Noah Kahan
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KIROKAZE
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@thescryguy
Do y'all think that back in the caveman times we had intellectual fascists whining about how people were more morally virtuous when they lived in trees
Tonight on Turning Point Doggerland, Grugg and Ugg say that people in Corded Ware Culture all filthy degenerates. Grugg long for good old days of Funnelbeaker Culture.
I'm thinking about making a jar for Hades but I'm not sure yet what I'll put in it/on it. I'm trying to avoid organic stuff that might mold (cuz I'm keeping it in my room, ya know), so I think dried herbs will be fine(I dont actually have any though😅). I'm also thinking this gold glitter I just bought would be perfect (though one day I'll get to use real gold but I'm fine with waiting). I have some black birthday candles that I'll use somehow, but what else????
I want it to be pretty but also correct (🤔I don't know how to word it any other way... respectful? Idk words). Ugh😩
For now it's a work in progress. All suggestions appreciated.
**Pro Tip**: if you're affraid of mold in your jars, use a dessicant. Those random silica gel packets you get in packaging? They were made to keep things dry -- especially in an air-tight container. I throw them in my jars of dried flowers/petals. As for the Hades bit, I'm sure the idea of mummified _something_ in a jar because of a dessicant, being preserved "forever" would just tickle him pale.
Raymond from Animal Crossing is just a contributor for InfoWars who became a furry
Live tweeting his annoyance that the pandemic is preventing him from holding a book signing
Weekly Reading (4/4)
The Text
"You will need to accomodate" - Book of answers
"But if the soldiers enrolled by you, who have taken the military oath, prefer their allegiance to their own life, parents, country, and all kindred, though you can offer them nothing incorruptible, it would be truly ridiculous if we, who earnestly long for incorruption, should not endure all things in order to obtain what we desire from him who is able to grant it." - First Apology of Justin, The Apostolic Fathers with Justin Martyr and Irenaus
"Nebuchadnezzar then approached the door of the furnace of blazing fire and called: "Sadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, you servants of the most high God -- come out!" So Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego came out of the fire." - Daniel 3:26
The Reading
This week the texts are saying, be both resolute and flexible. Resolute in your identity and core tennants, but not inflexible to the changes that are coming. You've been keeping up a strong front, but soon you'll be given the opportunity to rest and breathe. Don't be so marred -- bearing the brunt of everything as to keep a hold of who you are -- that you'd disbelieve anyone pointing the way out.
A Free Reading
Right Now
What the books say
Don’t ask for any more at this time.
Aquire the contemplative way of seeing how all things change into one another, and constantly attend to it, and exercise yourself about this part of philosophy.
Give it all you got.
What it means
Everyone has virtual jars representing their maximum capacity, each representing facets of their own lives. There's a jar for physical actvity. There's a jar for emotional energy. Work load, stress, anxiety, social interaciton, solitude... a jar for everything.
Between them all, there is a network of dripping tubes; Imagine a giant alchemical network of bottles, jars, and rubber tubes directing a brillinat glowing fluid across shelves, counters, suspended across ceilings, coils across the floor.
Some connections between the jars are pretty straightforward. The social interaction jar connected to the isolation jar, for example. When you're with people, the social interaction jar starts to fill, taking the fluid from the isolation jar.
However, all of these connections are not the same for everyone. Not even all the jars are the same. With the example above, the social interaction jar could also take from the emotional energy jar, or simultaniuously fill the anxiety jar at the same time. It could even be a void jar, warded to never fill.
Any ebb and flow of the fluid, generally, takes or gives from other jars to which their connected.
Be aware of your jars' capacities. In this time, as we all are going through this Pandemic™️, some of us are learning more about how are jars are connected than we did before. Know how much your jars can take, and how much they can give. We want to support each other, we want to be there for each other. Don't stop. Understand, however, there are limits to how much you can give others, and how much you can bear for others. Right now, you may want to put a cap on taking more.
More practically, of course, don't fucking horde supplies either.
This is going to take everyone, and it hard for us all. You'll need to rebalance those jars regularly if you're going to keep going. Especially if you're going to be doing your best with what you have.
Looking Forward
50When Jesus heard it, He answered him, "Don't be afraid. Only believe, and she will be made well."
Have hope -- as much as you can.
Witches Reblog If...
• New, young, or considering witches can ask you questions
• Your blog is free of hate and is a safe learning community (this includes bashing christians/non-pagans)
• No questions (as long as they aren’t creepy) will be laughed at or shamed
• It’s okay to ask you for advice or opinions, even if you are an experienced witch.
• Your blog is inviting and welcoming and is a space for education on the craft.
I will follow you, because tumblr needs more of these witches.
💛 everyone is welcome here! 💛
I love you and accept you. You are welcomed here ❤️
Hecate : Can I offer you a carrot reading?
Persephone : Uh, do you mean tarot?
Hecate *pulling out a bag of baby carrots with runes carved into them* : No
Now I want to pronounce carrot as if it rhymes with tarot.
A Guide to Bibliomancy
What is Bibliomancy?
In short, it's a means of divination using books. The dictionary says:
foretelling the future by interpreting a randomly chosen passage from a book, especially the Bible.
While the wikipedia article would have you believe it's with sacred books, in parituclar, the reality is it's not that important -- it's about the books, not their percieved holiness.
Additionally, I'd go as far to say that bibliomancy isn't about telling the future so much as it is understanding the present. Honestly, I see this as true for a majority of the forms of divination and readings (tarot, pendulums, etc.), as I have found that they are excellent tools in exploring the state of things. This isn't to say that you couldn't discern future events from such methods (bibliomancy included), just that I haven't had much success and I'm much more interested in what lessons/messages I'm missing right now than I am in what will happen more than 48 hours from now. To each their own, I say.
What tools do I need?
In my last post I described three books/texts I use for my craft, but really... that doesn't matter. I cannot stress it enough, any book will work if you have a suitable connection to it.
People use books of poetry, holy texts, Homer or Virgil's works, or even grimoires. So long as you have a kind of relationship with the book, it should yeild you pretty good results.
As for the latter, I have a page in my personal grimoire that I use for bibliomancy purposes filled with selected passages from an old bible from which I've since parted -- I owned that bible since my baptism and it was falling apart, so I went through it and wrote down the verses that I had highlighted/marked up over the years before I retired it from my service. Now I can reference that page and devine from the passages that meant the most to me throughout the years, and them still hold a threaded connection to the original. It's what Hawaiian culture would call mana.
Mana is an essence that all things have. A spiritual energy that can be amplified, transfered, and collected over time. There's even a karmic aspect in that the things you do can add or remove mana from you or the things you touch/manipulate/use. To have mana is not only to have spiritual power, but to have influence and even authority.
I think of this often when I research paganism, witchcraft, wicca and the like, as there are many references about having a bond/relationship with the tool you plan to use for your craft. Blessing, anointing, and charging the tools we use I see as a means to achieve the same net effect: embue and concentrate an object with energies (either from yourself, from nature, or other forces).
What do I do?
There are many ways to go about this. The general formula looks something like this:
Hold the book
Close your eyes
Ask your question
Select a page/locaiton
Gaze upon the selection
Profit?
Step 4 is where everyone has their own "thing", and I encourage you to find your own. My ritual? I concentrate on the feeling the book is giving me as I run my finger or thumb along the pages (book closed). I picture that I'm playing a game of Hot and Cold with the book, where the book is telling me if I'm getting hotter or colder depending on where the my answer is hidden. When I feel it's "hot" enough, I open the book to that page but rarely is that the end. I flip a few pages in either direction, to see what direction it wants me to go. Sometimes I'm still way off and I have to go by whole chapters or sections as thick as I can pinch off. I overshoot. I go back. I keep going until it feels like I'm on the right page. Then I explore with my finger until I feel like the book has told me, "you found it!" And only then do I open my eyes.
But you can get creative with your method, or try out many to see which best fits you. For example you can roll dice to determine chapter/page/paragraph/sentence. Other methods include:
Asking someone else to open the book and point somewhere on the page.
Print out a page that contains a list of all page numbers in your divination book of choice, then drop a pencil onto it to determine which page to read; or spin a top on it to see which number it points at when it stops; or throw a dart...
Using a pendulum (if you're already familiar) to devine what to devine... double divination!
Flip through the pages while humming, "Pop! Goes the Weasle" and whatever page you're at at the end of the tune contains your answer.
Back before binding, people would throw the loose pages and pick whichever page was oriented toward them.
Whichever method you end up choosing, just know the book wants you to find the answer to your question, you just have to listen and be patient enough.
The Bibliomancer’s Go-To Library
Intro
I really only ever use 3 books for my bibliomancy (though, there is a 4th). This is not an exhaustive list of every book you could possibly use for your practice -- literally any book can be used this way -- but rather a list of books I have used with marked success and fulfilment.
The Bible
A popular option -- indeed, it was my first -- the bible was the considered the original source for bibliomancy when the term was first recorded,1 though it has been extended to any sacred text.
Given my traditional Christian upbringing, using the bible for divination work actually came about very naturally. At some point I just started openly asking questions to god (and more generally, the universe) and found reliable results in the readings/divinations that I found. I even did the task for others in my youth group at the time.
Nowadays, I'd recommend a more modern translation for readability; New International Version (NIV), New Living Version (NLV), and Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB) are the ones I'm most familiar with. Of course, this is to say nothing about which is best or which maintains the highest integrity for accuracy, etc. I'm not here to claim which bible conveys the christian doctrine the best -- this is about divination.
I did have a lengthy history with my NIV bible, however, and I really do believe that played a major role in the results.
Meditations - Marcus Aurelius
I've used this text so much in recent history (since the 2000's, really) as it had such an impact on my life.2 It constitutes a diary of personal thoughts with regard to life and on Stoicism. It is one of those texts where you can ask a question about your own identity and have it tell you back,
This you must always bear in mind: what is the nature of the whole, and what is my nature, and how this is related to that, and what kind of part it is of what kind of whole; and there is no one who can hinder you from always doing and saying the things which are in accord with the nature of which you are a part.
Great stuff, I swear.
The Book of Answers - Carol Bolt
This is a great resource. Every page contains a single, dedicated answer. I have a history with this book, too, as I first encountered it in the early 90's at a bookstore but it refused to let me buy it. Every time I went to a bookstore and found it on the shelf, I would ask if it was time to make the purchase. Nearly a decade of asking, it finally said yes -- and it has been the most stubborn, sassy, contrarian source to use for divination ever since.
I keep it around because I like a decenting opinion, as it adds another dimension to the other two that makes it feel... More grounded?
Summary
That's it. I hope it helps. Do let me know if your list is different and what your experiences have been; I'm always down for learning more.
I'll save a history and background for another post. ↩︎
As an asside, if I were to give you a book recommendation, do read it. It's one of those books where you can read it multiple times in a row and find new realizations every time. ↩︎
Reblog if you are Gaymer
Garden Protection Spell
If you keep a garden or even just a few houseplants, use the spell to protect them and to encourage healthy, flourishing growth. This spell can be used for any type of plant, indoor or out.
Visualize your plants in perfect health; picture of the ideal growing conditions. Imagine an invisible protective shell or bubble around the plants that allow are, light, and water to enter But repels anything harmful, such as pests and disease.
Add a quartz crystal to the bed or soil if desired, and as a protective measure. Chant:
Roots grow deep, and branches strong, growing season full and long
Bless this garden and its yield, protected with a magic shield
Let no weather, pests, or blight harm these plants, day or night
*************************************************
Found in Llewellyn’s Witches Spell-a-Day Almanac
Welcome to Build-a-Frog!
Click here to enter
Who knew Hilton was in the hex business...
Suggestions
Okay, so I want to get more into tea spells. I have a vintage metal tea steeper from my granny. I want to charm it with something, but I’m not sure what intent I would like you put into it. Any of you guys have suggestions? It can be anything, from the tea to taste better or to make me feel happier when I drink it. Anything.
I'd consecrate it and leave it at that; especially if you're uncertain about a specific charm/intent. It's going to be a tool in your repertoire, may as well consecrate it and call it good (pun intended).
Here's a simple and straight forward consecration guide I've used on my divination tools.
Happy Ostara Everyone!
Welcome, life! Welcome, light! Welcome, Spring!
This year I celebrated Ostara for the first time, and I’m actually quite happy that I did. I went into my back yard, spoke a blessing, and gave an offering of milk and honey as thanks to the universe for all it has to offer.
I've also got flowers, for the first time in ages, to fill a vase I have sitting by the window; yellow and white, they make me happy.
I burried an egg on which I wrote my intentions for this season/year, atop of which I planted some "heirloom" mustard seeds. I will be absolutely astonished if they germinate, considering how old they are, but it's the correspondance to courage, faith, and endurance which is why I planted them with the egg. The thought of having a magical garden is quite appealing to me -- I had planned on also planting some walking onions, but the bulbs I had been storing over winter have disappeared under mysterious circumstances.
Given tonight is also the full moon (Worm Moon), I also decided to make some moon water by laying out a bottle of water to soak in tonights light. Additionally, I thought I'd cleanse my divination tools under the moon (my bible, my book of answers, and my copy of Epictetus) -- my book of answers especially as... well, that book deserves its own post sometime.
And now I'm making banana bread.
Happy Ostara, all -- Spring is here at last!
Ginger Power Tea
(image not my own)
Result
A warm, refreshing, and relaxing tea that will give you luck, blessings, protection, and some solar influances.
I find it quite easy to follow the recipie if you have a loose-leaf tea infuser with a fine mesh that makes separating the ingredients easy.
Ingredients
Water
Ginger (grated) 1
Cinnamon (stick preferable) 2
2 Cloves 3
Honey 4
Instructions
Bring ~ 8 oz of water to a boil.
Add grated ginger, stick of cinnamon, cloves, and ~1 tsp honey to water.
Bring off heat and let steep for 5 min.
Sift and serve.
1 - Promotes Success. Energy of Fire. Enhances strength and speed of any recipe. 2 - Blessing, comfort, sanctification, and the Sun 3 - Protection, friendship, and luck 4 - Solar magick
A Practical Guide to Herbology
Lesson One: Medicinal Teas
When I was first starting out with herbology, I was living in a small village in Croatia with a total population of less than 100 people. We depended on homemade teas, salves and medicines to heal us since the nearest hospital was two hours away. We treated ourselves with the power of herbs, gifted to us by the Earth.
These days, we can purchase all the tools we need to grow both common and exotic plants. Dried herbs are also another good option, especially for those that cannot grow their own. And with these tools, we can craft our own medicines.
For the first lesson, I’m going to focus on something simple: the art of crafting medicinal tea.
Creating Tea Blends
When starting out with creating medicinal teas, it’s important to understand how each ingredient interacts with our bodies. Be sure that you’re not allergic to any of your herbs and that they won’t interact poorly with any prescribed medications that you’re on. For example, those who are diabetic should not take angelica root; folks who are allergic to ragweed should avoid chamomile.
Here’s a list of common herbs and their functions for the purposes of crafting medicinal teas:
Angelica Root: Soothes colds and flu, reduces phlegm and fever. (Do not use if you are diabetic)
Basil: Eases headaches, indigestion, muscle spasms, insomnia; reduces stress and tension
Blackberry Leaves or Roots: Reduces diarrhea
Catnip: Soothes teething pain, colic, diarrhea, indigestion, anxiety, insomnia. (May cause drowsiness. Avoid if on Lithium or sedatives)
Calendula (marigold): Reduces fevers, soothes indigestion, gastrointestinal cramps, flu; antiseptic. (May cause drowsiness. Avoid if on sedatives)
Cayenne Pepper: Soothes coughs, colds, arthritis (topical), nerve pain, fever, flu; expectorant. (Avoid taking with medications that contain Theophylline).
Chamomile: Reduces insomnia, anxiety, stress, fever, indigestion; aids with sleep and pain relief. (May decrease effectiveness of birth control pills and some cancer medications, may increase the effects of warfarin; avoid if you are taking medications for your liver)
Cinnamon Bark: Soothes sore throats and coughs; anti-inflammatory (Avoid taking with diabetes medications)
Dandelion Root: Detoxifying, aids digestion, relieves constipation, laxative. (Avoid if on antibiotics, lithium or water pills)
Dandelion Leaf: Mild diuretic, potassium-rich (Avoid if on medication for liver)
Elderberries: Wards off colds and flu
Ginger: Eases morning sickness, nausea, colic, indigestion, diarrhea, fever, sore throats. (Avoid taking with medications that slow blood clotting)
Ginkgo: Relieves anxiety, vertigo, tinnitus; improves circulation, helps concentration; helps PMS. (Avoid taking with ibuprofen or with medications that slow blood clotting; numerous medications have interactions with ginkgo so speak to your specialist before use)
Ginseng: Aphrodisiac, mild stimulant, boosts immune system. (Do not take with medications that slow blood clotting, and avoid taking with diabetes medications or with MAO inhibitors)
Goldenrod: Relieves gout and cramps
Lavender: Reduces anxiety, headaches, tension, stress, indigestion, IBS; antibacterial; antiseptic; disinfectant (May cause drowsiness; avoid if on sedatives)
Lemon balm: Relieves anxiety, cold sores, colic, insomnia, restlessness, indigestion; boosts memory (May cause drowsiness, avoid taking with sedatives)
Nettle: Reduces hay fever and arthritis; diuretic. (Avoid taking with diabetes medications, medications for high BP, sedatives, medications that slow blood clotting, and lithium)
Peppermint: Relieves nausea, anxiety, indigestion, IBS, colic, diarrhea, fever, coughs, colds; anesthetic (Avoid if you have acid-reflux disease; avoid taking with cyclosporine; avoid if on liver medications)
Pine Needles: Expectorant; antiseptic; relieves coughs, colds, fever and congestion
Rosemary: Improves focus, memory, concentration, BP, circulation; antiseptic; antidepressant; eases indigestion
Thyme: Antibacterial, antiseptic, eases coughs and colds, expectorant (Do not take with medications that slow blood clotting)
Recipes
For those starting out, here are a few recipes for common ailments. As you start making your own teas, you’ll learn which blends of herbs work best for your body. Keep track of which ingredients and combinations are successful - with each steep, you get closer and closer to crafting your perfect personalized medicine cabinet.
Anxiety Relief - ½ tsp chamomile - ½ tsp lemon balm Cold Relief - ½ tsp elderberry flower - ½ tsp thyme Mood Booster - ½ tsp lavender - ½ tsp catnip - ½ tsp rosemary Cramp Relief - ½ tsp basil - ½ tsp calendula (marigold) - ½ tsp goldenrod Indigestion Relief - ½ tsp ginger - ½ tsp lemon balm - ½ tsp peppermint Expectorant - ½ tsp pine needles - ½ tsp nettle leaf - ½ tsp angelica root Insomnia - ½ tsp chamomile - ½ tsp catnip - ½ tsp lavender Sore Throat Relief - ½ tsp cinnamon (or half a stick) - ½ tsp ginger - 1 tbsp honey Fever Break - ¼ tsp cayenne pepper - ½ tsp angelica root Flu Relief - ½ tsp calendula (marigold) - ½ tsp lemon balm
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Photographs are under the Creative Commons License. Content is from my grimoire and is embedded with information from a variety of sources over the years.
Updated 7 March 2018 with relevant warnings and to be consistent with other posts in this series.
Warnings: All plant material should be sourced appropriately and responsibly for your own safety and well-being. Be certain that you are purchasing food-grade ingredients from a reliable retailer or supplier. Along these lines, not all dried herbs are meant for consumption so please be on the lookout for “external use only” labels - you do not want those products for this.
Do your own research regarding medicinal plants and usage, especially if you are sensitive or have allergies of any kind. If you are on medication(s), consult a doctor before use.
Finally, medicinal teas are a health supplement and not a substitution for professional medical and psychiatric aid. If you are experiencing any prolonged health and/or mental health issues, SEE A DOCTOR.
