#show up as God/dess intended you to

[alchemyofmaya]

Sometimes rock bottom is the exact place you need to be, so you can finally see.. it’s only up from here. You’ve been down for long enough and you still never gave up on your faith, never lost your hope, instead you surrendered with grace and gratitude. Your belief in the higher power that created you grew stronger through even your darkest days.

In that darkness you were blinded so you couldn’t see that you had to fall to the bottom alone, so you could listen to the parts of you that were needing to be transformed. So you could shed all the dead weight you were carrying that kept you anchored to the ground.

Look at your rock bottom as your season of preparation. You had to really learn yourself, and shamelessly accept, embrace and forgive every repressed part of you. You had to know who you truly are so you could show up as God/dess intended you to.

It’s only up from here. Your season of preparation is ending. It’s time for you to rise higher, walk with purpose into the spaces created with your name on them and show the world why God/dess sent you.

[littlesparklight]

Some ruminations on "how to get immortality as a mortal" - this time the one that involves either Zeus or another god(dess), and not the more "counterfeit" ones that can be achieved by various herbs or similar.

So, first of all, while later sources (like Apuleius' The Golden Ass, with Psyche), nectar/ambrosia alone ends up used to make a mortal immortal, earlier on this is not how it works. Achilles is fed nectar/ambrosia in the Iliad for example, and this only nourishes him when he otherwise refuses to eat and drink; clearly, more is needed.

What exactly that "more" is is trickier to know, since all we have to go on is that it is seemingly easy for Zeus to confer immortality and eternal youth. (And these are not one and the same, as the Tithonos story shows where she forgets to ask for eternal youth.) But perhaps this is because he's the king of the gods, and only the god holding this office can do this so easily and completely.

Maybe mortality, being so intrinsic to humans, is just that hard otherwise to "burn off" and make the flesh and soul immortal.

For, the other method that a god(dess) can use, that we see used but fails because it's a process and takes time, is the one both Demeter and Thetis (attempts to) use, on Demophoon and Achilles respectively.

They smear ambrosia on the baby they're intending to immortalize (and this, again, does not make them immortal!), and then puts the child in a fire, plus feed them nectar and ambrosia during the day.

Clearly you can make a mortal immortal in this manner, but burning away the mortality, and perhaps baking in the preserving power of the nectar and ambrosia permanently, takes many days. And we don't know how many, since both Demeter and Thetis are interrupted by distraught parents who do not understand what is happening.

I do think it's interesting/another note of comparison of mortals made immortal through/with fire, that Herakles tossing himself on the funeral pyre he has ordered built to escape the hydra gall/blood, is noted at least once to be burning away his mortality in the process. Thus this at least starts the process, or perhaps, since Herakles is a demigod (and one that also has fed from Hera's breast once in infancy!) the fire was all that was needed.

The closest you get to a mortal made immortal without either Zeus' say-so/involvement or without this fire method, is when a girl is made into a nymph. But, as the Homeric Hymn to Aphrodite points out, the vast majority of nymphs aren't actually "immortal" in the same way as the gods are; they're not ageless, but they're very long-lived, and they do have eternal beauty.

So, this method is clearly not the same, because while the girl so made into a nymph might live (forever in some cases!) a very long time, she isn't actually immortal; she is a nymph.

[deltaruminations]

if i can be momentarily ship-for-brains a little bit i do think the implication of asriel and dess having had A Thing is very interesting when considered from the Eloping From The Narrative/Dess ‘n’ Dings Mobius Double Reacharound* perspective. because like yeah what’s more Rejecting The Narrative than the story’s intended hero rejecting her made-to-be love interest and waltzing around the Fantasy Holes with the story’s intended villain instead, directly defying the Will of their absent clockmaker God

like. thinking about the relationships around Dess, both the Holiday and Dreemurr parents were literally Made For Each Other — we know that at least Asgore and Toriel are the same Type of monster (this isn’t yet confirmed for the Holidays, but i think it’s more likely than not. also i will be shocked if the Mayor’s name isn’t Clarice. come on.), which fits common Fictional Family tropes — but even before her disappearance there may have been cracks forming. we don’t know enough about rudy and c’s relationship yet to say much about it, but we do know they didn’t start off on the best foot, though rudy plays off their meeting as a funny anecdote.** asgore and toriel were high school sweethearts who, if we follow that trope, may have never considered seeing anyone else before getting hitched, and we know (from our perspective later in the timeline) that the marriage failed. rudy and asgore have long-standing and extremely obvious chemistry but apparently never seriously entertained the idea that they’d make a good couple.

and then their first born kids seem to be in a perfect position to be Love Interests — they’re next door neighbors, childhood friends, she even wears his jacket. a perfectly wholesome Story Couple. of course asriel is the perfect love interest, the sweet, popular golden boy, her parents’ best friends’ child and someone the bulk of the audience already loves. i could see both in- and out-of-universe actors being very approving of it, even pressuring for it.

and i could see Dess, already rebellious, picking her own name and watching scary movies and wielding bats against bullies, looking at that whole situation and mistrusting it and thinking, Maybe I Should Explore My Options. maybe asriel is, if she’s being honest, a little boring. and, well, who’s that strange, spooky boy who just showed up in town one day? the one who keeps giving her Halloween pencils*** and seems to know just a little too much about quantum optics? the quiet outsider no one seems to like or trust very much? maybe he needs a friend. so they start to hang out. they stumble onto Dark Worlds together, and that becomes their little secret — not just because the Dark Worlds themselves are so exciting, mysterious, and dangerous, but because they can sense that the relationship is increasingly transgressive. her parents can’t know. asriel definitely can’t. these two kids’ relationship becomes so entangled in the escape of a collaborative fiction in which they can safely and authentically be themselves, together, that they end up dragging the whole universe with them into a struggle over creative disagreements (do we let it end with the Roaring or not?) that is really, at its core, about an unspoken mutual fear of losing each other. as above so below etc.

the possibilities in that for tying together other story threads… there are a lot. i dunno. ex: if this is D&D’s little secret, who’s the other person in “YOU TWO”? well, what if kris followed them on one of their excursions? what if they knew about the Dark Worlds, and even the burgeoning relationship, but struck a deal — they get to join in the adventure as long as they don’t tell. maybe the “deals” and “agreements” between kris and will-be extraplanar entities run deep. convenient, isn’t it, that kris as player-vessel can’t talk as far as a Player is concerned, and can’t speak freely to other characters? they can’t spill secrets or tell of any truths or promises they may know exist in anyone’s hearts. if that wasn’t gaster’s doing, then what if it was dess’s? is this all just high-octane copium to justify liking a very fringe crack ship? probably. man. i don’t even fucking know. just. do you see my Vision. do you understand. also they’d just be funny together i think

*truly don’t know what an appropriate and succinct name would be for this theory/headcanon but i’m assuming you guys know what i’m talking about given that i won’t shut up about it

**it is, to be fair, pretty funny

***i know i know the Halloween pencil story from Get In The Car, Losers substantiates nothing. just. [takes an uncomfortably long, loud huff of copium] let me have this one vaguely evidence-adjacent thing. blease,

[mistersplitfoot-archive-blog]

Okay, I filled out that witchcraft survey thing. It’s long, so it’s under a read more. Again, sorry mobile users. 1. Are you solitary or in a coven?

I am solitary. There aren't many covens around here, and the ones that are nearby are all Wiccan. I also work better on my own, both in a magical and mundane sense, and I'm not very social. Solitary practice is better for me.

2. Do you consider yourself Wiccan, Pagan, witch, or other?

I am a secular witch. I do not currently consider myself a pagan, because I don't worship or honor anything, but that may change in the future. If it does, my magical practice will still be entirely secular. No need to involve religion. I am not, and I never will be, Wiccan.

 3. What is your zodiac sign?

Aquarius sun, Sagittarius moon.

4. Do you have a Patron God/dess?

 No.

5. Do you work with a Pantheon?

No.

6. Do you use tarot, palmistry, or any other kind of divination?

I read tarot and oracle cards, and sometimes runes. I plan to learn to read Lenormand soon. Sometimes I do bibliomancy, but it's rare. I'm interested in palmistry but I haven't started learning it yet.

7. What are some of your favorite herbs to use in your practice? (if any)

I don't have a job right now; my partner supports me financially. Because of this, I make the best of what I have available already or can access cheapy. I use a lot of cooking spices. Bay, basil, thyme, parsley, cinnamon, rosemary, etc. I also use the tea from herbal tea bags when I need something like chamomile, lavender, catnip, etc.

8. How would you define your craft?

I wouldn't. It's all over the place.

9. Do you curse? If not, do you accept others who do?

I do curse. I don't do it often, because it uses up a lot of my energy and as a spoonie witch I need to conserve as much as I can for mundane things.

10. How long have you been practicing?

Off and on for about twelve years.

11. Do you currently or have you ever had any familiars?

Sadly, I do not. None of my pets have ever seemed interested. One of my cats showed potential for a while, but she doesn't seem to care anymore. I am interested in connecting with a spirit familiar, though.

12. Do you believe in Karma or Reincarnation?

I believe in reincarnation. I do not believe in karma. Karma is part of specific religious systems that I am not a part of. I believe in reincarnation in a purely spiritual sense, with no connection to religion. On that note, because someone might ask, I do believe in the concept of otherkin and fictionkin. If there are infinite universes and reincarnation is a thing, there's no reason it would be impossible.

13. Do you have a magical name?

No. My last name has magical connotations on it's own, though it isn't the one I was born with. I chose it, after one of my favorite book characters.

14. Are you “out of the broom closet”?

First, I have to say that I have always hated this phrase, even before I understood anything about my non straight and non cis identity. I don't think it should be used by non-LGBT witches. But anyway. Yeah, most people who know me as more than an acquaintance know I'm a witch. Unfortunately, most of them assume that means I'm Wiccan, and I don't always have the energy to explain that I am not.

15. What was the last spell you performed?

A money drawing spell.

16. Would you consider yourself knowledgeable?

Yes and no. I know a lot of specific things, but I don't have a broad range of knowledge in most witchy subjects. I've been practicing for over a decade and I still feel like a beginner.

17. Do you write your own spells?

Yes. I rarely perform spells that I didn't write myself, or at least modify a bit.

18. Do you have a book of shadows? If so, how is it written and/or set up?

I have a grimoire. I prefer that term over BOS because BOS is so rooted in Wicca. Of course, I don't mind if others use it, it's just my preference. Anyway, I have two. One is faux leather bound binder originally intended for scrapbooking, so it's pretty big. That's the one I keep at home. I can rearrange pages as I like, since it's a three ring binder. I also have a smaller, portable grimoire in the form of one of those little journal books. It's also faux leather, and it's incomplete. I just started putting it together recently. It'll be a very watered down version of my main grimoire, with just basic information for easy reference purposes. The larger one is much more thorough.

19. Do you worship nature?

I don't worship anything, but if I were to worship anything, it would be the cosmos.

20. What is your favorite gemstone?

Blue goldstone, green goldstone, opal, malachite, and I know it isn't technically a gem, but opalite.

21. Do you use feathers, claws, fur, pelt, skeletons/bones, or any other animal body part for magical work?

I don't, but that's because I just don't have any. And I don't have the funds to acquire any. The only bones I have is the partial skeleton of a baby deer, found by my mom's hunter friend when he was in the woods. They had been there a while and most of it was missing, but my mom got her friend to give me what he found. I haven't done anything with them yet. They're fairly large so I'm not sure what to use them for.

 22. Do you have an altar?

I have two, but they're for spellwork, not worship. I have one downstairs in my living room, it's on top of a waist-high bookshelf. And I have one in the bedroom, on top of an antique glass vanity that used to be my mom's. Both are very small, much smaller than I'd like, but again, I make the best of what I have.

23. What is your preferred element?

Air or fire.

24. Do you consider yourself an Alchemist?

Not really. I don't know much about alchemy, to be honest. It's on my list of things to study. Eventually. I have a long list.

25. Are you any other type of magical practitioner besides a witch?

Maybe? I'm not sure. I don't think so, though.

26. What got you interested in witchcraft?

I can't remember. I can hardly remember what I did last week. I just know that when I first found out about it, everyone had me believing that Wicca was the Only Option. Because of that, it took me a while to get into it.

27. Have you ever performed a spell or ritual with the company of anyone who was not a witch?

Yep. I live with my partner, who is not a witch, and I've done several spells in front of them and for them.

28. Have you ever used ouija?

No. My partner had a bad experience with one as a child and won't let me bring one into the house. I'll use one someday, though.

29. Do you consider yourself a psychic?

I think everyone is to some degree, but I don't think my talents are very strong.

30. Do you have a spirit guide? If so, what is it?

I do, in a sense. This is rather personal so I won't go into it too much, but it's someone I knew in a past life.

31. What is something you wish someone had told you when you first started?

That Wicca is not the only option! And that I don't have to devote my time and energy into woshiping a faceless God and Goddess that I feel absolutely no connection with. That I don't have to be religious at all to be a witch.

32. Do you celebrate the Sabbats? If so which one is your favorite?

I don't. I celebrate 'christian' holidays in a secular sense (christmas, easter, etc) and I associate the Sabbats with Wicca, so I just. Don't acknoweldge them. I don't mind when other people do, though.

33. Would you ever teach witchcraft to your children?

I'm never having children.

34. Do you meditate?

Yes, but I'm not very good at it.

35. What is your favorite season?

Late fall and winter.

36. What is your favorite type of magick to preform?

Anything, really. Aside from curses. Curses take up so much more energy than any other kind of spell I do and then I'm just exhausted for the rest of the day.

37. How do you incorporate your spirituality into your daily life?

I'm not really sure how to answer this. It's not really something I can explain.

38. What is your favorite witchy movie?

Hocus Pocus! It's been a favorite since I was a kid. It was one of those movies I'd watch repeatedly all day and make my parents hate me.

 39. What is your favorite witchy book, both fiction and non-fiction.

Fiction, probably Harry Potter because I'm a big ol' cliche and because I literally grew up with it. Non-fiction, probably The Element Encyclopedia of 5000 Spells by Judika Illes. I've owned it twice now. I first borrowed it from a friend in high school, and it was in pretty bad condition. Pages falling out and whatnot. That friend moved away before I could give it back, and I lent it to someone else. I never got it back either, and a couple years ago my partner bought me a replacement. I like the cover of the new edition much better, anyway.

40. What is the first spell you ever preformed? Successful or not.

Fuck if I know, my dude. Like I said, I can barely remember last week.

41. What’s the craziest witchcraft-related thing that’s happened to you?

Nothing too weird has happened to me as far as magic stuff goes, but when I was still honoring Loki, something happened. I was talking to him about something, I can't remember what, but I think I mentioned something about doubting the existence of deities, and how I wasn't sure if anyone was even hearing me. Literally the next day, a fucking snake got into my house. No idea how. But it just showed up, and my cat chased it around and we managed to catch it before the cat could hurt it and we set it free. It had never happened before, and it hasn't happened since. So yeah, I get it, deities exist and they hear us. Message received.

42. What is your favourite type of candle to use?

I love black candles. I know, it's so cliche and 'edgy' of me, but they just feel so witchy and nice.

43. What is your favorite witchy tool?

I don't use many tools. Usually the only things I use are incense burners, candles, and occasionally my tiny cast iron cauldron.

44. Do you or have you ever made your own witchy tools?

I made an offering bowl years ago, when I was still making offerings to deities. That's about it.

45. Have you ever worked with any magical creatures such as the fae or spirits?

I have not, but I'm very interested in doing so. I need to research a lot more, though.

46. Do you practice color magic?

Yes, color plays a big part in my practice. I try to use candles in appropriate colors for specific spells, or I write in colored ink when drawing up sigils, the colors of gems matter, etc.

47. Do you or have you ever had a witchy teacher or mentor of any kind?

Nope.

48. What is your preferred way of shopping for witchcraft supplies?

There's a new age store about thirty minutes from my house. They're the only place I can find a large amount of crystals, herbs, and incense. And the staff there is very nice. I usually buy candles at the dollar store, though. And when Halloween rolls around, Walmart sells little packs of black tea lights for a decent price, so I stock up n those every October. Craft stores are good for some things, too.

49. Do you believe in predestination or fate?

Yes and no. I think every choice you make changes your fate. That's why things like tarot and rune readings aren't set in stone. You have the power to change things if you don't like the projected outcome.

 50. What do you do to reconnect when you are feeling out of touch with your practice?

Take a break from it. Sometimes I just get burned out and don't feel it. That's fine. I just take a couple months off and I don't do anything witchy. Then after a bit, the feeling comes back on it's own. Something I see or read or hear will spark it again.

51. Have you ever had any supernatural experiences?

There's a ghost in my house that fucks with me all the time. Nothing dangerous or violent, more like hiding my things and opening cupboards that I know the cats can't reach. And at my mom's, I have an uncle who haunts the house. I never met him, he died when he was a kid, but my mom has seen him in the backyard, and he's turned lights on after I've turned them off when I've been house sitting. My partner swears they've heard him say 'hello'. And the snake thing I mentioned earlier, if that counts.

52. What is your biggest witchy pet peeve?

People thinking witch = Wicca, and that any witch who isn't Wiccan is 'fake'. That, and people (Wiccans) who try to force their anti-cursing Threefold Law rhetoric on other, non-Wiccans. And the rampant cultural appropriation, of course.

53. Do you like incense? If so what’s your favorite scent?

I love incense. I go through it like it's water. My favorite scent is probably dragon's blood.

54. Do you keep a dream journal of any kind?

I've tried, but I never manage to keep up with it. I'll try again someday.

55. What has been your biggest witchcraft disaster?  I've never had anything terrible happen, thankfully.

56. What has been your biggest witchcraft success?

I helped my partner get a job! It happened about a week after I did an employment spell for them. They ended up hating the job and quitting two months later, but still!

57. What in your practice do you do that you may feel silly or embarrassed about?

Nothing really.

58. Do you believe that you can be an atheist, Christian, Muslim or some other faith and still be a witch too?

Absolutely.

59. Do you ever feel insecure, unsure or even scared of spell work?

Of course. I think everyone feels like this now and then, even experienced witches.

60. Do you ever hold yourself to a standard in your witchcraft that you feel you may never obtain?

Oh definitely. But I do that in all areas of my life, not just witchcraft.

61. What is something witch related that you want right now?

I have a spare room in my house that I currently use for storage. The dream is to clear it out, donate all the shit I don't want anymore, and turn that spare room into a magical room, where I can have a bigger work space and more room to make things look all pretty and nice. And maybe keep a little herb garden in there near the window.

62. What is your rune of choice?

I don't use runes enough to really have one.

63. What is your tarot card of choice?

The Star is my favorite card.

64. Do you use essential oils? If so what is your favorite?

I do sometimes. My favorites are lavender, jasmine, rose, patchouli, amber, and honeysuckle.

65. Have you ever taken any kind of witchcraft or pagan courses?

Nope.

66. Do you wear pagan jewelry in public?

I don't really wear much jewelry. As a transmasc person who doesn't pass very well, I try not to wear things that will make it even harder for me to pass. Sometimes I'll wear an amethyst point under my shirt, or the old skeleton key I've enchanted.

67. Have you ever been discriminated against because of your faith or being a witch?

No. Unless you count my mom being very against it when I was a teenager, but even then, it wasn't a big deal. She didn't threaten to kick me out or anything, she just didn't want me doing anything in her house. I was still allowed to read and study it.

68. Do you read or subscribe to any pagan magazines? No. I don't even know of any.

69. Do you think it’s important to know the history of paganism and witchcraft?

Well, the history of paganism is extremely broad. It's an umbrella term for a bunch of different religions. I think it's a little ridiculous to expect, say, a Hellenic Recon pagan to know the history of Celtic Recon or something. So it's good to know the history of YOUR practice. As for witchcraft, I think it helps to know where some things came from, to know you're not appropriating anything, and also so you know Wicca isn't fucking 5000 years old or whatever. And don't spread misinfo. If you're knowledge on 'The Burning Times" is from a $ilver Ravenw0lf book, I suggest you do some further research because it's fucking wrong.

70. What are your favorite things about being a witch?

I like the aesthetic and I like knowing I have some level of control over things in my life. When I can be bothered to use that control, anyway.

 71. What are your least favorite things about being a witch?

The fact that I have to constantly explain that witch does not equal Wiccan. The fact that there are still people (read: TERFs) who think you have to be a cis woman to be a witch. And witches that shit on other witches for not being militant vegans. Fuck off.

72. Do you listen to any pagan music? If so who is your favorite singer/band?

Not really. It's not really my thing. I personally think southern gothic music is far more witchy than most 'witchy' musicians. Not that that's the only genre I listen to, that's just an example.

73. Do you celebrate the Esbbats? If so, how?

Nope.

74. Do you ever work skyclad?

Nope. My altars are right in front of windows, and I also just don't think it's necessary.

75. Do you think witchcraft has improved your life? If so, how?

Sure. Like I said, it's given me a sense of control, and it's given me some hobbies and interests I might not have otherwise.

76. Where do you draw inspiration from for your practice?

Pop culture, other witches, art, music.

77. Do you believe in ‘fantasy’ creatures? (Unicorns, fairies, elves, gnomes, ghosts, etc)

Well I don't consider ghosts to be fantasy creatures. But anyway. I think things like that can exist on other planes, like the astral or something. I think in special circumstances, maybe they can be seen (I know people have claimed to have seen faeries, for example), but I think they're usually invisible.

78. What’s your favorite sigil/symbol?

I like planetary symbols, if that counts.

79. Do you use blood magick in your practice? Why or why not?

I have before, but I don't do it often because I have an intense preoccupation with disease and infection. I think, in most cases, spit or hair or fingernails work just fine instead, and you aren't risking getting sick from it.

80. Could you ever be in a relationship with someone who doesn’t support your practice?

Probably not. I don't have to date a witch (as I said before, my partner is not a witch), but I can't date someone who doesn't support me or thinks what I do is silly or fake.

81. In what area or subject would you most like your craft to grow?

I'm not sure?

82. What’s your favorite candle scent? Do you use it in your practice?

I don't have a favorite. I prefer unscented candles because lighting a bunch of different scents all at once tends to give me a headache.

83. Do you have a pre-ritual ritual? (I.e. Something you do before rituals to prepare yourself for them). If so what is it?

Gather up everything I need. Wash my hands. Do some deep breathing and/or meditation if it's necessary. Dab a specific oil on if it's necessary. Make sure I have water nearby if I'm using fire.

84. What real life witch most inspires your practice?

No one specific, I just like following witchy blogs and instagrams and seeing what others are doing.

85. What is your favorite method of communicating with deity?

I don't do this anymore, but if I wanted to talk, I'd just light a candle I had set aside for them and just. Talk to them. If I wanted some kind of response or guidance, I'd use tarot cards, too.

86. How do you like to organize all your witchy items and ingredients?

What is 'organization'? My stuff is just anywhere it will fit. One of the reasons I want to clear out that room, so I can actually have some organization.

87. Do you have any witches in your family that you know of?

Nope.

88. How have you created your path? What is unique about it?

I couldn't really tell you, because I don't even know if it is unique. It probably isn't. I'm sure there are tons of other witches out there who do the same, or similar, things that I do. My goal isn't to be unique, it's to do whatever works.

89. Do you feel you have any natural gifts or affinities (premonitions, hearing spirits, etc.) that led you toward the craft? If so what are they?

I like to think I'm pretty good with tarot. I'm never going to be perfect, and I'll never be done learning, but I think I've gotten fairly good at it.

90. Do you believe you can initiate yourself or do you have to be initiated by another witch or coven?

I think this varies from tradition to tradition. Since I'm not part of any tradition at all, this does not apply to me.

91. When you first started out in your path what was the first thing or things you bought?

Nothing. I borrowed books from friends.

92. What is the most spiritual or magickal place you’ve been?

Wooded areas and lakes feel spiritual to me, as do some liminal spaces. There's also this place near my house called Five Points that is infamous around here for ghost activity.

93. What’s one piece of advice you’d give someone who is searching for their matron and patron deities?

My advice is don't ask me for this kind of advice.

94. What techniques do you use to ‘get in the zone’ for meditation?

The deep breathing exercises they teach you to control anxiety is helpful, because it slows your heart rate and puts you at ease, even if you aren't having a panic attack. I also like to listen to certain instrumental music, or sometimes even certain ASMR videos. Depending on my mood, I might light candles or incense, too.

95. Did visualization come easily to you or did you have to practice at it?

It comes very easy to me. It has since I was a kid, because part of playing with friends was visualization. I'm also an artist, and I know not all artists do this but I usually see a drawing before I do it. So visualization is just second nature for me.

96. Do you prefer day or night? Why?

Night. Because my sleep schedule is fucked and I don't start feeling active until around 4 or 5 pm.

97. What do you think is the best time and place to do spell work?

Place is wherever you have everything you need and you're comfortable and safe. Time depends. I like to time my spells with certain days of the week and moon phases if possible. If you mean time of day, I prefer night, but again, that's because I'm not very active during the day.

98. How did you feel when you cast your first circle? Did you stumble or did it go smoothly?

I don't remember any of my 'firsts'.

99. Do you believe witchcraft gets easier with time and practice?

Ehh kinda. Not everything gets easier, but some things do. Like, you learn what works for you and what doesn't after trial and error. You start to remember correspondences without needing to look them up. Things like that get easier.

100. Do you believe in many gods or one God with many faces?

Many gods. All gods, actually. Even 'fictional' gods. Because I believe in all deities, and I believe in the multiverse theory.

101. Do you eat meat, eggs and dairy?

I don't eat red meat because of medical reasons. I have a hard time digesting it and it almost always makes me sick. I do eat other meats, like poultry and seafood, and I eat eggs and dairy. I am not a vegan. I don't think you have to be a vegan to be a witch. And I think militant vegans need to tone it the fuck down.

102. What is your favorite color and why?

Blues and purples. They're calming, pretty, and remind me of things from a past life.

103. What is the one question you get asked most by non-practitioners or non-pagans? How do you usually respond?

To be honest, most of my non-practicing friends don't ask me much. My partner asks me to do spells or them, that's about it. Or I get asked to do readings. Other than that, I don't get many questions.

104. Which of your five senses would you say is your strongest?

Either hearing or scent.

105. What is a pagan or witchcraft rule that you preach but don’t practice?

Protection, probably. I don't cast a circle or wards for every spell or ritual I do. I probably should use them more, but I just. Hardly do. I usually only do that if I'm going to be performing a curse.

[russellthornton]

15 Tinder Tips You Can NOT Ignore if You Ever Want a Date

Ahhh… Tinder. Gotta love its hook-up reputation, huh? It has evolved, but you have to know what you’re doing. So, here are some Tinder tips.

Online dating *and dating apps like Tinder* should be easy for people. But all I ever hear are complaints. Most people don’t even get dates. Or if they do, they have total horror stories to tell as a result.

So, why is it so hard to snag a date in the online dating world? Well, it’s probably because people do it all wrong. It’s amazing how many times I look at some profiles and think, “Oh you poor thing… you really need me to help you write your profile!” I’m not trying to sound arrogant, but being a communication professor, I teach about these things… including what makes a good online dating profile.

Tinder tips you can NOT ignore

The problem is, most people don’t take classes like mine. Instead, they just fumble through the dating world hoping to get someone to notice them. And even if they do, they might not find anyone that they would want a relationship with. So, here are some Tinder tips for you… basically the super important Dos and Don’ts. Let’s start with the Don’ts.

Don’t…

#1 Forget to use photos. Come on, people. Do you REALLY want to go out with someone who doesn’t even have a picture? It can mean a lot of things. First, they are too lazy to put up a photo. Or maybe they’re married and they don’t want their spouse to find them.

Or maybe they don’t think they are attractive and are afraid to put a picture up. In any of these scenarios, it’s not a good thing. So, don’t be one of those people… use photos! And also, don’t bother contacting people who don’t use them either. [Confession of a girl: I used a dating site without a photo and this is what happened]

#2 Use old photos. I know you think you looked good in your high school graduation picture from 10 or more years ago. Even if it was just 5 years ago, people change. If you don’t put up recent photos of yourself, you are basically deceiving everyone.

And if you snag a date, they might have a look of shock on their face and run screaming toward the door because you look different. I’m exaggerating, of course. But it happens. It really does. So, make sure you put photos up that are no older than a year. And also… just don’t misrepresent yourself in any way, shape, or form… AKA, don’t lie! This is one of the biggest Tinder tips of all.

#3 Use sexy/half-naked photos. I know Tinder has a reputation for being a hookup site, but that doesn’t mean you have to sink to that level. Well, I guess if you really are just looking for sex and a hookup, then maybe that’s the message you want to put out there.

But really, it degrades you. It screams desperation, and no one wants to date a desperate person, right? Save the sexy photos for when you are off Tinder and in a relationship. [Read: 18 things you do that makes guys think you’re an easy lay]

#4 Use photos of objects instead of yourself. This is one of the Tinder tips not a lot of people think about. Guys, the ladies are not dating your motorcycle. Or your fish. Or your house. They are dating YOU. We don’t care that you caught a big fish or are a Harley dude.

We want to see your face and body, just like you want to see ours. And ladies, guys aren’t dating your cat, or your kids, or a beautiful sunset. They are trying to date YOU. I think you all get the point, right?

#5 Use photos that don’t show your face. This kind of goes along with not using photos. There are a lot of people who put up pictures of their body parts… I’m sure you’ve seen them. The chests, or the wet t-shirts *for girls* or strategically wet, sheer boxers for guys *where you can basically see everything.*

That’s just not respectable. You have a brain, right? And a personality? Show THAT! Even if you do want to have sex, you don’t have to put your body out there like that. Of all the Tinder tips to keep in mind, make sure you respect yourself. [Read: Dick selfies – Why men love sending dick pics to women]

#6 Use crowd photos. Hey, it’s great that you and ten of your friends had fun at Mardi Gras or the Kentucky Derby. But ummm… which one are YOU? If you use crowd photos, at least point out where you are in the picture.

Even if it’s a picture of you and another person, they can wonder “Hey, is that his girlfriend or ex-wife in the photo?” or “Hmmm… two girls in this picture… which one is she?” You should stick to pictures of you, and only you, if at all possible.

#7 Use selfies or bad photos. I know we live in the age of selfies. But please, for the love of God, don’t use them!! Especially the ones where you are in a public bathroom and you’re holding the camera in front of your face trying to look sexy.

Selfies make people think, “Don’t they have any friends to take a picture of them?” And “Why the heck are they in a public bathroom doing this?” It’s kind of creepy. Just don’t do it. Have a friend take pictures of you in good lighting at a good angle… in a respectable location.

#8 Forget to write something! How do we know if we want to date you if you say absolutely nothing about yourself? Okay, maybe some people are more picky that others and are just looking at the pictures.

But this is your chance to put your best self out there to get a date or a relationship. Is saying NOTHING really putting your best self forward? I don’t think so. This is one of the Tinder tips that seems kind of obvious, but it’s not. [Read: The 30 best and worst words to use when you describe yourself online]

#9 Say “I hate talking about myself” or “If you want to know, just ask.” If you hate talking about yourself, that sends the message that you have low self-esteem. I mean, if you had decent self-confidence, you should have no problem telling the world all about you because you are proud of who you are.

And if you say “If you want to know, just ask,” well, that’s just lazy. If other people take the time to write something about themselves, why are you requiring them to put in more effort by asking you about yourself. People, it doesn’t take a lot of time to write a short bio. Don’t be lazy. Put in some effort!

#10 Use improper grammar, type in all capitals, or write only one sentence. Maybe it’s just me, but I can’t stand when someone can’t spell, doesn’t use decent grammar, or has one big long run on sentence.

I understand that not everyone is highly educated, but again, you are putting your best self out there. If you’re not a good writer, then have someone help you with it. Grab your mom or a friend to help you. It gives a MUCH better impression to people when you can actually be articulate. [Read: How to spot the liars in an online dating site]

Do…

Now that we’ve covered some of the don’ts *there are more, but then this feature would turn into a book,* let’s cover some Tinder tips regarding what you SHOULD do.

#1 Smile and show your eyes. Don’t you want to date a friendly person? Of course you do! We all do. So, why not try to look friendly in your photos by smiling? It’s not too hard to smile, right?

Also, don’t wear sunglasses. Why? That doesn’t sound like a big deal, right? I mean, sunglasses can look pretty cool. Well, the reason is because you are hiding your eyes. And the eyes are the window to the soul.

So, if you’re covering them up, then it looks like you are hiding something. You look shady *no pun intended… okay, well maybe*. People might get the subconscious message that you could be a liar. [Read: 30 effective tips to help you win at online dating]

#2 Look respectable. As I said earlier, please don’t use sexy photos. I mean, you don’t go to work with your shirt down to your belly button *at least I hope not*, so don’t do it… even on Tinder. You don’t have to be all buttoned up in a 3-piece suit, but makes sure you look like you respect yourself. Dess nicely, and pose in a polite manner.

#3 Introduce yourself if you match up with someone. If you swipe right, why wouldn’t you contact that person? I mean, maybe you’re just bored, but think about the other person. They want to meet you!

So, reach out and start talking. It seems quite silly to me to swipe right and never even interact with the person. It’s almost like you’re saying, “Hey you’re cute, but I really have no desire to even talk to you let alone go out with you.” Then why bother? Start talking!! [Read: Creative Tinder lines to snag you a date on the first try]

#4 Try to engage in a conversation. When you do start talking, make it meaningful. Just saying “heyyy” or “hey beautiful” or “what’s up” is really boring. Put some effort into it! Mention something you liked about their profile or their photos *without being creepy*.

Ask them where they are from, about their job, or if they have any kids. Get to know them. Pretend like you’re talking to them face-to-face. You’re not going to get to know them by saying “heyyyy.” [Read: Signs a girl likes you on Tinder – 15 things to keep an eye on]

#5 Keep up the conversation. In other words… don’t disappear on them! Okay, I know. You were bored on a Friday night with nothing to do. You guys messaged each other for a couple of hours. But maybe that person is really interested in you. So why would you disappear? What’s the point? It’s just wasted time.

So, make a real, concerted effort to keep a conversation going. And if at some point you realize you don’t like them anymore, be gentle and kind in telling them that you don’t think you’ll be a good match. Trust me, that’s the classy thing to do, and people will appreciate you for it.

[Read: Online dating woes – 8 most common Tinder horror stories you’ll come across in real life]

Online dating can either be fun or a nightmare. You just need to know how to do it right. So, if you follow these Tinder tips, you will find your soul mate in no time!

The post 15 Tinder Tips You Can NOT Ignore if You Ever Want a Date is the original content of LovePanky - Your Guide to Better Love and Relationships.