doyoudovoodo

Wasted youth and always the hours. Vulnerant omnes ultima necat

[memoryslandscape-deactivated202]

“Of her autumns now I can only imagine, for she is far away, I hope they are kind to her and that she remembers me.”

— Michael Boiano, from Autumn Garden: A Tanka Collection (Black Turtle Press, 2020)

[tayloreverett]

[primulaceas]

Alejandro Zambra, Ways of Going Home (translated by Megan McDowell)

[primulaceas]

Natalie Diaz, “Snake-Light.” Postcolonial Love Poem

[memoryslandscape-deactivated202]

“It was just past lilac time and the scent still hung in the air like the death of the gods. She didn’t stay around for long.”

— Jim Harrison, from “Risen,” Complete Poems, ed. Joseph Bednarik (Copper Canyon Press, 2021)

[memoryslandscape-deactivated202]

“What is it the wind has lost that she keeps looking for under each leaf?”

— Jim Harrison, from Braided Creek, Complete Poems, ed. Joseph Bednarik (Copper Canyon Press, 2021)

[cobrastylle-deactivated20210217]

[gaykiss]

[insinuos]

[memoryslandscape-deactivated202]

“There is a place in us to weep for others. I found it at night with daytime eyes, whirling the memories so fresh you could smell the pain within is dark and raw,”

— Jim Harrison, from “Hospital,” Complete Poems, ed. Joseph Bednarik (Copper Canyon Press, 2021)

[bobby-nyc-deactivated20231010]

[kakfa]

the contents page of Pictures & Tears: A History of People Who Have Cried in Front of Paintings by James Elkins

[flowerytale]

“Dear friend, — Your sweetness intimidates” Emily Dickinson, from a letter to Sarah Tuckerman (January 1880)

[everything-thing]

Cádiz, Spain by sgraudiovisual

[museenkuss]

Perfume tree probably mid-19th century, India silver, partly gilt. 31.4cm

Each of the mangoes on the tree is a perfume container with an applicator spoon concealed inside. A peacock stands on the top with circular stand on three feet.

(image and description from the v&a museum)

[ladillados]

[12101]

rent free

[will-o-the-witch]

Candle Magic Beyond Colors

A lot of people talk about color correspondences with candles, but a candle's potential in magic runs way deeper than that! Here's a list of things I don't see people mention as much:

Loading a Candle

Carve out a small hole in the bottom of the candle and stuff it with herbs, a name, whatever else you want to "fill" the candle with.

Carvings

Etch sigils, symbols, names, and other things into the candle before burning! (I like the idea of writing my problems/worries onto the candle then watching as they burn and melt away.)

Dressing a Candle

Much like loading a candle, mix your herbs in an oil or have a pre-made magical oil ready to cover your candle in before lighting.

Reversals

Chop off the top of the candle, flip it upside down, and carve a new wick out of the bottom (now top.) This is a good way to inverse its symbolism!

Shape of Candle/Container

Not all candles are little cylenders. Candles shaped like pyramids, spheres, hearts, skulls, or animals can all have those correspondences taken into account as well.

Life of the Flame

Some candles are meant to only burn for a short period of time then be blown out. (Like birthday candles.) Others are meant to burn continuously over multiple days (like yahrzeit candles or seven-day candles.) Others can be lit or extinguished as you please. Which one makes the most sense for your goals?

Burning or Beacon?

A candle flame is a light in the darkness, drawing things near. It's also literal fire which can burn away whatever it touches. Which one is your candle trying to do, burn out something undesired or serve as a beacon for what you DO desire? Plan accordingly.

Read the Wax

Always a classic, you can read the shapes made from the wax once the spell is complete to get a gage of how things went/are going. Followup information is always good and can tell you a lot!!

[neshamama]

hadassa goldvicht, "honey," 2006/2017, plumbing system, honey and shower head