La Morte XIII @lamortexiii - Tumblr Blog

The HellBilly Pulpit: Time is a Fraud.

Well, at least the current standard and practice of measuring time and how it affects us.

Our ancestors, thousands of years ago, didn’t have clocks to follow. They relied on the natural order of things to help them keep track: the moon, the stars, and the seasons to name a few.

It amuses me at times. To sit here and watch people, myself included, unfortunately, base everything on this idea of the time we all follow knowing that it’s all a man-made premise.

How old am I? How old are you? Who really knows? It was practically arbitrarily decided that XYZ equals the months, days, and years we follow.

Measuring time started out as a way to keep track of the weekly Sabbaths, but there was much debate on when this actually occurred. So modern timekeeping started to be used as a way to take “man and the creator” out of the equation. This was based on the lunar cycle. The most attuned way of keeping time out of man's hands and rearrangement of cycles is using “Atomic Time” which keeps its rhythm with the moon and the stars. This sounds fine to me, but in the end, it is still a manmade practice used to determine the passing of time, which continues to still be “tweaked” by leap years and the days in a month.

We have to follow these rules of time to keep managed and maintained. Everything is rushed or put off based on these principles. “We have a deadline to meet”, “you have two days to turn it in”, or “you have a month till you go on vacation”, and so on and so on. So with the way of things, you don’t get to really experience life by always looking at your watch or phone for when it’s time to do the next chore or go to the next place. Humans were not meant to be in these little uniformed rows following each other to the same cadence. We evolved from nomads that were always on untethered journeys. But now, “You have to be back at…” is what they always say when you go on a trip now. It gives that feeling like you have to make it back at that certain point no matter what, regardless of if you have to shorten your trip or the sights you wanted to see.

No, I can’t sit comfortably here and do this anymore. I’m of an age where my hair is mostly gray, my body hurts for no reason, and even sometimes just sleeping in a certain way will jack me up for days. I know by those measurements, I’m getting older. I don’t need your clocks to tell me that my 20s were 20 some years ago. I can see it in my face when I look into the mirror. I can see it in my kids as they grow older. The clock is irrelevant to these things.

It’s all corrupt. It goes along with the wonderful concept of capitalism. It’s really rather brash if I think about it enough. Just the plain idea of man’s audacity to try to control how time is measured is incredible.

I mentioned before you can follow or observe any of the natural ways to keep track of your time. The modern use of the clock as a means to regulate our days only really just began in the 20th century.

All of our occult kin have our methods and practices to pace ourselves, a tremendous amount of groups or practices follow the moon for most rituals just as our Native American friends and others track by its stages.

The druids built Stonehenge, Sailors used the stars, and ancient travelers could judge by the position of the sun. We as pagans and heathens have to keep this in mind to live our best life. We are not bound to the clock other than when we have to get our kids from school or get to our dentist appointments.

I mostly use the change of seasons to remember how long ago something really was. Like when I think of the first ritual I attended 13 summers ago, or that I have been with my partner these 11 summers now. I’ve found this can help to keep from being so distracted and miserable watching the hours tick away every day to relate it to the experiences that you have had since that certain event, or how much life you have to look forward to experiencing before going on that next vacation or having that next anniversary

Get back to your roots. As the stars and sun have their dance. They don’t care what day we call it, or what “time it is”. They just keep doing what it is they do… We should too.

Ava Satanis

The HellBilly Pulpit Blog by @hellbillyvvitch @thehellbillypulpit

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The HellBilly Pulpit: Greed vs Honor

Ethics, Valued on principal or money?

I’m just a small town, rural individual with my highest education being of a high school graduate, so this opinion of mine doesn’t come from a highly educated point of view, but rather from my life experience, common sense, and empathy.

Corporations. We all know they are wicked and do what they need to do for the almighty dollar. There have been recent changes in my life that are spurred on by a new entity taking over my work program that has been in active service since 2004.

The names have changed, but the management hasn’t really. That’s not really a bad thing in and of itself, but we have been happy with our little “work family” and we had some success in what we do over the years.

However, now that a new player that sits on the international stage has entered the game, things are no longer as they once were.

Where we once valued the employees' welfare and morale, we have pushed away for what is most efficient. Where we used to be about helping our customers being the top priority, has been relegated to a “get 'em in, get 'em out” mentality. The core of the information that we used to provide has gone from “what can we do to assist/educate you…” being the priority to making their overall experience their top priority. Damnit to hell if the information was correct, but were the customers “happy” with their contact resolution.

This is frustrating to no end for a career customer service rep. Such as myself of 22 years. This mentality and hospitality do not go hand in hand. Our company leaders have just thrown their hands up in submission and have had little to no say in how things are being run now. There’s been no attempt at a compromise. There has been no communication to the workers about the upcoming changes going into effect other than the date they are taking effect. Minimal training, minimal explanation of what the new direction is going to be. Nothing more than a “wait and see” type of mentality. One of the buzzwords in all of this has been transparency. LOL. Usually, when that word is tossed about daily as much as anything else, there is behind it, little or no transparency to speak of.

Jobs change. Corporate structures and mission statements change. That’s all well and good and expected. But, the problem that eats at me and my coworkers on this subject is that the management that we had come to have unwavering faith in, has all buckled to the new processes without sticking up for any of the employees. Some of us have been here for almost 20 years. This seems to matter little to anyone and is tossed aside as the way things are shaping to be.

This isn’t rocket science. The reason most people have come to terms with a company being evil, heartless and gutless is because of the lack of transparency, to the contrary of what they preach.

There has been much backstabbing and mud-throwing these last few weeks. All of the upper management’s actions are suspect and nobody is willing to call them out on it. Except me. I’m calling them out on their disrespect to not only the workplace, the workers, or their families, but also to the fact that they have done nothing but become pandemic deniers and self-righteous zealots preaching about how things are going to be different, how things are going to change for the better.

Nonsense.

The little company that once was run by the locals, the ones that knew what the hardships and struggles look like in this area, has become nothing but an extended tentacle of ignorance and disregard for their friends, neighbors, and citizens. They have forgotten that we are people first and foremost and NOT just another replaceable drone. The climate has changed from ethical to greed-laden ignorance.

Be careful what you wish for my friends. The universe is powerful and may throw something back at you that you wanted all along, but it could be one hell of a ride getting there.

Just because a company can do something, doesn’t always mean that it should. Especially when it’s money vs. ethics.

If you find yourself in a situation that your “gut” tells you doesn’t seem quite right, go with it. It’s usually right. I should have seen the writing on the wall long before this, but I allowed my trust in people to hold onto their morals and nature/nurture to the best of their ability and I have been beyond extremely disappointed that they fell far short of the credit I had always given them.

I’ve been doing this for far too long and have come to the realization that this is not life. Humans were not designed to sit indoors in small little cubicles or stuck in factories with little to no hope of truly living a happy life. We toil away at what we think is important not realizing what it is that is slipping away. However, humans do need work to do. That is a fact. But the hierarchy of work vs. quality of life needs to seriously be reevaluated. (at least here in the states, I know some of you out there do not have this same problem, or at least not in the same magnitude).

I am tired. I am worn out, burnt out, and exhausted from doing this wash-rinse-repeat cycle, again and again, to see that I’m no better now than where I was ten years ago. I’ve asked for guidance, I’ve asked for strength. I’ve asked for help in letting me escape this self-imposed prison and make a clean break.

Let me tell you, at least as far as I’m concerned… What you put out there in the universe, what you ask for... Well, you better be ready for what comes back to you.

I made a request for cleansing and guidance for 2022 for not only personal growth but to also help me find a way to leave my current job by the end of the year. I wrote my needs/wants/goals on my trusty writing tablet and set each one ablaze while pushing out and focusing on my intent to the universe. Meditating and musing on just how these changes I was reaching out for would play out if they would play out in a way that I would recognize. In my heart and my mind and my soul, I knew that I needed change. I was not going to be able to continue to be a functioning adult on any level if I kept on the same path that I was at the time.

The universe listens.

Now, here is where the “be careful what you ask for” warning comes into play. I received my sign... My assistance, just recently but, there has been a price to pay. I’m losing friends, I’m losing some great co-workers, and I’m seeing the true colors of people I used to depend on just change completely. I asked for help thinking that maybe I was just asking for confidence to just let go, to be able to redesign and reevaluate my life and make the necessary changes so that I may have real change.

But, what I’m getting is that and more. It’s made the filter I’ve used to look through at people in my life drop away and now, I’m seeing those people in their petty and vindictive personas, as they look for loopholes to make me and others seem like failures at what we do. And I now have to sit here and fight for my honor so that I can still look myself in the mirror in the coming days. This has made me very conscious of my actions and just what kind of consequence comes from my decisions. I must train myself now to be even more vigilant and make sure I’m doing the right thing by my conscious and to what I think, no believe, that my ancestors themselves would do or approve of themselves. Every little decision goes to the universe, whether it’s your god, your own morality, or what you fear you need to do to be successful in this life to be able to continue to your next level afterward. Your spirit world, whatever it may be that you believe in, I believe 100% is watching you and will either slap you down if you get carried away or keep pushing you along if you are struggling.

As Jeff Goldblum says in Jurassic Park- “life…finds a way”.

Be good to those around you. The universe is watching.

Ava Satanis

The HellBilly Pulpit Blog by @hellbillyvvitch @thehellbillypulpit

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The HellBilly Pulpit: Fly Children, Fly

It’s a mess.

This country. This world.

Our grandparents and parents have not done much to progress this world.

We are still living with racism, classism, poverty, hunger, and homelessness. This is 2022. We should have evolved much farther beyond this by now. But here we are. Those in power, stay in power with antiquated ideas and sensibilities.

Enough is enough.

I’m going to tell you a bit of advice. I’m coming from the position of an outsider myself. A black sheep. An anomaly to my surroundings. So please. Don’t dismiss my thoughts as some middle-aged man who doesn’t get it. I do, I did, and hope to keep up with it.

Children, younglings, teens, and young adults. Get up! Get out there and make a difference. Go vote. Go fight for a cause. Don’t take anyone looking down their nose at you. Don’t let them make you complacent. You all are some of the most diverse and free-thinking people in decades and the world will soon be yours to make what it should be.

The boomer's days are numbered. Their numbers are thinning.

Take the opening and learn how things SHOULD work and get them back that way.

Be kind. Be open-minded.

Reach out to those who have less and try to help wherever you can. Set an example for your younger siblings and children of your own that you can be proud of.

Make chaos. Make anarchy. Make noise. Beat on their doors and tell them that you’ve had enough. It’s time for the new blood to take charge.

I’m sorry. I’m sorry for any part of this situation that the elders have left you all in. I’m sorry for any part that I may have been inadvertently involved in. I saw my errors and decided that I wasn’t taking part anymore.

Empathy. Compassion. That is what is going to make the world a better place.

Believe in your science. Believe in your art. This can be a dawning of a new age and I want to see what fires you all can start.

Deconstruct religion! Tear down the church's walls. Be like those pagans before us and realize what your truth is that you carry in your heart.

Cast your spells. Speak to the other side. Look at the mother moon and ask her what guidance she can offer.

Your cards and your divine gifts will help you keep your moral path. Don’t give in. Don’t just give up, refuse to grow up! Don’t let the brimstone and fire stories they used to scare you with, keep you from walking your path.

In my spiritual path, I don’t necessarily follow one set of ideals. I use many from many sources to help me feel aligned and in touch with my soul and its connection to the universe. I’ve meditated on this issue, I’ve thought long and hard and tried to put my best energy out into the world to try to help make it a reality.

Part of what drives me is my connections to my ancestors. I’ve asked for guidance or any clues as to what the solution could possibly be. The thing I come back to again and again is that our solutions lay not with my generation, but with those following on our heels. I truly feel that this could work. So I write to you all. I try to reach out to give hope where there is none. Strength to bolster someone’s weaknesses. I write to express my message that all is not truly lost. That we need to come together in our dismissal of “normalcy” and show the world what they didn’t know they were missing.

You may not think so now. But I’m telling you all… this reality is temporary and it’s all clay in your hands.

Remember, you can cause more from chaos within.

I hope you all use your intelligence and spiritual knowledge to make this world a better place. Make it what it should have been so long ago. These old fucks aren’t going to do it. It’s time for you to take the reigns and get this world back on the right track.

I believe in you. My brothers and sisters believe in you. Ask us for any help you need. We will boost you up. We will give you all the advice we can along with all the support we can.

Fly Children, Fly.

Don’t look back.

Ava Satanis

HBVV

The HellBilly Pulpit Blog by @hellbillyvvitch @thehellbillypulpit

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The HellBilly Pulpit: The Brooding Time - Gen X in the ’90s

What can I say that hasn’t been said already about the 90s and Gen X?

Maybe, I can just reflect on what it was like from my point of view during that amazing time.

I was in high school and if I only knew then what I know now lol. I remember this was when I first became aware of what was going on in life. I was listening to something new that I had just bought, it was nothing like I’d heard before-, Alice in Chains Facelift and I thought to myself, here it is, this is a new beginning, MY beginning, I can be anything and whoever I want to be.

My time was a bit “in-between” so to speak. Big hair and glam metal were fading away and Grunge was just starting to break the surface. So weird that in-between time. We/I didn't know where to go.

During these next few years, I saw things that are now just footnoted in pop culture, although through the eyes of wonder. We didn’t have cell phones and youtube and we BARELY had anything that resembled the internet. Social media was Mtv and Mtv2. Ren and Stimpy, Beavis and Butthead, Nickelodeon, and man was it fun. We saw Waco go down, the first attack on the trade center, the first gulf war, and President Clinton. Oh, man... We also had Achy Breaky Heart and the first Gen Power Rangers. Comedy for us teens was a mixture of everyday humor, to that cutting edge of the adult world just peppered in there. It was glorious. I remember laughing harder in that time frame than I have through most of my adult life so far. Things were cool. Things were carefree. Things were getting weird.

Then something happened. We got broody, angsty, annoyed, and irritated. We didn’t end up being like our older brothers and sisters who were so eager to live out what our parents wanted for them. We didn’t want to be told who we were supposed to be. A lot of us watched our parents work themselves stupid as we became latchkey kids. Minimal supervision and a shift in our reality all fed into this, “life sucks and everything is dreary” sort of attitude that became what a lot of us perceive as “gen x”. We went from Disney to Tim Burton. We were determined to break that mold and stop living what everyone wanted us to do and be ourselves. We became the “slackers and the losers” (thanks Beck for the unofficial theme song), and not caring as each day that passed was just another dreary reminder that we did, didn’t matter in the end. Life sucks and reality bites.

Music changed our lives instantly. Record stores were a thing and we could immerse ourselves in just about any genre or style you could think of. Man, we were an eclectic bunch. My tape rotation consisted of Alice in Chains, Pearl Jam, and Soundgarden one minute and then Slayer, Pantera, Suicidal Tendencies, Danzig, and Metallica the next. The more intense, the better. It was cathartic to know that what I felt inside was felt by others too. The music told me that I’m not alone. That still resonates today, sometimes even more with all of the subgenre and side projects that my favorite bands have spawned or influenced since that time.

There was no shortage of fuel for our fire either. We had The Craft, The Crow, Nine Inch Nails, and Tool all reaching out to open our minds and set us free. White Zombie beat the normal out of us and threw on the dirt, it was amazing. Korn brought out our anger and set it on fire. Big shorts and pants before Jnco’s were a thing. The Blair Witch, Lalapalooza, the second Woodstock, skateboards, piercings, tattoos, and punk rock on top of it all! The freaks were in and we weren’t going away!

In the latter part of the 90s, I was in the military for a brief time, got married at 20, and thought I had life planned out... SMACK- I was discharged, divorced, and living with my bros to watch the turn of the century. Lol... Y2K! Your computers are gonna die!!! Man, we were stupid back then... Wait.. we still are... Maybe worse lol.

I embraced my time as a slacker in the military where my ideals were definitely not what the military needed or wanted. I found myself once again, outcast and brooding. I discovered that I wasn’t just socially different, I was spiritually different. Basic Training found a lot of us regretting our decisions and looking for comfort. I tried the church only to find it just felt too generic. All of the people in the pews reciting the same prayers, praying for the same things, and just being immersed in their cookie-cutter spirituality. It did not speak to my individual wants or needs or feelings. I wanted... No, I needed something more. This wasn’t for me.

Enter the occult. Enter paganism. Enter the anti-established religion mentality.

I started out with learning about some ancient celt myth and magick (my first book), from there I kind of branched out in about a half dozen different ways. I read about Satanism, Wicca, Atheism, and tons of things in between. Mind that when I started this road to discovery, I was an enlisted soldier in the US Army. these things did not go over well with those in charge. We had a prayer once before a holiday-themed run where I did not participate. I stood there, looking around, being respectful to those who were participating, but I was called into the office and asked if I practiced “the dark arts”. I had to laugh. Such a blanket, stereotype pinned on me for just being true to myself. They must have seen my barracks room. Blacked out with various metal band merch laying about with the quasi shrine to Marilyn Manson. The incense and what probably struck them more than anything was the lack of any Christian-themed propaganda, I mean decor. :)

All of this lead me to believe all the more that I was on the right path when I stood out as an individual enough to make people question who I am and what “is wrong with me”. This was the new brood infecting their rank and file and I’d like to think that I set a path for others that came after me.

When I was discharged and went home, I felt out of place. I had a new appreciation for the world, nature, and humanity all because of staying true to who I wanted to be even beyond the brainwashing that I endured. That is another story for another time though...

Those years in the ’90s really were a crazy time to come of age. But I wouldn’t change a thing about it. It set me up for life’s later difficulties and triumphs.

It was the brooding time.

Ava Satanis

HBVV

The HellBilly Pulpit Blog by @hellbillyvvitch @thehellbillypulpit

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The HellBilly Pulpit: Come to Silver…

Come to Silver…

We are a new breed. The first generation to not adapt to the typical middle-aged monotony. No Golf shirts or shorts, no adult contemporary or easy listening radio. No, we are not going to adapt to that “norm”. We are going to make our own path in life... Still.

I know my brothers and sisters of Gen X have a totally new perception (imagine that lol) of what it is to get older.

No. We will NOT grow up. We will NOT be complacent. We will NOT be “normal” or “act our age.”

We are still going to wear our t-shirts and jeans (or cargo shorts ha!), get tattooed and piercings, and forever be loyal to our rock ‘n roll (or whatever genre floats your boat). We are still going to go to concerts and act a fool!

Who said that just because you’re “old” you have to be boring and stagnant?

I wear my gray in my beard as a badge of honor. We’ve been through some shit and we’ve seen better days. But here we are. Still angst-ridden as fuck and goddamn annoyed by everything.

We are coming to take control from the boomers (our parents) and telling them to sit the fuck down and shut up! They’ve once again, embarrassed us with their cluelessness the same way they did when we were kids. This time just on a grander scale.

We are gonna pave the way for the next generation so that they can jump into the driver’s seat and leave all of this bullshit behind where it belongs.

It’s a real mindfuck to look back and see where we have been and how long ago it really was, but it seems like just yesterday in so many ways.

There’s an awakening (not in the force young padawans) of a new spirituality. The new primitives are here. Witches- Satanists- Occultists of all sorts are stepping out of the shadows. We are reevaluating what our spirituality means to us.

I’ve lived in their gospel, only to be pushed back and embarrassed or shamed. Well, yes. I’m ashamed. I’m ashamed of the old school establishment. The patriarchy. The ignorance. The lack of empathy. And the lack of common-goddamned-sense.

The gods, the earth, the moon, and the sun are all speaking to us now. They are telling us to put our emotions and intentions out into this world so that they can manifest and become so much more with the power of many coming together. It’s amazing to think, to know, that your intentions and energy are out there in the world and that they matter in the grand scheme of things. It’s time to find our voices in speaking out against the established/organized religion(s) and fight for fairness, not just for ourselves, but for everyone in the world, especially those who cannot speak for themselves.

Listen with your heart, your mind, and your feelings. Let yourself be gravitated to what needs you. Trust yourself and feel. Claim your cauldron, find those stones. Make them not just your tools, but extensions into the world. Make your offerings, speak your spells! Your soul will feel it and your mind will crave it. Just let the feelings out to flow with the waves of the now. Be true to yourself and others.

Take your time mid-agers, you Gen x kids. Your younger brothers and sisters need us to lead by example so that they can take up the reigns and fight, fight, fight for everyone and everything… as above and as below…

They need us.

Ava Satanis

HBVV

The HellBilly Pulpit Blog by @hellbillyvvitch @thehellbillypulpit

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Cryptic Mystic: My Oh My, Manifestation

My, Oh My, Manifestation: We hear people claim wonders about manifestation all of the time. “It’s real.” “Anyone can do it.” “I’ve manifested everything I have in my life.” How much of this is true? How much of this is just sheer luck? How much of this is a hoax or a means of financial gain? Or is it… something else…?

It can be hard to decipher the truth from the lies at times. Within this realm, I do believe there is a bit of deception, but also a bit of truth. Bear with me here. First I’ll tell you about the good stuff, or the truth that lies behind what manifestation is and what it means from both a generalized psychological viewpoint and personal perspective.

Manifestation is largely talked about and studied in Popular Psychology. A quick definition: Manifestation can be thought of as a strategy for self-help where a person wishes to meet a specific goal, and then focuses their energy and thoughts on that goal and the intended future outcome. It sounds simple, right? Some claim that manifestation is so simple that anyone can do it, and this may be so. Many times when someone is unable to manifest their goals into existence it is because they are struggling with some other issue that is serving as a barrier to achieving that goal. This can look like addiction, codependent relationships, deteriorating mental health, and a plethora of other things. In order for someone to successfully manifest their goals into existence, they must do their very best to continue to have a positive mindset and keep a strong focus on the end goal.

A lot of the information thus far sounds like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, in that the focus is on how a person chooses to react to given situations in order to “choose their destiny,” so to speak. Manifestation mirrors CBT in that it is person-focused and relies heavily on the individual’s thoughts and actions. The main goal here is for a person to redirect their pattern of thinking; to accept things as they happen and as they are and to view life in a calm and positive way. Realizing that negative emotions are normal, accepting them, and then letting them go rather than allowing those emotions to take control.

Engaging in active acceptance instead of suppression is another key item here - and it can be hard to decipher these two apart. Suppression involves taking the emotions and passively stuffing them down. This ultimately allows those emotions to grow and grow, eventually leading to an “explosion” of emotion. Sometimes these explosions can be violent and do not produce good results. This is otherwise known as “bottling”. Bottling contributes to the deterioration of people’s mental health because the individual is not expressing themselves in a healthy way, but rather keeping their feelings/emotions concealed.

So basically what manifestation posits, from a psychological perspective, is that manifestation is real - but it isn’t all magickal like many people claim. The more realistic way of thinking about manifestation is when someone sets a goal, focuses on and works towards that goal while keeping a positive mindset, and eventually achieves that goal due to their willpower, dedication, and resistance to challenges. So, technically anyone can manifest things into their life - BUT this looks different for everyone, which is why some people struggle worse with this while other people make it look like a piece of cake. Support from others has been shown to be helpful for individuals who struggle to overcome challenges and manifest their goals into their reality.

Now, let’s look at the much darker side of things. The not so honest things. The greedy side of what we call manifestation. Manifestation really began to take off after 2010 on social media with the rise of influencers who pose as self-proclaimed mediums, high-priestesses, and witches. There became a market for this sort of thing, and companies and want-to-be entrepreneurs latched on to the idea. You probably see tons of advertisements on social media platforms where people are asking for money in order to watch their live streams of them “speaking with spirit”. With all of the hacks out there it can be hard to decipher who is left and who is just another clown in a costume. Another example of this might be some who claim to have magic products that will “attract a mate” or will “make you beautiful” - AKA someone selling you a bunch of snake oil. But how do you tell the difference between someone who is telling the truth, who has poise and passion behind their craft, who has a pure intention, who isn’t trying to steal your money…? I have a few tips for you so that you won’t be bamboozled by the next quack who tries to offer you manifestation tips that have no support or fake potions.

All of what I am about to tell you has deep roots in psychology. It is very much about manipulation. It is very much about how we think and what happens within our brains when certain things happen or how we process things. The first and most obvious telltale sign that someone is a fake is that they have bad reviews. If there are an overwhelming (not just a few - A LOT) of people claiming that the person is a fake and they’ve got a 1-star review they’re probably not legit. Something to observe here - does the person connect with their audience/followers/etc.? Does the person give false information that is absolutely known not to be true? Have they been caught up in lies? Paying attention to these small details can help you spot someone who is full of shit.

This may be another one of those that may seem obvious to some of you, but if someone’s profile isn’t complete, this could be a possible red flag. If there aren’t any posts of them personally and their page has nothing but a lot of objects, the person doesn’t have a name, and there doesn’t seem to be much activity - these could be potential red flags. Now, I do realize that some people don’t want their identity divulged, which is why they may not post pictures or their name - and that's 1000% okay, I absolutely validate that, however, these can also be considered red flags. So, for those of you who fit the mold, you can’t really be mad at someone if they’re questioning your “realness” if there is nothing about you on the page. A friend of mine had someone swear they were AI one time because they did not have any personal information on their page (pictures, name, info, etc.). It happens.

If someone is really vague with what they are saying and won’t go toe to toe with you gabbing about the topic of conversation - watch out. If they won’t answer your questions or say things that sound like they’re from a fortune cookie, then they probably are. Pay attention to how someone speaks about something. Are they making valid points? Are they telling you information that is backed up by evidence?

Now, as far as mediums go if they’re asking you a lot of questions that’s one way to tell a fake from someone who actually has a gift. The same thing can apply to many areas of life if someone is trying to swindle you. I like to call this the “car salesman pitch”. The end game is that someone wants something from you (often times it’s your money) and so they form a baseline relationship with you (rather quickly, I might add) and then proceed to ask a lot of questions in order to get information out of you that they can use to trick or manipulate you in some way.

If someone isn’t listening to you and is talking way too much - they’re probably full of shit. The goal here is to talk so much that you aren’t able to get a word in - you aren’t able to ask questions. The person doesn’t want you to ask questions - that’s the whole point. Instead, they take charge of the conversation and try to spew off as much information as they can to you so that you will eventually tire and give them what they want without confrontation. Whether it’s because you want to get away from this person because they’re talking too much, or whether it’s because you actually believe them and are okay with what is happening, in the end, the goal is to wrap you around their finger with extremely manipulative behavior.

Lastly, I want to point out that nothing is definite and everything is always subject to change. In this regard, if someone is telling you 100% that something is the way it is - yet another red flag. Real practitioners know (and even those who aren’t practitioners) that life is full of twists and turns. We can indeed “manifest” some things into our existence, but if things don’t happen (for whatever reason) that is okay. Sometimes you may hear someone say that “everything happens for a reason”. But what if everything “just happens”? Maybe there isn’t a reason at all. The world continues to turn, people continue to live their lives, and things continue to happen; surprises continue to happen - both good and bad, and it is important to recognize that.

No one lives a perfectly charmed life. Everyone goes through struggles and hard times. If you remember one thing from this blog, remember that regardless of what you are going through or what you might desire in life, you can control how you react and you can make decisions that guide you in the way you prefer. A good portion of life is in your control; it’s in your hands. Alas, there are some things that we can’t control - but we can control how we react to those events and how we move forward. We can control our reactions and our actions in our day-to-day life. We make choices every day. Life is a giant game of choice. Now, I want to be clear, there are (like with everything) outliers to every situation, and this does not fall on deaf ears here for this particular conversation. I am well aware that there are people who can’t control things such as disability, traumatic events, or what other people do. But in a majority of people’s lives, almost all decisions made are that of your own and you make conscious choices every day - even though you may not be aware of many of them because they seem so automatic.

So… manifestation: what do you think? Is it a fancy way to say Cognitive Behavioral Therapy in the occult? How will you move forward with your day? What do you desire and how will you achieve it? Like always, you choose what you believe - I respect you regardless. Thanks for stopping by this month. I hope that you are able to “manifest” greatness throughout your day - whatever that means to you.

Cryptic Mystic Blog by PsychVVitch @psychvvitch

#crypticmystic #shadesandshadows #hellbilly pulpit #lamortexiii #occultblog #the more you know #livedeliciously #witchcraft #paganism #wiccan #knowlegeispower #newbeginnings #highermagick #lhp #rhp #coven #clearthinking #psychology

The HellBilly Pulpit: Music: infused in my DNA

A little more of an upbeat subject this month and one of my favorite topics in general.

Music.

As far back as I can remember, music has always been a part of me. From those times in my earliest memories when it was country music of the late ’70s (I am in Appalachia after all) on the radio that was always on, or my dad belting out his favorite songs to sing at his band practices or the last black metal album I got into last week. I’ve loved it all.

It’s a family rite of passage. My grandfather was a fiddler, mandolin, and guitar player - and he brought up my dad in much the same way. Music.

Me, I’m a drummer and used to be an aspiring singer, but not so much these days. Age, time, and opportunity have not gotten along very well to be able to be active for a while now.

But even though I’m not playing, there is always, ALWAYS, a soundtrack in my head. I carry earbuds with me everywhere and I have extra pairs stashed in multiple areas. I need it. I breathe it.

My tastes have certainly changed since those early days. I went from the country-western background to the complete opposite end of the spectrum and everything in between. I didn’t even know there were other types of music until my parent’s split up and I moved down off the mountain, lol. But there it was. Rock radio on the bus to and from school in the mornings and my mind was blown.

Michael Jackson, Roy Orbison, Tears for Fears, George Michael - on and on and on. Anyone who was anyone in the mid to late 80’s that you can think of. I was like a sponge absorbing it all.

I didn’t have a particular genre that really pulled me in. Until, (lol) of all things, ZZ Top. Man what a ride that was. It was ZZ and then Aerosmith and with that came all of the hair metal, Motley Crue, Gn’R, Skid Row, man it was electric! Then.. Nirvana happened and it was the turn of another page.

I could literally go on and on and on about the different influences that sprang out of those early days. But, I want to bring it to my adult years and where I realized just how important music really is to me.

I’m a metalhead. First and foremost. I love a lot of genres but metal is my soul.

A soundtrack to many moonlit nights, bonfires, and adventures. I turned face-first into the goth aesthetic.

Candelabras, crushed red velvet, incense, an entire wardrobe of black. I let the outside match the inside. Black metal, pentagrams, and corpse paint. They all lifted my spirits better than any drug I've ever tried.

I had three defining bands, one was The Misfits, the second GWAR, and then Cradle of Filth.

Those guitars and double bass riffs made me imagine that I was floating in a river of sound waves that would wash over me and take me wherever they wanted to.

I'm sure you know that feeling. When you know, you know. That riff, that chorus, that solo of that song that grafts itself to your brain. Your tastes may change, but you'll always be able to come back to that moment every time that song plays.

Now, there is also the use of music in rituals. Adding just the right soundtrack before, during after your practice, your prayers, your offerings.

This to me is as much a part of the magick as your wand, your cards, or candles. Music helps set the mood and your mindset to be open and receptive and to offer a hospitable place for your deities and ancestors to have a tranquil and receptive gathering place as you go through your rites.

There’s something about finding just the right soundtrack and how it can transport you to another time and another place. You feel it in your soul, it helps transcend you to another level of connection to your deeper self.

I have always used some kind of ambient, instrumental music, as described from videos as “Pagan” or “Norse” or “Celtic” and that has always set the tone just fine.

One night I discovered a deeper connection to my spirituality and music like I had never known before. It anchored itself to my core. (I hope everyone gets to have a true experience like I had and can make it their own). I was enjoying a playlist from YouTube that was in this category of “pagan” music as I had mentioned and relaxingly fell asleep. But, I woke up in the middle of the night and was completely and totally transfixed by what I was witnessing. It spoke to me in a way that no other group or artists in this genre had ever come close to hitting. A group named Heilung. Absolutely amazing. That’s when I felt that pull on my soul from the inside and understood that I was missing an element in my spiritual life. When you know something that connects to you from the past deep inside you, don’t let it go. Embrace it, let it speak to your subconscious letting it take you further into your spells and ceremonies than you ever thought possible.

No matter your religion or practice be it Pagan, Christian, Satanic, or anything in between. There's a soundtrack out there that will add just that extra element to your setting and your practice.

A poesy for the music ingrained into us that gives us our motivation and soundtracks to memories.

Spilling into your mind

Like a dam that broke away

Sonic envelopment

Rhythmic understanding

Lifting you higher and higher

When you didn’t know you were down

There’s nothing as moving as music

When your soul is so hard to be found

Ava Satanis HBVV

The HellBilly Pulpit Blog by @hellbillyvvitch @thehellbillypulpit

Cryptic Mystic: What is Love?!

Love. We hear this word often. But what does it mean? The word “love” is over-used in society to the point where many feel no significance towards the word. The phrase “I love you” is simply a phrase. The meaning behind the words and the actions that precede or follow the words are what actually give the words meaning. Of course, this differs depending on who you’re talking to. Love is subjective. It is also important to note that there are different kinds of love, just like there are different types of relationships. For example - you likely don’t have the same type of relationship with your mother as you do with your lover, and the type of love you experience and express is likely also very different as well. Love is not an all-encompassing word.

Words are power, which is why we call the formation of letters into words “spelling.” Words are a form of spellwork. You hold so much power every time you speak, or every time you write/type. Words have the ability to draw so much emotion; cutting like a knife to the heart or overflowing our hypothetical cup with bliss. This becomes very important to remember when working within your craft. Words, emotions, it all ties together to create an intention. But how can we harness or control this power? How can we utilize it properly? There is no one set-in-stone way, as are with most things, but I can share with you some ideas and thoughts that will at least get your brain turning.

So… the big question… What is love? I’ll start by explaining the different types of love. Now, I will remind you that this is in no way a complete list of possibilities, for most things can be added to, taken away from, etc. These types of love are not exclusive, rather are most common and most relatable to the general population. Along with the different types of love, there are also parts of the body that coincide with each that serve as a vessel of sorts in relation to the type of love experienced.

The first type of love is Philia (fill-ee-uh), otherwise known as “affectionate love.” This is the type of love that you often see in strong friendships. Philia is present within strong platonic bonds between individuals who are not in a romantic/intimate type of relationship. The human mind is the vessel in which Philia is associated with because these strong bonds do require a certain amount of trust, familiarity, and similarity between individuals or “being on the same wavelength.” Some ways in which people express this type of love include having deep conversations, expressing openness and trust, engaging in bonding activities, offering consistent support, and just being there for one another in general. If you have a best friend, this is that type of love.

The second type of love is Pragma (prag-muh), also known as “enduring love.” This type of love can be seen in life-long bonds between partners and is more mature in nature. The key point here is that it develops over a period of time and isn’t something short-term or spontaneous. It may have started as such, but has evolved and matured over several years. The vessel in which Pragma lies is within the subconscious. This is a type of love that isn’t felt emotionally with intent or conscious effort - it just becomes what it is. This love is always an equal 50/50 split where one person does not give more or less than the other. There is a sense of strong purpose that comes with this type of love. Ways in which this type of love is expressed is through a continuous strengthening and stability of the relationship over a long-term time frame, exhibiting equal effort within the relationship, and making the decision to be with this person forever as one. If you are in a romantic/intimate type of relationship that is long-term where both parties put forth equal effort and feels “natural” then you are experiencing Pragma.

The third type of love is Storge (storj), otherwise known as “familiar love.” We touched on this one a little bit in Philia, but it is indeed its own separate entity because this love cannot only be found in close friendships, but also between parents/caregivers and children. Specifically, the vessel in which Storge lies is within memories, because this love is familiar. Oftentimes people say Storge “feels comforting, like home.” Storge is organic, never forced, and involves a deep emotional connection between parties. The memories with these individuals stand out and are deep-rooted in nature. The more memories shared with the person, the higher the value is placed on the relationship. Ways in which people express Storge include self-sacrifice (time, enjoyable activities, ect.), being able to forgive one another quickly when mistakes are made, and sharing many fond memories (which are continuing to be made). If you share a healthy and close (familiar) relationship with a parent/caregiver, you have experienced Storge.

The fourth type of love is Eros (air-ohs), also known as “romantic love.” This type of love is all-consuming and often involves a physical component. When experiencing Eros, there is a strong infatuation with the person and pleasure-seeking behaviors are exhibited. The vessel in which Eros is found is within the body as a whole. Some may say they feel “butterflies” in their stomach, lightness in the chest, tingling in the genitals, and a plethora of other somatic symptoms when experiencing Eros. The key point of eros is to engage in pleasure-seeking activities with the person you are infatuated with. Eros can be expressed through touching, caressing, kissing, or engaging in sexual acts. If it isn’t already obvious, hormones play a huge role within Eros. If you have kissed someone sensually or had sex with someone and felt similar feelings to those described above, you have experienced Eros. Keep in mind, this looks different for everyone. Different strokes for different folks.

The fifth type of love is Ludus (loo-doos), or “playful love.” The vessel in which Ludus lies is within emotions. Ludus is all about expressing emotions through flirtatious endeavors. This does not include any of the physical components - see Eros above. This type of love is a gateway for an intimate relationship. You may have heard this type of love described as the “honeymoon phase.” There may be a sense of excitement and overall jovial attitude whenever someone is around the person they are experiencing Ludus towards. Ways in which Ludus is expressed include engaging in playful banter, flirting, laughing, joking, and having fun in a child-like manner. If you have ever flirted with a potential partner (or even a current new partner), you have experienced Ludus.

The sixth type of love is Mania (may-nee-uh). It is exactly what it sounds like. This type of love is obsessive in nature, where a person goes absolutely head-over-heels batshit crazy over their romantic/intimate partner. The vessel in which this type of love lies is within a person’s natural survival instincts. This type of love should be avoided due to the potential harmful mental health risks that will likely ensue. People who experience Mania often focus entirely on the other person and fixate on their every move. Focusing on the self is completely out the window - which is NOT good at all. This type of love often leads to jealousy, envy, and controlling possessive behaviors. In more extreme cases, this is the type of love that people literally kill over. The main cause of Mania is said to be an imbalance between Ludus and Eros. Keeping a healthy and stable level of playfulness and romance within the relationship may help in avoiding this type of love. The survival instinct that kicks in with Mania is because the person desperately feels that they need the other person to give themselves any sense of meaning or purpose. Individuals who experience Mania are often afraid of abandonment and will do anything to keep their partner to themselves. This may stem from childhood abandonment issues, but there are a plethora of other factors to be considered, of course. If you begin to feel this way towards a person, try focusing on yourself more rather than putting all of your focus on the other person. You may also stop and think about the way you are feeling and question why you feel the way you do - dig deep. This ultimately avoids an unhealthy relationship, codependency issues, or any of the significantly worse things that may come along with experiencing Mania. Trust is key here. Being able to trust the other person and for them to trust you equally is a huge protective factor.

The seventh type of love is Philautia (fill-out-ia). This type of love is all about the self. Self-love is required before one can truly love someone else in a healthy way. Some may argue with me on this, but I have never seen a healthy relationship where both people didn’t seem confident in loving themselves as well. On the other side of the coin, every relationship I’ve seen that was unstable always involved at least one or both parties having low self-confidence, self-esteem, and an overall diminished sense of self-love. The vessel in which Philautia lies is deep within the person, some might call this a “soul,” but you call it whatever you like. Philautia involves recognizing your self-worth and not allowing anyone to take it away. This type of love involves strength and truth. A person who experiences Philautia realizes that it is their sole responsibility to do what is necessary to take care of themselves and engage in regular self-care for a rounded sense of wellbeing. Ways in which this can be accomplished include surrounding yourself with people who are supportive and uplifting, creating an environment that makes you feel good, taking care of yourself, and engaging in regular self-care (taking time for yourself regularly). If you engage in an activity that makes you feel good on a regular basis that improves your overall quality of life (e.g., yoga, meditation, a hot bath, etc.) you have experienced Philautia. Again, this looks different for everyone - there is no set way to experience this.

The eighth and last type of love I will talk about is Agape (uh-gahp-ay), or “selfless love.” This type of love can be shown towards anyone and involves empathy, support, and unconditional love. The vessel in which this love lies is within the self, or what some might call “spirit.” This type of love is of the most high because there are no underlying intentions, no gains to be had, and it just comes naturally to anyone and everyone around a person. There is a purpose here that is bigger than oneself. Agape includes the ability to express love and kindness in any given situation, no matter how bad the circumstances may be - being selfless. Ways in which people might express Agape include volunteering to improve the lives of others, staying conscious and grounded in your decision-making from day to day, and offering your time to someone who really needs it. If you practice any of the mentioned items above or something similar, you have experienced Agape.

What is the ideal combination of these 8 types of love? With so much information and so many types of love, it is challenging to decipher which type of love may be right for you in your relationships with others. I will offer you three combination suggestions: one for friendships, one for family, and one for intimate/romantic partners. You may take my suggestions or leave them, or maybe you want to create your own combination. As I always say, you choose what you believe - and thus you choose what is right for YOU.

Friendship: Philia, Storge, Philautia Romantic/Intimate Partner: Pragma, Eros, Ludus Family: Storge, Agape, Philia

Again, feel free to mix and match. There is no right or wrong answer here. The only type of love you will want to avoid at all costs is Mania, which I feel needs no further explanation.

So how does this tie into your craft? Think about the different types of love and if any of these resonate with you within your occult practices. I know our population here is very diverse, so this will likely look different for all of you, as do most things. I will give you an example as it applies to witchcraft, specifically. If witchcraft isn’t your thing and you’re into something else, that's cool - you may still be able to take something away from this. Or you may just enjoy the read. Either way, I’m glad you’re here.

Love spells have been popularized and romanticized throughout history. Whether someone seeks to strengthen a relationship they already have with someone, or they want to make someone fall in love with them - many seek to find some form of love in one way or another. Many types of items can be utilized in love spells including foods, candles, herbs, trinkets, household items, oils, plants, items from the earth, items from the human body or other living beings, and so much more. Many forms of magick can be intertwined within this practice as well from many types of witches including (but not limited to) Secular, Black, Sea, Tech, Green, Dianic, Solitary, Voodoo, Hedge, Shadow, Divination, Fae, Draconic, Eclectic, Necromantic, Shaman, etc.

Today I will share three spells with you that I hand-selected from a vintage spellbook that was passed on to me through several generations. 

SPELL #1

The first spell is one of self-love, which is highly recommended that you complete before all others. You may choose to do this spell on its own, but it is best to perform this spell ritualistically alongside (before) all other types of spells in the future, regardless of type/intention. The point here is to strengthen yourself before you move forward with your main spell-work for the evening. You must complete this spell on the night of a full moon. The items you will need include the following:

a photo of yourself 

several thin ribbons 

a silver photo frame 

several white candles 

1. Create an altar (if you do not have one already) filled with items that exhibit what love means to you. Make sure to choose items (flowers, colors, trinkets, etc.) that are appealing to you and mean something to you.  

2. Trim your photo into a heart shape 

3. Adorn your photo with the ribbons around the edges in whatever way you choose 

4. Chant as you work - you may choose to hum or sing a song that you enjoy that is about love, or you may choose to make one up as you go (trusting your instincts to guide your words) 

5. When you are done decorating the edges of your photo with ribbon, place the photo within the silver photo frame and then set it on your altar 

6. Light (at minimum) one white candle every night next to your photo until the following full moon. If you miss a night, you will need to begin the process over. Disclaimer: don’t ever leave your candle(s) burning if you leave your home or if you go to sleep. Be sure you are awake and monitoring any type of open flame. 

Once a full moon cycle has passed you may choose to continue this practice as a ritual. If you would like to change the picture, simply repeat the process over again on the night of a full moon.

SPELL #2

This spell is for those who may have a new romantic interest and is designed to evoke your new lover to reveal their true selves. Heed warning, this spell will only work if there is a sense of destiny within the relationship. So, you essentially kill two birds with one stone here - you find out who your new lover truly is and also if there is a future with the person. You can complete this spell during any moon phase. The key to the natural environment in which you cast this spell is that it must be during a thunderstorm - the more intense the better. You will utilize the energy from the storm to communicate this silent message to your love. The items you will need include the following:

A photo of your new lover 

A mirror (can be mounted on a wall) 

6 small candles from the rainbow spectrum (each differing in color) 

A thunderstorm from mother nature 

1. Place the photo of your lover where their reflection will be caught in the mirror 

2. Place the candles where their reflection will also be caught in the mirror as well (you want the candles to illuminate your lover's face - it will look eerie!) 

3. Using the force of the storm, focus on your lover’s image and will your lover to shed any doubt or fear of judgment within the relationship and to commit to the relationship more through showing their “true self.”  

4. Ensure that the candles are continuing to burn as you proceed to address your lover (if the candles blow out, this may be an indication that the relationship will also fizzle out - this isn’t definite, but I have seen my fair share of people who have experienced this). 

5. If there is any passion in the relationship and there is a future to be had, your lover will soon show more of themselves. 

SPELL #3

The last spell is one for those who have a partner who maybe had a childhood that was not so great, and thus has trust issues or issues with making complete attachments. There may be lingering insecurities present, or some other issues within your current relationship due to this. This spell can be cast during any moon phase. The items you will need include the following:

A lock of your lover’s hair 

A lock of your hair 

A small padlock 

A tiny freezer-proof container 

Honey 

An early snowdrop or bluebell 

1. Weave the locks of hair together  

2. Place the intertwined hair within the padlock 

3. Place the padlock with the hair intertwined within it into the freezer-proof container 

4. Pour honey over the top while asking that it sweetens all memories of past sadness 

5. Place the flower head into the honey 

6. Secure the container, put it into the freezer, and blow it a kiss as you close the door 

7. At regular intervals, blow the charm a kiss 

This spell can produce great results if done with sincerity and strength.

I hope that you have enjoyed this lengthy yet informative February blog. There is so much in store for 2022 on the blog and I am glad that you have chosen to be here reading my words. Always remember, you choose what you believe. Regardless of what you believe in, I respect you and I honor your presence. May the remainder of February bring you nothing but great things. We’re only getting started with our year. Let’s make the best of it.

Cryptic Mystic Blog by PsychVVitch @psychvvitch

#crypticmystic #shadesandshadows #hellbillyvvitch #lamortexiii #occultblog #the more you know #livedeliciously #witchcraft #paganism #wiccan #knowlegeispower #newbeginnings #highermagick #lhp #coven #clearthinking #psychology

The HellBilly Pulpit: The Stigma of the Stigma

Saturated

This is a painful, yet necessary entry. It envelops me and I must address the situation.

There is a real issue in this country, or even the world over, about mental health. You can't see it in someone. You can have no idea just how bad someone is suffering. Suffering because they don't have a choice. Their problems are discounted, downplayed, and even ridiculed. But make no mistake. They are very much real to those who live it.

This is a personal account of just this sort of thing.

There was a certain movie that came out in 2019 that had a line that sums up the truth. “The worst part about having a mental illness is that people expect you to act as if you don’t.”

I can not agree with this more.

I am currently going through a situation where this exact scenario is taking place. I know that I am not alone in my struggles. I feel that there are probably many of you out there with a similar story.

This pandemic over the last two years has completely laid to waste many of the daily rituals and habits that I had spent my entire life building just to be able to function as a (semi) normal person on any given day.

I suffer from OCD- Anxiety- Depression- and ADHD. That is one heck of a ride as it is, but toss on the pandemic and it’s a real rollercoaster that is out of my control. My job is not very critical. It’s deemed “essential” because of the relation to the finance market it has. Honestly, that’s just a super vague excuse to keep us going to work at the boss’s wishes. Some of us have been working from our dwellings for two years. The problem with this is that now is the time when the bosses want to start pulling people back into the office a couple of days a week despite the current spike of COVID cases. In doing this they have said, “all safety measures will be implemented”. What a crock.

I expressed my concerns about coming back not only because of this new surge of the newest variant but also because the situation really hasn’t changed any in the last few months from what it was in 2020. My coworkers and my boss know that I have OCD (extreme contamination fears) already with the workplace, but now, as I’m sure some are aware, it’s been kicked up a bunch of notches. My concerns were met with deaf ears. It was like this friend (who happened to be my boss) completely disregarded my concerns in dealing with trying to resume “normal” life. My life never was normal and now it’s even a different version than it was two years ago.

The sum- “get over it, you’re needed here… get here”

It didn’t matter what I said about the situation. Now, in this nightmare cocktail of disorders, I have developed a huge amount of empathy for others, especially if they are having any of the mental struggles that I am having. I spoke up that this is not just for me that I am bringing these things to attention, but for others that don’t have the same platform or comfortability to say for themselves.

The sum- “stop being a baby”.

Long story short… Thankfully I have a great therapist and doctor who knows how deep in the weeds I am with all of this and they have helped me sort out the situation, much to the annoyance of my bosses, so that I can continue to remain a cave dweller for the time being.

My point is this… it’s been said but it’s true and bears repeating. There is a stigma about mental health.

A person can be burning inside with the torment of depression and anxiety and any or all of the little variations or caravan of side issues that accompany any one of them. BUT.. since it is not a physical ailment, it’s perceived that it does not exist. Why? Why is it that to be taken even a little bit seriously, there has to be a physical manifestation of an ailment?

To add to the fact that I am a middle-aged male does nothing but amp up the opinions of others who don’t understand, nor do they want to understand what we go through inside.

For some of us, just the simple act of getting out of bed and putting that first foot on the floor takes ALL of our willpower, and we often sit right back down to attempt to regain it all over again. Or we drag ourselves to the shower only to stand in there and let the water try to distract us and wash away our pain. Knowing that in about an hour, we are going to have to put on our “normal” face and walk into the world carrying that weight on our backs that nobody sees.

There was a joke that I heard a few days ago- The doctor asks the patient if they have had any issues with depression or anxiety recently. The patient says, “doesn’t everybody?” and the doctor said... “No.”. That hit. That was an eye-opening moment. Not everyone knows what that is like. I can’t fathom that.

I have this group of bosses that have known me for years, as I said earlier, and they know that this is me. They know that I’ve been in therapy and medicated for years. And like any other millions of bosses out there in the world, they didn’t care.

It’s a mission of mine to bring as much attention as I can to the stigma surrounding mental health. That I can express how important focus on mental health is.

If you were to break a leg, you'd wear your cast and take your painkillers. Well, when dealing with your mental health, what's broken is your brain, your spirit, your ambition, and your will - the invisible things that people can’t see.

Seek out the help that you need - be it from a professional, family, your best friend, or someone you know who just “gets” you.

Reach out in your prayers, spells, cards, or whatever you use to help guide you. Your spirituality may be a surprising comfort in new ways that you hadn't thought of. I’ve found that I can rest my anxiety with a cleansing shower, letting the water run, cool not cold, over me as I focus my intent and purpose of removing the negativity that has attached itself to me.

I also use meditation to refocus and empty my mind by sitting in a dark room with my favorite ambient music to rest and let my mind float and take me wherever it wants to go. Falling asleep this way is ok as well, I’ve found that’s a great formula for a relaxing nap.

Tarot. This is new to me. I’ve started with a simple shuffle and letting my thoughts go into my cards. Not necessarily asking for a definitive answer, maybe just some insight that I may be missing myself that the cards can lead me to.

I’ve always been interested in the cards, but always as a spectator. I’ve recently met a few people who have some good experience with giving readings to people. I asked one of them a few weeks ago to give me a reading. He lives over in Europe and there’s a good bit of time difference but he is the first to inspire me to get a deck of my own. He did a reading for me, simple pull, nothing fancy and he came up with a certain card in a certain position and it corresponded with my current station in life. That was an eye-opening experience. To have someone do a reading with their cards for ME after all this time of being curious.

My second friend that I’ve turned to for guidance in the cards also did a reading for me. This was maybe 3 or 4 days after the first. This person is stateside and not far from me. I feel this is an important detail. She pulled my cards and one of the cards jumped out of the deck as she started to shuffle. This was the same card that my friend overseas pulled for me as well.

That was it. I’m in.

I bought my first deck. The one in the picture for this blog and I’m ready to start down that path of self-discovery that I’m learning is possible to achieve.

Tarot. Always curious. Never studied. Now I’m ready for the insight that is possible through the cards.

Opening my mind and spirit to the universe, I have found that this has been one of the most refreshing feelings in the world.

I try to live by the idea that the energy that you put out into the universe, will come back to you. Don’t be afraid to look within yourself and use the tools you feel compelled to use and are comfortable with. You’ll be much for the better than allowing the demons to hang out in your mind 24/7.

Always remember that you are not alone.

I promise you.

We are here and we reach out with open arms to be the support that you didn't know you needed.

Take care of yourselves everyone.

Be cool

I leave you again this month with another poesy. This was inspired by the cards themselves.

Fnip.. fnip.. fnip... Sitting and shuffling Brooding and clenching The flutter of the cards calming my senses What will they show? Maybe they haven’t determined yet Guide me on my path, lead the way Give me insight, security Calm my thoughts Show me what you want to say Ava Satanis HBVV

The HellBilly Pulpit Blog by @hellbillyvvitch @thehellbillypulpit

Cryptic Mystic: New Year, New Life, New Me

Transformation and rebirth - what does it mean to you? Reincarnation? Literal transformation? Symbolism within your craft? Beginning a new year’s resolution? Many might say that all come to mind, while others might resonate with just one of these - and that’s okay. Transformation and rebirth can mean many things, both literally and metaphorically; mentally and physically. It can be seen from many sides and involves many moving parts. What transforms and revives one may not even entice another, and vice versa.

Most of us can say that we have made at least one new year’s resolution in our lifetime. The most common new year’s resolutions include losing weight, going to the gym more, quitting smoking cigarettes, and quitting drinking alcohol. There are far more resolutions that people make every single year than just these, of course. Regardless of what one's new year's resolution is, guess what percentage of people follow through with them? The number varies depending on which article you read, but I can tell you that the number is very low. This is discouraging for many, and may make you or others wonder, “why do I even try if I am statistically destined to fail?” I’ll tell you why - because change IS possible. You really can do anything you set your mind to if you want it bad enough. There are many issues as to why people don’t follow through with the things they say they are going to do - namely new year’s resolutions. There is much psychology behind this phenomenon. As usual, there is not enough time to cover EVERYTHING, but I will go over a few items with you that you may find interesting - and maybe you can relate these to yourself or others that you know.

First, the goal may not be clear. Someone may have an idea of what they want, but that does not mean that there is a transparent picture, in detail, of what that goal is, or even how to achieve it. Sitting down and coming up with a “mission statement” for your goal can be helpful. Make it one sentence that summarizes exactly what you want. Once you do this, you can brainstorm ways of how you want to go about achieving this goal.

Second, someone may really want something very badly, but that does not necessarily mean that the person knows WHY they want what they want. Knowing why something is important to a person ultimately helps that person to strive for that end goal - and is a proven predictor in achieving success. Not having a purpose/reason for change, thus can be counterproductive. Know your reason. If you don’t know your reason, think about it; stew on it for a while. Ask yourself why the change you’re wanting to make is important to you. What are some positive changes that can come in your life if you make this change? How will this change positively impact you mentally? Physically? How will this change positively impact others around you?

Third, people feel extremely fucking overwhelmed! Life can be too much at times, and piling a new year’s resolution on top of everything else can be challenging for a lot of people. Take a deep breath, and look at your schedule. If you are busy (like me) and do a bajillion different things from week to week, start by making a list of priorities. What are some things that aren’t necessary that you are doing that can wait? Is your goal a top priority or is it more towards the bottom of your list? Once you’ve decided where your goal lies, look at your calendar. Whether you use an online calendar or a paper calendar (or maybe you don’t use a calendar - try it - it helps SO MUCH with organizing schedules) block off time to focus on your goal. Block off time for the things listed on the top of your priorities, and then if there is room left, block off time for your other activities that aren’t so important.

Fourth, people feel discouraged, and they become discouraged easily. If you’re not seeing results, or maybe you’ve backslided a bit, that’s okay! As long as you’re making an effort, that’s what counts. A small step, or even a step forward and then a step backward - is still making steps - and is something you should be proud of. Goals take time to achieve. Put in the time and effort. You’ve got this.

The fifth and final most popular reason that people don’t achieve their new year’s resolution is because they simply aren’t ready to change. I know what some of you may be thinking - “but I have been ready to change and it just isn’t happening”. Really dig deep and ask yourself if you’re okay with where you’re at or if you truly want to change. For example: someone who smokes cigarettes may REALLY like how it feels to smoke a cigarette. A person may feel comforted by smoking cigarettes. Someone may even like the taste of cigarettes. These ties can sometimes be too strong to break. If someone wants to quit smoking cigarettes, but really enjoys smoking cigarettes, they may not truly be ready to quit smoking cigarettes. Change in this arena comes from pure raw willpower and determination, and ties into personality traits a bit. The strength of someone’s willpower and determination really does depend on the individual. To stick to a new year’s resolution and undergo that big transformation that many are seeking, one must be very serious about changing and buckle down at all costs. If there is even an inkling of a doubt, or not a strong enough commitment, these resolutions are easily broken. Again, some people aren’t truly ready to change, and in truth, may never be ready - this is the reality of the situation.

Moving on, we’re going to take a sharp turn now and move on from the psychological transformative talk of new year’s resolutions and dive more in-depth into occult practice and what transformation may mean in other realms of the word. So… reincarnation. Some of you may believe in reincarnation, while others do not. Either way is fine by me. But I want to at least dive into the topic since we’re talking about transformation and rebirth in ringing in this new (hopefully better) year of 2022.

Reincarnation is defined as the rebirth of one’s spiritual being/soul/essence of the individual/whatever you want to call it, from their physical biological body into another living physical body of another. For simplicity, I am going to call this life-force an “entity”. The entity can take the form of any living thing, whether it be a dog, tree, or another human being. In this sense, we are all considered immortal, and our entities are recycled from living being to living being after our physical forms pass on. There has been speculation as to why some individuals have recurring memories from past centuries/decades that their current bodily form was not alive to experience.

A very popular and interesting case is that of Gus Taylor. From the time Gus was able to speak as a toddler, he reported to others that he was his own grandfather - Augie. He reports having memories of his grandfather’s life that he should not know - and according to his parents, he has not been exposed to any of this information prior to reporting these things. These reports began as early as Gus being 1 ½ years old. His father reported at this time while changing Gus’ diaper, Gus looked at him and said “I remember changing your diapers when you were my age.” That’s a hell of a statement to randomly blurt from a 1 ½ year old’s mouth, don’t you think? But it gets even weirder. Gus was named after his grandfather August “Augie” who had died the year before he was born. At the age of four, Gus was able to point out his grandfather in photos, having never met him or seen him before. He constantly referred to himself as being his grandfather Augie, saying “me” when his parents would speak of his grandfather. I’ll keep this story brief, but long story short, it’s an interesting one. I highly recommend researching this case and others who report reincarnation. As I always say, you judge how you like and believe what you want to believe.

Some practices in the occult include metaphorical rebirth and transformation, as is standard. If we’re talking witchcraft, each spell we conjure is a form of transformation in some way. Whether you concoct a love spell, a spell for wealth and prosperity, or health and good fortune - spells are all transforming in nature - whether they be directed towards yourself or to another person, they have the potential to change lives; to transform. Transformation and rebirth can come from many things. Even something as simple as taking time to be mindful of your surroundings can be eye-opening and transformative for some.

Connecting with nature is an important part of my practice. I collect stones, herbs, and other items when I am in the forest to aid in my practice. I connect heavily with nature and the world around me. I am sure that some of you reading this can relate.

For those of you who may connect with other areas of this world and of your craft, you can still understand how much the items you connect with can be transforming and uplifting. That’s what I want us to focus on this year. No bullshit. No negativity. Nothing that makes us feel bad should be in our circle. If something makes you feel bad, banish it from your life. It doesn’t take a spell to make that happen - simply say no. Learn how to say no more. Or maybe you need to learn how to say yes more.. to opportunities and the world around you.

Explore your passions. Embrace the things that make you feel good. Incorporate more items, people, music - more things that make you feel good that envelop a positive transformation. 2022 is our year - let’s make it so. We can manifest whatever we set our minds to. With all of the powerful energy that I know we all possess - if we put our energies together it is a force that is most unstoppable. It’s time for change. It’s time to transform our lives into what we want. If you want it - take it. Every day we are faced with choices. Let's make the choices that embody what we stand for and what we truly desire. May this year bring you everything you desire and more. I wish all of you well. Blessed be, friends.

Cryptic Mystic Blog by PsychVVitch @psychvvitch

www.LaMorteXiii.com

The HellBilly Pulpit: The Poesy of a HellBilly…

A conjurer of words…

Poetry.

It’s what keeps me sane. It keeps me in reality. I’m afraid that if I don’t let out the inner turmoil and anguish, self-imposed or otherwise, I will go insane.

Well, maybe insane is a bit of an embellishment, but it is definitely something that I do to relieve stress.

I have many muses that make me put pen to paper. Sometimes it may be something I’m personally dealing with or maybe seeing someone else struggle with their own issues and demons. I feel empathy and that sets my pen to flow. I have always been an underdog and a fan of the underdog. I like to speak for those who can’t themselves.

I write for not just myself any longer, but for maybe even… you. You see, I’ve climbed out of those holes that seem to have no end. I’ve wrestled with that despair and torment. I’m still fighting those battles, but now, I sit here with my pen letting it all out.

I believe I was invited to contribute to this blog for a reason. I believe that most things aren’t coincidental and as I’ve learned on my path, speak and be true. Everyone has a purpose and a meaning. I believe that in my willingness to put words to page while focusing my intent, that is me casting my spell. That is me letting those demons out that shouldn’t be kept in.

The world needs to see that we are stronger than what they think of us. We have the strength. We have the creativity. We have the resolve to keep going forward. We are as above as we are below and we aren’t afraid to lay it all out and bleed till we can no more. As we push and push through that everyday rat race of life. We need to call out the bullshit that is given to us every day.

I will bleed so you don’t have to. I will be your voice. I will cry your anguish and scream your pain. We can get through whatever is thrown at us. We have to stand up when we get knocked down and make something positive out of it.

That is why I write.

To get us started on this journey together, I’ll leave my first piece here with you now.

Abandoned to your own Feeling lost and afraid No comfort in your childhood home

What will give you solace? What will make you safe?

Only you know the answers Make your own leap of faith Don’t be afraid to be all your own

This is your vessel Your temple Your place

Wield your feelings Throw away your doubts Nobody can judge you

You are your own….

Inside and out

Till next time. H.B.VV.

The HellBilly Pulpit Blog by @hellbillyvvitch @thehellbillypulpit

The Hellbilly Pulpit: The Hellbilly Poet Commences

`HELL-o all!

I’m @hellbillyvvitch and I’m here to engulf you with my love of poetry and prose. I am however a realist. There are no sunshine and rainbows, nor puppy-dog love to be found in my writing. I cut myself to the bone, bleeding out thoughts and feelings. I will take you to the darkest, loneliest corners of my mind sharing my thoughts and feelings, leaving nothing sacred.

My little corner of the blog “The HellBilly Pulpit” will be about the influences of religion, music, art, mental illness, society at large, and

what I take away from the world’s treatment of all of these, and how this Appalachian Hellbilly comes to terms.

I started out writing lyrics for some of the trash punk/metal bands that I was in back in my youth and over the years it has become a part of me. A place to release my internal anguish, misery, and frustration. And with the way that 2020/2021 has unfolded, I was given a chance to review who I am and where I truly want to go with my writing future.

What I’ve learned is you will always be evolving. It’s never too late to learn something new. Don’t be afraid to bleed on your page. Be you. Be real. Be honest. Be art.

I hope you enjoy what I have to offer. I hope it entertains and gets you to think about the bigger picture that surrounds you.

I look forward to what comes next. Ava Satanis! Talk to you soon H.B.VV

Make sure to follow the blog for updates: https://lamortexiii.tumblr.com

The Hellbilly Pulpit Blog by @hellbillyvvitch @thehellbillypulpit

www.LaMorteXiii.com Attitude is Everything.

Cryptic Mystic: We Know. You Hate Us, But We’re Not That Bad

Why do people engage in bigotry and hate against others that are different from them? This has been a question many have asked throughout time. There are multiple answers that you can choose to side with, all of which likely hold a bit of truth. Regardless of what one believes in, we’re all people. The same argument can be had for any amount of differences including skin color, sexual preference, country of origin - if you can think of a reason someone dislikes someone else, it’s already been done.

The first reason that people are bigots is that people are afraid of things that are different and also afraid of change. That’s right. Some people are terrified of anything that is outside of their routine or their norm - imagine that. The fear of change has been said to stem from several things including (but not limited to) loss of control, fear of the unknown, and the human biological threat response. These can all be said to be somewhat psychologically based and vary from person to person.

Control issues may stem from chaotic family environments in one’s upbringing in which the person felt like life was out of control. Control issues are found in some psychological disorders including (but not limited to) borderline personality disorder and narcissistic personality disorder. Many people who report having issues with control, also report experiencing traumatic events as children in which they didn’t have any control (e.g., rape).

Some people argue that it is natural for humans to fear the unknown. This may be true for some, but definitely isn’t the case for everyone. However, with change comes unknown future consequences of that change - which can be good or bad. This may highly upset someone who has an anxiety disorder, as one of the key components of anxiety disorders is fearing something that hasn’t happened yet/future worries. Seeing someone who looks different or hearing about someone’s beliefs being different from what a person is used to could literally cause a person with a serious anxiety disorder a lot of mental discomfort. Anxiety disorders can stem from many things including traumatic experiences (especially in childhood) and other environmental stressors (e.g., abuse).

The human biological threat response is said to be a naturally occurring phenomenon that occurs when a human feels threatened or experiences severe stress that can be seen as deteriorating to someone’s physical or mental health. It is then suggested that change or something/someone that is different from what one is used to can cause someone to automatically dislike or fear the person/object based upon a fear response to something out of that person’s norm. Change/differences can be subconsciously seen as life-threatening, and thus the person rejects these differences. For example, it is ingrained in some members of native tribes to attack another human that comes across their territory and isn’t a part of their tribe. A more extreme example of this in mental health can be seen in people who experience delusions and hallucinations. Individuals with psychosis may experience a heightened threat response to people/items/activities that are out of their norm. Technically, this could induce an attack from the individual who possesses psychosis in more serious cases I’m sure.

The second reason that people are bigots is because of their upbringing. Not saying that everyone who meets the example I am about to give is a bigot, but some of these people definitely go on to be bigots. I’ve seen this with my own two eyeballs. SO - Imagine a place where people grow up in a small town and only know what their family and friends have told them. Everyone believes in the same way and nothing is ever questioned. Nothing ever changes. The people who live here never travel far outside of their area. This is the unfortunate reality for a lot of people. Lack of exposure to other cultures and ignorance is definitely a huge contributor to bigotry in my opinion. For these people, all they know is what they’ve been taught. They literally do not know anything else, and in many cases, I am sure they have no desire to learn about anything outside of their norm because they don’t know that anything else outside of their norm exists!

My friend Brianna told me a story about bigotry she experienced in her childhood that sent me for a trip. Brianna grew up in a similar situation to the one described above. The town population was under 1500 and was also a very predominantly Christian area. There were only Caucasian families in this town. She said that to this day she has never seen anyone of another race there. As was the custom, her cousin Bethany had come into town one summer and stayed with her and her family for a month. Brianna was 13 and Bethany was 14. She told me that Bethany had brought a ouija board to her house and that they had played with it at night after Brianna’s parents had fallen asleep. When they played with the ouija board, Bethany would always cast a protection spell upon both opening and closing the portal. This was Brianna’s first brush with witchcraft, but definitely not her last. As she became more involved in witchcraft, those in her community shunned her and immediately dubbed her a bad person who was “going to hell.” She was picked on and bullied for her newfound practices all through the remainder of middle school and high school. It wasn’t until she became an adult and moved away from the town that she finally felt a sense of peace. In moving to a city in another state, Brianna now lives a happy life and has a great group of friends who accept her just the way she is.

This story may sound familiar to some of you. If so, my heart goes out to you. It is a story told time and time again all too often. If someone treats you differently because of the way you look or the things you enjoy or for any other thing that makes you uniquely you, just know that there is absolutely nothing wrong with you. You are fine just the way you are. If you don’t feel accepted anywhere else, just know that you are loved and accepted here among our online family for certain.

Now, let’s look at some silly myths and misconceptions about those within the occult, pagans, witches, etc. - aka myself and probably you too. 1) WITCHES AREN’T REAL: Witches are as real as the oxygen on this planet that living things breathe. Those who engage in witchcraft, recognize their inner power, and know how to utilize it are indeed witches. What one chooses to identify as is as real to them as what you love and believe in is as real to you. Witches are all around us…

2) OCCULTISM MEANS INFINITE POWER: Not everyone who practices within the occult possesses the power to manifest everything they desire into existence. In a perfect world, this would be so. However, recognizing your power and harnessing it properly takes time and patience. This involves the transference of energy. Again, learning how to do this takes time, and even if you do learn how to do this it doesn’t guarantee that you will reach the “ultimate level of power” - whatever the hell that means. Manifesting your dreams into a reality is very much a real thing. You just have to want it bad enough, harness the energy to achieve it, and make it happen - confidence is key.

3) PRACTICING WITHIN THE OCCULT IS ALL EVIL, DARK, AND TWISTED: I will not deny that some areas within the occult are definitely malicious and some individuals do carry ill intentions, but this is also true of people around the world from all beliefs - not just for those under the occult umbrella. Actually, in my personal experience, I have rarely met anyone who had ill intentions within their practices. 99% of the time, what I’ve experienced and seen with others has been a more positive and enlightening experience. There is also a heavy focus on acceptance, living a life that serves you and respecting yourself and others.

4) IT’S JUST A BUNCH OF READING: While reading is important and a powerful educational tool that is necessary in a plethora of spells, conjurings, and items of the like - that’s not all being in the occult entails. Knowledge is power, and a lot of the knowledge we possess does not only come from experience and from within, but also from reading. Harnessing energy and power doesn’t require reading to learn how to do it. As a matter of fact, harnessing energy and power without reading is very common.

5) MAGICK IS FLASHY: Contrary to common belief, magick isn’t as flashy as the witchy Instagram models make it appear to be. Most magick is simple, pure, and doesn’t require many expensive and “fancy” items at all. While some spells call for rare items, more common practices won’t involve a bunch of items that will cost you a fortune. You can conjure magick without having to spend a penny.

6) EVERYONE WORSHIPS SATAN: While this may be true for some people within the occult, it is not true for everyone. Not all people who practice under the occult worship Satan, or believe in Satan for that matter. This all depends on who you talk to. Either way, grouping everyone involved in the occult as a Satanist exhibits ignorance and a need for education.

What misconceptions about the occult grind your gears? If you have any in particular that you would like us to add to our brief list and possibly cover in a future blog, let me know by sending me a DM on Instagram or commenting here. As always, everything discussed here is not the “end all, be all.” There is so much more to be said for both sides of this blog that would take eons to cover. At the end of the day you choose what you believe, and we accept you regardless. Blessed be, friends. I’ll catch you next year!

Cryptic Mystic Blog by PsychVVitch @psychvvitch

www.LaMorteXiii.com

Cryptic Mystic: “I Put a Spell On You”

Spells - you have likely heard about them. Some of you may have successfully completed a spell or two (or hundreds). So, what is a spell and how does it work? Can anyone manifest things into existence, or does this require a special gift, ritual, or knowledge? How do our beliefs and culture affect how we perceive this phenomenon? Words are powerful. It is said that the term “spelling” originated from the fact that words are “spells” and can have a tremendous impact on an individual and also how they affect other people.

There are two main definitions/types of what we know spells to be. The first definition ties in very closely with my “spelling” analogy and is achieved through incantation. This type of spell includes speaking, singing, or chanting words with a very strong focus, intention, and purpose in order to manifest events to occur. Incantations are thought to be magic or paranormal in nature. Others believe that everyone possesses the power to successfully enact these spells, but that not everyone has opened this portion of their mind to be able to do so. An example of an incantation is when people engage in prayer or reciting mantras.

The word “enchant” was derived from the word incantation, which comes from the Latin word incantare which means “to bewitch, charm, or consecrate with spells.” Magic words often heard in movies (examples: open sesame, alakazam, etc.), and snake charming can also be attributed to word spells/incantations. Magick words themselves are thought to be a secret ancient language (and some are). Snake charming is a practice that is still used today in specific countries and cultures. The person who is “charming the snake” recites incantations, sometimes using music and singing, to draw the snake out from where it is hiding so as to remove it from the area. There is evidence that this works, however, the argument becomes whether this is because the snake is purely scared of the noise and humans or if there is something more to this that lives behind the words themselves.

Most things considered to be involved with magic, almost always include some type of words. Words themselves are thought to manifest magickal power. We know how powerful words can be. When someone says something hurtful it feels much different than if someone says something polite. Our brains react from an emotional place, whereas we may also feel instant somatic (physical) symptoms as well. For example, if someone says something polite you may feel a sense of warmth and express a smile. Maybe you even say “thank you.” When someone says something hurtful, you may feel as though your stomach drops or you may feel sick. You may even cry, flee, or react in anger and punch someone. This is known as the fight, flight, or freeze reaction, and is a natural defense/survival instinct in humans and other species. Whichever way you react in this type of situation, it likely isn’t the most enjoyable experience for you.

Another viewpoint is that not all speech is considered to be magickal. Rather, certain words and phrases or words, depending on context, are considered to contain magickal power. Magickal language is said to be unique from our day-to-day language in that it converts words into symbols for emotions; in our day-to-day language words are tied to specific meanings and refer to or describe items around us within our environments or ways in which we feel. Magickal language has a heavy focus on the use of metaphors and symbols which connect magickal rituals to the environment around us. Magick as a language itself is considered to be sacred and used for other purposes aside from those which involve a physical form or anything on this planet. Magick language often involves a unique word choice, grammar, style, and is used in specific phrases/forms including (but not limited to) prayers, spells, mantras, or songs. These ancient magick languages consist of many words that a majority of modern humans are unfamiliar with. The use of Hebrew in Judaism is an example. Think of “lost/ancient” languages here.

Many secret languages are exclusive to a specific population, which is why a majority of humans do not understand these languages and have likely never heard them. Someone may hear someone speak words from an ancient secret language, but may chalk it up to being gibberish, when in fact it is much more than that. People who can interpret these languages include specialized practitioners in the field such as priests and shamans. Some people are against magickal languages such as these, stating that they are a violation of modernized communication. I think this is kind of a silly viewpoint to have, given the amount of languages that exist around the globe. To me this would be like someone who speaks Spanish stating that all other languages are a violation of communication - so everyone should speak Spanish.

You’ve already seen the word magick pop up throughout this month’s blog so far. This will tie into the second type/definition of “spell,” which involves ritualistic behaviors that revolve around one’s beliefs. These ritualistic behaviors themselves are a type of spell, in that (like incantations) there is a strong focus, intention, and purpose behind why the individual is practicing these things. Regularly practiced magick is seen within our community, as we all know. Both incantations and rituals are at the pinnacle of many of our practices within our differing cultures. Oftentimes, when people perform a ritual there is an incantation component of some type. The word magick itself comes from the Latin word magus, which is derived from the Proto-Indo-European word magh, which means “be able.” Being able to do something, anything, is magickal. Manifesting things into your life comes from the ability to “be able” which is magickal. It’s pretty powerful stuff when you think about it.

White, gray, and black magik are types of magick that you may have heard of or might be familiar with in your own practices. The definition of these practices vary, depending on who you talk to. I will give a brief generalized definition of the three “umbrella terms” of magick that encapsulate many other types and forms of magick within them; this definition is given as is seen by the general public and does in no way constitute a concrete definition of the three. I understand that not everyone who practices black magic is “evil” and not everyone who practices white magic is a saint - no worries there. White magick is often associated with forces of good, kindness, and of a helpful and selfless nature. Black magick is often associated with forces of evil, ill will, and of a harmful and selfish nature. Gray magick is seen as being neither good nor bad per se, but falls somewhere in between the two. When we hear someone talk about something being a “gray area,” this can be compared to what people mean when they talk about gray magic, as there is no clear definition of being “good” or “bad.” Again, these definitions vary depending on who you talk to, but oftentimes this is how people view white, black, and gray magick.

There are two much larger umbrella terms at a higher level under which white, black, gray, and other forms of magick fall underneath. The two terms are high level magick (ceremonial) and low level magick (natural). High level magick is more detailed and involves very specific items, words, and other details that must be performed exactly as they are stated. These rituals are typically much more complex and lengthy in nature, and sometimes involve items that are rare, sacred, and hard to find. Time and preciseness is essential, and experience is preferred. High level magick oftentimes draws upon unearthly higher forces and divine powers. These rituals are often performed indoors. Low level magick is the type that we see more often, and includes practices such as modern witchcraft. These spells are simple in nature and involve more commonplace items. Some of these spells may involve just chanting a simple phrase. These rituals are often performed outdoors.

Magick rituals and incantations were initially used for purification, protection, and medicinal purposes. There are several cultural variations to note. In the Middle East incantation bowls (bowls with a spell written on the inside of the bowl) were buried face-down to capture demons and other evil spirits. In Egypt the god Heka was seen as representing magick, and can be compared to gray magick - being neutral/not inherently “good” or “evil.” Nearly everyone in ancient Egyptian culture practiced Heka, as it was a religious/spiritual lifestyle understood by all as being a way of balance in life. In traditional Judean beliefs, the practice of magick is forbidden EXCEPT for practical Kabbalah. Practical Kabbalah is seen as being a form of white magick that encapsulates healing properties and is acceptable to be performed only by those who are qualified to do so (e.g., rabbis). There are many more cultural variations to note - far too many to discuss in one blog!

When I initially began experimenting within the occult world at the age of 12, I decided to purchase a love spell book. I know, I know - the irony of being a tween and wanting to fall in love and all of the goo goo ga ga shit that goes along with that and the fact that i bought a fucking love spell book - HILARIOUS right? So I bought this love spell book, hoping that I could make this guy I had a crush on fall in love with me. I had the house to myself that night and invited my best friend over to stay the night. I was reading through the different spells earlier that day and decided on one that seemed easy enough to do. I had almost all of the items required. The items I did not have, I substituted for other items that were similar instead, figuring this was okay - WRONG! My friend was freaked out by the fact that I had a spell book, as we were brought up in a heavily Christian influenced environment. She was worried about me performing the ritual. I assured her that things would be fine. I sat on the floor with the items required and followed the instructions as they were listed. I began reciting the incantation. While I was doing this, my friend was sitting on the floor across from me. I heard her gasp as I was continuing the incantation, but didn’t think anything of it. When I was done and finished the final instructions, my friend advised that she saw something hovering above me as I was reciting the incantation. She said she was scared to stay with me and told me I shouldn’t have done what I did. I assured her that things were fine. The next morning we woke up and my love spell book was not in my room where I had left it. My friend and I began to look around the house for it thinking maybe I just misplaced it. We walked outside and saw the book on my front porch. It was sitting in a chair with what appeared to be pieces of melted wax and leaves on top of it in a circular-like pattern. My first instinct was obviously to congratulate her on a well-executed prank, so I did. She swore to me that she did not do that and she became more frightened. I knew when my friend was lying, and I could tell that she was genuinely freaked out - she did not do this. She was so shaken up that she took my book and threw it in a burning barrel that we had outside. It was misting rain that morning, and there were ashes in the barrel. I went to retrieve the book as she was yelling at me to leave it in the barrel because it was “evil.” I ignored her pleas. While I don’t believe my crush ever fell in love with me, we did end up having a short-lived intimate relationship for a short while years later. We fell in lust, but that was about it. But, who knows, maybe he did fall in love with me and he regrets not sticking with me all those years ago and it eats him alive to this day…? I’ll never know. But I do know one thing: substituting items in a ritual/spell should never be done. I can’t explain what my friend saw levitating over me or how the book ended up on my porch that morning. I came to the conclusion that substituting items manifested something, but that’s really the only explanation I have. What do you think happened? Do you have any idea of what might have been levitating over me? Why do you think my book ended up on my porch? What’s up with the candle wax and leaves? Let me know by commenting below or sending me a message on Tumblr, Instagram, or Twitter. I would love to hear your thoughts on this.

Whether we’re talking about spoken word incantations or ritualistic spells that involve complex actions, magick is a beautiful thing that I believe can be manifested by all individuals. We all possess a power inside of us; the potential for greatness; the ability to create our own happiness; the ability to manifest what we want and make our dreams a reality. You are magick. I am magick. We are collective magick, my friends. Don’t ever forget that.

Cryptic Mystic Blog by PsychVVitch @psychvvitch

www.LaMorteXiii.com

Cryptic Mystic: The Psychology of a Serial Killer

There are hundreds of serial killers, both in the fiction and non-fiction world. I don’t have near enough time to cover the story and the psychology of all of them - hell, there is so much information that is relevant, one at a time will suffice. Today we take a look at John Wayne Gacy. Gacy was born in Chicago, Illinois in 1942 to an auto mechanic/WWI veteran and a home-maker. There are some interesting things about his childhood that, from a psychological perspective, most likely played an important role in the way that Gacy developed. Had things in his childhood been different, he could have very well turned out to be a different person. He may not have killed anyone. Unfortunately, his life began down a troubled road early on. He was close with his mother and two sisters, but he had a rocky relationship with his father, as his father was an alcoholic and severely mentally and physically abusive on a regular basis.

Gacy’s father would often talk down on him, call him names, and whip him with a leather belt in excess. Gacy wanted a relationship with his father more than anything, but unfortunately, he never got to really have much of one. Instead, he lived most of his life never feeling good enough for his father - always feeling the need to try harder and to be better. This feeling manifested a more widespread entity within Gacy, which led to him feeling as though he was never good enough for anyone. Some speculate that his issues with his father perpetuated his obsession with young boys and men. I would have to agree that there was likely something there. People who have serious issues with their parents (male or female) are said to have “mommy issues” or “daddy issues”. The conflicts with the male/female parent iis then projected onto all or most people of that biological sex either during periods in life or, in some cases, for the rest of the individual’s life. To add to this recipe for disaster, Gacy was also regularly molested by a family friend. Gacy reported that he was afraid to tell anyone about being molested due to the fear of his dad blaming him (fear of not being good enough again).

Gacy was well known in his community. Viewing him on the outside, you would have never guessed what was happening inside of his mind. The torment. The torture. His first job at the age of 18 was working as an assistant precinct captain for his local Democratic party. He admittedly reported that he decided to pursue this job because he sought attention and recognition from others - that which he never received from his father. Growing tired of his father’s abuse, he left home and moved to Las Vegas where he began working with an ambulance service. Shortly thereafter, he switched jobs and became a mortuary assistant. It is during this three-month period that Gacy reports having first realized he “may have a problem”. One night when he was alone at the mortuary he said he climbed into the coffin of a dead teen-aged boy and caressed the body as he laid next to it. It seems as though he was seeking affection from the body. Gacy reports he did not realize what he was doing until it was already happening, and upon realizing what he was doing he became scared and felt out of control. He immediately called his mother and asked if he could come back home. It is important to note that as early as age 7, Gacy was said to have sexually fondled a young girl with another young boy. We begin to see some potential disturbances with Gacy pretty early on, but he did not gain self-awareness of this until he was a young adult. It is important to note that the average age that a person starts to exhibit symptoms of a severe mental illness and gain self-awareness of those symptoms is typically in their late teens/early 20’s. Gacy fits this statistic like a glove. This is when things really start to ramp up. When he returned home he got a job at a shoe factory that transferred him to Springfield, Illinois. While there he received a promotion, and shortly thereafter was set to be married to a co-worker of his, Marlynn Myers. Gacy joined the local Jaycees. Things were really starting to look up for Gacy. He was doing well. One night a colleague of his from the Jaycees invited him over for some drinks and then performed oral sex on Gacy. Gacy did not decline.

Gacy and his wife moved to Waterloo, Iowa where Gacy got a job managing his father-in-law’s Kentucky Fried Chicken chains. Marlynn’s parents provided them with a free house. Again, things were looking good. But things aren't what they appeared to be. The damage to Gacy’s psyche had already been done, and things were just beginning to develop. Gacy began running a “club” in his basement, allowing underaged boys that he employed to come over to drink alcohol and play pool. He would make sure they were drunk before he would make sexual advances towards them. He was never reported because if they rejected him, he played it off as a joke or a “test of morals”. In 1966 they had their first daughter. Gacy’s father has finally apologized for his wrongdoings - Gacy had finally gained his father’s approval. He joined the Waterloo Jaycees and again gained notoriety and popularity. In 1967 he sexually assaulted the son of a fellow Jaycee member, Donald Voorhees, who was 15-years-old at the time. He began to sexually assault many teenage boys, some of which he blackmailed. In 1968 Donald told his father about the assault. Gacy was found guilty of sodomy. His wife divorced him. It was at this time that Gacy was given a diagnosis of Antisocial Personality Disorder.

Antisocial Personality Disorder is often mistaken as meaning someone is not social. This is a common misconception. People with APD have difficulty keeping long-term relationships and have complete disregard for others. People with APD often violate the space/rights of others. People with APD may appear to not have a conscience, may have a history of breaking rules or disregarding the law, have substance abuse issues, and typically exhibit aggressive and impulsive behavior. This particular disorder is often developed in childhood, and the individual will present symptomatology between the ages of 8-11. Conduct Disorder is often seen in children who go on to develop APD in adolescence/early adulthood.

Gacy served in prison from 1968-1970 and was then released on parole. He returned to Chicago. Gacy continued to have run-ins with young boys. He was accused of attempted rape on several occasions. He remarried in 1972. In 1975 he came out to his wife as bi-sexual. On Mother’s Day that year, they had sex, and he told his wife this was the last time they would ever have sex. He began bringing young boys home to “hang out” and would leave and come home at odd hours of the day and night. That year Gacy and his second wife divorced upon the fake terms that he engaged in infidelity with another woman. He was working at a PDM company (painting, decorating, and maintenance) and performing as Pogo the clown and Patches the clown as a side hustle around town. During this time Gacy bribed several of his male coworkers for sex. He joined the Moose club and made himself familiar with those in the local political world. Things were (again) looking good.

Gacy’s first murder took place in 1972. From 1972-1978 Gacy murdered 33 boys and young men, burying 26 of them under his own house. There is speculation that he murdered more than 33 people, but this has not been proven. He would lure young boys and men to his house, bribing them with things like money, drugs, or alcohol. Once the person was inebriated, Gacy would put handcuffs on them to “show them a magic trick” from his clown routine. He would then proceed to rape and torture his victims for as long as he liked. After he was done with the torture and rape, his signature murder move was to use a rope tourniquet that he twisted with a hammer to suffocate the victims to death. He reportedly stated “this is the last trick” as he listened to his victims breathe their last breath. Gacy took his own last breath on May 10, 1994, at the Stateville Correctional Center in Crest Hill, Illinois after sitting on death row, where he was given a lethal injection.

Now, I want to make an important point known. None of this information given is to say that everyone who has a troubled childhood, or even everyone in a similar situation to any of these serial killers, is destined to have issues (or to become a serial killer). There are many factors to consider when talking about mental health in a specific individual. I like to refer to the biopsychosocial model often when talking about several things in the mental health field. The three key factors that affect a person’s development include their biology (how they are born/things they are physically predisposed to), their psychology (how their brain/mind works), and their social environment (how the environment and people around the person affect them). There is no “one size fits all”.

Gacy was a sick man. It is apparent that a combination of his biology, psychology, and social surroundings, and environment combined to create the perfect storm. People often ask if serial killers are born or made. The argument between the two can get hot and heavy very quickly. In my opinion, I think it’s a little bit of both. I don’t think that either side is totally wrong here. Someone may be born with a predisposition for certain behaviors and traits from a biological perspective. A person’s experiences and biological make-up form how they perceive the world, thus affecting their psychology - brain/mind interaction. Their social environment (the things that are out of their control) are also a factor affecting their growth and development. One small change in any of these factors and a person can develop in an entirely different way. Unfortunately for Gacy, he had a lot of different things going on that contributed to his development of APD/psychopathy. Firstly, he was born into an abusive home where he was constantly ridiculed for most of his young life. He was physically and mentally abused on a regular basis at the hands of his father. Second, while we can’t physically look into Gacy’s brain or body to understand his body from a biological viewpoint, he was likely born with certain personality traits which predisposed him to react and develop the way he did after his early childhood experiences. Gacy stated he was bi-sexual, but it is unclear as to what Gacy truly felt inside as to how he identified sexually. In the time Gacy was alive, anything aside from heterosexuality was seen as forbidden or “bad” by a majority of American society. Gacy, being seemingly confused about his sexuality, likely felt guilt and shame for having sexual feelings towards those of the same sex. Tie this in with his father’s constant disapproval; I am sure Gacy felt trapped and completely unable to express himself as an individual. It appeared that he began to try to express himself sexually with boys/young men, but he did so in an awkward way at first - still never seeming to truly feel accepted as a bisexual (or) gay man. Later these confusing and awkward social and sexual experiences turned sadistic and volatile in nature. By this point, his disorder has already begun developing and worsening, as it was untreated. This is when we start to see the abusive nature of his father manifest in his actions. He began to talk down to his victims, as his father talked down to him. In fact, research shows that there is a correlation between victims of abuse abusing others. You would think that people who had been through abuse would want to be better and never treat someone in that way. Again, depending on the person, sometimes the opposite happens…

What do you think? What are your theories on why Gacy became the person that we know him as today? What other factors do you think were at play? Let me know in the comments or send me a message. I hope that you learned something new. I plan on writing more blogs that unravel the mind of serial killers. If there is a particular serial killer you would like me to cover, let me know. I take blog topic requests!

I wish you all a happy Halloween. Stay weird, stay curious, and stay safe out there.

Cryptic Mystic Blog by PsychVVitch @psychvvitch

www.LaMorteXiii.com

Cryptic Mystic: "Hang the Witch!"

Imagine for a moment that you have a four-year-old daughter. One day you and your daughter are sitting at home. You are enjoying a nice cup of tea, while your daughter is playing with some toys on the floor. Unannounced, a group of people comes bursting through your door. They grab you. They grab your daughter. This is the last time you ever get to see your daughter’s face as she is whisked away from you. You are taken to a dark, cold, rat-infested stone cell that is underground somewhere in your town. You are accused of practicing witchcraft and told that your four-year-old daughter is being accused of practicing witchcraft as well. Townspeople start rumors about you, which local authorities believe without any legitimate physical proof. You are told that you both will hang for your crimes. There is nothing you can do.

This is a similar story to that of Sarah and Dorothy Good at the beginning of the 1692 Salem Witch Trials in Colonial Salem Massachusetts. Sarah Good, a then poor and homeless woman, was at the young age of 39 when she was hanged for supposedly practicing witchcraft. Sarah was talked down upon by several people in her town, who described her as unpleasant and ungrateful for the handouts she received. Her story is quite tragic though, as she didn’t start off homeless begging for table scraps around town. She began her life as a daughter to a well-off businessman. Upon her father’s death, her stepmother ensured she received nothing. Sarah thought her life may look up when she married an indentured servant named Daniel Poole. Little did she know that he would die shortly thereafter, leaving her drowning in debt that she could not pay. She was one of the first three women to be accused of witchcraft at the onset of the Salem Witch Trials. Her (then) five-year-old daughter Dorothy Good was also accused of witchcraft for admitting to being a witch and watching her mother practice witchcraft. Little Dorothy was the youngest person who was accused of witchcraft during the Salem Witch Trials. Townspeople accused Dorothy of biting people and described her as being a rabid and “beast-like” child who was out of control. Sarah denied all accusations and claimed that her daughter simply had a wild imagination. While Sarah was hanged for her accusations, Dorothy was released from jail. Information about her life after her release is questionable and spotty.

Next, I’ll introduce you to the next accused woman of our trio: Sarah Osborne. Osborne was different when compared to Good and Tituba, in that she was wealthy. Unlike most people during that time, Osborne had everything she needed. She married a man named Robert Prince, who came from wealth and owned a lot of lands. They had two sons and a daughter. Upon Robert’s death, Osborne married her indentured servant and claimed the land and assets for herself and her new husband - leaving nothing to the children. In Robert’s will, he explicitly said that should he die, he wanted his sons to split the land. This situation caused a lot of townspeople to look upon Osborne in disgust. Once her sons were of age, there were several nasty legal battles that took place over ownership of the land and assets of the late Robert Prince. Abigail and Betty accused Osborne of being a witch, claiming that her spirit would haunt them in their home. Specifically, Osborne was accused of poking the girls with knitting needles. She died, while still in jail for her accusations, at the age of 49.

The last woman in our trio of accused is Tituba, who was from South America (origin is debated) and was a slave to none other than our good friend the pastor - Samuel Parris. She was the first person to be accused by the girls of witchcraft. The girls reported that Tituba told them about witchcraft and voodoo - which she very well may have. Tituba differed from the two Sarahs in that she did actually admit to possessing occult knowledge and practices, including that she made a “witch cake”. Ever wonder where the whole riding broomsticks thing came from in relation to witches? This is one of the many things Tituba confessed to (falsely?). She told people that her method of travel was riding sticks/tree branches from place to place. She also added to the unfortunate amount of information that was piling up against the two Sarahs. Tituba claimed that Osborne and Good practiced witchcraft with her regularly, and even accused Osborne of owning a creature made of many different human and animal parts. This closely resembled what the Puritans knew as being demonology, so then came the conspiracy that Satan was walking amongst the town. Additionally, Tituba reported several other people within the town whom she claimed were witches too. Plot twist: she was not hanged during the witch trials, and was instead sold to another slave-owner for the price of her jail fees. Later, it was found that she only said all of these things in an attempt to save her own life because Samuel Parris was beating her so badly to get confessions. There is no proof to date that Tituba ever practiced witchcraft or did the things that she confessed to.

UTTER. FUCKING. CHAOS.

Now, let’s look at the reasoning behind this madness. I’ll let you be the judge on how ridiculous this sounds. For me, on a scale of 1 to insanity, this story exceeds insanity at its finest and meets a whole new level of “what in the actual fuck”.

Abigail Williams (age 11 or 12 - depending on the source) was living with her cousin Betty Parris (around a similar age). Betty Parris was the daughter of the village pastor Samuel Parris. These two children, along with the town pastor, were essentially the cause of the Salem Witch Trials. Abigail and Betty reported that the spirits of both Sarah Good and (another local townswoman) Sarah Osborne were haunting and torturing them within their household. Their detailed report included accusations of physical abuse (biting, hitting, pinching, poking) and mind/body control in which they would have seizures (they didn’t know this term back then) where their bodies would convulse, eyes would roll into the back of their heads, and their mouths would drop open. This lead to the imprisonment of hundreds of people, and the deaths of (at least) 20 people (that we know of). 19 of these people were executed by hanging, and one individual was executed by “pressing.” Pressing is a form of execution that is conducted by crushing or “pressing” someone’s body until they expire - also known as “crushing”. Crushing/pressing has been conducted in many ways, including stacking boulders on top of a person and even having an elephant step on the person (oftentimes their head).

Let’s recap. How did all people fare in the end? Sarah Osborne died while she was in jail, after being accused of witchcraft and occult practices. Sarah Goode was hanged for her accusations. Goode’s five-year-old daughter Dorothy was released from jail (to a life unknown). Tituba sat in jail until someone paid her jail fees (bail) as a purchase for slavery. Abigail seemingly disappeared from history after 1692. Betty never retracted any of her accusations, and lived a long and fulfilling life, dying at the age of 77. After being persecuted for his part in the Salem Witch Trials and a “heartfelt” apology, Samuel the priest went on to live a decent life. He continued to preach in several towns before he died at the age of 67.

Now, after that insane roller-coaster of a story summary, let’s talk about theories and psychology. We will start where it all began: Abigail and Betty. The most obvious theory is that all people accused were engaged in occult practices/witchcraft and that the girls were telling the truth. However, there is another theory that most people subscribe to when discussing why these girls would begin accusing people of such things. The “Bread Mold Theory” was presented for the first time in 1976 by Linda Caporael. This theory posits that accidental ergot-poisoning from rye bread was the culprit in Abigail and Betty’s tales. Ergot poisoning was found more often in that time and has been known to produce the seizure-like symptoms that the girls experienced. Some have also questioned whether the tainted food could have made the girls sick, which could have caused them to hallucinate the “spirits” they claimed to see.

As for the reasoning for the severity of the repeated accusations from the townspeople towards the first 3, and what ended in the demise of Sarah Good, there are a few theories here. Sarah Osborne was persecuted by many for being “untraditional” and “greedy” for taking her late husband’s land after fornicating with and then marrying the indentured servant. People looked down on her for not granting the wishes of her deceased husband, and even more so for fighting her own sons over what they were granted in the will. This caused a good portion of the people in Salem to not think of her so fondly. Namely, one rich family that had their hands in the “legal-dispute pie” (the Putnams) would lose a considerable amount of wealth, should Osborne win in the dispute over the land of her dead husband. Rumor has it that the Putnam family took the accusation from the girls as their silver lining and ran with it - they supported the idea that Osborne was a witch and spread it like wildfire.

As we know, Sarah Good was poor, homeless, and thus had to beg around town for food and shelter. People in that time in Salem associated someone seen as being “needy” as also practicing witchcraft. The townspeople were suspicious of her always being so dependent. Anything seen as being suspicious or out of the ordinary was automatically said to be intertwined with witchcraft. Her relationships with most people in the town were anything but perfect, including with her husband. After the initial accusations, he reportedly told townspeople that he believed she was a witch because she didn’t meet his expectations as a wife. Her neighbors talked about her amongst the already turbulent rumors, saying that she possessed people and must be a witch for going against Puritan values. Ultimately, the view is that her husband and neighbors aided in her demise because they simply didn’t like her.

Tituba’s accusations have been said to stem from racism. I mean, let’s face it, one word says it all: slavery. The number one theory, and what is officially reported as being true, is that the abuse that Tituba suffered at the hands of Samuel caused her to give a false confession, along with many other accusations of others that were false. This, in turn, would support that Abigail and Betty were telling the truth - thus not making his kin look like liars. He was also said to be close with the Putnams. Another theory is that the entirety of the witchcraft accusations was a strategic hoax that played into both of their interests. Part of this plan was forcing a confession out of Tituba and having her speak falsely of Sarah Osborne in particular.

So, there you have it: a short summary of the Salem Witch Trials. There is so much more to be said here, especially about the others who lost their lives in this tragic event. From a psychological viewpoint, the village of Salem experienced what is known as mass hysteria. The definition of mass hysteria is when a group of people believes in a perceived threat based on claims that have no valid proof, aka rumors.

What do you think? Do you believe that the accused could have really been witches? Maybe you believe that at least some of them were witches? Or could what we know about the Salem Witch Trials be all there is to the story: signed, sealed, delivered, wrapped in a bow. As always, I’ll let you be the judge. You choose what you believe at the end of the day. Happy spooky season loves.

Cryptic Mystic Blog by PsychVVitch @psychvvitch

www.LaMorteXiii.com

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