#personal witchcraft

[personally-learning]

[1] My Understanding of the Divine:

Introduction:

It’s been noted throughout history and virtually every culture has entertained visions of a divine realm populated by one or more beings with supernatural powers. If this culture lived in close contact to nature, then it is likely that they also revered a being such as a female creator and/or fertility figure. A Great Mother Goddess shows up in various different civilizations, examples include but are not limited to: Ceres, Demeter, Isis, and Mary. 

As we know, the ancient Greeks, Romans, and Norse worshipped numerous gods and goddesses! And this belief in multiple divine beings has survived to this day; Hinduism, Shinto, Taoism, and Chinese folk religions still exist and there are even more religions that I didn’t mention!

However, like anything else in the world; there are going to be people that disagree with others’ views on the nature of the divine—which is completely okay. Some might say that you have to follow this specific tradition to be a “true believer” in whatever deity we’re talking about—others will say the opposite, and some may even say that the deities that you call upon are just not real. 

What I’m trying to say here is that, no matter if you’re a Christian, Hindu, Atheist, Wiccan, Neopagan, witch—no matter who or what you are; what you believe in, if anything, is totally up to you. No one is/should be forcing you to believe in something that is not for you.

If you’re looking to start researching about different deities to work with or are just interested in the topic and want to do general research—please feel free to continue to read this series of posts!

I'm going to do my best to keep the posts as short and digestible as possible, and if I speak out of turn on anything please let me know!!

[polar-solstice]

The lady at the mushroom stall at the farmer’s market asked me about my star chart (as one does at the mushroom stand at the farmer’s market) and normally when I tell people that I’m Scorpio sun, moon, and rising they say something cutting and laugh about it, or end the conversation quick, but she looked delighted and went “oh no wonder I mistook you for an earth sign! Still waters run deep, I bet you’re great to tell secrets too”

This was like a month ago but I’m thinking about it because multiple people today have told me that they like telling me secrets because I take everything in stride and make them feel safe about it and I’m like. Damn, accurately profiled by the mushroom lady

[exception-witch-proves-the-rule]

What I did for Yule

Due to the current world situation, I wasn’t able to go out and visit places I typically like to see for the holidays, but I made the most of what was available at the house!

First off, I had a morning physical therapy appointment (I have sacroiliitis in my hips) and was encouraged to get a yoga ball to continue with exercises at home. While shopping I found this super soft sweater for half off!

I checked the herbs to make sure they had plenty of water and that they were all growing well!

I got coffee and enchanted it with intent for what I’d like out of the upcoming year! Then I worked on shop orders and listings while chatting with spirit companions.

I pulled out a wassail-scented candle and burnt it all afternoon/evening as an offering to the deities I work with. I also took some time to cleanse my space and redo/refresh the wards in the area. It really made a difference, I felt so much better afterwards!

I did one Yule-themed spread for each of my newer decks as a way to get acquainted and accustomed, as well as to see where I can grow and improve in the coming year. One deck was more....blunt than the others 😅 Lastly, I invited any interested spirit companions to watch a film and enjoy snacks/drinks with me before bed.

Anyhow, this is just to give examples on how one doesn’t have to make a big deal out of any particular event or holiday. Do what feels right for you, your goals, and your practice!

[lilbabyleafwitch]

Wish bottle

I've decided that I'm going to start a thing I'm calling a wish bottle.

It's a large bottle (or it can be a jar or anything sealable) where I write wishes on small slips of paper. I'm keeping it in a central part of the apartment, so I can see it every day.

My thinking is that it's very similar to a manifestation jar, but, for me, it has more of a open ended goal. This way I feel like I can achieve these wishes in a larger time span than I could in a manifestation jar or something like that.

Of course this is mainly just geared towards me though. You can do whatever you want with your practice.

Here's a picture of it. I got the bottle at Joann's. I thought it was ridiculously cute.

[lee-minhyuk-stole-my-puddin200]

Just a note to the witchcraft community, and those who think it’s ok to make snap judgements about someone they don’t even know on the internet. Why not use your energy to be informative and helpful? Don't tell someone that their mentality is 'dangerous' like you're an expert in psychology and have the right to analyze someone’s “mental state” over one singular personal post about wanting pretty things.

Your judgement is only another negative thing that this community does NOT need.

[flowergarlands]

Personal Importances:

- the moon

-lavender

-cleansing and protection

-storms

-saying thank you

-greetings

-candles

[saltandburnsage]

Hello world,

So, as part of my Bardic journey, I am going to steal an idea from @seleneblackwell and use my Tumblr as basically a dump space for some writing, thoughts, feelings, and tales that I am learning on this wild ride. 

I am not a good sharer. I don’t share my stories and/or experiences because for the longest time I was convinced that my opinions, and really anything I had to say, was not valid. I have been actively trying to work on that, but I still struggle with it every damn day.

But here I am. Going to put some things out in the open. 

Stay tuned, folks. 

@saltandburnsage

[bone-deep-witch]

One Week Witchery.

Day One - This Week’s Tarot Card. Self explanatory! A tarot draw to see what the cards have to say about the coming week. Day Two - Does This Look Familiar? I have many pets, and among them are two familiars. I’ll share pictures and some info about them. Day Three - Tending Your Space. My witchy space has been neglected for about the same amount of time as this blog - I packed things away when I had to move furniture and stuff, and have never gotten around to moving things out of the way to make it easy to keep my special space special and nice. Also, for a while Jinx the cat was constantly chasing Spooky the cat across the altar and it was exhausting straightening things up all the time. Day Four - The Great Outdoors. I know that on Thursday, I’m going to be going to one of my special outdoor places with the dogs and the local walking group in the morning, so I’ll share some photos and ramble on about it a bit. Day Five - A Bone to Pick. I’ve been collecting bones (primarily skulls) off and on since I was ten. I’ve had to get rid of some over the years, but I still have some and I’ll share some stories and pictures. Day Six - Witch Crafts. I haven’t done anything arty/crafty in AGES and I remembered last night that I have a craftwood storage box that I need to decorate, so I’m going to dedicate some time on Saturday to coming up with a design and hopefully have the energy to at least start on the box itself. Day Seven - All Booked. I’m in the process of sorting out my library, and that includes sorting out my witchy books, and those my daughter left behind when she moved out recently. I’m going to choose one to work on and attempt some kind of study, as I’ve been attempting to do for several centuries now...

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All right.

This is a very me-centric little one-week challenge I’ve set up here, although if anybody else thinks they can work within the topics, please feel free to join in!