Following up on your post about the Victorians. If you would like to help me with some research, what would you consider some of the more ubiquitous aspects of the late Victorian mindset that differ from today?
Differ, ha? Truth be told, the more research I do - and, for the sake of this conversation, “Victorian” is taken as a specific culture of a time and an area of the world, - the more obvious it is that we have not gone terribly far.
Their relationship with death would be one I should mention, both with how close most were to the dead bodies themselves and how proper it was thought to publicly express one’s mourning. On the other hand, cremation was not very easy for them to stomach - how pagan! How infernal the image!
It may be a reflection of the circles in which I socialise, but they certainly put their social standing first more than we do, often through emulation of both the appearances and the very, very theoretical morals considered the virtue of the wealthy. In that should be included a much more rigid distinction between the private and the public existence, the former preferable for women, or even such petty detail as what is appropriate to wear and when.
It was common for several generations to reside together as a matter of tradition and convenience.
I would like to hope we are moving away from it, but, as I mentioned, to be mentally healthy for a Victorian individual meant to act in accordance with societal expectation: quiet, obedient to a perceived superior, showing effort in work, dressed and groomed in an acceptable manner, having faith without being particularly religious, uninterested in sex but for the purposes of procreation within marriage, and so on.
Frankly, the subject is rather broad, but those are the things that come to mind beyond the details of the practical habit. We now do not necessarily suspect a lady riding a horse in public of making a living as a dominatrix, but that is neither here nor there.
Tell me your favorite thing about living in Ukraine. I hear there are some marvelous castles there.
There are, indeed. Of those I have personally visited, one of my favourites is the Kamianets-Podilskyi fortress. The first menton of it comes from the XIV century , although it since has been proven that its beginnings are in the XII century or so. Having been used for its intended purpose during the active conflict with the Ottoman Empire, as well as under its rule, it was added to and rebuilt quite a bit - curiously, its Royal Tower is also known under the name of Bathory, named so in 1585 after Stephen Bathory, a Polish king and a relative to a certain well-known lady of the name Erszebet. That said, I grew up in a mountain area between Poland and Romania, so fine and infamous individuals are, rather literally, close to home.
That sense of history, of walking the streets and seeing the centuries before you, I do adore: in the steppes that have seen Scythians, Greeks, Mongols, Norsemen, the Cossacks, blood shed and goods traded, the plague and the lust for freedom. I adore that, seemingly, everyone has been to Ukraine. The more recent realisation is that a part of it was at a point included in the Achaemenid Empire, for one.
I love the language, of course, and that it has been growing in popularity in areas that have undergone Russification.
From the witches of Lysa Hora in Kyiv to cafes of Lviv, from the unfathomable vastness of the steppe to the mountains I am fortunate to call home, there are too many things to which my heart belongs.
At that I shall end this one and leave you with the kurgans.
scrollofthoth replied to your post “ZOMG I love you. Any chance you could post the correct way to say...”
If you're offering this as a service I got a whole bunch you can translate for me. =D
I’m not offering this as a service, unless you’re willing to pay me for my time. ;) I’ve little practice in translating to Middle Egyptian (I was only required to translate from Old/Middle/Late Egyptian to Dutch/English in uni), so it would take me a lot of time and effort to translate more than the odd funny request I get through asks. The imperative structure of “die mad about it” was relatively simple, and I can use that phrase myself whenever someone’s stupid enough to try and hate on me again, but I won’t do this for free as a running service.
I've always been into it as a kid, and was a tad bit psychic, nothing big just crazy bad deja-vu's and knowing things were gonna happen seconds before they did. It wasn't until I was in middle school and my friend lent me a book that my parents found, they freaked out and told me about our whole family lineage thing, well they described it as a family curse.
How long have you been practicing witchcraft?
all my life i think. it wasn't until middle school where i guess i had a name for it, so technically 13 years?
What kind of witch are you?
What a weird question. I guess the correct term would be chaote, becuase their all around viewpoint matches my existential beliefs as to how the universe works. idk scientific witch.
What specific path/tradition do you follow?
I wouldn't have a clue, I mean it's a mish mash of what works for me, constantly changing with my researching of other methods.
Do you have any ethics or moral codes that you follow?
Just the golden rule, "Don't be an Asshole" and you get what you give. If you plan on pursuing witchcraft and expect maximum results with minimal effort you are going to be very sad.
Are you a Solitary witch or have you worked with others in a Coven?
I started in about three covens like back to back. the first 2 being wiccan based and the third one being free form. Wasn't for me. I learned that one My ideals and wiccan ideals differ too much to get along nicely. and two that if i'm the only one in the group driven to practice it suffers greatly.
Do you practice divination? If so, what techniques?
I've done tarot for a couple years, which I don't really enjoy. I'm currently trying to get information on yorubic mancala divination because i feel like it's more my speed, but it's not easy information to get ahold of so if you know anything about it, let me know because i'm very interested.
Would/Do you read for others? Why or why not?
Occasionally, again I don't enjoy tarot but I know that i have talent in divination so once I find a system that clicks for me I'd probably be more into doing readings for other people. or maybe i'm shit at divination and just need a slap in the face.
Do you believe in anything supernatural/paranormal?
Are you serious?
What are your beliefs on an Afterlife?
I'd like to think it's nothingness that would be my idea of heaven, but I honestly haven't the slightest idea.
Does your family and/or friends know you practice witchcraft?
My close friends do, my mother is in constant denial of it. I've always been way more timid about coming out of the broom closet than the actual closet. unshakeable phobia of being burned at the stake.
Do/Will you teach and practice witchcraft to your children?
I will teach them the basic scientific principles of magick and let them find their own paths, but it will definitely be mandatory.
Patron Goddess
Levi's Baphomet
Patron God
Levi's Baphomet
Favorite pantheon
My personal gods (from the chaos magick side of things). Includes Talos (DnD), Tom Shear, Mr. Clean and the imp in the statue that guards my candy bowl. *tonguecheekbite*
What are your Sun/Moon/Rising signs?
Gemini/Sagittarius/Capricorn
What’s your Element?
Air/Mercury
Favorite season?
Summer, preferably right around the solstice.
Favorite tree?
Rowan and Yew, my wandwood is supposedly ironwood, but I've yet to encounter a piece to see how it feels.
Favorite flower?
Peach Blossoms, Sage Flowers
Favorite gem?
Onyx
Favorite color?
Red
Favorite animal?
Cat
What’s your familiar?
None
Favorite book on Witchcraft?
The Book of Lies by the Disinformation Company, it kind of blew my mind on the whole science of witchcraft thing and discovering people who viewed magick the way I did.
Favorite website on Witchcraft?
I'm really into Blogs right now of people who are like-minded to me. so I'd say Scrollofthoth, is my favorite. The way he breaks things down and the resources he gives you are just top notch!
thisblackwitch and Carpeumbra are really nice tumblrs that will help you answer questions. Just don't ask dumb ones cuz they are my Sass role models!! don't ask me dumb shit cuz i just turn into a bitch. So i suppose sass is probably better yes.
Famous witch that you favor?
I very much like the hebrew history of Lilith, Couldn't be subservient so she dipped the fuck out and nailed an angel. that is so tragically me it's not even funny.
My first Godform assumption was Lilith (I used to be an idiot) It ended virtually everyway it could not end well minus death. I think the only reason it worked is so I could be shown what a colossal dumbass I was.
Favorite divination tool?
Haven't you been listening i'm shopping around.
Favorite altar tool?
Me
Do you have an altar?
My body
What phase is the Moon currently in?
Waning Gibbous
scrollofthoth answered your question: Its day four of my current project and Im...
Yes. And if youre struggling try getting up an hour early to write. It worked for me.
I've tried that in the past before but I'm not really awake until 10AM regardless of the time I wake up and writing before then turns into a painful mess. XD
