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Cryptic Mystic: What is Love?!

Love. We hear this word often. But what does it mean? The word “love” is over-used in society to the point where many feel no significance towards the word. The phrase “I love you” is simply a phrase. The meaning behind the words and the actions that precede or follow the words are what actually give the words meaning. Of course, this differs depending on who you’re talking to. Love is subjective. It is also important to note that there are different kinds of love, just like there are different types of relationships. For example - you likely don’t have the same type of relationship with your mother as you do with your lover, and the type of love you experience and express is likely also very different as well. Love is not an all-encompassing word.

Words are power, which is why we call the formation of letters into words “spelling.” Words are a form of spellwork. You hold so much power every time you speak, or every time you write/type. Words have the ability to draw so much emotion; cutting like a knife to the heart or overflowing our hypothetical cup with bliss. This becomes very important to remember when working within your craft. Words, emotions, it all ties together to create an intention. But how can we harness or control this power? How can we utilize it properly? There is no one set-in-stone way, as are with most things, but I can share with you some ideas and thoughts that will at least get your brain turning.

So… the big question… What is love? I’ll start by explaining the different types of love. Now, I will remind you that this is in no way a complete list of possibilities, for most things can be added to, taken away from, etc. These types of love are not exclusive, rather are most common and most relatable to the general population. Along with the different types of love, there are also parts of the body that coincide with each that serve as a vessel of sorts in relation to the type of love experienced.

The first type of love is Philia (fill-ee-uh), otherwise known as “affectionate love.” This is the type of love that you often see in strong friendships. Philia is present within strong platonic bonds between individuals who are not in a romantic/intimate type of relationship. The human mind is the vessel in which Philia is associated with because these strong bonds do require a certain amount of trust, familiarity, and similarity between individuals or “being on the same wavelength.” Some ways in which people express this type of love include having deep conversations, expressing openness and trust, engaging in bonding activities, offering consistent support, and just being there for one another in general. If you have a best friend, this is that type of love.

The second type of love is Pragma (prag-muh), also known as “enduring love.” This type of love can be seen in life-long bonds between partners and is more mature in nature. The key point here is that it develops over a period of time and isn’t something short-term or spontaneous. It may have started as such, but has evolved and matured over several years. The vessel in which Pragma lies is within the subconscious. This is a type of love that isn’t felt emotionally with intent or conscious effort - it just becomes what it is. This love is always an equal 50/50 split where one person does not give more or less than the other. There is a sense of strong purpose that comes with this type of love. Ways in which this type of love is expressed is through a continuous strengthening and stability of the relationship over a long-term time frame, exhibiting equal effort within the relationship, and making the decision to be with this person forever as one. If you are in a romantic/intimate type of relationship that is long-term where both parties put forth equal effort and feels “natural” then you are experiencing Pragma.

The third type of love is Storge (storj), otherwise known as “familiar love.” We touched on this one a little bit in Philia, but it is indeed its own separate entity because this love cannot only be found in close friendships, but also between parents/caregivers and children. Specifically, the vessel in which Storge lies is within memories, because this love is familiar. Oftentimes people say Storge “feels comforting, like home.” Storge is organic, never forced, and involves a deep emotional connection between parties. The memories with these individuals stand out and are deep-rooted in nature. The more memories shared with the person, the higher the value is placed on the relationship. Ways in which people express Storge include self-sacrifice (time, enjoyable activities, ect.), being able to forgive one another quickly when mistakes are made, and sharing many fond memories (which are continuing to be made). If you share a healthy and close (familiar) relationship with a parent/caregiver, you have experienced Storge.

The fourth type of love is Eros (air-ohs), also known as “romantic love.” This type of love is all-consuming and often involves a physical component. When experiencing Eros, there is a strong infatuation with the person and pleasure-seeking behaviors are exhibited. The vessel in which Eros is found is within the body as a whole. Some may say they feel “butterflies” in their stomach, lightness in the chest, tingling in the genitals, and a plethora of other somatic symptoms when experiencing Eros. The key point of eros is to engage in pleasure-seeking activities with the person you are infatuated with. Eros can be expressed through touching, caressing, kissing, or engaging in sexual acts. If it isn’t already obvious, hormones play a huge role within Eros. If you have kissed someone sensually or had sex with someone and felt similar feelings to those described above, you have experienced Eros. Keep in mind, this looks different for everyone. Different strokes for different folks.

The fifth type of love is Ludus (loo-doos), or “playful love.” The vessel in which Ludus lies is within emotions. Ludus is all about expressing emotions through flirtatious endeavors. This does not include any of the physical components - see Eros above. This type of love is a gateway for an intimate relationship. You may have heard this type of love described as the “honeymoon phase.” There may be a sense of excitement and overall jovial attitude whenever someone is around the person they are experiencing Ludus towards. Ways in which Ludus is expressed include engaging in playful banter, flirting, laughing, joking, and having fun in a child-like manner. If you have ever flirted with a potential partner (or even a current new partner), you have experienced Ludus.

The sixth type of love is Mania (may-nee-uh). It is exactly what it sounds like. This type of love is obsessive in nature, where a person goes absolutely head-over-heels batshit crazy over their romantic/intimate partner. The vessel in which this type of love lies is within a person’s natural survival instincts. This type of love should be avoided due to the potential harmful mental health risks that will likely ensue. People who experience Mania often focus entirely on the other person and fixate on their every move. Focusing on the self is completely out the window - which is NOT good at all. This type of love often leads to jealousy, envy, and controlling possessive behaviors. In more extreme cases, this is the type of love that people literally kill over. The main cause of Mania is said to be an imbalance between Ludus and Eros. Keeping a healthy and stable level of playfulness and romance within the relationship may help in avoiding this type of love. The survival instinct that kicks in with Mania is because the person desperately feels that they need the other person to give themselves any sense of meaning or purpose. Individuals who experience Mania are often afraid of abandonment and will do anything to keep their partner to themselves. This may stem from childhood abandonment issues, but there are a plethora of other factors to be considered, of course. If you begin to feel this way towards a person, try focusing on yourself more rather than putting all of your focus on the other person. You may also stop and think about the way you are feeling and question why you feel the way you do - dig deep. This ultimately avoids an unhealthy relationship, codependency issues, or any of the significantly worse things that may come along with experiencing Mania. Trust is key here. Being able to trust the other person and for them to trust you equally is a huge protective factor.

The seventh type of love is Philautia (fill-out-ia). This type of love is all about the self. Self-love is required before one can truly love someone else in a healthy way. Some may argue with me on this, but I have never seen a healthy relationship where both people didn’t seem confident in loving themselves as well. On the other side of the coin, every relationship I’ve seen that was unstable always involved at least one or both parties having low self-confidence, self-esteem, and an overall diminished sense of self-love. The vessel in which Philautia lies is deep within the person, some might call this a “soul,” but you call it whatever you like. Philautia involves recognizing your self-worth and not allowing anyone to take it away. This type of love involves strength and truth. A person who experiences Philautia realizes that it is their sole responsibility to do what is necessary to take care of themselves and engage in regular self-care for a rounded sense of wellbeing. Ways in which this can be accomplished include surrounding yourself with people who are supportive and uplifting, creating an environment that makes you feel good, taking care of yourself, and engaging in regular self-care (taking time for yourself regularly). If you engage in an activity that makes you feel good on a regular basis that improves your overall quality of life (e.g., yoga, meditation, a hot bath, etc.) you have experienced Philautia. Again, this looks different for everyone - there is no set way to experience this.

The eighth and last type of love I will talk about is Agape (uh-gahp-ay), or “selfless love.” This type of love can be shown towards anyone and involves empathy, support, and unconditional love. The vessel in which this love lies is within the self, or what some might call “spirit.” This type of love is of the most high because there are no underlying intentions, no gains to be had, and it just comes naturally to anyone and everyone around a person. There is a purpose here that is bigger than oneself. Agape includes the ability to express love and kindness in any given situation, no matter how bad the circumstances may be - being selfless. Ways in which people might express Agape include volunteering to improve the lives of others, staying conscious and grounded in your decision-making from day to day, and offering your time to someone who really needs it. If you practice any of the mentioned items above or something similar, you have experienced Agape.

What is the ideal combination of these 8 types of love? With so much information and so many types of love, it is challenging to decipher which type of love may be right for you in your relationships with others. I will offer you three combination suggestions: one for friendships, one for family, and one for intimate/romantic partners. You may take my suggestions or leave them, or maybe you want to create your own combination. As I always say, you choose what you believe - and thus you choose what is right for YOU.

Friendship: Philia, Storge, Philautia Romantic/Intimate Partner: Pragma, Eros, Ludus Family: Storge, Agape, Philia

Again, feel free to mix and match. There is no right or wrong answer here. The only type of love you will want to avoid at all costs is Mania, which I feel needs no further explanation.

So how does this tie into your craft? Think about the different types of love and if any of these resonate with you within your occult practices. I know our population here is very diverse, so this will likely look different for all of you, as do most things. I will give you an example as it applies to witchcraft, specifically. If witchcraft isn’t your thing and you’re into something else, that's cool - you may still be able to take something away from this. Or you may just enjoy the read. Either way, I’m glad you’re here.

Love spells have been popularized and romanticized throughout history. Whether someone seeks to strengthen a relationship they already have with someone, or they want to make someone fall in love with them - many seek to find some form of love in one way or another. Many types of items can be utilized in love spells including foods, candles, herbs, trinkets, household items, oils, plants, items from the earth, items from the human body or other living beings, and so much more. Many forms of magick can be intertwined within this practice as well from many types of witches including (but not limited to) Secular, Black, Sea, Tech, Green, Dianic, Solitary, Voodoo, Hedge, Shadow, Divination, Fae, Draconic, Eclectic, Necromantic, Shaman, etc.

Today I will share three spells with you that I hand-selected from a vintage spellbook that was passed on to me through several generations.


SPELL #1

The first spell is one of self-love, which is highly recommended that you complete before all others. You may choose to do this spell on its own, but it is best to perform this spell ritualistically alongside (before) all other types of spells in the future, regardless of type/intention. The point here is to strengthen yourself before you move forward with your main spell-work for the evening. You must complete this spell on the night of a full moon. The items you will need include the following:

a photo of yourself


several thin ribbons


a silver photo frame


several white candles


1. Create an altar (if you do not have one already) filled with items that exhibit what love means to you. Make sure to choose items (flowers, colors, trinkets, etc.) that are appealing to you and mean something to you. 


2. Trim your photo into a heart shape


3. Adorn your photo with the ribbons around the edges in whatever way you choose


4. Chant as you work - you may choose to hum or sing a song that you enjoy that is about love, or you may choose to make one up as you go (trusting your instincts to guide your words)


5. When you are done decorating the edges of your photo with ribbon, place the photo within the silver photo frame and then set it on your altar


6. Light (at minimum) one white candle every night next to your photo until the following full moon. If you miss a night, you will need to begin the process over. Disclaimer: don’t ever leave your candle(s) burning if you leave your home or if you go to sleep. Be sure you are awake and monitoring any type of open flame.


Once a full moon cycle has passed you may choose to continue this practice as a ritual. If you would like to change the picture, simply repeat the process over again on the night of a full moon.

SPELL #2

This spell is for those who may have a new romantic interest and is designed to evoke your new lover to reveal their true selves. Heed warning, this spell will only work if there is a sense of destiny within the relationship. So, you essentially kill two birds with one stone here - you find out who your new lover truly is and also if there is a future with the person. You can complete this spell during any moon phase. The key to the natural environment in which you cast this spell is that it must be during a thunderstorm - the more intense the better. You will utilize the energy from the storm to communicate this silent message to your love. The items you will need include the following:

A photo of your new lover


A mirror (can be mounted on a wall)


6 small candles from the rainbow spectrum (each differing in color)


A thunderstorm from mother nature


1. Place the photo of your lover where their reflection will be caught in the mirror


2. Place the candles where their reflection will also be caught in the mirror as well (you want the candles to illuminate your lover's face - it will look eerie!)


3. Using the force of the storm, focus on your lover’s image and will your lover to shed any doubt or fear of judgment within the relationship and to commit to the relationship more through showing their “true self.” 


4. Ensure that the candles are continuing to burn as you proceed to address your lover (if the candles blow out, this may be an indication that the relationship will also fizzle out - this isn’t definite, but I have seen my fair share of people who have experienced this).


5. If there is any passion in the relationship and there is a future to be had, your lover will soon show more of themselves.


SPELL #3

The last spell is one for those who have a partner who maybe had a childhood that was not so great, and thus has trust issues or issues with making complete attachments. There may be lingering insecurities present, or some other issues within your current relationship due to this. This spell can be cast during any moon phase. The items you will need include the following:

A lock of your lover’s hair


A lock of your hair


A small padlock


A tiny freezer-proof container


Honey


An early snowdrop or bluebell


1. Weave the locks of hair together 


2. Place the intertwined hair within the padlock


3. Place the padlock with the hair intertwined within it into the freezer-proof container


4. Pour honey over the top while asking that it sweetens all memories of past sadness


5. Place the flower head into the honey


6. Secure the container, put it into the freezer, and blow it a kiss as you close the door


7. At regular intervals, blow the charm a kiss


This spell can produce great results if done with sincerity and strength.

I hope that you have enjoyed this lengthy yet informative February blog. There is so much in store for 2022 on the blog and I am glad that you have chosen to be here reading my words. Always remember, you choose what you believe. Regardless of what you believe in, I respect you and I honor your presence. May the remainder of February bring you nothing but great things. We’re only getting started with our year. Let’s make the best of it.

Cryptic Mystic Blog by PsychVVitch @psychvvitch

[trippingdownthecobblestone]

Time to introduce the "bigs" to Mason and Alaric? #theadventuresofbabyyodaandporgjoe #starwars #babyyoda #porg #porgjoe #babyyoda2 #bigbabyyoda #bigporg #theseguysneednames #shadesandshadows #authorsofinstagram #storytime https://www.instagram.com/p/CC9i8SFjDPs/?igshid=5b7lw9zedwbp

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Cryptic Mystic: We Are the Mask

The things you like, how you socialize, your reactions - all make up parts of your personality. Deciphering the truth from the lies; we possess the ability to morph who we are. How much/what do we mask, and what purpose does “masking” serve? This month’s blog dives deep into a few topics that all tie together to create one collective theme. As most things in life, these topics are intertwined. You’ll likely take something different from this blog than the next person, but that’s how my blogs are, as you probably well know… Now, without further adieu, let’s jump into this one.

To start, I’d like to take a moment to ask that you visit the website 16personalities.com and take their personality test. I guarantee you’ll gain valuable insight into your personality, and how you compare with others. It may even help you to better understand yourself or others. I always get the result of “Protagonist: ENFJ-A”. This result hasn’t changed in the last 5 years, however, psychologists and layperson test-takers alike will let you know that throughout life the results can change. So, on a scale of 1-100, here are my detailed results: 

MIND (Introversion VS extroversion): 89% extroverted

ENERGY (intuitive VS observant): 79% intuitive

NATURE (thinking VS feeling): 53% feeling

TACTICS (judging VS prospecting): 94% judging

IDENTITY (assertive VS turbulent): 56% assertive

Personality is a somewhat stable thing but has the potential to change over time in certain ways. There are some parts of us that I fully believe will never change. I term those the “concrete personality factors.” However, there are plenty of things about our personality that we can change if we try. Strong willpower and mind can aid in changing one's personality traits that are malleable. The not-so-malleable personality traits are much harder to change (if changing them is even possible) and would take a great amount of self-discipline and maybe even some serious professional therapy. My perspective: embrace who you are! If there is something about yourself that you would like to change because it is harmful to yourself or others, then work towards that change. At the end of the day, you are the only person who holds the key to changing who YOU are. The choice is ultimately yours. I tell people, no amount of therapy can change a person unless they truly want to change in the first place. Just like no one else can force you to change. Changing requires work and effort on YOUR part. 

So how do masks tie into all of this? People hide who they are behind metaphorical masks all of the time. We see this in several realms, however not all always apply in this context to everyone. We see examples of people “masking” who they really are through makeup, clothing, behaviors, and actions on a daily basis. Some are better at hiding who they are than others, and some of these folks you likely believe that you know who they are, but in reality, you have no idea. That’s one of the interesting things about the internet - you can be whoever you want to be. Whether that is your true self or a figment of who you are, the internet is a place where we see the most “masking.” Deciphering the truth from the lies in this digital world can be challenging.

I’ll tell you a story about an encounter I had early on in the age of technology and computers. Back in the olden days of dial-up internet, we had these things called chat rooms. Haha. Okay, I’ll stop acting like most of you don’t know what the hell dial-up and that whole era of technology looked like because I’m sure that a majority of you experienced it firsthand like me. Anyway, so I was in a chat room talking with random strangers. I really hit it off with this one guy. We liked a lot of the same music and had a similar style. He sent me some pictures and I thought he was attractive. We had good conversations. It was a good friendship so far, so after talking with him for a few months I decided to set up a meeting. I decided to be on the safe side just in case and take a friend with me to meet him for the first time. A friend of mine needed to go visit her boyfriend so she agreed to give me a ride to the location and agreed to leave me there while she ran to her boyfriend’s house only if I was comfortable. If I wanted her to stay she agreed that she would stay with me. We drove the 30 minutes into town and approached the location in her pickup truck. As we came closer to the building I could see a guy standing outside of the building (it was a bar) and he was smoking a cigarette. He was wearing all black, chains hanging off of his pants, and a front-facing black baseball-style cap. I knew that had to be him. We stopped in front of the building and he walked towards the truck on the driver's side where my friend was sitting. Upon reaching the window, he looked absolutely nothing like the picture he had sent me. In fact, he was much older than the picture he had sent me. Yes, you can laugh, your friendly neighborhood witch Kavita was officially catfished before catfishing was a thing. *cue laughter* He had an extremely creepy energy coming off of him (and not the good kind). He asked what we were up to, and I told him we had some errands to run, but that I just wanted to stop by and say hi. He was eyeballing me like a piece of meat. I grew intensely uncomfortable. The tension in the air was so thick you could cut it with a knife. My friend sensed that this was not the meeting I had intended and explained to him that we had to go, but that it was good meeting him and quickly drove away. She began laughing, looked over at me with a sheepish smile, and said, “what in the fuck was that?!” 

Oh, the early days of the internet. It was the wild west. It still is to a certain extent, but back then it was a much different time. My story paints an important picture about how people can easily put on a mask to impress others or to lure in their prey. I’ll never be certain of that man’s intention, but he lied about many things for one reason or another and that’s not cool. 

Looking at masks from a literal perspective and their origin, the first masks are from at least 9000 years ago. They were thought to have been used for occult rituals in countries like China and Africa. Some masks were to ward off evil spirits, while others were used for disguise, entertainment, or even for religious worship. The earliest masks were made from tree bark and leather. Some of these masks were in the shape of a human face, however, some were shaped like animal faces. Animal face masks often symbolized the connection between native people and nature. Many tribes and ancient cultures (some of which still exist today) gave utmost importance to nature, animals, and the world around them. As time went on, sometimes animal masks were used in sync with someone’s zodiac as a form of personal representation.

Masks have come a long way since their invention. Today masks can be used for protection (as we know all too well in this day and age), as well as to supply oxygen and other drugs during procedures or in life-threatening situations. We see people wear masks on Halloween (counting the days over here!) as well as for social gatherings, such as a masquerade-themed party or on New Year’s Eve. 

So, we’ve talked about metaphorical masks as well as masks in the literal sense. I hope that you were able to take something from this blog. Whether you learned something new that you found interesting or maybe you even learned something about yourself through that personality quiz. Until next month, be easy and stay safe out there my fellow earth wanderers. 

<3 - K

Cryptic Mystic Blog by PsychVVitch @psychvvitch

www.LaMorteXiii.com

[lamortexiii]

Cryptic Mystic: The Psychology of a Serial Killer

There are hundreds of serial killers, both in the fiction and non-fiction world. I don’t have near enough time to cover the story and the psychology of all of them - hell, there is so much information that is relevant, one at a time will suffice. Today we take a look at John Wayne Gacy. Gacy was born in Chicago, Illinois in 1942 to an auto mechanic/WWI veteran and a home-maker. There are some interesting things about his childhood that, from a psychological perspective, most likely played an important role in the way that Gacy developed. Had things in his childhood been different, he could have very well turned out to be a different person. He may not have killed anyone. Unfortunately, his life began down a troubled road early on. He was close with his mother and two sisters, but he had a rocky relationship with his father, as his father was an alcoholic and severely mentally and physically abusive on a regular basis. 

Gacy’s father would often talk down on him, call him names, and whip him with a leather belt in excess. Gacy wanted a relationship with his father more than anything, but unfortunately, he never got to really have much of one. Instead, he lived most of his life never feeling good enough for his father - always feeling the need to try harder and to be better. This feeling manifested a more widespread entity within Gacy, which led to him feeling as though he was never good enough for anyone. Some speculate that his issues with his father perpetuated his obsession with young boys and men. I would have to agree that there was likely something there. People who have serious issues with their parents (male or female) are said to have “mommy issues” or “daddy issues”. The conflicts with the male/female parent iis then projected onto all or most people of that biological sex either during periods in life or, in some cases, for the rest of the individual’s life. To add to this recipe for disaster, Gacy was also regularly molested by a family friend. Gacy reported that he was afraid to tell anyone about being molested due to the fear of his dad blaming him (fear of not being good enough again).

Gacy was well known in his community. Viewing him on the outside, you would have never guessed what was happening inside of his mind. The torment. The torture. His first job at the age of 18 was working as an assistant precinct captain for his local Democratic party. He admittedly reported that he decided to pursue this job because he sought attention and recognition from others - that which he never received from his father. Growing tired of his father’s abuse, he left home and moved to Las Vegas where he began working with an ambulance service. Shortly thereafter, he switched jobs and became a mortuary assistant. It is during this three-month period that Gacy reports having first realized he “may have a problem”. One night when he was alone at the mortuary he said he climbed into the coffin of a dead teen-aged boy and caressed the body as he laid next to it. It seems as though he was seeking affection from the body. Gacy reports he did not realize what he was doing until it was already happening, and upon realizing what he was doing he became scared and felt out of control. He immediately called his mother and asked if he could come back home. It is important to note that as early as age 7, Gacy was said to have sexually fondled a young girl with another young boy. We begin to see some potential disturbances with Gacy pretty early on, but he did not gain self-awareness of this until he was a young adult. It is important to note that the average age that a person starts to exhibit symptoms of a severe mental illness and gain self-awareness of those symptoms is typically in their late teens/early 20’s. Gacy fits this statistic like a glove. This is when things really start to ramp up. When he returned home he got a job at a shoe factory that transferred him to Springfield, Illinois. While there he received a promotion, and shortly thereafter was set to be married to a co-worker of his, Marlynn Myers. Gacy joined the local Jaycees. Things were really starting to look up for Gacy. He was doing well. One night a colleague of his from the Jaycees invited him over for some drinks and then performed oral sex on Gacy. Gacy did not decline.

Gacy and his wife moved to Waterloo, Iowa where Gacy got a job managing his father-in-law’s Kentucky Fried Chicken chains. Marlynn’s parents provided them with a free house. Again, things were looking good. But things aren't what they appeared to be. The damage to Gacy’s psyche had already been done, and things were just beginning to develop. Gacy began running a “club” in his basement, allowing underaged boys that he employed to come over to drink alcohol and play pool. He would make sure they were drunk before he would make sexual advances towards them. He was never reported because if they rejected him, he played it off as a joke or a “test of morals”. In 1966 they had their first daughter. Gacy’s father has finally apologized for his wrongdoings - Gacy had finally gained his father’s approval. He joined the Waterloo Jaycees and again gained notoriety and popularity. In 1967 he sexually assaulted the son of a fellow Jaycee member, Donald Voorhees, who was 15-years-old at the time. He began to sexually assault many teenage boys, some of which he blackmailed. In 1968 Donald told his father about the assault. Gacy was found guilty of sodomy. His wife divorced him. It was at this time that Gacy was given a diagnosis of Antisocial Personality Disorder.

Antisocial Personality Disorder is often mistaken as meaning someone is not social. This is a common misconception. People with APD have difficulty keeping long-term relationships and have complete disregard for others. People with APD often violate the space/rights of others. People with APD may appear to not have a conscience, may have a history of breaking rules or disregarding the law, have substance abuse issues, and typically exhibit aggressive and impulsive behavior. This particular disorder is often developed in childhood, and the individual will present symptomatology between the ages of 8-11. Conduct Disorder is often seen in children who go on to develop APD in adolescence/early adulthood.

Gacy served in prison from 1968-1970 and was then released on parole. He returned to Chicago. Gacy continued to have run-ins with young boys. He was accused of attempted rape on several occasions. He remarried in 1972. In 1975 he came out to his wife as bi-sexual. On Mother’s Day that year, they had sex, and he told his wife this was the last time they would ever have sex. He began bringing young boys home to “hang out” and would leave and come home at odd hours of the day and night. That year Gacy and his second wife divorced upon the fake terms that he engaged in infidelity with another woman. He was working at a PDM company (painting, decorating, and maintenance) and performing as Pogo the clown and Patches the clown as a side hustle around town. During this time Gacy bribed several of his male coworkers for sex. He joined the Moose club and made himself familiar with those in the local political world. Things were (again) looking good.

Gacy’s first murder took place in 1972. From 1972-1978 Gacy murdered 33 boys and young men, burying 26 of them under his own house. There is speculation that he murdered more than 33 people, but this has not been proven. He would lure young boys and men to his house, bribing them with things like money, drugs, or alcohol. Once the person was inebriated, Gacy would put handcuffs on them to “show them a magic trick” from his clown routine. He would then proceed to rape and torture his victims for as long as he liked. After he was done with the torture and rape, his signature murder move was to use a rope tourniquet that he twisted with a hammer to suffocate the victims to death. He reportedly stated “this is the last trick” as he listened to his victims breathe their last breath. Gacy took his own last breath on May 10, 1994, at the Stateville Correctional Center in Crest Hill, Illinois after sitting on death row, where he was given a lethal injection. 

Now, I want to make an important point known. None of this information given is to say that everyone who has a troubled childhood, or even everyone in a similar situation to any of these serial killers, is destined to have issues (or to become a serial killer). There are many factors to consider when talking about mental health in a specific individual. I like to refer to the biopsychosocial model often when talking about several things in the mental health field. The three key factors that affect a person’s development include their biology (how they are born/things they are physically predisposed to), their psychology (how their brain/mind works), and their social environment (how the environment and people around the person affect them). There is no “one size fits all”.

Gacy was a sick man. It is apparent that a combination of his biology, psychology, and social surroundings, and environment combined to create the perfect storm. People often ask if serial killers are born or made. The argument between the two can get hot and heavy very quickly. In my opinion, I think it’s a little bit of both. I don’t think that either side is totally wrong here. Someone may be born with a predisposition for certain behaviors and traits from a biological perspective. A person’s experiences and biological make-up form how they perceive the world, thus affecting their psychology - brain/mind interaction. Their social environment (the things that are out of their control) are also a factor affecting their growth and development. One small change in any of these factors and a person can develop in an entirely different way. Unfortunately for Gacy, he had a lot of different things going on that contributed to his development of APD/psychopathy. Firstly, he was born into an abusive home where he was constantly ridiculed for most of his young life. He was physically and mentally abused on a regular basis at the hands of his father. Second, while we can’t physically look into Gacy’s brain or body to understand his body from a biological viewpoint, he was likely born with certain personality traits which predisposed him to react and develop the way he did after his early childhood experiences. Gacy stated he was bi-sexual, but it is unclear as to what Gacy truly felt inside as to how he identified sexually. In the time Gacy was alive, anything aside from heterosexuality was seen as forbidden or “bad” by a majority of American society. Gacy, being seemingly confused about his sexuality, likely felt guilt and shame for having sexual feelings towards those of the same sex. Tie this in with his father’s constant disapproval; I am sure Gacy felt trapped and completely unable to express himself as an individual. It appeared that he began to try to express himself sexually with boys/young men, but he did so in an awkward way at first - still never seeming to truly feel accepted as a bisexual (or) gay man. Later these confusing and awkward social and sexual experiences turned sadistic and volatile in nature. By this point, his disorder has already begun developing and worsening, as it was untreated. This is when we start to see the abusive nature of his father manifest in his actions. He began to talk down to his victims, as his father talked down to him. In fact, research shows that there is a correlation between victims of abuse abusing others. You would think that people who had been through abuse would want to be better and never treat someone in that way. Again, depending on the person, sometimes the opposite happens… 

What do you think? What are your theories on why Gacy became the person that we know him as today? What other factors do you think were at play? Let me know in the comments or send me a message. I hope that you learned something new. I plan on writing more blogs that unravel the mind of serial killers. If there is a particular serial killer you would like me to cover, let me know. I take blog topic requests!

I wish you all a happy Halloween. Stay weird, stay curious, and stay safe out there.

Cryptic Mystic Blog by PsychVVitch @psychvvitch

www.LaMorteXiii.com

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The HellBilly Pulpit: The Stigma of the Stigma

Saturated

This is a painful, yet necessary entry. It envelops me and I must address the situation.

There is a real issue in this country, or even the world over, about mental health. You can't see it in someone. You can have no idea just how bad someone is suffering. Suffering because they don't have a choice. Their problems are discounted, downplayed, and even ridiculed. But make no mistake. They are very much real to those who live it.

This is a personal account of just this sort of thing.

There was a certain movie that came out in 2019 that had a line that sums up the truth. “The worst part about having a mental illness is that people expect you to act as if you don’t.”

I can not agree with this more.

I am currently going through a situation where this exact scenario is taking place. I know that I am not alone in my struggles. I feel that there are probably many of you out there with a similar story.

This pandemic over the last two years has completely laid to waste many of the daily rituals and habits that I had spent my entire life building just to be able to function as a (semi) normal person on any given day.

I suffer from OCD- Anxiety- Depression- and ADHD. That is one heck of a ride as it is, but toss on the pandemic and it’s a real rollercoaster that is out of my control. My job is not very critical. It’s deemed “essential” because of the relation to the finance market it has. Honestly, that’s just a super vague excuse to keep us going to work at the boss’s wishes. Some of us have been working from our dwellings for two years. The problem with this is that now is the time when the bosses want to start pulling people back into the office a couple of days a week despite the current spike of COVID cases. In doing this they have said, “all safety measures will be implemented”. What a crock.

I expressed my concerns about coming back not only because of this new surge of the newest variant but also because the situation really hasn’t changed any in the last few months from what it was in 2020. My coworkers and my boss know that I have OCD (extreme contamination fears) already with the workplace, but now, as I’m sure some are aware, it’s been kicked up a bunch of notches. My concerns were met with deaf ears. It was like this friend (who happened to be my boss) completely disregarded my concerns in dealing with trying to resume “normal” life. My life never was normal and now it’s even a different version than it was two years ago.

The sum- “get over it, you’re needed here… get here”

It didn’t matter what I said about the situation. Now, in this nightmare cocktail of disorders, I have developed a huge amount of empathy for others, especially if they are having any of the mental struggles that I am having. I spoke up that this is not just for me that I am bringing these things to attention, but for others that don’t have the same platform or comfortability to say for themselves.

The sum- “stop being a baby”.

Long story short… Thankfully I have a great therapist and doctor who knows how deep in the weeds I am with all of this and they have helped me sort out the situation, much to the annoyance of my bosses, so that I can continue to remain a cave dweller for the time being.

My point is this… it’s been said but it’s true and bears repeating. There is a stigma about mental health.

A person can be burning inside with the torment of depression and anxiety and any or all of the little variations or caravan of side issues that accompany any one of them. BUT.. since it is not a physical ailment, it’s perceived that it does not exist. Why? Why is it that to be taken even a little bit seriously, there has to be a physical manifestation of an ailment?

To add to the fact that I am a middle-aged male does nothing but amp up the opinions of others who don’t understand, nor do they want to understand what we go through inside.

For some of us, just the simple act of getting out of bed and putting that first foot on the floor takes ALL of our willpower, and we often sit right back down to attempt to regain it all over again. Or we drag ourselves to the shower only to stand in there and let the water try to distract us and wash away our pain. Knowing that in about an hour, we are going to have to put on our “normal” face and walk into the world carrying that weight on our backs that nobody sees.

There was a joke that I heard a few days ago- The doctor asks the patient if they have had any issues with depression or anxiety recently. The patient says, “doesn’t everybody?” and the doctor said... “No.”. That hit. That was an eye-opening moment. Not everyone knows what that is like. I can’t fathom that.

I have this group of bosses that have known me for years, as I said earlier, and they know that this is me. They know that I’ve been in therapy and medicated for years. And like any other millions of bosses out there in the world, they didn’t care.

It’s a mission of mine to bring as much attention as I can to the stigma surrounding mental health. That I can express how important focus on mental health is.

If you were to break a leg, you'd wear your cast and take your painkillers. Well, when dealing with your mental health, what's broken is your brain, your spirit, your ambition, and your will - the invisible things that people can’t see.

Seek out the help that you need - be it from a professional, family, your best friend, or someone you know who just “gets” you.

Reach out in your prayers, spells, cards, or whatever you use to help guide you. Your spirituality may be a surprising comfort in new ways that you hadn't thought of. I’ve found that I can rest my anxiety with a cleansing shower, letting the water run, cool not cold, over me as I focus my intent and purpose of removing the negativity that has attached itself to me.

I also use meditation to refocus and empty my mind by sitting in a dark room with my favorite ambient music to rest and let my mind float and take me wherever it wants to go. Falling asleep this way is ok as well, I’ve found that’s a great formula for a relaxing nap.

Tarot. This is new to me. I’ve started with a simple shuffle and letting my thoughts go into my cards. Not necessarily asking for a definitive answer, maybe just some insight that I may be missing myself that the cards can lead me to.

I’ve always been interested in the cards, but always as a spectator. I’ve recently met a few people who have some good experience with giving readings to people. I asked one of them a few weeks ago to give me a reading. He lives over in Europe and there’s a good bit of time difference but he is the first to inspire me to get a deck of my own. He did a reading for me, simple pull, nothing fancy and he came up with a certain card in a certain position and it corresponded with my current station in life. That was an eye-opening experience. To have someone do a reading with their cards for ME after all this time of being curious.

My second friend that I’ve turned to for guidance in the cards also did a reading for me. This was maybe 3 or 4 days after the first. This person is stateside and not far from me. I feel this is an important detail. She pulled my cards and one of the cards jumped out of the deck as she started to shuffle. This was the same card that my friend overseas pulled for me as well.

That was it. I’m in.

I bought my first deck. The one in the picture for this blog and I’m ready to start down that path of self-discovery that I’m learning is possible to achieve.

Tarot. Always curious. Never studied. Now I’m ready for the insight that is possible through the cards.

Opening my mind and spirit to the universe, I have found that this has been one of the most refreshing feelings in the world.

I try to live by the idea that the energy that you put out into the universe, will come back to you. Don’t be afraid to look within yourself and use the tools you feel compelled to use and are comfortable with. You’ll be much for the better than allowing the demons to hang out in your mind 24/7.

Always remember that you are not alone.

I promise you.

We are here and we reach out with open arms to be the support that you didn't know you needed.

Take care of yourselves everyone.  

Be cool

I leave you again this month with another poesy. This was inspired by the cards themselves.

Fnip.. fnip.. fnip... Sitting and shuffling Brooding and clenching The flutter of the cards calming my senses What will they show? Maybe they haven’t determined yet Guide me on my path, lead the way Give me insight, security Calm my thoughts Show me what you want to say Ava Satanis HBVV

The HellBilly Pulpit Blog by @hellbillyvvitch @thehellbillypulpit

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The Hellbilly Pulpit: The Hellbilly Poet Commences

`HELL-o all!

I’m @hellbillyvvitch and I’m here to engulf you with my love of poetry and prose. I am however a realist. There are no sunshine and rainbows, nor puppy-dog love to be found in my writing. I cut myself to the bone, bleeding out thoughts and feelings. I will take you to the darkest, loneliest corners of my mind sharing my thoughts and feelings, leaving nothing sacred.

My little corner of the blog “The HellBilly Pulpit” will be about the influences of religion, music, art, mental illness, society at large, and 

what I take away from the world’s treatment of all of these, and how this Appalachian Hellbilly comes to terms.

I started out writing lyrics for some of the trash punk/metal bands that I was in back in my youth and over the years it has become a part of me. A place to release my internal anguish, misery, and frustration. And with the way that 2020/2021 has unfolded, I was given a chance to review who I am and where I truly want to go with my writing future.

What I’ve learned is you will always be evolving. It’s never too late to learn something new. Don’t be afraid to bleed on your page. Be you. Be real. Be honest. Be art.

I hope you enjoy what I have to offer. I hope it entertains and gets you to think about the bigger picture that surrounds you.

I look forward to what comes next. Ava Satanis! Talk to you soon H.B.VV

Make sure to follow the blog for updates: https://lamortexiii.tumblr.com

The Hellbilly Pulpit Blog by @hellbillyvvitch @thehellbillypulpit

www.LaMorteXiii.com Attitude is Everything.

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Shades and Shadows: The Art of Connecting with Deities

As someone who previously held mostly agnostic beliefs, and still does to a certain extent, the idea of connecting with deity is something relatively new to my practice. As I explained in the last post, it wasn’t until I discovered the purpose of ritual that it even began to interest me. I was raised Catholic, so my notion of deity was this absurd man in the clouds who may or may not decide your fate in the afterlife. Praying to the white-bearded man in the sky was essentially pleading with him to fix your life or absolve you of your ungodly sins. It didn’t make sense to me, it definitely didn’t resonate with me, and the older I got the less I wanted anything to do with it. As Jim Jefferies so eloquently stated, “have the magic man, don’t have the magic man, I don’t give a fuck.” I never wrote off the idea entirely, I simply felt as though no one could possibly know one way or the other, but I definitely didn’t want much to do with the deity I was raised to believe in. He certainly seemed to cause more trouble than anything else. After all, it wasn’t the devil drowning the world and plaguing humanity. Since connecting with deities is somewhat new to my practice, it is something I’m still exploring. It’s not a necessity for every witch to include in their practice, and it may even be something I ultimately decide isn’t for me. But while I’m currently exploring it, let’s talk about it… 

There are a number of different reasons a witch may choose to develop a relationship with a deity as a part of their practice. It could be part of the tradition they follow, they may want to honor an innate sense of connection they feel to a particular deity, or it could be that having a working relationship with a deity (or deities) would be of benefit to them in one way or another. There’s really no right or wrong here, and there certainly isn’t anything wrong with a witch that isn’t interested in such or decides it’s just not for them. If it’s something you’re curious about though, it’s something worth investigating. The one thing I will say, especially if you’re new to the craft, is not to feel pressured into making it a part of your practice because it seems like everyone else is doing it.  

So how do you know which deity to connect with? I’ve often heard stories of witches whose deity came to them in a dream, through meditation, or while “hanging out on the astral.” A good place to start, especially if you find the aforementioned ways off-putting or intimidating, is with the deities that are of interest to you. If you’re already following a specific tradition or interested in a particular pantheon, this can help narrow it down. Understanding your personal goal for having a connection with deities can also be of help. I’ll use myself as an example here… It was a few years ago now that I first became interested in the idea of forming a connection with deities. More than anything, I really wanted to know what it was all about. I remember the name Santa Muerte coming up quite a bit, so I decided to look into it. I was able to find a wealth of information on who she was, what she stood for, and how to work with her. At the time, I was also learning cartomancy (which for those who don’t know, it’s basically tarot with playing cards) and I happened to have a tattoo imagery deck of playing cards that made me think of this particular deity. I figured why not use the deck as a way to reach out to her. Having already purchased a Santa Muerte candle and incense, I lit both and sat down with the cards; one question in mind, “would you be willing to work with me?” I will never forget the feeling I got upon seeing the imagery of the cards I pulled. Not only was it a direct answer to my question, but a blatant “yes” at that. I also couldn’t help but feel as though the room had suddenly filled with this loving, almost grandmotherly type of energy (yes, I know we’re getting a bit woo-woo here.) Ultimately, through a number of mistakes over the years, I learned from Santa Muerte what it’s like to have a working relationship as a witch with a particular deity--which, after all, was what I was going for. 

Forming a connection with a deity doesn’t necessarily mean you need to have a working relationship with that deity. As I stated earlier, it could just be a connection you choose to honor. One of the things I want to stress about connecting with deities is that some may come and go, and that’s ok. Some witches maintain a relationship with one particular deity for the rest of their life. However, sometimes we’re called to certain deities because they have something to teach us or are there to help us through something. There are also times when choosing to form a connection with a particular deity actually leads you down the path to a different deity. Again, there’s really no right or wrong here. Connecting with a deity is a deeply personal thing. Two witches working with the same deity can have an entirely different experience from one another. 

With all that being said, I see deities as a means of connecting with the creative energy of the universe through a personified form. The desire for connection to universal creative energies is something inherent in human nature. Where we differ, and rightly so, is how we go about finding and expressing that connection. As an art witch, I generally feel this connection most when I’m painting. Having learned from my working relationship with Santa Muerte, I much prefer to just simply honor the energies I feel connected with while painting--at least for the time being anyway, that could always change again further down the road. The lessons I learned in working with Santa Muerte and how they influenced my practice could be a post on its own. I would love to know in the comments if that’s of interest to anyone. Most importantly, what I want you to take away from this is that building a relationship with deities does not make or break your practice as a witch. Like any other tool, it only enhances your craft if it’s of use to you. Coming from an artist though, you may be surprised at some of the rather unconventional tools we make work for us. If you stay open-minded and curious, you’ll always have an abundance of tools at your disposal.

Shades and Shadows Blog by @thecraftyvvitch @thecraftyvvitch

www.LaMorteXiii.com

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Cryptic Mystic: Intelligence, Perception, & Originality

Intelligence, Perception, & Originality: Blaise Pascal (1670/1961), the great French philosopher and mathematician wrote, “The more intelligence one has, the more people one finds original. Commonplace people see no difference between men.” Does intelligence have anything to do with how much one can see/feel? Why do we hold certain people to higher standards than others? Does originality even exist?? Well, I may not have all of the definitive answers, but I can speculate and provide you with some of the important information that is out there. As I always say, in the end, you decide what you believe. 

We will start with some basic definitions, just so we are all on the same page as to what we are talking about specifically within this month’s Cryptic Mystic blog. I do this because we may all have different ideas as to what something may be; our perceptions may be different. For this blog, I feel definitions are crucial to the reader having a solid understanding of the full content - not because I believe the reader to be stupid (FYI).

We will begin by defining intelligence. Intelligence has been defined in many ways: the capacity for logic, understanding, self-awareness, learning, emotional knowledge, reasoning, planning, creativity, critical thinking, and problem-solving. A more broad definition: intelligence is the ability to perceive and retain information as knowledge to be used towards an individual’s behaviors and how one interacts within a situation or environment. Humans are most often the subjects of intelligence testing, but animals and plants have also been subjected to this research despite some believing animals and plants do not possess intelligence. There is another type of intelligence called artificial intelligence that refers to the intelligence found within computers and other electronic devices and machines. 

Next, let’s look at the definition of perception. Perception (from the Latin perceptio, meaning gathering or receiving) is the organization, identification, and interpretation of sensory information to represent and understand the presented information or environment. Perception begins with a stimulus that triggers our body’s sensory system. This information then travels from the input of where the sensory phenomena took place (e.g. light coming through the eye) to the brain, which processes this information. The way your brain processes this information and the way you react to the stimuli around you is all thanks to perception. 

Lastly, we will define originality. This definition is high up on the debate scale, as many believe true originality does not exist. This is due in part to the lack of boundaries between items/works that are derived from others; things become cyclical. Originality is commonly known as the aspect of created or invented works as being something new. Any reproductions, clones, forgeries, or derivative works would not be considered original (to an extent). Something that is considered original is believed to not be derived or copied from someone else’s work. Originality is unique, fresh, and new. Many famous artists, including Shakespeare, do not claim to be 100% original but to have drawn off the work of their predecessors. The United States did not even begin to harness the concept of originality until the 18th century. 

Now that we’ve got that out of the way, we can get into the beans and cornbread of what this blog is actually about. In knowing these definitions, what do you think about the original questions posited above at the beginning of the blog? How does intelligence shape the way we feel and see the world around us? Why do we hold certain people to higher standards than others (e.g. famous individuals)? Are higher powers at play or are our intelligence, perception, and abilities purely destiny from birth? Does originality even exist? Think about those questions and what you believe at this moment, for your beliefs may change by the end of the blog. Write your beliefs down now if you’d like to engage in this as an activity for yourself.

How does intelligence shape the way that we feel and see the world around us? Our brains are the epicenter of our existence. The intellectual abilities that we are born with do shape our perception of the world around us and ultimately how we live our lives. Now, knowledge can always be acquired, and there are outliers within every scenario, so do keep this in mind - I do not dispute those facts. Our intelligence and cognition help us to learn, form concepts, understand things, apply logic and reasoning, and so many more things. Our intelligence breeds the way we see the world around us, and thus how we form opinions and choose to interact with other people and the environments around us. We are all on different levels of processing and understanding - some more similar than others (those who are similar “click” or “have a connection” while those who are opposite tend to not “click” or have those same connections very often at all). 

Have you ever encountered a situation where you just didn’t understand the way someone was thinking, and it frustrated the hell out of you? I bet it’s safe to say that you have. I know I have - several times throughout my life. This is because you and that individual were operating on different frequencies. You possessed different ways of seeing the world, different ways of understanding, different ways of communicating, different levels of intelligence. All of these things are interconnected. I know when most people think of intelligence, they think of how smart someone is. However, intelligence is far more than that. Intelligence is said to be purely natural - something you are born with. While there are opportunities in life to learn so many things and strengthen your cognitive processes, at the end of the day you are who you are. You can’t learn intelligence - it is something you are born with. However, you can change your brain structure through learning and engaging with others and the environments around you. This is a huge conversation for another blog, but the point is - you can change your brain structure. So, the big question becomes, if you can change your brain structure, can you alter/change your intelligence?...

Why do we hold certain people to higher standards than others (e.g. famous individuals)? Intelligence produces our perception. Part of this perception is how we see others and the world around us. While some famous individuals may have a special talent, other famous individuals don’t have any talents. For every famous person who has a special talent, there are thousands (if not millions) of other individuals around the world who hold the same talent - and some may even have a higher skill set! Why do we put famous people on a pedestal when they are people just like us? They were born with the same abilities as many of us. There isn’t much that makes a famous person any different from you, except the fact that they’re famous - and of course (for most of us) they have A LOT more money than we do. But what does money have to do with anything? Can we then say that is the reason we put so many famous people on a pedestal - is it money? Do you idolize your favorite musician for their actual musical talents or is it something else? What about the person down the street who is equally as talented who gets no attention? I know this answer may look different for all of you, but I want you to think about what your answer would be if we were having this conversation, or if you were having this conversation with someone else. Now, take this example and flip it to something more day-to-day. Why do you put certain family members or friends on a pedestal when compared to others around you? Is it about your relationship with those individuals? Do they do something for you that benefits you? Is there a reciprocal give-and-take relationship to where both parties are benefitted? Is it all about you and that’s how you like it? Can you run over these people and take advantage? Again, your reasoning and answers are going to look drastically different from the next person's because we are all unique individuals, but I want you to think about this as well. The hard truth is that some people do not possess the ability to distinguish realistic differences and similarities between other individuals. Some people believe that famous people are somehow better than the rest of us. Some people possess the ability to pick apart similarities and differences between others, but just don’t care. This kind of ties back into the quote mentioned at the beginning of the blog from Pascal, “The more intelligence one has, the more people one finds original. Commonplace people see no difference between men.” Do you believe this to be true? Why or why not?... What makes a famous person, your best friend, whomever you put on a pedestal and hold to higher standards - what makes this person so special; so different? Your intelligence is playing a much bigger role here than you realize. I understand this may be a lightbulb moment for some of you, and a clusterfuck of thoughts for others - and that's okay. Whatever way you are processing this is fine because it’s part of what makes you who you are - and that’s pretty cool. 

Are higher powers at play or are our intelligence, perception, and abilities purely destiny from birth? Each of us is born with unique attributes and abilities. In psychology, we call these abilities innate (born with) and learned (acquired) abilities. As I mentioned earlier, you do possess the power to change your brain through the use of the neurons within your brain. The neurons that aren’t used often eventually fade away, and the ones that are used a lot will strengthen. You can even regrow certain neurons that you lost long ago or strengthen smaller neurons that may not have been used in a while. So, the ability to change is always there. However, change can look challenging for some and isn’t as easily obtained. For the most part, how we are born and the environment that shapes us as children/adolescents are a big part of what makes us who we are today. Intelligence is a large part of how we perceive the world around us, and our abilities are a large part of how we interact with the world around us. All parts are tied into one giant working system that propels us through life. In short, much of what we possess we are born with and this ultimately guides us through life amidst the continual editing from our environment. As for a higher power, this is something personal for everyone. You may or may not believe that something is aiding you in your journey through life; guiding you as you go. You may believe in nothing. 

Based solely on my personal lived experiences I can say that I believe there is something that aids me throughout my life - what it is, I can’t be sure. However, I do not believe that this was always the case. Until my early mid-twenties, I felt lost and relied heavily on substance abuse and those around me to make my happiness. One day when I was probably at the lowest and most stressful point in my life, I met a powerful, talented, successful, dark, and mysterious man who challenged me to be better. For years I had always had a natural attraction to him when I would see his face, but getting to know him was a completely different scenario altogether. He challenged me to be the strong and powerful woman that I am today. As our relationship grew, he helped me to find my way and see what I needed to do to reach my full potential. I took his words and actions and held them close, that which I have never forgotten. I know it may sound silly, but I can’t help but wonder if some of the power he most blatantly wields still to this day has somehow been transferred to me? But maybe this power was with me all along, and he just aided in bringing it to fruition? I jokingly tell people I made a deal with the devil, but then I think to myself… maybe I did? I have found since meeting him that my entire world has changed. He is no longer a regular part of my life. Nothing bad happened between us at all, and we departed from one another on good terms. Life moved on and years have gone by. But as the years have passed, I noticed that good things would consistently happen to me; like... really good things... all of the time; things that almost seemed magical. It was almost as if those around me were under some sort of spell or mind-control. Everything that has happened to me since has been so random, but so amazing - I can’t even begin to explain the complete turnaround that my life has made. It started with small things (e.g. random free items at events, strangers paying my way, fun opportunities, an influx of compliments every time I’m in public, receiving unexpected money in the mail when I needed it). Now every chance I take ends with success - no matter how big or small. I am not saying this to sound big-headed, it’s the truth and is my reality; my new way of living I suppose. Granted, I have worked hard to get where I am, but damn have I had some sort of phenomenal luck along the way. To be clear, I still experience downtimes and unfortunate events from time to time (that’s just life) but for the most part, I have really good luck… or something else? I don’t know. I have tried to put the pieces together for years, and meeting my dear friend and departing from him seems to be a coincidental timeline. That paired with other things I have discussed in past blogs about myself, and that’s all I’ve got. No valid explanation - just more questions. But, you know me, I’m always seeking the truth and questioning everything anyway... 

Does originality even exist?? This is a tough one and I am not sure that I have the answer. Talk about a hot debate. I could sit and ponder this topic for hours - which I did when I wrote this blog. For this question, I will let you decide. I want to know what you think, so shoot me a message or drop me a comment on Instagram, Twitter, or Tumblr and let me know. I’ll post responses on social media anonymously - maybe we can come to a group consensus?! To conclude this month’s blog, I’ll share my opinion - but it is not certain. I think there is potential for someone to concoct an original idea. However, you have to ponder where these ideas come from. Did the person subconsciously remember something they saw when they were five years old, and that sparked their idea? The person could very well believe that their idea is original, not having consciously remembered the thing they saw from all those years ago. In all actuality, their idea is not original, but a product of something they saw when they were younger. It is hard to say whether our ideas are 100% original or partly made from someone else’s ideas. I believe most “originality” that we see today is a culmination of several generations of thought and invention. So then would that not be considered originality to some extent? Or does originality not exist? Again, I’ll let you decide what you believe. Take care. Until next time... 

<3 - K

Cryptic Mystic Blog by PsychVVitch @psychvvitch

www.LaMorteXiii.com