#sorgae

[sova-witch]

I tried out the Deity spread today.

I used the Book of Shadows Tarot: As Above variant.

1. Four of Earth (Pentacles)

Represents the Deity.

The book talks about stones and crystals being pieces of the Earth Herself, waiting for us to discover them and the energy She's stored within when we need them. I have tried in the past to connect to Earth Element via stone and crystal divination. The book says "This is a time to store, to save, to conserve. There will come a time when all that you've saved will come in handy." This brings up thoughts of a Gaia-type Earth Mother, or the Mother Bear Priestess from Sorgae. She's one of the Gods that's "claimed" me, as I was assigned to Her Direction and Element. When I was younger, in meditations I was often enveloped by a massive bear. I called Her Grandmother Bear then, and figured She was my own representation of Gaia, but She may well have been the Sorgae Goddess. So I suppose it could be Her. Hopefully the spread reveals more information.

2. XIX Litha

The Deity's personality traits.

Ok yeah. Litha is the name some Pagans use for the Summer Solstice. In Sorgae it's called Ardunahk, and Mother Bear Priestess claimed it as Hers. In this deck it's the equivalent of the Sun card. I'm going to disregard the actual meaning and take this as the confirmation. So it seems She is wanting to communicate at this time.

3. Five of Earth

The Deity's sphere of influence.

Like no shit. Go not to the cards for they will say "duh." "The situation started much earlier than you may think." What did I literally just say about Grandmother Bear being with me since I was young. It also talks about patience and consistency, basically staying the course and maintaining momentum to achieve goals. And She can give me the strength to keep going.

4. Three of Earth

Current relationship with Deity.

Normally I would start to think that the deck wasn't shuffled properly, but I checked it before I started and shuffled it more than it already had been. This card talks about teamwork and not going it alone. Which still makes sense, Mother Bear Priestess has always been adamant that we need more Witches. This feels like our relationship is at a point where She's trying to call me home, and maybe I need to be more insistent about starting to work with my Initiators again.

5. Two of Earth

How Deity had manifested to me in the past.

So maybe lack of decent shuffling is an appropriate pathway in this case. I'm not going to worry too much unless it stops making sense. The meaning in the book talks about balance, and the card in the spread is addressing the past. I'm brought to thoughts of how, when I was young, a lot of my spiritual experiences were very centered on the Horned God. He was the one who came to me most in meditation for a long time. It's important to note that He's a God of Death and a psychopomp. Whereas an Earth Goddess is one of life. Her appearance to me created a polarity. Also, Earth representing the physical and Water the boundary to the Spiritual. So Life and Death are not opposites on a spectrum, but adjacent spokes on a wheel. And West is another Direction I was placed in according to the Sorgae Gods, and that's where that pantheon's Horned God is placed.

6. Two of Water (Cups)

Deity's current influence in daily life.

I can extrapolate a bit. She's been insistent not only that there be more Witches, but specifically that there be more babies born into Witchcraft. She wasn't much concerned that the parents be in relationships though, just that babies happen. So I can stretch this to say all that. Or I can just accept that Her love is ever-present, and this card is just a way to convey that; Her love is why She wants more babies/Witches, because She loves us. And, more personal stuff, Water and the Horned God, right? In meditations He would *ahem* lay with me, years before I ever had a physical partner, and this card is in the suit of Water. I wondered at the beginning of this reading if the Earth suit could also represent the Horned God, since in Wicca He is also the God of nature and beasts and wild places. He's also at His highest power at Midsummer/Litha. So I'm starting to think this is about Them both, whether Sorgae or Wicca. [Added after the fact, if I take this now as representing the Gods of Wicca, this is rather obvious.]

7. Four of Fire (Wands)

Why I should work with Deity.

Yeah ok. Because I am passionate and I "want it." My HPS has described me as a zealot, a "true believer." When I accepted Initiaiton and took my Oaths, I was told that I spoke them loudly and clearly and with more investment and surety than most others that my Initiators had witnessed. Most other people they'd Initiated had sounded "small" or quiet. I'd known I wanted it, I had messages and experiences that confirmed this is where I should be. And my desire to teach and pass it on stays with me regardless of my ability to do so. Also, in Sorgae South/Fire is the place of Witches, I consider Scorpio (my Sun Sign) to be the Fire aspect of the Water signs, and my Rising Sign is Aries, a Fire Sign.

8. Elemental (Page) of Earth

What the Deity wants from me.

Prosperity, abundance, manifestation. Basically don't give up and make it happen.

9. Two of Air (Swords)

10. Nine of Earth

How I can best honor Deity.

The card indicates that I have the necessary information to make a decision, and that I should make it and be clear and decisive. I have several situations in mind that this could refer to. I'll finish the reading and come back to it.

How I can improve my relationship with Deity.

Satisfaction, there is enough of everything. The best course is to do nothing. Instead of contradicting the last card, I'm taking this as reinforcing it. I have what I need.

11. XVIII Samhain

What's important for me to know about working with Deity.

In this deck this is the equivalent of the Moon. That pokes me bc the Goddess of Wicca is publicly described as a Moon Goddess. Samhain also occurs in my Sun Sign, and is often a time to honor the Horned God. Looking more at what the book says, "Strong spiritual connections, communications between realms." Yep ok got it.

This last card is nudging me towards one possibility from the decision-making card (Two of Air). I'm going to pull an extra and see if that gives me more of a nudge.

I did two because Crone of Earth didn't give me much (lays the Earth to rest for regeneration, Winter dormancy, there is time for everything in life including death). But the Summerlands, being equivalent to the Fool and the first steps of a journey, and representative of the afterlife, ok, yeah, my nudge seems right. Gardnerian Wicca is a three-degree system. I am currently a 2nd Degree. I'm seeing I need to take the leap and commit to taking my 3rd Degree. (Also, the Crone of Earth representing Winter, now does connect back to the Samhain card, because that Sabbat is considered the (at least symbolic) beginning of Winter.)

Six of Air

What it's not (a position and pull from my personal practice in readings, bottom of the deck)

This card represents Familiars. When I was approaching Initiation, I had a meditation experience with the Welsh Goddess Blodeuwedd, about Whom I knew almost nothing at the time. She pushed me underground and chanted at me, "Out of the Earth, climb to your birth." In Her story, she becomes an owl, which is part of how Barn Owl came to be important to me. So I see this card as saying it isn't that. It's not that situation again. It's not the Owl energies this time. The person on the card has some physical similarities to me also.

[satyazomasorga]

Roots of Your Craft 30-Day Challenge - Day 27

27. Do you have an affinity with an animal or type of animal? What does it mean to you? If you don’t, but had to have one, what do you think it would be?

Several:

Barn owl - I’ve had one come to me in meditations and rituals, starting at a critical point in my spiritual journey. He’s told me his name is Prometheus, which has lead to a lot of incoherent and inconclusive thinks. But, Barn Owl also represents Bloudeuwedd, one of my patron Goddesses, Who also came to me at that critical juncture.

Corvids (crows, ravens, magpies, jays) - Because of the Morrigan. She was behind strength and aid given to me during a health crisis that could have easily been deadly. She is another patron.

Lions - They represent a Sun God to me, and also Lugh, another source of spiritual thinks and ponderances for me personally.

Unicorns - They have fascinated and enchanted me since I was young. “The Last Unicorn” was one of my favorite movies, and images of them always catch my attention. It makes me smile to know also that they are the national animal of Scotland, where some of my ancestors are from.

Stags/harts/other similar antlered animals - For the Horned God, in the many guises He wears. It’s because of His presence in my life, and that of the Sun God, that I consider myself not entirely cis but also partially deogirl. These animals are also important to my Familar/spirit companion.

Scorpions - My sun sign is Scorpio. Some people find them creepy or threatening but I think they’re beautiful, especially Emperor scorpions. I could watch them crawl around all day.

Pigs - I love pigs. I have for a long time. Until I found out that every breed of minature pig was only minature because they’re systematically starved their entire lives, I wanted one as a pet some day. I still think pigs are adorable wonderful creatures. It’s only been recently that this made any kind of spiritual sense to me; I’ve started feeling Called by Freyja (and possibly Her brother Freyr as well), and pigs are sacred to Her (Them).

[sova-witch]

I've noticed that I have ties/draws to birds, without really thinking of them as birds.

Barn Owl has been with me a long time, and ties me to Blodeuwedd

Corvids are significant to the Morrigan

Nicnevin is associated with geese (I lean specifically towards Barnacle and/or Brant geese)

Freyja has a cloak of falcon feathers that allow the wearer to fly

It's a significant thing though. Birds are most often associated with Air, for pretty obvious reasons. All four of these Goddesses have ties to the Other-/Underworld. Air is East, the Underworld is West. Travel and Communication are East, but crossing over and contacting that other plane are West. I'm a Scorpio Sun, a Water sign, and that plus my Sorgae Directions make me Westerly. But these animals cross the Circle and draw me East. Or rather, their dual associations create that connection of opposing and complementary energies. I'm also an Aquarius Rising, which is an Air sign; one's Sun is their core, their true self, and their Rising is their public self, what they show outwardly. Water is my core, but Air is the face I show.

The East-West axis is a significant one in Sorgae 'Craft, something I'll go into later. But I think it's the birds' West connection that makes my brain categorize them as "not-birds." They are vessels for messages from the Spirit realm in my mind.

[sova-witch]

🕯🔮Sova, Witch🔮🕯

🌑🌒🌓🌔🌕🌖🌗🌘🌑

TL;DR - Gard Wiccan. Over 40. Follows/likes from @sovaghoul. Owner/author of @essence-of-wicca and @sova-tarot. Also involved in Sorgae, a different form of Religious Witchcraft.

TERFS, SWERFS, RADFEMS, QUEERPHOBES, RACISTS, AND ALL OTHER BIGOTS ARE NOT WELCOME IN MY WITCHCRAFT.

🌕🌖🌗🌘🌑🌒🌓🌔🌕

~About Me~

🔮 I am an Initiated Wiccan (2nd Degree Gardnerian), and an hereditary Witch. I was taught Wicca from a young age (mid-1980s) by my parents, and actively pursued Initiation beginning at about 16 (I’m now over 40). As such, honestly, I haven’t read extensively on Wicca, as I already had what I considered to be more than the basics. However, I do have a few recommendations that I will be sharing. For general info about Wicca written by me, please see @essence-of-wicca .

🔮 I also have a hand in developing another form of Religious Witchcraft, called Sorgae. It has grown out of strict adherence to Traditional Gardnerian Wicca, but is decidedly Not That. It is my plan to share about that path on this blog as well.

🔮 Many of the initial posts here will be reblogs from my main blog, @sovaghoul , including my Wicca 101 series and the first few Sorgae-related posts I made there. But to begin, here's a bit more about me and my personal spirituality:

🔮 I have spiritual ties to several animals/species and their spiritual influences. To use a non-appropriative term, I am Other-Hearted to them. They are Barn Owl, Corvids, Lion, Cervids, Porcines, Scorpion, and Unicorn.

🔮 Specific Goddesses have made Themselves known to be my patron/tutelary Deities; in specific, The Morrigan and Blodeuwedd. I feel a draw to Freyja and Nicnevin as well.

🔮 In Sorgae 'Craft, practitioners are often assigned Directions by the Gods. This has happened to me, and my Directions are West, Northwest, and North, that arch of the Circle. The relevant influences for me are then:

Emotion. Daring. Autumn. Death. Endings. Creativity. Inspiration. Water. The Muse and the Dread Horned Lord.

The physical acts of Magick. Creating form from function. The Crossroads. Mystery. Clay. The Witch and the Manifestation.

Silence. Communion with the Divine. Completion. Justice. Gateway to understanding. Past and present, day and night; the still point between. Winter. Earth. The Mother Bear Priestess and the Guardian at the Gateway.

I have also been asked to keep the Light-Bringer in the Southeast close to my heart. If I were to stand in my arch and face inwards, I would be looking towards Him.

~Frequent Tags~

#wicca - Posts pertaining to Wicca in specific

#sorgae - Posts pertaining to Sorgae 'Craft

#personal - Posts about my personal spirituality

Discussion Topics Masterlist

Header image cropped from Three of Air from the Dreams of Gaia Tarot by Ravynne Phelan

[sova-witch]

Someone pls ask me Witchy questions? Eben if I've explained it over at @essence-of-wicca I will happily answer it. Wicca or Sorgae asks welcome. Anon is on here are @sova-witch in case you're shy.

[sova-witch]

Death is another often misunderstood card, especially to those unfamiliar with Tarot. It will rarely mean or foretell physical death. More often, it signifies change, moving on, the metaphoric death of an idea or worldview. It conveys the concept that change and culling is necessary for growth and advancement.

Still, though, we had to place our West God on this card, as He is in fact Lord Death. As the Dread Horned Lord, He is dentified with swords, magick, and the Underworld. He is the Lord of Shadows, the Horned Lord of Death, and the Hounds (the Keriosak, the Beings of Daring in the West) belong to Him. His placement in the West aligns Him with Water, and therefore Emotion and Daring. He is leader on the Wild Hunt. However, looking closely at this scene, we see the wheat behind Him is brown and dry, but the shorn stems left behind by His scythe are green and still growing. He has cut away what was no longer needed to make way for the new. Such is the message of this card, that we have renamed The Reaping.

[satyazomasorga]

Fruits of Your Craft 30-Day Challenge: Day 7 7. Have you explored other magical traditions alongside witchcraft? Do these influence your practices? I think my definition of Witchcraft is too broad. I'm not sure what is meant by "other magical traditions" here. Hmm... Well, I've done some cursory research into Kaballah, Shamanistic practices, Demonology/Goetia, Ceremonial Magic, Thelema, Alchemy, LaVeyan Satanism...if those don't count under the Witchcraft umbrella. I like seeing the common threads that run through all these disciplines. Sorgae 'Craft has its roots in Gardnerian Wicca. But the more we learn and discover and develop it, we see bits in common with several other types of Witchcraft; Traditional (i.e., pre-Gardner), Feri, Luciferian, Hedgewitchery, Pop-Occulture, Alchemy, as well as containing elements similar to aspects of Shamanic practices. I want to stress, though, that while there are parts in common with these other paths, with Wicca being the exception, we haven't purposely drawn inspiration from them. We have simply noticed that there are commonalities.

[satyazomasorga]

Almost missed today... Fruits of Your Craft 30-Day Challenge: Day 14 14. Is there any aspect of the Craft that you considered but ultimately didn’t pursue? Why or why not? The first pantheon I ever felt a pull towards was Greek, though I never explored Hellenismos in any detail. However, several Sorgae Deities have agreed to be Called by Greek names. They tell us They were known to that culture, so those names are acceptable for our purposes.