Blackberries and Honeysuckle

A personal blog for talking about Paganism and witchcraft, what they mean to me, and my experiences with them. This includes ideas, poetry, prayers etc. Though, this is not a 'blog of shadows.' Feel free to drop me an ask at any time. Visitors here will frequently find references to Rome and the Roman world, and perhaps slightly less frequently, the Hellenic. WARNING: You may be offended. That's OK!

[the-library-alcove]

I'll abide the warning to not engage, but my G-d, that fuckin' Lilith post is just awful. History, religion, and anthropology are things I'm autistic about and it's really hard to not just rip into them about it.

Simple fact of the matter: Lilith is not the Mesopotamian Lilith. Any relation between the two is speculation at best, and undercut by the fact that there isn't a Mesopotamian Lilith. "Lilith" in Mesopotamia was a class of demons, not an individual demon and most certainly not a goddess. We also just straight up have very little information about the lil- compared to Lilith.

Ultimately, the Lilith witches and neo-pagans draw upon is the Jewish Lilith with, to quote them, a 'coat of fanficy paint'. Nobody can worship Lilith as an individual being, as related to female power, as defying male supremacy, as married or otherwise in a relationship with another divine figure, without drawing explicitly from Jewish folklore and mythology, from Jewish literary texts and mysticism. None of these traits reflect the Mesopotamian lil- in any way shape or form.

So, like... even if Lilith was related to the Mesopotamian lil-, that doesn't mean shit. It's just an excuse. They're two completely different entities now, and the fact that nobody is practicing the Mesopotamian religions anymore doesn't change the fact that Lilith is a Jewish character and not up for adoption.

No shit they're a vile Jew-hater. Historical and anthropological illiteracy goes hand in hand with that brand of bullshit.

I know, right? But engagement is what they want, and they want to also spread blood libel and Holocaust Denial. They make that abundantly clear.

It's funny, isn't it? "I'm not Christian, I'm a pagan witch", and yet, when you go under their veneer, it's all the worst parts of Christian culture--an entitlement towards other people's cultures and religious figures, post-hoc justifications for the same, and a sneering bigotry towards Jews.

[coldalbion]

Variations on a Theme

Them: You shouldn’t mess around with occult, it’s dangerous.

Me: You shouldn’t ride a motorcycle, drive a car or own a gun, they’re dangerous too!

Them:That’s different.

Me: How?

Them: Because I learned how to use those responsibly and I’m not careless with them.

Me: Exactly!

Them:Well, you shouldn’t curse/use necromancy. There’s never a good reason to do that.

Me, after looking at my bookshelves filled with tomes containing curses and necromancy going back to at least 1500 years ago: …

Them: We’re past that Low Magic now, we’re more evolved!

Me: I take it you don’t take much stock in the news then?

Them: Mainstream media is just different kinds of propaganda!

Me: All communication is about altering your perceptions, you know that, yes? Perception itself is a gamble!

Them: I co-create my reality with the Divine!

Me: Which one(s)?

Them: You know - the Divine within us all!

Me: Oh. Right. So: Holy Guardian Angel? Daimon? Gros Bon Ange? Ti-Bon-Ange? Ka? Ba? Fylgia? Hamminga? What?

Them: The Divine!

Me: Adonai? Inanna? Baal-Hadad? Zurvan? Ahura Mazda? Freya? Sekhmet? Babalon? El? Nut? Pallas Athena? Thor? Olodumare? Allah? Dis Pater? Odin? Skadhi?

Them: They’re all the same. Just names for the Divine.

Me: I’m sure the cultures and peoples that honour them will be _ecstatic_ to know that you’ve had this revelation.

Them: What?

Me: Excuse me a sec. I need to…look something up…in my library. Have a great day, won’t you?

[cultusquercus]

I am forming a supergroup of witchblr power users, and I'm calling it WSHA (pronounced "whoa-shuh"): Witchcraft Safety and Health Administration.

We will be inspecting your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, and fining you for fire safety violations.

[cultusquercus]

But most of all, we will be looking at your photos and getting reeeeal anxious.

[cultusquercus]

#it can't be that bad I said#until looking at the witchy aesthetic posts#huh.#I never even noticed before because I just get pretty picture brainrot ig#now I'll never unsee it

ONE OF US! ONE OF US!

[witch-of-snow-and-stars]

Can I submit an application?

I wrote a lab safety sheet for magic (here and here) and everything

[cultusquercus]

I just assumed you were already in the group 😝

[horrorsimulator]

where do you get all your symbols? ;u;/

and i make my own or use this site

[chirotusinfinitum]

I really out to post this to r/occult on reddit; half the posts there are people posting random images and asking “what does this symbol mean?” One time someone posted a logo for Taro Tea thinking it was some magical symbol

[moth-kissed-witch]

╔.៚. .════════════════════════╗

I'm Developing a Magickal Theory, and I Need Your Help

╚════════════════════════. .៚.╝

Hello everyone! A day or two ago I briefly mentioned a questionnaire I've been making to support a theory I have connecting the brain to metaphysics under the belief that our brains are one of the main conduits that allow us to use/be affected by magick. This theory is still in an extremely early stage, but the original belief was built off not only my own experience but the experiences of countless others. To answer the question of "why does magick operate so differently between everyone, even people who have the same beliefs under the same cultural practices?"

The questionnaire is finished, and I ended up with 5 multiple choice questions and 35 open ended (After cutting another 30 questions). It should take people on average 15 - 20 minutes to complete, but this can be more or less depending on how thorough your responses are. While there is no word requirement/minimum I do appreciate the longer responses! The questionnaire is completely anonymous, and if there is anything you can't answer or don't feel comfortable answering you can just skip the question.

Thank you so much for reading and considering taking part in helping me develop my theory! Please send the link to anyone you know who may be interested in taking it as well!

· · ──────────── ·𖥸· ──────────── · ·

Brain/Magick Info Questionnaire

Welcome, and thank you so much for taking my anonymous questionnaire! As you likely already know, this questionnaire is to aid me in my stud

· · ──────────── ·𖥸· ──────────── · ·

[chirotusinfinitum]

Pre-Paid Magick

This is an idea I have been developing in theory for a while, but a little bit ago I came up with this particular application

I’ve been fascinated by the idea of pre-charged spells. Rings and necklaces with spells already embedded into them that can be released upon demand. I’ve worked on several ideas to charge and use such items, but haven’t really talked about it much.

The central idea was pretty simple. Work a spell ahead of time. (I like to use sigils for such work) Using whatever method you prefer, charge the item in question with the spell, and then keep it until you need it. When that time comes, tap into the spell and release it.

But that can still be a little complicated, depending on the methods you use. How to make it simpler?

Sculpy.

For anyone who doesn’t know, sculpy is an oven bake modeling clay commonly used for crafts projects. You sculpt your object, bake the clay in the over, and it hardens. Easy peasy lemon squeezy.

So here was my idea: Create a sigil for a particular spell. Make several small disks from scuply and inscribe the sigil upon them. Bake them. And then, using whatever method you prefer, raise the energy and charge each of those disks.

And when you want to release the spell, snap the disk in half.

These can also easily be worked into necklaces or bracelets. My original idea was to use them for healing spells (since it’s hard for me to raise energy for healing magic when I happen to be sick, so I wanted something that was already charged and ready to go.) They can also be used for protective or defensive spells, or even more offensive magics (kushl0rd suggested I write this up so it could be used to zap street harassing fuckboys, and I think that’s a capital idea for this kind of working)

I work well with sigils and talismans, and this ideas kind of employs both. You are welcome to experiment with any variants on this idea based upon your talents and preferences. But the basic idea – having a spell “pre-cast” and ready to deploy at a moment’s notice – should remain. The idea is to have that energy and intent prepared and stored ahead of time so you don’t have to raise and concentrate that energy and effort in the moment, but can just let it flow.

[fraterxsti]

Todas las formas de los Hexagramas para los Rituales Planetarios de Invocación y Destierro, tomado de thelemistas.org

Frater L:E:I:

[enochian101-blog]

Should the need arise for the magician to defend himself or assert his will in an Enochian working, he should use the banishing hexagrams when working with the Enochian Planetary Seniors of each tablet. 

[mymagicalstudy]

I’ve been looking for a picture of all these in one place. I always forget which way is which :P

[lost-lycaon]

Deadly predator says meow

[jewish-sideblog]

Not to be a bitch about a meme but. My Transfemme Jewish ass is not your “brother in christ”, has never been, and will never be. I would love it if we could stop throwing around a term with such sketchy racial, religious and gendered connotations like it’s nothing. I understand it’s supposed to be a joke or whatever but I’m not laughing

[jessicalprice]

See also:

“Come to Jesus moment”

“Evangelizing” anything (looking at you, tech industry)

[jewish-sideblog]

The word “crusade” in any context

Treating the return of anything as a “second coming”

The phrase “rest in peace”, especially when referring to a non-christian person. Jews prefer to use the phrase “May their memory be a blessing.”

I know there are way more I’m not even thinking about right now. I’m very happy to open this thread up to other Jewish people who have gripes with overnormalized christian terms

[sonnefur]

Use of 'in the year of our lord 2026' ot whatever.

Whos lord? Not mine.

[d0gbite]

i love looking at pictures of cheetahs because some of them are just the most beautiful breathtaking majestic-looking animals

and some of them are her

[dewcoded]

let's attack mama

[animals-etcetera]

[generouskittendragon]

Cheetah - Wildlife

[wetheurban]

Sending love to anyone who is just… tired.

Not just physically, but mentally, emotionally, socially, financially.

Life is asking a lot right now.

Pause when you can. Breathe when you remember.

Give yourself space. Give yourself grace.

[verybitchywitch-blog]

The most important witch tip you will ever read

NEVER abandon professional medical advice and help in favour of witchcraft methods.

[breelandwalker]

Addendum:

Don’t ever let someone tell you that you will “lose” your psychic insights / clairvoyance / intuition / witchy abilities if you seek treatment for your mental illness.

[yeti-or-not-deactivated20250613]

HAVE PEOPLE ACTUALLY SAID THAT?!

[ayellowbirds]

hooo my, yes.

[ravenhexxx]

copy that!!!

[swearingintengwar]

Magick is a supplement to mundane methods, not a replacement. This goes for stuff that isn’t healing as well.

[windvexer]

We're not saying that everyone always runs into these things, but if someone did need protection, what do you think is the most serious or important reason for protection?

(Even if that reason is less common, e.g., maybe you believe "negative energies" are more probable but you don't think that's nearly as serious as being hexed by evil wizards; to you, hexing is the most serious concern)

What's the biggest reason to magically protect yourself?

Malicious attacks by other practitioners (hex, curse, jinx)

Angry or offended spirits who cause harm

Harmful energies that are around us in the world, even if from other people

Tricksters or interfering spirits who deceive and manipulate

Mitigating accidental magical problems you create (unintended consequences)

An expression of faith or religion/Gods or spirits ask you to

Emotional security/You never know/"Just in case"

Mundane issues (property/personal safety/travel protection, etc)

Other (elaboration on the above)

Other (completely unrelated to the above)

Look mom I found wizardblr and they let me look at their poll results!

Voting ended onSep 9, 2025

[disc80s]

pasta art

[mikkeneko]

That is. Not the caption I was expecting

[lasernahrwal]

PSA

This is not fabric

This is pasta

[aristoteliancomplacency]

Artist is Jennifer Tran