i know this isnât part
of my blogs theme but like this
is interesting
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The eyes-in-the-front thing (usually) only applies to mammals. Crocodiles, arguably the inspiration for dragons, have eyes that look to the sides despite being a predator.
This isnât a mammalian thing. When people talk about âeyes on the frontâ or âeyes on the side,â theyâre really talking about binocular vision vs monocular vision. Binocular vision is more advantageous for predators because itâs what gives you depth perception; i.e, the distance you need to leap, lunge, or swipe to take out the fast-moving thing in front of you. Any animal that can position its eyes in a way that it has overlapping fields of vision has binocular vision. That includes a lot of predatory reptiles, including komodo dragons, monitor lizards, and chameleons.
(The eyes-in-front = predator / eyes-on-sides = prey thing holds true far more regularly for birds than it does for mammals. Consider owls, hawks, and falcons vs parrots, sparrows, and doves.)
But itâs not like binocular vision is inherently âbetterâ than monocular vision. Itâs a trade-off: you get better at leap-strike-kill, but your field of vision is commensurately restricted, meaning you see less stuff. Sometimes, the evolutionary benefit of binocular vision just doesnât outweigh the benefit of seeing the other guy coming. Very few forms of aquatic life have binocular vision unless they have eye stalks, predator or not, because if you live underwater, the threat could be coming from literally any direction, so you want as wide a field of view as you can get. If you see a predator working monocular vision, itâs a pretty safe assumption that there is something else out there dangerous enough that their survival is aided more by knowing where it is than reliably getting food inside their mouths.
For example, if you are a crocodile, there is a decent chance that a hippo will cruise up your shit and bite you in half. Iâd say that makes monocular vision worthwhile.
Which brings us back to OPâs point. Why would dragon evolution favor field of view over depth perception?
A lot of the stories Iâve read painted the biggest threats to dragons (until knights with little shiny sticks came along) as other dragons. Dragons fight each other, dragons have wars. And like fish, a dragon would need to worry about another dragon coming in from any angle. Thatâs a major point in favor of monocular vision. Moreover, you donât need depth perception in order to hunt if you can breathe fucking fire. A flamethrower is not a precision weapon. If you can torch everything in front of you, who cares if your prey is 5 feet away or 20? Burn it all and sift among the rubble for meat once everything stops moving.
Really, why would dragons have eyes on the front of their heads? Seems like theyâve got the right idea to me.
Hex Positive, Ep. 038 - Creating Your Personal Grimoire
Since magic and writing first existed together, there have been books of magic. Grimoires and other mystical tomes dot the historical record, from illuminated manuscripts to beloved props of modern pop culture. For the modern witch, a grimoire is as much a personal reference guide as it is a self-written textbook of the craft. This month, weâll discuss how to build your own grimoire, with tips for staying organized, suggested topics, and a journaling exercise to get you started!
Partial Transcript
Additional Resources:
Wikipedia Article - Grimoire
Wikipedia Article - Book of Shadows
Wikipedia Article - Key of Solomon
Wikipedia Article - Pseudepigrapha
Grimoires: A History of Magic Books, Owen Davies, Oxford University Press, 2010.
Cited Podcast: Historical Blindness, Ep. 116 - The Key to the Secrets of King Solomon (May 02, 2023)
Visit Here Comes The Witch on tumblr for more grimoire inspo!
Harvest Witch Market
Sunday, Sept 17 2023, 12pm-6pm
Diversity Richmond, 1407 Sherwood Ave, Richmond VA
Hosted by River City Witch Markets
â Hex Positive is now on YouTubeâ !
Check my â Wordpressâ for full show notes, as well as show notes for past episodes and information on upcoming events. You can find me as @BreeNicGarran on TikTok, Instagram, and Wordpress, or as @breelandwalker on tumblr. For more information on how to support the show and get access to early releases and extra content, visit my â Patreonâ .
Visit the â Willow Wings Witch Shopâ to purchase my books and homemade accoutrements for your craft!
Proud member of the â Nerd and Tie Podcast Networkâ .
MUSIC CREDITS
âSpellboundâ & âMiriâs Magic Danceâ
Ad - "Danse Macabre - Violin Hook" and âFeelinâ Goodâ
Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/
We'll cover the 3 big ones of Japan, Korea and China.
THE FOX BREAK DOWN.
WHY THE FOX?
The fox in many cultures-in this case countries residing in the Eastern areas of the world-have been symbols of mystery, trickery, transformation and deception. This may account to the fact a fox is naturally a very fast and intelligent animal, that is rather nocturnal and has a way to always evade danger that it finds itself in. They're problem solvers. They also scream like women in distress. Or when they're happy-they scream like cars trying to rev up.
THE KITSUNE: Japanese messanger of the gods and local nuisence
The most popular of foxes in media, art and story, the Kitsune story comes from Japan. It has been the subject of movies, games, animes, mangas and even folk tales for generation. To put it simply, a Kitsune is a fox that possesses paranormal abilities. People already believed that foxes were supernatural in general-but with time and age, they'd grow smarter and wiser. A kitsune grows a new tail for every 100 years it lives-with those that have 9 tails being very powerful and with 10 tails earned, will ascend into GODHOOD.
-sound familiar to someone you might know?-
Kitsune and humans have always lived together and gotten along mostly. Fox Urine actually repels rats-so stones soaked in the urine of foxes would be placed near fields; which most likely led to people finding foxes sacred and becoming a symbol of the Japanese Deity, Inari Okami-the God of agriculture-and eventually being regarded as their messengers.
Kitsunes had the ability to shape shift-often doing so into beautiful women (and sometimes men depending on the story) and getting themselves married, but usually getting run off by their spouses' dogs (which they are afraid of) They also have a tendency to reveal themselves when they get drunk or are careless as the tails are the one part of themselves they can't hide properly (which is tricky if you got 9 of 'em.) Beautiful women with certain face structures and high cheek bones are often called 'fox faced'
Kitsune can be good or evil-some of the more wicked ones going out of their way to possesse humans and have to be exorcised to free them.
THE KUMHIO: Korea's nightmare manic pixie dream girl
The Kumhio is my personal favorite-hailing from Korean, the Kumhio (or Gumhio depending on spelling variation) is a fox similar to the Kitsune in many aspects. It's a very long lived 9 tail fox, it has supernatural powers of illusion, shapeshifting and magic. But the Kumhio is different in it's behavior. The Kumhio's favorite meal-unlike the tofu loving Kitsunes-is human livers. And they go about acquiring it in a very interesting way. They will become women (or men) and manage to get hitched up to whoever is most convenient and begin to systematically prey on everyone in the household. First the animals, then the servants, the family, and often times leaving the spouse for last. They are also known to dig up fresh graves to get the livers. They also sport something similar to the kitsune that was not mentioned-a Bead they keep inside their bodies that they can cough up. This is called a Fox Bead. Putting this bead in your mouth can give you IMMENSE knowledge of the sky land and seas. Often times this is only shared by the Kuhio via a sort of 'deep kiss' where it puts the ball in your mouth and then takes it back with it's long unnatural tongue. But most cases have been people trying to steal it/accidently swallowing it. Although humans are a Kumhio's prey-if a Kumhio abstains from killing and consuming a human for 1000 days, it too will become mortal and then can enjoy all mortal perks (getting married, sharing a life span with someone, not being a literal monster) They are sometimes in mythology (depending on who you ask and which variation of the story you read) regarded as a lesser creature, but still very very dangerous. I wouldn't wanna fuck around and find out with one of these puppies.
FAVORITE PIECE OF MEDIA INVOLVING A KUMHIO:
Laon, it's a great horror read, kinda short, but still great. I love it unironically.
THE HULI-JING: Your friendly neighborhood fox ghost
The Huli-Jing is another Fox Spirit, this time from China. Much like Japan, it has the same properties as the Kitsune; Supernaturally weird, crazy long lived, can become god, people tend to like them. Until they do fucked up stuff. One case had a huli-jing posesses an important woman in power and she and her husband while posessed basically started torturing and murdering people and starting a massive revolt against their dynasty. Unlike Kumhios who suck life essence from the mouth (and eat your liver) The Huli-Jing will go the Succubus route and.....steal semen. That's right, the foxes are turning into hot hot women and are stealing your life force via your jizz boys, keep it in your pants. But despite that, many villages in history love the Fox Spirit-a saying going as far as villages shouldn't be established without a fox spirit milling about. They're seemingly friendly provided you pay them the right respects. Many people would have in home shrined dedicated to them to make offerings right there.
TLDR: Foxes are fuckin' spooky, turnin into women, stealin' your semen, your liver and making your goddamn rice grow. fuckin' foxes doin' FOX SHIT.
I've been away for a few years due to âšHomeless Lifeâš
No worries, I have a house, have a great job, and a black void to wake me up at the crack of dawn to feed her, so I'm fine!
I've been going through my blog to organize some things, and I've realized a lot of this is old information that isn't 100% accurate, missing citations, cautions, and/or is just flat out wrong! I used this blog previously as a collection of information that I would review periodically and delete incorrect, inaccurate, or otherwise harmful information, and I apologize that I have left so much misinformation here without a proper explanatory correction or added citations.
This is part of growing as a witch, as a person in general, to reflect back on old information/thoughts/ideas and possibly cringe because "wow... I sure believed that out loud." Does not help that in this era of technology, this entire blog is a record my own growth and development that's out here for all to see like cringey middle school pictures. This is completely normal and quite literally the definition of growth. We learn as we go, find new information, and verify its validity before we overwrite or add on to what we know.
With that said- I'm going to make a new blog and "start over" in a sense! This is going to suck mainly because the layout I've done on this blog (if you view my profile from a computer) isn't supported anymore, so I can't keep my layout or the little light because when I go to make changes to it, I get slapped with "not supported" because the links aren't HTTPS đ„ș but that's okay.
A new blog means a new layout, a new vibe, and a fresh book to chronicle more growth! I won't get rid of this blog immediately, I need to make my new one first, follow my favorites again, and get settled there. I will be posting more of my OWN information- with citations and cautions- on the new blog instead of solely reblogging information. I think its time for another dragon witch to share their practice, information, and add to the scarce information.
PODCAST RECS - Debunking and Fact-Checking for Witches & Witchcraft Spaces
A collection of podcast episodes fact-checking, debunking, or just providing some clarity on modern myths, misinformation, and conspiracy theories that are frequent flyers in witchcraft and pagan spaces, both theories mistakenly touted by community members and some of the utter drivel spouted by non-witches that still affects us today. Check out these shows on your favorite podcast app!
(Updates to be made whenever I find new content. There will be some crossover with my Witches In History Podcast Recs post and some of the content will be heavy. Blanket trigger warning for violence, abuse, bigotry, sexism, antisemitism, and mistreatment of women, queer people, and children.)
This post is broken into three basic sections:
Historical Misinformation
Modern Myths and the People Who Create Them
Conspiracy Theories and Moral Panics
List of Cited Podcasts, in alphabetical order
American Hysteria
BS-Free Witchcraft
Dig: A History Podcast
Hex Positive
Historical Blindness
Occultae Veritatis
Our Curious Past
Ridiculous History
Stuff You Missed In History Class
The History of Witchcraft
Unobscured
Youâre Wrong AboutâŠ
Historical Misinformation
General History of Witchcraft
Historical Blindness - A Rediscovery of Witches, Pt 1 & 2
Oct 13, 2020 & Oct. 27, 2020
A discussion of the early modern witch craze and the myths, misconceptions, and theories about witches spread by academics. Topics of discussion include the works of Margaret Murray and Charles Leland, the founding of Wicca, the emergence of the midwife-witch myth, and folk healers as targets of witchcraft accusations. Sarah Handley-Cousins of âDig: A History Podcastâ supplies guest material for both episodes.
Hex Positive, Ep. 36 - Margaret Effing Murray with Trae Dorn
July 1, 2023
Margaret Murray was a celebrated author, historian, folklorist, Egyptologist, archaeologist, anthropologist, first-wave feminist, and the first woman to be appointed to the position of lecturer in archaeology in the UK. So why so we get so annoyed whenever her name is mentioned in conversations about witchcraft? Well, it all has to do with a book Margaret wrote back in 1921...which just so happened to go on to have a profound influence on the roots of the modern witchcraft movement.
Nerd & Tie senpai and host of BS-Free Witchcraft Trae Dorn joins Bree NicGarran in the virtual studio to discuss the thoroughly-discredited witch-cult hypothesis, Murray's various writings and accomplishments, and why modern paganism might not have caught on so strongly without her.
BS-Free Witchcraft, Ep 03: The History of Wicca
October 06, 2018
On this episode, Trae digs deep into the history of Wicca, and tries to give the most accurate history of the religion as they can. I mean, yeah, we know this is a general Witchcraft podcast, but Wicca is the most widely practiced form of Witchcraft in the US, UK, Canada and Australia⊠so how it got started is kind of important for the modern Witchcraft movement. (And trust me, there arenât any pulled punches here.)
BS-Free Witchcraft, Ep. 28: The Burning Times
May 30, 2020
On this installment of the podcast, we tackle probably one of the more controversial topics in the modern witchcraft movement: The Burning Times. What were the actual âBurning Times,â where do we get that phrase from, and what really happened? Also, how has this phrase been used in modern witchcraft? Itâs a heavy one, folks.
Dig: A History Podcast - Doctor, Healer, Midwife, Witch: How the the Womenâs Health Movement Created the Myth of the Midwife-Witch
Sept 6, 2020
In 1973, two professors active in the womenâs health movement wrote a pamphlet for women to read in the consciousness-raising reading groups. The pamphlet, inspired by Our Bodies, Ourselves, looked to history to explain how women had been marginalized in their own healthcare. Women used to be an important part of the medical profession as midwives, they argued â but the midwives were forced out of practice because they were so often considered witches and persecuted by the patriarchy in the form of the Catholic Church. The idea that midwives were regularly accused of witchcraft seemed so obvious that it quickly became taken as fact. There was only one problem: it wasnât true. In this episode, we follow the convoluted origin story of the myth of the midwife-witch.
The History of Witchcraft Podcast, hosted by Samuel Hume
Witches didnât exist, and yet thousands of people were executed for the crime of witchcraft. Why? The belief in magic and witchcraft has existed in every recorded human culture; this podcast looks at how people explained the inexplicable, turned random acts of nature into conscious acts of mortal or supernatural beings, and how desperate communities took revenge against the suspected perpetrators.
Unobscured, Season One - The Salem Witch Trials
Welcome to Salem, Massachusetts. Itâs 1692. And all hell is about to break loose.
Unobscured is a deep-dive history podcast from the labs of How Stuff Works, featuring the writing and narrative talents of Aaron Mahnke, horror novelist and the mind behind Lore and Cabinet of Curiosities.
As with his other series, Mahnke approaches the events in Salem armed with a mountain of research. Interviews with prominent historians add depth and documentation to each episode. And itâs not just the trials youâll learn about; itâs the stories of the people, places, attitudes, and conflicts that led to the deaths of more than twenty innocent people.
Each week, a new aspect of the story is explored, gradually weaving events and personalities together in chronological order to create a perspective of the trials that is both expansive and intimate. From Bridget Bishop to Cotton Mather, from Andover to Salem Town, Mahkne digs deep to uncover the truth behind the most notorious witch trials in American history.
Think you know the story of Salem? Think again.
Witchcraft Practices
BS-Free Witchcraft, Ep. 43 - âLilithâ
Jan. 29, 2022
Host Trae Dorn discusses the ongoing debate over whether or not itâs okay for non-Jewish witches to incorporate Lilith into their practices. Is Lilith closed? Is it cultural appropriation? Thereâs so much misinformation in New Age and poorly written witchcraft books on Lilith, itâs hard for some witches to get a clear picture. Itâs common to run into folks on social media talking about Lilith as a âGoddess,â which she very much isnât. Letâs dive into the origins of the folklore surrounding this figure, and weâll let you decide whether or not itâs okay to work with Lilith. But, uh, spoiler â we donât think you should.
Historical Blindness, Ep. 106 - Lilith, the Phantom Maiden
November 22, 2022
Host Nathaniel Lloyd explores the evolution of the figure of Lilith, from Mesopotamian demon, to the first woman created by God, and back to a succubus mother of demons. Itâs a tale of syncretism, superstition, forgery, and a dubious interpretation of scriptures.
BS-Free Witchcraft, Ep. 55 - Lucky Girl Syndrome and the Law of Attraction
January 28, 2023
Trae takes a look at one of New Age spiritualityâs most toxic philosophies - The Law of Attraction. The history of the idea is discussed, where it came from, and how this dangerous combination of prosperity gospel, purity culture, and victim-blaming has come back in a major way to a whole new generation as âLucky Girl Syndrome.âÂ
Hex Positive, Ep. 19 - The Trouble with Tarot
August 1, 2021
Tarot and tarot-reading have been a part of the modern witchcraft movement since the 1960s. But where did these cards and their meanings come from? Are they secretly Ancient Egyptian mystical texts? Do they have their origins among the Romani people? Are they a sacred closed practice that should not be used by outsiders? Nope, nope, and nope.
This month, we delve into the actual history of tarot cards, discover their origins on the gaming tables of Italy and France, meet the people who developed their imagery and symbolism into the deck we know today, and debunk some of the nonsense thatâs been going around lately concerning their use. The Witchstorian is putting on her research specs for this one!
Stuff You Missed in History Class - A Brief History of Tarot Cards
Oct. 26, 2020
How did a card game gain a reputation for being connected to mysticism? Tarotâs history takes a significant turn in the 18th century, but much of that shift in perception is based on one authorâs suppositions and theories.
Hex Positive, Ep. 23 - The Name of the Game
November 1, 2021
Bree delves into the history, myths, and urban legends surrounding Ouija boards. Along the way, weâll uncover their origins in the spiritualist movement, discover the pop culture phenomenon that labeled them portals to hell, and try to separate fact from internet fiction with regard to what these talking boards can actually do.
Our Curious Past, Ep. 20 - The Curious History of the Ouija Board
August 18, 2023
Host Peter Laws explores the history of the âtalking board,â which was wildly popular in the early 1900s, until something happened that would tarnish itsâ reputation for good.Â
Ridiculous History - Brooms and Witchcraft, Pt. 1 & 2
Oct. 13-15, 2020
Most people are familiar with the stereotypical image of a witch: a haggard, often older individual with a peaked hat, black robes, a demonic familiar and, oddly enough, a penchant for cruising around on broomsticks. But where did that last weirdly specific trop of flying on a broomstick actually come from? Could the stereotype of witches on broomsticks actually be a drug reference? Join Ben, Noel, and Casey as they continue digging through the history and folklore of witchcraft - and how it affected pop culture in the modern day.
Historical Blindness, Ep. 116 - The Key to the Secrets of King SolomonÂ
May 02, 2023
Host Nathaniel Lloyd continues his occasional series on the history and mythology of magic. In this installment, he looks at the development of the story that the biblical King Solomon was actually a flying-carpet-riding, magic-ring-wielding wizard and alchemist who bound demons to do his will. The origins and content of the legendary Key of Solomon are also discussed.
Holidays
Hex Positive, Ep. 28 - The Easter-Ostara Debacle
April 1, 2022
Host Bree NicGarran puts on her Witchstorian hat once more to delve into the origins of both Easter and Ostara and to finally answer the age-old question: which came first â the bunny or the egg?
Historical Blindness, Ep. 28 - A Very Historically Blind Christmas
Dec. 18, 2018
An exploration of the origins of Christmas traditions, with special guest Brian Earl of the Christmas Past podcast. (There is also some mention of Christmas witches!) Further installments of this series explore additional Christmas traditions and iconography which have been falsely claimed to have pagan origins. (Eps. 47, 63, & 84 in December of subsequent years)
Modern Myths and the People Who Create Them
Ed and Lorraine Warren
Youâre Wrong AboutâŠEd and Lorraine Warren w. Jamie Loftus
November 8, 2021
Special Guest Jamie Loftus tells Sarah about Ed and Lorraine Warren (of The Conjuring and Annabelle fame). Topics of interest include Connecticut as a locus of scary happenings, New England uncles, and psychic communication with a tearstained Bigfoot.
Dig: A History Podcast - The Demonologist and the Clairvoyant: Ed and Lorraine Warren, Paranormal Investigation, and Exorcism in the Modern World
Oct 3, 2021
In the 1970s, Lorraine and Ed Warren had a spotlight of paranormal obsession shining on them. In the last decade, their work as paranormal investigatorsâghost huntersâhas been the premise for a blockbuster horror franchise totaling at least seven films so far, and more planned in the near future. So⊠what the heck? Is this for real? Yes, friends, today weâre talking about demonology, psychic connections to the dead, and the patriarchy. Just a typical day with your historians at Dig.
"Paranormal" Literature
Youâre Wrong AboutâŠWinter Book Club - The Amityville Horror, Pts. 1-3
Dec. 20, 2021 - Feb. 6, 2022
Sarah tells guest host Jamie Loftus about the Amityville Horror, how itâs a Christmas story, and buying murder furniture might not be such a great idea. Further highlights include Jodie the Demon Pig, poor insulation and terrible parenting as evidence of a haunting, lots and lots of sunk cost fallacy, and how the book kind of debunks itself.
Youâre Wrong About⊠- Michelle Remembers, Pt. 1-5
March 26, 2020 - April 30, 2020
Intrepid hosts Sarah and Mike delve into one of the foundational texts of the Satanic Panic - âMichelle Remembers.â A young woman spends a year undergoing hypnosis therapy, which uncovers repressed memories of shocking and horrifying abuse at the hands of a Satanic cult. The book became a foundational text for both mental health professionals and law enforcement attempting to grapple with an alleged nationwide network of insidiously invisible child-abducting cults. The only problem isâŠnone of what Michelle remembered ever actually happened.
American Hysteria, Eps. 64-66 - Chick Tracts, Pts. 1-3
March 20 - April 03, 2023
In his own lifetime, Jack Chick was one of most prolific and widely-read comic artists in history. His company, Chick Tracts, published hundreds of millions of copies of pocket-sized bible comics, filled with lurid illustrations of cackling demons, wicked witches, and sinister cults, all hell-bent on corrupting any hapless mortal they could get their hands on. These tracts were meant to be left where they might be found by a sinner in need of salvation, with a scared-straight morality-play approach to Christianity that contributed in no small part to the period in the late 20th century we now call the Satanic Panic. (Thereâs also a follow-up two-part episode about one of Chickâs âoccult experts,â who claimed to be, among other things, a real-life vampire.)
Conspiracy Theories and Moral Panics
Secret Societies and Antisemitism
Historical Blindness, Ep. 14 - Bloody Libel
December 12, 2017
An exploration of one of the most destructive myths in history - the blood libel, or the false accusation that Jews of the Middle Ages and beyond ritually murdered Christian children, a lie that host Nathaniel Lloyd traces back to itsâ roots in medieval England and the murder of one Young William of Norwich.
Historical Blindness, Eps. 56-57 - The Illuminati IlluminatedSeptember 15-29, 2020
A contemplation of the modern conservative conspiracy theory of a âdeep stateâ leads host Nathaniel Lloyd back to the dawn of the modern conspiracy theory, the Enlightenment, when the ultimate conservative conspiracy theory was born as an explanation for the French Revolution: The Illuminati!
Historical Blindness, Eps. 38-40 - Nazi Occultism, Parts 1-3
July 2-30, 2019
An exploration of the dark roots of Nazi occult philosophies, from a neo-paganism preoccupied with the Nordic Pantheon, to a folksy back-to-the-land movement that evolved into a nationalist sentiment, to an ideology of racial supremacy all tied up with contemporary myths and pseudoscience.
(The host is careful to note with clarity and vehemence at the start of each episode that this series IN NO WAY approves of, promotes, or supports this ideology and Nazism is roundly condemned at every turn. Itâs not an easy listen, but understanding how and why this bigotry continues to be a problem in pagan spaces and how to recognize it is very important.)
TL;DR - Fuck Nazis. No tolerance for genocidal fuckwads.
The Satanic Panic
American Hysteria - Satanic Panic, pt 1 & 2
Dec. 10 2018 - Jan. 07, 2019
This two-part episode covers perhaps the most mystifying moral panic in US history, the 1980s and early 90s âSatanic Panic.â For this episode, Chelsey covers the rise of organized Satanism beginning in the late 60s, as well as the adversarial countercultures of the hippies and the metalheads, and their apparent Satanic crimes that would be hailed as proof of their evil, as well as proof that teens, as well as children, were in serious moral peril. Satan was allegedly hypnotizing the youth with secret messages in backwards rock songs, teaching them occult magic in Saturday morning cartoons, and causing suicides through a popular role-playing games, all while helping religion blur into politics for good.
For part two, Chelsey will cover what came next, a serious investigation into an imagined network of Satanic cults ritually abusing children in daycare centers all over the country. Chelsey will try to understand this shocking decade in history, why it really happened, and the cultural issues it was really about.
BS-Free Witchcraft, Ep 10 - The Satanic Panic
April 27, 2019
The Satanic Panic of the 70s, 80s, and 90s shaped the Modern Witchcraft Movement in a lot of unexpected ways. Its effects still ripple through a lot of our sources, so in this installment of the podcast weâre digging into this extremely weird part of American history. Itâs a bit of a doozy, after all.
BS-Free Witchcraft - Ep. 32: A New Satanic Panic?
February 27, 2021
A couple of years ago, we did an episode on the history of the Satanic Panic of the latter half of the twentieth century, but recent events have led us to ask - could it be happening again? Itâs very possible that we are at the start of a new wave of satanic panic, and QAnon is just the latest symptom of a larger problem.
Occultae Veritatis, Case #014: Satanic Panic of Martensville
Jan. 28, 2018
Today the hosts cover one of the various Satanic ritual abuse scandals that happened close to them. Is it full of hot air and false allegations? Yes. Yes it is.Â
Occultae Veritatis, Case #097A & B: Dungeons, Dragons, and the Satanic Panic
Dec. 07, 2019 - Dec. 15, 2019
Dungeons & Dragons, introduced in 1974, attracted millions of players, along with accusations by some religious figures that the game fostered demon worship and a belief in witchcraft and magic.
hi! sorry if you've talked about this before and i'm making you repeat yourself, but you mentioned using the scientific method for testing spells? i've tried that before, but got stuck on the "analyzing your data" part. any tips?
Good question! I don't think I've discussed it before on tumblr, actually.
Testing magic is difficult since the results are often nebulous, open to interpretation, and difficult to reliably repeat. But I do still employ elements of the scientific method when casting new spells, mostly to help myself track whatever results do show up.
And that, incidentally, is where Analyzing Your Data comes in. When I cast the spell, I document what I did, what I used, when I did the thing, and what I was hoping to accomplish. Then if something that looks like success happens, I go back to my notes and see how much of it matches. If it's a spell that I intend to repeat in the future, I take notes on any changes I make along the way and whether it affects the results.
So yeah, to analyze your spell data, write down the details of what you did so you can check back later. Rinse and repeat with future castings. It's a great way to track your results and also your overall progress.
I keep seeing "Signs You're A Witch" type posts popping up in the tags and ohhhh I'm so tempted to start a fight.
For anyone that needs to hear it, there is NO SUCH THING as being a witch without knowing it.
Being a witch is not a birthright or a genetic marker or a secret superpower or some hidden trait that needs discovering. Being a witch is a conscious personal choice that is entirely up to the individual. There is power in walking the path BECAUSE it is a choice.
There is no quiz or infographic or reading that can tell you whether or not you're a witch. It doesn't matter whether you've had an affinity to magic and nature since childhood or are only just discovering the craft later in life. It doesn't matter if you've read every book on magic there is or only theorized about what you might like to do. (And yes, you can learn about witchcraft without ever being a witch.) The only one who can decide whether you're a witch is YOU.
And just to be SUPER clear on the matter, ANYONE can be a witch if they want to. Things like gender, race, religion, and physical ability are not determining factors.
Do you want to be a witch? Are you willing to self-identify as one, even just to yourself, and practice some form of witchcraft?
Congratulations! You can be a witch!
Give it a try if you want to. The path is yours to enter or leave as you will, for as long as you choose to explore it.
I just want to add to this because what Bree said is super important! That and I agree, the temptation to start a fight with those posts is đ€đ€ because they reinforce that not just anyone can be a witch and like ??? humans have a breath of magic us- weâre alive, we have energy coursing through our nerves and in our blood- literally! Nerves are electrical- [cut this right here so I donât ramble, ahem]
Anyone CAN be a witch because YOU decide this and then take action (aka performing witchcraft). If you do want to be a witch then youâre a witch.
You just need to cultivate your inner power, learn to draw upon energy around you, practice practice practice, and strengthen those âmagic musclesâ to build upon.
Think of it like a couch potato becoming a marathon runner. It doesnât happen overnight, but everyone does start somewhere. Have patience with yourself, read all there is to read while keeping mindfulness and objectivity in mind, and ask questions if you canât find an answer!
Iâve been following @breelandwalkerâ for years now, and thereâs TONS of amazing resources on their page!
Now on the flip side- I donât want to detract from the message of this post but I feel like this is the other side of the coin that needs acknowledgement which Bree lightly touched on at the end there.
If you donât want to be a witch then youâre not a witch.
It doesnât matter if your parents are witches, if your family line has a strong magical connection, started on the path and then realized its not for you, or if you have an innate gift like Bree mentioned. You can block it all off, ignore it, and become numb to it all, but please remember the importance of safety- at least in the beginning. Just because you have an innate gift or natural affinity for magic, it doesnât mean you HAVE to be a witch or that you HAVE to do anything.
Sometimes people realize witchcraft isnât for them and backpedal, or they never wanted to be introduced to this side of the world, and that is OKAY! Just make sure to be safe and have patience to âfade from interestâ, if you will. I understand that not everyone believes in spirits, magic, and all of this, or even find that its too much for them and want to drop it and never acknowledge it again, but there is still a level of respect and patience that is needed when separating from this world. There doesnât have to be an extravagant exit or goodbye, but at least allow time for this world to stop interacting with you- if that makes sense.
The door that was opened just needs time to close again and lock until you choose to unlock and open it again.
On May 1st, 2020, I embarked on a new project - a podcast based in practical secular witchcraft which combined advice for practitioners, discussion of the modern witchcraft movement, and the history behind our practices. Needless to say, it's been a RIDE!
Starting in June, we begin Year Two, so now's a great time to get caught up. Whether you're just beginning to listen or want to revisit some old favorites, here's the episode listing for Year One of Hex Positive and the Witch Ways minisodes. All of these (plus lots of bonus eps) are available on your favorite podcatcher and the Nerd and Tie Podcast Network site.
Remember to rate and review on Apple Podcasts, check out my Patreon, and recommend the show to your witchy friends and neighbors. The more, the merrier!
Hex Positive Episodes
Ep. 001 - Welcome to the Table
Ep. 002 - What Is A Witch?
Ep. 003 - Hex Positive
Ep. 004 - Advice for Beginner Witches
Ep. 005 - They Blinded Me With SCIENCE...Denial (Guest Host: Trae Dorn)
Ep. 006 - Come In For A Spell, pt. 1
Ep. 007 - Come In For A Spell, pt. 2
Ep. 008 - Things That Go Bump, pt. 1 (Guest Host: Jenn aka The Ouija Girl)
Ep. 009 - Things That Go Bump, pt. 2
Ep. 010 - Personal Traditions with Kai (Guest Host: Kai of Witchcraft For The Restless)
Ep. 011 - Secular Celebrations
Ep. 012 - Witching From The Broom Closet
Ep. 013 - Consent and Modern Love Magic
Ep. 014 - American Druidry with Dana O'Driscoll (Guest Host: Dana O'Driscoll)
Ep. 015 - Let's Get Wyrd with Lozzie Stardust (Guest Host: Lozzie Stardust)
If you're enjoying my content, please feel free to drop a little something in the tip jar or check out my published works on Amazon or in the Willow Wings Witch Shop.
The Hex Positive podcast is a proud member of the Nerd and Tie Podcast Network.đ
me, a witch, trying to write down all of the information Iâve gathered in my likes over the years into my grimoire that Iâve been putting off before Tumblr itself implodes into nothingness:Â
đ If you work with dragons, please reblog for a follow! đ
I recently learned that working with dragons was even a thing, and given how much the very concept of dragons has been a focus on my life, Iâm very interested in learning to work with them. If you post about it, please reblog đ
Five thousand years ago, the Sumerians called the night ngi, the stars mul, and the moon Nanna.
Four thousand years ago, the Akkadians called the night mƫƥu, the stars kakkabƫ, and the moon Sßn.
Three thousand years ago, the Hittites called the night iĆĄpanza, the stars haĆĄtereĆĄ, and the moon Arma.
Two and a half thousand years ago, the Greeks called the night nux, the stars astra, and the moon SelĂȘnĂȘ.
Two thousand years ago, the Romans called the night nox, the stars stellae, and the moon Luna.
Kings and queens and heroes looked up at them. So did travelers coming home, and little children who sneaked out of bed. So did slaves, and mothers and soldiers and old shepherds, and Sappho and MurĆĄili and Enheduanna and Socrates and Hatshepsut and Cyrus and Cicero. In this darkness it didnât matter who they were, or where they stood. Only that they were human.
Think of that tonight, when you close your window. You are not alone. You share this night sky with centuries of dreamers and stargazers, and people who longed for quiet. Are you anxious? The Hittites were too: they called it pittuliyaĆĄ. Does your heart ache? The Greeks felt it too: they called it akhos. Those who look up to the stars for comfort are a family, and you belong to them. Your ancestors have stood under Nanna, SĂźn, Arma, SelĂȘnĂȘ and Luna for five thousand years. Now its light is yours.
it takes years to develop your craft. do not romanticize the idea of an âovernight successâ. be a student. grow organically. get really good. hate your work. start over. find new ways to express the same ideas. the student becomes the master. your time will come.
Attracting - fill a small jar with honey and add a written statement of intent to the jar - seal and set the jar in direct sunlight to manifest your intent; stir your morning coffee or tea in a clockwise motion while focusing on the intent of what energies you wish to attract for the day; fill a jar with herbs and crystals that represent what you want to attract and add a statement of intent; charge a crystal and wear on your person to attract certain energies; create a sigil and either draw it on yourself or on paper and keep in your pocket; create a talisman, charge it, and wear it to attract various energies
Banishing - take an item that represents what you wish to banish and: throw it in the trash, flush it down the toilet, burn it, bury it, drown it; burn the item and sweep the ashes out the back door or bury them; carve the name of what you want to banish into a black candle and let it burn down completely; transmute negative energy into a stone (preferably a black stone like onyx) and throw it over the fence in your backyard (or whichever direction is south in reference to your home); stir your morning coffee or tea in a counter-clockwise motion while focusing on the intent of what energies you wish to banish for the day; using incense that is associated with banishing negative energy, walk around your space in a counter-clockwise motion with the lit incense in your hand
Binding & Sealing - wrap a string around a poppet or other representation of the target or item you wish to bind; put the poppet or other representation in a plastic bag filled with water and freeze it; place the item in a black box and seal it - store in a dark place or bury the box in your backyard; drip wax over the item
Blessing & Consecrating - anoint an object with holy or blessed water/oil; place the object in a dry bath of herbs or flowers that are known for blessing; pass the object through incense smoke that is associated with blessing
Cleansing - leave the item in the path of direct moon, sun, or starlight; place in a dry bath or herbs or flowers that are associated with cleansing; place the item in a bowl of sea salt; pass the item through incense smoke that is associated with cleansing; pass the item through running water; anoint the item with a cleansing oil or charged water; bury the item in soil for 3 days so it may be ârebornâ when unearthed; place a cleansing crystal on top of or next to the item; hang a wind chime outside of your home to negate negative energies before they have the chance to enter your home; open doors and windows; physically clean your space
Cursing - fill a poppet with baneful herbs and crystals, seal it, and store in a black box; add baneful herbs and crystals to a jar with a piece of paper that states the targetâs name or a description of them and seal it; create a poppet or other representation of the target and destroy it (commonly by burning); stab the poppet with pins and needles; curse an item and gift it to the target
Dreams & Sleep - fill a sachet with herbs associated with restful sleep and peaceful dreams and hang above your bed; place the sachet under your pillow; wash your bedsheets and sleep clothes with a few drops of lavender or chamomile essential oil; alternately, choose fabric softener that is lavender scented to wash your sheets or sleep clothes with; create a sigil for peaceful dreams or dream recall, charge under the light of the moon, and place it under your pillow before you go to sleep; drink mugwort, peppermint, or valerian root tea before bed for vivid, lucid dreams; drink chamomile tea before bed for restful sleep; drink lemon verbena (vervain) tea before bed for dreamless sleep; when bathing at night, create a sachet that matches your intent and place in the bath or shower
Glamours - anoint the containers of beauty and hair products with Pluto oil or moon water (for transformation and metamorphosis); leave the item you wish to cast a glamour on under the full moon; charge a talisman with the effect you wish to have on others and wear when you go out for the day; add Pluto oil and moon water to a bath for a full body glamour (write your intent with bath crayons on the tub or shower wall for an extra boost); create an energetic shield over yourself in which the outside mirrors what you want others to perceive of you
Goal & Wish Manifestation - write your intent on a bay leaf and burn it; turn your intent into a sigil and store it in a jar filled with herbs or other items that represent said intent; place a written description of your goal or wish in the center of a crystal grid using stones that are associated with manifestation and power; place a coin in moon water while focusing on your wish or goal (leave container under direct moonlight overnight so that it may charge); light a candle whose color matches your intent and while focusing on your goal or wish, blow out the candle
Personal Power & Effects - create or enchant a talisman that represents your intent, charge it, and wear it on your person; take a ritual bath filled with herbs that are associated with personal power; create a potion from herbs associated with power and drink in the morning
Warding - sprinkle a mixture of protective herbs around the perimeter of your home while walking clockwise; leave protective crystals at each corner of your space; hang a protective amulet above the door to your space; wear a protective amulet for personal protection; create a protective witch bottle and bury near your front door; plant herbs or flowers that are associated with protection outside at each corner of your home; draw a protective sigil or symbol on the outside of your front and back door with sun water; hang witch balls or a witchâs ladder near your front door; create an energetic shield and place over yourself, your loved ones, or your entire home
*Please be wary when drinking herbal mixtures and putting essential oils directly on the skin or on items that your skin may come in contact with*
Yâall Iâm not going anywhere right now, but this place is crashing hard.
Theyâre muting blogs now. If you get muted your posts wonât show on your page and itâll look to your followers like you arenât posting anymore.
Iâm still here, so if you stop seeing my posts, thatâs why.
They are not telling people they are doing this, and Iâve seen no explanation for why theyâre doing it or who theyâre doing it to.
âȘSo many new age spiritual teachings are focused on the mind and soul, they neglect the physical vessel. You must learn to love and honor your body. This ascension journey is not just about the spirit, the body is coming too and it needs to be treated like the sacred temple it is.âŹ
