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lailoken · 2 years ago

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hello,

this may sound like a silly question, but is it possible for someone who is not Irish, scottish, or British to be contacted by the Fae?

thank you!

Hello there.

This isn't a silly question, but it's one I will have to expound on a bit, as opposed to just giving a yes or no answer. I'll also preface this by saying that my personal beliefs will likely be contentious to some, and I encourage readers to take what they find useful and leave the rest if it conflicts with their own paradigm. Most of this comes from a mixture of personal gnosis and theory, and I am not attempting to assert authority on the subject or claim academic accuracy, so please keep that in mind.

To put it very simply, I believe that the Fae are present in every region of the world, and I have highly syncretic beliefs about the nature of the Fae and other spirits in general. For me, the folkloric specifics come down to cultural lenses and the ways that long-term worship and perception shape the expectations and manifestations of the Gloaming Folk. So, no, I don't think one has to be Gaelic or Brythonic in order to cultivate a relationship with the Fae.

For instance, when looking at the Faerie Faith, many people think primarily—if not only—of the insular Celts. The Fair Folk of the English; the Aos Sidhe of the Irish; the Daoine Sìth of the Scottish; the Sheeaghan of the Manx; the Twlwyth Teg of the Welsh; the Spyrysyon of the Cornish; and the Korrigan of the Breton. But in the larger context of Germanic and Scandinavian folklore, there is copious evidence of entities that are undeniably similar to the Fae as they are understood in the Insular Celtic Isles. In fact, the Germanic word Elf is so closely aligned with the term Faery that many people don't even realize or think about the fact that they derive from different cultures. That being said, the Germanic/Scandinavian "lens" of Faerie Lore is probably the other best known by the wider public.

Likewise, there are multiple beings that show up in Slavic mythology and folklore—such as the Vila, the Rusalke, or the Vodyanoy—which are pretty readily accepted as Faeries. I don't know of an overarching term that would necessarily be equivalent, but the folkloric link is still there.

Now, moving into a more controversial aspect of my beliefs, I also happen to think of Angels, Demons, and Djinn in terms of Gloaming Spirits. While I readily admit that millenia of regionally specific belief and veneration form unique "identies" that Spirits of a given culture may align more closely with, I believe that they are all part of one larger "family" of beings who have been interacting with humanity for many thousands of years. I realize that this will likely be considered an egregious oversimplication for some, or possibly even an erasure of the individuality these cultures possess; but for me, the things that make a tradition sacred and unique are not invalidated or snuffed out by by the fact that other cultures may find recognition in them. So, while I do think beings like Angels, Demons, and Djinn are inexorably interrelated, I also fully accept that they are unique and culturally specific. And frankly, I find it hard to believe that others who have engaged in intensive personal gnosis haven't come across similar threads of paradoxical interconnection.

Beyond these, though, I've also pinpointed other entities over the years that I think represent reasonable approximations of the Fae. These include things like:

The Peris of Persian Mythology (Beautiful aerial spirits sometimes known to work with humans called Peri-Kahn, who gained skills and abilities from the relationship. They are generally described as humanoid figures with beautiful wings, who are known for their michevious behavior, though at least one work references them as divine beings denied entry into paradise until such a times as they have atoned—a folkloric motif some will recognize in connection to certain folk-beliefs regarding the Angels and the Fae.)

The Yakshas of Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism (Spirits of nature often connected with water, fertility, plants, treasures, and the wilderness. While some are considered benign or benevolent, others are considered more mischevious or sinister, though most are considered capricious. Sometimes associated with ecological forces, and at other times, with the spirits of the dead. )

The Yōkai of Shintō (A diverse array of spirits—often explicitly equivacated with fairies, demons, and/or sprites—known to interact with humans in both benevolent and malevolent capacities. While many of these spirits are quite singular in their uniqueness, others are more recognizable within a broader archetypal folkloric context—such as the Zashiki-warashi, which are described as diminutive domestic sprites known for both their ability to bestow good fortune, and their tendency to perform mischevious pranks.)

The Korpokkur of Ainu Mythology (A race of little folk, associated with the Butterbur plant, who were said to leave gifts under cover of night—as they did not like being seen. They were believed to be the original inhabitants of Japan before the Ainu—which also echoes aspects of Celtic Faerie Lore.)

The Aziza of Dahomean Mythology (A race of supernatural little folk who are said to live in the Wilds—often beneath Anthills or within silk-cotton trees— and use their magic to help humans, as well as providing people with practical knowledge and spiritual wisdom.)

The Yumboes of Wolof Mythology (Spirits of the dead described as little folk with pearly white skin and silver hair who lived beneath hills and come out to dance beneath the Moonlight. They are known to hold great feasts, which humans are sometimes invited to.)

The Hellenic Nymphs, Sirens, and Kobaloi (As many know, Nymphs are animistic spirits of nature, considered beautiful, and known to interact with humans. Likewise, most will have heard of Sirens as beautiful, seductive, and dangerous spirits of the water who are known to entice and drown men. The Kobaloi, in turn, are described as a mischievous race of small goblin-like folk who are fond of playing tricks on human kind.)

The Basque Iratxoak, Laminak, and Mairuak (An Iraxto is a type of domestic Imp or Goblin known to help with human labors in the night, if properly propitiated. A Lamina, on the other hand, is a Water Maiden described similarly to Sirens or Nereids. They are generally understood to have webbed duck feet and long beautiful hair, which they are fond of combing by the waterside. They are known for both their tendency to offer aid to those who show them respect and propitiation, and their tendency to seduce and ensnare men. Some traditions speak of male giants called Mairuak, who are closely associated with Laminak, and are linked by some with the construction of megalithic structures.)

The Duende of Iberian mythology (A term quite similar to 'Faery' in its usage, which encompasses a diverse array of spiritual entities who are generally said to appear as humanoid, though frequently capable of shapeshifting. They are often associated with nature and are known for their involvement with humans—be it helpful, romantic, michevious, or vicious. They include goblin-esque folk known as Trasgu, Water Maidens known as Xana or Anjana, and supernatural beings called Mouros who take refuge beneath the earth and rarely emerge near sites like barrows. The most common conception of a Duende, however, describes them as a mischevious sort of domestic imp or goblin known for their dealings with the human world. )

The Aztec Chaneque (A sprite-like race of little folk who are associated with Elemental forces and are often conceived as guardians of nature. These beings were once propotiated by the Nàhuatl peoples in exchange for protection from blight, intruders, and evil forces. However, they could also inflict harm, and they were known to sometimes kidnap humans and take them to their home in the Underworld of of Mictlàn to be seduced. On an interesting sidenote, one folk-method of protecting against them when traveling in the forest was for a person to turn their clothing inside out—a charm many will recognize from Celtic Faerie Folklore.)

The Mayan Aluxo'ob (Spirits recognized in the mythological traditions of certain Maya peoples, who are generally associated with particular features of nature. They are described as small and humanoid, and they usually remain invisible, though they can assume physical form for the sake of interacting with humans. Sometimes, wandering Aluxo'ob are said to ask for offerings from farmers or travelers and may respond with wrath if refused. If its conditions are respectfully met, however, it is said that an Alux will provide protection, luck, and aid. In fact, some traditions hold that a farmer can erect a specialized form of Spirit House in order to welcome in an Alux that will aid them for a contracted period of time with tending crops, summoning favorable weather, and guarding property. What's more, there exist naming taboos that reflect themes of Celtic Faerie Lore.)

The Guarani Pombero (A spirit particularly important in Paraguay, though it appears in multiple mythological traditions from the surrounding area. The Pombero is generally conceived as a small hairy man who lives in forested areas and abandoned sites, and is known to cause mischief for humans. It is said that the Pombero can become invisible, change shape, and perfectly mimick the sounds of the wild. Usually, he is considered harmless, if mischevious—known for antics like food theft, the loosing of cattle, and the scattering of household objects. Though, he is also known also known to occasionally abduct and/or impregnate women, resulting in the births of hairy children. The Pombero is capable of being appeased, however, through offerings such as cigars, liquor, and honey. It is even said that, if these propitiations are observed consistently for long enough, the Pombero will take a liking to a person or persons and provide protection for their home and posessions, as well as leaving gifts of their own in return.)

The Tupi-Guarani Curupira (A spirit described in the folklore of Paraguay, Amazonia, Brasil, and Argentina as a little man with bright red hair and feet turned backwards, which it uses to obfuscate the trajectory of its footprints. They are said to live in the wild, and will prey on hunters who take more than they need, or who harm animals while they care for their Offspring. They are also said to ocassionally abduct and/or impregnate women, resulting in strange or unexplained births.)

The Iroquois Jogah (A race of magical little folk spoken of in Iroquois lore. They are said to be largely invisible, and an array of phenomena are associated with them, such as mysterious drumming noises, rings of bare earth, disembodied lights, and "bowls" found in stones. Offerings such as tobacco and fingernail parings could be left within these stone bowls, as propitiation to the Jogah. They are fond of mischief and games, though they can also be dangerous if disrespected. It is said, for example, that they will cause illness in homes constructed upon sites that they favor. The Jogah are also known for the variety of sub-groups into which they can be divided, generally associated with particular aspects or features of the natural world.)

& the Māori Patupaiarehe (Beings described in Māori mythology as a pale folk with red or golden hair. They are said to live in the mountains, hills, and deep forests in communities unseen by human eyes. They are known to influence the mist and clouds, to play music sweeter than that of any human hand, and were said to sometimes act with hostility towards humans who encroach or intrude upon their land. Despite this, however, most traditions state that Māori are able to converse with them at times.)

These are only a selection of traditional beliefs, though there are many more I won't attempt to list, and who knows how many more I've never heard. These are merely ones that have particularly caught my notice over time, and which seemed worth mentioning here. However, I am far from an anthropological expert, and I encourage others to ammend, contextualize, and add onto this information as they see fit—especially if they come from a culture I reference here. My goal is not to imply that all of these traditions are somehow directly connected to the Anglo-Celtic traditions, or that Anglo-Celtic mythology should be the cornerstone by which all folklore is considered; it's just the cultural background I have the most personal connection to/understanding of, and so I aim to speak mainly from a place of my own experience (though, I am actually half Paraguayan as well.)

So, in conclusion, while I do think that one's own cultural and regional context generally plays an important role in how one is likely to encounter the Gloaming Folk, I believe that people from virtually every culture have the capacity for working with them. I think that, when attempting to approach the Fae, it's a good idea for one to come at it from the perspective of their own heritage and regional lore, but at the same time, one can't always help the way spirits end up cultivating relationships with them (and, honestly, I think it is better for one to wait for the Fae to approach them whenever possible.)

#fae #fair folk #gloaming folk #gloaming #otherworld #faerie folk #faerie faith #good neighbors #pagan syncretism #syncretism #faerie lore #faerie folklore #anonymous #ask

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mariana-oconnor · 1 year ago

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The Devil's Foot pt 1

Gonna go ahead and assume that no actual devil's make an appearance in this one. So... maybe a location? Maybe a statue or artwork of some kind?

We shall find out.

Oh, its in Cornwall. I feel like it's going to be a geographical location, then. There are loads of places called stuff like that in the more rural parts of the British Isles.

It was, then, with considerable surprise that I received a telegram from Homes last Tuesday—he has never been known to write where a telegram would serve—in the following terms: Why not tell them of the Cornish horror—strangest case I have handled.

This is a personal request from Holmes himself? But Holmes, you know he's not going to write it how you want him to write it. You know you're going to complain he sensationalised it too much. He's going to focus on the narrative rather than the technique.

In March of that year Dr. Moore Agar, of Harley Street, whose dramatic introduction to Holmes I may some day recount...

I bet he pretended to be a corpse and then jump-scared the poor bastard.

The ancient Cornish language had also arrested his attention...

Sometimes I feel Sherlock Holmes in my soul. Yes. Linguistic studies and evolution of language. I'm pretty sure he's wrong about its evolution, because it's in the same language family as Welsh and Breton, but this is exactly what I would do if I were sent to Cornwall. Walk around admiring the history and study the language.

He was a middle-aged man, portly and affable, with a considerable fund of local lore. [...] also, Mr. Mortimer Tregennis, an independent gentleman [...] taking rooms in his large, straggling house. The vicar, being a bachelor, was glad to come to such an arrangement, though he had little in common with his lodger, who was a thin, dark, spectacled man, with a stoop which gave the impression of actual, physical deformity.

We go from a pleasant and surprisingly unhorny description of a person to a 'really Watson?' description again. And that's not even mentioning the "lodger? lodger. and in conclusion, lodger." of it all.

"We can only regard it as a special Providence that you should chance to be here at the time, for in all England you are the one man we need.” I glared at the intrusive vicar with no very friendly eyes

Watson is on guard dog duty. Don't you dare interfere with Holmes' recovery.

I glanced at the hastily clad clergyman, with the formally dressed lodger seated beside him, and was amused at the surprise which Holmes's simple deduction had brought to their faces.

Watson trying to pretend he's always been able to work out Holmes' deductions and never been surprised a day in his life.

"This morning, being an early riser, he walked in that direction before breakfast and was overtaken by the carriage of Dr. Richards, who explained that he had just been sent for on a most urgent call to Tredannick Wartha."

Oh no! Poisoning? Was it poisoning? I don't know why my mind went to poisoning. Something about a doctor being called rather than the police, but then if someone had been stabbed and wasn't dead yet, you'd call a doctor too, so... My mind is just jumping to conclusions.

Who is it? Who's dead. Owen, George, or Brenda?

"His two brothers and his sister were seated round the table exactly as he had left them, the cards still spread in front of them and the candles burned down to their sockets. The sister lay back stone-dead in her chair, while the two brothers sat on each side of her laughing, shouting, and singing, the senses stricken clean out of them."

Alas, poor Brenda.

Is the poison in the candles? Or on the cards? Or in the drinks.

Poor Mortimer, though. And you're being so rude about him, Watson. Guy's just been through a hugely traumatic event. Although, I suppose by the time you're writing this it's been 13 years and he knows what happened, but still. Have some compassion for the poor man.

Is foot a card term? I don't play much cards. Not a geographical feature then.

"I take it you were divided in some way from your family, since they lived together and you had rooms apart?”

I mean, the mind immediately jumps to it being because he's gay and living with a man, but I know this story will not go there. So... money, perhaps?

"We were a family of tin-miners at Redruth, but we sold our venture to a company, and so retired with enough to keep us. I won't deny that there was some feeling about the division of the money and it stood between us for a time, but it was all forgiven and forgotten, and we were the best of friends together.”

Yep, money. And were you really the best of friends together? Were you?

“As we sat at the table my back was to the window, and my brother George, he being my partner at cards, was facing it. I saw him once look hard over my shoulder, so I turned round and looked also."

I have the strangest recollection of this scene. I think I must be remembering the Granada version of it.

Then we turned our steps towards this ill-omened house in which they had met their strange fate.

OK, this is very creepy so far. The fact they were all sitting exactly where he left them (according to him) the sudden madness, the death. Very creepy. Looking forward to what happens next.

#Letters from Watson #The Devil's Foot #Sherlock Holmes #long post

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sorceresssundries · 7 months ago

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Rules: in a new post, show the last line you wrote (or drew) and tag as many people as there are words (or as many as you feel like).

Thanks for the tag @the-real-housewives-of-waterdeep <3

I'm currently writing a novel exploring british folk-lore and the portrayal of women. It features a 'Selkie' and a 'Hag' in a small seaside town which becomes popular with tourists after a tragedy occurs and the tale of the jealous cornish Selkie starts to spread.

On the steepest cliff along the coastline, the hag’s salt-wind battered house sits sentinel-like and vigilant above the lights of the town.

I’m tagging @weaveandwood, @mumms-the-word, @alpydk, @orangekittyenergy, @lewdisescariot, @fantasyfictionfables @dr-demi-bee @magspeaches @gale-force-storm @auroraesmeraldarose

And EVERYONE ELSE because i'm a nosy friendship goblin and I want to know what you're all working on. You creative little fucks.

#tag game #tag you're it #i love this kind of shite

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exhausted-archivist · 1 year ago

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General Culinary Themes of Thedas

Just a little over view of the clear draw of culinary reference for the nations of Thedas. This is based on the provided dishes through out all of the franchise's media. I'm only covering nations we have clear food descriptions on, as well as cultural influence. Which unfortunately means that the Anderfels, Nevarra, the Qun, Rivain, and Tevinter are mostly lacking in clear reference points. But I will touch on them below and elaborate where I can.

Antiva

This one is pretty cut and dry, all the culinary references we have for Antiva are Italian. Thanks to Tevinter Nights with the cacio e pepe, mentioning the traditional ten courses, and the mention of ammazzacaffe in the short story As We Fly. However they have markings for Spanish practices where evening meals typically be eaten at late hours. But overall the current food inspo from media seems to be Italian focused.

Ferelden

Ferelden and by extention their ancestors (Alamarri) and cultural cousins (Avvar and Chasind) are known for its soups, stews, pickled eggs, pickled krone, mutton, roasts, cheese, and Fluffy Mackerel Pie.

Overall the food inspiration for Ferelden is more English in leaning but also surprisingly more modern in reference than other countries in Thedas.

Avvar focus more on long storage foods which leads to a lot of smoked, dried, and pickled foods. Their cuisine seems to echo those of hunter gather cultures in the Arctic circle as their food preparations are with the "long dark" or winter in mind. They forage for things such as fiddleheads and snails, and cook their fish in pungent leaves and clay on banked coals. Utility is the prevailing method, but even with the preference for stews and slow cooking, they highly value spices in which they trade for; Antivan cord-seed, peppercorns, and powdered mustard.

Chasind seemingly have much the same preference and cook style as Fereldans, able to farm and hunt nearly year round. The food we know they have aligns with Ferelden in the fact it is mostly roasts, stews, grains, and the like. Chasind, like Fereldans have a reliance on a protein rich grain called ryott. A fickle crop with a small growing area, but it is used to make a drink called "Wildwine".

Free Marches

Free Marches as a whole are a variety of regions but specifically pull from British, American, and other cultures with overlapping dishes. Examples featuring animals that originate from the Americas like roast turkey being standard across the Free Marches, to dishes like jellied pork feet (various cultures) and Starkhaven Fish and Egg Pie (British, specifically Cornish recipe).

Orlais

French. It is just pulling directly from French food while also putting a fantasy French name on British and American dishes. As we see with Eggs a la Val Foret being a rendition of eggs benedict. Butter soup, which seems to be derived from Northern Franch cuisine. Mad Bernard's Gift of Flesh seems to reference Grimod de La Reyni's "roast without equal", though it is noted that the Romans also created similar nesting roasts.

Orzammar

Orzammar seems more British in concept but also distinctly fantasy based. Given the lore sets them up as heavy importers and most of their domestic food sources being unique to Thedas; giant spiders, brontos, nugs, deep mushrooms, deepstalkers, ect. It is hard to pinpoint a source of inspiration. Their food is steeped in alcohol and most known dishes are ones that overlap across cultures or seem more modern in concept: nug-lets for example call to mind of nuggets.

I would venture to say the reference point is merely fantasy hodgepodge of Europe. Touching on universal dishes, and likely being influenced by the cultures they're importing their goods from - primarily Orlais.

Notes on the Other Nations

Anderfels

We only really have one landmark dish on this so far. Nordbotten Fruit Stew, a dish where you revitalize dried fruit with honey, water, and/or liquor. It is described to be a common and popular dish in the Anderfels. It is also said that very little grows there nor does it grow well, so the small, bitter, and sour fruits they do have are sweetened with vast amounts of honey.

There is no clear culture to pull this from, at least not to my knowledge. This combined with the Anderfels love of ham, that may or may not taste of despair, and the fact that the creature called "the wandering hills" is a delicacy there, I would say there is little concrete reference to go on.

Dalish

Dalish Deep Forest Comfort, is a dish made with string squash, mushrooms, elfroot (spinach), tomatoes, garlic, red peppers, parsley, cheese, edible wildflowers, pine nuts, and butter. A dish with ingredients primary sourced from the Americas and when looking at food history, finding its roots in the indigenous hunting and gathering cultures. Something that is echoed through out the other dishes and ingredients we know they have; halla milk/butter, hearth cakes, and primarily foraged ingredients.

Nevarra

Ambiguous as the only named foods we have with any real world standing aren't easy to pinpoint nor are they isolated to a specific region. The unnamed blueberry pastries that Cassandra ate with her brother, candied fruits (universal), and roasted chestnuts (common in Chinese, Korean, Italian, Portuguese, Spain, Austria, the North American Indigenous, and later American food history).

The Qun

While Origins gave the impression of bland food that focused on utility over flavor, we know that there is more variety than that. They have some degree of sweet bread, savory porridge, and some degree of alcohol for consumption.

Rivain

There are only two dishes we know of from Rivain: Llomerryn red, a spiced red sauce used to be served on a variety of things such as fried or roasted potatoes and fresh oysters. And the Raider Queen's Bread of Many Tongues (bannana bread).

Tevinter

Tevinter is a weird one. While Dorian will mention grapes, and Tevinter Nights describes dates, the depiction of food in the comics is a bit conflicting. In Deception we see depictions of something similar to stuffed grape leaves (dolmas), in Mage Killer we see that the elite dine on cupcakes, donuts, macaroons, candy canes, and other very modern and American foods. We cannot say whether those foods originated in Tevinter or somewhere else and are simply a luxury import. It would make more sense for them to originate in either Orlais or the Free Marches, but as the only place we've seen them is Tevinter, I place them here with a grain of salt.

Sources

World of Thedas Vol. 1 & 2 Dragon Age Origins + DLC Dragon Age 2 + DLC Dragon Age Inquisition + DLC The Last Court Dragon Age Tabletop RPG The Official Cookbook: Tastes of Thedas - Sample Pages

Novels: The Stolen Throne The Calling The Masked Empire Last Flight Tevinter Nights

Comics: Magekiller Knight Errant Deception

#dragon age #dragon age meta #food meta #my meta #dragon age reference #writing reference: Food #long post

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windvexer · 1 year ago

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hi fool chicken!!! hope you're having the loveliest of days🫶.

I've seen that you've read Gemma Gary and I was hoping you can help me understand something. I've found connecting with elements and directions and the watchtowers etc really difficult in the past because I didn't even know why are we even using them and giving them random directions but reading Six Ways helped me understand that it gives us a system to work within even if there literally isn't Fire in the South. I really enjoy Gemma Gary's spirits associated with the directions and elements but as i said, it's something i find difficult to connect with, do you have any advice on how can i? like maybe i invoke them with a physical representation and... meditate? and those spirits in her tradition.. they are just based on Cornish lore i believe? (sorry English isn't my first language and i had a TOUGH time reading that book and I'm afraid i didn't understand very much of it). so by my understanding, she assigned these spirits to the directions and elements based on lore and UPG and if i connect with that imagery, i can ask for Hare to help me with connecting to Earth. Even though in other traditions, there are other spirits. and i can invoke the specific spirit i need According to my working or do i need to invoke them all for each, like the hearthside rite? I'm sorry im confused. thank you chicken!!!!!!

Hello,

The concept that the four cardinal directions are not only important, but also have metaphysical elements associated with them, is a belief that is optional to work with.

A lot of ceremonial or ritualistic Traditional Witchcraft do employ the elements and the directions, and it may be difficult to extract your own system of sorcery from that if you want to do TW. However, if you're not super sure that TW is for you, this may be something you don't need to deal with at all.

If you would like to work with elements more, I think what you are describing (meditating upon a physical representation of the element) is a good idea.

I do not know the exact source of Gary's Serpent, Hare, Toad, and Crow. So, I can't confirm or deny your thoughts on how Gary ended up believing in them and their purposes.

Yes, if you want to, you can evoke the White Hare of the Earth in order to aide your workings. You can still do so even if you don't heavily identify with Gary's practices.

You do not need to call every element/direction every time you do every single spell or working.

One way of trying to connect with the four elements is to understand why we even use them. As far as I'm aware (let me know if I'm wrong), it was John Dee's Enochian magic which was the first established Western system that codified the terrestrial world into belonging into four directions, or quadrants, each one associated with a classical element, and each one ruled by an angel.

This idea was developed by the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn, who started calling these quadrants Watchtowers.

In Enochian magic and OtGD, each element was associated with one direction, and nobody got to pick or choose which was which. There was one system and everyone did the same thing.

Later on, Gerald Gardner took the concept of the Watchtowers and included it in Wicca, the predecessor of modern Western witchcraft.

As Wicca evolved and inspired many non-Wiccan spiritualities and magical practices, the inclusion of the four elements evolved again. Now, people freely associate elements in the directions that make the most sense to them, based on UPG, and so on.

But even before all of this, the four elements (and aether) were aspects of ancient philosophy: they were ways that people tried to describe the nature of the world around them.

I think that any practitioner who wants to deal with the elements is very well served by understanding how this idea has evolved throughout time.

And I think that starting at the root is very helpful: these concepts are ideas that are supposed to explain and describe the universe around us. Now, we tend to use them metaphysically, not philosophically.

And, just like the modern idea of assigning any elements to any direction, the specific meanings you find within the elements only need to make sense to you. And this includes whether or not you find any value in them at this time, and if they are worth exploring for you.

#tbl #answered

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midwestbramble · 18 days ago

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The Black Toad Book Review

I bought this because I read Gemma Gary's book "Traditional Witchraft" and was curious to know more about the Cornish practice. Plus so many people in the trad craft community seem to love this book and reference it.

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Contents:

Synopsis

What I Liked

What I Didn't Like

Overall Thoughts

Conclusion

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Published in 2011

��The Black Toad explores potent examples of the folk-ceremonial magical practices and witchcraft of the south-west of England; dealing especially with Devon and the authors homeland of Cornwall. Within the West Country, the popular belief in witchcraft and its attendant charms, magical practices and traditions continued to be observed and survived long after such ways had faded in most other parts of the British Isles.

Described within The Black Toad is a collection of some of the fascinating magical practices and lore of the West Country’s cunning folk and early modern witches; ways that have survived and evolved within the rarefied Craft of the areas modern day witchcraft practitioners of the old persuasion. As this book affirms, these ways of the Old Craft and Cunning Artery include a belief in and working relationship with the spirit forces of the land, the Faerie, animal and plant lore, as well as the magical use of Psalms to cure or curse, the invocation of Christ and the power of the Holy Trinity.”

—from the back of the book

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What I Liked

Chapters are sectioned out by type of workings; mother red cap for protections and desires, mother green cap for plant charms and cures, and mother black cap for cursing and turning. The book explains terms used mostly in this part of England for different aspects of the craft for those from the outside. Most are historical examples with pictures within the book or drawings related to the working nearby. Squares (sator squares and their kin) are used quite a bit, so this is a good book for those wanting to learn more about their use.

There's also a good section in this book, albeit near the end, that talks about working with spirits that may be interpreted as the devil, and even working with them AS the devil.

There is a lot of magic to be found in this book.

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What I Didn't Like

While these aren't big things for me, there are a couple aspects of this book that may turn some people away. The author talks about white and black magic in the West Country historically and modernly. There's spells in here for love magic and killing an enemy (neither of which the author indorses, these are here for historical posterity).

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Overall Thoughts

This is a great book for anyone interested in Traditional Witchcraft spells and other workings. There is a mix of Christian and pagan(ish) spirits that are called upon, as many of the workings are from historical sources. Very much a folk magic heavy witchcraft. I highly recommend this to anyone looking for information on the English West Country's traditional witchcraft practices. It's a thin book packed with information.

⛧─── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ───⛧

Conclusion

The Black Toad is quickly becoming a classic in trad craft spaces. It can be found on Amazon, at it's publisher Troy Books, The Spiral House Shop, Pentagram Salem, Abe Books, Museum of Witchcraft and Magic, and more!

#witchblr #witchcraft #traditional witchcraft #witchy book review #witchy books #the black toad book review #the black toad #traditional witchcraft book review

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blackswaneuroparedux · 2 years ago

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A little later, as we talked of the Maniot dirges by which I was obsessed, I was surprised to hear this bloodshot-eyed and barefoot old man say: “Yes, it’s the old iambic tetrameter acalectic.” It was the equivalent of a Cornish fisherman pointing out the difference, in practicality incomprehensible dialect, between the Petrachian and the Spenserian sonnet. It was quite correct. Where on earth had he learnt it? His last bit of information was that, in the old days (that wonderful cupboard!) the Arabs used to come to this coast to dive for the murex.

- Patrick Leigh Fermor, Mani: Travels in the Southern Peloponnese

The Mani, at the tip of Greece and Europe’s southernmost promontory, is one of the most isolated regions of the world. Cut off from the rest of the country by the towering range of the Taygetus and hemmed in by the Aegean and Ionian seas, it is a land where the past is still very much a part of its people’s daily lives.

Patrick Leigh Fermor bridged the genres of adventure story, travel writing, and memoir to reveal an ancient world living alongside the 20th Century. The book confirmed his reputation as one of the English language’s finest writers of prose. In this delightful book, Patrick Leigh Fermor carries the reader with him on his journeys among the Greeks of the mountains, exploring their history and time-honoured lore.

#patrick leigh fermor #paddy leigh fermor #fermor #quote #mani #greece #travel #writer #author #exploration #hiking #mountaineering #taygetus #europe #iconic #literature #british

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vigilskeep · 2 years ago

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Okay but why is Ostwick culturally fereldan? Is there any established lore or will you be growing some yourself?

the ONLY lore to do with this is that ostwick specifically uses the very fereldan titles teyrn and bann, and that nowhere else in the free marches does so. “-wick” as a city suffix is also anglo-saxon iirc and trevelyan is a welsh and cornish surname which is all reasonably fereldan coded to me

the teyrns existed before ferelden became a united country. ostwick is very close to ferelden across the waking sea. i think there’s a very logical explanation of shared culture given their closeness and then when calenhad united the teyrns under his rule he simply failed to push his luck across the waking sea. the histories probably don’t like to mention there was a teyrn he missed. if ostwick resisted theirin rule that would also explain why cultural similarities don’t seem to have let to any kind of mentioned friendship. i’d have to check a timeline of the exalted age in the free marches to see whether that lines up

anyway if that’s true it was a great move on the part of whoever the teyrns of ostwick are bc the teyrns got absolutely crushed over the centuries. there’s only two left in ferelden and that’s if loghain ever counted as an independent teyrn and not just an extension of the royal family. i think it would be sexy if the couslands were loosely allied with the teyrns of ostwick btw just to cause drama. make the theirins sweat a little

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jasminewalkerauthor · 1 year ago

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Deep dives into folklore: Arthurian legends pt 2

The Arthurian legends have captivated imaginations for centuries, weaving a tapestry of chivalry, romance, and heroic quests. While King Arthur himself remains a figure shrouded in myth and mystery, many of the stories associated with him are said to have their roots in the rugged landscapes of Wales. In the second part of this deep dive, we'll embark on a journey to explore modern-day locations in Wales that are believed to be the basis for some of the most enduring tales of King Arthur and his knights.

Tintagel Castle, Cornwall and Dinas Emrys, Gwynedd

Our exploration begins with Tintagel Castle in Cornwall and Dinas Emrys in Gwynedd, both of which are associated with Arthurian legends. Tintagel Castle, perched dramatically on the Cornish coast, is believed by some to be the birthplace of King Arthur. While this claim remains unverified, the castle's dramatic setting and historical significance make it a must-visit for Arthurian enthusiasts. (or at least those with the patience to walk up and down a lot of stairs, trust me, ive been there)

In contrast, Dinas Emrys, a hill fort in Snowdonia, is connected to Arthurian lore through the legend of the red and white dragons. According to the legend, the future King Vortigern sought to build a fortress at Dinas Emrys, but his efforts were thwarted by the discovery of two battling dragons—one white and one red. A young Merlin, believed to have been a wizard and advisor to King Arthur, interpreted this as a prophecy of the conflict between the Britons (represented by the red dragon) and the Saxons (represented by the white dragon).

Caerleon, Newport

Caerleon, a picturesque town near Newport, is often identified with the ancient city of Camelot. In Arthurian legends, Camelot was the legendary court of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table. While there is no concrete historical evidence linking Caerleon to Camelot, the town's Roman ruins, including an impressive amphitheater and fortress, add to its mystique. Visitors can explore the remains of Isca Augusta and imagine the grandeur of Arthur's court.

Arthur's Stone, Gower Peninsula

On the stunning Gower Peninsula in South Wales, you'll find Arthur's Stone, a Neolithic burial chamber also known as Maen Ceti. Legend has it that this massive stone was thrown onto the peninsula by King Arthur himself. While this may be a whimsical embellishment, the site's ancient history and striking location overlooking the landscape make it a captivating place to visit.

Llyn Llydaw, Snowdonia

Llyn Llydaw, a serene glacial lake nestled beneath the towering peaks of Snowdonia, is associated with the Lady of the Lake—a character often featured in Arthurian legends. According to the tales, it was here that the Lady of the Lake gave King Arthur the legendary sword Excalibur. While this might be more legend than history, the lake's tranquil beauty and the surrounding wilderness offer a sense of the mystical that resonates with Arthurian themes.

Glastonbury Tor, Somerset

Although not in Wales, Glastonbury Tor in Somerset, England, is closely connected to Arthurian legends and deserves a mention. The Tor is said to be the location of the mythical Avalon, where King Arthur's body was laid to rest after his death. Many believe that the Tor's enigmatic terraces and the nearby Chalice Well Gardens are steeped in the Arthurian legacy, making it a significant pilgrimage site for enthusiasts of the legends.

Conclusion

The modern-day locations in Wales, along with some neighboring areas, offer a rich tapestry of settings and landmarks that have become deeply ingrained in the Arthurian legends. While the historical accuracy of these associations may remain elusive, the charm of these places is undeniable. Whether you're a fervent Arthurian scholar or a casual admirer of legends, exploring these sites provides a tangible connection to the enduring stories of King Arthur and his knights, enriching our understanding of this captivating chapter in Welsh and British folklore.

Taglist (reply or reblog to be added):

@axl-ul @crow-flower @thoughts-fromthevoid @alderwoodbooks @harleyacoincidence @tuberosumtater @sonic-spade @theonlygardenia @holymzogynybatman @nulliel-tres

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hellhoundmaggie · 2 years ago

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Nanscough: A Gothic Scarlet Hollow AU

Nanscough (Cornish: Scarlet Valley) is a village and civil parish in Cornwall. The local tin mine, owned by the prominent Cough (pronounced ko) family, was once prosperous and drew many to the area. A few Afro-Caribbean families even settled in Nanscough a century ago and are now assimilated into local life. But the tin trade began to decline earlier in the century following a collapse in Nanscough Mines, and the town’s fortunes fell along with it. The parish is also home to the Seven Maids, local megaliths said to be a group of girls turned to stone for dancing on the Sabbath. Lately the area has been plagued by reports of creatures from Cornish lore – giants, pixies, Tommyknockers, phantom cats, and even the Devil’s Dandy Dogs. Nanscough will not give up its secrets easily….

Mr./Miss/Mx. MC Cough: MC grew up in genteel poverty with their mother, the late Vivian Cough, who fled her ancestral home under mysterious circumstances. They are visiting Nanscough for the first time in their life to attend the funeral of their aunt, Mrs. Anne Cough.

Miss Tabitha Cough: Iron-fisted manager of Nanscough Mines and mistress of Nanscough Hall. Cousin to MC.

Dustin: A badger living in a dresser in the Hall. Son to Dustin Mam. Speaks broken English with a strong Cornish accent.

Dustin Mam: Another badger living in a dresser in the Hall. Mother of Dustin. Also speaks broken English with a strong Cornish accent.

Frou-Frou: Nanscough Hall cat. Speaks with a French accent.

Miss Stella Trelawney: Former lady’s companion to Miss Cough, current lady reporter investigating stories of the Devil’s Dandy Dogs. Owner of Gretchen. Friend to Cora and Rhys.

Gretchen: Stella’s lapdog. Speaks the Queen’s English.

Miss Cora Forsyth: Afro-Caribbean shopkeeper, aspiring naturalist, and lover of Gothic tales and penny dreadfuls. Friend to Stella and Rhys. Sister of Miles and daughter of Sybil.

Mrs. Sybil Forsyth: Town midwife, herbalist, and shop owner. Mother to Cora and Miles. A fixture of Nanscough.

Master Miles Forsyth: Indifferent Afro-Caribbean youth. Lover of boy’s adventure tales and little else. Son of Sybil and brother of Cora.

Mx. Avery Bell: Afro-Caribbean barkeep at the Bell, Nanscough’s only public house. Nibling to Winifred. Liked by all, but close to no one.

Mrs. Winifred Bell: Widowed Afro-Caribbean landlady of the Bell. Aunt to Avery. Makes the best pasties. Another town fixture.

Mr. “Duke” Calloway: Local farmer. Claims to be descended from British royalty, hence the nickname. Father to Beau. Distant cousin to Julius.

Mr. Beau Calloway: Local farmer. Large adult son to Duke. Distant cousin to Julius.

Mr. Julius Tremaine: Local farmer. Scoffs at his family’s claim to royal blood. Distant cousin to Duke and Beau.

The Miners: Come from all over Cornwall and even parts beyond.

Mr. Oscar Gutierrez: British-born Spaniard schoolmaster. Father to Rosalina.

Miss Rosalina Gutierrez: British-born Spaniard girl. Daughter to Oscar. Friend to Alexis, Miles, Rebecca, and Zane.

Morsel: The Gutierrez’s cat. Speaks broken English.

Sheriff Hammet: Affable town sheriff. Suitor of the Widow Bell.

Deputy Teague: Overly-serious sheriff’s deputy. Owner of the Lord Mayor.

Deputy Penrose: Calm sheriff’s deputy. Takes ninepins far too seriously.

Jimmy: Deputy Teague’s dog. Affectionately known as the Lord Mayor. Speaks with a slight accent.

Scraps and Daisy: Local dogs and leaders of the Dog Militia. Speak with accents.

Vicar Daniel: Local vicar with sparsely attended sermons. Strange and off-putting. Husband to Mrs. Jane, father to Flora.

Mrs. Jane: Vicar Daniel’s wife, mother of Flora, keeper of sheep. Forces weekly social calls on Tabitha.

Miss Flora: Daughter of Vicar Daniel and Mrs. Jane. Claims to have befriended pixies at the Seven Maids.

Dr. Joan Kelly: One of Britain’s first female licensed doctors. Formerly of London by way of Ireland. Claims to be the widow of a sea captain who died during a transatlantic voyage. Mother to Rhys.

Mr. Rhys Kelly: “Consumptive” artist. Bought to Cornwall by his doctor mother to “recover his strength” in country air. Extremely Byronic. Son to Dr. Kelly. Friend to Stella and Cora.

The other youths: Miss Rebecca, Miss Alexis, Master Zane. Friends to Miles and Rosalina. Probably up to no good.

Mrs. Nancy: An ill-tempered and entitled miner’s wife. Mother to Miss Rebecca.

Mr. Samuel Wayne: Nanscough Hall groundskeeper, currently neglecting his duties. Probably not the host of an inhuman consciousness.

#Scarlet Hollow #Alternate Universe #Scarlet Hollow Characters #I skipped some of the animals and all of the dead people #Let me know if I missed anybody important #Gothic AU #Victorian AU

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adacatlovelace · 1 year ago

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Things I love about the TF2 lore:

The demoman's eye socket is canonically haunted and the scream fortress events aren't one offs but actually canon. Medic has tried to replace his eye but every holloween it leaves his skull to become a monster.

William Shakesphere invented rocket jumping due to two story houses being invented but not stairs

The sniper being from new zealand was subtly hinted at from the start ("Bloody fruitshop owners" was a reference to a new zealand skit show, and the jarate promo image saying "Made in New Zealand"

Scout dies on the same exact day as the Bite of '87

Abraham Lincoln was the original pyro (Along with a bunch of other historical/folklore characters being the original mercs)

Soldier's flanderization from "Insane military buff" to "Insane military buffoon" is due to him contracting lead poisoning from Teufort's water supply

2fort is in Teufort, which was originally named "Hugginsville" after its founder who was mauled to death by bears but then renamed "Two Farts" by a roving gang of schoolyard bullies which was then changed to "Teufort" becuase they were scared of the bullies returning

Spy keeps a full meal of cornish game hen in secret compartments in his teeth

Soldier killed Tom Jones who was then killed again in Heaven

Upon losing their job, The Pyro became CEO of a successful Fortune 500 company despite not being able to understand a word of anything anyone says around them

Eyelander is 100% haunted with a spirit who demands heads but is just sorta bros with Demoman

Saxton Hale invented jarate by kicking over a chair

Saxton's Hale's desk is a massive griddle for cooking steak

Yetis used to exist but they've been hunted to extinction by Saxton Hale

#team fortress 2

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emlovesatla · 2 years ago

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Just came across a Lockwood & Co review video on YT made by 3 guys (2 of whom actually went to the 1st episode screening!!)

Overall, their review was positive! The guys who watched the first episode said that the trailer didn't actually do it justice! They praised the world building and said that there's a lot of lore that can be explored in later seasons. (They said that the show has potential to have like 10 seasons, but i personally hope they stick to about 3😅)

They seem to be fans of Joe Cornish and Attack the Block, and said they'd give Lockwood & Co. a try because he directed it. They also mentioned the fact that the protagonists are young adults and YA series usually aren't their thing but, again, since Joe Cornish worked on it, they'd watch it.

Here's the link to the review if you want to watch:

youtube

#side note i like how at the beginning of the vid when they're watching the trailer the dude in the white shirt is grinning the whole time #Like that's how I feel every time I watch that trailer lmao #lockwood & co #lockwood and co #lockwood and co netflix #l&co. netflix #l&co. netflix review #Youtube

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joeyvimsantepoet · 8 months ago

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Cross Border Cups With Scotland

How about Saudi Arabia fund a cross border club trophy with teams from Saudi Arabia, Scotland, the Netherlands, Poland, Switzerland, Denmark, Belgium, France, North America, Africa and other European nations? Saudi Arabia has wealth, but Scotland has intense passionate supporters. Clubs like Glasgow Celtic, Aberdeen, Glasgow Rangers, Motherwell, Heart of Midlothian, Hibernian, Dundee, and Dundee United could bring passionate games and lore to Saudi soccer.How about cross border cups for Scottish football. I say a good way for Scottish football to improve is to have cross border trophies on top of domestic and European football.There are an entire host of ideas that could happen. Bring back the Anglo Scottish Cup.Change the Scottish Premiership to a 16 team 30 game league. Then have extra cross border cups.Ideas could include a North Atlantic League Cup. With the top four to 8 SPFL clubs playing a group stage trophy with teams from Europe, Asia, or Africa, or North America, or Saudi Arabia.The Scottish allow Welsh and Northern Ireland club sides in the Scottish Challenge Cup.The Scottish and Welsh Rugby clubs travel to places like South Africa, and Italy. And UEFA soccer has seen Scottish sides travel to Central Asia. So football clubs could travel 5 or 8 times a year to the USA, or Africa. In UEFA trophies Scottish and Welsh sides have been to Central Asia.Other ideas could include having all Scottish Premiership sides not in Europe, plus selected Welsh Cymru Premier club sides, and perhaps Belgian, and North West French sides in the Football League Trophy. There could easily be 16 teams added to the EFL Trophy with a little reorganisation of the trophy to add the new sides.Perhaps all Scots Championsip sides, Welsh Cymru Premier sides, and some North Western French sides in the non-league FA Trophy.

Or a Celtic Nations Club Cup of Scottish, Welsh, Irish, Ulster, Cornish, Cumbria, Brittany, Isle of Man and Yorkshire club sides.Perhaps leading Scottish, Irish, French, Dutch, Belgian or German sides invited as guests into the Engliah FA Cup, or English League Cup.I do not support merging the British leagues, as people would wrongly think Scotland was part of England. And all the Scottish trophies in history would be relegated to the status of lower tier trophies. While all the English trophies would be seen as forerunners of the British trophies. So Scottish clubs would be seen to be reset as having won ZERO trophies. Also 30 trips into England a year might be too much bit 5 to 8 times a year would keep it a novelty and highlight of the season.We need Pan-Great Britain Cups on top of domestic and European football.If we had a British League a club like Dundee could make 25 trips year of up to 800 miles. That would be too tough. It has to be at a manageable number of games.

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