#sacredwood

[truffeart]

Chillin’ in the woods <3

[ashbournerp]

THE PROTECTOR

The Duchess of The Sacred Wood

Name: Bineta Mbaye Age: 30 Pronouns: She/Her Occupation: Duchess Dukedom: Sacred Wood FC: Anna Biop Status: Penned by Lian

About

You have polished your anger like a knife, and you wait in your Sacred Wood until the time is right. An independent thinker and a fierce protector, you watch as the Kingdom lavishes in their power with disgust. The nature of posturing and politics bores you. The Sacred Wood has waged and won many battles, and will stand long after the rest have perished. The loyalty of your people is without question, and you would protect them above all else. Ashbourne unity be damned.

Occupation

Unlike many of their counterparts, the Duchy of the Sacred Woods defines themselves as protector of the Woods first and foremost. The majority of their attention is focused on the Sacred Wood's well-being and individual economy, though the changing landscape has forced them to extend trade and consider alliances with their fellow Dukedoms.

Biography

Her name was entirely a coincidence. Just Ruler. Though given her mother’s love for anything poetic, Bineta was told that her mother’s denials were rather half-hearted. Not to mention the secret smile she had on her lips while she held her first born child in her arms on that rainy day. But then it always rained where they lived. Bineta loved the rain though. Truly, she loved everything there was about her home. The trees, the plants, the animals, the mythical creatures. From an early age she would accompany her father, who was a rather hands-on ruler himself, and see with her own eyes how their dukedom ran. With the addition of four younger siblings, it was quite the gaggle of Royal Children that roamed around the Sacred Woods with their father. Life was simple for young Bineta. The Woods was their home. And they would protect it, always.

Given the location of their homes, built in the branches and in trees, accidents were prone to happen. And one rainy day, while on his way to attend a meeting, her father somehow slipped and fell. The fall was not a small one, and given the intensity of the rain, it took hours before they could find him, but by then it was too late to tend to him. Her mother’s health seemed to spiral afterwards. She sank into a despair from which she never recovered. From that day on, she never spoke a word, and barely ate and slept. A few days after her husband’s funeral, she vanished, never to be heard of again. Loosing both parents came as a big shock to Bineta and her siblings. As well as the entire dukedom. Since she was of age, and next in line, Bineta took charge as best as she could. She remembered all that her father had taught her. She appointed her siblings to various posts and positions. All they had was one another now, and Bineta trusted them more then anyone else in the entire Kingdom.

With the death of one parent, and the disappearance of the other, a fierceness awoke within her. One that fanned the flames burning within her for years. Her people were always treated with some sort of disdain and contempt by the rest of the Kingdom. As a young girl she had been aware of such matters, but her father had shielded her from the worst. Once she took charge of the dukedom all the ugly truths came to light. And Bineta was furious. They were looked down upon just because they were the only humans to still live in something akin to harmony with creatures that were beyond anyone’s understanding, and because her people preferred to live in trees. It didn’t matter that the people of the Sacred Woods brewed and produced medicines for the entire Kingdom. An art form that took years to perfect. Neither did it matter that people came from near and far seeking a physician from the Woods to cure some sort of ailment that they had. To the rest of the Kingdom they were the closest to what could be labeled as barbarians. A word that made Bineta’s blood boil with a rage that knew no end.  The other dukedoms were wrapped up in their own games of politics and power. Bineta would hang before she allowed her people to be tangled up in those schemes. She would protect her home, her people and, most of all, her family. Even if it would mean her death. For the Woods she would do anything. 

Personality

+ Persevere: Bineta never shied away from a challenge or a problem. Once while playing a game against her cousins, she and her siblings were dead last when it came to the score. Her siblings were ready to give up but not Bineta. She pushed her siblings into playing until the final second. And a good thing too, for it was a sort of test set by their father to teach them a little lesson. The lesson was lost to her younger siblings but not to her. Her father praised took her aside and praised her for taking action despite there being next to no hope for them.

+ Compassionate: Since she is the oldest of five children, Bineta learned to take charge early on when it came to her siblings. But with taking charge she had to learn to be soft as well. Particularly with the two youngest siblings who would always remain rather soft spoken and gentle. With so many creatures coexisting with them, Bineta learned to show kindness to all of them. She believes in treating people how she would want to be treated. Unless the other had done some kind of harm to another, then they would have to face her wrath. Kindness may not be something she was born with, but she learned to that particular trait and has stuck to it ever since.

- Blunt: When it comes to speaking her mind, Bineta has never been one to hold back. It has served to get her into more then a few skirmishes growing up. Be it a minor inquiry about the color of a dress, or her opinion of the Kingdom and its politics, Bineta’s response has always been direct and to the point. She does not believe in hiding the truth. In her opinion, nothing good ever comes out of doing so. Better to be honest and truthful. Even if it means hurting one’s feelings, or making dangerous enemies.

- Obstinate: If one wishes to change her mind, they must have a good and solid reason to pursue such a course, for changing her opinion about something or someone is next to impossible. When she makes up her mind, Bineta sticks to it. An unbending mind, as one would say. She does take into account all and every factor before making up her mind, but once she does its next to impossible to change it.

[gardenshamaneu]

Palo Santo (Bursera graveolens) day 8 after sowing ❤️😊🌈 Only a few seeds left in our shop! Keep it growing #burseragraveolensplants #burseragraveolensseeds #burseragraveolens #bursera #burseraceae #burseracopallifera #commiphora #boswellia #beiselia #boswelliasacra #sacredwood #palosantosticks #rareseeds #rareplants #gardenshamaneu #gardenshaman #gardenshaman.eu https://www.instagram.com/p/CMC_pblMviz/?igshid=red2si6rmzff

[herboristecueilleuse]

Être la Nature comme un cerf, une pâquerette, le vent, un rameau, un oiseau... Se laisser respirer par elle 🌺 #humanityhealing #heartmedicine #treemedicine #peace #medicinewoman #grandmother #sacredwood #totemmedicine #treespirit #inspiredlife https://www.instagram.com/p/B1ojkKaiUUY/?igshid=1x0jbpxgmjyxu

[meltingheartboutique]

I carry the most amazingly aromatic Palo Santo There is. Palo Santo is used by Shamans#ic traditions to attract positivity, and to enhance your meditation experience as it increases your ability to concentrate. This powerful aroma transports you to its origins. This product is harvested from trees that naturally fall to the ground and is a completely vegan & sustainable product. If you have not tried my palo Santo, you have no idea how powerful and aromatic Palo Santo can be when the oil has not been extracted. #PaloSanto #shamanictradition #thebestpalosanto #holywood #sacredwood https://www.instagram.com/p/Bxs8ZLHFVu3/?igshid=pdvz2v7kzt00

[theinquisitivevirgo]

Palo Santo is a mystical tree that grows on the coast of South America and is related to Frankincense, Myrrh and Copal.  In Spanish, the name literally means “Holy Wood”.  It is part of the citrus family and has sweet notes of pine, mint and lemon. Room spray can be used as an alternative to burning sage for grounding and clearing. Great as an air freshener, yoga mat sanitizer and room fragrance. Can also be sprayed before meditation session to help with clearing the energy of the room. *palo santo stick not included Enjoy this 2oz room spray on the go perfect size to throw in your bag to take with you anywhere!

[befairbefunky]

🔥💕 PALO SANTO 💕🔥 New Batch Holy Wood #PaloSanto in the Houzzz! 🔥💕 And more #SmudgingGear for Your #DaillyPractice #ProtectYourMagic #Rituals to Purify, Bless and Sanctify the Self and the Home Sacred home Sanctuary 💕🔥Good Vibes Only! ~ ~ #Smudge #Shamanism #EnergeticHealing #GoodVibes #CleanseRitua #GoSmudgel #SacredWood ~ ~ 🔥💕 #MilagrosMundo Your #Local #Wanderlust #Hippy #Bohemian #Lifestyle #Giftstore with #Colorful Funky Treasury from all around the World 💕🔥 #Amsterdam #Shopping #DeBaarsjes #AmsterdamWest #020WEST #Netherlands 🔥💕 #HIPPIES AND #UNICORNS ALWAYS WELCOME ALL ALWAYS! (bij Milagros Mundo "Funky Fairtrade - Hippy Chic") https://www.instagram.com/p/BtYkSFZnwxC/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1ll4mldzo4sow

[demifuckingwendt]

Every. Part. Of this photo. Is me. . Stole from @smokingsanctuary . . #nameste #candles #sage #sacred #sacredwood #bong #bongbabes #kombucha #sushi #blowpops #bongbeauties #dream #manifest #crystals #stones #healingstomes #meditate #hippie #hippies #hippy #boho #bohovibes #vibes #happiness #childoftheuniverse #moonchild #spiritual #spiritualgangster #spirituality #yogaeverydamnday #cannabiscommunity #innerpeace #peacewithin #ghosts #metime #yoga https://www.instagram.com/p/Bpaxzy4hJgV/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1bv58folg6yy6

[euphoricnaturals]

  Lovers Beltane Bouquet @ Rosethorn Manor

s the stark harshness of winter gives way to the gentle unfurling of spring our minds and activities turn toward spending time out of doors.  Spring and Fall are two seasons I love in equal measure due to all of the changes big and small that can be both seen and felt.  It is a time when the explosion of green buds, grasses and plant life in every direction hails the quickening of the earths energy towards growth, attraction and communion.

The energy of Beltane is abundant in activity, with birds singing, bees drunkenly overwhelmed in pollen and bunnies mad with the chase, while shyer plants and animals take their time.  The sun and warm moisture have returned along with a bit of food~browse and nectar aplenty for the animals, whilst we are busy harvesting fall sown carrots, kale and salad greens.  During this season we’ve been busy planting seed flats full of herbs, vegetables and flowers. There is nothing more rewarding than heading out to the greenhouse to take in the smell of damp soil and checking out all the little emerging seedlings-there is something new to appreciate every single day.

The returning light at Candlemas started slowly bringing our awareness from within, whereas the verdant lushness of Beltane slowly awakens our bodies and seduces our senses with the softness of new leaves and the intense sweetness of spring blossoms.  There is nothing like the fresh life-giving breath of spring to fill our lungs with the fragrant air and bathe our bodies in the brilliant greens surrounding us to heal and engage our heart chakras on a whole new level.   It is truly a season of growth and renewal as the burgeoning energy tangibly builds to a climactic burst of life.

During the Rites of Spring, we celebrate fecundity while also giving offerings to our ancestors, land spirits, fey and kin.  We decorate our altars to welcome the energy of the season and prepare for the coming celebration by creating our Beltane Bundles of sacred woods, baking bread, infusing May wine with Sweet Woodruff and preparing a feast of seasonal foods.

It is also traditional to collect the first dew of the Bel morning, considered sacred, it is believed to bring healing and physical beauty. I collect the dew in two different ways.  The night before I like to lay out a clean tea towel in a bowl on the grass.  When I collect the towel the next morning I will run my hands over the cool dew-soaked grass and pat my neck and face.  The towel will be rung out into a small vial so that I can add it to the sacred waters for our rite.  I also like to collect dew into a little egg cup off of the lady’s mantle leaves. I will use this on my skin or add to a spell working.

Two favorite feast recipes are the May Wine and Beehive Bread with rosehip honey butter.  Traditionally May Wine was used to celebrate the sabbat and call in the old gods being symbolic of the union of the God and Goddess.

It is best to plan ahead as this recipe takes about 24 hours to steep so that the herb imparts the essence of the woodruff.  My favorite wine to use for this recipe is a homemade apple wine we make in the fall.  If you do not have that tasty brew available then my next favorites would be a light Riesling or a Gewurztraminer.  You can use dried woodruff for a more vanilla-like flavor, however, I try to use the freshest and newest grown of all I can on my Bel altar.  While sweet woodruff is safe to use in small quantities such as in wine or altar cakes,  this is not something you are going to want to add to everything as it has been known to cause dizziness and vomiting in large quantities.  It also contains small amounts of coumarin and was used to thin the blood.

May Wine 1 bottle of apple or white wine (representative of the maiden goddess and everlasting life) 20 or so springs of Sweet Woodruff (Galium odoratum) leaves and blossoms (is said to bring about protection and enliven male sexuality) 1 Tb local honey (amazing immune booster and sacred to the Goddess, powerful spellbinding ingredient) 10 Strawberries (adds a maiden’s blush)

Add clean organic blossoms and leaves of Sweet Woodruff to a bottle of wine.  Let steep 24 hours.  Strain and decant in a bowl, add a few fresh Woodruff flowers and some sliced strawberries.

Bee Hive Bread 6 c flour 4 1/2 tsp or 2 pkts yeast 1 1/2 tsp salt 1 1/4 c warm water 1/2 c honey 1/2 c cold butter grated 2 large eggs

Mix warm water a bit of the honey and yeast, letting stand for 15 minutes or so.  Add beaten eggs, remaining honey and salt to water mixture.  Add flour and mix then cut in butter.  Knead until elastic and let rest until doubled in bulk. Preheat oven.  Push down and turn over a couple times in the bowl until a ball forms.  Cover large ovenproof glass bowl with a sheet of foil.  Make ropes and coil starting at the bottom and work your way to the top in the shape of a beehive.  Brush with egg white for a glossy crust. Bake @ 375 for 30 minutes. While bread is baking mix 1 c softened butter, 1/3 c honey and a few drops of vanilla together.  Butter is best when whipped with immersion or hand blender. When bread is done remove from oven and let cool before peeling away foil.  Serve with honey butter.

This Beltane season gives us much to be thankful for.  Regardless of what is taking place in the world at large-we have our faith, our beautiful practice, each other and another turn on the wheel.  From our Homestead Coven at Rosethornmanor to our pagan brethren wherever you are lighting your Balefires-we wish for you an abundance of opportunity and prosperity in these trying times.

Happy Bel and Blessed Be!

Beltane Traditions-How we celebrate s the stark harshness of winter gives way to the gentle unfurling of spring our minds and activities turn toward spending time out of doors. 

[lancastercreations]

Well hello #PaloSanto #LancasterCreations #Organic #Apothecary #GreenBeauty #SacredWood #Herbalist #HerbalMedicine #Smudge

[cosmic-prism]

〘Holographic Truth - Crystalline Cosmos 〙 A poem written by me, along with another crystal photo. ⋆ ⋆ ⋆ #artistsoninstagram #aesthetic #poem #poetsoninstagram #sacredwoods #skyelle #dubstep #artist #digitalart #digital #cosmos #colorful #cosmic #sky #stars #galaxy #crystals #beautiful #photographersoninstagram #newartist #new #photography #purple #universe #galaxy #photo #sacredgeometry #fantasy #alchemy https://www.instagram.com/p/BrqsRo9jM4z/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=7m831px6q08t

[ashbournerp]

TOP OF THE FOOD CHAIN

Head Hunter of the Sacred Wood

Name: UTP Age: 30-35 Pronouns: UTP Occupation: Head Hunter Dukedom: Sacred Wood FC: Regé-Jean Page, Michael B. Jordan, UTP Status: OPEN

About

It's not the thrill of the chase that makes you the best. It's a matter of pride. Your family's lineage is tied to the Sacred Wood and its unique culture, and hunting is a testament to that. You have trained under the best, and worked your way to the esteemed post as "Head Hunter" for the Sacred Wood. Cynical and wary of outsiders, the concept of aligning with your fellow Dukedoms peeves you. Still - you understand the game, and you would rather be predator than prey.

Occupation

Hunting is a vital cornerstone of the Sacred Wood's economy and culture. The Head Hunter leads the Sacred Wood's bravest and most talented hunters. They are tasked with protecting their tight-knit group as they descend from the above-ground community, and hunt the most fearsome of mythical beasts. A natural born leader and skilled fighter.

Connections

Bineta- Better known as your Betrothed. Your parents knew each other since before your births. Your father was the Head Hunter before you took up the mantle. You were promised to each other as children, which neither was happy about and during your adolescent years there were all sorts of pranks and tricks pulled on the other. You eventually grew out of it though, as each began to handle your own responsibilities. And as you’ve matured, so have your feelings for one another... (Please contact player HERE before applying)

[ariesfirekeeperwitch]

African Deities & Spirits: Abuk

********DISCLAIMER********** PLEASE DO YOUR RESEARCH AND DOUBLE CHECK EVERYTHING BEFORE ACTING ON IT. THIS IS ONLY MY RESEARCH AND NOTHING MORE. PLEASE ALSO CHECK AND MAKE SURE THESE DEITIES ARE NOT PART OF A CLOSED PRACTICE. 

***some of these are from my research and speculation***

Correspondences:

Element: Water

Power/ what she rules over: Fertility, Women, Gardens, Creation, water, Mother/Grandmother (Ancestral), success, abundance, safety, good health

Colors: Blue (water), Green (Fertility, gardens, nature, regrowth), Orange (Creativity)

Stones/Crystals: Golden Tiger’s Eye, African Ruby, Paraiba Tourmaline, Topaz, Carnelian, Cornetite.

Herbs, Plants, & Trees: Grains, Millet, sesame

Animals: Snake, Sheep

Symbols: Corn, Moon

Incense: Frankincense, Myrrh, Cedar

Offerings: Millet, Beer, Tobacco, fruits, vegetables, herbs.

References:

https://www.smashingmagazine.com/2010/01/color-theory-for-designers-part-1-the-meaning-of-color/

https://maisappho.wordpress.com/2013/07/28/abuk-primal-woman-of-the-dinka-of-sudan/

http://www.thewhitegoddess.co.uk/divinity_of_the_day/african/abuk.asp

https://paganessentials.wordpress.com/elemental-correspondences-meditations/

https://www.tapatalk.com/groups/sacredwood/lesson-12-spells-correspondences-for-the-solitary-t2702-s10.html

http://wiccan_beliefs.tripod.com/wiccanbeliefs/id18.html

https://sacredwicca.com/goddesses-gods

https://thesanctuaryoftheshadygrove.weebly.com/elements.html

https://www.charmsoflight.com/carnelian-healing-properties

http://kemetdevelopment.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Asante-and-Mazama-Encyclopedia-of-African-religion.pdf

https://www.howardfenstermanminerals.com/minerals/precious-gemstones-of-africa/

[sacredrebeloracle]

Cleansing #palosanto #sacredwood #banishing https://www.instagram.com/p/BqS6jx4Hk82/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1hp52e5p54yq

[herboristecueilleuse]

Voyage au cœur du bois sacré . . . . #boissacré #sacredwood #wood #glechomahederacea #nettles #forestry #woodspirits #soil #breathingdeep #chlorophylla #chlorophylle #immunesystemboost #immunity #oxygene #herbecelte #herboristeriesauvage #herboristeriesacrée #sacredforest #forestmedicine https://www.instagram.com/p/By2wSI9jqBu/?igshid=x4bd3c7p2iya

[meltingheartboutique]

Pretty much the best come incense around. What makes it so great? The fact that they use the natural oils from the palo santo (sacred wood) others extract to bind the ingredients. The best way to smudge (holy bath) as the Shamans from South America do do to dispel unwanted energy and ward off spirits. The Incas used it to cure ailments. This particular product comes in 4 varieties and we also carry the actual Palo Santo Sticks (holy wood or sacred wood) #palosanto #palosantowood #palosantosticks #sacredwood #palosantoincense #palosantocones #smudging #smokebath #shamangrade https://www.instagram.com/p/BpF8z5vnRP5/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1ok0zmcg5e3vm