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The 9 Lokean Virtues

I mean, every religion has some form of virtues, morals, ethics, or even rules to standby, respect and follow right? We so does paganism, and when you look at them all, they’re all in a way similar to each other. Today We’ll be diving into the 9 Lokean Virtues, and how you can implement them into your daily life cause boy I could be doing better to. Please get comfy, grab your favorite drink and snack and grab your pet and lets get into it.

Located in Pagan Portals-Loki, he lists the 9 virtues towards the back of the book. So here they are as listed in order from the book

Truth: Be real. Be true to yourself and allow others to follow their own truth.

Humor: Learn to find the humor in things, especially in yourself.

Humility: If you need to tie your balls to a goat to accomplish your goals, suck it up buttercup.

Cunning: Try to think outside the box. Don’t make a mess so big that you can’t find your way out of it.

Transformation: Don’t be afraid of change, because that’s how we grow. Don’t be afraid of self-examination and listen to constructive criticism.

Creativity: Creat awesome stuff. Try new things out. If you don’t like it blow it up and try again.

Accountability: You are the only one in control of your destiny, your own life, your own actions

Empathy: Try to see things from more than one perspective. Shape-shift into someone else’s shoes before you pass judgement.

Experimentation: A mistake is only a mistake if you do it twice. Until then, everything is an experiment.

REFERENCE: The 9 Lokean Virtues: Pagan Portals-Loki: Trickster and Transformer by Dagulf Loptson pg. 48 (eBook page)

Implementation

So now that we know about these virtues, how can we implement them into our lives?

Truth: We can start be learning that we can’t control everything. Ever heard of the phrase you can lead a horse to water but you can’t make it drink? This means that you can lead, guide your friend, significant other, parent, sibling, co worker etc to the truth, but they need to open up to the truth and learn to except it on their own time and terms. We also need to learn how to accept the truth within ourselves; will it hurt? Probably, but you will hurt even more if you allow yourself to be trapped within ignorance’s bliss and the lies you refuse to accept. You can start to accept the truth, whatever it may be to you is by perhaps journaling the thoughts down or doing one of those shadow work journals you see blowing up on tiktok or meditate or you can even seek out mental health resources to get another perspective if you can afford it or have the resources readily available.

Humor: Laughter is the best medicine! Ever since I went through the worst few weeks of my life, I’ve grown attached to Cold Ones, with Anything4views and Maxmoefoe. The editing and the humor has kept me sane through the tears and anxiety episodes as their goofiness and the money they spend on Fiverr is absolute gold. Some people may not like Cold Ones and thats okay. Other things that can help make you laugh are memes and or recalling a funny story/memory or just going out with your friends, family, s/o or pet and make funny and good memories.

Humility: This is a tough one even for me as I like to take the easy way out from the difficult challenges. I currently work at a job with the most incompetent people as bosses; I wish I was joking. But I’m only there until May of next year and I can kiss that. Place good bye. For good. I’ve looked for other jobs, but alas I need something that ties into my major and unfortunately the shitshow I’m currently employed at fights right into that space. Sometimes we do need to tie our balls to that goat; it may suck, but hey, the goal is to be able to negotiate a higher rate of pay to save up for a house. This musst be done no matter how much I hate it. But don’t do this. Until it destroys your mental health, so be sure to take care of yourself.

Cunning: I have to do this w/ my clients and work. Sometimes clients can be difficult to work with especially if they’re minors. If I need them to do their chores, I if they don’t want to do it, I ask them to double check and see if their chore is truly complete. They go on ahead and do it and usually they’ll find something to tackle. To be cunning is to utilize critical thinking and problem solving skills in unique ways! Perhaps take an alternate route, instead of replacing that broken vase, find a way to repair it and incorporate art.

Transformation: The tower moment if you will, this one hurt me the most a few times, especially when it came down to my mental health. This one was a big vibe check, but I managed to get through it and ended up loving the changes that occurred. For this, I suggest having a really strong support system, and having healthy coping skills as some of the transformation periods can be painful, and trust me, they will hurt. Or not, it all depends on the person and their situation. For me and my anxiety, if I don’t know what the process is, i freak out and get really scared and anxious. So I try to research the topic depending on what it is like a medical procedure or getting my bloodwork done. That way if I know what to expect, I have no reason to worry about it. However this doesn’t always work for other people. You can learn to embrace the transformation by utilizing positive coping skills, getting enough rest, self care, and brain dumping into a jorunal. Or sketch book, or even watching something inspirational or someone going through the same thing and how they made it through their situation.

Creativity: Already in the name and kinda like cunning, utilize creativity. Nurture it, make it your own; it doesn’t have to be aesthetically pleasing or expensive. As long as you like whatever it is you’re doing. Without hurting people or animals or yourself of course. Whatever you’re into, please make it your own. With our hurting animals, people or yourself.

Accountability: This one also hurts but it’s mandatory in my opinion to learn to handle criticism and learn to own up to your mistakes. If you cut someone in line and you’re at fault, accept it. Don’t try to cover it up or run from it, i’ve seen people explain their crap away without thinking about accepting their role in things. The more you run from your mistakes, it will send you down a path of cowardice. You can learn this skill by perhaps rehearsing in a mirror or role playing, help yourself ease into it!

Empathy: This one can be draining, as some people thrive on this sort of attention. When practicing empathy, you really want to be protective of. Your boundaries and energy as there are people, as mentioned, live on this. Remember, it’s free to be kind to others, it’s expensive to be mean to others. Just remember to set boundaries!

Experimentation: Don’t be afraid to fail and try again. Keep trying, even if you need youtube tutorials, tutoring, or just an extra brain and set of hands. Don’t be afraid to keep trying until you get it right and it meets your standards. Until then don’t give up and don’t let anyone tear you down and stop you from success. Don’t be afraid to block people or cut people off if they say otherwise. It’s okay to experiment with things, sexuality, hobbies or whatever you want to try!

Epilogue

Writing this in a lecture was not in this evening’s plans but here I am. The ADHD is ADHDing tonight! Anyways, I hope you guys got some sort of positive vibes or ideas on how to implement the virtues. Or at the very least the strength to do or say something, no matter how anxious or scared you are. I’ll see y’all this Wednesday! Have a good day/afternoon/evening!

Oh The Irony

Jesus it’s been MONTHS, as I write this at like… 11pm this feels so weird just writing this blog post. Anyways, I have been focusing on healing and facing some really dark shit regarding trauma and cycles of abuse, pain, and agony. I ran through some of the designated sagas, and have come to accept some brutal truths that I was quite literally running from. So, while I was out of a job, I was getting mental health treatment; I guess you can call that shadow work. So, imagine when I don’t successfully get into my dream job twice in 2 different counties; that was brutal and rough. However, over time, since I was an intern up until May of this year, my internship felt like a complete chore, my mentor didn’t make it any better. For some reason, I had lost interest in being a social worker.

I tried, really, to fall back in love with the profession. But my heart was no longer in it, after being given false promises from my professors, a disorganized program, I was tired. I just wanted to start my life already as I felt like I was suspended in pause. Well, after graduation I was jobless, and well, desperate for work as my savings were dwindling. My husband kept telling me that this well known employer was always an option. I was not wanting to work there, I wanted to do something else, I didn’t know what, but I just didn’t want to be employed at this well known employer. My fear? Cooking and graveyard shift.

I was telling my husband, I didn’t want to cook or pull all nighters, I wanted to use my degree, well, I did a reading with Loki, and asked if I should go forward with this chance. Pulling the wheel of fortune, I knew I had to jump at this opportunity. So after sleeping on it I caved and said fine, but I wasn’t willing to be a cook or pull all nighters. You know the phrase beggars can’t be choosers? Or perhaps the whole never say never? Yeah….

So, I go to interview and by some wild chance, whether it’s by random chance, luck or Loki testing my patience and sanity, I was interviewed and offered a position in a food/beverage dept. I was excited, but not too thrilled; this was NOT what I was wanting to do. But it pays, and I was really hurting for a job that can help me improve my mental health and to make ends meet. I took the job and went through quite the process to get there and after several weeks, I was officially hired. I am, still, a bit grumpy about it cause this was not what I wanted to do at all. However, I can transfer out of the department after 6 months into a different one. So that’s the goal, to survive and hopefully thrive and then transfer out. But I am okay, bummed about being a cook, but happy to have money coming in. I don’t think I’ll end up practicing social work, which sucks, but this employer has much more to offer than the county. The difference is there is no pension available at this employer. I guess the lesson here is… fuck I don’t know or how to phrase it.

Loki pushed my limits with this one. It’s the “Ohh I thought you said that you didn’t want to do this? Ohh but look where you’re at now!” That’s got me. Oh and most recently I lost my name tag (it has a magnet to attach to the uniform). I couldn’t find it, I asked Loki to help me find it, and I found it. Stuck to my car keys. Where they unironically, hang above his altar, specifically his statue. So, all in all, I’m still good, I’m okay, but gods damn if I am given an opportunity, I need to take it, even if it might be something I do not enjoy doing. Loki will put you in your place; I do like my new employer, the foods great, high quality and cheap. The money’s good, lunch is paid, I can also see my husband after work. It’s closer to home too, so it’s working out.

In short, if there is an opportunity, that the gods give you, take it. It might be a shitty position, it might be something that you do not like, but sometimes if you want to get into something that’s well known and in a way, powerful, you gotta take what you’re given. In this case, it was being stationed in a kitchen. I do not plan to stay in this department. I just needed to get in and I will be exploring another department. All in all, in short, these past 6 months were absolutely fucking wild.

I disappeared, back I’m hopefully back & why I went MIA

TL;DR: shit got rough on my end, didn’t get the job I want. Hoping to return after graduation (5.16.25.)

When I left for a couple months, it sucked. But when you leave a job that went down hill, living off a stipend, be unpaid intern at DPSS, deal with a heavy flow of tasks, barely any days off (prior to leaving my job), and didn’t get the job I worked hard to get, it’s draining. School and internship consumed me, it was utterly painful. But this time around hopefully I’ll be back. The one thing I look forward to now is a date with my husband, taking care of myself via therapy, psychiatry, and accepting my fate. That being, Depts. of social work, they only want MSWs, something in which I cannot afford. Let me explain:

For those who’re curious, I studied and majored in social work, specifically child welfare. I got the stipend, I interned, I even had a case, we were told from the school that the standards were lowered so that BASWs can get a job. I applied to be a SSP III, a level right below a supervisor level. I was so ecstatic when I got an interview, I got up at 5am to get ready, get breakfast, and drive 45 mins to the site for a hiring event. I was three before the doors opened. I was to interview at 9:05am, but I noticed that there was more and more people coming into the room with other social workers. All MSWs, or SWs with years of experience, I was the only BASW.

Long short of it I was dismissed at 12p and told I didn’t get the position. I was placed on an “interest list” and I was to be on that list for 6 months. They could call at anytime and hire me. I knew deep down I wasn’t going to get hired, but I remained hopeful. I was right, I didn’t nail it, given that ai don’t have much experience in the field, I couldn’t really tie anything to the questions I was given.

So I’m sitting here, in my bed with my husband fast asleep, it’s 10:28 PST, in sweat pants and sweat shirt writing this. I finish school next week and get an expensive and useless degree in social work that I can’t use. I’m trying to trust Loki, hoping he has something better lined up for me, but it’s hard. I owe back a stipend, around 15 to 20 grand. On top of bills, necessities, appointments, and car payment, I was way in over my head about this.

So what’s next, well, if the neighboring county calls to hire me, I may be forced to work in the high desert. Which is not as easy as my husband thinks it is. He tells me “we’ll live.” “We’ll make it work!” “You don’t have to rent a home out there.” “Most of the traffic comes from going down the hill. You’ll be fine.” He’s not mean or abusive, but he doesn’t realize how intense this branch of social work is. He’s simple, loving, we have a lot in common, but I told him I will reject the offer to work in the place where I may be placed. I cannot sacrifice my mental health and my marriage. I’d have to leave at 4 or 5am, work 8a to 5p, and go down a mountain where there is not just traffic, but construction work, and car accidents. I wouldn’t be home till around 9 or 10 pm perhaps even later getting minimal sleep. It wouldn’t be worth it, and I can’t afford to sacrifice myself.

My husband tells me I need to manage my mental health and take breaks. But when I worked, had school, and internship, he was sad, he told me he doesn’t see me anymore. I adjusted my schedule so I can have time with my husband. Now, it’s different, he’s aware and worried about the stipend being paid back in actual money instead of time. Hence why he’s pushing and encouraging me to take the position if it was my only option.

But the thing is: I am taking the L so to speak, I don’t want to be a social worker if it means I have to sacrifice my mental health. I’ve been struggling with self sabotage lately, and I have been heavily debating that this isn’t the right career and that I really fucked up, I recall saying I should have gone straight to work after high school. But perhaps it wasn’t self sabotage, perhaps it was a hunch, a feeling deep down that has surfaced slowly. One of the things I need to work on is trusting myself: my intuition. Luckily I am walking away debt free from the university since the state paid for it. But, that’s going to change in a year. I have exactly 1 year to get employed with the county other wise I owe a lot of money back.

In short, this is why I disappeared for a while. It’s been rough out here. It sucks, but hey, it is what it is.

lunar-witchin-deactivated202509

crystal magic basics 💎

a quick guide for using and caring for your crystal

— cleanse l it's important to cleanse your crystal of negative energies before and after you carry it for an extended period of time or use it in your practice.

methods of crystal cleansing

— water cleansing | mix sea salt and clear water from a natural source — such as rain or a stream. submerge your crystals and let them sit overnight. don't use this method with crystals that are water soluble

— smoke cleansing I pass your crystal through incense or herb smoke of your choice

— fire cleansing | quickly pass your crystal through the flame of a lit candle or match (safely and carefully!)

— salt cleansing | cover your crystals completely in sea salt and allow them to sit overnight before uncovering them

— earth cleansing | like salt cleansing, bury your crystals in dirt or soil and allow them to sit overnight before uncovering them

— program I after cleansing, you can program your crystal with your desired intention so long as it aligns with the properties of the crystal itself

methods of crystal programming

— visualize | hold your crystal in the hand that feels most comfortable, and imagine a soft light filling your crystal while you focus on your intention. rest when you feel you've activated the crystal

— communicate | while holding your crystal, have a conversation with it. this can be out loud or in your head. be sure to make your intentions clear and show gratitude when you feel your crystal has been activated

— familiarize | carry your crystal with you for a few days or weeks while you focus on your intent. eventually the crystal will activate by picking up your vibrations

— charge | lastly, after you've programmed your intent into the crystal, choose a suitable method of charging it with energy

methods of crystal charging

— sunlight | put your crystals outside or on your windowsill in sunlight for the day. this may cause color fading in certain crystals

— moonlight | put your crystals outside or on your windowsill overnight in moonlight (pretty much exactly like sunlight but without the possibility of crystal color fading)

— your energy I hold your crystal in your hand and focus your energy into it, allowing it to charge

when you’re finished using your crystals, be sure to store them in a cleansed, sacred, and safe space.

and that’s it! you now have access to magic rocks. enjoy!

witchyintention

How to Be a Witch or Pagan Without Falling for Conspiracy Theories and New Age Cult Stuff

Witchcraft and paganism offer beautiful, empowering ways to connect with the world, the divine, and yourself. But let’s be real: the spiritual community can sometimes feel like navigating a metaphysical minefield. From “lizard people control the world” conspiracies to the pervasive influence of New Age cults, finding your way as a witch or pagan can feel daunting. So, how can you embrace this path while keeping your wits about you? Let’s dive into it—no tinfoil hats required.

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1. Know Thyself and Do Thy Research

One of the most powerful tools for any witch or pagan is knowledge. Before diving headfirst into spiritual practices or belief systems, ask yourself:

What am I looking for in my path?

What resonates with me spiritually and ethically?

How can I learn more from credible sources?

Avoid treating every book, blog, or TikTok video as gospel truth. Instead, prioritize research from reputable authors and scholars. Look for historical, cultural, and anthropological contexts behind practices and beliefs. For example, if you’re exploring Norse paganism, read the Poetic Edda, but also check out scholarly works like Hilda Ellis Davidson’s writings.

💡 Pro Tip: If something sounds too fantastical or claims to have “secret knowledge,” approach it critically. “Ancient Lemurians built the pyramids” is not archaeology—it’s a conspiracy theory.

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2. Critical Thinking: Your New Familiar

While spirituality embraces the unseen and mysterious, it doesn’t mean suspending all logic. Here’s how to keep critical thinking in your witchy toolkit:

Fact-Check Everything: Whether it’s a viral claim about moon water curing all ailments or a new trend like “quantum jumping,” take a moment to verify its origins.

Ask Questions: Who benefits from spreading this belief? Are there ulterior motives, such as selling courses, books, or products?

Beware the “Cult of Personality”: Be wary of influencers or leaders who discourage dissent or demand unquestioning loyalty. Spirituality thrives on diversity of thought.

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3. Beware of Spiritual Bypassing

Some New Age ideas encourage bypassing real-world issues in favor of “high vibes only.” While positivity is great, ignoring trauma, systemic problems, or mental health struggles in the name of spirituality is toxic. True witchcraft and paganism embrace balance, acknowledging both the light and the shadow.

✋ Red Flag: Anyone who tells you to “just manifest” your way out of hardship or suggests that you’re attracting negativity because of bad energy. Life is more complex than that.

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4. Stay Grounded in History, Not Appropriation

A common pitfall in modern paganism and witchcraft is cultural appropriation masquerading as spirituality. Using sacred practices or symbols from cultures you’re not part of without understanding their context can be harmful.

If you’re drawn to a practice, research its origins and ensure you’re honoring it respectfully.

Consider focusing on traditions tied to your own ancestry or exploring paths open to everyone, like modern witchcraft.

🌿 Example: Smudging is a specific Indigenous practice. Instead of co-opting it, explore alternative smoke-cleansing methods with herbs like rosemary or lavender.

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5. Cult Warning Signs: Spot Them Early

Not all cults look like Hollywood’s hooded figures chanting in candlelit basements. In spirituality, cult-like behavior often hides under the guise of community.

Red Flags Include:

An authoritarian leader or group demanding absolute loyalty.

Isolation from family, friends, or outside perspectives.

Fear-based control tactics, like threatening spiritual punishment for leaving.

Heavy financial exploitation (e.g., expensive courses or “required” donations).

💡 Remember: True spiritual communities empower you to think for yourself, not rely on a single leader or system.

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6. Separate Science from Spirituality

You can be a witch or pagan and still respect science. Magic doesn’t have to contradict reality—it works alongside it. For example:

Herbs like chamomile and valerian have scientifically proven calming properties, but that doesn’t mean they’re a cure-all.

Astrology can provide insight into your personality, but it’s not a substitute for therapy or medical advice.

🌙 Balance: Use spirituality as a tool for meaning and connection, not as a replacement for critical thinking or evidence-based practices.

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7. Build Your Own Practice

You don’t need to follow every trend or adopt someone else’s path. Witchcraft and paganism are deeply personal journeys. Create a practice that aligns with your values and beliefs, free from the noise of conspiracy theories or cult-like pressures.

Ideas for Starting Out:

Learn about local folklore or the natural cycles in your area.

Experiment with simple rituals, like lighting a candle with intention or journaling under the moon.

Create an altar with objects that resonate with you—crystals, photos, or even trinkets that make you smile.

🌟 Most Importantly: Trust your intuition. If something doesn’t feel right, it’s okay to say “no, thanks.”

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8. Community: Seek Connection, Not Control

Connecting with other witches and pagans can be enriching—but choose your circles wisely. Look for communities that:

Encourage discussion and critical thought.

Respect individual paths and practices.

Avoid fear-mongering or elitism.

👀 Where to Look: Online forums, book clubs, or open public rituals are great starting points. Just remember to maintain healthy boundaries.

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9. Grounding Techniques to Avoid Falling for the “Woo Woo”

When exploring spirituality, it’s easy to get carried away. Grounding yourself regularly can help you stay centered:

Meditate or practice mindful breathing.

Spend time in nature, whether it’s a park or your backyard.

Write down your beliefs and revisit them regularly. Are they still serving you?

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10. Be Open-Minded, Not Gullible

It’s okay to explore the mystical and unknown, but there’s a difference between curiosity and naivety. Stay open to new ideas, but don’t abandon discernment. Your path should feel empowering, not overwhelming or manipulative.

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Final Thoughts

Witchcraft and paganism are all about connecting with nature, yourself, and the divine in ways that feel meaningful and authentic. By staying grounded, informed, and true to yourself, you can embrace this path without falling prey to conspiracy theories or cult-like traps.

Remember: You’re the captain of your own broomstick. Fly wisely.

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witchesversuspatriarchy

it could help

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Our paths take us where we should end up, even if we don’t realize the reason at the same 🛶🌊

elizatungusnakur

'Loki and Sif' by Vetta Antonova (Dark Fairy Tales) for ARTMIF / Gods of Scandinavia

Please go check out the artist's work as linked above, it's all amazing. You'll find the original sketch for this piece on their profile too. <3

Loki’s main quest line: The abundance of side quests & main story lines

Think of it this way, a deity comes into your life no they have a reason why their there and want to work with you. I for one, have quote the laundry list of quests and main story lines that I have been focusing on and needless to say, it’s quite heavy. Also, Fridays turn out to be difficult to post on considering I do want time with my husband. So, I’m gonna share just some of the quests and main story lines I have from Loki (which is about a pages worth of quests) as well as how you can complete the quests with out cheesing it and actually learning something useful. So grab your favorite drinks and snack, get comfy and grab your pet and let’s do this.

TW-mentions of abuse, trauma, addiction, parentification, pandemic, divorce of parents, mental illness, MAGA Cult mentioned

👤Shadow Work👤: It’s a classic, one of the most popular quest lines when working with ny deity. But when you work with a deity that has a level 100 roast ability as well as 100 level in speech, it can be a rough one. Shadow work involves reflecting inward and understanding yourself on a deeper and darker level. Whether you’re breaking a cycle (in my case, generational trauma and abuse, addiction and self worth and so on.) So how does one go about working with their shadow self and embracing it? One way to do it is therapy, which is my main route of shadow work. I need to relinquish the false and comforting belief that I have control over everything when in reality I don’t. Growing up in a dysfunctional family I sought control in my life because I didn’t have control back then. I was put into a roll that wasn’t meant for me and in adult situations that I shouldn’t have been in. You can also journal and utilize divination to help with guiding you on shadow work since the cards can also be straightforward. If journaling isn’t your thing and you want something more structured I suggest going to Barnes and Noble or any aware guided journals are found and look for one that fits your needs. Or get the popular Shadow Work guided journal that TikTok is or was obsessed with, be sure to try and do it once a day and for no longer than 10 minutes and to always do self care before and after the ten minutes of self reflection.

🚚Moving On🚚: This was a hard one and continues to be a hard one. Moving on is one of the most difficult things I needed and still need to do. When I was told to move on from a former love interest and to leave him behind and in the dust, I didn’t listen. Instead, I kept wondering and thinking and checking to see if this person suffered. Eventually they got dumped for being a POS and I loved watching his heart break and being upset and lonely for once. Well, eventually, That person made their account private and it irritated me because in my mind I wanted to continue to see them suffer. Loki quite literally said keep fucking around and you’re gonna find out. Well, I still do therapy for this one, but over time I have thought of this person less and less and slowly make progress into moving on. You can help yourself move on with the help of friends, family, therapy, support groups, therapy and self care as well as setting personal boundaries with yourself. Although it is difficult to do so. But these challenge may present easy to you!

🏃🏻‍♀️‍➡️Remove Stagnant Energy🏃🏻‍♀️‍➡️: this one was also a painfully slow task. Before I got my mental illnesses treated, I got into a pretty deep and dark rut. I was comfortable in it and didn’t want it to change not one bit. With anxiety being the biggest thing I struggled with thus far and still do. I find comfort in just bed rotting but rotting isn’t something Loki and my husband enjoy seeing me do. To move stagnant energy, it can be something simple like tidying your space for 5 minutes, going for a walk, something to do with moving your body and nourish yourself. Even if all you do is go to the chair and fold that pie of laundry that has been waiting to be put away. To be in the same old rut means to become predictable, change things up a bit and live your life! But don’t overthink or over do it!

🪴Nurture Yourself & Self Care🪴: this one also can be pretty tough, especially when things get rough and predictably mundane, to nurture yourself is to encourage yourself and your growth, to cherish your life, to grow our potential. Self care ties into this as well; both go hand in hand as you cannot do one without the other without burning out. This one can be overwhelming, so be sure to take it easy and enjoy the slow days. Eat healthy, exercise if you want or need to, even if you just walk around the block of your neighborhood or stretch for 5 minutes, color, journal, scrap book, read, play video games (My favorite is playing Minecraft and listening to audio books!). If you’re a Uni student be sure to study, take breaks, get your homework done in a timely manner, don’t wait till the last minute!

🌸Trust Yourself🌸: trusting yourself can be hard to do especially if you’re traumatized. When working with divination, you will learn that one of the core lessons is to trust yourself and how you’re reading your cards, dice, pendulums etc. to trust yourself is also nourishment for your mind and it trains your brain and intuition. To trust yourself is liking taking a leap of faith and knowing you’ll land safely on your feet or in a haystack (Get it?). To gain your own trust is gonna be different for everyone, find your strengths, learn to focus and have compassion for yourself, have accountability and if you make a promise, follow through and keep it.

☺️Be Comfortable and Happy☺️: I struggled with this a bit when I lived with my parents, especially when my parents divorced during the pandemic. When my father got with my step mom, they both still had a lot of trauma to deal with in a healthy way. But I felt like I was walking on eggshells and I couldn’t get comfort and be happy. It wasn’t until I moved in with my then boyfriend now husband that I was able to find comfort and peace. When I moved out and in with my husband, I had a pretty bad migraine. It lasted for a couple days but I later realized that I was under such high anxiety, stress, and pressure, that my body found it so foreign to actually be comfortable and be in a safe environment. It threw into quite the shock and it threw my husband into shock. We both had migraines, we both went into our own rooms and slept. To find comfort and be happy sometimes means leaving an unhealthy environment, relationship, work place, etc. to be comfortable and happy is to find your safe place, to practice mindfulness, self care, and to find acceptance within yourself without tearing yourself apart.

🛟Enjoy Life, don’t take it too seriously🛟: I took and still do take life seriously to an extent. For me, life is school, work, internship, visiting family and having time with my husband. Sure, sometimes I go and hang out with my sister but that’s few and far in between because our work schedules are different but at least we find time lmao. Sometimes, well, my husband and a I are supposed to be having at least 1-2 dates per month. The first three months of 2025, weeks got married and had dinner, this month we had a double date, and this month, we’re going to his friend and his wife’s baby shower. We all take time to enjoy the time we have for each other, even if we barely see each other. If you take life too seriously, you will stress yourself out so be sure to take breaks! Build that Lego set, read those comic books, go to your favorite hiking trails and collect rocks, he’ll glue google eyes on said rocks. Taking time to enjoy your life is truly beneficial to you and even your path if you tie it into that.

🍾Celebrate Yourself and Your Life🍾: Celebrating yourself and your life does need to be elaborate at all. Even if it means you go to your local cafe and celebrate that you got out of bed and did something besides doom scrolling and bed rotting.celebrate the fact that you’re alive, survived work, survived babysitting, getting that project done! Celebrate you and your achievements and accomplishments in life! Even if it’s something small and or simple or both.

🪄Spread Joy and Magick🪄: Spreading joy and magick can be tough if you don’t know where to start. I started with my husband, we use memes, send each other memes, he’s also asked me about how and why Loki turned into a stunning mare and had given birth to Slepinir (true story). To spread joy and magick is to hang out with your friends and family, to play with your dog, cat r whatever kind of pet that you have, volunteer somewhere, smile, laugh, he’ll do some yoga with goats!

🔮Use Your Intuition🔮: to use your intuition is like trusting yourself and gut on a deeper level. In social work, they tell you that trusting a gut feeling isn’t something you can use. But not everyone here will be in a social work program or majoring in social work, this one is a good thing. Now just because I study social work, I still use my intuition, BUT, I cannot use it in the office since it’s not something that can be used in court, to practice your intuition, you can start by being present, feel out how you feel and where you feel it, practice mindfulness and if you’re able to, meditate. Meditating for me is rather difficult given that ADHD makes it hard to do nice I get distracted easily.

😪Don’t Be a Snob😪: Be mindful about how you speak and approach people. I grew up privileged in an HOA to a middle class family in a conservative town. Culturally, the locals can be and are snobs, stuck up, sarcastic, crass and are very right leaning and pro MAGA. I grew up in a community where we think we’re right all the time and that we don’t have to deal with crime and homelessness etc. well, I got a major reality check over time. And I’m still learning how to change up my approach, but over all the process is worth it. You can start by thinking through what it is you wanna say and how to say it. You can even practice in a mirror or write things down or even practice with your friends and family to get a feel for how you want to approach someone or something with grace.

🧐Research Your Craft n’ Path🧐: I’m a green witch, and my path in my eyes can be and is overwhelming. There’s so many different kinds of plants, trees, herbs and fungi that I procrastinate over it. I still have books I need to read and get a good idea about what it is I need to know since I need to practice the basics of the green witch path. It’s a lot, but I need to take it piece by piece, bite by bite. Studying and practicing your craft can be overwhelming and you will at some point get burnt out and or bored of it. Take breaks, practice subtle witchcraft if you can, and it doesn’t have to be anything complicated. But when you conduct your research be sure to vet your sources, especially if you refer to content creators. Be sure to read about Thor’s of books, check the validity of blogs, don’t rush through this, take time!

⚔️Pick n’ Choose Your Battles⚔️: Usually I like to run people’s fades. It’s satisfying to see my foes fail and me succeeding in places that they couldn’t succeed in. But I can’t be fighting in every battle just for the sake of wanting to be winning all of them at once. At some point it gets draining and boring on top of that people will begin to see you be hostile, combative, argumentative and arrogant. That’s not the image you want to portray yourself as. Not every battle that comes across your path is worth fighting for. Sometimes it’s even better to not respond to the battle that appears in your path. For this, you can write a pros and cons list, discuss this with your therapist (if you have one), consult friends and family. Weigh out your options about whether or not the battle is even worth it in the first place. If someone is trying to get you wrongfully fired, then of course you may want to fight back and rightful so. But if someone tries to complain about something trivial like how you allegedly stole their parking spot, it’s not exactly worth it. Unless they get stupid and threaten you then by all means do what you need to do to protect yourself.

This is some of the quiet items that I need to work on there are some that I didn’t mention because they’re more personalized to me specifically. I which we all will have our personalized quests and side quests at some point. But every deity will have their own main stories and their reasons that they want to work with you. Sometimes it can be a short term practice, or maybe it’s long term or it can even last a lifetime! Perhaps once you complete your quests that deity may stick it out with you. In Loki’s case, they will move fast with you, they’re fast as fuck boi. And Loki, although playful, get serious real quick. So be sure you’re ready to tackle with this questline involving Loki and working with them because it’s a wild ride and the journey is absolutely beautiful, funny and at times, rough.

In Conclusion

Yay! Another long post has been made! Aughhh they feel so good to write! Anyways, like I said this is SOME of the stuff I need to work on and everyone else’s path n’ craft will be different from my own. Be sure to march to the beat of your own drum and make your craft your own, it doesn’t have to be exactly what you see on YouTube, Facebook, TikTok, Instagram or where ever you get your witchy content. Be you and make your craft yours and yours online! You can be inspired but don’t copy everything you see!

Until, next Monday, see y’all!

I spent $1k on dental care and I’m stupid sore. I’ll try to post either Wednesday or Friday of this week!

Love Spells: Is it a good idea?

Sorry for not posting on Monday! I had a dental emergency and on the 17th of this month I will be stuck at the dentist for 3 1/2 hrs getting $1k worth of dental work and repairs. Sucks when you’re fighting genes on a mental and dental front, but it’s the fight I’m in. SO, love spells, are they a good or bad idea? You may have heard that they’re good, and that there is nothing wrong with them. Or maybe you heard that they’re bad news and they can create dangerous situations or may result in you being rejected. Or maybe you heard that only self love spells are the go to if you want love; after all you can’t love others until you love yourself first. Go on a head, get comfy, grab your favorite snack and drink and grab your pet and let’s dive into whether or not love spells are a yay or nay to do.

Pop-Culture

Films like The Love Witch and The Craft for example mention the use of love spells. The Craft being more iconic in pop culture where the main character casts a love spell on her crush, which starts off good and fun at first until he becomes obsessed with her and later snowballs in him being killed. You may have even went to your local thrift store and picked up an old 80s/90s book of spells or on Wicca that has love spells. Perhaps those workings are within a closed practice too but you didn’t know at the time. But just because Pop-Culture depicts something in Hollywood, doesn’t always mean its all bad…right?

Why it could be a bad idea

So you’re in love with John/Jane/Jamie Doe. You just met him/her/them and you knew you just needed that one person in your life! But you just met your crush, you don’t know them, you just barely got the phone number written down and maybe a social media handle or two to request access to follow your crush. But, You notice that one person you have set your eyes on, has a datemate/girlfriend/boyfriend. You may feel forlorn, heartbroken, angry, jealous even, you feel entitled to be their partner, not that current partner they are dating. So, you want to speed things up and have the relationship that your crush and their partner are in to be deleted, breaking them up brings you joy, even a smile to your face!

So you go to a random website or perhaps YouTube of all places and look into break spells, curses, hexes etc. you find a spell that you can perform easily. And what day know you do the working, their relationship falls apart. Now, John/Jane/Jamie Doe has eye for you and for you alone. It’s exactly what you wanted, you feel whole, complete, satisfied that the ex partner is upset, crying. Until you realize later down the road that your now partner is abusive, a liar, serial cheater, fraud, or perhaps has an addiction they refuse to recover from. Their ex is now living their best life while you drown in your mistakes wondering what you could’ve done to help your now partner.

What I’m saying is, if you fuck around, you’re gonna find out. If you don’t know that person and you dive head first into shallow waters, and don’t know them entirely and try to get have them wrapped around your finger, chances are you’ll be sorry later. It’s so important to get to know someone, do divination, whether you do it or purchase a reading from someone, you need to take time to get to know them and really see if the one you are in love with is truly worth it to be with. Now, dangers from love workings are still real, and shouldn’t be taken lightly. You can’t control whether or not a person can fall in love with you.

Now you might be saying, “What about attraction spells?” Well those aren’t as risky as they leave more room for options cause you never truly know; maybe there is a better person for you other than your current crush. I had this experience myself, Loki saw through my former love interest and his bullshit and put me in the path of my husband. Even the gods know when your crush bathes in hot dog water and isn’t the person they portray themselves to be. When doing attraction work, use protection. No matter what, protection is a beautiful thing, please do it, whatever and however you protect yourself, do it. Not only did I try workings on my former love interest, they only worked for a little while before they stopped. Entirely. I got so mad and frustrated as well as heart broken, I was stubborn about it and kept trying to get this interest of mine into my life. I don’t know how long Loki has been in my life but this definitely sounds like something he’d do. Seeing that I needed to learn that I can’t control everything and that I needed to see the harsh reality that this person was actually a terrible human being.

Now, no workings were done on my husband, I just got lucky he fell in love with me over again (we met in high school in 2015 and didn’t really start talking until 2020 when he was in the National Guard and was activated for the riots.)

What Might Loki think About Love Spells?

Well, the god of Chaos themself is going to and will tell you like it is. It may be explained or shown to you differently than what you understand, but they will tell you that John/Jane/Jamie Doe doesn’t wipe his/her/their butt after pooping and snapchats many different people throughout the day setting up hook ups. Loki is the definition of fuck around and find out, and the lessons you may learn can hurt. Loki wants you to release the control you think you have. I tried controlling a situation with my former love interest because I wanted him so badly and no matter what I did, nothing worked. I got close to breaking my former love interest’s relationship up and having it go Nuclear. But I couldn’t get what I wanted, Loki saw through this man I wanted and if Loki told me he gagged every time he saw/heard/thought of that person or hear me mention my FLI (former love interest), I believe him 100%. It wasn’t until I was seriously committed to my then boyfriend now husband that my FLI and his girlfriend of 3 years broke up. I was so shook, that I went to bed with my mind swimming.

Do I know what Loki is thinking around the clock 24/7? No. This is just a guess, but please ask Loki themself, everyone’s situation is different. But Loki is the world breaker, they will help you relinquish that false sense of control you have and will, no matter what, come what may, tell you like it is. But remember, they can be loving, soft, and gentle. But they can be serious, brutal, and straightforward about situations about situations and call you out.

Self Love Workings?

In Social Work, this is the bread and butter. This is literally one of the big tenets of the field, if you don’t do self care and have self love, you’re gonna crash and burn and it’s gonna hurt. It’s unavoidable, in order to love an other, you must learn to love yourself unconditionally. If you do a self love working and actively follow through with it, maybe do it as an offering, you can get so much out of it and Loki of course loves it when we take care of ourselves and not base our worth in someone else other than yourself.

In Conclusion

Whether or not you decide to follow through with love workings/spell work is up to you. Maybe it will work for you in a good way, but it may not work in the way you expect it to. At the end of the day, it’s all up to you. Also, happy Valentines Day whether or not you celebrate it, I still hope your day goes great! Remember, you don’t need a human to have a fantastic Valentine’s Day! Blessed be!

principeheylel

broomsick

List of interesting ressources pertaining to norse paganism, scandinavian folklore and history, and nordic religions in general

These are sources I have personally used in the context of my research, and which I've enjoyed and found useful. Please don’t mind if I missed this or that ressource, as for this post, I focused solely on my own preferences when it comes to research. I may add on to this list via reblog if other interesting sources come to my mind after this has been posted. Good luck on your research! And as always, my question box is open if you have any questions pertaining to my experiences and thoughts on paganism.

Mythology

The Viking Spirit: An Introduction to Norse Mythology and Religion

Dictionnary of Northern Mythology

The Prose and Poetic Eddas (Online)

Grottasöngr: The Song of Grotti (Online)

The Poetic Edda: Stories of the Norse Gods and Heroes

The Wanderer's Hávamál

The Song of Beowulf

Norse Mythology: Myths of the Eddas (Online)

Rauðúlfs Þáttr

The Penguin Book of Norse Myths: Gods of the Vikings (Kevin Crossley-Holland's are my favorite retellings)

Myths of the Norsemen From the Eddas and the Sagas (online) A source that's as old as the world, but still very complete and an interesting read.

The Elder Eddas of Saemung Sigfusson

Pocket Hávamál

Cassell's Dictionary of Norse Myth and Legend (Online)

Cassel's Dictionary of Norse Myth and Legend

Myths of the Pagan North: Gods of the Norsemen

Lore of the Vanir: A Brief Overview of the Vanir Gods

Anglo-Saxon and Norse Poems

Gods of the Ancient Northmen

Gods of the Ancient Northmen (Online)

Norse Mythology - The Gods, Goddesses, and Heroes Handbook: From Vikings to Valkyries, an Epic Who's Who in Old Norse Mythology (A vulgarized and fun read for for newbies!)

Two Icelandic Stories: Hreiðars Þáttr and Orms Þáttr

Two Icelandic Stories: Hreiðars Þáttr and Orms Þáttr (Online)

The Elder Eddas of Saemund Sigfusson; and the Younger Eddas of Snorre Sturleson (Online)

Sagas

Two Sagas of Mythical Heroes: Hervor and Heidrek & Hrólf Kraki and His Champions (compiling the Hervarar saga ok Heiðreks and the Hrólfs saga kraka)

The Saga of the Jómsvíkings

The Saga of King Heidrek the Wise (Online)

The Heimskringla or the Chronicle of the Kings of Norway (Online)

Stories and Ballads of the Far Past OR Stories and Ballads or the Far Past - Translated from the norse (Icelandic and Faroese) with introduction and notes

Stories and Ballads of the Far Past: Icelandic and Faroese

Heimskringla: History of the Kings of Norway

The Saga of the Volsungs: With the Saga of Ragnar Lothbrok

The Saga of the Volsungs (Online. Interesting analysis, but this is another pretty old source.)

The Story of the Volsungs (Online) Morris and Magnusson translation

The Vinland Sagas

Hákon the Good's Saga (Online)

The Saga of Hervör and Heidrek (Online)

The Saga of the Jómsvikings (Online)

History of religious practices

The Viking Way: Magic and Mind in Late Iron Age Scandinavia

Nordic Religions in the Viking Age

Agricola and Germania Tacitus' account of religion in nordic countries

Myths and Symbols in Pagan Europe: Early Scandinavian and Celtic Religions

Tacitus on Germany (Online)

Norse Mythology: A Guide to Gods, Heroes, Rituals, and Beliefs

Scandinavia and the Viking Age

Viking Age Iceland

Landnámabók: Book of the Settlement of Iceland (Online)

The Age of the Vikings

The Vikings (Online. Mind the year of publication, this source is pretty old!)

Gesta Danorum: The Danish History (Books I-IX)

The Sea Wolves: a History of the Vikings

The Viking World

The History of Iceland

Guta Lag: The Law of the Gotlanders (Online)

The Pre-Christian Religions of the North (This is a four-volume series I haven't read yet, but that I wish to acquire soon! It's the next research read I have planned.)

Old Norse Folklore: Tradition, Innovation, and Performance in Medieval Scandinavia

Children of Ash and Elm: A History of the Vikings

The Penguin Historical Atlas of the Vikings by John Haywood

Landnámabók: Viking Settlers and Their Customs in Iceland

Nordic Tales: Folktales from Norway, Sweden, Finland, Iceland and Denmark (For a little literary break from all the serious research! The stories are told in a way that can sometimes get repetitive, but it makes it easier to notice recurring patterns and themes within Scandinavian oral tradition.)

Old Norse-Icelandic Literature: A Short Introduction

Saga Form, Oral Prehistory, and the Icelandic Social Context

An Early Meal: A Viking Age Cookbook and Culinary Oddyssey

Runes & Old Norse language

Uppland region runestones and their translations

Viking Language 1: Learn Old Norse, Runes, and Icelandic Sagas and Viking Language 2: The Old Norse Reader

Five Pieces of Runic Poetry

Old Norse-Icelandic Literature: A Critical Guide

Eddic to English: A survey of English translations of the Poetic Edda

Catalogue of the Manks Crosses with Runic Inscriptions

Old Norse - Old Icelandic: Concise Introduction to the Language of the Sagas

A Companion to Old Norse-Icelandic Literature and Culture

Five pieces of runic poetry translated from the islandic language: Quotations

Nordic Runes: Understanding, Casting, and Interpreting the Ancient Viking Oracle

YouTube channels

Ocean Keltoi

Arith Härger

Old Halfdan

Jackson Crawford

Wolf the Red

Sigurboði Grétarsson

Grimfrost

(Reminder! The channel "The Wisdom of Odin", aka Jacob Toddson, is a known supporter of pseudo scientific theories and of the AFA, a folkist and white-supremacist organization, and he's been known to hold cult-like, dangerous rituals, as well as to use his UPG as truth and to ask for his followers to provide money for his building some kind of "real life viking hall", as supposedly asked to him by Óðinn himself. A source to avoid. But more on that here.)

Websites

The Troth

Norse Mythology for Smart People

Voluspa.org

Mimisbrunnr: Developments in Ancient Germanic Studies

Icelandic Saga Database

Skaldic Project

Life in Norway This is more of a tourist's ressources, but I find they publish loads of fascinating articles pertaining to Norway's history and its traditions.

Germanic Mythology

Stories for all time: The Icelandic Fornaldarsögur

broomsick

I've somewhat updated this list, in case some of you were interested in checking out new ressources!

Imbolc: How to do it Your Way w/Loki

Imbolc has finally hit us! And as I type away on this old crusty dusty humble laptop, I thought I'd share some ideas with you all about how to celebrate it with a Lokean vibe. But if that doesn't fly n' vibe with you you can find something that works best for you. So get comfortable, grab your favorite snack and drink and grab your pet to cuddle up with and let's get into this. Also remember, some companies are no longer supporting DEI, shop at your own peril and do your research as to who you want to support at this time. Also sorry for the late post, husband got sick and needed to be babied.

What is Imbolc?

Imbolc is the very first few inklings and sensations of spring coming; it is also when the Goddess Brigid is celebrated. This time is based upon purification for farmers.

Cool, how do we celebrate it?

🪴Gardening🪴:Research what plants you can start growing since places such as Ace Hardware or grocery store, etc. have begun to bring out the gardening supplies (Now you don't HAVE TO shop at these places given the DEI incidents) you can even go to your local Nursery and pick up some supplies like seeds, gardening kits, tools, soil etc. Be sure you garden safely and something that benefits YOU.

How can I tie this into Loki?

Loki, although not a picky god, they do have their floral meanings. Lavender for example ( If I recall correctly is tied to Loki) is one you can do as an offering. But decorate the pot, enchant the pot, or purchase a fun vase. When your planting the seeds, you can say a prayer for what projects you want to come to fruition. Beware that Loki is fast, and they find something better suited for you so be ready to try something new or find something better!

🧼Cleaning🧹: Got a dirty room? Altar need TLC? Closet needs to be reorganized? Well this would be like pre-gaming for the big spring cleaning. Now, you don't have to make it a huge task, break it down, take breaks, REST. SELF CARE. EAT. DRINK. SOME. WATER. even if you're just sweeping your floor it will work. Or if you want to deep clean your room and door dash food to celebrate the holiday, that works too!

How can I tie this into Loki?

When you clean, you move stagnant energy around. So if you haven't tended to his altar, perhaps you can freshen it up a bit. whether it's flowers, candles (battery-powered or not) spring related crystals, sprucing up their space is not only shifting energy, but bonding with him too. It's simple, easy, and perhaps you can throw some divination in there too. Loki isn't picky, but they do like to feel pretty, and what not better way to celebrate Imbolc than to bring in spring with Loki than to give them a spring themed altar.

📽️Setting Goals/Projects📚: It doesn't have to be a big project, it can be something small. For me, it's writing. A lot. Loki recognizes and sees that I have a knack for writing, I always have lol. I would like to write a book, finish it, and perhaps publish it. Now your goal/project may be different than mine and that's okay. If your goal is to pass your classes, re-do your entire kitchen, save for a car, etc. that make steps towards that goal!

How can I tie this into Loki?

Loki isn’t a slow paced god, he will move fast. They’re known for making sure you meet your goals, or creating/knowing/suggesting goals. They’re quite creative on a godly level so be ready to face what he has in store for you. They can help you reach your goals and achieve so many things on your path it’s amazing. But remember that he is a FAFO deity, they will put you in your place and be straight up with you. You can tie this into him by sorting out your goals for this year and bringing to them and plan on how to proceed with pursuing your goal. Whether you pray, provide offerings, or simply do something towards your goal, he will help you, just be ready for him to come into the picture.

😌resting💤: Self care. That’s it. That’s the whole sentence. Sleep in, everything showers, tea/coffee, binge a TV show or two, etc. whatever feels right to you, do it. Just remember, you deserve it; you can rest, take your time. What is important is that you’re not driving yourself to burnout.

How can I tie this into Loki?

They will make you rest. They’ll do it, he won’t hesitate; they know when you’re burnt out. Self care is, in my opinion/belief, an offering in of itself. They don’t want to run you into the floor, they want you to vibe at your own pace and frequency. Loki won’t be mad at you, he would give you the cold shoulder, they understand. Plus winter makes can be tiring, especially if you get rain or snow. Perhaps you invite them into your dreams or watch a show/movie with him. Coloring books, YouTube (something healthy and positive and or funny or creative) works too. Take yourself on a date, or go out with Loki 😉😏.

Either way, celebrate Imbolc the way YOU want to! What ever FEELS right and that you feel called to do, do it. These are just some ideas, not originally mine but their open source on the internet. BUT that doesn’t mean I won’t give you more resources!

Anyways, I hope you enjoyed this small n short post. Again, sorry for being late, my husband got sick at work. He needed to be babied and loved babying him lmao, luckily he’s feeling better! Alas! Until next Monday!

RESOURCES