Ashes and Roses

✶ Tamer of Wild Things ✶ Lover of The Light ✶Occultist Daydreamer with a heart of coins

[starfireswan]

About this blog

Hello, my name is Star

I am a multi-faith mainly Hellenic Priestess devoted to the Theoi, but more specifically and intimately devoted to Hermes, Apollon, Eros, Dionysus, Haides, Artemis, Ares, and Zeus. I also am a devotee of Aphrodite (@ofrosesandseafoam) and a Lover of Poseidon. Non-Hellenic deities I worship and love are: Loki, Asmodeus, Lucifer, Abaddon, Freyr & Freyja, Fenrir, Leviathan, Lucifer, and The Archangels. I work with an Unrecorded pantheon called The Undying, so you will also see me posting about them.

How does my practice affect yours?

It doesn't! Do whatever you think is best for you!

But I thought you said you're a priest?

I am! But that only affects my practice. I am here to serve my gods first and secondly my community. But above that I am to care for myself, as I encourage everyone to do while still maintaining respect for others.

I am open to give advice on situations with gods including godspousal, priesthood, and other forms of devotion. I am open for most other kinds of advice and readings as well; however, I will NOT do forms of financial or health-related readings.

Thanks for reading~!

[big-bad-witch]

💀 Death Witches in Other Roles 💀

To Understand Death is to Understand Life

💀Death witches in the kitchen, cooking food to sustain the grieving or preparing a dumb supper

💀 Death witches in the garden, tending to poisonous plants, and special flowers to place on graves

💀 Death witches as doctors and nurses, helping to bring the living back from the brink, or making the crossing easier for the newly dead

💀❤ So many people think that death magic is this dark thing but what they don’t realize is that no one can truly appreciate and understand life without first coming to terms with death ❤💀

[shroud-of-roses]

Self Care for Death Witches

Hello! I have no idea if this has been done yet, but I thought I could make a post with some ideas and see what you all think! Feel free to add on to this if you reblog or something.

Take a cleansing bath. Sometimes working with death energy can take a toll on your energy levels, as well as potentially attract death into your life (especially if it is surrounding you on a daily basis). Every two weeks or so, it’s a good idea to clean up your aura and spirit using a ritual shower or bath. For a bath, toss in 1 cup of epsom salt, and ½ cup of baking soda, and then use any safe essential oils to add a little magical boost. This combination will cleanse you physically of any toxins, and also spiritually. Do not soak for longer than 20 minutes, and it is generally said that every 2 weeks is the best timeframe between this ritual. I use lavender oil and mint leaves to really clean and protect myself. Be sure to research the affects of herbs, especially in regards to your physical state and taking into account medications you consume. For a shower, let the water run over your whole body. Then, soak a loofa or hand towel in a mixture of epsom salt, baking soda, and essential oils or herbs (again, do this safely). Softly scrub your body, and rinse yourself off again.

Take naps. This is a very important tip, especially for those of you who work primarily at night. Find a good time for you, and try to consistently get enough sleep. It’s important to stay well rested to keep your energy up and your physical body healthy.

Spend time doing what you love. Don’t neglect things you enjoy to focus your whole being on death witchcraft. If you like to sew, paint, write, solve equations, cook, or whatever else, make time for it. Doing something mundane is very essential to keeping you from getting burnt out on your practice.

Eat. I mean it. I find myself forgetting to eat an awful lot when I immerse myself in death witchcraft and necromancy. I don’t know if it’s just because I am super busy or because I am focusing too much on spiritual needs instead of physical ones, but it isn’t good for you. Eat at least 3 meals, and drink lots of water!

Listen to your body. If it’s telling you it’s tired, hungry, thirsty, or in pain, you shouldn’t ignore it. This is something I really need to remember. Sometimes I think practicing death witchcraft is more important than focusing on my physical needs, but it isn’t black and white like that. Both are important, and I should really realize that if I don’t take care of myself now, I won’t be able to practice later.

Relax. Take a moment and meditate, or just sit with crystals, candles, water, or whatever calms you. Recharge your batteries. This is really vital for those of you who use a lot of your own energy for spells, spirit communication, and more. I like to listen to music that makes me feel like a death witch (playlist is on its way to a blog near you).

Spend time in places you find fulfilling. I like graveyards, I like hospitals. I like places where death is prevalent because it helps me get acquainted with the thought of death. If this is you, too, then go to those places.

[melioramagic]

Stop robbing graves, use these instead:

Right so most witches that do any kind of death magic/necromancy/spiritwork/what-have-you don’t literally rob graves and use human bones. Obviously. To do so is completely unethical. But just in case there’s some people out there who somehow didn’t grasp that, here are some things you can use instead of literal stolen human bones in your death magic:

Plants associated with the dead (Lilies, marigolds, chrysanthemums bay laurel, myrrh, mugwort, pomegranates, etc.)

Food offerings to the dead

Picture of (or object belonging to) a passed relative

Graveyard dirt

Ethically sourced animal bones

Hourglasses and clocks

A grave rubbing

Artwork depicting skulls

Art of animals associated with the dead (vultures, crows/ravens, cats, bats, moths.)

Arrowheads

Coins

Scrying tools (mirror or crystal ball)

Crosses

A knife (be careful with these, please.)

The “Death” tarot card

Black, purple, grey, or white candles

Sigils or runes

If a theist, effigies of Gods associated with death from your pantheon (Thantos, Hades, Anubis, Ankou, Osiris, Persephone, Nyx, Hypnos and Hecate, Yama, etc.)

Depending on your purpose: salt, iron, fire. 

Honestly. Anything. Just stop stealing human remains. C’mon y’all. 

[vampantheon]

CITY OF ANGELS

Donald Trump has authorized 2,000 National Guard troops to be used against protesters, whose goal was to put a stop to ICE's kidnapping raids.

Being undocumented is not a criminal offense in the United States of America.

[imagitory]

Quoting this from the ACLU in an issue brief from 2010, since there are a lot of people in the comments mouthing off about that last sentence:

The act of being present in the United States in violation of the immigration laws is not, standing alone, a crime. While federal immigration law does criminalize some actions that may be related to undocumented presence in the United States, undocumented presence alone is not a violation of federal criminal law. Thus, many believe that the term “illegal alien,” which may suggest a criminal violation, is inaccurate or misleading. Entering the United States without being inspected and admitted, i.e., illegal entry, is a misdemeanor or can be a felony, depending on the circumstances. 8 U.S.C. § 1325. But many undocumented immigrants do not enter the United States illegally. They enter legally but overstay, work without authorization, drop out of school or violate the conditions of their visas in some other way. Current estimates are that approximately 45% of undocumented immigrants did not enter illegally. See Pew Hispanic Center, Modes of Entry for the Unauthorized Migrant Population [May 22, 2006]. Undocumented presence in the United States is only criminally punishable if it occurs after an individual was previously formally removed from the United States and then returned without permission. 8 U.S.C. § 1326 (any individual previously “deported or removed” who “enters, attempts to enter, or is at any time found in” the United States without authorization may be punished by imprisonment up to two years). Mere undocumented presence in the United States alone, however, in the absence of a previous removal order and unauthorized reentry, is not a crime under federal law.

Even now, under Trump's second administration, immigration is a CIVIL matter, not a criminal one. Immigration violations are often at most misdemeanors that should be dealt with peacefully, not with brute force. And if these pro-ICE people are truly so about prosecuting crime, then they should take into account that blowing this kind of civil matter up like this is only wasting time and resources that could be set aside for serious crimes. Quoting the ACLU again --

Use of federal law enforcement resources to target undocumented immigrants for criminal prosecutions may have serious consequences for public safety. The greater focus on criminal violations of immigration laws has led to fewer resources to investigate and prosecute dangerous crimes. At the same time that the Bush administration dramatically increased federal prosecutions for illegal entry and reentry of the United States, the government’s prosecution of gun trafficking, public corruption, organized crime and white-collar crime declined. See Solomon Moore, “Study Shows Sharp Rise in Latino Federal Convicts,” New York Times (Feb. 18, 2009).

Yeah. So these people are advocating the persecution of undocumented immigrants who are less likely to commit crimes than documented Americans (and yes, there is plenty of data from both the FBI and the Census Bureau confirming this) at the expense of dealing with real federal crimes. Why am I not surprised that people like this are aligned with Donald Trump?

[rosary-enthusiast]

In this time of need, I pray.

Lord Apollo Agyieus (of the streets) I humbly come before you in great distress. I invoke your love for countrymen, for those who work the fields, & those who have no ivory tower.

I pray for those fighting in a war they did not make, against soldiers occupying their lands. I pray that they are victorious in all things, that they come home to their families when your radiant sun sets.

Let all manor of misfortune beset the traitors who bring bullets down on their own people. Let their swords break, & their deeds be punished.

Lady Athena Polloukhos (City-Protectress) I too, invoke your wrath, your defense of cities past, your wisdom in the face of war.

Let not the evil of malformed men bring harm to the people of the City of Angels, to the people of the City of The Violet Crown. I ask that you be a shield of hope, in a time of great fear. Let not a single baton raise in malicious intent against those protecting their freedoms.

Lady of the golden shield, savior & defender, I praise you in earnest, & know you are wise.

Lady Artemis Aristobulê (The Best Advisor), I invoke your holy name, your love of women from all lands, your advisement in times of war.

I ask that you defend those who might be taken from their homes. I ask you bring good counsel to those in the streets, so that their actions may be sound, & wise. Lady of the silver bow, I praise you for your magnanimous presence, for the defense of those in need.

Thank you, O’ holy gods, to you I have nothing but love & awe.

[evilios]

P A S I T H E A - the youngest of the Charites, beloved wife of Hypnos, and the Goddess of Rest and Relaxation.

While Her sisters are given a distinct and specific, defined parentage, we don’t fully know whose daughter Pasithea is. She might be the child of Hera or, perhaps, a daughter of Dionysus, thus depicting a relaxing aspect of Her Father’s domain.

🔮 🔮 🔮 / 🔮 🔮 🔮 / 🔮 🔮 🔮

P. S. This aesthetic has been posted by me before.

[centuriespast]

GIRARDON, François Apollon and the Nymphs 1666-73 Marble, life-size Apollo Grotto, Versailles

[xerxeswitch]

Spirit Companion Reminder

People have been approaching me about this. I said it once, and I'll say it again -- I highly recommend you do NOT pursue spirit companionship as "spirit keeping" or turn towards Creepy Hollows. (As in binding spirits/entities to objects/strangers -- mostly without consent -- and using them to fulfill fantasies/sell them off.

Creepy Hollows is a scam with the founders who are intolerant to opinions and feedback, and they are known to hex people who disagrees with them openly. They'll either give you an empty vessel, a servitor to assume a role temporarily, or...on the rare side...a spirit bound against their will. Sometimes they also just create servitors to function a role of what the customer wants. Spirits and entities are also not yours to use for your own entertainment to get attention, or to take shape in feeding your personal desires. Because of this, I have to rehome yet another entity just days ago due to this. ... That's all.

[gayeilgeoir]

Xenia means you help your neighbours escape immigration police

Xenia means you feed, house, and respect the homeless, regardless of what got them there

Xenia means you do the work to unlearn racism, misogyny, homophobia, ableism and transphobia

Xenia means (with obvious exceptions) you treat criminals and felons as human beings worthy of dignity and respect

Xenia means you make your environments less overstimulating if you know you’ll be with an autistic person

Xenia means Fuck the police

Xenia means you talk to the elderly neighbour who’s living on their own, and has nobody in their life

Xenia means respecting your trans friends identity even when they’re not present

[ancientlovingqueer]

Xenia means Fuck ICE.

[stygiantarot]

💀Unusual Death Witchcraft💀

Visiting natural history and art museum. Not only for the spirit work (museums are surprisingly rife with spirits) but also the reflection on the objects themselves that are imbued with death energy due to their age.

Kitchen witchcraft with fermentation. I’m talking both home starters/yeasts and drink based fermenting! The process of encouraging fermentation is literally a controlled necromancy if you think about it! Also your own fermented product will be excellent to use in spellwork!

Upcycle crafting! The process of reusing items in a new way that you already had or seeking out items to use instead of letting them become trash is also working with death energy!

Playing death related games or watching movies with friends and family. Death witchcraft tasks and energy work doesn’t have to look witchy! If you have a weekly or monthly hangout where you play tabletops like Betrayal at House on the Hill or even online games. Or watch documentaries or movies with loved ones that related that totally counts! Especially as a lower spoon option.

Drawing or photographing abandoned buildings/architecture. So often people forgot that the decay of manmade objects and places do hold death energy and weight. Tapping into this side of death witchcraft can be an interesting experience.

Visiting a 24 hour store or restaurant in the middle of the night. This is a personal experience of mine but that quiet low level liminal space energy is such a similar transitional energy as to help you grow your experience and sensing of death energy. Also walking through a store at 3am is a good time to practice a walking meditation or some simple spirit communication without too much trouble. Just have your headphones in for an excuse!

Learning to maintain your own compost! I’m hopeless with the green thumb side of things myself but I still have composting I do for my yard in general. My wildflowers and natural growth is lovely because of it! The cycle of your kitchen supplies life and decay is such a simple and deep way to access that death energy and maybe even work your way up to having that green thumb! Also using this compost in spellwork will pack a punch!

What are some unusual ways you experience death witchcraft and energy?

[sanctuary-for-wanderers]

Hymn to Psyche, by @altis-of-olympia

O! Psyche, carer of souls, Friend of the flower which soon shall grow. I sing to thee, nurturer of life, of thy praises and sweet light. Glorious Psyche, Love of Eros, May thou allow for the flourish of the brightest flowers, so that we may gaze upon them - Reflections of thine beauty and love, within brilliant pouts of vibrance and exuberance.

Bless us, Illustrious Psyche! The King Lady who delights the Soul with the gentlest grace, In each and every case of need, thou hast so graciously delivered. 'Tis with you whom I wish to see the return of energy and warmth. Warmth that envelops the soul - Your Elegance, Your Luminous Love! May the blessed guide the frozen souls into the warmth, and bring them forth into the light! Come, Heavenly Spring, accept my homage, and let the clouds of winter subside as I celebrate and revere all of which you preside!

Commissioned by @wayfind-er, divider by @/anitalenia

[evslight]

digital offering for King Zeus, i’ve felt connected to him lately

[sundroplyre]

"I say the god [Dionysus] does not discriminate young dancers from old, that he craves honor from one and all alike, that no one - no one - is excluded from his worship."

- Euripides, "The Bacchae", translated by Herbert Golder

[apiswitchcraft]

before you ask "are the gods mad at me?" THINK:

have you...

1. killed or maimed someone

2. killed or maimed an animal for purposes other than consuming/processing it

3. knowingly and purposefully hurled vile obscenities or insults at any god or gods

4. made it a life goal to be a terrible person

5. been a terf

IF YOU SAID NO TO ALL OF THESE QUESTIONS then girl you're fine go have a dr. pepper

[shoutingintothesky]

My tired, university-student ass, holding a plate of air fryer onion rings aloft: LORD HERMES, MESSENGER OF THE GODS, OH FLEET-FOOTED HERMES IF YOU CAN HEAR ME SEND ME THE PATIENCE TO NOT BAUTISTA-BOMB MY PROFESSOR AND THE SWIFTNESS TO GET THIS ASSIGNMENT DONE IN TIME (after she listed the due date online as a week later and its actually due tomorrow)

[wildharesandboundteeth]

*headbutts Hermes like a cat* *headbutts Hermes like a cat* *headbutts Hermes like a cat* *headbutts Hermes like a cat* *headbutts Hermes like a cat* *headbutts Hermes like a cat* *headbutts Hermes like a cat* *headbutts Hermes like a cat* *headbutts Hermes like a cat* *headbutts Hermes like a cat* *headbutts Hermes like a cat* *headbutts Hermes like a cat* *headbutts Hermes like a cat* *headbutts Hermes like a cat* *headbutts Hermes like a cat* *headbutts Hermes like a cat* *headbutts Hermes like a cat* *headbutts Hermes like a cat* *headbutts Hermes like a cat* *headbutts Hermes like a cat* *headbutts Hermes like a cat* *headbutts Hermes like a cat* *headbutts Hermes like a cat* *headbutts Hermes like a cat* *headbutts Hermes like a cat* *headbutts Hermes like a cat* *headbutts Hermes lik