finding my path, this is my craft

🍄✨🌊 read pinned before interacting🌊✨🍄

[crystalsandsage]

respect my boundaries and DNI, I block freely 🌍🪶🪷✨🍄🌈

DNI: racist/antiBlack/antiNative/xenophobic/sinophobic/colorist/texturist/featurist/ableist/transphobic/fatphobic/NSFW/ED or SH blog/cultural appropriators

I’m Indigenous and triracial. My ancestors are from Oceania, Asia, Turtle Island/Pachamama, Africa, and Europe.

guahu bruha yan 巫 mou4/wu1.

oppose colonization, fight for Indigenous liberation, respect closed practices!

[buriedpentacles]

Reminder that even if a religion is open, it can still be appropriated and bastardised.

You can't just cherry pick and choose titles, practices, deities from different practices/religions you think sound cool to use however you like without any understanding or respect towards the cultural/historical/religious context.

[fernthewhimsical]

Mood board for the Goddess Holle or Holda. She is a deity of hearth and home, of spinning, magic, snow, and winter. She is also the leader of the Wild Hunt and the Queen of witches and alves.

Sources: [X] [X] [X] [X] [X] [X] [X]

[w-y-r-d]

Lately, I've been seeing a few videos that I disagree with, so I'll sum up my thoughts here.

You do not need to be white to be a Norse pagan.

You do not need to have Nordic or Norse ancestry to be a Norse pagan.

You can be a Norse pagan regardless of race, skin color, or ethnicity.

[heiratemich333]

”The spiral symbol is commonly held as the sign of life and represents the cycle of life as a whole, from birth, life, death and ultimately rebirth.”

[blackwattlenemeton]

Water is really underrated as an offering, especially for ancestors. Think about how hard it was to get clean water, historically. Water clean enough to drink! The fact that it's relatively easy for modern people to get our hands on doesn't take away its value for our ancestors.

[crystalsandsage]

lina’la i hånom - water is life. let us not forget that clean water is still inaccessible for many people, namely Palestinians, Congolese, Sudanese, CHamorus, Turtle Island Natives, Black Americans, and many other peoples affected by imperialism and colonialism. “48% of households on Indian reservations do not have access to reliable water sources, clean drinking water, or adequate sanitation,””. let us be grateful for the privilege of having clean running water and fight every day to protect that right for every person, plant, and animal on earth. 🌊

[toverijenspokerij]

On All Souls day, pray for your departed loved ones. Pray for those who you never knew in life. Pray for those souls who are forgotten by everyone. Pray and help them to find their way. 

[proclub]

[beautiful-basque-country]

Is Halloween celebrated in EH? Or something similar, like asking for bread in All Saints' Day?

Kaixo!

Yes! Not that long ago - some of the oldest Basque people still remember -, Arimen Gaua (or Souls’ night) was usually celebrated around October 31st and November 1st-2nd, and it was related to All Saints’ Day. It's believed to be of Celtic origin just like Halloween or Samaín in Galiza.

Young people would take pumpkins and turnips from vegetable gardens, hollow them out, make some holes, and put some candles into them, then they would hang them at the crossroads to frighten people. Disguised using sheets and rags, young people walked around towns scaring their neighbours. In some places, they also went out asking for chestnuts, walnuts, and such. When the door opened they would say: Xanduli, Manduli, Kikirri!! Eman gozokiak guri!!! [Xanduli, Manduli, Kikirri!! Give us candies!!].

However, these traditions died out and nobody knows exactly why. Some people say it was the mandatory ultra Catholicism during Franco’s dictatorship that banned all these pagan remains - along with traditional masquerades, for example - and focused more on the mourning of All Saints’ Day. This day is very sad and serious in Spain, devoted to remember the dead and to go to the cemetery to bring flowers to the tombs, clean them, and such. Needless to say, in this gloomy ambiance the costumes, the scares and the laughters are a bit out of place.

However, as the number of Catholics goes down, the quicker this tradition fades away, and younger people prefer to import Halloween - a very much more festive celebration than All Saint’s Day - ignoring that we actually had our very own Halloween once! What we personally find problematic and sad about this festivity especially is that we’re not recovering our traditions and parties but are substituting them for Halloween.

But let's end this long answer on a bright note: traditional sweets to have around Arimen Gaua (they're not just limited to EH). Huesos de santo, literally, Saints' bones.

The outer part is marzipan, and the most traditional ones are stuffed with yolks mixed with sugar. There are other specialties stuffed with chocolate, and some others even include colourful marzipan. Believe us when we say they’re TOO sweet. Overwhelmingly sweet.

It’s believed that eating these bones is a way of showing love for the dead ones, instead of fear.

And also buñuelos: legend says that eating one buñuelo makes a soul leave the purgatory, so one should be very careful with these ridiculously-easy-to-eat ones, because you may want to start a crusade to get as many souls out of purgatory as possible, but it will also be a journey to having diabetes. Gotta be cautious.

[foxglove-blossoms]

I love dedicating the mundane to my deities.

cooking, cleaning, enjoying a warm beverage with Hestia.

thinking of Aphrodite as I pick out my outfits, apply makeup, shower.

feeling Hecate's presence in the neighborhood dogs' barks, crows cawing, black cats playing in my yard.

seeing Persephone in the little sprouts on my windowsill, in the leaves falling, in the colors of autumn and spring and summer.

researching my ancestry, honoring my loved ones who have passed, knowing Hades sees and appreciates it.

[stormofthesea]

🍂 Seasonal Reminder for Witches and Pagans 🍂

Many animals are currently migrating in many areas around the world because it’s autumn. With the changing temperatures and weather, many may be searching for warmer or even colder climates. If you’re seeing groups or just many of them, it’s more likely that they’re migrating and that it’s not necessarily a sign. I’m seeing a lot of witches and pagans on here thinking they’re getting a grand sign by seeing flocks of birds, deer, butterflies, etc. In other words, nature just being nature. That’s not to say that it’s not possible that some of these occurrences may be signs- this is just a reminder that not every occurrence is a sign. It’s important to consider mundane explanations as well as spiritual explanations. Mental health can be more vulnerable in the colder months, so it’s important to remember things like this to prevent issues like spiritual psychosis. I say this not to put down anyone’s practices or beliefs, but as a way of looking out for each other 🫶

[tejanaculturalstudiestshiteya]

Different Mayan Artist's rendition of

~ 𝒞𝒰𝑅𝒜𝒩𝒟𝐸𝑅𝒮𝐼𝑀𝒪 ~

In each photo, one could identify aspects of spirituality, healing, or medical aid depicted in each artists specific style. Their perspective on the different rituals, practice, and healing styles of curandera/os varies by artist, a testament to the longevity and multifaceted nature of Curanderismo.

Both pieces are titled, Comadrona, meaning, midwife.

Each of these pieces shows a ritual, cleansing or spiritual affair.

Here we have a patient and their Curandero, a relatable experience by many standards.

All pieces courtesy of artemaya.com

PICTURED

1.Art/Imagen: Comadrona © Mario Gonzalez Mendoza (Maya; Guatemala), courtesy of ArteMaya.com

2.Art/Imagen: Comadrona © Julian Coche Mendoza (Maya; Guatemala), courtesy of ArteMaya.com

3.Art/Imagen: Curacion Maya © Mario Gonzalez Chavajay (Maya; Guatemala), courtesy of ArteMaya.com

4.Art/Imagen: Baños Medicinales © Diego Isaias Hernandez (Maya; Guatemala), courtesy of ArteMaya.com

5.Art/Imagen: Zanacion Maya © Mario Gonzalez Chavajay (Maya; Guatemala), courtesy of ArteMaya.com

6.Art/Imagen: Curandero © Domingo Garcia Criado (Maya; Guatemala), courtesy of ArteMaya.com

7.Art/Imagen: Curandero de Hueso © Mario Gonzalez Chavajay (Maya; Guatemala), courtesy of ArteMaya.com

[adobealmanac]

Herbal Limpia

There are many ways to perform a limpia, such as the methods I have shared on my blog before. This is another method that I know of. I have been taught these, and here, you can learn from me. Know that all limpias are simply different paths to the same destination.

Performing a limpia is a two person job. it requires cooperation and coordination, as well as trust. However, it does require firm boundaries as every limpia requires some level of either physical or spiritual contact. Be firm, and let your partner know what you are and aren't comfortable with.

The Ritual:

You will need: • A bundle of fresh herbs 1-2 feet in length Rosemary, rue, mugwort, sage, or basil are wonderful for limpias. I typically go into my garden and pick the herbs intuitively, leaving an offering of tobacco or oregano for permission. • An outdoor space • Optionally, copal incense and mezcal

The herbs are used to absorb and transmute the negative energies. The bundle is not like a traditional herbal bundle you purchase from a store. In fact, it is more akin to a bouquet. You may make it as simple or ornate as you like. I typically tie my bundle together with a red ribbon. You beat the client with the bundle, and not lightly may I add. You beat them all over their body with the bundle, head to toe; front and back, as if you are brushing all the negativity out of their aura and body. You may say a small limpia prayer or mantra during this process, or simply enjoy the silence. The intention of this is to bring the spirit back to their body.

Sacred copal is used to purify the mind, body, and spirit. The white smoke of copal perfectly captures its purpose: to turn bad into good; to replenish; to cleanse. It has been used for thousands of years, and should be treated with respect and reverence. Source it ethically, and, if you can you should collect it yourself.

Mezcal alcohol is an alcohol derived from the agave plant. It is grounding. Therefore, it aids in returning the spirit back to the body. It also aids in cleansing and purifying the body. It is typically sprayed from the mouth of the curandero onto the heart, head, abdomen, and appendages. It is an intimate practice. Typically you spray it under their shirt, with permission of course.

And finally, gratitude. The curandero must give thanks throughout the limpia. Give thanks to mother earth and father sky. Give thanks to the ancestors. Give thanks to the allies and tools that aided in the limpia. Give thanks to God, Jesus, and Mary. The participant must give thanks too, often by giving a small gift to the curandero such as copal, tobacco, or mezcal.

Remember, curanderismo is healing magic. Do not treat it as anything else.

[switchkick]

Curanderismo: Mexican American Folk Healing by Robert T. Trotter II & Juan Antonio Chavira

“At least six major historical influences have shaped thebeliefs and practices of curanderismo by Mexican Americans in the Lower Rio Grande Valley: Judeo-Christian religious beliefs, symbols, and rituals; early Arabic medicine and health practices (combined with Greek humoral medicine, revived during the Spanish Renaissance); medieval and later European witchcraft; Native American herbal lore and health practices; modern beliefs about spiritualism and psychic phenomena; and scientific medicine. None of these influences dominates curanderismo, but each has had someimpact on its historical development.”

[trogo-auto-egocratico]

Cúrate mijita, con la luz del sol y los rayos de la luna.

Con el sonido del río y la cascada.

Con el vaivén del mar y el aleteo de las aves.

Cúrate mijita, con las hojas de la menta y la hierbabuena, con el neem y el eucalipto.

Endúlzate con lavanda, romero y manzanilla.

Abrázate con el grano de cacao y un toque de canela.

Ponle amor al té en lugar de azúcar y tómalo mirando las estrellas.

Cúrate mijita, con los besos que te da el viento y los abrazos de la lluvia.

Hazte fuerte con los pies descalzos en la tierra y con todo lo que de ella nace.

Vuélvete cada día más lista haciendo caso a tu intuición, mirando el mundo con el ojito de tu frente.

Salta, baila, canta para que vivas más feliz.

María Sabina.

[trogo-auto-egocratico]

Cúrate mijita, con la luz del sol y los rayos de la luna.

Con el sonido del río y la cascada.

Con el vaivén del mar y el aleteo de las aves.

Cúrate mijita, con las hojas de la menta y la hierbabuena, con el neem y el eucalipto.

Endúlzate con lavanda, romero y manzanilla.

Abrázate con el grano de cacao y un toque de canela.

Ponle amor al té en lugar de azúcar y tómalo mirando las estrellas.

Cúrate mijita, con los besos que te da el viento y los abrazos de la lluvia.

Hazte fuerte con los pies descalzos en la tierra y con todo lo que de ella nace.

Vuélvete cada día más lista haciendo caso a tu intuición, mirando el mundo con el ojito de tu frente.

Salta, baila, canta para que vivas más feliz.

María Sabina.

[hjltrails]

The CuranderX Toolkit: Reclaiming Ancestral Latinx Plant Medicine and

The CuranderX Toolkit: Reclaiming Ancestral Latinx Plant Medicine and Rituals for Healing by Atava Garcia Swiecicki Arranging ofrendas. Brew

Origins of Healing Justice - Conjuring the Roots of Healing Justice

The legacies of settler colonial dispossession from land, slavery, and colonization led assimilation makes it difficult to follow our lineages and learn about our inherited cultural ceremonies, knowledge, and resistance practices. Healing justice is conjured into our world through reconnection with our individual lineages to inform how our individual practices can help us heal or transmute intergenerational trauma into fuel to keep our movements strong and resilient. Healing intergenerational trauma and the unique traumas of our intersections of oppression require cultural techniques to fulfill the soul memory of our traditions that were passed down for generations. A quote from Mya Hunter of SpiritHouse NC states, “The theory of change for us is around Culture, Practice, and Ritual, and we call it ‘CPR’. And so everything has to be based in your personal culture,” pg 130. Part of my healing and reconnection journey has been reading The Curanderx Toolkit: Reclaiming Ancestral Latinx Plant Medicine and Rituals for Healing by Atava Garcia Swiecicki and other books about Curanderismo to inform my individual practice. I have been combining the knowledge I was able to pick up from my great grandmother who was a Curandera before dementia took over and she passed away, and the things I’ve learned in alignment with my core through exploration of related books. The Curanderx Toolkit is a very queer-inclusive and gentle approach to our traditions that acknowledges the roots of our practices that came from Indigenous, African, and Catholic traditions.