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I think I may never be sad ever again. There is a statue entitled "Farewell to Orpheus" on my college campus. It's been there since 1968, created by a Prof. Frederic Littman that use to work at the university. It sits in the middle of a fountain, and the fountain is often full of litter. I have taken it upon myself to clean the litter out when I see it (the skimmers only come by once a week at max). But because of my style of dress, this means that bystanders see a twenty-something on their hands and knees at the edge of the fountain, sleeves rolled up, trying not to splash dirty water on their slacks while their briefcase and suit coat sit nearby. This is fine, usually. But today was Saturday Market, which means the twenty or so people in the area suddenly became hundreds. So, obviously, somebody stopped to ask what I was doing. "This," I gestured at the statue, "is Eurydice. She was the wife of Orpheus, the greatest storyteller in Greece. And this litter is disrespectful." Then, on a whim, I squinted up at them. "Do you know the story of Orpheus and Eurydice?" "No," they replied, shifting slightly to sit.

"Would you like to?"

"Sure!"

So I told them. I told them the story as I know it- and I've had a bit of practice. Orpheus, child of a wishing star, favorite of the messenger god, who had a hard-working, wonderful wife, Eurydice; his harp that could lull beasts to passivity, coax song from nymphs, and move mountains before him; and the men who, while he dreamed and composed, came to steal Eurydice away. I told of how she ran, and the water splashed up on my clothes. But I didn't care. I told of how the adder in the field bit her heel, and she died. I told of the Underworld- how Orpheus charmed the riverman, pacified Cerberus with a lullaby, and melted the hearts of the wise judges. I laughed as I remarked how lucky he was that it was winter- for Persephone was moved by his song where Hades was not. She convinced Hades to let Orpheus prove he was worthy of taking Eurydice. I tugged my coat back on, and said how Orpheus had to play and sing all the way out of the Underworld, without ever looking back to see if his beloved wife followed. And I told how, when he stopped for breath, he thought he heard her stumble and fall, and turned to help her up- but it was too late. I told the story four times after that, to four different groups, each larger than the last. And I must have cast a glance at the statue, something that said "I'm sorry, I miss you--" because when I finished my second to last retelling, a young boy piped up, perhaps seven or eight, and asked me a question that has made my day, and potentially my life: "Are you Orpheus?" I told the tale of the grieving bard so well, so convincingly, that in the eyes of a child I was telling not a story, but a memory. And while I laughed in the moment, with everyone else, I wept with gratitude and joy when I came home. This is more than I deserve, and I think I may never be sad again.

Here is the aforementioned statue, by the way.

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„connected“

made something else for a change 🌀🌿

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Tumblr pls let me interact with communities from a side blog, please please please pleaae please please please pleaae please please

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Do you believe in Elemental spirits? I speak to sylphs often and look to the reaction of the wind for their answers (its my go-to form of divination). It works especially well in fall when you can watch them move in the fallen leaves. Air is the element of knowledge and speed, so they know much. Sylphs are the wind, and so they are what carries rain and storms. By developing a relationship with them you can better understand and interact with the weather through them!

If you're not into spirts and Elementals then I'd recommend using extremely literal sympathetic magic for weather spells. Use rain water from previous storms and sprinkle it over soil collected nearby to bring rain (ideally raising energy and relasing it through this act, not just doing it randomly lol). Maybe even collect water from storms of different intensities or from different kinds of weather systems to get different kinds of results. To stop rain maybe use dust/soil collected during a local drought. You can get creative!

Friends, talk to me about weather magic

What do you do? How do you incorporate it into your craft? Do you do weather/cloud divination? Storm water? I recently realized that this kind of magic/witchcraft REALLY excites and inspires me, and if anyone has any recommendations or inspiration I would love to hear it. Spring storm season is coming in Appalachia and I think now is a really good time to workshop ideas and learn new skills

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My First Impressions of The Hanged One

You...you've got guts, man. So you're just gonna hang there, by one ankle looking like it's another day in the park? Like for real, if it weren't for the rope and the whole being upside down, you'd look like you are just leaning back on a wall relaxing.

Okay Hanged One. When most people would be freaking out, you are totally fine with what ever happens? Like, what if that rope breaks? Whoever tied that knot, you must REALLY trust them.

That halo is either realization that you are where you are and maybe this isn't a great thing OR maybe you've had an enlightening moment in this situation you are in.

I hope the best for you...

I guess this card being in a reading would just someone is just letting whenever happens, happen. They are in this situation and they are allowing IT to determine the outcome and not themselves.

*my first impressions might not be the actual meaning of the cards. It is just what I see and feel from the card based mostly on the suit combined with the image. If it's a Major card, then I go by the image and name. I do look them up to see how close I was, but also to see how to tie my thoughts with the more recognized meaning so it will hopefully stick

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I actually feel like it would be beneficial for witches to actually read up on Wicca, including those of us who have no intention of becoming Wiccan, just so we get the facts straight and aren't walking around with misinformation.

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being obsessed with your god’s domain before you started worshipping is so reassuring…

like what do you mean you’ve been here the whole time? that you’ve always been a part of me lying in wait? that you, the divine, has innervated & enriched my life long before i acknowledged you were divine? SICK!!!

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Really good break down! Just one addition: not all witches are wiccans (as you said) but all wiccans are witches. It is a core part of our religion and often leads to confusion because early wiccans (such as Gerald Gardner, its founder) would call Wicca "traditional witchcraft" or just call Wiccans "witches" instead of specifying "wiccan witches." So if you're reading old sources make sure you know what that author means by "witch."

🌜Unpacking Witchcraft, Paganism, and Wicca: A Brief Introduction🌛

There's often a lot of confusion and misinformation surrounding terms like "Witchcraft," "Paganism," and "Wicca." Let's break them down to understand what they truly represent.

Paganism: The Broad Umbrella

At its core, Paganism is an umbrella term encompassing a diverse range of spiritual and religious beliefs and practices that are typically polytheistic or animistic, and often nature-centric. Historically, "Pagan" was used to describe those who did not adhere to Abrahamic religions (Christianity, Islam, Judaism).

Key characteristics of Paganism often include:

* Reverence for nature: Seeing divinity in the natural world, cycles, and elements.

* Polytheism or Pantheism: Belief in multiple deities, or that divinity is inherent in everything.

* Emphasis on the divine feminine: Goddesses often play a prominent role.

* Seasonal celebrations: Observing solstices, equinoxes, and other natural cycles.

* Ancestral traditions: Drawing inspiration from pre-Christian European or indigenous spiritual paths.

Paganism is incredibly diverse, with many different traditions and paths within it, such as Heathenry, Druidry, Hellenic Reconstructionism, and many more.

Wicca: A Modern Pagan Religion

Wicca is a modern, nature-based, duotheistic (or sometimes polytheistic) religion that emerged in the mid-20th century. It is a type of Paganism, but not all Pagans are Wiccans.

Key aspects of Wicca often include:

* Reverence for a God and a Goddess: Often seen as complementary divine principles.

* The Wiccan Rede: A central ethical guideline often stated as "An it harm none, do what ye will."

* Ritual practice: Often involving circles, altars, tools, and spells for various purposes (healing, protection, manifestation, etc.).

* Emphasis on personal responsibility and ethical living.

* Celebration of the Wheel of the Year: Eight sabbats (seasonal festivals) marking the solstices, equinoxes, and cross-quarter days.

Wicca itself has many different traditions and lineages, including Gardnerian, Alexandrian, Seax-Wica, and eclectic practices.

Witchcraft: A Practice, Not Necessarily a Religion

Witchcraft, unlike Paganism or Wicca, is primarily a practice or a skill set, rather than a religion in itself. While many Wiccans practice Witchcraft, and many Pagans incorporate Witchcraft into their spiritual path, one does not have

to be Pagan or Wiccan to practice Witchcraft.

Witchcraft often involves:

* Working with energy: Directing and manipulating energy for specific intentions.

* Magical practices: Spells, rituals, divination (tarot, scrying), herbalism, charm-making, etc.

* Connecting with intuition and personal power.

* Understanding natural cycles and correspondences.

* A focus on practical application: Bringing about change in one's life or the world around them.

A Christian, an atheist, or someone of any other religious background could theoretically practice Witchcraft. They might not invoke deities, but they could still engage in magical practices. Some Witches identify as "secular Witches."

In Summary:

* Paganism: The broad category of diverse, often nature-based, non-Abrahamic spiritual paths.

* Wicca: A specific, modern, duotheistic Pagan religion with a focus on the God and Goddess and the Wiccan Rede.

* Witchcraft: A set of practices and skills, often involving magic and energy work, which can be incorporated into various spiritual paths (including Paganism and Wicca) or practiced independently.

Hopefully, this clarifies some of the distinctions between these fascinating and often misunderstood concepts!

https://www.PaganEssentials.Wordpress.com

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If you’re ever having a breakdown, just remember the wise words of the lord himself

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"Oh... You love Zeus?... But didn't he-"

An ear piercing screech is the last thing you hear as I tear the skin from my body, revealing that I'm the eagle come to eat your liver.

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I finally got a decent cloth for my Olympian shrine. Now I just need to unpack all the devotional pieces and offerings currently in boxes from me moving and I'll have probably the best shrine I've ever made :)

I think I'd like to eventually split them between multiple smaller spaces rather than this large one, but I haven't been able to figure out the best schema for who goes with who. I probably will eventually

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The Witch’s Pyramid

I learned about the Witch’s pyramid while studying my first degree.  It’s such an important part of who we are and how we work as witch’s.  They are qualities that we should all strive to work for all the time as they will help us both personally and with our magickal workings.  Think of it as a promise you are making as you work with them.  You may want to read through them several times for awhile until you find yourself incorporating them into your life naturally.  For those of you who have been working with them for awhile already it may just be a nice reminder or revalidation for you.  It it easy to visualise it as a pyramid, though I have seen it presented corresponding to the elements on the pentacle as well.  There are four levels to this pyramid that when they are all being met allows that fifth layer to be added.  The descriptions below are my personal interpretations.  They are as follows:

To Know (nescere)  The first pillar, To Know, corresponds to the element of air.  As witches we commit to a life long quest of knowledge.  You can gain this knowledge from books, teachers, experience, and talking with people.  As we all know knowledge is power.  In order to be better witches we need to constantly continue to improve ourselves so that we are better able to assist ourselves and those around us with the skills that we acquire.  I promise to constantly strive to learn more about myself, the world around me and my craft.  May I be guided to obtain the knowledge that will help me be a better person and more capable to help those around me.

To Will (velle)  The second pillar, To Will, corresponds to the element of fire.  This is our will, or discipline when working with the skills that we have acquired.  This is your intent both in your mundane and magickal life.  As you go through your mundane life you want to work hard to be honest and keep your promises. When you are working with magick it’s seeing your rituals through to the end and keeping your intentions clear. You want to increase your skills as you work with magick.  I promise to work to be clear about what I wish to achieve in life and to align my intent with that. I will try each day to work towards my goals and keep my intent pure.

To Dare (audere) The third pillar, To Dare, corresponds to the element of of water.  This is our ability to face our fears.  Not everything in life is easy and you will sometimes find that you need to push yourself into unfamiliar territory in order to achieve your goals and stay true to your intent.  We need to dare to conquer our fears, and our fear of the unknown knowing that we are guided on our paths and we are never alone.  I promise to continue to confront my fears on my path and realise that I am never alone and that by confronting my fears I will become a better person, and improve my self-confidence.

To Keep the Silence (tacere) The fourth pillar, To Keep the Silence, corresponds to the element of Earth. When working with magick and ritual we need to keep silent about our workings so as not to invite others energy to cast any doubt or negativity to interfere with the energy we have raised with our intent.  It also means to give thought before we speak.  This can be one of the most challenging pillars to accomplish.  The spoken word can have such profound effects upon others, we need to ensure that we choose our words carefully so as not to harm others, and at times we may need to just keep silent with our opinions. I promise to keep my magickal workings to myself so as not to interfere with the energy of my intentions.  I will also work very hard to make sure that I don’t harm others with my words or thoughts that may not need to be spoken.

To Go (ire) The fifth and final pillar, To Go, corresponds to the element of Spirit. When you work hard to master the four pillars and use them all in a positive way and with pure intent,  the fifth and final pillar will be activated.  I promise to go forth on my personal path knowing that I am surrounded by the loving arms of the Goddess, my guides and my angels.  I will work hard to fill my life intention as given to me by the Goddess in return for the blessings and guidance that I am given.  I walk my path with pure intent, pure love, and without fear in the knowledge that I will never be alone again.

Won’t you join me?

Love and Blessings,

Jasmeine Moonsong

“To be a Witch is to be a healer, a teacher, a seeker, a giver, and a protector of all things. If this path is yours, may you walk it with honor, light and integrity.”

http://jasmeinemoonsong.com/the-witchs-pyramid/

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Does anyone have any sources on rituals used to break a pact/covenant/spiritual claim? Even something like an anti-baptism, tho a non-Christian framework would be best. I'm specifically looking for historical/established practices so I can see their techniques and adapt them to what I'm actually after

If you do and tell me thank youuuu 😭