Random Thoughts Of A Black Wiccan

[blackdaughterofluna]

How do you feel about black men who practice wicca?

I think it’s wonderful! Wicca needs more people of color and black men who feel the call should feel welcome in that space 😊

[witches-ofcolor]

im sorry to ask this again but i truly just dont want to upset anyone by owning one-- do you think it would be bad for a white person to use apache tears in our practices? i guess i feel weird with the history of it, but i just want to make sure. if you don't know maybe one of your followers will..? thank you ☆

I’m not Apache, so I really can’t say whether you can use it or not, and I won’t. I’ll leave this open to anyone who is Apache to answer. 

but if there was a rock called “african tears” with a history like that, i wouldn’t be comfortable with non-blacks using it. 

[witches-ofcolor]

Here is the answer anon!

[lunargrim]

Calling small obsidian stones “Apache Tears” is not a great move either, if we’re being frank. It’s obsidian, specifically small rounded forms. You can purchase obsidian without being racist or disrespectful, just call it what it is. Obsidian.

The term “Apache Tears” came from a colonial massacre incident and was popularized by a Johnny Cash song, so it’s not exactly spiritually relevant to the people it’s named for (though historically relevant, yes).

To the best of my knowledge, none of my people called obsidian “Apache tears” until white people heard about how the wives and mothers of the fallen warriors supposedly began crying obsidian.

Just purchase obsidian stones without tying them to any race in a weird convoluted way. Sidestep the whole deal altogether. We don’t need further contributors to the “extinct mystic race” trope and this certainly fits that bill.

[5centsapound]

[5centsapound]

Carlotta Cardana The Red Road: Picturing Modern Native American Indigenous Identity    

*signal boost for indigenous solidarity #nodapl  see more details on how to help here

support an Indigenous photographer here, working hard to document the Great Sioux Nation’s protests in North Dakota. 

Photo #2: Ula and Tim Tyler. This Eastern Shoshone couple have been married for 54 years and experienced reservation life before there was electricity or running water.

Photo #4: Ishkoten Dougi. Ishkoten is an artist from the Isleta Pueblo Indian Reservation in New Mexico. He is portrayed in his studio, surrounded by his artwork that represents some of the atrocities inflicted on Native Americans.

Photo #5: Evereta and her Mustang. When Evereta Thinn, 30, entered college as the only Native American in her English 101 class, it was at that moment she realized that she needed to speak up and not be that stereotypical “shy” Indian who keeps to herself. She works as an administrator at the school district on the Navajo Nation and aspires to start a language and cultural immersion school for the Diné (Navajo) people.

Photo #8: Fast Eddie (left), a pow wow dancer, is pictured with social media celebrity, Two Braids.

Photo #10:   Jarrod after the rodeo. Jarrod Ferris, Eastern Shoshone and Arapaho from the Wind River Indian Reservation in Wyoming, has been bull riding since age 6. He hopes to one day win the title as world champion so that he can buy his mom a new house.

*Photo #13: Crisosto Apache, from the Mescalero Apache tribe of New Mexico, is an activist for LGBT rights in the Native community. He explains that there is no word for “gay” in any Native American language, but is referred to as being “two spirited.”

Photo #14: Maka in his classroom. After traveling the world and teaching English in Japan, Maka Clifford, from Pine Ridge Indian Reservation, realized his calling was going back to the Reservation to teach his own people and inspire young kids to explore life off the reservation.

[soycrates]

Gentrification creates a stifling homogeneity in urban areas that makes it less suited for the everyday lives of the lower class and more suited towards the leisure and tourism of those with expendable income.

An old, decrepit laundromat gets replaced by an upscale bakery? And people are mad? It’s not that the poor hate organic vegan cupcakes, it’s that most of us don’t have a way to do laundry in our own home.

Run-down corner stores replaced by hand-made designer clothing boutiques? We don’t hate your eco-fabric shawl, but I can’t eat that for dinner after work like I could have a can of beans I grabbed from that corner store when I don’t have time to take the bus to the real grocery store after work.

What gentrification brings in and of itself is not typically bad, it’s that gentrification brings institutions of leisure and pleasure and makes it so that the poor have to go farther out of their way for basic necessities. It turns low-income living spaces into local tourist attractions. It can even create food deserts by putting restaurants, grocery stores, etc. in that the majority of the lower class cannot afford.

Imagine if someone totally renovated your house and turned it into a mini theme park - they took away your sleeping space, where you prepare food, where you clean yourself and get ready for your day, and replaced it with things that will please people who are visiting, who have their own homes they can go back to, who are here not for their entire life but just as a distraction from their otherwise mundane existence. It’s not that you hate theme parks, it’s not like you’ve never been to a theme park and vow to never visit one again. It’s just that you need to live! To survive! And the leisure of those who have more than you should not invalidate your existence.

[soycrates]

I am glad this has made the rounds. Some people feel a dense misunderstanding or misinterpretation concerning gentrification, and I think it helps to hear a description/explanation of what gentrification is from those who are both affected by it and educated by the culture from which it hails. I and many others enjoy some of the delights of gentrification while simultaneously having their livelihoods threatened by it. 

[witch-vomit-deactivated20190906]

Also I’m not sure if this has ever been spoken about before but more books and authors to probably stay away from is anything written by Denise Alvarado who is also culturally appropriative and her books aren’t accurate/it’s New Age bullshit pretending to be Voodoo/Hoodoo. She’s a revisionist who doesn’t know what the fuck she’s talking about and writes books about watered down traditions to make it more palatable for White New Age witches.

Here is a link where someone calls her out for cultural appropriation: http://santeriachurch.org/calling-out-an-appropriator-of-culture/

Here is a review about one of her books that talks more about how appropriative it is: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/566233361

Here are some of her books:

[getthiswitchwork]

Thank you for this!

[spiritroots]

Boosting this bc it’s just as important to know which books to stay away from as the books that are reliable and accurate sources!

[blackdaughterofluna]

This books even look questionable 👀

[listsoflifehacks]

Genius Gardening Hacks

[njadakasrage]

Re-Collective Orchestra covered Kendrick Lamar’s “All The Stars”. Didn’t know I needed a orchestrated version of this song till now.

[brianabreeze-deactivated2019010]

AND THE ORCHESTRA IS ALL BLACK! BITCH I’M IN LOVE

[mainmanblackdynamite-deactivate]

This was amazing

[blackdaughterofluna]

Ok, first of all, don’t be coming for my existence with this beautiful s**t!!!

Second of all, my black geeky ass is saved after listening to this!!

#blackexcellence

#hiphopmeetsclassical

[medievalkatya]

trixie freaking out over a bug

[mistressaq]

3 gay men all afraid of a damn bug

[heykittygorls]

THEY ARE SO FUCKING EXTRA LMAO

[missdandee]

“I wish I was dead. I wish I was dead.”

[monkeysaysficus]

Plaid Shirt can get it

[dayvo]

That’s all I could think of too about plaid shirt

[ryansreign]

I remember when I used to live with two gay guys we were sitting out the back garden having a cigarette and a wasp flew at us and I slapped it away and it landed on one gay and he slapped it and it landed on the other gay and the 3 of us were screaming so high only dogs could hear us

[blackdaughterofluna]

Me, every darn time 🤷🏾‍♀️

[thr0atmistress-deactivated20191]

Brazil has the highest Black population outside of Africa and yet their government had a policy that encouraged white immigration to whiten their population. Same for DR & Cuba. So her point is accurate

[blackdaughterofluna]

Just because 75% identify as white does not mean that they aren’t at least part black. Especially in a culture that treats you like “less than” if you identify as black/African. (ETA: And it is beneficial to be seen a white)

If you have African blood, you are part black. Why do Afro-Latinx and islanders insist on distancing themselves from that?

[karl-shakur]

Just wanted to let you guys know that I’m in a really good place. I’ve never been happier and content. Plus my friend just got a new kitty.

My life is complete

[karl-shakur]

I am absolutely dumbfounded. I’ve been on Tumblr for about 6 years and i’ve been producing original content for the past two years straight and nothing on this website has surprised me more than here post. In case you’re new here  ( you probably are; my follower count almost doubled thanks to this post lol) I specialize in landscape photography with the occasional dispense of good vibes. 

I’ve taken pictures like this

Traveled to places like this

stayed up all night studying the milky way like this

Dabbled in mind bending creativity like this

Even visited different countries like Italy

But none of my posts have ever been as successful as this selfie with a cat

Conclusion; The internet is a weird place and every body definitely needs more kitties in their life. Feel free to check out my original photography and my INSTAGRAM and maybe shoot me a question if you want anything answered. 

Have an absolutely beautiful day everyone :)

[karl-shakur]

Hey Guys,

Karl here. remember that one time I had a smol kitty on my shoulder? literally the cutest creature I ever experienced. Well her’s the thing. I’m currently exploring a round Australia. I’m here photographing some of the most magical landscapes I’ve ever seen. While I was exploring around the Grampians national park, I stumbled on this little friendly fella who approached me and started playing

That’s right….. He’s whispering cute nothings into my ear lol

Not sure if he’s a wallaby or a kangaroo could someone please let me know.

Also his name is jeff and he’s my bestfriend

For everyone still asking, Just want to let you guys know; Yes, I’m still in a really good place. I’ve never been happier and content. Especially when smol animels are your friends. My life is even more complete

▪️ Karl-Shakur  ▪️ Instagram 

[carrotsnhorses]

This is the purest post on the entire Internet. And I’m pretty sure that’s a wallaby, though I’ve only seen one irl, so I could be mistaken.

[ravenmagill-deactivated20251029]

Alright. Y’all know how this works. That’s $1100 right there. 

May you be completely, abundantly, beautifully blessed.

[kimreesesdaughter]

The year is 2018. Your bills are on autopay. You just got paid and you still have $1200 from the last check. When you want something, you buy it without moving money around. Your credit cards are paid off. You and your friends have 2 international trips planned and paid for this year. Your parents are in great health and you’re able to help if they need anything. You love your job. Your desired creative career is falling into place and you get to take your little cousins to Six Flags and Universal Studios over the Summer. Your relationships are healthy and supportive. All of the toxic energy from the past 6 years is gone. You going to concerts, eating good across the states and your crib has art and warmth throughout. 2018 is going to be so good to you.

[intoxicatedindreams]

reblogging this for that 2018 good luck

[blackdaughterofluna]

So Mote It Be!! ✨🙌🏾✍🏾✊🏾✨

[serafleur]

What constellations do you see? 🌌 Will sell this as print on my society6 soon!✨ Portrait of my original character Ceres, counterpart of Celeste ✨💙 I’m happy with the result but I need more practice on coloring dark skin tones 💖 ✨ http://society6.com/serafleur ✨ http://patreon.com/serafleur ✨ http://instagram.com/serafleur.art

[bijoux-et-mineraux]

Amethyst Geode Sphere - Brazil

[solitarygoddess-deactivated2022]

Reblog if you practice witchcraft or tarot.

🔮✨⚡️

[abomination-of-gender-deactivat]

christianity: the lord is my shepherd and i am a lamb whom He will guide to safety

judaism: we call ourselves “the god-punchers”, bc we like to remind Him of that time He lost a fight against our great-great-great-granddad

[abomination-of-gender-deactivat]

i see a lot of confusion in the tags so here’s an explanation of the joke!

the joke of this post is referencing the story of Jacob in Genesis. Jacob is one of the legendary Patriarchs of Judaism whom all non-convert Jews claim descent from, so he technically is my great-great-….-granddad.

At one point, Jacob meets a stranger on the road, who he ends up fighting for a reason the text is unclear about. Jacob wins the fight, and the angel reveals that he was actually a holy spirit in disguise. 

The precise identity of the man is a point of contention in all traditions- there’s an even split between if it’s God himself or an angel sent as an emissary.

Regardless, the man blesses Jacob and names him Israel- ישראל, yisra’el. The name is complicated to translate, but one popular one is “he who wrestles with God”. His descendants adopted this as one of their ethnonyms- בני ישראל, b’nei yisra’el, the children of Israel, the Jewish people.

So saying we Jews call ourselves “the god-punchers” is a loose translation, definitely, but I’d give an honest argument that it accurately portrays the spirit of the phrase, especially by giving it a glib and boastful modern phrasing.

for the nitpickers: yes, “The Lord is my shepherd” is a part of Jewish belief too! It’s from a passage in Psalms, which is a book that Jews and Christians do share.

But the relationship that we Jews have with HaShem is complicated and occasionally even adversarial. The Christian relationship, on the other hand, is much more, well, patriarchal. Jesus is a father figure who is always good and never needs a stern talking-to from His creations. 

In contrast, the Torah and Talmud are full of stories of Jews arguing with HaShem- and winning, and HaShem being ecstatic that He lost the argument. Bickering with our deity is a sacred Jewish tradition that continues to the present day.

[meiselr]

Pantheon Aesthetics

Greek - Egyptian - Roman - Norse