birchcraft

[birchcraft]

Harvest Goddess day 6

[birchcraft]

What it's like being a child of Veles ✨🌾🌿🐻

(Ft. My tik tok account)

https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZTdKbyYuv/?k=1

[birchcraft]

Correspondences for Death (Necrobotany)

FLOWERS

Dandelions, ideal for connecting with certain spirits

Roses, to show your love for the deceased

Calendula, for blessings and love

Marigolds, perfect for ancestral worship

Lilies, for a sense of security and togetherness, ideal for deceased children

Orchids, for balanced emotions and adoration, ideal for deceased lovers

Daisies, also ideal for deceased lovers and lost family members

Tulips, to spread happiness

Carnations, a common funeral flower, especially in France. Used in The Netherlands to remember fallen veterans specifically

Heather, said to conjure ghosts and open portals between worlds. Can be used to heal deceased warriors, as it��s said to only grow where no blood has been shed. Heather also marks the resting places of fairies

Holly, often planted in graveyards to protect both the dead and mourners

Hyacinth, helps souls cross over the veil after death

Bluebell, used to comfort those who are mourning

Cowslip, associated with death and rebirth

HERBS

Lavender, for peace in passing on. Used to heal the dead, aid with divination and dreams, and protect the home. 

Thyme, to give peace to those who died in violence. Use to contact both the dead and fairies

Rosemary, for remembrance

Chervil, often used in rituals for the dead

Mugwort, usually used to aid in divination and communication with the dead

Bay, usually used to aid in divination and communication with the dead

Lemon Balm, for peace and healing

Wormwood, to strengthen communication with the dead, as well as for healing and revenge

Basil, used in purification and cleansing rituals, a common symbol of sorrow in Ancient Greece. Use to aid in divination, hedgecrossing and spirit communication

Cinnamon, can amplify divination magic, and was used in the Ancient Egyptian mummification process. It’s commonly associated with spirit and deity work

Dittany of Crete, burned to manifest spirits, also valued as a symbol of love and healing

Fennel, a protective and purifying herb used to prevent spirits from entering your home

Juniper, guards against ghosts and illness, used in healing and purification spells. Juniper berries make good offerings for the dead

Mint, a popular funerary herb in Ancient Greece, also used for healing and protection during travel

Mugwort, used in spirit work

Mullein, can help one see spirits of the dead and the afterlife

Oregano, it was believed that growing oregano on graves ensured the dead were happy

Parsley, has a strong association with the dead, also has protective qualities

St John’s Wort, used in spirit work and divination

Marsh mallow (Althea), associated with death and rebirth, marsh mallow can be used in departing rituals and to honor those who have passed

Foxglove, used for contacting the dead and underworld deities

TREES

Cypress, heavily associated with death and spirits, as well as being sacred to Hades and Persephone. Makes a good offering for the dead

Hawthorn, associated with death, and serves to drive away unfriendly spirits. Was also said to be a portal to the Otherworld and is sacred to fairies, so don’t mess with it

Hickory, associated with mourning and death

Poplar, is sacred to both Zeus and Hades, and represents death and rebirth. Often used for Samhain, ancestral rites, funerals and ceremonies involving the underworld

Willow, a common symbol of death, even being a popular ornament on gravestones. Sacred to both Hades and Hecate, as well as being associated with ghosts and spirits

Yew, represents death and rebirth, and is sacred to Hecate. Runes, Ogham sticks and Ouija boards are commonly made from Yew wood

Elder, used in death rituals and funerals

FRUITS

Apples, a common Irish symbol for the dead

Pomegranates, to represent various Death and Underworld Deities

INCENSE

Myrrh, commonly used in death magic to give off good energy

Frankincense, a traditional incense to offer the dead

Dragon’s Blood, burned to aid in spirit work and protection

Sandalwood, burned to support spirit work, protect a space and consecrate tools

Wormwood, develops psychic powers, carried to provide protection, and hung to ward off malicious spirits

LIQUIDS

Water, a traditional offering for the dead, often left out for passing spirits

Wine or other alcohol

Juice, namely pomegranate or beet

Oils, such as olive oil, pomegranate oil, coconut oil, almond oil, etc. 

OTHER

Coins

Grains, especially brown bread

Darkly-colored or Earthy-tone Candles

Foggy Weather

Marsh Water

Snow, especially snow collected from graveyards

Cleaning up graveyards

Songs and Music

Anything personal to the person you’re giving an offering to

DEATH DEITIES

Anubis, Egyptian God of Death, Mummification and the Afterlife

Arawn, Celtic ruler of the Otherworld, Leader of the wild hunt, and God of Death and The Underworld

Baba Yaga, Slavic Goddess of Death and Rebirth

Cernunnos, Celtic God of the Wild as well as Liminality and the transition to the afterlife

Cerridwen, Welsh Goddess of the Moon, Rebirth, Transformation, Death, The Underworld and Magic

Ereshkigal, Mesopotamian Goddess of Death and the Underworld

Hades, Greek God of the Underworld

Hel, Norse Goddess of the Underworld and Death

Morana, Slavic Goddess of Winter and Death

Odin, Norse God of Wisdom, War, Poetry and Death

Osiris, Egyptian God of the Underworld, Death and Resurrection, Fertility and Agriculture

Oya, Yoruba Orisha of Weather, Death and Rebirth, Patron of the Niger river and a Psychopomp

Persephone, Greek Goddess of the Underworld

Santa Muerte, Mexican folk goddess of the Afterlife, Healing and Protection

Thanatos, Greek personification of Death

The Morrigan, Celtic Goddess of War, Magic, Death and Rebirth, Sovereignty and Fate

Veles, Slavic God of The Underworld, Earth, Water, Music, Magic, Trickery, Cattle and Wealth

WHAT TO DO WITH OFFERINGS

Write a message on an herb or flower and burn it to “send” the offering

Leave coins, flowers and herbs on the grave

Pour liquid into the ground, or leave them out in a bowl (make sure it won’t harm the local wildlife)

Leave them out as “standing offerings” for any dead who pass by

[birchcraft]

The Eldest Messenger - by Piotr Kozioł

[birchcraft]

I HIGHLY recommend this book for spirit workers or anyone interested in spirit work!

Here's a few things that the author goes over

Working with local spirits (water spirits, spirits of trees, etc)

Methods of talking to spirits

Spiritual dreams

Manifestation

Prayers and spells

Respecting spirits while also maintaining authority over them

Those are just some of the things I read so far, and I'm only halfway through!

[birchcraft]

Slavic resources in english: my collection of academic resources for beginners on the subject of slavic folklore, paganism and witchcraft

Is Slavic paganism closed? - my thoughts

Slavic offerings

My translation: Veles

My translation: Yarilo

My translation: Mokosh

Mokosh: offerings and devotions

Quotes: Perun and Veles as Saints

Quotes: Prophet Elijah and Saint Nicholas, a folktale

Quotes: Sources for Rod and Rozhanitsy

Quotes: Kupala, Kostroma, Yarilo and Mara - seasonal rituals of the Slavs

Quotes: Russian domovoi lore

Slavic creation myths

What’s a zagovor and how it’s built.

Key tags: #slavic paganism #magia Slavorum #slavic folk #slavic art  #asks

My asks are open but please keep in mind that I did not receive academic education in the field of Slavic studies. Any answers I might provide will be based on my experiences as a Polish person and Slavic pagan as well as my own unsystematized research.

Slavic paganism is an open path, however please approach it respectfully by educating yourself on Slavic culture and making an effort to not propagate already rampant misinformation any further.

Lastly I’d like to disclaim that as helpful as the words “Slavs” and “Slavic” can be at the beginning of your research it is of paramount importance to remember that the “Slavs” were never a unified ethnocultural group or civilization. 

[birchcraft]

What's really in that witch's cauldron?

Folk names for herbs

Ass' Ear- Comfrey

Bat's Wing- Holly Leaves

Beard Of Monk- Chicory

Bear's Foot- Lady's Mantle

Bird's Eye- Germander or Speedwell

Blind Eyes- Poppy

Blood From a Head- Lupine

Blood Of Ares- Purslane

Blood Of Hestia- Chamomile

Bloody Fingers- Foxglove

Calf's Snout- Snapdragon

Cat's Foot- Ground Ivy

Crow's Foot- Wood Anemone

Devil's Ear- Jack In The Pulpit

Devil's Plaything- Yarrow

Dew Of the Sea- Rosemary

Dog's Mouth- Snapdragon

Dragon's Teeth- Vervain

Elf Leaf- Lavender

Englishman's Foot- Common Plantain

Fairy Eggs- Nutmeg

Flower Of Death- Vinca

Goose Tongue- Lemon Balm

Graveyard Dust- Mullein

Hawk's Heart- Wormwood

Juno's Tears- Vervain

Jupiter's Beard- Sempervivums

Lion's Foot- Lady's Mantle

Little Faces- Viola

Man's Bile- Turnip Sap

Mortification Root- Rose of Sharyn

Nose Of Turtle- Turtlehead, Chelone

Nosebleed- Yarrow

Our Lady's Tears- Lily Of The Valley

Old Man's Flannel- Mullein

Ram's Head- Valerian

Scale Of Dragon- Tarragon

Semen Of Ares- White Clover

Semen Of Hermes- Dill

Serpent's Tongue- Dog's Tooth Violet

Sparrow's Tongue- Knotweed

Tree Of Doom- Elder

Unicorn Root- Boneset

Weasel Snout- Yellow Archangel

Wool Of Bat- Moss

Body Parts as Plants:

Eye- Blossom or Seed

Heart- Bud or Seed

Beak, Bill or Nose- Seed, Bud or Bloom

Tongue or Teeth- Petal or Leaf

Head- Blossom

Tail- Stem

Hair- Dried Herbs or Stringy Parts Of Herbs

Privates, Genitals Or Semen- Seeds Or Sap

Blood- Sap

Guts- Roots or Stalk

Paw, Foot, Leg, Wing or Toe- Leaves

Animals as Plants:

Toad- Sage

Cat- Catmint

Dog- Grasses, Specifically Couchgrass

Frog- Cinquefoil

Eagle- Wild Garlic

Blue Jay- Laurel

Hawk- Hawkweed

Lamb-Wild Lettuce

Nightengale- Hops

Rat- Valerian

Weasel- Rue

Woodpecker- Peony

I borrowed this from:

[birchcraft]

[birchcraft]

i really wish more witches and practitioners talked about the different types of energy and how you can use them. yeah sure theres the basic elemental energies and everyone knows about using “light” and “imagine a ball of light” and whatnot. but did you know you can use shadows? did you know you could use atoms specifically? did you know you could use colors? the void? the universe? stars? were you know that anything that has energy, can be used in energy work?? because when i was a novice, i didn’t. and it made me sad/disconnected because the whole “imagine a white light protecting you” didn’t resonate with me well. but what did was the abundant scale of color, and usage of shadows and darkness.

[birchcraft]

Things to add to your baneful workings that really give them a nice kick ✨

Rusty nails

Anything insanely spicy

Dead bugs

Bodily fluids (specifically ones that aren't so good-smelling)

Poisonous plants (handle with care)

Taglocks

Poppyseed (creates confusion)

Broken glass

Handle all of these things with care and make sure to wash your hands afterward as well as cleanse your space AFTER you've done a baneful working!

You do not HAVE to cleanse beforehand, in fact I don't recommend it because it gets rid of all the negative energy you would need for that baneful magick. However, if you do or did that's alright, everyone practices in different ways and I'm just writing here what has worked for me!

[birchcraft]

Korochun/Kolyada - Dec 20-21

In Slavic paganism, we have a day called Korochun (also called Kolyada to my knowledge). This is a day of remembrance to your ancestors. Many people who celebrate Korochun will hold a family meal, pray in remembrance of the deceased, and give offerings such as vodka or wine. These are mainly common among Eastern Slavs. 

However the Southern Slavs will usually decorate and burn a badnjak. This is similar to the burning of a yule log in the holiday of Yule, except that the log in Slavic paganism would often be symbolic of the house’s domovoi (a house spirit that the Slavs believe). 

I will celebrate this year mainly by giving my ancestors a hearty meal offering and some vodka as I light candles on my altar. I will also likely give my domovoi milk and/or bread as a thanks for their protection throughout the winter. 

Keep in mind, these practices can differ from person to person! Not everyone will celebrate the same way, and these are just suggestions to how you celebrate and what I researched. 

Sources:

https://www.reddit.com/r/Rodnovery/

https://www.livescience.com/25753-winter-solstice-celebrations.html

https://solntsaroshcha.wordpress.com/

[birchcraft]

Warding Methods

General wards

Sigils

Moon water

Run water

Rain water

Holy water

Grave dirt

Salt

Crystals

Burning protective herbs

Growing protective herbs

Oils

PSI balls(around what needs protecting)

Spell jars

Personal Wards

Enchanted jewelry 

Pendants

Most glamor magick

Witches bottles

Poppets

Herb satchels

Spatial wards

Circles

Candles

Incense

Hearths

Outdoor decor(sigils, etc)

Nature

Waterways

Stones

Trees

Herbs

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/531565562272684814/

[birchcraft]

[birchcraft]

PSA - Will It Summon Demons?

Things That Are Not Likely To Summon Demons And Spirits Into Your Home:

Practicing a pagan religion

Practicing no religion

Skipping religious services

Disobeying your parents

Disobeying oppressive religious rules

Reading books about other religions

Reading books about witchcraft

Casting most types of spells, including hexes

Practicing divination

Reading tarot cards

Owning crystals

Having deity statues

Maintaining an altar

Adopting a black cat

Owning or wearing a pentacle or other pagan symbol

Playing with Ouija or other talking boards

Putting up fantasy or non-Christian artwork

Celebrating pagan holidays

Celebrating Halloween

Watching scary movies and TV shows

Reading horror novels

Playing tabletop RPGs

Playing LARP games

Playing video games

Reading fantasy books

Reading comics and graphic novels

Listening to heavy metal music

Dyeing your hair

Dancing

Swearing

Drinking

Dressing however you please

Having tattoos and piercings

Engaging in premarital sex

Being queer

Being trans

Participating in activism for progressive social causes

Things That Might Summon Demons And Spirits Into Your Home:

Literally summoning demons and spirits into your home

This has been a Public Service Announcement.

[birchcraft]

[birchcraft]

[birchcraft]

I don't know what toxic agenda told people otherwise, but you can set boundaries with Deities. That's not offensive.

You can ask them not to contact you when you can't handle communication.

You can ask them not to use a particular type of communication with you if it leaves you feeling anxious, upset, or otherwise bad.

You can ask them not to give you prophecies if you can't handle the paranoia of dealing with one.

Your experience with a Deity is personal and the rules established for it are personalized, too. Don't let anyone guilt trip you into thinking you're less of a worshipper for wanting more autonomy in how your communications go.