard, I enjoy exercise, I enjoy walking the dog and being active. Nothing can keep me from the best version of myself. I have met new people who share their thoughts and ideas gently and assertively, while respecting my ideas and boundaries, these are deep connections that I will grow with and nurture. I am coming into myself and gaining so much knowledge on who this version of myself is, what they like and who they are at the core of themselves. I know myself. I have never been more close to myself and at ease with myself. I have saved money and created abundance for myself by making smarter decisions for myself.  I am learning my deeper meaning and purpose and embracing these parts of myself through meditiation, exercise, magic, oracle cards and crystals. I am willing to learn abut anything and everything. I am healthy, and on the road to feeling my best. I am channeling in to the healthiest version of myself, inside and out. I am finding new hobbies and things I enjoy doing. 

I am releasing ALL that doesn't serve me, humbly and graciously. I only attract what is meant for me. I am releasing my quick jumps to negative thoughts and energy, especially anger. I no longer react without first thinking about how I really feel about things. I release all self doubt, and feelings of not being enough, or not being able to attain success or happiness. I release all my lazy bones, I am nurturing my body and providing it with an abundance of energizing foods and beverages. I am releasing judgment of myself and others.I am releasing FEAR. Fear of being sick all the time, fear of being judged or not accepted. Fear of the unknown and death. 

Universe/Consciousness/ Higher power/ Spirit, I ask that you guide me through this next journey and provide me with all the tools and experiences to manifest this greatness in my life. Please guide me to the much needed answers, of my purpose, and introduce to me guides. I will start/continue to be light and love and fulfill my purpose here on earth. I love you, and I am grateful for all eternity spent with another, as one another. 

With love from self, to self. Thank you. 

[stygiantarot]

Winter Witchcraft

(Taught in @thealexandriarchives on 1/17/20)

Winter. The solid dark earth, bright swirling snow, prickling sharp ice, stark reaching branches, echoing warm silence. It can appear in a variety of different ways around the globe depending on the local season. I shall do my best in today’s class to give inspiration and tools that apply to as many persons as possible. I apologize in advance if this Midwest USA witch is a bit too used to intense winters and forgets to adjust as much for those in more temperate zones.

When it comes to the season of winter, it is most commonly associated with snow, ice, cold, all those Hallmark style holiday card scenes with snowmen, scarves, and white covered buildings. At it’s core however, winter is really just your area’s fallow period. It doesn’t have to involve cold or snow; just the time when things are not growing (or not growing as much). Locals may tend to be more inclined to stay indoors; regardless of the weather, and just be more lethargic and measured in their time.

When it comes to incorporating winter and it’s attributes and power into your witchcraft, the main ingredients you’ll want to work with are:

Dirt: Fallow dirt is mighty! Like a hibernating bear, it’s carefully collecting all those nutrients and minerals and saving them up for spring to share in full with local flora and fauna again! It is stable, strong, and patient. A good ingredient for spellwork involving breaking a habit, defensive protection (long term wards especially!), prosperity and abundance spells; especially slowly building ones like a long term money spell, spells or glamours relating to hiding or camouflage, encouraging a relationship to remain stable and grow, and many more. Though it should be strictly collected/harvested during the winter, you can store it year round and it retains it’s Winter attributes.

Snow/Ice: The most obvious winter witchcraft ingredient, this will mostly be used in a melted water form but some examples I’ll offer use solid snow and ice and the melting of it is part of the spell. It’s a good ingredient for: cleansing, freezing a person or problem, healing, banishing, creativity boosting (especially in physical crafts). Like with winter dirt, you can only collect during specific times but can store year round. You can even refreeze in your freeze if you have a spell that requires it to melt in some fashion that you want to cast in spring or summer.
Specific types of snow and ice correspondences: https://orriculum.tumblr.com/post/ 168151692633/winter-correspondences.
My own post on using snow in witchcraft: https://stygiantarot.tumblr.com/post/181955654194/ we-just-had-our-first-real-snow-here-in-ohio-and

Stones: Stones found in winter can have a special sort of power to them. Despite being unchanged physically year round (besides temperature), stones absorb energies readily. They are attuned to what is going on in the locale seasonally despite not directly changing themselves. It is because of this physical permanence that they are more easily able to be energetically sensitive. I like to use them especially in divination work (whether directly in creating runes or oracle sets or indirectly in boosting divination power and focus). They hold that deep quiet and patience of the season deeply under their hard surfaces. They also make excellent spellwork batteries and anchors for warding or enchanting.

Sticks/Pinceones/Flora castoffs: Those things that trees and shrubs drop are especially potent in winter as well. A weathered stick, a prickly pinecone, even some nuts and seeds are cast off during the fallow season and can be used in spellwork. These tend to be good for intentions relating to growth, protection, spirit work, psychic prowess boosting, and creativity as well as associations related to the plant it came from.

Cold weather Flora: Evergreens, hearty flowers like heather, and witch hazel, and early flowers like snowbells or daphne; there are still some plants that thrive even in chilly temps or fallow growing periods. Keep a sharp eye out in your local area for what remains or becomes vibrant during your winter and you can incorporate it into your spellwork. It would have the attributes of that plant, but “jazzed” up a bit during the season of winter when it remains strong amongst other flora that wait for spring or summer.

Citrus/Spices/Seasonal kitchentry: Despite it’s bright sun and summer associations, most citrus fruits are winter growing and this is an appropriate time to incorporate them into drinks and foods to bring some sun into your fallow period. It can help with healing (anti-depression especially), inspiration, solar magic, and creativity. There are also the warmer spices like those used in mulling ciders and wine that are good to use during this season to inject warmth and power into your spellwork. Take a look at what might grow or be commonly used in cooking during your area’s fallow period and incorporate them into your kitchen work in drinks, food, even baking!


Now to build spellwork and crafting ideas. The following are from my own grimoire that you may use or be inspired by!


Snowmen poppets: draw or write a taglock on a piece of paper and put it into a snowman! The intention of the spell takes effect on the target as the snowman melts.

Snow cleansing baths: put a bit of snow in your bath for a soothing ritual bath. Imagine all your worries falling away like a gentle snowfall drifting from the sky.

Winter Jar of Dirt: collect some winter dirt into a special jar, leave a bit of room at the top and put in scraps of paper that outline things you need to have growth or be more stable throughout the year. Feel free to double down by drawing some sigils on the jar for growth and stability.

Create a tool: use a winter stone or collection of them to create a tool for your practice. This can be a divination set, a spellcasting battery, an enchanted focus stone, even a painted offering, etc!


Use that crockpot or bake!: This is the time to do something warm and slow. A soup in a crockpot, a slow roasted dinner, those favorite cookies or brownies you remember from days of yore. You can also focus on a warm drink recipe; chocolate, cider, tea, coffee, wine, etc! They all can be made intentioned with spices and flavoring additions while they warm up to toasty soothing temps!

Room and floor sprays: use a bit of snow or ice, added to standard water, along with winter focused herbs and spices infused and put in a spray bottle for room spray or fl oor wash. You can focus the intentions as needs but a good one would be a pre-cleansing treatment for that “spring cleaning” physical cleaning many do! Or an energizing or inspiration spray to keep out seasonal blues and lethargy.

Enchant a blanket: Take a favorite blanket and enchant it with comfort, warmth, and peace for you to cuddle with during chilly evenings. You can do the same with a favorite towel for after warm baths or showers!


The methodology in creating crafting and spellwork ideas is to think about that fallow period and what you can “harvest” from it; whether it being something directly like snow or dirt. Or something indirectly, like the quiet, the introspection, or even the longer nights to do more lunar focused magic. Spirit work is another strong association in winter months. The slower and quieter season allows for easier connecting often to those not of physical form. Trying visiting a graveyard, park, or museum during your fallow season and seeing what you are able to sense.

Winter is also the time to take stock of your own life and spirituality- just like the earth does during its fallow period. Catalogue and cleanse your tools while you consider if there are any more you need or any you might pass along because you no longer use them. Clean and reorganize your storage and altars or shrines. Spend some time adding to your grimoire or journal those entries you’ve been putting off. Do some shadow work or divination. Write down some clear spiritual goals you’d like to focus on this year (good to put in your Jar of Dirt 😉 ) Do extra research on that area you’ve been debating on delving into.

However, don’t let yourself become too isolated. It’s normal to want some additional space in fallow periods, both personal and seasonal. But it’s important to still have some regular times that you get out of your own headspace. Set reminders for yourself to reach out to your favorite people to at least have a chat even if you don’t have the ability to get out of the house. Connect with online friends and community. Share ideas, thoughts, stories. Go see a movie or to a museum.

Letting winter into your bones doesn’t have to be chilling- it can be like that first breeze when you step outside. A surprise, maybe you gasp for a moment. But it’s exhilarating and revitalizing and reminds you of the beauty and wonder of nature. Even when nature is quiet and stark, she’s there. Just waiting for you to reach out and find her secrets and power to lend you. Go forth and Do the Magic.

Orriculum’s Winter correspondences: https://orriculum.tumblr.com/post/153243108238/winter- witchcraft


Some other Winter inspirations:
 https://ofcloudsandstars.tumblr.com/post/153908846876/゚-winter-witchy-things-to-do

[fayegracexo]

How to Celebrate Lughnasadh

Somehow we are already to our first of three harvest festivals in the wheel of 2019! This year is flying by crazy quick! I can’t believe July is already over and it’s time for Lughnasadh on August 1st! (Fun Fact: The Gaelic word for August is ‘Lunasa’ - Lughnasadh is pronounced Loo-Na-Sah!)

If you happened to catch my last post (if you didn’t, click here! ‘Lughnasadh vs. Lammas’) then you already know the difference between ‘Lughnasadh’ and ‘Lammas’, and some of the history, which means it’s time to get into the fun part...how to celebrate it!

To keep this post simple I’ll put it in list form, and I apologize in advance for mentioning some things more than once, there’s some things that end up being good crossover ideas, so sorry if it sounds repetitive at all! (Just your typical chronically apologizing Libra over here!) 

I’ll start with some traditional ways to celebrate, then list the correspondences, THEN go into a longer list of celebration ideas! I’ll try to keep this short but there’s lots of info and I wanted to give plenty of options, so if you don’t see what you're looking for, just keep scrolling it’s probably there! ;) (It’s long, i’m sorry oh geez)

If not, I’m always available for messages and questions, and i’ll be posting craft ideas, recipes, and more ways to celebrate on my Instagram account that’s connected to this blog. Check the ‘Lughnasadh’ highlight and my story on August 1st for more! @selfcarewitchxo​ 

Now let’s jump in!

How To Celebrate Traditionally

To start, I wanted to suggest some basic ways to celebrate in a more traditional way, and then go into a list with lots more options and details! Some of these might repeat in the list below so sorry in advance! (Libra problems again, I tried to organize the best I could...I’m so OCD)

Lughnasadh is about giving thanks for what has grown in summer, and for the abundance in our lives. We gather what has grown and begin to prep for winter and the darker, colder months, but not before celebrating a successful harvest season!

In the old days, it was tradition to climb a hill and bury or leave an offering of the first and best of your harvest to Lugh, usually the first loaf of bread you've baked. Offerings are left in exchange for blessings, gratitude, abundance, strength, protection, and growth. You can do the same hill idea, or leave your first loaf or other offering on your altar, or another special place.

Lughs’ original festival, was also focused on feasting, games, and athletic competition. Try recreating the same and have some friends over for a BBQ and some friendly competition! 

Gods, Goddesses, Animals and Other Deities

The Celtic God Lugh is the patron deity for this festival, but if you’re not from a Celtic background, don’t use Lugh in your practice, or are from a Dianic tradition, there are many other Gods, Goddesses, animals and deities to choose from to incorporate into your Lughnasadh holiday. 

Tailtiu (Lughs’ adoptive Mother who passed away, the festival is held in her honor) is a traditional female option, but any grain/agricultural/Mother Goddess/Father God figures make great picks. 

For Goddesses, Rhiannon, Annona, Persephone, Cerridwen, Ceres, Demeter, and Isis are all options, and Odin, John Barley Corn, Dagon, Taranis, Vulcan, Mercury, Loki, Tammuz and Adonis are suggestions for the males! This is just to name a few of course! 

As for animals, agricultural animals such as roosters, lambs, sheep, calves, and pigs are associated with the holiday, you can also use the majestic stag! For more mythological options, the centaur, phoenix and griffin are also associated.

Try adding statues, figurines, feathers, bones or other things associated with these Gods/Goddesses/deities/animals as altar decorations!

Decorations

How can you have a holiday without some festive decorations? Take some time to redo your altar space, room, or even your whole house if you want, to get into the holiday spirit! Being a harvest, nature based holiday, there are many cheap, easy, decorating ideas, that include many things we already have at home! 

To start, use some seasonally scented candles, wax burners, or essential oils to make your sacred space smell like Lughnasadh vibes! 

Candles in holiday colors, or tied with holiday colored ribbon, make a good altar addition! (See below for list of color correspondences) 

Dried corn, rice, wheat, corn dollies, fallen twigs, dried straw, herbs, crystals, corn stalks, pumpkins, squash, dried oats, dried beans, a cornucopia, sunflower seeds, flowers, a scythe, a sickle, or a cauldron are quite seasonal options! (Keep reading for suggestions for crystals, scents and herbs!)

Crystals 

These crystals are associated with Lughnasadh. Try using them as altar decorations, in your spellwork, or to meditate with during the holiday!

Amber, aventurine, carnelian, citrine, moss agate, topaz, golden topaz, obsidian, tigers eye, brown agate, clear quartz, cats eye, lodestones, peridot.

Plants/Herbs/Flowers/Scent Associations 

Lumping this one a little since these have dual uses! 

Wheat, Basil, Mint, Queen Anne’s Lace, Calendula, Yarrow, Sunflowers, Marigolds, Frankincense, Sandalwood, Rose, Rosemary, Rose hips, Blackthorn, Vervain, Peonies, Poppies, Ginseng, All Spice and Chamomile all have associations with Lughnasadh. Use these to decorate, make tea, cook or bake with, scent your home or altar space, or to leave as an offering! (Keep reading for suggestions on how to use these) 

Colors

Try candles and ribbons in shades of green, brown, bronze, orange, yellow and gold. Personally, I always choose a yellow, brown, gold, and green candle for my Lughnasadh altar space.

Yellow represents solar energies, happiness, and transformation.

Brown represents earth energies, strength, protection, and animals.

Gold is to illuminate, for success, divine power, and the harvest.

Green represents abundance, prosperity, fertility, growth, wealth, life, and vegetation.

Food & Drink Ideas 

As Lughnasadh is a feasting holiday to give thanks, consider having some friends and loved ones over for a BBQ or potluck! both are great traditional ideas. Try these food and drink suggestions to indulge in holiday flavors!

Foods: BBQ, breads, roasted lamb, pot luck, berries - like blueberries and blackberries, potatoes, pies, nuts, pumpkin, mushrooms, garlic, honey, acorn squash, summer squash, apples, oats, rice, beans, fried chicken, berry pancakes

Drinks: Since wheat is a big thing, beer is a staple drink, but if you’re more of a wine person try elderberry, blackberry or blueberry wine. For alcohol free options, cherry or apple ciders are great, or plain apple juice. 

Mint and chamomile are associated herbs, they make a great tea suggestion! Sweet mint, peppermint or spearmint make lovely iced teas. Blueberry or blackberry teas are also delicious! 

I’m also personally adding mojitos to this list as a modern update. Since mint is associated, adding some from your garden in a refreshing mojito sounds like a good way to incorporate it to me!

Try some oats or blueberry pancakes in the morning with a seasonal juice or herbal tea, then do a bigger feast for dinner of lamb or chicken, with a beer, then pie for dessert!

More Ways to Celebrate 

Bake Bread

There’s lots of recipes online for you to bake your very own loaf. Try adding herbs, or twisting the dough into Celtic knots for extra flair. You can also ‘paint’ the bread! Try Pinterest for some great recipe ideas. Bake extra to give away to a loved one or leave as an offering!

Have a Popcorn Party

Since Lughnasadh is associated with corn, try having a movie night wit friends and making different varieties of popcorn! Do you like spicy, or sweet kinds? This is a great idea to try with kids! 

Have a Beer

As a grain holiday, relaxing with a cold brew is a good way to relax this Lughnasadh. Safely and responsibly of course.

Create a Besom

A besom is a witches broom. This is a good time of year to use dried straw, fallen twigs, ribbons and charms to create your own. Personally I love to see lavender in them, gorgeous!

Make Candles

If you have the supplies (even cooler if you have you own bees and wax!) try making candles. Bonus points for seasonal colors and scents, triple points for recycling old wax and bringing life back to old candles! 

Harvest/Canning

Harvest your fruits, veggies, and herbs you’ve grown to use them in thanks in teas, tinctures, salves, your cooking, spellwork, and to hang up to dry. Make salsas, or preserves or jams to try on your Lughnasadh bread, or try canning to have a treat in the cold months!

Spend Time Outdoors

Take a walk, hike up a hill, have a picnic, visit a Farmer’s Market or produce stand for local goodies, or go pick fruits, like apples, berries or peaches at a local orchard! Find a way to soak up the last of the season’s warmth.

Have a Fire/Light a Candle

Have a bonfire solo or with friends, and consider burning away some things that need to be released. Throw things that don’t serve you (that are fire safe of course!) into the flames and let them be released. Let the fire ‘reap’ the bad from your life, and ‘sow’ positivity back into it.

If you can’t have a fire, choose a seasonally colored candle, or a few, and give thanks by it’s light! You can carve runes into them if you’d like also!

Spellwork

Lughnasadh works with themes of success and abundance, so it’s a great time of year to do spellwork involving your career, health or love life. If you or someone you know is trying for a new job, or hoping for a new relationship, or maybe buying a house, or moving to a new location, try a little spell to help you manifest your (or theirs!) goals.

Scrying/Divination

Break out your tarot, oracle cards and scrying/divination tools! This is a good time to try new methods you haven’t worked with before, such as bones or runes. If you’ve never tried fire scrying, use your Lughnasadh bonfire or candle as a first attempt!

Cooking/Baking/Drink Making

Feasting with friends or loved ones is a good way to celebrate! (Try the menu ideas above!) Try using herbs you’ve grown or purchased from a local stand in the recipes!

Make a Corn Dolly

Traditionally the least sheaf that was ceremonially cut was used to make a ‘corn dolly’, and carried to the village. The corn dolly would be made into a corn maiden (or corn mother) if the harvest was good, or a ‘cailleach’ (Celtic word for witch, hag) after a bad harvest. These dollies could be clothed, or dressed with ribbon. If you make a doll at Lughnasadh, she can be used again in six months for Imbolc, and can be dressed in spring colors. The harvest Mother, becomes the Spring bride! (Some traditions don’t believe in reusing the doll, but that depends on your practice!)

Smudge/Cleanse/Bless Your Space

Smudge away that negativity that’s been lingering, clear the air, and your life, so that you may grow bountiful! Buy a smudge stick or make your own with sage and added herbs if you’d like. Mugwort, rosemary, lavender and juniper are good additives. Open the windows, let the light and breeze in! Start fresh and clean this holiday, and reap those bad energy places!

Make a Gift

Acts of service and selflessness are important on Lughnasadh. We’re in a place of abundance, and it’s time to share the bounty and love with others. Make a gift for a friend, loved one or neighbor to share the holiday spirit. Try flowers you’ve picked, breads or foods you’ve made, jams or jellies you preserved, or another homemade craft item. Make it with love! They’ll be sure to feel the positive vibes. They’ll see this act of kindness, and pass it on...the world needs more love!

Acts of Service

Lughnasadh is centered around themes of prosperity, generosity, continued success, and giving thanks; which makes it a great time to help those around us, and share the blessings of our abundance with others. 

Consider volunteering your time, organizing a community cleanup, picking up trash at the beach, having a friend, neighbor, or loved one over for a hot meal, or offering to help a neighbor with something they need. Devote your time, and watch the blessings come back to you.

Make a Gratitude List

What has ‘grown’ in you life this year that you’re thankful for? Have some seasonal tea, sit by a candle, and make a gratitude list of everything you’re blessed with in life. 

Make a reap/ sow list

On that note, you can also try a reap/sow list. Write down what you’re proud to have “planted” in your life, and watched grow, and also what your’re not proud of. What needs to be ‘reaped’ from you life? What weeds are strangling you, that need to be pulled for a bountiful harvest next year? Use this time as personal reflection, and choose what to reap and sow to live your best life in alignment with your true self. Think in ‘Regrets’, ‘Farewells’, ‘Harvest’ and ‘Preserves’

Regrets: Think about things you meant to do this summer that did not come to fruition. Project your regrets onto fire safe objects, like pine cones, and throw them into your fire. You can also write on dried corn husks or paper. 

Farewells: What’s passing from your life? What is over? Say goodbye. You can use visuals or writing for this, and also throw into the fire to release, or a lake or ocean. You could also use a flower bulb and plant it, to watch it grow back next year.

Harvest: What have you already harvested this year? What is sprouting? Find a way to represent those things and create a visual reminder to hang in your home. 

Preserves: Think about the fruits you have gathered this year and how you can hold onto the sweet memories. Make a remembrance box, or box altar, to help remember special things, times and people. 

Make a Craft

Lugh is the God of craftsmanship, so try making something festive to decorate your home or altar! Wheat can be used for wreaths and door decorations, apples can be turned into seasonal candle holders, or try making your own corn dolly or besom. Search Pinterest for these great ideas or check my Instagram account for the how-to’s! (@selfcarewitchxo)

Go to a Craft Fair

And again, on that note! Since Lugh is the God of this, see if there’s any local craft fairs in your area and buy some local goodies!

PHEW!

That’s it folks! Your complete guide to celebrate Lughnasadh! Thank you for being patient with me as I got this posted. If you hear from me on other sites you know I already typed this whole thing once and it got deleted! Ahh! I’m glad to have this up finally!

Connect with me on Instagram to see what i’ll be doing for the day, and send me the ideas you’ve decided to try out! I’d love to see your crafts or anything you’ve baked! Also if you have any ideas to add, let me know and I’ll post them!

HAPPY CELEBRATING!

Blessed Lughnasadh Witches!

~ Faye ~

@selfcarewitchxo​ 

[mightystargazer]

Another year gone, another readinglist done!

W. Michael Gear Outpost

W. Michael Gear Abandoned

Angela Carter The Bloody Chamber

Sue Burke Semiosis

Rob Dircks Don't Touch the Blue Stuff!

Laurie Forest the iron flower

Joseph Nassise urban Enemies: a collection

Ezekiel Boone The Mansion

Richtel, Matt Dead on Arrival

Wilkie Martin Inspector Hobbes and the Blood

Wilkie Martin Inspector Hobbes and The Curse

Wilkie Martin Inspector Hobbes & The Gold Digger

Wilkie Martin Inspector Hobbes and The Bones

A. American Home Coming

Adam J. Wright Lost Soul

Adam J. Wright Buried Memory

Adam J. Wright Dark Magic

Adam J. Wright Dead Ground

Adam J. Wright Shadow Land

Robert Bevan Critical Failures VI

Darynda Jones Grave on the Right

Darynda Jones Grave on the Left

Darynda Jones Third Grave Dead Ahead

Darynda Jones Grave Beneath My Feet

Darynda Jones Grave Past the Light

Darynda Jones Grave on the Edge

Darynda Jones Grave and No Body

Darynda Jones Grave After Dark

Darynda Jones Brighter Than the Sun

Darynda Jones Dirt on Ninth Grave

Darynda Jones The Curse of Tenth Grave

Darynda Jones Eleventh Grave in Moonlight

Dan Simmons The Terror

Warren Fahy Fragment

Tim McBain The Scattered and the Dead

Scott Thomas Kill Creek

Kurt Anderson Resurrection Pass

Larry Correia Son of the Black Sword

Larry Correia House of Assassins

Chuck Wendig Blackbird

Chuck Wendig Mockingbird

Chuck Wendig The Cormerant

Chuck Wendig Thunderbird

Karen Thompson Walker The Dreamers

Hank Green An Absolutely Remarkable Thing

C.T. Phipps The Tournament of Supervillainy 5

Peter Clines 14

Peter Clines The Fold

Peter Clines Dead Moon

Sean Schubert Infection

Sean Schubert Containment

Sean Schubert Mitigation

Sean Schubert Resolution

James Marshall Smith Hybrid

Mark Tufo Demon Wars

Alan Dean Foster Interlopers

Anthony Melchiorri The Tide

Anthony Melchiorri Breakwater

Anthony Melchiorri Salvage

Anthony Melchiorri Deadrise

Anthony Melchiorri Iron Wind

Anthony Melchiorri Dead Ashore

Anthony Melchiorri Ghost Fleet

Anthony Melchiorri Devil to Pay

Scott Medbury Heel Week

Scott Medbury On The Run

Scott Medbury Cold Comfort

Scott Medbury Rude Shock

Terry Pratchett/Neil Gaiman Good omens

Barry J. Hutchison The Sidekicks Initiative

Catherynne M. Valente The Refrigerator Monologues

Ike Hamill Super Apex

J.H. Moncrieff Monsters in Our Wake

John Connolly The Underbury Witches

Jonathan Maberry Dead of Night

Lydia Kang Quackery

Tomi Adeyemi Children of Blood and Bone

Thomas Morris The Mystery of the Exploding Teeth

John A.Keel The Complete Guide To Mysterious Beings

Ted Dekker ADAM

Richard K. Morgan Altered Carbon

Ransom Riggs A Map of Days

Kevin Hearne Death & Honey

Benjamin Wallace Boom box 1

Benjamin Wallace Boom box  2

Benjamin Wallace Boom box  3

Benjamin Wallace Revenge of the Apocalypse

Victor LaValle The Changeling

Rick Chesler Sawfish

Nathan Barnes The Reaper Virus

Michael brent Collings The Deep

Bill Heavey If You Didn't Bring Jerky, What Did I Just Eat

Bill Heavey It's Only Slow Food Until You Try to Eat It

Bill Heavey Should the Tent Be Burning Like That

Jenny Lawson Let's Pretend This Never Happened

Mark Tufo The Spirit Clearing

Ambrose Ibsen Asylum

Ambrose Ibsen Forest

Ambrose Ibsen The Occupant

Stephen King The Man in the Black Suit

Sam Sykes The City Stained Red

Peter Meredith The Queen Unthroned

Peter Meredith The Queen Enslaved

Nicholas Sansbury Smith Extinction Red Line

Nicholas Sansbury Smith Extinction Horizon

Nicholas Sansbury Smith Extinction Edge

Nicholas Sansbury Smith Extinction Age

Nicholas Sansbury Smith Extinction Evolution

Nicholas Sansbury Smith Extinction End

Nicholas Sansbury Smith Extinction Aftermath

Nicholas Sansbury Smith Extinction Lost

Nicholas Sansbury Smith Extinction War

Nicholas Sansbury Smith Missions from the Extinction Cycle

Drew Hayes Super Powereds Year 4

Dean Koontz Odd Thomas

Patrick F McManus Kerplunk! Stories

Mark Wayne McGinnis The Simpleton

Mark Wayne McGinnis The Simpleton Quest

John Connolly A Book of Bones

Drew Hayes Corpies

Nathan Ballingrud Wounds

Michael Todd Torn Asunder

Michael Todd Killing Is My Business

Michael Todd And Business Is Good

Marty Ross The Darkwater Bride

Richard Porter Top Gear Epic Failures 50 Great Motoring Cock-Ups

Parker Peevyhouse The Echo Room

P. K. Hawkins Shark Infested Waters

M. R. James The Conception of Terror Tales

Broad Reach Publishing I, Zombie

Bobby Hall Supermarket

Terry Pratchett Night Watch

Patrick F McManus Never Sniff a Gift Fish

Michael Talbot The Bog

Michael Edelson Seed

Matthew Scott Hansen The Shadowkiller

Jonathan Maberry Ghost Road Blues

Jonathan Maberry Dead Man's Song

Jonathan Maberry Bad Moon Rising

Jonathan Maberry Property Condemned

Jonathan Maberry Darkness on the Edge of Town

Chris Angus Flypaper

Dean Koontz The Night Window

John P. Logsdon Platoon F Big Ass Bundle

Robert Tomoguchi The Scribbled Victims

Richard MacLean Smith Unexplained

Mark Edwards The Retreat

Dennis E. Taylor Outland

Bobby Adair Freedom's Siege

Bobby Adair Freedom's Fire

Bobby Adair Freedom's Fury

Bobby Adair Freedom's Fray

Bobby Adair Freedom's Fist

Bobby Adair Freedom's Fall

Bobby Adair Freedom's Fate

William Gibson Alien III

Terry Brooks Running with the Demon

Steven Campbell Hard Luck Hank

Neal Stephenson Reamde

Neal Stephenson Fall, or Dodge in Hell

J.F. Holmes Irregular Scout Team One

Michael Stephen Fuchs Odyssey

Kameron Hurley The Light Brigade

TTC History of Ancient Egypt

Justin Cronin The Passage

Justin Cronin The Twelve

Justin Cronin The City of Mirrors

J.N. Chaney Orion Colony

J.N. Chaney Orion Uncharted

J.N. Chaney Orion Awakened

Christopher Dowell The Adventures of Badass Mike

Barry J. Hutchison Sentienced to Death

Adam Savage Every Tool's a Hammer

Rob Dircks Gigi Make Paradox

Eric Rickstad What Remains of Her

Robert Bevan 6d6

L. L. Akers Fight like a Man

L. L. Akers Shoot Like a Girl

L. L. Akers Run Like the Wind

Jonathan Mayberry Broken Lands

Alexander C. Kane Andrea Vernon and the Superhero-Industrial Complex

A.R. Shaw The China Pandemic

A.R. Shaw The Cascade Preppers

A.R. Shaw The Last Infidels mp3

A.R. Shaw The Malefic Nation

A.R. Shaw The Bitter Earth

Jim C. Hines Terminal Uprising

Mark Tufo Dog Days of War

Rick Gualtieri Get Bent!

Brian Keene Darkness on the Edge of Town

Christopher Moore Practical Demonkeeping

Christopher Moore The Lust Lizard of Melancholy Cove

Christopher Moore The Stupidest Angel

Chuck Wendig Wanderers

John Connolly Conquest

John Connolly Empire

John Connolly Dominion

C. J. Tudor The Taking of Annie Thorne

Wellington, David The Last Astronaut

S. Bennett A Womans Journey with the Worlds Worst Behaved Dog

Levi Black Red Right Hand

Levi Black Black Goat Blues

Eoin Colfer Artemis Fowl

Eoin Colfer The Arctic Incident

Eoin Colfer The Eternity Code

Eoin Colfer The Opal Deception

Eoin Colfer The Lost Colony

Eoin Colfer The Time Paradox

Eoin Colfer The Atlantis Complex

Eoin Colfer The Last Guardian

Ambrose Ibsen Transmission

Daniel Green End Time

Daniel Green The Breaking

Daniel Green The Rising

Patrick F McManus The Bear in the Attic

Mark Tufo Encounters

Mark Tufo Reckoning

Mark Tufo Conquest

Mark Tufo From the Ashes

Mark Tufo Into the Fire

Mark Tufo Victory's Defeat

Mark Tufo Defeat's Victory

Brett Battles Mine

Caitlin Starling the luminous dead

Craig A. Falconer Not Alone

Craig A. Falconer Second Contact

Craig A. Falconer The Final Call

Gardner Dozois Down These Strange Streets

Greig Beck Primordia

Kevin  Hearne Kill the Farm Boy

Kevin  Hearne No Country for Old Gnomes

Kathleen Meyer How to Shit in the Woods

Joe Hill NOS4A2

Drew Hayes The Case of the Damaged Detective

Simon Haynes Robot vs Dragons

Nora Roberts Blood Brothers

Nora Roberts The Hollows

Nora Roberts The Pagan Stone

Peter F. Hamilton The Reality Dysfunction

Paul Tremblay The Cabin at the End of the World

Gerry Griffiths Down from Beast Mountain

Eoin Colfer The Reluctant Assassin

Eoin Colfer The Hangman's Revolution

Eoin Colfer The Forever Man

C A Fletcher A Boy and His Dog at the End of the World

N.C. Reed Odd Billy Todd

Stephen King The Shining

Stephen King Doctor Sleep

Richard J. Dewhurst The Ancient Giants Who Ruled America

Laird Barron The Croning

Keith C. Blackmore The Troll Hunter

J.L. McPherson The Gorge

Erin Bowman Contagion

Erin Bowman Immunity

Stephen King The Institute

Douglas Adams Starship Titanic

Lee Murray Into the Mist

Lee Mountford The Mark

Keith C. Blackmore White Sands, Red Steel

Joe Hill The Fireman

Barry J. Hutchison The Hunt for Reduk Topa

Greig Beck Return to the Lost World

Greig Beck The Lost World

Ted Dekker Obsessed

James D. Prescott Extinction Code

James D. Prescott Extinction Countdown

James D. Prescott Extinction Crisis

James D. Prescott Missions from the Extinction Cycle 2

Dean Koontz Strange Highways

Mira Grant Rolling in the Deep

Mira Grant Into the Drowning Deep

Luke Romyn Ash

Thomas Olde Heuvelt Hex

Jeremiah Knight Hunger

Jeremiah Knight Feast

T. Kingfisher The Twisted Ones

Patrick F McManus The Horse in My Garage

Jeff Strand Wolf Hunt

Jeff Strand Wolf Hunt 2

Annie Wilder Trucker Ghost Stories

Kathryn Croft The Girl with No Past

Larry Correia Monster Hunter International

Larry Correia Vendetta

Larry Correia Alpha

Larry Correia Legion

Larry Correia Nemesis

Larry Correia Siege

Larry Correia Guardian

Nicholas Sansbury Smith Extinction Inferno

Jack Townsend Tales from the Gas Station

Dean R Koontz Phantoms

Scott Sigler Blood Is Red

Stephen Chbosky Imaginary Friend

Larry Correia Grunge

Larry Correia Sinners

Larry Correia Saints

Larry Correia The Monster Hunter Files

Dean Koontz Innocence

Hugh Howey Half Way Home

Shaun Hamill A Cosmology of Monsters

Cameron Milan Zombie Slayer!!

Charles Soule The Oracle Year

Christopher Moore Practical Demonkeeping

Christopher Moore The Lust Lizard of Melancholy Cove

Christopher Moore The Stupidest Ange

Iain Rob Wright Sea Sick

Iain Rob Wright Ravage

Iain Rob Wright Savage

Keith C. Blackmore 131 Days

Keith C. Blackmore House of Pain

Keith C. Blackmore Spikes and Edges

Keith C. Blackmore About the Blood

Keith C. Blackmore To Thunderous Applause

Kevin Hearne The Princess Beard

Adrian Tchaikovsky Walking to Aldebaran

Cixin Liu Supernova Era

Dave Pedneau Night, Winter, and Death

Dean Koontz Nameless

Jack Hunt As We Fall

Jack Hunt As We Break

Katherine Arden Small Spaces

Katherine Arden Dead Voices

Larry Correia #1 in Customer Service

Myke Cole The Armored Saint

Myke Cole The Sacred Throne

Myke Cole The Killing Light

C. T. Phipps The Future of Supervillainy

Charlie Huston The Mystic Arts of Erasing All Signs of Death

T.W. Piperbrook St. Matthews

T.W. Piperbrook Onset

T.W. Piperbrook Crossroads

T.W. Piperbrook Wasteland

Paul Tremblay Disappearance at Devil’s Rock

Ferrett Steinmetz The Sol Majestic

Grady Hendrix Horrorstör

Mark Tufo The Perfect Betrayal

William Goldman The Princess Bride

Joseph John The Eighth Day

Stephen King Gwendy's Button Box

Richard Chizmar Gwendy's Magic Feather

Ronald Malfi Snow

Robert Bevan Critical Failures VII

Mark Tufo Winter's Rising

Mark Tufo Cedar's Conflict

Mark Tufo The Edge of Deceit

Michael McBride Unidentified

Scott Sigler Infected

Scott Sigler Contagious

Prescott, James D The Genesis Conspiracy

Michael Crichton Andromeda Strain

Michael Crichton The Andromeda Evolution

Melanie Golding Little Darlings

Iain Rob Wright Escape!

Ambrose Ibsen Midnight in a Perfect World

Scott Baron Bad Luck Charlie

Scott Baron Space Pirate Charlie

Scott Baron The Dragon Mage

[tipsycad147]

Baba Yaga

(pronounced: bah-bye'yegg-ah)

Created by Arteal

© All original material in this site is under copyright protection and is the intellectual property of the author. © 1995 Kate Nordstrom

Baba Yaga Wild Woman I walk in the forest and speak intimately with the animals I dance barefoot in the rain without any clothes I travel on pathways that I make myself and in ways that suit me my instincts are alive and razor sharp my intuition and sense of smell are keen I freely express my vitality my sheer exuberant joyfulness to please myself because it is natural it is what needs to be I am the wild joyous life force Come and meet me

By Amy Sophia Marashinsky

Bone Mother

Originally she was Baba from Eastern Europe. Autumn was her season for she lived in the last sheaf of corn. The woman who consumed it would become pregnant within a year. Baba became the fearsome Baba Yaga of Russia. She lived deep within a birch forest. Her house was surrounded by a fence of bones with human skulls atop it and a lock that was a mouth full of sharp teeth. Her house turned on chick legs. Baba Yaga became the evil witch that ate children and scared men to their deaths. It was written her mouth stretched from Earth to the gates of Hell. She flew through the air with a mortar and pestle sweeping the trail with a broom.

http://www.babayaga.com/babayaga.htm

Bone Mother Originally she was Baba from Eastern Europe. Autumn was her season for she lived in the last sheaf of corn. The woman who consumed it would become pregnant within a year. Baba became the fearsome Baba Yaga of Russia. She lived deep within a birch forest. Her house was surrounded by a fence of bones with human skulls atop it and a lock that was a mouth full of sharp teeth. Her house turned on chick legs. Baba Yaga became the evil witch that ate children and scared men to their deaths. It was written her mouth stretched from Earth to the gates of Hell. She flew through the air with a mortar and pestle sweeping the trail with a broom.

But let us look closer. She is not only the Goddess of the underworld, but also the guardian of the fountain of the waters of life. Baba Yaga not only is the Goddess of death, but also the Goddess of life. At dawn, a white horseman leaves her residence. When noon arrives, a red horseman leaves her residence. And finally, at dusk, a black horseman leaves her residence only to have the cycle begin again at dawn. The signs of the triple Goddess remain. If you were to ask Baba Yaga she would tell you these were not men, but amazons that rode the horses. Baba Yaga's lineage is not known. When asked how she feels about being made into an evil hag, the grandmother of the devil, a demonic witch, Baba Yaga explains at least she was kept alive so when someone wished to seek her out she could be found. Baba Yaga believes this image keeps many of the unwanted away. Even writers who spoke of her evil side also would speak of her giving side. She does not associate with men at all and believes they distorted her image out of fear. Baba Yaga is a woman's Goddess and associates herself not only with the Crone, but also with the Amazon. She is considered a wise old woman, even by those who fear her.

Witch

Correspondences:

By Hrana Janto

http://www.hranajanto.com/goddessgallery/

Astrological Sign: Scorpio

Colorus: White, red, and black

Gemstones: Garnet, bloodstone, tourmaline, smoky quartz

Goddesses: Hecate, Hel, Kali

Goddess Aspect: Crone

Festival Date: January 20

Herbs/Flowers: patchouli, sandalwood, geranium

Moon Phase: Waning/Dark

Other Names: Baba, Boba, Baba Den, Jezi Baba

Sacred Animals: snake, cat

Season: Autumn

Symbols: mortar and pestle, broom

Tree: birch

Spells

Baba Yaga is a Crone Goddess so it is best to invoke her for banishing rituals. It is easy to include her in your spells and rituals. Place a mortar and pestle on your altar to represent her. Burn white, red, and black candles if you do not own a mortar and pestle or just for some extra Baba Yaga power. Baba Yaga recognises that it is difficult to banish unwanted traits/behaviours and suggests spinning in a circle with your arms out until you are dizzy before any banishing spell. If you are unable to physically spin then spin in a meditation. As you spin, name the traits you wish to let go of. This exercise will help minimise the defences we use to hold onto negative behaviour. But remember if you can not do this safely in your physical space, then do it in a meditation.

She is also a wonderful Goddess to use during empowerment spells. During the full moon wear her colours and chant this affirmation, "I am a witch. I have the power to change the things I do not like in my life. I find out what I want and need and I give it to myself. I no longer hide my beliefs and talents to protect others. I speak up. I enjoy every witch way I am." (1) Feel free to change it to suit your purposes.

Meditation

The purpose is to meet Baba Yaga so you my get to know the true Goddess. This meditation is best done during the dark moon. It is a solitary mediation best done alone. Cast a circle if you like or just get comfortable in you favourite meditation position. Make sure the room is dark and you will not be disturbed. Now let us begin.You have entered a thick forest, but some how you know your way. You reach an opening in the trees. There before you is the home of the Goddess Baba Yaga. The fence is made of bones topped with human skulls. The house dances on chicken legs. It is a fearsome sight, yet you know there is nothing to fear. You reach the gate and ring the bell for her. In a harsh voice she asks what you want. With a pure heart you tell her why you wished to meet her. She flies out of her house in her mortar to greet you. How are you feeling? What are your impressions? Baba Yaga approaches and asks you to come with her for a ride. Do you hesitate? Go with her. Fly through the air in the mortar with Baba Yaga. Take note to where she takes you and what she tells you. Enjoy the feeling of flying! Baba Yaga will know when it is time to come back. When you return to her home, thank her and give her a gift. Does she give you a gift? If so, what is it? You know your way back through the woods. Now you know the way and can visit Baba Yaga when needed.

http://www.sacredsource.com

Healer

When I rode with Baba Yaga in her mortar the first time she ground me up into little pieces with her pestle. She then sprinkled the waters of life on me and I was back to myself. I felt refreshed, as if the unneeded traits were ground away. Baba Yaga came to me as a healer. She taught me all healers must be intimately familiar with the cycles of life and death. She remains guardian of both the underworld and the fountain of the waters of life. She rides in a mortar with a pestle, this is a tool of an herbal healer. Her colours are white for purity and red for life force, not just black for endings. To any healer, I highly recommend becoming intimately acquainted with a Death Crone.

http://www.lunaea.com/goddess/power/babayaga.html

References

1.Blair, Nancy Goddesses for Every Season. Element Books, Rockport, 1995.

2.Conway, D. J. Maiden, Mother, Crone: The Myth and Reality of the Triple Goddess. Llewellyn Publications, St. Paul, 1999.

3.Conway, D. J. Moon Magick: Myth & Magic, Crafts & Recipes, Rituals & Spells. Llewellyn Publications, St. Paul, 2000.

4.Monaghan, Patricia. The New Book of Goddesses & Heroines. Llewellyn Publications, St. Paul, 2000.

5.Marashinsky, Amy Sophia. Illustrated by Hrana Janto. The Goddess Oracle: A Way to Wholeness Through the Goddess and Ritual. Harper Collins, UK, 1997.

6.Telesco, Patricia. 365 Goddess: A Daily Guide to the Magic and Inspiration of the Goddess. HarperSanFrancisco, 1998.

Link no longer active

http://www.lunaea.com/goddess/power/babayaga.html

http://www.lunaea.com/goddess/power/babayaga.html

10.(link no longer active)

11.(link no longer active )

Thank you Baba Yaga for making yourself known in my life!

http://www.orderwhitemoon.org/goddess/babayaga/BabaYaga.html

[khajiit-reads]

hi i’m really interested in the The Beltane Maypole Strings. can i have a reading on that please? thank you very much

Well met, internet traveler!

I'll list each deck as I get to them!

SOTW BELTANE (Tavish, he/they) -- Self Worship

Alrighty, so. Self-Worship is pretty self-explanatory, it's the card of revering oneself and abiding by oneself. You deserve good, kind things, and you should grace yourself with them during this time. Beltane is spring, and spring is life, spring is peace and prosperity.

HERBAL ASTROLOGY (Bonamie, she/qe) -- Reversed Cat's Claw

This card speaks of wounding, loneliness, shame, regret, rejection... Have these things been a part of your life lately? Have you found that you're hurting more often? The card above implies that it's time to begin healing from these things and begin moving forward.

PRISM (Iris, they/xhe) -- Fear

Fear is also a self-explanatory card. It depicts a dark doorway, though this deck isn't a very big on the art one... But what is beyond that dark doorway? Should it truly be feared, or is it just another room?

ORACLE OF PLUTO (Senka, she/he) -- Snake

This card is about a spiritual awakening, a healing. Something new may be coming to you religiously and spiritually as of late, that will pave the way for a new lesson to be learned that brings about healing and perhaps prosperity.

SEED AND SICKLE (Dragoslav, he) -- (Dawn) Lily of the Valley

Take advantage of the opportunities before you. Do not let them pass you by. They're available to you for a reason, and you should take advantage of them. Your reservations may exist to protect you, but they needn't control you.

BOTANICAL INSPIRATIONS (Adonis, he/she/they) -- Amaryllis

* Seeing this beautiful flower fills you with determination... [ cough cough ] Sorry.

This card is the determination card as well as the creative achievement card. It's time to put some focus into a creative endeavor and focus on it hard. Don't give up on it. We're all creative creatures, and being creative is in our lifeblood. So lean into it, let it happen, let it occur.

TREE KEEPERS (Aesc, they/xe) -- Keeper of Wonder

Have you lost sight of that which is wondrous and beautiful lately? Well, now it's time to return to it. The world is so much better than it seems. With everything the way it is, it makes sense to be dreary... but if you engage with your local life, it may prove to be so much kinder and wondrous than you think.

MAGICKAL BOTANICAL (Bellamy, they/she/he) -- Upright Yew

This card is a call to become one with the universe, essentially. To listen to ancestors, the Earth, ones soul. They each have answers upon us to deliver, that may bring peace.

ENCHANTED BLOSSOMS (Caoimhe, xhe) -- Grace

This card asks one to be graceful. To see the world as a beautiful thing and to move through it beautifully. This isn't talking about a physical appearance beautiful, but rather acting beautifully. Be kind to another, be kind to yourself.

WILD MYSTIC (Chrysanthemum, they/xy) -- Upright Frog

Frog is the healing card. The message is quite simple when upright, to begin healing and to permit healing. It's time to take some steps to actually let yourself heal, instead of waiting for time to just heal the wounds all on its own.

URBAN CROW (Hartwin, they) -- Grief

[ sigh ] What a sad card. This card points out where you've been sad and defeated as of late. Give yourself some grace. Tend to these hurt feelings, and let yourself heal in them.

EARTH & BONE (Gwydion, he/they) -- Visionary

You are worth it. You are capable of it. You will be okay. Pull your head up, and pursue the passions that make you you.

MUSHROOM SPIRIT (Amara, it/xe) -- Common Puffball

It's time to let go of that which ails you. Not everything is meant to stay in your life forever, so it's time to let go. Know what doesn't serve you and release your grip.

GREEN WITCH (Chocolate, she/they) -- Watermelon

Fertility isn't always about the "get pregnant, give birth" kind. It's sometimes the fertility of tending to a relationship, the fertility of growing plants, the fertility of life as it provides for us. So spend some time providing for the Earth around you and tend to your relationships.

HANAFUDA (Eiyuu, he/they) -- August, Second Mountain

This card speaks of carefulness and subtle elegance. Don't rush into anything now. It's time to wait and be patient. Don't make any decisions rashly.

UNDER THE OAK (Oscar, they/xe) -- Upright V of Pentacles

This is the financial struggles card... it may be pointing at a difficulty either existing now or that will exist soon. It also is a general adversity card, which a lot of this reading seems to be pointing at healing from something that has wounded you...

IN GENERAL . . .

Not much to add, this is very much a "each card has its own piece to say" kind of reading. But it's definitely pointing at a lot of need for healing, reconnecting, but also letting go of that which hurts you.

Thank you so much for your patience with me performing this reading.

Reviews are helpful, but optional. You can send them in replies, my ask box, or reblogging this post. Feel free to reblog this post with your thoughts in general, or without a review! You can also reblog my guidelines post if you like. If you feel particularly satisfied with my work, you may leave a tip in my Ko-fi.

Please do not reblog this post if you are not the querent. If you want something to reblog, please reblog my guidelines post. If there’s something within the post you want, you may ask, and depending on the request, I might fulfill it! Thank you!

I hope you, and all readers, have a wonderful day!

[theblessedbee]

✨Displaying Elements On Your Altar✨

🍁 Good Day, Witches! 🍂

Today I would like to talk about some ideas related to displaying the elements on your altar. It's almost time for the heat of the summer, so let's give your altar an energetic and visual lift shall we? 🦉

As practitioners of magick, we must recognize the importance of having the elements present, because magick is essentially working with the elements. It is essential that we have the element which we want to work with present, or preferably the main 4 earth elements in order to achieve what we want.

I came up with some things you can use to 🌲spruce🌲 up your sacred space and infuse it with the energy of all the elements. This helps your magick be more balanced because you will have the elements present. We work with these energies along with our own to produce desired results.

First off, let's discuss the elements we may like to include and what items are associated with them...

The main elements worked with in witchcraft but aren't limited to;

🌬 S P I R I T 💫

•Direction: Center

•Materials: Light Sources, bones and teeth

•Provides: Transformation, Oneness

•Beings: Snakes, Spiders, Spirits

•Crystals: Celestite, Amethyst

•Tool: Drum, Cauldron, Crystal Ball

🍃E A R T H🌾

•Direction: North

•Colour: Brown, Black, Green

•Materials: Dirt, Leaves, Wood, Rocks

•Provides: Wealth, Grounding

•Beings: Ox, Centaur, Faerie

•Crystals: Fossil Leaves, Emerald

•Tool: Pentacle, Rock, Hammer

💨 A I R ☁️

•Direction: East

•Materials: Feathers, Bells, Flutes

•Provides: New Starts, New Ideas

•Beings: Gryphon, Pegasus, Eagle

•Crystals: Fluorite, Pumice

•Tools: Wand, Broom, Athame

🔥 F I R E 🔥

•Direction: South

•Colour: Red, Gold, Orange

•Materials: Flames and Sparks

•Provides: Unity, Loyalty

•Beings: Dragon, Salamander, Lion

•Crystals: Carnelian, Ruby

•Tools: Sword, Candle, Staff

🌊W A T E R 💦

•Direction: West

•Colour: Turquoise, Sea Green, Azure

•Materials: Shells, Ocean/Lake Water

•Provides: Experience, Enjoyment

•Beings: Fish, Merfolk, Dolphin

•Crystals: Aquamarine, Pearl

•Tools: Chalice, Bowl, Sickle

Alchemists may include Elemental states;

🌨C O L D ❄️

•Direction: North East

•Colour: Snow White, Cyan, Silver

•Materials: Snow, Frost, Ice

•Provides: Rest, Bravery

•Beings: Polar Bear, Artic Fox, Hare

•Crystals: Snow Quartz, Rose Quartz

•Tools: Freezer, Ice pick, Arrow

☀️D R Y N E S S 🦂

•Direction: South East

•Colour: Yellow, Beige, Brown

•Materials: Sand, Limestone

•Provides: Desired Results, Safety

•Beings: Sphinx, Scorpion, Fox

•Crystals: Cobalt, Citrine

•Tools: Scourge, Looking glass, Ankh

🌧M O I S T U R E ☔️

•Direction: North West

•Colour: Grey, Olive Green, Navy

•Materials: Rainwater, Condensation

•Provides: Reflection, Stability

•Beings: Toad, Otter, Snail

•Crystals: Lapis Lazuli, Sodalite

•Tools: Sponge, Damp Cloth, Pipette

💥 H E A T 🔥

•Direction: South West

•Colour: Burgundy, Orange, Gold

•Materials: Electricity, Ashes, Coals

•Provides: Evolution, Change

•Beings: Phoenix, Tiger, Coyote

•Crystals: Garnet, Tigers Eye

•Tools: Lamp, Censer, Thurible

as well as the other 5 elements mentioned above.

✨Here are some different modes in which you can display the elements✨;

🔮✨Magick Tools✨🔮

You can try using your magick tools to represent elements as well. For example, I use a genie lamp to represent fire, a chalice for water, a bell and a feather for air and my lucky charms such as my acorn and oak spoon to represent earth. Try to figure out what elements the tool itself comes in contact with, this may help you determine where it goes and what it represents.

🎨✨Displaying Colors ✨🎨

Use colours to your advantage when setting up or working with your altar. Ribbons, dishes, candleholders, jars, scarves and cloths are perfect to use as representation of the elements through colour correspondence.

💎✨Crystals and Rocks✨💎

You can have crystals organized by their elements or use a crystal to represent it. You can do this by figuring out the elemental correspondences of your crystals. The internet is very helpful for this! It helps you easily find all your correspondences in a simple search.

🌿✨Herbs and Spices✨🌿

Sprinkle herbs and spices on your altar that pertain to each element. You can even use these to dress your candles with! For example hibiscus and cinnamon correspond with the element of fire.

🕯✨Coloured Candles✨🕯

Using coloured candles is of course another fantastic way of easily displaying the elements, as they can easily be assigned a colour. I.e. Red for Fire, Green for Earth, Blue for Water, Yellow for Air ect.

You may also dress the candles with specific oils that correspond to the desired element.

💐✨Various Objects & Nature Elements✨💐

You can use a variety of items found in nature such as leaves, pinecones or even plants to use as representations on your altar. Different plants actually correspond to different things, so get creative in this process by discovering the magickal correspondences of trees and plants.

⚗✨Tarot, Oracle & Alchemy Cards✨⚗

Use a card from one of your decks that symbolize an element. Can be from any type of card deck as long as it has the appropriate symbolism or meaning to represent your element.

🔭✨Zodiac and Astrological Signs✨🔭

You can display zodiac signs, symbols and even planets or planetary signs to represent an element! You can even create drawings or other visual representations of these to use. You don't always have to go out and buy all of this stuff.

🐝✨Animal and Spirit Totems✨🐝

Each animal has its own elemental correspondence, so feel free to use this to your advantage! Use images, statues, sculptures, jewelry boxes of animals or spirits to be used on your altar. This includes but isn't limited to fae, merfolk or any other entities.

🌬✨Dieties and Mythical Creatures✨🌬

Statues or representations of Dieties can also represent elements as well. some people may not like the idea, but it's all up to you and what you make of your craft. I keep a Bastet statue on my altar, which I associate with Egypt and Dryness.

💍✨Amulets and Talismans✨💍

Do you have any amulets or talismans that have been enchanted with a certain element? You can certainly display or work with these as its element on your altar! I keep a talisman for each element on my altar.

I hope you found this post helpful in some way!

✨🌾Thanks so much for reading, Blessed be! 🐝💫

[read-write]

The god of fire does. As a sort of compromise they pick a mortal warrior rather than combust the villain. Not any mere mortal, but the strongest, most skilled, and loyal warrior in the entire kingdom. Strength to not always rely on their gift, skill to learn to wield it, and loyalty to never turn it against the people. Upon them they placed the blessing of fire. Protection from fire, smoke, and heat, the control of fire, being able to start them and put them out, to move them and sustain them.

As expected, marked by the fire god and heeding the oracle sent directly to the temples, the warrior is realized and pointed at the villain. The warrior rises to every challenge, hones their edge, strikes true, and suceeds.

"There, brother!" The god of fire crows, "My chosen one has slain the villain! And in half the time your farmhand would have."

"Indeed they have. And yet, what of the devastation?"

The god of fire studied the world and saw the marks their chosen one left. Burnt stone and fields, charred bone. Even now the most strong, skilled, and loyal fire warrior goes where their king directs, burns as ordered. An oracle sent to the temple is unheeded as the king silences the priests, the warrior isolated and turned into a tool for conquest.

The god of fire gets to watch their mistake in action, unable to take back their gift freely given.

"What does your warrior have in life but to fight? How can they use your fire but to destroy?" The god of air says softly. Their temples are in turmoil. The warrior was marked by a god, how can they be wrong, the kingdom says, as they strike at the temples. The god of fire can feel their brothers scrambling to mitigate the damage, the gods of earth and water acting to help.

"And what would your farmhand do with my fire?" The god of fire grumbles, guiding some of their novices out of the way of the king's butchers.

Laughing softly, the god of air swirled. "Likely, burnt the roughage in their fields to enrich the earth. Warm their home in the winter and cook their food! Maybe even take up an apprenticeship as a smith to build things with fire."

More seriously now, they continue. "All your warrior knows is war and combat. My farmhand knows of growing things, the value of crop, livestock, tools, and buildings. The harshness of having to live without these things should they be lost. It would curb the destruction in them, balance it out. Even then, picking this farmhand I had intended for them to grow into power knowing what being weak is like and to always weigh the orders of authority having known the hand of a harsh master."

"I will agree that my idea to gift this warrior was... flawed. How then can you argue against directly smiting the warrior myself?"

"Because humans won't learn that way. We did not create them to rely upon us, we built them to grow, create, learn. In the doing, they do suffer, but that is the consequence of free will. If you can make your own choice you can choose poorly. It is not all of your fault that the one you picked has gone on to abuse your gift. They could have surprised me and denied the king, given their loyalty to the people rather than authority." The god of air blows a ship off course. "It is a poor explanation, but they need to learn to be better themselves or they never will be."

"Will you mark this farmhand with your blessing to correct my mistake?"

"I think you should. So the world can see that fire can protect and create rather than just hurt and destroy. Besides... don't you want to see what the farmhand will do?"

“Brother” cried the god of fire, “Instead of picking a dumb farm hand to be the chosen one, why don’t you just smite the villain yourself or bless an actual warrior?” The god of air replied: “There’s a reason why it must be a farm hand. But fine, see what happens when we do it your way”

[butterbreadnbasil]

Types of Witches

Types of witches:

I know there are a lot of these kinds of posts, but nearly every post like this I see has lots of different types from the other, so I wanted to incorporate them all together! Each post will be credited at the bottom ^.^

In witchcraft, just like in other things, the changing times have shaped the way we practice. Naturally, more types of witches would also pop up to fit the modern times! 

Here are some of the more newer, modern types:

Eclectic Witch: This one is included in the modern category because an eclectic witch doesn’t just specialize in one kind of magick; they practice multiple kinds (usually 3 or more). An eclectic witch will practice many of the things that will be in these lists. Usually their practices are very personalized and fitted to meet their perception of magick and what they want to practice.

Urban Witch: Normally, witches who practice in urban areas/city areas can be urban witches, although some say that urban witchcraft is “Witchcraft used in conjunction with modern items, within one’s own home or on the go.” Urban witches usually incorporate the city around them in their practices and feel comfortable in urban areas.

Tech Witch: An extremely modern witch who practices a lot of magick through technology and electronics. They usually have an online grimoire. This type of witch is not commonly found on its own, but is usually a part of an eclectic witch’s practice.

Practical Witch: This is a kind of witch who incorporates their magick into many daily tasks and their daily life. Again, this kind of witch isn’t usually found on its own, but is commonly a part of eclectic witch practices. Practicality is also a theme found in other witch types, such as the kitchen witch, and can be considered a subcategory of kitchen witchcraft.

Here are some of the more common types of witches:

Eclectic Witch: Mentioned above, this kind of witchcraft is both modern and very common!

Cosmic Witch/Space Witch/Astro Witch: This type of witchcraft is closely connected to the cosmics, astrology, planets, stars, etc. Witches who practice this are closely connected to space.

Hedge Witch: This witch is very connected to spirits, spirit work, astral work, and herbology. They are skilled with magickal creatures. Their practice can include a lot of medicine and spirit work.

Sea Witch: A witch who’s practice is closely connected to the sea and water in general. Many sea witches live by the sea; but it’s not necessary! Sea witches can connect to the ocean/water through baths, showers, and through videos/audio of the ocean. A lot of their craft incorporates water, sand, shells, sea glass, sea creatures, etc.

Kitchen Witch: (This is one of my personal favorites). Like stated earlier, kitchen witches incorporate magick into their everyday life. They work with a lot of cooking, baking, herbs, potions, and the tools commonly found in the kitchen. This is a very “practical” kind of witchcraft  and can also work well with science witchcraft.

Fairie Witch/Fairy Witch/Faery Witch/Fey Witch/Fae Witch: These type of witches work closely with the Fae and nature spirits. They often leave offerings for them and work with them during spells and rituals.

Elemental Witch: Witches that work with the elements (fire, water, wind/air, earth, and spirit). It is common for them to have alters for the elements. There can also be witches dedicated to certain elements, such as the fire witch, who works with candle magick, bonfires, and other fire related practices; the water witch who work closely with water (and can often be considered a part of sea witchcraft); the wind/air witch, who work with the energy in the wind and the elements in the air and commonly have a wand; the earth witch, who are usually well grounded, work with soil, crystals, and nature; and the spirit witch.

Spirit Witch/Spirit Worker: Some consider spirit workers and spirit witchcraft to be a part of hedge witchcraft, but it can also be on its own. Spirit witches work closely with spirits and include them in rituals and spells. They do not only work with the spirits that most people know of as “ghosts,” they can also work with the spirits of nature, animals, or spirits in the astral realm. They usually work with pendulums.

Green Witch: These witches are closely connected to the earth and to nature. They grow plants, work with herbs, collect stones, and are very familiar with the local plant life and wildlife. They sometimes work with nature spirits.

Divination Witch/Oracle: Witches who mainly use tarot, pendulums, runes, palm reading, Ouija, scrying, and any other forms of divination

Not as common but still equally as important types of witches:

Art Witch/Artistic Witch/Artist Witch: A witch who incorporates magick into their art/drawing/painting/sculpting, or vice versa. They’re usually very skilled at crafts, and can be connected with color witches, who work with color correspondences.

Cottage Witch: Closely related to the kitchen witch and the practical witch, but focus more on the home as a whole.

Draconic Witch: Considered to be a “powerful” kind of craft. These witches work with dragons, and usually do so through spirit work or through the astral plane. They incorporate dragons into their rituals and spells. They also work with draconic magic.

Science Witch: (Another personal favorite of mine). Both the typical witchcraft and known scientific facts are mixed together in this kind of craft. The elements (as in the periodic table) are commonly used, and certain herbs and foods are used for their known effects. This can go along with practical witchcraft, and kitchen witchcraft. Color magick can also be used to evoke the certain emotions that go along with certain colors.

Sigil Witch: While sigils themselves are very common, this is not commonly used to label witches and usually is a part of an eclectic witch’s practice or a practice in all witches.

Music Witch/Melodic Witch: Witches who incorporate music into the craft and find magic within music. They commonly enchant musical instruments, use music in rituals, or work with magickal creatures/deities who are related to music. They can also create songs which also serve as spells.

Storm Witch: This type of magick focuses on storms and weather in general. They use a lot of storm or rain water in their craft, use wind chimes, or call on storms to come. They enjoy cloudy weather. They practice manipulating wind, and use the power of storms in their craft.

Tea Witch: A witch who uses a lot of tea in their craft. This term is not commonly used on its own, and is usually a part of kitchen witches or witches in general. These witches use different teas for different results, and can be treated like a potion. They also may read tea leaves.

Garden Witch: This kind of witch is usually considered to be part of green witchcraft. They work closely to gardens and plants, and view their garden as a home. They sometimes work with the Fae in their garden.

Stitching Witch/Sewing Witch: This kind of witch incorporates magick into what they sew, stitch, knit, etc and vice versa. They often use different kinds of knots in their magic. They also use the correspondences in different types of fabric and color magic in their craft. This kind of witchcraft is usually considered to be a part of cottage witchcraft or kitchen witchcraft.

Desert Witch/Witch of the Waste: Witches who work with cacti, heat, sand, and desert spirits and animals. They’re commonly found near the desert, but they can live elsewhere as well.

Animal Witch: This kind of witch works well with all animals, and sometimes animal spirits. Animals usually bond well to them and they commonly have a familiar. They may use bone, feathers, etc in their magick. This is usually considered part of green witchcraft.

Color Witch: These witches use color correspondences in their magick.

Other kinds of craft and religions commonly used in witchcraft:

Baby Witch/New Witch: This one is self explanatory; these are witches who have just started practicing.

Traditional Witch: Witches who practice traditional witchcraft. They usually stay away from modern witchcraft.

Subtle Witch/Closeted Witch/Secret Witch/Hidden Witch: Witches who keep their practice hidden for personal reasons or family reasons.

Solitary Witch: Witches who practice magick alone without a coven.

Secular Witch: Witches who do not have a religion and usually do not worship a deity.

Atheist Witch: Witches who do not have a religion and do not worship a deity/believe in any deities. Usually secular witches are atheist witches and vice versa.

Hereditary Witch: A witch who is a witch because it runs in their blood/in their family. Usually their craft is passed down.

Christian Witch: Witches who are Christian and commonly use witchcraft to honor the Christian God.

Hellenic Witch: A witch who studies and follows Greek cultures and Greek gods.

Wiccan Witch: These are Wiccan witches who use rituals and invoke the power of the goddess for their craft. Some believe in the rule of three, wiccan rede, the triple goddess, and so on. 

Remember, you don’t have to label yourself as any of these if you don’t want to! It’s up to you! I didn’t include a few of these because I personally do not like the terms (E.g. Black/Dark Witchcraft) and a few others I just didn’t include because I didn’t find it necessary – but if you would like to label yourself as them, feel free! The links to all the sources are right below.

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[alchemyandashes]

The spirits chose MOON, MINERA, and STRANGE from The Madame’s Bone Oracle this morning. Things sure are STRANGE these days, and this Full MOON has exacerbated that feeling by illuminating old shadows that need some resolution. MINERA is Latin for “mine” (an excavation in the earth) or “minerals”. Today’s message uses the “mine” definition - to go underground in search of treasures. The treasure we’re mining for today is truth. We need to dig into the layers of memories and past experiences, unearth the gems found in the lessons that those experiences taught us, and excavate what doesn’t serve us going forward, clearing the way for STRANGE (unknown) new experiences and lessons. We are navigating STRANGE seas these days, and many of us are looking for an anchor to toss over the side of the ship for relief. So let’s utilize some MINERA, in the mineral sense, to aid us in our self-care. If all of the constant changes and chaos is making your feel out of sorts, try some grounding crystals, like Black Tourmaline (my favorite), Onyx, Obsidian, Hematite, Smoky Quartz, or Red Jasper. Once you’re feeling grounded and centered, consider honing some of the outer chaotic energy into something useful to you. If you feel like you need to feel connected spiritually and get an intuitive boost to get back on course, try MOONstone - a literal combo of MOON and MINERA! MOONstone (another of my favorites) is the perfect tool of intuitiveness, aligning our third eye and crown chakras to open those intuitive channels, connecting us to Universal wisdom, and instilling a soothing and calming energy with its connection to the Water element. Change (STRANGE) can be scary, but it doesn’t need to be. The Full MOON phase is the perfect time to strengthen that intuitive muscle and search out the benefits that the STRANGE has to offer. #TheMadamesBoneOracle #boneoracle #bonereader #psychic #divination #Witchcraft #Witch #Witchery #Witches #Witchy #WitchesofInstagram #Wicca #WitchyWoman #WitchyWays #PagansofInstagram #Pagan #Occult #Metaphysical #Magick #Mystical #Witchmade #WitchOwned (at Alchemy & Ashes) https://www.instagram.com/p/B_7eCIvH2NE/?igshid=in4ndfka1hu