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Secret Magical Gift Swap: November Newsletter

Hi everyone! There is a week left to sign up for the 2024/2025 New Year Swap! The deadline is November 28th and you can sign up here!

Please also give a warm welcome to our new Newsletter editor, Matilda, who does not have a Tumblr but has done a marvellous job on this first Newsletter! We plan to expand this in the future with short interviews with various practitioners, a recipe here and there and maybe the occasional spell or feel-good ritual, along with witch tips and maybe even some divination - such as a Tarot card of the month. We decided to keep our first Newsletter short and sweet, but plan to write them as the year goes on with more pages and potentially in a digital magazine-like style. If you have any suggestions for what you would like to see in these Newsletters, please let me know on Tumblr either here or at @fernsinthemist or reply to our e-mail if you are subscribed to our e-mail newsletter. We'd love to hear from you!

And our Discord server is coming soon too!

Without further ado, here is our Deity Spotlight for this month! Do we have any Boreas devotees here?

(All images used with the exception of the SMGS banner have been found on stock websites - please let us know if you are the owner and do not want us to use them)

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Egyptian Landscape by Carlos de Haes

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Second one from my series of owl illustrations. This one is the Indian Eagle Owl!

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Love that we've reached the stage where people will find out a work isn't AI and then go "well why does it look like AI? Why does it seem so AI-like?" Why do actual creative works look like the engine that is entirely powered by copying actual creative works? The world may never know

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Aconitun carmichaelii or more commonly known as Chinese aconite or wolfsbane

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Osiris II

2024 Digital painting

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My old art

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those egyptian mother fuckers sure loved the sun

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🌕Subtle Khonsu Worship⚔️

Greatly inspired by @khaire-traveler's wonderful subtle worship series, which can be found here.

Watch the moon as it rises, greet him each night

Keep a dream journal; try to interpret your dreams

Take a walk at night (if it is safe to do so in your area)

Have a protective charm

Observe the phases of the moon, and learn what each one means

Start a night-time/bedtime routine

Get 8 hours or a good amount of sleep

Learn about and uphold Ma'at

Make a playlist or listen to songs that remind you of him or you think he'd like

Make a collage/moodboard/pinterest board/similar collection of photos and images you associate with him, especially if some of the images are your own

Wear a piece of jewelry or other clothing item that reminds you of him

Light a candle or incense that reminds you of him (safely)

Carry a picture of him in your wallet, pocket, phone case, etc. or as a phone or computer wallpaper

Have moon, falcon, or baboon imagery

Take your medications, if any; take medications as needed

Take care of your body physically to the best of your ability (shower, eat well, get a good amount of sleep, etc.)

Use a planner or otherwise organize your day

Be kind to children, play with them if offered

Learn self-defense, weapons included or not

Practice standing up for yourself; speak your mind and assert your personal boundaries

Eat comfort food, especially from childhood

Engaging with your childhood media or toys

Donate children and baby supplies to homeless shelters

Show support for any parents in your life, especially new ones; help out when/if you can

Make a list of your personal goals; work towards achieving them one step at a time

Invest in your future; set up a savings account, work on getting more exercise, find or spend time working on a hobby that brings you joy, etc.

Doing activities in line with the lunar calendar

Exercise a little, even if it's just stretching

Support causes you believe in, especially medical or legal related ones

Get a full eight hours of sleep, or at least sleep for a good amount of time

Take care of a sick loved one or someone who is having a hard time

Create something related to him or his attributes

Work on becoming more comfortable with the idea of conflict; it is only natural that we sometimes disagree with people

Speak your mind; be honest and direct with others

Hold others and yourself responsible for their/your actions; apologize or make amends when possible/appropriate

Practice truthfulness and keep your promises

Let go of people or things that do not contribute to your life in a positive way

Stand up for yourself and the things you believe in

Don't feel obligated to forgive people; you do not have to forgive them even if they've apologized to you

I may add more to this list in the future. Suggestions are always appreciated.

Link to the Kemetic Subtle Worship Masterpost

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If I think too hard about ancient Greece I'll cry because what do you mean I'll never get to worship at my gods' temples in their full glory? Imagine how close they must have felt. The wind through the temple halls must have felt like their breath. Standing in those temples must have felt like standing before that god themself. Giving them tiny offerings as they tower over you. Approving.

My chest feels tight with the knowing that I'll never be able to bow with my face to the cold floor in those sacred spaces.

UGH!

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Dionysus weds Ariadne 

Getchu a man who makes you a crown set to a whole ass star constellation. I also tried to give her more formal wedding-like clothes but i struggled real hard cuz i couldn’t think of anything for Dionysus either so aaa here you go lmao

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tbh the fact that cats purr was an unnecessary bonus we don't always acknowledge. they're already cute and baby and little and soft and make silly noises and do funny shit. but they also like to cuddle and make a soothing pleasant noise to indicate they are happy when they cuddle you? huge. huge for the human race.

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Guide to Drying Herbs

Drying herbs is a simple practice, and there are several methods to choose from depending on the type of herb and your desire use. Here's how I dry my herbs:

1. Drying on Newspaper

This method works well for larger leaves and herbs that don’t need to be hung.

Lay the herbs flat on a clean sheet of newspaper in a single layer.

Place the newspaper in a dry, well-ventilated area away from direct sunlight.

Turn the herbs occasionally to ensure even drying.

Once the herbs are dry and crisp to the touch, they’re ready for storage.

2. Hanging Herbs Upside Down

Perfect for longer herbs, like rosemary, lavender or thyme, that can be tied together.

Gather small bunches of herbs and secure them with a cord or string.

Wrap the herbs loosely in a breathable cloth, like cheesecloth or muslin. This helps them air freely while catching any small leaves or flowers that may shed during the drying process.

Hang the bunches upside down in a cool, dry place with good airflow. Avoid direct sunlight, as it can degrade the color and potency.

Once the herbs are completely dry (they should crumble easily), remove the leaves or store them as they are.

I do this with fresh lavender that I put in my closet as shown in the picture.

3. Pressing Herbs

This method is ideal for preserving delicate leaves or flowers for decorative purposes or rituals.

Place the herbs between sheets of paper (such as parchment or regular printer paper).

Insert the paper into a thick book, ensuring the herbs are spread flat and evenly.

Place additional books or a weight on top to press them.

Leave them for 1–2 weeks, checking occasionally for dryness.

4. Drying Small Petals

For small, delicate petals or flowers, a rule bag works wonders.

Place the petals or flowers in a breathable rule bag (such as a mesh or cotton drawstring bag).

Hang the bag in a dry, ventilated area.

Shake the bag gently every few days to prevent clumping and to ensure even drying.

General Tips for Best Results

Use Breathable Cloths: Wrapping your herbs or laying them on a breathable cloth allows air to circulate freely, preventing mold while catching any small leaves or flowers that shed during the drying process.

Timing: Dry herbs as soon as possible after harvesting to retain their potency and fragrance.

Environment: Choose a dry, cool, and ventilated area to prevent mold or mildew.

Labeling: If drying multiple herbs, label them to avoid confusion.

Storage: Once dried, store your herbs in airtight containers away from sunlight and moisture.

Using Dried Herbs

Always check if the plant is safe for use before collecting it. Do not make tea or touch anything with unknown properties. Always clean your plants before drying.

Once your herbs are dried, you can use them for teas, rituals, incense, or other magical and practical purposes. Always remember to respect and honor the plants you've harvested by using them mindfully.

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what if I wasn’t tired all the time imagine the possibilities

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‘bread is bad for you’ ‘rice is bad for you’ sorry im not subscribing to the idea that staple grains that have been integral to cultures for centuries are evil. i love you carbs

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Egyptian

Bastet

Late Period-Ptolemaic Period

664-30 B.C.E.

Metropolitan Museum of Art Collection