witchling

something wicked this way comes

[justenoughisplenty]

Glen Echo Lake

[seashells-and-bookshelves]

Hex Signs: History, Symbology, and Use

A Brief History

About 300 years ago, groups of peasant farmers from the Rhine region of Germany migrated to southeastern Pennsylvania. These settlers came to take advantage of religious freedom being offered by William Penn. They included settlers of plain dress -Amish and Mennonites - and others of more “worldly” or “fancy” dress - Lutherans and other Reformed groups. Over time, these settlers became known as “Pennsylvania Dutch”.

Like other immigrants, they brought their old world language, dress, traditions and art to their new home. Mystical bird and floral designs graced their birth and marriage certificates, family Bibles, quilts, and some furniture. The “fancy” farmers also decorated their large German style bank barns with colorful geometric patterns. Six-pointed star designs were very popular. The German word for six, “sechs”, sounded like hex to their English-speaking neighbors. In time these “hex” patterns became commonly called hex signs. This custom persists today.

These bright, colorful designs had meanings or legends. Families selected a hex sign based on color, design and its meaning. Some of the more popular symbols included: hearts for love, birds (called distelfinks) for luck and happiness, tulips for faith, and stars for good luck. The colors used for painting were also carefully chosen because of their added meaning. Blue conveyed protection, white purity, green abundance and red strong emotion. The hex symbols were individually hand painted for many years. This approach, naturally very time consuming, limited hex sign use and enjoyment even in the Dutch Country.

In the early 1940’s, Jacob Zook, an 11th generation Pennsylvania Dutchman living in the village of Paradise, PA successfully pioneered the hand “silk screening” of hex signs. Here, a “silk screen” is used to apply each of the design’s bright colors to a carefully prepared signboard. Four or five colors are usually used; each color requires it’s own carefully designed screen. With air-drying between steps, a design usually takes about a week to complete. Silk screening, performed by skilled craftsmen, allowed hex signs to be made in quantity at modest cost. Interest in hex signs blossomed once they became readily available. Today, hex signs can be found throughout the world. In many homes, they have been enjoyed for almost three generations.

Source

Wiki has an alternate version of how they’ve come to their name.

There are two opposing schools of belief regarding the derivation of the name. The term hex with occult connotations may derive from the Pennsylvanian German word “hex” (German “Hexe”, Dutch “Heks”), meaning “witch.” However the term “hex sign” was not used until the 20th Century, after 1924 when Wallace Nutting’s book Pennsylvania Beautiful was published.[9] Nutting, who was not a Pennsylvania native, interviewed farmers about their distinctive barn decoration. Before this time there was no standardized term and many Pennsylvania German farmers simply called the signs “blumme” or “schtanne” (meaning flowers or stars). However one farmer used the term “Hexefoos” in his description.[10] The term became popular with Pennsylvania Germans themselves during the blossoming tourist trade of Southeastern Pennsylvania.

Source

In fact there are many stories on how the Hex Sign got its name. That usually happens when something gets that old.

Hex Sign Symbology:

Birds of Paradise: friendship, camaraderie, peace, purity and happiness

Oak Leaf: long life, strength and endurance

Eagle: Strength, courage, clarity or vision

Distelfink: Good luck and happiness. two distelfinks- double good luck and happiness. two distelfinks crossed over each other- true friendship, eternal love

Raindrop: water, crop abundance and fertility. Any combination of water drops may be used depending on the ‘need’ and the overall design

Scalloped border symbolizes smooth sailing

Heart: true love, lasting love, and love for others. Hearts can be drawn in any number of different ways… from simple to fancy depending on the nature of the design.

Crescent Moon: usually found in a pair representing the cycle of the moon. Also found in sets of four representing the four seasons.

Sun Wheel: warmth and fertility

Wheat: abundance and goodwill

Rosette: (considered to be the oldest symbol) good luck

Tulip: faith, hope, charity and trust in mankind  

Source: X and X     

Using Hex Signs in your magic:

Hex signs are primarily used around the home, farm, or business for protection. You chose the symbols you want to use based on the message you want to convey. You can buy a hand crafted sign or you can make one yourself. This would be a great time to get creative. Paint your own sign on a piece of wood and hang it out side your front door or in your living room or kitchen. You could also buy a stained glass kit from your local craft store and make something to hang in your front window. Remember the more energy you put into your magic the more power it has.

Is using a Hex Sign appropriative?:

Good question! I would say no. It’s become so entreched in America’s folk art and lore that at this point it’s basically become pure Americana. In fact many Mennonites and Amish people make Hex Signs just for the purpose of selling them. However, if you’re still feeling iffy on it take a look into your own personal genealogy and see if you have any German in you. If you do, consider one as a tribute to your ancestors that were brave enough to come here and start a new life.

I’m going to end this post with a lovely Irish inspired Hex Sign that I intend to own some day. It’s the perfect combination tribute to my Irish and German heritage.

The design is centered the around the Irish symbol for good luck, the shamrock. It features two Irish Distelfinks which add double good luck to the sign. The trio of tulips represent hope faith and charity. The outer scalloped border is meant to bring smooth sailing throughout your life.

I hope this has inspired you to get a little more creative with your protective charms.

[thelibraperspective]

understanding the elements

The four classical elements (water, earth, air & fire) are relevant for a deeper understanding of astrology. We use these elements to represent four factions of human personality. They are symbolic of the nature that divides these twelve signs into four, distinctive categories. 

W A T E R

Water feels everything. When you drop a rock into a lake, you can see how one stimulant can cause a ripple throughout the entire body of water. Water runs deep–symbolizing life, purity, and healing. Water can tame or violent, depending on the conditions of its environment. It feels the world around it, and responds accordingly. Water signs symbolize this kind of energy. They are extremely sensitive to the outside world, noticing every ripple, and feeling that shift in space to the highest degree. Water signs are moved like running water, but must be careful not to lose theirselves in the tide.

E A R T H

Earth stands still. It exists entirely because of stability. Like the roots of trees it is bound to its core, unmoved for years. A quote from Salvador Dali (Taurus) reads, “everything alters me, but nothing changes me.” Earth signs are observant, but don’t allow the conditions of their environment to shift their attitude or behavior. They are practical, stubborn, and determined, governed by the laws of self discipline that they set for theirselves. Like the ancient earth, these signs are patient, with the potential to be exceptionally productive, because they always stick to the plan. Earth signs must understand nobody is immune to the force of time.

A I R

When we think air, we think of an abstract force; once that cannot be contained. Air is constantly shapeshifting, moving with the winds, and traveling with the breeze. The opposite of earth– air is an intellectual, dreamy force. Idealistic, imaginative, and curious. They are friends of progression and love the thrill of learning what tomorrow brings. They are aloof, not always transparent, not always practical. They are on a quest to turn life into what they’ve always dreamt it would be. They are easily shifted, moved, transformed. They are constantly evolving. Air signs live with their head in the clouds. They must learn when it’s time to come down.

F I R E

Fire is chaotic, sporadic, and sudden. Fire is aggressive, creating its own path wherever it goes. It is bright, and draws attention from every angle. It’s demanding, but also warm, and people are drawn to the heat it radiates. Fire signs are natural leaders, impulsive, and temperamental. But just as quick as they burst into flames, they sizzle out. They are fast, determined, and impatient. They are initiators who are quick to light up and start commotion. They are trailblazers, bond to the light the create when they are stimulated. Fire signs must learn staying warm is not always worth getting burned. 

[imovedimovedimovedimoved-deacti]

Do any of you know about that one painting with Aphrodite being born out of lava with a black swan by her side or did i completely hallucinate that? Been searching for a while but i can’t find it for shit.

[thecavenest]

I tried googling that description but no luck either, anyone might know what painting this might be (or if it does exist? cause it sounds sick lol)

[semicolonthefifth]

It took a bit of googling magic, but I think I’ve found it.

This is “Kindled” by Laura K. Cannon, which is part of her portfolio that can be found here: http://navate.com/2wk6im1sartc92iwza7il07bxq2mk5

Is this what you were looking for? @sakyubaso

[tiffanygladiator]

I’m in love.

[w0wls]

Dont forget to take your swan ashen one

[theskyeisthelimit]

Always reblog this badass painting whenever I see it

[alderhasfaith-deactivated201905]

Holy shit new fav.

[darkhoneyyy]

[deathandmysticism]

Halcyon, 1914

[cochleacochlea]

[thefaeryhost]

Arthur Rackham  __  The Meeting of Oberon and Titania, 1905

[pagewoman]

The Witches Sabbath   ╰☆╮✮ ☾  🐈  ☽ ✮ ╰☆╮

 by Arthur Rackman

[ullathynell]

Prints available

[azeztulite]

[visardistofelphame]

How do you even begin?

There is a TON of information out there about witchcraft. A lot of interesting things, a lot of misinformation, and a lot of weird stuff too. When you’re starting out, it can be very overwhelming. Where do you even go? How do you even being? When can you start calling yourself a witch? You have a lot of questions.

Its important to know that there is no one way of starting out. As individuals, we all do things a little differently from one another. Some need time to read and research, while others dive in head first. Explore and try out different methods of learning and find one that clicks right with you.

Reading, Researching, Reflecting (the three Rs): With anything, its important to actually know what it is and what it might involve. You should take at least some time to do the three Rs. If anything, it will make easing in more comfortable for yourself. Really take time to know what you’re getting yourself into. Read books, but also check the authors out. How are they viewed? Are they racist bags of shit that don’t know what they’re saying? Or are they highly respected by the community? Take time to test the waters and look about. Its never fun trying to cook a cake when you’re reading instructions from someone that confuses a cake with hamburgers. Below, I do have a few book recommendation for you to check out: (link posted below)

Witchcraft resources Galore

Test out the Waters: Think about yourself practicing. What is the feeling you get? Do you feel excited? Fearful? Indifferent? Why do you think you feel the way you do? Read a spell aloud, look up some rituals, make a poppet, etc. Try some things that you’ve read about and see how they make you feel. During this time, I would suggest maybe keeping a journal to write down your thoughts and what you feel good and meh about doing. Figure out what you like and don’t. How do you want to go about practicing?

Do what you’re reading about: Test out some of those spells, rituals, and charms you’ve been reading about. Then, you can write about your experience later  and reflect upon it. Do you feel silly? Do you feel amazing? Do you feel somewhere in between?

Create your own things: From all the things you’ve done, you should try and create our own. Modify a spell, write out a ritual, think up a charm, create a sigil. When seeking to really understand and master something, the thought process behind how its created can be an amazing asset. It also helps you become more confident in your own power and creativity.

Look into the meaning: Don’t just read the words, try and understand what they mean. Why would someone word a spell like that? Why is a certain item being used over another? Why is it being done on the night of the full moon in January vs a full moon any other month? Take time to reflect upon this and how it affects you and your craft. Maybe the reason why salt is being used over sugar is because of its protective properties. Maybe you don’t need those extra protective measures, so you use sugar instead. You see that a mandrake is the main component of a spell, you try to replace it with a doll, and then discover that the spell failed without it. Why? Research into symbols, the mythology, and the history.

Keep Practicing: Its easy to lose focus with all the reading, researching, and reflecting; however, you shouldn’t allow it to stop your practicing. Witchcraft is above all a practice and requires a witch to actively participate (and actually practice).

Other Tips: I also have a list of other tips for beginners (or those wishing to practice again)

create a group to practice and learn together

strive to do one bit of witchcraft a day

seek out a specific tradition (sometimes narrowing things down more is very helpful)

seek a teacher or mentor (always be careful, but if you find a good teacher it is an amazing experience)

show a mark of your dedication

blend it into your life

keep it meaningful (best way to keep laziness and indifference away)

don’t sweat the small stuff

[natural-magics]

Books and Resources (Paganism, Witchcraft and More)

This list has been updated over the years and will continued to be updated over time. If you re-post this elsewhere, kindly credit me because it’s taken a long time to compile what I feel are useful resources on the following topics. The very basics are covered in my FAQ.

Last updated: 6/20/2015

Paganism:

A Pagan Primer — For Those New to Paganism

Paganism: An Introduction to Earth-Centered Religions by River and Joyce Higginbotham

Pagan Spirituality: A Guide to Personal Transformation by River and Joyce Higginbotham

Drawing Down the Moon: Witches, Druids, Goddess-Worshippers, and Other Pagans in America by Margot Adler

Connecting to the Power of Nature by Joe H. Slate

Exploring the Pagan Path: Wisdom from the Elders (a collection of articles, essays and general commentary from various pagan authors)

ChristoPaganism: An Inclusive Path by River Higginbotham and Joyce Higginbotham

Myths and Symbols in Pagan Europe by H.R. Ellis Davidson

Wicca:

Wicca for the Rest of Us

Wicca Resources

Wicca for Beginners by Thea Sabin

Witchcraft Today by Gerald Gardner 

The Meaning of Witchcraft by Gerald Gardner

The Spiral Dance by Starhawk (most recent edition only, old editions have inaccurate info that has since been updated)

Elements of Ritual: Air, Fire, Water & Earth in the Wiccan Circle by Deborah Lipp

Wicca: A Guide for the Solitary Practitioner and Living Wicca: A Further Guide for the Solitary Practitioner (Scott Cunningham) – note that this book is somewhat outdated, due to it being written in the 1980s.

Witchcraft (non-Wiccan):

The Element Encyclopedia of Witchcraft by Judika Illes

Encyclopedia of 5,000 Spells by Judika Illes

Crone’s Book of Charms & Spells by Valerie Worth

Witchcraft: a History by P.G. Maxwell-Stuart

Mrs. B’s Guide to Household Witchery by Kris Bradley

Candle Magic for Beginners by Richard Webster

Master Book of Candle Burning by Henry Gamache

A Grimoire for Modern Cunningfolk by Peter Paddon

Traditional Witchcraft: A Cornish Book of Ways by Gemma Gary and Jane Cox

Non-Wiccan Witchcraft Reading List

Witch of Forest Grove: Sarah Anne Lawless

Welcome to Witchcraft - A Post for Beginners

The Salem Witch Hunt: A Brief History with Documents (The Bedford Series in History and Culture) by Richard Godbeer

Witchcraft by Type:

Hedge Witchery Resources

Traditional Witchcraft Resources

Historical Witchcraft Books

Sea Witchcraft Resources / Sea Witchcraft Tag

Cottage Witchcraft Resources

Kitchen and Green Witchcraft Resources

Green Witchcraft: Walking the Green Path

Kitchen in the Cottage

Urban Witchcraft Resources

College Witchcraft/Tips

Chaos Magic:

What is Chaos Magic?

Resources for Sigil Magic and Crafting

World Mythology:

www.sacred-texts.com (free archive of online books about religion, mythology, folklore, and the esoteric)

Mythology: Myths, Legends and Fantasies by Alice Mills

Illustrated Dictionary of Mythology: Heroes, Heroines, Gods, and Goddesses from Around the World by Philip Wilkinson

The Oxford Companion to World Mythology by David Leeming

World Mythology: The Illustrated Guide by Roy Willis

Hellenic Polytheism and Greek Mythology:

www.hellenion.org

www.theoi.com

neokoroi.org

baringtheaegis.blogspot.com

Hellenic Recon Beginner’s Guide

Reconstruction of Hellenic Polytheistic Practices

Hellenic Calendar

An Outline for a Presentation on Hellenismos

Hellenic Resources by Bayoread

Hellenic Resource Download Bundle 1 by Elaphos

Hellenic Resource Download Bundle 2 by Elaphos

Orphic Incenses

Hellenic Terminology

Treasury of Greek Mythology: Classic Stories of Gods, Goddesses, Heroes & Monst​ers by Donna Jo Napoli

D’Aulaires’ Book of Greek Myths by Ingri d’Aulaire

Old Stones, New Temples by Drew Campbell

Greek Mythology and Prehistory by W. Harris

The Gods of Reason by Timothy Jay Alexander

A Beginner’s Guide to Hellenismos by Timothy Jay Alexander

Hellenismos Today by Timothy Jay Alexander

The Complete World of Greek Mythology by Richard Buxton

Did the Greeks Believe in Their Myths? by Paul Veyne

Kharis: Hellenic Polytheism Explored by Sarah Kate Istra Winter

Homer’s Iliad, The Odyssey and Homeric Hymns

The Homeric Hymns (PDF) and The Orphic Hymns (PDF)

Homer’s Odyssey (PDF)

Homer’s Iliad (Theoi.com)

Hesiod: Works and Days (PDF version here)

The Theogony of Hesiod (PDF version here)

Magic in Ancient Greece:

Magic in the Ancient Greek World by Derek Collins

Magic, Witchcraft and Ghosts in the Greek and Roman Worlds by Daniel Ogden

Arcana Mundi: Magic and the Occult in the Greek and Roman Worlds by Georg Luck

The Greek Magical Papyri in Translation (PDF)

Magika Hiera: Ancient Greek Magic and Religion

Greek Folk Religion by Martin P Nilsson 

Curse Tablets and Binding Spells from the Ancient World by John G. Gager

Magic in the Ancient World by Fritz Graf

Magic and Magicians in the Greco-Roman World by Matthew W. Dickie

Roman Polytheism:

Click Here for Books and Resources

Kemeticism and Ancient Egyptian Mythology:

www.egyptianmyths.net

Kemeticism by The Twisted Rope

The Complete Gods and Goddesses of Ancient Egypt by Richard H. Wilkinson

Symbol & Magic in Egyptian Art by Richard H. Wilkinson

Egyptian Mythology: A Guide to the Gods, Goddesses, and Traditions of Ancient Egypt by Geraldine Pinch

Celtic Recon and Myth:

Celtic Folklore on Sacred Texts

The Celtic Recon FAQ

The Religion of the Ancient Celts (Sacred Texts)

What is Celtic? 101

Carmina Gadelica by Alexander Carmichael

The Celts: A Very Short Introduction by Barry Cunliffe

The Mabinogi and Other Medieval Welsh Tales by Patrick Form

Dictionary of Celtic Myth and Legend by Miranda Green

Gods and Heroes of the Celts by Marie-Louise Sjoestedt

The Pagan Religions of the Ancient British Isles by Ronald Hutton

Early Irish Myths and Sagas by Jeffrey Gantz

Druidry/Druidism:

druidry.org

druidnetwork.org

Druidry - A Mega List of Resources

Non-Wiccan Witches: Modern Druidry

Irish Druids and Old Irish Religions (Sacred Texts)

Asatru, Heathenism and Norse Mythology:

www.thetroth.org

grumpylokeanelder.tumblr.com

“Alright, I’m interested in this Norse stuff. Where do I even start?”

The Eddas: The Keys to the Msteries of the North by James Allen Chisholm

The Poetic Edda (PDF)

The Prose Edda (PDF)

Exploring the Northern Tradition by Galina Krasskova

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

Dictionary of Northern Mythology by Rudolf Simek

Teutonic Myth and Legend by Donald A. Mackenzie

The Nature of Asatru: An Overview of the Ideals and Philosophy of the Indigenous Religion of Northern Europe by Mark Puryear

Crystals and Stones:

The Encyclopedia of Crystals by Judy Hall

The Crystal Bible by Judy Hall

Crystal Healing by Judy Hall

Rocks & Minerals by Chris Pellant  (identification handbook)

Encyclopedia of Crystal, Gem & Metal Magic by Scott Cunningham

Crystal Grids: How and Why They Work by Hibiscus Moon

The Book of Crystal Spells by Ember Grant

Herbal (Magical, Medicinal):

The Master Book of Herbalism by Paul Beyerl

Compendium of Herbal Magic by Paul Beyerl  

The Green Mantle: An Investigation Into Our Lost Knowledge of Plants by Michael Jordan

The Book of Magical Herbs: Herbal History, Mystery, & Folklore by Margaret Picton

A Field Guide to Medicinal Plants and Herbs: of Eastern and Central North America (Peterson Field Guides)

Encyclopedia of Magical Herbs by Scott Cunningham (good for quick reference, but not in depth information)

The Complete Book of Incense, Oils and Brews by Scott Cunningham 

A List of Threatened Magical Herbs

Resources to Start Learning Local Plants

Notes: please take care before using herbs for medicinal and/or supplemental purposes. Many herbs are toxic (some authors fail to mention this!) and/or have harmful side-effects. Always do research and consult a professional before use. 

Fae and Faerie Faith:

My Masterlist of Fae Resources

Fairy Faith 101

Working with Faery (Info and Resources)

The Fairy-Faith in Celtic Countries by W.Y. Evans

Runes:

Futhark: A Handbook of Rune Magic by Edred Thorsson

Runelore: A Handbook of Esoteric Runology by Edred Thorsson

The Complete Illustrated Guide to the Runes by Nigel Pennick

Authors to avoid (due to misinformation, historical inaccuracies, poor research, potentially harmful advice, and/or failure to cite sources):

Silver Ravenwolf (here’s why)

DJ Conway

Edain McCoy

Ann Moura 

Ralph Blum (runes)

approach Llewellyn-published books with caution — there are some great ones, but many aren’t well researched and may contain misinformation.

if all else fails, Google the author and ask around to see what people have to say about them - many bad authors have entire pages or discussions dedicated on why to avoid them!

always fact check information (especially if it involves ingesting anything or putting anything on the skin — just because an ingredient is natural does not mean it isn’t harmful/toxic)

How do I know what to believe? Critical Thinking and Pagan Books

[pagan101]

Do you have any resources or book recommendations for witchcraft outside of Wicca? Most of what I’m finding presumes the reader holds a certain set of beliefs and values that I don’t identify with, and it’s making it hard for me to find useful information.

–Anonymous

Here’s a book list lifted from the witchcraft books thread on Crooked Cauldron:

General books

The Encyclopedia of Magic and Witchcraft by Susan Greenwood

The Complete Encyclopedia of Signs & Symbols by Mark O'Connell and Raje Airey

Witch Crafts: 101 Projects for Creative Pagans by Willow Polson

Encyclopedia of Natural Magic by John Michael Greer *

Tarot Spells by Janina Renee

Ann Moura’s New History of Witchcraft by Ann Moura

Meditation without Gurus by Clark Strand *

Science, Sense and Soul by Dr. Casey Blood

The Field by Lynne McTaggart

Garden Witch’s Herbal: Green Magick, Herbalism & Spirituality by Ellen Dugan *

The Un-Spell Book: Energy Essentials for Mastering Magick by Mya Om *

Cottage and hearth witchery

Cottage Witchery by Ellen Dugan *

Folk witchery

London Lore: The Legends and Traditions of the World’s Most Vibrant City by Steve Roud *

London’s Strangest Tales: Extraordinary But True Stories by Tom Quinn

The Lore of the Land: A Guide to England’s Legends by Jennifer Westwood and Jaqueline Simpson

American Shamans: Journeys with Traditional Healers by Jack Montgomery *

Mountain Mysteries: The Mystic Traditions of Appalachia by Larry Thacker

Appalachian Folklore Omens, Signs and Superstitions by Nancy Richmond

The Book Of English Magic by Richard Heygate *

Defenses Against the Witches’ Craft by John Canard *

Other

Pop Magic by Grant Morrison (pdf)

Condensed Chaos by Phil Hine

Paper witchery

Crafting Magic With Pen and Ink by Susan Peszneker *

Sea witchery

Sea Magic by Sandra Kynes *

Urban and techno witchery

City Magick by Christopher Penczak *

Note: * denotes that an e-book is available.

–chasingafterjackals

[adarkandlightwitch]

Witch tip:

Whisper into a small flame what you want the fire to bring you (i.e. power, confidence, ect.).

[sandcraft]

Hocus Pocus bitch you need to focus

Ancient witch proverb, probably (via dingyfeathers)

[tincanforest]