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Ghastly Gatherings👻

ANYWAY

gay trans nb and queer rednecks exist and we’re reclaiming the term redneck to mean what it always actually meant, a rural dwelling segment of the population often undereducated and impoverished and thus forced by our station to perform backbreaking thankless menial labor and repair our own shit and thus have sunburns on our necks all the time and we have redneck skills and redneck knowledge and are also sometimes queer people and people of color so stop calling racists who sit behind daddies money and white privelege and can’t even change their own oil rednecks when the term you’re looking for is “racist piece of shit” kthanks

jbirdoftheriverlands-deactivate

trust me this is a win. If you catch a phobe referring to themselves as a redneck tell them that some rednecks are gay and watch em re-identify as somethin else. Send em over here I’ll learn em real good.

jbirdoftheriverlands-deactivate

y’all can reblog this or crab it or burble it or whatever the young people say btw let’s get the shit hittin the fan.

satsuti

it’s funny when the people complaining about tradcrafters “gatekeeping” fail to realize that almost every major spirit tied to the Craft stands before a gate, a lock, or door in some way. like the whole point is to become initiated by these figures so that you can walk through the “gate” and then reap the benefits of the hidden knowledge, it’s not supposed to be easily accessible.

secondly, no other practitioner is supposed to be able to deny you your power. if you feel like another practitioner is ‘holding’ you back simply because they aren’t sharing their stuff or spoon-feeding you info, learn how to communicate with your spirits instead; they are the ones who are supposed to teach. and if they aren’t willing to do so then perhaps it’s not your time yet, or perhaps you’re just not called to this specific branch of magic.

lailoken

Remember that not all spirits are interested in humans. Don't fall into the hubristic trap of thinking they exist just to serve and work with people; many spirits were here long before us, and many will be here long after we are gone. Reducing them to a catalog of magical pets and servants is genuinely blasphemous.

batwitch

Everyday Witchcraft

1. Meditate - still the mind, the breath, the heartbeat, open a channel through which the spirits can communicate if they wish to, listen.

2. Walk - honour the genii loci, notice the changing seasons, observe signs and omens, traverse the kingdoms of humanity, flora and fauna, give aid where it is needed.

3. Divine - build relationships with divinatory tools, sharpen skills, train intuition, ask questions, receive answers.

4. Invoke - the presence of spirits to assist in tasks, to protect on journeys, to grant guidance, maintain connections and uphold contracts.

5. Craft - use the hands to create, to construct, imbue each creation with spirit and purpose, a meal, a potion, a carving, a weaving, enchant the mundane and material.

6. Sing - the old songs, the power songs, the prayers, the chants, to heal, to awaken, to enforce, to ward, sing the sun to sleep and the moon to rising, sing in the bath, at the hearth, in the heart.

7. Read - widely and deeply, old and new, academic and popular, across boundaries and taboos, slowly and with full attention, take notes, research, reflect.

8. Write - record experiences, practices, thoughts. keep journals and grimoires, spellbooks and scripts, remember, elucidate, illuminate.

9. Draw - sigils and runes, symbols and signs. Carve, paint, scratch, blacken, redden, scrawl, in the sand, with salt, in the air, with chalk, ink, blood, charcoal, the mind.

10. Collect - herbs, woods, stones, feathers, bones, teeth, soil, the raw materials of natural magic, fill jars, boxes, bags, gather, forage, wildcraft, thrift, take that which is discarded, value the found over the bought.

11. Observe - the cycles of moon, sun, planets, stars, take heed with the eyes as well as the almanac, feel the sap rise, the birds migrate, the bulbs awaken, the leaves wither.

12. Renew - old spells, old wards, protections, and boundaries. Clean what is obscured, recast what has weakened, maintain what is working, replace what is lost. Tie up loose ends.

13. Communicate - with everything, stones, trees, spirits, the dead, that which grows in the garden and that which visits it, other practitioners, mentors, students, seekers, the younger self, the higher self, the wyrd.

siciliancunningcraft

Offering a Candle in Benedicaria

On the island of Sicily it would seem that we are always lighting a candle for something whether it be a petition for health, to find something that has been lost, in thanksgiving for a prayer answered, or even to drive away someone who wished to harm, the list is boundless. With a tradition that is as prominent as burning candles is in Sicily it isn’t surprising to find that the average Sicilian will most often be aware of at least a few “rules” when it comes to burning candles. 1) NEVER blow out the candle that holds your intention, lest you end the prayer right then and there 2) Its best never to extinguish your candle if possible, but rather let it burn out on its own. If the candle must be extinguished though, snuffing is necessary. 3) So long as the candle burns your prayer is being offered before God (so larger candles for bigger favors). And so on.

As with many other candle magick traditions Benedicaria also holds its own associations of colours for type of intention:

Red- protection Green- prosperity/fertility Yellow- prosperity/family matters Pink- love White- any intention Blue- healing Black (not often used)- curses/folk exorcisms

All that being said, the intention and the saint to which the intention is being offered holds more weight than that of the candle’s colour. Traditionally each saint has a color associated with them (at least the more popular ones do, for the others, white is the typical colour) and each colour has become associated with the patronage of that saint:

St. Michael (protection)- red St. Jude (hopeless cases)- green St. Joseph (the family)- yellow St. Therese (love)- pink St. Anthony (lost objects) and the BVM- white The Madonna (everything)- blue (In some areas) St. Benedict (exorcism)- black

Candles are usually burned in a church in front of the saint’s image or in the home at an appropriate place set aside for such things. No matter where these candles are offered the methods are the same:

-The appropriate candle is placed before an image of a saint -A position of supplication is taken before the image of the saint that one is petitioning -The ‘sign of the cross’ is made to bring the mindset into that of communication with God -The petition is made along with the appropriate promise of reciprocation -The candle is lit and and final supplication is made to the saint in the form of a general prayer such as the ‘Ave Maria’ -When burning a candle in the home sometimes items may be left in front of, under, or even bound to the candle (i.e. Money for prosperity or items belonging to the person to whom the candle is being offered, etc.) -Should you need to snuff out the candle keep in mind that your petition is in essence “put on hold” until relit.

Magi will often offer a candle along with any service that they are performing, either for themselves or for another, because they know that their work is magnified that much more when allowed to remain before the face of God, sometimes, for days at a time.

S’abbinirica!

siciliancunningcraft

(2) but I'm mixed race--my father is black--and I by and the large never attended any kind of church. I'm not sure how much of a connection I feel to it. But I do thoroughly enjoy magic and do feel a connection to that. I want to practice something real, but I'm hesitant to embrace Catholicism.I grew up with stories of my great grandma and visited my g aunt often, but am to nervous to ask my mother if either practiced. How can I find a good resource for real Sicilian magic? How can I ask mom?

Part 2.

The work of Guiseppe Pitre is by far the best documented source of Sicilian witchcraft/folk magic practices- with the exception of first hand training from family members or community elders, of course. However, much of Pitre’s writings have not been translated from their original Italian, so unless you’re fluent in the Italian tongue, they won’t do you much good. One author, who’s work on the subject of Southern Italian magic, that has been translated is Ernesto de Martino. De Martino was an Italian anthropologist who worked extensively in the field of Southern Italian folk magic, witchcraft, and healing practices. In particular his work ‘Sud e Magia’ is a priceless work on the traditional practices of Lucania. While this doesn’t cover Sicily in particular, I can tell you that the traditions are similar in belief and expression. Do keep in mind though that there is no replacement for an elder in this tradition from which to learn from, and individual legacies can only begin through initiation.

As far as approaching this subject with your family goes, I would say the best way to begin a dialogue is to ask the older members of your family about what they know of the malocchio, or evil eye. This is the most popular of healing rituals, preformed by the initiated and uninitiated alike. If your family still knows any ritual that may have been passed down at one time that can help you to probe deeper and discover any further hidden line or past initiates.

I hope this helps.

S'abbinirica!

siciliancunningcraft

Would you happen to have any information regarding Faeries? I need anything I can get, preferably though, a lot of information. Thank you 😊

Within the Sicilian magical traditions the folletti (fairies) are viewed as, usually capricious, nature spirits, remnants of ancient animism, and/or spiritual beings to be enlisted for aid or banished for causing harm. To learn more about the ‘mazzamureddu’, I would suggest looking into the Sicilian cult that work with them the most, the Donas de Fuera, it is these men and women who have the closest ties to the Sicilian fairy clans.

S'abbinirica.

dianasson

[Image description: blurry photo of a fence under a night sky, a rooftop peaking up behind. White text over the sky reads, "What is Apollo but the magic of the sun whose soul is light? What is Aphrodite but the lovecharm of the sea? What is Pan but the mystery of nature, the felt and hidden want pervading all?" End description.]

dianasson

Rue

Ruta graveolens

Rue is a sacred plant of the Mediterranean, particularly focused in Italian folklore. A time-honored protective charm of stregonria is the Cimaruta (Ruta being the genus of rue). Rue is also known for its protection against the evil eye. It is sometimes -but rarely- used in love charms and potions. Early Christians used it as a tool for asperging during exorcisms and before performing Mass. It was grown near temples of Mars and Diana and was also an herb of Aradia. Rue was used to purify and sanctify tools made of iron, the metal della Mars, it also helps internally to strengthen weakened eyes. In conjunction with this, the third eye or second sight is also strengthened with rue. Again, the primary use of rue was home and individual protection.

oldmotherredcap

can you talk about the things you learned about the italian practices and customs? please? i really want to know more about it

These are more things of Sicilian in tradition, as it is where my Nonna was from. You may find certain things vary or are unheard of in other parts of the country.

A lot of things my Nonna did was to protect against the evil eye/ill-wishing:

Wearing a used bullet as a necklace or placing in a bag and worn.

Wearing an old safety pin (I have heard this is effective and most popularly worn by females).

Curnuto and red corna pendants - Italian horn amulet

Wearing (under the clothes) an iron nail from a horse or donkey drawn cart

Charms of open scissors. I’ve heard people wearing these in charm bags close to their heart.

The eye-in-hand amulet.

Bags of lavender and rue were worn around the neck close to the skin to protect against the evil eye and to remove enchantments.

Iron amulets in any form.

Horseshoe or a horseshoe with eye amulet

It is a Sicilian belief that protective properties come from all metal objects. So, if you feel like someone is giving you grief, touch the first metal object you see and it will chase the evil - I don’t know how widespread this belief is though.

You can also “throw up the horns” to ward and reflect if you feel you are being attacked with ill wishes.

A good protection for your home is to sprinkle salt around your doorways, or all around your home, to protect your home. I’ve heard this comes from the belief that creates confusion in the ill wisher because the grain of salt become uncountable. My Nonna used to do this constantly…. sprinkle salt, sweep it up, sprinkle salt, sweep it up.

Stones covered with very small star-like spots and holes throughout, often found at beaches, are known as “star stones”, and are popular with some Italian traditions to use against the energies of baneful witchcraft. An Italian curse to cause the target sickness involved taking a lemon and and piercing it with as many pins as possible while chanting “as many pins as I stick in this lemon, may as many ills befall you!”. It is then buried to rot or thrown into water.

dianasson

yes yes yes

dianasson

Italian Charm to Remove a Spell or Curse

If it is suspected that a spell or fattura has been placed on your household, liberally wash and sprinkle the home with salt water as you speak this exorcism:

“Acqua e sale mia Signora, per levare ogni fattura, acqua e sale San Giovanni, per spegnere questo fuoco grande, acqua e sale per le magiare, và fattura e non tornare”

dianasson

I am interested in the Sicilian and Italian traditions! Can you direct me as to where to learn more about this/explain the basics of this practice? Thank you so much- your blog is great:)

Italian Witchcraft and FolkloreHey! That’s wonderful! They’re surprisingly difficult to find any accurate information on! My best resources are the article by Sabina Magliocco titled Witchcraft, healing, and vernacular magic in Italy, a less reliable article (that mixes witch-lore and folk magic all together) by J.B. Andrews called Neapolitan Witchcraft, and Carlo Ginzburg’s book The Night Battles about the benandanti in Friuli (Northeastern region of Italy).

If anyone knows any other sources feel free to list them!

Italian witch lore is very old, as there have been legends of witches in this region for a very long, accountable period. The word strega (witch) most likely comes from the Latin strix (screech owl) which witches were thought to take the shape of in the night. The practice of witchcraft is called stregoneria, a male witch is a stregone, and a female witch is a strega. There are more legends of Italian witches in the south (particularly near Naples). One of the most famous is the story of the witches of Benevento, who convened beneath a walnut tree on a hill therein, and danced and worshiped the Devil. This tree was supposedly cut down.

There is a popular image of a witch who arises among Christian tradition in Italy, even still today. This witch is called Old Befana or Bella Befana(Bruta Befana, Bella Befana or Vecchia Befana) who is a good witch who lived alone in a small cottage. One day, three wise men knocked on her door. “Behold! The child of God is born, (yada yada) we’re going to find him and bring him gifts! Will you join us Old Befana?” Now, Old Befana was glad to hear the news and excited to meet the new babe and give it what gifts she could. However, she was not one to shuck her responsibilities so she said she would have to wait until her chores were completed. They agreed and she saw them off, before finishing her cleaning. Once her duties were completed, she packed up her presents for the babe, hopped promptly onto the broom she had just finished sweeping with, and flew out the chimney into the cold night. However, they had not told her how to find them again! Not wanting to deny the boy his gifts, she decided to give some to all the little children she passed on her way, as any might be the new born child of God. Every year on that same night, Old Befana rides out on her broom and deposits gifts for little children, in hopes that one day she will finally find the baby Jesus and give him the presents she has been holding all this time.In southern Italy, many of the tales of witches (streghe) and folk healers (fattucchiere, or ‘fixers’) tell of the songs they sing to work their magic. Unfortunately, this seems to be all anyone knows on the subject, and I can’t find any references or information on these songs! In lore, the witches of both benevolent and malefic natures are closely related or interchangeable with more faerie-like spirits. The Janare of Naples/Janas of Sardinia (lit. followers of Diana) are magical women said to live in Neolithic shaft tombs and are expert weavers and spinners. They sometimes intermarry with humans, but are very different from the cogas (or little cooks) of Sardinia, who are malefic witches that cook and eat their victims.

Most folk magic in Italy has died out, even in many of the rural areas. What is documented and what remains is all, unsurprisingly, Catholic magic. Much of it draws to saints, prayers, and Catholic holy tools. One name for this form of magic is benedicaria. However, much of it seems more agricultural or magical and less religious in nature. There is no point assuming this other source is pagan, because we could never prove where almost of any of it originated. Most witchcraft you will find today in Italy, especially in urbanized areas, is of a New Age or Neo-pagan persuasion. Neo-Wicca is about the best you can hope to find, and even that is comparatively rare to that found in Great Britain, Australia, and the U.S.In conversations about Italian magic and witchcraft, Raven Grimassi’s book Italian Witchcraft tends to come up. THIS BOOK IS UTTER BULLSHIT. HOGWASH. STUFF AND NONSENSE. It’s almost literally just Neo-Wicca with different names and some made up information. I’m not exaggerating. If you have this book, it’s better off as kindling than on your bookshelf. Just saying. Charles Leland’s book Aradia: The Gospel of the Witches is a pretty piece of poetry, and perhaps has some truths in it, but it can never be relied upon. His source is not credible, and the information doesn’t add up well. It is a beautiful book, but not an accurate account of Italian magic or witchcraft. Here are a few blog posts I have made relating to Italian witchcraft and folk magic:

The Curse of the Lemon and Pins

Neapolitan Flying Ointment

The Use of Stones in Italian Folk Magic

Charm Against the Evil Eye

To Cure Jaundice

To Cure Worms

To Bind an Eagle from your Flock

To Keep Birds from the Crops

coven-of-genesis

Italian traditional folk magick

There is a rich history of traditional magic in Italy, some of which dates back centuries.

Here are a few examples:

The Evil Eye: The belief in the evil eye, or "malocchio," is prevalent in Italian culture. It is said to be caused by someone looking at you with envy or ill will, and can bring about bad luck or misfortune. To protect oneself from the evil eye, some Italians wear red coral jewelry or carry a small horn-shaped charm known as a "cornicello."

Tarantism: Tarantism is a traditional healing ritual that originated in Southern Italy. It involves music, dance, and the use of tarantula venom to cure people who have been bitten by the spider or who are suffering from a variety of ailments. The dance is said to release the toxic energy from the body and restore balance.

Stregoneria: Stregoneria is a form of Italian witchcraft that has been practiced for centuries. It involves the use of spells, charms, and divination to influence the natural world and bring about desired outcomes. Stregoneria practitioners are said to have a deep connection with the earth and the spirits that inhabit it.

La Befana: La Befana is a traditional Italian figure who brings gifts to children on the night of Epiphany (January 6th). She is often depicted as an old woman riding a broomstick and carrying a sack of toys. Legend has it that she visited the baby Jesus on his birth and has been giving gifts to children ever since.

Cimaruta: The cimaruta is a traditional Italian charm that is said to provide protection against evil forces. It is shaped like a sprig of rue, a plant that has long been associated with protection and purification. The charm often features symbols of the moon, stars, and other celestial bodies, as well as images of animals and other nature spirits.

moon-alchemy

Reblog if you are aware you still have far to go in your craft.

Even after years of practicing, I still feel like I have only begun to scratch the surface.

thegodwhocums

Favorite Aphrodite epithet?

Eleemon (Merciful)

Kallipugos (of the Beautiful Buttocks)

Philomeides (Laughter-Loving)

Androphonos (Killer of Men)

Antheia (Blooming)

Philommedes (Genital-Loving)

Pandemos (of All People)

Skotia (Dark)

Anadyomene (Rising Out of the Sea)

Ourania (Heavenly)

Voting ended onMar 3, 2023

As with the Dionysos poll, I had to narrow it down to 10 options, so if your favorite isn't here choose one that's similar!

Also as with the Dionysos poll, I will write a prayer to the winning epithet. 🥰

Please don't take the poll without reblogging it for others to see and play along! 🙏🏽 Thank youuu

also just to be clear: this post is not open to terfs or radfems

satsuti

”Of the folklore I’ve studied, what initiation into witchery often boils down to are some simple components in the European model: The calling, the acceptance, the contract and the gift. […] There were steps to be taken in terms of the initiatory process with a devil/spirit and it all came down to some fundamental components:

- Calling by the spirits: in most regards, the craft is initiatory - even when the initiation is brought about in private by the spirits. Common folklore provides examples of callings in the forms of visitations from the spirits in dreams or in person, or, being spirited away (like Jack and the Witches of Southern lore), or, the sudden revelation of power. This may be a holdover from the time of the witch trial records, but it has since joined the broader folklore of witchcraft. What calls the witch varies from place to place, person to person, culture to culture: in many cases a witch is called by her own ambitions and desires, in other cases he is called by the spirits or demons or wee-folk without much of a choice. The calling is a very personal thing, but once it is heard, it is the first step in pursuing witchcraft.

- Acceptance, or, the renunciation of old oaths: acceptance of the terms and conditions set forth by whatever spirits or gods or coven has called you to the craft. In order to accept the terms of the spirits, traditionally one would then be expected to renounce all former allegiances (washing away the grace, saying the lord’s prayer backwards, the like). After one has rid themselves of old oaths, they are free to promise their soul elsewhere - to spirits, devils, demons or gods.

- Contract, or oath to the spirits/gods: a contract of give-and-take between you and whatever entity has called to you. In folklore, there is a distinct understanding that whoever takes up witchcraft is doing so with the aid of unseen allies and familiars, and these entities have their own demands for the power they give; whether it is to suckle from the witch’s teat or be fed of butter and cream. The contract with the Devil takes the shape of a ritual at sunrise or the signing of one’s name in his book or some other symbolic action of dedication.”

- Folkloric American Witchcraft and the Multicultural Experience, Via Hedera

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