#Neopaganism

[hauntingfaerie]

[banecraft]

Remember when historian Diane Purkiss chose violence? 🤣

“In this essay, I will show that medieval and early modern witchcraft was for the most part not a pagan practice, but a dissident form of Christianity. I will also argue that modern pagans and modern witches are themselves products of the very globalized, commercial, urban and anywhere culture which they set out to resist.”

[recaptchalater]

You can worship all of the gods

There seems to be this perception online right now that a god has to reach out to you personally through signs and omens and mysterious dreams before you can start praying to them.

There's also this idea that you have to establish a close personal relationship with every god before you can ask them for anything.

People ask things like "I want to work with [deity], but they haven't reached out to me. What can I do?"

I'm not saying this modern version of worship is wrong, but it's vastly different from how gods were worshipped in the past. You don't need a close relationship with a god to pray to them. People who were closer to specific gods were closer to them due to their lifestyles, and the things they were prone to pray for.

Sailors prayed to the Dioscuri for safe passage because they were sailors.

Soldiers prayed to Mars for strength in battle because they were soldiers.

People prayed to gods based on the things those gods were in charge of, the things they did.

You might wonder, if there's no pre-established relationship between myself and this god, why would they help me?

The answer is offerings. Offerings are a transactional relationship, given and received. A gift for a gift. And they didn't always take place before the gift was given, either. It was equally common for a person to pray something like;

"Mercury, if you deliver me safely on my journey then when I arrive I will pay to have an altar raised to you in the town I find myself in."

We know this because there are a great many plaques on offerings and even buildings devoted to the gods, describing the debt owed to the god, by whom it was owed, and what was given in payment.

If you want to worship a god, just do it. You don't need anyone's permission. Just start praying to them. If you want something from them, give something in return. It's far more straightforward than many people make it seem.

[nyxshadowhawk]

[keysatthecrossroad]

Mother Hekáte, wise and kind,

Grant us solace in Your Garden,

Allow us to gaze upon Your Gate,

Give us time to heal at Your Crossroads.

[chadelirio]

witch altar inspo 🌙

[little-cat-cute]

[lokavisi]

As we approach Yule and the winter holidays, we see a LOT of false narratives around the origins of the ways in which they're celebrated. And not in the ways you think. This blog lays out sources intelligently and logically to illustrate the facts of our human history, not false sentiments of anti-Christianity/Pagan superiority.

I particularly appreciated this quote in their conclusion: "[I]t’s easy enough to show that the claims are wrong and then in turn that makes it look like Pagans and NeoPagans trade in propaganda, conspiracy theories, and uneducated claims - it makes all of us look bad. But to me, more importantly, when someone is starting out and wants to learn, misinformation builds walls, hurdles, and snares that they won’t know how to navigate at the start of their journey."

So before we go around teaching ourselves and others false information upon which to build our practices and worldviews, let's take the time to educate ourselves, yeah? I admit I have yet to get through *every* source listed in this blog as there are many (I am working on it, though!). I just believe this is vital information and have no desire to wait to share it.

Knowing what we celebrate, how we do it, and the why of it all is important, no matter the origins. Embracing our history and our modern practices need not be mutually exclusive. I hope this information strengthens and blesses your winter practices and celebrations this year. 🌟

[halloweenlandmotherfucker]

Janet and Stewart Farrar

[booksandwitchery]

Demystifying Energy in Witchcraft

Throughout my life I've heard the word "energy" used, viewed and treated in the spiritual sphere as some ethereal, supernatural force. I even saw a TikTok the other day claiming that secular and atheist witches do not believe in energy work. I'm not sure where this treatment of the term "energy" started, but it likely has a lot to do with some more "woo" practices like Reiki and crystal healing.

I think we need to remove this stigma from the term "energy" in the Craft because 1) energy is an objectively real, observable material and 2) the benefits of working with and understanding energy shouldn't be packaged and branded as a medium for the "mystics only" club. This was something really meaningful that I took from Psychic Witch, where Mat Auryn explains energy in more scientifically observable terms.

Rather than defining energy as a mystical force, he explains that reality is, in fact, entirely composed of energy. The majority of us don't really think about reality this way, but anyone who has taken a physics class can tell you that this is a fact. Reality is energy--this is not a mystical perspective; it is a fact of the laws of physics. The scientific method has shown us that even things that appear solid, (diamonds, skeletons, my coffee mug, for example) are merely energies vibrating at a slower rate. Everything is made of particles perpetually in motion.

Still with me? Okay, so--Auryn breaks this down further by stating that the five senses are just various ways that we perceive energy. So in a sense, we are achieving a rudimentary form of energy work just by perceiving the world around us. Put in this context, many other animals are superior to humans with certain types of energy work (I wonder if this is part of why animals are so sacred to us witches). Dolphins and bats can legitimately use echolocation to experience sound waves as a form of sight. Indeed, we humans are far from the top of the totem pole when it comes to energy perception--it's almost as if humans were not created to rule over the rest of the earth (such a crazy concept).

Some examples of energy that our bodies cannot perceive include magnetic fields, radiation, wireless signals, and ultraviolet light.

What I'm trying to say is that Auryn's book really helped me to think of energy in terms of empirical reality, and reinforced my (somewhat) recent realization that magick is a valid, observably effective tool that can be used to achieve the changes we want.

[hearthandheathenry]

All About Mabon

Mabon is the name given to the pagan and Wiccan holiday that is celebrated on the autumn equinox. This year, it falls on September 22nd in the northern hemisphere. Although celebrations have been happening on the autumn equinox for centuries, Mabon as we know it today is a holiday coined and created around the 70s by new-age paganism and Wicca, named after the Welsh God. Although it doesn't have ancient roots, it does take inspiration from other autumn harvest festivals and participants have created beautiful ways to celebrate the neo-pagan holiday.

Just like other autumn equinox festivals, the main theme of Mabon seems to be one of transitioning seasons and giving thanks to the harvest and honoring nature. Many people consider it the pagan version of "Thanksgiving" as both holidays share many of the same symbolism and draw from seasonal items. Cornucopias play a big part in the symbolism of Mabon, representing a bountiful harvest, along with apples as well. Many people gather, feast, and spend time preparing for the long winter ahead as the days now grow shorter. Balance and scales also play a big role in celebrations due to the equinox, making it a great time to reflect on the give and take of life.

There doesn't seem to be one set way to celebrate Mabon due to its recent nature, so participants are encouraged to simply lean on the underlying themes of the holiday and celebrate in the ways that speak to them as they enjoy the universal shift in seasons.

Mabon Associations:

Colors - red, orange, brown, yellow, gold

Food - apples, squash, bread, corn, grains, root vegetables, grapes, nuts, pomegranates, wine, beer, cider, cinnamon

Animals - farm animals

Items - cornucopias, corn stalks, harvest tools, scales, acorns, autumn leaves

Crystals - amber, citrine, jasper, obsidian

Other - balance, change, thankfulness, reflection, letting go

Ways to celebrate:

have a feast

gather with loved ones and give thanks

write a list of everything you're grateful for

have a bonfire

decorate your home with Mabon and Autumn symbolism

harvest food from your garden

visit a farmers market

bake bread or pie

cook autumn themed food

write down goals for the coming season

create a Mabon altar

donate your time or money to those in need

go apple picking

cleanse and ward your home

stock up on food for winter

[witchboxco]

Late Winter.

[signsofthegods]

Hera is more than just the nonchalant suburban mom some of yall paint her for.

Hera is just as much an old queen in New York picking up stray queer kids and giving them a place to stay.

Hera is in the women putting on a full face for a 16 hour shift in a dementia unit and comforting confused and frightened people who think they’re 11 and can’t find their own mom.

Hera is the first in line at ANY right for marriage rally. She doesn’t care if you’re marrying six people or just one person of the same sex, she is there.

Hera is in the “Did you eat?” No? Here, have this.”

Hera is in the older siblings help dress their younger brothers and sisters for the day, for the ones who have stepped in for their parents to get away for a night or who have stepped in permanently.

Hera is woven into the fabric of handfasting ties and hides between the stones of wedding rings, promising the same good blessing to each band from Kay Jewelry and Walmart.

Hera is in the mom splitting the dollar cheeseburger from McDonald’s with her toddler in the backseat when that’s all they can afford.

Hera is in the quiet moment you embrace your spouse(s) after a long day, just holding each other and relishing in the warmth.

Hera is in the kind hearted folks who pick animals off the street and take them home, nourish them back to plump little things rather than skin and bones.

Hera is in promises of any kind, from childhood pinkie swears to vows on an altar.

Hera is in waitresses, nurses, customer service, any pink collar job that takes the blunt load of the shit in people’s days.

Hera is in the rural women across the globe whose back doesn’t break under the weight of physical labor and family needs. Her hands watch over the backs that do.

Hera is the mom fighting for silent dances, better ramps, bus accessibility and equal opportunity for the disabled children who are so often left out.

Hera is in the women in beat up jeans and dirt who wish for the days their hands were delicate enough for nail polish.

It is with great respect that we should regard the Queen of the Gods, mother to all and protector of humankind.

[the-little-spiritual]

The beauty of Bastet is in a fit of laughter with people who are dear to us

The beauty of Bastet is in our interest to keep our home clean

The beauty of Bastet is in the success of music with our instrument

The beauty of Bastet is in a tender cuddle with our cat

The beauty of Bastet is confidence and love for oneself, without the need to put others down

The beauty of Bastet is in the healing of our trauma.

The beauty of Bastet is in observing the moon

The beauty of Bastet is sunbathing

The beauty of Bastet is the warmth in our homes.

I found this picture in Pinterest

Bastet is one of the goddesses I pray to and work with. She has an important place in the spiritual family.

(My beliefs come from spiritual syncretism so don't take that literally for your practice and spare me your opinions on my beliefs)

I love her so much that I wanted to make a post for her with some little thing that I bring back to her.

Be blessed.

[nyxshadowhawk]

I'm suffering through The Golden Bough, you guys.

[templeofvenusministry]

Enjoy our shine to the Goddess Aphrodite ✨️ 💖 may she bless you and your feed on this day.