I've started saying prayers to Sól when I witness the sunrise, and while they aren't very robust or in-depth (or often, because I'm never up before the sunrise), I have been enjoying it. I've been meaning to add more Sól and Máni worship into my practice. I need to work on incorporating prayers to Máni at moonrise, but that's hard since it's overcast so fucking often. Working on shifting my thinking to just. Praying when I see the sun or moon for the first time during the day/night, to get the same vibe.
Rebuilding a personal practice after so long not doing anything is harrrrrdddddddd.
So... Prayer is a difficult concept for some people- whether it is coming from a place of religious trauma, inexperience, or even just not having a habit of praying, it is difficult.
But "prayer" (n.) is "a solemn request for help or expression of thanks addressed to God or another deity," according to Oxford Languages. This is can be very different from what Abrahamic religons present, and as these are among the most populated religions in the world, most people get at least a bit of exposure through that lens.
Prayer is not just "talking to a friend", though that is a good starting point. It's a conversation, and you have to train yourself in how to have that conversation. It starts with a chat, a get to know what you are comfortable with. It needs to grow past that however.
"Lantern," you may be asking, "how in the name of everything sacred, do I do that?"
Sorry to disappoint you, but... it starts with consistent, ritualized practice.
Not "ritualized" in the way of "preforming a ritual with lots of people, ingredients, and intents", but "ritualized" as in "a set of steps that you follow to build habits".
Not Ritual, but ritual.
Here is an example of where I started:
Cleanse myself
Shield myself
Address the deity
Praise the deity
Make a request
State the offering
Praise again
Thank and "dismiss"
Close the circle
Cleanse again.
That's a lot for a new pagan. If you feel like that is right for you, great! For me, it was too much and required more spoons that I could share.
Here is my current steps:
Greet and call upon the deity I am addressing.(Usually with a specific epithet).
Thank the deity for support, attention, whatever happened recently I am thankful for.
Explain my current situation.
Ask for help in acheiving my goals.
Thank them again, make the offering, or finish.
This is much less effort for me. I also have a couple daily offerings that are lifestyles, not physical offerings. These are my most consistent offerings, and the ones I am most confident in.
I hope this ramble is at least a little helpful- It was late due to some family stuff occurring right now. Nothing bad, just busy!
As an aquatic specialist, fish enthusiast, future marine biologist, and exciteable witch I look for many things to incorporate into my craft that resonate with me on a personal level. One of those things I have been working on for a few years now is something I have dubbed...
FishCraft
This is something that is still a work in progress. There will be posts added to this regularly, each focusing on a different aspect of aquariums and their practical applications to my craft and spell work.
Many of the posts included in this series will be of my own creation, meaning that while medicinal information is readily available for many of the common aquarium flora, magical properties are much harder to find. Therefore these will be based off my own research and intuition.
Note: Fishtanks are a serious responsibility. They arent something you can just throw together and ignore. They need maintenance, and diligent care, and setting up a tank properly can cost anywhere from 100 USD to a few thousand dollars. FishCraft isn't something to be taken lightly, as it is basically one very expensive, long term spell that can be modified and changed over the years.
As I stated above, fish tanks can be huge, ever changing and evolving spells. Most aquarists have a set schedule for their tanks, but as a rule maintenance should happen at least once a month after testing the water quality. Since I am immersed in the tank up to my elbows (sometimes farther) at this point, I use this time to charge the spell, spend time with the life being maintained in the aquarium, make sure the plants are healthy, and focus my intentions while doing these things.
As this is something of my own personal creation, I look forward to sharing this practice with you. I hope it inspires you to get creative with your magic as well.
Once I start posting in depth information about FishCraft, I will be using the tags #KitchPosting , #FishCraft , and #ReginaSolem - so keep your eyes on those if you're interested in learning more!
So from here on out I will be trying to show more of My Personal Practice, ans I will try to tag the posts related to it with either #MPP or #My Personal Practice, so if you would like to look learn about that feel free to stick around.
The only issue is that I don't do a lot of witchy things during the day and I'm low on energy most of the time so you may see me do posts on the type of witch I am or maybe I'll post BOS/grimoire pics when I get around to writing them.
As of rn (January 26) I really don't do much witchy things besidesdoing free and paid readings and post on @afledglings-guideto-witchcraft or try to sell my stuff on @stormsdawn-witxhshop
i love your blog's combination of witch craft and religion. tbh i'd like to see more combination of using hellenic polytheism in witch craft? but my patron is Haides so do what you will!!
I was afraid this would come up at some point!!!!
So the reason you all don’t see me combining my witchcraft with my HP is because, I’m a reconstructionist (for the most part), and it’s my understanding and it’s kind of accepted in the community that witchcraft/magic wasn’t something combined with the worship of the Theoi. Thats not to say it’s wrong or that others shouldn’t do it. Just that I personally don’t.
And so, that is the story about how I cannot please you please forgive me
I know that this seems silly, and the title absolutely is, but I was reminded today through a conversation with a friend about the importance of awareness of these general concepts. These are by no means exhaustive, but here are some basics.
1. Magic has Power
Magic is something that grows- wether you mean for it to or not. Some needs outside help, some grow on their own. But things can and will get out of hand if you aren’t careful or don’t take precautions.
2. Belief is Awareness
Kids believe, and they experience magic more readily. But kids lose the belief, and thus are kinda invisible to this stiff with out deliberate maliciousness. Once you start to believe it can and will fuck with you.
3. Be Careful
Use protection. Wards, superstition, offerings, prayer, whatever it takes. Keep yourself safe. When you see the magic, the magic sees you. And so does anything that uses it.
4. Fae Rules
Treat EVERYTHING as possibly fae. Owe no debts, ask no favors, treat all with respect. Otherwise you can get stuck with things you need help to handle. And not everyone can handle that. I’ve met people who struggle now with magic because they cut themselves off from it thanks to entities or attachments.
Magic is beautiful and terrible and wonderful and scary. Treat it as it is- a powerful, dangerous tool.
I’m so sorry for the lack of spell post this week, my butt has been kicked multiple times this week. But here is another quick and simple spell!
Light My Path Spell
Please note that this can be adapted for any deity, I just use the ones I work with!
Ingredients:
1-4 candles(one representing you, and one for each deity you call upon)
A sigil
A compass/drawing of a compass
Instructions:
Set your personal candle behind the compass. Then your signal beneath the compass. Any deities should be set behind your candle. Then start your spell!
“I call upon the ones who walk beside me, I am casting a light upon my path. Illuminate from the shadows what will come.”
Repeat each time you light a candle.
Then, meditate on your path forwards while holding the compass.
“Guide me forwards, help me to see through obscuring shadows, thus I shall wander. So mote it be!”
Blow out the candles and close however you feel is right!
I officially submitted a volunteer request to the city to work for/with the local cemeteries! They're under the jurisdiction of the city's Parks and Rec department, which I was surprised to find out. Hopefully something comes of it. I want to dedicate that time and energy to Hel.
