palmsofourhands

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"ai is making it so everyone can make art" Everyone can make art dipshit it came free with your fucking humanity

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If you live in the USA and you're pleading for donations to pay your rent, bills, or get food then dial 211! Please dial 211 before the last minute!

It's a toll free service with people who will help you find programs in your community to pay those bills, find food, and find housing! They will give you numbers to call so you can get help.

It is not 100% foolproof. Their job is to direct you to a program they believe will help your current issue, but it's still a step up from praying random strangers online will give you enough cash before a deadline! The added benefit of these community programs, which get funded by the local government most of the time, is if there are more people using them then they can get more money to help more people.

You're not taking resources from other people if you use your community services. Your taxes pay for them. Use them.

Dial 211 first to see if they can help, and if for some reason they can't, then make your donation posts!

https://www.211.org/

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how to make your effects extra special

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Hi, I would say I've been practicing witchcraft for over a few years. Obviously I still don't know much, haven't experienced much, having confusion with spirits at the moment.

What would you say to someone who's afraid of making mistakes and is always caught up in the details of preparing before hand with multiple back up plans and usually ends up severely panicking when confused or when a slight thing goes sideways?

I'm aware it's impossible to avoid making mistakes but dumb anxiety bird brain seems to think that it justifies avoiding it entirely and moving on, or desperately trying every other possible alternative when the real solution could be as simple as opening the window. What say you, Chicken?

I'd say,

what a lovely opportunity to explore this facet of yourself.

Perhaps presumptuous of me but I doubt that this tendency begins and ends for you at witchcraft.

It seems as if your natural inclinations create for you a complex spiderweb of ever-vibrating strands, and when the moment comes you have trouble knowing which line to walk down.

There is nothing wrong with that. Imagine having so many strands in a web! A lovely gift, perhaps. Maybe less so, if it seems that there are too many to navigate.

We all know the first answer is "get therapy," which is a boring answer because it's tantamount to "fix your anxiety," which yes, we all know that would be best. That being said:

Consider working with spirits which have a keen sense for navigation. Animal saints, we might call them, because that sounds cool. No need for two-way communication; veneration and asking for help will do. Helpful figures might include Salmon and Spider.

Reframe

When I was a kid I went to church, and churches are big on how to church, do you know what I mean? What the sermons should be like, what worship should be like, and so on.

Church first taught me about the art of performative spirituality. My first church was a really big one. The worship team had rehearsals with an AV guy. Coordinated choir outfits, a full band on stage. The reverb fades out and the pastor is ready with the first prayer. They practiced all week. It was a religious set - DJing the Holy Word.

Polished, smooth, pretty. And embarrassing when someone got it wrong. I still remember when the guitarist's sheet music was out of order. Thirty seconds of social agony up on stage while the bassist helped him figure out the order of songs. Awkward smiles from the rest of the band. The pastor politely folded his hands. Twenty years later I remember this - he messed up the performance.

At that time, I didn't know there was anything different. I don't mean that I didn't understand that there could be smaller bands, or no band. Or different kinds of sermons, or smaller stages - or no stage!

I mean that I didn't understand that worship could be nonperformative. I didn't know that there was a way to do it that wasn't about what was being presented.

Do you ever feel that watchful eye of judgement on you, anon? Are you ever the guitarist fumbling with sheet music, with three hundred souls politely waiting for you to get on with the show?

Their show, not yours - you are the performer.

Yes, I think many people feel this way when it comes to magic. I think many witches perform spells, and feel judged and watched when they fumble.

When I was still young - but a little older than when the guitarist had his music out of order - I heard some men of the church talking.

"When I grew up, all the churches were really slick. Not a second of time in-between the acts. You could tell they practiced. The first time I went to a worship group and the leader stopped to tune his guitar, I got whiplash."

I asked my dad what that meant. He explained to me that some worship groups are more casual, like a conversation instead of a show.

You'd think that such a little comment so many years ago wouldn't mean much. But now, to me, these words still ring true.

I get caught up in the performance of spell work, sometimes. I'm not alone, after all. I call the spirits. I'm the worship leader, really. I'm the bottleneck, the gatekeeper. The experience moves with me, though me. I've called you all here today -

Called them here for what?

Not for the intent of the spell. The decision that comes before that.

I've called them here for what?

So they can be an audience staring at me on stage? So I can display my practiced performance? So that they will get a show?

Or, have I called them to me to be my fellowship? To participate in a conversation? To whisper loving affirmations to each other as I stop to tune my guitar?

Have I invited them because my performance is worthless without them to observe it, or because my worship is enriched when they participate in it?

Sometimes I get befuddled. I work spells with a lot of content - things need to happen in a certain order. Too many thoughts hit my head at once, and for that I have one cure:

Whiplash.

I stop, and sit, and gather my thoughts. If I'm anxious about the spell, I tell them. If I don't know what to do next, I tell them. If it doesn't feel right, I tell them.

They didn't come because they're my audience. They came because they're my fellowship, my friends. My family.

And whiplash creates beautiful cracks in the performance for their love to seep through.

Reframing spells from performances to communication doesn't cure anxiety. But from time to time, I think it's worth challenging the foundational perspective upon which we have built our craft. Is witchcraft a series of actions, a mechanical toy which will go off the rails if you are not a perfect engineer? Or is it taking time to tune the guitar?

Each of us gets to decide.

[palmsofourhands]

Just Starting Out with Witchcraft?

Don’t let yourself be pressured to define yourself or your path. Not now. Not ever. ( It is perfectly okay to have a type you do identify with or an identity, but it is also perfectly okay if you don’t know how to do more then describe your interests and what you are currently learning.)

When you consider yourself a witch, you are one.

That said, be prepared to experience some helpful hints if you’re being inappropriate (in an appropriation sense, or otherwise, being a danger to yourself or others).

Don’t be AFRAID of mistakes. Instead, make sure you learn your lessons that you can from the inevitable happening of them in your practice from time to time.

Be careful of what herbs, incense, candles and what ever else you burn, ingest, infuse, etc. (Some of these can be poisonous in certain uses, or cause miscarriages, skin allergies, etc. Make sure you read up on them, and know you’re body. Practice proper measures when consuming or using them. Know their properties. Know the side effects if something were to go wrong. This is for your own SAFETY and the safety of those around you.)

Practice, darn it. If you don’t use your newfound knowledge, you will not grow.

If you are low on energy, do simple things. Read up on your favorite new crystals, light a good smelling candle, take a herb infused bath, make a cup of tea, etc. Do things that will help you feel good and raise your energies.

Take breaks. Breathe. Go for a walk. Pet your favorite animal. Walk away from your studies for a bit. It’s okay to recharge. It’s healthy. You need to take care of your body and your mind, just as much as your spirit.

Don’t be ashamed if your interests change over time. That is okay too. It just means either you’ve found something new to be passionate about, perhaps your needs are different, and more.

ASK questions. PLEASE DO THIS. DO not let people scare you off from doing so. I encourage this so much. Yes, it may be discouraging to be told to research certain topics more, but sometimes, the other person can at least point you off in a direction they’ve experience with. Maybe give pointers or advice.

Most of all, if something feels uncomfortable, or wrong to you, stop for a moment and consider why. Did you do enough to ensure your safety? Did you practice it the way that feels good to you and goes with your intent? Did you miss a step when making that potion or working with drying herbs? Search for signs, check things, and it’s okay to be cautious.

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Some friendly animals (+ a ghost) to boost your motivation meter! :D

2020 Year of Motivation Calendar! ✨

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Hephaistos digital offering

Hephaistos, God of the Fire, Volcanoes, Blacksmiths and Craftsmen, this is an offering for you. I thank you for protecting me this day.

I will try to make more digital offerings.

- Tessa (she/they)

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from the Introduction of “The Ink Dark Moon” [translated by Jane Hirshfield with Aratani Mariko]

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Hey! I have a question about mesopotamian mythology: was there any number that figured proeminently in it, or had some sort of special significance? If it's not clear, I'd like do know if there is any situation simiar to the proeminence of three and nine in Norse mythology, for instance. Thanks for your time

Yes! Seven was a significant number for the Mesopotamians, as well as twelve. The Sumerian numerical system was base twelve (as opposed to ours, which is base ten). Sixty, being a multiple of twelve, was also significant.

Incidentally, this is why we have weeks with seven days, days with two periods of twelve hours, hours with sixty minutes, and minutes with sixty seconds. Much of our time-keeping systems were adopted from Mesopotamia, and the seven-day week comes from the creation of the world in the Bible, a story which was heavily influenced by its Mesopotamian environment.

I believe @michi-izkur-ereshkigal has written (or might have something to say) about the significance of numbers in Mesopotamian belief.

[palmsofourhands]

I have $24 to last me til Friday, what should I buy with it?

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2020 Goals: Keeping Up with the Iluma - ‘Ashuru Shamni

This year I started off with the Festival of Oil, ‘Ashuru Shamni. Beforehand, I randomly checked the Shanatu Qadishti from Tess Dawson’s (the founder of Natib Qadish) website for the New Moon/Full Moon/Festival dates. I had exactly 7 days from the date (1/2/2020) to prepare for ‘Ashuru Shamni. This is just one solitary Qadish doing what she can to celebrate the Ugarit/Canaanite Gods.

I bought the most expensive bottle of extra virgin olive oil I felt comfortable buying (on sale!). Then every night leading up to the date, I poured about an ounce of olive oil into a larger bottle, followed by about 21 drops of myrrh, then swirled it around. (Alas, extra virgin olive oil smells waaaaaaaay stronger than 21 drops of myrrh, and myrrh is not a weak smell, tbh).

To ritualize it and invite the Ilumas’ blessings, I searched youtube for ‘Canaanite music’ (usually brings up Near Eastern/Middle Eastern musicians) and ran that playlist. I then lit a candle to Choranu, inviting His aid and presence to purify me and the oil of any khat’sa (ritual/spiritual impurity, somewhat akin to the Greek idea of miasma). Then I would leave a drink offering for Choranu to enjoy while His candle burned. I also lit a candle to Ba’lu Hadad, because He is invoked during ‘Ashuru Shamni to bless the oil and to protect the city of Ugarit. Generally I would let the candles, oil and offering sit for at least an hour. I myself would do journaling or other quiet activities conducive to Their presence. Do this 6 more nights and you will have at least one half liter of olive oil and myrrh to have as a magical base for any other anointing oils.

For the actual night of ‘Ashuru Shamni, I fried up some fish fillets and latkes from Trader Joes. Got the music and candles going. Invited the Iluma by Their Names one by one (I invited Ilu, Athirat, Ba’lu Hadad, ‘Anat and Choranu). Blessed Their presence and presented the big bottle of myrrh oil I had been preparing.

I made the first pour (half an ounce) for Ba’lu Hadad, and added essential oils (EO) of myrrh and cedar (cedrus atlantica, smells SO nice). This time around, the EO stood out more than the olive scent. Then presented the fried food, and some pomegranate juice for Them. Lit the candle for Ba’lu Hadad and recited blessing prayers from Whisper of Stone and The Horned Altar (both by Tess Dawson) and my own prayers. 

Then I sat and ate my own fried foods (yum). This next part was impromptu: I planned on saving the first oil I had poured out for Balu Hadad (now considered the Oil of Blessing for me). I had been planning on using the oil to bless and protect the thresholds of my place. I picked up the small dish--and got inspired to anoint every door frame. Just a dab, but at every door. (My roommate wasn’t home, and her door was closed. I dabbed her door anyway; she is understanding of my path and my ‘ways’, so I know she would not mind.) Also anointed every window that is able to open to the outside.

That done, I poured the remaining oil (still a lot) into a new bottle. It was messy and I spilled some in the sink. HOWEVER! I learned a very special protocol while cleaning this up; do not wash the oil away. It is not dirt. For clean up of this holy oil, I instead wiped it carefully with paper towel, then respectfully threw that in the garbage. Why this, I have no idea. I just know that once I needed to clean up, it was downloaded in my head as “do it THIS way, this is important”. 

Thus done, I thanked the Iluma. The Iluma I invited by Name, I bid Them goodbye by Name as well. The ritual was then closed.

I want to be more organized and do more devotional activities for the Iluma this year. And inspiration is either faint, or it just downloads all at once for me, so reading what I do, please take with a grain of salt. I can say that I felt only good vibes/quiet approval of the ritual. 

There were other things I wanted to do that I ended up abandoning; 

crochet a special mat for Ba’lu Hadad (since it is His presence traditionally at the festival to bless the city) but didn’t use bc it wasn’t finished and it was lopsided. 

Make other prayer oils at the time, and with other types besides olive oil. I even tried putting frankincense EO in, but when I tipped it, nothing came out (this is a full bottle btw). I felt that maybe They didn’t want/need it at the time.

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Uruk, Iraq 

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Do’s and Don'ts of Designing for Accessibility

Anxiety

Autistic Spectrum

Dyslexia

Physical or Motor Disabilities

Low Vision

Screen Readers

Deaf or Hard of Hearing

Find the PDFs for Do’s and Don’ts of Designing for Accessibility here.

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Goals for Nov 2019

It’s been awhile since I’ve posted here. But! I do have a List of Things I Been Doing:

got Basics of Ugaritic to learn Ugaritic vocab, learn some basic conjugations. That way I can write short phrases/refrains in Ugaritic to the Canaanite deities. (my prayer writing is long overdue >.>;;;) Gregorian chant is very beautiful, even when combined with English. I would like to do something of the same for Anat, Ba’al Hadad and the other Iluma

went to a rune lore class in order to learn galdr. Both runes and galdr come from the Norse/Germanic Pagan/Asatru tradition. Going to start practicing galdr at home with the runes.

galdr practice: continue to go to meditation class with the Sanskrit chanting. Generally safe place, also energy vampires less likely to find me.

going to church: apparently my Ancestors/Ninuno (most are Catholic) want to hear Gregorian chant again. 

speaking of words: found an academic article about Athtartu who uses the Name of Ba’al as a divine weapon. Words as weapons of course. Going to dig into that article for epithets and the general consensus of Her titles/possible roles.

i have the sneaking suspicion that galdr or something like it runs in my family. The Philippine tribes such as the T’Boli have chanters who sing particular songs, and the colonized tribes like the Tagalog and Ilokano have heroic epics, Christianized to avoid being erased. Since I don’t speak any Philippine language fluently, I am starting from scratch...

speaking of speaking: the Ancestors/Ninuno are telling me to learn Ilocano (my maternal line is Ilocano; dad’s line is Tagalog)

prayer beads and candle shrines: why not combine the two? I have those tall 7-Day candle jars that burn for at least 3 weeks bc I have to blow my candles out. Images of other Deities at home may draw bad attention to me (I am in the broom closet). However, a candle holder with pretty beads hanging from the top? Who can complain?...

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How liberating it is to pursue wholeness instead of perfection